passionislam june09

Issue: 15 June 2009

Inside this month issueLets Callit Fate

“In all of this, I think that Europe and France have a

role to play just as the United States does, to send a signal to Muslims around the world that we welcome and want

their participation in a world community that is peaceful, that is prosperous, that is developing in favour of all

people,” Obama said.

In a much-heralded speech to the Muslim world, Obama vowed to forge a new beginning with the Muslim world to remove a decade of mistrust and discord.

The two leaders also differed on Obama’s call for European countries to lift bans on the wearing of hijab.

“I won’t take responsibility for how other countries are going to approach this,” Obama said.

“I will tell you that in the United States, our basic attitude is that we’re not going to tell people what to wear.

“My general view is that most

effective way to integrate people of all faiths is to not try to suppress their traditions, but rather to open up opportunities.”

Sarkozy, however, insisted that France has a different view.

“Civil servants must not wear any outward sign of their religion, whether they are Catholics, Jewish, Orthodox, Protestants or Muslims,” he said.

“The second thing is a young woman can wear a head scarf provided that’s a decision they took freely and not been forced on them by their family or their entourage,” he said.

“France is a country where everybody can enjoy the convictions, but women are respected as is their autonomy.”

France banned the Muslim veil in public places in 2004, with several European countries following suit.

Hijab is an obligatory code of dress for Muslim women, not a symbol that shows ones religious affiliation.

Politiciansor Democracyto blame?

Reach Outto MuslimsObama tells Europe

2 I LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS Passion Islam I June 2009

Write to: Editor, Passion Islam, PO Box 159, Batley, West Yorkshire, WF17 1ADor email: [email protected] - www.passionislam.com

This Magazine contains Ayaat of the Qur’an and Hadith of the Prophet (SAW), please ensure you handle it with respect & care - Sukran

“When you see some of the hardcore stuff

going on in the name of Islam today, it becomes even more important for we Muslims with a public profile to get out and speak on behalf of the community.”

Not the sort of thing you read in many rugby league books but as the first British Asian to represent England in rugby of either code, Ikram Butt has never been your regular rugby league person.

Tries and Prejudice*, his autobiography which is published this week, combines a detailed account of Butt’s career with Leeds,

Featherstone, London Broncos and briefly England –

interesting enough in itself, although probably only to league nuts – with a window on British Asian culture that significantly broadens the book’s appeal. From growing up in LS6 – the area of Headingley that holds fond memories for anyone who studied in Leeds – to attending the mosque at the Polytechnic, to running a fast food takeaway in Bramley, to coping with reassuringly rare instances of racial prejudice, to training and playing during the fasting period of Ramadan, to arranged marriages and the Qur’an, it’s all fascinating stuff.

That’s before Butt reflects on

the three months he spent in jail for lying about a driving offence in the mid-90s and much more positively on the leading role he has played since retirement in setting up the British Asian Rugby Association (Bara), and in working with deprived communities (white as well as Asian) in Bradford and now Leeds.

*Tries & Prejudice by Ikram Butt (with Tony Hannan) is published on 5 June by Scratching Shed Publishing Ltd, in paperback priced at £12.99. The foreword is by Bollywood star Rahul Bose. Ikram will be signing copies at Philip Howard Books, Roundhay, Leeds on Saturday 13 June from 10am

Rugby Racismand Religion

“When you see some of the hardcore stuff

Broncos and briefly England – interesting enough in itself, although probably only to league nuts – with a

Rugbyand Religion

Passion Islam I June 2009 LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS I 3

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170309_148x210_Natrate_Passion IPage 1 17/03/2009 15:07:31

Members of a range of religious traditions - Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim - have issued a joint public call to end religion-based discrimination on admissions and employment in Britain’s schools.

The signatories, who come from nine different faith groups, point out that the ability of faith schools to exclude pupils and staff of the “wrong religion”, as currently enshrined in law, is both religiously offensive and contrary to human rights.

However, after lobbying from interest groups, including the Church of England, this discrimination currently remains enshrined in the Equality Bill coming before parliament.

The call for change, which the authors stress is a deeply felt conviction rooted in their faith, comes in a letter published in The Times

newspaper. It appears in association with the

Accord Coalition which was launched in September 2008 to push for a new debate on faith schools - one based on practical reform rather than the

pro- and anti- polarisation. The signatories to the letter include

an Anglican priest and ecumenical tutor, a Jewish Rabbi, clergy from the United Reformed and Methodist churches, a Quaker, a Unitarian, a Buddhist, a Hindu and a Muslim.

Faith and church school providers have argued that they should have a right to select on grounds of belief in relation to employment and admissions because of the religious character of their schools.

But critics say that discrimination goes against the faith values they proclaim, is unnecessary to promoting a distinctive ethos, has been shown to be needless in many such schools and ignores the needs and rights of the general public - given that these schools are overwhelmingly (and in some cases entirely) funded by the taxpayer.

Public opinion research has showed that the majority of the

population oppose discrimination and religious segregation in schooling. Independent research, including recent studies from the Runnymede Trust and University of London colleges, has confirmed concerns about these issues.

Multi-faith call to end religiousdiscrimination in schooling


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260209_148x210_STD_Passion IslamPage 1 27/02/2009 10:37:10

Britain’s university lecturers are considering a boycott of new government rules that they say would turn them into ‘immigration snoopers’ on foreign students.

The government introduced a points-based immigration system for non-EU staff and students in April as part of its drive to combat terrorism.

Foreign students will have to carry biometric identity cards, while universities must monitor checks and report any unexplained absences to the Home Office.

But at their annual conference in Bournemouth have debated a motion expressing concern that the new arrangements turns ‘educators into immigration snoopers’ and could irreparably damage the reputation of UK higher education.

It argues that lecturers would in effect act as as ‘Home Office agents’ to carry out policing and surveillance work, and warns that lecturers could

be liable to fines and possible jail sentences if they fail to comply.

If the motion is passed, officials from Britain’s biggest union of lecturers will be asked to campaign to repeal both the ‘discriminatory’ regulations and the overseas student

identity cards. The lecturers already complain

that the new rules will put off overseas students coming to the UK, which generate vital income for the country’s universities and colleges, and will damage the international status of

educational institutions. “Politically, UCU is absolutely

opposed to this legislation and we know that many members have strong and principled moral objections as members of society and as professional educators,” said UCU

general secretary, Sally Hunt . “One of the more pernicious

effects of this new system will be to turn our members into an extra arm of the police force, placing monitoring and reporting responsibilities on to academic and support staff,” Hunt said.

In 2007, the UCU voted unanimously to reject proposals to instruct university staff to report students for ‘extremism’ and called

on members to ‘resist attempts by government to engage colleges and universities in activities which amount to increased surveillance of Muslim or other minority students and to the use of members of staff for such witch-hunts’.

UK lecturers opposed tospying on foreign students


The Liberal Democrats have launched a renewed campaign in British parliament calling for a review of the UK’s controversial extradition treaty with the US.

“The Extradition Treaty was agreed without any recourse to parliament,” said the Lib Dem’s shadow home secretary, Chris Huhne in raising an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons, supported by several MPs.

“The United States is not required to provide prima facie evidence when requesting extradition from the UK, although the United Kingdom is still required to provide evidence to satisfy the US constitution’s probable cause

requirement when seeking extradition from the US,” Huhne said.

The motion calls on Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government ‘to renegotiate the Extradition Treaty immediately to reinstate the requirement for prima facie evidence’.

It also urges the government ‘to reform the Royal Prerogative (that can be used by the prime minister) so that international agreements can no longer be entered into without meaningful reference to Parliament’.

The Extradition Treaty, which came into force in 2004, has been frequently criticized by many MPs and peers in parliament due to its unbalanced

nature caused by the absence of any reciprocal arrangement placed on the US and has resulted in many controversial cases.

MPs renew call for reviewof UK-US Extradition Treaty

A Bradford-based charity is planning to expand a pioneering education project to meet the needs of unemployed Muslims in the city.

The QED Madrassa project, has seen 3,000 pupils benefiting from a drive to improve education standards in the Muslim community.

Based on this successful partnership in education, Madrassas in Bradford have now agreed to work with QED to address high unemployment levels among Muslim communities. It hopes to provide basic skills training for 600 adults from all areas of the local Muslim community - male and female, from 16 years old to 60.

Mohamed Ali OBE, founder and chief executive of QED, said: “There is an unacceptable difference in the employment rate between Muslim communities and other communities.

This could get worse in the current economic climate and must be addressed if we want to have cohesive and harmonious communities.

“Madrassas are keen to play a role in addressing worklessness in our communities. This will be good for our society and shows the concern

community leaders have for these issues.”

He said training courses would include English language skills, how to prepare a CV and fill out an application form and improving interview skills.

Mr Ali added: “QED and Madrassa are leading the way in showing how deep-rooted obstacles can be

tackled with the support of grass root communities and we will be looking at new ways to address other barriers to Muslim communities’ educational, social, health and economic wellbeing.”

Fifteen Madrassas (supplementary schools held at the end of the school

day) and 45 schools across the Bradford district, led by QED-UK, have been working together for the past two years to improve the educational achievement levels of Muslim children. In that time more than 3,000 pupils have benefited, with better communication between mainstream schools and Madrassa teachers, thanks to the QED Madrassa project funded by the Department of School, Children and Families.

