4/21/2013

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 223, April 14, 2013

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

EDITORIAL NOTE:

In this E-Zine, we have started off with highlighting the positives in terms of Dr. Muhammad Yunus receiving the US Congressional Medal of Honor, Dr. Mehreen Faruqi becoming the first Muslim MP in Australia, Muslim Fraternity confronting negative stereotypes, Islamic success story at German university etc and followed it up with interfaith issue and extremism.

We strongly encourage anti-Islamists to watch below video not only to truly understand few of the words of wisdom of the founding fathers of USA but also their high regard for Islam as a religion. It is so sad that the current anti-Islamist's actions go against the very positive values that the founding fathers of this great nation of UNITED STATES OF AMERICA had about Islam.

What would the Founding Fathers of USA say about Islam?

Posted by Zia H. Shah MD - Twitter: @ZiahShah1

Read more: http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2013/04/countries/united-states/what-would-the-founding-fathers-of-usa-say-about-islam#ixzz2QmuSeJsq

Part I:

POSITIVE NEWS:

Part I-a

(Ed Note: Congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Yunus to be the first Muslim to ever receive US Congressional Medal of Honor. As indicated below, the Gold Medal represents Congress’s highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. It is our ardent hope that inshallah, there will be more brothers and sisters across the Global Ummah who will get similar distinguished recognitions).

Dr. Yunus to receive US Congressional Medal of Honor

Posted by Sazzad Khandakar‏

(www.themuslimtimes.org)

Source: Speaker of the House, US Congress

WASHINGTON, DC
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced today that they will hold a U.S. Capitol ceremony next month to present Professor Muhammad Yunus with a Congressional Gold Medal.

The Gold Medal represents Congress’s highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Congress awarded the medal to Professor Yunus in 2010 in recognition of his efforts to combat global poverty. Professor Yunus has won international acclaim for developing the concept of microcredit and using that model of lending to promote economic and social opportunity. For his work, Professor Yunus was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. A complete list of Congressional Gold Medal recipients is available at House.gov.

Part I-b

(Ed Note: Congratulations to Dr. Mehreen Faruqi for becoming the first Muslim woman MP in Australia. We hope that inshallah, there would be more Muslim brothers and sisters across the world especially in non-Muslim countries who actively enter the political arena of their country and take on leadership roles).

Mehreen Faruqi first Muslim Woman MP in Australia

www.smh.com.au

(condensed version)

Canberra April 8, 2013

Australia will have its first Muslim woman MP, the Greens party in News South Wales (NSW) said yesterday.

Academic Mehreen Faruqi, of Pakistani origin, will replace NSW upper house MP Cate Faehrmann in the new parliament later this year. “As the first Greens MP in NSW from a migrant background, I'm also excited about building stronger relationships between the Greens and migrant communities,” Dr. Faruqi said in a statement. She said she looks forward to tackling issues concerning gender equality and same-sex marriage, among other topics.

“Mehreen's Pakistani heritage not only breaks new ground for the Greens but it breaks new grounds for politics in NSW, and indeed the whole country,” Ms. Faehrmann said in a statement on Sunday, according to local media reports.

The party said Dr. Faruqi has been the first Muslim woman appointed to any parliament in Australia, the party said.

In recent years, Muslim women in Western politics have been making the news.

In 2012, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg appointed a Muslim woman as part of his government during a Cabinet reshufle this week.

Hadia Tajik, 29, also of Pakistani descent, was appointed as Norway’s minister of culture.

In 2009, a young Muslim veiled woman joined the Christian Democratic Party in Brussels to become the first and only veiled Muslim in a Christian political party. Mahinur Ozdemir, of Turkish background, had said she found some of her ideals in the Christian Democratic Party’s platform.

“I believe in the values of humanity and respect of religious beliefs of people, and I find the Christian Democratic Party provides such a platform,” Ozdemir told Al Arabiya in May 2009, while taking a break from handing out pamphlets for her candidacy to pedestrians in the market.

About Dr Mehreen Faruqi:

www.mehreenfaruqi.com

Dr Mehreen Faruqi is Academic Director of the Master of Business & Technology Program and Associate Professor at the Australian Graduate School of Management, University of NSW. Mehreen completed her Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore and Masters and PhD in Environmental Engineering at UNSW. She worked as a consultant in Pakistan before migrating to Sydney with her family in 1992.

Mehreen has more than 20 years of experience as a Civil / Environmental engineer and a sustainability expert. Much of her work has been about long-term strategic planning and policy and about real on-ground projects that improve and build communities such as waste management, cycleways, restoring rainforests, building storm water infrastructure, sustainable energy generation, water recycling, climate change and partnering with local communities and businesses to improve the environment. All her work has focused on community participation in government and corporate decision-making.

She has worked in leadership positions with a number of diverse organizations including local government, multinational consulting firms and Universities, in Australia and internationally.

Manager - Environment and Services at Mosman Council where she was responsible for leading Mosman Council’s Environment and Services department to ensure that sustainability and environmental management were incorporated into all of Council’s operations.

Director and Lecturer at the Institute of Environmental Studies UNSW, providing academic and strategic leadership to ensure the success and growth of the interdisciplinary Master of Environment Management program.

Manager - Natural Resources and Catchments at Port Macquarie- Hastings Council where she established organizational arrangements to improve and integrate environmental management across Council functions.

Mehreen regularly goes back to Pakistan to work with universities and NGOs involved in sustainability projects.

She has also chaired a number of panels and committees on sustainability, water management, waste management for industry, local, state and federal government.

Mehreen is also a passionate community activist and has campaigned on a number of environmental and social justices issues including asylum seeker rights, public education and climate change. She is an active member of the Greens NSW and has been a candidate for a number of state elections.

Mehreen Farquei speaking about issues of accessibility in public train stations around NSW.

