Bismillah [IslamCity] A good bBook Review by Farid Ahmad on Losing My Religion-A Call for Help by Jeffery Lang,
- From: Farid Ahmed [EMAIL PROTECTED] Losing My Religion: A Call for Help by Jeffery Lang, Amana Publications, ISBN 1-59008-027-0, 2004. In course of over twenty years after his accepting Islam Dr. Lang had been contemplating on a number of questions and concerns that came from his own self, new converts, and the second generation muslim youths. This book is a collection of his responses to a number of these deeply disturbing concerns that in his view need to be addressed very openly in a pragmatic way. The concerns are primarily of two kinds. The first kind relates to the faith itself- confusions stemming from concepts like 'Qadr' (popularly translated as 'predestination'), objectives of our life on earth, God's motive, interaction between reason and belief, women issues etc. In fielding this type of questions, the author gives ample references from the Quran, cites both sides on the issue and then tries to make a middle ground with common sense approach blended with strong underlying reasons. This clearly shows his transparent journey from atheism to a 'Believer', which I think can act as an eye-opener for many of the atheists today. The second type of questions come from new converts and second generation youth out of the bitter experiences they are facing from their own muslim communities. Issues range from the over-emphasis of cultural component in religion to the racial bigotry in muslim communities in America. The book argues that Islam and culture have become so enmeshed that the newly convert Americans sometimes do not feel at home in their new home of Islam. This is especially true for the women converts, who feel secluded in mosques. The second generation youths feel disenfranchised, when they experience the dilemma between the mosque culture and the outside world. Dr. Lang mentions that primary reasons for this are the lack of cultural diversity, apparent patriarchalism of muslim culture, and intellectual and social divide between mosques and surroundings. The solutions proposed by the author are targeted to the Islamic establishments in America running the mosques and Islamic centers. A few of these are: 1. Family-friendly mosques. Mosques need to be intellectual hub of the community 2. Greater inclusiveness, recognition of freedom of speech and difference of opinions. The questioning attitude of the American youth needs to be accommodated in order for them to reconcile faith with reason. 3. Stop promoting the cultural components of Islam. 4. Practicing compromise, tolerance, understanding, accommodation 5. Need for Homegrown scholars The book is not about a single theme, so at times may not be very readable. On the other hand, it uses a problem solving approach to many concerns that keeps the reader constantly engaged, raises questions, arouses curiosity leading to a healthy discussion and debate, so overdue for the muslim community. This is a must read for community leaders, workers, and muslim youths. Ma'assalam Farid Ahmed College Park, MD, USA
Bismillah [IslamCity] Public Lecture
Dear Brothers I would be grateful if you would kindly advertise this lecture, advert attached. Best regardsMs Rabia Daoudhiri(Project leader) AL MANAAR THE MUSLIM CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTRE 244 Acklam Road London W10 5YG _ Telly addicts unite! http://www.searchgamesbox.com/tvtown.shtml Public lecture NIZAR2.doc Description: MS-Word document
Bismillah [IslamCity] B.Butho
Before I start writing anything , I would like to confirm that I am against any and all political assassinations, except for the confirmed-war-criminals who shall even need a proper court condemnation... previously. Benazir Butho was assassinated hours ago she is a hero for some.and a rich-and-powerful-corrupt-lady for the others... I know no details , but one or two facts I take into my consideration in my judgement , what ever it is worth 1- she inherited her power 2- she was awfully rich 3- she was accused of corruption and then even pardoned , later on 4- The USA never disapproved of her Otherwise , I offer my condolences to her supporters and her family what ever she was or not were... democracy or rather plurality has made one step backwards. Raja Chemayel PS : most reporters are asking whether she died from bullets or from that blastbut difference does it make ?? - Sent from Yahoo! #45; a smarter inbox.
Bismillah [IslamCity] BHUTTO HAS BEEN ASSASSINATED!
