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Volume 11 Issue 299 Muharam 20, 1433 AH / December 16, 2011 - $1

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Canada bans burqa at citizenship swearing in

Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (R.A.) remembered in the streets of Downtown Vancouver: Six Hundred people joined the eighth annual Muharram procession on December 3 which started at the Vancouver Library and ended at the Art Gallery.

The procession was attended by Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as Christians in memory of Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was martyred on Muharram 10. Details on Page 9. Photo by: M.N.Pirzada

U.S. House of Representatives endorses tough sanctions on Iran The U.S. House of Representatives endorsed legislation to expand sanctions against Iran. The Iran Threat Reduction Act, passed by a vote of 410 to 11. The overwhelming votes were largely symbolic, however, as the Senate was not expected to act on the legislation in the few remaining days of the congressional session. U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who authored the bill that has over 350 co-sponsors, said during the debate that “we don’t know how much time we have left,” and that “if we fail, it will come as no to the families of the victims of past and future Iranian attacks, or to our allies. Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ), a member of the House Appropriations Defense, and State and Foreign Operations Subcommittees, and cosponsor of the bill, said that it “sends a clear message to anyone who wishes to deal with Iran that doing business with that country is unacceptable until Iran gives up its aspirations to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities.” “Iran must stop its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Continued on pg 6 By sanctioning the

New Canadian citizens must remove any face coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burqa, while they take the oath of citizenship, the country’s immigration minister said Monday, reported by Dawn. Jason Kenney said most Canadians find the practice of reciting the oath behind a veil disturbing and said new Canadians should take it in view of their fellow citizens.

He said he has received complaints from lawmakers and citizenship judges who say it’s difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are actually reciting the oath.The Conservative minister called the issue a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of Canada’s identity and the country’s values of openness and equality. He said women who feel obliged to have their faces covered in public often come from a cultural milieu that treats women as property rather than equal human beings. ”I do think that most Canadians find that disquieting to say the least,” Kenney said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. ”Most Muslim Canadian women I know find the practice of face covering in our society disturbing, indicative of an approach to women that is not consistent with our democratic values,” Kenney added. Kenney made the announcement in the French-speaking province of Quebec, which has experienced heated debates over how much Canada should bend to accommodate the newcomers.

While in the rest of Canada such issues are more often raised by conservatives, in Quebec it’s the left-leaning and Parti Quebecois separatists who often discuss it.

Kenney said his government would not go further by drafting laws to ban women from wearing veils that cover their faces in public.

Canada, a country that prides itself on having one of the world’s most liberal systems for immigration, just banned women from wearing veils while taking the oath of citizenship limited to citizenship ceremonies, Canada’s new rules make it the second nation after France to ban face-covering garments in public, although there are a number of countries in Europe that have begun to

Continued on pg 26

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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p a k i s t a n

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Bill for financial, legal help to women prisoners okayed

The Upper House of parliament, on Tuesday, passed a pro-women legislation to provide legal and financial assistance to the women languishing in jails reported by Daily Times.

The Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Bill 2011 to amend Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act 1996 was moved in the House by Leader of the House Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari. Senate had on Monday adopted acid-control bill to check the acid throwing incidents in the country. The statement of objects and reasons of the bill says that the Human Rights Wing of Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights was administering the fund under the Act of Parliament, however the funds were transferred to the Ministry of Human Rights after its establishment.

It said that the Ministry of Human Rights was not in a position to operate the fund without necessary amendments in Women Distress and Detention Fund Act 1996, adding that the functionalisation of this fund is beneficial for all classes of women throughout the country. The Senate also passed another bill – The Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill 2011 to increase pecuniary (monetary) jurisdiction of the original site of the Islamabad High Court from Rs10 million to Rs100 million. The bill was moved

by Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Moula Baksh Chandio.

On a point of order, the debate on Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, and Drug Regulatory Authority triggered a severe criticism

from PML-N’s Senator Ishaq Dar, who said that double standards of the federal government has blocked the transfer of this hospital to Punjab government whereas the same hospital in Quetta was devolved to Balochistan government. Dar said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had constituted a committee that included Syed Naveed Qamar along with him (Dar) to resolve the issue.

The committee had its last meeting in Ramazan but had not found a solution. “The committee had become virtually infractions,” he added.

He assured the House that he would get a resolution from Punjab Assembly for drug regulatory authority within next 72 hours if the government devolved Sheikh Zayed Hospital to Punjab government. Dar urged the government to resolve the issue and warned that if it was not done, the Punjab government is going to file a case in court. He asked the prime minister to intervene, saying we do not want to go to court for solution of every dispute.

Senator Raza Rabbani said that Sheikh Zaid Hospital Lahore is a dispute and said that under the 18th Amendment, the federal hospitals stand devolved to the provinces. Senator from Balochistan Kalsoom Parveen also endorsed Dar’s stance over the Sheikh Zayed Hospital. Senator Haseeb Khan pointed out that the 18th Amendment was not being implemented with particular reference to delay in evolving drug regulatory authority. Bokhari apprised the House that it was all because of Punjab government.

Earlier, Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas Functional Chairman Senator Dr Abdul Malik presented a report of the committee for the period from November, 2009 to July, 2011.

US House approves bill to freeze some Pakistan aid WASHINGTON: With the White House’s blessing, the US House passed legislation Wednesday to freeze some Pakistan aid, slap harsh new sanctions on Iran, and endorse indefinite imprisonment of suspected terrorists.The Republican-led House of Representatives voted 283-136 to approve the $662 billion Defense Authorization bill, which also sets high hurdles for closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay. The Democratic-held Senate was to quickly follow suit. US President Barack Obama, who had threatened to veto earlier versions of the yearly measure, will sign it when it reaches his desk despite lingering misgivings, spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement before the vote.

“However, if in the process of implementing this law we

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determine that it will negatively impact our counterterrorism professionals and undercut our commitment to the rule of law, we expect that the authors of these provisions will work quickly and tirelessly to correct these problems,” said Carney.The legislation, a compromise blend of rival House and Senate versions, requires that Al-Qaeda fighters who plot or carry out attacks on US targets be held in military, not civilian, custody, subject to a presidential waiver.

The bill exempts US citizens from that fate, but leaves it to the US Supreme Court or future presidents to decide whether US nationals who sign on with Al-Qaeda or affiliated groups may be held indefinitely without trial.

Obama had warned he could reject the original proposal over the military custody issue, as well as provisions he charged would short-circuit civilian trials for alleged terrorists. (AFP)

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Iran rejects US request to return captured drone- US should apologize

Iran has rejected a US call for the return of a surveillance drone captured by Iran’s military earlier this month. The unmanned aircraft was now “property” of Iran and it was up to Iran to decide what to do with it, Defence Minister Ahmad Vahidi said. Mr Vahidi said the US should apologize for

invading Iranian air space.

Iranian TV has broadcast pictures of the RQ-170 Sentinel. Tehran says it was brought down using electronic warfare; Washington says it malfunctioned. “The American espionage drone is now Iran’s property, and our country will decide what steps to take regarding it,” Mr. Vahidi was quoted as saying by the Isna news agency, following a call for the aircraft’s return by US President Barack Obama on Monday.”Instead of apologising to the Iranian nation, [the US] is brazenly asking for the drone back,” he added, according to another semi-official news agency, Mehr.

On Monday, Iranian state TV reported that

Indian rupee hits record low Money exchange centres across the UAE witnessed brisk remittance business as the Indian rupee touched a record low for the second day in a row on Tuesday pressured by escalating import bill, slowing domestic growth and

concerns about outflows from the stock market, reported by AlKhaleej.

The partially convertible rupee ended at 53.22/23 to the dollar, down 0.7 per cent from Monday’s close of 52.84/85, after touching a record low of 53.52 during the day. Some analysts believe the rupee soon would weaken to 55 to the dollar within days. Since the UAE currency is pegged to the dollar, nonresident Indians (NRIs) continued to benefit from the escalating exchange rate of the dirham against the rupee, which touched an all-time peak of Rs14.52 per dirham on Tuesday or Dh68.7 for Rs1,000, and closed lower at Rs14.48 or Dh69.1 for Rs1,000.

Money exchange centres reported brisk remittance business with NRIs, who have been waiting for the rupee to fall further after the currency gained following its historic low on November 22, rushing to benefit from the windfall.

Bill O’ Neill, chief investment officer at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, said the Indian rupee would regain its clout by June 2012 by bouncing back to Rs46 against the greenback and by December its would reach 45 against the dollar. However, Sudhir Kumar Shetty, chief operating officer of UAE Exchange Centre, said the rupee would never be the same against dollar as it has moved to a different level of above 50 against the greenback.

“Despite the intrinsic weakness of the dollar and the strong fundamentals of India’s economy, the rupee is sliding relentlessly against the US currency due to a combination of factors, including the eurozone contagion, a widening trade deficit due to escalating oil bill,

spiralling inflation, the plummeting confidence level of global investors due to wrong signals they receive from India,” Shetty said. The drop in industrial output has sent an adverse signal about India’s growth outlook. Adding to the concern of investors is the current account and fiscal deficit, Shetty said. An analyst at Barclays said for investors who have a longer-term horizon, the current level for the rupee might actually be a buying opportunity. “Once the risk sentiment stabilises, the rupee-dollar could move lower. We do expect it to move back to 48 in 12 months time.”

Currency experts in Dubai said demand for dollars from oil importers would continue to be a drag on the currency.

India imports more than three-quarters of its oil requirements and local refiners are the biggest buyers of dollars in the domestic currency market.

The historic low for the rupee comes at a particularly bad time as India’s current account deficit is ballooning.

Inflation also remains stubbornly high at nine per cent and a weak rupee will almost certainly raise energy costs, given that India imports three-quarters of its oil. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been fighting rising prices by raising rates seven times this year to 8.5 per cent. Another spike in inflation is the last thing it needs as the economy begins to show signs of slowing. A growing trade deficit and the low probability of strong intervention from the RBI, given the limited firepower in its currency reserves, is likely to keep the rupee under pressure, analysts said.

The rupee has lost 4.8 per cent of its value against the dollar in the last four weeks and 16 per cent so far this year. Investors took fright on Monday when government data showed India’s industrial production fell 5.1 per cent in October, the first monthly fall in more than two years and far more than expected.

“Any intervention from the RBI is likely to be token,” said a foreign exchange dealer with a private-sector bank. “The one factor that could help the rupee to some extent is growth-supporting steps from the RBI, like a cut in the cash reserve ratio.” The central bank is widely expected to keep rates on hold at its review on Friday, but economists expect it to accelerate monetary easing in 2012 as economic conditions worsen in Asia’s third-largest economy

military experts were in the final stages of recovering data from the drone. A member of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, Parviz Sorouri, said the information they extracted would be used to “file a lawsuit against the United States over the invasion”. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has admitted it is likely that the drone will not be returned.

She said on Monday that despite numerous “provocations” from Iran, the US would pursue a “diplomatic approach”.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards were filmed inspecting the drone on Thursday. Tehran says it had crossed the Afghan border and travelled 250km (155 miles) inside Iranian airspace before being brought down in a cyber attack. A former US official has said the Pentagon was using the drone to keep watch on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme. Western powers believe Iran is

trying to develop nuclear weapons, which it denies. In a separate development, Iran’s official Irna news agency on Tuesday reported that 15 “American and Zionist” spies had been indicted. The report, quoting Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, gave no details about the charges, or the names of the accused.

Iran frequently accuses the US of seeking to covertly undermine its regime. In May, Iran’s intelligence ministry announced the arrest of 30 CIA “spies”. Meanwhile, the US treasury and state departments announced that they were imposing sanctions against two top Iranian military officials for alleged human rights abuses.They said Gen Hassan Firuzabadi, chief of the general command headquarters of the armed forces, and Gen Abdollah Eraqi, a deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

Canada quits Kyoto climate protocol Environment minister says global accord intended to tackle global warming “does not represent a way forward for Canada”.Canada will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, the country’s minister of the environment has said, making it the first nation to pull out of the global treaty. The protocol “does not represent a way forward for Canada” and would have forced it to take “radical and irresponsible choices”, Peter Kent said in Toronto on Monday.

He added that it was a mistake for Canada to have signed up for Kyoto: “As we’ve said, Kyoto for Canada is in the past ... We are invoking our legal right to formally withdraw from Kyoto.”

“The Kyoto protocol does not cover the world’s two largest emitters, China and the US, and therefore cannot work,” he said. China, which argues that it should be exempt from emissions reduction targets because it is a developing nation, said Canada’s decision was “regrettable” and went against international efforts to tackle climate change. “We hope Canada will face up to its responsibilities and obligations, honour its commitments and actively participate in relevant international co-operation against climate change,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said.

