Volume 128, April 25, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, USA Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
Editorial:
An important content of this issue is on the tragic death of innocent Russians in the train bombing committed by extremist Chechnya's. Our condolences to all the family members for the death of their loved ones. As we had mentioned in the past issues of this E-Zine, Islam forbids the killing of innocents and we urge the global ummah to condemn such anti-Islamic actions. Did the elections in Sudan go freely and fairly or were there doubts of possible fraud during the election process ? Vote on banning full face veil in Belgium has its group of supporters and critics. Where do we draw the line between not interfering the laws initiated by the legislators of a sovereign country VERSUS defending the rights of an individual to dress in a way that she perceives personifies her religious beliefs. Is United Arab Emirates walking on a thin line between integrating the EAST and the WEST ? This and other related issues comprise the contents of this E-Zine.
AFRICA
SUDAN ELECTIONS: WAS IT A FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS?
Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir (C) and his wife Wadad Babaker attend a celebratory gathering at ruling the party headquarters in Khartoum on April 26. President Beshir travelled to neighbouring Egypt on Tuesday on his first trip abroad since his re-election was declared on Monday.(AFP/File/Ebrahim Hamid)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter visits a polling station during the elections in Khartoum April 11, 2010. Confusion, delays and allegations of fraud marked the start of Sudan's first multi-party elections in a quarter-century, a vote that will test the fragile unity of Africa's biggest country. The three-day election will be a key indicator of whether Sudan can fend off renewed conflict and humanitarian crisis as it heads toward a 2011 referendum that could bring independence for the oil-producing south. REUTERS/Mohamed Nurdldin
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter observes a polling station for Sudan's first multiparty elections in decades in Khartoum, Sunday, April 11, 2010. The elections were billed as a chance to bring democracy to Sudan and start to heal a history of turmoil. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf)
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter visits a polling station during the elections in Khartoum April 11, 2010. Confusion, delays and allegations of fraud marked the start of Sudan's first multi-party elections in a quarter-century, a vote that will test the fragile unity of Africa's biggest country. REUTERS/Mohamed Nurdldin
EUROPE
Belgium Places Ban on Burqas in Public
View of the Belgian Parliament prior to a vote on banning the full-face Islamic veil in public. Muslims in Belgium hit out at the looming public ban , saying claims it was being introduced for security reasons were simply an excuse to crack down.. (AFP/Georges Gobet)
BRUSSELS: A vote against wearing face-covering veils in public was unanimously established on Wednesday. This legislation represents a major legislative step, which could make Belguim the first European country to impose such a religious prohibition. (AP)
A woman wears a burqa as she walks on a street in Saint-Denis, near Paris, April 2, 2010.Reuters/Regis Duvignau
A statue in the Place de la République is covered in a cloth to symbolise the burqa during a demonstration on March 6. An influential committee of Belgianlawmakers has voted to impose a nationwide ban on wearing the Islamic burqa in public, paving the way for the first clampdown of its kind in Europe.
