Miracle Media Inc

BRINGING HARMONY TO ALL THE COMMUNITIES

BC Canada

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013 - $1

Bi-Weekly & Bilingual

www.miraclenews.com

UN unable to feed 1 million hungry Syrians

Bitter Accusations traded

by India and Pakistan According to the Pakistani military, Indian troops crossed the Line of Control and attacked a military post on Jan 6. Pakistani army troops repulsed the attack, but one Pakistani soldier was killed and another critically injured. On Jan 8, New Delhi said Pakistani troops had killed two of its soldiers in the disputed territory of Kashmir. Read more on Page 5.

Vancouver house prices to decline further, real estate panel predicts

Vancouver’s house prices could fall a further five per cent before 2013 is over, according to a BMO economist. Sal Guatieri, BMO Capital Markets senior economist, made the prediction during a Tuesday conference call, while Royal LePage called for average prices to fall three per cent as fewer luxury homes

sell. Guatieri said tougher mortgage rules and the suspension of the federal immigrant investor program in July could be factors in Vancouver’s real estate slowdown. “Nowhere is the housing market weaker than in British Columbia, where resales are down 17 per cent in the year to November and are well below the past decade norm,” Guatieri said. “Vancouver’s resales have plunged 31 per cent in the year to December and benchmark prices are down just over three per cent since the spring.” He said the mortgage changes, limiting the life of a mortgage to 25 years from 30 and prohibiting mortgage insurance on homes more expensive than $1 million, will hit pricier markets the hardest. Housing prices are about 10 times average family incomes, Guatieri said, putting “Vancouver in the upper echelon

of overvalued housing markets, not just in Canada, but across the world.” He said many would-be house buyers are opting to buy condos, rent instead of buy, or move to other cities because of the high prices. Vancouver condos remain affordable, he said, but detached homes are out of reach for first-time buyers.

He expects further declines in home prices during 2013. “That would not be surprising nor exceptional as the city has faced four double-digit price corrections in the past three decades,” Guatieri said. The federal immigrant investor program allows people to immigrate to Canada if they can show they have business experience, a net worth of at least $1.6 million obtained legally and can invest $800,000 in an interest-free loan to Canada for five years to create jobs. There was a backlog of more than 23,000 applications to the program last April. In July, applications were suspended so the federal government could process existing applications and review the program. “There is some speculation that wealthier foreign buyers are waiting to see if the government will restart that program before they purchase a house in Vancouver,” Guatieri said. “What has supported Vancouver’s housing market, at least in the past five years, is not income, it’s wealth. A lot of that is foreign wealth, although we can’t quantify that.” He said many of these buyers don’t need a mortgage because they have the cash and can buy a house outright. “But that supply of people is diminishing, especially as prices have continued to go up,” he said. “Unless people continue to flood into Vancouver — foreign residents with a lot of money — that market looks very ripe for a meaningful correction — not a material one — of at least five per cent or so for the next year.” The Royal LePage Price Survey and Market Survey Forecast found that the average price of a detached bungalow in

About one million people inside Syria are going hungry due to the difficulty of getting supplies into conflict zones, the UN has said. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) is handing out rations to about 1.5 million people in Syria each month, still short of the 2.5 million deemed to be in need, Elisabeth Byrs, WFP spokeswoman, said on Wednesday. Bread and fuel particularly are in short supply as the few governmentapproved aid agencies are stretched to the limit. “Our main partner, the (Syrian Arab) Red Crescent, is overstretched and has no more capacity to expand further,” Byrs told a news briefing in Geneva. Long queues for bread are now normal in many parts of Syria and there are shortages of wheat flour in most parts of the country due to damage to mills, most of which are located in the embattled Aleppo area, she said. Only a handful of aid agencies are authorized to distribute relief goods, some of which lack staff, fuel or other material. Deteriorating security conditions forced the WFP to withdraw its staff from the towns of Homs, Aleppo, Tartous and Qamisly, Byrs said. The UN last month appealed for $1.5bn to help the millions of Syrians suffering from what it called a dramatically deteriorating humanitarian situation. Four million people in the country need urgent humanitarian aid, including an estimated two million displaced from their homes mainly by government bombardments of opposition-held areas. According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights about 60,000 people have been killed during 21 months of conflict between the forces of President Bashar al-Assad and rebels trying to topple him. Meanwhile, Syrian refugees frustrated over poor living conditions at a camp in neighbouring Jordan have

Continued on pg 6

Continued on pg 5

Local

BCMA Surrey/Delta Women’s Branch Serves Hot Meals to the homeless

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

pg 13

Lowest prices on airfares, tours and packages

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

2

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

3

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

p a k i s t a n

SC lets Altaf off the hook after apology

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday discharged a contempt of court notice against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain after he tendered an unconditional apology over the remarks he made against the judges of the apex court while addressing the party workers in Karachi by telephone.

The Supreme Court on December 14 had issued a contempt of court notice to the MQM over threats to the judges of the Supreme Court as well as tending to bring the judges into hatred, ridicule and contempt, in his telephonic address to his party workers in Karachi. The court had summoned the MQM chief to appear before the SC personally on January 7.

On Monday, however, a three-member bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, while hearing the contempt case against Altaf Hus-

sain, withdrew the contempt of court notice against him after Farogh Naseem, counsel for Altaf Hussain, submitted an unconditional apology on behalf of his client before the court.

In his unconditional apology, the MQM chief submitted that he always had great respect for the judiciary in his entire life and considered judges of the higher judiciary in high esteem. He threw himself at the mercy of the August court.

The MQM chief requested the court to accept his unconditional apology from the core of his heart, further requesting to discharge the contempt of court notice issued against him.

The MQM chief further submitted that he had withdrawn the remarks he had made against the judges.

He said, “I tender an unconditional apology to the court assuring that in future, too, I will be careful about the dignity of the court and its judges.”

Meanwhile, the court, after accepting the unconditional apology, discharged the contempt of court notice against Altaf Hussain.

The MQM chief has not contested the proceedings of contempt of court proceedings. During the course of hearing, the chief justice said that the MQM chief showed honour and respect for the court and its judges while making commitment that in future he would uphold the dignity of judges of the superior judiciary.

“Thus under the circumstances and keeping in view the unconditional apology tendered by him, we accept the request of Altaf Hussain and withdraw the contempt of court notice against him,” the chief justice ruled.

We specialize in Pakistan, India, Middle East, Fiji, Europe

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

604-501-4700

Abdul Rauf galaxytravel@live.ca | www.galaxytravel.ca (President)

www.junaidiqbal.ca

Charges Centre, Punjab of using undemocratic methods LAHORE: Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri has reiterated his warning to both federal and Punjab governments against creating hurdles in the way of his proposed long march on Islamabad and a sit-in there, and harassment of his workers. He warned that in such a situation he would not be able to guarantee peace, as the party workers would go out of his control.

Dr Qadri alleged that the federal and Punjab governments were using undemocratic tactics to thwart his long march.

Talking to reporters at the TMQ Secretariat in Model Town Lahore, Qadri said his march was aimed at ensuring electoral and political reforms for the sake of common man.

He warned of a tit-for-tat response if the government tried to snatch the constitutional rights of the people. “We have not put on bangles and will retaliate to any attempt to seize our constitutional rights,” he told the media after holding talks with a delegation of Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslemeen (MWM). The visitors were headed by MWM Secretary General Allama Amin Shaheedi.

Qadri declared that “if anything happened to him then President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Pervaiz Ashraf, federal and Punjab governments would be held responsible.

“I am registering a formal FIR with the nation at this moment,” Dr Qadri said. He lamented that both federal and Punjab governments had put up barricades and containers on the routes to deter the marchers while leaders of his party were being harassed and there was an alleged plan of detain-

ing at least 200 of TMQ leaders ahead of the January 14 march.

He referred to a report that said that all MNAs and MPAs were directed to foil the march in their constituencies.

Later, Dr Qadri announced the schedule for the long march, according to which he would lead the first caravan from Model Town on Jan 13 morning to reach Islamabad via GT Road. He directed the party workers to use three separate routes to reach Islamabad if GT Road is closed on them.

The march would reach Islamabad on Jan 14, after brief stops at Muridke, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Kharian, Lalamusa, Jhelum and Rawat. Dr Qadri said he would announce a package of electoral reforms at Jan 10.

Online adds: Dr Tahirul Qadri said the Punjab government was harassing transporters and forcing them to cancel bookings for the march.

An international media firm has been hired to start a psychological campaign against the long march and to propagate that the march was foreign-funded, he claimed. The government is trying to create anarchy in the country, he alleged.

About rumours of his house-arrest, he said he could be arrested but not millions of his workers. A spokesperson for Minhajul Quran meanwhile said rallies from other cities would join the main caravan to reach Islamabad. He said there would be a “public parliament” in front of the Parliament House on Jan 14.

NOTARY PUBLIC

Shoaib Rauf T: (604) 596 1861 C: (778) 855 1861

shoaib.surrey@gmail.com

#220 -13711 72 Ave.Surrey; BC V3W 2P2 (Opposite Newton Wave Pool)

UMER BUTT Real Estate Professional

Cell : 604-505-5452 umer_farooq_butt@hotmail.com Special Offers: * Get $1000 for free when you refer anyone * Get a Free return air ticket at buy/sell a property Limited time offers. Some conditions may apply, please call for details

7832 - 120 St. Surrey Off : 604-572-1211

Special Fares for Pakistan by Gulf Air Line BC Reg. # 2322

1-800-663-6696

4

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

Volume 12 Issue 326 Safar15, 1434 AH / December 28, 2012

Israel’s PM plans to build Syria-Golan fence

Israel’s prime minister has pledged to build a fortified fence along the frontier with Syria, warning that hardline Islamist forces have taken over the area. Binyamin Netanyahu spoke at a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered a rare nationwide address in Syria, calling for a national reconciliation conference. Assad claimed that “terrorists who carry the ideology of al-Qaeda” were active in his country and demanded that foreign countries stop arming the rebels. Netanyahu said the Syrian regime was “unstable”, and Israel was concerned about the country’s chemical weapons capabilities. He said Israel needed a barrier on its frontier with Syria, similar to a structure it has almost completed along its border with Egypt - which has nearly stopped the flow of African migrants.

Israel has largely stayed out of the civil war that has engulfed Syria and left more than 60,000 people dead according to the UN, but it is concerned that violence could spill over. Israel worries that Assad might try to draw it into the fighting as a distraction if his situation becomes desperate. An even greater concern for Israel is a scenario in which Assad is toppled, Islamists take his place and gain control of Syria’s stockpile of chemical weapons. “We intend to erect an iden-

tical fence, with a few changes based on the actual territory, along the Golan Heights,” Netanyahu said. “We know that on the other side of our border with Syria today, the Syrian army has moved away, and in its place, global jihad forces have moved in.” “Global jihad” is the term Israel uses for forces influenced by al-Qaeda, and Syria’s rebels include some al-Qaeda-allied groups. “We are co-ordinating our intelligence and readiness with the United States and others so that we might be prepared for any scenario and possibility that could arise,” Netanyahu said. His office did not say how long it would take to complete the project. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed the strategic plateau, a move not recognised by the international community. Despite constant hostility between the two countries, Syria has kept the border mostly quiet since a second war in 1973. Israel has grown jittery since pro-Palestinian activists breached the frontier during two demonstrations in 2011. Following that unrest, Israel began laying mines along the frontier and reinforcing the fence that already exists. Defence officials say they have already fortified 10km out of the planned 70km route it plans along the edge of the occupied Golan Heights. Since the uprising

Lawyers agree to defend India rape suspects

Lawyers have agreed to represent three of the men accused of raping and murdering an Indian student, even though most of the judiciary has refused to represent the suspects because of outrage over the attack. Five men and a teenager have been accused of the December 16 attack but with public anger simmering, most lawyers in the district where the trial will be held have ruled out representing them. But two lawyers, V K Anand and Manohar Lal Sharma, offered to defend the five men when they appeared in a New Delhi court for the first time on Monday, despite the condemnation of their legal colleagues. The lawyers said on Tuesday three of the five had asked to be represented by them. “I understand the sentiments of the people. But you cannot go by sentiments,” Anand told Reuters news agency. “The accused have a right to justice just as the victim has.” Legal experts had said a lack of representation for the five could give grounds for appeal if they were found guilty. Convictions in similar cases have often been overturned years later. The 23-year-old physiotherapy student died two weeks after being beaten and gang-raped on a moving bus in New Delhi, then thrown bleeding onto the street. Protests followed, along with a fierce public debate over police failure to stem rampant violence against women. Following shouting and angry scenes in the packed court on Monday, the magistrate, Namrita Aggarwal, closed the pre-trial hearing to the media and the public. The court was cleared and police were posted at its doors before the accused were brought in. “Keeping in view the sensitivity of this case that has risen, the proceedings including the inquiry and trial are to be held in camera,” Aggarwal said. She said the next hearing would be on Thursday. Two of the defendants had been offering evidence possibly in return for a lighter sentence, public prosecutor Rajiv Mohan said. He said he was seeking the death sentence given the “heinous” crime. “The five accused persons deserve not less than the death penalty,” he said, echoing public sentiment and calls from the victim’s family. The five, including a 17-year-old who will go to a juvenile court, are accused of raping the 23-year-old physiotherapy student on a bus in New Delhi, inflicting fatal injuries on her. She died two weeks later on December 28 in a Singapore hospital.

The court appearance comes days after police said they discovered forensic evidence to link them to the killing. The defendants were named as Ram Singh, Mukesh Singh, Vijay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta. The attack on December 16 sparked protests in India and soul-searching about levels of violence against women. The government, sensitive to criticism that a sluggish justice system often compounds the agony of victims, has pledged to fast-track the case against the defendants. They all live in Delhi. Police have pledged “maximum security” during the hearing at the magistrates’ court amid fears for the defendants’ safety. A man was arrested last week as he allegedly tried to plant a crude bomb near the home of one of the men. As prosecution of the suspects got under way, legal experts called for an overhaul of the country’s judicial system.

Source: Al-Jazeera

against Assad began in March 2011, several mortar rounds and other light munitions have landed on the Israeli side of the frontier. Israel suspects these were cases of stray fire and were not intended to spark a new front, but Israel fired warning shots back to deter further incidents. Israel has almost completed a barrier along 200km of its border with Egypt to block African migrants and fighters from crossing in from the lawless Sinai Peninsula. Israel previously constructed a separation barrier along, and in, the West Bank.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Australia battles hundreds of wildfires, fanned by outback wind

Australian fire crews battled hundreds of wildfires, a searing heat wave and powerful, hot outback winds on Tuesday, but were hopeful they had dodged a potentially catastrophic fire day without loss of life or major damage

US considers leaving no troops in Afghanistan A senior White House official has said the US would consider leaving no American troops in Afghanistan after the end of combat in December 2014. The official, however, stressed that the administration remains committed to preventing the country from becoming a haven for al-Qaeda. The comments on Tuesday came as Afghan President Hamid Karzai headed to Washington for talks with his US counterpart Barack Obama. Asked whether Obama would consider a scenario in which all US troops left and there was no residual force in Afghanistan, Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser said: “That would be an option we would consider.” “We wouldn’t rule out any option. We are not guided by the goal of a certain number of troops in the country. We are guided by the objective that the president has set,” Rhodes told reporters. Obama’s goals are to ensure that Afghanistan’s new national army has the capacity and equipment to defend itself and to ensure that al-Qaeda cannot make a post-war comeback. US and international forces anticipate ending combat missions in Afghanistan this year, before moving to a training role with local forces until the end of 2014. Officials have said the White House appears to favour keeping fewer than 10,000 US troops in Afghanistan, but until now the administration has not said publicly it is considering a so-called zero option. Pressure is growing on Obama to end the war rapidly due to deep war weariness in the US, tightening military budgets and anger over “insider attacks” by Afghan troops on the NATO-led soldiers. “If Mr Obama cannot find a way to go to zero troops, he should approve only the minimum number needed,” The New York Times said in an editorial this week that called Karzai’s government “profoundly corrupt”. Obama will host talks with Karzai at the White House on Friday, the day after the Afghan president meets Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. US officials have said a decision could be made during Karzai’s visit on how many troops stay on in Afghanistan after 2014. The talks will also include equipping and strengthening Afghan forces, efforts to negotiate peace with Taliban-led insurgents and a long-term security agreement with the US, Karzai’s office said. The number of foreign soldiers fighting in Afghanistan has already fallen to 100,000 from about 150,000. Of those, 66,000 are US troops, down from a maximum of about 100,000. Karzai has expressed support for keeping some US troops in Afghanistan after 2014 but sensitive details - including immunity for American soldiers and the transfer of detainees into Afghan custody - are still under negotiation. Washington scrapped plans for some troops to remain in Iraq after Baghdad refused to grant US soldiers immunity from prosecution.

