Khilafah Magazine July 2002 by kaskaa kaakas

Contents

Rabi al - Thani/Jumada al-U’la 1423 1423 - July 2002

Cover Issue 7 Volume 15

magazine

Editorial

"Who killed Farhad Usmanov?" is the question on the lips of thousands of people around the world campaigning against the vicious campaign perpetrated against all those who dare to speak about the corruption, tyranny and unjust practices of the Government of Uzbekistan - the West's new crooked ally in the "War Against Terrorism"...

Reference

Khilafah UZBEKISTAN - Country Profile

Uzbekistan is situated in Central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, the Aral Sea, and the slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains. It is bounded by Kazakhstan in the north and northwest, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the east and southeast, and Turkmenistan in the southwest. The population is approximately 26 million, and is mostly Muslim...

“War Against Terrorism”

News from around the world

1. The Capitalist Heroes of Indonesia, 2. Loya Jirga - Traditional Corruption, 3. Musharraf and his passion for Riba, 4. Who wants to be a billionaire?, 5. Bush authorises yet more Terrorism upon Iraq, 6.Wall of Terror, 7. Who will police the 'policeman'?

Who Killed Farhad Usmanov?

A transcript of the weekly address by Members of Hizb utTahrir in Britain given on Saturday 15th June 2002 and delivered at the launch of the international campaign entitled "Who Killed Farhad Usmanov?"...

2001 Patterns of Global Terrorism report

The effect of last year's September 11th attacks on the American psyche cannot be underestimated. In the recently published 2001 Patterns of Global Terrorism report (May 2002), September the 11th was described as the, "bloodiest day on American soil since the Civil War". The American response triggered by those events would be part of a new campaign by America against those who opposed her. George Bush in an address to Congress on September 20th 2001 said that, "Our war on terror begins with Al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end till every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated."...

Treading the Path of the Master of Martyrs

There are no better words to start than the Hadith of Rasool Allah (saw) when he said,

"The master of martyrs is Hamza, and the man who stood up to the tyrant ruler, spoke the truth and was killed."

The Dangers of Integration

A muslim writing in the editorial section of the Guardian newspaper she describes what she felt when she saw another Muslim in Hijab: "I envy her because I am too weak to wear the veil, too scared that doors will close and that opinions will be formed long before friendships are. Islam doesn't oppress me; fear does. I live a half-life, a double-life: not quite a Muslim and not quite a Westerner...

Self-Justification: the Whispers of Shaytan

A Muslim who grows up in Western society learns how to think and act in a way alien to Islam. Although often brought up in a Muslim household some Muslim youth are unfortunately swayed by the rotten fruits of Western society, drugs, alcohol and illicit relationships. They are tempted by these rotten fruits and end up in a downward spiral growing further away from Islam every day...

Photos of Muslims protesting outside Uzbek Embassy

Over a thousand Muslims converged on the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London on July 3rd, demanding an explanation for the murder of Farhad Usmanov, the continued detention of his widow, Musharaf Usmanova and the arrest, imprisonment and torture of thousands of members of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Uzbekistan...

Summer Time Healing

Year upon year, summertime in western Europe witnesses a mass migration with millions setting off for holiday destinations around the globe. Holiday resorts as far apart as Australia and Mexico are likely to witness thousands of holidaymakers touching down on their shores in a ritual that is deeply ingrained in Western tradition...

Quotes Extracts of a letter from a Member of Hizb utTahrir

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Editorial

Khilafah Magazine · www.khilafah.com · magazine@khilafah.com

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

order to repress any semblance of Islamic political resurgence.

Verily, Allah (swt) has granted the Muslims of Uzbekistan the honour of carrying the Islamic Da'wa after they endured the rule of the communists for three-quarters of a century, and accounting a ruler who is the most hostile to Allah (swt), His Messenger (saw) and the believers, at a time when Kufr, and its people, are all conspiring against them, and when the rulers of the Muslims have betrayed this Ummah, in the name of a "War Against Terrorism".

Farhad Usmanov, the 42-year-old son of a wellknown Tashkent Imam, was arrested for the alleged possession of a single leaflet of the Islamic political party, Hizb ut-Tahrir, on the 14th of June 1999. After being held incommunicado for eleven days he was brutally murdered at the hands of the Stasi-style Uzbek security apparatus. In a fashion reminiscent of the notorious 1930's reprisals orchestrated by Joseph Stalin, Islam Karimov, the Uzbek President, has for some time undertaken a cruel campaign against all those who dare to oppose his despotic rule. In a hidden massacre, concealed from the independent media, evidence of unlawful arrests, persecution of family members, torture and extra-judicial executions of members of Hizb ut-Tahrir has been widely documented by NGOs, policy institutes and human rights organisations the world over. While Western leaders fete Karimov for his allegiance in the "War Against Terrorism", tens of thousands of Muslims in Uzbekistan continue to languish in the dark and dingy prisons of Uzbekistan - no doubt mere collateral damage in the "War Against Terrorism". The USA has supplied arms, security equipment and training to governments and armed groups that have committed torture and political killings in countries around the world. Hundreds of Uzbek Muslims have been subject to capital punishment without trial, Texas-style, and many more thousands have been unlawfully arrested and tortured. Systematic harassment, evidence planting and psychological torture are all too common - a 25-year-old mother of two, Feruza Kurbanov, detained in Shakantaur District Police station was threatened with group rape if she did not confess to being a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir. Musharaf Usmanova, widow of Farhad Usmanov and mother of six, was forcefully arrested by more than 50 members of the Uzbek security service on the 14th of April 2002 - her whereabouts remain unknown. The "War Against Terrorism" has undoubtedly provided the USA with a pretext to further her imperial designs throughout the entire world, making the power of the USA, in all its forms, military, strategic and economic, the greatest source of terrorism on earth. However what is obvious is that the real motive for waging "War Against Terrorism" is not to counter terrorism. The real motive is clearly to establish and strengthen US hegemony and influence over the Islamic lands, their people, and their resources in 4

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

So be steadfast, O brave heroes. Be patient with the affliction, for indeed the victory of Allah (swt) is coming. You should not bow down your heads to this arrogant and tyrant ruler. But be patient and persevere with your Islam and your Da'wa for you are on the clear truth. And you, O fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives and daughters have patience and fortitude when they arrest you unjustly, and assist those who call to Islam. For it is a patience in the path of Allah (swt), a patience which will be followed by a close relief from suffering, insha'Allah and followed by a great reward from Allah (swt). O Muslims! Your brothers in Uzbekistan are calling you, and you feel the pain to help them. They are waiting for you to be the ones who come and open the doors to their jails and prisons with the good news of the return of the Khilafah after their current jailers have thrown away the keys. They are waiting for their daughters and sisters to live under the safety of the Islamic State that will protect them from becoming widows and orphans at the hands of the tyrant Karimov. They are waiting for you to bring these tyrannical rulers who have transgressed all limits to justice. But these treacherous rulers stand in the way of your help. For how long will we be patient with these traitors? How long will they recklessly commit their sins with no one to restrain them? Has not the time come for the return of the Islamic State, which cannot be defeated, to emerge once again and resume its great victories? Thus, the chains will be broken, and the orders of the Taghut will be disobeyed, and the flag of the Khilafah will be realised. The Ummah will be liberated, and this Ummah will return to her honour and dignity.

Khilafah magazine

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Editor Dr Imran Waheed

News Editor Samiul Muquit

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Translation of the Qur’an It should be perfectly clear that the Qur’an is only authentic in its original language, Arabic. Since perfect translation of the Qur’an is impossible, the term ‘Translation of the Meaning of the Qur’an (TMQ) has been used, as the result is only a crude meaning of the Arabic text.

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"So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers" [TMQ Ale-Imran: 139] Dr Imran Waheed

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Reference â&#x20AC;&#x153;War Against Terrorismâ&#x20AC;?

"According to some reports received by the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan [HRSU], at present there are more than 100.000 sentenced in places of imprisonment, and more than half of them are accused for their religious or political beliefs. Hence, the number of people who went through all these tortures exceeds ten thousand" (HRSU, Birlik.Net, 01\11\1999) "It can be said that, anyone who tries to prove his innocence in Uzbekistan, will be exposed to brutal forms of physical and psychical tortures by the legislative organs, which extract the needed statement with the help of generally known methods, such as: systematic and non-systematic beating, torture by using dentistry, torture by hanging, torture by electricity, torture by suffocation, sexual torture, pharmacological torture, torture by cauterization, torture by causing severe injuries, non physiological positions." (HRSU, Birlik.Net, 01\11\1999) "Increasingly, police arrest relatives of independent Muslims, including suspected members of unregistered Islamic groups. President Karimov declared in April 1999 that fathers would be punished for the supposed wrongs of their sons. Brothers too are often arrested together and even tortured in each other's presence, again, both as a form of coercion, but also as punishment. Women are not exempt from the relentless state campaign. Female relatives of independent Muslim men are subjected to "hate rallies," detained and interrogated by police, and sometimes themselves are arrested. One woman, Rahima Akhmedalieva, was unlawfully taken into police custody in March 2001, held hostage by police who insisted they would not release her until her husband, an imam, returns to Uzbekistan where he is wanted on charges of "anti-state activities". She was later sentenced to seven years of imprisonment on charges of undermining the constitutional order." (26/09/2001 Human Rights Watch [HRW]) "The Uzbek government has targeted Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation), an Islamic group that supports the reestablishment of the Caliphate, or Islamic state, by peaceful means. Activities of the group include study of the Koran and privately published Hizb ut-Tahrir texts; group prayer; and dissemination of Hizb ut-Tahrir materials that address religious themes and commentary on the political situation, particularly the arrest of Muslims, in Uzbekistan. Any of these

activities, from membership in the group to possession of one of its pamphlets is deemed grounds for arrest and is punishable by up to twenty years in prison." (26/09/2001 HRW) "When Secretary of State Madeleine Albright visited Uzbekistan in 2000 she awarded the government U.S. $3 million in counterterrorism and border assistance, while urging it to distinguish 'very carefully between peaceful devout believers and those who advocate terrorism.' Yet the U.S. government has proved unwilling to use effective tools to ensure that the Uzbek government makes this very distinction." (26/09/2001 HRW) "On September 24, U.S. aircraft arrived in Uzbekistan for possible operations in Afghanistan." (26/09/2001 HRW) "In the past two weeks, police in Tashkent and the Ferghana Valley have detained dozens of women. Some stand accused of membership in Hizb ut-Tahrir, and others have relatives who are in jail for their religious affiliations." (01/05/2002 HRW) "Human Rights Watch observed two recent trials of women charged with Hizb ut-Tahrir membership. The first, involving four women-Aiazimkhon Yakbalkhojaeva, Tursunoi Rashidova, Arofat Khakimova, and Lazokat Avazova-continues this week in Tashkent. According to the defendants, the court failed to give them adequate advance notification of the trial date in which to communicate with legal counsel and prepare a defence, and instead summoned several of them by phone in early April just an hour before the hearing was due to begin. The prosecution gave the defendants a copy of the indictment against them only after several days of trial hearings. The defendants had no prior notification of the charges they faced." (01/05/2002 HRW)

"On the night of April 14, 2002, a group of policemen and close to forty unidentified men in civilian dress had burst into the Usmonov household, searched the premises and, though they found no illicit materials, took Musharraf Usmonova to an undisclosed location. For seven days police refused to inform her relatives of her whereabouts or even confirm that she had been detained. Usmonova's "disappearance" ended on April 22-the day that the judge in the Uzakova case announced Usmonova's upcoming trialwhen her lawyer finally learned of her whereabouts. The authorities continue to deny Usmonova access to her lawyer, and her conditions in custody are not known. Five of Musharraf Usmonova's children (ranging in age from four to sixteen) were detained until evening following their participation in the protest on April 23. Usmonova's family has been devastated by the official crackdown on independent Islam. In June 1999, police detained and tortured to death Usmonova's husband, Farkhod [Farhad Usmanov], the son of a wellknown imam. Also in June 1999, Usmonova's then seventeen-year-old son was arrested and sentenced to six years in prison for "anti-state activities;" he was later released. Farkhod Usmonov's youngest brother, Muhammadjon, was sentenced to eleven years in prison, for alleged possession of a religious magazine; he was also released. Usmonov's brother Ravkhat was sentenced to fourteen years on a variety of charges related to alleged religious and "anti-state" activity. Usmonova's brothers, Shukrullo and Faizullo Agzamov, were sentenced to seven and seventeen years in prison, respectively. Abdukarim Rashidov, also a relative, was sentenced to eleven years." (01/05/2002 HRW)

"The husband of defendant Nasiba Uzakova had been sentenced to fifteen years in prison in 2000, also on charges of Hizb ut-Tahrir membership. At trial, the judge announced that yet another group of women would soon be brought up on religious charges, including one of Uzakova's relatives, Musharraf Usmonova. At the time, Usmonova had been in custody for a week, while police withheld information about her whereabouts." (01/05/2002 HRW)

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

News From Around The World

The Capitalist Heroes of Indonesia

Loya Jirga - Traditional Corruption

work for the development of my country."

