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13 Safar 1441 A.H. - October 13 2019 Issue # 41, Newsletter #1832



Hadith of the Week

Narrated by Anas bin Malik, r.a.:

Allah's Apostle said, "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than anyone of you is pleased with finding his camel which he had lost in the desert."

Bukhari, Volume 8,
Book 75, Number 321
 Sis Kristi

[With thanks to Sis. Kristi]





 Word Around The Net

by Br. Nazeer, Texas
Hundreds of ISIL prisoners escape Syrian camp
alJazeera.com/news/2019/10/hundreds-isil-prisoners-escape-syrian-camp-kurds-191013141044768.html

Pakistan's Imran Khan in Tehran to facilitate Iran-Saudi talks
Reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-pakistan/pakistan-pm-heading-to-iran-after-us-mediation-request-idUSKBN1WQ1XK

Iran issues Warning after tanker attack
HeraldExtra.com/news/world/iran-offers-warning-after-mysterious-tanker-attack/article_3e58bc35-cd42-5678-ab28-8001f78fbb6c.html

Saudi Arabia Denies Involvement in Iran Tanker Attack in Red Sea
Bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-13/saudi-arabia-denies-involvement-in-iran-tanker-attack-in-red-sea

Vladimir Putin says UAE is Russia's very "close and promising partner".
MENAFN.com/1099119807/UAE-is-one-of-Russias-very-close-and-promising-partners-Vladimir-Putin

Kurds announce deal with Damascus on Syria troop deployment to confront Turkish offensive
MiddleEastEye.net/news/syria-sends-troops-north-confront-turkish-invasion-state-media-says

British troops join the hunt to track down ISIS leader after his 'call to arms'
Express.co.uk/news/world/1190041/ISIS-news-UK-army-special-forces-Syria-Iraq-latest

Turkey's military operation in Syria: All the latest updates
alJazeera.com/news/2019/10/turkey-military-operation-syria-latest-updates-191013083950643.html

Israel threatens to ban Palestinian products
MENAFN.com/1099120500/Israel-threatens-to-ban-Palestinian-products

Climate crisis: 13 ways the Middle East is under threat
MiddleEastEye.net/discover/climate-emergency-middle-east-extreme-weather

Political Prisoners :

AhmedAbdelSattar.org

FreeZiyadYaghi.info

FreeMasoudKhan.net

Civil Discord Show





 Palestine

With little to show, Gazans question mass border protests

Ahmed Abu Artima was one of the founders of the "Great March of Return," the weekly protests along Gaza's frontier with Israel meant to draw attention to the plight of the territory's 2 million people. But these days, he mostly avoids the demonstrations.

He is among a growing number of Gazans who believe the protests have lost their way. With little to show from 18 months of demonstrations beyond the hundreds of people killed or wounded by Israeli fire, many Gazans are beginning to question and even criticize the Hamas-led protests, a rarity in a territory where dissent is barely tolerated by the ruling Islamic militant group.

For several months now, Abu Artima has organized his own alternative protest. On a recent Wednesday, dozens of Palestinians gathered near the separation fence between Israel and Gaza, performing traditional dances and ballads between poem recitals and speeches by local community leaders. Children gathered around two camels decorated with embroidered saddles.

Held every two weeks, these events are in dramatic contrast to the main Friday protests.

Directed by a committee comprised of Hamas and other Gaza militant groups, the Friday demonstrations are held against a backdrop of black smoke from burning tires. Protesters hurl rocks at Israeli troops, who respond with clouds of tear gas and gunfire. Ambulances scream back and forth, ferrying the wounded to field clinics and hospitals.

When the protests began, Hamas quickly seized upon the popular idea and transformed the quiet gatherings into violent confrontations.

Hamas says the violent protests, which are still attended by a few thousand people every Friday, are meant to force Israel to ease its crippling blockade. But the demonstrations have done little to improve conditions in Gaza, and have come at a high human cost.

While the "right of return" was the original message of the demonstrations, Hamas quickly turned the focus to the 12-year-old blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007.

To prevent what could have been a fourth war in a decade between Hamas and Israel, mediators rushed to contain the protests.

In a video circulated in August, a father scolded his wounded son at a hospital for going to the protests and accused doctors of not providing proper medical care for the teenage boy.

