PassionIslam February 09

Inside this month issue

Hope for Palestine Issue: 11

February 2009

Muslim areas NOT ‘breeding ground’ for terrorism

Muslim society rising faster than rest

FEATURED Hold that tongue

Israel’s illegal war and terrorist acts has prompted a huge response from all communities in the UK More than 1,300 dead – more than 400 of them children – and still they are dragging bodies from the ruins. The death toll in Gaza is rising, while the world’s leaders and media look away in search of a new story.

BBC and Sky refused to air an appeal from the Disaster Emergency Committee which has left majority of the UK population in disbelief.

A major initiative in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been launched.

George Galloway MP will lead an aid convoy from London to Gaza leaving on 14 February and travelling through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and through Rafah and into Gaza. It

will bring material aid and raise the banner of Palestine in all the countries that they visit. The convoy should take about 16 days to reach Gaza.

The convoy will be led by a British fire engine, ambulances, and hundreds of trucks as well as a boat full of practical aid given by the various communities across UK in a massive response for the help of Palestinians.

“We will not look away. The Palestinians in Gaza need our help now, just as they did when Israel’s bombs and illegal weapons were dropping. Thousands of people have contacted me to say that they have marched, cried at the television pictures and feel helpless in the face of the suffering.”

“It is quite an undertaking, which I anticipate will have a high public profile throughout its journey and on its arrival in Gaza, god willing, some 30 days later.”

Said George Galloway MP The convoy is already supported by the Stop the War Coalition – which organised the largest demonstrations in British history – as well as the Anglo-Arab Organisation, several British trade unions and a large number of Muslim organisations including Ummah Welfare Trust. Fundraising for the convoy is taking place all over Britain and to date have achieved a staggering response.

For Further information visit: www.vivapalestina.org

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the Passion

I February 2009

Biased Broadcasting Corporation I am hopeful the public outcry caused by the BBC’s refusal to broadcast the joint appeal for Gaza, will open more eyes to the immense bias in the BBC’s News coverage.

As it has slipped off the front page, I think it is worth reproducing this from my blog for 6 January: What is Really Happening I watched BBC World News for a timed hour.

In that time I saw: Pro-Israeli (incl US government) speakers - 17 Pro-Palestinian speakers - 2 Mentions of Hamas Rockets as reason for war - 37 Mentions of illegal Israeli settlements - 0 Mentions of Palestinians killed by Israel during “ceasefire” - 2 Mentions of Sderot - 12

Mentions Sderot used to be Palestinian - 0 The BBC took being banned from Gaza by the Israelis as the excuse to focus a wildly disproportionate attention on the Hamas threat to Israel. Their choice of Sderot as their base of operations was in itself a factor of bias - and their failure to say, even once, that Sderot was once Palestinian was inexcusable.

Now journalists can get into Gaza there has been nothing by the BBC that comes close to matching the searing explorations by Channel 4, ITN and yes, Sky News, on the atrocities that happened there.

I am particularly outraged by the pusillanimity of my Dundee University and Tashkent colleague Alan Johnston, on whose behalf in his kidnapping I had been attempting to exert what little influence I have

to its utmost limit (to no avail, I fear).

He appears to have exhausted all his compassion on himself.

But what is truly extraordinary is the way that New Labour careerists like Alexander and Bradshaw, who have come out to ask for the appeal to be broadcast, now that Bush has gone are so instantly re-orienting themselves slavishly to follow a slightly different direction.

Do not be fooled by New Labour; they have no core beliefs but in their own careers. Stand by for them to explain they were against extraordinary rendition all along. Do not believe an of our Ministers on anything. And should you get close to any of them, I believe personal violence may be justified in this instance.

By: Craig Murray Writer and broadcaster

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Muslim society rising faster than rest

The Muslim population in Britain has grown by more than 500,000 to 2.4 million in just four years, according to official research collated for The Times.

The population multiplied 10 times faster than the rest of society, the research by the Office for National Statistics reveals. In the same period the number of Christians in the country fell by more than 2 million.

Experts said that the increase was attributable to immigration, a higher birthrate and conversions to Islam during the period of 2004-2008, when the data was gathered.

They said that it also suggested a growing willingness among believers to describe themselves as Muslims because the western reaction to war and terrorism had strengthened their sense of identity.

Muslim leaders have welcomed the growing population of their communities as academics highlighted the implications for British society, integration and government resources.

David Coleman, Professor of Demography at Oxford University,

said: “In the growth of any population ... [its] voice is regarded as being stronger in terms of formulating policy, not least because we live in a democracy where most people in most religious groups and most racial groups have votes. That necessarily means their opinions have to be taken and attention to be paid to them.”

There are more than 42.6 million Christians in Britain, according to the Office for National Statistics, whose figures were obtained through the quarterly Labour Force Survey of around 53,000 homes. But while the biggest Christian population is among over-70s bracket, for Muslims it is the under-4s.

Ceri Peach, Professor of Social Geography at Manchester University, said “The groups with the strongest belief in the family and cohesion are those such as the Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. They have got extremely strong family values but it goes together with the sort of honour society and other kinds of attributes which people object to.”

Professor Peach said that the high number of Muslims under the age of 4

— 301,000 as of September last year — would benefit Britain’s future labour market through taxes that would subsequently contribute to sustaining the country’s ageing population.

Muhammad Abdul Bari, general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, predicted that the number of mosques in Britain would multiply from the present 1,600 in line with the rising Islamic population. He said the greater platform that Muslims would command in the future should not be perceived as a threat to the rest of society.

“We each have our own set of beliefs. This should really be a source of celebration rather than fear as long as we all clearly understand that we must abide by the laws of this country regardless of the faith we belong to,” he said.

The total number of Muslims in Great Britain: 2004: 1,087,000 2005: 2,017,000 2006: 2,142,000 2007: 2,327,000 2008: 2,422,000

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Muslim areas NOT ‘breeding ground’ for terrorism

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Ill-informed myths are threatening race relations in Britain more than anything else according to a new book.

Using previously unpublished evidence, Professor Ludi Simpson and Dr Nissa Finney from The University of Manchester show how repeated falsehoods about immigration, integration and segregation are misguiding policy and promoting racial disharmony.

This is the basis of the authors’ new book ‘Sleepwalking to segregation?

Challenging myths about race and migration’ published last month by The Policy Press.

After investigation, the Manchester pair have found no evidence “whatsoever” for the existence of race ghettos in the UK. The opposite, they say, is true with increasing ethnic mixing.

And claims by head of equalities watchdog Trevor Phillips that Britain is “sleepwalking” into racial and religious segregation are also dismissed in the book.

According to the academics’ review of evidence, white flight is no greater than brown or black flight. And there 297x210_COMBINED_PASION ISLAM_3304_english.ai 14/05/2008 18:16:14

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is white movement into minority concentrations in Leicester, Bradford, Lambeth, Wolverhampton, Wycombe, Manchester and Merton. By linking social problems to segregated areas, they say, politicians have stigmatised the areas and their residents.

The authors also provide evidence that areas with large populations of Muslims do not act as a ‘breeding ground’ for terrorism.

“By propagating myths using bogus and alarmist interpretations of population change, individuals such as Trevor Phillips, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester and Sir Andrew Green, Chair of Migration Watch are inadvertently promoting racial segregation,” said Professor Simpson.

“Misunderstanding breeds mistrust and division between ethnic and religious groups. This book is about dispelling those myths. The truth is that Britain’s so-called ghettos are

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I February 2009

diverse areas both ethnically and socially where no one ethnic group dominates.”

Dr Finney added: “The only concentrations which resemble anything like ghettos are of white people. The average white person lives in an area which has more than 94% white people in it.

“British Pakistanis, for example, live in areas which on average have 26% Pakistani residents. In almost every city with a sizeable immigrant settlement area, children of immigrants have on balance moved away from those areas not to them or between them. So it is wrong to argue there is retreat. Rather, we are witnessing dispersal.”

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Fears over stop search powers

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I February 2009

Metropolitan Police officers are stopping and searching too many innocent people using powers designed for fighting terrorism, it is claimed.

