articles

Is This Real Freedom?

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:45:44 +0100

The following Khutbah was given in Britian (Something to ponder over):

I recently visited South Africa, where Muslims have lived as a tiny minority (less than 5%) for over 300 years. For the first 150 years, Islam was a banned religion in that country, and if you were caught trying to convert others to Islam, you faced the death penalty. Even when Islam was legally recognised, Muslims were still treated as second class citizens. For the next 150 years, they could not vote until Nelson Mandela was freed from prison, and became State President of a non-racial South Africa.

Three centuries of hardship produces a certain calibre of Muslim. When you are treated unjustly, when your faith is in danger, and when you have no legal protection for your human rights, then you really seek Allah's help, and you are drawn closer to your Creator.

Now that South Africa is free, there are other challenges. Muslims have survived the oppression, but are they surviving the freedom? The answer is far from clear. There are simply so many distractions and opportunities for Shaytaan to do his work. There is a huge difference between the rich and the poor, and the gap widens by the day. Crime, gambling and financial debt along with the breakdown of family life, drug and alcohol abuse, have become serious problems over there. Does this sound familiar? It's a problem over here also.

Brothers and Sisters, these are worldwide problems of modern life. These are the challenges we all face, inside and outside the Muslim communities. We say that here in the West, we are free. But free from what? We may be politically free to think and speak and write and vote as we please. But are we really free from crime? Are we free from financial debt? And, most importantly, are we free from the burning desire to have those things that distract our attention from Allah Ta'aala? Are we free from the misguidance of Shaytaan, from greed, envy, and the love of material things? These are questions we must answer.

Has our political freedom made us better Muslims? Have we come closer to Allah than our forefathers were? If Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam were to visit Britain today, would he be proud to see the condition of his followers here? Brothers and Sisters, many of us have suffered hardship just to get here to Britain; but the bigger challenge remains: now that we are here, can we survive the freedom without damaging our faith and our moral values?

Here in Britain as in South Africa and elsewhere in the West, the success of Muslims in politics, business and the professions is well known. Muslims in private and public life are making a big contribution to their country's progress. For the small numbers that we represent, we are punching well above our weight. But there are some worrying tendencies. We've become so materialistic. Our lives are centred on trivial and silly things. We must have that new car, those designer clothes and all the latest gizmos and gadgets. Some of us really believe those adverts that promise so much pleasure, but they deliver so little lasting happiness.

With pressures from all sides, inside and outside, how can we ensure that we and our children and grandchildren will hold fast to Allah's rope, and stay united? How can we survive the freedom and prosperity even better than we survived the difficulties in our countries of birth?

Brothers and Sisters, there's something about human nature we must understand. We human beings are not evil by nature, but we are forgetful, and our forgetfulness can lead us to do wrong. Allah made us that way. We are easily distractible, and we only remember Allah with effort and practice. We remember Allah mostly when we are in danger, when fear grips our hearts. That's why they say there are no atheists on a sinking ship, or a plane that's making an emergency landing. Even atheists and agnostics quickly find God when death stares them in the face. But when the plane lands safely, or the lifeboats rescue the survivors from the sea, how many of us truly turn to Allah in gratitude?

A Moment of Reflection on Natural Disasters

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:41:57 +0100

On Friday March 11, 2011 who did not witness over the news or via any other media source the wreckage and damage caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan?

But we could ask why do such things happen at a particular place, affecting a certain community or country, and not others? Indeed, these disasters are tests for one’s faith and patience. These disasters also call upon us to self-reflect and remind us not to do things against the teachings of Allah or are destructive to our lives. If we have forgotten Allah and we have been negligent in our duties, these disasters are wake-up calls for us to reinforce our faith in Allah.

Not too long ago in the past year we have all witnessed a range of various forms of natural catastrophes throughout the world and many were just a few months apart.

According to many news sources some of the major disasters that made headlines in the year 2010/2011 were:

Haiti 7.0 Earthquake

A 7.0 earthquake struck the capital city, Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010 resulting in the deaths of 200,000 to 250,000 persons. The quake and the aftershocks leveled the city and surrounding area. Immediate relief efforts were drastically hampered by devastating damage caused to the ports, airport and roads.