Hamas officials also came under fire after a press photo went viral showing rows of amputees at a Hamas event, each waiting for a $50 welfare payment.

Hamas attempted to portray the event as a celebration of solidarity, but critics said it was humiliating and accused the group of exploiting the wounded men for public relations purposes.

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official, said his movement tries to provide allowances for each of those wounded.

"These are our capabilities, what shall we do? Shall we stop the protests?" he asked during a meeting with journalists earlier this month.

He said complaints of lack of proper care and discontent over the protests' usefulness "carry a lot of exaggeration."

One of those critics is Ziad al-Madani, a day laborer who barely scrapes together enough money to provide milk and diapers for his three children. Wounded by a live bullet last February, the 28-year-old ended up having his right leg amputated last month.

He said treatment was unavailable and Israel rejected three requests for him to travel to hospitals in the occupied West Bank for proper care.

"This injury affected my life and now I'm unable to work," he said, sitting with his children on a mattress, his leg still covered in bandages. "I did not get anything from these protests."

Hussam al-Nadi, another young protester shot in the leg last spring, fears a similar fate. A metal ring known as a fixator stabilizes the bone in his right leg. Now, he joins the Wednesday activities organized by Abu Artima.

"This is a festival and a celebration and has no problems like the Friday protests," he said.
Source: StarTelegram





 Outreach

White Marsh, Maryland

On October 11, a Jamaat al-Muslimeen document was given to 38 people after Juma salat at Masjid Nur.

Here is an outline of the contents of the document:

  1. China's concentration camps for Muslims.

  2. Kashmir, Modi and Trump.

  3. Sufiism has immobilized the Ummah
    {Br. Kaukab]

  4. Guidance against intoxicants. [Sis. Yasmin]

  5. In Irbid, Syria, mujahideen have beaten back Shia-Assad forces.






 Uyghurs

CHINA

US imposes China visa restrictions over Uighur issue

The US has said it will impose visa restrictions on Chinese officials accused of involvement in repression of Muslim populations.

It follows the decision on Monday to blacklist 28 Chinese organisations linked by the US to allegations of abuse in the Xinjiang region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Chinese government had instituted "a highly repressive campaign".

China has dismissed the allegations as groundless.

In a statement, Mr Pompeo accused the Chinese government of a string of abuses against Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz Muslims and other minority Muslim groups.

The vanished Uighurs of Xinjiang
China's Muslim 'crackdown' explained
These included "mass detentions in internment camps; pervasive, high-tech surveillance; draconian controls on expressions of cultural and religious identities; and coercion of individuals to return from abroad to an often perilous fate in China".

China has rebuffed the US moves.

"There is no such thing as these so-called 'human rights issues' as claimed by the United States," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Monday.

"These accusations are nothing more than an excuse for the United States to deliberately interfere in China's internal affairs."
Visa restrictions are to be imposed on Chinese government and Communist Party officials, as well as their family members.

"The United States calls on the People's Republic of China to immediately end its campaign of repression in Xinjiang, release all those arbitrarily detained, and cease efforts to coerce members of Chinese Muslim minority groups residing abroad to return to China to face an uncertain fate," the US statement said.

The US and China are currently embroiled in a trade war, and have sent delegations to Washington for a meeting about the tensions later this week.
Source: bbc





 Africa

Hijab Issue
Even in a Muslim majority, non-Muslim prejudice is Rampant

by Abdulkabir Oyemomi

Miss Ikhlas Olasubomi Badiru, a hijab-wearing student of International School (ISI) of the University of Ibadan (UI) was last week suspended on account of her hijab. The suspension order was handed down by the school principal, Mrs. Phebean Olowe. The letter of suspension was dated 26th September and signed by the school principal.

Reacting to the school's action, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organization, has described it as superfluous, preposterous and provocative. MURIC spoke through its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Monday, 7th October, 2019.

"This suspension is one too many. It is superfluous, preposterous and provocative. The authorities of International School Ibadan are overdoing it. The suspension smarks of kindergarten intellect. It is as clear as daylight that the school principal has very poor crisis management skill and she manifests desertification of damage control techniques.

