FIJI SUN USA SEPT 2013

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Nabi buKSh

Person of the month on PEOPLE PROFiLE page Picture by courtesy of grandson Zahid Buksh.

EID CELEBRATION

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iSlaMic cEMEntry lodi barS aHMadiS

By Zahid Buksh Let me introduce myself. My name is Zahid Ali Buksh. I am a United States citizen and a Gulf War veteran. I am a member of the American Legion, James McDermott post 172 and of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Tracy, California. I migrated to the United States in 1989 because I wanted to live in this great country of opportunities. I joined the United States Army two months after (CONTiNuEd ON PAGE 2)

Fiji PM’s remarks at Fijian day

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our Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,Just a brief word of welcome to our Fijian night here at the Westin. I said in my welcome speech yesterday that I hoped our international visitors would take time out to experience something of our country and the warmth and hospitality of our people. But for those of you who are the time poor, this is the next best thing - a taste of our culture through music, song and dance. I’m sure you will all agree with me that the past couple of days have been a wonderful experience. We’ve forged new contacts and friendships that will help us all in the quest for solutions to our development challenges. And I’ve been very

gratified at the positive feedback I’ve been receiving across the board.Tomorrow, I’ll be making an exciting announcement about the future of the PIDF. But for now, it’s time to relax, enjoy ourselves and celebrate the real stars this evening – our performers. They are ordinary Fijians with extraordinary talents and one of the reasons why we’re all so proud of our culture.

VinakaVakalevu. And enjoy the rest of the evening.

66th Jasne azadi Pakistan, san Mateo County Center ZAHID BUKSH

See page 31

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Eid cElEbration around San FranciSco bay arEa

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SadiqS celebrate daughter’S Sweet 16

PHOTO GALLERY ON PAGE-31

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islamic cEmEtEry lodi bars ahmadis (continue from page 1) after migrating here not because of benefits, because I wanted to serve my country the best I could and I thought that there could be no greater sacrifice than serving in the military. It was what I thought to be the American dream.

I went through basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After that I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas with the Second Armored Division and then the First Cavalry.

From there I was deployed to Kuwait/Iraq to serve in Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield in 1990 and 1991. After an Honorable discharge from the Army I worked in Construction and at Agnews Developmental Center respectively. From there I joined the California Highway Patrol and am proud to say that I am still with the CHP as a Motor Carrier Specialist I and the United States Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Alliance as a Safety Auditor/Investigator.

The reason that I am writing is to ask for your help with a matter close to my heart. I am a Muslim by birth.

I belong to A h m a d i y y a AnjumanIshaat-I-Islam (Lahore) USA (also known as Lahore Ahmadees), a minority sect of Muslims.

Recently I attended a funeral in Lodi, Ca. at the California Islamic Cemetery and thought about being buried there since it was close to where I live. I asked for an application and was given the Islamic Cemetery of California Burial Requirements and Agreement. To my shock and disbelief I found out that I am not allowed to be buried there because I am not considered a Muslim by this organization. It states on the application (which is attached with this letter) “Islamic Cemetery of California (Cemetery) is a non-profit cemetery for (Muslims) the followers of

Islamic faith.

NonMuslims.Quadyannis, LahoriMirzai, Munkir-eHADITH (those who deny traditions of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),Shia and AghKhanis are not permitted to be buried at this cemetery.” All of the minority groups listed on the application are followers of the Muslim faith.

None of them deny the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Who are they to say that I am not a Muslim and cannot be buried in The Islamic Cemetery of California, (a non-profit organization). I can be buried in any National Cemetery in the United States of America for serving this country.

One of the reasons I came to this country was the freedom of religion. I cannot believe that such discrimination exists right here in our backyard, in this wonderful nation. It is called the Islamic Cemetery of California, (a non-profit organization) and should be open to all Muslims who wish to be buried there no matter what sect of Islam they belong to. I recite the Kalimah “La-ilaha-ill-Allah Muhammad-ar-Rasul Allah” (There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger). I conduct the offering of prayers like other Muslims.

I accept the Qiblah as his Qibla. I eat the meat of animals slaughtered by Muslims. I give Zakat (alms) to the needy. I observe fast during the month of Ramadan. If God willing I will perform the hajj. This is what I believe defines a Muslim.

I tried to find out if it was acceptable in the United States to discriminate against a minority sect of a particular religion. I could not find any law specifically related to my case.

However on the internet I found on October 27, 2011, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had appealed for tolerance of Islamic Minorities. This appeal was in response to a question from Representative Chris

Smith, who voiced concern about Christians, Hindus and other religious minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Egypt.

Secretary of State Clinton stated that the problem was not only against Christians or against Hindus, it was against different sects of Muslims.

Secretary of State Clinton told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that, “This is one of our biggest problems in the world right now. There needs to be a greater acceptance of religious tolerance and in so many places there is no history of religious tolerance.” If the United States Secretary of State has asked other countries to stop discriminating, why is it happening in our country? Should we be quiet and just tolerate it, or do we do something and stop this wrong from continuing here on American soil and set an example for other nations.

I have also found a case similar to this

in South Africa. It is called the South Africa Case. It happened in Cape Town in 1982. Mr. Ismail Peck, a Lahore Ahmadee, had been denied burial of his mother in the Muslim section of V y g e k r a a l C e m e t a r y, where his father and brother were already buried. Lahore Ahmadees were also denied entry to the mosques by the Sunni organization.

On November 28th, 1985 Justice Williamson gave his judgement in favor of the Lahore Ahmadees by declaring that Mr. Ismail Peck was a Muslim within the accepted definitions in Islam and that he was entitled to all rights and privileges enjoyed by other Muslims. The full judgement of this case in printed in full in the January/March 1986 issue of the Paigam-e-Haqq.

You can also refer to the article by Maulana Hafiz Sher Muhammad titled Who is a Muslim in the publication IQRA World Muslim Convention of A h m a d i y y a AnjumanIshaat-IIslam(Lahore) Fiji, 5-7 April, 1985.

Maulana Hafiz Sher Muhammad was the sole expert witness in the final hearing of the South Africa case.

The judge, Mr. Justice J. Williamson, wrote of Maulana Hafiz Sher Muhammad: “In my estimation the witness is a man of great learning and integrity. He gave evidence before me for some six days and created and extremely favourabe impression. I accept his evidence without hesitation.” So if the Ahmadiyya AnjumanIshaat-I-Islam (Lahore) won this case in South Africa stating that the Lahore Ahmadees are Muslims, then who gives the Islamic Cemetery of California the right to say that I am not a Muslim and that I cannot be buried there.

Is it the norm here in the United States for this kind of segregation to occur?

I wonder how many Muslims they have

turned away because they were considered Non Muslims by the Islamic Cemetery of California, a Non-Profit organization.

In that same thought we have to think of all the discrimination that must be happening with other minorities.

This only became aware to me once I inquired about being buried here.

I have attended funerals here before but never knew of the discrimination going on here. I know that it is probably happening at other institutions and no one has said anything, or knows what to do about it. The majority of the minorities are afraid to go up against the larger groups, for fear of retaliation and therefore remain silent and continue to tolerate this kind of behaviors. Must we tolerate discrimination in this country as well. Most people come to America to have the freedom to practice their religion, without discrimination from anyone. Not to continue being oppressed by the majority.

This may be an isolated incident but I doubt it. I am sure that it is happening in small towns to big cities.

We just are not aware of it.

We need to do something to help all the minorities not just Muslims. I am glad I found out now and not when I needed to bury a family member. I cannot imagine what a person would feel and end up doing at a time when they are mourning the loss of a loved one to be confronted with an issue like this.

There are laws about Discrimination but I would like there to be a law that prohibits this kind of discrimination against minority sects, be it Muslim, Christian, Hindus, or any one for that matter. This is where I need your help.

Please inform me as to what my rights are and what we can do to change things. I am hoping that by working together, we can end this injustice and make this an even greater nation.

Sincerely, Zahid Ali Buksh

Eid cElEbration around bay arEa

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66thJasneAzadi Pakistan at San Mateo County Center

September-2013

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SPouSAl negligenCe leAdS to MAn'S deAth

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Muslim man who was reportedly dealing with liver situation after his heart surgery, died due wife's negligence. It is said that the man had been complaining of pain and wanted to go the hospital but the wife took off for three days to visit relatives in Monterey. Before the news could leak out, the wife is said to have

woven a story that her husband was in great cheer, joked and laughed all the way to hospital. To her surprised the husband was admitted to ICU immediately where it was found he had lever infection that led to further complications. The husband reportedly had three code blue warnings before he passed away.

Sat. Sept. 21. 10 AM to 4 PM 3612 Webster St. oakland

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INDIA NEWS

September-2013

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Prize catch : Yasin Bhatkal trapped in Nepal handed over at border in big IB operation New Delhi/Patna.

Indian Mujahideen lynchpin Yasin Bhatkal, one of the country’s most wanted men, was trapped in a house in Pokhara in Nepal by local cops and whisked away into the waiting arms of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Bihar Police in the early hours of Thursday.

His arrest culminated a nerve-wracking Intelligence Bureau-led operation that had gathered steam over the past week. Bhatkal, named for the coastal Karnataka town where he was born, had risen over a decade to become the IM’s

executioner-in-chief, playing a key role in blasts across India that killed scores. Sources said that in his interrogation by the NIA at Motihari, Bhatkal admitted his part in explosions in Pune in 2010 and 2012 and the Mumbai triple blasts of 2011 but denied any hand in the Bodh Gaya attacks this year. He was to be flown to Delhi on Friday, likely by special plane.

Interrogators will be keen to establish any link with Pakistan, widely thought to provide logistic and financial support to the IM. “A reliable informer gave us information on Bhatkal’s

whereabouts and a phone number for him,’’ a senior home ministry official told

HT on the condition of anonymity. Bhatkal’s phone was tapped for a few

weeks, and the IB passed information to the Nepal police, who tracked him to the Pokhara house.

Bhatkal’s right-hand man Asadullah Akhtar, also known as Haddi, was also nabbed in the same house, and was described as a “bonus catch” by a security official. He is thought to have planted the explosive devices in Mumbai and Pune, among other attacks, and was identified only when the duo were handed over to the Indians at Raxaul on the Nepal-Bihar border at 3am. Two laptops were recovered from the men. Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh was briefed about the arrest in the morning by IB chief Syed Asif Ibrahim who was personally monitoring the operation. In March, NIA had declared a reward of Rs. 10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of the two men and secured a non-bailable warrant. The 750-km-long porous border of Bihar with Nepal offered Bhatkal the opportunity to use the country as a transit base en route to Saudi Arabia to meet his handlers, thought to be Pakistani. He and Akthar had also travelled to Bangladesh and Dubai.

India's first defence satellite GSAT-7 launched successfully

Gang rape of photo journalist shocks Mumbai MUMBAI. A photo journalist was gangraped in the Indian city of Mumbai, police said on Friday, evoking comparisons with a similar assault in New Delhi in December that led to nationwide protests and a revision of the country's rape laws.

The attack on Thursday night triggered protests and an outcry on social media, with many users shocked that it took place in Mumbai, widely considered to be

India's safest city for women. One man was arrested on Friday and 20 police teams were pursuing four men who had been identified, said Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh. "Mumbai police will do its best to collect all the evidence - clinching evidence, scientific evidence - so that a foolproof case is made out in the court, and they get maximum punishment," Singh said. "We will also request the government

Sharad, Mulayam seek law to curb runaway population NEW DELHI. Backward satraps Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Yadav made a strong pitch for a law to control population, turning the infamous Emergency on its head when "socialists" were at the forefront of opposing the coercive measures authored by Sanjay Gandhi.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav told Lok Sabha that no matter how many laws are made, they would be non-starter till a strong law is brought to rein in population. He even demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss the

issue. The Bihar MP found strong support from Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam who said there was a law on population but was not being respected.

that this case be conducted in a fast-track court." In rowdy scenes in the upper house of parliament, opposition lawmakers accused the government of not doing enough to protect women, despite tougher sex crime laws brought in this year.

The victim, who is in her early twenties, was admitted to hospital in south Mumbai where she was in stable condition, a hospital official told Reuters by e-mail.

BANGALORE. India's first exclusive defence satellite GSAT-7 was successfully launched by European space consortium Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou spaceport in French Guiana on Friday, giving a major push to the country's maritime security.

Indian Navy would be the user of the multi-band home-built communication spacecraft, expected to be operational by September end. The Rs 185-crore GSAT-7, the country's maiden dedicated spacecraft for defence applications, was launched during a 50-minute launch window which started at 2am, and it was telecast live by Doordarshan. After a flight of almost 34 minutes, the satellite was injected into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) of 249 km perigee (nearest point to earth), 35,929 km apogee (farthest point to earth) and an inclination of 3.5 degree with respect to the equator.

