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Volume 15 Issue 382 Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 AH / February 20, 2015 - $1

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

S P E C I A L

Journalism in North America

In the past, journalism used to be of sensational nature, however, that eventually developed into more literate and responsible organs. Actually, the news papers gradually continued to be becoming larger and larger, whereby, advertising became more lucrative as a source of income. As the publishers and editors knew that the readers wanted current news based on facts, there came editorial independence giving new stature to the news function as well. In modern time, newspapers are ready to be printed in one city and are simultaneously generated in other cities. The Canadian example of mainstream media includes the Globe and Mail and the National Post (Toronto) among others; they are locally published/printed and they transmit all information verbatim by verbatim and line by line to printing plants in major cities across the country. Similarly, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal among others are active in the U.S. The global newspapers of today include the “print editions” as well as the “online editions,” so do the North American daily newspapers, pod casts, interaction, multimedia, video, partnerships with broadcast, news databases, and email newsletter etc. Like other countries, newspaper law covering matters of libel, contempt of court and copyright, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms were passed as part of the Canadian constitution in 1981; all this guarantees “freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, and freedom of media to all people. Nevertheless, Canadian newspapers continue to face challenges and competition in their role as bearers of news in the information technology age. Despite the chal-

lenges, newspapers excellently keep up with performing the job of giving the people what they want to know with clarity. In other words, there is a commitment of Canada’s newspapers to operate in the public interest. A newspaper is a vital source of information and is a private business enterprise that serves the community with responsibility. Freedom of Press is essential to the democratic society; it’s based on Canadian’s right to freedom of expression available with guarantee through the Canadian “Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” It includes the right to collect and publicize information. It’s the “free press” that enables readers to use their Charter rights to receive information and make informed judgments on the current issues. It means that the newspaper’s primary obligation is trustworthiness towards the public good. Gathering the truthful information for making part of news is expensive but is the only available option to utilize the credible sources with precision and accuracy. Care must be taken when there is conflict of interest; it can’t be left undeclared. Furthermore, the newspaper is obliged to protect its independence from the private and public sectors. Ethically and legally speaking, only accurate and unbiased reporting is acceptable: Obviously, the newspaper keeps faith with readers by presenting only correct and up to date information. All errors/mistakes should be reported and highlighted to maintain the trust of readers/audience. The community newspapers are said to be of sound practice if there is clear distinction in news reporting along with expressions of opinion, and materials produced for and by the advertisers. Therefore,

the altered images, if any, must be authority, community evils, nareported because people have right tional evils, international issues, and they take strong positions too to know. Other challenges: Community reli- in some cases. gious leaders including various asso- Meanwhile, news managers and ciations tend to keep the newspaper editors are concerned for Face editors and owners under pressure; book and Twitter as these sources they are interested in the coverage are used for newsgathering espethe way they want regardless of the cially during breaking news stoconsequences. In fact, controversial ries. But, there is some hesitancy ads make the news paper editors/ in using social media ground to owners bend backward while look- distribute content for fear of losing for a way out. And no one seems ing control of the information. No to realize the free newspaper only one can deny the possibility that can continue in business through social media seems to be changing putting ads in the paper in order to things; it will surely bring about generate revenue. transparency, accountability and a No matter what, newspaper re- broader range of voices and viewmains responsible to its readers, its points. shareholders, its employees and its The current tide of change is likely advertisers, of course. to bring about pressures on the True, a newspaper plays a variety need for more skills, and ability of roles for the civil society but to respond quickly. This translates building community opinion is the into compromised quality to asmost important one. Despite the certain the authenticity and verifiodds, editors strive hard to paint a cation of facts which can invite a representative picture of its diverse serious handicap jeopardizing the communities in order to encourage flow of truthful information. the expression of disparate views. Surely, a journalist will soon have At the same time, it has to be ac- to have a good sense of whereacessible and accountable to the bouts of the potential audience. readers of all kinds and levels. They will have to figure out how to Under all eventualities, respect is reach that audience whether they of paramount importance: The are online, in print, broadcast, monewspaper should strive to treat bile or social media platforms. the people it covers with courtesy Hopefully, social media will not and fairness. be allowed to damage the value of Modern Journalism faces a tough journalistic credibility. At the end re-adjustment phase in response to of the day, we see journalism is the ongoing social, cultural and still alive however merely adapttechnological changes. Like it or ing. not, journalists are beginning to Sources: leverage on social media to gath- http://comjig.blogspot.ca/. er stories and are using news ag- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jourgregators and subscribing to RSS nalism_school feeds and blogs to assist them in http://www.newspaperscanada. their work. This means the chal- ca/Connecting-to-Canadianslenged media continue to undergo with-Community-Newspapers drastic adjustment scenarios. Furthermore, the publishers of Waan laysa lil insani weekly or bi weekly news papers. illa ma’ sa’aa are people of courage, integrity, That man can have nothing but and tenacity as they stand against what he strives for. ies ...

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

P A K I S T A N

TTP claims attack on Rawalpindi imambargah, three killed

Ltd.

W e s pe c i a l i z e i n P a ki s t a n , In d i a , Jundullah, a splinter group of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan M i d d l e E a s t , F i j i , E u r o pe

(TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack. Speaking from We do Hajj , Umrah packages, an unknown location, spokesman of the group Fagad told Cruises and Disney Land tours etc. Dawn that the blast was a reaction to operation Zarb-e-Azb 604in North Waziristan. galaxytravel@live.ca Spokesperson of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences www.galaxytravel.ca Abdul Rauf (President) (PIMS), Dr Ayesha Esani told reporters that two bodies #129- 7475-135 St, were “brought dead” to the hospital, while five critically injured people are under intensive treatment. Dr Esani identified the deceased as Ghulam Hussain and Abdul Shakoor. An initial investigation suggests the blast occurred when a suicide bomber blew himself up after security officials stopped him from entering the Qasar-e-Sakina Imambargah. The imambargah is located in the vicinity of expressway, the main highway which links the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Three people were killed and several injured in an explo- SHO Sadiqabad said the body of the attacker is still inside sion on Kurri Road, Rawalpindi within the precincts of an the imambargah and Islamabad police is investigating the imambargah, hospital sources confirmed Wednesday. The blast site to confirm whether it was a suicide attack. injured are reported to be in critical condition.

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‘No favourites’: Operation is against all militant groups, COAS tells US

ISLAMABAD: The US congressional delegation was assured on Wednesday that Pakistan has no favourites now and operation Zarb-i-Azb is against all militants groups in North waziristan. Talking to the visiting US congressional delegation led by Senator Jack Reed — a ranking member of the senate’s Armed Services committee — at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Army Chief Gen Raheel said that Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) network and other militants groups have completely dismantled in North Waziristan and a large area has been cleared. During the meeting, security situation along the Pak-Afghan border also came under discussion and US delegation was told that Pak-Afghan forces are conducting coordinated operations against militant hide outs and significant progress has been made in such operations. Gen Raheel also took the US delegation into confidence over yesterday’s trip to Kabul and told Senator jack Reed that cooperation between Islamabad and Kabul is growing in regard to security and countering terrorism. The security situation in Afghanistan also came under discussion during the meeting. The US senator appreciated Pakistan’s role in counter-terrorism efforts and assured full cooperation with Pakistan. In the wake of the Peshawar school carnage that left more than a hundred student dead, Gen Raheel Sharif previously met with the US military leadership to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and the overall regional security situation with special emphasis on Afghanistan.

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Unit 2&3 12960-84 Ave, Surrey Know more: Centcom chief, Gen Raheel discuss regional security The Centcom chief had lauded the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army in the war against terror and operational gains in Zarb-i-Azb, which has resulted in an effective degradation of terrorist networks. The Army chief also made visits Kabul to demand action against hideouts of Pakistani militants in Kunar and other areas. Afghanistan’s enemy is Pakistan’s enemy, says army chief During Gen Raheel’s meeting with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, both the leaders had pledged support to each other in their fight against terrorism and had vowed to restrict the use of their soil against each other, said a statement by the ISPR. Both countries had also agreed to continue the ongoing operation against militants in their respective countries, the statement added.

In a previous visit to Kabul, Gen Raheel sought handover of Mullah Fazlullah who is wanted for terrorism cases in Pakistan. Know more: Gen Raheel visits Kabul, seeks handover of Mullah Fazlullah The army chief had shared classified intelligence details with the Afghan officials and revealed to them that the mastermind behind the Peshawar attack, who was from Afghanistan, was giving directives to terrorists. Source DAWN

Chinese envoy brushes off reports calling Jinping’s Pakistan visit unlikely

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong has brushed aside Indian media reports which said that Chinese President Xi Jinping may not visit Pakistan

next month and said a formal announcement of this visit is yet to be made. A report published on Indian news website NDTV quoted officials as saying that Jinping is unlikely to visit Pakistan next month to be the chief guest at the Pakistan Day military parade. Chinese officials said it is difficult as he is tied up with over a fortnight-long session of the Chinese parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC). Talking to Dawn at the Presidency where he came to attend a presidential reception g Turkish Prime Minin honour of visiting

ister Ahmet Davutoglu, the envoy said, “Chinese President would visit Pakistan this year at an early date which is still being worked out.” He termed Indian media reports as rumours and said there is no authenticity. Responding to a question about the PakChina economic corridor project, the envoy emphasised for early completion of this project so that its dividends could reach people of both countries. Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit to hold bilateral talks,, ppromote economic and

trade cooperation and discuss the regional situation with the Pakistani leadership. The Chinese foreign minister had also informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that the purpose of his visit is to prepare for President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan. Take a look: PM Nawaz hails strong ChinaPak relations Jinping would, during his upcoming visit to Pakistan, discuss economic and security collaboration with Pakistani leaders, besides exchanging views on developments in the region. Source DAWN

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Ukraine crisis: US warns Myanmar declares state of Russia as UN backs ceaseemergency in war-torn fire deal region

The US has accused Russia of violating the Minsk agreement on Ukraine, as the UN Security Council voted unanimously to approve the ceasefire deal. Vice-President Joe Biden said “the costs to Russia will rise” if it continued to violate the accord. Fighting is continuing around the strategic town of Debaltseve, with pro-Russian rebels saying they now control most areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Ukraine’s troops there to surrender. Although the Security Council unanimously approved a Russiandrafted resolution to endorse the ceasefire deal agreed in Minsk, Belarus, last week, angry words were exchanged among ambassadors. US Ambassador Samantha Power said she “wholeheartedly welcomes this agreement” but said that Russia had to prove its commitment to peace. She said: “Stop arming the separatists. Stop sending hundreds of heavy weapons across the border in addition to your troops. Stop pretending you are not doing what you are doing.” She added: “Russia signs agreements then does everything within its power to undermine them. Russia champions the sovereignty of nations and then acts as if a neighbour’s borders do not exist.” Ms. Power said it was “ironic” Russia had drafted the resolution while “backing an all-out assault” in Ukraine. Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin called her comments “offensive”. “Since the very start of the crisis, Russia has actively called for a peaceful settlement through inclusive, transparent dialogue between all sides in the internal Ukrainian conflict,” he said. After speaking to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Mr. Biden said he “strongly condemned the violation of the ceasefire by separatist forces acting in concert with Rus-

sian forces, in and around the town of Debaltseve”. He added in a statement released by the White House: “If Russia continues to violate the Minsk agreements, including the most recent agreement signed on February 12, the costs to Russia will rise.” Mr. Poroshenko described rebel attempts to take the town as a “cynical attack” on the ceasefire. International observers monitoring the truce have been unable to enter Debaltseve. The town has become a key prize for rebels and government forces, as it sits on a strategic railway line linking rebel-held Donetsk and Luhansk. The wealth of claim and counter-claim around Debaltseve speaks volumes. It’s hard to confirm any of Tuesday’s stories. Controversy surrounds the fate of dozens of government troops - rebel sources say they surrendered, while the army contends they were captured after running out of ammunition during an ambush. The rebels say Debaltseve is not covered by the ceasefire agreement reached last week in Minsk and continue to insist that it’s an “internal” matter. Between April and July last year, the town was in rebel hands. It sits astride the railway line linking two rebel strongholds, Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukrainian TV has shown pictures of text messages sent to government soldiers in Debaltseve, allegedly from Russia. “Poroshenko and his generals have betrayed you,” the messages read, referring to the Ukrainian president. “There’s no need for you to die for them.” Mr. Putin urged Ukraine to allow its troops there to surrender and said he hoped the rebels would let any captured troops return to their families. Speaking on a visit to Hungary, Mr. Putin said there had been a “significant reduction” in the intensity of combat since the truce came into effect over the weekend. He said the conflict could not be solved by military means. “I hope that the Ukrainian authorities are not going to prevent the Ukrainian soldiers from laying down their weapons,” he said. Mr. Putin added that the fighting in Debaltseve was “understandable and predictable”. He said he had warned participants in the Minsk talks that - ceasefire or no ceasefire - encircled government troops would try to break free and the rebels would try to prevent this. Source: BBC News

Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in a conflict-torn border region where fighting between the army and ethnic rebels has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee. “A serious situation has developed that has put people’s lives at risk, so a state of emergency has been declared starting from today,” the country’s Ministry of Information said on Tuesday, in a statement outlining the measures in the Kokang region of Shan state. In a separate announcement, the ministry said Myanmar’s army chief now had full control of “rule of law and stability” in the area. Tens of thousands of refugees have fled Kokang into the neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan over the past week, amid the ongoing fighting. Lin Sen, a volunteer helping refugees in Yunnan, told the AP news agency on Tuesday that he estimated 30,000 to 50,000 refugees

