BC Canada
BRINGING HARMONY TO ALL THE COMMUNITIES
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012 - $1
Bi-Weekly & Bilingual
www.miraclenews.com
Myanmar strife victims flee to already packed camps; UN says latest unrest displaced 22,000
U.S. region hit by Sandy slowly resumes daily life, but thousands still trapped in homes People along the battered U.S. East Coast took the first cautious steps to reclaim their daily routines Wednesday, even as about 20,000 people remained trapped at home in a single New Jersey city and the search for victims continued. The superstorm’s death toll rose to at least 72. The New York Stock Exchange came back to life, and two major New York airports reopened to begin the long process of moving stranded travelers around the world. President Barack Obama landed in New Jersey, which was hardest hit by Monday’s hurricane-driven storm, and he took a helicopter tour of the devastation with Gov. Chris Christie. “We’re going to be here for the long haul,” Obama told people at one emergency shelter. For the first time since the storm pummeled the heavily populated Northeast, doing billions of dollars in damage, brilliant sunshine washed over New York City, for a while. At the stock exchange, running on generator power, Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave a thumbs-up and rang the opening bell to whoops from traders. Trading resumed after the first two-day weather shutdown since a blizzard in 1888. New York’s three major airports were expected to be open Thursday morning with limited flights. Limited service on the subway, which suffered the worst damage in its 108-year history, would resume Thursday. It was clear that restoring the region to its ordinarily frenetic pace could take days — and that rebuilding the hardest-hit communities and the transportation networks could take considerably longer. There were still only hints of the economic impact of the storm. Forecasting firm IHS Global Insight predicted it would cause $20 billion in damage and $10 billion to $30 billion in lost business. Another firm, AIR Worldwide, estimated losses up to $15 billion. About 6 million homes and businesses were still without power, mostly in New York and New Jersey. Electricity was out as far west as Wisconsin in the Midwest and as far south as the Carolinas.
In New Jersey, National Guard troops arrived in the heavily flooded city of Hoboken, just across the river from New York City, to help evacuate about 20,000 people still stuck in their homes and deliver ready-to-eat meals. Live wires dangled in floodwaters that Mayor Dawn Zimmer said were rapidly mixing with sewage. Tempers flared. A man screamed at emergency officials in Hoboken about why food and water had not been delivered to residents just a few blocks away. The man, who would not give his name, said he blew up an air mattress to float over to a staging area. As New York crept toward a semi-normal business day, morning rush-hour traffic was heavy as buses returned to the streets and bridges linking Manhattan to the rest of the world were open. A huge line formed at the Empire State Building as the observation deck reopened. Tourism returned, but the city’s vast and aging infrastructure remained a huge challenge. Power company Consolidated Edison said it could be the weekend before power is restored to Manhattan and Brooklyn, perhaps longer for other New York boroughs and the New York suburbs. Amtrak said the amount of water in train tunnels under the Hudson and East rivers was unprecedented, but it said it planned to restore some service on Friday to and from New York City — its busiest corridor — and would give details Thursday. In Connecticut, some residents of Fairfield returned home in kayaks and canoes to inspect widespread damage left by retreating floodwaters that kept other homeowners at bay. In New York, residents of the flooded beachfront neighbourhood of Breezy Point returned home to find fire had taken everything the water had not. A huge blaze destroyed perhaps 100 homes in the close-knit community where many had stayed behind despite being told to evacuate. Source: Vancouver Sun
Victims of Myanmar’s latest explosion of Muslim-Buddhist violence fled to already packed displacement camps along the country’s western coast, with a top U.N. official saying the unrest has forced more than 22,000 people from their homes. State television reported the casualty toll has risen to 84 dead and 129 injured over the past week in nine townships in Rakhine state. The figures have not been broken down by ethnic group, but New York-based Human Rights Watch has said Rohingya Muslims bore the brunt of the unrest and the true death toll may be far higher. On Sunday, wooden boats carrying some refugees arrived outside the state capital, Sittwe. The people trudged to the Thechaung camp, already home to thousands of Rohingya who took refuge there after a previous wave of violence in June. “I fled my hometown, Pauktaw, on Friday because there is no security at all,” said 42-year-old fisherman Maung Myint, who arrived on a boat carrying 40 other people, including his wife and six children. “My house was burned to ashes and I have no money left.” Another Muslim refugee said she fled her village, Kyaukphyu, on Thursday after attackers set her home on fire. “We don’t feel safe,” said 40-year-old Zainabi, a fish seller who left with her two sons, aged 12 and 14. “I wish the violence would stop so we can live peacefully.” Human Rights Watch released dramatic satellite imagery of Kyaukphyu on Saturday showing a vast, predominantly Rohingya swath of the village in ashes. The destruction included more than 800 buildings and floating barges. There were no reports of new violence Sunday. It was unclear what sparked the latest clashes, but ill will between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine state goes back decades and has its roots in a dispute over the Rohingya’s origins. Although many Roh-
Continued on pg 6
Youth pg 8
Imaad Ali researches Islamic History of North America
Special Fares for Pakistan by Gulf Air Line BC Reg. # 2322
1-800-663-6696
2
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
3
p a k i s t a n
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Drones violate sovereignty, Pakistan tells UN
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Tuesday termed the drone attacks counter-productive, unlawful, against international law, and violation of sovereignty as reported by Daily Times, Pakistan. In her opening statement at the 14th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the foreign minister said Pakistan strongly supports the promotion and application of universally recognized human rights. The country’s resolve and commitment to combat terrorism remained unwavering, she added. She said Pakistan as the chair of the OIC Group on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva has played a constructive role in building convergences between West and Islamic world on the most contentious and challenging issues in the Human Rights Council. She said Pakistan welcomes this engagement with the international community through an open and constructive dialogue on its human rights record in line with the provisions identified in the Institution Building Package. Khar thanked the “Troika” comprising Chile, China and Congo for facilitating Pakistan’s review. She said that following the restoration of democracy in 2008, Pakistan had taken a number of steps to restore the democratic nature of
state institutions. Today Pakistan is a functional democracy with an elected and sovereign parliament, an independent judiciary, a free media and a vibrant and robust civil society, she added. She said the reporting period 2008 to 2012 had been one of the most challenging in recent years for Pakistan. The country continued to face enormous challenges on different fronts, ranging from security and terrorism to economy, in addition to natural calamities. “Despite these serious challenges, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights,” Khar said. The foreign minister said there had been transformational changes in the legislative framework during the last four years. She mentioned passing of three constitutional amendments as part of an overarching compact between the country’s major political parties to engender long-term democratic values in the country, after the trauma of repeated military interventions. She stated that in April 2010, parliament unanimously passed the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, addressing the many imbalances of power that had entered the legislative framework at the behest of military governments. Among the key features of the 18th Amendment, she declared, were its strengthening of human rights. The Right to Education (Article 25A), Right to Information (Article 19A) and Right to Fair Trial (Article 10A) are now recognised as fundamental rights, which cannot be suspended, she added. She said the country also ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Convention against Torture (CAT) in June 2010. She said in August 2011, Pakistan ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Option Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. Khar said Pakistan has now ratified seven out of nine core international human rights treaties.
Pakistan’s cabinet approves liberal visa accord with India Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved four agreements signed with neighboring India, including a much-anticipated agreement on a liberalized visa regime aimed at promoting bilateral trade between the two countries, reported by Dawn.The cabinet’s ratification Wednesday came more than a month and a half after the agreement’s initial signing on Sept 8, during then Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna’s visit to Pakistan. The signing of the accord, which was ready in May, had initially been delayed because of Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s
UMER BUTT Real Estate Professional
Cell : 604-505-5452 umer_farooq_butt@hotmail.com
insistence on inking it at “the right time and at the appropriate level”. The liberalised visa accord allows for issuance of visas to the elderly and children on arrival. It facilitates visas for group tourists and allows for issuance of multiple-entry visas to businesspeople. The agreement is practically the first step towards easing the travel restrictions between the two countries since 1974, when the old visa regime came into force. The federal cabinet had already given a nod to the pact before it was signed by officials from both countries.
7832 - 120 St. Surrey Off : 604-572-1211
NOTARY PUBLIC
Shoaib Rauf T: (604) 596 1861 C: (778) 855 1861
shoaib.surrey@gmail.com
#220 -13711 72 Ave.Surrey; BC V3W 2P2 Buy/Sell your house with the No. 1 realtor of the year 2011 for Omax Realty Ltd
SHAHNAZ RAHMITULA
Abdul Qayyum
#201 -7288 137 Street, Surrey
Limited time offers. Some conditions may apply, please call for details
www.junaidiqbal.ca
NOTARY PUBLIC “Get the personal attention you deserve”
* Get $1000 for free when you refer anyone * Get a Free return air ticket at buy/sell a property
604-501-4700
Abdul Rauf galaxytravel@live.ca | www.galaxytravel.ca (President)
(Opposite Newton Wave Pool)
CGA
Special Offers:
We specialize in Pakistan, India, Middle East, Fiji, Europe
We do Hajj, Umrah packages, Cruises and Disney Land tours etc.
604-591-7171
Omax Realty Ltd C: 778-688-4777 9287 120th St. Delta BC www.abdulqayyum.com
Get a Free return ticket when you Buy or Sell your house with me. some conditions may apply. limited time offer
Asim Uqaili Mortgage Consultant
Tel 604-803-5707 Fax 604-677-5872 TF 1877-366-3487 www.mortgagealliance.com/asimuqaili
1st-2nd Mortgage Purchase Refinance Abbotsford 2-2488 Clearbrook Rd. 604-854-6088 Vancouver 6550 Fraser St. 604-324-2277 Surrey: Unit # 303, 8128-128th St. Surrey (Payal business centre) 604-584-1411
See Anis Shah in our Surrey Office
Lowest prices on airfares, tours and packages
Visit: www.bainstravel.com www.indiatour.ca www.cruiseconcepts.net
4
i n t e r n a t i o n a l
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Syrian regime intensifies deadly airstrikes
Airstrikes by Syrian jets and shells from tanks leveled a neighbourhood in a restive city near Damascus, the capital, reportedly killing 18 people, including four women and five children. Tuesday’s bombardment of the city of Douma, northeast of the capital, left residents scampering over a huge expanse of rubble and using their hands to dig up mangled bodies, according to activist videos posted online. The army also fired mortar bombs into the Damascus suburb of Hammouria, killing at least eight people, activists said. In Damascus city, Syrian fighter jets reportedly hit targets inside the capital for the first time on Tuesday, dropping four bombs on the neighbourhood of Jobar, near the opposition-held suburb of Zamalka, where rebel fighters were locked in fierce clashes with the army. There were no reports of casualties in the bombing run, which AFP news agency correspondents said was heard across the capital. Also on Tuesday, Syrian rebels claimed in an Internet statement they had assassinated an air force general in Damascus. State television said that Major General Abdullah Mahmud al-Khalidi, was killed in the northern Damascus district of Rukn al-Din by “terroritsts”. The general, who it said was in charge of training, as well as an air force intelligence specialist, was shot dead on Monday even-
ing as he left a friend’s home, a security source in Damascus told AFP on condition of anonymity. In the northwestern province of Idlib, activists said 28 civilians had been killed in the town of Maarat al-Numan and released video footage of men retrieving a toddler’s body from a flattened building. The army has been battling rebels for weeks for control of the town, which is on a key supply route between Damascus and the northern city of Aleppo. The latest violence came a day after what activists called the heaviest and most widespread bombing campaign nationwide. The death toll for what was supposed to be a four-day cease-fire between government forces and rebels exceeded 500. The truce, brokered by UNArab League envoy Lakhdar Ibrahimi, ended on Monday, and each side accused the other of violating it. Activists speculated that the government’s heavy reliance on air power reflected its inability to roll back rebel gains, especially in the north of the country near the border with Turkey, where rebels have control of swathes of territory. Tuesday also saw clashes between rebels and troops backed by Palestinian fighters at the Yarmuk refugee camp, home to 148,500 Palestinians on the edge of the capital. Anwar Raja, spokesman for the pro-Damascus Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-
General Command, said its forces clashed for about an hour with rebels trying to infiltrate the camp but that there were no casualties. There are more than 510,000 Palestinian refugees living in Syria, and their leadership is largely supportive of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Source: Al-Jazeera
African migrants ‘denied entry’ to Israel
Baghdad area hit by more deadly Eid attacks Israel has turned away dozens of African asylum-seekers, mostly Eritreans trying enter the country from Egypt, human rights groups have said. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and two Israeli NGOs said that “since June, Israeli forces patrolling Israel’s newly constructed border fence with Egypt’s Sinai region have denied entry to dozens of Africans, mostly Eritreans”. The numbers of rejected asylum seekers from Africa has increased at the Egypt-Israel Sinai border since Israel started the construction of a 250km fence running the length of its border with Egypt. The fence is due for completion by year-end. A report written by HRW, the Hotline for Migrant Workers and Physicians for Human Rights published on Sunday said Israeli soldiers allegedly denied food and water to migrants, beat them with fists and guns and pushed them across the Israel-Egypt border with long metal poles. The report was published just as Interior Minister Eli Yishai wrote a letter calling on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and the justice ministry to allow for the resumption of arrests of African migrants in Israel. Yishai, who only mentioned Sudanese migrants in the letter and not Eritreans, who make up the majority of the migrants in Israel, said, “as you know, the problem of infiltration to Israel is one of the most difficult and complicated problems which Israel has dealt with since the founding of the state, a problem which threatens our identity, character, and future”. It is estimated that more than 60,000 Africans are living in Israel illegally, most of them in run-down neighbourhoods of southern Tel Aviv. Most are Sudanese and Eritreans who entered from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Rising tensions over the growing number of illegal immigrants exploded in May when a protest in south Tel Aviv turned ugly, with demonstrators smashing African-run shops and property, chanting “Blacks out!” According to the rights groups’ report, the current Israeli policy “is forcing asylum seekers and refugees to remain in Egypt and in deporting others, Israel is putting them at risk of prolonged detention in Egyptian prisons and police stations where they cannot claim asylum.” They also face “forcible return to Eritrea, and serious abuse by traffickers in the Sinai region.” Source: Al-Jazeera
Riyadh industrial building hit by explosion An industrial building in eastern Riyadh was almost entirely destroyed by a large explosion on Thursday, a Reuters witness said. The building was almost levelled by the blast, with one corner left standing, the witness said. Nearby vehicles were on fire and at least five fire engines were arriving at the scene. The reason for the explosion was not immediately clear. Al Arabiya television reported that the blast was caused by a fuel truck exploding at a petrol station, and that there had so far been no news of casualties. The report could not immediately be confirmed. (Reuters) - (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Andrew Torchia)
Bombings in and around Baghdad have killed at least 15 people, just a day after a wave of attacks during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha resulted in Iraq’s highest death toll this month. The latest violence on Sunday targeted Shia Muslims, much like the shootings and bombings a day earlier, with the spate of attacks shattering a relative calm despite announcements by authorities that they would boost security during the four-day Eid break which began on Friday.
