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Volume 10 Issue 272 Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 AH / December 3, 2010 - $1
Mosque 'arson' after US bomb sting
WikiLeaks Disclosures continue to dominate headlines around the world: The release of 250,000 cables from diplomats has left the United States government scrambling for damage control with its allies. The cables exposed criticism of world governments including Canada, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Afganistan, Saudi Arabia, France, Yemen and others.
Canada shouldn't sweat WikiLeaks: ex-envoy Former U.S. ambassador David Wilkins says classified U.S. diplomatic memos depicting Canadians as whining liberals with an inferiority complex aren't worth the angst they seem to be creating. Three so-called diplomatic cables dispatched from the U.S. embassy in Ottawa while Wilkins was ambassador are among the latest classified documents being released by the online whistleblower site WikiLeaks. In an interview with CBC News late Wednesday, Wilkins characterized the leaked missives as much ado about not much. "If this is all we have, if all anyone could find offensive is a four-page cable talking about certain Canadian TV shows, it demonstrates [the two countries] have a pretty strong relationship," Wilkins said.
The former ambassador pointed out that all of the cables "say there is a very strong bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Canada." One of the cables talks about Canadians having an "almost inherent inferiority complex vis-Ă -vis their sole neighbour" to the south. Another memo from the U.S. embassy to the State Department in Washington spends four pages ranting about CBC television shows filled with what the diplomatic author claims is "anti-American melodrama." The memo takes particular aim at the comedy Little Mosque on the Prairie, and the now defunct drama The Border for offering Canadian viewers depictions of "nefarious American officials
A suspected arson attack has destroyed part of a mosque attended by a US-Somali man accused of plotting a car bomb attack on a Christmas ceremony in the US state of Oregon, investigators have said. One room in the Corvallis Mosque was gutted in the blaze on Sunday while neighbouring rooms suffered smoke damage, according to the town's fire department. Officials said there were no injuries in the blaze, which was extinguished within 10 minutes. "We do have evidence that it was arson," Carla Pusateri of Corvallis Fire Department, said. The fire occurred less than two days after Mohamed Osman Mohamud, who had attended prayers in the mosque, was arrested while attempting to detonate what he thought was a car bomb at a crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland. In what turned out to be a sting operation by the FBI, Mohamud tried to remotely detonate a fake device supplied by undercover agents who had contacted Mohamud months before and pretended to be accomplices in the plot. The 19-year-old took classes at Oregon State University in Corvallis, about 130km south of Portland, and the imam at Salman Alfarisi Islamic Centre, where the mosque was related, had previously told local television that Mohamud "occasionally" attended
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Pakistan row over possible pardon
Around 250 Muslims have staged a demonstration in the central Pakistani city of Lahore, warning the president not to pardon a Christian woman sentenced to death for allegedly insulting Islam. Aasia Bibi, a 45-year-old mother of five who has spent a year-and-a-half in jail on charges of insulting Prophet Muhammad and the Quran, was due to be executed by hanging on November 8. The protesters also denounced any attempt to change Pakistan's blasphemy law, which critics say is often misused to prosecute Christians and other minorities. "We are ready to sacrifice our life for the Prophet Muhammad," chanted protesters in Lahore. Bibi says that she has been falsely accused. Bibi's family is in hiding, and her husband said there have been threats on her life if she is
released - with calls from the mosque in their village to burn down their home. Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, said the family left their village after her arrest, leaving their children without school for more than a year. But Mohammad Salim, the local cleric at the mosque who filed the original charge against Bibi, denied the claims and said there have been no threats against the woman or her family. The death sentence against Bibi has prompted outrage from human rights groups and a personal appeal from Pope Benedict XVI for her freedom. Her lawyer has filed an appeal with a higher court in Lahore, but she could also be pardoned by the president. Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani president, has asked for a review of the facts of the case, raising the possibility of a presidential pardon. One of the strongest defenders of Bibi has been Salman Taseer, the governor of Punjab province, of which Lahore is the capital. Wednesday's protest took place in front of the governor's office and the demonstrators railed against him and others calling for Bibi's release. "We are here to tell them that we will not let it happen," said Masoodur Rehman, one of the leaders of the group that organised the rally. "Only the court should decide her fate." Shahbaz Bhatti, the minister for minority affairs, who is preparing the report for Zardari on the case, said he would deliver his recommendations on Thursday. Pakistan's Christians, who make up less than 5 per cent of the Muslim-majority country's 175 million people, are frequently the targets of accusers invoking the blasphemy law. Source: Al-Jazeera
Pakistani sues US over drone strike
A Pakistani man whose son and brother were killed by what he claims was a US drone strike is seeking $500 million in compensation from the US government over the incident. Kareem Khan said that a CIA-operated drone fired missiles at his house in Pakistan's North Waziristan on New Year's Eve in 2009, killing his son 18-year old son Zaenullah and his brother Asif Iqbal. In a legal notice to US officials, including the heads of the Pentagon and the CIA, Khan's lawyer has demanded a staggering $500 million in compensation. "We say to them that these drone attacks you are carrying out are killing innocent people," Khan told the Reuters news agency, describing the message he wanted to convey to the Americans. The US embassy said that no communication had been received over the case. Pakistan's government has repeatedly criticised the strikes, but experts say they could not occur without help from Pakistani authorities. Khan's lawyer, Shahzad Akhbar, also plans to file a constitutional petition in an effort to force the US to cease the
attacks. "If the government is really pushed, we expect it to say it is happening with their knowledge, but not their consent, that they can't do anything against the United States." Akbar hopes the Supreme Court will then rule the drone attacks illegal and put the United States under moral and legal pressure to end them. "The main aim is to stop drone attacks and two, get compensation for the victims of drone attacks," he said. But Khan's chances of victory are slim, as the strikes are seen as a key part of the Obama administration’s fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Tariq Mehmood, a retired high court judge dismissed the case as a media stunt. "You need to build public opinion against these strikes, stage demonstrations, and hold seminars. Such suits will not work." Khan remains defiant, despite the low chance of success in his legal challenge, which he says he is launching because he cannot attack the perpetrators physically. "I wanted to get revenge, but there was no one to attack. So I decided to sue," said Khan, who is 43. He expressed sympathy with the cause of the Pakistani Taliban, who has carried out a series of deadly attacks in Pakistan in recent years. "I am a Muslim and they are Muslims so they are all my Muslim brothers. They are fighting for the cause of Islam and also for the defence of their own territory and country," said Khan. Drone strikes are a controversial tactic that has attracted widespread criticism, with many believing them to be counter-productive because they could inspire more anger towards the US. Khan said that children in his village reacted angrily when they see drones. "They pick up sticks and they point them towards the sky and make believe they are shooting drones down," he said. Source: Al-Jazeera
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Iran accuses CIA, Mossad of nuke scientist killing Twin blasts in Iran's capital killed a top nuclear scientist and wounded another Monday, with Tehran swiftly blaming the CIA and Mossad for the attacks apparently carried out by men on motorcycles. Slain scientist Majid Shahriari and Fereydoon Abbasi Davani, who survived the attack, were senior figures in Iran's nuclear programme, which the West suspects of having military aims. Tehran denies the charge. The attacks came after diplomatic cables that whistleblower website WikiLeaks released on Sunday revealed Saudi Arabia's king "repeatedly" urged Washington to take military action against Tehran's nuclear programme. Tehran police chief Hossein Sajedi-nia said the scientists were targeted on their way to work in two different parts of the capital by men on motorcycles who attached bombs to
their cars. Iran's presidential office and interior minister accused the US and Israeli intelligence services, the CIA and Mossad, of killing the two who were also professors at Tehran's prestigious Shahid Beheshti University. Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar said the "Mossad and the CIA are the enemies of Iranians" whose "desperate terrorist act against the two academics shows their weakness and inferiority." Israel's foreign ministry declined to comment on the reports. Shahriari was "in charge of one of the great projects" at Iran's Atomic Energy Agency, the Islamic republic's nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. He was also a member of the socalled SESAME project on nuclear cooperation in the Middle East. The other scientist, Abbasi Davani, was targeted by UN
Security Council sanctions under Resolution 1747 adopted in March 2007. He was identified as a senior defence ministry and armed forces logistics scientist. The 52-year-old was "one of the few specialists who can separate isotopes," and has been a member of the elite Revolutionary Guards since the 1979 Islamic revolution, one report said. The police chief said the assailants had managed to escape and that "nobody had yet claimed responsibility" for the attacks. In January, Masoud Ali Mohammadi, another Iranian nuclear scientist involved with the SESAME project, was killed in a bomb attack which Tehran blamed on "mercenaries" in the pay of Israel and the United States. Salehi warned "enemies" of Iran they were "playing with fire" in reaction to the assassination. The latest attacks came a day after the top US
military officer said the United States was weighing military options in the face of Tehran's announcement it had an atomic power plant up and running. Mullen said he doesn't believe that Iran's nuclear plant is for civilian use "for a second." On Saturday, Iran said its first atomic power plant built by Russia in the southern city of Bushehr had begun operations, ahead of a new round of talks with Western powers over the country's controversial nuclear drive. And in July, Iranian nuclear researcher Shahram Amiri said after returning to the Islamic republic that he had been held in the United States for more than a year after being "kidnapped" at gunpoint by two Farsi-speaking CIA agents in the Saudi city of Medina. Source: AFP
Aid groups decry blockade on Gaza For two-year old Nasma Abu Lasma, the Israeli announcement in June that the blockade on the Gaza Strip would be relaxed offered a ray of hope. Nasma was suffering from leukaemia, and the movement restrictions on Palestinians in Gaza that went along with the blockade meant that she had little hope of receiving the necessary permit to leave the beleaguered coastal strip for potentially life-saving treatment. But in June, following intense international pressure, Israel announced that the blockade would be relaxed, and the system of issuing exit permits for those needing medical attention would be streamlined. Nasma died four months later, on October 16, after Israeli authorities failed to issue her with a permit to leave the strip in time for treatment in an Israeli hospital. Her case is being held up by human rights groups as evidence that Israel's "relaxation" of the blockade has in fact offered little improvement to the lives of Palestinians trapped in Gaza. In a report issued on Tuesday, a coalition of 22 international NGOs and human rights groups have accused Israel of failing to make good on its June promises. The report, entitled Dashed Hopes: Continuation of the Gaza Blockade, says the system for issuing exit permits for medical patients is "still arbitrary, unpredictable and time consuming." The groups say that Israel's continued failure to allow medical supplies into Gaza is adding pressure on the system. "The need to refer patients for treatment outside Gaza is being reinforced by Israeli restrictions on entry of medical equipment," the report says. The organisations point out it is not just medical goods that are failing to get into Gaza, but many other desperately needed goods. In particular construction materials are not getting through. The materials are badly needed after the destruction wrought by Israel's military assault on the strip in the winter of 2008. The report says that the import of construction materials is currently at just eleven per cent of pre-blockade levels, and warns that this is having a devastating effect on those living in the Gaza. "Because UNWRA was unable to get construction materials to build new schools, 40,000 eligible children could not be enrolled at UNWRA schools at the start of the new academic year," the report says, adding that the children were referred to schools run by the Hamas government. The UN estimates that Gaza needs 670,000 truckloads of construction materials for housing alone, but the report says on average, just 715 truckloads of construction materials have entered Gaza since the announcement in June. At current rates, it could take decades to build the homes Gaza needs, the report says. "Only a fraction of the aid needed has made it to the civilians trapped in Gaza by the blockade," Jeremy Hobbs, the director of Oxfam International, one of the major organisations that issued the report, said. "Israel's failure to live up to its commitments and the lack of international action to lift the blockade are depriving Palestinians in Gaza of access to clean water, electricity, jobs and a peaceful future." Kate Allen, the director of Amnesty International UK, said that little had changed in Gaza as a result of the relaxation of the blockade. "The so-called ‘easing’ of the Gaza blockade does not change the fact that there’s still a cruel and illegal blockade collectively punishing the entire civilian population," she said. "The only real easing has been the easing of pressure on the Israeli authorities to end this cruel and illegal practice." The report comes days after Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said that the situation in Gaza is "unsatisfactory" because the amount of goods being allowed into Gaza "is not increasing as significantly as it needs to". "It is absolutely essential that the economy is allowed to recover and that people are allowed to invest in their futures," Ashton said, in comments made on behalf of all EU foreign ministers last week. Source: Al-Jazeera
Te e n s h o o t s s e l f a f t e r t a k i n g high school hostage A 15 year-old student with a loaded handgun took a class of 23 high school students and a teacher hostage on Monday in the town of Marinette, Wisconsin. The youth died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, , but the captives were unharmed, according to officials in Marinette, Wisconsin, where the drama unfolded Monday.
