Acid Attacks on Women, an Offshoot of the Zanzibar Incident

on Saturday, August 31, 2013

We are living in a civilized world now. We are well past those days when women were tortured, and treated as second grade citizens. Now, Men and women share equal rights, women have earned these rights through their hard fetched work, and their capability to cope up with the world head to head with men. This is what we hear from most of us when we talk about the social stature of women, Is this really true?

Are we really well past those times of gender discrimination? Are we perfectly clear of male chauvinist societies where women cannot and will not stand on a par with men? Are we done with incidents of torture against women simply for the sake of gender domination? Yes, we still need to ponder over this.

I finished my brainstorming and net surfing, and here’s what I found. Two women were attacked in Zanzibar, Tanzania with acid. These two women, rather girls just over 18 years old, had volunteered to spend time in the city of Zanzibar to support an educational program. I am not trying to make an allegation, but most of the people in that region are Muslims, and the two girls are Christians. The British girls, Katie Gee and Kirstie Trup were attacked in the street by motorcyclists with acid that left their faces, chests and hands burnt.

We all know that there are extremists all over the world, not just in the Islamic countries; we all know that whatever religion or creed they belong to; they are despicable as they try to prove their point by any means even if it is too extreme. We all know that their point is unacceptable as they are full of discord, prejudice and bigotry.

The Zanzibar incident is not the only one of its kind, and not just the Muslims who take on such vile atrocities. In the same country, Tanzania, a Muslim cleric was burnt with acid in November last year. A church was also burnt and a Catholic priest was shot dead. Another woman far away from Zanzibar, Ameneh Bahrami; the Iranian woman was burnt and blinded with acid by a guy who was frustrated because she didn’t agree to marry him. Sergei Filin, a Russian ballet dancer and director, had to face the same agony by the hands of a fellow dancer who had professional animosity against him. Katie Piper, the model, was attacked by her ex-boyfriend in the same manner. So yes, it is a worldwide phenomenon which is not restricted in the Muslim Countries, it is dominantly gender-driven.

Only in India, nearly 1,000 cases of acid attacks are reported. In the Disputed Territory of Kashmir, the Indian administered region, mass protests have been held against such atrocities against Kashmiri girls by the law enforcement personnel. Poor old fathers were calling for the security and safety of their Daughters. This tells us one thing, that it’s an act that needs to be stopped before it takes tolls on a mass level as depicted  above.

We really need to ask ourselves these questions: Do we deserve to laud ourselves for having overcome such inner demons? Do we have the right to call ourselves civilized when over 1500 cases are registered every year in regard of acid attacks only? Apologetically, No. Whether the reason is religious hatred or the more dominant gender discrimination, we are still knee deep in this mess.



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Do Muslims hate non-Muslims?

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The Muslims are taught by Islam to be patient, but there is a term used ‘break point’. Media has a great role in reaching the break point because it’s not actually presenting the facts as they should be. It is quite unfortunate to say that their propaganda disappointed the Muslims.

After 9/11 incident, the major focus of the western media has been to portray Muslims as the community that is always involved in terrorism. However, it has nothing to do with the religion of Islam as Islam does not allow any kind of harm to any other individual. Some of the non-Muslims are crossing the limits by blaming Muslims for the things that they have never done or committed. This stereotyping has a negative impact on the relations between both Muslims and Non-Muslims.

Most of the people involved in all of these activities are so-called Muslims. Non-Muslims keep on highlighting the negative prospect and the activities done by those so-called Muslims. Muslims see all this as a part of a strategy against them to damage the concepts of the Islamic ideology. I still believe that all Muslims should remain focused as they are still targeted by the non-Muslims. At least something should be done in order to get things normal between Muslims and non-Muslims as nobody wants to get things worse for both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Most of the people consider that Muslims hate non-Muslims, but this idea is wrong, it’s a great misunderstanding. According to the basic principle of Islam, Muslims do not hate anyone because Islam is a religion of peace and love. Islam teaches us to deal with all people in a better way and wish good for the whole humanity. There is no concept of hatred in Islam. However, Muslims hate the disbelief of Allah Almighty and Kufr. Muslims love all people in the world, but they hate their disobedience of Allah Almighty. you can observe the example of a doctor and his patients; the doctor does not hate the sick patients personally, but he hates the disease and tries to cure them. In the same way, Muslims are exerting all their efforts to cure the disease.



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Syria-US Saga: What is it all about?

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Now, that the US is ready to perform yet another act of mass killing and aggression by launching an illegal assault on Syria, its strategy became clear to everyone around the world, and it can’t be any clearer.

Although US keeps bragging about being the only advocate of humanity, it is on the road to destroying all the opposition that it is facing in the region on its way to achieving its goal of being the eternal and the only super power of the world.

The reason of the assault on Syria as stated by US is that they are using highly lethal and dangerous chemical weapons in the territory that can be very deadly for the humanity. As for the “evidence” of the chemical weapons, that purpose is served by the videos that are flooding the internet nowadays. Since it has already been announced by the US Government that any use of such dangerous weapons would be considered to be the declaration of war against humanity, and in any such case, US military would be forced to take aggressive action against the “Rebels”.

The authenticity of the videos is based only on the reports that say it was very “likely” that the chemical weapons were being used. There is no surety whether they are actually being used or not, and US is trying to use these unverified and, very likely, fake videos to repeat the uncontrolled slaughter of innocent humans like it did in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now, in such circumstances, no rational and unbiased mind will ever accept that US is justified in its actions. Rather, it immediately raises suspicions against US, and when you take into account the fact that the chemical weapons investigators are in Syria, and that Damascus was just about to declare its victory against the rebel groups of the country, you will realize that there are other reasons that have led US to attack Syria. The most obvious reason for the assault can be the personal benefits of US including the one that’s taking hold of Syria allows US to launch an assault on Iran as well. Apparently, the only reason that US has not yet attacked Iran is the factor of distance between the two countries. By destroying all the resistance in Syria, US can establish its bases in there, and that makes it apparently very easy for US to go for Iran.

At this time, we can only hope that US will take things a bit more realistically and  seriously. US needs to learn from its past mistakes, and it needs to be wiser. Clearly, the Syrian war is not for the sake of weapons that we all know. Iran is the ultimate target of this war.  Now, if US government really thinks that this war can be potentially beneficial for them, then it is a deception. US is already suffering; its soldiers are suffering, its economy is suffering, and under such circumstances, they should try to act like one developed nation.



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How Non-Muslims think of Hijab?

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Hijab is one of the common practices followed by Muslim women, but the societies other than the Islamic society don’t think that Hijab makes sense.However, Hijab makes sense if you try to understand its logic.

In the Western culture, women have the authority to do whatever they want to do, and for the same reason they don’t get hesitated in making contact with men. Basically, Hijab is mandatory for every Muslim woman. Not all of the non-Muslims think of Hijab from the same perspective.Some non-Muslims appreciate the Hijab, while others think it’s as an awkward practice. When non-Muslim women see a Muslim woman wearing Hijab, there are lots of questions raised in their minds like; “why are these Muslim women hiding their true identity? Is Islam a religion that forbids women from stepping outside their homes? What’s the point of having half of their faces covered? What are the intentions behind it? Why is the black dress always preferrable for Hijab?”

Personally, as a Muslim I have all the answers to these questions because I believe in Islam’s teachings, but all of these questions need to be answered with logical reasoning in order to convince the non-Muslims that Hijab is a practice that every woman should adopt.

In the last decade, the world changed drastically. Unfortunately, the image of Islam that was portrayed by the western countries is not so good. Hijab is now seen as the practice in which you can have your face and head covered so that no one can recognize you.

Non-Muslims often see the Hijab as a practice indicating that the female belongs to a Muslim family, and it is somehow true that Muslim women should not show her face to any other individual except her husband, brother and father. One of the disappointing facts is that there are many western countries that banned the Muslim women from wearing Hijab. Banning Hijab should be considered a highly unethical practice. Hijab is very important for women because it is a symbol of protection. It is compulsory for every Muslim woman to wear Hijab, not optional. A woman can avoid hundreds of problems and issues after wearing Hijab.



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What is the Purpose of Islamic Teachings?

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Humans constantly need guidance. A man can never function on his own without having the need to ask for help or advice from someone who is more experienced than him. Muslims, in this aspect, are lucky because they have thousands and thousands of wise lessons to learn from Quran and the Sunnah. We, the Muslims, can go through them, anytime we want, and we are most likely to find answers to our problems.

As far as the purpose of these teachings is concerned, it is quite self explanatory. The purpose of Islamic teachings is to guide Muslims, or anybody who wishes to take advice from these teachings. The Quran is supposed to guide us to the straight path. Whatever has been advised in the Quran, was done by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), so not only do we just have a book, we also have practical examples from our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW)’s life.

Islam teaches us so many things that can never be just listed here. However, it is quite unfortunate that Muslims are, day by day, going even further from these teachings. Ironically, most of us, despite the fact that we know what our religion teaches us, we still go against it. We know what Islam is all about, but we still choose the opposite of what it preaches.

This can probably be one of the main reasons why we, as Muslims, are perceived as evil people. In reality, our religion is anything, but evil. It does not promote violence, it does not promote terror, it does not promote rape, it does not promote vulgarity, etc. Unfortunately, many so-called Muslims, are promoting these. No wonder the image of Muslims has been so tarnished.