Iceland Volcano Eruption

Amidst seismic rumblings recorded since December 2009, the Icelandic volcano erupted March 20, 2010. A second explosion followed on April 14, 2010. Air traffic across Northern Europe was grounded stranding millions of passengers. Aviation losses mounted into the millions of dollars due to canceled flights. Airlines did not fully recover from the aviation disaster until complete operations resumed after May 17, 2010.

Pakistan Flood Crisis

The flooding which swept through Pakistan beginning July 26, 2010 was the worst ever to hit that country. Fatalities in the floods reached almost 200,000 persons and further affected 20 million people The Pakistan flood relief effort is not over yet. The infrastructure damage was staggering. Nearly 10,000 schools and 1.7 million houses were destroyed and need to be rebuilt along with miles and miles of road, railway and infrastructure.

Australian Floods

A series of floods hit Australia, beginning in December 2010 and running into January 2011, primarily in the state of Queensland including its capital city, Brisbane. The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities.At least seventy towns and over 200,000 people were affected and houses have been completely submerged

New Zealand Earthquake

A strong quake hit New Zealand's second-biggest city of Christchurch on 22 February, 2011, toppling buildings, causing multiple fatalities, trapping people beneath rubble and sparking fires.

So what is the duty of a Muslim at the time of such events and happenings? What are our responsibilities? What should be our reaction and attitude towards such catastrophic occurrences?

Let us refer to the different references established in the Quran and Ahadith relating to natural disasters and learn what a Muslim's approach and reaction should be towards such events.

First we have to understand that Allah controls the universe and operates it the way he deems appropriate. The Quran tells us that whatever occurs in the world happens only by the will of Allah.

مَآ أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِٱللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Allah says in the Quran “no calamity occurs, except by the leave of Allah, and whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. and Allah knows all things. (Taghabun 64:11)

Therefore as Muslims we must believe that Allah is all Wise and All Knowing and everything that Allah does is just and fair and only Allah knows fully His Will.

Second we have to recognize the power and might of Allah through such events and attribute these happenings towards Allah. Occurrences of natural disasters are proofs of Allah’s powers. Allah, with these disasters, makes evident to us that the sovereignty of the earth and the heavens is only in His Hands.

On numerous occasions many of us regard these natural happenings as a result of some natural or scientific phenomenon, and because of this it simply does not have any impact on us, resulting in absolutely no transformation or change in one’s life.

We have to remember that associating these events to anything other than Allah is a sign of rejecting Allah. That is why we find a Hadith of the Prophet wherein he sates:

حدثني يحيى عن مالك عن صالح بن كيسان عن عبيد الله بن عبد الله بن عتبة بن مسعود عن زيد بن خالد الجهني أنه قال صلى لنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صلاة الصبح بالحديبية على إثر سماء كانت من الليل فلما انصرف أقبل على الناس فقال أتدرون ماذا قال ربكم قالوا الله ورسوله أعلم قال قال أصبح من عبادي مؤمن بي وكافر بي فأما من قال مطرنا بفضل الله ورحمته فذلك مؤمن بي كافر بالكوكب وأما من قال مطرنا بنوء كذا وكذا فذلك كافر بي مؤمن بالكوكب

One night it rained and Allah’s messenger led us in the Fajr prayer at Hudaibiyah and after completing it, he turned to us and said,” Do you know what your Lord has said?” We replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Allah says “Some of my slaves get up believing in me, and others disbelieving in me. Those who say: We have been given rain through Allah’s mercy, choice, and Allah’s blessing, then he is a believer in Me, and has rejected the star. And whoever said: We have been given rain because of such-and-such star, then he is a believer in the star, and has rejected Me.”

Yet in another hadith the Prophet highlights the related subject in a different way.

