In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 1

32 Pages Rs. 20 Bangalore English Monthly October 2014 Vol. 27-10 No. 334 Zee Haj/Muharram 1435/36 H

Amanath Cooperative Bank World's Religious Leaders Speak out against Extremism Depositors Mount Pressure to Astana: Religious leaders from who are really capable of Avert Takeover around the world congregated for contributing to the dialogue a meeting in the Kazakh capital between different religions. Depositors will lose nearly a third of their money if the Astana, last fortnight, showing Among them, of course, will be Canara Bank takes over the Amanath Bank. unity to make themselves heard presidents and prime ministers," by politicians, in a world torn Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister By A Staff Writer September 18, office bearers restored to persons of integrity apart by conflicts between Yerzhan Ashikbaev told a press of the Amanath Bank Share- within the community. It indicated civilisations. conference. Bangalore: Pressure is being holders and Depositors Protection that resourceful people from the The leaders met to prepare for Only that way, many of the leaders mounted by depositors and well- Committee demanded that the community have come forward the 5th triennial Congress of say, can the initiative move from wishers of Amanath to pump in some Leaders of World and Traditional words to action, which is vital Bank against its money and fulfil the Religions. to finding a definitive solution takeover by Canara RBI’s conditions to "It is very necessary that this for a series of conflicts falsely Bank which has notified allow the Bank to Congress transcends the dialogue characterised as having a religious that it would deduct 32% get back to normal among religious leaders to purpose by the people who start of the depositors money transactions. The promote another dialogue, them. in the event of takeover Committee President between the religious leaders With Islamist extremism at the materialising. This is Syed Rahmathulla and the politicians. And it must centre of world attention due to besides the takeover of alleged that the be a dialogue between people the rise of the Islamic State (IS) the entire assets of the present management who listen," Kazakhstan Senate terrorist group, all the leaders Bank whose value runs headed by Mr. Naseer President Kasim Zhomart Tokaev meeting in Astana wished to into crores. Currently Ahmed—a Congress said in an interview with Efe make it clear that in no way could money deposited MLC and a relative news agency. terrorism be related to one of the by several mosques of Mr. Rahman Distinguished representatives faiths on the planet. managing committees, Khan—instead of from Islam, Christianity, "All the leaders meeting here wakf institutions and Several mosque committee, orphanages filing criminal cases Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, today have emphasised that Islam orphanages is locked and community charity organizations for the recovery of Taoism and Shintoism met in has nothing to do with terrorism. up in deposits with will lose charitable funds if the Amanath fraudulently siphoned Astana for the 13th meeting of the That has even been underscored Amanath Bank which Bank is takenover by another bank. off amount, is seeking Congress's Secretariat. by representatives of Christian is under instructions merger of the Bank The 5th Congress, to be held in religions," Yerzhan Mayamerov, from the Reserve Bank Bank’s former President K. with Canara Bank. Astana in June 2015 under the Kazakhstan's grand mufti, told of India not to allow Rahman Khan, other directors Mr. Rahmathulla said title, "Dialogue among Religious Efe. depositors to withdraw and defaulters be prosecuted for that if the takeover or merger was and Political Leaders in the Name "Conflicts around the world amount exceeding Rs. 1,000 in six alleged misappropriation of funds allowed the Canara Bank would of Peace and Development", affect more and more places, and months. of the bank and new directors be deduct funds of several religious seeks to open new avenues of millions of people suffer. And Prosecute Rahman Khan inducted for generating resources organizations which were already communication and cooperation. not for their political stances, but In a press conference on and the control of the bank be Page 5 "We will invite politicians Page 22 advertisement ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 