CAIRO — The 9/11 terrorist attacks spelled trouble for America’s Muslims and charities, yet it also offered a chance for many of them to speak about their faith and set the record straight.
“We’re more in the limelight now,” Anees Masood, a 66-yar-old resident of New York’s downtown area of Rochester, told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on Thursday, February 28.
CAIRO — In vigorous, impatient strides, Sabiha Gimen walked to the gate of her Istanbul Bilgi University, hoping to make it through with her hijab under the new law, only to be rebuffed by the guards.
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CAIRO — America’s religious identity is fast changing with more adults either having none or not identifying with a particular faith, according to a new comprehensive survey.
Gaza City – Safar 18 1429/ February 25, 2008 – Thousands of Palestinians are staging a protest in the Gaza Strip against the crushing Israeli blockade of the territory, with Israeli forces on alert for trouble or a possible rush on the border. The demonstration’s organizers say they expect up to 50,000 women and children to form a 40 km long “human chain” from Rafah to Beit Hanoun this afternoon. Israel tightened the blockade when Hamas seized control of Gaza in June.
The Popular Committee Against the Siege (PCAS), a pro-Hamas group headed by Palestinian parliamentarian Jamal Al Khudari, has called for a mass demonstration against the months-long siege on the impoverished territory, according to AFP. The group has announced it will attempt to construct a human chain from the sealed Rafah crossing on the southern Gaza border with Egypt to the Beit Hanun crossing in northern Gaza along the territory’s main highway.
“We do not have intentions of approaching the fence, either in the north or the south,” said Jamal Al Khudari. “We hope all the participants will abide by the instructions and we will try to prevent any violations.” Hamas, which took over the Gaza Strip last June following battles with forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, has said it backs the demonstration but did not organize it. Hamas-controlled schools across the coastal enclave have given pupils time off to take part in the human chain protest.
But Israel warned Hamas yesterday it would defend its territory if there were any disturbances during the rally. “Israel will not intervene in demonstrations inside the Gaza Strip but it will ensure the defense of its territory and prevent any violation of its sovereign borders,” said a joint statement from Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Media reports said the Israeli army is preparing for a possible rush on the border fence around the Gaza Strip aimed at breaking the economic blockade. “Israel will work to avoid a deterioration of the situation but declares unequivocally that Hamas must assume full responsibility if that happens,” the statement said.
HI/HA/IINA
Continue reading ‘Thousands gather to form ‘human chain’ protest in Gaza’
| AMMAN — Some 40 Jordanian media outlets are joining hands in a campaign to protest the reprinting of a controversial cartoon of prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in Danish newspapers.“We will stand united and firm to fight Christian Zionists who seek to harm the image of Islam under the pretext of defending the freedom of expression,” Zakaria Sheikh, the editor of the weekly Fact International, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Sunday, February 24. |
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CAIRO — In his gatherings and TV shows, young televangelist Moez Masoud speaks about relations between men and women and Islam’s view of music and art.
Continue reading ‘Detainees at Guantánamo Fight Further Appeal Delay’
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The agreement is meant to uphold freedom of religion, expression and thought while fighting religious and ethnic intolerance.
CAIRO — Muslim and Catholic leaders in New Jersey have signed a landmark agreement to fight religious and ethnic intolerance and promote understanding about their faiths, The Courier-Port reported on Thursday, February 21.
“History is being made,” said Zia Rahman, managing director and trustee of the Muslim American Community Association in Voorhees.
By Hany Salah, IOL Correspondent
CAIRO — The Albanian Muslim majority in newly-independent Kosovo is appealing for swift recognition from Muslim countries as well as assistance to help sustain their new state.
Pristina– Safar 11 1429/ February 18, 2008 – Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia yesterday, looked forward today to recognition by the Western powers who went to war to save its Albanian majority, but Russia served notice the new state will never be forced on its Serb allies in the territory. Fireworks brought to a close a day of celebration in the Kosovo capital Pristina, where parliament adopted a declaration of independence from Serbia and proclaimed the new Republic of Kosovo a sovereign state. Kosovo’s two million Albanians were left guessing which country would be first to recognize the sixth state to be carved from Serb-dominated former Yugoslavia, closing a long chapter in its bloody demise, Reuters reported. European Union foreign ministers meet today to discuss Kosovo’s secession. Swift recognition is expected from Britain, Germany, France and Italy as well as the United States. At an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council, Western powers resisted a Russian bid to block Kosovo’s independence, and said NATO and the EU would take responsibility for the region’s stability.
Proposing the independence declaration to parliament, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said Kosovo would be a country of “all its citizens”, a gesture to the 120,000 Serbs still living here. But Serbia and Russia swept that aside. “We’ll strongly warn against any attempts at repressive measures should Serbs in Kosovo decide not to comply with this unilateral proclamation of independence,” Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said in New York. Serbs in Kosovo, led by the Serb-dominated north and with the full backing of Belgrade, reject the territory’s secession, reinforcing an ethnic partition that NATO and the United Nations have failed to erase since the 1998-99 war.
