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Issue: 37 April 2011
Sport Egypt wins squash World Cup
NewsMuslims doing wellin New Zealand
FeaturedThe Four Poisons of the Heart
Over the last couple of weeks, whilst the world has been
watching the revolutions in the Middle East, Israel has been
pounding the Gaza Strip with air strikes.
Saudi Arabias Council of Ministers have denounced the Israeli
airstrikes on residential areas in Gaza, killing innocent people
and urged the international community to take immediate action to
stop the continuous Israeli aggression against the
Palestinians.
In a cabinet meeting, chaired by the custodian of the two Holy
Mosques
King Abdullah, also called for greater coordination among Arab
countries to confront the consequences of new developments in the
region and ensure their unity and stability.
Furthermore the cabinet urged the international community to
stop Jewish settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. The UN
Security Council should move quickly to stop Israels dangerous
violations and provide protection to unarmed Palestinian civilians,
it said, adding that Israel should be forced to respect UN
resolutions.
SAUDI KINGDENOUNCESISRAELI RAIDSON GAZA
Whilst international eyes focus on what is happening in Libya,
Israel has been pounding the Gaza Strip with air strikes.
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2 I LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
Write to: Editor, Passion Islam, PO Box 159, Batley, West
Yorkshire, WF17 1ADor email: [email protected] -
www.passionislam.com
This Magazine contains Ayaat of the Quran and Hadith of the
Prophet (SAW), please ensure you handle it with respect & care
- Sukran - Views expressed in the Passion column are of the
contributers and not Necessarily of Passion Islam
t h e P a s s i o n By Gareth PeirceLawyerBirnberg Peirce and
PartnersBirnberg Peirce and PartnersBirnberg Peirce and
Partners
Write to: Editor, Passion Islam, PO Box 159, Batley, West
Yorkshire, WF17 1AD
A full, open inquiry is needed to discover why so many Libyans
were subject to control orders.
During the past week academic institutions have expressed
contrition at past links with Libya and parliament has debated
whether control order legislation should continue. Yet there has
been total silence as to why it was that Libyan dissidents came to
form a significant block of those made subject to control orders,
and to a second highly contentious measure: deportation to a
country that practised torture.
Following the bombings in London on 7 July 2005, known within a
day to have been carried out by young British nationals, Tony Blair
said: The rules of the game have changed. Within weeks he had
initiated an agreement with Colonel Gaddafi on the deportation of
Libyan dissidents who had sought asylum and whose presence, he
claimed, constituted one of the gravest threats to the security of
this country.
As to why this small group required such urgent and extreme
attention, parallel chronologies provide some clues. In 2005 Libyan
oilfields were made available for public auction. Might there have
been a two-way accommodation? You give us oil, we give you your
dissidents?
In order to achieve the mens removal to Libya, a country whose
leader had a grim record of eliminating opponents, the government
had created new mechanisms: memorandums of understanding (MOU),
whereby regimes known to practice torture might sign up to an
unenforceable promise that they would not torture deported
individuals. Gaddafi was evidently a man who could be trusted, but
for good measure an independent organisation would monitor the
wellbeing of the men deported to Libya: the Gaddafi
Foundation, headed by Gaddafis son Saif.
The government presented its assessment to the Special
Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), the court created to hear
secret evidence in national security cases. Deportations would
almost certainly have been ordered on the basis of the MOU had not
the governments expert witness ventured one observation too many:
when asked whether the men would enjoy a fair trial in Libya, the
witness replied of course, Gaddafi would personally intervene to
ensure that the judges delivered just that. When SIAC refused the
deportation, waiting in the wings was a second best: control
orders, which impose severe restrictions on the individual
affected. In the case of the Libyans our government and
intelligence services had thereby ensured for Gaddafi a
neutralisation of one small manifestation of dissent to his
regime.
It is hardly surprising if this is not generally known. The
appeals of those subject to deportation or to control orders on the
grounds of national security are heard almost entirely in secret
(in the Libyan cases we can guess that key evidence undoubtedly
emanated from Libya itself). However, the existing record, albeit
of only the puny open sessions of the Libyan cases, provides an
insight into the self-deceiving blindness that determined the
relationship of the last government and Gaddafi.
One aspect of the governments expert evidence to SIAC given by
its witnesses retired diplomats was undoubtedly correct: The speedy
conclusion of MOU negotiations in response to the prime ministers
conversation with Colonel Gaddafi demonstrates Libyas commitment to
working constructively with the United Kingdom on deportation of
terrorist suspects. Considering
his Gaddafis current claim that all Libyan dissidents are
members of al-Qaida, one can see how the two countries agendas so
readily aligned.
Silent as to any connection between the proposed deportation of
the Libyans and the signing of a Shell oil agreement in 2005, a
government witness explained: Recent developments in UK-Libyan
relations demonstrate the extent to which the Libyan authorities
have begun increasingly to look to the UK for help in bringing
about the changes needed to enable them to improve the lot of
Libyan people. The witness continued: The expectation is that the
direction taken by Libya has permanently changed, and the steady
normalisation of both the countrys external relationships and its
internal situation will continue.
The governments terrifyingly wrong-headed assessments of the
Libyan body politic would have led by February 2011 to the probable
death of the dissidents had they been deported; after all the
Libyan penalty for membership of their organisation was death and
the British government in the MOU had committed itself only to
considering asking Libya to commute that sentence if imposed after
the individuals return.
Of the urgent steps that should be taken as a result of this
appallingly deluded adventure, at the very least the present
governments still ongoing policy of deportations with MOUs to
torturing regimes, its continuing imposition of control orders and
its reliance on secret courts should be frozen pending proper
scrutiny of the Libyan affair: an open, transparent inquiry,
ruthlessly conducted until a clear picture is available. Only then
could the direction our own body politic took under the last
government be said to have changed.
The Gaddafi connection
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Passion Islam I April 2011 NEWS I 3
One of the primary reasons for the U.S. military intervention in
Libya is because of the dependence on foreign oil, a Democratic
lawmaker has said.
U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., the former chairman of the Select
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, told MSNBC,
however, that a primary reason for intervention was oil.
Were in Libya because of oil, he said. And I think both Japan
and the nuclear technology and Libya and this dependence that we
have upon imported oil have both once again highlighted the need
for the United States to have a renewable energy agenda going
forward.
Markey earlier said U.S. President Barack Obama was right to
back the Security Council resolution permitting the use of force in
Libya. This, he said, was consistent with U.S. commitments to
helping the people meet their political aspirations.
But it all goes back to the 5 million barrels of oil that we
import from (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)
on a daily basis, he told MSNBC.
The International Energy Agency said it could be many months
before Libyan crude returns to the market. Libya before the war was
responsible for slightly more than 4 percent of the OPECs
output.
passionislam.com
Libyan war about oilU.S. lawmaker says
Allah appears in Arabicon miracle egg shell
Then send in your article, no more than 600 words to:
[email protected]
Want to be a Guest Editor for a month?
Visitors have been coming from around the country to look at a
miracle egg in Nottingham
Asim Taj, 24, and his family saw the word Allah in Arabic
written on the eggs shell when they were about to cook a meal.
Since then, he has shown it to people living nearby and people
have come from Dewsbury, Luton and Birmingham to his house.
And an independent expert at the University of Nottingham has
confirmed the letters
can be recognised as reading Allah.
We were shocked and surprised. It is a miracle. Everybody is
talking about it, said Mr Taj. I have heard stories like this from
back home in Pakistan but I have not heard of it here.
The lettering appears darker than the rest of the shell.
He said: The box was normal. Its not something that can be
written on, its in the shell itself.
People smile when they see it. They can tell straight away what
it says.
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4 I LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
www.passionislam.com
A majority of Britons believe the governments strategy in
Afghanistan is not working well and the UK lacks clear goals in the
country, a recent poll shows.
The survey, You Gov Afghan poll, carried out by eight
organizations, found that only one in four Britons believe the
current strategy would end up a success in Afghanistan, while 58
percent of the public said they were uncertain what the UK
government was going after in the war-weary country.
According to the survey, some 83 percent believe it was unlikely
that peace and stability would be established in Afghanistan by the
time UK combat troops are scheduled to leave the country.
