Miracle Media Newspaper

BRINGING HARMONY TO ALL THE COMMUNITIES

BC Canada

Volume 11 Issue 301 Safar 19, 1433 AH / January 13, 2012 - $1

Bi-Weekly & Bilingual

www.miraclenews.com

Senior B.C. Mountie arrested for cocaine theft

MLA Brar on ‘Welfare Challenge’ tries to get the basics of life: After paying for housing, bus tickets and a phone, MLA Jagrup Brar, Surrey-Fleetwood was left with $108 for food and other necessities for the month. On January 1, MLA Brar started the month-long MLA Welfare Challenge which was issued by Raise the Rates. He will live on the welfare rate of $610 for the month of January. See details on page 14.

Photo By: M.N. Pirzada

Ahmadinejad visits Latin America

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president, has started a diplomatic offensive in Latin America to shore up economic and political ties in the region. Ahmadinejad arrived in Venezuela on Sunday. As part of his five-day tour, he will also visit Ecuador, Nicaragua and Cuba. It is his sixth trip to the continent since taking office. Strengthening ties with the region has become one of Iran’s foreign policy priorities.

And his visit appears to have been well timed - coming just

as Iran is feeling the heat from the tougher sanctions being considered by Europe and the US. The country has already been forced to prop up its currency just days after the US made it difficult for foreign firms to do business with the country’s central bank. And a European oil embargo, which now looks likely, would add to the pressure on Tehran.

But Iran is threatening to respond to the sanctions by closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 35 per cent of the world’s oil passes. Iran has a history of trade ties with several South American nations and there is no doubt Ahmadinejad is looking to expand his influence in the region. So is Ahmadinejad’s push into Latin America part of an effort to circumvent some of the tighter sanctions being considered

by Europe and the US? Or is it simply a display of strength by a confident nation? And are economic sanctions merely strengthening Tehran’s hand? Source: Al Jazeera

A senior RCMP officer in British Columbia has been arrested and suspended from the force for allegedly stealing cocaine from police drug exhibits.

Staff Sgt. Stuart Seib, commander of RCMP’s Merritt, B.C., detachment, has been charged with theft.

Investigators say additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. The RCMP allege Seib stole and used cocaine from drug exhibits on more than one occasion.

Chief Supt. Mike Sekela said police became aware of the alleged theft last week after Seib confided in another officer.

An investigation was immediately launched and Seib, an 18-year veteran of the force, has been suspended with pay. That may change after an upcoming review of his suspension.

“The process is underway to proceed with a recommendation that the member be suspended without pay,” Sekela said at a news conference in Chilliwack, B.C. on Jan 11.

“I understand that news like this is very concerning,” Sekela said. “As the officer in charge of all of the detachments in the southeast district, these actions do not meet my expectations or those of the public.”

Sekela said his senior management team has met with other employees of the Merritt detachment and community leaders to discuss the situation.

Seib joined the Merritt detachment in November.

“While the alleged actions of this member are extremely troubling, they are clearly not representative of the high moral and ethical standards of the vast majority of the members of the RCMP,” Sekela said.

Source: CTVNews.ca Staff

Special Fares for Pakistan by Gulf Air Line

BC Reg. # 2322 Celebrating 60 years in business

Abbotsford 2-2488 Clearbrook Rd. 604-854-6088 Vancouver 6550 Fraser St. 604-324-2277

Surrey: Unit # 303, 8128-128th St. Surrey (Payal business centre) 604-584-1411

See Anis Shah in our Surrey Office

PAKISTAN

INDIA

BANGLADESH MIDDLE EAST AFRICA

$619 $799 $730

FIJI

SRI LANKA

$752 $750 $1050 $1030

Visit: www.bainstravel.com www.indiatour.ca www.cruiseconcepts.net

2

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

3

p a k i s t a n

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Pak Govt Calls Urgent Parliamentary Session Over SC Warning

Leaders of Pakistan’s ruling coalition on Tuesday decided to call an urgent session of parliament on Thursday in the wake of a warning from the Supreme Court that action could be taken against the President and Prime Minister for failing to reopen high-profile corruption cases, reported by The News.

The decision was made at a meeting jointly chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at the presidency late tonight.

The heads of the parties in the ruling coalition led by the Pakistan People’s Party proposed that a session of the

National Assembly or lower house of parliament should be “urgently called to discuss the latest political issues”, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

The leaders agreed that the session of the National Assembly should be called on Thursday at 4 pm, Babar said.

The leaders discussed the “current political situation with particular reference to the most recent developments”, he said.

“Before the session of the National Assembly, a joint meeting of the parliamentary parties will be held in the Parliament House to work out the strategy to be adopted during the National Assembly session,” Babar said.

The meeting was attended by PMLQ chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Awami National Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, senior Muttahida Qaumi

Movement leaders Farooq Sattar and Babar Khan Ghauri, and PPP leaders Khursheed Shah, Babar Awan and Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Earlier, President Zardari cut short a visit to Karachi and rushed back to the federal capital following the warning issued by the Supreme Court.

Shortly after arriving in Islamabad, Zardari held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Gilani.

The apex court warned that action could be taken against both the President and Prime Minister for failing to act on a court order to reopen corruption cases that were closed under a graft amnesty issued by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in 2007.

The amnesty was struck down by the apex court in December 2009.

Since then, the court has been pressuring the government to reopen corruption cases against Zardari and over 8,000 other beneficiaries of the amnesty.

The government has refused to act on the court’s directives to reopen cases of alleged money laundering against Zardari in Switzerland, saying the President enjoys immunity from prosecution.

US Drone Kills Four Persons In Pakistan

Four persons were killed when a US drone targeted a house in the restive North Waziristan tribal region of northwest Pakistan today, the first such attack since November last year.

The drone fired two missiles at the house in Miranshah,

the main town of North Waziristan Agency, Geo News channel reported.

The identity of the four persons killed in the attack could not immediately be ascertained. The house caught fire after the missiles slammed into it, local residents were quoted as saying by the channel.

This was the first US drone strike in Pakistan’s tribal belt since November 17 last year.

The US had reportedly suspended its controversial drone campaign after a cross-border NATO air strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26.

Pakistan had angrily responded to the air strike by shutting all NATO supply routes and forcing the US to vacate Shamsi airbase, reportedly used by CIA-operated drones.

Gilani Not An Honest Man, Says Pakistan SC

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is not an honest man as he had not lived up to his constitutional oath, Pakistan’s Supreme Court said today, as it warned of action against him for failing to act on an order to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Piling pressure on PPP-led beleaguered government, a five-judge bench, which had taken up the issue of implementing the apex court’s verdict striking down a graft amnesty that benefited Zardari, said in its order that Gilani was not an “honourable man” as he had not lived up to his constitutional oath.

The premier had shown loyalty to his political party rather than the Constitution, the bench said. “Prima facie, the Prime Minister is not an honest man and violated his oath,” the bench said in its order.

The bench contended that the Pakistan People’s Partyled government’s refusal to write a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen cases of alleged money laundering

QR CODE

Scan with your smartphone to visit our website for the latest news in BC Muslim Community!

against Zardari went against the Constitution and the Quran.

The bench listed six options for the government, including action against the premier for contempt of court and declaring Gilani ineligible to be a member of parliament for five years - and referred the case to Chief Justice Iftikhar Gilani.

The bench recommended that the Chief Justice form a larger bench to hear the matter on January 16.

The bench asked Attorney General Anwar-ul-Haq to ascertain the government’s views before the next hearing.

It also summoned the Attorney General, the Law Secretary and the chairman of the National Accountability Bureau to appear before the apex court at the next hearing.

The apex court struck down the National Reconciliation Ordinance, a graft amnesty issued by former President Pervez Musharraf that benefited Zardari and over 8,000

Continued on pg 4

We specialize in Pakistan, India, Middle East, Fiji, Europe, South America and South Pacific.

We do Hajj, Umrah packages, Cruises and Disney Land tours etc.

Abdul Rauf (President)

galaxytravel@live.ca

www.galaxytravel.ca

www.junaidiqbal.ca

NOTARY PUBLIC

SHAHNAZ RAHMITULA

CGA

#202 -7288 137 Street, Surrey

604-591-7171

TRANSGLOBAL

TRAVEL & TOURS LTD

Specialize in Hajj and Umrah * Best Prices on Airfare Around the World

Special Fares on Pakistan and the Middle East

* Vacation, Cruise and Tour Packages * Visa Services for Any Country Consumer Protection BC Lic # 54594

We Offer the World to You!

9538 -120 Street, Surrey ( Scott Town Plaza) 604-583-3833 or 778-708-5255

NOTARY PUBLIC

SAIRALLBKHAN (London) T: 604-591-5824 C: 604-324-9944 saira@vannotary.com

#213 - 8334 - 128 Street, Surrey

GMS

LAW CORPORATION

Ghulam Murtaza

Barrister, Solicitor and Notary Public. * Immigration - Appeals, Deportation Hearings - Federal court Cases * ICBC Claims * Real Estate 689-East 46 Ave. (Fraser St & 46 Ave) Vancouver Tel: 604-568-0202 • Fax: 604-568-0235 Email: murtazalawoffice@yahoo.com

4

i n t e r n a t i o n a l

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Assad Speech Pushes Syria To Civil War : Opposition

The opposition Syrian National Council branded January 10 keynote address by President Bashar al-Assad as an “incitement to violence” that pushes the country closer to a civil war.

“The head of the regime has given a dangerous speech in which he stated his determination to use violence against our own people and to regard the revolution as a terrorist plot,” SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun told a news conference in Istanbul.

“He has cut short any Arab or other initiative to find a solution to the crisis and avoid the worst,” he said, adding the speech showed Assad’s “determination to divide and push the country towards civil war.”

Ghalioun called on the world community to

“work to ensure the international protection of Syrian civilians as soon as possible,” while urging the Arab League to turn to the UN Security Council for help.

In a televised speech lasting almost two hours, Assad blamed foreign plotters for 10 months of protests against his regime and said his government would tackle terrorism with an “iron fist”.

Basma Qadmani of the SNC told the same Istanbul news conference that Assad’s speech amounted to “incitement to violence” and “some talks about sectarian divisions which the regime itself has fomented and encouraged.

“Our concern today is that such a speech is quite indicative of the total dismissal by

the regime of the international community,” Qadmani said in a statement.

“And that is an indication that we are going in the direction of more irresponsible and more criminal behaviour by the regime in the coming days and weeks.” Qadmani also said Assad’s speech indicated that the regime “is breaking up with the Arab League,” which has sent observers to Syria in a bid to try to halt the bloodshed that the UN says has killed over 5,000 people.

“This is a turning point, a rupture with its Arab environment,” she added in remarks.

“The word democracy has hardly appeared in this discourse; we have seen much speech about reforms but we haven’t heard of any progress at any level since 11

months and the beginning of the revolution.”

Assad’s speech came hours before the UN Security Council was due to discuss the bloodshed in the country.

Qadmani called the UN to take action to stop killings.

“Our next step therefore is to go in a speedy way to the Security Council with the support of the Arab countries which are now convinced that this regime has not cooperated during the (Arab League) mission and is quite unlikely to cooperate in any manner,” she said.

Nuclear scientist killed in Tehran car blast: media An Iranian nuclear scientist was killed and two people injured when a magnetic bomb attached to a car by a duo on a motorbike exploded outside a Tehran university on Wednesday, Iranian news agencies said. The person killed was identified by several media as Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a scientist who worked on separating gases at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, according to the website of a different university from which he graduated around a decade ago. “This morning a motorbiker attached a bomb to a Peugeot 405, which exploded,” the deputy governor of Tehran province, Safar Ali Bratloo, was quoted as saying by the ILNA news agency.The explosion occurred outside the east Tehran campus of Allameh Tabatai University, at its social sciences faculty. Ahmadi Roshan was killed and the two wounded passengers were taken to hospital, Bratloo said.

Sharif University, Tehran’s elite technical university where the slain scientist had studied, said Ahmadi Roshan was specialised in making polymeric membranes used to separate gas. Iran uses gas separation to enrich uranium. Three other Iranian scientists were killed in 2010 and 2011 when their cars blew up in similar circumstances. At least two of the scientists had also been working on nuclear activities. One of the attacks oc-

curred exactly two years ago, on January 11, 2010, killing scientist Masoud Ali Mohammdi. The current head of Iran’s atomic organisation, Fereydoun Abbasi, escaped another such attempt in November 2010, getting out of his car with his wife just before the attached bomb exploded. Those attacks were viewed by Iranian officials as assassination operations carried out by Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, possibly with help from US counterparts. The latest blast comes amid extremely high international tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, which the West and Israel believe conceals research to develop an atomic bomb. Israel has threatened to launch air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The United States has said “all options are on the table” in terms of dealing with Iran -- including military action. Tehran, which has repeatedly denied that its nuclear programme is for anything other than peaceful purposes, has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf if it is attacked. Twenty percent of the world’s oil flows through that strait.

Wednesday’s car explosion followed confirmation on Monday by the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran had started uranium enrichment at a fortified underground bunker southwest of Tehran, in Fordo.

During an interview last week, Zardari made it clear that the government would not approach the Swiss authorities as long as he was in office.

The confrontation between the PPP and the judiciary over the NRO comes at a time when the Supreme Court is pressuring the government over an alleged memo that had sought US help to stave off a feared military coup in Pakistan last year.

Despite the government’s objections, the court formed a judicial commission to investigate the Memogate scandal, reported by the News.

Pakistan : Continued from pg 3 others in 2009.

Since then, the court has been pressuring the government to write to Swiss authorities to reopen the money laundering cases against Zardari.

The five-judge bench headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had earlier set January 10 as the deadline for the government to implement the apex court’s order on the NRO. The government has refused to act on the court’s orders, saying the President enjoys immunity from prosecution under the Constitution.

China unbowed by US pressure over Iranian oil During his latest visit to Beijing this week, the US Treasury Secretary failed to persuade China to back sanctions against Iranian oil industry during talks in Beijing. China, which buys almost one-third of Iran’s oil exports, reiterated its opposition to sanctions, which it has previously called improper and ineffective.

United States defends immunity law for Yemeni president Saleh The United States has defended a Yemeni draft law that would grant outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution over the killing of protesters during an uprising against his rule, despite criticism from the United Nations.

Yemen’s cabinet proposed the law on Sunday to speed Saleh’s exit from office in line with a Gulfbrokered plan to end protests that paralysed the impoverished Arabian Peninsula state for most of 2011.

“The immunity provisions were negotiated as part of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) deal to get Saleh to leave power. They have to be codified in law,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at her daily briefing on Monday.

“This is part and parcel of giving these guys confidence that their era is over and it’s time for Yemen to be able to move forward towards a democratic future,” she added.

Rights groups say hundreds of protesters have been killed during the uprising.

More than a month since the Gulf deal was clinched, Yemenis angry at the immunity offer are still taking to the streets, calling for Saleh to be put on trial.

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, said on Friday that a guarantee of immunity to Saleh and his aides may violate international law, undermining the Gulf initiative.

Rights group Amnesty International also urged the Yemeni parliament to reject the law.

“This is a smack in the face for justice, made all the more glaring by the fact that protesters have been calling for an end to impunity since

mass protests began in early 2011. The Yemeni parliament ought to reject this outright,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty’s interim director for the Middle East and North Africa, in a statement.

Under the Gulf deal, Saleh’s General People’s Congress party and the opposition Joint Meeting Parties agreed to divide up cabinet posts between them, forming a national unity government to lead the country towards presidential elections in February.