In the face of Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri's pledge to crackdown on corruption, parliamentary speaker Akbar Tandjung recently faced trial for corruption, charged with misusing $4m of government funds. Denying these charges Tandjung stated personal wrongdoing and blamed a codefendant for the misuse of this money.

So how is it that a Muslim ruler is of service to his Deen? Is it by simply starting his speeches in the name of Allah (swt)? No Islam is a Deen sent by Allah (swt) to dictate all spheres of life, and since politics is the looking after of the people's affairs then it becomes incumbent on the ruler to restrict himself to the Islamic systems.

However unlike the usual corruption stories we are used to in the Muslim world this one has a sinister twist in that the money was taken from food stores which were destined to feed starving and poor people in five states in Indonesia.

So when Karzai busies himself with trying to form Western style democracies, calling for legislation that has its root in the minds of men, does he not ponder over the words of Allah (swt) the All Mighty?

Whatever the reality of where the blame lies it is a macabre irony that a government such as the Indonesian government is scared and resists the call of Islamic groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir in Jakarta and other cities for complete restoration of Islam yet still clings on to Western capitalism strangely believing that this will solve all problems - Akbar Tandjung and Megawati Sukarnoputri being prime advocates of this. Contrast Suleyman the Magnificent of who it is said, "In disguise, personally inspected the markets, searching for Irregularities of production distribution of quality and price." Or Abdur Rahman ibn Andulsi who it said from his personal diaries which span over 55 years as a ruler that only 14 of these days were spent not working, and that he died virtually penniless. In fact these are a few from many of 1400 years of history who implemented a system via elaborate Shari'ah rules rooting out corruption. Yet the Ummah has persistently been promised a better life, by people such as Tandjung and Sukarnoputri. So who really believes in myths and dreams? Those who propose a system that existed successfully for 1400 years revealed by Allah (swt) for all mankind, or those who propose a man made system, which offers nothing save further misery and exploitation for the world. Ibrahim Ismail

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

"Whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed such are the disbelievers" [TMQ Al-Ma'idah: 44]. The 10th of June saw the beginning of the emergency Loya Jirga whose 1600 delegates would have the job of selecting the interim government and the legislative body for Afghanistan. The Loya Jirga is being presented to the Muslims as a free and fair way to select the government of Afghanistan. Yet, what is the realty of the Loya Jirga? The UN envoy to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi said, "Voting for the Loya Jirga has been plagued by violence and vote buying. There were attempts at manipulation, violence, unfortunately money was used, threats were used." The Loya Jirga was characterised by mass walkouts, brawls, jeering, instructions in dialects that delegates could not understand, all underlining the fact that the Loya Jirga is nothing more than a circus act put on to legitimise the American colonisation of Afghanistan as alluded to in the Bonn agreement. Prominent positions like the defence and foreign ministries went to Mohamed Fahim and Dr Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom are known to have pledged their souls to America. As Larry P Goodson associate Professor of International studies at Bentley College Waltham writes: "The Loya Jirga is really something that is a faรงade of decision making but is really a sense of ratification of prior decisions." The Muslims of Afghanistan are diverted away from the real issue, which is the establishment of Khilafah Rashida to whether there should be two representatives from each region or one representative from every ten delegates. Hamid Karzai in his victory comments claims "God willing I will be of service to Afghanistan, my religion, and will

Then to which deen does Karzai pledge his service?

"The transformation of the entire financial system is not practicable," advocate Raza Kazim told the court. "If attempted there is a high degree of risk and likelihood of permanent damage to the already fragile economy of the country." Contrary to Kazim's statement the cause of the horrendous situation of Pakistan's economy is the very interest based system he was defending. It is the astronomical interest charges, which have been incurred due to IMF loans that have prevented the countries budget from being used to enrich the economy. We must however note that the previous law did not make the economy any more Islamic, as it did not abolish interest transactions altogether and was merely an attempt to appease the masses who wish to live under the just Islamic system. The current system of Pakistan is the same as that of the Western capitalist nations and it is inevitable as a result of this that the Western economic system be an element of this corrupt system.

Ajmal Hussain

Musharraf and his passion for Riba Pervaiz Musharraf has once again emphasised his hatred for Islam by having a recent law passed in the country which saw an end to all interest based transactions in the domestic economy annulled. It was only last year that the law came into being in an attempt to 'Islamisise' the economy.

Musharraf's advocates at the countries Shari'ah Court, which governs the Islamic law of the land, were Syed Riazul Hasan Gillani (scholar), and Raza Kazim. In appeal hearings, amidst the cries of blasphemy from the sincere ulema present, the two argued that the definition of Riba was defective and the mentioned verses only applied to specific scenarios. They also mentioned that the new law would seriously damage the countries already debtridden economy.

It is inconceivable to think that Pakistan's situation will improve by the modification of a few rules here or there - only by replacing the current system with the Islamic system, which would in turn implement its own economic system, will Pakistan's economic situation recover from its terminal state. Mohammed Ashifuddin

Who wants to be a billionaire?

It may not be much of a revelation to say that politicians in Pakistan are corrupt, but a report last month by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has revealed the extent of the corruption of some of the worst offenders, by producing a list of Pakistan's billionaires (that's dollars not rupees by the way). Of course the usual suspects are all there former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari (husband of former PM

News From Around The World

Benazir Bhutto) top the list, both clearly making good use of their former positions to amass huge fortunes. But it is not just prime ministers who have been shamed in the NAB report, it seems as though everyone with any kind of authority in Pakistan has used their position purely to expand their bank accounts. From politicians (Fazl-e Haq, Akhtar Abdur Rahman) to bureaucrats (Salman Farooqi, Ahmed Sadiqsecretary to Mrs Bhutto!) to leading army staff (Aslam Beg, Zahid Ali Akbar), corruption is clearly widespread throughout the system.

been well documented time and again, and this serves as yet another example. Anyone who wishes to use violence to achieve political aims contrary to American interests is automatically labelled a terrorist, however the US reserves the right to use violence when looking to fulfil her objectives. One method she employs is the removal of regimes considered detrimental to US interests and their replacement with those who are more willing to tow the line - history is replete with CIA orchestrated coup d'ĂŠtats and assassinations.

As the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and the system of government in Pakistan provides a perfect example by combining power with zero accountability, even to Allah (swt) as the perpetrators seem to think. These two factors will inevitably lead to an inherently corrupt system, and replacing one person with another will not change this. Even if the replacement is sincere, the system remains and he will either be changed by it or will be removed and replaced by someone who fits into it.

What must be understood, is that not only is it the highest political naivety to ally with the US in the removal of the Iraqi regime, but it is against the commands of Allah (swt). Removing Saddam and installing a new proAmerican regime in his place, or fragmenting Iraq into smaller states, will in no way serve to strengthen the Muslims and solve their problems.

It is time the people of Pakistan wake up to the reality of their own government They have been deceived for decades by a system which breeds greed and corruption, a system which has produced billionaire after billionaire while the country and its people suffer in poverty. Allah (swt) has provided us with the perfect system, where the rulers have the power to legislate taken out of their hands, and are subject to accountability over all their actions. Yasir Hassan

"Allah forbids you friendship with those who fight you because of your Deen, drive you from your homes, and aid others to do so; and for those who turn to them in friendship, they are truly the Zalimun (oppressors)" [TMQ AlMumtahinah: 9]. Ghyyass Hussain

Wall of Terror

The hypocritical attitude of the US has

Bulldozers began the excavation of land at a ceremony attended by Israeli Defence Minister Binyamin Ben Eliezer. "The fence will provide a defensive answer to the infiltration of terrorists," said Amos Yaron of the Israeli Defence Ministry. However it is claimed Sharon was reluctant to authoriae the move as the Israeli far right contested that the fence establishes a physical border and will end any Israeli claims to settlements. Cabinet minister Yitzhak Levy, whose National Religious Party supports the settlers says the fence is "political" and criticised it for resembling a border. Meanwhile the usual rhetoric has been heard from the Palestinian Authority. "This is a fascist, apartheid measure being done, and we do not accept it," the Jerusalem daily Ha'aretz quoted Arafat as saying. "We will continue rejecting it by all means." Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat added a particular piece of intellectual brilliance "Good fences make good neighbours, bad fences make bad neighboursâ&#x20AC;Ś. this will deprive the Palestinians of any hope whatsoever." The building of the fence seems to coincide comfortably with the statement of Bush advocating a Palestinian state and it seems that the two-state solution is being force fed to the Muslims.

Bush authorises yet more Terrorism upon Iraq The American government has made no secret of its desire to remove the current Iraqi regime from power. Recently, senior US officials met with representatives of four Iraqi opposition groups to discuss their roles in efforts to dislodge Saddam Hussein. Also the Washington Post reported on June 16 2002, that President George Bush signed an intelligence order earlier in the year, directing the CIA to conduct covert operations to topple the Iraqi President, including the use of lethal force. Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle told the Fox News Sunday program "There is broad support for a regime change in Iraq, the question is how do we do it and when do we do it."

designed to shield the country from s u i c i d e bombers. Details of the exact route have not been made apparent but it will separate the towns of Jenin, Tulkarm and Qalqilya from Israeli cities. Reports confirm that the $200 million fence will be electrified and will have devices to detect any movement on it.

Faisal Chaudhary

Who will police the 'policeman'?

country, often a vast and exploitative sex industry follows close behind. Recent reports show that girls as young as 15 have been duped into working in brothels and serving UN personnel in Bosnia and Kosovo. Far from being isolated these reports are just the latest in a catalogue of reported abuses by the so-called international peace forces. The fact of the matter is that such actions are not surprising since these troops believe in personal freedom which advocates that every man has the right to satisfy his instincts in any manner that he deems fit. This concept coupled with the concept that man is not accountable to his Creator and can do any action that is in his benefit is a lethal cocktail, since given the opportunity these troops would then lower themselves to the worst levels of depravity. For example, BBC World Service reported that the United Nations in 1998 admitted that its personnel were involved in black-marketeering and prostitution. However, the UN's handling of such incidents highlights the fundamental contradiction in the capitalist ideology. Richard Monk, a British policeman head of the IPTF in Bosnia for two years since 1998 says: "I had to set up an internal affairs branch to manage investigations against my own police officers. There was nothing more embarrassing and damaging to the work that we were trying to do." Is it not astonishing that the United Nations, acknowledging the concepts of freedom issues free contraception to its forces as well as regular HIV tests on the one hand, but on the other hand sets up investigative bodies to weed out the sexual misdemeanours of its troops? Surely the problem is caused by the very same concepts that these troops believe in which are also the very same concepts that the United Nations seeks to preserve and convey to the world. Jilani Gulam

Israel has commenced the construction of a controversial 217-mile long fence involving trenches and electric fencing

It has become a tragic inevitability that whenever international peacekeepers are sent to bring law and order to a war torn

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

"War Against Terrorism"

WHO KILLED FARHAD USMANOV

The following is a transcript of the weekly address by Members of Hizb utTahrir in Britain given on Saturday 15th June 2002 and delivered at the launch of the international campaign entitled "Who Killed Farhad Usmanov?"

"O you who believe! Seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient. And do not speak of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead; nay, (they are) alive, but you do not perceive. And We will most certainly try you with somewhat of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits; and give good news to the patient" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 153-155]

Afghanistan are an evidence of a war on Islam and the Muslims. In the name of the "war on terror" thousands of Palestinians were killed at the hands of the Israelis with the approval of the West. Many more had their homes destroyed. Similarly, the Muslims of Kashmir have been fought by Musharraf on behalf of the USA for resisting the Indian occupation - so they were arrested, tortured and pursued. They insult the intelligence of the people when they say that this is a war on terrorism and not a war on Islam - even a child can see this campaign for what it is. It would seem that no sooner does one onslaught end, that another one starts. How is it that the Muslims are bullied and made to swallow humiliation and the violent death? The Cause of Humiliation is the Muslim Rulers

Since the events of the 11th of September 2001 we have seen a blatant war waged against Islam and the Muslims in the name of a war on terrorism. George W. Bush announced following the attacks, "The attack took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the heart and soul of the civilized world. And the world has come together to fight a new and different war, the first, and we hope the only one, of the 21st century. A war against all those who seek to export terror, and a war against those governments that support or shelter them." He continued by saying "The message to every country is, there will be a campaign against terrorist activity, a worldwide campaign."

The main cause of our humiliation and the courage of the Western world to repeatedly humiliate the Muslims is the tyrannical rulers of the Muslim world. This is an undisputed reality that should at all times remain before our eyes. If it were not for these disgraceful rulers then Bush would not be able to arrogantly kill Muslims all over the world, plunder the wealth of the Ummah and maintain her disunity. These treacherous rulers are the ones who allowed the West to use their airspace, their bases, their intelligence and all available resources to butcher the Muslims of Afghanistan. They are the ones who stood by and watched the Muslims of Palestine killed, and displaced from their land.