AP that the group is seeking autonomy for Kokang and its ethnic Han Chinese people. “We want to have a high degree of autonomy where we can manage our own affairs, but we do not wish to split the country of Myanmar,” Htun said. Htun complained that the ethnic Han Chinese are treated as second-class citizens in Myanmar. Myanmar has only recently emerged from a halfcentury of military rule. Since assuming power in 2011, the government of President Thein Sein has been trying to strike peace agreements with rebels in resourcerich border regions. Though preliminary pacts have been reached with most of the ethnic groups, clashes with Kachin, Shan and others groups have occurred on and off since the country achieved independence in 1948. In addition to control over jade, timber and other natural resources in areas

had escaped the conflict in Kokang over the past week. Also on Tuesday, the Reuters news agency reported that Red Cross volunteers, who are helping the refugees, came under attack from unknown armed men, resulting in two injuries. Kokang is dominated by ethnic Han Chinese, and the region has been embroiled in fights since conflicts between the armed group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and government troops intensified on February 9. At least 47 Myanmar soldiers and 26 fighters have been killed since fighting broke out. Htun Myat Lin, the rebel group’s general secretary, told

under the groups’ control, they want assurances that they will have some say over future troop movements. The clashes in Kokang have alarmed China, which fears a further influx of villagers fleeing violence and called this week for peace on the border. The MNDAA was formerly part of the Communist Party of Burma, a powerful China-backed armed group that battled the Myanmar government until the group splintered in 1989. Fighting between the rebels and the army in 2009 pushed tens of thousands of refugees into southwestern China, angering the government in Beijing. Source: Al-Jazeera

UN: Syrian government willing to suspend Aleppo strikes

The government of President Bashar al-Assad has expressed a willingness to suspend its aerial bombardment and artillery shelling of the northern city of Aleppo to allow for a local ceasefire to be tested, the UN special envoy to Syria has said. Staffan de Mistura said on Tuesday that the opposition forces

would also be asked to suspend attacks. “The government of Syria has indicated to me its willingness to halt all aerial bombing ... and artillery shelling for a period of six weeks all over the city of Aleppo from a date which we will be announcing from Damascus,” the envoy told reporters after

briefing the UN Security Council. Aleppo is divided into a rebel-controlled west and government-held east. De Mistura wants to see a UN-monitored “freeze zone” that will calm violence there, allow more humanitarian aid access and act as the first step towards a wider solution to the conflict. He said a UN mission would announce the start date of the “freeze” after arriving in Damascus and seek the same agreement with the opposition. De Mistura said he had “no illusions but a glimmer of hope, bearing in mind that it is our duty to protect civilians wherever we can while we are still hoping to find a political solution”. Aleppo-based opposition activists have expressed fears that the government would exploit a truce to gather its forces to fight elsewhere, and they have questioned how a ceasefire could work with fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the

Levant (ISIL) in the area. The Nusra Front, the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, recently dismissed de Mistura’s proposal as a conspiracy that would allow Syrian government forces to re-group for more assaults. Local truces have largely succeeded in several areas near Damascus and the central city of Homs, but the deals were seen as heavily lopsided in favour of the government, and the US State Department has described them as closer to “surrender arrangements”. De Mistura angered Syrian opposition leaders last week with his comments that Assad remains “part of the solution” in reducing violence in the nearly four-year conflict. The UN estimates that the conflict has killed 220,000 people. Millions have fled to neighbouring countries. Source: Al-Jazeera

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

S P E C I A L @

1 4 T H

The Miracle’s Journey of Fourteen Years

(Feb 2001- 2015)

The Miracle’s journey in the last twelve years has been ¿lled with many milestones. Some of them marked exciting and uplifting moments while a few may be arbitrarily remembered as disappointments. Nevertheless, each moment provided us with an opportunity to learn and improve, and only solidi¿ed our belief in this newspaper’s role in the community. While we faced many challenges in public and private, we have chosen a selected few events that raised our con¿dence in ourselves and in our community and hence, set the course of direction for the newspaper’s future. This may be a trip down the memory lane for a lot of our readers and advertisers who have been with the newspaper from Day 1 and supported us.

Continued on pg 7

6 N A T I O N A L & I N T Trudeau calls governB.C. Budget 2015: ment reasons for appeal Canada’s only province of niqab ruling unjustified in the black Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is taking issue with Stephen Harper’s rationale for the decision to defend a federal ban on the wearing of face coverings at citizenship ceremonies. Earlier this month, a Federal Court judge ruled that a portion of the law requiring would-be citizens to remove their face coverings while taking the oath of citizenship was unlawful. Asked about the ruling last week, the prime minister denounced the court decision, saying most Canadians consider it offensive for someone to conceal their identity at the moment they are becoming a citizen. But those in authority must be careful when treading on minority rights, said Trudeau, who said Harper’s reasons for appealing the ruling aren’t good enough. “Any time a government or a leader is in a position to choose to limit minority rights of any type, there has to be a very good justification — a clear and compelling reason to do so,” Trudeau said. “The reason the prime minister gave last week for appealing the court’s decision around the niqab was, to my mind, not at all justifying the prime minister’s decision.” Zunera Ishaq, a Pakistani national, filed suit against the minister of citizenship and

immigration, claiming the government’s policy on veils violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, a Calgarybased Muslim group, has called on the prime minister to reverse his plans to appeal. The group says the Federal Court’s decision to allow face coverings during citizenship ceremonies is “not an important issue,” but that Harper is making it one unnecessarily. His reasons for doing so, however, are no secret: the party began circulating a fundraising email Tuesday promoting its position on the issue. “At the very moment newcomers are joining the Canadian family, we believe new citizens should recite the oath proudly, loudly and for everyone to see and hear,” it reads. “Canadian citizenship confers both rights and responsibilities. The rules for obtaining it should apply equally to all.” The Calgary-based council noted that the identity of someone wearing a niqab during a citizenship ceremony can be verified by a judge before the oath is sworn. The niqab is worn by some Muslim women in public areas and in front of men who are not relatives. Source: CFRA

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British Columbia’s higher than expected surplus of close to a billion dollars puts the province in a one-of-a-kind club. “We are the fiscally healthiest team in the league,” Finance Minister Mike de Jong proclaimed in his speech to the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on Tuesday afternoon. Stricken by the collapse of global energy and commodity prices, so far no other Canadian province has forecast a budget in the black this year — yet B.C.’s Liberal government will manage to end 2014-15 with a surplus twice as large as predicted as recently as November. Continuing the sports analogy, de Jong explained B.C. took “no bad penalties” and made “no self-imposed mistakes.” The finance ministry’s forecast of a $444-million surplus has been bumped up to $879 million, with the expected addition of a $100-million fiscal cushion at the end of the year. The biggest reason for rosier numbers is higher than predicted revenues from personal income tax — in particular, richer British Columbians earning more and paying more tax. ICBC also gets a big assist. The provincially owned auto insurance corporation contributed $166 million more than forecast to provincial coffers, thanks mostly to savings on collision claims. Taking a cut of Vancouver’s supercharged real estate market continues to fill the government’s coffers. The property transfer tax, paid whenever a property changes hands, added an extra $85 million. As for liquefied natural gas, any potential benefits for B.C. remain years in the future. Once again, the budget predicts zero revenue from the gas, despite Premier Christy Clark’s claim that up to 18 potential projects could eventually add $100 billion to a so-called prosperity fund. Despite the

struggles with getting the new industry established, the big picture, said de Jong, is that B.C.’s economy has diversified to the point that a crash in any single sector isn’t fatal. “The fact we are less dependent on one market, the United States, has assisted us greatly,” he told stakeholders in Victoria. Roughly 37 per cent of B.C.’s exports are now sent overseas to Asia, versus 50 per cent to the U.S. Ontario, on the other hand, sends almost 80 per cent of its exports south and Alberta’s energy sector is virtually tethered to the U.S., sending a whopping 90 per cent of its exports south of the border. Consumer confidence in B.C. also continues to be strong. Retail sales were up six per cent — double the forecast. Likewise, it was a better than expected year for manufacturing, with the low dollar powering exports and generating 6.3 per cent growth. De Jong’s critics will highlight a paucity of measures to help middle-class families, along with the continuing practice of hiking service fees – such as those for the Medical Services Plan or taking BC Ferries. The teachers’ union also claims some of the half a billion dollars the government is setting aside to pay for settling the recent teachers strike, will simply be shuffled out of existing education funding, thereby depriving kids of buses, school lunches or other programs. Still, the premier and her finance minister appear to have calculated that despite doing better than expected when it comes to revenue, being tight-fisted on new spending measures comes with little political risk. Looking ahead, de Jong is forecasting surpluses for the next three years — right up to the next provincial election. Source: CBC News

Obama is doing here is changing the legal framework of the operations” within US law, he added. Obama, elected on a promise to end the US’ wars, has asked legislators for war authorisation over the rise of ISIL, citing the large expanses of Iraqi and Syrian land the group has seized, and the American and allied hostages it killed after making online propaganda videos. “It threatens American personnel and facilities located in the region and is responsible for the deaths of US citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller,” Obama said, listing the American hostages who died in ISIL custody. “If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland.” Confirmation of the death of Mueller, a 26-year-old humanitarian worker, on the eve of Obama’s proposal added new urgency, while the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were a caution to some legislators against yet another protracted military campaign. Obama is asking Congress to authorise the campaign for

three years, extending to the next president the powers and the debate over renewal for what he envisions as a long-range battle. He is proposing no geographic limitations where US forces could pursue the fighters. The authorisation covers ISIL and “associated persons or forces,” defined as those fighting on behalf of or alongside ISIL “or any closely related successor entity in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners”. The latest proposal bans “enduring offensive combat operations”, a novel term in military force authorisations. Its ambiguity is designed to bridge the divide between legislators opposed to ground troops and those who say the commander-in-chief should maintain the option. Obama said his draft would not authorise long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those deployed in the past to Iraq and Afghanistan, arguing that those battles should be left to local forces instead of the US military. Source: Al-Jazeera

Obama seeks Congress authorisation to fight ISIL

US President Barack Obama has asked Congress formally to authorise military force against the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) group, arguing that the fighters could pose a threat to the US homeland. A proposed draft resolution sent to Congress on Wednesday calls for conducting operations against ISIL with no geographic limitations for at least three years, with the

suggestion “that Congress revisit the issue at the beginning of the next president’s term”. While asking lawmakers to bar long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama said he wants the flexibility for ground combat operations “in other more limited circumstances”. Those include rescue missions, intelligence collection and the use of special operations forces in possible military action against ISIL leaders. “This resolution strikes the necessary balance by giving us the flexibility we need for unforeseen circumstances,” the US president said, speaking at the White House. “For example, if we had actionable intelligence about a gathering of ISIL leaders and our partners didn’t have the capacity to get them, I would be prepared to order our special forces to take action.” Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from the White House, said that “this is not going to change anything on the ground”, citing over 2,000 air strikes against ISIL since the US-led coalition began its offensive last August. “What

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015 y

S P E C I A L @

1 4 T H

The journey of The Miracle’s Journey twelve years 20012001– Feb 2013) Fourteen Years (Feb (Feb 2015)

July –Aug 2010: The Miracle joins in fundraising efforts for Àood relief in Pakistan through radio thons and newspaper.

quake in Pakistan, Miracle arranges a forum in its office to meet doctors and community members and discuss the current situation of Pakistan. The Miracle also presents appreciation plaques to members of Indian Media who fundraised for the relief efforts. Dec 31, 2006: Miracle Founder and Chief Editor Mr. Nusrat says goodbye the Miracle Media and hands over Miracle to the Managing Editor Mr. Mohammad Naseer Pirzada. The Urdu Editor, Mr. Mohammad Rafiq is asked to take the responsibilities as the honourable chief

July 20, 2011: Miracle met with BC Premier Christie Clark who marked

Sep, 2010: The Miracle publishes its largest Eid edition of 64 pages at the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. Jan 20, 2011: Miracle Managing Editor and Hon. Chief & Urdu her Vote in the HST referendum as ” YES” on a copy of Miracle. Oct 2008: A special Election Edition of the Miracle is published to raise awareness about federal elections and voting. August 14, 2009: The Miracle appreciates its writers and advisors in an awards ceremony at first Pakistani Festival in Holland Park, Surrey.

Editor met with former President of Pakistan General Pervaiz Mushraf in downtown Vancouver

6 Oct 31, 2010: Miracle Media Inc. organizes first ever tribute to Legendary Pakistani Singer Mehdi Hassan as a talent hunt competition. Pakistani Consul General, Moinul-Haq distributes the awards in Pakistan House, Surrey. Feb 23, 2010: At its 9th Anniversary, Miracle launches the new format of its

editor of the Miracle, which he graciously accepts. Mar 17, 2007: The Miracle arranges the first Tilawat, Hamd and Naat Rasool Maqbool competition for kids and adults in Pakistan House, Surrey.

July 21, 2011 : The Miracle joins in fundraising efforts for Àood relief in Pakistan . July 23, 2011: Miracle met with BC NDP leader Adrian Dix who marked his Vote in the HST referendum as ” No” on a copy of Miracle.

March 1, 2011: Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts recognized Miracle

Nov 26, 2011: Miracle`s 3rd Memorization of Quran Competition was

‘s 10 years publication in a public event.

held at Afghan Chopan Restaurant.

April 16, 2011: Muslim Community

Dec 30, 2011: The Miracle published its 300th Edition.

