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Volume 11 Issue 287 Rajab 29, 1432 AH / July 1, 2011 - $1

Unity is Power: Alhamdulillah, representatives and officials of the BCMA and the Shariah Council of BC reached an agreement on Verified Moon Sighting Policy that will govern all decisions pertaining to RamadaÂŻn and both Eids. BC Muslims look forward to celebrating Ramadan and Eid togeter. See details on page 9. Photo by: M.N. Pirzada

France confirms Libya arms drops The French military has confirmed that it airdropped weapons early this month to civilians fighting in rebel-held areas in the western part of Libya.

Colonel Thierry Burkhard, a spokesperson for the French general staff, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday that the military had dropped assault rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers to groups of unarmed civilians it deemed to be at risk.

Earlier in the day, the Le Figaro newspaper and the AFP news agency reported that France had dropped several tonnes of arms, including Milan anti-tank rockets and light armoured vehicles.

The airdrops arrived somewhere in rebel-held towns in the Nafusa mountains, which run east-west from the Tunisian border around 100km south of the capital Tripoli.

The admission by France has already provoked a reaction from the African Union (AU).

"What worries us is not who is giving what, but simply that weapons are being distributed by all parties and to all parties. We already have proof that these weapons are in the hands of alQaeda, of traffickers," Jean Ping, the AU Commissioner, said.

"These weapons will contribute to the destabilisation of African states."

Rebels control most of the Nafusa, up to the town of Yafran, while regime forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi still hold Gharyan, a key town that lies astride the north-south road to the capital.

On March 19, a coalition of NATO countries launched a military intervention in Libya under the mandate of a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at protecting civilians from the onslaught launched by Gaddafi after mass protests broke out against his rule in mid-February.

The Security Council resolution established a no-fly zone, asset freeze and arms embargo on Libya and various regime entities.

The terms of the NATO mission in Libya have provoked controversy for months. The UN resolution 1973 authorising action says the NATO operation is to protect civilians, but France's admission raises major questions about how far that mandate goes.

The French military spokesperson said France had become aware in early June that rebel-held villages had come under pressure from loyalist forces.

"We began by dropping humanitarian aid: food, water and medical supplies," he told the AFP news agency.

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Pakistan says stop "blame game" at U.S., Afghan talks

Pakistan on Tuesday called for the “blame game” to stop as the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan met to discuss security in the region amid a Taliban insurgency and heightened tensions over cross border shelling. President Hamid Karzai has condemned the firing of 470 rockets from Pakistan into Afghanistan over the past three weeks. Islamabad says only that “a few accidental rounds” may have crossed the border when it pursued militants who had attacked its security forces.

The escalation of fighting on the border between Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun tribal areas and Afghanistan has underscored the difficulties the three countries face in working together to reach a political settlement to the 10-year Afghan war. “We need to end this blame-game,” Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, told a news conference after a meeting of three countries in Kabul, without making any specific reference to border shelling. “We need to take ownership for our own affairs, this problem will not go away if we keep on pointing finger at each other, we have done it for too long and I

think it is time that our two great nations decide.” Afghanistan has often blamed elements within the Pakistan government for supporting the Taliban insurgency. Pakistan blames Afghanistan for giving refuge to militants on its side of the border, particularly in eastern Kunar province, leaving it vulnerable to counter-attack when it chases them out of its own tribal areas. The talks were formally aimed at mapping out plans for reconciliation with the Taliban, but the shelling had been expected to dominate the agenda.

The meeting, between US envoy Marc Grossman and top diplomats from Afghanistan and Pakistan, followed President Barack Obama’s announcement last week of a faster-thanexpected troop withdrawal, accompanied by talks with the Taliban. Top military commanders of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States met in Kabul on Monday to review the situation on the border, a Pakistan army statement said.

Pakistan, badly bruised after US forces found and killed Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani town of Abbottabad on May 2, is keen to show it has a constructive role to play in helping the United States to bring stability to Afghanistan. It has long wanted the United States to hold talks with the Taliban to seek a political settlement to the Afghan conflict which it says is fuelling its own domestic religious insurgency. The United States has come some way towards sharing that view, opening its own preliminary talks with the Taliban. Karzai has also been pushing for reconciliation with the Taliban and for the first time in the 10-year war, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States all share — in theory at least — a commitment to seek a political settlement. (Source: Reuters)

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AJK Elections Fallout: MQM ministers submit resignations MQM’s federal and provincial ministers submitted their resignations on June 28. Although Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won Azad Kashmir’s elections, but it lost one of its coalition partners, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Federal ministers, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and Dr. Nadeem Ahsan sent their resignations to Prime Ministers while provincial ministers, Faisal Sabzwari, Rauf Siddiqui, Nadia Gabol, Sheikh Muhammad Afzal, Muhammad Ali Shah, Shoaib Bokhari, Raza Haroon, Adil Siddiqui, Zubair Ahmed Khan, Abdul Haseeb, Dr. Sagheer Ahmed, Syed Sardar Ahmed, Nisar Ahmed and Khalik personally presented their resignations to acting Governor Nisar Khuhro.

They wrote in the resignations that the PPP did not treat them well despite their party’s earnest efforts to be part of the coalition in the best national and public interest. They said the law and order situation in the country was worst.

They wrote that governance has been poor overall while it is worst in Sindh. They also wrote that the PPP’s posture in

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the AJK elections exposed to the MQM what kind of coalition support they were expected to offer to the government.

The MQM would not take such dictation (of staying away from polls), they wrote.

Meanwhile, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad who submitted his resignation as Sindh Governor had left for London from Karachi.

Talking to the media at the airport, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad said that he was appointed as the Sindh Governor because of MQM chief Altaf Hussain and he had submitted his resignation due to the recommendations of the Altaf Hussain and MQM Rabita Committee. Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, after handing in his resignation as Governor Sindh on Monday, left for London via Dubai along with his family where he is expected to meet with Altaf Hussain. Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro took the charge of Acting Governor. After assuming charge, the Sindh Governor protocol was transferred to Nisar Khuhro. Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza was made acting Speaker.

Notifications of Nisar Khuhro and Shehla Raza appointment have been issued. On Monday, MQM leader Dr. Farooq Sattar announced his party’s decision to pull out of the ruling coalition. Accusing PPP of poll rigging in AJK, MQM leader Raza Haroon rejected the results. He said that MQM’s differences with the government were based on principles, not on seats. MQM, he said, would play the role of an active opposition in centre and province. Haroon further said that his party’s decision to opt out of the ruling coalition was final, explaining that MQM would never support the politics of force. After announcing their decision to split from the coalition government, the MQM ministers in Sindh did not show up at their offices. On Tuesday, MQM Provincial Ministers, Rauf Siddiqui, Nadia Gabol, Sagheer Ahmed and Raza Haroon did not go to their offices. Their offices were locked while the other staff members were waiting outside. (Source: Pakistan Observer)

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Police clash with protesters in Cairo

Egyptian security forces fired tear gas at protesters in Cairo during violent clashes that left several injured, an AFP photographer said. Tahrir Square, the epicentre of protests that toppled president Hosni Mubarak, was sealed off as police continued to fire tear gas into the early hours of Wednesday and a thick white cloud hung over the square. Hundreds of protesters had gathered there and the numbers were still swelling, witnesses said. One protester, speaking on a loudspeaker from the square's main mosque, urged others to stay put and called on police to withdraw and stop attacking them. A reporter for Egyptian satellite channel al-Hayat had described the scene as "a street war between riot police

and protesters." According to the interior ministry, the trouble started when a group of people stormed a theatre where a memorial service was being held for those killed in the uprising that toppled president Hosni Mubarak in February. A security official said the group then headed to the state TV and were joined by hundreds who began to throw rocks before heading to Tahrir Square. But activists said the families of the victims had been denied entry to the memorial in Cairo and were beaten by police. "After being denied entry .... clashes erupted between protesters and security guards at the theatre. The police showed up and started beating the families of martyrs," pro-democracy activist Arabawy wrote on

his blog. Nearly 850 people were killed during the popular revolt that brought Mubarak's 30-year rule to an end.

Witnesses told AFP that buses unloaded young men armed with sticks and knives, accusing remnants of the old regime of stirring chaos. When protests erupted on January 25 to demand Mubarak's ouster, the veteran leader's loyalists used hired thugs to beat back protesters. Tuesday's clashes erupted just hours after a Cairo court ordered the dissolution of local councils, which were dominated by Mubarak's National Democratic Party. "I don't think the timing of these clashes is a coincidence," said one witness to satellite channel ON TV. "It came just after the dissolution of the

local councils, a decision which I'm sure will make many people (from the old regime) very angry," the witness in Tahrir Square said. Television footage showed protesters chanting: "the people demand the fall of the Field Marshal," referring to Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which took power when Mubarak stepped down. Protesters who first took to the streets to demand the overthrow of Mubarak, began shifting their anger towards the ruling military council, accusing it of using Mubarak-era tactics to stifle dissent. Activists have called for a massive rally on July 8 aimed at keeping up the pressure for democratic reforms.

Source: AFP

Gaza flotilla ship 'sabotaged by divers' A Swedish ship due to join an upcoming Gaza-bound aid flotilla has been sabotaged in the Greek port of Piraeus, organisers say. In a statement, they said "hostile divers had destroyed the propeller house and cut the propeller shaft" of the vessel Juliano on Monday. The ship is part of the 10-vessel Freedom Flotilla II that is expected to set sail from Greece and elsewhere for the Gaza Strip in the coming days in a bid to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian territory. About 350 proPalestinian activists from 22 countries are likely to participate. Israel insists the latest flotilla is a "dangerous provocation" and has vowed to intercept it.

Organisers of the flotilla, however, remain defiant and said the Juliano would be ready to sail within one or two days after being repaired. They said they had documented the sabotage with their own camera-equipped divers. "We are sad that people are doing such things but we are determined to continue to Gaza," Dror Feiler, one of the organisers, told Al Jazeera from aboard the Juliano. "We will not be frightened by Israel, and we are going to continue. Our friends from all around the world are with us, and we are all going to Gaza." Mattias Gardell, a spokesperson for Ship to Gaza Sweden, also condemned the act of sabotage. "It's one thing for a foreign power to press the Greek government to delay our voyage with red tape. It is quite another thing for enemy agents to operate on Greek territory. "It is high time for the international community to put their foot down and say: Enough!" Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted senior Israeli officials as saying that "radical elements" among the flotilla activists had stated an intention to "spill the blood of Israeli soldiers". According to Tel Aviv daily Yedioth Aharonoth, military sources said participants of the flotilla were planning to pour chemicals, such as sulfur, on Israeli soldiers.

But according to activist Feiler, the goal of the flotilla is to "come in peace" to Gaza. "We are shocked by the Israeli actions, and their propaganda that we have weapons and acid and are going to attack Israeli soldiers, when we are all dedicated to peace," Feiler said. "We will not throw objects or attack them in any way." The flotilla comes a year after another aid shipment was intercepted by Israeli commandos. At least nine activists were killed when commandos stormed Mavi Marmara, the Turkish-owned lead aid ship.

Besides the Juliano - named after Juliano Mer-Khamis, the Arab-Israeli actor, director and political activist who was shot dead in the West Bank town of Jenin in April - boats from Greece, France, Italy and Spain are also among those joining Freedom Flotilla II. Two cargo vessels will carry medicines, a fully equipped ambulance car, and cement. A number of journalists are among those taking part in the bid to break Israel's five-year naval blockade on the Gaza Strip, which is home to 1.5 million Palestinians. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary-general, and several international leaders have urged the flotilla not to set sail, and the US has warned its nationals not to join the attempt to break the embargo. The border has remained largely shut since June 2006, when Israel imposed a tight blockade on the coastal territory after Palestinian fighters snatched Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who is still being held. The UN has called the blockade illegal and repeatedly demanded it be lifted. A ban on civilian goods and foodstuffs was eased last year but many restrictions remain in place.

Source: Al-Jazeera

N AT O a i r s t r i k e k i l l s 8 c i v i l i a n s in W Libyan town A NATO airstrike killed eight civilians and injured some others Tuesday at a market in the town of Tawragha, 300 km east of the Libyan capital Tripoli, said Libya's official news agency. While confirming the eight victims were all civilians, the Libyan Jana news agency quoted a military source as saying that some of the injured are in critical condition.

250,000 Afghans 'flee homes in two years' More than 250,000 people have been displaced in the last two years of fighting in Afghanistan, and "local police" programmes sponsored by NATO have exacerbated the problem by arming militias, according to a new report from Refugees International. Most of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) fled "international and Afghan military forces' operations against the Taliban," the report found. It also concluded that many IDPs are not receiving adequate assistance from the Afghan government or the United Nations. Displacement is nothing new in Afghanistan, where millions have fled their homes during decades of war and conflict.