The purpose of Islamic teachings is to make Muslims realize what they are supposed to do, what habits to adopt and what things should be considered off-limit. The Islamic teachings are there for our own good, for our own betterment, but we fail to realize this. Guidance and advice should not be taken from someone who is not reliable, but in our case, despite that the guidance is coming from reliable sources, we still consciously choose to look past it and do whatever our hearts tell us to do.

Muslims should adopt the Islamic teachings, if they want to be successful in this world and the hereafter, as well. If we only sell our souls to the glitz and glamour of this world, we will have nothing in the hereafter. This is our faith; that we will be risen again, and presented before God, and judged on whatever we had been doing in the previous world, so we should make the most of the time we have, right now, to adopt these Islamic teachings and increase our good deeds.



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Muslims and non-Muslims Relations

on Friday, August 30, 2013

Muslim and non-Muslim relationships have been a rather mixed issue in different parts of the world. In some parts of the world, they were cordial and filled with love, while in other parts, they were more like that relationship between water and paraffin, but why?

Take for instance the Egyptian situation; rather than the Muslims fighting the military government, they claimed to have snatched the government from them, they have extended their fight and attacked innocent Christians. How will these Christians view the Muslims in the future? Will they ever have a cordial relationship? And what of the recent incident where a New Zealand man abused a Muslim Taxi man and asked him to go back where he came from? Where has humanity gone? This is however not the case in the entire world, in Kenya for instance, Muslims, Christians, and Indians, among others, go about their day to day to life regardless the religious differences between them.

The cold warm relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims across the globe has been the subjected of many discussions across the globe. Different factors have been attributed to these differences with Islamic religious precepts being among the reasons, but the question is, do Islamic religious teachings discourage relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. The Quran defines how the Muslim should associate with the non-Muslims and so does the Sunnah. In essence, understanding Islam fundamentals is the best start point in understanding how Muslims should relate to non-Muslims. In preaching Islam, the prophet himself associated with many non-Muslims, why then should Muslims seek to shut out non-Muslims from their lives. Islam has been known to create classifications among the Muslim including those who fight Islam, those who seek peace with Islam and those in authority. Why these differences?

Islam precepts forbid Muslims from interacting those who fight Muslims. This is however not a right approach. Those who fight should as well be related to if Islam is to spread. Different people have different opinions and it is only through communication and interaction that they can understand and appreciate the things they fight for. How would you expect an American citizen who has never interacted with Muslims but has been fed with information making him oppose Islam to appreciate it and respect. The truth is, Muslim should as well learn to respect and treat those with divergent opinions with respect. This is the only way the rapidly spreading negative perception of Islam can be averted. After all, is it not Islam that teaches tolerance for those with contrary opinions?

Another question is, how have the Muslim majority nations treated non-Muslims in their countries? Definitely, there were lots of instances where non-Muslims were badly treated. Muslims majority nations have largely proved to be a haven for molestation of non-Muslims in their countries. They have shown intolerance and disrespect to other religions by imposing blanket sharia laws. Take for instance, a journalist who was convicted for two months in jail for kissing in public.



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Russia warned to Attack Saudi Arabia if US attacks Syria

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An intense “earnest activity message” issued from the office of President Putin to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the 29th of August which was requesting a “huge military strike” against Saudi Arabia in case the West ambushes Syria.

It was accounted for that Putin got “incensed” after his early August gathering with Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan who cautioned that if Russia did not acknowledge the thrashing of Syria, Saudi Arabia might unleash Chechen terrorists under their control to reason mass expiration and confusion throughout the Winter Olympics which will be held 7-23 February 2014 in Sochi.

Lebanese daily paper ‘As-Safir’ affirmed the astounding danger against Russia idiom that Prince Bandar vowed to defend Russia’s maritime base in Syria, if the Assad administration is toppled, however, he likewise alluded to Chechen terrorist ambushes on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi in case that there is no accord by expressing: “I can give you a certification to secure the Winter Olympics one year from now. The Chechen bunches that undermine the security of the amusements are regulated by us.”

Sovereign Bandar said that Chechens working in Syria were a force instrument that could be exchanged on and off. “These bunches don’t alarm us. We utilize them within the substance of the Syrian administration, but they will have no part in Syria’s political future.”

London’s ‘Telegraph’ News Service further reported today that Saudi Arabia has covertly offered Russia a clearing arrangement to control the worldwide oil market and protection of Russia’s gas contracts, if the Kremlin moves to an opposite direction from the Assad administration in Syria. Putin answered to by saying “Our stance on Assad will never show signs of change. We accept that the Syrian administration is the best speaker for the benefit of the Syrian individuals, and not those liver eaters”; Putin alluded to the footage indicating a Jihadist revolt consuming the heart and liver of a Syrian fighter. So, Prince Bandar cautioned that there could be “no break from the military choice”, if Russia declined the olive branch.

With Putin’s past request, and as we had investigated in our 17 May report “Russia Issues “All-Out War” Alert Over Syria,” and now joined with his new requesting of huge retaliatory strikes against Saudi Arabia, any ambush on Syria is seen by Russia as being a strike on itself.

Furthermore, as we had awhile ago demonstrated in incredible part, the battle over Syria, being headed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and their lap-puppy; Western associates, has however one single target: To break Russia’s hold on the European Union characteristic gas market which a pipeline through Syria might perform as reported by ‘London’s Financial Times News Service’ this past June.



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Is the Great Man Who Stepped on Moon; “Neil Armstrong” Still Alive?

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Halt unconstitutional NYPD spying of Muslims

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—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
 
NEW YORK, NY (August 28, 2013) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) condemns in the strongest possible terms the New York Police Department’s designation of mosques and Islamic Centers as terrorist enterprises to justify illegally putting law-abiding Muslims in a hyper-zealous, unconstitutional police dragnet.

In a press statement today ICNA’s Secretary General Tariqur Rahman said “we call upon US Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department to publicly condemn and halt the un-American, unconstitutional targeting of Muslims by law enforcement agencies in this country.”

“The recent revelation in the media that the NYPD surveillance of area Muslims included designating entire mosques as “terrorist enterprises” is only the latest exposure of the extreme, patently unconstitutional measures used against Muslims by the NYPD.

“This deprives this community of its right to privacy, freedom of assembly and worship. Under the guise of stopping actual and potential terrorist activities in New York City, the NYPD is violating the Constitutional rights of innocent Muslim men, women, and children by placing them, their places of worship, businesses, and recreation under Terrorist Enterprise Investigation (TEI) without any evidence of wrongdoing or a single conviction.

“This unprecedented abuse of law enforcement authority has not been seen in this nation since the days when the Nixon Administration used the FBI to unconstitutionally spy on anti-war and civil rights protestors.

In a press conference today, the Muslim American Civil Liberties Coalition (MACLC) along with other organizations also called on the DOJ to investigate the issue. ICNA-NY is a member of MACLC, a New York-based coalition of citizens, community members, spiritual leaders, organizers, advocates, attorneys, and groups whose mission is to organize around and give voice to absent perspectives on issues of national security, counter terrorism, law enforcement, and civil rights.




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MAYAN Calendar Vs ISLAMIC Calendar

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Maya Civilization, one the greatest civilizations in the past. The Mayans invented calendars with great accuracy and great complexity. It belongs to ancient Mayan Pyramid Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico. The Pyramid of Kukulkan known as Chichen Itza was built during the late Mayan period and this pyramid was used as acalendar having 4 stairways, each stairway with 91 steps and platform at the upper end of the stairways, total of 365, and equivalent to the days in a calendar year.

The Mayans believed that the end of a World was on 21st of December 2012. Although some of the Mayans elders believed that it will be just a transition of time from one age to another.
Contrary to this, Islamic calendar is purely a lunar based calendar. It consists of 12 months. Each month starts with the sighting of the moon. The calendar is based on Quran with reference to Surah number 9 verses 36 to 37. It is the official calendar in many of the gulf countries but even most of the Muslim countries follow Gregorian calendar for civil purposes and turn to Islamic calendar for religious purposes only.
Today the calendar used throughout the world is known as Gregorian calendar sometimes also known as “Christian” calendar. It was proposed by Aloysius Lilius.

Now when really is the end of the world? Being a true Muslim it is hard to believe on such dates. End of the world is one of the basic beliefs of Islam. There are three periods before the Day of Judgment, The first period began by the death of Muhammad (S.A.W.W), the second one began with the death of his companions and ended a thousand years later.

Currently, we are in the third period, with the end of days beginning with the appearance of Mahdi. There are many signs before the end of the world according to Quran and Islam, most of them are fulfilled but some of them are still remaining. Appearance of the Mahdi is one of the major signs to appear before the end of the world, but yet not fulfilled. Being a true Muslim, it is a basic belief that only Allah knows about the Day of Judgment and no one in this world can even predict the date of this day.



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Islam and the Sustenance of Peace

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All religions of the world preach peace and humanity. I don’t know of any religion that preaches violence instead. Islam although, is the only religion that assures the sustenance of peace along with preaching it. This is a necessity for mankind because humans always have the tendency to deviate from the right path no matter how good they are.

First, Islam instills the feeling of peace and tranquility within all Muslims through the process of obligatory prayers. It detaches the mind from worldly things and brings us closer to our creator; as the 5 day prayers are compulsory Allah has ordered us to stay close to Him. It is not like meditation or voluntary prayers in some other religions, it is a compulsory process that keeps the mind pure and the soul at peace.

Secondly, there is the concept of “Haqooq ul Ibaad” meaning “the rights of humans”. A true Muslim was defined as the Muslim who respects the rights of all his fellow human beings. The Holy Prophet Muhamed (PBUH) was asked who is considered the best Muslim? Our dear prophet replied that he is the one from whose hand and tongue all Muslims are safe.