Prime Minister David Cameron announced last year that British
troops could start withdrawing in 2011 and that he wants combat
troops to leave Afghanistan in 5 years.
Britain has the second-largest foreign troop contingent in
Afghanistan after the United States, with around 9,500 troops, the
bulk of which are based in southern Helmand province.
Britains militarys death toll in the Afghan war has topped 360
since the US-led invasion of the country in 2001 with hundreds of
others injured while in combat or other causes.
The aid groups -- that include Oxfam, CARE, Christian Aid and
Afghanaid -- said they had joined forces to launch the awareness
campaign, Together Afghanistan, calling for a new initiative aimed
at securing a lasting peace in the impoverished country.
YouGov interviewed 2,595 adults online between March 14 and
15.
The survey comes after a separate poll found that just one in
three Britons were in favour of a decision to intervene militarily
in Libya.
As the world watches the geopolitical events unfold in Libya, a
Lancashire based relief organisation has launched a 500,000 appeal
to aid the victims suffering in the ensuing humanitarian
crisis.
Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT), with its headquarters based in
Bolton, has worked in over 20 countries around the world since its
inception in 2001.
Most recently, it was part of the huge emergency relief effort
in Pakistan following last Julys devastating floods. After
launching an appeal, the charity raised over 5 million in just a
few months for the flood victims.The charity is now hoping for a
similar response from the UKs donors to an equally difficult,
albeit different, humanitarian crisis.
Following assessments on the ground, they are stressing an
immediate need for clean water and medical supplies.
Two of the charitys representatives, Shoyeb Adat (Project
Manager) and Adam Patel (UK Fundraiser) have flown out to oversee
the charitys operations and are hoping to provide a live account of
the relief efforts taking place.
Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT)Half a millionfor millionsin Libya
Poll: UK lacks goals in Afghanistan In Case YouMissed It
... The survey comes after a separate poll found that just one
in three Britons were in favour of a decision to intervene
militarily in Libya.
-
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FOR 50,000 IN ALBANIA
The Prophet of Allah (may Allah bless himand grant him peace)
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Whoever builds aMasjid for Allahs sake,be it like a grousesnest
(in size)(Allah will make a house for him in Paradise.Ahmad
Rahma Mercy 56 Hartington Road, Leicester, LE2 0GN Web
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DONATION HOTLINE 0116 251 6959
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Passion Islam I April 2011 LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS I 7
Karen Buck, the shadow work and pensions minister, has launched
an outspoken attack on the Government, claiming that Tories do not
want Muslims in central London.
The Labour frontbencher said controversial plans to cut housing
benefit were designed to force black women, ethnic minority women
and Muslim women out into the capitals poorer suburbs.
Her comments immediately prompted calls for her dismissal.
Baroness Warsi, Conservative Party Chairman and Britains first
Muslim Cabinet minister, described them as deeply offensive.
Ms Buck, who was speaking at a public meeting in Islington,
north London, also accused the Tories of being deeply hostile to
the idea of lower income families having children, according to the
Independent.
In comments that will raise alarm within the Labour leadership,
she said: (The Government) do not want lower-income women,
families, children and, above all, let us be very clear because we
also know where the impact is hitting they dont want black women,
they dont want ethnic minority women and they dont want Muslim
women living in central London.
They just dont. They want people
to be moving out of anywhere that is a more prosperous area into
the fringes of London and into places like Barking and Newham. I
have nothing against Barking and Newham. The problem is they are
already full of people who are quite poor.
She went on: The Government is one that is deeply hostile to
middle- and lower-income women having children.When you listen to
the Tories speaking in Parliament, there is an arrogance and an
ignorance that I have never known in my 13 years in Parliament:
basically, thinking that anyone whose income is below the top rate
of tax shouldnt have children.
Baroness Warsi said the remarks proved that reactionary politics
was alive and well in the Labour party.For Karen Buck to use race,
religion and class for political point-scoring is deeply offensive
and irresponsible, she said.
The plan to cap housing benefit at 400 a week, which comes into
force next month, has prompted a furore with many suggesting it
will lead to social segregation.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, warned that the draconian
reforms could lead to Kosovo-style social cleansing and has called
for Londoners to be exempt from the cuts. - Telegraph
passionislam.com
Labour minister says Tories want Muslims out of London
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) published two timely
reports on the nature, impact and campaigns against Islamophobia
across Europe.Islamophobia and progressive values
This unique report draws attention to the specific role that a
discourse on progressive values is playing in shaping Islamophobia.
Dr Sabine Schiffer (Institute for Media Responsibility, Erlangen),
Murat Batur (Kanafani Inter-Cultural Initiative, Vienna), Nadia
Fadil (Centre for Sociological Research at the Catholic
University of Leuven) and Marwan Muhammad (Collective Against
Islamophobia in France) outline the general parameters of hatred
towards Muslims. They examine the combination of intellectual
currents - from the extreme-Right to those of the liberal
intelligentsia - which are creating a closed circuit of thought and
ensuring that Islamophobia is now the respectable face of European
racism. Islamophobia, human rights and the anti-terrorist laws
This report reveals how Islamophobia serves a function
as propaganda for war. But anti-terrorist policies and emergency
laws have also had the effect of turning Muslim communities all
over Europe into suspect communities.
Asim Qureshi (Cageprisoners) and Luk Vervaet (Committee for the
Freedom of Association and Expression) consider the relationship
between Islamophobia and the war on terror, focusing particularly
on the ways in which the human rights of Muslim communities,
refugees and migrants are being breached by counter-terrorism
measures.
Voices against Islamophobia reports published
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Passion Islam I April 2011 LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS I 9
The British governments controversial plans to limit the risk of
Israeli leaders being arrested for war crimes when visiting the UK
is expected to be passed by parliament despite opposition by more
than 120 MPs.
Labour backbench MP Andy Love criticised the devious way the
amendment to change universal jurisdiction, which comes under the
Justice Ministry, has been hidden away as an additional clause in a
contentious Home Office Police Reform bill and as a result has
received little attention.
It is a very inappropriate way of developing legislation in this
area to tack it onto such a controversial bill and will make it
very difficult to have a proper discussion of the issue around
universal jurisdiction, Love told IRNA in an interview.
The bill, which has a total of 157 clauses, has reached the
reporting stage ahead its third and final reading in the House of
Commons after completing its committee stage last month.
Love, who chairs the council for the Advancement of Arab-British
Understanding (CAABU), a pro-Palestine parliamentary-led advocacy
group, said that there were lots of controversies on police reforms
and there had been no serious debate on universal jurisdiction.
While there is so much in the bill to be discussed when comes
back to report stage, it will slice up the amount of time and the
part on
universal jurisdiction will probably be limited as was in the
committee stage, the 61-year old MP said.
Love is among more than 120 MPs, who have already signed a
parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM), declaring that they will
oppose any legislation to restrict universal jurisdiction.
It will be hard and depend upon all the people who have signed
the EDM which include 32 Liberal Democrats, as well as the official
position of the opposition Labour Party.
He believed it will be difficult for the Liberal Democrats to
negate the change, being in coalition with the Conservatives, which
made an election pledge in the Jewish Chronicle last year to
restrict the arrest Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes.
His prediction was that it was unlikely that Clwyds amendment as
it stands will succeed and suggested that opposition could switch
to seeking safeguards about the intervention by the DPP.
We are anxious to get on record to put ministers under pressure
on how it will operate, Love said.
Opponents to the change have expressed alarm that the new
requirement will lead to delay in issuing private arrest
warrants,
allowing alleged war criminals to escape justice, as well as the
DPP being politically influenced by his boss, the attorney general,
being a government minister.
After the final reading in the House of Commons, which is due
imminently although no date is yet fixed, the bill is then sent to
the House of Lords for possible revision before being passed into
law.
Universal jurisdiction is a principle in public international
law (as opposed to private international law) whereby states claim
criminal jurisdiction over persons whose alleged crimes were
committed outside the boundaries of the prosecuting state,
regardless of nationality.
The state backs the claim on the grounds that the crime
committed is considered a crime against all, which any state is
authorized to punish, as it is too serious to tolerate
jurisdictional arbitrage.