Obama’s dealing with storm could win U.S. election U.S. President Barack Obama, locked in a tight re-election bid, is joining with one of his top Republican critics Wednesday to visit victims of superstorm Sandy, giving Americans a highprofile display of presidential leadership while leaving rival Mitt -Romney awkwardly on the sidelines less than a week before Election Day. Obama will visit New Jersey, the state hardest hit by the storm that devastated much of the northeastern U.S., accompanied by Gov. Chris Christie. The governor has been one of Romney’s most prominent supporters but has been effusive in his praise of Obama’s response to the storm. Though Obama has officially suspended campaigning for three days and New Jersey is safe Democratic territory, the tour with Christie offers him clear electoral advantages. Obama can appear to be in command, directing U.S. aid and showing his concern about the storm’s victims. Romney, meanwhile, must walk a careful line. Aggressive attacks on Obama could appear unseemly during a national crisis. Yet he is running out of time to make his case to voters ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Polls show the candidates virtually tied. But the winner will be determined in state-by-state votes and a handful of states that are not clearly Democratic or Republican will determine the outcome. For the moment, Obama appears to have a slight lead in the state tallies. Obama’s campaign announced Wednesday he planned to resume campaign travel Thursday after a three-day pause with stops in Nevada,
Colorado and Wisconsin. The president’s actions have forced Romney to walk a careful line and make tough choices. The former Massachusetts governor must show respect for the superstorm’s
casualties all along the Eastern Seaboard, but he can ill afford to waste a minute of campaign time. After tamping down his partisan tone Tuesday at an Ohio event that chiefly emphasized disaster relief, Romney planned three full-blown campaign rallies Wednesday in Florida, the largest competitive state. Sandy largely spared Florida, so Romney calculates he can campaign there without appearing callous. The Obama campaign dispatched Vice-President Joe Biden to play defence in Florida Wednesday, with stops in smaller more conservative markets of Sarasota and Ocala aimed at narrowing the margin where
Continued on pg5
5
i n t e r n a t i o n a l
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Five British marines charged with murder
Five of Britain’s elite Royal Marines have been charged with murder “in relation to an incident which is alleged to have taken place in Afghanistan in 2011”, the defense ministry says. The five are among nine marines arrested - seven on Thursday and two in the past 48 hours. Four have been released without charge. Officials have said the incident involved an “engagement with an insurgent” in Helmand, where the majority of Britain’s 9,500 troops in Afghanistan are deployed. They say no civilians were involved. The five Marines “have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings”, a ministry spokesman said on Sunday. “Everybody serving in theatre knows the rules of engagement,” Philip Hammond, the defense secretary, said, vowing that “any abuse will be dealt with”. The London-based Guardian newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying: “The Royal Military police has referred the cases of the remaining five Royal Marines to the independent Service Prosecuting Authority. “Following direction from the SPA these marines have now been charged with murder and they remain in custody pending court proceedings. It would be inappropriate to comment further on this ongoing investigation.” During a six-month tour of duty in 2010, which lasted from April to October, seven servicemen from 3 Commando Brigade were killed
in action, all from 42 Commando, the Guardian added. The BBC and other outlets reported that the arrests stemmed from video footage found on the laptop of a British serviceman who had been arrested on an unrelated charge. Even though the incident does not involve a civilian, the case could cause a backlash from Afghans and further erode efforts to provide political stability to Afghanistan. The brigade believed to be involved in the incident was in the thick of the fighting with Taliban fighters during its deployment last year to Helmand, which lies in Afghanistan’s south. British troops operate under rules of engagement, largely derived from the Geneva Convention, that dictate under what circumstances they are allowed to open fire. Experts say the military has been strict about enforcing the rules after a disastrous period in Iraq, where there were multiple allegations of torture and abuse by British troops. The most notorious case involved a hotel receptionist, Baha Mousa, who died while in custody at a British base after being detained in a raid in Basra in September 2003. Britain’s defense authorities later apologized for the mistreatment of Mousa and nine other Iraqis and paid a $4.8m settlement. Six soldiers were cleared of wrongdoing at a court martial, while another pleaded guilty and served a year in jail. Also on Sunday, Philip Hammond, British defense secretary, said his nation will thousands of the 9,000 troops it contributes to the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan in early 2013. “I’d expect it will be significant, which means thousands, not hundreds, but I would not expect it to be the majority of our forces out by the end of next year....We will have by the beginning of 2013 we’ll have 9,000 troops there, and by the end of 2014 we’ll have virtually none, so I would expect there to be a significant step at the end of 2013,” said the Defense Secretary. Source: Al-Jazeera
Taxpayers still footing bill for losses to business during G8 and G20 summits More than two years after they caused major disruptions in Toronto and Muskoka, the 2010 G8 and G20 summits continue to cost Canadian taxpayers money. From a strip club to a national airline, dozens of businesses in the two locales received a combined $1.6 million in compensation in the last fiscal year for losses incurred because of the summits, according to figures tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday. While this is over and above the more than $800,000 that was handed out in 2010-11, the total is expected to be only the tip of the iceberg; the federal government received more than $11 million in claims. When it came to payouts, large companies generally made out better than smaller ones. Porter Airlines received the most compensation of any company at more than $145,000, likely for the impact the G20 summit had on its flights to the Toronto Island airport. Next was $95,000 for broadcaster Astral Media, whose Astral Media Outdoor subsidiary has a 20-year contract to supply the city of Toronto with its outdoor furniture. Hundreds of benches, garbage cans and other items were removed by the company for the duration of the G20 Summit to keep them from being used as weapons. After Porter and Astral Media were real estate company Oxford Properties Group at $88,000; Sears Canada received nearly $77,000; the Toronto Downtown Jazz Society got more than $69,000; and Mountain Equipment Co-op was given $44,000. On the other end of the spectrum were the Strathcona Hotel, which received $611; handicraft emporium Timbuktu Trading, which was given $777; and Taste of Toronto, which received a cheque for $546. And then there was Zanzibar Tavern, a landmark strip club featuring a garish
sign on Yonge Street in Toronto that received nearly $6,000 in compensation. Altogether, 144 companies received compensation in fiscal 2011-12, which was in addition to the 38 that were paid in 2010-11. While the cash will help cover some of the costs borne by companies because of the summits, not everyone is happy with what they ended up receiving. Parts of Toronto’s Queen Street West looked like a war zone on June 26, 2010, when protesters clashing with police set fire to cruisers and smashed windows and store signs all along the road, including that of Steve’s Music store. Steve’s Music store applied for $80,000 in compensation but ended up receiving $23,000, which vice-president Mike Herman said barely covered the damage caused by the protesters, and did nothing to make up for lost business. “I was basically told by an auditor from the government: ‘This is our offer. Take it or leave it. There’s no going back, there’s no fighting it, there’s no nothing. Take the offer within 30 days or the offer is rescinded and you get nothing.’ ” Herman said he was unimpressed with how the federal government handled the issue. An internal Foreign Affairs Department report from January 2011 shows the government had received claims for an estimated $11.2 million for the G20 Summit and $670,000 for the G8 Summit. Foreign Affairs said it had received a total of 411 claims for compensation, though the number of outstanding claims still has to be confirmed. After accusations the government was not treating all affected businesses fairly, a government source said Tuesday that Toronto Police had identified a new protest zone that will result in more companies being included in the compensation process. Source: Calgary Herald
Bahrain bans protests and gatherings
Bahrain has imposed a ban on all protest gatherings and is threating legal action against groups considered backing escalating demonstrations and clashes. The order, announced by the interior ministry on Tuesday, is the most sweeping attempt to crush the kingdom’s anti-government uprising since martial law rules went into effect during the early months of unrest last year. Sheikh Rashid Al Khalifa, the interior minister, said “repeated abuse” of the rights to freedom of speech and expression could no longer be accepted. Now any protest would only be permitted only once security and stability were sufficient to maintain national unity. The interior ministry said that any “illegal rally or gathering would be tackled through legal actions against those calling for and participating in it”. The decision will sharply increase pressure on political groups from Bahrain’s Shia Muslim majority, which has led the protests seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni Muslim-ruled Gulf state. Fahad al Binali, a government spokesman, told Al Jazeera that there has been an escalation of violence during rallies and gatherings, resulting in the deaths of two police men. “This is not an outright ban with no end in sight,” he said. “But the line must be drawn at violence.” This warning appeared aimed particularly at the largest Shia political bloc, Al-Wefaq, which has organized many opposition marches. Another rally is planned for Friday. Hadi al-Musawi, an Al-Wefaq official, struck a defiant tone, calling the interior ministry order “against international human rights”. Tougher steps against opposition groups could increase complications for the US and other Western allies that have stood by Bahrain’s monarchy during more than 20 months of unrest. The US has important military bonds with Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, but it also has called for increased efforts at dialogue to ease the tensions. Shia Muslims comprise about 70 per cent of Bahrain’s 525,000 citizens, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being denied top political and security posts. The Sunni monarchy has made a series of concessions, including giving more powers to the elected parliament, but opposition groups say the reforms do little to loosen the ruling family’s hold on power. More than 50 people have been killed in Bahrain’s unrest since February 2011. Source: Al-Jazeera
Pakistan : Continued from pg 3 Republicans usually fare well. For Obama, missing a few days of active campaigning for vital presidential duties may be a good trade, politically speaking. To the independent and undecided voters sick of the mess in Washington, Obama appears bipartisan and positively unconcerned about his own political fate. His best friend is suddenly a prominent Romney supporter, Christie. “The president has been all over this, and he deserves great credit,” Christie, a Republican, gushed in a TV interview. By contrast, when Christie was asked whether Romney was coming to help, he said: “I have no idea, nor am I the least bit concerned or interested.” Also haunting Romney are his past statements on the federal government’s role in emergency management. He has said he believes state and local governments should have primary responsibility for emergency cleanup, and refused Tuesday to answer repeated questions from reporters about what he would do with the Federal Emergency Management Agency if he wins the election. Asked about federal aid to help recover and rebuild from Sandy, Romney spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said: “A Romney-Ryan administration will always ensure that disaster funding is there for those in need. Period.” Obama’s reputation could suffer if the federal government’s response is feeble or botched. With Election Day a week away, however, there may be little time to make such assessments. And there is a risk of appearing to politicize tragedy if Romney speaks up too soon. Source: The Province
6
e d i t o r i a l
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
ROLE OF MUSLIM MEDIA IN NORTH AMERICA
Quite sadly, most of the non Muslim media is either too naive or too prejudiced to appreciate the “final Divine message” elaborated in the noble Quran revealed for the benefit of the entire humankind. Indeed, Islam is a universal religion and is believed by twenty five percent of the total world population, yet it is discussed in the negative territory by some from the main stream media worldwide - leading to the birth of illegitimate public opinion about the Muslims. However, any misleading public opinion doesn’t really enjoy credibility. Certainly, biased journalism does nothing but poison the raw minds of many resulting in Islamophobia. Such a negative trend is injurious to the interests of Muslim culture and religion. In order to say or write about Islam or the Muslims, one has to be relevantly qualified to evaluate to reach a logical conclusion. It’s been a bitter reality that the non Muslim media has been giving misjudgment without in-depth knowledge about the practicality of Islam. Main culprit here seems to be the inadequate presence of Muslim media in this arena. Despite the mischievous elements in the media, an honest reporting can play crucial role in the formation of logical public opinion. Therefore, conveying only relevant and true information to the interested public is the responsibility of Muslim electronic and print media. Although, the code of ethics must be strictly followed by the “Muslim or non Muslim Print or Electronic media,” yet, some media individuals are not sincere enough when representing the Muslims for a number of reasons including ignorance, discrimination, poor knowledge of Islam, or their total disability of interpreting Islamic teachings in the
proper context. Whether it is radio, television, newspaper or internet, the media has the capacity of connecting and bridging communities. Beyond doubt, internet is gold mine of accessibility enriching the minds positively or negatively - depending on what you really look for through face book, twitter, blogs, emails, and the list goes on and on. Muslim media should strive harder and harder to achieve the goal of nation building based on truth but avoiding the evil input. On the contrary, when the media is biased and focused only on commercialization, it becomes irritating for intelligent audience. Ironically, most of the people become addicted to watching TV without realizing that time is money which they are wasting unnecessarily. The worried Muslims are really concerned about their obligation towards the society they live in. Yet, there are quite a few areas needing an immediate attention for introducing drastic changes so that the roadblocks are removed. This would let the deprived people move forward to live among non Muslims with equality. Several communities of different ethnicities have their own media to safeguard their interests. Similarly, the Muslims are looking for a decent way out of the ongoing frustrating situation. They are becoming active more than ever and getting closer to helping the main stream media, which is absolutely a good beginning in the right direction. And, it seems as if the journalistic monopoly is on the verge of gradual erosion sending signals to the Muslim community to serve the entire humanity by showing only the true pictures of events around them. Fortunately, the Muslim media
of today has genuine encouragement to become more and more assertive with an improved degree of confidence. In other words they are more involved and getting closer to be competitive even in the commercially focused media market soon. Better late than never, the Muslims are comfortable to troubleshoot the unfriendly status quo through their own electronic and print media. They are catching up gradually and hopefully would be able to get rid of Islamophobia among North American audience. Of course, only Muslim print or electronic media is in the best position to publish or broadcast information or other news pertaining to their own community. In other words, it is a challenge for the Muslim Media to present only the true image of Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance and justice. In addition to Print media, a daily Muslim presence in the broadcast media and the internet would correct the anti Islam feelings among the non Muslim communities of North America and elsewhere. Once Muslim media is in full force on daily basis, the Muslim youth would definitely be encouraged to benefit, preserve and strengthen their Islamic identity. It is about time to build bridges of understanding with everyone around. Through such Muslim media, constructive interfaith dialogues can be aired too on regular basis.
Thankfully, several media people of integrity understand the essence of journalism. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) publishes “Islamic Horizons,” Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) publishes “The Message” and there are many other publications by different mosques. Also, there are Monthly, Bi Weekly or Weekly News Papers and several other publications by Muslim Students’ Associations. A daily basis Muslim TV, radio broadcasting, and any publication in English language is the urgent need of the Muslim community in North America. Apparently, the mainstream media has been unable to address the issues of different communities equally. The Muslim community deserves equality and justice, especially when it comes to the unattended or mishandled issues. In order to maintain Muslim identity, the Muslim electronic or print media have to play its role to protect the community from division. The Muslim media also need to do more for giving non-Muslims a positive view about Islam.
Waan laysa lil insani illa ma’ sa’aa That man can have nothing but what he strives for.
October 25, 2012 Greetings from the Prime Minister
Myanmer : Continued from pg 1 ingya have lived in Myanmar for generations, they are seen as foreign intruders who came from Bangladesh to steal scarce land. Today, the Rohingya also face official discrimination, a policy encouraged by Myanmar’s previous military regimes to enlist popular support among other groups. A 1984 law formally excluded them as one of the country’s 135 ethnicities, meaning most are denied basic civil rights and are deprived of citizenship. Neighbouring Bangladesh, which also does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens, says thousands of Rohingya refugees have sought to flee there by boat. Its policy, however, is to refuse them entry. Rights groups say Myanmar’s failure to address the root causes of the crisis means the situation may worsen. Over the weekend, Border Affairs Minister Lt. General Thein Htay travelled to the affected areas with the U.N. resident and humanitarian co-ordinator in Myanmar, Ashok Nigam. Nigam said 22,587 were displaced and they included both Muslims and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists, but he gave no breakdown. Speaking to The Associated Press on Sunday while visiting Thechaung camp, Nigam said getting aid to the new wave of displaced people will be a challenge as some fled on boats and oth-
Miracle Media Group Inc.©
Contact Info Mailing and Office Address 9160-136A Street Surrey BC. V3V 7Z8 Canada Fax: 604-582-7809
ers have sought refuge on isolated hilltops. “The situation is certainly very grave and we are working with the government to provide urgent aid to these people,” he said. Some 4,600 homes were also destroyed, according to the U.N, which said it had begun distributing emergency food and shelter supplies to refugees. The latest unrest pushes the total displaced to nearly 100,000 since the clashes in June, when at least 90 people died and 3,000 homes were destroyed. About 75,000 people, mostly Rohingya, have lived in refugee camps since then. “It is critically important that the government ensures that the rule of law prevails, prevents any further spreading of this violence and continues to communicate strong messages of harmony,” Nigam said in a statement later Sunday. “The violence, fear and mistrust are contrary to the democratic transition and economic and social development that Myanmar is committed to,” Nigam said. “It should not become an impediment to progress.” Source: Vancouver Sun
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to Muslim Canadians on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. The Greater Eid commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s act of unwavering faith in his willingness to sacrifice his son to God. Millions of people around the world celebrate the Festival of Sacrifice though the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Here at home, communities across the country will mark Eid al-Adha with prayer and almsgiving for those less fortunate. Canada’s pluralistic society is enriched by the contributions of our active Muslim communities. As you celebrate Eid al-Adha, you may take great pride in your commitment to your faith and preserving time-honoured traditions for future generations of Muslim Canadians. On behalf of the Government of Canada, Laureen and I offer our best wishes for a blessed, peaceful and joyous celebration. Eid Mubarak!
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada
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,
Editorial Board : Mr.Shums Jillani, Mr Aslam Hayat, Mr. Azhar Syed, Mr. Shams Siddiqui, M.A.L. Naumani, Mr Tariq Mian 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 Special Articles Faith Youth Health Sports Urdu
6 4,5 8,11,13 10,14,15 25 7 27 26 28 29-37
7
f
a
i
t
h
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
The Beginning of Hijrah
By Aelfwine Mischler Although Muslims do not actually celebrate the Muslim new year in the way other people celebrate their respective new year, the first day of the lunar month of Muharram is a legal holiday in many Muslim countries. The Islamic calendar is counted from the year of Prophet Muhammad’s flight from Makkah to Madinah in September 622 CE, known as the Hijrah (or hegira in English from Latin from Arabic). This journey is one of the most important events in Islamic history. The early Muslims in Makkah were harshly persecuted and tortured by the ruling pagan Quraysh tribe. The Muslims were few in number and many of them were slaves. With no power to repel their persecutors, they could only wait patiently until Allah (God) opened a way for them. In the twelfth year of the Prophet’s mission, 12 men from the city of Yathrib (later to be known as Madinah) came to Makkah during the Hajj season and met with Muhammad at Al-`Aqabah. Having heard of his mission, they became Muslim and pledged their faith in the first covenant of Al-`Aqabah. The Prophet sent Mus`ab ibn `Umayr back to Yathrib with them to teach them the religion. Mus`ab succeeded in converting many of the people of Yathrib to Islam. The following year, in June 622 CE, 73 men and 2 women from Yathrib came to the Prophet during the Hajj and pledged allegiance to him in the second covenant of Al-`Aqabah. They promised to protect him and help the Muslims of Makkah to resettle in their city.