Megan Leslie, environment spokesperson for Canada’s opposition New Democratic Party said the government was abdicating its international responsibilities.”We all knew the rumours. We all heard the reports that Canada planned to withdraw from Kyoto, and so today we actually saw it laid out before us,” she said. ‘Kyoto is the past’ The move does not come as a surprise, especially since Kent said last month that “Kyoto is the past”. He said the cost of meeting Canada’s obligations under Kyoto would cost $13.6bn. “That’s $1,600 from every Canadian family; that’s the Kyoto cost to Canadians. That was the legacy of an incompetent liberal government,” he said. The right-of-centre Conservatives took power in 2006 and made clear they would not stick to Canada’s Kyoto commitments. Canada’s former Liberal government signed up to Kyoto, which obliged the country to cut emissions to six per cent below 1990 levels by 2012. By 2009, emissions were 17 per cent above the 1990 levels. Canada’s delegation said little during recent climate talks in South Africa where countries agreed to extend the Kyoto protocol and hammer out a new deal to force big polluters to cut greenhouse emissions.

Canada has said it backs a new global deal to cut emissions of greenhouse gases, but insists it has to cover all nations, including China and India, which are not bound by Kyoto’s current targets. The decision to quit will not help the international reputation of the North American country, a major energy producer which critics say is becoming a climate renegade.

Source: Agencies

Afghanistan recalls ambassador from Qatar KABUL: Afghanistan has recalled its ambassador to Qatar for ‘consultations’, the foreign ministry announced in an apparent protest at being left out of talks over the opening of a Taliban office in the Gulf state.The United States has discussed plans for the Taliban to open an address in Qatar by the end of the year in a move designed to allow the West to begin formal peace talks with the militant group. But a high ranking Afghan government official, speaking anonymously, said while Kabul approved of the move, it was withdrawing its ambassador in protest at not being consulted. “The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has had brotherly relations with the government of Qatar, which it thanks for its cooperation on the reconstruction of Afghanistan,” the ministry’s official statement said. “But regarding recent developments in Afghanistan and in the region, including Afghanistan’s relations with Qatar, the Afghan government has decided to recall its ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekerya from Doha for the purpose of some consultations.” The high ranking official said the Afghan government was aware that Qatar has held talks with the US and Germany on allowing a Taliban office to open, and supported the move as a means of facilitating the peace process.

But he said: “The ambassador has been recalled as a protest over why they did not allow the Afghan government into these talks while there are official diplomatic relations between the two countries. “He added that the opening of such an office “should not be seen as a concession” to the Taliban.

The office of the self-styled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would be the first internationally recognized representation for the Taliban since it was ousted from power by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Western diplomats have said it is hoped the opening of a Taliban office would push forward the prospect of talks intended to reconcile insurgents with the Afghan government and bring an end to the decade-long war. (AFP)

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Egyptians vote in second round elections

Voters flocked to polls in nine electorates, where Islamists hope to maintain lead and liberals aim to gain ground.

Egyptians have flocked to the polls in nine provinces across the country for the second round of voting in the first parliamentary election since a popular uprising toppled former president Hosni Mubarak in February.

Polls closed at 1900GMT on Wednesday, the first of a two-day voting process, which saw Egyptians turning out in large numbers, but still far less than what was seen during the first round.

Voters poured into polling stations in Giza; Beni Sueif, south of the capital; the Nile Delta provinces of Menufiya, Sharqiya and Beheira; the canal cities of Ismailiya and Suez; and the southern cities Sohag and Aswan.

At one polling station on the outskirts of Cairo, seven people were detained after security forces stepped in to stop supporters of rival candidates from firing upon one another. Otherwise, reports indicated that voting progressed fairly smoothly.

The second round of voting, which continues through Thursday, will decide 180 seats in the 498-seat lower house. The third and final round is scheduled for early January.

Some 18.8 million Egyptians are eligible to cast

their ballots with voting taking place over two days followed by run-off votes where necessary a week later.

Al Jazeera’s correspondents in Giza and Suez reported that fewer voters had turned out for the second round of elections than the first.

Rawya Rageh, reporting from a polling station in Giza, described the turnout as “humble” but steady.

She said round two was likely to be a much tougher race than the previous round, especially in the Muslim Brotherhood’s heartland, the Nile Delta.

(Al-Jazeera)

Body found at Belgian shooter’s garage Police have found the body of a woman while searching a garage linked to a gunman whose shooting spree in the Belgian city of Liege left at least three other people dead and scores more

wounded. A prosecutor told a press conference on Wednesday that a 17-month-old girl and a 17-yearold male had died overnight of wounds sustained in the attacks, in addition to one person killed at the scene. The gunman, identified as Nordine Amrani, opened fire on passers-by with an assault rifle and threw grenades in a busy shopping area of the city on Tuesday afternoon before apparently killing himself. Five people remained in intensive care, among them a 75-year-old woman in a critical condition who was earlier reported as having died, said Daniele Reynders, the prosecutor. More than 120 people were taken to hospital after the incident.

Reynders said Amrani, 33, appeared to have shot himself in the head and had left no explanation for his actions. “Nordine Amrani committed suicide with a bullet to the head,” she told reporters. “He left no message to explain his act.” The woman’s body was found at a garage where Amrani had previously cultivated cannabis plants, along with weapons and ammunition, Reynders said. A handgun was also found at Amrani’s home address. Wit-

nesses said Amrani had climbed onto the roof of a bakery before beginning his shooting spree in Place Saint Lambert, a central shopping square which is the site of Liege’s Christmas market and its main courthouse. Wissam Anabtawi, who recorded footage of the attacks on his mobile phone, said: “I was on the bus and then I got off it. I saw this guy, I think he was Moroccan, I don’t know, and then there was a bomb. Afterwards, I saw a bunch of people and glass everywhere.”

The attack sent terrified residents running for their lives, fleeing into churches and shops. “The people who witnessed the attack said the gunman was like a hunter, trying to kill as many as possible,” Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland, reporting from Liege, said. Police were on the scene quickly and sealed off the square with residents ordered to stay in their homes or seek shelter in shops or public buildings. Dozens of emergency vehicles took victims away for treatment while a museum on the square was converted into a makeshift hospital.

“Luckily the mayor had postponed the opening of the Christmas market due to bad weather and high winds. Otherwise many more would have died,” a town hall employee told the AFP news agency. Judicial sources said Amrani was known to police and had served a prison sentence for illegal possession of arms and growing cannabis. Belgium’s federal crisis centre said the attack was neither a terrorist incident nor linked to a pending criminal trial. Elio Di Rupo, Belgium’s prime minister, stressed the attack was the act of a lone assailant, a man known to police who had no links to terrorism. “The whole country shares in the pain. This is an isolated case. This is not about terrorism,’’ he said during a visit to the city. As the shocked nation sought to understand the motive behind the carnage, tearful residents of Liege turned out to lay wreaths on the city’s central square. King Albert II and Queen Paola also visited the scene.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Obama marks coming end of US war in Iraq Barack Obama has welcomed home some of the last US troops from Iraq in a ceremony to mark the coming end of his country’s near-nineyear military campaign since a 2003 US-led invasion.

The US president paid tribute to about 3,000 soldiers gathered at the Fort Bragg military station in North Carolina, saying he was proud to welcome them home after what he called an “extraordinary achievement”.

“I want to speak to you about the end of the war in Iraq,” he said, as hundreds of soldiers cheered in appreciation.

“Over the last few months, the final work of leaving Iraq has been done. Dozens of bases ... that house American troops have been closed down or turned over to the Iraqis.

Obama said those US troops still stationed in the country would soon “move south on desert sands, and then they will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high”.

“One of the most extraordinary chapters in the history of the American military will come to an end. Iraq’s future will be in the hands of its people. America’s war in Iraq will be over.”

As of this week, there were 5,500 US troops left in Iraq, down from more than 170,000 at the height of the war.

The US-led invasion in 2003 toppled Saddam Hussein, the former leader who was executed after a controversial trial in Baghdad. Saddam’s sons Uday and Qusay also died in the fighting months after it began.

“We knew this day would come. We’ve known it for some time. But still, there is something profound about the end of a war that has lasted so long,” Obama said (Al-Jazeera)

Escalating violence in Syria leaves many dead Activists say reprisal ambush in Hama province left eight soldiers dead after government forces killed five civilians.

At least thirteen people have been killed in Syria’s Hama province after troops fired on a car and provoked a reprisal ambush, activists said, in the latest bloodshed in a nine-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Wednesday was the second day in a row in which an attack by government forces on civilians appears to have brought a quick and deadly act of revenge by anti-government fighters.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said army deserters ambushed a convoy of four military jeeps, killing at least eight soldiers, in response to the army attack on a car, which left five people dead.

The vehicle “exploded in a ball of fire”, Rami Abdul-Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory, said. He said, gunmen ambushed a convoy of four military jeeps passing through the nearby village of al-Asharna on the northern outskirts of the city of Hama, spraying it with bullets.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the ambush, but the Free Syrian Army, a Turkish-based defector group, has in the past claimed similar attacks across the country.The area where the attack took place has seen the defection of several soldiers from the regular army,” Abdul-Rahman told Al Jazeera. Abdul-Rahman added that “three [army] defectors were wounded” in the village of Lujat during clashes with regular troops in the southern province of Deraa.”Heavy gunfire was heard in the town of Hirak”, which came under assault by military forces backed by tanks and troop carriers, he added. (Al-Jazeera)

US : Continued from pg 1 Central Bank of Iran and entities connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, this legislation is proposing the harshest steps against Iran to date,” he said. “The recent International Atomic Energy Agency report only further confirmed that the Iranian regime is hellbent on developing nuclear weapons that threaten our national security, pose an existential threat to our ally Israel, and risk sparking a devastating arms race in the already volatile Middle East,” Rep. Deutch said in a statement. “Iran has made its intentions crystal clear by plotting attacks on U.S. soil, funding Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations, supporting the slaughter of thousands by the oppressive Syrian regime, and continuing to threaten Israel’s very existence. U.S. policy must be crystal clear that we will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran.

Congressmen who opposed the bill said they are concerned that the sanctions will cause a rise in oil prices, and that the most effective tool to deal with the Iranian regime intransigence is diplomacy. The House of Representatives on Wednesday also passed a $662 billion defense bill, which would authorize money for military personnel, weapons systems, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and national security programs in the Energy Department. (AFP)

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

SAFE EXIT NOT A BAD OPTION

Issuance of detailed verdict on the (national reconciliation ordinance) NRO Review Petition and the re-emerging issue of Zardari’s money laundering cases pending in the Swiss courts have been troubling Mr. zardari.

Nevertheless, he remains an accused of money laundering, yet that has lately been identified as an international offence. It is not considered serious enough of an offence to prosecute a head of state in a foreign court, especially while the president is still in power. Thus, he continues to enjoy protection from criminal prosecution in customary international law under the principle of “head of state immunity” abroad during his tenure as President.

But his troubles don’t stop here, as May 2nd incidence, strong wave of public anger directed at him - chanting “Go Zardari Go, and other political rhetorics” have put really deep dents in his strength despite his being a man of strong nerves.

The bundle of serious legal issues including the rejected NRO review petition, issuance of subpoena in memo gate scandal to the top military brass to appear with evidence before the apex court on Dec 16, have given a lot of stress to Pres Zardari lately.

And, the embattled president decided to address the joint session of Parliament to clear the air and prove his innocence.

Yet, all of a sudden, the President, under

severe mental pressure, suffered a mild heart attack/stroke and an anxiety attack.

So instead of stepping down and instantly losing legal immunity as head of state - becoming more vulnerable to face the long-standing corruption charges against him in Pakistan, it was his wise decision at the right time to seek further medical treatment and be safer abroad at the same time for the time being till the dust settles down in his favour.

While the general perception about the vanishing boss still remains that he has been facilitated with the safe exit. Whether he is returning shortly or never is too early to figure out. According to his party, he hasn’t left to avoid possible impeachment or any other legal cases against him.

It’s understandable, article 6 of the constitution has never been invoked in Pakistan against coup makers/ usurpers, yet a criminal trial against civil leadership under article 6 is scary one indeed. Legal proceedings on December 16 or afterwards would actually bring to light all evidence regarding the ignited memo scandal. Of course, the accused is innocent till proven guilty. Till then the boss is immune too.

Since 2009, the SC has tried everything very patiently to get the federal government to implement the NRO judgement by writing to the Swiss government and asking them to restart the cases against the

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Pakistan’s socio-economic growth. It is a numbers game crafted skilfully by Musharraf and his men to reflect positively on his ‘enlightened moderation’ philosophy on an entirely short-term basis. Investments in higher education can never be analyzed within a constricted By: M. Hajee, Surrey time frame and will have to be synchronized It happens every winter. Power outages with investments or policy initiatives in the because some car smashed into a transformer, industrial and technology sectors to produce a tree fell on power lines, etc. the synergies required for the quantum leap.

Every winter BC Hydro staff have to spend Unfortunately, Dr. Ata-ur-Rahman and his men hours in the cold, wet weather to fix the probforgot in a hurry about Pakistan’s widening enlem and restore power. ergy gaps that in the ultimate analysis impacts Why not hide the power lines underground upon the entire economic spectrum. And, so it instead? That way, the problems of power outdid. The current energy crisis in Pakistan has ages are greatly reduced and the BCH staff can resulted in a chaos that just does not provide do something more productive. If BCH had the space to put the priorities in place. Who done something ten years ago, by now all the cares for academic research when the costs of power lines in all of BC could be out of sight. production are totally out of control?

