VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

Volume 221, March 31, 2013

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

 

(

(www.xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

 

ISLAM IN PRACTICE:

For a Happy Marriage…

by xeniagreekmuslimah

If you want your marriage to be to the tee, here are some of the Ts to watch:

Taqwa (consciousness) of the Almighty.

Trust one another. Don't give reason to mistrust.

Time spent with one another maximised. Don't be late to come home unnecessarily.

Tongue must be used to say the kindest words. Never vulgar or abusive.

Talk to one another & communicate properly.

Truthfulness never to be compromised.

Tolerance of the differences here and there.

Thanks & gratitude must be shown clearly and repeated verbally.

Thoughtfulness & tact in your actions & words especially when correcting one another.

Troublemakers should never be a part of your friends.

Technology & telephones must be used to enhance your marriage, not to break it as many do.

Tea and meals at home with family - absolutely priceless.

Tahajjud (prayer) adds great value & spirituality whilst protecting from Satan.

By Mufti Ismail Menk

EDITORIAL:

We would like to focus  this issue to be on the positive aspects of Muslims. For every negative stereotype of Islam and Muslims that is hyped up in certain media sources, there are hundreds of positive unreported actions by  Muslims across the globe that are geared towards love, peace and harmony, thanks to the Holy Quran as Allah's primary source of guidance.  

 

PART I: POSITIVE NEWS:

Part I-a

 Saudi- (King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals) KFUPM ranks among top 100 world universities  

MENAFN - 

Arab News 

March 31, 2013 

(MENAFN - Arab News) 

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) has been ranked 94th on a list of the 100 top universities established less than 50 years ago. The ranking was published in the Higher Education Supplement of the Times newspaper.

KFUPM and an Egyptian university were the only two Arab universities on the list, a local newspaper reported. Other universities in Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Brazil and Malaysia made the list along with the majority of Western universities.

"The university aims to achieve the highest standards of scientific quality," said Dr. Omar Suwailem, dean of the engineering department at KFUPM. The university seeks to keep up with new developments in higher education and research, he added. He said the ranking was not the goal of the university. "Our main goal is to improve outputs of graduates, to be highly skilled and competitive leaders," he said.

Former coordinator of the World Bank's tertiary education program, Jamil Salmi, wrote an article in the Times supplement, saying Saudi Arabia needs world class universities to improve education.

King Abdul Aziz University has achieved similar success. It was also mentioned among top international universities in the 2012-2013 rankings developed by Thomson Reuters and the Times newspaper.

Part I-b

STAR OF THE AMERICAN UMMAH:

(ED NOTE: 

The American Ummah is proud to have sisters like Asma Hanif who truly practice Islam for what it really is. We admire the thousands of volunteers who have given their time and effort selflessly to help others expecting no monetary compensation in return. The male editor of this E-Zine was himself a volunteer at a shelter for homeless and abused women and for a suicide hotline. However as there are bad apples in each group, even volunteers have their own share of bad apples. It is really sad that at a time when a Muslim woman has been emotionally and physically abused, is homeless, has a high degree of anxiety over "what is next", feels alienated and violated by someone who was supposed to be her life partner, in such a vulnerable and helpless situation, certain "volunteers" in shelters bring out their secret  agenda out in the open, in an attempt to try to convert the Muslim woman. It reflects not only their sheer ignorance of Islam but also their total lack of cultural sensitivity. There is no question that due to their poverty of knowledge about Islam, they may be assuming that Islam was the reason for her current miserable situation, when in fact, IT IS JUST THE OPPOSITE. Prophet Mohamed (SAW) had never abused any of his family members and he is quoted to have said "Women's rights are sacred". An abuser / perpetrator who involves in a criminal act of violence in the form of domestic violence is committing an anti-islamic act").

Meet Asma Hanif, Nurse to Muslim Women in Need
Lorena Ruiz

(www.tv.msnbc.com)

 March 30, 2013

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This week’s Melissa Harris-Perry Foot Soldier is Asma Hanif, an advanced practice nurse who has devoted her life to operating Al-Nissa Holistic Health Center, a free clinic for women who are homeless, uninsured, or victims of domestic abuse, and Muslimat Al-Nisaa, a shelter for Muslim women. 