The entire world knows that this worldwide campaign launched by the arrogant USA government is nothing more than a campaign against Islam and the Muslims. The thousands of Muslims killed in

They betrayed the Muslims of Iraq in the Gulf War and to this day by enforcing the blockade against them. They betrayed the Muslims of Kashmir. They betrayed the Muslims in the Balkans. They are the

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

ones who left the Chechen people in the hands of the butcher of Moscow, Putin. Indeed it is the rulers of the Muslims who are one of the main pillars in the campaign against Islam and the Muslims orchestrated by the Western powers, at their head the USA. They are the ones who are the forefront of working against the return of Islam to life by the re-establishment of the Islamic Khilafah. They want to gag the mouths and silence the tongues of the Da'wa carriers. This is in response to the orders of the Western nations: "I have set a clear policy in the second stage of the war on terror: America encourages and expects governments everywhere to help remove the terrorist parasites that threaten their own countries and the peace of the world. If governments need training, or resources to meet this commitment, America will help." [George Bush] So the ones who challenge the tyranny, injustice and corruption of these rulers are chased, and spied upon, and imprisoned and tortured. The ones who work day and night to spread the Islamic all are persecuted and oppressed. The Persecution of the Da'wa Carriers Hizb ut-Tahrir works throughout the Islamic world to resume the Islamic way of life by re-establishing the Islamic Khilafah (Caliphate). The party adheres to the Islamic Shari'ah in all aspects of its work, and takes its methodology from that of the Prophet Muhammad that he used to establish the first Islamic State in Madinah. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) limited his struggle for the establishment of the Islamic State to the intellectual and political domains. Hizb ut-Tahrir has been clear, open and challenging in the carrying of its thoughts and in confronting the false thoughts and political parties, both in its struggle against the colonialists and in its struggle against the corrupt Muslim rulers - this has exposed it to severe harm committed by the rulers against it; such as imprisonment, torture, deportation, pursuit, attacking members livelihoods, impairment of interests, banning from travelling and murder. The oppressive rulers in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Uzbekistan and others have killed dozens of its members. The prisons of Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia are full of its members. Uzbekistan and the War Against Terrorism In particular, today I wanted to focus on the oppression meted out to the Da'wa carriers nowadays in Uzbekistan. The Government of Uzbekistan is the

No sooner did the godless communism collapse and the central Asian republics became independent, than their inhabitants felt that they had become freed from the slavery of communism and the dictatorship of the Russians. They began to return to the fold of Islam that was forbidden to them for three quarters of a century

West's new crooked ally in the "war against terrorism". The ruler of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, has become a close friend of the USA and the Western world. While Western leaders fete Karimov for his allegiance in the "war on terror", tens of thousands of Muslims in Uzbekistan continue to languish in the dark and dingy prisons of Uzbekistan - no doubt mere collateral damage in the "war on terror". In a fashion reminiscent of the notorious 1930's reprisals orchestrated by Joseph Stalin, Islam Karimov, the Uzbek President, has for some time undertaken a cruel campaign against all those who dare to oppose his despotic rule. Evidence of unlawful arrests, persecution of family members, torture and extra-judicial executions of members of Hizb ut-Tahrir has been widely documented by NGOs, policy institutes and human rights organisations the world over. Uzbekistan is a republic in central Asia whose inhabitants number approximately 26 million. Its land is of the most fertile and it is one of the richest due to its natural resources. Uzbekistan became independent in 1992 when the Soviet Union broke up but remained linked to Russia militarily, politically, economically and in terms of security, through 'The Commonwealth of Independent States' (CIS) that was established as a substitute for the former Soviet Union. No sooner did the godless communism collapse and the central Asian republics became independent, than their inhabitants felt that they had become freed from the slavery of communism and the dictatorship of the Russians. They began to return to the fold of Islam that was forbidden to them for three quarters of a century - they had been forced to change their names, forbidden to read the Qur'an and to have mosques. The people of Uzbekistan went back to cleaning their Mosques, most of which the Russians had turned into alcohol store houses and pig pens. They proceeded to give money and accept donations from their Muslim brothers outside the country in order to restore old Mosques and to build new ones. Uzbekistan was one of the most devoted to Islam from the central Asian republics throughout the history of Islam. It is no surprise that its people were known for their love for Islam since ancient times. For the Ummah, it has given birth to some of the great scholars, like Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Nasafi and Zamakhshari. However, the devotion of this people, by the young and old, to the Islamic culture did not please the ruling party, led by Karimov, which is a legacy of the former communist regime. So, they forbade the acceptance of any donations coming

from outside if it was for building Mosques, establishing Islamic schools or any type of Islamic activity. They began again to close down Mosques and imprison Imams and Khatibs who did not sing the praises of the ruling party. They also forbade the use of loudspeakers for the Adhan in the Mosques and began to repress men with beards and the women wearing the Islamic dress. The mufti Abd al-Rashid Qari went on television a number of times to attack the concept of Khilafah, saying that there is no Khilafah system in Islam and the Khilafah existed for only thirty years. He said "expunge the word Khilafah from your hearts and get it out of your minds". As for the Head of the committee of religion, Fadil Qari, he stated on television: "there is no state, Khilafah or Jihad in Islam".They shut down the majority of the Mosques. For example, in the city of Namangan there were ninety-eight Jami'a Mosques. The authorities closed all of them down except nine and began to plot the assassination of certain Da'wah carriers, causing the rest to disappear and arresting countless others. One of these was Farhad Nasir Vitsh Usmanov, the 42-year-old son of a well-known Tashkent Imam. He was arrested for possession of a single leaflet of Hizb ut-Tahrir, on the 14th of June 1999. After arrest, he was transported to the department of police in Zinjiyaniq where he remained for 24 hours. Then he was transferred to the Tashkent police headquarters where they kept him for three to four days. Finally, they transported him to the Ministry of the Interior. In all of these police stations they demanded one thing from him, which was that he seek forgiveness and to apologise for his actions. However, he totally refused to do so. Throughout this period they refused to give him permission to see his family. On the night of 23rd June 1999, the chief of the Tashkent police force summoned his younger brother and spoke with him about various issues until 1:30 at night. On Friday 25th June 1999, at exactly 2 pm in the afternoon the peers, public prosecutor and the police held a meeting in the provincial council. During the meeting the head of the local police in the Ministry of the Interior told the father of the murdered Shaheed (martyr) that "your son was a well mannered young man but he died of a heart attack". The skull of Farhad Usmanov had been opened and his brain was removed. On his chest, feet, back and heart there appeared to be signs of torture. The face

and body were disfigured due to the effects of painful beating. An autopsy had been carried out on the body from the lower part of the abdomen until the larynx. The body was stitched in hatred and malice. The body remained in the cell in the Ministry of the Interior for three days and nights without any attention or supervision. Another of those who was targeted by Karimov's vicious campaign was Nosirov Hafizulloh (born in 1971). Nowadays he serves his prison term in Jaslik prison, located in Karakalpak autonomous republic of Uzbekistan. He was arrested on October 7th of 1999, tried on April of 2000 and sentenced to 20 years of prison. During interrogation he had undergone the most inhuman and barbarous tortures: suffocation, breaking of hand and leg bones, pulling out his teeth and the like. In the meantime, while serving the imprisonment term, he is constantly being tortured and mistreated: regular beatings and battery, putting an excreta up to his chin, injecting unknown liquids with syringe and so on. The father of Yuldashev Azimjon born June 10th, 1977, writes, "My son served 7 months in Zangiota prison around Tashkent, then was sent to a prison in Karakalpakstan After falling ill was brought to Sangorod (prison located in Quyliq, Tashkent for severely sick prisoners). I did not know his whereabouts and finally found him after six months. After that I still was not allowed to see him two more months. When I finally saw my son, his condition was terrible. He was brought in a stretcher to a room and put to the floor. Even then he was proud and tried to calm me. According to him, in both prisons he served his term in there were cruel beatings and tortures. "Here we do not get any medical treatment" - he said and asked - "Did you hear the news that Muslims all over the world are uniting? That is why Karimov went to USA whining". Only then I realised that he also was in Navoi prison. When I asked him if he wrote an excuse letter [letter of clemency], he said: "How would I face my Lord after that, how would I answer on the Judgement Day?" "Every single day at least two people die here. There are holes on the sides of these people - through which the pus flows out. But I am fine; I get rid of the pus via cough. And my friends come and support me" he continued. One week after I last saw him - on Wednesday, October 31st his body was delivered to us. My son was still handsome, as if he were alive and sleeping, his hair very black. On Thursday evening at 20.00 he was buried." We pray to Allah (swt) that He will bless these Da'wa carriers in His Paradise with the Prophets, Siddiqeen (the first and foremost followers of the Prophets), the Shuhadaa and the righteous.

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

"War Against Terrorism"

In addition to the torture of the Da'wa carriers, Karimov has allowed the huge multinational capitalist corporations dominate all the natural and human resources of Uzbekistan - fossil fuels, lands, infrastructures and others. As a result, though Allah (swt) blessed Uzbekistan with a wealth of resources, the Uzbek people barely survive in poverty and need, deprived from the benefits of the above resources. At the same time, the states of disbelief and their greedy multinational corporations "reach" high levels of income earnings thanks to these resources. Karimov on behalf of Uzbekistan Muslims was able to sign a deal with the United States and take part in its crusade against Islam and Muslims. The land of Uzbekistan, which served in the past as a military base for Russian troops, now has become a ground for America to attack Islam and Muslims. All of this has become justified by the "War Against Terrorism" - all of this is considered mere collateral damage. Conclusion My dear Muslim brothers! Karimov will not remain forever in this post, or in this world. Tomorrow a day will come when the Muslims will take revenge against all those who participated in their oppression. Allah (swt) will take revenge against anyone who committed aggression against His servants and tortured them.

"Allah is with you and he will never decrease the reward of your good deeds" [TMQ Muhammad: 35] Such harshness and brutality practiced by Karimov against the Da'wah carriers, whether they are men or women, is not an evidence for the strength of this regime. Rather it is an evidence of weakness, fear and defeatism. This regime fears thoughts and it fears discussion. The mere word frightens it. Hizb utTahrir does not use weapons or resort to violence, nor uses any physical means in its call. Despite this fact, Karimov's regime shakes in fear. Similarly, every regime in the Muslim world shakes with the fear of the return of Islam to replace the darkness with light, and the injustice with justice. The Western nations too have realised the revival of the Muslims and send their ambassadors and intelligence personnel scurrying from capital to capital in order to fight the Islamic Da'wa in the name of a war on terror. Islam is the truth.The truth is strong by its nature and the falsehood is weak by its nature. He (swt) said:

establish, in their place, a single system that is the system of Islam: the Khilafah system. This system will unite the Islamic lands and the Islamic peoples, in one state. Imam Muslim related that the Prophet (saw) said,

"Verily the Imam is a shield behind which you fight and protect yourselves." Imam An-Nawawi said, "The Imam is a shield means a protection because he prevents the enemies from hurting Muslims and prevents people from hurting each other. He (the Imam) protects the limits of Islam. People fear him and fear his might." O Muslims: Your brothers in Uzbekistan are calling you, and you feel the pain to help them. They are waiting for you to be the ones who come and open the doors to their jails and prisons with the good news of the return of the Khilafah after their current jailers have thrown away the keys. They are waiting for their daughters and sisters to live under the safety of the Islamic State that will protect them from becoming widows and orphans at the hands of the tyrant Karimov. They are waiting for you to bring these tyrannical rulers who have transgressed all limits to justice. But these treacherous rulers stand in the way of your help. For how long will we be patient with these traitors? How long will they recklessly commit their sins with no one to restrain them? Has not the time come for the return of the Islamic State, which cannot be defeated, to emerge once again and resume its great victories? Thus, the chains will be broken, and the orders of the Taghut will be disobeyed, and the flag of the Khilafah will be realised. The Ummah will be liberated, and this Ummah will return to her honour and dignity.

"So do not become weak (against your enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed (true) believers" [TMQ Ale-Imran: 139] Dr Imran Waheed

2001 Patterns of Global Terrorism report

he effect of last year's September 11th attacks on the American psyche cannot be underestimated. In the recently published 2001 Patterns of Global Terrorism report (May 2002), September the 11th was described as the, "bloodiest day on American soil since the Civil War". The American response triggered by those events would be part of a new campaign by America against those who opposed her. George Bush in an address to Congress on September 20th 2001 said that, "Our war on terror begins with Al-Qaida, but it does not end there. It will not end till every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated." So here was the new campaign, America would work to eliminate the militant and terrorist groups of the world who opposed her. This outlook is factored into the Patterns of Global Terrorism Report, which is an annual report where America outlines her aims and progress against her clear enemies that include such groups, as well as certain governments, all of whom are included in the broad term "Terrorist". This years report was no different in terms of the outlook but bears greater significance due to the increased fervour on the American administration's part to deal with her enemies, which she has gained from September 11th last year. So the report lists several terrorist groups and State terrorism sponsors, many of these are inside the Muslim world yet some have been supported and nurtured by America. The American Campaign

"Truth has come and Batil (falsehood) has vanished. Surely! Batil (falsehood) is ever bound to vanish." [TMQ Al-Isra: 81] However, do not expect, that these rulers and their regimes will collapse all by themselves. On the contrary, patient believers are required to shake these regimes and uproot them. Believers who will

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

America, the world's only superpower, has many global interests and she pursues these in a Machiavellian fashion. This method of pursuance has made friends for her; and many enemies. America's interests include strategic dominance and the control of resources. In addition to that she wishes to maintain her leading position in the world. Earlier this year an American magazine, The Atlantic

Terrorism Report

Monthly, revealed the 1992 draft of the Pentagon's Defence Planning Guidance - the United States, it argued, must continue to dominate the international system and thus "discourage" the "advanced industrial nations from challenging our leadership ... or even aspiring to a larger regional or global role."

Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path, or SL) United Self-Defense Forces/Group of Colombia (AUC)

America maintains her position through careful relationships with other nations as well as by her military presence. Having such interests though puts America in various dilemmas today for in the recent past she has had good and even close relationships with countries and groups who are now on the terrorist list. These include countries such as Iraq and groups such as those that fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

Thus America has begun her new campaign, taking as many allies as she can with her. Last year George Bush was famously quoted as saying, "You are either with us or you are with the terrorists." The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell added in the Patterns report; "In this global campaign against terrorism, no country has the luxury of remaining on the sidelines. There are no sidelines." In the words of Bush, America will use, "Every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war." Furthermore she has actually mustered support for this campaign, from NATO, the UN, her allies and from the Muslim leaders.

The use of these groups extended beyond the Asian continent, for she has supported them in South America and Europe as well as in other areas. In the past her support for known terrorist groups such as the IRA was not a problem as long as it didn't affect her interests.

Terrorism defined However, since September the 11th it is this very style that has come under review the most radically. The impact shook America regarding this support, and consequently this style has been suspended for the present time. Even the IRA was brought under scrutiny when links between it and some South American militant groups were revealed. The groups listed in the report as terrorist organisations are: Abu Nidal organization (ANO) Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade Armed Islamic Group (GIA) 'Asbat al-Ansar Aum Supreme Truth (Aum) Aum Shinrikyo, Aleph Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group, IG) HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement) Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM) (Movement of Holy Warriors) Hizballah (Party of God) Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) (Army of Mohammed) Al-Jihad (Egyptian Islamic Jihad) Kahane Chai (Kach) Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LT) (Army of the Righteous) Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Mujahideen-e Khalq Organization (MEK of MKO) National Liberation Army (ELN)-Colombia Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) Palestine Liberation Front (PLF) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) Al-Qaida Real IRA (RIRA) Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Revolutionary Nuclei Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17 November)

The Report defines terrorism as premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by sub-national groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience. In the recent past the definition has been unclear and terrorist actions have been carefully labelled. So the bombing of the FBI building in Oklahoma was at first seen as a terrorist act, but when it was clear that the perpetrators were American militias the act was described as criminal. Furthermore, in the past America also considered certain militant groups like the IRA and the Nicaraguan rebels, not to be terrorists. The terrorist list even today has no American militia groups on it. On the other hand groups opposing American interests are considered terrorist and are placed on the terrorist list. However since 9/11 due to open public and international disapproval of terrorist actions the definition seems to be more inclusive, and it appears that the list has been widened to contain at least a few more of the groups that fit the description. As to whether this will be the case in practice only time will tell. Nevertheless today there are still discrepancies, and America will, even now, be seen to have an interest centred approach to terrorism. In Afghanistan the regime that America established in place of the Taliban - "an enemy of her civilisation" - is a case in point. At present, Afghanistan is still a mess, exMujahideen fighters and warlords with private armies vie for official control through the Loya Jirga, implemented under the auspices of America, Britain and other Western states. The new Afghan leadership has many ex-jihad fighters who America also supported alongside Osama bin Laden in the 1980s. Leaders like Abd alRabb al-Rasul Sayyaf, an ex-Mujahideen fighter who has his own army. He was so famous for his Jihad in the 1980s that some Muslims in the Far East

named their own Jihad group after him calling it Abu Sayyaf. Sayyaf has been elected onto the Loya Jirga and he is not alone. From inside Afghanistan various news reports describe the effect of such a regime. The brutality and farce that it has become is apparent. Recently the president of the pro-democratic Council of Professionals in Herat, a city of 177,000, was jailed and beaten for speaking out against Ismail Khan, the governor of Herat province and self-styled ruler of western Afghanistan. In the run up to the recent Loya Jirga, or grand council, warlords representing different ethnic and religious groups cracked down on opponents. Recently, the slaying of up to eight Loya Jirga delegates in different parts of the country; the arrest of many on charges of stirring up trouble, and the detention of others have raised concerns about the process to determine Afghanistan's political future even in Western circles. "Warlords are making a power grab by brazenly manipulating the Loya Jirga selection process. If they succeed, Afghans will again be denied the ability to choose their own leaders and build civil society", said Sam Zia-Zarifi, of Human Rights Watch (June 6, 2002). Furthermore issues such as the treatment of women have not changed much, during the Taliban era women covered in public due to the law, now in post-Taliban Afghanistan women cover for fear of being raped by the Northern Alliance. A human rights watch report stated, "Since the end of Taliban rule in Afghanistan in November 2001, women and girls have had growing access to education, health care, and employment. At the same time, many Afghan women still live in an environment in which personal physical security is constantly under threat. The Human Rights Watch briefing paper documents a number of cases of sexual violence in the northern city of Mazar-i Sharif, including gang-rapes" (May 9th 2002). The brutality displayed by Afghan officials should not come as a surprise though, the past of many of the officials were known. Some of America's own diplomatic staff that are still working in official posts have had direct links in the recent past with these people and groups. The past of Richard Armitage, the present deputy Secretary of State, is no secret. Armitage, who was recently dealing with the crisis between India and Pakistan, has been described as a leading architect during the Reagan Administration behind US covert support to the Mujahideen. He was also linked to the Iran-Contra and other scandals, and served as Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs in the Reagan years. US Government stipulations in the Oliver North trial specifically named Armitage as one of the officials responsible for illegal transfers of weapons to Iran and the Contras. Christina Rocca, assistant secretary of state for South Asia, who was also recently dealing with India and Pakistan, is a 15-year veteran of the CIA's Operations Directorate, a position where she also interfaced with the Islamist guerrillas. Furthermore other revelations have appeared in the press exposing the Vice President Dick Cheney as being the CEO of a company that traded with Iraq, a

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

The United States, must continue to dominate the international system and thus "discourage" the "advanced industrial nations from challenging our leadership ... or even aspiring to a larger regional or global role." The Atlantic Monthly, (an American magazine) revealed the 1992 draft of the Pentagon's Defence Planning Guidance

state sponsor of terrorism according to America, during the 1990s (The Texas Observer, 15/02/02). Whilst setting up the ex-Mujahideen commanders of Afghanistan, America has left the job of chasing her enemies to real professionals elsewhere. In Israel, Ariel Sharon seized on the green light given by Dick Cheney (who visited the region in March this year) to carry out the, "Complete destruction of Palestinian cities and refugee camps to uproot the armed movements." Cheney finished his visit with the important meeting, for whose sake he came from the United States. He held this meeting in his last stopover with Sharon on the 19th of March 2002 in occupied Jerusalem. It was there he gave the green light to begin the complete annihilation, after he had paved the way for him with the Arab rulers that he visited. The widely circulated newspaper, The Washington Post, revealed the significance of this meeting on 25th of March 2002 saying; "An agreement has been concluded between Cheney and Sharon that the latter will destroy the Palestinian cities and refugee camps." This was after the American campaign against the Muslim Kashmiri groups in Pakistan, when America took India's side. Pervez Musharraf aided this; in his speech in January 2002, he declared a comprehensive war to uproot Kashmiri groups. He began to arrest, pursue and torture them and seize their property after America had continuously provoked him in public, and this was despite the fact that Musharraf used to describe them as "freedom fighters" before his vicious campaign against them. The New Crusade Despite the discrepancies, America has clearly singled out the Muslim groups, especially those Jihad groups in Palestine, Kashmir and other areas. If in the past America used to support the fight against the regime in Afghanistan supported by the Soviet Union she certainly no longer does so. Back then, America did not call that fight terrorism; rather she called it Jihad. While on the other hand she has always called the fight against the Israeli occupation, and the fight against the Indian occupation of Kashmir, cases of terrorism.

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

Thus the fight against terrorism is clearly still a fight against those who oppose American interests, the terrorist labels are strategic weapons America uses to hold her grip on the world. Since the US has identified Islam as her greatest enemy after the fall of communism, the Islamic countries are now seen as strategic areas in which she will fight "terrorism". As for the liberation of occupied lands under Kafir governance, this will never happen by armed groups and organisations, even if they were well armed in the best condition. Since this is the fundamental duty of states, requiring of them sufficient preparation. Depending only on organisations for liberating lands drives the Kuffar for more strict measures and ultimately strengthens their control. At the same time it conceals our rulers' treason, shortcomings and negligence for which they should be accounted rigorously. Although it is obligatory to defend against aggressors inside occupied lands, in compliance with Shari'ah, it is obligatory upon the Muslims' rulers to move armies for liberating these lands - and they should not depend on limited struggle with limited results. The reality has shown that the "War Against Terrorism" is simply a war on Islam, targeting areas and groups where the Muslims could achieve freedom from American control and influence. One of the aims of this oppressive war is to uproot the aspiration of the Muslims for the re-establishment of the rule by Islam. The removal of the Taliban government after it freed itself from Western subjugation should be seen as a warning to all Muslims. This represents a dangerous precedent, in the view of the Americans, to her influence and to the influence of the West in that region and what may result in terms of the liberation of the other Islamic peoples like Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and others. What is clear though is that America cannot conduct her crusade by herself, and of her most important allies are the hypocrite Muslim rulers who are agents of the Western states. Those rulers, whose danger is no less than the danger of enemy states, for they are the ones who conduct America's war on a day-to-day basis against all sincere people who work for Islam. The best work to protect oneself from the evil of those rulers is to remove them, by establishing the righteous Khilafah on their ruins, so that the Khilafah helps every exhausted old person, and every woman in distress. So that it protects every small child and every individual Muslim. So that it responds to the call of every bereaved mother and the

screams of the oppressed. So that it establishes the Haqq (truth) and spreads justice throughout every corner of this world. So that it stands in the way of the haughtiness, aggression and arrogance of kufr after the air, land and waters have become covered with its corruption. He (saw) said:

"Verily, the Imam is a shield behind whom the Muslims fight and seek protection." Allah (swt) says:

"They want to extinguish Allah's (swt) light with their mouths, but Allah (swt) will not allow except that his light should be perfected even though the Kafiroon hate it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Deen of truth to make it superior over all other deens even though the Mushrikun hate it" [TMQ At-Taubah: 32-33]. Asim Khan

TREADING THE PATH OF THE MASTER OF MARTYRS T

here are no better words to start than the Hadith of Rasool Allah (saw) when he said,

with intolerable severity. But their efforts go in vain like their predecessors, who attempted to silence Bilal (ra), but his vehement outcry of 'Ahad, Ahad, Ahad', 'He is One, He is One, He is One' had the last say.

"The master of martyrs is Hamza, and the man who stood up to the tyrant ruler, spoke the truth and was killed."

Such are the afflictions of this Ummah that they are as dispersed as the stars in the night sky, each with a thousand stories, one more horrific than the other, all bearing testimony to the onslaught against Islam. But console thyself, in remembrance that ever since Allah (swt) sent the Messengers, the nature of their messages, conveying of the communication and bearing of the messages, has pushed opponents to stand in their way, to stand against the callers and the believers of the messages by misleading, torturing, attacking fiercely, murdering and assaulting them, their property and their families.