Instead the Crown Corporation spends billions Now let me briefly address the academic side. on “smart meters”. These meters will not be Hundreds of scholars have been sent to foreign able to prevent or reduce power outages. So countries like the UK, Canada, China, Sweden every winter these problems will persist. and Germany. On an average it costs around The meters may be smart, but the top brass at Rs 10 million per scholar. Whatever research BCH certainly are not. that they have carried out has been in areas identified within the policy frameworks of those countries. Their research has been pubBy: Sayed M.Irfan, Burnaby lished in journals that belong entirely to those I am taking this opportunity to respond to cultures. Who benefits from it? In fact, the Mr. Aftab Alam’s viewpoint on Pakistan’s only major benefits that our researchers stand PhD program published in your edition dated to gain are merely the technique and skills December 2, 2011. I am doing so in a dual required to write a research paper. Indeed, the capacity: firstly, as a senior faculty in a pressaying goes “publish or perish.” You manage tigious public-sector engineering university of about a dozen of these and you are in contenPakistan; and, secondly, as a responsible citition for a Professor’s or an Associate Profeszen of the country that is besieged by massive sor’s rank. Going by that count, someone like institutional and infrastructural problems.

Steve Jobs or Bill Gates would not qualify The Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) to lecture at our universities by a long shot.

PhD program is by and large an eyewash And this brings me to a very crucial issue. If though not entirely because of questionable a country does not have the capacity and the motives; it rather fails to achieve anything capability to convert scientific research into substantial or meaningful in the context of

Why not hide the power lines underground instead?

Pakistan’s PhD program

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president. However, in view of the ongoing defiance of apex court verdicts by the Federal Executive for so long, the chief justice of Pakistan under article 190 is authorised to order the armed forces to execute the enforcement of all judicial verdicts so far defied by the government.

Constitutionally, the president is supposed to be non partisan, but Mr. Zardari has been ridiculously promoting his people’s party and keeping a dual office. President has to be medically fit including mental fitness.

In fact, Zardari absented himself from appearing in Swiss court by producing a medical certificate showing his condition of depression and dementia at the time.

As such he has been elected as president in violation of the constitution which renders his immunity void ab initio.

Furthermore, the incompetent Zardari regime delivered nothing but nonsense of instability and insecurity to the people and the institutions and tarnished the image of Pakistan.

Look who is talking?

A sudden emergence of his son in the political arena is quite thought provoking. Twenty three year old kid - fresh from school has started presiding over the meeting of senior party leaders. Vow! It appears Bilawal has finally entered practical politics to pick up from where his dad left off.

The dynastic babe is now presiding over a

major political force, when he is as much a travesty of democracy as any draconian dictatorship.

Amazingly, the members of parliament and other senior party members behave like courtiers in front of him (a product of the unverified will).

Isn’t it a clear cut mockery of democracy?

Even if the WILL was genuine one, there wouldn’t be room for dynastic politics in the modern day political environment as everybody is equal and just the merit should matter.

Moreover, eye brows were raised, as Zardari wished to take Mr. Haqani along to Dubai despite his (Haqani’s) name on the exit control list.

Sadly, the general public have been deceived by their leaders time and again during the last sixty four years. Still, many people continue to look to the children of the same ruling elite as potential candidates for future. This mindset simply defies all logic. Dynastic politics has to end now.

A political hypocrisy through Bilawal Zardari has to be history now. Only a competent leadership from amongst the ordinary people would be in the best interest of Pakistan.

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 technology there is no progress in real terms.

You walk into any of the institutions like HEJ Institute of Chemistry or an organization like PCSIR and you will find an array of research reports perched up neatly on the shelves but collecting dust and nothing more. We just do not have the scientific environment nor the industrial infrastructure for a Steve Jobs to usher in with a fantastic idea and convert that into a useful and a sellable product. The HEC for that matter has again invested millions in the development of technology incubation centers but that is about it.

Finally, let me talk about the funding sources.

The massive financial inflows that went into the HEC program were only possible due to the foreign assistance that Pakistan received at a certain moment in time. But a substantial portion of that has already gone back to the countries where our scholars went. In fact, most of the foreign universities have been so receptive to the HEC’s program that their entrance requirements have been made quite flexible. You do not need a GRE, you get in any time you want and you do not need any coursework. Yet, back home the HEC, in its perceived role of a moral and institutional watchdog, stipulates a host of qualifying criteria for its indigenous PhD program, i.e., for those who are above forty years of age.

Perhaps, there is an opinion that the supervision available locally is not quality stuff. May be, but then let us face all the facts fairly and squarely and not hoodwink the nation into believing that the country’s economic salvation lies in a strong and vibrant research culture.

Primary education is the foremost priority and it is a shame on people like Dr Ata-ur-Rahman to deprive this country’s innocent and deserving children from their right to basic education.

“Fight in Terrorism” By: Saqib Khan In view of the tragedies repeatedly happening in the sovereign soil of the nation of Pakistan by foreign powers, the government of Pakistan should re-examine diligently her present position in participation of the so called “Fight in Terrorism” and the repercussions on the people of Pakistan especially when frontier posts were relentlessly attacked.

Has Pakistan sold its soul to the devil and paying for it with the lives of the citizens of Pakistan, civilians or military for the sake of so called foreign military aid? The territorial sovereignty has been violated multiple times whenever the American drone strikes.

Most noticeable of all is the raid carried out by the US forces under the radar detection unannounced without courtesy notification to the host nation. It has come to light that the drones get serviced in bases located in the soil of Pakistan. This is comparable to hiring the services of mercenaries indirectly to suppress the people who they represent.

The government just responded with a weakly diplomatic protests giving signals like an open invitation that Pakistan is a weak and tolerant country for its corrupt politicians never fall out of grace and get re-elected to ruin the country second time around.

As for the military brass, the leadership has

Continued on pg 8 IMPORTANT NOTE: We do not publish anonymous letters or the letters of the people who do not disclose their identity to ‘The Miracle.’ A writer can use a pen name or request ‘The Miracle’ to withhold his / her identity.

Please include your daytime telephone number for the confirmation of your letter. We regret the inconvenience.

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

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Hazrat Omar bin Khattab(RA) The Second Caliph of Islam

Full name: `Umar ibn al-Khattab Born: 581 AD Mecca, Saudi Arabia Reign as Caliph: 634 – 644 AD (10 and a half years) Titles: Amir al-Mu’minin Al-Farooq (The Distinguisher between Truth and Falsehood)

Died: Muharram, 24 A.H. (644 AD), Saudi Arabia (Age:63 years) Buried: Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, Medina Early Life: The mission of the Holy Prophet was still in the early stage. Islam was still weak and helpless. The chiefs of Mecca were up against it. One night the Holy Prophet stood in the Kaaba, lost in thoughts. Presently he raised his hands and turned his eyes heavenward. “O,Allah!” he prayed, “make Islam strong with either of the two men, Amr bin Hisham or Omar bin Khattab.”

The prayer was instantly granted. Allah chose Omar to serve Islam and to become a great pillar of strength for Islam. Omar was twelve years younger than the Holy Prophet.

He was the son of Khattab. His mother’s name was Khatmah. He came of the Adi branch of the Quraish. In early youth, Omar got training in methods of warfare and the art of public speaking. From the outset, he showed unusual courage and frankness of manner.

These qualities won him a name in the country rather at an early age.

Acceptance Of Islam: Omar was twenty seven when the Holy Prophet began his mission. Young Omar was one of those who did not care to listen to the message of Islam. In the sixth year of the Mission, a number of Muslims left for Abyssinia. This made Omar boil with rage.

“Here is a man,” he thought to himself “who has split the people. People lived smoothly enough. He appeared on the scene He has torn son from father and brother from brother. Now his followers are running away to another land. Surely Muhammad is the cause of all trouble. I must slay him and put an end to the trouble.” With this resolve Omar drew his sword and set out to kill the Holy Prophet. On the way he met a friend who asked him why he looked so upset. Omar told him what he was going to do. “You better take care of your own kin first,” said the friend, “Your sister and her husband have gone over to Islam.”

These words changed the direction of Omar’s anger. He went straight to the house of his sister, Fatima. He knocked at the door. Someone was reciting the Quran inside. Fatima was terrified when she heard Omar’s voice. She hid the portion of the Quran she was reading and opened the door.

“I have heard it alright. I know you both have accepted Muhammad’s faith.”

Saying this, he began to beat his brother-inlaw, Saeed. Fatima ran to his help and got a blow to the head. The head began to bleed.

This made the couple bold. “Yes, we have become Muslims,” they shouted at Omar.

“Do what you will.”

“Would you let me have a look at the Quran?” said Omar. Fatima handed him the

few pages of the book she had.

Omar sat down to study the pages. Soon his face changed. His anger cooled down. The fear of Allah gripped his heart. He wept and declared, “Surely this is the word of Allah.

I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.”

Omar was again on his way to the place of the Holy Prophet. But he was now a changed man. He was not going to slay him but to embrace his faith.

The Holy Prophet was sitting in the company of some men. He saw Omar coming and asked, “Omar, what brings you here?”

“O Prophet of Allah!” replied Omar, “I have come to embrace Islam.”

It was a great day for Islam because one of its bitterest enemies had become its staunch follower.

The Title of Farooq: The coming over of Omar made a difference for Islam. Hitherto, the Muslims had lived in constant fear of the non-believers.

They could not say their prayers publicly.

The first thing Omar did was to call together the chiefs of Mecca. Before this gathering he declared himself a follower of Islam.

They started at him in silence. No one had the courage to utter a word of reproach.

Omar next requested the Holy Prophet to say prayers in the Kaaba. He himself led a party of Muslims to that place. A second party was led by Hamza. When all had gathered, they said their prayers in congregation. The Holy Prophet led the prayer. This was the first prayer of its kind said in the Kaaba.

When migration to Medina started, the same thing happend again. Most of the Muslims left Mecca silently and secretly.

But Omar went to the Kaaba and said his prayer. The chiefs of Mecca looked at him in silence. After the prayer, he shouted out to them, “I am leaving for Medina. If anyone wants to stop me let him meet me across the valley. His mother shall certainly have to weep for him in sorrow.” Despite this challenge, no Meccan would dare to stop Omar. These things earned for Omar the title of Farooq(One who Distinguishes between Right and Muharam 20 Wrong.)” Farooq is the one who makes a difference.

21 Omar’s acceptance of Islam 22 had made a big difference for 23 Islam and Muslims.

24 Devotion to the Prophet: 25 Omar stood by the side of the Prophet in all battles and 26 expeditions. Great was his 27

Letter : Continued from pg 7 been further eroded. Even the lower ranking officers are demanding their leadership for justification for the large amount of casualties suffered so far.

The military was once the pillar of the nation. It does not appear to be so since civilian government came to power. The top brass need readjustments and their seats are no longer comfortable in the barracks or their headquarters.

It is high time for the government and also the military to re-examine their policies and their priorities and their main interests. It is not meant for you to look after the interest of your pockets but for the interest of the people of the nation from which you have been elected to govern and to protect.

28 29 30 Safar 1 2 3 4

love for Allah and His Apostle. He never allowed any blood ties or friendship to stand in the way of this love.

The death of the Prophet was a stunning shock to Omar. He could not believe it, so much so that he drew his sword and swore that he would cut off the head of the man who said the Messenger of Allah was dead.

He was overwhelmed with grief. Life without the Prophet was unthinkable, he thought.

Not till Abu Bakr had reminded him of the clear verdict of the Quran on the point did he come to himself.

Time as Caliph: Omar was Caliph for ten and a half years.

This period stands out as the golden age of Islam. The tender plant which the Holy Prophet left behind and Abu Bakr had protected against storms grew into a huge overspreading tree under Omar’s untiring care.

Islam became a world power. Omar had made Islam strong and great! Thereby he had also made his own name immortal. During his Khilaafat, vast areas of the Roman and Persian empires and the whole of Egypt were brought under Islamic rule. He was also a gifted orator. He was very concerned for the welfare of the Muslims. He left a honourable legacy for Muslims after him.

Omar’s armies overthrew two mighty empires of the time. Once Omar appeared before the court of Medina. The judge stood up to show respect to the Caliph as he entered the court. Modern democratic states have yet to reach this level of democracy. He established the “Baitul Maal” (People’s treasury for the state and public). Simplicity and devotion were the main characters of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu). He used to wear clothes that had many patches and yet received Governors, convoys and diplomats.

He took just enough allowance from the State to have a simple meal and wear simple clothes Death: There lived in Medina a Persian slave, Abu Lolo Firoz by name. One day, he came to the Calpih and said, “My master squeezes too heavy a tax out of me. Please get it reduced.”

How much is the tax?” asked Omar.

Two dirhams a day,” replied the slave.

And what skills do you posses?” was the next question of the Caliph.

I am a carpentar, a painter, and a blacksmith,” Firoz said.

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.”