حدثني يحيى عن مالك عن هشام بن عروة عن أبيه عن عائشة زوج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أنها قالت خسفت الشمس في عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فصلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالناس فقام فأطال القيام ثم ركع فأطال الركوع ثم قام فأطال القيام وهو دون القيام الأول ثم ركع فأطال الركوع وهو دون الركوع الأول ثم رفع فسجد ثم فعل في الركعة الآخرة مثل ذلك ثم انصرف وقد تجلت الشمس فخطب الناس فحمد الله وأثنى عليه ثم قال إن الشمس والقمر آيتان من آيات الله لا يخسفان لموت أحد ولا لحياته فإذا رأيتم ذلك فادعوا الله وكبروا وتصدقوا

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa from his father that A'isha, the wife of the Prophet said, "There was an eclipse of the sun in the time of the Messenger of Allah and the Messenger of Allah led the people in prayer. He stood, and did so for a long time. Then he went into ruku, and made the ruku long. Then he stood again, and did so for a long time, though not as long as the first time. Then he went into ruku, and made the ruku long, though not as long as the first time. Then he rose, and went down into sajdah. He then did the same in the second rakaah, and by the time he had finished the sun had appeared. He then gave a khutbah to the people, in which he praised Allah and then said, 'The sun and the moon are two of Allah's signs. They do not eclipse for anyone's death or for anyone's life. When you see an eclipse, invoke Allah, glorify Allah by saying "Allah is the greatest" and give sadaqah.

It becomes apparent from these Ahadith that the clouds which bring heavy rains, events of natural disasters or unnatural occurrences in the universe are from Allah alone. Allah is the one who creates them and releases them. So when one attributes these events to nature or any astronomical and scientific phenomenon or anything else, then one is at stake in regards to his faith in Allah.

Our faith teaches us that such occurrences, to which man has no control, occur by the authorization and order of Allah.

Third a Muslim should take events of natural disasters and other such signs as warning from Allah and hurry to repent, remember Allah and ask forgiveness from Him as disasters and calamities are an outcome of our escalating evil deeds and disobedience to Allah.

The Ahadith are full of warnings that certain actions will bring certain definite conditions. In other words these particular actions are a cause which will bring about a consequence. In a concise Hadith of Tirmidhi narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) the Messenger is reported to have said:

حدثنا علي بن حجر حدثنا محمد بن يزيد الواسطي عن المستلم بن سعيد عن رميح الجذامي عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا اتخذ الفيء دولا والأمانة مغنما والزكاة مغرما وتعلم لغير الدين وأطاع الرجل امرأته وعق أمه وأدنى صديقه وأقصى أباه وظهرت الأصوات في المساجد وساد القبيلة فاسقهم وكان زعيم القوم أرذلهم وأكرم الرجل مخافة شره وظهرت القينات والمعازف وشربت الخمور ولعن آخر هذه الأمة أولها فليرتقبوا عند ذلك ريحا حمراء وزلزلة وخسفا ومسخا وقذفا وآيات تتابع كنظام بال قطع سلكه فتتابع

1. “When others possessions will be regarded as personal property.

2. When trust will be treated like booty (violated)

3. When Zakaat will be regarded as a burden i.e. to discharge zakat will become difficult

4. When learning will be acquired for other than a religious purpose

5. When a a man will obey his wife and is unkind towards his mother, he brings his friend near and drives his father far off. (The father will be treated like a stranger)

7. When voices will be raised in the Masajid

8. When the most impious will become leaders.

9. When the leader of a people will be the most worthless among them.

10. When a person will be honored merely out of fear for his evil.

11. When singing and musical instruments will become widespread.

12. When liquor will be consumed.

13. When the latter generations of this Ummah will curse their former ones.

THEN AWAIT VIOLENT WINDS, EARTHQUAKES, PEOPLE BEING SWALLOWED UP BY THE EARTH, DISFIGUREMENT, PELTING RAINS FROM THE SKY AND OTHER SIGNS WHICH WILL FOLLOW ONE AFTER ANOTHER LIKE BEADS OF A NECKLACE FOLLOWING ONE AFTER ANOTHER WHEN THE STRING IS CUT”

Thus, we should persistently fear Allah and seek His pardon for one's shortcomings and whenever we come across or experience such events we should ask ourselves have we violated any law of Allah? Could it be a punishment? If it is, let us repent and amend our ways.

