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Volume 11 Issue 300 Safar 5, 1433 AH / December 30, 2011 - $1

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Fresh violence hits Syria flashpoint towns At least 13 people have been killed in fresh violence across Syria, activists said, as Arab League observers continue their mission to visit flashpoint cities in the country. Six of the dead were said to be taking part in an anti-government demonstration in the central city of Hama on Wednesday.

Local rights groups say others were killed in Homs, Aleppo and Idlib. Video shared by activists from the protest in Hama showed gunshots being fired and black smoke rising above the city. Dozens of men were marching through the streets, chanting “Where are the Arab monitors?” In Deraa, the cradle of the nine-month uprising against President Bashar al-Assad’s government, meanwhile, reports from a UK-based rights group indicate that army defectors killed at least four Syrian soldiers in an ambush. The Arab League’s observers were set to visit Homs, Hama and Idlib on Wednesday, Mustafa al-Dabi, the head of the mission, said. World powers have been pressuring Damascus to give full access to the monitors if the government is intent on implementing a plan to end its crackdown on protests.

Video uploaded by Homs-based activists showed monitors

visiting the restive Baba Amro neighbourhood, with heavy gunfire clearly audible in the background. Other videos showed residents of Baba Amro showing observers the body of a five-year-old boy who was reportedly killed by security forces. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, also urged Syria to give the observers maximum freedom as they go about their mission in the violence-wracked country. The United States also demanded that Syrian authorities allow the mission full access and urged monitors to report what they find to the international community. The Arab League plan endorsed by Syria on November 2 calls for the withdrawal of the military from towns and residential districts, a halt to violence against civilians and the release of detainees. Syrian state television reported on Wednesday that the government has released 755 detainees “whose hands were not stained with blood”. But Human Rights Watch (HRW), a the US-based rights organisation, accused the government of hiding from the observers hundreds of detainees held in its crackdown on dissent. “Syrian authorities have trans-

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Metro Vancouver rocked by 4 deadly shootings in 4 days Police in Metro Vancouver are saying Tuesday evening that the fatal shootings that began on Christmas Eve are not related and are not associated with gang activity. Five people have been shot since Saturday, with a 54-year-old woman the sole survivor of the violence. Four of the five shootings have taken place in Surrey. “We’re talking about four events that are absolutely unrelated,” Supt. Dan Malo with the Integrated Homicide Investigation team told CTV British Columbia. “This isn’t a trend, this isn’t what we saw in 2008, 2009. This isn’t gangs out shooting each other; it just happens that these four happened over a period of four days.” The most recent shooting claimed the life of a man in his 20s, whose body was found in the 9500 block of 125th Street in Surrey. Neighbours had reported hearing gunshots around 7:30 a.m. Less than 12 hours earlier, a 38-year-old man was found dead in the driveway of his Langley home. Police were called to a home in the 9100 block of 207th Street at around 9 p.m. and found the victim lying next to a car that had bullet holes in the driver’s-side window. Vancouver Police Staff Sgt. Bruce Anderson called the string of shootings “extremely unusual. What the reasoning is, or if there is a specific reason, it’s unknown at this time,” he told The Canadian Press. “But this is unheard of.” The shootings began on Christmas Eve, when 28-year-old Bradley McPherson was shot and killed at a

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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p a k i s t a n

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Pakistan PM fears plot against his government

Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan’s embattled prime minister, has said conspirators were plotting to bring down his government, delivering an unprecedented tirade against the country’s powerful military. Without directly naming the military, Gilani said on Thursday that certain institutions were behaving like a state within a state and warned that everyone should obey the elected parliament. “I want to make it clear that conspiracies are being hatched here to pack up the political government,” he said, speaking to an audience at the National Arts Gallery. But the country’s powerful military pledged on Friday to continue supporting democracy, reiterating it was not planning a takeover. An army statement quoted military chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, as telling troops the military will continue to support democracy in Pakistan and that any talk the army was planning to take over was “speculation”. Gilani’s outburst comes at a time when the government is being increasingly isolated over a letter allegedly written by former envoy to Washington Husain Haqqani, asking the US to help avert a military coup in Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden. Rampant speculation that President Asif Ali Zardari could be forced out of office over the scandal has refused to die, despite his return to the country following two weeks of medical treatment in Dubai. Two weeks ago, Interior Minister Rehman Malik dismissed rumours that a coup could overthrow the government, but Gilani’s remarks appeared to show that members of the administration believe their early departure is possible. At the gallery, Gilani called the army “disciplined”, saying that they “follow the constitution” and “will remain under the government”. But heading off questions in the parliament, he took aim at the army after the defence ministry told the Supreme Court “it does not exercise any operational control” over the armed forces or ISI, the country’s powerful intelligence agency. “If they say that they are not under the ministry of defence, then we should get out of this slavery, then this parliament has no importance,

this system has no importance, then you are not sovereign,” he told lawmakers. “Nobody is above the law, all the institutions are subservient to the parliament,” Gilani insisted.

Appearing to lose patience, he said the government had stood by the security services over a storm of US pressure over the bin Laden’s presence on Pakistani soil, the November 26 NATO attack, and the 2008 attacks on Mumbai. “In the worst circumstances we doubled their salaries. They have to be accountable to parliament.” “But I want to ask how was (bin Laden) living here for the past six years? On what type of visa was he living here?

Why was security not taken care of, if he entered Pakistan without a visa?” President Zardari and his government have earned praise for successfully navigating scandals and calls for their resignation since taking office after the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) won elections in February 2008. But any decision from the Supreme Court to investigate the memo, as recommended by the military, would build significant pressure on the president at a time of huge tension between the army and the civilian government. Elections are not due until February 2013, but the opposition has begun campaign rallies in earnest and many observers expect polls some time in 2012. No civilian leader in Pakistan has ever completed a full term in office. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif this week demanded snap elections.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Pakistan rejects US probe into border deaths Pakistan has rejected the conclusions of a US investigation into a NATO air strike that killed two dozen Pakistani

soldiers last month along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

In a statement on Friday, Pakistan’s military said the inquiry report was “short on facts”. “Pakistan’s army does not agree with the findings of the US/NATO inquiry as being reported in the media,” the statement said. “(A) detailed response will be given as and when the formal report is received,” it said. US officials, unveiling the results of their investigation into the November 25-26 incident that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead, said on Thursday that both the US and Pakistan were to blame. The inquiry, headed by a top US general, said on Thursday that the soldiers’ deaths were partly rooted in an “overarching lack of trust’’ between the US and Pakistan, as well as several key communication errors and misunderstandings. Brigadier-General Stephen Clark, an air force special operations officer who led the investigation into the incident, said “the US forces used the wrong maps, were unaware of Pakistani border post locations and mistakenly provided the wrong location for the troops”. Clark described a confusing series of gaffes rooted in the fact that

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US and Pakistan do not trust each other enough to provide details about their locations and military operations along the border. “As a result, US forces on that dark, November 26 night thought they were under attack, believed there were no Pakistani forces in the area, and called in air strikes on what they thought were enemy insurgents,” he said. The US military admitted it was partly to blame for the strike, but it did not offer an apology. In a statement, it said its investigation into the incident revealed that there was “no intentional effort to target persons or places known to be part of the Pakistani military”. The Pentagon said that “the US wants to learn from the mistakes and take any corrective measures needed to make sure such mistakes are not repeated”.

“For the loss of life and for the lack of proper co-ordination between US and Pakistani forces that contributed to those losses, we express our deepest regret,’’ George Little, Pentagon spokesman, told reporters. The NATO alliance agreed with the inquiry’s findings, adding that both sides had made mistakes in the incident, and that forces were unable “to properly co-ordinate their locations and actions, both before the operation and during the resulting engagement”. NATO also said that the combined force did not knowingly fire at the Pakistani forces. “The investigation has substantiated that close air support was employed in self-defence in response to intense, heavy machine gun and mortar fire initiated by what turned out to be Pakistan forces near the border in the vicinity of Salala,” a NATO press statement said. Pakistan has sought a full apology from US President Barack Obama for the strikes, and some officials have alleged it was a deliberate assault on Pakistani troops. Since the November 26 attack, the Pakistani government has shut down NATO supply routes to Afghanistan and forced the US to shut its operation from Shamsi air base in southwestern Baluchistan province. The base was used to maintain drones deployed in strikes against armed groups hiding in safe havens in Pakistan’s tribal belt on the Afghan frontier.

Source: Al-Jazeera

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Iran to ‘block’ Gulf oil if sanctions proceed

No oil will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz if the West applies sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has warned. The threat was reported on Tuesday by the state news agency IRNA as Iran conducted its fourth day of naval drills near the Strait of Hormuz, at the entrance to the oil-rich Arabian Gulf. The threat underlined Iran’s readiness to target the narrow stretch of water along its Gulf coast if it is attacked or economically strangled by Western sanctions.

More than one-third of the world’s tankerborne oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The US maintains a navy presence in the Gulf in large part to ensure that passage remains free. Iranian ships and aircraft dropped mines in the sea on Tuesday as part of the drill,

according to a navy spokesman. Although Iranian war games occur periodically, the timing of these is seen as a show of strength as the US and Europe prepare to impose further sanctions on Iran’s oil and financial sectors.

The last round of sanctions, announced in November, triggered a pro-regime protest in front of the British embassy in Tehran during which Basij militia members overran the mission and ransacked it. London closed the embassy as a result and ordered Iran’s mission in Britain shut as well. Tehran in September rejected Washington’s call for a military hotline between the capitals to defuse any “miscalculations” that could occur between their military forces in the Gulf. An Iranian lawmaker’s comments last week that the navy exercises would block the Strait of Hormuz

briefly sent oil prices soaring before that was denied by the government. While the foreign ministry said such drastic action was “not on the agenda”, it reiterated Iran’s threat of “reactions” if the current tensions with the West spilled over into open confrontation. EU ministers said on December 1 that a decision on further sanctions would be taken no later than their January meeting but left open the idea of an embargo on Iranian oil. Countries in the 27-member EU receive 450,000 barrels per day of Iranian oil, about 18 per cent of the Islamic Republic’s exports, much of which go to China and India. China, the biggest buyer of Iranian crude, has warned against “emotionally charged actions” that might aggravate tension in the nuclear standoff with Iran.

Russia for its part has warned against “crank-

ing up a spiral of tension”, saying this would undermine the chances of Iran co-operating with efforts to ensure it does not build atom bombs. About a third of all sea-borne oil was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz in 2009, according to the US Energy Information Administration, and US warships patrol the area to ensure safe passage. Most of the crude exported from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq - together with nearly all the liquefied natural gas from lead exporter Qatar - must slip through the 6.4km-wide shipping channel between Oman and Iran. Some analysts say Iran would think hard about sealing off the Strait since it could suffer just as much economically as Western crude importers.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Israeli launches multiple airstrikes in Gaza Israel has launched multiple airstrikes in the Gaza strip, killing a former fighter and wounding at least 10 others, according to Palestinian officials. The Israeli rocket hit a car parked next to a motorcycle belonging to the man. Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian group, says he was a former member. Another airstrike hit a Hamas police vehicle and injured an officer and four others. Palestinian medics said that a first strike killed Abdallah al-Telbani, 22, in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north of the strip. Two others were wounded but it was not clear if they were also in the same vehicle. A second strike hit a jeep travelling east of Gaza City, injuring eight people, two of them seriously, Palestinian health ministry officials said. Israel said they had targeted fighters planning cross-border attacks from neighbouring Egypt. “Following the targeting of a global jihad affiliated terrorist and an additional member... aircraft targeted an additional terrorist squad affiliated with the global jihad terror movement,” it said.

It said that a squad targeted in the second raid was known to the military, “due to its attempt in carrying out a terror attack on the Israel-Egypt border,” but did not elaborate. On December 8, shortly after Israeli troops went on high alert along the border over fears a fresh squad of gunmen had crossed into southern Israel, Israeli aircraft killed two men in Gaza City. “The Israel Defence Forces will not tolerate

any attempt to harm Israeli civilians and... soldiers, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the state of Israel,” Tuesday night’s military statement said.

The latest air strikes came as Hamas and the rival Fatah of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas sought to implement a reconciliation deal. Since 2007, the Palestinian territories have been politically divided into two separate territories, with Fatah largely ruling the West Bank and Hamas governing Gaza. In May the two factions signed a unity agreement which has yet to be implemented. The last Israeli strike on the strip was on December 11, when a Palestinian father and his daughter were wounded in a raid. Two days earlier, a man and his 12-year-old son were killed and 10 civilians wounded when an Israeli air strike hit a family home in Gaza City.

On December 27, 2008 Israel started an assault on Gaza codenamed “Operation Cast Lead”, by launching air raids that killed more than 225 Palestinians. The attacks continued until late January 2009, killing about 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians. A UN investigation later found that Israel had committed war crimes.

Amnesty International, the human rights group, also accused Israel of war crimes, saying its use of white phosphorus munitions in densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip was indiscriminate and illegal.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Saudi women to run, vote without male approval Women in Saudi Arabia will not need a male guardian’s approval to run or vote in municipal elections in 2015, when women will also run for office for the first time, a Saudi official said on Wednesday, reported

by AP..

The change signifies a step forward in easing the kingdom’s restrictions against women, but it falls far short of what some Saudi reformers are calling for.

Shura Council member Fahad al-Anzi was quoted in the state-run al-Watan newspaper saying that approval for women to run and vote came from the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites, the Saudi king, and therefore women will not need a male guardian’s approval. The country’s Shura Council is an all-male consultative body with no legislative powers.

