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Jamada al-Thani 12, 1428/ June 27, 2007 #48
CORRECTION: Re: New Trend's report on Islam and Indigenous Peoples:
Not "Red Indians"
The term "red" Indians is equivalent to 'redskin' which to many indigenous
people of this land is similar to calling an African American a nigger.
You should be more careful when talking about the first nations people
especially when others are trying to introduce Islam to this population.
Also don't forget that all of us who are not indigenous to this land are
either invaders, descendants of invaders, or immigrants whom for
different reasons are benefiting from the theft of this land and the
near complete genocide of their original owners. Enlightened Muslims
like yourself should have this even more clear in their minds since
the injustice against the indigenous peoples of this continent mirrors
that being committed against the Palestinian people. We are called to
always stand up for justice and cannot be blind to this when we benefit
from this injustice.
Respectfully,
Paula Ostrovsky-Redner [California]
Letter: Re: "Muslim" Zionists: Is there an alternative to Israel?
I really enjoyed this New Trend.
The anti-Israel demonstration on Sunday [June 10] was excellent, and
lobbying today on Capitol Hill was also a positive experience. I wonder
from your article "Jewish Zionists, Christian Zionists, "Muslim" Zionists
Joust for Acceptance by White House/FBI/Zionist Media" what other option
there is for Palestine and the state of Israel? Certainly the problems
that arose in Rwanda and other artificial African states shouldn't
continue to be repeated around Jerusalem; but what is your alternate
solution since the state of Israel has been established?
Maryam [Washington, DC] [From a long letter.]
Editor's note: The alternative to Israel is Islam. The Muslim world can
easily dismantle Israel if the majority of Muslims start following the
Qur'an. "Drive them out from where they drove you out" is the absolute
command of Allah Almighty in the Qur'an. Israel may even be dismantled
without a war. It is an artificial entity created by the U.S. and the
victors of World War II. It has no legitimacy.
Letter from Oman
An Arab Country's Suffering was Completely Censored by U.S. Media
A terrible storm struck Oman in the Arabian peninsula [June 6, 2007]. It
was of no interest to the U.S. although America does good business there.
New Trend got this brief report from a reader on June 10:
Thank God we are fine but it was really bad and strong; a lot of damage
and people died but I don't know why our government doesn't want to
say and reveal the truth. the government is saying that everything is
going well and no need for help from outside but that is not true. People
are missing, dying from thirst and hunger in most places because there
is no way to reach them , no electricity, nothing!!!!!!!!!!!! You know
in many places, people don't have place to stay and yet the government
is saying everything is under control!!!!!!!!!!! yesterday, I went with
some friends to take some food , water and other things to some damaged
places. It took us 7 hours to reach places we used to reach in 10
minutes!!! Other places they are still looking for people but till now
nothing is found!
Khalid
Jamaat al-Muslimeen News, P.O. Box 10881, Baltimore, MD 21234 [2 items only]
Outreach in Arab-American Community, Baltimore:
100 Get cutting edge Literature
June 22, 2007: Masjid Noor is located in northeastern Baltimore city.
Jamaat al-Muslimeen literature was given to 100 people after juma [Friday]
prayers. Most of the worshipper here are from a variety of Arab countries
particularly Egypt, Syria, UAE and Lebanon.
The literature included five items: Jamaat's appeal to U.S. Muslims to
condemn the British knighthood of anti-Islam hatemonger Salman
Rushdie, analysis of the great Islamic victory in Gaza,
the New Trend exclusive on the gang leader who has confessed to the
shootings for which Imam Jamil was sent to prison, the Shi'ite
destruction of the tomb of Talha, r.a. in Iraq, and a motivational article
on making salat the center of one's life while living in America.
African-Americans and Israeli Jews: Unequal Relationship
by Sis. Aisha, Jamaat al-Muslimeen New York City
I found this article curious. Some male professional athletes have gotten
in trouble for domestic disputes and assaults on "fellow Americans" and
receive pay and playing time. But, this girl, who is African-American,
hits an Israeli and gets fired.