Source: Al-Jazeera

5

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

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

India says troops killed in Kashmir skirmish

Two Indian soldiers have been killed after Pakistani troops crossed the ceasefire line in the Himalayan region of Kashmir and attacked an army patrol, Indian army officials say. The incident was “a significant escalation ... of ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts supported by the Pakistan Army,” said Rajesh K Kalia, spokesman for the Indian army’s Northern Command. Salman Khurshid, India’s foreign minister, has said India would deliver a “proportionate response” to the “ghastly” killings in Kashmir which he said were designed to sabotage an already fragile peace process. In Islamabad, the Pakistan military denied what it called an “Indian allegation of unprovoked firing”. “This is Indian propaganda to divert attention from an Indian raid on Sunday on a Pakistani post in which a Pakistani soldier was killed,” it said in a statement. Kalaia said the incident happened in Mendhar sector in Indian-administrated Kashmir.

“Pakistan army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area, were moving towards own posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders,” Kalaia said in a statement. “The fire fight between Pakistan and

own troops continued for approximately half an hour after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control.” He said the body of one of the slain soldiers was found “badly mutilated”. Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said neither side would want to escalate the situation along the border. “It’s quite possible that it’s Kashmiri fighters who may have engaged, who may have been trying to infiltrate along this long, mountainous border. It happens from time to time.” The deaths came after Pakistan said on Sunday that one of its soldiers was killed by Indian shooting, with each side blaming the other for the flare-up. Firing and small skirmishes between the two countries are common along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the contested Himalayan region of Kashmir between India and Pakistan, despite slowly improving ties in recent years. The Indian army says eight of its soldiers were killed in 2012, in 75 incidents. In recent efforts to improve relations, trade and more lenient visa rules have been a feature of talks between senior political leaders from both sides. Al Jazeera’s Divya Gopalan, in New Delhi, said that despite signs of improving relations, the Indians they have remained cautious of the Pakistanis. She said it was not clear what action India would take in response to the killing of the soldiers. “According to the army, it’s going through official channels at the moment,” she said. “Many are saying that any type of retaliatory action would be hugely unadvised.” India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full. It was the cause of two of three wars between the neighbours since independence from Britain in 1947.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Myanmar continues assault on Kachin rebels

Ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar say the government is keeping up air and ground attacks against them despite international calls for restraint.

An exclusive video obtained by Al Jazeera on Tuesday reportedly shows government air raids on an area controlled by Kachin fighters. Pointing to the latest skirmish near the northern city of Laiza, Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay says that “there is no sign that this fighting is slowing down anytime soon. “There is some feeling that perhaps the Myanmar military is launching an attempt to take that town, which of course would be a severe blow to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)”. Laiza, which is near the border with China, and a government base are close to each other, and access to both is by the same road. In a statement sent to Al Jazeera, the Myanmar government confirmed that the air force “conducted some ground support operations” around the government base.

“These operations are to clear the surrounding hills where KIA troops using to shell and attack Army Lajayan Camps for past months,” the statement reads.

“Army never intend to attack or occupy Laiza. All operations are self defense for troops stationed at Army Lajayan Camp.”

On Monday, a spokesman for the rebel fighters claims that government troops used fighter jets and helicopters in the aerial attacks. “Launching attacks against important KIA hill posts and occupying these outposts amounts to launching attacks against Laiza,’’ La Nan said Monday. The government has said several times it has no intention of trying to seize Laiza. The Kachin, like Myanmar’s other ethnic minorities, have long sought greater autonomy from the central government. They are the only major ethnic rebel group that has not reached a truce with President Thein Sein’s elected government, which came to power in 2011 after almost five decades of military rule. Intermittent fighting escalated last month when the rebels rejected a government demand that they allow supply convoys to reach an army base. The Kachin stage attacks on government convoys trying to get through to the base, saying the supplies include ammunition that could be used to try to take their headquarters. The army claims its actions are in selfdefense, a response to the Kachin blocking the road.

The US and China are among those parties urging an end to the fighting. “Our view is that all sides need to cease and desist and get into dialogue with each other,’’ Victoria Nuland, the state department spokesperson, said last week.

Source: Al-Jazeera

Muslim youth display historic event to portray real Islam in Canada An event of great value in the history of Islam has been displayed by an Islamic organization in Canada to honor the Martyrs of historic Karbala War and most amazingly the display was performed inside of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Hall which transformed this weekend into a lifesize Islamic history lesson. An Ottawa-based Islamic youth group, Mahdy Generation, organized the event and worked for three months to create the display to honor Hazrat Imam Hussain who laid down his life with 72 companions in order to rescue the religion of his Maternal Grandfather Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) against evil forces in Karbala War around 1400 hundred years ago. Muslims remember Hazrat Imam Hussain as a brave leader who remained steadfast in the face of oppression and did not hesitate to fight with an army of thousands to rescue Islam with his only 72 soldiers and sacrificed his life in the way of Allah. His family including women and children were also with him in the historic war. The purpose of the weekend’s exhibition about the noble life and martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain was to teach Canadians of other faiths a little more about Islam and to explain what the true Islam is which is quite different from what is portrayed in media about the Muslims. “We’re trying to bring awareness to who Imam Hussain was and trying to take away from the way the media portrays Muslims,” said Rukiah Jheran, 24, one of the coordinators of the event. In order to illustrate Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, members of the youth group, ranging in age from 10 to 22, each memorized a part of the story and presented it to people walking through the dimly lit room. Jheran, who also teaches young children at the Ajyal Al Mahdy Islamic School every Sunday, said that the students are getting as much from the exercise as the visitors. “One of our main things is to teach the children what it means to be a Muslim so they don’t grow up believing what they see on TV,” she added. She said that she teaches the children to incorporate what they learn at Islamic school about respect, the importance of family and kindness with what they learn at public school, “in order to live a good life in Canada.” Teibah, a 16-year-old student, standing next to the display illustrating the importance of prayer, said that even though she knows she should pray five times daily, sometimes it’s hard to find the time. She said, “If my friend is over or I’m watching a show, sometimes I forget ... but, I’m learning and if Imam Hussain could pray during battle, then I can pray.” Jheran said that along with respect for others and daily prayers, the importance of learning and educating is an integral part of her religion. She said, “One of Imam Hussain’s sons was a scholar and he said we should take all of the knowledge that we can in this world and we will never be done learning.” When asked if she considers herself a “moderate Muslim” in contrast with the “extremists” who carry out suicide attacks in crowded squares. She answered, “I wouldn’t say that we’re moderate Muslims. I would say that we are just Muslims.”

“That man on TV — the one blowing himself up — he is not an extremist Muslim. He is not a Muslim at all,” she added. The exhibit attracted about 150 people on Friday and about the same number on Saturday.

Source: Islam Online

UN : Continued from pg 1 rioted as humanitarian workers were distributing aid, reports say. Scuffles broke out at the Zaatari camp early on Tuesday morning after heavy rains and cold weather worsened the plight of refugees there. “The incident started when a large number of refugees were queuing as usual for food handouts,” Al Jazeera’s Nisreen El-Shamayleh, reporting from Jordan, said. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions in Damascus supporting the Syrian regime have called for a ceasefire after a month of fighting between government troops and rebels in the Yarmouk district in the south of the capital. In a statement on Tuesday, representatives of Damascus-based Palestinian groups called for a halt to all military operations in order to enable medical teams and food supply trucks to aid civilians affected by the conflict in Yarmouk. Yarmouk has been home to Palestinian refugees for decades. Many Syrians also live in the area. Since the uprising against Syrian President Assad began in 2011, residents have been divided with some taking up arms against the regime and some fighting to support it. Palestinians in Syria must remain “neutral” in the country’s spiraling crisis, said the statement, which was signed by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Nidal Front. In late December, a PLO official said more than 700 Palestinians have been killed in Syria’s violence. An antiregime activist in Yarmouk told Al Jazeera that Tuesday’s announcement had made no difference on the ground, as clashes and shelling by government forces continued.

Source: Al-Jazeera

6

e d i t o r i a l

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

STEPPING UP WAR ON RAPE CULTURE

Following the brutal gang rape in Delhi, lurid headlines shook the whole world, yet the poor response from the local police was very disappointing. Consequently, there developed a furious atmosphere, and the angry mob of protesters voiced heavily against the official indifference towards women.

The protesters demanded for the ‘pro women law reforms’ to protect the most vulnerable members of the male dominated society.

Beyond doubt, the misfit legal procedure is unable to handle violence against women effectively.

The flawed anti rape laws enable the perpetrators to easily outmaneuver the legal set up through the unfixed loop holes. The negligence on the part of officials and the law makers has always been thought provoking as a hazard for the women safety.

Without eliminating the status quo, the perpetrators would continue hunting and hurting the females at will. Thus, most of the blame goes to the absence of stringent ‘anti rape laws.’

Sadly, there occurs an incidence of rape every fourteen hours in Delhi, alone. And according to some official sources, around 93000 rape cases are still pending adjudication in criminal courts at differently located jurisdictions.

The mindset of raping has been differently theorised by various experts. For example, rapists are of two categories which include (a) criminal rapist and (b) the psychiatric rapist.

The criminal rapist with or without a criminal record is usually a poorly educated person - below the actual socio-economic level, who easily surrenders to the peer

pressure to commit anti-social activity of such a grave nature.

The other class is thought to be of the psychiatric rapist, who appears to be an educated personality probably belonging to a well off economic back-ground, yet becomes a rapist due to some personal issues or inadequacy. Most of the time, the psychiatry rapist displays remorseful attitude later.

Other theories suggest that the rapists usually come from violent background, where the teen agers and the youth may be demonstrating their macho behaviour of toughness and masculinity in a more antisocial style.

“The biologist Edward Wilson put forth a theory in his “Violence Initiative” that there is a certain small percentage of humankind that is simply “broken” from birth, destined to be violent, evil people. It has nothing to do with their environment, upbringing, or anything else; it’s just in their DNA.” It’s convincing enough that some people are broken from day one inherently, yet many others end up having been twisted that way. Regardless of the categories, the rapists really are disgusting people, who lose their senses and become wild animals.

The Delhi gang rape case involved a physiotherapy student, who was mercilessly assaulted onboard the running bus with tinted windows and then was thrown out naked along with his male friend. In other words, the suspects wanted to kill her right there as the driver attempted to run her over, but her male friend pulled her away from the path of the bus. Later on, the unfortunate student while under critical care breathed her last after unsuc-

L E T T E R S

Are you in favor of South Surrey Casino?

By: Bernie Simpson, C.M. Vancouver South Surrey Casino –The controversy surrounding the development of the South Surrey casino is gaining momentum. A public hearing is to be held on Monday, January 14, 2013 at City Hall located at 14265 56 Avenue in Surrey and petitions are being widely distributed. I urge you to go onto the website at www.surreyratepayersassociation.com Let there be no doubt about it, the development of the casino will be destructive to homes within the Indo-Canadian, South Asian and Muslim communities.

Study after study has shown that the harm far outweighs the benefits.

Many of the homes within the community are having difficulty making ends meet, families are under continuing stress as is evident by well publicized reporting of domestic violence, drinking problems, and of course there are the numerous gang wars and there’s no way we can keep those gangs away from this proposed casino.

And what are the benefits?

Miracle Media Group Inc.©

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

&

cessfully fighting for her life in a hospital outside India.

After several weeks of the mounting public pressure, the authorities formally began the legal process against the five men and the driver. In fact, the local police have been too slow initially, but five days after the victim’s death, the police booked them under the penal code of India. for rape, attempted murder/murder, kidnapping, tampering with and destroying the material evidence altogether. If convicted, they face death penalty and a special public prosecutor has been already appointed to deal with the 6th suspect who is juvenile.

According to the Indian Public Prosecutor Mohan, the case is likely to reach its logical conclusion within four to five months.

Due to victim’s death, the current matter has become a challenge for all involved.

The rapists tend to kill the victim to get away but are usually trapped, as their mistaken activity backfires instead.

Nevertheless, the fear factor continues to haunt Indian women who are too terrified to report rape for the possible reprisals including a compromised reputation as long as the sub standard ‘victim protection laws’ prevail over there.

The past experience clearly shows, whenever any sexually abused female dared to report any violation against her, she suffered the consequences, while the perpetrators rarely faced justice.

So, it’s the female victim, who always faces more danger after reporting the assault, because it may cause the perpetrators to attack her again out of revenge.

Since the criminals are not scared of any legal action against them, it’s a “win-win situation” for the rapists, hence, a cause of

O P I N I O N S

Already, those proponents of this casino are backtracking. Originally, they said it would be $6 million a year and now they admit that it is probably closer to $3 million.

Short term jobs? Yes. But at what expense? Millions of dollars will have to be spent in developing the infrastructure. Who will pay that?

And let’s not forget, Gateway Casino and others associated with this project have contributed over $24,000 to the party which is now running Surrey and some of the members of Council.

Those members say that political contributions won’t sway votes on City Council.

Of course they sway votes! These political contributions are a blatant attempt to get support for this project As the former “bag man” for the NDP in the 70’s and 80’s, I know that corporations do not give contributions, and for that matter unions also, without expecting something in return.

Of course they don’t say that. They say that they are supporting the “democratic process”. Now let’s not kid ourselves. What about recent headlines generated by the spokeswoman Tanya Gabara who stated

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,

concern for many all over the world.

Furthermore, Indian law generally prohibits the identification of victims of sex crimes to protect victims’ privacy, but the father and brother of the deceased victim have already agreed to release her name saying, “If the government names the revised anti-rape law after her, they have no objection and it would be an honor to her.”

“My daughter didn’t do anything wrong, she died while protecting herself,” father added.

“I am proud of her. Revealing her name will give courage to other women who have survived these attacks. They will find strength from my daughter.”

The promised Safety: The launch of a 24hour telephone helpline for Delhi ‘women in trouble’ through connecting with all the 185 police stations across the city gives a sigh of relief to all concerned. Further measures to make the city safer for women include more police night patrols, checks on bus operators, and the banning of buses with tinted windows or curtains.

Recommended further: General awareness for victim protection as well as for the change of criminal mindset will be helpful.

An overhaul of rape law is necessary to facilitate summary trial for speedy justice.

Encouraging gender equality in letter and spirit is a must for remedying the male dominance issue.

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

Vancouver : Continued from pg 1

unequivocally that the project has generated 7,000 expressions of support and some 70% percent support from Surrey residents.

The fact is, the City of Surrey planning and development report just recently released points to the exact opposite. City wide response from Surrey was 3,220 opposed and 635 (16%) in support and within a 5km radius, the City’s figures show support at only 124 with 2,045 in opposition.

Time is running out to oppose this odious project which will have a profound effect on future generations within the Indo-Canadian and Muslim communities.

I urge all the leaders of the community, the Presidents of Gurdwaras, social welfare agencies, newspapers, to do everything possible to stop this project which will harm our children.

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

Vancouver decreased slightly year-over-year by 1.6 per cent to $1,001,250, while two-storey homes also dropped just over one per cent to $1,102,500. Condominiums dropped 3.6 per cent year-over-year to $481,250. “The real estate market has been slow in Vancouver over the past eight months,” said Bill Binnie, broker and owner of Royal LePage North Shore.

“Sellers have not been bringing their listings to the market because prices have not been competitive while buyers have been sitting on the fence hoping prices will go down. The reality is that sellers are not interested in making any significant reductions in price and with our good local economy and healthy employment, there has not been pressure for them to sell.”