But the Refugees International report argues that the pattern of displacement has changed. "Now, people are increasingly unwilling to return home because they fear their villages are no longer safe," the report states. The report is especially critical of the Afghan Local Police (ALP) programme, which trains and equips local "defence forces" in Afghan villages. The programme has trained more than 6,500 fighters, according to the International Security Assistance Force, a joint US-NATO command in Afghanistan, and US commanders hope to reach 30,000 ALP members by year's end. Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, was reluctant to approve the programme - favoured by General David Petraeus, the outgoing commander of ISAF because of fears that it would empower warlords.

Lieutenant commander Colette Murphy, a spokeswoman for ISAF, insists that recruits are properly vetted. "Shuras are held by [Afghan government] officials to enusre that the district is prepared for Afghan Local Police, that the shura is representative of the community, and that the selected ALP members are vetted and approved," Murphy said. But

NGOs in Afghanistan say that vetting often doesn't happen, or that it fails to keep bad actors out of the programme. Gran Hewad, a researcher with the Kabul-based Afghanistan Analysts Network, wrote in March that former Hezb-i Islami fighters working for the ALP kidnapped villagers for ransom. And the New York Times reported earlier this month on an ex-Taliban member and current ALP recruit in Kunduz province who imposed an "Islamic tax" on villagers in his community. The report is also critical of home raids and air strikes, both of which have displaced tens of thousands of Afghan civilians.

Some leave because their homes are destroyed, others because they no longer feel safe in their villages.

Both have also caused deep resentment among Afghans. Karzai has demanded that NATO forces stop raiding homes and air attacks. But NATO has actually increased its air strikes since Karzai's ultimatum - it carries out around 12 per day - and home raids continue as well. The IDP problem has grown particularly acute in northern Afghanistan: 30,000 people have already been displaced from their homes last year, a seven-fold increase from last year, according to Refugees International. Security in northern Afghanistan has deteriorated since 33,000 American troops began "surging" into Afghanistan last year, most of them in the south.

Insurgent attacks in Jowzjan, Badakhshan and Balkh provinces have more than doubled since last year, according to data from the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office. "It makes sense when you think about how international forces have been squeezing in the south," Yoshikawa said. "They [the Taliban] are not putting up a fight there. Why bother? They're moving to other places."

Source: Al-Jazeera

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Wildfire forces evacuation of US nuclear lab town Thousands of residents calmly fled the town that's home to the Los A l a m o s nuclear laboratory as a rapidly-growing wildfire approached, sending up towering plumes of smoke, raining down ash and charring the fringes of the sprawling lab's property. The blaze that began Sunday already had destroyed an unspecified number of houses south of the town, which is home to some 12,000 residents. It also forced the closure of the pre-eminent U.S. nuclear lab while stirring memories of a devastating blaze more than a decade ago that destroyed hundreds of homes and buildings in the area. On Monday afternoon, the flames were just across the road from the southern edge of the famed Los Alamos lab, where scientists developed and tested the first atomic bomb during World War II. The lab activated its emergency operations centre overnight and cut natural gas to some areas overnight as a precaution.

Officials said all hazardous and radioactive materials were being protected. Los Alamos County fire chief Doug Tucker said the current blaze -- which had grown to roughly 20,200 hectares, or 200 sq. kilometres by midday Monday -- was the most active fire he had seen in his career. By midafternoon, it had jumped a highway and burned an acre of land on the outskirts of the lab's 93-sq. kilometre complex. Lab officials assured that radioactive material stored at various locations on the lab property was safe from the flames. The anti-nuclear watchdog group Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety said the fire appeared to be about 5.6 kilometres from a

dumpsite where as many as 30,000 55-gallon drums of plutonium-contaminated waste were stored in fabric tents above ground. The group said the drums were awaiting transport to a low-level radiation dump site in southern New Mexico. Lab spokesman Steve Sandoval declined to comment on that assertion, but did acknowledge there is low level waste stored in drums on lab property that is regularly taken to the Waste Isolation Pilot Project site in Carlsbad. Traffic on one of the main roads out of Los Alamos was bumper-tobumper Monday afternoon as residents followed orders to leave. Authorities said about 2,500 of the town's residents left under earlier an earlier voluntary evacuation.

The fire has the potential to double or triple in size, Tucker said, and firefighters had no idea which direction the strong winds would take it. In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy's inspector general issued a report that said Los Alamos County firefighters weren't sufficiently trained to handle the unique fires they could face with hazardous or radioactive materials at the lab.

Lab and fire department officials at the time said the report focused too much on past problems and not enough on what had been done to resolve them. Some problems also were noted in previous reports. On Monday, lab and fire officials said they were confident that if the flames reached lab property they would be able to protect its sensitive facilities. The lab, which employs about 15,000 people, covers more than 93 sq. kilometres and includes about 2,000 buildings at nearly four dozen sites or "technical areas." Those include research facilities as well as waste disposal sites. Some lab facilities, including the administration building, are in the community of Los Alamos while others are several kilometres away from the town.

Source: CTV News

Dutch approve ban on religious animal slaughter The Dutch parliament has passed a bill banning the slaughter of livestock without stunning it first, removing an exemption that has allowed Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules. If enacted and enforced, religious groups say observant Jews and Muslims would have to import meat from abroad, stop eating it altogether, or leave the Netherlands. However, the bill must still pass the Senate, which is unlikely before the summer recess, and the Cabinet said Monday the law may be unenforceable in its current form due in part to ambiguity introduced in a last-minute amendment. If the Netherlands outlaws procedures that make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, it will be the second country after New Zealand to do so in recent years. It will join Switzerland, the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, whose bans are mostly traceable to pre-World War II anti-Semitism.

Dutch Deputy Secretary of Economic Affairs and Agriculture Henk Blekers said: "The Cabinet will give its judgment over the proposed law after it has been treated by both houses." The Cabinet will "also look at how it fits with freedom of religion," Blekers said, citing the European Convention on Human Rights. Lawmaker Marianne Thieme of the Party for the Animals — the world's first animal rights party to win seats in a national parliament — welcomed the approval of the bill that she had first introduced in 2008, and said she was now prepared to defend it in the Senate. "It's a great honor," she said. She has argued that sparing animals needless pain and distress outweighs religious groups' rights to follow slaughter practices "no longer of our time." But the threat of a possible ban has led to outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups who say it infringes on their right to freedom of religion. Around 1 million Muslims live in the Netherlands, mostly immigrants from Turkey and Morocco. The once-strong Jewish community now numbers 40,000-50,000 after more that 70 percent were deported and killed by the Nazis during World War II. "The Dutch Jewish community is small and the Jewish kosher meat consumption is smaller still, but the impact

on our community is deep and large," said a committee of rabbis pleading with parliament not to pass the law in an open letter Tuesday. "Older Jews are frightened and wonder what the next law will be that limits their religious life. The youth are openly asking whether they still have a future that they can or want to build in the Netherlands." A solid majority of Dutch voters say they support the ban, and parliament voted for it by a margin of 116 for to 30 against. Ritual slaughter rules prescribe that animals' throats must be cut swiftly with a razor-sharp knife while they are still conscious, so that they bleed to death quickly. Support for the ban came from the political left, which sees ritual slaughter as inhumane, and from the anti-immigration right, which sees it as foreign and barbaric. Only Christian parties were opposed, arguing the ban undermines the country's long tradition of religious tolerance. Centrist parties were initially divided, with many of them loath to lose the support of Muslim voters. Last week they introduced an amendment that says ritual slaughterers may still be granted licenses — if they can "prove" that it does not cause animals more pain than stunning. Science is divided as to whether ritual slaughter does cause more suffering. The Royal Dutch Veterinary Association says it believes that during "slaughter of cattle while conscious, and to a lesser extent that of sheep, the animals' well-being is unacceptably damaged." Other observers, including noted American animal welfare expert Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, have said animals do not appear to show more distress when a ritual slaughter is conducted properly. Elbakkali Elkhammar, chairman of the Dutch Council of Imams, said that religious groups should be given the benefit of the doubt.

"There are various opinions about this matter, both from Islamic jurisprudence as medical science, that sometimes approve of other protocols for ritual slaughter and sometimes forbid them," he said in a statement.

"The solution is therefore to leave the rules unchanged."

Source: Associated Press

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Council rival demands that Vancouver mayor’s role be part of review

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says he was in regular contact with Police Chief Jim Chu about policing matters, as downtown crowds grew significantly for live-site viewing of the Stanley Cup finals. The mayor has been under fire by some critics for not being more hands-on in police preparations for Game 7, and for being unable to solicit from Chief Chu the precise numbers of police deployed the night the riot erupted. But Mr. Robertson said: “Any concerns of the chief were voiced to me around what would happen during the playoffs. … We discussed them thoroughly, and that is why I made sure anything the VPD needed, with respect to city resources, was delivered.” The meeting was council’s first since the June 15 riot, and Ms. Anton wasted little time pressing her attack on Mr. Robertson. She demanded that his role be part of the provincially funded, independent review and the city’s own internal review of the riot. When Ms. Anton went beyond her allotted five minutes to ask questions of city manager Penny Ballem, who was updating council on the city’s own review of the riot, Mr. Robertson cut his rival off. He suggested she do her “political grandstanding” outside council chambers. The two clashed again at the end of Ms. Ballem’s presentation. Ms. Anton demanded more time to ask questions. Mr. Robertson said no. Calling the riot “a critical incident,” meanwhile, Ms. Ballem said staff is already amassing information on decisions leading up to Game 7 and the riot. She said the city’s corporate management team will be conducting an “internal audit” of events and deciding what can be learned from what went wrong. The review is being headed by deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston. She added city leaders would sit down with the co-chairs of the separate, independent review to ensure that the many reviews going on do not operate at cross purposes. Councillor Ellen Woodsworth disclosed that she phoned the mayor’s office shortly before Game 7 began, to express her concern at the mood and size of the crowd developing in the live-site fan zones. “I could see something was building. People were trapped behind the fence, and hundreds more were pouring in. It seemed like nothing could be done,” Ms. Woodsworth said. Councillor David Cadman questioned the decision to have the huge video screens for watching the games concentrated in one area. “You could tell by 4 p.m. that trouble was brewing. Maybe there should have been a number of viewing areas, like the Olympics, instead of just one,” he suggested. Outside the chamber, Ms. Anton continued to attack Mr. Robertson for his role ahead of Game 7. “He invited 120,000 people downtown, and he had no plan,” she said, charging the live-site celebrations were run out of the mayor’s office, instead of arising from a council decision. Asked why she had not raised these concerns before Game 7, Ms. Anton said she did bring the matter before council.

Source: Globe and Mail

France : Continued from pg 1 "During the operation, the situation for the civilians on the ground worsened. We dropped arms and means of self-defence, mainly ammunition."

Burkhard described the arms as "light infantry weapons of the rifle type" and said the drops were carried ou t over several days "so that civilians would not be massacred".

Though Burkhard framed the French weapons supplies as a method of protecting civilians in accordance with the UN mandate, it was still unclear whether such air drops violated the arms embargo.

NATO countries such as the United States have tried to emphasise that they are not taking sides in the conflict and that their strikes on Gaddafi's armour, anti-aircraft emplacements and command bunkers are only meant to protect civilians.

They have denied trying to kill Gaddafi, though US Admiral Samuel Locklear, a NATO commander in Naples, Italy, reportedly told a visiting US congressman in May that they were actively targeting and trying to kill him.

Source: Al Jazeera and Agencies

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“PHASED PULLOUT”-POLITICAL/ECONOMIC REMEDY Referring to Afghanistan invasion, there were originally two announced goals: 1. Get Bin Laden 2. Neutralize Al-Qaida.

Now, it isn’t so difficult to decide what to do next. Simple! If mission has been accomplished, that’s end of the game and that’s it.

On the other hand, however, there is an ongoing problem with “Taliban militancy.” They belong to the country’s opposition class unofficially - having civil issues and civil remedies.

Yes! Culturally, the Pashtuns are raised with guns in their hands and are specially trained to fight any invader at whatever cost.

Now, If President Obama decides to leave the troops where they are at the moment, Pentagon feels more than happy, yet the president is likely to face a political backlash which may cost him his presidency in 2012 elections. Hence; a political calculus over military strategy carries more weight indeed.

Nevertheless, a number of defence and political pundits in Washington feel that Pres Obama was initially stuck in the middle of an intersection, yet facing another difficult scenario where he was somewhat puzzled - not knowing exactly what to do with Afghanistan.