Sky terminates Deanna Jackson's contract for striking opponent -
WNBA - Yahoo! Sports
Sky terminates Deanna Jackson's contract for striking opponent
May 23, 2007
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Sky terminated the contract of guard Deanna
Jackson on Wednesday, one month after she hit an opposing player in a
parking lot after Israel's national league title game.
Jackson, who spent the off season playing for Israeli team Anda Ramat
Hasharon, was placed on indefinite suspension by the Sky following her
arrest on April 24 for assaulting Elitzur Ramle guard Ina Gourevitch in
a Jerusalem parking lot after an 81-68 loss in the championship game.
"Although we have been informed that there is still an ongoing
investigation of Deanna's altercation with Ina in Israel, the general
nature of the incident is not in dispute," Sky owner Michael Alter said.
"Based on her decisions and actions that occurred after a game, Deanna
has violated her collective bargaining agreement and player contract."
The two players had gotten into a skirmish and shouted insults at each
other near the end of the game. Police said the clash spilled into the
parking lot, where Jackson sought out Gourevitch and punched her,
breaking her nose.
Jackson averaged 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in five WNBA seasons with
Cleveland, Indiana and Chicago.
America's Million Dollar Mosques and Glittering Fund Raisers
Where's the Money?
By Bilal Siraj ul-Din
Masjid X will be having its monthly fundraising dinner. Masjid Y will be
holding a silent auction to raise money for such-and-such. Please give
sadaqah generously, brothers and sisters, for the cause of
Allah. Such statements are part and parcel of jumu'ah khutbahs
and standard masajid discourse. In masajid across the land, the call goes
out to raise money, money and even more money. And indeed money comes
pouring in, in response to this endless call. All this money--where does
it go? To the institution of the masjid, or to help those in need?
Many masajid seem to have misplaced priorities on the issue of money and
fundraising. One case in regards to the issue of money: Mammoth-sized
masajid with matching mammoth-sized parking lots are being constructed.
Or extensions to existing masajid are built. There is nothing wrong with
having a large area for Muslims to congregate, especially in sizeable
Muslims communities. But the mammoth-mosque construction is frequently
going on in sparsely populated areas, while smaller, well-attended
masajid in population dense areas are struggling just to provide basic
amenities to their congregations, to pay their utility bills, or to
develop a community school. What is the point of building structure after
structure when members of the community are in need? Why don't the
mammoth masajid allocate some of their funds to help the smaller masajid?
Zakat and even sadaqah is meant for those who are less
fortunate or suffering within a geographic area. Properly allocated, it
could mean money for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, school tuition
for children (Muslims should be able to send their children to Islamic
schools if they wish, irrespective of income level, right?) and more.
Yes, mammoth masajid may be an impressive structure to gaze at, and to
brag about to one's neighbors. But, what is the utility of external
beauty if the internal arena is rotten?
Another case is that of money sent overseas. In some masajid, money
collected as sadaqah and fundraising often finds its way overseas.
Some of it makes it to the immediate community, but the rest is sent to
other countries. This isn't a wholly bad thing, because it is going to
help Muslims. We must, however, stop and think. If there is money left
over after the sadaqah boxes have been emptied and the fundraising
money has been factored into a budget, should the money leave the
community where it was raised when people in that community are still
suffering, close to eviction, or to having their lights turned off?
Should the money be sent overseas, while Muslims of the local community
have no option but to eat high salt, hormone-injected food from grocery
stores and fast food restaurants not worthy of the name, and halal
food is beyond the budget of most? Or should it be used to meet the needs
of those in the immediate area?
Sadly, we have assumed the habit of neglecting the needs of those in our
community, focusing on cosmetic concerns in some cases, and simply
passing the money over the heads of needy Muslims in others. We need
ask, Where is the money? With all the fundraising dinners and other
masajid-level money collection, why are some members of the Muslim
community still in need? Why are there sisters with their children in
homeless shelters? And why are Muslim children left with none but the
public school option, with few chances of scholarships or tuition aid
to attend an Islamic school? Where's all the money going?
