Muslim Voice August 2013 issue by Arabesque Media & Breek Media

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AUGUST 2013

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How to Avoid Weight Gain during Ramadan

Vol.19 Issue No.203

Helen Thomas

Inspires Generation of Journalists

First I would like to wish you all a Happy Ramadan and Inshallah a successful fast. But an issue that many of us deal with every Ramadan, is managing our weight successfully, or even to lose weight in a healthy manner. These are 4 easy tips in ways to manage or lose weight

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Filipino Domestic Workers Fled Syria At Ninoy Aquino International airport in Manila, 85 Filipina women walk through the gate. They’re coming off the last leg of their journey back from Syria. Two years into the war in Syria, thousands of women from the Philippines are still working there as domestic servants. Mary Ann Lagahet, who is 27, arrived in Damascus in early 2011, just before the start of the uprising. She finally got out when her contract ended. Today, she looks exhausted.

Arab American News, Profile, Natasha Dado, Posted: Jul 27, 2013 Legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas passed away peacefully on July 20 at her Washington D.C. apartment, while surrounded by family and friends. She was 92. Still, Thomas will always live in the work of others she inspired. “I will always carry a piece of her in how I approach things. She was an inspiration to who I am,” said Siham Awada Jaafar, a television host and producer for WDHT TV in Michigan. Speaking to The Arab American News, Thomas’ niece, Suzanne Geha, says that it was her iconic aunt who inspired her to go into broadcast journalism. A few of Thomas’ other nieces and nephews who she had influence over, and some of their children have also pursued careers in the profession as well. Thomas, a Lebanese American, emerged as one of the most prominent White House reporters, during a time when the profession was dominated by men. Generations of women in the profession have been influenced by her work. “Helen Thomas began her career in the 1940s, as a young woman, working in a man’s business and overcoming many institutional barriers that kept women from gaining equal access. Through her tenacity, integrity and willingness to follow-up any lead and work any hour of the day or night, she reached the pinnacle of her profession and paved the way for generations of women to follow,” a statement released by Thomas’ family, following her passing, read. “Aunt Helen was our mentor,” Geha said. She said Thomas had spoken to her about how hard it was for her to break into the profession when she first started and prove that a woman could do the same job as a man. Thomas covered 11 presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Barack Obama for the United Press International and Hearst Newspapers. She wrote five books and was the first female member of the National Press Club, White House Correspondents’ Association and the Gridiron Club, which announced her death. Thomas’ ability to vigorously question U.S. presidents and other high-powered officials are what made her stand out. She never shied away from asking the tough questions, or expressing unpopular views. She made it clear at White House press conferences that she opposed the Iraq war, while other journalists across the country were being criticized for not asking enough hard questions about the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Thomas traditionally sat at the front of presidential news conferences, but during the Bush Administration she was Continued on page moved to the back row. When she was once

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Terms used in this paper Alhamdulilah: Praise God Allah: Arabic word for God Fatwa: Islamic decision based on Shari’a Hadith: Sayings of the Prophet Mohammad Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca Halal: Allowed in Islam Halaqa: Group study Haram: Prohibited in Islam Hijab: Head cover for women Hijra: Migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Madina Imam: Islamic scholar Iman: Faith Inshallah: God willing Madina: City near Mecca in Saudia Arabia Masjid: Place were Muslims gather for prayer and studies Mecca: City in Saudi Arabia where Prophet Mohammad was born Pbuh: Peace be upon him Quran: Islam’s Holy book Shahadah: Is saying “I accept Allah as the one God and Mohammad as his messenger” when someone accepts Islam. Sharia’: Islamic law Shura: A council of Muslim scholars (SWT) Subhanahu Watala: Praise be to Allah Taqwa: God consciousness

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As Feds Slow Deportations, Arpaio Continues Ariz. Raids PHOENIX – Miguel Venegas was certain he was being driven to the border for eventual deportation. But instead, federal immigration authorities let him off at a bus stop in downtown Phoenix, where he phoned his wife Julia: “I’m out,” he told her. Venegas, 45, was released last Wednesday without bail and without explanation from an immigration detention facility where he was held for two days. Before that he spent five months in a Maricopa County jail for allegedly working with false documents. His experience highlights a growing trend as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials close dozens of deportation proceedings for individuals caught in ongoing raids in Maricopa County. Even with the shift, however, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio insists the arrests will continue. The same day that Venegas arrived at the bus depot, Arpaio’s office conducted two worksite enforcement raids, the first since a May ruling by a federal judge that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office agency engaged in racial profiling. “It brings me great sadness to think what those people that were arrested are going to go through,” said Venegas from his home Phoenix. “It’s a tough process.” Arpaio has resumed his notoriously

harsh immigration enforcement tactics amid a federal lawsuit by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that alleges Maricopa police, operating under orders, violated the constitutional rights of Latinos in its enforcement of immigration laws. Amid a rising chorus of complaints, the federal government has stepped in to close the deportation proceedings of people arrested in worksite raids carried out under Arpaio’s authority. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials have insisted in prepared statements that cases are reviewed on an individual basis, though they did not say whether the decision to stem deportations was tied to the pending DOJ suit. In an interview with NAM, Arpaio declined to comment on either the lawsuit or the May ruling. Attorneys for his office are in negotiations now to comply with a federal order and come up with a consent decree before the end of August. “I don’t want to get involved in the federal judge’s court ruling. All we can tell you is that we are enforcing state law, which includes ID theft,” he said. “Just like any other crime, they committed a violation of state law. Regardless of what ICE wants to do, they still have to do their time.” Arpaio also dismissed claims that he

is acting under the guise of state law to continue targeting undocumented immigrants. “What happens when they get out [is] a whole other issue. They have to go through the criminal justice system like everybody else.” Plaintiff’s attorneys in the racial profiling suit admit the ruling only pertains to traffic stops, in which Latino’s were routinely targeted, and does not prohibit the continuation of worksite raids. “There’s nothing that absolutely bans [them],” said Dan Pochoda, a lead attorney in the lawsuit for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona. Still, he described the sweeps as more of the same. “There’s no question that this is a continuation of what I consider to be terrorist practices,” said Pochoda. “[Arpaio] wants to show that he’s still around.” Business as Usual Ten employees at Uncle Sam’s sandwich shop were arrested in last week’s raid, with warrants issued for some 60 more for identity theft. A press release put out by the immigrant rights advocacy coalition PUENTE on Tuesday noted that all charges against those arrested in the sweep have been dropped by the county attorney. In a statement, PUENTE Arizona organizer Jovana Renteria said,