FRENCH MUSLIMA FINED BY TRAFFIC POLICE FOR WEARING FACE COVERING VEIL:
A 31-year-old French veiled woman, no name released, addresses the media in Nantes, western France, Friday, April 23, 2010. Traffic police in the western city of Nantes fined her in early April based on sufficient field of vision, his lawyer Jean Michel Pollono said. The fine was small, 22 euro/US$29, but may illustrate what's to come as the president, Nicolas Sarkozy, pushes to outlaw the veils nationwide
Anne, an assumed name of 31-year old French woman who has been fined for wearing a niqab while driving, and her husband Lies Hebbadj (top) arrive for a news conference in Nantes, western France, April 26, 2010. She told French media on Friday that police stopped her last month while she was driving in the city of Nantes, near the French Atlantic coast, and handed her a 22-euro ($29.6) fine, saying her veil posed a "safety risk" to her driving. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
Anne, an assumed name, a 31-year old French woman who has been fined for wearing a niqab while driving, speaks during a news conference in Nantes, western France, April 23, 2010
24th Annual Meeting of French Muslims in Paris - April 24, 2010
Burqa-clad woman walks inside an exhibition hall A burqa-clad woman walks inside an exhibition hall during the 27th annual meeting of French Muslims organized by The Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF) at Le Bourget, northern Paris, April 3, 2010. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
Women look at veils, inside an exhibition hall during the 27th annual meeting of French Muslims, in Le Bourget, outside Paris, Sunday, April 4, 2010 (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
GOOD WILL MISSION
(Associated Press photo / April 5, 2010)
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, left, and Brad Pitt, second from left in foreground, visit Bosnian Muslim refugee Sabina Karman, and her four children, in the village of Medjedja, near the eastern Bosnian town of Visegrad, 43 miles east of of Sarajevo. Jolie and Pitt visited Bosnia on Monday, intending to spotlight the plight of 117,000 people who have not been able to return to their homes, even though the Bosnian war ended 15 years ago.
CHECHNYA:
(Ed Note: We express our deep sympathy and sorrow to the family members of the innocent victims who died in recent train bombings in Russia. Killing of innocents should be condemned by all Muslims across the globe)
Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov is seen in this screenshot taken March 31, 2010. Umarov claimed responsibility for suicide bombings in the Moscow metro that killed at least 39 people, according to a video posted on an unofficial Islamist rebel website on Wednesday. REUTERS/Kavkazcenter/Handout
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, left, seen during a meeting on security at transport in Moscow, Tuesday, March 30, 2010. Vladimir Putin vowed Tuesday to 'drag out of the sewer' the masterminds of the twin suicide bombing of the Moscow subway system that killed 39 people and left scores wounded. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikkolsky, Pool)
Map of the Caucasus region showing main points of conflict. A car packed with explosives blew up in Russia's restive North Caucasus with the country on high alert after an Islamist group claimed the Moscow metro bombings and warned of more strikes. (AFP/Graphic)
ASIA
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: DUBAI
Fashion giant Armani is due to unveil its newest collection -- not of clothing, but hotel suites. The luxury label is making its mark in the hotel industrywith customary style -- opening its hotel in Dubai's 1.5 billion dollar Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world. 17(AFPTV)
World-renowned fashion designer Giorgio Armani has selected the French Fashion University Esmod French Fashion University Esmod in Dubai as partner for an upcoming fashion show that will mark the opening of the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa on April 27, 2010. The Italian designer will be mentoring 25 students from Esmod Esmod who will dress the participating catwalk models with Armani creations.
Top Emirati officials visiting the landmark Burj Dubai, the world's tallest man-made structure. With tolerance wearing thin for behaviour considered inappropriate, more and more Emiratis are denouncing the "offensive" customs of the very foreigners who are contributing to their country's success. (AFP/File/Karim Sahib)