Despite the historic decision by the king to allow women the right to participate in the country’s only open elections, male guardian laws in Saudi Arabia remain largely unchanged. Women cannot travel, work, study abroad, marry, get divorced or gain admittance to a public hospital with-

out permission from a male guardian.

The country is guided by an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam called Wahhabism.

Hatoun al-Fasi, a women’s history professor in Riyadh, said just the announcement that Saudi women can run for office and vote without permission will stir debate.

“It’s being brought up out of the blue and could open doors to discussions that we have enough of already,” al-Fasi said.

While King Abdullah has pushed for some changes on women’s rights, he has been cautious not to push too hard against ultraconservative clerics, who have in the past challenged social reforms. Saudi’s ruling family draws its legitimacy from the backing of the kingdom’s religious establishment.

The male guardianship laws are particularly stifling for women, Saudi female activist Wajeha al-Hawidar said.

“These laws make the woman like a child in all aspects of her life. She is not dealt with as an adult with a fully developed brain,” al-Hawidar said.

Philippine flood death toll surges Figure jumps to nearly 1,500, and likely to rise further, as many bodies remain buried in the debris in country’s south.

US mulls visa request for Yemen’s Saleh Ambiguity continues to persist over whether the White House would let Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh enter the US for medical treatment. “What we are looking at now is a request to come to the United States for the sole purpose of medical treatment,” Mark Toner, State Department spokesman, said on Tuesday, refusing to go into the specific of the evaluation.

Toner declined to elaborate on the assurances the US wanted from Saleh or offer a timetable for a decision. “That permission has not been granted yet,” he said. David Mack, former US ambassador to the UAE, told Al Jazeera that “it is really part of our overall relations with Gulf Co-operation Council states, who brokered the deal for Saleh to transfer power in return for some guarantees from criminal and political prosecution”. “Secondly, our ongoing co-operation with current Yemeni transitional government under vice president [A bd-Rabbu Mansour] al-Hadi,” he said. “This ongoing co-operation in the area of counter-terrorism is quite vital to the US position in that struggle. Quite frankly, the immunity is essential, he would not agree to leave the country without that immunity that has already been guaranteed by the GCC states The restrictions are practically all-encompassing.

Saudi women cannot study abroad unless a male guardian approves and accompanies them throughout their studies. Government-run hospitals are allowed to perform surgery on women only with approval from a male guardian, except in emergencies. Male guardians in Saudi Arabia are allowed to remove their daughters or sisters from school at any time. In the case that a father, uncle or brother is not available, mothers turn to their sons for approval to work or travel.

“Male guardianship laws are a problem that the Saudi woman has been dealing with for years.

It’s our number one demand that these laws be revoked,” al-Fasi said. “It goes against the social rights that Islam gives women.”

in an agreement that we backed,” the former US ambassador said. “So, we are basically implicitly supporting the idea of immunity provided he gets totally out of politics and doesn’t engage in politics while he is in this country,” he said.

Even as the Yemeni president awaits his visa, more than 10 people have been killed in the latest exchange between pro-Saleh forces and opposition demonstrators. The US regards Saleh as a valuable ally in the battle against al-Qaeda, but it has also condemned his crackdown against pro-democracy protestors in Yemen, which has killed hundreds. Political asylum for Saleh in the US, or the appearance of preferential treatment from an administration that has championed peaceful and democratic change, would be highly unpopular with Yemenis who have fought to depose their dictator of 33 years. Saleh was injured in an assassination attempt in June, which forced him to go to Saudi Arabia for treatment. Last month he signed a deal to hand over powers under an agreement brokered by the Gulf Co-operation Council, which also provided him immunity from prosecution.

Source Al-Jazeera Al-Fasi and other Saudi women have been pushing the Saudi government for social reforms and greater rights for women, including to allow women the right to drive and for the dissolution of male guardianship laws. Saudi women have staged protests defying the ban.

Al-Hawidar said Wednesday’s announcement means another barrier for women in Saudi Arabia has been lifted. However, she said the government might not see it through, because of expected resistance by those opposing such reforms.

“There are people in the government willing to listen reasonably, but people in society are not,” al-Hawidar said. “They will hate you just for being different, and with these people there is no common language.”

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

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Putin says Russian protesters seeking to sow chaos

Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that mass protests against his 12-year rule were being stoked by a hollow collection of leaderless opposition groups who wanted to sow chaos in Russia. In his first comments since Saturday’s protest, Russia’s prime minister said it was impossible to annul the December 4 parliamentary election - the opposition’s key demand - but promised the March presidential vote, in which he is running, would be transparent. Comparing protesters to Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky, Putin said they were more interested in sowing chaos than implementing a concrete set of ideas on how the world’s biggest energy producer should develop.

“The problem is that they have no single program,” the 59-year-old leader told top members of his All Russia People’s Front, an umbrella movement of supporters, at his presidential election campaign headquarters in Moscow. “They have many individual programs, but no unified one and no clear way to reach their goals, which are also not clear, and there are no people who would be able to do anything concrete,” Putin said. Facing the biggest protests since he rose to power in 1999, Russia’s most powerful politician has looked out of touch in recent weeks, dismissing thousands of protesters as chattering monkeys while offering gradual political reforms.

With supporters, Putin took the protests more seriously, saying his opponents deserved respect despite their hunger for what he termed “Brownian motion,” the apparently random movement of particles observed by Scottish scientist Robert Brown. Putin continued a reshuffle of top advisers, moving the architect of his tightly controlled political system, Kremlin first deputy chief of staff Vladislav Surkov, to the government as a deputy prime minister in charge of modernization. Surkov, whose move was formally approved by President Dmitry Medvedev, wielded immense influence behind the scenes and was branded as Kremlin “puppet master” by Russia’s

third richest man, billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, after a row in September. Medvedev appointed Putin’s government chief of staff, Deputy Prime Minister Vyacheslav Volodin, in Surkov’s place, making him one of the most powerful men in Russian politics.

Putin presented himself as a leader able to ensure stability and protesters as spoilers bent on chaos, a potentially appealing strategy in a country which has been racked by crises and political chaos since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. Putin, who polls show is Russia’s most popular politician, said that he had a solid agenda which included modernization of the $1.9 trillion economy and strengthening of defense. He said protesters were trying to undermine the legitimacy of the parliamentary vote and called for a transparent presidential election. “When this kind of situation emerges, there is always an attempt to devalue and undermine the legitimacy of everything that happened in the public sphere, including and, most of all, the electoral process,” he said. “Therefore, everything must be done in order to ensure that elections are understandable, transparent and objective.” Putin said his government would spend $500 million to install web cameras at all polling stations, an idea he first aired on December 15, although some of his supporters argued it would do little to boost transparency. Other Putin’s allies, including trade union activists, industry workers and war veterans, complained to their boss about the methods used by the opposition, with some calling for tighter Internet regulation. “I am outraged by what is happening on the Internet,” said retired metal industry worker Valery Yakushev, referring to derogatory comments about workers who expressed their support for Putin which have been circulating on the web.

Source: Reuters

Iraq’s Sadrists call to dissolve parliament An influential political bloc in Iraq has called for early elections in a worsening standoff that has stoked sectarian tensions, amid fresh violence in the capital, Baghdad. Baha al-Araji, the Sadrist parliamentary chief, said in a statement on Monday that his bloc, loyal to the Shia Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr, wanted to “dissolve parliament and repeat elections”. An official at the movement’s headquarters in the southern city of Najaf said Araji’s statement “represents all of the bloc, and it represents the opinion of the bloc”. The call came amid a dispute that has seen Iraq’s Sunni vice-president, Tariq al-Hashemi, 69, accused of running a death squad and a deputy prime minister call the government a “dictatorship”. Earlier on Monday, a suicide attack killed five people and wounded dozens at the interior ministry in Baghdad. A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed car into the interior ministry compound when guards opened the main gates to allow electrical maintenance workers through, a ministry official said. At least two policemen were among the dead and 14 wounded. The blast came after a wave of attacks across Baghdad on Thursday killed 60 people. Violence in the provinces the same day claimed another seven lives, making it the deadliest day in Iraq in four months. Last week, authorities issued an arrest warrant for Tareq al-Hashimi,

Canada : Continued from pg 1 house party in Surrey. His mother released a statement saying her son “was in no way involved in illegal activity,” a fact police have confirmed. On Christmas Day, Alok Gupta was killed while working a shift at Ken’s Grocery on 96th Avenue in Surrey.

The 27-year-old man had offered to work on Christmas so the shop’s owner could

the Sunni vice-president, on charges he ran a death squad. Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, has also called for his Sunni deputy, Saleh al-Mutlaq, to be sacked. Hashemi denies the accusations, and Mutlaq has described Maliki as a dictator “worse than Saddam Hussein”. The Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, to which both Hashemi and Mutlaq belong, has boycotted the cabinet and parliament. Hashemi, now staying at the official guesthouse of President Jalal Talabani in the country’s autonomous Kurdish region, told the AFP news agency in an interview on Sunday he would not go to Baghdad to stand trial and raised the prospect of fleeing Iraq. He attributed his refusal to travel to poor security and politicisation of the justice system. Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, has said his country will not turn al-Hashemi away if he requests asylum, but that he should stay in Iraq. Joe Biden, the US vice-president, has made a flurry of calls to Iraqi leaders this week, urging them to mend their fences.

In calls to Maliki on Sunday and the Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, on Saturday, Biden “exchanged views ,,, on the current political climate in Iraq and reiterated our support for ongoing efforts to convene a dialogue among Iraqi political leaders”, the White House said in a statement.

Source: Al-Jazeera

spend the holiday with his family. A fifth victim of the recent shootings, a 54-yearold woman, was found early Christmas Day at an apartment near King George Boulevard and University Drive suffering from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Her injuries are considered non-life-threatening.

Police have not linked any of the shootings to organized crime or drug activity. The shootings come at a time when Surrey’s

Prepare to have less take-home pay starting Jan. 1 Even without major tax hikes, Canadians’ take-home pay will get a little lighter starting Jan. 1. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation says premium hikes for employment insurance and the Canada Pension Plan will collect an additional $306 per employee from workers and their employers in 2012.

Workers are seeing their EI premiums rise by five cents per $100 of insurable earnings to $1.83 on Jan. 1, while the maximum insurable pay increases to $45,900 from $44,200. In addition, the maximum pensionable earnings rise to $50,100 from $48,300. That will take about $142 from employee paycheques who qualify for the maximum over the year.

The hit on employers is slightly more, $164. While governments did not directly raise taxes on incomes this year, the taxpayer association says Canadians will nevertheless have less money available to them for saving, investing or spending. He adds that payroll taxes make it more expensive for firms to hire. “Across Canada there are governments that claim they are concerned about jobs and the economy, but at the same time they are taking hundreds of dollars of disposable income out of the pockets of Canadian families,” said CTF federal director Gregory Thomas. “Between the employer and employee, you have $6,630 of payroll taxes. That’s the price of hiring a Canadian.” A spokesman for federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said the government has ushered in significant tax relief since 2006 and that the tax burden of Canadians is now the lowest in 50 years. “There will (also) be absolutely no increase to the CPP contribution rate,” added Chisholm Pothier, Flaherty’s director of communications. “What is being adjusted is the maximum CPP contribution room only, something that happens every year to account for inflation.” He noted that the maximum CPP benefit increases by $320 to $11,840 in 2012. The year’s biggest tax change is not on the personal side, but in the 1.5 percentage point cut to the federal corporate rate to 15 per cent. In addition, some provinces are also dropping the provincial rate on corporations to 10 per cent. The corporate tax reduction is the last phase of Ottawa’s plan to bring Canada’s combined rate to 25 per cent, from 43 per cent in 2000. The reduction -- as well as an identical cut in 2011 -- was opposed by the opposition parties in the spring election campaign. They argued that given the weak economy, the estimated $6 billion in lost revenue could be better put to use to support jobs and economic growth. This year’s decrease is estimated to be worth $2.85 billion. The Conservatives responded that making Canada a low tax jurisdiction would benefit the economy in the long run. Flaherty has often cited the Forbes magazine designation of “best country for business” as evidence that his low tax policy is working.

“Canada now has an overall tax rate on new business investment that is substantially lower than you will find in any other G7 country and below the average of the member countries of the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development,” he said in Calgary last month while delivering the government’s fall economic update.

Ottawa did give a break of sort to workers this year. In November, Flaherty halved the EI increase to five cents, rather than the previously scheduled 10 cents per $100 of insurable earnings, depriving the federal treasury of about $600 million in revenues. Not all Canadians will experience the same tax bite this year, the taxpayers federation said.

Some provinces are taking an additional cut. For instance, residents of Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will pay more taxes if they simply keep up with inflation since those provinces don’t index their tax brackets. British Columbia residents will see their health tax rise by 6.4 per cent for couples, and 5.8 per cent for individuals. And Quebec residents, already among the highest taxed in the country, will see their Quebec Pension Plan rates rise by 5.6 per cent to $2,342 on maximum eligible earnings. Quebec’s EI rate is also increasing by 8.3 per cent to $675 at the top level, effective Jan. 1.

Source: CTV News

homicide rate has been on the decline.

About 18 murders occur in the city on average. However the total for 2011 was at nine before the first of the most-recent shootings on Christmas Eve. “Our first reaction, of course, is one of shock. Surrey tends to have a very young population and unfortunately crime tends to be in that younger age cohort,” long-time Surrey municipal Coun.

Martin Hunt said. Police said that there

have been 31 homicides in Metro Vancouver this year, which is seven fewer than last year. Investigators ask that any members of the public with information about any of the incidents to contact police, either the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Source: CTV News

7

e d i t o r i a l

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

TAKE LESSON FROM THE PAST

Perusing history is one of the best ways to greatly improve the society, yet many people happen to be too inconsiderate to take critical look at the historical facts. Sadly, the tendency of not learning from the past usually leads to believing false or biased information; thus the misinformation continues to mislead the world at large.