Asma became interested in medicine after watching her grandmother pass away from a treatable condition because she lacked access to health care. She later went on to become a nurse and establish a center where all women could have access to quality care, regardless of means. In the teaching hospitals where she trained, Asma noticed that many of the Muslim women who came as patients were treated without respect or cultural sensitivity. She also heard stories from Muslim women who had been in shelters where volunteers encouraged them to undertake a religious conversion. Those experiences helped her identify the need for services that catered specifically to Muslim women.

Asma lives in the shelter with the women, allowing her to dedicate more of her resources to her work and be available for counseling and support. Her vision for her work is clear: “It started with my grandmother, but every time I find another person, maybe another category of individuals whom I can do something to help, then I add them. They become part of the project as well.” We had the opportunity to interview Asma this week to learn more about the work she does  and the critical role it plays.

What is your space called? Is it a center? Is it a shelter?

Asma Hanif: The organization is called Muslimat Al-Nisaa, which means Muslim Women’s Organization. The center is called Al-Nissa Holistic Health Center, and Al-Nissa means The Women. I found a house that was in Baltimore, a multi-family dwelling, a house – and I went ahead and rented that particular house and made it a shelter for the women that were in need of it. But because I couldn’t afford to have my own place – I could have kept the money from the clinic, I was making enough that I was eventually able to move out. I decided to live in the shelter because I could not afford to rent out the shelter and to rent out a place for me. I’m just like the women who come there. I deal with women who weren’t vagrants or who made homelessness a way of life.

The system is designed to help the ones who may look like they’ve never accomplished anything in their life. But homelessness is homelessness. It’s the same. Being a victim of domestic violence, it’s the same. It’s not particular to one socioeconomic group.

What kind of services do you provide at that house?

H.O.M.E. is an acronym for Housing, Occupational, Medical, and Educational. We provide housing. We provide [the women] the help they need to be able to find a job. In order for people to come, they have to have become homeless through no fault of their own, and they have to want to work towards self-sufficiency. However, in order to become self-sufficient, you have to have an address. You can’t go looking for a job, you can’t get into school; you can’t do anything unless you have an address. So we provide that.

The medical part of the acronym is because of the clinic, so if they need to they can come in for medical service. And then educational, whoever is willing to come in and volunteer and provide any of these services, they do it not at the home; they do it at the clinic. They do classes, whether its resumes, self-esteem, conflict resolution, whatever it is they may need. There are individuals, who come and say they are willing to do that, but then they don’t; I tell them they’re not a good fit for the program, because it is a program.

I feel that it is wrong and it is stealing, if I am going around the community and asking people to please help, and you’re going out and working to be able to make that donation while the women sit at home doing nothing. That’s not permitted.

Both your clinic and the home are sensitive to the needs of Muslim women and children; they aren’t exclusive to Muslim women and children, correct?

The shelter is [exclusive to Muslim women]. The clinic is not. When a person is a victim of domestic violence, sometimes the only thing that they have to hold onto is their belief in God. And so we try to make sure that they have that, and that they’re with other individuals that are feeling the same thing. I did this because when Muslim women would go through shelters, one of their main complaints is the people at the shelters would try to convert them away from Islam. So my shelter isn’t about trying to be exclusive, as in we think we’re better than you; it’s catering to a specific need that Muslim women have.

How many women live in the house?

Technically the home could house 50 women plus children. What happens is that if my numbers are lower, it’s because I don’t have enough money to have a full capacity, because that means more food, more electricity, more water… Even if we may have some money set aside in the bank, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

I want to tell you one more thing. I usually don’t do interviews. Even though I might do this stuff, for the world to know that I’m in a shelter… I feel like for the other women,  it’s humiliating. Based on how people spin stuff, it’s humiliating and embarrassing. But  for the world to know, it’s like you’re naked before the world. 

People ask me why I continually do this. And I say that I’m afraid that on the Day of Judgment, God will say to me, “One of my servants came to you and you turned them away.” 

That was my motivation for doing this. Because you don’t know who it is that God has sent on your  path to help. So if I had the ability to help someone, I will try to help them. That’s the legacy of my grandmother. She turned no one away.

For the original source,  please check out: http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/03/30/meet-asma-hanif-nurse-to-muslim-women-in-need/

 

Part I-c

U.S. Muslim, Arab-American delegation visits Morocco to talk about political reforms

Anika Myers 

www.orlandosentinel.com

March 25, 2013  

A group of U.S. Muslims and Arab-Americans are visiting the North African country of Morocco this week to talk with that nation's government and civil organizations about strengthening democracy, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

The 16-member U.S. delegation has met with officials from groups including the country's  parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Council for Human Rights.

