VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 161, December 12, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

Editorial:

ONE COMMUNITY, ONE LOVE, ONE WORLD

Dear Global Citizens of the World:

Please join us to liberate mankind from the oppression, compulsions and impositions from internal and external forces impinging on our lives. We believe that NO RELIGION, NO COUNTRY, NO CULTURE has a right to impose its values over others.

We support Almighty Allah's order in the Holy Quran:
"THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION".

Please join us to celebrate Allah's ultimate conviction which he so clearly stated in the Holy Quran that:
" MANKIND IS BUT ONE COMMUNITY".

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

We the majority of all faiths and creeds are in a way helpless due to our own moderate outlook. You may have heard the saying, that EMPTY DRUMS MAKE MORE NOISE or ONLY SQUEAKY WHEELS GET THE ATTENTION. In the same way, the extremists of all faiths, nationalities including the secularists are rattling and making literally a loud noise and trying to impose their values on the global majority and during this historical crossroad of the contemporary period with global faiths, we call on all citizens of the globe to unite and oppose such imposition from any single source.

We respect all religions, nationalities, cultures and call for an OPEN SOCIETY. A society in which human beings have a inalienable right to express themselves in whatever aspect they individually feel is appropriate, for the simple fact, that the individual life in question is theirs and not anybody else's.

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

If Almighty Allah really wanted, with his endless supreme powers he could have very easily made the entire mankind strictly follow Islam in all its details. But the glorious Almighty Allah did not want such imposition and refused to implement the above. Almighty Allah wanted human beings to be given a choice, and use their brains to distinguish between the right and wrong and then follow the most appropriate choice the individual decides to follow. Almighty Allah also made it clear about the outcome of the choices we make in terms of our final destination that may end up in heaven or hell.

The main point from the above is the CHOICE THAT ALLAH has given to mankind. And we appeal to the global ummah to work together to uphold Allah's will to allow each and every human being the choice to decide in which direction he or she wants his or her life to follow.

In conclusion, we support a woman's right to wear niqab or hijab if she so prefers to want to wear while at the same time, we respect the right of a woman to wear any other dress if she so chooses. It is about her and not about us. The least we can do is respect her decision as being made by an adult.

From the Quranic verse quoted above of there being NO COMPULSION, we don't believe that we have a right to IMPOSE or MANDATE our Islamic belief or values on others. However if non-Muslims would voluntarily want to know more about Islam, needless to say, we would do all possible to educate and enlighten them about Islam.

Though Muslims don't have ISLAMIC MISSIONARIES with hospitals and schools across the world, though there continues to be severe backlash by certain misinformed section of people, though certain sections of the global media continues to be biased against Islam, still ISLAM thrives and continues to be the fastest growing religion in the world and is a lightning rod when it comes to the zeal, enthusiasm and passion that followers of any religion could ever possibly dream of having. We found below article by Amy Kyleen Lute informative.

Our focus in this E-Zine is to celebrate the diversity of mankind by acknowledging & respecting the differences among mankind while at the same time, as Muslims maintaining our Islamic identity in all possible ways.

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

PART I:

ISLAM, LOVE AND GLOBAL UMMAH

ALNOORJOURNAL.ORG
Amy Kyleen Lute

THE VAST COLLECTION OF HADITH SHEDS CONSIDERABLE LIGHT ON ISSUES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CHARITY. THE HADITH TEACHES THAT GOD'S LOVE APPLIES UNIVERSALLY AND TO EACH INDIVIDUAL, CREATING A CULTURE THAT VALUES BOTH THE PERSON AND THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH ALL ARE EQUALLY VALUED AND RESPECTED. IN ORDER TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC, ONE MUST FIRST ADDRESS THE IMPLICATION OF GOD AS AN INFINITELY LOVING AND MERCIFUL BEING ON THE FORMATION OF COMMUNITY.

ACCORDING TO ISLAM, COMMUNITY IS A REFLECTION OF GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE. THE TEACHINGS ON LOVE SUGGEST AN INESCAPABLE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF OUR LOVE AND COMMITMENT FOR GOD AND FOR EACH OTHER. THE PROPHET SAYS THAT THE WAYS HUMANS LOVE ONE ANOTHER IS YET ANOTHER REFLECTION OF GOD'S LOVE. THE GREATER A BELIEVER'S DEVOTION TO GOD, THE MORE HE CAN SEE AND LOVE HIS FELLOW BELIEVERS.