Mohammed Afsar of Madni Masjid said: “As a result of the QED initiative we have much better links with schools and now feel comfortable just picking up the phone and talking to teachers.

“Teachers have recently requested two weeks study leave from Madrassa studies so children can prepare for their SATs. We were pleased to agree

to this. This would not have happened in the past.”

QED has set up similar education partnerships with 45 Madrassas and 135 schools in Oldham, Manchester and Leicester.

For more information go to www.qed-uk.org.

Tackling high unemploymentwithin the Muslim Community


Posters showing misleading Israeli maps are being removed from London underground stations following a series of protests made to be Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), which led the complaints with Jews for Justice for Palestinians, welcomed the decision as a “victory” in the face of attempts by the Israeli Tourism Ministry to “deliberately deny the existence of Palestine.”

“These adverts wiped Palestine off the map. It was particularly grotesque to use this map in an advert for tourism, given that under the Israeli blockade of Gaza, even humanitarian aid staff are denied entry,” PSC said.

In a series of letters, British authorities were warned they would be “complicit” in displaying misinformation that “deliberately

wiped Palestine off the map.” The Syrian Embassy in London

also threatened to take “necessary legal steps” for the removal of the incorrect maps on the posters, which also excluded the occupied Golan Heights.

The posters, which started to appear last week, were due to go up at 150 sites across London in a campaign costing £40,000, but according to the Jewish Chroncile, they were prematurely withdrawn by the Israeli Tourism Ministry before the ASA made a ruling.

A similar complaint was upheld less than two years ago, regarding an advert in the Radio Times magazine that also used false Israeli maps.

PSC said it was “astonishing” that the new Israeli posters started to appear given that the earlier ASA ruling against similarly misleading maps.

The BBC has offered to apologise to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) after broadcasting claims that the mainstream umbrella organisation encouraged the killing of British troops.

No final settlement has been reached but the BBC has accepted that the comments were unfair, the state-funded broadcaster said Saturday. According to the Daily Mail, the BBC has also offered to pay £30,000 ($45,000) in damages.

The offer comes after the MCB threatened to take legal action for comments made by former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore during BBC television’s Question Time discussion programme in March.

Moore accused the MCB of being reluctant to condemn attacks on British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He went on to claim that it said it was “actually a good thing, even an Islamic thing to kill or kidnap British soldiers.”

The Mail reported that following the threat of a writ, the BBC originally made an offer of ‘amends’ and an apology on the Question Time website, but said this was rejected with MCB demanding an apology to be broadcast.

Former prime minister Tony Blair was being questioned for the second time by British MPs over his role as envoy to the Middle East Quartet of the UN, EU, US and Russia.

The all-party Foreign Affairs Select Committee was asking Blair on his assessment of recent developments, notably Israel’s latest slaughter of over 1,400 Palestinians in Gaza and the election of a new US administration and Israeli government.

After giving evidence last June, the International Development Committee welcomed his plans to set

up economic enclaves in the West Bank but expressed fear they may legitimize the Israeli occupation. The committee warned that the projects must facilitate the creation of a viable contiguous Palestinian state, while criticising the continuing expansion of illegal Israeli settlement. The Quartet was also criticised for not pressing Israel to ease its inhuman siege of Gaza.

The former prime minister has come under scrutiny in Britain over the extent of the work he has been doing since being appointed as the

Quartet’s envoy two years ago, while also taking several lucrative business posts, spending time on speaking tours of the US and writing his political memoirs.

The evidence session with Blair is the third held by the Foreign Affairs Committee as a follow-up to its inquiry in 2007 on the Middle East in terms of global security, in which it criticised the UK’s refusal to talk to Hamas as being “counterproductive” and concluded that the so-called Roadmap for Peace had “largely become an irrelevance.”

Blair questioned on lack of work as Middle East envoy

Misleading Israeli mapsremoved from Underground

BBC offer apologyto Muslim Council of Britain


A former civil servant is threatening to sue a British minister, saying British security agents colluded in his torture by Bangladeshi officers who held him as a terrorism suspect, an official said.

Home Secretary office said it had received a letter from lawyers for Briton Jamil Rahman, who says he was beaten and tortured over two years by intelligence officers in Bangladesh, and British MI5 security officers ignored the abuse.

Britain launched a criminal investigation in March into whether its secret services were complicit in the torture of British resident, Binyam Mohamed, released in February after nearly seven years in detention in Guantanamo Bay.

Rahman, 31, who was brought up in Britain but settled in Bangladesh in 2005 after marrying a woman he met while travelling there, told the Guardian newspaper he was arrested along with his wife in December 2005.

The Guardian news paper reported that according to his account, which will form the basis of a legal case against Home Secretary, he was stripped, repeatedly beaten and told that his wife would be raped, murdered and her body burned.

Rahman said two British men who identified themselves as MI5 officers also questioned him, but would leave the room while he was beaten. He said

during the two years of interrogations, he was accused of “masterminding” the July 2005 bomb attacks in London, which killed 52 people.

“The security and intelligence agencies do not participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment “

Home Office statement Lawyers for Rahman have written to the Home Office saying they plan to suen charge for complicity in assault, unlawful arrest, false imprisonment and breaches of human rights.

The Home Office declined to comment on the specific allegation but issued a statement saying the British government “unreservedly condemns the use of torture as a matter of fundamental principle and works hard with its international partners to eradicate this abhorrent practice worldwide.”

But human rights group Reprieve, which campaigned for Binyam Mohamed’s release from Guantanamo Bay, said Rahman’s case “provided yet more evidence of systemic and widespread complicity in torture on the part of British secret services”.

“The only difference between this practice and what happens at Guantanamo Bay is that this torture is decentralized and outsourced,” said Reprieve spokeswoman Clara Gutteridge.

UK govt faces legal actionover new torture claims

Photo Shows: Binyam Mohammed

Demonstrators from all over the UK converged on London in May to express solidarity with the continuing plight of the Palestinians under Israeli besiege in Gaza.

The Remember Gaza march was

organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in conjunction with Stop the War Coalition (STWC), British Muslim Initiative, Palestinian Forum in Britain and CND with the support of more than 35 peace groups, political parties, human rights organisations, trade unions, humanitarian charities and faith groups.

Speakers at the march to Trafalgar Square included several MPs and MEPs as well as Palestinian representatives from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem among many others.

Forum in Britain and CND,

criticised the lack of attention given to Gaza just month’s after Israel’s latest slaughter of over 1,400 Palestinians.

Israel carried out a ruthless and incessant bombardment of Gaza every day between December 27 last year and January 19, slaughtering over 1,400 Palestinians, including 314 children.

STWC said that Israel is seeking to “justify its actions by broadcasting massive misinformation about the history of Gaza, its inhabitants and its leaders.”

“Most of the media in the UK are either too ignorant or too intimidated,” it said, The world may have forgotten but the mass demonstration proves that people have not, it added.

passionislam.com

London demo expresses solidarity with Gaza


British Muslims planning to travel to Makkah this year for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages have been targeted by conmen in the past and there’s no reason to think this year will be any different.

Which makes this latest warning from consumer Affairs Minister Gareth Thomas timely.

With the average cost of a round-trip at £2,500, Gareth Thomas has written to mosques and community groups to highlight the risk of scam artists.

“People are entitled to get what they are paying for and this is even more important in the current economic climate,” he said.

“Tour operators should have an Air Travel Organiser’s licence (ATOL) which means they are covered by industry-wide regulations which will ensure that pre-payments are protected and, in the event of a tour operator going bust, flights home are guaranteed.”

Since meeting with tour operators and pilgrims’ groups last year, applications to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from Hajj tour operators seeking an Air Travel

Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) have doubled.

The CAA’s Deputy Director of Consumer Protection, David Moesli, said: “Every year tens of thousands of British Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

“If you are one of these it is important

to ensure your arrangements are ATOL protected so that you don’t lose out if the company you’ve booked with goes bust. On the CAA website you can check that your Hajj tour operator

is ATOL protected.”Any firm arranging flights as part

of a package must have an ATOL, which ensures that payments are protected if the company goes bust. Travellers will be refunded, or can finish their trip and be flown home if they are already abroad when the company collapses.

After the collapse of Luton-based tour operator Go4 Hajj last year, pilgrims were refunded £270,000 from the firm’s ATOL protection.

Pilgrims who find fault with aspects of their Hajj travel arrangements should contact their local Trading Standards Department for advice when they return home.

Contact details for trading standards offices are available from Consumer Direct on 08454 04056

Beware dodgy Hajj touroperators to Makkah


A Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) has been formally launched in UK following adoption of a constitution and election of an executive.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) here on Monday welcomed the community-led, independent initiative to facilitate good governance in mosques, both Shi’a and Sunni, and provide practice advice to improve the standards of services through self-regulation.

“MINAB is a milestone for the community as British mosques, of all Islamic traditions, will come together to encourage and promote good practice,” said MCB, the country’s largest umbrella Muslim organisation.

“Mosques should become a beacon for all of us, and we hope MINAB will conduct pioneering work that will eventually illuminate this goal for all of us,” MCB Secretary General Abdul Bari said.

The advisory board, which has so far been joined by nearly six hundred mosques and Imam training institutes, was launched at a meeting

of its membership in Birmingham, central England, on Sunday. It comes after public consultations for a draft constitution and standards were started back in November 2007.