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, left, and Emaar Properties Chairman Mohamed Alabbar cut the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the Armani Hotelin Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday April 27, 2010. A luxury hotel crafted by designer Giorgio Armani opened Tuesday as the first landmark tenant in the world's tallest skyscraper. The 160-room Armani Hotel Dubai is a welcome bit of good news for Dubai's leaders after the troubled debut of the more than half-mile (828-meter) Burj Khalifa in January.(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, left, puts a piece ribbon in his pocket after he cut it with Emaar Properties Chairman Mohammed Al Abbar, afterthe opening of the Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday April 27, 2010. A luxury hotel crafted by designer Giorgio Armani opened Tuesday as the first landmark tenant in the world's tallest skyscraper. The 160-room Armani Hotel Dubai is a welcome bit of good news for Dubai's leaders after the troubled debut of the more than half-mile (828-meter) Burj Khalifa in January.(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Oman's Muzana Musafir (R) receives an award from Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid, chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, at the endof the Gulf Film in Dubai on April 14. Musafir won a prize in the Students' Competition for her film on the veil, entitled "Niqab (AFP/File/Karim Sahib)
An Emirati family walks behind a foreign couple in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. With tolerance wearing thin for behaviour considered inappropriate, more and more Emiratis are denouncing the "offensive" customs of the very foreigners who are contributing to their country's success.(AFP/File/Karim Sahib)
Foreign workers in Sharjah in March 2008. Seventeen Indian nationals have been sentenced to death for killing a Pakistani man in a turf dispute between bootleg liquor gangs in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, local media reported on Monday. (AFP/File/Haider Shah)
POLITICAL REPRESSION
KYRGYZSTAN: A combination picture shows a demonstrator being shot during clashes near the presidential administration in Bishkek April 7, 2010. Kyrgyz troops opened fire on anti-government protesters on Wednesday outside the offices where President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was sheltering from clashes that have killed dozens of people, a Reuters witness said. REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov
A plain clothes policeman kicks an anti-government protester in Bishkek April 7, 2010. Kyrgyz forces fired on thousands of protesters in central Bishkek on Wednesday after some of the protesters tried to smash two trucks through the perimeter fence of the government building, said a Reuters reporter at the scene.REUTERS/Vladimir Pirogov
DON'T STEREOTYPE ONLY MUSLIMS
Taiwan man ties the knot at 96: A 96-year-old temple keeper has become Taiwan's oldest groom on record after marrying a woman less than one third his age,a report said Friday.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE Thanks to Dr. Lewis for forwarding below.
THE AGE GAP?
At 85 years of age, Roger married Jenny, a lovely 25 year old.
Since her new husband is so old, Jenny decides that after their wedding she and Roger should have separate bedrooms, because she is concerned that her new but aged husband may over exert himself if they spend the entire night together.
After the wedding festivities Jenny prepares herself for bed and the expected knock' on the door. Sure enough the knock comes, the door opens and there is Roger, her 85 year old groom, ready for action. They unite as one. All goes well, Roger takes leave of his bride, and she prepares to go to sleep.
After a few minutes, Jenny hears another knock on her bedroom door, and it's Roger, Again he is ready for more 'action'. Somewhat surprised, Jenny consents for more coupling. When the newlyweds are done, Roger kisses his bride, bids her a fond good night and leaves.
She is set to go to sleep again, but, aha you guessed it - Roger is back again, rapping on the door, and is as fresh as a 25-year-old, ready for more 'action'. And, once more they enjoy each other.
But as Roger gets set to leave again, his young bride says to him, 'I am thoroughly impressed that at your age you can perform so well and so often. I have been with guys less than a third of your age who were only good once. You are truly a great lover, Roger.'
Roger, somewhat embarrassed, turns to Jenny and says:
'You mean I was here already?'
The moral of the story:
Don't be afraid of getting old; Alzheimer's has its advantages.
GREECE (When was the last time that you really had quality time with your loved one ?)
A couple looks at the temple of Zeus (L) and the hill of the Acropolis in Athens, March 24, 2010. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
THE END
4/19/2010
VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 127, April 18, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
EDITORIAL:
SHOULD THE GLOBAL UMMAH ENCOURAGE THE TREND OF HAVING ISLAMIC FASHION SHOWS ?
The 1.5 billion Muslims including the Muslims in 57 Muslim countries should first of all change the paradigm of ISLAMIC DECISION MAKING. It is true that Holy Quran and the Hadith has answers to lot of global problems both at the micro and macro level, however there is already an inbuilt mechanism within Islam to encourage consultation among experts and reach consensus on those issues that directly are not obvious from the verses of the Holy Quran and quotations of hadith.
Not all, but certain Muslims have a tendency of carrying a "KNOW ALL" attitude. They have quick answers to all problems and questions and if you disagree with them, they waste no time to brand you a KAFIR (nonbeliever) or HYPOCRITE (Munafiqeen). Unfortunately, they believe in only black OR white, and in their opinion there is no grey or " in between" type of responses.
