Muslim Voice newspaper March 2014

Muslim Voice ARIZONA

march 2014

rabi al awal / rabi al thani

Monthly Newspaper

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

First Muslim Fraternity Expands Across US Created a year ago at the University of Texas, the US first Muslim fraternity is gaining national attention as two chapters have been created at the University of California, San Diego and Cornell, and plans are being made to establish chapters at Pennsylvania, San Diego and the University of Florida.

“Companions are very valuable in Islam,” Haroon Masood, who is majoring in neuroscience and physiology, told the New York Times in an article planned for publish next Sunday, February 9.

“They keep you in check. We believe your character is strongly influenced by who you hang out with.”

Deemed America’s first Continued on page

4

Israel Plans to Control Al-Aqsa Mosque Knesset plans to discuss listing AlAqsa Mosque, the world’s third holiest site for Muslims, under Israeli administration has sparked angry comments from Palestinian officials, warning that Israel is playing with fire by desecrating the Islamic and Christian sanctities.

“They are playing with fire,” Ahmed al-Rubaidi, an aide to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, told Anadolu Agency on Sunday, February 16.

“Israel knows that the impact of desecrating the Continued on page

8

Are you in pain? We can help with physician-led physical therapy.

We treat: Neurological, Musculoskeletal & Post Operative Conditions, Pediatric Disorders,

Sports Injuries.

We perform EMG/ NCS exams!

1435H

Vol.18 Issue No. 211

Virginia Withdraws Anti-Muslim Trainer

A

leading US Muslims advocacy group has praised the withdrawal of a training program in Virginia by a notorious anti-Muslim conspiracy theorist that sparked outcry among the US Muslim community.

“We applaud the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy and the Department of Criminal Justice Services for responding promptly and professionally to community concerns about the biased and conspiratorial content of [John] Guandolo’s training program,” Nihad Awad, National Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said in a statement on Tuesday February 25.

“This welcome action sends the message that Virginia law enforcement authorities will receive only fact-based, objective training that does munity college in Culpeper not stereotype any minority week by the notorious “This welcome action sends the this groups or faiths.” anti-Muslim conspiracy As Culpeper county sheriff, message that Virginia law enforce- theorist, Guandolo.

Scott Jenkin, announced ment authorities will receive only Co-Organized by the Virplans to host a three-day fact-based, objective training” ginia’s Department of Crimtraining program on terinal Justice Services (DCJS) Said Nihad Awad rorism by the ant-Muslim and the Rappahannock John Guandolo, US MusRegional Criminal Justice lims have vehemently deAcademy, the training was nounced the decision, calling for banning the train- titled “Jihadi Networks in America”. ing.

Guandolo, the former FBI agent, has repeatedly acThe training program was planned at Germanna com- cused of fueling antiContinued on page 5

5690 W Chandler Blvd, Suite #2 Chandler, AZ 85226 Phone: (480) 878-7425 Fax: (480) 207-1025 Website: www.azpmrpc.com

With over 24 years of experience in the medical Þeld, Dr. Uddin is dedicated to ensuring you receive the best quality of care here in the valley.

Mohammad Iqbal Uddin, MD, FAAPMR

2

CARTOON / LOCAL

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

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

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Schools • Arizona Cultural Academy 602-454-1222 Grocery Stores • Haji Baba

480-894-1905 Investment

• Amana Income Fund • Investology inc.

888/37-AMANA 703-459-0969

Physicians • Inayat M. Alikhan

480-945-2558

Real Estate • Noma Group INC.

602-625-9357

• Shahnawaz Currim

480-839-2600

• Heazy Realty

602-326-3552

Muslim Voice

AMERICAN MUSLIM Community Newspaper

Published Monthly by

Publisher Breek PUBLISHING INC. editor in Chief MARWAN AHMAD editor@azmuslimvoice.com Community Editor Janan Atiyeh commeditor@azmuslimvoice.com contributing writers

Sumbal Akhter • Mohamud Shalab • Fathiyyah Bashshar • Ahmad Daniels • Yousef Ahmad • Hasana Abdul-Quadir

Art DeSIGN eXPRESS DESIGN EXPRESS Advertisements

602-258-7770

sales@azmuslimvoice.com

Muslim Voice

1624 W. Thomas • Phoenix, AZ 85015 Phone: (602) 258-7770 Fax: 1(866) 859-8595 Email: info@azmuslimvoice.com Deadlines for submission of letters is the 20th of every month, and for advertisements by the 25th. Only letters and articles submitted on disk or email will be accepted for review. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any letters, articles or advertisement or any other material.

The Publisher will not be liable for more than the advertisement cost in case of an error. The Muslim Voice is not responsible for the contents of advertisements or articles nor endorses them in any way or form.

Getting to Know my Afghani Counterparts

By Heba Haleem The Afghani Muslim girls looked directly at me. Behind them was a small building in what seemed to be a large walled compound.

They stood with military-like precision, clad in sashes with badges and pins. I watched their ceremony through the video carefully; they were saluting the Afghani flag and chanting a pledge. I asked Penelope what they were saying. “The Girl Scout pledge in Pashto,” she replied with a smile.

Two years have passed since I first began communicating with the Afghani Girl Scouts.

As a Girl Scout myself, I worked with documentary filmmaker Penelope Price in the “Sisterhood Across the Desert Digital Pen Pal Project”—a name whose reference is to the environmental similarities between my home of Phoenix, Arizona, and the urban city of Kabul, Afghanistan. I was excited to find out about their culture, both as Girl Scouts and girls in Afghanistan, and eager to open my eyes up to the world around me.

They were Girl Scouts, and also orphans. They lived in a walled compound to be protected from the war. As Girl Scouts, they did everything that I did— volunteer, learn about fire safety

and first aid, and earn cotton merit badges. My troop and their troop were both Muslim, and we expressed our faith through our everyday activities.

I was amazed to see how much determination they had to improve their small community.

I was even more amazed to see that these successful volunteers were girls. I knew these girls needed each other more than anything under a government that at times repressed women’s rights.

One day, I received a video letter from the girls. “How does it feel to be free?” they asked.

At first, I was stunned. I did not expect the question. I had never even thought about my freedom until they asked me about it. We had shared ideas for community projects, hopes for future careers, glimpses of our daily lives, and yet somehow the question most on their minds concerned my freedoms. I realized that they were clinging to every morsel of hope that freedom existed somewhere in the world, and wanted to live vicariously through me, their strange American counterpart.

They wanted to cherish all the liberties of the curious American girl on the computer screen. I knew these Afghani Girl Scouts

were eager to know about my life. But the lingering dilemma on my mind was how I was going to answer their question without making them feel resentful and discontented for a situation that was not their fault at all.