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www.AZMuslimVoice.com “Because of our campaign targeting [County Attorney] Montgomery and Arpaio’s collaboration, we have succeeded today in reuniting 10 families. We have set an incredible precedent in Maricopa County by getting all the charges dropped

on these victims of Arpaio’s latest raids.” Arpaio, for his part, has of late been working to improve long-strained relations with Arizona’s growing Latino community. He recently invited a group of Latino pastors to visit and tour the Maricopa Count Jail and was also featured as a guest on a local bilingual radio talk show. But for his critics, such efforts don’t go far enough to repair the damage. “There’s no way that he can fix relations with the Latino community after years of damage,” said Lydia Guzman, national immigration chair for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit. Guzman documented many of the racial profiling cases both in the ACLU and DOJ lawsuit. “You can’t fix that,” she added. As for the recent raid, she echoed Pochoda in describing it as a return to business as usual.

“He can disguise it anyway he wants,” she said, “but it’s the same old thing. The message is: nothing has changed.” Arpaio’s first raid came in June 2008, after the signing of a law by former democratic Governor

Janet Napolitano that imposed civil sanctions against employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers. While at the time he cited identity theft as a concern, Arpaio was unequivocal in saying the focus was on apprehending what he termed “illegal aliens.” Since 2008, there have been 73 such raids, with over 500 workers arrested. Only three employers have been sanctioned. Still, Arpaio insists the raids are necessary, though the focus -and the language -- has shifted. “Identity theft is a serious felony that creates untold damage to its victims,” he said in a recent press release. “By enforcing state law, my deputies are helping to curb the abuses that revolve around this increasing source of crime that affects thousands, if not millions, of Americans.” Detained for Working Venegas and some 30 others were

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arrested at the Sportex Apparell company in Tempe last February. He was charged with several felonies, though he eventually pled to a class 6 undesignated felony (for impersonating a legal worker). The charge does not carry deportation

proceedings. ICE has since closed several of the cases stemming from the raid. But under federal immigration law, identity theft is punishable by

deportation. In the past year, a team of Arizona attorneys have been focused on lowering the charges brought against individuals caught in worksite sweeps. Advocacy groups, including the nationwide immigrant rights coalition PUENTE, have also been vocal in challenging the policies of Arpaio. Still, for the families of those caught up in the raids, the impact can be devastating. “He was the only one that worked. He is a good man,” said Evelia Ventura. Her husband, Jorge, was among those arrested at Uncle Sam’s, where he worked for 12 years as a kitchen supervisor. Ventura spoke as she held her 4-month-old outside the 4th Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix, where her husband is being held. She was tearful as a group of PUENTE protestors surrounded her, chanting, “Arrest Arpaio, not the people.” “I’m in shock,” said a distraught Ventura. “I don’t know what to do. I know nothing at all,” she said in Spanish. Ventura has four other children and was waiting for her husband’s check to pay rent and electricity. “My daughter asked me, ‘What happened to dad?’ I answered, ‘They detained him for working.’”

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asked why she was seated in the back row, she responded, “They didn’t like me, I ask too mean questions.” As a senior correspondent at the White House, Thomas ended dozens of presidential news conferences with her famous phrase, “Thank you, Mr. President.” Thomas devoted her nearly 70-year career in journalism to the pursuit of the public’s “right to know.” She was a champion of the First Amendment, fervently advocating for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. For years, she proudly occupied her front row seat in the Press Briefing Room at the White House, considering it the people’s chair in the people’s house. Geha says that Thomas felt it was her responsibility to get answers for the public from people it didn’t have access to. The statement released by Thomas’ family went on to say that she always acknowledged the privilege of being the eyes and ears of the public, and she boldly and unabashedly asked the hard questions to hold our leaders accountable. Arab American Community Defends Thomas In 2010, Thomas retired from Hearst Newspapers after making controversial remarks about Israel, Jews and Palestine. Although she apologized afterwards, efforts were made to get a statue of Thomas removed from the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, but were not successful. She later made additional remarks that caused more controversy, while

National speaking at a workshop on anti-Arab bias in Dearborn at Byblos Banquet Hall, when she said, “Congress, the White House, Hollywood and Wall Street are owned by Zionists. No question in my opinion...” The day after, her alma mater, Wayne State University (WSU), revoked the “Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award” and, later, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) also removed the “Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement.” Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, is the recipient of the “Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Award” and a member of the Congress of Arab American Organizations (CAAO). After WSU removed the award, members of CAAO met with officials from WSU to discuss its decision. CAAO cautioned that if the decision was not properly addressed and corrected, it would negatively impact relations between the university and the Arab American community for many years. The decisions resulted in a major backlash from groups and individuals across the country, who called on SPJ and WSU to reinstate both awards, saying the decisions were an attack on free speech and undermined the principals of journalism. Several organizations, including youth groups, held protests to put pressure on the university and SPJ to reverse their decisions. Jaafar says she spoke to Thomas after the awards were revoked. “She always said, ‘No one can take anything away from you, as long as you stand on solid ground and maintain your integrity.”’