This delegation was the core of what came to be known as Al-Ansar, the Helpers, the Muslims who were natives of Yathrib, later known as Al-Madinah Al-Munawwara— the Illuminated City—or Madinah. The Muslims gradually left Makkah a few at a time so as not to attract the attention of the Quraysh. Eventually the Quraysh realized what was happening and tried to stop many of them from leaving. History tells many stories of these men and women who gave up their homes, wealth, and families to be able to freely practice their religion in Madinah. Only after several months did Allah grant the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permission to leave Makkah. Shortly before his departure, Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) told Muhammad that the Quraysh had devised a plot to stab him while he was sleeping. On the night of the planned assassination, his cousin `Ali ibn Abi Talib slept in Muhammad’s bed while the latter escaped with his friend Abu Bakr AsSiddiq to a cave south of Makkah, opposite the direction to Madinah. Fortunately for `Ali, the assassins looked at his face before stabbing him and left him alone when they realized they had been outwitted. Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in the cave for three days while the Quraysh searched all around Makkah. At one point, their enemies were only a few feet away outside the cave, but Allah protected them by simple everyday “miracles.” A spider spun its web across the mouth of the cave, pigeons nested and laid eggs in front of it, and the branches of a small tree blocked it. Thus
The Journey of Life
The Eternal, Living Reality The Qur’an is the word of the Ever-living God; it has been sent down to guide man for all times to come. No book can be like it. As you come to the Qur’an, Allah speaks to you. To read the Qur’an is to hear Him, even to converse with Him, and to walk in His ways. It is the encounter of life with the Life-giver. ‘God - there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting (by whom all subsist). He has sent down upon you the Book with the Truth ... as a guidance unto mankind ...’ (Al ‘Imran 3: 2-3) For those who heard it for the first time from the lips of the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, the Qur’an was a living reality. They had absolutely no doubt that, through him, Allah was speaking to them. Their hearts and minds were therefore seized by it. Their eyes overflowed with tears and their bodies shivered. They found each word of it deeply relevant to their concerns and experiences, and integrated it fully into their lives. They were completely transformed by it both as individuals and as a corporate body - into a totally new, alive and life-giving entity. Those who grazed sheep, herded camels and traded petty merchandise became the leaders of mankind. Today we have the same Qur’an with us. Millions of copies of it are in circulation. Day and night, it is ceaselessly recited. In homes, in mosques, and from pulpits. Voluminous exegetical works exist expounding its meaning. Words pour out incessantly to explain its teachings and to exhort us to live by it. Yet eyes remain dry, hearts remain unmoved, minds remain untouched, lives remain unchanged. Ignominy and degradation appear to have become the lot of the followers of the Qur’an. Why? Because we no longer read the Qur’an as a living reality. It is a sacred book, but it tells us something of the past only, concerning Muslims and Kafirs, Jews and Christians, the faithful and the hypocrites, who ‘once upon a time used
the pursuers assumed no one had entered the cave recently and did not search it. The two then made their way, led by a pagan guide, to Madinah via a coastal route to throw off the pursuit. When they finally arrived in Madinah, Muhammad let his camel wander where it willed until it sat in one place. The owners of the land where the camel sat were paid, and the Prophet’s mosque and living quarters were built on the site while the Prophet and Abu Bakr lived as guests of the Ansar. The Hijrah, at last, gave the Muslims a place where they could openly declare their Islam and worship in peace. It was the beginning of the Islamic state. The Qur’anic verses revealed in Makkah had dealt mainly with the nature of Allah and man’s relationship to Him. In Makkah, there had been very few households in which all of the members were Muslims. At the time, Islam appeared to be concerned only with the individual and the hereafter. In contrast, the verses revealed in Madinah dealt more with man’s relationships with others—the social, political, and economic aspects of Islam that could not be developed under persecution. The Hijrah was also significant for the unselfish brotherhood demonstrated by the Ansar towards the Muhajirun (immigrants from Makkah). The Ansar were not wealthy, yet they took in the Muhajirun, shared their food and homes with them, and helped to establish them in trade or work. Further, the Ansar were well aware that by doing so they were challenging the Quraysh and all the pagan tribes of
the whole Arabian Peninsula . Indeed, the pagans did launch several battles in an attempt to snuff out the nascent Muslim state. But the Ansar remained faithful followers of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and were always loved and praised by him. It was the second caliph, `Umar ibn AlKhattab, who chose the year of Hijrah to be the starting point of the Muslim calendar. Before that, each province marked the years as the nth year in the reign of so-and-so, or the year when such-and-such happened. `Umar standardized the chronology, and it is significant that he chose the Hijrah—rather than the birth or death of Muhammad or the first revelation of the Qur’an—as the starting point. The Hijrah was the beginning of Islam as a complete way of life affecting all aspects of Man’s existence.
world of the Qur’an as if Allah were speaking to us through it now and today, and by fulfilling the necessary conditions for such an encounter. Firstly, then, we must realize what the Qur’an as the word of God is and means to us, and bring all the reverence, love, longing, and will to act that this realization demands. Secondly, we must read it as it asks to be read, as Allah’s Messenger instructed us, as he and his Companions read it. Thirdly, we must bring each word of the Qur’an to bear upon our own realities and concerns by transcending the barriers of time, culture and change. For its first addressees, the Qur’an was a contemporary event. Its language and style, its eloquence and rationale, its idiom and metaphor, its symbols and parables, its moments and events were all rooted in their own setting. These people were both witnesses to and, in a sense, participants in the whole act of revelation as it unfolded over
a period of their own time. We do not have the same privilege; yet, in some measure, the same ought to be true for us. By understanding and obeying the Qur’an in our own setting, we will find it, as far as possible, as much a contemporary event for ourselves as it was then. For the essence of man has not changed; it is immutable. Only man’s externalities—the forms, the modes, the technologies - have changed. The pagans of Mecca may be no more, nor the Jews of Yathrib, nor the Christians of Najran, nor even the ‘faithful’ and the ‘unfaithful’ of the community at Madina; but the same characters exist all around us. We are human beings exactly as the first recipients were, even though many find it extremely difficult to grapple with the deep implications of this very simple truth. Once you realize these truths and follow them, once you come to the Qur’an as the first believers did, it may reveal Continued on pg 13
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.”
to be’. Can the Qur’an, again, be a living, relevant force, as powerful for us now, 1400 years away, as it was then? This is the most crucial question that we must answer if we wish to shape our destiny afresh under the guidance of the Qur’an. There appear, however, to be some difficulties. Not least of which has to do with the fact that the Qur’an was revealed at a certain point in time. Since then we have traveled a long way, made gigantic leaps in technological know-how, and seen considerable social changes take place in human society. Moreover, most of the followers of the Qur’an today do not know Arabic, and many who do have, little idea of the ‘living’ language of the Qur’an. They cannot be expected to absorb its idiom and metaphor, so essential to exploring and absorbing the depths of the Qur’anic meaning. Yet its guidance, by its own claim, has an eternal relevance for all people, being the word of the Eternal God. For the truth of this claim, it seems From November 2-16, 2012 (Dhul Hijjah 17- Muharrum-2, 1433H) to me, it must be possible for us to Isha D.Hijjah JJuSept Day Fajar SunR Zawa1 Dhuhr Asar Maghrib receive, experience, and understand 7:22 Fri 01:01 17 Nov-02 8:01 12:56 4:02 5:52 6:31 the Qur’an as its first recipients did, at least in some measure and to some 7:20 Sat 6:33 5:50 18 03 8:03 12:56 01:01 4:00 degree. We seem to almost have a *4:49 *6:19 *19 *04 *Sun *5:35 *7:05 *11:56 *12:01 *2:59 right to this possibility of receiving 6:18 4:48 20 05 Mon 5:36 7:06 11:56 12:01 2:58 God’s guidance in its fullness and with 6:17 4:47 21 06 Tue 5:37 7:07 11:56 12:01 2:57 all its riches and joys. In other words, 6:15 12:01 Wed 11:56 2:55 4:45 22 07 7:09 5:39 despite the historical incidence of the 6:13 7:11 11:56 12:01 2:53 4:43 23 08 Thu 5:41 revelation in a particular language at 6:12 Fri 5:42 7:12 11:56 12:01 2:52 4:42 24 09 a particular time and place, we should 6:11 be capable of receiving the Qur’an 12:01 Sat 7:13 11:56 2:51 4:41 25 10 5:43 now (because its message is eternal), 6:09 7:15 11:56 12:01 2:49 11 Sun 5:45 4:39 26 capable of making its message as 6:08 7:17 11:56 12:01 2:48 12 Mon 5:47 4:38 27 much a real part of our lives as it was 6:07 7:19 11:57 12:02 2:47 13 Tue 5:49 4:37 28 for the first believers and with the 6:06 12:02 Wed 7:20 14 11:57 2:46 4:36 29 5:50 same urgent and profound relevance 6:04 12:02 Thu 7:22 15 11:57 2:44 4:34 Muh-1 5:52 for all our present concerns and expe6:03 Fri 5:54 7:24 11:57 12:02 2:43 16 4:33 2 riences. For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA But how do we do this? To put it * Daylight Savings Ends Ist Sunday of November very forthrightly, only by entering the
8
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
l o c a l
Miracle Special: Islamic History Month Canada Mr. Imaad Ali
Imaad Ali has studied the History of Muslims in North America for the past 6 years. He has looked at the establishment of Muslim communities in Canada, the United States and Mexico with a special focus on British Columbia. In 2006 he wrote a 24,000 word history of the BC Muslim Association for the organization’s 40th Anniversary. On October 20th, Imaad spoke to a standing-room only crowd of over 250 people at Masjid Al-Salaam in Burnaby as part of Islamic History Month Canada. He gave a visual presentation of his research
including images and videos going back to the 1800s. The Miracle spoke to Imaad
after the event:
her honour.
Miracle: How do you plan on using this information in the future? Imaad: Good question. I am open to
Miracle: What made you start researching the History of Muslims in North America? Imaad Ali: I have always had an interest
ideas. I love doing the research and learning new things. It’s been suggested that I produce a documentary film or write a book. I would love to compile everything I have into a book because in my research, I’ve discovered that no one has really combined all the info into one place. I obviously would need to find funding or a publishing company to work with. I would also like to produce a CD-ROM or interactive website so that students in schools can use it. It’s especially important in Muslim
in history. In 2006, I wrote the history of the BC Muslim Association, and that lead me to discover that there were stories about Muslims establishing their communities all across North America. That same year, The House of Commons declared Islamic History Month and many groups called upon me to speak on the topic.
Miracle: How do you conduct your research? Imaad: Well over the past 5 years or so, I’ve used many methods: news archives, libraries, academic studies, personal interviews and of course, the Internet. I studied journalism at BCIT so the investigative skills that come with my education certainly help.
Miracle: What’s the biggest surprise that you’ve discovered about the History of Muslims in North America? Imaad: Well there are two things. Firstly, I was amazed and incredibly happy to see the contribution of women to the establishment and success of Muslim communities. For example, Canada’s first Mosque in 1938 was built largely with the effort of women, and over 40 years later, it was women who preserved the building. Also, it never occurred to me just how advanced the early communities were, and how old they are. I mean, there were two Muslim newspapers published in one city
in 1894. Here was a Muslim organization in Chicago in 1906 which is still in operation. That was a bit THE BC MUSLIM ASSOCIATION BURNABY-NEW WESTMINSTER-TRI-CITIES BRANCH PRESENTS... of a shock.
Miracle: Who are the most notable Muslims in North American History? Imaad: There are many. For
ISLAM IN
me, Alexander Webb, the firstNORTH AMERICA known white American Muslim convert who was a US Ambassador and a journalist is a major figure. I call him the “founding father” of American Muslims. I also greatly admire MuhamOUR HISTORY mad Ali, and my personal OUR LEGACY favorite is Hilwie Hamdon, this amazing woman from Lebanon who came to Canada as a bride at age 16. She was the one who motivated Muslims to A PRESENTATION BY IMAAD ALI build Canada’s first Mosque, IN CELEBRATION OF ISLAMIC HISTORY MONTH 2012 -ALL AGES WELCOME TO THIS FREE EVENT and convinced the Mayor of -VISUAL PRESENTATION ON THE HISTORY OF MUSLIMS IN NORTH AMERICA Edmonton to donate the land. She also insisted that the Mosque operated schools. I want young Muslims to underin English as well as Arabic in order to be stand that their faith and their community inclusive. She was ahead of her time and are part of the history and the building of in my opinion, the Muslim community our society, and for that reason they should should be naming schools and libraries in feel a pride not only in their religious identity, but as citizens of the great countries of North America.
Miracle: How has the Muslim community responded to your work? Imaad: I find that people love it! They are genuinely interested. The Muslim community has been incredibly supportive of everything I’ve done. It’s not common to have 250 people show up for a historical lecture, but I think the fact that this stuff has never been really presented outside of academic settings means people want to know their history. Any community group which wants me to present my findings is welcome to call me anytime. I love sharing this knowledge. Miracle: Thanks young man, we wish yours success for the North America’s Muslims.
Newborn and Children Circumcision (Khatna) Dr. Kim-Sing is a practicing Pediatrician in Burnaby with over 20 years of experience. The Circumcision is performed under local anesthetic and virtually complication free. For appointment and inquiry Contact Dr. Malcolm Kim-Sing, MB, FRCP
604-433-5750 108-3825 Sunset Street, Burnaby, B.C V5G 1T4
9
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Ayyaz at Crystal @ York Banquet Hall
Real Estate Consultant (Realtor)
604-839-7863 ayyazrealtor@gmail.com
info@amexrealty.ca
14865 62A Ave., Surrey MLS # F1217668 $649,900
45-12778 66 Ave.,Surrey MLS # F1224851 $290,000
6474 131A Ave., Surrey MLS # F1224976 $499,900
3-11880 82nd Ave., Delta MLS # F1222691 Price: $349,900
“Beauty” Brand New 3 level house with Mountain view, 6 Bedroom 5 washroom, master has Jacuzzi, spice kitchen, granite counters, double garage, legal 2 bedroom legal basement suite, price incl HST “MUST SEE” TURN YOUR DREAM INTO AN ADDRESS
NEW LISTING End Unit town house,end unit, air conditioned well kept, kitchen island, stainless appliances, walking distance to transit, school, shopping.
NEW LISTING Great Location, 1757 Sq Ft.,2 level home on 6500 sq.ft. Lot in cul de sac 5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, new roof, new paint and carpet.
NEW LISTING End Unit town house 1596 sq ft town house in Delta 2 large bedrooms and 3 washrooms, well maintained complex very quiet & pvt.,steps to transit/school/shopping
Free Appraisal and Legal Fees
TERMS Our Rates*
1 Year 2.69%
3 Year 2.99%
5 Year 2.98%
5 yrs Variable 2.65% * Rates are subject to change without notice
Ayyaz
AMP
Senior Mortgage Consultant
* * * * *
Purchase Renewal Pre Approval 1st & 2nd Mortgages Self Employed
* * * *
New Immigrants Debts Consolidation Construction/Renovations Commercial Mortgage
Surrey Office: 115-13740 72A Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 1N5 Vancouver Office: 6241 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC V3W 3A2
604-839-7863 ~
ayyazshums@shaw.ca ~ www.a2zmortgage.ca
10
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
s p e c i a l
EARTHQUAKE SAFETY PROCEDURES Introduction It is not possible to prevent earthquakes or change the likelihood of an earthquake occurring. However, we can greatly increase our chances of safety and survival, by being aware and pre-pared. Since knowledge and preparation are keys to your survival during and after an earth-quake, you should take steps to become informed. Dangers Associated with Earthquakes • The actual movement of the ground in an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of injury or death. Most casualties result from falling objects and debris or collapsing structures. Injuries are commonly caused by: • Partial building collapse, such as falling masonry, collapsing walls, falling ceiling plaster, etc. • Flying glass from broken windows. • Overturned bookcases, filing cabinets, fixtures, furniture, office machines and appliances. • Fires, broken gas lines, etc. These dangers may be aggravated by lack of water due to broken mains. • Fallen power lines. • Inappropriate actions resulting from panic.
Prepare: 1. Reducing and/or eliminating hazards throughout your home, neighborhood, workplace and school can greatly reduce your risk of injury or death following the next earthquake or other disaster. Conduct a “hazard hunt” to help identify and fix things such as unsecured televisions, computers, bookcases, furniture, unstrapped water heaters, etc. Securing these items now will help to protect you tomorrow. 2. Planning for an earthquake, terrorist attack, or other emergency is not much different from planning for a party or vacation. Make sure that your emergency plan includes evacuation and reunion plans; your out-of-state contact person’s name and number; the location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information. By planning now, you will be ready for the next emergency. 3. Everyone should have disaster supplies kits stored in accessible locations at home, at work and in your vehicle. Having emergency supplies readily available can reduce the impact of an earthquake, a terrorist incident or other emergency on you and your family. Your disaster supplies kits should include food, water, flashlights, portable radios, batteries, a first aid kit, cash, extra medications, a whistle, fire extinguisher, etc. 4. Most houses are not as safe as they could be. Whether you are a homeowner
or a renter, there are things that you can do to improve the structural integrity of your home. Some of the things that you might consider checking include inadequate foundations, unbraced cripple walls, soft first stories, unreinforced masonry and vulnerable pipes. Consult a contractor or engineer to help you identify your building’s weaknesses and begin to fix them now.
