It started with Afghanistan, went on to Iraq, and Syria could be the next victim. What is this all about? Is it really as simple as the chaste act of war on terror? Is it really?
Look at it from this perspective, the terrorists blast the World Trade Center complete with horrific threats for the future of the world, but what happens after that? They stop, they do not do anything else than to bicker on about blowing up America but they don’t. Were they really strong enough to blow two commercial planes right into the heart of US, and not noticed until they have done what they had to? Was the world’s strongest army’s defense so weak that all this happened well before they woke up from their slumber?
Meanwhile, Pakistan gets torn between US’s war and one of their own. Hundreds of suicide attacks make the going tough and US bombards their favorite ally with drones every now and then just to tell them how loved they are. After losing thousands of men because of a war brought onto them by someone else, after being infiltrated with terrorist elements that have been proven to have international support from Mossad, RAW and even CIA itself. After giving virtually all assistance they can; they still get told to do more, and not to complain about the dear old drone attacks!
Moving on, why was Afghanistan raided? Why did Saddam Hussein become unbearable? Why was the WMDs suspected in Iraq? Iraq gets attacked because they have weapons of mass destruction, but what happens when the US and NATO troops have searched the whole area? No, WMDs are found. Then, they announce their departure after rebuilding the country– how convenient.
Why was it that the Arab Spring raised out of nowhere, and suddenly Muammar Gaddafi became the man with the highest bounty on his head? Libya got torn and bombarded; Gaddafi got killed like no human being should be, then a revolution in Egypt followed, Hosni Mubarak got ousted, jailed and Morsi took over. Then suddenly, Morsi got ousted, and Mubarak might go free.

Turkey sees waves of the “enlightened revolution” too, though that is still a work in progress.
Syria gets a fistful of it. Bashar al Assad is a dictator, and he is curbing the living rights of his people, he is damaging peace, so we shall attack his country. Wow, pure genius. You attack a country because the country deserves peace? You want to stop people from being killed by killing people?
The case was weak, so a chemical weapons attack comes out of nowhere. Aha, perfect timing, wasn’t it? Thanks Assad, Obama must have muttered under his breath, but has anyone ever wondered why on earth would he do something like that? Is Assad the same as America’s favorite Bin Laden and his cronies? If he is, I guess he must have changed his personality recently because he is the same person who has been running the country since 2000, and he did well – until US wanted another ‘let’s-play-war-on-terror’ game, or maybe it was because he has opposed Israel all along.
How many of you believe that the western media is all truthful? How many of you believe that they are not in the pockets of those with the right amount to pay? I don’t. I have seen that all along through September 11, 2001 until this day that the facts have been altered, deteriorated, hidden and misrepresented all the time. Talk about the theories behind WTC attack, talk about the missing WMDs, talk about how the media shows Pakistan as a place where barbarian mullahs run free in every street with suicide jackets, blowing off every person who doesn’t follow sharia (Pakistan has a liberal, secular side too, it has people who live the so called “western-modern” lifestyle and we see that every day). I have seen how the media shows Israel as the poor soul whose toys have been stolen, and who is only trying to get them back. I have seen this media representing the freedom fighters of Palestine as terrorists. I have seen this media over look murdered Palestinian mothers and infants when they cover how Israel “deserves” the land it has.
I don’t believe them anymore.
I believe that US would do whatever it takes to reshape the results of the chemical weapons attack, and the media will always show how barbaric the govt is while always avoiding showing how external elements in the rebels are chopping off people’s heads. I am sure that the international community will continue to blackmail Assad’s regime into buckling under pressure and accepting their terms. I am sure that the end result that the US wants is to do the same to Syria what they have done to Afghanistan.
I might be criticized a lot in the comments section, but please do because I want to see who would agree and who wouldn’t.

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Engagement in Islam is no more than a promise of Marriage. It does not give the fiancés any special rights over one another. This is a way in Islam to let a person know that you are interested in him or her, and willingly to marry him or her. Allah says, “And there is no sin on you if you make a hint of betrothal…”

Contrary to the popular beliefs, Engagement is very different in Islam. In the Islamic Shari’a, there are no rituals or anything specific practices that come with being engaged. In Modern customs according to Christianity, you gift a ring to your future probable husband or spouse as a statement of your love for the other. This is a sin; In Islam there is no custom for exchanging rings among each other. This goes against the Islamic shari’a as you are still a stranger to your fiancé. This in particular is Haram because it shows an ignorant belief and attachment to something materialistic, which has no basis according to the Shari’a. However, certain cultures tend to celebrate in the day of engagement with exchanging gifts and having a get together, this all is permissible as long as it doesn’t go against the Shari’a.

