VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 120, February 28, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

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

WHY IT IS A DISSERVICE TO THE PEACE LOVING RELIGION OF ISLAM AND WRONG TO CLASSIFY A CRIMINAL AS AN EXTREMIST MUSLIM?

It is common sense and we don’t need a Ph.D in Islamic Studies or a Fatwa to confirm that when a Muslim involves in killing innocent women and children, he is no longer a practicing Muslim because of his DEVIATED and ANTI-ISLAMIC act. Holy Quran clearly states that when a person kills another person, it is as if he killed all of humanity. How could one be called a practicing Muslim when a criminal has, as a result of his terrorist actions killed multiple innocent victims, literally per above Quranic teaching “killed humanity several times” ? If this clearly is not a deviation from mainstream Islam, then what else is ? Both Holy Quran and Prophet's teaching are totally against suicide.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "be moderate in your religious deeds and do what is within your ability. NONE OF YOU SHOULD WISH FOR DEATH, for if he is a doer of good, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil doer, he may repent to God." - Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 577

In Islam one is allowed to start a fight ONLY IF ATTACKED. The criminals are fighting contrary to the above condition. When the public is carrying on their day to day life either in the market place or praying in the House of Allah, then such criminals deceptively concealing their evil design enter into a gathering and then blow themselves up UNPROVOKED. It is really a insult to Islam to call them EXTREMIST MUSLIMS. "Extremist criminals" would be more appropriate term for them.

In the U.S constitution, the second amendment refers to the right to bear arms and there are millions of patriotic Americans who would do everything possible to preserve above Constitutional right to bear arms. Further if one is attacked and he or she uses the weapon for self-defense, in most cases, it is understandable and he or she may not be punished. However if the same person takes the weapon and kills other fellow Americans indiscriminately on the streets for whatever political or other reasons, it is to be noted that he or she is NOT called a "EXTREMIST AMERICAN PATRIOT" who is attempting to exercise his constitutional right TO THE EXTREME. In above case, the positive LABEL of PATRIOT is removed and his actions are seen as BREAKING THE LAW and he or she is perceived as a CRIMINAL.

But if a Muslim deviates from Islam in a totally wrong direction from the peaceful teachings of Islam and involves in bloodshed, he wrongly is called an "EXTREMIST MUSLIM" . It is wrong because, the POSITIVE label of MUSLIM still is attached to his criminal action. We argue that the word of MUSLIM need to be removed because of the fact that he has broken a major Islamic value of sanctity of life and is no longer a PRACTICING MUSLIM as regard to his criminal actions.

In above case of the Patriotic American, it is clear that he or she has broken the law and committed a crime. The same applies to Muslims in the Islamic context. It is mind boggling that a Muslim criminal who so blatantly violates the Quranic code of sanctity of life, is still viewed as a Muslim who is practicing Islam to the extreme. Dear brothers and sisters, the fact is that he has DEVIATED AWAY FROM ISLAM.

We appeal to one and all, Muslims and Non-Muslims, please understand the criminal act involved and label the act according to the action and PLEASE do not add ISLAMIC or MUSLIM label to such criminals. It is totally unfair. If anything, by calling such criminals MUSLIM EXTREMISTS, you are basically giving them legitimacy and protection under the umbrella of Islam, which they DO NOT DESERVE in the first place. Further it also adds to their delusional belief that they have the support from the world Muslims and that they indeed are practicing Islam to the extreme, which we know is totally false and baseless. Many of such criminals blow themselves up in the process of taking down the lives of others around them and as a result these criminals cannot even be subjected to the normal process of legal proceedings. However those criminals that do survive because their destructive means did not go off, or they were apprehended way before they attempted to blow themselves up, then in such cases, they should be subjected to the legal proceedings and if convicted, punished to the fullest extent of the law.

TRUE MEANING OF AN MUSLIM EXTREMIST:

A Muslim extremist is someone who practices Islam to the extreme. For example he or she may do prayers excessively more than what is minimally required. He or she may fast for many more days or even additional months (besides the one month of fasting during Ramadan) all for the sake of Allah. He or she may repeat Allah’s name or other divine words hundreds or even thousands of times a day on a continual basis by using his rosary on a regular basis et.c .