There were more than 157,000 stop and searches in the 12 months to September 2008 - but from these only 1,200 people were arrested, Met figures showed.

Barrister Sebastian Gardiner said the force should curb its use of the power.

But the force said that it was properly using stop and searches while recognising the sensitivities involved.

The Anti-Terrorism Act, or Section

44, gives the police powers in specific areas to stop and search people without the reasonable need to suspect them of being involved in terrorism.

Currently it covers the whole of London and guidance to officers is that it should be used sparingly.

In 2004, a report from the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) said the power “trampled on the basic human rights of too many Londoners”.

But barrister Sebastian Gardiner, said little has changed.

“If you look at the occasions when it’s been used, for example the arms fair protests and the Heathrow runway

protests, people were stopped and searched under Section 44 when neither could be said to be likely to involve terrorist activity,” he said.

However, the police insisted that the powers were being used appropriately.

“The feedback, the very limited complaints and the public reaction to the way we go about using this power shows that we’re not misusing it overall or in specific cases,” said Commander Simon Bray.

“We recognise the sensitivities but remember it is a really important method of deterring and preventing terrorism.” www.passionislam.com

A leading Muslim community worker in Leeds has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over a claim on Newsnight that Children in Need money was passed to the 7/7 bombers.

Hanif Malik, who has for many years been involved with the Leeds Initiative Board, Voluntary Action Leeds, the Leeds Initiative Regeneration Board, Leeds Voice and the Hamara Healthy Living Centre in Beeston, brought his claim over a report broadcast in August last year.

His solicitor, Louis Charalambous, told Mr Justice Butterfield at London’s

High Court that the programme alleged funds from Children in Need, which had been paid to a charitable organisation called Leeds Community School, was improperly diverted to a neighbouring bookshop to assist the production of radical Islamist propaganda and to give financial support to some of the men who were later responsible for the 2005 London bombings.

He said: “Although the BBC did not identify Mr Malik by name in its report, he may have been identifiable to some viewers because of his close connections with Leeds Community

School as the then chairman of trustees.”

He added that the BBC fully accepted Mr Malik’s assurance that no Children in Need money was passed to the bookshop or the bombers and was not used to pay for any propaganda.

It apologised for causing him distress and damage to his reputation, and agreed to pay him a substantial sum in compensation and his legal costs. The BBC’s counsel, Kate Wilson, said it apologised for the broadcast of the allegation and the distress and embarrassment suffered.

Michael Foster, the UK minister for international development, will report on why Lloyds TSB and Barclays have closed the bank accounts of Interpal and the Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT).

Foster was urged to find out why the banks have forced the closure of the Islamic charities’ accounts by three

Labour MPs during a parliamentary debate on Palestinian territories.

Richard Burden, a Labour MP from Birmingham, warned that the large Muslim population in Bolton, where UWT is based, were very angry with the situation.

Bolton’s MP, Brian Iddon, complained that Barclays was

disrupting UWT’s operations by refusing to clear its cheques and urged an investigation; while Jeremy Corbyn MP questioned why a number of British banks had refused banking facilities for Interpal.

Foster has promised to reply to the MPs in writing. www.passionislam.com

Muslim worker accepts libel damages over BBC claim

Minister to report on Muslim charities’ account closures

Israeli massacres thwart counter-terrorism efforts Passion Islam

I February 2009

LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS

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British government efforts to counter terrorism have been set back by Israel’s latest massacre of more than 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza, Security and Counter-terrorism Minister, Lord West has warned.

“The business in Gaza has not helped us at all in our counterradicalism strategy,” West said in an outspoken assessment of the terror risk facing Britain. “Without a doubt it will have set us back,” he said.

“We have key people in the Muslim community who we are in dialogue with, and they are quick to let us know there is an issue that is causing us a worry,” he said.

“They said it was coming over very badly,” the minister warned.

“There is no doubt that when you see these pictures coming back (from Gaza), that in the mind of people making hate, there is a linkage between the US, Israel and the UK,” he said.

His warning comes after Justice Minister Shahid Malik cautioned that there was ‘immense anger’ among the UK’s two million Muslim communities over the Israeli massacres and that their ‘patience is running out’.

“There is a real feeling of helplessness, hopelessness and powerlessness among Britain’s Muslims in the context of Gaza,” Malik said. “People have become so disillusioned that they almost appear to have stopped listening to politicians,” he said.

Addressing a seminar on the adaptation of new buildings to the terror threat, the security minister was scathing about the assertion, made by former prime minister Tony Blair that foreign policy did not alter the UK’s risk of a terror attack.

“We never used to accept that our foreign policy ever had any effect on

terrorism,” he said. “They [the Blair administration] were very unwilling to have any debate about how our foreign policy impacted on radicalization.”

West, a former head of the British navy, who was brought in Gordon Brown’s ‘government of all talents’ 18 months ago, claimed that the current was ‘much clearer’ on a linkage.

He admitted that the UK had struggled with comprehending the causes of terrorism, saying that they were ‘so diverse’.

“We didn’t understand it, we still don’t totally understand it but we actually have a far, far better understanding than we did in the past,” the security minister said.

“To pretend what happens abroad has no impact is nonsense,” he said.

Earlier this month, the head of MI5 security services, Jonathan Evans, said the Israeli killings in Gaza gave extremist groups in the UK more ideological ammunition.

Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, has also expressed that she was ‘very concerned’ that Israel’s military offensive in Gaza could be used by extremists to recruit vulnerable young people.

The British government is being urged to pressure Israel to lift its ban on two Arab parties from standing at this months elections.

An Early Day Motion, raised in parliament, “condemns the decision by the Israeli Central Election Committee to ban two Arab political parties, United Arab List-Talal and Balad, from standing in Israeli General Election.”

“This decision further undermines Israel’s claims to be a democracy,” warns the motion, initiated by Labour MP John Austin, the joint chair of the parliamentary-led Committee for the Advancement of Arab-British

Understanding (CAABU).

The suspension of the two Arab parties, who currently have seven elected members of the Israeli Knesset, was proposed by the ultra nationalist Yisrael Beiteinu and National Union, but was also supported by other Jewish parties, including Labour.

“The reasons cited for the ban include that they had called for equal rights and had refused to recognise Israel as a democratic state,” said the motion, which so far has received cross-party support from 20 MPs. The MPs said that they were calling on the British government to

make “urgent representations to get the ban lifted and to ensure that such measures are never repeated again.”

Early day motions allow parliamentary representatives to express their opinions and petition for support on issues which have no date fixed for debate in the House of Commons.

CAABU, which is the oldest and largest organisation of its kind, was set up in 1967, to campaign for justice for the Palestinians by promoting a positive approach to Arab-British relations in government, parliament, media and amongst the wider public.

British MPs condemn Israel’s ban on Arab parties

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I February 2009

Israel’s crimes must be pursued if proved, says Lord Malloch-Brown The British government insists that it is determined to ensure a proper and independent inquiry is carried out into whether Israel has breached international humanitarian law during its latest massacre of Palestinians in Gaza.

“There is no doubt that, if these allegations stand up, they will need to be pursued internationally. These are very serious crimes, if they were committed,” Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch-Brown, suggesting Israel could end up in the International Criminal Court.

“The government of Israel have made themselves party to the Geneva Conventions and must therefore expect to be judged by them,” Malloch-Brown said during a House of Lords debate Tuesday on what assessment his government has made on breaches of humanitarian law in Gaza.

The government was urged by Lord Sheikh, chair of the Conservative Muslim Forum, to take the “lead to facilitate a full and thorough investigation” and to “ensure that appropriate remedial action is taken.”

“The people of Gaza have been subjected to collective and indiscriminate punishment by the Israelis, some of whose actions can perhaps be considered inhumane,” Sheikh said.

He added that Israel also “used white phosphorus shells, whose use against people is prohibited under the 1980 Geneva Convention, and there may have been incidents whose investigation is likely to find breaches of international humanitarian laws.”

“In the first instance, it is a matter for the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, both of which are on the ground and both of which have the responsibility

for collecting evidence of the different incidents that have occurred,” the foreign office minister explained.

