My Sweet Islam

6 Reasons to Read the Glorious Quran

2011-05-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about islamic religion by Shabir Ali

1. Incorruptible

The Quran was kept intact.

2. Unsurpassable
The Quran is God's final revelation to humankind. God revealed the Torah to Moses, the Psalms to David, the Gospel to Jesus, and finally the Quran to Muhammad. No other book will come from God to surpass his final revelation.

3. Indisputable
The Quran withstands the test of time and scrutiny, alone is never contradicted by a modern discovery.

4. Your Roadmap for Life and Afterlife

The Quran is the best guidebook on how to structure your life. No other book presents such a comprehensive system involving all aspects of human life and endeavor.

5. God's Gift of Guidance

God has not left you alone. The Quran is from your function for success lest you fail to function.

6. Your Calling Card to Communicate with God

Humans are social creatures. The Quran tells us who God is, by what name we should address God, and the way in which to communicate with God.

Are these not six sufficient reasons for reading the Quran?

The Final Revealed Text from God

2011-05-03T21:46:00.000-07:00

The Holy Quran is the eternal and literal word of God. Each revelation was written down by the Prophet's scribes according to the Prophet's instructions. Additionally, the Prophet and many fellow Muslims had committed the entire Quran to memory.

So many revelations in the Holy Quran came down to provide guidance to Prophet Muhammad and the fellow Muslims based on what they were confronting at that time.

"Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil). Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them; And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter. These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful. As for the Disbelievers, Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not it is all one for them; they believe not. Allah hath sealed their hearing and their hearts, and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be an awful doom." (Surah Al-Baqarah, Chapter 2)

Calling the Quran amazing is not something done only by Muslims, who have an appreciation for the book and who are pleased with it; it has been labeled amazing by non-Muslims as well. The Holy Quran is the only revealed text still extant today in its original language and form.

The Quran has been translated into every major language. The English translations by Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Pickthall are two popular translations. Maulana Maududi's translation and commentary on the Qur'an "The Meaning of the Qur'an" ranks as one of the best such works in existence today.

A Verse was a Reason for an Atheist to Become a Muslim

2011-05-03T21:04:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about become a muslim by Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

This atheist was denying the existence of God and mock at those who believe. Allah willing to teach him an unexpectedly lesson.

So, he dreamed as if he were drowning and at the moment he came close to death he found himself screaming : "O God!!!".

He waked up upon his cry, both his body and the deep of himself were shaking. He was astonished, whispering to himself: ''How could it be! how could I feel the presence of the God? while I'm Ultra-atheist !!!”

Next day same scene repeated in his dream, and he resorts to God the moment he is about to drown, and he wake up frightened, but intended to read Qur'an.

For his astonishment, he was going through a verse describing himself drowning and resorts only to God to save him !! He was never expect to read such meaning in Quran !!:

"And when harm touches you upon the sea, those that you call upon vanish from you except Him (Allah Alone). But when He brings you safe to land, you turn away (from Him)And man is ever ungrateful." Al-Israa, verse 67

“O, Allah, Muhammad is a truthful prophet,” Sincere in his claim. Praise be to Allah for the blessing of Islam.

Dear brother in faith, share us publishing these articles, hoping it will be a reason for guidance with Allah willing.

Is Barack Obama a Muslim?

Executive summary about Barack Obama become a muslim by David Emery

Email rumor alleges that Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim and has lied to the American people about his religious ties, including his claim to being a devout Christian for most of his adult life.

Though Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. was raised a Muslim, he had lost his faith and become a "confirmed atheist" by the time he attended college, according to his son. When Obama's mother remarried, it was indeed to an Indonesian man named Lolo Soetoro, whom his stepson later described as a "non-practicing" Muslim. A former classmate of Obama's describes the school as "general," with students of many religious backgrounds attending. Obama entered the school at the age of 8 and attended for two years.

Prophet Muhammad The Truthful

2011-05-02T23:56:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about a truthful prophet by Ali Zohery, Ph.D.

The Prophet was recognized, even by the Quraish of Mekkah, his worst enemies, who called him by the name of as-Sadiq and al-Amin long before his Prophet hood because of his honest and truthful dealings as a trader. The consistency of his honest and truthful conduct is proven by the fact that he began his mission of Prophethood with the words: La ilaha illa ‘Llah and ended his Mission with the same thought when he said, on his death bed:

“Lord! Blessed Companion on High.” Having sincerely and faithfully rendered his obligations towards Allah’s creatures, he then returned to the loving bosom of Allah and His Companionship on High (Bukhari, 4463).

He loved truth intensely, adhered to and preached truth all his life, never uttered a single lie all his life, either before or after his Prophethood.

The Prophet went further to say a true action leads to the path of virtue, and virtue paves the way of a person to paradise, and this person continues to speak the truth until, in the sight of Allah, he is named as-S’iddiq (the Truthful). Lying, on the other hand, leads to vice, and vice leads to indecent acts and a person goes on lying until, in the sight of Allah, he is called a liar (Bukhari, 116).

Four characteristics belong to a believer: when he speaks, he speaks the truth: when he is trusted, he fulfils his trust; when he makes a promise, he abides by his promise; and when he is in dispute with anyone, he does not use obscene words (but sticks to the truth). (Bukhari)

These sayings clearly show that, according to the Prophet, a truthful and righteous person is one who is truthful in words, in intentions, in motives and in actions. The Prophet was an embodiment of truth, honesty and righteousness, did not speak anything but truth all his life, did not preach anything but truth and did not practice anything but truth. Ah! It is an undeniable fact that truthfulness is an indispensable quality of a Prophet. And this quality was found in absolute perfection in the person of the Prophet, loved truth and righteousness and never spoke a lie throughout his life, replied in these words:

My object is quite different from what you have said. I have not come to you with my call for the purpose of amassing wealth, or to secure leadership of the clan or to become your king. In fact God has sent me to you as His Messenger and has revealed to me the Law and has ordered me to warn you and to give glad tidings. So I have conveyed to you the injunctions of God and have done my responsibility for your welfare. Now if you accept what I have conveyed to you it will be good for you here and hereafter. But if you reject it, I will patiently wait for the Divine dispensation when God shall decide between you and me. (Rahman, Encyclopaedia of Seerah, Vol. VIII, p. 161).

This reply of the Prophet showed his determination to fight for the truth, which he held to be dearer than life. Weary and wounded, he prayed to his Lord in these most passionate and honest words:

0 Lord! To You alone I make complaint of my helplessness, the paucity of resources and my insignificance before humankind. You are the most Merciful of the mercifuls. You are the Lord of the helpless and the weak, 0 Lord of Mine! Into whose hands would You abandon me, into the hands of an unsympathetic foe who would sullenly frown at me, or the enemy who has been given control over my affairs? But if Your Wrath does not fall upon me, there is nothing for me to worry about. . . I seek protection in the light of Your Countenance, which illuminates the heavens and dispels every darkness, and which controls all affairs in this world as well as in the hereafter. May it never be that I should incur Your Wrath, or that You should be wrathful to me. And there is no power nor resource, but Yours alone. ( Rahman, 1992, 161-162)

There is no doubt that this prayer confirms his extreme love for the truth and belief in the Majesty and Grandeur of Allah, also affords an insight into the working of the Prophet’s mind and reflects the loftiness of his thinking, the purity of his spirit and the nobility of his feelings. Prophet Muhammad defined a truthful and righteous man in these words: “He who is truthful in words, in motives, in intentions, in determination, in obedience, in actions and in religious duties” (Rahman, Encyclopaedia of Seerah, Vol. VIII, p. 162).

Headscarf Help

2011-05-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about the headscarf by Jana

Some people have been asking about the 'plastic thing' which you insert in the front of your headscarf to make the peak stay up, is basically just a strip of clear, very thin and flexible plastic, with rounded edges, and the one I have measures 12.5” x 2.5”. To use it with a square headscarf, fold the headscarf into a triangle, then slip the plastic strip in between the two layers, to the very edge of the fold.

One wears the headscarf for the sake of Allah and whatever a person does for the sake of Allah can only strengthen her faith so bear that in mind. May Allah be your only Guide.

Islam And The West

2011-05-02T21:47:00.001-07:00

Ever since Samuel Huntington's 1993 article, "A Clash of Civilizations," which argued that the end of the Cold War had led to a world increasingly polarized by religious and ethnic identity, the phrase has been used as a quick way to explain tensions between the Arab and Western worlds—particularly since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

For Islamic extremists, whose supreme political ambition has been to restructure the Middle East and create Islamic states throughout the region, their goals have been elusive. In The War for Muslim Minds Professor Kepel focuses on recent developments in the Middle East and attempts to sort out the complex strands of ideology and resistance that have influenced the thinking of both Islamist and Western nations. Professor Kepel is one of the most cited experts on Islam in the United States and Europe, holds degrees in Arabic, English, and philosophy, a diploma from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, and doctorates in sociology and political science, is Chair of the Middle East and Mediterranean Studies Department and heads the post-graduate program in Arab and Muslim minds, the author of several influential books on Islam, including the critically acclaimed and definitive work on militant Islam, Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

2011-05-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about prayer in schools by Austin Cline

What authority, if any, does the government have when it comes religious rituals like prayers? Can a government write specific prayers for public school students to recite every day? Labeled the “To whom it may concern” prayer by one commentator, it stated:

Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.

Both the state court and the New York Court of Appeals allowed the prayer to be recited. On June 25, 1962, the Supreme Court ruled 7 to 1 that it was unconstitutional for a government agency like a school or government agents like public school employees to require students to recite prayers.

According to Black, the governmentally created prayer recitation is much like the English creation of the Book of Common Prayer. It was to avoid exactly this type of relationship between government and organized religion that many early colonists came to America. In his words, the prayer was “a practice wholly inconsistent with the Establishment Clause.”

Although the Regents argued that there was no compulsion on students to recite the prayer, Black observed that:

Neither the fact that the prayer may be denominationally neutral nor the fact that its observances on the part of students is voluntary can serve to free it from the limitations of the Establishment Clause...

Hindu Prayer Recited At Catholic Youth Rally in Nevada

2011-05-02T21:29:00.001-07:00

In a remarkable interfaith gesture, the Sixth Annual Catholic Diocesan Youth Rally was held on March five in Reno, involving Catholic teenagers from all over northern Nevada. The Catholic teenagers listened intently to a Muslim imam Abdulrahim Barghouthi in the chapel of Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. Few hundred Catholic youth participated in the rally. Rajan Zed is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism. He congratulated the Catholic Diocese efforts for allowing Catholic teenagers to be opened with other religion concepts. Catholic Diocese of Reno was established in 1931.

Guide to Religious Divorce Rituals

2011-05-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about religious rituals by Jennifer M. Paquette

The way we divorce is changing. Says Rabbi Sharon Sobel, Regional Director of the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism, "Rituals help effect a transformation.”

If you have children, a ritual can help them acknowledge that it's truly over, while sending a vital affirmation at the same time.

Overview of Religion

The focus will be on the types of religious beliefs and religious leaders, especially in small-scale societies. A religion is a system of beliefs usually involving the worship of supernatural forces. Religious beliefs provide shape and meaning to one's perception of the universe. For most religious people, their beliefs about the supernatural are at the very core of their world views.

The performance of rituals is an integral part of all religions. For example, going to church on Sunday is a common religious ritual for Christians around the world. At the heart of this experience is a sequence of traditional ritual acts that symbolically represent aspects of the life, teachings, and death of Jesus.

Most religious rituals are performed in special places and under special conditions, such as in a dedicated temple. This is an intentional separation between the secular and the sacred. The separation makes the rituals more effective. Only allowing initiated people to participate in religious rituals also can have the same effect.

Religious ritual reinforces the basic tenets of religion. Rituals are often charged with high emotions. The exalted feelings people experience during rituals provide positive reinforcement for continuing them. When rituals make people "feel good", they reinforce the belief that their religion is the "correct" one.

