I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have two neighbors; which of
them should I give a gift to?"
The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Give to the one whose door is
nearer to you."
Bill to Counteract China's Persecution of Uyghur Muslims
Unanimously Passes in US Senate
The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill to develop
a federal strategy to address China's persecution of the 13
million Uyghur Muslims who reside in the western region of
Xinjiang.
What's happening to the Uyghurs?
Human rights experts say that between 800,000 to 2 million
Muslims have been detained indefinitely in reeducation camps
since April 2017 because the Chinese Communist Party views
them as a potential extremist or separatist threat.
Detainees are interned without due process in the camps,
where they are subjected to communist propaganda, forced to
renounce Islam, and in some cases are beaten and
tortured.
And the crackdown extends beyond the reeducation camps as
well, with political and cultural indoctrination occurring
in schools and authorities using compulsory collection of
biometric data (like DNA & voice samples), artificial
intelligence, big data, and movement restrictions to control
the population. The Chinese Communist Party also restricts
the use of the Uyghur language and has demolished Uyghur
graveyards and shrines, while there have been credible
reports of extrajudicial mass killings.
A Human Rights Watch report notes that the "human rights
violations in Xinjiang today are of a scope and scale not
seen in China since the 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution", and
explains the motivation behind it:
"Authorities have sought to justify harsh treatment in the
name of maintaining stability and security in Xinjiang, and
to "strike at" those deemed terrorists and extremists in a
"precise" and "in-depth" manner. Xinjiang officials claim
the root of these problems is the "problematic ideas" of
Turkic Muslims. These ideas include what authorities
describe as extreme religious dogmas, but also any non-Han
Chinese sense of identity, be it Islamic, Turkic, Uyghur, or
Kazakh. Authorities insist that such beliefs and affinities
must be "corrected" or "eradicated."
What would the bill do?
The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act would call out abuses by
the Chinese government and require a variety of U.S.
governmental bodies to prepare reports about the persecution
of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities
in the Xinjiang region.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would report on
its efforts to protect ethnic Uyghurs and Chinese nationals
in the U.S. from Chinese government intimidation, and those
whose families in China have been threatened or detained
because of their advocacy.
This bill would also encourage the State Dept. to consider
targeted sanctions against members of the Chinese government
alleged to be responsible for human rights abuses in
Xinjiang and elsewhere under the Magnitsky Act.
New Trend September 8 issue on Face book
reached
125,379
many in Pakistan and Turkey.
Articles included Kerbala [fatwa], Robert Mugabe, hadith on
adultery, Guidance on Patience, Islamic victory in Irbid,
Israeli atrocities, China VS islam and more.
Tariq Ramadan Counters Accusations Big Time.
[New Trend report.]
Tariq Ramadan, known as a top Muslim intellectual in Europe
and idealized as the grandson of Hasan al-Banna [Shaheed]
was arrested in February 2018 in France on accusations of
rape. He was held in solitary confinement for NINE MONTHS
while a case was built up against him. He was released on
bail owing to repeated pleas related to his health which was
said to be muscular dystrophy.
Ramadan denied all charges but every time he came near to
clearing himself, another woman would turn up and accuse him
of rape.
He messed up his own case by claiming that he did have
sexual relations with . the original accuser but they were
consensual. Many Muslims turned against him on that
basis.
Finally he has written and published a book titled Duty of
Truth in which he rejects the rape charges and describes his
victimization as comparable to that of Dreyfus.
His enemies made a big effort to stop the publication of the
book on the plea that it named the accuser The court however
said that the accuser's name is already known to the public.
[In other words, the propaganda against Tariq Ramadan is so
widespread that the accuser's name has become a household
name,]
Ramadan has the ability to speak to Europeans in their own
language. Hc was teaching at Oxford University in England.
When he heard of the accusations, he was so self-confident,
he took leave from the job to fight the accusations..
INDIA
Hater Modi Coming to USA. Call for Protests in New York and
Houston.
Assalaamu Alaikum,
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit
the U.S. this month and will be addressing the Indian
community at NRG Stadium in Houston on 09/22/19 and the
United Nations in NY on 09/28/19.