The United States and Saudi Arabia are keen for the plan to work, fearing that a power vacuum in Yemen gives Islamist militants suspected of links to al Qaeda space to thrive alongside a key shipping strait, the Red Sea. Saleh signed the deal in November, having backed out of it three times before, but questions remain over the intentions of the veteran leader, who last week said he would stay in Yemen, reversing a pledge to travel to the United States.

“Interestingly, the visa application remains with the embassy, but Saleh and his team have asked to have their passports returned, so not sure what that’s about,” Nuland said. Source: AFP

5

i n t e r n a t i o n a l

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Quebec mosque attacks must be treated as hate crimes, group says Attacks on two west Quebec mosques aren’t a sign of widespread intolerance, but they still must be treated as hate crimes, the president of an Ottawa-area Muslim umbrella group says. “In a city of one million people, there is always somebody who doesn’t like somebody,” said Mohammad Zakaria Khan, president of the Muslim Coordinating Council of the National Capital Region. Attacks like this happen “from time to time,” but aren’t a regular problem, he said Monday in an interview. Still, he said in a statement to area Muslims that the council is “disturbed by the repeated acts of vandalism against the Gatineau, Que., mosque. “These are clearly hate crimes and authorities should act with speed and determination to catch the culprits.” The Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau was vandalized twice last week with broken windows and spray-painted hate slogans.

As well, the nearby Mosque of Aylmer received an email last week saying Muslims should leave the country, and containing religious slurs. Mosque leaders haven’t contacted local police. The Gatineau mosque was able to give police valuable surveillance footage of a suspect, thanks to funding from a new federal program. The centre received nearly $30,000 in 2010 to strengthen its security systems, including a state-of-the-art alarm system, fencing, closed-circuit cameras, flood lights and anti-graffiti coating for its windows. The funding came from the Security Infrastructure Program, which specifically aims to help protect institutions from hate-related violence. Between 2007 and 2010, 121 projects were approved as part of the program’s $3-million initial budget, including the $28,305 awarded to the Outaouais Islamic Centre. The funding matched

money raised by the mosque. “We welcome the statements of Prime Minister Harper and Immigration and Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney condemning such attacks,” Khan said in his statement.

“We also welcome the increased surveillance and vigilance of authorities in Quebec. We also applaud the financial assistance the government is providing to organizations to greatly improve their security features for their protection and that of their property. “We note that such vandalism has also targeted churches, synagogues, cemeteries, schools, and private property. In a country as free as Canada it is unfortunate that some individuals abuse their freedom and seek to hurt their fellow Canadians or damage their property. The full force of the law should be brought to bear in such cases.” He added that Muslims should build bridges by following “the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Hadith that emphasize honesty, integrity, good manners, unity, constructive acts, caring for neighbours, relatives, orphans and the needy, respectful and constructive dialogue with fellow human beings of other faiths.”

Source: Ottawa Citizen

More than 47,000 killed in drug violence in Mexico

MEXICO CITY — Two decapitated bodies were found inside a burning SUV early Wednesday at the entrance to one of Mexico’s most luxurious malls, feeding fears drug violence is infiltrating privileged realms previously thought safe. Police recovered the mutilated bodies before dawn off a toll highway at a shopping mall entrance in the heart of the Santa Fe district that’s a haven for international corporations, diplomats and the wealthy. The heads and a threatening message were dumped a few yards away, Mexico City prosecutors said in a statement.

Hours later, the government released a drug war body count recording more than 47,000 victims in five years, echoing independent death tolls tabulated by Mexican media. Local media published images of the charred car and reported that a note written on hot pink paper was signed by the drug gang Mano con Ojos, or Hand with Eyes. The victims, a man and a woman in their 30s, had not been identified, prosecutors said. They said the SUV with license plates from neighbouring Mexico state had been stolen. Mexico’s sprawling capital has been something of a haven from the brutal cartel violence that has claimed thousands of lives along the U.S. border and in outlying states. But gangs have been fighting over an increasingly lucrative local drug market for more than a year, mainly in the capital’s working class outer neighbourhoods and suburbs. The Santa Fe district has been spared much of that violence and managed to maintain its reputation as a manicured bubble built atop a former landfill on the western edge of Mexico City. The district houses the Mexican headquarters of major corporations, Hewlett Packard and IBM among them, and Iberoamerican University, one of Mexico’s top private schools. Modern, heavily guarded high-rises where wealthy Mexicans and foreigners live dot the hilly landscape. The mall where the charred car was found is one of the country’s largest and most glamorous, housing highend retailers such as Coach, Prada, Hugo Boss,

Saks Fifth Avenue and Mexican department store Palacio de Hierro (Iron Palace). But as the fight among splintering drug cartels intensifies, brazen attackers have reached even into the country’s most

guarded districts. Erubiel Tirado, a security expert who teaches at Iberoamerican University, said the attack shows the government’s law enforcement strategy has not dissuaded increasingly brutal drug traffickers. “We are talking about an area that is under 24-hour surveillance by police and private security and supposedly one of the safest in the capital and in the country, and yet they can act with impunity,” Tirado said. Roberto Herrera, a 52-yearold salesman for a bottling company headquartered in a building across the street from the mall, wasn’t surprised by the news. “We have lived with this situation for a while and we are no longer shocked because this is what’s been happening in Veracruz, Acapulco and Monterrey,” said Herrera, who was having lunch with a group of co-workers a T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant inside the mall. In October, the Manos con Ojos gang claimed responsibility for leaving two severed heads on a street across from the nation’s top military base in Mexico City.

The gang was once part of the Beltran Leyva drug cartel, and authorities say it has killed dozens

Continued on pg 7

CAIR welcomes US Federal court block to Oklahoma ban on Sharia

the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upholding a lower court’s decision to block implementation of an Oklahoma state constitutional amendment that would prohibit courts from applying -- or even considering -- “Sharia law” and “international law.” In response to a lawsuit filed in 2010 by Muneer Awad, the head of CAIR’s Oklahoma office (CAIR-OK), the lower court blocked implementation of the “Save Our State Amendment” based on arguments that it would unconstitutionally disfavor an entire faith and deny Oklahoma’s Muslims access to the judicial system on the same terms as every other citizen.

The state appealed that ruling. Last year, CAIR and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a brief urging the circuit court to uphold the lower court’s ruling blocking implementation of the amendment.

Today’s appeals court ruling states in part: “We conclude that Mr. Awad’s allegation -- that the proposed state amendment expressly condemns his religion and exposes him and other Muslims in Oklahoma to disfavored treatment -- suffices to establish the kind of direct injury-infact necessary to create Establishment Clause standing. . . “Appellants do not identify any actual problem the challenged amendment seeks to solve. Indeed, they admitted at the preliminary injunction hearing that they did not know of even a single instance where an Oklahoma court had applied Sharia law or used the legal precepts of other nations or cultures, let alone that such applications or uses had resulted in concrete problems in Oklahoma.” “Today’s ruling is a victory for the Constitution and for the right of all Americans to freely practice their faith,” said CAIR Staff Attorney Gadeir Abbas, who is co-counsel on the case.

“This is an important reminder that the Constitution is the last line of defense against a rising tide of anti-Muslim bigotry in our society, and we are pleased that the appeals court recognized that fact,” said CAIROK’s Awad. Awad noted that Oklahoma’s anti-Sharia amendment is just one of more than 20 similar pieces of legislation introduced in state legislatures nationwide.

Illegal workers pose grave threat to security AL-HASSA: Despite Saudi Arabia`s relentless efforts to regulate the employment market, there are still a huge number of illegal workers.

Their large-scale presence and involvement in illegal acts and crimes pose a grave security threat in addition to numerous other problems, including a flourishing black market for visas and cover up activities (where foreigners take over the running of a business in return for a monthly fee to the registered Saudi owner). These illegal immigrants have become a time bomb that can explode at any moment. Their presence in the Kingdom drew attention to another reality — the greed of some Saudi citizens who allow their workers to go out in search of any job. They do not care whether these foreigners under their sponsorship engage in any illegal acts. Their only concern is to get their monthly share of money from them, according to a report in Al-Riyadh Arabic daily.

A number of immigrants who engage in various illegal activities in the Al-Mazrouiya district in Al-Hassa told the newspaper that they managed to earn a huge amount of money from a wide variety of activities and give a share of it to their sponsors.

Jahangir, who has been working in the Kingdom for more than 10 years, said that he is an illegal immigrant trying to make his own livelihood.

“Most of these workers run away from their sponsors as they were ill-treated. A large number of sponsors allow their workers to go out and find jobs for themselves. Some of them even force their laborers to do so and instead demand a fixed amount of money per month,” he said adding that some workers get involved in criminal activities such as theft and selling drugs to earn money for himself as well as for the sponsor. Jahangir said there are some born criminals among these workers and they find a golden opportunity to engage in various criminal acts. Such people are behind many offences taking place in various parts of the Kingdom. Sharif, an Arab national, said he had been struggling to make a decent living in his country even though he has a university degree with distinction. “I saw many of my friends who do not have even a basic education earn huge amounts of money by engaging in various illegal acts in the Kingdom. This tempted me to also follow suit,” he said. Sharif says that he has dramatically increased his income. “I came here with an ambition to meet a big target — earn a huge amount of wealth,” he said while declining to disclose the actual amount of money he is earning daily and the type of activities that he has been engaged in. Hassan Al-Banna, a Saudi citizen, confirmed the huge number of illegal immigrants and their involvement in various criminal acts. “This is a grave problem facing Saudi society. If we had not taken action to halt these activities, we would have become victims ourselves,” he said. Ali Ahmad, another citizen, stressed the need for Continued on pg 7 supporting the concerned

6

e d i t o r i a l

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

POOR GOVERNANCE & MISHANDLED CRISES

President Zardari contends that the condition of state-run organizations like PIA, Railways and WAPDA have only weakened and not deteriorated. In the face of overwhelming evidence, he argues that several state-owned institutions are not just weak but collapsing under their own debt burden, shortage of fuel, power and financial resources. In reply to a question about the reopening of NRO cases, Mr Zardari said he believed it would be a “trial of the dead; it will be like trial of BB’s grave”. Indeed, this is an illogical argument just to keep him off the hook. Surprisingly, President Zardari as head of the State continues to set an example of defying the Apex court.

However, crippling of these entities clearly means-a severe blow to Pakistan’s economy to a level where dependence on foreign assistance becomes imperative. Obviously, it’s part of a strategic plan initiated by the enemy to destabilise Pakistan. To some extent, the strategy is working as the foreign investment has already been scared away.

Nevertheless, it becomes more painful, because some of the biased foreign media is always busy putting salt on the wounds to keep up the ugliness of anti-Pakistan momentum.

Usually, with the gradual erosion of manufacturing sector, the national financial health is bound to get compromised. Apparently, the presence of fiscal indiscipline invites more trouble for the “public sector enterprises” of Pakistan.

On the other hand, getting out of current sub-standard governance is surely a difficult scenario, but it’s not impossible.

More worrisome is the ongoing damage to Pakistan’s image abroad; which remains one of the major challenges.

Furthermore, political insanity of the current regime including the politics of ven-

detta and exchange of rhetorical statements among the political parties is already going sky high and is highly thought provoking.

Diversion of Public focus and point scoring tactics: The issue of creating new provinces is being given too much unnecessary importance. The politicians have made it a habit of making issues out of non-issues in utter disregard of wishes of the late Father of Nation.

Warning about the dangers of provincialism and sectionalism, on March 21, 1948, at a public meeting, Mr. Jinnah said: “So what is the use of saying, ‘We are Bengalis, or Sindhis, or Pathans, or Punjabis.’ No, we are Muslims. Islam has taught us this, and I think you will agree with me, that whatever else you may be and whatever you are, you are a Muslim. You belong to a nation now; you have now carved out a territory, vast territory, it is all yours; it does not belong to Punjabis or a Sindhi, or a Pathan, or a Bengali; it is your….Provincialism has been one of the curses; and so is sectionalism --- Shia, Sunni, etc…Now I ask you to get rid of this provincialism, because as long as you allow this poison to remain in the body politics of Pakistan, believe me, you will never be a strong nation, and you will never be able to achieve what I wish we could achieve.”

The irony is - very recently, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani talked about creating a new baby “Seraiki province” out of Punjab, while MQM is way ahead in point scoring by suggesting new provinces including Saraiki, Hazaravi, Qabailistan, while PML N has no objection if the provinces are made on administrative basis instead of language or ethnic card.

However, PML N wants province of Bahawalpur - claiming more viable units for better administration.

L E T T E R S

&

‘FREEDOM OF CHOICE’

Scriptures in hands, are in fact competing and trafficking withthe Divine law.

By: Gulshan Aalani, Vancouver Whatever reason, this is a very sensitive and NO, not for Muslims! After the fatwa/ complex situation, as partly it is connected order of ban on Niqab only at certain time to the Holy Scriptural Religions (Quran and and occasion, many believe when it comes Bible) given by the true Creator-GOD, and to Muslim Women (or Men) there is a not a man-made Cultic Religion. cross put on the Sign ‘freedom of choice’. It is also purely misconception, thinking it Federal Immigration Minister Jason is only the cultural practice, or these women Kenney’s announcement of a ban on face are being forced and oppressed: in fact the covering/Niqab worn by some Muslim Niqab is more preferred by majority of the Women, at the time of taking an Oath of Western converts as their own choice knowCanadian citizenship based on: ing it is not mandatory. “he had complaints from MPs and citiApparently, Lady Gaga has more freedom zenship court judges that it’s hard to tell of choice and can wear anything or nothing, whether people with their faces covered and the locals can copy cat any fashion weird are actually reciting the oath of citizenship, or good but not the Muslim Women. which he says is a requirement to become Consequently, the law abiding Muslim Canadian”. women wearing the Niqab as a choice, are Or is it a domino effect of ban on most torn between the law of the land and their hated female Muslim’s attire in other parts own choice of freedom of what fashion and of the world? Where, the ignorance of the style they should adopt; as the divine law is in rise, and increase in rebel- Niqab is considered a divine fashion carried liousness to the authority of GOD, which on from the Biblical time, (Genesis 24:64, means declining of ‘Faith’, which also Deut.22:5, 1st. Cori. 11:3-5), accepted in proves we are in an era Islam for the respect of women converts as of anti-Christ-anti-Islam, and being well given them the freedom of choice to cheated by the anti-GOD-Allah the socarry on the style they prefer, which is also called moderate Muslims without the Holy the style divinely ordered to the Prophet’s

Miracle Media Group Inc.©

Contact Info Mailing and Office Address 9160-136A Street Surrey BC. V3V 7Z8 Canada Fax: 604-582-7809

Founder : Nusrat Hussain Managing Editor: M. Naseer Pirzada Sub-Editors: Khadija, Misbah & Sabeeh Hon. Chief Editor & Urdu Editor Mohammad Rafiq Advertising : info@miraclenews.com Ph: 604-690-0400 Email: naseer@telus.net,

Although, the idea of carving a couple of small provinces out of the large Punjab is not new, yet at this hour when the whole country is crying for resolution of other more pressing issues, the call for a Seraiki province appears to be only ‘politically motivated nonsense.’

Dreamers of new provinces must realise that the additional cost of new provinces will not be affordable. The overburdened masses are unable to fund the new provincial cabinets, chief ministers and Governors, more Secretariats, the expensive protocols, and the list is endless.

Currently, the country is facing far more serious problems of widespread hunger and shelter. The authorities fail to focus their attention on the welfare of the people. The regime is not interested in improving the condition of state-owned institutions.

Due to the mis-management, the country is already drowned in debt which is a bad news for many generations to come.

It’s much economical to re-empower the Divisional Commissioners to look after the administrative matters with the help of District management under the re-delegated Deputy Commissioners.

