Muslim point

2011-04-28T03:29:00.000-07:00

European intervention in Libya sounds like a re-emergence of the 19th-century colonial mentality, scholar says.

Source:

Al Jazeera

Among ulterior agendas in the Middle East, European powers are trying to secure contracts in Libya and set a precedent for a possible intervention in Iran and Syria, Yucesoy says [GALLO/GETTY]

As was announced recently by UK prime minister David Cameron, Britain, Germany, France and the US have begun talks to support Libya's transition away from a violent dictatorship and to help create the conditions where the people of Libya can choose their own future.

It seems that after being caught off guard by the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions, American and European powers decided to be proactive.

The reasoning behind the military intervention in Libya reminds me of a statement at the Berlin Conference of 1885, where the colonial powers of the time agreed to:

"bind themselves to watch over the preservation of the native tribes, and to care for the improvement of the conditions of their moral and material well-being… instructing the natives and bringing home to them the blessings of civilisation."

When it comes to Middle East policies, nothing seems to have changed that much!

At a moment of frustration, I was tempted to read back Kipling's "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet" in search of solace and to explain why American and European powers so passionately and hastily launched military operations.

But Occidentalism, that is "Kipling read-back", is a generalisation as false as its sister "East is East" and a gross misrepresentation of the part of the world conventionally called the West.

So the root cause of the problem is not the "West"; rather it is a particular political-economic-military machine, an empire, that seeks sovereignty rather than legitimacy around the globe by all means necessary despite its people's will, who are almost as vulnerable to and victimised by the policies of it as any other people in the world.

Legitimacy questions

Watching American and European policies unfold in numerous forms in the region with the spontaneous, self-invited, and unwelcome intervention in Libya, I have some questions about political morality.

What is it that makes the military intervention, for the American and European actors, desirable, palatable, and familiar despite its crude, insanely pragmatic and selfish, patronising, and disrespectful nature?

Why do the governments arrogate to themselves the power prerogative to launch military attacks despite the fact that their action lacks legitimate popular support domestically and obvious demand from the Libyan people?

Is there anything in recent history that would shed some light on the mode of thinking of the policy makers in the corridors of the American and European powers?

We know the immediate answer. I am going to rule out humanitarian and altruistic justifications. They just do not add up.

American and European powers have some mundane, concrete, and pragmatic national interests in the region. They consider the region simply too important to be left alone.

This is apparent in how the wielders of power at NATO strive to secure an honourable share in the removal of Gaddafi, embed themselves in Libya for the eventual distribution of contracts, set a precedent for a possible intervention in Syria and Iran, design and channel the waves of change in the Middle East, and inject Europe into world politics with a big bang.

It can only help that the language of international politics values nation-state interests as the currency of the international space where ultimately brute force and/or balance of power rules. But I leave this subject to more able analysts than I to elaborate on it.

'White Man's burden'

Here is a more subtle but ubiquitous – and therefore dangerous – undercurrent, a particular attitude and a mindset visible in the coalition's intervention in Libya: the mentality of the Berlin Conference participants.

I am specifically referring to the discourse of mission civilisatrice, which I think is deep-seated in the European statecraft's culture since the nineteenth century.

This discourse has helped to justify colonial policies, and also alleviate the moral and cognitive dissonance caused by the brutality of the colonial enterprise.

Either articulated openly or implied, mission civilisatrice has always come handy as a modality to write the history and reshape the identity, culture, and socio-economic and political structure of the colonised in such a way that it becomes understandable and useful to the coloniser.

What is being attempted in Libya right now (and has been in Iraq and Afghanistan) is a similar colonial procedure.

Through the modality of guardianship, American and European powers announce to protect the Libyan people from the dictator (I note, but am not going to discuss, the double standard here when it comes to other dictators) and set up a friendly government that will not pose a risk to their interests in the region.

Thus, the military intervention in Libya signals a return to the discourse of the "half-devil, half-child" mentality, which infantilises the colonised: Arabs cannot represent themselves, they need to be represented; they cannot solve their problems, the civilised nations need to do it for them.

It is with this fatherly care, patronage, and therefore coercion and punishment when necessary, they aim at nurturing the Arabs (and Muslims) step-by-step so that they could overcome the burden of their culture (in the singular) and underdevelopment.

Updating the intervention discourse

As Roland Paris analyses the relationship between international peace building and the mission civilisatrice, revolution by design too seems to represent an updated version of the mission civilisatrice, or the colonial-era notion that the 'advanced' states of Europe had a moral responsibility to 'civilise' the indigenous societies that they were colonising.

This is a mentality that must be confronted. It promises an unhealthy prospect in American- and European-Middle Eastern relations precisely because it is simply offencive, selfish, and arrogant.

In the short run, it has deprived the revolutionaries their moral high ground, weakened the credibility of their cause, and emboldened the dictator to fall back on national, tribal, and xenophobic narratives to rally support around himself.

In the long run, it opens the door to new forms of colonialism and dependency and propagates a false sense of innocence even pride among the citizens of the American and European powers by misrepresenting the intervention and its outcome.

There are therefore several possible readings of the intervention. One can read it altruistically that it is genuinely intended to help the revolutionaries. One can also read it pragmatically that the intervention aimed at protecting the vital interests of the American and European powers in Libya and in the region.

While both of these readings are plausible, they nevertheless allude to and echo another long-standing narrative.

I thus tend to read the intervention dialogically. One cannot understand the military intervention and the discourse being formed around it outside its corresponding history, which is the colonial civilising mission – the White Man's burden.

I do not see another viable alternative reading of the military intervention that is analytically aware of this context.

Whether humanitarian or pragmatic, the policies in Libya and the region are going to take shape within the discourse of mission civilisatrice until and unless, the policy-makers make a plausible case that they have gone through, dealt with, and left behind this colonial legacy.

Seeing wolf in sheep's clothing, one almost misses the good old crusade mentality, which despite its irksome savagery, had enough chivalric courage and honesty to call its enemy, enemy.

Dr. Hayrettin Yücesoy is an Associate Professor of History at Saint Louis University and author of Messianic Beliefs and Imperial Politics in Medieval Islam (Columbia: South Carolina University Press, 2009) and Tatawwur al-Fikr al-Siyasi inda Ahl al-Sunna (Amman: Dar al-Bashir, 1993).

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.

2011-04-17T05:12:00.001-07:00

The Amazing Camel
and
It's Creator

If you ever doubted that God exists,
Meet the Very Technical, Highly Engineered
Dromedary Camel.

When I'm hungry, I'll eat almost anything-
A leather bridle, a piece of rope, my master's tent,
Or a pair of shoes.

My mouth is so tough a thorny cactus doesn't bother it.
I love to chow down grass and other plants
That grow here on the Arabian desert

I'm a dromedary camel, the one-hump kind
That lives on hot deserts in the Middle East.

My hump, all eighty pounds of it,
Is filled with fat-my body fuel-not water as some people believe.
My Mighty Maker gave it to me because
He knew I wouldn't always be able to find food
As I travel across the hot sands.
When I don't find any chow, my body automatically
Takes fat from the hump, feeds my system,
And keeps me going strong.
This is my emergency food supply.

If I can't find any plants to munch, my body uses up my hump.
When the hump gets smaller, it starts to tip to one side.
But when I get to a nice oasis and begin to eat again,
My hump soon builds back to normal.

I've been known to drink twenty-seven gallons of water in ten minutes.
My Master Designer made me in such a fantastic way that
In a matter of minutes all the water I've swallowed
Travels to the billions of microscopic cells that make up my flesh.

Naturally, the water I swallow first goes into my stomach.
There thirsty blood vessels absorb and carry it to every part of my body.
Scientists have tested my stomach and found it empty
Ten minutes after I've drunk twenty gallons.

In an eight hour day I can carry a four hundred pound load
A hundred miles across a hot, dry desert
And not stop once for a drink or something to eat.
In fact, I've been known to go eight days without a drink,
But then I look a wreck.
I lose 227 pounds, my ribs show through my skin,
And I look terribly skinny.
But I feel great!
I look thin because the billions of cells lose their water.
They're no longer fat. They're flat.

Normally my blood contains 94 percent water, just like yours.
But when I can't find any water to drink,
The heat of the sun gradually robs a little water out of my blood.
Scientists have found that my blood can lose up to
40 percent of its water, and I'm still healthy.

Doctor's say human blood has to stay very close to 94 percent water.
If you lose 5 percent of it, you can't see anymore; 10 percent, you can't
Hear and you go insane; 12 percent, your blood is as thick as molasses
And your heart can't pump the thick stuff. It stops, and you're dead.

But that's not true with me.
Why?
Scientists say my blood is different.
My red cells are elongated. Yours are round.
Maybe that's what makes the difference

This proves I'm designed for the desert,
Or the desert is designed for me.
Did you ever hear of a design without a Designer?

After I find a water hole,
I'll drink for about ten minutes
And my skinny body starts to change almost immediately.
In that short time my body fills out nicely, I don't look skinny anymore,
And I gain back the 227 pounds I lost.

Even though I lose a lot of water on the desert,
My body conserves it too.
Way in the beginning when my intelligent Engineer made me,
He gave me a specially designed nose that saves water.
When I exhale, I don't lose much.
My nose traps that warm, moist air from my lungs
And absorbs it in my nasal membranes.

Tiny blood vessels in those membranes take that back into my blood.
How's that for a recycling system? Pretty cool, isn't it.
It works because my nose is cool.
My cool nose changes that warm moisture in the air
from my lungs into water.

But how does my nose get cool?
I breath in hot dry desert air,
And it goes through my wet nasal passages.
This produces a cooling effect, and my nose stays as much as
18 degrees cooler than the rest of my body.

I love to travel the beautiful sand dunes.
It's really quite easy, because
My Creator gave me specially engineered sand shoes for feet.
My hooves are wide, and they get even wider when I step on them.
Each foot has two long, bony toes with tough, leathery skin
between my soles, are a little like webbed feet.

They won't let me sink into the soft, drifting sand.
This is good, because often my master wants me to carry him
one hundred miles across the desert in just one day.
(I troop about ten miles per hour.)

Sometimes a big windstorm comes out of nowhere,
bringing flying sand with it.
My Master Designer put special muscles in my nostrils
that close the openings, keeping sand out of my nose
but still allowing me enough air to breathe.

My eyelashes arch down over my eyes like screens,
keeping the sand and sun out but still letting me see clearly.
If a grain of sand slips through and gets in my eye,
the Creator took care of that too.
He gave me an inner eyelid that automatically
wipes the sand off my eyeball just like a windshield wiper.

Some people think I'm conceited because I always walk around
with my head held high and my nose in the air.

But that's just because of the way I'm made.
My eyebrows are so thick and bushy
I have to hold my head high to peek out from underneath them.
I'm glad I have them though.
They shade my eyes from the bright sun.

Desert people depend on me for many things.
Not only am I their best form of transportation,
but I'm also their grocery store.
Mrs. Camel gives very rich milk
that people make into butter and cheese.
I shed my thick fur coat once a year,
and that can be woven into cloth.
A few young camels are used for beef,
but I don't like to talk about that.

For a long time we camels have been called
the "ships of the desert" because of the way
we sway from side to side when we trot.
Some of our riders get seasick.

I sway from side to side because of the way my legs work.
Both legs on one side move forward at the same time,
elevating that side.
My "left, right left, right" motion makes my rider feel like
he is in a rocking chair going sideways.

When I was six months old,
special knee pads started to grow on my front legs.
The intelligent Creator knew I had to have them.
They help me lower my 1000 pounds to the ground.

If I didn't have them,
my knees would soon become sore and infected,
and I could never lie down.
I'd die of exhaustion.

By the way,
I don't get thick knee pads because I fall on my knees.
I fall on my knees because I already have these tough pads.
Someone very great thought of me and knew I needed them
He designed them into my genes.

It's real difficult for me to understand
how some people say I evolved into what I now am.
I'm very technical, highly engineered dromedary camel.
Things like me don't just happen.

They're planned on a drawing board
by Someone very brilliant,
Someone very logical. Do you know HIM?

Apostates

2010-10-04T09:11:00.001-07:00

taken from - http://www.islamnewsroom.com/if-someone-leaves-islam-hot-topics-45

So, what exactly does happen to anyone who (apostates) Islam?"

ANSWER:

Jazakallah khair and may Allah reward you for your question regarding those who become "murtid" (apostate from Islam):
Your letter has caused me to finally sit down and prepare a complete written response this subject and it gives me the opportunity to also include this reply in our discussion boards on the Internet. I pray for you and ask Allah to reward you every time someone reads this and takes benefit from it, ameen. Please write back and let me know if the following research and presentation is of any benefit for you and for those whom you are sharing about Islam.

You probably are aware I was once a Christian music minister and preacher, coming to Islam while trying to "convert" a Muslim from Egypt to Christianity. (full story on our website at: www.YusufEstes.com

As you must imagine, I had some very serious concerns over this very same question, before accepting to leave Christianity for Islam. After all, I didn't think anyone would kill me for doing so. It was only in the last few years I learned there is killing going on in some countries over the issue of family members and others converting to other religions. Yes! - even in these days! Egypt has cases of Christians killing someone for going to Islam, as well as the other way around. This is also true, according to the newspapers about someone in Israel going to Islam last year. And there is even a law in Chanai, India forbidden the public declaration of faith for anyone converting to Islam. I know that to be a fact, as I was there at the time of the tsunami and a man from Texas wanted to convert from Christianity to Islam while Dr. Zakir Naik's program was going on (the man's name was David) and the authorities would not allow it in public. They told me that there had been a series of murders as a result of a man converting from Hindu to Islam in the area and they just didn't want any more killings or civil riots. (I think "civil riots" is an oxymoron?)

I had discussed this issue of apostasy in great depth many times, even before making up my mind to leave almost 50 years of Christianity to become a Muslim. After all I thought, what if I would like to change my mind and go back to being a Christian or make some other choice along the way; what would the Muslims do to me then? So you are most correct to ask this and we will try our best to provide the answer from historical evidences of Islam.

But before we begin, I would like to observe your particular question because it is not a general question. It deals with a specific occurrence in a particular place in certain circumstances, which I would like to come back to in a brief moment.

Also there is something not correct in the question. The man did not recently convert. He was already a Christian even before the Taliban. I do not know all of the circumstances, but I have been informed by some of the actual people from Afghanistan the man in question (I think his name is Abdur Rahman or something similar) had been Christian for a long number of years and this incident was really based on something else, but what, I don't know.

The story presented in the news media these days is one of about an Afghani man who has been a Christian for over 16 years. This means he was a Christian throughout the entire time the Taliban were running the country there and obviously no one did anything to him throughout this time. Only now, with the western backed regime in place, are we hearing about this "problem." It does make a person wonder what is really going on there.

Nevertheless, we will discuss the subject of how Islam views the one who leaves Islam, if God Wills (inshallah).
To begin, there is not a hard and fast rule concerning this subject because there are perhaps as many reasons why people do what they do as there are people in the world. The answer must be based on each individual situation, as it depends largely on the person, his or her knowledge, intention and understanding as well as the conditions surrounding the circumstances.

Before we can begin, to be fair to those not familiar with Islamic terms and words, we must start by explaining to both Muslims and the non-Muslims alike, who might be wondering about the answer to such a question, what Islam is really all about and set the stage for them to better understand the actual ramifications of entering and/or leaving Islam.

First, they have to understand what all of the relevant Arabic words and terms actually mean. You should explain exactly what "ISLAM" means and what is: Tawhid (monotheism); Ibadah (worship); Shar'iah (God's Commandments in Islamic Law); Fatwah (Islamic Judge's findings in Law and their subsequent rulings); Hudud (punishment); Murtid(apostasy). It is important for anyone desiring to understand Islam's position on any subject, especially in such matters as this, to gain a firm grip on the importance of words being used and their meanings regarding the issues at hand.

The first word to explain is:
"Allah" - believe it or not, most people do not know the word "God" is a deficiency in the English language. There is no word for the "God" of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus, (peace be upon them all) in English. The word "god" is used both for the pagans and the monotheists. In order to distinguish between the two, the first letter "g" in the word is capitalized when written. However, this approach does help very much when beginning a sentence with the word as all sentences begin with capital letters. Nor does it provide for any type of distinction when speaking as there would be no way to differentiate between "god" and "God. "Allah" is the appropriate word for the "God" of Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. There is a word in Arabic for "god" (note the small 'g'); it is "elah." The word "Allah" in Arabic comes from the same root, but it can not be made plural (as in: 'gods') nor can the word imply actual gender (as in: 'goddess'). Allah is the perfect word to describe the One God Almighty of the universe and it has been the word used by the writers of the Bible for both the Jews and Christians in the Arabic language for centuries. www.GodAllah.com

"ISLAM" means; surrender, submission, obedience, sincerity and peace between God and His Creatures (us); to do "God's Will on earth, as it is in Heaven" www.WhatsIslam.com

"Muslim" comes from the same root as "Islam" and it means: the one who believes in Allah and is complying with the Shari'ah of Islam) www.IslamTomorrow.com/word/

Tawhid (monotheism) in Islam is - to believe in the One God of Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, and to obey the Commandments of Allah according to His Will. It is to worship Allah, Alone without any partners (see: First Commandment; Exodus, chapter 20) and to obey the prophets of Allah, worshiping Allah according to the way they did, and to be dutiful to the parents. (examples: Fifth Commandment; Exodus, chapter 20, Duet., chapter 5) feed the poor and care for the orphan, to always tell the truth, encourage good and forbid evil. Basically, it is to believe as mentioned by the New Testament (Mark: chapter 12:29) "Know O Israel, the Lord your God is One Lord; and you have to worship Him with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength. And I give you another Commandment like unto it, to love your neighbor as yourself."

Ibadah (worship) only for Allah and not to worship anything in or of His Creation. All praise, worship, thanksgiving and supplications are for Him only.

Quran (Recitation and actual Speech of Allah recorded in memory of Muhammad, peace be upon him, from the Angel Jibreel [Gabriel]. It was then passed on from mouth to ear and recorded in manuscripts perserved until now. Quran is memorized by over 10,000,000 Muslims living on the earth today - 90% of whom are not even Arab, by the way. Quran is the Final Revelation and Last Testament from Allah to all mankind, as such it is considered by Muslims as the foundation for everything in the Shari'ah.

Shar'iah (God's Commandments in Islamic Law) The Commandments of Allah in the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him, as understood by the first generation of companions to Muhammad, peace be upon him). The shar'iah only applies to Muslims and those who live under the protection of the Islamic State (khalifate).

Fatwah Findings in Law and their subsequent rulings, by jurists and Islamic scholars who have memorized the Quran and are experts in the classical Arabic language and have correct knowledge of the meaning of the revelation of Quran and the hadeeth.

Hadeeth Authentically recorded and preserved testimonies of eyewitnesses to accounts taking place concerning Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the revelation of the Quran.

Hudud (punishment) The punishments to be initiated by those in authority according to Shar'iah as ordered according to appropriatefatawah (plural of fatwah).

Murtid (apostasy) a Muslim who makes the choice to leave Islam(submission to God's Will).
Next let them know, no one is ever forced or coerced into accepting Islam. This always was and always will be a matter of choice left up to the individual. Muslims are not ordered to "convert" people to Islam. Rather, they are ordered to deliver the message of Islam to others through their own righteous living as an example and in respectful "reminding" as taught in the Quran.

Islam (willful submission) to Allah's Shar'iah (God's Commandments in Islamic Law) and is the very balance needed for all humans for all times and in all places (according the teachings of Islam). The Paradise is reserved for only those who submit themeselves to the Commandments and Judgments of Almighty Allah.

There is never to be forced conversion to Islam (if it were forced, then the word "Islam" would not really apply anyway), and it is forbidden according to the Quran, in the second chapter, verse 256: "Let there be no complusion in the religioin ("deen": actually means way of life as opposed to "religion"). From this we understand no one can be made to believe anything by force. Rather, it must be by their own decision.

Now be sure they understand the difference between "Islam" and "Muslims", meaning: "Islam" is perfect, but we as humans (Muslims) are not. Therefore, we can and do make mistakes. This lets us know immediately if anyone is calling for something in the name of "Islam" or the "Shar'iah", this should be viewed in the evidence of the Shar'iah itself and not just what some jurist or scholar may conclude.

Finally, judges and scholars over the centuries have held different opinions and given various rulings based on all of the above. No one can make a blanket statement and say the same rule applies to all people in all situations.
Let us review some of the evidences starting at the time of our prophet, peace be upon him.

Even during the time of our prophet, peace be upon him, there were some who "left Islam" and then they were allowed to come back if they wanted to or stay away if they so desired. One example is from the Muslims who migrated in the first migration to Ethiopia and one of them left Islam, became a Christian (the people of Abyssinia were Christians at that time) and then even told people there he was an "author" of the Quran. Of course such actions are most despicable and worthy of some kind of reprimand, especially considering the extent of the lies against the Quran and the prophet, peace be upon him. Yet, nothing was done to this man by the Muslims. His wife, Zainab, could not tolerate his lies and his turning his back against the truth of Islam and she returned back to the Muslims in Arabia. After the man died the Christians attempted to bury him, but the next day they found his body out of the grave and laying on the ground. Considering the Muslims must have done this act, they moved him to another area and buried him there. Again, the next day they found his body out of the grave and on top of the ground. So, they took him far from there and made another grave and buried him in it. But again, the next day his body was out of the grave and laying on the ground. At this point they decided the ground would not accept his body and they left it for the wild animals. We learn from this example Allah will be the One to finally deal with these people and He may even do so in this world as well as on the Day of Judgment.

Other examples include those who entered Islam in the presence of our beloved prophet, peace be upon him, yet when they were returned back to their people (during an agreement between the pagans and Muhammad, peace be upon him) some of them reverted back to their old pagan religion. Some of them did come back to Islam again later on after Islam came to be the governing state. In this case we observe what can happen in the case of the one who is in Islam and then for whatever reason decides not to stay.

Yet another example that occurred at the time of our blessed prophet, peace be upon him, was that of some who pretended they wanted to be Muslims only to take advantage of the believers, gain some worldly benefits and then abused and slaughtered an entire group of shepherds that memorized the entire Quran, who were caring for them. They killed them in cold blood and took everything for themselves. The prophet, peace be upon him, was very disturbed over this and ordered them to be severely punished and left to die without any food or water. From this example we learn how to deal with traitors and terrorists who have no intention of doing anything except evil and spreading fitnah (evil and terror) throughout the land.
Over the centuries since the inception of Islam, we can find cases of people leaving Islam and what was their example and what the pervailing jurists decided in their particular situation. Most all of these were not punished except in the cases of treason, other acts of viloence or for propagating corruption, dissention and promoting evil along with their apostasy. Those who were found to be causing sedition or of being enemy spies during times of war or advocating the overthrow of Islamic government could understandably be courtmartialed and executed.

Now let us breifly compare the treatment of conversion and apostasy with other civilizations and societies over the centuries.
The Roman civilization would not tolerate someone who accepted the benefits of citizenship and the turned against the government. These people were made short work of as entertainment for the people, while gladiators tortured and killed them for public sport. (see: Encyclopedia Britanitca; Rome).

It may benefit us to take into consideration Judaism and Christianity to better understand the difference between what is being taught as the religion and what some people do. The Book of Genesis in the Torah (Old Testament) tells of an incident referred to by Scholars such as Rabbi Allison Bergman Vann, as the "Rape of Dinah." (note#3 & #4 below)
It is easy to conclude the offer of circumcizing and coming to their religion was only a trick to defeat the men while they were in such pain and suffering (keep in mind, in those days there were no clinics or even sterile conditions for such operations).
Another reference to "conversion and apostasy" regarding Jews during the years after Jesus, peace be upon him, occurred in the south of Arabia in Yemen. Yusuf Dhu Nawas, a Jewish leader in Yemen, attacked the Christians of Najran ordering them to embrace Judaism or be burned in a pit of fire. Estimates put the number of those killed between 20,000 and 40,000.

(note #5 below)
The Catholic Church at one time forced people to enter into their religion at the point of the sword and with torture chambers (see: Crusades, 1095 to 1200 A.D.; and Inquisition, 1492 to 1520 A.D.) Those who wished to remain or change to Islam or Judaism or even another form of Christianity were put to the most vile of tortures and even executed. However, this cannot be said to in any way, represent the teachings of Jesus or the New Testament.
Now let us consider the realities of balance in Islam in light of today's world:
There is no existing Islamic state with a khilafah. This means the hudud (punishment according to Islam) of the Shar'iah (Islamic Law) cannot be appropritely applied. Additionally, anyone not being a citizen living in an Islamic state could hardly be tried and convicted by the state in a proper manner.

(note #6 below)
Some would claim the Protestants are not the same as the Catholics. Read what the first real "protestant," Martin Lurther, had to say about this (taken from Jamal Udeen Zaraboza's article).