Still, even after she was forced to resign, and her awards were removed, the brave and outspoken Thomas would continue fighting for what she believed in. She remained true to herself until the end. During an event at the Palestine Cultural Office in May 2011, where Thomas was presented with the “Relentless Courage Award” for her audacity to speak truth to power, she delivered a speech in support of Palestinian rights, while wearing a bracelet that read “Palestine.” At the event, when asked by The Arab American News whether she would take back her remarks about Israel, she said, “Never. I spoke the truth. I don’t believe in human tyranny, which is what is happening in Palestine.” When TAAN asked Thomas whether she was bothered about not being at the annual WSU Spirit of Diversity Awards Ceremony, which was being held on the same day, she said, “I’m not bothered. They should be bothered. They denied Americans freedom of speech, and that is shameful for any university.” In response to some of her awards being pulled, several new ones were created in her name from groups, such as the Lebanese American Heritage Club and the National Arab American Journalists Association. Thomas made it known that she was proud of her Arab roots. “She was somebody who made you feel proud to be Arab American. She was extremely confident in who she was,” Jaafar said. “Helen’s life is a remarkable American success story; a rich fulfillment of the American Dream,” says Devon Akmon,

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Arab American National Museum Director. “Her immigrant parents took the risk, sought the opportunities for themselves and their children, and raised Helen to be the independent, tireless achiever she was – a woman who did not allow her gender, ethnic heritage and later, her age, to limit her goals in any way.” Thomas was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 1993. President Obama also commented on Thomas’ passing, saying, “What made Thomas the ‘Dean of the White House Press Corps’ was not just the length of her tenure, but her fierce belief that our democracy works best when we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account.” Thomas was married to Douglas Cornell, who was a White House reporter for the Associated Press and passed away in 1982. She graduated from WSU in 1942 and is among its most distinguished alumni. Thomas will be greatly missed by her three surviving sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Thomas’ body will be brought back to Detroit, where she will be buried. Sources say that the service is expected to take place in August, and a memorial service will be held in Washington D.C. this October. When asked what Thomas’ advice to young and aspiring journalists would be, Geha responded, “Don’t be afraid. Have courage. You’re not out to win a popularity contest. You are there on the public’s behalf to keep them informed.”

Saudi princess arraigned on human trafficking charges

ICE still determining if 4 Pinoys are human trafficking victims ORANGE COUNTY – Four Filipino domestic servants were found in the home of a Saudi Arabian princess, who is accused of human trafficking a Kenyan woman into the United States, according to authorities. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas on Wednesday charged Meshael Alayban, 42, with one felony count of human trafficking. Alayban was arraigned on Thursday and posted a $5-million bail, Rackauckas said. Alayban surrendered her passport and is required to wear a GPS tracking

device. She is prohibited from leaving Orange County without permission from the court, and is barred from having any contact with the victim, Rackauckas said. Authorities are still trying to determine whether the 4 women from the Philippines found in Alayban’s Irvine condominium are trafficking victims as well. Rackauckas said Alayban is one of the wives of Saudi Prince Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al Saud. “The laws of our nation and California do not tolerate people who deprive or violate the liberty of another and

obtain forced labor or services,” said Rackauckas in a statement. “If any person is being enslaved, he or she should contact law enforcement. Any victim of human trafficking will receive the benefit and protection of the laws of the United States and California,” Rackauckas added. According to authorities, the arrest of Alayban came after a Kenyan woman fled Alayban’s Irvine home and flagged down a bus. A passenger helped the Kenyan woman who was described as distraught at the time local Irvine police received a call. The victim (whose identity was not released) was found possessing a US Department of State pamphlet, which was given to her at the embassy in Saudi Arabia when she was issued her travel visa. It described her rights and warning of human trafficking, authorities said. The 30-year-old victim alleges that she began working for the Saudi family in March 2012 to help pay for her young daughter’s medical care. Prosecutors said the woman signed a two-year contract with an employment agency guaranteeing that she would be paid $1,600 a month to work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. But once the victim arrived to Saudi Arabia, she was working 16 hours a day and 7 days a week without a day off and was only receiving $220 a month. The defendant is accused of

taking away the victim’s passport and refusing to allow the victim to return to Kenya, prosecutors said. In May 2013, prosecutors accused Alayban of bringing the victim to the US to work as a domestic servant at her home in Irvine. The victim alleges that upon arrival to the US, Alayban confiscated her passport and forced her to work as a domestic servant against her will. The 5 women (the Kenyan and the 4 Filipinas) are all currently in the care of a non-governmental organization in the Orange County area “that has expertise aiding victims and witnesses in human trafficking cases,” said Virginia Kice, spokesperson for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Kice said ICE has not definitely determined whether the 4 Filipinas are trafficking victims at this point. “They are being described as witnesses and potential victims,” said Kice. The majority of the Filipino women are in their twenties, with the oldest at 52 years old, said Kice. Alayban is being held on $5 million bail. She is the first forced labor human trafficking case to be prosecuted in Orange County under California’s Proposition 35, authorities said. Passed last November, Prop 35 increases the penalty for human trafficking. Alayban faces a maximum sentence of 12 years if convicted.

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Zimmerman: Do the Feds Have a Case? LONDON – Britain’s Guardian newspaper claims to have acquired top secret documents about US’ National Sepiec If the state of Florida’s prosecution of George Zimmerman was an

uphill battle, any Department of Justice effort to prove that he violated Trayvon Martin’s civil rights would face the legal equivalent of Mount Everest. The federal government faces intensifying pressure to indict the former neighborhood-watch volunteer on civil rights charges that he shot and killed Trayvon because the unarmed boy was black. Attorney General Eric

Holder has said he is “concerned” and promised that the Justice Department would “consider all available information” before deciding whether to prosecute. The 1 million people who signed an NAACP petition urging Holder to take action shouldn’t hold their breath. In federal court, there may be no case more difficult to prove than a racially motivated crime. The government must meet the highest standards of proof that exist in American law. No wonder federal prosecutors indict criminal civil rights cases only if the evidence is a slam dunk. The killing of Trayvon, despite the justified outrage, is anything but. The Justice Department has resumed an investigation it halted last year to allow for the state trial. The agency has long used federal civil rights law to try defendants acquitted in state courts, one of the most memorable examples being the Rodney King case.

HAJI BABA

AUGUST 2013

What is the point of a constitution?