Shamelessly, the ruling elite is busy enjoying sound sleep over the issues of the deteriorating Railways, PIA, the energy sector, the increasing unemployment and rising inflation. Addressing the issues regarding the vested interests is among the most favourites of the regime, as they can easily camouflage their failures and blunders.

After four years, what else are they waiting for to make a delivery to the satisfaction of the entire nation? It’s highly unimaginable.

Hyper-inflation, unprecedented price hike, deteriorating law and order, load shedding of electricity and natural gas, rampant corruption; increasing spread and intensity

of mass poverty, joblessness; lawlessness; bad governance; sectarian violence, ethnic violence, bankrupt state enterprises; mounting debt; tense civil and military relations; defiance of the judiciary by the Executive are more than enough reasons to isolate the country from the international community.

Who to blame: A vast majority of voters becomes criminally silly when they cast their ballot without caring for merit.

Resultantly, selfish and worthless candidates become parliamentarians and become part of so called democracy. How can one expect capable persons coming into parliament in this political environment of defective electoral system?

Present electoral system is not fit for the country under the circumstances where the negative influence and pressure from the capitalists and the strong feudal class pollute the independent opinion of the rural poor class - kept-uneducated for illegitimate purposes.

Though time consuming, yet motivating the electorate to be politically aware of its responsibility through education is right thing to do. Certainly, once the people begin to understand the need of capable people to run the government, things are bound to improve.

The people of Pakistan (rural or urban) deserve to be properly educated to elect a sincere and competent parliament and government. A road map prepared by the genuine representatives will bring peace and prosperity back to the nation.

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

O P I N I O N S Wife; also seen worn by some Hindu Women in remote parts of India, the style of Chadour worn by the Iranian Muslim Women is also from the Biblical time worn by our Jewish Sisters, and of course the Afghani Women’s Burkqa style is also from the pre-Islamic period, which also indicates from the above Bible verses that it is not just the cultural practice but also religious. Honored are the women of today and of the past, are always on the Red Carpet.

Apparently, long dresses and different forms of Head Gear and Hats worn mainly by the Royal family members on special occasions presenting the well groomed ‘Special Women’ on the Red carpet.

The good news is that there is no legal restriction on the mandatory most dignified Divine Uniform of Head covering the Hijab, long dress the full body cover, (except face, no visible Jeans and pants), almost similar to the Hijab worn by the most honored lady chosen (Quran 3:42) from all nations Virgin H. Mary (RA) the beloved Mother of Messiah Jesus (AS), also worn by the most respected Catholic Nuns, and worn by majority of the faithful Muslim Women performing their faith based duty of discipline showing strong

conviction of belief of ethics, and moral values that are the part of ‘Faith’ of Holy Scriptural religions (Quran and Bible) and the best of civilized world.

To be ‘Obedient’ to the Law of Almighty GOD-Creator is the characteristic of a true believer, and by being faithful to one’s true religious conviction one obtains the spiritual happiness and the most valuable treasure of the Spiritual world, and be in the company of most pure Angels who are appointed to walk with every (clean and covered) human being, which is like walking on the ‘Red Carpet’ 24/7/365 when outside.

By violating this duty (or any), rejecting the Uniform, would be the violation of the ‘Divine commandment’ of GOD, which leads to the pollution , as religion without the obedient to Divine commandments is a

Continued on pg 7 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.

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

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.’

Phone: 604-690-0400 -Email: miraclenews@telus.net, info@miraclenews.com ,Website: www.miraclenews.com

Contents Editorial & Letters Int. News Local Articles Faith Youth Health Sports Urdu

6, 4,5 10,11, 14 13,15, 16 7 24 27 28 29-37

7

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012 L E T T E R S

Letter : Continued from pg 6 mere cult, and any violation of the Divine law invites the wrath of God, also believed by a good Christian Rev. Dr. R. Meredith (tomorrows world.org).

Evidently, this is the matter of the heart and understanding the ‘Duty’ and ‘Responsibility’ as a good Citizen of both the worlds and showing the faithfulness to the Country we live in as well as pleasing the Creator is the first priority of human beings.

So, how one can compromise with this most controversial issue? Easily, by referring to the divine law/Sharia; as compromising with any situation is the best Remedy, otherwise one cannot move forward in life, and gets stuck in conflicts that would become permanent, giving headache and stress and eventually to wars.

So far, many believe removing the Niqab just for a few minutes is not considered a sin, and so there is no harm in being respectful and obeying the law of the land by compromising.

Also it is good news that one has a freedom of choice of taking an oath of Citizenship or not.

“We cannot have two classes of citizenship ceremonies. Canadian citizenship is

Meixo : Continued from pg 5 while trying to forcefully recruit local drug dealers to its ranks. Nationwide, 47,515 drug-related killings occurred from December 2006, when President Felipe Calderon deployed thousands of troops to drug hot spots, through September 2011, the Attorney General’s Office said Wednesday.

Drug-related killings rose 11 per cent in the first nine months of 2011, when 12,903 people were killed, compared to 11,583 in the same period of 2010, the office said.

The figures indicate that three-quarters of all homicides in Mexico are now linked to the drug war. The Attorney General’s Office found one small consolation: “It’s the first year (since 2006) that the homicide rate increase has been lower compared to the previous years.” There was a 70 per cent jumped in drug-related killings for the same nine-month period of 2010 compared to January-September 2009, when 6,815 deaths were recorded. Prosecutors said the vast majority of last year’s killings occurred in eight of Mexico’s 32 states. The Mexican government had been periodically releasing the number of drug war dead, but it stopped a year ago when the number reached nearly 35,000. Mexico’s freedom of information agency had said it would ask for an investigation if prosecutors didn’t release the data requested by several journalists by Wednesday. Source: AP

Worker : Continued from pg 3 authorities to crack down on these illegal workers.

“It is our national and religious duty.

Moreover, the security of our country is the collective responsibility of all members of society. We have to work together to put an end to this phenomenon where illegal workers engage in all types of crimes to earn money at the expense of Saudi society as a whole,” he said.Hassan Al-Ali, another citizen, called for setting up more institutes to provide training to young Saudis to enable them to take up all types of professions, such as plumbing, tailoring, and hotel services, jobs that are dominated by illegal workers. Source: Arab News

&

O P I N I O N S

not just about the right to carry a passport and to vote,” Kenney said.

Obviously, it is not just to carry the Passport and to vote, but it is obtaining the true happiness of belonging to a peaceful beautiful country that gives an opportunity to start a new life, away from the problematic Countries, escaping the dictatorship, oppression, to be fearless and be in the company of (Canadians) most polite, respectful, friendly people, and to take the good from them and avoid the bad as indicated in the Sharia/Divine law, be a proud Citizen: there is no doubt the new citizens are most grateful to the Government and the Lord GODCreator of this earth for giving a new life lease of opportunity.

Thus, those who take an oath of citizenship with open faces, nobody knows if it is just mouthing the words, whether coming from the heart, who can verify and guarantee it?

Neither the Government can promise the safety, Security, and protection of its citizens with the Citizen’s certificate in hands, which is proven by the capture of Canadian a 15 yr. old child still rotting in the hell of Guatanamo, which is similar to Child abuse.

Consequently it is better to be more sympathetic towards all and be more forgiving.

May Allah-Creator-GOD guide us to the right decision!

“Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence, for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure.”. (Q.3:8).

Super Visa sham By: Kevin Lamoureux Critic for Immigration for the Liberal Party of Canada It happens every winter. Power outages because some car smashed into a transformer, a tree fell on power lines, etc.

Every winter BC Hydro staff have to spend hours in the cold, wet weather to fix the problem and restore power.

Why not hide the power lines underground instead? That way, the problems of power outages are greatly reduced and the BCH staff can do something more productive. If BCH had done something ten years ago, by now all the power lines in all of BC could be out of sight.

Instead the Crown Corporation spends billions on “smart meters”. These meters will not be able to prevent or reduce power outages. So every winter these problems will persist.

The meters may be smart, but the top brass at BCH certainly are not.

Minister Kenney issues statement condemning acts of vandalism at mosque in Gatineau Ottawa, Jan 6, – The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement condemning the acts of vandalism against a Gatineau mosque this week: “Any act of vandalism is deplorable.

But vandalism against houses of worship of any faith is particularly cowardly and hateful. Our government strongly condemns these heinous attacks that have been terrorizing the whole community.“Vandals spray painted the Outaouais Islamic Centre earlier yesterday with hate messages. The mosque was also targeted Monday night, when vandals smashed the building’s windows and those of two cars parked at the mosque.

“Our government is deeply disturbed by the acts of individuals who promote this type of hatred. Canada is recognized as a peaceful and tolerant country, where people from around the world aspire to live. “The peacefully pluralist and harmonious society we have built is a source of pride for all Canadians. When individuals commit such cowardly acts of vandalism, they betray our national pride and undermine our social cohesion. “As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I hope that all Canadians will reject such senseless intolerance. Religious bigotry and vandalism are unacceptable.

Respect is Canadian.

Respect for a person or group demands a positive outlook and openness to diversity: the idea that others can be different yet equal. Respect asks us to value our neighbours, and to be our better, more open-minded selves by refraining from judgement.

Canada is an ethnically and culturally diverse nation which accepts all manners of dress and appearance – from turbans to tattoos. Our culture welcomes and encourages awareness and acceptance of a broad range of lifestyles, and together we weave new traditions. Many new Canadians have embraced customs of their adopted country, while ethnic celebrations like Divali, Chinese New Year, Hanukkah, Vaisakhi and Eid have also taken root in Canadian soil.

However, one essential aspect of Canadian culture and tradition need not—must not—change: Respect. The federal government’s approach to the ‘QLTƗb (veil) issue’ appears to contravene this cherished value.

Two key points must be clarified at this juncture: a) the veil is a religious practice, not a cultural one, a practice well explained and treated in Islamic texts; and b) Islamic guidelines do not forbid women from uncovering their faces in situations of need, such as verification of identity. Muslim women all around the world wear the veil and commonly uncover their faces for official identification purposes, such as having passport and other ID pictures taken. For women to unveil only for the sake of confirming their identity, or verify that they are speaking the words of oath is, in the light of Islamic law, a non-issue.

The real issue is the lack of respect demonstrated by the federal government towards Muslim ideals. If there was a practical reason for banning the veil from the Canadian Citizenship ceremony, it could have been addressed in a way which would not single out a religious denomination, or gender for that matter.

A straightforward official requirement for all citizenship applicants to have their identity confirmed prior to the oath ceremony, and visibly utter the words of oath, without anything obscuring the view of the officials while they repeat the oath could be simply and easily implemented, putting this on par with the requirements for a drivers’ licence or passport.

However, a harmless religious practice was publicly scorned and deemed contradictory to Canadian values, speculations were made about what the practice means or what view of women it represents, and erroneous perceptions of the female gender were wrongly attributed to Islam. This approach has left many people questioning the actual purpose of the new regulation.

No one is asking for preferential treatment. It is a simple matter of defending and upholding one ethic that most Canadians do value: Respect.

(Mufti) Aasim Rashid BC Muslim Association Director of Religion and Islamic Education Spokesperson on Religious Affairs

8

f a i t h s

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

How to attain Humility in Prayers By: Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali In an environment with increasing distractions how do we make our prayers more beneficial for our selves? Following is an excerpt from “Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship”, a compilation of Imam Ghazali’s works that can inspire us to develop humility and become closer to God through prayer.

God, says in the Quran:’And perform the Prayer in remembrance of Me.’ [Ta Ha, 20:14] ‘Do not be one of those who are neglectful.’ [al-A’raf, 7:205] ‘Do not approach the Prayer when you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying.’ [al-Nisa’, 4:43] Some say that ‘intoxicated’ means inebriated by many anxieties, while others say it means drunk on the love of this world According to Wahb, the meaning is obviously a caution against worldly attachment, since the words ‘until you know what you are saying’ explain the underlying reason. Many are those who pray without having drunk wine, yet do not know what they are saying in their Prayers!

Prophet Muhammad said:’If a man performs two cycles of Prayer without the distraction of any worldly thought, all his previous sins will be forgiven.’ (al-Bukhari/Muslim) ‘Prayer is nothing but submissiveness, humility, supplication, sighing and remorse, holding out your hands and saying: “O God! O God!” Otherwise it is fruitless.’ (al-Tirmidi/al-Nasai).

In the earlier scriptures, we find these words attributed to God, Glorified is He: ‘I do not accept the Prayers of everyone who prays.

I accept the Prayers of none but those who are humble before My Majesty, who are not arrogant towards My servants, and who feed the poor and hungry for My sake.’

Prophet Muhammad also said: ‘Ritual Prayer was made obligatory, Pilgrimage and circumambulation were ordained, and the rites of sacrifice were instituted, all for the purpose of ensuring remembrance of God, Exalted is He. If your heart is devoid of awe and reverence for the One Remembered, who is the aim and the goal, what is your remembrance worth?’

(Abu Daud/al-Tirmidi) This advice was given to someone by the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘When you pray, pray like a person who is saying farewell,’ (Ibn Maja/al-Hakim/al-Baihaqi) i.e. saying farewell to himself, to his passions and to his life, before setting off on the journey to his Lord.

Again God Almighty reminds us in the Quran: ‘O Man, you labor towards your Lord laboriously, and you shall meet Him.’ [al-Inshiqaq, 84:6] ‘Be aware of God, for it is God who teaches you.’ [al-Baqarah, 2:282] ‘Be aware of God, and know that you are going to meet Him.’ [al-Baqarah, 2:223] Prophet Muhammad reminds us: ‘If a man’s Prayer does not deter him from indecency and mischief, he gains nothing from God but remoteness.’ (al-Tabarani) Since Prayer is intimate communion, how can it go with heedlessness? Bakr ibn Abdullah said: ‘O believers, if you wish to enter the presence of your Lord without permission, and to speak with Him without an interpreter, you have only to enter!’ When someone asked him how this could be he said: ‘You do your ablution correctly and enter your prayer-niche ... There you are! You have entered your Lord’s presence without

permission and may now speak to Him without an interpreter.’

Said Aisha, may God be pleased with her: ‘God’s Mes senger would talk to us and we to him, but when it was time for Prayer it seemed as though he did not know us, nor we him.’ (Azdi - mursal) This was because they were completely in awe of God the most Great and Glorious.

The Prophet said: ‘God has no regard for a Prayer in which a man’s heart is not present as well as his body.’

It is said that when Abraham , God’s special friend, got up to pray, the throbbing of his heart could be heard from a distance.

When Said al-Tanukhi (Muslim jurist 776/854 CE) was praying, tears used to flow incessantly down his cheeks and onto his beard.

God’s Messenger once saw a man playing with his beard during the Prayer, so he said: ‘If this man’s heart was submissive, every part of his body would also act with humility.’ (al-Tirmidi - daif) It is related that al-Hasan noticed a man playing with pebbles as he prayed: ‘O God, marry me to the maidens of Paradise!.’

Al-Hasan said ‘A poor suitor you are. You propose to the maidens of Paradise while playing with pebbles!’

Prayers: ‘My God, who inhabits Your House? And from whom do you accept the Prayer?’

Then God told him by inspiration: ‘David, he who inhabits My House, and he whose Prayer I accept, is none but he who is humble before My Majesty, spends his days in remembrance of Me and keeps his passions in check for My sake, giving food to the hungry and shelter to the stranger and treating the afflicted with compassion.

His light shines in the sky like the sun. If he invokes Me, I am at his service. If he asks of Me, I grant his request. In the midst of ignorance, I give him discernment; in heedlessness, remembrance, in darkness, light. He stands out among ordinary people as Paradise towers over earthly gardens, its rivers inexhaustible and its fruits not subject to decay.’