Let us consider the follow example for comparison:

> There is a person living in Russia decides he wants to become a citizen of the United States and goes to the United States Embassy and begins the procedure of immagration and naturalization. Later on he changes his mind, doesn't like things the US is doing and decides to give it up.

> Now he cancels his immagration process. This would could lessen his chances of getting citizenship in the future but would not bring about retaliation against him from the US.

> Then, if he begins to publicly speak out against the US policy and puts up websites, sends out emails makes speeches calling for acts of violence against America, he definitely is going to have a problem ever getting a chance a citizenship later if he should change his mind and like to become an American.

> Next, he goes so far as to actually recruit people and train them at some paintball place while telling them they are preparing to attack America.

<>Question: Is he going to be listed as a terrorist and enemy to America?

<> What about those who joined him for paintball practice and listened to his talks? Would they be listed along with him, as terrorists?

<> Would they be tortured (in some other country) and then spend the rest of their lives in prison?

! > After all, they are enemies to the state and should be treated as such. Right?

NOTE: "Islam does not permit taking the life of any innocent peron - ever. Changing one's mind about beliefs is not, by itself, incurring any form of physical punishment according to Islamic Law.
Also, Islam always deals with everyone in Justice and Equity. Oppression of any person, regardless of their religious belief is totally forbidded in the Islamic State on all levels.
Islam means "willing submission to the Will of God in peaceful obedience", and as such, cannot be forced upon anyone, nor can anyone be converted to Islam against their will. When the laws of Islam are set in place they exist as a trust to protect God-given rights of everyone, under God's Laws. Islamic State provides advantages and benefits for all who live within its domain, as well as admonision and punishment for those who violate this trust and oppress others." - Yusuf Estes

Note #1:

Regarding the "Oneness" (monotheism) of God in the Bible (even today's English translations):
There are so many Biblical passages teaching God is only One and without any partners. This is a basic premise throughout the entire teaching of the Bible. The many explicit passages clearly declare this as a cardinal truth.
Each of the following 27 passages explicitly teach that there is one — and only one — true and living God.
Please note that the King James Version (used here) designates the Hebrew name Jehovah (or Yahweh) with "LORD" spelled with all letters capitalized; Adonai, meaning "Lord" or "Master," is designated by "Lord;" and "Elohim," is translated as "God." Thus, in Duet. 4:35, for example, the phrase "the LORD he is God," would be literally translated, "Jehovah, he is Elohim." (In those instances were Adonai is used as a compound with Jehovah, the latter term is spelled GOD, so that the compound name "Lord GOD" designates the Hebrew, "Adonai Jehovah").
1. DEUTERONOMY 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightiest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
2. DEUTERONOMY 6:4 — Hear, O Israel: The LORD thy God is one LORD. [Note in Mark 12:28-34 how Jesus and a Jewish scribe he encountered understood this text.]
3. DEUTERONOMY 32:39 — See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
4. 2 SAMUEL 7:22 — Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
5. 1 KINGS 8:60 — That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
6. 2 KINGS 5:15 — And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
7. 2 KINGS 19:15 — And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
8. NEHEMIAH 9:6 — Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preserves them all; and the host of heaven worship thee.
9. PSALM 18:31 — For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
10. PSALM 86:10 — For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11. ISAIAH 37:16,20 — O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou has made heaven and earth. (20) Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
12. ISAIAH 43:10,11 — Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.
13. ISAIAH 44:6,8 — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
14. ISAIAH 45:21 — Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.
15. ISAIAH 46:9 — For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
16. HOSEA 13:4 — Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me.
17. JOEL 2:27 — And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
18. ZECHARIAH 14:9 — And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
19. MARK 12:29-34 —And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
20. JOHN 17:3 — And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
21. ROMANS 3:30 — Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcised through faith.
22. 1 CORINTHIANS 8:4-6 — As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
23. GALATIANS 3:20 — Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
24. EPHESIANS 4:6 — One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
25. 1 TIMOTHY 1:17 — Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be Honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
26. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
27. JAMES 2:19 — Thou believes that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Note# 2. Dawah (inviting or calling to Islam) is prescribed in Quran as a duty to Muslims. It implies living an exemplary life and sharing the message of monotheism and obedience to Allah's Shar'ah with others. Muslims are ordered not to dispute with others about the matters, only to conduct dialogs in a way that is better.
www.islamtomorrow.com/dawah

Note# 3. Vann says in a speech to his congregation on December 12, 2003:
The story, known commonly of the rape of Dinah, is shocking. A few minutes ago, I read from the introduction of the story. Let me summarize the entire drama:

Dinah goes out to visit her sisters in the land. Along the way, she encounters Shechem, who has intercourse with her. He then speaks tenderly to her, and falls in love with her. Shechem asks his father Hamor to get Dinah for him as a wife. Meanwhile, Jacob had heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter and was distressed, but as his sons were in the field, he decided to wait for them to come home before taking action.
Hamor comes to speak with Jacob to ask for Dinah's bride price. At this time, Dinah's brothers return home from the field. They were angry and distressed, for Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Dinah. Jacob's sons refused to give Dinah to Shehem, because they were not circumcised. On the condition that all of Hamor's men become circumcised, could Dinah become Shechem's wife. Shechem immediately became circumcised, and shortly after that, all the men in the town also did the deed.

On the third day after their circumcision, when they were in the most pain, Simeon and Levi took their swords and went to the town. They killed all the men while they were unable to defend themselves. They seized the women, children and the property of Hamor and his men, and also took Dinah from Shechem's home. When Jacob heard what they had done, he said, “ You have brought trouble upon me, making me odious among the inhabitants of the land”.
Simeon and Levi responded: “Should ours sister be treated like a whore?”
< href="http://www.beth-elsa.org/abv121203.htm" target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(22, 45, 60); font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; ">www.beth-elsa.org/abv121203.htm

Isaac Sachs brings it even closer to home, in this explanation appropriately entitled, "The Rape of Dinah: Genesis 34"
In the story, Shechem, the son of a local king falls in love with Dinah, daughter of Jacob, sleeps with her and asks his father to request her hand for him. His father, King Hamor, paid a ceremonial visit to Jacob’s house, where he offered peaceful coexistent with the new immigrants,

“Please let my son marry your daughter, and let us marry each other; give us from your daughters and take from ours. And the land shall for you to settle, to trade and to posses.”
(Genesis 34:8)
Shechem also made the customary and lawful offer: “Please let me pay the required Mohar (dowry) and marry your daughter”.
(Genesis 34:12)

Indeed, the only other mention of Mohar (Mahr in Arabic) in the whole Bible is in the story of Shechem and Dinah! It is as if the story was made to illustrate the concept of peaceful resolution to pre-marital sex.
But before Jacob could accept or reject the Mohar, his sons jumped in, saying “we would like to take-up your offer, but you see, we have this custom called circumcision, and we could not possibly intermarry with people who are not circumcised. Now, if you and your entire male population were to circumcise, we would be glad to grant your wish”.
Incredibly, Shechem promptly takes the request to his people and convinces them to circumcise. On the third day, as the newly circumcised people of Shechem are hurting, two of Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levy (yes, the archetype of organized-professional priesthood), swords in hands, massacred every male in the city of Shechem.

Note: #4
Although the word rape is never actually, mentioned in the story, it becomes the basis for the recounting of the story in Sunday schools culture. To make things worst, the girl’s words or thoughts are not reported in the story, testifying to the low level of relevance biblical- era Middle Eastern (and today’s Islamic) societies accord to their women.
In the story, Shechem, the son of a local king falls in love with Dinah, daughter of Jacob, sleeps with her and asks his father to request her hand for him. His father, King Hamor, paid a ceremonial visit to Jacob’s house, where he offered peaceful coexistent with the new immigrants: “Please let my son marry your daughter, and let us marry each other; give us from your daughters and take from ours. And the land shall for you to settle, to trade and to posses.” (Genesis 34:8). Shechem also made the customary and lawful offer: “Please let me pay the required Mohar (dowry) and marry your daughter” (Genesis 34:12). Whether the Law of Moses is divine or just a codification of local customs, it specifies that one must offer a Mohar after sleeping with an available woman, and then he must marry her. This is all described in Exodus 22:15, and is subject to acceptance by her father. (If he refuses, he will just take the money). Indeed, the only other mention of Mohar in the whole Bible is in the story of Shechem and Dinah! It is as if the story was made to illustrate the concept of peaceful resolution to pre-marital sex. But before Jacob could accept or reject the Mohar, his sons jumped in, saying “we would like to take-up your offer, but you see, we have this custom called circumcision, and we could not possibly intermarry with people who are not circumcised. Now, if you and your entire male population were to circumcise, we would be glad to grant your wish”. Incredibly, Shechem promptly takes the request to his people and convinces them to circumcise. On the third day, as the newly circumcised people of Shechem are hurting, two of Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levy (yes, the archetype of organized-professional priesthood), swords in hands, massacred every male in the city of Shechem. Not only do they reduce the circumcision ritual to an act of macho-challenge, but they also call attention to the fact that the case of rape is really a case of prohibited seduction between two lovers who dare cross imaginary boundaries set by narrow-minded self-appointed spiritual leaders. To the chagrin of later date clergy, the Bible goes out of its way to tell us that Jacob’s son put forth the circumcision challenge with deception in mind! (Genesis 34:13) And the fact that they threatened to have Dinah removed from Shechem’s house during the negotiations (Genesis 34:17), implies that she was there as guest, not as a hostage! Jacob, who saw through the brother’s pretentious performance as defenders of the family honor, reproached his two sons: “you made me look ugly in front of the inhabitants. They are many and they could retaliate and finish me off!” (Genesis 34:30) Not one word about moral issues!

And what is God’s position? Having nothing to do with moral behavior, He is smart enough to stay out of the story altogether.

The impartiality of the storyteller proves once again that the integrity of the Bible is far greater than that of its characters, even if they are claimed to be our ancestors.

Note: #5 According to Raheeq Al-Makhtum (THE SEALED NECTAR) Author: Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Jamia Salafia - India, translated by : Issam Diab:
Judaism was introduced into Yemen by someone called As‘ad Abi Karb. He had gone to fight in Yathrib and there he embraced Judaism and then went back taking with him two rabbis from Bani Quraizah to instruct the people of Yemen in this new religion. Judaism found a fertile soil there to propagate and gain adherents. After his death, his son Yusuf Dhu Nawas rose to power, attacked the Christian community in Najran and ordered them to embrace Judaism. When they refused, he ordered that a pit of fire be dug and all the Christians indiscriminately be dropped to burn therein. Estimates say that between 20-40 thousand Christians were killed in that human massacre.
www.al-sunnah.com/nektar
Note: #6: From Jamal Udeen Zarabozo's ArticleCould God Legislate Death for Apostasy? Many Christians, in particular, seem abhorred by the fact that Muslims could believe that God has legislated death for apostasy. This author has personally heard Christians claim, once again, that Islam must be some barbaric religion to believe in such a penalty. This attitude is very perplexing to this author. It is one thing to say, “We no longer believe in such a law” and quite another to say, “We do not believe in a God that would legislate such a penalty.” In the former case, the individual is simply turning his back on what may have been part of his religion. Such an approach is common for modernist Jews, Christians and Muslims. However, the latter approach clearly denies what is stated in their holy books. (Unfortunately, this is also not uncommon for modernists. However, many less-extreme Jews, Christians and Muslims do not allow themselves to go that far.)

An in-depth study of all of the relevant Biblical texts is well beyond what is needed here. Hence, only one or two verses shall be commented upon.
Exodus 22:20 reads:
“He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” Famed and widely respected Biblical commentator Matthew Henry had the following to say about this verse:

IV. Idolatry is also made capital, v. 20. God having declared himself jealous in this matter, the civil powers must be jealous in it too, and utterly destroy those persons, families, and places of Israel, that worshipped any god, save the Lord: this law might have prevented the woeful apostasies of the Jewish nation in after times, if those that should have executed it had not been ringleaders in the breach of it.

Numbers 25:1-5 reads:

1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.
Another passage, Deuteronomy 13:6-11 is also quite telling:
6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: 9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
2 Chronicles 15:8-19 has the law being applied even to the young among the apostates. The relevant verses in that passage are verses 12-13 which read;
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.
From the New Testament, one finds in Romans 1:20-32 that Paul approves of the death of idolaters, homosexuals and other sinners. This passage reads;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

The above examples should be sufficient. The interested reader may further consult Deuteronomy 13:12-18 and Deuteronomy 17: 1-7.
Actually, as is well-known, the history of the official Christian church and many of its leaders on issues of this nature is very dark indeed. One did not need to be an apostate to be killed in the history of Christianity. Apostasy is to be distinguished from heresy, as is clear in the following passage from the Encyclopedia Britannica,
[Apostasy is] the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the faith, publicly rejects it. It is distinguished from heresy, which is limited to the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by one who maintains an overall adherence to Jesus Christ.
Two examples from the history of Christianity dealing simply with heretics—not apostates—should suffice here. The Cathars, a pacifist heretical group of southern France, were crushed. Pope Innocent III declared a crusade against them. Here is how two Christian authors described part of that crusade:
In 1209, Arnold Amaury, abbot of Citeaux, called for the collective slaughter of all Cathars in the town of Beziers. His motto, which has carried forth into modern expression, stated, "Kill them all, the Lord knows those who are his." Only a small minority of the town, perhaps five hundred, was made up of Cathars, but all the city paid the price for guilt by association. Twenty thousand were killed. Thus began the wholesale slaughter of thousands of Cathars in the thirteenth century.
Non-Catholics, of course, may respond to the above by putting the blood of those deeds on the hands of the evil Catholics. However, one should not forget Martin Luther’s ruling concerning the Anabaptists, another pacifist heretical group who had the audacity to have themselves re-baptized when adults. Martin Luther stated that such heretics are not to be tolerated and the only fitting punishment for them was hanging.

This approach is in compelling contrast to the legacy of Islam. Not long after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the caliph Ali had to face the crisis of the heretical group known as the Khawarij. Although he sent people to preach to them to correct their misunderstandings, his approach was that they were not to be physically attacked by the state as long as they did not commit any acts of violence against the Muslims.

The Khawarij did become violent, and it became necessary for Ali to fight and defeat them. Afterwards, he was asked about them. He was asked if they were polytheists, and Ali replied that they, by holding the beliefs they held, were attempting to flee from falling into polytheism.

When he was asked if they were hypocrites, he replied, "Hypocrites rarely remember and mention Allah". Finally, they asked him, “What are they?”

He replied, “They are our brethren who revolted against us and we fought them only due to their revolting against us.”

2010-04-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

THE TEARS NEVER DID STOP
by Shazah Sabuhi

This Poem is about Masjid Ul'Haram where Muslims travel to from around the world to perform Hajj and Umrha. It is the largest mosque in the world, in the centre of which is the Holy Kaba. Masjid Ul' Haram is...what can I say....simply beyond words.

I have seen many pictures of it but when I first saw it with my own eyes in Dec, 96 the first thought to run thru' my mind was,:

'No photograph does this place justice.'

It is sobeautiful...glittering marble, chandeliers....the throngs of worshippers.

It was love at first sight...there are no words to describe its charm, beauty and appeal adequately ...........Seeing is believing.

THE TEARS NEVER DID STOP

I set my foot inside the Holy Mosque,
Upon the cold, white marble, Where day and night, People sat worshipping, praying,
The tears never did stop.

Right and left, the Mosque being cleaned,
Shining, not a particle of dust, The carvings of marble, the plates of gold,
The symmetry of the whole Mosque, the largest of it all,
The tears never did stop.

Then came the grandest of the whole,
The center of one's life and concerns, The big, Beautiful House of Allah,
Covered with black cloth and gold leaf writing,
The tears never did stop.

My life flashed past me, the good and the bad.

such a feeling I had never felt before,

A special bondage to the Almighty-A sudden chill in me,
The tears never did stop.

Looking around, the large floor was filled with people,
Circling the beautiful house, loudly chanting,
People sitting, praying for forgiveness,
Praying for another chance to lead a better life,
The tears never did stop.

Taking a deep breath, I entered the never ending crowd,
With my heart pouring out all the prayers I could think of,
Begging for forgiveness of my sins,
Praying to become a better individual
The tears never did stop.
I ran around the black house,

The ancient, black house built by Ibrahim centuries ago,
Where not one second passes when people are not circling it, praying,
The tears never did stop.

I got closer as did my heart, mind and soul,
I touched the sacred house, hands trembling,
Knowing I was as close as ever to the Almighty,

The tears never did stop.

It was amazing, everyone centered their attention only on worshipping
All worldly concerns forgotten, focused on praying,
Forgetting everyday matters and happenings,
The tears never did stop.

The rituals were tiring, took strength and time,
But what is a few hours for our Giver? Our Creator?
For what He has given us, the worldly goods, the luxuries,
A few hours of forgiveness for our sins,

The tears never did stop.

"..Indeed it is in the remembrance of Allah that the hearts find rest.."
(13:28)

2009-08-23T02:39:00.000-07:00

The Power of Allah

2009-08-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

Why a nun can be covered from head to toe and she's respected for devoting herself to God, but then a Muslimah does that, she's considered "oppressed"?

Why a Jew can grow a beard and he's just practicing his faith, and when a Muslim does that, he's an extremist?

a western woman stays at home to look after the house & kids she's sacrificing herself & doing good for the household, but when a Muslim woman does so, she "needs to be liberated"

Why is it that when a child dedicates himself to a subject, he has potential, and when a child dedicates himself to Islam, he is hopeless?

When a Christian kills someone, religion is not mentioned, (i. e. Irelandand the IRA) but when a Muslim is charged with a crime, it's Islam that goes to trial?

But then again, why is it after all that, Islam is still the fastest growing religion in the world?

Take 60 seconds and give this a shot!

Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is:

1... Say:

a- Subhaan-Allah

b- Alhamdu-Lillah

c- Allaahu-Akbar

d- Laa Ilaaha Illa-Allaahu - Muhammad-ur- Rasoolullah

e- Allaahumma Salli Alaa Sayyidina Muhammad wa Alaa Aalihi wa Sahabihi Wasallim

2. Then: Send it on to five other people or more. Within hours, five people have prayed and you caused a multitude of people to pray to Allah, and

3. Then: Sit back and watch the power of Allah work in your life for doing the thing that you know HE loves

MORAL UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN (Raising Children in Islam)

2009-07-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

From: Islam4ever.com

METHODS FOR MORAL UPBRINGING:

1. Showing the values of good deeds and their effects on the individuals and society; also showing the effects of bad deeds, all within the child's capability of understanding.

2. Parents should be a good example in their behavior because children like to imitate their parents in their sayings and their deeds.

3. Teaching the child the religious principles and tutoring him in worship, taking into account the child's capability of understanding. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Order your children to pray at the age of seven.”

4. Treating children nicely and kindly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that practically. When he was praying as an Imam with the people, his grandson Al-Hasan, son of his daughter Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them rode his back while he was bowing. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lengthened his bow. When he finished his prayer, some attending Companions said, “You lengthened your bow?” Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, answered, “My grandson rode my back and I hate hastening him”

5. One of the important things that parents must teach their children is to choose the good company and to the avoid the bad one, because children are always influenced by the company they keep. The bad behavior can be easily transmitted through bad company. So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned us by saying, “Man is inclined to get influenced by his friend's manners, so one must be careful in choosing friends.” (Reported by Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)

6. Encouraging the child's sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah, by teaching him of the brotherhood between Muslims, teaching him to care for Muslims in any land, and that he is part of the Muslim body, to feel joy when Muslims are joyous, to feel sad for Muslims' sadness, and to do best to achieve the Muslim Ummah’s goals. All of this can be done practically through:

a. Taking children to Mosques and introducing them to their brother in Islam regardless of race, language, or origin.

b. Teaching the children the history of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions and the history of Islam, bearing in mind the child's capability of understanding.

c. Encouraging children to sympathize with Muslim problems and to contribute to the solutions such as the poverty problem and to donate some money to the hungry Muslim children.

d. Taking part in the celebrations and festivals with Muslims, and sharing picnics and creating ties with their Muslim brothers of the same age.

7. Imbuing in children the feeling of love of Allah, His Prophet, Muslims, and all people. This love will lead to special behavior towards all those loved.

These are general guidelines to raise our children Islamically, so every Muslim must take care of his children and know the correct path that must be followed. This will help us do the job we are entrusted to do as Allah proscribed, as well as the responsibility the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has clarified, with aim of protecting the future generations of Muslims, as Allah Almighty says: (And Say Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) his Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.) (At-Tawbah: 105)

Source: www.Islamonline. net
http://witness- pioneer.org/ VMagazine/ v9i2/v9i2. htm#6

Allah Almighty has entrusted parents with their children. Parents bear the responsibility to raise up their children in the Islamic way. If they do that they will be blessed in this life and in the Hereafter, and if they don't, they will get bad result during their life and in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for things under your guardianship; the ruler is a guardian (managing his state’s affairs) and he is responsible for things under his care, the man is a guardian over his family and responsible for them, the woman is a guardian of her husband's house and she is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for things under your control.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not excuse any one from responsibility that Allah has put on every individual to build the Islamic society: the ruler is responsible: the man and woman are responsible. ... all within their capabilities, domains, and authorities. .. and the loss of Islam from our Muslim Ummah these days is nothing but a result of the neglect of responsibility.

Men and women, fathers and mothers share the responsibility to raise up, educate, and build the new generation in the correct method and the right way..

Man has in him the good and bad tendencies, so parents must encourage and grow the good tendencies in the child so he can become a useful person that helps himself and his people. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: (O' you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. ) (At-Tahreem: 6)

The protection of yourself and your family from Hell-Fire won't be with anything but good education, the practice of good morals, and the guidance to nobility.

Islam does not distinguish between male and female with regard to the education requirements. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever has a daughter, tutors her on good morals, educates her well and feeds her properly; she will be a protection for him from Hell-Fire.”

What do we mean by good education? The good education means the physical, mental and moral preparation of the child so he can become a good individual in the good society.

China’s forgotten people

2009-07-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Aijaz Zaka Syed Arab News

http://www.arabnews .com/?page= 7§ion=0&article=124625&d=17&m=7&y=2009

Xinjiang does not exist. For nearly a century, China has done everything to help the world forget about the existence of its large and once vibrant Muslim region. Like Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Lost World”, it had been conveniently forgotten by the world, including China’s numerous Muslim neighbors as well as the rest of the Muslim world.

While China has tried to suppress the Islamic identity of Xinjiang and its proud Muslims before and during the communist rule, what amazes one most is the willful and shameful role most Muslim countries have played in this systematic marginalization and obliteration of the distinct Islamic character and identity of the Uighurs. They may not have nodded in collusion but by looking the other way, with the rest of the world, they helped in the most ruthless purge of a great people and culture. So much so for years few in the next-door Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond knew what had been going on in the red paradise. As for the Middle East, the less said the better. The Arabs have been so busy tending to the ever bleeding Palestinians and fighting their own little turf wars that they have had little time or patience to think about the poor Uighurs.

Even the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which over the years dutifully passed those perfunctory resolutions, on Palestine to Chechnya and on Kosovo to Kashmir, did not ever cast a cursory glance beyond the Karakoram toward Xinjiang.

Which is perhaps why the magnitude and intensity of the uprising in Xinjiang this month have come as a huge surprise to the world, reminding it of the existence of China’s forgotten Muslims.

Clearly, you cannot suppress a people — however vulnerable and powerless — forever even if you have one of the world’s most powerful armies and states at your disposal. Ask Israel. Ask Uncle Sam, woefully stuck and spread thin from Iraq to Afghanistan to Pakistan. Why, the wise old Chinese could have even asked their equally big neighbors across the endless border. The Russians are still licking their wounds sustained in Afghanistan. If Beijing thought it could “integrate” Xinjiang by force into the so-called One China, just as it did in the case of Tibet, or just as the Russians have been trying with disastrous results in Chechnya, it has been proven wrong. And how!

The spectacular protests in Xinjiang’s capital Urumqi this month go to prove that the brute force and tanks and endless indoctrination cannot crush a free-spirited people’s will to live life their own way. Freedom will find its way even in the remotest and most terrorized corners of the world. The massive government crackdown killing more than 140 people in Urumqi has been the biggest case of using state power against a civilian population since the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. However, it got lukewarm response in the Western media that went delirious over the opposition protests in Iran last month, playing them over and over again. Interestingly, in both Iran and Xinjiang the protesters happened to be young Muslims demanding their rights and protesting injustice. Yet they received decidedly different treatment from the world media and global champions of democracy and human rights.

But this is not about the classic Western hypocrisy and dual standard. What interests me more is how with changing times authoritarian regimes everywhere as well as liberal democracies are finding it difficult to keep the long subjugated people under their thumb.

