VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 83, June 14, 2009
Toronto, Canada

Editors: Haja Mohideen and Azra HM Yusuf

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful

CONTENTS:


(1) EDITORIAL:

(2) POSITIVE RELATED NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN UMMAH:

(3) NEW SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET FOR MUSLIMS ONLY (www.muslumangoogle.com)

(4) 80% FRENCH MUSLIMS FAITHFUL TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

(5)HOLLAND: (FIRST EVER) MUSLIM RETIREMENT ONLY REST HOME ON ITS WAY

(6) TURKISH (MUSLIMA) BUSINESSWOMAN ON (FORTUNE MAGAZINE'S) LIST OF 50 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

(7) FRANCE: GRADUATES MUSLIM CHAPLAINS LOOKING FOR WORK

(8) QUALIFIED WOMEN CAN ISSUE FATWA, ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC EXPERTS

(9) FRANCE: HAIRDRESSERS IN PARIS FOR VEILED WOMEN

(10) ITALY: (ECONOMIC) CRISIS: FOOD IS ADAPTING, HALAL SALAMI FOR MUSLIMS

(11) AFRICA: EGYPT: DOLL WITH VEIL FOR MUSLIM GIRLS (B) AFRICA: MOROCCO: HEALTH MINISTER, 67% MEDICINE GRADUATES ARE WOMEN

(12) CALL TO THE GLOBAM UMMAH: 3 OUT OF 4 MUSLIMS (LIVING IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES ARE) DISCRIMINATED, NOT REPORTED BY 79%.

EDITORIAL:

It has been an honor and pleasure for us as a editorial couple to step up to the plate and accept the invitation to be the new Editors of such a unique weekly newsletter addressed to the Global Ummah. While we will make every effort to maintain if not surpass the historical quality of this E-Zine which currently is in its 83rd issue, we would in advance request you to forgive us for any shortcomings. May Allah help us in our endeavour to reach out to the global Ummah. Almighty Allah has presented us with many challenges. While it is wrong to perceive the sufferings of our Ummah as "gloom and doom", we should also be aware that there are hundreds of new positive developments taking place that benefits Muslims. In our first issue, we wanted to put our spotlight on MUSLIMS IN EUROPE BESIDES TOUCHING ON ASIA, AFRICA and continue the interesting series of UMMAH IN PICTURES.

POSITIVE RELATED NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN UMMAH:

NEW SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET FOR MUSLIMS ONLY (www.muslumangoogle.com)

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, JANUARY 14 , 2009
A new search engine on the Internet was launched recently, but this time it is for Muslims only, Hurriyet Daily reported. According to the www.muslumangoogle.com website, it uses the database of the search engine Google and is powered by it, but filters search terms in accordance with Islam. It is stated on the Web sités 'About Us' section that the engine was built on the substructure of Google and anyone could build a similar site. Some terms are not available to search at all, while in the results for search able terms, answers about Islam come first. "The best search for Islam", the website states on its main page, on which the color green, known as Islam's color is used. For example, a search for "alcohol" first lists results about alcohol in Islam. Meanwhile, words like "porn" or its Turkish version "porno" and the word "sex" cannot be searched while "seks", the Turkish word for "sex", can be searched. The Web site states that all advertising income will be donated to charitable foundations that send aid to Palestine. (ANSAmed). 2009-01-14

80% FRENCH MUSLIMS FAITHFUL TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, MAY 8
Some 80% of Muslims in France believe they remain faithful to their countries of origin, according to a survey by the American Gallup research institute that questioned a sample of Muslims in 27 countries. In all 8% said they were not faithful to their original countries and 12% did not reply. The research also showed that in Britain Muslims "loyal" to their original countries amount to 82% and in Germany the figure is 71%. The survey published yesterday but carried out in 2008 adds that only 44% of French of other religions believe that are faithful to their country against 35% who believe the contrary and 21% who didn't reply. The French emerged as the most tolerant on religious matters and, together with the Dutch, the most willing in Europe to welcome a neighbour of another religion. At the other end of the spectrum are the Israelis who say openly that they do not respect other religions, according to the survey. The poll, carried out with the support of the Coexist Foundation, a British charity that promotes inter-religious relations, covered a sample of 500 Muslims per country. The samples of people from other religions varied from 100 to 1000 people in size.(ANSAmed). 2009-05-08