"We call on Nigerians to note what is happening in ISI. Muslim children are being stigmatized just for wearing an ordinary head scarf, not for engaging in cultism or for cheating in examinations. This same hijab is allowed in British schools. It is used in Sweden, Finland and all over Europe, America embraced it long ago. Interestingly these are countries where the percentage of Muslim population is infinitesimally low.

"Yet in Nigeria where Muslim population is higher and Muslims cannot be said to be a minority, Muslim children are being tyrannically profiled. Islamophobia is the order of the day. Surprisingly, Muslims have not reacted in anger. They are exhibiting civilized behavior to deal with the situation.

"MURIC is watching the unfolding scenario with keen interest. Here is the peak of hypocrisy as those who claim to be defending the girl child against abuse, those who claim to be promoting girl-child education are the same people locking out the girl-child from educational institutions simply because they are Muslims.

"We affirm clearly, emphatically and categorically that a girl-child is a girl-child no matter her religion. Her creed does not change her sex. Neither does it change her age. The hijab on her head preserves the dignity of her human person and any attempt to force her to remove it constitutes a criminal assault on her honour and an infringement on Section 38 (i) and (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"We warn that the criminalisation of hijab has reached its crescendo and the bubble may burst any moment from now. We call on UI authorities to take full charge of the situation before it is too late. UI cannot abdicate its responsibilities and still remain a citadel of learning and a center of excellence. It is the height of religious intolerance. Both UI and ISI are swarming with Christian fanatics and Muslim haters at management level. It is nauseating and that is to say the least.

"Does it not amount to contempt of court for the principal to hand down a suspension order while the case is in a court of competent jurisdiction? Is this not another act of impunity? Olowe has crossed the red line. Like Macbeth, Olowe has murdered sleep. She shall sleep no more.

"Olowe has goaded us to take the hijab saga in ISI to the next level. We must move beyond mere rhetorics. From this moment, MURIC is charging all Muslim students in UI to embark on non-violent civil disobedience actions in defence of their sister, Ikhlas.

"We hereby declare Friday, 11th October, 2019, Ikhlas Day. The slogan of the day is 'Suspend One, Suspend All. 'I am Ikhlas'. That day is for peaceful demonstrations in and around UI in solidarity with our sister, Ikhlas Olasubomi Badiru. All members of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in and around Ibadan and the Oyo State chapter of MURIC are hereby mobilized to join their brothers and sisters in UI on that day. It is now or never. It is just a warning shot and we hope those who have ears will hear.

The human rights organization also hailed Muslim lecturers and administrative staff of UI for supporting the female Muslim students of ISI.

"MURIC strongly commends Muslim lecturers and other Muslim staff of UI for condemning the university's Islamophobic stance. We urge them to continue to exhibit solidarity in loco parentis to the oppressed female Muslim students of ISI. They must register their strong opposition to the attempt to rename UI as Christian University, Ibadan (CUI). We assert that UI must remain UI, not CUI.

"As we round off, we warn ISI to stop escalating the crisis. The suspension of Ikhlas must be lifted. UI authorities must stop all Islamophobic actions and move against the persecution of innocent female Muslim students of ISI. We can only know the beginning of crisis, no one can predict its features or its end. Even without using violence, the hijab imbroglio in ISI is capable of shuting down UI and enveloping the city of Ibadan. MURIC does not issue threats but nobody has the monopoly of impunity."





Fatwa

 Fatwa

Does Islam Teach the Wife to Obey the Husband? What About Travelling Alone in Hazardous Situations? Restrictions only on Women?

Does Islam say that the Wife Should Obey the Husband? Why are Marriages under Stress?

Several readers have pointed to Saudi-linked lists which are propagating the claim that according to Islam, the wife should Obey the husband. The Saudi-influenced scholars are saying that if a wife leaves the house for any reason, she must ask her husband's permission. They say that even the woman's voice is "awrah" and should not be heard. If she travels, she must be accampanied by her husband or a male relative. What do the Qur'an and the Hadith really say?

Answer by Br. Kaukab Siddique: We must realize that according to the Qur'an, authority belongs to ALLAH ALONE. [1]

Any attempt to give authority to any human being is SHIRK, which is the only sin Allah does not forgive.