Asaram Bapu faces arrest; blames Sonia, Rahul Jodhpur/Bhopal.

With only 24 hours to go before his possible arrest in a rape case, self-styled godman Asaram Bapu went into an allegation spree. He questioned the minor victim’s credibility and dragged Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi into the controversy, alleging the police have been acting at their behest. The Rajasthan police are ready to arrest Asaram if he fails to answer their

summons by 30 August.

“If he does not appear for questioning, we will arrest him,” said Biju George Joseph, police commissioner, Jodhpur.

Asaram had already refused to answer the summons, saying he would be busy till September 19.

Asaram has been close to the Hindutva brigade and had managed to weather several controversies in the past, including cases of murder at his ashrams.

Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants kil ed in encounter with security forces SRINAGAR. Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed on Friday in an encounter with security forces in Ganderbal district in Kashmir. "Five militants belonging to the Qadri Asadullah group of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in a counter-insurgency operation in Preng area of Ganderbal in the wee hours today," a defence spokesman said. He said the identities of the slain militants were being ascertained.

According to police sources, troops of 24

Rashtriya Rifles and police laid an ambush near the Najwan forest in Preng area, 65 kms from here, following input about movement of the ultras.

The militants walked into the ambush in early hours on Friday and were asked to surrender, the sources said.

However, the militants opened fire on the security forces' positions which was retaliated by the army and police, the sources said, adding five militants were killed in the gunbattle.

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INDIA NEWS

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PM admits country is facing difficult times NEW DELHI. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that the country was facing a difficult economic situation and had to reckon with several uncertainties created by global factors such as tension in Syria, which impact oil prices. Both Houses of Parliament witnessed adjournments, with the Opposition seeking an immediate statement from Dr. Singh on the steep decline in the rupee’s value. In the Lok Sabha, there were at least three adjournments in the morning before Dr. Singh informed the House post-lunch that he would make a detailed statement on the issue on

Friday. In the Upper House, responding to Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, he said, “It cannot be denied that the country is faced with a difficult economic situation. There are several causes. I do not

deny that there are some domestic factors. But there are also international factors arising out of the changes in the U.S. monetary stance. There are also problems created due to tensions that are on the horizon in Syria and they have inevitable consequences for oil prices. We have to reckon with all these uncertainties.” He needed “some time to reflect on what he had to say” and would make a statement in Parliament on Friday, Dr. Singh added. Earlier when the House met for the day, Mr. Jaitley pointed out that there was “panic” in the country as people did not know where the rupee’s devaluation would stop. “You

Two children dressed up as Krishna and Radha on the occasion of Janmashtami festival in Hubli, Karnataka.

Father rapes minor daughter for Doubting husband kills a year, makes her pregnant woman in front of son NEW DELHI. A 44-year-old woman, mother of two children, was found murdered at her residence on Thursday morning. The incident was reported by the son of the victim, Mamta Tiwari, from Farsh Bazaar near Karkardooma in east Delhi.

DCP (east) Ajay Kumar said the 15-yearold, a witness, accused his father of the murder. "The boy told us that it was his father, Ajay Tiwari, manager of a security firm in Delhi, had murdered his mother.

Ajay even called up his son-in-law, A Pandey, and told him to take care of the boy as he had murdered his wife.

Woman poisoned for not bearing a son JHANSI. A 28-year-old woman was forced by her husband and in-laws to consume poison in Siya village of Madhya Pradesh for her inability to bear son. Her parents rushed her to Jhansi Medical College, where she succumbed on Wednesday.

According victim's father Phool Singh, Sadhna was married 12 years ago. Ever since the marriage, she was being harassed first for dowry and later for not bearing a child. However, after medical treatment, she had two daughters.

Since then she was being harassed for not bearing a

4-year-old boy falls into well, dies NAGPUR. A four-yearold boy died after he accidentally slipped and fell into a well while playing near his residence at Kharbi Layout, GulshanNagar in Nandanvan police station area on Friday morning.

TejasDhore was brought out immediately by his father, who saw him falling into the well. He was unconscious when he was rushed to a nearby private hospital. However, doctors declared him brought dead.

Police have registered a case of accidental death.

11 die as 2 buildings built for poor collapse in Vadodara

India celebrates Krishna Janmashtami

BHOPAL. A father allegedly raped his 15-year old daughter for more than a year and made her pregnant, by threatening to axe her if she discloses discloses anything to anyone, in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh. Accused father was arrested on Thursday. The incident took place at Raipuria village under Mrigwas police out post of the district. Police arrested Bhanwarlal Lodha, for raping his daughter.

Police said that the matter came to fore after the girl complained of stomach pain and was taken to hospital where the doctors found her pregnant.in.

have all indications of high inflation. Food prices are going up. You have higher crude oil prices in the global market. You have depleting value of the rupee, as a result of which the inflationary pressure is going to be twice over. So, apart from our own domestic inflation, we are going to import inflation into the country.” Calling Finance Minister P. Chidambaram’s 10point plan a “discourse in economic theory,” Mr. Jaitley said everyone knew that fiscal deficit and current account deficit had to be cut and exports increased. “With economic growth rate falling and inflation ruling high, the country is headed towards stagflation.

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son. He also alleged that her husband was planning a second marriage. Phool Singh said that Sadhna's in-laws contacted a godman who declared that she would never bear a boy.

Hearing this, in-laws decided to eliminate Sadhna.

On Wednesday, they thrashed Sadhna black and blue and then forcibly made her consume poison.

She somehow managed to inform her parents and brother, who rushed to the village and took her to Jhansi Medical College.

On the way she narrated the entire incident but succumbed at the hospital.

VADODARA. At least 11 people were killed and three injured when two blocks of a building, constructed by Vadodara Urban Development Authority (VUDA) for economically weaker sections, collapsed in the Atladara area of the city early Wednesday morning.

The victims were asleep in their houses when the mishap took place. The Madhavnagar housing scheme was constructed in 2001 and had around 450 houses in 33 blocks. Around 4.30am, block number 11 that has 14 apartments out of which 11 were occupied collapsed first.

Panicked residents of adjoining blocks rushed out and within 30 minutes the adjoining block number 10 collapsed, but there were no casualties as it had been vacated. Fire brigade, police and army personnel, and the National Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot for rescue operations even as locals joined them. State finance and health minister Nitin Patel, who is also the guardian minister for Vadodara, said: "The rescue operations began swiftly. The deceased's kin will be awarded Rs two lakh compensation

and treatment expenses of the injured will be borne by the state government." The government has also set up an inquiry commission headed by a retired chief secretary to probe the mishap.

Residents blamed VUDA officials and said they had been complaining about the inferior quality construction over past couple of years. "We had approached the VUDA and informed them about cracks in the building walls and ceilings. But no one responded and instead we were driven out of VUDA office," said

Manish Jadhav, a resident of block 15. When asked about poor quality construction, Nitin Patel and other officials evaded the queries and said their priority was to rescue the victims. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the mishap and offered condolences. Congress leaders blamed the BJP for the deaths and said that poor quality construction led to the building collapse. "One can easily make out that the construction material was of inferior quality. How else can 12-year-old buildings collapse?

State inks pact with Canadian province Amritsar. The Punjab Government today inked an MoU with Canada’s Alberta province to work together in various sectors, including post-secondary education, agro-based industry and producing shell gas. State Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Ed Stelmach, Premier of the province of Alberta signed the MoU here. Under the pact, Punjab and Alberta will work together to identify areas of common interest and to explore opportunities for scheduling joint-exchange programmes for teachers, students and scientists to share their expertise, to which a delegation from Alberta reciprocated. Describing Punjab as the food basket of India,

Sukhbir Badal said: “Both Punjab and Alberta being agro-based economies can prosper by sharing innovative agriculture and food processing technologies and experience. Under students’ exchange programme, various

agriculture-related education seminars can be conducted on either sides,” said Sukhbir. Inviting Alberta to utilise untapped potential of shell gas resources in Punjab, he said Alberta with specialisation in this area could contribute to the growth of economy of Punjab. Sukhbir also offered to send Punjabi teachers to Alberta to teach Punjabi to those who were born there and were away from their cultural roots. Meanwhile, Stelmach accompanied by his wife Marie Stelmach, Naresh Bhardwaj, Peter Sandhu and Manmeet Bhular, three MLAs from Alberta, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. SGPC President Avtar Singh honoured them with a siropa.

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FIJI NEWS

September-2013

DAYLIGHT SAVING STARTS ON SUNDAY, 27th OCTOBER 2013 Fiji will start daylight savings on Sunday 27th October, 2013 and end at 3am on Sunday 19th January, 2014.

This decision by Cabinet means that the nation will move clocks forward by one hour from 2am to 3am normal time on Sunday 27th October, 2013.

Members of the public are advised to move their clocks forward one hour ahead from 2am to 3am on Sunday 27th October, 2013.

HOUSING AUTHORITY WRITES OFF $370, 000 WORTH OF LOANS

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he Housing Authority of Fiji has partially written off the home loan accounts of four village housing schemes worth $370,000.

Housing Authority chairperson, Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga said the partial write off of these accounts was being funded jointly through government grant and Housing Authority provision to those village housing schemes that have paid over one and half times the principal loan amount and were facing financial difficulties in repaying the debt.

1998 NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT REVIEW ENDORSED

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he National Disaster Management Council (NDMC) has endorsed the revision of the 1998 Natural Disaster Management Act in a meeting today.

The endorsement by the NDMC for the review of the Act will await Cabinet approval before being implemented.

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and NDMC chairman, Mr Inia Seruiratu said the review is vital for an effective crisis and management system.

“The Act is quite old and may not be relevant anymore thus the need for revision,” Mr Seruiratu said.

National Disaster Management director, Mr Manasa Tagicakibau said it is imperative that the Act be reviewed soon because of changes in disaster management worldwide.

“For the last decade, Government has experienced a lot of changes and challenges in disaster management, especially with the changing climate experienced worldwide,” Mr Tagicakibau said.

Mr Tagicakibau added there is a need to address responses during disasters and coordination with nongovernment organisations and demarcation of roles to improve efficiency and transparency in managing disasters. He said the review is needed to also include new initiatives that have developed over the years.“The high frequency and intensity of natural hazard experienced recently have exposed the need to review the Act.” The endorsement by the NDMC for the review of the 1998 Natural Disaster Management Act will await Cabinet approval before being implemented.

This partial write off brings to 14 the total number of schemes being assisted under the social housing policy by Housing Authority. Last year, 10 village housing scheme accounts were written off in the Western and Northern Divisions amounting to $505,000. The villages, which benefitted from the partial write offs, were Saunaka in Nadi, Korovou in Ba, Nakorodamu in Yasawa as well as Namotomoto and Novoci villages in Nadi. “The move to partially write off these

village housing schemes alongside individual home owners’ loan accounts nationwide is to assist homeowners who are facing genuine financial difficulties,” Colonel Tikoitoga said. “Housing Authority is reducing the remaining debt so that they can make more affordable repayments as well as pay off their home loan account sooner.” As a condition, once a scheme is written off, no further loans will be issued by Housing Authority to the Village Housing Scheme unless

ness and investment from a solution driven approach.

Indeed a robust and thriving private sector is a clear sign of a progressive economy and we need to put this agenda at the forefront of formulating trade policies and regulatory processes,” Dr Ali said. Dr Ali said the Fijian economy would be able to truly overcome its challenges of unemployment and socio-economic development through a concerted effort by the private sector as well as the government. “Fiji is at a critical phase of change in many ways and we need to capitalise on this change and contribute to moulding the correct shape for business creation and sustained economic growth.”

She added that Fiji has huge underutilised potential for new business and investment generation in the various sec-

the total amount assisted is repaid in full.

“To ensure that more communities benefit from these housing programmes, Housing Authority will be evaluating other village housing schemes nationwide to determine if they qualify for assistance under the approved policy,” Colonel Tikoitoga said. The village housing scheme was introduced in 1980 to provide a mechanism for adequate and decent housing for those that resided in the peri-urban and rural areas .

FIJISUN

SCHOLARSHIP AND VOLUNTEER SCHEMES AWARENESS ATTRACTS NORTHERNERS Close to 400 Fijians in the North have visited the Public Service Commission (PSC) booth at the Friendly North Festival to access information on Scholarships and the Fiji Volunteer Scheme. The PSC permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand pointed out that this overwhelming response from the public in the North highlighted the public’s growing need for access to information regarding services and assistance provided by the PSC. He said that while students, parents and guardians queried about the types of Scholarships available at PSC, there were also queries from retired civil servants about the Volunteer Scheme.