Kevin Falcon to promise generational change in leadership bid Health Services Minister Kevin Falcon will promise a new generation of leadership for the B.C. Liberal Party as he announces his candidacy in Surrey this morning, The Vancouver Sun has learned. Falcon has called a press conference this morning in Cloverdale, and another this evening in Prince George. Although he is considered a frontrunner in the race, former deputy premier Christy Clark could change things if she decides to run. Recent internal polling by Clark's supporters indicate she has a significant lead over other potential candidates, including Falcon. The Sun has learned that Falcon, 47, will put forward the notion of generational change as a foundation of his leadership bid. Falcon will also lay out three major themes as part of his kickoff. One will be about leveraging assets within B.C., such as geography, natural resources, people and the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Another will be about the province's children. Falcon is expected to speak about his own experiences as a new father, and how he thinks B.C. can best prepare its children, including the skills they will need. Another theme will be around building and supporting healthy families, which will build on some of the work Falcon had been doing as minister of health services to promote healthy living. Falcon is expected to draw a broad range of supporters to his announcements, and to point to this as evidence he is the candidate who can best hold together the coalition that makes up the B.C. Liberal Party. Meanwhile, Clark, now a CKNW radio personality, learned over the weekend she has a significant lead in the polls over five other potential leadership candidates from within the B.C. Liberal Party. Clark told her talk-show listeners last Friday she is taking time off this week to think "very hard" about joining the leadership battle. The Vancouver Sun has obtained internal polling done by a group of Clark's supporters, who are encouraging her to run. It found she has a significant lead over the other possible contenders, with 40 per cent support. Falcon is in second place, 25 points behind. Attorney-General Mike de Jong -- who has called a press conference for Wednesday in Abbotsford to discuss his own potential leadership bid -- is in third place in the Clark poll, with 12 per cent support. Also included in the poll are: independent MLA Blair Lekstrom, who has said he will not run for the leadership, George Abbott and Solicitor-General Rich Coleman. Moira Stilwell, who announced her leadership bid last week, was not included in the poll. The gaps among the candidates change when only those respondents declaring themselves to be firm Liberal supporters are considered, though Clark still comes out in front. Among the 172 in the poll who say they are "certain to vote Liberal" in an election two years from now, Clark has 35 per cent support. Falcon comes second among this same group of firm supporters, with 21-per-cent support. Coleman comes third with 13 per cent. Source: Vancouver Sun
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Negotiators get down to details at UN climate talks Negotiators got down to the nitty-gritty on the second day of the world climate talks on Tuesday, grappling for a breakthrough on half a dozen issues that will revive the battered UN process. By December 10, the 12-day gathering hopes to kick-start operational work after a year in which political interest in climate change has all but dropped off the map. "The discussions yesterday were generally good, but there are holes," said Nina Jamal of Indyact, a watchdog on green and social issues. "But the negotiations are going to be complex if there is no flexibility by the parties and no political will." The mood in Cancun remains darkened by memories of the December 2009 Copenhagen summit, where more than 120 world leaders came close to a historic fiasco. They had gone to the Danish capital to bless an expected post-2012 pact to brake man-made greenhouse gases, blamed for driving the planet to a future of flood, drought, rising seas and freakish storms. Instead, they entered a maze of national interests and reluctance to pick up the tab for easing dependence on fossil fuels, the backbone of the world's energy supply. To get the process back on track, the 194 parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are under pressure in Cancun to consolidate pledges on carbon emissions and devise ways of monitoring these promises. They are also being urged to give at least an official start to a so-called Green Fund that would help channel hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to climate-vulnerable countries. Technology transfer, help for coping with climate change and averting carbon emissions by deforestation are other areas that look promising. But there was no guarantee that the UNFCCC will exorcise the devil of inter-connectedness -- in other words, a
country or bloc of countries will refuse to sign up to one particular deal unless it gets a break in another. In an early sign that this problem could revive, Brazil warned that developing countries expected a decision to extend commitments under the UNFCCC's Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 as part of an overall deal. "If we don't have a very clear decision on this in Cancun, it will be impossible to have decisions on other issues because we would not have the necessary balance," its chief negotiator, Luiz Figueiredo, said on Monday. The future of the Protocol lies in a second track of the Cancun talks. The treaty ties almost every rich country to targeted curbs on carbon emissions, in a roster of pledges that runs out at the end of 2012. The problem, though, is that the treaty only covers 30 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, as China and the United States -- the world's No. 1 and 2 polluters -remain outside its obligations. Even the European Union (EU), the Protocol's most ardent supporter, says this burden is unfair. But it says it could accept a deal if China and the United States set down promises on emissions that were not only ambitious but verifiable. "The big give-and-take on this is transparency," said EU chief negotiator Artur Runge-Metzger. Another bugbear is the status of the Copenhagen Accord, a compromise agreement stitched together in the dying hours of last year's summit by a small group of leaders but rejected as official text by some developing countries. "We must avoid a repetition of what happened in Copenhagen, at three o'clock in the morning, with a document that was not discussed by all parties," said Bolivian delegate Pablo Salon. Source: AFP
China, India target 'fair, reasonable' border solution
National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon said on Tuesday the fourteenth round of boundary negotiations between India and China had made “steady progress,” with both sides expressing willingness to arrive at a “fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable” solution. Officials from both countries also discussed resuming defence exchanges in wide-ranging talks here over the past two days. Exchanges have been suspended by India since July after China voiced objections to hosting the chief of the Army's Northern Command because the “sensitive” region of Kashmir was under his jurisdiction. India has also called on China to stop issuing stapled visas for Indian citizens from Jammu and Kashmir; a policy officials say violates India's sovereignty. Sources on both sides said China had expressed interest to resume defence exchanges as soon as possible, particularly to send a positive signal ahead of Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to New Delhi in midDecember. Chinese officials have claimed that they viewed their visa policy as an administrative issue and not a political statement, but were taken aback by India's move to suspend exchanges and were now
reconsidering their visa policy. But even if China withdrew its visa policy, sources said, it was likely to do so quietly without any public affirmation, given diplomatic sensitivities on the matter. On Tuesday, Mr. Menon held discussions with State Councillor Dai Bingguo, China's designated special representative for the boundary negotiations. He also met Chinese VicePresident Xi Jinping, who is expected to succeed President Hu Jintao in 2012. On the border talks, Mr. Menon said negotiations were still in the second of three stages, focussing on arriving at a framework to settle the dispute in the western and eastern sections of the border. The first stage, which involved coming up with political parameters, concluded in 2005 with an agreement signed during Mr. Wen's last visit to India. The third and final stage will involve the actual process of delineating the border on maps and on the ground. Negotiations on a framework are likely to remain long, drawn-out, with both sides' positions, publicly at least, appearing far apart. Indian analysts say the recent hardening of China's claims on Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers to as “Southern Tibet,” is likely to rule out any narrowing of differences in the near-term. Chinese analysts say public opinion on both sides is too polarised for either side to sell any settlement in the near future, which both countries agree will require mutual concessions. Reflecting the prevailing opinion in the strategic community in Beijing, the Communist Party's Global Times newspaper quoted Zhao Gancheng, a leading strategist, as saying “the atmosphere for talks was damaged by Indian activities near the border” which had “harmed the chances” of resolving the dispute. Source: The Hindu
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Bangladesh paralysed by opposition strike
Bangladeshi police fired tear gas at protesters near the capital Dhaka Tuesday as a nationwide strike called by the main opposition party brought much of the country to a standstill. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists attacked police as the strike shut schools, shops and brought crucial garment export shipments to a halt. "BNP supporters threw bricks at police, injuring several officers. The bricks just kept raining down," said Alauddin Bhuiyan, district police chief of Narsingdi, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) outside of Dhaka. "We fired tear gas and used baton charges to break up the protests," he said, adding that five BNP activists had been arrested. Minor street battles between police, BNP and ruling Awami League activists were reported elsewhere. The BNP is protesting against the eviction of its leader and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from her home two weeks ago, in a move they say was politically motivated. On November 13, police entered Zia's house in Dhaka, forcing the 65-year-old widow of former military dictator Ziaur Rahman to flee. Zia had lived in the home for nearly 40 years, but a string of court orders, culminating in a Supreme Court verdict on Monday, ruled her possession of the state-owned property was illegal. The nationwide strike halted garment exports, which account for over 80 percent of Bangladesh's total exports, with no trucks arriving at the port city of Chittagong Tuesday, port secretary Farhad Uddin, said. Thousands of riot police were deployed in Dhaka, with some sealing off the BNP headquarters to prevent party leaders from joining the protests. Dozens of opposition BNP activists were arrested following arson attacks on cars and buses on the eve of the strike, deputy police commissioner Abdul Baten told AFP. The BNP said more than 2,000 of its supporters had been arrested, in what BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain called a police crackdown aimed at preventing "legitimate protest". In a similar incident during her time as prime minister, from 2001 to 2006, Khaleda Zia cancelled a long-term lease on another, state-owned property that current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lived in. A struggle for power between the two women has dominated Bangladesh for decades. Analysts say the highly charged events of the past couple of weeks could mark the start of a new round of confrontational politics, often played out in street violence, which has in the past hit Bangladesh's economy hard. Source: AFP
Mosque : Continued from pg 1 prayers there. The Federal Bureau of Investigation offered up to $10,000 for information leading to a conviction in the arson case, saying it would not tolerate attacks on the Muslim community. "This is a big, dangerous mess," Imam Mikal Shabazz, president of the Oregon Islamic Chaplains Organisation and a prominent Muslim activist in Portland, said on Sunday as he learned of the mosque fire. Shabazz said he had just spoken with an African-American Muslim woman who was verbally attacked by a young man in southwest Portland before others intervened in her defence. Sam Adams, Portland's mayor, said late on Sunday that he had increased security at city mosques, Mohamud was due to appear in court on Monday, facing a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the charge of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. A US government complaint quoted him praising the 9/11 attacks on the US and expressing a desire to see "body parts and blood" in Portland. Source: Al-Jazeera
MIR A LE 7 e d i t o r i a l DIPPING INTO THE TAXPAYERS’ POCKETS Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
Though, Mr. Harper’s government offered some incentives to BC and Ontario to adopt the HST in the form of $4.3 billion for Ontario and $1.6 billion for B.C to alleviate some of the economic pain, yet the imposition of the ‘said tax’ has driven up inflation making it much harder for an average Canadian to absorb ‘the resulted-shock.’ The federal government is responsible to collect the harmonized sales tax (HST), and then give back to the provinces. The HST varies in its rate and exemptions between the provinces. Nevertheless, the said tax has changed the taxable status of many items such aselectricity, gasoline, heating fuels, internet access fee, personal services including hairstyling, professional services including legal, accounting, real estate fees, commissions, tobacco etc. In our province, Anti-HST protests and the FightHST campaign led by former NDP premier Bill Van Der Zalm has dominated the headlines for quite a while. Due to a great deal of hue and cry over his government’s introduction of the harmonized sales tax BC Premier Mr. Gordon Campbell faced an unpleasant loss of his own popularity over such an unpopular tax. Even A 15% tax-cut announced in a televised address last month was not able to save Campbell’s dipping popularity. The result was as expected as Campbell announced his resignation from BC Liberals leadership. As the Liberal leadership race heats up this week, an early HST recall referendum is one of the top agenda items of all serious leadership contenders, including Surrey MLA Kevin Falcon, and Abbotsford’s George Abbot. The introduction of the tax has also mobilized people to campaign against recalling MLAs and Ida Chong, Minister of Science and Universities, has become the first target as Elections Canada approved FightHST’s petition to recall Chong from her riding. The ongoing inflationary pressure is one of the major sources of financial discomfort for those who feel the HST’s harsh pinch. Among other reasons, the HST (commonly known as the Harper Sales Tax) has brought a sad scenario to the poor and mediocre families across the country indeed. Furthermore, it is claimed that the (controversial) tax has been designed to stimulate the economy by lowering the tax on raw materials and production just to increase investment. Naturally this has resulted in an immediate ‘soaring up’ in the cost of many ‘previously exempted goods and services.’ Hopefully, the new
harmonization should be able to stimulate the Canadian economy and make provinces more competitive by eliminating the retail sales tax previously hidden in the costs of goods purchased by businesses. Furthermore, a 2% increase in Nova Scotia's HST and introduction of the HST in BC and Ontario has caused a sharp rise in the consumer prices. Canada’s annual inflation, boosted by the HST, touched 1.8% for July after 1% rise in June. The consumer prices in Ontario were up 2.9% from a year earlier after June's 1.6% increase. Similarly, the prices for gasoline, electricity, and passenger vehicle insurance premiums increased as a result. The consumers also paid extra for homeowner's replacement costs. While the consumer prices in BC rose 2% for the 12-month period to July after a 0.5% rise in June. Unfairly, it continues to be hard for the consumers who suffered a 36.7% ‘price jump’ in the cost of electricity, while restaurant prices rose 7.5%. Federal funding to both Ontario and BC, however, is helpful to make the transition from a separate GST and PST to the single HST. Global economic recession and the economic turbulence in the USA have undoubtedly contributed quite negatively to Canada’s economic condition. As per their policy, when the risk is likely to exceed the potential gain, the lending institutions stop lending any further. That is why, the chartered banks on both sides of the border seem reluctant to lend to small businesses. This attitude of the lenders is likely to have an adverse impact on the backbone of Canadian employment market as most of the employment opportunities in both countries mainly depend on small businesses. In reality, the goods, autos, gasoline and groceries etc are much cheaper in the US. Canadian major food purchases are made from the USA, hence the suppliers are being paid in US dollars. Actually, our currency is almost at par with the US dollar, but the fact is ignored and all the purchases end up in our country after making ‘unfair payments’ due to the’ involvement of unnecessary middlemen’ causing additional financial strain to the Canadian consumers. Our current food chain stream desperately needs an overhaul to eliminate the unnecessary cost? Sky high gasoline prices are to come down to relieve the painful situation. Ironically, constant tax increases, taxes hidden in user fee, tax changes and outsourcing manufacturing-sector to forFounder : Nusrat Hussain
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eign countries have compromised the financial life of the Canadians. When it comes to government sector, overspending and ‘burying the future of Canadian children’ under heavy debt load is an ongoing irresponsible attitude on the part of government at all levels. Actually, everyone has to spend money on a wide variety of stuff, consume electricity, gasoline, clothes, car, computer and appliances for personal use. And, there is no alternative but to pay the sales tax. May be, a single sales tax is good for the business people, but it appears to consumers as an additional burden. Moreover, it seems much harder to track the consumer, who switches to cash payment mode or barter system just to avoid the HST. Furthermore, Ontario is experiencing a burst of housing market bubble. This clearly indicates that those who depend on equity in their homes would be in trouble as soon as the housing market bottoms out. Any borrowing against such homes becomes worth less than the actual value of the homes in question. Hence, the uncontrolled inflationary pressure ends up doing more harm in the form of deflationary pressure. Moreover, Governments across Canada at all levels can't seem to focus on basic services which would enable them to reduce their operating costs. There are too many highly paid overstaffed officials causing an extra burden on the tax payers’ pockets. In fact, our currency is losing its purchasing power rapidly. More sadly, there is a ‘price disparity’ between BC and
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Waan laysa lil insani illa ma’ sa’aa That man can have nothing but what he strives for.