The Qur'an is a progressive revelation which went through stages of development of the Muslim woman and the Muslim male. In the final analysis, male-female relations in Islam are based on TAQWA [Fear of Allah, God-conscious behavior], not on gender. [2]

In the FINAL revelation about men and women, the Qur'an proclaimed without ambiguity that the believing men and women are EACH OTHER'S protecting friends and guardians, not the woman under the domain of the male. [3]

The Qur'an proclaimed the EQUALITY of men and women even in such an advanced, complex and cooperative venture as jihad.[4]

Allah Almighty categorically places women TOGETHER in ALL aspects of Islamic endeavor, without the slightest shade of inferiority for women. [5]

The Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, took an oath of allegiance from women which covered their entire existence but does not include obedience to the husband. [6]

In the earliest stage of the Muslim community in Madinah, Muslim men were given the authority to discipline their wives in cases of sexual misconduct [without causing any significant hurt], but this was taken away at the next stage when in cases of alleged sexual misconduct, all that a man could do was to swear that he was telling the truth. If the wife took a similar oath, the marriage would be dissolved. [7]

Most apologist Muslims focus on this early development in Islam and ignore the rest of the Qur'an.

In times of insecurity and war, in long journeys, the Prophet, pbuh, ordained that a woman should travel with her husband or a male relative. This was meant to help the woman and to provide security, not to put the woman under the control of her husband. The issue of travel is used by some scholars to argue that the wife must obey the husband. There is a whole series of omissions, either dishonest or out of ignorance, carried out to use this issue. The following Hadith is quoted:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel except with a Mahram." [Bukhari]

However, that is not the complete Hadith. Here it is with the key words in bold type: The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel for one day and night except with a Mahram." [Bukhari]

One day and night connotes a long journey. Nowadays, one can travel halfway around the world in a day and a night. This is certainly not about a woman going shopping or to meet her friends down in the city. In those days, it was dangerous and one could lose life, goods and honor to bandits on the way. There were no highways or electric lights on the sandy desert.

However, the misuse of Hadith does not end there. These scholars do not note the context and do not let anyone know that restrictions were put on males too. Here are the relevant Hadith:

The Prophet, pbuh, said: "Travel is a kind of punishment. It limits food, drink and sleep. When you have completed the requirements of travel, return quickly to your family." [Bukhari and Muslim.]

The Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, spent much of his life in Madinah in jihad. He traveled extensively for jihad and hence there are numerous hadith about travel and its rules. It's a shame for modern Muslims [such as the Saudi elites] who have never even spoken against the oppressors, let alone gone for jihad, that they should be using the words of the greatest liberator of women, Muhammad Mustafa, pbuh, to try and subjugate women.

When a man went out for a journey, his life was often in danger. Here is another Hadith on the subject which stops men from going forth alone:

The messenger of Allh, pbuh, said: "A horseman going alone is satanic. If there are two going by themselves, they are two satans. and three is the proper [recommended] caravan." [Sunan of Abu Dawood and Sunan of Nasa'i]

The messenger of Allah, pbuh, said; "If people knew what I know about the bad aspects of traveling alone, no one would travel alone at night." [Sahih Bukhari]

The Islamic solution, the Prophet, pbuh, gave was excellent but we Muslims have forgotten it. Where possible, especially where satanic forces are at work, Muslims should travel in groups, even if these are very small groups, and the traveling should be well organized:

The messenger of Allah, pbuh, said: "When three of you travel, make one of your companions the ameer." [Sunan of Abu Dawood]

We are living in times where travel conditions are being affected by the antagonistic activities of our enemies. So go forth prepared:

Someone asked the messenger of Allah: "O messenger of Allah, I have the intention of travel. Please advise me. He [the messenger, pbuh,} replied: "The fear and awareness of Allah [taqwa] should always be with you, and at every high point [in the journey] say takbeer!" [Sunan of Tirmidhi]. [8]

So, if obedience to the husband is not a part of Islam, how should the family be organized? Wouldn't there be chaos if there is no "captain" of the team? This argument ignores the Islamic principle of organization which is called SHOORA or mutual consultation leading to decision making based on discussion, consent and consensus. There is a chapter of the Qur'an titled Shoora. Allah ordains in this chapter that ALL matters of Muslim activity must be carried out by mutual consultation and consent. [9]