The delegation includes members of CAIR, the Muslim American Society, Islamic Circle of North America, Syrian American Council, American Muslims for Palestine, and the  Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations, as well as James Gomez of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Randa Fahmy Hudome, a former George W. Bush administration official.

  Part I:d

(ED NOTE: Below is yet another great example of Islamic Society of Boston University doing an awesome job of sponsoring various activities to create Islamic awareness)

Muslim for a Day

(Boston University) BU  Women take Islamic Society’s Hijab Challenge

March 29, 2013 

By Susan Seligson

(condensed version)

 Sarah Dolaty (CAS’14) (seated, from left) and Asma Bashir (CAS’14) with Cherice Hunt (COM’14) (standing) at the GSU Link for the BU Hijab Day Challenge, part of Islam Awareness Month. Photo by Vernon Doucette

Sonia Perez Arias’ friend giggled when he saw her and total strangers greeted her on Commonwealth Avenue with the word “Salaam.” Anya Gonzales gained what she calls “a new-found respect” for Islam. For Richa Kaul, an initial sense of fear gave way to understanding and confidence.

Perez Arias (CAS’15), Gonzales (COM’15), Kaul (CAS’16) were among 40 non-Muslim women at BU who volunteered to spend a day wearing headscarves as part of the BU Hijab Day Challenge, one of several events sponsored by the Islamic Society of BU as part of March’s Islam Awareness Month.

Here on campus, women in hijab are a familiar sight. Sakina Hassanali (COM’14), president of the Islamic Society, said her headscarf draws notice, but rarely in a negative way. “It’s mostly the assumptions people make,” she said. “For example, people assume I speak Arabic.” In fact, Hassanali is from Tanzania, where the main languages are English and Swahili.

 So when a group of Islamic students invited classmates to don headscarves on March 22 as part of an awareness-raising all-day hijab challenge, they were ready to hear some compelling tales

 

 Sakina Hassanali (COM’14) (left), president of the Islamic Society of BU, and society vice president Zaina Inam (CAS’13) ready white paper bags for the society’s Light the Night event on Marsh Plaza March 27. Photo by Cydney Scott

They were not disappointed. Like all of the other activities planned for Islam Awareness Month, the hijab challenge emphasized a theme of “common ground” and aimed to “dispel some of the stereotypes and misconceptions attached to Islam,” Hassanali said, “and answer some of the questions people have about the religion.”

The women, who signed up at their dorms or at the George Sherman Union Link, were given  links to instructional videos and pink buttons that read “BU Hijab Day Challenge—Ask Me About My Hijab.” Hassanali said that while some of the women “got negative comments from  friends and colleagues, most of them got positive feedback.”

The experience was a positive one for Perez Arias. “I like to do things that challenge me,” she said. She wore a printed headscarf throughout the day and found that BU was the accepting community she had assumed it to be, despite some initial good-natured laughter by a friend who couldn’t fathom why she’d agreed to participate. What did surprise her was the succession of greetings from strangers along Comm Ave. “Muslim people were greeting me in Arabic,” said Perez Arias, who describes herself as an atheist. “I didn’t know how to respond.” The experience provided a fascinating opportunity to observe “how others put you into groups,” she said.

Sonia Perez Arias (CAS’15) wore her headscarf all day for the BU Hijab Day Challenge. Photo by Vernon Doucette

Kaul is a Hindu, and she joined the challenge out of curiosity and to show “solidarity  with the Islamic culture,” she said. “The only time I felt scared or anxious was right  before I opened the door to my classroom, a School of Management class, and some people  turned their heads,. I could see that people see the hijab first and then you.”

An international student from Trinidad, Gonzales is a Christian who has known many Muslims during her life. “I’m really happy I did this,” said Gonzales, who embellished  the effect by covering her arms and “trying to be modest” for the day. It’s easy to maintain modesty when it’s freezing out, she said. The day made her realize that it’s a bigger deal to cover up year-round. “I have a new-found respect for Muslim women,” she said.