MINAB was originally founded by four voluntary and independent Muslim organisations, including the Al-Khoei Foundation, the British Muslim Forum and the Muslim Association of Britain as well as the MCB, after agreeing to commit themselves to work together for the betterment of the Muslims in Britain.

“Learning from our own ethos of seeking the common good and being inclusive, the MCB has endorsed MINAB to ensure that British mosques of all shades can come together to promote good practise and strive to offer better services not only to British Muslims, but also to the wider community at large,” Bari said.

Khurshid Drabu, the project director and election commissioner of MINAB also described the launch as “an historic event not just for the Muslim communities in the UK but for the whole of the society.”

“MINAB has set an exemplary standard in community development and cooperation. It commits the membership to a structured program for addressing the practical needs of the Muslim communities. MINAB aims to be an enabler- not an enforcer. It will assist mosques to function as community hubs and as centres of community cohesion,” Drabu said.

Mosques advisory board launched

Intelligence companies and institutions operating in the West, including the UK and the US under the guise of non-government organizations, are tools for exerting influence on other countries, particularly those in the Third World.

Illegal activities of western intelligence companies in other countries, especially after the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the illegal actions of members of these companies in the two states, including killing and kidnapping, torture, blackmailing local officials, looting cultural and historical relics and interfering in policy making, have been the focus of attention by civil and human rights organizations and media.

Illegal actions of companies such as US Blackwater in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the backing of occupying forces, will never be

forgotten by the public and human rights activists.

Examples of such enterprises are BIPSC of Britain, established in February 2006, to conduct intelligence activity outside the UK.

Only intelligence companies active outside the UK can attain membership of the organization and all companies should accept its charter and rules to be its member.

The priority for all the members will thus be protecting British interests and the minor importance will be human rights and non-interference in internal affairs of the host country.

A report presented by Amnesty International this month says British companies outside the UK violate human rights but are not punished for the violation. The violations are so gross that even British parliament has asked for investigation and scrutiny.

Even in some cases, British

companies accused of violating human rights have been subject to lesser punishment.

British Foreign Office last month issued a proposed draft, supporting the companies following self-devised laws.

British government’s proposal encountered strong opposition by pro-human rights groups, including the International Committee of the Red Cross.

One of the members of the International Committee of the Red Cross Simon Brooks strongly reacted against the UK government’s move regarding the security companies following the arbitrary laws.

He said the key point is that all intelligence companies should follow international human regulations and the Geneva Convention.

passionislam.com

British intelligence companiesmeans for infiltrating other states


The governments restrictions on entry visa for overseas students are deterring many law-abiding foreign students who contribute billions of pounds to the British economy, academics and education experts are warning. “Students are apparently treated with great suspicion by most British authorities, when 99.9% are absolutely legitimate,” Professor David Weir of Liverpool Hope University’s business school told The Guardian.

The government introduced in March a new points-based immigration system for overseas students coming from outside the European Union.

Some of the laws are extremely complicated that many students fail to abide by.

“We’re very worried. We’re hearing different stories from the Home Office and agencies around the world about how they interpret the rules,” says Professor Julian Birkinshaw, the London Business Schools’ deputy dean for programs.

Home Offices Border Agency (UKBA) officials make decisions based on photo backgrounds and addresses written in the wrong order, experts say.

“This is a one shot game students don’t get a second try if there’s a mistake on their application form,” notes Andrew Clare, associate dean

of Cass Business School.

“If UKBA officials can’t get it right how are overseas students going to fare?”

Not only students. Even overseas academics are facing the same dilemma of lengthy delays and inconsistencies in visa decisions.

In one case, an academics application was rejected because a copy of a degree certificate from 20 years ago had been submitted, rather than the original.

“It’s also adding extra layers of difficulty and bureaucracy in trying to recruit high quality international faculty,” laments Jonathan Slack, chief executive of the Association of Business Schools.

Academics warned that the deterring laws are harmful, not only to students but to Britains educational institutions. “If 10% of our non-EU students who have been accepted onto our programs are denied entry, that puts us in a really dangerous place because we rely on those people to cover our costs,” says Professor Birkinshaw.

Overseas students have become a lucrative source of income for British

universities, contributing an estimated £2.5 bln each year in tuition fees.

The British Council estimates international students are worth more than £8.5 bln to the national economy.

The Quality Assurance Agency, the university watchdog, said earlier this year that some universities were now financially dependent on overseas students.

Duncan Lane, director of advice and training at the UK Council for International Student Affairs, fears that the tough visa laws is likely to cause problems.

“Word gets round quickly,” he explains.

“There are bound to be teething problems but high rates of refusals will cause students distress and threaten the UK higher education export market.”

British pilots in Afghanistan are firing an increasing number of “enhanced blast” thermobaric weapons, designed to kill everyone in buildings they strike, the Ministry of Defence has revealed.

The admission, was made by ex Defence Secretary John Hutton in a written parliamentary reply,

Hutton reported that more than 20 US-designed missiles, which are officially described as having a “blast fragmentation warhead,” have been fired by pilots of British Apache attack helicopters so far this year, the same number as in the whole of 2008.

British Apaches were initially

equipped with lighter anti-tank Hellfire missiles, which are said to simply make a “small hole” in a building and allow the enemy to run away unscathed.

The Liberal Democrat’s shadow defence secretary Nick Harvey, who obtained the information on the UK firing the enhanced US missiles, accused the Ministry of Defence of becoming “trigger-happy” given its reluctance to admit even using the weapons.

“If these controversial weapons are being fired on a weekly basis in Afghanistan, we need to know that

they are being used according to strict rules of engagement,” Harvey warned.

According to the Guardian, he said that human rights groups have “serious concerns about the effect of these weapons in populated areas, and their legality seems to be a grey area. “

“The last thing we need in this counter-insurgency campaign is the allegation that civilians are dying at the hands of some kind of terror weapon. Parliament must be reassured these are a weapon of last resort,” Harvey told the daily.

Suspicion deters foreign students

UK using ‘enhanced’ US missiles in Afghanistan

12 I WORLD NEWS Passion Islam I June 2009

France said that it welcomed the announcement that a new government had been formed by the Palestinians under President Mahmoud Abbas with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad as chief executive.

“We recall the full confidence of France in President Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for the re-launching without delay of the peace negotiations with Israel,” a French Foreign Ministry statement said.

The statement also said that France expected the Palestinian side to “respect the commitments made within the road map and to implement the Palestinian reform and development plan with a view to creating am independent, sovereign, viable, democratic and modern state, living in peace and security beside Israel.” France noted that “important results have been obtained over the past months, notably in the area of management of public finances and security.” The French government will continue its support for the Palestinian Authoritys efforts to implement the reform and development plan and for the reconstruction of Gaza, the statement indicated.

Also, France “reminds the Israeli authorities that stability and development in the region will come about by a freeze in settlements, the easing of restrictions on movement and the lifting of the blockade of Gaza,” the statement stressed.

Israel has been resisting any serious consideration of Palestinian statehood and the proposal of a “Two-State” solution to the conflict.Israel has also defiantly continued to build and authorize future construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and in East Jerusalem, despite international calls to halt this activity.

On the Palestinian side, France said it would continue to seek to promote “the necessary reconciliation” between Palestinian factions, notably Hamas and Fatah, and the French government reiterated its support for Egyptian mediation between the two sides.

The French government also affirmed its willingness “to work with a (Palestinian) government of national union whose positions and actions reflect the principles of the peace process.”

Jordanian special forces simulate a hostage rescue operation during the opening of the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre near Amman.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II inaugurated yesterday a regional counter-terrorism training centre at a ceremony attended by General David Petraeus, the top US commander in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The $200mn King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre

in Yajuz, on the northern outskirts of Amman, was partly funded by the US, officials said.

“Everyone involved has helped to produce an impressive world-class training centre...” Petraeus told the ceremony, attend by royal family members as well as regional and international military delegations.

“This... centre will offer countless opportunities for specialised training for the special operations forces of Jordan as well as regional international partners,” he said.

Petraeus said the facility will also help boost regional security. “We can’t achieve our shared goals and protect ourselves from our common threats without strong co-operation with each other,” he said.

Centre director Gary Harrell said the 500-dunum (125-acre) facility is

designed to provide “the best training available to counter-terrorism forces who seek to hone their battle skills and refine their techniques or prepare for deployments.”

Harrell added that the centre, located in an old quarry, has “absolute state of the art equipment, targets, (and) the latest in instrumentation.”

Jordan, a key US ally, has received $5.6bn in economic and military aid since 1952 and enjoys a reputation as one of the region’s safest countries.

The kingdom approved a tough anti-terror law after three suicide bombers killed 60 people and wounded almost 100 in attacks on luxury hotels in Amman in 2005. “The centre is a true example of Jordanian-US partnership to fight all types of terrorism,” said Jordan’s army chief General Khaled Sarairah.

Anti-terror centre opens in Jordan

France welcomes newPalestinian government

Finding a halal restaurant just became significantly easier for American Muslims, thanks to a new smart phone application launched this month that makes dietary religious observance a piece of cake.