However, he ended up choosing the best “preservative” essential for longevity of his own job in the US presidency for the next term.

Now the US is desperately looking for a political solution via bringing the “angry Taliban” to the negotiating table. Unfortunately, the Afghans have already suffered a lot from the dumb war. Moreover, President Hamid Karzai

has already revealed that the US is in talks with Taliban.

Luckily, the opinion polls released hours before the Obama’s address suggest that as many as 65 percent of the Americans are opposed to this war. VOW! Finally, the US authorities are going ahead with their pull out plan to move all combat forces out of Afghanistan by 2014, after full 13 years as envisioned by Donald Rumsfeld.

But, reduction of 10,000 troops this year and 23,000 by next summer before the total pullout in 2014 is not only too little but is too late as well. Thus, a larger and faster withdrawal is necessary to save the unhealthy economy from total ruin.

Had the US been lenient and vigilant enough in the beginning, it could have solved all the disputes on the negotiation table. The nasty war would have been completely avoided.

Amicable solution of the disputed issues is always available if there is a will. Surely, a huge collateral damage of property and loss of several thousand innocent lives could have been averted.

Instead, Obama tripled the troop strength creating a major war and a major expectation that US would prevail against the Taliban and destroy the phenomenon of terrorism. But, all in vain - Mr. Obama now knows very well that the Taliban are still undefeated. It isn’t hard to figure out who is defeated instead.

Clumsy political kids always make mess; hence it is harder to figure out what and how

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‘EYE FOR AN EYE’ By: Gulshan Aalani Hundreds of people joined the rally at the Art Gallery (on 26th) organized by the friends and students of St. John’s college UBC in support of Sister Rumana Manzur who suffered the most gruesome monstrous revengeful attack by her monster husband. Who inflicted her with the most serious injury by gouging her both the eyes and biting her nose, all done in front of her 5 yr old daughter.

Such horrific violence resulting into tragedies from minor domestic disputes is so common in all the different nationalities, and is not going to go away by chanting: give freedom to women, give education, as we have all the freedom and education yet the violence on Women is still on going, which can be seen on TV shows: Dr. Phil, Mauri Povich, Oprah etc.

As a matter of fact Women needs to learn one thing and that is to fight back the physical attackers by taking the defense classes, Karate, or Kick Boxing to defend themselves against the aggressors like Rumana’s husband who could easily gouged her eyes and she couldn’t do a thing, not even able to push him away.

So to bring true Justice we have to follow the Divine ruling of ‘Eye for an Eye’, although It sounds gruesome but in this case he must pay for his criminal act by: 'Eyes for Eyes', to set example for others who would think twice before hurting women.

Also, the biggest mistake done by Sister Rumana is to go back to the House alone after defying her husband’s ruling, who was furious for leaving him and the young child for months going away miles away in a foreign country, then you just cannot trust him and go back in the house alone: unless he compromised and

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they were communicating with each other while she was studying.

If there was no communication then she should have either made an effort to reconcile throughthe 3rd party without entering his house, or should have filed for divorce.

We can not have both the ways that is for sure.

Let us pray to Allah-Creator-GOD to help her and restore her eyesight. ‘Amen’.

Vancouver Riot by ‘Hurtful Fanatical Fans'?

By: Gulshan Aalani Were they the fanatic fans or the trouble makers, anarchists, and criminals as described by the Law officer?

The loss of Stanley cup turned some of the Canucks fanatic fans into the unbelievable, despicable, shameful, violent rioters in Vancouver that reminded the 1994 riot.

Is this violent riot same as riot in Libya, Iran, and Syria? The criminal rioters do not differ in their actions; they show their anger at someone or at the opposition party.

Yet, unfortunately, the Vancouver riot was against the Police, the businesses, and the properties, for no good reason.

Most perplexing, is the reason of the violent riot that erupted after game 7 Canucks loosing.

Why was it so painful for some fans for loosing?

Were they expecting to get Millions of cash from the Vancouver Canucks if they won?

Obviously not!

Then what is the reason to be noisy jubilant screaming, hooting and celebrating whole night when they win and turn into hooligans

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much US has gained from this war exactly.

So ironic, Obama in his speech only mentioned about Americans killed in this war but uttered no word on Afghan or Pakistani deaths or collateral damage done to thousands of innocent civilians, who were killed for no fault of theirs.

Who is responsible for all those deaths? Who will pay for the long occupation and devastation of a country that has already suffered so much?

US officials maintain that threat has been effectively neutralised in Afghanistan, the US would withdraw 33,000 troops from Afghanistan, whereas the remainder of 57,000 soldiers are staying behind.

As the US looks ahead to its “phased withdrawal” from Afghanistan, its eyes are actually on Pakistan as next adventure in pursuit of the remains of al Qaida if any.

Since, the huge cost of deployment and human lives has actually attracted criticism from congressional leaders as well as the public, President Obama (running for re-election) needed to reassure the American public that the end of the war was near. So he managed to please all concerned.

There is an extremely big monthly $10 billion price tag on the Afghan conflict. On top of that a slower economic recovery is among the factors affecting the president’s recent verdict.

“Over the last decade, we have spent a trillion dollars on war at a time of rising debt and hard economic times,” Mr. Obama said.

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when they loose?

These criminals should be captured and put in the Guatanamo and not the 15 yr old child Omar Khadar who was misguided obviously but helping his elders to fight their enemy. It is crystal clear from such violent behavior that the society has buried the ethics and Moral values, there is neither Christian value nor Canadian value in such pathetic behavior.

Consequently, one wonders if this is the result of too much ‘Freedom’ or the lack of ‘Religious’ values or the ‘Mothers’ are loosing their grip over their children or have no time to teach them the Moral values, and integrity.

One of the rules of Sharia/Divine Law strictly established by the Universal Messenger Muhammad (SAS) saying: “Do not destroy other people’s property, but take care of it”.

Violation of this ruling is considered a ‘Sin’.

However, we didn’t see any East Indians or Muslims joining in the violence, screaming joyfully while burning cars, burning buildings, property damage, breaking business show cases, looting, (urinating on fire) turning more violent and getting more excited seeing the Cameras pointing at them, and making the Most idiotic childish gestures, all that captured by the Cameras. Could it be that they follow the strict cultural and religious ruling to keep away from such violent criminal behavior?

The religious and righteous ones are fearful for their future generation and are reluctant to integrate with such rioters who are leading others into the ‘Darkest’ future.

Isn’t this the right reason not to integrate with such to protect their own ethics and moral values? Let us teach the young ones: Loosing cup is not the end of the world but loosing the Scriptural religious values is the doom of all the works and education.

Editorial Board : Mr.Shums Jillani, Mr Aslam Hayat, Azhar Syed, Mr. Shams Siddiqui, M.A.L. Naumani, Mr Tariq Main Graphic Design: Design Teams Copyright ® 2001 Miracle Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved Printed in Canada

Website:

Waan laysa lil insani illa ma’ sa’aa That man can have nothing but what he strives for.

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Attention: The opinions expressed herein contain positions and viewpoints that are not necessarily those of ‘The Miracle’. These are offered as a means for ‘The Miracle’ to stimulate dialogue and discussion in our continuing mission of ‘Bringing Harmony To All The Communities.’

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“Now, we must invest in America’s greatest resource: our people.”

Usually, foreign occupation is counterproductive. It gives rise to dependency cycle for the invaded land which is heavy burden upon the tax payers of the invading country. The USSR invaded Afghanistan in search of a gateway to the warm water port in Pakistan or Iran. The Soviets couldn’t stand the tough resistance by the proud Afghans backed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the US of course.

If the military intervention makes no sense, the objective should be an immediate withdrawal. There is no need for a decade-long deployment of the US troops. The USSR returned home and the US is almost getting out. A destroyed country full of dead ones is left behind.

The effort to transfer responsibility for security to Afghan forces remains unimaginable as the Afghan troops are still unfit for the job. An ongoing Corruption in President Hamid Karzai regime continues to be rampant; hence is thought provoking for the Afghanis and Pakistanis.

Well done! Mr President, you have finally realised to refocus your energies on the economic development of your own people.

www.miraclenews.com

Quran: 14: 7: “ And remember, your Lord declared: “If ye are grateful, I will add more favors unto you, but if ye show ingratitude truly my punishment is terrible indeed”.

PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN! By: Daud Ismail, Burnaby For your information, the Burnaby School Board has now adopted policy 5.45. The Parent’s Voice is concerned and as a counter measure is now asking parents to pull their children from classroom lessons that offend their morals.

Please be mindful that eventually this is going to be normal in all School Districts in BC. So please ACT now. Send your comments to this article in the Vancouver Sun Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Burnaby+g roup+urges+parents+pull+kids+from+classes+that+offend+morals/4988127/story.html#i xzz1Q31kJxke please add your comments to the following blog as well: http://communities.canada.com/vancouversun/blogs/reportcard/archive/2011/06/22/burn aby-parents-urged-to-remove-students-fromgay-friendly-lessons.aspx

important note: We do not publish anonymous letters or the letters of the people who do not disclose their identity to ‘The Miracle.’ A writer can use a pen name or request ‘The Miracle’ to withhold his / her identity. Please include your daytime telephone number for the confirmation of your letter. We regret the inconvenience.

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Issue 287 - Rajaab 29, 1432 / July 1, 2011 THE

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HISTORY OF MUSLIMS IN CANADA

By Daood Hassan Hamdani Canada has attracted immigrants throughout its history. Over the years, they have come to escape racial or ideological intolerance, flee religious and political persecution, run away from famines and above all, to seek a better living in the country rated the best in the world by the United Nations.

The desire to make it in the new country, hard work and enterprise were not their only characteristics. They also brought their distinct customs and traditions, arts and cultures and their beliefs and faiths.

The Canadian society has evolved through the intermingling of these numerous groups and cross-fertilization of their heritages. In the process of adapting to the Canadian society, the immigrants also change it. And all, established citizens and newcomers alike, adjust to this dynamic process. The adjustment gives the society vibrancy, broadens its horizons and augments the choices available to its members. Since culture is made up of the contribution of those adjusting to it, one can denigrate the culture as a whole.

Muslims have settled wherever the opportunity presented itself, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, in all the ten provinces and the two territories. Notwithstanding the dispersion, 86 per cent of the Muslims live in only six metropolitan areas and Metropolitan Toronto has more Muslims than all the provinces and territories excluding Ontario. Two-thirds are settled within 350 miles of each other.

Although very small relative to the country's total population - 2.5 per cent - they are a microcosm of the Canadian society, rich in cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity. They include people from all the continents, from China and the Philippines to the Balkans, Ukraine, Western and Eastern Europe and South America.

The Canadian-born Muslims, barely visible a few decades ago, have emerged as a force that will influence the development and orientation of Muslim institutions in the country. The resurgence of Islam among the young Muslims and its growing acceptance by non-Muslims at a time when young people are abandoning their forefathers' religion is one of the most significant phenomena of the Canadian religious history.

Pioneers Islam and Muslims are not new to Canada. The documented history of Muslims in Canada dates from the mid-19th century. Thirteen years before the Fathers of Confederation created Canada, a teenaged bride of Scottish origin, Agnes Love, gave birth to the first Muslim born in the territory that was to become Canada: James Love, named after his father, was born in Ontario in 1854. He was the eldest of the eight children of James and Agnes Love. The youngest one, Alexander, was born in 1868, one year after the Canadian confederation was formed. Another couple, John and Martha Simon, described as "Mahometans" in government documents circa 1871, migrated from the United States and settled in Ontario. Like James and Agnes Love, they were of West European origins: John was English and Martha French.

Early Settlers Unlike the pioneers who settled in Ontario, the early settlers made their home in the western provinces. They were adventurers and frontiersmen. The spirit to explore uncharted territories, expectations of being a part of the momentous events in Canadian history, and the desire to share in the riches of the new land were the hallmarks of the early settlers. Thus we hear the story of the teenager Ali Abouchadi (better known as Alexander Hamilton) who walked 50 kilometres with his uncle from Lala to Beirut in Lebanon, to board the boat to Montreal on his way to claim a share of the Klondike gold. He was too late to make a fortune in gold mining but his entrepreneurship led to other successful business ventures.

More Muslims came to work on the construction of the railway linking the west with the central provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Still others arrived in the first decade of this century to open up Alberta and Saskatchewan for settlement.

As the pioneering days ended and the romance of adventure diminished, serious efforts got under way to reconstruct the post-War economy.