In the global village where time and space have lost their meaning and borders are increasingly shrinking assailed by the 24/7 satellite television and Internet, you cannot keep a people locked away against their will forever. Like life and nature, freedom finds a way — to express itself. And when it does so, nothing can stop it. Not even the most fearsome armies, or their awesome weapons.

IT’s all the more difficult to do so when those at the receiving end happen to be Muslims. Historically, Muslims have seldom given in to subjugation, wherever they are. Call them terrorists or what you will, but they just can’t come to terms with injustice and oppression and suffer in silence, whether it is in the sleepy Xinjiang or the cold climes of Chechnya.
Thanks to years of duplicitous colonial policies and America’s never-ending wars, localized sources of anger and conflict around the world are coalescing into a global movement of resistance. Like it or not, a new global Muslim consciousness is taking shape and this is not just confined to the Muslim heartlands but envelopes regions as diverse and dissimilar as Kosovo and Kashmir. Increasingly, Muslim resistance groups and movements are inspiring, influencing and responding to each other even as they defy all modern notions of borders and nation states.

China has accused both Al-Qaeda as well as the “CIA-backed separatist leaders” based in the US for the current crisis. But what could be really at work here are the influences of what is happening across the Muslim world, especially next door in Pakistan and Afghanistan. No matter what China might have persuaded the Uighurs all these years but they are not willing to part with their Islamic identity and still see themselves as a living part of the Muslim world.
More important, China’s Muslims have suffered long enough and obviously cannot take it any longer. With Han Chinese systemically taking over their lands, homes and jobs, the Uighurs are facing an existential crisis that is not very different from what has happened in Palestine. Turkey’s Recep Erdogan was not far off the mark when he accused Beijing of “genocide” in Xinjiang.

As the center and destination of the global trade along the fabled Silk Route, Xinjiang had once been one of the richest and most culturally vibrant civilizations in the world. This is the land that attracted hordes of traders from the Middle East, Africa and Europe for thousands of years including the legendary travelers such as Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta. The region with its ancient cities like Kashgar had once been part of the Caliphate.

No wonder Kashgar was a constant point of reference for the South Asian bard Iqbal as he talked of the Muslim glory from the River Nile to the edges of Kashgar (Neel ke sahil se lekar ta ba khake Kashgar...). It’s a real shame therefore what a mess successive rulers of China have made of this ancient center of civilization and culture and its proud people. It’s all the more unfortunate considering China historically has had excellent relations with Islam, right from the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Some of ancient China’s top generals and statesmen have been Muslims (one such hero is celebrated by Dubai’s Ibn Batuta Mall reliving a little known piece of history). Even today, a whopping majority in the Arab and Muslim world sees the Asian giant as a friend and a healthy counterweight to the West’s tyranny.

After 9/11, the Arabs have increasingly reached out to China investing heavily in its exploding industries and markets. China’s direct trade with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and other Arab states has multiplied incredibly fast over the past couple of years. All this could change if China does not change its ways of treating its Muslims. And if festering wounds in Xinjiang are not treated soon, Beijing could have a problem on its hands that would make the Tiananmen Square carnage look like picnic.

For any personal reply, please reply me bejust.peace@ yahoo.com
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Thanks a lot for your time.

Think positively of Allah.

2009-07-27T02:56:00.000-07:00

Bismillah hir rahmaan nir raheem
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu

Think positively of Allah.

The Prophet [salla lahu alaihi wa sallam]said: “Allaah, may He be exalted, says: ‘I am as My slave thinks I am.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7405; Muslim, 4675.

“Invoke your Lord with humility and in secret. He likes not the aggressors”

[al-A’raaf 7:55]

Surah Isra 17 verse 80 Say: "O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me)."

Ameen.

Transliteration :Wa qur rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqiw wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqiw wa-j'al li mil ladunka sulta_nan nasira_(n).

Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, " O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell."
Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is gharib.

Transliteration:an Abi Hurairah (radiya Allahu anhu) qaal:
qaala Rasul Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam): "Allahumma infa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa allimni maa yanfa'oni wa zidni 'ilman, alhamdulillahi alaa kolli haal, wa a'odtho billahi min haali ahlil naar."

insinuating thoughts from Shaytaan

2009-07-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate

"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

from - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
Book by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Waswaas
(insinuating thoughts from Shaytaan)

A person may ask: “I am suffering from many insinuating thoughts (waswaas) about the nature of Allaah, may He be glorified. There are thoughts going around in my mind that I cannot utter because they are not befitting to Allaah, and they keep coming back to me, when I am praying and at other times. It is so bad that I doubt my faith, and wonder if I am even a Muslim or not. What is the cure for this problem?”

A number of ahaadeeth have been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which contain the answer to this problem, al-hamdu Lillah.

The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The Shaytaan may come to any one of you and say, -Who created Allaah?
If any one of you experiences this, let him say- Aamantu billaahi wa rasoolih (I believe in Allaah and His Messenger),
and that will drive him away.”
(Saheeh al-Jaami, 1657).

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Shaytaan may come to any one of you and ask, Who created the heaven? and he will say, Allaah.
The Shaytaan will say, Who created the earth? and he will say, Allaah. Then the Shaytaan will say, Who created Allaah?
If any one of you experiences this, let him say, Aamantu billaahi wa rasoolih.’” (Saheeh al-Jaami, 1656).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever experiences anything of this waswaas, let him say three times, ‘‘Aamantu billaahi wa rasoolih, and that will drive (the Shaytaan) away.” (Saheeh al-Jaami, 6587).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The people will nearly ask too many questions, so that one of them may say, Allaah created all of creation, but who created Allaah?
If they say this, then say: ‘Allaah is the One, Allaah is the Self-Sufficient Master. He begets not, nor was He begotten; and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him [al-Ikhlaas 112:1-4, interpretation of the meaning],
and spit (dry) to your left three times, and seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan.” (Saheeh al-Jaami, 8182).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Think about the signs of Allaah, do not think about Allaah Himself).” (Saheeh al-Jaami, 2975)

From these texts we may summarize the following six ways of overcoming these insinuating thoughts:

The person who is experiencing such ideas should say, “Aamantu billaahi wa rasoolih (I believe in Allaah and His Messenger).”

He should seek refuge with Allaah from the accursed Shaytaan, and say three times, “Aoodhu billaahil-Samee il-Aleem min al-Shaytaan il-rajeem, min hamzihi wa nafkhihi wa nafathih
(I seek refuge with Allaah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed Shaytaan, and from his slander and evil insinuations).”

He should spit (drily) to his left three times.

He should stop thinking about whatever it is that is on his mind, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Let him stop.”
This is an important tactic, because continuing to allow the Shaytaan to influence one in this way can only make it worse. The Muslim must stop these thoughts, as much as he is able, and keep his mind busy with something useful and beneficial.

He should recite Soorat al-Ikhlaas (Qul huwa Allaahu ahad), because it describes attributes of the Most Merciful and is considered to be equivalent to one-third of the Quraan. Reciting this great soorah will guarantee an end to these insinuating thoughts.

He should think about the creation and blessings of Allaah, not about His nature, because his weak human mind can never comprehend the nature of Allaah.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… and they will never compass anything of His Knowledge” [Ta-Ha 20:110]

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Following Islam

2009-07-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Allah Almighty has entrusted parents with their children. Parents bear the responsibility to raise up their children in the Islamic way. If they do that they will be blessed in this life and in the Hereafter, and if they don't, they will get bad result during their life and in the Hereafter.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for things under your guardianship; the ruler is a guardian (managing his state’s affairs) and he is responsible for things under his care, the man is a guardian over his family and responsible for them, the woman is a guardian of her husband's house and she is responsible for it. All of you are guardians and responsible for things under your control.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not excuse any one from responsibility that Allah has put on every individual to build the Islamic society: the ruler is responsible: the man and woman are responsible.... all within their capabilities, domains, and authorities... and the loss of Islam from our Muslim Ummah these days is nothing but a result of the neglect of responsibility.

Men and women, fathers and mothers share the responsibility to raise up, educate, and build the new generation in the correct method and the right way.

Man has in him the good and bad tendencies, so parents must encourage and grow the good tendencies in the child so he can become a useful person that helps himself and his people. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: (O' you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. ) (At-Tahreem: 6)

The protection of yourself and your family from Hell-Fire won't be with anything but good education, the practice of good morals, and the guidance to nobility.

Islam does not distinguish between male and female with regard to the education requirements. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever has a daughter, tutors her on good morals, educates her well and feeds her properly; she will be a protection for him from Hell-Fire.”

What do we mean by good education? The good education means the physical, mental and moral preparation of the child so he can become a good individual in the good society.

METHODS FOR MORAL UPBRINGING:
1. Showing the values of good deeds and their effects on the individuals and society; also showing the effects of bad deeds, all within the child's capability of understanding.

2. Parents should be a good example in their behavior because children like to imitate their parents in their sayings and their deeds.

3. Teaching the child the religious principles and tutoring him in worship, taking into account the child's capability of understanding. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Order your children to pray at the age of seven.”

4. Treating children nicely and kindly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us that practically. When he was praying as an Imam with the people, his grandson Al-Hasan, son of his daughter Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them rode his back while he was bowing. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lengthened his bow. When he finished his prayer, some attending Companions said, “You lengthened your bow?” Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, answered, “My grandson rode my back and I hate hastening him”

5. One of the important things that parents must teach their children is to choose the good company and to the avoid the bad one, because children are always influenced by the company they keep. The bad behavior can be easily transmitted through bad company. So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, warned us by saying, “Man is inclined to get influenced by his friend's manners, so one must be careful in choosing friends.” (Reported by Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi)

6. Encouraging the child's sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah, by teaching him of the brotherhood between Muslims, teaching him to care for Muslims in any land, and that he is part of the Muslim body, to feel joy when Muslims are joyous, to feel sad for Muslims' sadness, and to do best to achieve the Muslim Ummah’s goals. All of this can be done practically through:

a. Taking children to Mosques and introducing them to their brother in Islam regardless of race, language, or origin.

b. Teaching the children the history of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his Companions and the history of Islam, bearing in mind the child's capability of understanding.

c. Encouraging children to sympathize with Muslim problems and to contribute to the solutions such as the poverty problem and to donate some money to the hungry Muslim children.

d. Taking part in the celebrations and festivals with Muslims, and sharing picnics and creating ties with their Muslim brothers of the same age.

7. Imbuing in children the feeling of love of Allah, His Prophet, Muslims, and all people. This love will lead to special behavior towards all those loved.

These are general guidelines to raise our children Islamically, so every Muslim must take care of his children and know the correct path that must be followed. This will help us do the job we are entrusted to do as Allah proscribed, as well as the responsibility the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has clarified, with aim of protecting the future generations of Muslims, as Allah Almighty says: (And Say Do deeds! Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) his Messenger and the believers. And you will be brought back to the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will inform you of what you used to do.) (At-Tawbah: 105)

Source: www.Islamonline.net

http://witness-pioneer.org/VMagazine/v9i2/v9i2.htm#6

The Plight of Womenfolk in Muslim Society

2009-07-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Problems confronting the Muslim World II:

http://witness-pioneer.org/VMagazine/The_Pioneer/v1i1/05.The_Plight_of_Womenfolk_in_Muslim_Society.html

(The author Dr. Said Ramadan appears to be a keen observer of the then prevailing situation of the Muslim world. Respected readers may kindly remember that Dr. Said Ramadan expressed his view about the plight of Muslim Ummah about three decades ago. In the present time also his reflection on the Muslim Ummah in general and women-folk in particular has not lost its appeal. We feel happy to produce it before the readers for their kind perusal-Editor)

The second problem is that of the position of the womenfolk in Muslim society. In this regard also, as in regard to our social life as a whole, we are in a state of complete chaos, hotchpotch of competing forces; the remaining Islamic influence, our inherited traditions and extraneous influences which have crept into our life as a result of the enveloping wave of blind imitation of the West. This has created a myriad of problems in Muslim society, among which deserving of special attention is the problem of womenfolk. This is not so merely because women constitute something more than half the community. It is particularly pressing because it is a problem, which affects the family, the very basis of our social life, and because of the deep and inherent relationship that it has with those factors, which make for the cohesion of our society. It is in fact a problem that affects in its ramification most of aspects of our national orientation.

It is strange that we Muslims should neglect the important position of women. The Shariah has placed such emphasis on it in connection with the lives of those great men whom God entrusted with high tasks and whom He chose as the recipients of His revelation-those noble souls ordained to deliver God's message to mankind. In the story of Moses it is his mother, Pharaoh's wife and the daughter of Madyan who constitute great figures. In the story of Jesus, his virtuous mother is a great pillar of the story. The principal nobility and virtue among those who stood faithfully by the side of Muhammad (SAWS) in his apostolic mission was Khadijah, the compassionate and noble lady of Mecca. Indeed, the numerous verses of the Qur'an and the large number of prophetic traditions which speak of woman's status and of her rights and responsibilities, are quite sufficient to determine our attitude towards womanhood. The Holy Qur'an refers to their position while comparing it with the position of men in the sight of God and proclaims it to be one of complete equality:
"I shall not let the work of worker, male or female, be lost. You issue from one another." (11: 195).

On other occasion it mentions the rights and duties of women as akin to those of men before mentioning man's administrative leadership of the family.
"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men), according to what is equitable, and men are a degree above them." (11:228).

On still another occasion we find Islam pointedly stressing gentleness and good behavior in the treatment of women. Said the Prophet in his last address:
"I advise you to be good to women."

It is not my intention to discuss the position of womenfolk in all its ramifications. What I have to say will be quite brief, but nevertheless of serious importance, for the time has come when we should be very clear as a number of questions relating to this problem and attention to the solution thereof. It should be very clear in our minds that woman, according to Islam, is intrinsically like her male partner. She is a human being endowed with the same essence of nobility, which is shared by the whole human species. As far as human quality is concerned, men and women are absolutely alike:
"O mankind! Revere your Lord, Who created you from a soul and from that created its mate, Who thereof brought forth multitude of men and women." (4:1).

Moreover, each one, man and woman, will be held responsible for his own individual self:
"….and every one of them will come to God, on the day of Resurrection, alone." (19:95).

This means that those who either believe, or whose behavior reveals the unconscious concept that woman is an inferior being who has to be subjugated, that she is merely an instrument for the self-indulgence of man-such people require a radical reorientation of their attitude towards womankind. Such people, by clinging to such unhealthy ideas, or through such unhealthy conduct, are grossly distorting God-given human nature and killing potentialities of thought, feeling and vitality in their partners of life.

It should also be clear that the unbridled self-will of certain women in other societies, or of those of our own who blindly imitate them, should not be countered by extremism on our part: by imposing on women what God has not imposed upon them, or by forbidding them what God has not forbidden. We should remember that women in the western world began to lean in the wrong direction from definite causes, at least some of which were undoubtedly related to social injustices, under the dead weight of which, women had languished for so long, imprisoned and ignorant, with no will or personality of their own. They revolted against this injustice-and this revolt was a completely natural and genuine one. Then they began to lean in the wrong direction, becoming stubborn and headstrong. The same type injustice continues to have its strong-holds in our own society, where there are still people, though very few, who are proud of the fact that since the wedding night when their wives were driven home, they have not seen the street once. There are still other who consider themselves entitled to beat their wives if they dare to disagree with their views and advance an opinion of their own. Again, there are those who spend year after year with their wives and daughters without sitting down to discuss a problem with them or attempting to make them share their views.

Who would claim that any of these has anything to do with Islam? On the contrary, it is Islam that elevated women to heights of prestige, which have neither precedent nor parallel in human history. At a time when womanhood in the West was held in such a state of impurity that even a woman's was an evil pollution of the Bible, Qur'anic manuscripts were held in the trust of the Lady Hafsa at Medina. At a time when Romans held conference to debate whether woman was a "person" or a "thing", Muhammad (SAWS) stood up to declare that "women are but the sisters of men" and to shatter the pre-Islamic era of darkness and injustice, so that a woman could argue with the Holy Prophet in the courtyard of the mosque and say, "I have been deputed to you on behalf of woman!" Indeed, it was Islam which, for the first time, established the status of women full-fledged members of human society and granted them the right to owe whatever they earned since the Qur’an proclaimed:
"Unto men of fortune from that which they have earned, and unto women of fortune from that which they have earned." (4:32).

Whatever standards of decency Islam has laid down in matters of dress and behavior between man and woman, they are all with the sole intention of ensuring the sanctity of the home and the inviolability of marital intimacy. Not one of these standards could ever imply an attitude directed towards humiliation of woman as regards her social status or her role in her relationship with man. When a newly married girl complained to the Prophet that her father had chosen her husband without consulting her, he immediately gave her permission to annul her marriage, to which she replied: "I have no personal objection to my husband and I accept him, but I wanted it to be known that a father has no right to impose a husband upon his daughter without her consent." In contrast to the then prevailing ignorance and plutocracy of tribal traditions, Muhammad (SAWS) enjoined the quest of knowledge as an integral part of faith, for men and women alike. He praised highly the women of Ansar with:
"Blessed be those whose modesty never prevented them from seeking knowledge."

Far from being rough or rude, Muhammad's (SAWS) consciousness of women's tenderness and delicacy was so intense that even in the impelling harshness of the desert, he gently appealed to Anjashah, the caravan driver:
"O Anjashah, slow down a little, for thy camels are carrying glasses!"

This is only a glimpse of Islam: thus, how could we possibly be justified in so grossly distorting it by all sorts of misconceived traditions and beliefs? What could be more unjust, whether to Islam or to ourselves, than to misrepresent as we do, or rather to deform the beautiful features of Islam? And consider when?-at a time when we are encountering the movement of so-called progress and emancipation, which is advancing like a storm and wreaking havoc in our lives.

It is imperative to realize that the really weak points in our society are those that provide genuine cause for feminine revolt, which can subsequently take an extremist turn and ultimately lead to unbridled feminine self-will. If we are serious about resisting this unhealthy trends, it is our duty to call a stop where God has done so, and combat the deceptive, misleading elements we are encountering by adhering to what God has laid down for us. We should neither depart from anything which God has decreed out of weakness or compromise, nor add anything to it from extremism and severity.

These things are relevance for all Muslims. But they are of particular importance to those who are actively devoted to the revival of Islam. I fervently wish that such people would put these ideas into effect; would stop at the point where the Shariah stops, and have the courage to proclaim and insist on what God has made binding on us, and that alone. This is essential in creating a strong wall around whatever of virtue and purity remains in our society. It is to be hoped that by so doing the workers for the cause of Islam will have created a real barrier, one strengthened by the word of God and His Prophet, against the sweeping, devastating storm which threatens Islam today. For, if matters are not clarified, and confusion is allowed to reign as it does today, if the good aspects are not separated from the bad, both in theory and by good example, the result of this confusion is bound to be this: the good elements will be mistaken for bad, and both will be swept away by the rising storm. This will not be in the least surprising. For there is neither a divine code which is being sincerely adhered to, nor is there any social system based on experience and clarity of outlook, and God has not appointed a gendarme to regulate the conflicting traffic of good and evil.

by Dr. Said Ramadan
Director, Islamic Centre, Geneva

Courtesy: Young Pakistan, September 24, 1968

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??!!!

2009-07-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Taken from Islamic minds

I woke up suddenly one night

and saw a strange light in my room .....

The problem is that the lights are off

I saw the clock, it was 3.30 in the morning

Okay...so where is all this light coming from??

----------

I turned around and saw something very strange..

My body was half way through the wall (??!)

I immediately pulled it out and sat down to see if i'm okay

.....

This is strange...

I tried to push onto the wall, but MY ARM GOES THROUGH

...
I heard a sound

I turned to my brother's bed to see him sleeping

I was really scared of what was happening to me...so I tried to wake him up....but....he doesn't reply!!

I went to m y parent's bedroom..I tried to wake up my mother...and father...I just wanted somebody to react to me...

but nobody did.

I tried to wake my mother up again...she woke up this time...

-----

she got up ... but didn't communicate to me

She was saying "In the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Gracious" (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) again and again...

She woke my dad up saying 'get up, man, I want to check up on the kids.'

My dad replied in disinterest .. 'it's not time for this, let me sleep and inshAllah tomorrow i'll get to that'

But she was insisting..so he woke up.

I was THERE. I was screaming..'dad', 'mum' ... nobody was replying

I held mother's clothes to grab her attention..but she didn't recognise my existence

I followed her 'till she got to my bedroom

They got into the room and turned on the lights...
it wasn't making any differenc e to me anyway because there was a strong light there.

I then saw the strangest thing in my life...

my OWN BODY....on my bed.

I was trembling...how can there be two of me??...how can that person look so much like me??...and what is he doing on my bed????

I started hitting/slapping myself to wake up from this nightmare...
but it was too real to be a nightmare.

dad said 'Yalla, see the kids are sleeping. Let's go back to bed.'

but mother wasn't at all confident...she went to the person sleeping in my bed and said

'Khalid, wake up!! ... WAKE UP!!'

but he wouldn't reply.

She tried again and again....but no reply.

Then i turned to see my dad tearing...
Today witnesses the first time in my life that I have seen my dad's tears.

The place was shaking with the screaming

... My brother woke up..."What's going on??!"

In a very sad tone, with tears rolling down her cheek, mother replied 'your brother's dead! Khalid is DEAD!!'

------

I went to mother and said 'please mum...don't cry..I'm right here look at me!'

But nobody's replying to me..WHY??

I turned to Allah and asked Him to wake me up from the nightmare!

quickly following my dua was a voice saying (Quran):

" You were in negligence from this, so We uncovered the blinds and today your sight is (like iron) "

لقد كنت في غفلة من هذا فكشفنا عنك غطاءك فبصرك اليوم حديد

Suddenly two creatures held my arm..they weren't human!!

"Leave me ALONE! Who are you and what do you want from me??"

'We're your grave's guards'

I said 'but I'm not dead yet! let go of me!!'

I can still see, hear, touch, and speak..I'm not dead!

They replied with a smile : "You humans are fascinating! You think that by dying your life ends, while in fact life on Earth is a small dream compared to the Here after; a dream that ends at your death."

They started pulling me towards my grave...

On the way I saw people just like me, each had two guards like mine.

Some were smiling, others crying, others screaming.

I asked the guards 'why are they all doing that?'

They replied 'These people now know their fate...some were in ignorance so they--'

'--so they go to Hell??!' I interrupted

They said 'yes.'

and continued..

'and those laughing are going to Heaven'

I quickly replied: 'What about me..where will I go??'

They said 'you were at times a good Muslim, while other times not. One day you obey Allah, the next you disobe y Him.. And you weren't clear with yourself and your fate will remain so: lost.'

I replied, shaking: 'SO AM I GOING TO HELL??'

They said: ' Allah's mercy is great, and the journey is long '

I turned to see my family carrying my dead body in a coffin..so i ran to them ..

I said: 'make dua for me'

but nobody replied..

I went to my brother and warned him ... 'be careful with what you do in this life... don't be a fool like myself!'

I was really hoping that he could hear me...

The two angels (guards) tied up my soul on top of my body ..

I saw my relatives pouring sand over me ..

----

at that moment I was hoping that I would be in their place...

that I can turn to Allah and do as much as He wants from me...
that I would ask for forgiveness and once and for all repent my sins that angered Him...<>
but unfortunately I couldn't.

I shouted ' People, don't let this life tempt you! Wake up to the truth... one day you will DIE, and you never know when..or how. '

I hoped for somebody to hear me....nobody there did

but YOU heard me....

save yourself.

Smile to others, forgive them when you have the power to punish them. Allah forgives those that forgive others. Do your prayers regularly with an open heart. Let Allah guide your life, not Satan.. Read the Quran regularly and let the Prophet (p.b.u.h) be your role model in life.

Work in this timed life for your salvation in an eternal one.

And ... make dua for me because I'm not perfect. And I point the above to myself just as much as I do to my friends.

Please spread this message to as many people as possible, for every person whose heart it touches Allah will reward you in this life and the hereafter.

Keep thinking of the Hereafter inshallah .

Arab & Muslim Leaders Write Back to Obama, June 15, 2009

2009-06-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

President Obama's Cairo speech was unprecedented in a number of ways. Firstly, it sought to establish common ground with Muslims by stressing that human rights and democracy, for example, are shared universal concerns and that there are strong historical links between the West and the Islamic world. His carefully crafted speech avoided the polarizing language of the Bush administration - no us vs. them. Secondly, and this is highly significant, Obama stressed that differences that exist are based on concrete political issues, not on fundamental differences in values and world-view. Thirdly, I personally was struck by the note of humility and spirit of conciliation that characterized the speech. We all know the very real constraints placed on American presidents when it comes to addressing the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Obama's acknowledgment that American foreign policy has been misguided in the past in shoring up dictatorships in the Middle East, which has contributed to the current Muslim disenchantment with the US, is clearly a step in the right direction"

Asma Afsaruddin, Chair, CSID Board of Directors, USA

"I watch the speech in it's entirety, and I was impressed at the Presidents demeanor and command of words. I have great expectations for this president and the relationship between we Muslims and the USA. May Allah-swt protect him and us, and bless to be the best we can in this life and grant us all the home of the hereafter."