Following is the brief history of two struggles – one political with some degree of civility, while the other one was bloody mutiny illegally supported by the neighbour’s military aggression.

Indeed, the comparison between “the advantages of Peaceful Struggle” for separation of Quebec from the federation of Canada and “the drawbacks of Armed Struggle” to chop off the eastern wing of Pakistan would make some sense in terms of crucial lessons for the generations to come: Canada: The Bloc Québécois (BQ) a federal political party and Parti Québécois (provincial) are together for provincial sovereignty. They frequently share political candidates and support each other during election campaigns sharing the same voter base.

Racism and the language card is used along with many other issues just for attaining sovereignty of Quebec. But the federation and the rest of Canada keep on trying to make Quebecers feel comfortable. Encouragingly, most of the younger Anglophones are bilingual and they love Quebec as much as any other Francophone does.

A few years back, former Prime Minister Mr. Jean Chretien convinced Mr. Jean Charest of Progressive Conservative party to switch his loyalty from the weaker party to stronger provincial liberals as leader - in the best interest of Canadian unity against the looming break up. This worked miraculously well enough to get referendum results in favour of united Canada.

Moreover, during the last federal elections, the late NDP leader Jack Layton made the youth realise that the “separation stance,”

the “political dinosaurs” kept on preaching - was nothing but a recipe for disaster. Here Jack Layton’s main message was positive and geared at the middle class, workers and women, to encourage reconciliation with Quebec within Canada, 43 % NDP support sends another message to the PQ. Around 71% of Quebecers don’t want another referendum now.

Hopefully, Premier Jean Charest (lib) will tour the province as promised in the coming days to explain to Quebecers that the province’s future lies with the minerals and natural resources of its vast northern reaches – and China’s apparently insatiable need for them. All of this proves that a right communication and friendly atmosphere defeated the separatists bent upon getting Quebec’s independence despite the powerful external forces pushing for separation.

Pakistan: Language card, racism and some other issues were the motivating factors for east-west tensions which could have been resolved on the table. The Bengali Muslims felt left out, because Urdu had been declared as national official language. Loss of East Pakistan was the result of central government’s mishandling of the fragile situation in the eastern province and the external forces were fanning the dispute.

Wrong timing for the national elections and military action were all non sense. Clearly, it was a golden opportunity for the prejudiced Hindu mind to aggravate the situation and disintegrate Pakistan.

General Mankeshaw claimed in his book that he had recruited 80,000 Hindus to create the Mukti Bahni. These terrorists were dressed up in Pakistan Army uniform and raped and pillage Pakistani Bengalis. They also were dressed up as civilians carrying out acts of sabotage against the Pak military and the government.

Furthermore, Sheikh Hasina Mujib’s confession as below sheds new light on the events of March 23, 1971, because it proves that the Agartala Conspiracy was a real one sponsored by India against Paki-

L E T T E R S

Forum to support minority rights in Pakistan By: Wajahat Ali Shah Tsawwassen It is an unfortunate moment in history that the minorities in Pakistan have to bear the ignorance, Jahalat, and totally un Islamic practices of some in Pakistan. Lack of unselfish leadership and tunnel vision has put Pakistan on challenging and extremely difficult crossroads. I am in communication with my course mates and satisfied that currently 7 are Lt Gen and 12 are Maj Gen,(First Time In Pakistan’s history from same course at the same time) and have formed a Forum that some of us who are not there can make a positive contribution.

May Allah give us, our masses along with our Leadership some Guidance.(Ameen)

Miracle Media Group Inc.©

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

stan and that the then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan had rightly described Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman as a traitor.

“After breaking up Pakistan and declaring independence thanks to direct Indian military intervention, the Indian-backed “Mujib regime” killed more than 30 thousand Pakistani Bengali patriots who opposed Indian takeover.

Mr. Mujib’s first actions were to surrender the natural resources of Bangladesh to India. This includes water. These actions by the pro-Indian regime caused the manmade famine of 1974, in which three to five hundred thousand people perished, according to reports.”

Here Mujeeb’s daughter clearly admits her father was a traitor. She says Indians helped him raise an Indian-backed terror militia that raped and plundered in order to malign Pakistan Army.

Furthermore, as per Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission Report, the incompetence, moral degeneration and political conspiracies were the major factors for the 1971 fiasco. It was maintained in the report that the humiliating defeat suffered was not a result of military factors alone, but had been brought about as the cumulative consequence of immature political handling since 1947.

Too late, a majority of Muslim Bangladeshis woke up and came to senses when the discrimination of Muslims in WestBengal and the imposing attitude of New Delhi were heartbreaking; they are still repenting why they took part in the partition of the largest Islamic country in the world.

Now they have to either accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.

Currently, both the BLA (Baluchistan liberation army) and the TTP (Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan) are believed to have been externally created to carry out sabotage activities internally within Pakistan and Baluchistan; is a repetition of the same unholy practice to completely wipe out

&

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 that all our elected MP’s are supposed to do at cost of millions of dollars they get every year? Is this the kind of ‘democracy’ or ‘good governance’ we want other countries like Libya or Egypt to have?

Careless spending by Local MPs By: Sikandar Hayat Surrey I am very disappointed at the way many of our elected MPs are spending money. Take Nina Grewal, for example. She has spent over half a million dollars in one year. Her take on the expenses that it costs too much to print flyers is just bogus; many of these MP’s have been spending money indirectly on their party’s campaigns by sending letters/flyers with nothing but criticizing another party. Last year people in my riding, Newton-North Delta, got tons of mail from one of Nina’s colleagues from Ottawa.

Those flyers were mainly focused on attacking Liberals as the MP at that time in my riding was from the Liberal party. The cost to write, print, and distribute flyers to make Conservative look good and Liberals bad, was paid for by the tax payers’ money. Is

Pakistan from the map.

Ironically, Baluchistan has been supplying natural gas to the rest of Pakistan, but its own people remained deprived of this facility due to faulty policies of successive regimes. Targeted killings, sectarian violence and abductions have become common, yet the rulers are busy merry making, partying and getting ready to run away with the loot.

Too little too late, people have started drawing comparison between Balochistan and the erstwhile East Pakistan.

Fortunately, highly secured and safe Pakistani nukes are deterrent against any foreign aggression in future.

“The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it,” rightly.”

Understanding and respecting is a good basis for unity and strength for the country.

It seems as if desire of “QUEBEC DESH” remains on the back burner as long as there is no other referendum, however, “BANGLA DESH” surely is a bitter reality.

Racism feeds suspicion and hatred, but communication would feed understanding and trust. Pakistan’s policymakers are right in demanding a mindset change in New Delhi for peace to prevail.

Mindset of racism and discrimination against creed, colour or language needs to be psychologically corrected.

The best forum to settle/address the national issues is through negotiation and not militancy. A competitive regime, sovereign parliament, independent election commission and an independent judiciary will help rid the country of all crises on a fast track.

Imran Khan’s PTI is the last hope to bring the Baloch youth to the mainstream affairs assuring them that Pakistan is as much theirs as it is anyone else’s.

Unnoticed Muslim communities deserve attention By: Hossain Chow Vancouver Thanks to brother Afzal Malik for the subject article and also thanks to you for the comprehensive coverage on Bangladesh in your Miracle issue 16/12/2011, page 14.

There are some other Muslim community in this world going unnoticed that we can write about. Examples are: Bihari Muslims - The Indian province of Bihar is neighbouring to Bengal, has lots of Muslims, and many of them came to the then East Pakistan with hope to go to West Pakistan but failed. They

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

are now living filthy in Geveva Camp in Dhaka, unable to repatriate, neither side is paying attention to them.

Arakani Muslims - The province of Burma attached to Bangladesh has Rohingya Muslim population. They don’t have full religious freedom in their country, they are poor and neglected by their govt for being minority. Many of them walk to neighboring Bangladesh for better life and some get forged passport and fly to Middle East for small jobs.

Uyghur Muslims - The most western province of China is far distanced by their own capital city, geographically and culturally. They belong to Central Asia culture,

Continued on pg 10

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

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

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

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

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

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

7,15 5,6 9-13, 15 14, 16 8 9,10 26 27 28-37

8

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Islam Condemns Pride & Self-righteousness

By Abu Yousuf and Abu Maryam (Excerpt from the original article) The word “Islam” is an Arabic word, which means “submitting and surrendering your will to Almighty Allah”. The word comes from the same root as the Arabic word “Salam”, which means peace. Unlike the names used for other religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, the name for the religion of Islam was revealed by Allah and carries a deep spiritual meaningonly by submitting one’s will to Almighty Allah can one obtain true peace both in this life and in the life hereafter. Islam teaches that all religions originally had the same essential message, which was to submit whole-heartedly to the will of Allah and to worship Him and Him alone. For this reason, Islam is not a new religion but is the same divinely revealed ultimate truth that Allah revealed to all prophets, including Nooh, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa (Alahimus Salaam).

The Arabic word “Muslim” literally means “someone who submits to the will of Allah”.

The message of Islam is meant for the entire world and anyone who accepts this message becomes a Muslim. Some people mistakenly believe that Islam is just a religion for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth, since in actuality over 80 per cent of the world’s Muslims are not Arabs. Even though, most Arabs are Muslims, there are Arabs who are Christians, Jews and atheists.

If one just takes a look at the various people who live in the Muslim World-from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Morocco to Indonesia it is easy enough to see that Muslims come from all different races, ethnic groups and nationalities. From the very beginning, Islam had a universal message for all people. This can be seen in the fact that some of the early companions of Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) were not only Arabs, but Persians, Africans and Byzantine Romans also. Being a Muslim entails complete acceptance and active obedience to the revealed will of Almighty Allah. A Muslim is a person who freely accepts to base his beliefs, values and faith on the will of Almighty Allah.

In the past, even though you do not see it as much today, the word “Mohammedans” was often used as a label for the Muslims.

This label is a misnomer and is the result of either willful distortion or sheer ignorance.

For various reasons, some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that the Muslims worship a different God than the Jews and Christians. This is certainly not the case, since the pure monotheism of Islam calls all people to the worship of the God of Nooh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa and all of the other prophets. However, even though the Jews, Christians and Muslims worship the same Allah-since there is only one Allah - their concepts concerning Him differ in some significant ways.

The last and final prophet that Allah sent to humanity was Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). He explained and interpreted the teachings of Islam and act according to it. Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) is the greatest of all prophets for many reasons, but mainly because the results of his mission have brought more people into the pure belief in One Allah than any other prophet.

Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) always emphasised that he was only a human being tasked with the preaching of Allah’s message. He taught the Muslims to refer to him as “the Messenger of Allah and His Slave”.

To the Muslims, Prophet Muhammad (Sall

Allaho alaihe wasallam) is the supreme example for all people - he was the exemplary prophet, statesman, military leader, ruler, teacher, neighbour, husband, father and friend. Unlike other prophets and messengers, Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) lived in the full light of history. Even when his followers only numbered a few dozen, Almighty Allah informed him that he had been sent as a mercy to all of mankind. Because people had distorted or forgotten Allah’s messages, Allah took it upon Himself to protect the message revealed to him.

This was because Almighty Allah promised not to send another messenger after him.

Since all of Allah’s messengers have preached the message of Islam, ie submission to the will of Allah and the worship of Allah alone, Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) is actually the last prophet of Islam, not the first. The foundation of Islam is belief in the Unity of Allah.

This means to believe that there is only one Creator and Sustainer of everything in the universe and that nothing is divine or worthy of being worshipped except Him. Truly believing in Unity means much more than simply believing that there is “One Allah” - as opposed to two, three or four.

The Muslims believe that Almighty Allah is Compassionate, Loving and Merciful. The essence of falsehood is the claim that Allah cannot deal with and forgive His creatures directly. By over-emphasising the burden of sin, as well as claiming that Allah cannot forgive you directly, false religions seek to get people to despair of the Mercy of Allah.

Once they are convinced that they cannot approach Allah directly, people can be mislead into turning to false gods for help.

The Qur’aan is a living miracle in the Arabic language; and is known to be inimitable in its style, form and spiritual impact.

Allah’s final revelation to mankind -- the Qur’aan -- was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) over a period of 23 years. The Qur’aan, in contrast to many other religious books, was always thought to be the Word of Allah by those who believed in it, ie it was not something decreed by a religious council many years after being written. Also, the Qur’aan was recited publicly in front of both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities during the life of Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam). The entire Qur’aan was also completely written down in lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), and numerous companions of the Prophet memorised the entire Qur’aan word-forword as it was revealed. So, unlike other scriptures, the Safar Qur’aan was always in the 5 hands of the common 6 believers, it was always thought to be Allah’s Word 7 and, due to wide-spread 8 memorisation, it was per9 fectly preserved. In regards 10 to the teachings of the 11 Qur’aan, it is a universal scripture, and it is addressed 12 to all of mankind, and not to 13 a particular tribe or “chosen 14 people”. The message that it 15 brings is nothing new but 16 the same message of all of the prophets -- submit to 17 Almighty Allah and wor18 ship Him alone.

19 As such, Allah’s revelation in the Qur’aan focuses on teaching human beings the

importance of believing in the Unity of Allah and framing their lives around the guidance which He has sent.

Additionally, Islam condemns pride and self-righteousness, since Almighty Allah is the only judge of human righteousness. The Islamic view of the nature of man is also realistic and well-balanced. Human beings are not believed to be inherently sinful, but are seen as equally capable of both good and evil. Islam also teaches that faith and action go hand-in-hand. Allah has given people free will, and the measure of one’s faith is one’s deeds and actions. However, humans have also been created weak and regularly fall into sin. This is the nature of the humans as created by Allah in His Wisdom, and it is not inherently “corrupt” or in need of repair.