Muslims arriving during this period, unlike their predecessors, were typically skilled workers and professionals who were brought to change the structure of the economy, from one that was

geared to fighting the War to one that would serve the needs of the people. Further, inauguration of Islamic studies at McGill University in 1952 and a decade later at the University of Toronto attracted Muslim scholars and students from abroad.

Bilingualism and multiculturalism also played a role. However, the immigration policy remained restrictive because of the continued immigration quotas.

The final phase of the Muslim migration to Canada was marked by the influx of teachers, technocrats and later entrepreneurs. It began in the mid-1960s, with the replacement of immigration quotas on Asians and Africans by a more objective selection criterion based on education and skills. Subsequently, many Muslims, most in the prime working age group, were admitted into the country to meet the growing needs of an expanding economy. As the spouses of these immigrants, who were typically young, joined them a few years later, the Muslims had a baby boom of their own.

Entrepreneurs The economic life of the Muslim community has been significantly influenced by the immigration policy because of its emphasis, over much of the period, on bringing in skilled and professional labour. However, the entrepreneurship was not lacking. In the early history, we find fur traders and merchants who specialized in providing onsite service, a concept which, a century later, has captured the imagination of business strategists and around which fortunes have been made. The present generation of Muslim businessmen is also making its mark as entrepreneurs and good corporate citizens. In 1993, a Muslim was among the ten persons in the Canadian business community selected for the prestigious Excellence in Business Award.

Knowledge-intensive Workforce

ronment is difficult. The ties of the old world pull hard while there is a strong desire to succeed in the new world. New settlers have to strive for acceptance by the host society while at the same time trying to blend the new experience with their heritage.

The quest for cohesiveness as a community within the Canadian society has gone through three distinct phases. The first phase was inward looking, a product of the hesitation of the host society to welcome the newcomers and the new settlers' yearning for the old world. Local ethnic and cultural associations provided the focal point in this era. A common religious affiliation was welcome but not essential. These ethnic associations subsequently gave way to religious groups who met to perform basic religious obligations.

The uncertainties, self doubts and social solecism, so pervasive in the early phases of the settlement of a new community, lingered on for a long time.

Nearly a century passed before the Muslims gave public expression to their presence and identity.

An affirmation of the human ability to persist and endure, a testament to the fervency of the faith of the Muslims of Edmonton, the first public announcement of the presence of the community of believers in Islam in Canada, and the first public expression that they had laid their roots in the new land, Al-Rashid mosque the first in North America - opened its doors on December 12, 1938. With the mayor of Edmonton in attendance and a Christian as the master of ceremonies, Abdullah Yusuf Ali - the most famous English translator of the Qur'an -- performed the dedication ceremony. Physically removed from its original site, it now serves as a museum of Islamic artifacts.

While the planning and fund-raising for the mosque served as a focal point, the facilities it provided upon completion shaped the community, giving it cohesiveness and some external recognition. While the world outside still appeared new and strange, the world inside was familiar, reminiscent of the old world they had left behind -with the same language and culture and common traditions and provided some reassurance. The experience of this first mosque was typical of the mosques that followed.

So significant was the role of the mosque in facilitating the transition in the formative phase of the community that Muslims did not hesitate to help in the construction of the places of worship of the other faiths. History books record that the church located on the East First Avenue in Vancouver, bearing in its stained glass windows the heraldic arms of the ancient Croatian state, was built with the financial help of the Muslims. Their respect for all places of worship is evident in the pattern of the growth of their own institutions. In the early days, they purchased church buildings and parish halls and renovated them to use as mosques. When mosques were built using Islamic architecture, the nearness to other faiths' places of

The vast majority of Muslims rely on employment to earn their livelihood. Two of their characteristics are worthy of note. First, they are economic migrants, educated and skilled who add to the country's stock of knowledge, convert knowledge into ideas (patents) and into new expressions of old ideas (copyrights), and help create jobs.

Twenty-seven per cent of the Muslims in the prime labour force, age group 25 to 44 years, have one or more university degrees, a proportion much higher than the 17 per cent for the population as a whole.

Second, the motive of their migration to Canada, i.e., to improve their economic well-being and lead a fulfilling life, is reinforced by their beliefs.

Every day, five times a day, when Muslims are called to prayers they are also called towards falah , i.e., to achieve well being and the good. And falah is not merely the indulgence of private sanctity but it is also the true state of well-being and proper prosperity fulfilled and realized in social life.

Numbers do not fully convey their economic contribution.

Muslims participated in almost every major event in the economic history of Canada. They hewed rocks, laid tracks and struck nails to build the Canadian Pacific railway in the June 8 late 19th century, an event Rajab dubbed the "national dream" 29 July 01 because of its importance.

30 2 Muslim farmers were among Shaban 1 3 the pioneers who opened up Alberta and Saskatchewan for 2 4 cultivation and settlement in 3 5 the beginning of the 20th cen4 6 tury. Skilled and professional Muslim immigrants kept up 5 7 the tempo of economic growth 6 8 in the 1960s and 1970s. Muslim 7 9 educators responded to the need for teachers and profes8 10 sors as the baby boom of the 9 11 post-Second World War period 10 12 rolled into grade schools and then graduate schools, thus 11 13 strengthening the foundation 12 14 for a secure and prosperous 13 15 economic future for the country.

Volume 3, Book 49, Number 870: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "There is a Sadaqa to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of a Sadaqa (i.e. charitable gift) for the one who establishes justice among people worship seemed to be a preferred location. Thus, in Toronto Jami Masjid is in a converted church building, and the Jaafri Islamic Centre - a beautiful specimen of Islamic architecture - stands between a temple and a synagogue.

In the 1980s, a new era began to set in. The sense of familiarity and comfort, provided by a common language and culture when the community was small, began to erode. Languages and traditions became diverse. Islam was no longer primarily the religion of immigrants from Asia and Africa. The second and third generations of Muslim Canadians and those Canadians who had turned to Islam to seek meaning and fulfilment in their lives were becoming a significant force.

Above all, Canadian-born children did not understand their immigrant parents' language.

At the same time, the society was changing too fast. Social and technological changes challenged established lifestyles, institutions and traditions.

They were either against Muslims' beliefs or too difficult to comprehend in a short time. And yet, in some respects, the society was not changing fast enough. In spite of the fact that Muslims had been a part of the Canadian religious spectrum for more than a century, the following of Islam was growing faster than any other religion in the country and the visible symbols of Muslim identity had been a permanent feature of the Canadian landscape. For decades Islam was little known and even less understood outside the universities offering courses in Islamic studies.

At the time the first mosque was built, the hopes and aspirations were simple. Subsequently, the growing social and religious needs meant that the search for identity required a broader base. From self-preservation in the early years manifest in the formation of local community associations to identity revolving around the mosque, Muslims are finally seeking to establish themselves as a cohesive community. The community is only beginning to advance as an entity in the country's educational, social and political institutions.

Daood Hassan Hamdani is a pioneer writer on the evolution of Canada's Muslim community. The article has been adapted from an address given by Hamdani on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha at the Parliament Building in Ottawa on May 2, 1996. Minor edits have been made to reflect current statistics.

From July 1- 15, 2011 (Rajab 29- Shabaan 13, 1432H)

Quest for Identity Adjustment to any new envi-

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

Fajar Sunrise Zawa1 Dhuhr 2:49 5:09 01:16 01:23 2:50 5:09 01:16 01:23 2:51 5:10 01:17 01:24 2:52 5:11 01:17 01:24 2:54 5:12 01:17 01:24 2:55 5:12 01:17 01:24 2:56 5:13 01:17 01:24 2:58 5:14 01:17 01:24 2:59 5:15 01:18 01:25 3:01 5:16 01:18 01:25 3:03 5:17 01:18 01:25 3:04 5:18 01:18 01:25 3:06 5:19 01:18 01:25 3:08 5:20 01:18 01:25 3:09 5:21 01:18 01:25

Asr Maghrib 6:49 9:26 6:49 9:26 6:49 9:26 6:49 9:25 6:49 9:25 6:49 9:24 6:49 9:24 6:48 9:23 6:48 9:23 6:48 9:22 6:47 9:21 6:47 9:20 6:47 9:20 6:47 9:19 6:46 9:18

Isha 11:31 11:30 11:29 11:29 11:28 11:27 11:26 11:25 11:24 11:22 11:21 11:20 11:18 11:17 11:16

Source: Masjid Al Noor

AQEEM USS SALAAT(Establish Prayer)

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Issue 287 - Rajaab 29, 1432 / July 1, 2011 THE

Unified Decision on Moon Sighting Issue in BC

By Aasim Rashid , BCMA Director of Religion and Islamic Education Spokesperson on Religion Affairs The BCMA is pleased to announce agreement on a policy that will govern all decisions pertaining to Ramada¯n and both Eids.

On Friday June 24, representatives and officials of the BCMA and the Shariah Council of BC officially agreed to the Verified Moon Sighting Policy prepared by the BCMA scholars. The summary of the policy is as follows: - All decisions pertaining to the dates of Ramada¯n and both Eids will be based on actual moon sighting within a twelve hour range. No single country shall be given special preference for a decision, nor shall any country in this range be ruled out.

- Any confirmed sighting in this range shall be grounds for a decision provided there is a fifty percent or superior chance of sighting in that region.

- If a sighting is reported in a region where the chances of sighting are less than fifty

percent, it must be supplemented with another confirmed sighting within the range in order to be considered.

- A combined committee of BCMA and non-BCMA members will take part in the decision-making process.

This policy was signed by officials of the BCMA and the Shariah Council of BC. We believe the agreement on the moonsighting issue is a major landmark for the Muslim communities of BC. Last year a common Rama?a¯n ?ala¯t timetable was agreed on by members of both organizations, and will continue this year. May Allah accept the efforts of all the individuals or groups that worked to achieve this unity, and keep us united on such matters in the future.

MIR A LE

Br. Sikander Tayob receives Life Membership Award from BCMA On June 24, The BC Muslim Association president Mr. Sikandar Khan announced and presented the life membership award to Mr. Sikander Tayob in Surrey Jameh Masjid before Friday Prayer. This award was in recognition of over 20 years of meritorious service rendered to the BC Muslim Association. Mr. Tayob came to Canada in 1968 from England and was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was very active in the BCMA upon his arrival in Vancouver. He has been involved in the building of the Richmond Mosque as a member of the building committee and went abroad with a team for fundraising.

He was also the part of the team who negotiated the purchase of the graveyards at Ocean View Cemetery. Mr. Tayoub served several terms as trustee of the BC Muslim Association.

He helped to develop the Muslim School in Richmond and facilitated the purchase of the Douglas College building in New Westminster which became the foundation for the current Muslim School. He also served in Surrey Mosque committee devel-

opment and traveled abroad and raised fund for this Masjid.

His sacrifice to the Masjid, while he helped to set up the utilities sheds for the Richmond Muslim School in 1985; Mr. Tayob sustained a back injury which left him with a present disability.

Note: Miracle Media would like to congratulate Mr. Sikander Tayob of his great volunteer services to the British Columbia Muslim Association and his Lifetime BCMA Membership

DARS-E-QURAN: SURAH YUNUS SPEAKER SYED BADIUDDIN SOHARWARDY ON SATURDAY 9TH JULY 2011 FROM 6:00PM TO 9:00PM AT PAKISTAN HOUSE 12059- 88TH AVE.SURREY BC DINNER WILL BE SERVED CONTACT INFO:NIAZ AHMED KHAN 604-319-1473, HAROON RAZA 604-725-7549,RAUF KHAN 604-501-4700, ARJAMAND KHAN 778-863-3331 HAIDER ALI KHAN 604-507-3304

BULLAY SHAH ACADEMY OF CANADA

Pir Afzal Ahmed Naqashbandi S.R. Pirzada Syed Wali Hussain Shah Astana-e-Alia Shahenshah-e-Weelayt Hazrat Qiblah-Sheik-ul-Hadith Gujrat-Pakistan

We invite brothers & sisters every last Saturday of the month for the Holy Darse Quran @ 5:00pm Visit Us at:- Club House of Mandley Village Unit 33, 12110 75A Ave. Surrey.

Tel/Fax: 604-592-9416 , Cell: 604-760-0096

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Issue 287 - Rajaab 29, 1432 / July 1, 2011 THE

MIR A LE

Message from the Consul General of Pakistan on the Occasion of 144th Canada Day On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, it gives me great pleasure to extend warm felicitations to the people and the Government of Canada on the happy occasion of Canada Day. Pakistan and Canada enjoy decades old friendly ties and we hope that these excellent relations between the two countries especially in the economic and trade fields would be strengthened in the years ahead. I must congratulate the Pakistani community here that has not only contributed to Canada’s development and prosperity but also added diversity to an already rich cultural fabric.

