VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 177, April 3, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

(www.xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"The Fire (of Hell) is forbidden to touch anyone who is close to the people, soft, lenient, and kind-hearted." Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 223

EDITORIAL:

If you are looking to enrich your knowledge pertaining to details of Holy Quran and Hadith, sorry you have reached the wrong site. However if you are looking to understand the challenges that the global ummah is facing in the contemporary diverse, multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-national world, then you have reached the right site. Despite the increasingly diverse and heterogeneous global population, the people of ABRAHAMIC FAITH and of other faiths have common interests in terms of maintaining the traditional family, fighting injustice and have united stand against EXTREMISTS OF ALL FAITHS. It is high time that the CITIZENS OF THE WORLD join hands together and work for the COMMON GOOD OF HUMANITY.

The global ummah is NOT living in an island but is dispersed in almost every country and corner of the globe. As Muslims our guide is the HOLY QURAN and teachings of Prophet Mohamed (SAW). As the name of this E-Zine GLOBAL UMMAH rightly represents Ummah from various parts of the world. In this E-Zine, we have touched on issues impacting Muslims in the United States, Europe, discussed on chronicles in terms of destruction of family and ongoing injustice against women, sexual health and chronicles in extremism.

PART - I

AMERICAN UMMAH

MUSLIM PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMENDS HEARING RECOGNIZING 'OUR COUNTRY’S STRENGTH LIES IN ITS DIVERSITY'
MPAC NEWS

(Washington, DC - 3/29/11) – Today, the Muslim Public Affairs Council commended the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights for holding a productive hearing on “Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims.” MPAC welcomed the committee’s support for the civil rights of all Americans, including Muslims.

“We applaud Sen. Durbin’s leadership in bringing the issue of civil rights to the forefront of public policy discourse,” said MPAC President Salam Al-Marayati.

“We look forward to working with him and all of members of Congress in countering fear and intimidation against any religious or ethnic groups in America.”

The hearing focused on issues affecting the civil rights of Muslim Americans, including hate crimes, school bullying, confusion about sharia and workplace discrimination. The hearing highlighted the work of the Department of Justice’s civil rights enforcement and included testimony from four civil rights lawyers and faith-based leaders.

Witnesses called to today’s hearing included:

Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
Farhana Khera, Executive Director of Muslim Advocates
Theodore McCarrick, Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC
R. Alexander Acosta, Dean of the Florida International University College of Law & former U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights

"Muslim, Arab, Sikh and South Asian Americans are entitled to the same fundamental rights and protections guaranteed by the Constitution to all Americans," Khera said.

"The common commitment to religious freedom is at the heart of American life,” McCarrick said. “As other countries wrestle with how to treat religious minorities, let them look to our nation, as we can ensure our Muslim sisters and brothers are treated with dignity. Let them see that here people are blessed with full religious freedom and respect for all religions."

Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) spelled out the purpose of the hearing as “to make it clear there are some basic and fundamental principles that guide how we deal with one another.”

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) stressed the importance of protecting Muslim Americans’ religious freedom, adding that even one incident of bias or hate against Muslim Americans is “one case too many.”

"There are some real issues to be dealt with [today],” Graham said. “Can we stand up for the rights of Muslim Americans? Yes, we must; if any one group suffers, we all suffer. The biggest victim of radical Islam is fellow Muslims; we are all in this together. Muslims who are trying to separate themselves from radical Islam need our help."

MPAC yesterday submitted written testimony for the record, which stressed that Muslim Americans are neither villains nor victims with respect to our political circumstances.

"We are like any other American group, reaffirming America as home, committed to defending our country against any threat, both domestic and foreign, and enriching American pluralism by making it a better place to live for all.

"The contributions of Muslim Americans to all aspects of civil society and public policy discourse will inevitably be seen for what it actually is doing -- strengthening America. At that point, we have succeeded against the current civil rights challenge to all Americans."