his command issued several thousand diplomatic cables during his tenure from 2005 to 2009. If only a few were a bit critical of Canada, "I think it indicates we have a very strong relationship." As for Canada's suffering an "inferiority complex," Wilkins said that perception came from Canadians. "I don't think Canada needs anyone to validate it," Wilkins said. "In fact, right now, Canada is looking pretty good in the banking industry, in the general overall economy — I think we have a lot of lessons we could learn from Canada." The three U.S. memos are among an estimated 2,600 mentioning Canada that are being slowly released by WikiLeaks. Wilkins calls the leaks "totally irresponsible," saying confidentiality is all that allows diplomats to be candid in communications with their respective governments. Source: CBC News
Canada : Continued from pg 1 carrying out equally nefarious deeds in Canada." The missive ends with an extraordinary call to action from Washington. "We need to do everything we can to make it more difficult for Canadians to fall into the trap of seeing all U.S. policies as the result of nefarious faceless U.S. bureaucrats anxious to squeeze their northern neighbour." Wilkins said the embassy routinely issued "dozens" of cables to Washington every week and, while his name appeared on all of them, he didn't actually write them. He said about a dozen American diplomats at the embassy had the authority to issue cables to Washington, and most of the time he didn't approve the communiqués before they were sent. "Sometimes I would go away travelling for three or four days … I would come back and have a stack on my desk, and I would take them home and read them at night or over the weekend." Wilkins said U.S. embassy officials under Editorial Board : Mr.Shums Jillani, Mr Aslam Hayat, Mr. Shams Siddiqui & M.A.L. Naumani Graphic Design: Design Teams Copyright ® 2001 Miracle Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved Printed in Canada
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Alberta. Almost 16 cents per litre ‘price difference’ between Alberta and BC is unfair. It is unfair to manipulate prices on one pretext or the other. With our parity dollar, there remains no justification in the sky-rocketing ‘food and oil prices’ in Canada, because this is truly hurting our irritated consumers. Government needs to keep an eye on combating inflation- yet, resisting any deflationary pressure simultaneously. Federal, provincial and municipal taxes should be reduced to give a boost to the ailing economy as well. High valued Canadian dollar is a definite blessing for Canada to buy imports at cheaper prices. Though, our dollar is almost at par with the US dollar, the prices are much lower south of the border. Ironically, there is heavy taxing in Canada, which is why our financial markets are poised for a gradual collapse unless the government wakes up sooner. The way out: Bank of Canada must maintain “lower interest rates policy” to revive the economic activity. Secondly, decreased taxes for small businesses and the general public are more than welcome. Thirdly, the chartered banks should be encouraged to give out cheaper loans to small businesses as that are essential for our economic survival. Last of all, more rules and regulations are desperately required for fair business practices.
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Islam, God and the Shining Light of Love
By: Dr. William C. Chittick "God is love," the New Testament teaches, and Muslim theologians would respond, "But of course." The problem is that we are not God. As Jesus said, "Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God " (Mark 10:18). There is no authentic love but one, that is, God. This is tawhid, the assertion of divine unity that is the foundation of Islamic thought. Religious discussions of love sometimes address how it descends from its divine status and intermingles with human affairs. In any case, everyone recognizes its attractive power, even if they disagree as to what it is and where it comes from. Rumi mentions the two extremes of disagreement in the verse, For the elect, love is a tremendous eternal light, for the common people, love is form and appetite. (Divan 18197) "The elect and the common people" is an expression used in all branches of Islamic learning to distinguish between the experts and the uninformed. For Rumi, the experts are the prophets and saints. To think that love is "form and appetite" is to imagine that it derives from the realm of sense perception and biological processes. Rumi has nothing against form and appetite, but he sees the distinctiveness of human nature to lie in its openness to the tremendous eternal light. "Eternal" (qadim) means unchanging. The word is contrasted with "newly arrived" (muhdath), which means dwelling under the sway of time and alteration. God is eternal, and everything other than God -the universe and all it contains -- fades away. We change, the eternal light stays the same. We have the appearance of reality, but every appearance disappears. The Quran says that God is "the light of the heavens and the earth" (24:35). The heavens are the high realms of spiritual beings (such as angels and souls), and the earth is the low realm of bodily things. Nothing appears without light. The more intense the light, however, the more difficult it is to see, which explains why the spiritual realm is invisible. No one can imagine the upper limit of physical light, much less that of nonphysical light, which is the consciousness that animates the heavens and the earth.
Spiritual traditions speak of ascending levels of nonphysical illumination, beginning with the obscure sparkles that typify everyday awareness and culminating in the infinite light of the eternal Self. In the Quran's retelling of the story of Moses and the Burning Bush, the light said, "I indeed am God; there is no god but I" (20:14): There is no god but God's very Self, the light of the heavens and the earth. Rumi's verse, in short, refers to the axiom of tawhid, the fact that there is no true light but the divine light and no true love but the divine love. Everything in heaven and earth is the reverberation of the loving light. Each thing arrives newly and departs just as quickly. In relation to the universe, God is like the moon in relation to flowing water. As Rumi puts it, The creatures are like water, limpid and pure, shining therein the attributes of the majestic God... Ages have passed, and this is a new age. The moon is the same, but the water is not. (Mathnawi 6: 3172, 3175) Our scientific worldview is rooted in the measurable, but love and God are immeasurable. Scientific theories that speak of love naturally tend to agree with Rumi's common people: Love is form and appetite, feeling and emotion, impulses in the brain -- all these can be measured. The Quranic and Biblical worldviews see love as none other than the only reality that truly is. The word "reality," of course, fails to stir the heart, and "love" calls for commitment. Those who answer the call can transform themselves and the world. Among the many mentions of love in the Quran, the favorite verse of love-theorists is this: "He loves them, and they love Him" (5:54). This verse puts the Islamic worldview in a nutshell: God brought the universe into existence because of his love for human beings. Human beings fulfill their calling by loving God. The radiance of love's eternal light gives rise to the universe. The goal of love is to overcome separation, to bridge gaps, to bring the two lovers together as one. If love is to do its work, people must recognize the light and love it in return. "He loves them" brought
Islamic events taking place during Muharram • 01 Muharram, the Islamic New Year is observed by Muslims. • 01 Muharram, Shi¯‘ah Muslims begin the Commemoration of Muharram which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala. • 02 Muharram, Martyrdom of Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A), the 2nd Caliph of Islamic empire. • 02 Muharram, Husayn bin ‘Ali¯ R.A enters Karbala and establishes camp. Yazid's forces are present. • 07 Muharram, access to water was banned to Husayn ibn ‘Ali¯ R.A by Yazid's orders. • 10 Muharram, referred to as the Day of ‘A¯shu¯ra¯' was the day on which Husayn ibn ‘Ali¯ R.A was martyred in Karbala¯'. Shia Muslims spend the day in mourning, whilst Sunni Muslims fast on this day commemorating the rescue of people of Israel by prophet Musa from Pharaoh. • 15 Muharram 1297 AH: Demise of Khwaja Sirajuddin Naqshbandi • 25 Muharram, martyrdom of Shi¯‘ah Ima¯m, ‘Ali¯ ibn Husayn R.A
them into existence. Their recognition of the light feeds "They love Him." Once love intervenes, form and appetite lose their luster. The final goal of lovers is to join the shining light at its source. The power that works this transformation is love. One of the many Quranic names of God is "friend" (wali), an Arabic word that combines the senses of "lover" and "helper." Both meanings can be seen in the verse, "God is the friend of those who have faith. He brings them out of the darkness into the light" (2:257). William C. Chittick Ph.D writes for The Huffington Post. Dr Chittick is Professor of Religious Studies, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Hadiths, Sahih al-Bukhari - Volume 2
Volume 2, Book 26, Number 662 Narrated ' Hazrat Aisha (RA) The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of the month of Muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."
Islamic Hijri Calendar The Islamic year has twelve months that are based on a lunar cycle. Allah says in the Qur'an: "The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) - so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth...." (9:36). "It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory, and the moon to be a light of beauty, and measured out stages for it, that you might know the number of years and the count of time. Allah did not create this except in truth and righteousness. And He explains His signs in detail, for those who understand" (10:5). And in his final sermon before his death, the Prophet Muhammad said, among other things, "With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumaada and Sha'ban." Islamic months begin at sunset of the first The lunar year is approximately 354 days long, so the months rotate backward through the seasons and are not fixed to the Gregorian calendar. The months of the Islamic year are: 1. Muharram ("Forbidden" - it is one of the four months during which it is forbidden to wage war or fight) 2. Safar ("Empty" or "Yellow") 3. Rabia Awal ("First spring") 4. Rabia Thani ("Second spring") 5. Jumaada Awal ("First freeze") 6. Jumaada Thani ("Second freeze") 7. Rajab ("To respect" - this is another holy month when fighting is prohibited) 8. Sha'ban ("To spread and distribute") 9. Ramadan ("Parched thirst" - this is the month of daytime fasting) 10. Shawwal ("To be light and vigorous") 11. Dhul-Qi'dah ("The month of rest" - another month when no warfare or fighting is allowed) 12. Dhul-Hijjah ("The month of Hajj" - this is the month of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, again when no warfare or fighting is allowed) Source:http://islam.about.com/cs/calendar/a/hijrah_calendar_2.htm
From Dec 3, 2010 (Dhul Hajja 26, 1431- Muharrum 11, 1432) Dh. Hajja 26 27 28 29 Muharrum
02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 2292922
Dec8 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Day Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
Fajar Sunrise Zawal 5:58 7:47 12:02 5:59 7:48 12:03 6:00 7:49 12:03 6:01 7:50 12:03 6:02 7:52 12:04 6:03 7:53 12:04 6:03 7:54 12:05 6:04 7:55 12:05 6:05 7:56 12:06 6:06 7:57 12:06 6:07 7:58 12:07 6:08 7:58 12:07 6:08 7:59 12:08 6:09 8:00 12:08 6:10 8:01 12:09
Dhuhr 12:09 12:10 12:10 12:10 12:11 12:11 12:12 12:12 12:13 12:13 12:14 12:14 12:15 12:15 12:16
Asr Maghrib 4:20 2:32 4:20 2:31 4:19 2:31 4:19 2:31 4:19 2:31 4:19 2:30 4:19 2:30 4:18 2:30 4:18 2:30 4:18 2:30 4:18 2:30 4:19 2:30 4:19 2:31 4:19 2:31 4:19 2:31
Isha 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:00 6:01 6:01 6:01
Source: Masjid Al Noor
AQEEM USS SALAAT(Establish Prayer)
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Pakistan Canada Association celebrates Eid ul Adha and Welcomes CG of Pakistan
On November 20th, Mr. Shuja Alam, the new Counsel General of Pakistan, was given a warm welcome reception in Eid-ulAdha celebration at Pakistan House in Surrey. Mr. Raza Mirani, General Secretary of Pakistan Canada Association was master of ceremony for the wonderful evening. After the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr. Jamil Chaudhry, he welcomed everyone and newly appointed CG of Pakistan in Vancouver. Mr. Farrukh Alam president conveyed Eid Mubarak and congratulated Hajjaj Karams family with a dua for the acceptance of their Hajj He also mentioned that at Eid ul Adha celebrations, we should remember the flood victims in Pakistan and continue our support. Mr. Farrukh Alam explained that recently Pakistan Canada Association handed over a cheque for over 135 thousands dollars to the Citizen Foundation for infrastructure project of School in flood area of Pakistan. PCA had already given a 25 thousand dollars cheque to HCI on August 14th and 51 thousands dollars which were given to Red Cross Canada. The money was collected by
PCA from Radiothons at Radio India, RJ 1200, RedFm 93.1, Radio Shere-e-Punjab, Omi TV and CBC in Pakistan House. Mr. Alam thanked all of them on the behalf of PCA. Mr. Alam also said, ‘We Pakistani are very unique community and PCA always looks the interest of Pakistan and think always about the betterment of the community in BC, these are the goals which PCA shares to the new Council General of Pakistan Mr. Shuja Alam. PCA had fully supported the past Consul General Mr. Moin Ul Haq at all stages of his excellent work for Pakistani Community and we welcome you at beautiful land of BC’. Mr. Haroon Khan Trustee of Islamic trust of PCA said he recognized the previous Consul general and his team. He said ‘This consul general office dream was of my late father Mr. Riasat Ali Khan and his friends. Mr. Shuja Alam you are in a room with surrounded by the local ambassadors, you can see many old faces, they all done the great job to establish PCA over here and always kept Pakistan and Pakistani community a priority. We feed the homeless people in downtown of Vancouver over the past few years and
Inshallah, we will continue to do so in the future. He urged Mr. Shuja Alam to stand with them for this noble cause. After Mr. Khan Speech, Mr. Mirani invited the chief guest at podium with applause. Consul General of Pakistan Mr. Shuja Alam thanked PCA to provide him the opportunity to know community members in Pakistan House. Mr. Shuja Alam said that he has only been here two months, and was impressed by the different communities and as well as the natural beauty of British Columbia. ‘I felt that you people are such a vibrant Pakistani community over here in BC. I was more delighted when I met men and women, who are running their own businesses very successfully. It makes me happier when they will send more remittance to build a stable Pakistan. He appealed the local Pakistani community to reunite and be part of the solution in assisting Pakistan. He also added ‘You are doing a very good contribution in Canadian society. You have to have continued some linkage with your back home. You are still contributing in flood relief funds. There are a lot of opportunities for investment in Pakistan, move forward and be part in exporters of your
country. Canada has a rich market of Pakistani products, which would be beneficial for both countries, introduce more Pakistani products in Canadian market and generate foreign exchange for Pakistan. A number of times Pakistani President Mr. Yousaf Raza Gallani said that we need Trade, not Aid. Pakistan has the potentials, it is not that place which the media every time portrait on maximum channels. The relations of Pakistan and Afghanistan are very strong since many years. And we are very hopeful that Pakistan and Afghanistan will rid one day from war and terrorism. He also assured his Consul General Office commitments to continue providing services to Pakistanis, expedited visa services for the Indo-Canadian community. He said he would welcome the suggestions from outside to improve the services and trade section. He said, “Inshallah my efforts will be to take the Pakistani community to the next level with your cooperation”. At the end Mr. Mirani thanked all the guests and Mr. Zarar Butt of Calgary Sweets for his delicious dinner.