Forum for Federal Election 2011 was held and moderated by Miracle Media and coordinated by Pakistan Canada Association in Pakistan House, Surrey.

July 2012 Miracle was one of the team members who represented Pakistan in Fusion Festival at Holland Park Surrey August 2012 Miracle presented “Pakistan Movement through Camera Eye” and “Heroes of Pakistan Movement from

June 18, 2011: Miracle paid Tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a

2007: The Miracle launches series of special editions including Canada Day Edition, Eid-ul-Fitr Edition, Pakistan-India Feb 23, 2010: At its 9th AnniverIndependence Day Edition and Eid-ulAdha Edition in the year. These editions sary, Miracle launches the new would become regular in the future years. format of its the second Hamd o

Naat Rasool Maqbool competition for all age groups in Afghan Chopan Restaurant, Surrey. Prizes are distributed among the winners of competition and appreciation awards are also given to Miracle sponsors. January 2010: The Miracle joins in fundraising efforts for Haiti Earthquake relief.

music legend of Pakistan with a singing competition at. Pakistan House. July 15, 2011: Miracle participated in Multicultural Celebrations of 5th Fusion Festival in Holland Park .

1906-1948” to educate the visitors about Pakistan History at their unique booth in Pakistan Festival 2012 held in Holland Park Surrey.

Continued on pg 9

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

S P E C I A L

From the pen of the Founding Editor Sqn. Ldr. (R) Nusrat Hussain The phrase ‘Publish or perish’ was used for the first time in the earlier period of the nineteenth century. It indicated the importance of research and record for the future generations. All the present day advancement in science and arts owe its progression to the published ideas of great scholars and scientists since the earlier days of life on our planet. Publishing would continue to serve the future generations in a similar fashion, although, publication has advanced manifolds than the simple print publication. ‘The Miracle’ was introduced as the first Muslim newspaper of British Columbia on 23rd of February year 2001. I will always

Long Live ‘The Miracle’

cherish the effort of introducing this newspaper to the horizon of journalism in B.C., but it is due to the dedicated and sincere efforts of Mr. Naseer Pirzada and his family that ‘The Miracle’ is entering the fifteenth year of its inception. ‘The Miracle’ might have lost some blaze of its initial era, but Pirzada has shown the determination and courage to continue with such a challenging and uphill task. In the same breath, I would like to applaud the great services rendered to ‘The Miracle’ by its Urdu Editor, Mr. Mohammed Rafique. Besides highlighting the concerns of the Canadian Muslims, ‘The Miracle’ also played the vital role of introducing the public with

the writers, poets, scholars, religious and political leaders of our community. The Muslim community of BC, through ‘The Miracle’, also read the views of the other communities of that make up the Canadian mosaic. Muslim businesses flourished and attracted their clients by advertising in ‘The Miracle’. I would like to acknowledge them all on a personal note. The future generations writing the history of the Muslims of British Columbia would always use ‘The Miracle’ as a focal reference. I am gladly heartened to observe the success achieved by this newspaper. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize: as Canadian Muslims we must understand without any iota

of doubt that Canada is our adopted homelanda country that we have chosen to live by choice. In order to be a Canadian, it is our utmost duty to guard the well being of this country. Long live ‘The Miracle’.

Thanks Allah(swt) on Completion of Miracle’s 14th year! The newspaper aims to provide a broad overview of the pages color ads and risk that readers will flip through all the world through articles and images. Over the years, we have ads without stopping. We have now divided each page in covered over 3000 events from all communities in efforts to such a way so that the ads and articles are spread evenly on keep up with our slogan, “Bringing Harmony to all the com- pages so our advertisers benefit from more exposure and our munities”. We are also proud that when Non-Muslims read readers stay informed by reading articles and seeing what Miracle Newspaper, they learn more about Islam as well as the businesses are offering at the same time. We also pay thanks to our Advertisers. the local and international Muslim community. Feb 23, 2001 was a remarkable day for the BC Muslim com- Feel free to comment on this issue about Miracle’s Historimunity when Mr. Nusrat Hussain launched the first Muslim cal 14 years journey, as your concerns and suggestions are Newspaper on biweekly basis. His family’s and his day and highly appreciated for improving our quality in future. At the end I will not be honest if I do not appreciate the efnight struggle gave a voice to the community. Mr. Nusrat Hussain, founder of Miracle, handed me over the forts of former Hon. Chief and Urdu editor Mr. Mohamresponsibility to run this show alone from Jan 2007. Thanks mad Rafiq, and my family Khadija, Misbah, Sabeeh, ShahMr. Hussain! I have been since trying to nourish your baby, rukh, and the remarkable day and night efforts of our former The Miracle, to this day, Feb 21, 2015. How successful my graphic designer. Keep up the good work not only for the entire team and I have been in achieving this tasks? Well, Miracle, but for all the community. I thank everyone who took the time and sent their messages the Miracle’s readers are the best judges. Miracle is the only one who cares and respects all commu- at Miracle’s14th Anniversary, including politicians, advernity members irrespective of colour, nationality and faith. tisers and well-wishing individuals from the community. Bringing Harmony to all the Communities is the Miracle May Allah (SWT) accept your prayers for our success and may He help us in serving the community. slogan. During its fourteen years of community service in journal- Jazaakumu Allahu Khairan.(Ameen) ism, the Miracle took one step ahead from our fellows in the Mohammad Naseer Pirzada field, from past two year we decided to give each advertise- (Managing Editor) ment special attention rather than printing consecutive 4-8 c o m - cle to help bring in advertising. It munity. was a move out of necessity, even The pa- though managing one family’s exenough to satisfy his idealist soul. per was penses from the Miracle was diffiMy father always had an interest to become the means of livelihood cult, now there were two families. in Journalism, and had acquired a for the family; however, getting The hope was that with one person diploma in Journalism. Sometime advertisements from the Muslim being responsible for the adverin 2000, he must have shared this businesses was a difficult chal- tising, the paper will flourish as a with a friend, who pushed him to lenge. Printing the paper was a business. consider a newspaper business in family affair. Every one of us was The unfortunate reality is that alVancouver. My dad is an eternal involved. Dad took responsibility though the newspaper was a great dreamer of higher purpose and of the big stuff, finding advertisers, feat for the Muslim community, our Miracle was thus born out of such graphic designers, editorial, col- community was slow to recognize higher purpose. He discussed this lecting money etc. I helped him on it. In the process, there were many idea with us. The Muslim Com- the content side, and my brothers personal sacrifices made by my famunity in the Lower Mainland was on the distribution side. My moth- ther and our family. In today’s age Pirzada. This decision was taken in still young and growing and the er and I drove my brothers mosque with so much negativity surround- the interests of the community. idea of the first Muslim newspaper to mosque on Thursday nights. ing Muslims, having an outlet that Under the leadership of Mr. Pirseemed like a great business idea. Dad usually stood outside of represents our own voice is abso- zada, the Miracle continues to be So began the process of planning Richmond mosque after Jummah lutely crucial. In that regard my published today. and printing the first ever Muslim prayers distributing the paper by father’s dream to establish the Mir- I have experienced closely the perNewspaper. My father chose The hand. This allowed for him to get acle as the first ever Muslim news- sonal sacrifices that go into makMiracle for its name-an inspira- to know many people within the paper in British Columbia is a huge ing this newspaper and commend tion from the story of the Prophet community. It was exciting times. achievement. As we reminisce the Miracle team on its work. ToMohammed (PBUH), who was My father’s editorials earned him about the past 15 years, I wanted day, it pleases me tremendously blessed with the Miracle of split- many fans, but also many adver- to share the story of the struggle that the seeds sown by my father in ting the moon in half as proof of saries. His ideas were novel and that went behind the newspaper. the shape of the Miracle continue his Prophethood. The logo design far too modern for our develop- It is not easy to work tirelessly for to blossom. Over the years seeing included the split moon and the ing community. In some ways the 18 hours days, hassling with non- how people still gravitate towards eagle. Serving in the Air Force editorials by my dad in the Mira- cooperative advertisers who usu- dad at community events, comfor over twenty years, and being a cle newspaper shook up the status ally gave us the run-around came menting about an editorial he wrote huge fan of Sir Allama Iqbal, the quo, where my father provoked payment time, dealing with nega- years ago, shows that his dream to eagle was an ode to that aspect the Muslim community to think tive criticism, with the knowledge provoke thinking and conversation of life. Miracle was the first ever for themselves, always ending that there may or may not be much did come true. As the global landMuslim newspaper of the lower his often controversial editorials monetary benefit at the end of your scape changes drastically; slowly mainland, and dad foresaw great with the Quranic Verse: “Afa la- long days of work. I still remem- the Muslim community is awaking potential in Muslim owned media, tatafakaroon”, “Why do you not ber both families collaborating from its stupor and 15 years later is and like Sir Iqbal he hoped for the then think?” Despite its popularity, until the wee hours of the night to coming to truly recognize what my community to soar like the Eagle. financially, the paper wasn’t profit- ensure the paper makes its print- father realized in the year 2000. Unfortunately, the journey ahead able enough for livelihood. ing deadline. This kind of dedica- The survival of Miracle newspaper was not going to be an easy one. My father put communal interests tion without much personal gains for 15 years, despite the difficulties In fact, in retrospect, I think the in- ahead of his personal interests, and takes character and great courage is nothing short of being miracuspiration for the name was a fore- always continued to print the paper to work towards the betterment of lous. Congratulations to Mr. Pirzada and telling omen of the path that lay even if there was a lack in adver- the community. ahead, fraught with opposition and tising funding. The process of run- After 7 years of dedicated com- his family for continuing to keep difficulty. ning this paper solely proved to be munity service, the paper failed to the Miracle alive as the voice for The paper although lauded as a challenging. prove financially profitable for two Muslims. great initiative failed to receive fi- In June 2002 Mr. Naseer Pirzada families causing an end to the part- Happy 14th Anniversary, may you nancial support from the Muslim joined as a partner in The Mira- nership between my father and Mr. continue to flourish always.

Once again alhamdulillah, it is a great occasion in the Miracle Media Group Inc.’s history as it has completed fourteen years -a long journey that began on Feb 23rd, 2001. I want to thank the supporters and well wishers of ‘The Miracle’ for providing continuous support through advertisements of their businesses, sharing their thoughts in writing with our readers, especially Mr. Shams Jilani, Mr. Aslam Hayat, Mr. Azhar Syed, Maulana Abdul Lateef Naumani, Mr. Shams Siddiqui, Mr. Ayub Hamid (Toronto), Mr. Tariq Mian (Toronto), Syed Asad Hussain, Mrs. Shamim Karim, Mrs. Alam Ara, Ms. Shabnam Khan, Ms. Fatma Rabni and many others. The Miracle team feels proud to have established and continued our tradition of special editions on occasions such as Federal, Provincial and Civic Elections, Independence Day of Pakistan, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul Adha. In past few years, the Miracle conducted many successful Election Forums on Civic, Provincial and Federal Elections debates. We held Qirat and Hamad o Naat competitions, awards for Miracle Youth, Advertisers, Sponsors and Writers. Miracle Media also conducted 6 hours long exciting Musical Competition programs for tributes the legendry Pakistani Singers Mehdi Hassan and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and these programs engaged children, youth, adults and seniors of all communities.

THE MIRACLE OF MIRACLE By: Maheen Nusrat (UK ) It seems like yesterday running around with my brothers distributing the paper at different mosques. Miracle is the brain child of the dreams of my father Nusrat Hussain. It began out of a personal necessity but also to fill a void in the Muslim community. Our family immigrated to Canada in December of 1996. We landed here with dreams and aspirations for a better life. My father served as an Air Traffic Controller in the Pakistani Air Force, and later in the Bahraini Amiri Air Force. He envisioned a career in the beautiful land of Vancouver as an Air Traffic controller. Call it Kismet, or Destiny, my father could not pursue that dream. Whilst trying to gain equivalency on his credentials and experience, he suffered a heart attack in May of 1998 at the young age of 44. This was a huge shock to his young family. To see your strong father on a hospital bed with wires and big machines beeping at you is one of the most horrific sights for a child-one I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. It was a fragile time, full of fear and one spent with countless hours begging Allah for his mercy to grant my father a long life. In this strange land, this was one of the first and biggest blows that we felt as a family. After recovery from his heart attack, my father having had lost his chance to continue with NavCanada for his Air Traffic Control training was left to figure out how to fend for his young family. He worked hard as a security guard and teacher, but this was not

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

S P E C I A L @

1 4 T H

The Miracleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journey of Fourteen Years (Feb 2001- 2015)

March 26, 2013: Miracle Media participated in the Provincial Elections 2013, providing media coverage of each political party and interviewed many candidates for MLA. The strong candidate of BC Liberal party Christy Clark shared her views with Mr. Pirzada at Taj Banquett hall in Surrey.

March 2, 2013: At its 12th Anniversary, Miracle Media launched its new edition of all color pages. Awards were given to the Miracle`s`Writers.The awards were distributed by Consul General of Pakistan and Deputy Consul General Ms. Batool Kazim at Afghan Chopan Banquett Hall & Restaurant in Surrey.

April 24, 2013: March 2, 2013:

A great debate between candidates of all Provincial political parties for May Elections was arranged by Miracle Media Group in collaboration with Pakistan Canada Association in Pakistan House.

On its 12th Anniversary, Miracle organised a Ghazal (Eastern Music) program in which many young and seniors singers participated. Miracle Media acknowledged their skills of singing and prizes were distributed by Consul General of Pakistan Mr. Shuja Alam.