Then the tax is by no means too heavy,” the Calpih remarked. “A person with your skills can easy pay this tax and shall live comfortably.”

All right, I will settle with you,” grunted the slave as he went away.

Early next morning Omar went to the mosque as usual to lead the prayer. Abu Lolo was already hiding in the corner, with a dagger in hand. As soon as Omar began the prayer, the slave jumped on him. He gave six cuts with the dagger on the Caliph’s body. “Who is my assasin?” he asked.

“Abu Lolo,” said the people.

“Allah be thanked!” said Omar. “It is not a Muslim who has shed my blood.”

Finding his end in sight, Omar called his son, Abdullah.

My son,” he said, “go to Aisha. Give her Omar’s greetings. Do not refer to me as the Commander of the Faithful; for I am no longer one. Place before her my wish to be buried in her room, by the side of the Prophet and my illustrious predecessor.”

Abdullah found Aisha weeping. He delivered his father’s message to her.

I wanted to reserve this spot for my own grave, but I prefer Omar to myself,” said Aisha.

Abdullah conveyed Aisha’s consent to his dying father.

Allah be thanked!” said Omar. “This was the greatest wish of my life. But look, son, when you take my dead body to Aisha’s room, again give her my greetings and ask her permission. If she allows, bury me there, otherwise bury me in the graveyard of Medina.”

From Dec 16-30, 2011 (Muharram 20- Safar 4, 1433H) Isha Dec Day Fajar Sunrise Zawa1 Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Fri 6:09 8:00 12:08 12:15 2:31 6:01 16 4:19 Sat 6:10 8:01 12:09 12:16 6:01 17 2:31 4:19 8:01 12:09 12:16 2:31 6:01 18 Sun 6:10 4:20 8:02 12:09 12:16 2:31 6:02 19 Mon 6:11 4:20 Tue 6:12 8:03 12:10 12:17 2:32 6:02 20 4:20 8:03 12:10 12:17 2:33 6:03 21 Wed 6:12 4:21 8:04 6:03 12:11 12:18 2:33 22 Thu 6:13 4:21 8:04 6:04 Fri 6:13 12:11 12:18 2:34 23 4:22 8:05 6:04 Sat 6:13 12:12 12:19 2:34 24 4:23 8:05 6:05 12:12 12:19 2:35 25 Sun 6:14 4:23 8:05 6:06 12:13 12:20 2:36 26 Mon 6:14 4:24 8:05 6:06 Tue 6:14 12:13 12:20 2:36 27 4:25 8:06 6:07 12:14 12:21 2:37 28 Wed 6:15 4:25 8:06 6:08 12:14 12:21 2:38 29 Thu 6:15 4:26 8:06 6:09 Fri 6:15 12:15 12:22 2:39 30 4:27 Source: Masjid al-Noor

AQEEM USS SALAAT (Establish Prayer)

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

8th Annual Muharram Procession held in Downtown Vancouver By: Shehab Naqvi This year’s Ashura procession in downtown Vancouver was marked by high attendance. Ashura is the day that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s.), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (p). He was slaughtered mercilessly along with 72 members of his (a.s.) family and companions. No one was spared, not even his six month old son Ali Asghar. Imam Hussain’s (a.s.) only crime was that he refused to give bayah (give allegiance to) Yazeed Ibn Muawiyah (l.a.). Yazeed was a corrupt man who openly drank and committed other sins. His ascension to the Banu Ummayah throne meant the formalization of a monarchical system amongst Muslims-the very essence of what the Prophet (p) had preached against. Hussain (a.s.) was forced to pledge allegiance to Yazeed under the threat of death. He declared that someone like he, Hussain (a.s.), does not pledge allegiance to someone like Yazeed (l.a.). Thus, Hussain (a.s.) laid down a clear standard for Islam that is alive to this day: an unjust ruler who does not follow the Sharia of Islam is not fit to lead Muslims.

Hussain (a.s.) made the reasons for his uprising very clear.

He explicitly said that he was setting out to reform his grandfather’s Ummah. On the 10th of Muharram, the first lunar month of the Islamic calendar, Hussain (a.s.) along with his companions was killed on the burning plains of Karbala in present day Iraq. He was beheaded as were his companions.

Even the head of his six month old son was put on top of a spear and paraded in front of the distraught women and children of the Holy Prophet (p). Thus began a terrible journey for the daughter of Hadrat Fatima (a.s.), Hadrat Zainab (a.s.). She showed remarkable dignity and poise during the whole journey, even when Yazeed (l.a.) had her bought into his court and tried to insult her by taunting her. He asked her what she now thought of God given her (apparent) defeat.

She replied with immense dignity and gnostic insight: “I see nothing but the beauty of Allah.”

The commemoration of Ashura, then, is for all human beings who believe in freedom and justice. And that is exactly what happened on the 10th of Muharram, 1433 in downtown Vancouver. Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims and Christians gathered to commemorate the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet (p). This is the same Hussain (a.s.) about whom there is unanimous consent amongst scholars that the Prophet (p) famously said: “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain.”

The occasion drew over 600 people. The event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The procession then wound its way from the Vancouver Public Library along a pre-determined route and ended outside the Art Gallery.

As the procession wound through downtown Vancouver, speakers gave speeches in English designed to educate people who

had gathered to watch about why they were there and who Imam Hussain (a.s.) was. They also eulogized the Prophet’s beloved grandson by reciting poems in English.

The event ended with speeches outside the Art Gallery by various scholars, both Muslim and Non-Muslim. The people gathered vowed to protect the right of the oppressed and to fight for justice and peace and freedom. All in all, the event was a great success. It left the people who had attended looking forward to the next time they could gather to remember and renew their pledge to Allah (s.w.t.).

Imam Hussain (a.s.) is famous for his many insightful sayings. He was a lover of Allah. So enamored was he with his Lord (s.w.t.) that his sayings about Allah are truly awe inspiring. Amongst the most famous is his declaration that “He who has You , has everything , and he who has deprived himself of You is the poorest in the world. Loser is the one who chooses and is content with anyone or anything other than You.”

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Martyrs of Karbala remembered at Masjid Anwar-e- Madina

On December 9, Masjid Anwar-e-Madina, organized a program in the memory of Martyrs of Karbala (Yaad -e-Shohadae-Karbala) in Surrey. Syed Afroze Dean was the master of ceremony. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Mohammad Farooq. Some Naat-e-rasool Maqbools and Manajats were recited by the local Naat-Khuwans such as Mr. Adul Yaqoob , Br, M. Qazi, Syed Aslam Dean and others. A guest Naat Khawn from Edmonton Mr. Hameed Choudhry also recited a beautiful Manqabat.

While conducting the program, Syed Afroze explained many incidents according to the topic of the evening with references from Holy Quran and Sunnah in English.

Syed Imroze Dean Saifi, the local Imam and speaker of Masjid Anwar e Madina, expressed his thoughts on the topic of martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A) and presented his spiritual speech in Urdu language in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. He asked the audience why Hzt. Imam Hussain(R.A) gave this sacrifice and explained that it

was to teach the lesson of Truth and act on the path of Dean (religion) in front of Yazeed.A true believer is always ready to give sacrifice and always raise the Flag of deen in any circumstances. Some scholars says that this battle was for the Power transfer, that is not true. It wasv a battle to keep the dean of Imam Hussain (R.A)’s grandfather alive. Allah knows better what is in and out of his believers.

Imam Saifi requested that you act on the path of Imam teachings practically and not just verbally.

After the speech by Syed Imroze Dean, Maulana Saiyad Belal Razvi spoke on the topic. He recited some verses of the Holy Quran and the Hadiths and emphasized that the month of Muharram is very important especially the 10th of Muharam which is called Yom-e-Ashura. This is the date of the unbelievable sacrifice offered by the members of the family of Holy Prophet (Ahl-e-baat -e-Athaar) (RA).

He mentioned how the residents of Kufa invited Imam Hussain by sending thousands of messages, and even companions of Prophet Mohammad (SAW) who were alive at that time requested Imam

Hussain (R.A) not to go there as they had treated Imam Hussain’s father, Ali (R.A) in almost the same way. After many request from the residents of Kufa, Imam Hussain(R.A)sent his messenger Muslim Bin Aqeel to Koofa, and after assurance from almost 30 thousand believers, Imam left for Kufa.

Maulna mentioned that throughout the history, the government has tried to buy highly famed scholars and have them support bad governance. We should be very careful with those scholars, and it is not necessary that every Kalma reciter and person who prays is a true believer of Islam. There were many of these types of Muslim in Yazeed army.

Syed Razvi defined the hardship and difficulties during the life time of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and with the courage given by Allah SWT; he went through all difficult tests and received the blessing of shahadat as he sacrificed his life for Islam. He was the beloved grandson of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH). His greatness was not only significant because of his parents, Hazrat Ali (RA) and Hazrat Fatima -Az -Zahara (RA). He was great

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because of his sacrifice. He offered his life for the sake of Allah without thinking twice. Only commemmoration of this day is not sufficient. We have to act for good deeds in the lights of Imam Hussain (R.A) teachings.

At the end Duaa made and then Darood-o-Salam was recited.

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Is Islamic law all about God’s will?

By: Faisal Nahri, Vancouver Few days ago, I read a news story[i] in The Telegraph about the question of women driving cars in Saudi Arabia. A professor at King Fahd University along with some other academics has come up with a report to persuade the country’s legislative assembly not to allow women to drive. Prof.

Subhi argued that allowing women to drive would lead to “a surge in prostitution, pornography, homosexuality and divorce”. The report said if women were allowed to drive, there would be no virgins in Saudi Arabia after 10 years. For these reasons among others, the report pleads that women should not be allowed to drive.

I further learned that the Saudi government is considering another legislative proposal that would require women to cover even their eyes, if they are too “tempting”.

The same day, I read another report[ii] about the results of elections in Egypt. I learned that the Nour Party of Salafi orientation is expected to have significant representation in the next Egyptian parliament.

Yousseri Hamad, a spokesman of the party, says, in the land of Islam, people cannot decide what is permissible and what is prohibited – it is God who gives the answers as to what is right and what is wrong.

If what Hamad says is true, one might ask: Did God tell the Saudi ulama to not allow women to drive? Also, did God tell Saudi ulama to legislate that women should cover their eyes?

Or let me pose simpler questions: Did the Messenger of God – may blessings of God and peace be upon him – advise in advance not to allow women to drive automobiles when such vehicles became available? Or did he tell the women of his time not to ride camels by themselves? To prevent fitnah in the society, did he go so far as asking women to cover their eyes?

The answer to these questions is “No”.

I have asked these questions to point out a dilemma in the Islamic legislative practice: whereas authority for “Sharia” is claimed by asserting that God is the lawgiver, much of the body of Islamic laws is the product of human reasoning. Notwithstanding human contributions to Islamic law, people conveniently say “Sharia” is “divine” without further qualifications. The distinction between divine and human elements of Islamic law is never emphasized. To the contrary, much effort has been devoted to lend divine authority to human legislation.

Thus, a student of Islamic disciplines witnesses much discussion aimed at showing how rulings arrived at by means of various juristic tools (e.g. qiyas, istihsan, istislah, sadd al-dhari‘ah etc.) are “binding” on ordinary Muslims.

I would not go so far as saying that the ulama have deliberately blurred the distinction between human and divine aspects of Islamic law. But it would not be wrong to say that they have chosen not to emphasize this distinction, effectively allowing it to blur.

With this confusion of human legislation with divine commandments, “certified” ulama of our time and their diehard followers insist on every suggestion found in the body of fiqh as though the whole body of fiqh is as much certain as the oneness of God and as much binding as the five daily prayers. Moreover, any call to revisit human aspects of Islamic law is perceived as a threat to the very core of Islamic law.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the failure to draw a line between divine and human aspects of the received tradition is impeding the advancement of Islamic thought in our own time, with the result that our youths are beginning to question the

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un Community Loss!

Syed Mohammad Akbar, father of Saleem Akbar (late), Shamim Akbar, Taslim Akbar, Nasim Akbar, Hena Hussain and uncle of Mohammad Hassan Zaidi passed away on Dec 9 in Ladner Hospital in Delta, BC at the age of 82 years.

He migrated to BC in 1982 from Pakistan,. He had been greatly involved in his community as a volunteer was a financial supporter of the Az-Zahraa Islamic Centre.

He was always willing support everyone in his family and others in community through any means available to him . After he passed away, on the day of Quran Khawani in Az-Zaahra Islamic centre, Dr. Akbar Mithani recognised his services, and said that this was a great loss for the community.

He always taught his family the teachings of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), love with Ahle Bait, and to respect everyone and stay united. One of his good deeds that will always be remembered was his donation of 100 Graves in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Burnaby.

We pray to Almighty Allah(SWT) for mercy on Syed Akbar, to forgive all his sins and reward him with the best place in paradise and to give patience to the families.(Ameen) For condolences please call the following: Shamim Akbar: 604-803-4902, Taslim Akbar: 604-418-2144, Nasim Akbar: 604-808-7974 Mrs. Zuhara Jatt, sister of Mr. Jamil Chaudhry and mother of Mr. Ghulam Nabi passed away on Dec 3 in Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 75 years.

