June Vol. 1, 2009
(IP)- This year is known as the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, in honor of the virtues of cotton, wool, silk and linen/flax among other lesser-known varieties of cloth derived from animal and plant sources.
In the Medicine of the Prophet, Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyya quotes Al- Raazee on the properties of silk, in particular, which is used for women: “Raw silk (ibreesim) is warmer than flax but cooler than cotton; it nourishes the flesh. Every coarse clothing makes the body lean and the skin firm, and so the reverse is true.”
Al Jawziyya continues: “Clothing is of three kinds: one kind that heats and warms the body, one kind that warms it but does not heat it, and one kind that neither heats nor warms it. There is none that heats but does not warm it, for whatever heats it is even more likely to warm it. Clothing of hair and woollen material [like sheep’s wool, alpaca, camel hair, angora and cashmere] heats and warms, while clothing of linen, silk and cotton warms but does not heat. For garments of linen are cold and dry, those of wool are warm and dry, those of cotton are of moderate warmth, and those of silk are softer and have less heat than cotton.
“The author of the Minhaaj said: Clothing from silk does not heat as cotton does, but it is moderate. All soft and smooth clothing is less heating to the body, gives less aid to the dissolving of such matters as are to be dissolved, and is more suitable for wearing in summer and in hot lands.”
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations touts natural fibres above synthetic varieties as fabrics made from plant fibre or animal hair have served to boost the economies of economically developing countries. Some 30 million tons of natural fibres are farmed from animals and plants across the globe. The biggest crop is cotton, with an annual production of some 25 million tons, while 2.2 million tons of wool is produced every year in almost 100 countries, with Australia accounting for roughly a quarter of that. There is also flax, sisal, henequen, coir (from the husk of the coconut,) and hemp (although, for Muslims, even the form of hemp purified of the THC intoxicant should not be used on the head.) Jute, which comes from the skin of Corchorus plants, is the world’s second biggest fibre crop (2.3-2.8 million tons, main producers are India and Bangladesh) but is worth far less than cotton, or wool. Hafez Ghanem, FAO Assistant Director-General for Social and Economic Development, said production of animal and vegetable fibres is a major agricultural sector, worth some $40 billion annually to the world’s farmers and, in some cases, accounts for up to 50 percent of a developing country’s exports.
Care for your clothes, naturally.
In addition to the natural detergent formulas Hakimah Raziya A. Mu’min gives above, as a natural Islamic medicine practitioner, the hakimah also has added a few tips on the preferred use of natural fabrics, and ways to maintain the freshness and life of your clothing without the use of chemical laundering products.
“Wool and cotton fibres which are in turn made into muslin, terry cloth, corduroy, and flannel are the best to use for clothing. Synthetic fabrics hold bacteria longer, and can contribute to yeast infections. Laundry detergents are full of perfumes, petroleum, and chemicals; they can also be very expensive. The same applies to perfumed body soaps. You can grate a bar of regular Castile soap, and use it for laundry soap, adding borax and baking soda. Stain removers can be made using 2 tbsp. cream of tartar and water, making a paste of the two and rubbing into stain. Allow it to dry before washing. For clothes brighteners, add 1 to 2 tablespoons Epsom salts to the wash cycle. Add ¼ cup baking soda to your wash cycle as a fabric softener, or a ¼ cup or less borax. A ¼ cup of vinegar added to the wash cycle will prevent static cling.
Sources: FAO, Hakimah Razia A. Mu’min
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Hk. Razia A. Mumin
We have come a long way in modern times, in regard to comforts and medical wonders and technology. Everything is quick and efficient. We live in a developed nation that is constantly trying to improve, and upgrade itself. We rush through life: to school, work, meetings, and business. Our day is well planned and set to fit into society much the same as every other American. Because Allah, the Most High, has pre-ordained that we maintain ourselves and our families, as well as be law abiding citizens, we as Muslims do this with pride.
However, through all of the hustle and bustle we occasionally need to stop and reflect. We should slow down, and using a microscope, look at our lives. Are we happy? Are we really doing what is expected of us? Whose standard of living are we living up to? Can we live healthier on our present income? Are we ever going to be self sufficient? (Do we have a choice?)
We can do better.
Our ancestors knew how to be self sufficient. In days of old, work consumed their time much the same way it does ours; however, their work consisted largely of manual labor. People were cutting wood, carrying water, tending the fire, cooking, farming, sewing the clothing, home schooling their children, tending gardens, raising animals, making soap, and doing community service. Although their life expectancy was much shorter than ours, and they didn’t have half of the modern conveniences that we have now, they definitely did a lot more work than we do now. We need to practice some olden day methods because, soon, there may be no way of getting around it. With the global economy the way it is, the olden days might just catch up to us again! It is better to be prepared.
If we want to survive the coming years on our own two feet, we need to pay more attention to our ancestor’s way of life. Read about them; do serious research. We have to incorporate naturalist ways of living and share our ideas and views with each other. We need to take a crash course, and act on it quickly.
We need to purchase organic seeds. Why organic? Because the quality of the finished product is healthier and easier to digest. After harvesting your produce this year, let some of your crops go to seed and save the seeds for the next planting season. Generally, you should plan your gardens early in the winter. As soon as the ground is workable, work it! Start your seedlings in your homes.
Start gathering and stocking the sorts of foods that will hold you over for long periods of time, such as: olive oil, ghee, chapatti flour, oatmeal, vermicelli, barley, garlic, onions, basmati rice, honey, nuts and dried fruits. We need to learn how to truly be self sufficient, and we need to do it now.
American Indians were self sufficient; they lived off of the land. They bartered and traded and made their own clothing, food, and medicine. People all over the world have been self sufficient for centuries. The consumer society that many Americans live in is now out of control. We need to refocus.
Here is a basic list of things you’ll need to get started.
1. First Aid- You can never be prepared enough. Have these on hand: surgical tape, gauze, du’a water, white cotton material, cotton balls, castor oil, white cotton wash clothes (collect them; you can’t have enough), peroxide, walnut powder (fungal problems and oral diseases), turmeric (antiseptic), cayenne pepper (bleeding, open wounds), charcoal powder (poison ingestion), baking soda (bee stings).
3. Herbs- If you don’t have the herbs below, plant them. Most of them are perennial and can save you a visit to the doctor’s office: amla powder (urinary tract infection, blood purifier), burdock, walnut powder, yarrow (fever, sore throat), elderberry, red clover, catnip, neem powder (anti viral, contains sulfur and penicillin), peppermint, cayenne, turmeric, alum powder (rotting and breaking teeth, tooth ache), licorice, cloves, myrrh, aloe, echinacea, fenugreek, plantain, horsetail, and raspberry, comfrey, and witch hazel.
4. Tools- A part of self sufficiency, you must collect them and keep them clean: hoe, splitting axe, pick ax, chainsaw, generator, cast iron cookware, rake, garden fork, shovel, wheel barrel, buckets, ladders, snow shovels, hammer, nails, hoses, work gloves, boots, hard hat waterproof outdoor clothing, flint rock, funnel and a watering can.
5. Essential oils- these are important also; if you can find a pure source it would be helpful to have: lemon, peppermint, lavender, rose, ginger and eucalyptus on hand.
6. Seeds to purchase- Remember organic is without a doubt the best. If you are having a problem finding them on or offline don’t let it stop you from planting. Perennials like asparagus will serve you for many years, Allah willing.
7. Skills to learn and teach-Basket weaving, sewing, knitting, fishing, crocheting, animal husbandry, building, gardening, car repair, shoe making and soap making.
8. Cleaning supplies- Castile soap is the cleanest of soaps and is multi purpose. You can grate a bar of Castile soap, add 1 egg, 1tsp olive oil, and 1tsp lemon juice and have an enriching shampoo. The following are a few inexpensive recipes for general cleaning. Dish-washing detergent: Mix together 2tbsp. baking soda and 2tbsp. borax. Add very hot water, then cold for washing dishes. Window cleaner: Mix 1 flat club soda (16oz) with 2 tbsp. baking soda and 2tbsp. borax. Mix ingredients together and put in spray bottle.
Health and Survival tips for 2009
(Take the time to be healthy
We have come a long way in 14, 00 years, in regards to modern comforts and medical wonders. We have seen lots of changes in travel, broadcasting, massive building, and production. Everything is quick and efficient. We live in a developed nation that is constantly trying to improve, and upgrade itself. We rush through life, to School, work, meetings, and business. Our day is planned and set to fit into society as every other American. Allah Ta Ala has pre ordained that we maintain ourselves and our families, and be law abiding citizens. We as Muslims do this with pride.
However, through all of the hustle and bustle we occasionally need to really stop and reflect. We should slow down, and using a microscope, look at our lives. Are we happy? Are we really doing what is expected of us? Whose standard of living, are we living up to? Can we live healthier, on our present income? Are we ever going to be self sufficient? Do we have a choice?
We may or may not ever have a lot of money however; we do have intelligence, a will to survive and the ability to do better. We can do better.
People the world over have the same basic needs,
And they are food, shelter and clothing. Times as they are now, we need them as inexpensively as possible. Our ancestors knew how to cut a corner.
In days of old, Work consumed the day the same as ours, however it was manual labor. People were cutting wood, carrying water tending the fire, sewing the clothing, farming, home schooling their children, tending to the garden and raising animals, cooking, making soap, doing community services……that was defiantly a lot more work than we do today. Also their life expectancy was much shorter than ours; they didn’t have half of the modern conveniences that we have now. We need to practice some olden day methods because there is no getting around it, they olden have caught up with us again!
If we want to survive the coming years ahead on our own two feet, on minimum wage or no wage we need to pay more attention to our ancestor’s way of life. Read about them and do serious research. We have got to incorporate naturalist ways of living and share our ideas and views with each others. We need to take a crash course, and act on it quickly! We need to purchase organic seeds. Why organic, because the quality of the finished product is healthier and easier to digest. When you plant this season let some of your crops go to seed and save the seeds for the next planting season. Plan your gardens NOW, early in the winter and as soon as the ground is workable work it! Start your seedlings in your homes as soon as possible. Start gathering and stocking things that will hold you over for long periods of time such as; olive oil, ghee, chapatti flour, oatmeal, vermicelli, barley, garlic, onions, basmati rice, honey, nuts and dried fruits. We need to learn how to truly be self sufficient, NOW!
American Indians were self sufficient they lived off of the land. They bartered and traded and made their own clothing, food, and medicine. People all over the world have been self sufficient for centuries. The consumer society that many Americans live in is out of control, and most probably will be coming to a screeching halt, very soon. We need to refocus, and get ready.
Here is a basic list of things you’ll need to get you started;
Unexpected accidents happen all the time. You can never be prepared enough especially if you have small children.
Surgical tape, gauze, dua water, white cotton material, cotton balls, castor oil, white cotton wash clothes (collect them, you can’t have enough), peroxide, walnut powder (fungal problems and oral diseases), turmeric (antiseptic), cayenne pepper (bleeding, open wounds), charcoal powder (poison ingestion), baking soda (bee stings).
Wool, cotton, muslin, terry cloth, corduroy, and flannel are the best, synthetic fabrics hold bacteria longer which contributes to yeast infections.
Herb to have on hand
If you don’t have the herbs below, plant them. Most of them are perennial and can save you a visit to the doctor’s office.
Amla powder (urinary tract infection, blood purifier), Burdock, walnut powder, yarrow (fever, sore throat), elderberry, red clover, catnip, neem powder (anti viral, contains sulfur and penicillin), peppermint, cayenne, turmeric, alum powder (rotting and breaking teeth, tooth ache), licorice, cloves, myrrh, aloe, Echinacea, fenugreek, plantain, horsetail, and raspberry, comfrey, and witch hazel.
Tools are all apart of self sufficiency. You must collect them and keep them clean. They will serve you as you serve them.