As long as the MUSLIM in question is not violating ISLAMIC LAWS in terms of involvement in killing and instead is excessively practicing Islam in a spiritual or ritualistic manner, then it is only RIGHT to call such a MUSLIM a MUSLIM EXTREMIST for the fact that he or she is practicing Islam in extreme manner (way beyond what is minimally called for). It is to be noted that our loving Prophet Mohamed (SAW) was against extremism and advocated moderation as indicated in examples below.

PROPHET'S TEACHINGS AGAINST EXTREMISM:

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The deen(religion) is easy. Anyone who makes the deen too hard on himself will find it becomes too much for him. So aim for what is right, follow a middle path, accept the good news of the reward for right action, and seek help (to reach your goal by being constant in worshipping) in the morning, evening and some of the night." (al-Bukhari)

ADOPT A MODERATE COURSE

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "DO GOOD DEEDS PROPERLY, SINCERELY AND MODERATELY...ALWAYS ADOPT A MIDDLE, MODERATE, REGULAR COURSE, WHEREBY YOU WILL REACH YOUR TARGET (OF PARADISE) Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadith 470

Abu 'Abdullah Jabir ibn Samura said, "I used to pray the prayers with the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his prayer was of medium length and his khutba (speech) was of medium length." (Muslim)

QURAN'S EMPHASIS ON MODERATION IN WORSHIP:

Almighty Allah says, "We did not send down the Qur'an to you to make you miserable" (20:1)
Further Almighty Allah says, "Allah desires ease for you; He does not desire difficulty for you." (W2:184; H2:185)

MODERATION IN ALL THINGS:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked a companion: "(Is it true) that you fast all day and stand in prayer all night?" The companion replied that the report was indeed true. The Prophet then said: "DO NOT DO THAT" Observe the fast sometimes and also leave (it) at other times. Stand up for prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you." Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadith 127

Anas said, "Three people came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to ask about how the Prophet worshiped ? When they were told, it was as if they thought it was little and said, 'Where are we in relation to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who has been forgiven his past and future wrong actions?'

The first male said, "One of them said, 'I will pray all of every night.'

The second male said, 'I will fast all the time and not break the fast.'

The third male said, "I will withdraw from women and never marry.'

The Messenger of Allah came to them and said, 'Are you the ones who said "such-and-such" (the above three wishes) ? By Allah, I am the one among you with the most fear and awareness of Allah, but I fast and break the fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry woman. Whoever disdains my Sunna is not with me.'

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger as saying: Observe moderation in deeds (and if it is not possible, try to be near moderation) and understand that none amongst you can attain salvation because of his deeds alone.

There was also another incident of a man who was in the Mosque all day remembering and praying to Allah. Hazrath Umar Al-Khatab confronted him and told him to leave the Mosque and return back to his family and work and provide sustenance to his family.

Above examples emphasize moderation in practice of Islam and are against EXTREME forms in terms of practicing Islam.

At what point in history, did above interpretation of EXTREMIST MUSLIMS get twisted to include Muslims who clearly and unequivocally DEVIATED AWAY from PEACEFUL TEACHINGS OF ISLAM and began their involvement in killing innocents is not clear ?

Unfortunately for the common man, having heard, read and seen news repeatedly connecting violence, bloodshed, killings with extremist Muslims, it would be hard to accept our different interpretation as explained in detail above. It is but understandable that repeated exposure may make one to believe it to be the right connection.

LINGUISTICALLY SPEAKING, the same applies to the concept of MIDDLE EAST which to the world immediately means the area inhabited by Israel and the other surrounding Arab countries. The origin of the word MIDDLE EAST came from England because to them rightly so, the mostly Arab inhabited area was from their (British) location in the world, MIDDLE of the EASTERN REGION OF THE EARTH. But today everybody uses the world MIDDLE EAST including the Chinese, Korean and Japanese for whom Israel and the Arab Countries are definitely not in the MIDDLE of their Eastern Region. Instead to them it should be Middle West, because it is in the MIDDLE of their WESTERN Region from their location.