Even the Islamic law regarding warfare preaches peace as much as possible. Islamic law forbids aggressive warfare. In Islam, even if someone treats you wrong Islam commands you to treat them well in return.

In the battle “Ghazwa-e-Badr” 70 prisoners were taken by the Muslims. All the prisoners were treated with great kindness by the citizens of Madinah and some became Muslims.

Then we have the example of our beloved Prophet (PBUH) and how he led his life. Simplicity, modesty, forgiveness, humbleness and humility are the teachings of Sunnah. All of these are the products of peace and tranquility that the Prophet (PBUH) preached. The Prophet (PBUH) was a guiding light for all Muslims showing them the path towards peace and humanity. If we follow the footsteps of our beloved Prophet (PBUH), the sustenance of peace will be inevitable.



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Islamic Rules Concerning the Use of Lavatory

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In Islamic Shariah, there is a provision for each and every act that a Muslim must perform under different conditions. It is no surprise, therefore, that the rules regarding the use of lavatory have also been explicated in the blessed Shariah.

The rulings regarding lavatory are varied, and most of them convey a general notion about a theme. It is reported from the Prophet (PBUH) that Muslims should not face or back the Holy Ka’ba, the sacred house of Allah during urination or defecation. This ruling not only preserves the sanctity of the Holy Ka’ba but also maintains respect for the same among the Muslim fraternity.

Muslims are not allowed to reveal their private parts during any act of urination, defecation etc. For this, they should squat close to the ground while relieving themselves. They should conceal their private parts either by covering them with their hands, or by ensuring that the toilet door is sealed so that no one can enter and see them in that state. Furthermore, they are required not to stand during defecation; for fear that some splashes of urine will contaminate their clothes and make them impure.

While cleaning themselves, they should use their left hand. The honorable wife of our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH), Hazrat Hafsah (Radi Allahu Anha) reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used his right hand for eating, drinking, and his left hand for other matters. It must also be noted that males should not touch their private parts with their right hand, as per the report made by Imam Bukhari in his Sahih.

If a Muslim is in a place where access to a toilet is not available, he should use a secluded spot, squat close to the ground, try to hide his private parts and then relieve himself, as per the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Hadith sources also refer to supplications that should be recited before entering the toilet and after leaving it. These are: “O Allah! I seek refuge from you, from male and female devils” and “I seek your forgiveness.”

A Muslim is required to clean himself thoroughly before leaving the toilet. A man during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was punished in his grave because he did not clean himself after relieving himself (Bukhari).

The blessed companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) reported that He (PBUH) used to wash his posterior region three times. They found it cleansing and healing. (Ibn e Maja’h)

Muslims, while urinating in the open because of the unavailability of lavatories, should not urinate in stagnant water, as this makes the water unfit for use.

It is also considered Mukrooh (disliked) to speak or talk in the washroom. Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not answer the Salam greetings made to him (PBUH) while he (PBUH) was answering the call of nature. Instead, He (PBUH) ordered his companions not to convey greetings to anyone in the process of relieving himself. (Ibn Maja’h)

Moreover, they should not enter the lavatory with any item (such as mobile phone, paper, ring) on which the name of Allah is written. If they cover and hide these articles so they cannot be seen, there is no blame on them.

Furthermore, exaggeration while cleaning oneself of minor impurity like stools is only a waswasa (whisper of Satan) and should be ignored.

Islamic rulings concerning Shariah are not only concise and relevant, but they also cover all practical aspects of the usage of lavatories. We must adopt these rulings to bring our life in conformity with Shariah and must thank Allah Almighty for making us among those who are beloved to Him because of cleanliness/ purification.

“In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure” (9:108)



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Problems and Sorrows of Migrant Workers in Dubai

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It is a known fact that Dubai has undergone a huge and remarkable change, from a pearl diving center to an ultra modern city. This massive transformation occurred only in few decades. Now Dubai has become a cosmopolitan society due to its great attraction. Now the architecture of Dubai has entered in the realms of unfeasible construction. Dubai wished to commence intriguing and extremely interesting projects in the past few decades like Hydropolic, Dubai land and the cloud. There are also several other projects under construction. This part of the Arab world offers more rights like freedom to enjoy homosexuality.

Despite all those facts, problems are present in every country in the world. In case of Dubai, the problems are concealed and camouflaged under its external transformation. Most of people have no information about the problems of Dubai. Furthermore, everything is present for sale in Dubai, whether it is political, social and cultural. The whole modernization excitement of Dubai is due to new buildings and structures like Burj Khalifa. This building is famous due to the desert boom. Now the tourism industry is flourishing in Dubai due to tall buildings.

It is reported that millions of workers go to Dubai in search for jobs but they are unable to leave the country. The constructions companies have usurped their passports and they are paid half salary. Furthermore, the construction companies offer extremely deplorable living conditions to workers. Workers are deprived of all facilities like sanitation, good food and travel. Dozens of workers are living in dingy and tiny apartments.

Now Dubai plans to build Taj Arabia to serve as the world’s grandest wedding destination. This idea is very unique and interesting. While it may be ready to offer an extraordinary bargain and draw individuals to its enchanted land with the various incredible glorious characteristics, the front of a mature person Disneyland in Dubai is presently caving in. Individuals come, live in astonishing enormous residences, pay no expenses and live a brilliant life. Then again, exceptionally soon, the incognito obligation, they had been taking, heaps up and the ‘do-purchase’ drug quits calming them into a profound rest.

All the time, individuals stop their employments to reimburse the measure however get less cash from what is written on their agreements. Their records get solidified and they are disallowed from leaving the country. The ensuing court hearings are in Arabic without any interpretation which intensifies the wretchedness of transient labor.  Under the good and wonderful aspects of Dubai, lies a brutal and unkind world. The lack of fair and cheap judicial system is another problem for foreigners. There is no improvement in the life of workers.

Workers enter Dubai to make their life comfortable but they experience serious life threatening problems there. Most of construction companies trap the workers and provide very poor living conditions. There is need to increase the lifestyle and condition of foreign workers in Dubai to improve the image of this country.



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مصير مصر بين تركيا و امريكا

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 اتكلمنا عن امريكا و اوباما و الحوسه اللي اوباما فيها دلوقتي بين الاموال اللي اعطاها للأخوان علشان يسندهم بيها لعمل شرق اوسط جديد و فشل المشروع علي يد الجيش المصرى بقيادة الشعب المصري و دلوقتي نشوف بقا اروغان و تركيا اللي حشر نفسه برضوا في اللي حصل في مصر مع ان ده مش من شؤنه ان يتدخل في شأن داخلي في مصر .

و علشان نتكلم عن ابو الكباتن اردوغان لازم نتكلم عن تركيا من بعد الحرب العالمية و انتهاء الدولة العثمانيه تماما كاقوة اسلامية و نتكلم ان السياسي و القائد التركي كمال اتاتورك مؤسس تركيا الحديثة العالمانية و نشوف ان دستور تركيا ينص علي ان الدولة التركية دولة علمانية اي دولة منهجها فصل الدين عن الدولة و سياستها حيث ان الدين داخل المسجد فقط و ممنوع اي مظهر يميز اي فرد من المجتمع عن اخر كل المواطنين سواء امام القانون الذي وضع من غير اي تميز ديني اي لايصح ان يسن قانون للدولة ذو مرجعية دينية.

حتي اللغة التركية تخلت عن احرفها العربية و اصبحت تكتب بالحروف اللاتينيه الانجليزية و عندما نجد انه تمنع امرأة تركية عضوة في البرلمان التركي من حضور الجلسات لأنها ترتدي الحجاب فعن اي اسلام يتحدث اردوغان و علي اي اساس يدافع اردوغان عن الاخوان في مصر و الاولي به ان يدافع عن الاسلام في بلده و هل تطبق الشريعة الاسلامية في تركيا حتي يغار عليها اردوغان الاخواني في مصر.

و هل يتناسي اردوغان مرمطة تركيا حتي تنضم لأوروبا و حلف الاطلنطي و الاتحاد الاوروبي و هل فعلا اغري الاخوان اردوغان بعودة الخلافة الاسلامية و يكون هو الخليفة مرة اخري و يعود لتركيا دورها الرئيسي القديم و كما تعجبنا ان يساند اوباما و امريكا الاسلام رغم عداء الغرب للإسلام و خصوصا امريكا و الثأر الذي بينها و بين الاسلام خصوصا بعد تفجيرات 11 سبتمبر.

نتعجب بنفس القدر من مساندة اردوغان رئيس وزراء تركيا العالمانية للإسلامين و نجد بينما تتعاون تركيا مع اسرائيل حتي في المناورات العسكرية و بالطبع تتعاون مع امريكا الا ان عندما تجرء اردوغان و تكلم في حق اسرائيل كشرت امريكا عن وجهها لتركيا و الان نجد ان اردوغان بعد موقف المصرين منه ادار وجهه الي سوريا و يضع يده في يد امريكا لضرب سوريا و نجد علي الجانب الاخر من القضية السورية ايران تتربص تساند النظام السوري و كذلك الصين و بالطبع روسيا التي تساند النظام السوري مساندة مطلقة و نجد ان العراق يرفض ان تنطلق من ارضه اي قوات تضرب الشعب السوري .ايه ده كله هل امريكا و تركيا ليحفظوا ماء وجههم امام العالم يريدون ان يلفتوا الانظار عن مصر بضرب سوريا.