The Engagement is a period before marriage where the fiancés get to know each other better in a ‘halal’ environment. As it happens before marriage, in the eyes of Allah the fiancés are still Mahram or stranger to each other, and they should act accordingly. Therefore, Muslim Fiancés should always be conscious of this fact, and they would normally act with the fiancé as a stranger.

An engaged couple can discuss their views, beliefs, values, and plan a future life together only through words. They cannot be intimate towards each other as they have not yet been officially declared husband and wife.

Engagement is nothing but a word of contract that two persons wish to get married, and just life, and just like any contract; this contract can be revoked. You find that in a marriage, when things don’t work out, the couple gets divorced. In Islam, the idea of engagement gives the future couple a chance to know each other better, and see if they are compatible enough to start a life together. A break off in engagement is always better than a divorce after an official marriage.

In case the engagement breaks down, the families may send the gifts that they received back, that is a principle or custom in Engagement.

This is basically the concept of Engagement in Islam. If you follow the rules and regulations of Islam and do what is right, you will not be misguided into believing the “socially accepted” version of these concepts. Keep in mind that Islam is the way for you to achieve everything you possibly want, and that Allah knows what is the best for you.

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The teenage; a delicate phase of life and the most exciting one. This phase brings about both physical and psychological changes in a person.

To raise a teenager properly, you need to exert appropriate effort, attention and patience.  Also, communication with teens includes much more than just talking. It comprises a need for parents to express their absolute love to their teen, use a regulation that works for both the teen and parents, demonstrate how to fruitfully use the world around them and more.

You have to build your teenager’s self esteem and lead their teenager by supporting their preferences in activities and friends. Moreover, parents need to create a discipline plan for their teenager that is reasonable to both the parties along with a firm and affectionate approach.

When children become teenagers, there is frequently a major increase in parent-child disagreement and a less unified family bond. Disputes often concern slight issues of control, for instance, suitable clothing, and the teenager’s right to confidentiality. The disagreement also boosts as friends reveal a greater impact on one another, latest influences on the teen that possibly be in conflict to parents’ values. While the teenagers struggle for their liberty, the unfamiliarity of their actions to their parents is a difficult issue due to the rising quantity of predators on social media sites.

Life materials are the sole purpose of ruining the teenage life and meddling with their heads.

Yes, it is entertaining and fun, but somehow the teenagers get lost in the middle of all life materials that they crave, and they remember their teenage years with Ipods and Iphones. Teenagers are always in competition with each other.

No, it’s not about the highest scores in football, it’s about who owns the latest gadget and can show it off to their little friends. This influence of technology is unhealthy; no wonder obese children are so common these days. Also, this distracts them from their studies and family. Gradually their conception of happiness and teenage years are destroyed along with their innocence.

The parents have to be more like friends to their teen children so that they can communicate better along with being strict when needed. They have to guide them to use the life materials fruitfully without misusing them. Through examples, they can demonstrate the teenagers how different factors can affect them in different ways. During conflicts, parents should let the teenagers present their opinions and then, with both firmness and love, teach them the difference between right and wrong. This can help in avoiding conflicts.

I think being a teenager is such a gripping time period in everyone’s life, it gives you some of your bad wounds and some of your most enlivening moments. It’s an enthralling place; old enough to feel mature, mature enough to make choices, matured enough to fall in love, yet, too young to be liberated to make a lot of those choices devoid of someone else’s approval.

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There is no complete religion except Islam; Islam is the source of light for every aspect of life. When an individual admits that he or she is a Muslim, then it does not mean that an individual should have only faith in Allah Almighty, but there are several other things that are to be followed.

Particularly, if we talk about the importance of manners in Islam, than there are several examples that can be quoted. Prophet (PBUH) always emphasized upon the fact that an individual should have good manners that lead to good deeds. Once a man asked (PBUH): “ What is the worst sin?”, (PBUH) replied “Bad manners and miserliness”.

From that example, it could be clearly seen that the life of a person does not only depend upon the faith, but its manners that make a perfect Muslim and a human being. Before the introduction of Islam, people don’t have the concept of the way with which they should be interacting with each other but with the passage of time the world was later blessed with Islam and people came to the true importance of manners.