Imam Kamara AbdilHaqq Muhammad, USA

"Obama's speech demonstrates the veracity of Allah where it is said in Qur'an: We shall raise a people (to trust this revelation) and they will not be like you". Here is a leader in the Mold of Muhammad (SAAWS) for a we Muslims, a people whose leadship does not reflect trust in Allah nor anyonger an understanding of Humanity's Fitra nor the Qur'an."

Frederick Aldeen

"In our words and deeds we create the world around us, and with his powerful rhetoric and his powerful position no one is in a better position to do so than Barack Hussein Obama. He is to be applauded for the ambition and eloquence of his Cairo speech, and for the way he so elegantly punctured claims that one group or another is the sole historical victim in tragic conflicts. But he is to be cautioned against some of the one-dimensional assumptions to which the speech fell victim. The good news is that it is not just to Barack Obama to define Muslims. In the end, individually and in collectives of all sorts, they will define themselves and, indeed, continue to do so in ways that repudiate a monolithic notion that they are only defined by their religion."

Anthony Tirado Chase, Associate Professor and Chair, Diplomacy & World Affairs, Occidental College

Violent extremism in all of its forms

"As a Muslim, I wasn't expecting too much from this speech because past experiences have taught us Muslims that the West always labels Muslims as "violent terrorists." However, I respect Mr. Obama very much for not once relating the word "terrorism" to Muslims. It was smart of him to do so as we Muslims suffer from the label and are tired of it. I respect the President's effort to change this stereotype, but there's more work to be done. His speech was very emotional, but we cannot simply judge his words; we have to wait and see the actions and evaluate the results. President Barack Hussein Obama shows a lot of potential."

Nagwa Badran, Egypt

"I think reasonable men reject violence and extremism. Obama addressed Hamas to end bombardment of southern Isreali towns,but failed to condemn Israel for causing so much destruction and killing in Gaza. The American Government and the European Union never questioned Isreal's occupation of Palestinian lands. Israel is violent and extreme. If Hamas fights Isreal it is because it is fighting for its existence and not because it is a terrorist organization. I wish Obama would come out and tell Isreal to get out of palestinian lands. Mr. Bush, with the help of his Zionist friends, coined "terrorism" and refused to define the term, and the Arabs or Muslims got stuck with it."

Dr. Ghazi T. Farah, Philadelphia University, USA

"We are inspired by the fact that America has elected a man worthy of the values it represents and above all a human being capable of understanding that a nation, like each of us, is never perfect. Where and when a nation finds that it has deviated from its values, it is the duty of its leaders (and in a democracy, also its citizens) to bring the ship of State back to its intended course. By acknowledging past mistakes in US policy, you not only answer your people's call for change and accountability, you ultimately serve your nation's and people's security for by addressing the legitimate grievances our nations and peoples have suffered as a result of such mistakes, you ultimately defeat the terrorists who purport to manipulate such grievances as a means towards their vicious ends. I wish you every success in promoting peace within and among our civilizations."

Mona Ali Khalil, USA

"I was very pleased to see President Barack Hussein Obama making the distinction between Islam and extremism. It's important for each Muslim to see the USA making a strong distinction between what is Islam, a religion of tolerance, peace and respect, and what is extremism, a political ideology using violence to achieve its totalitarian political objectives. The second thing I appreciated a lot was not hearing President Obama saying words like "terrorism" or the very hateful "World War against Terror". I do think that "extremism" is a more accurate term and that the average Muslim could well live with it. This distinction between the two things is pretty crucial to any winnable strategy against groups like Al-Qaeda. Of course, it alone will not be enough to win the fight. That's why the other elements of Obama's speech are crucial."

Aziz Enhaili, Morocco

"Violent extremism flourishes in poor states, the same like spread of communism in the last century. To combat islamic radicalism, economic development is needed. Osama Bin Laden chose poor Islamic States, like Afghanistan and Pakistan to spread his perverted understanding of Islam. Although he is a rich man, he would like to be a hero. There are a lot of oligarchs in these poor states. The U.S.A. needs to pursue a policy of economic development in poor Islamic states like Egypt, Yemen, Algeria, Pakistan, etc. similar to those that were instituted in Southeast Asia after the failure of the Vietnam war. Encouraging American multinational companies to invest in these states is essential to combat extremism."

Dr. Medhat Khafagy, Acting chief of Ibn Khaldoun Center for Developmental Studies, Egypt

"None of American presidents had the realistic vision that Obama has shown with regard to the various world problems. He was very clear to separate Islam from violence and extremism. All Muslims are against extremism as well as all people of the Earth."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Qatar

"Violence is not inherent in Islam except in cases strictly illustrated by the Glorious Qur'an. The problem, therefore, lies in the arsenic prescription undertaken by few individuals and whose truth is muted by inaction of the 'ulama and seconded by the silent-ignorant majority. And certainly, the Islamic Ummah deserves better champions than those 'perverters' of Islam."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

"For me, the clearest way to judge Obama's impact is by the response of Al-Qa'ida. Both Zawahiri and Bin Laden himself released audiotapes and this clearly shows they are very scared their narrative is being threatened by Obama. I also thought it was ingenious how Obama visited both Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the home countries of both Bin Laden and Zawahiri. I think that was a subtle but strong message to Al Qa'ida, and they are scared. I thought it ingenious how the entire speech communicated the central theme of his agenda, which is of open and truthful communication. He said, "nowhere is truth-telling more important than the Middle East. The hypocrisy of the past (and political connectedness) has been one of the grievances used by extremist groups like Al-Qa'ida to rally support."

Agatha Glowacki, USA

"We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people." America can avenge the killing of 3000 Americans by killing 2 millions of Muslims. Tell me how Muslims can and should avenge the killing of 2 million Muslim innocents by Americans? If America cannot tolerate the extremist Muslims, why should Muslims tolerate the extremist America? I do not mean to say that revenge is the best policy, but if the US can talk of fighting the "extremists," why should not Muslims talk of fighting the "extremist" states like Israel and America?"

Dr. Javed Jamil, Director of PEACE, India

"His intentions are noble and great. I do not expect any major achievements as long as parties concerned remain adamant in their views. Violent extremism is a product of wrong US / Western foreign policies of the past, and partisan attitude towards Israel in spite of its nuclear arsenal and hatred towards Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslim world. Unless this changes, nothing substantial can be achieved. I only wish good luck to Obama, and may Allah bless him for his efforts."

Syed Azizuddin, Saudi Arabia

The situation between Israelis, Palestinians, and the Arab World

"The final test of President Obama's Cairo speech will be results on the ground. All parties should be held to their promises and commitments, step by step, and all agreements should be in writing and signed by each party. The objective should be peace, security and justice for all. Justice includes freedom of movement, economic opportunity, reasonable standards of medical care, opportunities from kindergarten up for education and a peaceful civic society. The speech laid the groundwork. Now the work begins to implement the goals."

Leo Kramer, USA

"Mr. Obama showed courage in acknowledging and recognizing previous wrong decisions and practices such as disposing an elected government in Iran, the war on Iraq, the war on terror and the Delta camp. However, what he said about the plight of the people of Palestine is a disappointment; he failed to recognize them as victims of the colonial settler state of Israel. He was strong on humanizing the suffering and needs of Israel and denounced the right of Palestinians to resist occupation. He failed to answer the basic question: "why should the Palestinians suffer for the sins of Europe and why should they be stripped of their homeland to establish a Zionist one?""

Steve Nasser, Australia

"From a Muslim perspective, the Palestinian drama is the perfect example of a non-balancing U.S. policy toward the parts of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This perception made it easier for extremists like Al-Qaeda to have a room to play against the USA and their allies in the region. That's why no efficient strategy countering the enemies of the USA here could be possible as long as the Arab-Israeli conflict still inflame the region. The most important step to succeed here is the creation of a real and viable Palestinian State. President Barack Obama was right when he said that this state is in the interest of the USA, Israel and the whole world."

Aziz Enhaili, Morocco

"Being an Arab I personally find certain choices of words and phrases used in his speech - to say the least - disturbing. First, he avoided use of the word "occupation" or "expulsion"; he found it more convenient to call it "dislocation." Second, why did he use the phrase "Neighboring lands" when he said: "Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security"? I presume he avoided using the phrase "neighboring countries" as it will imply that the Palestinian refugees do not belong to these countries and deserve to return to their own homeland. The word displacement gives an impression that the Palestinians must have left their lands of their own free will and were not expelled by an occupying force."

Salam El-Ghanim, Ammon News.net, Holland

"Was it wrong for the French resistance to use violence against the Nazis or similarly all Freedom Fighters across history against their occupiers (including the Americans themselves who fought bravely against their occupier) for Mr. Obama to condemn resistance, referring to Hamas. What about the Israeli savagery during their latest invasion of Gaza? Why does Mr. Obama not call the current Israeli government to recognize all previous signed agreement with the Palestinians and for the right of existence of Palestine, as he asked Hamas to do. To be fair, the recognition should be mutual. Finally, may God bless you and may Peace and Mercy of God be upon you. I sincerely pray for you, because you need all the support and prayers of all those who wish you to succeed in your universal mission."

Dr. Aly El-Kabbany, Great Britain

"I welcome and congratulate you for your categorical and well-defined speech in Egypt addressing the Muslim world. I have been working here in Pakistan for quite some time in the area of Middle East Studies, and the most important aspect that policy makers sometimes seem to miss in its cause for terrorism is the issue of Palestine. All the time publications and speeches from extremist groups and leaders, we find the Palestine question as example of Western Extremism and its injustice faced by Palestinians as validating excuses for any terrorist act against individuals and institutions of the West. Your speech for me is a ray of hope that just solution of Palestine issue could snatch that last remaining excuse from extremists. I wish you good luck in your positive and human-loving agenda."

Raees Ahmed Mughal, Lecturer, Government Superior Science College, Pakistan

"May God bless and keep you safe as you set forth to balance the moral and ethical pendulum of the United States. Taking on the issue of Israel's violations of Human Rights in particular will, as you well know, earn you many enemies. Please be cautious, strident and persistent. You are a courageous leader, an inspiration and a God send. Don't let the naysayers on any side block your efforts. We will succeed, just as we did with your presence in our highest office."

Dr. Najma M. Adam, USA

"Thank you for your deep, fair, and courageous speech. I think your message is heard in the Muslim World and it is already making a positive difference in the American-Muslim relations. I would like to emphasize the importance of apology and forgiveness in peace making. Apology and forgiveness, religious and non-religious, are neurological events that might reverse the effects of trauma by forming new neurological pathways that can interrupt the links between memory centers and emotional centers that keep resentments alive. I suggest an establishment of an international day of apology and forgiveness in order to educate people about these important corrective mechanisms in human relations."

Dr. Majed A. Ashy, Associate Researcher in Psychiatry, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Saudi Arabia

"Bravo to President Obama for an outstanding and courageous speech! President Obama may need to use pressure on the Israelis to achieve his objectives of implementing the 2-State solution ASAP - but he will need a strong civil society movement on both sides to support his action. Indeed it is crucial to strengthen all the Palestinians who are seeking justice, respect, dignity, and a Palestinian State, using non-violent means. And the thousands of activists on both sides, engaged to build peace with justice, will need a strong US support."

Dr. Anne Marie Codur, Co-Founder of the University of the Middle East Project, USA

"A just and neutral policy is needed from America in solving the Arab-Israel conflict to ensure maintenance of arab oil supply without problems. This is dictated by the failure of the military American intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. A continuation of America's biased siding with Israel will initiate more terrorism and more troubles to the ailing regimes in Middle East."

Dr. Medhat Khafagy, Acting chief of Ibn Khaldoun Center for Developmental Studies, Egypt

"I am a Man of the Book who cares deeply about Muslims gaining their place in American Civil Society, and, thereby, to increase their respect upon the world stage. Most of what the President addressed in his was a breath of fresh air, but, at the same time, he was constrained by his domestic right-wing American Jewish Lobby, and, therefore, his comments ignored Palestine's right to self-defense, and to admit Israel's constant State terrorism, and Washington's part in enabling it. Until Tel Aviv renounces these policies, peace in our mutual Holy Land cannot be achieved! Also, the decision to deliver the speech in politically repressive Egypt, and not meet with the democratic forces there, and further not to include Hamas in any Palestinian peace negotiations, is a grave error, and could, in the long run, destroy any good that will be generated."

Geoffrey Cook, Columnist, Muslim Observer, USA

"President Obama's mention about the Holocaust and the killing and torture of the Jews has no relation whatsoever with the Arab and Islamic world. This talk should be said in Germany, not Cairo. It seems that the President was trying to appease Israel while talking to the Muslim World. Also, he said that the Arabs should present new initiatives, as if there was no past initiatives and proposals made. Finally, we do not need to learn that the ties between Israel and the United States are unbreakable. We never asked to break these ties. All that we would like to know is that the United States will be neutral in its engagement in the peace process."

Mohamed Zarea, General Director, Arab Penal Reform Organization (APRO), Egypt

"The righteous struggle usually takes decades and even hundreds of years just for a little progress. That is what intelligent leadership recognizes. This the single greatest reason for renouncing violence except in extreme or compelling conditions. A great idea over time is far more powerful than any army. The Palestinians are going to take decades before they begin to live like their Israeli neighbors because of the disparity of resources. No war lasting decades will improve their quality of life. In the long struggle the Palestinians have ahead of them in the Middle East and Muslims have ahead of them in America, non violence and standing by the truth and trusting God are the best weapons of the oppressed in the modern world. That is the lesson black Americans have taught the world and that the Palestinians and the Arab world must imitate for peace to happen in the Middle East."

Gregory Abdur Rahman, USA

"Multiple Bravos! You used 'situation', not the usual, completely inappropriate 'conflict'. It's not a war; it's an Occupation. Same problem with 'Peace'. These words are always used - and are highly obfuscatory. They create an image of two states, with borders and armies to defend them, of two equal sides, as in 'Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations'. Prisoners do not negotiate with guards; they beg. These words were generated by the other side to serve their interests. Obama had earlier said, "Israel's security is paramount". This sharply curtails his courses of action, given domestic political forces, since it places decisions about Israel's security in Netanyahu's hands."

Edward Peck, USA

"Let us exalt Obama's message and accept it mostly on his appeal on the Israel and Palestine relationship. He is already being criticized by the enemies of truth and the only way we can reward him for his nice words is to put them in practice. This is a golden chance that we have. Extremism has no room in Islam. Let us stress that dialogue has a room in our system."

Issa Kirarira

"The speech was good and loud but actions are needed, will speak much louder, and will be the true reflections to the intentions of this administration. It seems that we have been electing officials that represents the interests of Israel than the interests of the people of this country and its fine citizens. Our government must digest the fact that Israel is a liability and not an asset. Jewish people have suffered a great deal but that doesn't justify the Palestinians to suffer even worst. On the other-hand we as Muslims must make the distinction between Jewish religion, its followers, and the Zionists that stands for evil. The U.S. should stop taking sides and play the honest broker-ship to bridge the gap."

Mohammad K. Ishwait, USA

"If at anytime during the last sixty year the international community had unilaterally appropriated California to create Israel or any other new state, the American people would never accept the legitimacy of that state. That is not to say that the Israeli people do not now have a right to live on this land in peace free from the treat of attack and terror. They do. But statehood and sovereignty, especially when for good reasons or bad Israel imposes apartheid like practices on the displaced Palestinian people and their descendants, is a bit much to ask. I recognize that President Obama is describing a world that can be. The trick, however, is not to dream of a future that ignores the limitations imposed by an ugly and unjustifiable past."

Vance Fort, USA

"This was a very positive speech so far well received in the "Arab streets". However, deeds must follow. It would be a mistake to funnel all policy issues addressed by President Obama through the tunnel of the Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as many Arab establishment regimes would surely push for. All issues should be addressed simultaneously with deeds, and God Willing, results will follow."

Chedley Aouriri, USA

"America has a historic commitment to Israel. The two state solution is the only viable solution at present. Just as Obama condemned violence on the Palestinian side, he also condemned Israeli settlements in Palestinian lands."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Qatar

"The most important part of the speech was the talk concerning Israel and Palestine. It was courageous and forthcoming. I hope he will be able to force peace on both sides according to UN Resolutions 242 and 338, as well as the Road Map to Peace. If so, he will really be a man of peace."

Dr. Mohamed Noman Galal, Egypt

"President Obama seems to have understood that respect always has to be mutual. This will open the minds of the people if not the minds of governments (example Iran). We must see, that in the last decades the occupation with totalitarianism has to a great extent overruled the occupation with colonialism and imperialism, which are responsible for many wounds not only in the Muslim World. And Barack Obama seems to have understood that in the question of ethics double standards will always lead to hate and aggression (example Israel and Palestine). If he continues on this way he will be a great president who can lead humankind into a globalized world that is worth living in."

Elisabeth Kiderlen, Journalist in Germany

"Obama has recognized the importance of addressing conflict through collaborative partnership. I suggest he invite respected civil society and religious leaders of Muslim countries and their American counterparts (Muslim and non-Muslim) to form an "American-Islamic Advisory Council" which would meet regularly and make recommendations to Obama about policies to address conflict and other issues and improve US-Muslim world relations. As well as serving as a problem-solving mechanism, this would empower people of the Muslim world with a real voice in addressing these issues and enable citizens of America and the Muslim world to build a
relationship of cooperation and partnership."

Rebecca Cataldi, Program Manager of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, USA

"The speech of President Obama at Cairo University was a landmark as far as relations between the Muslim world and the United States. If his words will be followed by concrete actions the speech will certainly change the landscape of the relationship in the future. I hope that his acknowledgement of the sufferings of Muslims under colonialism will be followed by concrete approach to rectify those injustices. I am referring in particular to the situation of the Bangsamoro in South Philippines whose homeland was incorporated into the Philippine state by the United States without their consent."

Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, Executive Director of the Institute of Bansamoro Studies, the Philippines

"Brilliant speech! It reflected a very good understanding of the dynamics of the conflict, recognized major actors, and sympathized with the grievances of both parties to the conflict. The president?s address could be a turning point in the conflict if followed by persistent effort to solve the conflict once and for all. If Obama's able to make real progress on this front, it will translate into real progress on other fronts, especially in the fight against terrorism and extremism."

Dr. Abdullah Al-Faqih, Yemen

"Peaceful coexistence between Israel-Palestine cannot rise above a balance between themselves and their respective American-Arab backers. The former must have resolve and the latter the political will."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

"Obama is the first president who suggested forthrightly that all Jewish settlement activities must end immediately so that a two-state solution can be viable. Israeli security agencies reported that Hamas in Gaza is curbing rocket firing. President Obama should proceed with action to show that when people move in the right direction they are rewarded. He should take steps to end the Israeli blocade of Gaza; encourage a Palestinian reconciliation openly so that a legitimate Palestinian delegation can negotiate a two-state solution; and lean on the Israeli government to move in the same direction. Arab governments, especially Saudi Arabia, should make public what specific steps it would take to normalize relations with Israel should a peace agreement reached."

Dr. Mohamed Nimer, Assistant Professor at the Washington Semester Program's School of International Service, USA

"While I am aware that he could not deal with all the issues at one time, the following topics could easily have been added in his comments: Racist political parties and media spreading Islamophobia in the West, drone attacks in Pakistan, Israeli atomic program and arsenal, and the suffering of the Palestinians, construction of Separation Wall and bombing and blockade of Gaza. We all know, that President Obama is a great orator and a genuine humanist but I have this feeling that he hesitates in denouncing Israeli political policies in order not to offend the sensibilities of some among the Jewish communities. My request to President Obama would be to be even handed and just otherwise good words would remain just that - words."

Bashy Quraishy, Chair of ENAR Advisory Council and Chair of Jewish Muslim Platform in Brussels, Belgium

"The only question that needs an open and honest and courageous answer is how to implement President Obama's vision of a two states solution, how to force the road map solution and to face the Zionist lobby in the Congress."

Saoud El Mawla, Lebanon

"Obama's speech was sober and cautious. Cautious, because he cannot take a 180 degree turn from the existing American Stand and scare those of his anti Muslim compatriots in whose minds his new policy will take some time to sink. In the same line of thinking, he cannot afford to be more critical of Israel. What he has said against Israel is already a lot more than we have ever heard from an American sitting President. Obama must be given the chance to practice what he has declared."

Dawood Auleear, Mauritius

"I found President Obama as a very intelligent and clever well educated person. When he started talking about the Palestinians, he talked first about the suffering of the Jewish nation and the Holocaust they faced, and then followed by the suffering of the Palestinians as a nation who should have the rights to create their own state. In my point of view, President Obama wanted to tell the Jewish people and Israel that one who suffered should not let the others suffer, as the suffering of the Jewish people came from the Nazis, and not from Muslims, Arabs, or Palestinians."

Ali AbuShahla, Gaza, Palestine

"Thank you, Mr. President, for understanding that a solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is a key to world peace. Alleviating the misery of the Palestinians by giving them a viable state will remove a legitimate reason for grudges against us, robbing the violent extremists of one their causes. It will make Israel safer. It will establish a new climate in which to discuss other issues. I am behind you and praying for you."

Frances Fuller, USA

"The tone of the speech is positive and conciliatory however the Arab Israeli conflict was talked about in general terms. We have to see what concrete steps will President Obama take to insure Israeli compliance with all UN resolutions on this conflict from Resolution 242 until today."

Ibrahim AlMugaiteeb, President of Human Rights First Society, Saudi Arabia

"I think the key issue in building trust with the Arab world is resolving the Palestine-Israel conflict. The American Government could have invested more efforts in solving this problem rather than in fighting wars and expanding enemies in the Arab and Muslim world. Without offering concrete proposals to address this problem it is useless to talk about democracy and human rights in the Arab world."

Farhad Bokiev, Tajikistan

"I dare say that such a conflict is the source of all evils in the region. And the reasons for this are many: Israeli provocative actions, the extremism and wrongheadedness of Hamas and the National Palestinian Authority's standing helpless. Sir, if Hamas is found faulty with launching rockets on Israeli towns, what about the massacres done to the Palestinians, especially in the recent events of Gaza? What about the blockade and starvation the Palestinians are suffering? What about the demolishing and havoc the Palestinians are daily witnessing? What about the detaining policies? Sir, I just need to ask: Are not those Palestinians as human as Israelis? We just want America and its President to address the flaws in the conflict and gather all parties so that both Palestinian and Israeli peoples can co-exist."

Asmaa Sharaf El Deen, Egypt

"His rhetoric was measured and balanced but on the political aspect of issues, he failed to convince. Obama acknowledged the sufferings of the Palestinians and Israelis. But when it came to politics, he, like his predecessor, took the pro-Israeli line. Obama asks the Palestinians to abandon violence but says nothing about the Israeli violence. There was not a word about the greater Israeli bombing of Gaza in December and January when hundreds of civilians, including old women and children were killed. He says violence to resist occupation does not succeed, so why did America lead military action against Iraq when it occupied Kuwait? Why did they use and are still using violence in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan to achieve their aims? Israel has been occupying Palestinian land for decades and diplomacy has never worked."

Ahmed J. Versi, Editor of The Muslim News, United Kingdom

Rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons

"I am for total elimination of any and all objects that cause massive human annihilation including nuclear weapons. As the United States has been advised by its own leaders of wisdom and foresight, it should set an example for others to follow. As long as that is not attained, the U.S. should strictly follow its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And it should forswear not using its nuclear arsenal against any other country, as well as desist from developing newer mass destruction systems."

Dr. Siraj Islam Mufti, USA

"Obama was very clear with regard to nuclear power. He declared that every nation could have access to nuclear power as long as it abides by the appropriate treaties."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik

"Nuclear weaponry is never an asset, rather, it is a liability for security. It is likened to a war., Victory in one calls for preparation into many more."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

Democracy

"His eloquent speech is not a general policy formulation towards the Muslim world, but extended a much needed olive branch to the Muslim world after eight years of marginalization and short-term political goals. Having said that, Mr. Obama has to show us his concrete plans to true commitment to political reforms. No longer can the U.S. turn a blind eye as the Muslim world sinks deeper and deeper into political decay. In his speech, he never promoted the building of democratic institutions and devoted little space for democracy promotion. The choice of Egypt itself, ruled since 1981 by an aging dictator in the process of grooming his son for power, is indicative of this blind pragmatism. He needs to press for good governance, rule of law and accountability."