Hoe, splitting axe, pick ax, chain saw, generator, cast iron cook ware, rake, shovel, wheel barrel, buckets, ladders, snow shovels, hammer, nails, and a watering can
Best Oils to Use
Most people use oils for frying food. The truth be told they may taste good but they are not good for you. The lower the heating time the more nutritious the oil will be. Many oils are not safe for deep frying. Anything that say’s light, unrefined, or mechanically pressed, cannot withstand the intense heat. The composition of oil is changed when it reaches a certain temperature. The best of the best are the following;
Extra virgin olive oil, ghee, almond oil, organic coconut oil, sesame seed oil (not good for high heat), peanut oil. Essential oils are important also, if you can find a pure source it would be helpful to have; lemon, peppermint, lavender, rose, ginger and eucalyptus on hand.
Seeds to purchase
Remember organic is without a doubt the best. If you are having a problem finding them on or offline don’t let it stop you from planting. These seeds will be helpful InshAllah;
Alfalfa, squash, beets, cucumber, eggplant, carrots, potatoes, kale, spinach, collard greens, asparagus (which is a perennial and will serve you for many years, Allah willing).
Skills to learn and Teach
Basket weaving, sewing, knitting, fishing, crochet, animal husbandry, building, soap making, gardening, and car repair and shoe making
Cleaning is very important of course. Laundry detergents which are full of perfumes, petroleum, and chemicals they also are very expensive. The same applies to body soaps. Castile soap is the cleanest of soaps and is multi purpose. You can grate a bar of Castile soap and use it for laundry soap adding borax and baking soda. You can also grate a bar of Castile soap, add 1 egg, 1tsp olive oil, 1 tsp lemon juice and have a enriching shampoo. You will need to purchase baking soda, cream of tartar, organic vinegar and lemon juice for these recipes. Here are a few inexpensive recipes followed by a supply list.
Dish washing Detergent
2tbl baking soda
Mix the two together and add very hot water, then cold for washing dishes.
1 flat club soda 16oz more or less
2tbl baking soda
Mix ingredients together and put in spray bottle.
2tbl cream of tartar, water
Make a paste of the two and rub into stain. Allow it to dry before washing.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons Epsom salts to the wash cycle.
¼ cup baking soda, added to wash cycle.
Borax Fabric Softener
¼ cup or less borax, added to wash cycle.
No Static Cling
¼ cup of vinegar, added to the wash cycle will prevent static cling
Begin to wean yourself from processed foods. Processed foods are anything in a box, plastic bag, can or bottle. We have been happily consuming them for decades. Supermarkets, restaurants and fast food chains add fillers and unnatural oils to them, to avoid spoilage and increase the shelf life.
There have been many unexplained illnesses as of the last 10 years. Doctors are baffled and confounded with them themselves. Everyone is given antibiotics for basically every illness, isn’t that odd? Your body works very hard everyday to balance your dietary decisions. Excessive abuse of; sugar, artificial additives, homogenized dairy products, and man made fats like trans fats are very harmful. These products work against you and if you already have, chronic illnesses it adds to you problems. Today trans fats are working havoc on everybody. Do you know what trans fats are? They are created fats. Fat which are created when vegetable oil is put through a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation happens when hydrogen gas is bubbled through vegetable oil (bottom of the barrel vegetable oil). This process causes the vegetable oil to become thicker and also alters its natural state and turns it into a chemically charged poison. You’ll see in the markets hydrogenated soy oil, and partially hydrogenated oil, it’s all the same poison.
One hundred years ago, the Proctor and Gamble Company brought it to the masses first with a product they named Crisco. Crisco is still on the market clogging arteries and constipating millions. Trans fats are similar to lard and margarine in that they clog the digestive tract, cause heart disease and raise your cholesterol. Tran’s fats are not going to disappear overnight. They are in everything and do harm to you! This is why we should limit our intake of processed foods. Here is a list of some popular items that contain Tran’s fats; frozen waffles, micro wave pop corn, crackers, cakes, cookies, pastries, pies, margarine and brownie mixes, fast food, and ready to eat frosting. Foods that don’t have trans fats are; fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, black beans, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, and others, barley, rolled oats, whole wheat, white and brown rice, to name a few.
Other foods that are beneficial and help you to live healthier are;
1. Ginger- Reduces headache pain, body pain and lowers cholesterol
2. Radishes- Reduce risks of Cancer, and enhances the immune system.
3. Fenugreek seeds- Aids in digestion, good for eyes, tonic for men, dries mucus, lowers fevers, and lower cholesterol.
4. Celery- Lowers blood pressure, it helps arthritis, gout, and kidney problems.
5. Asparagus- Wards off arthritis, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, helps fights heart disease.
6. Artichoke- Prevents Cancer, and heals the liver.
7. Cinnamon- Kills mouth microbes, kills infection, stabilizes diabetes, fights respiratory viruses.
We should also know by now that all genetically engineered foods and vegetables are still being tested on us the public, so we don’t really know the long term effects. If we don’t grow it ourselves we will definitely be at loss. There is no time like the present to prepare for what’s to come!
June Vol. 1, 2009
Oh Lovers of the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):
The Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “When people emerge from their graves, I shall be the first to emerge, and when three people will assemble, I shall be their leader; and when people become silent, I shall be their orator; and when people come forth for accountability, I shall be their intercessor; and when all are bereft of hope, I shall bring them hope; and on that Day, I shall be holding the Flag of Karamat, and I shall be the possessor of the keys of Heaven, and I shall be the most revered of the human beings before Almighty Allah. I shall be surrounded by thousands upon thousands of servants as if they were protecting a precious jewel. And no supplication can soar to its target without the recitation of Durood Shareef* on me, and when Durood Shareef has been recited, the obstruction is removed and the prayer soars high for acceptance.” (From the texts Aab-e-Kauthar and Sa’adat-ud-Darain)
Oh Lovers of the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):
The Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a person is beset by worries, he should recite Durood Shareef for me abundantly because it removes worries, sufferings, misfortunes, increases subsistence, and fulfills wishes.” (From the texts Aab-E-Kauthar, Dalail-ul-Khairat Cawnpuri, and Nuzhat-un-Nazireen)
*Durood Shareef implies praying for peace and blessings upon the Holy Last Messenger, Muhammad, may God’s peace be upon him.
June Vol. 1, 2009
Note: This camp has already taken place.
Offering Beginning and Advanced Islamic Studies,
Real Camping Experience & Exciting Activities
If you’ve never been to our ladies camp before, this is the one for you!
Each summer, Banaatun Noor International (BNI), under the auspices of the International Quranic Open University (IQOU) offers a month-long intensive educational summer camp for those honorable ladies aspiring to perfect their understanding and practice of the traditional way of life as taught by the blessed example of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, his noble family and wives, peace be upon them. This summer will offer the same opportunity of learning and practice from the IQOU headquarters in Holy Islamberg, NY.
Organizers say that this year’s camp aims “to offer a new beginning, a fresh start.” Together, the attendees will strive to become exemplary Muslim ladies within and outside of their homes. The beginning of new inspiration and strength is at the core of this summer ladies’ camp. “The love and unity that can only be found in coming together for Allah’s pleasure drives these camps,” previous participants have stated.
The directors of the summer camp are inspired and excited about this year’s camp, stating emphatically that “Strength is Iman (that faith which is put into practice) and Iman is the foundation of our life. We, the Banaatun Noor staff, are looking forward to being there as an aid to you and supplying you with a service that, God willing, will bring every participant success.”
Special care should be taken in preparing for the camp. While the form of the camp will reflect that of previous years, it will limit attendees to 100 campers only, 25 of whom will be returnees; the rest will be undertaking their first-time IQOU summer camp experience.
BNI staff are asking aspiring participants to come with pure intentions, open hearts and minds, and to prepare to be able to receive all that Allah may have for them. Camp organizers advise: “Make your intentions clear to travel, to study, and to absorb the knowledge that will be prepared for us, all for the sake and pleasure of Allah Almighty. We must adhere to the commands of the Holy Quran and Sunnah, or way of life, of our Holy Master Muhammad (peace be upon him), and implement this into our daily lives. The Sunnah must be our creed in every walk of life. We welcome you to join us at this years’ summer camp.”
In order to ensure a place on the limited participant list, the completed application and fee of $200 for the month must be submitted on or before the registration dates of June 13 and 14. Classes will begin on the 15th, and the graduation ceremony will be on July 17, 2009. Participants must be aged 16 or older.
-The International Quranic Open University is a world renowned institution offering the highest quality education of pure, unadulterated Islamic teaching. Thousands have attended classes in both traditional classroom settings and through online collaboration.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By M.A. Gillani
Defence Journal, Pakistan
Defence Journal Columnist M. A. Gillani writes about the memorable expeditions of Muhammad bin Qasim, the conqueror of Sind (to be published in the Islamic Post in three parts).
A lot has been written by many writers, about the conquests, the bravery, and leadership qualities of Muhammad Bin Qasim. The name of Mohammad Bin Qasim is known in every Muslim house in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. In the military history of the world, he is the youngest commander-in-chief who won brilliant victories against much superior enemies. Here it should be mentioned that Alexander the Great, Sultan Mohammad the Conqueror (of Constantinople fame) and Napoleon were 24 years, 23 years and 26 years old, respectively, when they commanded armies in battle. Mohammad bin Qasim was only 18 years old when he was entrusted with an independent command of the forces operating against Sind.
An effort has been made in this article to highlight the planning, tactics and strategy for various battles fought by Mohammad Bin Qasim. He was not sent to any military institute for training, but had a sharp eye for tactics and strategy, and applied the same as a great captain of war. It is due to his conquest of Sind, Multan and the area of Dipalpur up to the River Beas, that today in the Indo-Pakistan Subcontinent, there are about 35 crores of Muslims living in its various parts. Various military institutes have honoured him by naming cadet houses and companies as “Qasim” so that inspiration may be drawn. In some cities, gardens and parks have been named after him; a port in Pakistan is also named Qasim. Parents also feel proud to name their sons Qasim.
Situation in Sind
Before the advent of Islam, Sind was under the sway of Rajas known as Rai. The Rai dynasty remained in power up to 632 (or 11 Hijra), and after the death of Sevas, his son Raj Sahisi became the ruler who appointed a Brahman named Chach as his minister. Chach was very intelligent, glib of tongue, a flatterer and past master in the art of influencing others. Soon he, without permission, was allowed to visit the Raja in his private chamber. The beautiful Rani Sohnih Devi had fallen in love with the handsome young Chach, and after the death of the Raja, with all the support of the Rani, Chach was elected as the Raja. He married the Rani. Chach remained Raja from 632 to 660 C.E. (11-40 Hijra), and during this period, his brothers and near relatives were appointed as rulers on his behalf of various important areas of the kingdom. He also annexed territory of neighbouring rajas. The real claimants to the throne were removed and banished. Kalat, Khuzdar, Panj Gure, Arman Bela, the whole of Sind, Vohh (the old Iskanda or Asklinda), Multan and Dipalpur were included in his kingdom. From the Arabian Sea in the west, it extended up to the River Sultlej.
Chach died in 660 C.E. and left two sons, Dahir and Dihar Seena, and one daughter named Mayeen. She was to be married to the Raja of Bhatia. She was residing with her younger brother who sent her with a rich dowry to his elder brother, Dahir, for her onward dispatch to the bridegroom, the Raja of Bhatia.
The court astrologer had made an ominous prophecy that whosoever married Mayeen would be the master of Sind. Hence the wazir strongy recommended that Dahir should marry his sister to save the kingdom. But Dahir refused because it was a most heinous, immoral act that went against religion; he was also afraid of public opinion. He was most upset with the astrologer’s revelation. The crafty wazir sprinkled some fast growing seeds on the already earth-plastered skin of a goat and left it in the crowded market of the capital; within some hours, leaves appeared on the goat’s skin. Flabbergasted people gathered around the goat to see the fast growing plants. Their interest continued for three days after which no one bothered to watch the goat. The Wazir convinced Raja Dahir that his marriage with his sister would be discussed by the people for three days or so, and after that they would forget it. Dahir agreed, but after the marriage ceremony he remained away from his sister.
