issue 13

Abdal Hakim Murad

Ibn Al-Haytham

Youth Depression

The Blue Qur’an

The Sound of Reason

Cambridge Muslim College

Live Below the Line

Domestic Violence

Issue 13 March 2013

Fifteen21 inspires young Muslims to be proud of their British Muslim identity. The name Fifteen21 is derived from both the 15th century of the Islamic

Hijri year and the 21st century of the Common era.

Fifteen21 aims to reconcile both Muslim and British identity.

EditorFozia Parveen

Designed by Hafizur Rahman

Contact [email protected]

www.fifteen21.com

facebook.com/fifteen21magazine

All views are of the authors alone and not necessarily

of those held by Fifteen21 Stained glass panel by artish Huda Awad

www.hudaawad.com

Dear Readers

Asalamu Alaykum!

Welcome to our 1st year anniversary issue, our biggest yet! It is with the permission of Allah (SWT) that we enter our second year, Alhamdulillah.

Cambridge Muslim College, now in its 5th year is currently taking applications for its prestigious Diploma in Contextual Islamic Studies and Leadership. This course aspires to create a generation of Muslim leaders who understand modernity, British society and the youth. The eminent Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Dean of Cambridge Muslim College, shares his vision for its future and advice for young people today. Current students Niaz, Zakiyah and Hassan also share their aspirations.

Also this month we explore important

lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) with brother Niaz Hannan; why did Allah (SWT) make every Prophet a shepherd? Find out on page 50.

Newton, Flemming, Jenner, ibn Al-Haytham – do these names sound familiar… or not? Ibn al-Haytham, an 11th century genius, made significant contributions to the principles of optics in addition to physics, astronomy, mathematics, philosophy and to the scientific method – yes, 600yrs before Sir Isaac Newton! Discover more here.

The Sound of Reason – favourite group? Ours too – Interview in this issue!!!

In February, university Islamic societies across the UK marked Discover Islam Week. From cake stalls to calligraphy, dawah through roses, tea and samosa, poetry, mendhi, games and not

forgetting inspiring talks in this busy week in the university calendar. No opportunity was missed to share the gift of Islam with the student community. Here we share stressful but immensely rewarding Discover Islam Weeks through the eyes of 5 societies from Newcastle to Cambridge. Be enthused and get jotting down your ideas for next year. InshAllah.

What are the causes of depression and what are the signs in young people? Be depression aware this month with Young Minds. Domestic Violence is described as the ‘silent evil’ – learn more in our interview with Nour.

As always, this edition is packed with all your favourites, from poetry to art and delicious recipes.

Enjoy!

EditorialFozia Parveen

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Prophets of Islam: Prophet Yusuf (AS)100 Less One: Al-Mutakabbir - The ProudMuslim Youth HelplineMuslim Heritage: Ibn al-HaythamHelp! I’m a Teenager! Getting SmashedChild LineYoung Minds: DepressionCamhsDeed of the Month: Keep the Peace! Healthy Living: Women, know YOUR Place!Hadith: Remembering Allah (SWT)Dua for the oppressedFifteen21Live Below the LineShaykh Abdal Hakim MuradMuslim Role-Models: Niaz HannanMuslim Role-Models: Zakiyah GangatMuslim Role-Models: Hassan RabbaniKeep Calm & Smile: Newcastle University IAW

Fear and Hope: Leeds University DIWBe Like Tails: Cambridge University DIWIntersoc: Sheffield University IAWWorking under Pressure: Manchester Met DIWA Day in the Life of Prophet Muhammed (saw)Who the Heaven am I?The 2013 Shahbag ProtestsNominate a Role ModelIn the Next IssueOrganisation Profile: Nour Domestic ViolenceInterview: The Sound of ReasonIslamic Art: The Blue Qur’anFood for the SoulWho the Heaven am I?Book Review: The Little PrinceMasjids Around The World: Al-Saleh MosquePoetry: The Death of My TearsRecipes: White Chocolate Cranberry CookiesNational EventsChild Line

Fear and Hope: Leeds University DIWBe Like Tails: Cambridge University DIWIntersoc: Sheffield University IAWWorking under Pressure: Manchester Met DIWA Day in the Life of Prophet Muhammed (saw)Who the Heaven am I?The 2013 Shahbag ProtestsNominate a Role ModelIn the Next IssueOrganisation Profile: Nour Domestic ViolenceInterview: The Sound of ReasonIslamic Art: The Blue Qur’anFood for the SoulWho the Heaven am I?Book Review: The Little PrinceMasjids Around The World: Al-Saleh MosquePoetry: The Death of My TearsRecipes: White Chocolate Cranberry CookiesNational EventsChild Line

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Prophets of Islam

ProphetYusuf (AS)

According to the command of Allah (SWT), Prophet Yusuf (AS) put a plan in action in order to detain his brother Binyameen. He got his men to put a cup belonging to the king in Binyameen’s bag. The caravan had not gone very far when someone shouted that the king’s cup was missing. The brothers were stopped and accused of stealing. They denied this and said that if they found the cup then whoever was guilty would remain as a slave of Prophet Yusuf (AS). The cup was found in Binyameen’s bag. When the brothers were brought before Prophet Yusuf (AS), he told them that Binyameen would stay behind as they had agreed. The brothers on hearing this pleaded with the Prophet to let Binyameen go and one of them would stay behind instead. Prophet Yusuf (AS) refused and the brothers had no choice but to go back home without Binyameen.

Once home, they told their father Prophet Ya’qub (AS) what had happened and he was heartbroken. After a few weeks they

returned to Egypt to plead for the release of Binyameen and some food in charity as they were in poverty. Prophet Yusuf (AS) was well known for his generosity and had a sympathetic heart. He took pity on them and helped them. Soon after he disclosed his identity to them. The brothers hung their heads in shame and asked for forgiveness. They were now keen to return home and tell their father that Prophet Yusuf (AS) was alive. The Prophet gave them his shirt to give to his father so that he could recover his sight by covering his face with it. He told them to return to Egypt with the family.

After many trials Allah (SWT) raised Prophet Yusuf (AS) from the position of a slave to the highest rank in the land. Having got his sight back Prophet Ya’qub (AS) settled in Egypt with his family.

The story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) has many morals and lessons for us all to learn. These include the following:

(Part Three)

AS - alayhi salaamUpon him/her be peace

SWT - subhanahu wa taalaGlorious is He and He is Exalted

Azizun Nessa

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1. The belief in the presence of Allah (SWT) and taqwa makes it easier to bear troubles and refrain from sin despite temptations. You will be successful as demonstrated by Prophet Yusuf (AS) during his enslavement and imprisonment.

2. In all difficulties and hardships you should seek the protection of Allah (SWT). Prophet Yusuf (AS) showed his faith by seeking refuge from Allah (SWT) when faced with the evil intentions of Zulaikha.

3. You should always try to remain attached to religion and take the opportunities to show other people the right path. Prophet Yusuf (AS) did not forsake this duty even when in prison.

4. Being patient when faced with hardship results in rewards from Allah (SWT) in this life and the Hereafter. Prophet Yusuf (AS) remained calm and

in remembrance of Allah (SWT) when his brothers abandoned him in the well. He bore the shame of being sold as a slave patiently. He also accepted his false imprisonment. In return, Allah raised his position to the highest in Egypt.

5. It is important to preserve your honour and dignity. Prophet Yusuf (AS) taught us the importance of this by refusing to leave prison until his innocence was proved.

6. To forgive and forget. Prophet Yusuf’s (AS) brothers went to Egypt when they were in a condition of pity and he in a position of great power. He could have punished them but instead he forgave them and treated them well.

7. It is important to integrate with society whilst remaining true and attached to religion. Prophet Yusuf

(AS) moved to Egypt to a place which had a different religion and people of different ethnicity. Yet, he integrated himself whilst remaining true to his religion. His character and honesty enabled him to move upwards to a high position from which he invited people to the right path and Islam.

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In the Holy Qur’an Allah (SWT) says:

“Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One,

the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the

Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they

attribute to Him.” (Qur’an 59: 23)

In relation to mankind, his knowledge compels him to submit to the truth that only Allah (SWT) is worthy of the attribute Al-Mutakabbir. To put it simply, even the ability to think and write is inspired in me by Allah (SWT), there is nothing that I can do without the Will and Power of Allah (SWT).Therefore, the raising of mankind is really in the lowering of himself in

relation to Al-Mutakabbir. Examples of this in our everyday life would be to resist anger even when someone has wronged you, for the sake of Allah (SWT).

Every single beautiful name of Allah (SWT) is a reminder to us about who we are, about our own human condition and our own whims and inclinations. The attributes of Allah (SWT) are a reminder to us that in relation to Allah (SWT) All Mighty, we only become great and elevated when we renounce our own greatness in the face of the ultimately Great: Al Mutakabbir.

Al-Mutakabbir - The Proud

SWT – subhanahu wa taala Glorious is He and He is Exalted

Shanaz Ali

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Ibn al-Haytham

Muslim HeritageIbn al-Haytham was a prominent scientist and polymath from the ‘Golden Age’ of Muslim civilization. He is commonly known by his Latinized name of Alhazen.

We know very little about Ibn al-Haytham except that he was born in 965 into a poor family in the city of Basra, Iraq.

Ibn al-Haytham made significant contributions to the principles of optics, in addition to physics, astronomy, mathematics, ophthalmology, philosophy, visual perception, and to the scientific method. He was also nicknamed Ptolemaeus Secundus (“Ptolemy the Second”) or simply “The Physicist” in medieval Europe. Ibn al-Haytham wrote insightful commentaries on works by Aristotle, Ptolemy, and the Greek mathematician Euclid.

He soon got himself into trouble with the ruler of Cairo, by boasting that he could regulate the flow of the

Nile with a series of dams and dikes. At first glance, it had looked like such a simple problem. But the more he studied it, the more impossible it seemed. Al-Hakim, known to his subjects as the Mad Caliph with good reason, was getting impatient. Ibn al-Haytham only saw one way out; he pretended to be insane and was placed under house arrest until the caliph’s death ten years later.