December 18, 2013: Manging editor of the Miracle Media met with Federal Liberal party leader Mr. Justin Trudeau at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and discussed many issues of Canada and Muslim communities.This interview was facilitated by Mr. Bilal Cheema.

July 18, 2014: Miracle Media was one of the team members who represented Pakistan in 8th Fusion Festival at Holland Park in Surrey.

July 18, 2013: Miracle Media was one of the team members who represented Pakistan in Fusion Festival at Holland Park in Surrey.

October 23, 2014: Miracle Media was one of the South Asian Media who joined in Debate and Q & A session of Surrey mayoral candidates first candidate meeting at SFU

Surrey Campus

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

S P E C I A L

14th Anniversary Congratulations to The Miracle newspaper from the New Democrats

Surrey New Democrat MLAs Bruce Ralston, Sue Hammell and Harry Bains are pleased to congratulate The Miracle Newspaper on the 14th anniversary of its publication. The Miracle serves a vital role in promoting diversity and harmony and in the last 14 years has

established itself as an important part of the South Asian media in British Columbia. The newspaper gives expression to fresh perspectives and, in the process, brings together a strong community of individuals and organizations committed to a positive, vibrant Canadian society.

The New Democrat Caucus honours The Miracle newspaper, its management and staff for your dedicated and thoughtful work in reaching this anniversary. Please accept our very best wishes for the continued success of The Miracle newspaper.

Congratulations from the IQRA Islamic School Surrey

On behalf of the Iqra School community, I am delighted to know that your bi-weekly newspaper “The Miracle”, has completed its Fourteenth year with the blessing of Allah SWT. Kindly accept our heartiest congratulation on this achievement. Focus on articles relevant to our youth, educational section, and ongoing promotional of school activities shows its dedication towards our future generation. The quality of journalism is very high, by any standard, and the Miracle is brave enough to let competing ideas flourish on its pages. It is through such freedom of debate that we learn more about our society and ourselves. We wish “The Miracle” continued success and with its unbiased, independent and professional reporting. We would also like to congratulate your team

of editors, writers and journalists as their sheer hard work, perseverance and determination has helped the newspaper reach this great milestone. Br Sultan Badshah Iqra School Board, Surrey, BC

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

F A I T H

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle met ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab while the latter was going with a group of camel-riders, and he was swearing by his father. The Prophet said, “Lo! Allah forbids you to swear by your fathers, so whoever has to take an oath, he should swear by Allah or keep quiet.”

Why our hearts must engage in Allah’s worship.

Islam prescribes many forms of worship that have outward expressions, prayer being the most obvious of these. Yet, the greatest, most important facets of worship are the internal ones, the devotions of the heart and of the inner self. Allah says: “Set your face to the religion in true sincerity.” (Qur’an, 30:30) To direct oneself to Allah, to rely on Him alone, and to seek His countenance through one’s deeds is the greatest form of worship there is. This is what purifies and beautifies the heart, and it is accomplished through the love of Allah and being constantly aware of Him. This is the distinction that pious believers have over the sinners and hypocrites. Just as there are people who play careful attention to their appearances but are neglectful of their inner selves, there are those who keep up a good outward image of religiousness and worship by doing supposedly pious acts conspicuously. They are often most scrupulous in their religious observances, careful never to slip out of fear of public recrimination. Any slip would ruin their reputation, because their status is built upon their being good imams, scholars, or Islamic workers. For this reason they are as conscientious as anyone could be in maintaining their outwardly good conduct, but not out of any real desire to please Allah. Instead, their hearts are full of the love of this world and the love of fame. They are so concerned about their status and their reputation that they have no time to think about the Hereafter and how they should prepare for it.

They have no time to think about the problems afflicting the Muslims and how to solve them. They do not think about calling others to Islam. Their hearts are devoid of the love of Allah and the love of his devoted worshippers. They also feel no fear of Allah. They do not hope for His reward. Their hearts, which are the receptacles of love, hate, hope, anger, joy, and sorrow, are not focused on the worship of Allah at all. Allah describes the unbelievers in the following way: “This is because they followed that which displeased Allah and they hated to please Him, so He made their deeds of no effect.” (Qur’an, 47: 28) We should see how the heart is the crux of all matters. So what is the value of outwardly good works that are hated by the heart of the one who performs them? What is the state of a person who abstains from some sinful deed for the sake of reputation or honor, while loving that deed in his heart and feeling joy when someone else commits it? Such a person will almost invariably fall into the sin sooner or later. The love or fear this heart harbors for some created thing — the fear of other people, of sickness, of poverty, of death, or of the rulers, and the desire for worldly gain, prestige, or position — will ultimately guide the body just as a monarch guides the populace. Outward actions will take their directions from the heart. This is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “In the body is a piece of flesh that if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupted, the whole body becomes corrupted. It is the heart.” (Al-Bukhari, 52) The heart dictates and the limbs obey. This

is why Allah has made salvation in the Hereafter dependent upon the sanctity of the heart. Allah says: “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will prevail, except for him who brings to Allah a sound heart.” (Qur’an, 26: 88-9) When we bring to Allah a sound heart, we will find benefit in our wealth, our children, and our deeds. This is because our limbs would have already availed us. As for these who come to Allah with hearts that are dead or sick, they will find no benefit in anything else. A person whose heart is devoid of the love and fear of Allah, whose heart has no affection for pious people and no love for righteous deeds, is to Allah a person who has no heart, even if the lump of flesh can be found beating in the chest. The comparison being made in this verse is that of a believer in Allah and an unbeliever, or that of a pious person and a sinner. Allah says: “Can he who was dead to whom We gave life and a light whereby he can walk among the people be like him who is in the depths of darkness from which he cannot escape?” (Qur’an, 6:122) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The likeness of two people, one who remembers his Lord and one who does not, is that of the living and the dead.” (Al-Bukhari, 6407) Allah says: “Verily in this is a message for any that has a heart.” (Qur’an, 50: 37) All of this confirms a great truth that we must pay attention to: that the purity of the heart and sincerity of purpose is the basis upon which all of our worship rests. If the heart becomes corrupted, good deeds are of no avail. When a person’s intention is no good, nobility of purpose is lost and the person

swerves from what is right. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions.” When he said this, he was talking about all actions. The acceptability to Allah of any outward action is contingent on the intention behind it, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “…and every person will have only what he intended.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim,1). Actions of the heart, however, are a different matter. The heart’s deeds such as fear, hope, and love, differ from outward actions, in that they, being unseen by others, are not subject to the risk of being for show. They either happen for the sake of Allah or they do not happen at all. One of the distinguishing features of the actions of the heart is that they can be cause for reward even if the person possessing them does not perform any outward act. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was approaching Madinah on his return from Tabuk, he said to his Companions: “In Madinah there are some people who did not travel nor did they even cross a valley, but they were with you.” His companions asked him: “O Messenger of Allah! How can this be while they were in Madinah?” He replied: “Yes, while they were in Madinah and were prevented by circumstances from going forth.” (Al-Bukhari, 4423). The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned that there will be people who will enter Paradise without performing any good works because they were prevented from doing so. Courtesy: onislam.net

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioun It is with great sadness that we report the death of Qamar Khan, Son of Saraj and Tanveer Khan, Son of late Zabardast and Zubaida Khan and brother of Sabir, Liaqat, Ijaz, Sajjad and Mohammed Ali Khan Miracle Media offers its condolences to his family. We pray to Almighty Allah(SWT) for his mercy, to forgive all his sins and reward him with the best place in paradise and to give patience to the families. (Ameen)

Names Of A l l a h (SWT) & Mohammad (PBUH) Last edition Names were

Al Basit name of Allah(swt) & The Naj’i Mohammad(saw) name.

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver Feb 20 - March 6, 2015 Jamadi ul Awal 1-15, 1436H Date Day J.I 1 20 2 21 3 22 4 23 5 24 6 25 7 26 8 27 9 28 10 Mar 1 11 2 12 3 13 4 14 5 15 6

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Fajar

5:24 5:22 5:20 5:18 5:16 5:16 5:14 5:10 5:08 5:06 5:04 5:02 5:00 4:58 4:56

Sunr

7:10 7:08 7:06 7:04 7:02 7:02 7:00 6:56 6:54 6:52 6:50 6:48 6:46 6:44 6:42

Zawal

12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:29 12:29 12:29 12:29 12:28 12:28 12:28 12:28

Dhuhr

12:35 12:35 12:35 12:35 12:35 12:35 12:35 12:34 12:34 12:34 12:34 12:34 12:33 12:33 12:33

Asar

Maghrib

15:53 15:54 15:56 15:57 15:59 15:59 16:00 16:03 16:04 16:06 16:07 16:08 16:10 16:11 16:13

17:49 17:51 17:52 17:54 17:56 17:56 17:57 18:00 18:02 18:04 18:05 18:07 18:08 18:10 18:12

Isha

19:09 19:11 19:12 19:14 19:15 19:15 19:17 19:20 19:21 19:23 19:25 19:26 19:28 19:29 19:31

or such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

L E T T E R S ‘Proclamation of Tough Actions Against Enemies’!.

ISCC & MAT Strongly Condemn the Terrorism in Denmark and the Massacre of 21 Egyptian Christians A Large Multi-Faith Gathering in Calgary will be Announced Soon By: Imam Soharwardy ISCC Calgary

The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and the Muslims Against Terrorism strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attacks in Copenhagen and the massacre of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. These are barbaric un-Islamic criminal acts of violence. The entire worldwide Muslim community is shocked and saddened by these terrorist attacks. We are extremely disappointed and shocked at the helplessness and lack of responsibility by all governments. Why ISIS/ ISIL is allowed to continue intimidating and insulting the entire civilized world? Why the entire world does not unite and eliminate ISIS and other terrorist organizations? How long ISIS will continue massacring Christians and Muslims? The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism express complete solidarity with the Egyptian Christians and stand shoulder to shoulder with our Christian brothers and sisters. “Our deep condolences and sympathies with the victims and their families”, said Imam Syed Soharwardy today in a statement. Once again Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism inform all Canadians and the Christians around the world that ISIS/ISIL, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Taliban, etc.. are criminal terrorist un-Islamic organizations. The worldwide Muslims are united against them. These terrorist organizations are not just against non-Muslims but they are also against every Muslim who disagrees with the beliefs and the actions of these terrorists. These criminals are not Muslims. They are not part of the Muslim community at all. Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism will be announcing a large multi-faith gathering in Calgary to show solidarity with the victims of hate in Copenhagen at a free speech event and at the Synagogue, in Libya the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians, in Syria the burning of the Jordanian pilot, in Iraq killings Christians, Yazidis and Muslims, in Pakistan killings of 150 children in school, in Nigeria the kidnapping of innocent 200 girls and in United States (North Carolina) killings of three Muslim students. The details of the multi-faith gathering will be announced next week. For any questions please contact Imam Syed Soharwardy

By: Gulshan Aalani “It doesn’t matter what the age of a person is, or whether they’re in their basement, or whether they’re in a mosque or somewhere else:“When you are engaged in activities that explicitly promote or advocate terrorism,that is a serious criminal offense no matter who you are.” Said P. M. Harper. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said it was irresponsible of Harper to “throw the mosques into his comments.” “It was a form of Islamophobia, and it was wrong”. Opposition MPs and civil liberties advocates expressed concern--. Of course, it is provocative Islamophobic, but seems the right thing to do against the enemies to get them and kill them. Yet, we abuse and criticize the proclamation made by CreatorGOD 14c ago, ordering HIS worker Universal Messenger Muhammad (SAWS) to fight only in defense the barbaric infidel terrorists whose brutality was much more severe, burning homes, businesses, kidnapping young girls and killing the followers of GOD the newly converts to Islam. The federal government says it is working with communities to prevent radicalization and intervene when people show signs of turning to extremism. “It insists stronger security powers and tougher criminal penalties are also needed to stamp out Islamic extremism”. I wonder why these enemies are believed to be Islamic extremists? They have no idea what Islam is as they are not even practicing Islam, but using the fake ID of Islam like the ISIS, holding the Black Flag like demons. “With the introduction of expanded anti-terror bill, Canadian Muslims fear Ottawa blurring lines between Islam and extremism”.”The National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Canadian Muslim Lawyers’ Association took offense at the reference to mosques as seedbeds of terrorism “We remind the prime minister that Canadian mosques and Islamic associations across the country are at the forefront in confronting radicalization toward violent extremism and have and continue to work hand in hand with law enforcement and security agencies to promote public safety.” Sheikh Soharwardy, of I. S. Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism, and Ottawa-based Imam Zijad Delic appeared on CPAC at Senate National Defense Committee in Ottawa to discuss security threats facing Canada. Both of them presented their views based on experiences with the local Muslims. “There is little talk of steering vulnerable people away from extremism: Imam Zijad Delic told the S. N. S. committee. and confirmed the radicalization is not coming from the Mosques who teach the most important code of religious responsibility of safety and security of Canadians and mankind around the world”. This is explicit rule of Sharia/divine law. Wonderful passionate statement made by Sheikh Soharwardy: urged not to connect Islam with terrorist’s ideology who has hijacked my religion Islam, I am proud of it and very happy and thankful to GOD for Islam. So please do not call it Islamic terrorists”.