We pray to Al mighty Allah(SWT) for mercy on her, to forgive all her sins and reward her with the best place in paradise and to give patience to the families.

(Ameen) . For condolences please call: Mr. Jamil Ch.604-312-7019

relevance of a legacy that fails to address the issues of their concern.

Muslims must learn to draw a line between strictly divine and rather human elements in the Islamic heritage. We should draw upon human contributions to Islamic legacy so that we don’t reinvent the wheel.

Yet the core of Islamic law can only be constituted by strictly divine guidance, and it is this core, and not the human elements of Islamic law, that we must remain true to while we attempt to find solutions to problems of our own time. Without such distinction, we would be crippled by the burden of tradition, and advancement in Islamic thought would not be possible.

And it is not only in retrospect that we should distinguish between human and divine aspects of Islamic thought, but also prospectively: while we make fresh contributions to Islamic thought, we should not start speaking for God ourselves. Since the volume of “revealed” guidance is not going to increase, fresh contributions to Islamic thought should be considered provisional and subject to revision.

Realizing the distinction between divine and human aspects of the received tradition is also important because it would enable us to prioritize the core concerns of Islamic law in our legislative activity, and protect us against poorly prioritized or excessive legislation that threatens to impinge on individual freedoms and opens the doors for coercion in matters of religion and persecution in the name of God. We should learn from the history of Christianity what

happens when people go too far in speaking for God; Muslim ulama and lawmakers should not repeat the same mistakes as the Christian Church. Legislation of Islamic values and “enforcement” by the state must be kept at a minimum in order to uphold the cardinal Qur’anic principle of “no coercion in matters of religion”.

Excessive legislation of any sort is bound to encroach on individual freedoms, and legislation of religious ethics is no exception. Legislation and enforcement, in general, should be resorted to only when absolutely necessary. Thus, Muslim voters should demand of legislators that they exercise caution in their approach to Islamization. They should not allow lawmakers to go too far in speaking for God. The need for legislation should always be weighed against an individual’s religious freedom.

I hope and wish that the newly found representation of Islamic parties in Arab parliaments does not result in rash legislation of man-made laws in the name of God.

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

local

First Annual “Let’s Talk Trade event” organised by MBC

By: Alanna Dean Burk MBC hosted another successful event. On December3, the Muslim Business Council of British Columbia hosted the first annual Let’s Talk Trade event. The purpose of the evening was to generate discussion, networking and business opportunities for local business. The evening had many distinguished guests including representatives from the NDP and Liberal parties such as Sue Hammell, Jinny Sims, Harry Bains and Minister of Multi Culture Harry Bloy.

The Let’s Talk Trade event was centred on informative presentations given by the Pakistan, Fiji, Indonesian Trade Commissioners and the Canadian Libyan Council.

A highlight of the evening was the presenta-

tion of the “Leader of the Year” award that was presented to Surrey Mayor Diane Watts.

The Muslim Business Council continues to engage the business community and encourages dialogue, networking and partnerships.

The Let’s Talk Trade event is dedicated to continuing this legacy by educating business people about how they can expand their business and investments. In addition to education, MBC’s support for students continues. SFU student, Miss Fatima Yasin eloquently introduced Mayor Diane Watts and her SFU colleague AshrafKhan gave the vote of thanks, bringing the evening to a close.

With over 200 people in attendance the response was overwhelming. Guests said

that the evening was a “great success”, that they “enjoyed mingling with delegates” and that “it was an excellent opportunity for business to network and create new ideas and clients.” MBC continues to grow and contribute more to the business community.

The Let’s Talk Trade event was made possible because of the MBC executives and members who continue to donate their time, effort and innovations. MBC is always open to new members and people who would like to become board members. If you would like to become a member, please contact Feroz Dean at 604.454.4242 or visit our website at mbcouncil.com.

As debt crisis deepens, Islamic finance booms Thi year’s Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa have installed governments which are expected to promote Islamic finance more enthusiastically than their authoritarian predecessors — Reuters photo MANAMA: Chicago native Mariam Khan never considered Islamic banking until her husband moved the family to Dubai in 2007. But the 36-year-old housewife is a believer now as the Western debt crisis deepens. Her husband opened a family account with HSBC Amanah, the Islamic arm of international bank HSBC. “When I look at the damage that an interest-based system has done to the US and Europe, I can see why God forbids riba (interest) in Islam,” she said. “I’m not particularly conservative as a Muslim but I definitely feel safer within Islamic banking.”

It is a sentiment that proponents of Islamic finance, which is based on religious principles including bans on interest and pure monetary speculation, hope will spur unprecedented growth of their industry as a safer, more stable alternative to conventional finance.

Bahrain’s central bank governor Rasheed Mohammed alMaraj said last week that Islamic finance had an opportunity to attract not only customers in its traditional areas, the Gulf and Muslim parts of Asia, but also investors around the world who had been hurt by the turmoil in mainstream capital markets.

“It should provide the industry with a sustained period of growth for the next decade,” he said.

Ashar Nazim, Islamic financial services leader at consultants Ernst & Young, said the Occupy Wall Street movement in the United States showed mounting public anger about inequality in the capitalist system. This could help Islamic institutions gain market share by emphasising Islam’s preference for an equitable distribution of wealth and dislike of excessive financial leverage, he said.

It is still unclear, however, how much of the recent growth of Islamic finance is due to its merits – and how much is simply due to a temporary flight from conventional finance which could reverse when global markets eventually stabilise.

GROWTH With its assets estimated to total nearly $1 trillion globally, Islamic finance remains tiny compared to conventional finance with its tens of trillions of dollars. The market in Islamic bonds, or sukuk, is believed to total about $50 billion, roughly one per cent of global bond issuance.

But proponents of Islamic finance can point to impressive gains. Nazim said it had expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 20 per cent over the past three years, compared to 9 per cent for conventional finance. That performance gap has probably widened further in the last two months as much new business in the West has ground to a halt.

Deutsche Bank, a pillar of traditional banking, estimated in a report this month that Islamic finance would almost double to $1.8 trillion in assets by 2016 as stagnant conventional lending pushed companies to seek alternative financing methods.

As much of the international corporate bond market has frozen up over the last six months, most bond issuance by Gulf companies has been in the form of sukuk.

Dubai’s fast-growing Emirates airline said it was looking at

the Islamic finance market to fund aircraft deliveries as European banks backed out of plane deals because of the euro zone debt crisis.

Some big Western banks, facing tough conditions in the funding markets on which they have long relied, are also turning to sukuk. HSBC issued a $500 million sukuk in May and Goldman Sachs announced a $2 billion sukuk programme last month.

French bank Credit Agricole has said it is considering issuing an Islamic bond or creating a wider sukuk programme that could lead to several issues.

This year’s Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa have installed governments which are expected to promote Islamic finance more enthusiastically than their authoritarian predecessors, partly because it can help them attract Islamic investment funds in the Gulf.

And Islamic finance is spreading farther into the field. Senegal is expected to hold investor meetings before the end of the year to issue its first sovereign sukuk, while Nigeria said in June that it planned to issue a debut sovereign sukuk within 18 months as part of efforts to boost Islamic banking in the country.

In September, AK Bars Bank in Tatarstan became the first Russian bank to secure an Islamic loan, using the murabaha structure, in which the borrower essentially sells an asset to the lender to obtain funds and agrees to buy it back on a later date at a higher price.

WEAKNESSES The past several years have exposed weaknesses in Islamic finance, however. The industry claims sukuk are safer than traditional bonds because they are effectively certificates of ownership in a real asset, not speculative instruments.

The Dubai debt crisis of 2009 showed this claim to be on shaky ground. Companies such as property developer Nakheel and Jebel Ali Free Zone raised funds through sukuk but were forced to restructure once they found themselves unable to pay creditors.

Similarly, deposits in Islamic banks, which do not offer interest but may invest depositors’ money in relatively risk-free investments and give them a share of the profits, are supposed to be safer because of Islam’s curbs on speculation. But Dubai Bank, an Islamic institution, ran into such serious debt problems that the Dubai government had to arrange last month for it to be taken over by a conventional bank.

“It’s still unclear whether you can really say Islamic finance has tackled the leverage aspect,” said Abdul Kadir Hussain, chief executive of Dubai-based Mashreq Capital.

“You still have companies that raise what ultimately constitutes debt at unsustainable levels through sukuk. Just because it is done in a technically sharia-compliant manner using an asset to back it, doesn’t mean that you’re not taking the same risk as conventional finance.”

That suggests Islamic finance may have succeeded this year not so much because it is seen as safe, but because of a lucky accident: it has access to billions of dollars of Islamic funds in the oil-rich Gulf and southeast Asia, which have been hit less hard than other regions by global financial turmoil.

When conventional finance eventually recovers, perhaps after reforms to make it less volatile and risky, it may regain much

of the market share lost to Islamic finance even in regions such as the Gulf.

Other obstacles to Islamic finance have existed since the industry was born in its modern form in the 1970s, and will not disappear any time soon.

Tax and regulatory environments are less favorable in many countries than they are for conventional finance. Central banks have not yet developed a range of sophisticated liquidity management tools for Islamic finance. And the industry is plagued by differing, sometimes contradictory product standards set by bodies such as Malaysia’s Islamic Financial Services Board and Bahrain’s Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions. Adding to the confusion is the fact that their rulings are guidelines rather than firm, enforceable regulations.

“Participants in conventional markets are sophisticated and there is consistency based on precedence of how things happen when things go wrong,” said Toby O’Connor, chief executive of Singapore’s Islamic Bank of Asia.

“Islamic finance is a relatively new industry…the consistency isn’t quite there yet across the regulatory framework. That consistency is very important for new investors coming into the market.”

INNOVATION Some also see dangers in Islamic finance’s success. As it wins new customers from the conventional financial world, they may compromise the principles on which the industry is built.

That worry seems to have been behind Qatar’s decision this year to ask conventional banks to close their Islamic operations, to prevent any overlap of business with full-fledged Islamic banks.

“As conventional financial institutions increasingly fund themselves through Islamic finance, it will help drive growth going forward,” said Harris Irfan, managing partner at consultancy Cordoba Capital. “The hope is that the conventional players will do Islamic deals without violating the spirit of sharia.”

Innovators in the industry think the solution to this problem is creating new instruments that will differentiate Islamic finance more clearly from conventional finance.

Last week a consortium of banks and industry associations launched the first international Islamic interbank rate, hoping it will become a benchmark for pricing a wide range of instruments. Somehwat incongruously, the industry’s main benchmark at present is the London Interbank Offered Rate, a key interest rate used in conventional finance.

British-based investment firm Solum Asset Management, cofounded by a former head of Islamic finance at J.P. Morgan, plans to launch the first “investment sukuk” in the first quarter of next year, treating Islamic bonds as investment vehicles rather than debt instruments. Investors will be outright owners of assets underlying the sukuk, eliminating the problem of leverage, the firm says.

“Islamic finance is definitely a viable source of financing for governments and private investors,” Hussain said. “But the danger is if the industry continues to mimic conventional products, especially complicated structures, it is walking down the same path and may be in the same place 10 to 15 years from now that conventional finance is in today.”

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local

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf holds 2011 Convention

By: Khurram Rai The effects of Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf’s tsunami of popularity landed on the shores of the Lower Mainland On Sunday December 11th, 2011 when over 500 people packed Grand Taj Banquat hall in Surrey to participate in PTI BC 2011 Convention.

People from all walks of life and age groups attended the event. Men, women, elderly and the young glowing with light of hope for change in Pakistan in the form of a PTI government that does not feel too far in the future. Children and Youth members with their faces painted in PTI and Pakistani flag colors passionately waved PTI flags and chanted slogans of “kaun bachaye ga Pakistan Imran Khan, Imran Khan. The hall was nicely decorated in red and green colors, colors of PTI’s flags. A large Pakistani and a Large PTI flag were hoisted on the stage. The walls of the hall were also decorated with PTI and Pakistani flags.

The program of the evening was a mix of audio/video presentations and speeches. Mr. Khurram Rai ( PTI Vancouver South Coordinator) was the MC for the event. The program started with Tilawat of Quran recited by Mr. Mohsin Ashraf.

Mr. Saif Pannu, PTI Western Canada Coordinator), Afzal Bashir Bajwa (PTI Richmond Coordinator) and Hamza Malik (PTI Youth coordinator) passionately conveyed their message that Imran Khan and PTI are not only a better option but truly represent the change Pakistan badly needs. The emphasized that it was time for current corrupt leaders to be defeated and for that it was important to help Imran Khan. Mr. Afzal

bajwa’s speech was very emotional and charged up the large crowed.

