Abu Huraira, r.a reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings
be upon him, said, "A servant committed a sin and he said: O
Allah, forgive my sin! Allah the Exalted said: My servant
has committed a sin and he knows he has a Lord who forgives
sins and holds him accountable. Then the servant returned to
his sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin! Allah said: My
servant has committed a sin and he knows he has a Lord who
forgives sins and holds him accountable. Then the servant
returned to his sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin!
Allah said: My servant has committed a sin and he knows he
has a Lord who forgives sins and holds him accountable, so
do what you will for I have forgiven you."
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
7068, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2758
The disintegration of justice and the damage to #MeToo
The Muslim Association of
Britain (MAB) is deeply concerned for the welfare of Tariq
Ramadan as he endures a disintegration of due process in the
case brought against him by two alleged victims of sexual
abuse.
Having voluntarily returned to France to cooperate with the
investigation into the accusations levelled against him only
to be locked up in solitary confinement at a high security
facility and prevented from seeing his family as well as
from taking his prescribed medication for multiple
sclerosis. In a recent statement, his family describe his
health as having seriously deteriorated since he was
arrested on the 5th of February.
MAB, while firmly believing that any allegations of sexual
abuse must be taken seriously and should be thoroughly and
fully investigated, is shocked to see that even the most
basic rules of justice are being flagrantly ignored by the
French authorities; that one is innocent until proven
guilty. Such contempt for due process sadly undermines the
important #MeToo movement and is a betrayal of victims.
President of MAB, Anas Altikriti stated last night: "The
fact that the case against Tariq Ramadan is littered with
inconsistencies and apparent falsehoods, including the
accusation that he carries an Egyptian passport hence deemed
a flight risk. Further, the mysterious loss of crucial
evidence proving his whereabouts at the time he is accused
of committing the crime, simply adds to the frustration and
anger of those who have come to know, follow and learn from
Tariq Ramadan over a number of decades.
"Also, the coinciding case of the Minister of Action and
Public Accounts Gérald Darmanin, who faces two accusations
of rape, yet left free not only to walk the streets but to
continue serving as a minister enjoying the government's
full support, belies the application of double standards
which can only be inferred to be racist in basis."
MAB is unwavering in its support for due judicial process
and for a full and thorough investigation into the
allegations to take place. What is currently happening in
France however, is anything but. Should this be allowed to
continue, the victim won't be only Tariq Ramadan, but all
genuine victims of sexual abuse and France's judicial system
and the country's standing among the free and democratic
world.
Muslim Association of Britain
Raqqa was reduced to rubble by US Air Force.
Amnesty found out 7 months after New Trend
Summary of Amnesty Report.
Take Action for Human Rights
Demand Accountability for the Destruction in Raqqa
Last year, the US-led Coalition killed entire families in
Raqqa, a city in the North East of Syria.
In June 2017, the Coalition - including the US, France and
UK - launched a military operation to oust the armed group
calling itself the Islamic State from its so called
"capital".
But instead of just targeting Daesh, they caused the deaths
of hundreds and injury of thousands of civilians, and
destroyed much of the city.
Our researchers visited Raqqa, and reported a level of
destruction beyond anything they have seen in decades of
covering the impact of wars. Homes, private and public
buildings and infrastructure were reduced to rubble, or
damaged beyond repair.
So although the Coalition claims that it conducted a
precision air campaign intended to bomb the Islamic State
out of Raqqa while causing very few civilian casualties,
this claim is simply not true.
Hundreds of civilians were killed in Raqqa. Families just
like ours. You can demand truth and justice for them and
their loved ones, and make sure their lives are not
forgotten.
Demand the U.S-led Coalition recognize the scale of civilian
lives lost in Raqqa, properly investigate airstrikes that
killed civilians, publish all their findings, and provide
reparation for the victims.
By serving justice for those who were unlawfully killed in
Raqqa, we can help make sure that similar crimes do not
happen again in the future.
Big Rally at Israeli Consulate.
Boycott List Distributed.
by Br. Abu Talib
Jamaat al-Muslimeen.
There was a big rally against Israeli occupation of
Jerusalem in New York city on June 8 which was held in
Manhattan on 42second and 8th Avenue Times Square by several
organizations who sponsored it.
There were about five hundred people at the rally and then
we marched to the Israel Consulate.
Demonstrators chanted "Palestine will be free, from the
River to the Sea."