Even the Prophet, pbuh, divinely inspired as he was, received the command to consult with the believers. [10]

Maulana Maudoodi's tafsir [commentary] on the verse of Shoora is the best among all tafsirs. Here is the key excerpt:

"...Mutual consultation [ shoora] is an essential requirement of the moral character Islam wants to teach the human being. Evasion of shoora is a major immorality which islam can never permit. The Islamic way of life requires that the principle of shoora should be used in all social relationships, big or small. In domestic life, the husband and the wife should do mutual shoora and when children grow up, they too should be included in the family shoora. When matters of the entire extended family are involved, all the sane and adult family members should be involved. If an entire tribe or clan is to be affected and all of them cannot be in the shoora process, by an agreed upon method their representatives should be included in a tribal majlis. If an entire nation is involved, the leader of the nation should be chosen by the will of the people and should manage national affairs with the help of the shoora members whom the nation considers trustworthy...." [ Tafhimul Qur'an, vol.4, p.509]

In Islam, the husband and the wife are each others' friends and comrades. It's not a relationship of dominance and submission. Communication and discussion are the keys to successful Islamic marriage. Attempts at dominance and control are bound to create stress and the slow deterioration of the relationship, however well it might have started.

Men often do not listen to the nuances of what the wife says. Muhammad, pbuh, did. Women communicate differently from men. The Prophet, pbuh, knew that. Let's follow his example. One won't find him , in ALL of Hadith literature, trying to suppress and subordinate 'Ayesha, r.a., or any other woman.

Textual notes:

  1. "Say: For me, I have an obvious sign from my Lord, but you reject it. What you would see hastened is not in my power. Authority belongs to Allah alone. He declares the Truth, and He is the best of Judges." [The Qur'an 6:57.]

    "Men are then returned to Allah, their Protector, the Reality. Authority belongs to Him Alone. and He is the swiftest in taking account." [6:62]

    [Yusuf, pbuh, said] "If not Him, ye worship nothing but names which ye have named - ye and your fathers - for which Allah has sent you no ruling: Authority is for None but Allah; He has commanded that ye worship none but Him; that is the right religion but most people understand not." [12:40]

    [Jacob, pbuh, said] "O my sons! enter not all by one gate: enter ye by different gates. Not that I can benefit you against Allah! None has authority other than Allah. On Him do I put my trust, and let all that trust put their trust on Him." [12:67.]

    "And He is Allah: there is no god but He! To Him be praise at the first and at the last! To Him belongs Authority and to Him shall ye all be brought back." [28:70]

    [Notice that even Prophets like Jacob and Yusuf have no authority. There is no question of an ordinary person like the husband having authority.]

    [Some translators use the word "command' for hukm or Authority but that is an incorrect translation. Command is 'Amr. However hukm has other uses too depending on the Qur'anic context.]

  2. "O mankind! We created you from male and female and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Surely the noblest of you with Allah are the ones among you who are best in conduct [ taqwa]. Surely Allah is All Knowing, Aware." [49:13]

  3. "The believers, men and women are protectors and guardians [ awliyya ] of each other. They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they establish prayer , give zakat regularly, and they obey Allah and His messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy, for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. Allah has promised the believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions, in Gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest Bliss is the Pleasure of [acceptance by] Allah. That is the supreme felicity." [9:71-72]

    [Commentators agree that these were the final verses revealed on this subject.]

  4. "And their Lord has accepted of them and answered them: 'Never will I allow to be lost the efforts of any of you, be ye male or female: Ye are from each other. Those [men and women] who left their homes, or have been driven out from there or suffered injuries in My cause, or fought or been slain, - surely I will blot out from their sins and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, - a reward from the presence of Allah, and from His Presence is the best of rewards.' " [3:195]

  5. The Qur'an 33:35

  6. 60:12

  7. 4:34. Modernists have expended much energy on this verse, in trying to change its meaning. They forgot that the Qur'an was revealed progressively over two decades. If this progression is not taken into account, one can be involved in tahrif [distortion] of the Qur'an, a deadly sin. For instance, see the next development of the husband-wife relationship in 24:6-9, where the husband is no longer called on to discipline his wife. [Islam followed a similar progression in dealing with intoxicants, interest and jihad.]

