VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 181, April 30, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
Volume 181, April 30, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke
EDITORIAL:
This issue of VOGU is a continuation from the previous issue with its focus on Muslims living in western countries. We have touched on issues of "Extremism raising its ugly head again" and since April is SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH, we also addressed this issue from an Islamic perspective.
PART A
EUROPE:
NORWAY:
(ED NOTE:
We appreciate Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's participation in tea time event at a Muslim's home. Please note the Princess discussion about the "importance of showing openness to other's beliefs and understanding that no one is morally superior to others, regardless of belief". To those Muslims who are serious about global peace in an increasingly multi-cultural & multi-religious society, please take note).
The Norwegian Centre against Racism in Norway organized a Tea Time campaign last week, in which Muslims invited non-Muslims over for tea. The goal of the campaign was to enable Norwegians to meet Muslims and get a broader perspective of them then they can through the media. Statistics show that most ethnic Norwegians do not have immigrant friends, and this shows the importance of meeting and talking.
Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit participated in the event, and were hosted by the Iranian Adampour family in Grünerløkka, Oslo. After the visit Crown Princess Mette-Marit reported by twitter: We talked about the importance of showing openness to other's beliefs and understanding that no one is morally superior to others, regardless of belief.
Theologian to Live in Norway to Confirm Muslim Prayer times
www.todayszaman.com
April 26, 2011
RUSSIA:
Top Imam Calls For Crescent On Russia's Crest’
(condensed version)
April 15, 2011
Agence France-Presse
A top Muslim cleric called Friday for a crescent moon to be added to Russia's double-headed eagle coat of arms to represent the country's multi-million-strong Muslim population.
"We are asking for one of the heads to be topped with a crescent moon and the other to be topped with a Russian Orthodox cross," Talgat Tadzhuddin told the Moskovskiye Novosti daily in an interview.
"All the crowns on the coat of arms – two on the heads of the eagles and one above them in the middle – are topped by crosses. But Russia has 20 million Muslims. That's 18 percent of the population," he said in an interview.
The Imam, who heads the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, a major regional association, said he sent the proposal to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and showed a sketch to President Dmitry Medvedev.
Most of Russia's Muslims live in historically Muslim regions, such as the North Caucasus, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, but there is also a huge swell of immigrants from Muslim ex-Soviet states to large cities. According to the last published census results, Russia in 2002 had around 14.5 million Muslim residents.
Tadzhuddin serves at the central mosque in Ufa, the capital of the mainly Muslim republic of Bashkortostan. Russia lacks a single governing body for Muslims, and the council he heads is one of three regional associations.
Russia readopted the tsarist double-headed symbol in 1993. The two heads of the eagle are topped by crosses, and they are linked by a third crown, also topped with a cross.
FRANCE:
April 25, 2011
France to Ban Muslim Street Prayers
PressTV
EUROPE:
NORWAY:
(ED NOTE:
We appreciate Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit's participation in tea time event at a Muslim's home. Please note the Princess discussion about the "importance of showing openness to other's beliefs and understanding that no one is morally superior to others, regardless of belief". To those Muslims who are serious about global peace in an increasingly multi-cultural & multi-religious society, please take note).
Via the Royal Palace site:
The Norwegian Centre against Racism in Norway organized a Tea Time campaign last week, in which Muslims invited non-Muslims over for tea. The goal of the campaign was to enable Norwegians to meet Muslims and get a broader perspective of them then they can through the media. Statistics show that most ethnic Norwegians do not have immigrant friends, and this shows the importance of meeting and talking.
Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit participated in the event, and were hosted by the Iranian Adampour family in Grünerløkka, Oslo. After the visit Crown Princess Mette-Marit reported by twitter: We talked about the importance of showing openness to other's beliefs and understanding that no one is morally superior to others, regardless of belief.
Theologian to Live in Norway to Confirm Muslim Prayer times
www.todayszaman.com
April 26, 2011
Egyptian Islamic theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi will live in Norway for a set period of time in order to determine prayer times for Muslims in the world’s polar regions.
Qaradawi and his team will work to determine the five daily Muslim prayer times, the calculation of which are determined by the position of the sun, in a region where the sun does not rise and set as regularly as it does in other parts of the world.
Due to such factors as the rotation of the earth, the revolution of the earth around the sun, the tilt of the earth’s axis, the various latitudes of the earth’s locations and daylight saving time, the “times” (according to the clock) for these prayers change from day to day and depending on the location.
Polar regions like Norway, Finland and Alaska have areas where the sun stays below the horizon for several months in winter and stays above the horizon for several months in summer. Determining prayer times for such regions has been especially important.
Since 2009, when the fasting month of Ramadan coincides with the summer season, Muslims who live in countries with latitudes at 45 degrees or above have had to break their fast, have their pre-dawn meal and pray the evening prayer all within the span of one hour.
Qaradawi and his team will work to determine the five daily Muslim prayer times, the calculation of which are determined by the position of the sun, in a region where the sun does not rise and set as regularly as it does in other parts of the world.