This is because the avenue of repentance is always open to all human beings, and Allah loves the repentant sinner more than one who does not sin at all. The true balance of an Islamic life is established by having a healthy fear of Allah as well as a sincere belief in His infinite Mercy. A life without fear of Allah leads to sin and disobedience, while believing that we have sinned so much that Allah will not possibly forgive us only leads to despair. In light of this, Islam teaches that: only the misguided despair of the Mercy of their Lord.

Additionally, the Holy Qur’aan, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam), contains a great deal of teachings about the life hereafter and the Day of Judgment. Due to this, the Mus-

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.”

lims believe that all human beings will ultimately be judged by Allah for their beliefs and actions in their earthly lives. In judging human beings, Almighty Allah will be both Merciful and Just, and people will only be judged for what they were capable of.

Suffice it to say that Islam teaches that life is a test, and that all human beings will be accountable before Allah. A sincere belief in the life hereafter is the key to leading a well-balanced life and moral. Otherwise, life is viewed as an end in itself, which causes human beings to become more selfish, materialistic and immoral.

Source: (http://jang.com.pk/thenews/may2006weekly/iqra-12-05-2006/index.html)

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

From Dec 30-Jan 13, 2012 (Safar 5-19 1433H) Isha Dec Day Fajar Sunrise Zawa1 Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Fri 6:15 8:06 12:15 12:22 2:39 6:10 30 4:27 Sat 6:15 8:06 12:15 12:22 6:11 31 2:40 4:28 8:06 12:16 12:23 2:41 6:12 Jan 1 Sun 6:15 4:29 8:05 12:17 12:24 2:42 6:13 2 Mon 6:15 4:30 Tue 6:16 8:05 12:17 12:24 2:43 6:14 3 4:32 8:05 12:17 12:24 2:44 6:15 4 Wed 6:16 4:33 8:05 12:18 12:25 2:45 6:16 5 Thu 6:15 4:34 8:04 12:18 12:25 2:46 6:17 Fri 6:15 6 4:35 8:04 12:19 12:26 2:47 6:18 Sat 6:15 7 4:36 8:03 12:19 12:26 2:48 6:19 8 Sun 6:15 4:37 8:03 12:20 12:27 2:49 6:20 9 Mon 6:14 4:39 8:02 12:20 12:27 2:50 6:21 Tue 6:14 10 4:40 8:01 12:20 12:27 2:51 6:22 11 Wed 6:14 4:41 7:59 12:21 12:28 2:52 6:23 12 Thu 6:13 4:43 7:59 12:21 12:28 2:53 6:24 Fri 6:13 13 4:44 Source: Masjid al-Noor

AQEEM USS SALAAT (Establish Prayer)

9

special

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Special Messages for 300th Issue

The insider view of the Miracle Misbah Naseer 2002 was an exciting year in my life. I was graduating from high school with big plans and expectations for university life when one day, my father told the family that he was considering a business partnership in a local community newspaper. I was not quite sure what it would mean for us as a family, especially for my father, an accomplished architect, who was diving in this new world. He was excited and happy and we were excited for him. No one suspected the life-changing experiences that were coming our way and how the Miracle was going to be an essential part of our lives.

Over the last ten years, I have worn many hats on the Miracle team. I attended events with my father and reported on events, selected news, even designed the first website for the newspaper, and filled in for him regularly at the Miracle office while he had to unexpectedly extend his stay in Pakistan. Priorities in my life changed as I transitioned from a university student to a full-time working mom, yet this newspaper always sneaked its way in these priorities. Whether it was a week after giving birth, 5 hours before catching a plane for Umrah or vacationing in Pakistan, I found myself editing and proof-reading the newspaper.

This involvement is not limited to one family member, but the entire family has voluntarily contributed towards the content of this newspaper, and organizing events under the Miracle banner for a long time.

Don’t get me wrong: there have been numerous times when I have questioned the value of all the work put into this newspaper especially when we discuss the financial viability of this business and when I witness despicable attitudes and hypocrisy against the newspaper and my father. This newspaper serves the Muslim community without any discrimination and prejudice.

The newspaper is also run by the Muslim community, as prominent members of the community from all walks of life serve on the advisory board and offer their valuable guidance about the content, format and policies of the newspaper. It is unfortunate that often, criticism of the newspaper turns into personal attacks against the managing editor. I have often been surprised at my father’s patience and perseverance over the years. For him, this is not a job or business, this is a community service which cannot be stopped or put on hold, not even when our grandmother passed away or when a serious road accident confined him to a wheel chair and dependant on walking aids for several months. Even today, he is as excited about his next newspaper issue as he was in 2002.

At the 300th edition of the Miracle, I thank Allah (SWT) for His blessings on this newspaper and for giving this Miracle team the strength, courage and patience to overcome obstacles. On behalf of my immediate and extended “Miracle” family, I thank everyone who has stood by us through thick and thin. In the end, I once again encourage everyone, young and experienced, to propel this community service vehicle and contribute in any capacity possible. This is YOUR newspaper, so let us know how you want to be represented!

Email, call, drop a line on our facebook page, we want to hear from you! ( Reprint)

Message from the Desk Looking forward to the 400th Issue! of the Consul General Shuja Alam Consul General of Pakistan Vancouver On behalf of all my colleagues at the Consulate General, I extend New Year Greetings to all members of the Pakistani community living in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. May Allah’s benevolence bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the year 2012.

We also extend heartiest congratulations to the Miracle newspaper and its readership on the landmark achievement of publishing its 300th edition. Miracle newspaper is not only a source of local and international news for Pakistani community but gives them a platform to voice their opinion and explore their literary and creative potential. Our best wishes to the Miracle Media Group for its continued success in the coming years.

Congratulations Miracle Media Group!

Syed Badiuddin Soharwardy Islamic Supreme Council of Canada Calgary On the 300th edition of Miracle I congratulate you and your miraculous team for doing such a great service to the Muslim and other communities in the British Columbia. It’s a great achievement and shows your commitment to serve the Muslim community.

The diversity of opinions and broad coverage of Canadian and Islamic issues in the Miracle have been the salient feature of The Miracle. I always enjoy the news and the stories covered by the Miracle. I think you are doing a great job please keep up the good work.

I also enjoy your questions in our programs. You ask important and needed questions. You are a true journalist. Your presence and questions in my program bring energy in the program. It also motivates others to ask questions. I am one of those Imams who love questions and answers. Please continue coming in our programs. Your presence makes a difference.

May Allah bless you, your family and the entire team at the Miracle. You have my full unconditional support.

Thanks and JazakAllah.

Musa Ismail President, BC Muslim Association.

We recognize the dedication and effort of the entire Miracle team for achieving such a milestone and hope and pray that you will continue to serve our society for a along time in the foreseeable future.

Media plays an integral part in today’s ever changing world and publications such as Miracle serve its readers by keeping them well informed. On behalf of the BC Muslim Association, I convey our sincere congratulations to Miracle for printing its 300th issue and look forward to seeing the 400th edition.

Congratulations Miracle Media Raza Mirani General Secretary Pakistan Canada Association Congratulations on this outstanding achievement. The Miracle has been a tremendous asset to the community and your ability to maintain integrity and honesty in journalism is to be commended. I have always appreciated your candor and consistent approach in representing community events and news related items. Working in the field of journalism is challenging, rewarding but often unappreciated. Criticism flows much freer than praise. You and I have not always seen eye to eye but my level of respect has never wavered and I continue to be impressed by your professionalism and commitment to the greater community. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading issue 600.

Congratulations the Miracle!

Muhammad Afzal Malik, Surrey On the publication of 300 issues of The Miracle newspaper I extend my heartiest congratulations to all those who have made this achievement possible and to pass on my warm best wishes to the founder, management, editorial board, readers, writers, advertisers and sponsors. Reading a newspaper is always a pleasure. A newspaper is an important societal institution. It educates, empowers and mobilizes

the resources. A community is known by its media. I admire you and your team commitment, enthusiasm, determination and courage in which you have reported matters in your newspaper. This newspaper has become a valuable source of information on community affairs for people across British Columbia.

The Miracle has made tremendous progress over the years since its inception irrespective of the difficulties, crisis and challenges. I am glad that the present management under the leadership of Mr. Naseer Pirzada over the period has realized the role, significance, ethics and sensitivity of the journalism profession and media. The positive approach adopted by the present management made The Miracle a community newspaper. To run a community newspaper is a big challenge especially when it is not a financially viable venture.

It becomes more challenging when you deal with comparatively a small community striving for economic wellbeing. In the Canadian society community newspapers primarily are financially dependent on the community business advertisements.

Alhamdulillah! Our business community is now growing day by day leading towards progress and prosperity. I really appreciate the dedication, devotion and sacrifice of The Miracle team for publishing the newspaper steadily.

The Miracle newspaper has provided a platform to the local writers and it encourages and motivates the new entrants. I am a regular contributor to The Miracle newspaper, and write articles both in English and Urdu languages. The addition of Urdu section to the newspapers is a commendable initiative. It has increased the readership of the newspaper. This credit certainly goes to the honorary Chief Editor of the newspaper Mr. Mohammad Rafiq. Mr. Rafiq has made a remarkable contribution for the promotion of the Urdu language.

The Miracle being a community newspaper should always keep in mind not to publish any culturally and religiously sensitive material which can hurt the feelings and sentiments of the readers. It should serve as a communication link to the community aiming at reporting the facts and playing a positive role in community-building and not acting as a police or an investigation agency. The Miracle should give attention to the youth issues and for this purpose one page each in English and Urdu sections should be dedicated. May Allah bless Mr. Naseer Pirzada and his team with health, wealth, strength and courage to continue this journey successfully and persistently to serve the community cause. Ameen!

10

special

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Special Messages for 300th Issue Zaheer Ali Manki, Surrey As a proud Canadian of Pakistani descent it gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Miracle team for a splendid job they have done in the creation of “ The Miracle “. I can visualize the early days in the life of this magazine when its format and size were both small. As with any venture life, maturity comes with age. The Miracle has indeed matured in a graceful fashion both in size and the content. It looks professional.

To be publishing the 300th issue of the Miracle speaks volumes of the dedication, sincerity and hard work of the Miracle Team for which they rightfully deserve kudos. At this milestone, the Team should pause, take a deep breath, make a critical evaluation of what they have done right to bring them here and how to improve upon the foundation thus laid. The Team has shown talent and propensity to excel. With continued hard work and imagination, the Miracle will Insha Allah stay on top.

In terms of individual sections, the cover presentation with its superior artwork is impressive particularly the Urdu side. The English side has stayed stagnant and can use some improvement.

The English side has a more professional journalism aspect in bringing out the important international stories relevant to the readers.

The religious, social, political and cultural blend in the contents is quite delightful and makes good reading. The Urdu Section is a premium. All writers are very experienced , gifted and do justice to their subjects. My sincere congratulations again to you Naseer Sahib and your Team. May He give you continued success.

Aslam Hayat, Vancouver Please accept my heartiest congratulations on the publication of the 300th edition of the Miracle. I wish many more spectacular successes in the years ahead.

Farzana and Azhar Syed, Richmond Great. The Miracle media Group, hearty congratulations on your 300th edition.

May Allah give you more such occasions to celebrate. We join you in your celebration.

Adam Buksh, Surrey Congratulations on reaching this milestone!

Raj Hundal Surrey Tynehead NDP Candidate -”Not only can we all be very proud of The Miracle for its efforts in enriching our community and our South Asian cultures but it continues to make a positive impact and significant contribution in our diverse community.”

-”Seasons Greetings and best wishes for the New Year!

May the peace and joy of the holiday season be with you throughout the coming year.”

Byron Sheardown Int. Web Express Coquitlam I am proud to say I have seen more than 230 issues of Miracle news and feel the Miracle has very deep roots in the Muslim community that make it a strong and important part of independent media in Canada. I wish you all the best for the next 300!

Abbas Akbari , M&M SIGNS I admire your hard work and sincererity towards Miracle News.

I don’t know how many Muslims are taking benefits from this paper and it’s very hard to tell.

All I want to say is that May All S.W.T keep you guys young and energetic so that you and your hardworking team could keep this Miracle going on and on.

I will be preparing my Add soon, will forward it to you.

R.C. Puri, Surrey You, along with every member of your household and workaholic team have every valid reason to raise your heads in smugness on this glorious occasion of the publication of 300th issue of the Miracle, the premier Muslim mouth-piece of British Columbia. I can well imagine the difficulties and hardships that this newspaper had to face during all this period of over a decade of its emergence on the horizon of BC. Journalism. May the God Almighty grant you more such occasions to celebrate in time to follow. Kindly accept and convey my regards to your entire team, including Br. Nusrat Hussein Sahib, the great soul that laid the foundation stone of this esteemed newspaper, called the MIRACLE. Sohail Ahmed Khan Vancity Tiles and Stones Ltd. Congratulations on 300th Edition. May Allah give you health wealth and prosperity and courage to continue providing great

BULLAY SHAH ACADEMY OF CANADA Pir Afzal Ahmed Naqashbandi S.R. Pirzada Syed Wali Hussain Shah Astana-e-Alia Shahenshah-e-Weelayt Hazrat Qiblah-Sheik-ul-Hadith Gujrat-Pakistan We invite brothers & sisters every last Saturday of the month for the Holy Darse Quran @ 6:00pm

Visit Us at:- Club House of Mandley Village Unit 33, 12110 75A Ave. Surrey.