UK expected to approve plans tolimit arrest of Israeli war
criminals
News sources revealed that a high profile meeting between the
representatives of Birmingham Jame Masjid and Birmingham City
councils legal department to address the growing concerns about
halal
food in the public sector procurement and to alleviate the fear
of non halal being served to citys Muslims under the banner
halal.
The delegation was informed that the Birmingham EHO were
unable to assure the Muslims delegation that the food being
served in council house, schools or the public sector, whether it
was halal or not, as along it was accompanied by halal certificate
the responsibility of EHO ends
there. As a result of the meeting a strong warning has been
issued by the mosques.
Stating do not eat any food served by Birmingham City council
regardless of the label saying its halal.
Birmingham City Council faces Muslim boycott threat on halal
food
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10 I LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
The British government has resumed its controversial policy of
forcefully deporting failed Iraqi asylum seekers after a six month
lull despite warnings from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) that the country was unsafe.
The International Federation of Iraqi Refugees (IFIR), which
monitors removals, said the resumption of charter flights had been
done at a time when attention was focused on Libya.
The UK government, while it is saying how much it supports
democracy and human rights in Libya, continues to support the
corrupt governments in Iraq and Kurdistan, an IFIR spokesman
said.
Now it is deporting people, many of whom left to flee this
same
government violence, into the middle of it. It is a criminal
hypocrisy and must be stopped, the spokesman warned.
The first group of Iraqis for six months left on a flight from
Stansted airport, north of London, organised by the UK Borders
Agency in conjunction with the Swedish government and the EU border
agency Frontex.
Last-minute appeals on behalf of other failed asylum seekers
prevented several others from being forcibly repatriated. It is not
known how many deportees from Sweden were on board.
Charter flight removals to Baghdad were temporarily suspended
last October after the European court of human rights ruled
that a surge in sectarian violence and suicide bombings made
Baghdad and the surrounding area too dangerous.
The Home Office since pledged to continue to undertake
deportations but acknowledged that, in cases where the Strasbourg
court supported petitions from individuals demonstrating that they
were at risk, it would not enforce removal.
The UNHCR has criticised European states, including the UK, that
have sent Iraqis back to the five central governorates, or
provinces, including Baghdad, saying there has been a deterioration
in security and the situation for minorities is very
precarious..
passionislam.com
UK resumes Iraq deportations despite UN warnings
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he believes
Britain gave Pakistan tacit approval of its interrogation
techniques on terror suspects.
In a program broadcast, the BBC asked Musharraf if he remembers
being told by the British government that Pakistani intelligence
services should not use torture on British subjects.
Musharraf, who was president of Pakistan from 1999 to 2008,
responded Never, never once. I dont remember it at all. He added:
Maybe they wanted us to continue to do whatever we were doing; it
was a tacit approval of whatever we were doing. Human rights groups
claim Britain colluded in the torture of terrorism suspects
overseas. An ex-Guantanamo Bay detainee, Binyam Mohamed, who is of
Ethiopian origin and became a British resident when he was a
teenager, alleges Britain
was aware he was beaten, subjected to sleep deprivation and had
his genitals sliced with a scalpel while he was held in Pakistan in
2002.
Former UK security and intelligence co-ordinator David Omand,
told the BBC that Britain does not practice torture and expects
that its partners also respect that.
I am very clear we are not and
have not been complicit in torture and Im in no doubt that all
the countries concerned, including Pakistan and the United States,
were very well aware of what British policy was, which was we dont
do this and we dont ask other people to do it, he said.
passionislam.com
UK gave tacit approval fortorture, says Musharraf
In Case YouMissed It
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Passion Islam I April 2011 LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS I 11
Taxi drivers are claiming racial discrimination by a council
which has proposed a dress code that will outlaw traditional Asian
clothing.
Hackney cab drivers in Pendle, Lancashire, say they will no
longer be allowed to wear the shalwar kameez, a tunic with
loose-fitting trousers.
The borough council wants a strict dress code to smarten up the
drivers. Tracksuits, shorts, football and rugby tops, beachwear,
short skirts, short dresses and flip flops would all be banned, as
well as dirty or ripped clothing, and items with offensive or
suggestive words or graphics.
Taxi drivers say Pendle councils dress code is racist.
The majority of Pendles taxi drivers are Asian men, and many
feel the rules would discriminate against them.
Nineteen out of 25 taxi and minicab operators sent a
questionnaire were against the introduction of a dress code.
In a report to a meeting considering the plans, the council
said: Whilst Pendle council does not wish to impose such standards
by way of conditions to any licence, we expect, however, that such
standards will be maintained at all times.
Sajjad Karim, Conservative MEP for the North West of England and
a
former Pendle councillor, described the proposals as
ludicrous.
Mohammed Akram, chairman of Pendle Private Hire Association,
said drivers were extremely unhappy with the plans. He said: A lot
of them are saying it would be discrimination because it would take
away their rights.
The drivers also objected on financial grounds as running costs
spiralled.
Pendle council said the code would require male drivers to wear
smart trousers, shirt and shoes and women to wear long trousers,
knee-length skirt and blouse or knee-length dress.
The policy had been designed to raise and maintain the profile
of the
taxi trade, it said.Neighbouring Rossendale council
recently rejected a similar proposal for discriminating against
Asian drivers.
Glen Bulcock, the chairman of Rossendale Taxi Association and
owner of GB Taxis, said 90%, if not more, of all taxi drivers in
Rossendale are Asian and you cant force Asian people to adhere to a
code that doesnt include their national dress.
He said: One or two councillors found it laughable that it was
being introduced, and eventually our council did see sense and it
was removed from the policy. As long as the taxi drivers look smart
and are hygienic there shouldnt be a problem. I hope they kick it
out in Pendle.
The Islamic Bank of Britain is being acquired by the Qatari
International Islamic Bank in an unconditional cash offer.
Under the terms of the deal, shareholders in the Islamic Bank of
Britain can receive one penny in cash for each share. The terms of
the offer value its fully diluted share capital at 25,464,700.
The directors of the Islamic Bank of Britain have said that the
terms of the offer are fair and reasonable.
Its chairman, Robert Owen, commented: In the absence of access
to alternative additional sources of funds, the Board believes that
it will be difficult for IBB to achieve the necessary asset growth
to achieve profitability and therefore the Board welcomes the offer
from QIIB which will provide all shareholders the opportunity to
exit their shareholding should they desire. Sheikh Dr Khalid Bin
Thani Bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of
Qatar International Islamic Bank, said: We are delighted to
formally announce our firm intention to make an unconditional offer
in cash, for the issued share capital of IBB that we do not already
own.
Our long-term strategy is to build an international
Sharia-compliant banking business and we believe that our extensive
experience in Sharia banking will allow us to develop and integrate
the IBB business into the QIIB group.
Taxi drivers say Pendle councils dress code is racist
Islamic Bank of Britain taken over
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Passion Islam I April 2011 WORLD NEWS I 13
Despite an increase in reports of discrimination towards
Muslims, a researcher at Victoria University says Muslims in this
country are doing comparatively well in other measures.
The research project, conducted by final year PhD student Jaimee
Stuart from Victorias Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research,
compared the experience of Muslim young people in New Zealand and
the UK.
The study examined well-being, psychological symptoms,
behavioural problems, discrimination and immigration stress in
about 300 Muslim youth (aged 16-27 years) in both countries.
Ms Stuart says that the findings
revealed that Muslim youth in this country demonstrate more
positive outcomes on almost all indicators.
Importantly, Muslims in New Zealand experience lower levels of
discrimination and immigration stress, even though they have
stronger religious identities and practice their religion more than
those in the UK.
The study also found that perceptions of living in an inclusive,
multicultural society were higher for Muslims in New Zealand and
that this was related to better outcomes.
This may be an important indicator that social cohesion has
direct and positive impacts on the adjustment of immigrants in New
Zealand, says Ms Stuart.
The March 11 quake is now considered Japans deadliest natural
disaster since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed more
than 142,000 people.
More than 25,000 have been killed or gone missing as a result of
the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japans northern
coast 12 days ago.
On March 11, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake, off the northeast
coast of Japans main island, unleashed a 23-foot (7-meter) tsunami
and was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours.