Harpreet Singh, Conservative candidate in Surrey-Newton, denounces the killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians Harpreet Singh, the Conservative candidate in Surrey-Newton for the October 2015 federal election, denounced the barbaric killing in Libya of 21 innocent Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Christians by the terrorist group ISIL. “I first want to send condolences to the families of those victimized by ISIL,” Singh said today. “I am proud to stand with the Conservative government as we take a strong stance against the threat of terrorism both here at home and abroad. The fight against ISIL is not one we should take lightly, and I’m confident in our men and women in the Royal Canadian Air Force and support staff that are in Iraq protecting civilians and protecting our freedoms.” Singh also highlighted some of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s strong words against this barbaric act. In a statement last night, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “We will continue to stand firmly together against these terrorists who threaten the peace and freedom we hold so dear at home and that we wish for those abroad. Barbaric acts such as this do not shake our resolve but, rather, confirm the rightness of our cause and the vital necessity of our mission against ISIL. We will not be intimidated.”

Niqab wearing is not an important issue Wearing Niqab is a personal choice By: Imam Soharwardy ISCC Calgary The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada urges the Prime Minister Stephen Harper not to appeal against the Federal Court’s ruling allowing Niqab during the citizenship oath taking ceremony. This is not an important issue at all but the Prime Minister is making it unnecessarily an important issue. We request Prime Minister Stephen Harper to respect court’s decision and show his leadership by respecting the rights of a very small minority of Canadian women. Wearing Niqab is a personal choice just like wearing any dress or very short dress. It is clear that the wearing of Niqab during citizenship ceremony does not create any identity or security issue. The Niqab wearing person can be verified and validated by the judge before the oath taking. When a Niqab wearing woman can be verified why it is a security or identity risk? Overwhelming majority of Muslims do not believe the face covering is a requirement of faith but if a woman believes that face covering is her faith’s requirement then this must be respected as long as the woman can be identified privately. Niqab during citizenship does not undermine any Canadian, Western OR Christian values. In fact, if our Prime Minister respect the Federal Court’s decision it will show the respect for the law and the respect for the freedom to choose which is a very important Canadian value. For further questions, please contact Imam Soharwardy

Time for a Medicare approach to climate change By: John McKay, MP Liberal Party of Canada Environment Critic Over the past nine years Canada’s international reputation has been damaged and the Keystone XL pipeline has been stalled, all because our federal government has failed to deliver a sensible, credible approach to the environment and the economy. At the same time, many provinces and territorial governments have begun their own initiatives because they know that climate change is real and that our children’s future requires us to reduce carbon emissions. BC, Alberta, Quebec and, soon, Ontario—jurisdictions that represent over 85% of the economy—have all committed, in different ways, to a price on carbon. History has shown that Canada works best when all orders of government work together to forge solutions to complex problems. Through provincial experimentation and federal leadership, Medicare was forged and now provides one common standard of public healthcare for every Canadian across in the entire country. That’s the approach we need to take to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. As it stands, the Prime Minister has committed Canada to targets, but we’re not collectively on track to meet them, not even close. And no wonder, when the Prime Minister refuses to meet with the Premiers to coordinate climate policies—or anything else for that matter. That’s why a new Liberal government would, within 90 days of the upcoming Paris climate conference, hold a First Ministers meeting to work together on a framework for combatting climate change— including the creation of national emissions-reduction targets. A national standard would be set in partnership with provinces and territories, who will have the flexibility to design their own polices to achieve it, including carbon pricing. The federal government would provide funding, similar to how it supports Medicare today. In this way, we will build on existing provincial initiatives, in the best spirit of Canadian federalism. Through a healthy respect for regional differences, we will achieve progress on climate change; we will begin to repair our broken relationships and regain public trust. Canada has solved bigger problems than this and we’ll solve this one too, in the way we always have— together.

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

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L O C A L

“Meet Your Muslim Neighbour” arranged by By White Rock Muslim Association

It was an exciting and monumental evening on Friday, February 13th at the White Rock Muslim Association (WRMA) Centre. Following the ‘Meet Your Muslim Neighbour’ event at First United Church, the WRMA invited members of the church to their centre and prayer peace located on King George and 24th avenue for an evening of discussion, relationship building and dinner prepared by the members of the Muslim community for their church guests.

The evening began with an introduction by the WRMA president, Asad Syed, as he welcomed Reverend Bruce, Reverend Scott, Reverend Peggy , Mr. Peter Jones and the church members to the centre. Next, Dr Hala Ahmed, a family physician in the Surrey area and Program Director of WRMA, gave an enlightening and inspirational talk about the important role of women in Islam. Next, Reverend Bruce, Reverend Scott and Reverend Peggy shared their enthusiasm by

expressing their desire for future collaboration between the church and the WRMA in the future.Wrapping up the speeches was an informative address by Shams Jilani, author and local Islamic teacher, who described the five core pillars of the Islamic faith and provided answers to commonly asked questions about Islam. To wrap up the evening, the attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner consisting of traditional dishes and flavours from across the

world. This portion of the program allowed both WRMA members and the Church members to mingle, become acquainted with one another and learn about each other’s experiences. This event truly served as a milestone in promoting unity and collaboration among various faith groups in the White Rock community.

“Family Values in Islam” A Program @ ICNA Resource Centre. ICNA Canada highlights the importance of family-values in Islam in all major cities of Canada on Family day long weekend. A family program was organized by local ICNA Chapter at Surrey resource centre on Feb 08th. At start families had some time for socialization. Program started around 4pm with recitation from holy Quran by our young brother Abdul Hadi. Next hour or so was for our young ones. It was open invitation to youth, boys and girls to come to mi-

crophone and perform. Some recited from holy Quran others recited anasheed of Islam and naats. Youth presented speeches and presentations about importance of family in Islam. Group of youth did and short play to highlight the importance of obeying parents. On the sisters side kids enjoyed face painting as well. The guest speaker shaikh Zoheir Tahar talked about “Family Values in Islam”. He mentioned that successful and happy family starts with right choice of spouse, our criteria should be Islam when one chooses

a spouse. We should be content with whatever Allah gives us. Problem starts when we become workaholic and don’t spend time with our families. Providing Islamic education to our children is also critical. He also mentioned that our masajids are failing our next generation because in most cases they are not providing vital services to our youth and families. Program ended with a delicious dinner. ICNA Canada thanks brothers, sisters, kids and youth for their participation. JazakAllah khairan

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M I D D L E

E A S T

Egypt, Libya and the cost of retaliation

By Shashank Joshi In the summer of 1977, Egyptian and Libyan forces clashed along their border in a series of cross-border raids, tank battles, and bombing runs. On that occasion, Egypt bombed and strafed Libyan targets near the eastern city of Tobruk, killing several Soviet personnel in the process. Forty years on, Egypt finds itself intervening in its neighbour’s affairs once again - but this time, on the side of Libya’s government-inexile, based in Tobruk, the very city it once pounded from the skies. This is Egypt’s first publicly avowed overseas military operation since its participation, as the second largest contingent behind the US, in the first Gulf war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq over two decades ago. It represents part of a broadening international front in an Egyptian - and Arab - war against political Islam, the flipside of Egypt’s decisive authoritarian turn at home. Moreover, both Egypt’s involvement and the growth of a sophisticated ISIL bridgehead in Libya portend the further internationalisation of a civil war that has torn the country asunder. Avenge the bloodshed On news of ISIL’s beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, Egypt promised to “avenge the bloodshed and to seek retribution”. It did so swiftly, with a series of eight air strikes that killed a reported 40 to 50 people near the city of Derna, the stronghold of ISIL and affiliated groups. The precise relationship between ISIL’s affiliates in Derna and those elsewhere, who conducted the abduction and murder, is unclear. What is clear is that ISIL’s presence in eastern Libya has grown throughout the

past year. Its numbers swelled by arrivals from Iraq and Syria in Spring 2014, spurred on by the establishment of ISIL’s caliphate last summer, and marked by a bloody assault on Tripoli’s Corinthia Hotel in January. But for Egypt, ISIL is only the more extreme end of what they see as a threatening wave of political Islam across the region, part of the same movement that took democratic power in Cairo in 2012 and was toppled, in a coup, the following year. Cairo has therefore thrown its weight behind Libya’s internationally recognised government-in-exile in Tobruk, as well as an independent-minded Gaddafi-era general, Khalifa Haftar, who has led a war (Operation Dignity) against the Islamistled coalition which controls Tripoli (Libya Dawn). Powerful militias Powerful tribal militias sit on both sides of the divide. The government portrays all its opponents as extremists, while Libya Dawn sees the government as agents of the pre-revolutionary ancien regime. Haftar himself is a Sisi-like figure who, in a recent New Yorker interview, smilingly suggested he would be open to the presidency if the

people so demanded. Amid these complex divisions, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have forcefully chosen one side. Both governments view political Islam in general, and the Muslim Brotherhood in particular, in exceptionally hostile terms, and view Libya’s Islamists as part of that regional ideological, political, and military threat. Last year they conducted undeclared air strikes and raids in Tripoli and Misrata in August, beyond the range of the Libyan government’s own aircraft, and then again in Benghazi in October. These were largely ineffective, and irked the US. But Egypt framed them as an extension of its domestic campaign against all those - both moderate and extreme - painted as “terrorists”. Last year’s campaign also reflected broader international divisions, with Qatar - at the time, locked in a bitter rivalry with Egypt, the UAE, and some Arab monarchies - hosting key Libyan Islamists. A serious threat ISIL is a serious threat to Cairo, but in one sense it is also an opportunity. This week’s strikes are likely to lend international legitimacy to Egypt’s Libya policy by associating its broad support for the Tobruk government and Haftar with its specific actions against ISIL. Egypt is better placed to persuade the international community that it is doing no more than fighting terrorism in the same

way that the US-led pan-Arab and European coalition is doing in Syria and Iraq. It will also be easier to persuade western governments that the only way to defeat ISIL in Libya is to support Tobruk, even though experts like Frederic Wehrey have warned that Egypt’s heavy-handed policy in Libya risks undermining peace talks and, as within Egypt, creating “new reservoirs of extremism”. Yet, Cairo has already secured French support in the UN Security Council for “new measures” on Libya. More broadly, are we looking at a new era of Egyptian regional activism? Egypt has aggressively sought to give the impression that it is diversifying diplomatic and military partners away from the US, which is Egypt’s largest supplier - though it briefly suspended aid after 2013’s coup. On February 12, Cairo announced that it would be purchasing 24 Rafale fighter jets for nearly $6bn. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Cairo at the same time, reportedly offering sophisticated airdefence systems. These deals do little to augment Egypt’s military against realistic threats, but they do signal Cairo’s willingness to act forcefully and even independently of western allies. Egypt now seems likely to conduct further air strikes in Libya, and will do so with considerable international sympathy. The question is whether it will exploit this opportunity to target a much broader set of its enemies in Libya. Shashank Joshi is a research fellow of the Royal United Services Institute in London. He specialises in the international politics of South Asia and the Middle East. Source: Aljazeera

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

POLITICS

Budget 2015: $230 million tax break for the top 2%, paid for by BC families

British Columbians already stretched to their limit will face more fee and rate hikes in 2015, continue to get less in services, and pay for Premier Clark’s tax cut to the highest paid British Columbians as a result of the B.C. Liberals’ budget. “Families are already struggling – their costs are going up and their wages are flat. As if it isn’t enough that families are being nickeled and dimed by rates and fare hikes, they are going to pay to give a break to British Columbians who need it least,” said New Democrat spokesperson on finance

Carole James. James said low and middle income earners need a break, but are instead facing another four-per-cent hike to MSP premiums, a six-per-cent hike to hydro rates, ferry fare hikes, higher tolls, park fees and ICBC rates. “BC wages aren’t keeping up. In fact they’re falling in real terms,” said New Democrat Leader John Horgan. “Instead of giving a break to families who are struggling, the B.C. Liberals singled out the top two per cent of income earners for a $230

million tax cut.” “While families are paying more, they’re also getting less in services like schools, hospitals and seniors’ care,” said Horgan. “At a time when parents and young people are worried about opportunities to gain skills and training, the Clark government is cutting $14 million from higher education. Horgan also pointed to fewer home care hours, lowered standards in nursing homes, overcrowded hospitals, lack of family doctors and underfunded schools as examples of reduced services to families.

Crown corporation customers pay for tax breaks for the Rich

The BC Government surpluses are built by overcharging customers through Crown corporations, while the richest British Columbians are getting a break from the government, says the union representing workers at ICBC and BC Hydro. The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union, Local 378 (COPE 378) says the current and projected surpluses are made possible by payments into provincial coffers by ICBC and BC Hydro. “BC Hydro rates are spiking upwards, and our utility is straining under deferred debt and costs for capital projects,” said COPE 378 President David Black. “Instead of claiming BC Hydro revenue as a politically convenient surplus, Christy Clark and Mike De Jong should be offering ratepayers some margin of relief and ensuring our Crown utility is on secure financial footing for the future.” “And while Minister de Jong is praising ICBC’s investments, he’s holding on to most of that money. He won’t let drivers share in ICBC’s good fortune,” Black continued.

“Insurance premiums are too high and drivers should be paying less.” The provincial government is taking $160 million out of ICBC each year for the next three years, which represents 70 per cent of ICBC’s estimated income. BC Hydro is paying up to 52 per cent of its net income into provincial coffers for the next three years: $500 million for 2014/15, $555 million for 2015/16 and $589 for 2016/17.