و هل تضرب سوريا للشك ام اليقين و هل يجر العالم لحرب عالمية ثالثة و علي اي اساس تهاجم امريكا بقرار منفرد دولة لها سياده علي اراضيها مثل سوريا و هل نسوا حزب الله الذي يساند بشار اي ستجر لبنان لهذه الحرب ايضا و هل سيصمت الشعب العرب علي ضرب سوريا بغض النظر ان يكون بشار صالح ام طالح هل يصمت الحكام العرب حتي نري عراق اخري و هل كتب علي الوطن العرب ان يكون مستهدف الي اخر الدهر .لم يأن الاوان ليتحد العرب حتي يكونوا قوة في وجه اعداء الاسلام و العرب .الا يتعلموا من الاتحاد الاوروبي رغم اختلاف لغتهم و هويتهم اتحدوا,ونحن العرب رغم اجتماعنا علي هوية و  لغة و دين لا نستطيع ان نتحد بل علي العكس نترك نفسنا للغرب ليقسمنا و يفتتنا .و لا حول و لاقوة الا بالله



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How the Views of Hitler were Similar to Islam?

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“No more Monsieur, no more Mister, Allah’s in Heaven and Hitler’s on earth.” Was a famous slogan in the Arab world at the time of Germany defeating France! Most of the Arab countries were colonies of Britain and other western countries, and having the common enemy was the only reason that Muslims appreciated Hitler and Germany at that time. Also Jews were also the common enemy because both Arabs and Hitler hated Jews.

Very recently the ex-president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadi Nijad said that the so-called Genocide was a drama and nothing like a mass killing happened, and if happened then the scale was much smaller than what was portrayed. Similarly the Muslim Brotherhood, since its inception, had good relations with Hitler and its administration and wanted to have collaboration with each other. It is said that the present Al-Qaeda has roots inside Muslim Brotherhood and Osama Bin Laden was a member of Muslim Brotherhood and later founded Al-Qaeda. But saying that they have similarities in principles or faith is very much incorrect and almost impossible.

Nazism was a political ideology but Islam is a Religion or a Deen (code of Life). Quran is a much more comprehensive book than Mein Kampf. In fact, Quran is the best and most relevant book of today’s world; it covers everything from the birth of a baby to the revolution of sun and earth. Yes, may be the terrorist groups like Al-Qaida and Taliban have similar ideologies with Hitler, but that doesn’t mean Islam has any major thing in common with Hitler. Hitler was a warrior who cruelly killed his enemies and had not shown mercy towards women, children, elderly people and the prisoners. The teachings of Islam are far away from such barbarism. Islam doesn’t allow Muslims to even chase those who left the battlefield to save their lives.

According to a new book written by an American scholar, Islamic fundamentalism and extremism has roots back in history, when Germany used to do radio propaganda calling Muslims to fight against the Jews and the western powers including Britain. They quote Hitler saying and addressing Muslims, especially the Arabs, “Your only hope for rescue is the destruction of the Jews before they destroy you!” They claim that this was responsible for wooing Muslims against the Jews and the western powers. May be it must be one of the reasons but we should not forget the fact that Israel itself has very poor history of human rights during the past five-six decades. The US and Britain has caused much damages to the Muslim world which is still continuous till today. But that doesn’t mean we should support extremist and terrorism, they are as wrong as the Zionists, and the suicide bombings are as bad as the drone attacks.

Hitler only a few times said that he liked Islam for its warrior morality, and he respected Islam and Prophet Muhammad PBUH. His views were not similar to that of Islam; Islam has nothing to do with Hitler. But if he was impressed by some of the teachings of Islam then this was his own act. Because Islam is the religion of love and peace and Hitter was a sign of hate and barbarism.



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The Situation of America and Islam

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Living in the United States is a dream of many. Blacks, Asians, and Arabs all strive to get a share of what the United States has to offer. Until the dark September 9 incident, it was all merry and roses for Muslims living in the United States but what have changed now?

Sadly, Muslims no longer find life in the United States a ride in the park. Islam critics as well as fanatics keen on fostering hatred and negative portray. These people want Americans and the larger word to believe that every Islam is a terrorist. The extremists who claimed responsibilities for the September 9 incidents and other incidents targeting American interest across the globe have not done better either, they too have used Islam as a platform for launching their terrorist acts.

It is however sad that the normal Islam who goes about his day life like any other person in American has had to bear the brunt. There is a growing disdain for the Islam among Americans. Kids have been taught to associate the Muslims with terrorism, intellectuals have portrayed Islam negatively, and sadly, Muslims leaving in America have been forced to wear the brand of terrorism by virtue of their religion.

A question one asks, is why America should, a highly educated society condemn the entire Muslim for crime of a few. Many Muslims are peace loving citizens and rarely thin of harming any American citizens. Despite the rate Muslims have grown among the American citizens, many would harm them and after all, they are humans.

Nonetheless, the Muslim community must as well exhibit patience, tolerance and respect for others. Most of the Americans go about their lives oblivious of the policies their government takes against the Arab nations. Sadly, the Islam world has developed a kind of hatred to Americans. The truth is, both worlds need each other. Americans are as important to Muslims as Muslims are important to Americans.

So, who would sober up and tell Americans to treat their Muslim brothers with love and respect and who would tell the Muslims to love their American brothers? This person would be a hero. A key question often surrounding the bad blood between United States and the Muslims is the Israeli question, so, why can’t the Israelis and the Muslim live in peace. Of course, there is nowhere the Jews can go and so, Muslims should simply learn to live with them. Other than these artificial differences we create between us, we are all humans and must learn to live with each other.



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Labor Day

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Labor Day originated from labor union movements, an 8-hour day movement to be specific. In few countries, it is celebrated along with international workers day on May 1st. In few other countries, it is celebrated on the last weekend of August, which is also called Labor Day weekend. This is also the end of summer holidays. Labor Day is a holiday in most of the places and all banks and public organization are closed.

History:

Labor Day is a day to celebrate and honor the workers who had been part of the labor movements and their achievements. It’s a yearly tribute to the workers who have contributed to the prosperity, strength, and well-being of the country.

In India, the movements were associated with socialist and communist political parties. On 1st May 1923, the first Labor Day celebration was held in India. In Chennai (then known as “Madras”), Labor Kisan Party of Hindustan organized this event. On that day, the resolution for declaring the Labor Day as a holiday was passed.

The first holiday in accordance with Labor Day was celebrated on 5th September 1882, in New York City, with Central Labor Union. Soon after, other parties followed them in celebrating “workingmen’s holiday”. In USA, the first government recognition came by 1885. In New York, the first bill got passed by 21st February in the year 1887. Some say that Peter McGuire’s is the founder of Labor Day, while others say it is Matthew Maguire.

The forces of labor have contributed to the highest standard of living. Therefore, it is just appropriate that the nation and people pay tribute and honor to all workers on Labor Day as they are the main driving force of every nation’s strength, leadership and , freedom.

Labor Day is different than any other holiday we celebrate. While most of them are connected to man’s never ending thirst for power and greed over our own kind and victory of nation over another, Labor Day celebrates the mankind efforts, and it is not devoted to any one particular person, nation or race.

Labor Day celebrations:

In New Zealand, Labor Day is held on the fourth Monday in October. As most of other countries, it is also related to the labor movement for eight-hour working day. The movement started in the Wellington colony in 1840.

In Canada, since the 1880′s, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September. The origin is tracked back to 1872 December. There was a parade in support of the strike by Toronto Typographical Union’s for a 58-hour work-week.
Australians celebrate labor movement as others, for achieving a working day limited to eight hours. Labor Day public holiday is fixed on different days in various states. In the Australian Capital, it is the first Monday in October. In South Australia, New South Wales, and in Western Australia, it is the first Monday in March. Northern Territory celebrates Labor Day on the first Monday in May.

In the United States, Labor Day is a federal holiday. It is celebrated in greatly on the first Monday of September. It is customarily seen as the end of the summer vacation. Most of the education institutes open the day after Labor Day.



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Let’s Live Like Good Humans

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Before we start to live like good humans, we need to know, what being a good human really is.  Does being a good human mean that you become a successful doctor or an engineer or is it more than that? Of course, each and every one of us has his own set of definition of what ‘being human’ actually means. However, there are certain traits which are mutual in everybody’s definition.

Having the Right Morals and Ethics:

When you have the right morals and ethics, when your concepts of what is right and what is wrong are crystal clear, a lot of things will become easier for you. For starters, you will know exactly what to fight for and exactly what to let go. If you do not know what is right and what is wrong, then just imagine how damaging it would be, not only for you, but also for others around you.

If we are morally and ethically corrupt, we can kiss our dreams of living this life like good humans, good bye. At the end of the day, it is our morals and values which help us in making decisions and in shaping our behavior.

Tolerance:

Tolerance is another virtue which is extremely important, if we want to live this life as civilized person. We need to understand that not everybody is going to think like us, talk like us, and live like us, but that should be okay. We are not to judge anyone on anything, neither are we supposed to be biased towards them. Being tolerant means that you accept your differences which you may have with the other party, but still you ignore those differences and focus on living peacefully, with them.

Fighting over the fact that someone has different religious views as compared to ours, is probably one of the most immature things one can do.  Who are we to judge or question someone else’s religious beliefs and concepts? We need to be tolerant and accept people who have a different set of religious beliefs than ours, so that all of us can exist in harmony, without having the need of harming each other.