By Manar Milbis, When Hosni Mubarak stepped down after weeks of protesting by the Egyptian people in 2011, it provided a glimpse of hope. Dreams of freedom, liberty, and equality seemed attainable. The success of removing an authoritarian dictator spurred people to adopt ideas of democracy. People rejoiced at the success of the Arab Spring. A revolutionary ambition was now coming to life. And yet a few years later this once jovial hope seems so bleak and begins to highlight the idea that perhaps the Arab Spring hasn’t succeeded. Not yet, at least. Since Morsi’s removal clashes continue to erupt resulting in the death of many innocent civilians. Now discussions of a possible civil war between military supporters and backers of the ousted Islamist president begin to surface. It has been an extremely unfortunate series of events and ordinary Egyptian citizens who are not involved with either side continue to suffer. I don’t have any recommendations for alternate leaders because I don’t live in Egypt and I am not Egyptian. And while most people, including myself, cannot fully understand the scope of the problems in Egypt, I can confidently say that I will never support a military intervention.

When the anti-Morsi protest movement, the Tamarod Movement, encouraged the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood through a military coup, they singlehandedly destroyed the notions of democracy that many individuals participating in the Arab Spring so strongly desired. This isn’t an article in favor or in apposition of any political group or leader; instead it is an attempt to remind people that a military coup— the overthrow of a government by the military—establishes a dangerous dominance that is too similar to the former authoritarian regime. We must pay attention to the fact that the coup has been backed by many powerful individuals of the old Mubarak regime. What is the point of a constitution—a document outlining, among many things, a citizenship’s involvement in selecting a leader—if anytime the military disapproves of the people’s choice they will overthrow the government with a coup? Perhaps Morsi wasn’t the “right” leader for the Egyptian people but this should have been expressed in future elections with the selection of an entirely new leader. My fear is that the very dictatorial institution that pushed people to protest in the streets is being reborn under a different name. All we can do now is wait and pray for justice to prevail.

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Mandela’s Illness Exposes Little End-of-Life Planning in Modern World

PALO ALTO, Calif. – For weeks now, the media has been pouring out news about former South African President Nelson Mandela’s illness and repeated hospital stays. Meanwhile, the South African government has been saying for days that Mandela— who turns 95 on Thursday--is in “critical but stable condition,” possibly suggesting he is on lifesupport machines. Mandela’s high profile, say South African legal experts, makes it very difficult for someone as visible as this global icon to do advance care planning for the end of his life. Yet planning ahead with written forms is just what more and more people will have to do in an era of hightech medicine and potentially unnatural life prolongation. No information is currently available as to whether the humanrights icon ever wrote a socalled “advance directive,” or chose a health care proxy – someone to make medical decisions for him if he became incapacitated. Few Americans Have Written Wishes A large majority of Americans have not written an advance directive or even told a loved one what they do or don’t want done medically at the end of their lives. That’s mostly because they don’t know they can, say experts in palliative care and related hospice care. Do they want a feeding tube? Do they want to be hooked up to a ventilator? Do they want more surgery, even if the benefits may be questionable? At a New America Media training program for ethnic media reporters here at the Stanford University Medical Center July 11 and 12, sponsored by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), journalists heard from doctors, caregivers,

health care advocates, social workers and chaplains about the availability of palliative care and the importance for people to let a friend or family member know the answers to these and related issues well ahead of time. They also learned about forms people could fill out and revise at any time, if they changed their minds. During the educational program,

Measures The CHCF survey also shows that a majority of people in all ethnic groups prefers that doctors not take futile, heroic measures to keep them alive. But there was a significant gap between the 75 percent of white non-Latinos who said they do not want such invasive procedures and smaller majorities in other groups (58

the reporters learned the difference between hospice care and palliative care. Palliative care — which includes hospice-focuses on relieving symptoms related to severe chronic illnesses. Hospice care is provided in the last six months of terminal illness, when an illness has gone beyond curative medical treatment and is no longer beneficial. “Hospice care and palliative care may be terms many people are not familiar with,” noted Emma Dugas of CHCF, which has developed and funded extensive studies on palliative care. With funding from the CHCF, 17 public hospitals in the state have begun palliative care programs, Dugas said. Dugas presented findings of a survey that CHCF commissioned last year on the attitudes of Californians on end-of-life issues. “They are very widely misunderstood terms, especially in communities of color.” No Culture Wants Futile Medical

percent of African Americans, 60 percent of Latinos and 67 percent of Asian and Pacific Islanders). Three in four African Americans surveyed led the other ethnic groups in saying the being “at peace spiritually” in their final days is “extremely important” at life’s end. Latinos were close behind (71 percent). “We rely heavily on our faith, we rely on the power of prayer,” said Virginia Jackson, chief of chaplaincy in the palliative care clinic at the Palo Alto Veterans Administration hospital. While African Americans tend to have a “trust issue” with the medical profession, they are more likely to trust a health care professional who is there with them during prayers, she said. Victoria Layton of the Office of Decedent Affairs at the Palo Alto VA hospital echoed Jackson’s views. If patients don’t see a “spiritual base” in their caregivers, “they shut down,” she said.

There is no one-size-fits-all in the way physicians should approach patients about end-of-life issues, said V.J. Periyakoil, MD, director of Stanford’s palliative care fellowship program, which educates and trains doctors. Periyakoil has produced extensive health-education media on palliative care for multi-cultural older adults. She showed a video she developed dramatizing an actual case at the clinic in which the daughter of an elderly Chinese patient was reluctant to have her father’s cancer physician discuss his “bad news” directly with him. Often in Chinese and other cultures, patients prefer to learn of distressing health news about them from a family member. In this case, the doctor, a white woman, carefully discussed her father’s advanced cancer with his daughter in another room. But also the oncologist got the daughter to agree to include her dad’s voice in expressing how he wanted to get the news. It turned out that while the daughter feared her father’s reaction, her dad said he went along with his family’s wishes so they would experience less distress in accepting his terminal condition. That sort of attitude is not uncommon among other Asian communities, Periyakoil said, but others are more open. She noted, “You cannot assume a family is a certain way.” People increasingly have the option of putting their wishes down in writing through advanced directives, as well as POLST (Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) forms signed by both a doctor and patient. But people need to know that they can and should revisit these from time to time “because patients change their mind all the time,” said Dr. Rebecca Sudore, associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