TAKE ACTION:

Please take 5 minutes to contact the following Senators to thank them for holding today’s hearing and addressing the challenge to Muslim American civil rights:

Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Founded in 1988, MPAC is an American institution which informs and shapes public opinion and policy by serving as a trusted resource to decision makers in government, media and policy institutions. MPAC is also committed to developing leaders with the purpose of enhancing the political and civic participation of Muslim Americans.

PART - II

ISLAM IN EUROPE:

www.islamineurope.blogspot.com
March 31, 2011

France: Religious Leaders Concerned About Islam Debate

31 Mar 2011

Via AFP:

Leaders of six religions on Wednesday voiced concern that a debate on France's secular nature and Islam planned by President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing party could lead to confusion and stigmatization.

The text signed by Roman Catholic, Protestant, Christian Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist leaders described secularism as "a pillar of our republican pact, a basis of our democracy, a foundation of our desire to live together."

"Let's take care not to squander this precious gain," they warned, saying it was "capital during this pre-election period, to calmly stay the course by avoiding lumping things together and the risks of stigmatization."

Denmark: 32% Want to Ban Halal Butchering

31 Mar 2011

Via the Copenhagen Post:

In Denmark, where a majority are either Christian or without religion, halal meat is increasingly common. We just don’t know it. While 96 percent of all Danes regularly eat chicken, a full 67 percent are not aware that the chickens are butchered using the halal method, according to a survey conducted by Interresearch for Søndagsavisen.

Bunkenborg believes it is the industry’s responsibility to inform its consumers, but he admits that it is not easy for them to know how the animals have been butchered.

“Some producers have chosen to label their halal products, but they are under no obligation to do so,” he said.

The Danish Consumer Council (DCC) does not think there is a basis for labelling halal-butchered chickens. “There could be a debate about animal welfare during the slaughtering, but the Animal Ethics Council has given the go-ahead in that area,” said Camilla Udsen, a DCC spokesperson.

Despite that, 32 percent of Danes think that halal butchering should be banned over concerns of animal welfare.

UK: British Muslims for Israel

03 Apr 2011

Via Israel National News:

A new British group called British Muslims for Israel thinks calls for Israel's destruction are "nonsense" and condemn Hamas and Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade who are "determined to kill indiscriminately."

The group lobbies for Israel and highlights hypocrisy of Iran and Muslim dictatorships. A spokesman for the group, Hasan Afzal, explained in an interview with Channel 10 that Muslims in Israel are freer than they are under repressive Arab regimes.

PART - III

CHRONICLES IN DESTRUCTION OF FAMILY:

Report unmasks extremely explicit sex education materials for children in UK
(lifesitenews.com)
Rebecca Millette
Mar 11, 2011

A report issued in the UK earlier this week, called “Too Much, Too Young,” unmasks the extremely explicit nature of sex education material that public groups are pushing on school children as young as five-year-olds. Among other things, the controversial resources teach youngsters about oral and anal sex, as well as prostitution, masturbation, and “straight and gay,” and include explicit depictions and descriptions of sexual intercourse, as well as real footage of full-frontal adult nudity.

The Christian Institute, an advocacy group, published the extensive report on Wednesday, along with the 16 public councils that are advocating the programs. “If sex education is forced on primary schools by a change in the law, we expect the use of these resources to become more widespread,” said the report.

Among the explicit resources highlighted in the report, is the book “How did I begin?” by Mick Manning and Brita Granström, which includes illustrations of a couple in an intimate embrace in bed, with an explicit description of intercourse and sperm release. It also provides definitions of the words “erection,” “orgasm,” “masturbation,” and “prostitute.”

Another book, “Where did I come from?” by Peter Mayle, has full-frontal illustrations of a couple and informs youngsters that sex feels like “tickling” and is similar to “skipping” because “you can’t do it all day long.”

“Most parents would be deeply upset if these materials were used with their primary-aged child,” said Mike Judge, Head of Communications at The Christian Institute in the report press release.

Nick Seaton of the Campaign for Real Education, commented, “Some of this stuff could destroy someone’s childhood if it upset them too much.”

Sex education material aimed at children ages 7-11 becomes even more explicit. A video produced by BBC Active shows full-frontal adult nudity, and gives detailed illustrations and explanations of intercourse.