Kindness:

It is said that kindness is that language which even the deaf and blind can understand.  Being kind towards others, not only shows that we have been raised with good values, but it also helps in maintaining relationships with the other people around us. Kindness should not be limited to those who come in our immediate circle, but it should be extended far and wide, and especially towards those who are less fortunate or are under privileged.  Just the mere act of saying a simple ‘Thank you’ or ‘Please’ can also make a huge, huge difference. Never underestimate the power of a kind word.

These are just a few simple things we can do which would allow us to live our lives like good human beings.  Adopt these traits and see what a difference, your actions alone, can make!



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A Loss in International Talent with the UK Immigration Crackdown

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The UK government is making huge strides in their bid to reduce immigrant numbers to the UK to less than 100,000 annually. Published figures indicate that the estimated net migration went down 153,000 for the year ending September 2012, as compared to the 242,000 the previous year. This may be good news to the government; however, it has come at a cost. Ministers in their haste to keep out migrants through a change in rules may have kept out migrants who may have brought a number of benefits to the country.

A fall in international students numbers takes a large share of the immigration decline. The target on international students may have been a calculated move since they make up the largest single group of people arriving in the country for any given year. This move may contradict the country’s talk for “being open for business”.

The visa system abuse has led to the focus on students . This is because the current as well as the previous governments were attempting to crack down on the number of bogus colleges, and have them shut down, in essence cutting down on the student numbers coming to the country with no intention of studying. To date, the student visa regime abuse remains an issue, one which the Home Office needs to take care of.

According to the immigration minister, Mark Harper, a huge number of genuine students are being shut out alongside the fake students. The cuts come at a cost, since for UK, education is one of its most successful export sectors, even though this particular sector mainly works with bringing students to the country as opposed to sending out goods to other countries. An estimated £8 bn is what the international students contribute to the country’s economy on any given year. The same students make valuable contributions to local economies as well as the high fees that they pay to the colleges and universities. This means that for every international student that is being turned away, a bar, restaurant or college loses out on their money. This all comes at a time when the sources of growth are so few and far between.

Universities that were facing drastic cuts in funds were looking forward to international students to fill up their financial gaps. Universities are concerned regardless of the fact that by far, higher education has not been as badly affected as other sectors of education. The previous rapid growth trend has been put to a stop and a significant number of international university students come in via the UK FE sector. The numbers have fallen by almost 50%, meaning that the full impact of the new set of rules on universities is yet to be witnessed.

Of particular worry is that fact that a number of strategically important stem departments, such as maths, science, engineering and technology depend heavily on international students for their existence. What this means is that a student who was turned down could have been the star science student in a given university, and ultimately a lecturer in the future.

Foreign students, in addition to bringing the country immediate economic benefits, bring the country innovation, dynamism, as well as international connections which could benefit the country in the long run.



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ICNA Celebrates MLK Speech 50th Anniversary

on Wednesday, August 28, 2013

 
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, ICNA is publishing the following article by Imam Khalid Griggs, Chairman of ICNA Council for Social Justice:
 

African American Muslims and the Social Justice Movement

 
The Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are clear in articulating the purpose of revelation as being the liberation of human beings from the false worship of anything other than the Creator and the establishment of justice for all creation, including the human and natural worlds.

According to the Quran, the most definitive historical account of the transcendent struggle between truth (haqq) and falsehood (batil), societal justice must be based on divinely revealed principles if human efforts are to be beneficial in both this world and the life to come. Through total submission to this Divine dictum, mankind positions itself to be expunged of the soul-deforming conditions of racism, sexism, classism, religious bigotry, and economic exploitation. The message of all of the Prophets was that of worshiping the One God only and establishing the inherent dignity and humanity of all human beings. As a result, the first and largest group to affirmatively respond to the call of a prophet were the poor and oppressed.

Slavery in History, Arab Society, and Islamic Practice

Slavery, one of the oldest human practices of oppression, evolved to be the most repugnant institution in human history. Although it was not until the advent of the trans-Atlantic slave trade that race became the exclusive criterion for subjugation in chattel slavery, pre-Islamic Arabs similarly associated the worst forms of enslaved labor as being the sole domain of blacks. The number of sub-Saharan African blacks enslaved by Arabs during the trans-Saharan slave trade is commonly believed to be approximately equal to the number of black Africans enslaved during the 376 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, did not completely eliminate slavery from Arab society, but the economic and social incentives to keep slaves were removed by Islam. Abu Dharr, one of the illustrious companions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, when asked why one of his slaves dressed in clothing like his, responded that he heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say, “Your slaves are your brothers whom Allah has placed in your hands. He who has his brother in his hands must feed him what he eats; clothe him with that which he wears. He should not burden him with that which is beyond his capacity, but if he entrusts him with that, he should lend him a hand.” In his Farewell Sermon, delivered on the occasion of Hajj, Prophet Muhammad warned, “…Neither does an Arab have excellence over a non-Arab. Neither does (one with) white skin excel over (one with) black. But, of course, excellence is only on the basis of taqwah (God-consciousness, fear of God, righteousness).”

Slavery, one of the oldest human practices of oppression, evolved to be the most repugnant institution in human history.

Of the untold millions forcibly extracted from their homelands during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, historical evidence suggests that one of every third African enslaved in the United States was a Muslim. Great dignity was conferred upon luminary companions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) such as Bilal ibn Rabah, a former Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave who became Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) muezzin (caller to prayer), close companion, and treasurer of the Islamic state; Umm Ayman, the African woman referred to by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as “My Mother” and a “Woman of Paradise”; the unnamed Black woman who chose to be patient with her epileptic condition and was told by the Prophet (pbuh) that she would gain Paradise — such dignity decries the humiliations and affronts systematically meted out to African Muslim slaves in the United States. As a matter of fact, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, the patrons for the voyages of Christopher Columbus, issued a royal edict in the early 1500s making it a crime to transport African Muslims into the Western Hemisphere, a crime that could be punishable by death. In fact, British and Spanish slavers attempted to eradicate the practice of Islam or Arabic speech among slaves even before the unfortunate humans reached western shores. Slaves who exhibited unrelenting resistance to their new state of dehumanizing servitude were typically taken to various Caribbean islands for “seasoning,” a process of breaking the slaves’ will and craving for freedom. Seasoning involved unspeakable acts of barbarity against the slaves in an attempt to break their spirit. Muslim slaves, strong in their faith and uncompromising in their refusal to submit body or soul to any master but Allah SWT, were often identified by their enslavers as being more rebellious and inclined to attempt escape. Yet, again probably due to their religion and its emphasis on self-governance and industriousness, they were also seen as very competent when assuming responsibilities on the plantations.

Slave Rebellions, Revolts, and Conspiracies

Runaway slave advertisements during the colonial period frequently mentioned slaves with obvious Muslim names such as Osman, Amir, and Samba, a common Muslim name in West Africa. Contrary to the popular American narrative that depicts slaves as contented, happy, child-like figures, historians like Herbert Aptheker document over 200 known slave rebellions, revolts, and conspiracies, the largest of which was the Black Seminole Rebellion from 1835 through 1838. Runaway slaves from Georgia and Alabama found refuge with the proud, independent Seminole Indians of Florida, intermarrying and fighting alongside them against the U.S. Army. The Seminoles, the only native nation that was not forced to sign a debasing treaty with the United States government, incorporated African Muslim styles of dress and numerous Muslim practices into their culture, strongly indicating the presence of escaped Muslim slaves in their ranks.

Countless African Muslim slaves maintained their faith throughout their horrific sojourn in captivity in a foreign land.

According to research done by the Islamic History Project Group and compiled in the book A History of Muslim African Americans, “…in 1742, a group of Moors (code for African Muslims) was accused of starting a riot in New York City. Twenty-one of the accused were killed or lynched and 23 were banned from New York… In the 1700s, a group of Muslims lived among the Mohican in Connecticut… One of the children of Uncas, immortalized as the Last of the Mohicans, had a son named Mohamet.” In 1839, a ship transporting 53 West Africans destined to be sold as slaves, docked in the port of Havana, Cuba. After being sold, the West Africans were placed as human cargo on the slave ship Amistad. After enduring inadequate food rations, merciless beatings, and disgrace by the ship’s captain and crew, one of the slaves, a young African by the name of Cinque, secretly plotted with the other slaves to take over the ship and sail back to Africa. Taking advantage of stormy seas, Cinque and the other slaves seized control of the ship and demanded to be returned to Africa. Unfortunately, they were tricked into sailing straight for America by the two ship’s officers who survived the rebellion, and were then captured by a United States naval vessel. Tried in a court of law, the slaves were granted their freedom, and returned to the African continent. Cinque was reportedly not a Muslim, but the Steven Spielberg film, Amistad, in highlighting the historical fact that Muslims were on board the ship, showed them collectively praying, notwithstanding that they were chained together.

There is also solid anecdotal evidence, still in the process of being historically substantiated, to suggest that the leader of the famed 1822 slave rebellion in Charleston, South Carolina, Denmark Vesey, was a Muslim. The evidence contends that he found a platform to espouse his liberation theology through the more-acceptable-to-whites vehicle of the Christian Church. And the Vesey rebellion was impressive. According to Thomas Higgison, the author of an article on Vesey in an 1861 edition of The Atlantic Monthly Magazine, the revolt was “The most elaborate insurrectionist project formed by American slaves. In boldness of conception and thoroughness of organization, there has been nothing to compare it with.”

