VOICE OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 20, March 22, 2008

Mehrun-Yusuf Behavioral Care

St. Louis, Missouri

EDITOR: Hajji Mohamed Ziauddin

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL

PLIGHT OF OUR CHILDREN – (Last and final) PART II:

AFRICA:

NIGERIA

Supporting Victims of Witchcraft Abuse and Street Children in Nigeria

Stepping Stones (2007)- Nigeria's recent report into child abandonment and trafficking in Nigeria.

This report was recently presented at a conference organized by AFRUCA - Africans Unite Against Child Abuse - in London and lead to a call for urgent action to be taken to explore the link between the branding of children as witches, child abandonment and the risks of child trafficking with a view to devising better safeguarding mechanisms for vulnerable children.

Nigeria acts as the second largest source of child trafficking victims to the UK and the state where Stepping Stones Nigeria works, Akwa Ibom State, has the highest rate of trafficking in Nigeria. There are a number of transit camps in operation in the state and trafficking of children is widespread.

COTE DE IVORIRE

In a 135 page report, “My Heart is Cut”: Sexual Violence by Rebels and Pro-Government Forces in Cote d Ivorire", details the widespread nature of sexual violence. Above report documents how women and girls have been subjected to individual and gang rape, sexual slavery, forced incest et.c. The report documents girls as young as six being raped and various other human rights violations including torture, killing, mutilation and even CANNIBALISM.

In addition to sexual violence associated with open hostilities, pro govt forces targets women and girls whom they suspected of supporting the rebels, PARTICULARLY WOMEN WHO WERE MUSLIM, came from the north or from neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali or were thought to support opposition political parties.

PHILLIPINES:

Who could forget Father Shay Cullen tape that was broadcast on CNN that showed HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 5 YEARS OLD LOCKED IN CAGES STACKED A HALF-DOZEN HIGH. Above broadcast highlighted an issue the world could not ignore, and hit hardest in North America, where many of the children’s regular customers live.

Most were child prostitutes caught in the Philippines rampant sex tourism trade. Father Shay had been known to advocate for the neglected and forgotten children in the Philippines. The 65 year old Catholic missionary leads an organization in the Philippines called PREDA that has been rescuing children exploited by pimps and brother owners, then sold to tourists who have come to prey on them. “He spends his days with young girls who are sexually, physically and emotionally abused on a daily basis, as well as with johns who are convinced they are doing the girls a favor by paying them for sex. He stated: “THE WORST KIND OF SLAVERY TODAY IS CHILD LABOUR AND THE WORST FORM OF THAT IS THE SEX TRADE”.

MORE THAN SIXTY THOUSAND FILIPINO GIRLS WORK AS CHILD PROSTITUTES. They are recruited by pimps in rural areas of the country from unsuspecting, desperately poor families who send their daughters to the city to earn extra money. “It’s everyone from the sleazy to the elite.” Father Shay says of the tourists who frequent child brothels. “All levels of society and every nationality”.

Girls are sold in the brothels and on the streets for as little as $25 and can see as many as 10 customers a day. If they don’t make enough money, they are beaten. “The girls rescued by sting operations at PREDA’s rehabilitation center undergo a PRIMAL THERAPY SESSION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN AND FEAR THEY HAVE ENDURED. It’s a heart-wrenching scene – a dozen or so girls sprawled out on the floor, wailing at the top of their lungs and pounding the floor in agony. Tears stream down their faces and their bodies shake as they relive years of abuse. Father Shay and the others try to console them. “Unless we make combating child prostitution and sex tourism a global priority, thousands more children will have their lives torn apart.”

HOW THE UMMAH COULD REACH OUT TO HELP OUR CHILDREN:

Many Muslims on learning about the shocking and deplorable plight of children feel helpless since most of such issues are beyond one’s immediate ability to change. However what is happening “OUT THERE” may be beyond our control, but how we react to it ‘MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE BEYOND OUR CONTROL”. Let each of us ask ourselves that in this year of 2008, what could we do to make a positive difference in the life of a distressed Muslim child or a Muslim orphan?

It is unfortunate, that in the United States, we do not have one single MUSLIM BIG BROTHER AND BIG SISTER program that would enable a special child from a single parent family or from a home of a distressed family to have a ROLE MODEL. Many well meaning people of all religions do help children in various ways and of course there is tremendous room for improvement in our ability to reach out and help the children. Obviously there are different ways to assist the children including sponsoring a child from overseas.

As far as the global Ummah is concerned, there are hundreds of Muslim social service agencies helping Muslim children in various ways. Due to limitations in space and time, we may not be able to list all of them. Although any Social Service Agency willing to share to us about their services are welcome to e-mail us at below address and we will be glad to review and put them on spotlight.

As an example of a small but growing Muslim organization that is doing extraordinary and phenomenal work in helping the Muslim Orphan children is ICCCT (International Centre for Children Charitable Trust). Below are highlights taken from their website http://www.iccct.org/.