Ask dietary-cautious Muslims in the west what their major challenge is when it comes to eating religiously-permitted foods and they’ll say finding a halal place on-the-go. But with Halalpal, an iPhone application that locates halal restaurants and eateries throughout the United States, sticking to a halal diet has become much easier.

The search engine application designed for Apple’s iPhone gives users a list of nearby restaurants with maps, contact information, price categories and recommendations

The application scans the internet -- mainly Google, Yahoo, Yelp and the online guide to halal restaurants and products known as Zabihah.com -- to produce a list of halal eateries sorted by distance.

Rami Dodin, Halalpal’s 26-year-old founder, said “Halal eating is a very niche thing and it is hard to get specific search results off of Google and Yahoo because they do not target that specific customer group,” he explained.

Halal choice on the go

Passion Islam I June 2009 WORLD NEWS I 13

The United Nations and its partners launched $543 million appeal in humanitarian aid for Pakistan’s Internally Displaced Persons due to fighting in the country’s northwest.

Pakistani officials say that clashes between the security forces and Taliban militants have displaced around 1.9 million people in Swat valley and Malakand.

A total of 165 projects presented by 52 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners require around $543.

With $88 already provided or committed, the humanitarian community is calling for the remaining US $454 to be contributed urgently, to fund the assistance needed by the most vulnerable and worst affected

for the rest of the 2009, says a statement issued by United Nations Information Center Islamabad.

It said that fleeing from intensified insecurity in Pakistan’s northwest provinces, some 1.7 million displaced people have been registered since early May and are now either living in relief camps or with host families.

Traumatized by their journey, and leaving with virtually nothing, these vulnerable men, women, and children are in urgent need of food rations, safe water supply, medical assistance and shelter from soaring temperatures.

Displaced children need to be able to continue schooling, mothers and babies need special health and nutrition assistance, and all displaced

families need access to primary and emergency medical care, as well as clean water and sanitation to prevent the spread of disease. In addition, the overstretched resources of host communities need to be supplemented to provide for the families they are supporting.

“The scale of this displacement is extraordinary in terms of size and speed, and has caused incredible suffering,” notes the acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Martin Mogwanja.

“We are calling for generous support from the international community, in addition to the assistance being provided by both ordinary families and the national authorities.”

Latest reports say over 550,000 people have now fled their homes due to the military operation in the NWFP region. As many as 1.3 Million people may be affected. The situation is extremely hazardous due to continuous bombing and shelling. A large number of people have sustained serious injuries.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres said: “This is a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency which is going to require considerable resources beyond those that currently exist in the region.”

A large number of women have become widows and may children have been orphaned. Thousands of displaced people are living in

extremely poor conditions. The refugees are facing a shortage of essential food items, clean drinking water and medicines. Women and children are crying due to the food shortage and transportation is insufficient to ferry the injured people to the hospitals.

Ummah Welfare Trust (Charity Reg. 1000851) has been responding to the emergency crisis. Over £100,000 has already been spent on emergency food aid, shelter and medical clinics. A further £1 Million has been allocated from the charity reserves towards assisting the displaced refugees.

Muhammad Idrees, the chairman of the trust, told reporters that they

had set up relief camps at a number of locations to provide help and support to the people most affected. Transportation has been arranged to help the victims flee the conflict and settle within the camps. Many families are currently fully dependant on UWT Aid.

UWT has launched an emergency appeal to aid the victims of this catastrophe. Emergency food packages have started to be delivered to each family at a cost of £100 per family. The running of each medical clinic is costing £250 per day.

You can donate online: www.uwt.org or ring: 0800 4 0800 11 / 01274 390396

NWFP (PAKISTAN) CRISIS APPEAL

UN launches $543 million appealfor Pakistan’s displaced persons


Washington has given Pakistan data on militants in the Afghanistan border area gathered by surveillance drones in Pakistani airspace under an agreement with Islamabad, US officials said.

Confirming the existence of the program, which started in mid-March, US military officials said it allowed the Pakistani military to request missions over specific areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Under the agreement, Pakistan had requested a handful of missions over specific areas, the last of which was in mid-April, the officials said.

‘I wouldn’t call it deep penetration into Pakistan. Flights were limited to the areas they had requested information on,’ said one military official speaking on condition of anonymity.

Islamabad has publicly complained

of missile attacks by CIA drones on al-Qaeda and Taliban militants

in the border areas while pressing Washington to provide it with such vehicles to allow it to conduct its own anti-militant operations.

The United States conceived the missions as a way to extend surveillance of safe havens from

which the militants threaten US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The militants have been extending their threat to government control

in Pakistan.US officials said they did not know

why Pakistan’s military had made no recent requests for drone surveillance missions, which had provided video and still images.

‘We don’t do any of this without their requests to assist and support them in their operations,’ said Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

‘They haven’t asked for any additional assistance along those lines over about the last 30 days,’

he said while testifying to the Senate Armed Services Committee on the 2010 defence budget.

US defence officials disputed a Los Angeles Times report that said Pakistan had exercised joint control over US surveillance drones within its airspace.

Mullen’s public comments prompted Senator Carl Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate panel, to criticise Islamabad for publicly condemning CIA missile strikes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

‘I wish they’d tell their public about their support of our operations instead of attacking us for them, because that is one of the things that just creates propaganda fodder for the very people who are out to destroy us and them,’ Levin said.

US officials say that CIA missile strikes are carried out under an agreement with Islamabad that allows Pakistan’s political leaders to decry the attacks in public.

New US-Pakistan plan for sharing drone data

Washington has given Pakistan data on militants in the Afghanistan border area gathered by surveillance drones in Pakistani airspace under an agreement with Islamabad, US officials said.

Confirming the existence of the program, which started in mid-March, US military officials said

of missile attacks by CIA drones on al-Qaeda and Taliban militants

in the border areas while pressing Washington to provide it with such vehicles to allow it to conduct its own anti-militant operations.

The United States conceived the missions as a way to extend surveillance of safe havens from

which the militants threaten US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The militants have been extending their threat to government control

New US-Pakistan plan for sharing drone data

Dubai already has the tallest office building, the tallest residential building and the biggest aquarium in the world and now has the longest ambulance to its list of records.

The world’s longest ambulance is 18 meters (59 feet) and can hold up to 44 patients at the same time, according to Khalifa bin Darri, head of the Dubai Ambulance Center (DAC).

The Dubai Ambulance Center said it intends to contact the Guinness Book of World Records to register the ambulance as the world’s longest. Guinness could not be reached for confirmation, though rumors circulated in local internet forums about its immenent

entry into the record book.“ The ambulance will be a mobile

hospital that immediately goes to the accident scene and rescues a large

number of the injured who will get treatment inside till they are transferred to the hospital “Khalifa bin Darri, Dubai A m b u l a n c e Center The blue-and white stretch-a m b u l a n c e

features a helicopter landing pad on its roof as well as internet and satellite facilities for the doctors. With state-of-the-art operating rooms, an intensive care unit, a radiography room and an integrated pharmacy, the ambulance is more like a mobile hospital.

Dubai unveils longestambulance in the world

The Emirati-designed ambulance is bigger than a bus and is expected to begin operations in three months, he added.

When asked about the reason for launching the world’s longest ambulance, Darri said that the U.A.E. has recently witnessed a series of serious accidents, the most memorable of which was last year’s crash on Abu Dhabi road involving more than 200 cars.

“It was necessary to have an ambulance that can take as many patients as possible and offer them immediate treatment. Thus, an Emirati team designed the ambulance and sent the design to a German company to manufacture it,” he explained.

“This is a huge leap in the world of ambulance services. It is not just a traditional ambulance that transfers patients to the hospital, but it offers full medical services at the scene. The patient might not even need to go to the hospital at all,” said Darri, adding that it was also more time- and cost-effective than sending several small ambulances.


The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has joined the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in calling for safe humanitarian access to reach 500 needy families in western Farah province.

A s p o k e s p e r s o n for UNAMA told reporters in Kabul Monday that a convoy of IOM trucks has been trying to deliver essential humanitarian supplies to the Bala Baluk district in the province, where a number of civilians were killed, and others displaced, as a result of recent air-strikes.

IOM trucks loaded with food, shelter and clothing supplies meant for about 500 families have been

stopped en route because of security concerns, a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC).

UNAMA has stressed that safe passage is needed for these supplies to reach people in desperate need, and called on all parties to respect the neutrality and impartiality of this critical humanitarian effort.

The Mission added that IOM, in coordination with other UN partners, has conducted an assessment of almost 1,200 newly displaced families in the southern Kandahar province who have left their homes from the neighbouring province of Zabul due to insecurity. IOM has dispatched household kits for distribution to these families.

With the coalition government led by the Congress party back in power in India and a stable government expected to rule the country, the rupee is gaining in strength against the US dollar. This, however, is not welcome news for the millions of Indian expatriates, especially those in the lower income group in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region whose currencies are linked to the dollar.

Most of the foreign exchange operators in the Kingdom forecast the rupee to strengthen as Indian stock markets are surging.

Raju Gopal, working in Speed Cash in Khobar, said that people have been calling to ask about the exchange rate. “People were expecting the rate to go up and we are receiving a lot of

phone calls enquiring about changes in the exchange rate. Few weeks back one riyal would buy you about 13 rupees. On Sunday it was 12.74 rupees for one riyal, and on Tuesday it was 12.47 rupees. We expect the rupee to strengthen further as Indian stock markets are trading with confidence in light of the new stable government,” said Gopal.