HOLLAND: (FIRST EVER) MUSLIM RETIREMENT ONLY REST HOME ON ITS WAY

(ANSAmed) - AMSTERDAM, MAY 25 - Retirement homes with separate common rooms - women on one side, men on the other - and an area for prayer. A wing for elderly Moroccan residents is to be opened at the Rosendael Retirement home in Utrecht. The Aveant Nursing Home and insurance company Agis are behind the initiative, according to Dutch press. The elderly people who cannot manage to integrate even at an advanced age come from Turkey, Morocco and Suriname. They do not speak Dutch well, and they feel lost in traditional retirement homes, where residents play cards and eat typical Dutch dishes. "Elderly Muslims often shut themselves in their room and spend their time alone", said Fatima Benaya from the De Kastanjehof retirement home in Amsterdam, where there is a multicultural common room. According to Agis 500 places will shortly be available, although they do not specify when. Each elderly resident will have a room to themselves with a bathroom, and communal areas with other guests. "We are trying to recreate a safe environment where elderly Moroccans can live their own faith and culture", explained head of the project for Aveant, Rosan van der Aa. Meanwhile, in Utrecht, the initiative is a success: people of Moroccan origin have already begun to ask for places, while more than two hundred people have already replied to the advertisement for staff. (ANSAmed). 2009-05-25

TURKISH (MUSLIMA) BUSINESSWOMAN ON (FORTUNE MAGAZINE'S) LIST OF 50 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN

(ANSAmed) - ANKARA, OCTOBER 8
Turkish businesswoman has been ranked in the Fortune Magazinés annual international list of '50 Most Powerful Women In Business'. Guler Sabanci, President of the Executive Board of the Sabanci Holding, is the only Turkish businesswoman on the list. The magazine introduced Sabanci as a 53-year-old businesswoman in her fifth year at the helm of her family's industrial, financial, and retail empire. Sabanci Holding's revenue grew 23% in 2007 to USD 14.8 billion, and the firm continues to profit from Turkish economic growth. Sabanci also is expanding the conglomeratés supermarket chain, and entering into a new energy joint venture, Enjerjisa, that aims to beef up the undersized Turkish power system. (ANSAmed). 2008-10-08

FRANCE: GRADUATES MUSLIM CHAPLAINS LOOKING FOR WORK

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, DECEMBER 9
The Head of the Al Ghazali Institute of the Great Mosque of Paris, Djelloul Seddiki, launched an appeal to the Justice Minster, Rachida Dati, to become involved with the problem of Muslim "chaplains" in prisons and to hire those who received diplomas after having attended courses at the Al Ghazali Institute and the Institut Catholique in Paris. No job proposals have been formulated for the new graduates, and "if our students see that that are no outlets, they will be discouraged", said Seddiki underlining that the training of an imam (4 years of study) costs 12,000 euro. According to him, there are currently 352 jobs to award as Muslim chaplains in French prisons, where 60% of the inmates are Muslims. On November 22, 40 imams and chaplains, among which were 9 women, received a diploma. The imams can work as chaplains, but those who were trained as chaplains cannot be imams. "They can find work as imams in prayers halls and mosques, but chaplain jobs depend on the administration that can hire them in prisons, hospitals, and education", specified Seddiki. (ANSAmed)2008-12-09

QUALIFIED WOMEN CAN ISSUE FATWA, ACCORDING TO ISLAMIC EXPERTS

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 27
Islamic scholars have softened their position with regard to the topic of whether competent women scholars are qualified to issue religious edicts (Fatwas) or not. "Issuing Fatwa is not restricted to men alone. Well-qualified women scholars can also do it," was the message given by the recently concluded Makkah International Conference on Fatwa and Its Regulations, Gulf News reports today.