In order to inculcate better understanding of any complex issue, first of all, we encourage Muslims to be more tolerant and accommodating of the various diversity issues involved in any given issue. For example, with regard to the Islamic Fashion Shows, there are some Muslims who are quick to point out that it is "HARAM" and is strictly prohibited. No further discussions on this matter.
However we have the opposite approach. We don't claim to be experts, nor have the final word nor know the answers to all problems. We consider ourselves as students who are LEARNING and will continue to pursue knowledge endlessly. The more we learn, the more we realize that there is much more to learn and towards this end, we are out to seek your valuable feedback and opinions on various issues besides seeking knowledge from other sources including consulting with Islamic experts.
We strongly believe in having an open mind and to encourage discussion and try to weigh in as many different perspectives as possible. Most Muslims DO NOT dispute that the Holy Quran and Hadith is the FINAL WORD. But what is really the problem and fuel for deep differences is the INTERPRETATION of both of above gems. It is NO breaking news to hear of different vested groups interpreting specific Quranic verses or disputing the hadith on its strength or weakness to prove their own personal points or beliefs. For example, you will never hear the notorious Osama bin Laden ever talking about the Quranic verse MANKIND IS BUT ONE COMMUNITY, instead he will keep repeating statements emphasizing DIVISIONS AMONG HUMANITY with emphasis on US verses THEM attitude thereby trying to fuel more hate and conflict between groups. One wonders, how he would respond, if asked: Is Islam a religion of peace ?
Coming back to the Islamic Fashion Show, could there be a majority consensus in terms of having a common stand FOR or AGAINST such shows? In Iran they permit such shows but with the condition that it only has a female audience in such shows. Various countries have different approaches in dealing with such shows. What is your opinion - Should such shows be encouraged or discouraged by the Muslim Governments and the global Ummah ? Since such Fashion shows primarily involve women, it is very important to get feedback from women. Their valuable input is being lost time and time again, yet they make up half the population of our Global Ummah and are the bedrock and backbone of our families in general.
(Instead of repeating under each photo, it is to be acknowledged that all photos below are from yahoo.news.photos)
GERMANY: BERLIN ISLAMIC FASHION SHOW
A Model presents a wedding dress by Turkish designer Muhterem Cen during the "WALK OF ISLAM" Fashion Show in Berlin
Berlin Muslim Fashion Show
INDONESIA: JAKARTA ISLAMIC FASHION SHOW
TURKEY-ISTANBUL FASHION SHOW
A Turkish model displays a creation during a fashion show featured in ISLAMIC STYLE WORKS in Ankara (english-peopledaily.com)
A model presents swimwear for Muslims during the Islamic Fashion Fair in Istanbul April 11, 2010. REUTERS/Murad Sezer
ISLAMIC FASHION SHOW - MALAYSIA
FASHION SHOW - PAKISTAN
A PEEK OUTSIDE OUR ISLAMIC BOX (Easter Celebrations)
Young men dressed in traditional clothing toss girls into a brook during Easter celebrations in the village of Trencianska Tepla, Slovakia Monday, April 5, 2010. Dousing girls with water is a traditional Easter celebration. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Hungarian youths dance as part of traditional Easter celebrations in Szenna, 189km (117 miles) southwest from Budapest April 2, 2010. Locals of village Szenna of Hungary, celebrate Easter with the traditional "watering of the girls", a fertility ritual rooted in Hungarian tribes' pre-Christian past, going as far back as the second century after Christ. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh
A Hungarian girl holds a lamb as part of traditional Easter celebrations in Szenna, 189km (117 miles) southwest from Budapest April 2, 2010. Locals of village Szenna of Hungary, celebrate Easter with the traditional "watering of the girls", a fertility ritual rooted in Hungarian tribes' pre-Christian past, going as far back as the second century after Christ. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh
Hungarian youths dance as part of traditional Easter celebrations in Szenna, 189km (117 miles) southwest from Budapest April 2, 2010. Locals of village Szenna of Hungary, celebrate Easter with the traditional "watering of the girls", a fertility ritual rooted in Hungarian tribes' pre-Christian past, going as far back as the second century after Christ. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh
Hungarian youths dance as part of traditional Easter celebrations in Szenna, 189km (117 miles) southwest from Budapest April 2, 2010. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh
A veiled woman prays during a gathering called 'FOR LOVE OF JUAREZ' by the members of several Christian churches in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Friday, April9, 2010. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)
SPECIAL THANKS TO SISTER NAJMUNISA WHO FORWARDED BELOW E-MAIL AND BELOW AWESOME POEM SEEM TO HAVE BEEN ORIGINATED BY SISTER AMINA OMER
In search of me I discovered truth. In search of truth I discovered love. In search of love I discovered God and in God I found everything.