Modi's government has been orchestrating a pogrom of hate,
violence, and religious persecution against Christians,
Muslims and Dalits in India. The Modi regime is also rapidly
amending existing laws to expand its powers in an
unprecedented fashion, from designating individuals as
terrorists without trial, to doing all it can to weaken
India's federal system. Most recently, the Modi government
resorted to unconstitutional and undemocratic means in order
to change the constitutionally mandated special status of
Jammu and Kashmir, split it into two, and brought both under
the central government's direct control. It did this by
sending tens of thousands of additional military personnel
to the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, placing Kashmiri
political leaders under house arrest, blocking all phone and
internet connectivity, and imposing a complete lockdown. It
has curbed free reporting by journalists and human rights'
activists, while its forces continue to brutalize the
population.
Following are some actions that Indian American Muslim
Council (IAMC) is urging from all those who care about
justice and human rights in India, in the United States, and
in our world at large.
We call upon all people of conscience in the US to join us
in protesting Modi's visit and exposing the retrograde,
near-fascist politics of Modi's government.
[Indian American Muslim Council, IAMC]
Silver Spring, Maryland
September 13
Surprise Visit by Jamaat al-Muslimeen Activists
After juma' a 4-page Jamaat al-Muslimeen document was given
to 100 Muslims.
It's a high income community, mostly from African countriees
and Bangladesh [upper class] and a few from Pakistan and
Egypt,
Here is an outline of the 4 pages:
Umar,r.a., Hussain, r.a., & Kerbala. [Fatwa.]
China's "Camps."
Assad and Iran defeated in Irbid, Syria.
Pakistani military suppressing medressas.
Defying international law, Israeli forces injure 30
journalists during the Gaza border protests, revealing
further human rights violations against Palestinians in the
occupied territories.
Since the adoption of a U.N. resolution earlier this year
over rights violations in the occupied Palestinian
territories, Israeli forces have injured 30 journalists
during the Gaza border protests, defying international law,
the U.N. reported.
"Thirty journalists covering the protests were injured" by
the Israeli army, U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner
Michelle Bachelet said in a statement, referring to the
protests held along the Israel-Gaza fence. Since the start
of protests in March 2018, known as the Great March of
Return, a total of four Anadolu Agency (AA) journalists were
also wounded, two in Gaza and two in the occupied West Bank.
In the same period, two other journalists working for other
media organizations in Gaza were killed.
Bachelet said the violations continued since the adoption of
U.N. Resolution 40/13 on March 22 this year. The resolution
ensures accountability and justice for all violations of
international law in the occupied Palestinian territory,
including east Jerusalem. "Serious violations of
international human rights law and international
humanitarian law have continued in the occupied Palestinian
territory in this period, including in the context of
large-scale civilian protests in Gaza," the statement
said.
The Great March of Return, a key flash point for violence,
began on March 30, 2018 when hundreds of thousands of
Palestinian demonstrators converged on the buffer zone
separating Gaza from Israel, calling for the easing of an
Israeli blockade of the territory and recognition of the
right of Palestinian refugees there to return home to
Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. Israel has
responded to the rallies with deadly force. Bachelet said
Israel used tear gas, rubber-coated bullets, water cannons
and sound devices, as well as regularly firing live
ammunition, against the demonstrators. "As a direct result,
since 22 March 2019, 13 Palestinians, including five
children, have been killed," she said.
Bachelet said hundreds of others, including health workers
and journalists, have been injured. "Many have been left
with permanent disabilities, including 20 who have undergone
amputations, two who have been paralyzed, and six who have
permanently lost vision in one eye," she said. She added
that the 13 deaths since March 22 follow the killings of 189
Palestinians in the previous 12 months, including 38
children.
Fraudsters, many Nigerian, arrested in one of the biggest
scam cases in U.S. history
Federal prosecutors indicted 80 people on Thursday on
charges connected to participation in online scams that
raked in millions from unsuspecting victims in the United
States and abroad.
The suspected fraudsters, many of whom are Nigerian
nationals, prosecutors say, who used online romance scams,
schemes targeting elderly people and business email
compromise (BEC) scams, in which legitimate companies are
compromised to facilitate the illegal transfer of funds. The
FBI began investigating the operation in 2016, and this
week, authorities arrested 14 people across the United
States — 11 in the Los Angeles area alone. Two people
were already in custody, and many are believed to be abroad,
primarily in Nigeria, prosecutors said in their
announcement.