Numbers in millions. Source: 2015 Budget & Fiscal Plan. BC Hydro revenue is projected to grow by 22 per cent over the next four years, in part due to the rate hikes imposed

Christy Clark ignores families, gives top income earners a break

While B.C. families are paying more for everything and wages aren’t keeping up, Christy Clark has chosen to give a $230 million tax break to B.C.’s top 2 percent of income earners, says New Democrat Leader John Horgan. “This government is out of touch with real life for B.C. families. Today, Premier Christy Clark showed she doesn’t even know who is hurting and who needs a break. She offered no comfort for British Columbians who are struggling to get by, but she is going to cut taxes for British Columbians who make $150,000 or more,” said New Democrat leader John Horgan. Under the B.C. Liberal government, the medical services tax has doubled, Hydro rate hikes will reach 80 percent, ferry fares and camping fees are up, while wages aren’t keeping pace. “Families are paying more and getting less. People can’t find a family doctor, are struggling to get adequate seniors care, and the schools and hospitals they depend on are underfunded,” said Horgan.

At the same time, parents worry that young British Columbians are the first generation that will be worse off economically than their parents, added Horgan. “It’s sadly revealing that, while middle class families are facing these tremendous challenges, Premier Clark’s priority was to choose B.C.’s top 2 percent of income earners for a tax break. “We are a province of huge potential, with hardworking people, a bounty of natural resources and a location that is strategically important in the global economy. So why are so many British Columbians living paycheque to paycheque? Because our potential is being squandered by a premier who puts her friends first,” said Horgan. “You just can’t take this premier at her word anymore. This speech carried on with the same empty promises about an LNG industry that she says is the ‘central preoccupation’ of her government. But so far all we’ve seen is promises of jobs for temporary foreign workers, and environmental standards that don’t cover 70 percent of emissions,” said Horgan The premier placed a risky bet on LNG at the expense of other industries like forestry and mining, said Horgan. “We need a government whose ‘central preoccupation’ and ‘laser-like focus’ is on helping build an economy that creates good jobs for British Columbians first – high paying jobs in sustainable industries. This speech offered no prospects of good, long-term jobs, no solutions for the problems people face every day, and no security for families.” By:Media contact: Sheena McConnell

on families. Hydro and ICBC costs are hitting all homes, regardless of income, but only individuals earning over $150,000 a year are getting a two per cent tax break. “Almost everyone in B.C. is paying the government more through ICBC premiums and Hydro rates,” said COPE 378 President David Black. “But the richest in B.C. are getting a big break from the BC Liberals on the taxes. The government should balance the books fairly, not by hitting average families.” COPE 378 represents 12,000 people working in the public and private utilities, insurance, finance and other sectors. Media Contact: Sage Aaron, Communications Director

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How you can be both fit and fat ?

By LISA KAAKI This explosive title ‘The Obesity Paradox: When Thinner Means Sicker and Heavier Means Healthier’ keeps all its promises from the very first pages. Right from the introduction, we are told things we have wanted to hear for a long time. Whether we are slim or overweight, we have all at one point wondered why fat no longer means what it used to. In the past, fat has often been associated with the idea of affluence and wealth meaning that overweight people had a good life and didn’t suffer from hunger. Women were also loved for their curvaceous body whereas nowadays fat is considered ugly and unhealthy. We live now in a world where we are conditioned to lose weight, eat low-fat food and fit in tight clothes. The rate of obesity is going up and at the same time obesity has never been so vilipended by society. “I’m here to tell you that fatness has been sorely misunderstood and wrongly portrayed in many respects,” writes Lavie. So, after all fat is not the enemy we are led to believe. This surprising news has been circulating in medical journals in recent years. Yes, indeed, body fat can protect us in more ways that we can think of. But first, let us find out the cause of obesity. Since the World War II, there has been a plethora of easy-to-get food and at the same time, the jobs we have do not require much physical activity. The number of calories we burn outpace our increasing food intake therefore the real cause of obesity is due to physical inactivity rather than excess caloric consumption. However, what is interesting is that obesity is only seen in humans. Wild animals are never obese. A wild animal

which is too fat to run will be easily killed by predators. More than ten years ago, doctors were noticing that overweight patients suffering from a cardiovascular disease generally have a better chance of surviving an illness potentially fatal in the short term. In other words moderately obese patients suffering from heart disease, arthritis, or cancer often live a longer and better life than normal-weight patients with the same ailments. One can safely say that if too much or too little fat is destructive to one’s health, the same can be said for too much or too little exercise. So what does it mean to be healthy? “Regardless of your weight and Body Mass Index, if you’re metabolically sound, you don’t have serious metabolic conditions like uncontrolled type 2 diabetes or lipid disorders such as dangerously high cholesterol or significantly elevated blood pressure, and you are cardiovascularly fit, you are

healthy,” explains Lavie. The problem is that losing weight through exercise is tough. It can take 35 kilometers of brisk walking to shed off a pound of fat, whereas a diet program will have a faster impact. But who can keep up a 1000 caloriea-day diet for a long run? You are following a restrictive diet which is depriving you of energy and making you feel bad. This not only explains why most diets are unsuccessful but it also emphasizes the importance of exercise. In fact, researches in top institutions at departments of neurology have noticed that exercise positively impacts the way we metabolize fat, we use calories and we control our metabolism. Physical exercise is one of the most powerful ways to change our genes because it increases the production of a protein, called the growth hormone which triggers the birth of new cells in the brain’s memory center. So if you have to chose between being fit or

fat, go for fit even if it means being heavier. You can gain weight as you age and still be healthy as long as you remain fit. Many heavier people with more body fat who remain as active as possible through out the day can be fitter and healthier than thin people who sit all day and do not exercise. Fat is one of the basic components that make up the structure of our body. Other elements are muscles, water, bone, and our organs. Fat is essential for our survival. We need fat for warmth, insulation, protection, energy and even to think. During the course of our world history, arts and literature have reflected the desirability of being plump. By the 20th Century excess fat was losing its aesthetic appeal and fewer people were staying fit due to new technologies and more sedentary jobs. Nowadays, we die twice as much from chronic illnesses like heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. “Health isn’t all about your physical body; it’s also about your mind and psyche, which are also markedly improved by physical activity and exercise. If we can loosen the reins on our obsession with weight and change the context of the conversation around our obesity crises to our physical inactivity, I think we can all move a little more and rest a little easier… and maybe live a lot longer and healthier,” concludes Lavie. This groundbreaking book tells us that being moderately obese does not prevent us from achieving greater longevity as well as better long-term health. If you want to understand the whole truth, forget your preconceptions, and start reading “The Obesity Paradox” right now.

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SPECIAL country. Not funny, but the sad part is that they find allies among the many good people who are part of media and civil-society organisations. Constant attempts to undo Pakistan: Foreign sponsored terrorism as well as the sectarian differences have added fuel to the ongoing fire and all is blown out of proportion under state patronage. Definitely, it poses an existentialist threat to Pakistan. Mr Jinnah said, “If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor... you are free- you are free to go to your temples mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state... in due course of time Hindus will cease to be Hindus and Muslims will cease to Muslims- not in a religious sense for that is the personal faith of an individual- but in a political sense as citizens of one state” ._. Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Karachi ...August 11, 1947***** In response to Zarb e Azb, the terrorists are on a suicide bombing spree throughout the country, while the chief terrorist is hiding in Afghanistan. Pakistan needs a tighter disciplinary policy to catch those involved in money laundering. Money laundering is a criminal offense and Switzerland is a signatory to the law as is Pakistan. If a Pakistani court can indict particular individuals, then Switzerland is bound to disclose the holdings. And, there is tons of misappropriated money deposited in UAE banks by the Pakistani rich elite, but irony is Pakistan government has no objection. There is no serious effort on the part of government to bring back money looted from the Pakistani exchequer. Furthermore, politicians have huge amounts of deposits in the U.K., Switzerland and

Let’s Grow as a Proud Nation

(By Tariq M Javed) Special Edition Constantly, the people of Pakistan are being subjected/roughed up by a variety of mafia groups. Democracy is only the name of the game; there is power-mafia focused on political power, others include land mafia, and extortionist (Bhatta) mafia. Maybe, weakening the commercial hub is part of the strategy. Any unlawful wealth that these thugs generate ends up becoming their effective passport to enjoy respect, power and influence. Tragedy is the miserable populace is inherently set up or is manipulated to continue remaining deprived of a good feel of the concept of nationhood. Sadly, the nationbuilding effort remains only in the books. Unless remedied, the concept of nationhood remains a misconception. Most probably, people are driven strategically by the hidden hand to keep them divided along regional, ethnic, linguistic, and religious lines. So, expecting good results from bad harvest doesn’t make sense. Unfortunately, the military/civil rulers of the past came to fix the wrongs but all disappeared leaving the status quo intact. And, the current rulers face governance challenges. Administrative paralysis is all time high. Equality is missing: Major culprit is lack of equal opportunity of quality education to all regardless of ethnicity, colour, creed, or socio-economic level. Shamefully, the ruling elite and religious leaders have exploited the banner of Islam

to attain and retain power without ever trying to reform state and society in line with its egalitarian principles. Issue of East Pakistan was mishandled by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the then Military Chief, and there is a lesson but it’s forgotten. No one seems to have learnt. Moreover, there are vested interests, state or non state actors that are bent upon making Pakistan a sacrificial goat under all circumstances. They don’t want Pakistan to progress economically and Pakistan doesn’t know how to convince the international community about the rape it has been constantly subjected to. After the projects of Kalabagh dam and Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline are shelved, the proposed “Pakistan-China economic corridor” faces criticism and opposition. This non sense political wrangling is detrimental to Pakistan. Messing up will be costly: The $45 billion Pakistan-China Economic Corridor was termed as a flagship strategic cooperation project, a potential game changer in South Asia. If completed, the corridor would connect Gwadar with Chinese city of Kashgar through highways, rail link and oil-gas pipelines as expected, however, the uncertainty shrouds the mystery. Pain in the neck: The political mafia knows every trick of the trade and loves dynastic politics. They manage very well using “clichés of democracy” as their best defence whenever they are challenged. Though, they claim their commitment to genuine democracy, yet it’s best reflected in how they handle their political parties. Actually, it’s nothing more than a fake democracy where civil politicians are apparently the worst dictators because they want their kids to inherit the party. In other words, democracy becomes the best revenge in their dictionary as it gives them an opportunity to further rob and plunder the wealth of this

Dubai. Several billions in U.S. dollars means a lot. Pakistan will be saved from economic disaster if the loot is brought back using all legal channels. In order to keep the country intact and put it back on track, the political leadership has to show some wisdom and think only what is in the best interest of the people of Pakistan. The gaps must be bridged to avoid disasters. History has proof that the political differences between the two leaders culminated into the disintegration of Pakistan in 1971. There is no doubt in my mind that building dams and roads is essential for economic development, but nation-building should be treated as priority before it’s too late. For a stronger Pakistan, the federal government must address concerns of the smaller provinces by protecting their political and economic interests. The foreign sponsored separatist insurgency in Balochistan has to be overcome for a smoother development. A rapid development of Gwadar will give satisfaction to the local populace. The projected economic corridor must go ahead successfully till development in Gwadar is broadened. Groundwork on the project has already begun, the federation of Pakistan must address any misconceptions surrounding it on priority basis. For Pakistan’s sustainable economic development needs, the politicians must refrain from helping the growth of negative hype around the Pak China project. It’s imperative that the stakeholders are on single page to play their role in developing a national consensus for the economic corridor. The Pakistani people are in need of a democracy that not only ensures fundamental rights and rule of law but also has inbuilt mechanisms where there is no such thing as defiance. “With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” (Jinnah)

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

LIFESTYLE

Tips for Avoiding the Crowds When Traveling

By Avril Betts When you go on holiday you are looking to your new surroundings to find relaxation and enjoyment away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. If your chosen destination is a hot tourist spot then you are likely to be overwhelmed by masses of tourists, noise and long line ups at your intended site visits. At this point you might wonder why you ever left home. Here are some tips to bypass the crowds and avoid the frustrations that might otherwise spoil your trip. Book Your Passes or Event Tickets in Advance: These days many Passes and Event Tickets can be booked online or through your Travel Agent and will save waiting in line ups. Arrive before or After the Crowds: Many of the sites have key times when the masses turn up, go early before the crowds or later, when they are likely to have left - even lunch times are good as many of the groups will have left to have lunch. Travel in the Off-Season and avoid Main Holiday Periods: Find out when the shoulder seasons are for your particular destination – these periods are often cheaper and definitely have less crowds to tend with. Remember that main holidays like, Christmas and Easter usually incur supplementary charges and will definitely be more crowded with holiday makers. Talk To Your Travel Agent and Hotel Concierge: Ask questions, get maps, ask about taxis, restaurants and the sites you wish to visit. These folks are experts and can save you lots of hassle trying to find things out for yourself. Sign Up For Special Tours/Event in Advance: If there are any special events or tours being offered for your Vacation buy them in advance. Firstly they are usually cheaper purchased in advance and secondly it ensures you get booked in before they are sold out. Week Days as opposed to Weekends: I think we all know that most sites and events are less crowded during the week than on weekends when people are off work and the kids are out of school. Flights are also usually cheaper weekdays than they are on weekends. Choose the lesser visited sites during Peak Periods: If you know that the main sites are going to be crowded during peak periods, try to

choose the more off the beaten path sites during these times and save the main sites for quieter periods. School Holidays are always busy: When the kids are out of school you can guarantee that sites will be busy as families will be limited to traveling during these times if they don’t wish to take their kids out of school. Try to choose your travel times outside of these periods if you wish to avoid the crowds. Opt Out of the Photo Ops on Entry: Bypass the Photo Ops often offered at sites as you enter. Firstly you will bypass the line-up and you will save money as they are usually expensive. You can readily take your own photos with a cell phone these days. Vary your Meal Times: If you don’t have to have set meal times for medical reasons, then it makes good sense to vary your meal times to avoid the busy restaurant periods especially at lunch and dinner times. Besides avoiding the crowds you are likely to get better service when the staff have less folks to service at one time. Avoid staying in Noisy Areas: If you like a good nights sleep then be aware of the location of your Hotel. Stay away from busy and high traffic areas especially if there is a lot of night life going on in that area. Even if the Hotel is quiet you are likely to have late night revelers coming back to the Hotel at all hours of the night, and after a night of frivolity they aren’t likely to be quiet when going to their rooms. Check to see if any sports events are going on in the area and if the teams are staying at your Hotel – if they are you might be in for a noisy night. Are there any Cruise Ships in Town?: When Cruise ships dock for the day passengers are offered sightseeing and shopping tours. This means the local sites and shops will be overrun with Cruise passengers. Find out when Cruises are booked to Dock and if possible avoid the sites and shops on those days. Check for The Weather: Mother nature controls a lot of what we do especially for outdoor activities. Check the forecasts and plan your indoor and outdoor activities accordingly to accommodate the weather. It pays to be flexible when it comes to weather, and to have back up plans if the weather changes.