It is related of Hatim al-Asamm, may God be pleased with him, that he said, in answer to a question about Prayer: ‘When the time for Prayer is at hand, I make a proper ablution, go to the spot where I intend to pray and sit there till all my limbs and organs are in a collected state. Then I stand up to perform my Prayer, placing the Kaba between my brows, the Bridge- overHell beneath my feet, Paradise to my right and Hell to my left, and the Angel of Death behind me, thinking all the while that this is my final Prayer. Then I stand between hope and fear. I carefully pronounce “Allahu Akbar!” Then I recite the Quran harmoniously, bow in humility and prostrate myself submissively. I then sit back on my left haunch

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 810: Narrated Anas:

A funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet and the people praised the deceased. The Prophet said, “It has been affirmed (Paradise).” Then another funeral procession passed by and the people talked badly of the deceased. The Prophet said, “It has been affirmed (Hell).”

Allah’s Apostle was asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! You said it has been affirmed for both?” The Prophet said, “The testimony of the people (is accepted), (for) the believer are Allah’s witnesses on the earth.”

spreading out the top of my left foot and raising my right foot on the toes. I follow this with sincerity. Then I wonder whether or not my Prayer has been accepted.’

Ibn Abbas (Cousin of the Prophet), may God be pleased with him and with his father, once said: ‘Two modest cycles of Prayer, performed in full awareness, are better than a whole night’s vigil when the heart is inattentive.’

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (450-505 AH / 1058-1111 AD) Also known as Imam Ghazzali is a prominent Muslim jurist and theologian of the 12th Century. He wrote on a wide range of topics including jurisprudence, theology, mysticism and philosophy.

Someone asked Khalaf ibn Ayyub (Islamic scholar and poet from Al-Andalus 1013/1081 CE): ‘Don’t the flies bother you so much during your Prayer that you have to chase them away?’

The Miracle Media Group has been serv- IMPORTANT MESSAGE He replied: ‘I do not make a habit of anying the community for almost 11 years. thing that would spoil my Prayer.’

FOR ALL READERS The management has kept and maintained When asked how he had acquired such newspaper boxes at the entrances of the patience, he said: Mosques entrances for the facility of ‘I have heard that culprits patiently endure Miracle’s readers to avoid violation of any the Sultan’s whip, because this gives them a regulations by the mosques. It also keeps the newspapers to be scattered around reputation for being “able to take it.” They the place by wind and other elements boast of their patient endur ance. Here am and inadvertently, creating a problem on I, standing before my Lord in Prayer. Am I Mosque premises. We also avoid forcegoing to budge for a fly?’ fully distributing the copies in your hands It is related of Muslim ibn Yasar that, when and leave it on your discretion to pick he wanted to pray, he would say to his famup the copy at your convenience withily: ‘You may talk, for I shall not hear you’. out disrespecting Islamic literature and It is said that he was praying one day in pictures. Therefore, we request all of you the Great Mosque of Basra, when a corner to continue using the newspaper boxes to of the building collapsed. This attracted a obtain a copy of your favorite newspaper.

In spite of repeated requests, it is being crowd, but he was quite unaware of what observed that different newspapers are still had happened until he had finished his using Miracle boxes without prior consent.

Prayer. Whenever the time of Prayer apSuch businesses are asked to proached, Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be respect business ethics and principles. pleased with him and ennoble his counteMiracle Management nance, used to quake and change color. They asked him: ‘What is the matter with you, Commander of the From Jan 13-27, 2012 (Safar19- Ribul Awaal 3, 1433H) Believers?’

Safar Jan Day Fajar Sunrise Zawa1 Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha To this he would reply: ‘The time has come for a 19 13 Fri 6:13 8:02 12:21 12:28 2.55 6:23 4:44 trust which God offered to 20 14 Sat 6:13 8:01 12:22 12:29 2.57 6:25 4:46 the heavens and the earth 21 15 Sun 6:12 8:00 12:22 12:29 2.58 6:26 4:47 and the mountains, but they refused to carry it; 22 16 Mon 6:12 7:59 12:22 12:29 3:00 6:27 4:48 they were wary of it, but I 23 17 Tue 6:11 7:59 12:23 12:30 3:01 6:28 4:50 have taken it on.’

24 18 Wed 6:11 7:58 12:23 12:30 3:02 6:30 4:51 It is said of al-Husayn ibn 25 19 Thu 6:10 7:57 12:23 12:30 3:04 6:31 4:53 Ali that he used to turn pale when he made his 26 20 Fri 6:09 7:56 12:23 12:30 3:05 6:32 4:54 ablution. When his family 27 21 Sat 6:09 7:55 12:24 12:31 3:07 6:33 4:56 asked him what came over 28 22 Sun 6:08 7:54 12:24 12:31 3:08 6:35 4:58 him during his ablution, he 29 23 Mon 6:07 7:53 12:24 12:31 3:10 6:36 4:59 would say: ‘Do you realize before Whom I wish to 30 24 Tue 6:06 7:52 12:25 12:32 3:12 6:37 5:01 stand in Prayer?’

R.ul. I 1 25 Wed 6:05 7:51 12:25 12:32 3:13 6:39 5:02 According to Ibn Abbas, 2 26 Thu 6:04 7:49 12:25 12:32 3:15 6:40 5:04 may God be pleased with him and his father, the 3 27 Fri 6:03 7:48 12:25 12:32 3:16 6:42 5:06 Prophet David, God bless Source: Masjid Al Noor him and give him peace, used to say in his intimate

AQEEM USS SALAAT(Establish Prayer)

9

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Ayyaz

Real Estate Consultant (Realtor)

604-839-7863 ayyazrealtor@gmail.com

Turning Your Dreams Into an Address info@amexrealty.ca or 604-322-3272

Free Appraisal and Legal Fees

TERMS Our Rates*

1 Year 2.69%

3 Year 2.99%

5 Year 3.19%

5 yrs Variable 2.80% * Rates are subject to change without notice

Ayyaz

AMP

Senior Mortgage Consultant

* * * * *

Purchase Renewal Pre Approval 1st & 2nd Mortgages Self Employed

* * * *

New Immigrants Debts Consolidation Construction/Renovations Commercial Mortgage

Surrey Office: 115-13740 72A Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 1N5 Vancouver Office: 6241 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC V3W 3A2

604-839-7863 ~

ayyazshums@shaw.ca ~ www.a2zmortgage.ca

10

local

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Remembering Late Riasat Ali Khan, A legend of Pakistani Canadian Community

January 7, 2012 marked the 9th anniversary of the late Riasat Ali Khan’s assassination. Nine years have passed since this heinous crime was committed. For some people these nine years have passed very quickly, but for the late Riasat Ali Khan’s family, they have ben very long. They have missed Riasat Ali Khan’s presence in their lives.

Every year, Khan’s family organizes his death anniversary. On Jan 7th, Mr. Haroon Khan and his brothers, sisters and the rest of the family members invited many Pakistani community members and other friends to make dua for the late Riasat Ali Khan in Pakistan House, Surrey.

Mr. Haroon thanked everyone on behalf of his his uncle Siraj Khan’s families.

He said, “ My father was the legend of Pakistani community and he was the man of principle, dedicated to his work and love the community. He was the friend of members of other faiths”. He requested everyone to make Duaa for his late father and remember the good deeds

he had done in the community.

May Allah (SWT) bless his soul and give him a place in Janatul Firdos(Ameen). Mr. Haroon invited Brother Musa Ismail, President of BCMA to deliver few words for his father. Br, Ismail said that life in this world is very temporary. He met Mr. Khan in 1969 when he came in BC. After that, he had very very few meetings with him because he worked outside BC most of the time in Insurance, the same field as Khan. His efforts will never be denied by BCMA, because he was one of the founding members of BCMA and Vancouver’s first Masjid. He made all of his efforts to help others. Br. Ismail added, “”After the birth of BCMA, we spent 50 years to build beautiful mosques at major places in BC. Now it now our request to all is to spend next 50 years to make these Masajids busy”. He requested everyone to go to Masjid everyday. Even if you cannot

pray 5 times with Jama’at, at least try to pray one or two times in the Mosque please visit and use mosques for the betterment of Dean and Dunia.

Mr. Arfan Malik president of Pakistan Canada Association also told few stories of Mr. Riasat Ali Khan and how he helped new immigrants at that time. At the end, few verses of of Holy Quran were recited and Dua was made by Abduer Farooq Khan.

Muslim Food Bank Events

By Azim Dahya Muslim Food Bank Society Alhamdulillah, the hamper preparation event on Saturday was a success. May Allah (SWT) reward you all for your hard work and dedication in serving humanity.

Please note the following events in January:

1) Hamper Distribution event at Masjidal Huda on Saturday, January 7, 2011 from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

2) Hamper Preparation and Warehouse Organizing event at the new warehouse on Saturday, January 14, 2011 from 10.00am to 2.00pm.

3) Hamper Distribution event at Masjidal

Huda on Saturday, January 21, 2011 from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

Please note that Hamper distribution takes place first and third Saturdays of every month. The Hamper preparation takes place on the Saturday before the distribution. If you can plan for the next 12 months when you can come, please let

Miracle’s Tribute When I arrived in BC in 2000, I had the pleasure of meeting Riasat Ali Khan at a community event. I would then see him at numerous events, both main stream and community oriented. He was everywhere - gatherings, rallies, protests, conventions, meetings, Canada Urdu Association events and fundraising dinners.

He was always there to share joys and sorrows.

Just about week before his death, he came to the housewarming and Quran Khwani to congratulate me for buying a new house.

What impressed me about the Late Riasat Ali Khan was the he was fairly active not only in community politics but also in mainstream politics. I see that one of the best ways to pay tribute to him is what his son Br. Haroon is doing to continue the work he left incomplete by initiating and organizing outreach events. If Mr. Khan was with us today I am sure he would have liked us to be more involved in mainstream politics.

Provincial elections are due in May 14, 2013 and his anniversary provides an opportunity to think about organizing and taking part in the politics, a legacy of Mr. Khan. We have got to organize ourselves and we have no other choice. People may have had differences of opinion with Riasat Ali Khan but regardless of that, he was a great man.

May Allah (SWT) grant him a place in paradise and give patience to his entire family(Ameen).

us know. Update your calendar with the hamper distribution dates for the next 3 months as follows: Feb 4, 2012, Feb 18, 2012 Mar 3, 2012, Mar 17, 2012 Apr 7, 2012, Apr 21, 2012

11

local

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Legendary Naat Khawan Junaid Jamshed attracts over thousand at his visit in BC

Mr. Junaid Jamshed is no stranger to fame.

In the late 80’s he stormed the Pakistani music scene and quickly rose as the top pop singer of the country. At the beginning of the century, he was at the top of his game, selling millions of albums and receiving world recognition. Then, in 2004, people around the world witnessed the transformation of this singer into a devout Muslim who dedicated himself to the cause of spreading the name of Allah (SWT) and message of Islam. The clean-shaved, long haired celebrity pop star was gone, and now emerged a bearded man singing praises only to Allah (SWT) and his Prophet (SW). Many in the newer generation, including Jamshed’s younger children, now only know him as someone who sings Naats and Nasheeds and spreads the message of Islam.

On December 31, The BC Institute of Higher Islamic Studies organized a special evening with Jamshed at Surrey Jameah Masjid for men only. This was the third

time Jamshed had made a stop in Vancouver. Once again, the event garnered a lot of interest and was attended by hundreds of people, including men and youth. The program started with the recitation of the holy verses from the Qur’an by Mufti Asim Nazir, followed by an introduction of the chief guest.

Mr. Jamshed told the audience about his journey from a pop singer to a religious speaker. At new year’s night he talked about the new year’s resolution, highlighted the fact that Muslim Ummah does not need to renew their resolution every year.

Our resolution is given to us at the time of our birth, and it is according to that , which should be managed our lives. Throughout the presentation, he admired the support he has received from different scholars.

On January 1, the second event was arranged for women only in the same Surrey Masjid premises. Mr. Jamshed discussed similar need, and need to implement Islamic values in our daily lives in a

practical way.

The third and last stopover of his visit was in Richmond Jameah Masjid on January 2.This was the unique opportunity for the Richmond residents to meet and listen the legendary personality in Naat, Nasheed and Tableeg. This program was for everyone by dinner ticket cost of $10.

In Richmond program he repeated his story from a singer to a spokesperson of Dawah.

He mentioned some of the obstacles he faced in this journey. When he decided to break all singing contracts and refused to do concerts, he faced heavy fines by the sponsors. Therefore, no one should think they would lose everything if they follow the path of Allah (SWT) and Dawah. Firm belief in Allah (SWT) is the sole requirement for undertaking this journey.

He also encouraged youth to devote more towards learning about their faith, and extract themselves away from music and other societal ills.

Mr. Jamshed had also indicated that he

would be returning back to Greater Vancouver and promised in Richmond mosque to spend more time here in his next trip.

His all consecutive three years visit in British Columbia credit goes to BCMA Religious and Islamic Education Director Mufti Aasim Rashid and he was master of ceremony of all Junaid Jamshed programs.

All three events were extremely successful, congratulations to BCMA administration.

The Paranormal State The Exorcist, The Rite, Exorcism of… all these movies about the Paranormal…

Interested in finding out more about the Paranormal?

The world of the Jinn and Satan, Devil Possessions, Envious Eye, Black Magic….and more Join Us… Time: Sunday, January 29th from 5:30pm till 9pm.

Place: Bonsor Community Center – (6550 Bonsor Ave., Burnaby) Fee: $20 Dollars (Dinner and a gift for each participant)

12

p a k i s t a n

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Musharraf vows to return home and lead party in elections Karachi: Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf told a rally that he would return home by the end of January to lead his party.

Musharraf, who has been in selfimposed exile for several years, was addressing a rally of some 10,000 people, most of whom were ferried in buses from rural Sindh. “Come what may I will be among you between 27th to 30th January and I shall come to Karachi,” the former military ruler assured the rally. At home Musharraf is a proclaimed absconder and there is likelihood of his arrest on his arrival. He is charged in the assassination of former President Benazir

Bhutto in 2007, when he was president.

“I know there are baseless cases against me but we will face them in the court of law,” Musharraf told the rally on a gigantic screen through a video call from Dubai.

Arrest: “He is a proclaimed offender and the police have to arrest him wherever he is seen,” Interior Minister Rehman Malek told newsmen in Islamabad when asked about Musharraf’s fate if he were to return.

The retired general assured his supporters that he would not be scared off by threats.

“I am not scared of such attempts, I have fought wars and I will definitely come to Pakistan,” Musharraf said. He reminded the nation of the time when he took over the country as a military ruler and how he led Pakistan out from economic and political crisis. During his regime the Pakistani

economy grew to an unprecedented level and it also got rid of multilateral financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). “The economy has again been destroyed, the country is engulfed by foreign loans,” Musharraf said.

The foreign loans jumped to $60 billion [Dh220 billion] in the past three years from $36 billion. “I have to fix that out once again for you and I will come to you even at the cost of my life,” he pledged. Musharraf also announced his contesting elections from Chitral district, the country’s northern part which has been least developed but where he carried many development projects during his rule. “I

am seeing that Pakistan is heading towards elections and now you have to decide whether you want the same old parties and leaders or would you bring in a change,” he said. The government arranged tight security for the rally of All Pakistan Muslim League, the party Musharraf formed in exile.