SURVIVE Earthquake Safety Guidelines • Remain Calm. Sound usually precedes earthquake motion by a split second. If you have developed the correct earthquake responses in your mind before a quake, this split sec-ond is enough time to activate your automatic reactions. If you stay calm, you will be bet-ter able to assess your situation. The rolling and roaring may terrify you, but unless something falls on you, the sensations probably won’t hurt you. Try talking yourself through the violent motion phase. This will release stress and others may take courage and follow your reasoned restraint. Think through the consequences of any action you plan to take. • If you are indoors, stay there. If you are in danger: o Get under a sturdy table, desk or bed. o Brace yourself in an inside corner away from windows. o Move to an inner wall or corridor. (A door frame or the structural frame or inner core of the building are its strongest points and least likely to collapse. They will also break the impact of any falling objects). o In an apartment building the safest place is by the central reinforced core of the building, which is usually located by the elevator well. o Choose shelter which will provide an airspace if it collapses. If your furniture shel-ter moves, stay under it and follow it around the apartment. o Watch for falling objects - plaster, bricks, light fixtures, pots and pans, etc. o Stay away from tall shelves, china cabinets and other furniture, which might slide or topple over. o Stay away from windows, sliding glass doors, mirrors. o Grab anything handy (blanket, pillow, tablecloth, newspapers, box, etc.) to shield your head and face from failing debris and splinting glass. o Don’t be alarmed if the fire alarm or sprinklers go off. • Do Not Rush Outside. Stay on the same floor that you are on. Stairways may be broken and exits jammed with people. Do not use elevators as the power for elevators may go out and leave you trapped. The greatest danger from falling debris is just
Bookkeeping | Accounting | Taxation | Advisory Services • Bookkeeping with Payroll • Personal and Corporate Tax returns • Financial Statements/Notice to Reader • Assurance Engagements • Trust account Audit • Consulting/Advisory
216-20226 Fraser Highway Langley Phone/Fax: 604-510-4833 Email: ahmad@malikcga.ca Website: malikcga.ca
outside door-ways and close to outer walls. If for safety reasons you must leave the building, choose your exits as carefully as possible. • If you are outside, stay there. Move away from the building, garage, walls, power poles and lampposts. Electric power lines are a serious hazard - stay away from fallen lines. If possible, proceed cautiously to an open area. • If you are in a moving car, stop. Stop as quickly as safety permits in the best available space. Stay in your car. Don’t stop where buildings can topple down on top of you. A car is an excellent shock absorber and will shake a lot on its springs during an earthquake, but it’s a fairly safe shelter from which to assess your situation. • Avoid Fallen Power Lines. The possibility of encountering fallen live wires is great during and after an earthquake. If you are on foot, make a wide path around the wires. If you are in the car and live wires have fallen across the car, remain where you are. Your car is usually well insulated and will protect you from electric shock. Never assume that downed power lines are dead.
After An Earthquake Within the First Several Minutes: • Remain Calm. Don’t Panic. Try to calm and reassure others. Stop and take time to think. Wait until all motion has stopped. Do not run down stairs or outdoors. Be prepared for additional shockwaves. • Do not light matches, cigarettes or turn on electrical switches. Flashlights are one of the best light sources after a damaging earthquake. Proceed with extreme caution. • Protect hands and feet from broken glass or debris. Keep head and face protected (hard-hat, blanket, tablecloth, etc.) • Make a quick check for injuries or trapped people. Provide emergency first aid if needed. Do not try to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger from further injury. • Turn off all appliances and office machines. Extinguish all open flames. Check power lines and cords. If problems exist in electrical lines or gas lines the mains should be shut off. • It may be necessary to draw a moderate amount of cold water in bathtubs and sinks and other containers, in case service should be disrupted. During the Next Several Hours:
• Do not operate electrical switches, appliances or open-flame equipment if gas leaks are suspected. Sparks or flames can ignite gas from broken lines causing an explosion. • Tend further to injured or trapped persons. Try to get help if necessary. If a person is trapped and you can free him without injury to yourself, remove debris piece-by-
piece starting with the top of the pile. • Be prepared for aftershocks - they are weaker than the main shock but can cause addi-tional damage and psychological trauma. Watch out for other possible dangers, which may follow an earthquake, such as fire, flood, landslide or TSUNAMI (tidal wave). • Turn on a battery radio to receive disaster instructions. Use telephones only to report ex-treme emergency situations. • Inspect your work area carefully for structural damage. Carefully open exit doors they sometimes jam. The initial quake may damage the structure and an aftershock could knock down weakened walls. Use extreme caution when moving around in damaged ar-eas - they may collapse without warning. Check to see that sewage lines are intact be-fore flushing toilets. • You should not try to get home until government authorities say it is safe, which will be when the worst fires are under control and the streets have been cleared. This may hap-pen quickly or it may take longer (perhaps 72 hours or more). You should advise your family that in the event of a major earthquake you maybe retained at work. When possi-ble notify your family about your well being. • Don’t go outside sightseeing. Keep streets clear for passage of emergency vehicles. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operation
11
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
l o c a l
Chand Raat Bazaar Celebrated in Crystal at York Surrey
On Oct 25, Crystal at York was buzzing and the excited crowd of men, women and children were creating a traditional Eid ul Adha “chand raat atmosphere that many miss about their country of origin. Women were busy buying clothes and jewellery while men and children enjoyed the different refreshments and snacks stalls. Every stall was crowded with people keeping the exhibitors busy. The night was particularly successful for Mehndi artists who
were surrounded by women of all ages anxious to have their hands decorated with beautiful Henna designs. Kids also had fun at this gathering. People continued to visit the hall till late night to get their shopping done. Mr. & Mrs. Shahid Ch. of Crystal @ York, were behind this marvellous event that received tremendous response from the community
Statement from New Democrat leader Adrian Dix on Guy Gentner’s retirement from provincial politics New Democrat leader Adrian Dix issued the following statement on Guy Gentner’s retirement: “The entire caucus and I wish Guy all the best as he moves forward with the next chapter of his life. “Guy has been a passionate advocate for one of B.C.’s greatest assets, the Agriculture Land Reserve. I am confident that his voice will continue to be heard as we move forward with measures to foster a thriving agriculture sector, which is key to the ALR’s survival. “He has also been a strong representative for his constituency of Delta North, and before that as a city councillor. He will be missed by constituents and
our caucus alike, for his commitment to the issues that mattered to him and the people of Delta North. “You can see Guy’s influence on his community everywhere you go, whether it’s the protection of Burns Bog, improved parks or the Tour de Delta, a premier cycling race for which he has been a tireless booster.”
HAMED YAYAH 604-716-6450 www.realestatehamed.com hamedyayah27@hotmail.com Omax Realty Ltd. 9287, 120 St., Delta, BC. V4C 6R8
#126 9465 PRINCE CHARLES BV, SURREY G
N TI
S
W
NE
LI
NEW PRICE $279,900
Like NEW fully renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with big private backyard! Awesome quality complex with rec center - PERFECT for the growing family. This fine unit has NEW everything... seriously, new paint, fixtures, granite new kitchen countertops, flooring, fully renovated bathrooms... too long a list - you MUST see! Very functional and well laid out plan with large rooms, stylish wood burning fireplace feature. Walk to shopping, schools, transit, good for commuters.... all around BEST buy in the area. Call today - as this will sell fast.
#36 1170 LANSDOWNE DR, COQUITLAM
Immac, end unit 2-level fully renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with big private backyard. Awesome quality complex-PERFECT for the growing family. Large kitchen with extra eating area. This fine unit has it all... new paint, fixtures,flooring, Fully renovated bathroom... too long to list - you MUST see! Very functional and well laid out plan with large rooms, Walk to shopping, schools, transit, good for commuters... all round BEST buy in the area. Call today - as this will sell fast.
$339,900 6738 150B ST, SURREY
Must see 3 Level home located in a quiet cul-de-Sac. This exceptional 6800 sqft lot. Featuring all of the best, including 7 bedrooms, den on main, 6 bathrooms, Games room, extra wok/spice kitchen, granite counters in the kitchen, All high end finishing, this home has it all, loads of crown mouldings, laminate flooring, pot lights and drop ceilings, High Ceilings in entry, living room areas. One look and you will fall in love, this home shows a 10'. Walk-out daylight basement with (2+1) bdrm suites. There are too many great features to list, so call and come see this beauty for yourself!
$719,000 7622 6TH ST, BURNABY EAST
One of the best ethnic stores in Town with lots of other options, dry good, from meat etc. Good family Business. Halal meat and grocery store with walking cooler and freezer, Multiple meat machines, and much more. Established business of 5 years. Located in a great location. 7622 6th ST Burnaby Bc. Price includes inventory plus machinery, a very good family business do not let it go.
$69,000 13437 71A AVE, SURREY
G
N TI
S
W
NE
LI
$850,000
5277 sqft. of light commercial land located in high traffic area. The property has redevelopment potential for a more intensive commercial use. Currently building is being used as an appliances sales / repair facility. (Ray’s Appliances Service Centre) Owner would like to sell property with business which includes all inventory / goodwill. Approx. $200,000 worth of parts and appliances.
19/10
12
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Terrorist:
By Wajiha Rasul Special to the Miracle Terrorist - the meaning of this term is a person who terrorises or frightens others. The definition of the word terrorist does not point to a person of some specific religion, caste or race. Then why the term is generalized among common masses and why only one religion i.e. Islam is made its target? The purpose of writing this article is to clear the misunderstood concepts of public regarding Islam. Islam does not support any kind of war waged against innocent lives. Like Christianity and other religions of the world it fully supports the respect for humanity. As it∂s clear from the following verse of Quran (the holy book of Muslims) “Killing one Person is as though he killed all of humanity” In my opinion terrorists who claim themselves to be jihadists are not even Muslims. They follow a religion made from their own interests and rules. Islam does not tell Muslims to wage a war against innocent people. In fact it’s such a beautiful religion that actually defines the rules and restrictions of waging and fighting a war. It’s a religion which tells us not to harm wives, children, senior citizens and the property of those who are fighting against you; it allows Muslims only to fight your foe soldiers who are in the combat against you. Then how can terrorists claim themselves to be Muslims if they are not following Allah’s teachings? How can they claim this fight is a jihad? And what kind of jihad is it? Jihad is not about taking lives of innocent humans. These people are not
Muslims and are just misguiding the world about Islam. In fact, they are themselves the true enemies of Islam. They have chosen a path of their own, a path which Islam strictly forbids. One thing should be noted here that these people don’t only belong to one religion. Some of them also belong to different religions other than Islam, the evidence of which was found in Pakistan. In ‘Malakand operation’( name of one of the operations in war against terrorism), when authorities examined terrorists’ dead bodies they found out that they were not circumcised. This clearly tells us that people belonging to only one religion are not involved in this dirty game. Such extremists are creating misunderstanding in the world because they don’t want a peaceful world. They cannot bear a Christian sitting next to a Muslim or a Muslim sitting with a Christian. As it is stated earlier that these people are illiterate extremists who are misguiding the world about Islam and Muslims but what are the literate governments and public doing about this? The clear picture is that after 9/11, the public generally links the concept of terrorism with Islam and similarly a terrorist is considered to be a Muslim. Common masses generalised and mixed these things because their higher authorities did the same. If the public generalizes such things then it is understandable because public comprises of people from all kinds of backgrounds, minds and fields and it is easy to mould their opinions and influence them because they are not very well aware of the every single thing
a misunderstood concept going around in politics. But governments comprise of intelligent and literate individuals and scholars who are well versed in their respective fields especially in politics and who are well aware of every political scenario around the globe. So, how can they generalize such things? I have seen west leaders claiming that global war on terror has nothing to do with Islam and Muslims but still why there are so many restrictions on Muslims worldwide, especially in the United States which emphasises on “equality for all” and that all the Muslims are not terrorists. I was compelled to believe, what I have never believed before, by the behaviours of London airport authorities when I went there. To them looking like a Muslim seemed to be a crime. I understand all their needs for a security check but I do not understand their racist behaviour. All passengers of the same plane were treated differently. Those who had eastern dresses on their bodies, had a beard and were brown-skinned had to go through a strict security check while everyone else was treated in a polite manner. Generally this is called their ‘duty’. But was it their duty to be racist? Recently my father-inlaw had to undergo the same kind of racist behaviour which I went through at the London airport at another airport in another country. He was flying to a funeral but the authorities did not allow him to catch the plane on time. On asking he was told that due to his first name i.e. Muhammad and last name i.e. Khan, airport authorities will investigate his background after which he will be allowed to travel. The authorities were not behaving in the same manner to those people whose initial and last name were not Muhammad and khan. That was
such a racist behaviour in my opinion. Muhammad is a common name which only Muslim families proudly associate with their children. So what are they trying to tell the world? Governments on one side claims that they know that Islam is a religion of peace but on the other side targets Muslims only for the whole dirty game. Is being a Muslim a crime in global society? Obviously not! Then why we have to face the consequences of what we have not done? Totally unfair. If governments claim to treat all equally then it should be doing the same kind of security checks for all. Do they really think that terrorists will travel with the same names as their red flagged list and invite the authorities to catch them? Of course not. The dilemma with terrorism is that terrorists are non-state actors just like you and me. A terrorists is a person with two eyes, nose and mouth just like other humans. You cannot locate him/her while standing with innocent people or public. You cannot capture him by simply knowing his/her religion. Such racist behaviour of governments around the world is not eliminating terrorism from the world. Instead they are making people stand against them; they are creating more problems for themselves. Islam is a religion of love and it has always spread peace in the world. Muslims want to peacefully co-exist with the people of other religions. Muslims are not terrorists. In fact terrorists have no religion. They are bound by no moral or ethical boundaries and they follow the path which Islam strictly forbids. Wajiha Rasul is a Canadian writer based in Mississauga, Ontario.
We repair all makes and models 4 less. Complete auto repair 4 less!
Special Offers Transmission & Engine Replacement (From $300 & up) BEST PRICES ON: • Clutch • New & used tires • Water pumps • Suspension • Special rates on • Cooling system timing belts Business Hours: • Starter • Alternator Monday to Friday 9:30am-6:00pm Friday (Closed for Juma Prayer) Saturday 11 - 6 pm Sunday By Appointment only
Unit 113-12465-82nd Ave. Surrey, BC Contact Muhammad or Amir @ 604-572-7861
13
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
l o c a l
Imran Khan Visits North America
Members of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Vancouver travelled across the border to attend Imran Khan’s Jalsa in Seattle on October 27th. Imran Khan has been doing fundraiser in Canadian and American cities where he is asking his supporters to donate funds for Pakistan Tehreek E Insaf. PTI Fundraisers raised over $115,000 in Toronto, over $650,000 in New York, and $139,000 in Seattle. Each fundraiser witnessed rousing receptions, great love and enthusiasm for Imran Khan and his message of CHANGE, Mashallah. During their personal meeting with Imran Khan, members of the PTI Vancouver core committee conveyed to Imran Khan that we feel what you are doing is Jehad and we are proud to be members of your movement. We will support you with all means so that you can change Pakistan for the better. It was an amazing experience to see people donating so much money, we have also invited Khan Sahib and Mrs. Fouzia Kasuri to Vancouver said Khurram Rai. During his speech Imran Khan was confident as ever and reminded his supporters that we have hard work ahead but change and our success is inevitable. Addressing the drone issue and about the episode of him being questioned at Pearson Airport,Imran Khan said “My stand on drones is very clear. I did not say sorry to them. The US ambassador to Pakistan “knew that I will always oppose the drone attack, then why (did) they issue me visa”?
Press Conference in Surrey
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf BC held a Press Conference on October 14th. The press conference was attended by active members of PTI and the local media. Mr. Khurram Rai, a local PTI coordinator was the MC for the event. Special prayers were held for Malala Yousafzai, and all the victims of terrorism, Target killing and drone attacks in Pakistan. Mr. Saif Pannu, PTI Coordinator for Western Canada, then made several important announcements. He revealed the creation of two local chapters, a South Surrey White Rock Chapter headed by Zahid Rafiq sahib and a Surrey Delta Chapter headed by Ghulam Murtaza Sahib and Tariq Mehboob Sahib. It was also announced that four new members were inducted in the Local PTI Core committee. These Individuals are Mr. Naveed Waraich, who is also the current president of PCCA, Mr. Farrukh Alam, who is also the past president of PCA, Mr. Akmal Ghandra who is an active member of the community and Mr. Faiz Rana. It was noted that general elections will be taking place in Pakistan in the next month or so. PTI will need financial and moral support from its overseas members. These changes were made to enhance PTI’s working in the local communities. Mr. Rehan Awan, address the press conference, emphasized that we must encourage our members to donate financial-
ALLIED INSURANCE SERVICES INC.
Fast Efficient And Friendly Service For All Your Insurance Needs
Home • Tenants • Condominium • Business • Travel • Medical • Life • Accident • Sickness We’ve Got You Covered!