International Centre for Children Charitable Trust

“And they question thee concerning orphans. Say: To improve their lot is best”. Al Qur’an 2:220

ُواْ الْخَبِيثَ بِالطَّيِّبِ وَلاَ تَأْكُلُواْ أَمْوَالَهُمْ إِلَى أَمْوَالِكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا

Al Qur'an: “And give to the orphans their property, and do not substitute worthless (things) for (their) good (ones), and do not devour their property (as an addition) to your own property; this is surely a great crime”. (Chapter #4, Verse #2)

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ الْيَتَامَى ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًا وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًا

AlQur'an: “(As for) those who swallow the property of the orphans unjustly, surely they only swallow fire into their bellies and they shall enter burning fire.” (Chapter #4, Verse #10)

Bukhari translation: Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd: The Prophet said, "I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together. (Book #73, Hadith #34)

Muslim translation: Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: One who looks after the orphan whether he is his relative or not, I and he would be together in Paradise like this, and Malik (explained it) with the gesture by drawing his index finger and middle finger close together . (Book #042, Hadith #7108)

(ICCT) is a charity working with a global network of local communities to help provide necessities of life to disadvantaged orphans in Sri Lanka.

HISTORY:

ICCCT was incorporated in response to the Asian Tsunami of 26 December 2004 which saw more than 30,000 dead and hundreds of children left orphans. More than 50% of whom who died in Sri Lanka were Muslims even though the Muslims constitute a mere 7.1% of the population.

14,724 houses were fully damaged and in the Kalmunai Municipal Council area 97,432 persons were displaced and 76,052 persons were in the refugee camps.

ICC is in the process of developing an orphanage for the needy. We have acquired 12 acres of land and plan to accommodate around 1,000 children (boys and girls). Your contribution will help develop the land (to build fence, well, and hostel).

The “sponsor a child” project provides foster care for orphaned children. ICC has currently sponsored more than 75 children in Sri Lanka. At just a dollar a day, you too can become a sponsor.

During every Ramadan, since 2005, ICC has distributed Zakatul Fitr for the needy. In 2007, Zakatul Fitr was distributed to deserving families in Algama, Attanagalla in Western Province and Ninthavur and Zakatpuram in Eastern Province to 485 families. Insha Allah, this will be continued every year and the Zakatul Fitr will be distributed before Eidul Fitr prayers.

Our vision is establishing Orphanages worldwide and supporting orphaned children with tender loving care to empower orphans so that they become self sustainable.

ICC has sponsored around 80 orphans and distributed Qurbani to more than 10,700 families since 2005.

ICC is operating in 6 of the 9 provinces of Sri Lanka assisting 51 orphans of whom some are assisted for the past 3 years and some are assisted for one year.

In 2005, 7 orphans were helped; in 2006, 24 orphans were helped and in 2007, 46 orphans were helped making a total of 77 orphans by the grace of Allah SWT.

In the month of Hajj, ICC distributes Qurbani meat to the poor, destitute and the needy in Sri Lanka. We distributed meat to around 10,000 families since 2005. See below for more details and to make your contribution.

For additional information or offer to assist ICCCT, please contact:

Alhaj Dr. Sheik Muhammed Ali

Tel:+649 815 0700 Mob: +6421 167 72 92

E-mail: drasmali@gmail.com

Acknowledgements:

http://www.thestar.com/: “Helping girls flee brothels” – Cragin and Marc Kielburger 6/4/07

fighthumantraffickingnews.blogspot.com: “Cote di Voire: Peace Process Fails to Address Sexual Violence” Human Rights Watch Reports 8/2/07)

As usual, feel free to e-mail your valuable comments to info@mehrunyusuficds.com.

VOICE OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH

Vol 19, March 16, 2008

Mehrun-Yusuf Behavioral Care

St. Louis, Missouri

EDITOR: Hajji Mohamed Ziauddin

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL

PLIGHT OF OUR CHILDREN – PART I:

WHAT INNOVATIVE WAYS COULD THE UMMAH DEVELOP TO REACH OUT IN HELPING OUR CHILDREN?

You hear from religious experts from one particular school of thought that “You do your Salaat and strictly follow other Islam requirements in your personal life and everything else will fall automatically in place”. Is there a truth in such a statement from a global Ummah’s perspective? Is the Ummah CONNECTED, SEMI-CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED with the social problems that the global UMMAH is currently facing today ? Is it a disservice to the global army of Muslim volunteers who would like to reach out and assist other distressed Muslims to be told “THIS (all sufferings by the Ummah including the suffering of Muslim children) IS ALL PART OF ALLAH’S PLAN. YOU CANNOT GO AGAINST THE WILL OF ALLAH”? Have they forgotten the famous Islamic gem that if the current Muslims don’t change the good for the Muslim community then Allah will replace them with a new group of Muslims to do the same work of positive change? As an example, let’s look at the largest Muslim country in the world to assess the pathetic plight of children:

INDONESIA:

UNICEF estimates that 100,000 women and children are trafficked annually for commercial sexual exploitation in Indonesia and abroad, 30 percent of the female prostitutes in Indonesia are below 18, and 40,000-70,000 Indonesian children are victims of sexual exploitation. The East Java Children’s Protection Agency estimates that at least 100,000 women and children are trafficked annually from, through, and to East Java.

Child Trafficking is on the Rise in Indonesia (4/1/07): BABIES FOR SALE: Indonesian authorities are battling a growing trade in child trafficking, including a recent case where hundreds of babies were sold overseas, a report says. The report, by the Indonesian Ministry of Women Empowerment, found that efforts to retrieve the children in baby trafficking cases were flawed. It comes amid a three-day workshop on the commercial sexual exploitation of children, hosted by UNICEF and the Indonesian Ministry of Women Empowerment in Bali.