While under house arrest he wrote his Book of Optics which discussed the nature of light and colour. He accurately described the mechanism of sight and the anatomy of the eye. He was intrigued by the principles of reflection and refraction. He experimented with mirrors and lenses discovering that rainbows are caused by refraction and calculated the height of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Before Ibn al-Haytham, vision and light were questions of philosophy but he explained them in terms of mathematics, physics, physiology,

Shabina Bi-Baroo

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and even psychology and therefore revolutionized the study of optics and laid the foundations for the scientific method. (Don’t worry I thought it was all down to Sir Isaac Newton too!)

Ibn al-Haytham was the first to introduce experimental evidence as a requirement for accepting a theory, and his Book of Optics was actually a critique of Ptolemy’s book Almagest.

In his spare time, Ibn Al-Haytham built the first camera obscura or pinhole camera, in history. He went on to explain that we see objects upright and not upside-down, as the camera does, because of the connection of the optic nerve with the brain, which analyses and defines the image.

During his practical experiments, Ibn Al-Haytham often used the term al-Bayt al-Muthim, which was translated into Latin as camera obscura, or dark, private or closed room.

Many of Ibn Al-Haytham’s works,

especially his huge Book of Optics, were translated into Latin by the medieval scholar Gerard of Cremona. This had a profound impact on the 13th century philosophers Roger Bacon and Witelo, and even on the 15th-century works of Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1040 at the age of 75, Ibn al-Haytham died in Cairo, Egypt where he had lived for most of his life.

Today, the camera has gone from the humble beginnings of Ibn Al-Haytham’s dark front room, the qamara, to become a sophisticated digital device, while the study of optics has blossomed into a whole science covering lasers to optical sectioning of the human retina and a thousand years since it was written, the Book Of Optics is still quoted by professors training research students to be factual and not be swayed by opinions or prejudice.

A crater on the moon is named in Ibn al-Haytham’s honour, as is the asteroid 59239 Alhazen.


Getting Smashed

Help! I’m a Teenager!

I went with my mum to A&E a few nights ago. In the waiting room I saw an assortment of people with their problems, some with babies coughing and crying, some older men and women hurled over or lying on the seats.

A while later a policeman with his female colleague brought in a drunken man who had blood on his face; obviously he had been in a fight. The drunken man came in shouting and attracted the attention of everybody in the waiting room. I think the patients waiting to be seen were also annoyed as he didn’t have to wait and was immediately taken to get examined.

But what happened next really made me think. There was shouting coming from inside and there was all sorts of foul language being used, the policeman tried to calm the man down but the drunken man continued shouting abuse at both the police officers and the doctor. The doctor was doing his best to heal and comfort yet this man off the street shouted abuse as if the doctor was trying to kill him and all because he was drunk.

In Islam drinking is forbidden, this alcohol can bring a man down to nothing, left with no dignity.

“O you who believe, intoxicants, gambling, altars and arrows of chance are afflictions which are the work of the devil; you shall stay away from him, that you may succeed.” (Qur’an 5: 90)

This verse tells us very clearly that it’s the work of the devil and that drinking alcohol can take away all that is good. Lastly the impact of alcohol on families; I read a study where it said that alcohol was a major factor in cases of domestic abuse and rape! Do we need anymore proof!

This is how it affects the family but what about our bodies, what about the cost financially, what about the burden on the NHS, which is already struggling and what about the pressure on the police every Friday and Saturday night?

Khurram Azad

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Young Minds:Depression

Most young people experience ups and down during their teenage years and occasionally will feel down or upset by certain things going on in their lives. But some young people feel sad, lonely, down, anxious or stressed for longer periods of time to the extent that it can affect their everyday lives and can prevent that young person from doing things they would normally do. This is known as depression.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Not wanting to do things that you previously enjoyed• Not wanting to meet up with friends or avoiding situations• Sleeping more or less than normal• Eating more or less than normal• Feeling irritable, upset, miserable or lonely• Being self-critical• Feeling hopeless• Maybe wanting to self-harm• Feeling tired and not having any energy

One in 10 young people aged 5 - 16 suffer from a diagnosable mental health problem, which is three people in every class. Two per cent of children under 12 experience depression, and this rises to five per cent among teenagers which is at least one depressed child in every classroom, so it is not uncommon and adults experience it too. One in 10 adults will experience depression at some point. Robert Pattinson recently described his two year struggle with depression after the first Twilight.

Depression can be caused by a reaction to something in your life

such as abuse, family breakdown or bullying. Depression may run in your family and be caused by genetic factors or it may be that you are under a lot of stress and feel you have a lack of support.

Depression is easy to treat if you get help for it.

Talk to someone

The most important thing you can do if you think you are feeling depressed is talk to someone. This could be your parents, a sibling, friend, teacher or GP but often talking about how you are feeling can really help you to feel better. People who care about you will want to help you to feel better so don’t feel worried about talking to people.

If it is something specific that is causing the depression, for example if you are worried about exams, then talking to a teacher may help to reassure you or they may be able to offer practical help such as extra

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reading to help you feel better about things.

Visit your GP

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a friend, teacher or your parents, go and see your GP. They are there to help you to feel better whether it is a physical health problem or a mental health problem and there are a number of things that they may suggest for you. Don’t suffer in silence, keeping it all to yourself will only worsen your feelings of anxiety or depression and remember, you’re not the only one to feel like this, other young people and adults experience depression too.

Treatment

There are things you can do to help yourself if you are experiencing depression:

• Talk to someone• Get some fresh air most days• Get some regular exercise• Do things you enjoy whether it is skateboarding, hanging out with friends or


reading

• Try to eat regularly even if it is small meals• Write a diary about how you are feeling• Remember you are not the only one to experience depression and you haven’t done anything wrong. People can help so don’t suffer on your own, choose someone you like and trust to talk to.

If the depression is mild, you will probably not be offered medication. The doctor will probably keep an eye on your situation and offer advice and support on diet or exercise to see if that can help the issue without medication.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If the depression is continuing for some time, or considered moderate to severe, your doctor may refer you to your local child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).

They will assess you and discuss with you what they think is the best kind of treatment for you. This might be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which is a type of talking therapy and aims to help you understand your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Alternatively you may be prescribed with a course of anti-depressants to help you but the options will be discussed with you.

The NICE guidance recommends that young people do NOT use St John’s Wort. This is a herbal medicine but the guidance states that insufficient research has been carried out to check whether it is safe for young people to use.

Chris Leaman

YoungMindswww.youngminds.org.uk

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visitwww.camhscares.nhs.uk

April

Keep the

Peace!

Deedof the Month

“And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance”

(Qur’an 17: 37).

A powerful message to all of humanity from Allah (SWT), yet there are many of us who still choose to live our lives with an egocentric complex. This arrogance leads to an unhealthy environment, full of negativity, for all of us. Unfortunately, arrogance comes in many forms and rears its ugly head in many circumstances.

One such circumstance often appears in the form of arguments between family members. Obviously, every young person growing up has a tendency, and a right, to express their individuality and to a degree needs to exert that clarity for their parents or relatives. However, with that said, Allah (SWT) tells us to “…treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity…” (Qur’an 2: 83). It is therefore a requirement for us to be civil and respectful of our parents, as well as other family members. So, when we feel the need to express our individuality we should do so with respect, dignity

and humility even if those around us seem to be ‘in the wrong’.

This leads us to yet another circumstance where arrogance often appears; when there is a dispute amongst our brothers and sisters regarding Islam (or any topic for that matter). Sometimes the discussion turns into a rather heated argument, whereby everyone is determined to remain closed-minded. These arguments often end up disrespectful and judgmental.

Alhamdulillah (praise to Allah), there is a clear way to avoid this, Allah (SWT) tells us to “speak good to people” (Qur’an 2: 83) and “be moderate (or show no arrogance) in your walking, and lower your voice” (Qur’an 31: 19). Think about it, don’t we raise our voices or change our body language, especially when we believe ourselves to be more qualified or more correct than someone else? Perhaps we should be more aware of our actions, after all, we should “remember God’s blessings upon [us], and what He sent down to [us] of the ‘Al-Kitab’ (The Book: Quran) and ‘Al-Hikmah’ (wisdom) to enlighten [us]” (Qur’an 2: 231). Not only should we study the Qur’an for its’ wisdom, but we should be

Michelle Blum

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“

“

studying the Prophets’ (PBUT) lives as a way to grasp what Allah (SWT) expects of our behavior.

It is our responsibility to study Islam, in order to be good role models, in the name of Allah (SWT). It is also our responsibility to help each other to keep the peace. Allah (SWT) reminds us, “the Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers: And fear Allah that ye may receive Mercy” (Qur’an 49: 10). This means that arrogance and conceit has no place in our Ummah (community).

Just imagine for a second the amount of

differing opinions and barrage of insults that each and every Prophet (PBUT) had to endure, and then recall how peacefully they dealt with it. Allah (SWT) tells us to, “Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth, best who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance” (Qur’an 16: 125). It is not for us to force people to agree with our point of view. In fact, if any individuals choose to be arrogant, there is no need to join them! Instead, choose to express your views calmly and clearly, thus positively representing Islam and doing it Bismillah (in the name of Allah).

Think about it, don’t we raise our voices or change our body

language, especially when we believe ourselves to be

more qualified or more correct than

someone else?


Saira Nisa is the Founding Director of Living Wellbeing Ltd

(www.livingwellbeingltd.com), providing Women’s Motivational Training Courses, Life and Business Coaching and is also a Trainer for a London based firm. Saira

is also a member of the Institute of Entrepreneurs and Enterprise. Originally

from the West Midlands, born and raised in Birmingham, she now spends

her time skilfully enjoying juggling family, friends, work and business between Birmingham and London.

Healthy LivingWomen, know YOUR Place!

Saira Nisa

I’m sure many women have been told exactly where “their place” is, be it the kitchen, the mother-in-law’s or just indoors altogether and silent at the same time. Okay so this isn’t true for every single one of us women (Alhamdulillah!) however for many women and young girls this is the sad reality of things.