Mr. Sajid Hameed, while addressing the crowed, stated how we have allowed current leaders to loot the country and leave but this will inshallah stop now because PTI will put an end to this. Mrs. Munawar Sultana, a senior member of the women’s wing, also pleaded to help Imran Khan in building a better Pakistan. At the end a nice Dua, Allah Mera Pakistan Jyee, was recited by Mr. Mozimel Ali. One of the highlights of the program was when Mr. Saif Pannu talked of how PTI has played a role in bringing our local community together and then soon after Mr. Farrukh Alam, past president of Pakistan Canada Association, and Mr. Naveed Waraich, past president of Pakistan Canada Cultural Association, announced their joining PTI. Mr. Naveed Waraich also spoke at the occasion and also pledged $1000 donation to party. Mr. Nazeer Ghandra of diamond carpets also announced his joining of the party along with his family and also announced a $1000 donation to the party. Dr. Saleem and Riffat Nagra, Dr. Barbara Rana, Riza Mirani and Tariq Kiani also announced joining PTI. A large number of people signed up for paid memberships.

The program ended with loud slogans of Hum Mulk Bachanay niklay hain aoo humaray sath chalo.

All the expenses of the evening were paid by donations collected earlier by the organizing committee. None of the funds from party membership or donations were or will be used to

pay for the expenses of this program. The PTI organizing committee members were Saif Pannu, Afzal Bajwa, Rehan Awan, Ghulam Murtaza, Dawood Rai, Hamza Malik, Sajid Hameed, Khurram Rai, Waseem Khan, Aasim Raza, Awais Iqbal, Umar Furqan, Raza Sirtaj and Abdul Ahad Jilani.

PTI BC wants to thank all of those who showed their support.

A special thanks to our sponsors Mr. Farrukh Alam, Liaqat Khan, Rana Faiz, Aftab Rai, Zameer Mann, Ateeq Khan, Shamim Haider, Rana Signs.

Imran Khan is the only leader who always mentions and praises the efforts of overseas Pakistanis. We living here can play a role in bringing positive change in Pakistan and for that PTI BC will continue its efforts. You can contact PTI BC via email @ ptivancouver@gmail.com or you can call Mr. Saif Pannu at 604-720-3175.

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

DECEMBER 16, 1971 – THE DARKEST DAY IN THE HISTORY OF PAKISTAN!

Have we learnt our lesson?

By: Muhammad Afzal Malik December 16 comes every year to haunt Pakistanis’ particularly those remaining who were witness to the debacle. That day the largest Muslim army suffered the humiliation of the greatest defeat. This was the darkest day of our national history that stunned every patriotic lost its east wing ‘East Pakistan” for ever.

If I am asked who to blame for the debacle I would say that we were all as a nation – from common man in the street to the highest person in the office, equally responsible for it. The common man for committing the sin of keeping himself ignorant of the under currents simmering there ever since that 19th day of march 1948 when Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared at the Dhaka university convocation that Urdu would be the only official state language of Pakistan, and not trying to assess the anguish caused to the Bengalis and take measures to bring the rapprochement. The highest in authority were guilty of being too greedy, power hungry and selfish.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, we all treated East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) as a colony of ours and never granted them their justly deserved status of being the major human organ of the Pakistan body – 54 percent of the population (at that time). As power barons of the Federal government mostly haled from West Pakistan (now Pakistan). They never shared the power willingly or happily with East Pakistanis. Imagine the East Pakistanis, though in majority going jubilant in 1956 when Sohrawardy got them the ‘parity’ (equal treatment) with the West Pakistanis! Mr. H. Sohrawardy of Awami League and a veteran Muslim League politician joined hands with Fazlul Haq to form “United Front”. Their coalition, the United Front, formed the government in East Pakistan but Centre (during those times, Karachi) dismissed it in only two months, claiming that Fazlul Haq had made separatist declarations to the Indian media. Another seed of heatred was sown.

Have you ever heard of a majority people happily thanking the minority people for treating them equally? We did it again in 1971. The minority pronouncing the majority unpatriotic, traitor and secessionist!

Minority forcing the majority to leave the country whose foundations they had laid in 1906. Not only, that the East Pakistanis were treated as unequals but it is also a fact that they were the major revenue earner for Pakistan, mainly through the export of their Golden Fibre to Manchester and Dundee jute mills in the United Kingdom. They bore the major financial burden of Pakistan and happily too for more than 15 years and till 1962 the cash flow was from East Pakistan to West Pakistan. Thereafter, after an equilibrium of about two years the process reversed but not that heavily. Though the East Pakistanis proved themselves to be equally, if not more, patriotic than the West Pakistanis during the 1965 war with India, yet the state of mutual confidence between the two left more to be desired. By 1970 the relations deteriorated further and irreversibly. The last straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back was Mr. Zulifikar Ali Bhutto’s rejection of the 1970 election results which had given Shaikh Mujib-ur-Rehman’s Awami League a clear cut majority to form the government at the centre.

December, 1970 Elections is what’s called the most transparent elections in Pakistan ever happned (apart from the February 2008 Elections conducted under General Pervez Mushraff – the better of the worse

lot). Awami League won 160 seats against 81 of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), but it sealed the imminent divorce between both wings of the country since the League had not contested any seats in West Pakistan and vice versa. PPP sweep in West Pakistan was seen as the West Pakistanis found this party to be an instrument for resisting the East Pakistanis to Power.

Bhtto rejected the proposal of Gen. Yahya Khan regarding the meeting of a new Constituent Assembly in Dacca. Mr. Bhutto’s one after the other statements like “we will break the legs of any one going to Dacca to attend the National Assembly session there………?, “Udhar tum idhar humm……..?” left little doubt in the minds of Mujib and company who opted for the Civil Disobedience in the Province. Their provincial autonomy stance kept becoming tougher by the day and all negotiations between them and the West Pakistani leaders and the Federal government led by Gen. Yahya Khan himself failed. On 21st November 1970 – Eid Day – the Indians launched a full fledged armed attack on East Pakistan which lasted for 26 days of intense fighting for Pakistan army under extremely adverse conditions of (1) being very badly out-numbered in men and material, (2) hostility of the local populace – no army can fight without the support of the civilians of the country, but here what to talk of the support the civil populace was acting as the enemy, supporting the Indians by providing them with all kinds of intelligence needed by them. In the second half of the year 1970 those in power, both civil and military, seemed to be suffering from a stupor and behaving like silent spectators waiting helplessly for the catastrophe to fall.

Handling of the East Pakistan issue at the International level, too, was a fiasco on our part. We had not only mobilised any world opinion in our favour but had rather alienated them mostly. On the other hand Mrs. Indira Ghandhi undertook a whirlwind tour of 19 countries in October 1970 propagating the imaginary atrocities against the East Pakistanis (Banghalis) and particularly the Hindus of East Pakistan and yet assuring each one of them that India had no designs of attacking it. While she was convincing and canvassing the world powers, her army was giving the final touches to the Attack Plan. Whereas in our case despite Mr. Nixon’s more or less ordering Mr. H. Kissinger to ‘do some thing’ USA 7th Fleet just passed by the Bay of Bengal without even radioing the customary courtesy goodwill message or tooting its horns thrice.

Thousands of innocents were killed and 8-10 million of East Pakistanis fled to India.

The fact that India had come to the rescue of these Bengalis and decided to “Free Bangladesh” by launching its own military operation in November, 1971 gave a highly symbolic dimension to the second partition of South Asia: those against whom the “two nation theory” had been built were directly involved in dramatic negation of this very notion. Pages and pages can be writtedn on the root causes of this debacle. Unfortunately we are repeating them again in Pakistan since long.The prevellent circumstances in Pakistan are leading towards the happining of another debacle.

Have we learnt the lessions from our past mistakes and blunders? Unfortunately what is now happening in Pakistan invites our seroius attention to look into the ground realities, admit the hard

Bangladesh

People's Republic of Bangladesh Capital Official languages Demonym Government Anthum President Prime Minister Speaker Independence Declared Victory Day Area - Total Water (%) Population Density GDP (PPP) GDP (nominal) Currency Time zone Drives on the Calling code

Dhaka (Largest city) Bengali Bangladeshi Parliamentary republic Amar Shonar Bangla (My golden Bengal) Zillur Rahman Sheikh Hasina Abdul Hamid from Pakistan March 26, 1971 December 16, 1971 147,570 km2 (94th) 55,599 sq mi 7.0 2009 estimate 162,221,000[2] (7th) 1,099.3/km2 (5th) 2,917.6/sq mi 2008 estimate - Total $226.205 billion[3] (48th) Per capita $1,398[3] (153rd) 2008 estimate - Total $84.196 billion[3] (58th) Per capita $520[3] (157th) Taka (BDT) BST (UTC+6) left 880

Bangladesh), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a country in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma (Myanmar) to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south. Together with the Indian state of West Bengal, it makes up the ethno-linguistic region of Bengal.

The name Bangladesh means "Country of Bengal" in the official Bengali language.

The borders of present-day Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal and India in 1947, when the region became the eastern wing of the newly formed Pakistan. However, it was separated from the western wing by 1,600 km (994 mi) across India. After independence the new state endured famines, natural disasters and widespread poverty, as well as political turmoil and military coups.

The restoration of democracy in 1991 has been followed by relative calm and economic progress. Bangladesh is the seventh most populous country and is among the most densely populated countries in the world with a high poverty rate. However, per-capita (inflation-adjusted) GDP has

more than doubled since 1975, and the poverty rate has fallen by 20% since the early 1990s. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies. Dhaka, the capital, and other urban centers have been the driving force behind this growth. Geographically, the country straddles the fertile Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta and is subject to annual monsoon floods and cyclones. The government is a parliamentary democracy. Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the OIC, SAARC, BIMSTEC, and the D-8.

As the World Bank notes in its July 2005 Country Brief, the country has made significant progress in human development in the areas of literacy, gender parity in schooling and reduction of population growth.[6] However, Bangladesh continues to face a number of major challenges, including widespread political and bureaucratic corruption, economic competition relative to the world and an increasing danger of hydrologic shocks brought on by ecological vulnerability to climate change.

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15

l o c a l

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Annual Fundraising dinner held for BC Muslim School

By: Alameen Staff How Much is too much for providing Islamic Education?? Some might see this as a “Daunting Question.” The answer however is very simple and straightforward – Priceless!

It is far easier to come up with good ideas, plan, implement and establish something.

However, the reality is, it is extremely diffi cult to maintain and sustain something that is valuable, such as sound Islamic education at an early age. There cannot be any price tag attached to the welfare, well-being, and the importance of our children to acquire quality education, especially the basic fundamental core Islamic education at an early age. It is priceless!

Studies suggest that by the time human reaches teen-age he or she has already made up his or her mind about various aspects. The molding years, are earlier years, when a child begins developing his or her thought pattern, differentiating between right and wrong, morality, immorality, ethics, communication, interpersonal interactions, and yes Faith. BC Muslims Schools for more than two decades have been instrumental in providing sound basic fundamental Islamic education to hundreds of students throughout the Lower Mainland. In fact those who once attended the school have remained friends, and now in fact converting old school friendships into matrimonial relationships, having children of their own, and enrolling those children in the very elementary school they once attended.

How was this all possible? Ask those parents who has been part of the fabric of BCMA and BCMS and they will tell you it was not an easy task, but with the help of Allah they managed and survived!

Tough decisions had to be made, compromising family budget, a cheaper vehicle, or even vacations over paying the private school fees for their children. Was it worth it?

Every penny of it and more they will say.

The community has grown astronomically and continues to grow at a rapid rate and so are the soaring needs for cash strapped, tight budget, and partially funded, semi-

private Islamic school. The only way to balance the books, retain quality teachers, provide invaluable education with Islamic essence is to ask the community to reach deep into their pockets and provide financial assistance.

On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011 BCMS held its annual fundraising dinner to raise funds to support its rising needs. The turnout was excellent, despite that unfortunately, the school was not able to raise the require target of $50K. This means that anyone who has not yet contributed, or was not able to attend can still contribute.

The Principle of Ottawa Islamic School, Sh. Mohammed Ahmed highlighted for the guests on the need and importance of establishing and providing continual financial assistance to the Muslim schools.

Sh. Ahmed is one of the leading experts on Islamic School, and Islamic education, with vast experience in the field of teaching, which comes with a wealth of personal experience, and has personally, witnessed transformation of a generation of Canadian Muslims children growing into self-respecting individual adult Canadians, contributing to the betterment of Canada globally in various fields from science, economics, law, business, social work, politics, and skilled labour.

Among the things he discussed based on his own personal experiences the role Islamic schools play in person’s life, not just academically rather the importance of intellectual application of education in light of Islamic principles when the child grows older. Where he or she has to interact with the outside world, as well as interpersonal interactions and dealings, and how children who attended Muslim schools at an early age, differ from those who either did not or were not able to for whatever reasons.

His conclusion was that, those children who had the opportunity to attend Islamic Schools, regardless how meager or may be even sub-standard the facilities or provisions may have been. The individual children attending Muslim schools transforming into adulthood excelled in their respective fi elds and in almost all cases far exceeded those who did not attended Islamic schools at an early age.