Japans National Police Agency said 9,487 people had been
confirmed dead and 15,617 officially listed as missing -- a
total of 25,104.
The March 11 quake is now considered Japans deadliest natural
disaster since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which killed more
than 142,000 people.
Another crisis threatens Japan as last weeks quake and tsunami
triggered a nuclear crisis by knocking out power to cooling systems
at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
Workers were able reconnect all the reactors at the plant to
external power.
The Japanese government has ordered the evacuation of about
200,000 people living in a 20-kilometer (12.4-mile) area around
the plant, and told people living between 20 kilometers and 30
kilometers (18.6 miles) from the plant to remain indoors.
Reuters reported that Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered
the shipment of a range of farm products from Fukushima Prefecture
to halt as radiation has been detected in vegetables such as
broccoli, spinach, cabbage and cauliflower.
Meanwhile, Tokyos Metropolitan Government has also announced
that the level of radioactive iodine detected in tap water has
exceeded the limit for infant intake.
Japan quake victims surpass 25,000
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the leader of Russias LDPR party, called
on the Muslim world to unite and support Libyan strongman Muammar
Gaddafi.
LDPR turns to all the people of the Muslim countries and urges
them to unite and show solidarity with Muammar Gaddafi. The
leadership of these countries should make a joint stand against
NATOs military efforts in Libya, a statement by Zhirinovsky
said.
Do not ditch Libya face to face with the juggernaut of the North
Atlantic bloc. Do not allow NATO to crush the democracy in Libya,
especially with regard to the fact, that this country does not
threaten anybody. Do not do the short-sighted oversea politicians
bidding, the LDPR leader said.
The tumult in Libya should be brought to stop as any other
Muslim country could face the same situation, Zhirinovsky said. The
West is aggressive and resolved. They have not drawn a lesson from
the negative experience of military intervention to Afghanistan and
Iraq.
Russia party leader urges Muslim world to support Gaddafi
Muslims doing wellin New Zealand
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14 I WORLD NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
A federal appeals court unanimously reinstated a lawsuit filed
by a Muslim woman who accused Southern California jailers of
violating her religious freedom when they ordered her to take off
her headscarf in a courthouse holding cell.
An 11-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also
said in Khatib v. County of Orange that plaintiff Souhair Khatib
had the right to wear the hijab, or headscarf, unless jailers could
show it was a security risk.
Khatib filed the lawsuit in 2007 against Orange County. She had
been jailed for several hours in November 2006 after a judge
revoked her probation for a misdemeanor welfare fraud
conviction.A federal trial court judge and
a three-judge 9th Circuit panel previously dismissed the
lawsuit, saying holding cells arent covered by the Religious Land
Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000, a federal law that
among other provisions, protects the religious practices of
prisoners.
Those courts held that it was impractical in transitory settings
such as a holding cell to honor religious practices normally
allowed in more permanent institutions such as prisons.
But the 11-judge 9th Circuit panel rejected that argument while
allowing the case to proceed.
The court did say the county can
still argue that security concerns required Khatib to remove her
headscarf, if it can prove the order was the least restrictive
means of furthering a compelling government interest.
Khatib and her husband had appeared in Orange County Superior
Court to ask for an extension of a deadline to complete community
service, which was a requirement of their probation. They were
jailed in a cell adjacent to the courthouse.
During booking, jailers ordered a tearful Khatib to remove her
headscarf, and she spent the rest of her time in the cell covering
her head with a vest.
Probation was reinstated later the same day.
Southwest Airlines has apologized to a Muslim woman who was
removed from a flight from San Diego because of her Islamic
headscarf and South Asian background.
We sincerely apologize for the
customers inconvenience, and we regret that she was unable to
travel as scheduled, the airline said in a statement issued after
Irum Abbasi, a U.S. citizen originally from Pakistan, demanded an
apology.
Abbasi, a 31-year-old mother of three, was traveling to San
Jose, when she was escorted off the plane. A crew member thought
she was acting suspicious, and had said Its a go, in a cell phone
conversation.
Abbasi claims she actually said Ive got to go because the plane
was about to take off.
She was an emotional wreck. She was crying, said Edgar Hopida, a
spokesman for the San Diego chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations. We need to make sure this doesnt happen
to anyone else.
Southwest gave Abbasi a ticket for the next flight to San Jose,
and a travel voucher as a gesture of goodwill.
A Southwest spokesman said the airline was investigating the
incident, but that it was against company policy to discuss whether
any employees will be disciplined.
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals revivesMuslim womans headscarf
lawsuit
Southwest Airlines apologises to Muslim passenger
Got News! We are all ears, email us [email protected]
In Case YouMissed It
-
Poll: US, Israel Turkeysmain enemies
Passion Islam I April 2011 WORLD NEWS I 15
In Case YouMissed It
The people of Turkey regard the United States and Israel as
their main enemies, the results of an opinion poll suggest.
A total of 2,000 Turkish people took part in the opinion poll
conducted by Ankara-based MetroPOLL Strategic and Social Research
Center.
The results were published last month.
Forty-two percent of the respondents saw the United States as
Turkeys number one enemy, and 23 percent of them singled out Israel
as the main enemy of the Eurasian nation.
Six percent of those polled said Greece was their countrys main
enemy. Four percent singled out Iraqs Kurdistan, and a tiny three
percent picked Armenia.
Eight percent of the respondents chose other countries as
Turkeys number one enemy, while 14 percent
had no opinion about their countrys worst enemy.
Turkeys differences with Greece are mainly over the ownership of
a few islands in the Mediterranean Sea as well as the issue of
Cyprus. Both countries are members of NATO alliance.
The Turkish people also regard Iraqs Kurdistan as a threat
because it can set a precedent for Turkish Kurds, the research
center said.
Armenia also has age-old difference with Turkey because of the
alleged Armenian Genocide during World War I - Press tv
The Executive Director of the(UNODC) Yury Fedotov called for
increased cooperation and a stepping up of efforts in fighting the
twinned threats of crime and terrorism.
Speaking at an international meeting to look into the growing
connections between terrorist acts and global crime, Fedotov
pointed out that criminal profits are increasingly finding their
way to support terrorist acts: Today, the criminal market spans the
planet, and in many instances criminal profits support terrorist
groups. Globalization has turned out to be a double-edged sword.
Open borders, open markets, and increased ease of travel and
communication have benefited both terrorists and criminals.
Thanks to advances in technology, communication, finance and
transport, loose networks of terrorists and organized criminal
groups that operate internationally
can easily link with each other. By pooling their resources and
expertise, they can significantly increase their capacity to do
harm.
The executive directors comments come at the opening of the
UNODC-organized Terrorism Symposium in Vienna. Attended by more
than 250 representatives from nearly 90 countries, the event comes
on the back of the ever-evolving modus operandi of terrorists, and
their increasing presence in the world of criminality. Drug
trafficking, transnational organized crime, the movement of illicit
firearms and money laundering have become integral parts of
terrorism.
While these criminal components in many cases sustain terrorist
groups, they present increased threats and challenges to global
security on a number of levels. In Afghanistan, the Talibans
terrorist efforts are boosted through the
production of opium a key cash source; similarly, the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia FARC are able to carry on
operating through the cultivation and trafficking of cocaine and
kidnapping for ransom.
With criminals and terrorists alike exploiting regions and
countries weakened by poverty, war and corruption, many already
perilous situations are worsening. Acts of terrorist violence
endanger the physical security of individuals and communities,
sowing fear and panic, and having a devastating impact on economic
activities.
A sometimes overlooked aspect in the fight against terrorism is
that of the victims. With criminality and terrorism increasingly
working in tandem, it is ultimately victims who pay the price, a
press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) said.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime urgesincreased efforts
to fight threats of crime, terrorism
-
16 I WORLD NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
In Case YouMissed It
The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has condemned
foreign military intervention in Bahrain, and said the move
eliminates chances of reaching a solution in the Arab nation.
In light of the recent developments in Bahrain regarding the
military intervention of neighboring Arab countries and the use of
violence, which has caused deaths and injuries, Hezbollah can only
voice concern and strong condemnation targeting peaceful civilians,
Lebanons state-run National News Agency said after a statement
released by Hezbollah.