The Fatwa Charter, which will serve as a guideline on the issuing of Fatwas, adopted by some 170 prominent Islamic scholars from around the world, does not contain any provisions that prohibit women from issuing Fatwas. It clearly explains that the scholars, who are pronouncing Fatwas must have the following conditions: "Islam, Justice, maturity, intelligence, and deep knowledge in Islamic rules." None of the 41 articles of the Charter prevents women from issuing Fatwas.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah Al Manie, member of the Saudi Senior Scholars Commission, said that it is permissible to incorporate women as members of the Commission and allow them to take part in bodies that pronounce Fatwas as they are like men in performing their religious obligations and responsibilities. Speaking to reporters, he said that membership in the commission is not at all a monopoly of men. "Really, I see no objection for a woman becoming a scholar or mufti or involving in any consultative bodies, provided that she should be keen in protecting her dignity and no mixing with men," he said.

Naif Al Shahri, a noted Saudi preacher, told Gulf News that it is essential that no Fatwa shall be issued by any individual scholar on a public topic effecting the interests of Muslim Ummah and its future. "In such cases, the Fatwa shall be announced by a group of scholars." The Makkah Conference highlighted the significance of Fatwa in Islam and its regulations and set the muftìs conditions and duties. The scholars also stressed moderation in Fatwa and detailed the problems facing Fatwa and its negative effects. The conference called on institutions that teach Islamic law to incorporate the basic principles and guidelines for Fatwas in their curricula, as well as to organize frequent panel discussions and meetings to familiarize scholars with the principles of the right method of issuing Fatwas and to warn against the dangers of issuing ill-prepared rulings. (ANSAmed).
2009-01-27

FRANCE: HAIRDRESSERS IN PARIS FOR VEILED WOMEN

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, FEBRUARY 19 A thick, coloured blind is cancelling out the debate in France over integration and secularism. It is hanging up in a unisex hairdresser in Suresnes on the outskirts of Paris 'to protect the modesty of Muslim women'', in other words from the indiscreet stares of men having their hair and beards trimmed on the other side of the salon. 'Room reserved for veiled women'' reads the leaflet advertising the salon in Marrakesh, which is on the ground floor of a council block, and 'for the veiled woman who does not want men to look at her, there is a corner just for her''. Four sofas have been placed in the area which takes up half the salon, where Muslim women can remove their veils and place themselves in the expert hands of the hairdressers and colourists who are also of course women.....
(ANSAmed). 2009-02-19

ITALY: (ECONOMIC) CRISIS: FOOD IS ADAPTING, HALAL SALAMI FOR MUSLIMS

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JUNE 11 From Halal salami to attract customers amongst the 1.4 million Muslims now living in Italy, to 'cow pooling' (buying beef in bulk to save money) and garden products delivered by boat through the Venetian canals. These are only a few of the young entrepreneurs' ideas to fight the economical crisis that were mentioned during the 'Oscar Green', the agricultural innovation awards sponsored by the younger members of the Italian Farmer Federation (Coldiretti), with the patronage of the President of the Republic. Winners received their awards during a ceremony in Palazzo Rospigliosi. With the number of immigrants having doubled over the last 10 years, Halal food is a market on the rise, with a 67 billion USD turnover in Europe. That is why Antonio Fernando Salis (Exporting for the Territory award) from the La Genuina di Ploaghe farm (Sassari) decided to prepare cured meats according to Halal rules (for Muslims) and Kosher rules (for Jewish), with lamb and goat meat. All products are checked and approved by an Imam and a rabbi. (ANSAmed). 2009-06-11