Just an hour ago I turned the TV on and got the news that she was under attack but was safe but just 20 min ago the news was changed. Ms Bhutto has been assassinated. I wonder if others try for big catch in this stormy situation, from inside or outside of Pakistan! For last few months I was not regular with you, hope you all are doing fine. Few months ago I was stabbed by some street robbers. I am ok now. Happy New Year! Regards, - Arif Bhuiyan [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- * No dictator has died with dignity and the misuses of authority is never worshipped. -- Ends ___ Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/
Bismillah [IslamCity] Haj subsidy by Shabana Muhammad
Haj subsidy by Shabana Muhammad It has been widely reported that the present ruling coalition in India, United Progressive Alliance heaved a sigh of relief when the Supreme Court bailed it out on the issue of Haj subsidy. Last year, too, the Centre had to move the apex court against an order of the Allahabad high court banning subsidies for all pilgrimages irrespective of religion. Though the Supreme Court had lifted the ban for 2006, it did express misgivings about subsidies given to pilgrimages by a secular state. The fears expressed by the apex court deserve earnest consideration by all those who aspire to make India a truly democratic and secular republic. Should a purely religious activity like a pilgrimage get state patronage? Is financial assistance of a secular state in the performance of religious obligations permissible going by the tenets of that religion? Although Indian secularism recognises the institution of religion, it does not permit the state to sponsor or promote any religious activity. This finds expression in the Constitution, particularly in Part III that deals with the fundamental rights. Right to freedom of religion, provided in Articles 25, 26, 27 and 28, guarantee religious freedom to all citizens of India. All religions are equal before the state and no religion can be given preference over the other. Imparting of religious education in state-funded educational institutions and levying special taxes to support any particular religion are prohibited The insertion of the word secular' in the Preamble in 1976 was merely a reiteration of the provisions in the Constitution. In view of this, the policy of giving subsidies to religious activities like pilgrimage to Mecca amounts to an infringe-ment of the principle of secularism as well as of the Constitution. The Congress and its allies in the UPA, who shout in support of secularism from the rooftops, should realise that by extending subsidies to pilgrimages they are not only tarnishing the secular fabric of the Indian state but, so far as Haj subsidy is concerned, are also falling prey to the bogey of Muslim appeasement. The government must put an end to the policy of funding religion. Let us consider the Haj, for which the Centre has to shell out a whopping Rs 2.8 billion this year. Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam. A devout Muslim has to recite with complete conviction the kalima; he must say prayers five times a day; he has to observe rozas (fasting) for a maximum 30 days during the month of Ramzan; he is expected to pay zakat, which is the Islamic concept of tithing and alms; and finally, he should embark on a pilgrimage (Haj) to Mecca. The first three obligations are binding on almost all devout believers whereas the other two are conditional on those who can financially afford to perform them. Haj falls in the latter category. It is the last obligation to be performed by those Muslims who are financially, physically and mentally sound to undertake the journey to Mecca. A Muslim should not go on pilgrimage to Mecca by way of borrowing money from someone or by seeking financial assistance from the state. Only a Muslim who has fulfilled all his familial responsibilities and has carried out all the financial duties should undertake the pilgrimage of Haj with his hard-earned money. A trip to Saudi Arabia with state subsidy cannot be called Haj in the strict Islamic sense. The Haj committee that is supposed to manage and facilitate the travel plans of pilgrims should have complete autonomy and be constituted by the community rather than government. A completely autonomous Haj committee can directly negotiate with various airlines for getting the best deals for pilgrims. This would be in accordance with past traditions where a pilgrim going with a caravan would haggle with the leader to get the most economical passage. Such an arrangement would also absolve the government of the charge of Muslim appeasement. - Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Thought for the day
Silence
We have to develop this hobby and practice going into the depths of silence.
Practice this, make it your hobby and see how much you then enjoy it. The
tiredness of the soul will then be removed. We will feel that we are able to
remain carefree and restful. When the soul is tired it is restless and there is
a lot of worry; we think I have to do this, that and so we cannot feel restful.