We are aware that old habits die hard, but in the case of our earlier point, hundreds if not thousands of innocent lives may be on the line in the near future, if we continue to legitimize harboring the criminals/terrorists under the umbrella of Islam. We all collectively need to build consensus and perceive them and treat them as criminals and subject them to the normal legal procedures and if convicted, punish them to the fullest extent of the law. Above change should first begin within the Muslim community at all levels – Local, State, National and International.

These criminals have already disabled, killed hundreds if not thousands of our innocent brothers and sisters, women and children and they should be reminded of their violations of Quranic teachings in terms of taking away innocent lives. Every attempt should be made to get them out of their fantasy world of being a martyr or having the support of the global Muslim community, for the truth is that THEY INDEED HAVE COMMITTED A CRIME AND VIOLATED THE TEACHINGS OF HOLY QURAN BY LITERALLY KILLING THE ENTIRE HUMANITY TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

ASIA
www.malaysianews.net

Feb 23, 2010

Malaysia To Host International Conference On Caning of Women

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 23:

An international conference on comparative studies by Muslim nations on whether it is the norm for Muslim women to be caned for an offence under the Shariah law will be held in Malaysia. Malaysian Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil hoped the conference could be held in three months to address the issue. "I will bring this up with the Cabinet as soon as possible," The Star quoted Jalil, as saying. She said the ministry will organize the conference through the Secretariat for the Defence and Empowerment of Women, adding that Ulamas and NGOs would also have their forums at the conference.

The initiative for the caning comes after caning of three Malaysian women, who were found guilty of committing illicit sex in violation of Shariah law, caught immediate international reaction and interest, with a number of foreign media running articles and commentary on the issue. The three women were sentenced to be whipped under Section 23(2) of the Federal Territory Shariah Criminal Offences Act 1997 (Illicit Sex) for engaging in illicit sex. Several organizations in Malaysia, including Sisters in Islam (SIS) had earlier said the three cases constituted further discrimination against Muslim women in Malaysia. Bar Council chairman Ragunath Kesavan urged the Government to abolish whipping and to comply with international norms and principles on it.

AUSTRALIA

Controversial Muslim scholar visits Australia
ABC Radio Australia
Feb 25, 2010

Progressive American Islamic scholar Dr Amina Wadud is visiting Australia to talk about her main academic interests - Islamic identity and the struggle for women's rights within Islam. Amina Wadud was born Mary Teasley but changed her name in 1974 after she converted to Islam. In 2005, she became the target of death threats after she led Friday prayers in a Catholic Church in New York against the accepted ban on women as imams. But Doctor Wadud has another passion in the Asian region: Indonesia, where she's lived and taught. She's also taught in Malaysia but it's Indonesia she describes as uniquely hopeful, though not without potential fractures.

EUROPE

Halal Burger 'Discrimination' Stirs Debate in France

www.time.com
Bruce Crumley (condensed version)
(Feb 24, 2010)

Perhaps it's time for France to take a deep breath. First the country went through histrionics as parliamentarians bustled to ban the niqab - the face-covering garment that only a few hundred Muslim women wear in this nation of 65 million people. Then came President Nicolas Sarkozy's push for a debate on national identity, a move that critics claimed stigmatized immigrants and Muslims. Now France is demonstrating what looks like a neurotic obsession with Islam - if not outright Islamophobia - as it frets over the halal hamburgers that are sold in a handful of the 362 French affiliates of Franco-Belgian fast-food chain Quick.

The latest brouhaha was sparked by René Vandierendonck, the socialist mayor of the northern city of Roubaix, who this month railed against his local Quick outlet over its Nov. 30 decision to remove bacon burgers from its menu and replace them with a version using halal beef and a slice of smoked turkey. "It's discrimination" against non-Muslim customers, Vandierendonck said. The mayor has filed charges with justice authorities against Quick for what he says is prejudicial religious catering. He has also lodged a complaint with France's main anti discrimination authority on the matter. "Yes to diversity, no to exclusion," Vandierendonck told Le Monde's website last week. "I congratulate Quick for adapting its offer to consumers by providing halal, but it goes too far when they propose only that."