His brother, Raja Dihar Seena, on hearing of the marriage, was very upset and decided to avenge the crime of Dahir. But he died mysteriously on his way to the capital. Dahir outwardly shed crocodile tears on his demise, but soon his brother’s state was tenaciously occupied. Dahir then married the widow of his brother.
Muslim Traders of the Sea
Before the conquest of Muhammad Bin Qasim, the Muslim traders often visited the western coast of India and other coastal islands including the Maldives. Due to their efforts, many local people embraced Islam. …
“Muslim Traders of the Sea” continues in the next edition of The Islamic Post.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Subhana A. Rahim
While recession woes and the economic crisis in the United States are at their greatest peak since the Great Depression, the need to find the source of America’s financial catastrophe and create preventative measures have become a necessity. The Senate responded to this need recently by adopting the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA). This Act, which was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), broadens the scope by which the government can investigate and prosecute financial institutions in the mortgage lending business. Previous statutes generally impose sentences and fines for infractions relating to conventional banks and financial institutions. This most recent legislation widens the range of financial institutions that are affected, by specifically including mortgage lending companies. It also imposes stiffer penalties and fines for mail and wire fraud associated with financial institutions. One component of the act calls for a bipartisan Financial Markets Commission, whose mission will be to examine the economic crisis from both international and domestic aspectsand will have full subpoena powers as well.
While proponents for this endeavor claim that this well- honed legislation leaves no stone unturned in terms of prosecution, critics of this Act argue that portions of FERA are redundant, overreaching and highly unnecessary as there are laws that are already in place that address the specific infractions mentioned in the amendments. For example, the verbiage regarding “bribery” and “false statements” are already potentially punishable by hefty fines and extended jail terms of up to $1 million and 30 years respectively. Detractors are also concerned with the high costs that the government will incur for holding lengthy commissions thereby eating away at taxpayers’ money. The House of Representatives’ legislation is expected to mimic that of the Senate’s regarding the establishment of the commission.
June Vol. 1, 2009
Muslims of the Americas Representatives Relocate to the Frontier State; Welcomed with Open Arms and Friendship
By A. Abdul Qadir Qadri
Shuaib and Malika Ahmed recently departed to a new frontier in the Alaskan tundra to establish an independent, self-sufficient, purely Islamic village. They reported their first day in Alaska as being filled with blessings and guidance. The family’s intentions are to further the mission to unite Muslims and Christians on their similar values.
Mr. Ahmed reported making contacts immediately upon arrival at the airport, as the cab driver was a Muslim from Macedonia, in Eastern Europe. “Right away, common ground was established,” said Mr. Ahmed. “We were able to tell him of the support the International Quranic Open University gave to the Bosnian Ambassador to the United Nations, Muhamed Sacirbey, during the 1990s. This was the first person we met and he enjoyed hearing about this.” Bosnia and Madedonia are both Balkan nations.
Two very warm and welcoming receptionists met Mr. and Mrs. Ahmed at the hotel; as the couple introduced themselves, they gave each a copy of the Islamic Post as a token of appreciation. Shuaib Ahmed mentioned to the young lady that he and his wife were looking for a Church to attend Bible study class as part of their interfaith studies and efforts to build bridges between adherents of the two faiths, Islam and Christianity. One of the receptionists invited the Muslim family to her church without hesitation: the Antioch Church of God in Christ.
At the Bible study, they were each very well received. The Bible study related to the Honorable Messenger Jesus, peace be upon him, and his compassion for poor, the sick, and the suffering. The couple participated in the lesson and their input was appreciated throughout. After the study session, the group engaged in a warm conversation explaining that there is no reason for dissension, nor any segregating factor between Al Islam and Christianity. The Church’s Pastor, James Willis, expressed joy and a spirit of cooperation at the Muslim family’s sincere efforts for peace and unity.
Shuaib and Malika Ahmed were also fortunate to find an apartment quickly. As they explained their purpose for relocating to Anchorage, the leaseholders became overwhelmed with excitement and inspiration, and invited them to attend an election rally for Mr. Eric Croft, who is one of the upcoming candidates for Mayor of Anchorage. The couple attended the election rally with their new friends and neighbors who were excited to have them as part of the gathering. Malika and Shuaib Ahmed then met personally with Mr. Croft. The aspiring mayor was impressed by their presence and enthusiasm. In his speech, he expressed the desire to combat forces which keep people apart, such as prejudice and racism. “He seemed to be very sincere about making life better for all people,” said Mr. Ahmed.
Mr. and Mrs. Ahmed later contacted another church, which extended an open invitation for participation in their activities.
Having found employment opportunities, the couple will be continuing their work towards developing and improving their new local community, God-willing, and will be reporting to keep Islamic Post readers updated.
The Vice Chancellor of the International Quranic Open University, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Hashmi, initiated the new project for the purposes of cultivating understanding of Islam and furthering interfaith dialog in what is known as the ‘Last Frontier State.’.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Yasmin A. Atheem
The State of Hawaii passed a resolution on May 6 marking September 24, 2009 as Islam Day. The resolution, known as HCR100, passed with overwhelming support in a 22-3 vote. The small island state, home to over 3,000 Muslims, passed the resolution in which it states the island will “recognize the rich religious, scientific, cultural, and artistic contributions” of Islam and the Islamic world.
Senator Will Espero of Hawaii told Fox News his supporting thoughts about the new resolution: “We are a state of tolerance. We understand that people have different beliefs. We may not all agree on every single item and issue out there, but to say and highlight the negativity of the Islamic people is an insult to the majority [of believers] who are good, law-abiding citizens of the world.”
The three declining votes included two Republicans who disagree with the declarations set forth in the resolution, and one Democrat who opposed on the grounds of separation of church and state.
Hakim Ouansafi, president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, told the Honolulu Star Bulletin, “The legislators have done in one resolution more to plant seeds of understanding than anyone could dream.”
The “Islam Day” bill now moves to Hawaii governor Linda Lingle, for signing.
The following is the House Concurrent Resolution 100 (HCR100) in it’s entirety:
PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 24, 2009, AS ISLAM DAY:
WHEREAS, Hawaii is known for the wealth of its cultural and religious diversity and the harmony with which people of many cultures and religions live together; and WHEREAS, Muslims constitute an ethnically diverse part of Hawaii’s cultural fabric, with around 3,000 practicing members; and
WHEREAS, the Prophet Mohammad [peace be upon him] left his house to migrate to Madinah and reached Quba in the vicinity of Madinah on the 12th day of Rabi ul-Awwal according to the lunar calendar, or September 24th according to the Gregorian calendar, thereby marking the birth of Islam; and
WHEREAS, Islam, a religion with a long and noble history, is the second largest religion in the world, with over one billion followers spread across every continent, and including members of many nations and cultures; and
WHEREAS, the Islamic world preserved and made original contributions to works of science and philosophy during the Middle Ages when these disciplines were threatened by bigotry and prejudice in other parts of the world; and
WHEREAS, Islamic artists, scientists, and philosophers have a rich history of contribution to world literature and our collective scientific understanding; and
WHEREAS, the Islamic faith shares common teachings found in the texts of both Christianity and Judaism, whose followers are respected and considered “People of the Book;” and
WHEREAS, Islamic doctrine encourages generosity in its adherents, maintaining that those who possess much have a responsibility to care for those in need; and
WHEREAS, Islam, along with its monotheistic counterparts, holds that peace is a divine quality and necessary for collective human happiness; and
WHEREAS, Islam strives for a world-wide community which, in the words of one Islamic poet-philosopher, “does not recognize the superficial differences of race, or history, or nationality”; and
WHEREAS, the United States and countries of the Islamic world hold in common many beliefs and values including concepts of world community and mutual responsibility; and
WHEREAS, international understanding and peace, as well as understanding and peace in our local communities, are strengthened by free and open communications among everyone representing various cultural and religious traditions; and
WHEREAS, the 96th United States Congress officially recognized the noble qualities of Islam in a concurrent resolution on October 15, 1979 (SCR 43), honoring the religion’s 14th centennial; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that September 24, 2009, shall be known as “Islam Day” to recognize the rich religious, scientific, cultural, and artistic contributions Islam and the Islamic world have made since their founding; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Hawaii’s congressional delegation, the Governor, and the Board of the Muslim Association of Hawaii.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Jameelah A. Aziz
The Constitution of the United States was developed by our founding fathers to ensure equality for all, indifferent to race, gender, age or religion. In the first amendment of the US Constitution it states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. However, in certain instances it seems as if the rights of minors are not always equal to that of adults and therefore can, and have, been suppressed. This phenomena is seen at times within the public school system, where it can be said that students’ constitutional rights are being violated across the country.
This practice has been recently observed in the case of ten year old Adam Awwad, a Muslim student at the Albert Payson Terhune Elementary School in Wayne, NJ, who went through difficulty when looking for a place to perform his prayers which, in Islam, are made five times daily on a fixed, mandatory schedule, including during work or school times. For quite some time, Adam’s mother, Rola Awwad, had been seeking an appropriate environment in school for her son to pray. To accommodate Rola’s request, the Wayne School District offered Adam the time to pray outside at recess or inside the classroom while his classmates were there. Mrs Awwad found this arrangement to be “unacceptable” for her son. She wanted a quiet and clean place for her child to pray. The elementary school showed concern about the safety of Adam if he were to be left alone and unattended.
According to the school’s website, their mission is to “create independent thinkers and social problem solvers who are respectful of themselves and others.”
Muslim advocates were attracted to the situation at the school and made suggestions to the family of bringing their issue to the state for resolution.
Meanwhile, after concerns that other students would make fun of him, Adam took it upon himself to pray during lunchtime in the back of the classroom while the other students played games. Now he is joined by four other Muslim classmates. Mrs Rola Awwad’s seven year old daughter, Amana, also has similar arrangements in her second grade classroom.
According to North Jersey News, Mrs Awwad said the Council on American-Islamic Relations had considered bringing the issue before the state Board of Education. But Awwad said she wants to wait and see if the current arrangement continues to work for her children.
Muslims aren’t the only ones having difficulty exercising their religious rights in school, Christians are as well. In 2007, The Christian Post reported that twelve Christian students were suspended for holding a morning prayer meeting at the cafeteria of Heritage High School in Vancouver, Washington. The suspensions were later retracted. Also in 2007, two students of the College of Alameda in California were threatened with suspension because they were praying on campus with an instructor. Bay Area News reported that Kandy Kyriacou and Ojoma Omaga- were found praying with their ailing teacher. The two students are currently suing Peralta Community College District for violation of their civil rights under the premise that school administration and teachers are not only responsible to educate and provide a safe learning environment, but also must respect student’s individual rights.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Jannah A. Malik
Recently the House passed a bill for the purpose of modernizing, renovating, and repairing public school facilities. The bill, which encourages the creation of clean and healthy environments for schoolchildren, would also promote energy conservation, while at the same time producing thousands of jobs. Passing 275 to 155, the bill will now go to the Senate. If approved it would allot a starting amount of $6.4 billion within the first year and similar amounts throughout the next five years.
The bill states that the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall work with recipients of funds under this Act to promote appropriate opportunities for participants in a YouthBuild program, as well as using existing Job Corps members and individuals enrolled in a junior or community college. The text of the bill cites the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and the Higher Education Act of 1965 as justification to offer “employment experience on modernization, renovation, repair, and construction projects” funded under the bill.
A separate $600 million would be approved under the act within a six year period for public schools in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi that were damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
By the year 2015, 100% of funds available for green building projects would have to meet ‘green standards’ for energy sources as well as construction materials. Amongst the companies that provide the necessary materials according to these standards or guidelines are: EnergyStar, Green Globes, and the Leadership and Environmental Design (Leed) Green building rating system.