Due to such factors as the rotation of the earth, the revolution of the earth around the sun, the tilt of the earth’s axis, the various latitudes of the earth’s locations and daylight saving time, the “times” (according to the clock) for these prayers change from day to day and depending on the location.
Polar regions like Norway, Finland and Alaska have areas where the sun stays below the horizon for several months in winter and stays above the horizon for several months in summer. Determining prayer times for such regions has been especially important.
Since 2009, when the fasting month of Ramadan coincides with the summer season, Muslims who live in countries with latitudes at 45 degrees or above have had to break their fast, have their pre-dawn meal and pray the evening prayer all within the span of one hour.
RUSSIA:
Top Imam Calls For Crescent On Russia's Crest’
(condensed version)
April 15, 2011
Agence France-Presse
This file photo shows headscarf-wearing Muslim students attending classes at the Grozny State Oil Institute in the capital of the Russian Caucasus region of Chechnya. AFP photo.
A top Muslim cleric called Friday for a crescent moon to be added to Russia's double-headed eagle coat of arms to represent the country's multi-million-strong Muslim population.
"We are asking for one of the heads to be topped with a crescent moon and the other to be topped with a Russian Orthodox cross," Talgat Tadzhuddin told the Moskovskiye Novosti daily in an interview.
"All the crowns on the coat of arms – two on the heads of the eagles and one above them in the middle – are topped by crosses. But Russia has 20 million Muslims. That's 18 percent of the population," he said in an interview.
The Imam, who heads the Central Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia, a major regional association, said he sent the proposal to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and showed a sketch to President Dmitry Medvedev.
Most of Russia's Muslims live in historically Muslim regions, such as the North Caucasus, Tatarstan and Bashkortostan, but there is also a huge swell of immigrants from Muslim ex-Soviet states to large cities. According to the last published census results, Russia in 2002 had around 14.5 million Muslim residents.
Tadzhuddin serves at the central mosque in Ufa, the capital of the mainly Muslim republic of Bashkortostan. Russia lacks a single governing body for Muslims, and the council he heads is one of three regional associations.
Russia readopted the tsarist double-headed symbol in 1993. The two heads of the eagle are topped by crosses, and they are linked by a third crown, also topped with a cross.
FRANCE:
April 25, 2011
France to Ban Muslim Street Prayers
PressTV
French Interior Minister Claude Gueant seeks to ban praying in the street as part of a continuation of recent discrimination against Muslims in the western European country.
Gueant said that he plans to make praying in the streets for Muslims illegal, although all public prayers in France receive government approval beforehand.
Gueant said that he plans to make praying in the streets for Muslims illegal, although all public prayers in France receive government approval beforehand.
“Here we have the hypocrisy of the French right. On one side, they authorize in the street and on the other side, they say ‘look French people, Muslims are taking over our streets and speak of invasion’,” French lawmaker Axel Urgin told a Press TV correspondent.
Even though France has the greatest Muslim population in Europe, Paris has only one mosque. This lack of mosques leaves French Muslims no choice but to attend Friday prayers at about a dozen street locations across France.
“If we are praying in the street, it’s because we have no other choice. We are using what we have, and that is the street,” the president of Muslim Association of Openness, Moussa Niambele said.
French politicians use the country’s 1905 secularism law as reasoning why taxpaying Muslims cannot be financially assisted by the government to build mosques. Right-wing mayors also allegedly refuse issuing construction permits to those who have the money.
Although another large mosque is currently under construction in the French capital of Paris, many say it will not be sufficient.
SZH/MMA/HRF
Religious Animal Slaughter Ban Considered In Netherlands
April 27, 2011
(condensed version)
April 27, 2011
(condensed version)
AMSTERDAM
One of Europe’s first countries to allow Jews to practice their religion openly may soon pass a law banning centuries-old Jewish and Muslim traditions on the ritual slaughter of animals.
In the Netherlands, an unlikely alliance of an animal rights party and the xenophobic Freedom Party is spearheading support for the ban on kosher and halal slaughter methods that critics say inflict unacceptable suffering on animals.
One of Europe’s first countries to allow Jews to practice their religion openly may soon pass a law banning centuries-old Jewish and Muslim traditions on the ritual slaughter of animals.
In the Netherlands, an unlikely alliance of an animal rights party and the xenophobic Freedom Party is spearheading support for the ban on kosher and halal slaughter methods that critics say inflict unacceptable suffering on animals.
The far right’s embrace of the bill, which is expected to go to a parliamentary vote this month, is based mostly on its strident hostility toward the Dutch Muslim population. The Party for the Animals, the world’s first such party to be elected to parliament, says humane treatment of animals trumps traditions of tolerance.
Jewish and Muslim groups call the initiative an affront to freedom of religion.
“I can speak for the Dutch Jewish Community and I think for the wider Jewish world, that this law raises grave concerns about infringements on religious freedom,” said Ruben Vis, spokesman for the Netherlands’ CJO, an umbrella of Jewish organizations.
Abdulfatteh Ali-Salah, director of Halal Correct, a certification body for Dutch halal meat, said he felt the debate made Muslims in the Netherlands feel Dutch society is more interested in animal welfare than fair treatment of its Muslim citizens.