Abdul Razak, who works in a banking establishment in Jeddah, said that Indian expats here are worried about the strengthening of the rupee. Krishna Kumar, an Indian expat working as a salesman in Dammam, said that he is a bit upset about the current situation. “I tried my best to send as much as possible to India before the results were out because

I expected the rupee to strengthen. Now I’ll wait until the rupee weakens before I send money to India,” he said. Kumar said that he makes sure to know the rate on a daily basis so that he can analyze the market fluctuations.P. Asif, an accountant in a private firm, is also worried about the current situation, but he believes that eventually the rupee will decrease in value. “The world economy is still in recession and the Indian economy is no exception. The current gain of the rupee is in response to the surprise election result, but I doubt that it will stay strong for more than a month. At least I hope not,” said Asif. - SG

Indian expats fear rupee boost

UN urges safe passagefor aid en route to Western Afghanistan

New shopping centres in Dubai should have mosques and health clinics for the convenience of shoppers, according to a new order given by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Prime Minister of the UAE made his comments while he was inspecting Aswaq shopping centre, the latest mall to open in the emirate.

The facilities will allow mall visitors to shop and perform their prayers.

Sheikh Mohammed instructed the authorities concerned to conduct required studies for implementing the order as soon as possible.

The Aswaq shopping mall is the first in a series of malls, which will be constructed within the next five years in different districts and quarters of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed has backed plans to set up a chain of 22 shopping centres throughout the emirate to reduce the burden of residents who had to travel far to visit malls.

Dubai ruler callsfor mosques in shopping malls


Women won four seats in Kuwait’s parliament, the first women to do so in the Gulf Arab state’s history, official election.

Liberal Aseel al-Awadhi and Rula Dashti were declared among the first 10 winners in the third district. Awadi came in second position while Dashti was in seventh place.

Former health minister Massouma al-Mubarak, who became the first Kuwaiti woman minister in 2005, and another female candidate, Salwa al-Jassar, also secured seats in parliament.

“ It’s a victory for Kuwaiti women and a victory for Kuwaiti democracy “Aseel al-Awadhi Liberal activist al-Mubarak led all candidates with a big margin in her district, while independent candidate al-Jassar was in seventh position in her district.“It’s a victory for Kuwaiti women and a victory for Kuwaiti democracy,” a jubilant Awadhi told AFP after the announcement of results. “This is a major leap forward.”

Awadhi, 40, is a professor of political philosophy at Kuwait University. She got her doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. She was expected to win but no one predicted she would come in second place.

Kuwaiti women, who make up 54.3 percent of the 385,000 eligible voters, were running in the elections for only the third time after they were enfranchised in 2005.

Sixteen female candidates were among the 210 hopefuls standing for the 50-seat parliament. In the previous two elections no women won seats.

Kuwaiti women win seats inparliment for the first time

French President Nicolas Sarkozy formally opened a French military base in the United Arab Emirates, the country’s first in the oil-rich Gulf region, as Paris eyed multi-billion-dollar deals to supply the UAE with nuclear power plants and advanced military aircraft.

The French and UAE flags were raised at the so-called “Peace Camp” in Abu Dhabi at a ceremony also attended by UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

The base will host up to 500 troops stationed in three sites on the banks of the Strait of Hormuz, just across from Iran: a navy and logistical base, an air base with three fighter planes and a training camp.

French officials said the naval base in the UAE, the world’s third-largest petroleum exporter, would deepen ties to the Gulf Arab state and fortify efforts to battle piracy and defend trade.

The base is France’s first major foreign military installation since the 1960s and its first outside Africa. It is expected help safeguard vital Persian Gulf shipping lanes.

France opens Gulf military base in UAE


The United Nations anti-torture committee called on Israel to release information on its secret detention facilities and to close such interrogation centers. Israel had completely denied the accusation.

During their examination of Israel, the 10 experts had presented allegations that Israel was running a “Facility 1391” in an “undetermined location within Israel which is not accessible to the International Committee of the Red Cross or detainees’ lawyers or relatives.”

“For several years now, the ISA (Israel Security Agency) is not involved in any way in operating that facility and no ISA interrogations are conducted there. Furthermore, since September 2006, the facility has not been used for detention “

The Israeli authoritiesIn conclusions published Friday, the committee said Israel should “investigate and disclose the existence of any other such facility and the authority under which it has been established.”

In a written reply, Israel had denied that it was operating the facility or using it to interrogate suspects.

“For several years now, the ISA (Israel Security Agency) is not involved in any way in operating that facility and no ISA interrogations are conducted there. Furthermore, since September 2006, the facility has not been used for detention,” said the Israeli authorities.

But in the report, the experts noted “with concern” that petitions filed to examine Facility 1391 were rejected.

In addition, Israel’s Supreme Court had ruled that Israeli authorities acted reasonably in not conducting investigations on allegations of torture carried out in the facility.

The court “should ensure that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment by detainees in Facility 1391 be impartially investigated, the results made public and any perpetrators responsible for breaches of the Convention be held accountable,” said the committee against torture.

A 4.5-km dual-track Light Rail service with a load capacity of 60,000 passengers per hour has been approved to ease traffic congestion in Makkah.

The light train will run all year from Shesha to Ghazza, said Munir Hasan Abbas Sindi, general manager of Doroob Company that has initiated the service as part of a massive project adjoining the Grand Mosque.

Called Darb Al-Mashair, the gigantic SR7.5 billion project includes development of a 1,185,000-sq.km area from Bin Dawood Shesha to Pedestrian Street leading to Mina.

To be developed by 2012 for multipurpose use, including the Light Rail service, the zone will have two 50-story buildings covering 150,000 sq. m., a domed shopping mall of 278,000 sq.m., a 292,000-sq.m. area for hotels, and 293,000 sq.m. for car parking.

Train stations will be built at Shesha and Ghazza, covering 37,000 sq.m. and facing the Holy Mosque, Sindi said The track will be fenced off and pass through pedestrian tunnels. For an uninterrupted stretch of the track, bridges will be built for the rail line to pass over roads. Sindi said the project includes two-way electrically operated beltways, known as travelators, running up to the doors of the Holy Mosque.

Darb Al-Mashair project has been approved by the Supreme Council for the Development for the Two Holy Cities and Makkah Mayor Osama Fadl Al-Bar, with the consent of Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. To be executed in partnership of the Makkah Municipal Corporation, the project is the fruition of the civil authorities’ endeavors to engage the private sector in addressing the growing traffic problem in the holy city.

UN seeks informationon secret Israeli prisons

SR7.5b Makkah projectincorporates Light Rail

18 I OPINION FEATURE Passion Islam I June 2009

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” Thomas Jefferson

Such descriptions of the mythical ‘god like’ concept of democracy could not be described more aptly and with such significance than the times British Politics is going through right now.

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for many MP’s in the whole Expenses debacle- a national laughing stock and growing signs of anger and frustration from the

British Population at Government and Politicians across the board.

Ratings for News channels must have soared as reality TV took a new turn with each day unveiling who has been caught in another expenses scandal. In fact Newspapers might even be thinking of releasing an end of the month top 30 ‘Lunacy Chart’ that orders the most scandalous MP expenses Issue in order with a prize for the most ‘well behaved’.

As European Elections draw closer, there is huge debate on the Role of Politicians and whether Politics is a Career or a responsibility to the

masses and constituents.The endless line up of accusations

and betrayal of trust has drawn a huge gulf between Politicians and the people. Can they be trusted? Especially with the entire farce that has been just so difficult to swallow.

Sir Gerald Kaufman Labour backbench MP for Manchester Gorton was accused of claiming his flat in a posh block near London’s Regent’s Park was “a slum” and putting in bills for £38,834 of work on the kitchen and bathroom. He also claimed £1,851 for an antique rug, £8,865 for a luxury TV and £1,262 for a gas bill that was

MP Expenses Scandal

Politicians orDemocracy to blame?

By Majed IqbalIndependent Journalist

Passion Islam I June 2009 OPINION FEATURE I 19actually £1,055 in credit. He has no mortgage on the property but still claimed £115,109 over seven years.

Tory backbench MP Nadine Dorries took £18,000 in rent payments. Beds daily between Westminster and her “second home” in Bedford, where her daughter goes to school and her dogs stay. This would mean she claimed expenses on the wrong property.

Tam Dalyell Labour backbench MP until 2005 Accused Of: Asking for £18,000 worth of designer bookcases for his Scottish turreted castle, the House of Binns, just eight weeks before retiring as MP.

David Chaytor was disgraced following the revelation he spent nearly a year claiming £12,925 for a loan he had already paid off.Elliot Morley claimed £16,800 in 18 months after clearing his second home’s mortgage.

There was even an Oscar level performance between parties to present themselves as the leaders of rectifying the situation. Gordon Brown challenged David Cameron to justify why taxpayers should pay millionaire MPs’ mortgages.

He told Cameron: “The rich don’t need mortgages.” Cameron, the wealthy Tory leader has been claiming close to the maximum to pay a £1,176-a-month mortgage on a £1.4million Oxfordshire house. Rich Shadow Chancellor George Osborne bought his £445,000 constituency home in Cheshire for cash but then raised a mortgage on it, charging the taxpayer £1,560 a month.