Attempts to Eradicate Islam Amongst Slaves

American enslavers and plantation owners were far more inclined than their European counterparts to punish slaves for practicing any visible remnants of Islam. For example, the Muslim slaves in Bahia, Brazil were in such sufficient numbers and social proximity to each other that they were able to wage jihad and successfully, although for a short period of time, declare an Islamic state in 1835. Contemporary research shows that the revolt emerged from a  profound conviction of Islamic belief and principle in establishing a just social order, this encompassing and subsuming the motive to free themselves and others who were enslaved.

During the decades of the mid to late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, African American Muslims were the dominant force on the American Muslim landscape.

Countless African Muslim slaves maintained their faith throughout their horrific sojourn in captivity in a foreign land. The bloody conflict known as the Civil War resulted in the legal dissolution of the system of chattel slavery in the United States. Muslims, such as Muhammad Ali ibn Said, distinguished themselves in battle fighting on the side of Union forces against Confederate troops. Said was a member of the 55th All Colored Regiment of the State of Massachusetts, formed after the 54th All Colored Regiment which was immortalized in the dramatic film Glory starring Denzel Washington. With the end of legalized slavery in the United States in 1865, and during Reconstruction, a relatively brief period from 1865 until 1877,  the nation flirted with more liberal political and social involvement for freedmen. However, the United States reverted to virulently anti-black, exclusionary laws, policies, and practices first euphemistically called Black Codes and later labeled Jim Crow.

Jim Crow and Institutional Racism

The racial apartheid practices of Jim Crow would remain the law of the land for almost another century until the U.S. Congress passed the 1964 Civil Rights Bill. From 1890 to 1920, it is conservatively estimated that approximately 5,000 African Americans were lynched by white supremacists, mostly in the South. African Americans desperately yearned for respite from pain, suffering, and systematic denial of the most basic freedoms extended to even the most recent immigrants. In 1850, Presbyterian missionaries brought a brilliant young man from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to the United States to attend theology school. Because of his dark complexion and the stifling system of institutional racism in America, Edward Wilmot Blyden was not only rejected for admission to the theology school, but had to flee the country to Liberia to avoid being forcibly placed into slavery. Blyden became intrigued by the Arabic language, Islam, and the Muslims he encountered in Liberia and Sierra Leone. He went to Syria to study and master the Arabic language. In his classic work, Islam, Christianity and the Negro Race, Blyden extols the virtues of Islam, specifically its apparent absence of racism and affirmation of the positive aspects of African culture. There is scant historical evidence that suggests that Blyden ever embraced Islam and appears to have died as a Presbyterian minister, albeit one with tremendous respect for Islam. Blyden was a forerunner among African and African American Christians who viewed Islam as a viable option for struggling people of African descent.

Toward Universal Rights: Garvey to Malcolm X and Beyond

At the turn of the 20th century, arguably the largest ever membership organization of African people was formed by the native Jamaican, Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Even though Garvey was Christian, he acquainted Africans throughout the Diaspora, especially the United States, with Islamic concepts and activist Muslims. Garvey was highly influenced by Duse Muhammad Ali, an Egyptian/Sudanese Muslim who was founder and editor of the journal African Times and Orient Review, whom he met in London. The slogan of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), founded by Garvey, was “One God, One Land, One Destiny,” a theme that Garvey attributed to the Muslim, Ali. A number of proto-Islamic or even pseudo-Islamic organizations, such as Drew Ali’s Moorish Science Temple of America and Elijah Muhammad’s Lost Found Nation of Islam attempted to mobilize African Americans to reclaim their identity and glorious history by casting off the cultural and religious imperiousness emanating from the White church, and identifying with their “original religion,” Islam. These efforts were made more attractive to African Americans when the crimes against black people by the “White Man’s Religion” were catalogued, and the racism-free accounts of the practice of West and North African Muslims were highlighted.

It is, however, the opportune time for a unified effort by Muslim individuals and organizations to champion social justice issues in a thoughtful, systematic, and balanced way.

The disseminations by these groups, as well as subsequent authentic Islamic efforts in the African American community, highlighted Islam as a cornerstone for the social and religious redemption of the Black community, as well as for America in general. Malcolm X, El Hajj Malik Shabazz, was undoubtedly the foremost exponent of the social justice gospel of Islamic activism and principled struggle against all manifestations of oppression, particularly against the “Dark World.” Malcolm uniquely combined the qualities of master orator, inspiring mobilizer, and skilled organizer. As the National Spokesman and Organizer for the Nation of Islam for 12 years, Malcolm adeptly appealed to the most uneducated elements and social outcasts in Black American society while simultaneously attracting the intellectual curiosity and support, if not outright organizational commitment, of better educated Blacks. However, it was not until Malcolm’s official departure from the organizational constraints of the Nation of Islam in March 1964 that he was able to broaden his influence and appeal to the intellectual elite of Black social activists.

He also provided an ideological foundation for the globalization of Black activism in the 1960s by broadening the objectives of the civil rights movement to include that of human rights, and Pan-Africanism and Pan-Islam. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., despite his life being tragically cut down at the age of 39, had realized and begun to articulate the idea that the civil rights movement was actually a universal human rights struggle. African American college students, intellectuals and scholars, and social activists—including former Black Panther Party leader Dhoruba bin Wahad; former Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee Chairman (SNCC) H. Rap Brown (Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin); revolutionary poet Askia Muhammad Toure; Revolutionary Action Movement founder, Max Stanford; Black Panther martyr Zayd Shakur— embraced Islam as a social change vehicle. This, in part or in full, was due to the dynamic influence of Malcolm X. Others like Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, co-founders of the Black Panther Party, Howard Fuller, the founder of Malcolm X University in Durham, North Carolina, and many activists for social change in the African American community were profoundly influenced by Malcolm X.

Changing Demographics

During the decades of the mid to late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, African American Muslims were the dominant force on the American Muslim landscape. During this period, immigrant Muslims were typically absent from public discourse and community action on domestic social justice issues, remaining socially inconsequential during this turbulent era. Hence, the mantle of Muslim activism was borne virtually alone by African American Muslims, a phenomenon that attracted large numbers of African American university students and other activists. As the number of African American Muslims grew, prison inmates began to embrace orthodox Islam, where once the prisons were almost the exclusive recruiting ground for the Nation of Islam. The decade of the 1980s ushered in an explosion in the number of large Islamic Centers founded and run by immigrant Muslims, located primarily in suburban America. Far from the urban centers where African American mosques and Muslims were principally located, these centers facilitated an exodus from the urban core of immigrant, and even some African American, Muslims.

The social dysfunction and oppression that once provided some of the impetus for inner city dawah (inviting to Islam) and relief activities, gave way to an out-of sight, out-of-mind mentality. While these suburban Islamic Centers accommodated the growth of the Muslim population, both immigrant and African American, in countless locations across the country, they nonetheless failed to understand or address many of the unique challenges and complexities confronting African American Muslims particularly, and the inner city population in general. Many African American Muslim professionals and other skilled, highly-motivated individuals were assimilated into these suburban Centers so that the affiliation with, and financial support of, a great number of urban mosques dwindled and they were closed down. African Americans witnessed a similar co-opting of affiliation or patronage in the aftermath of the civil rights movement when newly-passed legislation made it possible for Blacks to give their business to what had been Whites Only establishments, resulting in the closure of a vast majority of Black businesses when the more highly capitalized White-owned commercial options, were available.

Uniting to Champion Social Justice Issues

The combination of the closure of inner city mosques, African American Muslims moving on from inner city issues to more global ones as addressed by suburban Centers, and the neglect of issues of urgent concern to African American Muslims, have all contributed to a virtual abandonment of hot-button issues affecting African Americans and this country. One such issue is the more than 2.4 million human beings who are incarcerated in the United States, a number not seen in any other country in the world. The majority of those incarcerated are African Americans and, to an increasing degree, Hispanic. The Prison Industrial Complex in America has the financial incentive to keep expanding this industry of servitude. Michelle Alexander asserts in her scathing condemnation of the Prison Industrial Complex and criminal justice system, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an Age of Color Blindness, that more African Americans are incarcerated in federal penitentiaries, state prisons, and local jails than the number of slaves in the U.S. in 1850, 15 years before Emancipation. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits slavery and indentured servitude except when persons have been convicted of a crime. Muslims as well are increasingly being incarcerated as a direct result of entrapment and targeted prosecution, but except for the extraordinary efforts of a handful of individuals and organizations, Muslims in America seldom expend resources for the reform of these issues related to the criminal justice system.

It is, however, the opportune time for a unified effort by Muslim individuals and organizations to champion social justice issues in a thoughtful, systematic, and balanced way. This goes hand-in-hand with dawah efforts. ICNA has made tremendous strides in this regard through programs like Why-Islam, ICNA Council for Social Justice, ICNA Relief, and Helping Hand. The future of Islam in the United States will be determined by how resolute we are in crossing all false  lines of division, for the betterment of Muslims and all the citizens of this land. And Allah knows best.




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Kerry Blames Syria of Using Chemical Weapons

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John Kerry, secretary of state blamed Syria of applying serious chemical weapons against the public. The U.S. official said that they show  solid evidence against Syria to prepare the people for an incoming military response. It is reported that President Obama hasn’t decided to strike Syria but other reliable officials said that administration will present evidences on Tuesday before laying the groundwork. The official also said that an attack is not coming up because it is necessary to prepare for it and to make all information public. The U.S is also doubtful to assault but the U.N weapon will stay in Syria till Sunday. According to another official report, the targets of this attack would be bunkers, airfields, artillery and military.