Similarly, these disasters remind us all, that our lives today are very uncertain. Anything can happen. So, we should not postpone, nor delay, good things that we have to to do. Do them as soon as you can.

The Prophet has mentioned in a hadith by saying:

أخرجه الحاكم " أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال لرجل وهو يعظه اغتنم خمسا قبل خمس شبابك قبل هرمك وصحتك" قبل سقمك وغناك قبل فقرك وفراغك قبل شغلك وحياتك قبل موتك”

Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: you’re youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death." Likewise, if we have the intention to stop committing sins, mistakes and all bad acts, and we all know what they are, then we should not delay in abandoning them.

Fourth it is imperative that we provide support to those who have been affected with such disasters; therefore we should renew our commitment to human values and charity which is an integral part of our faith and offer to these victims such help and aid which will alleviate their difficulties and sufferings. When we see people in pain and suffering we should pay extra attention to their difficulties as it has been emphasized in an extremely touching Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.)

حدثني محمد بن حاتم بن ميمون حدثنا بهز حدثنا حماد بن سلمة عن ثابت عن أبي رافع عن أبي هريرة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن الله عز وجل يقول يوم القيامة يا ابن آدم مرضت فلم تعدني قال يا رب كيف أعودك وأنت رب العالمين قال أما علمت أن عبدي فلانا مرض فلم تعده أما علمت أنك لو عدته لوجدتني عنده يا ابن آدم استطعمتك فلم تطعمني قال يا رب وكيف أطعمك وأنت رب العالمين قال أما علمت أنه استطعمك عبدي فلان فلم تطعمه أما علمت أنك لو أطعمته لوجدت ذلك عندي يا ابن آدم استسقيتك فلم تسقني قال يا رب كيف أسقيك وأنت رب العالمين قال استسقاك عبدي فلان فلم تسقه أما إنك لو سقيته وجدت ذلك عند

Abu Huraiyrah (R.A) states, "The Messenger of Allah, said, 'Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, will say on the Day of Rising, 'Son of Adam, I was ill and you did not visit Me.' The man will say, 'O Lord, how could I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds?' He will say, 'Do you not know that my slave so-and-so was ill and you did not visit him? Do you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you did not feed me?' He will say, 'O Lord, how could I feed you when you are the Lord of the worlds?' He will say, 'Do you not know that my slave so-and-so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Do you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that with Me. O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give it to Me.' He will say, 'O Lord, how could I give You water when You are the Lord of the worlds?' He will say, 'My slave so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give it to him. Do you not know that if you had given him water, you would have found you would have found me with him”

Finally, it is the responsibility of every Muslim to reflect upon these events and take a lesson, also ask forgiveness for all shortcomings from Allah, be thankful to Him and recognize all the blessings which He has favored us with and express this gratitude by utilizing these blessings in compliance with the directives of Allah and not taking them for granted or being wasteful or extravagant.

May Allah protect us from every form of tragedy and assist those who have been affected and alleviate their sufferings and may we become those who are truly grateful to Allah for all His favors and blessings

Israel

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:07:12 +0100

Israel , country in southwestern Asia, formed in 1948 as a Jewish state in the historic region of Palestine, and located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Israel is bounded on the north by Lebanon, on the northeast by Syria, on the east by Jordan, and on the southwest by Egypt. Its southernmost tip extends to the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. Israel‟s isolated position as a Jewish state surrounded by Arab and predominantly Islamic countries has influenced nearly every aspect of its foreign relations, demography, and economic policy throughout its history.