Protests were called for midday today in Serb towns in Kosovo. A U.N. car was torched overnight in the northern Serb town of Zubin Potok, witnesses said, following hand grenades lobbed at EU and U.N. buildings in the Serb stronghold of Mitrovica within hours of the declaration. Most of the EU’s 27 members will recognize Kosovo and will underwrite it with a 2,000-strong rule-of-law mission to take over supervision of the new state from the United Nations. But at least six EU members are reluctant. “Today’s events … represent the conclusion of a status process that has exhausted all avenues in pursuit of a negotiated outcome,” seven Western states on the U.N. Security Council said in a statement. They said the status quo had “become unsustainable.”
Russia has warned that Kosovo’s secession would have repercussions in breakaway regions across the world. China, which has claimed self-ruled Taiwan as its own since their split in 1949, said it was “deeply concerned” by the development. But Kosovo Albanians say there is no going back after Serb forces killed thousands and drove out almost one million in a two-year war against separatist guerrillas. NATO bombed for 11 weeks in 1999 to force a withdrawal of Serb forces, and the United Nations took control. The Serb-dominated north has resisted attempts by the U.N. mission to extend its writ north of the River Ibar.
The proclamation of independence was made by leaders of Kosovo’s 90 per cent ethnic Albanian majority, including former guerrillas who fought for independence in a 1998-99 war which claimed about 10,000 civilian lives. “We, the leaders of our people, democratically elected through this declaration, proclaim Kosovo an independent and sovereign state,” said the text read out in parliament by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. “This declaration reflects the will of the people. All 109 deputies present at the session in the capital Pristina voted in favor with a show of hands. Eleven deputies from ethnic minorities, including Serbs, were absent.
Kosovo is “an independent, sovereign and democratic state”, parliament speaker Jakup Krasniqi announced after the vote. Jubilant Kosovars in the snow-covered city had begun celebrating the night before in advance. But in Belgrade, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica branded the southern region “a false state” in a televised address to his nation just minutes after the vote in Pristina. He said Kosovo was propped up unlawfully by the United States which was “ready to violate the international order for its own military interests”. Kosovo will be the sixth state carved from the former Serbian-dominated Yugoslav federation since 1991, after Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Montenegro. It will be the world’s 193rd independent country.
Serbs in the north of Kosovo will reject independence, cementing an ethnic partition that will weigh on the new state for years to come. Kosovo covers about 10,900 square kilometers, roughly the size of Belgium, and borders Albania and Macedonia. Of the two million population, 90% are ethnic Albanian; most are Muslims, and the rest are Catholics. The remaining 10% are mainly Orthodox Christian Serbs.
HA/IINA
Continue reading ‘Kosovo declares independence, awaits world’s recognition’
CAIRO — Prominent Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi called on Sunday, February 17, for a calm, rational reaction to the reprinting of a Danish cartoon ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
By Sobhy Mujahid
“They fear that an angry reaction from Muslims would further alienate Danes,” said Tantawi
KUALA LUMPUR — Danish Muslims are doing the exact opposite of what they did when the anti-prophet cartoons were first published three years ago; handling the issue at home.
“We deplore the reprinting of the Danish cartoons ridiculing Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) but will not interfere as per the request of the Muslim minority in Denmark,” Egypt’s Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Mohamed Sayyed Tantawi said on Friday, February 15.
February 14, 2008
In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most CompassionateShe was one of the noblest women around, coming from a very prominent family. She was also quite beautiful and the holder of a considerable amount of wealth, being a prominent businesswoman. To marry her would have been a great feat for any man, and indeed, quite a few of the most prominent and wealthy men in society had asked for her hand. Yet, she rejected them all; already being a widow, she had lost the desire to marry again.
Copenhagen – Safar 06 1429/ February 13, 2008 – A Danish newspaper has reprinted a caricature insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that sparked violent protests in the Muslim world two years ago. The move by Jyllands-Posten comes a day after the arrests of three people suspected of planning to attack the cartoonist who drew the caricatures, BBC reported. Two Tunisians and a Dane of Moroccan origin were held “to prevent a murder linked to terrorism”, officials said. Jyllands-Posten originally published the cartoons in September 2005. Danish embassies were attacked around the world and dozens died in riots that followed. Jyllands-Posten reprinted the caricature both in its Wednesday printed edition and on its website, the paper’s press manager Tage Clausen told the BBC News website. The cartoon depicts Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban shaped like a bomb with a lit fuse. Two other Danish newspapers are reportedly planning to reprint the cartoons as part of their coverage of the issue. They say they want to show that they will not be intimidated by fanatics, the Associated Press news agency reports. Yesterday, the head of the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), Jakob Sharf, said its operatives had carried out pre-dawn raids in the
By IOL Staff
CAIRO — Prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi has been denied a visa to get medical treatment in Britain.