Kerry used a brief statement to say that whole families being murdered in Syria without shedding a single drop of blood and it shocks the conscience of the whole world. He said the proof was “irrefutable” that the Syrian administration had utilized substance operators. He said that Obama felt responsible for the individuals who utilize “the planet’s generally deplorable weapons.”

“Our feeling of fundamental mankind is insulted by this weak wrongdoing as well as by the critical endeavor to blanket it up,” he said.

As he has regularly since the reported compound assaults started, Kerry made calls to the remote priests of numerous nations in the locale, incorporating Jordan and Saudi Arabia, and to secretary-general of the Arab League.

UN demands protection

The UN, attempting to get to a Syrian suburb held by revolutionaries, was initially turned over by riflemen however later gathered blood tests and talked with survivors. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, expressed that the six-auto caravan had been “deliberately” focused on, requested that the administration and restriction compels guarantee “the security and security of the examination groups.”

“In spite of such extremely challenging circumstances, our group came back to Damascus and swapped their auto and continued to a suburb of Damascus to bear on their examination,” he said. “They went to two doctor’s facilities. They questioned witnesses, survivors and specialists. They additionally gathered a few examples.”



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تركيا امريكا رايح جاي

on Tuesday, August 27, 2013

شوف ياعم اوباما ياللي انت خايف من مصر و من اللي حصل في مصر و زمانك ماسك في خناقات مع المخابرات بتاعتك كلهم و هات يا ضرب طبعا ماهم خموك مرتين مرة في 25 يناير 2011 و مره في 30 يونية 2013 و طبعا مش هنجيب خابتك وخبيتهم القوية في اللي عملتوه مع الاخوان ليه بقا علشان همه قالولك اسمع كلام الاخوان دول هيخلصوك من البعبع اللي اسمه قاعدة و اتباعهم و الارهاب و تبقا بطل قومي انك علي يدك و في عصرك امريكا خلصت علي الارهاب في العالم طيب ده كان هيحصل ازاي الاخوان باعوا لكم العتبه الخضرة قالك ادينا فلوس كتييير هنخلصك من صداع حماس في غزة و هنديهم سيناء و كمان هنقعد في سيناء و كل العالم اللي عامله لك صداع في اسيا.

 اما بتوع اوروبا بقا يجوا يشرفوا في تونس و ليبيا وسوريا و مصر و يبقا كده خلاااااااص انت قضيت عليهم في اوروبا كمان و ارتاحوا من الاسلامين و الارهابين في نفس واحد. معلوم مش همه راحوا اوروبا لما ضاقت بيهم و بأفكارهم بلادهم خلاص اهو بلادهم بقت حلوة و جميلة يرجعوا بقا و يريحونا من هبلهم و بكدا تبقا الدنيا ربيع و الجو بديع.

 لأ ماتفهمونيش غلط مش بديع بتاع الاخوان طيب العمل ايه دلوقتي ياريس اوباما. التهديد مع مصر مانفعش خالص علشان يرجعوا حبيبك مورسي و الاخوان طيب هنمنع الماعونة ؟ ماعونة ايه اللي انت عايزة تمنعها ها ؟؟ انت ناسي ان الماعونة دي من ضمن اتفاقية كامب دفيد لتشجيع مصر و اسرائيل علي السلام فابلاش هبل بقا انك تقدر تمنعها دي لفة طويلة اوي علشان تمنعها. كمان اليهود مش هيسمحوا لك لأن ده ممكن يفتح عليهم فتحة ان اتفاقية كامب ديفيد يعاد فتحها و عمل بعض التعديلان عليها و خصوصا ان مر عليها اكتر من 35 سنة و طبعا اسرائيل عارفة ان مصر دلوقتي مافيهاش حد ينفع يتعمل معاه الكلام ده، و السيسي ماينفعش يتعمل معاه الكلام ده علشان معتبرينه شبه عبد الناصر عدوهم اللدود.

جميل! طيب تعمل ايه يا اوباما تاني في ولاد الايه المصرين دول اللي ماشين زي القطر و بيشيلوا اي حد قصادهم اه امنع التبادل التجاري تصدق ضحكتني و هو المافيا التجارية اللي عندك هتسمح لك بده انت غريب اوي عايز تمنع عنهم التجارة معانا ده احنا اجمل سبوبه اي حاجة بايظة عندهم بيبعتوها لنا بدل مايرموها. و طبعا رؤس المال اللي بتاجر مع مصر من عندك اغلبها يهود تفتكر هيسيبوك تقطع عنهم السبوبة دي بلاش هو انت لما تقطع التجارة مع مصر مصر هتروح فين و تجيب البضائع دي منين ؟؟؟ قول كده ياتري ياهل تري ؟؟من الصين طبعا عارف الصين انت طبعا البعبع الجديد بتاعكم القوة الاقتصادية اللي هتفرتكم و كمان الدول العربية اللي هتلاقي مصر عملت كده هي كمان هتسيبكم و تستورد من الصين شوفت ان حتي دي مش في صالحك.

 شيل ايدك عن مصر قلتها لك من زمان و بما ان ماعرفتش تعمل حاجة مع مصر و شكلك بقا وحش حبيت تعمل فيها كاوبوي علي سوريا اهو تعمل منظر تاني بدل منظرك اللي اتهز و منها تلهي العالم عن خيبتك مع الاخوان و انا برضوا بقولك ابعد عن سوريا و  الا هتكون نار عليك وعلي امريكا انتوا استفردتوا بالعراق لكن سوريا لأ مش هتعرفوا تستفردوا بيها خالص لا ايران و لا روسيا هتسيبكم و اعتقد انك هتفكر الف مرة قبل ماتضرب سوريا اوباما كش ملك انت و تركيا و مع تركيا لينا عودة 



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Will Christians go to Heaven?

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Different religions have their own set of beliefs. We being the followers of Islam believe that Allah is the only one worth worshiping and we take Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as our last Prophet. We believe that those who do good in this world, will be granted a place in Heaven, whereas the sinners would be sent to Hell.

There are certain good things that are mutual in all religions, like for example, helping out the poor and needy, being more humane, respecting elders etc. There are also certain ‘good’ things that are particular to Islam only, like for example Muslims cannot drink wine/alcohol because it is prohibited in Islam. Whereas, other religions may not consider drinking alcohol as something which is too big of a deal.

So, how would all of us, who belong to so many different religions and some do not belong to any religion at all, be accessed, in order to decide whether we go into Heaven or Hell. In fact, there is no final way of deciding who goes to Hell or Heaven, and the power of this decision, rests entirely in the hands of Allah Almighty. The Quran does not say that only people belonging to a particular religion will go into Heaven, while those who do not belong to it will automatically be sent to Hell. The criteria which is set, which will decide who goes where, is basically based on an individual’s faith in God and the Day of Reckoning.

If we say that only Muslims can go into Heaven, then what is the fault of those people who are born into families belonging to different religions? That would not be fair. Allah has set this world up for everyone, regardless to which religion they belong, as a test, the worldly desires, the temptations are all there by Allah to test the faith of an individual. The good or bad that a person does is based on how he sees the world around him. Allah has given each one of us that sense, that intelligence to do our own unbiased research and decide, likewise.

If we look around, we will find so many people who are Muslims, but are not Muslims. They may be born into Muslim families, but their behavior proves the opposite. Most Muslims are not living their lives according to the Islamic teachings so does that mean they will not be sent to Heaven? I believe that success in the world hereafter is not based on what religion a person belongs to. It is based on how a person acts in this world. He perceives the world in his own way and then submits himself to whatever he feels is the Divine Truth. It does not matter if you are a Muslim, or a Christian or belong to any other religion, if you did honestly make an effort to find out the Truth and acted accordingly to it, then likewise will be the reward for it.



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ICNA Organizes the First School Giveaway in Colorado

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By Hira, Boulder, Colorado
 
This summer the Colorado Muslim Community (CMC) and the Islamic Center of Boulder (ICB) partnered with ICNA Relief in its annual Back-2-School Giveaway, a project created to meet the needs of needy families in our communities. Held during the Eid carnival, it was the first such event at ICB.

In these difficult times, many families are under financial pressure. Some have lost jobs, others find it difficult to support their families, and as a result cannot pay for school supplies. The act of giving to the needy and being a good neighbor is integral to the Islamic faith. To help the community to the best of our abilities, with the Giveaway Project, ICB hopes to help struggling families provide for their children and inspire the Muslim community to partake in this fundamental teaching of Islam.

Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an, “Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, and the neighbor who is a stranger.” (4:36)

Volunteers came from Denver and Boulder. They set up tables and brought refreshments along with school supplies.

The children were particularly ecstatic as they were offered cookies, and of course, given their own new backpacks along with notebooks, pencils, erasers, and other trinkets. Soon there was a long line of children with their parents. Over 150 children got the supplies until they ran out.

While the Giveaway Project helped 5,000 needy children in New York and New Jersey last year, this year the project’s goal was to help nearly 15,000 children across 13 states and over 25 locations including New York City, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles. Despite the growth of poverty and need, Americans can join together to help struggling families overcome these hurdles. The Back-2-School website states a proverb “Let not there be a child without the tools for a good education”.




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European System Of Central Banks

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European System of Central Banks is a central organisation that is responsible for the monetary activities in the European Union. This organisation is accountable for any activity regarding the Euro which is the second most popular currency in the world. This system comprises of the European Central Bank (ECB) and National Central Bank (NCB) of the 28 members of the European Union. It also comprises of member states of the European Union that do not follow Euro as their main currency.