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

newspaper to community that we are proud of God bless you and good luck .

Abdul Qayyum, Omax Realty Ltd. I wish all the best for the Miracle staff, writers, publishers, management especially Mr. Naseer Pirzada, on their successful 300th edition. May Allah keep ‘The Miracle’ as a clear and loud voice of our community.

Haider Khan Surrey Congratulations Pirzada Sahib May Allah bless you with health and happiness always and may you bring many more Miracle editions. Ameen

Congratulations Miracle Newspaper on your 300th edition.

The Miracle Newspaper continues to be a leader er in delivering professional journalism in B.C. A special thanks to the entire team for their dedication, commitment and support to the Muslim community in Surrey.

Sue Hammell, MLA Surrey-Green Timbers Tel: 604-590-5868 www.suehammellmla.ca

11

local

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Quaid-e-Azam’s 136th Birthday celebrated in Pakistan House, Surrey

By: Raza Mirani ‘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

With these words Pakistan-Canada Association, on December 25th, celebrated the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. The event was small and informal and was an opportunity for people to gather and remember the man that gave us our homeland of Pakistan. The event began after Asr Namaaz with Talawa’at recited by Mr. Farasat Malik. The anthems of both Pakistan and Canada were played and Master of Ceremonies Mr. Raza Mirani proceeded with the formal portion of the event.

A short video documentary in Urdu was played for those in attendance followed by a little heard speech by the Quaid-e-Azam addressing Americans and Canadians prior to the formation of Pakistan. The speech is available for viewing on Pakistan-Canada Association’s website at www.pakcan.com. President Arfan Malik gave a speech highlighting the historical events in the life of Quaid-e-Azam and Consul General Shuja Alam spoke of the

growing involvement of youth in the development of Pakistan.

The Miracle’s Naseer Pirzada soothed the audience with a Mili Nagma, despite not feeling well.

The day was also an opportunity for community to gather and discuss the recent controversy regarding the Niqab and Canadian citizenship ceremonies. An open forum discussion then proceeded with the vast majority of those in attendance providing input on what Pakistan-Canada Association should do with respect to this issue. The overall sentiment was that a leadership role needs to be taken and singular voice for Muslims be presented so that disparaging comments, like those made by Minister Jason Kenney referring to the Niqab as ridiculous, be addressed and averted in the future. Overall the event organizers were pleased with the results of the event and were proud to be able to celebrate the life of such an important figure in the life of Pakistan. For more information on upcoming Pakistan-Canada Association events please join there e-mail list by visiting www.pakcan.com.

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12

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

A Muslim Imam’s Plea to Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him)

By Imam Syed Soharwardy Founder, Muslims Against Terrorism Islamic Supreme Council of Canada My beloved Jesus Christ, May God’s peace and blessings upon you, I am a Muslim Imam. I lead my congregations in Calgary and several other cities of Canada. I live in a country where majority of people are Christians. They love you very much. These Christians claim that they follow you and you are their savior.

They call you son of God and God. In few days they will be celebrating your birthday (Christmas) as well.

My beloved Jesus Christ (May God’s peace and blessings upon you), I also love you from the bottom of my heart, so as every Muslim. However, we believe you as a Prophet and the Messenger of God. You are part of our faith (i.e. Islam). Our holy book, the Qur’an, honours you and your mother, Mary (Mariam). We, Muslims do not believe that you were God or Son of God but we believe that you were one of the best and the miraculous creation of God. About you and your mother, our holy book, Qur’an says; • Then will Allah say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird

by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Chil-

dren of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs and the unbelievers among them said: ‘This is nothing but evident magic.’ (Holy Qur’an, 05:110) - “When the angels said: O Mary, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the ‘.

Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).”

- “And he shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones.”

- “She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.”

Dear Jesus Christ (May Allah’s peace and blessings upon you), you never hated anyone. You loved even your worse enemies.

This is what I read in the Bible, “You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy” . “ But I say to you: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44) We (Muslims) love you and honour you.

We, Muslims believe that you are alive. Allah has ascended you towards the Heavens.

- “And when Allah said: O Jesus, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so l will decide between you concerning that in which you differed.”

(Surah Al Imran: 3, 43-55) Our beloved Prophet and last Messenger of God (Allah), Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has given us the details of your second coming. We believe that you will be returning to earth and you will be establishing peace on earth.

Please return to the planet earth as soon as possible. We desperately need you. The life of a Muslim is becoming very difficult. There are fanatics from the Muslim community who kill innocent people in the name of Islam and there are fanatics from the Christian community who also kill innocent people in the name Christianity. Christians are developing hate towards Muslims in your name.

Dear Jesus Christ (May Allah’s peace and blessings upon you); 1. Due to the terrorism of few, Muslims are being singled out in Canada, USA, Europe and other Christian majority places. We Muslim condemn those terrorist and fanatics too but ordinary Muslims are becoming target of hate by Christians for the crimes of few fanatics?

2. We love and honour your mother. Qur’an says that God has chosen Mary (peace upon her) over all women and she is the model for every woman to follow in all times. However, when a Muslim lady wants to dress like your mother dressed, she is told that she is a threat to Canada.

Some Christians call her backward, uncivilized and fanatic.

3. When our men dress like you dressed, Christians call them “Islamists”. They are identified as fanatics. I do not believe that you ever wore a fanatic’s dress. You were the most kind, civilized and helping person ever walked on the earth. Why your true following has become intolerable for

Christians?

Dear Christ (peace be upon you), I do not understand why those people who call you savior hate Muslims? Why the Christian rulers including our Canadian Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers are trying to make laws which we know will increase hate towards Muslims.

We came to the western countries in order to escape the corruption and injustices of the Muslim rulers in Muslim countries but unfortunately these Christian rulers are going backward. They are making similar discriminatory laws against Muslims as the corrupt Muslim rulers made in their own countries.

Finally, dear Jesus Christ (peace and blessings of God upon you), please return to the earth. You are the only hope which will save Muslims from the hands of fanatics and hate mongers. I receive hate mails, threats and intimidation in a Christian country on daily basis. I am very concerned about my life, my family’s safety and the lives of Muslims in North America.

In the name of freedom of speech people are free to create hate towards Muslims but when a Canadian Muslim uses the same freedom, he is blamed for taking Canada backward.

Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chechnya, Kashmir, Somalia, Syria and many other places are waiting for you. You will be the one who will put an end to the miseries of the oppressed people.

O’ Allah (God) send your beloved Jesus back to planet earth. The poor, distressed and helpless need his help and support.

Ameen.

Christmas Open House in Lower Mainland MP Jinny’s Office

A Christmas open house party was arranged at Newton- North Delta MP Jinny Sims’s office on 16th December 2011. MP Jasbeer Sidhu, MLA Harry Bains and many other members from all communities of Newton- North Delta and beyond attended the party.

MLA Bruce Ralston’s Office

MLA Harry Bains’s Office

MLA Sue Hammell’s Office

Hashmi Law Office

13

special

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Jan. 8

March 11

Six people are killed and 16 injured when Jared Loughner, 22, starts shooting at a political event outside a shopping centre near Tucson, Arizona. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the intended target, is shot through the head but survived. A U.S. district court judge and 9-year-old girl born on 9/11 are both killed. Loughner is charged with murder and attempted assassination.

A massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake strikes northern Japan, triggering an even more devastating tsunami. More than 10,000 people are killed or missing and the Fukushima nuclear reactors are damaged causing radiation leaks and long-term evacuations.

Jan. 14 After weeks of protest over unemployment, food prices and overall poor living conditions, the 23-year rule of President Zine El

May 24 Ousted Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak is ordered to stand trial, facing the death penalty, for the killing of democracy protesters.

June 15

his people, despite opposition from the United States and Israel.

Oct. 20 Moammar Gadhafi’s 42-year reign over Libya ends when he is killed during an assault by opposition forces on his hometown of Sirte.

Thousands loot and riot in downtown Van-

March 17

Oct. 21

The United Nations votes to impose a nofly zone over Libya after weeks of violent government attacks on protesters.

President Barack Obama announces all

March 18 Libya announces a ceasefire, but fighting continues and the UN mission launches the first air strikes the next day.

April 8 After months of escalating protests, security forces kill a few dozen anti-government protesters in the Syrian cities of Damascus and Daraa. Tens of thousands of Syrians protest the violence.

Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia collapses. He flees the country with members of his family and a large quantity of gold.

Jan. 24 A suicide bombing in Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport kills 37 and injured another 180. A Chechen warlord claims responsibility.

April 14 Deadly tornadoes rip through the southern United States, killing 18 people. By the end of the month, tornadoes will have killed about 300 people.

April 19 Syria lifts the 48-year-old state of emer-

Jan. 25

July 22 In what is being described as the worst violence Norway has faced since the Second World War, a gunman opens fire on a youth camp and a detonates a bomb in the country’s capital, killing 77 and injuring 151 people.

July 29 The United Nations warns that the whole of southern Somalia is heading into famine as the Horn of Africa food crisis deepens, leaving millions at risk of starvation.

Aug. 10

Egyptians start protesting against President Hosni Mubarak’s government. On Jan. 28,

British Prime Minister David Cameron British authorizes the use of water cannon for the first time outside Northern Ireland to deal with the worst riots in a generation in London and surrounding cities. gency laws in an effort to defuse protests.

Reports suggest more than 600 were killed and 1,000 arrested.

May 1 thousands demonstrate in several cities after Friday prayers. Access to the Internet and mobile phone networks are cut.

Mubarak dismisses his government and appoints a new cabinet.

couver after the Canucks lose to the Boston Bruins

After a nine-and-a-half year manhunt, American commandos find and kill Osama

Sept. 2 Whistleblower website WikiLeaks releases online its entire cache of American diplomatic cables, drawing a furious response from its media partners and foreign governments for releasing unredacted information that could endanger the lives of sources.

Sept. 17 Protesting corporate greed and economic disparity, a group of protesters march

Feb. 22 A 6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes near Christchurch, New Zealand. 155 people were killed and thousands of buildings were destroyed.

An earthquake in eastern Turkey kills at least five people and traps scores more under the rubble of two hotels and a dozen other buildings, less than three weeks after another killed 600 in the same area.

Dec. 6 Two explosions at religious shrines on the Shiite holy day of Ashura kills at least 59 people in Kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan.

Dec. 13 A man armed with a gun and grenades kills five people and himself in a public square in the Belgian city of Liege.

Dec. 15 The nine-year mission American military mission in Iraq comes to a formal end with a ceremony at the Baghdad Airport.

Dec. 16 Tropical Storm Washi causes 1,010 flash flood fatalities in the Philippines. 46 people are officially listed as missing

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, dies of

After weeks of protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigns. A military council takes power and promises elections.

A popular uprising begins in Libya but leader Colonel Moammar Gadhafi refuses to resign and fights back against rebels.

Nov. 9

Dec. 17

Feb. 2

Feb. 17

remaining U.S. troops will leave Iraq by the end of 2011, ending a war that deeply divided the nation, left almost 4,500 American soldiers dead and cost more than $800 billion.

Bin Laden in a compound north of Islamabad, Pakistan.

May 19 U.S. President Barack Obama signals a shift in his Middle East policy by publicly calling for the creation of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders — bluntly telling Israel the “status quo is unsustainable” if it wants to achieve lasting peace, angering Israeli leaders.

through the heart of New York’s financial district and give birth to Occupy Wall Street.

Sept. 24 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asks the United Nations to recognize a state for

a suspected heart attack while travelling by train to an area outside Pyongyang.

He is succeeded by his youngest son Kim Jong-un.

14

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

End of an

the Iraqis will address the many issues that they are faced with in an even more truncated Iraq that they are inhering from the Americans than what they were living in under Saddam.

It is difficult to concur with the US defense secretary that the cost 9/11 by several years. in both American and Iraqi lives Neither was it the many dead and wounded “has been worth it, to establish US servicemen and women, that forced the a stable government in a very US to reconsider its continued presence in important region of the world.”

Iraq. This was the bloodiest war since ViMost of the rest of the world see etnam and there is a parallel with Vietnam differently. insofar as the casualty figure goes. But The ethnic and sectarian divide this is not where the parallel ends. There and religious divide, balance the strong is as deep as it had ever been. is another parallel, that of a campaign in strategic pulls from its neighbors, resist the Already the Al-Iraqiya parliamentary bloc, which the US ended up being on the losing which represents Iraq’s Sunni Arabs, has pressure to play the role of a western lackey side. And whatever is being bandied about withdrawn from parliament, accusing Shia -- it may be of benefit to those predisposed as achievements is an unsuccessful attempt Arab Prime Minister Nouri-al-Maliki of to or harboring the thoughts of intervention to put a gloss on an otherwise dismal narbeyond their borders, or flaunting their milimonopolizing power. rative of US performance in Iraq, an effort There had been spate of bombings in several tary might to settle political issues, to take to glorify defeat. lessons from what can best be described as a parts of the country as the last US troops The figure of Iraqi dead is not well military disaster. were leaving. There is potential for political documented; the world has lost count of It is said that the US made many mistakes. instability, and the chances of collapse of the civilian casualties in Iraq, which runs And commentators like Jonathan Steele the Maliki government have become more into hundreds of thousand. And most of have ended the debate with one short likely after Iraqi authorities issued an arrest the Iraqi dead fall in the category of what sentence. He writes: “The central problem warrant against the Sunni Vice-President is abominably described as collateral was not that the Americans made mistakes.

Tariq al-Hashemi recently under anti-terrordamage. But even a hundred thousand The occupation was a mistake. The day that ism laws.