“Too many local authorities are taking their lead from the Sex Education Forum – a body that includes organizations that encourage sexual experimentation and aim to break down traditional moral standards.”

“Too Much, Too Young” includes advice for parents on taking action in the sex education debate, including contacting MPs and, as a last resort, filing statutory complaints.

BABY SELLING SURROGACY BILL PASSES WASHINGTON STATE HOUSE

www.LifeSiteNews.com

Kathleen Gilbert

Mar 11, 2011

OLYMPIA, Washington
A controversial bill that clears the path for homosexual couples to attain legal parentage of children and sets up parameters for paid surrogacy passed late last month along party lines in the Washington State House of Representatives.

HB1267 amends several aspects of the Washington state code to replace legal references to “mother” and “father” with “parent,” and would allow homosexual couples to hire a woman to carry a child to term and immediately claim legal parentage of the child upon his or her birth.

However, the law gives the surrogate mother free rein to abort the child with no legal repercussions from the waiting couple.

According to The Daily Herald, laws allowing compensated surrogacy exist in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Texas. It is currently a felony to buy or sell a child in Washington, and unpaid surrogacy, such as among family members, is permitted.

A public hearing on the measure, which went to the Senate after passing the House 57-41 on Feb. 28, has been set for March 15 at 1:30 pm.

Although the bill was backed almost solely by House Democrats, the Herald noted that Democrat Rep. Mark Miloscia, a social conservative and a Catholic, was among the most vehemently opposed.

One of his several proposed amendments mocked the legislation, proposing that couples be allowed to “enter into womb rental agreements with low-income women, lonely military wives, or women with mental illness or disabilities.”

“I am OK with surrogacy for compassion,” said Miloscia, one of whose amendments renamed the measure “the Baby Selling Act of 2011.” “This is completely different. You are turning a baby into a product; I said ‘a widget’ on the floor. And you are turning a low-income woman into a breeding facility with no protection.”

Miloscia also called for the baby to be a taxable product, but that amendment also failed.

Backholm told LifeSiteNews.com that the gender-neutering language of the bill represented the erosion of the natural family in state law. “The expectation should be that when kids are born, there’s a mother and a father,” Backholm said.

Dr. Sharon Quick, a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and retired Clinical Assistant Professor from the Washington School of Medicine, agreed.

“It’s really treating children as trophies to be won or bought by the highest bidder,” said Quick, who, as a respected fact-checker of scientific literature, also criticized the assumption that homosexual parentage should be put on legally equal footing with a traditional household.

“The scientific literature is clearly on the side of the best environment for a child is with a married mom and dad in a low conflict situation,” Quick told LifeSiteNews.com in a telephone interview.

(news.yahoo.photos.com)

PART IV

CHRONICLES IN INJUSTICE AGAINST WOMEN:

(ED NOTE:
Do you think that it is okay for thousands of women to have abortion without any legal consequences and essentially kill a growing fetus, however it is NOT OKAY and in fact is a crime for a desperate female who attempted suicide to have in the process inadvertently killed her fetus ? Would you recommend that a suicidal person be referred for psychiatric treatment in order to be TREATED OR additional stress be given to her by charging her with a crime of homicide (murder) and feticide with possibility of receiving PUNISHMENT if convicted.)

INDIANA CHARGES SUICIDAL PREGNANT WOMAN WITH "FETICIDE" AND "HOMICIDE"(RH Reality check. March 31, 2011)

In December of 2010, Bei Bei Shuai, a 34-year-old pregnant woman living in Indiana, attempted to end her own life. She did so in one of the slowest and most painful ways possible: she consumed rat poison. With help from friends who intervened, however, she made it to a hospital and survived. The premature newborn she delivered by undergoing cesarean surgery did not.