Not all rituals are religious. Political ideologies and movements often have rituals that can be profoundly important for people, especially when they become the focus of nationalism.

Religions fulfill psychological needs, help ease the stress during personal life crises such as birth, marriage, serious illness, and death also fulfill social needs, can be powerful, dynamic forces in society. By reinforcing group norms, they help bring about social homogeneity. A uniformity of beliefs helps bind people together and reinforces group identity.

In most societies, religions play an important role in social control by defining what is right and wrong behavior. The sacred texts of religions usually set precedents for proper behavior in common situations.

Hajj Checklist

2011-05-02T19:21:00.001-07:00

Executive summary about guide to Hajj by Ahmed

1. Musalla

2. safety pins

3. Money belt

4. Flip flops

5. Sandals

6. Sleeping bag

7. Small bag for pebbles

8. Small Quran

9. Hajj guide

Toiletries:

1. Toothbrush

2. Toothpaste

3. Soap

4. Shampoo

5. Razor

6. Wet wipes

Islamic Law of Contracts

This checklist offers a brief guide to the nature of contracts in Islam-derived law, and outlines some key differences between these contracts and their Western legal system equivalents.

The basic prerequisites to establish a valid contract agreement under Islamic law relate to the legal status of the parties seeking to sign the contract, the way the contract is presented, and finally the subject and consideration of the actual contract

While many different types of contract exist, the most common contract for the sale of goods is the mu’awadat contract of exchange. Contracts in Islam-derived law fully respect the high moral principles of values expected of all Muslims.

Contract law in Muslim countries supports only transactions which would be classified as “ethical” in the West. Islamic contract law can be highly complex, both in terms of its jurisprudence and in its application.

Seek expert advice related to Islamic contract law. Given the complexity of many elements of Islamic law of contract, particularly the definition of what constitutes acceptance of a verbal proposal, expert qualified advice should be sought before contract discussions begin, let alone any contract is signed.

Don’t assume that the principles of Islamic law bear close comparison with those of Western laws. Contracts agreed under Muslim-derived laws can be less binding in nature than most contracts drawn up under Western legal systems.

Sources of Islamic Law

2011-05-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

Islam has given the most comprehensive legal system to mankind. Islamic law covers all aspects of life. Islam has its own personal, civil, criminal, mercantile, evidence, constitutional and international law.

Islamic law has, therefore, not been given by any ruler, remains valid whether recognised by the State or not. The basic source of Islamic law is Divine Revelation:

1. The direct word of Allah, the Quran, is the primary source containing all the fundamental directives and instructions of Allah, is not only a book of law.

2. The Sunnah. The Prophet always acted according to the instructions of Allah. The Sunnah is an Arabic word which means "Method". The Quran says,

"For you the life of the Prophet is a model of behaviour" (Al-Quran 33:21)

Many of books of traditions were compiled by the companions of the Prophet. The Quran and Sunnah are complementary. The Sunnah explains the instructions of the Quran. The Quran and the Sunnah are the primary sources of Islamic law.

Ijma and Qiyas derive their value from the Quran and the Sunnah. Qiyas is the fourth important source of Islamic law, means analogy. The scholars have developed detailed principles of analogical deductions in the books of Islamic jurisprudence.

The Prophet has permitted Ijtihad which literally means 'to exert', is the Islamic method of facing the new situations and problems in the light of the general principles of the book of Allah, the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet.

Quran Stories for Little Hearts

2011-05-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Quran Stories by Albertson Danim

“Quran Stories for Little Hearts” published by Goodword Books caters to the need of spiritual awakening among the young. It is Islam for children. Hence these are children’s books on Islam. The word of God is packaged into different stories. These are not simply stories, but aim at imparting a knowledge of Islam by exploring different themes.

“The First Man” story explores the banishment of Adam and Eve to earth. Guarding against impulses of impetuosity and impatience and of following God’s word are explored in “Islamic story books”, “English Islamic books”, “Urdu Islamic book”, “Muslim books”, “Books on Islam”, “Holy Quran”, “Islamic books and gifts”, “The Tale of a Fish”.

The Six 'Constitutional' Commandments

2011-05-01T22:59:00.000-07:00

Amendment No. 200, sponsored by Representative Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL), declares that "the power to display the Ten Commandments on property owned or administered by the States is among the powers reserved to the States" by the Constitution.

The First Amendment contains two clauses referring to religion:

1. The Establishment Clause -- Bans Congress from passing any law dealing with the establishment of religion.

2. The Free Exercise Clause -- Bans Congress from passing any law that would prohibit the free exercise of religion.

A law allowing the Ten Commandments to be posted in public schools would clearly not prohibit the free exercise of religion.

Prayer in Public School

The history of prayer in public school is a story of legal interpretation. The relationship between religion and government in the United States is governed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which both prevents the government from establishing religion and protects privately initiated religious expression and activities from government interference and discrimination. The First Amendment thus establishes certain limits on the conduct of public school officials as it relates to religious activity, including prayer. As the Court has explained in several cases, "there is a crucial difference between government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses protect." Santa Fe Indep.

Although the Constitution forbids public school officials from directing prayer, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech at the schoolhouse gate." Moreover, not all religious speech that takes place in the public schools or at school-sponsored events is governmental speech.

It wasn't until the early 1960's that prayer in public school was "outlawed" by a new interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

How to Become a Muslim

2011-05-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe. For Allah, Almighty, is above all comprehension and knows well the secrets of all hearts. If anyone has a real desire to become a Muslim and has full conviction and strong belief that Islam is the true religion ordained by Allah for all human-beings, then, one should pronounce the “Shahada”, the testimony of faith, without further delay. The Holy Qur’an is explicit on this regard as Allah states:

“The Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Qur’an 3:19)

In another verse of the Holy Qur’an, Allah states:

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (Submission to Allah), Never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (their selves in the hell fire).” (Qur’an 3:85)

In addition, Islam is the only religion prevailing over all other religions. Allah states in the Holy Qur’an:

“To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety:…” (Qur’an 5:48)

Mohammad, the Prophet of Allah, said:

“The superstructure of Islam is raised on five (pillars): testifying that there is no God (none truely to be worshiped) but Allah, and that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah, performing the prayer, paying the Zakah (poor-due), fasting the month of Ramadan, and performing Hadj.”

The Shahada can be declared as follows:

“Ash-hadu anla elaha illa-allah wa ash-hadu anna muhammadan rasul-allah”.

The English translation is:

“I bear witness that there is no deity (worthy of worship) but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The significant point which every Muslim must know very well is the truth that there is no God to be worshipped other than Allah. Man must worship Allah, Who alone is worthy of worship.

Worship simply means rendering sincere service, showing reverence for Allah, into two categories:

1. Visible worship includes acts such as uttering the two parts of the “Shahada”, performing prayers, giving Zakah, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, supplication, adoring Allah by praising Him, purifying our bodies before prayers, etc. This type of worship is associated with movement of the parts of the human body.

2. Invisible worship is to believe in Allah, in the Day of Judgement, in the Angels, in the Books of Allah, in the Prophets of Allah, in the Divine Decree of destiny.

Allah states in the Holy Qur’an:

“… whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy Hand-hold, that never breaks…” (Qur’an 2:256).

We have to consider that when we declare from our heart that “there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allah”, it implies on our part love, devotion, faith and obedience to the rules of Islamic legislations which are legally binding on all Muslims. It is a requirement of “there is no god worthy to be worshipped but Allah” to love and reject for the sake of Allah.

The Scientific Facts Presented in the Holy Qur'an

2011-05-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about the Holy Qur’an by Dr. Syed Hasan Akhtar

Astronomy in the Holy Quran:

"God is the one who created the night, the day, the sun, and the moon. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion." (21:33)

The concept of motion of the heavenly bodies with an orbit of their own belongs to modern science.

“Has thou not seen how God merges the night into the day and merges the day into the night?" (21:29)

The sun lights up half of the earth facing it and the other half is dark. Modern scientific data are in full agreement with the Qur’anic description.

About the effects of high altitude:

"Those who God wills to guide, He opens their breasts to Islam. Those who He wills lose their way, He makes their breasts narrow and constricted, as if they were climbing the sky." (6:125)

This is an accurate yet surprising statement, because high mountain climbing, air travel, etc. were not available at that time.

About the origin of life on earth:

"God created every animal from water." (21:30)

Modern scientific data indicate that life is of aquatic origin and water is the major component of the living cell.

Reproduction in the vegetable kingdom:

"God is the One who sent water down from the sky and thereby, We brought forth pairs of plants each separate from the other." (20:53)

About the Animal kingdom:

"God fashioned the two of a pair, the male and a female, from a small quantity of liquid, when it is poured out." (53:45-46)

The word used in Arabic signifies sperm.

Quran has made many references to various facts about human reproduction in precise and accurate terms. Semen mixes with fluids in the female genital tract. Scientific knowledge about human reproduction was incomplete until recent times.

Interesting Facts About The Holy Quran

Executive summary about the Holy Qur’an by S.M.Masum

1. The Holy Quran has 30 parts.

2. The Holy Quran has 114 surahs.

3. Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem is repeated 114 times in the Quran.

4. All except for Surat “Al Tawbah” start with Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem.

5. Surat “Al Namel, No. 27” has Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem in its body.

6. Al-Baqarah is the longest surah in the Quran.

7. Surat Al-Ikhlas is considered 1/3 of the Quran.

8. Ramadan is the Spring of the Holy Quran.

HAS ALLAH NOT GIVEN US THE RESOURCES?

2011-04-29T23:42:00.000-07:00

Excellent resources on Allah by mahussain3

Recognize how many important resources are within Muslim control.

§ 70% of world oil reserves, totaling 550 billion barrels, are in "Muslim countries."

§ 49% of the world's Natural Gas reserves, totaling 2532 trillion cubic feet, are in Muslim majority countries.

§ 21% of world production of Uranium, totaling 6,421 tons annually, is from "Muslim countries."

The Prophet said: "People share in three things--The water, the graze, and the fire (includes power resources)" (Abu Dawud)

This hadith establishes public ownership of the natural resources in the Islamic State. If money from the Ummah's resources today were distributed according to Allah's Laws, nobody in the Islamic State would be living below poverty level. For example, 717-720 C.E: Khalifa Omar ibn Abdul-Aziz: Under the Khalifa's guardianship, there was no poverty in the Islamic State.

What we lack is the proper organization of the State. The longer we delay in implementing this solution, the more will our resources be wasted in mismanagement and extortion, and the longer the Muslim Ummah suffers.

What steps should school districts take regarding religion?

2011-04-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about religion in schools by Alice Dillon

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Discuss specific requirements and suggestions have been made by your local and state Board of Education and evaluate where your school districts falls in compliance.

2. Research the other school districts in your state to see what they are doing

3. Identify action steps necessary to bring your district into compliance if needed.

Islam

2011-04-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

Followers of Islam are called Muslims, believe there is one true God: Allah, that Islam was revealed over 1400 years ago in Mecca, Arabia through a man called Muhammad, this to be the word of Allah as dictated to Muhammad, follow the five basic Pillars of Islam.

Muslims worship in a building called a Mosque. When Muslims pray, they must always face Makkah.

Report Papers on the Pros of Religion in Schools

Executive summary about religion in schools by Eric Edwin Joseph Benac

Bitter debates have been raged to add religion to school. These debaters state that there are many positive results of allowing religion in school. There are many topics about this debate you might cover in a pro religion in school paper.

1. Improve Morality

One argument you could make with a pro religion paper would be to discuss improving morality. You could then argue that adding a positive, religious point of view to school curriculum could help add morals to the school.