Critics of Vandierendonck point out that Roubaix's Quick outlet is one of just eight in France to adapt its menu to its predominantly Muslim customers and claim that the controversy, coming after those about Muslim dress and religious symbols, is evidence of a deep prejudice against Islam. "Would there have been all these resounding denunciations had Quick decided to position itself in, say, the biological food niche rather than halal?" asks Muslim consumer blog Al Kanz. "Would thematic Quick menus offering only Mexican or Chinese food make such noise in the media? No, assuredly not."

Mayors in cities where other Quick restaurants have gone halal say the move provoked no problem or debate. Socialist politicians say Vandierendonck's theatrics are of a type with the divisive grandstanding they accused conservatives of using in the recent identity debate. Many French commentators note that fast-food diners can't tell whether the meat they're eating is halal, kosher or blessed by voodoo priests unless they're specifically told - making the beef over halal burgers seem a tad overdone. French KFC affiliates mostly buy halal-slaughtered birds, but there has been no controversy about that. And if people are really annoyed about bacon being dropped from a menu, they can always take their business to one of France's many other fast-food outlets.

NORTH AMERICA

MUSLIM WOMEN IN OLYMPICS:

(One of the reasons I'm so happy about being here is to be a role model
Marjan Kalhor)

Iran's role model and inspiration - on skis
By Marcus George (condensed version)
BBC News, Feb 24, 2010

Iranian Skier Marjan Kalhor at Winter Olympics

Marjan hopes that taking part in games will encourage other Iranian women

The first Iranian woman to take part in the Winter Olympics says she hopes she will be able to inspire Muslim women all over the world to get involved in sport.

Marjan Kalhor has overcome conservative opposition to her participation in the games by wearing a headscarf under her skiing helmet.

This week the 21-year-old is thousands of miles away in Vancouver preparing for her debut in the Winter Olympics.

When she lines up on Wednesday to cross the start line of the giant slalom, she will be the first Iranian woman to ever participate in the games. While nobody is expecting her to win a medal, she says she has already achieved her greatest ambition by participating, and she hopes it will encourage other Iranian women.



"The number of women who are interested in skiing is increasing fast. And I'm so happy about that," she says. "The next generation and my own, are thinking about competing, not just having fun.

"And one of the reasons I'm so happy about being here is to be a role model for all of them." The Iranian delegation at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics 10 February 2010.

But if some have questioned her participation, many more will be cheering her on and hoping against all the odds for an Olympic medal returning to Iran.

UNITED STATES:

Muslim Women Protest Policies At Islamic Center Of Washington
February 22, 2010(www.wamu.org)
By Kavitha Cardoza

Fatima Thompson led a protest against women having to pray in an area other than the main prayer hall in a Northwest D.C. mosque. Courtesy of: Kavitha Cardoza

Washington DC:
Some women who protested at the Islamic Center of Washington, wanting to be able to worship in the main prayer hall with their male counterparts, were asked to leave by the police. But they say their struggle will continue.

Carpets with intricate designs cover the floors of the main prayer hall and turquoise tiles line the walls. But the source of contention is a small room created with seven foot high wooden walls. Jannah B'int Hannah describes how she feels in there where she cannot see the imam, or leader of the mosque, speak.

"Boxed in, stifling, suffocating and totally a second class citizen," says Hannah.

Over the weekend, Hannah and approximately 20 other women prayed in the main hall, but D.C. police were called. They asked them to leave or be arrested.

Syed Burmi, the imam of Islamic Society of Western Maryland, says the physical separation helps maintain women's privacy and modesty as well as keeps the focus on prayer.

"If I stand next to a lady or a woman stands next to me, maybe the focus will change and no longer be on God the Almighty. So that's why we put the partition," says Burmi. In two out of every three American mosques, women of separate prayer spaces around the country. Asra Nomani is a leading Islamic feminist who led a similar protest in West Virginia.