Friendship! By:Shabnam Khan – Family Counsellor The value of good friendship is hard to emphasize. It is a fact that people with good friends encounter less stressful times, experience healthier and more success and balanced lifestyles. A good friendship lessens negative energy. This becomes very supportive towards a meaningful relationship at home and at work. Take time to take good care of yourself. Eat a balanced diet, exercise and get plenty of rest. Take time to relax with friends and family. A high rate of change often means extra stress and strain on your body. Pay attention of what does your body/mind/soul need now? Build self-esteem. You are a unique individual with special talents and interests. Make a list of what you like most about yourself and what you appreciate about each family member. Encouraging others to feel good about themselves is a wonderful way to feel good about ourselves. Give each family member a sincere compliment whenever needefd. Be open and flexible. Most people are eager to settle into comfortable routines. Know that your present routine is only temporary. Something may happen at any time that can force you to change your routine. You may not be able to predict change, but knowing that change can happen at any time helps you to accept and adjust when it does occur. Most life transitions are slow processes that take time. Keep your “sunny side” up. Concentrate on the good g things g in life. Don’t dwell

on negative thoughts. A positive attitude helps you feel good about yourself and the life you live, and goes a long way towards improving your health. Take control of your life. What can you do now to help you through a difficult transition in your future? Practice finding the good in each of life’s transitions. It’s not what happens to you that causes you to respond the way you do, but how you choose to react to what happens. Take charge of your thoughts, actions and friendship cycle which are all very useful!! Please feel free to email me all your questions and concerns: shabnam@skcounselling.ca

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

The Science of Sleep: Dreaming, Depression, and How REM Sleep Regulates Negative Emotions

By Maria Popova For the past half-century, sleep researcherRosalind D. Cartwright has produced some of the most compelling and influential work in the field, enlisting modern science in revising and expanding the theories of Jung and Freud about the role of sleep and dreams in our lives. In The Twenty-four Hour Mind: The Role of Sleep and Dreaming in Our Emotional Lives (public library), Cartwright offers an absorbing history of sleep research, at once revealing how far we’ve come in understanding this vital third of our lives and how much still remains outside our grasp. One particularly fascinating aspect of her research deals with dreaming as a mechanism for regulating negative emotion and the relationship between REM sleep and depression: The more severe the depression, the earlier the first REM begins. Sometimes it starts as early as 45 minutes into sleep. That means these sleepers’ first cycle of NREM sleep amounts to about half the usual length of time. This early REM displaces the initial deep sleep, which is not fully recovered later in the night. This displacement of the first deep sleep is accompanied by an absence of the usual large outflow of growth hormone. The timing of the greatest release of human growth hormone (HGH) is in the first deep sleep cycle. The depressed have very little SWS [slow-wave sleep, Stages 3 and 4 of the sleep cycle] and no big pulse of HGH;

executive cortex areas, those associated with rational thought and decision making. Nondepressed controls do not exhibit this activity in their REM brain imaging studies. This finding has been tentatively interpreted… as perhaps a response to the excessive activity in the areas responsible for emotions.

and in addition to growth, HGH is related to physical repair. If we do not get enough deep sleep, our bodies take longer to heal and grow. The absence of the large spurt of HGH during the first deep sleep continues in many depressed patients even when they are no longer depressed (in remission). The first REM sleep period not only begins too early in the night in people who are clinically depressed, it is also often abnormally long. Instead of the usual 10 minutes or so, this REM may last twice that. The eye movements too are abnormal — either too sparse or too dense. In fact, they are sometimes so frequent that they are called eye movement storms. But what has perplexed researchers is that when these depressed patients are awakened 5 minutes into the first REM sleep episode, they’re unable to explain what

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Cartwright spent nearly three decades investigating “how a mood disorder that affects cognition, motivation, and most of all the emotional state during waking shows itself in dreams.” What proved particularly difficult was understanding the basis for this poor dream recall during REM sleep, since anti-depressants suppress that stage of the sleep cycle, but early research suggested that this very suppression of REM might be the mechanism responsible for reinvigorating the depressed. This brings us to the regulatory purpose of dreaming. Cartwright explains: Despite differences in terminology, all the contemporary theories of dreaming have a common thread — they all emphasize that dreams are not about prosaic themes, not about reading, writing, and arithmetic, but about emotion, or what psychologists refer to as affect. What is carried forward from waking hours into sleep are recent experiences that have an emotional component, often those that were negative in tone but not noticed at the time or not fully resolved. One proposed purpose of dreaming, of what

they are experiencing. This complete lack of dream recall in depression has showed up in study after study, but it’s been unclear whether it’s due to patients’ reluctance to talk with researchers or to truly not forming and experiencing any dreams. That’s where recent technology has helped shed light: Brain imaging technology has helped to shed light on this mystery. Scanning depressed patients while they sleep has shown that the emotion areas of the brain, the limbic and paralimbic systems, are activated at a higher level in REM than when these patients are awake. High activity in these areas is also common in REM sleep in nondepressed sleepers, but the depressed have even higher activity in these areas than do healthy control subjects. This might be expected — after all, while in REM these individuals also show higher activity in the dreaming accomplishes (known as the mood regulatory function of dreams theory) is that dreaming modulates disturbances in emotion, regulating those that are troublesome. My research, as well as that of other investigators in this country and abroad, supports this theory. Studies show that negative mood is down-regulated overnight. How this is accomplished has had less attention. I propose that when some disturbing waking experience is reactivated in sleep and carried forward into REM, where it is matched by similarity in feeling to earlier memories, a network of older associations is stimulated and is displayed as a sequence of compound images that we experience as dreams. This melding of new and old memory fragments modifies the network of emotional self-defining memories, and thus updates the organizational picture we hold of ‘who I am and what is good for me and what is not.’ In this way, dreaming diffuses the emotional charge of the event and so prepares the sleeper to wake ready to see things in a more positive light, to make a fresh start. This does not always happen over a single night; sometimes a big reorganization of the emotional perspective of our self-concept must be made — from wife to widow or married to single, say, and this may take many nights. We must look for dream changes within the night and over time across nights to detect whether a productive change is under way. In very broad strokes, this is the definition of the mood-regulatory function of dreaming, one basic to the new model of the twenty-four hour mind I am proposing. Towards the end of the book, Cartwright explores the role of sleep and dreaming in consolidating what we call “the self,” with another admonition against memory’s self-editing capacity: [In] good sleepers, the mind is continuously active, reviewing experience from yesterday, sorting which new information is relevant and important to save due to its emotional saliency. Dreams are not without sense, nor are they best understood to be expressions of infantile wishes. They are the result of the interconnectedness of new experience with that already stored in memory networks. But memory is never a precise duplicate of the original; instead, it is a continuing act of creation. Dream images are the product of that creation. They are formed by pattern recognition between some current emotionally valued experience matching the condensed representation of similarly toned memories. Networks of these become our familiar style of thinking, which gives our behavior continuity and us a coherent sense of who we are. Thus, dream dimensions are elements of the schemas, and both represent accumulated experience and serve to filter and evaluate the new day’s input. Sleep is a busy time, interweaving streams of thought with emotional values attached, as they fit or challenge the organizational structure that represents our identity. One function of all this action, I believe, is to regulate disturbing emotion in order to keep it from disrupting our sleep and subsequent waking functioning. The rest of The Twenty-four Hour Mind goes on to explore, through specific research case studies and sweeping syntheses of decades worth of research, everything from disorders like sleepwalking and insomnia to the role of sleep in knowledge retention, ideation, and problem-solving.

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

YOUTH/KIDS

Why young Canadians become jihadists?

In an effort to understand how “ordinary” young people - by most outward appearances - from Canada find themselves in Syria fighting on behalf of ISIS, Dr. Lorne Dawson, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo, is working with a group of researchers now in contact with some of those Canadian nationals fighting in Syria. Dr. Dawson said that because these researchers are academics, not journalists, he feels the Canadians fighting for ISIS are more forthcoming. “We talk to them about their lives there; why they went there. We getting to formal interviews, but we have some hints from talking to them and talking to other scholars.” Dr. Dawson said he and the other researchers have managed to identify a number of issues that may have led these young people to terrorism. “In early to mid-adolescence they’ve had a hard time figuring out who they are. They really accepted the values they were taught but then they start to think their parents and the people in their communities are hypocrites (because they don’t practice these values the way they were taught). They’re quite offended.” He added that a large percentage of people who become jihadists were involved in gangstra rap. “They were playing around with extreme identities. He may not feel he’s somebody.” A desire to do something big - something virtuous – is often part of this adolescent struggle for a satisfying identity, Dr. Lawson said. “They have a desire for action.” Not every young person in these circum-

stances becomes radicalized, and not every radicalized young person becomes violent. Radicalization, he adds, usually needs what sociologists call a “cognitive opening,” a period when a vulnerable young person meets a charismatic proponent online or in person. When a young person becomes more religious, it could be a good thing, Dr. Dawson said; but when they become very strict, start saying extreme things, avoid others and start viciously attacking others who don’t have the same views, they may be headed toward radicalization. Dr. Dawson said that although these young people are open to new ideas, it doesn’t necessarily have to be radical ideas. “They may decide to join a group and go to Guatemala to build schools.” However, he added that there is an abundance of information online extolling young people to jihad, to lead a pure life and rise above the apathetic life.

“There’s mountains of information online. Through social media they can get in direct contact with people in Syria and they can have personal contact with young people in Canada. A personal connection is crucial. People join movements because of personal connections.” While those close to young people who have become radicalized often express shock, Dr. Lawson said quite often these young people spent months communicating with and often associating with people who are part of a group with radical views. Islam – along with Christianity, Judaism contains the concept of certain people being ordained, with God choosing specific souls to transform the world, and Dr. Lawson said ISIS is playing on this. “They say the end time is here. It’s a clarion call for idealist, naive young people who want to become a part of this event.” From his contact with those who are fight-

ing in Syria, Dr. Lawson has concluded that the message has transformed the thinking of these young people. “They’re really fully immersed in the idea of a special status of an Islamic state. They believe they’re participating in a world transforming event and they will receive the blessings and bliss of martyrdom.” This indoctrination leads to the dilemma of how to deal with these young people when they return to Canada. To begin with, Dr. Dawson said he and his team of researchers estimate that about 50 Canadians are fighting in Syria – more than the Canadian government estimates. He said imprisoning returnees doesn’t serve a purpose because then people will come back covertly, lead a secret life, be marginalized and, thus more likely to lash out again. Prosecuting them doesn’t seem like a realistic option to Dr. Dawson because it would be expensive and very difficult to prove that these people were involved in terrorism overseas. “What are you going to do? Put 30 or 40 guys under surveillance for 24 hours a day, and for how long?” He said Denmark has a council of psychotherapists assisting returnees in going back to school or finding a job and, “so far so good.” He also mentioned that Australia has a law, which forbids any Australian from fighting for a foreign force, and those who do are jailed as soon as they come home. But one wonders what havoc these prisoners will potentially wreak on society, when they are eventually released, assuming they don’t receive sentences of life without parole. Courtesy by: The Canadian Charger Feb 7, 2015

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Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

FOOD

9 Killer Tips on How to Order Fast Food! Confession time – you most likely eat fast food, probably more then you’d like to admit. Fast food seems like the simple, convenient way when you are crunched for time so use these tips to make sure your next meal is something other than a “fat food” disaster.

Healthy Fast Food Choices No Cheese Please The stuff put in most fast food burgers is generally processed chemical junk. You Got’ta Go Green Order a side salad in addition to your meal and change the side of fries to a

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grams of fat, that’s just about as much as what’s contained in the actual patty. And swap the sugar laden ketchup for salsa. Beef Up the Veg Add extra vegetables to your burger, fill up on the good stuff and you’ll be less tempted to go overboard on the bad stuff. Watch Your Dressing Avoid the creamy salads dressings. Vinegar based dressings tend to have healthier fats and overall less calories. Get in Some Grains Go for the whole grain bun, they’re less processed and contain more nutrients. Super Sizing Resist with all your willpower the urge to super-size any fast food meal.