God is revealed to believers as they grow to love others intimately, which allows them to more fully recognize and appreciate God and one another. An understanding of this intertwined relationship between oneself and God, and oneself and others is essential to the development of a true and complete commitment to becoming closer with God. In many hadith, a causal relationship is developed between these two forms of love. "My love is by necessity for those who love one another, for those who sit with one another in Me, for those who give generously to another in Me, and for those who visit one another in Me"
(Mu 'adh, ibn 'Arabi (85),alik ibn Anas)

......According to the hadith, a Muslim's identity depends on more than pronouncements of faith. Muslims must become the full embodiment of these beliefs through living faith. By emphasizing a commitment to community, the hadith create a culture of social and personal responsibility to justice and equality.

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

PART II:

DO WE HAVE A RIGHT TO IMPOSE OUR VALUE ON BELOW:

WOMEN WHO ARE DEMANDING EQUAL RIGHTS WITH MEN IN TERMS OF EXPOSING THEIR CHESTS:

LOS ANGELES, Aug 11
On Aug. 22, for the third consecutive year, U.S.-based GoTopless.org will stage a national Go-Topless Day protest to proclaim women’s constitutional right to go bare-chested in public. During the protest, while participating women go bare, male participants will cover their chests to comply with gender equal rights by wearing bikini tops or bras.

For Rael, spiritual leader of the Raelian Movement (rael.org) and founder of Gotopless.org, the equation is simple:

"As long as men can go topless, women should have the same constitutional right or men should also be forced to wear something that hides their chests.”

(gotopless.org)

Venice Beach protest
( Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times / August 22, 2010 )
Passersby shoots photos as topless protesters march down the Venice Beach boardwalk. Demonstrations were held in a dozen cities Sunday, urging equal rights for women to go topless in public.

(yahoo.com)

(yahoo.photos.com)

(ED NOTE:

LET US CELEBRATE DIVERSITY. LET THE ABOVE SECULARIST EXTREMISTS AND BELOW MUSLIMS BE MORE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PEACE. LET THE GLOBAL MODERATE MAJORITY BE TOLERANT OF BOTH GROUPS IN TERMS OF THEIR DRESS AND APPEARANCE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PEACE)

(yahoo.photos. com)
(Ed Note: Muslim woman must have equal right to dress as they see fit)

(yahoo.photos.com)

(Ed Note: Muslim woman must have equal right to dress as they see fit)

(yahoo.photos.com)

(Ed Note: Muslim woman must have equal right to dress as they see fit)

(yahoo.photos.com)
(Ed Note: Muslim woman must have equal right to dress as they see fit)

(yahoo.photos.com)

DO WE HAVE A RIGHT TO FORCE BELOW PARTICIPANTS NOT TO HAVE A "NO PANTS DAY" ?

(yahoo.photos.com)

RUSSIA:
(A government that encourages wearing short skirts)

(englishrussia.com)

UKRAINE

(yahoo.photos.com)

(the-spearhead.com)

A new feminist group has burst onto the scene in Ukraine, and so far it seems to consist mainly of women who enjoy making a spectacle, often by removing their clothes. Founded two years ago by a university student, they have gained attention by protesting topless.

Oddly enough, one thing they have protested by removing their clothing to get attention is prostitution, but they have also denounced cooking, child-rearing, homemaking, anti-adultery laws and Russians.

LONG LIVE THE MODEST MUSLIMA.

WE HAVE DEEP RESPECT FOR EACH AND EVERY MUSLIMA WEARING THE HIJAB/NIQAB . MAY ALLAH REWARD THEM FOR THEIR SUBMISSION TO ALLAH'S WILL.

(yahoo.photos.com)

WE SUPPORT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO WEAR A NIQAB OR HIJAB OR ANY OTHER MODEST DRESS AS SHE FEELS APPROPRIATE:

(yahoo.photos.com)

A woman wearing a niqab shops in a supermarket during the first day of winter sales in Leers, northern France, January 6, 2010. REUTERS/Farid Alouache

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

PART III
LET US CELEBRATE DIVERSITY OF MANKIND IN THE ISSUE OF WEDDINGS

(ED NOTE:
A TRULY FREE SOCIETY IS ONE WHICH IS OPEN AND TOLERANT TO DIVERSITY IN ALL ITS FORMS: LET US TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF WEDDING.

IN TERMS OF WEDDING DO WE HAVE ANY RIGHT TO IMPOSE OUR VALUE SYSTEM AS TO HOW A COUPLE CHOOSES TO INITIATE THEIR WEDDING ? PLEASE REMEMBER THAT A WEDDING IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF BUT A BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER IN ONE'S LIFE.

