September 2009 | Islaminet

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Berlin-Based School ‘Must Provide Worship Room for Muslims’

A Masjid (Mosque) in Berlin

Germany- A Berlin-based high school, since now and then, should provide a separate worship room for its Muslim students after a Berlin court ruled as such.

The Berlin court based the decision that the constitution guarantees ‘not only the inner freedom to believe or not to believe, but also the freedom to express this belief.’

The decision was also based on a consideration from an Islamic scholar saying that ‘a devout Muslims could not be expected to pray only outside of school hours,’ referring that there are specific times for Muslims to pray.

The suit began was caused by a refusal from the school to provide a separate room for its Muslim students to worship.

Consequently, a 16-year-old student of the school sued the school over the case.

His effort to defend his belief then resulted in a court decision that the school must ‘provide separate prayer room for Muslims.’

However, the school spokesman, Stephan Groscurth, could not accept the court decision and would take further ‘legal steps’ over the suit.

Nigeria- A Nigeria-based Islamic group, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) sounded the ‘need for an effective and functional investment that would create Halal business for Muslims.’

They have called for the establishment of a national zakat (Islamic almsgiving) organization and Islamic Financial Services Board.

The statement came out at the end of the 24th Annual National Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

FOMWAN representative, as reported by AllAfrica.com, said, “There was the need for an effective and functional investment that would created Halal business for the ummah.”

Likewise, the body summoned Nigerian Muslim women to actively engage in productive venture in terms of carrying out the Islamic teachings and defending the cause of Islam.

To underpin that goal, the newly elected ‘national president’ of FOMWAN, Hajiya Maryam, remarked that her organization had built schools, orphanages, and clinics.

Zakat (Islamic algiving) is an economic concept in Islam that calls on those rich Muslims to ‘give a small percentage of their surplus wealth to poor and needy Muslims.’

In the Quran, there is a verse calling the rich Muslims to pay the zakat:
As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat ) are only for the Fuqara' (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise. (At-Taubah (9): 60)

Malaysia- Rashadah Abdul Rani, 57, told a Malaysian reporter that she has just discovered an Arabic word saying ‘Allah’ on a meat on Tuesday (29/9/2009).

She said that her daughter found it first when she ‘cut the meat into six pieces and soaked them in the water.’

“It was my daughter, who was helping me in the kitchen, who saw the word ‘Allah’ on all six pieces of the meat,” she said.

Rashadah – living in Kampung Alur Gunung – then changed her plans of cooking the meat for feast.

She would now dry the meat and keep it for medicinal purposes.

Such a ‘miracle’ finding has become spread widely in the world. The internet is a huge database for this.

In 2008, another ‘Allah’ symbol appeared in Arabic word on a meat served by a Nigerian in the northern Nigeria.

Another story came out in 2006 when hundreds of Muslims in Liverpool witnessed two gold fish which had shown the Arabic words of ‘Allah and Muhammed.’

To the Muslims, such an occurrence is a divine sign showing the real existence of Allah as said by a verse in the Qoran below:
“…And thus We have made of you a sign for the people….” (Al-Baqara (2): 259)

Also, this is one the so many ways that Allah reminds all the people in the word as the verse in the Quran below:
“…Such are among the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, that they may remember (i.e. leave falsehood and follow truth ).” (Al-A’raf (7): 26).

Learn Islamic Art at ‘Art and Craft of Islamic Bookbinding’

United Arab Emirates- Those who might be interested in knowing at a glance, or in-depth, about Islamic art, especially Islamic bookbinding, are pleased to attend the ‘Art and Craft of Islamic Bookbinding.’

The workshop will include training and explanation on ancient Islamic bookbinding by six outstanding artists specialize in different areas of this art.

Amongst the six artists are Asiye Kafalier, Seera Ozkan, Dilek Calis, and Turan Sevgili.

Kicking off next week, the workshop will be until October 6, 2009. It is open from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. For the second session, it will be at 4:30 t0 8:30 pm.

While approaching for the event to start, there has been an exhibition – displaying some monumental works of those artists – at the Cultural Foundation since today.

There will be also another event, which is considered most attractive, that is ‘Faith and Worship Exhibition at the Emirates Palace Hotel.

Dilek Calis, talking to Abu Dhabi-based The National Daily, said, “Anyone who is interested in art is interested in bookbinding. It is not specific to the Islamic world.”

Another expert in Ottoman bookbinding, Serra Ozkan, said, “It’s important to bring this art to life; it will keep it alive through generations. We can’t expect to teach anyone in the UAE in this short time, but we can ignite their interest and hopefully encourage more people to learn about it.”

The art of Islamic bookbinding might represent the advanced development of Islam in the past as citing a statement from Cazim Hadzimejlic that ‘Book art and bookbinding (mujelit) is as old as the writing itself.’

Turkey was the central point of the art as the first discovery of an ancient bookbinding – presumably made in the 7th century – by an archaeologist A. Von Le Cog in East Turkmenistan.

The development of the Islamic bookbinding has reached Europe as giving enormous influence to European art.

The City of Dushanbe

Republic of Tajikistan- One of the world’s biggest masjid (mosque) is going to be built in the Republic of Tajikistan in October – and hopefully will be finished in 2014.

Talking to FinChannel.com, a Tajik presidential official said that the masjid will be able to accommodate about 150,000 people within.

Built in Dushanbe with 7-5 hectares of land, the project will involve assistance from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The certainty of the project came out after President Emomali Rakhmon visited Dubai on Saturday (26/9/2009) while addressing a session at UN General Assembly.

Some distinctive features of the masjid – described by the presidential official – are ‘majestic minaret’ and ‘seven painted columns’ symbolizing the seven steps of God creating the world and the seven layers of the sky.

Accordingly, the masjid will also be functioned an Islamic center and a public cultural epicenter.

Scientific and cultural seminars might also be held there.

Banning Beard
However, the certainty about the masjid building emerged amidst the country’s new policy issuance that ban ‘school and university teachers under the age of 50 from having beards.

The policy was apparently caused by the misconception of Islam, which does actually call the male Muslims to have beard referring to the hadith below:
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The Jews and the Christians do not dye (their grey hair), so you shall do the opposite of what they do (i.e. dye your grey hair and beards)." (Narrated Bukhari)

‘Muslim Family Day’ at Six Flags Park, A 'Phenomenal Success'

United States- On Saturday (26/9/2009), Muslim Family Day was held at Sic Flags Discovery Kingdom. The main aim of the event was ‘to tell people about Islam.’

One of the event organizers, Obaid Siddiqui told TimesHeraldOnline.com, “Our purpose is to tell people about Islam.”

“The goal is not conversation, but rather education,” he said further.

The event featured a bazaar, traditional food and observances of Muslim prayer throughout the day.

Ali Rivzi, an attendance of the event, admitted that since 4 pm, all the biryani (a rice and chicken dish), bread, and samosas were gone.

“We never did plan to feed everyone,” admitted Rizvi, who is a member of the Islamic Circle.

Another visitor at the event, Daaniya Rahmah (23), expressed her excitement as the event was ‘lots of people and so colorful.’