2. Improve Tolerance

Religious intolerance is most often fueled by ignorance of other religions. You can argue that allowing all types of religion to be introduced into schools could help end this ignorance and promote religious tolerance. Introducing religious classes that discuss the various world religions could help discuss the true beliefs of these religions versus the perceived beliefs.

3. Enhance Spirituality

Spirituality is defined in different ways by many other people. Introducing religion into schools should not be limited to one type.

4. Encourage Freedom

Many religious people believe that schools banning religion is actually infringing on their constitutional freedom of religion. You can argue that this encourages not freedom of religion but "freedom from religion," a policy that favors the non-religious over the religious. Use evidence, such as quotes from the Constitution and quotes from school policies involving religion instead of impassioned angry arguments.

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Being a Muslim Woman

2011-04-28T22:23:00.001-07:00

Executive summary about Islam religion by Nakia Jackson

The 20th and 21st centuries have transformed Muslim women's lives. With the repression that Muslim women face in many parts of the world, some people question why Muslim women would remain Muslim if they can choose otherwise.

Women in the developing world, including Muslim women, have unequal access to education, economic opportunities and health care. Muslim women may be the victims of domestic violence or ethnic cleansing.

The Qur'an explicitly states women's spiritual equality in the 35th verse of Surah al-Ahzab: "For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise -- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."

Secrets within Great Pyramid of Giza Point to One True God

2011-04-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

Everyone in the world is familiar with the Great Pyramid in Egypt, but only a few realize it was ordained by the hand of God. The prophet Isaiah tells us it's an altar and a witness for the one true God. Josephus, the Jewish historian, says it was built by the children of Seth before the great flood. Egyptian legend calls it the “Pillar of Enoch” after the Patriarch who walked with God. Early Jewish writings, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and ancient historians provide clues to the secrets within the Great Pyramid. “Historical truth, ancient Egyptian beliefs, early Jewish writings, and ancient texts all reveal our true history and confirm the biblical Genesis,” says Austin, who combines an astute knowledge of quantum reality, science, and philosophy with a passion for teaching the truth. Retailers may order “The Middle of the Earth” through Ingram Book Company and Spring Arbor Book Distributors.

Hajj Information and Checklist

2011-04-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Islamreligion by James Cole

In 2010 thousands of British Nationals will attend the Hajj. The British Hajj delegation will be located at the Elaf Al Khalil Hotel

The delegation can:

1. arrange for replacement passports.

2. provide contact details for local lawyers.

The delegation cannot:

1. rearrange travel bookings.

2. pay your hotel, legal, medical or travel bills.

3. give legal advice.

Travel within Saudi Arabia will be limited to Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah. If you choose to travel elsewhere your travel agent will need to inform the Tawafa Establishment giving at least 24 hours notice.

Check that you have the correct tickets and ticket details. Make copies of your passport, insurance policy plus emergency numbers and ticket details. Make sure you have the contact details of the Hajj Delegation and local consulate.

Useful Information:

Hajj Delegation:

Elaf Al Khalil Hotel

Ibrahim Al Khaleel Street

Al Misqalah

Behind the Hilton Towers

Tel: 02 573 2555

Fax: 02 573 2666

British Consulate-General, Jeddah:

Tel: 02 622 5550

Fax: 02 622 6249

Ministry of Hajj (Makkah):

02 530 8200

Ministry of Hajj (Jeddah):

02 647 7551

Checklist For Travellers To Saudi Arabia

2011-04-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

There are the cosmopolitan city centres of Jeddah, the Red Sea port; Riyadh, the throbbing central capital; and Gulf-side Dammam, the large city in the east. All feature chic cafés and top-notch restaurants. For the tourist interested in religion, few other countries are as rich in historical sites as Saudi Arabia. As the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad, Saudi Arabia is home the two holiest sites in Islam: The grand mosque in Mecca and the prophet’s mosque in Medina.

Note that the dates mentioned in the visa refer to Hijri calendar and not the Gregorian calendar. Note that once a visa is issued, it is mandatory for you to reach the kingdom within the specified date, otherwise the visa would lapse.

I would advise first-timers not to stuff items in your baggage unnecessarily. Almost everything is available in the kingdom, which is available elsewhere in the world. Note that electric supply in Saudi Arabia is in two voltages, 220 volts and 110 volts , 60 Hertz frequency. Alcohol and drugs are strictly banned items and users and peddlers face capital punishment. Some travellers from South Asia, bring poppy seeds. Money can be easily converted in Saudi riyals in any of the exchange centers in the kingdom. Temperatures reach extreme during summer and winter, so do come prepared with your personal clothing.

Working in Saudi Arabia is both a challenge as well as interesting, if you are well-prepared mentally.

Prayer in Public School

2011-04-27T19:31:00.001-07:00

School prayer in its common usage is a reference to state-approved prayer by students in state schools. Depending on the country and the type of school, organized prayer may be required, permitted, or proscribed.

In the United States, public schools are prohibited from sponsoring religious observances such as daily prayer. Prayer itself is not forbidden while at school.

The history of prayer in public school is a story of legal interpretation. The relationship between religion and government in the United States is governed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which both prevents the government from establishing religion and protects privately initiated religious expression and activities from government interference and discrimination. The First Amendment thus establishes certain limits on the conduct of public school officials as it relates to religious activity, including prayer. As the Court has explained in several cases, "there is a crucial difference between government speech endorsing religion, which the Establishment Clause forbids, and private speech endorsing religion, which the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses protect." Santa Fe Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290, 302 (2000).

The Supreme Court's decisions over the past forty years set forth principles that distinguish impermissible governmental religious speech from the constitutionally protected private religious speech of students. For example, teachers and other public school officials may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible, or other religious activities.

Although the Constitution forbids public school officials from directing or favoring prayer, students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." Moreover, not all religious speech that takes place in the public schools or at school-sponsored events is governmental speech.

In England and Wales, the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 states that all pupils in state schools must take part in a daily act of collective worship, unless their parents request that they be excused from attending.

OFSTED's 2002-03 annual report, for example, states that 80% of secondary schools are not providing daily worship for all pupils.

Prior to 1944, in British Columbia, the Public Schools Act (1872) permitted the use of the Lord’s Prayer in opening or closing school. In 1944, the government of British Columbia amended the Public Schools Act to provide for compulsory Bible reading at the opening of the school day, to be followed by a compulsory recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.

In 1982, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms received royal assent. Section 2 of the charter guaranteeing freedom of conscience and freedom of religion trumped Section 167 of the Public Schools Act (1872).

As a declared 'laicist' state, France has no school prayers. The French law on secularity and conspicuous religious symbols in schools goes beyond restricting prayer in schools and bans the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols by pupils in public primary and secondary schools.

In Turkey, school prayer is therefore unknown, and suspected religious motivations can cause serious difficulties for public servants.

Proposed French Law Confuses Secularism With Paternalism

2011-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

In a speech on 17 December 2003, French President Jacques Chirac formally endorsed one of the key recommendations of the government-appointed Stasi Commission – namely, that conspicuous religious symbols should be banned from state-approved schools, even when they are displayed without any state endorsement. These symbols include Jewish yarmulkes, Muslim headscarves and large Christian crosses. Mr. Chirac justified the proposal by appealing to the core values of the French nation.

The proposal unquestionably breaches fundamental human rights standards. There is no question that the wearing of a religious symbol – even a conspicuous symbol – falls squarely within the conventions’ very general contemplation of the manifestation of religion in worship, practice and observance. The Human Rights Committee confirmed this in its General Comment 22 of 30 July 1993. Minister of National Education Luc Ferry went further, describing the Muslim headscarf as “a militant sign that calls for militant countersigns”.

References to militancy and destabilising forces may justify certain anti-terrorism legislation, but to suggest that a piece of material covering a Muslim student’s head is a threat to the secular French Republic is absurdly disingenuous and unequivocally contrary to international and European human rights standards.

The professed motivation for M.Chirac’s proposal is to ensure that French society treats different religious groups equally. The proposal itself, however, amounts to nothing less than discrimination on religious grounds.

There are two reasons for this. First, even if the legislation treats different religions the same, this does not amount to treating different religions equally – because different religious traditions make different demands of their followers, and the individual right to manifest ones religion embraces these differences. The ban is wrong in both cases – but to proscribe Muslim headscarves steps beyond any prevention of proselytism and into the active restriction of unobtrusive religious adherence.

Second, the proposed legislation allows extraordinarily broad discretion – and this is necessarily open to discriminatory application. The current draft legislation proscribes “ostensibly” religious symbols, a deeply ambiguous benchmark that is left for the interpretation of school administrators on a case-by-case basis.

This law will serve only to confirm their worst fears – by declaring that conspicuous but unobtrusive religious symbols threaten the core ideals of the French nation. Understandably, French religious minorities have a history of resisting policies of this nature. Similarly, France’s small Sikh community initially responded to the proposed legislation by declaring that Sikh boys would leave public schools rather than remove their turbans. For a policy ostensibly designed to use French public schools to promote social harmony, this is the deepest irony and the ultimate condemnation. The policy will cause many students from religious minorities to flee from the public school system, into the hands of religious schools – segregated institutions that are far more likely than any public school to affirm the radical messages of isolation that this law will encourage.

The draft legislation is an extraordinary proposal that sacrifices fundamental individual liberties in the name of social harmony – but which, at its core, is justified by absurd religious generalisations that will serve only to isolate further many religious minorities. French leaders are right to be concerned about the status of religious minorities in France. They are right to emphasise French unity, and they do well to highlight France’s long-standing commitment to secularism.

What makes a religious symbol conspicuous?

Aug 17, 2009 a college in Mangalore in India banned a student wearing a burqa from attending class. The principal told local media the college had a policy of not allowing symbols of religion.

Turkey in 2008 lifted a ban on women wearing headscarves at universities, ruling it violated the country’s secular constitution. A 2004 French law bans students from wearing “conspicuous” signs of their religion in state schools, prompting Sikhs to launch a protest to allow them to keep their turbans on.

Prayer Secrets

2011-04-27T18:00:00.001-07:00

Everyone wants to learn how to get God to answer more of their personal prayers. The Bible lays out specific conditions that must be met before God will answer some of your prayers.

One last word on the power of prayer. In my opinion, when you go into a prayer mode with God the Father, this is very serious business! When you go into prayer mode with God the Father, you are approaching Him with a petition for something very specific. Knowledge is the key that will open up this prayer door for you in order for you to be able to properly approach God the Father with your specific prayer requests.

God loves to answer your prayers!

Religious Expression in the Public Schools

2011-04-27T17:19:00.000-07:00

Freedom of speech encompasses religious as well as secular speech, but the Establishment Clause imposes limitations on government endorsement of religion that has important implications for religious speech and observance in public schools.

Public school teachers, principals, administrators, and other personnel may not promote religion in general as superior to a secular approach to life. Prayer and Bible-reading have long been excluded from the public schools.

In Santa Fe Independent School District v. Jane Doe (2000) the Court held that student-led prayer at school-sponsored football games was unconstitutional, because the circumstances implied official endorsement of religion. Holiday observations in public schools have been a persistent bone of contention in many communities. Although schools may teach about the religious beliefs underlying religious holidays and may celebrate secular aspects of such holidays, schools may not observe holidays as religious events or promote such observance among their students.

Schools may not permanently display religious messages like the Ten Commandments. Religious clothing and symbols, if not disruptive, are a protected form of expression. Even schools with dress codes ordinarily make an exception for religious articles. Under a 1993 Supreme Court ruling, public schools that permit their facilities to be used by community groups are not permitted to discriminate against religious groups.