"We have this generation of American muslim women who are saying look you want us to go to Harvard, to rise to the highest level of Wall Street firms and you want us to sit where in the mosque?," says Nomani.

Women activists say they will continue to try to pray in the main hall until this policy changes.

DISCRIMINATION & EXTREMISM RAISES ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN

(ED NOTE: Technologically, the diverse global population is getting closer and closer through ongoing hitech means of communication. However socially, many of us still continue to have the mentality of US versus THEM. We appeal to all citizens of the PLANET EARTH to join us to work towards world peace. You don't need a Ph.D to recognize injustice, discrimination and extremism. Below are samples of above negative aspects that we all must work towards significantly reducing if not eliminating).

NIGERIA

Muslim Mob Burns Down Eight Churches:
(www.persecution.org) Feb 23, 2010

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on February 21 a Muslim mob burned down several Christian shops and eight churches in Kazaure, northern Nigeria...... a Muslim mob attempted to attack the police station but was chased away by the police. Enraged, the mob turned their attention instead on one of this region's most vulnerable targets-Christian churches and shops. The mob burned down the following churches: Deeper Life Bible Church, Catholic Church, Apostolic Church, ECWA Church, Redeem Christian Church, Anglican Church, Word of Faith, and Assemblies of God Church all in the city of Kazaure.

United Kingdom

Michael Gove Opposes Mosque

(Guardian, Feb 13, 2010)

The construction of a mosque is opposed by the EDL and other right-wingers, a Conservative MP agrees with them. (via Islamophobia-Watch)

Michael Gove Opposes Mosque at Center of ‘Inflammatory Campaign’

A Conservative frontbench spokesman, Michael Gove, has opposed plans to build a mosque in his constituency after it became the target of an “inflammatory and offensive” online campaign.

The shadow schools secretary, who warned that the west was facing a “total war” from Islamists in his book Celsius 7/7, had initially refused to take sides in the dispute over proposals to build a mosque next to Sandhurst barracks in Camberley, Surrey. But this week he said he had been convinced that the strength of feeling was threatening the area’s “good community relations” and called on local Muslims to withdraw the application.

“The issue has become a flashpoint and people from inside and outside the community were making statements that I did not think would further community relations,” he said. “It struck me that it was best to ask the Bengali Welfare Association to withdraw the application and to consider how to improve the facilities for worship for the Muslim community in a calmer environment.”

A Facebook group set up to oppose the mosque has 6,834 “fans” and was criticised by one local organisation opposing the mosque as “inflammatory and offensive”. The Facebook group is supported by the far-right English Defence League.

The local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Alan Hiliar, said Gove had “lost all respect” over the issue. “I reject Michael Gove’s decision to ask the community to withdraw their application on the ground that it’s ‘divisive’. To ask the Muslim community to withdraw the application is simply kicking the issue into the long grass; it resolves nothing.”

LIBYA

Kadhafi Calls For Jihad Against Switzerland Over Minaret Ban
www.brietbart.com
Feb 25, 2010

Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi called on Thursday for jihad (holy war) against Switzerland over the ban adopted last year on the construction of minarets in the country.

"It is against unbelieving and apostate Switzerland that jihad ought to be proclaimed by all means," Kadhafi said during a speech in the Mediterranean coastal city of Bengazi to mark the birthday of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed.

"Jihad against Switzerland, against Zionism, against foreign aggression is not terrorism," Kadhafi said.

"Any Muslim around the world who has dealings with Switzerland is an infidel (and is) against Islam, against Mohammed, against God, against the Koran," the leader told a crowd of thousands in a speech broadcast live on television.

UNITED STATES:

CALIFORNIA MUSLIM EMPLOYEE FIRED FOR REFUSING TO REMOVE SCARF IN PUBLIC

(SANTA CLARA, CA, 2/24/10) - The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) is calling on Abercrombie & Fitch customers who value diversity and inclusion to contact the company to express their concerns about a Muslim employee who was fired for refusing to remove her hijab.

CAIR-SFBA announced today that it has filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against Abercrombie & Fitch on behalf of the Muslim employee.