Muslim Family Day’s organizer, through its official website, said the event a ‘phenomenal success.’

Muslim Family Day has been in presence amongst the American Muslims for 10 years with the Islamic Circle of North America as the organizer.

Muslim Family Day, accordingly, will be organized in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Louisville, New Jersey, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

Christians, Anti-Islam Get 'Jealous Feeling' as BBC ‘Supportive of Islam’

England- A current report from The Christian Institute – through its website Christian.org.uk – appeared to express its jealous feeling as accusing the BBC of being ‘supportive of Islam.’

The report, quoting statements from Jeremy Hunt, said that the ‘BBC was supportive of Islam while taking a consistently negative angle on Christianity’ through its programme at Radio 2 hosted by Don Maclean.

Jeremy Hunt – the Conservative Party’s spokesman for culture – also called on the BBC to ‘redress its innate liberal bias.

To emphasize its Anti-Islam message, the report also cited a statement from Daily Telegraph writer Damian Thompson who said, “Only a BBC drama series would, to quote the complainant, ‘transfer the practice of terrorist beheadings from Islamist radicals to a fantasised group of fundamentalist Christians’.”

As a state-run broadcasting company, the BBC has been standing on the right track to balance its reporting style, not to be discriminative to certain community.

Claim that the BBC was ‘supportive of Islam’ is of course something that has been wrongly understood and misled by those Anti-Islam community.

Quoting a statement from the BBC’s Director General, Mark Thompson, in 2008 that ‘Islam should be treated more sensitively than Christianity because Muslims are less integrated and more a minority group.’

In 2006, the Archbishop of York - a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England – stood against the view that the BBC was ‘supportive of Islam.

It said, “They (Christians and Anti-Islam) can do to us what they dare not to do to the Muslims. We (the BBC) are fair game because they can get away with it.”

Sheikh Osama bin Laden Calls on European Soldiers and Its Allies to ‘Return to the Truth’

Say to those who disbelieve: if they desist, that which has passed will be forgiven them; but it they return [to their misdeeds], then the example of previous peoples has already passed before them. (Quran, Al-Anfal (8):38)

Afghanistan- A new static-video message of Al-Qaeda’s as-Sahab Media Production was released on Friday (25/9/2009).

The last video release – casted by Sheikh Osama bin Laden – followed another release in the same week casted by Sheikh Mullah Omar.

On the last video message, Sheikh Osama called on European soldiers assigned in Afghanistan to leave the land and to 'return to the truth.'

“Justice demands that you lift your (European and US as well as NATO soldiers in Afghan) oppression and withdrawn your troops, and reason demands that you don’t hurt your neighbours,” the Sheikh said.

Sheikh Osama also called other people in the world to open their eyes about the real facts happening in Afghanistan as saying, “They are killing women children and elderly men whose only crime was that bush became angry with them, although you know that they didn't perpetrate any aggression against Europe and had no connection to the events in America.”

Another message from Sheikh Osama is on the foreign soldiers’ intention to ‘bomb villagers from the air’ as witnessed by himself in the Land of Jihad, Afghanistan.

“An intelligent man doesn't waste his money and sons for a gang of criminals in Washington, and it is a shameful thing for a person to be in a coalition whose supreme commander has no regard for human life and intentionally bombs villagers from the air; and i am a witness to that,” Sheikh Osama’s remarks.

The most-wanted person by the US terrorist, Sheikh Osama bin Laden, threw us a rethoric, “This is the painful fact; and is there to be found in Europe a ram for 100 dollars? This is the value of the life of our innocent children in the eyes of the Washington and its allies.”

Finally, Sheikh Osama sounded, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, and returning to the truth is better than persisting in error.”

Israel Terrorists to Turn Ibrahimi Mosque into Synagogue

Palestine- Under a full protection of Israeli Terror Forces, 150 Israel Jewish residents got into the Ishakiyya area in the Ibrahimi Mosque, southern West Bank on September 24, 2009.

The head of the Waqf and Endowment department, Zeid Al-Ja’bary later confirmed that the innocent entering is the first time since the massacre by Baroach Goldstein in 1994.

The initiative of the entering was apparently to turn the mosque into the Jewish settler’s synagogue.

It is proven because the Israeli terrorist government has issued a policy of banning Palestinian Muslims to conduct Islamic prayers on every Saturday and Sunday.

Worse, the Palestinian Muslims are also not allowed to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayer – that’s Arrahmah.com has reported.

Zeid also witnessed by himself that the Israeli terrorist government prohibited the Muslims from using loud speakers to call for prayers since last week.

For note, Baroach Goldstein fired on Muslim worshippers in 1994.

The massacre had killed 29 Muslims and injured more that 150 others.

On the same day, 21 Palestinians were killed by Israeli terrorist forces during clashes and after opening fire at funeral of Palestinians killed in the mosque. (IMEMC/Arrahmah)

United States- September 24th is now the Islam Day for the Hawaiian Muslims as a new resolution came out this year of the state House of Representatives smoothly.

This might also mean that Islam begins to be ‘honored and celebrated,’ that’s KauaiWorld.com has reported.

Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser told KauaiWorld.com that ‘he voted for the resolution because it is just an acknowledgement of the significance of Islam as an important force in the world.’

“I don’t believe we can blame an entire huge population of people who have a particular faith for the horrendous actions of a few people who also have that faith,” Hooser said.

“I believe we need to start looking at each other as human beings and that we are all related and all part of the same family,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday.

Amongst the members of Hawaii’s House of Representatives, the Islam Day resolution passed by smoothly this year ‘without a vote in opposition.’

Unfortunately, the Islam Day bill came to favour amongst the member of the House with no state funding tunneled.

“Just three of 25 senators voted against the measure, which does not grant a state holiday and comes with no funding attached,” KauaiWorld.com’s Michael Levine has reported.

The first celebration of Hawaii’s Islam Day was held at Ala Moana Beach Park on September 24, 2009.

Australia- Belal Khazaal, 39, finds himself jailed for nine years ahead because of his book ‘Provisions of the Rules of Jihad – Short Judicial Rulings and Organizational Instructions for Fighter and Mujahideen against Infidels.’

With such a court sentence over him, all Australians might be deeply rethinking if they want to express their thoughts into books because writing ‘unsurprising’ book will be considered a crime.

Justice Megan Latham of Sydney court told the BBC that she found it ‘unsurprising’ a jury had rejected Khazaal’s defence.

Worse, Latham also called Khazaal – a Lebanese-Australian – has failed to understand Islam; in fact, the one who really doesn’t know about Islam is Justice Megan Latham alone.

“It beggars belief that a person of average intelligence who has devoted themselves to the study of Islam over some years would fail to recognise the nature of the material,” she said.

Belal Khazaal, a former Qantas cabin cleaner, is a prominent Islamic youth leader, who had once taken part in Taliban training camp.

He was arrested in June 2004 over his 110-page book that was called by The Sydney Morning Herald as a ‘do-it-yourself’ Jihad manual.

Khazaal claimed that his book was never intended to incite any terrorist acts.