In the past these very words caused the thrones of the tyrants to shake, repelled the hands of the oppressors and ensured the justice of Islam dominated life and its affairs. The promise of the Paradise that Allah (swt) has reserved for the patient believers strengthened the resolve of these early ideological Da'wah carriers to bear the severe brutality and torture inflicted upon them by the hands of the disbelieving aristocrats of the Quraish. Its byproducts were personalities like A'al Yasser, Bilal, Al-Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt, Saeed ibn Jubayr, Imam Malik and so on and so forth (May Allah be pleased with them all) whom centuries later people remember with awe and esteem aiming to personify them in their own actions. In contemporary times, these words have stirred an equally profound eruption in the heart of the Muslim lands, continuing to inspire this Ummah with the zeal and valour that have brought the tyrannical regimes in the Muslim world to the brink of oblivion. Aforetime the battleground was known as Makkah with its valleys, desert and the low hills that surrounded it. These bore witness to the severe brutality and torture inflicted upon the early ideological vanguard of Islam. Today, this odyssey continues even more starkly into the region known as the Caucasus. Uzbekistan, and in particular its Fergana Valley, Tajikistan, the Batkent oblast (district) of Kyrgyzstan and the other many corners of the world which run inundated with the howling cries and echoes of the oppressed and besieged. The call to Islam has penetrated deep into the hearts and minds of the Muslims of Jordan, Syria, Egypt and Turkey. They are no strangers to the bitter taste of oppression and injustice plagued upon them by the venomous regimes of these lands. These despot regimes in their vainglory, attempt to silence these carriers of the Da'wah of Islam by serving them

Allah (swt) has shown to the Muslims that this is the law of Allah (swt) for His creatures. And He (swt) showed them that they would be attacked, tortured and tested with their own lives, properties and children. And He (swt) urged them to be patient, bearing the severe tests and to take Allah's (swt) command without deviation, be the test be in one's life, property or sons. And Allah (swt) made paradise a reward for those who endure and bear patiently and continue in the undertaking of Allah (swt)'s command. He (swt) said:

"Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, we believe, and will not be tested with affliction? Lo! We tested those who were before you. Thus Allah (swt) knows those who are true and those who are liars" [TMQ Al-Ankabut: 2-3]. And He (swt) said:

"Or think you that you will enter Paradise while yet there has not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with an earthquake until the Messenger of Allah (saw), and those who believed along with him said: When will the victory of Allah (swt) come? Lo! The victory of Allah (swt) is near!" [TMQ AlBaqarah: 214] And He (swt) said:

"You shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allah. But if you persevere patiently, and become Al-Muttaqun, then that will be a determining factor in all affairs" [TMQ Ale-Imran: 186]. And He (swt) said:

"Be sure We will test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss of goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere" [TMQ Al-Baqarah: 155]. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (saw) was injured as well as his honoured companions, but they endured the afflictions and injury until the help of Allah (swt) came. The injury, torture and hardship did not deviate them from holding firmly to their creed and continuing to support it. Great tests fell upon them, but they endured them until death, as came to pass with A'al Yasser, Bilal, Ammar, Zarira, Ibn Masoud, Khabbab and others among the honoured companions who were tortured, tested with hunger, thirst, violent attacks and severe torture, but this did not deviate them from their creed even a little. The

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

It was in reference to such, that Allah (swt) states in the Qur'an,

companions of the previous Messengers were dismembered with saws, their flesh combed off by iron combs, and burnt but they did not apostasise nor cease against the enemies of Allah (swt) and their enemies. Al Bukhari narrated from Al Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt saying: I came to the Prophet (saw) who was lying his head on a garment in the shadow of the Kaaba, and we had suffered from the unbelievers hardship and said: O Messenger of Allah why don't you ask help for us? He sat up, while his face was reddish (i.e. angry) and said:

"Those who were before you were combed with iron combs, taking away from their bones their flesh and nerves, and this did not dissuade them from their faith. And Allah will complete this affair (Islam) until the rider marches from Sana'a to Hadhramout, fearing none but Allah and the wolf on his sheep. But you people are in a hurry". And as such this tradition of resolve and firmness continues to characterise this Ummah, as it always has and Insha Allah, it will continue until Yawm alQiyamah. Today, it is the turn of the sons and daughters of the Ummah in Uzbekistan and the Caucasus region to live up to this standard and tomorrow it will be yours and mine. How true they have been to their pledge with Allah (swt). The vicious campaign unleashed in Uzbekistan against all those who dare to speak out about its corruption, tyranny and unjust practices has taken them to tread the noble road of their great predecessors namely the Sahabah and Anbiyah. Like the sons of one mother lamenting from their bereavement comments "My sons - Rasheed, married, father of two children, his brother Aliev, married, father of three daughters - were both taken in custody by security officers on October 16th, 2001. My older son Rasheed was cruelly beaten (all parts of his body were bruised and injured) to death, his younger brother Aliev underwent barbarous battery, now he is still under intensive therapy in Tashkent Medical institute."

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

"Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah: of them some have completed their vow (to the extreme), and some (still) wait: but they have never changed (their determination) in the least. That Allah may reward the men of Truth for their Truth, and punish the Hypocrites if that be His Will, or turn to them in Mercy: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [TMQ Al-Ahzab: 23-24]. Others who have fulfilled their covenants with their Lord include, Farhad Usmanov, Tashbolatov Ahmadjaan Rahim Janavitsh, Hashim Khojayev Aybek Hamidullah Vitch, Nasirov Habeebullah (Fathullah) Usman Tursunovich, Saidaminov Nu'man Omonovich Saidaminov, Umar 'Aleef Hasan Irkinovich, Imam Kobil Murodov and the list goes on. The tyrannical regime of Karimov has not spared any Da'wah carriers be they male or female. Musharaf Usmanova, a mother of six and the widow Farhad Usmanov was arrested at the home of her sister in the Uzbek capital. Her crime; "Our mother's only crime was to be a very pious woman," Mahbuba Usmanova declared. Police detained nineteen-yearold Odina Maksudova, on March 20, threatened her with physical abuse, and forced her to write a statement incriminating her mother. Fatima Mukadirova, the mother of two young men imprisoned for alleged membership in Hizb ut-Tahrir, was accused of membership in the Islamic group and placed her under arrest on charges that she attempted the violent overthrow of the Republic of Uzbekistan. But patience and steadfast we must remain, oh beloved carriers of the Da'wah, for Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw). Those who ask for victory must be sweetly qualified with the honest faith, steadfastness and patience. So support Allah (swt) and He (swt) will support you and hold firm your feet, and will shake the grounds upon which the enemies and tyrants stand. Al Baihaqi and ibn Asakir narrated that Aby Rafi'a said: Umar ibn Al-Khattab dispatched an army to the Romans, including a man called Abdullah bin Hudhayfa Al-Sahmi, from the companions of the Prophet (saw), but the Romans captured him. They took him to their king and said to him: This is from Muhammad's companions. Thus the tyrant said to him: Would you like to be a Christian and for me to make you a partner in my property and kingdom? Abdullah replied: If you give me all that you possess to leave the Deen of Muhammad (saw) for a twinkle of an eye I would not do it. The tyrant said to him: Then I will kill you. He said: It is up to you. He commanded him to be crucified. Then he said to the shooters: Shoot him near his hands, near his legs,

while continuously offering him the same offer, but he refused. Then he commanded him to be brought down and called for a big pot, poured water into it until it was boiling and asked for two captured Muslims, and gave an order for one to be thrown in the water while offering Abdullah to be a Christian, but he refused. Then he commanded that Abdullah be thrown inside it. When they took him away he cried. They told the king that Abdullah had cried, so the king thought that he was scared. He said: Bring him back. He offered Christianity to him but he refused. He said: Why then did you cry? He replied: I cried because I said to myself you will be thrown in this pot and pass away. So I wished that I had as many souls as the number of hairs in my body so that they all meet Allah. The tyrant said to him: Do you agree to kiss me on my head and I will then release you? Abdullah replied to him: With all the captured Muslims? He said: With all the captured Muslims. Abdullah said: I said to myself: One enemy of Allah's enemies whom if you kiss on his head he will release you and all the captured Muslims. I don't care. He approached him and kissed him on his head. Thus he was granted the other captured Muslims. He arrived with them to Umar (ra). Umar was informed with the news, so Umar stood up and kissed Abdullah's head. Indeed these are the attitudes of our predecessors and the honest believers who hold their deen for the sake of Allah (swt). Thus they were patient at what afflicted them of harm and hardship at tasting torture. And these are honourable attitudes. Allah (swt) states,

"(It will be said to the pious): 'O (you) the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord, Well-pleased (yourself) and well pleasing unto Him! Enter you, then, among My honoured slaves, And enter you My Paradise!'" [TMQ Al-Fajr: 27-30] O Allah bear witness to the sacrifice of these Da'wah carriers, and the fulfillment of their covenants, shake the thrones of the tyrants, establish your deen and vouch for them and us on the Day, when there will be no Kingdom and no authority but yours. Ameen. Sha'ban Ul-Haq

THE DANGERS OF INTEGRATION K

habbab (ra) relates in a hadith in Sahih Bukhari: "We complained to the Prophet of the increasing persecution inflicted upon us by the disbelievers of Mecca. He was reclining in the shade of the Ka'aba, having made a pillow of his cloak. We submitted: 'Why do you not supplicate for help for us? Why do you not pray for us?' The Prophet (saw) answered:

'From among those who have gone before you a man would be caught and held in a pit dug for him in the earth and he would then be sawn in two with a saw placed over his head, or his flesh would be combed away from his bones with iron combs but none of this would wean him away from his faith.'" Life as a Muslim in the West Living in Britain as Muslims, practising or non-practising, has naturally left us vulnerable to the 'hammer' that is the capitalist society. A Muslim under the pseudonym Aisha Khan describes these pressures. Writing in the editorial section of the Guardian newspaper she describes what she felt when she saw another Muslim in Hijab: "I envy her because I am too weak to wear the veil, too scared that doors will close and that opinions will be formed long before friendships are. Islam doesn't oppress me; fear does. I live a half-life, a double-life: not quite a Muslim and not quite a Westerner. My parents raised me as a Muslim. They gave me everything I wanted but I coveted the freedom enjoyed by non-Muslim friendsâ&#x20AC;Ś I have left university and now feel better equipped to cope with irreconcilable differences of being British and Muslim. You can be born and raised in this

country, benefit from its education and live freely and comfortably thanks to the solid British economy. But you can also be oppressed. Stay silent when your religion is being lambasted in the press. Look on helplessly when Muslims are being persecuted in their homeland and then watch them being punished by the British Asylum system. Stuff your veil into your handbag because you'll never get that job if you cover your head. Sacrifice prayer times and fasting to keep up with the crowd and stay in with the boss."

The efforts to integrate have become more direct and sinister post September 11th. Up until very recently Muslims have felt secure in the roles they occupy in the West. In some ways immune against the vehement hatred to Islam demonstrated by the policies of these nations against the 'Islamic World'. Now a question has been carefully tabled to the Muslims. This is best described by remarks made by the UK Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Hain:

The Vendetta that is Integration

"Islam is now a much bigger factor than racial tension and we are going to need to resolve that together, not by targeting Muslims as Fortuyn was doing, but sending a clear message that British Muslims are welcome here and enrich our culture, but also that they must be part of our culture. Muslim immigrants can be very isolationist in their own behaviour and their own customs. That in the end is going to create real difficulties and is likely to be ripe for exploitation by extremists, whether it is followers of Osama bin Laden on the one hand, or racists on the other. It just takes two to integrate, and we need to work with the Muslim communityâ&#x20AC;Ś Equally we have got the situation where Muslims are being targeted by Nazi groups like the British National Party and racists. So we have to work together to make sure that we target both the racists themselves and the causes of racism."

These pressures have taken an altogether sinister twist post September the 11th, becoming a prominent aspect of Western policy towards Muslims. The policy of 'integration' is to amalgamate or mix an ethnic or religious group with an existing community. Specifically in relation to the Muslims it means to pressurise them to reject certain key values and concepts of Islam and adopt some key values and concepts of Western capitalism. Spearheaded by Western academics, politicians and the media, an attack has been targeted at Muslims who inhabit these countries, labelling them in no uncertain terms as the 'enemy within'. Melanie Philips, a UK Daily Mail Columnist writing in the Spectator magazine puts it bluntly when she says: "Since most of the mass immigration now convulsing Europe is composed of Muslims, it is therefore hardly surprising that anti-immigrant feeling is largely anti-Muslim feeling. The sheer weight of numbers, plus the refusal to assimilate to western values, makes this an unprecedented crisis for western liberalism. The crisis is forcing it to confront the fundamental questions of what constitutes a country, national identity and the very nature of a liberal society. But the problem is that it [Islam] does not just oppose libertinism. Having never had a 'reformation', which would have forced it to make an accommodation with modernity, it is fundamentally intolerant and illiberal. As a result, it directly conflicts with western values in areas such as the treatment of women, freedom of speech, the separation of private and public values, and tolerance of homosexuality. These are all liberal fundamentals and are not negotiable."

This represents an ultimatum of sorts to the Muslim community in Britain, either you integrate or we will view you like the 'Al Qaida' terrorists and you will be left alone to be victimised by the BNP. By integrate he means to divert from the Islamic political agenda or face the consequences. To replace the drive to impact society that Islam inspires with the lethargic, materialistic outlook on life. The incentives are state funded schools, prayer breaks, halal meat in schools and hospitals. The consequences of failure to integrate are to be stereotyped in the same category as the 'Al-Qaida' network and be made vulnerable to the far right. The threat of the latter apparent by the gains of the BNP on the council in Burnley, a microcosm of a wider trend in Europe. One in three Muslims in the UK said they or a family member had suffered personal abuse since September 11th, a poll by ICM and the Guardian found this month. In November 2001, the Daily Telegraph reported that a group of Sikhs and Hindus from Southall, London, had begun talks with the July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Integration

British National Party, to counter the threat they said Muslims were posing to their society.