Stop and think: How much money is being pulled in annually from masajid
across the U.S. alone? Does anyone have the slightest clue? There seems
to be no accounting of how much is collected. If there is no accounting,
how then do we know how much is going back into the community? No
percentage, range, or estimate is available. Are one hundred percent
of the funds raised from the community going back into the community
(I doubt it)? Fifty percent? Ten percent? Allah alone knows best how
the money is being spent. But as long as the figures are enshrouded in
mystery, Boards of Directors in masajid nationwide will determine,
rightly or wrongly, how the money will be spent. The question is: Will
they, in allocating monies, take into account (or even be aware of) the
needs of the Muslims in their communities? The presence of needy and
suffering Muslims in a great many communities nationwide seem to
indicate not.
Letter: A Query from Iranian Reader about Shi'ism:
Is New Trend Insulting Ali Sistani?
In the latest New Trend magazine, what does the writer mean by saying:
"Remember that the U.S. used artillery to damage the
mausoleum of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Gailani and the tomb
of Imam Abu Hanifah. Then too, the Shias did not
restrain their American allies. In these graves, real
saints are buried while in the Shi'ite shrine there is
no verifiable evidence that any imam of the Shias is
buried."
What does this mean? Our 10th and 11th Imams are
buried in the Samara mosque.
and also:
"Iraqi Shi'ites committed a strategic error by
siding with the U.S. in its occupation of Iraq.
Sistani seems to have no idea that he is on the wrong
side of history. Observers say, like his fellow
sectarians in the time of Mongol onslaught, he is
supporting anti-Islam forces. It's a blunder because
the Islamic world is fighting the occupation armies
and there is no sign of retreat."
Since when did Ayatollah Seyyed Sistani support the
initial occupation of Iraq? "Fellow sectarians?" Isn't
the writer indirectly insulting Ayatollah Seyyed
Sistani? Irregardless, such ambiguous paragraphs do
much more harm than good for the sake of the unity of
our ummah. I don't know what he means by "inside job,"
but it was either Sunnis or US armed forces helping
Sunnis blow up the mosque.
"Taftid," Baltimore, Maryland
Input from New Trend's Research Department on Iraqi Shi'ites
The following information is easily available:
Ali Sistani, spiritual leader of Iraqi Shi'ites, is not on the record for
having opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq by the U.S.
Sistani supported the "elections" carried out by the U.S. in its attempt
to legitimize the CIA-related-agents it installed in Baghdad. Under
international law, elections held under military occupation have no
validity.
Sistani supported the administration of the Jaafari regime and now
supports the Nuri al-Maliki [former CIA man] clique installed by
the U.S.
Now for the Shi'ite Imams allegedly buried in the Samarra Shrine. Little
is known about the so-called 10th and 11th "imams" of the Shi'ites,
al-Hadi and al-Askari. The Shi'ite narrations about them are a bunch
of myths and stories of "miracles" and epiphanies which cannot be
verified independently or indirectly. These are evidently fabrications.
Al-Hadi and al-Askari were ordered to go from Madinah to Samarra by the
Caliph al-Mutawwakil. When al-Hadi died, 254 Hijri, he was reportedly
buried in his own house. When al-al-Askari died, 260 Hijri, he was also
buried in the same house. Thus they had no public function and only by
stretching the meaning of the word "imam" can they be called imams.
Is there a way to know that the current Shrine in Samarra is the same
house in which the two were buried? No.
The general atmosphere of myth and ambiguity about the lives of al-Hadi
and al-Askari comes from the story of the alleged "12th imam" who
allegedly disappeared and for whose return the Shi'ites have been waiting
for more than 1,200 years.