I could not make them forget that while I listened to them, I was in an entirely different part of the world. But I could change the way they thought about me as an individual. I could tell them that no matter where we are, we are both Girl Scouts, striving to improve our communities. I could tell them that both of our freedoms are limited—theirs by law and mine by personal values. And I could discuss our similar interests: I like walking to the park just as they walk around their compound, I aspire to go into the field of medicine just like some of do, and I enjoy volunteering in my community.

Most of all, I want to tell them that in this big, big world, we stand together as one Muslim family.

Today, as I contemplate my new role as an international ambassador, I feel thankful for the opportunity to share my world with these girls, but even more thankful for what these girls have given to me: a place in their world.

NATIONAL

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

March 2014

3

Chicago Religious Sites Come Under Attack CHICAGO – A number of Muslim and Christian worshipping houses in Chicago’s Waukegan and Gurnee came under systematic vandalism over the past days, sparking police investigations on the unprecedented attacks.

“This is the first time we’ve seen a coordinated vandalism attack on communities of faith, not just Muslims, on this scale,” Aymen Abdel Halim, the communications director for the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, told the Daily Herald on Wednesday, February 19.

Earlier this month, a number of Gurnee churches have reported acts of vandalism.

This week, the attacks spread to hit St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Christian Church and the Islamic Foundation North in Waukegan.

According to city officials, investigations were launched after a dozen houses of worship were vandalized by hateful messages over the past week in Waukegan and Gurnee.

“It hits you right in the gut when you see it,” Bishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago said during a news conference at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Christian Church.

“It sounds like you have an equal opportunity bigot,” said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, “It happens all too often. It’s not just mosques, as we see in this incidence.” added Hooper who posted online the information about the attacks.

According to detective bureau and authorities, hate messages scrawled at the entrance of a mosque and a church were accompanied by a smiley face in red spray paint.

“Hate crime is not tolerated in

our community,” said r Wayne Motley, Waukegan Mayor.

“Our entire (police) bureau is working on this case,” Motley told the Chicago Tribune.

“We do have leads and clues we are pursuing at this minute.”

Police investigation couldn’t identify the attackers and his purposes, but a video footage

of Metropolitan Chicago.

Representatives of the two faiths have held a joint press conference on Wednesday to condemn the attacks, where congregational prayers were held too.

“We will try our best to help him to come out of the darkness and into the light,” said Imam Matthew Ramadan during the conference held at the Islamic Foundation North.

“We’ve been working together for a number of years.

“What this today will be doing is

for young man linked to the attacks were considered during investigations.

“I can tell you that it’s not a specific faith that’s being targeted,” said Tom Agos, crime analyst for the Gurnee Police Department.

‘Display love’ The vandalism acts that targeted Waukegan and Gurnee religious sites were an opportunity to show solidarity between the two faiths.

“We feel the pain of our neighbors and friends at the Islamic Foundation North,” said Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos.

“We pray that the forces of love can overcome those who perpetuate hate and intolerance.”

“The haters are giving us an opportunity to display and show love,” said Stan Davis, of the Council of Religious Leaders

strengthening those bonds,” Ramadan added.

Muslim leaders have urged police to take the vandalism incident seriously citing the repeated attacks on worship places.

“They’ll often say it’s just drunken teenagers,” Hooper

HEGAZY REALTY YOUR PHOENIX REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS

M OHAMED H EGAZY SOMAYA HEGAZY SOHAIB HEGAZY | | 602.326.3552 480.388.6972 480.277.1992

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS INFO@HEGAZYREALTY.COM | WWW.HEGAZYREALTY.COM SELLERS: LIST AND SELL YOUR HOME FOR 4% BUYERS: USE OUR SERVICES TO PURCHASE A PROPERTY AT NO COST TO YOU RESIDENTIAL | LAND | COMMERCIAL

|

ASK US ABOUT ISLAMIC FINANCING OPTIONS

This is not intended as a solicitation from clients of other brokers.

said.

“Well, drunken teenagers can have a hate motive. It looks like in this case they are taking it very seriously and acting appropriately.”

US Muslims, estimated at between seven to eight million, have been sensing hostility since 9/11 attacks.

All across the US, mosques have been facing fierce opposition recently.

At least 18 mosque projects — from Mississippi to Wisconsin — have found foes who battle to stop them from seeing light citing different pretexts, including traffic concerns and fear of terrorism.

A recent report by CAIR, the University of California and Berkeley’s Center for Race and Gender found that Islamophobia in the US is on the rise.

A US survey had also revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

A recent Gallup poll had found that 43 percent of Americans Nationwide admitted to feeling at least “a little” prejudice against Muslims.

Muslim Voice Franchise

Local and National Business Opportunity

Have you ever dreamed of running your own publishing business? Do you have passion for community service? Do you enjoy connecting with people and telling their stories? If you answer yes to these questions then this business opportunity might be for you.

Muslim Voice newspaper is offering its service to you to become a franchise owner in Arizona and other cities and states.

No experience necessary, training and follow up for first few moths included. Small investment required.

Special incentives for California franchises. Especially in Sacramento, Santa Clara, Los Angles and San Diego

For information call 602-258-7770

4

National

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Dallas Museum Hosts Rare Islamic Collection TEXAS – Celebrating the rich heritage of the Islamic culture, Dallas Museum of Art will host one of the largest and most important private holdings of Islamic art for the next 15 years.

“We are deeply grateful to the collection’s trustees for entrusting us with this unparalleled collection, which will enhance the Dallas Museum of Art’s (DMA) growing strengths in the area of Islamic art,” DMA director Maxwell Anderson said in a prepared statement cited by Dallas News on Monday, February 3.

Anderson was speaking about the Keir collection which has been collected over decades in Britain

by Edmund de Unger, a Hungarian real-estate magnate who died in 2011.

According to a long-term renewable loan agreement, signed last Friday, the collection will go to Dallas for at least 15 years from next May. The agreement will give the museum the right to lend pieces to other institutions and to make objects widely available to scholars.

The Keir collection “is recognized by scholars as one of the world’s most geographically and historically comprehensive, encompassing almost 2,000 works in a range of media that span 13 centuries of

Islamic art-making,” said.

The rich Keir collection 2,000 Islamic pieces, ceramics, weaving and paintings, textiles,

Anderson comprises including miniature carpets,

lusterware, as well as the rare Fatimid-period rock crystal vessels from the 10th to the 12th centuries.

The precious collection presents a wide range of geographic territories from the western Mediterranean to South Asia.

The new collection will give Dallas,

which has only a few dozen Islamic pieces, the third most important Islamic collection in the US, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries in Washington.

Placed for years at a mansion southwest London, the collection was designated to be secured the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin.

Yet, the administration of Dallas Museum has convinced the trustees of the collection to place the collection in Texas where it will reserve high protection.

“They were looking for really a larger commitment for the whole collection and we could give them that,” Anderson was quoted by The News York Times.

Culture Bridge The new heirs of the collection expressed pleasure that Islamic art collection will bridge the gap between cultures.

“We are pleased,” said Richard de Unger, the collector’s son.

“That my father’s collection is being transferred to the care of a museum whose commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue has made it a leader among its peers.

“Our late father believed that Islamic art and culture was the bridge between the Far East and the West.”

The process of handing the rich Islamic collection to Dallas was a result of the efforts of Sabiha Al Khemir, the museum’s first senior adviser for Islamic art, who persuaded the collection’s trustees.

Describing the collection, Al Khemir, who was the founding director of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, said, “There is a kind of mystique about it, a curiosity about it, because it is known but has not been seen or studied by many.” “I usually have problems with collectors — it’s about amassing, amassing,” Al Khemir said.

“But he had serious knowledge and serious joy in these things,” Al Khemir added, who met Unger once when she was a young scholar.

“You could see it in the glint of his eyes when he looked at them,” she added.

First Muslim Fraternity Expands Across US Muslim Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Mu was established in February, 2013, at the University of Texas.

Alpha Lambda Mu, which stands for Alif Laam Meem, three letters that start several chapters of the Quran, was founded by Ali Mahmoud, a junior biology and sociology major at the University of Texas, Dallas, as a national fraternity for Muslim college students.

A total of 24 members now make up the Texas chapter.

A year after the first chapter was formed, Texas chapter set off in November on a wilderness retreat, with canoeing and cozy campfires on which to roast halal marshmallows, and an imam for lectures and prayers.

The new Cornell chapter, which has eight members, has also hosted an all-night party in November which was held in accordance with Islamic teachings.

The men-only party was alcohol free as around two dozen men prayed together, downed pizza,

played games and crashed in sleeping bags on the floor of the event room the university had lent them.

Members of the San Diego chapter, which started up in the fall, meet twice a month in one another’s apartments to discuss spiritual texts, and they try to gather for at least one of the day’s five calls to prayer.

The idea is still gaining attention as students at Penn State, San Diego State and the University of Florida are hoping to start chapters in the fall.

New Frontiers With this sense of brotherhood, the fraternity hopes to one day grant its members the networking opportunities that every other fraternity provides.

The formation of a fraternity represents a really thoughtful reflection on their part,” Dr. Lori Peek, the author of “Behind the Backlash: Muslim Americans After 9/11”, told NY Times.

“It moves these students out of the private sphere and into a

more public space where they are effectively spanning two cultures.”

Brian Calfano, an associate professor of political science at Missouri State University who has conducted extensive research on Islamic and American identities agreed.

“The fraternity itself is a hallmark of the modern American college experience,” he said.

“In other words, these students are saying: ‘We want to live out our identity. We want to be

protected within our group. But we also want to exercise our capacity to enjoy our college life.’”Though there are no official estimates, the US is home to from 7-8 million Muslims.

An earlier Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans Muslims are loyal to their country and optimistic about their future in the United States.

Two reports by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies indicate that an evolution has indeed occurred.

In 2009, 40 percent of Muslim Americans ages 18 to 29 said they were thriving, the lowest percentage in that age group. By 2011, 10 years after the terrorist attacks, that number had risen to 65 percent.

NATIONAL

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

March 2014

5

Florida Student Harassed For Hijab FLORIDA – For Zahrah Habibulla, the life went smoothly in her school until she decided to don the Islamic headscarf last December 14, starting a new episode of verbal and physical assaults by her colleagues.

“I’ve been bullied in school,” Zahrah Habibulla, a 14-year-old student at Polk County School District, told WESH TV on Tuesday, February 4.

“I had verbal assaults, physical assaults.”

Before wearing hijab the girl had good ties with her colleagues who disavowed her after wearing hijab last December.

“As soon as I started wearing it, my friends turned on me. People weren’t the same,” said Zahrah.

Moreover, the Muslim girl was verbally abused after being called terrorist at the school.

“This boy opened the door when I was leaving the 9th grade building and he yelled ‘terrorist, terrorist, run’ and he ran away,” the young Muslim girl recalled.

Getting tired of daily abuse, she decided to share her sad stories with her mother who was shocked to hear the news.

“It breaks my heart. I don’t want to

see that,” said Zameena Habibulla.

“I’m hoping for a safer school for her. Every day she goes to school I’ve got fear.”

Islam sees hijab as an obligatory

code of dress, not a religious symbol displaying one’s affiliations.

Though there are no official estimates, the US is home to an estimated Muslim minority of six to eight million.

An earlier Gallup poll found that the majority of Americans Muslims are loyal to their country and optimistic about their future in the United States.

Another US survey has revealed

HAJI BABA

Virginia Withdraws Anti-Muslim Trainer

RESTAURANT, GROCERY & DELI Fresh Quality • Low Prices • Cultural Needs

GIFTS • BOOKS • MAGAZINES HALAL MEAT

Owners Nabil Torfa & Zuhier Khatib

5% Discount Off groceries

480-894-1905

ongoin

providing a safe atmosphere for all students.

“Since learning of these concerns, school officials have taken a proactive role in addressing any issues to ensure the safety and welfare of the student,” Polk County School District said in a statement released last Monday.

“The School Board remains committed to providing an educational environment that is safe, secure and free from harassment or bullying.”

Moreover, Zahrah’s mother hired a lawyer to advocate her daughter’s rights through coordinating another meeting with the principal.

Bringing her case to the public, young Zahrah said she hopes that other Muslim girls would be saved from similar bullying.

“If any other girl comes to this school and wears a hijab too, I want her to feel comfortable, and that she has the support from the school,” she said “And that nobody would bother her, because I don’t want anybody to go through what I did.”

Continued from page 1

MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD

1513 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281

that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

Help Seeking help from the Muslim community, Zahrah’s m o t h e r a s k e d Kissimmee’s i m a m advice who mediated to end the girl’s suffering.

“We can’t wait until Z a h r a h becomes a victim,” I m a m Abufarah, a member of the American Muslim Youth Leadership Council, said.

“To be quite honest with you, that’s the thing that scares me the most.”

During his meeting with the school principal, the imam said: “I believe the school has failed to provide a safe atmosphere for this young lady.”

The school administration, however, denied accusations saying that they are keen on

07

Muslim sentiments for claiming that Muslims “do not have a First Amendment right to do anything.”

The anti-Muslim trainer also claims that the current CIA director has reverted to Islam while working as the CIA station chief in Saudi Arabia during the 1990s and visited the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

The decision followed calls

by CAIR on Virginia’s Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to withdraw its accreditation for the training program.

A similar request was sent to the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy, the agency that actually approved the DCJS accreditation.

“After careful consideration and consultation with other law en-

forcement agencies and academies, having firsthand knowledge of this training, the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy will no longer be offering Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services in-service training credit for the upcoming seminar,” the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy said in a statement on last month.

6

NATIONAL

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Synagogue Replaces Grand Zero Mosque CAIRO – As fierce opposition foiled plans to build an Islamic community center near the site of 9/11 attacks, a Muslim developer has won a bid to rebuild a decades-old synagogue at the same site.

“We’re in the process of buying one of the last untouched corners of Times Square with an opportunity to secure the future of a synagogue that will serve the Jewish community for decades to come,” Sharif El-Gamal, a Muslim developer and the chief executive of Soho Properties, told the New York Times on Tuesday, February 11.

The Muslim developer’s dream to create a religious and cultural center in Midtown Manhattan has become true after revealing plans to rebuild an 83-year-old synagogue.

El-Gamal’s Plan to rebuild the Synagogue didn’t spark controversy and went smoothly if compared with his earlier plan in 2010 to build an Islamic center near the site of the 9/11 attacks.

The proposed Islamic center, which would have includes a mosque, a swimming pool, a preschool and a 9/11 memorial, two blocks from Ground Zero, was turned down after facing a heated national debate.

Mosque opponents argued that the

planned building would be an insult to the memory of the 9/11 victims, but advocates say that the mosque would send a message of tolerance in 9/11-post America.

Years after the plan, the Muslim developer and his partner, Murray Hill Properties, bought the threestory building of the Synagogue for about $61.5 million from Parsons

The controversy has fuelled antiMuslim sentiments across the United States, with a spree of attacks on Muslim worship places and property.

the New School for Design.

The new design of the facility, scheduled to start by early March, would include 23-story retail center and hotel on top with 250 to 260

YouTube To Remove Anti-Muslim Film LOS ANGELES - A California court has ruled that YouTube must take down within 24 hours an inflammatory antiIslam film that had provoked outrages and mass protests across the Muslim world, prompting an outcry by Google which vowed to challenge the ruling.

“Ordering YouTube and Google to take down the film was the right thing to do,” Cris Armenta, a lawyer for Cindy Lee Garcia who participated in the movie, was quoted by Reuters on Thursday, February 27.

“The propaganda film differs so radically from anything that Ms. Garcia could have imagined when the director told her that she was being cast in the innocent adventure film.”

US actress Cindy Lee Garcia has filed a copyright lawsuit against Google Inc. over its refusal to remove the antiIslam film, Innocence of Muslims, from YouTube that she was duped into performing in.

Wednesday’s ruling by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned an earlier ruling by the lower court ruling that maintained Google’s copyright to unblock the film

at YouTube.

The plaintiff stressed that she was deceived by the film produces who told her that she will be acting in a move titled “Desert Warrior”.

However, Garcia said that she didn’t realize that it will be a provocative material against Muslims until it was broadcasted at YouTube.

The Judge argued that Garcia may face “irreparable” harm in case Google insists to keep the movie.

“Garcia’s performance was used in a way that she found abhorrent and her appearance in the film subjected her to threats of physical harm and even death,” the Judge wrote in the 37-page ruling.

“Despite these harms, and despite Garcia’s viable copyright claim, Google refused to remove the film from YouTube.”

According to the court ruling, Google was granted 24 hours to pull the inflammatory film and take reasonable precautions to hinder uploading the movie again.

rooms besides the synagogue.

The current design of the building includes the Garment Center Synagogue on the ground floor which was erected in 1931.

According to the plan the building will be demolished, and to be relocated to a temporary location.

The decades-old synagogue is frequently visited by about 500 members. A handful of people attend the three-time services a day at the synagogue.

Although there are no official figures, the United States is believed to be home to between 6-8 million Muslims.

According to a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Race and Gender said that Islamophobia in the US is on the rise.

A US survey has also revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

A recent Gallup poll, however, found 43 percent of Americans Nationwide admitted to feeling at least “a little” prejudice against Muslims.

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

OPINIONS

March 2014

7

The Forbidden Hug

By Manar Hijaz He leaned in, quickly, without warning or hesitation for a strong embrace.

I frantically thought “Oh no!

What should I do?”

The American part of me thought “It’s a harmless hug. He’s my old professor. He’s old enough to be my grandfather.” But the Middle Eastern part of me countered with “But you’re Arab. You’re Muslim. And you’re sharing the university quad with a few members from the MSA.” My American identity would prevail and I responded to my old professor’s embrace by wrapping my arms around him and saying hello.

Hug! It’s a simple three letter word. It’s a form of physical intimacy that seems universal. If you’re American, that has grown in the United States, a physical embrace between two people is almost always welcome. It’s familiar, It’s

“normal.” And yet it can be so taboo to a Muslim Arab American who did not grow up in the United States.

The raised eyebrows and judgmental expressions that resulted from the encounter with my old professor were a clear example of the different type of lifestyle and “accepted” cultural

practices I engage in, in comparison to a Muslim Arab American who did not grow up in the U.S. And while I do not deny the Islamic principles prohibiting physical interactions between males and females, nor do I ignore them (for the most part) I do, however, view a

hug from an individual who may not understand Islam as an innocuous act.

The American part of me is accustomed to greetings and/or goodbyes by means of a hug. For this reason, if I think a hug from a male is going to be a onetime encounter, I employ my “One Free Hug Policy” instead of embarrassing the person in public by demanding that they not hug me. If a male tries to hug me multiple times, I politely and privately explain to him, post-hug, that my religion prohibits it.

I acknowledge that many individuals would disagree with my approach but this only further highlights the differences between someone who was born and grew up in the U.S and someone who may have come here at an older age. I will not encourage nor demand that others adopt my approach to the “forbidden” hug but it works for my American self. If my goal is to give people a good image of my religion, verbally reprimanding them for hugging me will not achieve that and so “One Free Hug Policy” it is!

Puntland cabinet ministers should share power equally amongst local tribes

By Mohamud shalab Firstly, I would like to extend congratulations to the new president of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas as well as the former president Abdirahman Farole for all of his achievements and accomplishments over the past five years. Last month, legislators of Puntland elected Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas as the president of Puntland.

Over the past few years, Puntland has witnessed a rise in piracy, violence and instability; the shift in leadership might be the change the semi-autonomous state needs to grow and progress. The new leadership will hopefully advance the multiple political party system and future voting within Puntland. The peaceful transfer of power coupled with the support the former president has given the current president is a historic milestone for the region.

However, I am deeply concerned about the lack of power sharing between Harti clans. Unfortunately, the region’s long standing clan based politics impedes real changes from manifesting because of the inequality and bias in Puntland’s political system. The cabinet ministers are dominated by three major tribes; the Majeerteen,Dhulbahante, and Warsangeli.

The Ahmed Harti clan, on the other hand is composed of the

Dishiishe,tiinle, Gabtaanle, and Maganlabe tribes, they mainly reside in the Bari and Sanaag region with a majority of them living in the port city of Bosaso. They bring business to the region by exporting livestock and other commodities.

Nonetheless, this community has suffered greatly and still plays an insignificant role in their state’s politics; they are economically marginalized and politically excluded. They are taxpayers and the Puntland government deprives them of economic prosperity, proper education and efficient services.

M o r e o v e r, they are h e a v i l y outnumbered in Puntland’s parliament and only given three seats. Since his election President Abdiweli, has vowed to prevail justice, rectify the constitution of Puntland and to collaborate to develop a more stable r e g i o n ,

however that can only be achieved by eradicating all inequality and injustice. In the past he has proven to be a man who can lead Somalia to success let’s hope and pray he can do the same for Puntland.

The president must focus on the people’s rights including the rights of those who have been marginalized for years. This has been an issue that has been ignored for too long, it is up to president Abdiweli to do what he claims he will do and be the example for the rest of Somalia to follow.

Cohesion and inclusivity is what’s

needed for Puntland to progress as a peaceful and democratic region.

However, transitioning from a state that has witnessed corruption and tribalism within government positions for the past 15 years is not an easy task. I am optimistic that Abdiweli’s election will hopefully provide the fresh start the state needs to ease the interclan conflict and rebuild understanding between the local tribes in Puntland and Somalia as a whole.

8

INTERNATIONAL

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Israel Plans to Control Al-Aqsa Mosque holy sites in Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) would extend beyond Palestinian territories,” he added.

The warning comes ahead of a Knesset session planned on Tuesday to discuss a proposal to put Al-Aqsa mosque under Israeli supervision.

The proposal was made by Knesset MP Moshi Viglen from the Likud party.

The plan comes amid rising incursions into the mosque by Jewish settlers backed by Israeli troops.

Earlier in February, scores of Palestinian Muslim worshippers have been injured after Israeli forces raided Al-Aqsa mosque in Al-Quds firing stun grenades and rubber bullets at worshippers.

“The Jewish right wing is testing Palestinians and Arabs,” alRubaidi said.

He went on to assert that the Palestinian Authority leadership will resist what he described as Israel’s attempt to “impose a new reality” in the occupied territories.

Other Palestinian officials have also protested the Israeli

plans, adding that there would be no sovereignty over the Aqsa Mosque and Islamic and Christian holy sites other than Palestinian sovereignty.

“This is the full right of the Arab, including Muslims and Christians,” Palestinian Authority Minister for Religious Affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash was quoted by Jerusalem Post.

Al-Habbash warned that Israel plans to “divide” the Aqsa Mosque, adding that, “These efforts won’t succeed.”

Al-Quds is home to Al-Haram AlSharif, which includes Islam’s third holiest shrine Al-Aqsa

Arabic Yellow Pages

Mosque, and represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Israel occupied the holy city and the West Bank in the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community or UN resolutions.

Since then, Israel has adopted a series of oppressive measures to force the Palestinians out of the city, including s y s t e m a t i c demolition of their homes and building settlements.

Expel Ambassador Protesting the Israeli plans, several Jordanian lawmakers have urged their government to expel the Israeli ambassador in protest at an Israeli proposal to end Jordanian supervision on Islamic shrines in Al-Quds.

“Israel’s aggressions and repeated storming of Al-Aqsa are a mere prelude to the division of the mosque and terminating Jordan’s supervision on the holy shrines,” MP Yehia al-Soud, who heads a bloc of 11 lawmakers

called “Palestine Parliamentary Committee,” told a press conference.

“The Israelis are trying to impose a new status quo….This would be the last nail in the coffin of Israel,” said MP al-Soud.

“For Arabs and Muslims around the world, Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line,” he insisted.

Jordan has been supervising Al-Aqsa Mosque and other endowments in Al-Quds since 1948.

A 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Israel recognizes Jordan’s special supervisory role over holy sites in Al-Quds.

Al-Aqsa is the Muslims’ first Qiblah [direction Muslims take during prayers] and it is the third holiest shrine after Al Ka`bah in Makkah and Prophet Muhammad’s Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Its significance has been reinforced by the incident of Al Isra’a and Al Mi’raj — the night journey from Makkah to Al-Quds and the ascent to the Heavens by Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him).

‫الدليل العربي‬

2014 EDITION NOW AVAILABLE AT LOCAL STORES & mASJIDS www.ArabicDaleel.com For More Info call 602-258-7770

SM

ADVERTISEMENTS

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

March 2014

from age 1 Arizona Cultural Academy students graduate with associate’s degrees.

Give your children a head start.

to college ARIZONA CULTURAL ACADEMY & COLLEGE PREP. www.azacademy.org | 602-454-1222 7810 S. 42nd Pl. Phoenix, AZ 85042

Our Principles. Rewarded.

Four-time Lipper Award winner Amana Income Fund:

Amana Income Fund (AMANX)

• Conservative investment approach • Long-term outlook • Consistent results

10 Year

Following the Principles of Islamic Finance

Amana Mutual Funds Trust 888/73-AMANA

www.amanafunds.com

Best Fund For the 10-year period ended 12/31/2011 among 40 funds in the Equity Income Category.

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The Amana Funds limit the securities they purchase to those consistent with Islamic principles which limits opportunities and may increase risk. Current and future holdings, as with all mutual funds, are subject to market risks.

Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, is a nationally recognized organization that ranks the performance of mutual funds within a universe of funds that have similar investment objectives. Funds are chosen as the best fund in their category for demonstrating consistently strong risk-adjusted returns compared with peers.

Please request a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains information about the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Amana Funds which you should read and consider carefully. To obtain a free prospectus or summary prospectus, ask your financial advisor, visit www.amanafunds.com, or call 1-888/73-AMANA. The Amana Funds are distributed by Saturna Brokerage Services, member FINRA/SIPC and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation, investment adviser to the Amana Funds.

9

10

INTERNATIONAL

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Dubai Gets First Smart Mosque CAIRO – United Arab Emirates has opened its first smart mosque in Dubai using the Quick response (QR) code technology which offers digital access to mosques.

“We are using the QR code technology to identify all mosques of the emirate to help develop and add more value to them,” Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (DIACA), was quoted

by Khaleej Times on Tuesday, February 11. “[We] make the electronic services easier and more accessible.”

Inaugurated last Sunday by Al Shaibani, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mosque in Jumeirah 3 became the first Emirati mosque to use QR code technology.

The new smart mosque would allow worshippers to easily get general information about the mosque using their smart phones and tablets at any time.

The digital information of the mosque would include its history, capacity, nature, area, prayer timings, lectures or

courses offered by the mosque, along with information about Friday sermon.

“The QR code technology allows mosque-goers to access a special webpage of the mosque by scanning its barcode with a smart phone or tablet which are automatically equipped with this technology,” said Nassir Mubarak, head of IT section at DIACA. “Otherwise an app for QR code can be downloaded easily for concerned online stores,” Mubarak added.

The launching of Al-Maktoum smart mosque is part of the first phase of Dubai’s smart mosques project which includes plans for nine more smart mosques with similar technologies.

The smart mosques project is sponsored by the Smart Government initiative which was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Emirates’ vice president, last year.

Interactivity The smart mosques project is expecting to develop better communication between

Danish Muslims, Jews Fight Halal Ban Rejecting ritual slaughter ban as a infringement to their religious rights, Danish Muslims and Jews have joined hands, vowing to fight the ban imposed on halal and kosher meat.

“Minority religious groups are afraid this ban will lead to other restrictions in the future,” Fatih Alev, president of the Danish Islamic Center in Copenhagen, told Religious News Service.

Earlier in February, Agriculture and Food Minister Dan Jørgensen announced that animals would not be slaughtered before being pre-stunned.

Denmark Faces Boycott Over Halal Ban Denmark Outlaws Religious Slaughter Concept of Halal Meat Accordingly, Jewish and Muslim ritual slaughter will be illegal in Denmark.

“This decision is an improvement for animal welfare,” said Pernille Fraas Johnsen, agricultural campaign manager for the World Society for the Protection of Animals’ Copenhagen branch.

“We don’t call it a ban on kosher

(practices) but a ban on slaughter without stunning because for us, and I think for the government as well, it is a matter of animal welfare.”

Yet, the ban sparked angry reactions from Jewish and Muslim minorities, saying the law threatens their religious freedom.

Bent Lexner, chief rabbi of the Great Synagogue in Copenhagen, has also asserted that ritual slaughter was a key belief for Jews.

“It is a basic element of the Jewish religion and if they take this away, they take away a basic right,” he said.

The concept of halal, -- meaning permissible in Arabic -- has traditionally been applied to food.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

Muslim scholars agree that Shari`ah provides a divine law of mercy that should be applied on all Allah’s creations, including animals.

Islam also provides details about avoiding any unnecessary pain.

mosques and Muslim worshippers, allowing them to share their comments, remarks, feedback, and complaints freely.

The new project would also allow worshippers to post their recommendations to enhance the

Last December, UAE’s Sharjah religious authorities announced their plans to offer Friday’s sermons in five languages, along with translating them into sign language.

The multilingual mosques would

initiative’s performance.

“Electronic donation – under development, shall also be available, along with more services in the future,” Mubarak, the head of IT section at DIACA, said.

allow Deaf and non-Arabic speaking Muslims to better understand their faith.

Last month, Dubai has announced plans for the world’s first Qur’an park which will display 51 out of the 54 plants mentioned in Qur’an.

Shireen’s Tax Services

‫شريين خلدمات الضرائب‬ Do you want to save on tax preparation fees this year?

We will match our competitors fees plus $20 discount Call us today

Tel. (602)973-7628

Fax (602)973-7695 Address 7826 N 27th ave Phoenix, AZ 85051 We speak Spanish

INTERNATIONAL

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

March 2014

11

Israel Tortures, Kills Palestinian Children GENEVA – Thousands of Palestinian children in Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been systematically tortured and used as human shields by Israel over the past decade, the United Nations has said.

“Palestinian children arrested by (Israeli) military and police are systematically subject to degrading treatment, and often to acts of torture,” the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said in a report cited by Reuters on Thursday, June 21. “[They] are interrogated in Hebrew, a language they did not understand, and sign confessions in Hebrew in order to be released.”

The CRC report said up to 7,000 Palestinian children aged 9 to 17 were arrested and interrogated by Israel and kept captive.

The report cited at least 14 cases of abuse that have taken place in the past three

years.

“Hundreds of Palestinian children have been killed and thousands injured over the reporting period as a result of the state party military operations, especially in Gaza where the state party proceeded to (conduct) air and naval strikes on densely populated areas with a significant presence of children, thus disregarding the principles of proportionality and distinction.”

The report, carried out by 18 independent experts, examined Israel’s record of compliance with a 1990 treaty as part of its regular review of a pact signed by all nations except Somalia and the United States.

It said most Palestinian children arrested by Israel are accused of having thrown stones, an offence which can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Many are brought in leg chains and shackles before military courts, while youths are held in solitary confinement, sometimes for months, the report said.

Human Shields The CRC report accused Israel of using Palestinian children as human shields.

“Almost all those using children as human shields and informants have remained unpunished and the soldiers convicted for having

forced at gunpoint a nine-yearold child to search bags suspected of containing explosives only received a suspended sentence of three months and were demoted.”

The CRC voiced deep concern at the “continuous use of Palestinian children as human shields and informants”.

Moreover, the report condemned the effect of Israel’s “illegal long-standing occupation” of Palestinian territory and the Syrian Golan Heights.

It also voiced concerns over the continued expansion of “unlawful” Jewish settlements, construction of the Wall into the West Bank, land confiscation and destruction of homes and livelihoods “constitute severe and continuous violations of the rights of Palestinian children and their families”.

Israel occupied the holy city of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the West Bank in the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognized by the international community or UN resolutions.

There are more than 164 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, eating up more than 40 percent of the occupied West Bank.

The international community considers all settlements on the occupied land illegal.

12

INTERNATIONAL

March 2014

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Indian Muslims Unite For May Elections NEW DELHI – Representing a key voting bloc, members of the Indian Muslim community have come together in a political convention to re-organize their lines ahead of looming general elections in May, 2014.

“Muslims have always been neglected and used as a vote bank by political parties,” Ahmed Bukhari, head scholar of Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi, told ucanews. com during a convention of Muslim leaders in New Delhi.

“Nobody has delivered on their promises made for the community,” he added.

In less than eight weeks, India will be in the middle of an energetic election campaign that takes place over a number of weeks.

Going up dramatically by almost a hundred million since 2009, 815 million voters are eligible to vote to elect 543 lawmakers.

Over the past decades, respective governments, whether it is National Conference, Congress or Peoples Democratic Party, have failed to address the demands of the Muslim community.

Losing faith in all parties, Muslims met last Saturday, February 22, to form a committee to help Muslim voters choose a political party that represents the community’s interests.

The committee, which will include 11 members of the Muslim community, will be formed by the end of March.

It would be entitled to grade the performance of all political parties while considering views of community members before submitting a final report before the general election due in May. “We will have to go by the suggestions given by the committee,” Bukhari said.

“All political parties are harmful and we have to choose the one which is least harmful for us as there is no time left for us form a political party,” he added.

Neglected Community Members of the Muslim community have expressed anger over the attitude of Muslim politicians who choose to be political parties’ puppets.

“They don’t think about the community anymore,” Mufti Mohammad Ashraf, president of Muslim Personal Law Board in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, said.

Ashraf asserted that Muslim politicians had become slaves to political parties and no longer represented their constituents.

“Now it is on us to change our situation and not let these politicians

exploit us by giving fake promises,” he added.

There are some 140 million Muslims in Hindu-majority India and they have long complained of being discriminated against in all walks of life.

Muslims form a majority in Jammu and Kashmir states in northern India, and represent about a quarter of the population in Assam, West Bengal and Kerala.

Indian Muslims accuse the media and authorities of boosting stereotypes about their religion.

Muslims also complain of a long history of neglect.

Muslim woes maximized following recent riots in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and the 2002 Godhra riots in Gujarat.

Last August, Hindu-Muslim clashes erupted in Muzaffarnagar, located in the western part of the Uttar Pradesh province.

The riots resulted in the death of at least 60 and forced some 70,000 Muslims to flee their villages, according to the state government.

More than 2,000 Muslims were also hacked and burnt to death in Gujarat in 2002 by Hindu mobs after Hindu pilgrims died in a train fire first blamed on Muslims but which a later inquiry concluded was accidental.

Several investigations at the state and federal levels accused police of failing to protect Muslims under

orders from Modi and his aides, fanning one of the worst instances of

sectarian violence in India.

KEY DEBT REDUCTION KAMAL ERAKAT, NEGOTIATOR

"I can, when no one else can !!

You need the help, I can help !

• Drowning in Debt?

• Facing Foreclosure?

• Property value UPSIDE DOWN? Mortgage payment no longer affordable?

KAMAL ERAKAT

Cell 602-348-0056 Fax 480 773-7320 and 602-971-2155 Email: kamalerakat@yahoo.com.

P.O. Box 71104 • Phoenix, AZ 85050 Licensed by the State of Arizona and backed by the National Mortgage Licensing

System in the U.S. License number: LO- 0915840.

ISLAM

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

March 2014

13

Why am I constantly over-thinking?

By Lolita V Jefferson Ed.D When Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” this is most likely not what he had in mind.

Persistently dwelling on distressing situations from the recent or distant past (called rumination, as in that thing a cow does when it constantly rechews food) can be one of the most destructive mental habits. It’s closely linked to depression, and it can sap our confidence, our ability to solve problems, and our sense of control over our lives.

1 –Thinking about the matters of our daily lives, and our private and public affairs is something that is essential and important, it is necessary in order for us to deal with these matters and benefit from them in the appropriate manner. The Qur’an – which is the word of Allah – urges us to think, in more than one verse, for example: “…and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose…”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:191] “And on the earth are signs for those who have Faith with certainty.

And also in your ownselves. Will you not then see?” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:20-21] “Will you not then take thought?”

[al-An’aam 6:50] “Have you then no understanding?”[alBaqarah 2:76] And there are other verses which encourage us to think about our affairs and indeed about the life and creation around us.

So thinking in and of itself is not a problem, rather it is required, important and essential, and it is enjoined by our religion and encouraged by our Qur’an.

2 – This “thinking” may become a psychological or social problem if it prevents a person from playing his natural role that is expected of him in life.

Such as thinking that things are more serious than they really are, or thinking too much about matters where thinking about them will not change anything at all, rather that only causes distress and becomes an obstacle prevents

The challenge of building and protecting substantial wealth requires expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and a commitment to personal services

Financial Services • Individual Services • Business Services • College Savings Plans

Wealth Management • Financial Planning • Estate Planning • Retirement Planning • Developing Client Investment Strategies • Invesment Process

703-459-1969 47436 River Crest St. Potomac Falls, VA 20165

one from taking any initiative, and make him hesitant and confused, and unable to take any decision.

Thinking may become a problem in shar’i terms if it makes a person go beyond his intellectual limits in thinking about matters of the unseen and things that he can never comprehend, which may open many doors for the accursed Shaytaan to

influence him.

3 – With regard to thinking a great deal about everything and worrying about every problem, this is to some extent a natural thing, so long as it does not prevent you from living your lives in a natural manner. What I mean here is, is this thinking helping you to come up with solutions to these problems that you are facing? Do these situations deserve all the time that you are spending on thinking about them?

If the answer is yes, then there is no problem! But if the answer is no, then you yourself are admitting that they do not warrant that, and then you are halfway to solving the problem, which is to identify the problem and take a decision concerning it. Because when we know what the problem is, it is easy for us to find the right way of dealing with it.

4 – Overcoming these problems needs some discipline and some time. You can make the decision to start and you are able, with the help and support of Allah, to do that. You have to trust yourselves in this regard!

5 – I suggest to you that you divide your concerns and problems into three categories or levels: • Concerns and problems that have a direct impact upon your married and social lives in a serious manner that may lead to breakdown in relationships. These must be given their due measure of objective thought and you should try to reach an agreement and settle the matter.

They should not be ignored for so long that it becomes too difficult to deal

with them.

• The second level is concerns or problems in which the positive and negative aspects are equal and in which you are involved. In these cases you should pray istikhaarah to Allah, and it is o.k. to consult others concerning them and to weigh up alternatives, then decide what you think is the solution, bearing in mind issues of sharee’ah and custom, without going to extremes in worrying about it.

• The third level is concerns and worries that do not concern you at all, because they have to do with other people. It is better not to get involved in them and waste your time with them, because they simply do not concern you and your opinion does not matter.

6 – The concerns and matters of our daily lives inevitably fall into one of three categories: • Matters which are in the past and are over and done with. We should not worry about these too much, except to the extent from which we can learn from our mistakes and experiences when dealing with things in the future.

The past cannot come back and there is no need to worry about things that are over and done with.

• Matters which lay ahead in the future. It is more appropriate not to think about these a great deal before they happen, because the future is part of the unseen, and all that we have to do in this case is to examine the choices we have in this matter if it comes to pass. When the time comes, we have to put our trust in Allah and take a decision.

• Matters of day-to-day life. This is where we attempt to weigh up all the available alternatives, and it is o.k. to consult others with regard to these things and to exchange ideas without going to extremes or worrying too much. In the end, things will turn out as we hope, by Allah’s leave, so long as we pursue the means of praying istikhaarah and consulting others, and good lies in that which is chosen

by Allaah.

7 – Getting used to this requires some discipline. You could agree with your husband to cooperate in this matter and remind one another when you are worrying more than you need to about a matter. Gradually you will find that you are becoming able to deal with day-to-day matters in an objective manner.

8 – There is a good book on the topic of anxiety which gives practical means of dealing with this matter, and I advise you to read it. It is called How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie.

9 – First and last, have a good intention and pray sincerely that Allaah will give you strength and help you and set your thinking straight.

14

The Bazaar Market Place

March 2014

Real Estate

services Full Service Agency

Auto  Home  Business Vacant Homes Motorcycle  Boat  RV

602-625-9357 Do have an artistic talent; are you a good photographer, graphic designer or cartoonist? Now you can use your talent with Muslim Voice newspaper by becoming a freelance artist and submit your work to be chosen to be published.

For more information email us at talents@azMuslimVoice.com

Nader S. Amireh

Essential Home Services • Commercial Energy • Electricity • Natural Gas • DIRECTV • CLEAR 4G • New Products & Services BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

John Akram 480-255-4009

IR#: R1071417 john.akram@yahoo.com Visit our website http://johnakram.mymomentis.biz

Breek publishing is looking for dynamic

sales associates

if you are interested send your resume to jobs@breekpublishing.com

for (3x2 inch) size ad

CLASSIFIED AD Starting from

15 /mo.

$

(480) 444-6604  namireh@farmersagent.com

Job opportunity

advertise Here as low as $50/mon.

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

CLASSIFIED AD Starting from

15 /mo.

$

advertise Here as low as $50/mon.

for (3x2 inch) size ad

Afghan lamb pilaf (Kabuli pulao) Ingredients 200 ml vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 800 g lamb leg or shoulder, on the bone, chopped into 6 cm pieces 1 tbsp crushed garlic 2 tbsp salt 2 litres (8 cups) water 75 g (⅓ cup) white sugar 2 tsp garam masala (made from ground cloves, bay leaves, cardamom and cinnamon) 1½ tsp freshly ground cardamom 1 kg sella basmati rice, soaked in cold water for 4 hours or overnight 250 g carrots, peeled and cut into batons 75 g sultanas 75 g mixed slivered almonds and pistachios, to garnish Instructions You’ll need to begin this recipe 4 hours ahead, or overnight if time permits.

Heat 50 ml of the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the onion for 6–8 minutes, or until golden. Add the lamb, garlic and 1 tbsp of the salt and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until lamb is well browned on all sides. Add the water, reduce heat to low and cook, skimming surface occasionally, for 1½ hours, or until lamb is tender. Remove lamb from pan and set aside. Reserve the stock.

Place half of the sugar in a hot, dry saucepan over medium heat. Cook, shaking pan, for 5–6 minutes or until sugar has caramelised.

Carefully add 250 ml (1 cup) of reserved stock, the remaining salt, 1 tsp of garam masala and a pinch of cardamom. Bring to the boil, then remove from heat and set aside.

end of a large spoon, make holes all over rice to allow it to steam evenly. Top with spiced carrot and reserved lamb. Cover and seal pan with a tea towel, then a lid. Place over high heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until you hear a ticking sound. Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from

Drain the soaked rice. Cook in a large saucepan of boiling water for 5 minutes, or until almost cooked.

Drain and return to pan. Pour over the caramelised sugar mixture, add a pinch of garam masala and cardamom, and stir until rice is evenly coated.

Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the carrot and remaining sugar and stir for 5 minutes, or until lightly caramelised and glossy. Add the sultanas and cook for another 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in another pinch of cardamom. Set aside.

Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan until smoking. Pour oil over the rice. Using the

the heat and leave, covered, for 10 minutes.

Remove lamb and spiced carrots, and mix rice well. To serve, cover base of a platter with a little rice, spoon over the lamb and then cover with remaining rice. Top with spiced carrot, then scatter with almonds and pistachios.

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

CALENDAR / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Phoenix Prayer Times

March 2014

15

Tucson Prayer Times

March 2014 • Rabi Thani / Jama AlAwal 1435 H

March 2014 • Rabi Thani / Jama AlAwal 1435 H

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

Sunday at 9:45 am-1:20 pm.

Sunday at 10:00 am Sunday at 10:00 am until 2:30 pm.

Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Tel: (480) 346-2081Classes held on Sunday K thru’ grade 12 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday 10:00 am-1:15 pm. www.azacademy.org/weekend Saturdays & Sundays - children/adults 480-593-7066 Tajweed, Islamic Studies, & Arabic Language 602-565-0500

From the Islamic Cultural Center (ICC):

Check our website for up to date information www.tempemasjid.com

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.

IN CASE OF DEATH • Call Sandy at Angel’s Burial, at 480-962-6435 • Total cost is $1,800.00

ISLAMIC CENTERS IN ARIZONA

PHOENIX Arizona Cultural Academy 7810 S. 42nd Pl. • Phoenix 602-454-1222 Islamic Center of Arizona 9032 N. 9th St. • Phoenix

Islamic Center of N. Phoenix 13246 N. 23rd Ave. 85029 602-371-3440 Islamic Comnty Ctr of Phx 7516 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Phoenix • 602-249-0496 Muslim Community Mosque 1818 N. 32nd St. • Phoenix 602-306-4959 Masjid Al-Rahmah 2645 E. McDowell Rd. • Phoenix 602-275-5493 Masjid Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

5648 N. 15th ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85015 602-413-5279

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

Arabic Yellow Pages

‫الدليل العربي‬

NOW AVAILABLE 2014 EDITION AT LOCAL STORES AND MASJIDS www.ArabicDaleel.com

For More Info call 602-258-7770

SM