Supporters of the bill spoke about the pressing need for funds for repairs in schools. Rep. John Hall (D-NY) stated: “America’s aging schools are in dire need of assistance. I am a former trustee and school board president. I have seen it. Buildings are crumbling while school districts are having trouble paying their energy bills. This bill would help school districts invest in repairs, construction and green modernization without passing the burden on to local taxpayers who in New York, I know, can’t afford any more property tax.”
In opposition some expressed great concern over the cost of the bill. “No one is going to argue in favor of a less-than-perfect physical structure for students,” said Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) “But what I believe we need to argue is how do you pay for that. And again, I believe very strongly that we, as a federal government, have reached way too far into so many different areas.”
Allowing for oversight, however, the bill states in its text that: “Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to determine, and report to the Congress on, the extent and types of projects in keeping with the uses of funds authorized under this Act being undertaken in schools around the United States, the geographic distribution of green, high-performing schools in the United States, including by urban, suburban, and rural areas, and the relative access to such schools of the demographic groups described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.”
Objecting to the cost of the new school construction plan, former President George W. Bush threatened to veto the bill last year. Similar legislation was also not passed by the Senate. The bill’s sponsors, however, are more hopeful of its enactment due to President Barack Obama’s making school improvement projects one of his many priorities.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Gregory Jones
Ann Wright, a retired United States Army colonel and retired official of the U.S. State Department, known for her outspoken opposition to the Iraq War, recently spoke at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, at an event co-sponsored by Alaskans for Peace and Justice, and Alaskans for Palestine. The title of the program was “Heart to Heart Conversations: Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran.” Ret. Colonel Wright also made available her book, which she coauthored with Susan Dixon, entitled, Dissent: Voices of Conscience – Government Insiders Speak Out Against the War in Iraq.
Ret. Col. Ann Wright encouraged the audience to speak with their elected officials about the injustices perpetrated by corrupt government officials. She also called for a stop to the unconditional support which the US seems to give Israel.
Having served 13 years active duty in the US Army and 16 years in the Army Reserve, Ms Wright then served as a US diplomat in Nicaragua, Somalia, Grenada, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Micronesia, and Mongolia. However, Ret. Col. Ann Wright is most widely recognized for having been one of three State Department officials to publicly resign in direct protest of the Bush Administration 2003 invasion of Iraq.
During the past 6 years, Wright has been an influential spokesperson for the anti-war movement. “I knew that the invasion and occupation of an oil rich, Arab, Muslim nation would be a disaster,” Wright claims.
At the University of Alaska, Wright expressed regret about the innocent women and children being killed and injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. She spoke about the torture which took place at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib prisons, and encouraged President Obama’s administration to punish those who authorized the torture.
Ten days after Israel’s 22 day offensive on Gazan citizens, Ms. Wright traveled to Gaza, along with Code Pink, an organization started by American women who were in opposition to the Bush Administration’s War Policies. The Egyptian border with Gaza, controlled by Israel since a 2005 peace agreement, was closed. Consequently, relief agencies and human rights organizations were denied access to aid the suffering people of Gaza. The retired colonel, however, was greeted at the border by the Red Crescent relief organization, and by special order of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and his wife Suzanne Mubarak (President of the Red Crescent), Ms Wright and Code Pink were allowed to enter and report atrocities committed against the Palestinian population of Gaza, the majority which are women and children.
Ann Wright encourages Americans to become aware of what is going on. “The media has been unprofessional in covering and reporting the news,” Wright said at the Alaska event. She urged people to contact their congressional delegates in mass numbers to get their attention; but nevertheless stated her opinion that many politicians are afraid of the Israeli lobby American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Jannah A. Malik
North Korea recently announced that it had successfully carried out it’s second underground nuclear test. This test followed the rocket launching less than two months ago which was believed to be a test of the country’s long-range missile technology.
The country’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that its regime had “successfully conducted one more underground nuclear test on May 25 as part of measures to bolster it’s nuclear deterrent for self defense.” Seismological measurements support North Korea ’s claim that this test was much stronger than the previous one in 2006. Seismologists from South Korea, Japan and also the Unites States reported activity around the same area where North Korea conducted its first nuclear tests.
After the United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea’s April rocket launch, the nation warned last month that it would hold a second atomic test to follow up the first in 2006. The Associated Press reports Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura as saying, “If North Korea carried out a nuclear test, it would clearly violate U.N. Security Council resolutions. We will definitely not tolerate it.”
Mr Kawamura is urging the U.N. Security Council to address the issue as all of its islands are within close missile range of North Korea. Furthermore, according to Kyodo news agency, Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said that Japan will request an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss North Korea .
The Security Council has, however, commanded countries to prevent Pyongyang from exporting and importing materials from ballistic missiles or weapons of mass destruction.
President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea convened an emergency security session.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Asma Stewart
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), has become the latest front in the war against academic freedom. Professor William Robinson, who teaches classes in Jewish Sociology and also Global studies, was brought up on charges of anti-Semitism after two Jewish students reported the professor to school authorities and the Anti Defamation League (ADL) for an email message that included 25 photos of war-battered Palestinians, equating their plight to that of Jews under Nazi rule. The email also contained an editorial by a Jewish journalist condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza as well as juxtaposed images of Nazi atrocities with congruent images of Israeli aggression against Palestinians.
The email was an optional read for students, intended to spark conversation by relating contemporary events to conceptual ideas discussed in class. However, the offended students stated the email in question contained the personal views of the professor and that he overstepped his bounds as a professional educator by the intrusion of material unrelated to the course.
A week after the email was sent, the ADL wrote Robinson a letter charging him with anti-Semitism and sundry violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct. Another week passed, and the professor heard from an Academic Senate Charges Officer, who notified him that two of the students in the class to which he circulated the email had filed complaints against him. In addition to leveling charges of anti-Semitism, the complaints insist the Israeli-Palestinian issue should not be discussed in a class on Globalization.
Professor Robinson has explained that he feels the issue is being pushed by pro-Israel lobby groups who he feels have long been exploiting the term anti-Semitism to push the goals of political Zionism. Mr Robinson has defended himself by saying he himself is Jewish and that the suggestion that he is anti-Semitic is “like saying if I condemn the U.S. government for the invasion of Iraq, I’m anti-American… It’s the most absurd, baseless argument.”
Upon hearing the news of Mr. Robinson’s academic accusations, many colleagues and students (graduate and under-graduate) as well as various on lookers banded together to show support to the professor.
Officer acts as co-complainant
In compliance with campus Procedures of the Faculty Code of Ethics, the charges officer is to simply notify the accused faculty member. However, the case took a twist when it was found that the Charges Officer who notified Robinson of the complaints reportedly violated several elements of the charges procedure, thereby acting as a co-complainant by fabricating charges that were not raised by the students.
At this point the charges have reached the Committee on Committees, which is now in the process of convening an ad hoc Charges Committee to assess the complaints against Professor Robinson. Critics of the complaints say that further consideration of the charges by the Academic Senate serves only to sanction politically-motivated attacks on academic freedom. The longer this case is pursued, the wider its effect may become. Many fear that this type of academic censoring may spread fear among those who wish to present critical subjects, though they may be controversial. Even though the original complaint is regarding the Israeli- Palestian conflict, the concern for academic freedom and historic objectivity extends beyond this specific topic and into the realm of rights and constitutionality. Robinson supporters have also expressed their views that academic freedom is a right that enables scholars to express diverse perspectives over contentious topics, free from the intimidation of politically repressive campaigns.
If the case against Professor Robinson leads to ADL censorship, it could easily lead down a slippery slope that would expose academics to repressive tactics toward an endless variety of controversial issues.
June Vol. 1, 2009
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s remarks at the Barnard College Commencement Ceremony encouraged the late May graduates to use social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter to “unite your friends,” in order to bring attention to social injustices like human trafficking and political detention of journalists. Secretary Clinton also highlighted recent demonstrations organized for democratic causes by youth and students who frequent social networks “like the undergraduates at Northwestern who launched a global fast to bring attention to Iran’s imprisonment of an American journalist,” noted Mrs Clinton, and “like the two recent college graduates in Colombia – the country – who organized 14 million people into the largest anti-terrorism demonstration in history, doing as much damage to the FARC terrorist network in a few weeks than had been done in years of military action.”
In popular culture, the use of social networking –via mediums like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, private blogs, public forums, personal websites, text messaging, and email– to gather large crowds of people united in a common purpose is referred to as the organization of “flash mobs.” The first notable flash mob was designed in Manhattan, in May 2003, by Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine, as a social experiment to highlight the cultural atmosphere of conformity and of wanting to be an insider or part of “the next big thing.” The experiment was an apolitical joke carried out by a few hundred participants at a local Macy’s department store. In 2008, word spread via social technology for more amusement, this time the Worldwide Pillow Fight Day, in which over 25 cities around the world participated, making the event the largest flash mob to date.
After the success of such benign experiments, flash mobs made the rapid switch to being political in nature.
Last month, Moldovan activist, Natalia Morar, was officially charged by the Moldovan government with “calls for organizing and staging mass disturbances.” However, the peaceful flash mob of 300 she and other activists organized to take place in front of the Parliament of Moldova, became known as a “Twitter Revolution” when it turned into a gathering of 10,000 protesters, including the leaders of major opposition parties and the explosive scene quickly became violent.
The US State Department, however, is determined to harness the power of social networking for positive use. Secretary Clinton announced during the speech at Barnard College, the creation of Virtual Student Foreign Service Internships, which will use social networking “to partner American students with our embassies abroad, to conduct digital diplomacy.”
Sources: State Dept., RFE/RL
June Vol. 1, 2009
(IP) –Some pressing issues in America today are healthcare, agriculture, and climate change. The recent outbreak of swine flu has brought to the forefront, the idea that food is the catalyst for these fundamental concerns. Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, sat down with Democracy Now! host, Amy Goodman, to discuss the need for reform in the food system, as it plays a major role in understanding not only swine flu, but solving the massive healthcare crisis and global climate change.
In the interview, Pollan stressed that more research was needed to determine if swine flu resulted from the industrialized agriculture of pigs. He pointed to the outbreak in Mexico, where tens of thousands of pigs “live in filth and close contact.” The Pew Commission on animal agriculture had already called attention to public health risks creating an environment that would generate new flu pandemics, he said.
The website for the Center for Disease Control asserts, “Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food.” However, the CDC continues, “Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.” Does this mean improperly cooked pork could transmit the disease? The CDC does not elaborate.
The following is an excerpt from the interview conducted Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! with author Michael Pollan concerning difficulties with other food systems outside the swine industry:
Amy Goodman: Can you talk about corporations in other ways, like Monsanto, talking about the sustainability of genetically modified foods?
Michael Pollan: Monsanto is […] making the case that the most sustainable agriculture will be intensive production on the land base we have. The argument is that there’s only so much arable land in the world, we have ten billion people on the way, and that the only way to feed them is to get more productivity over the land we have, to further intensify agriculture, using their genetically modified seeds. […]They [the seeds] have never succeeded in raising productivity. […] the Union of Concerned Scientists just issued a report looking at the twenty-year history of these crops, and what they have found is that basically the real gains in yield for American crops, for world crops, has been through conventional breeding. […]
AG: Is understanding and resolving food manufacturing issues a key to the healthcare crisis?
MP: Well, I think that we are soon to recognize that we are not going to be able to reform healthcare, which depends on getting the cost of healthcare down, without addressing the [catastrophe of] American diet.
The CDC estimates that of the $2 trillion we’re spending on healthcare $1.5 trillion is for the treatment of preventable chronic disease. Food is implicated in heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, 40 percent of cancers, stroke, all sorts of cardiovascular problems. Treating a case of Type 2 diabetes costs the City of New York, every new case, $500,000. It is bankrupting the system, and it’s preventable.