When public education requirements severely conflict with sincerely-held religious beliefs, the courts have fashioned a remedy to address the conflict. The Equal Access Act (20 U.S.C. 4071-74), adopted by Congress in 1984, was intended to prevent discrimination against student extra-curricular activities "on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical, or other content of the speech" at such student-run events. The Act applies to any "public secondary school which receives Federal financial assistance" and which allows "noncurriculum related student groups to meet on school premises during noninstructional time". U.S. Department of Education, Guidelines on Religious Expression in the Public Schools were originally adopted in 1995 and updated since then to provide every school district in America with a statement of principles addressing the extent to which religious expression and activity are permitted in the public school. The guidelines affirm two obligations imposed on school officials:

1. Schools may not forbid students acting on their own from expressing their personal religious beliefs;

2. Schools may not discriminate against private religious expression by students, but must instead give students the same right to engage in religious activity and discussion as they have to engage in other comparable activity.

Muslim Populations in Asia

2011-04-26T22:03:00.000-07:00

Most of the world's Muslims live in Asia. Indonesia (240,271,522 | 86.1% Muslim), India (1,156,897,766 | 13.4% Muslim), Pakistan (174,578,558 | 95% Muslim) and Bangladesh (156,050,883 | 83% Muslim) have the world's highest Muslim populations.

Indonesia Muslims

Once called the Spice Islands, Indonesia, the fourth largest nation in the world, is a nation in which it is impossible to make generalisations. The people of Indonesia represent hundreds of languages, cultures and religions.

Today Indonesia is at a point of crisis. Every major region of Indonesia has suffered. Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,508 islands, still grapples with persistent poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, endemic corruption, a fragile banking sector, a poor investment climate, and unequal resource distribution among regions. Declining oil production and lack of new exploration investment turned Indonesia into a net oil importer in 2004. Unfortunately, Indonesia suffers new natural disasters all the time. Donors are assisting Indonesia with its disaster mitigation and early warning efforts.

Prayer Guide for Indonesia:

1. Pray for those in leadership in Indonesia.

2. Pray for those enduring economic hardship. Ask God to open doors for Christian workers to create employment opportunities.

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and home to the world's largest Muslim population. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, but it continues to face a low intensity separatist guerilla movement in Papua.

Ethnic groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9%

Religions: Islam 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%

Languages: Indonesian, English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese.

School life expectancy: 12 years.

Caribbean Religions

2011-04-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

When it comes to religion, the Caribbean is dominated by Christianity. From the religions of slaves and indentured servants to styles developed on the islands themselves, the Caribbean is full of a vibrant variety of faiths.

Christianity is the dominant religious style in the region, but local religions also play an important role in the Caribbean. Many of the Caribbean-born slaves were indoctrinated into Christianity.

In fact, the end of slavery helped encourage some religious diversity in the islands. Rastafarianism is Christianity with a distinctly Caribbean style.

The many distinct religions in the Caribbean can be divided into Christianity, Afro-Caribbean Creolized religions and East Indian religions.

Atheism

Atheism is the absence of belief in any Gods. Atheists don't use God to explain the existence of the universe.

Atheists say that human beings can devise suitable moral codes to live by without the aid of Gods. People are atheist for many reasons, among them:

1. They find insufficient evidence to support any religion.

2. They think that religion is nonsensical.

3. Religion doesn't interest them.

4. Religion doesn't seem relevant to their lives.

Islam Cannot be Criticized as a Monolithic Faith

2011-04-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Muslim by Austin Cline

Comments from both Muslims and critics can give the impression that Islam is a single, united, monolithic religion but this is false. In Islam, the major division is between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Most statements about Islam apply to Sunni Islam, which represents the vast majority of Muslims. Shia Muslims hold the same fundamental beliefs of other Muslims, with the principle addition being that they also believe in an imamate, which is the distinctive institution of Shia Islam.

The real ecclesiastical power lies with the four orthodox schools of legal thought because they define the boundaries of Islamic law, theology, and belief.

1. Maliki: founded by Abd Allah Malik ibn Anas (ca. 715-95).

2. Hanifite: founded by An Numan ibn Thabit Abu Hanifa (ca. 700-67).

3. Shafi'ite: founded by Muhammad ibn Idris ash Shafii (767-820).

4. Hanbali: founded by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (780-855).

Unlike the Sunnis, Shia Muslims have from the start regarded inherited, mystical elements as fundamental to the nature of religious authority. The term Shia is a shortened form of Shiat Ali, which means "the party of Ali". Ali was Muhammad's adoptive brother, the husband of his favorite daughter, and father of his favorite grandsons.

Differences in religious authority create significant differences in how a religion works. Rationalized, legalistic religions require certain types of critical arguments while charismatic, mystical religions require different critical arguments. If you want to critique Islam, then, you need to know which Islam you are critiquing and where it is most vulnerable.

Ottoman Turks

2011-04-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

The Ottoman Turks were the subdivision of the Ottoman Muslim Millet that dominated the ruling class of the Ottoman Empire. Reliable information about the early history of the Ottomans is scarce.

Ertugrul established a principality, as part of the decaying Seljuk empire. His son, Osman, expanded the principality; and for him, both the empire and the people were named by Europeans as "Ottomans". Osman's son, Orhan, expanded the growing empire, taking Nicaea, present-day Iznik, and crossed the Dardanelles strait, in 1362. But the Ottoman Empire came into its own when Mehmed II captured the Byzantine Empire's capital, Constantinople, in 1453.

The early Yâkût period was supplanted in the late 15th century by a new style pioneered by Seyh Hamdullah (1429–1520) which became the basis for Ottoman Calligraphy. The next great change in Ottoman calligraphy comes from the style of Hâfiz Osman (1642–1698), whose rigorous and simplified style found favor with an empire at its peak of both territorial extent, and governmental burdens.

Ottoman poetry produced epic length verse, but is better remembered for shorter forms, such as the gazel. By the 14th century the Ottoman Empire's prosperity made manuscript works available to merchants and craftsman, and produced a flowering of miniatures which depicted pagentry, daily life, commerce, cities and stories, as well as chronicling events.

Islamic Calligraphy

2011-04-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

Islamic calligraphy, colloquially known as Arabic calligraphy, is the artistic practice of handwriting, or calligraphy, and by extension, of bookmaking, in the lands sharing a common Islamic cultural heritage. The work of calligraphers was collected and appreciated.

Contemporary artists in the Islamic world draw on the heritage of calligraphy to use calligraphic inscriptions in their work. Calligraphy has arguably become the most venerated form of Islamic art because the Arabic script was the means of transmission of the Qur'an. Proverbs and complete passages from the Qur'an are still active sources for Islamic calligraphy.

In Islamic times, Kufic became the favored style for Qur’anic transcriptions, due to its gravity, legibility, grace, and sheer visual impact. For writing of Qur'ans and other documents, Kufic was eventually replaced by the cursive scripts. Cursive styles of calligraphy appeared during the 10th century. Because the shapes and sizes of the letters were calculated geometrically, these scripts were called "the proportioned scripts", include the Thuluth, Naskh, and Muhaqqaq scripts.

Four important calligraphers, working in Baghdad during the Abbasid caliphate, founded the modern trend in Islamic calligraphy, were Muhammad ibn Muqla (d. 940); his brother Abu Abdullah ibn Muqla (d. 939); Ali ibn Hilal, called Ibn al-Baw wab (d. 1022); and Yaqut al-Musta'simi (d. 1298). Through the works and teachings of these masters, the art of calligraphy radiated to other important Islamic cultural centers.

The proportion of the different letters is based on the letter 'Alif, a simple vertical line. Nasta'liq is a cursive style developed in the Persian world. It gave the style a refined look. The Ottoman calligraphers produced splendid works with this style.

The Diwani script is a cursive style of Arabic calligraphy developed during the reign of the early Ottoman Turks. As decorative as it was communicative, Diwani was distinguished by the complexity of the line within the letter and the close juxtaposition of the letters within the word.

Sini has evident influences from Chinese calligraphy, using a horsehair brush instead of the standard reed pen. A famous modern calligrapher in this tradition is Hajji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang.

To present calligraphy, diverse media were used. The advent of paper revolutionized calligraphy. Generally the coins were inscribed with quotes from the Qur'an.

Islamic Mosque calligraphy is calligraphy that can be found in and out of a mosque, typically in combination with Arabesque motifs. Commonly used in mosques:

1. Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim is the most common phrase found in mosques.

2. Allah & Muhammad

Allah is Arabic for One God and Muhammad is the last of the prophets in Islam.

Although Islamic calligraphy reached its apogee in the late nineteenth century, it is experiencing a revival today, in particular due to the efforts of the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture in Istanbul (IRCICA).

Population of Islam

2011-04-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

Islam is the world's second largest religion after Christianity. According to a 2009 demographic study, Islam has 1.57 billion adherents, making up 23% of the world population.

Large communities of Muslims are found in China, the Balkans, and Russia. Approximately 50 countries are Muslim-majority. About 20% of Muslims live in Arab countries. Maldives and Saudi Arabia have the highest Muslim percentages with 100% of both the countries population as Muslims.

Religion and state is the role of religion in politics based on the constitutions: Islamic state indicates use of Sharia law as a form of legislation; state religion indicates that Islam as the official religion of a country, where Sharia courts may be used; secular indicates that government institutions are formally separated from religion; and none indicates that the state has neither adopted a state religion, declared an Islamic state, nor declared a secular state.

The Muslim countries are mainly monarchies and presidential republics.

Could Egypt Emerge As An Islamic State In The Future?

2011-04-19T20:08:00.001-07:00

Executive summary about Islamic state by Linda S. Heard

The Muslim Brotherhood movement had been losing its grassroots support for years. Whenever I discussed the topic with educated Egyptians leaning tentatively towards the Brotherhood's ideals, they would argue that the banned organisation had long renounced violence and extremism — and now consisted of moderates striving to improve the plight of the poor. That argument is shared by US Director of Intelligence James Clapper who was roundly criticised for referring to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood as a ‘secular' group.

These days, Brotherhood leaders are selling themselves as quasi-liberals keen for Egypt to evolve into an open, pluralistic democracy encompassing the aspirations of all Egyptians. The Brotherhood is not a monolith, as evidenced by the resignations last week of several of its leaders angered by a statement from the Brotherhood's Supreme Guide Mohammad Badie ordering members to join the movement's planned Freedom and Justice Party. In response to criticism that the Brotherhood would rail against a Coptic Christian presidential candidate, former Muslim Brotherhood Chairman Mohammad Mahdi Akef says his movement has no problem with a Copt heading the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, which rings of he who doth protest too much.

There are serious differences among the Brotherhood's old guard and reformers over the relaxation of Islamic principles towards acceptance into mainstream politics. An article published on the Brotherhood's website Ikhwanweb titled ‘Freedom and Democracy are more important than Leila Al Baradei's bikini' and ending with the line "nothing is worse than dictatorship and autocracy even if it is social liberalism" was slammed by Brotherhood hard core for downplaying the group's adherence to Islamic ethics and morals.

Judging by other articles on Ikhwanweb, the core fundamentals of the Brotherhood are unchanged. The picture gets even murkier when it comes to the Brotherhood's current following. Until recently, adherents, fearful of being whipped away by Mubarak's security services, were loath to show their true political colours. The fact that a national referendum on amendments to the constitution that would bring about parliamentary and presidential elections by the end of the year was accepted by 77 percent of voters is a coup for the Brotherhood. This advantage is because, aside from Mubarak's discredited National Democratic Party, the Brotherhood is the only organised and known political movement in the country. It's, therefore, up to Egypt's next government to listen to the electorate and fulfil people's expectations before the Brotherhood can get a hefty foot in the door which is not what Egypt's youth revolution was all about.

Muslim Brotherhood leaders say they want to establish an Islamic state in Egypt

Executive summary about Islamic state by Robert

Mahmoud Ezzat, the Muslim Brotherhood's deputy Supreme Guide, said in a forum held in the Cairo district of Imbaba on Thursday that the group wants to establish an Islamic state after it achieves widespread popularity through its Freedom and Justice Party. Meanwhile, Brotherhood leader Saad al-Husseiny, said at the forum that the group aims to apply Islamic legislation and establish Islamic rule.