“It is also the responsibility of the government of Israel, as a party to the international laws that govern this—particularly the Geneva Conventions—to make an initial investigation,” he added.

When questioned whether Israelis was cooperating with the UN inquiries or blocking them as they have so often done in the past, the former deputy UN secretary general said that it was “simply too soon to know.”

“There is an obligation on Israel to cooperate. We very much hope that it will live up to that obligation,” he said.

During the debate Malloch-Brown pointed out that allegations had also been made against Hamas over its rocket attacks that needed to be examined as well.

UK has own stockpiles of white phosphorous, minister admits

Defense Minister Quentin Davies has admitted that Britain’s armed forces has its own arsenal of white phosphorous shells but refuses to state the size of the stockpiles in the light of Israel’s controversial use in its latest massacre of Palestinians.

“These are conventional munitions that are not outlawed or banned by any convention or protocol,” Davies said without specifying that their use is outlawed against civilians under the Geneva Conventions.

But in a written parliamentary reply published Wednesday, he insisted that ‘UK training in the use of white phosphorus emphasizes that it should be used solely for its intended purpose and not as an anti-personnel weapon.”

Following their use by Israel in slaughtering over 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza, former Conservative defense minister Michael Ancram asked not only the control criteria but the size of

Britain’s arsenal, which the minister decline to answer.

“I am withholding information on the size of the stockpile of these munitions on the grounds that its disclosure would be likely to prejudice

the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces,” he said.

Human rights group Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes by using white phosphorous shells in densely populated areas of Gaza in ‘indiscriminate and illegal’ ways.

White phosphorous is a smokeproducing incendiary device used as a smoke-screen to mask troop movement, but also functions as an anti-personal weapon by causing severe casualties from burning flakes.

Although the munitions are not outlawed as chemical weapons, various campaign organisations consider they should be banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

White phosphorous was also found to have been used Israel during its 2006 invasion of Lebanon as well as by the US in the Iraq war, most notoriously in its siege of Fallujah

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I February 2009

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UK Christians, Jews and Muslims unite to assist Gaza victims

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Muslim Charities Foundation and the head of the Movement for Reform Judaism in the UK have launched a joint appeal for funds towards humanitarian work in Gaza.

The ‘Faiths Working Together’ fund will support the emergency work

of Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in the wake of conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said the faith leaders had received assurances from the aid agencies that the funds raised would be used for humanitarian purposes

and on the basis of need alone regardless of ethnicity, religion or nationality.

“We understand the complexity of the situation in the region and we support the rights of Israel to security and self-defence and Palestinians to self-determination, believing that this can be best achieved through a lasting peace settlement,” he said.

“We cannot, however, stand by in the meantime. We are bound to play our part in the relief of suffering in the region generally and in Gaza in particular at the present time.”

The Archbishop called on people of all faiths and none to support the appeal, which has also been endorsed by the Council of Christians and Jews and the Christian Muslim Forum.

The CMF said, “We strongly support this initiative to enable people from our two faith traditions and others to do all they can for the relief of the profound humanitarian need in this situation.”

The appeal on the web: www. faithsworkingtogether.org

Impact of arbitrary detention under anti-terror laws

‘These extraordinary laws’ create ‘suspect communities’ - CAMPACC

A new initiative has been launched by the Campaign Against Criminalising Communities (CAMPACC) to assess the impact of detention under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

CAMPACC has become concerned about the use of Schedule 7 of TACT 2000 which allows people arriving or leaving the UK to be stopped and questioned and held for up to nine hours to determine whether they are a terrorist. CAMPACC states that: ‘Anecdotal evidence suggests

that these powers are used to harass human rights activists that work in “suspect communities” and secondly, ordinary members of those communities are being stopped purely on the basis of racial or religious profiling.’

The aim of the new project is to find out who is being stopped, why they are being stopped and what questions they are being asked. CAMPACC hopes to publish a comprehensive report into the use of this power. It is trying to

trace people who have been stopped under Schedule 7 and are willing to speak about their experiences.

CAMPACC has been campaigning against anti-terrorism laws since the introduction of the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT 2000), and believes that ‘these extraordinary laws’ create ‘suspect communities’. It works with both community and national organisations to highlight the damaging effect of the laws on individuals, communities and our civil liberties.

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I February 2009

Government’s new bill shakes up the route to citizenship 10

A bill to make newcomers to the UK earn the right to stay here, strengthen the border, and ensure we have a firm but fair immigration system was published in Parliament.

The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill will lay down a radical new approach to British citizenship that will require all migrants to speak English and obey the law if they want to gain citizenship and stay permanently in Britain - while speeding up the path to citizenship for those who contribute to the community by being active citizens Under the new system, full access to benefits and social housing will be reserved for citizens and permanent residents - which means if you are not a citizen full access to benefits will not be allowed.

Foreign nationals who commit serious offences already face automatic consideration for deportation - our earned citizenship proposals go further. Anyone sent to prison will face removal, and even those committing minor offences will normally need to wait until their conviction is spent before they can become citizens.

These measures will work alongside the powerful new pointsbased system to ensure that only those people the country needs can come - and stay - here. This system will allow the Government to manage immigration which in turn will help contribute to future population projections and control.

Border and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said: “We are clear that newcomers should speak English, work hard, and earn the right to stay here - and only get British citizenship once they have proved their commitment to the country.

“Migration only works if it brings benefits, and these measures will ensure that only those migrants that

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make a positive impact on their local community will be able to stay in the UK.” The Bill will strengthen Britain’s security by giving frontline staff of the UK Border Agency combined customs and immigration powers, making it easier than ever to crack down on illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs and weapons.

The UK’s border will be further strengthened by enabling routine border controls on air and sea routes for people travelling between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The power to control people travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA) will ensure that the UKBA has the tools it needs to protect the border and will pave the way for the high-tech e-Borders programme - to check travellers against watch-lists on air and sea routes between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

These new measures mean that the UK Border Agency will be able to request identification for passengers travelling by air and sea between Britain and the Republic of Ireland; and conduct intelligence-led operations to check those entering

via the land border in Northern Ireland and those arriving from the Crown dependencies.

The Home Office has made it clear that there are no plans to introduce fixed controls on the land border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland or on routes from the Crown dependencies to the UK. The Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill will also ensure a firm and fair immigration system by introducing a duty on the UK Border Agency to safeguard the welfare of children in its work; new rules to give automatic British nationality to a child born in the UK where at least one parent is a foreign or Commonwealth member of the British armed forces; and a remedy to fix the current situation whereby a father could pass on his British nationality to a child born abroad before 1961 while a mother could not.

These changes are part of the biggest shake-up to the immigration system for a generation, along with the new Australian-style pointsbased system, a high-tech system for counting people in and out of the country and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals.

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I February 2009

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Islamic Finance going strong despite credit crunch

last month has seen a further deterioration in the UK economy, with a deepening recession, banking bailouts and big-name retailers going bust, one sector of the market is still active, Islamic finance.

Now both cheaper and more accessible, alburaq, one of the UK’s Islamic “mortgage” provider, has responded to interest-rate cuts by improving its range of Shari’ahcompliant home purchase plans.

“Our new product range means our new customers now have products priced from the equivalent of 5.49% on their home finance,” explains Keith

Leach, head of alburaq.

“The new year could bring even lower rates for our customers. If rates continue to fall as predicted, from March 09 many of our customers could be paying a rate equivalent to 4.5% or less,” he said.

In addition to the improving prices, there are plenty of other advantages for those choosing alburaq’s Islamic alternative. Recently, banks have been criticised for varying margins; imposing collar rates and reducing the range of mortgage products they offer.

“Collar rates” have made the

Deciding to change religion can be a daunting and confusing process; luckily for those in Wales that decide to revert to Islam there is something called the New Muslim Project Wales (NMPW)--an initiative set up to help new Muslims make the transition.

Whether it is dealing with negative family reactions or finding the nearest Halal meat shop, the project aims to welcome people to the faith and offers educational classes, social activities and a buddy system.

Abdul Rahman, a 57-year old previously called Richard Fairclough, set up the initiative with fellow “reverts” as they are known, basing it on the U.K.-wide New Muslim Project.