When asked about a lengthy letter Mr Pollan addressed to US President Barack Obama on the subject of food systems, Pollan describes his most significant point: “The most salient point is simply, you are not going to be able to tackle either the healthcare crisis or climate change unless you look at our food system. In the case of climate change, food is responsible for about a third of greenhouse gases, the way we’re growing food, the way we’re processing it and the way we’re eating. And the healthcare crisis, as I’ve talked about. So we need to address it. It’s really the shadow issue over these other two issues.”
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Laila A. Rahman
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children under two years old be restricted from watching television, and that children who are older than two be restricted to watching one to two hours of quality programming per day.
Experts have assessed in two separate studies done by the American Psychological Association that some television programming is leading children into unhealthy habits and aggressive behavior as adults.
The first study –which was performed by several psychologists including L. Rowell Huesmann, Ph.D., Jessica Moise-Titus, Ph.D., and Leonard D. Eron, Ph.D of the University of Michigan– concluded that children identify personally with the characters they see on television and perceive the situations they see to be real. Researchers believe “violent situations that children are most likely to model their behavior after are [the] ones in which they identify with the perpetrator of violence, the perpetrator is rewarded for the violence and in which children perceive the scene as telling about life like it really is.”
The APA also believes that viewing such violence as adolescents makes children more prone to grow up as aggressive adults. The participants in one of the studies were interviewed again afterwards, and rated by their family members and friends, as to how often they would engage in aggressive behavior. It was found that men who viewed TV violence frequently showed to have pushed, grabbed, or shoved a person when they became angry at someone, and the women viewing similar material were found to punch, beat, or choke in situations where they were angry, both at a rate of approximately 4 times more than people who were not frequent viewers of violent programming. These same men and women were also found to have an increased rate of criminal convictions and moving traffic violations.
Researchers argue that the correlation between viewing violent material and the incidence of violent behavior is profound and underestimated. Dr. Huesmann’s research concerning this correlation concluded that, “It is more plausible that exposure to TV violence increases aggression than that aggression increases TV-violence viewing,” as well as: “For both boys and girls, habitual early exposure to TV violence is predictive of more aggression by them later in life, independent of their own initial childhood aggression.”
The American Psychological Association has also recommended that all advertising to children under the age of eight be restricted due to research that showed children under eight are not able to comprehend advertising messages like older children and adults do. Children under eight also accept advertising messages as truthful, unbiased, and accurate. Advertisers spend more than 12 billion dollars a year advertising such products as sugared cereals, candies, sweets, and sodas, an astounding proportion of which is focused towards this age group. Dr. Brian Wilcox, Director of the Center on Children, a key psychologist conducting the research, concluded: “Such advertising of unhealthy food products to young children contributes to poor nutritional habits that may last a lifetime and be a variable in the current epidemic among kids.” Foods high in sugar and lacking nutrition have increased the amount of children in recent years who are obese and also those who have developed diabetes.
There are, however, actions that can be taken, as parents, to stop these negative influences from impinging upon children. While many in society remain reliant upon television programming to occupy their children, persistent research conclusively shows that the most effective engagements for positive child development are intellectually stimulating activities away from the television.
June Vol. 1, 2009
Habeebah A. Samad
Beginning July 1, the award-winning Al Jazeera English (AJE) network, a 24-hour global news and current affairs channel, broadcasting in more than 100 countries, will be broadcasting seven days per week in Washington, D.C after having teamed up with MHz Networks’ prominent international channel line-up. AJE will be joining nine other international networks that MHz broadcasts and cablecasts in the region.
Like MHz’s other international networks, AJE was added in two forms. AJE programming began April 29, in the D.C. metro area. Viewers are able to watch an evening newscast anchored from AJE’s Washington, D.C. news bureau at 10 p.m. on the primary local channel known as “MHz Networks 1/MHz Worldview D.C.”
Chief Executive, Frederick Thomas, of MHz Networks says, “It was important for us to broaden the range of world news that we bring to Washington, D.C. …AJE also fits perfectly inside of our mission and I think viewers are going to find it a reliable and top-quality source for news.”
Al Jazeera English launched internationally in November 2006 as the world’s first English language news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East. After only two years on the air, the channel is available in more that 140 million households worldwide and in more than 100 countries.
“We are extremely pleased to be launching on MHz and joining their impressive line-up of channels,” said Phil Lawrie, Director of Global Distribution for Al Jazeera. “For over two years, Al Jazeera English has been …providing a platform for the under-represented corners of the world. Our website receives 22 million visits every month with over 50% coming from America, and our branded YouTube page is by far the most popular news site on YouTube. We applaud MHz for being among the first US providers to air the channel.”
The thirty-minute AJE newscast will be available in the D.C. market via MHz Networks 1, on broadcast (over the air) channel 30.1. Viewers with cable may tune into Comcast channel 30 and Verizon FIOS channel 451.
In addition to Al Jazeera English, MHz Worldview (MHz Networks 1) programming in DC originates from: Asian News International (ANI), Deutsche Welle, Euronews, FCI, France 24, Israeli Broadcast Authority (IBA), MAC TV, NHK World TV, RT, and SABC as well as MBC, Bolivision, and TV Polonia. Programming also stems from local producers and international film distributors.
June Vol. 1 2009
(IP) –New data from the US Treasury Department shows that Chinese investors cut back on their purchases of bonds during the months of January and February. Representative Mark Kirk was the first member of Congress to tour the Bureau of Public Debt, which trades bonds, and was distressed to find out how much debt was being bought by the US Federal Reserve, a private, non-governmental institution. This buying was due to absence of foreign investors.
China holds more US Treasury bonds than any other country, around $800 billion dollars. “It would appear, quietly and with deference and politeness, that China has canceled America’s credit card,” Kirk said to the Committee of 100, a Chinese-American group. The Chinese economy has also been affected by the worldwide financial disaster and Premier Wen Jiabao has openly expressed concern about the condition of his country’s US investments.
Last year, China lent America $400 billion—a sum equivalent to more than 10 percent of China’s gross domestic product. Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China, wants to lead China away from buying more American debt. Brad Setser of the Council on Foreign Relations wrote in a recent report: “Day after day, China is the single biggest buyer of treasury bonds in the market,” he also added that, “Never before has the U.S. relied so heavily on another country’s government for financing.”
In reality China cannot completely ignore the US currency without affecting its own US holdings, but as America continues to incur even more debt. China is encouraged to quicken its pace towards investing its money elsewhere.
June Vol. 1 2009
By Yasmin A. Atheem
Islamic Post Staff Writer
The recent appointment of an Egyptian-American Muslim, Dalia Mogahed, to US President Barack Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, brought to the forefront a study created through a collaboration between the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies and the Coexist Foundation. The partnership produced The Gallup Coexist Index 2009: A Global Study of Interfaith Relations, which found that, contrary to widespread assumptions, Muslims greatly value democracy, freedom of speech, technology and equal rights for women.
In the foreword of the study, Mogadeh, executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, describes the purpose of the endeavor: “This study is part of the Center’s effort to provide non-partisan, data-driven research and advice on the diversity and complexity of Muslim views around the world.”
Collected through the Gallup World Poll, the study spans the world, over 140 countries, and represents the views of 95% of the world’s population. The researchers performed a more focused probe in three countries. Mogadeh explains why in the report: “Because the discussion about the relationship among faith groups is lively in Europe, especially with respect to religious and ethnic minorities, Gallup conducted deeper studies in three European nations — the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. This research helps inform the conversation on issues such as integration, identity, values, and radicalization.”
Some survey results for Muslim Americans were:
The majority, thirty-five percent, of Muslim Americans are African-American.
Forty percent of Muslim Americans have a college degree.
But when asked if they see themselves as “thriving”, only 40% of Muslim Americans replied in the affirmative. Jews (56% and Mormons 51% scored in the top two). (Gallup)
Muslim American men and women report surprisingly similar monthly household incomes, men only dominating when making over $5,000 a month.
Muslim Americans (at 80%) find religion to be an important part of their daily lives as compared to 65% of the general population. (Gallup)
Mogadeh tells BBC News, “This research shows that many of the assumptions about Muslims and integration are wide of the mark.” Revealing why this research is important, Mogadeh explains to AFP newswire, “A billion Muslims should be the ones that we look to, to understand what they believe, rather than a vocal minority.
June Vol. 1 2009
By Subhana B. Yahya Abdur Rahim
Islamic Post Staff Writer
United Muslim Christian Forum Attends Peace Conference at the United Nations
NEW YORK— (IP) Several members of the United Muslim Christian Forum —an auxiliary of the Muslims of the Americas, whose goal is to promote world peace and the end of human suffering through interfaith and interreligious efforts— attended a symposium at the United Nations earlier this month. The conference, cosponsored by the Universal Peace Federation, was entitled Creating a World of Peace: One Family at a Time and focused primarily on the traditional family unit being used as a springboard for dialogue between various religions and cultures. The UN conference also focused on the reestablishment of respect for women and their roles as mother, caregiver and, in many cases, breadwinner. Guest speakers included world renowned physician and author Dr. Deepak Chopra; Secretary General of the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, Mr. Taj Hamad; ambassadors representing the Missions of Iraq, Qatar, Nigeria, Non-Governmental Organizations, Mr. Taj Hamad; ambassadors representing the Missions of Iraq, Qatar, Nigeria,
The United Nations established the International Day of Families over a decade ago with the intention of focusing on familial relationships in the quest for resolution of conflict and the abolition of war. This year’s theme highlighted the need for improved maternal health care —especially in underdeveloped countries, the prevention of violence against women and an increased need for secular education for women worldwide. A recent statement issued by UPF Secretary General, Dr. Thomas Walsh, laid the groundwork for the conference: “Mothers play a critical role in the family, which is a powerful force for social cohesion and integration.”
The orators of the event sent an emphatic call to action to the audience of over 400 to bring the purity of the family unit back to the international focal point. Chairperson H.E. Mrs. U. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s ambassador to the United Nations, eloquently stated that “the family is the fulcrum” for worldwide peace and that the family unit makes the community stronger by strengthening bonds. H.E. Ogwu’s overall message was that once we heal our families we can begin to heal the world.
The radical departure in the past half century from traditional values and a two parent family structure was also touted as a major reason for the collapse of so many family units. Chairwoman of Women for Peace, Mrs. Lynn Walsh of UPF, made the point that children who hail from two parent families are emotionally, physically and spiritually “better off” than children who come from broken homes. She also stated that cohabiting couples are twice as likely to dissolve their union than those families in which the couple share a marital bond.
At the conclusion of the conference, many of the attendees expressed their appreciation for having been part of such an eye opening event. All were encouraged to put all their efforts towards peace under the banner of Almighty God and support of the family unit. When asked, Universal Peace Federation Representative, Gale Alves, expressed her gratitude by saying: “I was inspired to see such a diverse group of people at a high-level symposium, all expressing the theme of unity and oneness centered on God in common, and for uplifting the importance of the family unit, especially giving women the respect they deserve for the vital role they play in taking care of the family, as well as working outside the home.” United Muslim Christian Forum Board Member, Maryam Rahim, shared Ms. Alves’ sentiments: “This forum put a face on the issues of world peace and humanitarianism and gave an overall better understanding that the beginning of the resolution to the problems of the world is right at home. The way that we raise our families can surely have positive reverberating effects that can spread world wide, I agree, ‘one family at a time.’”
Members of the United Muslim Christian Forum found it vital to have attended the symposium, as the goals stated by the UN representatives reflect many of the same principles and ideals regarding world peace and the eradication of war that UMCF is striving for. Many of the programs that UMCF has sponsored in the past bring people from various faiths and cultures together with a common goal of peace. The most recent program was the Milad-un-Nabi Parade and Festival in Binghamton, NY, which took place in March of this year. This second annual event celebrated the glory and majesty of the Holy Messenger, Jesus, son of the Blessed and Chaste Mary, and the Divine Miracle of the Holy Messenger, Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of the Almighty Creator be upon them). Please visit http://www.UnitedMuslimChristianForum.org for more details regarding events in which UMCF is actively participating, and/or sponsoring.