The Coptic Orthodox Church decided to suspend its dialogue with the group after additional Brotherhood leaders said it was seeking to implement Islamic Sharia and declare Egypt an Islamic state, church sources said. Al-Masry Al-Youm has learned that as a result of the controversy, the church abandoned its intention to invite the group's leaders to attend Easter celebrations.

Outreach to Muslim-Majority Countries

2011-04-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Department of Commerce and its International Trade Administration will be organizing at least 25 commercial trade missions to foster stronger commercial and trade ties. The Department of Commerce's Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) has undertaken a program to modernize commercial laws in the Arabian Peninsula in order to support entrepreneurship in the region. Bahrain and Oman have referred to parliament new draft commercial companies’ laws written with CLDP assistance. These new laws simplify company organization, facilitating entrepreneurial start ups.

Also with CLDP assistance, Bahrain and Oman have adopted new Corporate Governance Codes and E-Commerce Laws. CLDP has trained judges from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen in the settlement of disputes arising from banking law, company law, contract law and insolvency law.

The Commercial Law Development Program is allotted $1.5 million to modernize Pakistan's commercial laws and regulations, and train business and legal communities. The Pakistan Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program includes training and business-to-business meetings, and will promote bilateral commercial ties, expand business opportunities, and support economic development in the Palestinian Territories.

The Department of Commerce is developing commercial ties, projects and training programs through the Task Force on Reconstruction and Development in Iraq and Afghanistan that facilitate establishment of markets conducive to trade, investment, and private sector development.

Muslim Violence Is A Fact Not A Prejudice

Executive summary about Muslim Violence by Ruth King

There is a debate going on about Islam. The question being asked is: Does Islam itself – not just poverty or social exclusion – provide ideological fuel for extremism and violence?

It is all too tempting to promote one-dimensional explanations of religious violence. Monash University doctoral candidate Rachel Woodlock said that social exclusion was the root of Islamic radicalism.

There are those who, like Woodlock, demand that critics of Islam be stigmatised as ignorant, right-wing racists. Violence in the name of Islam is well-attested in nations in which Muslims are dominant, and it is non-Muslim minorities that suffer the exclusion. Pakistani minister for minorities Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab governor Salman Taseer were subsequently assassinated because of their opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

These laws are supported by Pakistan’s Islamic elites. Closer to Australia, there have been well-publicised attacks on Ahmadiyah Muslims in Indonesia, including brutal murders. These were undoubtedly influenced by a theological belief that Ahmadiyah adherents are apostates from true Islam. Although prominent Indonesian leaders were quick to express abhorrence for the attacks, many Indonesian Muslims have called for Ahmadiyahs to be outlawed.

These events demonstrate the ugly effects of stigmatising minorities, and it would be deplorable to simple-mindedly extrapolate the religious views of Pakistani, Egyptian Muslims and apply them to Australia. It is a bitter pill for the vast majority of Australian Muslims to swallow that their faith has been linked, globally and locally, to religious violence.

The Women of Islam

2011-04-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about women in Koran by Lisa Beyer

Women had been treated as possessions of their husbands; Islamic law made the education of girls a sacred duty and gave women the right to own and inherit property. Muhammad even decreed that sexual satisfaction was a woman's entitlement.

As Riffat Hassan, professor of religious studies at the University of Louisville, puts it, "The way Islam has been practiced in most Muslim societies for centuries has left millions of Muslim women with battered bodies, minds and souls."

Even as Muhammad proclaimed new rights for women, he enshrined their inequality in immutable law, passed down as God's commandments and eventually recorded in scripture. Under Shari'a, compensation for the murder of a woman is half the going rate for men. In many Muslim countries, these directives are incorporated into contemporary law.

Family law in Islamic countries generally follows the prescriptions of scripture. In Islam, women can have only one spouse, while men are permitted four. The legal age for girls to marry tends to be very young. In Iran the legal age for marriage is nine for girls, 14 for boys. An attempt by conservatives to abolish Yemen's legal minimum age of 15 for girls failed, but local experts say it is rarely enforced anyway.

Forced marriages may still take place in certain Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, but would be anathema to Muslim women from other backgrounds. Afghan women educated before the Taliban rule know that banning girls from school is forbidden in Islam, which encourages all Muslims to seek knowledge from cradle to grave, from every source possible. Man and woman, it says, "were created of a single soul," and are moral equals in the sight of God. Women have the right to divorce, to inherit property, to conduct business and to have access to knowledge.

Though in most Muslim states, divorces are entitled to alimony, in Pakistan it lasts only three months, long enough to ensure the woman isn't pregnant. Fear of poverty keeps many Muslim women locked in bad marriages, as does the prospect of losing their children.

Women's rights are compromised further by a section in the Koran, sura 4:34, that has been interpreted to say that men have "pre-eminence" over women or that they are "overseers" of women.

The veiling of Muslim women is a more complex issue. In practice, most modern Muslim women appreciate attractive and graceful clothes, but avoid dressing provocatively.

Sexual intimacy outside marriage is forbidden in Islam, including sex before marriage, adultery or homosexual relationships. Contrary to Christianity, Islam does not regard marriages as "made in heaven" or "till death do us part". Similarly, in marriage, a woman's salary is hers and cannot be appropriated by her husband unless she consents.

A good Muslim woman, for her part, should always be trustworthy and kind. While the spirit of Islam is clearly patriarchal, it regards men and women as moral equals.

Women may not be equal in the manner defined by Western feminists, but their core differences from men are acknowledged, and they have rights of their own that do not apply to men.

Anti-Muslim crusaders make millions spreading fear

2011-04-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Islam by Bob Smietana

Steven Emerson has 3,390,000 reasons to fear Muslims. That's how many dollars Emerson's for-profit company — Washington-based SAE Productions — collected in 2008 for researching alleged ties between American Muslims and overseas terrorism. Leaders of the so-called "anti-jihad" movement portray themselves as patriots, defending America against radical Islam. One national consultant testified in an ongoing lawsuit aimed at stopping a new Murfreesboro mosque.

The Secular Talibans in France

Executive summary about Islam by Dr. Habib Siddiqui

The French Republic is a far cry from Hobbes's notion of freedom. Last week, neo-Taliban Sarkozy's government gave birth to two new crimes: hiding one's face in public and encouraging another to hide her face. Sarkozy has made it clear that Muslim women who hide their faces are not welcome in France. The French government believes that "to hide the face breaches minimal needs of social life." So hiding one's face in public is now a misdemeanor, with a EUR150 fine and civic training to teach the criminal the need to show her face. It clearly targets the few Muslim women who wear the niqab. According to the prime minister's circular, women who hide their faces wear a badge of inferiority that is "incompatible with the principles of liberty, equality and human dignity affirmed by the French Republic." By refusing to interview and listen to the voices of women who wear niqab, the French government showed how narrow-minded and Taliban-like it is. The new law violates a fundamental principle that defines a free society. In a free society the individual should not be crushed by the majoritarian opinion, allows full expression of individuality, even signs and symbols that may offend some. There are limits that the society often imposes if unbridled freedom can cause harm.

It is simply absurd to believe that those Muslim women who wear niqab are a threat to public and national security, and neither the French police nor the president and French legislators have offered a shred of evidence suggesting any such connection. The French government claims that the new law had everything to do with women's equality, liberty and human dignity. These secular fanatics, closet bigots and xenophobes of the French Republic may like to read John Stuart Mill's short essay "On Liberty," published in 1859.
The new French law does not mesh well with the principles laid out by either Mill or Hobbes.

As I have noted elsewhere, niqab is practiced by a very small fraction within the Muslim community. The Islamic law concerning modesty in women's dress is found in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Imam Zamakhshari offered a very rational interpretation about the exemption. A woman may reveal the face and the hands in her salat, while she must cover the rest of her body. Then Allah commanded them to cover those parts with the khimar.Ó.

A reading of the tafsirs of the Qur'an from the early scholars of Islam makes it quite clear that covering the face was not something that was probably meant in the Qur'an. If a Muslim woman today wears niqab and burqa out of her sense of piety and interpretation of the divine text it is still her right to do so. No state authority should punish them for wanting to hide their faces in public when their conduct presents no danger to the public. The secular fanatics in France aught to measure their conducts against the very precepts of a free society that they claim to uphold. Shame on France and its French-fried-Talibans for enacting laws that epitomize bigotry and chauvinism!

A Basic Guide to Prayer in Islam

2011-04-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Muslim women by Asma bint Gary Dee Rice

It's a major misconception in Islam, that muslim women pray different than men. Outside of the dress code, women do not pray different than men. Men and women pray equally in the same manner.

Seeing-eye horse guides blind Muslim woman

Executive summary about Muslim women by Ben Leubsdorf

Mona Ramouni rides a SMART bus to her job with her guide horse, Cali, in Lincoln Park, Mich; lost her sight soon after birth, but she can't use a guide dog. Many Muslims consider dogs unclean, and Ramouni respects her parents' aversion to having one in their home. The solution, she hopes, is Cali, a miniature horse who stands 30 inches tall and is being trained to help Ramouni through her daily routine.

Seeing-eye dogs are a nonstarter among many Muslims who consider the animals unclean, but a horse the size of a dog just might work. "This is a really awesome little horse," Mona Ramouni said this week as she put Cali, a 3-year-old miniature horse, through her paces and rode the bus to work with her for the first time.

Ramouni, a proofreader of textbooks in Braille, wanted more independence, but a traditional guide dog wasn't an option. The answer, she hopes, is Cali, short for Mexicali Rose.

There are only a handful of the miniature animals trained as guides for the blind in the United States. Ramouni paid for the horse, $450 a month for Arste's training and other expenses out of her savings.

Since Ramouni had never used a dog, she had to learn how to control a guide animal, took on responsibility for caring for the animal as Cali led her through her daily routine. Additional training may take an additional two months before Cali can join Ramouni for good, taking up residence in a newly erected shed on Ramouni's lawn.

Ten Proofs that Muhammad is a True Prophet

2011-04-18T19:20:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Muhammad by Shaykh `Abdul Rahman `Abdul Khaliq

My brothers and sisters everywhere! Muhammad, the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Prophet and the Final Messenger Sent by Allah to the Inhabitants of Earth. You should know that the Messenger, Muhammad the son of `Abdullah is Allah's Messenger in reality and truth.

Among these proofs:

1. Muhammad was raised illiterate, unable to read, and remained like that till his death. Revelation then came to Muhammad with the Koran that we now have between our hands.

2. Muhammad brought an Arabic Koran that is the peak of eloquence and clarity.

3. Allah instilled great love for Muhammad in the hearts of all who believed in and met him. Till today, those who believe in Muhammad honor and love him.

4. All of history has not preserved the biography of any person in the manner it has preserved the life of Muhammad, who is the most influential human in history. Upon remembering Muhammad, the believers in him will greet him and ask Allah to bless him.

5. Indeed in all aspects of their lives, the believers in Muhammad adhere to the teachings he spread among them and the path that he traveled upon during his life. During every generation, from his day till our time, the believers in this Noble Prophet have fully adhered to his teachings.

6. There has never been nor will there ever be a man anywhere upon this earth who has received such love, respect, honor, and obedience in all matters-small and large alike-as has this Noble Prophet.

7. Indeed many of the followers of this Prophet, chose to follow him during the time when Islam was weak, when there were few Muslims, and when there was severe persecution of his followers on earth. Most people who have followed this Prophet have done so not to acquire some material benefits. My brethren! All of this clearly indicates to anyone possessing any sense, that this Prophet was truly and really Allah's messenger and that he was not just a man who claimed prophethood.

8. Muhammad came with a great religion in its credal and legal make-up, described Allah with qualities of complete perfection, and at the same time in a manner that is free of ascribing to Him any imperfection.