Abdulfatteh Ali-Salah, director of Halal Correct, a certification body for Dutch halal meat, said he felt the debate made Muslims in the Netherlands feel Dutch society is more interested in animal welfare than fair treatment of its Muslim citizens.
“If the law goes through now there’s nothing else to do but protest,” he said. “And that’s what we’ll do.”
As in most western countries, Dutch law dictates that butchers must stun livestock – render it unconscious – before it can be slaughtered, to minimize the animals’ pain and fear. But an exception is made for meat that must be prepared under ancient Jewish and Muslim dietary laws and practices. These demand that animals be slaughtered while still awake, by swiftly cutting the main arteries of their necks with razor-sharp knives.
If the Netherlands does outlaw procedures that make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, it will be the first country outside New Zealand to do so in recent years. It will join the Scandinavian, Baltic countries and Switzerland, whose bans are mostly traceable to pre-World War II anti-Semitism.
As in most western countries, Dutch law dictates that butchers must stun livestock – render it unconscious – before it can be slaughtered, to minimize the animals’ pain and fear. But an exception is made for meat that must be prepared under ancient Jewish and Muslim dietary laws and practices. These demand that animals be slaughtered while still awake, by swiftly cutting the main arteries of their necks with razor-sharp knives.
If the Netherlands does outlaw procedures that make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, it will be the first country outside New Zealand to do so in recent years. It will join the Scandinavian, Baltic countries and Switzerland, whose bans are mostly traceable to pre-World War II anti-Semitism.
Holland has proud traditions of tolerance and was one of the first countries in Europe to allow Jews to live openly with their religion in the 17th Century.
The Muslim population, built on a wave of migration in the 1990s, is now about 1 million in a country of 16 million. Dutch Jews number an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 after 70 percent of their community died in Nazi concentration camps.
“What’s worse is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that slaughter without stunning is more harmful or painful for animals,” Vis of the CJO said.
Science surrounding animal slaughter is contentious. A 2009 study in New Zealand that monitored calf brain waves during ritual slaughter concluded the animals probably were aware of their pain. That led the country to ban the practice in 2010.
Ali-Salah predicted an outright ban would fail not only due to Dutch domestic political considerations, but also because it is not workable in practice.
“How are one million people going to obtain halal meat from a new source?” he said. “They are certainty not going to stop eating meat overnight.”
“How are one million people going to obtain halal meat from a new source?” he said. “They are certainty not going to stop eating meat overnight.”
PART B
NORTH AMERICA
CANADA
(COMMENTS FROM LOONWATCH:
I hope more and more women protest for their freedom of religion. Has anyone thought that maybe it isn’t face veils that are oppressive but the laws themselves that try to restrain people from practicing their religious beliefs?
On the heels of the French ban it looks like Canada may follow suit. The piece below unfortunately cites the Muslim Canadian Congress, an organization founded by the loon Tarek Fateh, which has near no credibility amongst Canadian Muslims).
France’s ban on Islamic face veils came into force today, and already, at least two veiled women have reportedly been detained for protesting the new law.
The ban, which carries a fine of 150 euros ($207), has reignited the debate over where to draw the line between protecting a nation’s values and ensuring individuals’ freedom of expression.
Those supporting the ban say the veils oppress women and don’t fall in line with the country’s values of gender equality.
Under France’s new law, anyone who forces women to wear a veil can face up to a year in prison and a fine 30,000 of euros.
But others, including some women who wear the veils themselves, believe the ban infringes on their freedom of religion and smacks of anti-Islamic sentiment.
In Canada, calls to introduce a similar ban have also prompted heated debate. For years, the Muslim Canadian Congress has urged for an end to the practice of wearing face-concealing niqabs and burkas, arguing the veils aren’t required under Islam, but are rather symbols of religious extremism and misogyny.
Canadian women who say they choose to wear the veils, however, argue that far from oppressing them, the face coverings guard their modesty.
Here, as in France, those who actually wear the veils are few. Should Canada consider following France’s lead? Or would doing so put unfair restrictions on a minority?
13 Apr 2011
By: Jalees Rehman, M.D.
DAYTON, OH
Sister Cora-Ann, a Catholic nun from the Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Dayton, Ohio got the surprise of her life yesterday, when she was asked to leave the plane she had just boarded at the Omaha International Airport.
“I had just sat down in my seat, and started to thank God for our blessings and recite a prayer in Latin”, she recalled, when one of the passengers sitting next to me called the flight attendant. The passenger was Elizabeth Bennet, who later stated: “It is not that we were prejudiced, but she did seem very suspicious. She was dressed in Muslim garb and just before we were about to take off, she started mumbling something in an Arabian or Talibani-sounding language. What was I supposed to do?”
Damien Thorn was a passenger seated in the adjacent row and said: “I knew there was something sinister about her, the moment she stepped into the plane. She was wearing those burqa clothes that you see the Iranian women wearing, and she only had a very small carry-on bag.” The flight attendant responded to the call and asked Sister Cora-Ann for her name, boarding pass and a photo ID.
GEORGIA:
Members of the Muslim community are concerned that their place of worship has been the target of an apparent hate crime for the second time in less than a month.