The operation revealed by prosecutors on Thursday had
obtained $6 million through fraudulent means, and attempted
to steal at least $40 million more.
"We believe this is one of the largest cases of its kind in
U.S. history," Hanna said
Fatwa #4.
Is there any truth in the Story of Ghadeer Khum? Did the
Prophet, pbuh, utter the words"Maula Ali?"
Ghadeer Khum: The Biggest Scam in Muslim History is the
Basis of Shia Beliefs.
by Kaukab Siddique, PhD
The Shi'ite claim that the Prophet, pbuh, proclaimed Ali,
r.a., to be his "Mawla" at a watering hole known as Ghadeer
is a FABRICATION. It does not appear in any of the early
narrations of hadith including the earliest biography of the
Prophet, pbuh, by Ibn Ishaq.
As I continued my research, it became clear that the "Mawla
Ali" fabricated "hadith" is part of a bigger scam.
The Shias claim that the Prophet, pbuh, gathered all the
Muslims at Ghadeer Khum and told them that Ali, r.a., is as
much their "mawla" as the Prophet, pbuh, himself.
Most Muslims do not know that Ghadeer Khum is 230 km from
Makka.
Makka had drawn the entire Muslim community because Hajj is
a religious obligation and it was the Prophet's , pbuh,
farewell Hajj. At this gathering the Prophet, pbuh, gave his
famous sermon in which he taught Muslims how to be
Muslims.
He did not say a word about Ali, nor did he call them to
gather again at Ghadeer Khum.
After the pilgrimage, the Muslims left for their homes.
There is NO HADITH which says that the Prophet, pbuh, called
the 100,000 or so to gather again at Ghadeer Khum.
There was no way to call them. There were no telephones or
emails. Gathering at Ghadeer Khum was not a religious
obligation. So on what basis would they gather out in the
desert?
Did he send horsemen proclaimimg to people to gather at
Ghadeer Khum and not to go home? There is not even a weak
hadith or narrative of any kind showing that people were
obliged to gather at Ghadeer khum.
The Muslims of Makka would not come out 230 km into desert
to Ghadeer Khum for no religious reason.
The Muslims of Yemen and Taif would go south.
Only the Muslims of Madina would go north with the Prophet,
pbuh. Even to gather them would be difficult because there
was no religious obligation. Again NOT ONE SAHABI is
reported to have narrated that horsemen were sent out to
command Muslims to gather at Ghadeer Khum.
Thus the only story of Ghadeer Khum is about this small
force which had returned from Yaman and was angry with the
commands of Ali, r.a. As we noticed in the narrative from
Ibn Ishaq, the words "Ali Mawla" do not occur in the
Prophet's, pbuh, efforts to reduce the anger of the troops
against Ali, r.a.
Two hundred years later Shias fabricated the story about
"Mawla Ali" and used gossip and hearsay to insert it in the
Musnad of Ahmad and a few others.
Bukhari, who is the strictest collector of hadith, gives the
ghadeer khum story without the fabrication of "Mawla
Ali."
Here it is:
Narrated Buraida, r.a:
The Prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus (of the
spoils of war) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath
(after a sexual act with a captive-girl from the Khumus). I
said to Khalid, "Don't you see this (i.e. Ali)?" When we
reached the Prophet, I mentioned that to him. He (the
Prophet) said, "O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?" I said, "Yes."
He said, "Do you hate him, for he deserves more than that
from the Khumus." [Sahih Bukhari (volume 5, Book 59 Number
637]
Here there is no mention of "Mawla Ali." Instead there is a
much more serious issue. The Prophet, pbuh, had shown
through his own example that Muslims should marry women
captured in war. Was Ali, r.a., violating that Sunnah or did
he marry that woman?
This becomes even more serious when we remember that Ali,
r.a., was married to the Prophet's, pbuh, own daughter.
This story of Ali having sex with a helpless captive girl
while he was married to the Prophet's, pbuh, daughter, r.a.,
is most probably a gross fabrication meanto defame Ali,r.a.,
who was a pious man
who was not interested in worldy pleasures.