The Muslim worker reported to CAIR-SFBA that she was hired as a stockroom worker in October of last year at the Hollister outlet in San Mateo, Calif. She says she was told at that time that she could wear her scarf if it was in a color that matched the company's brand identity.

Hollister is a division of Abercrombie & Fitch. Ohio-based Abercrombie & Fitch operates more than 1100 stores worldwide.

Recently, a district manager visited the store and noticed that the Muslim employee was wearing a head scarf. The district manager then reportedly initiated a conference call with the company's human resources department during which the Muslim worker was told that scarves and hats are not allowed in the "look" policy. Despite informing company managers that she wears her scarf for religious reasons, the Muslim employee was sent home immediately.

This week, she was told she must remove her scarf during work hours. When she refused to violate her religious beliefs by removing her scarf in public, she was fired.

"This unconscionable and apparently illegal action by company managers violates not only federal civil rights law as it relates to religious accommodation in the workplace, but also violates Abercrombie & Fitchs own stated commitments to diversity, inclusion and ethical business practices," said CAIR-SFBA Programs and Outreach Director Zahra Billoo. "We urge Abercrombie & Fitch customers who value diversity and inclusion to contact the company to express their concerns about this violation of religious freedom."

She said Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing and other terms and conditions of employment. The act also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of an employee, unless doing so would create an "undue hardship" for the employer.

In 2008, the EEOC issued new guidelines on accommodating religious beliefs and practices in the workplace. The guidelines offer protection for workers who wear religious attire such as hijab.

Billoo said CAIR's Oklahoma chapter filed a similar complaint against Abercrombie & Fitch in 2008 on behalf of a Muslim applicant in that state who was denied a job because of her hijab. In September of 2009, the EEOC filed a discrimination suit against the company on behalf of the Muslim applicant.

EGYPT:

During an interview with Egyptian Cleric Wagdi Ghoneim, that was aired on Al-Aqsa TV on February 14, 2010 above Cleric Stated: " We Pray to Allah That We Be Terrorists, If Terror Means Jihad," (Source: MEMRI)

UNITED STATES:

David Horowitz Says Palestinians Are Nazis

25 February 2010
(loonwatch.com)

David Horowitz

David Horowitz, the former Marxist turned neo-Conservative was at UMass where he faced strong opposition from students. He ended up calling Palestinians Nazis, said Islam is worse and more dangerous than Nazism and other crazy stuff.

CAIR Thanks Fla. Sheriff for Response to Anti-Islam E-Mail

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/23/10) - A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization today thanked a Florida sheriff for his "prompt and professional" response to the circulation of an anti-Islam message by members of his department using official e-mail addresses.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said it received a complaint that two staffers of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office forwarded an e-mail urging "patriotic Americans" to protest a U.S. Postal Service "Eid" stamp marking the two major Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha at the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca. (The Eid stamp was first issued in 2001 and was re-issued several times as prices increased. The 44-cent version was issued last September.)

The e-mail, with the subject line "DO NOT BUY THIS STAMP," falsely claims the stamp is new and that its creation was ordered by President Obama. It also states: "REMEMBER to adamantly & vocally BOYCOTT this stamp, when you are purchasing your stamps at the post office...To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors."

Sheriff Donald F. Eslinger today told CAIR that the anti-Islam message is not representative of his department and that the staffers in question have been reminded of the policy prohibiting such actions.

"We thank Sheriff Eslinger for his prompt and professional response to this incident and for his rejection of intolerance," said CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "Our research and experience show that the best way to challenge anti-Islam stereotyping and falsehoods is through education and outreach."

He added that a copy of the Quran, Islam's revealed text, will be sent to Sheriff Eslinger for use as a reference by department personnel.

Hooper said the gift to the sheriff's office is part of CAIR's "Explore the Quran" campaign designed to distribute free copies of the Quran to 100,000 local, state and national leaders. To date, tens of thousands of copies of the Quran have been sponsored and are being delivered to leaders nationwide.

Last year, CAIR sent a copy of the Quran to a Tennessee mayor who circulated the same e-mail. Copies of the Quran were also sent to the city council.