Military intervention and the use of violence against a peaceful
and popular movement will only complicate matters and eliminate
chances of finding a solution, it added,
The Lebanese resistance movement also called the US stand on the
recent developments in Bahrain suspicious.
Six people were killed and more than 1,000 others injured in
clashes between anti-regime protesters and Bahrains security
forces.
Bahraini police killed at least five protesters and injured
dozens more as they assaulted a peaceful protest camp in Manamas
Pearl Square.
The attacks came after Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar
dispatched their armed forces to crisis-hit Bahrain to quash
anti-government protests in the tiny Persian Gulf state.
Foreign military intervention in Bahrain has concerned UN
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who has called for a meaningful and
broad-based national dialogue.
The UN chief also urged Bahrains regional neighbors and the
international community to support a dialogue process and an
environment conducive for credible
reform in Bahrain. Bahraini opposition groups,
including the main bloc al-Wefaq National Islamic Society,
denounced the move as an invasion of the kingdom.
The United States, which has its Fifth Fleet based there, has
refrained from calling the troops move into Bahrain an
invasion.
Bahraini demonstrators maintain that they will hold their ground
until their demands for freedom, constitutional monarchy in the
Persian Gulf sheikhdom and a say in the government are met.
Hezbollah denouncesBahrain invasion
Uruguay recognizes Palestinian stateThe Republic of Uruguay has
recognized a free and independent Palestinian state on the lands
occupied by Israel in the Six Day War.
In a statement the Uruguayan foreign ministry said the decision
to recognize a Palestine state showed the countrys firm commitment
to the Middle East peace process, Reuters reported.
Uruguays decision is in line with international support for
United
Nations resolutions demanding the end of Israeli occupation of
the Palestinian territories.
The international community backs Palestinian demands for a
state in most of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East al-Quds
(Jerusalem) -- all territories Tel Aviv occupied in the 1967 Six
Day War.
Israel has persistently continued constructing settlements in
the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East
al-Quds despite
the United Nations condemnation of the action.
Over 100 countries have endorsed the Palestinians 1988
declaration of independent statehood.
Among them, several Latin American countries, such as Argentina,
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru and
Venezuela, have recognized an independent Palestinian state.
Press tv
-
Passion Islam I April 2011 ` WORLD NEWS I 17
Israel has approved the construction of hundreds of homes for
Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Officials said the decision was agreed by a ministerial
committee.
An Israeli government official said the construction would take
place in settlements that Israel expects to retain control of in
any possible peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Palestinian officials condemned the move.
This decision is wrong and unacceptable and will only create
problems, said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas.
An Israeli government
spokesman said the construction move had been planned for some
time.
The latest development comes as peace efforts between Israel and
the Palestinians have ground to a halt.
US-brokered peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians
stalled last year over the issue of Israeli settlement
building.
Palestinians have refused all direct contact with Israel until
construction is frozen.
Nearly half a million Jews live in more than 100 settlements
built since Israels 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East
Jerusalem.
They are held to be illegal under international law.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written to
Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Saleh calling for his personal
intervention in ending systematic attacks on journalists and
violations of their rights, amid on-going anti-government protests
in the country.
The IFJ in a statement said it was reacting to the latest
incident in which a group of thugs stormed the offices of the
Yemeni Journalists Syndicate (JYS), an IFJ affiliate, threatening
to burn it down.During the last few weeks journalists have been
violently assaulted by security officers and pro-government
supporters while attempting to cover demonstrations and protests,
said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha in his letter to Saleh.
The IFJ urged the Yemeni
President to launch an investigation into the violence against
journalists with a view to punishing those behind it, and to order
security forces to ensure journalists can work freely and in safety
throughout the territory of Yemen.
In a separate statement, the IFJ expressed concern over what it
said was a new media crisis in Bahrain, after photographer Mohammed
Al-Moukhraq was assaulted by security forces while covering
anti-government protests in the capital, Manama.
The Al-Wasat newspaper headquarters was also attacked, noted the
IFJ. These incidents
illustrate a crisis for media and democracy in Bahrain, said
Boumelha.
The government must give guarantees that journalists will be
able to operate freely and safely despite the Declaration of a
State of Emergency, he added.
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 members in 125
countries.
A moderate 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey on
last month.
According to National Earthquake Monitoring Center (NEMC),
Bogazici University, there were no damage or casualties; however,
it aroused panic among citizens who came out of their homes, which
Turkish television networks revealed.
There is an active movement near the seas surrounding Turkey, it
said, adding that seismic activity began moving in different
directions all the way to central Anatolia, signalling possible
severe earthquake, Turkish television quoted experts as saying.
Turkey experiences almost daily small and moderate
earthquakes.
The country witnessed, in 1999, an earthquake that killed 20,000
people and inflicted massive damage.
International press body urges YemeniPresident to protect
journalists
Israel approves new Jewishsettler homes in West Bank
EarthquakeshakesTurkey
-
18 I WORLD NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has sacked one of his Muslim
advisors for his call on Muslims to quit the governing UMP
party.
Abderrahmane Dahmane, who served as Sarkozys diversity advisor,
is opposed to a planned UMP debate on Islam.
The debate scheduled for this
month is on the compatibility of Islam with the rules of the
secular French Republic.
Dahmane said Muslim members of the UMP should not renew their
party membership unless the debate is cancelled, AFP reported.
Dahmane compared the situation of French Muslims to that of Jews
during World War II and said the debate had been planned by a
handful of neo-Nazis. He also called UMP leader Jean-Francois Cope
a plague for Muslims.
Dahmane, a former UMP official, was appointed to his post only
in January.
A CIA contractor was released from jail after a compensation was
paid to the families of the two men he killed.
US media reported that USD 2.34 million was paid to the families
to defuse a dispute that strained relations with Pakistan and to
secure the release of Raymond Davis who has left Pakistan now after
being in jail in Pakistan since January. US officials declined
there was any deal between Washington and Islamabad or the talk
about blood money, maintaining that this decision was taken by the
Pakistani government.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said that the families
of the victims have pardoned Raymond Davis adding that I am
grateful for their generosity; I wish to express, once again, my
regret for the incident and my sorrow at the suffering it caused.
Davis maintained that during the January 27 shooting the two men he
killed tried to attack him while driving in Lahore and the US
Justice Department has opened an investigation on the incident.
The US administration sought to release him on the grounds of
diplomatic impunity while courts in Pakistan could not rule whether
or not Davis has diplomatic impunity as a CIA contractor.
CIA spokesperson George Little praised in a statement the agency
relation with the Pakistani intelligence saying when issues arise,
it is our standing practice to work through them.
That is the sign of healthy partnership, one that is vital to
both countries, especially as we face a common set of terrorist
enemies, Little added.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry also
released after the release of Davis saying that this was a very
important and necessary step for both of our countries to be able
to maintain our relationship and remain focused on progress on
bedrock national interests, and I am deeply grateful for the
Pakistani governments decision. We deeply regret the loss of life
that led to this difficulty in our relationship and the
demonstrations on Pakistans streets, but neither country could
afford for this tragedy to derail our vital relationship.
We look forward to working with Pakistan to strengthen our
relationship and confront our common challenges, he concluded.
CIA contractor releasedfrom jail in Pakistan
Sarkozy fires advisorover Islam debate Urdutypsetting &
translation service
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Passion Islam I April 2011 WORLD NEWS I 19
Aiming to modernise the communitys educational centres,
including the madrasas (religious schools), the Jamat-e-Islami Hind
(JIH) launched an association of the management bodies of Muslim
educational institutes.
The new Federation of Muslim Educational Institutes (India) will
be an umbrella body of these institutes. Jamat-e-Islami Hind is a
prominent Muslim body that works for the welfare of the community,
especially in the field of education, though it is sometimes
criticised for its conservative views.
The idea is to improve the quality of education and make it
uniform to match the modern day needs. Besides, there are a lot of
government schemes for the welfare of minorities that the managing
bodies usually are unaware of,? JIH spokesperson Mujtaba Farooq
said.
The federation will also provide training to teachers serving in
madrasas and schools to equip them with modern education, he
said.