The real agenda behind wanting to integrate Muslims is so that they give up the values of Islam and adopt a secular outlook. This destroys in the process concepts related to Khilafah, Jihad and Ummah.

A Pan-European phenomena Anti-Islamic sentiment is on the march in Europe. In France 6 million people voted for Jean-Marie Le Pen during the French presidential elections. Le Pen when asked on his opinions regarding the Khimar and Jilbab, which protects the modesty of the believing women, said, "it is good, it protects us from the ugly women." Pim Fortuyn, the assassinated Dutch populist leader, denounced Islam as a "backward culture." Fortuyn's party won 20 seats in the Dutch general election. His party advocates a ban to all Muslim immigration into the Netherlands, points which strike a cord with David Blunkett, the British Home Secretary who proposes citizenship training and tests. Over the Alps, the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, famously proclaimed the superiority of Western over Islamic civilisation. His government includes the Northern League leader, Umberto Bossi, who has protested about the use of public land for mosques for the "Muslim invaders". In Germany, the main challenge to Gerhard Schroder in September's elections will come from the Christian Social Union, which has insisted that German Muslims must accept the "Christian norms of Germany".

from British life according to the same June poll by ICM and the Guardian. Enjoining Good and Forbidding Eveil To enjoin the good and forbid the evil is an obligation on Muslims. This is what distinguishes the Muslim Ummah as a whole. Allah (swt) says,

"You are the best Ummah brought unto makind, you enjoin Al-Maroof and forbid Al-Munkar" [TMQ AlImran: 110].

A poster declaring "By the time you retire, Denmark will be a majority-Muslim nation" helped the Danish People's party leader Pia Kjaersgaard win a place in the ruling rightist coalition last November. Shortly after she declared a 'holy war' on Islam. In Belgium, the Vlaams Blok has become the largest party in several cities by campaigning to reduce the number of mosques and institutionalising discrimination against Islam. Austrians swept Jorg Haider's Freedom party into power in 1999. The party had campaigned on an anti-Muslim platform, drafting a political catchall for its hate politics, Uberfremdung ('foreignerswamping') into the electoral vocabulary. Why? Second and third generation Muslims in the West are in the midst of a revival, re-examining their roots, rediscovering their belief prompted by questions that cannot be answered in advanced secular society. They are frustrated about the situation the Ummah finds herself in, angry towards the West for creating and maintaining these problems. A recent survey found out that Muslims in the UK overwhelmingly oppose the 'war on terror' and believe it to be a war against Islam. Some 69% of Muslims feel excluded

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

"The believers, both men and women, they are protecting friends one to another; they command what is right and forbid what is wrong." [TMQ AtTaubah: 71]. This means we, the Muslims, observe that which is around us from a specific viewpoint. This is not simply to provide judgement alone. This is from the specific perspective of producing change. It is this understanding that will naturally finds its form in the way of a state, our own state - The Khilafah. By definition therefore, Muslims cannot isolate themselves; they have to interact with the society around them. Why is there an increasing trend in reversion to Islam across Europe, if Muslims isolate themselves, are absent in the public arena and do not interface with those around them. The real agenda behind wanting to integrate Muslims is so that they give up the values of Islam and adopt a secular outlook. This destroys in the process concepts related to Khilafah, Jihad and Ummah.

We cannot therefore integrate. We should take steps to protect against it; examining the curricula of the schools we send our children to, being wary of promises made by politicians and councillors and careful of branding those involved with the work to foster the affairs of the Ummah as the 'fringe element'. The Islamic understanding of commanding Maroof and forbidding Munkar does not allow isolation. Following the Ahkam of Islam will naturally bring Muslims into contact with wider society, in an altruistic manner, in a manner that is unselfish and diplomatic. A Muslim by doing this will allow Islam to answer questions that Capitalism has left unanswered. We should at all times ensure that our judgements regarding the welfare of our families, our children, our livelihoods, our studies, our worship, the situation that afflicts the Ummah emanates from the Aqeeda of Islam. As part of an Ummah that resides in the West we must not deviate from this understanding, since that is where our demise lies. Not in the threats from, Hain, Fortyn, Blunkett, Jean-Marie Le Penn or the like. Huthayfah ibn al-Yaman said that the Prophet (saw) said

"By the one whose hands is my soul, you have to command the good and forbid the evil or Allah will send punishment upon you then you will ask Him for help and He will not answer you." Dr Saqib Latif

Self-Justification

Self-Justification: the Whispers of Shaytan A

Muslim who grows up in Western society learns how to think and act in a way alien to Islam. Although often brought up in a Muslim household some Muslim youth are unfortunately swayed by the rotten fruits of Western society, drugs, alcohol and illicit relationships. They are tempted by these rotten fruits and end up in a downward spiral growing further away from Islam every day. Initially the Salah (prayer) is performed now and again, then restricted to Friday and then only to Eid. The degrees to which people go into committing haram differ and everyone knows someone who they perceive as worse than themselves and better than themselves. One of the worst mental diseases that people have is that of self-justification, it is one of the key issues that allows people to drift away from Islam justifying this to themselves every step of the way. Initially they may have the occasional joint, then it becomes a regular habit and they move on to harder substances to increase the high. Even though Muslims feel guilty when committing overtly haram actions like drinking alcohol, taking drugs or engaging in haram relationships with the opposite sex, eventually the guilt wears off and they begin to justify these actions to themselves. We must realise that self-justifying an action will not make it Halal and doesn't remove the inevitable reality of standing in front of Allah (swt) on the Day of Judgement, with nothing except our deeds. It is the Western concept of individualism that breeds the mentality of pure greed and selfishness where people even steal and backstab their own families to achieve their sick version of enjoyment. Types of Self-Justification There are different types of excuses or self-justifications which individuals carry. People normally carry a combination of them. Some of the most common types of self-justifications that people hold are the following: -

"At least I'm better than others"

"I will change in the future" "I'm not ready for it yet, its too difficult to change" "As long as I'm pure inside, Allah will forgive me"

"At least I'm better than others" The individual who holds this idea looks at the extreme actions of people which they consider as 'bad" such as stealing from Muslims, rape or eating pork and compare their own actions to them. They feel reassured that they are better than those who undertake those actions. When they commit haram or neglect the Islamic duties (fara'id) they think to themselves that at least they are not like others, at least they perform some actions of Islam. If they take drugs they say, "at least I don't drink alcohol". If they have haram relations with the opposite sex they say, "at least I have the intention of marriage". When involving in haram contracts they believe, "at least I don't steal". If they miss the obligatory Salah (prayers) they justify it to themselves by thinking, 'at least I pray on Friday'. By extending their logic you could say, 'at least a homosexual isn't a rapist' and 'at least an alcoholic doesn't eat pork'. The problem with this argument is, who defines what type of behaviour is bad and what is good? Allah (swt) is the one who defines the good actions from the bad actions. Allah (swt) views the Halal actions as good and all the haram actions as evil. So in the sight of Allah (swt) missing Salah, being rebellious to your parents, eating pork, rape, socialising with non-related members of the opposite sex, homosexuality, taking intoxicating drugs, drinking alcohol and adultery are all haram and from the munkaraat (evil) actions that lead to the hellfire.

justify the haram to themselves. If it was as simple as that, everyone can act as they please with the hope of changing someday in the future. How many of us know of young people who have died? How many of us know of cases where boyfriend and girlfriend have died in car accidents? Muslims and non-Muslims alike can agree that the most definite thing in life is death. If this is the case, how can we act as if we are going to live forever? The Messenger of Allah (saw) said to Abdullah bin Umar (ra),

"If you awoke in the morning, do not speak to yourself of the evening, and if you reach the evening, do not speak to yourself of the morning. Take from your life for your death, and from your health for your illness, as you, oh Abdullah, do not know what your name will be tomorrow" [Bukhari]. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

"The clever one is he who disciplined himself and worked for what is after death, and the feeble one is he who followed his desires, then made (vain) prayers to Allah." Allah (swt) said,

"Say: The Death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then will you be sent back to the Knower of all things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!" [TMQ Al-Jumu'a: 8]. Besides the inevitable reality of death, do we believe that Allah (swt) will accept our good deeds in the future whilst we committed haram during our youth? Do we think that performing Salah and avoiding the evil temptations in our old age when it is easier to do so will grant us Jannah?

"I will change in the future" This notion is commonly held by many youth. They believe that they will change in the future when they become older, they will settle down, get married, have children, go to Hajj, kiss the black stone and begin practising Islam. This excuse allows them to

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Self-Justification

"Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: "O my Lord! Send me back (to life), in order that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" - No! It is but a word that he speaks; and behind them is a Partition until the Day they are raised up. Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another! Then those whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy, they are the successful. And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their own selves; in Hell will they abide" [TMQ Al-Mu'minun: 99-103]. "I'm not ready for it yet, it's too difficult to change" The true meaning behind this excuse is that people don't want to leave the haram they're committing. They have got so used to their lifestyle that they can't perceive it any other way. The thought of waking up for Fajr Salah, having to continuously study Islam or not 'chilling' with the opposite sex is too much for them. There are obvious contradictions in their behaviour; many of them will spend a lot of time on things they enjoy whether its playing computer games, physical training, sports or 'looking good'. In reality these people are lazy when it comes to Islam, they may spend so much effort in fitting in with the crowd and keeping up with the latest trend yet they are not willing to spend effort in staying away from the fire of hell and attempting to gain Jannah (paradise) and the pleasure of Allah (swt). We need to realise that in order to become Islamic personalities we have to live our life according to the objective that Allah (swt) has set for us. Why is it that many work hard when it comes to their exams, yet pay little attention to the true exam of life? Allah (swt) didn't create us for play. Life is not all about ease and acting like spoilt teenagers who have everything done for them. All of us have the capacity to become Islamic personalities, Islam wasn't revealed for angels, it was revealed for human beings. Allah (swt) says:

"Allah does not place a burden upon a person except that which he is capable of" [TMQ al-Baqarah: 286] How can one then argue that following Islam is too difficult? Whoever believes this should look at the example of converts to Islam who completely transform their behaviour and may even face hardship from their families. If they can change why can't we? If we look to the example of many of the Sahabah (ra) they used to be the worst of people and then became the best of people. Take the example of Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra), he was a man that wanted to kill the Prophet (saw) and who had even buried his two daughters alive. When he embraced Islam he became the best of people.

used to be notorious criminals, drug dealers and alcoholics and who became active Islamic personalities working for the return of Islam when they received the Islamic Da'wah.

said:

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:

"Did I not enjoin on you O you children of Adam that you should not worship Shaytan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?" [TMQ Ya-Seen: 60]

"People are like mines of silver and gold; the best of them in the days of Ignorance (jahilliyah) are the best of them in Islam when they attain knowledge" [Muslim]. This Hadith (narration) means that no matter how far away from Islam we are, we all have the potential to become the best of people. "As long as I'm pure from inside, Allah will forgive me" The fact that someone has this delusion proves that they are not pure from inside because they carry this corrupt notion, which contradicts Islam. Being 'pure inside' not only means believing in Islam, it also means practising it. What is the point of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) if Allah (swt) is going to enter everyone into Paradise (Jannah) without accounting them for their deeds? Believing in this idea allows people to gamble their life away. It will be too late to change on the Day of Judgement, when everyone will be worried about themselves to the extent that the Prophet's of Allah like Adam (as), Musa (as) and Isa (as) will be worried about themselves. When the earth will narrate the actions that we performed on it and our own body will speak to Allah (swt) about what we did whilst alive. Every single action small or large will be accounted on that day.