It is possible that the motive of the book’s writing was because Khazaal wanted to give information to those Muslims about how to take ‘revenge’ against the real terrorists – such as Israeli and US forces invading the lands of Muslims.

As a pious Muslim, of course Khazaal never wants to see his Muslim brothers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and in other Muslim countries are badly suffering from invasion and ‘new-colonialism’ by the West and its allies.

“And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? - Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"
[Al-Qur’an 4:75]

Filipino Muslims Fired by Govt. Forces While Celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr

The Philippines- While a number of Filipino Muslims settling in Sulu were celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, the Philippine Government Forces suddenly shelled them shortly before 7 am local time.

Those Filipino Muslims witnessed the attack ‘had disrupted solemn prayers in mosques.’

The Sunday fierce attack by Govt. Forces then resulted in public condemnation as calling the forces ‘disrespecting’ Islamic greatest day.

However, the Govt. Forces’ spkesman Major Ramon David Hontiveros – as reported by the Manila Times – claimed that the attack was initiated by the Muslims.

The war against Islam has sounded clearly from the Govt. Military Forces as Hontiveros said, “It doesn’t mean that just because you are a Muslim, you won’t be arrested on a Muslim holiday . . . this has nothing to do with religion, this is basically a law enforcement operation.”

In response to the intolerant attack, Madarang Sali – a Moro Islamic Mijaheedins’ leader – states, “The Muslims are celebrating the Hari Raya, but what greeted us are bombings from military aircrafts.”

In the other words, the Philippine Government Forces has terrorized the Muslims celebrating their greatest day after a month of conducting fasting.

“There are no terrorists in our homeland, but we are being terrorized by Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Suli said.

Two British Hotel Owners Charged for 'Insulting the Prophet Muhammad and Islamic Headscarf'

England- Ben Vogelenzang (53) and his wife Sharon (54) are facing hefty fine of £5,000 (around $8,000) and a criminal record if they are found guilty of calling the Prophet Muhammad the ‘warlord,’ and insulting a Muslim woman’s headscarf.

Dubai-based Al-Arabiya has reported that the Christian couple ‘have started a debate with a Muslim woman staying at their hotel, Bounty House Hotel in Liverpool.

The ‘tragedy’ took place in March as the unnamed Muslim woman came down to breakfast with a hijab (Islamic headscarf) at her head.

Since then, the couple of hotel owner went on a debate then resulted in calling the Prophet Muhammad a ‘warlord,’ and describing the Islamic hijab as a form of ‘bondage.’

A month later, the Muslim woman reported the case to the local police, and therefore the Christian couple were charged for ‘threatening, abusive or insulting words.’

With such a bad image embedded at their hotel, the Bounty House Hotel are suffering from the lost of 80% of total booking down that forces them to sell the hotel.

The couple has run the hotel for six years. During that time, the hotel has become the only recommended hotel for people who are receiving medical treatment from a hospital near to the hotel.

Also because of the continuing bad publicity, the hospital now recommends another hotel for the hospital’s patients to stay.

Those Indonesian Muslims who Celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr Overseas

Indonesia- After a month of fasting in the Holy Ramadhan month, every single Muslim in the world who was keen to conduct the fasting is right to reach ‘the real victory’ as the nature of Eid-ul-Fitr means ‘back to the pure, clean from any sin.’

All Muslims in the world are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with happiness, but still, there are many Muslims in other corners of the world are still suffering from sorrow in the greatest day of Muslims.

Islamine.Blogspot.com tries to compile information on those Indonesian Muslims who celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr in the overseas. The information herein was gathered from Indonesia’s state-run news agency, Antara.

Indonesian Muslims in England
About 100 Indonesian Muslim students celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr at Community Center, Birmingham, England on Sunday (20/9/2009).

Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia dan Masyarakat Indonesia Birmingham-PPIMIB (Indonesian Students Association and Indonesian Community in Birmingham) got the certainty about the Eid-ul-Fitr from Central Mosque Londong, Green Lane Mosque, and Islamic Channel.

They had once wanted to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayer on the 30th day of Ramadhan but on the 28th, they got informed by those mosques that Eid-ul-Fitr would be on the 29th day of Ramadhan.

Indonesian Muslims in Russia
Indonesian Muslims in Russia held Eid-ul-Fitr on Monday (21/9/2009) featuring some Indonesian Muslims and a team of Indonesian art from Sanggar Cantika.

Sanggar Cantika art school from Indonesia is on its duty to attend the opening ceremony of Asia-Pacific and Pacific-Meridian Film Festival that includes 200 movies from 30 countries.

The Eid-ul-Fitr prayer was held in the eastern Russia, in Vladivostok, which is nine hours of flight from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia.

Indonesian Muslims in Sweden
Indonesian Muslims celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr in Stockholm, Sweden, was counted at 130 people.

The Eid-ul-Fitr was held in the Indonesian Embassy to Sweden that is located in the capital Stockholm on Sunday (20/9/2009).

Suharyanto, the imam of Eid-ul-Fitr on the day and an official at the embassy, said that the Eid-ul-Fitr was also attended by some Sweden inhabitants who have converted to Islam.

Indonesian Muslims in Spain
The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr amongst the Indonesian Muslims in Spain was centered in Madrid.

About 100 Indonesian Muslims gathered at the Indonesian Embassy to Spain, which is located in Madrid, on Sunday (20/9/2009).

Also coming to appear at the prayer were some residents coming from outside the city, such as those coming from the city of Granada that is 600 kilometers away from Madrid.

After the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer, there was an open house at the Indonesian Embassy to Spain where all people might come to attend the event.

Making Hand-written Quran in three Days and Nights

United Arab Emirates- A team of calligraphers engaged in a project to make a hand-written Quran at a Ramadhan forum for Quranic calligraphy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for three days and nights.

Accordingly, the hand-written divine scripture will be kept as an artifact at the UAE Museum, that’s Emirates News Agency Wakalat Anba’a al-Emarat (WAM) has reported.

Appearing from the team were intense emotional involvement and meticulous coordination to produce the hand-written Quran in a short time.

The copy, which has been handed over to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development, was set to adopt the style of Mushaf of the Madinat al-Munawarah.

The Quran then was checked for the authenticity and standard of the inscription of holy verses by UAE Finance Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al-Maktoum and a team of jusry at a special ceremony in Zabeel Palace, Dubai.

Rashid also expressed his happiness to see that ‘rare achievement in the religious heritage of the United Arab Emirates.

England- Mohammed Amin, an Islamic finance expert who is believed to have link to the UK Conservative Party, states that the party would be very supportive of Islamic finance, if the party comes to power next year.

“All the ways (in which) Labour has supported Islamic finance would be every bit as valuable under David Cameron (Conservative Party Leader) as prime minister. The next conservative government would be very supportive of Islamic finance,” Amin said to Reuters.

While attempting to reach Muslims’ finance to boost vote to the party, there is also an affiliate of Cameron’s party working to encourage support from the Muslim community.

Amin further added that the Conservative Party had been quiet about the Islamic finance field because there was ‘no political mileage’ in highlighting the achievements of the Labour government.