THEY lie on the table side by side
The Holy Quran and the TV Guide.
One is well worn and cherished with pride.
Not the Quran, but the TV Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide.
Not the Quran, but the TV Guide.
As the pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV
So they open the book in which they confide.
No, not the Quran, but the TV Guide.
The Word of Allah is seldom read.
Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be.
Not from reading the Quran, from watching TV
So then back to the table side by side,
Lie the Holy Quran and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer, no time for the Word,
The plan of Istiqama is seldom heard.
But forgiveness of sin, so full and free,
Is found in the Quran, not on TV
Take 60 seconds & give this a shot!
Let's just see if Shaytaan stops this one.
All you do is
1) say:
A- Subhan Allah B- Alhamdulila C- Allahu Akbar D- La ilaha ila Allah Mohammad Rasool Allah E- Allahuma sali aala sayidna Mohammad wa ala alihi Wasahbihi wasal'um
2) Then send it on to five other people or more.
Within hours five people have prayed for you, and you caused multitude of people to pray to Allah for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of Allah work in your life for doing things that you know HE loves. Anything worth having is worth fighting for....
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
Thanks to Dr. Lewis for forwarding below e-mail
Marriage (Part I )
Typical macho man married typical good-looking lady, and after the wedding, he laid down the following rules:
"I'll be home when I want, if I want and at what time I want -- and I don't expect any hassle from you. I expect a great dinner to be on the table unless I tell you that I won't be home for dinner. I'll go hunting, fishing, boozing, and card-playing when I want with my old buddies, and don't you give me a hard time about it. Those are my rules. Any comments?"
His new bride said: "No, that's fine with me.. Just understand that there will be sex here at seven o'clock every night
whether you're here or not."
( DARN SHE'S GOOD!)
Marriage (Part II)
Husband and wife had a bitter quarrel on the day of their 40th wedding anniversary!
The husband yells, "When you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads, 'Here Lies My Wife -- Cold As Ever'!"
"Yeah?" she replies. "When you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads,
'Here Lies My Husband -- Stiff At Last'!"
(HE ASKED FOR IT!)
Marriage (Part III)
Husband (a doctor) and his wife are having a fight at the breakfast table.
Husband gets up in a rage and says, "And you are no good in bed either," and storms out of the house..
After some time he realizes he was nasty and decides to make amends and rings her up.
She comes to the phone after many rings, and the irritated husband says,
"What took you so long to answer to the phone?"
She says, "I was in bed." "In bed this early, doing what?" "Getting a second opinion!"
(YEP, HE HAD THAT COMING, TOO!)
Marriage (Part IV)
A man has six children and is very proud of his achievement. He is so proud of himself, that he starts calling his wife," Mother of Six" in spite of her objections. One night, they go to a party. The man decides that it is time to go home and wants to find out if his wife is ready to leave as well. He shouts at the top of his voice, "Shall we go home Mother of Six?"
His wife, irritated by her husband's lack of discretion, shouts right back, "Any time you're ready, Father of Four."