AFRICA
(EGYPT)
(COMMENTS FROM LOONWATCH:
I hope more and more women protest for their freedom of religion. Has anyone thought that maybe it isn’t face veils that are oppressive but the laws themselves that try to restrain people from practicing their religious beliefs?
On the heels of the French ban it looks like Canada may follow suit. The piece below unfortunately cites the Muslim Canadian Congress, an organization founded by the loon Tarek Fateh, which has near no credibility amongst Canadian Muslims).
Should Canada ban Islamic face veils?
April 11, 2011
by: Wency Leung
April 11, 2011
by: Wency Leung
France’s ban on Islamic face veils came into force today, and already, at least two veiled women have reportedly been detained for protesting the new law.
The ban, which carries a fine of 150 euros ($207), has reignited the debate over where to draw the line between protecting a nation’s values and ensuring individuals’ freedom of expression.
Those supporting the ban say the veils oppress women and don’t fall in line with the country’s values of gender equality.
Under France’s new law, anyone who forces women to wear a veil can face up to a year in prison and a fine 30,000 of euros.
But others, including some women who wear the veils themselves, believe the ban infringes on their freedom of religion and smacks of anti-Islamic sentiment.
In Canada, calls to introduce a similar ban have also prompted heated debate. For years, the Muslim Canadian Congress has urged for an end to the practice of wearing face-concealing niqabs and burkas, arguing the veils aren’t required under Islam, but are rather symbols of religious extremism and misogyny.
Canadian women who say they choose to wear the veils, however, argue that far from oppressing them, the face coverings guard their modesty.
Here, as in France, those who actually wear the veils are few. Should Canada consider following France’s lead? Or would doing so put unfair restrictions on a minority?
UNITED STATES:
Mother Jones: Anti-Sharia Bill Sponsors Are Kind of Clueless
(www.loonwatch.com)
On Wednesday, members of the North Carolina House debated HB 640, a bill to ban the use of Islamic Sharia law in state courts. This is nothing new: Since the beginning of 2009, two dozen states have considered such proposals, stemming from concerns that unless serious action is taken, American citizens will be forced to adhere to a draconian interpretation of Sharia. That’s the argument, at least, but through each of these bills, there’s been one nagging flaw—no one can explain, when pressed, why such legislation is necessary.
At this point, the drill is getting kind of familiar. How familiar? Well, here’s Laura Leslie, of Raleigh’s WRAL:
Rep. Verla Insko asked [State Rep. George] Cleveland twice for an example of a case that would show a need for the bill. “I do not have any specific examples off the top of my head,” Cleveland finally replied.
Hey, that sounds similar to the scene on Tuesday when the Missouri House voted on a bill to ban Islamic law from state courts:
[State Rep. Jamilah] Nasheed called on [State Rep. Paul] Curtman to provide a list of cases in which international law had been used in American courts but Curtman was unable to provide an example of such a case.
Missouri in March:
“I don’t have the specifics with me right now but if you go to—the web address kind of escapes my mind right now. Any Google search on international law used in the state courts in the U.S. is going to turn up some cases for you.”
Alabama last month:
[State Sen. Gerald] Allen could not readily define Shariah in an interview Thursday. “I don’t have my file in front of me,” he said.
Georgia in February:
[State Rep. Mike Jacobs] acknowledged that he was not aware of any instances in Georgia where a plaintiff or defendant asked the court to apply Sharia law but believes it has happened elsewhere.
Alaska in March:
In a hearing before the House State Affairs Committee, [State Rep. Carl] Gatto’s chief of staff, Karen Sawyer, said Sharia is an example of the type of transnational law that has appeared in family law, divorce and child custody cases nationally, though she knows of [no] instances of it appearing in Alaska courts.
South Carolina on Wednesday:
None of the senators nor Kevin A. Hall, a Columbia attorney who testified in support of the bill, were aware of any examples in South Carolina where courts upheld sharia law over the U.S. Constitution.
South Dakota in February:
[I]n testimony this week, proponents of a Sharia ban could not produce a single South Dakota case in which Islamic law had been a problem.”
Oklahoma last November:
Mr. Boughton acknowledged that he did not know of an instance in which Shariah law had been invoked by the courts.
Ok, I’ll stop. But maybe you’ve noticed a trend? America’s got some issues. If you’re looking for a way to doing something about them, you’re probably better off praying for rain.
PART C
EXTREMISM RAISES ITS UGLY HEAD YET ONCE AGAIN
Mother Jones: Anti-Sharia Bill Sponsors Are Kind of Clueless
(www.loonwatch.com)
23 Apr 2011
"Non-existant Sharia is such a burden in America, riiiiight".
More idiocy on the anti-Sharia front.
Mother Jones: BREAKING – Anti-Sharia Bill Sponsors Are Kind of Clueless
by Tim Murphy
by Tim Murphy
On Wednesday, members of the North Carolina House debated HB 640, a bill to ban the use of Islamic Sharia law in state courts. This is nothing new: Since the beginning of 2009, two dozen states have considered such proposals, stemming from concerns that unless serious action is taken, American citizens will be forced to adhere to a draconian interpretation of Sharia. That’s the argument, at least, but through each of these bills, there’s been one nagging flaw—no one can explain, when pressed, why such legislation is necessary.