The gathering is attempting to devise a strategy for combating the growing industry. "The baby trafficking cases in Indonesia are not comprehensively handled as human trafficking crimes," the report said. "The cases in which the (perpetrators) were caught and brought to law were the cases where they were caught red-handed."

The report said one woman was caught in South Jakarta last year after having sold 880 babies abroad. A further 25 babies were saved. In another case, also in South Jakarta, one group admitted to selling more than 80 babies to foreigners, while a man in west Java had "exported" about 300 babies overseas, the report said.

UNICEF child protection officer Anna-Karin Jatfors said sexual exploitation of children was a "major and growing issue", with evidence of criminal syndicates operating throughout Indonesia and Asia. "Because of the crimes involved and the personal nature of sex, the trafficking and exploitation becomes underground and difficult to monitor," she said.

"We only have to walk through Kuta or any other tourist area at night to see for ourselves many young girls working in the street, or in many of the clubs, karaoke bars or even hotels operating in the area," she said. "Adolescent children who drop out of school are the most vulnerable.

"They are trapped by poor education, with little or no work opportunities. As such they are easy prey for traffickers." Ministry of Women Empowerment Child Protection Assistant Deputy Soepalarto Soedibjo said there had been a "significant increase" of sexual exploitation of children, with no significant improvement despite recent efforts to fight the problem.

"We hoped that if the project is succeeded, it can be an example for other areas, but we have problems, we have difficulties to raise awareness to people on this matter," Soepalarto said. Two Australians were facing child sex charges in Indonesia.

Donald Storen, 58, faces up to five years if found guilty of allegations of sexual acts with minors on the island of Lombok, while TEACHER Peter Smith faces up to 20 years if convicted of sexually abusing six street children in south Jakarta.

Adapted from: "Child trafficking on rise in Indonesia'" NineMSN. 4 December 2006.

GLOBAL REPORT:

Jasmine Whitbread, CEO of Save the Children, said:

"Child slavery is not a historical phenomenon - it is a stark reality for millions of children in both poor and rich countries. These children are treated like commodities; they can be lent or sold to other owners without warning, and live under crushing conditions of humiliation and abuse. Governments everywhere - including the UK - are not doing enough to respond to the plight of children in this inhumane situation. World leaders and international donors must act as a matter of urgency to address child slavery and put in place the laws and resources needed to eradicate these terrible practices”.

(9/4/07) A Report by Save the Children Reveals Millions of Children Live as Child Slaves

On the 200th anniversary of the Slave Trade Act, a new report by Save the Children reveals millions of children are still living as child slaves.

The report exposes the eight most prevalent forms of child slavery that are still forcing children to live in appalling conditions, to work long hours for little or nothing in return, and to be subjected to extreme harm, violence and rape.

CHILD TRAFFICKING:

1.2 million Children and babies are trafficked every year, including into Western Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean, and the number is increasing. Gangs involved in child and people trafficking make an estimated profit of US$ 32 billion per year.

CHILD PROSTITUTION:

At any one time across the world, around 1.8 million children are being abused through prostitution, child pornography and sex tourism. In the UK there are 5,000 child prostitutes. 75% of them are girls.

BONDED CHILD LABOR

Millions of children are forced to work away their childhood in horrific conditions to pay off debt, or simply the interest on it. In India alone, estimates suggest up to 15 million children could be enslaved by somebody else's debt, many involved in illegal, hazardous and dangerous work.

FORCED WORK IN MINES

One million children are risking their lives in mines and quarries in more than 50 African, Asian and South American countries. In the Sahel region of Africa, 200,000 children are daily risking their lives in gold and mineral mines.

AGRICULTURAL LABOR

More than 132 million children under 15 are trapped working in agriculture, often exposed to pesticides, heavy machinery, machetes and axes. In Kazakhstan, children work in cotton and tobacco fields and factories for up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

CHILD SOLDIERS

More than 300,000 children under 15 are involved with fighting forces, including government armies. Boys and girls in at least 13 countries are actively being recruited as child soldiers or as army 'wives'. Around 11,000 children in Democratic Republic of Congo are currently being held by fighting groups.

FORCED CHILD MARRIAGE

Child marriage, which often includes mail order and internet brides, is one of the most widespread - yet hidden - forms of slavery. GIRLS AS YOUNG AS FOUR ARE FORCED TO LIVE AND HAVE SEX WITH THEIR HUSBAND, AND ARE OFTEN KEPT TRAPPED INDOORS. Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than women over 20. In Afghanistan more than half of all girls are married before they are 16.

DOMESTIC SLAVERY

Millions of children across the world, some as young as six, are forced to work up to 15 hour days as domestic workers. Many are beaten, starved and sexually abused. There are 200,000 child domestic workers in Kenya, 550,000 in Brazil and 264,000 in Pakistan.