The origins of the present-day struggle between Israel and Arab nations predate the creation of Israel. Throughout the early 20th century Palestine, as the birthplace of Judaism and site of the ancient Hebrew Kingdom of Israel, became a center of Jewish immigration, encouraged and organized by a movement known as Zionism. Jews clashed with the Palestinian Arab inhabitants of the region throughout the British administration of Palestine from 1918 to 1948. In the years after World War II (1939-1945) the United Nations (UN) developed a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. The Arabs rejected the plan, but the Jews accepted it, and the independent nation of Israel was created in 1948. Five Arab nations—Egypt, Transjordan (now Jordan), Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq—immediately attacked Israel. In the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949 and subsequent wars with its Arab neighbors Israel acquired territory beyond its 1948 boundaries. As a result of the Six-Day War of 1967 Israel took and later annexed the Syrian territory of the Golan Heights, a claim not recognized by most nations. Israel also occupied the West Bank (formerly of Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (formerly of Egypt), areas now partially under Palestinian Arab administration. Even Jerusalem, the city Israel claims as its capital, remains an area of dispute. Predominantly Jewish West Jerusalem has been part of Israel since independence in 1948; Israel captured mostly Arab East Jerusalem in 1967. Israel has since claimed the entire city as its capital. However, the United Nations does not recognize Jerusalem as Israel‟s capital.

These territorial conflicts, combined with continued Jewish immigration, have caused major changes in population structure since Israel‟s independence. Much of the Palestinian Arab population in the territory that became Israel fled during the 1948-1949 war and became refugees in surrounding Arab countries. Still more Palestinians fled from the areas captured by Israel in 1967 (known collectively as the Occupied Territories; often referred to in Israel as “administered territories”), and thousands of Jews have settled in these areas. Meanwhile, Jewish immigration continued. By the late 1990s Israel had absorbed 2.1 million immigrants since 1948, four times the Jewish population before independence.

Economically, the twin challenges of national security and immigration have been very costly. The economic burden of the military fosters dependence on foreign economic aid, particularly from the United States. Further, political conflict has severely isolated Israel economically from much of the region. Meanwhile, although the absorption and integration of so many immigrants from all over the world is an immense financial undertaking, the constant influx of people with many different skills and backgrounds also contributes to Israel‟s economic well-being. Both factors have stimulated the drive to create a successful industrial economy to help pay for necessary infrastructure and services.

Click here to download the whole book.

An examination of factors leading to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in child ...

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:54:28 +0100

Page and Thomas (1977) define Child Care Centres (CCCs), also known as Day Care Centres in U.S.A., as institutions that provide pre-primary education or nursery classes (p.63). In this study, the phrase CCC has been used to refer to those places or nursery schools where under-five children are cared and taught pre-primary education. Developmental psychology research has shown that it is during the early years of life that the development of intelligence, affection and social relations occur very rapidly. Ministry of Gender and Community Services (2003) observes that any irregularity in a child’s development at this stage will substantially reduce future potential (p.3). In addition, Paciorek and Munro (1999) argue that “If we are truly concerned about preventing teen pregnancy, youth violence, school dropouts and crime, then we need to start first by preventing child poverty and ensuring every child a fair start of life” (p.25). The importance of CCCs to societies, therefore, cannot be overemphasized.

One of the important roles of CCCs is to act as a socialization agent. As noted by Chibwana (2007), play areas and materials in CCCs are an indispensable part of creating a stimulating environment for children. CCCs attract children from different families with different cultural backgrounds and each one of them feels integrated into the society through playing together. In addition, these children play under the supervision of adults. As such, CCCs increase children’s social abilities in a safe and comfortable manner.

CCCs care for children while their parents are at work. In his study of the Malay of South East Asia, Jones (1996) found that the rising of female education and employment opportunities, urbanization and greater geographical mobility is consistent with the increase of dual career families. The World Book Encyclopedia (1994) notes the importance of CCCs in working families.

Further, CCCs provide employment opportunities to members of the society. For example, the U.S. Government operates many day care centres and this provides employment for mothers who get welfare payments and are enrolled in a job-training programme (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1994).

However, it is not usually the case that all CCCs fulfill the roles above successfully. One of the reasons leading to this is the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in the centres. Due to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials, the roles that CCCs play in society such as socialization, caring for children while parents are at work, providing employment opportunities to citizens are hindered. Thus inadequacy of teaching and learning materials reduces the quality of care and education offered in CCCs.

Research has been conducted to assess the teaching and learning materials available in CCCs. For instance, a study by Chibwana (2007) found that most Community Based Child Care Centres do not have adequate resources like play materials and outdoor play space. Against this background, and considering the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs in Malawi, this research seeks to examine the factors leading to the inadequacy of teaching and learning materials in CCCs around Mangochi and Zomba urbans.