Was there really a "12th imam?" There is no such evidence. We read of
various concubines of al-Askari who claimed to be pregnant with his son
who would have been the 12th imam. But no such child was born. [*] [**]
The Shi'ite chronicler claims that there was such a child but no one
had seen him, which is an contradictory claim because for the Shi'ites
it was essential that the next imam be recognized. [***]
The Shi'ites first claimed that they had a 12th Imam who would appear
"soon." This was known as the ghibat as-Sughra [the minor
occultation.] When decades passed and the "imam" did not appear, the
Shi'ites then claimed that the 12th Imam had gone into the ghibat
al-kubra [the greater occultation] and would emerge at the end of
time to fill the world with justice.
There is no place in the Qur'an or the authentic Hadith for any such
claims. Hence by emphasizing these myths as part of their belief system,
the Shi'ites have drifted far from Islam.
On top of these unislamic beliefs, the Shi'ites support the U.S. and do
not object to the destruction of genuine Islamic mosques by the U.S.
In fact Sistani and the Shi'ites have been silent about the destruction
of entire cities by the U.S., such as Falluja, Tal Afar, Haditha,
Ramadi, big chunks of Baghdad and Mosul and now Baqubah.
[*] Islamic historians indicate that the birth of al-Askari's son was
attributed to his various concubines but is not proven to have ever
happened. In his classic al-milal wun-nahl, the famous Andalusian
scholar Ibn Hazm wrote: "Hasan Askari died without leaving any descendants
and as a result the Shi'as broke into several sects. The majority of them
insist that Hasan bin Ali [Askari] had a son but he was kept hidden. One
very popular version is that AFTER Hasan's death his concubine Saiqal
gave birth to a son. Other Shi'as say that it was not Saiqal but another
concubine of Hasan named Sawsun who gave birth to a son. Of the two
claims, the more evident is that of the concubine Saiqal because she
claimed to be pregnant after Hasan died. As a result, the inheritance
could not be distributed for seven years and there was a squabble on
the inheritance between the concubine and Hasan's brother Ja'far bin
Ali. Both sides had supporters. However the pregnancy led to a
miscarriage, the issue fizzled and Hasan Askari's brother Ja'far got
the inheritance."
[**] A popular Shi'ite compendium Bahar al-Anwar, by Mullah Baqir
Majlisi, attributes a great variety of mythical stories and miracles to
the alleged 12th Imam. This is a huge book but translation of relevant
portions from its 13th volume are available to us. Similarly the Shi'ite
book of traditions Al-Kafi of Kulayni, compiled in 328 Hijri, has
provided readers with ten pages of myths to "prove" the birth of
"Sahib-uz-zaman" the 12th imam. None of these are verifiable. A Shi'ite
scholar has pointed out that: "...a great many traditions ascribing
supernatural and superhuman characteristics to the Imams, propounded by
the semi-ghulat circles in Kufa, crept into the Shia literature."
[Origins and Early Development of Shi'a Islam by S.H. M. Jafri,
p. 303] Another Shi'ite book Jannat al-Khulut attributes the
birth of the 12th imam to still another concubine of Hasan Askari known
as Narjis. Mythical and miraculous stories of Narjis abound. Evidently
the 11th Imam lived in great luxury and had numerous concubines along
with his wives.
[***] The Shi'ite historian admits that "Al-Hasan al-Askari did not
make his son publicly known during his life-time and the ordinary
people were not able to recognise him after his death." [Kitab
Al-Irshad by Shaykh al-Mufid, translated by I.K.A. Howard, p. 523.]
Mufid admits that Askari's brother Ja'afar disputed Shi'ite claims,
including the existence of a son. He admits in a roundabout way that
Ja'far got the inheritance, without admitting that such could have
happened only if Askari did NOT have a son.
Exclusive to New Trend
An Appeal for Sanity
Is modern world in grip of clash of civilization ?