DELTA / SURREY
604-596-4588 Fleetwood Town Square #103-15988 Fraser Hwy., Surrey
604-572-3311 GUILDFORD Guildford Plaza #60-10330-152nd St., Surrey
Newton Town Centre #121-7135-138th St., Surrey
knowledged that Imran Khan was the only brave leader in Pakistan who could lead such a march. We all want to serve Pakistan and help things get better, the best way is to bring about a good honest government and PTI is the only hope of bringing about such a government.
Do you suffer from any of the following? depression , anxiety, fear/phobia, overweight problem smoking/alcohol addiction, lack of confidence, relationship /sex problem, insomnia, peace of mind, nail biting & more
If the answer is YES, help is here … Call now Dr.Aftab Iqbal Ph.D(UK), RCCH, MCH(Canada)
Certified Clinical Counselling Hypnotherapist BC(Canada). Board Director: (ARCH)Canada, Member: (IMDHA)USA
Islamic : Continued from pg 7
FLEETWOOD
NEWTON
ly and to call their family and friends back in Pakistan to support PTI. It was noted how most of the parties were part of the government in one province or the other and the state of affairs in whole of Pakistan is in shambles. Thus it is PTI’s message not to test those whom you have tested multiple times and who have failed you miserably. At the end of the program, PTI members celebrated the successful Peach March to Waziristan. It was ac-
Office: #203, 2828 152nd St, South Surrey /White Rock Tel:604-502-9716 (C)778-712-9716 for appointment No medicine-No side effects. Confidentiality Guaranteed
Nordel Annex #105 – 12025 Nordel Way (x Scott Rd)
604-582-8644
Imran Khan speaks to supporters in Brampton, ON on Thursday night
Open 7 days 9am to 9pm
604-572-9292 NEW WEST/BURNABY
WHALLEY
Burnaby Square #106 – 7885 6th Street, Burnaby
Plaza 102 10235 King George Hwy., Surrey
604-523-0900
604-582-8699
to you as it did to them, make partners of you as it did of them. And only then, instead of being a mere revered book, a sacred fossil, or a source of magic-like blessing, it will change into a mighty force, impinging, stirring, moving and guiding us to deeper and higher achievements, just as it did before. The New World that Awaits You As you come to the Qur’an, you come to a new world. No other venture in your life can be so momentous and crucial, so blissful and rewarding, as your journey to and through the Qur’an. It is a journey that will take you through the endless joys and riches of the words that your Creator and Lord has sent to you and all mankind. Here you will find a world of untold treasures of knowledge and wisdom to guide you on the pathways of life, to mould your thoughts and actions. In it you will find deep insights to enrich you and steer you along the right course. From it you will receive a radiant
light to illumine the deeper reaches of your soul. Here you will encounter profound emotions, a warmth to melt your heart and bring tears running down your cheeks. It is crucial for you because, as you travel through the Qur’an, at every step you will be summoned to choose, and to commit to Allah. To read the Qur’an is nothing less than to live the Qur’an willingly, sincerely, devotedly, and totally. The outcome of your entire life depends on how you heed the call given by God. The journey is therefore decisive for your existence, for mankind, for the future of human civilization.A hundred new worlds lie in its verses. Whole centuries are involved in its moments. Know, then, that it is the Qur’an, and only the Qur’an, which can lead you on and on to success and glory in this-world and in the world-to-come. Excerpted and adapted from the book “Way to the Quran” by Khurram Murad
14
s p e c i a l
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
November 1: ALGERIA’S Independence Day
The Algerian Revolution (French: Guerre d’Algérie, “Algerian War”) was a conflict between France and Algerian independence movements from 1954 to 1962, which led to Algeria gaining its independence from France. An important decolonization war, it was a complex conflict characterized by guerrilla warfare, maquis fighting, terrorism against civilians, the use of torture on both sides, and counter-terrorism operations by the French Army. The conflict was also a civil war between loyalist Algerians who believed in a French Algeria and their insurrectionist Algerian Muslim counterparts.[5] Effectively started by members of the National Liberation Front (FLN) on November 1, 1954, during the Toussaint Rouge (“Red All Saints’ Day”), the conflict shook the foundations of the French Fourth Republic (1946–58) and led to its eventual collapse.
Algeria has one of the world’s highest per housing unit occupancy rates for housing, and government officials have publicly stated that the country has an immediate shortfall of 1.5 million housing units. The second largest country in Africa, the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria comprises an area of some 920,000 square miles in the Maghreb (North Africa). It is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea on the north, Morocco on the west, Western Sahara and Mauritania on the southwest, Niger and Mali on the south, and Libya and Tunisia on the east. Its population at the end of 2002 totaled about 32 million. Major cities include the capital Algiers, Oran, Constantine, and Annaba. Algeria is divided into the relatively moist and mountainous north, which is part of the Atlas Mountain system, and the Saharan south, which makes up roughly five-sixths of the country. The north consists of three major regions: the Tell Mountains
Demographics of Algeria Ninety-one percent of the Algerian population lives along the Mediterranean coast on 12% of the country’s total land mass. Forty-five percent of the population is urban, and urbanization continues, despite government efforts to discourage migration to the cities. Currently, 24,182,736 Algerians live in urban area, about 1.5 million nomads live in the Saharan area. 99% of the population is classified ethnically as Arab-Berber and religiously as Sunni Muslim
96%, the few non-Sunni Muslims are mainly Ibadis 1.3% from the M’Zab valley. Algeria’s educational system has grown rapidly since 1962; in the last 12 years, attendance has doubled to more than 5 million students. Education is free and compulsory to age 16. Despite government allocation of substantial educational resources, population pressures and a serious shortage of teachers have severely strained the system, as have terrorist attacks against the educational infrastructure during the 1990s. Modest numbers of Algerian students study abroad, primarily in Europe and Canada. In 2000, the government launched a major review of the country’s educational system. Housing and medicine continue to be pressing problems in Algeria. Failing infrastructure and the continued influx of people from rural to urban areas has overtaxed both systems. According to the UNDP,
Algeria`s First President Algeria first president Ahmed Benbella died at the age of 96 years old. The deceased was a key member in the Algerian revolution, and became the first President of Algeria in 1962.
Food and Drink in Algeria
near the sea, the steppe-like high plateaus to their south, and the Saharan Atlas farther down that abuts the desert. The Sahara, stretching south for 990 miles, is interrupted by several plateaus and in the farthest south by the great massif of the Ahaggar Mountains, whose highest point is about 10,000 feet and whose crystalline and volcanic peaks extend southwestward into Mali. Country: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Capital: Algiers Total Area: 919,594.96 sq mi 2,381,740.00 sq km (slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas) Population :37,100,000-Jan 1, 2012 Languages : Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects Literacy :61.6% total, 73.9% male, 49% female (1995 est.) Religions : Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1% Life Expectancy : 68.6 male, 71.34 female (2001 est.)
Government Type Legislature: National People’s Assembly Political subdivisions: 48 wilayat (departments). President: Abdelaziz Bouteflika (2001Prime Minister: Ali Benflis : Democratic And Popular Republic of Algeria Currency : 1 Algerian dinar (DA) = 100 cen- President Abdelaziz Bouteflika times GDP (per capita) : 8714.57 US dollars in 2011,
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL READERS The Miracle Media Group has been serving the community for almost 12 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
Industry : Petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Agriculture : wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle Arable Land :3% Natural Resources : Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Communications: Railroads (1995): 4,366 km (2,713 mi) Total Roads (1995): 102,424 km (63,643 mi) total. Major ports: 10.Major airfields: 5 Famous Newspapers: El Watan, El Youm, El Moudjahid & Al Shaab
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. In spite of repeated requests, it is being observed that different newspapers are still using Miracle boxes without prior consent. Such businesses are asked to respect business ethics and principles. Miracle Management
Traditional Algerian food shows the historic influences of Berber, Arab, Turkish, and French tastes. It can be mild or very spicy and many flavorings are used. Algiers and popular coastal towns have a fair selection of good restaurants, serving mainly French and Italian-style food, though even classic dishes will have an unmistakable Algerian quality. Fish dishes are exceptionally good.
15
special
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Miracle Special: Mon-Wed
Struggle, Loss, Ruin in Sandy’s Wake East Coast residents face devastation and long road to recovery
As Hurricane Sandy moves northwest, slowly losing strength, much of the US eastern seaboard is still reeling from the effects of the record setting super storm that experts say will take months to recover from. “The biggest problem is not the first few days but the coming months,” said Alan Rubin, an expert in natural disaster recovery. Of the 8.2 million people who lost electricity in the storm roughly 6.5 million homes and businesses are still without power—4 million of those in New York and New Jersey. Power outages stretch as far west as Wisconsin and as far south as the Carolinas. Power company Consolidated Edison said it could take several days for the last of the 337,000 customers in Manhattan and Brooklyn to regain electricity and it could take over a week to restore outages in the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County. At least 60 people
are said to have died in the storm in the US, but the known death toll may still rise. As communities begin to uncover what’s left of their lives from the storm damage, stories of struggle and loss are surfacing, along with attempts to rebuild.
New York: Commuter traffic quickly froze to gridlock Wednesday morning between Manhattan and the boroughs, as many residents
failed at attempts to return to normal life. Major tunnels and most of the city’s subway system remained flooded Wednesday morning, and LaGuardia Airport remained closed due to major runway flooding. One of New York City’s major public hospitals, Bellevue Hospital Center, announced Wednesday afternoon that it is now evacuating about 500 patients, due to an inability to cope with limited resources and electricity. The hospital’s back-up generators no longer suffice, and appeals for other hospitals to take Bellevue patients have been marked “URGENT” and “ASAP.” Officials at other hospitals in the area said they have been asked to take on patients far above their capacity.
The New York Times reports: On Tuesday, signs of stress were evident as people could be seen carrying babies down the staircase. One doctor questioned why the hospital was not fully evacuating, and thought it might be that because the nearby NYU Langone Medical Center had been forced to evacuate 300 patients, after discharging 100, there was not enough room at other hospitals. The hospital smelled bad, perhaps from fuel. Emergency lights were on. Ambulances were being diverted from the emergency room, which is one of the city’s major trauma centers Manhattan flooded by record storm surge A record storm surge from superstorm Sandy sent floodwaters pouring into Lower Manhattan on Monday night as parts of New York City were plunged into darkness by widespread power outages. The East River and the Hudson River flooded subway and car tunnels, and several feet of seawater swamped into Battery Park at the foot of Lower Manhattan, with waters rising and rain showing no sign of abating. “Lower Manhattan is being covered by seawater. I am not exaggerat-
ing. Sea water is rushing into the Battery Tunnel,” said Howard Glaser, director of operations for the New York state government. The Battery Tunnel is a road tunnel linking the south end of Manhattan, New York’s financial center, to Long Island under the East River. Cars could be seen afloat in several Manhattan streets, and the facade of a six-story building collapsed. At least one New Yorker was killed when a tree fell on his house, and there were reports of several more casualties. Local broadcaster WNBC said some houses on Staten Island were “flooded up to their attics” while the New York police department sought boats to conduct rescue missions there and on Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Almost every street below Times Square in the city’s Midtown district lost power on Monday night after an explosion at a Consolidated Edison power station, and it may not return for up to four days. Chinatown, where the narrow streets are usually crowded with people and rich with smells of fish and spices, was mostly closed, its jumble of neon signs darkened. For some, the FDR Drive, which runs along Manhattan’s east side and which is normally jam-packed with traffic, was a giant park as they strolled among the downed trees and other detritus of the flood. The highway was closed to traffic in both directions, except for emergency vehicles. The New York Stock Exchange was closed for a second day from weather, the first time that has happened since a blizzard in 1888. The city’s subway system, the lifeblood of more than five million residents, was damaged like never before and closed indefinitely, and Consolidated Edison said electricity in and around New York could take a week to restore. Looting has become a problem in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, as opportunists took advantage of unprotected shops. Over 100 police officers patrolled the area to guard a strip of vandalized
stores and a damaged bank. In Queens, residents remain dazed following the massive fire at Breezy Point which devastated roughly 100 homes over the course of the hurricane.
New Jersey: President Barack Obama visited New Jersey the area near Atlantic City where the violent storm made landfall two days before. In Hoboken, up to 20,000 people are still trapped in their homes by stubborn flood waters, and are still without power. National Guard troops have arrived in the city to help people evacuate from their homes and bring some to emergency shelters. The city’s official Facebook page told residents to stay in their homes for safety concerns, including live-wires in the flooded streets and sewage contamination mixing with the waters. Residents were told to wait for National Guard trucks to come to them, giving priority to those with medical emergencies. Water is not expected to recede for up to 48 hours. Elsewhere in New Jersey, about 4,500 residents sat in shelters on Wednesday. Many in the northern part of the state were rescued on overcrowded buses and National Guard trucks after the tidal surge pushed the Hackensack River over its banks. Source: CommonDreams.org
16
politics
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Regardless of whether Obama or Romney wins, America’s relations with the Arab World will change
By Robert Fisk After last week’s Obama-Romney love-fest for Israel, the Arabs have been slowly deciding which of the two men would be best for the Middle East. It looks like Barack Obama is their man; but the problem – as always – is the sad, pathetic and outrageously obvious fact that it doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference. George Bush invaded Iraq after giving Ariel Sharon permission to go on colonising the occupied West Bank. Obama got out of Iraq, increased drone strikes on the Pakistan-Afghan border and then behaved like a dog when Benjamin Netanyahu told him there would be no discussion about Israeli withdrawal to 1967 borders. Instead of saying, “Oh yes there will”, like a strong and independent president, Obama sat cowed in his White House seat as the Israeli prime minister effectively told him that UN Security Council resolution 242 – the very basis of the non-existent “peace process” – was a non-starter. Since then, of course, Mitt Romney, who seems to have as much understanding of the Middle East as the Texas preacher who burned a Koran, has said the Palestinians “have no interest whatsoever in establishing peace” and has still not satisfactorily explained why, back in 2005 as governor of Massachusetts, he appeared rather keen on wire-tapping mosques. So good luck to the Arabs. The truth, however, is that the next president is not going to have the freedom to decide his policy on the Middle East. The old love affair with Israel will continue – unless Israel attacks Iran and drags America into another Middle East war – but for the first time in American history, a successful presidential candidate is going to have to deal with a new Arab world; indeed, a new Muslim world.