UK is emerging as a global hub for Islamic finance following the many changes on tax and law in the last several years to allow Islamic financial services like Islamic sukuk.

In the same medio, Islamic finance has shown its rapid growth across the world, which is estimated at 10-15% a year.

Students of University of Florida Celebrates Islamic Iftar

United States- Nine hundred students of University of Florida gathered at the O’Connell Center on Wednesday (16/9/2009) to celebrate Islam on Campus Banquet.

It appeared at the events, Abdulrahman Zeinomar who read the Quran in Arabic then was followed by reading the English translation.

After that, he started performing prayer and singing some Islamic songs.

Abdul Malik was the keynote speaker of the event. He was speaking on Islam, especially on the important of fasting during the Holy Ramadhan month.

“It’s easy to lose consciousness. Students fail to realize how privileged they are what they value. Chocolate, caffeine, sugar, donuts, you’ve lost the essence of being a student,” Malik said to Alligator.org’s contributor Kristen Bowe.

Iftar, a meal at the end of the day that signs the end of fasting, at the event was also aimed at raising awareness and solidarity amongst the students as saying that ‘around 20 percent of the world doesn’t (eat for days).’

Islam on Campus Banquet, taking place at 6:30 to 9:30 pm), was the seventh annual Fast-a-Thon in celebration of Ramadhan.

The event of the year was expected to attract more attendances as the event organizer has increased the size of the tables, making them longer and offering vegetarian menus.

England- Yusuf Islam, or formerly known as Cat Stevens is set to return to the stage after 33 years of disappearance.

The willing of reconnecting with his old audience then drives him to do so.

The musician will be playing four times in the UK and Ireland, with the first time on stage will be in Dublin on November 15, 2009.

Next, he will also be on stage in London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The events are of course no music fan, especially fans of the singer of Wild World, should miss.

He will not only playing his hits in the 1960s and 1970s, but also most of his new materials ‘Moonshadow.’

Yusuf Islam found his heyday in the mid-1970s when he had albums sales of over 40 million.

Such a number then caused one of two households in Australia to have his albums.

Yusuf’s last show was in 1976; after that, he was hardly found on stage.

Having converted to Islam, Cat Stevens renamed to ‘Yusuf Islam’ and had once accompanied Michael Jackson who was going to converted to Islam.

His most recent release was in January 2009 aimed at raising charity for Palestinians invaded and killed brutally by Israel the terrorist country.

‘Why Islam?’ Ad Campaign Answers about Islam’s Oft-Misunderstood

United States- If you once walked in areas like Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Boston, Tampa, and San Francisco, perhaps you have ever noticed a billboard that looks different from the other.

A billboard asking “Why Islam?” is of course something new for those familiar with casual ads.

‘Why Islam?’ project, begun a year before the September 11 tragedy, is aimed at ‘showing the public that Muslims are hardworking, peace-loving family contributors,’ said Ahmad Khalel, the outreach coordinator for the Bay Area Chapter of the Islamic Community of North America.

It does also aim to show that Islam is quite similar to other religions.

“Werealized as a minority religion in this country that we need to do a better job educating others,” said Ashfaq Parkar to CentreDaily.com.

With such a campaign effort, people are encouraged to ask more about Islam so that all misunderstanding about the religion fades away.

Apparently, it works done as Parkar further told that volunteers ‘field 1,000 monthly calls to the 1-877-WHY-ISLAM hot line, and about the same number of e-mails to WhyIslam.org.’

Parkar also disclosed the costs spending for the ‘Why Islam?” ad campaign, which are funded by local communities.

Each board costs about $1,000 to $ 5,000, and the smaller ones may be between $200 to $500 apiece.

In San Jose and Concord, there are eight bus-stop ads and posters in the surroundings.

China ‘Attacking’ Muslims as Basmallah Embroidered on Jeans

China- The Chinese government has been target of Muslims’ angry following their oppressive policies towards the Muslims in the country, especially the Uighur Muslims.

Now, China is getting crazier following the current issue on ‘fraud Islamic jeans’ that raises rage amongst the Iranian Muslims as well as all Muslims in the world.

The word ‘Bismillihiraahmanirahim’ was ‘predominantly displayed on the pockets of the made-in-China jeans’ backsides,’ that’s Guardian has reported.

To those Muslims in the world, it is likely to be disrespectful because every single word taken from the Quran is considered sacred. Worse, that sentence was put on the jeans’ bottom!

It was Asriran website that said ‘the jeans, tailored for women, had sold for around £6-£7 in Tehran's southern and eastern districts and bore labels reading Made in the PRC (People's Republic of China).’

The website might properly represent million Muslims in the world as saying, “In Islam, Allah is a respected word that you need to have ablutions before saying.

Now it is embroidered on the sitting place of these jeans. Worse, they are sold in Tehran, which many would like to call the heart of the Islamic world.”

Caucasus Muslims Office against Demolition of Masjid Fatimeyi Zahra

Azerbaijan- Sheikh al-Islam Haji Allahshukur Pashazade, chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO), sounded his stance over the demolition of Masjid Fatimeyi Zahra in Azerbaijan.

“The construction and demolition of mosques are outside of my competence, but I have repeatedly condemned their demolition. I am against of it and I always will be against of demolition. It is the order of my belief,” he said on Tuesday (15/9/2009).

Masjid Fetimayi Zahra is to be demolished as the Surakhany district executive power appealed to Baku Local Economic Court #2 for demolishing the masjid, which is located in Yeni Guneshli settlement.

The story of the masjid began in 1996 as stating that the land where the masjid is standing now has been legally bought in the year.

Two years went by, 1998, the construction for the masjid was begun with financial support of Surakhany district executive power and technical support of Baku mayor’s office.

With unclear reason, new Baku Mayor, Hajibala Abutalibov, issued a policy to ‘knock down’ the masjid in 2002.

However, the construction might be continued after the members of the community appealed to the President.

Unfortunately, the deputy head of Baku City Executive Power, Rauf Panahov, has confirmed that ‘the order was given by mistake and there was no reason for concern on the issue of the construction.’

Since then, began in medio July-August 2009, the Surakhany district executive power appealed to the court, referring to the rights over the area.

To all Muslims in the world, let’s us condemning hard the demolition, give your support, and TAKBIR….! Allahu Akbar…! (TurkishWeekly/Azeri-Press Agency)

United Arab Emirates- Islamic banking system keeps growing amidst the uncertainty of global economic situation.

This is seen from the programme of Abu Dhabi-based Al-Hilal Bank that ‘plans to open Kazakhstan’s first Islamic bank in December.’

The United Arab Emirates’s state-run bank also plans to start two new branches and to expand its wings to other states of Soviet Union.

Mohamed Berro, Al-Hilal Bank’s CEO, told that ‘the lender is on track to break even by end 2009 and will be profitable in 2010.’

With initial of about Dh100millions, or about $27million, the bank will headquarter the new bank called Al-Hilal Islamic Banks in Almaty and Asthana.

The initiatives came out as the Kazakhstan has just recently passed a new Islamic banking law, which is hopefully to underpin the Islamic economics in general as well.