Peer Sahab Pagara Passes away in London Syed Shah Mardan Shah II, formally known as Peer Sahab Pagara, the Hurr spiritual leader and a prominent political figure of Sindh, Pakistan passed away in London on Tuesday. 83-years-old Peer Sahab Pagara was shifted to London after catching respiratory infection during an operation at Agha Khan Hospital in Karachi. Besides the present ailment, which took life of the former chief of Muslim League Functional, Peer Sahab Pagara was also suffering from kidneys and lungs deficiency. Maternal uncle and political mentor of the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani was accompanied by two of his sons in London. As per the news, Peer Sahab’s body brought to Kingari House near

Sakhar for funeral and burial ceremonies.

Peer Pagara was the fourth Pir Pagara. The title “Pir Pagara” is given to the leader of Sunni Muslim Sufi order of Hurs in Sindh province of Pakistan. He was born in December 22, 1928 in his native village in Sindh named Pir jo Goth (The Pir’s Village) after his family Pir Pagara spent a major part of his life being actively engaged in Pakistan’s politics. His father Hazrat Pir Syed Sibghatullah Shah II was hanged on 20 March 1943 by the British colonial government during his struggle against British Colonial Rule. After the defeat of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah by Ayub Khan in Presidential run, Mohtarma declared the Muslim League

Functional and made Pir Pagaro as the head of Muslim League. He was nominated as first president of United Muslim League as well. He was Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), and spiritual leader of the ‘Hur’ jamaat. He was one of the most influential and respected political personalities of Pakistan. He was very famous for his predictions on politics of Pakistan.

On the political side he is known as the “King Maker” as many people who had his political blessings came into power, most notably his Hur disciple Mohammed Khan Junejo who became the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

13

special

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

My Guantánamo

NIGHTMARE

By LAKHDAR BOUMEDIENE On Wednesday, January 11, America’s detention camp at Guantánamo Bay will have been open for 10 years. For seven of them, I was held there without explanation or charge. During that time my daughters grew up without me. They were toddlers when I was imprisoned, and were never allowed to visit or speak to me by phone.

Most of their letters were returned as “undeliverable,” and the few that I received were so thoroughly and thoughtlessly censored that their messages of love and support were lost.

Some American politicians say that people at Guantánamo are terrorists, but I have never been a terrorist. Had I been brought before a court when I was seized, my children’s lives would not have been torn apart, and my family would not have been thrown into poverty. It was only after the United States Supreme Court ordered the government to defend its actions before a federal judge that I was finally able to clear my name and be with them again.

I left Algeria in 1990 to work abroad. In 1997 my family and I moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the request of my employer, the Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates. I served in the Sarajevo office as director of humanitarian aid for children who had lost relatives to violence during the Balkan conflicts. In 1998, I became a Bosnian citizen. We had a good life, but all of that changed after 9/11.

When I arrived at work on the morning of Oct. 19, 2001, an intelligence officer was

waiting for me. He asked me to accompany him to answer questions. I did so, voluntarily — but afterward I was told that I could not go home. The United States had demanded that local authorities arrest me and five other men. News reports at the time said the United States believed that I was plotting to blow up its embassy in Sarajevo.

I had never — for a second — considered this.

The fact that the United States had made a mistake was clear from the beginning. Bosnia’s highest court investigated the American claim, found that there was no evidence against me and ordered my release. But instead, the moment I was released American agents seized me and the five others.

We were tied up like animals and flown to Guantánamo, the American naval base in Cuba. I arrived on Jan. 20, 2002.

I still had faith in American justice. I believed my captors would quickly realize their mistake and let me go. But when I would not give the interrogators the answers they wanted — how could I, when I had done nothing wrong? — they became more and more brutal. I was kept awake for many days straight. I was forced to remain in painful positions for hours at a time.

These are things I do not want to write about; I want only to forget.

I went on a hunger strike for two years because no one would tell me why I was being imprisoned. Twice each day my captors would shove a tube up my nose, down my throat and into my stomach so they could pour food into me. It was excruciat-

ing, but I was innocent and so I kept up my protest.

In 2008, my demand for a fair legal process went all the way to America’s highest court. In a decision that bears my name, the Supreme Court declared that “the laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times.” It ruled that prisoners like me, no matter how serious the accusations, have a right to a day in court. The Supreme Court recognized a basic truth: the government makes mistakes. And the court said that because “the consequence of error may be detention of persons for the duration of hostilities that may last a generation or more, this is a risk too significant to ignore.”

Five months later, Judge Richard J. Leon, of the Federal District Court in Washington, reviewed all of the reasons offered to justify my imprisonment, including secret information I never saw or heard. The government abandoned its claim of an embassy bomb plot just before the judge could hear it. After the hearing, he ordered the government to free me and four other men who had been arrested in Bosnia.

I will never forget sitting with the four other men in a squalid room at Guantánamo, listening over a fuzzy speaker as Judge Leon read his decision in a Washington courtroom. He implored the government not to appeal his ruling, because “seven years of waiting for our legal system to give them an answer to a question so important is, in my judgment, more than plenty.” I was freed, at last, on May 15, 2009.

Today, I live in Provence with my wife and children. France has given us a home, and a new start. I have experienced the pleasure of reacquainting myself with my daughters and, in August 2010, the joy of welcoming

a new son, Yousef. I am learning to drive, attending vocational training and rebuilding my life. I hope to work again serving others, but so far the fact that I spent seven and a half years as a Guantánamo prisoner has meant that only a few human rights organizations have seriously considered hiring me. I do not like to think of Guantánamo. The memories are filled with pain.

But I share my story because 171 men remain there. Among them is Belkacem Bensayah, who was seized in Bosnia and sent to Guantánamo with me.

About 90 prisoners have been cleared for transfer out of Guantánamo. Some of them are from countries like Syria or China — where they would face torture if sent home — or Yemen, which the United States considers unstable. And so they sit as captives, with no end in sight — not because they are dangerous, not because they attacked America, but because the stigma of Guantánamo means they have no place to go, and America will not give a home to even one of them.

I’m told that my Supreme Court case is now read in law schools. Perhaps one day that will give me satisfaction, but so long as Guantánamo stays open and innocent men remain there, my thoughts will be with those left behind in that place of suffering and injustice.

ALLIED INSURANCE SERVICES INC.

Fast Efficient And Friendly Service For All Your Insurance Needs

Home • Tenants • Condominium • Business • Travel • Medical • Life • Accident • Sickness We’ve Got You Covered!

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

604-596-4588 FLEETWOOD

MORTGAGES AND RENEWALS AT A DISCOUNT. 2nd & 3rd MORTGAGES / EQUITY LOANS. Over 30 years experience in Mortgages & Lending with major Banks.

MORTGAGES MORTGAGES Call me if you need help with your Mortgage.

Tahir Mian

MORTGAGE CONSULTANT Cell: 604 781 2030 - www.canadamortgage.biz

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

604-572-3311 GUILDFORD Guildford Plaza #60-10330-152nd St., Surrey

604-582-8644 NEWTON Newton Town Centre #121-7135-138th St., Surrey

Open 7 days 9am to 9pm

604-572-9292 NEW WEST/BURNABY

WHALLEY

Burnaby Square #106 – 7885 6th Street, Burnaby

Plaza 102 10235 King George Hwy., Surrey

604-523-0900

604-582-8699

14

local

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

MLA Jagrup Barar on ‘Welfare Challenge’ tries to get the basics of life

The basics of life are food and shelter.

What kind of food can you afford if you are on welfare? What kind of housing can you get for $375 a month?

Jagrup Brar ‘applied for welfare’ so he can get a place to live and start looking for work. Brar, the MLA from Surrey Fleetwood, is taking part in a month long MLA Welfare Challenge issued by Raise the Rates, to bring awareness about poverty and low welfare rates in BC. “I spent the morning standing in line at the welfare office, doing a 68 page on-line welfare application, and getting interviewed by a welfare worker,” Brar said at a news conference at the Surrey Urban Mission today.

“I learned that, unless you are homeless and in an immediate need for shelter, food or medical attention, in most cases it takes three weeks to get welfare. You also have to look for work and ask friends and relatives for money in those three weeks.”

“This is how some people become homeless,” said Bill Hopwood of Raise the Rates. “The welfare office can tell them they have to look for work for three weeks before they can get a cheque, so without money you have nowhere to live.”

“Getting welfare is not easy,” added Brar.

“You need to have good ID, a resume, proof of a job search, records of employment, pay stubs, EI stubs, ICBC stubs, WCB stubs, income tax documents, bank statements, all financial records, information on RESPs, RRSPs, vehicle registrations and sometimes more.”

“You also have to fill out a two page work search activities record that is a legal document,” explained Hopwood.

Hopwood then presented Brar with his ‘welfare cheque’ of $610, the amount a single person who is expected to work gets for one month. However there are many deductions.

The government allocates $375 of this amount for shelter but most housing costs more than that, and people have to take the extra amount out of their support payment of $235. After accounting for the extra cost of housing, damage deposit, a prorated

amount for the supports portion of the cheque and bus tickets and a cell phone to look for work, Brar expects to have $108 left for food and other necessities Hopwood noted that the Dietitians of Canada say that a man of Brar’s age needs to spend $234 a month on food to have a nutritious diet.

“Instead of helping people get back on their feet, low welfare rates make it very difficult to survive, let along look for work,” said Hopwood.

Surrey Fleetwood, will have just $610, the welfare rate for an individual, to cover all his expenses of housing, food, personal hygiene, transit, and more.

“We respect Jagrup’s commitment to live on $610 for the month of January,” said Jean Swanson of Raise the Rates, a BC coalition that wants governments to reduce and end poverty. “He will find out what it is like to live on welfare through his experience and meeting with many people living on welfare, disability and poverty. We expect that this month will raise people’s

MLA Welfare Challenge: Background Number of People on Welfare In November 2011, 178,128 people in BC lived on welfare. This is 1 in 25 people in

BC. There were 82,311 people on Temporary Assistance Welfare and a further 95,817 people on Disability Assistance in June 2011.

This is an increase of over 45,000 since 2006. (from Ministry of Social Development, BC Employment and Assistance http://www. hsd.gov.bc.ca/research/) Welfare Rates

The Miracle’s media representative commended the MLA for taking up the challenge of feeling first hand the problems of those people who are receiving welfare and stand with them for month. He then asked Brar about his recommendations for raising the welfare rates in the next budget and how it will affect the tax payers of BC. He also noted that many people on welfare can work according to their capacity and skills to reduce their burden on Government and can live and eat better.On behalf of the Miracle Media Group, he offered MLA Brar an office assistant position at $10/hour during his challenge which would suit the qualifications and experience of the MLA. MLA Brar replied that he would be happy that someone receiving welfare is considered for this position.

The welfare rate for a single person is $610 to cover everything including: housing, food, personal hygiene, clothing, household

We repair all makes and models 4 less.

Complete auto repair 4 less!

Special Offers

Pakistani Speciality Cook Wanted AL-MADINA RESTAURANT INC. A food service restaurant located at 9320-120th Street Surrey, BC needs a fully qualified Cook specializing in Pakistani Cuisine. Job duties includes menu design and planning, back cooking for banquet, labor, food cost control, kitchen staff supervision and training. Urdu or Punjabi language skills will be an asset.

Must have minimum of three years experience.

Salary $17.50 /hour. Fax resume to @ 604-582-5432

Newborn and Children Circumcision (Khatna) Dr. Kim-Sing is a practicing Pediatrician in Burnaby with over 20 years of experience.

The Circumcision is performed under local anesthetic and virtually complication free.

For appointment and inquiry Contact Dr. Malcolm Kim-Sing, MB, FRCP

604-433-5750 108-3825 Sunset Street, Burnaby, B.C V5G 1T4

supplies and, as they are required to look for work, a phone or pay phone and transit.

OIL CHANGE Up to 5L

$24.99

Transmission & Engine Replacement (From $300 & up)

+ Enviro Fee

+

FREE MAINTENANCE CHECKUP

FREE OIL CHANGE With front brake pads & rear brake shoe replacement Starting from $79.99 & up

FRONT BRAKES LABOUR

$29.99

FREE

3 months warranty on new parts

Business Hours:

+ parts

+

BEST PRICES ON: • New & used tires • Suspension • Cooling system • Starter • Alternator • Clutch • Water pumps • Special rates on timing belts

MAINTENANCE CHECKUP

Monday to Friday 9 pm - 6 pm Friday closed for Juma Prayer Saturday 11 - 7 pm Sunday By Appointment only

Unit 113-12465-82nd Ave. Surrey, BC Contact Muhammad Amir @

604-572-7861

15

finance

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Asian Economies Look to Keep Iranian Oil Flowing

China, the biggest buyer of Iran’s oil, has publicly rejected U.S. sanctions aimed at Tehran’s energy industry while American allies Japan and South Korea are scrambling to find a compromise to keep critical supplies flowing.

Beijing is buying less Iranian crude this month, but analysts say China is unlikely to support an oil embargo. Instead, they say, the smaller purchases might be a tactic aimed at obtaining lower prices as the West squeezes Tehran.

The sanctions approved by President Barack Obama on New Year’s Eve have highlighted the importance of Iranian oil supplies to East Asia’s energy-hungry economies. They have led to a clash of interests between Washington and key commercial and strategic partners over efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear programme. “We are considering our response and are closely discussing the matter with the U.S.,� a Japanese Foreign Ministry official, Kazuhiro Kawase, said Friday.

A South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said this week Seoul is in talks with Washington aimed at “minimizing the negative impacts� of sanctions. South Korea imports 97 percent of its oil and depends on Iran for up to 10 percent of its supplies.

China’s foreign ministry rejected the sanctions this week and called for negotiations, leaving unclear whether Beijing might defy Washington, straining relations between the world’s biggest and second-biggest economies. “Sanctioning is not the correct approach to easing tensions,� said a ministry spokesman, Hong Lei. “China opposes the placing of one’s domestic law above international law and imposing unilateral sanctions on

other countries.�

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is due to visit Beijing and Tokyo next week for talks that officials say will include the sanctions.

China could be the toughest part of Washington’s thorny diplomatic challenge as it tries to enforce the sanctions. The fastgrowing Chinese economy is the world’s biggest energy consumer and imports half its oil.

The sanctions target financial institutions that do business with Iran’s central bank by barring them from opening or maintaining correspondent operations in the United States. It would apply to foreign central banks only for transactions that involve the sale or purchase of petroleum or petroleum products.

Japanese and South Korean institutions, with a bigger U.S. presence, would be more exposed to such penalties. But Chinese institutions also do business in the United States and Beijing might see such restrictions as interference in its foreign affairs.

About 11 percent of China’s oil imports in 2011 came from Iran, or about 560,000 barrels per day, a flow that increased in the latter half of the year, according to oil industry analysts Argus Media.

Analysts say China would have a tough time replacing that supply. “China is the biggest buyer of the Iranian oil. How could China stop buying just because of the sanctions?� said Zhu Feng, a Peking University specialist in international relations.

This month, Chinese buyers have reduced daily purchases of Iranian crude, though that apparently stems from price negotiations and a payment dispute that began last

A.Q. Khan receives realtor of the year award

Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan received the No. 1 realtor of the year 2011 for Omax Realty Ltd. He joined the real-estate profession and Omax realty at the same time in Dec 2010. It was an houner to have no.

1 position out of 180 plus realtors in his company. His company awarded top ten awards, among them and he was the only Pakistani who got the award.

year, according to a Singapore-based trader.

The two Chinese state-owned companies that buy Iranian oil reduced purchases by about 5,000 to 15,000 barrels per day, the trader said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly for his company.

It is “within the realm of possibility� that xa small reduction in Chinese purchases might be “a shrewd attempt to squeeze the Iranians on pricing,� said Victor Shum, an energy analyst for Purvin & Gertz in Singapore. “As the pressure gets more intense on Iran and Iran wants to ensure its oil revenue, I’m sure Iran will be eager to keep China as a customer and China will be in a good position to negotiate a good price,� Shum said.