I gave out the boycott list of companies that support
Israel.
There were lots of young People from Palestine who were
leading the March and walking with a coffin which was symbol
of those young people who were killed in Palestine.
The Muslims must make a stand for the oppressed and for
Palestine.
The struggle here and in Palestine is one. Malcolm X made
that connection with the people of Palestine.
Israel is Number One in this Activity.
[ABC NEWS{
Ripped men in white underwear, pink bunny ears and black bow
ties gyrated through the streets of Israel's Tel Aviv on
Friday along with drag queens and others to loud trance
music for the annual Gay Pride Parade — the biggest
event of its kind in the region.
The Tel Aviv Municipality said over 250,000 people
celebrated at the city's 20th Gay Pride Parade, an event
that draws people from around the world to party.
Cordelia Lange, from Germany, said Tel Aviv is "a very
vibrant city, it's a city that embraces everything connected
to gays, lesbians and LGBT and I think it's a combination of
city at the beach and good vibes."
Did You Think Homo Sex was Harmless?
Excerpted from BBC June 5
The impact of STIs remains greatest in young people aged
between 15 and 24 years, with gay, bisexual and other men
who have sex with men among those most at risk, says Public
Health England in its report.
Black and minority ethnic populations are also
disproportionately affected by STIs.
Chlamydia remains the most prevalent of the diseases,
accounting for more than 200,000 cases last year - nearly
half (48%) of all new STI diagnoses in 2017.
Testing in contraceptive clinics has fallen by 61% since
2015, which experts say may indicate a squeeze on resources.
However, it may also reflect a rise in the use of home
testing kits - and the availability of testing in other
settings.
Latest Khutba
Why do Muslims Ignore Ayesha's, r.a., Anniversary in
Ramadan+
Prophets Faced Difficulties+ Why is Maudoodi being Ignored
by America's Muslims?+ Sufiism & Sectarianism is not the
way
On June 8, Br. Kaukab Siddique gave the juma' khutba at
Masjid Jamaat al-Muslimeen in Baltimore.
Here is an outline of his khutba for distribution on
line:
Texts : " .....Allah's messenger got up when dawn broke and
there was no water. So Allah revealed the Divine Verses of
tayammum. So they all performed tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair
said, "O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first
blessing of yours." Then the camel on which I was riding was
caused to move from its place and the necklace was found
beneath it. (Excerpted from hadith narrated by Ayesha, r.a,
in Sahih Bukhari, Book #7, Hadith #330)
"......and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean
sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For
Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again." [The
Qur'an 4:43]
All the prophets faced serious difficulties. There is no
easy way in Islam. We have to strive and struggle to achieve
al-Jannah,
Nuh [Noah] preached for hundreds of years but was not
accepted. Abraham's father was an idol maker and threatened
to have him stoned to death. Musa's [Moses} followers would
not go into the Promised Land and had to wander in the
desert with him for 40 years. Isa' [Jesus] was given the
greatest miracles but he got
only 12 disciples. His community opted for his crucifixion
[but Allah saved him]. Prophet Muhammad and his companions
were tormented and tortured so much, they had to leave all
they had and to migrate.
[Please say "peace be on him" after each name].
So, we should not complain about the long summer fasts.
This is preparing us for awareness of reality and the
hardship of our path.
Women, about half of our population, are ignored by us in
our Islamic work. Evidence of this attitude is that we do
not remember the anniversary of Ayesha, r.a. which comes
every year in Ramadan. Isn't it strange that we ignore the
wife of the Prophet, pbuh, who is highly praised in the
Qur'an as ahlul bayt. Only one sahabi, Zayd, r.a., is
mentioned in the Qur'an and that is a mention, not high
praise.
The Qur'an condemns people who would try to disparage
Ayesha, r.a. See chapter 24. Severe punishment is prescribed
for those who would slander and talk about her. That ruling
is applied
to all good women who are targeted without evidence.
Great miracles are connected with Ayesha, r.a. Here are a
few:
Tayammum, the revelation about ablution for prayer, which
affects our daily prayers when water is not easily
available.
She is the greatest narrator of hadith.
The Prophet, pbuh, wanted to be with her when the time
came for him to leave this world. He died in her lap.
The Qur'an in insists that she and all the wives of the
Prophet, pbuh, rise to the highest level of conduct.
She was given the choice to leave the prophet, pbuh, and
live comfortably or to accept his austere life style.