INCREASE IN REPORTS, RESULTS FROM AWARENESS The continued advocacy and awareness programs on building violence free communities in Fiji has enabled people to come out and report cases of domestic violence and child welfare to the police and relevant authorities.

While speaking at the 25th triennial Pan Pacific South East Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) Conference at Novotel, Lami the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni delivered a key note address on the sub-theme, “Managing the Home Environment for a Peaceful & Balanced Family Existence”. Explaining the impacts of her ministry’s Zero Tolerance Violence Free Communities Campaign (ZTVFC) Dr Luveni said due to consistent awareness programs at community level, people had started to come out and report the domestic violence and child related

cases. “Through the networking with the communities, there is continued awareness and discussions on these issues and it’s no longer treated a private matter,” Dr Luveni said.

“During the community awareness program, people have received information about Domestic Violence Decree, providing greater protection to the victims of domestic violence who are generally women and likewise it explains the mandatory reporting by the professionals dealing with children under the Child Welfare Decree.

“There has been an increase in reporting of cases to relevant authorities like the police and also Department of Social Welfare. The issues of domestic violence and child welfare have been brought to the forefront and we have the gatekeepers committee that also plays a

IMPROVED REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS PROPOSED TO GROW BUSINESSES Members of the business community, senior government officials and industry experts convened in Suva today to deliberate on the challenges facing the private sector and the way forward.

The Fiji Business Forum, organised by the Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry, got underway at the Holiday Inn aimed at resolving issues affecting the business community in a focused and targeted approach.

Speaking at the forum, the Suva Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Dr Nur Bano Ali said Fiji needs mutually defined solutions for improved business performance translating into higher levels of economic performance.

“We once again bring you an interactive and practical event designed to foster busi-

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tors of our economy.

“Fiji is also undergoing some rapid changes in its regulatory framework and institutional changes which are directly impacting on business performance.

Additionally, there are economic challenges which include the need to build on our export base, lower our imports, liberalise trade while enabling competitiveness and create new business opportunities for the SMEs sector,” Dr Ali said. Dr Ali said that addressing these challenges would result in the strengthening of our trading platform and market competitiveness. “Fiji is on a positive trajectory in so far as the economic growth forecast increasing to 3 per cent this year and expected to moderate to 2.25 per cent in 2014. The challenge now is to keep the momentum going and set the bar to a sustainable

higher than 3 per cent per annum. “The challenge also is to reduce our unemployment level from 9 per cent to a much lower number through the creation of more business and investment activities,” Dr Ali highlighted.

Dr Ali also urged the regulatory agencies to assist and support the business community to enhance Fiji’s economic performance. “The service delivery mechanism of government is a principle debilitating factor to economic performance. We hear and know that the sluggish and unprofessional workings of the regulatory processes and approvals is directly in conflict with business performance and improvement. “This adds to the cost of business in Fiji. We also know that government is trying to fix this along with many other reforms.”

proactive role in ensuring cases are reported and assistance is available to the victims of domestic violence.”Dr Luveni said that the awareness programs continued for six to eight months and for some communities it took one year to prepare them for the declaration phase of the violence free program.

“One of the key success of this campaign is the male support, particularly those of the male leaders who take ownership of this campaign,” Minister Luveni said.

“There is closer networking between the government agencies, community policing, health, social welfare, i-Taukei affairs, agriculture and some Non-Government Organisations like Empower Pacific that work together to take the awareness out to the rural and maritime villages.

“The campaign challenges the people and their

beliefs. It encourages the communities to value women and children and respect them.”

The minister’s underlying message relative to the family and home management has been, “the family remains the essential ingredient in shaping our lives and the international cooperation on family matters is crucial. We need the support of all those who care, to follow a vigorous plan of action that ensures strengthening families in a non-threatening home environment is a viable perspective for a peaceful and balanced family existence”.

She said building peaceful families was one the key themes inculcated into community awareness programs implemented through the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign (ZTVFC) and currently there are more than 60 communities that have joined this campaign.

FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY Government, through its Fisheries Department, aims to implement a management plan to ensure sustainability of fish stocks for subsistence and commercial development.

Minister for Fisheries, Mr Inia Seruiratu said implementing development programmes will bring about much needed services and income security to the rural communities while preserving the environment and its biodiversity. “The development programme is aimed at prioritizing issues in order to develop a management plan that improves the contribution of fisheries and aquaculture to food security and poverty alleviation while preserving environmental services and biodiversity,” Mr Seruiratu said.

“These include the issuance of licenses, aquaculture projects, fish and

seaweed farming, fish processing, pearl oyster spat collection, fresh water pond culture and fish aggregation device.” “There is a need to concentrate, develop and expand aquaculture commodities while at the same time regulate fishing activities for sustainable resource management and therefore growing our economy in a sustainable manner is very critical not only to the Government but to every Fijian,” Mr Seruiratu added.

Mr Seruiratu said that the low tuna, shark, beach-demer and other harvests from the sea have been a result of over exploitation, illegal fishing activities, destructive methods and overfishing.

“And while Government tries to ensure economic growth, it is very mindful of the sustainability of our natural resources,” Mr Seruiratu said.

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FIJI NEWS

Fiji Football Association to place limits on foreign players

N

igerian Sunni Issa featured for Ba during the OFC Champions League 2013 but is unlikely to return.

Photo: OFC via Phototek Nigerian Sunni Issa featured for Ba during the OFC Champions League 2013 but is unlikely to return. Photo: OFC via Phototek OFC: Aug. 21, 2013 The Fiji Football Association has made a bold move restricting foreign players in local leagues and competitions in the future as it looks to focus on homegrown talent.

This means there is little likelihood of 2013 OFC Champions League Golden Boot winner Sunni Issa from Nigeria, who featured heavily for Ba throughout the competition, returning to defend his title in the 2014 edition of the competition.

Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel says the motion to no longer allow foreign players to represent local districts was passed unanimously at the Fiji FA council meeting on Saturday at the National Football Academy in Ba. “The Fiji FA board had recommended for two foreign players for each district with a three month residency requirement but Rewa moved a motion, seconded by Ba, saying that no foreign players should be allowed to play.

This was passed unanimously,” Patel says.

While currently con-

were concerned as our local players were being deprived of the opportunity to participate,” Patel says. “Lots of foreign players were coming just to win tournaments for distracts and it was of no benefit as far as development was concerned.

“We thought retired professional players like Thierry Henry or Ronaldo could come and play for Fiji teams but it was headed in other ways. We were developing players from other countries.

Following this move, districts will now develop their own players.”

The Suva, Navua, Rewa, Lautoka and Labasa clubs all signed foreign players during the last Fiji FA transfer and registration window and will all be affected by Saturday’s decision.

iji's interim government has released the final version of the country's new constitution. The military regime's document has been welcomed as a sign of progress, but it also protects those who illegally seized power.

Fiji's Attorney General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum spent the morning briefing reporters on the country's new constitution.

It comes seven months after an expert's draft report was confiscated by police, with some copies apparently being set on fire.

Today, Mr SayedKhaiyum wanted to stress what had changed since then.

"Okay, this is the preamble. These are the amendments that

have been made in the preamble," says Mr Sayed-Khaiyum.

Amendments have been made to create a single voting constituency. Customary land will also be protected, which analysts say is a change intended to win the current regime support ahead of elections.

"The new constitution looks like they made sure that they want to please everybody across the board - the different ethnic minorities, the major ethnic groups," says Auckland University's Steven Ratuva. He believes it's a sign of progress, but part of the constitution also protects those who seized power from prosecution. It states "absolute and unconditional immunity is

irrevocably granted to" the president, prime minister, the military and police.

"The immunity provision is a way of safeguarding the way towards election and beyond, so for them, whether they win or lose, it doesn't matter," says Mr Ratuva.

"What I feel is that more can be done, but one step at a time," says former Fijian MP Rajesh Singh. "I think it's a positive thing. At least the constitution has come out." Following the 2006 coup, New Zealand placed sanctions on Fiji, including a travel ban on anyone linked to the military. The Government has indicated the restrictions would be reviewed as progress is made towards democratic elections.

Police take Chinese runaway executive Chen back from Fiji SHANGHAI. A Chinese insurance executive who allegedly took 500 million yuan (US$82 million) from her company and fled the country has been escorted back from Fiji by police, state media reported.

Chinese police tracked down the former general manager of the Shanghai Fanxin Insurance Agency , Chen Yi , with the help of Interpol, Xinhua news agency said.

China’s insurance regulator said last week that Fanxin sold investment schemes without authorization.

So-called wealth management products are loosely regulated

in China and have found favor with investors looking for higher returns than bank deposits and securities.

Media reports said Chen was rumored to have fled with tens of millions of dollars, reportedly bound for Canada.

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission said it would cooperate with police and protect the interests of consumers, a statement said.

The case was reported to police last week, Xinhua said, quoting the Ministry of Public Security.

Fanxin is mainly engaged in life insur-

ance intermediary business and claims to have sold more than 480 million yuan worth of insurance policies last year alone.

The Shanghai Daily newspaper said Fanxin partnered with Sunshine Insurance Group, Kunlun Health Insurance Co, Taikang Life Insurance Co and Happy Life Insurance Co .

It said other partners were two Sino-foreign joint ventures: one set up by Canada’s Sun Life and Chinese financial giant Everbright Group , and a venture between Dutch insurance group Aegon and Chinese energy giant CNOOC.

9

Fiji govt reveals final version of new constitution F

tracted players will have the opportunity to feature for their clubs in the Inter District Championship in October, they are not expected to take part in any National Football League matches when the competition kicks off in September according to Patel. “From the new league season no foreign players will be allowed to play in the Super and Premier divisions,” he says. “Those that have been registered by districts will be allowed to feature in the 2013 Courts Inter District Championship but not afterwards. Districts have been advised to implement the exit clause.”Patel believes the decision will benefit the growth of the local game in the long run.

“This is good news. The government and Fiji FA

September-2013

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PAKISTAN NEWS

September-2013

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Petrol and diesel prices to go up ISLAMABAD. The prices of petrol and other major petroleum products are estimated to go up by more than Rs4.5 per litre on Saturday because of rising trend in the international market caused by reports of a looming US attack on Syria. According to an official of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the declining value of rupee and concern over possibility of a conflict over Syria have pushed up oil prices. As a result, the ex-depot prices of both petrol and kerosene oil may go up by Rs4.50 per litre. Therefore, the ex-depot price of petrol may be increased to Rs109 per litre from Rs104.5. Likewise, the ex-

depot price of kerosene oil will go up to Rs105.78 from Rs101.28 per litre and of high speed diesel to Rs113.06 from Rs109.76. The price of light diesel oil (LDO) will be increased by about Rs2 per litre to Rs98.12 and of high octane

blending component (HOBC) to about Rs5 per litre to Rs134. The retail price of petroleum is usually 30-40 paisa per litre more than the ex-depot price fixed by the government because of transportation cost from depots to the retail outlets.

The official said the Ogra was recommending to the government to absorb a part of the proposed increase in the petroleum levy instead of passing on full impact to consumers already facing inflationary pressures. He said the government was currently getting about Rs8bn per month on account of petroleum levy on petroleum products and another Rs21bn revenue from general sales tax.

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Earthquake shocks felt in Punjab LAHORE. Tremors were felt in different parts of Punjab on Thursday, DawnNews reported. Najeeb Ahmed, Deputy Director (DD) at Pakistan Meteorological Department's Head Office, says the earthquake was approximately 4.6 on a Richter scale.

Lahore, Gujranwala, Chiniot, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Bahawalnagar and other parts were recipients of the tremors, which were about 20 to 30 seconds apart. Buildings were quickly evacuated as fear and panic gripped the people, who ran out of their homes in fear. So far, no casualties have been reported.

According to news reports, the epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Indian Punjab Province.

Indian response to maintaining LoC ceasefire awaited : FO Snipers needed to battle urban warfare ISLAMABAD. Simpletons may continue analysing ad nauseam the gripping drama of a cornered lone gunman holding the Islamabad police at bay for hours, but perhaps the lasting memory would be that the establishment and the police emerged poorly from the fiasco. Security experts believe a trained sniper could have downed gunman Mohammad Sikandar much before the allegedly foolhardy courage of politician Zamarud Khan forced the police do that, ending the tense six-hour stand off, broadcast live by

the television channels. It came as a surprise during the postmortem of the high drama on the channels that contrary to their oft-repeated claims the Islamabad police do not have a true sniper in their ranks. There is a bigger surprise there – no security force in the country, not even the army, has snipers specially trained for such situations.

What they surely have are sharp shooters and marksmen, who gain that position or reputation on the strength of record during their normal training. But their skill is limited to close

range and in the open only, while snipers are trained to hit their target precisely, in one shot and the split second he becomes visible in his hiding place. That fine difference between a sharpshooter and a highly trained sniper notwithstanding, the police forces in every big city of the country have been announcing that their snipers would be in position to protect religious processions or other public events needing protection against terrorist attacks.