“I applaud Boston University students who willingly took up the challenge of the Hijab Day and decided to experience the subjective rewards that may come with their personal choice or the hazard of becoming the object of hostile public gaze,” said Shahla Haeri, a College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of anthropology, who has written extensively on religion, law, and gender dynamics in the Muslim world. Haeri stressed that choice is key — both to wear headscarf, or choose not to in countries where Muslims are the majority.

 

 Sana Hashimani (ENG’15) arranges lit-up paper bags to read “Coexist” during  Light the Night. Photo by Cydney Scott

Throughout March, the Islamic Society has sponsored a series of events, including Petals from the Prophet, the sharing of flowers on Marsh Plaza, an evening of prayer on the plaza, a "What is Islam?" discussion at the Howard Thurman Center, and a Light the Night event on Marsh Plaza. The month long observation concludes Sunday with a free open invitation spring dinner at the GSU Metcalf Ballroom.

“The turnout has been great,” says Hassanali, recalling that at the Petals for the Prophet event, “even though we were the ones giving out the flowers, one guy actually came up to give us flowers. It really warmed our hearts. It just goes to show you the kind of community we have at BU.”

The Islamic Society Finding Common Ground Spring Dinner is from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 31, at the George Sherman Union Metcalf Ballroom, 775 Comm Ave; it is free and open to the BU community. For more information, email isbuact@gmail.com. Follow the Islamic Society on Twitter @islamicSBU.
 

Part I:e

(ED NOTE: Below is an excellent example of what a group of educated Muslim professionals  could  be doing by  providing free and low cost healthcare in under served areas. We need more of the same in multiple cities across the nation).

UMMA CLINIC 

 

(www.alkalima.com)

UMMA Clinic may have its roots in Islamic tenets, but its heart is in South L.A.,

where it has provided free and low-cost healthcare for 15 years.(ca.cair.com)

 

Dr. Mansur Khan, one of UMMA Clinic's founding members, attends the 2009 White House Iftar on behalf of UMMA Clinic

(al-talib.org)

 

UMMA Clinic

Posted by  UMMA Clinic 

18th March 2013 in Patient Profiles 

Jewish Journal Article

"A Beshert Happening: Crossing Paths with the UMMA Community Clinic"

Posted by Lia Mandelbaum

(condensed version) 

On December 8, I met my dear friends at John C. Fremont High School for the celebration of the brand new UMMA Community Clinic located on the school grounds. The event included a memorial honoring the life of Dr. Steven Sadler, who was a prominent Beverly Hills anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. He suddenly passed away on July 12, 2012, after being thrown from his horse during a practice session at the Santa Barbara Polo Club. Although I did not know Dr. Sadler, I learned that “he lived a full life filled with love and was respected by all who knew him.” He had been immensely invested  in the success of the UMMA Clinic.

The University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Community Clinic, is the first Muslim American founded community-based health organization in the United States. The Mission is to promote the well-being of the under-served by providing access to high quality healthcare for all regardless of ability to pay. Inspired by Islam, the Clinic serves people of all other cultural, economic and religious backgrounds. 

The Fremont Clinic and Wellness Center, includes a community garden being developed by the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust. Fremont High is one of the most   at-risk schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The vast majority of its students live in low-income households, with more than 60 percent of the community’s residents living well below the poverty level. 

UMMA’s new clinic will provide a broad range of primary and preventive health care services. Access to their services will not be limited to the Fremont High School students and staff members,  but to the community at large.

The architecture of the UMMA Clinic is far from a cold and sterilebuilding, and was obviously designed with soul, and the intention to carry out a mission of love, service, social justice and compassion. The entire building was structured to be  environmentally friendly, and is absolutely wonderful. A lovely man, Murtaza Sanwari, who is the chairman of the board for the UMMA Clinic, had given me a tour of the facility.  During the tour, Mrs. Sadler had approached me, and even though we had never met, she  embraced me with an immensely open and warm hug.

I wish flourishing and lasting success for the mission of the UMMA Community Clinic, and that Dr. Charles and Mrs. Hoori Sadler continue to feel connected to their son through  the clinics success.

The main Clinic is located directly on Florence Avenue, at:
711 West Florence Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
For Appointments call: (323) 789-5610

The Fremont High School Clinic is located at:
7821 S. Avalon Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90003

Part I:f

  Voice of Muslim Students 

www.ireport.cnn.com

March 26, 2013

Manhattan, New York

CNN PRODUCER NOTE    

Saudi Muslim students in American colleges and universities launched a nation-wide campaign in February called "Mohammed is a Prophet of Mercy: Sharing the language of peace and love". 