Iraqi lives do not raise the concerns of the But while for now we should leave the IraBush decided to have an occupation was the so-called civilized world. After all, it is a qis to pick up the pieces and order their lives day he ensured its defeat.” pittance compared to the lofty objective of as best as they can -- to overcome the ethnic The writer is the Editor for Defense & Strategic Affairs of The Daily Star bringing “freedom” and “democracy” to the Iraqi people. The question is have the US and UK been able to meet the goals to establish democracy, security and a proWestern regime?

AL-MADINA RESTAURANT INC. A food service restaurant located It may be too early to predict the long term at 9320-120th Street Surrey, BC needs a fully qualified Cook specializconsequences of a campaign that was coning in Pakistani Cuisine. Job duties includes menu design and planning, ceived in deceit, lies and opacity. As Mao back cooking for banquet, labor, food cost control, kitchen staff superis reported to have said, in response to a vision and training. Urdu or Punjabi language skills will be an asset. question when asked what were the lessons of the French Revolution, that it was far Must have minimum of three years experience. too early to tell. It is too early to tell how Salary $17.50 /hour. Fax resume to @ 604-582-5432

ILLEGAL WAR By: Brig. Gen. Shahedul Anam Khan ndc, psc (Retd) After nearly nine years of a botched military campaign, and suffering 4,500 in dead and 30,000 wounded, the US is calling it a day in Iraq. The US must be thanked for choosing discretion to valor which we are certain was prompted by the stark reality on ground. The question one fails to find an answer to is why it took so long for the lone superpower to realize that it was fighting losing war.

Many, including the then UN SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan, believe the occupation and the war in Iraq was illegal despite UN Resolutions 1486 and 1546, these being post-facto resolutions designed to sanctify the US and UK led “coalition of the willing’s” occupation of Iraq.

It was not certainly the money either, nearly a trillion dollars of US taxpayers’ money in fact, that forced the US to pull out of Iraq. And there was certainly a divided house in the US about the Iraqi venture but it was certainly not public opinion at home that compelled the US to leave Iraq; Bush’s spin doctors managed to hoodwink the great majority of the Americans by convincing them that there was an imminent threat from Saddam, poised to strike with his “vast arsenal” of nuclear weapons. It sounds incredible but it is true that as many as nearly a hundred and fifty excuses were fabricated to rationalize Operation Iraqi Freedom. But then those who are familiar with history will not have forgotten that the script of Operation Iraqi Freedom predates

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15 Letters: Continued from pg 10 sometimes introduce themselves as East Turkistani but afraid of Chinese authorities.

Riot of 2008 is an example.

Kurds - They are looking for Kurdistan country, like Palestinians they are scattered around Iraq, Jordan, etc. Their leader Abdullha Ozalan is in prison lifelong. Their issue is more political than religious freedom.

In response to brother Afzal Malik’s question, Have we learnt from 1971, I would say, No we didn’t learn. The trained army generals who orchestrated crimes against humanity, systematic and mass killings, rape, arson, etc, went unpunished at home and abroad even after being defeated. The blame game could be contained had they been tried, now we all have to take the shame from a handful leaders’ madness.

Besides politics, when a white bearded 80 year old Muslim leader delivers religious speech in the name if Islamic party there remains questions: was he a rapist in 1971 and now taking refuge behind religion and white beard, since we didn’t try and cleanse the criminals from the good ones.

Another example that we didn’t learn from 1971 is that the first question I face in Vancouver when I meet any Muslim family, even before taking a seat they ask, do you speak Urdu? Asking this question is fine but expecting that by default or getting surprised that an East Indian ethnic Muslim can’t speak Urdu proves our huge lack of knowledge on geography and culture.

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011 L E T T E R S

&

O P I N I O N S

Veil Ban may violate the Canadian Charter

Be Careful!

By: Quratulain Bajwa, Surrey

A few words of caution for this holiday season as the bad guys want to make money to o…

1. When you get a call or email, that you are not expecting, and/or, from someone whom you already do not know, please red flag it in your mind and approach with caution. If it was legitimate the person will call you again or send another email.

2. If someone calls to tell you that your computer has issues and they can fix it.

Please hang up as they will try to convince you that they are legitimate and that they know your computer. Always ask for their number and call back to verify if in doubt.

I got a call from a not so gentle man, which he said was from Microsoft Technical Services Department (they will try to sound legitimate), LA, Canada and then corrected it to California that my computer had problems and they can fix them for me for free.

This is a RED FLAG! 3. We should not give any information (passwords, date of Birth, secret questions, Pins, and credit card numbers to name a few) to anyone over the phone or email.

Please report any suspicious activity right away if you receive a call or an email.

4.Please ignore emails from DHL, Purolator, Banks, Your real friend asking for money as they are trapped in a situation, and Google search the email’s keywords to find out if it is a hoax or not.

All that said above is a generaized form of specific incidents. Please use your own

By Gulshan Aalani best judgement at that moment to assess the One of the best visible apparel of acts, and situation and the action that you choose.

For any elaboration or specific advice the most important characters please contact me. of a good person is having a perfect Islamic Happy New Year and Best Wishes!! social etiquette, that

A Calgary-based Imam says Muslims are being attacked in the same way Jews were before Hitler ordered their extermination.

Syed Soharwardy, founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada, says a regulation change requiring Muslim women to remove their niqabs and burkas when swearing the oath to become a Canadian amounts to Muslim bashing.

From intimidating and bad-mouthing the Muslim faith and belittling the Koran and Muslim beliefs, he drew a parallel with the treatment of Jews in Germany.

“Muslims are going through that situation right now that the Jews faced before the Holocaust,” Soharwardy told CFCN TV in Alberta.

“That was going on in Germany before the Holocaust, same thing is happening now about Muslims. So this is absolutely an alarming situation.”

A Queen’s University expert on constitutional law specializing in women’s rights says Kenney is conforming regulations to “his stereotype of the ‘good’ Canadian woman.”

And professor Bev Baines said the changes could violate the Charter.

“The Charter should protect women who wear the niqab when they assert a nexus between their right to gender equality and their right to freedom of religion,” she says.

Shahina Siddiqui, executive director of Winnipeg’s Islamic Social Services Association, said Kenney has pushed the envelope too far.

“People need to pay attention because today it is the niqab, tomorrow we could have a minister who doesn’t like nose rings….Like, where do you draw the line?”

Kenney says the issue is not about religion, and says if Muslim women don’t like the changes they picked the wrong country to call home.

“This decision underscores the essentially public nature of the oath,” he said in the Commons.

“It also underscores our belief in social cohesion and such democratic values as the equality of men and women and our equality before the law.”

Source: International Islamic News Agency ( IINA)

‘ISLAMIC ETIQUETTE’

consists of good manners, and respect of others. Loss of good manners and respect of others is the sign of Jahiliya/ignorance, as well bad behavior is the sign of a faithless bully.

Among many other Islamic law of ethics, moral values, social etiquette, best of behavior, humility, sympathy, empathy, and kindness, established and practiced even in the pre-Islamic period by Prophet Muhammad (SAS) that is confirmed by Almighty Allah-creator-GOD. Quran 68: 4- “And thou standest on an exalted standard of character”.

21: 107, 108- “WE sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures: say: “what has come to me by inspiration is that your GOD is One GOD will ye therefore bow to HIS will in Islam”? SubhanAllah, the following words of truth spoken by Prophet-Messenger Muhammad (SAS): “The best of you are those who possess the best manners.”

“On the Day of Recompense nearest to me will be one who displays in one’s daily life the best of manners.”

“On the Day of Reckoning the most weighty item in the ‘Balance of Deeds’ will be good manners.”

Once a Companion asked the Prophet, “What is there that takes a Muslim to Paradise? ” The Prophet replied, “Fear of God and good manners.”

The Prophet, again, is reported to have said, “A Muslim with good manners and good moral disposition gets the same reward as he who fasts (permanently) during the day and spends his nights in prayer.”

The practice of Circumcision is a characteristic of the Fitra.

Abu Huraira – Sahih Bukhari 7.72.779

Importance of Mother Tongue

By Aftab Alam, Vancouver What I find in the Western World that a real effort is made to teach the children in their mother tongue. Unfortunately in Pakistan it has been always in foreign languages. In Punjab it has been taught in Urdu or English. In my younger days when was in class six or seven I remember that most of the students were cramming up answers because they could not remember in their mother tongue. Recently Quam Ali Shah gave a statement that now children in Sindh will be learning in Chinese. I cannot understand how you can do this to children of that province Sindh. They should be learning in Sindhi and nothing else. The purpose is to impart knowledge and not create more problems. I literally cried when I heard this statement that how can Chief Minister of Sindh can do this injustice to his own children. In Canada in Province of Quebec which has strong ties to France education is imparted in French, why in rest of Canada it is given in English.

I realize that Pakistan’s conditions are not the same as the West and we cannot copy everything what we see outside of Pakistan.

However it is imperative that children must be taught in Pushtu in Province of Pakhtun Khoa. In Baluchistan it should be taught in Baluchy and in Karachi in Urdu because it is a huge Urdu population as well as in Pushtu because now there is a fairly large number of Pakhtun’s. I once again want to emphasize that in the province of Sindh children to should be taught in Sindhi and nothing else.

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

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

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16

local

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Canadian Immigration, a Year in review -2011!

By Mumtaz Khan (Immigration Consultants) As the year comes to a close, I wanted to review for you some of the major changes made to our immigration laws and regulations.

Minister of Immigration, the Rt. Hon. Jason Kenney, has been very active, nay, prolific, and laws have been changing at a breathtaking pace.

This constant evolution has been a little difficult to keep track of, but I have tried to highlight some of the changes. Please note the fact that they are in no particular order of importance, but just my choice of order.

1. Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants replaced by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council: Of course, I would start with this; 2011 saw the Jason Kenney enacting legislation to remove the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants as the regulator of immigration consultants in Canada and replacing it with the ICCRC - the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. CSIC’s most serious problems had to do with poor governance and a wilfully unaccountable leadership, in particular the six-year chairmanship of John Ryan. He ran CSIC as though it were his own private fiefdom.

2.Changes to Family Class Immigration

Rules: Jason Kenney has already stopped sponsorship of parents and grandparents, for two years, apparently, but I suspect it will not be reopened.

A new “Parent and Grandparent Super Visa” was introduced as a multiple entry visa with a maximum validity of 10 years (renewed every 2 years). Processing times are expected to average 8 weeks and parents/grandparents will be required to obtain private health care coverage and meet other admissibility criteria. The minister has made changes to spousal sponsorship, which includes a new category of permanent residents. Persons who are sponsored to come to or remain in Canada as a spouse, common law or conjugal partner will have a “conditional” permanent residency status for two years, after acceptance. If the new spouse, common law or conjugal partner leaves their sponsor during the two years following immigration, the new spouse, common law or conjugal partner resident will face removal and deportation procedures where Immigration authorities determine that the relationship behind the sponsorship was not genuine. The persons, who themselves have been sponsored to Canada as a spouse, common law or conjugal partner, will be barred from sponsoring a new (second) spouse, common law or conjugal partner for a period of five years following the date the now new sponsor originally gained permanent residency. This will apply even if the person has become a

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Canadian citizen. Lastly, the government is enlarging the list of violent crimes which will make a person ineligible to sponsor any family member, not just spouses, for a period of five years following completion of sentence for the conviction.

3. The Federal Skilled Worker Program: The Program further limited the number of new applications to 10,000 a year, with a maximum of 500 new applications in each of the current 29 priority occupations.

4. The Federal Immigrant Investor Program: The Investor program was closed temporarily until next year after a new annual cap of application numbers was imposed. The Federal Entrepreneur Program was also suspended until further notice.

5. Provincial Nominee Programs: The Government continued to allow provinces to select immigrants who best meet their region’s labour market needs. With Federal Programs becoming more and more restrictive, the Provinces are taking up the slack.

6. Reform to Refugee Laws: The law was enacted in 2010, and was supposed to take effect in December, 2011, now scheduled to take effect June 2012. It gives civil servants the power to make decisions with regards to Refugee Protection, and the whole decision making process is supposed to be completed within 60 days.

There will be a paper appeal available to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD), but generally it is proposed that failed claim-

ants will be deported within 6 to 8 months.

The Minister is also going to designate countries that are “Safe Country of Origin (SCO)”. You can make a claim if you are from these countries, BUT Refugee Appeal Division appeals will not be available.

7. Niqab Rules introduced to ban Muslim Face Coverings During Citizenship Ceremonies: The government’s introduced at the beginning of December that it will prevent Muslim women from wearing face coverings during citizenship ceremonies. These are just a few of the changes that occurred in 2011.

My predictions for 2012 are: a) Federal Skilled Worker category being reduces even further to 5000 per year; b) Introduction of a payment of $75,000 to fast track applications for parents and Grandparents; c) Québec will attract more immigrants in 2012; d) More deportations of permanent residents; e) Changes to the RPD, IAD and ID; f) Increase in provincial nominee immigration programs; g) Mandatory English or French tests for people who want to become Canadian Citizens; h) Court challenges to a number of Immigration laws; i) More refusals of PNP cases by the Central Intake Office; for info email: khan@mkco.ca

Syria : Continued from pg 1

ing to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (a London-based group), which also reported demonstrations in Bab Dreib and Jub al-Jandali districts. At least 34 civilians were reportedly killed in Homs’ Baba Amro district on Monday. The UN estimates more than 5,000 people have been killed in the crackdown since anti-government protests began in mid-March. The Syrian government says most of the violence has been perpetrated by “armed terrorist groups” that are working against the government.

Source: Al-Jazeera

ferred perhaps hundreds of detainees to offlimits military sites to hide them from Arab League monitors now in the country,” read an HRW statement. Activists on Tuesday said Syrian police used tear gas to disperse an estimated 70,000 people who took to the streets of Homs as the observers visited.