I take this opportunity to express our best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity to the people of Canada

Shuja Alam

Canada's National Anthem O Canada!

O Canada!

Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons* command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land** glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. * some sing "our hearts" instead of "thy sons", to be gender neutral.

"O CANADA" was first sung on June 24, 1880. But it was not proclaimed our national anthem until July 1, 1980 -- an entire century after it was first sung. The music was composed by Calixa LavallĂŠe, a well-known composer; French lyrics to accompany the music were written by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier. (the French was written before the English). Many English versions were written and sung over time, but the above is the one we adopted.

Happy 144th Canada Day! At this great occasion of Canada’s 144th birthday, I would like to congratulate all readers and advertisers and thank them for their continuous and ever-growing support. Like every year, this Canada day edition of the Miracle is particularly special as it highlights various aspects of our beautiful country so make sure you read every page and let us know your opinion.

As Muslim Canadians, we not only have to the responsibility of being faithful and loyal to Canada but also repre-

sent our distinct religious identity in a positive manner. I am very proud that I am a Muslim and Pakistani Canadian, and it is my duty to promote not only the Canadian values but also uphold our religious morals. At the end, I request all Muslim Canadians that be proud of your unique identity, and live here with peace and dignity as ambassadors. In recent years, we have made quite a lot of progress by engaging with policing agencies and elected politicians at all levels. However, this is just the

beginning and we should continue our efforts as a community The Miracle does not endorse one political party or platform but encourages everyone to get involved in some way whether by volunteering, voting or contesting in the elections. Similarly, let us continue to come forward and represent the community in discussions about common issues such as civil rights, hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence.

Long Live Canada!

Mohammad Naseer. Pirzada Managing Editor

11 A Brief History of Canada

Issue 287 - Rajaab 29, 1432 / July 1, 2011 THE

From its northern Arctic islands to the majestic mountains of the Western Cordillera and the windswept tip of Newfoundland, Canada encompasses an area of almost 4 million square miles (10 million square kilometers). It is the largest country in North America but its entire population of approximately 30 million is equivalent to that of California. Most people reside close to the US border and the vast expanse of remaining land forms one of the most extensive wilderness areas in the world.

Geographically, Canada is divided into six distinct regions: the Atlantic provinces, the interior lowlands, the Canadian Shield, the great plains, the western mountains and the Arctic archipelago. The largest of these is the Canadian Shield covering almost 50% of Canada’s land mass. It forms a great arc around Hudson Bay and is roughly defined by the Atlantic, the St. Lawrence River, and the waterways that connect Lakes Huron, Superior, Winnipeg and Athabasca as well as the Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes.

Although some highland areas exist, the Shield country consists mainly of low hills, countless lakes, marshes and rivers that were formed by the glacial erosion of ancient rocks.

The rocky Shield topography of the Gulf coast of Labrador was described by early French explorer, Jacques Cartier, as ‘…being composed of stones and horrible rugged rocks; for along the north shore, I did not see one cartload of earth…’ Later, Samuel de Champlain wrote that the terrain he encountered along the Ottawa River was ‘very barren and sterile’ and ‘far from attractive.’

Much of the Canadian Shield is occupied by boreal forests that provide food and shelter for ducks, geese, numerous species of migratory birds and other woodland creatures. This area, possessing the world’s greatest concentration of lakes and rivers, supported the fur

trade on which Canada was built. Following Cartier’s exploration of the St. Lawrence River to the Lachine Rapids near Montreal and Champlain’s discovery of Lake Huron by way of the Ottawa River, French and Scottish voyageurs extended the main fur trade artery along the periphery of the Shield to Lake Athabasca. Fingers of lesser routes spread to Hudson Bay and penetrated the great plains to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Today, the region supports mining, logging and hydroelectric interests but the population remains low.

Boreal forests gradually give way to the Arctic tundra by means of a subarctic transitional zone that marks the treeline where conifers intermingle with the tundra. Shallow soils and permafrost prevent trees from developing deep roots and make them vulnerable to being blown over by strong winds.

Consequently, they grow in sheltered stands and trees are stunted due to the extreme cold.

This region of open forest patterns and stunted tree growth has been called ‘the land of the little sticks.’ Here, extensive pastures of bushy Cladonia lichen grow among the thinning forests. It is the main food source for caribou, moose and musk oxen during the winter months. These animals, in turn, provide food, clothing and shelter to woodland peoples.

In the springtime, great herds of caribou migrate from the forest to their summer calving grounds. On the Eastern Shield, the George River herd of Quebec Labrador caribou is one of the largest herds in the world with an estimated 700,000 to 800,000 animals.

On the Western Shield, the Bathurst herd of barren ground caribou has about 350,000 animals that summer around Bathurst Inlet. To the west of Hudson Bay, the Qamanirjuaq (Kaminuriak) herd numbers about 500,000 while the Thelon Game Sanctuary is located

within the range of the Beverly herd of approximately 300,000 animals.

The arrival of caribou to the Barren Grounds marks the advent of the Central Arctic’s brief summer. It was a time of celebration for local Inuit groups and in years of scarcity, the difference between survival and starvation. Caribou, musk oxen, migratory birds and other creatures are lured by the rich food supply of tundra meadows with low growing sedges, grasses, small wild berries, wildflowers, mosses and lichens as well as the dwarf birches and Arctic willows that grow in river valleys.

The vast tundra region of northern Canada extends beyond the Shield to the Yukon in the west and encompasses the Arctic archipelago.

Including portions of Greenland and Alaska, it is the traditional homeland of the Inuit people who have adapted to one of the most adverse conditions on earth. Unable to control the Arctic environment at large, the sophisticated design and manufacture of their clothing created individual micro climates that allowed them to survive in extremely cold weather. It is no fluke that Robert Peary and Ronald Amundsen, attributed with conquering the North and South Poles respectively, both utilized Inuit technology in their endeavors. In spite of copying the design of the parka (Aleut) or anorak (Inuit ‘anoraq’) and advances in synthetic fibers, the modern world has been unable to duplicate the light weight, insulation and wicking qualities of their garments that were made from a variety of skins, furs and feathers. This unique culture was highlighted on April 1, 1999 with the establishment of their new homeland, the Territory of Nunavut, which was formerly the

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When Champlain established a fur trading post in 1608 at the site of present day Quebec City, his primary objective was to find a river route to the Pacific. However, this goal was dependent on the success of the fur trading monopoly that had been granted to his employer, the Sieur de Monts. In 1610, with the hope of gaining greater knowledge about the interior and enhancing the monopoly’s trading arrangements, Champlain convinced the Ottawa Algonquins to take some French boys to live with them. It was from this group of young men that emerged the coureurs de bois, men who embraced the freedom and adventure of life in the wilderness.

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Lailatul Isra Wal Miraj Celebrated in Fleetwood Islamic Centre Fleetwood Islamic Centre committee organized an event in its Center to remember Miraj-un Nabi on June 25. Br. Shafiq was called for recitation of the Holy Quran. After the recitation, the guest speaker, Imaam Youssef Chebli from Edmonton (Alberta) was introduced. Imaam Chebli delivered a speech on Isra Wa Al- Miraj. His speech started from the Suara Alaq ((96_1) “Read with the name of your Rabb who has created everything”. He summarized the journey of

beloved Prophet Mohammad from Masjid Haram to Aqsa and then journey to Sidra-t'al Mantaha. Imaam Chebli quoted many verses of Quran along with Hadiths, Tafaseer and Fiqh books about this great miracle. He mentioned that in order to understand what happened on that night with our beloved Prophet Mohammad (SAW), we should read the first verse of Surah Isra'a in the Holy Quran (17-1): “Glory be to Him Who made His servant to go on a night from the

Sacred Mosque to the remote mosque of which We have blessed the precincts, so that We may show to him some of Our signs; surely He is the Hearing, the Seeing”.

After his brief lecture about the journey, Imam fundraised to pay off Unit #210 of this centre. Allhamdullillah, Twenty five thousands dollars were pledged for this centre. At the end of this spiritual event, Dua was made for all Muslim Ummah and then dinner was served to all the guests.

IMAC celebrates the night of Miraj-un Nabi (SAW)

International Muslim Academy of Canada (IMAC) organized an event at Fiji Islamic

Center to remember Miraj-un Nabi at Fiji Islamic Center on June 25. Mr. Aseem Akhtar Khan, director of IMAC, was the MC for the event. He invited 3 Fiji Centre Madrasa students for the recitation of the Holy Quran. After the recitation Br. Tariq, Br, Salis, Br. Ismail and Haji Karmu Din recited beautiful Naats.

After Naat session, the MC requested the keynote speaker, the head Imam of this center; Al Hajj Maulana Abdul Lateef Naumani, to deliver a speech on Isra Wa AlMiraj. Maulana A.L. Naumani quoted many verses of Quran along with Hadiths, Tafaseer and Fiqh books about this great challenging miracle. He mentioned that in order to understand what happened on that night with our beloved Prophet

Mohammad (SAW), we should read the first verse of Surah Isra'a in the Holy Quran.

He described the event of Miraj in detail that everyone found very informative.

Maulana Naumani explained that the Holy Prophet (S.AW) made his first journey from Mecca to Masjid Aqsa in Jerusalem, while his second journey was from Masjid Aqasa to Sidra-t'al Mantaha. He gave refer-

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PEOPLE Population: 34 million Net migration rate: 5.64 migrant(s) /1,000 populations Life expectancy at birth: 81.29 years Languages: English (official) 58.8%, French (official) 21.6%, other 19.6% Religions: Roman Catholic 42.6%, Protestant 23.3% (including United Church 9.5%, Anglican 6.8%, Baptist 2.4%, Lutheran 2%), other Christian 4.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16% (2001 census)

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ences from the Holy Quran with the reference of Surah Isra'a and Surah Najam. After this brief lecture about the journey Maulana Nomani raised $7000 for the Fiji Islamic Centre by this spiritual gathering.

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Legendary Cricketer Wasim Akram visits BC Wasim Akram, former Pakistani Cricketer came to Surrey on June 29 in order to meet fans and tutor aspiring cricketers. Akram is a Royal Bank of Canada ambassador of Cricket in Canada and his visit put the spotlight on RBC's recent contributions to grassroots cricket in Canada. RBC was the proud sponsor of the event. RBC has donated $100,000 to promote cricket in four Canadian municipalities: Victoria, Abbotsford, Montréal and Toronto.

Wasim Akram was inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Hall of fame in 2009. Renowned as one of the first reverse-swing bowlers and perhaps the best fast bowler in the history of cricket, Akram holds the world record for most wick-

ets in List A cricket with 881. A former captain of the Pakistan national team, Akram led his nation to victory at the 1992 World Cup of Cricket in Australia.

Wasim Akram also made an appearance at a fundraising dinner at Crystal at York Hall in Surrey. The dinner was organized by Pakistan Canada Association in order to raise money for Pakistan House. The program began with the recitation of holy Quran by Mufti Asim Rasheed. After recitation, he welcomed Wasim Akram to BC. Raza Mirani, General Secretary of PCA conducted the program. Arfan Malik, President of PCA also gave a welcome speech and briefly explained the history of PCA and Pakistan house to provide the background of

the fundraising efforts. Consul General of Pakistan, Mr. Shuja Alam also spoke at the event. He praised Akram’s devotion to Cricket and his outstanding performance as an athlete.

When invited to speak, Waseem Akram briefly talked about his background and his experience while playing Cricket particularly the 1992, 1999 and 2011 world cups and his India tour. He thanked BC for their hospitality. A question and answer session was organized at the end in which Akram answered questions related to his cricket career. At the end of the event, PCA presented Akram with an award in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the world of cricket and Pakistan.

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HST Hurts Small Businesses: NDP

By: Jasmyn Singh, NDP Media contact On June 22, New Democrats and South Asian Business Owners discussed the Negative Impact of HST during Roundtable Discussion in Tandoori King Restaurant Surrey.

The HST continues to be a tax that hurts small businesses and families, say New Democrats and members of the South Asian business community "The HST reduces the revenue of many small business sectors because it strains the purchasing power of their customers, BC families,” said Adrian Dix, leader of the BC NDP during a roundtable discussion with representatives from the South Asian business community.

“This remains the case under the changes proposed by Premier Christy Clark. Under the HST—whatever the rate—families pay more for countless items that were exempt

under the PST, including restaurant meals, haircuts, not to mention major items such as a new roof or home.

“The HST represents a double hit for a significant number of BC families who themselves operate small businesses," added Dix, who was joined by NDP critic for small business Jagrup Brar and finance critic Bruce Ralston.