Abdul Rahman was an active Christian for most of his life until he moved to South Africa, where he was intrigued by the call to prayer and felt compelled to learn more about

Prophet Muhammad.

“I went there [Capetown] in 1992, just post apartheid, when Muslims were put on a par with the main black group…I noticed that every Friday [Islam’s holy day] many of the shops that were run by Muslims shut and that there was something spiritual going on and in my neighborhood there were three or four mosques.

I heard the call to prayer and it was lovely.

Then I heard about the Prophet Muhammed and wanted to find out more,” he added.

“I had belief and understanding as a Christian, but what I have found with Islam is so much more straightforward,” said Abdul Rahman. “ As a revert to Islam, people may have to cope with negative reactions because of the way the media often portrays Muslims as terrorists [but]

headlines recently as many mortgage holders have discovered to their cost that their mortgage payments will not fall inline with the general drop in rates. alburaq works very differently, as Leach explains: “When applying for a mortgage, the public would be well-advised to study carefully what margin will be applied, for how long it is guaranteed and whether there is a ‘collar’ rate.

“One of the distinguishing features of our products is that we fix our margins so these are clearly known from the outset and we don’t have a ‘collar’ on our rates. In addition, we don’t tie-in our customers for when we offer incentives, like fees assisted or cashback offers. We also allow unlimited overpayments, which isn’t always available with other Islamic or conventional mortgages.”

He added: “Unlike many of the UK banks, we continue to offer a full range of products and we are still offering buy-to-let finance – which has almost disappeared from the conventional market.” www.passionislam.com

Ex-Christian helps Welsh-Muslim reverts adapt

as with all belief systems, you will get fanatics who interpret things badly and perhaps use religion as justification for their actions, but that is not true with majority of Muslims“ Abdul Rahman stressed that the initiative was only for adults that had made the decision to revert by themselves to Islam” Members can gain access to a variety of services ranging from a pack that includes a copy of the Quran, a prayer mat and a biography of Prophet Muhammad.

“We are not converting people.

These are adults who have already made that decision and just want to know where their nearest mosque is, where they can buy halal meat” he said, adding “we don’t go around banging on doors.

The only time a Muslim will knock on your door is to offer hospitality.”

Passion Islam

I February 2009

WORLD NEWS

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Can Obama deliver the promise?

US President Barack Obama promised, a new start with the Muslim world and a remake of America.

“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” Obama said in his landmark inauguration speech, watched by millions around the world. The long-awaited speech came immediately after Obama took the oath of office as America’s 44th president and its first-ever black leader. A son of a black Kenyan father and white American mother, Obama,

a practicing Christian, spent several years of his childhood in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

America’s relations with the Muslim world have been tense during the eight-year presidency of his predecessor George Bush. Many Muslims were particularly angered

by Bush’s so-called war on terror which saw the invasion of two Muslim countries, Afghanistan and Iraq. A series of Muslim detainees’ abuse scandals in Afghanistan, Iraq and the notorious Guantanamo detention center also fanned anti-Americanism across the globe, but especially in Muslim countries.

President Obama stressed that his America will “reject as false a choice between our safety and our ideals,” a reference to the usual Bush administration rhetoric justifying civil rights violations and torture tactics.

“We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hardearned peace in Afghanistan,” he told a sea of cheering multi-racial crowd, estimated at more than two millions.

Obama, however, had a stern message to America’s enemies. “For those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”

Obama, who took the oath with his hand on a Bible used to swear in Abraham Lincoln in 1861, promised to restore to America’s its glory and might, both political and economic.

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America,” he said to the cheers and applause of millions. Obama, who campaigned on a message of hope and change, is inheriting an America gripped by uncertainty and fears of recession.

In the inauguration speech, he spoke candidly of the challenges facing the nation, notably the economic downturn. “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood,” he said.

“Our nation is at war…Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age, Obama explained. “Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.”

Obama insisted that while America faces daunting challenges, its people must enter a new era of responsibility.

“We remain a young nation, but in the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things,” said the new president. “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.

They are serious and they are many.

They will not be met easily. www.passionislam.com

Saudi Arabia has published a new list of 85 most wanted suspects living abroad.

The list included 83 Saudis and two Yemenis. There were also six Saudis released from the Guantanamo detention centre in the list, according Saudi authorities have asked for the help of Interpol to detain the suspects and return them to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an official source at the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry statement said that after Saudi Arabia announced an amnesty on August 4 last year, 15 Saudis “who were misled and realised their mistake” had come forward to surrender to the Saudi embassies and consulates abroad. “There are

still others who are still holding on to their sins and temptations,” the statement said.

“They have made themselves tools in the hands of the enemies of the religion, and the nation has nothing to do with them and is apprehensive about what despicable acts these human devils might perpetrate against their people and nation.”

The Ministry urged the suspects to turn themselves in to the nearest Saudi embassies and consulates abroad.

“The wanted persons should return to reason and wisdom and surrender under the amnesty offer, whereby their return to the country would be secured and they would be reunited with their families depending on the charges against them,” the statement

said adding that the Saudi society has realised the reality of deviant thought and the goals of evil-doers who are waging a war against Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him).

The ministry announced rewards amounting to millions of riyals to those who pass tip off regarding the suspects. “Rewards earlier announced will also be extended to those who provide information about these persons wanted by the security authorities,” the statement said. The ministry earlier announced SR 7 million for those who help foil a terror act. SR 5 million will be awarded to those who give information leading to the arrest a group of terrorists and SR 1 million for those giving information about one suspect.

Saudi Arabia releases list of 85 terror suspects

EU ministers urged to help close Guantánamo

Passion Islam

I February 2009

With the executive order issued by the US President Barack Obama on the closure of Guantánamo, a coalition of human rights organizations is calling on EU foreign ministers to help close the detention facility in Cuba.

The ministers were urged to help by offering humanitarian protection to detainees at risk of torture or other serious human rights violations if returned to their home countries.

In a joint open letter to the ministers attending the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting in Brussels, the coalition said that now is the time for “European states to take a humane and practical step to help right a terrible wrong.”

Published last month, the letter was signed by Amnesty International, the Centre for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, La Federation internationale des ligues droits de l’Homme (FIDH) and Reprieve.

“Our organizations sincerely believe that the willingness of European governments to offer humanitarian protection to Guantánamo detainees

WORLD NEWS

who cannot be returned home is critical to any successful ‘close Guantánamo’ plan, and we will do everything we can to assist you in this endeavour,” the letter said.

President Obama’s first acts in office were to suspend the military commission proceedings at Guantánamo and issue, following this

with executive order on its closure as well as an order on interrogation practices by US personnel.

The five organizations welcomed these developments as positive steps,

I 15

but they emphasized that the Obama administration will need the help of European governments to implement any plan to close the prison camp.

Nearly seven years after the prison camp opened, there are approximately 245 detainees at Guantánamo.

Approximately 60 men could face torture or other serious human rights violations if returned to their home countries. At least one is stateless.

The US may decide to admit some of the men to the US mainland, but the remaining detainees need humanitarian protection in other countries where they will be safe.

“Amnesty International hopes that as a result of this meeting EU member states will send a common message on their willingness to help close Guantánamo, and - most important - follow it up with concrete action to find homes for detainees who cannot be returned to their countries of origin,” said Nicolas Beger, director of Amnesty International’s European Union office. www.passionislam.com

New Somali president vows to bring peace Somali people celebrated in the streets and anti-aircraft missiles were blasted into the air to celebrate the election of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed as president.

The Islamist leader won the presidency in an all-night Parliament session that ended early yesterday in neighboring Djibouti and vowed to end conflict in the Horn of Africa nation, make peace with neighbours and rule with honesty and justice.

“We are supporting our newly elected president of Somalia, because he is a peaceful man. We expect him to practice our religion. We love him and that is why we are supporting him,” Ali Hashi Hirsi said.

Thousands of supporters converged in the capital Mogadishu’s war-battered stadium chanting, “Long live Sheikh Sharif.”

In Mogadishu and some central

parts of the country, not under the control of Islamists, people stayed up all night to watch television or listen to the radio.