At this point, the drill is getting kind of familiar. How familiar? Well, here’s Laura Leslie, of Raleigh’s WRAL:
Rep. Verla Insko asked [State Rep. George] Cleveland twice for an example of a case that would show a need for the bill. “I do not have any specific examples off the top of my head,” Cleveland finally replied.
Hey, that sounds similar to the scene on Tuesday when the Missouri House voted on a bill to ban Islamic law from state courts:
[State Rep. Jamilah] Nasheed called on [State Rep. Paul] Curtman to provide a list of cases in which international law had been used in American courts but Curtman was unable to provide an example of such a case.
Missouri in March:
“I don’t have the specifics with me right now but if you go to—the web address kind of escapes my mind right now. Any Google search on international law used in the state courts in the U.S. is going to turn up some cases for you.”
Alabama last month:
[State Sen. Gerald] Allen could not readily define Shariah in an interview Thursday. “I don’t have my file in front of me,” he said.
Georgia in February:
[State Rep. Mike Jacobs] acknowledged that he was not aware of any instances in Georgia where a plaintiff or defendant asked the court to apply Sharia law but believes it has happened elsewhere.
Alaska in March:
In a hearing before the House State Affairs Committee, [State Rep. Carl] Gatto’s chief of staff, Karen Sawyer, said Sharia is an example of the type of transnational law that has appeared in family law, divorce and child custody cases nationally, though she knows of [no] instances of it appearing in Alaska courts.
South Carolina on Wednesday:
None of the senators nor Kevin A. Hall, a Columbia attorney who testified in support of the bill, were aware of any examples in South Carolina where courts upheld sharia law over the U.S. Constitution.
South Dakota in February:
[I]n testimony this week, proponents of a Sharia ban could not produce a single South Dakota case in which Islamic law had been a problem.”
Oklahoma last November:
Mr. Boughton acknowledged that he did not know of an instance in which Shariah law had been invoked by the courts.
Ok, I’ll stop. But maybe you’ve noticed a trend? America’s got some issues. If you’re looking for a way to doing something about them, you’re probably better off praying for rain.
PART C
EXTREMISM RAISES ITS UGLY HEAD YET ONCE AGAIN
Catholic Nun Forcibly Removed From Plane for Wearing “Muslim Garb”
(www.loonwatch.com)13 Apr 2011
By: Jalees Rehman, M.D.
DAYTON, OH
Sister Cora-Ann, a Catholic nun from the Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Dayton, Ohio got the surprise of her life yesterday, when she was asked to leave the plane she had just boarded at the Omaha International Airport.
“I had just sat down in my seat, and started to thank God for our blessings and recite a prayer in Latin”, she recalled, when one of the passengers sitting next to me called the flight attendant. The passenger was Elizabeth Bennet, who later stated: “It is not that we were prejudiced, but she did seem very suspicious. She was dressed in Muslim garb and just before we were about to take off, she started mumbling something in an Arabian or Talibani-sounding language. What was I supposed to do?”
Damien Thorn was a passenger seated in the adjacent row and said: “I knew there was something sinister about her, the moment she stepped into the plane. She was wearing those burqa clothes that you see the Iranian women wearing, and she only had a very small carry-on bag.” The flight attendant responded to the call and asked Sister Cora-Ann for her name, boarding pass and a photo ID.
Blanche Dubois was another passenger sitting close to Sister Cora-Ann and explained: “Once I heard that her name sounded like Koran, I got worried. That does not mean that there is anything wrong with me, does it? I just did not want to die. I was so scared, that I just yelled out her name to all passengers.”
Mr. Okonkwo was a passenger seated a few rows behind and stated: “Once we all heard that the passenger’s name was Koran, things started falling apart.” Frodo Baggins, a frequent traveler, said he had heard that Muslims do not eat beef. “I did not think that she was Muslim, and to help her out, I took out some of my beef jerky and asked the lady to eat it to prove that she was not a Muslim.”
However, Sister Cora-Ann politely refused the beef jerky and reminded the other passengers that it was the time of Lent, during which Catholics often abstain from eating meat. The unrest in the plane kept growing, because most passengers were now convinced that Sister Cora-Ann was indeed Muslim and they demanded that Sister Cora-Ann leave the plane. “I did not want to cause my fellow humans any distress, so I left the plane”, she said.
Mr. Okonkwo was a passenger seated a few rows behind and stated: “Once we all heard that the passenger’s name was Koran, things started falling apart.” Frodo Baggins, a frequent traveler, said he had heard that Muslims do not eat beef. “I did not think that she was Muslim, and to help her out, I took out some of my beef jerky and asked the lady to eat it to prove that she was not a Muslim.”
However, Sister Cora-Ann politely refused the beef jerky and reminded the other passengers that it was the time of Lent, during which Catholics often abstain from eating meat. The unrest in the plane kept growing, because most passengers were now convinced that Sister Cora-Ann was indeed Muslim and they demanded that Sister Cora-Ann leave the plane. “I did not want to cause my fellow humans any distress, so I left the plane”, she said.