Anthony Steen Tory backbench MP for Totnes tried to use the sympathy vote after claiming the maximum £87,729 over four years for items including tree surgery, protecting shrubs against rabbits, a wrought iron fireplace and a survey of his rhododendrons at his £1million Devon mansion.

He Said “It’s just the system is wrong and for the public it’s totally confusing and they think we’re all crooks - but we’re not.”

Are these all just simply examples of rotten apples that need to be ‘pushed out’ to allow more ripe and a newer breed of Politicians to come out?

The American Writer, Elwyn Brooks described so simply that “Democracy is itself, a religious faith. For some it comes close to being the only formal religion they have”.Hence it is of no surprise that Politicians have run away from criticising the ‘D’ word- Democracy. And this is no different for the News Channels, Newspapers, Magazines, Political websites, journals and blogs, all who have criticised politicians and not the Democratic system which breeds such corruption.

What is even more surprising is how the Muslim community has constantly been bulldozed into accepting democracy as part of parcel of a formation of a common identity and shared values that all British citizens must subscribe to.

In fact it was Hazel Blears, another Politician in the firing line over expenses claims, that even organised a Muslim youth advisory group to tackle ‘extremism’ and mobilise this body to engage in Politics as a counter path to those who advocate non –participation for the very above reasons.

As part of these efforts we have already seen ‘Exemplar’ ‘Muslim’ politicians presented to us in the past as voices for the Muslim Community but in the last weeks have really shown that their politics has nothing to do with serving communities but only themselves.

After Blear’s scandal, are such Politicians in the position to lecture the Muslim community on the ideals and ‘benefits’ of Democracy?

Are Shahid Malik and Khalid Mehmood simply just bad Muslims that need to be replaced with better Muslim in the Democratic process?

The ‘D’ word has reached a stage where it is sacrosanct to even question it, despite the fact that as a system it is institutionally corrupt, produces terrible laws and has switched off millions from the political process.

So is there any surprise that Muslims in Britain challenge the narrative of Democracy as the only form of governance that can guarantee prosperity? Is there any surprise when the same ideals are imposed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan that people in these regions show concern? How can such a discredited system be presented as ‘the’ model of governance countries should have?

Even more so, how can the British Government in their latest adventure, the “Contest 2” document label a Muslim as extremist who challenges Democracy?

“We want to move away from just challenging violent extremism. We now believe that we should challenge people who are against democracy and state institutions”,

This is not just a grievance relegated to a particular community, but seems to be an idea that many have reservations for- and this is not just restricted to the recent expenses furore.

“Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.” Oscar Wilde

“The more you read and observe about this Politics thing you got to admit that each party is worse than the other” - Will Rogers

“Saying we should keep the two-party system simply because it is working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts.” - Eugene McCarthy

20 I SPECIAL CHARITY FEATURE Passion Islam I June 2009

Imagine the inconvenience one would have to undergo in arranging to meet the country’s president? Imagine the numerous phone calls to parliament and the influence of the rich and ‘powerful’ people that would be required just to arrange a simple meeting with him? And finally, when the scheduled time does arrive after hours of anticipation, how alert and ecstatic wouldn’t one be? Yet, the ‘prominent’ man, hard-pressed for time, would give one an inattentive hearing and will be eager to conclude the meeting. How disappointing?

Now compare all this effort with just a ‘simple’ wudu, donning of clean respectable clothing, and there you are, in the Majesty’s court. With no hassle and no appointment, you have the distinguished opportunity of conversing with your Beloved Creator, The King of Kings with His full attention focused on you. Yet ironically, this time round, we are the ones ‘too busy’ in our thoughts to dedicate a few attentive moments to our Allah!

Allah Ta’ala states that an intoxicated person should not perform salāh until he is aware of what he says, that is, until he is sober. However, while commenting on this verse and the deplorable state of our salāh, Imām Ghazali هللا همحر mentions, “There are many who despite not being intoxicated are yet ‘unaware’ of what they utter in their salāh (due to being inattentive).”1 Moulānā Dhul Fiqār مهتاكرب تماد has also very aptly compared our salāh to a passenger aboard an aeroplane. The passenger is asleep and therefore totally oblivious of his surroundings. It is only when the aircraft prepares for landing and the wheels forcefully strike the runway, does he awaken and realise

what is happening around him. He states that, so too is the pitiable state of our salāh. That is, during our salāh, we are so unmindful of Allah Y; it is as though we also ‘fly’ in our own world of thoughts (touring countless destinations with neither a visa nor a passport at hand!). It is only when the imām makes the salām, do we ‘awaken’ from our ‘slumber’ only to realise that the salāh has terminated!

These comments really serve as a perfect reflection of our daily salāh. So in truth, isn’t it time for us to improve on the ‘outdated version’ of salāh which we have been performing ever since!

In the Quran, Allah Y constantly reminds us of the need to improve our salāh by saying, “Establish your salāh (i.e. perfect it)”. The Úlamā have defined a perfect and attentive salāh to mean that when one stands before Allah , being conscious of his Divine presence, one should be motionless i.e. avoiding all unnecessary movement, while divorcing oneself from worldly thoughts - worldly thoughts should not be voluntarily imported to the mind. Yes, if they arise naturally, one should just ignore them and continue with the salāh. Disregarding this vital ingredient of concentration has led to our salāh becoming somewhat ‘bland, boring and mechanical’.

What did I just recite? Which rakat am I in? Do I have to stand up now, or sit for tashahud? are questions which haunt one in nearly every salāh. Remember that salāh is in reality a great gift from Allah Y which keeps us connected to Him despite our numerous involvements. However, as long as we don’t make an effort to improve our concentration, salāh will continue to be regarded as a burden. For, Allah Y states, “(Salāh) is difficult

and burdensome except for those who are mindful.”

The ahādīth also explicitly state that concentration in salāh is the factor which determines the amount of reward one receives for the salāh. Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam has mentioned, “Whoever makes a thorough wudu and then performs an attentive salāh, while being mindful and conscious of what he says, will complete his salāh with all his (minor) sins erased like the day his mother gave birth to him.”3 A similar narration has it as, “Jannah becomes wājib (guaranteed) for this person.”4 Note again that, these benefits depend on the level of one’s concentration in the salāh. So why deprive ourselves when a little effort will make for a better, as well as a more enjoyable, salāh!

The ‘Secret Ingredients’to a Better Salāh

ADVANCE PREPARATIONTry and complete all needs and duties before the approach of salāh, or at least leave them in such a condition that would not distract the mind during the salāh. It is sinful to perform salāh in an uneasy distracted state of mind when one is able to avoid it.

A distracted mind also refers to performing salāh when in need of relieving oneself or of even passing ‘wind’ (i.e. flatulence). In fact, if such an acute need does occur during the salāh, the salāh should be terminated and only resumed once at ease (irrespective of whether, by doing so, the salāh with congregation is missed or not).

WUDUPerform a thorough wudu maintaining the fard, sunnah and mustahab

The MissingIngredientin Our Salāh!

Passion Islam I June 2009 SPECIAL FEATURE I 21

aspects. Utilise a moderate amount of water and desist from all worldly talk. Involvement in such talk ruins the spirituality of the wudu totally. Remember! The key to salāh is wudu. So, a better wudu will surely lead to a better salāh.

SWITCH THE MIND OFFThe stepping stone to an attentive salāh is to ensure one commences it with a tranquil and relaxed mind. To achieve this, try and be seated in the Musjid (or the place of salāh) before time and recite a little amount of zikr. Just as how the blades of the fan continue to rotate well after the switch is turned off, so too is the effect of all activities on one’s mind. Coming early for salāh will also secure the good fortune of performing the salāh with the first takbīr (takbīr ūlā) which is extremely meritorious.

CLEAR THE AREAPerform the salāh away from any distractions such as the radio, nasheeds which are playing, discussions of people, noise etc., as these naturally distract and divert the mind during the salāh. If possible, try to perform salāh on a plain printed musalla instead of a heavily designed one. Otherwise, one would be concentrating on the designs and counting of the domes and minarats instead of counting the number of rakats.

TIPS Some Úlama have recommended a simple though effective technique to achieve concentration. In every posture of salāh, one should meditate on only three things. These are: My Allah is watching me, My Allah is listening to me, and My Allah is aware of me. With this frame of mind, one should recite the various tasbīhāt, qirat etc. of the salāh.

Those who are well versed in Arabic should ponder over the meanings of the verses while others should try to learn the meanings of a few sūrahs, especially Sūrah Fātihah, since it is recited most often. Many of us have our set sūrahs for a 2, 3 and 4 rakat salāh. Hence, on completion of Sūrah Fātihah, before even thinking

and realising what sūrah to choose and recite, we are already half way through these sūrahs. In this case, we should recite other sūrahs such as Sūrah Yasin, Tabarak etc. Pronouncing the letters loud enough as to hear it yourself (but not loud enough as to disturb others) is also extremely useful in focusing one’s attention in the salāh. We should also try to perfect the outer postures of salāh including the focusing of one’s gaze in each posture. If greater concentration is achieved by closing the eyes during the salāh, then in this case only, one may close the eyes.6 However, the ideal would be to achieve this concentration by keeping them open as was the Sunnah (practice) of our Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam.