“Welcome Sharif, we are tired of war. Let Somalis join hands,” Farhia Hassan, a mother of three, said as she

waved a green branch symbolizing peace.

The spokesman for some 3,500 African Union peacekeeping troops stationed in Mogadishu and long the

targets of attacks by insurgents also welcomed Ahmed’s victory. “President Sheikh Sharif is no doubt committed to the peace process and we will do what it takes to support him and his government,” said spokesman Barigye Ba-Hoku.

Ahmed has said he will try to correct what he sees as the misinterpretation of Islam by some insurgents and will welcome fighters in a new national security force, as long as they are committed to peace.

In a statement issued by its embassy in Nairobi, the United States congratulated the former opposition leader on his victory. “President Sharif has been a strong proponent of the Djibouti process and has worked diligently on reconciliation efforts in Somalia,” it said referring to UNsponsored peace talks in Djibouti. www.passionislam.com

I WORLD NEWS

I February 2009

Oxfam says: New US strategy needed in Afghanistan

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The United States must change its strategy in Afghanistan if it is to avoid a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans struggling to survive and violence at its worst levels since 2001, an aid group said.

After almost three decades of war, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Drought and high food prices have also hit many Afghans hard.

On top of that some 5,000 people, including more than 2,000 civilians, were killed in 2008 and insurgent attacks were up by 50 percent on the previous year.

“With spreading insecurity, and civilians facing critical needs, there must be a comprehensive new strategy which will avert a major crisis,” Raymond Offenheiser, president of Oxfam America, a Britishbased charity said in a statement.

In a memo sent to U.S. President Barack Obama, Oxfam, which has worked in Afghanistan for more than 20 years, outlined a 10 point plan aimed at changing U.S. policy that if adopted, it says, will help bring lasting

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peace and development.

Washington is conducting a major review of strategy in Afghanistan and is expected to deploy up to 30,000 more U.S. troops and commit much bigger development assistance.

But instead of focussing on military efforts, the United States and other donors should step up

their humanitarian assistance and concentrate on long-term solutions as opposed to quick fixes, Oxfam said in its memo to Obama.

“With faltering reconstruction and rising instability, the United States must look beyond military solutions and take a leading role in protecting

civilians and forging a new international approach to Afghanistan,” Offenheiser said.

While the United States is by far the largest donor to Afghanistan pouring billions of dollars in aid into the impoverished country, humanitarian assistance is dwarfed by that spent on military operations.

The U.S. military alone spends some $100 million a day fighting Taliban insurgents, but spending on aid by all donors since 2001 amounts to only $7 million a day, aid agencies say.

In 2007, U.S. funding for the agricultural sector was less than 1 percent of what it spent on security, despite 80 percent of Afghans relying heavily on agriculture to survive, said Oxfam.

Up to five million Afghans face food shortages this year and more than a million young children and half a million women face serious health risks due to malnutrition, it said.

Only half of a United Nations emergency appeal for $404 million for Afghanistan, launched last July, has been funded.

I February 2009

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Iraqi town erects giant bronze shoe sculpture

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WORLD NEWS

A huge bronze shoe sculpture has been erected in the Iraqi town of Tikrit in tribute to the journalist who grabbed instant fame when threw his shoes at former U.S. president George W. Bush last year.

The shoe, in which a tree has been planted, stands three meters high (about 10 feet) and sits atop a white pedestal in the hometown of executed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

A rose bush is growing next to the monument which was erected in the gardens of an Iraqi foundation that cares for children whose parents have died in the violence that has caused havoc in Iraq since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion “ This is a gift for the family of Muntazer al-Zaidi, a hero, whose act helped Iraqi people feel proud “ A member of the foundation for childrenA poem praising Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi has also been written on a board and stands at the foot of the monument, the work of Iraqi artist Laith al-Ameri.

“This is a gift for the family of Muntazer al-Zaidi, a hero, whose act helped Iraqi people feel proud,” a member of the children’s foundation told a crowd of 400 people gathered

for the unveiling of the work of art.

The foundation’s president, Shaha al-Juburi, insisted that the sculpture was not backed by any political party or organization.

Zaidi hurled his shoes at Bush during the U.S. president’s farewell visit to Iraq on Dec. 14, an action considered a grave insult in the Arab world.

The 29-year-old journalist for AlBaghdadia television also insulted the

Covert Israeli-Saudi Deal?

Occupation of two Saudi islands of Tiran and Sanafir by the Zionist regime and the country’s silence about it signifies a covert deal between them.

These islands are quite significant strategically for Israel and Saudi Arabia.

One and a half year

before the Gaza war, Saudi Arabia announced the construction of a bridge between Ra’s Al-Sheikh Hamid in Saudi Arabia and Egypt’s Sharm al-Sheikh to which the Zionist regime showed a strong reaction as Debka File website affiliated to the Israeli intelligence services had said that building the bridge can ensue an armed clash.

Gaza events and the meaningful silence of Saudi Arabia against Israeli atrocities raises the question whether the recent Gaza war is part of Saudi Arabian and Israeli secret deal to pursue construction of the project in Tiran?

American president, shouting: “It is the farewell kiss, you dog.”

His action was hailed across the Arab world as a perfect parting gift to a president widely unpopular in the region.

Zaidi was arrested after his act and charged with “aggression against a foreign head of state during an official visit.” He faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted. www.passionislam.com

Quran contest held in Russia’s Kazan

The International Organization for Memorization of the Holy Quran, an affiliate of the Makkah-based Muslim World League, has recently held the second contest for memorization of the Holy Quran in Kazan city in Russia As many as 39 contestants took part in the contest which was held by the Organization in cooperation with Tatarstan’s Religious Department and Kuwaiti Society for Islamic Education in Russia.

A Representative of Russian Council of Ministers expressed her pleasure and pride in holding the contest in the city of Kazan, the capital of Tataristan, and thanked all officials who have contributed to the success of the contest.

The International Organization for Memorization of the Holy Quran has held a ceremony in honour of the second batch of graduates from Othman bin Affan Institute of Memorization of the Holy Quran in the city. The ceremony was attended by a number of officials.

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I SPECIAL FEATURE

The Perfect

Passion Islam

I February 2009

Husband and Wife Relationship Although many Muslims may right now be in failing marriages and on a fast track to divorce and its terrible consequences, there are many ways to put their marriage back on the right track if the husband and wife are sincere in their desire to reconcile.

The following principles can be used by Muslims whose marriages are already in trouble or by Muslims who would like to avoid trouble in their marriage.

Examples of Negative Relationship of Husband & Wife Many Muslim husbands and wives treat each other like adversaries rather than partners. The husband feels that he is the boss, and whatever he says goes. The wife feels that she must squeeze everything she can out of her husband. Some wives never show their husband that they are satisfied with anything he does or buys for them in order to trick him into doing and buying more. They make him feel like a failure if he does not give them the lifestyle that their friends and families enjoy. Some husbands speak very harshly to their wives, humiliate them, and even physically abuse them. Their wives have no voice or opinion in the family.

Marriage In The Eyes of Allah It is very sad that this relationship which Allah (SWT) has established for the good has been made a source of contention, deception, trickery, tyranny, humiliation, and abuse. This is not the way marriage is supposed to be.

Allah (SWT) described marriage very differently in the Holy Quran: ‘...

He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put

love and mercy between your (hearts) . . . “ (Holy Quran 30:21, Yusuf Ali Translation).

Do not be a Tyrant Regardless of whether or not Islam has made the husband the head of the household, Muslims are not supposed to be dictators and tyrants.

We are taught to treat our wives well.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was reported to have said: ‘The most perfect Muslim in the matter of faith is one who has excellent behavior; and the best among you are those who behave best towards their wives” (From Mishkat al-Masabih, No. 0278(R) Transmitted by Tirmidhi).

Be Partners in the Decision Making Process Follow the principle of ‘Shura,” and make decisions as a family. There will be much more harmony in the family when decisions are not imposed and everyone feels that they had some

part in making them.