It is quite unfortunate that people these days are not focused on what they are doing. People don’t even bother to think what they shouldn’t be doing and what they should be doing. People are rather focused upon materializing things that are of no use. Sooner or later, everything will be finished as promised by Allah, but the only thing that will prosper even after death will be the manners and the ways in which a person treats others.

We all know the conditions of a mankind before the teachings of Islam, but what did the Prophet (PBUH) did after coming into the world? The answer is very simple, Prophet was taught by Allah almighty that it’s all about manners that will make the difference between himself and others.

One of the major reasons for Islam to be one of the famous religions around the world in quick succession was the way in which the Prophet treated others. It is said to be true that nobody is perfect in this world whatsoever, but one must try to live life according to the ways defined by Allah almighty. As far as the importance of manners in Islam is concerned, Islam always stresses on the fact that manners should be on the top priority of any Muslim. Prophet (PBUH) has set number of examples by demonstrating that how one should behave in particular.

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Christianity as its name suggests originated from the message brought to man by Jesus Christ. His name literally means ‘Saviour Anointed’, but what is that religion exactly? It is described as the service or commitment to God. I believe Christianity is a true religion just as Islam, Judaism that is practiced with the same purpose are.

I would describe Christianity as an offshoot of Judaism, that is somewhat related to Islam. Islam and Judaism contain striking similarities that are found in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. History has shown that the three share identical roots because the common factor is Abraham and his offspring moving forward. The God of Abraham is Allah to the Muslims, and the same God to Christians.

In Christianity, the spiritual aspect is evident in the miracles performed by Jesus Christ. This one again proves especially to Christians that Jesus Christ was God the Son as He was described before and after. His conception was Immaculate, born of a virgin. Time and again we are given examples of miracles performed during His life and beyond. Another aspect of Christianity is that it has stood the test of time and followers attest to the benefits derived by subscribing to the faith.

Historical proof exists about the miracles performed by Jesus Christ as God the Son. Although other faiths may disagree with the status accorded to Jesus, evidence suggests that many were healed and fed in a manner that has not been replicated since then. His ability to command nature and spirits has also been mentioned in the Bible and the remedies against evil including how to avoid getting into the snare of the evil one. Every faith is faced with the challenge of good pitted against evil, and this is the cornerstone of Christianity.

Just like in Islam, prophecies do exist where parallels can be drawn from the Old Testament and Quran. This is an essential revelation of things to be in the future that both religions hold dear.

In my opinion, as a practicing Christian, I can attest to the fact that as a result of adhering to the Word of God, my life has changed for the better. As a teenager, I experienced what I would describe as a period of desolation where I had some serious doubts about religion. This came about as a result of the challenges I faced as an adolescent at home and within the society. Later on, I renewed my faith and things began to work out in my life.

As with any religion, the most important thing is the positive contribution that faith makes in your life. A person who is strong in his faith is better off than a non-believer. Most will achieve more in their lives at some point, and this is what makes me believe that Christianity is a true religion just like Islam and a variety of others. After all, it preaches tolerance and Christians are taught to respect other faiths. As long as followers are committed in service to God, despite being of different faiths, it does not make a difference. God is the Judge.

A religion that does not preach tolerance, cannot survive the test of time because it will lose its followers to other faiths that are more accommodating. All major faiths in the world today practice tolerance, and that is another key characteristic of a true religion.

The continuous commitment to improving the plight of the underprivileged, the sick and the needy all highlight the essential attributes of a true religion. Such are true Christian principles, and they go ahead to challenge the state on poverty alleviation and matters pertaining to corruption. These qualities touch on the most sensitive issues that affect mankind by providing guidance to politicians when they seem to be straying; the hallmarks of a true religion.

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A lot has been written and said about how the west misconceives Muslims, but I dare ask, do the Muslims have the right conception of the West. Sadly, the misconception is a two way traffic whereby the Muslims largely misconceives the west just like the west has misconceives Islam. The divide between Islam and the west is a product of misconception. While Muslims have often been quick to point that the West has hatred for Islam and rarely appreciates the religion, they fail to realize that they are victims of the misconception they claim to suffer. What are the leading areas that Muslims misconceive the West?

Does the west hate Islam?