Said to TradeArabia.com, Mohamed Berro said, “It will be a stepping stone to enter former Soviet Union states.”

Lebanon- The Abdullah Azzam Brigades of Al-Qaeda of Al-Sham (Greater Syria) keeps firing Israel territory following the ‘no settlement freeze’ statement from Israel’s Netanyahu.

The Katyusha rockets were recently launched by the Al-Qaeda-linked Mujahideen movement on Friday. It struck the northern frontier of Israel terroitory.

The base of firing was at 15 kilometers within southern Lebanon, and likewise finished in Israel’s Western Galilee region.

Israel National News has reported no casualties followed the ‘revenge’ of the Jihad movement against Israel over the country’s stubborn that will not stop building settlement in the Land of Pakistan.

“The ocket fire was in response to the siege imposed by the Jews on our nation in Gaza, and to the barring of Islam from the Al-Aqsa mosque and to the tunnel excavations underneath it - all of which is done with utter disdain for Muslims, for their faith and for their religion," the communique says, according to researchers from the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response (ITRR).

There was also a statement from Abdullah Azzam Brigades of Al-Qaeda of Al-Sham would not stop the revenge if the Israeli government keeps occupying the Land of Pakistan.

The name of Abdullah Azzam Brigades of Al-Qaeda of Al-Sham is derived from an outstanding Islamic figure, who was also called the motor of the 20th century Jihad movement, Dr. Abdullah Yusuf Azzam.

OnePure: Pig-Free and No-Alcohol Cosmetics for Muslim Women

To those practicing Muslim women, using cosmetics with pig and alcohol substances on them can be seen violating Islamic teachings.

Therefore, Layla Mandi introduced new cosmetic products with free pig and alcohol substances. In the other words, the cosmetics are halal.

Layla Mandi, a Canadian makeup artist who converted to Islam, calls her products OnePure, which she says that they have met the halal in the Islamic law.

“There are pork derivatives and alcohol in most cosmetics products, so Muslim should really use something else,” she said to Singaporean MSN.

Her initiatives to make pig-free and no-alcohol cosmetics began when she traveled to the Middle east, where she found many ‘were shocked when she told them there were pork products in their skin care items.’

Since then, many Muslim women began to take interest on scrutinizing whether or not their cosmetics are bearing ‘haram’ substances.

Of course, marketing ‘halal’ products can be so much competitive against the other cosmetics, but Mandi said that she is offering products that come in glitzy wrappings.

“I wanted the packaging to be really luxurious, to speak to young people and old people, to everyone.

I didn’t want people to say I’d really like to buy a halal product but the packaging doesn’t look cool,” she said.

Her marketing coverage has reached a small boutique in the upscale Souk al-Bahar in the Burj Dubai complex, while most of her products are being sold online on Saudi Airlines.

Pakistan- In making the merrier Ramadhan, there will be three-day Islamic calligraphy workshop for children and adults at Pakistan National Council of the Arts, starting on Monday (14/9/2009).

Students from various backgrounds are cordially invited to take part in the workshop, in which a master calligrapher Muhammed Azeem will be delivering some speeches about the history and development of Islamic arts.

Islamabad-based The News has reported that the prime focus of the exhibition will be on different modes and techniques of calligraphy-making.

There is official certificate to those who take parting the workshop. The certificate distribution alone will be held on September 16, 2009 at National Art Gallery.

Muhammed Azeem has become a famous name in the Islamic calligraphy world.

His latest masterpieces are entitled Ahad-e-Nabwi,’ which mixes natural elements to express the divinity with calligraphic art.

“I have introduced a unique and new dimensional style in the Islamic Calligraphy covering the golden era of the Prophet Muhammad to the present century,” he said to APP.

England- While many of Muslims in the world are looking Pakistan and Afghanistan as the best ‘universities’ of Jihad, a current report from UK’s top agency revealed that ‘100 British citizens have gone to fight or train in Somalia since 2004.’

The report came out as consideration that Somalia, for many people, is considered not a suit destination for traveling.

“You have to remember that Somalia is not a place you would go for a holiday,” said a Senior Home Office told a leftist independent newspaper.

The number then lures concern from the officials as more Britons with no direct family link to Somalia are traveling to the country.

With the growing figures of Britons from numerous backgrounds are heading to Somalia to uphold Islamic jihad, the official keeps the number secret, not in the public domain.

Al-Sahab, an Islamic jihad movement, has become an alternative for those being eager to take part in any jihad movement, instead of being part of Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

No matter what, some Islamic mujahideens’ websites told that the number of Mujahideens from western countries is also high.

The western jihadists are getting along with the number of Islamic mujahideens from Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and other Muslim populous countries.

Islamic Banking System to be Introduced to Nigerians

Nigeria- A Nigerian bank will be introducing Islamic banking system to the borader public in next three months in the northern state of Sokoto, that’s ZeeNews.com has reported.

The Islamic banking system is to be implied following the high demand from those Muslims people for long time.

Sokoto has the facts that the city has played significant role in promoting Islamic virtues and of course, its historical antecedent.

Sokoto is likewise the central base of Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria and considered the first city to be introduced to Islam.

More than that, the later financial case suffered by Lamido Sanusi, Cnetral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor who was allegedly aiding and abetting money-laundering, is also another motive for increasing the number of ‘new religious financial system.’

Suzanne Iroche, the CEO of FinBank Nigeria, said that the “new religious financial system is for those customers who wanted Islamic banking services for a long time.”

Islamic banking system does not allow any loans to be invested in non-Islamic activities like alcohol production and casino as well as any trading system which is against Islamic Sharia Law.

Quran-Contemporary Connections Film ‘De-constructs Islamophobia’

Islam as a peaceful religion has been distorted by a number of people describing the religion as destructive and inhuman.

Many groups are interested in portraying the distorted version of Islam rather than looking Islam as the whole.

Departed from the motive, Hoo Production is making a film ‘Qur’an-Contemporary Connection’ that is hopefully to be released soon.

Told to Greater Kasmir, a seasoned filmmaker told that the film ‘de-constructs the Islamophobia raging across the United States and Europe.

The film was made in Hollywood with a team consisting of, such as, Syed Nasr Hossein, Bruce Lawrence, Maria Bakake and Jonathan Brown.

People across the world are busily discussing the movie on the internet; some condemning while more condoning it.

The film will be about a group of American professors who are ‘asked to probe deep into the minds of more than a billion Muslims.’

They are on a mission to investigate what drives Muslims to suicide bombings, multiple wives, and religious fanaticism.

Likewise, they are also in charge of finding out if the Quran is ‘out of step with modern times. It is directed to disregard traditional clergy, if need be’ – that’s the movie’s official website wrote.

The search and investigation by the team them comes to conclusion that:

“In Islam, sex is a good thing. Allah is not a Muslim specific God; even Arabic speaking Jews and Christians use the word Allah in their liturgies. Polygamy is a blessing. We are not God and God is not us. It is mandatory for Muslims to revere all the Prophets of Judaism and Christianity. Muslims do not worship Muhammad. Everybody is a born Muslim!”