NORTH AMERICA:

WOMAN’S “MY SPACE” VIDEO OF TWO YEAR OLD SMOKING RESULTS IN HER ARREST:

VIRGINIA: According to digital journal (12/18/07) a woman who posted a video to her MY SPACE account of a two year old attempting to smoke a cigarette, and spewing profanity under her direction has been arrested in Virginia Beach, VA. Camera equipment as well as computers found in her home has been seized. Sandra Venery has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor after family members alerted police to the My Space video she had uploaded. THE VIDEO WAS APPARENTLY A MIMIC OF A SKIT THE WOMAN SAYS SHE SAW ON TV.

POLICE: DAD THREW FOUR CHILDREN OFF BRIDGE:

Bayou La Batre, ALASKA: According to news.yahoo, a day after reporting his four young children were missing, a fisherman broke down and confessed that he threw them off a two lane 80 foot high Dauphin Island Bridge resulting in their deaths, authorities said. Lam Luong 37 was charged with four counts of capital murder, and divers searched the murky waters for the bodies of the youngsters, who range in age from a few months to three years.

PENNYSLVANIA: According to the Pittsburghchannel.com, in 12/14/07: SOMERSET, Pa. -- Police said a Somerset man draped a live snake around his 2-year-old son's neck, fed him hot sauce, and otherwise abused him for nearly a year. Jason Flick, 27, is charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children and related charges. He was arrested Friday and taken to the Somerset County Jail on $25,000 bond. Authorities began investigating Flick when his son, Kaleb, was taken to Somerset Hospital on Sept. 30, 07 with a skull fracture and broken leg. Police said the boy's abuse included being shot with an air "soft gun" that caused welts, being struck so hard that he lost his breath and having beer put in his "sippy cup."

News.yahoo.com INDIANAPOLIS: 1/15/08: BABY, TODDLER KILLED IN MOTHERS ARMS:

A baby, a toddler and their mothers were shot to death while the women held their children in their arms, police said Tuesday as officers searched for two men seen running from the victims' home. All four victims were shot repeatedly late Monday night, said Indianapolis police Assistant Chief Eva Talley-Sanders. All died at the house on the city's north side except for 4-month-old Charlie Yarrell, who died at a hospital.

"I can't imagine what kind of evil it takes to shoot two women and the innocent children in their arms," police Chief Michael Spears said at a news conference. “Whoever is responsible for this, we are going to track you down like dogs,” Mario County Sheriff Frank Anderson said: “We are not going to stop until we find you and put you in a cage where you belong”.

The other victims were Jordan Hunt, 23 months, his mother, Gina Hunt, 24, and Charli's mother, Andrea Yarrell, 24

Starbulletin.com: 1/18/08 HAWAII:By Leila Fujimori and Alexandre Da Silva

Police arrested a 23-year-old man yesterday who allegedly threw a young neighbor boy from a 25-foot freeway overpass into the path of speeding cars, shutting down the H-1 freeway's westbound lanes for three hours and backing up traffic throughout Honolulu.

Matthew M. Higa was arrested near Prospect Street after witnesses and police chased him up Miller Street soon after he allegedly tossed the child from the pedestrian overpass at about 11:40 a.m.

The mother identified her son as 1-year-old Cyrus Belt. At least one vehicle ran over the boy, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services Department.

POINTS TO REFLECT?

There is evidence of children being abused and exploited in one way or the other in almost all parts of the globe. Above does not include the terrible trauma experienced by children during war. What is the extent of co-ordination between the local, national and international Muslim Social Service Organizations to assist the Muslim children globally? What proposed targets and goals do the biggest Muslim organization – WORLD MUSLIM LEAGUE has in terms of assisting the Ummah’s children? How many Muslim magazines, journals or newsletters does the Ummah have in terms of focusing on assisting our Children? Is there a single UMMAH'S MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM ready to be there for our children if urgently needed ?

WHILE THE MUSLIMS THE WORLD OVER KEEP REPEATING "WE ARE ONE UMMAH" MILLIONS OF TIMES GLOBALLY, THERE IS BIG ROOM FOR IMPROVMENT IN TRANSLATING ABOVE VERBAL STATEMENT INTO CO-ORDINATED ACTION. MAY ALLAH BLESS AND GUIDE ONE AND ALL.

Acknowledgements: humantrafficking.org

As usual, feel free to send your valuable comments to info@mehrunyusuficds.com.

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Mehrun Yusuf Behavioral Care

Volume 18, March 9, 2008

St. Louis, Missouri

Editor: Hajji Mohamed Ziauddin

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND MOST MERCIFUL

DRAWING A FINE LINE BETWEEN TOLERANCE AND INTOLERANCE

A Muslim sister who was very close to her father (who was an auto mechanic) and grew up observing him at work at his mechanic shop learnt few skills of a mechanic and was able to fix the brake pads of a car, do oil change and minor car tune up work. Now is it fair to say that she represents a new breed of progressive Muslim females in America, who broke the “traditional stereotypes” or not?

Does the answer to above question also apply to the article by Robert Pigott (Religious Affairs Correspondent, BBC News) “US Muslim Women Seek Active Faith Role” (02/27/08) when he made a deliberate choice to pick one particular family (described below) to prove his point that “they and their progressive Islam, are as perfectly adapted to life in modern America as their Christian neighbours”.

Is Robert Pigott’s deliberate selection of below family the norm of most Muslim families in the US or is it an aberration or statistically a extremely rare exception?