Young Malala was the most recent example of this and yet her story isn’t surprising coming from what is considered a corrupt and developing country. I’m not talking about Malala or other countries, I’m talking about right here in the UK where many a Muslimah has no idea that many a Muslim woman has been a pioneer in the sciences, education, business, politics and governance and this not today but since the time of the Prophet (SAW).

So let’s take a look at some of the myths and constraints faced by many Muslimah’s today;

Women aren’t allowed to work; Was the Prophet’s (SAW) first wife

not a rich merchant? Was she not his (SAW) employer? Did she not manage her family business and provide for her family financially before and after all her marriages?

Marriage proposal’s only come from the “boy’s side of the family” Lady Khadijah was the one who sent forward the proposal of marriage to the Prophet (SAW). End of!

Women can’t have wealth Sarah (wife of Ibrahim AS) was his cousin, a rich lady. She brought quite a package with her when they married. Queen of Sheba = Queen = wealthy. Once she accepted Islam, she married a King, Suleyman (AS) to be precise and so still remained wealthy, Queen’s generally are. Asiyah (Pharaoh’s wife) was Queen of Egypt and remained so when she came to Islam until she faced martyrdom. Lady Khadijah, businesswoman, successful one too (just in case I didn’t mention this lady before)

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Please do not argue that these women were all “special” women and so they were allowed everything they had. Our Lord is Just and not One who would create one rule for one people and another for a different people, that would be unjust and He is not unjust.

My personal take on those who try to stop me is; If Islam does not forbid it, then who are humans to even try and do so?! I’m not a rebel or out of control, I just know my rights and it is my duty to ensure others know too.

These are just a few examples from within our faith. Leading female figures outside of the prophet’s families have been just as influential but unfortunately, no one sings their praises and so, many women and young girls do not know of them.

I challenge you to go and find out who they are and what they did for us all today.

Finally, I’d like to share with you some details of a creative, interactive workshop which

I delivered for final year students at a UK Muslim school. Whilst I was impressed with the young ladies’ knowledge of Islam and the few examples above, it was also an eye-opening experience for me; some of the young ladies had never thought about their strengths and skills and what they could do for themselves and the world. Some had not thought about a career. Some seemed to quietly accept a ‘woman’s place being in the home’ and others whilst wanting to pursue a career were unsure of how to go about planning for it or whether it was allowed.

All of these young ladies however had dreams. This was where we worked together through discussion, through teamwork and through art to bring colour to them and start planning. This article contains a few photographs of the creative work being produced in line with the future aspirations of the young ladies participating. Enjoy!

To Your Success.

Saira

Workshop delivered at Al-Furqan Secondary School, Birmingham.


Hadith

Muàdh (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that The Messenger of Allah

sallaAllahu’alayhiwasallam took hold of my hand and said:

“O Muàdh! By Allah I love you, so I advise you to never forget to recite after every prayer:

“Allahumma aìnni ala dhikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ìbadatika

(O Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an

excellent manner).’’

(Abu Dawud)

Remembering Allah (SWT), this is what the focus this month is. The first thing our beloved Prophet sallaAllahu’alayhiwasallam tells Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) is to ask Allah (SWT) for help to remember Him (SWT). Why?

Allah (Glorified and exalted is He) says:

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts

find rest” (Qur’an 13: 28)

This verse is so beautiful when you ponder on it. In fact the first time I comprehended it, I saved it as my phone screensaver! Why? Well because one of the most valuable and precious things a human being can have is a content heart and one of the ways to help us achieve this is to remember Allah the Most Loving (Al-Wadud), through dhikr (remembrance of Allah).

How do we do Dhikr?

The best thing about making Dhikr is that it’s such an easy way to gain huge reward, with very little effort and its effects are priceless.

• Do you have to be in wudhu? No• Do you have to be in prayer? No• Do you have to be in the Masjid? No

What can we say?

• Alhamdulillah• SubhanAllah• La Illaha illa Allah• Allahu Akbar• Subhana Rabiyyal A’la• Subhana Rabiyyal ‘atheem• AstaghfirAllah

And many more!

Apart from in the toilet, you can do

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your Dhikr anywhere:

• Walking to the bus stop• On the bus• Waiting in a queue • While you are shopping• In your car, and the list goes on and on.

So if all of this so far hasn’t made you really want to try hard to always remember Allah (SWT), check this!Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad salla Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam said:“Allah, Almighty and Exalted, has angels who seek the people of Dhikr. If they find the people of Dhikr they encompass them until they reach the first heaven. And Allah asks his angels,

‘What are my servants doing?’ The angels say, ‘O Allah, they are praising You and glorifying You and they are making Dhikr.’

Allah says, ‘Did they see Me?’ The angels answer, ‘No, they didn’t see You.’

Then Allah asks, ‘How would it be if they were to see Me?’ The angels reply, ‘O Allah, if they were to see You, they would be making more praise of You and more glorification of You and more Dhikr of You.’

Allah asks ‘What are they asking for?’ The angels say, ‘They are asking for Your Paradise.’

Allah asks, ‘Did they see My Paradise?’ The angels answer, ‘No, Our Lord.’ Allah continues, ‘How would it be if they saw My Paradise?’ The angels reply, ‘They would be more attracted and more eager to reach it.’

Then Allah asks them, ‘Of what are they afraid?’ And the angels say, ‘They are afraid of Hellfire.’

Allah asks, ‘How would it be if they saw my Hellfire?’ and they reply, ‘They would be running more and more away from it and asking more and more protection from it.’

Then Allah said,’ I am making you all My witnesses: that I am forgiving them of all their sins.’

….and what more do we want?

Today, right now, let’s all make the intention to try everyday to do a little more dhikr than the day before. So today I’m going to start with 50! How about you?

May Allah (SWT) make us from the people that ALWAYS remember Him. Ameen

Zaynab Amatullah


Dua.for the Oppressed

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

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1. O You, whose mercy is a refuge for all those In dire need who flee to You to lose their woes,2. O master of reprieve, whose pardon is so near, You answer all in need; they know that You do hear!3. We beg for Your relief, redeemer of the weak; You are enough for us, both humbled and so meek.4. No strength can ever match Your awesome majesty, No might can ever breach Your just authority.5. The kings all bow like us to Your great sovereignty, You choose whom to abase or raise decisively.

1. Yā man ilā rahmatihi l-mafarru wa man ilayhi yalja’u l-muzhdarru2. Wa yā qarība l-afwi yā mawlāhu wa yā mughītha kulli man da’āhu3. Bika-staghathnā yā mughītha athuafā fa asbunā yā rabbi anta wa kafā4. Fa lā ajalla min zhīmi qudratik wa lā a’azza min azīzi sadwatik5. li izzi mulkika l-mulūku takhzha’u takhfizhu qadra man tashā wa tarfa’u


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Nearly one billion people go to bed hungry every night, and two million children die from malnutrition every year.

Hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

If you’re wondering why the challenge is set at £1 a day, it’s because the international Extreme Poverty Line was defined by the World Bank as $1.25 US dollars a day, in 2005. If you live on less than that every day, you’re recognised internationally as living in extreme poverty.

Converting this to the 2005 equivalent for the UK and adjusting for inflation, living below the Extreme Poverty Line today would be the equivalent of us living on £1 a day.

That’s just for food, imagine having to pay for shelter, transport, health, education and everything else using that £1. Realising there are millions of people struggling with even less than £1 a day puts things into perspective.

Live Below the Line is a fundraising and campaigning event which challenges people to live below the poverty line for 5 days, providing a unique glimpse into the lives of 1.4 billion people who live below the poverty line every day. The event aims to raise awareness about the reality of living in extreme poverty and raise essential funds for life-changing work.

When: Monday 29 April - Friday 3 May.

The challenge: £1 a day for all your food for 5 days.

By taking on the Live Below the Line challenge you are mak-ing a difference to people’s lives for good. From installing wa-ter pumps, to digging community vegetable gardens, to getting children into school, we can’t do any of this without support. By raising awareness and vital funds we can make a world without poverty together.

Find out more about the challenge at www.livebelowtheline.com


Thankyou for agreeing to be interviewed for Fifteen21 youth magazine, how are you?

Thanks to Allah, my health is excellent! And it’s a joy to be talking to you and contributing in a small way to the great work you do.

Congratulations on entering your fifth year at the Cambridge Muslim College, what was your vision for the college and has this been fulfilled?

Our sense when we founded the college was that the first significant generation of British Muslims had the honour of building the mosques and now the time has come to work on the message being given in the mosques. Often listeners complain that our imams are not dealing with the real issues of modern British Muslim men and women, and especially the youth. Their culture is too different. So the College was created to produce a new generation of relevant Muslim leaders who really understand modernity, British culture, and the issues of the youth.

Studying eighteen modules over one year sounds very intensive. What does being a student at Cambridge Muslim College entail?

It’s a steep learning curve, but al-hamdu li’Llah our students are very dedicated. They don’t mind the hard work, learning how to deal with modern science, modern philosophy, other religions, social problems, and so on, because they are motivated to learn, and see why our programme is important. And the students get to go on many trips outside Cambridge. There is a yearly visit to Rome, for instance, which is a chance to relax as well as to learn.

What is the application deadline for 2013/2014?

All applications for our Diploma course have to be in by May 15th.

Do you have any further plans for the college?

The future is in Allah’s hands, but we are raising funds for a building to be

constructed behind our main building in Cambridge, which will include more lecture facilities, rooms for scholars, and a larger prayer room, and also a central research library for British Muslims to come and use. That will enable us to realize our dream of launching a complete accredited BA degree programme in Islamic Studies, with up to eighty students studying on the site.

From your experience, what are the challenges young British Muslims face today?

They need to learn, so they can sort out in their minds the various challenges that the mass media and the surrounding culture throw at them. They need to have these challenges clearly explained, by people who have a culture that is authentically Islamic and rooted in a real knowledge of the country and its strengths and weaknesses. And they need to have trust in Allah, and not panic or become downcast by current events. The ummah has been through tough times before, but the principle of Tawhid is the strongest idea in history, and Islam always emerges

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Muslim Role-ModelsShaykh Abdal Hakim Murad

Dean of Cambridge Muslim College

strengthened whenever there is a test.