Twenty representatives from the South Asian business community, spanning sectors such as foodservices, real estate, contractors, taxi services, joined Dix, Brar and Ralston at a roundtable discussion about the HST in Surrey.

"Our position against the HST stems in part from our direct conversations with small businesses," said Brar.

The New Democrats also stated that a 'yes' vote to end the Liberals' HST will help protect health care, education and other public

Seniors Intercultural Showcase held at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School By: Shabina Jahan-Chaudhary On June 11th, the Surrey Seniors' Community Planning Table, in conjunction with DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society held Seniors Intercultural Showcase at Queen Elizabeth Secondary School in Surrey. This was a highly successful event

with more than 300 local seniors taking part. The Intercultural Showcase featured ethnic foods, music, dance, crafts and costumes from many different countries, giving an opportunity to share information and to build seniors' relationships, turning

"strangers" into friends. The Seniors Intercultural Committee would like to thank all the volunteers for their selfless time and dedication towards the showcase.

The Surrey Seniors Community Planning Table consists of seniors, service organizations and agencies whose goal is to facilitate seniors’ leadership, mobilization, and involvement in our community. The Purpose is to make Surrey a supportive and inclusive place for seniors to live healthy and engaged lives.

D I V E R S E c i t y Community Resources Society is working in Partnership with Sunrise Pavilion and Fleetwood Community Center to bring this demonstration project which focuses on immigrant seniors facing significant settlement and integration barriers. Their goal is to assist new comer seniors in becoming selfsufficient and active participants of Surrey and Delta Seniors Centers by helping provide culturally appropriate, relevant and innovative programs.

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society’s mission is “To promote the independence of new Canadians and to build strong culturally diverse communities.”

services from further cutbacks.

"Christy Clark has admitted her plans for the HST will cost our province over $ 1 billion in cuts to hospital surgeries, schools, teachers and other vital public services," said Ralston Dix also discussed how that The Liberals' new desperate plan to save the HST lacks credibility. " During the 2009 campaign they promised in writing that they would not introduce the HST. Then they did. They promised the revenue would go toward health care, now it won't. They insisted the HST would generate over a hundred thousand jobs – it won't.

Ms Clark promised the referendum would be like a provincial election, only to break her word and use $5 million of tax payer dollars to run expensive, Liberal partisan ads.

"And only a few weeks ago, the Premier described her HST plan as an attempt to buy British Columbians with their own money. It is unequivocal the Liberals cannot be trusted. Liberals will say anything and do anything to salvage the HST to rescue their short term political future."

The New Democrats are encouraging British Columbians to vote "yes" to extinguish the HST and to return to the fairer GST/PST.

Pakistani Youth Council organizes Family Mela On June 19, the Pakistani Youth Council organized a Family Mela in Pakistan House Surrey. A number of Clothing, Jewelry, Hina stalls were seen in Bazaar and delicious Food and BBQ stalls served the public throughout the day. The council

arranged the boxing castle for children and kids enjoyed.

This Mela was sponsored by Creative Solutions, Jarfan Amjad (Coast capital), Design crews and Al-Madina restaurant.

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First Vancouver Hyderabadi Association dinner held at Al Madina restaurant

On June 19, Hyderabadis and their families residing in the lower mainland attended the First Vancouver Hyderabadi Association dinner. Mr. Mustafa Qureshi, a young man, conducted this event. Maulana Zafar Abid was the first speaker who spoke at the event.

He felt good that at least Hyderabadis formed their first Association in BC, and its credit goes to Syed Riaz Khan. Maulana Abid also described some interesting Hyderbadi traditions like their Salam to each others, Hyderabadi Biryani, Shervani and Prashani. The guests truly enjoyed Maulana sahib’ speech. The second speaker was Mr. Syed Riaz Khan, who formed this association. He briefly described his services in USA and Canada. He also summarised his 94 years old father’s services in Hyderabad and currently in Toronto. Mr.

Khan demonstrated Hyderabad history and culture through a presentation. Another member of the association, Mr. Ali Athar also congratulated everyone for the formation of the first association. The last speaker, Mrs. Shahnaz Rehmat Ullah, first presented a Hamad e Bari Thala and then she briefly described the history of Hyderabad (India). He explained that the city of Hyderabad is in the Deccan Plateau. River Music divides it into 2 parts South and North Banks. The North Bank covers the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and elevation is approx. 1700 feet. City of Hyderabad was founded in 1591 and was the capital of Qutb Shahi Sultans of Golconda, of a Mughal Suba after Aurangazeb’s conquest of the Deccan and the Nizams of the State of Hyderabad until

An evening for late Col. (r) Shafaat Ali by CUA On June 26, the Canada Urdu Association dedicated an evening in the memories of late Col. (R) Shafaat Ali, in which number of local poets and community members were participated and read theirs poetry. They remembered the golden memories of Col. (r) Shafaat Ali including his poetry, prose and company. Mr. Shams Siddiqui, president of CUA conducted this beautiful evening in Al-Madina Restaurant Surrey. Shafaat Ali’s daughter

1948. According to a book called ‘The Splendor of Hyderbad,’ It was an independent state in the 18th century with its capital first at Aurangabad and from 1763 at Hyderabad. Hyderabad state with an area of 100,408 sq miles larger than England and Scotland put together. Mineral products of the state are diamond, gold, coal, iron ore, copper, manganese, mica, garners, graphite, ceramic clay, semi-precious stones etc.

There are numerous artificial lakes in the State, which are the source of drinking water to the twin cities. Mrs. Shahnaz added, “these are our roots -we have left all this behind – to come to this beautiful country which has give us an opportunity and home that we cherish and at the same time honour our background and values”.

She told everyone that she was raised in Red

Hills and her father was a business man trading in chemicals and fertilizers. Her husband Ali Rahimtula has also been raised in a family of business that grew his empire in fertilizers and took it to an international level. She revisited the past of his family and said that this history helps establish our roots and strengthens us as good citizens in this country, which is not our homeland.

We should all endeavour to be grateful for the journey that God has led us in our lives.

“When we share our history, we can strengthen our future generation,” she concluded. The association then announced their Picnic party (BBQ) in Cloverdale Park on Sunday, July 24.

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Paying Tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a Music Legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is no stranger to music lovers of the Indian sub-continent.

His voice has amused generations for more than three decades. He is no longer with us; however, he continues to speak to his fans through the hundreds songs and Qawalies he has sung during his career.

In honor of this musical artist and a great legend of Pakistani Music the Miracle Media Group Talent Hunt Division arranged a singing competition at Pakistan House on June 18th. The purpose of this event was two-folded- to present a tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and to introduce local gems with beautiful voices to the general public.

The concept of this event came alive when Mr. Mohammad Pirzada, the Managing Editor of the Miracle was able to once again recruit local talent from the community and organize a sensational singing competition.

After a sumptuous dinner, the evening began with the unveiling of a beautiful poster by ribbon cutting by Consul General of Pakistan Mr. Shuja Alam and special guest from Pakistan Mr. Saghir Pirzada. This poster provided the backdrop for all the performances.

Mr. Salman Nasir (RadioFm 93.1)hosted this beautiful event very well throughout the evening.

Maulana A.L.Naumani was especially invited to the stage to make duaa for the deceased Nusrat Fateh Ali and others who have passed away . He also made duaa for everyone suffering from an ailment or illness and the special dua for the solidarity and peace in Pakistan. After making the duaa, Maulana Naumani took leave from the event.

The singing competition was then divided into two sections singers accompanied with Harmonium, Key Boards, Guitar, Rubab and Tabla music and singers on karaoke. Mr. Nasir first introduced all the musicians at

stage. They were Mr. Zahur Mawani (Key Board), Mr. Mehbob Valli(Guitar), Mr. Shahid Hassan(Key Board),Mr. Mohammad Israr (Rubab)and Mr. Mustafa Lalani (Tabla). He then called the Judges of this Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Awards 2011 competition, Mr. Zarar Butt, Mrs. Asifa Meharali, Mr. Irfan Lawrence and Mr. Daksh Kuba.

The competition started with Mr.Imran Sadiq and Mr. Hassan Zaidi who performed on Karaoke. The second competition included eight aspiring singers who performed Nusrat, Rahat and other Pakistani Singers songs. These included Ms. Fariah Baig, Mr. Noman Sadiq, Mr. Noman Ahmed, Mr. Sohail Ahmed, Mr.Ismail Rajput, Mr.Sufean Khan, Dr. Zafar Iqbal and Mr. Omair Ahmed. The competition amongst the contestants from harmonium category heated up as the top 4 were selected and invited to battle it out on the stage one more time. The competition was tough as all singers gave one knock-out performance after another, everyone singing Pakistani songs. Each of the musicians also entertained the audience with their own solo items.

After the exciting competition of best of four, the award ceremony took place. The awards were given to Mr. Hassan Zaidi first and Imran Sadiq 2nd position on Karaoke, Ms. Fariah Baig got 3rd Mr. Omair Ahmed 2nd and Dr. Zafar Iqbal(Prince George) took home the first prize in the live Music category. He also gladly took home the backdrop poster of Nusrat Fatih Ali Khan 2011. He was given a standing ovation and cheered by everyone in the audience for his overall performance.

Judges, Musicians, guest singers and musicians were also awarded by Consul General and the special guest. Mr. Nusrat Hussain (founder of Miracle) and Mr. Mohammad Rafiq(Hon. Chief editor)gave awards to Mr.

Shuja Alam and Mr. Saghir Pirzada as a vote of thanks.

The chief guest and special guest of the evening were then invited on the stage to share their thoughts about the competition.

Mr. Suja Alam said that he was impressed by the singers, particularly the ones from the younger generation who beautifully sang Pakistani songs and congratulated Miracle Media who brought these hidden talents at this stage.

An appreciation award was given to Mr. Hamza Malik and Mr. Waseem Javed for coordinating the sound system for the entire evening. A Special Award was given to Mr. Salman Nasir for his enthusiasm throughout the evening conducting this event, and special “people-choice” singer award was given to three members of the audience, Mrs. Shahnaz Rehmat ullah, Mr. Balraj Basi and Mr. Hardev Sing Talib after they performed on stage. Doors prizes were then given out to audience members, which included sweets from Calgary Sweets and dinner coupons from Al-Watan Restaurant, and Barney's Pizza.

While the contest wrapped up at midnight, the audience requested the musicians and guest singers to stay after the competition and perform more songs to which they gladly agreed. On special public demand, Mr. Balraj, Dr. Asifa, Mz. Shahnaz and Mr. Talib Sing were invited to the stage where they sung beautiful ghazals. The musical extravaganza continued well into the night and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The Miracle media thanks all those who came at this event and stayed late night and encouraged the hidden talents.

This event would not have been possible without the help of many of the sponsors and The Miracle Media group would like to thank them for their incredible support in

catering services including: Aqeel Abbas(Al Madina Restaurant), Mr. Daood Qayum (Afghan Chopan Restaurant), Mr. Zafar Khan & Mr.Ayyaz Khan(Gulberg Mkt. & Fine Cuisine), Mr. Ali Mirza(Lahore Halal Meat), Haji Riaz(Pak Punjab Samoosa), Mr. Shahid Choudhry(Crystal @York),Mr. Sajid Hameed(Pakwan House),Mr. Mian Saeed( Kabob Palace)and Mrs. Suleman Mehtab(Pak-Mehfil Catering).

The Miracle also thanks all those who contributed in sponsorship to make this event successful including: Mr.Sohail Ahmed( Vancity Tiles), Mr. Shamim Akbar(Pak-National Foods), Mr. Irfan Rana (ABC Rana Signs), Mr. Jarfan Amjad(Capital coast),Mr. Nazir Ch.(Diamond Carpets) Mr. Ayyaz Shums(A 2 Z Mortgages), Mr. M. Malick(Gaba travel), Mr. Sumeet Bains(Bains Travel, Mr. Akhtar Zaheer(Best Pan) Mr. Tarik Kiyani(Zest Photocopier), Mr. Shohaib (Paan Palace Ltd),Mr. Shams Siddiqui (Global Rugs, Mr. Arfan Malik(Malik Painting), Mr. Abdul Qayyum(Omax Realty), Mr. Rauf Khan(Galaxy Travel Ltd), Mr. Ishtiaq Malik(Pak Can Motors),Mr. Rana Gulzar(Immfusion Consulting). Also our thanks goes out Dr. Babra, Dr. Riffat Nagra, Ms. Farina, Mr. Ihsan Malik and the door prizes donors: Mr. Zarar Butt(Calgary Sweets), Mr. M.Riaz(Al Watan Restaurant), and Mr. Mohammad Arshid(Barney’s Pizza).