Highlights of below article: The husband has essentially been a “house husband”, one must be careful not to use derogatory terms thereby inadvertently bringing “emotion” in front of “reason”. The son even though a Doctor DOES HAVE A PROBLEM with following the historical roles of gender & tradition of a “normal couple” (regardless of religion, race or culture globally) but has NO PROBLEM following the tradition of his father and cooks at home, since the son’s wife “also” works.

Make no mistake, in general we have no problem with the gender of the spouse that cooks; we believe it should be left up to the couple to decide what works out best with them in their unique situation, preferences and circumstances. As long as their outcome continues to provide peace and harmony in their marital relationship, WE ARE ALL FOR IT.

Are progressive Muslims making gross violations of Islamic Code by perverting the gems of Islam to essentially convert the "haraam" into "halaal" OR the "not Islamically acceptable act " into "acceptable act" ? Should above be a concern for the Ummah ? In Robert's article has there really been any such violations or not? Should a Muslim be respected more if he or she directly acknowledges: “Sorry, I cannot confirm to this particular Islamic Code” rather than a Muslim who to erases his or her inner religious guilt by perverting the Islamic Code to “normalize” it by saying it is "Okay" and to top it, falsely representing ISLAM in the eyes of the media ?

In the same way that the media was biased by associating terrorism with Islam now is there an element of bias by the media which is TOTALLY IGNORING the lifestyle (through a bird’s eye-view) of the majority of the Muslims or Muslim families and focusing on an aberration to represent ISLAM ? Did the media deliberately and selectively pick an aberration that statistically constitutes probably less than one percent of the American Ummah and label it under the rubric of Muslims or may I say “Progressive Muslims”?

Does it reflect the norm as suggested in Robert’s article, that a Muslim female feels it perfectly normal and okay to wear shorts to play soccer? Further they (the family in above article) don’t feel it is important to pray at set times five times a day, rather it is “connection with God what counts”. "We're just adapting to the surroundings. As long as you have the basic principles, and you abide by them and remember Allah every day."

Does such individual personal interpretations of Islamic lifestyle "essentially for one's own convenience" really reflect the Islamic lifestyle of an average Muslim in the US" ?

Each individual is free to have their personal perspective of Islam and apply it to their individual life. BUT SHOULD THEY BE ALLOWED TO MISREPRESENT ISLAM BY SAYING IT IS OKAY IN ISLAM WITHOUT BACKING THEIR STATEMENTS DRAWING UPON FROM THE GEMS OF HOLY QURAN AND HADITH”? Is this point being missed by the mainstream media when they report on Islam ? Are does the media have a hidden agenda to highlight the aberration and further divide the ALREADY DIVIDED MUSLIMS ?

Does such deviation from mainstream Islam a form of misguidance for the Ummah specially the Muslim youth and children in the western societies who are extremely vulnerable and already struggling to fight a battle between emulating Islamic values taught at home and local Masjids Versus unIslamic values learnt from the public school systems, peer groups et.c ?

Allah out of his Mercy for mankind gave us the Holy Quran and the Hadith as a source of proper guidance. On one extreme, we have hard core terrorists who have misinterpreted Islam causing mayhem and destruction worldwide. The new question is whether the “progressive” Muslims are misinterpreting Islam to suit their convenient lifestyle in the name of “adapting to the surroundings” ?

It may look innocent in the initial stages, “this is okay” and “that is okay”, it is the "spirit of Islam" that counts. Are the "Progressive Muslims" "generalist oriented" and are the "mainstream Muslims" "detailed oriented" ? Eventually as the Christians branched out into several subdivisions from one single core group, would the trend follow with the subgroup of “progressive Muslims” ? In the long run, would one of such “progressive Muslim” group say, "being gay or lesbian is okay" and as we see in some Churches today with gay pastors performing gay marriages, would they end up having their own gay Imams & Lesbian Female Muslim Imams doing nikahs on gay and lesbian couples all with the blessings of the PROGRESSIVE WEST and in the sweet pretext of “adapting to the surroundings” ? These are unanswered questions.

The mainstream Ummah should be thankful that such progressive Muslims are at least not the likes of Salman Rushie or Wafaa Sultan or Nonie Darwish or the sick comedian who drew the cartoons of Prophet. We are no one to judge and Allah knows best. May Allah guide them on the right track? At the end of the day in terms of varying perspectives, let’s not forget the famous Quranic verse: “There is no compulsion in Religion”.

Below is a part of Robert Pigott’s article:

“See the Akhtar family at a weekend lunch, and the renewal of Islam in America seems inevitable and irresistible. Shahid and Mino Akhtar were born in Pakistan and, like their son and three daughters; they are devout Muslims who attend the mosque regularly. Meeting them at their house in a quiet tree-lined street in Emerson, New Jersey, it soon seems clear that they, and their progressive Islam, are as perfectly adapted to life in modern America as their Christian neighbours. Shahid is a hands-on dad. While his wife pursued a career as a lawyer he took charge of raising the children. His son Reza, a hospital doctor, is following his example by being the one who cooks dinner and does the dishes as his wife, Amna, also works.

The Aktar daughters are pursuing careers as a lawyer, businesswoman and dentist. Their emancipation has not diluted their sense of being Muslim, but it has changed it.