What steps do you feel need to be considered by masjids and mainstream Muslim organisations to address the needs of the Muslim and wider community?

Imams have to know English, and have to understand the culture of the new generation. They have to promote unity between different Muslim groups, it is damaging that our mosques are so ethnically segregated. They should promote intermarriage between different racial groups, and be friendly and helpful to converts. They should smile and remember that Islam is about the joyful celebration of Divine gifts, not the angry blaming of people who fall short of the ideal.

For a young person who would like to study the classical Islamic Sciences, what would be your advice? Are there any countries or organisations that you would recommend?

The Arab world is on fire at the moment,


and it’s hard to give any advice, since the situation is changing so fast. The best students, in my experience, are studying in Turkey, and are not frightened to learn Turkish in order to achieve that. Looking at the map of the Muslim world, it seems that Indonesia and Turkey are set to become the leaders of the Ummah over the next few years, while the Arab world will lag further behind. The Turkish Islamic colleges are very selective, but are very good, especially in theology and Sharia.

You travel extensively in your work, where is the best place that your work has taken you?

Perhaps my favourite country is Brunei: a model of an Islamic country where ecological values are doing much to conserve the natural environment. But I also appreciate China, which has perhaps the most beautiful Sharia-compliant music I have ever heard.

What achievements are you most proud of?

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That’s not an Islamic way of putting it! Everything is Allah’s gift, and is by His permission.

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

My prayer is for Muslims to have more compassion and wisdom in dealing with each other.

MashAllah you are a great role model to our readers, but who was your role-model when you were growing up?

When I was young role models were less important. I suppose John Betjeman inspired many in the 1970s, to take tradition seriously, and to have a healthy skepticism about the ability of science and technology to make us happier and better people.

Any advice for the youth?

If you are studying, especially religious subjects, you should read Imam al-Ghazali’s little book ‘O Youth’

(Ayyuha’l-Walad), in the excellent translation by the British Muslim scholar Tobias Mayer. He shows in very simple language how to study in a way that yields light, sincerity and blessing. My recent book Commentary on the Eleventh Contentions also tries to be uplifting for young people, dealing with modern political and intellectual questions in a hundred short sound bites. Other advice: don’t forget anything you have memorized of the Holy Qur’an, because that is to lose light after gaining it, and the presence of the Book of Allah in your heart will influence and strengthen everything you do, if you have a good intention. Try to empathise with others, and see their situation from their point of view, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims. Treat everyone with the respect due to all descendents of our first father Adam. Do not hate unbelievers, feel sorry for them, because in most cases their unbelief is the result of an ignorance which may be our fault as much as theirs. Know that the world is Allah’s gift, and that He needs nothing in return, and that your worship and gratitude are part of His gift to

you. And if you realize how much He gives, and how little you deserve or do, you will never stop praising Him. He is the infinitely lovable, the overlooker of faults; the Gifter of all beauty, so we are surrounded by a banquet! The only rule is: have good table manners, and do not spoil your enjoyment by overindulgence! Muslims are here to party, giving hamd and shukr, and we remember that the Sahaba had the most beautiful smiles.


Muslim Role-ModelsNiaz Hannan

Cambridge Muslim College Student

How are you?

Alhamdulillah, I’m doing great. Salaam and best wishes to all of our readers.

Congratulations on being selected to study at the Cambridge Muslim College founded by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, what do you enjoy most about your studies there?

Let’s see, hmm, where do I begin? I think you got one reason in your question, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad! What a scholar. May Allah preserve him and keep his shadow over us. An ocean of knowledge and piety.

Another thing that specifically drew me to the Diploma program at CMC was the fact that the institution endeavours to expose potential leaders of the Muslim community to a wide and diverse array of

subjects, both academic and practical, to provide the tools and background knowledge necessary for more effective and efficient service to the Deen and the Ummah.

How did you become interested in studying the classical sciences?

Let’s go all the way back to the beginning in the back streets of suburban Philadelphia, or Philly, as we know it. There were only about ten or fifteen Muslim families in our area. There were no scholars or Imams in those days, and I’m talking about the early nineties. Eventually, we started using a house as a Masjid, the Muslim community grew exponentially over the next decade, and we eventually refurbished a derelict nightclub and transformed it into a Masjid.

The Imams that we had were

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traditionally trained scholars from the Indian Subcontinent, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t study at CMC! That’s when I decided that I needed to take this journey and train to become a Muslim scholar. I’ve been to Buffalo, New York as well as Kidderminster, Blackburn, Markfield, and now Cambridge to study. Nine years and counting.

Where is the best place your studies have taken you and why?

Aw come on, that’s not a fair question! I love all my schools and teachers. Darul-Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, New York set the foundation for me and I completed my Ḥifz (memorisation) of the Holy Qur’ān there. An unforgettable experience. Madinatul-Uloom Al-Islamiya in Kidderminster was where I commenced my

Islamic and Arabic Sciences (Dars-e-Niẓāmī) and Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda in Blackburn is where I graduated. If I had to pick between one of these three Islamic institutions, I’d say Kidderminster. The environment there was just amazing, so comfortable, so open, dedication of the students and teachers; it was just something else. I loved every minute of it and now I miss it and long to go back.

What’s your favourite book?

“The Last Don” by Mario Puzo. I think it’s even better than Puzo’s “The Godfather”.

What are the main challenges facing alim’s and alima’s in the UK?

One thing that I have come to realise is that there needs to be a stronger voice from the leaders of the Muslim

community. Young and future Muslim scholars need to utilise their strengths and abilities collectively in order to effectively and appropriately propagate the beautiful teachings of Islam to future generations.


I wish I could teach in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah sitting next to the blessed grave of Rasalullah (May Allah send peace and mercy upon him). Ameen.

What further aspirations do you have?

I hope to start an Islamic school or institution of my own in Philly In Sha Allah, modelled upon the ones that I’ve studied at in the UK. I want to be involved in the education and nurturing of young Muslims in America.

Any advice for our readers?

That’s it right there. Read, read, read, and keep on reading. Make it a personal responsibility to read a book regularly, every week, every two weeks, every month, whatever works for you and your schedule. You’ll be amazed at how much you will benefit from books. Finally, always keep in touch with and follow the guidance and wisdom of the scholars of the Ummah. They are our source of understanding Islam. Value them.


Muslim Role-ModelsZakiyah Gangat


How are you?

Alhamdulillah, I am very good.


What I enjoy most in my studies is that the program is incredibly stimulating and diverse. Every week is different, and every week we are introduced to exceptional individuals from the Muslim community. I can’t keep up with all the names I hope to remember for life. The greatest treat of it all is seminars with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad. I still get struck with amazement that I am sitting in his class.

How did you become interested in studying the classical sciences?

I have been blessed with adventurous and ambitious parents. This isn’t a decision I made myself, my entire family packed up and left Canada for seven years to study Islam under the guidance of scholars in India. Alhamdulillah. I only came to recognize the immensity of this blessing once I returned to Canada.

Where is the best place your studies have taken you and why?

I’d say my seven years in India were most rewarding. It was learning not only from texts but the environment as well. I’ve studied with orphans who were dropped off at my Jamea by their grandparents,

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as they could no longer afford to feed them. I know the names of people who did not own more than three pairs of clothes, or never skipped a line in their notebook so they didn’t waste paper. Most importantly, it allowed me to develop strong relationships with people to whom money, status, popularity and looks were never a factor. Alhamdulillah.

What’s your favourite book?

I love the Quran. I love how it sounds, I love how it speaks to me, many a times according to my need. I love how it looks, I love how it is always soothing and I love teaching it. Alhamdulillah.

Have you faced any barriers?

I am a visible Muslim as I wear the niqab (face-veil). However,

when I encounter apprehension, or hostility I like to see it as a reality of the times we live in and not something personal. It’s part of my test in life to deal with it in a dignified manner, and this I try, to the best of my ability.


I pray that Allah (SWT) looks at me with mercy on the Day of Judgment. Ameen.

What is your favourite language in the world and why?

By virtue I would say Arabic, however I must admit I am no master of it. I’ll happily say English is my second best, it recently bumped off Urdu, unless we are talking about poetry!


I grew up in Chateauguay a small village near Montreal with about 4 other Muslim families. This was before the internet, so I did not have much exposure to other Muslims. I would say my father was and is one of the greatest Muslims I know. I’ve always wanted to be like him, and I must admit, I am still trying.

What further aspirations do you have?

I aspire to always continue learning, and sharing what I have. The more you learn, the more you enjoy it and the more you realize how much there is to discover. I am still the little kid who dreams of what they

will be when they grow up, one day a scholar, the next a nurse, a mailman, a police officer, an astronaut, a lawyer, a farmer. For now I am enjoying being the little child who only needs to worry about learning.


Learn your religion from a beautiful source; it will give you a life full of passion and purpose. You will discover yourself and you are sure to shine ahead.


Muslim Role-ModelsHassan Rabbani


How are you?

Alhumdullilah I am very well.


The most enjoyable aspect of my studies is the opportunity to spend time with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad and to be in his companionship. I feel that this is one of the greatest blessings of Allah (SWT) to have the opportunity to study with such a prominent personality. I pray that Allah (SWT) blesses the Shaykh with a long life so we can continue benefiting from him. I also enjoy meeting different scholars who often come to

teach at Cambridge Muslim College. In recent months I have had the privilege of meeting Shaykh Talal al-A’zam, Professor William Chittick and Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad.

What is the aim of the Contextual Islamic Studies with Leadership Diploma?

The aim of the Diploma is to help a scholar to contextualise the sacred sciences in a Modern British community. The dynamics of every society are different and it is incumbent upon scholars to understand their society and how to interact with it. The Diploma helps us to understand British society, its dynamics, theories and philosophies.

Where is the best place your studies have taken you and

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why?

I would say Al-Azhar University (Cairo, Egypt). It is the symbol of Islamic scholarship and it has been for the past thousand years. Many great scholars and intellectuals have graduated from this prestigious university and thus to me this is the greatest seat of learning today. In addition to my studies, the culture and intellectual milieu of Cairo helped to strengthen the seed of faith in my heart.

