VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 205, October 16, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL
Volume 205, October 16, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL
ED NOTE:
In this E-Zine, we have first highlighted the positive news followed by important issues pertaining to Islam in Europe and concluded by news related to Extremism.
(www.xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)
POSITIVE NEWS:
Part I-a
GERMANY: FORGING A EUROPEAN BRAND OF ISLAM
August 8, 2011
August 8, 2011
Via WSJ:
Germany's government is granting five of its public universities up to €4 million ($5.7 million) each to develop Islamic theology programs. The Osnabrück experiment, the first German university course of its kind, has gained a great deal of attention. During a recent class, news cameras and reporters circled the students, men dressed neatly in suit jackets and a single row of head-scarfed women.
Among the seminar's revelations for Selman Yavuz, who leads a small Muslim congregation in western Germany, was that according to a Roman Catholic doctrine, the church holds Muslims in "esteem." "Many of us didn't know that they believe such good things about us," said Mr. Yavuz, 32 years old. "It changes your thinking."
In Germany, the program is widely regarded as a paradigm-shifting if belated acknowledgment that Islam is now a permanent part of German life.
But broader acceptance of the university programs by Germany's Muslims—who have roots in different countries and varying religious interpretations—is by no means certain.
One challenge is that nearly 90% of the nation's imams come from abroad, particularly Turkey, and many promote an Islam that is "oriented to Turkey," said Rauf Ceylan, professor of religious sciences at the University of Osnabrück, and therefore "disturb the integration process."
One challenge is that nearly 90% of the nation's imams come from abroad, particularly Turkey, and many promote an Islam that is "oriented to Turkey," said Rauf Ceylan, professor of religious sciences at the University of Osnabrück, and therefore "disturb the integration process."
PART I-b:
(ED NOTE:
Below initiative taken by CAIR - Cincinnati is a very positive step. We wish many more Muslim organizations step up to the plate and take similar initiatives to reach out to the community in various ways).
CAIR (Council of American-Islamic Relations) :
Cincinnati Muslims Provide School Supplies for Low Income Students
August 18, 2011
(www.cair.com)
Cincinnati Muslims Provide School Supplies for Low Income Students
August 18, 2011
(www.cair.com)
(CINCINNATI, OH, 8/18/11)
The Cincinnati office of Council on American-Islamic Relations-Ohio (CAIR-OH) yesterday delivered school supplies to several hundred students at a local elementary school through a national “School Supplies for Students” effort.
“School Supplies for Students,” is part of the national “MUSLIMS CARE" project that will benefit the 450 students attending Hays-Porter Elementary School in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood by providing school supplies for the whole year.
The Cincinnati office of Council on American-Islamic Relations-Ohio (CAIR-OH) yesterday delivered school supplies to several hundred students at a local elementary school through a national “School Supplies for Students” effort.
“School Supplies for Students,” is part of the national “MUSLIMS CARE" project that will benefit the 450 students attending Hays-Porter Elementary School in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood by providing school supplies for the whole year.
After the Muslim community representatives presented the donation to students, teachers and staff, they received handmade cards from the students as an expression of gratitude.
"This project makes a big difference for both the children and the teachers,” said CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub. “Last year, the school standardized test rates improved and the school is now rated as “Continuous Improvement” when it had previously been rated as “Academic Emergency”. The school staff said this contribution goes a long way in encouraging the students and giving them pride in their school and in their work.”
"This project makes a big difference for both the children and the teachers,” said CAIR-Cincinnati Executive Director Karen Dabdoub. “Last year, the school standardized test rates improved and the school is now rated as “Continuous Improvement” when it had previously been rated as “Academic Emergency”. The school staff said this contribution goes a long way in encouraging the students and giving them pride in their school and in their work.”
The supplies delivered included pens and pencils, notebooks and paper, folders, crayons, pencil sharpeners, and other classroom items.
This project is one of many by Cincinnati area Muslims to increase contributions to and improve our society.
This project is one of many by Cincinnati area Muslims to increase contributions to and improve our society.
PART II
ISLAM IN EUROPE:
PART II-a
GREECE: SHARIAH LAW TO BE ABOLISHED
August 22, 2011
ISLAM IN EUROPE:
PART II-a
GREECE: SHARIAH LAW TO BE ABOLISHED
August 22, 2011
Via the Greek Reporter (h/t europenews):
According to an article of the Greek newspaper “Eleftherotypia”, under the scope of reforms in the Greek Family Law, the Shariah will be abolished for Greek Muslims.
This Muslim law establishes among others the right of polygamy and gives only to men the right to divorce their wives which constitutes a problem for the women in Thraki, Northern Greece. Even in Turkey, this law was abolished in 1926.