Royal LePage forecasts that fewer high-end sales will cause average prices in Vancouver to drop three per cent by the end of 2013. Nationally, Royal LePage forecasts a one-per-cent gain in the average home price by the end of the year. Guatieri said the decade-long housing boom across Canada is likely over and that returns on investment in real estate are likely to fall. However, he cited Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland as strong markets that will buck the trend, while prices will hold steady in the rest of the country.

Source: Vancouver Sun

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 & Letr Int. News Local Politics Faith Special Renov & Mortg Life Style Health Sports Urdu

6 4,5 13 12 7,8 12,17 24 25 26 28 29-37

7

f

a

i

t

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

h

Expect the best from Allah

By: Jinan Bastaki “Allah probably hates me. I am so bad; I always mess up. I don’t deserve any good from Allah , and as punishment, I probably will not be given success in my other endeavors. “How many people have felt this way at some point? Sometimes, our sins weigh heavily on us. We recognize our mistakes but instead of turning back to Allah , we turn away. We feel that we must be so bad that even the All-Merciful will reject us. Other times, we do not see the fruits of our perseverance and believe that we will not be given what we have worked so hard for. Perhaps we do not even begin an endeavor, thinking there is no use.

Unfortunately, when we do this, we attribute human qualities to Allah . We act as if Allah has some grudge against us that will heal as soon as He punishes us or rejects one of our requests. We act as though Allah is just waiting for us to slip up and say “Ha! Caught you!” We assume that we have to “deserve” the mercy of Allah by being almost perfect. This sounds absurd when articulated, but our actions unfortunately indicate that we believe otherwise.

What does this thought process actually tell us about ourselves? It tells us that we did not really have hope in Him to begin with. Rather, our hope was in what we believed to be our own good deeds or abilities. Once we slip up or feel that we do not have the strength to continue, we do not think well enough of Allah to believe that He will guide us through. We must understand that when we think well of Allah, that is what we will find.

Think well of Allah when embarking on something difficult, even if you fail When the most beloved person to Allah , the Prophet , was thinking of migrating to Madina, he started talking to all of the different tribes that came for Hajj in the hopes that one of them would accept Islam or at least offer the believers protection.

He spoke to twenty-six different tribes and was rejected by all of them. Some of the tribes even cursed and mocked him.

Let’s stop here. He made da`wah (calling to Islam) to twenty-six tribes. Can you imagine the feeling of being rejected by five?

What would happen after ten rejected you?

How low would your morale be? When would you have given up? Finally, he met a few youth from Madina who believed in his message. He did not despair because he had a good opinion of Allah , which motivated him; he knew Allah would not leave him .

Many people give up in the face of some-

thing seemingly impossible. Sometimes, we give up on an individual level: getting married, getting that job we want; sometimes it is on a global level, such as injustice in the Muslim world. But the point of the struggle is to realize who is in charge.

It is Allah . Allah has told us that He is as His servant’s think of Him. If we think well, then that is what we will find. If we do not, then that is what we will find. Your opinion should be that Allah is so Merciful that He will come to your aid. What happens when we are faced with failure?

When one does not get something, even if their intention was for the sake of Allah , they should not feel disheartened. You have a good opinion of Allah ; “failure” is just a minor setback. You need to be tested to strengthen your resolve. If you do not get that amazing job you want, know that Allah has saved something better for you.

Only He knows what is best for you.

Think well of Allah when you sin What about when we constantly slip-up and cannot leave a certain sin? For some of us, this makes us give up on ourselves; we believe we don’t deserve any good from Allah. We have to remember that Allah is al-Wadud (the Most Loving). His Mercy overcomes His blame. It is not about deserving. If you thank Allah, He gives you more. It is not because we deserve more, it is because Allah is that Great. He is that Generous. Shaytan (the devil) makes us focus on how bad we are in order that we despair of Allah’s mercy, when the Prophet taught us: “All the children of Adam constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent.” [Tirmidhi] The Prophet said that “One of the signs of excellence of one’s worship is thinking well of Allah .” [Ahmad] This does not mean that we should not reflect on our state. Al-Hasan al-Basri said “A true believer is one who thinks well of Allah and therefore does good, whereas the disobedient one thinks bad of Allah and therefore does bad.” If we think well of Allah, no matter how bad we are, we also have hope that we can be better and thus we strive to do good deeds. If we think badly of Allah, we assume that He will never forgive us nor can He make us better; so we continue to sin. However, we should not make a mockery of this concept and deliberately sin, thinking Allah will forgive us anyway.

One of the key principles of repentance is regret. If we do not truly regret the sin, and simply ask for forgiveness to have that sin erased, we are paying lip service. Remem-

ber, “You will only get what you intend.”

[Bukhari] When we do wrong, let us feel guilty, but let us also flee to Allah . Have a good opinion of Allah . If you are sincere, He will forgive you. He is that forgiving. He is that Great. He is that Magnanimous. Even when we commit the same sin again and again and again, our good opinion of Allah should let us know that as long as we constantly strive against our nafs (lower self) and against that part of us that wants to indulge in that sin, we have already been forgiven.

At the end of the day, it is shaytan who wants us to go to hell, not Allah. Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “Allah wants to accept your repentance, but those who follow [their] passions want you to digress [into] a great deviation.” (Qur’an, 4:27) Shaytan does not just want you to go to hell, but also wants to ensure you live in hell in this world. Just like he despaired, he wants you to despair. Our good opinion of Allah should never allow us to do that.

Allah wants to accept your repentance, because your repenting is recognition of His Name al-Ghaffar (the One who constantly forgives).

Just as the Prophet told us that Allah is too gracious to turn away the hand that asks Him , He is also too Merciful to disappoint you and your good opinion of Him Think well of Allah when you are tested Tests come to us in a myriad of ways. We should just know that thinking well of Allah should make us look beyond the test.

This test is something from Allah , and He wants to teach us, to purify us from sin, to strengthen us, and to bring us closer to Him. We do not have a cruel God; our God

Hadith Qudsi 11: On the authority of Abu Harayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (PBUH), who said: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: Spend (on charity), O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you. It was related by alBukhari (also by Muslim) is the Most Merciful of those who show Mercy. When we approach our tests with that frame of mind, we cannot but gain from our experience, insha’Allah.

So what does it mean to think well of Allah ?

It means to take that step. When we mess up, even if we messed up in a major way, we return to Him. We return to Him recognizing that what we did was truly horrible, but we ask for His forgiveness because we know He is that forgiving, and that His Mercy encompasses everything. When we mess up again and again, and feel sick of ourselves, we return to Him with a sincere du’a (supplication) to help us stop, knowing that He will respond. It means having grand hopes and aspirations, and working towards them knowing that Allah “will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.” (Qur’an, 18:30) Source: Suhaib Webb - Jinan Bastaki

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

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

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

Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioun Sr. Nazir Bibi Sidhu (of Surrey, originally from Pakistan), mother of Br. Nemat Ali, Br. Nawazish Ali and Br. Basharat Ali Sidhu of Surrey (active members of the BCMA Surrey Delta Branch) passed away on Jan 6 in Surrey.

Miracle Media offers its condolences to her family.

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

From Jan 11-25, 2013 (Safar 29-Rabi ul Awal 13, 1434H) Safar JJuJan 29 Jan 11 30 12 R.ul A. 1 13 2 14 3 15 4 16 5 17 6 18 7 19 8 20 9 21 10 22 11 23 12 24 13 25

Day Fajar Fri 6:34 Sat 6:32 Sun 6:32 Mon 6:31 Tue 6:31 Wed 6:31 Thu 6:30 Fri 6:29 Sat 6:28 Sun 6:28 Mon 6:27 Tue 6:26 Wed 6:25 Thu 6:23 Fri 6:22

Sunr 8:04 8:03 8:02 8:02 8:01 8:00 7:59 7:58 7:58 7:57 7:56 7:55 7:54 7:53 7:52

Zawal Dhuhr Asar Maghrib 12:20 12:25 2:49 4:39 12:21 12:26 2:50 4:40 12:21 12:26 2:52 4:42 12:22 12:27 2:54 4:44 12:22 12:27 2:55 4:45 12:22 12:27 2:56 4:46 12:22 12:27 2:58 4:48 12:23 12:28 3:00 4:50 12:28 12:23 3:01 4:51 12:23 12:28 3:02 4:52 12:23 12:28 3:04 4:54 12:24 12:29 3:06 4:56 12:24 12:29 3:07 4:57 12:25 12:30 3:08 4:58 12:25 12:30 3:10 5:00

Isha 6:09 6:10 6:12 6:14 6:15 6:16 6:18 6:20 6:21 6:22 6:24 6:26 6:27 6:28 6:30

For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

8

f a i t h

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

On the Excellence of Circles of Dhikr, and the recommendation to join them Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous) by Imam Nawawi 247. Chapter: on the excellence of circles of dhikr, and the recommendation to join them and the prohibition against parting from them without excuse Allah says, “Restrain yourself patiently with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, desiring His Face. Do not turn your eyes from them.”(18:28) 1447. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah Almighty has angels who travel the highways and by-ways seeking out the people of dhikr.

When they find people remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, they call out to one another, ‘Come to what you hunger for!’ and they enfold them with their wings stretching up to the lowest heaven. Their Lord - who knows best - asks them, ‘What are My slaves saying?’ They say, ‘They are glorifying You, proclaiming Your greatness, praising You and magnifying You.’ He says, ‘Have they seen Me?’ They say, ‘No,

by Allah, they have not seen You.’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see Me?’ [extra ‘He said’s deleted] They say, ‘If they were to see You, they would worship You even more intensely and magnify You even more intensely and glorify You even more intensely.’ He says, ‘What are they asking for?’ They say, ‘They are asking You for the Garden.’ He says, ‘Have they seen it?’

They say, ‘No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it.’” He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’ They say, ‘If they were to see it, they would yearn for it even more

strongly and seek it even more assiduously and would have an even greater desire for it.’ He says, ‘What are they seeking refuge from?’ ‘They are seeking refuge from the Fire.’ He says, ‘Have they seen it?’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see it?’

They say, ‘If they were to see it, they would flee from it even harder and have an even greater fear of it.’ He says, ‘I testify to you that I have forgiven them.’ One of angels says, ‘Among them is so-and-so who is not one of them. He came to get something he needed.’ He says, ‘They are sitting and the one sitting with them will not be disappointed.’” [Agreed upon] In the variant of Muslim from Abu Hurayra is that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah also has angels who travel about seeking out gatherings of dhikr. When they find a gathering in which there is dhikr, they sit with them and cover one another with their wings until they fill up the space between them and the lowest heaven. When they separate, they rise and ascend to the heaven. Allah, the Mighty and Majestic - and He knows best - asks them, ‘Where did you come from?’

They say, ‘We came from some of Your slaves in the earth who were glorifying You, proclaiming Your greatness, saying, ‘There is no god but Allah,’ praising You and supplicating You.’ He said, ‘What are they asking Me for?’ They say, ‘They are asking You for Your Garden.’ He said, ‘Have they seen My Garden?’ They say, ‘No, O Lord.’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see My Garden?’ They say, ‘They are seeking Your protection.’ They say, ‘From Your Fire, O Lord.’ He says,

‘Have they seen My Fire?’ They say, ‘No.’ He says, ‘How would it be if they were to see My Fire?’ They say, ‘And they are asking Your forgiveness.’ He says, ‘I have forgiven them and given them what they ask and I have granted them protection from what they seek protection from.’ They say, ‘O Lord, a certain slave is among them who just happened to be passing and sat down with them.’ He says, ‘I have forgiven him. They are such people that the one who sits with them will not be disappointed.’”

1448. Abu Hurayra and Abu Sa’id reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “No people sit remembering Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, without the angels surrounding them and mercy covering them and tranquillity descending on them and Allah mentioning them to those who are with Him.” [Muslim] 1449. Abu Waqid al-Harith ibn ‘Awf reported that once when the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was sitting in the mosque with some people, three people arrived. Two of them came up to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the other left. The two stood before the Messenger of Allah. One of them saw a place in the gathering and sat in it. Another sat behind the assembly. The third turned around and left. When the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, finished, he said, “Shall I tell you about those three people? One of them betook himself to Allah and so Allah took him in His mercy. The second was shy about causing overcrowding and so Allah was shy

with him [so He would not punish him].

The other turned away, so Allah turned away [His mercy] from him.” [Agreed upon] 1450. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri said, “Mu’awiya went out to a circle in the mosque and said, ‘What is it that has caused you to sit here?’

They said, ‘We have sat down to remember Allah.’ He said, ‘By Allah, is that the only thing that has made you sit together?’ They said, ‘We have sat down for that reason alone.’ He said, ‘I did not make you swear out of any suspicion of you. No one who had a similar position to mine in respect of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has related less hadith than I have. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went out to a circle of his Companions and said, “What is it that has caused you to sit together?” They said, “We have sat down to remember Allah and praise Him for He has guided us to Islam and been gracious to us.” He said, “By Allah, is that the only thing that has made you sit together?” They said, “By Allah, we have sat for that reason alone.” He said, “I did not make you swear out of any suspicion of you, but Jibril came to me and reported to me that the angels are boasting about you.”’” [Muslim]

Is gambling allowed in Islam?

Let us look at the following verses from the Noble Quran: “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: “In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.” They ask thee how much they are to spend; Say: “What is beyond your needs.” Thus doth God Make clear to you His Signs: In order that ye may consider- (The Quran, 2:219) “O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan’s handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper. Satan’s plan is (but) to excite enmity and hatred between you, with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer: will ye not then abstain? (The Quran, 5:90-91)” As we clearly see from the above Noble Verses, Allah Almighty considered gambling as the work of Satan. Satan is very tempting.

Many times we humans cannot resist his temptations from doing evil things in life, such as illegal sex, alcohol, bribery, mistreatment of other people, etc....

Allah Almighty commanded us to stay away from gambling in Noble Verse 5:90; “Eschew such(abomination), That y may prosper.”

If any Muslim has any respect for Allah Almighty, then he/she should obey His Holy Commands so that he/she may prosper.

Some people claim that they gamble just for fun and don’t spend a lot of money. I believe that such people are doing a great sin, because they are not avoiding gambling, but instead they are using it for entertain-

ment. This may eventually drag them to become addicted to gambling and lose so much money on it, especially since they are gaining a “great sin” from it anyway. My advise to such people is to seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty and to not go back to the casinos and gambling again, or else they may not “prosper” and end up losing much of their money.

Today Muslims should set the example for all of Mankind. I believe non-Muslims expect a lot of morals from Muslims.

That is why they attach Islam to every Good and Evil thing that is done from Muslims, because they think that we live our lives 100% by the laws of Islam.

So, when Muslims go frequently to casinos, then they are not really helping themselves to allow Allah Almighty to help them “prosper”, and they are not giving the good impression about Islam. How can a person be a gambler and Allah Almighty’s friend at the same time? It’s impossible. So until we change what’s inside of us and make ourselves better people in everything we do to please Allah Almighty with our righteous work, Allah Almighty will never help us, because He said: Conclusion: Gambling is a bad thing and Satan’s work, because it causes the person to gain a “great sin” and to not “prosper”. Allah Almighty commanded the Muslims to stay away from it. If a Muslim wishes to build a personal friendship and relationship with Allah Almighty, then he/she must thrive to do righteousness and to always be the best example to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

“Please attend this blessed program with your family and friends” Live streaming of this program will be available at www.sufitv.tv **Each program contains question and answer session** *Non-Muslims are also welcomed*

** FOOD WILL BE SERVED**

9

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Ayyaz at Crystal @ York Banquet Hall

Real Estate Consultant (Realtor)

604-839-7863 ayyazrealtor@gmail.com

info@amexrealty.ca

6474 131A Ave., Surrey MLS # F1224976

$499,900

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.

Free Appraisal and Legal Fees

TERMS Our Rates*

1 Year 2.69%

3 Year 2.75%

5 Year 3.04%

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 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Newton casino relocating to a property in South Surrey?