Have you faced any barriers?

The student who embarks on the path of seeking sacred knowledge is always told that he will face hardships and that he should remain diligent and patient if he wants to succeed. I left my family in Glasgow at the age of 11 which was very difficult for me. I also found it

difficult initially to live on my own but Alhamdulillah my Lord has been ever Merciful and Gracious and I was able to finish my studies in ease.

What are the main challenges facing alim’s and alima’s in the UK?

Job opportunities, finances and integration in British society are big challenges. Many scholars find it difficult to relate to different sectors of the community and often lack confidence and wisdom when engaging with different issues.

Do you do any community or voluntary work?

Alhumdullilah I have been blessed to do both. I am currently working with the Roshni Charity in Glasgow which offer help to women and children

who have faced abuse. I did voluntary work in Nottingham at the Bobbers Mill Community Centre. I always help out at my local mosque and currently I am engaged with a few community projects.


Pack up and migrate to Cairo where I could study for the rest of my life.

What is your favourite language in the world and why?

I would say Urdu. It is such a beautiful and eloquent language. From poetry to love, everything is pleasant to the ear. Urdu is largely based on Arabic and Persian and once it is mastered, it is very easy to learn Arabic and Persian.

Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy playing and watching football. I occasionally do circuit training and love travelling and exploring.


My role models were Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad. These two towering figures helped me to understand my faith as a British Muslim and attracted me to spirituality and traditional Islam.


Whatever you do in life, make sure you enjoy it and always re-assess your intentions. If your intentions are pure Allah (SWT) will make it easy for you.


Keep Calm & Smile Newcastle University Islam Awareness Week

If there is one thing about myself that I can consider to be a unique gift from my Creator, it is my ability to smile. I can smile even when tears are running down my cheeks and I can smile at the strangest stranger on the street.

I realized that is not something everyone could do happily and I know how a smile can really affect someone. To come and live in a foreign country without having one familiar soul with me, a stranger’s smile is all it takes to warm me up on a cold day.

And that one week was extremely filled with the most beautiful smiles I have ever felt in my entire life.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.”

I have always loved handing food with a smile. I had the best day’s waitressing and

even better when I was a barista. I was happy to serve. Who wouldn’t be when there’s money involved.

But for 5 days as a volunteer at Newcastle University’s Discover Islam Week, while handing out free samosas and drinks, I discovered Islam in a new perspective and I discovered the real depth of a smile that’s curved for the sake of God. A smile intended for Allah (SWT), is one that can give you the strength to do more when you feel you have had enough.

The more I look into Islam, the more I fall in love with the faith. And every time I fall deeper in love with it, I realize that the love is bottomless and His knowledge that has been revealed to us is so vast that there’s so much to be discovered in each step. Each day I am even more convinced that with that first step you take towards Him, He will open doors for you and shower you with His love in ways

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you have never imagined.

I was taught to pray from a young age and the obligation to cover myself as soon as it became obligatory for me. I was brought up to be charitable to my surrounding and to be aware of the condition of the society and live a life to make it better. My friends kept me safe on the fine line between fitna’ and chastity. I’ve always been protected by Him even when I did not give my heart to Him. I have always been blessed with His Love even when I did not make the true purpose of life as my priority.

And Allah The Most Merciful sent me to this part of the world to have just that. Bizarre, innit? Who would have thought I’d find Islam in its truest sense in this part of the world where getting drunk is a daily affair and putting on a short tight dress in below freezing temperatures is a habit.

“Call on Me, and I will answer you” (Qur’an, 40: 60)

More than 20 years of my life was spent in what the rest of the world called a Muslim country. Some of my closest friends are non-Muslims. All of them know I’m a Muslim; that I pray a number of times a day, I don’t eat pork, I don’t drink alcohol and I wear a scarf on my head.

I don’t know how many of them silently have the general misconceptions about Islam because I never ask nor do I ever feel the need to explain. If ever our discussions were about to enter ‘taboo-land’, we would swerve. Yet here and now I’m wondering if I have been selfish all along.

Here I see Muslims so eager to share Islam that they travel through rain and snow just to share the message with the rest of the society. Discussions are not shunned but entirely encouraged. And they come with a smile, a cup of coffee and of course, samosas. Here I saw people wanting to share the faith, not excluding anyone and not making it exclusive to our own selves. I know here I can seek answers.

Hana Nor Haminudin

Continued on page 38


Fear and Hope Leeds University Discover Islam Week

Discover Islam Week, 2013 was phenomenal as the Leeds Islamic Society had the honour of welcoming the renowned speaker, Idris Tawfiq; a former Roman Catholic priest who used to be part of the Vatican. Idris shared his story on how he converted to Islam and his relationship with Prophet Jesus (AS) as a Catholic and then a Muslim. Later on in the week we also had the pleasure of welcoming Dana Abdul Karim, an Olympic torchbearer and Sabah Khalid, a prolific speaker and author, who was very active during the feminist movement in the 60’s. They each delivered an inspiring talk addressing the issue of Feminism in Islam, and which ultimately served to counteract the pre-existing misconceptions and stereotypes. Amongst the many points made, Dana shared her father’s words of wisdom and concrete belief that: ‘following man leads to a hopeless end, following Allah (SWT) leads to endless hope’. She informed the

audience how these words resonated with her and served as a guide for her every personal endeavour.

Besides the talks during this improbable, eventful week, we had the pleasure of distributing free roses in the University campus, and this served as a form of dawah for non-Muslims since attached to each rose were the words of the Divine and the Prophet (SAW). The event received a great response and was later released in the Asian Express. Furthermore, the week was full of spontaneity and surprises, as the Union decided to cancel the Friday prayer hall without informing the Islamic Society. However we took the opportunity to pray outside the Union.

Amongst the stalls, workshops, henna stand and the live calligraphy, as I was walking through the crowd, two non-Muslims who had initially been stood

with one of the brothers for over an hour happened to be taking leave, and as I was passing by, one friend told the other with a heartfelt sincerity, “What nice people they are...” I smiled and walked back to the stall. Brothers and sisters, we have no idea what resonates with whom, for maybe every single conversation we had, every single smile, every single morsel of food we shared, every single box we carried, those 8am starts, every single text we sent as a reminder and every single second we stood outside in the cold giving dawah, just maybe on the Day of Judgement when our deeds are accounted for, they will stand before us on that day of reckoning, defending and fighting for our cause.

This week was like the gentle breeze blowing upon the heart, extinguishing the blaze of the dunya (worldly life), as we surely know that whosoever caused his heart to settle with his Lord shall be in a

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state of calmness and tranquillity, and whosoever sent it amongst the people shall be disturbed and excessively perturbed. This week was a reminder to us to show how impeccable and beautiful our religion is.

I loved Discover Islam Week. I loved the people who committed themselves to this week. I loved everything and anything

about this week, because ultimately it was about one thing, God, the Prophet and everything that embodies this religion.

We are beautiful. Our religion is beautiful.

Let us work to become more refined individuals as the knowledge of our religion strikes our senses and makes our

heart quiver. Let the fear of Him and the consequences and failures be the drive, as ultimately the Heavens and Earth are in fear of Him.

And with this wing of fear, be granted a wing of hope, so we can fly to Him.

Haneen Shabib


Be Like Tails Cambridge University Explore Islam Week

Explore Islam Week (EIW) is the most exciting and anticipated week in the Cambridge University Islamic Society (CUISoc) calendar. The nationally held week long initiative is not only a great dawah opportunity which gives us the chance to present Islam to non-Muslims and break down barriers, but through it’s very essence it brings together communities and strengthens friendships.

This year, EIW was held in Cambridge from 16th to 24th February and our humble aspirations centred on the aim of creating an open, diverse and tolerant environment where anybody could ask questions, put forward their views and discuss a range of topics. Issues ranged from economics to women, spirituality to the existence of God, an appreciation of Jesus (AS) by Muslims and Christians, to sharing the powerful experiences of people who found Islam in unexpected places.

The week began with a talk about the nature of spirituality and the essence of being Muslim with some powerful poetry beautifully delivered by Ali Fadhil, and what appears to be becoming of true ISoc fashion - servings of warm mint tea. The evening was a good introduction to the idea of being at peace with oneself and Allah (SWT), and served as a pertinent reminder for us all.

One of the most unique events hosted, was an Evening of Poetry, a means of expression and spirituality that nothing compares to. Five poets included Cambridge student, Ali Khan, visiting poets Abbas Zahedi and Ibrahim Sincere, former student Shafiqa Aslam, and a local teacher, Tony. We included a poem of one absent poet, Talha Ahsan (award winning poet extradited to the US in 2012 after spending six years in high security prisons in the UK, despite not being found guilty of any crime).

The highest attended event was by far ‘Jesus in the eyes of four billion’. Lord Rowan Williams and Paul Bilal Williams sought the similarities between the two faiths, with respect to Jesus as a leader, spiritual guide and a blessing to the whole of mankind. Lord Williams spoke of leadership and eloquently reminded us all as Jesus did, “if people appoint you as heads, be like tails”.

No EIW in Cambridge is complete without a thought-provoking, philosophical and insightful discussion led by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter). The question, ‘Is God Merciful?’ was addressed. In reminding us of the limitations of the human heart, intellect, and the very nature of time itself, Shaykh presented divine beauty, the magnificence of our Creator and His plan. We often forget that characteristics such as compassion and mercy are also names given to God.

Samia Aziz

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The final event of the week was an eye-opening lecture on finance and the banking crisis, introduced by Shaykh Abdal Hakim and carried forward by Tarik El-Diwany. The Shaykh used prophetic examples to speak about the requirement of honesty and integrity of all parties in our financial dealings. Tarik shed light on the flaws of the current economic system, which based upon borrowing and interest rates simply cannot sustain itself. The event bought the week to a close and was described as

‘awesomeness incarnate.’