All actually I have to do is to remain peaceful and there will be the feeling
that everything will be ok...
PoEtEsS
Scarlet headscarf I wear is as red as a rose with a perfect pose but I care
what's inside me…Zohra Moosa
***
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy
Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: My Lord is Allah (believes in
His Oneness), and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites
(men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: I
am one of the Muslims.} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: By Allah, if
Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of
camels. [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, Whoever
calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who
follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all.
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
--
Recommended:
http://www.ikhwanweb.com
http://www.islamonline.net
http://www.islam-guide.com
http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org
--
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any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved
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Bismillah [IslamCity] meeting with a smiling face
Narrated by Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of ALLAAH (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), said, Do not belittle even the smallest act of kindness, even if it were no more than meeting your brother with a smiling and cheerful face. (Sahih Muslim)
Bismillah [IslamCity] Destiny - in Islamic Perspective
*In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful *
**
*Destiny – in Islamic Perspective *
**
*Is every event in a human being's life – from the time he is born, till he
dies – pre-determined? Has that person no ability to influence any of those
events? Is that person just like any animal – or like a robot – programmed
to perform certain fixed actions? Are human beings just puppets, with unseen
strings controlled by unseen hands? Is the entire human world just a
puppet-show then? *
**
*These are not the questions that arise in an atheist's mind. Atheists are a
class apart. This write-up does not deal with their thought processes. These
questions are those that arise in a human mind that believes in Creation,
and not in the theory of evolution as propounded by Darwin. *
**
*I am not sure whether these questions are likely to arise in the mind of
any believer in Creation, other than those who believe in Islam. But the
Qur'aan categorically informs us that Allah, the One and Only Creator of the
entire universe, knows the past, the present and the future of every
creature, He has created (see Verses 2.255 20.110).***
**
*Many a Muslim mind therefore is bothered by those questions, mentioned
above. Those Muslims, who are not well-versed in the Qur'aan and have not
come to believe totally in what is stated therein, are likely to be those
who are so bothered. Such Muslims think, when Allah knows that a certain
person is going to be a thief, is He not responsible then for making him a
thief? Why does He not prevent that person from thus going astray?*
**
*Yes, Allah could prevent that person from going astray, if He would. But He
wouldn't, because, in that case, He would Himself be acting against His
purpose of creating mankind as His representative ( khalifah) on earth (see
Verse 2.30). The representative had of course to be given some of the
creative and decision-making powers of the absolute Sovereign, to make him
worthy of his title. And so was mankind - the representative - given those
powers, to a limited extent. And to enable him to exercise those powers, he
had to be given the freedom of choice. And so was that freedom also given
him. *
**
*And in exercise of that freedom, our thief (in the example taken above)
chose to be a thief. But before that, Allah had so conditioned his mind as
to make him fully aware of Allah's existence as his Creator and Sustainer
(see Verse 7.172). So our thief took a conscious decision against the
dictate of his conscience, that what he was doing was wrong. In the thief's
case, and in all cases of real life, Allah tries His utmost to bring the
recalcitrant human to the right path. The Qur'aan says that Allah is the
Gracious, the Merciful (Verse **1.3). It repeatedly asserts that Allah's
creatures would not be wronged ( 2.272, 4.49, 4.77, 45.22, **46.10). In
Verses 9.70, 29.40 and 30.9, the Qur'aan further explains that it is not
Allah Who wrongs people, but they wrong themselves. In Verse 9.115 we
are informed that Allah will never lead a people astray until they are told
what to do and what not to do.*
**
*So, although Allah knew in advance what the thief would do, He had not
scripted his (the thief's) wayward future. Today's educated Muslim youth
find it difficult to understand this apparent dichotomy. But it's not a
dichotomy at all. They think it is a dichotomy, because they look at it from
a human angle. But Allah is not human. He is Superhuman. He can do and undo
anything. We cannot measure His immense Capacity by our limited means of
measurement. The sooner our youth realises this Truth, the better it is for
them. Would any of them like to be a Salman Rushdie? *
**
*Allah has another purpose in giving mankind the freedom of choice. He wants
to test every human being whether he ('he' includes 'she' in this write-up,
unless the context suggests otherwise) **recognises His existence without He
being physically seen, and abides by His instructions. If he passes the
test, he is rewarded with Paradise in the Hereafter, and if he fails, the
Hell shall be his abode. *
**
*In such Islamic perspective then, 'destiny' has the following connotations.