June Vol. 1 2009
By Abu Rashid Qadri
Islamic Post Staff Writer
On May 19, Mr. Atiq Shahid, Senior Southeast Asia Correspondent for the Islamic Post, visited the Pakistan Consulate on East 65th Street, in New York City, to apply for a Pakistan visa. Mr. Shahid was traveling on the May 28 PIA flight to Islamabad. What should have been an easy accomplishment became a complex affair when Mr. Shahid was faced with one obstacle after another.
Mr. Shahid is no stranger to Pakistan as over the last quarter century he has traveled there numerous times as a correspondent, on assignment and as a Good Will Ambassador, coordinating and participating in a number of humanitarian relief efforts, including assisting Kashmiri refugees. Most recently, Mr. Shahid managed and led the American Muslim Medical Relief Team (AMMRT), a contingent of medical professionals, to the quake-ravished region of Pakistan where they were stationed at the Ayyub Medical Center in Abbottabad.
When AMMRT arrived at the medical facility, they witnessed the substandard treatment of patients, dirty linen, drugs and medical supplies being stored in the basement, and other deplorable conditions. Patients did not even have clean bed sheets on which to be treated. The team worked 24/7 to improve conditions and extended their stay at great cost to themselves. AMMRT also sent for additional personnel, as well as medical and relief supplies. All these efforts were coordinated by Mr. Shahid, who greatly encouraged the team’s efforts.
“One thing for sure, we virtually killed ourselves working with only 2 or 3 hours rest a day for the months we were there,” recalled Mr. Shahid. “Even at the Kashmiri refugee camps, our ladies stayed there distributing food, clothes, medicines and other items that were needed. We suffered a lot and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars; no appreciation or thanks was ever extended by the Pakistan government.”
This team, without hesitation or fanfare, had answered the request of the Honorable President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, when he called for immediate assistance and help from all quarters. At great sacrifice to themselves and their families and without outside assistance they financed their own flights, raised monies for medical and relief supplies, and received absolutely no assistance or even a word of appreciation or encouragement from Pakistan government officials here or abroad.
Perhaps it was too much to believe that Mr. Shahid would be treated in some way other than the cold, callous and belligerent manner that American Muslims had grown accustomed to receiving in the past. Mr. Shahid was simply requesting a three month stay, multiple entrance, one year visa that would facilitate his reporting on current events, as well as revisiting the region stricken by the earthquake to re-evaluate the needs of those still suffering, and possibly interviewing the Honorable Secretary Minister of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Mian Iftikar Hussain.
Mr. Tanweer Khalique, the expressionless Consular Attaché in the New York Office, examined the application and a copy of the letter addressed to the Secretary Minister which was to be carried and delivered. These items detailed Mr. Shahid’s itinerary and request. Mr. Shahid briefed Mr. Khalique of his and his colleagues’ past efforts in helping the government and people of Pakistan; but without even a sigh or sign of gratitude, he denied Mr. Shahid his request for a visa to continue his medical and relief work by arranging another tour for AMMRT. Mr. Khalique remained adamant and would not budge from his frigid stance.
The Honorable Khalifa, M. Hussein Abu Bakr, reflected, “The repetitive ill treatment meted out to American Muslims by Pakistan’s government representatives here in America, makes us sure that Pakistan does not like American Muslims and intentionally treats us with disdain by making the most simplest of tasks difficult.”
“We have always helped in humanitarian efforts whether or not the victims were Muslim, Christian or any other group. We were there for the victims of 9/11, Katrina, Rita and the tsunami; we will never stop helping victims of tragedy,” he concluded.
June Vol. 1 2009
The United Muslim Christian Forum (UMCF), including its board members: Ambassador For Peace, Mr. Hussein Adams and Dr. Diane O’Heron, Board Advisor, urgently call upon the government of Pakistan to immediately lift the curfew in all areas of the northwest of the country, not just the town of Mingora. The lifting of the imposed curfew would alleviate the critical humanitarian emergency that threatens the millions of internal refugees forced to flee for their lives, due to the violence there, in recent weeks. The “shoot to kill” curfew has only served to further victimize civilian refugees who risk breaking it, in order to obtain any food and medical attention that they can find.
This is in keeping with the recent symposium at the United Nations — Creating a World of Peace: One Family at a Time. Several board members of the UMCF had just returned from that symposium at which crimes against humanity and human rights violations were specifically condemned, only to be informed of the recent developments, of the ongoing crisis, in Pakistan.
The United Muslim Christian Forum strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms, and particularly that form which cloaks itself in religion, to justify oppression and the harming of innocents.
However, the Pakistan Army must re-evaluate its role in the war torn region of the Northwest Frontier Province and make the immediate determination that the disastrous consequences of their actions to pursue 4,000 Taliban is at the risk of displacing over 4 million innocent civilians- a severe human rights violation. It should be emphasized that while military action is necessary in fulfilling the protective duties of the state, such an extreme operation resulting in the displacement of millions of civilians is well beyond the bounds of necessity. The operation is also unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.
The Taliban have their own agenda and only use Islam as a shield, while remaining firmly under the Wahhabi influence, which was vehemently rejected at its origin, by the authentic Muslim scholars and remains condemned by the scholars of Islam to this day. However, if left unchecked to continue its reckless extremist influence and actions, this movement could well lead to major global disorder.
The Ambassador For Peace further appeals to all people of faith and goodwill to come forward and lend whatever assistance they can, for the suffering people, in the Pakistan refugee camps. A relief fund has been established by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, for the above purpose, and the UMCF encourages all to give generously – any donations are welcome, however small. All help is appreciated and desperately needed to relieve the close to four million internally displaced men, women, and children who are facing starvation and disease.
It is in times like these that we must all be reminded that the road to true and lasting peace in the world closely lies in the mutual understanding that can be cemented between Muslims and Christians everywhere. Security and prosperity lie in the Unity of Muslims and Christians, in the U.S. and around the world. This is the key to success. The concerted efforts of this alliance are now needed most in this latest humanitarian crisis in Swat Valley, Pakistan.
Once again, the innocent victims of this latest humanitarian crisis await the urgent response of the world community.
June Vol. 1, 2009
By Lorna Swaine-Abdallah
& Muhammad Hasib A. Haqq
Islamic Post Staff Writers
The government of Pakistan should continue lifting the curfews imposed in the northwest of the country, in order to diminish the overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe there. The military offensive has created millions of internal refugees who now face famine and disease. While the curfew was lifted in Mingora after recapturing the town held by the Taliban since May, the military curfew in general, far from its intended aim of ferreting out the Taliban insurgents in the area, has only served to target the civilian refugees and force them into dangerous situations in which they break the curfew to obtain food and medical assistance.
The beautiful Swat Valley lies in utter ruin. After being subject to arbitrary beheadings and suicide bombing at the hands of the local Taliban, the region is now thoroughly desolate. Close to four million have been internally displaced with a good majority being sent to Peshawar, to already overburdened refugee camps there. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, has set up a fund to assist the refugees. However, outside of this undertaking, Mr. Gilani has not been able to exercise any real control of the situation, despite his sincere efforts.
In the meantime, the local Taliban leader, Mullah Fazlullah, has called upon his followers to stop fighting so that the displaced residents can be encouraged to return to their homes. The Pakistani army is reported to view this move as a mere ruse to elude capture. In fact, the Taliban have not said that they are leaving the area, but rather that they will continue to fight to establish “sharia law” to the last drop of their blood, and with their last breath.
What the world media is failing to report is that this so-called effort to establish “sharia law” is rather a fraudulent doctrine masquerading as religion, for the purposes of grabbing power. The Taliban organization is actually the latest cover used by this unscrupulous gang of Wahhabi thugs in their most recent efforts to destabilize Pakistan, along with the rest of the region. The public is now becoming fully aware that the Taliban was originally founded by the CIA, and presently has the full support of India. They have their own agenda. Unfortunately, the ripple effect of their insidious beliefs is not confined to Pakistan, but is affecting the whole world.
One impostor, Sufi Muhammad, the main culprit instigating the bloodbath in Swat, uses this traditional name and claims to favor enforcing Shariah Law when in fact, he himself has little understanding of Islam. This is one of many men causing destruction due to their ignorance. Islam is a religion of peace, and we condemn suicide bombers. This is against our teachings as Islam forbids suicide and the innocent killing of men, women, and children.
This menace to humanity, Sufi Muhammad, is a member of the deviate Wahhabi sect. For those still uninformed about Wahhabism, a reading of Confessions of a British Spy by Hempher will provide ample background information on this subject, to place the matter into the proper perspective. I.Q.O.U. is striving to expose these deviants, as well as to assist America on focusing its actions on locating and exposing Wahhabi influence in our midst before their inhumane, completely unislamic agenda reaches this soil in the form of horrific acts against us, our neighbors and brethren, thereby confusing such actions as admissible in Islam.
These despicable conspirators need no particular target. They are the enemies of all humanity and peoples of true faith throughout the world; they must be stopped at all cost.
One can go far as to say that Sufi Muhammad is not a Muslim but rather a pagan; although his beard (hence outward appearance) is widely recognised as a symbol of one practising Islam, any Muslim who rejects the tenets of Islam for any reason, is no longer within the fold of Islam.
He does not just pose a threat to Pakistan, but with monies collected from numerous sources, has accumulated enough capital to have developed into a real threat to America and England as well.
On May 28, Mr. Atiq Shahid, Senior Foreign Correspondent for the Islamic Post embarked on assignment via a Pakistan International Airline flight to Islamabad. His assignment calls for him to report from the frontline of Pakistan’s Swat Valley, where reports estimate that somewhere around 4,000 Taliban have infiltrated the valley and the bloody unrest has claimed the lives of numerous innocent men, women, and children, and caused over 4 million to flee their homes. These numbers should be enough for the Pakistan Army to re-evaluate its role in the war torn region, and determine if their pursuit of the Taliban has been worth the consequences. While Islam openly forbids acts of injustice against innocent people, both the Taliban and the Pakistani Army are guilty of either suicide attacks or the slaughter of innocent people.
The residents of Swat should now be encouraged to return to their homes and take a stand against the Taliban, in defense of their patrimony. It is precisely at this juncture that the world community should lend its assistance to the displaced residents of the valley.
Muslims, Christians and Jews, indeed all people of good conscience should join hands, and put forth a concerted effort to end the misery caused by these ruthless gangsters.
Filed under: Magazine/ Culture, May Volume I - 2009, Religion | Tags: Gilani, Jilani
By Noora Ahmad
Islamic Post Staff Writer
Reciting naat and qasidahs, Muslims of the Americas (MOA) pay tribute to International Quranic Open University Vice Chancellor, Perfect Sufi Master, His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Hashmi, a direct descendant of the world-renowned saint and scholar of Islam, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani.
(IP) –The Muslims of the Americas gathered to pay tribute to His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Gilani in April when MOA founding mothers, Zahidah Faruq and Umm Shafi (Aisha Begum) were invited to recite special naats they had written many years ago that have inspired generations to follow the ways of love, peace and selflessness set out by El Sheikh Gilani. The two ladies graced the occassion with a joint recitation. For one naat, Umm Shafi was accompanied by two of her sons, one of whom sings for the up and coming group Ansaruddeen. Songs by founding mother Baji Halimah Sahar were also recited. Baji Halimah has written over 100 such songs and poems and published her work via Zavia Books entitled:A Journey of Love In Na’ats and Poetry.
After releasing “Ya Ilahi” last year, Ansaruddeen is expected to record their next album later this year. Many of the songs recited by Ansaruddeen also pay tribute to El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, who is greatly loved by the group members and their fans. The group, which consists of three young men –Ibrahim Caba, Abdul Manaan A. Hakim and Muhammad Hussain A. Khabir– gave their most recent concert during a fundraising dinner at Abu’s House of Halal, a restaurant in Binghamton, NY. Fans of the group and devotees of El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani were able to hear a live Ansaruddeen performance in an elegant setting, and guests enjoyed traditional curry chicken with grilled spicy vegetables and flat bread, and also American classics such as filet mignon, rice and a specially prepared cake.