Dr. Mohamed Daadaoui, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Oklahoma City University, USA

"In the absence of democracy, every Arab citizen is a voiceless minority. The US must retain the policy of democracy promotion and only reform its strategies and tools. The US must not be sidetracked into doling out assistance in other areas that only serves to prolong the status quo, and disrupts the trajectory of events that might, if unimpeded, lead to change. The longer the US half-heartedly engages on this issue, the more political capital it loses in the region, and the more extremist camps gain. It is time the US realizes the centrality of the democracy deficit to the rest of the issues President Obama enunciated in his speech."

Dima M. Toukan, Jordan

"President Obama made a good entry to the Islamic world. but I would like to mentioned few points. First, he should have been more clear on supporting Democracy. Yes, democracy is a process, and has to be built in the country by its people. The United States needs to support democracy, and this a moral responsibility to not send a signal of support to most of the oppressive regime in Islamic world. The reason for the extremists in most of the Islamic countries is the oppressive regimes and discrimination against the people. I also think he should have been more forceful in stressing accountability and justice, especially in countries with conflict."

Sima Samar, Chair of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission in Kabul

"President Obama gave overall a warm and a well prepared speech. However, he chose not to address the thorny issue of human rights in the Muslim world, with the exception of women's rights. This was not acceptable. He never mentioned in his speech the reality of human rights violations by governments, issues such as torture, freedom of opinion, etc which deserve at least a passing note in the 55 minute-speech delivered by the president of the largest power in the world. It is as if the current American administration decided to remove human rights from its agenda and give a free hand for each regime in the Muslim world to run its country in its own way. The President should have urged Muslim rulers to adopt more democratic measures and practices."

Mohamed Zarea, General Director of the Arab Penal Reform Organization (APRO) in Egypt

"It was nice to see Obama make democracy one of the crucial demands to all nations of the Earth. To show the nice picture of the US democracy and the beauty of American people, American foreign policy should understand and practice democracy enlightened by the way that Obama understands democracy. It is not imposing ideas or fitting other cultures in the US democracy model. Then we can make the world a "Club of Civilizations," not "Clash of Civilizations". Obama and the Americans have a golden opportunity to re-draw their image in the world."

AbdulSalam Medeni Islam, Program Manager/Trainer of the National Democratic Institute for International Affaires in Iraq

"Obama's message about democracy was addressed to so many rulers who wouldn't or couldn't implement it that one just shivers at the thought. How do we avoid democracy, freedom of speech and religion being overturned by a democratically-elected sectarian or dictator? Hopefully by maintaining a certain amount of economic stability, where people are happy and equal enough not to look for radical answers. "Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away", and only the test of time proves some wrong."

Marie-Pierre Poulain, Lawyer and Registered Counsel with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, France

"Those who come into power, must maintain power through consent of its people. Unfortunately, this is not practiced in many Muslim countries; and these authoritarian regimes have been maintained in their status quo by active support of the United Sates. The Bush administration rhetorically acknowledged this, but without changing relationship, in any way. And, despite requests of the American Muslim community, alas President Obama did not address a word to them in his speech. This, while he was in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, home to Hosni Mubarak, the most ruthless Arab dictator who crushes opposition and elects himself unchallenged, now for three decades. When would we expect a change, from a president who came on a promise of change?"

Dr. Siraj Islam Mufti, USA

"It is true that in the Arab and Islamic world substantial shortcomings exist in democracy, good governance and human rights observance. The regional context is volatile, furthermore economic and educational development leads to sharply increasing exposure to international norms, including those relevant for human rights. Civil society actors need to be persistent in calls for improvements in human rights and not be co-opted, but at the same time there is a need for it to interact with governmental actors in a constructive manner enabling the needed positive social to take place. Reforms and sustainable change is not something that has to be forced or imported from outside."

Amal van Hees, The Netherlands

"Mr. Obama's speech failed to convey the vital role American Muslims can play in materializing a new relationship between the Muslim world and America. He failed to recognize the potential of this common denominator [between America and the Muslim world] in bridge-building. His leadership remains deficient in reaching out to this powerful catalyst of change within America to be a partner in conflict resolution, constructive engagement, dialogue and diplomacy. Being the beneficiaries of democratic governance and pluralism American Muslims could be powerful proponents of these ideas that could help the Muslim world stabilize, integrate and prosper."

Muslims for Peace, Justice, and Progress (MPJP), USA

"Democracy - in my opinion- is the most difficult issue to be adopted in the Islamic world. America should put more pressure on its allies - in the Islamic world- to adopt democratic principles. This bright picture is very gloomy with regard to democracy in this part of the world."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Academic and Writer from Qatar

"Overall the speech was distinctive, pleasing and and corner stone that sets a new direction for the USA's relationship with Islam and Muslims. However, with regard to democracy the president's promise to promote and support democracy was not satisfying if though addressing the issue in his speech in and of itself is extremely important. The Democracy Defense Association (DDA), urges President Obama to adopt similar strategies and projects in the service of democratic transition in the Arab and Muslim world similar to those he announced when discussed economic development and opportunities. Thus, the DDA suggests that the president hold a summit on democracy and human in Mauritania (the paragon of Arab democracies) or a major Arab or Muslim country where Democracy and Human Rights stakeholders can partnership."

Democracy Defense Association (DDA), USA

"Promoting democracy in Muslim countries demands modesty, cultural sensitivity and discretion. Setting a good example comes first. Rightly, we celebrate our political system and wish similar blessings for others. Employing U.S. government power to impose political values is folly. We can clearly state those values: rule of law, justice, consent of the governed, broad political participation and rulers who are both tolerant and accountable. We can welcome movement toward those goals with political and, if needed, economic support. But change will last only when it emerges from voluntary choice in the framework of each country's culture and history."

David Mack, Middle East Institute Scholar and former U.S. Ambassador, USA

"I agree with him he can't and should not impose the American way of governing on other countries, but he can not ignore the international law and humanitarian laws, which all of this countries has signed and agreed on long time ago. I know and I understand it's time for peace and time for security, but the security of your country doesn't come only from making this kind of regimes (kings from all kinds) happy but as well by supporting these societies to live in decency. By making external troubles and wars they shatter the focus off the main and the core problem, it's all about power and power corruption. In every speech and every meeting, in every discussion and every letter, we should remind ourselves, and these regimes of this law. It's serious time, and in such a time, hard decisions should be made."

Maan Abdul Salam, Etana Press, Syria

"I have immense appreciation for the speech of President Barack Obama delivered. The world needs such enlightened personalities for the restoration of peace and moderation. His emphasis on democracy is the dire need of our time. In my opinion in an undemocratic society the pent up passions of people erupt in the form of terrorism and extremism. In the light of Sura Shura( The Consultation) of the holy Quran, it is my considered opinion that Islam is a democratic religion and the contention of President Obama about the spread of democracy in the world is our faith and is in consonance with Islamic political thought. The issues of Kashmir and the Middle East can also be resolved democratically. Let us all sincerely join together for the promotion of democracy as suggested by President Barack Obama. It is not an American agenda; it is an Islamic mantra."

Dr. Maqsood Jafri, USA

"While I appreciate President Obama's speech about the Democracy and his emphasis on global values, I would like to still express my great concern of the support of the US to the non-democratic government in the region. The U.S. should take a very clear stand in dealing with such governments. We in the Gulf states do not feel ourselves as human being with equal rights to the ruling families; they have countless privileges over the rest of us; they have political, financial, social, administrative and many other privileges which demolish the concept of equality of human beings called for in the international conventions."

Ahmed Mansoor, United Arab Emirates

"Public debates should be encouraged on subjects such as Islam and democracy. Most importantly a culture should be created to cultivate accountability and transparency in government policies. The US should take lead in cultivating this culture by liberating itself of lobby groups and by opening an independent fresh enquiry into 9/11 tragic events. This will definitely enhance Muslim faith in Obama administration. This is, as the President has decorated, would be in accordance to both the Qur'anic guidance as well as modern democratic principles. I wrote "My expectations of Obama: between hope and fear" (Today's Zaman, November 13, 2008) immediately after the election of Barack Obama. After over four months in power, I would like to say, I am now more hopeful about Obama presidency."

Abdullah al-Ahsan, Professor in the Department of History and Civilization at the International Islamic University in Malaysia

"Democracy can never be fitted in its entirety into Islam and the reverse is true. But both can learn from each other."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

Religious freedom

"President Obama highlighted the position of Islam towards religious freedom through the principle of tolerance, which strengthens religious diversity, which must upheld for non-Muslim minority in Muslim Countries. Meanwhile, we notice that he did not upheld on the same level the rights of the Muslim Minority in non-Muslim countries for example European countries practice a very discriminatory policy against Muslim minority in their countries (Holland, Denmark, Belgium, France etc.) and even some states in United States. These countries adopted a policy of restrictions and distrust toward Muslim even though he is a citizen of that country. Therefore, we think that religious diversity must uphold universally."

Dr. Badria Al-Awadhi, Director of the Arab Regional Center for Environmental Law (ARCEL), Kuwait

"Despite some unfortunate incidents, a majority of Muslims are very tolerant, perhaps unbeknown to President Obama. The sectarian killings in Iraq were instigated through the colonialist policy of divide and rule after invasion, since Iraqis, Shias and Sunnis, intermarried and lived together amiably throughout their history. Also contrary to President Obama's commitment, American Muslims are still handicapped in fulfilling their obligation of Zakat since most Islamic charities are still banned and closed. A clear case is that of the Holy Land Foundation with leaders recently given stiff sentences of 60 years in prison, because they sent charities to the starving Palestinians where Hamas rules. And this was before the time when Hamas was declared "a terrorist organization." We hope President Obama will look into this case objectively, without any bias."

Dr. Siraj Islam Mufti, USA

"Religious freedom is one of Islam's core values. Mr. Obama praised Islamic tolerance, called for cooperation between all religions, and supported religious dialogue."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Academic and Writer from Qatar

"President Obama's speech may not change the situation on the ground quickly but it is a good start. President Obama's speech motivated the people of faiths to re-engage in dialogue and understanding of each other. Today, we are celebrating president Obama's speech of hope and peace."

Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC)

"President Obama emphasized and built upon the idea of co-existence and challenged fellow humans to think in those terms. It is a change he has talked about, and has now delivered to the world wide audience who is ready to absorb it. God wants his creation to learn to accept the otherness of other and respect the uniqueness bestowed upon each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge to pave the way for peaceful co-existence. That is indeed God?s will and the message from Zarathustra, Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Mahavir, Jesus, Mohammad, Nanak, Bahaullah and many a spiritual masters in Native American, African and other traditions."

Mike Ghouse, Foundation for Pluralism, USA

"Religious freedoms cannot also rise above the qualitative teaching of theory and practice by its respective religious functionaries."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

Women's rights

"I urge you to review what your counselors tell you about Islam. I would like to say that not all Muslims believe that "hijab" is an Islamic duty at all. I agree and thank you for assuring religious freedom, especially for woman who have really suffered for many generation. But once again, head covering has been a very debatable issue for 30 years now. I know that you have a number of committees of many counselors and organizations that have great Muslim expertise. I agree with you that women should have the right to have a head cover but I believe that no one has right to say "Islam is hijab;" in fact, I strongly disagree with that assertion. I hope you do not listen to just one side about this issue. I trust in your ability in judging issues evenhandedly."

Sameh Hasan, Professor of the Arabic language and Culture at Yale University, USA

"Thank you for making this one of the top priorities to address in the Muslim world. Please consider using the teachings of Islam (not as interpreted by chauvinist men) to turn the too many ignorant people's back to their teachings of equality and justice for all, including women."

Dr. Najma M. Adam, USA

"As a french citizen quite attached to the laic education for historical reasons, I have been uncertain about the hijab at school. The french centralized state and education, the painful parting of the state and the church as late as 1905, did bring a measure of equality and opportunity to women in France. However, I agree that the main issue is the women's right to education, with or without a veil, and moreover that the life of women should be their choice."

Marie-Pierre Poulain, Lawyer and Registered Counsel with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court, France

"I applaud President Obama for advocacy of women's rights. Much remains to be worked in the Muslim countries, especially in the area of education. Women, as he said, must not be made to make the same choices, and most Muslim women would prefer to live their traditional roles. But the choice should be theirs. Education should be of paramount importance."

Dr. Siraj Islam Mufti, USA

"With regard to Women`s rights, Obama offered assistance to all countries to help women`s programs directed to enhance women`s rights and overcome their problems. Islamic dress is not a problem on the path to woman to have a role in her country. Obama gave examples of Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where women reached the top of the political administration."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Academic and Writer from Qatar

Economic development and opportunity

"Your speech in Cairo a successful attempt to reopen the door that stands between the West and the Muslim world. Unfortunately, on the same day of your speech and in the days that followed, citizens of several Member States of the European Union (EU) slammed this same door straight in the face of the Muslim world by voting for rightwing parties to take seats in the EU parliament. These rightwing parties have fiercely campaigned and promised their voters to forever prevent Turkey as a Muslim country to join the EU and to stop Muslim immigration to the European continent. Perhaps it is time that you help the Europeans reconsider their exclusivist approach vis-à-vis the Muslim world and instead reach out the same way you did in you masterful and eloquent speech."

Jonathan H. van Melle, intern for the Foundation for Middle East Peace, the Netherlands

"In the 21st century, because of a lot of factors, the Islamic world will face a lot of huge challenges. If it is not prepared to face them in an intelligent way, then the extremist forces would grew and represent a real threat not only to the Islamic countries, but also to the United States. That's why the projects of President Obama relative to economic development are welcome. All projects concerning the youth are good things and will be welcome by this clientele. Also, by encouraging the exchange between youth from America and those of Muslim world, these groups will come to know each other well."

Aziz Enhaili, Morocco

"President's Obama vision and focus on economic development for Muslim World is the most effective way to face the differences between cultures and to have mutual interests and mutual respect and to launch a " new beginning in U.S.- Muslim relations. The fundamental message in President's Obama speech was a call for partnership, make us very hopeful to have active and close cooperation in U.S.- Muslim relations. I call on President Obama to open direct channels with the Peoples and to strength cooperation between the Egyptian and American civil society organizations."

Anwar Esmat El-Sadat, Egypt

"A boost in the economies of impoverished Islamic States, home to over one billion people, is desperately needed to raise the standard of living so as their citizens could afford to buy or use high-valued goods produced in America such as cars, jets, medical equipments, etc. This will aid in the recovery of the American economy in the long run. The encouragement of American multinational companies is needed to invest in these states."

Dr. Medhat Khafagy, Acting Chief of Ibn Khaldoun Center for Developmental Studies, Egypt

"On the issue of economic and development Obama was very generous. He declared a joint project between American businessmen and their counterparts in the Islamic countries. He also announced a fund to support development and technology researches in Islamic or majority Islamic countries. I believe that Obama's speech was one of the best in American history."

Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Malik, Academic and Writer from Qatar

"The idea put forward by President Barack Obama of creating "a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries" is indeed laudable. The partnering should not be limited in Muslim-majority countries but should include Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries. In the case of the Bangsamoro in South of Philippines the development of their communities has to be driven by Bangsamoro entrepreneurship, not by programs of government and aid agencies, to be sustainable."

Abhoud Syed M. Lingga, Executive Director of the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, the Philippines

"Placing economic development and opportunity before people empowerment, their peace and order situation is assured are likened to placing the cart before the horse. It will only benefit the elite and perpetuate the status quo."

Octa Dinampo, Tulung Lupah Sug, Inc., the Philippines

"We wholly concur that investment in education and technology, providing employment opportunities, and facilitating enterprise, are economic policies no state can ignore if it desires for its population decent living standards and a high quality of life. We welcome the emphasis on economic development and the role the US will endeavour to play in supporting stable economic growth in these regions. As well as the opportunity that online networks will provide in breaking down stereotypes and enabling better interaction between Americans and Muslims. These networks will serve an important function for Americans, as much as for Muslims, as we work to eradicate the paradigms of those that can only speak in languages of hostility, enmity and difference."

ENGAGE, United Kingdom

"The US, in the grip of its worst economic crisis, has to be smart and trade with the Muslims!"

Hayat Diyen, Professor of English at Universite Mohamed Premier, Morocco

"President Obama's eloquent remarks in Cairo constitute a watershed in U.S. relations with the Arab and Muslim world. The President went as far as any American President can possibly go, at this stage of history, in any public remarks. His speech was sufficiently explicit, even if it fell short of the detail that many would have liked to see, to signal to all that the United States has made a major change in its foreign policy. Remember that President Obama was not only addressing the Muslim world: he was also addressing Americans back home. Unless he can rally U.S. domestic support for this dramatic alteration in American foreign policy, it will go nowhere. So far, the signs are encouraging, both abroad and at home. Parameters of understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have changed in major ways in the United States over the past few years, and President Obama now has more political space within which to maneuver than any U.S. President since at least 1967. Both Muslim and non-Islamic states in the region and elsewhere now need to respond dramatically to the enormous courage that President Obama has shown. For it is only with a new attitude by all that changes will occur on the ground. Godspeed to everyone."

Antony T. Sullivan, Vice Chair, Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy

In response to Netanyahu’s speech

2009-06-16T14:39:00.001-07:00

Press Release
15th June 2009

In response to Netanyahu’s speech

In a key policy speech coming at the back of seeming US pressure for a move towards peace in the Middle East, the right of return, a fundamental pillar for lasting peace in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, is gravely threatened as the Israeli Prime Minister; Benjamin Netanyahu, lays out his vision of a Palestinian State.

Stating for the first time that he would accept an independent Palestinian State, his overtures to peace, warmly greeted in the US, is full of conditions on the Palestinian side, with no substantial concessions on the Israeli side.

The “right of return”, which Netanyahu so easily dismissed in his speech, is for Palestinian refugees, a core pillar for any lasting peace recognised by various UN resolutions and international law. ‘These are the fundamental rights of Palestinians, behind which is the force of the world community and any peace initiative which detracts from this formula will fail miserably’, said Majed Al Zeer, Director of the Palestinian Return Centre.

The Israeli Prime Ministers vision of a Palestinian state is an affront to the viable solution for peace. His speech rejects peace with Palestinians when he brazenly rejected the right of Palestinian refugees, who fled Israeli brutality or were forced out of their homes during the 1948 war, to return to their ancestral home.

The most basic expression of the right of return is embedded in article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stipulates that "everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country."This is also supported by numerous articles and provisions within the Geneva Convention.

Palestinian self determination and the right of return are both inviolable rights in themselves and one cannot be exchanged for the other. This ostensible realignment of Netanyahu’s policy is a smokescreen to continually deny the rights of Palestinians and maintain the status quo, the right of return is non- negotiable and the right to Palestinian self determination is also no-negotiable.

‘It’s obvious to any serious observer of the hypocrisy that is at the heart of Netanyahu’s demand to jettison the right of return’, lamented, Al Zeer, ‘Palestinians are continually being told to abandon any preconditions for peace and Israel continuous to set all kinds of unreasonable preconditions on Palestinians.’

The fact that this speech also does not, in reality, mark any major shift in Israeli policy is noticeable in Netanyahu’s insistence that ‘Palestinians must recognize Israel as a state for the Jewish People.’ The prospect for peace amidst such rhetoric is extremely gloomy as it insists on defining the state of Israel ethnically rather than a democratic state for all its citizens. This not only refutes the right of 4.7 million refugees returning to their ancestral homes it also threatens the future safety and security of 2 million Palestinians that are already living in Israel, under various discriminatory laws.

Israel it seems is still not serious about making peace with the Palestinians, if it was it would not make such unreasonable preconditions. The Palestinian people have suffered in unimaginable ways for well over sixty years and their dream of any meaningful self determination is chiseled away for Israel’s idealistic aspirations as the notion of a Palestinian state, in the minds of Netanyahu, is reduced to nothing but small cantonments. To further add to this tragedy, Netanyahu is demanding that Palestinians make more sacrifice by giving up their right to return when this right is now almost sacrosanct in international law.

End.

Palestinian Return Centre
100H Crown House, North Circular Road
London NW10 7PN
Tel: +44 20 84530919
Fax: +44 20 84530994
website: http://www.prc.org.uk
email: info@prc.org.uk

2009-04-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

What is the secret of the number 7 and its multiples in the Holy Qur’aan and Sunnah?

What is the secret of the number 7 in the Qur’aan and hadeeth?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Undoubtedly the Qur’aan is miraculous, and there are many facets to its miraculous nature, such as linguistic, legislative, and so on. Its challenge to mankind and the jinn to produce something similar to it still stands. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Say: If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Qur’aan, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another”
[al-Isra’ 17:88].

Ibn al-Qayyim discussed the number 7 in his book Zaad al-Ma’aad fi Huda Khayr al-‘Ibaad (4/90) when he discussed the hadeeth in al-Saheehayn: “The one who eats seven dates of al-‘Aaliyah in the morning will not be harmed that day by poison or witchcraft.”

He said: As for specifying the number seven, it has to do with the creation and sahr’i commands of Allaah. Allaah created seven heavens, seven earths and seven days, and man’s creation is completed in seven stages; Allaah has prescribed that His slaves should walk around the Ka’bah seven times (tawaaf) and go back and forth between Safa and Marwah seven times (saa’i), and stone the jamaraat with seven pebbles each, and the takbeeraat of Eid are seven in the first rak’ah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Instruct your children to pray when they are seven.” When the boy reaches the age of seven he should be given the choice between his parents according to one report, and according to another report, his father has more right to him than his mother; according to a third report his mother has more right to him.

When he was sick, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered that water from seven skins be poured on him. Allaah sent the wind against the people of ‘Aad for seven days. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked Allaah to help him by sending upon his people seven (years) like the seven years of Yoosuf – i.e., seven years of famine. Allaah likened the reward of one who gives charity to a grain that produces seven ears, in each of which are one hundred grains. The number of ears of grain seen by the companion of Yoosuf (in the dream) was seven, the number of years for which they were cultivated was seven, and (the reward for charity) is multiplied seven hundred fold or more. Seventy thousand of this ummah will be admitted to Paradise without being brought to account.

Then Ibn al-Qayyim commented: Undoubtedly this number has some special qualities that are not shared by other numbers. … Allaah knows best about His wisdom, laws and decree in singling out this number. End quote.

Based on this, the correct view is to refrain from indulging in discussion of the reason why this number is singled out for mention, except on the basis of clear, sound evidence.

And Allaah knows best

http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/116594

2009-04-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Adrian Hamilton: Walking out on Ahmadinejad was just plain childish

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/adrian-hamilton/adrian-hamilton-walking-out-on-ahmadinejad-was-just-plain-childish-1672580.html

What are we trying to say? That any mention of Israel is now barred?
Thursday, 23 April 2009

Isn't it time western diplomats just grew up and stopped these infantile games over President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? All that this play-acting over boycotting of conferences because of his presence and walking out because of his words achieves is to flatter his ego, boost his poll ratings at home and play into the hands of an Israel that is desperate to prove Iran the gravest threat to its existence.

True, Iran's President is not the world's most endearing character. Some of the things he says are certainly contentious. But he is far from the most offensive leader on the block at the moment. With Silvio Berlusconi sounding off about women and sex, and Nicolas Sarkozy sounding off about everything from the quality of his fellow leaders to the unsuitability of Muslims to join the civilised nations, and a Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, giving his views on gays, Europe could claim its fair share of premiers who should not be allowed out in public.

Read Ahmadinejad's address at the UN conference on racism in Geneva this week and there is little to surprise and a certain amount to be agreed with. His accusations against the imperial powers for what they did with colonial rule and the business of slavery is pretty much part of the school curriculum now. His anger at the way the economic crisis originated in the West but has hit worst the innocent of the developing world would find a ready echo (and did) among most of the delegates.

It was not for this, however, that the countries of Europe and North America gathered up their skirts and walked out of Ahmadinejad's peroration. The UK's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Peter Gooderham, rather gave the game away when he said afterwards: "As soon as President Ahmadinejad started talking about Israel, that was the cue for us to walk out. We agreed in advance that if there was any such rhetoric there would be no tolerance for it." The Iranian leader, he went on to say, was guilty of anti-Semitisim.

Just how you can accuse a man of anti-Semitisim when you haven't stayed to hear him talk is one of those questions which the Foreign Office no doubt trains its diplomats to explain. But what basically was our representative trying to say here? That any mention of the word Israel is barred from international discussions? That the mere mention of it is enough to have the Western governments combine to still it? In fact, Ahmadinejad's speech was not anti-Semitic, not in the strict sense of the word. Nowhere in his speech did he mention his oft-quoted suggestion that Israel be expunged from the map of the world. At no point did he mention the word "Jews", only "Zionists", and then specifically in an Israeli context. Nor did he repeat his infamous Holocaust denials, although he did reportedly refer to it slightingly as "ambiguous" in its evidence.
Instead, he launched the time-honoured Middle Eastern accusation that Israel was an alien country imposed on the local population by the West, out of its own guilt for the genocide; that it was supported by a Zionist take-over of Western politics and that it pursued racist policies towards the Palestinians. Now you may find these calls offensive or far-fetched (if there is a Zionist world conspiracy, it is making a singularly bad job of it) but it is pretty much the standard view in the Muslim world. Western support of Israel is seen as a conspiracy, and it is not just prejudice. There are now books by Western academics arguing that the pro-Israeli lobby wields an influence in the US out of all proportion to its numbers. If the Western walkout in Geneva did nothing else, it rather proved the point.