*
·*It is Allah who determines all aspects of the birth of a human
being. *
·*Allah knows every thing about his future. *
· *Some of the human beings are caused by Allah to die young, before
reaching adulthood. They are not subjected to the divine test; for, it would
be unjust to do so before their minds are fully developed. And Allah is not
unjust. But they (those who die young) themselves serve as tests for their
parents and other concerned human beings. *
·*The others are subject to the test. Every such human being is
guided to tread the right path. But he is also given the freedom not to
choose that right path. And the responsibility for the consequences of his
conscious choice rests with him himself. To this extent, he is the maker of
his destiny. Allah does not make him choose the
Bismillah [IslamCity] The Original Sin
The Original Sin http://youtube.com/watch?v=sUjcXEsWB_4feature=related http://youtube.com/watch?v=4_cNVjacBAw Every honest Jew who knows the history of his people cannot but feel a deep sense of gratitude to Islam, which has protected the Jews for fifty generations, while the Christian world persecuted the Jews and tried many times 'by the sword' to get them to abandon their faith. (Uri Avnery, a Jewish Journalist) Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ
Bismillah [IslamCity] kind to neighbour
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbour. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Bismillah [IslamCity] The Mother of All Scandals - Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia.
*The Mother of All Scandals* *by Eric Margolis [EMAIL PROTECTED]* *http://www.lewrockwell.com/margolis/margolis79.html* Anyone who wants to understand what really goes on in the Mideast should have a look at the scandal that erupted earlier this month over the outsized character of Prince Bandar of Saudi Arabia. *Bandar has long been a renowned mover, shaker, and charmer. As Saudi ambassador to the **US**, the influential Bandar schmoozed official ** Washington** for two decades. He became an intimate of the Bush family. He invested a least $60 million in Saudi funds in the Carlyle Corp., in which the Bush family has important interests. Equally significant, Prince Bandar was a particular favorite at the CIA, where he was long considered one of its prime **Mideast** assets. * *Bandar flew in his own personal Airbus A-340 painted in the colors of his favorite US football team, and threw lavish parties in his $135 million Aspen house and in Washington. He was Mr. SaudiAmerica. Congress, the media, and the rest of official **Washington** hailed Bandar as the kind of good Arab with whom the **US** was happy to do business. * *After leaving **Washington**, Bandar returned home to become the highly influential head of national security and chief foreign policy advisor to **Saudi Arabia**'s King Abdullah. Bandar's father, Crown Prince Sultan, is the nation's powerful defense minister and next in line to the throne. Many Saudi observers believed Bandar was being positioned to sit one day on the throne of **Saudi Arabia**.* On top of all this, Bandar is also a marketing genius. *The **UK** Guardian newspaper and BBC recently revealed that Bandar personally received over US $2 billion in marketing fees from the British defense firm BAE as part of the huge, 1985 al-Yamamah arms deal. Al-Yamamah means dove in Arabic. Charges of massive corruption over the Al-Yamamah deal have swirled for years. But even for the rich Saudis, $2 billion is a lot of money. That's twice what **Washington**'s most important Arab ally, **Egypt* *, was given.* *For the Saudi royals, **Britain**'s outgoing PM Tony Blair, and Washington, the dove and Bandar's $2 billion worth of payola have become one big albatross. * *During the 1980's, **Saudi Arabia** sought to buy modern **US** warplanes. But the **US** pro-Israel lobby blocked the sale, costing the loss of billions in sales by **US** industry and 100,000 American jobs. The Reagan Administration advised the Saudis to go buy their warplanes from **Britain** .* *Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was only too happy have the British defense firm, known today as BAE, sell the Saudis 120 Tornado strike aircraft, Hawk trainers, military equipment, and lucrative training and maintenance programs worth some $90–100 billion and the 100,000 jobs ** America** lost. Over their operational lives of 20 or so years, warplanes consume six times their original cost in spare parts. These supply contract also went to BAE and other British industrial firms.