Iran, which produces 2.2 million barrels a day in exports, is China’s third-biggest oil supplier after Saudi Arabia and Angola.

The importance of Asian sales makes it unlikely Tehran will make good on threats by some officials to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which Gulf oil flows, said Shum.

That would “really hurt Iran’s important customers in Asia namely China, Korea and Japan,� he said. “No supplier wants to anger its key customers.�

Japan is especially dependent on imported oil and natural gas, one-third of it from the Gulf, after shutting down nuclear reactors following last year’s tsunami, said Koichiro Tanaka, director of the JIME Center at the Institute of Energy Economics Japan in Tokyo.

Japan’s foreign minister will be visiting major oil exporters Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in the next

few days on a previously scheduled trip, but Tanaka said it was unclear whether he would get directly involved in trying to line up additional oil supplies. “There are some thorny issues between the U.S. and Japan, but since we’re so dependent on the U.S. forces for our national defence, I don’t think we have any other choice but to follow the lead of Washington,� Tanaka said.

On Friday, Japan’s industry minister acknowledged its dilemma in trying to balance economic and diplomatic demands. “This is a very important issue that could affect international crude oil prices,� Yukio Edano said at a news conference in Tokyo. “The Iranian nuclear issue is also a very important one.�

Source: Associated Press

}ˆ‡0� z��z|„ ‚‹z‡ ‚†‰~‹‚z…‚Œ�Œ  z‡}Œ ˆ Œ’‹‚z ŽŒ Ž„ |z‡z}z ‹z‡|~ ‡z�ˆ  z‡}Œ ˆ …‚{’z ‡ˆ� ‡ˆ �ˆ Œz‡|�‚ˆ‡Œ ˆ‡ ‚‹z‡ Œ’‹‚z

6723 ,03(5,$/,67 :$5 2&&83$7,21 (1' 7+( 2&&83$7,216 2) $)*+$1,67$1 ,5$4 3$/(67,1( +$,7, 86 +$1'6 2)) 1257+ $)5,&$ 7+( 0,''/( ($67 6(/) '(7(50,1$7,21 )25 ,1',*(1286 1$7,216 $// 2335(66(' 1$7,216

$QWLZDU 5DOO\ 3HWLWLRQ &DPSDLJQ

6$785'$< -DQXDU\ SP 9DQFRXYHU $UW *DOOHU\ 'RZQWRZQ 9DQFRXYHU

02%,/,=$7,21 $*$,167 :$5 2&&83$7,21 a 0$:2

Â?Â?Â? Â&#x2020;zÂ?Â&#x2C6;Â?zÂ&#x2021;|Â&#x2C6;Â&#x17D;Â?~Â&#x2039; Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2039;Â&#x20AC;

16

local

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

The Muslim Business Council Feeds 600 People

By: Alanna Burk, Burnaby On New Year’s Eve, MBC partnered with the Salvation Army and the Canadian Society of Fiji Muslims to activate the humanitarian pillar of Islam by providing food for the homeless by creating the GIVE FOOD GIVE HOPE initiative.

It was an inspiring way to end 2011 and begin 2012 by taking time out of our lives and give back to the community. The most humbling part of this experience was seeing Cordova Street in Vancouver lined with people waiting to be fed. Working with the Salvation Army volunteers and staff was extraordinary, their team was positive, dynamic and gave tirelessly to the guests who entered the dining hall; the Salvation Army team was organized, kind and authentic. Their efforts produce 400,000 meals every year in British Columbia alone.

We are blessed to live in a prosperous society, yet our community has poor and deserving citizens who need our kindness and efforts. MBC is proud to say that on New Years Eve we prepared food for 600 people. We thank the community members who generously donated food and money to our cause.

As Muslims we are required to give and take care of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It is our duty to share what

we have with others who don’t have. So often we take for granted the small blessings we have such as food, shelter, clean clothes and a warm bed.

At the GIVE FOOD, GIVE HOPE event there was a man who had waited in line for a very long time and who was one of the very first people fed though he knew that at the end of the evening there would be food left over. He waited over 2 hours to have a second helping of food. Have you ever had to wait 2 hours for the chance of having food? The feeling of not knowing where your next meal will come from is a frightening prospect. That was evident in the food hall at the Salvation Army.

Our friends and neighbours need our assistance and it is our responsibility to give back at every opportunity. MBC is committed to turning this initiative into a regular event with the Salvation Army.

For this initiative to continue and prosper, we need people to participate and we must engage the Muslim youth to participate. By giving to others and making our community better, we will better ourselves. If you would like to get involved with the GIVE FOOD, GIVE HOPE initiative, please call Feroz Dean at 604.454.4242 for more information.

Volunteer Work Work without pay? Yes! Volunteering may be one of the most valuable experiences of your life. It’s a double win: your community or cause benefits from your work and you benefit from your experiences. How? Read on…

The Basics: Why volunteer?

• Volunteering is a great way to get work experience! You learn new skills by trying new jobs.

• You might find something you’d like to do for a living, or discover what you would not want to do.

• Better yet, you can meet people who can give you guidance and possibly help you to find a paid job later on.

• Some volunteer opportunities involve travel across Canada or to other countries.

• Employers will be impressed that you took the initiative to learn new things.

• You can learn how a charitable organization works.

• Best of all, you will be taking action to promote what you think is important and probably be helping someone else along the way.

• Be the change that you seek!

Who needs volunteers?

• Hospitals • Charities • Clubs • Overseas development organizations • Music and arts festivals • Sporting leagues and events • Children’s camps • Libraries • Environmental organizations • Crisis lines and peer counselling organizations • Human rights organizations • Religious organizations • Political campaigns • Government agencies (local, provincial, federal) What are some of the things a volunteer can do?

• Coach a team.

• Read to children.

• Raise money for charity (fight diseases, reduce poverty, help the sick and injured, etc.).

• Care for the elderly.

• Feed the hungry.

• Provide counselling and support.

• Run errands and do deliveries.

• Gather and analyze data.

• Raise awareness of important issues.

• Do clean-up and repairs in the community.

• Build houses or playground equipment.

• Care for animals.

• Stage concerts, plays and other cultural events.

• Protect the environment.

• Plant trees.

• Help-out with a political campaign.

Where can you find volunteer opportunities?

• Visit your community’s volunteer bureau, community information centre, or town hall.

• Call a service club.

• Visit a hospital.

• Ask family, friends and neighbours what they recommend.

• Join an organization whose activities you support.

• Consult the web sites of major volunteer organizations - some can be found through the links listed below.

Helpful Web Sites: • Find volunteer opportunities at a volunteer centre in your area by visiting the Volunteer Canada Web site.

• Browse the links at the Canadian Volunteer Directory on the Canadian Universities.net Web site to find volunteer opportunities from across Canada.

• Travel and do volunteer work in three communities in different regions of Canada by participating in the Katimavik program.

Ahle Sunnah Muslim Forum Communtiy Events & Announcements Islamic Supreme Council of Canada – Monthly Daras E Quraan Pakistan House - 12059 88th Avenue, Surrey Saturday January 14th, 2012 @ 6pm Contact : Dr Niaz Ahmad Khan 604-507-1473 ***************************************** Minhaj Ul Quran International - Monthly Gosha - E - Darood Pakistan House - 12059 88th Avenue, Surrey Saturday January 21st, 2012 @ 5.30pm Lecture : Br Iliyaz Sharif Qadri Contact : Shabbir Patel 604-720-4094 ***************************************** Fleetwood Islamic Centre - Monthly Maulood/Daras E Quraan Unit 209 & 210 - 8468 162nd Street, Surrey Saturday, January 28th 2012 from 6pm Guest Speaker - Imam Ibrahim bin Imtiaz, Al Alawi (Toronto) Contact : Kareem 604-786-9426 & Abdul 778-998-6034 ***************************************** Zawiyah Foundation 8190 Crompton Street, Vancouver, BC Zikar – Every Thursday after Salatul Isha Tafseer e Quraan – Every Sunday from 10.30 am to 12.30pm Monthly Family Daras – January 29th, 2012 @ 6.30pm Allah’s Creation According to Quran & Sunnah - Imam Fode Drame Lecture by Guest Speaker - Imam Ibrahim bin Imtiaz, Al Alawi (Toronto) Contact Info : Shazli Abdullah 604-376-4900 & Razi 604-518-3748 Weekly Feed the Homeless on Main/Hastings. Volunteers needed, contact Br Rasheed 778-861-4451 ***************************************** World Islamic Mission Milad Un Nabi Celebration – Surrey, March 3rd & Vancouver March 4th 2012 (Insha Allah, the time & venue will be announced in the next issue) Guest Speaker : Shakyh Muhammed Bin Yahya Al Ninowy

Serving great food since 2003

Comming Soon: Flame Grill / BBQ CHICKEN

#1 12842 96 Ave. Surrey

604-588-0221 2nd location in Vancouver

1412 East 49 Ave/Knight Street (Parking at Rear) !

We Deliver

604-322-0059

Vancouver Location also serving Pizza Franchise avaliable info at www.chickenworlds.com

17

special

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Imran Khan’s Tsunami: Its Genesis and Its Hereafter

Author: Sayed M. Irfan Burnaby The great ‘Philosopher of the East’ once remarked: “Accha hai dil ke saath rahe pasban-e-aqal Lekin kabhi kabhi ise tanha bhi chor de” As all patriotic and anxious Pakistanis contemplate the aftermath in the wake of the political tsunamis that rocked Lahore and Karachi in quick succession, I think the spiritual philosophy espoused in the above verse provides a poignant yet rational basis for such contemplation. With more than a year still left for the next general elections, the obvious question being raised is how Imran Khan will manage to sustain the momentum the huge successes of his recent rallies has generated. How does one respond to such concerns? I think one must start passionately believing in the intrinsic goodness of all that the Tehrik-e-Insaaf has come to symbolize. The practical imperatives will only start falling in place thereafter.

The Pakistani political milieu is strange: eclectic at best, and fragmented at worst. There are no middle grounds, no room for fundamental, text-book approaches. From time to time, proclaimed torchbearers of lofty political ideologies have arrived amidst much pomp and splendor, but they all went astray once the euphoria of success was consumed by the daunting challenges of delivering in the real world.

Indeed, the absence of any thought-out strategies for the myriad national and regional issues at the first place, and the foray of all sorts of self-above-service oriented individuals into the political arena, additionally, have typically combined to bring such recipes for disaster to complete fruition. And often the disaster has reflected in sheer comical proportions. How often the ‘people’s representatives’ enjoying the ‘heavy mandates’ have been at loss of words in responding to media’s probing questions and how often Mr. Prime Minister and Mr. President have gone to absurd lengths in wooing disenchanted ministers and their sorts back on to the bandwagon. And the Pakistani proletariat has been extravagant in its capacity to exonerate the politicians time and again, thus providing these self-serving minions their greatest incentive for repeatedly resurrecting the brazen drama of musical chairs in the name of free and fair elections.

It is in this backdrop that one needs to undertake a critical assessment of PTI’s political credentials. The party’s make-up is eclectic for sure but that is actually the bottom line. The ethnic, economic, and social diversity in its supporters provide the ideal building blocks for national integration, a glaring and an unremitting demand of the current regional political and economic environment. To that end, Imran Khan has made a truly passionate and a humble pledge  that of engaging Balochistan into the mainstream politics, and of humanizing the colossal losses of the people of Khyber Pakhtunwa in the War on Terror, pure carnage that has been shamelessly, though craftily, showcased to the outside world as “collateral damage.”

The PTI is the only party which has taken a unilateral stance on this issue and rightly perceives it to be an anathema for national pride rather than a case for political expediency or diplomacy. The logic behind this is very simple.

In Imran’s own words, fear is a strategic weapon that is expeditiously manipulated by the bully, an obvious reference to the American dictates implemented assiduously by puppet regimes. As always, to overcome the pattern of defeat, there has got to come a time when a clear line has to be drawn and the shackles of fear cast aside.

The other issues notwithstanding, one of the major concerns now is PTI’s strategy, indeed its capability, to field ‘suitable’ candidates in the next elections. Recognizing the musical chairs analogy as it relates to Pakistani politics, this question is well and truly pandering to the speculative mindset with all the force and fury one can imagine.

Yes, this is a paradox of sorts when one compares the high sense of idealism that PTI espouses in its manifesto with the character deficit palpable in the candidate resource pool. Some key figures that have recently joined the party have all been part of previous dispensations, notably the PML-Q; however, political pragmatism will now require the party to focus on their capacity to deliver as opposed to overtly suspecting their motives on the basis of past performance. I doubt the system of checks and balances, if instituted effectively within the party management, will ever allow anyone to get away with personal agendas. And to this end, it is the leader who holds the sway by leading from the front. But for the beginning, the party will have to compromise somewhat on its rigid conditionality for the sake of strategic and tactical gains. One year is a fairly protracted time period considering the volatility of Pakistani politics, and the only way for PTI to sustain its tempo is to ensure periodic and substantial inductions into

its ranks, and, if these materialize through major defections, that will further reinforce the gains.

In concluding one must admit that while the PTI is geared for an intense contest, its landslide victory cannot be taken for granted. Destinies do not emerge by the dispensation of some magical band. “You sow an action, you reap a habit; you sow a habit, you reap a character; you sow a character, you reap a destiny.” It is clear that this is a historical process and the destinies of nations don’t change overnight.

Some will argue that there have been a few well-meaning and seasoned politicians in Pakistan who have not been allowed by the system to deliver their best. But then, they have never had the courage to talk about changing the system as well, particularly the electoral system and the whole process by which the polls are managed including the structural changes required in the Election Commission of Pakistan.

We must all remember what Edmund Burke once said: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing”. So now was the time that a good man had to act; this is all that Imran Khan has really done. But, honestly speaking, he deserves more credit than this. It takes monumental courage for a man to persevere for 15 years in nurturing and maintaining his self-belief, comforted only by a handful of committed comrades, and in openly and bashfully confronting all kinds of opposition  foreign dignitaries, wily and straight politicians, unrelent-

ing media, and, last but not the least, the many suspecting novices. Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Javed Hashmi (their objectivity not to be doubted) would never ever have abandoned their parties had they not been convinced of the sheer mujahidana and qalandrana qualities of Imran Khan. Believe me, there are parallels in this whole saga of triumph that go back fifteen hundred years ago. And not a bullet has been fired nor has a stone been hurled at even the most die-hard of detractors, particularly the party that holds its sway over Karachi. Pakistan and Pakistanis have had enough of politics; they now need leadership. And to that end, once again, rest assured in the words of Iqbal: “Nigah bulund, sukhn dilnawaz, jaan pursoz Yehi hain rakht-e-safar mir-e-kaarvan ke liye.”

18

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

M. Khan & Co.

Citizenship and Immigration Consultants We Know Immigration Matters!