Plans are afoot to move the Newton casino to a property in South Surrey, where it would be turned into a destination gam-

ing complex. The City of Surrey, Gateway Casinos and the B.C. Lottery Corporation (BCLC) have been in private discussions about moving the gaming licence from the Newton Bingo Country casino at 7093 King George Boulevard to a yet-to-be-built facility proposed as part of a 200-suite hotel and convention centre planned for 10 Avenue and 168 Street.

After a marathon meeting, council passed the gaming expansion in Newton on a fiveto-four vote, even though it contravened the city’s own gaming policy. Making matters worse, the company that won the rezoning later flipped the property to Gateway Casinos and Entertainment. Mayor Dianne Watts confirmed, the city, BCLC and Gateway were in early discussions to move the gaming licence from Newton to the border location.

The two abiding questions are: What are

the specific plans for the South Surrey location, and what will happen to the rundown mall in Newton?

Coun. Linda Hepner is happy with the potential for a gaming transfer to South Surrey.

“The south has been a location that actually is amenable to tourists, and I think it allows the kind of development in Newton that we’re looking for,” Hepner said. “Hopefully it will be revitalized just the way we want it.” As for the South Surrey site, she said it holds a lot of promise. “Now if we’re talking entertainment zone, pure and simple, the one in the south makes a lot more sense”

SAY NO TO CASINO! Several groups, including the Muslim and Christian communities and social activists, expressed their disapproval to the casinos.

Many worries over the negative social impact of casino gambling as well as opening of doors to undesirable activities including money laundering, prostitution, and organized crime.

The statement highlighted the social ills of gambling, as well as the negative impact on the country, including an increase in crime and loss of productivity which would counteract the economic benefits of having a casino. It also reminded Muslims that gambling was prohibited in Islam, to refrain from legitimising the casino industry despite the objections from the public’’

Girl waits for Mum

By: Nasik Swami ( Fiji Times) January 10, A close relative consoles Diana Mocelutu, the aunt of murder victim Kasaya Veisei, at Naisaumua Village in Tailevu yesterday. Picture: IVAMERE ROKOVESA “MY mum will come back next week.” These were the words echoed by a five-year-old girl to her family whose mother was brutally slain during a family dispute at Naisaumua Village in Tailevu yesterday morning.

The incident happened at 6am when 33-year old wife Kasaya Veisei was stabbed with a kitchen knife several times on a bridge in the village and her body thrown into the creek below.

In an interview yesterday, Veisei’s cousin Lusiana Qionimacawa said Kasaya’s assailant was drinking grog with the whole family until around 5am yesterday.

She and Kasaya then went to sleep.

After 10 minutes her assailant called her from outside the house, Ms Qionimacawa said.

“My cousin (Kasaya) knew that something would happen so she asked me and another cousin to accompany her,” she added.

Ms Qionimacawa said while they were walking, a kitchen knife fell from a knapsack the assailant was carrying on his back. She said that was the time when an argument broke out between the two and Kasaya was stabbed.

“When we saw my cousin stabbed with the

knife, we started shouting to alert the village,” Ms Qionimacawa said.

“The last word that Kasaya uttered was sa oti (it is finished) and she was no more,” she said.

Ms Qionimacawa said after throwing the deceased in the nearby creek, the man fled the scene.

She said her cousin had four children and was a woman with a big heart.

“Her eldest child was 14-year old and the youngest five-years old. They are safe and are staying with us,” Ms Qionimacawa said.

“We will miss her a lot. She was one of the best in our family,” she said.

The incident has left the whole village in a state of shock and people are living in fear.

“My cousin (Kasaya) knew that something would happen so she asked me and another cousin to accompany her,” she said.

Ms Qionimacawa said while they were walking, a kitchen knife fell from a knapsack the assailant was carrying on his back.

She said that was when an argument broke out between the two and Kasaya was stabbed.

“When we saw my cousin stabbed with the knife, we started shouting to alert the village,” she said.

“The last word that Kasaya uttered was sa oti (it is finished) and she was no more,” she said.

She said her cousin had four children and was a woman with a big heart.

“Her eldest child is 14 years old and the youngest is five years old. They are safe and are staying with us.

“We will miss her a lot. She was one of the best in our family,” she said.

The incident has left the whole village in a state of shock and people are living in fear.

Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said police had erected roadblocks along the Kings Rd as the hunt continues for the man.

We repair all makes and models 4 less.

Complete auto repair 4 less!

Special Offers Female Instructor also available

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

11

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

l o c a l

STOP THE CASINO DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH SURREY! ”

OUR FAMILIES COME FIRST”

- GO ONTO WEBSITE AT WWW.SURREYRATEPAYERSASSOCIATION.COM AND SEND YOUR PETITION BY FAX, E-MAIL OR MAIL NO LATER THAN JANUARY 11 2013.

- ATTEND AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS TO PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY JANUARY 14, 2013 AT CITY HALL LOCATED AT 14265 56 AVENUE, SURREY, BC AT 7:00 P.M. - CALL MAYOR DIANE WATTS AT 604-591-4126

SAY NO TO THE PROPOSED SURREY CASINO! FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE SURREY RATE PAYERS AT WWW.SURREYRATEPAYERSASSOCIATION.COM OR ON FACEBOOK AT www.facebook.com/NoCasinoInSouthSurrey

12

s p e c i a l

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

In Gaza Strip, children bear psychological scars of conflict

By Abigail Hauslohner In GAZA CITY Fatima still dreams about Ahmed. Sometimes they’re playing with toys as they used to do. But in other dreams, she’s looking over the edge of the balcony at her brother’s smashed and bloodied body, his brain spilling from his skull, her father screaming through his tears.

Ahmed was seven when he was killed by an Israeli air strike during the 2008 Israeli invasion of Gaza. Fatima was eight years old at the time — but “old enough to remember”, said her father, Osama Mohamed Qurtan. Four years later, Fatima has been through therapy. She has taken what her father calls “strong” medications to manage the flashbacks. The new apartment is darker and more cramped than the old one, but the Qurtans needed to get away from the scene of the trauma, the doctors said.

Fatima’s listlessness and spontaneous aggression had started to improve, Qurtan said — until war struck again in November.

This time, the explosions felt just as personal as they did the last, the possibility of death just as likely. When Israeli air strikes rattled the buildings for a week during the Jewish state’s latest confrontation with Hamas, the eight surviving Qurtan children hid in the stairwell, as Gaza schools have taught children here to do. Gazans often talk about the inescapability of war, and the symptoms of their suffering. They cast Gaza as a prison — one physical and psychological, where Israeli bombardment comes every so often, and there is little to do but bear it.

There are few places in the Arab world where psychology and trauma are as openly discussed as they are in Gaza. But health professionals here argue that there are few places in the region that contain a population so traumatised, a youth so obsessed with conflict.

Every day on his return home from school, Ahmed Qurtan’s cousin and best friend Zohair sees a banner bearing a portrait of himself, bloodied and bandaged. Hanging next to it, on a wall in the entryway to the family’s building, is a similar portrait of Ahmed in his funeral shroud. Zohair used to be much smarter and more active before suffering a head injury in the same air strike, his father, Alaa Mohamed Qurtan, said.

“He’s not normal now,” the man said, as the boy cast his long eyelashes shamefully at the floor.

Psychologists say that few in Gaza would qualify as “normal”. The cramped territory has operated under an Israeli-enforced blockade that has strictly limited the flow of goods and people since the militant group Hamas won an election here in 2006. The enclave’s 1.7 million people,

half of whom are under the age of 18, have endured two wars in the span of four years.

Nearly everyone in Gaza knows someone who has died a violent death.

It’s the long-term implications that worry some experts the most. “Gaza right now has all of the reasons there for people to go toward the extreme,” said Issam Younis, director of the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza City, who has documented the impact of war and blockade on Gaza’s population. “In putting a whole nation under siege, you obstruct their future. And then what do you expect?” he said. “More hatred, more enmity, and more resistance against the Israelis.”

Palestinian and Israeli intellectuals say that if Israeli society has grown more conservative and inward-looking in recent years, Gaza has mirrored it. And while the rhythm of war has taken its toll through trauma, the Strip’s isolation has had its own impact on a generation’s mindset.

Palestinian identity has long centred around resistance to an Israeli enemy, but Fatima’s parents’ generation still engaged with its foes during the occupation and intifadas (rebellion) of the 1980s and ’90s, when Israeli troops roamed Gaza’s streets, and many Palestinians crossed into Israel to work.

No one in Gaza wants a return to occupation. But the virtual absence of interaction between Gazans and Israelis in recent years, and the growing distance with which Israel wages war — through unmanned surveillance drones and war planes — has left the younger generation with a different perspective.

“In engaging with the other, you rediscover yourself,” said Younis, adding that he and his peers still have some Israeli friends.

“We still speak Hebrew,” he said.

“But those young guys, they’re a little bit different from their parents. And the Israelis created them that way,” Younis said. “Those guys — the people under 20 — their only engagement with the Israelis is through the Apache and the F-16.” The experience of repeated conflict with an increasingly foreign enemy has left Gaza’s youth on edge, health professionals say.

Anxiety, excessive worrying, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are rampant among Gaza’s young people.

Teachers, parents, and psychologists talk of children who act out in the classroom, struggle with concentration and speech impediments, jump at loud noises, and wet their beds at night.

Salah Haj Yehia, director of mobile clinics in the strip for the Israeli NGO Physicians for Human Rights, said he participated in a psychological health initiative in recent years that showcased the drawings of Gazan children.

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

The exercise was disturbing, he said.

“You saw drawings of air raids, tanks firing, homes being torn down,” he said.

“This is what is on the minds and in the imaginations of Gazan children. It’s not a happy life that you see in those drawings.”

More than a month after Egyptian-brokered ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, some Gazans are hopeful that the days of isolation are coming to an close.

Hamas demanded an end to Israel’s blockade as one of its terms for maintaining the ceasefire. And last Sunday, Israel allowed a cargo of building materials to enter Gaza for the first time in years.

Many others still believe that war remains inevitable, and that any recent gains against Israeli blockade came as the result of improved rocket power.

To children like Fatima, who have never seen an Israeli, the people who bombed the strip’s dense urban neighbourhoods in 2008-2009 and again in November remain distant, almost mythological villains.

At the Muatassim B’illah school in Gaza

City, where murals along the courtyard depict teddy bears, Holy Quran, a gun, and a map of Palestine, children tell frightening stories from the November war with Israel, but none has ever met an Israeli.

Gaza was attacked, they say, for the same reason Israel struck in 2008 — to kill Palestinians and seize more Palestinian land.

Israel says its war planes carry out precision strikes on carefully identified terrorist targets.

“At the mosque, the sheiks always tell us we have to be fighters when we grow up to retrieve our land,” said Mahmoud Shukri, a 12-year-old.

On a recent evening when a routine electricity outage left the Qurtan family apartment shrouded in darkness, Fatima echoed a similar sentiment.

“I want to be a policewoman when I grow up,” she said, dressed in a pink sweater as her younger siblings tackled each other to the concrete floor. “I want to take back the rights of the innocent children, and I want to take revenge for my brother’s life.”

PEACE

NOT Monthly Petition Drive & Anti-War Rally

WAR

IMPERIALISTS HANDS OFF SYRIA! NO SANCTIONS ON SYRIA & IRAN!

STOP ISRAEL'S ONGOING ASSAULT ON PALESTINIANS! >End the Occupations of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine & Haiti! >Stop the Racist Campaign Against Muslims! >Stop the Drone Attacks! >Saudi and All Foreign Troops Out of Bahrain! >U.S., UK, Canada, France, NATO Hands Off Libya! >U.S. Hands Off North Africa & the Middle East! >Self-Determination For Indigenous Nations & All Oppressed Nations! >Free Bradley Manning Now!

SATUR

D

AY JAN 1PM UARY 1 VANCO U ROBSO V E N ST. B 9 R ART ETWEE N HOW G A LLERY E & HO RNBY

MOBILIZATION AGAINST WAR & OCCUPATION - MAWO

WWW.MAWOVANCOUVER.ORG

13

local

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

BCMA Surrey/Delta Women’s Branch Hosted Hot Meals to homeless people

By David Ali VP Media, Publications and Communication On Dec 16, BCMA Surrey/Delta Women’s Branch hosted Hot Meals to homeless people Salvation Army, Harbor Light, Cordova St, Vancouver.

Sister Sadrul Buksh , the Chairperson, with Branch Directors and several volunteers, mostly youth girls eagerly participated in this noble cause.

The food that was prepared

by Sister Sadrul and her team was served to approximately 700 homeless recipients and

Bulley Shah Academy organises Ahel e Bayt and Seerat un Nabi (SAW) Forum On December 29, a spiritual program was held under the Bullay-Shah Academy of Canada after Isha prayer. The program began with the recitation of Quran and then several Naats Rasool (saw) were recited

by Salim Khan, Ijaz Hussein, and Chacha Shareef. After that Peer Mohammad Afzal founder and president of this academy

delivered a speech at the topic of Ahle-Bayt (family of Prophet (pbuh)) and Seerat un Nabi (saw) in which he told many aspects of high respect for Ahel e Bayt and summarised the life of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) with the reference of Quran and Sunnah.

The program ended with darood salaam and then delicious food was served.

the staff of Harbor Light. This was a full course meal and was enjoyed and appreciated by the homeless and the residents of the Harbor Light. One could feel the mood of the people there as full of satisfaction and gratefulness.

This project was only possible through the generosity and kindness of some individuals in our community. A special

appreciation and acknowledgement is extended to Alfaraza Halal Meats for their donation of Chicken and rice. Sister Sadrul Buksh also likes to thank her Board Directors , the volunteers and well wishers who made this event a successful reality. She will continue with this kind gesture of feeding the hungry, In Shaa Allah.

GURU

IELTS GED

Learning Institute(Est. 2008) Tutoring Grade 1-12 starting Homework?

Extra Help? $ /hr English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology

7

We Prepare you for: CELBAN LPN TEST RN TEST (English) (CPNRE) (CRNE) 2 months 3 months 6 months

Learn to Speak Fluent English 100% Success Guaranteed

199

$

Basic Computer Course $

/M

149

/M

Learn Basic Computer Special Promotion (in one month)

Are you a NURSE from your Country?

Become a NURSE IN Canada!

Test Preparation IELTS, LPI, GED, TOEFL Citizenship Test Serve two locations:

Principal Parvinder Kaur (CEO & Founder)

689-E 46Ave Fraser St. Vancouver 604-325-0006 #207-9250-120th St, Surrey 604-953-0003 www.theenglishguru.com- Email: info@ theenglishguru.com

14

s p e c i a l

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

2012 Top 10 Hottest Topics on Societal Issues in Social Media Globally

By: Giles Crouch What we did find that is important in this new study, is that citizens in the US, Canada and UK are increasingly discussing issues of civil society; politics, legislation, services etc. Based on a comparative sample size between the two studies (we increased the sample size analysis in 2012) we can see a 34% increase in overall discussion volumes of civil society issues.

This is important for government policy makers, those involved with public diplomacy and large corporations with a vested interest in these issues.

1 - Financial Crisis: We re-classified this as US focused as Europe warranted a category on its own. Overall, the concern of citizens in the US, Canada and UK

regarding the impact of the US Financial crisis and system of 2008-9 has declined in our rankings. We accounted for US citizen views to form a weighted average and adjusted for engaged volume of population sizes. While remains a concern, increasingly, people in all three countries are more concerned with the financial crisis in the EU, seeing it as potentially impacting the global economy and certainly Western economies.

2 - Energy: This replaces Aid Relief as a greater and growing concern. Leading the source of citizen concerns in US and

Canada is “fracking” with it’s impact on water supplies, in additional the Keystone XL Pipeline contributed significantly to the volume of discussion in 2011. In terms of energy we included renewable and non-renewable sources and the adoption of greener sources. Although there is a significant rise in concerns over energy, citizens continue to increase their consumption.

3:Climate Change: Interrelated with

energy is climate change. Interestingly, this issue held steady with 2011 views by citizens. We haven’t seen a significant or even marginal increase in discussion by citizens in social media over climate change.