Some demonstrators were fired at with live ammunition as they made their way to Sa’a square, and four were wounded, one seriously. Before joining the march on Al-Sa’a square, tens of thousands staged a sit-in in the al-Khalidiyeh neighbourhood, accord-

Muslim Business Council of BC “partners” with The Salvation Army this Saturday, December 31, 2011. The aim is to reach out to the community and provide food and assistance to people in need, in an atmosphere of dignity and respect.

MBC is a group of community-minded and caring people, giving limited emergency help to some of our neighbours who are temporarily in need of something as basic as food!

“The support from our sponsors and volunteers for donation and their time has been overwhelming ever since the information was released on the councils face book” said Bobby Ibrahim. “The objective is to continue our partnership with The Salvation Army”. The strong support from the community goes to ensure that we will be able to continue with this noble cause through out the lower mainland, and that could be on special celebrations such as Eid Al-Fitr, Thanksgiving and Christmas” said Ibrahim.

MBC is greatly thankful to Bobby Ibrahim for his continued efforts in promotion of MBC and signing new members in our support!

Thank You Our Sponsors!

We would like to extend a special thank you to those whose generosity helps make it possible for us to keep feeding the hungry in our area.

Become a Sponsor If you’d like to become a sponsor and a member, please contact us at 604.325.4451 Muslim Business Council Unit# 202-3457 Kingsway Ave, Vancouver BC V5R 5L5 Phone(604) 325-4451, Fax (604) 325-4473 www.MBCouncil.com

17

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

M. Khan & Co.

Citizenship and Immigration Consultants We Know Immigration Matters!

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

Mumtaz Khan

RCIC, Registre Québécois des Consultants

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

member of ICCRC

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

Web: www.mkco.ca

18

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

19

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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21

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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22

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Sprint Break Umrah package 11 days

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

25

lifestyle

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

What employees want more than a raise in 2012

Well shock me, shock me, shock me. New numbers from the Corporate Executive Board’s quarterly study of 20,000 employees over the second half of 2011 took a look at the biggest driver of employee retention – that is, the reasons people choose to stay loyal to their company – and found that it’s not about the money in the post-recession workforce.

Good news for cash-strapped employers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t strategies to put in place to keep workers sticking around in

the New Year.

“Even with all of the bad news about the labour market, the reality is that it’s starting to get better, and for the highest potential talent it’s still an incredibly competitive market,” says Brian Kropp, managing director of the CEB’s corporate leadership council. “What companies need to be thinking about now when considering these employees is recovering from a lot of the wounds that they’ve inflicted upon their workforces over the past few years.”

In other words, make it up to them. Before it’s too late.

“Employees have weathered years of slower pay increases, furloughs, cuts in

compensation, cuts in benefits, increased pressure and additional workloads,” Mr. Kropp says. Now that they’re recognizing the signs of improvement, companies need to address that, either through compensation increases or other key drivers of employee engagement, as identified by the group’s study, released last week.

But lucky for cash-strapped companies, they don’t have to bust budgets to keep employee engagement up in the new year.

The top drivers for employee retention are: 1. Job-interest alignment 2. Manager quality 3. Co-worker quality 4. People management 5. Respect 6. Collegial work environment “There are things that get people to stay at a company and there are things that get people to leave and join a different company,” says Mr. Kropp, whose research shows that while compensation doesn’t even factor into the top 10 for retention, it does rank number one on the list of reasons people leave for greener, presumably better-paying pastures.

When it comes to keeping employees both engaged and loyal though, Mr. Kropp’s data shows that happiness can’t be bought with just a bigger paycheck. “It’s interesting to see what’s changed over the last couple of years,” he says. Coming out of the economic downturn, it seems priorities have shifted away from the dollars and cents of paycheques and towards more

intangible elements of work.

With massive organizational redesigns taking place over the past few years, Mr. Kropp says that the likelihood employees are doing the jobs they were originally hired for is lower than ever before, making what he calls “job-interest alignment” a huge issue for corporations hoping to hold on to talent.

“Making sure people are doing jobs they’re interested in is key,” he says, and says it’s a quicker fix than many companies think.

“Surprisingly you don’t have to let employees have complete control over their roles to meet their expectations,” he says. All it takes is a little bit of manipulation. “By giving employees small choices and just the littlest bit of control over even a single element on their to-do list, it dramatically increases the feeling that they’re doing the job they want to be doing.”

It’s interesting to note that a full 50 per cent of the top retention drivers are about people. Specifically, colleagues, co-workers and the corporate environment. Mr. Kropp says this, too, is something his company has seen grow increasingly important as a result of the recession. “What we’ve seen is that the amount of hours that people are working has increased by about 10 per cent over the last three years,” he says. The average full-time employee is working about 46-47 hours a week, up from about 42 in 2007. “So when I’m at work almost an extra hour each day, I really want to work with better quality people.”

“We find that the quality of my peers is just

as important as the quality of my manager in terms of getting me engaged and keeping me with the company,” he says.

But since you can’t force employees to get along, short of firing the social misfits in the group, strategies for increasing the “quality” of managers and employees in the workforce are tricky, Mr. Kropp says.

The smartest companies are increasing attention to group activities, but he says it’s not simply about reinvesting in the company party. Community service projects are en vogue, as are peer mentoring opportunities, which have become great tools not just for encouraging a team mindset but for time-pressed managers to delegate authority to their employees.

In summation of the data set, Mr. Kropp says that it’s not surprising that compensation doesn’t top the list. According to him, employees are beginning to place greater emphasis on the value or quality of the work that they do than they ever have before. “It’s a real shift,” he says. “At a very macro level.”

People are shifting their viewpoints towards asking themselves whether their job really matters, a trend he thinks will only become more relevant in years to come.

“If I were to roll the clock ahead a year or two, I think we’re going to see a workforce that’s asking themselves: ‘Am I just a person doing a job, or am I a person that’s making a difference?’”

Source: Globe and Mail

Snow and ice control on Surrey roads

With the official beginning of winter on Dec 21, we brace ourselves for winter conditions on slippery roads. Here is a reminder from City of Surrey Engineering Department about driving in winter conditions being republished from last year.

As winter approaches we all need to be extra cautious of slippery road conditions due to snow and ice. Between late fall and early spring, the City carries out snow and ice operations for its streets on a priority basis.

First Priority: Our main efforts focus on First Priority routes, defined as; Arterial Roads, Major Collector Roads, Bus Routes and roads with steep hills (regardless of road classification). 24 hour sanding and salting operations are carried-out on First Priority Routes as long as adverse weather or driving conditions exist. Snow plowing operations commence once snow accumulation reaches 100 mm (4 inches).

Second and Third Priority Routes: Snow and ice management operations continue onto Second and Third Priority Routes only after adverse weather conditions subside and all First Priority routes are cleared for safe motor vehicle passage.

• Second Priority Routes are defined as local connector roads in residential subdivisions.

These roads are typically over 200 meters in length and connect local traffic with either an arterial or major collector roadway. All Second Priority work is performed during normal work hours only.

• Third Priority Routes are defined as all remaining local residential roads. Third Priority Routes will only be maintained after all First and Second Priority routes are completed and driving conditions are deemed to be safe. The City Engineer uses his discretion in determining if third priority work is required. Third Priority work is carried out during normal work hours only.

If snow continues to fall and conditions worsen on arterial roads, resources and equipment may revert back to clearing First Priority routes.

Please use extreme caution when driving in adverse weather conditions. Under severe conditions stay off the roads altogether if possible, particularly during the morning and/or afternoon rush hours. Excessive

vehicular traffic on the roadway during severe conditions is dangerous and it inhibits effective snow removal operations resulting in lengthy commute times.

To ensure passage of City snowplows on your street, we ask that you refrain from parking your vehicle along the curb during snowfalls. If this is not possible, we ask that you please make an attempt at coordinating efforts with your neighbours to park vehicles along the same side of the street within your neighbourhood.

Please note that during snow removal operations, the snow is plowed toward the road-edge. Accordingly, this may result in some driveways and/or sidewalks being blocked by the plowed snow. We apologize for this inconvenience; however, in some cases this is unavoidable. Should this occur along your property frontage, we ask that you remove the snow by shoveling it back onto the adjacent snow piles (don’t shovel it back onto the middle of the roadway).

With regards to garbage & recycling collection during snow events, residents must ensure not to place their waste receptacles on the roadway where snow plowing may take place. Also, please note that prolonged snowfall combined with icy conditions may result in delayed garbage and recycling collection. .

Should this occur, the City will make every effort to resume collection the following day, or allow residents to place double their weekly limit at curbside the following week.

If you are aware that a catch basin exists in front of your property, please help us by ensuring to keep it clear especially during melting conditions. Blocked catch basins may result in excess accumulation of water along the road area, a situation that could become dangerous if it subsequently freezes. It may also result in flooding of adjacently properties depending on the extent of the blockage and the amount of

melting snow.

Finally, for your safety and the safety of others, please remember to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk fronting your property and from your pathways.

Thank you for your patience, cooperation

W O R L D Sitara Akbar, an 11-year-old resident of Chiniot, resident of a small town Chiniot (Punjab, Pakistan) set a world record by passing O-level English, Mathematics and Science.

This is not the first time that the eleven-year-old girl from Chanab area of Chiniot had dazzled the world with her brilliance. She had passed O-level Chemistry in nine years of age, hitting a record in Pakistan.

Sitara then went ahead and succeeded in setting her first world record after pass-

and understanding. If you have any inquiries regarding the City’s Snow & Ice Control Operations, please contact the City of Surrey’s Engineering-Operations Division at 604-5914152.

R E C O R D

ing O-level Biology at the age of 10. Sitara Akbar recently pushed the bar up for the world by hitting a new record by passing English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in O-level.

26

Health

Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Should I use cough syrup?

By Luisa Dillner Most people get coughs when they have caught a cold. It is nature’s way of protecting our airways, a reflex response to any irritation in our throat. But because coughs are so annoying, especially when we’re hacking away at night, we’d rather get rid of them, hence our love of syrupy cough medicines. But do they actually work or are we just wasting our money?

The solution A cough can linger for up to two weeks, because the upper airways are inflamed by the cold virus and mucus trickling down the back of the throat. Cough syrups either try to suppress it or help you to cough up phlegm. Cough suppressants contain pholcodeine or dextromethorphan, which tell the brain to stop the coughing reflex.

They can make you dizzy and sleepy, which is fine if you are staying in bed, but not so good if you are driving. Expectorants that help to bring up phlegm contain ipecacuanha or guaifenesin but they can make you feel sick, drowsy and give you a headache.

Some cough medicines contain antihistamines, which aim to dampen down the allergy-type symptoms of a cold, by stopping your eyes and nose from running. However

they can also make you sleepy, hallucinate and give you palpitations. Even if you’re happy to risk these side effects, there is no guarantee that cough syrups will stop you from coughing (although they might do so by making you fall asleep). Research says there is no clear evidence they either work or don’t work.

In 2009, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) said that coughs and cold syrups with these types of ingredients should not be given to children under the age of six, because the risks outweigh any benefits. While it sounds like a good idea to give children with raging coughs and colds a medicine that makes them tired, sometimes it makes them too sleepy. Syrups containing codeine are best avoided in children as they essentially sedate you, and children vary in how quickly they metabolise the drug. In adults these syrups are less risky, but there is still no evidence that they work. A review of available research by the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group, said that the studies done so far were small, often of poor quality and gave conflicting results.

What should you take?

A 2007 study by the Pennsylvania State University, suggested that a dose of honey

10 Healthy Foods Under $1

By Elaine Magee, MPH Most of us don’t need to hear it or read it ... we have felt it in our wallets every time we’ve gone to the grocery store. But just because food prices are rising doesn’t mean you can’t make healthy food choices. The good news is that many foods that are good for you are also cheap. Here is our list of the top healthy foods you can find in your grocery store for under a dollar. Prices may vary based on the store, location, and time of year.

1. Apples : Great for: Snacks, green salads, main dish salads, and fruit salads. What’s a serving? 1 large apple. Price per serving: About $1. Apples sell for about $1.99 per pound, and an extra large crisp apple weighs about 1/2 pound. Nutrition Info per serving: 117 calories, 5 grams fiber, 17% Daily Value for vitamin C, and 7% Daily Value for potassium.

2. Bananas : Great for: Snacks and fruit salads, yogurt parfaits, and smoothies. What’s a serving? 1 banana. Price per serving: About 45 cents. Bananas sell for about $0.89 per pound, and a large banana weighs about 1/2 pound. Nutrition Info per serving: 121 calories, 3.5 grams fiber, 14% Daily Value for potassium (487 mg), 20% Daily Value for vitamin C. 3. Baby Carrots (in bags) : Great for: Snacks, casseroles, stews, veggie platters, and side dishes. What’s a serving? About 1/2 cup or 2 ounces raw. Price per serving: 19 cents. A 16-ounce bag costs about $1 on sale and contains about 8 servings (2 ounces each). Nutrition Info per serving: 27 calories, 2 grams of fiber, 200% Daily Value for vitamin A, and 7% Daily Value for vitamin C. 4. Canned Beans : Great for: Green salads, casseroles, stews, and chili. Types of beans range from 50% less sodium kidney beans and black beans to white beans and garbanzo beans. What’s a serving? Each can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings. Price per serving: About 28 cents. You can buy a 15-ounce can for about $1 on sale. Nutrition Info per serving: About 120 calories (for kidney beans), 7 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, and 6% Daily Value for calcium, and 10% Daily Value for iron.