The critical point is that the Arab Awakening (please let’s forget the “Spring” bit) represents a people calling for dignity. It includes non-Arab Muslims as well – what else was the mini-green revolution after the last Iranian elections? – and it means that the millions who live in the part of the world we still like to call the Middle East – it doesn’t feel very “middle” when you live there – now intend to make their own decisions, based on their wishes, not on those of their former satrap presidents and – in turn – their masters in Washington. La Clinton still seems not to have grasped this. Maybe Obama does. Romney? I bet he couldn’t draw a map of the nations in the area, except for one, of course. Contrary to the Western belief that the Arabs are all struggling for “democracy”, the battle and the tragedy of the
Middle East today – whether in the aftermath of the “soft” revolution in Tunisia or the butchery of Syria – is about that word dignity, about the right as a human being to say what you like about whomever you want and not to let a despot take personal ownership of a whole country (as long as he has the permission of the United States) and treat it as his private property. Yes, revolutions are messy. The Egyptian revolution didn’t go quite the way we thought it would. Libya can easily break apart. Syria is a cataclysm. But the Arab people are speaking out at last and they will now ensure that their presidents and prime ministers abide by their wishes, not by the word of Washington or Moscow. Contrary to the Romney-style belief that there is a lack of civilisational values among the Arabs – viz his extraordinary remarks on Israel’s civilisation – the people of the Middle East are demonstrating quite the opposite. It is a slow business: every reader of this article will be dead of old age before the Arab “revolution” is complete. But the days when US presidents instruct the potentates of the Middle East what to say and do are coming to an end. It will be a long time before the Saudi regime crumbles, along with all the other gas stations in the Gulf. And I suppose it must be said that the tragedy of the Palestinians probably lies at the heart of the Arab Awakening. Alas, the Palestinians are the only ones not to benefit from the Arab revolutions. There is not enough land left for them to have a state. This is a fact beyond peradventure (as Enoch Powell used to say). Anyone doubting these words should book a flight to Israel and take a look at the West Bank. There is no place left for Palestine; this is the real tragedy that US presidents must face in the coming years
British Columbian taxpayers deserve to know the true cost of Liberal Govt. pre-election ads Victoria– British Columbians deserve to know the true cost of the Liberal government pre-election TV and radio advertisements that are being paid for with taxpayers’ money, say the New Democrats. “All British Columbians are paying for these ads that contain messages that clearly mimic Liberal party material distributed at the Liberal party convention,” said New Democrat finance critic Bruce Ralston. “It’s just wrong that taxpayers are footing the bill, but the least the Liberal government could do is own up to the total cost of the ads.” Ralston noted the ads have been increasing
in frequency as we get closer to the May 2013 election. He pointed out that New Democrats have filed Freedom of Information requests to discover the true cost, but the Liberal government has so far failed to reveal the full cost of pre-election advertisements in British Columbia. Ralston said the Liberal government did the same thing ahead of the 2005 election. In that case, the government surpassed their own advertising budget by 50 per cent, spending $14 million on feel good “Best Place on Earth” ads designed to promote the governing party. The true cost of the advertising overrun was only discovered
Food bank use in B.C increasing faster than Canadian average, B.C still struggling Media Contact: Megan Mills (New Democrat official opposition)
New statistics show the use of food banks in British Columbia is increasing twice as fast as the national average and that an increasing number of British Columbians are struggling, say the New Democrats. “These recent numbers are unsettling and unfortunately show that life is getting harder for many people in our province,” said New Democrat social development critic Carole James. Statistics released by Food Banks Canada Tuesday show that food bank use in British Columbia increased by 6.6 per cent – more
than double the rise of 2.4 per cent across Canada. Food Bank Canada’s 2012 Hunger Report also notes that the face of those using food bbanks is changing. The report shows that 11.4 pper cent – or more than 1 in 10 British Columbbians – who accessed services at B.C. food bbanks between 2011 and 2012 were employed. James pointed out British Columbia continues to have the worst overall ppoverty rate in the country, and suffered under the worst child poverty rate in Canada for eight years in a row from 2003 to 2010. “The report shows that over the last four
in the Public Accounts that were released following the election. “The 2005 ads, like the ads we are seeing today, have no important and useful information for British Columbians,” said Ralston. “No service is provided by government. The ads are simply designed to make the Liberal government look good. “It would be one thing if the B.C. Liberal party were paying for the ads, but sadly that isn’t the case.” Adrian Dix and B.C.’s New Democrats believe British Columbians deserve a government that is accountable and transparent and uses taxpayers’ dollars for services and
years an increasing number of people who rely on food banks are working Canadians,” said James. “This is not a simple issue that can be fixed with band aid solutions. British Columbians deserve solutions to the problems they face today, and the Liberal government has refused to take the
programs that British Columbians need. info: http://bcndpcaucus.ca problem seriously.” Adrian Dix and B.C.’s New Democrats are committed to implementing a provincewide poverty reduction strategy that sets out clear targets and timelines to tackle growing inequality in British Columbia
Looking for a life partner 33 years old Suuni Muslim Man, 5’-9 inch height, good looking, Bachelor in Accounting, family residing in Calgary, works as a Project Cost Specialist in Oil & Gas Industry in Calgary, looking for his Bride 25-30 years old girl who is willing to move to Alberta. Contact: Miracle Marriage Bureau, Email: naseer@telus.net
Search for a Bride 25 years old Suuni / Shia Mixed family Muslim boy, 6ft tall, good looking, family residing Victoria, Master of Health Administration, works as a Cardio Sonographer in Victoria, looking for his Bride 21-23 years old girl. Contact: Miracle Marriage Bureau, Email: naseer@telus.net
17
l o c al
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
STEPHANIE CADIEUX TO RUN IN SURREY-CLOVERDALE; FORMER MP SUKH DHALIWAL TO RUN IN SURREY-PANORAMA
Surrey – The BC Liberal team for the next election continues to take shape. Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux has decided to run in the rid-
ing in which she lives, Surrey-Cloverdale, in the next election. Also, twice-elected former Member of Parliament Sukh Dhaliwal will be the Party’s new candidate in Surrey-Panorama. The nomination in Cloverdale opened up when current MLA Kevin Falcon announced that he would not be seeking re-election. “I’m proud of the work I have done in my constituency and value the relationships I have formed since 2009,” said Cadieux. “The opportunity to run in the riding where I live makes sense for me personally, and also continues to allow me to deliver for all of Surrey.” Dhaliwal, a resident of Surrey-Panorama since 1997, was a Member of Parliament from Surrey, elected in 2006 and 2008. He
Further myths and facts on temporary foreign workers
Myth 1: These temporary foreign workers are taking the long-term jobs of Canadians and British Columbians.
one of only two underground coal mines operating in Canada, also uses temporary foreign workers.
Fact 1 The work being conducted is exploratory and the jobs are temporary. The company applied for and received a bulk-sample permit in advance of undertaking environmental assessments and is sampling the proposed deposits for viability. This is work required in advance of moving forward with the project and requires individuals trained in underground mining. The jobs are temporary - for a six-to-eightmonth period while the exploration takes place. B.C.’s government is committed to making sure that if these mines are found to be viable, British Columbians will be able to do the jobs that will be created in northeastern B.C. In fact, there are numerous British Columbians already working at this site and the government is working with the company to determine their training needs should the projects go ahead. The ministry is working with post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver training to support skills development in underground mining in the Northeast. Myth 2: British Columbians are not being provided an opportunity for future underground mining jobs of this kind. Fact 2 Prior to being granted permits to hire temporary foreign workers, a company must secure a labour market opinion. Managed by the federal government, the process requires employers to demonstrate efforts made to hire Canadians for the jobs, that the wages offered are consistent with similar jobs, that the working conditions meet current provincial labour market standards, and the economic benefit of hiring the temporary foreign workers, such as the transfer of skills and knowledge to Canadian workers or the development of a new industry. In fact, Grande Cache Coal,
Myth 3: The company rigged the process in order to hire temporary foreign workers and used Mandarin as a language requirement. Fact 3 The company advertised these jobs in a manner consistent with the regulatory requirements set out in the federal immigration and refugee protection regulation (temporary foreign workers). The company advertised for workers through its own and the BC Mining Association’s websites, Canada’s national job bank, local and provincial newspapers, job boards and fairs at a wage consistent with similar jobs at Grand Cache Coal in Alberta. In issuing the labour market opinion, the federal government determined that no qualified workers were available. Mandarin was not a required language for any of the jobs. The ad referenced in the media was not the ad that the company used in its search for employees prior to seeking temporary foreign workers. Myth 4: The company rigged the process by not advertising the jobs at a fair wage. Fact 4 In order for the company to be granted the right to hire temporary foreign workers, it must first advertise the jobs at a rate consistent with wages being offered to Canadians. Myth 5: The company is hiring Chinese miners because they are cheap. Fact 5 Hiring a temporary foreign worker is not cheap. Often it costs an employer more money. Interim health-care costs, transportation and assistance in finding accommodation are often required. HD Mining also has committed to providing, during working hours, English language training for their TFWs. The workers hired for this were recruited due to a lack of individuals in Canada with the necessary long wall mine training. In fact, Grand Cache Coal, one of only two underground mines currently operating in Canada, also uses TFWs due to the shortage of skilled labour in this field and the lack of individuals willing to work in underground coal mines. The company advertised these jobs at rates equal to or above similar jobs at Grand Cache Coal in Alberta.
is excited about running again for public office, this time as part of Premier Christy Clark’s 2013 team. “British Columbia is at a crucial point in history, and the BC Liberals are the best option for our province’s economy,” said Dhaliwal. “Offering families low taxes, a clear plan for growth and the fiscal capacity for strong systems of support are values that I firmly believe in.” “Sukh will work hard to earn the vote of Panorama constituents and even harder on their behalf as MLA,” said Cadieux. “I am fully supportive of both Sukh and Stephanie’s candidacies. They will ensure their ridings have strong representation for years to come,” said Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Kevin Falcon. Cadieux and Dhaliwal will have a joint Myth 6: The company is hiring 2,000 Chinese workers. Fact 6 The company, HD Mining, submitted a request to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for 201 temporary foreign workers. Myth 7 - It should not take much to train these individuals. Fact 7 British Columbia’s Skills and Training Plan, released on Sept. 19, focuses on aligning B.C.’s training system with the
candidate selection meeting in Surrey on November 14th. Both candidates have been acclaimed. jobs on the ground. Through initiatives such as the Northeast Regional Workforce Table, government is working with industry to identify their skills needs and then offering training programs consistent with those needs. Although a number of public post-secondary institutions in B.C. offer mining-related training, no mines in Western Canada have previously employed “long wall mining”. As such, no training is currently offered on equipment/techniques relevant to this particular type of mining. Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
Immigration Plan that works for Canada Immigrants who are already working in Canada to be admitted through Canadian Experience Class Ottawa, October 31, The Government of Canada will maintain record levels of immigration to support economic growth in 2013, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. “Our Government’s number one priority remains economic and job growth,” said Minister Kenney. “Newcomers bring their skills and talents, contribute to our economy and help renew our workforce so that Canada remains competitive on the world stage.” According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)’s 2012 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration tabled today, CIC plans to admit a total of 240,000 to 265,000 new permanent residents in 2013, for the seventh straight year. This represents the highest sustained level of immigration in Canadian history.In particular, the 2013 Immigration Levels Plan makes room for the rapid growth in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC, which was created in 2008, facilitates the transition from temporary to permanent residence for those with high-skilled work experience in Canada, including international students and temporary foreign workers. Admis-
sions under the CEC have increased from about 2,500 people in 2009 to more than 6,000 in 2011, with more expected this year than ever before. In 2013, CIC intends to accept a record high of up to 10,000 permanent residents through this popular program.“Immigration plays a vital role in our country’s long-term prosperity,” said Minister Kenney. “Our 2013 Immigration Plan will build on our economic success by bringing in more of the world’s top talent who already have a successful track record in Canada.”Every year, CIC consults with provinces, territories and public stakeholders across Canada to develop a balanced immigration plan. Besides stakeholder consultations, the Canadian public is invited to participate through online consultations on immigration levels and mix. This year, for the first time in Canadian history, CIC consulted with key Aboriginal groups.CIC’s 2013 planned admission ranges for other immigration programs will be released in the coming days. For further information (media only), please contact: CIC-Media-Relations@cic. gc.ca
18
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
19
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
BOOKMAN OR TAXMAN! DOES YOUR ACCOUNTANT SAVE TAXES FOR YOU OR JUST FILE YOUR TAX RETURNS?
Does your accountant file your taxes including Corporation or Personal Tax Returns accurately and on a timely basis preventing unnecessary audits and penalties? Does your accountant show you how to save your taxes? Does your accountant help you understand the Canadian taxation system? QUICKBOOKS OR SIMPLY ACCOUNTING SETUP AND TRAINING FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR 10% DISCOUNT WITH THIS COUPON *New Client Only. Expires December 31, 2012
CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNTANTS AT TWO LOCATIONS
Tel: 604-227-1120 Toll Free: 1-800-380-6TAX (6829) 235- 11590 Cambie Rd, Richmond - 110-11518 141A Street, Surrey www.aadcga.com | www.advancedtax.ca | www.aadconsulting.ca
20
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Family Pack
Quick Pick One lrg 2 toppings pizza 8 pcs of chicken
1 large specialty pizza 10 pcs ea chicken t in or get it delivered large mojo + Tax large salad .99 One 2 ltr pop
+ Tax
$22.99
$34
SPECIAL 2 Large pizza (Any Kind)
Monday Special
20 Chicken Wings
$34
+tax
any large pizza
.99
$10
.99 + Tax
Tuesday Special
10 pcs of Chicken
$12.99 +tax
Try Our new Butter Chicken Pizza!
7711-128th St. , Surrey
604-502-7773
Specializing in Indian Style Chinese & Szechuan Food Fine Dining, Taking out and Delivery
Lunch Special Over 20 items to choose from
Monday - Friday y 12:30 ppm - 2:30 ppm Except Holiday
$6.50 & up
FREE DELIVERY 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM with Min order $25.00 within 3km Radius Map Between 98 Ave to 92 Ave & 116 St to 128 St
New Management Jalil Khan
EXTRA DELIVERY CHARGE OUTSIDE OF 3 KM RADIUS MAY APPLY
Next to Sabzi Mandi
9436 - 120 Street, Surrey, BC www.asianspicesurrey.com
Business Hours: Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
12:30 am to 10:00 pm 12:30 am to 10:30 pm 12:30 Noon to 10:30 pm 12:30 Noon to 10:00 pm
604-582-8388
21
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Your Trusted Lawyers
Usman Ghani - ICBC - Medical malpractice - Personal Injury - Civil Litigation - Commercial Litigation
&
Massood Joomratty - Family and Spouse Sponsorships - Super Visa & Student Visa - Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) - Skilled Worker programs & Work Permit - Business & Investor Immigration - Temporary Resident Visa Applications - All Immigration Appeals - Citizenship
Barristers & Solicitors
Free Initial Consultation
604-599-0001 Usman Ghani
Massood Joomratty
SURREY OFFICE: # 205 - 7134 King George Blvd. Surrey BC V3W 5A3
Help future immigrants come to Canada. Thrive in a professional career with a purpose. BECOME A REGULATED IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT *
Program available ONLINE. Apply NOW. Speak with our ADVISER today. Contact Cairrie Williamson at 1(866) 759-6006 or email cwilliamson@ashtoncollege.com. *Program accredited by the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
Ashton College | 1190 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC | AshtonCollege.com | 604.899.0803
22
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
- Qeema - Chana Masala - Aloo Bhaji - Halwa Puri - Yogurt - Tea and much more
NEW NEW
Chicken Jalfrezi Unit 108 12414 82 Ave, Surrey Kabab Masala
For more information please call Ahmad Akbar at 604-594-7160 & 604-518-7887
QR CODE
10% Off LAL Take Out Enjoy Delicious and mouth watering Afghani food in our Unique Environment
ONLY HA
Call for Party Reservations
We will now have the seating capicity of 150-175 guests for Aqiqa, Wedding, Political, Birthday, Religious and Social gatherings and other conferences etc.