Those are audacious claims, to say the least.

ISLAMABAD. The Foreign Office said on Thursday that it was yet to hear from India about measures proposed for maintaining ceasefire along the Line of Control.

“We have made some concrete proposals to the Indian side to help reduce the tension along the LoC. The Indian response is awaited,” Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said at his weekly media briefing. The measures proposed by Pakistan included reinforcing the existing political and military mechanisms and convening a meeting of senior diplomats and military officials for ensuring that ceasefire on LoC is observed. Calm seems to have returned to the LoC after weeks of continuous shelling by Indian troops. Three Pakistani soldiers and two civilians were killed in the attacks.

The two countries have a ceasefire accord that has been left in tatters since

the start of this year because of repeated hostilities — more importantly the incidents this month since August 6 and breaches of ceasefire in January. The skirmishes renewed strains in bilateral relations and impeded the progress towards normalisation of ties. The LoC hostilities in January left the peace talks on ice and as the new government prepared to revive the dialogue, the latest episode has further delayed its resumption. The events have also left an expected meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Dr

Manmohan Singh, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session next month, in a limbo.

The uncertainty about the prospects of the SharifSingh meeting was evident as spokesman Chaudhry once again said: “Should an opportunity arise we believe that such a contact between the leadership of two countries will be a useful occasion to discuss the steps required to improve relations.” And while the political leaders on both sides are not directly talking to each other for defusing tensions, the job for finding a way out looks to have been left for Track-II. Ambassadors Shahryar Khan and S.K. Lamba, the Track II pointsmen for Pakistan and India, respectively, are preparing to meet in Dubai. The two, Mr Chaudhry said, had been regularly interacting with each other since Mr Shahryar’s appointment last month.

I’ll lead demos if PTI denied justice : Imran Fazl affirms Nawaz of supporting Taliban talks ISLAMABAD. Jamiat Ulema-iIslam-Fazl (JUI) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Thursday night affirmed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif his every possible assistance in negotiating a peace deal with the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, DawnNews reported. He was quoted by a press release issued by JUI-F’s media centre as saying the government must confirm first which Taliban group they need to talk to and at what forum.

LAHORE. PTI chairman Imran Khan has warned the quarters concerned of leading a massive campaign against the alleged electoral foul play if the party failed to get justice. Addressing the party leaders and workers in Samanabad (NA-122) here on Thursday, he asked them to be ready for a major drive and said, “I’ll lead a massive campaign against the election rigging if the quarters concerned denied justice to his party.” He made this announcement under a strong pressure from an old guard who desires restoring the aggressive posture of the party, which led it to grab its first major political success at Minare-Pakistan. He said, “PTI believes in getting its

60 former militants rehabilitated rights through constitutional and lawful means; however they are ready to get their demands met through protest if they are denied justice.” Imran questioned why National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, who got elected from NA-122, filed a writ petition in the LHC against the Election Tribunal order for public

inspection of the election record and ballot papers if he didn’t commit any foul play during the May 11 General Elections. The cricketer-turned-politician said, “The judiciary has taken notice of his remarks but why it is not taking action against those who have hijacked the public mandate through undemocratic practices.”

MINGORA. The army has rehabilitated 60 more former militants after they renounced militancy and underwent a three months training in different trades at the ‘Mishal centre for de-radicalisation’ in Phetaam area of Swat. The 17 Division of Pakistan Army organised a ceremony here on Friday to mark the rehabilitation of the militants, where General Officer Commanding of Malakand division Major General Sanaullah Niazi, civil and military officials and local elders were in attendance.

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PAKISTAN NEWS

September-2013

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Mengal returns to Balochistan Assembly after 14 years QUETTA. Chief of Balochistan National Party, Sardar Akhtar Mengal has said that government must break the silence and name the institutions involved in enforced disappearances and the killing of Baloch political workers and the dumping of their bodies.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, the Chief of BNP and former chief minister Balochistan took oath as an MPA after an interval of 14 years from parliamentary politics on Wednesday. Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr. Malik Baloch, and members of Balochistan Assembly belonging to both treasury and

opposition benches welcomed the arrival of Sardar Mengal in the assembly. On the occasion of his oath-taking the BNP-M chief said that in addition to the oath of loyalty to Pakistan, oath should also be taken of loyalty to Balochistan. In his speech, Sardar Akhtar Mengal lashed out at the government over the increasing number of missing persons and the recovery of bulletriddled bodies. He said during last three months 57 bodies of missing persons were found, 75 people had disappeared whereas 19 were subjected to targeted killings.

"Earlier bodies were thrown in the

deserts of Balochistan, now their bodies are being found in Karachi", Sardar Mengal said. He said Baloch political were not killed as result of any tsunami or any other natural disaster rather

they were being killed by institutions. "Their parents demand justice and ask that who is the murderer of their loved ones", he said.

The BNP Chief demanded prompt action against those involved in the murder of Baloch political workers. He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had endorsed his six points, he presented before the apex court last year. Sardar Mengal demanded that now it was an appropriate time for Nawaz Sharif to implement those six points in order to avoid further bloodshed and to establish durable peace in Balochistan.

"Had rulers implemented those six points, the situation would have improved here", he said. The Baloch nationalist leader claimed that still an operation was underway in Dera Bugti, Kohlu and other parts of Balochistan. He said so far no government has called an end to military operation in the province, adding that a large number of people were displaced from their homes. "Respected people are now forced to engage in beggary in Sindh", he said referring to internally displaced persons of Dera Bugti, who are languishing in different parts of Sindh province.

Balochistan unrest has deprived 70,000 children from education : CM PTI lawmakers lead Peshawar protest against crackdown PESHAWAR. Some members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Thursday blocked roads in the provincial capital against the law-enforcement agencies over the ongoing campaign against illegal gas and electric supply connections. Hundreds of people from rural localities and led by MPAs Fazal Ilahi (PK-6) and Arif Yousaf (PK-4) staged a demonstration outside Peshawar Press Club and observed a sit-in on the busy Sher Shah Suri Road for many hours.

The protest led to traffic jams on Saddar Road prompting police to divert vehicles

CJ assails Sindh govt, equates Karachi to weapon smuggling hub KARACHI. Pakistan’s top judge said Thursday that weapons in large quantities were being smuggled in through the Karachi port and supplied throughout the country, including Balochistan. Citing media reports, he said around 19,000 containers carrying weapons for Nato and US forces fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan had gone missing. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who headed a five-member Supreme Court bench, came down heavily on the chief secretary Sindh and provincial police chief, saying both were not realising their responsibilities to ensure protection of lives and property of citizens. The bench, with Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Athar Saeed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed as its members, was hearing the Karachi law and order suo motu implementation case at the apex court’s Karachi registry.

to other roads. The people coming in from Saddar were not allowed to use Sher Shah Suri Road. Protesters, who were shouting slogans against the federal government for not ensuring smooth power and gas supply to them, said they faced worst kind of loadshedding in the current hot and humid weather but Peshawar Electric Supply Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited were indifferent to their misery. They said SNGPL and Pesco teams accompanied by police and FIA personnel had disconnected supply of gas and electricity to them and thus, forcing them to take to the streets.

QUETTA. Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has revealed that worsening law and order situation in different parts of the province has deprived around 70,000 children from education. Wrapping up the debate over deteriorating law and order situation during Balochistan Assembly session on Wednesday evening, he said mass migration and worsening law and order situation in sensitive parts of the province deprived children from schooling. Dr Baloch said his government was determined to ensure provision of quality education to those students deprived of education, the basic fundamental right. Most of the Baloch dominated areas in Balochistan were “no go” areas, he said. “Right from the Sariab road area of Quetta to Mand in Turbat, nobody feels safe to go there,” he told the house. The chief minister said these areas were not “no go” areas in the past, however, policies

of the previous governments have turned them into sensitive and troubled. “Even Taliban style judgments are being issued in different parts of Balochistan,” he informed the provincial assembly members, who were passionately listening to the leader of the house. Dr Baloch revealed that 78 gangs involved in kidnapping and other subversive activities were operating in Quetta alone, admitting to the fact that the province was faced with deteriorating law and order situation. The chief

Chimps in Safari Park kept in shocking conditions KARACHI. A pair of common chimpanzees confined to two small makeshift cages have been living in extremely filthy conditions for more than two weeks as work on their enclosure continued in the Safari Park, it emerged on Sunday. A visit to the facility showed that the Safari Park administration had separated the chimps named Raju and Babli and kept them confined to two small makeshift cages made within their big enclosure for the past 17 days. This arrangement has been made to strengthen their enclosure they were earlier kept. The animals appeared restless due to the noise being created by the mechanical and metal work and their restrict-

ed movement. More shocking, however, was to see their small living spaces filled with their excreta and rotten fruit and also that they were deprived of the basic need to drink water at will; there was no water pot inside their cages. Similar conditions

existed in other cages where a few animals were kept.

“We have been hired to secure the enclosure by fixing thick iron grilles on the three sides and to make a roof so that animals could get shade,” a worker at the site told Dawn.

minister said four military operations in Balochistan had been concluded without any negotiations and the fifth one was underway. “Use of force does not offer any solution,” he added. He reiterated that his government was ready to hold talks with all sectarian and Baloch separatists groups to find political solution and bring an end to unrest in the province. Speaker Balochistan Assembly, Jan Muhammad Jamali then adjourned the house proceedings till Thursday.

Dr Afridi’s sentence overturned PESHAWAR. A Pakistani official on Thursday overturned the 33-year jail term handed down to a doctor who helped the CIA track al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and ordered a retrial. Shakil Afridi was arrested after US troops killed the terror leader in May 2011 in Abbottabad, where Afridi had set up a fake vaccination programme in the hope of obtaining DNA samples to identify the al-Qaeda leader. He was convicted in 2012 for treason over alleged ties to militant group Lashkar-e-Islam and not for working for the CIA, for which the court said it did not have jurisdiction. But angry US lawmakers saw the sentence as retaliation for his role in bin Laden’s capture, and last year threatened to freeze millions of dollars in vital aid to Islamabad. Dr Afridi was found guilty under the tribal justice system of Khyber district, part of Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt.

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BANGLADESH NEWS

September-2013

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BNP-Jamaat desperate to get back power thru militancy : Dipu DHAKA : Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Tuesday said BNP and its ally Jamaat-eIslami have got desperate to return to power by unleashing militancy in the name of religion, reports UNB. “BNP-Jamaat wants to come to power again through militancy in Pakistani-style by misguiding people in the name of religion. So, they’re involved in conspiracy. All will have to remain vigilant to crush

their conspiracy,” she said. She said this while addressing a discussion and blood donation programme organised by Bangladesh Krishak League marking the National Mourning Day at the National Press Club. Criticising the role of Hefajat-e-Islam, the Foreign Minister alleged that BNP-Jamaat is trying to grab power riding the shoulder of Hefajat.

Mentioning the government’s ‘good performance’, Dipu Moni, also

the joint general secretary of the ruling Awami

League, said, “Bangladesh is now

being acclaimed for its role across the world.

But when BNP-Jamaat was in power, the country had been portrayed with a negative image.”

Addressing the discussion, State Minister for Law Quamrul Islam urged Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus not to talk about caretaker government system. “Dr Yunus had wanted to do politics during the 1/11 political changeover, but he was driven out from the

race. He is now aspiring to enter politics by bringing another 1/11like situation. He’ll be dumped from the race again,” Quamrul added.

State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan, Krishak League general secretary Shamsul Haque Reza, among others, spoke at the programme held with Krishak League President Motaher Hossain Molla in the chair.

Throw away ‘Tetul hujurs’ : Inu

Khaleda rushed to Singapore twice to save Koko’s money : PM Fatickchhari (Chittagong). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday alleged that her arch rival BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had been in Singapore twice to save her son’s laundered money, but failed, reports UNB. “When we come to power we work for people and think about their welfare but when BNP assumes office they resort to corruption, looting and terrorism and

siphon off public money abroad,” she told a public rally at C&B ground.

“You (people) surely didn’t forget that the BNP chief (Khaleda) went to Saudi Arabia with suitcases when she was in power. And this time when we’ve have been on a drive to bring her son’s siphoned-off money from Singapore, she rushed there twice to protect it. But the Singapore court didn’t give in it and the

Sramik League leader murdered in city Dhaka. A ward leader of Jatiya Sramik League (JSL), an associate body of the ruling party Awami League, was hacked to death in the capital’s Malibagh area on Wednesday, reports UNB. The deceased, identified as Mukter Hossain, 35, son of M Jummat Ali, was general secretary of Dhaka city ward 32 JSL unit, and resident of Rampura. He hailed from Ram Prasader Char in Meghna upazila of Comilla, The victim’s elder brother, Hanif said that about eight miscreants swooped on Mukter behind Abul Hotel of Malibagh Chowdhury Para around 9:15 am and hacked him indiscrimi-

nately. Critically injured Mukter was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where he died at 11:45 am. His body was kept at the DMCH morgue for autopsy.