  8. For the sake of Islam, women often traveled alone, as in the first hijra to Ethiopia and the great hijra to Yathrib.

  9. The Qur'an, chapter 42, verse 38.
  10. 3: 159





PAKISTAN

 Maulana Fazlur Rahman

Trying to overthow Imran Khan by Peaceful Means.
[New Trend report]

In an interview with local TV, Maulana Fazlur Rahman said that Imran Khan is not going into conflict with India over Kashmir.

The chances of war are very low and in the meantime Imran Khan is ruining the country and selling out its dignity and honor.

On October 12, Maulana Fazlur Rahman got unconditional backing from Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif who has major support in Lahore and surrounding areas though he is in prison..

Maulana Fazlur Rahman is determined to use peaceful means and has applied for permission acceptable under the law to rally in Islamabad at the end of this month.





War News

 War News

Syria

5 Days of Turkish-Backed Operation Changed the Situation in Northern Syria.


On October 9, Syrian mujahideen forces backed by Turkey's air force and artillery advanced into the 100 mile stretch of Syrian border, east to west,

By October 13, the mujahideen had captured 28 villages and the east-west highway. They also entered the cities of Tal Abyad and Ras el-Ain. However on October 12, a Kurdish Communist counterattack re-took parts of Ras el-Ain. Heavy fighting is going on there.

The Communist Kurds were heavily armed and supplied by the Americans before Trump announced the partial withdrawal and seemingly considered that the Kurds would sustain the Turkish backed offensive.

However in the first five days the Kurd Communists [YPG] could not sustain the Syrian mujahideen attacks backed as they were by Turkish air strikes. Only one Turkish soldier has been killed and 8 wounded as compared to 26 Syrian fighters supporting Turkey killed, versus more than 150 YPG Kurds killed and several hundred injured.

Among the dead are more than 25 civilians and 75 injured and the western media are heavily publicizing these losses.

Another consequence has been that more than 800 women and children related to Islamic State fighters have escaped from the concentration camp they were held at Ein Eissa, north of al-Raqqa. There is a chance that they will reach Islamic State positions in the desert. [The Kurdish guards left the camp to go fight the "Turks."]

As the Turkish Syrian advance picked up speed, America announced on October 13 that it is withdrawing its entire force of 1000.

RUSSIAN BOMBING of Irbid province is continuing on a daily basis. Fighting reported from north eastern Latakia province.

Also in Deraa province, chaotic conditions continue and for the first time a joint Assad-Russian patrol was attacked.




News Within the U.S.

 News within the US

Big Increases in Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
[From SDCP]

Cases of sexually transmitted diseases once again increased in Pennsylvania and across United States, making 2018 the fifth consecutive year in which the number of people infected with gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis went up.

Reduced access to STD prevention and care, a decreased use of condoms and cuts to programs at the state and local level continue to drive the increase in the prevalence of the diseases. The data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual report on sexually transmitted disease surveillance.

In Pennsylvania, there were 59,340 cases of chlamydia (38th in US by rate per 100,000 residents), 15,887 cases of gonorrhea (39th by rate) and 797 cases of primary and secondary syphilis (31st by rate).




China Punished Slight Dissent by American team on Hong Kong
by Sis. Aisha [Jamaat al-Muslimeen.]

New York City - Fans are calling in to sports radio shows either voicing support or condemning Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey's October 4th tweet. Morey used Twitter to express support for Hong Kong protests against the Chinese government. Although he immediately deleted the tweet, the damage had been done.

In an effort to exercise damage control, Houston Rockets Owner, Tillman Fertitta, stated that Morey's opinion does not speak for the Rockets and that they are not a political organization.

The Houston Rockets is an NBA team and the NBA has been trying to cement a fan base all over the world, especially in Asian countries, such as China and India. Recently, American/Canadian NBA teams have played preseason games in China, India, and Japan. The Houston Rockets were set to play the Toronto Raptors, in Japan, when this incident occurred. Beginning with the first games of a two game match-up, the Chinese government shut down media access and no one could hear from the winners or losers of that game, which is customary.

Here are the initial course of action taken by the Chinese government:

  1. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) Teams suspended any future dealings with the Houston Rockets organization, even after Rockets Star James Harden apologized on behalf of the organization.