This Muslim law establishes among others the right of polygamy and gives only to men the right to divorce their wives which constitutes a problem for the women in Thraki, Northern Greece. Even in Turkey, this law was abolished in 1926.
PART II-b
SWITZERLAND:
MUSLIMS DENOUNCE ISLAMOPHOBIA WITH YELLOW BADGE
August 18, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
eMUSLIMS DENOUNCE ISLAMOPHOBIA WITH YELLOW BADGE
August 18, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
Via Philosemitism:
A Muslim radical group has launched a poster campaign to denounce rampant islamophobia is Switzerland.
The campaign is also approved by moderate Muslims. "It is true that as Muslims we feel we have become the new scapegoats", says Lucia Dahlab, vice-President of the Union of Muslim Organizations in Geneva.
The campaign is also approved by moderate Muslims. "It is true that as Muslims we feel we have become the new scapegoats", says Lucia Dahlab, vice-President of the Union of Muslim Organizations in Geneva.
PART II-C
(ED NOTE:
It is really unfortunate that our own Muslim brothers and sisters in below article supported the ban on Burka. As indicated in the past, we have a problem with anyone trying to impose their values and personal preferences on others specially when it pertains to the dress.
To those leaders of the Italian Muslim Community who stated that "The approval of a Italian draft law to ban the burka is a victory for women's rights", we ask them as to which "women" they are talking about ?
Definitely not the women who are wearing the Burka.
The very fact that certain Muslim women on their own "FREE-WILL" choose to wear the Burkha IS AN ACT OF EXERCISING THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO WEAR WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO WEAR. Now by trying to pass a law to TAKE AWAY THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO WEAR A DRESS OF THEIR CHOICE, and then turn around and say that it is a VICTORY FOR WOMEN'S RIGHT ? Is this a joke ?
Let's say the truth as it is (we realize that truth at times can be bitter): SUCH A DRAFT LAW IS A DEFEAT (not victory) FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN WHO PREFER TO WEAR A BURKA ON THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Needless to say we vehemently oppose those who try to force women to wear the Burka. We already had enough problems with the Taliban in Afghanistan passing laws to enforce what women should wear and what they cannot wear. PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS. In conclusion, please leave the adult women alone and respect their independence in terms of making their personal choice. They need neither your help nor your suggestions as to what to wear or not to wear. As adults, they are capable of making such a decision on their own).
To those leaders of the Italian Muslim Community who stated that "The approval of a Italian draft law to ban the burka is a victory for women's rights", we ask them as to which "women" they are talking about ?
Definitely not the women who are wearing the Burka.
The very fact that certain Muslim women on their own "FREE-WILL" choose to wear the Burkha IS AN ACT OF EXERCISING THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO WEAR WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO WEAR. Now by trying to pass a law to TAKE AWAY THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHT TO WEAR A DRESS OF THEIR CHOICE, and then turn around and say that it is a VICTORY FOR WOMEN'S RIGHT ? Is this a joke ?
Let's say the truth as it is (we realize that truth at times can be bitter): SUCH A DRAFT LAW IS A DEFEAT (not victory) FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN WHO PREFER TO WEAR A BURKA ON THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Needless to say we vehemently oppose those who try to force women to wear the Burka. We already had enough problems with the Taliban in Afghanistan passing laws to enforce what women should wear and what they cannot wear. PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THEIR FOOTSTEPS. In conclusion, please leave the adult women alone and respect their independence in terms of making their personal choice. They need neither your help nor your suggestions as to what to wear or not to wear. As adults, they are capable of making such a decision on their own).
ITALY:
MODERATE MUSLIMS CHEER DRAFT LAW BANNING "WOMEN-SEGREGATING" BURKA
August 3, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
Rome, 3 Aug. (AKI) - The approval of a Italian draft law to ban the burka is a victory for women's rights, according to some leaders of Italy's Muslim community.MODERATE MUSLIMS CHEER DRAFT LAW BANNING "WOMEN-SEGREGATING" BURKA
August 3, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
"We learned of the news with great pleasure," said Gamal Bouchaib and Ahmed Bashir of advocacy group Moderate Muslims in Italy and Mustapha Mansouri, member of the Interior Ministry's Committee for Islam, an advisory group, in a joint statement.
The draft law passed by a parliamentary committee on Tuesday would prohibit the wearing of a burka, niqab or any head wear which covers the face. It has the backing of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's government and is due to face a parliamentary vote when politicians return from their summer break.