5. Canned Tomatoes : Great for: Italian and Mexican recipes, chili, stew, and casseroles.

Flavor options range from no-salt-added sliced stewed tomatoes to diced tomatoes with garlic and olive oil. What’s a serving?

One can contains about 3.5 (1/2-cup) servings. Price per serving: About 28 cents. You can buy a 14.5-ounce can for about $1 on

sale (often less for store brands). Nutrition Info per serving: About 25 calories, 1 gram fiber, 10% Daily Value of vitamin A, and 15% Daily Value of vitamin C. 6. Oranges (extra large navel oranges) : Great for: Snacks, green salads, and fruit salads. What’s a serving? 1 large or extra large orange. Price per serving: 40 cents for a large orange and 79 cents for an extra large orange. Oranges sell for around $0.79 per pound, and a large orange is about 1/2 pound, whereas an extra large orange is about 1 pound.

Nutrition Info per serving: (for an 8 ounce orange): 106 calories, 5.5 grams fiber, 10% Daily Value for vitamin A, 200% Daily Value vitamin C, 17% Daily Value for folate, 9% Daily Value for calcium, and 12% potassium.

7. Pears : Great for: Snacks, as an appetizer with cheese, green salads, and fruit salads.

What’s a serving? 1 large pear. Price per serving: about 45 cents for a large pear. Pears sell for about $0.90 per pound, and a large pear weighs about 1/2 pound. Nutrition Info per serving: 133 calories, 7 grams of fiber, 16% Daily Value for vitamin C, and 8% for potassium.

8. Lentils (dry) Great for: Soups and stews, cold bean salads, and casseroles. What’s a serving? 2 ounces (dry).Price per serving: 14 cents. A 16 ounce bag sells for $1.12 (on sale) and contains eight servings. Nutrition Info per serving: 195 calories, 14 grams protein, 6 grams fiber, 24% Daily Value for Iron, 10% Daily Value for magnesium and potassium.

9. Pearl Barley (dry) : Great for: Soups and stews, cold salads, and casseroles. What’s a serving? 2 ounces (dry) Price per serving: About 12 cents. A 16 ounce bag of dry pearl barley sells for about $0.94 and contains about 8 servings. Nutrition Info per serving: 199 calories, 9 grams fiber, 2.5 grams soluble fiber, 6 grams protein, 8% Daily Value for iron, and 11% Daily Value for magnesium.

10. Yogurt (plain, lowfat, or fat-free) : Great for: Smoothies, yogurt parfait, dips, and dressings. What’s a serving? An 8-ounce or 6-ounce container is usually a serving.

Price per serving: 60 cents. This is usually the price for an 8-ounce container of plain yogurt. Nutrition Info per serving: (for 8 ounces of fat-free plain yogurt): 130 calories, 13 grams of protein, 45% Daily Value for calcium, plus active cultures such as acidophilus and bifidus.

at night was better than cough syrups (however the study was funded by the honey industry). What it really showed was that honey was better than no treatment at all, in reducing how often the observed children coughed (not how severe the cough was).

But since honey tastes good, slips down a treat with hot water and lemon, and won’t harm you (although it shouldn’t be given to babies under one because of a rare risk of infant botulism), I’d say that it is safer than cough syrups. Combine it with paracetamol to relieve the pain.

Evidence from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews on the effectiveness of echinacea, vitamin C or zinc to treat coughs and colds concludes that they don’t stop you coughing or make your cold better.

Not all coughs are due to viral infections. If a cough lasts for longer than two weeks or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever or coughing up blood, or in a child sounds like barking, see a doctor.

Should I go to work with a cold?

Your head feels as if it’s made of chewing gum, your nose is dripping like a broken tap and someone has rubbed sandpaper down the back of your throat. You’ve got a cold – the first of between two and five that you’re likely to get this year. You curse that man at work who sneezed all over you in the lift the other day. If your toddler catches this cold you’ll get no sleep for a week. Don’t people with colds realize they should keep them to themselves? But what do you do?

Do you stay at home to stop others catching it, or head to work because you’ve got an important meeting and you don’t want your colleagues to have to cover for you?

Colds are caused by viruses and last on average seven days, usually causing symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, loss of appetite, tiredness and, occasionally, a slight fever.

NEW ADDRESS

Professor Ronald Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University says that it’s fine to go into work if you feel well enough. “If people didn’t go into work when they had colds, the UK economy would grind to a halt over winter,” he says. It isn’t selfish to take your cold to work with you because most colds, he points out, are caught at home, where we spend hours huddled up to each other on the sofa and in bed. Colds are so ubiquitous you can’t escape them and if you are exposed to a cold virus it doesn’t mean you will inevitably catch it.

But you are likely to be less productive at work – so if possible avoid jobs that need mental or manual effort for the first couple of days of your cold. If you work with elderly people or young children you need to assess the risk more thoroughly – although both groups will be exposed to colds from many sources. And stay away from anyone who has a chronic respiratory problem or who is on chemotherapy – for them a cold virus can be seriously harmful. Be hygienic at work too – cough and sneeze into tissues and wash your hands often and thoroughly. You are most infectious when you have the early symptoms of coughing, sneezing and a dripping nose.

(Eccles says we should send our children to school with colds too, if they feel well enough to go and don’t have a fever.) Eccles’ studies in Cardiff show that out of 1,000 people with colds, only a couple will have a fever. If you do get one, or feel dizzy or unwell, then you should rest for a day and not go into work. For some people who are self-employed or worried about job security this may not be an option, in which case you should drink soothing cups of hot water, lemon and honey and have a nice steam when you get home (stick your head over a bowl of hot water with a bit of Olbas oil in it, put a towel over your head and the bowl, and inhale) as well as an early night.

Unit 205B 12837- 76 Ave Surrey

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Issue 300 - Safar 5, 1433 / December 30, 2011

Sidney Crosby still feeling concussion symptoms

The Pittsburgh Penguins finally acknowledged what has seemed obvious for weeks: Sidney Crosby is having concussion symptoms. Crosby is exercising lightly, much as he did during his nearly 11-month concussion layoff earlier this year, and there is no timetable for his return. It is almost the same scenario the Penguins have dealt with for nearly a year, except for the brief twoweek window in which Crosby returned earlier this season. Crosby hasn’t talked to reporters since Dec. 12, when he said he was experiencing headaches — one of the side effects of his previous concussion. He suggested after missing a two-game road trip that he was only being cautious, and that he might return soon. The 24-year-old Crosby also said he felt much better than he did when he was initially hurt in January but, until Wednesday, neither he nor the Penguins had updated his status since then.

Regardless of whether this is a new or a recurring concussion, this is exactly what the Penguins feared when Crosby made his stunning return with a two-goal, fourpoint night against the Islanders on Nov.

21. Namely, that the player seemingly destined to be this era’s version, albeit a lesser-scoring one, of Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux might have his spectacular career greatly shortened or diminished by the same injury that has affected three dozen NHL players this season alone. In that Dec. 5 game, Crosby absorbed several hard but routine hits, including an elbow from forward David Krejci. That such a hit, or hits, could cause further problems are becoming a worry to the Penguins because it might mean that even a seemingly insignificant hit in the future might trigger such a response. Already this season, the Penguins have lost Crosby, star defenceman Kris Letang, defencemen Zbynek Michalek and Robert Bortuzzo and forward Tyler Kennedy to concussions. Letang, off to a strong start with three goals and 16 assists in 22 games, hasn’t played since being jarred by a hit from the Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty on Nov. 26. Letang’s nose was broken on the play, yet he returned to score the game-winning goal in overtime after being cleared by a doctor to return.

Around the NHL, stars such as Chris Pronger, Claude Giroux, Shea Weber and Jeff Skinner have dealt with or are dealing with concussions. Pronger, one of hockey’s most physical and effective defencemen, won’t play again this season.

Weber, of Nashville, is the latest star to go down. Bylsma said it is becoming one of the least-pleasant chores of any NHL coach, to be constantly discussing concussions. Letang’s return also doesn’t appear to be imminent. While Bylsma said he is feeling better, Letang still isn’t skating again. Letang is one of the NHL’s most offensively skilled defencemen, and his absence also creates a void in a team that is playing well but could be better still without two of the NHL’s best players. And as good as Crosby was during his brief return — two goals and 10 assists in eight games — the words Crosby and concussion are becoming increasingly interlinked. While his teammates say they

will remain patient — “He’ll be back when he’s back,” as Pascal Dupuis said — the Penguins are beginning to understand that Coping Without Crosby might be the unwanted theme to this season. Since Crosby experienced hard hits in successive games Jan. 1 and 5, he has played in only eight of their last 69 regular-season games. The Penguins are 39-22-8 during his absence, a remarkably good record considering the level of star they are missing, and 21-11-4 this season.

Source: National Post

Patrick Chan named Postmedia male athlete of the year Competition on the ice and controversy off it were no match for Patrick Chan in 2011. The figure skating star from Toronto handled each with aplomb during a season that was one for the ages. Chan, 20, went undefeated in 2011, winning gold medals at all five ISU World Cup events and won the world and Canadian championships in record fashion. As a result, Chan was voted the Postmedia News male athlete of the year, as voted on by sports editors and reporters from across the country. ``It’s been quite a year,’’ Chan said. ``A bit of a rollercoaster ride, but quite a smooth one.

When things go as planned, it doesn’t seem as big of a shock.’’ Chan received 62 per cent of the first-place votes and 145 points - 10 points were awarded for a first-place vote, six for a second-place pick and three for a third-place selection - in running away with the award.

Shot put athlete Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., finished second in the polling with 73 points. Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry was third with 48 points. ``For me, it’s been a testament to doing the right things off the ice, being proactive, avoiding injury and staying healthy and training smart,’’ said of his season. A harbinger of what Chan’s season would become came in January, at the national championships in Victoria.

Chan won his fourth straight Canadian title in dominant fashion. He put up 285.85 - a Canadian record - 55 points ahead of the pack. Chan was even better in Russia at the world championships, when he won the men’s title with 280.98 points, which included 93.02 in the short program and 187.96 in the long program

- all world records. After the summer break, Chan rattled off wins in Mississauga, Ont., at Skate Canada International in Mississauga, Ont., and in Paris at the Trophee Eric Bompard competition.

The season was not without controversy.

Just prior to the ISU Grand Prix Final in Quebec City, Chan drew fire for a Reuters story in which he seemed to indicate he felt under appreciated in Canada and was growing closer to his Chinese roots.

Chan addressed the controversy coolly and promptly, then went out can won gold again. ``If had happened a couple years ago, I definitely wouldn’t have handled it the way I did,’’ Chan said. ``It definitely would have affected me a lot worse. It was a great test. That’s experience and just being mature. ``I made a bit of a slip-up with that article but I think I learned a lessons from that, and it’s going to develop me as a person off the ice.’’ Chan said he was gratified that three of his victories this season came in Canadian cities, in front of a home crowd. ``Any time I’m in Canada, it’s memorable,’’ he said. ``Winning the Grand Prix Final title in Quebec City, that was really exciting. That was something I really cherished. I just stood there and was in awe of what was happening. I could feel the energy in the crowd - and I could feel the love. It was a special feeling that not many people get a chance to feel. ``Canada has great, great fans. It’s not hard to come back and skate in front of them. It’s great to come back to where it all started for me.’’ Heading in 2012, Chan hopes to stay on a roll.

Source: Vancouver Sun

Australia’s quicks craft 122-run win Australia’s fast bowlers. led by James Pattisson, bowled India out for 169 in their second innings to complete a 122 run win and take a 1-0 lead in the 4-match test series.

Amir Khan Wants Historic Title Fight in Pakistan While in Pakistan this week, former WBA/ IBF Jr Welterweight boxing champion Amir Khan discussed his desire to participate in a world title fight there sometime soon. Khan is currently in the region after accepting an invitation from Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) to attend the Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship. “This is a big event and I’m happy to have witnessed it,” Amir told reporters in Islamabad, Pakistan. In reference staging a big fight in Pakistan, Khan told BBC’s Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad, “It could happen definitely.” “There is so much support we have here. Muhammad Ali did it so many countries. In the Philippines he did it in Manila, he did it all over the place so why can’t we do it here in Pakistan? “That’s what my ambition is, to bring a huge world title fight to Pakistan and with the security and everything now I have to say it is amazing.

I’ve had no problems at all.” Three hours ago via Twitter, Khan left the following message: “Wow crazy in Pakistan. Got mobbed so bad outside the PC hotel couldn’t move, but they where very nice (and I) have time for my fans.” Pakistan has seen some success in boxing on the amateur level despite the lack of satisfactory equipment and (boxing) training facilities. Pakistani pugilists have won

medals in the Asian Games and Asian Boxing Championships ever since they started participating. In addition, they have won medals at the Commonwealth Games and participated in the Olympics. Some in Pakistan believe that if the nation’s amateur boxing program continues to progress at the accelerated pace it set forth 10 years ago, Pakistan will soon be among the elite nations for amateur boxing. Khan, a practicing Muslim, was born and raised in Bolton, England, in a BritishPakistani family. His family originated from Matore, Kahuta in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In addition to English, Khan speaks Punjabi and Urdu. Earlier this month, Khan lost his WBA and IBF Jr Welterweight titles to Lamont Peterson in Washington DC via a controversial split decision. Khan was deducted two points for pushing in Rounds 7 and 12 which proved to be the difference in the fight. Although Khan has challenged the ruling by appealing the points deductions, his request for a reversal will likely be denied. And while a rematch has yet to be confirmed, Lamont Peterson has expressed strong interest in fighting Khan again in the spring. Win or lose, Khan is likely to move up to welterweight (147lbs) after his rematch with Peterson, should it take place.

Source: Fight Saga

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