Part I-c

Ed Note: Domestic Violence (DV) is unfortunately universal. If anybody knows about a single country where it does not exist, please educate us on it. Our loving Prophet Mohamed (SAW) is our supreme role model who has clearly demonstrated in his personal life of not involving in any form of abuse with his own family and had been the most loving towards them (as reported by his family members themselves). Unfortunately many Muslims who are involved in domestic violence have conveniently ignored above non-violent family life practice of our beloved Prophet and instead succumbed to perpetuating the universal pre-islamic cultural practice of domestic violence. As an extension to the initiative taken by the Muslim fraternity in below article, we wish that Islamic leaders and Imams along with their Muslim congregations initiate protests and other activities that are directly against DV and further they need to more frequently address this extremely important hot issue impacting millions of Muslim women and children during Friday prayers and other Islamic presentations. On the positive side, we are really glad that there is a ray of hope here in terms of few Islamic Centers and organizations now beginning to offer presentations pertaining to DV. We are confident that many Muslims especially abused Muslim women would agree with us that the greatest pain they have experienced is not from some "infidel" from the WEST but from a initially loved one who used to or currently resides under the same roof, eats the same food and sleeps in the same bed. To us addressing this issue of DV is the NEED OF THE HOUR especially in light of the tremendous amount of DV going on across the globe and not only destroying the relationship but compounding the problems further by increased physical, medical and mental health problems for the victims.

Allah states in the Holy Quran:

"Surely, men who submit themselves to God and women who submit themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in their faith and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him — Allah has prepared for all of them forgiveness and a great reward. (Al Quran 33:36)

Muslim Fraternity Confronts Negative Stereotypes:

By EMILY DERUY (@emily_deruy )

April 8, 2013

Members of Alif Laam Meem, the founding chapter of the new Alpha Lambda Mu Fraternity, protest domestic violence at a rally in Texas. (Courtesy of Alif Laam Meem - Alpha Lambda Mu Fraternity)

A Muslim fraternity at the University of Texas at Dallas recently took to the streets in protest of domestic violence against women.

Members of Alif Laam Meem, the founding chapter of the new Alpha Lambda Mu Fraternity, held signs that said "Muslims Say No to Domestic Violence" and "Muslims Say Yes to Women's Rights" at the Men's Rally Against Domestic Violence in Dallas on March 24 to protest the abuse of women and to put a positive face on a religion they say is often misunderstood.

"Muslims are always on defense," fraternity president Ali Mahmoud said in a phone interview on Monday morning. "We usually get called in to explain ourselves and instead we decided to take the offense and tell people what Islam is instead of what it isn't."

A sophomore who was "born and raised in Dallas" on Spongebob and the occasional fast food meal just like a lot of other young Americans, Mahmoud thinks people often have the wrong idea when it comes to Islam and domestic violence.

"We wanted to clarify the misconception that any kind of domestic violence is allowed in our religion," he said. "And it may seem apparent through the media that it's allowed, but that's majorly a cultural phenomenon and not an actual teaching of our religion."

Broadly speaking, the effort has paid off.

The group posted a photo on their Facebook page that has been liked more than 1,000 times and shared more than 1,500 times. Pictures and word of the fraternity have traveled across Tumblr, Twitter, Upworthy and the Dallas Morning News.

Reactions on campus have also been generally positive, although it's worth noting that the organization is not a typical fraternity.

The group doesn't drink and they don't believe in "adultery or fornication," Mahmoud said, adding that the group wants to create a brotherhood focused on "constructing real men" in line with the teachings of Islam.Most campuses, he said, have Muslim student organizations and he thinks those are valuable as young people navigate the "complicated" issue of Muslim life on a college campus. But he also thinks they're "not very binding" and the fraternity "felt institutionalizing brotherhood was the best way to help develop a league of Muslim male leaders who stand up and serve the community".

"Real men don't hit women," Mahmoud said, echoing the tagline from the Dallas rally. When it comes to both his fraternity and Islam, of that he is certain. But there are other parts of his fraternity and other aspects of his religion, like its stance against homosexuality, that have caused some controversy online. For the complete article please check out: http://abcnews.go.com/abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/News/muslim-fraternity-confronts-negative-stereotypes/story?id=18906879#.UW96dEpMAwp

Part I-d

(ED NOTE: Approval of the first female Saudi lawyer trainee is yet another bold initiative recently taken by the Saudi Government. It is better late than never. There are many other areas that need to be worked on to empower Saudi women. Every small step taken in this direction should be fully supported and encouraged.)

FIRST FEMALE SAUDI LAWYER TRAINEE BECOMES A REALITY

Arab News

10 April 2013

Jeddah:
Arwa Al-Hijeili received the first definition of a trainee lawyer as a start to obtaining a license to practice law.

A Justice Ministry source said the ministry has approved this definition when it started applying this law 12 years ago for lawyer trainees. This definition gives women the right to litigate in courts. Her permit is valid for one year and can be renewed for another year by sending a written and signed address to the lawyer-in-charge in the ministry.

“The road is now open for Saudi women to have a law license after the Ministry of Justice agreed to allow Arwa Al Hijeili to become the first trainee lawyer in the Kingdom,” said legal expert Waleed Abu Al Khair.

“Al-Hijeili is the first registered case in Jeddah.”

As for the conditions for getting a license, Abu Al Khair said, “For a lawyer to train for three years, he or she should have a contract with a lawyer who has been practicing in the profession for more than five years.”

After the training period, woman lawyers can obtain an approved copy of their training certificate and send it to the Justice Ministry to receive a license to practice law, he said.

The Ministry of Justice granted women the right to practice law in October. The license was first restricted to personal status issues, but now expanded to allow women to practice all fields of law.

http://arabnews.com/news/447644

Part I-e

Russian Parliament Moves Ahead On Anti-Blasphemy Measure

Scott Neuman

Russia’s parliament has given preliminary approval to an anti-blasphemy bill that would make it a crime to offend religious feelings.

The BBC reports that the bill was drafted last year after members of the punk band Pussy Riot used Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral to perform a protest song against President Vladimir Putin.

Blasphemy against religions considered “an integral part of Russia’s historical inheritance” could mean three years in jail and a fine of nearly $10,000, under the bill. The BBC says it is likely to cover Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.

Part I-f

Islamic Success Story at German Universities

www.dw.de

(condensed version)

New Islamic theology courses at German universities are proving highly popular, even abroad. The courses were announced only three years ago, but they are already changing the German religious landscape. Islamic theology is finding its place in German universities at a pace which is surprising many. German academics even speak of Germany acting as a magnet for talent from other European countries. "There's never been such a process before at European universities," says Reinhard Schulze, who teaches Islam at the University of Berne in Switzerland. Lecturers at German universities, speaking at a meeting of experts with the German parliamentary education committee, said they were convinced that there would be a rapid increase in the teaching of Islam.