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AUGUST 2013

Undocumented Students Protest Napolitano as New UC President SAN FRANCISCO -- Janet Napolitano became the new president of the University of California Thursday over objections of student protesters. Six students were removed by campus police from the Board of Regents meeting where Napolitano’s appointment was confirmed. The former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security will be the first woman president of the 10-campus UC system and will earn $570,000 per year in her new position. Shortly after Napolitano’s compensation was read at the public meeting, a UC student stepped forward from the audience and started the chant, “Education, not deportation!” Campus police escorted four other students out shortly after when they refused to leave the room. About 60 students, parents, faculty and staff representing UC Merced, Berkeley, Santa Cruz and other campuses protested outside the meeting to show their disappointment with Napolitano’s nomination. As Secretary of Homeland Security, Napolitano oversaw a record number of deportations under the Obama administration,

about 400,000 undocumented immigrants per year. Undocumented student protesters said they were concerned about what her appointment could mean for

Lee, who is ethnically Chinese and was born and raised in Brazil, fell out of immigration status after being denied political asylum. He said that without the advocacy of his friends and

students like them. “She’s separated a lot of families,” said Wei Lee, an undocumented graduate of UC Santa Cruz, who noted that the UC system is home to many undocumented students. “We cannot allow someone like Janet Napolitano with her background and her experience to run this fine education system.”

community, he and his family would have been deported. Today, he is a part of the student group ASPIRE (Asian Students Promoting Immigrant Rights through Education) and says that the current immigration system “does not reflect American values.” San Francisco State University student Akiko Aspillaga held

a pink sign that read, “This feminist opposes Napolitano’s appointment.” “For somebody who justifies the war, who militarizes not just our borders but our communities and separates our families… if those are her values, we don’t want her to be the lead of our education system,” said Aspillaga. Lotus Yee Fong, whose son has two UC degrees, expressed concern over Napolitano’s credentials: “She is not an educator.” Protesters also criticized the timing of the appointment. Napolitano was nominated only a week before the public meeting, which they said left them little time to organize. “It’s more or less a political coup,” said UC Santa Cruz student Daniel Shubat, shaking his head. “They did it during the summer. It’s underhanded and we don’t have a say.” Supporters are quick to point out that Napolitano has also been criticized by Republicans who accuse her of being too soft on immigration enforcement.

‘Cruel and Indecent’ -- La Opinión Skewers House GOP’s KIDS Act previously rejected the DREAM Act and just recently voted in favor of cutting off all funds to the Deferred Action program, thereby exposing these youths to deportation. This change in attitude responds to pressure for the House version of immigration reform to contain at least some

legalization component. It is also a political strategy to place an unacceptable proposal on the table, exclusively legalizing a limited group of people, in hopes of provoking opposition from the Democrats, who could then be portrayed as betraying the Dreamers. In reality, using Cantor’s own words, it is cruel and indecent to

think that the young Dreamers would be satisfied with a measure that protects themselves but simultaneously deports their parents. Likewise, it is the height of hypocrisy to posture oneself as representing family integrity, while heartlessly promoting actions that divide the family home, whose human worth knows no borders.

The only aspect worth rescuing in this proposal is a strategic speculation that it might foster conciliation with the Senate measure, and that in the end the Senate’s principles, which are far more just, will prevail. For now, it is recommended to keep a close watch and be very cautious the next time the House leadership talks about decency and compassion.

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Family values are a pillar of traditional Republican discourse. But as soon as it comes time to address immigration issues, all of their emphasis on family unity goes out the window, replaced by advocacy for division. This is the logical conclusion that follows from the KIDS Act, being developed by the House of Representatives. While this House bill would legalize the status of minors brought to the United States without papers by their parents, it would be the only measure the lower house would approve to regularize the status of anyone undocumented, unlike the Senate bill that initially aspired to benefit 11 million people. The bill’s sponsor, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, speaking in favor of the measure, stated that this is a matter of “decency and compassion.” It is strange to hear him using these words today, when the House of Representatives

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The Passing of Zarinah Awad of Cultural Cup Food Bank

Her Integrity, Productivity, Compassion and Honorable Perseverance By Habibullah Saleem – a Husbands Dream Speaking at prisons, an early profession Replenishing many lives, her daily confession Departing this world, submitting to Cancer For so many people, Zarinah was the answer The Cultural Cup founder, the amazing Food Bank Seeking Allah’s Blessings, the highest of ranks Oh what a servant, a pioneer, a mother Zarinah for sure, was like no other Friends and loved ones, lifting her high Delivering her deeds, without deny Born to be a winner, earning her place Engaging all people, beyond their race Mexican, Irish, Jewish or other Regardless of status, inspired to recover A magnificent human being, committed to make friends Zarinah Awad, setting the trend Seen with her cane, wheelchair or walker Zarinah in action, more than a talker Frequently smiling, a woman of care Bringing to society, comfort to spare Beyond the ordinary a woman of class A servant of Allah, her deeds will last Wherever she went, so many amazed Engaging her journey, many roads she paved At the farmers market, prepared to serve Effectively giving food deserved Expanding the definition of character impact Moving forward, not having to look back Advancing the desire to be a provider Serving from her soul with others beside her Conscious volunteers eager to assist The greatness of Zarinah at the top of the list Earning the title the Mother of Peace Heartfelt charity she constantly released Never complaining just grabbing her cane The Cultural Cup Food Bank to gain and maintain Free medical each Saturday, professionals at work A servant of the people aware and alert Honoring families including her own Oh what a woman, sharing her throne