9. It is impossible that any person conceive wisdom, morals, good manners, nobleness of characters as what this honorable Prophet brought. In a full and complete manner, Muhammad spread a teaching regarding character and manners toward one' parents, relatives, fiends, family, humanity, animals, plants and inanimate objects.

10. The legal and credal make-up of the religion that the Messenger, Muhammad, brought resembles the engineering of the heavens and the earth. The degree of inimitability of the Divine law that was sent down upon Muhammad is to the same degree of inimitability of the Divine creation of the heavens and earth. For just as humanity cannot create this universe, in the same manner humanity cannot bring forth a law like Allah's law that He sent down upon His servant and messenger Muhammad.

Basics of Islamic Finance

2011-04-17T22:48:00.000-07:00

Executive summary about Islamic law by Christine Benlafquih

The basic principles of Islamic finance and economics are grounded in Islamic law known as shariah. Included in shariah's comprehensive directives are Islamic finance laws called Fiqh al-Muamalat.

While the number of Islamic banks and financial institutions operating in Europe and America remains small, their interest free banking and financial products are in high demand among Muslims. Products and services include non-interest-bearing savings and checking accounts, interest free credit and loans as well as halal options for Islamic investments and insurance.

Among the financial products of greatest interest to Muslims are Islamic mortgages and Islamic home financing. As banks clearly would not offer Islamic financing if they didn't profit, Muslims interested in taking out Islamic mortgages or purchasing other types of interest free Islamic financial products should not do so casually.

Halal Eating and Drinking

Executive summary about Islamic law by Huda

Muslims are allowed to eat what is "good" - that is, what is pure, clean, wholesome, nourishing, and pleasing to the taste; enjoined by their religion to abstain from eating certain foods.

AL-QAEDA AND THE HOUSE OF SAUD

2008-08-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

As recently as July (2005), the US government suggested that wealthy Saudi individuals remain "a significant source" of funds for Islamic terrorists around the world, despite widely publicized efforts to shut down these channels.
In August 1995 and December 2004, even bin Laden himself called for internal reform within the Saudi government rather than revolution from below. In the meantime, al-Qaeda-affiliated cells in Riyadh and Jeddah have periodically singled out Westerners for execution.
No one now seriously doubts the Saudi regime's commitment to hunt down and kill individual militants who have al-Qaeda cells that appear to be avoiding directly attacking the Saudi royal family. Yet, the line between that "truer" Islam and al-Qaeda's proclaimed ideology is becoming increasingly blurred.
The al-Saud's secret strategy is to put out the message that it is okay to attack "infidels" in Iraq, but not in Saudi Arabia. Al-Qaeda recognizes the basic rules, targeting foreigners. Hence, no direct attacks on members of the House of Saud itself.
The al-Saud regime further muddies the water with its campaigns of outright misinformation. A radical Saudi Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda claimed they blew up a car in December 2003 in Riyadh belonging to Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim al-Dhaleh, a senior Saudi security officer who escaped by the skin of his teeth.
Bin Laden's new tack is a shift in al-Qaeda tactics, reversing his and others' edicts from the 1990s that made oil facilities in the moslem world off-limits to attack. In Saudi Arabia, these pipelines have become the obvious new targets for the Saudi jihadis. Saudi Arabia has more than a quarter of the world's known oil reserves, and even an abortive attack on the Saudi petroleum network would raise oil prices.
A confidential Interior Ministry document obtained by a London-based Saudi dissident group apparently acknowledges that 200 Saudis may have already returned to the kingdom in the wake of bin Laden's call. There are troubling signs; the tactics employed by the Iraqi insurgents are evident in the attacks on Westerners in Saudi Arabia. By remaining complicit with the regime, particularly at a time when Saudi citizens remain oppressed, unemployed and in some cases even impoverished, Washington is essentially allowing the kingdom to become a recruiting ground for al-Qaeda.

Moslem Brotherhood

2008-08-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

The Syrian Moslem Brotherhood base in Aachen kept close relations with their Egyptian counterparts. According to a senior German intelligence official, at least nine out of nineteen organizations belong to the Moslem Brotherhood. The German press has recently investigated the Zentralrat president, Nadeem Elyas, a German-educated Saudi physician and an official of the Islamic Center of Aachen. Many German politicians are uninformed about Islam and do not understand that the view and the interpretation of Islam that the Zentralrat expresses, as does the IGD and Milli Görüş, is that of the Moslem Brotherhood and not that of traditional Islam. Moderate German Moslem Groups lack the funding and organization of Moslem Brotherhood-linked groups. Saudi officials and Saudi-run nongovernmental organizations continue to groom Moslem Brotherhood Organizations.
In France, the extremist Union des Organisations Islamiques de France (Union of Islamic Organizations of France) has become the predominant organization in the government's Islamic Council. Because the Moslem Brotherhood provides the bulk of FEMYSO's constituent organizations, it provides the "de facto voice of the moslem youth in Europe." Moslem Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna dreamed of spreading Islamism throughout Egypt and the Moslem world.

HISTORICAL GARDENS OF THE ARID MIDDLE EAST

2008-08-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

The model for the historic Islamic gardens of the Middle East is found in the Qur'an, which in 164 verses scattered through four chapters describes the colors, sounds, smells, spatial elements, microclimates, trees, flowers, and waters of Heaven.
International garden designers in search of inspiration and useful ideas are exploring the old gardens of Islam, but many emphasize fanciful geometric patterns, elaborate water features, and colorful planting schemes at the expense of the historical, philosophical, metaphysical, and poetic dimensions of these "earthly paradises."
An Islamic garden is a landscape designed according to certain ideological principles, employing certain physical elements, and focused on certain intentions.
Also influential in developing the homogeneous thinking of the designers of the typical Islamic gardens of the Middle East were earlier civilizations, the arid environment, and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Ultimately, the lack of sufficient water is the limiting factor in design.

The traditional Islamic gardens of the Middle East included certain shared design elements. The most common were enclosing walls (surrounded by walls and/or a cluster of buildings), water features, trees and flowers, and extensive use of the arabesque, the Islamic geometric decoration.

To the nomads of the Arabian deserts, designing with water was in almost unbelievable contrast to their original arid environment. Their application of water as a design element was quite imaginative and highly colorful. Water played many roles within the garden design, emphasizing architectural elements, masking outdoor noise, producing pleasing sounds, irrigating plants, moisturizing and cooling the hot dry microclimate, soothing the dusty wind, and providing a source for ablutions before prayers. The scarcity of water and the difficulty of bringing it to the garden compelled moslem designers to develop efficient methods of irrigation and to embrace a high regard for water as the indispensable support of life.
Another important design element in the Islamic garden was plants. Traditional designers circulated this cool air from the garden through the house, thereby creating a natural cooling system.
The designer of the historic Islamic garden of the Middle East is a product of an age of reason based on faith (Hitti 1966). Beauty without arrogance is a value rooted in the Islamic culture. Water is a life-sustaining resource, and the Islamic garden designer treated it as such. Appreciation of regional variations among the Islamic gardens across the Middle East is the key to its rich and diversified typology.
The typical Islamic garden is a life-sustaining oasis, benefiting humans, birds, and animals. The current, Post-Renaissance notion of what constitutes a garden would have been unintelligible to a medieval moslem. Throughout Europe, the two European schools of thought in exterior design were demonstrated in its gardens. In England, the romantic landscape garden symbolized the unconditional surrender of human spirit to nature. To a modern designer, the Islamic gardens of the Middle East may provide new insights and fresh inspiration.

Some thoughts on Sufism

2008-08-25T00:08:00.000-07:00

1. A lot of people call themselves sufis, or others call them sufis, where these people often are not sufis at all. In fact, in pakistan, older men with beards are usually called sufi ji, or sufi saab.
2. A sufi preaches the path of love. Love for God and all creation. Sufism is not a religion in its own, it is a school of self-knowledge, a practice, the essence of the Prophets' teachings.
3. There is a huge difference between sufis, peer, fakir, dervaish, and malang. Sufis do not give up normal life to be closer to God.
4. Sufis do not claim to be a religion, or to be the only way.
5. There are many schools of thoughts in sufism.
6. Merely doing bayt does not make one a sufi.
7. Sufi students are advised against discussing sufi matters until they have reached a level of maturity in sufi learning (hint hint naqsh).
8. Sufis do not like to be identified as sufis .

SUFISM IN THEORY AND PRACTICE

2008-08-24T22:03:00.000-07:00

The word sufi almost certainly comes from the Arabic suf, meaning "wool", and implies that the sufi is a wearer of a woollen garment. The sufi concept of a God who is "all in all" differs radically from the orthodox conviction that the further he is placed from his creation, the more he is glorified.
The sufi who sets out to seek God calls himself a 'traveller' (salik), he advances by slow 'stages' (maqamat) along a path (tariqat) to the goal of union with Reality (fana fi'l-Haqq).
Islam is, at heart, a spiritual religion: "To God belong the East and the West: whithersoever ye turn, there is the Presence of God. For God is All-Pervading, All-Knowing" (Surah 2.115).
The influence of al-Ghazali in Islam is incalculable. He not only reconstituted orthodox Islam, making sufism an integral part of it, but also was a great reformer of sufism, purifying it of un-Islamic elements and putting it at the service of orthodox religion.

Privilage of Moslem Men

2008-08-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Moslem men never have to think of their privilage and very few acknowledge the privilage they do have. As a moslem man:
1. I can set foot in any masjid I like.
2. When I attend Jumah prayer I know that I will have full access to the main prayer hall.
3. My voice is not interpreted as being a part of my awrah (parts of the body that are not meant to be exposed in public).
4. I can use my position as a sheikh, scholar or imam to perpetuate my own sexist, misogynistic beliefs as long as I incorporate those beliefs into my interpretation of the Quran and the Sunnah.

Religion in Central Asia

2008-08-24T21:51:00.000-07:00

Moslem religion
Islam, meaning in Arabic "giving oneself up to God, submission", is one of the three largest world religions, along with Christianity and Buddhism. A moslem must accept the "five pillars of faith". At present, Moslem believers number about 860 million members in more than 120 countries. The affairs of moslem communities and phetys (precepts, recommendations) on the most important issues of religious life in Central Asia are managed by the Religious Administration of Moslems of Maverounahr, having its head office in Tashkent.

Sufism
Sufism is a religious and philosophical moslem teaching developed in the Arab countries in the 8thc. The cause for the development of sufism was the state of social conditions in moslem countries. Sufism contains elements of New Platonism, Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and particularly Buddhism.
In the 13thc. - 14thc. a variety of sufism called "Nakshbandia" was founded by Bahovutdin Nukshbandiy. There are some well preserved monuments to the saint sufis in Uzbekistan. Sufi moslems make pilgrimages to these places.

Buddhism
During the Kushan period, various religious systems were widespread in Central Asia. Some Buddhist monuments date back to the period of the Great Kushans.

Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism is a system of religious beliefs, which spread through the territory of ancient Iran and Central Asia in the 7thc.-6thc. BC. Zoroaster, or Zardusht, Zaraustra, Zardust, is the prophet of Zoroastrianism. It is assumed that Zoroaster began preaching in Eastern Iran and Central Asia, opposed worshiping chiefs of the tribes, priesthood, and old gods. The king was the first to adopt Zoroastrianism.
During the rule of the Arshakids and the Sasanids in Central Asia, Zoroastrianism was the official religion. The fortress dates back to the time when Afrosiab and Siyavush, the legendary hero mentioned in Avesta, ruled.