(In Bremen, the state has signed an accord with the Muslim community)

The need for academic training has been felt for a long time. The federal government estimates that 2,200 teachers will be needed for the planned development of Muslim religious education in schools. And there are over 1,000 imams in Germany, many of whom have never had any academic training, and who would provide a ready market for further education.

Centers of Muslim theology

(The center at Tübingen was formally opened exactly a year ago )

"Initially, Islamic studies and Islamic theology weren't an issue at all," remembers Schulze, who was part of the council’s working group. "That was the logical conclusion of a productive examination of the field of academic theology in Germany."

In the end, the federal education minister, Annette Schavan, set up four centers of Islamic theology in Münster/Osnabrück, Tübingen, Frankfurt/Giessen and Nürnberg/Erlangen which all came into operation in 2010 and 2011.

Language problems

There are plenty of challenges in many different areas. One is the confrontation with what the academics call "lay theologians" - fundamentalist preachers or believers.

Katajan Amirpur has set up an "Academy of World Religions" in Hamburg, which is intended to bring Muslims into academic exchange with Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and others. Several other experts spoke about the need to get the various branches of Islam to talk to each other. And Rohe, who has been active in the field for some time, talked about the difficulty of finding suitable candidates for the many new professorships.

Another issue, though, was inadequate skill in both the German and Arabic languages.

(Teachers are needed for Islamic religious education in schools )

'Very exciting'

Rachel said it was "very exciting" that the decision in favor of Islamic theology at universities had led to it quickly becoming very popular among students from abroad. Schulze reported that Swiss, French and British students were specifically seeking out courses in Germany. And some of his colleagues said they had even seen interest from students in Muslim countries in Asia.

DW.DE. Read more: http://www.dw.de/islamic-success-story-at-german-universities/a-16526690

Part I-g:

Daring Woman Enters the Contest
By Ashfaq Yusufzai

(condensed version)
April 18, 2013

Badam Zari (right) campaigning ahead of the elections. Credit: Ashfaq Yusufzai/IPS.

BAJAUR AGENCY, Pakistan, Apr 9 2013 (IPS)

“My sole motive is to serve my people, especially women who have had no role in politics so far. I feel we can make progress only by bringing in women into mainstream politics.”

These are the words of Badam Zari, 40, who has filed her nomination papers with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Zari is contesting from the militancy-hit Bajaur Agency, one of the seven districts in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) near the Afghanistan border. Zari’s tiny but lush green house in Arang village is buzzing with activity as women from the neighbourhood come in droves to congratulate her for the exemplary courage she has shown in standing for elections.

Forget standing for election, women in FATA do not vote. It was only in 1997 that the federal government gave the six million residents of FATA the right of adult franchise. Before that, only a few government-nominated elders called Maliks were entitled to cast votes or stand in election. “I am extremely worried about tribal women, most of who stay in their houses, which has prevented them from making any progress,” Zari told IPS. “My only ambition is to struggle for the improvement of women’s conditions in Bajaur Agency. Women here are suffering as none of the lawmakers in FATA have ever worked towards their development.”

Her action, she is sure, will motivate women to come to the polling booths on polling day and vote in her favour. Educated up to eighth grade, Zari has no children. Yet she is determined to work towards the education of the children in her region and help them play a part in development. Zari told IPS she is undeterred by the presence of wealthy and influential people in the elections. She is determined to give women a voice in the National Assembly.

She has the full support of her husband Sultan Khan, a teacher in the government-run Bajaur Public School and College. Khan says he will strive for women’s development with her. “Despite being poor, we are committed to running a full-scale campaign and seek victory. Zari’s win would mean a victory for all FATA women,” he says. “There is tremendous pressure on us to withdraw her from the election but there is no looking back and we will go to the polls with complete preparation.”

Zari is not alone in her act of courage. The submission of nomination papers by another woman, Nusrat Begum from Lower Dir district NA-34 of adjacent KP province, is also being hailed by womenfolk. Begum, 28, a graduate from the University of Peshawar, also happens to be the first woman in Lower Dir ever to have the courage to contest elections. Both are contesting elections as independent candidates.

Part I-h

Swedish mosque gets green light for prayer calls
13 April 2013

(IINA)

Stockholm, 13 April 2013 (IINA)

Fittja mosque in the suburbs of Stockholm has been given the green light to issue Friday prayer calls from its minaret, the first mosque to do so in Sweden, police said Thursday.

“I’m really happy and grateful,” Ismail Okur, the head of the Islamic Association in the Botkyrka municipality, told Swedish news agency TT. The association had sought permission to issue Friday prayer calls from its mosque in the suburb of Fittja, part of the Botkyrka municipality. Police said the Fittja mosque would be allowed to issue calls lasting three to five minutes between 12 noon and 1:00 p m. on Fridays, though strict regulations would govern the placement of the speakers. Information must also be provided to nearby residents, police said. The mosque was built in 2007.

HA/IINA

Part II:

INTERFAITH:

Catholic Priest to donate Kidney to Muslim man

www.ucanindia.in

Muhammad, the only breadwinner for his ailing parents and minor brother, advertised for donors.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Timely help by a Catholic priest will help save the life of a Muslim man in Kerala. Father Kidangathazhe Sebastian, 41, will donate one of his kidneys to 30-year-old Rasad Muhammad, the preparations for which are underway and the transplant surgery is likely to be performed next month.

Muhammad is suffering from chronic kidney disease since more than a year. On February 25, he boarded a bus from Aluva to go to Kochi for his check-up. Fr Sebastian, who is associated with the Catholic Goodness TV and who was then not wearing his cassock, was seated next to him. "He looked very weak and burdened. He told me the story of his tragedy and his desperate search for a kidney donor," Fr Sebastian said.