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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WikiLeaks Exposes Muslim Nations' Hypocrisy By: Muqtedar Khan WikiLeaks is in the process of transforming foreign affairs and international relations in a dramatic fashion. It is revealing over 250,000 cables from US embassies worldwide to the State department and other classified documents. The consequences of this 'mega-scoop' will be very far reaching indeed. For the United States the issues are both strategic as well as ethical. On a strategic level the leaks, which expose frank assessment of foreign leaders by senior American officials and American thinking on many critical issues; will complicate Obama administration's ability to deal with its allies and may increase global cynicism about US intentions. Many of the allies will be angry and distrustful. They will also be afraid of being candid in the future. All players in the future will be trying to second-guess each other, unwilling to articulate what their real intentions and goals are. After all nobody wishes to read a summary of their confidential dialogue with Americans in the New York Times. The revelations may also reverse many of the hard earned diplomatic gains made by the State department over the years in acquiring support for US policies from many nations. On the ethical level, the key question is: what will the American public do with the knowledge that the US government has allies who are known criminals; that it says one thing in public and pursues another policy in reality; bullying seems to be a standard operating procedure and intervening in every affair seems to be a natural
instinct of US foreign policy. Will the Senate, or the House, call for hearings to hold the administration accountable? Will there be a public outcry? The revelations so far about the Muslim World are eye opening. Muslims, even some American Muslims have raised criticism of American foreign policy to the level of religious ritual. Often Muslim radicalism and alienation is explained as a direct consequence of US foreign policy alone. The point being, US foreign policy is anti-Islam and subversive of Muslim nations. Therefore Muslim anger and radicalism against the U.S. while often expressed in unjustifiable ways is still understandable. But now that the Shenanigans of Muslim nations, most importantly their collusion with America's so called anti-Islam foreign policy, is exposed, what will Muslims do? Will they also hate Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt, Qatar and other nations just as much as they hate America? Or will they recognize that nation states, have interests and they pursue them in whatever ways they can; and understand that US foreign policy neither advances nor targets any religion. The preliminary review of the cables by New York Times and the Guardian reveals the duplicity of many Arab nations on foreign policy, especially in the case of Iran. For example in the past few years, Arab nations have publicly countered Israeli propaganda that Iran is a bigger threat to the world, than the resolution of the Palestinian issue, with claims that the failure to bring a just solution to the
Palestinians was the number one issue for Arabs and Muslims. But apparently, privately these same nations have been parroting Bibi Netanyahu's mantra to the U.S., repeatedly asking the US to bomb Iran and even invade it with ground troops. The Saudis refer to Iran, a fellow Muslim and "Islamic nation" as "evil" and have requested the U.S. to "cut of the head of the snake". The same cables also reveal that even now the main financiers of Al Qaeda are Saudi donors. American Presidents, George W. Bush and Barak H. Obama have identified Al Qaeda as the biggest threat to the U.S. and yet they collude with the nation whose citizens are its biggest financiers. Why don't the Saudis cut off the head of the real snake, Al Qaeda, by arresting and imprisoning its financiers? Most Americans know that fifteen of the nineteen terrorists that attacked the US on September 11, 2001, were Saudis. None were Iranians. A significant number of foreign fighters who joined al Qaeda in Iraq were Saudis. This is a classic case of "the pot calling the kettle black!" Do not interpret my criticism of Saudi Arabia as support for Iran. Its current leaders are a bunch of thugs who stole governance from their own people by force and made a mockery out of the idea of an Islamic democracy. It seems that on key issues Arab foreign policy is the same as Israel. Except Israel is open, and Arab states are not. In future if we wish to understood Arab foreign policy, then all we have to do is take Israeli foreign policy and add hypocrisy (nifaaq) to it; voila.
Another level of hypocrisy that Muslim nations seem to be practicing is in their dealings with their own populations. While the US is worried that WikiLeaks latest revelations will undermine its relations with its allies, Muslim governments are worried that these same leaks will expose the extent to which they routinely lie to their own people. Nation after Muslim nation has been supporting and collaborating with the U.S. and lying to its public about the extent of its support for US foreign policy. For example, the Yemeni President acknowledged that he would continue to lie to his people and claim American military operations in Yemen as Yemeni operations. Pakistani government does not want its people to know the extent to which it cooperates with the U.S. on nuclear issues. It is amazing how Muslim governments engage in policies that they know their populations will not approve. Anyway now thanks to WikiLeaks, at least Muslims who hate America for its foreign policy must realize that their own countries are collaborators. Perhaps their hatred will now be more evenly spread rather than just focusing on the U.S. If they don't, then they will be like their own governments -- hypocritical. Dr. Muqtedar Khan is Associate Professor of Islam and Global Affairs at the University of Delaware and a Fellow of the Institute for Social Policy and Understating. His website is www.ijtihad.org . This article was first published at Iviews.
Terrorist: a misunderstood concept By Wajiha Rasul Special to the Miracle Terrorist - the meaning of this term is a person who terrorises or frightens others. The definition of the word terrorist does not point to a person of some specific religion, caste or race. Then why the term is generalized among common masses and why only one religion i.e. Islam is made its target? The purpose of writing this article is to clear the misunderstood concepts of public regarding Islam. Islam does not support any kind of war waged against innocent lives. Like Christianity and other religions of the world it fully supports the respect for humanity. As it∂s clear from the following verse of Quran (the holy book of Muslims) “Killing one Person is as though he killed all of humanity” In my opinion terrorists who claim themselves to be jihadists are not even Muslims. They follow a religion made from their own interests and rules. Islam does not tell Muslims to wage a war against innocent people. In fact it’s such a beautiful religion that actually defines the rules and restrictions of waging and fighting a war. It’s a religion which tells us not to harm wives, children, senior citizens and the property of those who are fighting against you; it allows Muslims only to fight your foe soldiers who are in the combat against you. Then how can terrorists claim themselves to be Muslims if they are not following Allah’s teachings? How can they claim this fight is a jihad? And what kind of jihad is it? Jihad is not about taking lives of innocent humans. These people are not Muslims and are just misguiding the world
about Islam. In fact, they are themselves the true enemies of Islam. They have chosen a path of their own, a path which Islam strictly forbids. One thing should be noted here that these people don’t only belong to one religion. Some of them also belong to different religions other than Islam, the evidence of which was found in Pakistan. In ‘Malakand operation’( name of one of the operations in war against terrorism), when authorities examined terrorists’ dead bodies they found out that they were not circumcised. This clearly tells us that people belonging to only one religion are not involved in this dirty game. Such extremists are creating misunderstanding in the world because they don’t want a peaceful world. They cannot bear a Christian sitting next to a Muslim or a Muslim sitting with a Christian. As it is stated earlier that these people are illiterate extremists who are misguiding the world about Islam and Muslims but what are the literate governments and public doing about this? The clear picture is that after 9/11, the public generally links the concept of terrorism with Islam and similarly a terrorist is considered to be a Muslim. Common masses generalised and mixed these things because their higher authorities did the same. If the public generalizes such things then it is understandable because public comprises of people from all kinds of backgrounds, minds and fields and it is easy to mould their opinions and influence them because they are not very well aware of the every single thing going around in politics. But governments comprise of intelligent and literate individuals and scholars who are well versed in
their respective fields especially in politics and who are well aware of every political scenario around the globe. So, how can they generalize such things? I have seen west leaders claiming that global war on terror has nothing to do with Islam and Muslims but still why there are so many restrictions on Muslims worldwide, especially in the United States which emphasises on “equality for all” and that all the Muslims are not terrorists. I was compelled to believe, what I have never believed before, by the behaviours of London airport authorities when I went there. To them looking like a Muslim seemed to be a crime. I understand all their needs for a security check but I do not understand their racist behaviour. All passengers of the same plane were treated differently. Those who had eastern dresses on their bodies, had a beard and were brownskinned had to go through a strict security check while everyone else was treated in a polite manner. Generally this is called their ‘duty’. But was it their duty to be racist? Recently my father-in-law had to undergo the same kind of racist behaviour which I went through at the London airport at another airport in another country. He was flying to a funeral but the authorities did not allow him to catch the plane on time. On asking he was told that due to his first name i.e. Muhammad and last name i.e. Khan, airport authorities will investigate his background after which he will be allowed to travel. The authorities were not behaving in the same manner to those people whose initial and last name were not Muhammad and khan. That was such a racist behaviour in my opinion. Muhammad is a common name which
only Muslim families proudly associate with their children. So what are they trying to tell the world? Governments on one side claims that they know that Islam is a religion of peace but on the other side targets Muslims only for the whole dirty game. Is being a Muslim a crime in global society? Obviously not! Then why we have to face the consequences of what we have not done? Totally unfair. If governments claim to treat all equally then it should be doing the same kind of security checks for all. Do they really think that terrorists will travel with the same names as their red flagged list and invite the authorities to catch them? Of course not. The dilemma with terrorism is that terrorists are non-state actors just like you and me. A terrorists is a person with two eyes, nose and mouth just like other humans. You cannot locate him/her while standing with innocent people or public. You cannot capture him by simply knowing his/her religion. Such racist behaviour of governments around the world is not eliminating terrorism from the world. Instead they are making people stand against them; they are creating more problems for themselves. Islam is a religion of love and it has always spread peace in the world. Muslims want to peacefully co-exist with the people of other religions. Muslims are not terrorists. In fact terrorists have no religion. They are bound by no moral or ethical boundaries and they follow the path which Islam strictly forbids. Wajiha Rasul is a Canadian writer based in Mississauga, Ontario.
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Muslim Culture Awareness Workshop held by MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee By David Ali The Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) Fraser Region/Vancouver Coastal Region working in partnership with the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) and the MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee, recently organized a workshop inviting MCFD staff to learn more about Islam and the diverse cultural backgrounds of Muslims in BC. The workshop, presented on November 23rd at the Masjid Al Salaam and Education Centre in Burnaby, was attended by 130 MCFD social workers and frontline staff as well as MCFD executives, Ms Barbara Walsh and Mr. Dennis Padmore. Further workshops are being planned for a total of approximately 1600 MCFD staff members. These workshops will serve to promote a better understanding of Islam and the sensitive cultural issues that are important for Muslim children, youth and families. David Ali, an IDRF BC public relations coordinator, began the proceedings by welcoming the participants and Molana Owes
Wahab gave the Quran Tilawat. The chairperson of IDRF BC Chapter, Sr. Farida Bano Ali, outlined the mandate and work of IDRF in the local community. Molana Owes Wahab conducted a presentation on Islamic tenets and values of living Islam, followed by Molana Anees Wahab who emphasized the importance of Islamic history, architecture, and calligraphy. Family counselor, Sr. Shabnam Khan spoke about the counseling process and the necessity of counseling in our community. During his talk, Br. Alnoor Gangji, a family lawyer, who has worked on foster children cases, stressed that physical punishment that may seem normal was in fact a grave action that is often miscalculated in our society. There should be no physical punishment for children under the age of two or over the age of thirteen. Any physical punishment with the use of belts, whips, or anything that will show a lasting effect on a child of any age will be an act of breaking the law and punishable by the authorities. The last speaker was Br. Saleem Spindari, a settlement officer from Mosaic who drew upon on his many years of experience with
refugees and immigrants as he talked about the importance of social services to the needy. He has worked in the field of domestic violence and child abuse with the Muslim Advisory Committee and he is also working in partnership with the IDRF BC Chapter. A vote of thanks was given by Br. Sam Rizvi, a Director IDRF and also a Member of MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee. He acknowledged the executives and the staff of the MCFD, the community representatives, Br. Toshio Rahman representing Senator Mobina Jaffer, the volunteers, and the catering team of Masjid Al Salaam. A very special acknowledgement went to Molana Owes Wahab, Molana Anees Wahab, Sr. Shabnam Khan, Br. Alnoor Gangji and Br. Saleem Spindari. The MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee
is in regular contact with the Ministry and the Minister of the MCFD, the Hon. Mary Polak, to foster a better understanding of the Muslim children and youth in the custody of the Ministry. Approximately 120 children and youth are currently in their care. The evaluation completed by the MCFD participants overwhelmingly appreciated the workshop. Many admitted that it was their first visit to the mosque and found it to be a friendly and welcoming environment.