2 ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 3 five-acre plot in Hajj Ghars at Gulbarga and a Teachers Day Celebrated at Asian Kids School two-acre plot Bangalore: The Asian Kids Mohamed Hashim, the Gulbarga, M.lore too in Mangalore School celebrated Teachers children enjoyed the day have been Day on September 5. as they listened to the Bangalore: The Hajj Ghar is identified for Chief guests Mrs and Mr guests sharing their life likely to be commissioned soon the purpose. M P Shivakumar, retired experiences. The children and the pilgrims for Hajj are Minister for Information director of MESCOM, gained moral support likely to depart from there next Infrastructure and Hajj Mr. were present along with the by knowing about their year. Assurance to this effect was R. Roshan Baig pleaded for presiding guest, Mr. Radha lives. Currently, Asian given here by Chief Minister Mr. enhancement of official Hajj Krishna. According to the Kids have branches at Siddramaiah on September 12 quota for Karnataka pilgrims. He President of the school, Mr. Page 12 on the eve of the commencement urged that the quota for private of Hajj flights to Jeddah from operators needs to be curtailed. Bangalore. The Quddoos Sab He informed that the Hajj Ghar Eidgah in the City may be hosting under construction in the northern its last Hajj camp this year. outskirts of Bangalore will have The Chief Minister said an an international sized auditorium additional Rs. 17 crore was and will host several community allocated for the construction of related events and activities. Hajj Ghar in this year’s budget. Incidentally, it is the 20th year He said Hajj Ghars will also come that Hajj pilgrims from Karnataka up in Mangalore and Gulbarga are departing from the improvised which have become embarkation Hajj camp even while all states in points for Hajj pilgrims from the the country have set up permanent State in recent years. He said a Hajj Ghars in their capitals. BGRT wins the “Emerson Cup Excellence Award-2014”

Bearys Global Research Triangle academia as a benchmark project. (BGRT), Whitefield, Bangalore, Emerson Cup Excellence Award has won the “Emerson Cup is an annual competition initiated 2014 -Excellence Award”. BGRT by Emerson Climate Technologies is India’s first Platinum LEED USA, recognizing innovation certified R & D Park, globally and outstanding energy efficient recognized by both industry and designs in the HVACR industry. Analysis ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 4 By-election Outcome Mesmerizing Spell is Wearing Thin By A Staff Analyst joint might into seat for the two Gandhi invented the canard of from Gorakhpur MP Swami appeal a second time. secular parties, the victories were cattle smuggling across the border Avaidyanath and Sakshi Maharaj. That a party should lose the popular The reverses suffered by the less than convincing ones. It was of Bangladesh being used to fund One feels like saluting favour so soon after its meteoric Bhartiya Janata Party in the two only last month that the Congress rise on the national level, is worth rounds of by-elections indicate registered impressive wins in People are realizing that no one has the taking note. All that it conveys is that the Party’s votebase is much Uttarkhand and Karnataka, the magic wand to alleviate the economic that the people were momentarily like a sand dune and would two states where it rules. As for suffering of the masses. swayed by the concerted and crumble over time if the party’s other states like Andhra Pradesh, well-oiled campaign during the government does not deliver on Tripura and Assam, the outcome terrorism. Earlier reports from the the secular minded Hindu April-May elections, sick as they the promises of growth, good of by-elections largely reflects the Border Security Force had denied majority who saw through were of the decade long United governance and inflation. Within existing ratio between Congress any such trafficking. And there the game of deception by the BJP Progressive Alliance reign. With less than four months of swearing- vis-à-vis other parties. Only was usual fiery communal rhetoric and refused to fall for its partisan Page 5 in of the BJP government at the surprise comes from West Bengal Centre, the party seems to have lost where the saffron party could favour with the electorate in most manage to win a seat and open its populous states of Uttar Pradesh account in the state legislature. and