An excellent wife for Habibullah Saleem Together in struggle, completing her dream Seen at her desk, computer in motion Thanksgiving turkeys, her yearly devotion Halal a priority, food or drink Establishing the Wow, Zarinah would think Attending events, committed to prayer Walker or wheelchair, Zarinah was there Engaging her mission, fighting starvation The helpers or homeless, appropriate inspiration Auntie Zarinah, grand children being served Family or not, their voices were heard Supporting where necessary, a woman of balance An amazing worker, confronting the challenge A soul of gold, a legacy told The Cultural Cup Food Bank, Zarinah was bold And so for her accomplishments, we never say die A servant of the people, as they joyfully cry Zarinah for sure, rising above Zarinah in death, we continue to love Purpose and posture, with focus and aim Zarinah in Paradise, Hall of Fame An awesome continuation, Sabiha Keskin The Cultural Cup Food Bank, structured to win So again may Zarinah receive relief Enjoying Allah’s Paradise, while resting in peace [May Allah reward her for her extraordinary deeds] Special Note: Sabihah and Zarinah together made the necessary sacrifices to keep the Food Bank going for approximately ten (10) years without proper financial support. Therefore, as we remember Zarinah for her magnificent dedication, let us maintain the vision that she and Sabiha established without wavering from our duty to continue to send funds. As the new director, Sabiha is highly qualified and trustworthy for the task that’s now upon her. As Zarinah’s husband for six (6) years I, Habibullah Saleem, know for a fact that’s the way she wanted it. Email: culturalcupfb@integra.net www.culturalcup.com

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INTERNATIONAL

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UAE expert says Islam is a part Turkish DPM shows concerns over low share of participation of European Community By Islamonline who is a writer and expert in banks in banking system international political affairs at

Dubai: Islam is growing at rapid rate all over the world and this phenomena is amazing especially in the European continent where number of Muslims are growing more rapidly than other parts of the world. An expert of the United Arab Emirates shared his views on the progress of Islam in Europe and he established that Islam has become a part of the European community which is evident from 26 million Muslims living in the European countries. The expert, Saeed Al Lawindi,

Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, was speaking at the Arab Media Forum session titled “Islamophobia: Is the media doing enough to reserve perception?” He stated that no country can be labeled “Islamophobic.”He also said that there is a common attitude in the West which linked Muslims with terrorism. “Any Middle Eastern is considered a terrorist unless proven otherwise,” he added. Pointing out that the Middle East is seen as an incubator of terrorism, Al Lawindi said that Islamophobia also exists within the Arab world, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood. “Every day, 36 Europeans convert to Islam. So, I do not think it will be easy to ignore or avoid Islam’s growing influence in the West, although there is a fear that the ‘Green Enemy’ — or Islam — could replace the ‘Red Enemy’ — or the now defunct Soviet Union, among many Westerners,” Al Lawindi concluded.

Istanbul: One of the highest government officials in Turkey has shown his concerns over the share of banking system by participation banks in the country. The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Ali Babacan, said that the participation banks’ share in the Turkish banking system is at 5 percent which is below expectations. Meanwhile, as a participation bank Albaraka looks to found an Islamic insurance company if the legal basis is formed in the country. “The number of participation bank branches has reached 869, with 16,190 staff members. Their size of assets has increased to 81.5 billion Turkish Liras, as their funds provided real sector worth 60 billion liras. The participation banks’ share in assets is 5 percent and in funds it’s 6 percent. These figures are below our desires,” said Babacan during the conference on “Islamic Finance Instruments: Expectations and Opportunities for Turkey.”

The minister stated that the private sector has started sukukexports like the Treasury. The tax difference between sukuk and bonds has been removed, legislation related to Islamic financing has been completed, and the private pension system has become able to be built on non-interest instruments, as preferred by 300,000 people. Meanwhile, Bahrain-based Albaraka CEO, Adnan Ahmed Yousif, said that they had informed Turkish authorities that they are planning to found an Islamic insurance firm. Turkey doesn’t have a legal basis for this, but it has expressed its intention to the authorities, Yousif added. He also said two new participation banks from the Gulf countries are preparing to enter to the country. Albaraka Türk, Bank Asya, Türkiye Finans and Kuveyt Türk are the participation banks currently operating in Turkey.

Reuters study shows potential of Islamic finance growth in Tunisia Tunis: Islamic Finance has bright future in Tunisia provided that favorable policies are imposed in the country that will take Islamic finance sector in Tunisia to greater heights. This was the outcome of a research study. A research study by Thomson Reuters has concluded that Islamic finance in Tunisia can grow, and claim at least 25 percent and up to 40 percent of the financial sector in 5 years, if the required policies are implemented. Islamic finance has previously not been popular in the country because it has been neglected by the previous regime. According to the study, necessary rules coupled with consumer education and private investment plans can lead to a boost of Islamic finance which only accounts

for 2.5 percent of the sector at present; estimated around $1.4 billion. Tawarruq or commodity Murabaha remains unwelcomed practices in the country. The

plans by the government to do some issuance before the end of the year, according to the General Director of debt management and financial co-operation at the

government has been dedicated to increase the activities of the sector and the issuance of Sukuk has been considered as a major factor to realize it. There are

finance ministry, Chaker Soltani. Tunisia has already received $600 million worth of sukuk from the Islamic Development Bank as a financial guarantee.

The central bank is willing to encourage the growth of the sector. Its Deputy Director of general supervision and banking regulation, Mohamed Sadraoui, said that the bank would be accepting units of conventional banks that offer Islamic financial services to operate, if they adhere to the central bank’s guidelines that ensured operations were segregated. The sector is already expecting a boom in Tunisia and Mahmoud Mansour, Deputy General Manager of the Tunisian arm of Bahrain-based lender Al Baraka Bank, said, “Well-known banks in Tunisia that are trying to facilitate the way for their Islamic finance businesses” in the country. Islamic insurance companies have also joined the race as three of them have already applied for licenses.

www.AZMuslimVoice.com Continued from p. 1

international

AUGUST 2013

Filipino Domestic Workers Fled Syria, Returned Home to No Work

“I’m grateful to be back safe in the Philippines,” Lagahet says. But her sister is still in Damascus, and she’s hoping the Philippine embassy there can get her out soon. “We have repatriated about 4,100 household service workers,” says Carmelita Dimzon. She heads the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, which works with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to bring Filipino workers back from wars and disasters. Dimzon says there are still about 2,0002,500 Filipina workers in Syria. Jennifer Baculpo got back a year ago. She worked as a maid in Latakiya, in Syria’s north. When the war started, she says her employer told her the sounds outside were just fireworks. “But I’m not stupid,” Baculpo says. “I know gunfire when I hear it.” When the fighting got bad in Latakiya, her employer moved the household to Damascus. But the war caught up with them. Baculpo heard shots, she heard a car bomb go off down the street, and she saw burnt cars and bodies. She says wasn’t allowed to watch TV, but when her employers left the house, she would switch it on to watch the news. Baculpo says she spent all day cleaning, washing the dishes, and taking care of the kids, sometimes from 6 am until midnight. Then she would lie in bed listening to demonstrators chanting until dawn. “I kept thinking I need to go home, or I’ll die here,” Baculpo says.

It’s been difficult to get domestic workers like Jennifer Baculpo out of Syria, according to Carmelita Dimzon. “It was not easy to get them because

Baculpo lived in the embassy for a month and a half before the Philippine government flew her home. But one of her friends, a woman named Faihirine, is still

employers resisted. They did not want to release them.” Sometimes employers demanded that their maids pay them back for the cost of bringing them to Syria. Baculpo’s employer did that at first, but Baculpo insisted, and after several months, they gave in. Once she was let go, Baculpo stayed at a dorm at the Philippine embassy, which was filled with other Filipinas trying to get home. She recalls that one of the women there was verging on hysteria. “If she heard even a bang, that’s it, she starts screaming. She was really delirious,” Baculpo says. “They told me don’t pay any attention, Jenny, just let her be. I said why? What is going on? They told me she’s lost her mind — because of what her employer did to her, and because of the war.”

in Syria. Faihirine told her she wants to stay in Damascus as long as she can stand it, because there’s no work for her in the Philippines. Back home in Manila

When Jennifer Baculpo got home, she thought she would never again work overseas. But she hasn’t been able to find steady work in the Philippines. She lives in a tiny, two-room cementblock house in Manila with her parents, sisters and her kids. There’s no running water or electricity. Her son plays with rocks outside while the neighbor girls sing songs to each other. In Syria, she earned $200 a month. It wasn’t enough for her family to live on, but it’s more than they can scrape together now. They’re surviving by eating vegetables that they grow in a nearby plot. And Baculpo says she is worried that she can’t afford her kids’ school supplies. “If I don’t go overseas,” she says, “this is how our life is, really hard.” Now Baculpo is looking for another job overseas, for her kids’ sake. While she won’t go back to Syria, she says she’ll take her chances in whatever other country offers her work.

RAMADAN

AUGUST 2013

Continued from p. 1

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How to Avoid Weight Gain during Ramadan

during Ramadan: 1. Regulate your calorie intake This at first might sound tough, but keeping your total intake of 2000 calories shouldn’t be very tough as we are skipping multiple meals through the day. 2. Break your fast eating healthy foods What?? Are we not supposed to overindulge in our mother’s best dishes from sambosa, kibbah, mansaf, and fatayer. At Iftar it is understandable that you will be very hungry but instead of overindulging on foods that are deep fried or full of fat try to break your fast with foods high in fiber and protein that help in stabilizing your blood sugar, eliminate hunger, and prevent overeating which is vital to managing your weight. Of course you can enjoy our mother’s tasty pastries and dishes but don’t overindulge that is one thing Fasting should teach us.

3. Manage your Thirst Thirst is a tough one, especially now with Ramadan in the summer heat. But we first receive additional (ager) for struggles but here is a cool

Children’s Well-Being California came in at 41st in a nationwide ranking of children’s well-being, according to a report released last week. The state ranked just ahead of Texas, which finished in 42nd place. New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts earned the highest rankings, while Nevada, Mississippi, and New Mexico ranked lowest. The report, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in partnership with Children Now, determined rankings by taking into account the state’s performance in 16 areas, including graduation rates, parental unemployment rates, and the percentage of children who are uninsured. California placed 41st in 2012 as well. Jelena Hasbrouck, Children Now’s member recruitment manager, called the findings “alarming” and said they “signal a need for those in our state that want to improve children’s lives to collectively work together for greater impact.” The state fared worst in children’s economic well-being, where it placed 46th in the nation. In recent years, California has worsened in all four areas that the study uses to determine economic well-being – the percentages of children living in poverty, children whose parents lack secure employment, children living

in households with a high housing cost burden, and teens not enrolled in school who are unemployed. Notably, over 50 percent of California’s children live in households with a high housing cost burden, compared to 40 percent of children nationally. Over 75 percent of children from lowincome families in California live in households where housing costs exceed 30 percent of the family’s income. Nearly one in four (23 percent) California kids lives in a family whose income is below the federal poverty level, up from 17 percent in 2007. Of those, 37 percent are American Indian, 34 percent are African American, 31 percent are Latino, 14 percent are Asian or Pacific Islander, and 10 percent are white. Seventeen percent are members of two or more races. California ranks 29th in health, down from 23rd last year. Health was scored by the percentages of low-birthweight babies, child and teen deaths, teens who abuse alcohol or drugs, and children who lack health insurance. The state has made modest improvements in health; currently, 8 percent of California’s children are uninsured, down from 11 percent in 2008.

tip on how to manage or eliminate thirst. At night between Iftar and Sahoor drink ½ your bodyweight in ounces, for example if you weigh 180lbs. then drink a minimum or 90 ounces of water. Reducing thirst

will also reduce hunger automatically. Other tips on how to manage your thirst will be added to another blog item, sorry but be patient =-) it’s Ramadan. 4. Exercise During Ramadan eating the right amount of calories is all you need to do to lose weight or at least maintain the weight you are at now (if you also don’t binge on unhealthy foods at Iftar) but if you want to exercise. Make sure that during the day you do very light 15-to-45 minute activities like walking, stretching etc. but be sure to maintain a LIGHT workout as you will not be able to drink fluids. But if you’re itching to have a more high intensity workout I advise that you keep it after Iftar. You save your high intensity workouts or any workout that makes you sweat like intervals for nighttime where you can drink all the water you want.