My Heart Goes Out In Sympathy with the Friends and Families of Pakistani Soldiers: MP Jinny Sims Recent attack of NATO forces on Pakistani Troops needs to be thoroughly investigated to determine the lapses in the procedures that led to the loss of the lives of many soldiers and officers of Pakistan Army. Pakistan is a front line partner of the Allied Forces in the war against Terrorism. Pakistan’s anger upon the incident is rightly justified. I am also reminded of 4 Canadian Soldiers who lost their lives in April 2002 in a friendly fire by American planes in Afghanistan.

Such incidents; although unfortunate, but they do occur in the dangerous theatre of war. Our heart goes out in sympathy with the friends and bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.

Office Space Available in Central Location

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The gist of his persuasive argument was that it is the community’s responsibility regardless whether or not their child attends or does not attend the BC Muslim School to support the school. It is in our own self interests, and for the long-term survival of the Muslim community in Canada to provide the best education to our children in an environment which would allow them in the future to become responsible Canadian citizens, contributing to the society in light of compassionate, and noteworthy Islamic values. It is for this reason we ask our readers to dig deep into their pockets, and if for nothing else but self-interest and future of Muslim Community contribute to the local BC Muslim Schools.

The school administration has undertaken an enormous project to establish a permanent Muslim School in Surrey, BC, where the rising needs of the community cannot be sustained without investing in infrastructure that could support growing demands – “Astronomical Growth” - “Limited Means” – and the only way to address this conundrum is for people to come forward and provide fi nancial support.

Please remember, all contribution are taxdeductible, and there is not a better time to donate than now, 2 weeks away from the Taxation Year 2011 deadline of December 31.

For More Info, Please visit:

http://www.bcmuslimschool.ca/ or Contact: E-Mail: admin@ bcmuslimschool.ca you can also send your cheques to BC Muslim School 12300 Blundell Road Richmond, BC V6W 1B3 Canada.

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local

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Quran recited at the Mayor’s inaugural meeting in Burnaby

The City of Burnaby 2011 Inaugural Meeting of the Council The civic election of 2011 in Burnaby was swept for the second time by the Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan and his councilors. The inaugural meeting was held on Monday December 5, 2011 at Michael J Fox Theatre, 7373 MacPherson Avenue in Burnaby BC. The Mayor had requested earlier to David Ali to arrange an Imam to bless the inaugural Meeting.

At 7 pm His Worship , Mayor-Elect Derek Corrigan called the meeting to order. He called upon Imam Emir Kapo of Burnaby Masjid Al Salaam to start with the blessing and Imam Kapo recited Sura Ar Rahaman, which he eloquently translated in English for the guests. This was the first time for

an Imam to bless the inaugural meeting in Burnaby.

The swearing-in Ceremony was in presence of the honourable Judge David St. Pierre of Provincial Court of British Columbia.

In his Inaugural Address His Worship Mayor Corrigan reminded citizens why Burnaby was named the best-run city in Canada by Maclean’s magazine in 2009.

He also spoke on city’s plan and accomplishments, and the redevelopments for 2012. As for safety , Burnaby’s crime rate is now below the provincial average at 68 Criminal Code offences per 1,000 residents.

The main guests included MLAs Raj Chohan and Kathy Corrigan, Chief of Burnaby

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL READERS

The Miracle Media Group has been serving the community for almost 11 years. The management has kept and maintained newspaper boxes at the entrances of the Mosques entrances for the facility of Miracle’s readers to avoid violation of any regulations by the mosques. It also keeps the newspapers to be scattered around the place by wind and other elements and inadvertently, creating a problem on Mosque premises. We also avoid forcefully distributing the copies in your hands and leave it on your discretion to pick up the copy at your convenience without disrespecting Islamic literature and pictures. Therefore, we request all of you to continue using the newspaper boxes to obtain a copy of your favorite newspaper.

- Miracle Management

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RCMP Superintendent Dave Critchley, Fire Chief Shaun Redmond and various distinguished guests from Burnaby.

The Burnaby City Hall had been an integral part of the Muslim Community and the Mayor and the Councilors have been a regular visitors to Burnaby’s Masjid Al Salaam. The Mayor had attended Masjid’s open house, Eid Celebrations and also gave a speech during a workshop on Muslim Culture and Diversity for Social Workers and Frontline staff of Ministry of Children and Family Development. He had travelled to various Muslim countries like Morocco and Turkey and is planning to go to Malaysia. During his visits to Masjid Al Salaam he often shares his experiences of his visits in those countries.

The Mayor has appointed David Ali to the Trusteeship of Burnaby Libraries. During Islamic History Month we were allowed to display various posters, copies of Quran and Quranic materials at the Burnaby libraries.

In 2010, out of 120 applicants, the City elected two sisters, Sr. Tazul Ali

and Sr. Farida Bano Ali to Social Sustainability Strategy Planning and Development.

Burnaby is a multi-culturally orientated City and the Mayor is proud to acknowledge that over 100 languages are spoken in his City.

17

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

The practice of Circumcision is a characteristic of the Fitra.

Abu Huraira – Sahih Bukhari 7.72.779

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

IQRA ISLAMIC SCHOOL Iqra Ranked Top 5%

* According to Fraser Institute, Iqra Ranked 41 out of 875

Now accepting applications for September 2012 / 2013 For registration, please call

604-583-7530 or visit our website: www.iqraschool.com

IQRA Islamic School 14590 - 116A Ave, Surrey BC V3R 2V1 Web: www.iqraschool.com

DARUL QURAN ACADEMY OF CANADA Quranic & Islamic Studies New Full Time Hafiz for Boys Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm Part Time Hafiz / Nazirah Mon – Fri 4pm – 6pm Mon – Fri 5pm – 7pm

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New Weekend Classes for Boys Sat – Sun 12pm – 2pm Basic Islamic Studies and Arabic Language On the day of Resurrection a crown of such brilliance will be placed on the heads of the parents of one who learnt the Qur’an and practiced on its laws, that its glitter will outshine the brilliance of the sun which penetrates your houses. What then do you think will be the position of the one who himself learnt the Qur’an and acted in accordance with it?

(Ahmad, Abu Dawud).

Unit # 107-12827 76th Avenue, Surrey Maulana Zafar Abid : 604.767.3527 Maulana Omar Aftab: 778.996.1134

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

25

lifestyle

“Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.” — Stanley Wolpert Pakistan, one of the largest Muslim states in the world, is a living and exemplary monument of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. With his untiring efforts, indomitable will, and dauntless courage, he united the Indian Muslims under the banner of the Muslim League and carved out a homeland for them, despite stiff opposition from the Hindu Congress and the British

Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Life and Times of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Government.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in Karachi on December 25, 1876. His father Jinnah Poonja was an Ismaili Khoja of Kathiawar, a prosperous business community. Muhammad Ali received his early education at the Sindh Madrasa and later at the Mission School, Karachi.

He went to England for further studies in 1892 at the age of 16. In 1896, Jinnah qualified for the Bar and was called to the Bar in 1897.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah started his political career in 1906 when he attended the Calcutta session of the All India National Congress in the capacity of Private Secretary to the President of the Congress. In 1910, he was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council. He sponsored the Waqf Validating Bill, which brought him in touch with other Muslim leaders.

In March 1913, Jinnah joined the All India Muslim League.

As a member of the Muslim League, Jinnah began to work for Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1917, the annual sessions of both the Congress and the League were held at Lucknow. The League session was presided over by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

It marked the culmination of his efforts towards Hindu-Muslim unity. Here, both the League and the Congress adopted a scheme

of reforms known as the Lucknow Pact. On April 19, 1918, Jinnah married Rutanbai.

Their daughter, Dina was born a year later.

In 1919, Jinnah resigned from his membership of the Imperial Legislative Council as protest against the “Rowlatt Act”. Until the publication of Nehru Report, Jinnah continued his efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity.

The Nehru Report, published in 1928, was severely criticized by all sections of the Muslim community. In December 1928, the National Convention was called to consider the Report. Jinnah proposed some amendments, but they were all rejected. He finally parted ways with the Congress.

In 1929, Jinnah presented his famous Fourteen Points in response to the Nehru Report.

When he returned from England, he reorganized the Muslim League. In 1934, he was elected as its permanent president.

The Provincial Assembly elections of 1937 swept the Congress to power in eight provinces. After almost two years of oppressive rule, Muslims under the leadership of Jinnah, celebrated the Day of Deliverance at the end of Congress rule. The Muslim League held its annual session at Lahore in March 1940. This was presided over by Quaid-i-Azam. The demand for Pakistan was formally put forward here. This goal was realized on August 14, 1947. Quaid-iAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was appointed as its first Governor General.

The establishment of Pakistan brought even greater responsibilities for Jinnah. The ref-

ugee problem, the withholding of Pakistani assets by India, and the Kashmir problem were a real test for the Quaid. However, his indomitable will prevailed. He worked out a sound economic policy, established an independent currency and the State Bank for Pakistan. He chose Karachi as the federal capital. However, he did not live long to witness the progress of the state that he had founded. On September 11, 1948, he died

after a protracted illness at Karachi. He was buried in Karachi that witnessed the entire nation mourning over an irreparable loss.

Life of Prince Karim Aga Khan Prince Karim al-Hussayn_, Aga Khan was born December 13, 1936 in Geneva. He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, and then attended Le Rosey School in Switzerland for nine years. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history.He is the current (49th) Imam of the Ismailis. He has been in this position, and held the title of Aga Khan, since July 11, 1957. The Ismailis are ethnically and culturally diverse and reside in over 35 countries around the world. As a leader, the Aga Khan is responsible for the interpretation of the faith for his followers and as part of the office of the Imamate, he endeavors to improve the quality of their lives and of the communities in which they live.

The Aga Khan has been particularly interested in the elimination of global poverty; the advancement of the status of women; the promotion. The Aga Khan is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development networks in the world. Its partners include numerous governments and several international organizations. AKDN agencies operate in social and economic de-

velopment as well as in the field of culture, with special focus on countries of the Third World. The network includes the Aga Khan University (AKU), the University of Central Asia (UCA), the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM), and more. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA)is the largest architectural award in the world.

In addition, Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate of the AKDN, is responsible for emergency response in the face of disaster. Recent examples include the massive earthquake in Pakistan (AKDN earthquake response) and the South Asian Tsunami.He is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Ismaili Studies, which he founded in 1977. In 2002, Aga Khan pledged $75 million for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The pledge was the largest by any single donor and more than many countries.

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Cold & Flu Health Center

What Is Flu? Influenza, commonly shortened to “flu,” is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract.

What’s the difference between a cold and flu?

The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract.

Although the symptoms can be similar, flu is much worse. A cold may drag you down a bit, but the flu can make you shudder at the very thought of getting out of bed.

Congestion, sore throat, and sneezing are common with colds. Both cold and flu bring coughing, headache, and chest discomfort. With the flu, though, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and have headache, myalgia, fatigue, and weakness. Usually, complications from colds are relatively minor, but a severe case of flu can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia.

More than 100 types of cold viruses are known, and new strains of flu evolve every few years. Since both diseases are viral, antibiotics cannot conquer cold or flu. Remember: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections.

A few antiviral medications are available to treat flu. But there are no medications that specifically defeat the common cold. Antibiotics may be helpful if there is a secondary bacterial infection.

How are stomach flu and influenza different?

“Stomach flu” is a popular term but not a true medical diagnosis. It’s not uncommon to mistake gastroenteritis, which is what stomach flu is, for the viral infection we commonly call “flu.” Gastroenteritis refers to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). Viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu. With gastroenteritis, you may have symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How is flu spread?

The flu virus is spread from person to person through respiratory secretions and typically sweeps through large groups of people who spend time in close contact, such as in daycare facilities, school classrooms, college dormitories, military barracks, offices, and nursing homes.

Flu is spread when you inhale droplets in the air that contain the flu virus, make direct contact with respiratory secretions through sharing drinks or utensils, or handle items contaminated by an infected person. In the latter case, the flu virus on your skin can infect you when you touch or rub your eyes, nose, or mouth. That’s why frequent and

thorough hand washing is a key way to limit the spread of influenza. Flu symptoms start to develop from one to four days after infection with the virus.

Who’s at greatest risk for flu complications?

While anyone can get flu, infants, the elderly, and people with chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, and HIV are at highest risk for flu complications.

Despite advances in flu prevention and treatment, the CDC estimates that deaths related to influenza range from 3,000 to 49,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Specific strains of flu can be prevented by a flu vaccine, either a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine. In addition, antiviral medications are available to prevent flu.

These medications may help reduce the severity and the duration of flu and are best used within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.

Are there different types of flu viruses?

Researchers divide flu viruses into three general categories: types A, B and C. All three types can mutate, or change into new strains, and type A influenza mutates often, yielding new strains of the virus every few years. This means that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza.

Even if you develop antibodies against a flu virus one year, those antibodies are unlikely to protect you against a new strain of the flu virus the next year.

Type A mutations are responsible for major flu epidemics every few years. Type B is less common and generally results in milder cases of flu. However, major flu epidemics can occur with type B every three to five years.