Singapore government returned it to Bangladesh,” the premier said. Hasina, also the President of the ruling Awami League, criticised the BNP for calling the handover of a ‘symbolic cheque’ of Arafat Rahman Koko’s laundered money a drama, and said they are saying this to confuse people.

“Who plays drama.. we handed over people’s money to people. Don’t confuse people.

DHAKA. Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Wednesday called for boycotting all vested elementswar criminals, militants, and fanatic “Tetul hujurs”-terming them as the main barrier to economic and political empowerment of women, reports BSS. Speaking at a function here, he urged all to throw away such vested elements including ‘Tetul hujurs’ from the country’s politics as they are against to the women rights recognized by the Constitution.

The minister was speaking at the third national conference of Grassroots Women Entrepreneurs Society at Motijheel BISCIC auditorium with society president Jesmin Khan in the chair. Politician Mahmudur Rahman Babu, Bangladesh Bank SME section chief Shukumar Sinha and adviser of the society Abul Hossain spoke, among others, on the occasion. “Equal rights of men and women granted by the country’s constitution, but the women folk had been kept confinement under the four walls during the last 42 years after the independence as the war criminals and autocrat rulers run the country in cooperation such ‘Tetul hujurs’,” the minister categorically said.

Diplomats stress on credible election DHAKA. Foreign diplomats and representatives of donor agencies sat in a parley with the Election Commission on Tuesday and stressed holding the next parliamentary election in a credible and inclusive manner, reports UNB. “We gave views on our beautiful hope for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections,” Neal Walker, UN resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, told reporters emerging from the meeting at the Election Commission Secretariat. Envoys of the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, the European

Union (EU) and representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) attended the meeting held in the morning. Neal Walker said they came to know what the Election Commission is doing regarding their cooperation and support for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

“Those countries and partners who are providing support to the electoral process in Bangladesh through the Election Commission have come here today to hear what the Election Commission is doing regarding the cooperation for the upcoming general election,” he said.

Bhola gets household gas connection BHOLA. At long last, the dream comes true for the people of Bhola, who had been waiting for almost two decades, with gas supply provided for household use from Wednesday, reports UNB. Petrobangla chairman Dr Hossain Mansur formally inaugurated the gas supply by lighting a burner at Khanka Sharif of Jainpuri Pir Saheb at Jugirghol in the district town.Local MP Tofail Ahmed, also ruling Awami League advisory council member, attend-

ed the inaugural function as the chief guest.

Marking the occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through

cell phone told the local people that Awami League has fulfilled its electoral pledge through providing gas connec-

tion to Bhola.

Speaking on the occasion, Tofail, on behalf of the local people, thanked the Prime Minister and hoped that the southern district would turn into an industrially-developed area in the near future by utilizing the gas.

The Petrobangla chairman said that so far, 20 kilometres of gas distribution line have already been set up in Bhola municipal area while another 50 km of gas distribution line will be established.

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MUSLIM NEWS

September-2013

13

EID fEst A BIG sUCCEss

By Dr. Marion A. Sanchez A lot of curiosity was my first greeting at the Fiji Fest, but upon my introduction, smiling faces and a big welcome was the effect of the entire session.

Prayer session preceded the meeting then a gathering of various groups followed. I was asked to join a small group of 5 persons.

They were very kind to speak in English for my sake.

Most outstanding were the young children all dressed elegantly in their attire. They were most happy and solicitous with very big and natural smiles on their faces. It was truly a joyful and happy day.

Ramadan is a Holy month of fasting. “It is a day of letting go of differences and allowing children to be proud of whom they are.

I totally enjoyed the young children laughing, talking and observing me with curiosity. I am a very

engaging person and they enjoyed replying to my “high fives”. At one session Mohammad Rajabaly a Newark Dentist Stated, “We are so grateful to live here in the land of plenty and” to giveopportunity to

those in need is the highest value of money. “That’s what we learn from Ramadan and it is well to remember this for the next eleven months.

Hajji Mohammad Iqbal invited

me to attend other meetings and to taste their breakfast delicacies. It was an honor to attend this special meeting and I look forward to learning more of their dedicated efforts to create good feelings among all

people – not only those affiliated with their particular beliefs but all others. The major theme was love and peace amongst all people. It was quite an honor to become a part of these festivities.

EID PRAyERs At BAItUL BAsIR MOsqUE, MILPItAs

PEACE “babies.

The most outstanding thing is the furry gray cat they have had a lot of befriended. They lick, cuddle, thoughts about lay back and sniff each other. It a proper, or fittruly warms my heart, since most ting title for of the time my little “Tiny”, this article.

Chiwawa chases, but of course Could not never catches his furry feline decide on one more outprey. standing than another.

(3) Peace has no color: so, I will share with you But then again peace has every the benefit of many. color imaginable. It is no strange but for many people color makes he real essence of peace is a big difference both positive and truly awesome so all of the folnegative. White is bad-good; lowing titles are hereby listed: black is bad-good; brown ….etc.

You may have heard the fancy 1. Peace knows no bounds color, term’ “color it purple”’ A whole lot religion, or ethnics. There are no of colors combined make purple. bounds to its effect.

Hey, maybe somewhere in our 2. Peace is Furry: universe there are some purple Take my dogs for a walk daily. people amongst us. Keep lookEspecially love our trip to a coning! valescent home. People in (4) Color me peaceful Purple: wheelchairs, Alzheimer’s Hmmmmm, not much to add to patients, heart stroke victims all this title. So there it is. love to cuddle and sooth my CONTINUES ON PAGE-22

By Dr. Marion A. Sanchez

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INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY A UNO PEACE PROGRAM Come join us and celebrate the Peace Day. Admission is free. Lunch provided.

Sister Sofia Omaria (650) 325-4663 Dr. H. Koya 510-677-4488 IsLAMIC INtERfAIth COUNCIL, INtERfAIth AMERICA, thE MUsLIM NEws & AMERICAN IsLAMIC ACADEMy

More than half a million convert to Islam via Ahmadiyya Jamaat Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s annual convention continues in UK

D

uring a faith inspiring address at the 47thJalsaSalana UK, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Jamaat), HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad announced that more than 540,000 people had joined the Community during the past year.

His Holiness announced the figure whilst giving a detailed report of the global activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad also informed that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had now been established in 204 countries of the world. During the past year the Jamaat had spread to two new countries – Costa Rica and Montenegro.

It was further announced that during the past year the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had built or acquired 394 new Mosques. These included new Mosques in Canada, Germany and Spain which had been personally inaugurated by HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had also acquired 121 new Mission Houses or Centres. As a means to serve Islam, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had now translated the Holy Quran into 71 different languages, whilst numerous other books had been published or translated in an effort to further

His Holiness MirzaMasroor Ahmad: the Worldwide Leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community the cause of true and peaceful Islam. As a means to serve humanity, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had further increased the scope of its charitable projects in various parts of the world. In particular, His Holiness mentioned the ‘Water for Life’ project through which clean, running water was being provided to thousands of deprived people in remote parts of Africa. His Holiness said that such projects were of the utmost importance as they were a means of alleviating the suffering of

those most in need. Earlier in the day, HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad directly addressed members of LajnaImaillah (Ladies Auxiliary Organisation). His Holiness said that people from all walks of life, of all religions and from all parts of the world had come to accept the Promised Messiah, HazratMirzaGhulam Ahmad of Qadian. In this way the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was uniting mankind in peace and harmony. His Holiness counselled that justice and equality at all levels were of the utmost importance. He said peace in society began with peace within the domestic environment.

HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad said: It is my observation that the fundamental causes for marriage breakdowns are egotism and selfishness. The truth is that if a husband and his wife treat each other with fairness and equality then there will never be any disputes. Certainly, the peace and beauty of any society is dependent upon justice and honesty at all levels. Tomorrow marks the final day of this year’s JalsaSalana UK. The highlights will be the International Bai’at Ceremony and the concluding address of HazratMirzaMasroor Ahmad.

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THE HINDU AMERICAN MERICAN FOUNDA FOUNDATION ATION TI TION CORDIALL LY INVITES INV YOU TO ITS CORDIALLY

NORTHERN THERN ANNUAL NOR AWARENESS ORNIA A AW WARENESS ARENES CALIFORNIA & GALA DINNER Come celebrate HAF’ HAF’ss 10 YEAR ANNIVERSAR ANNIVERSARY RSAR RY Y staff, tafff,f, volunteers, voluntee with its staf supporters, and keynote speaker: CONGRESSWOMAN WOMAN TULSI GABBARD (D-HI) Congress, As the first Hindu American elected to Congr ess, Gabbard Rep. Gabbar d will share share her experiences as a lifelong public servant and describe how Hinduism has influenced her path.

Like Rep. Gabbar d, the HAF team is pr oud to be both Gabbard, proud American and Hindu. As the organization at the for efront forefront of Hindu American advocacy ovides a voice for the advocacy,, HAF pr provides community by:

DA DATE ATE Saturday, Satur day, September 14, 2013 TIME 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

tt Educating Educating the public about Hinduism.

LOCA ATION LOCATION India Community Center 525 Los Coches St Milpitas, CA 95035 RSVP http://haf2013.eventbrite.com Babysitting: Babysitting: A separate room with entertainment and activities for children (ages 5+) will be available.

t Speaking up about issues t Speaking sues affecting fecting Hindus. afffecting t B t uilding relationships Building relationships with those who shape society’s society’s views and freedoms. freedoms.

Come find out what we’re we’re all about! There There is no cost to attend...all are are welcome. We We look forward forward to seeing you on September 14th!

HAF HA H AF A F

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOUNDA ATION T

Promoting tolerance, understanding and pluralism. www.HAFsite.org www.HAFsite.org

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US NEWS

September-2013

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A store of quality Groceries & Products

One Store for all your Daily Grocery Needs

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Art & EntErtAinmEnt

September-2013

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Unique Productions tribute to 100 years of Indian Cinema at ICC A rocking performance by Bay Area artists led by melody queen Alka Bhatnagar. many of our fans said this was a most entertaining night in recent months.

Unique Production wishes to thanks all its sponsors and fans for a great support. more entertainment news in the next FiJi SUn USA.

By Abhinav Bhatnagar. Select pictures by Azmi Gill

SAN MAETO SERVICES

YOUR NEIGHTBORHOOD AUTO SHOP & GAS STATION GOLD SHIELD GAS STATION! AMERI GAS-PROPANE SOLD HERE!

Email: atendra45@yahoo.com

PHONE: 650-344-7811 CELL: 650-219-7995 501 S. NORFOLK STREET, SAN MAETO, CA 94401

ATENDRA SINGH

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bollywood

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My kids are untouched by my fame: Madhuri Madhuri Dixit may be a famousBollywood diva but her sons, Arin and Raayan, are unaffected by their mother's stardom. The 46-yearold raises two kids with doctor husband Shriram Madhav Nene and likes it that her children get excited to see her on TV. "I have no idea if they understand it

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he is riding high on the success that her latest release has received. And now, as Huma Qureshi, who admits she is “happy about the film and appreciation” for D-Day, wraps up another big project, Dedh Ishqiya, with Madhuri Dixit, she opens up about her personal and professional lives.

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adhuri dixit may be a famousbollywood diva but her sons, Arin and Raayan, are unaffected by their mother's stardom. The 46-year-old raises two kids with doctor husband Shriram Madhav Nene and likes it that her children get excited to see her on TV. "I have no idea if they understand it and I like it that way. I want them to be as innocent as possible. Even today they come running to me and say that mom you are on TV. My little one comes to me and says, 'really are you that famous'. but they are untouched by it and that's the way I like it," said Madhuri, who is currently hosting the dance reality show, Jhalak dikhla Jaa 6, on Colors. The Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, superstar is judging the current season of the dance reality show along with directorproducer Karan Johar and choreogra-

pher Remo. Madhuri, a great dancer herself, wants youngsters to take up classical dancing as it is closer to Indian culture. "There is more of western dancing coming in because I think today youth wants everything fast and it is easier to learn. our classical is where the whole treasure lies. once you learn classical you can learn any form of dance. So I think it is very important to have that base. I would urge people to learn more classical," she added. After marriage, Madhuri relocated to US for almost a decade. In 2011, she shifted her base back to Mumbai along with her family.

She is working on two bollywood films, Gulaab Gang and dedh Ishqiya.