At the end, the hardwork of all the volunteers who contributed to the event will never be forgotten. A big thanks to the Miracle team, all volunteers, Tickets sellers, especially Mr. Afzal Malik, Mr. Ihsan Sheikh, Mr. Sajid Hameed and Mr. Nadeem Rabbani whose organizational skills and hard work made this event a success! We hope to count on all of you for our future events!

Iqra School celebrates the successes of its Graduates Iqra Islamic School held its 2010-2011 Graduation ceremony on June 29. The graduating class of Grade 8 and students from Grade 7 gave presentations throughout the program.

Math, Honour Roll, Student of the year Awards were given to Grade 7 and 8 students. A detailed report of the event will be published in the next issue of the Miracle. We congratulate all the young graduates in this accomplishment and pray that the Islamic education that they received at Iqra will serve as a cornerstone of their future lives.

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Awards 2011 by Miracle Media

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JOB Placement & Resource Centre Vancouver Career Center If you are unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week, you may call (604) 522-5966 to book an appointment and receive personalized and professional one-to-one employment counselling in Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashtu and English languages. You may visit our job bank at www.issbc.org to see if you can apply for the available jobs: You will find these and other job No fee for service postings in our website: Job# V584

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OPENING SOON: OUR 3rd LOCATION!

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(Inshallah)

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

We do catering for all occasions We also host private parties at our 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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TRANSGLOBAL Travel & Tours Ltd (604) 583-3833 Multiple Saudi Arabian Visa: 1. Umrah Visa 2. Employment Visa Air Tickets Anywhere 3. Business Visa 4. Tourist Visa Visa Services for other countries are also available Vacation Packages Call for details

1432H –2011 Hajj Package Departure dates Oct 21, 2011 - Nov. 11, 2011 Al SafwahRoyal Orchid [5 Star](Makkah) DarAl EimanGrand Hotel(or Similar) [4 Star -New](Madinah) 2 night stay in a VIP Building in Shisha.

Prices start from: Quad Room $7,940/person Triple Room $8,440/person, Double Room $8,940/person * Food in 5 Stars Buffet Style (Makkah-Madinah-Mena-Arafat). * VIP Tents in Mina (next to Jamarat) & Arafat. * Private Upgraded and Comfortable Buses(24 Hours). * Visitation of Historical Sites in Makkah and Madinah. * Guidance, Seminars, Workshops here and in Hajj and Madinah. * Books, Tapes and CDs as well as Ihram and Hajj Kit. * Escorted By a very experienced Imam Sheikh Waleed Abdulhakeem (Director of Islamic Studies at ILM Path and an Al-Maghrib Instructor) & Administration Team GROUP SIZE IS VERY LIMITED. PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE VIP HAJJ SERVICE (TENTS IN MENA & ARAFAT).

Package of 40 prayers (Nimaz) in Madina also available, call now for more details!

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The Face of Fanaticism

By Maheen Nusrat I pride myself in being a PakistaniCanadian and to my semi-Americanized Husband, I am always tooting the horn of Canadian Politeness, especially whilst living in New York, the World Capital of Rudeness, where you would be lucky if you don't get trampled over on your walk home from work. However, after yesterday's final of the Stanley Cup, where the Canucks lost (miserably, might I add) to the Boston Bruins, I am having a tough time defending the renowned Canadian Politeness.

Vancouver is a beautiful city naturally, but when you compare it to so many other cities in the world, they can't ever compare to the immaculately cleanliness of Vancouver. I love Vancouver. Not a day goes by, when I don't miss Vancouver, when I don't reminisce about the simple joys of breathing in fresh air, or drinking clean, thirst-quenching water right out of the tap, even on the many scortching heat sunny days (something Vancouver lacks) of New York, I miss the Vancouver rain. Watching the pictures of Vancouver burning aches me on so many levels. The first, most superficial level is that my smack talk against New Yorkers in particular and Americans in general is definitely put to shame. My ego is having a tough time bearing the brunt of it. Secondly, I think about the beautiful landmarks in downtown Vancouver that have been destroyed and feel a pang of pain. Thirdly, I think of the cost of this needless and pointless rioting that will eventually chip away at the tax payers money--- money that could be better utilized for so many other social causes like shelters for the homeless, childcare funds, money towards preserving the environment, to name a few. Fourthly, I am utterly disgusted, enraged and humiliated at

the actions of a few ignorant people who went out with the intention to ruin our beautiful city. I may be away from Vancouver, BC, but it is my home, where my Soul resides. To think that fellow Vancouvarites and fellow Canuck fans (supposedly) actively went out of their houses with the intention to destroy is a very bitter pill to swallow. Fifth and most important, I can't help but compare this barbaric behaviour to that of the third world countries.

Whenever we see footage of riots from another country in the third world, we are so quick to judge and sneer and say how is it that you can burn your own home? own city?your own country? Well, as it turns out, even those of us with the tinted glasses of judgement are equally guilty of such barbaric behaviour. The part that stings the most is that we pride ourselves in being of the first world, we call ourselves "civilized" and have our heads up high with a condescending attitude towards the others and say "we are better"...It is only a delusion we continue to feed ourselves, apparently, having the best facilities in the world, education, the sheer privilege of being citizen of a first world country doesn't necessarily curb the demon inside.

The rioting incidents in Vancouver make you take a deeper look inside of the potential demons of our beings. To me that is the scariest of all. It is called the mob mentality.

What is stopping the civilized, the most polite people of Canada from becoming the perpetrators of crimes like the mob killing of the two boys in Sialkot or the rangers killing an unarmed teenage boy? My friends, it is truly a slippery slope. It is easier to judge others than it is to walk a mile in the shoes of those suffering pain. When riots break out in Pakistan, they have been

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Issue 287 - Rajaab 29, 1432 / July 1, 2011 THE on issues like when the Tenessee Pastor started a movement to burn the Quran; or when Raymond Davis was unjustily released, or when a party leader was killed. Not that I am justifying burning your own city, but if you are going to be protesting, at least protest something a little bit more of substance than losing a game.

There is a reason games are called games. There is always a winner and a loser. Not both teams can come up on top. We accept that as a reality of the sports and move on with the fervour and desire for the cup for the next year. Hey at least, it isn't like the world cup of cricket, where you have to wait 4 years to even get a chance at winning the cup. I am damn proud to state that the fans of Pakistan----the third world fans of Pakistan after a loss to their long time Rival India, displayed more class and celebrated Pakistan's victories until that point with dignity, respect and utmost love and have put to shame the supposed fans of the Canucks--the first world fans of the Canucks.

I am extremely disappointed, ashamed, disgusted at this display of sheer barbarianism.

I know many of my friends, and family who are die hard canuck fans, went to downtown to cheer the team on at every game, celebrated at home, many of us who are not living in Vancouver, we have glued ourselves to our television sets and lived the heartache of losing and celebrated the games that we won. What makes the rioters loss so big that they had to burn the city? The true fans and true patriots of Vancouver have had to bear the brunt of this loss twice. Once, when the Canucks didn't score a single goal, and they were victimized a second time, when they saw the supposed fans burning Vancouver.

They have had to hold their heads in shame and find themselves unable to explain this behaviour from their fellow men.

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The display of the rioters behaviour is deserving of the utmost level of reprimanding. In a society that values individual rights over the collective, I would say that when the danger and harm caused by individuals supercedes and affects the collective, the police has every right to take SEVERE action. Vancouver police should have arrested people, and I hate to say this, but probably used FORCE to implement the rule of Law. When human beings no longer adhere to the sanctity of the rights of safety given to all by the sacred constitution, they therefore lose the right to protest.

I hope that Vancouver will continue to shine as a city of love, peace and absolute serenity and beauty. To All my felllow Vancouvarites and the true die hard Canucks fan, raise your head up high, because you displayed utmost respect for your team when you cheered them on towards the last few minutes of the game.

To the Canucks, we respect you for all your hard work, we love you for giving us an amazing season and a game of utmost suspense. To the rioters, if this is how you will behave everytime Canucks makes it to the finals, then my my deepest wish is that the Canucks never makes it to the finals. IF a team is so good to make it to the finals, it deserves fans that are capable of handling that and you have proved yourself UNWORTHY!!!

A Celebration of Canada Day Sunday July 3rd at Bear Creek Park in Surrey

DELTA / SURREY

Pakistan-Canada Association proudly continues the tradition of celebrating Canada Day with our annual family picnic. Fun events for children, teens and adults will be organized along with our famous potluck table. Everyone is encouraged to bring one dish to share that can serve 6 to 10 people. Pakistan-Canada Association will be serving prepared packages of Rice and Chicken for $5 as a fundraiser for Pakistan House. Event starts at 12 Noon and will run into the evening.

Nordel Annex #105 – 12025 Nordel Way (x Scott Rd)

For details contact Kamran Hayat at 604-322-2942.

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604-596-4588 FLEETWOOD

Vancouver School of Theology

Fleetwood Town Square #103-15988 Fraser Hwy., Surrey

Public lecture on Islam, Citizenship, Identity, Anxiety Political philosopher and scholar of Muslim thought, Dr. Amyn B. Sajoo, will give a free public lecture, “Public Islam: Citizenship, Identity, Anxiety,” at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 12, at Vancouver School of Theology’s Chapel of the Epiphany, 6030 Chancellor Drive, on the UBC Campus. Dr. Sajoo’s lecture is sponsored by VST’s Iona Pacific Inter-religious Centre www.ionapacific.ca.

A visiting scholar at Simon Fraser University, Dr. Sajoo is a distinguished lecturer on religion’s role in democratic societies. He earned degrees at the University of London and McGill University, and has been an advisor to the Canadian Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs. Editor of the Muslim Heritage series, he has held visiting appointments at universities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. A contributor to The Globe and Mail, the CBC, and The Guardian, his publications include A Companion to the Muslim World (2009), Muslim Modernities (2008), and Muslim Ethics: Emerging Vistas (2004). Dr. Sajoo was the University of Victoria’s 2011 Distinguished Lecturer in Islam. For more information about the July 12 lecture, contact info@ionapacific.ca. While mass transit is recommended, public parking is available at UBC’s North Parkade and Rose Garden garages. Dr. Sajoo is also teaching a week-long course, “Faith and Modernity: Islam in a Secular Age,” in VST’s Summer School, July 11 – 15, 2:00 – 5:00 pm.

To register as an auditor, go to www.vst.edu and click on “Continuing Education and Public Events” under the Programs menu. For degree credit registration, contact registrar@vst.edu. Course registration is due by July 4 Contact: Shannon M. Lythgoe: shannonl@vst.edu

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Research shows promise in reversing Type 1 diabetes

By Thomas H. Maugh II Preliminary experiments in a handful of people suggest that it might be possible to reverse Type 1 diabetes using an inexpensive vaccine to stop the immune system from attacking cells in the pancreas.

Research in mice had already shown that the tuberculosis vaccine called BCG, prevents T cells from destroying insulin-secreting cells, allowing the pancreas to regenerate and begin producing insulin again, curing the disease.

Now tests with very low doses of the vaccine in humans show transient increases in insulin production, researchers will report Sunday at a San Diego meeting of the American Diabetes Assn.

The Massachusetts General Hospital team is now gearing up to use higher doses of the vaccine in larger numbers of people in an effort to increase and prolong the response.

The findings contradict an essential paradigm of diabetes therapy — that once the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas have been destroyed, they are gone forever.

Because of that belief, most research today focuses on using vaccines to prevent the cells' destruction in the first place, or on using beta cell transplants to replace the

destroyed cells.

The new findings, however, hint that even in patients with long-standing diabetes, the body retains the potential to restore pancreas function if clinicians can only block the parts of the immune system that are killing the beta cells.

The results are "fascinating and very promising," said immunology expert Dr. Eva Mezey, director of the adult stem-cell unit at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. But Mezey noted that the results had been achieved in only a small number of patients and that they suggest the vaccinations would have to be repeated regularly.

The key player in the diabetes study is a protein of the immune system called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF. Studies by others have shown that if you increase levels of TNF in the blood, it will block other parts of the immune system that attack the body, especially the pancreas.

To raise TNF levels, Dr. Denise Faustman of Massachusetts General Hospital and her colleagues have been working with the BCG vaccine, known formally as Bacille Calmette-Guerin. BCG has been used for more than 80 years in relatively low doses to

Overcoming Humiliating Moments By: Shabnam Khan - Family Counsellor Everyone has unique personalities. As we grew up in various environments we are all exposed to different life events.

All these affect our self-esteem. While some have generally experienced decades of social change leading to increased opportunities and a greater sense of selfconfidence and self-worth, individually some of us do have self-esteem issues.