Nor is it far-fetched to charge Israel with being a racist state. As the only country in the world that defines itself and its immigrants on racial grounds, it could be regarded as fair comment. And if you doubt that this founding principle leads Israel into racist attitudes to non-Israelis, then you only have to read the comments of its new Foreign Secretary, Avigdor Lieberman, to disabuse you.

Of course, Ahamadinejad was playing to his home audience. He is a politician facing re-election at a time when his domestic economic record makes him vulnerable. Most of the educated class are fed up with his cavorting on the world stage while his country goes from wrack to ruin. And, of course, international conferences of this sort, intended to spread sweetness and light, are not the most appropriate forums for such tirades.

But on these issues he does speak for the majority not just in Iran but in the region. Deny that view a hearing and you will only increase the resentment and the sense of a Western world set up against them. Which is precisely what our oh-so-sanctimonious representatives achieved this week.

Do Not Delay or Get it Over With - by Asma bint Shameem

2009-03-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Jazk bro Adil for this article from Asma..

Do Not Delay or Get it Over With
by Asma bint Shameem

Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar!
The sound of the adhaan echoed throughout the neighborhood.

"Oh, its Asr already ?!" She absentmindedly thought in her head as she flipped channels with the remote. "I 'll pray as soon as this show is over," she mumbled to herself, as she settled down to watch her favorite TV program. And before she knew it, it was another show and then yet another, when all of a sudden, she realized how late it was.....the light outside had turned yellowish orange.....the birds were chirping loudly.... ...the sun was almost about to set.

She hurriedly got up, made wudu and did 4 quick rakahs of Asr as fast as she could, so that she could ‘get it over with‘.

Subhaan Allaah, how many of us are guilty of something like that ?

Okay, may be its not television for all of us. For some of us, its cooking and cleaning, 'busy' with the kids. And for some its video games and playstations; while for others it's talking on the phone, chatting on the internet, shopping, sleeping, you name it. Or it may be for just no reason at all.

We delay our prayer .... and delay our prayer until the time for it is almost over and then we quickly peck the floor with our heads, thinking we are absolved of the obligation. In other words, we 'just get it over with’.

But, Brothers and sisters, do you realize what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) called such a prayer? He called it the 'prayer of the hypocrite'!

Anas ibn Maalik said, “I heard the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) say, ‘That is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites. One of them will sit until the sun turns yellow, and is between the horns of the Shaytaan, or on the horns of the Shaytaan, then he will get up and peck out four (rakahs), in which he does not remember Allaah except a little.’” (Abu Dawood).

And its not just Asr. We tend to do that with all our prayers, delaying it until its time is almost up for no valid reason, except that we are just plain old lazy.

Allaah says that laziness in prayer is a characteristic of the hypocrites.
“And when they stand up for al-salaah, they stand with laziness”
[al-Nisaa 4:142].

“So woe unto those performers of Salaah (hypocrites);those who delay their Salaah” [al-Maoon 107:4-5]

In fact, do you know what the best deed in the sight of Allah is? Its prayer at its time.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) was asked: Which deed is best? He said: “Prayer done on time.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And yet we delay it, without thinking much of it. And obviously when we delay the prayer, we rush through it, not paying attention to the ruku or sujud or the proper etiquettes of prayer.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, how can a person steal from his prayer?’ He said, ‘By not doing rukoo and sujood properly.’” (Ahmad and al-Haakim--saheeh by Albaani).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘The one who does not do rukoo properly, and pecks in sujood, is like a starving man who eats only one or two dates; it does not do him any good at all.’” (al-Tabaraani- hasan by al-Albaani).

Subhaan Allaah ! And where are we with our Salaah ?
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to move at a measured pace during salaah, allowing every bone to return to its place with each movement. And he commanded those who were not doing their prayer properly to do the same.

Remember the hadeeth about the person who rushed through his prayer? The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told him three times: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” Then he told the man: “When you go to pray, say takbeer, then recite whatever you can of the Quraan. Then bow until you are at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that throughout the entire prayer.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Obviously if we wait till the last few moments to pray, we will not be at ease or be able to pay attention to what the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) has instructed to do.

Obviously, we will end up 'stealing' from the prayer.

And you know what, we may just rush through the Salaah, 'getting it over with', as some of us like to say, but who knows how much of it was even accepted by Allaah? For the reward that one gets for Salaah is in proportion to the degree of khushoo he has in the prayer.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half.” ( Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami).

We, as Muslim must hasten to prayer and with khushoo, if we want to increase our Imaan and good deeds. This is one of the attributes of the believers whose hearts are attached to their prayers. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) would be attending to his familys needs, then when he would hear Bilaal give the adhaan, he would stop whatever he was doing and rush to pray.
He (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to say, “Let us relax with it [the prayer], O Bilaal."

He did not say, ‘Let us get it over with.’

And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Five prayers which Allaah has made obligatory. Whoever does wudoo properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo properly and has perfect khushoo, it is a promise from Allaah that he will be forgiven, but whoever does not do this, has no such promise – if Allaah wishes, He will forgive him, and if He wishes, He will punish him.” (Abu Dawood, Saheeh al-Jaami).

Those of us who are lazy and do not pray until the time is up for no valid reason...those of us who just want to ‘get it over with, should remember what our deeds will say to us when we are in our grave: "for the believer’s deeds will say to him in his grave: “By Allaah, I only saw you quick to obey Allaah and slow to disobey Him.” But in the case of the munaafiq (hypocrite) and faasiq (evildoer), his deeds will say: “By Allaah, I only saw you slow to obey Allaah and quick to disobey Him.” ( Ahmad; saheeh by al-Albaani)

To breakfast or Not to breakfast - that is the question

2009-03-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

You probably heard it from your own parents: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But now you're the one saying it — to your sleepy, frazzled, grumpy kids, who insist "I'm not hungry" as you try to get everyone fed and moving in the morning.

Even if you eat a healthy morning meal every day, it can be tough to get kids fueled up in time for school, child care, or a day of play. But it's important to try. Here's how to make the morning meal more appealing for everyone.

Why Bother With Breakfast?
Breakfast is a great way to give the body the refueling it needs. Kids who eat breakfast tend to eat healthier overall and are more likely to participate in physical activities — two great ways to help maintain a healthy weight.

Skipping breakfast can make kids feel tired, restless, or irritable. In the morning, their bodies need to refuel for the day ahead after going without food for 8 to 12 hours during sleep. Their mood and energy can drop by midmorning if they don't eat at least a small morning meal.

Breakfast also can help keep kids' weight in check. Breakfast kick-starts the body metabolism, the process by which the body converts the fuel in food to energy. And when the metabolism gets moving, the body starts burning calories.

Also, people who don't eat breakfast often consume more calories throughout the day and are more likely to be overweight than those who skip lunch. That's because someone who skips breakfast is likely to get famished before lunchtime and snack on high-calorie foods or overeat at lunch.

Breakfast Brain Power

It's important for kids to have breakfast every day, but what they eat in the morning is crucial too. Choosing breakfast foods that are rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein while low in added sugar may boost kids' attention span, concentration, and memory — which they need to learn in school.

Research also has shown that kids who eat breakfast get fiber, calcium, and other important nutrients. They also tend to keep their weight under control, have lower blood cholesterol levels and fewer absences from school, and make fewer trips to the school nurse with stomach complaints related to hunger.

Making Breakfast Happen

It would be great to serve whole-grain waffles, fresh fruit, and low-fat milk each morning. But it can be difficult to make a healthy breakfast happen when you're rushing to get yourself and the kids ready in the morning and juggling the general household chaos.

So try these practical suggestions to ensure that — even in a rush — your kids get a good breakfast before they're out the door:

Stock your kitchen with healthy breakfast options
Prepare as much as you can the night before (gets dishes and utensils ready, cut up fruit, etc.)
get everyone up 10 minutes earlier
let kids help plan and prepare breakfast
have grab-and-go alternatives (fresh fruit, individual boxes of cereal, yogurt) on days when there is little or no time to eat

If kids aren't hungry first thing in the morning, be sure to pack a breakfast that they can eat a little later on the bus or between classes. Fresh fruit, cereal, nuts, or half a peanut butter and banana sandwich are nutritious, easy to make, and easy for kids to take along.

You may also want to check out the breakfasts offered at school or daycare. Some offer breakfasts and provide them at free or reduced prices for families with limited incomes. If your child eats breakfast outside the home, talk with him or her about how to make healthy selections.

What not to serve for breakfast is important too. Sure, toaster pastries and some breakfast bars are portable, easy, and appealing to kids. But many have no more nutritional value than a candy bar and are high in sugar and calories. Read the nutrition labels carefully before you toss these breakfast bars and pastries into your shopping cart.

Breakfast Ideas to Try

The morning meal doesn't have to be all about traditional breakfast items. You can mix it up to include different foods, even the leftovers from last night's dinner, and still provide the nutrients and energy kids need for the day.

Try to serve a balanced breakfast that includes some carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Carbohydrates are a good source of immediate energy for the body. Energy from protein tends to kick in after the carbohydrates are used up.. Fiber helps provide a feeling of fullness and, therefore, discourages overeating. And when combined with adequate liquid consumption, fiber helps move food through the digestive system, preventing constipation and lowering cholesterol.

Good sources of these nutrients include:
carbohydrates: whole-grain cereals, brown rice, whole-grain breads and muffins, fruits, vegetables protein: low-fat or nonfat dairy products, lean meats, eggs, nuts (including nut butters), seeds, and cooked dried beans fiber: whole-grain breads, waffles, and cereals; brown rice, bran, and other grains; fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts

Here are some ideas for healthy breakfasts to try:
whole-grain cereal topped with fruit and a cup of yogurt
whole-grain waffles topped with peanut butter, fruit, or ricotta cheese
whole-wheat pita stuffed with sliced hard-cooked eggs
hot cereal topped with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or cloves
peanut butter on a bagel with fresh fruit (banana or apple wedges) and low-fat milk breakfast smoothie (milk, fruit, and teaspoon of bran, whirled in a blender) vegetable omelet with a bran muffin and orange juice bran muffin and yogurt with berries hummus on whole-wheat toast and milk lean turkey on a toasted English muffin and vegetable juice heated leftover rice with chopped apples, nuts, and cinnamon, plus fruit juice cream cheese and fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries, on a bread or a bagel
shredded cheese on a whole-wheat tortilla, folded in half and microwaved for 20 seconds and topped with salsa

And don't forget how important your good example is. Let your child see you making time to enjoy breakfast every day. Even if you just wash down some whole-wheat toast and a banana with a glass of juice or milk, you're showing how important it is to face the day only after refueling your brain and body with a healthy morning meal.

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST EXERCISE

2009-03-16T13:02:00.000-07:00

According to researchers, laughter stimulates the feel good chemicals in the brain so you want to do it over and over again. Laugh your way to good health. Here's what happens throughout the body.

FACE
When we laugh, as many as 15 muscles squeeze are faces into a smile. Increased blood flow there may turn us a bit pinker and give us a happy glow.

EYES HAVE IT
If the laugh is vigorous enough, our tear ducts can activate. Sometimes our glee can have a cumulative effect till we are literally crying with joy-and studies show that tears, whether happy or sad, may reduce symptoms of stress.

MOUTH
Have'nt you heard the heart laughter going ha-ha ha, rhythmic blasts of vocalized air. In addition, saliva of patients have been tested and after laughing episodes they found that there were higher levels of disease-fighting agents called immuno globins. Other studies have found higher blood levels of killer T-cells, suggesting that laughter may raise our immune function.

VOCAL POINT
Our vocal equipment has to roll up its sleeves to produce our high pitched hysteria. The diaphragm, a strong muscle under the lungs, pumps down and up, filling the lungs and then blasting air out of them, up through the voice box to produce the laugh. A hearty guffaw is quite a workout for this system, requiring as much effort and volume as yelling. Because the lungs are exchanging much more air than normal, they enrich the blood with oxygen.

WRESTLE YOUR VESSELS
Our heart rate and blood pressure spike briefly when we laugh.. They increase a bit even when we chuckle while sitting in a chair watching a funny act. In addition to possible immune benefits noted earlier, laughter seems to help diabetics keep their glucose levels in check.
In a recent study, cardiologist Michael Miller investigated the effect of laughter on the inner lining of the blood vessels, or endothelium. Yes,
even that part of our body produces chemicals- good ones when it expands, bad ones when it constricts.

PAIN RELIEVER
Whether in our extremities or up in our brains, laughter seems to have an analgesic effect; it increases our tolerance for pain. Back in 1987, psychologist Rosemary Cogan used the discomfort of a pressure cuff to test another medical benefit of another medical benefit of laughter °pain management. Subjects who had watched a 20 minute actor comedian routine could tolerate a tighter cuff than those who had watched an informational tape or no tape at all.

BELLY LAUGHS
A hearty laugh can cause us to double over and tense all our major muscle groups for minutes at a time, leading to a simple conclusion Laughter is exercise. A leading professional in this area Lee Berk calls it "Inner jogging" .The heart rate and blood pressure go up while you're laughing, but then they fall down below your baseline afterwards, the same as with exercise. This could be very important.

EXERCISE
Exercise for elderly and sick people who can't get out and run three kilometers. According to Provine, early laughter researcher William Fry found that it took ten minutes on his rowing machine to elevate his heart rate to the same level provided by a good belly laugh. A finding that may have millions rationalizing how important it is to sit down and have a good laugh with family and friends and cheer up your life.

Honor Killings and The Bridges TV Tragedy

2009-03-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Honor Killings and The Bridges TV Tragedy

http://www.mana-net.org/pages.php?ID=activism&NUM=1055

The alleged confession by Muzzammil Hassan, co-founder of Bridges TV, for the tragic killing of his wife Aasiya, is indeed a monstrous and deplorable act that Muslims, Christians and all human beings should strongly condemn. If true, the choice made by Mr. Muzzammil to kill his wife -- and in such a brutal fashion -- is something he will be judged and punished for by the Creator of the heavens and the earth. There are some people who will judge Al-Islam and all Muslims for the actions of this one man, but ALLAH will not. Simply because the Creator is Just and will not allow any individual to bear the burdens of another. All Muslims are not guilty of this act (although the silence of many can contribute to it) and the religion of Al-Islam does not endorse this behavior. Instead, Al-Islam strongly condemns it.

Horrendous killings of spouses have been done by people of all religions, races, cultures and nationalities. It is curious to note, that the media in the US singles out individual actions done by so-called Muslims who disobey their religion and blames all Muslims and the religion of Al-Islam for their heinous actions. Recently, we were inundated with news about other Americans who killed their families, themselves, and their children. But in none of those cases was the religion or all its followers blamed or castigated for their actions. Recently in Florida, a Christian Professor who taught music and sang soloist at the United Methodist Church, killed his wife, children and himself. Nothing was made about him being Christian with some hidden justification in his religion causing his actions nor was the entire Methodist Church castigated. Why the double standards when it comes to Al-Islam?

According to many news paper reports, Muzzammil had a history of domestic violence. He was a very secular person who “rarely showed up at the mosque and was obsessed with financial matters.” The Die Burger, a South African paper, reports the following from Aasiya’s sister Asma Firirey about her domestic abuse, "Firfirey, as well as a Pakistani woman identifying herself as another of Aasiya Hassan's sisters, characterized her as living in fear.

“Firfirey said the last time she saw her sister was in May 2008, when she visited South Africa. When she arrived, she was badly injured, and Firfirey's family paid the equivalent of about $3,000 for her to be treated.”

“Aasiya Hassan returned to America, because she wanted to complete her MBA degree and "didn't want to leave her children with that monster." She said she calls Muzzammil Hassan "the fat man with evil eyes."

The Buffalo News also reports the following, “The Hassans were well-known to local police, both in Orchard Park and Texas, where Muzzammil has family. Police were called to their Orchard Park home more than a dozen times for domestic issues…”

This event, which exposes a well-respected, prominent Muslim as a domestic abuser, who allegedly decapitated his wife, is an Islamophobic scaremonger’s dream. It gives these biased opportunists a platform to continue demonizing Al-Islam and Muslims by equating this awful act to Al-Islam. One of the things they claim is that this act is an example of honor killing endorsed by Al-Islam. This false notion is what I will address in the rest of my essay.

Honor killings are a Middle Eastern cultural phenomenon that is practiced by ignorant Muslims, Christians and others from that region. It pre-dates Islam and is an ugly manifestation that many Islamic, Christian and other organizations are working hard to eradicate. Honor killings are murders by families on family members who are believed to have brought "shame" on the family name. It is usually done by a male member of the family who kills a female relative for “tarnishing” the family image.Many books have been written about honor killings. Two famous books, Norma Khouri’s “Forbidden Love” and Souad’s “Burned Alive” turned out to be total fabricated stories deliberately written to demonize Palestinian and Arab people. Dr. Therese Taylor wrote an excellent article which exposes Burned Alive as a fraudulent account of a supposed attempted Palestinian honor killing. Dr. Taylor shows, with expert clarity, how ridiculous the claims in the book are regarding honor killings. You can read her excellent article at this link.

According to Wikipedia and other sources, in Indonesia -- generally believed to be the country with the largest Muslim population -- honor killings are unknown, as well as in parts of West Africa with majority-Muslim populations and many other Islamic countries like Bangladesh. Although honor killings are not an Islamic phenomenon, somehow there is a major effort to associate honor killings with Al-Islam.

There is nothing in the Quran, or the examples of Prophet Muhammad (saaw), that endorses honor killings. Yet it is prevalent in many so-called Muslim cultures and even amongst some Muslims in European and western culture. So how is the innocent mind supposed to understand this seeming contradiction?

Sometimes when we look at other cultures and religions we blindly associate practices to foreign religions forgetting that the same thing can be done out of ignorance by other cultures and religions within the West as well. Take the Mafia and contract killings for example. The Italian origin of the Mafia is cradled in the same country where the highest authority in Catholicism resides. It comes from the country that is the seat of Catholicism. Contract killings by the Mafia are a mainstay of Christian societies and can be found in just about any Christian country in the West. We could ignorantly associate the Mafia and contract killings using examples of how Mafia men were seen going to Mass and even make bogus claims about verses in the Bible supporting this Christian cultural manifestation known as the Mafia. We could even write articles about it ignorantly stating “Yes, it is Christian. Don’t Apologize for It!” and show how violent and cruel contract killings are and associate that and the Mafia with Christianity. We could also deride Christianity for being a backwards, evil religion with ugly inhuman and uncivilized practices that cannot be excused and must be stamped out as a result of it. But would we be correct in doing so?

It is easy for the uninformed, insincere and deliberately demonizing minds to make those unfair assessments about other people’s religion. But a child with just a little inkling of common sense and the desire to know the truth can easily take an approach that would dispel all the hyperbole by simply going to the religion to see what it really teaches. A sincere mind studying the noble teachings of Christ (saaw) would know right away that contract killings and the Mafia has nothing to do with the beautiful revelations from G-d to Christ (saaw). So too would a sincere mind studying the gracious teachings in the Quran and Al-Islam know that those teachings do not endorse honor killings, terrorism and a whole host of other lies being told by fiendish people in an attempt to deliberately demonize Al-Islam.
Try as they may, the accusers who blame Al-Islam for honor killings could never produce a verse from the Qur’an or anything in Al-Islam to prove their wrong assertions. The most they claim is that the Qur’an approves wife beating and point to verse 4:34, taking it completely out of context to prove their claim. But let’s look at what verse 4:34 actually says. One of the most popular translations of the Qur’an by Yusuf Ali states the following:

“As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).”

There is nothing in this verse that states a man should kill his wife for honor. If you know Arabic the word used for beat by the Qur’an is not the same Arabic word that is used for beat as when you beat someone to inflict pain. The word used is the Arabic word “edrobhohunna”. That word does not mean beat in a violent way to incur physical damage. The Arabic word that means beat to incur physical damage is “hatumhoo”. The Quran did not use the word “hatumhoo”; it used “edrobhohunna”, which is a word meaning an action that shows displeasure without causing physical harm. It is striking such that even a baby won’t be harmed. It is hard to translate because in English when we use the word strike it implies harm, but in Arabic this word does not imply physical damage or harm. Some translators in an attempt to get close to the meaning in Arabic translate “edrobhohunna” as a tongue lashing or "...then punish her mildly", or "...then go away from them" because the reference is to not do any physical harm but only as a means of having the husband after doing other things show -- as a last resort -- his displeasure with his wife.

The root of "edrobhohunna" is "daraba", "beat". There are many words in Arabic derived from this root. Other examples include "dharabtum", which is used in Verse 4:94, and is usually translated in English, "go forth/go out/go abroad". Whilst it is possible to translate "edrobhohunna" as “beat/strike", just as in English it is equally possible to translate "beat it" as “leave”, "separate", "part". The verse that follows verse 4:34 goes on to talk about appointing arbitrators from each side and the need to strive for reconciliation. In this context, it is more likely that the correct meaning of the word " edrobhohunna " is "leave/separate/part".

At the same time there is a wealth of teachings in Al-Islam about the marital relationship. Numerous verses in the Quran extol the beautiful relationship between men and women. One of them is as follows:
“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” 30:21

The Prophet (saaw) being the best example for Muslims never beat any of his wives. When approached by a man about how he should treat his wife, the Prophet (saaw) told him to feed her as you would feed yourself, provide for her clothes as you would for yourself, do not beat her and do not revile her. Remarking upon those men who beat their wives, he said they are not good Muslims. He said “The best among you is he who is best in his treatment of his wife!” According to the Prophet’s wife 'Aishah (ra), the Prophet (saaw) never once raised his hand to her, in fact the only time he ever raised a hand against anyone, was when he was fighting in battle.

I could go on and on with more examples from Al-Islam and you would never find where the Quran or anything in the teachings of Al-Islam endorses honor killings. But the Quran is very precise and very clear regarding what the conditions are for when a life should be taken. Needless to say, honor killings are not among the reasons. The Quran treats human life as sacred. It is given by ALLAH and it is only ALLAH who has the authority to take life or provide the means by which that life can be taken. One specific verse in the Quran dealing with the taking of life is as follows:
“5:32 …if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people…”

The Quran equates the seriousness of taking the innocent life of one person to killing a whole people. It is a very serious matter when someone is killed.

Honor killings, death for adultery, death for apostates and other things practiced in so-called Islamic countries are corruptions and not true Islam. You will find nothing in the Qur’an endorsing any of those practices, yet it is perplexing to know that they are practiced within some Muslim societies by some confused Muslims. Colonialism had a big hand to play in this, as admitted to by several documentaries, books and other literature, under colonialism, the British and other western powers encouraged extremism in Al-Islam. They killed out and stifled the voices of true Islam and encouraged cultural and barbaric practices to thrive and be supported. This was a tactic used to destroy Muslim societies and today we see the ugly remnants of that in many Muslim countries.

Please read “Confessions of a British Spy” to learn more about how thoroughly such work was done within the Islamic world to encourage extremism, bad cultural habits and un-Islamic behavior, being portrayed under the banner of Al-Islam in order to weaken the people and make them better subjects of the colonialists.

Any so-called Muslim who practices honor killings should be given the full punishment of the law. They ignored the clear teachings in their religion to follow a barbaric practice. They deserve the full implementation of justice against them for going against the true teachings of Al-Islam by taking innocent lives to satisfy their ego and feed their false sense of honor.

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)

2009-03-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E14b_9wStUU

http://www.michaelheart.com/Song_for_Gaza.html

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza) (Composed by Michael Heart) Copyright 2009
A blinding flash of white light Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight People running for cover Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes With ravaging fiery flames And nothing remains Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down In the night, without a fight You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools But our spirit will never die We will not go down In Gaza tonight

Women and children alike Murdered and massacred night after night While the so-called leaders of countries afar Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain And the bombs fell down like acid rain But through the tears and the blood and the pain You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze
We will not go down In the night, without a fight You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools But our spirit will never die We will not go down In Gaza tonight

2009-02-22T01:04:00.000-08:00

Authentic Supplications of the Prophet (saw)

2009-02-07T06:21:00.000-08:00

by Waleed K.S. Al-Essa

http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/duaa/tc.html

Please be aware that each link below corresponds to more than one page.
For example, "The Virtues of Remembrance" has 5 pages in it.
To get to successive pages, click on the "Next" link.
There are 255 pages in all.