"Muslim students carried out the campaign in Times Square on Sunday, March 24. The aim of the campaign is to emphasize the similarities  between Muslim and other religions through simple statements of love, said Waleed Ali Aljohani, a medical student who coordinated the New York event. iReporter Sunsetlady says  she happened to be in Times Square and shot these (below) photos". 

dsashin, CNN iReport producer

  

Muslim students in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and England formed a campaign to explain Prophet Muhammad’s message of peace by giving away roses. On March 24, a group of students from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen, led by Dr.  Waleed Ali Aljohani and Ghazi Ali Al-Hassan, carried out the campaign in Times Square.

According to Dr. Aljohani, “After 9/11, a lot of people linked between Islam and violence. We decided as Muslim students to introduce our true religion and show how  Islam is a religion of love, mercy and peace by distributing flower with cards stating about love, respect and mercy. We are not asking people to be Muslim but at least we can  show what the similarities between Islam and other religions. The similarities between Muslim and other religion, nations and culture are more than different; No reason for Islamophobia. Muslim could be anyone – family, friend, or neighbor. So you can look to  what we are sharing together – love, peace and mercy.”

To see all the photos,  please check out:  http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-947366

Part I-g:

CAIR-OHIO Meets With 18 Congressional Offices During National Advocacy Days

 28 March 2013

www.cair.com

www.cair.com

Ohio-Hill-visits Ohio chapters raise concerns over watch lists, discrimination at US borders, immigration, and bullying

(Columbus, Ohio, 3/28/2013) – Staff from the three Ohio chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) met last week with 18 congressional offices in Washington, D.C., as part of CAIR's annual advocacy days. Representatives of the Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization came from across the country and met with nearly 170 congressional offices overall.

Delegates from the CAIR chapters in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati spoke with members of Congress and key congressional staffers about federal watch list issues and discrimination at U.S. borders, immigration reform, and supporting anti-bullying legislation for all citizens.

"Our annual trip to D.C. gives our organization the opportunity to raise awareness among our elected officials about the issues that matter to our community here in Ohio," said Jennifer Nimer, CAIR-Ohio legal director.

"Having the opportunity to advocate on issues of importance with our elected officials is exciting and sobering at the same time -- exciting to be in the halls of power and sobering to see how much work our community still needs to do," said Karen Dabdoub, CAIR-Cincinnati executive director.

In recent years CAIR has dealt with a number of high-profile cases involving the extrajudicial exile of American citizens traveling abroad. CAIR-Ohio chapters addressed concerns over this practice during meetings with legislative offices and requested the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General to investigate the FBI's practice of placing Americans on the no-fly list while they are abroad.

CAIR representatives also asked Ohio's congressional leadership to support comprehensive immigration reform policies that respect civil and human rights, and promote greater public safety.

CAIR-Ohio representatives also encouraged support of legislation similar to the Safe Schools Act of 2011, which would further strengthen schools in the fight against bullying and intimidation.  

Part I-h

CAIR-FLORIDA  fights to run ‘My Jihad’ bus ads March 29, 2013  by Tom Tillison

(condensed version)

 

 Hassan Shibly – Photo Credit WMNF.org

          The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has embarked on a campaign to redefine the term “jihad,” applying earlier this year to advertise a “#MyJihad” message on Hillsborough Area Regional Transit buses.

        The transit authority, known as HART, rejected the ads because the agency prohibits “advertisements that primarily promote a religious faith or religious organizations,” according to an email to members sent by the Florida Family Association.

            According to a source, HART board members have been overwhelmed with responses    from residents opposing the ads since the email was sent out Thursday.

Hassan Shibly, executive director of CAIR-FL appealed the decision, according to Florida  Family, and the HART board of directors will consider the matter at a public hearing on April 1, although the issue is not listed on the meeting agenda.

 

Lawyers have asked the board to reverse its decision to reject the ad, saying Shibly has asserted that the campaign seeks to bring a “diverse America closer together by raising awareness about an Arabic word which has become misunderstood.”