An Indiana prosecutor’s response has been to charge her with the crimes of murder (defined to include viable fetuses) and feticide (defined to include ending a human pregnancy at any stage). She has been arrested, denied bail, and will, unless bail is granted, be imprisoned for as long as her case proceeds through the court system

“Virginity Tests” Forced On Egyptian Women Protesters

msmagazine.com

March 23, 2011
Amelia Thomson-Deveaux

(ms.magazine.com)

Although Egypt’s popular revolution was inspiring because, as Judy Molland wrote a few weeks ago, women were a “strong, defiant force” in the revolt that toppled the Mubarak regime, some information is now filtering out that makes it clear that women protesters were still subject to some fairly horrible, sexist treatment.

Amnesty International is now condemning the treatment of at least 18 women who were held in military detention after being arrested during a protest on March 9 (a month after Mubarak stepped down). The women told Amnesty International that they were beaten, given electric shocks, and subjected to strip searches while being photographed. They were then forced to submit to “virginity tests” and told that if they were “found not to be virgins,” they could be charged with prostitution.

“The army officers tried to further humiliate the women,” an Amnesty International report explained, “by allowing men to watch and photograph what was happening, with the implicit threat that the women could be at further risk of harm if the photographs were made public.”.

Egyptian feminist Nawal El Saadawi reacted with outrage, saying that “[Egyptian women] are furious. We participated in every part of the revolution, and then as soon as it ended we were completely isolated.”

UNITED STATES

(Ed Note:

We appeal to the American Ummah to support women in below class action suit against Walmart Sex Discrimination case that has now reached the Supreme Court)

NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER:

Sex discrimination. In the workplace. It's madness — right? Imagine hearing things like this at work:

"If you would wear lower-cut shirts, you would probably get more pay".

"The way I see it, a whore for a quarter is a whore for a quarter".

"Men are here to make a career and women aren't. Retail is for housewives who just need to earn extra money".

Women working at Wal-Mart report that these were just a few of the absurd statements made by Wal-Mart managers. They are part of the record in the largest class-action fair pay case in history: Wal-Mart v. Dukes, which is being heard today in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Title IX Suit Filed Against Yale University For "Hostile Sexual Environment"
Jezebel.com
April 1, 2011

Margaret Hartmann

Today the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced it will open an investigation of Yale University "for its failure to eliminate a hostile sexual environment on campus, in violation of Title IX."

The Yale Herald reports that earlier this month, 16 Yale students and alumni filed a complaint with OCR, citing several public scandals, including Delta Kappa Epsilon's rape chant, and private cases of sexual harassment and assault. Current student Hannah Zeavin, one of three complainants who have gone public, say the atmosphere on campus, "precludes women from having the same equal opportunity to the Yale education as their male counterparts."

The complaint includes personal accounts from five students, along with descriptions of these well-publicized incidents:

Delta Kappa Epsilon pledges chanting "No means yes! Yes means anal!" on campus in October 2010.

A September 2009 "Preseason Scouting Report" email, which was written and circulated by a group of male students. The email ranked 53 freshman women in the order of how many beers it would take to have sex with them.

Pledges from Zeta Psi surrounding the entrance to the Yale Women's Center in January 2008 with signs that said "We Love Yale Sluts."

Fraternity members stealing t-shirts inscribed with accounts of sexual assaults from the Clothesline Project in 2005".

"Yale deliberately shields those who commit sexual harassment and rape from both the public eye and from the consequences of their actions," says Zeavin, who is distressed by the continued presence on campus of those who have been accused of sexual assault.

"You cannot imagine what it is like to sit in class with the person who raped your best friend."

AUSTRALIA

Visa Agents Involved in Sex Trade
Nick Mckenzie, Maris Beck
March 31, 2011
(www.theage.com.au)

MIGRATION agents registered by the federal government are helping to run illegal prostitution rackets across Melbourne.

Up to six migration agents have worked with the mostly Asian syndicates running prostitution rackets in Melbourne and Sydney.

One of the agents involved in the sex industry in Melbourne helps to find Asian women, including those on student visas, to work as prostitutes in four different CBD apartments.

Migration agents are registered by the federal government and have powers to help people get visas and deal with the Immigration Department. They are meant to be governed by a strict code of conduct.

An investigation by The Age has also discovered that:

Under-age women have been working in illegal brothels in Melbourne's inner east.