She accepted her austere life style.
Notice the verses on Ramadan. We must be intimate with
and kind to our spouses once the fast ends.
Part 2.
One strange thing about Muslims in America is that they
ignore all the great scholars of Islam and instead
focus on the minor American scholars they have. These
scholars have one thing in common: They support the
West against those Muslims who are opposing the West,
specially imperialism and Zionism, in the Muslim world.
That is why I have taken it on my myself to introduce the
great scholars. Last time I talked about Ibn Taymiyyah.
Today I am reflecting on Maulana Maudoodi.
His greatest contribution was to remind Muslims that
Islam is a COMPLETE way of life. This idea essentially
means
that authentic Islam cannot be broken into spiritual and
political. The Sufis and sectarians neglected the
revolutionary aspects of Islam and as a result, the Muslim
world was colonized and Israel was planted in our
heartland.
Maudoodi taught Muslims that we need Islamic Law,
Islamic Constitution, Islamic economics and foremost,
the
obligation of Jihad to defend the Muslim world. Separation
from the unbelievers in their constituent ideas is
essential. Hence Pakistan came into being.
The way of Ibn Taymiyyah and Maudoodi is to have direct
access to the Qur'an and the authentic hadith.
Not knowing Arabic is no longer an excuse. Translations are
available in every major language.
Go to Arabic scholars when something involves Arabic
linguistic understanding.
Dua': May Allah help us to study the Qur'an and hadith on a
daily basis. May Allah unite us on Qur'an and hadith.
Nationalism cannot liberate Palestinel, nor can it save the
Black communities of America.
May Allah give us spouses and children who will stand with
us for Islam.
PAKISTAN
From NT's Pakistan Observer
Khadija Siddiqui, law student, Stabbed 23 times.
Upper class criminal acquitted!
Shah Hussain is the son of a prominent lawyer [judge?]. He
wanted to have an affair with an attractive law student,
Khadija Siddiqui. She wears hijab and is modest and ignored
him. He tried social media blackmailing with photo shopped
images. She still ignored him. So one day, in broad
daylight, he attacked her and stabbed her 23 times. He also
injured her sister. She survivded after being treated in the
hospital for 3 weeks.
Shah Hussain was arrested and sentenced to 7 years in
prison. Being well placed \, he appealed and the sentence
was reduced to 5 years. A ridiculous sentence for such a
blatant crime against a Muslim woman.
Shah Hussain appealed again and this time, to everyone's
surprise, he was acquitted of all charges. Shock waves
rippled through Pakistani upper class society. Khadija
couldn't believe that an open and shut case could result in
acquittal. She appealed to the Supreme court. Now [June 7]
the Supreme court has decided to take up the case.
[Source: News International, Pakistan]
Pakistani Army Admits that it is working unitedly with USA
and the regime in Kabul.
In a wide ranging press conference on June 4 Pakistani
general Asif Ghafoor published this statement about the
Pakistani army's relations with the US and the regime it has
installed in Kabul:
"Nobody is more desirous of US success in Afghanistan than
we are," "We want them to return successful and wish
Afghanistan forms a government that reflects the will of the
Afghan people."
"We will give them whatever support they need," he
promised.
Addressing accusations of harbouring the Haqqani network on
the Pakistan side, Maj Gen Ghafoor conceded that some
residual strength may still remain but no 'stable' network
existed.
"Prior to [Operation] Zarb-i-Azb it used to be a question of
capacity, not resolve," he explained, saying that the
operation had achieved tangible gains and eradicated most
terrorist networks on this side of the border.
The army spokesperson also reiterated that the military
desires respectable repatriation of Afghan refugees from
Pakistan, "after which the army can target all remaining
terrorist networks".
"The Americans and the Afghan officials have acknowledged
our successes in Zarb-i-Azb," he also said.
[This was published in the pro-government Pakistani
newspaper DAWN. Zarb e Azab was the Pakistan military
operation carried out in Northern Waziristan which the US
had been insisting on for years. The entire population was
expelled and many of them are still sitting in the sun.]
War News
Somalia
In a gunfight with al-Shabab mujahideen, north of Kismayo,
an American soldier was killed and 4 wounded. A regime
soldier with them was also wouded.
Most of Somalia is under control of al-Shabab. [BBC]
Pakistan
In the lower Dir area, "militants" killed a senior police
officer and his police driver. {June 8]
In Wana, South Waziristan, a secular group based on Pashtun
ethnic loyalty, clashed with Maulvi Nazir's militants. 4 of
the seculars were killed and more than a dozen wounded. Army
has imposed curfew on the area.