4:Middle East: No doubt triggered by the Arab Spring in 2011, citizens in Canada, USA and UK have turned their attention to the Middle East. Many are positively impacted by the obvious turn to a demand

for greater democracy by citizens in these Arab countries. Unease over Israel and Palestine continues and Iran features prominently as many citizens fear at least a low-level conflict. Many continue to see the region as volatile and unpredictable, but there is a more upbeat view of the region and possible stabilization.

5:Europe Crisis: Certainly a concern of UK citizens so directly impacted by the economy of the EU, it still weighs strong for UK and Canadian citizens. With Canada negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU the state of the economy becomes

of increasing interest to Canadians, while America sees this trading partner impacting its investment banking sector and sales of consumer goods. Likely the EU crisis will feature in citizen concerns into 2014.

6:Afghanistan: In 2010, we added Iraq into the equation as it was a hot topic of discussion in all three countries. Today the discussion over Iraq has dropped significantly, while the issue of Afghanistan has risen to a category of its own. With all three countries having been engaged in combat and civil engineering in Afghanistan, it is no surprise citizens were so engaged.

7:Privacy: The issue of privacy is one that

always simmers in the background, but is of increasing concern to citizens in the US, Canada and UK. All three countries have been working through various changes and proposed legislations concerning privacy and copyright laws. With the SOPA and PIPA issue in the US, this has citizens of Canada and the UK looking on fearing similar ripple effects in their own countrie.

8:US Election: This one has been simmering to a boil since 2010. Canadian and UK

citizens are always fascinated with the U.S. elections and so it was no surprise this issue featured prominently in our analysis.

9:China: Increasingly, citizens in the U.S., Canada and UK are expressing concerns over China’s increasing role on the global stage. Their impact on the U.S. dollar, acquisition of natural resources in Canada and the U.S. and their role in acquiring energy resources around the world. While China’s soft power and economic power is less than America’s, people are increasing-

ly perceiving a greater level of influence on the coming years for China. In Soft Power terms, perceptions are important.

As western countries increasingly engage in Digital Diplomacy and even Public Diplomacy domestically takes on a digital aspect, insight into what citizens are concerned about can help change and form policy and strategic communications.

10:Methodology: This project was carried out using our

proprietary search engine and analytics software. We only analyzed English language. We took a representative sample size of 3,000 citizens per country and weighted for engaged population in the U.S., Canada and UK. We did not identify any particular individuals in this report. We discounted sockpuppeting and astroturfing comments and applied our spam filters.

The age groups sampled were between 25 and 55 where we could identify an education of at least high school level. We analyzed 350,000 “tweets” from Twitter, 4,750 blog postings and 125 news media sites for comments that were publicly available back to 2010. Additional information on our methodology is proprietary.

The hottest places on Earth

The world is getting warmer. Globally, the ten hottest years on record have all been in the past 15 years. And national records are being broken too as climatic extremes are becoming more common. On January 8th, America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that 2012 was the country’s hottest year yet. The average national temperature of 55.3°F (12.9°C) was 1.0°F (0.6°C) above that of the previous warmest year in 1998. Last year was also the second most extreme, as measured by an NOAA index of weather extremes that includes temperature, precipitation, hurricanes and the like. Only 1998 was more variable. Australia is also experiencing some unwanted extremes. The country is currently caught in the grip of extreme heat. Raging bush fires have pushed thousands from their homes as summer temperatures have hit new highs. Records have been set for the national average maximum (40.3°C) and the highest national average (32.2°C). And things may get hotter still. This week the Australian Bureau of Meteorology added new colours to its map to denote a range up to 54°C, as it forecast that the mercury would rise to over 52°C next week, surpassing the previous high of 50.7°C set in 1960.

Source: Economist.com

15

economics

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Proposed Changes Would Strengthen Canada’s International Student Program

Ottawa, December 28, — New measures to prevent fraud in the International Student Program (ISP) were proposed today by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “Attracting the best and brightest young minds from around the world is key to the continued success of Canada’s economy and long-term prosperity,” said Minister Kenney. “But there are too many stories of international students who pay a lot of money and leave their families back home to study in Canada, only to find out they have been misled.

These changes will help us better protect international students and the reputation of Canada’s post-secondary education system by making sure that international students are coming to quality institutions that comply with basic standards of accountability.”

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is proposing regulatory changes to limit study permits to students attending institutions designated by provinces and territories. The proposed changes would address concerns that some institutions are providing poor-quality programs or facilitating, knowingly or not, the entry of foreign nationals to Canada for purposes other than study. Under the proposed amendments, CIC would work with provinces and territories – which are constitutionally responsible for education – to develop a framework to designate educational institutions that will be permitted to host international students. If a school is not designated, it would be able to continue offering programs of six months or less to foreign nationals in Canada on regular visitor visas.

Visitors who wish to enroll in short-term courses do not currently require a study per-

mit, and this would continue to be the case.

Eligible international students attending designated institutions would also be able to work part-time off-campus, without having to apply for a separate work permit. This new flexibility would contribute to Canada’s appeal in attracting the best and brightest students from around the globe. Furthermore, to help eliminate abuse of student visas, changes are being made to ensure that the primary intent of an international student in Canada is to study. Currently, foreign nationals are able to apply to any Canadian school or business offering training in Canada and need only demonstrate an intent to study – there is currently no requirement for them to actually pursue studies once in Canada and no way of tracking whether they do. These changes would provide CIC the authority to request evidence from study permit holders to verify their compliance with study permit conditions. International students would be removed from Canada if they fail to meet new requirements. The proposed changes respond to findings from a 2011 evaluation of the International Student Program, which concluded that gaps in the program leave it open to abuse and fraud. Similar reforms have already been implemented by Canada’s key competitor countries for international students. These changes will strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in international education.

“By improving the International Student Program, we are strengthening Canada’s reputation as a destination of choice for international students,” said Minister Kenney. “In addition to the economic impact, international student graduates are a great source of potential permanent im-

migrants. For those who choose to stay in Canada, their Canadian education and their language skills are important factors for success.”

“International students are vital to the global experience offered on university campuses across Canada,”said Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). “They enrich our institutions with their cultures, languages and unique perspectives and have a positive economic impact on communities coast to coast. We support efforts to strengthen Canada’s reputation as a destination of choice for students around the world.”

“The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and CIC collaborate to maintain the integrity of Canada as a destination of choice for international students,” said James Knight, President and CEO of the ACCC. “Canada’s 140 public colleges and institutes are renowned for the quality of their programs and services for international students. We welcome measures to preserve the excellence of the Canadian brand.” As part of the consultative process, the proposed changes were posted in the Canada Gazette for a 45-day public comment period.

New Federal Skilled Trades Immigration Program Receives Widespread Praise “The Canadian Construction Association is especially pleased to hear today’s announcement that the new federal Skilled Trades Program to be launched on January 2nd, 2013. The introduction of a dedicated and streamlined program for skilled trades

addresses many of the shortcomings in the current federal Skilled Worker Program. The new program ensures greater consideration

is given to the needs of the industry when processing eligible immigrant applications.

The current federal Skilled Worker Program has not been trades friendly … and our industry faces some labour market challenges going forward. There is an international economic survey that forecasts that Canada will have the fifth largest construction market in the world by 2020, next only to the US, China, India and Japan. The Construction Sector Council says that we’re going to need some 320,000 new workers by 2020 just to replace those that will be retiring in the intervening period and to keep pace with the high demand our industry currently is seeing … Of the 320,000 new workers that we’ll need by 2020, the Construction Council says about half of those are going to have to come from foreign trained workers. Yes, we would like to be able to meet all of our labour demands with our domestic workforce, but it’s just not going to be possible and immigration is going to be one of the tools, one of the ways that we can meet that. We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Kenney and the Government of Canada in building a fast, flexible and efficient immigration system that supports the Canadian economy and creates Canada’s competitive workforce of the future.”

Riyadh summit to draw up Arab economic blueprint By: P.K. Abdul Ghafour(Arab News) JEDDAH: Jan 10, Leaders of major Arab countries will attend the third Arab Economic and Social Development Summit that opens in Riyadh on Jan. 21. The summit, which the Kingdom hosts for the first time, is expected to draw a road map for the region’s economic development.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has sent invitations to Arab heads of state including Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi, King Abdallah of Jordan and President Michel Suleiman of Lebanon to attend the two-day conference.

Abdullah Al-Mubti, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said summit would discuss important topics including ways to promote intra-Arab trade and how to overcome impact of global economic crisis. He stressed the need to remove obstacles facing trade between Arab League member countries.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Mubti said a private sector forum would be held on Jan. 12-13 with the participation of more than 500 delegates including ministers, government officials, businessmen and bankers ahead of the summit.

“The forum will figure out the Arab private sector’s hopes and aspirations toward enhancing its participation in the economic development of Arab countries and make a number of important proposals to the summit leaders,” he said.

The forum will focus on three main topics: First, difficulties facing implementation of the past two summits’ resolutions. Second, private sector requirements to meet global challenges, increase inter-Arab trade and investment flow and protect investment.

Third, promotion of a number of leading projects in order to achieve Arab economic integration.

Al-Mubti stressed the important role being played by the private sector, saying it contributes 50 percent of Arab gross domestic product.

“We’ll make proposals to Arab leaders attending the summit to create a suitable atmosphere for the increased flow of trade and investment between Arab countries and strengthen the private sector’s role in economic development,” he added.

Al-Mubti, who is vice president of the Federation of Arab Chambers for Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, highlighted the significance of the Riyadh summit, saying it comes at a time when many Arab and nonArab countries face difficult challenges that demand formation of a strong Arab economic force.

“The Kingdom’s hosting of the summit reflects its leading Arab, regional and international role and its desire to strengthen Arab economic cooperation,” Al-Mubti said.

He said the private sector forum would take up 21 investment projects proposed by nine Arab organizations, adding that they focus on food security, agricultural development, and creation for more jobs for the youth.

Meanwhile, the Arab League has finalized all arrangements for the summit in association with Saudi authorities, said Assistant Secretary General for Economic Affairs Mohammad bin Ibrahim Al-Tuweijri.

The Arab ministers of finance and economy will meet on Jan. 19 to discuss the agenda and other issues such as food security, renewable energy and Arabization of the Internet.

Al-Tuwaijri lauded the initiative of Kuwaiti

Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah for launching a fund to support the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It was one of most important achievement of the first Arab economic summit, which was held in Kuwait in January 2009.

“The deposits in the fund reached $ 1.2 billion and the fund has started financing SMEs in several Arab countries,” he said. Loans offered so far amount to $ 157 million.

“Seven Arab countries, including Egypt, Algeria, Mauritania, Jordan and Sudan, will be receiving funding for their SMEs soon,” AlTuweijri said. “The fund has set aside $ 60 million for two projects and $ 20 million for two others,” he said, affirming that the funding of projects would have tangible results in two years.

Arab League Deputy Secretary-General Ahmed Ben Hamli stated that the conference would discuss the economic situation of Arab Spring countries — Egypt, Tunisia and Libya — as they have seen drastic changes.

“These countries are economically suffering and there will be some form of support through projects or Riyadh Declaration.

There are a number of ideas which will be discussed during the summit,” he said.

The summit will take joint Arab action

through completion of several practical and realistic projects, which will contribute to linking the Arab world including activation of the Arab Convention for Investment in Arab countries.

In a related development, Khalil Abdullah Al-Khonji, president of the Federation of GCC Chambers, expressed his hope that the summit’s resolutions would contribute to economic integration of Arab countries.

He said the private sector forum would discuss a number of topics to strengthen the sector in order to play a better role in boosting Arab economic growth by enhancing investment and trade flow.

“The private sector in Arab countries hope that the Riyadh summit would take serious steps to remove trade barriers and ease customs procedures to increase inter-Arab trade,” Al-Khonji said.

The summit should also instruct the concerned ministries and departments in Arab countries to welcome Arab investors by opening investment opportunities for them in vital sectors and removing restrictions.

16

politics

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Dire consequences if long march is hampered : AllamaTahirul ul Qadri

Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran chief Dr Allama Tahirul Qadri Tahir ul Qadri, is a well known Pakistani scholar, currently living in Canada as a Canadian citizen. On Jan 6, he warned both the federal and the Punjab government against serious consequences if his long march was hindered.”Situation may go out of control if the government tried to create hurdles for the long march “, warned Tahirul Qadri while addressing a press conference on Jan 6. He also warned Punjab government against harassing his party workers and threatened that half of the participants would march on Lahore while rest on Islamabad if any effort to halt the march was put up. ‘’It would be decided on Jan 14 in Islamabad whether the looters would rule the country or those who were being looted Said Qadiri.

“I want to remind the PPP workers of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s famous slogan of Roti, Kapra, and Makaan, nobody has got these things till date. “ He added. that he would not become caretaker prime minister’’. Addressing a workers’ convention, Qadri said that he only wants to bring about a “revolution” and election reforms in the country in a peaceful manner and has no desire to be part of the caretaker set-up.

He said he did not have any hidden agenda, adding that he had announced his “patriotic agenda” openly in his rally and he would not allow anyone to sabotage the existing system. He said that only two parties would not be allowed to decide the caretaker set-up when parliament is dissolved.

But, he added, only people would decide about the caretaker prime minister of the country. Talking to the journalists here on Wednesday he said that some politicians are giving advice to Election Commission for bringing electoral reforms but this would not produce desired results. Qadri

said that the Election Commission has no powers for amending the law. If the case of rigging is send to ECP, they refer it to the courts and final decision would take five years to decide. He reiterated his resolve that only negotiations cannot prevent long march until government act upon the constitution completely.

“If the announcement of interim government would be made before long march , the people would reject it”, he added.

He once again clarified that the deadline given to the government would be finished on January 10 , while long march would be started on 14. He said that he wants only the implementation of constitution in its true letter and spirits instead of new legislation.

Biography of Muhammad Tahir ulQadri for those who don’t know: Allama Qadri was born on 19 February 1951 in Jhang, Pakistan to Farid-ud-Din Qadri. His ancestors belong to the Punjabi Sial family of Jhang near Sargodha.

Qadri started his education at the Christian ‘Sacred Heart School’ in Jhang, where he learnt English and was exposed to Christianity at an early age. He learnt under Maw-

lana Diya’ al-Din al-Madani. He studied Hadith from Muhaddith al-Hijaz. Qadri

continued his quest for knowledge early in his life. He has also learnt from a number of other classical authorities in Islamic sciences. Qadri studied law at the University of the Punjab, Lahore where he graduated with an LLB in 1974, gaining a Gold Medal for his academic performances.

Following a period of legal practice as an advocate, he taught law at the University of the Punjab from 1978 to 1983 and then gained his PhD in Islamic Law (Punishments in Islam, their Classification and Philosophy) from the same university in 1986 He was appointed as a professor of law at the University of Punjab, where he taught British, US and Islamic constitutional law. Qadri has himself given ijaza to a number of leading Muslim scholars.

Founding of Minhaj-ul-Quran Qadri founded a Sufism-based organization Minhaj-ul-Quran International in October 1981 and spent the next decade expanding it nationally and internationally. In 1987, the headquarters of Minhajul-Quran, based in Lahore, Pakistan was inaugurated by Sufi saint Tahir Allauddin who is regarded as the organization’s spiritual founder. The goal of the organization is fairly broad, namely to promote religious moderation, effective and sound education, inter-faith dialogue and harmony, and a moderate interpretation of Islam employing methods of Sufism. Over the past 30 years, the organization has reportedly expanded to over 90 countries.