By: Amjad Malik, MA, LLM
Britain is in the grip of latest stir caused by the knighthood status
granted to 'Satanic Verses' fame writer Salman Rushdie which has created
an uproar in the Islamic world though the stalwarts of the ummah
are quietly observing these developments. Several organizations have
expressed dismay at the blatant disregard shown to the 2 million Muslims'
sensitivities in the UK and over a billion around the world whilst
granting a Knighthood to a writer. They questioned the wisdom of Tony
Blair for such recommendations on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's
birthday and have called for withdrawal as this honour is given at a
time when Muslims are on the edge to bridge the gap between two
communities after the events of September 11th and 7 July. Muslims of
Britain as well as the Western World are already subject to victimization
via various heavy handed laws, and at this junction honouring Rushdie
will contribute to widening the gulf between the two cultures and
alienating the mainstream Muslim community.
PAKISTANI LAWS DETER CRIMES against RELIGION:
Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) of 1860 dates from the British colonial period:
Sections 295 to 298 of the PPC dealing with religious offences dates
back to that period and were intended to prevent and curb religious
violence. The offences listed are: defiling a place of worship (s.295),
acts insulting religion or religious beliefs (s.295 A), disturbing a
religious assembly (s.296), trespassing on burial grounds (s.297), and
utterances wounding religious feelings (s.298). These sections have a
lot in common including the intention of the offender to hurt the
religious susceptibilities of others which is considered integral to
the offence; they also share a universal application, whereby hurting
the religious feelings or any group is made an offence. In particular
S. 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code says, " whoever by words either
spoken or written or by visible representations or in any manner
whatsoever, or by any imputation, innuendo or institution, directly
or indirectly defiles the sacred name of the holy Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life and shall
also be liable to fine." Islamic Shariat Bench later declared that
imprisonment can not be granted in Blasphemy proven cases and only
death sentence is the right sentence for the convicted.
BRITISH BLASPHEMY LAW DOES NOT COVER ISLAM:
However these offences have little value to the West who take freedom
of expression as a superior force to all other political and religious
compulsions. Their Blasphemy law, however, protects Christianity but not
Islam. Article 10 of European Convention of Human Rights 1950 which is
a bit similar to Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 says:
"1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall
include freedom to hold opinion and to receive and impart information
and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of
frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the
Licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises." During
the Salman Rushdie affair in 80's after writing a book 'Satanic Verses'
Britain never prosecuted Salman Rushdie under Blasphemy Laws of Britain
for defiling the Prophet of Islam as British laws only cover
Christianity. Under Ex Parte Choudhary, private prosecution was not
allowed either by British Courts due to lack of legal provisions.
Britain since has introduced the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006
which intends to curb preaching religious violence; however it still
does not address the core and causes of igniting religious hatred
albeit blasphemy.
Holocaust Denial is a Crime!
However in the west denial of holocaust as to whether or not Jews were
oppressed by Hitler's Nazi regime is a criminal offence in most part
of Europe. Holocaust denial is illegal in a number of European countries:
In Austria (article 3h Verbotsgesetz 1947) punishable from 6 months to
20 years, Belgium (Belgian Holocaust denial law) punishable from Fine
to 1 year, the Czech Republic under section 261 punishable from 6 months
to 3 years, France (Loi Gayssot) punishable from Fine or 1 month to 2
years, Germany (130 (3) of the penal code) also the Auschwitzlge
law section 185 punishable from Fine or 1 month to 5 years, Lithuania,
The Netherlands under articles 137c and 137e punishable from Fine or
2 years to 10 years, Poland, Romania, Slovakia,and Switzerland (article
261bis of the Penal Code) punishable from 6 months to 3-5 years. In
addition, under Law 5710-1950 it is also illegal in Israel and
punishable from 1 year to 5 years. Italy enacted a law against racial
and sexual discrimination on January 25, 2007 punishable from 3 years
to 4 years.
Now we see no Islamic countries in this list which outlaw holocaust denial
as if one wishes to enact the law in those countries one is called to
scratch their back too and amend home blasphemy laws to include the
respect for Islam and its Prophet. Now looking at this tendency the way
the West is showing insensitivity to the Muslim World's feelings, It will
be quite illogical if Islamic countries in a fit start awarding Saddam
Hussein a highest bravery award for saying 'God is one' on the gallows
or Mullah Omer 'the sword of Ali award' for combating the foreign
oppressor. These sentiments though exist which call for serious
consideration by OIC and West to sit together and find a solution to
this hugely charged issue as common man of each society calls for peace
and harmony between ancient civilizations.