Never be Emotionally Never be emotionally, mentally, or physically abusive to your spouse. The Prophet (SAWS) never mistreated his wives. He is reported to have said: ‘How could they beat their women in daytime as slaves and then sleep with them in the night?”

Be Careful of Your Words Be very careful what you say when you are upset. Sometimes you will say things that you would never say when you were not angry. If you are angry, wait until you calm down before continuing the conversation.

Show Affection Show affection for your mate. Be kind, gentle, and loving.

Be Your Spouse’s Friend Show interest in your mate’s life. Too often, we live in the same house but

I February 2009 know nothing about each other’s lives. It would be great if the husband and wife could work together for the same cause or on the same project.

They could perhaps establish a husband/wife prison ministry, take care of orphans in their home, or lead an Islamic weekend class.

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Show Appreciation Show appreciation for what your spouse does for the family. Never make your husband feel that he is not doing good enough for the family or that you are not satisfied with his work or his efforts, unless, of course, he is truly lazy and not even trying to provide for the family.

The Prophet (SAWS) was reported to have said: ‘On the Day of Judgment, God will not look upon the woman who has been ungrateful to her husband.” (where is this hadith found) Show your wife that you appreciate her. If she takes care of the house and the children, don’t take it for granted. It is hard work, and no one likes to feel unappreciated.

Work Together in the House The Prophet (SAWS) is known to have helped his wives in the house.

And if the Prophet (SAWS) was not above doing housework, modern Muslim husbands shouldn’t feel that they are.

Communication is Important Communication, Communication, Communication! This is the big word in counseling. And it should be.

Husbands and wives need to talk to each other. It is better to deal with problems early and honestly than to let them pile up until an explosion occurs.

Forget Past Problems

Don’t bring up past problems once they have been solved.

Live Simply Don’t be jealous of those who seem to be living a more luxurious life than your family. The ‘rizq” is from Allah (SWT). In order to develop the quality of contentment, look at those people who have less than you, not those who have more. Thank Allah (SWT) for the many blessings in your life.

Give Your Spouse Time Alone If your mate doesn’t want to be with you all the time, it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t love you. People need to be alone for various reasons.

Sometimes they want to read, to think about their problems, or just to relax. Don’t make them feel that they are committing a sin.

Admit Your Mistakes When you make a mistake, admit it.

When your mate makes a mistake, excuse him or her easily. If possible, never go to sleep angry with each other.

Physical Relationship is Important Be available to your mate sexually, and don’t let your sexual relationship be characterized by selfishness. The Prophet (SAWS) was reported to have said: ‘It is not appropriate that you fall upon your wives like a beast but you must send a message of love beforehand.”

Have Meals Together Try to eat together as a family when possible. Show the cook and the dishwasher, whether it is the husband or the wife, appreciation for his or her efforts. The Prophet (SAWS) did not complain about food that was put before him.

An Invitation to add us passionislam@hotmail.com

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Be Mindful of Your discussion Topics Never discuss with others things about your marriage that your spouse wouldn’t like you to discuss, unless there is an Islamic reason to do so.

Some husbands and wives, believe it or not, complain to others about their mate’s physical appearance. This is a recipe for disaster.

Information about your intimate relations should be kept between you and your spouse.

Many of us treat our spouses in ways that we would never treat others.

With others, we try to be polite, kind, and patient. With our spouses, we often do not show these courtesies. Of course, we are usually with our spouses at our worst times --- when we are tired and frustrated after a hard day. After a bad day at the office, husbands usually come home angry and on edge. The wife has probably also had a hard day with the children and the housework. Wives and husbands should discuss this potential time bomb so that if they are short-tempered with each other during these times, they will understand the reasons rather than automatically thinking that their spouse no longer loves them.

Good marriages require patience, kindness, humility, sacrifice, empathy, love, understanding, forgiveness, and hard work. Following these principles should help any marriage to improve.

The essence of them all can be summed up in one sentence: Always treat your spouse the way you would like to be treated. If you follow this rule, your marriage will have a much greater chance for success. If you discard this rule, failure is just around the corner.

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I SPECIAL FEATURE

Hold that Passion Islam

I February 2009

tongue Ibn Abbas narrates: On the day of Nahr (in Hajj-the day of Eid), RasulAllah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] addressed the people and said, “O People what day is this?”

They said, “It is the sacred day!” He then remained quiet. Then he asked, “What month is this?” They said, “It is the sacred month!” He then remained quiet. Then he asked, “What land is this?” They said, “It is the sacred land!” He then remained quiet, then he announced, “Verily your blood and your wealth and your honor is sacred (to one another) as the sacredness of this day, as the sacredness of this month, as the sacredness of this land.” Rasul Allah repeated it over and over, then he raised his head to the heavens and said, “O Allah, have I given the message? O Allah, have I given the message?” – Bukhari and Muslim Allah commanded us to be merciful, loving, and forgiving to one another. And he made this a quality in His messenger so that we could follow Rasul Allah’s example: [It is from the Mercy of Allah that you dealt gently with them. Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then,

when you have taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).] – Surah Aale Imran, 159.

Indeed, the Sahaabah followed the example of the Rasul Allah and were described by the Lord of the heavens and the earth as such: [Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate-merciful amongst each other…] Surah Fath, 29.

One of the biggest and evilest wreckers of this compassion, love and brotherhood is backbiting. The word in Arabic is Gheebah, coming from the root: Gha-Yaa-Baa, meaning that which is unseen. When a Muslim sees his brother or sister committing a sin, without advising them directly, they go to others - when they are unseen by the specified brother or sister - and speak ill of them in their absence.

Backbiting is Haram, it is one of the major sins and repentance must be sought for this sin. There is no other opinion in Islam.

Imam Al-Qurtubi said, “There is a consensus (Ijmaa’) that backbiting is a major sin and that it is Fard that a person do Towbah from it.”

Compiled by Muslim, Rasul Allah said to his companions, “Do you know what Gheebah is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It is to mention something about your brother (in his absence) that he would hate.” It was said, ‘What if what I say about my brother is true?’ He (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “If what you said about him is true then you would have backbitten him, and if it is not true, then you would have slandered him (buhtaan).” [Muslim] Look at the severity of the situation and the result of someone who runs

after their Muslim brothers and sisters trying to expose their faults: Rasul Allah said, “O ye who have believed with (only) their tongues, yet faith has not yet entered their hearts! Do not backbite the Muslims. And do not search out their faults. For verily, he who follows the private matters of his Muslim brother, Allah shall follow his private matters. And whoever has his private matters followed by Allah, Allah shall expose them even if they were (hiding) in the belly of their home.” authentic hadith narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawood.

Imam Malik said about the sacred city of Madinah, “I have met in this land people that had no faults. But they spent their time finding faults in others and (as time passed) they accumulated their own faults.

“And I have met in this land people who had faults. However, they kept silent when it came to the faults of others, and so (as time passed) their faults were forgotten!”

Listen! Allah is calling us: [O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it...But fear Allah, for Allah is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful.]

– Surah Al-Hujuraat, 12.

What causes someone to backbite his Muslim brothers and sisters?

Satisfying Anger This is done by backbiting the person who kindles his anger - so every time this person makes him angry, he subsides it by backbiting the person.

Through this (the backbiting), he feels he is getting even with the other person.

The cure for this is the advice of

I February 2009 the Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) when a man came to him and said advise me, “(Laa Taqhdab) Do not become angry!”

Wanting to Make or Keep Friends In order to maintain friends with others, a person indulges in backbiting because he is afraid of losing their friendship. Thus he does not reprimand them when they backbite, but indulges in it with them.

To cure this he must remember the saying of the Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) “Whoever seeks the pleasure of men by displeasing Allah, Allah will abandon him to the people.”

[At-Tirmidhi] Playing Around, Joking and Making Fun of Others This could involve mockery and sarcasm. It is enough to remind those indulging in this practice of what Allah, the Most High said: “O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter is better than the former...” [AlHujuraat 49:11] It could very well be that Allah loves them and does not love us.

Anger for the Sake of Allah A person may become angry because of a sin committed by another person so he talks about it venting his anger and mentioning that person’s name instead of concealing it and not mentioning him.