Click here to download the whole research paper.

Bahrain unrest: Protesters enter symbolic Pearl Square

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:57:32 +0100

Thousands of anti-government protesters in Bahrain have resumed an occupation of Pearl Square, the focal point of protests in the capital Manama.

Jubilant protesters returned after riot police fired tear gas and shotgun rounds before withdrawing. Reports say some 60 people may have been injured.

The army, which guarded the square after using deadly force to clear it on Thursday, was earlier ordered out.

Bahrain's crown prince is holding initial talks with opposition parties.

They include the main Shia opposition parties in the Sunni-ruled Gulf state, our correspondent Caroline Hawley reports from Manama.

Earlier, reports said that the main Shia opposition bloc, Wefaq, had rejected an offer from the king to hold talks aimed at ending days of unrest. They demanded the withdrawal of the military from the streets before talks could begin.

It's not clear what this is going to mean politically. Street politics have been much easier to understand than the behind the scenes manoeuvring. The streets have been left to the protesters - they see that as a victory.

Somehow the royal family has to find a way now to begin a dialogue with the opposition. But by handling the protests earlier this week with such brutality, they have really eroded the trust they need to begin meaningful political negotiations quickly.

So it is not now clear to what extent the government is in a position to call for talks. The other factor we have seen repeated across the Middle East is that when governments are seen to be making concessions from a position of weakness the opposition sense an opportunity and call for more.

In a statement made on Bahraini TV on Saturday Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa said "calm is needed at this time... for all parties to be able to present their opinions".

The crown prince - who controls the armed forces - ordered the army off the streets.

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke to the Crown Prince on Saturday, British officials said, welcoming the military pullout but stressing the UK's "deep concern" and "strong disapproval" about the use of live ammunition on protesters.
Mourning call

Following the army's withdrawal on Saturday, heavily armed riot police fired volleys of tear gas and shotgun rounds as anti-government protesters arrived at the square from all directions.

As the protesters stood firm, police then pulled out, leaving the square to the jubilant crowd. They waved flags and carried banners into the square in a show of defiance to the authorities.

The crowds now appear determined to stay in the square, setting up a makeshift hospital and erecting tents.

"We don't fear death any more, let the army come and kill us to show the world what kind of savages they are," one woman, teacher Umm Mohammed, told the Reuters news agency.

The protesters have made the square, a large traffic roundabout, a focal point of demonstrations in recent days.

At least 50 people were wounded on Friday as the army fired on protesters following the funerals for four killed when troops cleared Pearl Square early on Thursday.

Two people were also killed earlier in the week.

Crown Prince Salman has called for calm in an effort to hold a national day of mourning for those who have died.

Bahrain is one of several Arab countries to have experienced pro-democracy demonstrations since the fall of long-time Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January. Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was forced from power on 11 February.

The majority Shia population in Bahrain have long said they are discriminated against when it comes to housing and government jobs. They have also been calling for greater political rights from the Sunni royal family.

Correspondents say leaving the square to the protesters may be a response to US President Barack Obama's call for restraint.

Source: BBC News

Egypt rejoices at Mubarak departure

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 09:37:53 +0100

Mr Mubarak stepped down as leader on Friday, after 18 days of widespread anti-government demonstrations.

The country is now in the hands of the high command of the armed forces, headed by the defence minister.

US President Barack Obama called Egypt an inspiration, but said it must now move to civilian and democratic rule.

Demonstrators in central Cairo continued to celebrate the departure of Mr Mubarak into the night, dancing, chanting slogans and singing songs.

While many continue to enjoy the moment, many other Egyptians are already returning to work.

Outside state TV and other government buildings, the army and their tanks are still out in force.

So far the military have given few details of how they are going to run the country.

It's even not clear if the vice-president or any of Mr Mubarak's officials still retain their posts.

The army have given the impression of being above politics - a unifying force for the nation. But the opposition will want an early and clear indication that this country is headed in a new direction, and not simply swapping one dictatorship for another.

In Cairo's Tahrir Square - the heart of the demonstrations - the news was greeted with jubilation by a crowd of tens of thousands.