The CAIR-FL effort is part of a nationwide educational campaign launched in Chicago in December. The goal of the campaign, CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab explained, is “reclaiming Jihad from the Muslim and anti-Muslim extremists who ironically, but not surprisingly, see eye to eye on Jihad,” according to a CAIR statement.

Critics counter that it’s an attempt to redefine the word jihad, to reclassify it as a “struggle” instead of a holy war waged on behalf of Islam — a central doctrine of the Islamic faith.

The Huffington Post reported that ”MyJihad” was a response to the actions of conservative blogger Pamela Geller, who ran a series of controversial “Defeat Jihad” ads on city buses in November.

One Geller ad says:
"In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support the Copts. Defeat Jihad.” [A reference to Coptic Christians in Egypt.]

Part II

INTERFAITH:

Part II-a:

Dear Rightwing Catholic Islamophobes: Pope Francis just washed the feet of a Poor Muslim
(www.informedconsent.com)

 03/30/2013 by Juan 

(condensed version)

Pope Francis on Maundy Thursday declined to address enormous crowds. Instead he went to a prison to emulate Jesus’s act of humility before his crucifixion in washing the feet of  his 12 disciples. The pope washed and kissed the feet of 12 inmates, two of them women and two of them Muslim (one of the women was Muslim). It is reported that some of the prisoners broke down in tears.

      Pope Francis’s willingness to wash the feet of a Muslim woman shows his concern for the very lowest stratum of society. 

             Europe has millions of Muslims, and some are well off and well integrated into society. But many Muslims who immigrated into France and Italy for work got caught when the jobs dried up, and live in poor areas of the cities, being excluded from mainstream society or much hope of betterment. Women have lower status than men in such communities, so a poor Muslim woman in jail is just about the bottom of the social scale.

            Pope Francis is from Argentina, which has a large, successful Arab-heritage community that includes Muslims, and he is said to have deeply disagreed with his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, over the latter’s Regensburg speech in which he said things that Muslims found insulting.

             The thing that strikes me about all this is that there is a small strand of American Catholic conservatism that frankly despises both the poor and Muslims, and is one of the pillars of prejudice against Muslims (some call it Islamophobia) in the United States. Most Catholics in opinion polls have a more positive view of Islam and Muslims than is common among evangelical Protestants, but the right wingers among them have a thing about Muslims (and about poor people).

            These purveyors of hate speech against Muslims claim to be Catholics, and some of them are annoyingly Ultramontane, insisting on papal infallibility and trying to impose their values on all Americans.

          Yet the person they hold to be the vicar of Christ has just given humankind a different charge, of humility and of service to the least in society, many of whom are Muslims.        So when will we see Rudy Giuliani, Sean Hannity and the others go to a prison to comfort  inmates, and serve the Muslims among them? When will we see them kiss a Muslim’s feet? Or  are they cafeteria Catholics, parading only the values that accord with their Ayn Rand  heresy?

 

Part II-b: 

 INTERFAITH AND POLITICS:

This Easter, Religious Leaders Join Forces to Denounce U.S. Drone Policy

Robert Greenwald March 27, 2013

www.warcosts.com

Today, Brave New Foundation released a short video documenting religious leaders coming out against the use of Just War Theory to defend President Obama’s drone policy.

Franciscan Friar Joe Nangle said it well:

"How can we hold our heads high when remote-controlled, killer aircraft like drones are raining death and destruction on populations half a world away from our borders, on women, men and children who pose no threat to our safety and well-being."

Rev. Dr. Paul F.M. Zahl said "The use of remote-controlled drones to assassinate targeted persons without charge, trial, or even at least the chance to surrender is about as un-Christian a maneuver as I can imagine."

Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Rev. Graylan, Bishop Gumbleton, Franciscan Friar Joe Nangle, Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, and Rev. Dr. Paul F. M. Zahl come together to explain that Just War Theory cannot be used to justify the use of drones.

Rev. Dr. Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Professor of Theology at the Chicago Theological Seminary said: "There are too many questions concerning the continuing authority for a 'War on Terror,' to the protection of civilians, to the lack of transparency about the program,  to call this Just War.  Drones are particularly dangerous as they tempt us, as well as other nations, to consider war 'easy' and 'cheap.' The age of drones, unless checked, will be an age of permanent war."

During this time of rebirth and renewal, these religious leaders remind us that we must strongly consider how our government conducts itself on behalf of our nation at home and abroad.

 

(www.aisyaislam.tumbler)