Sufyaan ibn al-Husayn narrates: I was sitting with Iyaas ibn Mu’aawiyah when a man walked by and I said ill of that man. “Keep Quiet!” Iyaas said to me. “Have you fought the Romans?” I said no. He asked, “Have you fought the Turk?” I said no. He then said, “The Romans were saved from you and likewise the Turk were saved from you. But your own Muslim brother was not saved!” Sufyaan said, “After that I never backbited anyone.”

Having Too Much Spare Time This can cause a person to fall into backbiting, because it is easy for such an idle mind to become busy with men, their honor and their faults.

To correct this a person must spend his time in acts of obedience to Allah, worship, seeking knowledge, and teaching others.

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Conceit and Lack Of Awareness Of One’s Faults Such people should think about their own faults and try to correct themselves and feel ashamed to

criticize others when they have many faults themselves.

It was said to Rabee’ ibn Khaytham, “We never see you finding fault in others.” He replied, “I am not satisfied with myself enough to dedicate my time to finding faults in others.”

Uqbah ibn Aamir narrates: I said, “O RasulAllah! What is salvation?”

He (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) said, “Hold your tongue! Your house should suffice you! And cry over your (own) faults!” – authentic, narrated by Tirmidhi.

Shaykh Al-Qarnee narrates in one of his lectures: Abu Bakr once disputed with another companion about a tree. During the dispute Abu Bakr said something that he rather would not have said. He did not curse, he did not attack someone’s honor, he did not poke a fault in anyone, all he said was something that may have hurt the companion’s feelings.

Immediately, Abu Bakr ordered him, “Say it back to me!” The companion said, “I shall not say it back to me.”

“Say it back to me,” said Abu Bakr, “Or I shall complain to the Messenger of Allah.” The companion refused to say it back and went on his way.

Abu Bakr went to Rasul Allah and told what had happened and what he said. Rasul Allah called that companion and asked him, “Did Abu Bakr say so and so to you?” He said, “Yes.” He said, “What did you reply.”

He said, “I did not reply it back to him.”

Rasul Allah said, “Good, do not reply it back to him (do not hurt Abu Bakr).

Rather say, ‘May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr!’”

The Companion turned to Abu Bakr and said, “May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr! May Allah forgive you O Abu Bakr!” Abu Bakr turned and cried as he walked away.

How can we revive this air of mercy and love and brotherhood that the companions lived? The Messenger of Allah showed us in the following ways: Having Ieman in Allah and doing acts of goodness.

[96. On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will the Most Gracious bestow love.] Surah Maryam Spreading Salam to those whom you know and those whom you do not.

In Sahih Muslim, from Abu Hurayrah: RasulAllah said, “You shall

SPECIAL FEATURE I 21 not enter Jannah until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something that – if you do it – you shall love one another? Spread Salam amongst yourselves.”

And in Bukhari and Muslim, from AbdAllah ibn Amr: a man came to Rasul Allah and asked him, “Which Islam is the best?” He said, “To feed the hungry and to give salam to those you know and those you don’t know.”

Giving gifts to your brothers and sisters Suffice is the statement of Rasul Allah, “Tahaaddu Tahaabbu. (Give Gifts and you shall love one another).”

– narrated by Imam Bukhari in his book al-Adab al-Mufrad. Saheeh lishawaahidih.

Telling your brother or sister that you love them for the sake of Allah This is one of the ways to solidify the brotherhood/sisterhood when your brother or sister knows that you love them.

These days people are loved for the clothes they wear, so they buy more expensive clothes. Others are loved for the cars they drive, so they buy newer models. But how many are loved for the sake of Allah, and what kind of effect would that have?

Rasul Allah showed us the example when he said to Mu’aadh, “O Mu’aadh! I love you for the sake of Allah!” Allahu akbar! Imagine if it were you that Rasul Allah said it to.

Mu’aadh replied, “May He whom you have loved me for love you also.”

In conclusion, if you remember only one thing today, let it be the following words of Rasul Allah. Take it as your motto until it carries you to Jannah: He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the last Day, let him say good things or keep quiet!”

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I SPECIAL FEATURE

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I February 2009

Heart

Are you going to celebrate a ‘Happy Valentine’?

Islam as a religion promotes love, caring and hospitality. In fact, Islam encourages such acts. Islam teaches to live each day as if it were the last, hence being good to each other and not saying and doing acts that one may regret in time. Islam teaches us to treat our families and friends with sincerity and affection. To buy chocolates and flowers and to shower with gifts is a practice that will encourage affection.

In recent years, a new trend has heightened amongst many Muslim communities, which does not bode well with the laws of Shariyah. This is evident in the simulation of the celebration of ‘Valentine’s Day’, which has led to explanations of the rulings, so that Muslims may have a clear understanding of this issue and so that they will not fall into that which will weaken the belief with which Allah has blessed them.

“And be not as those who separated and differed among themselves after had come to them evidences. These are the ones for whom shall be a torment mighty” [3:105]

he Festival of Love (Valentines Day) was one of the festivals of the pagan Romans, when paganism was the prevalent religion of the Romans more than seventeen centuries ago.

In the pagan Roman concept, it was an expression of “spiritual love”.

There were myths associated with this pagan festival of the Romans, which persisted with their Christian heirs.

Among the most famous of these myths was the Roman belief that Romulus, the founder of Rome, was suckled by a she-wolf, which gave him strength and wisdom. The Romans used to celebrate this event in midFebruary each year with a big festival.

One of the rituals of this festival was the sacrifice of a dog and a goat in honour of Faunus, God of fertility.

Men would go to a grotto dedicated to Lupercal, the wolf god, located at the foot of Palatine Hill and where Romans believed that the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, were suckled by a she-wolf. The men would sacrifice a goat, don its skin, and run around, hitting women with small

whips, an act which was supposed to ensure fertility.

A point worth note, Muslims have to believe that Wisdom and Strength can only be bestowed by the ‘One and Only’ and although being suckled by a she-wolf is pretty impressive to say the least, will not solely grant either.

As to turning this tenuous event into a day of celebration and for believers of any Abrahamic Faith to accept and encompass its belief, is questionable to his / her faith.

Saint Valentine is a name, which is given to an ancient “martyr” of the Christian Church. When the Romans embraced Christianity, they continued to celebrate the Feast of Love mentioned above, but they changed it from the pagan concept of “spiritual love” to another concept known as the “martyrs of love”, represented by Saint Valentine who had advocated love and peace, for which cause he was martyred, according to narrations. It was also called the Feast of Lovers, and Saint Valentine was considered to be the patron saint of lovers,

I February 2009 hence incorporating a ‘Un-Founded’ celebration in to the Christian belief.

Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart. The Prophet (SAW) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ‘Every nation has its own Eid’.

Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman.

There are many more kinds of love.

There is the love of Allah, love of His Messenger (SAW) and his companions (RA), love for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, and so on. Consequently it is an extremely dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one brand of love.

There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (SAW) said: “If a man loves

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his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi).

And he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Muslim) Upon examining the history of the day, we need to ask ourselves, are we involved in incorporating an UnIslamic event into our ‘Islamic’ lives?

Can we justify featuring a forbidden (Haram) act in to Islam?

How can we justify the blind following of the ‘Feast of Love’ and the pagan myths involving the idol of love, Cupid?

How are we going to explain our selves to the Al-Mighty about our purpose of choosing a ‘Mr and Mrs Valentine’?

We are so quick to check if some beverage or food item is within the laws and jurisprudence of Islam, however we are reluctant to accept the ‘Un-Islamic’ and un-founded practices that we are integrating within our

SPECIAL FEATURE I 23 religion. We sometimes use avenues such as culture and sometimes we use ideologies and practices that are against the teachings and methodologies of Islam to have a few practices imbedded within Islam.

By all means support each other and shower each other with gifts throughout the year. Spread the message of Allah and His Prophet (SAW) and create love, in its more diverse meaning, between people.

Surprise parents and children alike with gifts that will please the eye, however to attribute a specific act on a specific day for a sole purpose is wherein the occasion loses its ‘Islamic Backing’. Reports have been done, and statistics have been produced, however the number of failed marriages and domestic problems are on the rise. It begs the question, how exactly does a single designated day to express love, which incidentally was setup by Pagans through no Islamic understanding or any logical rationale, create a basis of spreading love around the world?