Pakistani troops repelled an attempt by "militants" who have
taken refuge in Taliban held areas of Afghanistan and were
trying to come back to Pakistan.
Kashmir
There was another exchange of artillery fire between India
and Pakistan on the Kashmir line of control.
More Indian army atrocities are reported from Indian
occupied Kashmir. People are protesting the murder of 4
"militants" by the Indian army.
Afghanistan
Lightning Attacks by Taliban.
Three day cease fire will begin on Eid.
June 9. In Shah Walikot district of Kandahar province, a
large scale attack by Taliban fighters killed 25 regime
troops and wounded 10. Another 8 were captured. The Taliban
say they suffered only 5 killed and 2 wounded.
June 10. In an intense Taliban attack in the Zawal district
of Herat, 12 regime troops were killed and 1 wounded.
In another big attack in the Qala e Zar area of Kunduz,
Taliban killed 14 police officers. They suffered some losses
but these were not revealed.
In the Ghazni area US air force is bombing Taliban. Losses
are not known.
In Nangarhar province, near Pakistan, regime artillery is
pounding Islamic State fighters but results are not
known.
Australia is investigating reports that its troops murdered
several villagers whom they suspected of knowing the
whereabouts of a mujahid who killed 3 Australian troops and
escaped.
Taliban have announced a three day cease fire starting on
Eid.
Syria
Iran and Hizb will stay in Syria or Assad may not survive
Despite Russian bombing.
Fighting flares across Syria. IS re-Takes Bokamal & Parts of
Suwaida region.
Reports indicate that Iran and Lebanese Hizb will stay in
Syria. Assad is claiming that Russia is not running
the show and Iran will follow his directions. Russia has
been saying in support of Israel that Iran will evacuate
particularly from areas near Israel.
Russian-Regime bombing massacre of Civilians in Zardara.
On June 7, Russia and regime air forces bombed the
population of Zardara in Idlib province killing 51 civilians
[including 11 women and 9 children]. The town has been
smashed.
On June 10, the bombing was renewed killing 18 more
civilians.
On June 7 Islamic State [IS] fighters advanced into Suwaida
region which leads to Damascus from the south. The regime
has sent a large force to take it back. On June 10 the two
sides made contact and fighting is continuing.
From June 8 to June 10, Islamic State fighters took back a
vast area from Bokamal [Abu Kamal] to Mayadein.
Here the IS forces used 10 human bombers to attack the
Iranian-led forces which had occupied the area. SOHR is
documenting that 31 pro-regime forces were killed. Of these
16 were Assad's men. Among them was their commander .. The
commander of the Lebanese Hizb too was killed. 5 of those
killed were Iraqi regime forces and 9 were Iranian troops.
The regime forces fled. IS lost 21 [including the 10 human
bombers used against regime tanks.]
As this is a strategically important area, Iran is bringing
reinforcements to counterattack.
On June 7, an Islamic group fired on regime troops in
western Aleppo city. The regime fired back.
American backed SDF Kurdish forces advanced against IS in
southern Hasakeh province. Their advance is slow despite
American air support.
[Northwest Aleppo province: June 7-010] In retaliation for
the regime/Russian bombing of Zardara, opposition Islamic
factions supported by mujahideen from Uzbekistan and
Turkestan attacked the heavily armed Shiite enclaves of Fuah
and Safriah. The Shias are being supplied from the air by
Russia but the mujahideen are tightening their grip,
On June 4 al-Nusra attacked refugees from Iraq in Idlib
province. al-Nusra considers them ISIS and there is bitter
hate between them. In the al-Nusra attack 22 of the refugees
were killed. The refugees fought back killing 5 of al-Nusra.
[The hate comes from the time when al-Nusra refused to
accept the IS caliphate.]
Russian bombing raids on towns in northeast Hama province
held by the opposition continued on a daily basis as well as
on IS areas east of Homs province.
Iraq
Minor but disruptive attacks in many parts of Iraq.
We are ignoring the many minor attacks.
The major event is the Turkish event reported by Shafaq
News:
Turkish forces are stationed 30km inside northern Iraq and
could advance further to target Kurdish fighters in their
Qandil Mountains stronghold, Turkey's Prime Minister Binali
Yildirim has said.