"I was seized of the pain of a life facing death. I made a cursory query about his blood group, which matched mine," he added. For the Idukki priest, the fortuitous match held special significance. It signaled to him the end of his silent quest to practice what he had been preaching. "Inspired by the story of Fr Davis Chiramel, who had donated one of his kidneys to a Hindu man in 2009, I had been longing to make the same sacrifice. Somewhere, I hoped, I would meet the deserving person. What mattered to me most was that the decision would save a life. I realised that the person seated beside me in the bus was the most deserving person,'' he said.

The following day, they went to the hospital to start the procedure for donation and transplant. The tests have been positive. "A few counseling sessions and a final nod from the medical board remain. In all probability, the transplant will take place within a month," said the priest. Muhammad said he was initially shocked by the words of the stranger in the bus. "But, in the next moment, I realized that a priest would not lie."

He was a salesman in Saudi Arabia until kidney disease cost him his sight and forced him to return home to Harippad in Kerala. He could see again but there was little chance of his surviving without a transplant. Muhammad, the only breadwinner for his ailing parents and minor brother, advertised for donors.

"A few donors turned up, but nothing materialized. In the meantime, touts cheated me of 250,000. I was dependant on periodic dialyses in a private hospital in Kochi," he said. Fr. Sebastian is the fourth Catholic priest in the country to donate kidney after Fr. Davis Chiramel of Trichur archdiocese and Fr. Jacob Kozhuvally and Fr. Joseph Kodiyan of Ernakulum.

Source: Indian Express

Part III: UGLY HEAD OF EXTREMISM:

ED NOTE: It is really sad that there is an increasing trend towards intolerance in Indonesia against religious minorities. If Islam is really a religion of peace and tolerance, it must be demonstrated in practice and not merely lip service. As Muslims, we strongly believe in peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths and for such peace to occur, tolerance is an important component of it. Our hearts go out to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka who have experienced increased attacks from Sinhalese-Buddhist extremists

PART III-a

Voice against Religious Intolerance in Indonesia

Clerics take to street for religious freedom

The Jakarta Post

Around 200 clerics in Greater Jakarta took to the street on Monday to vent their criticism against the government’s negligence over the ongoing cases on religious intolerance.

The clerics in their cassocks along with the representatives of Shiites, Ahmadis and practitioners of indigenous faiths marched from the Bung Karno Stadium to the House of Representatives’ compound in Senayan, Central Jakarta, calling for the government to heed the 1945 Constitution that guarantees religious freedom for the minorities.

Part III-b:

US alarmed over anti-Muslim events in Sri Lanka

www.iinanews.com

April 10, 2013

Colombo, Wednesday, (IINA)

The U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka expressed alarm at rising hate speech and attacks against Muslims in the island nation and warned that such sentiments should not be allowed to fester.

Hate speeches, vilification and even attacks on Muslim-owned businesses and places of worship by Sinhalese-Buddhist nationalist groups have occurred in recent months, and inaction by the government and police has spurred allegations that the government supports the campaign, which it denies.

“The United States, along with many Sri Lankan citizens, is alarmed by the recent attacks on Muslim businesses and certain inflammatory calls to action,” Ambassador Michele J. Sison told foreign correspondents in Colombo on Monday. “This type of hateful sentiment must not be allowed to fester,” she said, adding that the voices of tolerance must join to defeat extremism. A U.S.-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the U.N. Human Rights Council last month also expressed concern over religious discrimination.

Groups led by Buddhist monks have spread allegations that Muslims are dominating businesses and trying to take over the country demographically by increasing their birthrate and secretly sterilizing Sinhalese-Buddhists. Muslims make up 9 percent of Sri Lanka's population, while Sinhalese-Buddhists make up almost 75 percent of the country's 20 million people.

THE END

4/08/2013

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 222, April 7, 2013

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

EDITORIAL:

In this E-Zine we have highlighted news about Muslims in Russia, opening of a Mosque after a period of 90 years in Thessaloniki,Greece, Muslims in Scotland, England and the US. Though the topic of music in Islam does not resonate that often, we decided to include it in this E-Zine. We as usual touched on interfaith issues and also included a unusual topic pertaining to “haram fish” and the way the global ummah specially our Muslim sisters rejected the topless protests. Below is one of the three videos that we have in all the 222 issues of VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH felt very strongly as a "must see" video.

Below is a "must see" video for each and every single (internet literate) Muslim in the entire world / Global Ummah.

PART I: POSITIVE NEWS:

Part I-a

Russia in New Move on Islam Study
www.salamworld.com

MOSCOW – A Russian government decision to hammer out a degree program for Islam study is gaining mixed reactions, with some hail the move for helping better prepare experts on the Islamic faith, while others see it as an attempt to counter extremism.

“Students will study for three or five years without going abroad,” Damir Gizatullin, first deputy head of the Spiritual Directorate of the Muslims of European Russia and Siberia, told The Voice of Russia on Tuesday, March 5.

“They will get education that will be in line with our long-standing principles of peaceful coexistence, something that remains our cherished dream.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the government will hammer out a single Bachelor’s and Master’s degree program on Islam study within three months.

Supporters say the move would help remove problems facing Russians studying Islam. There are no academic institutions or universities for Russians interested in studying Islam. Currently, Russians seeking to study Islam are trained at secular and religious educational institutions.

“What we currently see in Russia are Islamic secondary schools, or madrasahs, rather than academies or universities, where students should get more knowledge regarding theological subjects, Muslim law and history,” said Denga Khalidov, head of the Center for Islam Ethnopolitics Studies in Moscow.

The Russian Federation is home to some 23 million Muslims in the north of the Caucasus and southern republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan. Islam is Russia’s second-largest religion representing roughly 15 percent of its 145 million predominantly Orthodox population.

For the full article, please check out: http://www.salamworld.com/russia-in-new-move-on-islam-study/#.UV1bfjdMAwo

Part I-b

Islamic Jurisprudence Contest for Muslim University Students Planned in Russia

(abna.ir) March 30, 2013

A contest on Islamic jurisprudence will be held for Muslim university students and seminarians on April 24 at the Islamic University of Moscow, Russia.

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The competition will be organized by the Islamic university in cooperation with Russia’s Muftiat Council. The participants will compete on religious issues and Islamic injunctions on prayers, fasting, Hajj, etc. A group of experts in religious fields, members of the council and scholars of the university will supervise the competition.