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small (rather than a large or medium.) Ditch the Sugar Order bottled water over pop, you’ll cut out a whopping 44 grams of sugar. If you swapped out water for a medium sized pop every day you’d lose roughly 18 pounds in a year… or your spare tire. Say No to Deep Fry Order the “Grilled” versus “Crispy” chicken sandwich, it has ½ the total fat and just under ½ the amount of saturated fat, the kind that clogs your arteries and leads to heart disease. Cut the Condiments Hold the mayo, save 90 calories and 10

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Keep your eye on portion size. Many fast food meals deliver enough food for several meals in the guise of a single serving. Avoid supersized and value-sized items, and go for the smallest size when it comes to sandwiches, burgers, and sides. You can also find more reasonable portions on the children’s menu. Focus on grilled or roasted lean meats. Avoid fried and breaded items, such as crispy chicken sandwiches and breaded fish fillets. Choose turkey, chicken breast, extra lean qeema, or lean roast beef instead. Grilled skinless chicken is usually your best bet. Pay attention to the descriptions on the menu. Dishes labeled deep-fried, panfried, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sodium. Same with items in Alfredo or cream sauce. Don’t be afraid to special order. Many menu items can be made healthier with a few tweaks and substitutions. For example, you can ask to hold the sauce or dressing or serve it on the side. Or you can request a wheat bun for your burger or whole-grain bread for your sandwich. Don’t assume that healthy-sounding dishes are always your best option. For example, many fast food salads are a diet minefield, smothered in high-fat dressing and fried toppings. This is where reading the nutrition facts before you order can make a huge diffe.

Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

Polio vaccination: A deadly battle in Pakistan

While vaccine distrust has sparked debates amid a measles outbreak in the United States, Pakistan is in a deadly battle to wipe out polio. Long eradicated in the West, polio remains endemic in Pakistan after the Taliban banned vaccinations, attacks targeted medical staffers and suspicions lingered about the inoculations. The persistence of this crippling, sometimes fatal virus shows just how difficult wiping out a disease can be, even amid campaigns seeing thousands of vaccinators go into the field to offer polio drops to children, sometimes under armed guard. Lost — The battle against polio “When we leave in the morning, we do it at the risk of our life,” vaccinator Rubina Iqbal said. “We don’t know whether we will come back alive or not. “ Polio is a highly contagious virus generally transmitted in unsanitary conditions. There is no cure for the virus, which mostly affects children under 5, though it can be prevented with a vaccine. In the US, polio terrified mothers and fathers as outbreaks caused more than 15,000 cases of paralysis each year until Dr Jonas Salk invented a vaccine in the 1950s.

The desperate struggle of Pakistan’s polio ‘martyrs’ By December 2012, militant gunmen began targeting vaccination teams in what became a “horrendous serial killing,” said Elias Durry, the World Health Organization’s point person in Pakistan on polio. An estimated 75 people involved in Pakistan’s vaccination efforts have been killed since, Safdar said. On Tuesday, authorities in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province found the bullet-riddled bodies of four people who disappeared Saturday while preparing for a polio campaign. Two polio workers, two Levies men found dead Infected children and others who travel outside of the region can lead to fresh outbreaks in cities, and even other countries, where polio has already been wiped out. Outside of Pakistan, only Afghanistan and Nigeria are countries where polio remains endemic. To fight polio, Pakistan’s government has created emergency operations centers in Islamabad and provincial capitals where officials meet daily, a tactic that helped immensely in Nigeria. In certain high-risk areas they introduced a longer-lasting, injectable vaccine instead of oral drops. All-out military operation launched in North Waziristan A Pakistani military operation launched in June in the North Waziristan tribal area also allowed vaccinators to finally access children there after hundreds of thousands of people fled the region and settled elsewhere in Pakistan. Vaccinators in November also started going That sparked widespread distrust, in a coun- door-to-door in South Waziristan for the first try where many also fear the inoculations time in two years, and the intensity of attacks against vaccination teams has slowed, are a plot to sterilise Muslim children. After eradicating smallpox in 1980, authorities turned their attention to polio. In Pakistan, the disease, and the backlash against vaccinations, is mostly in its northwest and the port city of Karachi, although the vaccination drive is country-wide. The scope of the vaccinators’ efforts in Pakistan is impressive. In January, officials targeted some 35 million children during a nationwide campaign, said Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar, who oversees the country’s polio emergency operations center. Smaller campaigns are held more frequently in areas where the virus is believed to be especially prevalent. Workers at central bus stops and train stations also vaccinate child travelers. Neighboring India was declared polio-free in 2014, a massive logistical feat for the country of 1.2 billion people. Many experts thought success was near in Pakistan in 2012 but then the number of cases shot up last year. But instead of parents’ groups worried about autism and celebrities relying on a discredited scientific article like in the US, Pakistan’s anti-vaccine campaign has been waged at the end of the barrel of an assault rifle. Also read: American NGOs assail CIA over fake vaccination drive The Pakistani Taliban banned vaccinations in 2012 after US Navy SEALs launched a raid in Abbottabad in 2011 that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Ahead of the raid, the CIA sent in a local doctor who claimed to be conducting a hepatitis vaccine program to collect DNA from children at bin Laden’s home.

Parties vow to resist change in Pak-China corridor route

he participants of a multi-party conference (MPC) organised by the Awami National Party (ANP) on Tuesday vowed to resist the government’s alleged plan to change the route of the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor. The speakers, mainly from the nationalist parties of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warned that the federation could face “serious consequences” if the PML-N government insisted on excluding the backward areas of the two smaller provinces from the economic route. Corridor furore The event was attended by representatives of almost all the political parties, including those in the coalition governments with the PML-N. However, no one from the ruling PML-N attended the conference to respond to the criticism. Speaking on the occasion, ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said the changes in the economic corridor would increase the sense of deprivation among the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and smaller provinces. The ANP chief said Pakistan was the only country where leaders had not learnt from the past mistakes. He said all the parties had supported Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when he was facing a political crisis, but now all of them were being pushed away. He said Mr Sharif was the only prime minister who created crises for his own government.

Mr Khan regretted that the PML-N leaders had not even consulted their coalition partners while changing the design of the proposed economic corridor. He vowed to make the project controversial like Kalabagh Dam if the original route was not restored. Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said such controversial decisions would weaken the federation. Claiming credit for the project, Mr Shah urged the government not to change the route that had been agreed during the PPP government. He also called for raising the issue at the Council of Common Interests (CII). Vice-chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mehmood Qureshi termed the project useful for the whole region, saying that no sane person could oppose it. However, he said, the government was bent upon making it controversial. He alleged that the centre had not consulted the provinces before changing the plan. Abdul Rauf Mengal of the Balochistan National Party-M alleged that the Baloch people were still collecting bodies of their loved ones during the so-called democratic regime. He asked the government to ensure peace in Balochistan before embarking upon such a huge project. Hasil Bizenjo, whose National Party (NP) is a coalition partner with the PML-N in Balochistan, was of the view that the project was vital for China as well and the government should not make it controversial. Interestingly, instead of the Balochistan chief minister who belongs to his own party, Mr Bizenjo asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to take the matter to the CCI. Aftab Sherpao of the Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) said only strong provinces could ensure a strong federation. The participants approved a declaration urging the government not to change the route

Safdar said. The number of people outright refusing the vaccine has dropped, officials say. Officials also have implemented new security strategies to protect vaccinators. “By this time last year, nobody could go to North Waziristan. ... Vaccinators were being killed left and right,” Durry said. “So those issues are improving, and have improved dramatically.“ Vaccinators say they use their own arguments to convince reluctant residents, such as talking about how they give the drops to their own children. However, they can also quickly recall stories of being harassed on the job. In northwest Pakistan many people are suspicious of women working outside the home. Bureaucratic challenges also beset the vaccination drive. Vaccinators complain they don’t get paid on time. Polio workers in the Bajaur tribal area recently protested, saying they hadn’t been paid for five months. To change that, paychecks are now deposited directly into vaccinators’ bank accounts, Safdar said. But delays still happen, he said. Pakistani officials also are reaching out to the religious community for help convincing people to take the vaccine. Imams like Mohammad Israr Madni, who teaches at the influential Haqqania religious school in the northwestern city of Nowshera, are part of those efforts. “I want to reach every madrassa, every mosque, to convince (Muslim scholars) and pave the way for awareness among people,” Madni said.

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29 S P O R T S NBA Commissioner to ‘take action’ in second season Jumada Al Awwal 01, 1436 February 20, 2015

In his first year as NBA commissioner, Adam Silver removed longtime league pest Donald Sterling, oversaw two franchises being sold for record prices and negotiated a television rights deal that will soon triple revenues. But after a busy, productive lap as David Stern’s successor, Silver said “it’s time to take action” his second year. Silver discussed a myriad of topics in a 35-minute news conference, from the next collective bargaining agreement to the age minimum and conference imbalance, though few could immediately be addressed before the start of next season. By then, Silver said he would like the league to alleviate some concerns over player safety by eliminating the dreaded four games in five nights and limiting the number of back-to-back games. There were

almost 70 instances in the NBA this season. The easiest way to solve that problem, Silver said, is to reduce the number of preseason games, start the season a little earlier and possibly pushing back the end. “It’s a math formula at the end of the day in terms of the number of days in the season and the number of games we play, but we think we can make a dramatic reduction there,” Silver said. “And while I don’t think we can completely eliminate four out of five nights, we hope to make tremendous progress.” Silver has been very open minded to new ideas, but is somewhat conflicted about changing the current playoff format to address the continued weakness of the Eastern Conference. Based on the current standings, two teams currently outside of the Western Conference playoff picture would qualify in the East. Last season, the Phoenix Suns missed out on the postseason despite winning 48 games – which would have earned them the fifth seed in the East. Silver discussed the possibility of only guaranteeing playoff spots for division winners, or the top two teams in each of the six divisions. “I understand the notion that we should have the absolute 16 best teams competing in the playoffs seemingly regardless of conferences and divisions. I

am a believer, though, in the conference and the division system. … Although I think there may be some tweaks,” Silver said. “As you might imagine, there are certain Eastern Conference owners who like the status quo and certain Western Conference owners who are saying change is due. But on the other hand, I think we have a group of owners who are willing to take a long term view ultimately. They understand over time that we’re in a highly competitive marketplace. That we want to put our best foot forward. I think it’s a difficult issue because there are no perfect solutions.” The NBA discussed changing the draft lottery system before the start of the season to avoid the perception that teams around the league are intentionally losing to gain high draft picks. But NBA owners weren’t prepared to make a dramatic change while teams were already preparing for the upcoming season. Silver plans to find a solution when he meets with the board of governors in April. “We want to ensure our fans that our teams are always undergoing a process to try to field the best possible team on the floor,” Silver said. Silver won’t know if he’ll have to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement until either the players or owners decide to opt out of

the agreement in 2017. But with a new $24 billion broadcasting rights contract set to kick in after next season, new union head Michelle Roberts sounds as if she is prepared to get back some of the concessions the players made in the previous deal. The union also bolstered its negotiating power by adding four-time MVP LeBron James as vice president. To avoid seeing a dramatic jump in team payrolls in 2016, Silver has proposed gradually “smoothing” the salary cap to help with the adjustment. Roberts stated on Friday that she is against accepting a deal in which her players don’t get all of the money that they’ve earned. When told of her resistance, Silver said he planned to have more discussions with the union. Silver praised the previous collective bargaining agreement for establishing greater parity throughout the league. But the league will soon be flush with more money and big market teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, New York and Brooklyn will have ridiculous amounts of cap room. The Lakers could possibly be $80 million under the salary cap in 2016. Silver also announced that the NBA will play an exhibition game in Johannesburg on Aug. 1. Source: Washington Post

of India report, a clueless Hafeez told Dawn: “I have not said anything like this.This is propaganda aimed at maligning the Pakistan team.” “Pakistani team, players and management are united, there is not any sort of rift or politics in the dressing room,” the all-rounder said. He said that winning and losing was all part of the game but that the conspiracy theories must stop. Hafeez said his interviews to TV channels were taken out of context. “The Press Trust of India must prove what they have attributed to me,” Hafeez said. “I will bring this to the knowledge of the Pakistan Cricket Board because this is a serious allegation,” he added. A report published on leading Indian web-

sites said that “former Pakistan captain and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez triggered off a debate over whether the national team was facing internal problems and issues in the ongoing ICC cricket World Cup 2015”. The report went to say: “Hafeez since being sent back home from Australia by the national team management due to an injury has interacted with the media on several occasions and every time he has had something to say, which suggests that chief selector Moin Khan and head coach Waqar Younis are calling the shots in the Pakistan team and not captain Misbah-ul-Haq.” Pakistan’s former Test cricketer Jalaluddin was quoted by the Press Trust of India as saying: “I don’t know what is Hafeez’s

agenda but the Pakistan Cricket Board needs to speak to him and find out whether there are any problems within the team and Misbah is being sidelined.” The report took another former paceman Tanvir Ahmed on record where it claimed that he added credence to speculations that Hafeez was sent home and not allowed to stay with the team to recover from his injury after he had a run in with Waqar over training schedules. “Hafeez had questioned Waqar’s training methods for the players and felt he was exhausting them before actual matches after which both of them had an argument in Sydney,” it said Source: The Dawn

Hafeez terms Indian media reports a ‘conspiracy against Pakistan team’

Pakistan’s star all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has denied Indian media reports which quote him as saying that the team’s chief selector Moin Khan and coach Waqar Younis are sidelining captain Misbah-ul-Haq. When asked to comment on the Press Trust

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