This year’s EIW saw some of the largest event turnouts the ISoc has seen for quite some time. The feedback was positive, and throughout the week there were some really interesting and inspiring questions asked. Often it is the conversations we share with people after events, as reminded by Idris Tawfiq in his talk, which remain with us for a long time. When somebody comes to you after an event to tell you it made them re-

evaluate their relationship with God and the Qur’an, or when people thank you for putting on events that enable them to ask fundamental questions, you know that all those hours spent planning events, tracking down speakers, discussing poster designs, updating social media, booking rooms and making phone calls were truly worthwhile. Alhamdulillah. Celebratory fresh cream cake ended the week but truly all praise is due to Allah (SWT). We pray that our efforts are accepted. Ameen.


Intersoc Sheffield University Islam Awareness Week

IAW is always one of the biggest events of the year for Islamic societies, and for the University of Sheffield, this year was no different! With stalls in and around our Students’ Union providing literature, free henna and cupcakes, we were able to reach out to the non-Muslim audience at our university to spread the message of our religion. Throughout the week there were a number of evening lectures on a variety of pertinent issues such as women’s rights in Islam and the true identity of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Islamic scholars and academics to allow people to engage on a more intellectual level.

As well as this outreach to non-Muslims, many Muslims themselves are under the perception that Islamic societies are for a specific niche in the community and feel that they would be judged by attending events, a misconception that we have particularly tried to change this year.

Our last event of the week was a first of its kind at our university, an intersoc event titled ‘Want to Know More?’ held in collaboration with six of the main societies with Muslim members: USIC, SMSA, Alulae, Pasco, Palos and Arabs.

The main aim of this event was to provide a relaxed atmosphere that combined gaining knowledge with entertainment and offered a chance for Muslim students of different interests to meet each other as well as get more involved with societies. The event was held in our Students’ Union and it saw introductions from each society highlighting their aims and events, followed by workshops.

The 5 workshops offered a variety of activities from calligraphy and basics of Urdu to Malaysian traditional games and introduction to the history of Arab civilisations and the conflict in Palestine.

Whilst conversing with many attendees over free tea and coffee provided, many were surprised to hear that alongside the religious lectures we hold, we also partake in other events such as local volunteering, socials and sports.

From this innovative event, we have realised the potential of and need for outreach work to the student population at the university. Every Muslim student should feel at home within the Islamic society and it is our aim to make this happen. We hope to repeat this event at the beginning of next year.

Mohamed Yusuf

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Working under Pressure Manchester Metropolitan Discover Islam Week

The question I asked myself was “Where do I begin?” as I was informed by the society president that I will be heading Discover Islam Week 2013. The usual situation during DIW centered on setting up stalls around the university campus and giving dawah; however, as a head, I had the ambition of setting up a marquee outside the busiest campus at university; the Business School. Unfortunately the marquee permission was not granted therefore we went back to basics, stalls around campus.

As the week started I felt under immense pressure due to the fact that it was my first time to lead such a large project, and that I had to be a role model for the young volunteers and help them out with their work. The week was a great learning experience and an opportunity to share our work with the rest of the university community. I reflect back on DIW and how it has given me confidence in myself.

Abdullah Sheikhi

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Discover Islam Week is in my opinion, the most rewarding week of the academic year. To spread the truth of Allah’s Oneness (SWT) and that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His final Messenger is something close to all of our hearts. No opportunity should be missed!

We began organising in November and the months that followed were intense yet rewarding. We went from co-coordinating volunteers and organising dawah workshops to the minutest of details, such as liaising with the Student Union in order to book venues on campus. We organised dawah sessions for ourselves and volunteers to ensure we were all well prepared. Alhamdulillah, they were the basis for our training, learning what to say to Atheists, Christians and agnostics, and how to deal with awkward questions such as, ‘why don’t men wear hijab?’

But what actually emerged from the

experience was different. We soon learnt that dawah could not actually be taught in a classroom setting, where we had the comfort of our friends. Similarly to any controlled environment, it rose-tints what the real world brings. People are persistent about their own beliefs and doing dawah can actually be daunting in real life. But the important thing is not to be disheartened by a few stutters through the conversation. Go back with a smile and try again!

Speakers were one of the most important elements of the week. We had the pleasure of hosting Brother Idris Tawfiq who talked about his conversion to Islam as well as Sister Alima Ashfaq who spoke about women’s rights in Islam. To bring someone more experienced and knowledgeable on Islam can be a further push for people in the right direction. Although our main purpose was to invite scholars for non-Muslims to benefit, they are also very inspiring for Muslims too, giving us a deeper understanding of our own faith.

As hard as it may be to balance assignment deadlines, exam revision and our Islamic duties, my advice is trying your best to make time! There are things you will learn by giving a few hours of your time for the sake of Allah (SWT), such as patience and gratitude. Remember, if you do things for Allah’s (SWT) sake, He will help you through struggles Inshallah.Taybah Malik


A Day in the Life of… Prophet Muhammed (saw)- A Prophet in Shepherd’s Clothing

Throughout his infancy and childhood, Prophet Muhammad (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) lived with his foster mother Halimah (may Allah be pleased with her) and her family. When he was six years old, the Prophet’s mother ‘Aminah took him to visit his father’s grave. On their way back home, she suddenly became very ill and left this world soon after. The Prophet (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) was orphaned a second time.

After his mother’s passing, he lived with his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who was about ninety years old at the time. The Prophet (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) loved his grandfather very dearly. Sadly, when the Prophet (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) was eight years old, his beloved grandfather Abdul Muttalib also passed

away, and he was orphaned for a third time. The Prophet (May Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) learned about the meaning of life and death at a young age and this helped to train him for his mission later on as the leader of mankind. Before his death, Abdul Muttalib instructed his son Abu Talib, the Prophet’s uncle, to look after him. Abu Talib treated his nephew Muhammad (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) as his own son and was his guardian for the rest of his life.

Abu Talib had a big family with many children and it wasn’t easy for him to support such a family. So when the Prophet (May Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) was about eight years old, he started working as a shepherd for his uncle in order to help him out financially. He would take the sheep and cattle of

his relatives and the people of Makkah to the surrounding deserts to graze. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) said, “Allah never sent any prophet except that they herded sheep.” His Companions asked him, “Even you?” He replied, “Yes, I used to herd the sheep of the people of Makkah for money.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2262)

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Every Prophet Allah (SWT) ever sent to this world spent some time working as a shepherd. But why? Why did Allah (SWT) make every Prophet a shepherd? Simple. To perform any task, training is necessary. Allah, the Most Wise gave all of the Prophets (peace be upon them) this special training so that they would eventually be ready for the huge responsibility of prophethood and delivering Allah’s (SWT) message to the people. There are many important life skills that one acquires from being a shepherd. Some of these are:

1 Responsibility. The shepherd holds full responsibility and accountability for looking after the flock, even if the flock is at fault of its own actions.

2 Leadership. A leader physically may not always be out in front, just as the shepherd sometimes works behind the moving flock, but spiritually, a leader is the one who leads from the front, by his/her example.

3 Patience. Sheep don’t always stay together; they go wherever they like and just follow the path of other sheep.

In order to control them and keep them together, one needs a high level of patience.

4 Protection. The shepherd protects the herd. Cattle have limited sight and can only see so far. There are various seen and unseen dangers such as wolves, other beasts and diseases which may harm the herd. A human who stands taller has a further view and can see danger as it is approaching. The first to notice danger is the shepherd who gives an advanced warning to the herd, just as the Prophets (peace be upon them) see dangers and warn their followers. They have the clearest vision and a vantage point that none of us have. They know exactly what is good and what is potentially harmful for us.

5 Simplicity. A shepherd lives a very simple life and doesn’t take all of his possessions with him to the desert. He only carries the essentials with him to his job, no matter how rich he may be. A shepherd eats very simple food and has simple and basic accommodation.

6 Closeness to the Creation of Allah (SWT). Shepherding pulls one out of the artificial world and brings one closer to nature. We were all created from this earth and are part of nature. Being too far from nature results in less contemplation of the Creation of Allah (SWT) such as the sun, moon, stars, heavens, mountains, rivers, oceans, plants, etc. The Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) took advantage of this time to think and reflect about nature.

When a person has experience in leading, organising, and controlling animals, performing these activities with people becomes easier.

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (may Allah shower peace and blessings upon him) said, “Every one of you is a shepherd (guardian); and you are accountable for your flock (that which is in your care)…” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2558)

Mufti Niaz Hannan


The 2013 Shahbag Protests

In February 2013, we saw the sentencing of three of the most prominent members of the Jamaat-e-Islami, the opposition party, in Bangladesh.

The 2013 Shahbag protests by the people demanded that the government should implement capital punishment upon Abdul Quader Mullah, 64, for war crimes committed in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh sentenced Mullah to life imprisonment for crimes committed during the time Bangladesh broke away from Pakistan.

The war of independence brings the accusation of killing up to three million people and raping thousands of women by

the opposition, the Pakistan Army and local Islamic parties.

A second member, Delwar Hossain Sayedee, vice president of the Islamic party, was sentenced to death later that month.

Both verdicts brought about protests. The supporters of Jamaat–e–Islami began a country-wide protest which quickly became punishing and destructive.

The police opened fire and used truncheons to control crowds, both for and against convictions, a total of 52 people are known to have been killed throughout the 2013 Shahbag protests. Human Rights Watch placed most of the deaths upon the authorities use of live ammo. The brutal killing of Ahmed Rajib Haider, an

activist and blogger, who welcomed the verdicts, also lead to escalation and mass protests breaking out in different areas of Bangladesh.

Underhand workings continue to plague the hearings; December last year saw the chairman of the tribunal resign as it emerged he was collaborating with the prosecution.

How much truth is there behind the evidence being presented and is the death penalty just? Or do we see a government looking to empower itself by deluding its people?

Time will tell if the verdict of death will be inflicted. Today we still see Bangladesh recovering from the liberation of 1971.

Hazma Farooq


Nominate a Role Model!Over the past 13 issues Fifteen21 has showcased many inspirational role-models from the Muslim community in the UK. From youth activists like Neelam Rose, to Humza Yousaf, a trail-blazing young politician in Glasgow to Aisha Yasmin, a young aspiring designer from Birmingham hoping to make it big in the Big Apple!