Part I-c

Greek Mosque Opens For Prayer For First Time in 90 years
04 April 2013

Athens, Thursday, 23 Jamad Al-Awwal 1434/04 April 2013 (IINA) –

A 111 year-old mosque in Thessaloniki, Greece, opened its doors to Muslim worshippers for the first time in 90 years on Saturday, according to Hürriyet Daily News.

(Hurriyet Daily News)

Kerin Uras, Turkey’s ambassador to Greece, said that reopening the mosque is “a positive step in the right direction. We’re expecting the rest to come. I hope Athens will also be a place where Muslims can pray.” Tugrul Biltekin, Turkey’s Thessaloniki consul general, said “I am so happy about this historical development. I hope mosques in Thessaloniki and other locations in the region will be open to Muslims during holy days.” The Mosque was constructed by Vitaliano Poselli, an Italian architect, in 1902. However, it was closed for prayer in 1923. Between 1925 to 1963 the mosque was used as an archaeology museum and was later used as the Thessaloniki Municipality’s exhibition hall.

HA/IINA

Part I-d

Glasgow Muslims Await Opening of First High School

04 April 2013
Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday, 23 Jamad Al-Awwal 1434/04 April 2013 (IINA)

www.onislam.net

(condensed version)

(The new school is planned to be named The Islamic Institute to offer private secondary education to boys and girls, as well as a nursery)

CAIRO – Filling an important void in their educational process, the Muslim community in Scotland’s largest city of Glasgow is awaiting the opening of their first Islamic school.“We think this is a very positive thing and we hope it will be a very successful center of learning,” a spokesperson for the Glasgow Community Education Association (GCEA) told Scotsman.

Muslims have floated plans to build the first Islamic school in Glasgow with donations from parents, businessmen and community members.

The new school is planned to be named "The Islamic Institute" to offer private secondary education to boys and girls, as well as a nursery. The GCEA’s website asks for donations to help fund the school. A fundraising dinner was held last week to raise funds for the school, and a women-only bazaar is to be held in Govanhill on Monday. “The GCEA has purchased Abbotsford House at a total price of £400,000 with the intention of opening an Islamic Secondary School (Boys and Girls) and Nursery,” a GCEA posting on Facebook states. “Please donate generously and remember you will not only be investing in your children but also in your own Akhirah (afterlife),” the Facebook posting continues. “Take advantage of this great opportunity to be able to give Sadaqah Jaariyah (Perpetual Charity) before it’s too late. This will be the first successful Islamic secondary school in all of Scotland!

But more recently, the Qalam Academy has been set up in Glasgow’s Pollokshields, and an independent Islamic Educational Institute is providing primary education. Glasgow lawmaker Hanzala Malik said the success of the school would depend upon the organization behind it. …. “But the most important issue here is not whether it is a religious school or a secular school, but whether the pupils going to the school will benefit from it.” There are already a number of Islamic secondary schools in England. They include the Darul Uloom Islamic High School in Birmingham dubbed the “Eton of Islam”. Scotland is home to more than 500,000 Muslims, making up less than one percent of the population. Muslims are the second largest religious group in the country, which has thirty mosques.
HA/IINA

Part I-e

(ED NOTE: The World Hijab Day and the challenge to wear the hijab initiatives taken across many nations is an awesome initiative and we strongly encourage such initiatives to increase much more across the non-muslim world. In below article, it is very important to take a note of what our newly converted Muslima has told, especially as it pertains to Muslims being "narrow minded" about different interpretations of Quran (from her personal interactions). We need to ask ourselves of whether there may be some truth to her above statements or not. If you had personal interactions with new Muslim converts, try to recall the responses you may have given or the responses you may have heard that your brothers or sisters may have given. Please don't forget unlike most born Muslims who take Islam for granted, the new converts personally anticipating and possibly experiencing personal losses in terms of family & social relationships still had the courage to be bold enough to pursue what they felt was the right belief system to build their life upon. We need to be much more sensitive, tolerant and open-minded while responding or clarifying to their questions. Please remember that they have literally just got their feet wet by entering the world of Islam and it is an entirely new experience for them. Responding to them in a rigid, narrow minded fashion is counter productive. In our personal opinion the other common complaint that we heard from new converts is that although initially after they told the shahada, they get hugs and words of congratulations & encouragement but later for many of them, there are no follow ups. On one hand they may be alienated by some of their own loved ones and friends and to compensate such loss, they expected the Muslim community members to literally step up to the plate and be there for them. Not in all, but in many cases, this does not happen. This is an area of improvement for the Muslims. If you truly care for your new brother or sister who has entered the fold of Islam, you need to follow up with them in whatever ways you can feasibly or realistically follow up. On an Islamic organizational structural basis, we recommend that if feasible, each Islamic Center have a DAWAA committee that could have as part of their protocol to be an on-going resource to assist the new Muslim convert to gradually assimilate within the local Muslim community)

One-day Hijab Leads Young Briton to Islam

OnIslam

02 April 2013

“I then began reading the Qur’an and the words in the Qur’an seemed logical and clear, rather than in the Bible where they tend to waffle," Jess said

CAIRO – A one-day experience of wearing hijab has led a 21-year-old Briton to read more about Islam and eventually embracing the religion.

“I took part in the first World Hijab Day and challenged myself to wear the hijab for a month,” Jessica Rhodes told Muslim Mirror. “I then began reading the Qur’an and the words in the Qur’an seemed logical and clear, rather than in the Bible where they tend to waffle.”

Rhodes, from Norwich, was among scores of non-Muslims around the world who donned hijab as part of the annual World Hijab Day on February 1. The event was meant to clear misconceptions that the headscarf, an obligatory code of dress, is a symbol of suppression of women in Islam.

After wearing the outfit, Rhodes says that she could not remember what it felt like to go without wearing hijab. After the experience, Rhodes began to read more about Islam to know better about the religion.

“I also did some research into Islam as a whole and felt that it was an inclusive religion that could give me the answers I was looking for,” she said.