PAKISTAN
JI's Call.
Unexpected Response in Quetta for Kashmir.
Huge Rally Blasts Imran's Failure.
by Qaiser Sharif
Sept 15: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has said that
millions of people will shutdown Islamabad if the government
betrayed the people of Kashmir.
Addressing "Kashmir Awami March" in Quetta on Sunday, he
added the rulers would find no place to hide if they tried
to damage the Kashmir cause.
Shouting anti-India slogans and holding placards and
banners, a large number of people from all walks of life
took part in the event.
JI Balochistan chapter head Maulana Abdulhaq Hashmi also
addressed the participants.
"Kashmir is unresolved agenda of the realization of
Pakistan. Thousands of people have rendered sacrifices for
the liberation of Kashmir from Indian yoke during last seven
decades but unfortunately rulers never showed any commitment
to the cause," said Senator Siraj.
Warning the government against Indian future designs on
Kashmir, the JI chief said it had become obvious that Modi
government wanted to bring demographic changes in the held
area with their ultimate goal to attack the AJK. So, he
added, there was an urgent need that government took
decisive steps to thwart the enemy's plans. The humanitarian
crisis in the occupied area was also reminding the Pakistani
government its duty to fulfill its duty and extend practical
support to the besieged people. At all, he added, Kashmir
was a jugular vein of Pakistan.
He said the curfew entered 43rd day in Indian Occupied
Kashmir but the world was acting as silent spectator and no
one was asking India to stop genocide in the valley.
He said the prime minister instead of going alone should
have invited the national leadership for Muzaffarabad rally
to send a clear message to India that nation was standing
united to support the Kashmiri people.
Siraj said the government was failed to bring improvement in
any sector in more than year. He added the economy was in
crisis and there were no employment opportunities for the
millions of youth. The JI leader said inflation was all time
high and people were showing desperation over the government
performance. He said the Transparency International also
warned against the increase in corruption. Therefore, he
said, the government must show seriousness to cope with the
challenges to the economy and ideology of the country.
He said JI would keep raising the voice for the people of
Balochistan at every forum. He said the JI would hold "Save
Kashmir" marches in Sargodha, Muzaffarabad and Lahore on
Sept 20, Sept 27 and Oct 6 respectively
War News
Northern Nigeria
Human Rights Watch says Military
Going after Boko Haram Children.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its report on September
10. It claims the military has been arresting and detaining
children as young as five "with little or no evidence". Most
are then reportedly transferred to Giwa military barracks in
the town of Maiduguri.
Children interviewed by HRW who spent time in the camp
described "squalid, severely overcrowded conditions". None
of those 32 children said they had been taken before a court
or a judge, and none knew what they had been charged with.
None, moreover, said they had had contact with family
outside their detention centre.
Detainees were threatened or even beaten by soldiers, some
children said, while soldiers reportedly made advances to
female soldiers or took them out of their cells for extended
periods. One girl in the report says females in her cell
became pregnant during their imprisonment.
HRW says it does not know the total number currently in
detention. According to UN figures cited in the report, the
military took more than 3,600 children between January 2013
and March 2019.
The report praises the release of at least 2,200 children so
far, and acknowledges the "important steps" the government
has taken to protect children's rights.
But HRW calls on the authorities to immediately release all
the detained minors and to implement a UN protocol ensuring
the rapid handover of detained children to protection
services, so they can return to their families.
[The military is denying all charges but refuses to let
journalists into the area of conflict.]
Latest: September 14.
Militants Winning after Joining Islamic State.
According to the BBC, after a split in Boko Haram, many
fighters joined the Islamic State. They care for poverty
strickden communities and do not attack civilians. Large
swathes of rugged territory in northeastern Nigeria, and
parts of Chad, Niger and Cameroons are now under Islamic
State control, with new leadership and weapons probably
smuggled from Qaddafi;s stores in Libya.
Iraq
September 11. Latest bombing news. US air force dropped
80,000 pounds of bombs on ISIS forces in Qanus island north
of Baghdad. US military video on MSNBC shows entire island
on fire. Shia regime forces are moving in to ensure no one
escapes.