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Tarek Fatah launches his book “The Jew is Not My Enemy” at Shalom Temple On November 29th, the famous Toronto writer, critic and host Mr. Tarek Fatah visited in Vancouver at Temple Shalom where he spoke about his new book “The Jew is Not My Enemy,” more than an hour. A large number of people of Jewish faith and other community members were present in the packed hall. A Journalist and political advocate Mr. Tarek Fatah is the founder of the Liberal Muslim organization the Muslim Canadian Congress. He is a regular contributor and guest host on the morning show on Newstalk 1010. His first book, “Chasing a Mirage”: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State, was a finalist for the Donner Prize. Rabbi Philip Bregman was the master of ceremony. He introduced host Ms. Marsha Lederman and key note speaker of this evening Mr. Tarek Fatah. Ms. Marsha interviewed Mr. Fateh on various topics including the biggest challenges facing moderate Muslims who oppose Islamic extremism. When answering one of her questions, Mr. Fatah said, “I condemned "interfaith dialogue" and government agency consultations with unprogressive Muslim imams as worse than useless. Who asked you to promote
the most medieval segments of our society?" He noted that when politicians and community leaders want to reach out to the Muslim community, they do not contact leaders like Rogers CEO Nadir Mohamed or Senator Mobina Jaffer. Instead, the first point of contact is almost invariably with Muslim Imams who openly lead prayers for the defeat of the "kafir" (non-Muslims). This is empowering the most extreme and unprogressive leaders while utterly demoralizing Muslim moderates who oppose clerical fascism and terror. "Identity politics" has also undermined the West's ability to deal with a new kind of fascism that contains a virulent strain of anti-Semitism. "If I can't speak against the fascism of Hamas at UBC, how are we supposed to go to war against fascism in other countries?" Fatah asked, suggesting definite parallels between
the West's fight against fascism in the Second World War and today's struggle against the Taliban, Al Queda and other Jihadist groups. "We are today in a fight against fascism" in which the West has essentially disarmed itself while ceding the ideological field to the enemy out of political correctness. Other topics of discussion included criticism of Pakistani politics and the current and past leaders of the country, Bangladesh revolution and court decisions on different issues, Saudi Arabia kingship and their role in western world, dialogue between Jews and Muslims, reorganization of Israel and Palestine, Afghanistan Jihad and the cur-
rent NATO Forces, Mr. Fatah criticized many Muslim leaders and others role in the current world situation. He also emphasized that the Muslims have a lack of good leadership and unity among them. Every Muslim should think about how we can face these challenges. He also engaged in half an hour Q & A session. At the end he autographed copies of his books, which he launched in Vancouver, BC. Editor’s note: While Miracle Media Group respects Mr. Fateh as a Muslim writer, it does not agree with all the opinions and criticisms by Mr. Fateh.
Standing Room only at Harry Bains “Building for the Future” Fundraiser Surrey - Surrounded by supporters Harry Bains addresses a crowd of over five hundred people. “I was humbled by the support from the community.” said Bains. “People from all sectors of society; businesses, truckers, unions, taxi drivers, construction companies, manufacturing companies and individuals who go to work every day and punch a clock paid their hard earned wages to come to this event.” Lashing out at the Liberal Government Bains vows to continue to support working families and all British Columbians. “No matter who the Liberals choose as their new leader they will have to defend the actions of Gordon Campbell” stated Bains. “You don’t change your principles by changing a leader.” he added. “All those running for the Liberal Leadership were part of these decisions.” Campbell’s action to not raise the minimum wage, his decision to rip up collective agreements, the underfunding of education in Surrey, the construction delays for the Surrey Memorial Hospital expansion, cutting support for senior services and making post secondary education unaffordable for many students are just a few of Campbell’s actions that cannot be defended. Harry gave Carole James, Leader of the
Opposition warm accolades in his introduction to the crowd. In addressing the enthusiastic crowd Carole James stated that an NDP government would not only preserve but strengthen the Agricultural Land Reserve, raise the minimum wage, promote green economy and take good care of the most vulnerable members of our society. She emphasized that rather than promoting the politics of division, it is pertinent that the government, business, labour and environmentalists work together for the betterment of British Columbians. For more information: Call Mike McDonald, President, Surrey-Newton NDP 604-802-4267
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
Allama Iqbal Day Celebrated at Al Madina Restaurant On November 28, The Canada Urdu Association celebrated the birthday of Allama Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal, the poet of the East, at Al-Madina restaurant, Surrey. Mr. Muhammad Afzal Malik the president of CUA was the Master of Ceremony. The program was presided over by Mr. Gillchurn Mansoor Singh, Director of CUA. Mr. Malik welcomed the participants and gave a brief introduction of the great poet and philosopher and threw some light on his poetry work. Mr. Naseer Pirzada opened the program by singing the poetry of Allama sahib in his melodious voice. Mr. Mohammad Rafiq read a paper on the poetry of Allama Iqbal. The participants including Mr. Jeevan Singh Rampuri, Mrs. Alam Ara, Mr. Nadeem Parmar, Mr. Manjeet,
Mrs. Autar Kaur Rehancy, Mr. Naeem Lakhan, Dr. Zanbka Malik, Mr. Irfan Malik, Mr. Shams Siddiqui and Mr. Gulcharan Singh Mansoor read the poetry of Allama Iqbal and gave poetic tribute to him. The program was attended by people from different walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. At the end Mr. Malik, thanked the participants, media and the management of the restaurant. The refreshments were served afterwards.
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Eid Milan Musical Evening held in Surrey An Eid Milan Musical Evening 2010 was organized by Farhana Rehman & Sufean Khan on Nov 20,2010 at Taj Banquet Hall in Surrey. There were more than 250 guests at the event. Singers who participated in the program were Megha, Imran Sadiq, Zaeem Nasir and Sufean Khan. A Dance performance was put on by the young men of Now or Never and Vijay Musical Academy. Salman Nasir and Shivraj Ghumman were special guests for the evening.
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Community Cafe discuses domestic violence By: Sadia Sameeullah The Battered Women Services Society hosted a Community Cafe to discuss how all of us can be instrumental in creating safer communities and how do we engage men and women as responsible and responsive partners in creating safe and healthy environment. Sadia Sameeullah, Board member of the Battered Women Services Society reported that 15% of women accessing services from the agency are Surrey residents.B.W.S.S provides support services, counseling and advocacy to women fleeing intimate partner abuse. The key note speaker was a prominent powerful women "Kamal Dhillon", she is a survivor of horrendous abuse and is the author of the book, "The black and Blue Sari".Kamal shares her story with the hope of empowering women and engaging men in creating safety. The Master of ceremonies for the event was Penny Priddy. The discussions were very useful for attendees and every body
Our Goal is to help our children become confident and practicing Muslims according to the teaching of Quran and Sunnah.
had a chance to reflect upon how to bring about a positive social shift in dynamics by beginning to take responsibility and being more mindful and responsive to the issue of domestic violence instead of sweeping the issue under the rug and walking away.
(Admission Open) Welcome Boys & Girls from ages 5-13yrs. Duration 2 Hours, $20/ semester fee Classes will be held on every other Sunday. Location: Surrey Jamea Masjid (Basement)
12407-72nd Ave. Timings: 10:00am-12:00pm To register or for more info: Ph: 604-496-4462, 604-583-0016 604-599-4100 Email: mcnasurrey@yaho.ca
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Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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SPF Precut Lumber wins Wouldn’t it be nice if…? BC 2010 Export Award SPF Precut Lumber joined eight other companies from across the province that were recognized for their contributions to the economy. The 28th Annual BC Export Awards were held during a Gala luncheon ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver hotel on Nov 19. Co-hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the luncheon was attended by leaders from across the province’s business and global trade community. Muhammad Amir (President, SPF Precut SPF Precut Lumber was awarded in Lumber), Jill Krop (Global TV; MC of BC Export the Primary Products & Resources cat- Awards), Mo Amir (Office Administrator and egory. Sales, SPF Precut Lumber), and Fareed Amir Pacific Prince Investments Inc. was (Sales Manager - Asia, SPF Precut Lumber). founded in 1990 by the husband-and12-million boadfeet of lumber with over wife team of Mr. Muhammad Amir and 5-million boardfeet on order at any given the late Ms. Shaheen Zafar in North time, between two reload facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia. Under its Delta, BC and Surrey, BC. In industrial-, tradename, SPF Precut Lumber, the comconstruction-, and furniture-grades, SPF pany would evolve into one of Western Precut Lumber exports a variety of species: Canada’s largest exporters of pallet stock SPF (spruce-pine-fir), Hem-Fir, Douglasand Canadian dimension lumber to the Fir, and Ponderosa Pine. SPF Precut United States, Middle East, Far East, Lumber provides its customers with a Southeast Asia and Europe. greater access to supply, competitive pricSPF Precut Lumber uses a customer-cening, shorter delivery periods, and superior tric approach in creating new markets for specialty wood products custom-remanuCanadian softwood, where European wood factured to its customers’ end-use. products were dominant. In part, SPF With such a widespread global presence, Precut Lumber accomplishes this by SPF Precut Lumber has a reputation for its remanufacturing standard dimensional on-time delivery of on-grade lumber at sizes to metric sizes, thus offering items competitive prices to the highest levels of that are not produced by Canadian pricustomer satisfaction. mary mills. Among other winners were John Furlong Currently exporting 155-million boardfeet who was awarded the leadership award for annually to more than 15 different counhis role in leading VANOC and promoting tries, SPF Precut Lumber stocks more than BC during the Olympics
By Afsar Khurshed Wouldn’t it be nice if the dishonest, unethical, socially despicable companies out there would just say who they really are? “Honesty”, “Integrity”, “Transparency”, “Socially Responsible”, “Ethical”…these are the claims of nearly all companies vying for your hard-earned dollars. They flaunt their holier-than-thou, “principle-based” attitude as they boast their “competitive advantages” and show how they really are better than their counterparts. You’re smarter than that and realize they likely don’t care much about you or your future and are most probably attempting in vain to “ensure” their future while exerting every effort to find the key that will unlock your reluctance and open your pocketbook. The unfortunate reality is that, predictably, the dishonest will not tell you not to trust them, nor will the socially irresponsible divulge their true nature. The onus is on you, the one with the dollars, to do your best to figure out who is telling the truth, who to trust, and where to spend your dollars – or where to invest them. You would be hard-pressed to find a Muslim who would have no issues eating a bacon burger, yet how many Muslims have the same attitude when investing their wealth? No doubt the first questions most of us ask are, “What’s the return? How long? What are the risks?”; how many of us ask, “Is it halal (i.e. permissible in Islam)?” You may have seen some of advertisements around town encouraging Muslims to invest halal. It can be difficult to find halal
In Memory of Dr. Inayatullah A Tribute by Nasim Yousaf Dr. Inayatullah, a well regarded intellectual and co-founder of the Council of Social Sciences (Pakistan), was born on June 3, 1931 and passed away recently. He obtained his Master’s degree in Sociology from Michigan State University and a PhD in Political Science from Indiana University in the USA. Throughout his career as a researcher, Dr. Sahib worked with various UN research institutions. He also taught at the Pakistan Academy for Rural Development in Peshawar and was the Founder Chairperson of the Department of International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Beyond his contributions to newspapers and articles for scholarly journals, he published a number of books, the most recent of which was entitled State and Democracy in Pakistan. Dr. Inayatullah’s accomplishments across academia are certainly formidable, but he will perhaps be best remembered for the organization to which he devoted the last decade of his life: the Council of Social Sciences (COSS). In the late 1990s, Dr. Inayatullah and others recognized the need for an organization to provide a professional forum for the social sciences in Pakistan. Thus, Dr. Inayatullah co-founded the Council of Social Sciences, Pakistan; the organization was officially registered (per Dr. Inayatullah) on June 03, 2000, with Dr. Sahib as President. Dr. Inayatullah was passionately devoted to the COSS and worked hard to build it over the next several years, devoting much of his personal time to recruiting members to the group.
Over time, he grew the COSS into a large entity with regular and life members not only from Pakistan, but also from other countries. Dr. Inayatullah’s success was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the organization as well as his kind and helpful demeanor. Dr. Inayatullah remained President of the organization until 2008. Appreciating his tremendous services for the development of COSS and social sciences in Pakistan, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) bestowed upon him its Lifetime Achievement Award. On a personal level, I first came to know Dr. Sahib in 2003, when he so kindly wrote to me about setting up an award to honor my uncle, social scientist Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan. On February 25, 2003, he wrote, “I knew him [Dr. Khan] closely from 1958. Council of Social Sciences headed by me is instituting an award in his name for best social science book of the year.” I appreciated his idea and moved forward with him. He was so kind to accept my small contribution and wrote, “Thank you very much for your generous contribution…I am sure it will facilitate and accelerate the process for further contributions.” The award was established under the name Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan Memorial Award, and the first award was announced in 2005 (see http://www.cosspak.org for more information). I shall always be grateful to Dr. Inayatullah for setting up this award honoring my uncle; Dr. Inayatullah’s efforts in this regard truly speak to his selfless character.