Afghan Chopan is famous since a decade for its specialties: - Chopan Kabab - Seekh Kabab - Tikka Kabab - Chicken Tikka - Chapli Kabab - Chicken Karahi - Freshly Baked Afghani Bread
23
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Eid Mubarak from Scotiabank. Hardeep Bains
Kelly Botchar
Raj Uppal
Branch Manager
Branch Manager
Branch Manager
Newton Town Centre Surrey
King George Boulevard & 102nd Avenue Surrey
49th Avenue & Fraser Vancouver
604-501-5355
604-668-3699
604-586-1320 Ext : 7000
Tirth Kular
Jod Kooner
Nasir Ansari
Branch Manager
Branch Manager
Nordel Crossing Surrey
Mortgage Development Manager
Strawberry Hill Surrey
604-501-7533
604-501-3328
速 Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
Newton Town Centre, Surrey 604-773-7287
24
S k i l l & M o r t g a g e Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Demand of Skilled Trade Professionals: Plumbers
Imran Tipu, B.Sc. Civil Eng This article is a continuation of my last three articles in which I explained the demand of skilled trade professionals in North America. Today I will discuss the plumbing profession. How to become a plumber The profession of plumbing has become one of the most popular skilled trades in Canada, and with good reason: the days are always different, there’s plenty of work available, and the pay is generally great. It isn’t easy to become a plumber—a lot of time and effort is put in while learning the trade—but once you master it, you’re set to have an excellent career. Here’s what you need to do to get there. Get your high school diploma To have the best job and apprenticeship prospects, finish high school. If possible, take as many math courses as you can before you graduate. Math skills are some of the most important in plumbing, as you’ll use them to calculate measurements and figure out specifications for pipe systems. Complete a plumbing apprenticeship There’s only one way to learn how to be a plumber: doing hands-on work and shadowing professional plumbers. Finding an apprenticeship is like a regular job search, except your employer must be willing to hire a new apprentice, provide training, and pay the standard rates. Once you’ve done this, register as an apprentice with your provincial/territorial apprenticeship authority. About 80% of your time as an apprentice will be spent working under a certified plumber, but you’ll also have to take a few courses. Requirements vary across Canada,
so check with your local apprenticeship authority to find out how many hours and which classes you need to complete. Generally, plumbing apprentices have to complete at least 6,000 hours of work— many must complete 9,000—which takes between 4 and 5 years. Once you pass your final exam, congrats, you’re a plumber. Get certified Certification is mandatory in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I, Saskatchewan and Québec. To be eligible for more and better jobs, get certified even if you’re working in a non-mandatory province/territory. If you’ll be moving around, take the certification exam which is also called Red seal exam. Passing it allows you to work anywhere in Canada without having to take any additional tests or courses. Another useful certification for plumbers is gas fitting. Gas and water systems are often combined, so this certification qualifies you for more jobs The Piping Trades consist of Plumbing, Steam fitting, Gas Fitting and Sprinkler fitting. When seeking a career choice it is critical that one looks at employability and diversity of the job and skills. These two factors keep you earning income for your needs and free of repetitive boredom. The Piping Foundation program prepares students for entry-level employment in the piping trades: Plumbing, Steam fitting, Gas fitting, Sprinkler fitting By experiencing all four trade specialties, students will be prepared to make an informed decision about which career path best suits them if they decide to pursue an apprenticeship. Plumbers work with domestic hot and cold water, drainage systems, and hydronic heating systems. Many plumbers hold gas tickets because of the widespread use of natural gas in British Columbia. Steamfitters/pipefitters install, alter, maintain, and repair piping systems that convey low and high pressure steam, hot water, air,
Mortgage Watch By Kazim Jafary Hurricane Sandy is dominating the news while I am writing this article and it looks like it will continue to do so for the next few days. New York was hit hard with electrical fires, floods and severe power outages – this caused Wall Street to be shut down again, the last comparable closure of the New York Stock Exchange for two consecutive days was back in 1888. Economists are predicting economic losses to the tune of tens of billions which means more trouble for the US economy. Here in Canada, noise in the mortgage market has quieted down a bit as all the new government led changes have been implemented and the housing market has become slightly more restrained. Many homebuyers are now more limited in the maximum purchase price that will be permitted under the new rules. However, the good news is that interest rates are still at rock bottom. It is hard to believe that 60 months ago rates were approximately twice what they are today. For example, one can easily find a mortgage written in 2007 at 5.78% fixed for a 5-year term. If you already have a mortgage at the
current low rates, now is a good time to increase your mortgage payment if your lender allows you to do so to reduce your principal faster. For those who are thinking of buying, following are a few things to consider. More listings and fewer buyers translate into better negotiating and bargaining opportunities and more selection especially in the entry level market. Fortunately, interest rates are still historically low especially the 5 and 10 year terms are ideally suited for most people. CMHC – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation predicts that rent in the Greater Vancouver will continue to climb, good news for those who have rental properties for investment purposes. CMHC is Canada’s national housing agency established as a government-owned corporation in 1946 to address the country’s housing shortage after World War II. It is the leading public entity in the fields of mortgage loan insurance, mortgage-backed securities, housing policy and programs, and housing research. The Corporation’s one of the main functions is to enhance housing finance options and assist Canadians who cannot afford housing in the private market. In a report written by Jane Londerville, Associate Professor, REH Advisor and Interim Chair of the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies at the University of Guelph, who also teaches real estate finance and appraisal, she has recommended privatizing the CMHC to level the playing field
fuel gases, fuel, and finely divided solids. Domestic/commercial Gas Fitter’s design, installs, repair and maintain gas fired appliances, equipment and distribution piping systems. Advances in modern appliance controls technology require gas fitters to develop strong electrical, computer and trouble shooting skills. Sprinkler fitters install, alter, and repair automatic, deluge, or open sprinklers; foam, fog, and carbon dioxide systems; wet or dry standpipes; inside first aid and hose pipe systems, private fire hydrant systems, fire pumps, and all related equipment. Role of Plumber in Green Economy Up to 70 per cent of the water and energy savings in buildings are due to the work of local plumbers, who have developed specific skills to adapt to water shortages in the country. The idea started in the year 2000, in Geneva when employers and trade unions created a qualification known as “the Green Plumber”. Training is provided by a joint employer-union enterprise. During training plumbers learn to advise consumers on the benefits of energy efficiency, water conservation and the most appropriate and cost-effective appliances, among other issues. Canada has also big potential for the profession of ‘Green Plumber’. General Job Description of a Professional Plumber 1) Assemble pipe sections, tubing and fittings, using couplings, clamps, screws, bolts, cement, plastic solvent, caulking, or soldering, brazing and welding equipment. 2) Fill pipes or plumbing fixtures with water or air and observe pressure gauges to detect and locate leaks. 3) Review blueprints and building codes and specifications to determine work details and procedures. 4) Prepare written work cost estimates and negotiate contracts. 5) Study building plans and inspect structures to assess material and equipment
needs, to establish the sequence of pipe installations, and to plan installation around obstructions such as electrical wiring. 6) Keep records of assignments and produce detailed work reports. 7) Perform complex calculations and planning for special or very large jobs. 8) Locate and mark the position of pipe installations, connections, passage holes, and fixtures in structures, using measuring instruments such as rulers and levels. 9) Measure, cut, thread, and bend pipe to required angle, using hand and power tools or machines such as pipe cutters, pipe-threading machines, and pipe-bending machines. 10) Install pipe assemblies, fittings, valves, appliances such as dishwashers and water heaters, and fixtures such as sinks and toilets, using hand and power tools. 11) Cut openings in structures to accommodate pipes and pipe fittings, using hand and power tools. 12) Hang steel supports from ceiling joists to hold pipes in place. 13) Repair and maintain plumbing, replacing defective washers, replacing or mending broken pipes, and opening clogged drains. 14) Direct workers engaged in pipe cutting and preassembly and installation of plumbing systems and components. 15) Install underground storm, sanitary and water piping systems and extend piping to connect fixtures and plumbing to these systems. 16) Clear away debris in a renovation. 17) Install oxygen and medical gas in hospitals. 18) Use specialized techniques, equipment, or materials, such as performing computerassisted welding of small pipes, or working with the special piping used in microchip fabrication.
in favor of homebuyers. ‘I’m not saying it’s the right answer but if we want mortgage insurance that benefits the consumer, then we have to look at ways to make the insurance market more competitive. This would likely lead to lower mortgage insurance fees’, Londerville said in an interview. Canadian taxpayers have often raised concerns that federal government’s backing of mortgage insurers is risky business and can end up costing them huge amounts of money as it did in 1997 when CMHC didn’t have enough in reserve to cover claims and needed government assistance. But since then, in an effort to be more cautious about maintaining its reserves, CMHC increased mortgage insurance premiums and that’s of course not good for homebuyers. ‘Because the federal government guarantees the mortgage loan, there is some risk for taxpayers, however it is minimal’, Londerville said. ‘Only 0.4 per cent of all mortgages go into default. When the government is guaranteeing the insurers, it can dictate the criteria to minimize any risk.’ Following are some noteworthy facts which can help understand how things are tilted in favor of CMHC at the moment. The government determines the level of riskbased capital mortgage lenders need to keep on its balance sheets. CMHC loans are 100 per cent guaranteed, thus lenders require zero capital allocation. Private loan insurers are 90 per cent guaranteed and funds must be set aside in the event of default thus CMHC loans offer a higher rate of return for lenders. Having a competitive market for mortgage insurance would greatly benefit homebuyers. Today, as opposed to
government’s CMHC, there are two private insurers in the market – Genworth Financial Canada and Canada Guaranty. And if your lender allows you to go with these private mortgage insurers, you get the following two substantial benefits. Firstly, insured mortgages are portable saving homeowners new insurance fees and secondly, you get lower insurance fees. Canada has the second largest mortgage insurance market in the world and is attracting more private insurers. However, CMHC’s status as a Crown Corporation means the 100 per cent guarantee cannot be reduced. To foster a more competitive environment, Londerville recommends the following few steps. CMHC should be repositioned as an affiliated non-Crown public entity. It should be ensured that the government backing for this new company is equal to those terms available to private insurers. And lastly, she recommends that the federal government should set lending criteria. Canada’s mortgage insurance has facilitated more consumers to own their homes with minimal risk to taxpayers. Having an even playing field for all insurers from both public and private sectors will benefit consumers and homeowners and further grow our housing market. Nevertheless, while navigating through numerous lenders and several mortgage products it is important to check that the lender of your choice should preferably allow you to go with any of the three mortgage insurers to make sure that you keep all your options open. Questions & Comments: kazim@kazimjafary.com
For more information about these article series and/or all our previous articles, please visit: www.rtmroofingandrenovations.com
25
l ifestyle
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Seven Techniques for Overcoming Migraine Headaches By Nada Adams One of my favorite health reporters (NaturalNews) provided the following informative article. Migraine headaches have become all too common in our fast paced high stress world. With the hectic pace of our lives and the fear that is too often associated with the modern lifestyle including wars, terrorism, the economy, family and work, and poor quality processed foods and more, it’s little wonder that more and more people are suffering from mild and severe migraines at an increasing rate. The severity of migraine pain can be anywhere from very slight to debilitating. Sometimes the pain from migraines can become so severe that the person is literally incapacitated and unable to do anything but lie in bed. More women suffer from migraine headaches than men by about a 4 to 1 ratio. Some women report that migraines disappear during pregnancy in a fairly large number of sufferers. Migraine headaches have been documented as far back as 1200BC by the Egyptians who described it as a “headache with neuralgia”. In 400 BC Hippocrates described the visual aura that can precede the migraine headache and the relief which can occur through vomiting. Aretaeus of Cappadocia is credited as the “discoverer” of migraines because of his description in the second century of the symptoms of a unilateral headache associated with vomiting. There are many triggers of migraines including: environmental, stress of either a physical or emotional nature, nutritional deficiencies, allergic reactions, bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes, changes in sleeping patterns, smoking or smoke exposure, skipping meals, alcohol, menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills, hormone fluctuations during menopause, foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nitrates (found in all processed meats i.e. hot dogs, salami etc).
the western world. When chi rises to the head, the blood naturally follows. Often this intensifies the symptoms due to the expansion of blood vessels in the brain caused by the presence of increased blood flow. So what is causing this “ascending fire chi” to rise up to the head? There can be many causes but they all have one thing in common, they are all reflective in one or more of the 4 main characteristics of chi, which are: 1. Flow, 2. Strength, 3. Balance and 4. Purity. When anyone or more of these “chi symptoms” are present, symptoms and disease will manifest in the body to some degree. Energy may be in disharmony for weeks, months or years before any physical manifestations of symptoms arise. Chinese pulse diagnosis is fantastic at detecting these energy deficiencies and imbalances sometimes decades in advance when done by a skilled master healer. Chemicals in foods such as MSG, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, various preservatives, artificial sweeteners and just about anything else artificial can causes excess fire chi to be generated in the body. If the kidneys (which control water functions of the body) are not strong enough or compromised in some way, they will not be able to balance out this excess fire chi and this energy can than ascend to the head uncontrollably. Where this chi goes, the blood will follow often resulting in the physical manifestation of the main migraine symptoms of pain, nausea, dizziness and vomiting, sometimes accompanied by “aura”.
Methods to Cool the Fire: Any illness severe enough to cause major symptoms in the body will always have part or all of its root cause in the kidneys and kidney chi. The kidneys are your main organs that determine overall life force, sexual health, energy, and longevity. This is why Chinese medicine places such great emphasis on strengthening the kidneys. This is not only a factor in prevention of
disease but in curing as well. Here are several methods that are known to help cool down the fire chi in the body and greatly help reduce the frequency, severity or totally eliminate migraine headaches from occurring in the future. 1) Avoid fire inducing foods; such as red meat, processed foods, spices, alcohol, soda, refined salt, sugars and all other refined foods should all be greatly cut down or eliminated from the diet as much as possible. These foods are very common in the western world and are virtually dead in terms of their life energies. 2) Eat cooling (yin) foods from nature such as vegetables, fruits, wild fish, organic meats, whole grain breads and all other foods that are as minimally processed as possible; this also includes reading those labels to make sure that there are no chemicals/ preservatives in those foods at all. 3) Practice meditation 20-30 minutes per day to calm the mind and help cool down the fire energies of the body. 4) Practice deep abdominal breathing several times per day; Breathing is one of the fastest and most effective methods of cooling down the fire. Practicing breath holding for 3-5 seconds every few breaths can go a long way to keeping the fire energies of the body in check. 5) Take herbs such as Ginger, Feverfew and Ginkgo Biloba; One case report suggested success using 4–6 grams per day of powdered ginger for migraines and the nausea that accompanies them. Ginkgo Biloba extract may also help because it reduces the formation of a substance known as plateletactivating factor which may contribute to migraines. Although Ginger is classified as a warming herb, in this case it helps to strengthen the water energies of the kidneys. The kidneys then have increased water energies to cool the fire of the body. 6) Use acupuncture and acupressure points to help balance chi flow; Acupressure points such as connecting valleys which is located on the webbing between the thumb and forefinger of both hands is known to be effective at relieving mild to moderate
Award winning Pakistani feature film “Seedlings” (“Lamha”) to have its Canadian premiere at the South Asian Film Festival of Canada 2012 in Vancouver & Surrey AN INVITATION Starring Pakistani actors Aamina Sheikh, Mohib Mirza and Gohar Rasheed, SEEDLINGS (LAMHA) revolves around three lives that are bound together by a devastating accident, in an intricately woven story of loss, forgiveness and redemption.
Chinese Medicine and Migraines While western medicine still struggles to understand the true nature of disease in the human body, Chinese medicine is thousands of years ahead in understanding and offers many simple and effective remedies into the cause and treatments of migraines. In Chinese medicine, anytime you experience: Headaches, Dizziness, Nausea or Vomiting, these are characteristics of “ascending fire chi” rising up to the head. They have an old axiom that states “chi is the commander of blood, but blood is the mother of chi; this means that wherever chi goes, blood will follow.” There have been many experiments done that show that if a person thinks about their feet; blood flow to the feet actually increases. If they think about their head, the blood flow to the head also increases. This ascending fire chi is the true cause of serious headaches such as migraines and many other associate illnesses of excess fire energy that are so common today in
headaches and migraines. Press on this point with moderate pressure for 30-60 seconds of each hand. There are also points at the base of the back of the skull where the bone goes into the softer tissue of the neck that can be extremely effective at not only alleviating migraine attacks, but have been known to cure some cases of chronic migraines with only one application. The exact location of these points is difficult to describe in words, but a general massaging of the lower part of the skull where the two thick chords of the neck disappear into the skull while looking down at the ground can often be just as effective as acupressure at relieving headache pain many cases. 7) Drink more live water; Chronic dehydration is another major cause of headaches and in fact many other major illnesses were seeing today. Soda and coffee and even many teas do not count as drinking water (boiled water is dead water). Water itself is pure, helps to ease the strain on the kidneys which again increases the strength of their control over the fire energies of the body. Not to mention water physically helps to purify the bloodstream, flushes out toxins and can help keep the blood thinner and flowing more smoothly throughout the system. This results in less strain on the heart and since the heart is the fire organ of the body that means less fire energies will be generated. Also be sure to clean up your diet adding as much natural raw or at least lightly cooked foods to your diet as possible, avoiding chemicals and chemical triggers, reducing stress, daily walking as well as getting a good night’s sleep. About the author: Richard is a network engineer and long-time practitioner of Chinese martial arts, medicine and chi-gung for over twenty six years. You can read many articles, hear audio interviews, and learn more about the highly praised Chinese Health and Fitness video by visiting Chinese Health and Fitness.com I hope you found value in this article! Questions/Comments – contact Nada Adams at info@vipresultscoaching.com.