“The British Embassy in Doha earlier Wednesday sent a fax to Sheikh Qaradawi informing him that his visa mobile application for treatment has been refused,” sources close to him told IslamOnline.net.
Abuhena Saifulislam counsels troops from all backgrounds and faiths
Washington — A man who once was a student in the United States from Bangladesh has become the first Muslim chaplain in the U.S. Marine Corps, using his love for God and humanity to help U.S. military personnel of all faiths and backgrounds.
Abuhena Saifulislam, 45, joined the U.S. Navy in September 1992 after receiving a master’s degree in business administration from the University of New Hampshire. He had come to the United States from Bangladesh as a student in 1989 and received residency rights through the U.S. government immigration lottery.
Continue reading ‘Bangladeshi American Is First Muslim Chaplain in Marine Corps’
Feb. 12, 2008
Allaah blessed us with this great religion and guided us to the straight path; and it is more than sufficient for our requirements. Through this great religion, we receive contentment and guidance; from it we attain peace and security; and because of it love and harmony are spread. Allaah will grant might and honor to people in proportion to how much they adhere to this religion – and will humiliate people relative to how much of it they abandon and neglect.The religion of Islam is complete, so there is absolutely no need for invented opinions, innovated desires. The blessings and favours that have been given to us by Islam are all-inclusive and so we do not have any need for seasons and occasions to be invented so that we may celebrate them. Allaah Says (what means): “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you and have approved for you Islam as a religion.” [Quran 5: 3]Our religion is supreme; it is the most perfect one. It combines the good of this life and the Hereafter; it addressed the soul and was not heedless of the body; it gave preference to the Hereafter but did not neglect our needs in this life. Allaah Says (what means): “But seek, through that which Allaah has given you, the home of the Hereafter.” [Quran 28: 77]Our religion is a moderate religion that is neither negligent of any matter, nor does it exaggerate any issue beyond its rightful status. There is no monasticism in Islam, nor blind-materialism, Allaah Says (what means): “Thus We have made you a median (i.e. just) community that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you.” [Quran 2: 143]How is it that the believers can squander this position, which Allah granted them and become humiliated while they still have the Quran and the Sunnah to refer to? Why would we be pleased with becoming mere followers after enjoying the position of leadership? How can we go astray and become blind-imitators after being guides? What possesses a person to become a slave who carries out orders, after being a master? The answer to these questions lies in the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam as narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri: “You will follow in the footsteps of those who came before you hand-span by hand-span and (the length of an) arm by arm, such that even if they enter into the dwelling place of a lizard you would still follow them.” It is no secret that some people conspire against the Muslim Ummah (nation) in order to destroy their morals and principles. They spend their valuable time, sacrifice their wealth, lay out elaborate plans and fully utilize all their resources in order to accomplish this. It is from the unwavering characteristics of Allaah that he who works hard gets results and he who sows, shall reap a harvest. The history behind this innovated holiday is not known by many, here is a brief overview:It is claimed that pagan
Riyadh – Safar 04 1429/ February 11, 2008 – Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Alu Al Sheikh, Grand Mufti and Head of the Senior Scholars’ Commission, denounced a recent report released by the United Nations Human Rights Committee on women’s rights in Islam and Saudi Arabia. The Grand Mufti described the UN report as “based on fallacies, errors and untrue information, which is spiteful for our religion and country.” In his Friday sermon at the mosque in central Riyadh, Sheikh Alu Al Sheikh said the report was critical of matters at the core of the Shariah. “This report is unfair,” the Sheikh said,” particularly the call to end patronage of fathers over their daughters – and labeling it as disparaging to women and a repression of their freedom.”
The report was disrespectful, he said. “Calling for an end to the guardian’s system in Islam is a big mistake,” the Sheikh said.” It carries great injustice and enmity towards God and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (since) the system was ordained for the protection of women, their interests and their honor against criminals, the mischievous and the corrupt.” The Sheikh said that those who demand that women be allowed to travel without a chaperon or to marry without the approval of her guardian are only seeking promiscuity and corruption and spreading indecency in society. He explained that a chaperon should be “fair and competent,” and perform his Islamic duty by providing protection to a woman. “A chaperon should protect a woman’s honor, not patronize her or prevent her from getting married without a valid reason or from marrying someone who is fit and pious,” he said.
In Islam, a woman is the responsibility of her parents, the Grand Mufti noted. “Fathers are responsible for bringing up and providing for their daughters. In other cultures, females are expelled from the family home upon reaching a certain age. They become responsible for providing and caring for themselves and may fall prey to mischievous and delinquent individuals,” he said adding “there are those who want to destroy the marriage system which Islam has installed and for the Muslims to live like beasts, with men mixing with women.”
HA/IINA
11 Feb 2008
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says he does not regret speaking about Sharia law, as it is right to air other religious communities’ concerns.
He told the Church of England’s general synod he felt some remarks had been taken out of context, but he accepted he may have created misunderstanding.