Sufism

2008-08-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sufism, an umbrella term for the ascetic and mystical movements within Islam. While sufism is said to have incorporated elements of Christian monasticism, gnosticism, and Indian mysticism, its origins are traced to forms of devotion and groups of penitents (zuhhad) in the formative period of Islam. Two central sufi concepts are tawakkul, the total reliance on God, and dhikr, the perpetual remembrance of God. The introduction of gnostic elements (marifa) into sufism is often attributed to Dhu-n-Nun al-Misri. Sufism nonetheless faced growing opposition from orthodox clerics. Islamic orthodoxy and sufism were not irreconcilable, as attested by the attempt by al-Ghazali to infuse conformist moslem religious life with mysticism.
The evolution of sufism in the post-Ghazali period was influenced by Ibn al-Arabi and Ibn al-Farid. Important sufi figures elsewhere in the Islamic world include Muin ad-Din Chishti in India and Baha ad-Din Naqshband in central Asia.
Sufi orders, which assimilated aspects of native religious traditions more readily than more dogmatic versions of Islam, played a major role in the expansion of Islam into sub-Saharan Africa and central, S, and SE Asia. Other important orders include the Ahmadiyya (notably in Egypt), Naqshbandiyya (Central Asia), Nimatullahiyya (Iran), Rifaiyya (Egypt, SW Asia), Shadhiliyya (N Africa, Arabia), Suhrawardiyya and Chishtiyya (S and central Asia), and Tijaniyya (N and W Africa).

TIPS IN INDONESIA

2008-08-20T01:14:00.000-07:00

Do
Introduce yourself and smile. Indonesians are a polite people and very tolerant towards foreigners and their manners, like to establish relationships. Greet and smile at everybody notwithstanding their level position, indicates friendliness, can make them comfortable.
If you ask simple question and call their name, you have done the ice breaking. Indonesians tend to duplicate the behaviour of the people they respect. To print name card for your employees, even if for those who in low level, can make them feel as your big family members. Provide a channel for their ideas as an expression of their morale in the company. If their ideas are underestimated, they will be passive and tend to hide their problem. Provide the opportunity to worship and respect their belief. They need the opportunity for worship. All Indonesians are religion embracers. Provide sufficient break time in Friday for your employees to give them opportunity to engage Friday prayer mass. The government has set public holidays for religious celebration.
For Indonesians, rice is staple food. They are not satisfied if they eat without rice. Don't offer pork or alcoholic drink (forbidden). If you want to buy food or drink for them, choose the food or drink, which are Halal certified. SARA (Ethnic Group. Religions, Racial Relation) issues are very sensitive in Indonesia. You should up date your company regulation with new government provisions. Indonesians usually call the tardiness as "Rubber time". Don't be late for meetings (even if they never start on time). Not all Indonesians acquire International Language, such as English. By communicating in Bahasa Indonesia, communication with Indonesians will be held understandably. Avoid dismissal of employees because culturally undesirable.
Understand status differences. Be polite. Be careful in handling the disobedience against company regulation. Transgression against company regulation must be handled carefully.

Don't:
The head is sacred and should be respected. Many Indonesians still consider communists their enemies. Waste your time and effort against Labour Union. In recent most cases, presence of 'authentic' local labour unions does help facilitate the negotiation process when Companies and workers are in disputes. If you need any assistance in Industrial Relation and Human Resource Development, you can use human resource and industrial relation service. Pointing your finger to people to show anger is impolite. Indonesians are also sensitive to the high stress intonation and impolite behaviour. Be offended if Indonesians ask question about your private life. Don't be offended if Indonesians inquire about your religion, your marital status or number of children.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan

2008-08-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was a Pashtun Indian political and spiritual leader known for his non-violent opposition to British Rule in India.

Ghaffar Khan with Mahatma Gandhi‎
Ghaffar Khan forged a close, spiritual, and uninhibited friendship with Mahatma Gandhi, the pioneer of non-violent mass civil disobedience in India. On several occasions when the Congress seemed to disagree with Gandhi on policy, Ghaffar Khan remained his staunchest ally.
Ghaffar Khan was a champion of women's rights and nonviolence, strongly opposed the partition of India. Bacha Khan and his followers felt a sense of betrayal by both Pakistan and India.
Shortly afterwards he addressed the Pakistan constituent assembly and announced his support for Pakistan, while at the same time his Khudai Khidmatgar movement pledged allegiance to Pakistan and severed all links to the Congress Party.
In early 1956, he broke with his brother Dr. Khan Sahib and merged his group with leftist and Nationalist parties from other provinces forming the National Awami Party.
Ghaffar Khan's politics and role has been highly controversial especially in Pakistan. Ghaffar Khan has also been heavily criticized in his native Pakistan for being anti-Pakistan.
His third son Ali Khan was non-political and a distinguished educator, and served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Peshawar.

What Is Islam?

2008-08-20T00:02:00.000-07:00

What is Islam? Islam actually means submission, which is understood as submission of the human being’s will to the will of God. So, a complete definition for the word Islam would be submission to God in order to obtain peace. How do we submit ourselves to God? To submit yourself to God means putting your own natural human desires on the back shelf when they conflict with God’s desires. There are 5 pillars of Islam which provide crucial structure to a person’s life.
What is the Qur’an? The word Qur’an is an Arabic word that means recitation. It is only in its pure form if it is in the Arabic language, any other language is only a translation of the meaning of the Qur’an, but not Qur’an itself. The prophet Muhammad began to receive the revelations of the Qur’an when he was 40 years old. Moslems believe that the Qur’an is the literal word of God, as taught to the prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel, the angel of revelation. The word “Iqra” in Arabic can mean either “read”. The Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years before it was completed.
The Qur’an is different than the Bible or Torah when you read it, it feels as though God is speaking directly to you, it is extremely powerful.
Each year in Ramadhan the Angel Gabriel would have the prophet recite what had been revealed of the Qur’an so far. The year the prophet died Gabriel had the prophet recite the entire Qur’an twice and in the order that we find it today.
It was easy for the early moslems to memorize the entire Qur’an as it was revealed. Then, the committee wrote down the Qur’an in one book.
The Qur’an was unlike any poem because it is the word of God, stands alone as an example of literary perfection, calls man to worship God and to think of God in each and every act, from eating to sleeping and from travel to work, you should always be thinking of God, is a book of guidance for all of mankind.
The Qur’an is often misunderstood and misquoted. I recommend that if you are seeking the truth of the life of this world and the hereafter, that you read the Qur’an. Many people think that Allah is the “Moslem God”, as if He were a separate entity from the “Christian God”. In fact, Allah is the standard word for God amongst all Arabic speakers; moslems, christians and jews. If you pick up an Arabic version of the Bible you will find the name Allah used for God. Islam teaches that there is only one God, the same God that has revealed himself since the beginning of time to various prophets such as Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all, the cycle of humanity is something like this: God reveals himself to a prophet who then goes forth and preaches to his people, most of the people reject that prophet while a small number, usually the poor and downtrodden, will faithfully follow that prophet throughout his life. Moslems believe that Muhammad was the final prophet to be sent forth by God to mankind, the seal of prophethood.
The most important concept of God in Islam is the concept of Tawhid, which refers to the oneness of Allah. God describes himself in varying, subtle ways throughout the Qur’an, leaving the reader with no clear concept of what exactly He is. In the Qur’an Allah gives 99 names to himself, each of which is one of His divine attributes. That is Allah, the one true God.

Marhaban Ya Ramadhan....

2008-08-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

May Allah gives me the strength to carry on with my fasting till the end of this holy month.
May my son to be a good Moslem.
May Allah accepts what little deeds I am able to do at this time of my life.
May the Ummah to unite in peace and harmony, and for mankind to establish peace amongst them.

The True Faith of Islam

2008-08-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

1. The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. Islam is peace. The word sharia, usually translated as "law," refers to the "path" or "way" governing the modes of behavior by which moslems are enjoined to seek salvation, reasoning is therefore "an open practice." In Islam's classical era, up until the tenth century, scholars exercised ijtihad—independent reasoning—in order to reach an understanding of the divine law. Full-blown democracy, where the moslem voice might simply be one among many, implying a degree of moral equivalence between Islam and other perspectives, would be dangerous, not only for the standing of the moslem community, but for the moral life of humankind.
2. The truth of Islam was vindicated on the field of battle. As Hans Küng acknowledges in Islam: Past, Present and Future—his 767-page overview of the Islamic faith and history, seen from the perspective of a liberal Christian theologian—Islam is above all a "religion of victory." Islam "restores" the true religion of Abraham while superseding Judeo-Christianity as the "final" revelation. The past and the future belong to Islam even if the present makes for difficulties. "In the history of religions," asks Küng, did any religion pursue a victorious course as rapid, far-reaching, tenacious and permanent as that of Islam? This formative experience of victory is what interests Michael Bonner in his scholarly essay Jihad in Islamic History. God grants the moslems permission to fight "those against whom war has been made, because they have been wronged."

Bangladesh Chronology

2008-08-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

606-47
North Indian empire of Harsha
British Period
1885
Indian National Congress formed
1905
Partition of Bengal into separate provinces of East Bengal (including Assam) and West Bengal
Independent Pakistan
January 1, 1949
United Nations-arranged ceasefire between Pakistan and India takes effect
August 8, 1956
Moslem League leader Choudhry Mohammad Ali tenders resignation as prime minister and is succeeded the following month by Awami League (People's League) leader Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy
December 3, 1971
Pakistan launches preemptive air strikes against India
December 16, 1971
Pakistani military forces in East Pakistan surrender to Indian armed forces, marking Bangladeshi independence
Independent Bangladesh
January 25, 1975
Constitution amended, abolishing parliamentary system and establishing presidential system with de facto one-man rule under Mujib
April 21, 1977
Sayem forced to resign because of "ill health"; Zia becomes president
March 1982-December 1983
Interim presidency of Abdul Fazal Muhammad Ahsanuddin Chowdhury
May 7, 1986
Parliamentary elections give pro-Ershad Jatiyo Party (National Party) majority in Parliament

15th Century Islamic History

2008-08-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

1405: In the Timurids empire, Death of Amir Timur, succession of his son Shah Rukh.
1412: In the Golden Horde empire, Deposition of Timur, installation of Jalaluddin.
1419: In the Golden Horde empire, Death of Edigu, overthrow of Chaighray, power captured by Ulugh Muhammad.
1420: In the Golden Horde empire, Ulugh Muhammad overthrown by Daulat Bairawi. Turkomans of the Black Sheep empire, Death of Qara Yusuf; succession of his son Qara Iskandar.
1424: In the Golden Horde empire, Death of Daulat Bairawi, succession of Berk.
1427: In the Golden Horde empire, Berk overthrown by Ulugh Muhammad who captured power for the second time.
1434: Turkomans of the Black Sheep empire, Deposition of Qara Iskandar; installation of his brother Jahan Shah. Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Death of Qara Othman, succession of his son Ali Beg.
1438: Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Ali Beg overthrown by his brother Hamza.
1441: In the Golden Horde empire, Crimea seceded from Sarai.
1449: In the Uzbegs empire, Abul Khayr captures Farghana. In the Timurids empire, Death of Ulugh Beg, succession of Abdul Latif.
1456: In the Ottoman Turks empire, Annexation of Serbia.
1462: In the Ottoman Turks empire, Annexation of Albania.
1465: In the Golden Horde empire, Death of Said Ahmad, succession of his son Khan Ahmad. 1467: Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Jahan Shah of the Black Sheep attacked the White Sheep. In the Burji Mamluks empire, Death of Khushqadam, accession of his son Saifuddin Yel Bey.
1475: In the Ottoman Turks empire, Annexation of Crimea.
1478: Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Death of Uzun Hasan, succession of his son Khalil.
1480: In the Golden Horde empire, Assassination of Khan Ahmad, succession of his son Said Ahmad II.
1481: In the Ottoman Turks empire, Death of Muhammad II, accession of Bayazid II.
1493: Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Death of Yaqub.
1497: Turkomans of the White Sheep empire, Rustam overthrown by Ahmad.
1498: In the Burji Mamluks empire, Deposition of Nasir Muhammad, power captured by Zahir Kanauh.