Trump had announced last year that ISIS had been wiped
out.
Looks like Islamic State forces are certainly not defeated
but are vulnerable to US air strikes.
US Senators are asking why fifth generation F-35's were used
in this bombing when only 25 ISIS fighters are reported
killed.
News of clashes between IS and the regime are coming in from
various parts of Iraq but details are not yet available.
Syria
Irbid and Northwestern Hama province stable 15 days after
Regime defeat.
Regime forces [Iranians and Shia mlitias] fired 240 rockets
into 10 Muslim villages in south eastern Irbid province and
northwestern Hama.
The bombing and shelling happen daily but the defeated
regime forces are unable to advance.
Turkey has sent an armored column into Irbid.
Daraa Province. [Chaos]
Da'el town. September 13.
A person in the regime's Ba'ath party was shot dead by
unidentified gunmen.
September 9. In the Deraa countryside three collaborators
with regime were killed. [Daraa countryside]
Also in the same area, Assad's head of intelligence was shot
and died of his wounds.
In Deir ez Zor [south] IS hit and run continues versus
SDF.
IS is holding on to eastern Homs province.
Invitation to Think
Why were the hijackers able to get through on 9/11?
Why couldn't the US catch Osama despite a $50 million
bounty?
Why the US and its allies recruit Muslim groups to help them
identify Islamic fighters?
When the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) failed to prevent
the September 11, 2001 attacks, many asked whether more
could have been done. But the true reason why the agency was
blind to the signs may be a diversity problem, writes
Matthew Syed.
On the one side are those who say that the CIA missed
obvious warning signs. On the other are those who argue that
it is notoriously difficult to identity threats in advance,
and that the CIA did everything they reasonably could.
While many of the inquiries focused on particular judgements
in the frenetic build-up to 9/11, few took a step back to
examine the internal structure of the CIA itself and, in
particular, its hiring policies.
This is a common phenomenon in recruiting, sometimes called
"homophily": people tend to hire people who think (and often
look) like themselves. It is validating to be surrounded by
people who share one's perspectives and beliefs. Indeed,
brain scans suggest that when others reflect our own
thoughts back to us, it stimulates the pleasure centres of
our brains.
Talking of his experience of the CIA in the 1980s, one
insider wrote that the recruitment process "led to new
officers who looked very much like the people who recruited
them - white, mostly Anglo-Saxon; middle and upper class;
liberal arts college graduates". There were few women and
"few ethnics, even of recent European background".
"In other words, not even as much diversity as there was
among those who had helped create the CIA."
Diversity was squeezed further after the end of the Cold
War. A former operations officer said that the CIA had a
"white-as-rice culture".
In the months leading up to 9/11, the International Journal
of Intelligence and Counterintelligence commented: "From its
inception, the Intelligence Community [has been] staffed by
the white male Protestant elite, not just because that was
the class in power, but because that elite saw itself as the
guarantor and protector of American values and ethics."
Why did this homogeneity matter? If you are hiring a relay
team, don't you just want the fastest runners? Why would it
matter if they are the same colour, gender, social class,
etc?
Yet this logic, while sound for simple tasks like running,
flips for complex tasks like intelligence. Why? Because when
a problem is complex, no one person has all the answers. We
all have blind spots, gaps in our understanding.
This means, in turn, that if you bring a group of people who
share similar perspectives and backgrounds, they are liable
to share the same blind spots. And this means that far from
challenging and addressing these blind spots, they are
likely to be reinforced.
Perspective blindness refers to the fact that we are often
blind to our own blind spots. Our modes of thought are so
habitual that we scarcely notice how they filter our
perception of reality.
The journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge describes a period when she
had to cycle to work: "An uncomfortable truth dawned upon me
as I lugged my bike up and down flights of stairs: the
majority of public transport was not easily accessible...
Before I'd had my own wheels to carry, I'd never noticed
this problem. I'd been oblivious to the fact that this lack
of accessibility was affecting hundreds of people."
This example doesn't necessarily imply that all stations
should be equipped with ramps or lifts. But it does show
that we can only perform a meaningful analysis if the costs
and benefits are perceived. This hinges on diversity of
perspective. People who can help us to see our own blind
spots, and who we can help to see theirs.