The Australian Federal Police is investigating people linked to two state-licensed brothels as part of a human trafficking inquiry that has already led to the charging of a woman for allegedly forcing Chinese students to work as prostitutes.

A senior state government minister is planning to introduce new laws to force police to take more action against illegal brothels.

The two licensed brothels linked to a human trafficking and sexual slavery inquiry are not the only government-registered and approved brothels with ties to organized crime.

PART V

SEXUAL HEALTH:

Below sayings from www.islamfortoday.com

The Prophet Mohamed (SAW) stated that in one's sexual intimacy with one's life partner there is sadaqa (worship through giving).

God's Messenger(s) said: "In the sexual act of each of you there is a sadaqa." The Companions replied: "0 Messenger of God! When one of us fulfills his sexual desire, will he be given a reward for that?" And he said, "Do you not think that were he to act upon it unlawfully, he would be sinning? Likewise, if he acts upon it lawfully he will be rewarded." (Muslim)

"Of His signs is this: that He created for you spouses that you might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy." (Quran, 30:21)

Allah created male and female from a single soul in order that man might live with her in serenity (Quran, 7:189),

"Not one of you should fall upon his wife like an animal; but let there first be a messenger between you." "And what is that messenger?" they asked, and he replied: "Kisses and words." (Daylami)

5 ways Sex Can Make You Look and Feel Younger
www.ivillage.com

(From lowering stress to protecting your heart, sex does a body good)

(1) Libido Increases Energy

The word "libido" does not just refer to sex; if you look in the dictionary, it also means "positive life energy." Libido is often a reflection of a person's feelings of motivation, confidence and "mojo." If a person's libido is low, their energy will be low, so it’s worth evaluating and doing something to improve it.

Elizabeth Gutrecht Lyster, M.D., M.P.H. of Holtorf Medical

(2) Sex Reduces Stress

Research started by Alfred Kinsey in the 1940's shows that people with fulfilling sex lives experience less anxiety and tend to be less violent or hostile. Sex causes the release of oxytocin, endorphins and dopamine, all of which are hormones that increase positive feelings of attachment, affection and closeness.

(3) Oxytocin Is Good for Your Health

Sexual activity, especially orgasm, causes the release of the hormone oxytocin -- the “love” hormone” -- that gives all sorts of health benefits, like mood enhancement, lower cortisol (the stress hormone), lower blood pressure, glowing skin and possibly even protection against several hormone-mediated cancers (breast, ovarian, prostate)

(4) Sex Protects Your Heart

For both men and women, studies show that sex has a protective effect on our health. Researchers in Ireland found that men having frequent sex had a 50 percent decrease in their risk of cardiovascular mortality as compared to men having the least amount of sex. Other studies have confirmed similar findings in women, especially if they are reaching orgasm.

(5) Sex Gets the Blood Flowing

Healthy sexual encounters cause the dilation of blood vessels all over the body, which in turn improves blood flow to many of the body's organs, including the brain. Blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells and improves organ health.

PART VI

CHRONICLES IN EXTREMISM:

Right-Wing Media Attacked Muslim Advocates for Giving Muslims Common Legal Advice

(Media Matters)

29 Mar 2011
www.loonwatch.com

(Farhana Khera did a good job at the Dick Durbin hearings today
MPAC NEWS).

As a Senate subcommittee is poised to begin a hearing on Muslim civil rights, several right-wing media outlets are attacking Farhana Khera, a witness at the hearing and the Executive Director of the Muslim legal advocacy group Muslim Advocates, for urging American Muslims to have an attorney present when speaking to law enforcement. But this is standard advice given by many legal rights advocacy groups, including the American Bar Association and the Naval Legal Service Office.

Legal Groups Regularly Advise People To Have An Attorney Present When Speaking To Law Enforcement…

American Bar Association: It Is “Wise To Have A Lawyer Present” When Questioned By Law Enforcement. The ABA’s Division for Public Education provides the following advice:

But Right-Wing Media Nonetheless Smeared Khera For Giving That Advice To Muslims.



THE END