"O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of the Shaytan (devil)" [TMQ An-Nur: 21]. How can we be believers in Islam if we abandon its rules and follow the Shaytan instead? The Prophet (saw) said,

"No one of has real Iman (belief) until his desires conform to what I came with" We must avoid the whispers of Shaytan. So every time we feel lazy in praying the Salah, we should know that this is from the Shaytan. Every time we are about to answer back in a rebellious way to our parents, we should know this is from the Shaytan. Every time we get the temptation of committing haram with the opposite sex, we should know that this is from Shaytan. Every time we are about to neglect our duty to Allah (swt) or perform an action that will anger Him (swt), we should know that this is from the Shaytan. The Prophet (saw) said,

"Shaytan reaches everywhere in the human body as blood reaches in it" "So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it. And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it" [TMQ AlZalzalah: 7]. The forgiveness of Allah (swt) is not achieved with false prayers, whilst continuing to disobey His commands. Allah (swt) says,

"Shaytan only seeks to breed animosity and spite among you by means of intoxicants and gambling and to keep you from the remembrance of Allah and from Salah (prayer); will you not then desist?" [TMQ Al-Ma'idah: 91] We should seek refuge from these whispers of Shaytan as Allah (swt) taught us in the Qur'an:

"Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds, until death faces one of them, and he says: 'Now I repent' nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them have we prepared a painful torment" [TMQ An-Nisa: 18] Self-Justifications: Whispers of Shaytan

Umar (ra) was neither Prophet nor angel; he was a person like us. This type of complete transformation of personalities is not restricted to the companions of the Prophet (saw). There are many examples from Muslims in our own communities in the West who 18

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

Even though many don't realise it, using self-justifications to follow our own desires instead of following the commands of Allah (swt) is directly following the footsteps of Shaytan. As Allah (swt)

"Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of Mankind. The King of mankind. The God of mankind. From the evil of the sneaking whisperer. Who whispers in the breasts of mankind. From amongst the Jinn and the men" [TMQ An-Nas: 1-6]

Many of the youth would not undertake some of their haram actions in front of their parents due to embarrassment or fear, then how can they perform these actions whilst Allah (swt) sees everything they do? We should fear Allah (swt) and be embarrassed in front of Him (swt). It was reported in the Sahih (authenticated) narration of when Jibreel (as) asked the Messenger (saw) about Ihsan (perfection), he (saw) said,

"To worship Allah as if you see him, and if you do not see him, then he surely sees you". Be true to yourself Self-justifications allow people to continue living their lives like animals, even though they know deep down that the path they are following is incorrect. Even after all the late night parties, relationships, drugs, fast cars, music and alcohol many feel an inevitable uneasiness or discontent. This feeling doesn't easily go away, some learn to live with it while it eats away at their conscience while others decide to use their mind and start thinking about Islam; the only thinking man's belief that provides tranquillity. Abdul-Hamid Jassat & Forid Miah

UZBEKISTAN - Country Profile Introduction Uzbekistan is situated in Central Asia between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya Rivers, the Aral Sea, and the slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains. It is bounded by Kazakhstan in the north and northwest, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in the east and southeast, and Turkmenistan in the southwest. The population is approximately 26 million, and is mostly Muslim. Pre-Islamic Era The first people known to have occupied Central Asia were Iranian nomads who arrived from the northern grasslands of what is now Uzbekistan, sometime in the first millennium B.C. At this time, cities such as Bukhoro (Bukhara) and Samarqand (Samarkand) began to appear as centres of government and culture. By the fifth century B.C., the Bactrian, Soghdian, and Tokharian states dominated the region. As China began to develop its silk trade with the West, Iranian cities took advantage of this commerce by becoming centres of trade. Using an extensive network of cities and settlements in the province of Mawarannahr in Uzbekistan and farther east in what is today China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Soghdian intermediaries became the wealthiest of these Iranian merchants. Because of this trade on the Silk Route, Bukhoro and Samarqand eventually became extremely wealthy cities, and at times in its history Mawarannahr was heralded as one of the most influential and powerful Persian provinces of antiquity. The dominant religion until the 6th Century in the region was Zoroastrianism, but Buddhism and Christianity had also herded a large number of followers. The wealth of Mawarannahr was a constant magnet for invasions from the northern steppes and from China. Numerous intraregional wars were fought

between Soghdian states and the other states in Mawarannahr, and the Persians and the Chinese were in perpetual conflict over the region. Alexander the Great conquered the region in 328 B.C., bringing it briefly under the control of his Macedonian empire. The Arrival of Islam It was not the wealth of the region that attracted the first Muslims to Central Asia, but the drive to seek the pleasure of Allah (swt) by conveying the message of Truth. The opening of Central Asia and the implementation of Islam was completed in the eighth century CE, and brought to the region this new belief and culture that until now continues to be dominant. The Muslims first entered Mawarannahr in the middle of the seventh century through battles during their conquest of Persia. The Soghdians and other Iranian leaders of Central Asia were unable to defend their land against the Khilafah because of internal divisions and the lack of strong leadership. The Muslims, on the other hand, were led by the brilliant general, Qutaybah ibn Muslim, and were highly motivated by the desire to spread the Islamic ideology. Because of these factors, and the strength of the Islamic 'Aqeedah, the population of Mawarannahr was easily liberated from the shackles of Kufr. The ideology carried by the Muslims spread throughout the region. The native cultures were replaced in the ensuing centuries as Islam moulded the people into a single Ummah. However the destiny of Central Asia as an Islamic region was firmly established by Khalifah Abu'l-Abbas' victory over the Chinese armies in 750 CE in a battle at the Talas River. Under Islamic rule, Central Asia was an important centre of culture and trade for centuries. The language of government, literature, and

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

government began a ruthless drive for national selfsufficiency in cotton. This policy converted almost the entire agricultural economy of Uzbekistan to cotton production, bringing a series of consequences whose negative impact is still felt today in Uzbekistan and other republics. control the trade in the region and to establish a secure source of cotton for Russia. When the United States civil war prevented cotton delivery from Russia's primary supplier, the southern United States, Central Asian cotton assumed much greater importance for Russia. commerce, originally Persian, became Arabic. However, through the subsequent years, Persian returned to become the dominant language of literature and government. Mawarannahr continued to be an important political player in regional affairs. During the height of the Abbasid Caliphate in the eighth and the ninth centuries, Central Asia and Mawarannahr experienced a truly golden age. Bukhara became one of the leading centres of learning, culture, and art in the Muslim world. Its magnificence rivalling contemporaneous cultural centres such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Cordoba. Some of the greatest historians, scientists, and geographers in history originated from this land, and one of the copies of the Noble Qur'an originally prepared in the time of Khalifah Uthman ibn Affan (ra) is kept in Tashkent. Throughout history this region has presented to the Islamic Ummah a distinguished group of scholars such as Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Zamakhshari, and a great number of distinguished Fuqaha, thinkers and Mujahids. The new Islamic intellectual and political situation in Central Asia determined a new technological and cultural progress. It marked the production of the Samarkand paper (in the 8th century, the people of Samarkand learned to manufacture paper), which supplanted papyrus and parchment in the Islamic territories. Furthermore, scientists who were citizens of the Khilafah such as al-Khorezmi, Beruni, Farabi and Abu Ali ibn Sino brought fame and esteem to the area from all across the world, and many scientific achievements of the epoch made a great impact on European science (for example, the astronomical charts of Samarkand astronomers from Ulughbek's observatory). The Russian Conquest In the nineteenth century, Russian interest in the area increased greatly, sparked by nominal concern over British designs on Central Asia, and by the desire to 20

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

As soon as the Russian conquest of the Caucasus was completed in the late 1850s, the Russian Ministry of War began to send military forces against the Central Asian Muslim rulers. Three major population centres of Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand were captured in 1865, 1867, and 1868 respectively and signed treaties with Russia making them Russian protectorates. By 1876 the entire territory, comprising present-day Uzbekistan, had either fallen under direct Russian rule or had become a protectorate of Russia. The treaties establishing the protectorates over Bukhara and Khiva gave Russia control of the foreign relations of these states and gave Russian merchants important concessions in foreign trade, whilst retaining control of their own internal affairs. Tashkent and Quqon fell directly under a Russian governor general. During the first few decades of Russian rule, the Russians substantially increased cotton production and some Russian settlements were built next to the established cities of Tashkent and Samarqand. But the Russians did not mix with the indigenous populations. In the last decade of the nineteenth century, conditions began to change as new Russian railroads brought greater numbers of Russians into the area. Several revolts during this time, which were put down easily, lead to heightened Russian vigilance in the region. The Russians increasingly intruded in internal affairs. Prior to the events of 1917, Russian rule had brought some industrial development in sectors directly connected with cotton. Although railroads and cotton-ginning machinery advanced, the Central Asian textile industry was slow to develop because the cotton crop was shipped to Russia for processing. As the Tsarist government expanded the cultivation of cotton dramatically, it changed the balance between cotton and food production, creating some problems in supply of the latter. This situation deteriorated during the Soviet period when the Moscow

The territory was made into the Uzbek Republic in 1924 and became the Uzbekistan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1925. Islam in the Soviet Era The Soviet government sought to placate the Islamic population. After its introduction in the seventh century, Islam formed the basis of life in Uzbekistan. The Soviets ensured any continuation of the role played by Islam was in a secular context. During the Soviet era, Uzbekistan had only sixty-five registered Masaajid. For almost forty years, the Muslim Board of Central Asia, the official Soviet-approved governing agency of the Muslim faith in the region, was based in Tashkent. The grand mufti who headed the board met with hundreds of foreign delegations each year in his official capacity, and the board published a journal on Islamic issues, 'Muslims of the Soviet East'. However, the Muslims working or participating in any of these organisations were carefully screened for their political reliability to the Soviet Union. Furthermore, as the Uzbekistan government was supposedly promoting Islam with the one hand, it was in truth working hard to eradicate it with the other. The government sponsored official antireligious campaigns and severe crackdowns on any hint of an Islamic movement or network outside of the control of the state. Moscow's efforts to eradicate and distort Islam not only sharpened differences between Muslims and others, they also greatly distorted the understanding of Islam among Uzbekistan's population. The Soviets strove to undermine the Islamic culture that had been cherished and nurtured by the Uzbek people. They stripped the land of monuments and treasures and placed them in Russian museums. They even took the Qufic Qur'an (the Qur'an of the third Khaleefah Uthman ibn Affan (ra)) away from the Muslims. As a final act of subjugation, the Soviets moved the capital from Samarkand to Russian-dominated Tashkent (where it remains today). Fortunately, the Muslims found ways of evading the imposition of the Soviet State's atheist apparatus, for example its indoctrinating school system was evaded through community and home-schooling and

Uzbekistan

community meeting or "tea houses" were really mosques in disguise. The Republic of Uzbekistan In June 1990, Uzbekistan became the first central Asian republic. Uzbekistan realized full independence and joined with ten other former Soviet republics on December 21st 1991, in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Among all its Central Asian neighbours, Uzbekistan's economy now only stands second to Kazakhstan's. It is rich in natural gas, coal, oil, gold and other resources. However, the free market system now taking root has only given prosperity to a privileged few as Uzbekistan tries to move away from the cotton monoculture (in place from the time of Stalin) that has brought tremendous environmental devastation. In February 1992, President Karimov, a former Communist Party head, declared a commitment to democracy and human rights, and effectively suppressed and outlawed opposition parties, principally those that were Islamic. The criminal code was amended to impose stricter penalties for antigovernment activity, targeting in particular Hizb ut-Tahrir. Increasingly, Karimov has led a campaign of terror and persecution often enlisting the help of America and Israel. They have started to fight Islam explicitly under the branding of terrorism. And their agents from the rulers of the Muslim lands are implementing the plans of these disbelieving states and suppressing those calling to Islam under the slogan of fighting terrorism. Women wearing hijab and men with beards were banned from state universities in 1997. Mass roundups started the next year. Sentences have been harsh, sometimes including death. Uzbekistan's Dependence Islam Karimov claims that the people of Uzbekistan are independent and has fixed the first of September of every year as a celebration of this. However, on closer inspection, one would question this assertion. The word 'independence' means to be in a state of liberation from the control of an opponent, whether it is political, intellectual, military or economic control, such that one's ideas and wishes and actions are in accordance with the systems and laws that are implemented. As is clearly evident, the majority of the population is Muslim and the expressed thoughts and culture carried by these people has returned swiftly to Islam since the collapse of the Soviet Union and its strict policy of intellectual cleansing. The political, intellectual, military and economic control is still in the hands of the opponents of the people, with the implementation of Kufr. From both the intellectual and physical aspects, the ruling faction has been fighting Islam. They attack the thoughts of the Muslim Uzbek people. They arrest, torture and kill those that criticise the government and call for Islam. This ruling faction uses the media and education curriculum to misguide the

Muslims away from Islam. From the military aspect, Uzbekistan remained for many under the protection of the Russian forces. With the current allying with the US in its 'war against terrorism', it has allowed the presence of US troops on its land and the use of its military resources. While it remains in the region, the US provides military protection to Uzbekistan. From the economic aspect Uzbekistan is completely subservient to the Western companies, especially from the US and to the foreign financiers. It is also submissive to Russian domination in some industries. Even though the country has huge resources and is considered one of the richest in natural resources, the majority of the people live below the poverty line. Considering all of these facts no sensible person can claim that the Uzbek people are liberated or independent. Karimov's reign Since Karimov seized authority, he has worked hard to remain in power. The years have witnessed a couple of referendums to prolong the presidential term, and the banning of opposition parties has made elections easy victories. In the elections of 2000, the only challenger, Abdulhafiz Jalolov, voted for Karimov! The devotion of this people to the Islamic culture has not pleased the ruling party, which still displays the legacy of its former communist origin. The world shall come to know of the unspeakable crimes that have been committed and being perpetrated now against the Muslims by the government of Uzbekistan. Their attacks have in particular targeted the members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, who call for Islam intellectually and politically. The government of Uzbekistan and President Karimov, attempt to justify their crimes by labelling the Muslims who are working for the re-establishment of the Khilafah as terrorists. Karimov has shifted from the true meaning of terrorism, which indicates threat, harm or destruction, and has labelled any group that openly opposes the government or its policies as terrorist organisations, regardless of the methods they employ. Now laws have been placed which allow the arrest and persecution of Da'wa carriers under the accusation of terrorism.