A huge poster hanging in the square read, "Breaking news: The people have brought down the regime."

Mr Mubarak has already left Cairo and is in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh where he has a residence, officials say.

The anti-government protests that began on 25 January were triggered by widespread unrest in Egypt over unemployment, poverty and corruption.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo said the announcement caught everyone by surprise: all over the city, drivers honked their horns and people fired guns into the air.

"Egypt is free," Mahmoud Elhetta, a protester, shouted.

"We are a great people and we did something great. This is the expected end for every dictator."

In the southern city of Assiut, people fired guns in the air and roamed the streets on motorcycles or pick-up trucks, while coffee houses handed out free drinks.

Egypt's state television, a bastion of support for Mr Mubarak's government, started reporting the celebrations across the country.

Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei described it as "the greatest day of my life."

Announcing Mr Mubarak's resignation on Friday, Vice-President Omar Suleiman said the president had handed power to the army.

Mr Suleiman said on state TV that the high command of the armed forces had taken over, a body composed of high-ranking generals and headed by Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.

"During these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country," he said.

"May God help everybody."

After Mubarak's resignation, a military spokesman appeared on state TV and promised the army would not act as a substitute to a "legitimate government acceptable to the people."

He said the military was preparing the next steps needed to achieve the ambitions of "our great nation" and would announce them soon.

US diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks described Field Marshal Tantawi as "aged and change-resistant", but committed to avoiding another war with Israel.

Invitation to Get-Together

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 02:05:28 +0100

We hope that this message finds you while enjoying Allah’s blessings.

As part of its ongoing activities of strengthening faith and Islamic brotherhood, Chiradzulu Secondary School Muslim Students Association has organized a get-together that will take place as follows:

     Date           : Saturday, 19th February, 2011
     Time           : 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
     Theme        : The Role of Muslim Youth in the Contemporary Society
     Venue        : Chiradzulu Secondary School Hall

We regret to tell you, however, that as of now, we do not have the funds to buy food, and as such, every participant is advised bring his or her lunch.

All are welcome.

Your participation is highly appreciated.

Yours in Islam,

Bashir Chawinga
CHAIRPERSON.

The stand of Islam regarding terrorism

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:18:11 +0100

Unfortunately more and more often, Islam has been associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extreme individuals who’ve taken it upon themselves to do the most heinous crimes in the name of Islam.

Tragic events such as the attack on the twin towers in New York, the bombings of Bali, Madrid and London are assumed to be justified by Islam in the minds of some people. This idea has been fueled further by many media channels which defame Islam by portraying these bombers as ‘Islamists’ or ‘Jihadists’, as though they were sanctioned by Islam, or had any legitimate spokemenship on behalf of Muslims. The actions of a few fanatical individuals who happen to have Muslim names or ascribe themselves to the Muslim faith should not be a yardstick by which Islam is judged. For the same reason, that one would not do justice to Christianity if it where perceived as sanctioning the genocide of the Native Americans, the atrocities of world war II or the bombings of the IRA.

To understand Islam’s stance on terrorism, one must refer to its original sources, the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him,which are explicit in their prohibition of any form of injustice including that of wanton violence which seeks to instill fear, injury or death to civilians.

The Quran turns our attention to the high value of human life, whether it is Muslim or Non-Muslim and makes it absolutely forbidden to take an innocent life unjustly. The gravity of such a crime is equated, in the Quran, with the killing of all humanity.

“On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.” ( 5:32 )

Not only is human life sacred in Islam but the property, wealth, family and dignity of all individuals in society are to be respected and protected. Those who transgress these rights and sow fasad (corruption) as the Quran describes it, incur the wrath of Allah.

"…and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters " (28:77)

Likewise in another verse

“The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous” (42:42)

Islam goes further than just prohibiting oppression and safeguarding rights, it commands its faithful to deal kindly and compassionately to all those who seek to live in peace and harmony

"Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just" (60:8)

In times of war and conflict, where enmity can obstruct an individual’s judgement to act morally, Islam commands that justice be upheld even towards one’s enemies.