Sheema wears shorts to play soccer, but sees no conflict with the duty to behave modestly. They feel bound by the duty to pray, for example, but not at five set times each day.

Mino Akhtar says connection with God is what counts. "In terms of the daily practices, when I travel on business I don't get to pray five times a day," she says. "It's my connection with the creator that's more important than how I do it."

"Absolutely," says her daughter Sheema. "We're just adapting to the surroundings. As long as you have the basic principles, and you abide by them and remember Allah every day."

…… Traditionalist critics say those who seek revolutionary change in Islam are diluting its teaching. They say that adapting the religion to contemporary mores progressively undermines its ability to give moral guidance to society.

But the Akhtar family insists that their modern lifestyle in secular America does not stop them practicing what they call "the beautiful values of Islam".

Mona Akhtar, a lawyer, bubbles rose-flavored smoke through an after-lunch shisha, and contemplates her emancipated sisters.

"We're living examples of the importance of women taking a more active role in Islam," she says. "We're following the spirit of the Koran."

CLOSING NOTE:

As it is stated that charity begins from home, in the same way the Ummah's tolerance must begin from its own Muslims towards other Muslims. Although there may be many points of differences, we need to have a comfortable platform to air our differences and continually demonstrate what TOLERANCE stands for.

We need to avoid making stereotypes or labels to portray a "progressive Muslim" VS "mainstream Muslim". True tolerance is demonstrated when Muslims of different shades of not only color, race, culture, nationality, sexual orientation, gender (includes transgendered & hermaphrodite) but also Muslims with different degrees of practicing Islam continue to respect each other under the global umbrella of UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.

On the same note, just because a Muslim woman does not wear hijab, although it may evoke a immediate negative response from some traditionalist Muslims, it is also an exercise in TOLERANCE. Instead of giving labels or reaching quick negative conclusions one must reinforce to self that she still remains our sister. Most Muslims may not be aware of the degree of intense resentment that a Muslima with niqab (only eyes are visible from the face) evokes especially in western societies. It is a free country and a free world, each individual generally has a right to translate their beliefs into actions as long it does not violate local & national laws, so why should a Muslima with niqab be exempted from exercising her God given right to dress the way she likes. Here again, the Muslims in general and the progressive Muslims in particular need to exercise the true spirit of TOLERANCE and respect her for her preferences.

Is it true that many Muslims get MORE upset seeing a Muslima with niqab than a Kaafira with a miniskirt ? (1) If yes, isn't this a paradox ? (2) If yes, is it because somehow the Kaafira should be exempted from negativity because she is not a Muslima ? How often have you heard that a Muslima with niqaab "is bringing the image of our Islam down" ? Is it a misleading statement? THIS CALLS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION POSSIBLY IN A DIFFERENT ISSUE. It is really sad and unfortunate that many Muslims are hard on women with niqab and could this be an issue of INTOLERANCE ?

On the other hand, ask a Muslima who wears niqab of what she feels of a Muslima who does NOT wear a hijab nor niqab, you may soon realize that she herself needs to exercise more TOLERANCE. This is just one single example. There are many more to demonstrate that we as Muslims need to be more tolerant of each other.

In conclusion, we strongly believe in SELF-DETERMINATION of an individual and we at MEHRUN YUSUF BEHAVIORAL CARE atleast have the minimum courtesy to respect all sisters (with hijab, without hijab, with niqab) as our loving sisters of ISLAM. Let us hope that all Brothers and Sisters of Islam focus on looking towards the illuminated gems of ISLAM - "HOLY QURAN AND HADITH" for guidance and involve in self-introspection and further improvement of their individual selves. MAY ALLAH GUIDE ONE AND ALL. The End.

As usual, feel free to e-mail your valuable comments to info@mehrunyusuficds.com.

Voice of Global Ummah

Volume 17, March 5, 2008

Mehrun Yusuf Behavioral Care

St. Louis, Missouri

Editor: Hajji Mohamed Ziauddin

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL

The VOICE OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH is one of the few weekly newsletters in the world, where the editor is requesting the readers of the Ummah to push him into obscurity by taking over the newsletter and truly representing what the name really stands for. Since there is NO EGO involved, this issue is NOT about the editor, but about the UMMAH. Logically it only makes sense that for this issue to truly reflect the VOICE OF THE GLOBAL UMMAH, it needs the direct participation of the UMMAH globally.

Towards this end, one Muslim family from Canada had graciously volunteered and has already taken over the complete video production aspects of this newsletter. In fact they made a short video of their 11 year old son giving advice targeting the youth AGAINST taking drugs with plans to post it on this issue soon. The Nasheed that is currently displayed on the right side of this issue is also their contribution. May Allah reward them for their assistance. Four other Malaysian, Pakistani, Indian and New Zealand families have also stepped up to the plate and volunteered to contribute and manage a part of this newsletter.

Offer is still open to YOU no matter in which part of the globe you reside, to be a part of this VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH. We DON'T want your money; WE WANT YOUR IDEAS in the form of YOU being a member of our editorial team. Please don't be a perfectionist or idealist then you MAY NEVER CONTRIBUTE, good chances that this writer makes more mistakes than you do. We believe that when people contribute their ideas with a GOOD INTENTION: "Then no idea is a silly idea".