SEEDLINGS (LAMHA) won the Best Feature Film (Audience Choice) & Best Lead Actress awards at the New York City International Film Festival 2012 ”Lahma has, with good reason, been one of the most anticipated Pakistani film of 2012. A stunning debut!” Hannah Fisher, Artistic Director, South Asian Film Festival of Canada. “One of our best movies this year!” Roberto Rizzo, Festival Director, NYCIFF ____________________________________________________________ SCREENINGS & TICKETS
OFFICIAL SPONSORS Pakistan Canadian Women Association & Pakistan Consulate General of Vancouver
Friday Nov 2nd, 9pm @ VIFF’s Vancity Theatre (VANCOUVER)
Saturday Nov 3rd, 3pm @ Granville 7 Cinemas (VANCOUVER) Sunday Nov 4th, 12pm @ Empire Theatres Guilford (SURREY) •
To purchase tickets and get more info go to: http://www.saffcanada.org/films/seedlings/
•
Contact SAFF Canada: 604-569-1111 Pakistani Producer Meher Jaffri will be present at screenings & Q/A
26
health
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
Diet soda is doing these 7 awful things to your body
By Mandy Oaklander Pop quiz! What’s the single biggest source of calories for Americans? White bread? Big Macs? Actually, try soda. The average
American drinks about two cans of the stuff every day. “But I drink diet soda,” you say. “With no calories or sugar, it’s the perfect alternative for weight watchers...Right?” Not so fast. Before you pop the top off the caramel-colored bubbly, know this: guzzling diet soda comes with its own set of side effects that may harm your health-from kickstarting kidney problems to adding inches to your waistline. Unfortunately, diet soda is more in vogue than ever. Kids consume the stuff at more than double the rate of last decade, according to research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Among adults, consumption has grown almost 25 percent. But knowing these 7 side effects of drink-
ing diet soda may help you kick the can for good. Kidney Problems Here’s something you didn’t know about your diet soda: It might be bad for your kidneys. In an 11-year-long Harvard Medical School study of more than 3,000 women, researchers found that diet cola is associated with a two-fold increased risk for kidney decline. Kidney function started declining when women drank more than two sodas a day. Even more interesting: Since kidney decline was not associated with sugar-sweetened sodas, researchers suspect that the diet sweeteners are responsible. Messed-Up Metabolism According to a 2008 University of Minnesota study of almost 10,000 adults, even just one diet soda a day is linked to a 34% higher risk of metabolic syndrome, the group of symptoms including belly fat and high cholesterol that puts you at risk for heart disease. Whether that link is attributed to an ingredient in diet soda or the drinkers’ eating habits is unclear. But is that one can really worth it? Obesity You read that right: Diet soda doesn’t help you lose weight after all. A University of Texas Health Science Center study found
that the more diet sodas a person drank, the greater their risk of becoming overweight. Downing just two or more cans a day increased waistlines by 500%. Why? Artificial sweeteners can disrupt the body’s natural ability to regulate calorie intake based on the sweetness of foods, suggested an animal study from Purdue University. That means people who consume diet foods might be more likely to overeat, because your body is being tricked into thinking it’s eating sugar, and you crave more. A Terrible Hangover Your first bad decision was ordering that whiskey-and-diet-cola -- and you may make the next one sooner than you thought. Cocktails made with diet soda get you drunker, faster, according to a study out of the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia. That’s because sugar-free mixers allow liquor to enter your bloodstream much quicker than those with sugar, leaving you with a bigger buzz. Cell Damage Diet sodas contain something many regular sodas don’t: mold inhibitors. They go by the names sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate, and they’re in nearly all diet sodas. But many regular sodas, such as Coke and Pepsi, don’t contain this preservative. That’s bad news for diet drinkers. “These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it - they knock it out altogether,” Peter Piper, a pro-
Things to Do to Prevent the Flu With Canadian Thanksgiving over and done, a new season is upon us. Soon (if not already) the sound of coughing, sneezing and misery will fill the air as people get ill with influenza (commonly called “the flu”). Unfortunately flu season is not something to celebrate. However it is a time to prepare and take precautions to prevent you, your family, and your co-workers from getting and spreading the flu. ABOUT THE FLU The flu is a common infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the influenza virus. It affects millions of Canadians each year during the winter months (typically from November to April), however according to FluWatch, flu season in Canada 2012-13 arrived in October. People usually develop symptoms within four days after becoming infected. The symptoms come on quite suddenly. usually starting with a sudden headache, chills and cough followed by achy muscles, fever, extreme weakness and fatigue, sore throat, watery eyes, stuffy nose, and sneezing. Most people recover from the flu in about a week. However the flu lowers your body’s ability to fight other infections, which can lead to other infections such as pneumonia and other complications - even death. Infants, elderly people and those with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, anemia, cancer, immune suppression, HIV and kidney disease are especially at risk for these complications. People are contagious for seven days after the start of the symptoms; however children, people with weakened immune systems, and those with severe illness may be contagious longer. The flu spreads easily from infected persons in the form of tiny respiratory droplets that spread when they cough, sneeze or talk. It is also spread when you touch surfaces, objects, or unwashed hands contaminated by the influenza virus. Viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. On average, each year about 20,000 people
in Canada are hospitalized due to the flu and its complications, and 2,000 to 8,000 die, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). PREVENT THE FLU Get your annual flu shot. Getting the flu shot is one of the most effective ways to prevent catching and spreading the flu virus. Each year there is a new vaccine to protect against new strains of the influenza virus which is why you need a flu shot every year. The best time to get the shot is early in the flu season, between October and December. It is especially important for people who are at high risk of flu-related complications to get the shot, including: elderly people, aged 65 and over; healthy children aged 6-23 months; pregnant women; those with chronic health conditions such as heart or lung problems, diabetes, cancer, weakened immune systems, kidney disease, severe obesity, and anemia; health care workers; residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities; and Aboriginal people. If you provide essential community services, or work, live, or have contact with people in high risk groups, you could potentially give the flu virus to those in the high risk group. So be sure to get vaccinated against the flu. Cover your cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Sneeze and cough into your elbow or sleeve (NOT your hand), or use a tissue. Throw away the tissue immediately after using and wash your hands. Wash your hands properly, and often. Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds to help remove bacteria and viruses. Be sure to remove any rings or jewellery before washing, and to scrub your hands, wrists, and forearms and between your fingers and
under your nails. Wash before and after eating, after you have been in a public place, after using the washroom, after coughing and sneezing, and after touching surfaces that may have been contaminated. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer, while not effective as hand washing, is a good option to use when soap and running water are not available. Keep your hands away from your face. You can catch germs when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch your face. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the flu virus from entering your body. When sick, stay home and avoid crowds.
fessor of molecular biology and biotechnology at the University of Sheffield in the U.K., told a British newspaper in 1999. The preservative has also been linked to hives, asthma, and other allergic conditions, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Since then, some companies have phased out sodium benzoate. Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi have replaced it with another preservative, potassium benzoate. Both sodium and potassium benzoate were classified by the Food Commission in the UK as mild irritants to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Rotting Teeth With a pH of 3.2, diet soda is very acidic. (As a point of reference, the pH of battery acid is 1. Water is 7.) The acid is what readily dissolves enamel, and just because a soda is diet doesn’t make it acid-light. Adults who drink three or more sodas a day have worse dental health, says a University of Michigan analysis of dental checkup data. Soda drinkers had far greater decay, more missing teeth, and more fillings. Reproductive Issues Sometimes, the vessel for your beverage is just as harmful. Diet or not, soft drink cans are coated with the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to everything from heart disease to obesity to reproductive problems. That’s a lot of risktaking for one can of pop.
If you have the flu, prevent spreading it to others; stay home from work or school and avoid large crowds. Keep your distance from others until your symptoms are gone. If they get worse, call your health care provider. Keep it clean and disinfected Regularly clean and disinfect common surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and other surfaces that can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. Source: Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety
Novartis influenza vaccine suspension lifted By: Ministry of Health Office of the Provincial Health Officer Oct 31,2012 VICTORIA - Health Canada has announced that it has lifted the temporary precautionary suspension on all Novartis influenza vaccine products in Canada. After extensive consultation with Novartis, and public health and regulatory officials in Italy and Switzerland, as well as its own product assessments, Health Canada has determined that there are no safety concerns with any Novartis vaccine products in Canada or British Columbia. With this release for use, all Fluad and Agriflu products currently distributed across health authorities in B.C. will be put back into use in public influenza vaccine campaigns. That campaign is now underway throughout the province. Novartis products represent about 30 per cent of the provincial vaccine supply. Both Fluad and Agriflu, influenza vaccines manufactured in Italy by Novartis,
had been pulled from vaccine campaigns in Canada and some European countries following reports of clumping noted in a specific vaccine batch; that batch was not released for use. Similar clumping has not been discovered in any vaccine distributed in Canada. The Canadian suspension was a purely precautionary measure. All vaccine products received in Canada have passed Health Canada safety inspections. Influenza can be a serious illness. Each year thousands of Canadians die from its complications - most of them seniors or those with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions. The flu vaccine is safe for use and is the best way to prevent illness from the virus. British Columbians can get vaccinated at a variety of locations - from dedicated flu clinics, to public health units, family physicians and pharmacists. To find a flu clinic near you, visit the flu clinic locator at: www.immunizebc.ca Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
27
y o u t h
MYC’s Cuisine of Cultures Absolutely Awesome
On October 20, 2012, The Muslim Youth Centre held their first International Food Event. The MYC was buzzing with Brothers and Sisters from 18 countries sharing and selling their mouth-watering dishes of food and desserts. The event was successful with dozens of families from our community in attendance. It was extremely heart-warming to see our Brothers, Sisters, Youth and Children at the MYC enjoying each country’s cuisine and exchanging compliments of how tasty and delicious their foods and delicatessen were. The countries that displayed and sold their foods and desserts were: Afghanistan, Canada, China, Egypt, Fiji, Guyana, India, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Syria and Tunisia. The chefs humbly accepted the MYC’s requests to cook their foods and desserts and have them sold with all proceeds going to MYC. For this we are deeply appreciative and thankful for your kind and humble effort. Brother Kareem Husain, President of MYC, welcomed everyone and thanked them for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the MYC’s first International Food Event. He said that this event was not only to taste the best foods on earth, but it was to bring people together to share what Allah has given us and to get to know each other’s culture and country through the means of what is most liked by people………which is food. He also said that the MYC is a place for the present and future youth to interact and to become future role models of society. The bond of Brotherhood and Sisterhood is very valuable in this part of the world. The MYC also provided the children with games for entertainment and gave gifts. The MYC’s Management Team congratulated the chefs, the volunteers, and everyone who participated in this event and are looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2nd International Food Event in 2013. All proceeds from this event will go to the MYC facility for its programs and operational cost. Please continue to support the MYC with your participation and donations. MYC wishes everyone EID-ul-Adha greetings.
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
28
sports
Volume 12 Issue 322 Dhul Hijjah 17, 1433 AH / November 2, 2012
India’s home ministry clears Pakistan tour
India’s home ministry has cleared a limitedovers tour by the Pakistan team, prompting the BCCI to say the tour “is on” at the end of the year. The clearance was given at a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday between ministry officials and senior representatives of the BCCI - including its chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla and chief executive Sundar Raman. “We have discussed all security aspects (and) the tour is on,” Shukla told reporters after the meeting. The tour - which now needs only a formal announcement by the two boards to be official - will comprise three ODIs and two Twenty20s at Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Bangalore. Pakistan are due to arrive on December 22 and Shukla said the Player union head Donald Fehr says the NHL’s salary cap remains off the table, despite talk he could bring the issue into the mix if the current lockout wipes out entire season. “The more things change, the harder it becomes,” Fehr said in a question and answer session with the StarTribune in Minnesota. “But I’m not going to talk about future contingencies in the event we can’t reach an agreement … I’m not going to discuss what we might do in other pro-
tour would continue till January 7 but the detailed schedule is yet to be announced. However, there is little room for flexibility because the series is sandwiched between two legs of England’s tour of India. It will be the first bilateral series between the two sides since Pakistan toured India in end2007, though they have met in multinational tournaments. Cricket ties between the two countries were snapped following the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai by militants from Pakistan. The decision to play the series came after prolonged consultations between officials of the two boards - BCCI president N Srinivasan and PCB chief Zaka Ashraf had held several discussions this year regarding resumption of ties - and, latterly, of the two governments. It is Paki-
team that was all about gaining experience, the Raptors made several key moves in the off-season that - on paper at least have Toronto looking significantly better. Colangelo added three potential starters to the roster in bulldog point guard Kyle Lowry, Lithuanian centre Jonas Valanciunas, who’s proven to be a quick learner, and athletic swingman Landry Fields - and lost little in the departure of Jerryd Bayless
pulled out of their planned tour in 2009. Source: Cricinfo
NHL Lockout: Donald Fehr says league to blame for stalled negotiations posals down the road,” he said. “We gave them three different approaches to have the player share fall over time. It’s an eminently reasonable position, and their position seems to be to cut the share immediately, which has the effect of cutting the individual contracts, including one’s they just signed a few weeks ago. And you’ve got to wonder how somebody can look at themselves in the mirror when they do that.” Fehr also steered blame for the current work stoppage towards the owners, saying the core issues remain the same, but with no movement from league, talks will re-
Toronto Raptors display quiet optimism for upcoming NBA regular season No bold predictions or promises of playoffs. But there’s a quiet sense of optimism around this season’s Toronto Raptors squad. A year after Bryan Colangelo preached patience with a young, building
stan’s turn to host a bilateral series between the two. But there has been no international cricket in the country between Full Members since the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team bus and it is understood that India were not keen to play at a neutral venue, as has been the case with all Pakistan’s ‘home’ series since the attack. Subsequently, Ashraf
said India had the prerogative to decide on the dates and host the series, but the PCB would want the BCCI to share revenue as they were apparently yet to recover from the financial loss suffered when India
and James Johnson. “There’s that feeling there could be something special about this group, but time will tell,” Colangelo said in a recent interview. The Raptors, who raise the curtain on the regular-season Wednesday when they host the Indiana Pacers, finished 23-43 in the 2011-12 lockout-shortened season of few expectations. But Colangelo is done talking just about development, saying this is a season to start winning some games. And there’s some cautious optimism around the Air Canada Centre about the potential for Toronto’s playoff appearance since 2008. Basketball’s experts, for the most part, disagree. Most predictions pick Canada’s lone NBA franchise to win somewhere between 30 and 40 games. An ESPN report last week had the Raptors winning 33 games. Coach Dwane Casey, in his second season with Toronto, said the criticism can work in his young squad’s favour. “With that lack of respect, that should get us motivated to come into this gym each and every day to bust our tails.” Casey said. “That right there tells us how much lack of respect the league has for
main in deep freeze. “Well, first of all, why are we not playing? It wasn’t a decision the players made,” Fehr said. “We indicated from our first proposal they (the players) were willing to see their percentage fall over time. The owners first proposal went enormously backwards, so the movement they’ve made since then is from a proposal that nobody — not even them — took seriously to begin with. “When we came in (August 14), we came in with a real offer from the beginning, what I had hoped for is a real negotiation. So far we haven’t had it.” Fehr, who rerouted his travel plan to Toronto to avoid disastrous conditions from Hurricane Sandy in Manhattan, agreed that he is concerned about a splintering of the union as the lockout grows longer and longer. “Yeah. … But that doesn’t mean
you make a bad agreement because of it,” he said. Fehr was asked about potential league expansion as a solution to the lockout — a possibility that was first outlined in the Hockey News. “We asked them if they have any plans for expansion, if it’s even on the calendar or anything like that, and they’ve said no,” Fehr said. Ultimately, Fehr said he’s discussed losing the entire season with the players, a worst-case scenario that must be approached given the deep freeze in the talks at the moment. “You prepare them for all eventualities,” Fehr said. “You always have a concern. But I still would like to believe that the owners would like to operate the business. We’ll see.” Source: The Star
us, and how much we have to continue to work to perform every day we walk on the court.” Casey is a big reason for Toronto’s optimism. The former Dallas Mavericks assistant took a team that was at the bottom of the league in defence to finish in the top half last season. They remained in the bottom third in offensive stats, however something Casey focused on with a benefit of a full training camp this season. “The numbers are staggering what happened last year (defensively),” Colangelo said. “But with respect to the pace, the offence, offensive efficiency, offensive production, we talked a lot this off-season about how we’re going to improve that.” There hasn’t been a clear face of the franchise since Chris Bosh patrolled the ACC floor, and Vince Carter before him, and this season is no different. The team will look to centre Andrea Bargnani to provide a good chunk of its scoring. Bargnani was having a breakout season last year - and showed an uncharacteristic enthusiasm for defence - before a calf injury cost the team’s leading scorer 35 games. The Raptors’ season unravelled right along with him. Bargnani, the No. 1 pick from the 2006 draft, and Valanciunas could team up for a formidable front court. The Raptors selected Valanciunas with their No. 5 pick in the 2011 draft before leaving him in Lithuania for a year of development. The 20-year-old, touted as the future of the franchise, definitely gives Raptors fans something to be excited about - rare athleticism for a big man coupled with a puppy dog enthusiasm for the game. The 20-year-old topped the league’s annual general manager’s poll as the international player most likely to have a breakout season, garnering 17.2 per cent of votes.
Lowry received a vote in the same poll as the “most under-rated player acquisition in off-season,” and didn’t take long to show why that might be true. Acquired from the Houston Rockets after a failed bid to land Canadian star Steve Nash, Lowry is expected to add heart and hustle to a Toronto team that hasn’t enough of either in recent seasons. The 26-year-old, a vocal leader who will push his teammates, is expected to start ahead of veteran Jose Calderon, who will lead the second unit as one of the better backup point guards in the league. Fields, who signed a three-year deal worth about U.S.$20 million reportedly as part of the failed Nash bid, has been touted as Toronto’s so-called “glue guy.” He’s an intelligent player with speed and vision on the wing. Out of Toronto’s returning players, athletic swingman DeMar DeRozan has polished his post-up game and along with Bargnani, will be a focal point of Toronto’s offence. The 23-year-old remains among the weaker starters on the defensive end however. “DeMar’s one of the most talented wings in the league and he’s learning every day to be efficient,” Casey said. “He understands that, he’s getting to the foul line, doing what we ask him to do, going in the low post.” Toronto’s three new starters have bumped players onto the bench, which gives the Raptors’ more depth than they’ve seen in a while. Calderon, Alan Anderson, Linas Kleiza, Amir Johnson and Ed Davis averaged 24 starts last year. They’re joined by hard-working guard John Lucas III, athletic rookie Terrence Ross and Dominic McGuire, a strong defensive player who was given the Raptors’ final spot on their 15-man roster. Source: Vancouver Sun
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Business hrs: 7days a week 11:30 am to 10:00 pm
Contact: Faruk Qayum Bus: 604-278-6555 Cell: 778-708-6807 6652 No 3 Road Richmond Across from Richmond Center Mall
38
11
:
00
7-Days
m
OPEN
a m - 1 1: 0 0
p
Free delivery
FRIED BROASTED CHICKEN
in Richmond
with minimum $20 order before taxes
Now Serve Beef Burgers!
We are specialized in making Pizza, Burgers, Chicken Wings, Fries & Fish & Chips
4119 No.5 Road, Richmond Ph. (604) 270-7777 www.redroosterchicken.ca
39
Best Choice Travel Inc.
Established since 2002
We do the best trip for you! Our Services Include: - Airline Tickets - Hajj & Umrah Package - Car Rentals - Cruise - Travel Insurance Saman Saghir (Manager) - Package Holidays Eng. Ali Raza (Owner) 104-12830 80th Ave, Surrey ~ 604-507-8549 bestchoicetravelinc@gmail.com
Specials: • Hand slaughtered Chicken • Kalijera Rice 10bs (From Bangladesh)