Osama Bin Laden made his declaration of war on the United
States from a cave in Tora Bora in February 1996. Images
revealed a man with beard reaching down to his chest. He was
wearing cloth beneath combat fatigues.
Today, given what we now know about the horror he unleashed,
the declaration looks menacing. But an insider in the
foremost US intelligence agency said the CIA "could not
believe that this tall Saudi with a beard, squatting around
a campfire, could be a threat to the United States of
America".
To a critical mass of analysts, then, Bin Laden looked
primitive and of no serious danger. Richard Holbrooke, a
senior official under President Clinton, put it this way:
"How can a man in a cave out-communicate the world's leading
communications society?"
Another said: "They simply couldn't square the idea of
putting resources into finding out more about Bin Laden and
al-Qaeda given that the guy lived in a cave. To them, he was
the essence of backwardness."
Now, consider how someone more familiar with Islam would
have perceived the same images.
Bin Laden wore cloth not because he was primitive in
intellect or technology, but because he modelled himself on
the prophet. He fasted on the days the prophet fasted. His
poses and postures, which seemed so backward to a western
audience, were those that Islamic tradition ascribes to the
most holy of its prophets.
As Lawrence Wright put it in his Pulitzer Prize winning book
about 9/11, Bin Laden orchestrated his operation by "calling
up images that were deeply meaningful to many Muslims but
practically invisible to those who were unfamiliar with the
faith".
Jones writes: "The beard and campfire anecdote is evidence
of a larger pattern in which non-Muslim Americans - even
experienced consumers of intelligence - underestimated Al
Qaeda for cultural reasons."
As for the cave, this had even deeper symbolism. As almost
any Muslim knows, Mohammad sought refuge in a cave after
escaping his persecutors in Mecca. To a Muslim a cave is
holy. Islamic art overflows with images of stalactites.
Bin Laden modelled his exile to Tora Bora as his own
personal hijrah, and used the cave as propaganda. As one
Muslim scholar put it: "Bin Laden was not primitive; he was
strategic. He knew how to wield the imagery of the Koran to
incite those who would later become martyrs in the attacks
of 9/11."
Analysts were also misled by the fact that Bin Laden often
issued pronouncements in poetry. To white, middle class
analysts, this seemed eccentric, reinforcing the idea of a
"primitive mullah in a cave". To Muslims, however, poetry
has a different meaning. It is holy. The Taliban routinely
express themselves in poetry.
Another flaw in the CIA's deliberations was their reluctance
to believe that Bin Laden would initiate conflict with the
US. Why start a war he couldn't possibly win? They hadn't
made the conceptual leap that the victory for the jihadists
was to be secured not on earth but in paradise.
The CIA could have allocated more resources to al-Qaeda.
They could have attempted infiltration. But they were
incapable of grasping the urgency. They did not allocate
more resources, because they didn't perceive a threat.
They didn't seek to penetrate al-Qaeda because they were
ignorant of the gaping hole in their analysis. The problem
wasn't (just) the inability to connect the dots in the
autumn of 2001, but a failure across the entire intelligence
cycle.
The dearth of Muslims is merely one illustration of how
homogeneity undermined the world's foremost intelligence
agency. It provides an insight into how a more diverse group
would have created a richer understanding not just into the
threat posed by al-Qaeda, but dangers throughout the world.
How different frames of reference, different perspectives,
would have created a more comprehensive, nuanced, and
powerful synthesis.
A startlingly high proportion of staff at the CIA had grown
up in middle class families, endured little financial
hardship, or the signs that might act as precursors to
radicalisation, or any of a multitude of other experiences
that might have added formative insights to the intelligence
process.
Each would have been assets in a more diverse team. As a
group, however, they were flawed.
There is a science to putting together the right minds, with
perspectives that challenge, augment, diverge and
cross-pollinate rather than parrot, corroborate and
restrict. This is set to become a key source of competitive
advantage for organisations, not to mention security
agencies. This is how wholes become more than the sum of
their parts.
The CIA has made strides towards meaningful diversity since
9/11, but the issue continues to dog the agency. An
internal report in 2015 was damning. As John Brennan, then
director, put it: "The study group took a hard look at our
agency and reached an unequivocal conclusion: CIA simply
must do more to develop the diverse and inclusive leadership
environment that our values require and that our mission
demands."