* The Saudis could barely operate the modern military equipment they bought from the US, Britain, and France. Their military forces were a big zero. Most of it stayed in storage, or was operated by foreign mercenaries. The Saudi arms deals were really about buying military protection from the western powers. *All arms sales to the west's **Mideast** clients routinely include 10–15% commissions to heads of state, generals, and their cronies. These funds are traditionally channeled through middlemen, the flamboyant Adnan Kashoggi being the most notorious. * *Kickbacks, rechristened marketing fees, were of course expected in the Al-Yamamah deal. But Bandar's $2 billion set a record for size and venality. Thatcher ordered Bandar's payments carefully hidden from public gaze. They remained so until recent years when British and American government investigators began questioning secret, multi-million dollar payments to Prince Bandar routed from the **UK** to the shady Riggs Bank in **Washington **. Before it was shut down after a series of scandals, Riggs had become one of the favorite handlers of black money for pro-US autocratic regimes. * When Britain's Serious Fraud Office began probing BAE's secret payoffs to Bandar, Tony Blair sanctimoniously ordered the investigation shut down for national security reasons. The Saudis threatened to cancel their arms deals with Britain if payoff charges were made public by HM's government. Blair was trying to sell the Saudis BAE's new, high-tech Eurofighter. He blocked similar investigations by OECD, the international anti-bribery watchdog agency which was also closing in on the Saudi money trail. Bandar denies any wrongdoing, claiming the marketing funds all went into a legitimate Defense Ministry account and were properly accounted for and audited. *Few believe him. The only marketing effort in the arms deal was payola to high Saudi officials. If the funds were legit, why all the secrecy and money
Bismillah [IslamCity] Takfir according to the dar
Takfir according to the dar http://www.darultawhid.com/en/forum/index.php?topic=1350.0 Takfir according to the 'dar = land' is another manipulated area of Islam. Today seems like a dark era for the Muslim. Tawhid which is the basis of knowledge has almost diminished, jahiliyyah and shirk have surrounded us all over. We have entered an era which the callers of kufr and shirk have hidden themselves behind dividers. On the soil which once belonged to the Islamic government the emblems of nationalists and secular governments are waved. Paralel to the strangeness of Islam fitnah has surrounded us, and those who embrace tawhid are considered to be a takfiree and those who embrace the sunnah are considered to be bidah doers. The greatest danger is; today the callers of shaytan are in our form, they use our statements and call the individuals to their path of deviation. We have entered such an era that without even the knowledge of its meaning those who utter qalimat shahadah are considered to be Muslim. Again today individuals have emurged, who have spent their entire lives believing that those who have beards, wear hijab or perform salah are Muslim and when they see for the first time the kufr of those individuals they accept them to be murtad. Whereas these individuals have never completed the neccessities of tawhid and never have become muwahhid; they have lived their entire lives as mushriks. There is general hukm that; whoever lives in Dar al-Islam will be counted with Muslims unless, there is proof provided that he is not a Muslim. Simply the opposite is, whoever lives in Dar al-Harb is kafir unless proof has been provided that he is Muslim. On this issue there is no ikhtilaaf. Only Shaikh al-Islam Ibni Taymiyyah (ra) gave a fatawa regarding the city Mardin, which brings a third position. But Mardin had a special condition and the fatawa was published for that condition only. For the individuals who live in darul harb if their iman is not known and if any Muslim does not have any proof or clue about their iman they should be considered as kuffar. A simple example for such action is an individual who lives in Japan, what will the hukm be, about those people who live in Japan? The answer will surely be kafirs mushriks. This is the general hukm about all the lands. This hukm will not erase the reality that there may be some Muslims. At this point, the importance of looking for alamat-i fariqa appears. We should keep in mind that the alamat (sign) of Islam is only the actions and performances which belong only to the Muslim. Once again, those who live in the land of kufr, will be counted as kafir, unless, otherwise proof is provided that they are Muslim. In Darul Harb the verification of Islam before considering anyone to be Muslim is a must and all inhabitants of Darul Harb are to be Kafir unless their Islam is verified by a Muslim. This following quotation will help understand this issue: If a dead body has been found and if it is not known if the person was Muslim or a Non-Muslim the signs (of Islam) such as circumcision, clothing, hidab (die) will be examined. If no sign is present than: If the deceased is in darul Islam it will be washed and the funeral prayer will take place. However if the deceased is in darul Kufr the corps will not be washed nor will the funeral prayer take place. Regarding this Imam Ahmad states: It is like this because, when a person lives in a state (dar) he is a part (ahliha) of that state (dar). This is why the hukm of a person of the dar is practiced, until a means of evidence is found proving otherwise. (Mugni, 1638) It must not be forgotten that hukm can only be given according to the outer actions of an individual. The unknown aspects are left for Allah; hence He is the only to know the unknown. The Quran, sunnah and the ijma of the ummah guides us to this. In darul kufr, all is kafir until an individual is proven to be from the ahl tawhid. The greatest slander is to give the hukm of Muslim to those which have not been proven to be muwahhid. The hukm of an individual, which has been given as the hukm of kafir according to dar is not absolute and not irrevocable. While we give the hukm of takfir we do not state this individual is 100% kafir, and that if he is to die he will go to jahannam because his hukm is kafir. Those who have been given the hukm of Islam because they live in darul Islam is the same, otherwise there is the possibility of being kafir and being of ahl jahannam. The wisdom behind this ruling is that; the hukm applied to the person will change according to his deen. Some of these rulings which are listed below will be affected by the five rulings of fiqh (Wâjib-obligatory, Mandûb-preferred, Mubâh-neutral, Makrûh-disliked, Harâm-forbidden) according to the situation they are in. - Munâkahah: The marriages - Muwârathah:inheritance from each other - Mahabbah: Love -
Bismillah [IslamCity] Their Only Mission Is to Help the Guests of God
*Their Only Mission Is to Help the Guests of God* Siraj Wahab, Arab News Jeddah Indian Fraternity Forum volunteers help an elderly pilgrim in Mina on Thursday. (AN photo) MINA, 21 December 2007 — They are driven by an indefatigable passion to help the guests of God. All of them are Jeddah-based Indian expatriates. They arrived in the tent city on Wednesday in large numbers, wearing their trademark orange jackets. They brought in 30 wheelchairs and positioned themselves in key areas helping pilgrims of all nationalities whichever way they can. Our only objective is to earn the reward from God. We want to help the pilgrims. We consider ourselves lucky to have been working in Jeddah. Being so close to the holy sites entails a certain degree of responsibility on us and we want to carry out that duty, said the group's Haj services coordinator Ahmed Kutty. He said they were doing it under a different name in previous years. We have been doing this service under the name of Muslim Ekta Samiti earlier but now we are doing it under Jeddah India Fraternity Forum. The forum brings together Indians from nearly 10 states and has been successful in garnering support for their Haj support mission from the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) and the Indian Consulate. In Mina, we have not confined ourselves to Indian pilgrims. We help everybody. But our main focus has been on Indian pilgrims. For the sake of better coordination we have divided work by forming tent service teams and field service teams, said Noushad Punnakal, the group president. Jeddah India Fraternity Forum has deployed nearly 600 volunteers in Mina. They moved into Mina on Wednesday just when pilgrims were returning to Mina from Muzdalifah to carry out the most difficult rituals of Haj. Going by our experience we realized this is the day when pilgrims need the most help. They are tired after having spent the day in Arafat and the night under open skies in Muzdalifah and then they return to Mina to perform the stoning-the-devil ritual. This saps their