People discuss your life, if you are doing something right:

Emran HasHmi your personal life has been under scanner.

No one likes it when their personal life is talked about, and I am no exception. But I guess it’s the price an actor has to pay for being in the public eye. So I simply have to deal with it.

How true are the rumours of your link-up with Shahid Kapoor?

I have no idea how that story broke out, what the basis of it is and who said what. I am not dating anyone nor do I need to clarify anything about who I meet and how many times.

I don’t think it’s anyone’s business. do you get upset about such things?

Its not the most flattering thing. But Emraan Hashmi once told me, ‘If people are talking about your personal life and discussing it, that means you are important and doing something right in life, and also that you are interesting.’ So I guess I will go with that (advice) and take things with a pinch of salt. d-day, after Gangs of wasseypur (Gow; 2012), looks like another male-dominated film.

I was asked the same thing when the GOW series came out. I was in that six-hour-long film only for 20 minutes, but whatever I am today is because of those 20 minutes. but were you worried at any point about your role in dday?

I was always aware of what I was supposed to do in it. It’s not a film about the male or female point of view. All my male co-stars in the film too never made me feel less important.

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ctor Alia Bhatt, who was in Delhi recently, seemed all concerned about the safety of women in the Capital and elsewhere in the country. Alia, who was attending an event on women’s empowerment organised by Amanuday, an NGO in the city, urged women not to be scared, and to follow their dreams.

“Women in the Capital are not as safe as they were decades ago. But they should come out of their boxes, get out of their houses and pursue their dreams. They should come out of their shell,” said the 20-yearold. Asked who her role model is, the Student of the Year heroine said, “My mother. She was just 17 years old when she went to London alone and took up three jobs at

the same time. She conquered a lot and brought me and my sister up beautifully. She also worked at the same time and built her career. She is my idol.” Alia, who loves to visit Delhi, said, “I have shot in Delhi a couple of times and I keep coming back for something or the other.

My favourite street food here is chaat.” Alia’s upcoming films include 2States and Highway.

Lara Dutta set to return with Vinay Pathak in Chalo Dilli sequel

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ver since she became a mother in 2012, Lara Dutta has stayed away from the arc lights (except for a small role in Bejoy Nambiar’s David earlier this year). But now, we can confirm that the actor is all set to make a comeback with her second venture, titled Chalo China, a sequel to her 2011 hit, Chalo Dilli, with Vinay Pathak. The latter was Lara’s first film under her banner, Bheegi Basanti Productions.

“Although Lara has been away, she is excited about the sequel. It was always on their (her and Mahesh Bhupathi, her husband and partner in the production house) mind. And now that her daughter Saira is over a year old, Lara feels that she can slowly look into her professional life too.

“Although Lara has been away, she is excited about the sequel. It was always on their (her and Mahesh Bhupathi, her husband and partner in the production house) mind.

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Four IMaMS oF ISLaM

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Four great Imams of Islam and the modern jurisprudence

By H. Koya (PhD Islamic Metaphysics)

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e frequently hear about the four great Imams of Islam but many of us do not know that they were born at dif-

ferennt times and in different regions. It is important to keep in mind that most important standard to follow is what the Holy Prophet did and stated and his four righteous Khlifas said and lfet behind as the way of liv-

ing for Muslims. As far as the sources of knowledge are concerned, the Holy Quran comes first as the authority and then traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (swas). The most immediate examples

Validity of the Fatwas If the Fatwas issued by any of the Imams conflict with the Hadith or Holy Quran then that Fatwa must be rejected and Muslims must rely on the Hadith and The Holy Quran.

THE fOUr IMAMS

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hese four well-known scholars are Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A. – RahmatullaahiAlayhi: May Allah’s mercy be on him), Imam Malik (R.A.), Imam Shafi’i (R.A.) and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.). They were all highly proficient in the subjects of Islamic knowledge e.g. Tafseer (Qur’anic explanations), Hadith (Prophetic nar-

rations), Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and the Arabic language. Each one of them was a Muhaddith and a Faqeeh. A Muhaddith is one with deep knowledge of the Prophetic teachings and actions. A Faqeeh is one who has a deep understanding of Islamic law & jurisprudence, and can derive the laws from its primary

1. IMAM AbU HANIfA (80 -150 A.H) Abu Hanifa (R.A. – RahmatullaahiAlayhi: May Allah’s mercy be upon him) was born in the era of the Companions (Rd). He met many companions of the Prophet (May Allah Shower His Mercy and blessings upon Him) and is counted amongst the Tabi’un (those who saw and followed the Companions of the Prophet He grew up in Al-Kufah and became versed in Hadith as well as Fiqh (Islamic law and Jurisprudence) and opinion. He had a great ability that, upon initially hearing any Hadith, he could memorize it word for word with its chain of narration. It is very important to understand that one can never become a Faqeeh without being a Muhaddith. He was divinely gifted with both of these bounties. The HanafiMadhab is the most widely followed school of thought and practiced by the majority of the Muslims in the world. Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) had a group of devoted students who learned from him and conveyed what he taught.

Amongst his students were Abu Yusuf, Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Ash-haybaani and Zufar bin AlHudhayl (R.A.). Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) passed away in 150 AH / 767CE in the state of prostration at 70 years of age. More than 50,000 people attended his Janazah (Funeral Prayers). Amongst his compilations in the field of Hadith, ‘Kitabal-Athar’ is well known and widely accepted around the globe.

Crucial question

what about the Imams that came after the 4 Imams?

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am curious as to why Muslims limited themselves to the four Imams only.

Do they concede that there no Imams after the four great Imams?

Or do they believe were more important than ones who followed later or are to come after them?

2. IMAM MALIK (93 -179 A.H) Another of the four great Imams, Imam Malik (R.A.), also known as Abu Abdillah and Imam DarulHijrah, is the founder ofthe Maliki school of thought. He grew up in AlMadinah al Munawwarah. He loved knowledge and respected and glorified the Sunnah of the Prophet S.A.W. Imam Malik (R.A.) never taught a Hadith without ablution. He has various literary compilations and his ‘Muwatta’ is one of the most famous. He was only 20 years old when 70 scholars of Madinah bore witness to his knowledge and proclaimed him capable of ljtihad (an ability to derive law from Qur’aan and Hadith) and giving Fatawa (Islamic rulings). His book ‘Muwatta’ is one of the first ever compilation in the field of Hadith.

ike any field of study such as management, criminology and metaphysics, we find there were pioneers who got the ball rolling and made some initial remarkable statements or proposed some theoeries.

sources. The rulings derived by these four great Imam’s of Fiqh and the principles they used to derive these rulings were collated together and referred to as individual Schools of Islamic law (Madhab). These Madhab’s are commonly referred to as the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of thought. The Madhab’s of the

3. IMAM AL SHAfI’I (150 – 204 A.H) When he was two years old he was brought to Makkah. He became an orphan at a very early age and was taught by Malik ibnAnas (R.A.). He was highly ranked for his knowledge and understanding of jurisprudence.Imam Shafi’l (R.A.) was independent, generous, broad-minded and very understanding. He completed the memorization of the Holy Qur’an at a very young age of 7 years old. Every night he used to complete the recitation of the whole Qur’an, and in Ramadan throughout the day and night he used to complete the Qur’aan twice. It is stated that in Ramadan he used to finish the Qur’aan 7 times in Salaah.

Imam Al Shafi’i (R.A.) started giving Fatwa when he was only 15 years old. He studied under the great Imam Muhammad ibnHasan AshShaybaani (R.A.). Imam Al Shafi’i (R.A.) was the founder of the Shafi’i school of thought.

four great Imam’s are structured to make it easy for Muslims to act upon the injunctions of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. The differences between these schools of thought arein minor practical differences, as most Muslims consider them all fundamentally the same. All four Madhabs are correct and applicable in their own right.

4. IMAM AHMAD IbNHANbAL (164 – 241 A.H.) Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.) started learning the knowledge of Hadith at a young age. He listened to his teachers in Baghdad and then travelled to Al-Hijaz and to Al-Yemen to acquire Hadith.

He became famous among people through his piety and goodness. His personal cleanliness and lack of concern for worldly things were to such an extent that he became an example for these attributes. He went through many trials and tribulations to safeguard the sanctity of the book of Allah, the Holy Qur’aan. The day he died was a remarkable day. All of Baghdad’s men and women came out to say farewell in a show of respect to him – not only the Muslims, but the Jews and Christians were also saddened by his passing away. Everyone was tearful at his sad demise. He has compiled over 27,000 Ahaadith in his famous book ‘Al-Musnad’.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (R.A.) was the founder of the Hanbali school of thought.

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he Islamic world has produced numerous learned Islamic scholars (Imams), but out of these, four Imams became more famous and their teachings have spread in different parts of the world. In this hub I shall briefly provide details on these four great scholars of Islam. The position of ‘Imam’ is an Islamic leadership position, the normal prayers in a mosque or masjid has an Imam who is responsible for leading the congregation in Salah orPrayer, an Imam can also assume a leadership role of a mosque or the Muslimcommunity. Imams may also provide religious guidance.

The name Imam may also be used in the form of a prefix title with scholars of prominence. The four Imams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi and Imam Ahmad ibnHanbal were all eminent Muslims and very important individuals in the history of Islam. Their teachings laid the foundations of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh).

Ahmadi Muslims believe in all Imams and Imam Mehdi

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t is important to understand that all timelines described in the Hadith and the Holy Quran and been met. The final Imam Mehdi has come in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The mainstream Muslims have accounted for 12 Imams. It is now 15 the Cencutry (21 for the Christian era) but there has not a an Imam among the mainstream Muslims.

There is a great of disagreement and confusion among them about the coming of the Imam as they tend restrict themselves to mianly the four Imams mentioned above.

THE SIGNIfICANCE Of THE fOUr IMAMS

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after the Holy Prophet were the first four righteous Khaliafs of the Holy Prophet namely, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrath Uthma (ra) and Hazrat Ali (ra).Then comes the Imams of the age

They became pioneers of their school of thought and they may not have been right but they got others to do critical thinking and develop their theores frther into some sort of discipline. So did these four great Imams who got the

indpenedent and critical thinking going and wrote their Tafseer / commentaries of the Holy Quran and came to be regarded as some sort of authrotiy.

Some of the were aided by divine revelation in their commentaries.

CHALLENGE TO MULLAHS AND SHIEKS

Can any one of them show from the Holy Quran and Hadith if any of the sings of latter days have not been fulfilled?

If they have been fulfilled, what are they waiting for?

PEACE CONTINES FROM PAGE-13 (5)ThE DAwN OF PEACE: It is sort of like saying the moon or sun rises. It would be so fantastic to be “invaded” by a positive rain, wind or snow of pure peace. I picture a beautiful and full of color sunset as I feel the warmth of peace.

course I mentioned our own projects we support. He then voiced loudly that most people that come to him are asking for funding and was not happy with that. He seemed to me like a very nice person but sometimes frustrated in spite of his millions of dollars, most of which is donated go to charity organizations.

(6) PEARlS OF PEACE: We all love the shape, color (8) DREAMS OF PEACE: and pureness of pearls. When As I delve on the thought “what found, it is like discovering does peace mean”? gold. Pure gold and pure Happiness is the bottom line as pearls have long been used to my very good friend, Dr. Vijay enhance beauty in every way Tiwary, a famous surgeon, statpossible. As in any of my ed. “When you are hungry, as “super” titles they have all been are many children in various used also for negative and evil countries, including the USA, a purposes. piece of bread is happiness; for a rich person a good profit may (7) ThE PEACE PROCESS: be happiness. For young I recently visited a person who lovers a touch; a kiss is pure is surrounded, encased and happiness. loaded with money. My fellow (9) SuCCESS yIElDS PEACE: visitor and I hoped to help him properly write a letter “posting” As a youngster and even now to distribute to millions of peoas I step into my senior year’s ple starting with the more success is a joy. Sports which “noble” ones. It was truly an included basketball, football, eventful meeting. His first and track were and still are joythought was that we were there ful experiences. Am often to acquire money from him to regarded currently as one of fund our own charities. Not the fastest sprinters and hurtrue, but when he duly and dles in the world. Had a world loudly asked, “what charity record at age 63 in the 300 would we suggest? We both meter hurdles. If somehow I sat there with our eyes and may use this honor for peaceful mouths wide open. Yes, of purposes, I will. My very good

friend for at least 65 years, Jimmy Jackson, I glorify as a true hero, not because he was one of the very best boxers in the world, but due to the fact that he used his strength and power for honorable purpose.

In high school Jimmy allowed “no bullies”’ to prey on others.

He was, and still is a strong, powerful person and also loves animals. He was surprised and thrilled to see my dogs friendly with an old gray cat.In boxing, which I do not like, the intent is to knock your opponent down and out. I tell Jimmy it is most controversial for him to be so peaceful yet a top world champion boxer. He hit George Foreman, according to Foreman own statement, the hardest he has ever been hit.

He counters me with the fact that I piayed eight years of football. He’s got me there, but I simply state, “I was just trying to get away from those big dudes wanting to drive me into the ground! Sports are perhaps synonymous to life.

“Have fun but try not to get hurt or injure the opposition”.

(10) PEACE by PIECES: Slowly but surely peace may be manifest in one big stroke or simply a bit at a time and finally compete. Determination is the key element and a truly fun one. Arriving and completing our goal toward peace is built, and encased in pure happiness.

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AFghAn nEws

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‘Electoral Alliance’ Formed, Looks to Recruit Big Names KABUL. As the 2014 Presidential elections draws near, a bevy of political parties and coalitions have agreed, after many speculations in the media and several rounds of deliberations between them, to form a grand coalition together by the name of "Electoral Alliance of Afghanistan." With plans to wait until Thursday to officially announce their formation, the alliance is said to have busied itself with maneuvers to swell its ranks further with some of the biggest names in Afghan politics. The

alliance has already locked in a variety of parties and coalitions from across the dense Afghan political spectrum, but is said to be centered around a handful

of core groups, including Hezbe-Wahdat, Jamiat-e-Islami, National Coalition, Afghanistan National Front (ANF) and National Movement Party

(NMP). The leaders of the core Electoral Alliance members have held two meetings in the past week with other prominent Afghan political leaders in hopes of roping them in to the coalition, which is already the largest on the scene.

Reportedly, some of individuals they have tried to recruit are among the widely regarded favorites for the Presidential elections. On Sunday, leaders of the National Coalition, NMP, Jamiat-e-Islami and a few other Alliance members met with ZalmaiKhalilzad, former

India Ready to Train, Equip Afghan Forces : Khalili

Afghanistan Celebrates 94th Independence Day KABUL. Afghanistan is celebrating its 94th Independence Day on 19th August, with a series of event marking the day being held in the central capital Kabul and other major cities. Afghanistan, which has never been under British occupation, won freedom from the United Kingdom 94 years ago during former King Ghazi Amanullah Khan's rule. The day dawned with a 21-cannon salute from the Ministry of Defense in Kabul before President Hamid Karzai laid a floral wreath on the Freedom

Monument. Independence Day celebrations have been a low-key affair after a militant assault spoiled an event in front of the Eidgah Mosque five years ago, forcing President Karzai and other leaders to leave the venue. A number of world leaders, including Russian, Korean, Bhutanese, Italian, Uzbekistan, Algerian and Australian leaders greeted President Karzai and wished peace and stability in Afghanistan. In the eastern city of Jalalabad, a floral wreath was placed on Ghazi Amanullah Khan’s

grave by Nangarhar Provincial Council members and residents.

Separately, hundreds of people participated in an Independence Day function at the governor’s house. Deputy Governor Mohammad Hanif Gardiwal said Iranian, Pakistani and Indian diplomats also attended the event. A similar gathering was held in Lashkargah, the capital of southern Helmand province. Governor Gen. Mohammad Naeem, tribal elders and citizens were in attendance.

KABUL. India is willing to equip and train Afghan security forces, 2nd VicePresident Karim Khalili said on Friday on his return from a three-day visit to New Delhi. During his meetings with host leaders, the security and economic situation in the region and bilateral military cooperation came up for discussion, the vicepresident said. He told journalists at the Kabul airport India had renewed its commitment to equipping and training Afghan forces well beyond 2014, when the NATO combat mission will end.

Confident of New Delhi honoring its pledges, Khalili said India had a good track record of cooperating with Afghanistan in the past.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Iraq and Afghanistan; Ali Ahmad Jalali, the former Afghan Interior Minister; Qayoum Karzai, the brother of President Karzai; and several other prominent politicians in order persuade them to join the grand coalition.

The exact outcome of that meeting, which was held at General AbdurrashidDostom's house, is unknown. However, the fact that another similar meeting was held on Tuesday night indicates that no conclusion was made.

The Worsening Situation for Aid Agencies in Afghanistan With the worsening security situation for international agencies in Afghanistan and the humanitarian aid workers, the future is increasingly getting uncertain for the organizations that have been instrumental in reducing poverty and human suffering during Taliban rule on Afghanistan and in the one last decade. There has been a considerable rise in militants’ attacks on employees and offices of the international humanitarian organizations in recent months. This week, the militants abducted and then killed six aid workers, including five Afghan employees of the International Rescue Committee, who were working with rehabilitation and development projects run by the government in Herat province. As the aftermath of the incident, the Committee suspended its operations in Afghanistan. The growing threats against humanitarian aid organizations is

meaning a hard time ahead for the vulnerable segments of the society who rely on humanitarian assistance of the international aid agencies. In May, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) halted its operations in many parts of the country after a suicide attack targeted its office in eastern Nangarhar province. After the attack, dozens of disabled people protested in Nangarhar city and urged support and protection for the agency, which had been supporting those affected by decades of war and insecurity.

Trend, and few other politicians attended the gathering. "The experts agreed that election nominees should explain their programs to the people, peace talks should be inclusive, the achievements of past 11 years should not compromised in negotiations, and a parliamentary system is best system for Afghanistan" Sardar

Mohammad Rahimi, spokesman of the ANF explained. Meanwhile, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoFA responded to news from the meeting by saying that the selection of the government system in Afghanistan is the right of people, and that no single person and no single group can do it themselves.

Karzai Calls on Pakistan for Afghan Politicians in “Practical Steps” on Peace Talks Munich Issue Resolutions KABUL. President Hamid Karzai concluded a two-day visit to Pakistan where he made a last try to bring Islamabad on board for peace talks with the Taliban and ease tensions ahead of Afghanistan's national elections early next year. Leading a delegation of key security team, President Karzai extended his visit for another day on Monday evening, after Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged him to stay for another day to discuss in details a plan for negotiations with the Taliban. "The meetings were friendly. The new government in Islamabad has good intentions, but no agreement was made," said President Karzai's Chief Spokesman

Aimal Faizi while returning to Kabul on Tuesday afternoon. However, it's not sure whether the same intention is shared with the country's powerful military chiefs.

President Karzai's office issued a statement saying they expect Pakistan to put "specific and practical" steps forward to make the peace talks bear fruit. On Monday, Mr Karzai met with

Mr Sharif for an hour-long one-on-one discussion, which was followed by general comments to the press without taking any questions. But, the two governments signed an agreement to enhance economic opportunities, what Mr. Sharif as an industrialist is more interested, especially when his country is facing a growing energy crisis.

KABUL. Afghan politicians gathered in Munich, Germany, to discuss the future of the Afghan political system came to a series of resolutions that involve a change in the structure of government in Afghanistan, candidates for the upcoming presidential election and the peace negotiation process with the Taliban.

The meeting, called "Afghanistan, A Path to Success," was organized by numerous Afghan political party leaders. In attendance were several members of the Afghanistan National Front (ANF) including Ahmad Zia Massod, Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, and Faizullah Zaki. In addition, Amrullah Saleh, the head of Green

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US NEWS

September-2013

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Obama set for limited strike on Syria as British vote no WASHINGTON. President Obama is prepared to move ahead with a limited military strike on Syria, administration officials said on Thursday, despite a stinging rejection of such action by America's stalwart ally Britain and mounting questions from Congress.

The negative vote in Britain's Parliament was a heavy blow to Prime Minister David Cameron, who had pledged his support to Obama and called on lawmakers to endorse Britain's involvement in a brief operation to punish the government of President Bashar al-Assad for apparently launching a deadly chemical weapons attack last week that killed hundreds. The vote was also a set-

back for Obama, who, having given up hope of getting United Nations Security Council authorization for the strike, is struggling to assemble a coalition of allies against Syria. But administration officials made clear that the eroding support would not deter Obama in deciding to go ahead with a strike. Pentagon officials

said that the Navy had now moved a fifth destroyer into the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Each ship carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles that would probably be the centerpiece of any attack on Syria.

Even before the parliamentary vote, White House officials said, Obama decided there was no way he could overcome objections by Russia, Syria's longtime backer, to any resolution in the Security Council. Although administration officials cautioned that Obama had not made a final decision, all indications suggest that a strike could occur soon after United Nations investigators charged with scrutinizing the Aug. 21 attack leave the country.

Day to Commemorate a Speech and a Movement

President Obama with Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., after speaking at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday.

Obama says 'The Butler' movie made him tear up

Montana Judge Sorry for Language in Rape Verdict

WASHINGTON. President Barack Obama says he got teary while watching "Lee Daniels' The Butler," a movie about a black White House servant who worked for several presidents. Obama says he reflected on the effects of discrimination on a generation of people.

He says that generation displayed dignity and tenacity and, quote, "put up with a whole lot of mess because they hoped for something better for their kids." Obama discussed the movie with radio host Tom Joyner and co-host Sybil Wilkes of the "Tom Joyner Morning Show." Obama said White House butlers have been kind and warm to his family. He suspects that part of it is they look at his daughters, Malia and Sasha, and they say, quoting, "Well, this looks like my grandbaby or this looks like my daughter."

The Montana judge who handed down a light 30-day jail sentence to a teacher who admitted raping his 14 year old student apologized Wednesday for the “stupid” language he used. Yellowstone County District Judge G. Todd Baugh had said that the 14-year old victim was “older than her chronological age” and “as much in control of the situation” as her teacher, Stacey Dean Rambold. “It’s not probably the kind of rape most people think about,” he said as he sentenced the teacher. The teenage victim took her own life in 2010. Baugh apologized for those words Wednesday, the Star Tribune reports, saying that he “fumbled around” and “made some really stupid remarks.” But defended the sentence as appropriate.

They are scheduled to depart Damascus on Saturday.

The White House presented its case for military action to Congressional leaders on Thursday evening, trying to head off growing pressure from Democrats and Republicans to provide more information about the administration's military planning and seek Congressional approval for any action. In a conference call with Republicans and Democrats, top officials from the State Department, the Pentagon and the nation's intelligence agencies asserted that the evidence was clear that Assad's forces had carried out the attack, according to officials who were briefed.

FIJISUN

US : Minister convicted in slaying found hanging in cell IONIA, Michigan. The former minister of a small Michigan church who allegedly told police he killed his fiancee's 24-year-old daughter because he wanted to have sex with a dead body has killed himself. Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan told the Morning Sun of Mount Pleasant that 56-year-old John D White hanged himself in his cell at the Michigan Reformatory in Ionia. He says White was pronounced dead early Wednesday after efforts to resuscitate him failed. White pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder in the death of his fiancee's daughter, Rebekah Gay Police say he said he killed the young mother to fulfill a desire to have sex with a dead body.

US fast-food workers on nationwide strike over pay NEW YORK. Fast-food workers protested on Thursday in US cities including New York, Chicago and Detroit, with organizers expecting the biggest national walkouts yet in a demand for higher wages.The push has brought considerable attention to the so-called " McJobs" that are known for their low pay and limited prospects. Fast-food workers say they can't live on what they're paid.

Workers say they want $15 an hour, which would be about $31,000 a year for full-time employees.

That's more than double the federal minimum wage, which many fast food workers make, of $7.25 an hour, or $15,000 a year. The move comes amid calls from the White House, some members of Congress and economists to raise the minimum wage, which was last raised in 2009. But most proposals seek a far more modest increase than the one workers want. President Barack Obama wants to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour. The restaurant industry says raising

wages would hurt job creation and make food cost more. Organizers said the strikes would hit more than 50 cities, though restaurants were expected to remain open. The Service Employees International Union, which represents more than 2 million works in health care, janitorial and other industries, has been providing financial support and training for local organizers around the country. Mary Kay Henry, president of the SEIU, said the protests in recent months show that fastfood workers can be mobilized, despite the industry's relatively higher turnover rates and

younger age. "The reality has totally blown through the obstacles," she said.

US Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said the strikes show the need to raise the minimum wage.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Perez said that for too many people in minimum-wage jobs, "the rungs on the ladder of opportunity are feeling further and further apart."

In New York City on Thursday, about 300 to 400 protesters flooded inside a McDonald's near the Empire State Building.

Shortly after the demonstration, however, the restaurant seemed to be operating normally.

California fire threatens San Francisco water and power Tax Season is around the corner

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SAN FRANCISCO : A raging California wildfire burning on the northern tip of the storied Yosemite National Park now threatens San Francisco's water and electricity supply, officials said Sunday.

The Rim Fire has charred through 133,980 acres (54,220 hectares), growing nearly 8,400 acres overnight, according to InciWeb, the online Incident Information System that monitors fires in the western United States. The fire was just seven percent contained, InciWeb said, adding that it "remained fairly active overnight in most all divisions," and exhibited "rapid rates of spread, torching and spotting" on its eastern edge. More than 2,800 firefighters, supported by heli-

copters and air tankers, are struggling to contain the blaze, which started on August 17 from still unknown causes.

Extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged drought, coupled with inaccessi-

ble terrain in the affected area, have exacerbated the severity of the incident.

Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for San Francisco -which lies some 200 miles (320 kilometers) to the west -- because the Pacific coast city gets much of its electricity from the region affected by the fire.

The state's firefighting efforts got a boost when California received federal assistance over the weekend to help mobilize the necessary resources. The San Francisco water and power utility said the city has not so far seen any interruptions in service, though two hydroelectric plants have sustained damage in the fire. Crews were working on repairing one

FIJISUN

September-2013

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FIJI US GIRMIt FeStIVaL ( PaRt OF tHe INteRNatIONaL teaM)

SatURday OctOBeR 5, 2013 Weekes Library, Patrick ave. Hayward, ca 94544

1 PM to 4 PM Light refreshment served Musical shows by Nityanand Maiku and team Hayward Kirtan Samelan Sponsored by Fiji BusinessCommunity abOve, nItyanand maIku FOrmer radIO FIjI artIst and a grandsOn OF gImItyya.

It Is my humble appeal tO all and In partIcular FOllOwIng FrIends tO cOme and make the FIjI us gIrmIt FestIval a great success.

Sukh deo Singh Shiri Ram azaad Mohammed Babu Lal Sanjay Sen Neel ashok Mani

Vivek Prasad Shiu Balak abdul Razak Rajeshvar Singh din Mani Rajesh diwan

karan Joe Nair amrit Lal Sam Sukhu Bisen Singh Jaspreet Singh Naresh (dholak)

FIJI SUN 510-677-4488 NItyaNaNd MaIkU 650-341-1032 Open to public. Free admission

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September-2013

people proFIle

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message

Late Nabi bUkSh a Fiji Girmityya

N

Born in Surajpur, Dist.

Satyapur, India, late Nabi Buksh s/o Nanhe Khan, was a storekeeper in Fiji

abi Buksh was born in 1888 to Nanhe Khan and his wife in Surajpur, Suttapur India. He came to Fiji in 1901 by boat on a ship called Fazilka No.2 He was held in quarantine on Nukulau Island in Fiji for 21 days. From there he went to Lautoka to work in the sugar cane mill for a year or two. After that he went to Bararawai Mill in Ba, for a few years. When his Girmit contract expired he moved to Suva, Fiji.

He had worked for Brown Jeskies Business for several years before opening his own general merchandise shop. He then married Ramratti and the decided to settle and start their family in Muanivatu, Suva, Fiji.

He passed away on November

1966.Nabi Buksh and his wife had a total of 17 children, 10 sons and 7 daughters. His surviving sons are Usman Gani Buksh of Canada, Mohammed

Haneef Buksh of New Zealand and Jafar Ali Buksh of U.S.A. His daughters are Hazra Khan of Canada and Saira Karim of Austrailia.

Send us pictutres of your Girmityya forefathers for our Fiji US Girmit Celebration issue.

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INTErfAITh

RESpoNSE to aLIM SahIb I n the continuing saga of the split in the Alim Sahib-led Sacramento chapter of Maunatul Islam, the Alim Sahib yesterday called the editor and demanded to know the source of his information. At the time of the call, the editor was in a jury trial at the Superior Court where he works with judges.

The editor asked Alim Sahib to call later as the calls were dropping in the Hall of Justice Buildings. The Alim Sahib never called back. However, when the editor called him later, the Alim Sahib said he was in a class and would call back which he never did.

ouR RespoNse

2. Who are the new elected members and was a special general meeting called to create a new organization?

3. What happened to the property/if any acquired under the previous name?

sHoRt sale A property acquired under the previous ownership is alleged to have been subject to a short-sale and then re-routed back to the owners.

This practice is believed to be in violation of DRE, Department of Real Estate in California that may lead severe regulatory actions.

RefuNDaBle Deposit?

All newspapers have a responsibility to protect its sources. In reporting any incident our objective is to inform the public of the truth or otherwise of an issue specially public money and property are involved. Opendoor policy and will publish your input with fear, favor or prejudice. If any party feels that there is unfair or biased replying, we have an open-door policy where we publish your response for public satisfaction.

Money or funds collected for the all ended property are believed to have been made on the promise that the sum will be refunded to the members. Some receipts are believe to be having a note to the effect.

One of the dissenting members Mohammed Ibrahim a contemporary Ratib reader who has one of the refundable receipt declined to give the receipt.

fBi RepoRt

iRs taxes Due

Reportedly, an FBI complaint has been made in the manner in which .?.........has been handled. The alleging party is in possession of the name and phone # of the agent.

Members have also expressed concern that the organization owes IRS over $17,000 in taxes.

With the creation of a new Sacramento Chapter that dissented from Alim Sahib’s group, there is resentment in the camp as Alim struggles to keep members with him.

tHe CReatioN of a NeW CHapteR It is alarming to learn that in the middle of an alleged dispute between some members and the Alim Sahib, the old organization was dumped and a new was registered.

This move angered a lot of members who eventually segregated and formed .-..?

Members pose following questions: 1. What happened to funds in the previous organization?

Rental flats Coconut farm, fancy cars in Kerala

A

t least two Kerala-born Maulvis who worked in Fiji for Fiji Maunatul Islam are said to have built an empire with the money they got as clerics for getting paid on the side for all the prayers, Milad and Ratib recitals they do. They pretend to be poor but they get all the amenities, children’s schooling apartment and car. Plus the salary that is often more than what a senior clerk gets in Fiji.

Hajji moidin and the editor get an earful from Wellington NZ-based Dr. Hanifa WELLINGTON, NZ - In a more than four phone talks, the Wellington NZbased Dr. Hanifa (wife of Mohammed Munif Koya) gave an earful first to Hajji Moidin and then to the editor on the Fiji Maunatul Islam article published in the Fiji Sun USA last month. For a while the editor thought it was a family courtesy call.

But as he let the New Zealand gynecologist ramble, he felt heat was being turned on him.

solutioN The solution is in keeping unity for some concessions and sacrifices of position, money and status will have to be made.

There is no evidence that any effort at compromising for unity has been made.

Without a national council and national figure head disintegration, dissatisfaction and disunity will continue to plague the community.

Koya family

I

n summary Dr. Hanifa told that she was disenchanted with the Koya family that she felt is disintegrating and lacked good qualities. She was particularly critical of three children of late S M Koya. She said she had spent over $20,000 in the family including a $7000 payment for graveyard for late Mrs. Hassan as the instance of her some Mohammed Shafiq of Canada. She complained that the money was never used for the graveyard as parties for the graveyard later complained of the nonpayment. She wondered of the honesty in the Koya family.

Koya FoUNDatIoN aND NatIoNaL CoUNCIL IN US

S

eizing an opportunity in the middle of her breathless talk, editor responded that married into the family, Dr. Hanifa was now a Koya. The editor said he put in place a Koya Foundation to provide assistance and scholarship. In US, the editor explained, he had for the first assisted in founding Maunatul Islam USA National Council for national unification and integrity of members living in US.

MAUNATUL ISLAM, FIjI As regards the Maunatul Islam of Fiji, Dr. Hanifa complained that not much was during the month of Ramadan as no one hired to lead the Tarawi prayers. She said instead of drinking grog and staying home, the members should go and pray at the mosque and teach their children Quran and Islam. Mere reading of milad and Ratib was good.

September-2013

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thREShoLD SoCIEty

SUFISM

Sufism is not only the sublime poetry of a Rumi; it is also how we relate to others, how we receive a guest, how we fulfill our responsibilities. The work of Sufism is not primarily acquiring information; it is more about clearing the mirror of consciousness. As rich as the treasure of Sufi knowledge is (an immense intellectual heritage), most of us would not have been drawn to this path if we had not encountered its love embodied in human relationships.

Before exploring the subject of Practical Sufism, we'd like to remind you of two upcoming retreats: Dorset, England, 8/309/1 and Garrison, New York, October 3-6 on the theme of “Practical Sufism.” Dorset is almost filled to capacity, but you can still benefit from early registration for the annual Garrison retreat, which is about 5 weeks away

Being a Friend of God: The Practical Path of Sufism 11th Annual East Coast Retreat, October 3-6, New York. with ShaikhKabir and Camille, james winston Morris and the music of Amir Vahab.

It is also the intention of FarukHemdemCelebi, Head of the Mevlevi Order, to attend.

NEED to FILE papERS IN FIJI CoURtS CALL US FIRST

Dr. H. Koya (PhD)

Legal Analyst, professor in criminal justice.

CALL: 510-677-4488 email: drhkoya@hotmail.com P O BOx 56491, HAYwARD, CA 94544

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STUDIES

Get your degree in Islamic Studies through: AMERICAN ISLAMIC ACADEMY

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September-2013

aries

March-21 to April-20

caNcer

June-22 to July-23

libra

September-24 to October-22

caPricoN

December-23 to Januar-20

As the month of August starts, you may be wondering what has hit you in recent days. Your sign ruler Mars has activated the Uranus/Pluto square – a configuration which has been having a long term impact for everyone and in all areas of world affairs. For you this specifically affects your family roots and plans for change.

This should be a positive and outgoing month for you – a time when you can display what you are worth and get paid for what you are worth too. It is a good time for innovative thinking in your career with the focus on international aspects of your work. New moves around August 7th open up a range of exhilarating possibilities for you.

Up until 16th your sign ruler Venus is in Virgo, which is not a period when you are especially motivated to be outgoing and sociable. The more time you have to yourself, the more satisfying life will be… there are all sorts of odd jobs you would like to get finished off without being disturbed by the demands of others. Everything changes in mid of month when an tremendous amount of things happen in quick succession.

This period is an intense time for the restructuring of important relationships, both personal and social, as you prepare to go through a long period of growth and outgoing activity, which is aimed at consolidating your position in society. Time is on your side now, and your motivations are pure. This combination of timing and motivation leads to success in many of your endeavors over the next year.

STAR AGE taurus

April-21 to May-20

leo

July-24 to August-23

scorPio

October-23 to November-22

aquaries

January-21 to February-19

The month starts on a harmonious note for relations with children and loved ones, especially if you are engaged in practical projects which keep everyone busy and productive. Partners may need some tender loving care because of unexpected upheavals, however, and it might be your job to soothe worries and keep everyone down to earth, when things don’t quite seem to be under control.

With Mercury entering your sign on the 8th, you emerge from a low-key period connected with communication and embark on a period when you promote your ideas. Don’t expect everyone to agree with your views, at least not members of your family, but there is nothing wrong with a little resistance, if you want to improve your presentation.

The beginning of month sees you scrambling to adapt to unpredictable changes which may have forced you to change plans, especially in connection with travel or studies. This is an extremely dynamic period for you, and you tend to be guided by gut feelings in your judgments. You are attracted to strong ideological viewpoints and invest a lot of emotional energy in them.

The new moon falling in your solar 7th house of relationships in the first week of the month brings a very sociable and exciting period together with friends and partners. This trend continues up to and beyond the full moon of the 21st, suggesting that you will be meeting a lot of people and getting involved in some exciting communities and cultural activities.

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gemiNi

May-21 to June-21

virgo

August-24 to September-23

sagittarius

November-23 to December-22

Pisces

February-20 to March-20

FIJISUN

This is going to be a dynamic and interesting month, and far more harmonious in comparison with last month, which was a stressful and unreliable period, with lots of stops and starts. You have got everything under control as the month starts, especially in the economic department, but initially you are not immune to unpredictable events and surprises which may force you to cut some losses, especially in connection with friends.

he first week of month is spent enjoying the fruits of your labors in your social life and with friends and groups, which have had more than their fair share of upsets in July. You can relax and enjoy the pleasurable company of loyal friends, who are willing to fight battles on your behalf. The period from 8th to 23rd, when your sign ruler Mercury is in Leo, is a period when you prefer to keep yourself to yourself.

You can expect the beginning of month to be extremely intense for you on an emotional level and in connection with a general sense of wanting to be more secure.

But the fact is that you are prepared to put security on the line to experience a more authentic and rewarding life. Your appetites are strong, and relationships tend to be all or nothing now.

With Jupiter now in the water sign of Cancer, and therefore very harmonious to your sign, you are in a positive period which will continue for many months, and you have the opportunity for self-expression and success in many of the areas you dream of. Having said that, early August is an extreme period when there may be some psychological confrontations with people you are working creatively with.

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September-2013

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SadiqS celebrate daughter’S Sweet 16

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