Deciding to revert to Islam, Rhodes was met with mixed reactions to her conversion. "It was a bag of mix,” she recalled. “Parents were not happy but they accept my decision. My in-laws have been extremely supportive,” Rhodes said. "My friends are unfortunately a mixed bag – some are happy with my decision, others want to argue with me about it, and still others walked out of my life altogether.” “Narrow-minded”

The young Briton complains that many Muslims fail to reach out to new converts to help them know better about Islam. “I have had some support, but not many people seem to want to reach out to me,” Rhodes lamented. "It is always me asking for help.”

She says that many Muslims are “narrow-minded” about different interpretation of the Qur’an.

“When I go and ask questions, people quote the Qur’an at me and do not seem open to a convert’s interpretation of the Qur’an,” Rhodes said.

“They can improve this by being more open-minded to other interpretations, because it is not just Westerners who can be narrow-minded, misguided etc.”

The young Briton also complains that the reaction of some Muslims sometimes leads her to consider going back on her conversion.

“Sometimes I am unsure – the reaction from most of the Muslims that I have spoken to has led me to feel like I should leave Islam and go back to paganism as in that religion I was given a choice about how I practice my religion, and nobody cared if I did things my way or another way,” she said.

“As for the Muslim ummah… that is in the hands of Allah. If people worldwide, of all walks of life, are more open-minded perhaps we can move forward,” Rhodes said. “But if not, we will simply continue to be in a mire of misconceptions, anger and pointless wars.”

Britain is home to a Muslim community of nearly 2.5 million.

Part I:f

USA

Judge gives Green Light to Islamic Center in DuPage Co.

March 30, 2013

www.dailyherald.comBy Elena Ferrarin

(condensed version)

A federal judge found in favor of an Islamic group's request to build an educational center near Naperville, after it was rejected by the DuPage County Board more than three years ago.

The federal lawsuit against DuPage County was filed in April 2010, three months after DuPage County Board voted 10-7 to deny a conditional-use permit for the Irshad Learning Center, which purchased a property at 25W030 75th St. in unincorporated DuPage County near Naperville.

The lawsuit was filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations on behalf of administrators of the center, claiming its constitutional rights were violated.

U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer found in her Friday ruling no evidence that the county board denied the permit on the basis of discrimination, but found its decision to be "arbitrary and capricious."

For the complete article, please check out: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130330/news/703309909/?interstitial=1

Part I-g:

(USA)

Meet Our 7th Annual Banquet Award Recipients

March 29, 2013

www.cairoklahoma.com

Each year, CAIR Oklahoma honors individuals that have served in the Oklahoma community, have made courageous stances for the rights of Oklahomans, and perhaps most importantly, set forth an example for how we can make Oklahoma a better place for us all to live. This year, as we prepare for our 7th Annual CAIR Oklahoma Award Banquet, we are honored to announce the recipients of our Building Bridges Interfaith Leadership Award and Faith in Action Youth Leadership Award. Both awards will be presented at our awards banquet, make sure and register online today to join us there!!

Building Bridges Interfaith Leadership Award:

The Rev. Dr. William Tabbernee

Before taking up his new position as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Dr. William Tabbernee was President and Stephen J. England Distinguished Professor of the History of Christianity at Philips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1991 to 2009.

As the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, Dr. Tabbernee has worked tirelessly to build bridges among faith groups throughout the state of Oklahoma. Part of his bridge building has been the inclusion of the Oklahoma Muslim community in the Religions United Committee of Oklahoma. Additionally, Dr. Tabbernee has been a staunch supporter of the civil rights & liberties of Oklahoma Muslims and Oklahoman's of all faiths.

Dr. Tabbernee played a critical role in CAIR Oklahoma's victory of one of the major civil liberties cases of 2012 involving the Oklahoma Banker's Association, CAIR Oklahoma, and the ACLU of Oklahoma. Dr. Tabbernee's stance on civil liberties concerns of Oklahoma Muslims are a stance of behalf of all Oklahomans seeking equality and social justice in the state of Oklahoma.

Faith in Action Youth Leadership Award: Abdurrahman Kabani

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Syrian immigrant parents, Abdurrahman Kabani graduated from Dove Science Academy in Tulsa, OK, prior to completing his undergraduate degree by obtaining a Bachelors of Science from the University of Oklahoma in Microbiology. During his time in Norman, OK, Kabani served on the Board of OU's Muslim Student Association from 2009 - 2011 and served as President of Sooners for Peace in Palestine in 2011.

Abdurrahman Kabani is also a graduate of CAIR Oklahoma's Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) having attended as a participant in 2009 and 2010, and serving as a MYLS youth lead captain in 2011 and 2012. Kabani has also been a lead volunteer at CAIR Oklahoma banquets since 2009.

Upon returning to Tulsa, OK, in 2011, Abdurrahman Kabani aided in the revival of Islamic Society of Tulsa's Youth Group along with a group of dedicated young Tulsans. Currently Kabani is pursuing a Master's degree in Public Health at OU Tulsa campus while still finding time to regularly volunteer at Tulsa's Surayya Anne Foundation and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Most recently, Kabani has founded the Islamic Society of Tulsa Running club as a way for Tulsa Muslims to get fit in a positive environment.

Part I-h

(USA)

(ED NOTE:

Below is a very positive news. At a time when atheism is slowly but gradually gaining ground while the commitment of the non-Muslims in practicing their individual faith is gradually eroding, it is a positive point to note that there is a significant increase in Muslim students seeking to pray in public schools in the US. We appreciate the open mindedness of the School Principle, teachers and also the college faculty to reasonably accomodate the needs of Muslim students. Please remember that the individual who prays is statistically more unlikely to be involved in gangs, drugs, violence, unwed pregnancies, carrier of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and last but not the least will not be a BULLY creating anxiety and terror to other weaker students. All a major plus point for any school. We would argue that the US is a great place to practice Islam. The male editor of this E-Zine has been a minority in his Asian country of birth and a minority in this great country of USA. As a student when the male editor did his salaat in his country of birth, at an educational institution and was in a sajdah position, a non Muslim senior came and stood in front and said "I am your God", which was insulting. However when the male editor as a student did his salaat within the library at an American University, a staff later respectfully offered the key to a room within the library that was not being used and stated that he could pray without any interruptions of students passing by the book shelves. LONG LIVE AMERICA).