These issues are less positive motivation for some overachievers!

If you are plagued by memories of humiliating moments from your past, there are three ways to put them behind you and move on.

Appreciate them: You can work your whole life to create the perfect image, but its those flawed moments that stand out as a testing ground for your character. The humiliating moments of your life can be pivotal events that give you the chance to grow stronger and define yourself to the world.

Embrace them: Wear them like a badge of honor and learn to love the imperfection and the humanness you now posses. If you embrace embarrassment you diffuse it, just as you stop a bully in his tracks by standing up to him.

Share them: Don’t think that you’re the only one who has humiliating moments in the life. So many has been in similar if not worse situation. When you begin to share your stories you’ll see how mistakes and embarrassing moments are a right passage for all of us.

On the other hand, for some overachievers with shaky foundation of self-worth mostly look to please others as a way of feeling better about them. This a kind of harried overachiever who doesn’t stop for a second because they are always doing something for someone else - a friend, a family member, a colleague, a local community group and so on. Just remember, Self-esteem has a very large component of Self-respect to it.

If you are a parent, the message conveyed here is that expectations of what your children can achieve have risen just as the world is becoming more competitive, creating an enormous clash between expectations and reality! As parents, educator’s and community leaders, we should try our best to build self-esteem and real coping skills in our children. Failure can be used as a motivator. Thinking that failure is bad for children is a mistake. Failure is an enormous character and self-esteem builder.

If children are allowed to fail, they will have to learn both coping skills and problem solving skills, which will make them feel competent !

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stimulate immunity against tuberculosis.

More recently, it has been used in much higher doses to treat bladder cancer.

Faustman first reported her findings in mice in a 2001 paper in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, but scientists reviewing her findings for that journal were so skeptical that she was not allowed to refer to "regeneration" of the pancreas in the paper.

Instead, she was told to say "restoration of insulin secretion by return of blood sugar to normal."

In 2003, she published a report in the journal Science in which she was able to use the word "regeneration," but that finding was met by an "explosion of skepticism," she said. Nonetheless, by 2007, "six international labs had duplicated the mouse experiments," she said. "We needed to move forward into humans."

In the human trial, Faustman and her colleagues studied six patients who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes for an average of 15 years. They were randomly selected to receive either two doses of BCG spaced four weeks apart or a placebo.

Careful examination of those receiving the vaccine showed a decline of T cells that normally attack the pancreas. It also revealed a

temporary but statistically significant elevation of an insulin precursor called C-peptide, an indication that new insulin production was occurring.

"If this is reproducible and correct, it could be a phenomenal finding," said Dr. Robert R. Henry of UC San Diego, who chaired the scientific program at the meeting. It suggests that once the destructive immune response is controlled, the body has the capability to produce more insulin, he said.

One of the patients receiving a placebo also showed a similar elevation of C-peptide, but that patient coincidentally became infected

by Epstein-Barr virus, which is known to induce production of TNF. The concentrations of BCG that the team used were much lower than they would have liked, but were the highest the Food and Drug Administration would permit, Faustman said.

She said she is now negotiating with the agency to use higher levels, which should produce a more pronounced effect, and to enroll more people.

The research is funded by philanthropists, primarily the Iacocca Family Foundation.

CWCN Workshop on Family Issues By: Shabnam Khan CWCN conducted a Women’s Workshop on Sunday, 19th June. Sue Hammell, the Member of Legislative Assembly of British Columbia participated in the workshop as a honorable guest speaker of the event. Dr. Zaubaria Akbar, Registered Family Physician and Shabnam Khan, Registered Family Counsellor, were the key note speakers. The topics discussed were women & cancer, general health issues, family counselling and mediation services. Dr. Zaubaria emphasized on self-examination, signs and symptoms of cancer and adapting a healthy lifestyle. Shabnam shed light on different abuses that exist in families and how it is hidden due to shame, fear and guilt. Honorable chief guest, Sue Hammell shared her personal travelling experiences around certain parts of the world eg. Egypt, Kuwait and Syria and expressed a major change that has occurred in politics espe-

cially for women in these countries. She also mentioned that women’s attitude, understanding in society has changed. She emphasized on women empowerment and education to reach their full potential and build stronger communities. She further added that only 20 percent of women were involvement in politics in Canada but that has increased by another 20 percent!

The women enjoyed participating in the interactive workshop and their questions and concerns were well addressed by speakers. Women freely shared their personal life experiences with the group and the event was well received by the participants.

The workshop started at 12.00 p.m. and finished at 2 p.m. All participants had a chance to interact and network with each other and the day ended with refreshments for everyone!

CWCN - We Connect, We Care, We Make A Difference!

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Associates included in 2015 World Cup The ICC has reversed its decision on excluding Associates from the 2015 World Cup, which will now comprise 14 teams including four Associates as it was in the 2011 edition. The decision to reinstate the Associates, which was taken on the third day of the ICC's annual conference in Hong Kong, is a reversal of the ICC's heavily criticised move to restrict the 2015 tournament to the Full Members. The ICC has, however, reduced the number of teams in the World Twenty20s in 2012 and 2014 from 16 to 12 (ten Full Members and two Associates). It also spelled out the qualification process it had announced for the 2019 World Cup; there will be ten teams in the tournament, with the top-eight ranked sides gaining automatic entry and the remaining two spots decided by a new qualification competition. Seen through to the logical process there would, for the first time in World Cup history, be the likelihood of a full member nation being eliminated from

the competition before its start. The decision to exclude Associates from the 2015 edition was made shortly after the 2011 World Cup final. It sparked a wave of protests, especially since Ireland, who are the leading Associate team, had performed creditably in the competition, upsetting England and competing in most of their other games. Much like what transpired on the opening day of the ICC conference, when the discussion on the FTP and the DRS was pushed over to the next morning due to the intensity of the debate, discussions on Tuesday around the proposed amendment over the appointment of the ICC president were also postponed to Wednesday. At Tuesday's meeting, the first move towards overturning the Executive Board's original plan to restrict the 2015 World Cup to full member nations came from the BCCI. The decision was welcomed by a "delighted" Warren Deutrom, the Cricket Ireland chief executive. "The board

should be greatly commended in the first instance for agreeing to look again at the matter, and then for being courageous enough to review their original decision that isn't easy," he told ESPNcricinfo. "As for Ireland, we now have to get our heads down and try to qualify for it [2015 World Cup]!" The Executive Board meeting to finalise the Associates involvement in the World Cup stretched on for close to four hours. The Associates' delight would not have been shared by the hosts Australia and New Zealand, who supported a shorter, sharper format. By cutting the tournament down to 10 teams, the Executive Board had hoped to repeat 1992's most appreciated World Cup format, in which all teams played each other once. Having the main teams playing nine matches each would have sustained interest and been televisionfriendly. As far as why the ICC have not gone for a 12-team tournament, the argument was that a 12-team format means the

minimum number of matches each team plays is drastically cut down from nine to five. Fourteen is considered a more acceptable figure, particularly for broadcasters, ensuring that ratings stay high and public attention is retained through a month-long event. Also, it is understood that a 12-team format would have involved only three knockout matches, whereas a 14-nation event offers seven high-interest games starting with a quarter-final stage. After being part of the Associates shutout in April, bringing the number 14 back into the picture has enabled the BCCI to ensure that a big numerical lobby in the full council is on their side going into the rotation issue on Wednesday. Four non-member teams now having a chance to make it through to world cricket's biggest event. For a special resolution to change the ICC Constitution the requirement is for the support of eight Full Members and 38 out of 50 of the full council. Source: Cricinfo

Canucks re-sign Bieksa, trade Ehroff to Isles Kevin Bieksa signed a five-year deal Tuesday with the Vancouver Canucks, forgoing unrestricted free agency. The deal is worth $23 million deal,. Bieksa, who earned $3.5 million this past season, will earn $7 million in 2011-12. The rest of his contract breakdown: $4.5 million in 2012-13; $5 million in 2013-14; $4 million in 2014-15; and $2.5 million in the last year. Bieksa, who turned 30 on June 16, had six goals, 16 assists and was tied for second in the NHL with a plus32 rating in 66 regular season games last season. He played his best hockey after being united with Dan Hamhuis on a defensive pairing that regularly went up against the opposition's best forwards down the stretch. Bieksa had five goals and five assists in 25 playoff games, including the Western Conference-clinching goal in double-overtime against the San Jose Sharks. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2001 NHL draft out of Bowling Green, Bieksa has 34 goals and 113 assists in 347 games with the Canucks. He suffered a pair of serious skate cuts to his legs in 2007-08 and 2009-10, and only got back to full health last season. There was widespread speculation a year ago he would be traded to clear salary-cap space, but that

ended when fellow defenseman Sami Salo tore his Achilles last summer, and Bieksa reemerged as one of Vancouver's more reliable two-way defenders.

The Canucks announced Tuesday that the rights to the defenceman have been traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourthround draft pick in 2012. Ehrhoff becomes an unrestricted free agent on Saturday, the start of the free-agency period. The Islanders will have exclusive negotiation rights with the German veteran until then.

The move comes hours after the Canucks signed top defenceman Kevin Bieksa to a $23-million US, five-year contract extension. Ehrhoff was a solid contributor to the Canucks' first-overall finish in the 2010-11 regular season, putting up 50 points (14 goals, 36 assists) and a plus-19 rating in 79 games. His numbers dipped in the playoffs, where he had 12 points in 23 games and a minus-13 rating. He was limited to one point in Vancouver's Stanley Cup final loss to Boston, and was on the ice for two of the Bruins' four goals in the deciding game. He said after the final that he had been playing with an injured shoulder.

Source: ESPN and CBC

CLEVELAND NABS IRVING AND THOMPSON IN DRAFT Caption: The Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Kyle Irving from Duke (R) with the first pick in the NBA Draft and Tristan Thompson (L) with the fourth pick. Thompson became the highest drafted Canadian player in modern history. Turkish center, Enes Kanter was drafted third overall by the Utah Jazz.

Muslim American weightlifter ‘presses’ on in fight to compete She is 35 years old. She has a Ph.D. in electrical computer engineering. She has a black belt in taekwondo. And she can “deadlift” 110 kilos and “snatch” just over 47.

American Muslim Kulsoom Abdullah is quite possibly the only woman in the world to compete in weightlifting tournaments while wearing the hijab – and now she

refuses to be strong-armed by regulations prohibiting her from participating because of her loose clothing. Ms. Abdullah was told she could not compete in the American Open last year because her long sleeves and pants prevented the judges from ensuring her elbows and knees were fully extended, which judges said could be unsafe or give her an edge over others wearing a regulation singlet, the short, skintight traditional uniform.

So, backed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, she appealed to the International Weightlifters Federation, putting together a 44-page packet illustrating an alternate dress code that allows her to compete fairly without compromising her faith.

The US Olympic Committee says it will present the case during the Federation’s annual meeting, which began on Sunday in Malaysia. Ms. Abdullah’s disqual-

ification is the latest in a growing number of disputes over female Muslim athletes’ attire and sports regulations. Earlier this month, the Iranian women’s soccer team was barred from playing in the World Cup when FIFA officials ruled their headscarves posed a threat of strangulation. In 2007, a designer in Canada created the now ubiquitous “Burqini” to give Muslim women a modest alternative for water sports and leisure. The Women’s Sports Foundation, a nonprofit group that advocates for female athletes, has kept tabs on the controversies surrounding the hijab. Nancy Hogshead-Maker, senior director of advocacy with WSF, says she is hopeful that the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the highest governing body for sports, will resolve the weightlifting dispute and future disputes in favor of inclusion. Religion and sports have made uneasy compromises in the past. Last year Minnesota Vikings defensive back Husain Abdullah caused a stir by fasting for Ramadan during intense pre-season train-

ing despite doctors’ warnings. Famous American baseball player Sandy Koufax refused to pitch in the first game of the 1965 World Series because it coincided with Jewish holiday Yom Kippur. In 1995, Jewish high school basketball players in the US resorted to using Scotch tape on their yarmulkes after being asked to remove them because the bobby pins typically used to keep them secured could harm others during play. Ms. Abdullah expects to have a decision from the IWF in the next day or two. In the meantime, she continues to work out nearly every day at her home gym in Atlanta, Georgia, prompted on by coaches and fellow lifters. “I’m hoping to encourage, not discourage,” said Ms. Abdullah.

“Other weightlifters don’t care how I dress.

They’ve been generally supportive – they mostly wonder if I’m hot, but I tell them I’d be hot anyway because it’s summer and we don’t have air condition in the gym.”

Source: Al-Arabiya

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