Source: BBC
Afghanistan
AfghanArt Lords:
Afghan Artists Paint Tulips Murals To Honor War Victims
Artists from Afghanistan's ArtLords painted tulips murals in
Kabul and three other provinces to honor the victims of the
war in the country.
ArtLords chairman Omaid Sharifi said that so far 25,000
tulips have been painted on surroundings of main some
offices in Kabul and other provinces, including the office
of Afghanistan's Human Rights Commission.
He said each tulip represents a victim of war in the
country.
"The people of Afghanistan are killed and martyred every
day. This is not a statistics only; they all were the humans
with many ambitions and hopes and wanted to live, but
unfortunately, they are martyred inhumanly and we wanted to
honor and remember them at least with one tulip," Mr.
Sharifi said.
Afghanistan's ArtLords, a group of Afghan activists and
artists in Kabul, was nominated for 2019 Freedom of
Expression Awards.
The group has painted a series of murals on Kabul walls,
highlighting social problems, supporting Afghan forces,
defending freedom of expression and women's rights. Index on
Censorship's Freedom of Expression Awards exists to
celebrate individuals or groups who have had a significant
impact fighting censorship anywhere in the world.
ArtLords is a grassroots movement of artists and volunteers
in Afghanistan who encourage ordinary citizens, especially
women and children, to paint murals on issues which concern
them. ArtLords completed over 400 murals in 16 provinces of
the country. In March 2018, for International Women's
Day.
Source: TOLONews
News Within the U.S.
[Courtesy Mark Weber, California]
Americans Spent Nearly $150 Billion on Illegal Drugs In 2016
N. McCarthy - Statista
Last year, drug overdoses claimed more than 68,000 American
lives and 47,000 of those deaths involved an opioid. Even
though heroin, prescription opioids and synthetic opioids
like fentanyl are receiving most of the attention, deaths
from other drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are
inreasing. A new report from the RAND Corporation has shed
light on just how many people use illicit drugs across
America as well as how much they pay for them. In 2016
alone, people in the U.S. spent an estimated $146 billion on
cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine. Adding
RAND's figures together from 2006 to 2016 would mean total
spending on illegal drugs over the course of the decade was
nearly $1.5 trillion.
Focus on Old and Weak Parents
*Bismillah Hir Rehman Nir Raheem*
'Assalaamu Alaykum Warahmatulla hee Wa Barakaatuhu
The Recognition and respect of Parents is mentioned
in the Qur'an {11} eleven times ... !
In Surah Al-Isra' (Children of Israel) there is a very
beautiful description
of how Parents are to be treated. Allah {Azza Wa Jall}
says...
" Your Lord had decreed, that you worship none save HIM and
(that you
show) kindness to Parents. If one of them or both of them
attain old age
with you, say not 'Fie' unto them nor repulse them, but
speak unto them a
gracious word. And lower unto them the wing of submission
through
mercy, and say... *My Lord ! Have mercy on them both, as
they did care
for me when I was young.*
*Rabbirhamhumaa Kamaa Rabbayaani Sag-hiiraa*
We have enjoined on humankind kindness to Parents."
[Source~Qur'an Surat Al Ankabut 29 A#8 & Surat
Al-'Aĥqāf 46A #15]
*The Wooden Bowl*
A frail old man went to live with his son, and
daughter-in-law,and four-
year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his
eyesight was
blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at
the table.
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight
made eating
difficult ...! Peas rolled off his spoon onto the
floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the
tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the
mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food
on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family
enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was
served in a
wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's
direction,
sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp
admonitions when
he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence...{!}
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son
playing with wood
scraps on the floor. so, he asked the child sweetly...
'What are you making'...? Just as sweetly, the boy
responded...
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your
food in when
I grow up'{!} ' The four-year-old smiled and went back
to work.
The words struck the parents so that they were
speechless...!
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks... Though no
word was
spoken, both knew what must be done...
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently
led
him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days
he ate every
meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband
nor wife
seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk
spilled, or the
tablecloth soiled.