If you would like to nominate an inspiring role-model to be featured in a future issue of Fifteen21 please email us at [email protected] with the following details;

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

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In The Next Issue…

Out on Friday 26th April 2012!

Organisation ProfileNour Domestic Violence

What does Nour do?

Nour is a charity which aims to engage the public, and especially the minority muslim communities, to become aware and take action against this silent yet prevalent social injustice – domestic

violence. At Nour we also have a strong Islamic ethos and seek to condemn

domestic violence using Islamic literature from both the Quran and the

prophetic teachings.

Thankyou for agreeing to be interviewed for Fifteen21 youth magazine. You recently held Domestic Violence Awareness Week (18th - 24th March). What were both your biggest challenges and achievements during this week?

As always, it is hard work to organise and orchestrate all the events for Domestic Violence Awareness Week, and the behind the scenes planning is very time consuming, but SubhanAllah the team at Nour are amazing and work tirelessly and the week is a reflection of their passion, sincerity and commitment to this cause. Though this feels like the biggest challenge at times, I think the real challenge is trying to attract the public and get the masjids engaged in our events. It is without doubt, our biggest achievement is always receiving the positive feedback we get from the general public and from survivors of domestic violence.

Do you only support Muslim victims?

Our duty of care and the services we provide at Nour do not discriminate against any client regardless of their background, and thus our services are always open to everyone.

What does Islam say about domestic violence?

Islam talks heavily about the status and rights of women, the rights of men, the rights of children, and even the rights of the elderly. Adhering to these teachings gives no opportunity for this oppression. The Holy Qur’an and the Hadiths do go into more detail about the treatment of wives and husbands, about marital discord and even about physical violence making clear that Islam never condones domestic violence. The words from the Holy Qur’an are heavy and pure like gold, yet these words are often neglected as if they are as light as a feather.

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Do you feel there is enough awareness amongst young people about domestic violence?Awareness is growing amongst the youth but there still needs to be more done, there is no limit to understanding and its value is immeasurable. Speaking from experience, domestic violence is an issue generally perceived as something that happens rarely and thus is not the focus topic of most teenager conversations, most definitely because domestic violence is under-reported and sometimes marginalised. Most children grow up too shy or afraid to talk about domestic violence in their households, or they simply accept it as a way of life and become desensitised by it.

Reports reveal that more than 40% of victims are male, how can you explain this change?

This may be more reflective in the change in reporting and the changing attitudes that men can also suffer from domestic abuse, which has enabled more to come forward to seek help. It is also easy to imagine domestic abuse taking a physical

form, however most survivors of domestic violence will give testament that although the physical abuse hurt and wounded, the psychological torture is what really kept them caged and left scars that are invisible but hurt more. Thus it is easy to assume that men do not suffer from domestic abuse as they generally tend to be stronger, however, domestic violence is about dominance and control and it is wrong to assume that women are never the perpetrators. Domestic violence is gender unbiased.

What are the signs that someone is suffering from domestic violence?

There are many signs, and they are not always the textbook signs as many victims formulate their own coping strategy and become very good at hiding the abuse they are suffering from. Signs however can include withdrawal from social gatherings, a change in personality, depression, and even weight loss. But no-one should rely on signs to determine if a person they know is suffering from domestic violence; it is almost a silent evil.


From your experience, what are the most common reasons people stay in relationships which are abusive?

The clients who have approached Nour often cite many reasons for staying in such relationships. These reasons include wanting to give another chance to save their marriage, to stay for the sake of their children, or because they do not know of other options that they have because they may be financially dependent on their partner or worst yet, because they have been told that their partner has Islamic rights to inflict such abuse. Regardless of the reasons, at the primary level, the sufferer is made to feel almost invalid and dependent on their partner as part of the control psyche which the perpetrator adopts.

What steps, do you feel need to be considered by masjids and mainstream Muslim organisations to help victims?

Mainstream Muslim organisations and Masjids, have a common role, to serve the community for the sake of Allah (SWT). These institutes including our Imams need

to be able to deal with issues arising from domestic violence, openly discussing domestic abuse and ensure that they do not shy away from this issue. This will surely give confidence to sufferers that they are not alone and that support will be available, and also to perpetrators that their crimes are not unnoticed.

What advice would you give someone who is a victim of domestic violence, where can they get help?

First and foremost they should not blame Allah (SWT) but seek refuge in Him. All that happens does not go unnoticed and Allah (SWT) is the best of Planners, the most Merciful and the most Just. Only through Allah (SWT) will they find comfort and peace. Islam is not just worship, it is also action, and thus the next advice would be to find the strength to seek help, like contacting Nour or any other domestic violence charity. Any help, even from Nour, ultimately comes by the mercy of Allah (SWT).

Nour Domestic Violencewww.nour-dv.org.uk

0208 904 8193

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nterviewThe Sound of Reason

FIFTEE

N21

How are you?

Alhamdulillah, life is beautiful.

Who are The Sound of Reason and how did you both meet?

We are Ku and Francis, 2 converts from Canada trying to change the world, one heart at a time, through the messages in our music and the actions of our daily lives. We met in the first year of high school, oddly enough in music class, but then only really became friends a couple of years later, and have been friends ever since.

You have never signed with any record label, and remain independent, why is this?

We have had the opportunity to sign

with a label before, but the terms were not right. In exchange for the backing of a label we would have had to give up control of our content (lyrics) and our image, which kind of defeats the purpose of why we started ‘The Sound of Reason’ in the first place. We write our own lyrics, and our goal is to teach through our music and to get a positive message into mainstream music. If we have to compromise that in any way, the increased sales and popularity that would come from signing with a record label would be worthless to us.

Do you play any instruments?

Yes, Ku plays the guitar, but actually only started playing the guitar when we created our group, The Sound of Reason, so that he might be able to play our songs live, but before that he had never touched

a guitar in his life.

What were your dreams and aspirations as you were growing up?

Both of us had aspirations of becoming teachers. We also had a love for music. Through The Sound of Reason we have been blessed to be able to teach on a mass scale through our music. It’s truly a blessing putting in so much hard work and seeing your dreams become reality. Alhamdulillah.

Who or what inspires you in your music?

Although it is going to sound like a typical standard answer, the truth is that our biggest inspiration was Islam. It was because of Islam that we take it so seriously, and always put 100% effort


into everything that we do. We were so inspired by the different teachings and moral and ethical lessons in Islam that we felt that we should share them with others in the hope of inspiring and educating. We understand fully how these messages within Islam can be quite heavy, and daunting at times, and can also come off as “preachy” to non-Muslims, so we have made sure to package the message in a way that the listener can be of any background (Muslim or non Muslim) and still appreciate the message without being turned off.

We love your song ‘At Our Mother’s Feet’ in aid of improving maternity healthcare and education for women, how did you get involved with this project?

A while back the ‘Made in Europe’ team approached us to write a song for their ‘At Our Mother’s Feet’ campaign’. We just happened to already have written the ‘Mom song’ for our upcoming album ‘Hope and Fear’ so everything came together very nicely. Alhamdulillah it’s amazing to be involved with such a noble and worthwhile project. Visit

www.atourmothersfeet.org.uk for more information to see how you can help


Jannah. We talk about it all the time. How we wish we could just go to Jannah right now! Being able to fly, explore all the beauties of this universe and more, eat anything you want AS MUCH as you want, never have to worry about anything, no time limits, just be able to sit back in the sun on the beach relaxing forever, playing, laughing, chilling with animals! Haahahhaa, oh man. Jannah. That would be our one wish, the only thing that could satisfy.

What barriers have you faced, either on a personal or professional level?

Honestly, too many to count. On a personal level, everyone is tested personally and we are no different. We have struggles every day just like everyone else. On a professional level, it’s a struggle to get heard without the backing of a label. We run everything ourselves, from the song

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writing and production to the marketing of ‘The Sound of Reason’. It would be a lot easier if we had a label or a big team behind us but at the end of the day we do it to stay true to our message and our values. We ask everyone reading this, if you support our music and our message please tell as many people as you can about our music. Word of mouth is the best way for us to get heard and we count on the fans of our music to help us out. After you read this article, please send a mass email to all of your friends telling them to listen to our music. JazakAllah Khairun.

Do you have a favourite movie or TV show?

Well neither of us owns a TV, so I guess that’s out. And as for movies, we’re both huge fans of wildlife documentaries like Planet Earth. We call it the ‘SubhanAllah’ DVD set because while watching it you can’t help but say SubhanAllah every few seconds. Beautiful, we highly recommend them.

Any advice for the youth?

The kind of general advice we could give to the youth would probably be things they’ve already heard many times before “Be good, don’t be bad”, so instead of giving some general advice, we might just say, surround yourself with positive, practicing Muslim friends, and every now and then maybe ask them for some advice on how you could become better as a person, a Muslim and a friend. No-one would know your positive and negative traits better than those that are closest to you. Also never stop the communication between you and Allah (SWT), even if it’s just in talking to Him in your head, and making dua. Having Him as your best and closest friend will make you ready for anything this life can throw at you.


ArtIsl mic

The Blue Qur’an

The Great Mosque of Qayrawan in Tunisia is one of the most ancient mosques in Islam having been founded in 670 CE. Most of what can be seen today dates from the two major construction phases in the ninth and the thirteenth centuries. It remains one of the most impressive Muslim religious buildings in North Africa, and is dominated by a giant minaret modelled after the Roman lighthouses that were found along the Mediterranean coast.

Another of the treasures of Qayrawan is located in the library of the mosque. It is an unusual Qur’an believed to date to the early part of the tenth century. In common with other Qur’anic manuscripts of this period it is written on sheets of parchment (made from the skin of sheep or goats) with the text arranged in lines along a horizontally formatted page. The Arabic text is written in the rather rectangular

script commonly known as Kufic that was employed for Qur’ans written between the end of the seventh and the end of the tenth centuries. One area where the Qayrawan manuscript diverges from normal practice is in the overall colour scheme. Instead of black and red ink on plain parchment, we encounter a blue page with letters written in gold. The blue staining of the pages was achieved with indigo dye.