The awarded writer's contribution is disputed too and it is not only
conflicting but has caused hurt to scores of human souls around the
world. British Government must have gauged the fallout as a result of
such an honour announcement and the assessment seems faulty over this
knighthood and gives rise to the contention whether it is intentional
to stir worldwide outcry to secure public support for aggression or an
unintended lapse. Queen's regiment has already been insensitive to the
public pulse at the death of Lady Diana, the princess of Wales and here
too showing little regret over this episode where thousands of Muslim
protestors are on the streets.
There is further fuel on the fire by careless statements of politicians,
one of which is of Mr. Ejaz Ul Haq, a Minister of Religion of Pakistan,
trying to justify suicidal attacks on the writer which has no basis in
Islamic teachings and in law here and abroad. In particular his call is
not wise when 1 million Pakistanis reside in Britain and contribute
heavily in national economy including his own clan. Whilst urging
communities to remain calm and use their right to protest in a maximum
peaceful manner, I feel the time has come for two ancient civilization
to sit together and try to form a group of countries to have a joint
'Memorandum of Understanding' to identify and not to allow
harbouring each other's common criminals who defile each others religious
faith. Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) did something similar 1400 years ago and
made a pact with his opponents known as 'Hudabiya Pact' and here too
the Western world must have a dialogue to secure interfaith harmony in
order to bring two extremes to the middle to avoid future conflict.
Blasphemy laws in Pakistan, Iran and Saudi make blasphemy punishable by
death; writers of such books walked free in British-run India for
writing 'Colourful Prophet' around 100 years ago, and now for writing
'Satanic Verses' and publishing 'Danish Cartoons' ridiculing the
Prophet. Similarly denying holocaust, that Nazis did or did not
oppress the Jews, is a criminal offence in the West but in the
Islamic world if not penalized. If a joint attempt to 'give and
take' policy is not adopted, I am afraid a chain of uncalled events
may emerge from within this episode which will be regrettable but
will be disastrous to the efforts of bringing the unity in this
global village. When law does not address public anxiety and no
forum on which a complaint can be lodged is available then those
who mutilate public feelings on the name of freedom will deepen the
gulf further and clash of civilization begins as was quoted by the
US president wrongly or rightly at the time of 9/11 referring
to crusades.
We must all discourage any attempt to use or stir violence on religious
basis; however realizing the nature of situation OIC and Western World
including European Union, US, Russia, China, and India must consider
setting up a forum to adjudicate such matters and give serious thought
to the calls of Muslim countries & West for interfaith harmony. Islamic
countries jointly must come up with a unanimous unstinted resolution as
to where no negotiation is possible and where there is a compromise
possible on the name of freedom of thought and expression and or to
include protection to Western belief.
There was no dearth of individuals like Ghazi ilam Din then in India,
or Amir Cheema now in Germany in this day and age who were and are
willing to take law into their own hands on the name of love for their
religion and their Prophet when no law or legal forum is available to
address their concerns when countries show blatant disregard to their
sentiments. The decision is simple: it's one man's freedom against 1.5
billion Muslims' sensitivities. Muslim world unanimously banned the
film 'Passion of Christ' which fantasized Jesus Christ in fiction;
same reciprocal concession must be offered from the West which does
not cost them a penny. Why both societies do not act together to fill
the lacuna so that any frenzied writer may not stir religious sentiments
and defile each others sacred belief as current law does not address
those common grouses of each community. This way we can stop the clash
of civilization and nip the evil in the bud in order to save humanity;
one man's unnatural death is the death of the whole of humanity.
Amjad Malik is a Solicitor-Advocate of the Supreme Court (England),
an expert of human rights law and Chair of Association of
Pakistani Lawyers: 21 June 2007
2007-06-27 Wed 18:26:08 cdt
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