• Skilled Workers; • Family Class Sponsorship; • Temporary Status (Super Visa, work, student and visitor visas); • AEO/LMO Applications; • IRB Hearings, Refugee, Sponsorship and Admissibility Appeals; • Québec Skilled Worker; • All Provincial Nominee Program Applications including entrepreneur and Investor classes;

Mumtaz Khan

RCIC, Registre Québécois des Consultants

We at M. Khan & Co. have more than 15 years of experience and assist small and mid-sized companies as well as individuals undergoing Canadian immigration processing. Our practice is exclusively in the area of Canadian Immigration Law. Our office strives to provide clients with the latest and the most appropriate immigration strategies, to ensure their success.

member of ICCRC

#213-8334, 128th Street, Surrey, BC, V3W 4G2 Tel: 604.591.5824, Fax: 604.591.8273 Email: khan@mkco.ca

Web: www.mkco.ca

19

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

20

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Spring Break Umrah package 11 days Departure date March 12th, 2012 return date March 25th, 2012 - Return airfare (Vancouver-Jeddah-Vancouver), transportation - 4 days Medinah,7 days Makkah & sightseeing of historical places, - Hotel located minutes from Haram in Makkah & Medinah - quad occupancy - Add India and London stop-over for only $300 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Join our Iqra School Community in Performing Umrah during Spring Breakâ&#x20AC;? ** Special Prices for Youths ** Spring Break Umrah Trip organized by: Nasir Travel and Iqra Islamic School * Prices subject to change

Iqra School 604-583-7530

Feb 09, 2012 Arriving (ETA) Suva , Fiji :

Youssef Khattab Mortgage Professional Our services are free Give us a call 778 288 2100 E-mail : youssefkhattab@dominionlending.ca visit www.youssefkhattab.ca

per pe

rson

Nasir Travel Office 604-207-6532

Next Shipment cut off date:

Mar 15, 2012

$2,450

21

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

eat in or get it delivered with debit at the door Now We Intro duce!

Monday Special any large pizza and a dipping sauce

$11

Try Our new Butter Chicken Pizza!

Tuesday Special

10 pcs of Chicken 7711 128 St. Surrey BC 604-502-7773

$12

Help Wanted!

All offers from this ad are limited time offers. We reserve the right to limit quantities.

L ONLY HA

BOOKMAN OR TAXMAN!

10% Off AL Take Out Enjoy Delicious and mouth watering Afghani food in our Unique Environment

Call for Party Reservations

DOES YOUR ACCOUNTANT SAVE TAXES FOR YOU OR JUST FILE YOUR TAX RETURNS?  Does your accountant file your taxes including Corporation or Personal Tax Returns accurately and on a timely basis preventing unnecessary audits and penalties?  Does your accountant show you how to save your taxes?  Does your accountant help you understand the Canadian taxation system?

QUICKBOOKS OR SIMPLY ACCOUNTING SETUP AND TRAINING FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR 10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS COUPON* New Clients Only. Expires August 30, 2011

CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNTANTS AT TWO LOCATIONS

Tel: 604-227-1120 Toll Free: 1-800-380-6TAX (6829) 235- 11590 Cambie Rd, Richmond - 110-11518 141A Street, Surrey www.aadcga.com | www.advancedtax.ca | www.aadconsulting.ca

We will now have the seating capicity of 150-175 guests for Aqiqa, Wedding, Political, Birthday, Religious and Social gatherings and other conferences etc.

Afghan Chopan is famous since a decade for its specialties: - Chopan Kabab - Seekh Kabab - Tikka Kabab - Chicken Tikka - Chapli Kabab - Chicken Karahi - Freshly Baked Afghani Bread

Lunch Buffet 11:30 AM- 3:00 PM Monday &Tuesday Thursday- Sunday

$8.95 $9.95

Menu: • Soup/Veggie Dish • Special Afghani Appetizer • Tandoori Roasted • Chicken Pallow • Channa • Yogurt • Naan • Chutney • Dessert • Green Tea

22

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Need mortgage financing?

Look no further.

Let me make it happen.

Zahida Khan .PCJMF .PSUHBHF 4QFDJBMJTU

[BIJEB LIBO!SCD DPN

All personal lending products and residential mortgages are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. ÂŽ Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.

23

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

24

lifestyle

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Ways to Save Money

refrigerator.

Save on protein foods. When possible, substitute inexpensive, vegetarian sources

on Food Shopping

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD We’re paying more these days not only at the gas pump but also at the grocery store.

Blame it on rising oil prices, disappointing crop yields, global warming, and/or the weak dollar. Robert Earl, director of nutrition policy for the Grocery Manufacturer Association, says there are many factors affecting food prices.

What it all means is that shoppers are looking for ways to save money when they’re food shopping without sacrificing nutrition.

WebMD asked some experts for tips and strategies on saving money on your grocery bill while still eating healthfully.

Planning ahead is the most important step to getting more bang for your buck at the grocery store, says Katherine Tallmadge, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

“Take inventory of what you have on hand so you don’t overbuy, create a detailed shopping list based on your needs and weekly menu plan, and take into account how you plan on using leftovers,” she says.

Have a light snack before you go shopping, and stick to your grocery list to help avoid impulse purchases or costly mistakes like falling for the displays at the end of the aisles.

Before you plan your weekly menu, check the ads to see what’s on sale and use coupons to take advantage of sales and money-saving coupons. You can even sign up online to receive coupons and email alerts from your favorite grocers.

The savings came from reducing portion sizes and from buying fewer of the high-calorie foods that tend to increase the

amount spent at the grocery store, according to authors of the yearlong study. People tend to spend a lot on those “extras” -foods that add calories but little nutritional value, like sodas, bakery items, and chips.

1. Buy produce in season. Check the food section in your newspaper to find the best buys for the week, based on fresh produce in season. Food in season is usually priced to sell,shop your local farmers’ market for great deals on local produce; the prices won’t include shipping costs.

Use sales and coupons. Planning meals around what’s on sale can lower your grocery bills, especially if you also use coupons (make sure they’re for item you would buy anyway). Sunday newspapers are full of coupons and sales circulars to get you started. It’s also a good idea to stock up on staples when they’re on sale. “Buy one, get one free” is basically a technique to get you to buy twice as much as you need at half the price. At some markets, though, the product rings up half-price -- so you don’t have to buy more than one to get the savings. Use your freezer to store sale items that can be used at a later date.

Brown-bag it. Making lunch and taking it with you is a great money-saver and an excellent use of leftovers for meals at work, school, or wherever your destination. “Packing your lunch not only saves you money, but you can control all the ingredients so they are healthy and low in calories,” says Diekman, who is nutrition director at Washington University. Pack a simple sandwich, salad, soup, wrap, and/or a hearty snack of cheese. Use freezer packs and containers to keep food at the proper temperature unless you have access to a

Vacancy for a Live-in Nanny in Surrey BC Busy father, dependable employer seeking full time Live in Caregiver to work 40 hours a week, $9.50 an hour.

Accommodation : Private lockable room

Requirement • Previous experience of 1-2 years with ability to speak English with a preference to Hindi Language.

• Completion of high school.

• Will work on an employment contract.

Duties • Oversee female child, age group 10-12 years, needs attention with a handicapped mother; • direct child’s activities to personal hygiene; • Supervise child activity before and after school .This may include driving child to school and back home; • Reading Religious books, create amusement and exercise activities; • Make sure the child gets into bed at early hours; • Prepare meals, serve meals, and perform all housekeeping duties.

Need resume with references, all applicant information will be treated confidential.

Contact nannyinsurrey@hotmail.ca or fax resume to 604 543 1646

Pharmacy in Langley is looking for a Pharmacy Assistant.

Permanent, Full Time, may be required to work on weekends. $17.00 Hourly, for 40.00 Hours per week.

• A Completion of University Degree • 1-2 years working in similar environment.

• English, Preferred other language skill Arabic • Duties not limited to Compound, package and label pharmaceutical products.

• Knowledge of pharmaceutical names an asset, computerized Kroll system skills, dispensing, titration, blister packaging, distinguishing powder and creams, Use Laminar Flow Hood and Compound Hormones.

• Maintain records and inventories of supplies, Clean and maintain equipment, Perform general clerical duties.

Please send all applications by email to compoundingpharmacy@hotmail.ca or mail to: 8790 204 Street, suite #3 Langley, British Columbia V1M 2Y5

such as beans, eggs, tofu, and legumes for more expensive meat, fish, or poultry. Eat vegetarian once a week or more to increase your consumption of healthy plant foods while saving money. Eggs are an excellent, inexpensive source of protein that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

You could also try using a smaller portion of meat, fish, or poultry and extending the dish with whole grains, beans, eggs, and/or vegetables.

When you do buy meat, choose smaller portions of lean cuts.

For example, lean cuts of beef are those that include the terms “loin” or “round.”

(You can tenderize lean cuts of meat mechanically or by marinating it.) You can also buy a whole chicken and cut it up instead of paying the butcher to do it for you, or buy the cheaper “family pack” and portion it into airtight freezer bags.

Waste not, want not. Before you toss perishable food into your grocery cart, think about exactly how you’ll use it. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans generate roughly 30 million tons of food waste each year. Using leftover vegetables, poultry, or meat in soups, stews, salads, and casseroles minimizes cost and demonstrates your creativity in the kitchen.

For example, have a roasted chicken for dinner one night, and use the leftovers for dinner the next night. Try topping a bed of fresh greens with vegetables, fruits, and slices of leftover chicken. Add a loaf of whole-grain bread, and presto! You’ve got a nutritious meal in minutes. You can also eat leftovers for breakfast or take them with you for lunch.

Go generic. Consider buying store brands instead of pricier national brands. “All food manufacturers follow standards to

provide safe food and beverage products of high quality,” says Earl. Many grocery companies buy national-brand products made to their specifications and simply put their own label on the products. Read the ingredient list on the label to be sure you’re getting the most for your money.

Ingredients are listed in order by weight.

So when you’re buying canned tomatoes, look for a product that lists tomatoes, not water, as the first ingredient. Also look for simpler versions of your favorite foods. For example, buy oatmeal or simple flaked or puffed cereals that contain fewer additives and are less expensive (and often healthier) than fancier cereals.

Buy prepackaged only if you need it. Un-

less you have a coupon or the item is on sale, buying prepackaged, sliced, or washed products comes with a higher price tag.

Still, people living alone may find that smaller sizes of perishable products or bags of prepared produce eliminate waste and fit their needs best, despite the extra cost. You can also save money (and boost nutrition) by passing up the aisles with processed foods, cookies, snack foods and soda.

Plant a garden. For benefits that go beyond cost savings, plant your own produce.

There’s nothing better than a summer-fresh tomato from the garden. Tomatoes even grow well in containers if you don’t have space for a garden, and some neighborhoods offer community gardening spaces.

Start small, and see how easy it is to grow fresh herbs or a few simple vegetables. And if you invest a little time in freezing or canning your harvest, you can enjoy summer’s bounty all year long.

Source: WebMD Feature

Fail Only To Succeed Shabnam Khan Family Counsellor It is natural for people to lose heart when faced with failures.

When we encounter failures, they dampen our determination and leave incredible scars in our life. Just remember, failure does not emotionally disturb some. Their success towers over all the failures. We are led to believe that successful people never fail in any of their attempts. Let us not be under the impression that successful people have had a smooth life.

The fact is that people succeed only after making mistakes, learning from them and by avoiding recurrence of the same mistakes. It is important that one should learn from failures and try to overcome one’s shortcomings.

When we watch a tree with it’s sprawling branches and a massive trunk, we are taken in by it’s grandeur and majesty.

We don’t see the hidden roots that have stuck deep into the soil. The roots that are responsible for nourishment and strength

of the tree. We often notice the fruits of success of a person and not the struggle behind it. We often mistake success as fortune and failure as misfortune.

All success is the result of hard work and ceaseless effort, while failure is a product of sluggishness, miscalculations and sometimes unforeseen accidents. Every failure can be a stepping stone to success provided we understand the cause of failure and overcome it. Failures are lessons in life.

Life is a series of trails and errors and it is impossible for anyone to avoid errors and wish away trails.

Don’t grieve over failures. Make every failure an experience and learn the right lessons from it. When you start grieving over failures you miss the lesson they teach you. Every failure has a cause and instead of ruminating over failure, analyse the cause. Therein lies the lesson. The lesson you learn is positive advantage.

Failures need not frighten you. A positive approach to failure will work as a springboard for you to leap towards success. “ In this limitless universe, you can never be stuck.”

For any further enquiries regarding the services, please contact The Miracle.

25

youth

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Excessive Television for Teens Raises Risk of Depression as Adults

Teenagers today are spending more and more time slouched on a couch in front of the electronic box - although nowadays it’s rather too flat to really be called a box anymore - called a television. And a recent University of Pittsburg and Harvard Medical School study has found that TV time for teens could elevate their risk of becoming depressed adults.

Details and Findings of Study The study was published in the Archives of General Psychology and the research team had looked at the lifestyle habits of 4,142 healthy adolescents, obtained from data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. That study had covered a nationally representative sample of teens in the US for a period of 7 years.

The initial survey had taken place in 1995 and the subjects, then in junior high and high school, watched a mean of 2.3 hours of TV per day. Each day, they also spent an average of 37 minutes watching videocassettes, 2.3 hours tuning in to the radio, as well as 25 minutes on computer games.

7 years later, in 2002, a follow-up survey was carried out. It was discovered that 308 of the subjects, now young adults in their 20s, had met the criteria for depression. It was found that these persons had watched an average of 22 minutes more TV each day than their non-depressed counterparts.

The researchers calculated that each additional hour spent watching TV each day translated to an increase of 8% in depression risk.

Interestingly, such a link was only observed for television, whereas computer games and videos were not associated with higher chances of being depressed.

What Caused What?

But, is it a case of TV causing depression, or is it a case of low spirits making people turn to the tube? “It could be argued that people with the predilection for later development of depression also happen to have a predilection for watching lots of TV,” said Dr Brian Primack from the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Research on Health Care, the leader of the study.

The evidence does seem to indicate that TV is the causative factor. According to Primack, the dose-response relationship does suggest that television would at least be partly accountable for the increased risk of depression.

The Link Between Television and Happiness Levels This study is by no means the first to draw a link between television watching and one’s mental health. A University of Maryland study, for example, looked at 35 years of data of about 45,000 Americans and found that the happiest people watched the least TV, while the least happy people spent the most time in front of the tube.

In that study, TV was the only activity which registered a negative score, while the other 9 activities studied, which included going to church and visiting friends, were associated with happier people. The same issue with that the study’s findings existed, though - it was not totally clear, between watching TV and being unhappy, which was the cause and which was the effect.

A 1998 study found, too, that too much time spent watching TV can triple one’s hunger for more physical possessions, while every hour spent each day on the tube can lower one’s personal contentment by about 5%.

Why Could TV Depress Mental Health?

Television has become so much a part of modern life that it is almost shocking to learn of somebody who does not own a TV

or who does not watch any programs on it.

But why could TV be linked to unhappiness and depression?

The truth is, while TV has brought a fair amount of entertainment into our lives, it has numerous side effects. It subjects us, for example, to hours of political propaganda and consumerism brainwashing. It can thus instill fear and anxiety into us TV, could, for example, alert us to possible dangers like viruses or natural disasters, causing unnecessary worry.

And it can make us feel inadequate and worthless, too. For example, we may become unhappy that we are not as pretty, or as slim, or as rich as TV personalities, or that we are incomplete because we don’t own the latest electronic gadgets or expensive handbags being advertised.

TV watching is a passive activity which reduces our brains to mush. How hard, after all, do we have to think while watching TV? And time spent watching TV means less time for other active, meaningful, health-promoting and happiness-boosting pursuits.

TV time, too, could affect one’s sleep patterns, which is important for good mental and emotional health. It is also a direct cause of junk food feasting and couch potato lifestyles, which in turn translate to sluggish bodies and obesity.

What exacerbates all of the above possibilities is that TV is such an absorbing and time-consuming activity (if it can be called an activity at all). It’s not uncommon, after all, to hear of people fixated on the set for 5 or even 10 hours at a stretch. That’s pretty

frightening. And the massive amounts of advertisements certainly do not help.

Conclusion It is becoming increasingly clear that excessive TV time has no place in a happy and healthy person’s lifestyle. Some even choose to totally steer clear of television.