American High School Accommodates Muslim Prayer Times

AL ARABIYA
www.english.alarabiya.net

There has been a significant increase in Muslim students seeking to pray in public schools in the U.S., according to The Washington Post one Marlyand high school has found a way to accommodate them.

The Principal, Cheryl J. Logan, says that those students with parental permission and high grades receive a pass to leave class and pray every day.

10 Muslims at Parkdale High School are permitted to leave class for eight minutes each day to pray together on campus, Logan said that one student is working hard to raise his grades so he is able to join the group.

The young people are part of the Muslim students’ association.

Logan stated that when the Muslim students had initially started praying during the school day it upset some of the Christian teachers. They told the students “it was a Christian school.”

The principal went on to explain the situation to the students; public schools are not religious but are legally able to accommodate students who wish to practice their religion.

“I’ve been real happy with how we’ve been able to deal with it without it becoming an issue,” she said.

Charles Haynes, the director of the Religious Freedom Education Project at the Newseum, an interactive museum of news and journalism based in Washington, has said that allowing Muslim students to pray is “certainly permissible” under the U.S. Constitution though probably not required.

For the complete article please check out: Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2013/01/29/263217.html

Part I-i

United Kingdom

Newcastle United Creates Prayer Room for Muslim Players

April 5, 2013

www.rohama.org

( Above website is for THE UNION OF ISLAMIC WORLD STUDENTS)

Britain’s Newcastle United football team has created a special prayer room for its Muslim players at their stadium, reported the Daily Mirror.

Seven members of the first team are devout followers of Islam and previously used various rooms in the stadium complex to perform their prayers before a game.

An insider said: "We believe we now have more Muslims in our first team squad than any other team in the Premier League, so it is important to look after them,” according to the Daily Mirror. "They have been using various rooms at the ground to worship before games. Now they will get a proper prayer room.”

Seven first team stars – Papiss Cisse, Cheick Tiote, Hatem Ben Arfa, Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko and Mehdi Abeid- are practicing Muslims.

Former striker Demba Ba, who now plays for Chelsea, would routinely lead team-mates in prayer, stated the newspaper. "Prayer has become an important part of the build up to big games,” the insider was quoted as saying.

"Demba was the most devout of all the players. He would regularly pray before big games, and be joined by team-mates. It helped build a bond between them.”

PART II:

MUSIC AND ISLAM

Part II-a:

An Excerpt from “900 years Reviving the Spirit of Andalusia

(Muslim Spain)” on the vast musical tradition in the Spanish Islamic society, which is not often acknowledged by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

(www.muslimvillage.com)
April 6, 2013

Filed under: Hamza Yusuf,Islamic, MV TV

Posted by: MV Media

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX68NGlRpOg&feature=youtu.be

Part II-b:

Gangnam Gaza Style: Palestinians remake viral video to showcase hardships

www.rt.com

Published on Feb 1, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/GangnamGazaS...
Gangnam Gaza Style.

Gangnam Gaza Style

A mobile phone, a sense of humor and an internet connection were all a group of Palestinians needed to illustrate the hardships they face every day. The men made a parody of the South Korean hit ‘Gangnam Style’, naming it ‘Gangnam Gaza Style.’

The entertaining video shows five adult Palestinians and one child dancing in identical outfits. But it’s not all fun and games – because in between the dance moves, the men showcase the troubles of the region.

A handwritten sign taped to one of the singer’s backs has the word ‘unemployment’ spelled out in English and Arabic. Later on, the group’s car runs out of gas, causing them to push it – while walking backwards and continuing their ‘Gangnam Style’ dance. They arrive at a service station, only to realize that a sign stating ‘no fuel’ is covering the gas pump. After realizing no gasoline is available, the men are forced to ride donkeys as their mode of transport.

“The message is about our suffering, prisoners, unemployment, and lack of electricity that causes us problems,” group member Walid Afaghani told Reuters.

The United Nations estimates that Gaza unemployment is currently at more than 40 per cent, while local economists put the figure at around 60 per cent.

Relaying such a hefty message to the world was surprisingly easy for the young men – the video was filmed entirely on a mobile phone, and no fancy editing or directing was used during production.

“Our instruments are simple ones…thank God we can send a message to the world through our mobile phones,” group leader Muhamnad Barakat said.

The conditions are a result of the Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Tel Aviv imposed restrictions on trade to Gaza in 2001 following a Palestinian uprising and tightened them once again in 2007 after Hamas seized power in the coastal enclave adjacent to Egypt.

The Palestinian Authority – especially the Gaza Strip – is facing a severe financial crisis. It relies heavily on money from donor countries to stay afloat. However, it is deeply in debt to banks and the private sector.

“The Palestinian Authority is in deep financial trouble and the economy has been taking a nosedive in recent years because of the lack of a clear economic policy and the restriction imposed by Israel on Palestinian imports and exports,” Economist Mohsen Abu Ramadan told Press TV.

The video’s soundtrack is a cover of Psy's ‘Gangnam Style,’ which was the most Googled term of 2012 and became the first online video to reach 1 billion hits on the internet. The song mocks Seoul’s Gangnam District, whose residents have a reputation for being upper-class and pretentious.

PART III:

INTERFAITH AND POLITICS:

Russian Christians, Muslims and Jews Launch Political Party

www.philotimo-leventia.blogspot.com

Feb 19, 2013

Christians of various confessions supported by Muslims, Jews and even some agnostics have gathered for a founding convention of the Ten Commandments Party – a secular movement which seeks to establish religious ethical principles in the society.

The founding convention hosted 134 delegates from 45 different regions of Russia. The head of the newly-established movement is Sergey Mezentsev – a professional philosopher and the leader of the Blissful Russia movement.