By Asma A. Adl
Islamic Post Staff Writer
(IP) –The counter (OTC) drug called phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA) has been widely used for many years as a nasal decongestant in OTC products as well as prescription and weight control products.
The FDA states that they started scientific reviews of OTC drug products in the 1970s, wanting to test the safety and effectiveness of products marketed in the United States. In 1976 the use of PPA was deemed safe for nasal decongestants by an expert panel and given the go ahead by a different panel in 1982 for weight control. The FDA, however, makes mention that they had not completed their own safety and effectiveness tests due to the occasional reports of the association of the drugs and with hemorrhagic strokes.
A hemorrhagic stroke is the bleeding inside of the brain and in its surrounding tissue. With the association of PPA and these strokes, pharmaceutical industries were requested by the FDA in 2000 to evaluate the risks of taking drugs containing PPA. The industry study was case controlled and consisted of people 18-49 years old. The subjects had been recently hospitalized with subarachnoid or intercerebral hemorrhages. For women using PPA for weight control, the increased risk occurred after 3 days, and for women using the drug as a nasal decongestant product, it occurred after the first day. The reported exposure was verified by the study investigators.
A few over the counter medications that have contained PPA are as follows: Alka-seltzer plus cold medicine; Alka-seltzer plus cold and flu; Alka-seltzer cold and sinus effervescent; BC Allergy sinus cold powder; Comtrex flu therapy & fever relief; Contac 12 hour tablets; Dimetapp Elixir; Dimetapp Cold & Cough liquid-gels; Robitussin CF; Triaminic Cold and Cough, allergy, and chest and head; Dexatrim products; Triaminic products and Triaminic childrens products.
The FDA, however, does not keep an updated list of products containing PPA as companies continue to reformulate their products. Therefore ingredient lists should be regularly checked.
Filed under: Magazine/ Culture, May Volume I - 2009, World | Tags: Gillani, Jilani
Showing great respect to the renowned Sufi Master, Ghausul Azam, Abdul Qadir Jilani, participants joined in the recitation of Holy Quran, Naat, the completion of Qasidah Ghausia and dhikr.
Everyone was elated that the descendent of Ghaus Azam of Baghdad had been elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan.
All are expecting him to follow in the way of his blessed ancestor with firmness and steadfastness.
Filed under: Education, Magazine/ Culture, May Volume I - 2009, Religion | Tags: Jamal al Quran
Appeal to Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to Take Immediate Action to Bring Culprits ForwardPRESS RELEASE
To: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Supreme Court of Pakistan
and the Pakistan Ministry of Religious Affairs
From: United Muslim Advocates Guild
Re: Your Attention to Inaccurate References in Jamal ul Quran Regarding Our Holy Last Messenger (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him)
Date: May 6, 2009
Dear Your Honors:
I write to you on behalf of the United Muslim Advocates Guild headquartered in the United States of America. This letter concerns a current injustice taking place in your country. Approximately four years ago, members of our staff purchased four dozen Holy Qur’ans published by Zia ul Quran – The translator of the English/Arabic edition of Jamal ul Quran is Professor Anis Ahmad Sheikh and the proofreading was done by Professor Muhammad Shaffi.
Upon review, we were shocked to discover the most insulting commentary regarding our Beloved Holy Last Messenger (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him). Specifically, the line to be scrutinized is the seventh ayat of the 93rd Surah, Ad-Duha, hereinafter (“the ayat”). The use of the word “distracted” for the Arabic term dalaala in the ayat when referring to the Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) is incorrect and surely a gross insult to him, to his blessed and pure family (peace be upon them all) and to the entire Muslim world!
We contacted the publishers without hesitation to inform them of this gross error. Our staff strongly suggested the publishers: Pizada Muhammad Hafeez-ul-Barakaat Shah, and his brother Pizada Muhammad Ibrahim Shah place an editor’s slip or notation into each Holy Qur’an detailing the distortion and correcting the inaccuracy of the translation. Shamefully, both made little of the maligning of the Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and treated the whole issue as though it was of no importance and insignificant. Their arrogant, remorseless response was, “We don’t have time for this matter.” The two refused to address the issue further. It is unconscionable to think this matter is occurring in a Muslim country where those in control claim to be Ahli Bait. They profess to be family of our Holy Last Messenger (May Allah be pleased with him) but none has stepped up to protect his Honor.
The correct meaning of the ayah concerned is “We found you absorbed in love of Allah and we show you the way.” This is the same interpretation of the word dalaala as it was used in Sura Yusuf when referring to Hazrat Yaqub (peace be upon him) in order to express the extreme love for his son Hazrat Yusuf (peace be upon him). The Almighty Allah states that: “My Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is not insane, nor a liar, nor a confused person.” The Arabic/Urdu Dictionary published in Karachi and Lahore concurs that the word used in translation to mean “distracted” is used to describe someone who is weak-minded or one with a mental flaw. The words Pagall (insane , distracted) and Jhoot (meaning lies and insane) were used. To even suggest such derogatory characteristic could exist in the Holy Last Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is an unspeakable affront to the most perfect of creation and a fraudulent portrayal of Rasooli Akram’s (peace and blessings be upon him) impeccable character. This is a grave offense and may Allah forgive us for having to even associate these words in within the same paragraph of Our Holy Last Messenger!
Further, the United Muslim Advocates Guild and the International Qur’anic Open University have jointly sponsored a newspaper correspondent to travel to your country to personally deliver this letter and to monitor the situation.
To this end, we are respectfully requesting that you exercise your influence to order the publishers to rectify this problem with all urgency. Sirs, you have the authority to rectify this injustice suo motto and we implore you to do so.
If our demand is ignored by the government of Pakistan, then we will be forced to rally and protest against the arrogant and blasphemous statement contained in the publication.
Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Attorney at Law
As we stood at city hall marking the end of the Milad Parade and Festival procession, I glanced over to the women standing next to me with a homemade banner. After introducing myself and my Christian mother, I kindly asked Ann Clune if I could take a picture of her banner. Ann told me that her daughter had spent time making her the banner, which read, “True Peace Comes Not From Bombs, Change The Cycle.”
During a brief talk with Mr and Mrs Jim Clune, I learned that the two had done some online advertising for the event. The Clunes are Catholics and attend St. James Church in Johnson City, NY, and are members of a peace vigil group that has been meeting weekly with other groups in the town’s Federal Building for over 9 years now.
Another attendee, Ms. Grace Walter –who also attended last year’s program– had this to say: “It reminded me of the civil rights movement when blacks, along side with whites, marched for equality. I hope that Muslim-Christian dialogue continues.”
-Islamic Post Staff Writer, Jameelah Kareem
Filed under: From the Desk of El Sheikh Sultan Muhyuddin Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, Magazine/ Culture, May Volume I - 2009 | Tags: Gilani, Jilani
Below is another brief, but extremely beneficial, transcription of a segment of a discourse by His Eminence, El-Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani. The dear reader will also notice this is an explanatory lecture on the hikmah that Allah, the Most High, reveals for mankind in Surah Luqman:
“And We bestowed hikmah upon Luqman: “Show thy gratitude to Allah, and whoever is grateful does so to the profit of his own soul.” – HolyQur’an Surah Luqman, Ayat 12.
Commentary by El Sheikh Gilani:
After Divine Revelation (wahi) and Messengerhood is hikmah. Hikmah is The Wisdom. In English we say: “[So and so], he is a very wise man.” What do we mean by this? It is a very crude meaning, because the whole terminology [of English] is very ambiguous and ever changing. The wise people twenty years ago are fools now, and those people whom they call wise today: they will become fools after ten years. So, hikmah is that gift from Allah (glory be to the Most High) that comes directly from Allah by which you can make differentiation between the falsehood and the truth. Hikmah is a gift. After Messengers come hakeems whom Allah has given hikmah. They are awliya (friends of Allah). Hazrat Luqman (to whom this Surah refers, peace be upon him) was a hakeem.
Now [as I said], hikmah is a gift that comes from Allah. It is not wahi, but Allah inspires the hearts of those people by giving them hikmah. It is a light, Allah’s Noor, by which they can differentiate between the falsehood and the truth. They know the reality of things (haqiqah) and the secrets of the deeds and act upon it.
For an ordinary person, he sees all that is in heaven and earth and thinks that he can cultivate land, raise flowers and cattle, do business and just thinks that Allah has given him this ability. But, for a hakeem, all of that which is between heaven and earth, in the physical world, are signs and similitudes to guide him, and they are all physical manifestations, physical or materialized forms of each and every word of Holy Qur’an. All that he sees are the physical manifestations or materialization of Allah’s Words.
The words of Allah are meant to guide you, so that you are not misguided. When you start doing research of the signs, or matter, or its growth, or its form, then one is short of a fool as an indicative sign is meant to lead you towards a direction! They are the signs along the way! And you should follow in that direction. But, when you stop there, [at the signs], making use of your microscope and your instruments, [focusing only on those instruments without attention given to their actual use, purpose and indication] and you start writing on your boards that it (the sign given by Allah) is made of so and so; it is so many years old, etc.; then, people will say: “He’s a madman! Put him in the lunatic asylum!”
Filed under: Education, International, Magazine/ Culture, May Volume I - 2009 | Tags: Book Review
By Lorna Swaine-Abdallah
Islamic Post Staff Writer
The Islamic Post is pleased to present an excerpt from the introduction of the latest book by scholar of Sufic doctrine, Stephen Schwartz called, The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony. An analysis by the International Quranic Open University (IQOU) regarding Schwartz’ accurate assessment of extremists abusing the name of Islam follows.
First, the excerpt from the introduction to The Other Islam, by Stephen Suleiman Schwartz: “Sufism –Islamic Spirituality in a World of Fear:”
On May 27, 2007, a huge bomb struck the mosque and shrine of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani in central Baghdad, killing at least twenty-four people and injuring many more. The Jilani shrine is a prominent landmark in the Iraqi capital, and the explosion damaged its dome and minaret.
Shaykh Jilani, who lived from around 1077 to 1166 C.E., has been described as a “patron saint” of Baghdad, and the celebration of his birthday, a custom known as mawlid in Islam, is a favorite festival in the city. His mawlid had taken place a month before the May 2007 blast.
Because Shaykh Jilani was a Sunni Muslim, some Westerners immediately assumed that the attack on his shrine was committed by Iraqi Shia Muslims. But they were wrong. The perpetrators of the Jilani bombing were also Sunnis. The difference was that Shaykh Jilani was known as a Sunni Sufi, and the bombers were Wahhabis (alias “Salafis”), probably from Saudi Arabia, who militantly claim the Sunni banner.
If the fighting between Muslims in Iraq pitted Sunnis against Shias, most Americans would ask, why would Sunnis bomb a Sunni shrine? Was this some bizarre provocation aimed at blaming Shias for the crime and rousing the anger of Sunnis? Every Muslim in the world knows the answer to that question: Sunnis attacked Sunnis in the Jilani shrine bombing because Wahhabis, representing the most extreme, violent, exclusionary, rigid, and fundamentalist interpretation in the history of Sunni Islam –fueled by Saudi petrodollars– despise Sufis and their shrines. Wahhabis also hate and kill other non-Wahhabi Sunnis, as well as Shias, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and anybody else with whom they disagree, including each other.
The rise of Al-Qaida and of Islamist terrorism in general originates more in Wahhabism and the divisions it has created within the community of Muslim believers than in a conflict with the West. And the field of deadly Wahhabi action against Sufis and other dissenting Muslims is not limited to Iraq. Less than five months after the Jilani shrine bomb, a blast at the shrine of another of the most famous Sufis, Moinuddin Chisti, in Ajmer, India, killed two people and injured twenty. The crime occurred during evening prayers when the shrine was crowded with hundreds of worshippers.