THE YAWNSMore often than not, yawning is the result of one being absent-minded during the salāh. Nonetheless, if it does occur, one should first try to suppress it (by closing the mouth). If one is unable to do so, then the right hand should be used to cover the mouth, if one is in the standing position. Otherwise the left hand should be used if in any other posture of the salāh.

NOTE: It is makrūh to use the hand to cover the mouth when yawning during salāh if one is able to suppress it by doing so with the mouth only.7 Sounds such as ‘Ha...’ etc. should not be uttered while yawning as this has been prohibited in the Ahadith.8

FIDDLINGThe most obvious and apparent sign of an inattentive mind is that of fiddling and fidgeting. Saeed Ibn Musayyib a great Tābi’ī, once saw a ,هللا همحرman who was fidgeting with his beard during the salāh and commented, “If this man was attentive, his body would have (also) being motionless.”9 If the mind is alert and attentive, subsequently, the physical body also becomes composed and tranquil. Let us avoid all unnecessary movement during the salāh.

SHORT AND SWEET

Initially, concentration should be developed by performing shorter (not quick and hasty) salāhs while trying to focus in each posture. Once the desired concentration is achieved, one may then perform lengthier rakats of salāh. This was the practice of many of our pious elders.

A GROSS MISUNDERSTANDING A common understanding of an attentive salāh is that, one should be totally absorbed and oblivious of one’s surroundings during the salāh. This is incorrect. Experiencing such a condition is simply a gift from Allah Y and is in no way a requirement of salāh. In fact, at times this may even be a subtle scheme from Shaytan to sway us away from mustering up courage and attempting to perform a perfect salāh. Since, one would think that such a salāh is out of my reach and impossible for me to perform, so I’ll just carry on with my old inattentive one. Nevertheless, an attentive salāh simply means that one should be aware and realise what one is doing during the course of the salāh. For example, one should be conscious of the fact that now I am reciting Sūrah Fatiha, or now I am going into ruku, sajda etc. this much is sufficient when initially correcting our salāh.

If after carefully practicing on these points, one still does not achieve the desired concentration, one should not be disillusioned. Remember that concentration comes through practice while salāh has to be performed in all circumstances, with or without concentration.

Shaytan will find this to be an ideal opportunity to sway us away from salāh with thoughts such as, ‘what good is your salāh if your mind is wandering all over the place?’ The Úlama state that our effort is to ‘try’ to concentrate in the event of not having achieved concentration.

Allah wants to see our sincere attempt in developing that better salāh. If one entertains stray thoughts during the salāh, repent sincerely and make a resolute intention of improving the salāh. In addition to this brief compilation, the following books should also be consulted.

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22 I SPECIAL FEATURE Passion Islam I June 2009

Belief in Taqdeer (Fate) is a principle article of the Islamic faith. This is often a misunderstood concept giving rise to many unanswered questions such as:

If destiny has already decreed the final abode of a person then to what avail are his deeds or his supplications to Allah?

Many narrations refer to certain actions as a cause of increase in ones wealth, lifespan and also a means of averting calamities. For example Thawban reports that the Messenger of Allah said, “Verily a man is deprived of a provision (that was written for him) because of a sin that he commits; only supplication changes destiny; and only righteousness can increase the life span.” (Nasai, Ibn Majah) How may this be when everything has been preordained through destiny?

I shall attempt to explain the concept of Taqdeer in a simple and categorical manner.

Firstly, the purpose of mankind’s creation is that we worship Allah the Almighty and we show obedience to Him. Allah states in the Holy Qur’an,

“I created the Jinn and humankind only that they might worship me.” (51:56)

Secondly, this world serves as a test of our obedience towards our creator and so that He may reward us in the next world accordingly. Allah states in the Holy Qur’an, “Verily we created man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so we gave him (the gifts), of hearing and sight. We showed him the way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).” (76:2-3)

Thirdly, the notion that this world

is a test warrants that the subjects being tested possess free-will or else there would be no meaning to such a test.

With the above in mind the concept of destiny may further be explained by understanding destiny to be Allah’s knowledge of how the individual is going to use his free-will rather than a pre-decided factor being enforced upon him without giving him a fair chance. Consider the following example: An appointment is arranged between two individuals. The first arrives before time and waits for the second; he then comments that the second will arrive late as always. He bases his prediction on previous experience and the lax nature of the second individual. This statement does not restrict or bound the latter’s ability to attend on time in any way, it is merely an assertion. Similarly, when Allah the Almighty informs us, through his infinite knowledge, of his knowledge of our precise actions and our consequent abode it should not be perceived to be a compelling decision against our free will, but rather only his knowledge of our decisions.

To summarise, every individual has been given free-will and should use it to work towards attaining the pleasure of Allah and that Allah has full knowledge of the individual’s actions; past, present and future.

With regards to the second misconception, the possibility of increase in ones wealth, lifespan and aversion of calamities despite destiny being pre-ordained, Allah says, “Allah blots out what he wills and conforms (what he wills): and with Him is the mother of the book (i.e. book of

conclusive records).” ( 13:39)Commenting on the above verse

Mujahid said, “During Laylatul-Qadr (night of the Decrees), Allah decided what provisions and disasters will occur in the next year. He then brings forward or back (or blots out) whatever He wills.” (Ibn Katheer)

Scholars derive from the above that destiny is of two types:

Muallaq (revocable)This destiny is written on ‘The Preserved Tablet’ (al Lawh al Mahfoodh), and is subject to change and alteration through the omission or commission of certain deeds. For example: the lifespan of a person is originally 50 years, but may increase to 60 years if he performs the ritual of Hajj, or a certain calamity is to befall him unless he averts it by spending in charity. This is the destiny refereed to in the aforementioned narration.

Mubram (irrevocable)This destiny denotes the eternal knowledge of Allah. It encompasses the final result of the Muallaq destiny i.e. our choice of actions, their consequences and every precise detail of our lives. This definite knowledge of Allah is not subject to change or alter even slightly and is exclusive to Allah only.

In the light of the above the following may be derived:

Our supplications do change destiny and are of much avail. Good deeds are a source of increase in ones sustenance, and avert calamities. Sins result in a decrease in ones sustenance, and invite calamities.

Lets call it Fate


Some three-four million Muslims live in Latin America and over 50,000 of them are Hispanic. Majority of Muslims there have roots from Middle Eastern countries like Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. There are large Muslim populations in Brazil, Venezuela and Columbia. Mosques and prayer houses can be found in all major cities.

Islam in Latin America began with Muslim journeys to the continent even before the arrival of Columbus. Evidence of this early contact is based on world maps produced by Muslims in the early 16th century. Later, during the voyages of Columbus to the New World, some Muslim Moors are believed to have accompanied him, fleeing persecution in the Iberian Peninsula. In Brazil, the importation of African slaves during the colonial period accounted for a substantial influx of Muslims into the continent. Little is known whether these early Muslims were able to maintain their faith.

The Islamic influence on regional architecture and culture between 1600-1800 CE is still visible today in cities such as Lima, Cholula and Guatemala City. Lima, the capital of Peru, is famous for its Tapadas Limenas or Covered Women in Lima. During the 18th Century, there was uprising of Muslim slaves (Brazil201835).

Since late 19th century, Arabs first began to immigrate from the Middle East to Latin America. The descendants of these immigrants are still found today in significant numbers. Further, emigrants from Syria, Lebanon and Palestine increased during the mid 20th Century after Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its surrounding areas. These Muslims were largely merchants and became influential in local trade. Many have even held leading positions in government.

In the 1980s, many who had previously lost touch with their Islamic roots have been turning back to Islam. Over the last 25

years, increasing numbers of Catholics of Hispanic and Indian American origin have been accepting Islam. Local mestijo and indigenous people are embracing Islam in larger numbers.

In the 1990s, majority of Da’wah activities were spearheaded by reverts (converts) to Islam. Each year more students from Latin America complete their Islamic studies at institutions around the Muslim world.

Influential Arab Muslims did play an important role in setting up Islamic centres. But now the spread of Islam has been taken forward by Hispanic Muslims. Converts in Mexico run majority of activities.

Colombian Dawah CenterOne of the Islamic centers in Latin America is the Colombian Dawah Center, situated in the area of Dos Quebradas in the city of Pereira. Pereira itself is located in one of the main coffee growing regions of Colombia. Its central location and easy access to other parts of the country make it an ideal location for the establishment of an Islamic center.

The first mosque in Pereira was built in 2007. It is the focal point of the Muslim community, and serves as a center for Islamic learning and social gatherings. Some of the activities and facilities at the Colombian Dawah Center include:• Baraka Cafeteria, which serves halal food for Muslims;• Islamic classes that teach basic aspects of the religion;• Hosting regional Islamic conferences and Da‘wah workshops;

The Center aims to become self sufficient in due course so that it can fund its own activities. It does not want to be dependent on external bodies for assistance. The key focus is on developing an Islamic center that caters to the needs, culture and sensitivities of the local people.