During the March 2011 session the United Nations Economic and Social Council granted special consultative status to Qadri’s organization Minhaj-ulQuran International. Qadri is the founder of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, a broadbased global Sufi organization working in the fields of welfare, human rights and education. Its objectives are the promotion of a moderate and non-extremist vision of Islam, the establishment of good relations and understanding between communities and religions, and the education of youth through “employing the methods of Sufism”. He also founded The Minhaj University of which he is the head of the Board of Governors, as well as an international relief charity, Minhaj Welfare Foundation. Qadri was also the founding chairman of the political party Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), although he is no longer involved in politics. Qadri spoke at the World Economic Forum in January 2011. In 2006, Qadri attended the Muslims of Europe Conference in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss identity, citizenship, challenges and opportunities for European Muslims. He also attended several gatherings around the world in which he delivered his lectures on the topic of “Islam on

Peace, Integration and Human Rights”. In March 2010 he gained media attention for the launch of his unconditional Fatwa on Terrorism and appeared on various international media outlets including Sky News, BBC News, ITV, EuroNews, Al-Jazeera, CNN and CNN’s Amanpour, CBC News, Russia Today, Al Arabiya and various other outlets. He appeared on Frost Over The World and interviewed by David Frost in which Qadri stated that the “purpose of his life is to bring peace and harmony in the world”. Furthermore, the US State Department declared the Fatwa to be a significant publication which takes back Islam from terrorists. Qadri was quoted in the American Foreign Policy magazine stating: “I am trying to bring [the terrorists] back towards humanism. This is a jihad against brutality, to bring them back towards normality.

This is an intellectual jihad.”

In August 2010 Qadri held the first anti-terrorism camp for Muslim youth at the University of Warwick with the aim of tackling extremism in the UK. The camp was organized by his organization Minhaj-ul-Quran UK which has established 572 schools, a number of colleges and a chartered university. He has been invited to deliver his lectures by several organizations.

Fatwa on Terrorism On 2 March 2010, Qadri issued a 600-page Fatwa on Terrorism, which is an “absolute” scholarly refutation of all terrorism without “any excuses or pretexts.” He said that “Terrorism is terrorism, violence is violence and it has no place in Islamic teaching

and no justification can be provided for it.

Political career On May 25, 1989, Qadri founded a political party Pakistan Awami Tehreek or PAT. The main aims of this political party are to introduce the culture of true democracy, economic stability, improve the state of human rights, justice and the women’s role in Pakistan. The PAT also aims to remove corruption from Pakistani politics. Its official website contains its formal manifesto.

In 1990, Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) participated in the national elections just one year after it was founded. In 1991, PAT and TNFJ (Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-eJafria A shia political group ) now known as Tehreek-e-Jafria. From 1989 to 1993,

Qadri continuously worked as an opposition leader. He was also elected as an MNA (Member of the National Assembly) of his Lahore constituent on the Pakistani National Parliament. On 29 November 2004, Qadri announced his resignation as a Member of the National Assembly.

His Publications He has authored some 400 published works in Arabic, English and Urdu. “.

17

politics

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Jamaat e Islami Pakistan loses its 2 Key leaders Former JI chief Qazi Veteran Jamaat Hussain Ahmed passes leader Prof Ghafoor away in Islamabad passes away

The Naib Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami,(JI) Pakistan Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, died at a private hospital in Karachi on Dec 26, he was of 85 years.

He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last 10 days.

His funeral prayers was held at the Idara-e-Noore-Haq Karachi he laid to rest at the Sakhi Hassan graveyard. The founder of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Maulana Syed Abul Ala Maududi, had played a vital role in grooming Prof Ghafoor Ahmed with whom he remained in close contact until the Maulana Maududi’s death in 1979.

Prof. Ghafoor’s career was a long and illustrious one. He was well-known for his soft spoken nature and even temper.

It was on the night of January 28, 1973 when he made his first appearance on Pakistan Television (PTV), which left an unforgettable mark on the minds of many.

He spoke against the presidential form of government that the then premier, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, preferred. Veteran journalist Farhad Zaidi hurled one question after another in support of the government but Prof. Ghafoor kept on answering calmly.

The next day Dawn newspaper called him “the Jamaat centre forward.” Prof. Ghafoor worked as an accountant but later adopted teaching as a profession and remained a faculty member of the Commerce and Economics Department at Urdu College from 1950 to 1956 and then again from 1957 to 1961. He also served as a lecturer at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, Jinnah Institute of Industrial Accountants and Pakistan Institute of Industrial Accountants. He also served as member of Sindh University’s curriculum committee and curriculum board of the University of Karachi. The writings of Maulana Syed Abul Ala Maududi, the founder of Jamaat-e-Islami, had been an inspiration for him like many others since 1944 but he formally became part of the party in 1950, after migrating to Pakistan in middle of 1949. In April 1958, the JI decided to take part in the local body elections of Karachi for the first time. Prof. Ghafoor was elected member of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) from Liaquatabad by securing 5,803 votes.

However, he could work for just five months as on October 7, 1958, then president Iskandar Mirza staged a coup, imposed martial law and appointed Gen Mohammad Ayub Khan as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Despite his influence within Jamaat-e-Islami and to some extent in Karachi, Prof. Ghafoor remained largely unknown in national politics until he was elected to the National Assembly from Karachi in 1970. Thereafter, he gradually built his stature as a politician who was respected even by his adversaries. Soon after the promulgation of the 1972 interim constitution, a committee of 25 members of the national assembly was formed that consisted of the parliamentary leaders of

all political parties. Prof.

Ghafoor was one of its most active members.

Z.A. Bhutto preferred a presidential form of government, something that all the political parties opposed. Finally, a draft favouring a parliamentary form of government was submitted to the National Assembly after much reconciliation and delay on December 31, 1972.

That was the time Prof.

Ghafoor appeared on PTV. While revisiting the political ups and downs of the time, Z.A. Suleri, a notable journalist and writer, called him the finest parliamentary leader of the Bhutto era in an article published in Daily Jang on July 21, 1977. He was also nominated as the secretary general of the United Democratic Front, which was formed on March 13, 1973 by JI and other opposition parties to counter the PPP. Later, at the time of parliamentary elections, the opposition parties gelled into the Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) and Prof. Ghafoor served as its secretary general from 1977 to 78. He was also a member of the team that carried out crucial negotiations with ZA Bhutto. He served as federal minister for industries in 1978-79. He was also secretary general of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad between 1988 and 1990.

According to family sources, Maulana Maudoodi used to visit his house in Nazimabad regularly. He was twice elected to the National Assembly from Karachi, first in the 1970 elections and then in 1977.

He was a signatory to the Constitution of 1973.

He was a prominent leader of the Pakistan National Alliance, an alliance of nine political parties which was formed to contest the 1977 elections against the Pakistan People’s Party. The PNA had refused to accept the election results then, accusing the government of rigging, and started a mass movement against the People’s Party government led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

He was part of a three-member PNA delegation that held talks with the government to find a solution to the political impasse during the height of the PNA agitation. The two other members of the PNA delegation were Mufti Mahmood and Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. Prof Ghafoor Ahmed later served as federal minister for industries from 1978 to 1979. He was born on 26 June 1927 in Barely in India. He earned his Master’s degree in commerce from Lucknow University India in 1948.

He has left behind three sons, Tariq, Khalid and Shoaib. Prof Ghafoor’s wife had died some time back.

He was counted amongst the most respected politicians of the country.

All political leaders, party heads and Jamaat members prayed to Almighty Allah to place the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss.They also said the nation has lost a sincere and talented political leader and his services for the 1973 Constitution would be remembered for a long time.

The former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and former lawmaker Qazi Hussain Ahmed died of cardiac arrest on Jan 5 in the federal capital Islamabad, he was 74. Qazi, who was suffering from a heart disease and asthma, was shifted to Islamabad from Peshawar for specialized treatment a couple of days back, said his son Asif Luqman Qazi.

“On Jan 5th night his condition deteriorated and he was driven to a nearby hospital but medics could not resuscitate him,” he added. Qazi left behind wife, two sons and as many daughters to mourn his death. He buried at his native village of Ziarat Kaka Saheb, in Nowshera district.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed was elected Ameer (chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in 1987 and continued to serve in that capacity, getting re-elected four more times (1992, 1994, 1999, 2003).

In 2008, however, he did not run for the office and subsequently Syed Munawwar Hassan was elected to succeed Qazi.

Rightly dubbed as the most popular JI chief, he was also a prominent religious scholar, Islamic theologian and advocate of Islamic democracy. Qazi Hussain Ahmad was first elected as member of the Senate in 1986 for a six-year term. In March 1992, he was re-elected to the upper house of parliament. However, he resigned in 1996 in protest against the “corrupt political system”. In the 2002 general elections, Qazi was elected as a member of the National Assembly from his native constituency of

NA-5 Nowshera. He served as the parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Majlise-Amal (MMA). According to political analysts, Qazi’s death is a big blow to the rightwing populist party following Professor Ghafoor Ahmed, who passed away on December 26, in Karachi.“Qazi Sahib put up a resilient fight against corruption in the country,” said JI senior leader Liaquat Baloch. Another JI leader Professor Ibrahim praised Qazi as the most proactive leader of the party who mobilized the party at home and introduced it abroad.

Qazi strongly opposed Pakistan’s participation in the US-led war on terror. In his last days, he was heading the Milli Yakjehti Conference and recently he helped organize an international conference in Islamabad which was attended by leading Islamic scholars from Muslim states. He was also at the forefront of Defa-e-Pakistan Council, a bloc of rightwing parties opposed to the US-led war in Afghanistan.

ALLIED INSURANCE SERVICES INC.

Fast Efficient And Friendly Service For All Your Insurance Needs

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

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

604-596-4588 FLEETWOOD Fleetwood Town Square #103-15988 Fraser Hwy., Surrey

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

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

Open 7 days 9am to 9pm

604-572-9292 NEW WEST/BURNABY

WHALLEY

Burnaby Square #106 – 7885 6th Street, Burnaby

Plaza 102 10235 King George Hwy., Surrey

604-523-0900

604-582-8699

18

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

BC Muslim Association Burnaby-New Westminster-Tri-Cities Branch Presents...

COMMUNITY SENIORS’ DAY SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2013 at Masjid Al-Salam 5060 Canada Way, Burnaby

ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS 65 YEARS AND OLDER AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE WELCOME! Program starts at 11:00 am Lunch will be served Great information and social gathering for seniors

Special Guests and Dignitaries will help us open our new community fitness centre.

CONTACT DAUD ALI 778.829.7864

19

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

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 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

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

Specializing in Indian Style Chinese & Szechuan Food Fine Dining, Taking out and Delivery

Lunch Special Over 20 items to choose from

Monday - Friday 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm p Holidays y Except

$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 EXTRA DELIVERY CHARGE OUTSIDE OF 3 KM RADIUS MAY APPLY Business Hours: Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

New Management Jalil Khan

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 Next to Sabzi Mandi

9436 - 120 Street, Surrey www.asianspicesurrey.com

604-502-7773

21

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

“Your Team of Trusted Lawyers”

Usman Ghani - ICBC - Medical malpractice - Personal Injury - Civil Litigation - Commercial Litigation

&

Massood Joomratty

Barristers & Solicitors

- 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 - Conveyancing - Incorporation

Free Initial Consultation

604-599-0001 Usman Ghani

Massood Joomratty

SURREY OFFICE: # 205 - 7134 King George Blvd. Surrey BC V3W 5A3

22

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

23

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Lunch Special Mon-fri. 11am-4pm

Takeout Specials

- Chicken Shawarma (Donair ) and fountain drink for

- 12 skewers of grilled lamb cubes $29.99 - 12 skewers of grilled chicken sheesh

$4.99

- Two skewers of chicken sheesh tawook or beef kebabs and fries or rice,garlic and hummus dips,pita bread,and fountain drink for

$9.99

tawook or beef kebabs $24.99 - 10 pieces of fried chicken $12.99 - Whole grilled chicken or fried with garlic dip $17.99

*We do special orders of kebeh, lahmbaajeen, roasted lamb leg, half /full lamb on traditional rice orders, manakeesh on saj and Lebanese breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Come and join us, be part of our great Muslim and Arab group community

We do delivery at your door step from 4:00 pm-10:00 pm we welcome catering orders and you can enjoy our 55 Seats hall for all of your occasions for the price of your foods

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 Dr. Mee Lain LING, Dr. TCM Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Helping you reclaim your vibrant health!

• RELIEVE pain & symptoms using natural methods • Treat the ROOT problem of your disease • Apply easy, practical TOOLS to improve your health

Acupuncture A t Cupping

Herbal Medicine Electro-massage

Moxibustion Dietary Therapy

#315-6051 Gilbert Road, Richmond 604.273.3218 ~ 604.561.6850

(Across from Richmond Hospital)

dr.meelainling@gmail.com

24

home & garden

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Roofing & Renovation Solutions

Imran Tipu, B.Sc. Civil Eng In our series of articles for roofing and renovation solutions, the current article is regarding the driveway design and construction.

DRIVEWAY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES This information is provided to assist you in the construction of your driveway and help you determine: • The best location on your property.

• What you need to look for in developing a safe access.

• Construction standards.

Once you’ve decided on your access location, you will need to consider a few safety issues to ensure that it will work well and not create a safety hazard for yourself or other motorists.

There are five main issues to consider when developing a safe access: 1) Location First, you should consider where you are going to position your home and how your driveway will fit into the overall layout.

Think about all the seasons. Will the location serve as an efficient access to your home?

2) Grade Grade is the change in elevation of land.

When you develop an access, the grade of your driveway near the road should be fairly level for at least the length of an average sized car. This is important during icy conditions. You don’t want to slide onto the road when you try to stop.

3) Parking

Depending on the Land Use Zoning for your property, you may be required to provide parking for two vehicles. Remember, parking spaces must be located within your property boundary but not on the Municipal Highway. Furthermore, provision must be made to ensure that you can turn your car around and re-enter the Municipal Highway in a forward direction.

4) Sight Distance Imagine sitting in your car and you are about to enter the road. You look up and down the road before proceeding. The furthest point at which you can observe the road in each direction is the sight distance.

This is important because you need to see approaching traffic and they need to see you. Although it is ideal to have clear sight of both lanes, it is crucial to have clear sight along the road lane that runs alongside your point of access.

Remember vegetation may grow back and you will have to clear it from time to time.

Maximum required sight distances are dependent upon posted speed limits. Based on a travelling speed of 40 km/hr, the required sight distances in each direction are listed below: ROAD TYPE DESCRIPTION SIGHT DISTANCE (m) Main Intercommunity road 45 Residential Community road 30 Heavy Rains: It is the responsibility of the access owner to clean debris from their driveway off the road. If your property is below the road, you are responsible to manage any drainage that originates from the road.

5) Drainage Drainage refers to the concentration and flow of surface water runoff. There are two main drainage scenarios.

I. Surface water that flow adjacent properties toward the road

Mortgage Watch

By Kazim Jafary Fortunately, the US government came to an agreement last Tuesday – New Year’s Day – that averted the downfall – the much talked about ‘fiscal cliff’.

Global markets responded positively to the news.

Stocks, commodities and some currencies like the Canadian dollar have rallied in the wake of the agreement to deal with a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that threatened to plunge the US back into recession.

While the cliff has been avoided, there is still plenty of unresolved business to be completed over the next couple of months. It was US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke who coined the term ‘fiscal cliff’ and wanted American politicians and their constituents to feel his alarm over this cliff and the economic danger it posed. Although aimed at US audience, the whole world was listening. The general consensus appeared to be that if the Americans couldn’t figure out a way of avoiding the cliff, the potential damage caused by that failure on the Canadian and the global economy could be huge.

The ‘cliff’ referred to the more than $600 billion US worth of spending cuts and tax hikes that were due to automatically take effect as of Jan. 1, 2013. Most of this $600 billion – about $500 billion – was in tax hikes that would have hit the vast majority of US taxpayers. The spending cuts amount

to about $110 billion. The term ‘cliff’ was a bit of a misnomer since the full impact of those spending cuts and tax hikes was not supposed to take place on Jan. 1, but were spread out over the whole year. So, if an agreement took place over a few months, the economy would still have been okay.

Bilateral trade between Canada and the US amounts to more than $1.7 billion a day. It’s vital for Canadian exporters to have a financially healthy and confident US consumer.

TD deputy chief economist Derek Burleton noted that US tax hikes have a bigger impact on Canadian exports than spending cuts, which tend to matter more domestically because Canadian trade with the US is largely concentrated in consumer goods and business investment, items which will likely be hit harder by an increase in taxes.

Still a risk to the US economy is how $110 billion in spending cuts that have now been delayed for two months in this agreement will be tied to an increase in the debt ceiling that will be required by February or March.