Since the whole world is becoming but one small GLOBAL VILLAGE, it is but natural that we pray for all the distressed Muslims of the world.

We received a forwarded e-mail (below) on March 3, 2008 from a sister in England and let us all join together and pray for Salma.

“An Appeal from a sister.

Asslamualaikum

My daughter Salma, who is just 12 years old is battling for life at a Local hospital, she is suffering from cancer and is presently in the last stage.

The doctors have given up all hope but then I have trust in ALLAH and in the power of dua. Therefore as a helpless mother of a dying child I beg all of you to pray for my daughter, please include her as a part of each and every dua of yours. Please pray to ALLAH that He should give her body the strength to respond to the medication, that He should somehow miraculously heal her of this disease and Inshallah grant her a healthy and long life (AMEEN)

Please, pass this message on to as many Brothers and Sisters as you can. If even ten percent of you would remember to pray for my daughter then it would mean a lot for us. Your duas and Allah's mercy is our ONLY hope.

Thank You,
Parveen”

Du’a’ (Supplication)

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief; I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness; and I seek refuge in You from overcoming of debts and overpower of people.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from false testimony, or committing immorality, or provoking You; and I seek refuge in You from malice of the enemies, and from enigmatic disease, and FROM DESPAIR OF HOPE.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from poverty except to You, from humiliation except for You, and from fear except from You.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from wicked people, from worries of the livelihood, and from the ill nature.

O Allah, You are the Mercy of the mercies, and You are the Lord of the universe.

Ya Allah Allahumma Ameen

Prophet Mohammed (SAW) stated:

“Those who remain patient when suffering affliction, thankful when receiving, forgiving when oppressed, asking forgiveness when they wrong; such will enjoy security and will be shown the right path”. Al-Bayhaqi.

“Victory comes with perseverance, and relief follows sorrow. After difficulty comes ease, after difficulty comes ease” Ibn Al-Najjaar.

AMERICAN UMMAH’S WHO’S WHO:

• Imam Siraj Wahhaj is one of the most admired Muslim leaders and speakers in America.

• Once a minister for the Nation of Islam (NOI) in the early 70s, the Imam left upon discovering NOI’s differences from mainstream Islam.

• He is an accomplished Muslim activist MashaAllah, once leading a community-based anti-drug campaign in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, in which he staked out drug houses in the cold of winter for 40 days and nights, forcing the closure of 15 drug houses.

• In 1991 Imam Siraj Wahhaj offered an invocation (opening prayer) to the United States House of Representatives. He was the first Muslims to do so.

• He is the founder and Imam of Masjid At Taqwa in Brooklyn, New York, and is currently serving as the elected leader of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA).

• He was the vice president of the Majlis as-Shura of New York. He has also served on the executive board of the Islamic Society of North America.

• Postal Address : Masjid At-Taqwa 1266 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11216, United States of America.Tel (Res.): 622 0800 Fax: 857 8984

POSITIVE NEWS FOR THE OTHER HALF OF UMMAH—“MUSLIMA”:

(1) Saudi Arabia is lifting its 18 year ban against women driving within the Kingdom and the Govt is planning to issue an announcement by the end of this year, the TELEGRAPH reports (1/25/08).

A WOMAN DRIVING IS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH RELIGION: SCHOLARS (Samir Al-Saadi, Arab News 02/21/08). “In principle women driving is permitted in Islam”, said Sheikh Abdul Mohsen, one of the Senior Islamic Scholars.

(2) JORDANIAN PARLIAMENT ENDORESES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BILL:

The Jordanian Parliament endorsed a family protection bill aimed at curbing the growing domestic violence problem there. Under the new law, abusers could face penalties ranging from heavy fines to prison term of up to six months, according to IRIN NEWS. Above law would also give authority to hold abusers for 24 hours, prevent the abuser from approaching the “safe houses” where the victim may be staying. The bill also allows the victims to file for financial compensation in cases of physical harm or psychological abuse. According to the JORDAN TIMES, the bill which will move to Jordanian Senate, would also require adult family members to report any type of physical or sexual abuse and provides for the creation of mediation committees to oversee problems that occur within families.

(3) UNITED ARAB EMIRATE WOMEN TO GAIN PLACE IN COURTROOM:

The UAE is amending a law which will allow women to become FEDERAL PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES. Women are currently in the process of being trained across the UAE. Two women in Abu Dhabi have already been selected as prosecutors, reports REUTERS. Justice Minister Mohammad bin Nakhira al-Dheheri told the MIDDLE EAST TIMES, that “At the present the law states that only a Muslim man is entitled to assume the position of a judge”. Above amendment will make UAE the second Gulf Arab country to allow women to become judges, ending a male domination of the vocation, according to the MIDDLE EAST TIMES.

(4) CONTROVERSY OVER ABORTION RIGHTS FOR RAPE VICTIMS IN EGYPT:

A draft bill introduced in the Egyptian Parliament that would allow rape victims to have abortions has met with controversy. Currently Egyptian law bans abortion unless it is on the “grounds of necessity”, i.e. when the woman’s life or health is at risk, or if there are fetal abnormalities, AFP reports.

(5) BAHRAIN TO CRIMINALIZE HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

Jan 2, 2008: Bahrain: MANAMA According to Suad Hamada, Correspondent of the Khaleej Times Online, a draft law to combat human trafficking in Bahrain was approved by the Legislative Authority (upper and lower houses) on Monday, marking a new era in eliminating crimes and protecting human rights values. The bill stresses the formation of National Authority to Combat Human Trafficking and a panel to evaluate the living conditions of migrant workers and making human trafficking cases as a crime. The Authority and the panel would deal with maltreatment of migrant workers, runaway cases and the exploitation of maids to force them into prostitution. The law would be implemented soon after being ratified by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. “The law comes to reinforce Bahrain’s commitments to international treaties and agreement,” he said. “The law would impose tough penalties on human trafficking criminals and safeguard the interests and dignity of all those living in Bahrain.” In the United Arab Emirates, the penalty for sex trafficking is life imprisonment.

EXAMPLE OF INTOLERANCE “IN THE NAME OF ISLAM”:

Sayed Parwez Kambakhsh, a 23 year old journalist in Afghanistan was sentenced to death for distributing information regarding the role of women in Islam. …Kambakhsh was arrested in October of last year after some of his university classmates said he was making fun of Islam and distributing an internet article that accused Prophet Mohammad of ignoring women’s rights, according to Reuters (1/23//08).

(Ed note: Nobody is disputing about the major wrong that he did. But to sentence him to death for his above action is a good example of intolerance. We have no hesitation whatsoever to assertively state that such an extreme punishment seems far excessive to the crime).

DISAPPOINTING NEWS: (United States)

1/16/08: The Dept of Homeland Security is reviewing a 1994 policy that has allowed over 30,000 battered women immigrants to stay in the United States and become citizens. While the dept refuses to divulge specific details, it is reviewing whether to refuse green card requests for battered women if they entered the country illegally, according to the SACRAMENTO BEE. Let it not be forgotten that abusive partners may at times DELIBERATELY prevent a women from getting her green card and USE HER ILLEGAL STATUS as a powerful weapon to control her.

UNUSUAL BIRTH: “ALLAH SAVES WHOM HE WILLS”

Yahoo News: 2/28/08: PREGNANT INDIAN USES TRAIN TOILET, BABY SLIPS OUT.

A newborn baby girl survived an ignoble birth after slipping down the toilet bowl of a MOVING Indian train onto the tracks when a pregnant woman unexpectedly gave birth while relieving herself. “My delivery was so sudden,” said Bhuri Kalbi, the mother of the infant, born two months prematurely. “I did not even realize that my child had slipped from the hole in the toilet”... "They stopped the train and ran on the tracks to find the baby,” she said. Railway staff at a nearby station were alerted and soon found the newborn girl lying uninjured on pebbles on the track. She was taken to intensive care because of her premature birth, doctors said.

GENDER GAP NARROWS:

It is no surprise to anybody that men are generally more aggressive than women on both a physical and sexual level. However there appears to be an increase in aggression among women. Are they imitating the male trait as part of liberation? TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE IT RIGHT. Let’s review few examples:

(1) MARYLAND HEIGHTS WOMAN CHARGED WITH FATALLY DRIVING OVER HUSBAND (St. Louis Post Dispatch 12/28/07): Helen Davis…has been charged with second degree murder and armed criminal action. …His estranged wife intentionally ran over him with her motor vehicle and then left the area. Police Capt. Scott Will said the Davises two daughters’ ages 5 and 11 were in the Nissan Quest minivan as it struck their father. “We not only have a dead father and a mother who is in jail but two kids who are parentless and had to witness this event,” Will said. “It’s tragic all the way around”. ….The two daughters were taken into protective custody and are now in the care of their paternal grandparents. Will said.

(2) According to Yahoo News, on 12/22/07 in Rock Springs, WYOMING a woman stabbed her husband with a kitchen knife following an argument that began when she accused him of opening a Christmas present EARLY. Misty Johnson, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery, a felony, and misdemeanor domestic battery. Her husband Shawn F Johnson was treated at a local hospital for a wound to the chest and released, police said.

(3) FEMALE TEACHER WHO HAD SEX WITH TEEN ARRESTED:

(12/04/07) According to AOL news, Teacher Debra Lafave was arrested for allegedly discussing her personal life with a female co-worker. Her probation does not allow her to have contact with minors without permission. She is serving three years house arrest and seven years probation after pleading guilty to HAVING SEX WITH A 14 YEAR OLD BOY IN A CLASS ROOM and also at her home in June 04.

(4) FEMALE TEACHER SENT TOPLESS PHOTOS OF HERSELF TO STUDENT:

(3/5/08) According to West Newsmagazine, Charges were filed on Feb 28, 08 against a former teacher at Barat Academy in Dardenne Prairie for allegedly sending topless photos of herself to a student last November. Debby Watson, President of Barat Academy, said the incident did not happen on school property and it was a completely isolated incident. “The teacher sent the photos from her home computer to the student’s home computer. The parents were doing their due diligence by monitoring their child’s e-mail”. After finding the photo in their child’s e-mail, the parents then immediately brought the issue to the school’s attention. The teacher was immediately removed from the classroom and put on administrative leave, officials said. An internal investigation was performed and she was terminated from Barat Academy.

As usual feel free to send your comments to info@mehrunyusuficds.com.