United Arab Emirates- Dubai International Holy Quran Award has chosen one outstanding Islamic figure to receive ‘Islamic Personality of the Year’ award on September 10, 2009.

The prestigious award came to a German Islamic philosopher Dr. Murad Hoffmann for his ‘dedicated service to Islam, for his embracing Islam, and for his restless effort to eradicate the misconception’ about Islam.

In response to the award, Dr. Hoffmann admitted he was ‘surprised because he have been allowed to do as a Muslim was done for the sake of Allah, serving Islam.’

Dr. Hoffmann also said that he never did every single Islamic deed for ‘recognition or reward for the present life. “But (all of I have done with Islam is) for acceptance by Allah in the afterlife,” he said.

To him, being elected as the Islamic Personality of the Year by the Dubai International Quran Award is an honour to him and to all Muslims in Europe and the West.

Dr. Hoffmann, an ex-German Diplomatto Algeria, was born a Catholic but then converted to Islam in 1980, after years of curious of knowing why ‘the Algerians were so disciplined though they were suffering.’

Since his embracing Islam, Dr. Hoffman has written a number of Islamic books, mostly in German language.

One of the most popular works of him is “Islam in the West,” that is available online at http://www.geocities.com/embracing_islam/islam_in_the_west.html.

As of the 22nd day of Ramadhan, Dubai International Quran Award has hosted a number of competitions, including International Holy Quran Ward, Residential Quran Award, Quran Award for Citizens, and Award for Beautiful Recitations.

United Arab Emirates has also become the ‘Mecca’ of those willing to memorizing the Quran and to learning the melodiously harmonic Quran recitation in the world.

One of the distinctiveness of United Arab Emirates in the case of detainee recovery management is that the country allows detainee not to stay in prison if he/she commits to memorize the Holy Quran.

660 Chinese People Embrace Islam in a Ceremony in Mecca

Saudi Arabia- Six hundred and sixty Chinese people working for the Haramain train construction project have declared themselves as Muslims in a ceremony in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The mass declaration of embracing Islam amongst those Chinese people was witnessed directly by a number of Muslims there, including the Mecca Governor Undersecretary, Abdul Aziz al-Khudairi.

Saudi Gazette described the Chinese people ‘are happy at their embracing Islam.’

It is expected that more Chinese people working in the company will be converting to Islam as the event was only the beginning.

In the Haramain train construction project alone there are more than 5,000 workers admitting to be interested in learning Islam and embracing Islam.

The office’s director, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim al-Sawat has announced that the office has distributed 1,247,694 copies of the Quran, religious books and Islamic brochures as well as 225,901 cassettes of Islamic teachings.

Qatar- Non-Muslims are now having chances to see Islam closer at Fanar Expo where Ka’ba and other Islamic properties will be displayed publicly in Doha, Qatar during September 19 to 23, 2009.

The exhibition will also present a panoramic view of all aspects of Islam like the Ka’ba, ancient photos of Mecca, ancient Qurans, and Islamic arts as well as Islamic cultural activities.

Abdussalam al-Basuni of the Qatar Islamic Cultural Center (Fanar) told Gulf Times that the event is aimed at ‘answering all questions of the visitors’ on slam.

One of the most eye-catching object during the event would of course be the pictures and replica of Ka’ba, and therefore people might observe what inside the Ka’ba are.

“Many think the Ka’ba houses graves, treasures, or swords and shiled, so the model will showcase details of the outside and inside,” Abdussalam said.

More than that, an interactively touch screen will be displaying the story of the Prophet Muhammad from His birth until he passed away.

Muslims and non-Muslims will also be provided with information about the relations between Islamic Quran and Christianity’s books of Jesus.

A team from the UK is scheduled to perform cultural and entertaining shows during the exhibition indeed.

So, come to Fanar Expo to see Islam closer…

England- The Office of National Statistics has officially issued a list of the most famous boys’ names in Britain this week. Amongst those most famous names are Jack, Oliver, Thomas, Harry, Joshua, Alfie, Charlie, and Daniel.

However, Max Hastings of Daily Mail suggested different findings as stating that the third most famous name amongst the British boys is not Thomas, but Mohammed.

The various spellings of ‘Mohammed,’ such as Muhammad, Mohamed, and Mohammad, have put the name out of the top five most famous boys’ names in England.

If those spellings are combined, thus the name ‘Mohammed is right up there, near the top of the list,’ that’s Hastings believed.

Further Hastings wrote that the exclusion of name Mohammed is perhaps ‘designed to mask a simple truth which dismays millions of people, and the fact that the Muslim population of Britain is growing extraordinarily fast.’

Another reason for such an exclusion of name ‘Mohammed’ is that the fear of ‘British traditional culture disappearance’ because the Muslims prefer upholding Islamic values rather than British indigenous values.

It appears there are efforts from the British government to defend its traditional culture, but the growing number of Muslims in Britain is inexorable.

More than that, there is a view that Islamic values are ‘equal to British culture’ – or even superior to the British ones, that’s Islamine understands Hastings’ writing.

“Muslims in Britain will become eager to integrate only when they perceive our society as possessing equal or superior virtues to their own, as today many do not,” he said.

The Netherlands- The Netherlands has become a ‘controversial’ country for some Muslims over the globe, but a core group of some 15,000 people in the country has been simultaneously staging public events as parts of intercultural dialogue festival.

A series of events, called Ramadhan Festival, have become moments when Dutch Muslims and non-Muslims will be having dinner together in several cities around the Netherlands.

For five years of its existence, Ramadhan Festival has gained popularity amongst the Dutch. In its first year, it was only a spontaneous initiative by a small group of people in Amsterdam.

Lagha, one of the event’s founding mothers, told M&C that the event will ‘mark the beginning of the hospitality iftar – an evening meal for breaking the fast amongst the Muslims – with non-Muslims may also take part.

With the growing support from the public, Ramadhan Festival has successfully grabbed sponsorship from the Chamber of Commerce and the Amsterdam Municipality.

Many various events have been set as such by the committee with one of an eye-catching event is that of Ramadhan Caravan.

Just from the decorated-bus of Ramadhan Caravan, there will be city-to-city traveling that organizes outdoor iftar dinners.

Some Dutch politicians have been scheduled to attend the event as well, such as Integration Minister Eberhand van der Laan.

The first day of Ramadhan Festival will kick off in Amsterdam where the organizer will be holding Islamic iftar dinner along with the poor.

Poverty is a universal topic transcending religious and ethnic boundaries. The credit crisis also makes it a hot issue. It explains why so many Dutch social and political organizations and movements wanted to participate in the Ramadan Festival this year,' Lagha said.

Those who might be interested within the event are pleased to apply for a seat at RamadanFestival.nl.

Europe Will One Day be a Muslim Continent - Colonel Gaddafi

Libya & Britain – A group of Islamic scholars are being sent to three Midland mosques in Britain by Colonel Gadaffi.

They are in a mission of ‘converting the European continent to Islam, that’s News for Press has reported.