AFRICA

EGYPT: DOLL WITH VEIL FOR MUSLIM GIRLS

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
It has wide eyes, highlighted by brushstrokes which look like long eyebrows and long eyelashes, but the rest of the face is covered: the mouth to above the nose, from the neck of the flowered dress, and the hair is hidden under a beige scarf which crosses at the forehead and holds it under the light-coloured veil. It is a doll, made in China, to an Egyptian design and in the toy shops of Cairo at a price of 36 and 42 Egyptian pounds (around 5 euro) it is what Egyptian newspaper Al Badil (The Alternative) is talking about in its item "Islamic doll corners the market". It is sold in three versions: one with a veil and normal clothes, one with the niqab, the veil which shows only the eyes, and one in a bridal gown with a veil. But it doesn't have a name. "The sale of this doll is to get little girls used to wearing the veil, because usually girls copy the dolls they play with" said toy shopkeeper Ayman Salem. Another shopkeeper says he is proud of the Egyptian design: "the Chinese do not know our traditions so we sent them the design for our market". More than a hundred a month are imported and around half have been sold in the last six months. (ANSAmed). 2008-11-27

MOROCCO: HEALTH MINISTER, 67% MEDICINE GRADUATES ARE WOMEN

(ANSAmed) - ROMA, NOVEMBER 28. 2008
Yasmina Baddou, Moroccòs Health Minister, was proud to announce that 67% of its medicine graduates in 2007 were women. The daily 'L'Opinion' writes this, telling the story of the parliamentary questions in the Chamber of Advisors of Morocco (House of Lords). For some branches of medicine, for example nephrology, almost all graduates are women, the minister added, many of them married with children. This would obstruct the decision to accept to work in remote areas in the country, where there is a great need for medical staff however. Minster Baddou explained the problem, underlining that some medics refuse to work far from what she called the "axis Rabat-Casablanca". The minister proposes a system of shifts, so that more patients in Morocco can consult a doctor. Attempts are made to guarantee the most stubborn graduates, by contract, that they will be transferred to less peripheral regions within 12 or 24 months. (ANSAmed).2008-11-28

CALL TO THE GLOBAL UMMAH:

(ED NOTE: IS THE UMMAH THAT HELPLESS THAT IT CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO REDUCE BELOW SIGNIFICANT DISCRIMINATION ? FIVE OR TEN YEARS FROM NOW, WHETHER BELOW STATISTICS WILL INCREASE, DECREASE OR REMAIN THE SAME PARTLY DEPENDS ON WHETHER WE PREFER TO REMAIN INDIFFERENT OR DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT ?)

3 OUT OF 4 MUSLIMS (LIVING IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES ARE) DISCRIMINATED, NOT REPORTED BY 79%

(by Paola Del Vecchio) (ANSAmed) - MADRID, MAY 28 , 2009
Three out of four Muslims living in EU countries have been the victim of racial discrimination in the past 12 months, especially at work. And that is only the tip of the iceberg, since 79%, especially young people, don't report discrimination because 63% believe it "would do no good". This data is contained in the 'Report Focus 2: Muslims', the first EU survey - 23,500 interviewed - on the experiences of immigrants and ethnic minorities regarding discrimination and racism, carried out by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and presented today by FRA director Morten Kjaerum, at the Arab House in Madrid. The interviews were carried out by Gallup Europe among groups of immigrants and ethnic minorities, particularly Muslims, including North Africans, Sub-Saharans, Turks, Iraqis and Muslims from former Yugoslavia, a sample of the 13-20 million Muslims living in Europe.

"The Muslims interviewed don't think that religion or the habit to wear headscarves or Muslim clothes is the main reason for discrimination", said Iannis Dimitrakopoulos, head of the FRA Equal Opportunities and Rights Department, underlining that the data doesn't reflect the perception, rather concrete examples of discrimination.

This discrimination focuses on nine areas: when looking for a job (18%) or at work (13%); when trying to rent or buy a house (14%), in restaurants or in shops (14%) and when turning to health services or opening a bank account. Of all those interviewed, 37% have been discriminated against, and 12% have been the victim of racism.