“We were so happy that we could continue our journey”, said Frodo Baggins. “Once she de-boarded, it felt like a huge burden was lifted from us.”
Apparently, there was indeed a Muslim on the plane, by the name of Abdullah Abdullah the 23rd, sitting in the last row. “Of course I knew that she was a Catholic nun and not a Muslim, because I went to a Catholic school and my favorite teachers were Catholic nuns.” Abdullah Abdullah went on to say “But let us face it: If you are a Muslim on a plane and someone else is being asked to leave the plane, the best thing is to be quiet and enjoy the show!”
Apparently, there was indeed a Muslim on the plane, by the name of Abdullah Abdullah the 23rd, sitting in the last row. “Of course I knew that she was a Catholic nun and not a Muslim, because I went to a Catholic school and my favorite teachers were Catholic nuns.” Abdullah Abdullah went on to say “But let us face it: If you are a Muslim on a plane and someone else is being asked to leave the plane, the best thing is to be quiet and enjoy the show!”
GEORGIA:
Cartersville, Georgia Mosque Vandalized
Daily Tribune News
Daily Tribune News
15 April 2011
Members of the Muslim community are concerned that their place of worship has been the target of an apparent hate crime for the second time in less than a month.
The Islamic Center of Cartersville was vandalized earlier this week, according to a Bartow County Sheriff’s Department incident report. Deputies were dispatched to 71 Maple Ridge Drive Tuesday morning shortly after Bilal Mahmood reported the damages.
Cartersville, Georgia: FBI investigating vandalism at mosque
Mahmood told the deputy he was the last person at the center Monday night and everything was intact.
Mahmood told the deputy he was the last person at the center Monday night and everything was intact.
When he returned Tuesday at 6:30, he saw three front glass entrance doors with large holes in them. He also saw one window pane on the front of the building with a large hole. ”Bilal allowed me to enter into the building where I retrieved four large rocks that were used to damage the window and doors,” the deputy wrote in the report.
Amjad Tausique worships at the mosque and helped start that location; he said he’s very concerned. ”We’ve been working and reaching out in the community for a long time,” he said. Tausique said Muslims have been in the city for close to 40 years.
"We are tax-paying, peaceful, law-abiding citizens,” he said. “It’s totally not right for someone to come and destroy the place of worship.”
"We are tax-paying, peaceful, law-abiding citizens,” he said. “It’s totally not right for someone to come and destroy the place of worship.”
The center was also vandalized in March, and BCSO investigator Jonathan Rogers said the Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the case and have leads.
Besides the damages to the door and windows, Tausique said nothing was stolen. During the last vandalism, a stink bomb was thrown into the building, which Tausique said smelled for days. Meanwhile, security cameras were installed and an extra patrol in the area at nights was requested.
Besides the damages to the door and windows, Tausique said nothing was stolen. During the last vandalism, a stink bomb was thrown into the building, which Tausique said smelled for days. Meanwhile, security cameras were installed and an extra patrol in the area at nights was requested.
Tausique said they just want to be treated like everyone else in the community. “We have families like anyone else, kids in school, jobs and business,” he said. ”Just because we are Muslim and we worship one God, doesn’t mean we’re not American.”
AFRICA
(EGYPT)
Three Coptic Brothers Accused Of Killing Sister, Her Husband And Child For Converting To Islam
25 Apr 2011
(www.loonwatch.com)
(Photo: Coptic Orthodox Cross Reads: Jesus Christ, the Son of God)
(www.loonwatch.com)
(Photo: Coptic Orthodox Cross Reads: Jesus Christ, the Son of God)
(COMMENTS FROM LOONWATCH:
This is sad news, it will only lead to more sectarian tensions in Egypt. Killing anyone because of their conversion is horrendous.
Imagine if the scenario was flipped around: three Muslims killed their family for converting into Christianity, how would the world react? How many discussions of “shame,” or “honor killing” or “humiliation” would we be hearing?)
Three Coptic brothers accused of killing sister, her husband and child for converting to Islam
Three Coptic brothers are arrested on suspicion of murdering their sister, her husband and five-year-old son, allegedly as punishment for her conversion to Islam.
Three Coptic brothers have been arrested on suspicion of murdering their sister, her husband and five year-old son in what seems to be a sectarian hate crime.
The couple’s six year-old daughter, Nada, was the only survivor, even though she sustained neck wounds. The outrageous murder took place in the Cairo district of Boulaq Al-Dakrour.
Three Coptic brothers have been arrested on suspicion of murdering their sister, her husband and five year-old son in what seems to be a sectarian hate crime.
The couple’s six year-old daughter, Nada, was the only survivor, even though she sustained neck wounds. The outrageous murder took place in the Cairo district of Boulaq Al-Dakrour.
Salwa Atallah, 33, converted to Islam over six years ago and reportedly that’s the reason why her siblings decided to finish her off, according to initial investigations.
Over the past few years Atallah’s three brothers, two manual labourers and a driver, paid regular visits to their sister without showing any signs of hostility.