CAIR will also send Sheriff Eslinger copies of its "Law Enforcement Officials Guide to the Muslim Community," which outlines basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to law enforcement agencies. The booklet cover issues such as the rights of Muslim law enforcement officers, religiously-sensitive techniques for body searches, etiquette for entering Muslim homes, and advice on outreach to the Islamic community.

A recent survey showed that more than 4 in 10 Americans admit to anti-Muslim prejudice.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

SAUDI ARABIA:

Saudi Cleric Backs Gender Segregation With Fatwa

(www.inreuters)

Feb 23, 2010

RIYADH (Reuters)

A prominent Saudi cleric has issued an edict calling for opponents of the kingdom's strict segregation of men and women to be put to death if they refuse to abandon their ideas.

Shaikh Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak said in a fatwa the mixing of genders at the workplace or in education "as advocated by modernisers" is prohibited because it allows "sight of what is forbidden, and forbidden talk between men and women".

"All of this leads to whatever ensues," he said in the text of the fatwa published on his website (albarrak.islamlight.net).

"Whoever allows this mixing ... allows forbidden things, and whoever allows them is an infidel and this means defection from Islam ... Either he retracts or he must be killed ... because he disavows and does not observe the Sharia," Barrak said.

"Anyone who accepts that his daughter, sister or wife works with men or attend mixed-gender schooling cares little about his honour and this is a type of pimping," Barrak said.

PAKISTAN

Three Sikhs beheaded by Taliban in Pakistan

Feb 22, 2010 (www.economictimes.indiatimes.com)

NEW DELHI: In what threatens to cast a shadow on the upcoming Indo-Pakistan talks scheduled for February 25, three Sikh youths were beheaded by the Taliban in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) region after they allegedly refused to convert to Islam. Their severed heads were dumped at a gurudwara in Peshawar.

The Sikh youths — identified as Jaspal Singh, Sarabjit Singh and Baronat Singh — had gone to realise the money owed to them by some people in the FATA region adjoining Afghanistan, when they were abducted by the Taliban militia. They were allegedly told by the Taliban to embrace Islam or face death. When the Sikh youth refused, their heads were chopped and sent to the Bhai Joga Singh Gurudwara in Peshawar.

SWEDEN

Jews Leave Swedish City After Sharp Rise In Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes
(telegraph.co.uk)
By Nick Meo in Malmo, Sweden
21 Feb 2010

Sweden's reputation as a tolerant, liberal nation is being threatened by a steep rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes in the city of Malmo.

When she first arrived in Sweden after her rescue from a Nazi concentration camp, Judith Popinski was treated with great kindness.

She raised a family in the city of Malmo, and for the next six decades lived happily in her adopted homeland - until last year. "I never thought I would see this hatred again in my lifetime, not in Sweden anyway," Mrs Popinski told The Sunday Telegraph. "This new hatred comes from Muslim immigrants. The Jewish people are afraid now."

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
(Relax and de-stress yourself)

Thanks to Dr. Lewis for forwarding below information.

(A) This is a translation of women's words that I got from a female spy.

(A) NINE WORDS WOMEN USE

(1) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) FIVE MINUTES: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game (in TV) before helping around the house.

(3) NOTHING: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in "FINE" (see #1 above)

(4) GO AHEAD: This is a dare, NOT permission. Don't do it!

(5) LOUD SIGH: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about NOTHING. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of NOTHING)

(6) THAT'S OKAY: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) THANKS: A woman is thanking you, do not question or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . That will bring on a 'WHATEVER' (see below).

(8) WHATEVER: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU! (forget you)

(9) DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

* Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, because they know it's true!!!

(B) NON-LIVING THINGS HAVE GENDER TOO:

FREEZER BAGS:
They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.

PHOTOCOPIERS:
These are female, because once turned off, it takes a while to warm them up again. They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.

(c) THE SILENT TREATMENT:

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM...' He left it where he knew she would find it.

The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.

The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'

MEN ARE NOT EQUIPPED FOR THESE KINDS OF CONTESTS.

THE END