Stepping up Turkish warnings about expanding its military
presence in Kurdish-controlled areas of Iraq, Yildirim said
on Friday that Ankara would not hesitate to escalate an
offensive against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
fighters across its southern border.
News Within the U.S.
Baltimore, Maryland
Police Officers Sentenced.
Few Criminals can match
what they were doing.
[Excerpted from the Baltimore Sun.]
June 7.
Former Baltimore Police Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, a key figure in
the Gun Trace Task Force corruption case, was sentenced
Thursday to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a
stunning range of crimes.
The sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Catherine C.
Blake was five years less than the maximum possible term
under Jenkins' plea agreement. Prosecutors had asked that
Jenkins, 37, of Middle River, receive the maximum
sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise said the harm inflicted by
Jenkins was "immeasurable," walking through how he stole
drugs on a "near-daily basis" for years and encouraged and
helped his squad carry out robberies while bilking taxpayers
for unworked overtime pay.
Jenkins sobbed during an apology that stretched for several
minutes, his voice cracking throughout.
"I made so many mistakes, your honor," Jenkins said. "I know
it's my fault. I deserve to be punished and I deserve to go
to jail."
Jenkins was one of two officers sentenced Thursday. Former
Det. Marcus Taylor, 30, who fought his charges at trial and
maintains his innocence, received 18 years in prison.
"I'm going away for all these years for something I didn't
do," protested Taylor, saying the word of dishonest officers
was being used against him.
Former detectives Evodio Hendrix and Maurice Ward, who
pleaded guilty and cooperated with the government, will be
sentenced Friday. In all, eight members of the gun task
force were convicted.
Wise told Blake that Jenkins had operated his two
plainclothes drug squads "like a criminal gang."
Jenkins' plea agreement includes admissions that he stole
looted drugs during the April 2015 riots and spearheaded
robberies that netted the officers up to tens of thousands
of dollars at a time. He was recorded on a wiretap telling
officers in one of those robberies to pretend he was a
federal prosecutor while interrogating a man who they
believed had drugs and money they could steal.
In addition to the sweeping racketeering charge, Jenkins
faced charges of civil rights violations for a 2010 incident
in which he and two other officers drove up suddenly on two
men, who said they believed they were being robbed and fled.
While driving away, the men got into an accident that killed
86-year-old Elbert Davis, and police planted drugs in their
car. Both men went to federal prison.
Jenkins apologized to Davis' family, who appeared in court,
and to Umar Burley, who was freed from prison last year
after the charges were revealed.
"From the bottom of my heart, I wish I could take that day
back," Jenkins said.
He maintained that he did not plant the drugs, but said he
knew and helped cover it up. "I wish I had come clean when I
found out the drugs were planted," he said.
But Davis' family said afterward that they were unmoved by
the apology.
"Today was the first day we heard him say he was sorry," one
relative told reporters.
Jenkins was described as a "golden boy" viewed as
"untouchable" within the department, and the department has
yet to explain publicly how his conduct went unchecked so
long. State lawmakers passed a bill creating a task force to
investigate the corrupt task force, and are working to
assemble a panel that will have subpoena power and hold
public hearings.
Canada Says No!
Canada officials want to make it clear for would-be
immigrants looking to cross the US-Canada border that they
should do so legally.
According to Newsweek, Randy Boissonnault, an adviser to
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trying to spread the
message amid a surge of immigrants in the U.S crossing
illegally into Canada, mostly via the Quebec province.
Boissonnault told USA Today, quote, "People seem to think
that if they cross the border there's this land of milk and
honey on the other side."
In one month alone, Royal Canadian police caught more than
5,000 mostly Haitian immigrants trying to cross into the
country.
Guidance
As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah .
8 Basic Mistakes Muslims make when Paying 'Zakaat
Al-Fitr'.
Courtesy ~ Sis Yasmin.
Ibn 'Umar (R.A) reported that...
Prophet (Sal Allahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam),
made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave,
freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims;
one Saa' (a measurement) of dried dates or one Saa'
of barley.
[ Source: Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, H
# 579]
Mistake # 1~ Paying at Eid Salah.
Some people go to Eid Prayers and drop money into the
donation box thinking that they have paid their
Zakat ul-Fitr.
No... ! Zakat al-Fitr, which is food,
must be in the hands of the needy family
BEFORE Eid Prayer...!