At least for the time being, the markets are surging and confidence is high which are of course positive signs.

With the future not so bleak and positive signs on the horizon, let’s review the past year for Canada. 2012 was challenging for the Canadian housing market. Mortgage rule changes, which include a reduction in the amortization period to 25 years, limits on refinances and changes to home equity lines of credit have slowed the pace of sales.

Some first time homebuyers have withdrawn from the marketplace. In various parts of the country listings have decreased, which has affected some who want to move but can’t due to the lack of inventory. However, not

II. Surface water that flows from the road toward adjacent properties Sometimes a roadside ditch may be used to intercept this drainage. Before you construct your access, you need to determine if there is a defined ditch line along your property. If there is an existing ditch, you will need a culvert. We require that you provide a minimum16-inch diameter pipe.

Site specific conditions may require a larger diameter pipe. The culvert should be longer than the width of your driveway to allow for the driveway fill on either side of the driveway.

If your property is higher than the road, you are required to create a small swale or depression to direct surface water from your driveway to the ditch. This will help prevent water from running onto the road and creating black ice when temperatures drop. A combination of a slight grade and the swale will also help keep debris off the road.

DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS Now you know where to locate a safe driveway by addressing sight distance and drainage.

Here are the standards for constructing your driveway: • When the property is higher than the road, the grade should not be greater than 2% within the boulevard (that portion of the highway between the curb lines or the lateral lines of the roadway and the adjoining property or roadway). Additionally, there should be a slight swale at the ditch line to ensure water drains into the ditch rather than onto the roadway.

• The driveway slope should not exceed by specified percentage from the property line to the closest parking area. The parking area should be of a size large enough to accommodate the required number of all areas of the country are experiencing slowed sales and it is not all gloom for 2013.

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is predicting that national sales activity will recede by only two percent to 447,400 units. The national average price is forecast to edge up another three tenths of one percent to $365,100 in 2013; with British Columbia, Ontario, and New Brunswick registering small price declines and modest average price gains in line with or below inflation in other provinces.

Moderation is the buzz word when discussing the other positives. The economy is still creating jobs and the US economy has recently shown improved job creation. If this persists, it will contribute to faster job creation in Canada. The inflation rate fell to a three-year low in November and interest rates remain at historical lows. Moderate economic, job, and income growth will temper the impact of recent mortgage rule changes, which are not expected to dampen activity anymore.

It also appears that Canadians will be entering 2013 in a more positive mood about their finances than they were a year ago.

The Harris/Decima poll released last month found that 70% of those surveyed were feeling positive about their current financial sit-

spaces.

• Driveway width for all single-family residential zones can range between 3.0 - 6.0 metres or 10 – 20 feet as measured at the property line. The driveway width in the boulevard may not exceed 6.0 metres.

• Culverts must be corrugated steel pipes with a minimum size of 400-mm (16 inches).

Alternately, a pipe capable of withstanding an H-20 axle loading standard may be used, subject to the approval of professional engineer.

• The culvert should be placed slightly below the invert or lowest point in the ditch.

Consider the implications of ditch maintenance and cleaning by municipal maintenance crews.

• The culvert should be covered with granular material to a depth in accordance with the pipe manufacturer’s specifications. This cover is necessary to protect the culvert from collapse.

• Ditches are to be constructed with positive slope and a general maximum depth of 0.6 metres (2 feet) and a minimum depth of 0.15 metres (0.5 feet). Ditch bases should have a width of 0.3 meters (1 foot) and side slopes of 1.5H to 1.0V. • Gravels used in the construction of driveways shall conform to Construction Document specifications.

• Structures may not be placed within 2 metres (6.5 feet) of the paved road.

• Except by special permission, residential properties are limited to one driveway access.

• All retaining structures over 1.5 metres (5 feet) shall be certified by a geotechnical and/or structural engineer.

Note: All mathematical dimensions mentioned above are standard.

For more information about these article series and/or all our previous articles, please visit: www.rtmroofingandrenovations.com

uation; up 6 percentage points from a similar survey conducted in late 2011.

A few economists say that it is certainly possible for the economy to grow in 2013 as long as situations in other countries improve. Doug Porter, Bank of Montreal’s chief economist is one of them. He said the US housing sector is turning the corner and that country’s auto sales are getting back to almost normal, which would have a huge positive impact for the Canadian economy.

The Royal Bank of Canada has the economy picking up steam in each of the first three quarters of 2013, starting with a 2.4 percent gain in the first quarter and peaking at 3.4 percent in the third, the summer months.

Certainly the winds are shifting as the US, Europe and China make economic strides.

Barring another major setback, those three sources of external strength will help lift Canada’s economy. Considering the factors mentioned above, it makes sense to keep the spirits high for the New Year and let’s remember a motivational quote by Les Brown, ‘Always shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.’

Wishing all the readers of Miracle – health, happiness, prosperity and financial peace of mind in 2013.

Questions & Comments: kazim@kazimjafary.com

2 or 3 Bedroom suite 132 Street and 62nd Avenue

2 bedroom with one bathroom ($950 per month) or 3 bedroom with two full bathrooms ($1250 per month) suite is available. Third bedroom is a HUGE master bedroom with a walk in closet and its own entrance. You can move in immediately. All utilities included. Individual heating controls. Rent is negotiable for the right family. Schools are within 5 minutes walking distance. Mosque is within walking distance as well. Bus stop is only few meters away.

Call or email Arsalan Butt for more details: 778-996-7855; ab@sfu.ca

25

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

BC politics

Adrian Dix’s not-so-secret agenda

By : Andrew Macleod, thetyee.ca NDP leader won office making promises on smart meters, raw logs, women’s equality and much more. A new democratic party government led by Adrian Dix would expand child care, reduce fees for seniors’ long-term care, ban the cosmetic use of pesticides, put a moratorium on independent power projects, stop renovictions and create disincentives for exporting raw logs.

A Dix government would start a ministry of women’s equality, get rid of the foundation skills assessment (FSA) for students and allow teachers to negotiate class size and composition as part of their contract bargaining. It would reinstate a tax on financial institutions and raise corporate taxes. Those commitments and others, all publicly available, run contrary to an assertion that has become common in Victoria that Dix won’t say what he wants to do if the NDP forms government.

With the NDP ahead in the polls, premier Christy Clark’s talking points in the past year have included suggestions that Dix has a secret plan for the province. The liberal party she leads has pushed the theme, often echoed in the media, with a “searching for Dix’s hidden plan” website.

In one year-end interview, Dix said people wanting to know what an NDP government would do should look at what they supported as opposition in the last year, rather than dwelling on what’s been unsaid.

More instructive is to look at what Dix said in early 2011 while he was running for the NDP leadership, a time when he stressed he was being specific about his promises in his appeal to party members to vote for him. They include proposals that would change the economy, health services, education and the environment.

Some of them Dix has repeated frequently since becoming leader, but many of them he has not. While they may not add up to a full platform and they leave policy gaps, it is worth remembering what they were.

Raw logs and women’s equality While the website for Dix’s successful leadership bid appears to have disap-

peared from the internet, The Tyee held onto copies of his announcements. In some cases they are specific about dollar amounts, in some they just indicate his intentions, and in others he identifies policy changes that would transform sectors without great expense to the government.

Following are commitments on some of the province’s higher profile issues:Using financial disincentives to discourage raw log exports. “I am calling for a major increase in the provincial fees levied on raw logs harvested on Crown lands for export, and for a new provincial sales or earnings tax on raw logs exported from private forest lands,” he said; - “I am committed to a Ministry of Women’s Equality to ensure that all agencies and all ministries are moving forward on issues impacting equality for women, including the Premier’s Office,” announced Dix. “The Liberal decision to scrap the ministry was a step backward that I will reverse”; - “I am also committed to expanding legal aid and supporting and financing women’s centres and centres dealing with violence against women”; - “I am committed to expand child care, to initiate a provincial childcare system and to pressure Ottawa to play a major role in such a system”; - Reversing the BC Liberal’s hike in fees for seniors in long-term care, which in 2011 transferred a $54 million government expense to seniors and their families; - Stopping the smart meter program; - Placing a moratorium on independent power producer contracts; - Renewing the B.C. Utilities Commission process to restore public accountability, restoring moves in recent years that took things like smart meters out of the BCUC’s review; - Enforcing employment standards and improving “the provisions for workers seeking to organize and bargain collectively”; - Reversing B.C.’s position on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union to protect the province from “soaring” prescription drug and health care costs.

Health and education Several proposals addressed education: - “Changing the school funding formula to help keep schools open” and “increasing the resources and services for students”;Ending the current Foundation Skills Assessment program (see Sidebar) and replacing it with something more comprehensive.

Dix’s ‘Secret Promise’ On FSA No Secret The BC Liberal Party this week accused NDP leader Adrian Dix of making a “secret promise” to the B.C. Teachers’ Federation to scrap the foundational skills assessment (FSA) test, even though that’s something he’d long ago committed to publicly.

FSAs are standardized tests given to students in grades four and seven to assess how their schools are doing. The Fraser Institute has made an annual practice of using them to rank schools against each other.

“If it’s official NDP policy to eliminate FSAs, Adrian Dix should just say so,” the Liberals’ press release quoted Education Minister Don McRae saying.

Actually, Dix has. “The Foundation Skills Assessment test is no longer useful and needs to be replaced,” Dix said in an announcement nearly two years ago when he was running to lead the NDP. “I have worked with educators and parents before and after being elected as an MLA, and fully agree with them that it is critical that we have accurate student assessment,” he said. “We need to develop a comprehensive approach, which incorporates teachers’ daily observations in the classroom, and then provides schools the necessary resources needed to help students.”

The CBC this week quoted NDP education critic Robin Austin saying his party

supports broadening the FSA tests rather than scrapping them outright.

Ironically, the same CBC story quotes BCTF President Susan Lambert saying she believes minister McRae himself does not support the FSA tests in their current format.

A Liberals’ caucus spokesperson says the minister does support keeping the FSA, whatever impression he may have given to Lambert.

Source: A.M.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

from MSA Muslim Students’ Association of UBC (MSA UBC) proud to announce for our upcoming program

“Islam Awareness Week 2013” The program will take place on Jan 21 – 25th at UBC Insha’Allah 5 speakers from all over Canada and UK delivering talks at UBC about Islam.

Musavvir Shourav, MSA(UBC) musavvir.noor@gmail.com

Ali Mirza Owner & Operator

604-568-1396

6643 Fraser Street (& 50th Ave), Vancoucer

Fresh Goat, Lamb, Beef, Veal, Whole Chicken, Chicken Legs, Marinated Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Wings, Beef Kabab, Lamb Kabab & Chicken Kabab, Beef, Lamb & Chicken Souvlaki , Available! We Also Sell Marinated Chicken!

26

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

lifestyle

New Year, New Plans, New Self

By: Ahmad Alsawi

10 Tips for Self-Revival 1. Take the initiative. Change is a verb.

You have to first change to see the change.

“And that human can have nothing but what he does (good or bad), and that his deeds will be seen.” (An-Najm 53:39-40) “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves.” (Ar-Ra’ad 13:11) 2. Don’t procrastinate. Start from this moment.

The companion Abdullah Ibn Omar (Allah be pleased with him) used to say, “When the evening comes, do not wait for the morning; and when the morning comes, do not wait for the evening.” - Collected by Al-Bukhari 3. Start with baby steps and achievable goals.

The Prophet said to his companions, “Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Quran in one night?” This sugges-

tion was difficult for them so they said, “Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah’s Apostle?” Allah Apostle replied, “’Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.’ (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112 verse one to the end) is equal to one third of the Quran.” - Collected by Al-Bukhari The Prophet said, “Is one amongst you powerless to get one thousand virtues every day.” Amongst those who had been sitting there, one asked, “How one amongst us can get one thousand virtues every day?” He said, “Recite sub-hana Allah “ one hundred times for (by reciting them) one thousand virtues are recorded (to your credit) and one thousand vices are removed.” - Collected by Muslim 4. Be consistent. A small step a day, but for everyday.

A’isha reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “The acts most pleasing to Allah are those which are done continuously, even if they are small.” And when A’isha did any

act she did it continuously.” - Collected by Muslim 5. Make sure you are changing towards the right direction.

6. Have a support group for your change.

7. Be patient.

The above three tips are mentioned in Surah Al-A’sr 103.

“By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth , and of Patience and Constancy.”

(A’sr 103) 8. Never give up. If you trip, start again “Allah accepts only the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon afterwards; it is they to whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever AllKnower, AllWise.” (An-Nisa 4:17) The Prophet said, “All children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent.” - Collected by Al-Termithi

ACCEPTING YOURSELF

Shabnam Khan - Family Counsellor ........If I can accept that I am who I am, that I feel what I feel, that I have done what I have done - if I can accept it whether I like all of it or not - then I can accept myself.

I can accept my short-comings, my self-doubts, my poor self-esteem. When I can accept all that, I have put myself on the side of reality rather than attempting to fight reality. I am no longer twisting my consciousness in knots to

maintain delusions about my present condition. So now, I can clear the road for the first steps of strengthening my self-esteem.

As long as we cannot accept the fact of who we are, at any given moment of our existence, as long as we cannot permit ourselves fully aware of our choices and actions, we cannot admit the truth into our consciousness, we cannot change.

Accepting your circumstances as they are, as a reality full of challenges to be mastered and conditions to be explored, will make you wise about yourself and about life.

True wisdom requires a fully integrated knowledge, not just a surface understanding of issues and events. You will feel self-con-

D N A R G G N I N E P O !

N O O S

fident and settled enough in your new reality to take some risks. You will find yourself experimenting with the new attitudes and life-styles you believe will make you healthy and happy again. A willingness to try again is crucial. Of course experimenting is risky.

Sometimes your strategies will work and sometimes they won’t. There is certain sense of relief that comes with the ability. This resilience will increase your self-respect.

Many people are surprised at their renewed enthusiasm for life once they have begin to bounce back with problems. You will be proud of your ability to stay in the process.

For several weeks, even months, you will need sustained effort to establish fully your

9. Keep your eyes on the prize - achievement, triumphant, and satisfaction “Verily this is the supreme achievement!

For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.” (As-Saffat 37:60-61) 10. Always ask Allah for help Allah’s Prophet used to say, “O Allah! I seek refuge with You from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and geriatric old age, and I seek refuge with You from the afflictions of life and death, and I seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave.” - Collected by Al-Bukhari best success. You will notice that you will tend to have a lot more patience to accomplish the work. Your own experience will tell you that your life is becoming more and more rewarding and less disappointing.

Whatever you do, don’t miss the opportunity to capture the mighty forces that come parading forth from the mind. During any mindless activity you too, may have a creative burst. Remember to spend your energy on your path to growth, not your path to setback. Your visions of what you want will help you motivate and encourage you in your growing process. Accept yourself and work according because you are in charge! shabnam@skcounselling.ca www.skcounselling.ca

After 15 Years of Sucess in business MOTORS

Now Opening

Bridgeview Motors Thanks all our valued customers for their support over the years.

BRIDGEVIEW M O TORS

We promise to o continue offering g e the best experience for everyone!!

12757 King George Highway, hway, Surrey

Call Now! 604.961.1818 4.961.1818

27

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

Biography Series: Muhammad Ali

In honor of Muhammad Ali’s 71st birthday, we are publishing a brief biography of one of the most iconic people of the previous century. Muhammad Ali converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

Boxer, philanthropist and social activist Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali became a Golden Gloves champion in 1959, and became an Olympic gold medalist the following year. Ali won all of his bouts in the 1960s, the majority of them by knockout. Since his retirement, Ali has devoted much of his time to philanthropy.

EARLY LIFE Boxer, philanthropist and social activist Muhammad Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky. Considered one of the greatest athletes in boxing history, Ali showed at an early age that he wasn’t afraid of any bout— inside or outside of the ring. Growing up in the segregated South, Ali experienced racial prejudice and discrimination firsthand, which likely contributed to his early passion for boxing.

At the age of 12, Ali discovered his talent for boxing through an odd twist of fate. His bike was stolen, and Ali told a police officer, Joe Martin, that he wanted to beat up the thief.

“Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people,” Martin reportedly told him at the time. In addition to being a police officer, Martin also trained young boxers at a local gym.

Ali started working with Martin to learn how to box, and soon began his boxing career. In his first amateur bout in 1954, he won the fight by split decision. Ali went on to win the 1956 Golden Gloves tournament for novices in the light heavyweight class. Three years later, he won the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions, as well as the Amateur Athletic Union’s national title for the light-heavyweight division.

OLYMPIC GOLD In 1960, Ali won a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team.

He traveled to Rome, Italy, to compete. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, Ali was an imposing figure in the ring. He was known for his footwork, and for possessing a powerful jab. After winning his

first three bouts, Ali then defeated Zbigniew Pietrzkowski from Poland to win the gold medal.

After his Olympic victory, Ali was heralded as an American hero. He soon turned professional with the backing of the Louisville Sponsoring Group. During the 1960s Ali seemed unstoppable, winning all of his bouts with majority of them being by knockouts.

He took out British heavyweight champion Henry Cooper in 1963 and then knocked out Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the heavyweight champion of the world.

Often referring to himself as “the greatest,” Ali was not afraid to sing his own praises. He was known for boasting about his skills before a fight and for his colorful descriptions and phrases. In one of his more famously quoted descriptions, Ali told reporters that he could “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” in the boxing ring.

CONVERSION TO ISLAM This bold public persona belied what was happening in Ali’s personal life, however.

He was doing some spiritual searching and decided to join the black Muslim group, the Nation of Islam, in 1964. At first, he called himself “Cassius X,” eventually settling on the name Muhammad Ali. Two years later, Ali started a different kind of fight when he refused to acknowledge his military service after being drafted. He said that he was a practicing Muslim minister, and that his religious beliefs prevented him from fighting in the Vietnam War. In 1967, Ali put his personal values ahead of his career. The U.S. Department of Justice pursued a legal case against Ali, denying his claim for conscientious objector status. He was found guilty of refusing to be inducted into the military, but Ali later cleared his name after a lengthy court battle. Professionally, however, Ali did not fare as well. The boxing association took away his title and suspended him from the sport for three and a half years.

BOXING COMEBACK Returning to the ring in 1970, Ali won his first bout after his forced hiatus. He knocked out Jerry Quarry in October in Atlanta. The following year, Ali took on Joe Frazier in what has been called the “Fight of the Century.” Frazier and Ali went for 15 rounds before Frazier briefly dropped Ali to the ground, before beating Ali by decision. Ali later beat Frazier in a 1974 rematch.

Another legendary Ali fight took place in 1974. Billed as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” the bout was organized by promoter Don King and held in Kinshasa, Zaire. Ali fought the reigning heavyweight champion George Foreman. For once, Ali was seen as the underdog to his younger, powerful opponent. Ali silenced his critics by defeating Foreman and once again becoming the heavyweight champion of the world.

Perhaps one of his toughest bouts took place in 1975 when he battled longtime rival Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila” fight. Held in Quezon City, Philippines, the match lasted for more than 14 rounds with each fighter giving it their all. Ali emerged victorious in the end.

By the late 1970s, Ali’s career had started to decline. He was defeated by Leon Spinks in 1978 and was knocked out by Larry Holmes in 1980. In 1981, Ali fought his last bout, losing his heavyweight title to Trevor Berbick. He announced his retirement from boxing the next day.

PHILANTHROPY AND LEGACY In his retirement, Ali has devoted much of his time to philanthropy. He announced that he has Parkinson’s disease in 1984, a degenerative neurological condition, and has been involved in raising funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the years, Ali has also supported the Special Olympics and the Make a Wish Foundation among other organizations.

Muhammad Ali has traveled to numerous countries, including Mexico and Morocco, to help out those in need. In 1998, he was chosen to be a United Nations Messenger of Peace because of his work in developing countries.

In 2005, Ali received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush. He also opened the Muhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, that same year.

“I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given,” he said. “I believed in myself and I believe in the goodness of others,” said Ali. “Many fans wanted to build a museum to acknowledge my achievements. I wanted more than a building to house

my memorabilia. I wanted a place that would inspire people to be the best that they could be at whatever they chose to do, and to encourage them to be respectful of one another.”

Despite the progression of his disease, Ali remains active in public life. He embodies the true meaning of a champion with his tireless dedication to the causes he believes in. He was on hand to celebrate the inauguration of the first African-American president in January 2009 when Barack Obama was sworn-in. Soon after the inauguration, Ali received the President’s Award from the NAACP for his public service efforts.

As he has done every year since its inception, Ali hosted the 15th Annual Celebrity Fight

Night Awards in Phoenix in March 2009.

The event benefited the Celebrity Fight Night Foundation and the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.

Ali has been married to his fourth wife, Yolanda, since 1986. The couple has one son, Asaad, and Ali has several children from previous relationships, including daughter Laila who followed in his footsteps for a time as a professional boxer.

Source: Biography.com

People unaware of CT scan radiation risk NEW YORK: One-third of people getting a CT scan didn’t know the test exposed their body to radiation, in a new study from a single US medical center. Researchers found the majority of patients also underestimated the amount of radiation delivered by a CT scan, and just one in 20 believed the scan would increase their chance of ever getting cancer.

The study’s lead researcher, Janet Busey, said doctors need to do a better job of talking to patients about the risks and benefits of the tests, including about radiation exposure.

One challenge is that there is still debate within the medical community about just how much long term cancer risk the scans carry, she said. That risk also depends on how many scans a patient gets and which organs are exposed to radiation. “There’s no doubt, CT saves lives,” Busey, from the University of Washington in Seattle, told Reuters Health.

And their benefits usually outweigh their risks, she added.

Still, even if the radiation risk is small, patients “definitely should be aware of it.” CT

scans are high-powered X-rays that provide clearer images but expose patients to between ten and 100 times more radiation than a normal head or chest X-ray, for example.

Busey said from their earlier studies, she and her colleagues learned anecdotally that many patients didn’t know much about CT scans.

So they surveyed 235 people who were having a non-emergency scan, for example to check a cancer’s spread or to look into symptoms such as shortness of breath.

Those scans included CTs as well as another type of imaging, known as single photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT scans.

Two-thirds of the patients believed their scan was definitely necessary and would benefit their health, and 84 percent said their doctors had explained the reason for the scan.

Another two-thirds of the patients understood CT scans involve radiation, but less than half of those had learned about radiation risks from their doctor. Few patients were worried about the scans or the link between radiation

exposure and cancer. More people reported having thought about when they could eat or whether their parking would be validated after the test than about the effects of radiation, according to findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“It’s really a physician’s job to explain to a patient what the risks and the benefits are… and sometimes we need to do a better job,” said Dr. Angela Mills, an emergency medicine researcher who has studied radiation risks at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The radiation dose from one CT scan typically ranges from a couple of millisieverts - comparable to the yearly background radiation from natural sources - to close to 20 millisieverts, the annual exposure limit for nuclear industry employees.

Although each scan only has a small impact on a person’s long term risk of cancer, that risk can build over time with more scans and more radiation exposure.

“To me the problem is when patients have a problem that either is chronic or they keep

having pain or maybe there are alternative ways to diagnose (their condition), and patients then need to be better informed what their options are,” Mills, who wasn’t involved in the new study, told Reuters Health.

For example, people who develop recurring kidney stones may be able to skip a scan altogether or get an ultrasound instead of having repeat CTs, she said. One study from the National Cancer Institute estimated there would be about 29,000 future cancers related to scans done in 2007 alone. That year, Americans had about 72 million total CT scans. Busey said it’s important to educate all patients about the benefits and possible harms of their scans - but that it will be up to the larger medical community to figure out how to do that in a way that’s both standardized across facilities and individualized to each patient’s particular situation. “It’s a difficult concept to understand, and risk itself is difficult to talk about,” especially because of the uncertainties involved, she said.

“This is the first step.” (Reuters)

28

Volume 12 Issue 327 Safar 29, 1434 AH / January 11, 2013

sports

Warm welcome for Pakistan team

Pakistan returned home to a rousing welcome after winning the ODI series against archrivals India and drawing the Twenty20 series 1-1. Large throngs of people waited outside the Lahore International Airport to greet the team on their success in the historic tour. Pakistan, after dominant performances throughout the series, came close to taking the ODI series 3-0 in Delhi. But India fought back and avoided what would have been their first whitewash since 1983-84. Pakistan, however, flourished throughout the series and were, distinctly, the better side. “The significant part of the series was the young lot stood up to take the team’s veins,” Misbah said. “Throughout the series, the young and new players contributed in the victories. “I will give credit to the whole team but there were few youngsters like [Mohammad] Irfan, Junaid [Khan] and Nasir Jamshed - who have really impressed. They have proved them-

selves against world’s best batting line-up and have outclassed them. They have a bright future and if they continue to perform like this, they will go way forward.” Nasir Jamshed, 23, led the batting with consecutive centuries in Chennai and Kolkata and ended up as theleading run-getter in the series with 241 runs.

His Man-of-the-Series-winning performance helped him climb 45 places in the ODI rankings to a career-best 31st. “It was the great tour for me not because I have scored runs but the centuries I scored helped my team to win the matches,” Jamshed said. “Riding on my current form I would like to continue the runs feast in the upcoming South Africa tour.” Mohammad Hafeez, the T20 captain, too had a magnificent series. He became the number one allrounder in ODIs following success with both bat and ball in the series.

“It was series we have been waiting desperately,” Hafeez said. “The team played with

full focus and proved how good we are. It’s the victory of the whole nation and the highlight of the series were the trio - Irfan, Junaid and Nasir.” As the team, along with the PCB chairman, Zaka Ashraf, emerged at the arrival gates, the chants of Pakistan Zindabad (Long live Pakistan) and the beats of traditional drums resonated in the chilly winter evening.

In a brief ceremony at the gates, Ashraf garlanded both the captains - Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafez - and said that it was a special win beating India in India. “It’s a unique honor for us that we defeated India in their own country,” Ashraf said. “Our team is very disciplined and organ-

ised, the way our captains have performed, I think they deserve congratulations from everyone in the country. The way they have fought in India, they deserve appreciation.

Source: Cricinfo

Canucks ‘giddy’ as they prepare for NHL season It came as no surprise Monday when Kevin Bieksa admitted there was an “extra step, an extra jump” to the 10 NHLers skating at the University of B.C. Much different than those same drills and scrimmages in the weeks and months prior, the Vancouver Canucks contingent that turned out to practise with the Thunderbirds this time around finally have a season to look forward to.

So indubitably — a day after a tentative collective bargaining agreement was announced by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association — the Canucks defenceman was quite eager to focus on just playing hockey again. “Guys are kind of giddy,” Bieksa said. “It’s the start of a new season so it’s definitely been a bit of a different skate out here than most days. We can get back to .. having fun again.”

Despite a shortened season in sight, questions about the past few months of squabbling between the owners and players still needed to be addressed.

The outspoken blueliner, however, was unwilling to pick a winner from the 113-day ordeal, adding it wasn’t just the fan base that suffered. “Fans aren’t the only losers,” he said. “The league lost a lot of money, the players lost a lot of money. Vendors lost a lot of money, restaurants. “We can put this behind us now and we’ll make it all back now to them.” Meanwhile, as a player who was involved with the negotiations, Manny Malhotra affirmed it was a good deal for the two parties involved. “From what I understand of it, and the general

overview that we did, I feel it’s a fair deal for both sides — both economically and on the non-core economic issues,” the Canucks centre said. “I felt we fought for the right things and we were able to achieve a CBA that was fair.” Patience, which NHLPA executive director Don Fehr stressed from the beginning, was key in getting the right contract for the players, Malhotra added.

“When you look at where (the NHL’s) proposal was starting September, October, November, it’s nowhere close to where we are today,” he said. “Had guys not had the patience and not have been unified as we were this time and not kept up to date on how the system would affect us, I don’t think we would have gotten near as good a deal as we do right now. “I can’t wait just to get back to playing and not talking about boardrooms and negotiations and stuff.

It’s time to get back to work and give the fans some hockey.” With the season expected to start Jan. 19, the Canucks may be a step behind when it comes to being in game-shape as most of them haven’t seen actual competitive action in months — with only Cory Schneider, Dale Weise, Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond (briefly) playing overseas.

But even so, the excitement for what a condensed 48-game schedule may hold remains high. “It’s going to be a sprint,” captain Henrik Sedin said. “You got to get off to a good start and it’s going to be a playoff race from Game 1. That’s the way it should be.”

Source: Vancouver Sun

Alabama crushes Notre Dame en route to National Championship Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide won a third BCS title in four years here Monday, absolutely demolishing Notre Dame 42-14 in a game that wasn’t as close as that lopsided score.

NHL camps likely to open Sunday The NHL and its players union continue with the plodding process of ratifying the tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement. While there were no new updates Tuesday morning on the ratification, several new details of the agreement surfaced. Some will affect the Leafs. One detail that came out is how teams split the salaries of players involved in a trade. Teams are now required to take no more than 50 per cent (each) of a player’s salary — both in regular dollars and cap hit — after a trade. There was no sharing of salaries under the previous deal, and Leaf GM Brian Burke had pushed for years at GM meetings to have the CBA updated to reflect this new sharing plan. The new CBA also deals with the so-called “back diving” contracts, which under the old CBA, saw players like Roberto Luongo and Marian Hossa with long-term deals where actual salary at the tail end of the contract dipped well below the official cap hit, providing a built-in exit plan for the player if he retired before the expiry of his deal. In the new CBA, any contract running beyond six years that is traded will now see both teams involved in the trade absorb a percentage of the cap hit should the player retire before the end of his contract (previously, only the team that traded that player would be responsible for the entire cap hit). This new provision affects Luongo and any potential trade to the Leafs. Luongo has played two years of the 12-

year contract he signed with the Canucks. His cap hit is $5.3 million per season, but his salary over those first two years is $16.7 million.

The Canucks show just over $6 million in savings on cap space, but under the new deal, if Luongo retires from this contract with three or four years left on his deal, the Canucks would be charged those savings against their cap. If Luongo is traded to the Leafs and retires with three or four years remaining on his deal, the Leafs would also pay a price on their cap over the final years of that deal. It’s something that makes the Leafs more responsible for the back end money on his contract — theoretically, that makes the contract less attractive. But, it’s not likely to dissuade the Leafs if they feel Luongo is the answer to their goaltending woes.

Source: The Star

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Now you can see Barney’s Special Deals & Regular menu from our website at www.barneyspizza.ca

Pizza & Chicken The name you trust

10 PCS Chicken (Tandoori or Fried) $17.99 + HST Salad + Fries

15 PCS Chicken (Tandoori or Fried) $19 .99 + HST

2 Large Pizza (Any Kind) $23 .99 + HST

Party Special

Chicken & Pizza Combo

2 Large Pizza (Any Kind) + 2 Ltr Pop 15 PCS Chicken

1 Large Pizza + Fries + Salad

2 Medium Pizza (Any Kind) $19.99 + HST

(Tandoori or Fried)

Large Fries + Salad

$49 .99 + HST

10 PCS Chicken (Tandoori or Fried)

$29 .99 + HST

Search “Barney’s Pizza” on Facebook and click on

Unit # 348-8140 128th St., Surrey Arshad 604-763-7869 ~ 778-565-4416

38

3 Large Pizza (Any Kind) $33.99 + HST

- 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

39

Finest Pakistani Cuisine in Vancouver

Best Choice Travel Inc.

Established since 2002

We do the best trip for you!

We carry hand slaughtered Taqwa halal products

SPECIALS Chicken Legs 18kg/ whole box $75.00 Chicken Breast 10lbs+$4.89/lb Chicken Breast 40lbs box $4.79/lb

Noble Money Exchange Best Rates in Town Same day services.

Free Bank Transfer Pickup from MCB, UBL & ABL at any Branch of Pakistan

12374-72A Ave, Surrey

Ph: 604-591-1089 Cell:604-724-7781

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

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

Call for Party Reservations

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

L AL ONLY HA

10% Off Take Out