Husband, Khaled Ibrahim, was still alive when the police arrived on the crime scene. He was rushed to Boulaq Al-Dakrour Hospital where he was pronounced dead after succumbing to his fatal injuries.
Over the past few years Atallah’s three brothers, two manual labourers and a driver, paid regular visits to their sister without showing any signs of hostility.
Husband, Khaled Ibrahim, was still alive when the police arrived on the crime scene. He was rushed to Boulaq Al-Dakrour Hospital where he was pronounced dead after succumbing to his fatal injuries.
However, police say he was able to give a testimony before his demise at 48.
Ibrahim said his late wife’s younger brother Momen, 22, paid them a visit and stayed till the crack of dawn, before the other two arrived to carry out their murders.
Police have given the following transcript of Ibrahim’s deathbed testimony:
“I was hesitant to open the door but he [Momen] told me ‘open it I am with you’” (meaning that he’s got his back) said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim said his late wife’s younger brother Momen, 22, paid them a visit and stayed till the crack of dawn, before the other two arrived to carry out their murders.
Police have given the following transcript of Ibrahim’s deathbed testimony:
“I was hesitant to open the door but he [Momen] told me ‘open it I am with you’” (meaning that he’s got his back) said Ibrahim.
“I went to the kitchen to bring a knife to defend myself… when I opened the door my wife started to scream.”
“Her elder brother followed her to the bedroom while Raafat [third brother] punched me in the face and stabbed me many times.”
“Momen also snatched my knife to stab me… I lost control, I tried to get up more than once but I was bleeding heavily.”
“Her elder brother followed her to the bedroom while Raafat [third brother] punched me in the face and stabbed me many times.”
“Momen also snatched my knife to stab me… I lost control, I tried to get up more than once but I was bleeding heavily.”
“After killing my wife, Raafat brought a scarf and wrapped it around my son’s neck. He squeezed till he died.”
The three men reportedly confessed their crime upon being held captive by neighbours.
Atallah converted to Islam on 15 March, 2005.
The three men reportedly confessed their crime upon being held captive by neighbours.
Atallah converted to Islam on 15 March, 2005.
The crime is expected to contribute to sectarian tensions, which have been rampant in the southern province of Qena since the appointment of Christian Emad Mikhail as governor.
Pravin Singh Beheads his Girlfriend, What if he were Muslim?
(www.loonwatch.com)
April 29, 2011
Pravin Singh Beheads his Girlfriend, What if he were Muslim?
(www.loonwatch.com)
April 29, 2011
(COMMENT FROM LOONWATCH:
Remember the Muslim man who behead his wife? It was all over the news and Islamophobes made big hay out of it. Turning a tragic case of domestic violence into a Crusade against Islam. Bill Maher also attributed the act to Islam.
Remember the Muslim man who behead his wife? It was all over the news and Islamophobes made big hay out of it. Turning a tragic case of domestic violence into a Crusade against Islam. Bill Maher also attributed the act to Islam.
Now we have a case of a man named Pravin Singh, likely Sikh or Hindu who beheaded his girlfriend in front of her classmates. Will we blame Sikhism or Hinduism now? No, that would be wrongheaded and illogical but just imagine if he were Muslim!
Scotland: ‘Lethal Nail Bomb’ Sent to Soccer Team, What if they were Muslim?
(www.loonwatch.com)
April 29, 2011
(www.loonwatch.com)
April 29, 2011
by Emperor
(COMMENTS FROM LOONWATCH)
Can you imagine the ramifications if a Muslim had done this? These packages were designed to “maim and kill,” but for the haters out there only Muslims can be terrorists).
Can you imagine the ramifications if a Muslim had done this? These packages were designed to “maim and kill,” but for the haters out there only Muslims can be terrorists).
Celtic Manager Sent ‘Lethal’ Nail Bomb
(SkyNews)
Police are hunting a nail bomber who has sent several potentially lethal devices to prominent people connected with Celtic Football Club – including manager Neil Lennon.
The devices were addressed to the team boss, a high-profile lawyer and also to a member of the Scottish Parliament.
Fears former Labour minister and Celtic director Brian Wilson had also been targeted after he received a suspicious parcel proved to be a “false alarm”.
The devices were addressed to the team boss, a high-profile lawyer and also to a member of the Scottish Parliament.
Fears former Labour minister and Celtic director Brian Wilson had also been targeted after he received a suspicious parcel proved to be a “false alarm”.
Strathclyde Police say the packages, sent through the post, were designed to “maim or kill”.
They contained a combination of nails and high explosives. It is believed devices have been sent on at least three separate occasions.
PART D
APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH:
(ED NOTE:
Although sexual assault on females is universal, Islam by virtue of its emphasis on peace, universal brotherhood, respect for one another et.c. has a much higher bar of moral standard to maintain specially when it comes to relations between both genders. Unfortunately given the number of Muslim women who are taunted, stalked, harassed, verbally, physically and sexually abused globally, it is clear that some of our Muslim brothers who are supposed to have a higher bar of moral standard to maintain, have failed Islam and this is definitely an area of improvement.