Through my interactions with Dr. Inayatullah, it was clear that he operated not only with a sense of humility about his own work, but also took a genuine interest in the work of others. Dr. Inayatullah encouraged me to join the COSS writing, “It will add to its strength and further raise our morale.” I followed his advice and joined as a Life Member (since 2003). He also displayed a genuine interest in my research on Allama Mashriqi and the Khaksar Tehrik and so kindly reproduced some of my personal email messages and information on my works in the COSS Bulletin for the consumption of COSS members. On July 05, 2006, he wrote to me, “The Council highly appreciates your research contributions on Allama Mashriqi
investments; perhaps, but how hard have you tried? True, we need more accessibility to halal investments; however, for those that strive, they’ll find quite a few. Like what? We’ll endeavor to shed some light on your options in the next hundred words or so: Charity is the best investment you can ever make. The returns are both instant and everlasting, they are guaranteed, and they are countless times greater than the amount invested. Knowledge – buy a good book, e-book, magazine, CD, or audio-book, the returns on knowledge cannot be measured. Your family – don’t be cheap. Yourself – try out a business opportunity, you can possibly get better returns through your sweat than by outsourcing to others. Your friends and relatives: you may have contacts with business ideas and capacities who lack finances. Muslim organizations and companies like: ISNA, Ittihad Capital, Ansar Group, Keen Builders and others. Like I said, we are shedding some light – there’s only so much you can do in 500 words! To continue learning, check out www.keenbuilders.com/investmentresources “A person shall not move on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about four matters: his life and what he did with it, specifically the age of youth and how he used it, his wealth: where he obtained it from and where he spent it, his knowledge, how he acted upon it.” (Hadeeth)
and Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan…” His kind words meant a lot to me. He also graciously sent me a book that he had co-edited entitled Social Sciences in Pakistan: A Profile. These are some of the memories of him that I shall always treasure. Although Dr. Inayatullah has passed away, he has left behind his intellectual works, including the COSS and the Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan Memorial Award. His efforts on these fronts shall always be remembered. His death has been condoled not only by his relatives and friends, but also by the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan, the Quaid-i-Azam Alumni Association, and the President of Pakistan. May God grant courage to his family to bear this loss and rest his soul in peace. Nasim Yousaf is a scholar and historian who has presented research papers and written many articles and books.
Welcome Back to all Hajjaj and Congratulations Miracle Media would like to congratulate all the Hajj groups returning to their homes after recently performing Hajj in 1431H. We would like to give special thanks to Maulana Abdul Lateef Naumani, who called the Miracle Managing Editor from Mina, Saudi Arabia and on his way to Madina Munawara and described the Hajjaj’s physical and spiritual condition at the time. He remembered all his friends and family in his Duaa everywhere during the Hajj.
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Duties of a Muslim By Dr. Zanbka Malik The Almighty Allah has sent Holy Quran for our guidance. It is a Book which clearly describes and distinguishes between right and wrong, truth and falsehood and good and bad. Are Good and Bad the Same? We all understand the meaning of good and bad, and it is easy to distinguish a good person from a bad one. A good person has good manners, good behavior, is honest and truthful, loves justice and is polite and trustworthy. But a bad person has bad manners, tells lies and bullies other people, and is impolite and deceitful Like most people you probably like good people, and don't like bad ones. Allah also loves the people who do good, and He hates the people who do wrong. For this reason He has sent His prophets to tell the people to do good deeds and stop doing bad deeds. You should adopt the path of truth and virtue so that you may be guided, and should shun falsehood and bad behavior so that you may achieve salvation. Find out your social, moral and religious obligations and perform your duties sincerely. A true Muslim is the one from whose hands and tongue every other Muslim is safe (not at the cost of truth and justice). Fear Allah in so far as the rights of an individual or a society is concerned because you will be questioned about performance of your duties and obligations in the sphere of your activities, “No one of you shall become a true believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself.” (Bukhari) This is one of the most famous quotes of the Prophet(PBUH) and really is a very good one,for a world which is so full of envy,pride,jealousy,selfishness and backbiting.
“There are six duties of a Muslim upon a Muslim:” 1) “When you meet him, greet him,greet him With a warm smile, a friendly face and As-Salaam Alaykum. 2) “When he invites you, respond to him” 3) “When he seeks counsel, give him good advice” 4) “When he sneezes and praises Allah, say to him: `May Allah have mercy on you (Yarhamuk-Allah). 5) “When he is sick, visit him. 6) “When he dies, follow his funeral” If we can fulfill these basic rights of Muslims, it is hoped that much of the envy, malice and hatred in the society will vanish – Insha Allah. Quick quiz: Write Or choose the correct answer: - Name five good qualities of a good person - Name five qualities of a bad person - Why has Allah(SWT) sent prophets? A)So that we can do what ever we feel like doing B) To tell the people to do good deeds C) To stop doing bad deeds D) So that we can harm each other E) All of the above are correct How should we greet a Muslim? What is an Islamic greeting and what does that mean? What does the following mean? Alhamdollilah Subhanallah Inshallah Yarahmuk Allah Astaghfir Allah Jazak Allah For answers, see page 28 Dr. Zanbka Malik holds a medical degree and is an an active Muslim community member.
Meet the IDRF BC Chapter Executive Chairperson:
Farida Bano Ali Farida has had years of experience working in the fields of Psychiatric Nursing, Mental Health and Cross–Disabilities. She is the chairperson of the BC Chapter of IDRF and sits on the MCFD (Ministry of Children and Family Development) Muslim Advisory Committee. In the past, she was an active member of the BC Muslim Association (BCMA) where she volunteered in a number of roles including, chairperson of the BCMA Burnaby Women’s Chapter-social services and secretary of the BCMA Women’s Council and Women’s Affairs. She has also participated in various fundraising events for causes such as the Burnaby Mosque construction. Raising awareness for various issues relating to women, families, new immigrants, and refugees is an important goal for Farida. She was recently selected to participate in Burnaby City Hall’s Social Sustainability Strategic Planning Committee’s Diversity Group. As a member of the Vancouver Interfaith Refugee Council, Farida, along with her husband David, helped to form a committee within BCMA to help sponsor a Palestinian Family
from the El-Hol Refugee Camp. In addition, she helped to initiate the involvement of the IDRF BC Chapter with the Burnaby RCMP Outreach Program helping to provide hot meals for the homeless. Farida is extremely honored to serve as the Chairperson for IDRF and is dedicated to help create awareness of IDRF projects serving those less fortunate locally and globally. She recently helped to organize a workshop on Islamic awareness and exploring Muslim cultural diversity that was presented to MCFD staff and social workers at Masjid Al Salaam. 3 years ago, while Farida was working on local foster children issues, she noted that the cultural, religious, racial, and linguistic heritage of Aboriginal children is recognized and protected by government legislation. Farida proposed that similar recognition should be given to all ethnic and religious groups such as Muslim foster children and families. The MCFD agreed and accepted her proposal and the MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee was formed. Farida is first and foremost thankful to Allah (SWT) for having this opportunity to help Muslim foster children and families – an issue which is close to her heart, Alhamdulillah. Farida is also thankful to the Muslim Advisory Committee and the executives of the MCFD: Barbara Walsh, Bruce McNeill, Linda McNulty, and Dennis Padmore, as well as, Todd Koverchuk, David Ali, and Sam Rizvi.
Issue 272 - Dhul Hajja 26, 1431 / December 3, 2010 THE
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Solutions and keys to our problems By: Ammar Ahmad grade 7 Allah (SWT) has provided us with all the solutions and keys to our problems and worries in life, But how many of us try to use these .I think very few because if we did, the situation in which we are today would not exist. One of the problem which I would like to bring forward is the parents and children relationship in our times .The parents complaints about the way the kids behave and the children feel there behavior is not being understood .Where lies the key to this problem no one tries to find out and how and when to use it . How do the kids of today feel and what is their mind set the parents must try to discover Let us take one issue at a time so I bring forth the issue of not listening to the parents, not being obedient and being rude to them. I just pondered about few issues which children don’t listen to in general: - Its time to sleep, go to bed - Wake up, getting late from school - Finish your homework - Eat your meals while sitting - Read Quran - Stop playing video games, instead go out and play - Clean your room - Give me some water I am not well - Don’t fight with your siblings, be tolerant and patient - Help in the kitchen, dishwashing etc In my opinion kids are learning the rules of life; they are unaware of the fact that they have to listen. In other words, they aren't born knowing that they have to do what you ask them to do - they are born thinking that they're in charge. Ask any two years old and you'll find out rather quickly that it is you who have to listen to THEM! Kids, like older people, prefer to do what they want to do. If a child is reading a book, he wants to read it even though you asked him to close it and start his homework. So he may ignore your "request." If he's playing on the computer, he doesn't want to get off. In his view Parents are all about unpleasant parental demands like homework, eating dinner, cleaning up, brushing teeth, bedtime, and other necessary but un-fun activities.! These shows the children need a lot of training before they become receptive to the parents .Lets see how the Holy Quran guides us towards this Children, in accordance to Islam are entitled to various and several rights. The first and the most important of these rights is the right to be properly brought up, raised and educated. This means that children should be given suitable sufficient, sound and adequate religious, ethical and moral guidance to last them for their entire life. They should be engraved with true values, the meaning of right and wrong, and true and false, correct and incorrect, appropriate and inappropriate and so forth and so on. Allah, the Almighty stated in the Glorious Qur’an: “O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones.” 66:6 Muhammad PBUH also said: “Every one of you is a shepherd. And every one is responsible for whatever falls under his responsibility. A man is like a shepherd of
his own family, and he is responsible for them. “This Hadith is reported by both Burkhart and Muslim. The parents should Express love and show affection. Sometimes parents just assume their kids know they love them but kids need to hear and see this from you directly. Show your kids you love them on a regular basis. Listen to them. You are there to provide instruction but also to listen to your child. This also teaches them by example to listen well to others. Give order and structure. It’s important to provide structure and order in your child’s daily life. Be firm in what you say don’t break the rules set by yourself Set boundaries. Set rule and guidelines about what kids can and can’t do. These boundaries will help them create their own boundaries when they are older as they grow into adults. Have fun. Don’t get so caught up being a parent that you forget to have fun. Your children should see you laughing, smiling and having fun with them. Be consistent. This refers to you as a parent and also to all sets of parents or anyone who gives the child instruction. Stay consistent so that the child doesn’t get confused about what’s going on and what’s expected of them. This is what parent can do and there is a lot more what children have to do Think your parents are your well-wishers Allah wants you to obey them He says Jannah lies at the feet of your mother, you can be worthy of hell or heavens just by pleasing or not pleasing her. It is clear that after Allah(SWT) parents are the persons who give us innumerable favors. They provide protection, food and clothing to the newly born. The mother sacrifices her comforts and sleep to provide comfort to her children. The father works hard to provide for their physical, educational and psychological (and spiritual) needs. It is a matter of common courtesy that if a person does you some favor you feel obliged to him. Verbally you say ‘thank you’ to him. You try to repay and compensate him for his gifts and favors. You feel a sense of gratitude towards him. So it is with Allah and with parents. Allah’s favors cannot be counted or repaid except by thanking Him and obeying His orders. After Allah our parents deserve our thanks and obedience for the favors they had done us. That’s why Quran lays stress on feeling grateful to parents, and doing well to them. “And your Lord has ordained that you shall worship none except Him and shall do your parents all that are good. I have tried to focus on one of the problems of today and find the key. Now it is up to us to use this key and bring happiness into our lives.
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Now Serving Under Muslim Management Proud to serve 100 % Halal No change in Menu and Chef as they are most wanted to the unique style of cooking No more Alcohol served at this restaurant
Contact: Mrs. Farzana & Mr. Tanveer Babar 9436-120th St. (Scott Road) Surrey (Sabzi Mandi Complex)
604-582-8388 Business Hours Mon, Wed & Thur 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri 11:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sat 12:00noon-10:30 p.m. Sun 12:00noon-10:00 p.m. Tuesday Closed.