PART IV:

SAMPLE OF ISLAMIC WORKSHOPS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

(a) Idarah Ma'ruf presents:

BECOMING WOMEN OF JANNAH

Date: Sunday 7th April 2013

Time: 10.30 am - 4.30 pm

Venue: Muslim World League, 46 Goodge Street, Fitzrovia,

London, W1T 4LU

A one-day seminar providing great spiritual upliftment insha-Allah whilst giving practical solutions and ideas for improving ourselves, our relationships and our communities. Features include talks on The Ideal Muslimah and A Better Me for Better Relationships. Then there will be interactive du'a memorisation followed by a lecture on Why We Must Appeal to Our Sense of Shame. The seminar concludes with an interactive workshop: Storytelling - How a Pearl Develops. Registration fee is £2.50 with payment at the door. Hot Lunch will be served. All sisters are welcome. For further information please e-mail: idarah.maruf@ gmail.com

( b) ONCE UPON A TIME:

Date: Sunday 7th April 2013

Time: 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Venue: 119-121 Grove Road, Walthamstow,

London, E17 9BU

An event for sisters featuring talks on Tangled in the Dunya, Little Muslim in the Hood, and Happily Ever After. No boys over 10 years.

Refreshments and stalls will be available.

For further information please contact: Tel: 07895 224 611; E-mail: ummhanaa@hotmail.co.uk

(c) Tayyibun Institute presents:

DISEASES OF THE HEART AND ITS CURES

Date: Saturday 13th April 2013

Time: 10.00 am - 6.00 pm

Venue: London Muslim Centre, 46-80

Whitechapel Road,

London, E1 1JX

This 7th Annual Conference will consist of short inspiring and educational lectures delivered by eminent scholars and speakers, mesmerising Qur'an recitations by some of the world's renowned reciters attending in person from Central Arabia, fundraising for charity, launch of projects, and much more. The focus of this year's conference is the condition of the heart, and in this regard Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rh) said: "Yearning for Allah and His meeting is like the gentle breeze blowing upon the heart, extinguishing the blaze of the Dunya. Whosoever caused his heart to settle with his Lord shall be in a state that is calm and tranquil, and whosoever sent it amongst the people shall be disturbed and excessively perturbed."

Guest speakers include Shaykh Hamad At-Tuwaijiri, Shaykh Abdur, Raheem McCarthy, Shaykh Khalid Al-Habashi, Dr Jamil Al-Qudsi, Ustadh Wasim Kempson. Special guest reciters of the Qur'an include Qari Abu Bakr Shatri, Qari Ibrahim Jibreen, amongst others.

Be amongst the thousands of brothers and sisters who attend on the day.

Admission is free but to secure your seat you are requested to register in advance online.

For further information please contact:

Tel: 020 7702 7254

E-mail: info@tayyibun. com

Website: http://www.tayyibun .com/event

PART V:

CHALLENGES FACED BY MUSLIMS:

Part V-a

Europe Muslims Want Fatwa on ‘Haram’ Fish
www.salamworld.com

(condensed version)

April 3, 2013

CAIRO – A European Union’s decision to reapprove the use of reconstituted animal and pork protein in fish feed is alarming Muslim minorities across Europe, who turn their eyes to religious organizations for a fatwa on the issue

“Muslim immigrants face a major dilemma,” Emad Sharqawi, an Egyptian restaurant owner in Brussels, told Al-Masry Al-Youm. “Large numbers eat fish to avoid eating unknown meat and avoid any suspicion of eating pork in restaurants or products in the markets.”

Last month, the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) reapproved the use of reconstituted animal protein in fish feed from June 2013.

But the decision, which comes in the throes of a horsemeat scandal in Europe, has raised alarm among Muslim communities in the continent. Muslims do not eat pork and consider pigs and their meat filthy and unhealthy to eat.

The use of processed animal proteins (PAPs) in farm feed was banned by the EU executives in 1997 for cattle, and in 2001 for all animals, after they were linked to the spread of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or mad cow disease.

According to the Commission, the feed could “improve the long term durability of the fisheries sector”. “These PAPs could be a precious substitute for fish flours, which are a rare resource,” it added. The Commission says that their reintroduction does not pose a health risk, as long as it does not involve cannibalism. “It complies with the latest scientific opinions which say that risk of transmission of BSE between non-ruminant animals is negligible, provided there is no recycling between species.”

Fatwa

Muslim minorities are now awaiting fatwas from main religious organizations on how to deal with the situation. “It is very crucial [to have a decision] and we trust Islamic organizations in Egypt [will rule] on the matter,” said Gharib Radwan, an Egyptian driver living in Brussels.

“As Egyptians, we expect a fatwa from Al-Azhar, particularly since Al-Azhar has a prominent position in the Islamic world,” he added.

“There is confidence in the fatwas issued by the institution not only by Egyptians, but in communities in other Muslim countries.”

In Islam, all fish are halal, or permissible, by nature.

For the complete article, check out: http://www.onislam.net/english/news/europe/461615-haram-fish-troubles-european-muslims.html

Part V-b

Russian Muslims Challenge Law Banning Hijabs in School

By: RAPSI

Source: Rapsinews:

PYATIGORSK, February – RAPSI.

(condensed version)

A court in the Stavropol Territory in southern Russia is looking into a lawsuit against the new school uniform requirements which include a ban on wearing head dresses, such as Muslim hijabs, in class, RIA Novosti reported on Monday.

Moscow lawyer Murad Musayev has reportedly filed a lawsuit on behalf of Muslims in Stavropol Territory, seeking to overturn the regional government’s resolution on the introduction of school uniforms.

There are approximately 20 million Muslims in Russia. Most live in the North Caucasus, as well as in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.

For the complete article, check out: http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20130211/266374922.html

Part V-c

World Muslims Reject Topless Protests

05 April 2013

www.onislam.net

(Photo exp: Using social media sites, some Muslim women have posted photographs of themselves holding placards with messages to Femen. )

CAIRO – In a protest against topless feminist activists staged in front of mosques across Europe, a group of Muslim women has launched an online campaign to celebrate their hijab and object to the way they are depicted in the west.

"Muslimah [Female Muslim] pride is about connecting with your Muslim identity and reclaiming our collective voice,” the event organizer Sofia Ahmed, wrote on Facebook, Aljazeera reported.

“Let's show the world that we oppose Femen and their use of Muslim women to reinforce Western imperialism."

Using social media sites, some Muslim women have posted photographs of themselves holding placards with messages to Femen such as "Nudity does not liberate me - and I do not need saving". Other women held placards reading "Femen can't tell me what I can and can't wear". The online protest, held under the title “Muslimah Pride Day”, followed demonstrations staged by topless women near mosques and Tunisian embassies across Europe on Thursday to express support for FEMEN activist Amina Tyler.