System of Transliteration
Introduction
The Meanings of the word 'iläh
The Virtues of Remembrance
The Virtues of Tahmeed, Tahleel, and Tasbeeh
Remembrance of Allah at Both Ends of the Day
At Sleeping Time
Upon Having a Dream
When Waking Up at Night
Entering, and Exiting the Rest-Room
About Wudhu'
The Virtue of Praying After Wudhu'
The Virtue of Worship at Night
About the Witr Prayer
Upon Going Out of the Home
Upon Entering the Home
The Athan and Whoever Hears it
Upon Entering the Masjid and Leaving it
What the Imäm Says Before the Prayer
Opening Supplications in Salät
On Saying 'Ämeen
Crying in Salät
When Bowing,Getting up from a Bow, Prostrating,or Sitting in Between Prostrations
Supplication in the Prayer and after the Tashahhud
Loud Remembrance After Salät
Announcing Lost Property, or Selling in the Mosque
The Virtue of Reciting Surat Al-Kahf on Friday
Praising Allah Within Speech
Description of the Khutbah and the Prayer
State of the Khateeb, and What he Says
Saying Shahädah in the Khutbah
Abollt the Takheer in the `Eid Prayer
Surrender to Predestination Neither in Deficit nor in Exaggeration
Asking for Allah's Guidance in a Certain Affair (Istikhara)
Not to say "If You will then grant me"
Prohibition of Asking that Punishment be Hurried
What to Say at Times of Grief, Concern, and Sadness
About Minor and Great Afflictions upon the Believer
On Debt
Abandonment of Supplication for Sin and for the Severance of the Ties of Kinship
Truthfully Asking for Martyrdom
What to Say upon Confrontation of the Enemy and of People with Power
About Devils Presenting Themselves to Humans
On Incantations (Charms & Spells)
When Passing by the Graves of the Polytheists
Condition for Entering the Graveyards of the Tortured
Upon Entering Graveyards
How to Pray Upon the Dead
What is Said When Placing the Body in the Grave
With Respect to Allah's Bounties upon Man
What to Say to Someone Wearing New Clothes
What to Say When you Wear Something New
Being Presented A Gift and Supplicated for
Let your Brother Know you Love Him
Rewarding one that does you Good
On Seeing the First Fruits
Liked things and Fear of The Evil Eye
On Drawing Good and Bad Omens
Upon Seeing Inflicted People
Supplication for the Guidance of the Polytheists
On Asking tor Rain
When Windy
Time of Thunder
Upon Rainfall
Upon Sighting the Crescent
About Eclipses
When Going on a Journey
When Someone Else is Going on a Journey
Upon Mounting Mean of Transportation
When Beast of Burden Stumbles
Upon Entering a Town
When Lodging Somewhere
When Slaughtering
Eating and Drinking
What a Fasting Person Says Upon Iftar
On Asking Permission to Enter
Dislike of Saying: It's me!
What to Supplicate for your Host
About As-Salam
Conveyance of As-Salam
Who Should Petition Salam First
Prohibition of Beginning the Jews and Christians with As-Salam
Greeting Only Those Whom you Know is of the Signs of The Day of Judgment
On Letter Writing Format
On Praising and Complementing
On Sneezing and Yawning
What to Say to a Non-Muslim if he Sneezes
About Marriage
Upon Child Birth
Upon Crowing of the Rooster, Braying, and Barking
On Seated Gathering Places
About Anger
Upon Entering A Market Place

© 1993 Waleed Al-Essa This book may be photocopied for personal non profit use; otherwise, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author

It Is Darwin Time: Will We Accept It?

2009-02-07T04:24:00.000-08:00

Dr Q. Isa Daudpota, Pakistan Link, January 30, 2009

Charles Darwin was kind enough to publish his great work, On the Origin of Specieswhen he was exactly fifty years old. That will allow us to celebrate his 200th birthday anniversary and the sesquicentennial of the book this year.

His work's scientific, philosophical and social implications are revolutionary. Today all true scientists accept his theory of evolution as fundamental to understanding of life on earth. It underpins all modern biological and medical sciences and helps view life as a unified system based on rather simple yet profound rules. All his works are available at www.tinyurl.com/a96jkg.

The biggest ever Charles Darwin exhibition, www.tinyurl.com/aysymz, will run until mid-April in London. Not all is lost if you cannot get to it as much exists on the net that can help remove the misconceptions that many Pakistanis have about the theory, starting with this website and its excellent links. Several new books will appear as will documentaries and TV programs that will reach our shores if there is enough demand. Among the important recent audio visual presentations worth showing in Pakistan is the seven-part TV series Evolution prepared by the US Public Broadcasting Service. The accompanying book with the same title by Carl Zimmer is also useful to remove doubts about the theory. Supplement these with a study of the PBS website on evolution, www.tinyurl.com/783wm8 - it has a wealth of material, in text and video, for students and teachers.

What if one wants to visit one of our own museums to learn about evolution? One would naturally turn to our Museum of Natural History in Islamabad, www.tinyurl.com/9qshma. I in fact visited it about four years ago when asked to review the design of a planned extension to the building. Sadly the building, set in idyllic green surrounding of Shakarparian Hills, is poorly designed and constructed.

During the visit I walked to the lowest level, and have frequented later. This is where the museum explicitly shows how the evolution of life took place on earth. You enter the moderately sized room with its four walls painted to show quite nicely the story of life. Starting on the right one sees in almost seamless progression the appearance of primitive life forms in water, moving onto fish, reptiles, amphibians, land-based animals, primates and then early humanoids, the hunter-gatherers, finally getting to modern humans – this brings one back to the door where one began the journey. If you stand in the middle and turn around you see the panorama of life before you. A good teacher of biology could keep a class occupied for several hours in this room alone.

One wonders how many teachers in Pakistan would, however, notice the white pillar from floor to roof, over one foot wide, that separate the pictures of the hoards of apes from the hunting humanoids. (Nowhere else in this room are the different life forms shown separated from other groups). More importantly, will the teacher on noticing this anomaly, point it to the students and discuss it. A clear discussion on this issue alone could lead to a much better understanding of biology (and life generally) than a year of learning facts that fail to unify the subject.

I gathered a number of museum staff nearby to ask their opinion about why the Museum chose to separate the apes from the humanoid, given that after Darwin it was generally accepted that human are primates, i.e. closely related to monkeys and apes. Most remained quiet. One said, in true bureaucratic fashion, that I would need to contact the director who has designed the room. Another said that if the connection was shown the museum would be burned down by religious fanatics who think of humans as a special creation of the Lord, and were therefore unconnected with the earlier life-forms. The Museum's stagnant website, perhaps reflecting this attitude, has no mention of Darwin or evolution. Instead, it should be the main institute explaining and displaying artifact of Natural History on the foundations laid by scientific Darwinian ideas.

Then there are people like Harun Yahya, the prolific Turkish writer, whose slick books fill our bookshops and unambiguously oppose Darwin. I was once horrified to see a room full of talented Pakistani school students at a Space Camp subjected to a movie about creationism produced by Yahya's outfit. This is not an affliction particular to Pakistan or the Muslim world. In America about 55% of adults held a tentative view about evolution for the last decade. A third of adults firmly rejected the theory; only 14% thought of it as 'definitely true'. Only enlightened education, formal and informal can overcome this ignorance. Nature, the premier science magazine offers 15 examples from over the past decade or so to illustrate the breadth, depth and power of evolutionary thinking that totally demolishes the wrong headed ideas of people like Yahya. See www.tinyurl.com/a3n4nh.

For the Semitic religions to have relevance in today's world, they must accept that the rules of nature apply only to materials bodies, energy and the environment to create the immense variety of species and their evolution. That they arise from a single of a small number of basic primal organisms and transform due to mutations and natural adaptation was outlined carefully by Darwin. A good place to study the journey of life is the BBC page, www.tinyurl.com/7ngsqc and the links therein.

Darwin and his great work provided a revolutionary break from the past by placing humans as part of the evolving flux of life, not as special creation. He did what Copernicus managed in the 16th century by displacing Earth from its central position in the universe to being a mere planet moving around a rather ordinary star obeying physical laws that were formalized later by Newton. It should have taught us modesty.

Darwin is right up there with Newton in the greatness league. He, unlike his fellow Englishman, was a wise, modest gentleman. This year of Darwin should be when his ideas become better understood in this country, leading to revolutionary changes in our thinking.

http://pakistanlink.com/Opinion/2009/Jan09/30/04.HTM

RELATED LINKS:

The Muslim Responses to Evolution http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_151_200/muslim_responses_to_evolution.htm

The Science of Evolution and the Nature of Science Peyton M. West, February 28, 2007http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1172571427008&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience%2FHSELayout

Human Reproduction and DevelopmentDr. Gasser Hathout, July 17, 2005http://www.lubnaa.com/science (SEE Section: Perspectives)

How to be successful in life

2009-02-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

How to obtain success and prosperity in this world and hereafter.What kind of success or prosperity that islam want the ummah islam gain in this world.

Praise be to Allaah.

Peace of mind, contentment, happiness and freedom from worries and anxiety… these are what everyone wants, and these are the ways in which people can have a good life and find complete happiness and joy. There are religious means of achieving that, and natural and practical means, but no one can combine all of them except the believers; although other people may achieve some of them, they will miss out on others.

There follows a summary of the means of achieving this aim for which everyone is striving. In some cases, those who achieve many of them will live a joyful life and a good life; in other cases, those who fail to achieve all of them will live a life of misery and hardship. And there are others which are in between, according to what the means he is able to attain. These means include the following:

1 – Faith and righteous deeds:
This is the greatest and most fundamental of means. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)”
[al-Nahl 16:97]

Allaah tells us and promises us that whoever combines faith with righteous deeds will have a good life and a good reward in this world and in the Hereafter.

The reason for that is clear: those who believe in Allaah – with sincere faith that motivates them to do righteous deeds that change hearts and attitudes and guides them to the straight path in this world and the Hereafter – follow principles and guidelines by means of which they deal with everything that happens to them, be it the causes of happiness and excitement or the causes of anxiety, worry and grief.

They deal with the things that they like by accepting them and giving thanks for them, and using them in good ways. When they deal with them in this manner, that creates in them a sense of excitement and the hope that it will continue and that they will be rewarded for their gratitude, which is more important than the good things that happen to them. And they deal with bad things, worries and distress by resisting those that they can resist, alleviating those that they can alleviate, and bearing with goodly patience those that they cannot avoid. Thus as a result of the bad things they gain a lot of benefits, experience, strength, patience and hope of reward, which are more important and which diminish the hardships they have undergone and replace them with happiness and hope for the bounty and reward of Allaah. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) expressed this in a saheeh hadeeth in which he said: “How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him. This does not apply to anyone but the believer.” (Narrated by Muslim, no. 2999).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that the believer is always gaining and the reward for his deeds is always multiplying, no matter what happens to him, good or bad.

2 – Being kind to people in word and deed, and all kinds of doing good.
This is one of the means of removing worry, distress and anxiety. By this means Allaah wards off worries and distress from righteous and immoral like, but the believer has the greater share of that, and is distinguished by the fact that his kindness to others stems from sincerity and the hope of reward, so Allaah makes it easy for him to be kind to others because of the hope that this will bring good things and ward off bad things, by means of his sincerity and hope of reward. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allaah’s Cause), or Ma‘roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allaah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allaah, We shall give him a great reward”
[al-Nisa’ 4:114]

Part of that great reward is relief from worry, distress, troubles, etc.

3 – Another of the means of warding off anxiety that stems from nervous tension and being preoccupied with disturbing thoughts is to occupy oneself with good deeds or seeking beneficial knowledge, for that will distract one from dwelling on the matters that are causing anxiety. In this way a person may forget about the things that are making him worried and distressed, and he may become happy and more energetic. This is another means that believers and others have in common, but the believer is distinguished by his faith, sincerity and hope of reward when he occupies himself with that knowledge which he is learning or teaching, or with the good deeds that he is doing.

The work with which he occupies himself should be something that he likes and enjoys, for that is more likely to produce the desired results. And Allaah knows best.

4 – Another thing that may ward off worry and anxiety is focusing all one’s thoughts of the present day, and not worrying about the future or grieving about the past. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sought refuge with Allaah from worry and regret, from regret for things in the past which one cannot put right or change, and worry which may come because of fear for the future. So one should focus only on the present day, and focus one's efforts on getting things right today. For if a person is focused on that, this means that he will do things properly and forget about worry and regret. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said a du’aa’ or taught a du’aa’ to his ummah, as well as urging them to seek the help of Allaah and hope for His bounty, he was also urging them to strive to attain the thing they were praying for through their own efforts and to forget about the thing which they were praying would be warded off from them. Because du’aa’ (supplication) must be accompanied by action. So a person must strive to attain that which will benefit him in worldly and spiritual terms, and ask his Lord to make his efforts successful, and he should seek His help in that, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Strive for that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not be helpless. If anything (bad) happens to you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such-and-such, then such-and-such would have happened.’ Rather you should say, ‘Qaddara Allaah wa ma sha’a fa’ala (Allaah decrees, and what He wills He does),’ for (the words) ‘If only’ open the door to the Shaytaan.” (Narrated by Muslim). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) connected the matter of striving to achieve good things with the matter of seeking the help of Allaah and not giving in to feelings of helplessness which are a harmful kind of laziness, and with the matter of accepting things in the past which are over and done with, and acknowledging that the will and decree of Allaah will inevitably come to pass. He described matters as being of two types:

1 – Matters which a person may strive to achieve or to achieve whatever he can of them, or to ward them off or alleviate them. In such cases a person must strive and make the effort, and also seek the help of Allaah.

2 – Matters where such is not possible, so he must have peace of mind, accept them and submit to Allaah’s will.
Undoubtedly paying attention to this principle will bring happiness and relieve worry and distress.

5 – One of the greatest means of feeling content and relaxed and of acquiring peace of mind is to remember Allaah a great deal (dhikr). That has a great effect in bringing contentment and peace of mind, and relieving worry and distress. Allaah says:

“verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest”
[al-Ra’d 13:28]

A song for the children of Paletine

2009-02-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

SONG FOR A PALESTINIAN CHILD
*******************************************

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child.

People think, I am meek and mild.

I was born in the midst of fire,

Coffin on the body is my attire;

I can face everything, dark and dire,

The time fails to sink me in its mire.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child.

People think, I am meek and mild.

Always ready for bullets is my chest,

The bombs can never dampen my zest;

My blood is meant for my country’s best,

Only in the grave, I shall take my rest.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child

People think, I am meek and mild.

I aspire for peace , have love for all,

I want to demolish the religion’s wall;

When the world is weeping on my fall,

I must also try to rise high and tall .

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child

People think, I am meek and mild.

Playing with death, is my ordinary game,

For me , earth and sky are all the same;

I am a violent storm, no power can tame,

My enemy will suffer a lasting shame.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child .

People think, I am meek and mild.

Desire for freedom makes me wild,

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child

*************************************************
Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
All India Muslim Forum

The Gift of gratitude

2009-02-03T07:11:00.000-08:00

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, 'What has the world done to you, my old friend?'

The sad fellow said, 'Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars.'

'Wow! That's a lot of money.'

'But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear.'

'Sounds like you've been blessed....'

'You don't understand!' the sad man interrupted. 'Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million'

Now his friend was really confused. 'Then, why do you look so glum?'

'Well, this week... Nothing!'

And that's the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis.

Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone's character.

Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don't receive it any longer.

It's the same way with the blessings God gives us every day.....the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I've come to expect these good things

And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset. Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you've come to take for granted.

Focus on what you have rather than on what you don't have, and see if it doesn't improve your attitude.

Cultivate the gift of gratitude

Israel’s Lies

2009-02-01T16:02:00.000-08:00

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n02/sieg01_.html

29 January 2009

Israel’s Lies

Henry Siegman

Western governments and most of the Western media have accepted a number of Israeli claims justifying the military assault on Gaza: that Hamas consistently violated the six-month truce that Israel observed and then refused to extend it; that Israel therefore had no choice but to destroy Hamas’s capacity to launch missiles into Israeli towns; that Hamas is a terrorist organisation, part of a global jihadi network; and that Israel has acted not only in its own defence but on behalf of an international struggle by Western democracies against this network.

I am not aware of a single major American newspaper, radio station or TV channel whose coverage of the assault on Gaza questions this version of events. Criticism of Israel’s actions, if any (and there has been none from the Bush administration), has focused instead on whether the IDF’s carnage is proportional to the threat it sought to counter, and whether it is taking adequate measures to prevent civilian casualties.

Middle East peacemaking has been smothered in deceptive euphemisms, so let me state bluntly that each of these claims is a lie. Israel, not Hamas, violated the truce: Hamas undertook to stop firing rockets into Israel; in return, Israel was to ease its throttlehold on Gaza. In fact, during the truce, it tightened it further. This was confirmed not only by every neutral international observer and NGO on the scene but by Brigadier General (Res.) Shmuel Zakai, a former commander of the IDF’s Gaza Division. In an interview in Ha’aretz on 22 December, he accused Israel’s government of having made a ‘central error’ during the tahdiyeh, the six-month period of relative truce, by failing ‘to take advantage of the calm to improve, rather than markedly worsen, the economic plight of the Palestinians of the Strip . . . When you create a tahdiyeh, and the economic pressure on the Strip continues,’ General Zakai said, ‘it is obvious that Hamas will try to reach an improved tahdiyeh, and that their way to achieve this is resumed Qassam fire . . . You cannot just land blows, leave the Palestinians in Gaza in the economic distress they’re in, and expect that Hamas will just sit around and do nothing.’

The truce, which began in June last year and was due for renewal in December, required both parties to refrain from violent action against the other. Hamas had to cease its rocket assaults and prevent the firing of rockets by other groups such as Islamic Jihad (even Israel’s intelligence agencies acknowledged this had been implemented with surprising effectiveness), and Israel had to put a stop to its targeted assassinations and military incursions. This understanding was seriously violated on 4 November, when the IDF entered Gaza and killed six members of Hamas. Hamas responded by launching Qassam rockets and Grad missiles. Even so, it offered to extend the truce, but only on condition that Israel ended its blockade. Israel refused. It could have met its obligation to protect its citizens by agreeing to ease the blockade, but it didn’t even try. It cannot be said that Israel launched its assault to protect its citizens from rockets. It did so to protect its right to continue the strangulation of Gaza’s population.

Everyone seems to have forgotten that Hamas declared an end to suicide bombings and rocket fire when it decided to join the Palestinian political process, and largely stuck to it for more than a year. Bush publicly welcomed that decision, citing it as an example of the success of his campaign for democracy in the Middle East. (He had no other success to point to.) When Hamas unexpectedly won the election, Israel and the US immediately sought to delegitimise the result and embraced Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Fatah, who until then had been dismissed by Israel’s leaders as a ‘plucked chicken’. They armed and trained his security forces to overthrow Hamas; and when Hamas – brutally, to be sure – pre-empted this violent attempt to reverse the result of the first honest democratic election in the modern Middle East, Israel and the Bush administration imposed the blockade.

Israel seeks to counter these indisputable facts by maintaining that in withdrawing Israeli settlements from Gaza in 2005, Ariel Sharon gave Hamas the chance to set out on the path to statehood, a chance it refused to take; instead, it transformed Gaza into a launching-pad for firing missiles at Israel’s civilian population. The charge is a lie twice over. First, for all its failings, Hamas brought to Gaza a level of law and order unknown in recent years, and did so without the large sums of money that donors showered on the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority. It eliminated the violent gangs and warlords who terrorised Gaza under Fatah’s rule. Non-observant Muslims, Christians and other minorities have more religious freedom under Hamas rule than they would have in Saudi Arabia, for example, or under many other Arab regimes.

The greater lie is that Sharon’s withdrawal from Gaza was intended as a prelude to further withdrawals and a peace agreement. This is how Sharon’s senior adviser Dov Weisglass, who was also his chief negotiator with the Americans, described the withdrawal from Gaza, in an interview with Ha’aretz in August 2004:
What I effectively agreed to with the Americans was that part of the settlements [i.e. the major settlement blocks on the West Bank] would not be dealt with at all, and the rest will not be dealt with until the Palestinians turn into Finns . . . The significance [of the agreement with the US] is the freezing of the political process. And when you freeze that process, you prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and you prevent a discussion about the refugees, the borders and Jerusalem. Effectively, this whole package that is called the Palestinian state, with all that it entails, has been removed from our agenda indefinitely. And all this with [President Bush’s] authority and permission . . . and the ratification of both houses of Congress.

Do the Israelis and Americans think that Palestinians don’t read the Israeli papers, or that when they saw what was happening on the West Bank they couldn’t figure out for themselves what Sharon was up to?

Israel’s government would like the world to believe that Hamas launched its Qassam rockets because that is what terrorists do and Hamas is a generic terrorist group. In fact, Hamas is no more a ‘terror organisation’ (Israel’s preferred term) than the Zionist movement was during its struggle for a Jewish homeland. In the late 1930s and 1940s, parties within the Zionist movement resorted to terrorist activities for strategic reasons. According to Benny Morris, it was the Irgun that first targeted civilians. He writes in Righteous Victims that an upsurge of Arab terrorism in 1937 ‘triggered a wave of Irgun bombings against Arab crowds and buses, introducing a new dimension to the conflict’. He also documents atrocities committed during the 1948-49 war by the IDF, admitting in a 2004 interview, published in Ha’aretz, that material released by Israel’s Ministry of Defence showed that ‘there were far more Israeli acts of massacre than I had previously thought . . . In the months of April-May 1948, units of the Haganah were given operational orders that stated explicitly that they were to uproot the villagers, expel them, and destroy the villages themselves.’ In a number of Palestinian villages and towns the IDF carried out organised executions of civilians. Asked by Ha’aretz whether he condemned the ethnic cleansing, Morris replied that he did not:
A Jewish state would not have come into being without the uprooting of 700,000 Palestinians. Therefore it was necessary to uproot them. There was no choice but to expel that population. It was necessary to cleanse the hinterland and cleanse the border areas and cleanse the main roads. It was necessary to cleanse the villages from which our convoys and our settlements were fired on.

In other words, when Jews target and kill innocent civilians to advance their national struggle, they are patriots. When their adversaries do so, they are terrorists.

It is too easy to describe Hamas simply as a ‘terror organisation’. It is a religious nationalist movement that resorts to terrorism, as the Zionist movement did during its struggle for statehood, in the mistaken belief that it is the only way to end an oppressive occupation and bring about a Palestinian state. While Hamas’s ideology formally calls for that state to be established on the ruins of the state of Israel, this doesn’t determine Hamas’s actual policies today any more than the same declaration in the PLO charter determined Fatah’s actions.
These are not the conclusions of an apologist for Hamas but the opinions of the former head of Mossad and Sharon’s national security adviser, Ephraim Halevy. The Hamas leadership has undergone a change ‘right under our very noses’, Halevy wrote recently in Yedioth Ahronoth, by recognising that ‘its ideological goal is not attainable and will not be in the foreseeable future.’ It is now ready and willing to see the establishment of a Palestinian state within the temporary borders of 1967. Halevy noted that while Hamas has not said how ‘temporary’ those borders would be, ‘they know that the moment a Palestinian state is established with their co-operation, they will be obligated to change the rules of the game: they will have to adopt a path that could lead them far from their original ideological goals.’ In an earlier article, Halevy also pointed out the absurdity of linking Hamas to al-Qaida.

In the eyes of al-Qaida, the members of Hamas are perceived as heretics due to their stated desire to participate, even indirectly, in processes of any understandings or agreements with Israel. [The Hamas political bureau chief, Khaled] Mashal’s declaration diametrically contradicts al-Qaida’s approach, and provides Israel with an opportunity, perhaps a historic one, to leverage it for the better.

Why then are Israel’s leaders so determined to destroy Hamas? Because they believe that its leadership, unlike that of Fatah, cannot be intimidated into accepting a peace accord that establishes a Palestinian ‘state’ made up of territorially disconnected entities over which Israel would be able to retain permanent control. Control of the West Bank has been the unwavering objective of Israel’s military, intelligence and political elites since the end of the Six-Day War.[*] They believe that Hamas would not permit such a cantonisation of Palestinian territory, no matter how long the occupation continues. They may be wrong about Abbas and his superannuated cohorts, but they are entirely right about Hamas.

Middle East observers wonder whether Israel’s assault on Hamas will succeed in destroying the organisation or expelling it from Gaza. This is an irrelevant question. If Israel plans to keep control over any future Palestinian entity, it will never find a Palestinian partner, and even if it succeeds in dismantling Hamas, the movement will in time be replaced by a far more radical Palestinian opposition.