Imam Zakir Yorkshire, UK

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Muslims in Tibet

I SPECIAL FEATURE

Culture Tibetan mosque in LhasaThe Tibetan Muslims, also known as the Kachee (Kache), form a small minority in Tibet. Despite being Muslim, they are classified as Tibetans, unlike the Hui Muslims, who are also known as the Kyangsha or Gya Kachee (Chinese Muslims). The Tibetan word Kachee literally means Kashmiri and Kashmir was known as Kachee Yul (Yul = Country).

Owing to their small population, the Tibetan Muslims are scattered throughout Tibet, much of whom can be found in Lhasa and Shigatse. If those not living in the Tibet Autonomous Region are not excluded, ethnic groups such as the Balti and Burig, who are also of Tibetan origin and consider themselves to be ethnically Tibetan, are Muslims as well. These groups, however, are predominantly found in the Indian-controlled Ladakh and the Pakistani-controlled Baltistan.

Ancestry Generally speaking, the Tibetan Muslims are unique in the fact that they are largely of Kashmiri and Persian/Arab/Turkic descent through the patrilineal lineage and also often descendants of native Tibetans through the matrilineal lineage, although the reverse is not uncommon.

Thus, many of them display a mixture of Aryan and indigenous Tibetan features.

Owing to Tibetan influence, they have adopted Tibetan names while

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retaining Persian or Urdu surnames.

However, this is not as common as those among the Burig and Balti. In Baltistan or Baltiyul as the natives call it, youngster Muslims have started naming themselves in local Tibetan language like Ali Tsering, Sengge Thsering, Wangchen, Namgyal, Shesrab, Mutik, Mayoor, Gyalmo, Odzer, Lobsang, Odchen, Rinchen, Anchan, and so forth. Among Khaches, although the majority uses Tibetan for daily communication, Urdu or Arabic are used for religious services.

After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, Muslims were granted Indian citizenship by the Indian Government, which considered the Tibetan Muslims

I February 2009

Kashmiris, and thus Indian citizens, unlike the other Tibetan refugees, who carry Refugee Satus Certificates.

History The appearance of the first Muslims in Tibet has been lost in the mists of time, although variants of the names of Tibet can be found in Arabic history books.

During the reign of the Ummayad Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz, a delegation from Tibet and China requested him to send Islamic missionaries to their countries, and Salah bin Abdullah Hanafi was sent to Tibet. Between the eighth and ninth centuries, the Abbasid rulers of Baghdad maintained relations

I February 2009 with Tibet. However, there was little proselytisation among the missionaries at first, although many of them decided to settle in Tibet and marry Tibetan women. In 710720,during the reign of Mes-agtshoms the Arabs, who now had more of a presence in China, started to appear in Tibet and were allied with them along with the Eastern Turks against the Chinese. During the reign of the Sadnalegs (799-815), under Tride Songtsän (Khri lde srong brtsan - generally known as Sadnalegs) there was a protracted war with Arab powers to the West. It appears that Tibetans captured a number of Arab troops and pressed them into service on the Eastern frontier in 801. Tibetans were active as far West as Samarkand and Kabul. Arab forces began to gain the upper hand, and the Tibetan governor of Kabul submitted to the Arabs and became a Muslim about 812 or 815.

The 12th century witnessed a large scale migration of Muslim traders from Kashmir and the Persian Empire to Tibet, most notable was the community that they established in Lhasa. Like their Arab predecessors, these men settled down and married Tibetan women, who followed their husbands’ religion. Proselytisation of Islam first took place in Baltistan and the Suru Valley from the 14th to the 16th centuries, which converted the vast majority of the Tibetan Burig and Balti communities.

Especially under the reign of Lozang Gyatso, the Tibetan Muslims led a relatively carefree life, and were given special privileges, in the sense that they were exempted from observing certain Buddhist religious customs. In the 17th century a small

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community of Muslims flourished in Lhasa working there mainly as butchers.

However, with the influx of Kashmiri immigrants to Ladakh and forced conversions of Buddhists to Islam, isolated conflicts between the Buddhists and Muslims were frequent, especially in Leh. There were even cases when members of the Soma Gompa and Jama Masjid came out to fight, thus resulting in tensions between Buddhist and Muslim members of the same family.

After the invasion of Tibet in 1959 a group of Tibetan Muslims made a case for Indian nationality based on their historic roots to Kashmir and the Indian government declared all Tibetan Muslims Indian citizens later on that year.

Today As of today, most of the 99% of Tibetan Muslims are followers of the Sunni denomination. Despite the factor of their religion, the Tibetan Muslims have comfortably assimilated into the Tibetan community, while following Islamic traditions. On the other hand, the Balti and Burig have partially adopted Afghan customs. The Balti and Burig peoples mostly follow Shi’ism and/or Sufism.

Especially in music, the Tibetan Muslims have made contributions to Tibetan culture. The Nangma, also known as Naghma in Urdu which means melody, are high-pitched tilting songs that have been popular among all Tibetans. They have also adopted Tibetan customs, especially in the field of marriage, although they have strictly maintained their Islamic customs at the same time.

SPECIAL FEATURE I 25 Tibetan Muslims have unique architectural styles, and this is most notable among the Ladakhi. Mosques, for instance, are built in a quaint blend of Persian and Tibetan styles. This is evidenced in its beautifully decorated walls, sloping walls designed to withstand earthquakes, and even Kada scarfs being hanged at the doorway of the mosques.

Another interesting feature of Tibetan Muslim architecture is that their mosques encompass the Imambara, a small artefact surmounted on the domes of metal sheets.

Special privileges before Communist rule The Tibetan Muslims had their own mosques in Lhasa and Shigatse, and plots of land were given to bury their ancestors.

They were also exempted from taking vegetarian meals, on Buddha’s birthday, which is mandatory for all followers of Tibetan Buddhism, and this practice upon the followers of Bön was not excluded. A Ponj (from Urdu/Hindi Pancch meaning village committee or Panchayat) was elected to take care of the affairs within the Tibetan Muslim community.

In addition, Muslims were even exempted from removing their caps to Lamas during a period in a year, when the Iron pole Lamas held sway over the town. Muslims were also granted the Mina Dronbo, a status that invited all Tibetans, irrespective of religion, to commemorate the assumption of spiritual and temporal authority by Lozang Gyatso, the fifth Dalai Lama.

However, these special privileges ended with the beginning of the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959.

I February 2009

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Sent in by Masum, Batley

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Peace cannot be kept by force.

It can only be achieved by understanding.

A world of Smile Albert Einstein (1979-1955)

About ten years ago when I was an undergraduate in college, I was working as an intern at my University’s Museum of Natural History. One day while working at the cash register in the gift shop, I saw an elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair.

As I looked closer at this girl, I saw that she was kind of perched on her chair. I then realized she had no arms or legs, just a head, neck and torso.

She was wearing a little white dress with red polka dots.

As the couple wheeled her up to me I was looking down at the register.

I turned my head toward the girl and gave her a wink. As I took the money from her grandparents, I looked back at the girl, who was giving me the cutest, largest smile I have ever seen.

All of a sudden her handicap was gone and all I saw was this beautiful girl, whose smile just melted me and

It looks like those artist have been at it again Sent in by Taz Ellen

almost instantly gave me a completely new sense of what life is all about.

She took me from a poor, unhappy college student and brought me into her world; a world of smiles, love and warmth.

That was ten years ago. I’m a successful business person now and whenever I get down and think about the troubles of the world, I think about that little girl and the remarkable lesson about life that she taught me.

emailbox - comments Thank you for adding me to your distribution list, I really enjoy reading Passion Islam Magazine, I live in a very small town in Switzerland with very small community of 15 Muslims consists of two families.

I original came across the magazine in a forum discussion, I think the issues you cover are very intellectual and interesting to the wider community, keep up the good work I look forward to receiving the next issue.

Alisha Switzerland Excellent publication, enjoy reading it every month, i always forward it to all my contacts.

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