It is high time that we break the historical negative stereotypes of women and instead learn to respect them for who they are as a person, acknowledge the crucial position of mothers as being the backbone of the family, recognize their tremendous potential in different facets of life way beyond their historical primary role of giving birth, taking care and raising a family, and appreciate their important contributions to not only their immediate family, but society and the world at large. After all they are approximately half of our population and we need to work together at different levels to empower them in a way that brings out their maximum potential and talents.
Since APRIL IS THE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH, let's all take a minute to ask ourselves what Islamic oriented programs do we have in our neighborhood as a cushion to assist a Muslim sister who has been sexually assaulted ? Even if we don't have any such program, at least do we have any other alternative including knowing a group of sisters who could be immediately contacted to provide emotional support, referrals to appropriate agencies et.c. for follow up ? Although we repeatedly hear statements indicating that WE ARE ONE UMMAH, in reality, in situations as above, in many cases, the distressed Muslim sister who was sexually assaulted may have to go through her pain and suffering all alone or with minimal help. To make matters worse, in some situations she gets victimized a second time due to stigma related to have lost her virginity (even though it was involuntary) and being labeled as "polluted" "used" et.c as far as issues relating to marriage are concerned. To further put salt on the wound, some start to play the "blame game". For example, "Well, if only she would have........, then it would not have happened".
We appeal to our brothers and sisters to at least start thinking on how the local Muslim community could be of help to assist a sister who literally has been attacked sexually & physically and has been emotionally devastated.
How could we streamline additional resources to assist our victimized sister by confidentially involving our own Imams and Islamic Scholars, Other Professionals - Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists et.c) as additional spiritual supports and thereby supplementing the basic help she may or may not be receiving from a hospital or clinic.
Some of us are so caught up in the ritualistic aspects of Islam (which no doubt is extremely important, please don't mistake us), however we want to emphasize that the ritualistic aspects is definitely not the beginning and end by itself.
WE NEED TO BRAINSTORM AND EXPAND THE APPLICATION OF TOOLS OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES AND IMPLEMENT THE TRUE CONCEPT OF UMMAH IN HUNDREDS OF OTHER WAYS THEREBY IN THE PROCESS ASSISTING OTHER DISTRESSED MUSLIMS INCLUDING THE MUSLIM SISTERS WHO ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED).
It is high time that we break the historical negative stereotypes of women and instead learn to respect them for who they are as a person, acknowledge the crucial position of mothers as being the backbone of the family, recognize their tremendous potential in different facets of life way beyond their historical primary role of giving birth, taking care and raising a family, and appreciate their important contributions to not only their immediate family, but society and the world at large. After all they are approximately half of our population and we need to work together at different levels to empower them in a way that brings out their maximum potential and talents.
Since APRIL IS THE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH, let's all take a minute to ask ourselves what Islamic oriented programs do we have in our neighborhood as a cushion to assist a Muslim sister who has been sexually assaulted ? Even if we don't have any such program, at least do we have any other alternative including knowing a group of sisters who could be immediately contacted to provide emotional support, referrals to appropriate agencies et.c. for follow up ? Although we repeatedly hear statements indicating that WE ARE ONE UMMAH, in reality, in situations as above, in many cases, the distressed Muslim sister who was sexually assaulted may have to go through her pain and suffering all alone or with minimal help. To make matters worse, in some situations she gets victimized a second time due to stigma related to have lost her virginity (even though it was involuntary) and being labeled as "polluted" "used" et.c as far as issues relating to marriage are concerned. To further put salt on the wound, some start to play the "blame game". For example, "Well, if only she would have........, then it would not have happened".
We appeal to our brothers and sisters to at least start thinking on how the local Muslim community could be of help to assist a sister who literally has been attacked sexually & physically and has been emotionally devastated.
How could we streamline additional resources to assist our victimized sister by confidentially involving our own Imams and Islamic Scholars, Other Professionals - Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists et.c) as additional spiritual supports and thereby supplementing the basic help she may or may not be receiving from a hospital or clinic.
Some of us are so caught up in the ritualistic aspects of Islam (which no doubt is extremely important, please don't mistake us), however we want to emphasize that the ritualistic aspects is definitely not the beginning and end by itself.
WE NEED TO BRAINSTORM AND EXPAND THE APPLICATION OF TOOLS OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES AND IMPLEMENT THE TRUE CONCEPT OF UMMAH IN HUNDREDS OF OTHER WAYS THEREBY IN THE PROCESS ASSISTING OTHER DISTRESSED MUSLIMS INCLUDING THE MUSLIM SISTERS WHO ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED).
In the U.S, let's take the example of the State of Florida. Did you know that one in nine women is a survivor of sexual violence.
http://opinionmatters.flatoday.netAccording to an article in www.opinionmatters.flatoday.net:
"Sexual assault has a devastating effect on survivors, affecting every aspect of their lives increasing the risk of depression, suicide, homelessness, substance abuse and post traumatic stress disorder".
VIDEO:
"LOVE IS BLIND". VIDEO ABOUT RAPE AND ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS
THE END
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