10% Off on Pick-Up (Except dinner Combo) Order Over $20.00 before taxes
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ALLAH ALONE KNOWS THE TRUTH [#5] ALLAH REVEALS: “And verily We sent messengers before thee, and We appointed for them wives and offspring, and it was not to any messenger that he should bring a portent save by Allah's leave. For every portent there is a time prescribed. Qur’an 13: 38. WHO WAS SITTING NEXT TO JESUS AT THE LAST SUPPER WITH HIS DISCIPLES? One of the world’s widely acclaimed and admired masterpiece of the divine painting, “The Last Supper” painted by world renowned Leonardo Da Vinci. This masterpiece of art was commissioned by the Duke of Milan, in 1495 and was completed by Leonardo in 1498. It is painted on the northern wall of a Church named Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. This painting measures fifteen by twenty-nine feet and has not yet been altered or removed. The technique employed by Leonardo was unprecedented. It is not a fresco but a sort of tempera on stone. This masterpiece of art is seen and admired by billions of visitors from world over. Upon having a closer look at the apostle number six from left to right, one immediately notices that this disciple has no beard or mustache and has long reddish brown hair flowing down the neck. The face and the upper body look like that of a young woman. (To see the painting you can visit www.mostmerciful.com at the bottom on right side) ALLAH REVEALS: “And the entire divine writ with which We have inspired thee is the very truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of early revelations. Surely, with respect to His servants, Allah is well Aware and fully Observant.” Qur’an 35: 31. At end of verse 13: 38 Allah reveals For every portent (sign) there is a time prescribed. And in 1945, whatever of the earlier revelations that was buried in a cemetery by the Church became manifest before the entire world. It is now preserved in Public Libraries. An Egyptian farmer Muhammad Ali, looking for the fertilizer for his farm in a cemetery of Upper Egypt near Nag Hammadi, discovered a 6’ sealed jar containing Gospels, Epistles and Apocalypses handwritten written by several historical figures of the New Testament. On the front page of Times Magazine (Dec. 2003, Canada) appeared in big bold headline which read:
“Early texts that never made it into the Bible are suddenly popular. What do they tell us about Christianity today? Dozens of Christian Scriptures were Holy Writ, then heresy and then forgotten.” These lost documents are now on shelves of Public Libraries. “And Allah will wipe out the lie and will vindicate the truth of His words. Lo! He is aware of what is hidden in the breasts.” Qur’an 42: 24. “And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee and sent before thy time and have the assurance of the Hereafter. They are on (true) guidance from their Lord and it is these who will prosper. Qur’an 2: 4 & 5. Prophetic Sayings that are in agreement with the Qur’an are normally accepted; similarly texts from Earlier Scriptures that are in agreement with the Qur’an can also be accepted. Qur’an reveals to mankind “And he [Jesus son of Mary] shall speak unto men from his cradle and as a matured man in old age, and shall be of the righteous." Qur’an 3: 46
ALLAH HAS SPOKEN THE TRUTH
www.mostmerciful.com/realities-jesus Paid Adertisement
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Hajj Presentation in IQRA Islamic School Miracle reporter: Sondoos Zahid More than 2.5 million Muslims gathered in Saudi Arabia this year to perform the sacred rituals of Hajj. The students of Iqra Islamic school commemorated this event by organizing Hajj Presentations on November 15th and 19th. Children from grade 4, division one of IQRA Islamic school as well as few students from grade 5 and six participated in the performance. The students worked very hard to organize this outstanding presentation which
entertained more then 60 parents. Br. Amer Al- Bashir, a teacher at Iqra, Sr. Fainuma and Sr. Gulnaz from Parents Auxiliary Committee (PAC) organized the event and its refreshments. Students who participated in the presentation were presented with a medal and certificate. Br. Amer was also presented with a small token from the school toward his effort and a bouquet of flowers from the PAC. IQRA Islamic school focuses on teaching students the basic principles of Islam, providing a friendly environ-
ment in which to practice Islam, as well as necessary skills and knowledge to strengthen their Islamic identity and ability to resist external non-Islamic influences. The school programs also model excellence in Islamic manners, personal growth and quality education. Presentations such as these ones educate our young generation effectively in the fundamentals of Islam and provide them with a sense of community and pride in their faith.
MCNA holds Eid Milan Party (Report by MCNA TEAM) On November 21st MCNA (Muslim Children of North America) held an Eid Milan party at the club house at Arbutus Park in Surrey. This Program’s theme was “HAJJ” and “Parents and child relationship in Islam.” Master of ceremony Dr.Zanbka Malik welcomed everyone and invited Hiba Azam to recite the Surah Al-Fajr which was translated by Heba Hussaina and followed by some beautiful Ahadith on “First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah” by Hafsa Farooqui. Some very young and adorable kids presented a beautiful nasheed on “Hajj” which was greatly appreciated by the audience. Some of the older kids did a project and prepared impressive posters related to “the rituals of Hajj” and Qurbani. Aiman Memon,Heba Hussaina, Mihras Tahir, and Saad Ahmad presented it very eloquently. Shaheer Hashmi and Ammar Ahmad delivered speeches on the “Parent and child relationship in Islam” while quoting with Quranic verses and Ahadiths. Kids asked some questions from the
audience about how to be nice to their parents, they gave some very interesting and beautiful answers. Ladies and mothers were also involved and had to answer a quiz prepared and asked by Sis.Tahira. MCNA team had wrapped gifts and goodie bags for all the children present there which they received very happily. In the end, dua was made by Sis. Nusrat and vote of thank was given by Sis. Farooqa and Sis.Tahira. The MCNA team would like to take this opportunity to inform the parents that we conduct MCNA CLASSES at Surrey Mosque from 10.00 am to 12.00pm, every
other Sunday. Please join the team of devoted volunteers and eager to learn young Muslims and supported by donations from community. Thanks to sis Sadia Jameel and sis Farooqa for their generous donations during the program. For further information, contact @ 604-496-4462, 604-5994100 and by email: mcnasurrey@yahoo.ca
Image is not everthing By Touyab Waseem Celebrity status; that awe-inspiring, much envied, ultimate goal of the 'average' person in society. To be admired. To be noticed. To be glorified. Is this a disease or a result of natural ambition? Is the celebrity some sort of superhuman figure, or has the person behind the status lost that bit of humanity? In this day and age the celebrity has power because of their apparent financial wealth and fame. Thus in this materialistic world it comes at no surprise that celebrities are idolised due to the emphasis in society on money and one's reputation among their peers. Movie stars, sports people, music idols are all grossly overpaid as we know. In a world of marketing and image theirs is the prosperity easily gained. Then we have the source of their fame: the media. That widely despised yet hugely popular source of information documenting the world's trials and tribulations. They are determined to undermine people one day and exaggerate their praise the next.
The question I ask myself regularly is: if the media was not there at the film premiere, at the all-important sports event, or in the lives of musicians would they be as popular? More importantly, would we care about the lives of others we deem as our equals if they are given as much coverage as us all? So the famous person becomes world renown and they have their moment in the spotlight. After that, they are forgotten until they improvise with a new image more "in with the times" or failing that using self degradation as a method of self-promotion. Do we really want this as the example for living our lives? We shape our own image to go along with the current fashion yet we don't get any recognition. In fact we try to fit in with the crowd in an effort to be or look normal whilst we also aspire to have the fame and fortune as the well-documented persons of the world. Now we are contradicting ourselves.
Continued on pg 28
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Coffe helps Women’s Blood Pressure ERE's good news for women who love coffee: Drinking it doesn't seem to cause long-term high blood pressure, a study suggests.
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But for some reason, women in the same study who drank colas did seem to have a greater risk of high blood pressure. Researchers were surprised at that and cautioned that the study wasn't conclusive. Caffeine is a well-known ingredient in both beverages, and has been shown to
cause short-term increases in blood pressure. But coffee drinkers in the study were no more likely than abstainers to develop high blood pressure during 12 years of follow-up. Previous data on coffee and hypertension is mixed, but there's a common perception that its temporary effects on blood pressure mean an increased long-term risk, said Dr. Wolfgang Winkelmayer, the study's lead author and a researcher at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We found strong evidence to refute" that belief, the researchers wrote. There was even some evidence that women who drank lots of coffee — four or more daily cups of regular or decaf — faced a slightly lower risk for developing high blood pressure than those who drank little or none. Winkelmayer said that may be because coffee has lots of antioxidants, substances which are thought to help protect the heart and reduce risks of cancer. He called the results for cola drinkers surprising and potentially worrisome, but also far from definitive because it's unclear how sodas might increase blood pressure. The government-funded study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association. Several recent studies have shown possible health benefits from coffee, including a report calling it a major food source for antioxidants; results linking heavy coffee consumption in men with
Cancer the leading killer of Canadians: StatsCan By Neil Haesler Cancer and heart disease are the country's leading killers, according to a report released Tuesday by Statistics Canada. The federal government agency said cancer accounted for 30 per cent of deaths and heart disease 22 per cent. Stroke was third overall at six per cent. Statistics Canada said the rate of cancer deaths was up slightly from 2000. Heart disease and stroke declined slightly. Ranked in order, the seven other leading causes of death in the Top 10 were: chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, influenza and pneumonia, kidney disease and suicide. The 10 leading causes of death accounted for 77 per cent of all deaths in 2007, down from 80 per cent in 2000, according to the report. Statistics Canada said the list has been the same since 2000, but the ranking has changed slightly. In 2000, suicide and kidney disease were ninth and tenth respectively, but by 2007 they had switched places. Causes of death in 2007 varied widely by age group. Accidents and suicide ranked first and second among young adults aged 15 to 34. And among Canadians aged 35 to 74, cancer was the leading cause of death. For those aged 85 and older, heart disease was the top cause of death. Deaths due to cancer reached the highest levels for those in the 55 to 64 age category where it accounted for 48 per cent of all deaths. Statistics Canada said men and women share the top two leading causes of death, cancer and heart disease. Strokes ranked third for women in 2007, while accidents
were the third leading cause of death for males. There were three times more suicides among men than women. And in 2007, women accounted for seven out of every 10 deaths from Alzheimer's disease. Rankings differed slightly from the United States in the same period. In 2007, cancer outranked heart disease in Canada. In the U.S., the rankings were reversed. Twenty-three per cent of all deaths in the U.S. were attributed to cancer in 2007, compared with 30 per cent in Canada. Twenty-five per cent of all deaths in the U.S. in 2007 were attributed to heart disease, compared with 22 per cent in Canada. Stroke ranked third in both countries. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, breast cancer is the leading cancer among Canadian women. The society has estimated one in nine women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime and one in 28 will die from it. The society estimated that 173,800 new cases of cancer will occur over 2010, with 76,200 deaths. Based on 2009 rates, the society estimated 40 per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of Canadian men will develop cancer during their lifetimes. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada said the rate of heart disease and stroke has steadily declined over the past 40 years. However, it also noted that every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke. The foundation has estimated the cost of heart disease and strokes to the Canadian economy at $22.2 billion a year. Source: Postmedia news
a reduced risk of diabetes; and Japanese research suggesting that coffee might help prevent liver cancer. Winkelmayer's group examined data on 155,594 mostly white female nurses aged 55 on average who took part in two longrunning health studies. They were questioned periodically about their diets and health and followed over 12 years. About 33,000 were diagnosed with high blood pressure. Women who drank more than three cups of coffee daily were about 7 percent to 12 percent less likely to develop high blood pressure than women who drank little or no coffee. Those who drank at least four cans of sugared cola drinks daily had a 28 percent to 44 percent increased risk of high blood pressure, compared with women who drank few or none. Diet sodas also increased the risk, although slightly less than the non-diet drinks. Dr. Charalambos Vlachopoulos, a lecturer at Athens Medical School in Greece whose research has linked coffee with mainly neg-
ative cardiovascular effects, said the results "don't necessarily apply" to others, including men and women of other ages and races. Nutritionist Margaret Savoca, whose work has linked caffeinated soft drinks with higher blood pressure in black teenagers, said she suspects caffeine explains Winkelmayer's results in heavy cola drinkers, too. Women who drink a lot of soda might have other characteristics that make them different from those who drink lots of coffee, and caffeine might affect them differently, said Savoca, of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Sodium might also be a culprit, said Dr. William Frishman, chief of medicine at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. Though a single can of soda doesn't have much salt, drinking lots of soda can add up and high blood pressure was most common in those who drank four or more cans daily. "No one's going to say that cola is dangerous," said Frishman, who added: "It should be consumed in moderation."
What Is Counselling All About? By Shabnam Khan M.P.C.P,R.P.C. Family Counsellor Counselling. What is it all about and who needs it? There is a lot of reluctance in seeking counselling services in our community. It’s a fact that individuals will suffer rather than seeking professional help. For some, things will automatically change one day. The question is for how long and till what extreme are these individuals prepared to torture themselves? How long are they prepared to wait and then realize one day, that it has been too late. Too late that they have lost so many valuable years, lost a relationship or lost a loved one due to their own negligence and living in denial. Counselling is a process of learning how to make good life decisions! It is rectifying the problem, working through the problem and making some positive changes in your life for a better and healthy lifestyle. You may be comfortable to discuss your issues with your friends, families and religious leaders, but how often have you felt that you are not coming to any particular decision? You are still confused, angry, undecided and living your life full of fear. Getting help, at the right time, with the right professional, is very important! When you are in a Counselling session,
you can relate all your problems and issues in a Confidential and Respectful manner. As a counsellor, my concern is to ensure that unique strengths are invested in our therapeutic work to the benefit of all individual clients. At times, it becomes very difficult to listen to one’s own thoughts, feelings, intuitions and too easy to lose contact altogether with our inner-self. Listening to the self is one thing, coming in terms with what one hears is an altogether a different matter. Counselling is a very therapeutic process. We may personally know of so many children, youths, couple and families who are struggling in their life but not dealing with the issues in the appropriate manner. They are living with negative thoughts, always trying to please others, no courage to express their own feelings and so on. Though there are a lot of challenges and reluctance in seeking professional help, I believe that we can break these barriers and bring the true essence of counselling in our community. I love to see people progress through the counselling progress! There is always a beginning. Shabnam Khan is a local family counsellor. If you would like more info about her services, please contact the Miracle.