Sadly, many Muslims have been trained to believe that the West have hatred for the Muslims. It is sad that unscrupulous individuals have used Islam to further their hatred in the pretext of fighting the West. The sad truth is that the west is not at war with Islam; rather it is just a few people in the West and within the Islam communities who want to involve everyone in their wars. Islam as a religion has allowed terrorists to use it as a launch pad for their activities and as a platform for furtherance of the archaic objectives in the name of fighting against western disdain for Islam. The sad truth is that even in the United States, there are millions of Muslims who live their lives peacefully. Take for instance Faran Tahir, despite being a Muslim, he has made an impact in Hollywood and bridged the gaps the society has created. He is a living proof that Muslims can interact well and associate with the westerners.

Are the western out to plunder the Muslim word of its black Gold?

More often than not, the west has been portrayed as a class out to reap from the massive oil resources available in the Muslim nations. Sadly, this is another misconception. While the west has appetite for oil, they pay for it and these funds are used to get the lives of normal people better instead being invested in equipping the military or went into the hands of  few Arab tycoons who end up hugely investing in the same west or even moving to the west altogether.

Are the Muslim leaders sincere?

I would say, NO.

While these leaders continue to peddle the west negatively, they stash their families in the west, take their families to study in the West and even more, massively invest in the west. Back at home, they use the normal Muslims leading normal lives to consolidate their power.

In general, the truth is that the West has no issue with Muslims and the Muslims too have no serious issue with the West. Let the leaders fight their own fights. The west and the Muslims can peacefully co-exist if the normal citizens dissuade themselves from being used by greedy individuals to further their own selfish goals.

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A former Afghan Taliban named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was recently released by Pakistan. This step was taken as a measure to establish peace between the two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan along with the United States had been pressurizing Islamabad to let go of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar because they felt that by doing so, the Taliban leaders might be up for negotiation. Though Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been released, but to which part of the world he would be sent to, it still remains unconfirmed. Rumors are that he may probably be sent to Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

People in Kabul were hoping that Baradar would be handed over to Afghanistan directly, but Sartaj Aziz who is a government adviser said that he would be released in Pakistan, not in Afghanistan. He further said that this decision was taken because if he is released in Pakistan, he can get his fellow Taliban leaders, who are in Afghanistan, to come up for peace talks.

To what extent the release of Baradar will have an effect on the events in Afghanistan that cannot be said at the moment. A mid-level Afghan Taliban official said that this step of releasing Baradar will have less to no impact because he is just a simple guy who has no authority or position in the Taliban network now.

However, Baradar was once a very good friend of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the reclusive Taliban leader. There still is some hope that Baradar may be able to convince Mullah Omer to come forward to the negotiating table.

Baradar has had a reputation for being a pragmatic, level-headed operator who once even tried to convince Kabul to look for a peace settlement. However, critics believe that since he had been held captive in Pakistan for quite some time, it may be that he may have lost some of his power and influence, if not all of it.

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-—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—-
 
NEW YORK, NY (September 20, 2013) – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) today welcomed the release of a comprehensive report on Islamophobia by the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). The report highlights a well-funded and well-networked Islamophobe industry that has spent over $119 million in two years promoting prejudice and hate.

Although a slight decline is reported, more effort is needed to promote peace and understanding among communities. It is a strong reminder that the work of fighting hatred in society should not and cannot cease.

“We commend this great effort made by CAIR in exposing the Islamophobes and the Islamophobe industry.” said Naeem Baig, the president of ICNA.

The report also highlights the positive efforts by certain individuals and institutions to promote understanding, including ICNA’s “Defending Religious Freedom, Understanding Shariah” campaign. This campaign, which ran from 2011-2012, was covered by major news outlets, such as CNN, Reuters, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, AP, AFP, and The Huffington Post.

As part of this initiative, ICNA launched a toll-free hotline – 1-855-Shariah – and a website – DefendingReligiousFreedom.com. Additionally, it broadcasted and published television and radio public service announcements, billboards, 50,000 copies of a special issue of the Message Magazine, and thousands of other educational materials. Across the nation, seminars were organized in over 40 cities and more than 200 Friday sermons were conducted to increase interfaith understanding and awareness regarding religious freedom.

An observation listed by the report as a reason for optimism: “Tea party was defeated badly in 2012 elections. Islamophobes are on the defensive. The national Muslim organizations took grass roots initiatives to explain Shariah and to expose Islamophobes.”

“We look forward to working with CAIR and other organizations and combating this hatred in our society” said Baig.

Best List Inductees as listed in CAIR’s 2013 report on Islamophobia.

Click here for the full report.


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