Islamic banking 'goes mainstream'

2008-08-18T19:57:00.000-07:00

A new High Street bank account compatible with Islamic sharia law has been introduced in 2005, follows the opening of a specialist Islamic bank in the UK in 2004. Gordon Rankin of Lloyds TSB said this account would make Islamic banking "mainstream".
Until the opening in 2004 of the first UK-based specialist financial institution - the Islamic Bank - moslems were able to access sharia-compliant current account facilities only through Middle Eastern banks with branches in the UK.

Sex and Power in Turkey

2008-08-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

The European Stability Initiative (ESI) prepared a report on Turkey entitled 'Sex and Power: Feminism, Islam and the Maturing of Turkish Democracy’ that denigrates the Republican demonstrations, claims that Turkey, legislatively, is now post-patriarchal: the government is men, the laws are men, the decision makers are men. ESI's report relates the potential for change and the legal transformation of Turkey to EU member states.

Muhammad Cartoon

2008-08-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

COPENHAGEN, Denmark Three of Denmark's largest newspapers plan to reprint a cartoon tomorrow that depicts the Prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban.
Islamic law generally opposes any depiction of the prophet. In addition to numerous e-mail messages sent to Wikipedia.org, an online petition cites a prohibition in Islam on images of people.

Prophet Muhammad Novel Scrapped

2008-08-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

Plans to release a novel about Prophet Muhammad's child bride A'isha have been scrapped by US publishers Random House over fears it could spark violence and reaction to the novel could equal the furore caused by Sir Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses.
Published in 1988, the book was condemned by the Islamic world because of its perceived blasphemous depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.
Ehsan Jami’s cartoon film, expected to be released on the 20th of April 2008, is apparently even more controversial than the dreaded Muhammad cartoons: Former Dutch Labour Party politician Ehsan Jami, the founder of the Committee of ex-Muslims, has announced that he is producing an anti-Islamic cartoon called The Life of Muhammad which will be released on the 20th of April. The film will show a sexually aroused Prophet Muhammad with his nine-year-old wife: Aisha.
Offensive for moslems, not for non-moslems.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about Islam

2008-08-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

Who is Jesus to moslems?
Jesus peace be upon Him is a true prophet.
Can Jesus, or Muhammad peace be upon them be worshipped?
Worship must be to Allah the creator of them.
Can we see Allah?
Allah is not like the sun. So no one will see Allah before he dies.
Do we have free will?
We cannot do anything if Allah will not allow it.
Does Allah answer my prayers?
We know that Allah answers all the prayers of the believers.
What is it that keeps us from entering Heaven?
Worship of anyone other than Allah is the greatest sin.
What does it mean to believe in Allah?
It means to believe in Allah in total perfection, and uniqueness. It means to believe in Allah's predestination of good, and bad (relative to us, but to Allah everything Allah does is good).
What about non-Moslems do they go to heaven?
Allah only accepts Islam.
Can anyone become a moslem?
There are two declarations, which are necessary:
1. To bear witness that no one deserves to be worship except Allah
2. To bear witness that Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Then What?
Moslems are brothers.

Was Islam Spread by The Sword?

2008-08-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Praise be to Allah.
Undoubtedly taking the initiative in fighting has a great effect in spreading Islam and bringing people into the religion of Allah in crowds. Hence the hearts of the enemies of Islam are filled with fear of jihad. The Orientalists wanted to slander Islam by claiming that it was spread by the sword.
The defeatists among the moslems come out to defend Islam, and they want to disavow Islam of this so-called lie, so they deny that Islam was spread by the sword, and they say that jihad is not prescribed in Islam, except in the case of self-defence. The purpose is that all religion should be for Allah alone, and that the word of Allah should be supreme. Allah says:
“And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of war), as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help Him (His religion) and His Messengers in the unseen”
[al-Hadeed 27:25]
It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded us to strike with this, meaning the sword, whoever turns away from this, meaning the Qur’aan.
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Faroosiyyah (p.18):
Allah sent him – meaning the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) – with the guiding Book and the conquering sword, ahead of the Hour, so that Allah alone would be worshipped with no partner or associate, and his provision was placed beneath the shade of his sword and spear. Allah has established the religion of Islam with proof and evidence, and with the sword and spear, both together and inseparable.

The evidence clearly indicates that the sword is one of the most important means that led to the spread of Islam.
1. Allah says:
“For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely, have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty”
[al-Hajj 22:40]
“And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of bounty to the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)”
[al-Baqarah 2:251]

2. Allah has commanded us to prepare the means of fighting against the kuffaar and frightening them.
If Islam was only spread by peaceful means, what would the kuffaar have to be afraid of?
3. When the messenger called people to Islam, his call was accompanied by the sword, and he commanded his leaders to do likewise, so that when the people saw the serious of the moslems in calling people to their religion, that dispelled any confusion.
Al-Bukhaari and Moslem narrated that Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said on the day of Khaybar: “Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man at whose hands victory will come, one who loves Allah and His messenger, and Allah and His messenger love him.”
Moslem narrated that Buraydah said: When the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) appointed a commander to lead an army or a raiding party, he would advise him to fear Allah with regard to himself and the Moslems with him, then he said: “Fight in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah, fight but do not steal from the war booty (before it is shared out), betray, or mutilate. Then call them to Islam and if they respond, accept that from them and leave them alone. Can people be brought in chains except in the case of jihad??
Yes, it is the religion of peace but in the sense of saving all of mankind from worshipping anything other than Allah and submitting all of mankind to the rule of Allah.

MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ISLAM

2008-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

1. Moslems are violent, terrorists and extremists.
"If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61).
2. Islam oppresses women. Islam gives men and women different roles and equity between the two, is laid down in the Quran and the example of the Prophet.
3. Moslems worship a different God.
Allah is exactly the same word which the Jews, in Hebrew, use for God (eloh), the word which Jesus Christ used in Aramaic when he prayed to God.
4. Islam was spread by the sword and intolerant of other faiths. Islam has always given respect and freedom of religion to all faiths, is laid down in the Quran itself: "There is no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error". (2:256). Islamic law also permits non-Moslem minorities to set up their own courts, which implement family laws drawn up by the minorities themselves. Racism is not a part of Islam, the Quran speaks only of human equality and how all peoples are equal in the sight of God.
5. All Moslems are Arabs. The moslem population of the world is around 1.2 billion. Only about 18% live in the Arab world and the largest moslem community is in Indonesia.
6. The Nation of Islam is a moslem group.
Islam and Nation of Islam are two different religions. Islam and Farakhanism differ in many fundamental ways. There are many groups in America who claim to represent Islam and call their adherents moslems. In fact Bahaism is not Islam just as Farrakhanism is not Islam.
7. All Moslem men marry four wives.
Permission to practice polygamy is not associated with mere satisfaction of passion.
8. Moslems are barbaric, backward people.
Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the simplicity of its doctrine-Islam calls for faith in only one God worthy of worship.
9. Muhammad was the founder of Islam and moslems worship him.
Moslems believe all the prophets from Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus etc. were all sent with divine guidance for their peoples.
10 Moslems don't believe in Jesus or any other prophets.
The Prophet Muhammad said: "Whoever believes there is no god but God, alone without partner, that Muhammad is His messenger, that Jesus is the servant and messenger of God, His word breathed into Mary and a spirit emanating from Him, and that Paradise and Hell are true, shall be received by God into Heaven. "(Hadith related by Bukhari).

Africa and Islamic Revival

2008-08-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

In 7th century Arabia, Islam has been a faith with an activist tradition, both in theory and in practice. Paying taxes and owing allegiance to an acknowledged political head are integral to the faith of Islam. Independent dynasties became the rule in the African territories of Islam and Islamic Spain, but only two of these came to power with essentially reformist claims: the Almoravids, a Saharan dynasty that ruled Morocco and Spain between the mid-11th and the mid-12th century and their successors, the Atlas mountain Berber dynasty of the Almohads who united much of north-west Africa under their banner from the mid-12th to the mid-13th century.
During the 19th century of the Common Era, only two major revivalist figures in Africa. The first, Usuman dan Fodio, came close to being proclaimed Mahdi but opted instead for establishing an Islamic state in what is now Nigeria. The other, Muhammad Ahmad, proclaimed himself Mahdi in the Sudan, but died before carrying out his grand plans and left it to his successor, the Khalifa 'Abdullahi, to grapple with the day-to-day problems of establishing an Islamic state.
Shehu Usumanu preached against narrow condemnation of the ordinary Moslem on doctrinal grounds, while fostering a movement of wider education and community solidarity among Moslem populations both Fulani and Hausa.
In the political struggles of the late 1950s and early 1960s the Northern Peoples Congress, the dominant party in northern Nigeria, essentially presented itself as the party that embodied the ideals of the Sokoto Caliphate, and its leader: Sir Ahmadu Bello was a descendent of Shehu Usuman. Numerically, Moslems are at least half of the Nigerian population. In particular, in common with revivalists in the Sudan, Pakistan, Egypt, Algeria and elsewhere, they argue that their faith is incomplete if they do not live within a system of Islamic law-shar'ia. For them, it seemed part of an agenda to create an Islamic state.
In Islam, politics and religion are inseparable. This statement highlights the gulf that separates Moslem revivalists from their Christian compatriots, and it points to one of the reasons for Islam's success in Africa and the growing appeal of Islamic revivalism elsewhere.
Although the Mahdi's mission to conquer the world in the name of Islam had failed, his supporters seem not to have given up hope even as they settled for the more modest goal of maintaining a state guided by the laws and precepts of Islam-as they understood them-within the area of the Sudan.
In political terms the Umma party was pro-British and anti-Egyptian and stood for a completely independent Sudan. When the Sudan became independent in 1956, it had renounced any thought of union with Egypt, and the two main political parties ruled in coalition. Turabi officially holds no position in this government-it is, after all, a military government. Needless to say, it has endorsed the present regime in the Sudan.
In the case of Nigeria, Moslems and Christians as well as adherents of African religions were precipitously thrown together in political union by colonialism, were presented with the nation-state as their only political model and, initially, parliamentary democracy as their chosen method of self-government. It showed that the political consciousness of the Moslem community had reached an important point; its members defined themselves as a community separate from all others.

20 Things Sisters can Do for Islam

2008-07-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

Sisters, as much as brothers, are responsible for contributing to Islamic work in the west.
1. Remember you are a khalifa on earth
2. Make your intention for the sake of Allah
3. Make Du'a (supplication)
4. Seek knowledge, a path to Paradise and power
5. Learn about your rights and duties and change who you are accordingly
6. Raise good Moslem sons and daughters
7. Speak out against injustice
8. Don't underestimate the power of social activities
9. Go into professions that are needed in the community
10. Teach in Islamic weekend schools
11. Enjoin the good and forbid the evil
12. Promote and appreciate sisters doing good work
13. Support other sisters in need or difficulty
14. Get sympathetic speakers and scholars invited to the community
15. Teach sisters how to deal with discrimination
16. Become journalists and media professionals
17. Use what you have
18. Know and teach women's history
19. Understand the issues of the day
20. Volunteer

Explosion near army post kills soldier in north Lebanon

2008-06-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

An explosion shook the area near an army post Saturday in north Lebanon, killing one soldier. The explosion occurred in Al Abedeh near the northern port city of Tripoli. Northern Lebanon witnessed in May 2007 fierce battles between the Lebanese army and the Sunni fundamentalist Fatah al-Islam, who were holed inside the Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr al Bared on the outskirts of Tripoli.

The head of the fundamentalist group with links to Osama bin Laden's al- Qaeda, Shaker Al Abbsi, is still at large.

Nita Kusuma Dewi
Webnaster of www.mysweetislam.com