If that’s too drastic for you, you may want to consider starting a habit of picking your programs and watching only what you really want to watch, as supposed to what most people do, which is just to spend time with the TV regardless of whatever programs are on it.

Sources Study links TV and depression Happy People Watch Less TV - Research Report David Niven, PhD (2000). The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It. HarperCollins Publishers, New York.

26

Health

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

Are Vacuum Cleaners Bad for Your Health?

Australian Study Shows Most Vacuum Cleaners Release Dust, Bacteria Back Into the Air

By Denise Mann You vacuum your house religiously to get rid of all the dust, dirt, and bacteria and make sure your indoor air is up to snuff.

But new research suggests that some vacuum cleaners may actually be making things worse, not better.

Certain vacuum cleaners spit fine dust and bacteria back into the air, where they can spread infections and trigger allergies.

Australian researchers tested 21 vacuum cleaners from 11 manufacturers, including two commercial models. The vacuums were six months to 22 years old, and ranged from less than $100 to almost $800. Brands included Dyson, Electrolux, Hoover, iRobot, and Sanyo. The researchers measured 62 different air emissions.

All released some bacteria, dust, and allergens back into the air. Newer and more expensive vacuum cleaners generally caused less indoor air pollution than older, cheaper models, the study showed.

Vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters released only slightly lower levels of dust and bacteria than vacuums that did not use these special filters.

HEPA filters are supposed to remove 99.9% of the pollen, animal dander, and even bacteria from the air.

The new findings appear in Environmental

Science & Technology.

“Both vacuum cleaning and the act of vacuuming can release and re-suspend dust and allergens, leading to increased exposure,” write study researchers from Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

Indoor Air Cleaning Tips From the Pros But don’t go throwing your trusty vacuum cleaner out so quickly, says Viviana Temino, MD. She is an assistant professor of allergy and immunology at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

“For a vacuum to do more harm than good, it has to be a really old vacuum cleaner that has never been cleaned,” she says. “In general, most vacuums do take up more dust, dirt, and allergens than they release.”

HEPA filters are still the way to go, she says: “They remove more particles than they release back.”

There are other things you can do to keep your indoor air clean. “If you or someone in your home does have indoor allergies, get rid of your carpet,” she says. “If you have throw rugs, wash them once a week in really hot water. This will kill off dust mites and other allergens.”

Feather dusters just relocate dust around the room. Instead, try a microfiber or electrostatic cloth. These don’t stir up dust, she

says.

Jeffrey May says HEPA filters are still the best. He is the principal scientist at May Indoor Air Investigations in Tyngsborough, Mass., and author of several books, including My House Is Killing Me! The Home Guide for Families With Allergies and Asthma. “A junky old vacuum cleaner will definitely release more allergens than a newer one,” he says.

His advice? Get a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter, and change the filter and clean your house regularly. “Make sure to vacuum under furniture and behind furniture,” May says. “You can’t believe the stuff that accumulates there, and this can be an enormous source of allergens.”

David Corry, MD, is not a fan of the vacuum cleaner. Corry is a professor and chief of the section of immunology, allergy, and rheumatology in the department of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

He says that the only kind of vacuum that makes sense is a central unit. With these, the motor and filtration unit are located outside of the house, so all of the dust is also filtered outward.

“Standard vacuums all will emit dust of some kind, but it is very concerning to learn that older units spew out even more particu-

lates,” he says.

“If you agitate a carpet by walking across it or vacuuming it, you will aerosolize these dust, germs, and spores, making it more likely that you will inhale the things that will cause your symptoms,” he says.

If you have allergies or asthma, replace carpets with hard tile, wood, or linoleum floors, he says. “Use the best vacuum that you can ... HEPA filters may not be as good as manufacturers portray them, but nonetheless if you have asthma, use them.”

Hands down: “It will do a better job than a conventional filter.”

‘Better to Continue Regular Vacuuming’ Jill A. Notini says vacuuming the home is still the way to go. She is vice president of communications and marketing for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Notini wasn’t able to review the study, but says the American Chemical Society’s news release regarding it doesn’t lead her to conclude “that anyone should stop vacuuming their home. It is by far better to continue regular vacuuming and cleaning to reduce particles and help improve overall indoor air quality,” she tells.

Pakistani surgeon recognized in The Guinness Book of World

The Guinness Book of World record has issued surgeon Dr Naeem Taj of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital a certificate recognizing his recent achievement of removing the world’s longest gall bladder through laparoscopy.

Rasheeda Bibi, 70, was operated on at CDA hospital by Dr Naeem Taj, who

removed a 25.5 cm long gall bladder through a one cm incision. The previous record was of an Indian doctor, who had removed a 24 cm gallbladder through open surgery. Addressing a ceremony in honour of the surgeon, CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal called Taj’s achievement an honour for the Capital Hospital and the entire nation. Capital Hospital Executive Director Dr Saddique Akbar said that he was proud of Dr Taj and expected the talented surgeon to add much more to his credits. Dr Taj dedicated his award to the nation, saying that if given opportunities, resources and encouragement, we can

achieve even greater heights.

Dr Taj has also performed other distinctive surgeries, including oldest and youngest patients, longest appendix removed from a child and maximum numbers of stones removed from a gall bladder.

With a team of surgeons he, operated upon an 11-year-old boy at a local private hospital for acute appendicitis and removed the longest ever (21 centimetres). 11-year-old Hamood was operated upon at Taj Surgery Hospital here for acute appendicitis. A team of doctors including Dr Naeem Taj, consultant general and laparoscopic surgeon who heads Surgery Department at the Capital Hospital Islamabad, Dr Zakia Naeem, female surgeon, and Dr Naheed, consultant anaesthetist, operated the boy.

“The boy had a 21-centimetre long appendix — the longest ever removed or recorded from a child. The appendix was

grossly inflamed when removed,” said Dr Naeem Taj. The longest ever appendix was 26 centimetres removed during an autopsy on an old man — a 72-years-old Croatian,” he pointed out.

Dr Naeem Taj said that previously 23-centimetre appendix was removed in June 2003 at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences but in a child 21-centimetre-long appendix was never removed and reported in medical data.

The surgeon said that Hamood was discharged next day in a healthy condition and is quite happy with the outcome. “Appendix, if not operated well in time, can lead to serious complications after perforation.

So a timely diagnosis and management can save the life of a patient with acute appendicitis,” he remarked. Nowadays, Dr Naeem said, the ideal treatment for acute appendicitis is laparoscopic appendectomy.

Bill Gates contacts Arfa Karim’s father for treatment in US Everyone in Pakistan got inspired by the young, dynamic girl of Faisalabad in 2004 when the news came that she has become the youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals MCPs of the world. Genius Arfa Karim Randhawa kept the title of youngest MCP till 2008 and had the honor of visiting Microsoft Headquarters in USA upon invitation by Bill Gates. On December 22, 2011 she managed to Shock the nation again but this time with the news of her critical illness. The wonder girl, 16, suffered from cardiac arrest after an epileptic seizure and was admitted to CMH Lahore. Till than she is in coma, fighting

QR CODE

for her life. The Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, offered financial assistance to the family, who rejected the offer, according to Pakistani newspaper “Express Tribune,” which did not report the reason for refusal. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani along with his daughter also visited the CMH assuring all assistance. Lately Chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates has made a contact with the parents expressing his wish about Arfa’s treatment in the US. A panel of doctors had been formed on the directives of Bill Gates who would assist Pakistani doctors in extending medical treatment of whiz kid. People close to the

Scan with your smartphone to visit our website for the latest news in BC Muslim Community! www.miraclenews.com

Arfa continue to maintain hope, and a good part of the population, seeking inspiration in figures such as Arfa to glimpse a better future for Pakistan.

People of Pakistan and Family members of Arfa have lauded Bill Gates for showing concern.

Arfa became Microsoft Certified Professional in 2004 at the age of 9, becoming the youngest MCP in the history of Microsoft. She held the title for four years until 2008. To date, she has been invited to a number of conferences held by Microsoft

all over the world.

We hope and pray for Arfa’s health as miracles do happen. May God bless her with health Ameen.

27

s

p

o

r

t

s

Issue 301 - Safar 19, 1433 / January 13, 2012

43 all out! Sri Lanka hit new low

Sri Lanka crashed to 43 all out to equal the fourth lowest total in one-day international history today and lose by a huge 258-run margin to South Africa in the opening game of their five-match series.

Morne Morkel took 4-10 and Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3-19 to rip through Sri Lanka’s lineup as South Africa won by the third biggest victory margin by runs in ODIs after having made 301-8 batting first.

Sri Lanka lost Upul Tharanga off the second ball of the innings and opening partner Tillakaratne Dilshan off the eighth both for ducks in a terrible start for the tourists on the way to their lowest-ever ODI score.

Wickets tumbled rapidly with Dinesh Chandimal out in the fourth over. Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews fell within three balls in the fifth, and Mahela

Jayawardene flashed a cut shot straight to Faf du Plessis at point in the eighth as the tourists fell to 13-6.

Kosala Kulasekara top-scored with 19 in just his second ODI and was the only player to reach double figures for Sri Lanka.

The ninth-wicket pair of Kosala and Nuwan Kulasekara were needed to drag Sri Lanka past the lowest-ever total of 35, set when Sri Lanka bowled out Zimbabwe in 2004.

But left-arm spinner Robin Peterson picked up two late wickets to take 2-5 and end the Sri Lankan innings in just 20.1 overs.

Earlier, Hashim Amla’s 112 drove South Africa to its big total, despite Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga claiming 5-53.

Amla shared a 144-run partnership with Jacques Kallis (72) and a 91-run stand with

Mustafa Ameen had no business at ringside of Amir Khan fight, says IBF

The International Boxing Federation has stated that “mystery man” Mustafa Ameen had no business being involved at ringside during Amir Khan’s controversial defeat to Lamont Peterson.

Khan lost his IBF and WBA lightwelterweight titles in a disputed split decision loss against Peterson in Washington, DC on 10 December.

The Bolton fighter has since called into question various issues from the night, ranging from the referee Joe Cooper’s deduction of two points from him to the judging of the fight and inconsistencies with the scorecards.

Khan’s latest complaint last week was the presence of the then-unidentified Ameen at ringside, where he is seen interacting with the WBA supervisor,

employee or an official of the organisation, nor does he receive any monetary compensation from the organisation for his efforts.

“Previous to the Khan-Peterson bout, the IBF made a request for the Washington, DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission to extend Mr Ameen the courtesy of a credential to enter the arena.

“Mr Ameen was not assigned by the IBF to officiate this bout. Despite all that has transpired, at this point the IBF has not changed its stance and plans on moving forth with the hearing as scheduled on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.

“Mr Ameen will be present at the hearing to explain his actions and what transpired during the bout between him and Mr Welsh, the WBA supervisor.”

AB de Villiers (52) after Malinga struck in the third over to remove Graeme Smith.

Amla hit eight fours for 112 off 128 deliveries his ninth ODI hundred and De Villiers made a rapid halfcentury off just 40 balls in his first game as ODI skipper.

But Malinga returned with a typically devastating spell near the end to remove Amla, Albie Morkel (25), Du Plessis and Dale Steyn to slow South Africa’s scoring.

Malinga dismissed Du Plessis and Steyn in the final over for his fifth five-wicket ODI haul as South Africa faded from 244-3 when De Villiers went. But the captain still led South Africa to its second-

biggest win ever after batting first in a oneday international.

Source: nzherald.co.nz/

Messi wins 3rd straight FIFA player of year award Soccer player Lionel Messi of Argentina, left, talks to UEFA President Michel Platini, center, and former Brazilian player Ronaldo, right, after winning the men’s FIFA Ballon d’Or soccer player of the year 2011 prize during a gala held at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.

Crosby to resume skating this week

Michael Welsh, and allegedly handling scorecards. Ameen was then identified

by Khan’s promoter, Richard Schaefer, who also said Ameen was involved with the IBF. The governing body has explained in a statement that Ameen is not one of its employees or officials, though he does voluntary work with its programme for retired fighters and will attend a hearing on 18 January.

A statement issued by the organisation’s publicist, Jeannette Salazar, read: “Mr Mustafa Ameen does outreach work for the IBF’s SARB/Education Fund.

“This fund was initially created to financially assist retired professional boxers experiencing monetary difficulties.

“Shortly over a year ago, IBF President Daryl Peoples and Mr Ameen agreed that he would network on behalf of the organisation with the purpose of connecting with these fighters in order for the IBF to provide them with some financial assistance.

“Mr Ameen’s role with the organisation is limited to just this. He is not an

Khan’s trainer, Freddie Roach, revealed at the weekend he knew Ameen and insists he had no official role.

He told BBC Sport: “[Ameen] has no credentials; he’s not a member of any boxing organisation. There’s no reason for him to be at ringside. Why he was ringside and why he was in the ring afterwards celebrating and so forth I have no idea.”

Earlier this week, Ameen told boxingscene.com: “Amir Khan and Golden Boy have requested a hearing to appeal the decision and I am going to participate in the hearing and I’m not going to take the path that others have taken and state my case on the internet and in the media. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’m not running or ducking or anything.

“Without talking about the merits of what happened, I will just say that there’s a lot of misinformation. I’ve been called a lot of names over the past several days and that attacks my credibility, attacks my reputation that I worked very hard on in all my years in boxing.”

Source: guardian.co.uk

Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby is expected to skate this week for the first time since he was knocked out of the lineup with concussion symptoms in early December.

“He will be skating during this trip,” Penguins coach Dan Bylsma, whose team began a three-game, five-day road trip in Washington on Wednesday, told the Pittsburgh TribuneReview. “He also will, at some point in time, address the media. That will happen in the next few days. It isn’t a set plan, but it will happen.”

Two weeks ago, Bylsma told reporters that Crosby was suffering from concussion symptoms. Crosby hasn’t played since Dec. 5, when he suffered an apparent head injury against the Boston Bruins, and hasn’t practised since Dec. 7.

The star has not spoken publicly since Dec. 12.

Crosby missed 10 months of action after

he suffered a concussion last January — he was side-swiped by David Steckel, then with Washington, in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, and ridden into the boards by Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman four days later.

He made his 2011-12 season debut on Nov. 21 against the New York Islanders, receiving widespread media attention as he scored a goal as part of a four-point night.

He played eight games with the Penguins, recording two goals and adding 10 assists, before he was forced from the lineup again.

Bylsma didn’t offer any more details on the state of Crosby’s health.

“I’m not sure what’s fair to say,” Bylsma told the Tribune-Review. “Obviously he has been working out and having light exercises in the weight room and on the bike. We’ll certainly be glad to see him on the ice.”

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

The practice of Circumcision is a characteristic of the Fitra.

Abu Huraira – Sahih Bukhari 7.72.779

Infant Circumcision Khitan/Khatna Last year alone, hundreds of BC doctors referred more than 2000 infants for circumcision to Dr. Neil Pollock.

Here is why: • Dr. Pollock’s unique method is virtually painless, virtually bloodless and done in 30 seconds • He has safely performed over 30 000 circumcisions (from newborn to six months) • He has extremely low complication rates • 2 clinics with fast and convenient access.

• No hospital administrative fees.

For more information on our technique, including a video of the surgery, visit our website www.circumcisionvancouver.com OR CALL US AT

604-717-6200

39

Offices in Vancouver and New Westminster

www.alwatantandoori.com

- Shan Masala 99c ea - Plain Paratha 3 for $5 - Rao Fish $1.99/lb BCMA approved ~ Halal Meat Shop

Gill International Travel EST. 1982

14-Locations in Canada All Airfares subject to the seasonality and applicable taxes.

TF:(1-800-667-2661)