By Dr. Mozammel Haque

Islam growing inLatin America

Masjid Omar in Maicao, Colombia

Lets call it Fate

24 I SPECIAL FEATURE Passion Islam I June 2009

Formation of the Shaafi’ee Madh-hab:Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. combined the Fiqh of Hijaaz [Maalikee thought] with that of Iraq, [Hanafee thought] and created a new Madh-hab which he dictated to his students in the form of a book called ‘al-Hujjah’ [The Evidence]. This dictation took place in Iraq in the year 810 CE and a number of his students memorized his book and narrated it to others. [Among these students were Ahmed Ibn Hambal of the Hambalee Madh-hab and Abu Thawr of the Abu Thawr Madh-hab]. This book and period of his scholarship are usually referred to as al-Madh-hab al-Qadeem [the old school of thought] to differentiate it from the second period of his scholarship which occurred after he reached Egypt.

In Egypt he absorbed the Fiqh of Imaam al-Layth Ibn Sa’d and dictated al-Madh-hab al-Jadeed [the new school of thought] to his students in the form of another book which he named al-Umm [The Essence]. Because of his exposure to a completely new set of Hadeeths and legal reasoning, in al-Madh-hab al-Jadeed, he reversed many of the legal positions which he had held while in Iraq. Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. holds the distinction of being the first Imaam to systematize the fundamental principles of Fiqh which recorded in his book called ar-Risaalah.

Sources of Law used by the Shaafi’ee Madh-hab:

The Holy Qur’aan:Ash-Shaafi’ee did not differ from the previously mentioned Imaams, in their uncompromising stand in relation to the primacy of the Holy Qur’aan among the sources of Islamic law. He relied on it as heavily as those before him adding only the new insights which he gained from a deep study of its meanings.

The SunnahImaam Ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. laid down

only one condition for the acceptance of Hadeeths, namely that they be authentic [Saheeh]. He rejected all other conditions set by Imaams Abu Haneefah R.A. and Imaam Maalik R.A. He was also noted for his great contributions to the science of Hadeeth criticism.

IjmaaAlthough ash-Shaafi’ee had serious doubts about the possibility of the Ijmaa in a number cases, he conceded that in the few cases where it was known to have occurred, it should be regarded as the third most important source of Islamic law.

Individual Opinions of the SahaabahCredence was given by Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. to the individual opinions of the Sahaabah on condition that they were not at variance with each other. If there were conflicting opinions among the Sahaabah on a legal point, he, like Imaam Abu Haneefah R.A. would choose whichever opinion was the closest to the source and leave the rest.

QiyaasQiyaas was, in the Imaam’s opinion, a valid method for deducing further laws from the previous sources. However, he placed it last in order of importance, considering his personal opinions inferior to proofs based on the opinions of the companions.

Istis-haab [Linking]Both the principle Istihsaan used by Imaam Abu Haneefah R.A. and Istislaah used by Imaam Maalik R.A. were rejected by Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. and considered a form of Bid’ah [innovation], since, in his opinion, they were based mostly on human reasoning in areas where revealed laws already existed. However, in dealing with similar issues ash-Shaafi’ee was obliged to use a principle similar to Istihsaan and Istislaah which he called Istis-haab. Istis-haab literally means seeking a

link, but legally it refers to the process of deducing Fiqh laws by linking a later set of circumstances with an earlier set. It is based on the assumption that the Fiqh laws applicable to certain conditions remain valid so long as it is not certain that these conditions have altered. If, for example, on account of the long absence of someone, it is doubtful whether he is alive or dead, then by Istis-haab all rules must remain in force which would hold if one knew for certain that he was still alive.

Main Students of theShaafi’ee Madh-habThe most important of Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee’s students who continued to follow his school of thought were: al-Muzanee, ar-Rabee and Yoosuf Ibn Yayhaa.

Al-Muzanee [791-876 CE]Al-Muzanee’s full name was Ismaa’eel Ibn Yahyaa al-Muzanee. He was the constant companion of Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee throughout his stay in Egypt. Al-Muzanee was noted for writing a book which comprehensively gathered the Fiqh of ash-Shaafi’ee. Later condensed under the title Mukhtasar al-Muzanee, it became the most widely read Fiqh book of the Shaafi’ee Madh-hab.

Ar-Rabee’ Al-Maraadee[790-873 CE]Ar-Rabee was noted as the main narrator of ash-Shaafi’ee’s book al-Umm. He wrote it down during Imaam ash Shaafi’ee’s lifetime along with ar-Risaalah and other books.

Yoosuf Ibn Yahyaa al-BuwayteeYoosuf Ibn Yahyaa succeeded ash-Shaafi’ee as the main teacher of the Madh-hab. He was imprisoned and tortured to death in Baghdad because he rejected the officially sanctioned Mu’tazilite philosophy on the creation of the Holy Qur’aan.

Followers of theShaafi’ee Madh-hab The majority of the followers of the

THE FOUR MADHABSThe Four School of thoughts Part 3

Continued from last month


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Shaafi’ee Madh-hab are now to be found in Egypt, Southern Arabia, [Yemen, Hadramout], Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, East and South Africa and Surinam in South America.

THE HAMBALEE MADH-HABThe Founder: Imaam Ahmad[778-855 CE]The scholar to whom this Madh-hab is attributed is Ahmad Ibn Hambal ash-Shaybaanee, who was born in Baghdad in the year 778 CE. He became one of the greatest memorizers and narrators of Hadeedth. Ahmad studied Fiqh and Hadeeth science under Imaam Abu Yoosuf, the famous student of Imaam Abu Haneefah R.A. , as well as under Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee R.A. himself. Imaam Ahmad R.A. went through a series of persecutions under the Caliphs of his time due to their adoption of Mu’tazalite philosophy.

He was jailed and beaten for two years by order of Caliph al-Ma’moon (rule 813-842 CE), because of his rejection of the philosophical concept that the Most Holy Qur’aan was created. Later set free, he continued teaching in Baghdad until al-Waathiq became Caliph (rule 842-846 CE) and renewed the persecution. Thereupon Imaam Ahmad R.A. stopped teaching and went into hiding for five years until Caliph al-Mutawakkil (847-861 CE) took over. Caliph al-Mutawakkil ended the inquisition permanently by expelling Mu’tazilite scholars and officially rejecting their philosophy. Imaam Ahmad R.A. continued to teach in Baghdad until his death in 855 CE.

Formation of theHambalee Madh-habImaam Admad’s greatest concern was the collection, narration, and interpretation of Hadeeth.

His teaching method consisted of dictating Hadeeth from his vast collection known as al-Musnad, which contained over 30,000 Hadeeths, as well as the various opinions of the Sahaabah concerning their

interpretation. He would then apply the Hadeeths or rulings to various existing problems. If he could not find a suitable Hadeeth or opinion to solve a problem, he would offer his own opinion while forbidding his students to record any of his own solutions. As a result, his Madh-hab was recorded, not by his students, but by their students.

Sources of Law Used by the Hambalee Madh-habThe Most Holy & Glorious Qur’aanThere was no difference between the way Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hambal R.A. approached the Holy Qur’aan and that of those who preceded him. In other words, the Holy Qur’aan was given precedence over all else under all circumstances.

The SunnahLikewise, the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam occupied the number two position among the fundamental principles used by the founder of this school in the deduction of laws. His only stipulation was that it be ‘Marfoo’ i.e. attributed directly to the Prophet Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam.

Ijmaa of the SahaabahImaam Ahmad R.A. recognized the consensus of opinion of the Sahaabah, and placed it in the third position among the fundamental principles. However, he discredited the claims of Ijmaa outside the era of the Sahaabah as being inaccurate, due to the vast number of scholars and their wide diffusion throughout the Muslim empire. In his opinion Ijmaa after the era of the Sahaabah was impossible.

Individual Opinionsof the SahaabahIf a problem arose in an area where the Sahaabah had expressed conflicting opinions, Imaam Ahmad R.A., like Imaam Maalik R.A. would give credence to all the various individual opinions. Because of that, there developed within the Madh-hab

many instances of multiple rulings for individual issues.

Hadeeth Da’eef (Weak Hadeeth)For a ruling on a case where none of the previous four principles offered a ready solution, the Imaam used to prefer to use a weak Hadeeth rather than applying his own deductive reasoning (Qiyaas). However, this was on condition that the weakness of the Hadeeth was not due to the fact that one of its narrators was classified as a Faasiq (degenerate), or a Kadh-dhaab (liar).

QiyaasAs a last resort, that is when no other major principle could be directly applied, Imaam Ahmad R.A. would reluctantly apply the principle of Qiyaas and deduce a solution based on one or more of the previous principles.

Main Students of the Hambalee Madh-habImaam Ahmad’s main students were his own two sons, Saalih (died 873 CE) and Abdullah (died 903 CE). Imaam Bukhaaree and Muslim, compilers of the most outstanding collections of Hadeeth, were among the great scholars of Hadeeth who studied under Imaam Ahmad R.A.

Followers of theHambalee Madh-habThe majority of the followers of this Madh-hab can now be found in Palestine and Saudi Arabia. Its survival in Saudi Arabia, after almost completely dying out elsewhere in the Muslim world, is due to the fact that the founder of the so called Wahhabbee revivalist movement, Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhaab, had studied under the scholars of the Hambalee Madh-hab, and thus it unofficially became the Fiqh Madh-hab of the movement.

When Abdul Azeez Ibn Sa’oud captured most of the Arabian peninsula and established the Saudi dynasty, he made the Hambalee Madh-hab the basis of the kingdom’s legal system.

Passion Islam I June 2009 CORRESPONDENCE I 27

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