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Panorama: Three Fifa World Cup officials took bribes
Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira took the money from a sport marketing firm awarded lucrative World Cup rights, the programme alleges. The alleged bribes are included in a confidential document listing 175 payments totalling about $100m (£64m). The three men did not respond to Panorama's allegations. Fifa, world football's governing body, also declined interview requests to address the allegations. In its programme broadcast on Monday evening, Panorama reported on evidence of a fourth senior Fifa executive's continued involvement in the
resale of World Cup tickets to touts. The BBC has received criticism over the timing of the programme, which comes ahead of Thursday's vote by Fifa's executive committee on who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals. England is competing with Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium to host the 2018 tournament. The BBC has defended the timing of Panorama, saying the programme is in the public interest. But Andy Anson, the head of England's 2018 bid, told the BBC he was "disappointed with the timing" of the programme. "It is certainly not going to win us any votes so we just have to see what happens tonight and move on," he said. He added that members of the Fifa executive committee worked closely with each other "and of course if one of them gets hurt the others feel it. That's just life". In a statement following the Panorama broadcast, England 2018 said the programme was "an embarrassment" to the BBC. "We stand by our previous position that the BBC's Panorama did nothing more than rake over a series of historical allegations none of which are relevant to the current bidding process. It should be seen as an embarrassment to the BBC. "The 2018 team are entirely focused on winning the bid for England." The alleged bribes to the three members of Fifa's executive committee were paid by sports marketing company International Sport and Leisure (ISL) and date from 1989 to 1999, Panorama reports. The company
collapsed in 2001. Fifa granted ISL exclusive rights to market World Cup tournaments to some of the world's biggest brands and ISL received millions more from negotiating television broadcast rights. A former account manager at ISL, Roland Buechel, said staff had long suspected bribes were being paid for the lucrative Fifa contracts. "It is huge money, billions, that can be earned and all the sports marketing companies they fight, they want it," Mr Buechel said. Some details of the alleged bribes emerged in 2008, when six ISL managers were accused of misusing company money. One Fifa official - Nicolas Leoz, of Paraguay, the head of South America's football confederation - was named in court papers in connection with payments totalling $130,000 (£83,000). But Panorama has obtained a confidential ISL document which lists 175 secret payments. It shows Mr Leoz was paid a further $600,000 (£384,000 using current conversions) in three instalments of $200,000. Mr Leoz did not respond to requests for comment on Panorama's allegations. The second Fifa official named by the programme, Ricardo Teixeira, is head of the Brazilian Football Confederation which is responsible for staging the 2014 World Cup. The ISL list shows a front company in Liechtenstein called Sanud received 21 payments totalling $9.5m (£6m). Source: BBC News
LeBron James, Erik Spoelstra meet With the team struggling and speculation swirling about player unrest, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra held a half-hour meeting with LeBron James on Monday afternoon. Spoelstra did not term it a clearingthe-air type conference, saying it was primarily about the Heat's recent offensive struggles. While both seemed to emerge on the same page, there was no denial that the Heat are dealing with some internal issues. "I call these 'healthy conflicts,'" Spoelstra said. "I truly believe these are good for a team. As long as you can survive these, it'll make you stronger. It'll make your bond stronger." James, who has said he isn't having as much "fun" this season as in the past, said he will talk with Spoelstra directly about problems. Heading into Monday night's home game with the Washington Wizards, the Heat had lost four of their last five games and James said it has led to some frustration. But James denied he was personally frustrated with Spoelstra, who has asked James to change some of his offense this season. That has included playing mostly point guard. "I think there's frustration from everyone," James said. "As far as me and Spo being frustrated with each other, I don't think there is. I have Coach Spo's back or whatever the case may be. This is who we have. "If I have something to say to Coach Spo, I'm going to go to Coach Spo. If he has something to say to me, which he's done, he's going to come to me. It is nothing I'll take behind his back. I've never done that, I will not do that." James also denied that he was trying to send a message to Spoelstra when the two bumped during the third quarter of Saturday night's loss in Dallas. As the Mavericks were on a run to take a 10-point lead, Spoelstra called an angry timeout and stormed onto the floor. James walked past Spoelstra and the two made contact. "I didn't realize it and I don't think Coach realized it either until it was brought to our attention," James said. "Incidental contact, I guess." Source: ESPN
PAKISTAN CAPTURE HOCKEY GOLD AT ASIA GAMES The Pakistan Men’s Hockey team defeated Malaysia 2-0 to win its first gold medal in men’s hockey since 1990. Sohail Abbas opened the scoring in the first half by scoring off a penalty corner.
Canucks eye better road games According to head coach Alain Vigneault, there’s only one way to play whether the team’s at home or on the road and that’s the “right way”; however, through the first two months of the season the numbers show the Canucks are significantly better on home ice. Vancouver failed to win on the road in October, going 0-3-1 in four games and through their first 11 away from Rogers Arena (4-5-2) the Canucks have just 10 of a possible 22 points. Meanwhile Vancouver is 8-2-1 at home. The Canucks are preparing for a two-game trip, which sees them in Calgary to play the Flames on Wednesday and Chicago to face the Blackhawks on Friday. One of the points of emphasis for the team is carrying their solid 5-on-5 play at home on the road. Heading into their tilt with the Flames, Vancouver has scored nearly 40 per cent of its goals on the road with the man advantage. On the injury front the Canucks could have a couple bodies back by the end of the road trip, as Kevin Bieksa and Alex Bolduc are close to returning. Bieksa revealed Monday he’s been battling the flu, which turned into pneumonia and forced him to miss Friday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks. The defenceman, who lost eight pounds while battling the virus, said he’s been feeling symptoms since as far back as the team’s 2-0 loss in Montreal on Nov. 9. “It affects your energy level and stuff like that, but it’s that time in the season where viruses are flying around and guys are giving them and taking them,” Bieksa said. “I plan on practising [Tuesday] and I plan on playing in Calgary. I’m on the home stretch [Monday] hopefully. As for Bolduc, it’s been nearly two months since he last saw game action. The centre made the Canucks’ opening day roster on the team’s fourth line, but went down with a high ankle sprain during the Oct. 9 season opener after being hit by Los Angeles Kings forward Jarret Stoll. According to the Canucks, Bolduc will be on the team charter to Calgary Tuesday and the 25-year-old is eyeing the Chicago game for his return to the line-up. The Canucks haven’t ruled out the possibility of a conditioning stint in Manitoba of the American Hockey League for Bolduc, who has missed 21 games. Source: Globe and Mail
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Bride Wanted
BCMA – Burial Notices
MATRIMONIAL
If you would like your contact information to be added on the burial notice mailing list, please reply to burial@thebcma.com
BCMA Social Service To all newly arrived brothers and sisters of immigrants, refugees or moving from other province into B.C. we welcome you among us and would like to connect with you. Please introduce yourself to the bcma@shawcable.com or reach us on this number (604 270 2522) and leave a message in English or in your own language. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
YOU CAN BE HERE! Special Deal! Advertise in our classifieds sections for two issues and receive the third ad FREE! Call now to book your space: 604-690-0400
Matrimonial ads in Miracle 25 Years old, fair and six feet tall boy, Newspaper are for Muslim and Bachelors of Engineering-Electronics from SFU, presently working in Qatar as a Project Non Muslim community, where they serve as a facilitating process Engineer, Urdu Speaking, Syed family settled in BC for arranged marriages. They are essentially dialogues between families, using the medium of newsGROOM Wanted papers, where particulars of the 26 Years old pretty Girl, tall, educated,US citiindividual to be married and the zen, degree in BA. Economics. Parents lookfamily are detailed, as well as the ing for match in BC. If interested, please contact by above email. requirements from prospective partners and their families. All information is reserved under the private and confidential policy
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Self-Advocacy and the Legal System: A Training Series -a workshop by immigrant women, for immigrant women
of Miracle
This training is provided FREE of cost. Refreshments and bus tickets will be provided. Participants will receive a certificate and binder To register, contact your local BCMA women's chapter or call
Sr. Tazul at 604 619 0953 Supported by BC Muslim Association, Battered Women Support Services and the Law Foundation of BC
Answers of Page 16 Questions Aslam oalaikum Peace be unto you Allah ho Akbar Allah is the greatest Alhamdollilah Praise be to Allah Subhan Allah Glory be to Allah Astaghfirullah I ask forgiveness from Allah Jazakallah Allah grant you goodness keting for anybody to Youth : Continued from pg 25 know of his qualities. A man who was evidentBehind all the glitz and the glamour one ly far superior yet taught humility and has to look through to the heart of the wellsought more to relate to humanity than known person's life. They are not allowed seek reverence and elevation. If there was privacy, something everyone needs to stay ever an example for us to appreciate and sane. Their quality of life is determined by follow, we must realize that we have been everyone else but themselves, causing insecurity. They frequently go down the given one already. His is the peaceful life of extreme party lifestyle, usually resorting to contentment, prayer, contemplation, wisdrugs and many sordid activities usually dom and above all, endless praise of Allah. well documented by their long lost friend We were given the word of Allah, then the the media. Theirs is the life of insecurity, example for which to abide by. No matter instability, and most importantly discon- how many times this simple sentence is tent. Let's face it; we can all wear a smile repeated we are still blind to it, proving the when there's a camera crying for our atten- ignorance of us all. tion. We can all put a brave face on our lives The celebrity life is very a difficult goal to when we fear for the judgment others will attain, yet to follow the example of the come to on our lives. The life of a celebrity Prophet (saw) is merely a matter of choice. I will leave you the readers to decide which is not as it seems, my friends. Now let me move onto a positive solution. is the easiest and which is the most rewardWe have been rewarded with the greatest ing in this life and the Hereafter. example humanity has ever known, even Waseem is born and bred in Oldham, UK. acknowledged as the most influential figure He is studying Computer Science at the of the previous millennium by a western University of Manchester, and is an active poll. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was member of The Sunni Muslim Youth. the person for whom this world was created. The perfect human, he needed no mar-
Marriage
Bureau. Contact: naseer@telus.net
December 4th & 11th; 1pm to 5pm Masjid Al Salaam (5060 Canada Way, Burnaby) By participating you will gain necessary skills to be more effective in information seeking, communicating and problem solving. The skills you learn can be used in your personal, social and professional life.
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27 Years old pretty Girl, 5ft6 inch tall, educated, New Jersey US citizen, degree in BA. Political Science. Parents looking for match making in BC. If interested, please contact by above email. 32 Years old pretty Girl, tall 5 ft 8 inch, Law Graduate Works in Washington DC, Highly paid, Parents are looking for best match make in BC or Washington DC. Groom
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For above all Matrimonial Ads Please send email for inquary at naseer@telus.net
NOW MIRACLE IS AVAILABLE AT ALL BCMA MASAJID LOCATIONS PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THE MIRACLE AT: BURNABY: Masjid As Salaam, Sarpino’s Pizzeria
VANCOUVER: Samosa Garden, Collingwood community centre, Hafiz Halal Meat , Golden Video, Raja Cinema Masjid ul Haqq, Red Fort Restaurant, House of Dosas, Jamea Masjid Vancouver, Best Burrito, and Tandoori Restaurant ,Mecca Market
Main Street: Jasmine Halal Meats, Good Morning Paan, Jubilee Halal Meats, Aryan Conv. Store , Main Kabab Hut, Tasleem Video, India Restaurant Hamalaya Restaurant, Main Paan, Main Video Punjab Food, Fruiticana, New Dehli Paan, Gaba Travel, Dosas & Restaurant
Fraser Street: Al-Mansoor Video, Salam Fraser Restaurant and Sweets, Fruiticana, Bains Travel, Fraser Musallah, Vancouver Public Library, Al-Watan Restaurant, Az -Zawiah Musallah, Dhaka Bazaar, Noor Jahan Halal Meat, Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Fraser Kabab RICHMOND; Richmond Jamiah Masjid, Himalaya Sweets, Paan Shop, Fruiticana, Zam Zam Restaurant, Gurdawahra Sahib, Az Zahara Islamic Centre
NEW WESTMINSTER: Islamic Education Centre
SURREY: Masjid Al-Huda, Sizzling Pizzaria, Gourmet Noodles, Fleetwood Islamic Centre, Sofi’s Shawarma & Donair, Al-Hussainia Centre, Masjid Al Noor, Pak Punjab Samoosa, Chicken World, Chili Pepper House, Sabzi Mandi, Shaista Halal Meat, Asian Spice, Delta Mussallah, AL-Madina Pizza, Aisha Islamic Centre, Diamond Sweets, Singapore Restaurant, Express Conv. Store, PICSSeniors Homes, Islamic Academy of Canada, Afghan Chopan, Fiji Islamic Centre, Afghan Chopan Restaurant & Banquet Hall, Calgary Sweets, Best Paan & Flower Shop, Zabiah Foods , 777 Pizza, HSN Accountings, Biryani Garden, South Asian Meats , Pak Bazzar, Galaxy Travel, Masjid Al Rahmah, Gulberg Market, Instant Photo Copier, Sabzi Mandi, Shiraz Electronics, Haji Hair Cut, Tibisti Halal Meats, Surrey Jamea Masjid, Newton Public Library, Newton Arena , Lahore Say Restaurant, Barney’s Pizza & Chicken, Paan Palace *Also available at many other Indian Grocery stores, Restaurants, Banks, King George Sky Train Station, Abbotsford, Coquitlum and major Offices lobbies,
E.Mails: miraclenews@telus.net & naseer@telus.net Call for more info:
604-690-0400
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BCMA approved ~ Halal Meat Shop