The group consists of eleven Islamic preachers that are in an Islamic mission funded, led, and paid by Word Islamic Call Society (WICS) – an Islamic organization that is managed by Colonel Gadaffi.

Three cities in Britain will be the main destinations; they are Birmingham, Leicester, and Nottingham.

The mission has departed from the consideration that ‘the number of Muslims is continuously growing, while the number of indigenous Europeans is falling drastically.’

“This is the clear indication that the European continent will be converted to Islam. Europe will one day be a Muslim continent,” he said.

WICS will be coming across Britain with a message of peace and integration.

Likewise, its imams will be leading the Ramadhan prayers in Manchester, Sheffiels, Nottingham, Leicester, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Swansea.

“This religion shall overcome all other religions before it. Their time has gone. It is his promise, Allah shall prevail this religion over the rest,” the Colonel’s remarks.

Tunisia to Hold International Competition for Memorisation, Recitation and Exegesis of the Holy Quran

Tunisia- The government of Tunisia is to hold the 8th International Competition for the Memorisation, Recitation, and Exegesis of the Holy Quran on September 8 to 15, 2009.

Under the direct patronage of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ale, the competition will be participated by 20 member of the jury from Arab and other Muslim countries.

To those who might be interested within are pleased to come to the Great Ezzitouna Mosque in Tunis.

Five categories of competition will be featured during the event. They are the memorization of the Quran, the recitation and memorization of the 6th chapter, the memorization and recitation of the whole chapters of Quran, the memorization and recitation of 30 chapters, and the memorization and recitation of 15 chapters of Quran.

The event was initiated from the 24 hour non-stop reading of the Quran at the Great Ezzitouna Mosque, and the launch of the “Zitouna Radio for the Holy Quran.”

The event is aimed at ‘reconciling Tunisians with Islamic heritage by rehabilitating Islamic values of tolerance and solidarity.

The event has been in present since 2002. It is part of a nationwide programmes set up as such during the Holy Ramadhan month. (Tunisia Online News)

Indonesian Muslims to Receive Zakat Paid by Australian Muslims

Australia- Some Islamic organizations based in Australia have gathered the zakat, Islamic charity, and are ready to distribute the zakat to 15 countries around the globe, including Indonesia.

Human Appeal International, as confirmed by Indonesia’s state-run news agency Antara, has confirmed that the zakat distribution of the year encompasses Lebanon, Palestine, Jordanian, Iraq, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Kashmir, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Sri Lanka.

Human Appeal International further said that it has summoned the Australian Muslims to pay the zakat and other Islamic charities two days prior to the Holy Ramadhan month.

One Australian Muslim is obliged to pay the zakat at AU$ 10 at minimum. Likewise, each Australian Muslim must pay at AU$ 20 for Islamic grant.

Australia has become home for about 340 Muslims originally from different countries.

Britain- Ekram Haque (67) was beaten on his face and parts of his body by a gang of feral schoolboys after he attended evening prayer.

The retired care worker is now in agony as doctors have said that ‘he has no chance of survival.’

‘The Muslim pensioner was battered to the ground in front of his three-year-old granddaughter Marian,’ that’s DailyMail.co.uk has reported.

The beat came out as Mr Haque was leaving his local mosque in Tooting, Southwest London.

Mr Haque and Marian was waiting for a lift that all of sudden, a gang ran up ‘behind him and clubbed him around the head.’

Two other Muslims have tried to chase the gang away but Mr Haque had suffered from horrific head injuries.

The beat over Mr Haque was the fifth as formerly; four other Asian pensioners were beaten by suspected the same gang.

Scotland Yard has confirmed that the assault was ‘racially motivated.’

Mr Haque’s family, through his son, expressed the attack on his father as ‘mindless violence,’ but he urged people to stay calm.

“I would urge people in our community to remember that Islam is a peaceful religion and does not condone revenge attacks,” he said to Daily Mail.

The three-year-old Marian is now ‘very shaken and disturbed’ as she witnessed by herself her grandfather was beaten fiercely by the schoolboys.

Scotland Yard urged ‘people who may have been attacked, or who may know who attackers are, to come forward.’

The attackers are described as ‘two youths aged 14 and 15, apparently coming from Wimbledon Youth Court, and one 12-year-old boy.

Islamic Books Translated to India’s Malayalam Languages

India- Upon supports from The Indian Islamic Bank Association and the Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB), three Islamic books were translated into the Malayalam languages.

The translation project was aimed at ‘creating awareness of Islamic in the Indian community,’ that’s Doha-based Gulf-Times.com has reported.

The three books are ‘The Complete Prayer’ by Sheikh Abdullah Jarallah al-Jarallah, ‘This is What Life Has Taught Me’ by Mustafa al-Sibaai, and ‘Comprehensiveness of Islam’ by Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradaqi.

Coming to translate the books are Zubair Kunnamangalam, Hussein Kidnamana, and MAS Abdul Razak.

Omar al-Meer of QIIB’s director of the main office expressed his satisfaction with the ‘success of theis good deed, benefiting thousands of Indian Muslims who are eager to increase their knowledge and awareness of the noble teachings of Islam.’

The books have now been available in India for free as they have been launched at an event at the Qatar Charity “Welcome to the Blessed Ramadhan.”

More than 500 Muslims, including QIIB officials and representatives of the Indian Islamic Association, attended enthusiastically the event.

Formerly, there are two other books having been translated into Malayalam language to meet the increasing number of Muslim in the region. They are ‘How to pay zakat on your money,’ and ‘Laws of the Muslim household.’

Non-Muslims Invited to Join Ramadhan Break-Fasting and to Learn the Real Islam

Britain- In aims of giving an insight into how Muslims feel during the Holy Ramadhan month, non-Muslims living nearby Totteridge of northern London are invited to take part in Ramadhan break-fasting next week.

The Wycombe Islamic Society will be holding an Iftar, the meal that ends a day of fasting in the Ramadhan month, on September 10, 2009.

Non-Muslims and those interested in learning what Islam is really about are cordially invited to attend the event that will be held at Wycombe Islamic Center off Totteridge Road.

A meal will be starting at 7:30 pm local time, soon after the sun sets; while there will also be a short Islamic sermon at 6:15 pm.

Zahid Jaweed, of Wycombe Islamic Center spokesman, told ThisIsLondon.co.uk, that ‘the event is aimed to give an insight into how Muslims feel during the religious period.’

Likewise, this is also aimed at fostering better community relations in London especially, and in the world generally.

“It will give people a valuable experience into another faith which is prevalent in our community but suffers from misconception,” he added.

Anyone who wants to take part might make a contact to Mr Jaweed at zahedj1@hotmail.com, or call 07895024293.

Indonesian Community Holds Ramadhan Fair in Birmingham

Britain- Indonesian community in Birmingham, Britain, held Ramadhan Fair showcasing various Indonesian traditional foods like Sate padang, Gudeg Jogja, Mpek-mpek Palembang, Siomay Bandung, and Nasi Uduk Jakarta.

The Ramadhan Fair by Indonesian community in Birmingham was attended more than dozens of Indonesians settling in Britain for many reasons.