energies. And they need constant help. Twenty teams of 25 volunteers each are deputed to guide the pilgrims to their locations in Mina and support them to perform the rituals; another 12 teams of 10 volunteers each are assigned to support the pilgrims in their tents. Their service enables the weak and sick pilgrims to receive adequate medical assistance and necessary care from the clinics and hospitals in Mina. Both Noushad and Kutty felt pilgrims from South Asia have a huge problem in communicating their difficulties. They look for somebody who can speak their language. Sometimes they are just next to their camp but because of the white landscape everything looks similar to them and then they run in circles. When we drop them at their places, they become very emotional and they shower their blessings on us. This is what our volunteers look for. Noushad said they were greatly helped by WAMY leaders. They helped us by providing a number of jackets and wheelchairs. They also provided us with entry passes. These are important because we cannot enter the holy sites just like that. We need proper permission from proper authorities. The Indian Consulate provided them with a large number of jackets. The two JIFF representatives said some nice gentlemen at the South Asian Establishment for Pilgrims helped them attend various seminars and training sessions. We complement their work. They appreciated our efforts. They involved us in their activities. And this was very encouraging and a tremendous morale booster for us. JIFF volunteers are not the only ones in Mina. There have been people of other nationalities as well trying to help pilgrims here. An Egyptian expatriate working in Jeddah was in Mina along with a number of friends helping Egyptian pilgrims locate their tents. As a Jeddah resident I must be grateful that God is taking my help in this way. It is a blessing to be earning your livelihood in Jeddah so close to Makkah. If I can bring any feeling of relief to all the people waiting at home for news of these pilgrims, then I will have completed my mission. -- 'Trust in God, but tie your camel first' - The Holy Prophet (pbuh) 'Knowledge is better than wealth, you have to look after your wealth, knowledge looks after you' - Imam Ali *** (O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).'' [At-Tirmidhi].
Bismillah [IslamCity] Yet another Muslim is convicted for his bad thoughts
http://www.hizb.org.uk/hizb/resources/issues-explained/yet-another-muslim-is-convicted-for-his-bad-thoughts.html Yet another Muslim is convicted for his bad thoughts Saturday, 22 December 2007 The latest conviction for possession of 'inflammatory' material in the absence of any intent to violence is further proof that the legal system has become politicised. Rizwan Mahmood Ditta was this week sentenced to four years imprisonment for having data on a computer hard drive that contained information deemed likely to be useful to a person preparing an act of terrorism. Judge James Stewart accepted that there was no evidence that Ditta's material had been used for terrorism purposes. He was not found guilty of inciting or engaging in violence, and there was no proof that he was intending to go on to commit, or assist anyone in the preparation of acts of violence. No one suggests that people should go out downloading this type of material. However, young people look at all kinds of things, especially in the internet age. Modern culture positively encourages curiosity. Facebook, Myspace and other websites and blogs are replete with discussions about war, suicide, glorification of violence in gangster rap and other issues of interest to young people. For some young people, understandably affected by ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan and the global war on terror, it would hardly be surprising if surfing the web led them to this type of thing. However, under the law it is possession alone - regardless of intent, or whether one agrees with the sentiments in such material that is the criminal act. Like the cases of Samina Malik and Abdul Patel before him, this case raises several important questions. Is there now an implied understanding that that possession of such material means proof that the suspect agrees wholeheartedly with the ideas expressed? Does possession alone prove some kind of intent to act on those ideas? Is the law being applied consistently? While many academics, journalists and other curious people also come across and download such material, why are they not