  2. Houston Rockets memorabilia removed from stores.

    Then, NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, refused to condemn Daryl Morey's comments out of respect for Morey's First Amendment rights. Daryl Morey, who is white and still employed, has never apologized for his pro-Hong Kong comment even after Houston's Chinese Consulate General criticized him. It was Adam Silver's refusal to "correct" Morey that compelled China to escalate its wrath against the NBA entirely:

  3. Chinese apparel companies, Anta and Li-Ning, have suspended any contract renewals with several NBA stars over this matter.

  4. China canceled all live streaming of NBA games during this preseason.

    Lone Chinese NBA owner, Joe Tsai (co-founder of Alibaba and Brooklyn Nets owner), criticized Morey's tweet but also reminded his Facebook followers that the NBA has always shown support for China, its people and its culture.


Many of China's and India's current human rights violations existed long before the NBA tried to establish ties with them. The problem is that greed played a huge role in the NBA's effort to establish new money streams in countries, not only with oppressive regimes, but with systemic social issues.

Yes, the NBA was mum when Coaches Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich criticized President Trump. It also got out of the way when The Miami Heat players voiced support for shooting victim Trayvon Martin. But, these were mere expressions of points of views. Not a demonstration of any kind.

However, when Mahmud Abdul Rauf refused to participate in the pre-game National Anthem ceremonies, then NBA Commissioner, David Stern, suspended him. In a preemptive strike, under current NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, a series of weak dialogues between Players, activists and police officers was established in response to the Banana Boat Boys' (Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, & Dywane Wade) voiced concerns, at the 2016 ESPY's, over police shootings of unarmed black people. "The Natives" being restless is a well-known fear of the White power establishment and yet, it takes so little to appease those "Natives."

The questions are: How extensive is the damage from this tweet and is it permanent?

Right now, contracts, programming and the sale of NBA merchandise has been halted, in China. Daryl Morey's tweet has cost the entire NBA and its star players millions of dollars! It is unfathomable that an employee of any organization would risk his career and his boss' international business relationships by sharing an unsolicited opinion. But, just as Comedian Paul Mooney would say, Morey has the "complexion for the protection." Back in the 1980s, there were many ell-established black employees, and other people, who had to choose between feeding their families or supporting protesters against Apartheid.

The world will see if the NBA will maintain its stance not to discipline General Manager Daryl Morey, while losing millions of dollars, or if it will cave in to greed and make moves to appease the oppressive Chinese government.
(Source: CNN.com)




New Flash: Nadrat Siddique today ran the Chicago marathon in support of
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui who is in a US prison. October 13. See report in the next issue, inshaAlah.]

2019 DC Gaza 5k - UNRWA, USA

The UNRWA Gaza 5k run was held in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, on September 28, 2019. Many Americans came out to support the children of Gaza, including several members of Jamaat al-Muslimeen.

Here's a picture of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen participants
[The group was lead by Nadrat Siddique who got first position in her age group.]:
 Jamaat al-Muslimeen




Kashmir

Kashmir Civil Disobedience
TRAUMA l RESISTANCE l RESILIENCE l TWO MONTHS ON
A Citizen's Report

by: Anirudh Kala, Brinelle D'Souza, Revati Laul, & Shabnam Hashmi

This report is significant. It is too large to publish in its entirety here. We have provided the first paragraph, and then a link that will open the PDF of the entire article. It's worth the time to read it.

The Big Picture or Why We Wrote This
Two months is a long time for people to be under siege. And there has been a lot that is very substantial and worthy written on what has been going on in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A of the Indian Constitution on 5th August 2019. However, we did find ourselves looking at the big picture differently from those that have gone in and written reports so far. The Indian government has spun the story that their clampdown on civil liberties in Kashmir with an increased military presence, summary arrests of all mainstream and separatist leaders and the communication blockade has made the unfolding of this new reality peaceful. But we found exactly the opposite. Kashmir is on edge - humiliated, angry, disturbed and 'disrobed,' as a journalist who spoke to us described it. The fact that there has been no violence has to do with the resilience of the people. It is an active and collective choice being exercised each day, to observe a civil disobedience. In feeling rejected and betrayed by the Indian state, Kashmiris have chosen to respond back, through a largely non-violent protest.