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

WE HOPE THAT REGARDLESS OF THE RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL OR INNOVATIVE WAY A COUPLE CHOOSES TO HAVE THEIR WEDDING, WE BELIEVE THAT WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT THEIR MARRIAGE LEADS TO LONG TERM HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT OF THEIR GOALS FOR WHICH THEY AGREED TO ENTER THE SOCIAL INSTITUTION AND LEGAL CONTRACT OF MARRIAGE)

(Brides during wedding day in Pakistan)

RUSSIA

(englishrussia.com)

(englishrussia.com)

BICYCLE WEDDING:

(englishrussia.com)

A PALESTINIAN BRIDE:

MUSLIM WEDDING IN INDIA

WEDDING OF TENNIS STAR SANIA MIRZA

Wedding Photojournalism Association: www.wpja.com

HINDU WEDDING IN INDIA

CHRISTIAN WEDDING:

(coupleswedding.com)

BUDDHIST WEDDING:

WET WEDDING
(SCUBA DIVING WEDDING)

For those who are convinced the world has more water than dry land for a reason, there is the scuba wedding with everyone from the bride and groom to the flower girl are underwater. (weirdworm.com)

WEDDING PRESIDED BY ROBOT IN JAPAN

SKYDIVING WEDDING:

A plain old fashioned skydiving wedding is still weird, but what started out as a rare event now has wedding planners all over the world like this one in Atlanta. (weirdworm.com)

Bungy Jumping Wedding

The hobby of Bungy cord Jumping is the inspiration behind the next weird theme wedding in which the couple throws themselves off a bridge or cliff with bungy cords keeping them bouncing in the air just above the ground. At least this way you know how your new spouse will handle the ups and downs of married life. (weirdworm.com)

MAKING MARRIAGE VOWS WHILE BEING HUNG BY PIERCED HOOKS

(oddee.com)

(weirdworm)

PART IV:

DO WE HAVE A RIGHT TO IMPOSE OUR VALUE SYSTEM ON BELOW MEXICAN PREGNANT WOMEN WHO HAVE A CUSTOM OF DANCING IN THEIR LATE STAGE OF PREGNANCY?

(yahoo.photos.com)

PART V:

(xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

SPORTS:

(ED NOTE:

It is unfortunate that even in sports, there are various forces in play impacting women. Non-Muslims tend to see a Muslim woman through the lens of a non-Muslim. Not surprisingly they do not understand that ISLAM IS A WAY OF LIFE, which means that Islam will manifest itself in the life of an individual in his or her daily religious rituals, food, work, hobbies and participation in various activities including sports. It is unfortunate that many non-Muslims do not see a Muslim woman in sports favorably if she maintains her Islamic identity by wearing her modest dress. On the contrary, it is equally unfortunate that many Muslims see a non-Muslim women in sports in a negative way if she is partially clothed.

CLASH OF CULTURES (lolsnaps.com)

(susiebigadventures.blogspot.com)

We appeal to both Muslims and Non-Muslims to be more tolerant of each other's distinct differences and PLEASE LEAVE THE WOMEN ALONE and respect their individual right to wear what they feel is best and most appropriate. It is our personal opinion that the Muslim extremists have retarded the progress of women by misinterpreting and deviating from the basic teachings of Islam through Holy Quran and Sunnah. On a personal level, we strongly encourage Muslim women to assertively reach out to participate in various sports while at the same time we encourage them to maintain their Islamic identity and would respect their wishes even if they decide against the above.)

Ariane Friedrich of Germany on her way to victory in the women's high jump at the ISTAF (Internationales Stadionfest) IAAF World Challenge in Berlin. AFP/Johannes Eisele)

(arbroath.blogspot.com)

(americanmuslim.wordpress.com)

(lovehabibi.com)

(damcoolpics.blogspot.com)

(bartamaha.com)

(persianfootball.com)

(payvand.com)

(shahrzael.wordpress.com)

(payvand.com)

(ISNA)

(bartamaha.com)

(rferl.org)

Indian Muslim girl in Chinese Martial Arts
(muslimwomeninsports.com)

(arbroath.blogspot.com)

(kabbadi game. telegraph.co.uk)

(ED NOTE:
We end this note with our humble prayers to Almighty Allah to guide mankind towards peace, to give us the ability to be more tolerant of each other, more respectful of each other while at the same time for us to be firm in our practice of our loving religion of peace - Islam.. AMEEN)