About 2,000 NGOs running schools and colleges in various states
have already registered as members. However, among the leading
madrasas, only Jamiatul Falah in Azamgarh has come on board. Other
leading madrasas, including Darul Uloom Deoband and Nadwatul Ulema
in Lucknow, did not attend the meeting even though they were
invited.
Niyaz Farooqi and Abdul Hameed Nomani from Jamiat Ulema and
someone from Nadwa were supposed to come. They did not turn up, but
the federation has their blessings,? said a JIH source.
Modernisation of madrasas is a part of this programme not its
only aim, he added.
A non-UN sanctioned US drone attack has killed at least five
people and wounded several others in Pakistans northwest tribal
area of South Waziristan, intelligence officials in the region
say.
The five were killed on when a US drone aircraft fired two
missiles at a vehicle in Azam Warsik, a militant hotbed on the
Afghan border, a Press
TV reported. Meanwhile, locals said US
predator drones were still hovering over the South and North
Waziristan tribal regions
The attack comes two days after two US drone attacks killed at
least six people and wounded several others in North Waziristan
Province near the border with Afghanistan.
The US frequently carries out such attacks on Pakistans tribal
areas. Attacks by unmanned American planes have left dozens of
people dead in the volatile region over the past weeks.
Nearly 1,200 people were killed in 124 unauthorized US drone
attacks in Pakistan in 2010.
The aerial attacks, initiated by former Republican US president
George W. Bush, have been escalated under Democratic President
Barack Obama, who had promised major changes in the American
militaristic policies .
The United States claims the raids target Pakistani militants.
But Pakistani officials say many civilians are also killed in the
attacks.
Meanwhile, Pakistani sources have stated that the US drone
strikes kill 50 civilians for every one militant.
Islamabad has frequently slammed the US over the drone strikes,
saying they violate its sovereignty.
Muslim educational institutionsin India launch umbrella body
US drone strike kills five in Pakistan
Call us: 07506 466 385or email us your requirements to
[email protected]
-
20 I WORLD NEWS Passion Islam I April 2011
www.passionislam.com
In an effort to quell anti-monarchy protests, Saudi Arabia has
offered to buy the Facebook page of youth organizers of the Day of
Rage protests but the offer was rejected.
Some reports suggest that the kingdom has offered USD 20,000 for
the page. However, News.am reported that Saudi Arabias King
Abdullah has offered to buy Facebook entirely for USD 150
billion.
This is while the social networking website is worth an
estimated USD 50 billion.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has turned down the offer.
The Day of Rage rally was
planned for Friday but Saudi authorities deployed hundreds of
police in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and other main cities ahead of
the event, the Associated Press reported.
Despite the heavy security presence across the country, about
500 protesters showed up in the cities of Hufuf, Qatif and Awamiya.
At least ten people were arrested.
Saudi police opened fire on a protest rally in the eastern city
of Qatif, injuring more than four Shia protesters and one martyred.
Witnesses say police also beat demonstrators with batons.
The protesters are calling for
the release of forgotten political prisoners, who they say are
being held unjustly, without charges.
More than 37,000 people had backed the Day of Rage protests on
Facebook called for March 11.
Facebook has been credited with helping the popular revolutions
in Tunisia and Egypt.
Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has started creating a
unified system for various existing halal standards to aid
government intervention in developing appropriate products for the
market, the agency said in a statement.
Bai Omera D. Dianalan-Lucman, the commissions corporate
executive officer, signed Order instructing Datu Tahir S. Lidasan,
NCMF external relations and halal technical and accreditation unit
director, to lead such project in consultation with local
and foreign halal stakeholders.The NCMF envisions a system
whereby government agencies can effectively contribute their
expertise in developing our capacity to produce globally
competitive halal products, Mr. Lidasan said.
He said that improving local halal standards involves
coordinated efforts among three government offices, the Agriculture
department takes charge of creating standards on abattoir,
ruminants, and meat, while the Trade department is
responsible for marketing halal products.
Meanwhile, he said the Bureau of Food and Drugs under the Health
department will design processes on how to analyze both food and
non-food halal products.
The government has long expressed interest in transforming the
country into a competitive exporter of halal goods in an effort to
capture part of the $1.2-trillion global halal market, which grows
by $500 billion yearly.
Facebook rejects Saudi Kings150 million dollar offer
Commission to unify national halal standards in Philippines
-
Passion Islam I April 2011 SPORT I 21
Egypt fulfilled all expectations by brushing aside defending
champion England 2-0 to win the squash World Cup.
World No. 2 Ramy Ashour beat No. 4 James Willstrop 11-8, 11-7,
11-7 in the opening match of the best-of-three final, then Raneem
El Weleily sealed the contest with her first win in five meetings
over the womens No. 2 Jenny Duncalf 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-1.
This win is dedicated to the people of Egypt, an emotional
Ashour said. Its a proud moment for us. Its the moment that we all
have been waiting for, he said referring to the recent political
instability in his country.
Former No. 1 Ashour started strongly, wrong-footing Willstrop on
several occasions as he used his trademark backhand crosscourt drop
shot to set up winners.
We expected it to be a tough match, Ashour said.
Its usually not easy to play against England. Raneems win was
unexpected and she should be given a lot of credit for that.
Willstrop was philosophical afterwards.
It didnt go our way, he said. I had chances but I didnt play
well in crucial times in the end. Thats how it is at times.
Weleily pulled off a second upset in two days after defeating
former world champion Rachael Grinham of Australia in the
semifinals of the mixed team event.
Weleily won the opening game but Duncalf, who retired in the
semifinals against Malaysia after injuring her groin, won the
second. The third game ran close before Weleily finished it off
with two delicate drop shots.
Of course I took a lot of confidence from the win over Rachael,
but this was the final and the pressure is a lot different, Weleily
said.
Im sure Karim would have played well to win it for us but I am
happy I did not allow it to go that far. Australia beat Malaysia
2-1 in the match for third place.
Egypt wins squash World Cup
Tunisian Tennis Players Islam Comes First
An exciting second day at the BNP sponsored Tennis Davis Cup
match between Great Britain and Tunisia ended in a defeat for
Tunisia, on day one of this Europe/Africa Group II meeting it was
all square at one match all but Slim Hamza and Malik Jazeri who
fought hard, had no answer for the Great Britain pair of Colin
Fleming and Jamie Murray.
Tunisia eventually lost the Davis Cup tie 4 matches to 1.
Passion Islam caught up with Slim Hamza the unranked 19 years
old and the No1 in Tunisia Malik Jazeri.
Islam is very important to us and we have travelled the world
playing in many countries and I have never had any problems, being
Muslims is a something I am very proud of and I encourage more
young Muslims to play the game and make a difference said Jazeri.To
watch the full interview log onto www.passionislam.com
In Case YouMissed It
-
22 I SPECIAL FEATURE Passion Islam I April 2011
From the works of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Ibn Al-Qayyim
al-Jawziyya, and Imam Ghazali.
And keep yourself (O Muhammad!) patiently with those who call on
their Lord (your companions who remember their Lord with
glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous
deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not
your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter the life of
the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of
Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair
(deeds) has been lost. The Holy Quran: 18:28.
You should know that all acts of disobedience are poision to the
heart and cause its sickness and ruin. They result in its will
running off course, against that of Allah, and so its sickness
festers and increases. Ibn al-Mubarak said: I have seen wrong
actions killing hearts, And their degradation may lead to their
bcoming addicted to them. Turning away from wrong actions gives
life to the hearts, And opposing your self is best for it.
Whoever is concerned with the health and life of his heart, must
rid it of the effects of such poisons, and then protect it by
avoiding new ones. If he takes any by mistake, then he should
hasten to wipe out their effect by turning in repentance and
seeking forgiveness from Allah, as well as by doing good deeds that
will wipe out his wrong actions.
By the four poisions we mean unnecessary talking, unrestrained
glances, too much food, and keeping bad company. Of all the
poisons, these are the most widespread and have the greatest effect
on a hearts well-being.
Unnecessary TalkingIt is reported in al-Musnad, on the authority
of Anas, that the Prophet (s) said: The faith of a servant is not
put right until his heart is put right, and his heart is not put
right until his tongue is put right.1 This shows that the Prophet
(s) has made the purification of faith conditional on the
purification of the heart, and the purification of the heart
conditional on the purification of the tongue.