Regarding the fact that these incidents are often not reported, Dimitrakopoulos said that it is "often caused by a sense of general resignation, as if these things are part of life. The authorities of each country are obliged to fight the problem, informing their citizens on how to report these cases, on their rights, on the laws which protect them". Eighty percent of the Muslims interviewed were in fact not aware of the existence of organisations which they can turn to for support or advice. In Spain 65% of those interviewed didn't know about anti-discriminatory legislation, against a European average of 37%. (ANSAmed). 2009-05-28

UMMAH IN PICTURES:

ELECTIONS IN IRAN:

(President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won the elections in the Iranian Elections)

The four main candidates contesting the presidential election on June 12, 2009. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was defiant Wednesday in the face of mounting criticism of his vitriolic attacks on his political rivals, unleashing a new tirade in his last campaign appearance. (AFP Graphic/Sophie Ramis)

Iranian women stand in line to cast their votes at Masoumeh shrine in Qum, about 120 kms south of Tehran, Friday, June 12, 2009. Iranians voted Friday on whether to keep hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power for four more years or replace him with a reformist more open to loosening the country's Islamic restrictions and improving ties with the United States. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Iranian women stand in line to cast their votes at Masoumeh shrine in Qum, about 120 kms south of Tehran, Friday, June 12, 2009. Iranians voted Friday on whether to keep hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power for four more years or replace him with a reformist more open to loosening the country's Islamic restrictions and improving ties with the United States. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

An Iranian groom and his bride arrive at a polling station to vote for the presidential elections in downtown Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 12, 2009. Iranians packed polling stations from boutique-lined streets in north Tehran to conservative bastions in the countryside Friday with a choice that's left the nation divided and on edge: keeping hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power or electing a reformist who favors greater freedoms and improved ties with the United States. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A supporter with a picture of former Parliament speaker and Iran's upcoming presidential election candidate Mehdi Karroubi, attends an election campaign at a stadium in Tehran, May 29, 2009. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/Files

Iranian women hold prayer beads and registration cards as they line-up to vote in Qom. Voters began queuing from dawn for Iran's crucial presidential election, eager to have their say in bringing about change or ensuring more of the same in the Islamic republic. (AFP/Amir Hesami)

An Iranian girl holds a passport as she waits with women wearing black chadors to cast their ballots at the shrine of Hazrat-e Massoumeh, granddaughter of Prophet Mohammad in the city of Qom 120 km (75 miles) south of Tehran June 12, 2009. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Iranian women wait in line to cast their votes for the presidential election, inside the Ershad mosque in northeastern Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 12, 2009. Iranians packed polling stations from boutique-lined streets in north Tehran to conservative bastions in the countryside Friday, with a choice that's left the nation divided and on edge: keeping hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power or electing a reformist who favors greater freedoms and improved ties with the United States. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

An Iranian woman talks on her mobile phone as another adjusts her hijab, as they wait in line with others to cast their votes for the presidential election, inside the Ershad mosque in northeastern Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

KASHMIR, INDIA
(All photoes from yahoo.news/photos)

Masked Kashmiri protestors shout pro-freedom slogans in Srinagar on June 6. Indian police Sunday arrested a hardline Kashmiri separatist for encouraging week-long protests over the alleged rape and murder of two Muslim women. (AFP/Rouf Bhat)

Activists of Muslim Khawateen Markaz scuffle with policewomen as they shout anti-Indian and anti-government slogans during a protest in Srinagar on June 8. Indian police stepped up security in Kashmir Monday and detained more separatists to try and prevent fresh protests over the alleged rape and murder of two Muslim women by security forces. (AFP/Tauseef Mustafa)

Kashmiri government employees shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar. India's home minister on Thursday demanded security personnel in Indian Kashmir respect human rights, officials said, amid accusations they raped and murdered two Muslim women. (AFP/Tauseef Mustafa)

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