Similar bans have been passed in France and Belgium
"We're ready to demonstrate in the streets to defend this law for the freedom of all women," that statement said, stressing that rules that force women to don the burka are hypocritical and a violation of women's rights. "We don't take lessons from anyone...that segregates and hides the existence of women." the statement said.
"We're ready to demonstrate in the streets to defend this law for the freedom of all women," that statement said, stressing that rules that force women to don the burka are hypocritical and a violation of women's rights. "We don't take lessons from anyone...that segregates and hides the existence of women." the statement said.
About 1 million Muslims live in Italy.
PART II-d
(ED NOTE:
We applaud below initiative taken by Muslims who have started a petition for tolerance. We support their belief that "those in favour of a multi-cultural society, particularly those with a Muslim background need to be mobilised in defence of a peaceful and culturally diverse society. We join the forces that have condemned the verbal and physical attack on the Belgo-Morrocan couple. We have the same problem as we mentioned in above article, when anybody tries to impose their values on others and what is more troubling in below article is that they have resorted to uncalled for verbal and physical attack on the couple. We would argue that if Islam truly stands for tolerance, the miscreants who perpetrated the aggressive act against the couple really did an anti-Islamic act).
BELGIUM:
MUSLIMS START PETITION FOR TOLERANCE
August 14, 2011
MUSLIMS START PETITION FOR TOLERANCE
August 14, 2011
Via VRT:
An association that brings together progressive Muslims has launched a petition in defence of multi-culturalism in society. The petition calls for greater tolerance and more openness and has come about after a Belgo-Moroccan couple suffered verbal abuse and physical abuse at the hands of Muslim youths.
The Francophone Muslim organisation ‘Musulmans Progressistes’ launched the petition to show its disdain at the verbal and physical abuse suffered by the couple.
The organisation believes that “those in favour of a multi-cultural society, particularly those with a Muslim background need to be mobilised in defence of a peaceful and culturally diverse society.”
The organisation believes that “those in favour of a multi-cultural society, particularly those with a Muslim background need to be mobilised in defence of a peaceful and culturally diverse society.”
PART III
THE UGLY HEAD OF EXTREMISM RAISES ITSELF AGAIN:
PART III-A
MUSLIMS CALLED 'ENEMY' AT HEARING ON MINNESOTA ISLAMIC CENTER
PLYMOUTH, Minn. (WCCO)
An Islamic Community Center is one step closer to moving into a Plymouth neighborhood, but not everyone in town is happy about it.
A downtown Plymouth post office doesn't use most of the space in their building and it's for sale. So, the Northwest Islamic Community Center made an offer to buy it.
That move brought a rare crowd into the Plymouth Planning Commission meeting Wednesday night.
It's because the Islamic group would like to share the building with the post office, leasing it back for rent, which means prayer services and postal services would be in the same building.
An Islamic Community Center is one step closer to moving into a Plymouth neighborhood, but not everyone in town is happy about it.
A downtown Plymouth post office doesn't use most of the space in their building and it's for sale. So, the Northwest Islamic Community Center made an offer to buy it.
That move brought a rare crowd into the Plymouth Planning Commission meeting Wednesday night.
It's because the Islamic group would like to share the building with the post office, leasing it back for rent, which means prayer services and postal services would be in the same building.
During a public hearing on whether the building should be used for religious purposes, citizens sent strong messages -- on both sides.
"Aiding the enemy is treason," said one man opposed to the center.
"Aiding the enemy is treason," said one man opposed to the center.
PART III-B
NORWAY:
PROGRESS PARTY LEADER APOLOGIZES FOR SAYING MUSLIMS NEED PSYCHIATRIC HELP
August 18, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
PROGRESS PARTY LEADER APOLOGIZES FOR SAYING MUSLIMS NEED PSYCHIATRIC HELP
August 18, 2011
(www.islamineurope.blogspot.com)
Via the Foreigner:
In a week when Progress Party has been put under scrutiny due to Carl I. Hagen’s “most terrorists are Muslims” comments, FrP are dealing with more criticism today.
It has been revealed that Trond Røed, respected leader of the Buskerud region, was forced to apologise after admitting to send out an eleven-page document to almost 100 party members in 2004.
Contained in it are suggestions that people who follow Islam must be “deprogrammed” using psychiatric help , as well as arguments for imposing a veto on further preaching of their faith.
It has been revealed that Trond Røed, respected leader of the Buskerud region, was forced to apologise after admitting to send out an eleven-page document to almost 100 party members in 2004.
Contained in it are suggestions that people who follow Islam must be “deprogrammed” using psychiatric help , as well as arguments for imposing a veto on further preaching of their faith.
THE END
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