If Barack Obama picks a seasoned Middle East envoy who clings to the idea that outsiders should not present their own proposals for a just and sustainable peace agreement, much less press the parties to accept it, but instead leave them to work out their differences, he will assure a future Palestinian resistance far more extreme than Hamas – one likely to be allied with al-Qaida. For the US, Europe and most of the rest of the world, this would be the worst possible outcome. Perhaps some Israelis, including the settler leadership, believe it would serve their purposes, since it would provide the government with a compelling pretext to hold on to all of Palestine. But this is a delusion that would bring about the end of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

Anthony Cordesman, one of the most reliable military analysts of the Middle East, and a friend of Israel, argued in a 9 January report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies that the tactical advantages of continuing the operation in Gaza were outweighed by the strategic cost – and were probably no greater than any gains Israel may have made early in the war in selective strikes on key Hamas facilities. ‘Has Israel somehow blundered into a steadily escalating war without a clear strategic goal, or at least one it can credibly achieve?’ he asks. ‘Will Israel end in empowering an enemy in political terms that it defeated in tactical terms? Will Israel’s actions seriously damage the US position in the region, any hope of peace, as well as moderate Arab regimes and voices in the process? To be blunt, the answer so far seems to be yes.’ Cordesman concludes that ‘any leader can take a tough stand and claim that tactical gains are a meaningful victory. If this is all that Olmert, Livni and Barak have for an answer, then they have disgraced themselves and damaged their country and their friends.’

15 January

Israel has no plans for peace

2009-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

CBS - Israeli settlers trying to prevent peace deal

CBS: Israeli settlers trying to prevent peace deal

1 of 2
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S_UwGgLdmdI&feature=related

2 of 2
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O8KwUSQL9zc&feature=related

Gaza child to Israeli friend

2009-01-30T14:54:00.000-08:00

January,28,2009

FROM GAZA WRITES A CHILD TO HIS ISRAELI FRIEND
*****************************************************
I write with a painful heart,Oh my dear friend!,
I have been wrecked before we could meet;
Your forces brought an unprecedented havoc,
Now I am unable even to walk on my feet.
Since the time, we became friends on the net,
'To work for mutual love', were our dreams;
Your bombs have deprived me of everything,
Our hopes are shattered by wails and screams.
Today I came from the hospital without my legs,
To see the debris of my house and parents dead;
Staying under the sky, with none of mine left,
What to say? how to pick up the life's thread.?
But in your countless mails about my welfare,
I still find some traces of humanity in your land;
They give me delight,when you prayed for me,
" May God save you from Israel's brutal hand";
Your solemn words revived my zest and zeal,
With faith in the Divne, and strength of arm;
I shall make ceaseless efforts till my last breath,
For my country to regain its glory and charm.
*************************************
Dr.Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
All India Muslim Forum
Lucknow, U.P.India
Email:sherwanimk@yahoo.com

Islam not against yoga

2009-01-30T14:53:00.000-08:00

‘Islam not against yoga’Hindustan Times, January 27, 2009

Going against Indonesia’s ban on Muslims practicing yoga, India’s well-known Islamic seminary says there is nothing wrong with any exercise done for health reasons.

Clerics at the highly revered seminary in Deoband town in Uttar Pradesh said that yoga was fine as long as no non-Islamic religious rituals were involved.

“Islam does not prohibit anyone from practicing yoga or any other kind of physical exercise. Only thing is that with what belief you are doing it... If you are doing it for health reasons, there is absolutely no problem in practicing yoga or any other exercise,” said Qari Usman, an expert on Hadith at Darul Uloom.

“In fact the Prophet had laid stress on people leading a healthy life. Historically there have been traditions of different kinds of exercises in Muslim civilizations,” added Usman, also a former pro-vice chancellor of the seminary that attracts thousands of students mainly from India.

Yoga guru Swami Ramdev has suggested that non-Hindus can chant Allah in place of Om while doing yoga.

Qari Usman reacted to this: “Exercises are done for physical fitness, why include religious mantras?”

India is home to about 140 million Muslims — the third largest Muslim population after Indonesia and Pakistan.

Indonesia’s Ulema Council also known as MUI met on Saturday and issued a 'fatwa' asking Muslims to stop practising yoga saying it included chanting of Hindu mantras.

The Indonesian fatwa follows a similar ban imposed by Malaysia’s top Islamic body in November.

The ban, which follows a similar edict in Malaysia, was passed after investigators visited private yoga classes across the country.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-India&id=a31a101e-5de6-4424-a923-4e9360223ae1&&Headline=%e2%80%98Islam+not+against+EMyoga%2fEM%e2%80%99

Muslim leaders find hope in Obama ?

2009-01-30T14:37:00.000-08:00

Islamic Group's President Finds Hope With Obama

By ELIZABETH HAMILTON The Hartford Courant January 25, 2009

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-secondlook0125.artjan25,0,7221903.story

For Ingrid Mattson, the defining moment of President Barack Obama's inauguration came during one declarative line, in the middle of his speech.

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers," Obama said.

And in that moment Mattson, who was one of the lucky few to be sitting in the presidential box at the Capitol as the new president spoke, was nearly moved to tears.

"It felt very liberating and empowering for a community that has felt in many ways marginalized, under suspicion and out of place over the last few years," said Mattson, who is president of the Islamic Society of North America and director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary.

Mattson knows of what she speaks.

As has happened during past public appearances, Mattson's inclusion in the Obama inauguration — she was one of a dozen or so clergy invited to participate in Wednesday's National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral — recently sparked some intense public criticism.

In this case, the criticism was related to a federal prosecutor's decision to list the Islamic Society of North America as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in a plot to fund the terrorist group Hamas. The designation was included in the government's terrorism case against the Holy Land Foundation, which was convicted last November of funneling millions of dollars to Hamas.

The Islamic Society of North America has denied any connection to Hamas and is seeking to have its name removed from the government's list. Also named in the federal case were two other prominent Islamic organizations in America — the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the North American Islamic Trust.

Although much of the past criticism of Mattson has been relegated to blogs, the high-profile nature of the inaugural celebration coupled with the seriousness of the government's accusation led this time to a whole new level of scrutiny.

The Associated Press put out a story, which was then picked up by some major news organizations, last weekend, that detailed Mattson's connection to the group and its inclusion in the Holy Land case.

The publicity didn't derail Mattson's participation in the prayer service — a spokeswoman for the inaugural committee instead defended Mattson's "stellar reputation in the faith community" — but it did serve as a reminder of the criticism she so frequently faces.

Hartford Seminary issued a statement of support for Mattson on Tuesday, saying that she has worked consistently to promote interfaith dialogue and "prepare peacemakers." The seminary also said Mattson has repeatedly denounced terrorism.

"I have to say that every time this happens I feel disheartened for a little while until all the expressions of support come in," Mattson said Wednesday shortly after her participation in the prayer service. "It's an opportunity for growth, and to have more empathy for others and experience the true grace of friendship."

Mattson said the Islamic Society is fighting both the substance of the government's claim against it, as well as the legal designation of "unindicted co-conspirator" — because it allows the government to levy the accusation without publicly disclosing its proof.

"There's also no forum to publicly defend ourselves against any charge," Mattson said.

According to news reports last July, federal prosecutors said they had a "wide array" of evidence linking the groups to Hamas. But the picture the government painted of Mattson's organization also detailed its collaborative work with the Bush administration.

Mattson said members of the organization have received awards from the federal government for their work.

"There's this really bizarre quality to the whole thing because, on the one hand, many people in government value our work, ask for our advice and support and have even honored us," Mattson said. "On the other hand, because of this one federal prosecutor's decision to put us in this category for the trial, we have this legal stigma around our neck."

Mattson said she believes the criticism of her comes from two distinct groups: those who "don't like Muslims to be involved in or recognized in society in any way" and those who "oppose anyone in academia or the clergy who advocates in any way for Palestinians."

Her position, and the position of the society, rubs the wrong way anyone who sees the Israel-Palestinian conflict as a "zero-sum game," she said.

"We believe the pro-peace position is both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine," Mattson said. "We advocate that American Muslim and Jewish communities should understand each other and communicate with each other."

Mattson, 44, has been president of the Islamic Society since 2006, which is when the public criticism of her really heated up, according to David Barrett, spokesman for Hartford Seminary.

Tuesday's statement of support for Mattson is "unfortunately not the first time" the seminary has had to publicly defend the scholar — and by extension itself — against accusations of being sympathetic to terrorists, he said.

"There's been criticism of the seminary for the same reason there's been criticism of Ingrid Mattson, which is 'You're supposed to be a Christian seminary. What are you doing getting into bed with Islam?'" Barrett said. "Our answer is that we think this is important and we will continue to teach about the three Abrahamic faiths because people will understand their own faith better if we do that."

Mattson, who is from Canada, converted to Islam as a young woman. She has been a professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford Seminary since 1998, Barrett said.

Wednesday, as President Obama, his wife and other high-ranking officials lined the front pews of the National Cathedral, Mattson stepped to the front of the altar in a row of other interfaith clergy and recited her brief prayer:

"On this day of new beginning, with hearts lifted high in hope, may we be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations."

Afterward, she reflected on how the new president has been a source of comfort and inspiration to her.

"Having seen him go through his campaign and face all the attacks and insinuations he faced with such dignity was a good example for me," Mattson said.

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-secondlook0125.artjan25,0,7221903.story

Bush farewell party

2009-01-30T14:11:00.002-08:00

Niki launch new Shoe

2009-01-30T14:11:00.001-08:00

Bush to Obama

2009-01-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

Obama and Iran

2009-01-30T11:04:00.000-08:00

Revealed: the letter Obama team hope will heal Iran rift

Symbolic gesture gives assurances that US does not want to topple Islamic regime

One draft urges Iranians to consider the bene? ts of losing their pariah status in the west. Photograph: Vahid Salemi/AP

Robert Tait and Ewen MacAskill in Washington
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 29 January 2009 01.44 GMT
Article history

Officials of Barack Obama's administration have drafted a letter to Iran from the president aimed at unfreezing US-Iranian relations and opening the way for face-to-face talks, the Guardian has learned.

The US state department has been working on drafts of the letter since Obama was elected on 4 November last year. It is in reply to a lengthy letter of congratulations sent by the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on 6 November.

Diplomats said Obama's letter would be a symbolic gesture to mark a change in tone from the hostile one adopted by the Bush administration, which portrayed Iran as part of an "axis of evil".

It would be intended to allay the suspicions of Iran's leaders and pave the way for Obama to engage them directly, a break with past policy.

State department officials have composed at least three drafts of the letter, which gives assurances that Washington does not want to overthrow the Islamic regime, but merely seeks a change in its behaviour. The letter would be addressed to the Iranian people and sent directly to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or released as an open letter.

One draft proposal suggests that Iran should compare its relatively low standard of living with that of some of its more prosperous neighbours, and contemplate the benefits of losing its pariah status in the west. Although the tone is conciliatory, it also calls on Iran to end what the US calls state sponsorship of terrorism.

The letter is being considered by the new secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, as part of a sweeping review of US policy on Iran. A decision on sending it is not expected until the review is complete.

In an interview on Monday with the al-Arabiya television network, Obama hinted at a more friendly approach towards the Islamic Republic.

Ahmadinejad said yesterday that he was waiting patiently to see what the Obama administration would come up with. "We will listen to the statements closely, we will carefully study their actions, and, if there are real changes, we will welcome it," he said.
Ahmadinejad, who confirmed that he would stand for election again in June, said it was unclear whether the Obama administration was intent on just a shift in tactics or was seeking fundamental change. He called on Washington to apologise for its actions against Iran over the past 60 years, including US support for a 1953 coup that ousted the democratically elected government, and the US shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane in 1988.

The state department refused to comment yesterday on the draft letters.

US concern about Iran mainly centres on its uranium enrichment programme, which Washington claims is intended to provide the country with a nuclear weapons capability. Iran claims the programme is for civilian purposes.

The diplomatic moves are given increased urgency by fears that Israel might take unilateral action to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities.

The scale of the problem facing the new American president was reinforced yesterday when a senior aide to Ahmadinejad, Aliakbar Javanfekr, said that, despite the calls from the US, Iran had no intention of stopping its nuclear activities. When asked about a UN resolution calling for the suspension of Iran's uranium enrichment, Javanfekr, the presidential adviser for press affairs, replied: "We are past that stage."

One of the chief Iranian concerns revolves around suspicion that the US is engaged in covert action aimed at regime change, including support for separatist groups in areas such as Kurdistan, Sistan-Baluchestan and Khuzestan.

The state department has repeatedly denied that there is any American support for such groups.

In its dying days, the Bush administration was planning to open a US interests section in the Iranian capital Tehran, one step down from an embassy. Bush's secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, said that never happened because attention was diverted by the Russian invasion of Georgia. Others say that rightwingers in the Bush administration mounted a rearguard action to block it.

The idea has resurfaced, but if there are direct talks with Iran, it may be decided that a diplomatic presence would obviate the need for a diplomatic mission there, at least in the short term.

While Obama is taking the lead on policy towards Iran, the administration will soon announce that Dennis Ross will become a special envoy to the country, following the appointments last week of George Mitchell, the veteran US mediator, as special envoy to the Middle East, and Richard Holbrooke, who helped to broker the Bosnia peace agreement, as special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Ross, who took a leading role in the Middle East peace talks in Bill Clinton's administration, will be responsible on a day-to-day basis for implementing policy towards Iran.

In a graphic sign of Iranian mistrust, the hardline newspaper Kayhan, which is considered close to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has denounced Ross as a "Zionist lobbyist".

Saeed Leylaz, a Tehran-based analyst, said a US letter would have to be accompanied by security guarantees and an agreement to drop economic sanctions. "If they send such a letter it will be a very significant step towards better ties, but they should be careful in not thinking Tehran will respond immediately," he said.
"There will be disputes inside the system about such a letter. There are lot of radicals who don't want to see ordinary relations between Tehran and Washington. To convince Iran, they should send a very clear message that they are not going to try to destroy the regime."

Isn't democracy wonderful?)

2009-01-28T03:47:00.000-08:00

"In 16 days: 888 Palestinians killed in Gaza (284 children and 100 women) and 4080 injured".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rule #1:
In the Middle East, it is always the Palestinians that attack first, and it's always Israel who defends itself. This is called "retaliation

Rule #2:
The Palestinians are not allowed to kill Israelis. This is called "terrorism".

Rule #3:
Israel has the right to kill Palestinian civilians; this is called "self-defense", or "collateral damage".

Rule #4:
When Israel kills too many Palestinian civilians, the Western world calls for restraint. This is called the "reaction of the 20 international community".

Rule #5:
Palestinians do not have the right to capture Israeli military, not even 1 or 2.

Rule #6 :
Israel has the right to capture as many Palestinians as they want (around 10,000 to date being held without trial). There is no limit; there is no need for proof of guilt or trial. All that is needed is the magic word:
"terrorism".

Rule #7:
When you say "Hamas", always be sure to add "supported by Hezbo-Allah , Syria and Iran".

Rule #8:
When you say " Israel", never say "supported by the USA, the UK, European countries and even some Arab regimes", for people (God forbid) might believe this is not an equal conflict.

Rule #9:
When it comes to Israel, don't mention the words "occupied territories", "UN resolutions", "Geneva conventions". This could distress the audience of Fox, CNN, etc.

Rule #10:
Israelis speak better English than Arabs. This is why we let them speak out as much as possible, so that they can explain rules 1 through 9. This is called "neutral journalism".

Rule #11:
If you don't agree with these rules or if you favor the Palestinian side over the Israeli side, you must be a very dangerous anti-Semite. You may even have to make a public apology if you express your honest opinion.

THIS IS CALLED: DEMOCRACY!!

(Isn't democracy wonderful?)

The Blame Game in Gaza

2009-01-22T09:22:00.000-08:00

Media Advisory

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3667

The Blame Game in Gaza

Erasing Israeli actions to fault only Hamas
1/6/09

The Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip that began in late December have reportedly killed over 500 Palestinians, many of them civilians and children. As is often the case, U.S. corporate media's presentation of the events leading up to this dramatic escalation in violence have laid the blame for the violence mostly with Hamas, whose rocket attacks on Israel are often cited as the cause for the current Israeli attacks.

In many media discussions about the events that led to the fighting, emphasis is placed on Hamas' decision in late December to allow a cease-fire agreement with Israel to expire, or the group's failure to adequately suppress rocket attacks into Israel during the cease-fire.

A USA Today timeline (1/5/09) explained, "In November, the truce frays as Hamas rockets continue to land in Israel, which closes several border crossings and kills militants building tunnels Hamas was using to smuggle weapons and other goods into Gaza." On NBC Nightly News (12/27/08), Martin Fletcher explained that "a six-month truce ended this week and Palestinians fired rockets into Israel, as many as 60 a day. Israeli leaders said enough is enough."

A Washington Post editorial (12/28/08) announced that Hamas "invited the conflict by ending a six-month-old ceasefire," while Post columnist Richard Cohen (1/6/09) was much blunter: "It took no genius to see the imminence of war. It takes real stupidity to blame it on Israel."

The Dallas Morning News (12/30/08) agreed emphatically in an editorial titled, "Blood on Hamas' Hands": "The pictures of the civilian victims of Israeli airstrikes—especially children—are heart-rending. But let's keep straight whose fault this tragedy is: Hamas, the fanatical Islamists who rule Gaza and who have used the land as a launching pad for firing rockets into Israel."

The New York Times' December 28 lead declared, "The Israeli Air Force on Saturday launched a massive attack on Hamas targets throughout Gaza in retaliation for the recent heavy rocket fire from the area." The next day, Times reporter Stephen Farrell asked (12/29/08), "Why did Hamas end its six-month cease-fire on December 19?" He argued that the "rejectionist credo" of Hamas made this step all but inevitable.

These accounts fail on several grounds. For starters, the cease-fire agreement from June through mid-December was credited by many for ratcheting down the violence—rocket fire into Israel dropped significantly and claimed no Israeli lives during the truce. (Prior to that, rocket and mortar attacks since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in late 2005 had killed 10 Israelis—theisraelproject.org.) After the cease-fire expired, rocket attacks increased, though no Israelis were killed until after the Israeli attacks were launched; four have been killed since then (Agence France-Presse, 1/6/09).

Interestingly, as the truce expired, the New York Times published an article (12/19/08) that began with a typical corporate media formulation—Palestinians are attacking, Israel is retaliating—before noting that Hamas was "largely successful" in curtailing rocket fire into Israel: "Hamas imposed its will and even imprisoned some of those who were firing rockets. Israeli and United Nations figures show that while more than 300 rockets were fired into Israel in May, 10 to 20 were fired in July, depending on who was counting and whether mortar rounds were included. In August, 10 to 30 were fired, and in September, 5 to 10."

The Times article, by Ethan Bronner, noted that what Hamas expected in return from the Israelis never arrived:
But the goods shipments, while up some 25 to 30 percent and including a mix of more items, never began to approach what Hamas thought it was going to get: a return to the 500 to 600 truckloads delivered daily before the closing, including appliances, construction materials and other goods essential for life beyond mere survival. Instead, the number of trucks increased to around 90 from around 70.

Bronner also added that "Israeli forces continued to attack Hamas and other militants in the West Bank, prompting Palestinian militants in Gaza to fire rockets," which produced Hamas response attacks. The Times continued:
While this back-and-forth did not topple the agreement, Israel’s decision in early November to destroy a tunnel Hamas had been digging near the border drove the cycle of violence to a much higher level. Israel says the tunnel could have been dug only for the purpose of trying to seize a soldier, like Cpl. Gilad Shalit, the Israeli held by Hamas for the past two and a half years. Israel’s attack on the tunnel killed six Hamas militants, and each side has stepped up attacks since.

This straightforward recitation of events is rarely heard in much of the rest of the media coverage of the violence in Gaza—including in the Times, since Israel began its full-scale assault. But for many consumers of U.S. media, history is made irrelevant; a Time magazine piece (1/12/09) began:
Two sounds dominate the lives of Israelis living near Gaza: the wail of a siren and, 25 seconds later, the whistling screech of an incoming rocket fired by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. That gives Israeli families just enough time to dive for cover—even as they pray the rocket will miss.

At 11:30 a.m. on December 27, a new sound filled the azure Mediterranean sky: the rolling boom of Israeli bombs and missiles slamming into Gaza.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza are anything but "new," but presenting them as such—and pairing that presentation with an Israeli family sheltered against an incoming Hamas rocket—gives a wildly misleading impression of a conflict where the deaths and suffering are overwhelmingly on the Palestinian side.

Archbishop’s statement on Gaza

2009-01-22T09:10:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 31st December 2008

For immediate use

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has made the following statement regarding the current situation in Gaza:
The spiraling violence in Gaza tragically illustrates the fact that the cycle of mutual threat and retaliation have no lasting effect except to reinforce the misery and insecurity of everyone in the region. I want to express my grief and sympathy for the innocent lives lost in this latest phase of violence. People of all faiths in this country will want to join their voices to the statements of the Christian Muslim Forum and the Council of Christians and Jews in urging a return to the ceasefire and efforts to secure a lasting peace. We must unite in urging all those who have the power to halt this spiral of violence to do so.
Those raising the stakes through the continuation of indiscriminate violence seem to have forgotten nothing and learned nothing. It must surely be clear that, whilst peace will not wipe out the memory of all past wrongs, it is the only basis for the future flourishing of both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. The recent statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Church in Jerusalem reflects a clear awareness that there can be no winners if the current situation is allowed to persist. Its continuation can only condemn ordinary Palestinian and Israeli citizens to the prospect of another year of fear and suffering.
Urgent humanitarian needs have arisen through the attacks on Gaza and Israel and they demand a generous response to local appeals for support, such as that issued by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem for its hospital in Gaza. But this humanitarian response, both local and international, needs to be matched by redoubled efforts in the political sphere.
The prophet Zechariah declared, "Not by might and not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord of Hosts". The New Year is an opportunity for a new initiative that will set the tone for what lies ahead. Religious leaders, most particularly those of the region, have an urgent responsibility in supporting the search for peace and reconciliation. But it is the political leaders and opinion-formers who hold the key to implementing the necessary changes that can bring hope. Can they not agree a period of truce as the New Year begins, so that the communities of the Holy Land may once again explore how common security might at last begin to replace the mechanical rhythms of mutual threat? Might the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the USA combine to make such an appeal and pursue its implementation?
The Anglican Communion worldwide stands alongside other religious communities and humanitarian organisations in its commitment to supporting any such initiative. Without such a sign of hope, the future for the Holy Land and the whole region is one of more fear, innocent suffering and destruction.

Poem - Dear Mr Obama

2009-01-22T05:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Obama !
Don’t belie the hopes of the ecstatic world,
When you sit on the mighty American throne;
Try to change your country into a sacred place,
Make it shine with piety, as once it shone.
I know you inherit the legacy of a devil,
Whose hands are full of ravages and blood;
Who exulted over the wails and shrieks,
Who ruined the peace like a miserable flood.
Have an intent gaze at Michelle –your wife,
When, of Iraq,Afghan and Gaza folk, you think;
Tell her 'someone will rape you in front of me',
Imagine her agony,and look at her horrific blink.
Cast an affectionate glance at Malia and Sasha,
Your lovely daughters of 11 and 7 years old;
Tell them ' I will be shot before your eyes',
Then face the truth as a person- brave and bold.
Bring to your mind the images of countless houses,
Which your deadly bombs have reduced to rubble;
The mounting heaps of the dead whose life has gone,
Like a slight breeze breaks a water’s tiny bubble.
************ ********* ********* ********* *
Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
All India Muslim Forum
Lucknow ,U.P.India
Email: sherwanimk@yahoo. com

Muslim point

Apostates

Exodus 22:20 reads:“He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” Famed and widely respected Biblical commentator Matthew Henry had the following to say about this verse:

The Power of Allah

MORAL UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN (Raising Children in Islam)

China’s forgotten people

Think positively of Allah.

insinuating thoughts from Shaytaan

Necessary Tips for Raising Children Following Islam

The Plight of Womenfolk in Muslim Society

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??!!!

Arab & Muslim Leaders Write Back to Obama, June 15, 2009

In response to Netanyahu’s speech

Do Not Delay or Get it Over With - by Asma bint Shameem

To breakfast or Not to breakfast - that is the question

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST EXERCISE

Honor Killings and The Bridges TV Tragedy

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)

Authentic Supplications of the Prophet (saw)

It Is Darwin Time: Will We Accept It?

How to be successful in life

A song for the children of Paletine

The Gift of gratitude

Israel’s Lies

Israel has no plans for peace

Gaza child to Israeli friend

Islam not against yoga

Muslim leaders find hope in Obama ?

Bush farewell party

Niki launch new Shoe

Bush to Obama

Obama and Iran

Isn't democracy wonderful?)

The Blame Game in Gaza

Archbishop’s statement on Gaza

Poem - Dear Mr Obama

Exodus 22:20 reads:
“He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” Famed and widely respected Biblical commentator Matthew Henry had the following to say about this verse: