VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

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.

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