Prime Functions:

The main idea behind implementing a central or generalized currency or governing bodies is to maintain the economic equilibrium of the countries. Another main goal is to keep the inflation and deflation with respect to bearable levels in the countries of the European Union.

Classification in the European System of Central Banks:

European Central Bank: ECB is the controller of the monetary policies of the Euro currency and the 17 member states in the European Union (EU) that follows Euro as the currency. Precisely, it is the central bank for the countries in the European Union that follows their currency as the Euro. The countries in the EU that follows the Euro are collectively known as the Euro zone.

National Central Bank: NCB’s are national banks that are located in the countries that are constituent in the EU. National Central Banks in the member states combined with the European Central Bank (ECB) forms the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).

Governing bodies of the ESCB: There are three governing bodies in the ESCB with different functionality and varied levels of influence in the decision making of the monetary policies. They are The Governing Council, The Executive Board and the General Council.

The Governing Council: It is the primary governing body in the European System of Central Banks (ESCB). The Governing Council consists of the members of the Executive board and the governors of the NCB’s of the member states of the European Union.

Functions:
•To devise the monetary policies and guidelines of the member states of the Euro zone.
•They are also responsible for deciding the major factors that influence the supply and reserves in the banks of the Euro zone.

The Executive Board: It has a President, a Vice President and four other members who experts in the monetary and banking fields.

Functions:
• This board is responsible for the execution of the monetary policies and the decisions that are laid down by the Governing Council after proper evaluation.
• They also instruct the NCB’s and the ECB, and also ensure the adherence of the policies, guidelines that are erected by the Governing Council.

The General Council: This council is formed by the member states that have not adopted the Euro as the primary currency. They are allowed to devise monetary policies with respect to their government and monetary factors. But they have limited influence on the decision making in the ESCB.

Functions:
•They provide valuable suggestions to the ECB regarding the policies and decision making.
•They are involved in gathering the statistical information and organizing the fiscal reports.
•They are responsible for laying down rules for accounting and reporting procedures in the ESCB and ensure the pursuance of the rules and policies of the ESCB.
•Currency exchange rates and the human resources in the ECB are also functions of the General Council.

These are the main governing bodies in the ESCB. This system ensures a smooth functioning and performance of the Euro currency. The capital stock of Euro Currency in the ECB is over 5 billion. The NCB’s of the countries in the EU have the full ownership of this capital and they are distributed by subscriptions. The subscriptions are designed by a key that is prepared with respect to the GDP of the countries in the EU. This is all about the functioning and the governing of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB).



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Importance of Use of Technology in Islam

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We are living in the age of science and technology as the world has seen so many advancements in both fields. Islam also encourages Muslims to seek education in those fields. It is a misconception that if you are a Muslim, you cannot drive a car or use computers and mobile phones. Technology has its positive aspects as well as negative aspects. It depends on a person of how he utilizes the technological advancements, whether in a good way or bad way. ALLAH has allowed us to make use of technology but only in a Halal way.

In the 21st century, the development in technology has gone to its peak. The development of Smartphones is the greatest blessings. Many smartphone apps provide and fulfill religious needs. There is an app on IPhone named as Salah 3D. This app tells how to pray. There is another app which includes text and audio version of Quran Majeed not only in Arabic but in other languages, as well. This app is making the divine book more manageable for Muslims whose first language is not Arabic. Moreover, these apps are very helpful in learning Quran easily, and they are very convenient, as today, every one owns a Smartphone.

Internet is one of the easiest sources of learning Islamic teachings. The fastest search engine Google will provide you a lot of articles regarding Islam. There are many websites which offer live “Fatwa” sessions with well-known scholars. The social networks are one of the important sources of preaching Islam. Many Islamic pages promote Quranic verses, Hadith and other Islamic teachings through posting and updating status daily. It is another good way of learning about Islam and you can share these teachings with your friends.

The Muslims’ history prospers with a lot of examples in the field of science and technology. Muslims made great advances in the fields of mathematics, medicines, astronomy, geography and many more. Islam has never objected on modern inventions, if they are beneficial for mankind. It will be sufficient if the technology is used in the name of God and for His cause. Modern technological advancements have granted Muslims a physical comfort. Islam encourages technology and knowledge as it is beneficial for one’s spiritual and it creates a balanced value system.



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Racial Discrimination at Work and its Increasing Tendencies

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Racial discrimination is increasing worldwide. Whether it is a developed country or an under developed nation racial discrimination at work is practiced everywhere. It is a violation of law to discriminate against anyone in the workplace because of their actual or assumed race or ethnicity.

Mostly discrimination at workplace is done by the employers, though colleagues are also involved in discrimination in a notable number of cases. Illegal workplace discrimination happens when a senior staff member takes adverse action against a person who is a worker, employee or a future employee because of his/her color, race, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, pregnancy and social origin. There are many adverse effects of racial discrimination at work. An employee who has been racially discriminated at work may suffer from mental disturbance and stress due to which his/her performing standards may fall.

Fair Work Act 2009 gives protection to employees and make sure that the employees do not get discriminated by their employers on the basis of their race and ethnicity. It is totally inhumane to treat people according to their races yet sadly; it is normal practice almost everywhere. United Nations has made many laws to stop discrimination on the basis of gender and race but still people indulge in it as if the laws didn’t exist at all.

According to Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone without any discrimination on the basis of race and gender has right to get equal salaries for equal work and should get equal job opportunities. Sadly in the developed countries employees get different wages for same occupation because of their race and gender, this clearly shows discrimination at work. According to the survey conducted in United States in 2011, the trendiest form of employment discrimination was racial discrimination. According to the data collected by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in 2011, the organization received a total of 35,395 complaints countrywide. The number of complaints in 2011 is the same as that of year 2010 (35,890) –as if it was being maintained, which are alarming. With these figures, it would be safe to say that despite the efforts of the state and federal governments to eliminate workplace discrimination, some employers still find ways to practice unlawful acts.

According to the VII of the civil rights act of 1964, workplace discrimination based on person’s color, race and gender is unlawful and strong penalties are imposed on an employer practicing this act. According to this law, employers with 15 or more employees are forbidden from discriminating against persons based on nationality, gender, religion, origin and race or color.

Racial discrimination at work is not only limited to developed countries, it is practiced in under developed countries too. In a third world country like Pakistan this discrimination is at its peak. Minorities like Christians in Pakistan are discriminated. Christians find it hard to get a respectable job in Pakistan because of their religion. This act is very inhumane and some serious steps should be taken by authorities to stop such atrocities.

Employers should make all the necessary steps to facilitate their employees equally without taking their race, religion and color in accounts. According to facts and figures collected in recent years, racial discrimination at work is increasing with every passing day. Some serious laws and penalties should be imposed on people who are involved in racial discrimination, and for the situation where that doesn’t work; the duty lies upon the general public for it is us who would be blamed for ignoring such vile prejudices.



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First Pakistani Citizen “Allama Muhammad Asad”

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Those who do not learn from the past are damned to go over it again . This is a recurring quote in relation to our existing dreadful condition and it even rings a bell to us to look at the past and examine our mistakes. Instead of writing a political metaphorical story, I’d like to write a piece about Allama Muhammad Asad and his thoughts.

He’s none other than the first man to receive the first Pakistani passport in August 14, 1947.

Due to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s appeal, Allama Asad leaded the body made to support Pakistani Laws, instructive system and domination practices, Department of Islamic Reconstruction in agreement with the Holy Quran. He was a Jewish who converted to Islam. Moreover, he traveled to various Islamic countries to spread the hope of sovereignty from imperialism’s bind.

Asad stated about Islam saying,

‘Islam is an ideal work of an architecture.  All its various parts are cordially visualized to harmonize and maintain each other; nor anything is unessential neither has lacking; and the consequence is a composition of exact balance and solid equanimity.

In a likely search, he met Allama Iqbal in India who convinced him to work on the supremacy structure of a “New-Fangled” Indian Muslims’ independent state. He published ‘Towards an Islam Constitution’ before independence which was through his essay ‘Pakistan Ka Matlab Kia?’  that the famous independence slogan emerged , which eventually  became the nation’s anthem at that time.

My intention to write about him is in order to change the educational system of Pakistan. Madrassas that taught religion and sophisticated subjects were the only places of education in the Indian subcontinent.  Usually, besides teaching religion, more light was shed on the world, such as: science, medicine, philosophy, and astrology. These institutes were found only in Taxilla before the Muslims arrived.

To bring under limelight, the students there had achieved great success due to their miscellaneous basic knowledge of Islam and the worldly matters. One high-flying example is the ‘Madrassa-e-Rahimia’.

History says that the Englishman, Warren Hastings had established a madrassa in Calcutta for the study of religion. This had simply separated the worldly and religious education to abate our educational base.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had founded Aligarh University and upon his persistence was the first joint Exchange Program of India taken place.

We have diverged from our path and crafted the religious people to be separate identities who lead funeral prayer, perform Salah and teach the kids Quran.

This is the biggest problem in the Indian Muslims founded country. It was just through such schools that we got the master of Medicine Ibn-e-Sina or the changer of Chemistry’s world, Jabir ibn Hayyan.

So, where did the efforts of Allama Asad go?

Sadly for this homeland, a few years after its beginning, the Department of Islamic Reconstruction was trapped in fire and all the hard work done by Allama Asad on education improvement faded away. And so did the vision of a flourishing Pakistan I am yearning to see at the moment.



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