If someone goes to Eid Prayer and pays then it
is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT
arrive on time !
Mistake # 2~ Snail Mailing the money overseas
[basic principle as before]
The Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy
BEFORE Eid prayer.
One cannot mail the money
overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy after
Eid Prayer is over ...!
However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the
needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their
locality, then In Shaa Allah it's alright.
Mistake # 3~ Not Paying.
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is ...
to skip the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr.
EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr,
for each & every member of the household.
So if you have 8 people in your house,
'Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid X 8, even if the
youngest member is just a few days old...!
Mistake # 4~ Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal.
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here
(think "Iftar", i.e. Ramadan).
'Zakat Al-Maal' (Maal literally means wealth),
is the Zakah due on ones money, etc...
and that could be due any time
during the year depending on when it was due.
Mistake # 5~ Giving money instead of food .
Although some scholars have allowed giving
money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to
give food to the needy of the community,
NOT money.
(one can give money to the local 'Masjid'
in charge and they can give food with that money
on time as specified .
The Companion of the Prophet
[PEACE BE UPON HIM]
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree, {Radi Allahu 'Anhu} said...
"In the Prophet's time, we used to give it
(Zakatal-Fitr) as a Saa' of food, dried dates, barley,
raisins or dried cheese".
[Source:-Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340,H #
582]
Mistake # 6~ Giving one's Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable building project...
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a
charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid,
or Islamic school. There is a difference of opinion on this
issue... but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah
Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on
Eid.
{"In Shaa Allah"}
All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in the
'Quran' are HUMANS, not "building projects".
Mistake # 7~ Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims.
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims.
However, Zakah al-Fitr charity
is something exclusive to
the MUSLIM poor and needy.
Hence, one could not give
Zakah Al-Fitr to any needy person on the street.
"Regular" charity can be given to them,
but not Zakah Al-Fitr.
Mistake # 8 ~Delaying distribution...
Sometimes Masjids might collect
Zakah Al-Fitr money
and then put it in a bank...!
It doesn't reach the needy for months and months !
The correct method is to give Zakah Al-Fitr immediately when
it is due.
~ 'Salaams' to all ~
Y a s m i n.
"All that is on earth will Perish. But will abide
{Forever}
the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and
Honour"
{'Quran'- Surah Al-Rahman-55.26-27 }
VIEWPOINT
Turkish Leader Erdogan Denounces
Austrian move against Mosques.
A Turkish presidential spokesman had on Friday described the
Austrian move as "a reflection of the anti-Islam, racist and
discriminatory populist wave in this country". EPA/TUMAY
BERKIN
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday strongly
criticised Austria's move to close mosques and expel
Turkish-funded imams, criticising the decision as
anti-Islamic and promising a response.
"These measures taken by the Austrian prime minister are, I
fear, leading the world towards a war between the cross and
the crescent," Mr Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul.
His comments came the day after the Austrian government
announced it could expel up to 60 Turkish-funded imams and
their families, and would shut down seven mosques as part of
a clampdown on "political Islam".
The announcement triggered fury in Ankara.
Interior minister Herbert Kickl of the far-right Freedom
Party, the junior partner in Austria's coalition government,
said the move concerned imams with alleged links to the
Turkish-Islamic Cultural Associations organisation, a branch
of Turkey's religious affairs agency Diyanet.
Mr Kickl said his government suspects them of contravening a
ban on foreign funding of religious office holders.
A Turkish presidential spokesman had on Friday described the
Austrian move as "a reflection of the anti-Islam, racist and
discriminatory populist wave in this country".
However, other European far-right leaders welcomed the
announcement.
Even Austria's opposition parties were broadly supportive of
Friday's announcement, with the centre-left Social Democrats
calling it "the first sensible thing this government has
done".
But the Green Party pointed out it could serve as a
propaganda victory for the Turkish government.
Mr Erdogan, speaking on Saturday, said: "They say they're
going to kick our religious men out of Austria. Do you think
we will not react if you do such a thing?
"That means we're going to have to do something."
About 360,000 people of Turkish origin live in Austria,
including 117,000 Turkish nationals.
Relations between Ankara and Vienna have been strained since
a failed coup in 2016 against Mr Erdogan that was followed
by a wave of arrests.
His speech comes in the run-up to presidential and
legislative elections on June 24 in which Mr Erdogan faces
stiff opposition.
The Austrian government has banned Turkish officials from
holding meetings in the country before the polls.