At-Tirmidhi relates in a hadith on the authority of Ibn Umar: Do
not talk excessively without remembering Allah, because such
excessive talk without the mention of Allah causes the heart to
harden, and the person furthest from Allah is a person with a hard
heart.
Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said: A
person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and
someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire
has a priority over such a freqent sinner.
In a hadith related on the authority of Muadh, the Prophet (s)
said, Shall I not tell you how to control all that? I said, Yes do,
O Messenger of Allah. So he held his tongue between his fingers,
and then he said: Restrain this. I said, Oh Prophet of Allah, are
we accountable for what we say? He (s) said, May your mother be
bereft by your loss! Is there anything more than the harvest of the
tongues that throws people on their faces (or he said on their
noses) into the Fire?
What is meant here by the harvest of the tongues is the
punishment for saying forbidden things. A man, through his actions
and words, sows the seeds of either good or evil. On the Day of
Resurrection he harvests their fruits. Those who sow the seeds of
good words and deeds harvest honour and
blessings; those who sow the seeds of evil words and deeds reap
only regret and remorse.
A hadith related by Abu Huraira says, What mostly causes people
to be sent to the Fire are the two openings: the mouth and the
private parts.
Abu Huraira also related that the Messenger of Allah (s) said,
The servant speaks words, the consequences of which he does not
realise, and for which he is sent down into the depths of the Fire
further than the distance between the east and the west.
The same hadith was transmitted by at-Tirmidhi with slight
variations: The servant says something that he thinks is harmless,
and for which he will be plunged into the depths of the Fire as far
as seventy autumns.
Uqba ibn Amir said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, what is our
best way of surviving? He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
replied: Guard your tongue, make your house suffice for sheltering
your privacy, and weep for your wrong actions.
It has been related on the authority of Sahl ibn Sad that the
Prophet (s) said, Whoever can guarantee what is between his jaws
and what is between his le guarantee him the Garden.It has also
been related by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, that
the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, Let
whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or
remain silent.
Thus talking can either be good, in which case it is
commendable, or bad, in which case it is haram.
The Prophet (s) said: Everything the children of Adam say goes
against them, except for their enjoining good and forbidding
evil,
The Four Poisonsof the Heart Part One
-
Passion Islam I April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURE I 23
continued next month
and remembering Allah, Glorius and Might is He. This was
reported by at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah on the authority of Umm
Habiba, may Allah be pleased with her.
Umar ibn al-Khattab visited Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with
them, and found him pulling his tongue with his fingers. Umar said
Stop! may Allah forgive you! Abu Bakr replied; This tongue has
brought me to dangerous places.
Abdullah ibn Masud said: By Allah, besides Whom no god exists,
nothing deserves a long prison sentence more than my tongue. He
also used to say: O tongue, say good and you will profit;desist
from saying evil things and you will be safe; otherwise you will
find only regret.
Abu Huraira reported that Ibn al-Abbas said: A person will not
feel greater fury or anger for any part of his body on the Day of
Judgement more than what he will feel for hi tongue, unless he only
used it for saying or enjoining good.
Al-Hassan said: Whoever does not hold his tongue cannot
understand his deen.
The least harmful of a tongues faults is talking about whatever
does not concern it. The following hadith of the Prohet (s) is
enough to indicate the harm of this fault: One of the merits of a
persons Islam is his abandoning what does not concer him.
Abu Ubaida related that al-Hassan said: One of the signs of
Allahs abandoning a servant is His making him preoccupied with what
does not concern him.
Sahl said, Whoever talks about what does not concern him is
deprived of truthfulness.
As we have already mentioned above, this is the least harmful of
the tongues faults. There are far worse things, like backbiting,
gossipying, obscene and misleading talk, two-faced and hypocritical
talk, showing off, quarrelling, bickering, singing, lying, mockery,
derision and falsehood; and there are many more faults which can
affect a servants tongue, ruining his heart and causing him to lose
both his happiness and pleasure in this life, and his success and
profit in the next life. Allah is the One to Whom we turn for
assistance.
Unrestrained GlancesThe unrestrained glance results in the one
who looks becoming attracted to what he sees, and in the imprinting
of an image of what he sees in his heart. This can result in
several kinds of corruption in the servant. The following are a
number of them
It has been related that the Prophet (s) once said words to the
effect: The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytan. Whoever lowers
his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness
which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him.
Shaytan enters with the glance, for he travels with it, faster
than the wind blowing through an empty place. He makes what is seen
appear more beautiful than it really is, and transforms it into an
idol for the heart to worship. Then he promises it false rewards,
lights the fire of desires within it, and fuels it with the wood of
forbidden actions, which the servant would not have committed had
it not been for this distorted image.
This distracts the heart and makes it forget its more important
concerns. It stands between it and them; and so the heart loses its
straight path and falls into the pit of desire and ignorance.
Allah, Mighty and Glorious is He, says:
And do not obey anyone whose heart WE have made forgetful in
remembering Us- who follows his own desires, and whose affair has
exceeded all bounds. (18:28)
The unrestrained gaze causes all three afflications.
It has been said that between the eye and the heart is an
immediate connection; if the eyes are corrupted, then the heart
follows. It becomes like a rubbish heap where all the dirt and
filth and rottennes collect, and so there is no room for love for
Allah, relating all matters to Him, awareness of being in His
presence, and feeling joy at His proximity-only the opposite of
these things can inhabit such a heart.
Staring and gazing without restraint is disobedience to
Allah:
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and quard their
modesty; that is more purifying for them. Surely Allah is aware of
what they do. (24:30)
Only the one who obeys Allahs
commands is content in this world, and only the servant who
obeys Allah will survive in the next world.
Furthermore, letting the gaze roam free cloaks the heart with
darkness, just as lowering the gaze for Allah clothes it in light.
After the above ayah, Allah, the Glorious and Mighty, says in the
same surah of the the Quran:
Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth: the likeness of
His light is as if there were a niche, and in the niche is a lamp,
and in the lamp is a glass, and the glass as it were a brilliant
star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of
the west, whose oil is well nigh luminous, though fire scarce
touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides whomever He wants to His
Light. Allah strikes metaphors for man; and Allah knows all things.
(24:35)
When the heart is a light, countless good comes to it from all
directions. If it is dark, then clouds of evil and afflictions come
from all directions to cover it up.
Letting the gaze run loose also makes the heart blind to
distinguishing between truth and falsehood, between the sunnah and
innovation; while lowering it for Allah, the Might and Exalted,
gives it a penetrating, true and distinguishing insight.
A righteous man once said: Whoever enriches his outward
behaviour by follwing the sunnah, and makes his inward soul weathy
thorugh contemplation, and averts his gaze away from looking at
what is forbidden, and avoids anything of a doubtful nature, and
feeds soley on what is halal-his inner sight will never falter.
Rewards for actions come in kind. Whoever lowers his gaze from
what Allah has forbidden, Allah will give his inner sight abundant
light.
Too Much FoodThe consumption of small amounts of food guarantees
tenderness of the heart, strenght of the intellect, humility of the
self, weakness of desires, and gentleness of temperament.
Immoderate eating brings about the opposite of these praiseworthy
qualities.
Al-Miqdam ibn Mad Yakrib said: I heard the Messenger of Allah
(s) say: The son of Adam fills no vessel
The Four Poisonsof the Heart
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24 I SPECIAL FEATURE Passion Islam I April 2011
In the prison two young men also joined Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.). One
of them was a bar tender to a king and the other a kitchen officer.
They were sent to the imprisonment by the king for some
offence.
One day both of them told their dream of the previous night to
Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.). One of them said, I saw in my dream that I am
preparing wine. The other added, I also saw a dream I dreamt that I
have some loaves on my head and birds are snatching at them. After
having described their dreams, they said to Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.),
You seem to a nice man, please tell us their interpretation.
Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) replied, I will tell you their
interpretation before you get todays meal. My Lord Has endowed me
with this knowledge. In fact, I have given up following those who
have no faith in Allah and refuse to accept the truth of the
Hereafter. I have accepted the Deen of my forefathers Hazrat
Ibrahim, Hazrat Ishaq and Hazrat Yaqub (Alaihimas-Salaam). We do
not associate anyone with Allah. It is His mercy that He showed us
the Right Path of Deen, made us His servants and relieved us from
the clutches of others. Those who refuse to be Allahs servant are
compelled to serve others. Most of the people are the servant of
Allah alone and, therefore, tend to serve others.
O my jail-mates, just think whether to serve and fold hands
before many masters is better than serving one master who is One
and All-Powerful. You have forgotten Him and serving others who are
no more than that they have been named by you and your forefathers
and you have started worshipping them as gods and goddesses. What
ever you
say or do bears no proof from Allah. Do not forget that Allah is
the
Sovereign. He is the Ultimate Authority. It is His command not
to worship a one else except Him. This is the right course of
leading life but many people do not know this.
O my jail-mates, now listen. The dreams you saw the other day
means that one of you will offer wine to his master i.e. the king
of Egypt. The other will be hanged to death and birds will eat away
his head. You fate has been decided.
This is what Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) talked to his jail-mates and
how he taught them the lesson of the Oneness of God and the
Hereafter. For us too, there is a lesson in it.
Then Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) turned to the man who was to offer wine
to his king and said, When you go to the king tell him about my
condition. But he forgot to do so and Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) had to
remain in jail for several years.
One night the king saw a dream. He told it to his courtiers, I
saw in my dream tonight that seven fat cows and that seven ears of
corn are green while another seven are dry. O my ministers, now
tell me if you can, what does it mean. They replied, It is a dream
about which we know nothing. But one of the two prisoners who were
with Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) in jail, and was present there, recalled
him. First he mentioned everything about then said, Send me to
Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.). I will tell you the meaning of your dream.
The king sent him about the meaning of the kings dream and said,
I hope that after hearing this they will come to know how noble and
good man you are. Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) said. You people will have a
good harvest for first seven years.
During these seven years you should eat only what you can and
save your entire produce and leave the grain in the ears of corns,
Because after those seven years there will be very little harvest
and you will have to eat what you would have saved during the first
sever years After those hard seven years, you will have enough rain
for one season. Your crops will be very good and sufficient.
When the king heard this, he asked to bring Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.)
to him. But when the kings people went to Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.), he
said, Go back to your master and ask him to first make it clear why
I have been put into the prison. In this regard, those women who
had cut their hands should be interrogated. Although my Lord is
aware of their hypocrisy, you should also know what had actually
happened.
After hearing this message of Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.), the king
enquired about the whole thing and asked those women, How did you
find Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) when you tried to flirt him. All of them
said in one voice, By God, we saw nothing wrong is Hazrat Yusuf
(A.S.).
When Azizs wife Zulaikha came to know about the enquiry, she
also had to say, Now the whole thing is open. In fact, when I tried
to flirt him round, he and bring him proved to be totally true and
innocent,
After hearing this Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) said, What I actually
meant by this enquiry was that Aziz should also know that I did not
deceive him. I know Allah does not make the attempts of deceivers
successful. Although I do not claim that I am entirely a pious man.
A mans self instigates him to commit evil deed, but he can
certainly abstain from evil if he is blessed by my Lord. My
Lord
Prophet Yusuf(Joseph) (A.S.)PART
TWO
-
Passion Islam I April 2011 SPECIAL FEATURE I 25
Continued next month
is All Forgiving and Most Beneficent. The king replied. Bring
Yusuf
(A.S.) to me, I want him to assign some of my special tasks and
make him my special man.
When Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) went to the king and had talk with him,
the king said, We respect and trust you fully. Therefore, we want
you to take charge of the countrys food system in your hands,
Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) replied, All the treasure of the country should
be handed over to me and let me do what I want, I can look after
the country as well as the countrymen. I also know how to carry out
this task.
The king agreed to it Thus Allah granted him the reigns of the
government of Egypt and he was authorized to do whatever he wanted
in the entire country. This is how Allah gives. He gives to whom he
wants and whatever, He wants. In fact, He never disappoints the
pious people. As far the reward of the Hereafter, which in the true
reward for Momin, it is very good for those who have faith in Allah
and follow His orders abstaining from his displeasure.
When Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) took over the administration of the
entire country, he raised sufficient crops in the first seven years
and reserved the food grain. After those years when drought hit the
country, no crops grew and the reserved food was utilized. Lakhs of
people were saved from dying. People from far off placed also used
to come to Egypt to take the food grain.
One day the brothers of Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) also come there in
search of food grains. Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) immediately recognized
them but they did not know that the king of Egypt was their brother
Yusuf (A.S.). The father of Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) had kept his second
son Bin Yameen at home.
Everyone was given a measured quantity of food grains by the
government and no one could get more than that. Similarly the
brothers of Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) also got the food grains for ten
persons. After receiving it, they demanded the shared of their old
father and the eleventh brother. Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) accepted their
demand but asked them to bring the eleventh brother the next time.
If the father cannot
come due to old age, then he be left behind, he said.
On the other hand he directed his servants to conceal in their
food grain what they had brought with them for payment. This he did
because he was very impatient to see his brother and wanted them to
return along with him shortly after coming to know about this
deed.
On their return home, they told father everything and said they
would get the food grain next time only when they took Bin Yameen
with them. They also asked him to send Yameen with them and assured
to look after him. Their father replied, I wonder if, I can trust
you any more because I trusted you in the case of his brother. Any
way, the real protector is Allah, who is the Beneficent and the
Merciful.
As soon as they opened their stuff which they had brought from
Egypt, they were amazed to see that their own stuff had also been
returned. They said to their father Look father, they have returned
our stuff also. What more should we want. We will now certainly go
and take Yameen also. We will be responsible for his security.
I will not do so unless you affirm and swear by God that; you
will certainly bring him back. It will be a different matter if you
all get entrapped somewhere, their father replied. When the
affirmed, Hazrat Yaqub (A.S.) said, we hold Allah as our witness in
this matter. My son when you go to the capital or Egypt, do not
enter if from one gate but disperse and use separate gates. I can,
of course, not save you from what Allah wills because He is the
real king. I have put my faith in Him and everybody should do the
same.
Do you see that a Momin makes plans but trusts Allah alone.
The brothers of Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) followed their fathers
direction and entered the capital through different gates. But
their scheme failed and Allahs will prevailed upon. A momin tries
his best but believes in Allah. He knows that his efforts cannot
alter Allahs orders. When these people went to Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.),
he called his brother Bin Yameen to him and said, I am your brother
and live with me. Do not worry and forget what these step-brothers
have done to you so far.
When their stuff was loaded and the time of their departure
came, someone quietly put the kings precious bowl into the stuff of
Bin Yameen. After they had departed, the search for the bowl began.
The worried servants chased them for it. Finally, the approached
them and cried out, You are thieves, Surprised, they asked them,
What have you lost. One of them replied, The bowl of the king has
got lost and anyone tracing it will get a camel-load of food grain,
I guarantee that it will be rewarded.
All the brothers said, You know, we had not come here to spread
mischief and we are not thieves. The kings servants said, Well, if
you are found guilty, what will be your punishment. According to
our custom, they replied, the one from whose baggage your bowl is
discovered should be held back here as punishment.
After this their goods were searched and at last the bowl was
discovered from the stuff of Bin Yameen. Accordingly he was alone
to be held back. In fact Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) did not think it
proper at all to punish his brother according to the royal laws of
Egypt. He belonged to the family of prophets. What was therefore,
Proper for him was to act pay upon Islamic Shari at and Allah also
helped him. Allah made the royal servants to ask the punishment for
a thief from the caravan people. This helped Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) as
he did not have to follow the un-Islamic law of not he inhabitants
of Egypt; there was enough excuse for a different regulation for
them instead of the Egyptian one. It is true that Allah is Most
Merciful, Most Benign. He confers His mercy on who is over He
wills. He is All-knowing, All-wise.
When the brothers saw all this, they tried to save their face
and said, No matter if he committed a theft; his brother was also a
thief. Hazrat Yusuf (A.S.) was agitated over this allegation but
kept silence and uttered no word. He thought how bad those people
were to call him a thief on face. Allah is aware of everything
including what they were talking, he thought.
Prophet Yusuf(Joseph) (A.S.)
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