prosecuted, if mere possession is indeed the criminal act? If the implication is that a Muslim who possesses this material agrees with it, then this is the same as prosecuting people based on their political views. The only term for this is thought crime. The anti-terror laws which do not directly address acts of violence - such as those that criminalise the possession of material that may be of use to a ˜terrorist are being utilised to selectively target and prosecute members of the Muslim community, whose political opposition to the government's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is well known. The laws are not used to target academics and journalists. This means the laws are applied politically, and effectively used to silence dissent. It is important to view this issue against a backdrop whereby leading politicians, such as Tony Blair and Phil Woolas, for example, saw criticism of foreign policy in the light of Britain's security debate as a manifestation of extremism. Woolas said as much when challenged about this by a young Muslim on the Iraq war and Blair made the same point when talking about those who carry false grievances. The only alternative to this thesis is that the police and security services are racist, sectarian and xenophobic and that they are selectively targeting Muslims based on race and religion. Or else they would be targeting journalists and academics who doubtless review such material and keep it on their hard drives. The way these anti-terror laws have been drafted and applied, despite grave warnings from legal experts and Muslim leaders that they would disproportionately target the Muslim community, proves that all the talk of a western legal system that has an uncompromising and consistent application of the rule of law and an absence of thought crime is utterly untrue. If it was true before, the system has broken down when tested. The resilience of legal systems cannot be measured by their implementation in times of ease but by their implementation in difficult times. Currently, the law is being used to target Muslims who possess scraps of paper, books or DVDs with anti-terror laws which require lower levels of evidence to prosecute and convict is in contrast to the prosecution of non-Muslims like Miles Cooper who actually planned explosions, sent letter bombs and injured people to make a political statement, illustrating the evolution of a parallel system of justice in Britain for Muslims. Where will all this end? How far will the state go to prosecute people on this type of material? What about classical Islamic books about the fiqh (rules) of Jihad? Only time will tell.
Bismillah [IslamCity] Lord Nazir Ahmed hit in a car accident???
PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM FOR SHIFA/cure...PLEASE ASK AND ENQUIRE ABOUT HIS HEALTH...PLEASE SEND HIM A CARD SHOWING YOUR CONCERN AND SUPPORT... His E mail address is:[EMAIL PROTECTED] From The Times December 27, 2007 Lord Ahmed is injured in fatal crash as six die on holiday roads Hannah Fletcher The Muslim peer Lord Ahmed was among those involved in a series of car accidents on Christmas Day, in which at least six people died and more than a dozen were injured. Lord Ahmed, who flew to Sudan recently to negotiate the release of the British teacher Gillian Gibbons, sustained serious facial injuries and suffered severe shock after his gold Jaguar crashed into another car on the M1 on Tuesday evening. The second car had broken down in the fast lane near Rotherham at 6.20pm and hit the central crash barrier. It spun around and ended up facing the wrong way on the southbound carriageway near Thorpe Hesley. The 28-year-old Slovakian driver and a passenger managed to reach the hard shoulder but police believe that the driver then tried to dodge speeding traffic to get back to his car to retrieve his mobile phone. He was hit and died instantly. At least four other vehicles were involved in the pile-up and three other people were injured. Lord Ahmed confirmed yesterday that he had been behind the wheel at the time of the crash. He said: “I was just driving along when I saw a red Audi facing the wrong way. It was absolutely horrendous, but I don’t want to talk about it.” Lord Ahmed was appointed to the House of Lords in 1998. He has lived in Rotherham since he was a child and, after the accident, was treated at the district hospital. Also in Rotherham, a 53-year-old man was run down and killed by a 68-year-old driver only minutes after leaving an NHS mental health unit