Full report:
http://attachment.benchmarkemail.com/c78264/Report_Kashmir.pf




Invitation to Think

[Muslims should know why north eastern Europeans oppose Russia & Zionism.]

 Invitation to Think

Soviet Russia's Persecution of Latvia
Alexander V. Berkis - Institute for Historical Review


The focus of this paper is the oppression and persecution which the rulers of the Soviet Union inflicted on the Baltic nation of Latvia, from its declaration of independence in 1918 to 1987. The Red Army invaded and occupied Latvia three times in seventy years. Its last aggression, in 1944, resulted in continuing, illegal Soviet occupation of Latvia. Each Soviet incursion was accompanied by mass killings and deportations of Latvians, and Soviet authorities sought to destroy Latvian nationhood by the illegal annexation of Latvia to the USSR and through measures aimed at eradicating the Latvians' historical, cultural, and religious traditions.





Guidance by Sis. Yasmin.

The Benefits of Saying 'As Salaam Alaikum'.

"And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally, surely Allah takes account of all things." (Source~ Qur'an~ An-Nisa 4:A #86)

  1. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of immense reward.
    A man passed by Prophet(Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) while he was sitting with others... and said "As-Salaamu 'Alaykum."
    The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said...
    "he will have ten (10) hasanaat."
    Another man passed by and said... "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah (peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah)."
    The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said...
    "he will have twenty (20) hasanaat."
    Another man passed by and said... "As-Salaamu Alaikum wa
    Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh"(peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings)."
    The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said...
    "he will have thirty (30) hasanaat."

  2. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is an aspect of Imaan.
    Once a man asked the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about which aspect of Islam was best.
    The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) replied: "Feeding the hungry,
    and saying salaam to those you know and those you don't know."
    (Source~ S.Bukhaari and S.Muslim)

  3. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is a means of entering 'Jannah' The Prophet (Sal
    Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you about something which, if you do it, you will love one another ? "Spread 'Salaam' (the greeting of peace) among you."
    (Source~ S..Muslim)

  4. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" gets rid of Sins. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) also said... "When two Muslims meet (give 'Salaam'), and shake hands, they are forgiven their sins before they part with each other."
    (Source~ Abu Dawud)

  5. "As-Salaamu Alaikum" is the greeting of the people of 'Jannah' !
    "Then, those that feared their Lord shall be driven in companies into Paradise. When they draw near its gates will be opened, and its keepers will say to them: "Salaamun 'Alaikum" (Peace be upon you), you have done well. Enter and live in it for ever."
    (Source~ 'Qur'an'~ Surat Az Zumar 39~ A #73)

  6. Even Allaah (SWT) says "As-Salaamu Alaikum" Allah sends His Salaam upon the people who believe in Him.. especially the prophets such as Nuh, Ibraheem, Ismaeel, Musa, etc.
    ('Source~ 'Qur'an'~ Surah as-Saaffaat)
    Jibreel (a.s) came to house of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) and Khadeeja was there. Jibreel(a.s.) said... "Allah sends his Salaam to Khadeeja." The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
    "O Khadeeja, Allah is sending His salaams to you." She said, "Allah is As-Salaam.. And upon you O Jibreel, be as-salaam and upon you Rasulullah be as-salaam." ( Source~ S. Bukhaari )


It is obligatory to return the greeting of "As-Salaamu Alaikum"

"The Muslim has five rights over his fellow-Muslim:
he should return his salaams, visit him when he is sick, attend his funeral, accept his invitation, and pray for mercy for him & say "Yar ha'mu kallaah" when he sneezes." (Source~ S. Bukhaari & S. Muslim)

We should say "As-Salaamu Alaikum" when we enter our homes
"When you enter houses, greet (with peace) one another with a salutation from Allah, blessed and good. As such Allah makes clear to you His verses so that you understand." (Source~ 'Qur'an'~ Surah an-Nur: 61)

"As-Salaamu Alaikum" is also to be said at time of leaving... !
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said:
"When one of you joins a gathering, he should greet those present; and when he leaves them he should salute them, because the first salutation is not better than the last one."
(Source~ Abu Dawud and Tirmithi)

~ 'Salaams' to all ~
~Yasmin~
 Sis Yasmin

2019-10-14 Mon 14:57:04 ct

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