Also significant is the treatment of the letters themselves. By the tenth century it was common to employ dots to distinguish the different letters that share the same basic shape. The calligraphers of the Blue Qur’an chose not to do this, and the result is a text that is much harder to read for non-natives of Arabic.

The sheer cost of staining the parchment sheets and writing the complete text in gold (gold was also used for the decorative details such as verse markers and headings) suggests that this was made for a royal patron, and it has been

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plausibly suggested that this was one of the Fatimid caliphs who had come to power in the region of Qayrawan after 909. In 969 this Shi‘ite Muslim dynasty captured Egypt, founding the city of Cairo that was to be their capital until 1171.

Fatimid art is famous for its quality and its use of opulent materials. One of the best known examples of Fatimid art is a rock crystal jug carrying the name of the caliph al-‘Aziz (r. 975-96) that is now in the treasury of the cathedral of San Marco in Venice. It can be imagined that the idea of a blue Qur’an with shimmering golden script would have appealed to these caliphs.

The idea of writing in gold on a blue background was well known in Islamic architecture, and early examples are still to be seen in the mosaics of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. This practice is also picked up in the mosaics of the mihrab arch in the Great Mosque of Cordoba in Spain. A more immediate source for the Blue Qur’an can perhaps be found, however, in the contacts maintained between the Fatimid caliphs

and the Christian Byzantine emperors in Constantinople. The Byzantine court made use of blue stained parchment with gold writing for diplomatic correspondence. There also exist Byzantine religious manuscripts with pages stained purple (an imperial colour) and the script written in silver.

The Blue Qur’an is among the most famous works of Islamic art, and has been called “one of the most extraordinary luxury manuscripts ever created.” It is one of the most mesmerising manuscripts produced in Islam. The angular gold Kufic script was executed using the technique of chrysography, in which ground gold suspended in solution is carefully applied.

Rumaysa Malik


FOODSOULf o r t h e

“It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain

silent, but silence is better than idle words.”

Prophet Muhammed, Peace be upon him

Nasruddin Goes Fishing

One day, Mullah Nasruddin decided to go fishing. He called upon his good friend Rabbi Moishe. They got their poles and bait together, rented a small rowboat at the local harbor, and off to sea they went.

After an amazing afternoon of fishing, the two men had caught thirty fish. An elated Mullah Nasruddin said to Rabbi Moishe, “Better mark this spot so we can come here tomorrow!”

The next day Mullah Nasruddin met up with Rabbi Moishe at the rental harbor for another day of fishing.

“Did you mark the spot?” Mullah Nasruddin asked Rabbi Moishe confidentially.

“Of course,” replied Rabbi Moishe, “I painted a big white X on the bottom of the rowboat.”

“You fool!” Shouted Mullah Nasruddin and slapped his forehead, “What if we can’t rent that same boat today?!”

Ehsan Khan

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bookREVIEWS

Originally written in French, this book celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The Little Prince is extremely philosophical, especially for a children’s novel. Every line is sprinkled with nuggets of wisdom, and analogies that need thorough thought, reflection and contemplation to do the book any justice. The author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry deals with various themes that are rooted in childhood like curiosity which is encapsulated in the character of the little prince. The narrator, a pilot, who has crashed his plane into

the Sahara desert, meets the enigmatic little prince. After a lot of questioning the narrator discovers that the prince is not from earth; but from a tiny nearby asteroid.

The asteroid is inhabited by three small volcanoes and a proud coquettish rose, whose very existence brings the heart broken infatuated prince to planet Earth. The source of the prince’s love roots from his sense of responsibility towards his beloved rose. His belief that she was the only rose of a kind to be in existence drove the little prince to invest all his time in watering and protecting her. But his departure from the asteroid came about due to the flowers peculiar way of manner towards the prince who

felt he was too young to know how to love her. “One should simply look at them and breathe their fragrance. Mine perfumed my entire planet. But I did not know how to take pleasure in all her grace.”

Saint-Exupéry uses the little prince to discover one of the baffling conundrums of the world, the secret to relationships. The fox eloquently explains to the little prince that investing oneself in another person makes that person, and everything associated with him or her, more special. “As it is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important”.

Samina Kauser

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Masjids Around The WorldAl-Saleh Mosque

Location: Sana’a, Yemen

Capacity: Built:Over 44, 000 2008

What is so striking about this mosque are the tall and slender minarats, they are over 100 metres high. The columns of each minarat are patterned with red stone whilst the domes and the rest of the exterior are white. The minarats dominate the skyline dazzling worshippers with the contrast in colour.

The mosque is situated in the ancient city of Sana’a which is the capital city of Yemen. It is the largest and most modern mosque in the city. The mosque is named after the former president Al-Saleh, who commissioned the mosque at a reported cost of $60 million (approx. £40 million).

It is reported that the structure was built from locally imported materials. The main structure is built from reinforced concrete and adorned with a variety of stones. The design of the mosque boasts traditional Yemeni designs known as Himyarite architecture with modern construction techniques.

The entrances of the mosque are elaborately decorated with arched doorways. The arched doorways continue inside the mosque, resting on decorated pillars and leading to an expansive courtyard to the rear. The main hall is very impressive; it covers an astounding 13,500 square metres and is adorned with an array of chandeliers

and calligraphy. The interior of the five domes can be seen from the main hall which are elegantly decorated. The mosque also includes several buildings such as a library and is surrounded by expansive gardens. In total the mosque and its accompanying buildings cover an area of approximately 27,000 square metres. The total capacity of the mosque is 44,000 and includes separate seating for women.

The mosque may have cost vast amounts of money but it is an inspirational building. It also has a library and is equipped with modern facilities. The mosque has become a beacon of hope for the region. Alhamdulillah.

Zeeshan Arif


------------------------------

My emotions live only to be harmedI want none other but you and yet I

want you not the sameSilently confiding my sadness in you

from a distanceHow my eyes long for the affection now concealed behind a demeanor so cold As I relieve the nights of a

tortured soul

My heart tells me you are still my love and yet my wounds tell me it is not so

I would forget it all if you would merely change

Lying to myself so that I can believe your tragic lies

So helpless as I see my hopes blown around like a cloud beneath the seven

skies How much you have taken of me. Yesterday you promised me a

thousand promisesYet once more you break me into a thousand tears

------------------------------

------------------------------

I plead with you not to scream as you proceed to beat me

I’m scared, can you not see? I’m scared and only my heart stands

witnessFor what fault of mine are you

punishing me?Your strikes almost meaningless whilst

I tremble in fearMy body feels no pain as I die a little

more insideNo one to hear my cries as I realise

I’m alone just as I was yesterdayThere’s nowhere for me to turn so I

close my eyes and pray.

------------------------------

poe

try

The Death of My Tears

70

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I spoke to my soul as it lay so tormented in your hands

The true hurt begins the moment your violence stops.

Was it not enough that you saw fear in my eyes?

My bruises could not begin to describe how I feel inside

Why would you do this to me?This was never what I chose to beI wonder what’s on your mind; I

wonder if you wonder what’s on mineI can’t sleep through a pain so deep

and realEnough. I can cope no more.

I searched for a way out but the weakness in my heart stopped me

As I stare at the cup in my hand and bring the poison closer to my lips

Imagining you lamenting at my soon to be corpse laying on the floor

Till death do us part, and so I shall choose to suffer no more.

------------------------------

------------------------------

When I cease to breathe maybe you would acknowledge my existenceI would not see it but maybe you

would wipe my tearsI would not feel it but maybe you would kiss me after all these yearsI would not hear it but maybe you

would say sorryAnd I would not know it but maybe someone would relate to me and learn from the mistakes upon the

pages of my story.

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Nour Domestic Violencewww.nour-dv.org.uk0208 904 8193


White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

makes: 30 - 40 cookies

RecipesNeed:

• 150g butter

• 150g plain flour

• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

• 50g ground almonds

• 50g porridge oats

• 50g dried cranberries, raisins, sultanas or currants

• 50g brown sugar

• ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence

• 50g caster sugar

• 100g white chocolate, cut into chunks

• 1 large egg yolk, or 2 small egg yolks

Nusayba Malik

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4.

2. Melt the butter, and allow to cool.

3. Sift the flour and the bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.

4. Add the ground almonds, oats, dried fruit, soft brown sugar, caster sugar, vanilla essence and the chocolate chunks and mix well.

5. Mix the cooled melted butter with the egg yolk and pour into the dry ingredients, stirring to combine.

6. With your hands, form into walnut-sized balls and arrange slightly apart from each other on 2 baking trays.

7. Gently flatten the biscuits slightly and place in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden.

8. Allow to cool a little on the trays before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Prep time:15 minutes

Cook time:10 minutes


National Events

Birmingham The Zawiya Centre T: 0121 766 8364 W: www.thezawiya.com

Bradford Islam Bradford Centre T: 01274 395521 E: [email protected]

Cambridge Cambridge Masjid T: 01223-350134 E: [email protected]

EdinburghEdinburgh Central MosqueT: 0131 343 3802 E: [email protected]

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

Study Circles, for brothers and sisters (separate classes), various days & times

Arabic, Study Circles, Qur’anic Studies for both Brothers & Sisters, varies days & times

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

Leicester Masjid An-Noor T: 0116 262 5440 W: www.idauk.org

YorkYork Central Masjid T: 01904 413 123 E: [email protected]

Monthly Youth Programme for boys, starts first Saturday of each month

Brothers Qur’an Circle, every Friday, between Maghrib and Isha Salah Sisters Qur’an Circle, every Sunday, 11am to Dhuhr Salah

To add your local study circles, conferences, events or courses please email [email protected]

• TheStoryofProp

hetSamuel(AS)andK

ingSaul(David&G

oliath)

• *NEW*YoungMinds–Ca

nnabisPsychosis

• MuslimHeritage–Mariam‘Al-Astrolabiy

a’–Scientist,Inve

ntor

• Look,Smile,Chat!

DeafAwarenessWeek

• MasjidsAroundtheWorld-Sch

wetzingenCastleM

osque

• RegularFeatures

–Poems,BookReviews,Recipe

s,Stories

In The Next Issue…

Out on Friday 26th April 2013!

issue 13

Documents