The conflict between Sufis, both Sunni and Shia, and Islamist fundamentalists or clericalists is widening around the world –in terror attacks striking Iraq as well as in reform efforts in Saudi Arabia, amid intrigues among American Muslims at the same time as Sunni fundamentalists and Sufis confront one another in the Balkans, and in the banning of Sufi books in Malaysia.
[...] The Iranian clerical regime is in crisis, and Sufis are increasingly prominent as representatives of a new political and social alternative to the failed scheme of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (the story of the Gonabadi Sufis will be told in chapter 5). Similarly, Sufis are in the forefront of demands for political and social reform in Saudi Arabia, where the anti-Sufi Wahhabis comprise the official form of Islam. For many years the outstanding opponent of fundamentalism in Saudi Arabia was a beloved Sufi, Sayyid Muhammad Alawi Al-Maliki (1947-2004). When his funeral was held in Mecca, private jets choked the Saudi airports for days.
In the Wahhabi mind, to praise a Sufi saint such as Shaykh Jilani, to observe his birthday, and to honor his shrine, is to deviate from strict monotheism, concentrated on God, and thus to treat a personality such as Jilani or Moinuddin Chisti as a “partner” or “equal” of God. According to the same bizarre logic, Wahhabis condemn mawlid birthday events for the Prophet Muhammad himself [peace be upon him]. The fundamentalists deride such customs as a mimicking of Christianity, claiming that extolling the Prophet’s birthday is an unacceptable innovation (bida) in religion and that Muslims must not stray from the original expression of their faith. That was the Wahhabi posture from the beginning: that acclaiming the Prophet’s birthday, Sufism itself (since it is not mentioned specifically in the Qur’an), and honoring Muslim and other saints are all novelties in Islam, to be strictly avoided.
But as Sayyid Al-Maliki and other opponents of Wahhabism have written, in texts appearing since Ottoman times, if Muslims reject all innovations after the era of the Prophet [peace be upon him], they must abandon the written Qur’an (since Islamic scripture was delivered to Muhammad [peace be upon him] orally, and at first memorized), the production of books of knowledge, the erection of minarets at mosques, the construction of schools and hospitals, and numerous other modern customs, including use of sophisticated weaponry in war. Even the most extreme Wahhabis cannot claim to live by such a set of prescriptions, although they may impose them on others. Wahhabi fanatics will not watch television and the Saudi kingdom has no movie theaters, since both are recent inventions.
The faith of Islam continues to challenge Americans and other Westerners with many questions, which for most non-Muslims have remained unanswered. Is Islam a religion comparable to Christianity or Judaism, a political movement, or a violent conspiracy? Does it aim to conquer the world? Does it urge its adherents to commit atrocious acts of terror?
And then, what are Muslims? What do they believe about Islam? And how do they look at their Christian, Jewish, and other non-Muslim neighbors –if not on the same street in an American suburb, then at least on the same continent, as in Europe, and on a single planet? The West has many academic experts on the Middle East –the core Muslim area– and many Muslim and Arab advocates. But few have provided answers to the basic concerns of non-Muslims. The same inquiries have gone without adequate reply, or fallen into the void of forgetfulness, occasionally resurfacing and usually failing to stir new explanations.
[...] Outside university and political circles, hate-mongering self-anointed “experts” on Islam have proliferated, but they are heedless of Islamic, Western, or other history and interested only in selling their shoddy wares by sowing panic. They seek to reinforce suspicion in the Western public that the only trustworthy Muslim is one who has left the religion of Islam or otherwise expressed loathing towards it.
After the atrocities of September 11, 2001, followed by American military action, few Americans comprehended the essence of the situation. Many believed that the Iraq intervention was about fighting terrorism; others thought that, as in the Gulf war of 1991, it was mainly about oil. But then details emerged that had been absent from previous American involvement with the Muslim world. It turned out that Iraq had several differing kinds of Muslims: mostly Arab Shia Muslims, but also Arab and Kurdish Sunni Muslims. Aside from the Kurds, who had been protected by the West in the past and were secure friends of America, both Shias and Arab Sunnis appeared to harbor a homicidal rage against the American presence in the country.
Words such as “Sunni” and “Shia” were novel to most Americans, and almost none of the Westerners who tossed them around in the media had a clear picture of what made them different from one another or why suddenly the Iraq war had turned into what appeared to be a blood feud between them. Even many who knew that neighboring Iran is overwhelmingly Shia could not explain what that really meant for the Iraqi Shia majority –more than 60 percent of the population of Mesopotamia. Some assumed that Iran, with a Persian, non-Arab culture, sought to take over the Arab East. Most Westerners already distrusted Iran as a clerical dictatorship and rogue state.
Other new terms appeared in the Western vocabulary, also without sufficient explanation. From Saudi Arabia, the home of Al-Qaida, came a sudden awareness of Wahhabism. But certain Western experts, journalists, and government representatives were quickly convinced that Wahhabism and its followers, known as Wahhabis, did not really exist –rather. that the Saudi-based form of radical Islam should be called “Salafism.” Once again, none of the Western public figures who talked about “Salafism” showed any knowledge of the origin of the term, its original meaning, or its use by the Saudi Wahhabis (who really are Wahhabis, not “Salafis,” as will be explained further on).
On the edge of this quicksand of misapprehension, disinformation, foreign influence, ignorance, and arrogance there occasionally sprouted, like tiny but fragrant flowers, references to something called Sufism. While Sunni and Shia Islam alike were portrayed by some Westerners as dangerous to the West, and even as Satanic inventions, Sufism was typically mentioned with grudging respect, as a peaceful, spiritual way of Islam based on a journey toward God. But here, too, established expertise and common wisdom weighed heavier than the fragile petals of the Sufi blossom.
~ IQOU Analysis:~
The most refreshing observation to make about Stephen Suleyman Schwartz’ book, The Other Islam: Sufism and the Road to Global Harmony is that his analysis is surprisingly quite accurate in many respects –something very hard to come by in these days with a multitude of orientalists and even so-called Sufis who, far from having a clue, actually misrepresent the Sufi way, (deliberately or not). Schwartz’ research and exposition on the subject, in fact, presents a most favorable impression of the Sufis, while exposing Wahhabism for what it truly is, the worst kind of extremism, a revolt from Orthodox Islam—indeed, a movement to destroy Islam from within, were that possible.
American Sufis and other Muslim groups, can only benefit from the sincere effort and in-depth study that researchers such as Mr. Schwartz, make about this most vital aspect of Islam. Muslim and non-Muslim alike would be well served by examining his work. Schwartz’ work conveys an understanding that while clearly coming from his personal point of view, reveals his insight, and is truly indicative of someone who has come with an open heart to the field of study. The same cannot be said of others such as Annemarie Schimmel and R. A. Nicholson and such of their ilk who twist the facts and misrepresent the Sufi way.
The book delineates the intent of the Wahhabi movement as one that, under the cover of “purifying religion,” incites toxic hatred against those with love for the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him), his descendants, as well as the Saints and Sufis. Many unsuspecting Muslims would be shocked to learn that the British Secret Service played a very important role in giving guidelines, aims and objectives to this ideology, meant to cause hatred and bloodshed amongst Muslims. To understand this one has to read a very well known book called the “Confessions of Hempher, a British Spy.” It was, according to Hempher, he who recruited one Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab and trained and developed him. Later on, this Ibn Abdul Wahhab was given dangerous and destructive aims to include in his newfound religion called Wahhabism. But do enough Muslims know this or give it due credence?
Mr. Schwartz is quite right in pointing out how these extremists bombed the Holy Shrine of Sultan Mohyuddin Abdul Qadir Jilani, the greatest Sufi of all the times. His family members are still keeping the Qadri Order alive and their numbers are increasing and their followers are found all over the world. Very rightly, has he drawn attention to how the Wahhabis/Salafis bombed the Holy Shrine of His Eminence Moinuddin Chisti in India. Unfortunately, not only this, but these same Wahhabis are the ones who actually trained and equipped the bombers.
Important to note is that the Dar us Salaam publishing house is nothing but a front organization for these enemies of Islam. They openly produce, print and sell books and materials which declare the blood of other Muslims legal.
If anybody is found showing any reverence to the Holy Last Messenger, or celebrates his birthday, he is arrested and sentenced heavily or killed. His birthplace was used as a dump for collecting trash and the date trees which he planted with his own saliva were cut down recently. At same time they maintain the belongings of their elders of Saud in five museums in the Hijaz, the holy land, which they call Saudi Arabia.
Indeed, they specialize in murdering the descendants of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him). It should interest you to learn that the Director of the Abdul Qadir Jilani Institute of Sufi Sciences and the Vice Chancellor of IQOU, NY, has been attacked more than six times by hired Wahhabi assassins. Fortunately one called Ghulam Sarwar Bhatti was arrested while trying to assassinate Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan. There he confessed that thrice he went to assassinate Syed Mubarik Ali Gilani. The International Quranic Open University (IQOU) maintained one summer campus in the Pakistani Himalayas where staff and students would go for Sufic commemoration and contemplation. In 2002 when the correspondent for The Islamic Post, M. Atiq Shahid and an entire group of American Muslim ladies were there, they attacked. An exchange of fire took place between the attackers and the security guards and then the attackers left. The university had to close its facilities in that area because of the mounting hostility towards Sufis and Syeds.
There are a few other points which need to be brought to serve as further clarification on this most important subject. Wahhabis do not believe other Muslims to be their coreligionists. Therefore to call them a sect of Islam is wrong, amounting to dignifying the group with a claim to credence that only serves to confuse those with little understanding of the true teachings of Islam. Wahhabis are Wahhabis and Muslims are Muslims.
The same can be said for the Shia. Mr. Schwartz, and other writers and researchers should understand that Shia never considered themselves as Muslims. They don’t practice Islam. They have their own religion. The foundation of Islam is based on the five pillars: professing that, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Last Messenger,” offering prayers five times a day, giving two and a half percent zakat, fasting for 30 days in the month of fasting and performing Hajj for all those who have capacity and strength. They don’t believe this. Their religion is based on Taqiya: never express your personal opinion but deceive the opponent by giving him the wrong idea and Muta: temporary marriage which is forbidden in all the Semitic religions. It is wrong to assume that Shia adore and follow Ali, son in law of Holy Last Messenger. They do not. Nor they follow the martyrs of Karbala; only once a year they beat their chest and then go home. Particularly, with regard to the Bektashi Order, it is important to be aware that there has not been a single Hafiz (one who memorizes Holy Quran) nor has there been a single Sufi from amongst the Shia.
We acknowledge that 90% of the Muslims of the world follow orthodox Islam, following the Sunnah of Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him), give due respect to all previous Messengers and associate freely with people of the previous Books. At this time, the Sufi doctrine is the only way which can bring peace amongst People of the Books: Jews, Christians and Muslims. However, when we use the term “Jew” we do not mean “Zionists,” as Zionists can best be compared to the Wahhabis. They don’t follow the Torah because the Torah, Gospel and Qur’an are a continuity of one and the same message and the Holy Qur’an is the final message.
There is much more to add as there is no end to Sufic knowledge. It is unfortunate that many Muslims do not recognize, much less understand, this term “Sufism.” Nevertheless the first lesson in the Sufic book of guidance is: “Know that mankind is the family of God. And every man/woman is son/daughter of God (figuratively)” as it has been mentioned many times in the Testaments. Even in the East, many times the term is used commonly. It is high time for us to join hands and make this world full of peace, love and harmony by turning to Sufic doctrine. Muslims, Christians and Jews can come together to participate in this noble effort.
The sincere seekers of truth are welcome to make contact with our university to obtain more information on some of our classic videos on the Sufi order and discipline as well as a number of books for further study. An open invitation is also extended to seekers, researchers and students to pay a visit to the Holy Khanqah in South Carolina. Here they will get accounts of all that has taken place there, as also related by some of our Christian visitors.