The venue was in Bournbrook Road, Selly Park Birmingham, on Saturday (05/9/2009).

Sri Dewi, the event’s coordinator, told Antara that such an event was the first time to be held in this Holy Ramadhan month.

Many Indonesians were happy to feel the Indonesian atmosphere in Birmingham, a city in Britain that most ethnically mixed.

An Indonesian admitted to Antara News Agency that he was glad to see and gather with other Indonesian with many Indonesian traditional foods offered.

“It feels like at home, even though I am far away from Indonesia,” an attendance said.

Many hoped that there will be another Indonesian Ramadhan Fair for the coming Ramadhan.

Call for Wearing Hijab on the International Hijab Day

Indonesia- Dozens of students from the University of Jember, East Java, Indonesia, marched along the street of Jember City to commemorate the International Hijab Day on Friday (04/9/2009).

The students, members of the university's College Islamic Missionary, called on Muslim women in the city, and in the entire world, to start wearing hijab.

“We call on the Muslim women in this city to wear hijab. Ramadhan is the right moment to begin a new life with hijab,” Dinda, the event coordinator, told Indonesia's new agency Antara.

The year International Hijab Day was themed Merajut Kemenangan di Bulan Ramadhan (Achieving the Glory in the Holy Ramadhan Month) with hope that the wearing of hijab would bring goodness to the world.

“We really hope all the Muslim women in the world would be pleased to wear hijab,” Dinda said further.

The International Hijab Day is an event to commemorate the dedication of Marwa el-Sharbini, an Egyptian Muslim woman who was stabbed dead for defending her hijab in Germany.

The number of Muslims worldwide going to the internet is just increasing significantly. Unfortunately, there are only few tools that prevent the Muslims from 'haram' websites available in the cyberspace.

Based from the above reason, ImHalal.com was launched to serve the Muslims' needs over 'halal' websites on the internet.

ImHalal.com is an 'Islamic' search engine that was set as such to prevent the Muslims from coming across the content that might be considered 'haram' according to the Islamic law.

On the web's search result, the 'halal' website links are flagged as to be 'halal.'

Once the users come in contact with explicit contents, the search engine will return a negative search advice.

Founder of ImHalal.com, Reza Sard-eha, told Pakistan-based The Nation that he has made consultations with a number of Islamic scholars to decide which websites categorized 'haram' or 'halal.'

“We are also in talks with Imams to determine what might be considered haram and therefore be blocked,” he said.

In the further progress, ImHalal.com would add more Islamic widgets on it, such as prayer reminder, Quran quotes, and zakat counter.

So, if you want to prevent yourself from 'haram' website links while you're browsing on the internet, just click ImHalal.com.

Sri Lanka- Dozens of Muslim people in Sri Lanka have protested against the country's police brutality towards some Muslims in the country, that's BBC has reported.

The protest, involving several dozen men and women, came out after the Friday prayer in the area of Maligawatta.

It was the consequence of the police's announcement saying that it has killed 16 Muslims slandered to be involved in criminal deeds.

They wanted legal law process towards those Muslims, not just killing them – in which the protesters called it 'underworld figures.'

“They don't have the right to kill those people – there should be a law, courts of law. So we want to show the government, the entire world, that there is no law in this country,” MN Abuakbar said to the BBC.

In response to the case, the government 'is unapologetic.' The same 'method of killing' used to those Muslims was the same as the way the government used to defeat Tamil Tigers.

Further the government said that police have been killing criminals in self-defense. This also got 'amen' from the media indeed.

One of the protesters said that if the current situation goes on, Muslims in Colombo might take up weapons.

Islam Day to be Held at Oklahoma City University

United States- In aims of 'furthering goodwill and understanding' about Islam, Oklahoma City University will be holding Islam Day on September 10, 2009.

The event will evolve various college activities, including charity fundraiser called 'iFast.'

Political Science and Middle East Expert Mohamed Daadaoui has organized a list of activities for students and faculty to meet the above goals.

'iFast' will also be intended to encourage the Muslims to donate to charitable causes during the Holy Ramadhan month.

“Instead of spending money on lunch, donors will be contributing towards meals for the hungry,” Daadaoui said to Edmonsun.com.

Lectures and interfaith panel discussions are scheduled to be also available during the event by Daadaoui, assisted by some other Muslims scholars like Razi Hashmi of the Oklahoma Council on American-Islamic Relations; Imad Enchassi of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City; and Rabbi Abbey Jacobson of the Emanuel Synagogue in Oklahoma City.

Some community organizations will also take part within; they are Council on American-Islamic Relations, Institute of Interfaith Dialogue and Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council.

“Islam Day is about people of all faiths communicating and learning about the culture of others,” Daadaoui's remark.

Palestine- International Middle East Media Center has reported that ‘Israeli naval forces opened fire’ on Palestinian fishermen off Gaza coast on Thursday (03/9/2009).

Some boats suffered from damage but no casualties were reported so far.

The fire was the second after last week Israeli military forces attacked another Palestinian boat.

In the last week attack, one Palestinian fisherman was killed.

While Israel fired explosives on the Palestinian boat, Israeli tanks invaded areas at the eastern border to Israel.

The tanks and bulldozers ‘stormed the area and destroyed farm lands’ – IMEMC reported.

Some Palestinians ‘Mujahideens’ clashed against the Israel forces and threw several home-made shells at them.

Five Palestinians Kidnapped
On the same day, the Israeli military forces (read: terrorists) also kidnapped five Palestinians during the pre-dawn attacks targeting a number of West Bank Communities.

“They (Israeli forces) searched and ransacked homes in Jenin city and areas nearby Burken village, northern West Bank,” local Palestinian witnessed.

Israeli terrorists have promised to stop invading the cities of Ramallah and Qalqilia as well as Bethlehem and Jericho.

However, the above promises are only bullshit.

Uighur Muslims to be Fired of Jobs if Spotted to Have Fasting

Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang are not threatened to be fired of their jobs if spotted to have fasting in this Holy Ramadhan month

China- The local government of Xinjiang did once again issue an ‘in-humanitarian’ policy to the Uighur Muslims settling in the Province.

As reported by Arrahmah.com, the Uighur Muslims known to have fasting in this Holy Ramadhan month will be fired of their jobs.

The new local government’s policy suggests all institutions, either governmental or non-governmental, to provide their employees with ‘free lunch, tea, and coffe.’

“But more apparently, this is a way to monitor which Uighur Muslims are having fasting,” World Uighur Congree spokesman, Dilxat Raxit, said.

Those Uighur Muslims arrested following the July unrest are also prohibited from fasting in the Holy Ramadhan month.

Worse, Islamic imams and Muslims leaders are forced to deliver ‘fraud’ religious sermons stating that fasting is a ‘new form of feudalism’ and ‘un-healthy.’

Communist Party’s Ethnicity Affairs told nothing when asked about the ‘in-humanitarian’ policy.

Yasmeen Ali, "I do not think any other Muslim woman should be treated like this."

New Zealand- Yasmeen Ali is an adhere Muslim woman who wears hijab whenever and wherever she is.

Unfortunately, she was not allowed to enter the co

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