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Love By Fathiyyah Bashshar

In the name of Allah, the Most gracious, the Most merciful Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved far from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have attained the object (of Life): For the life of this world is but goods and chattels of deception. (3:185) Allah warns us that we are supposed to care about the next life more so than this life which is but “goods and chattels”. Unfortunately, we are so attached to this life and the accumulation of wealth (which includes our families and our children) that we forget the ultimate purpose. Allah warns, Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you; Until ye come to the graves. Nay, but ye will come to know! (102:1-3) The only thing we are guaranteed in this life is death. Yet finding meaning in your life and the topic of death

is still taboo now days. It’s rarely thought about let alone spoken. Our society tells us to fear death, fear the unknown. Why should we be afraid of something that’s bound to happen? That’s a form of ignorance and denial at it’s best. We can dodge it and avoid talking about it but will it get us anywhere? It’s as if were running from our shadow and thinking we can outsmart it. Run faster, we won’t look behind us we’re too afraid. So let’s keep sprinting, any direction works. But one day we’re going to be faced with the evident truth. Death is our shadow and it’s marked upon each and every person. Either we can turn around now or let it take us at surprise. Whatever you choose it doesn’t prevent it from happening. We are not capable of such miraculous things as stopping time and living forever on Earth. So I propose the question as … why do we act as if we will? As if we have all the time in the world not caring about the consequence of our actions. Fulfilling our days with use-less talk and our nights dreaming about fantasies. Nothing with an ounce of substance nothing with a spec of truth. Dwelling on past mistakes and anticipating days ahead. A time we can never get back and a time we may never see. I feel

as if were trapped in a reality that only co-exists with the realities in our head. We’re pre-occupied with what we “think” satisfies our needs. In all our pride and glory we become slaves to our own desires and we don’t even know it. Does Allah not know us better than our own selves? So why do we turn away and become disobedient to our Lord? Allah gave us the gift of life and we rejoice. And then Allah gave us the gift of death and we fear it? Finding a greater purpose awakens our soul. It set’s us free from the chains and shackles of this life. It brings us hope at our darkest hour. It’s softens our hearts and brightens our path to Paradise. It comforts us beyond any words could ever describe. The true question isn’t why we fear death. Rather why do we fear coming back to our Lord the Creator of the heavens of earth? Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle said, “When carried to his grave, a dead person is followed by three, two of which return (after his burial) and one remains with him: his relative, his property, and his deeds follow him; relatives and his property go back while his deeds remain with him.” Sahih Bukhari:Volume 8, Book 76, Number 521. Our deeds are all that will remain

with us, so we must be sure that they, Inshallah are good deeds. We must further remember the prophet’s saying, “O Allah! There is no life worth living except the life of the Hereafter...” (Narrated by Anas in sahih Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 76, Number 422) This entire experience has made me appreciate our purpose on this earth and the scaricity of time that we have. None of us knows when, where or how we will die, all we know is that we will die, and after that death we will be judged and questioned about this life. We must assure ourselves that we have done all that we can to make this life a success for ourselves, our family and for our muslim brothers and sisters.. As Allah says, These are Allah’s limits, and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will cause him to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide in them; and this is the great success. (4:13) He will put your deeds into a right state for you, and forgive you your faults; and whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he indeed achieves a mighty success. (33:71) May Allah give us the His Qadr with true hoping for the ultimate success: Jannah Ameen.

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Harira soup Ingredients 1 Onion, medium size 1/2 Cup cilantro leaves 1 Tomato, large size 1/4 Cup parsley leaves 4 Celery sticks 2 Tablespoon olive oil 2 Tablespoon tomato paste Salt and pepper 1 teaspoon ginger powder 1/2 Kilo beef, cut into small cubes 10 Cups water 1 Cup brown lentils 1 Cup chick-peas, canned 1/2 Cup flour Method - Blend onion, cilantro, tomato, parsley and celery in an electric mixer until smooth.

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ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOLS

Directions to the Islamic Cultural Center Cemetery

Islamic Community Center of Phoenix: Islamic Cultural Center: Muslim Community Mosque: Masjid Omar ICNEV Weekend Islamic School ACA Weekend School Sultan Education in Chandler Greenway Islamic Academy

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1) Go South on Forest to University Drive. Turn right. 2) Go West on University to the I-10 highway. Take I-10 East. 3) Proceed on I-10 East (~12 Miles). Exit at Queen Creek Rd. (EXIT #164). 4) Turn right on route 347 South. Proceed for about 14 miles. 5) Turn right on route 238 West. Proceed for about 8.7 miles. 6) Turn right on unnamed/unpaved street after you see the street sign which reads “36 miles” and proceed to the cemetery.

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Al Rasoul Mosque 5302 N. 35th Ave. • Phoenix 602-864-1817

CHANDLER Masjid AsSalam 1071 N. Alma School Rd.• Chandler 480-250-7522

PEORIA Greenway Islamic Center 6724 West Greenway • Peoria, Islamic Center of East Valley AZ www.greenwaymasjid.com 425 N. Alma School Dr. • Chandler TEMPE 602-388-9900 Islamic Comnty Ctr of Tempe LAVEEN 131 E. 6th Street • Tempe 480-894-6070 Islamic Center of Laveen P.O. Box 1107 • Laveen Masjid Al Mahdi 602-361-4401 1016 S. River Dr. • Tempe MARICOPA 480-557-9699 Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah Masjid Omar Bin Al-Khattab 44370 W. Arizona Ave. Maricopa Arizona 85138 6225 S.McClintock • Tempe contact# (602)312-7913 480-775-6627 MESA Masjid-el-Noor 55 N. Matlock • Mesa 480-644-0074 SCOTTSDALE Islamic Center of N.E. Valley 12125 E. Via Linda • Scottsdale 480-612-4044

CASA GRANDE Masjid Sajda is located c/o: The Legacy Suites 540 North Cacheris Court Casa Grande`, Arizona 85122 480.332.8618

Daleelo ‫دليلو‬