enemies or the neighbouring Taliban. Rather we are being threatened from within by those who are amongst us." Armed men working for the intelligence agencies raid houses in the middle of the night where they suspect that there may be a member of Hizb utTahrir. When they catch the suspect they threaten his parents by saying, "If you resist we will open fire on you immediately", whilst pointing their guns at their heads. When they do not find the wanted person in his house they arrest his wife, young children or even parents. If the wife does not disclose the whereabouts of her husband she is brutally tortured and threatened with rape. Small children are mercilessly beaten to give information about their fathers. The security police or intelligence personnel roam the streets and markets. When they come across a suspect they arrest him and beat him severely in public. In addition to this there is severe torture and constant cruelty in the prisons and houses of correction. In these torture rooms many Muslims have been killed after long and severe beatings. Many Da'wa carriers have been killed by the prison guards. Each time lies are delivered to the families with the bodies, in flimsy attempts at a cover-up. Currently, thousands of Muslims are being held in the prisons of Uzbekistan; imprisoned and tortured for simply opposing the government. Sentences are often of 20 years duration and may be the punishment for simply the possession or distribution of leaflets. The future The glory reached under the banner of Islam seems distant in the dark fog disseminated during the long and despotic rule of Islam Karimov. The world had for many years ignored the oppression in this region, choosing to depict only images that benefit its own designs. Uzbekistan has become an important ally to the US, providing military bases for operations in the region, although the massacre of its own people has gone unmentioned. Today, millions in Uzbekistan crave for the death of the republic and the return of the Khilafah upon its grave. Day by day the Muslims grow defiant in the face of this repression. Karimov's regime weakens with every injustice his regime and minions commit. Dr Samiul Muquit

It is a well-known fact that Hizb ut-Tahrir conveys the Islamic Da'wa intellectually and politically and does not engage in any acts of violence. Through new 'laws against terrorism' legitimacy is targeted for Karimov's crimes. He stated in December 2000, "We must expose the real face of terrorism. In the past it used to be represented by thieves, murderers and those practising violence. Today we must explain the new definition from a political angle." He then added: "We are not threatened by external July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in London on July 3rd 2002

BBC World Service Reporter interviews Member of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Dr Imran Waheed, representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, before addressing the crowd.

Protestors refused entry into Uzbek Embassy for visa applications.

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

Muslim men, women and children from the entire length and breadth of the UK, queued in an orderly manner outside the Uzbek Embassy to acquire visa application forms in order to visit Uzbekistan to investigate the arrests, torture and extra-judicial executions perpetrated by the vicious Karimov regime â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newfound crooked ally in the so-called "War Against Terrorism".

Over a1000 Muslims queuing outside Uzbek Embassy in protest to the Uzbek regime's persecution of Members of Hizb ut-Tahrir.

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Escapism

Summer Time Healing A

bu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Apostle (saw) said:

"The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer" [Muslim, 7058]. Year upon year, summertime in western Europe witnesses a mass migration with millions setting off for holiday destinations around the globe. Holiday resorts as far apart as Australia and Mexico are likely to witness thousands of holidaymakers touching down on their shores in a ritual that is deeply ingrained in Western tradition. As with all traditions, the origin is a thought that society holds or once held. When these thoughts decay and become obscure, the tradition tends to decay and disappear. When the thoughts from which the tradition originates are prevalent and deep rooted within the society, the tradition strengthens year by year. The holiday boom that occurs each summer, over the long term, increases in its intensity and dominance. This is because the founding thoughts of this tradition are from the core belief of Western civilisation: the objective of life is happiness and that happiness is found in the satisfaction of personal desires. Daily life in Western Europe is characterised by perpetual pressures and problems. For individuals to obtain the things they need to live life, they need money that they can exchange for goods and services. This forces them to expend their daily efforts on making money, which naturally becomes the daily priority. This leaves little time for the actual enjoyment of the products of their effort. Most occupations limit the annual leave of their employees to four or six weeks. So, for most 24

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

people, at least forty six weeks a year are occupied working nine to five Monday to Friday, coping with the pressures, problems and costs associated with life in modern Western society. This is the true reality of their lives. However, this is not the life promised by the Western ideology of Capitalism. The promise and objective, is a life of pleasure, wealth and the satisfaction of whatever an individual may desire, whether that is family life or all night raves. The dilemma that thus arises has no answer in the way of life that dominates the West. Rather, summer holidays, along with many other mechanisms of escapism, have become an outlet for the obvious contradiction that the Western ideology embodies.

destination changes to one of relaxation and luxury. As life goes on, pleasure and hence happiness is derived from a release of pressure. While alcohol remains a major part of their escape, it is simply detachment from the lives they live, which satisfies their desires. As they sip their Martini in Monaco, they lament the days of their youth, when they were really able to have fun. Seeing the invisible

"Get Away from it all" It is not surprising that those who follow the intellectual doctrines of the West are desperate to get away from their real lives. While the lives they live are grey and forlorn, the media and travel companies paint a picture of pleasure and enjoyment in holiday resorts, tailor made to fulfil the tastes of a hedonistic population. It is in fact very sad that many of the youth in the Western world, growing up according to such ideas, reach adulthood craving intoxicants and encounters with the opposite sex. This is catered for at destinations such as Ibiza and Ianappa. The young are herded there in their thousands, where they proceed to intoxicate themselves to the point that they forget the reality of life, indulging in the euphoria of the atmosphere. As an encore, they fornicate with as many people as they can, driven by the capitalistic principle that happiness is derived from sensual gratification and the fulfilment of desires. As they reach middle age, the characteristic travel

"But the Unbelievers, their deeds are like a mirage in sandy deserts, which the man parched with thirst mistakes for water; until when he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing: But he finds Allah (ever) with him, and Allah will pay him his account: and Allah is swift in taking account" [TMQ An-Nur: 39]. The summer holiday season is a time in which the adherents of Capitalism pursue whatever desires they are unable to obtain from their real lives. From the sunny party islands of Spain and the Caribbean, the theme parks of Florida, the casinos of Las Vegas, the ancient relics of Egypt to child prostitution in the Far East, all desires are catered for by the traditional summer vacation. Although the pleasure sought is obtained, happiness is rarely found and these occasional adventures cannot change the true reality of the lives that are lived. As always, where there is a demand, there are thousands of entrepreneurs ready to cash in on the opportunities. This year, internet based sales

during the holiday season are expected to jump 75 per cent between June and August, with 'dot com' company share prices reflecting the confidence in this sector of the market. "We're moving into the holidays," said Volpe Brown Whelan analyst Andrea Williams. "There's going to be a lot of talk about commerce on the Web. It's going to be huge." Meanwhile in Western capitals such as London, murders are spiralling upwards with 46 killings in January and February alone, gun and knife associated assaults are rising, child abuse and elder abuse are rife and crack cocaine abuse is growing in the inner cities. This is not to mention the upward trend in racially motivated violence, rape and the forced prostitution of Eastern European and Russian girls in Western Europe. It is not surprising the population in the West want to 'get away'. Those who cannot afford or are not inclined to go abroad will indulge themselves in the weekly pleasures that Western society has to offer such as night-clubs, summer festivals, alcohol and the entertainment services. The summer holiday ritual highlights the fundamental incoherency in the doctrine of Capitalism; the pursuit of pleasure whilst it is absent from daily life, and increased separation between "haves" and "have-nots" while the deterioration of society accelerates.

"'Such as took their way of life to be mere amusement and play, and were deceived by the life of the world.' That day shall We forget them as they forgot the meeting of this day of theirs, and as they were wont to reject Our signs" [TMQ AlA'raf: 51]. The Islamic viewpoint It is natural that human beings want to be happy; this is not specific to a particular way of life. However, the perceived location of happiness

varies according to the viewpoint on life. While those who adhere to Capitalism seek happiness in the satisfaction of their desires, the Muslim seeks his happiness in the pleasure of Allah (swt) and so the most important thing for the Muslim is that he or she abides by the rules that the Creator (swt) laid down for mankind. When a Muslim does that, knowing the truth of the life of this world and that which will come after it, the heart and mind become tranquil in the realisation that the purpose of his or her life is being fulfilled, regardless of the situations or problems surrounding life. Hence, the believer is not characterised by worry and misery, rather he or she lives in contentment and tranquillity in every action undertaken, be it prayer, Da'wa or work. The only fear that should exist for the believer, is fear of Allah (swt) and hence, the life of the Muslim is one of tranquillity, confidence and happiness in all actions, regardless of the problems and obstacles faced in life, because happiness is not derived from the satisfaction of the desires but rather from the knowledge of the truth.

terror: but then there will be no escape (for them) and they will be seized from a position (quite) near. And they will say 'We do believe (now) in the (truth)': but how could they receive (faith) from a position (so) far off Seeing that they did reject faith (entirely) before and that they (continually) cast (slanders) on the Unseen from a position far off? And between them and their desires is placed a barrier as was done in the past with their partisans: for they were indeed in suspicious (disquieting) doubt" [TMQ Saba': 47-54]. Hani Jamal Uddin

"Say: 'No reward do I ask of you: it is (all) in your interests: my reward is only due from Allah: and He is Witness to all things.' Say: 'Verily my Lord doth cast the (mantle of) Truth (over His servants) He that has full knowledge of (all) that is hidden.' Say: 'The Truth has arrived and Falsehood neither creates anything new nor restores anything.' Say: 'If I am astray I only stray to the loss of my own soul: but if I receive guidance it is because of the inspiration of my Lord to me: it is He Who hears all things and is (ever) near.' If thou couldst but see when they will quake with

July 2002 Khilafah Magazine

Extracts of a letter from a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir The following was received from a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir currently imprisoned by the tyrannical Egyptian regime.

Quotes The British East India Company

New Afghan Regime

"The biggest drug trafficker of all time," responsible "for the deaths of 17 million Chinese from opium addiction."

"Loya jirgas have their uses. While by no means pliant, the British used them to maintain their control of Afghanistan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

"In its day, the company occupied and manipulated the interstices of a truly global economy. Tea from China was bought with opium from India; Indian and later British textiles (made from cotton grown in India) purchased slaves in West Africa, who were sold in the Americas for gold and silver, which was invested in England, where the sugar harvested by the slaves ensured a booming market for the tea from China. The big winners sat in the City of London. The more numerous losers could be found in every corner of the globe." Whitewashing the Past by Mike Marqusee, The Guardian Friday May 24, 2002

The text reads:

"The gang leaders of Afghanistan have agreed to let Mr Karzai remain leader of the next interim government. But at present, those same mafia bosses are running many of the major cities of Afghanistan. Humanitarian organizations and charities are, in many cases, still forced to funnel their aid through these ruthless men, in Mazar-i-Sharif, in Nangahar province, in Khost. Voters in the forthcoming elections know that their humanitarian aid comes via the warlords." Independent, Thursday 13th June 2002 Global hunger

"He said 'O my Lord! Prison is preferable to what they invite me. Unless You turn away their plot from me, I will feel inclined towards them and be one of the ignorants" [TMQ Yusuf: 33] "Although please show it to all of my brothers as I can't make one for each of them. After reflection this du'a of Yusuf (as) has great meaning for me and reflects how I feel. I pray that Allah never lets me forget the good advice." "The card I sent you with the Ayat from Surah Yusuf is to remind all those who see it that this is a blessing and not a punishment from Allah. Nobody should feel disheartened this the truth and we have no regrets. I have made mistakes and need Allah's forgiveness, but these events are not among them."

British Colonialism in the Middle-East "British foreign policy ended up getting the kind of Arabs [leaders] it wanted - charmingly infantile liars... The Anglo-Arab friendship was a story of hypocrisy and deceit - a fable elaborated by Colonel Lawrence, that parodist with a cruel intent." Lies in the sand Hywel Williams, The Guardian Monday June 3rd, 2002

Asylum, Integration and Racism in Europe "Muslims have a taste for committing mass rape"

"The world has never grown so much food; there is no overall scarcity and food has seldom been so cheap ... Just because a country produces more food does not mean it has no malnourished people. The US grows 40% more food than it needs; yet 26 million Americans need handouts. India's grain silos have been bursting for the past five years and a record surplus of 59 million tons has been built up, yet almost half of all Indian children are undernourished, tens of millions of people go hungry and many hundreds of poor farmers have committed suicide." The Guardian, Thursday 13th June 2002 Terrorism report

Pia Kjaersgaard, Leader of the Danish Peoples Party, The Times, Thursday May 30th 2002

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Published by Al-Khilafah Publications

Khilafah Magazine July 2002

"Germany has been insisting that no child over the age of 12 should be allowed to join immigrant parents, on the ground that it is possible to integrate only the younger children successfully." The Times, Thursday May 30th 2002 "In certain establishments, the immigrants are no longer welcome." Racisme ordinaire Ă Narbonne by JeanJacques Bozonnet, Le Monde, Thursday May 30th 2002

"We and our Coalition partners must be prepared to conduct a long, hard campaign, measured in years and fought on many fronts with every tool of statecraft-political, diplomatic, legal, economic, financial, intelligence, and when necessary, military." Patterns of Global Terrorism - 2001, US State Department, May 2002