"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do" (5:8)

Centuries before the Geneva Convention was drawn up, Muslims were bound by a code of conduct which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, set. He forbade the killing of women, children and elderly in war. In an authentic narration the Prophet (pbuh) warned that he who kills anyone who has a covenant of peace with the Muslims will not smell the scent of Paradise. In fact, he taught that justice is not only to humans but must be shown to animals and all living things. In a narration the Prophet (pbuh) informed us about how a lady was sent to hell because of a cat she had locked up until it starved and died. If such is the sanctity which Islam places on the soul of an animal, how much more grave is the killing of hundreds of innocent humans?!

Abu Bakr the first Calipha of the Muslims reflected these prophetic teachings when he advised his general Yazid, who was confronting Roman armies,

"I advise you ten things, Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly."

The message of the Quran is clear as we have seen, that the sanctity of any human life is to be respected and any violation in that regard is paramount to the worst crime. Mercy is at the heart of the Islamic call, “We sent thee (O Muhammad) not save as a mercy for the peoples” (21:107); a totally different message to what the terrorists are sadly imparting to humanity.

Source: Discover Islam

'Day of departure' rally in Egypt

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:38:45 +0100

There is an increased army presence in Cairo's Tahrir Square, after unrest that has led to hundreds of casualties.

After Friday prayers were held in a relaxed atmosphere, the crowd started chanting for Mr Mubarak to go.

Mr Mubarak has said he is "fed up" with being in power but is resisting mounting pressure to resign as he says it would leave Egypt in chaos.

In his first interview since anti-government protests began, he told ABC News he would like to resign immediately. But he repeated that the country's Islamist opposition - the Muslim Brotherhood - would fill the power vacuum left by his absence.
Continue reading the main story
At the scene

The pro-Mubarak element seems to have disappeared at least for the moment and the army has a cordon between the two sides. It is holding a ring and letting people in. The numbers are building up and of course people here are expecting a big day.

The mood is very relaxed. I've got hundreds of people around me who have spent a long time here, many of them are sleeping because they are exhausted, others are sitting chatting in the sunshine.

There was a false alarm a short while ago. When they think they are coming under attack they bang on railings with metal bars to attract attention and the lads start running to that spot. But the sense of imminent attack has now eased. They do feel this is coming to a climax and I think they're feeling the shift within the Egyptian ruling leadership.

Most people here do have confidence in the army as a kind of neutral institution. I believe there is a struggle going on between elements loyal to the regime, perhaps loyal to the previous interior minister who was fired and who has now had his assets frozen and is not allowed to leave the country.

Some people believe the attacks were motivated by his people trying to extract revenge, to show there is still a power and to punish the other part of the establishment for firing him.

Protest organisers are demanding that he leave immediately.

They have been angered further by the emergence in recent days of pro-Mubarak gangs - many suspected to be plain clothes police - who have attacked anti-government protesters.

The protesters say they want to put the "last nail in the regime's coffin".

The BBC's Jim Muir in Tahrir Square says the much stronger army presence has been securing the perimeter, but on good terms with the protesters.

Defence Minister Gen Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and other military leaders joined the armed forces in the square on Friday.

Protesters chanted: "The army and people are united."

Thorough checks for weapons were carried out ahead of Friday prayers.

After the prayers, the numbers in the square continued to swell.

Correspondents also say that there are many more tanks and soldiers out on the streets of second city Alexandria than before.

On Friday, the general secretary of the ruling NDP, Ibrahim Kamel, accused the West of betraying Egypt.

He vowed President Mubarak would not step down and that soon millions of Egyptians - "the silent majority" - would come out on to the streets to protest because "enough is enough".

Egypt's health ministry says eight people have been killed and more than 800 injured in the clashes, but the UN estimates that more than 300 people have died since the unrest broke out on 25 January, with about 4, 000 hurt.

Source: BBC News

New Developments on Egypt's Unrest

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:10:41 +0100

The attorney general has issued an order of stopping former defense minister, former tourism minister, businessman and former general policy organizing in the ruling party from leaving the country until all inquiries are over and freeze their bank accounts , the mentioned personnel tried to go out of the country what described by others as running away from persecutions. Read more...