Type C causes infection but does not cause typical flu symptoms. Both influenza A and B have been linked to the development of Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal complication that usually affects children and teens under 18. Widespread outbreaks of Reye’s syndrome have occurred with influenza type B and also with chickenpox, but other viruses have been implicated. The risk of Reye’s syndrome is increased when taking aspirin, so children should not take aspirin.

Most influenza viruses that infect humans seem to originate in parts of Asia, where close contact between livestock and people creates a hospitable environment for mutation and transmission of viruses. Swine, or pigs, can catch both avian (meaning from birds, such as poultry) and human forms of a virus and act as hosts for these different viral strains to meet and mutate into new forms. The swine then transmit the new form of the virus to people in the same way in which people infect each other -- by transmitting viruses through droplets in the air that people breathe in.

Basic Choice of All Shabnam Khan - Family Counsellor Reflecting on the small changes each of us can make in our lives, the one that stood out was the most basic of all.

It’s the decision we make every single day when we wake up about how to approach the day.

Are we going to feel sorry for ourselves, or are we going to take responsibility for our own happiness?

Are we going to look for what’s wrong and find it? Or are we going to look for what’s right and find that instead? Will we see the problems or the opportunities? Will we be part of the problem or part of the solution?

Will we be judgmental about the life or accepting? All these questions, and so many more like them, can be bundled up into one package called attitude. Attitude can be summed up in one word - choice. Choosing to change our attitude may seem like a small change, but it can’t happen unless we recognize that it is all up to us. Do we realize that we have the choice to make our day joyful, adventurous and exciting. Or do we demand that life be a certain way, and if it doesn’t meet our expectations we whine and complain? We can complain because

it’s rainy, or we can be thankful that the grass will get water! We can grumble about our health or we can rejoice that you are alive! We can whine that we have to go to work, or we can be thankful that we have job! When we get right down to it, we either believe we are the choice maker or we don’t. When you see the rampant unhappiness and victimization in our culture, it’s clear that most people don’t see that we do have the choice. At the same time, when you take a step back and think about it, it’s pretty obvious. If we aren’t the choice maker, who is? If we don’t decide what kind of day we’re going to have, who does?

That’s why this subtle shift in thinking is one of the more significant changes we will ever make. Consciously choosing a better attitude will make a big difference. Think about the implications. You can choose to complain about your teenager, or you can be thankful that you have a teenager to love! Why choose the path of complaint over the path of gratitude? You can make an articulate argument for either side - being grateful or being overextended. One will lead you towards satisfaction, and the other towards guaranteed and sustained grief.

The most beautiful part of all is, it’s your choice! shabnam@skcounselling.ca

Muslim Advisory Committee to work with Ministry on awareness about domestic violence and child abuse Domestic violence and child abuse has risen by approximately 30% according to the social workers of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). We at the MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee believe that it is our collective responsibility to focus attention on this important issue that is affecting all communities. The MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee has formed a community support team that is willing to work with the Ministry to create further

awareness, provide information on available resources, and provide the appropriate counselling and mediatory help wherever needed. Let us work together to eradicate domestic violence and child abuse.

The MCFD Muslim Advisory Committee team leaders are : Farida Bano Ali (chair) 604-525-7194 David Ali 604-612-9516 Hasmat Ali 604-841-8772 Palwasha Hussainkhel 604-761-3035

citizens wear in public. But these Canada : Continued from pg 1 Muslim bans come at a time of severe economic target Islamic fashion and religious observance in the past few years.

France’s conservative government passed a veil ban in October 2010, a law that went into force in April 2011. The Netherlands also indicated in September that it would impose a ban on veils because the “wearing of clothing that completely or almost entirely covers the face is fundamentally at odds with public life.” In August 2009, Switzerland outlawed the construction of new minarets at Swiss mosques.

Canada’s minister of citizenship and immigration, Jason Kenney, told reporters that he found it “bizarre” that Canada’s rules had once allowed women to wear face-concealing garments during their citizenship ceremonies.

“Frankly, I found it bizarre that the rules allowed people to take the oath with a veil on,” Mr. Kenney was quoted by the Guardian newspaper as saying. “It is a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of our identity and our values of openness and equality.”

It might not be immediately apparent why three secular nations with long-liberal policies of immigration would suddenly want to take on the question of what

distress, when the influx of outsiders – and particularly those distinguished by their clothing – from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia have become points of domestic tension. When conservatives warning of “creeping sharia law” in Western society meet up with liberals worried about the supposed “dehumanizing” effects of Muslim dress on women, such bans can become popular.

But popularity aside, critics warn that bans on veils can also alienate Muslims who are attempting to integrate into Western society, and undermine the very notions of tolerance that Western societies once treasured.

While not all Muslim women wear head coverings, those who do wear them say they do so to conform to the Koran’s injunction for women to be “modest” in their clothing. Women in some South Asian countries such as India and Pakistan wear a simple chador, a scarf that covers their hair, but not their face. Some women in Afghanistan wear a burqa, which is a head-to-toe gown with a mesh-covered hole to look out from. A niqab is a veil that covers most of the face, except for the eyes.

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Issue 299 - Muharam 20, 1433 / December 16, 2011

Elbow, shoulder pads under scrutiny in bid to reduce NHL head injuries

With the NHL’s biggest star, Sidney Crosby, and leading scorer, Claude Giroux, out indefinitely with head injuries along with at least 25 other players, the league’s concussion problem is worse than its leaders like to admit. While medical experts and others are calling on the NHL to introduce more severe penalties for all hits to the head and for fighting, the players’ equipment remains an issue. The NHL and the Canadian Hockey League, which is made up of the three major-junior leagues across Canada, are using softer elbow pads and shoulder pads but it is not known for sure if this is making a difference in the number and severity of head injuries. An NHL executive said Tuesday the league is working to make shoulder pads, which were softened and reduced in size by the start of the 2010-11 season, even smaller.

Critics have long complained shoulder pads

are so big and hard that they act as body armour in big hits, leaving many players concussed. Crosby is back on the injured list just eight games after he returned from a concussion as the result of a blow on the head from an elbow pad. Giroux was concussed when a Philadelphia Flyers teammate, Wayne Simmonds, accidentally hit him on the head with his knee pad. Many of the other concussions on the NHL’s injury list were caused by shoulder hits to the head. Kris King, the NHL’s senior vice-president of hockey operations, said even though the league and the NHL Players’ Association mandated soft-cap elbow and shoulder pads, with at least half an inch of padding over any hard plastic caps, over the last several years, and reduced the size of the shoulder pads, efforts are continuing to make the shoulder pads smaller yet. The NHL made soft-elbow pads mandatory in

2003 and did the same with shoulder pads for the 2010-11 season. The CHL introduced them this season as part of a strategy to reduce concussions. King said the NHL’s statistics show the number of concussions from blows by elbows to the head is “enormously reduced” since 2003.

However, he said the statistics for those hits plus shoulder hits to the head that result in concussions will not be made public until the NHL’s annual general managers meetings in March. CHL president Dave Branch and Ron Robison, commissioner of the Western Hockey League, both said they will not have suitable statistics about the effect of the softer pads on head injuries until later in the season. The NHL’s equipment modifications are being overseen by Brendan Shanahan, the senior vice-president of hockey operations and

player safety. He will give the NHL general managers a report in March, and King said if the NHLPA agrees, the smaller shoulder pads could be in use by the start of next season. While many of the hard plastic caps on the elbow pads and shoulder pads in use now were eliminated or covered by softer padding, King said the league is testing a prototype now from equipment manufacturer CCM that has “very limited hard plastic. The rest is different grades of foam.”

Source: Globe and Mail

Another innings defeat for limp Bangladesh Bangladesh crashed to their 35th innings defeat in 73 Tests, after Pakistan’s spinners ran circles through the middle and lower order on the fourth morning in Chittagong.

The result seemed inevitable right from the first day, when the hosts put on a batting horror show to fold for 135 in their first innings. They made a better fist of things in the second dig, though the pitch had turned much more difficult after baking under the sun for three days. Their late defiance, however, only served to extend the game into its 11th session, before Pakistan completed their fifth win in nine Tests this year. That the hosts even survived until lunch was down to the opener Nazimuddin, whose approach contrasted sharply with the impatience of his top-order colleagues. He made 78 off 189 balls, taking his match tally on debut to 109, giving the hosts something to salvage from another shambolic Test match. Nazimuddin’s vigil was particularly impressive given the sheer quality of spinners he was facing. With the rough patches on the leg-stump area opening up finally, Saeed Ajmal was lethal from round the stumps, while Abdur Rehman produced drift and sharp turn with an attacking line. Together, they made short work of a line-up that lacked the technique to survive against a spin attack far superior to their own. The signs were ominous for Bangladesh from the moment Umar Gul got a ball to scoot low, just away from the stumps, in his opening over. Nazimiuddin nearly played on to Rehman, left balls that were uncomfortably close to off stump, and almost soft-batted a fizzing Ajmal offbreak back onto the wickets. He carried on, though, unfazed by the close misses, and was prepared to look ugly if he had to, unlike his trigger-happy team-mates.

Shakib Al Hasan began with an expansive cover drive off Umar Gul for four, but fell after reaching 50, outdone by his perilous tendency to play back to the spinners. That gave Rehman his 50th Test wicket in 11 Tests, joint-fastest for a Pakistan spinner, along with Ajmal. Rehman should have had Mushfiqur Rahim in the same over, but umpire Billy Doctrove adjudged the lbw appeal in the batsman’s favour. Nazimuddin reached his 50 with a nurdle through midwicket, and summoned the confidence to hoist Ajmal over mid-on for four. Adnan Akmal helped him along with two drops behind the stumps, and Nazimuddin celebrated by spooning Rehman inside-out, and planting Ajmal over midwicket for sixes. Two more pleasing fours followed, and Misbah-ul-Haq - a defensive captain at the best of times - promptly pushed men back to long-off, square leg and midwicket.

That didn’t stop Nazimuddin from another loft down the ground, and he grimaced in self-admonishment as soon as he played the shot, realising he had holed out to longoff. Mushfiqur hung on gamely, reading the spin variations from the crease, but Mahmudullah was owned by an Ajmal doosra that spun across to hit off stump.

Pakistan had five more overs before lunch to bring an early close to the action, but Mushfiqur and Elias Sunny survived till the break. The final rites were administered soon after, with Rehman trapping Mushfiqur in front for 49, and Aizaz Cheema getting the ninth wicket with the second new ball. Rubel Hossain was unavailable to bat after injuring himself on the third day, but he wasn’t the only Bangladeshi who failed to turn up.

Source: Cricinfo

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Where will they go?

Entering the final years of their respective contract, the New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic are looking to deal their two superstars before to start of the season.

Amir Khan vows to hit back after controversial defeat Amir Khan has vowed to learn from his controversial defeat by Lamont Peterson.

Despite Khan’s insistence that he was robbed by the referee and the judges, he knows he made mistakes. The former WBA and IBF light-welterweight champ did not follow Freddie Roach’s game plan and got pinned on the ropes far too often

by Peterson. Khan, 25, tried to slug it out with the American in his Washington backyard instead of boxing him with his jab. He came back stronger from his only other professional loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008 and says he will learn the lessons from his second defeat. “I know the little mistakes I made and I will get rid of them,” said Khan, who flies home to Britain today.

“I learnt the hard way against Breidis and changed. That was a good thing that happened to me then and was a wake-up call.

This is another one. “This is only going to make me work harder. I know I won the fight and it’s going to motivate me to work harder. It’s about how you come back from these setbacks and one thing about me is that I give it my all. Things happen for a reason and I am maturing. Maybe when I’m 26, I will be fully matured. I will get this fight out of the way and then move up to 147lb.” Although there was no rematch clause in the contract because Peterson was the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Khan claims the new champ promised him one

when they bumped into each other in hospital after the fight. March 31 in Las Vegas looks the most likely date and venue and a hurt Khan, sporting his first-ever black eye, has promised to make Peterson (left) pay for taking away his cherished belts. The Olympic silver medallist in Athens was surprised by his opponent’s disciplined performance and says he now knows how to handle him in a rematch. “There’s nothing in the contract for a rematch, but I saw him in the hospital after and he said he knew how I was feeling because he felt the same when he drew against Victor Ortiz,” he said. m “The rematch is going to be bigger and I know now there is one more fight for me at 140. I want my titles back.

“Beating him will be great. He’s the one who will have to suffer. I’m going to work hard and change what I did wrong in the ring. We’ll be working on the angles when I go back to Freddie. It was a better Peterson than the one who drew against Victor Ortiz. We know exactly what he does now and we’ll be ready.” Khan’s camp and US promoter Golden Boy officially lodged a complaint against referee Joe Cooper and the judges to the DC boxing board, the WBA and IBF. They reckon at least one scorecard was altered after the final bell, changing the result from a Khan win into a Peterson one on a split decision.

Source: Mirror

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Allhumdulillah like always, this year the Suliman Hajj group services of Hajaj Krams for 2011 Hajj trip were ended very successfully.

May Allah (SWT) accept our Hajj.(Ameen) In 1433 Hijri year the Hajj will fall on September 26 or 27, 2012 Inshallah.

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