Bihar. In Rajasthan which The kind of campaign the BJP had returned it in every alternate ran in Uttar Pradesh reflects the Assembly polls, the party’s rival mindset of the party. It seems has still much fire in it. the party is all for promoting In Uttar Pradesh the BJP has ceded communal divide and strife and the ground to the Samajwadi Party shows no sign of power at the in a big way. In Rajasthan the Centre sobering down its leaders. Congress is clearly recovering its It imported the nasty oxymoron ground. And surprisingly, even ‘Love Jihad’ theory from Kerala/ in Gujarat, the bastion of the BJP Karnataka despite the fact that it since long, Congress has begun had failed to come up with any to cut ground from beneath the conclusive evidence to prove its party’s feet. Though in Bihar an veracity. Union Minister Maneka alliance between Laloo Yadav and Nitish Kumar could translate the ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 5 Scholarships Disbursed ‘Walk for Harmony and Love’ By A Staff Writer scholarships among students livelihood. He asked the parents New Delhi: Khudai Khidmatgar Hemant Sharma from Asha ranging from first to 10th to see that every child attains and Sadhbhav Mission organized Parivar, Rizwan Ahmed, Tabish Bangalore: Women’s NGO, standard. education up to degree stage or a ‘Walk for Harmony and love’ on Bhatti from Khudai Khidmatgar, Tanzeemul Mohsinath distributed Speaking at the occasion, takes a diploma and turns out to 21 September, the International Poonam Kaushik and others scholarships be a disciplined citizen. Peace Day in New Delhi. The participated in the walk. among 160 Mrs. Ayesha Wajid of Meher walk started from the Sacred Heart Ram Mohan Rai of Gandhi students from Care Foundation asked the Church, reached the Gurudwara Global Family said that the need underprivileged mothers to impart good moral Bangla Sahib and then to Moti of the hour is that we all should background on training to the kids. Others Masjid and finally ended at the come forward and fight against September 16. who spoke and distributed Hanuman Mandir. communalism. A battery of the cheques at the occasion Various Social Activist and Khudai Khidmatgar leader Faisal women activists included Dr. Asifa; Aasra Home Gandhians like Veena Behan, Khan said that unfortunately handed over the for Women general secretary Khudai Khidmatgar leader Faisal most religious places have been cheques to the Mrs. Fazlunnisa; Aasra Home Khan, Prof VK Tripathi from captured by communal people students at the president and founder Mrs. Sadhbhav Mission, Prof Sanat and we need to expose them and Shadab Shadimahal on Tannery journalist Maqbool Ahmed Siraj Sajida Begum and Rizwana Taj, Mohantee from IIT Delhi, Ram propagate the real messages of Road. Tanzeem Secretary Sajida exhorted the Muslim women to vice president. Mrs. Naseem Mohan Rai from Gandhi Global peace, harmony and love, taught Begum said a sum of Rs. 2.50 avoid early marriage of girls and Sajad of Zain Designers presided Family ,Faizan Arish from Jamia by all faiths. lakh was disbursed by way of engaging the boys into earning of over the function. n Millia Islamia, Praveen Kumar, (Twocircles.net) Page 1 Amanath Cooperative Bank ... Spiritual Leaders under financial stress. It cited the sanctioning of loans while tune around the end of call for Panel to case of the 120-year old Muslim Mr. K. Rahman Khan the month insisting on Orphanage which had huge was the President of the commitment of funds stop Riots amount deposited in Amanath Bank, to the tune of Rs. 63 prior to induction. New Delhi: Spiritual leaders from Bank which at no cost be allowed crore. The amount of the As we go to the press various faiths have decided to to be punished for merger of a defaulted loans has now around September 25, set up a formal group to suggest bank plundered by the Muslim gone up to Rs. 102 crores the standoff continues measures to stop communal bigwigs of the community in by gathering interest. and it appears as if riots in India. A two-day event Bangalore. “Should the orphanage Secondly, it pointed out, Mr. Naseer is under - "Meeting of Diverse Spiritual inmates be punished for the Mr. Khan’s successor, Mr. tremendous pressure Traditions of India" - was called crimes committed by the rich and Ziaulla Sheriff waived not to allow the revival by Tibetan spiritual leader the the powerful”, he questioned. off Rs. 30 crores from the Standoff or restoration of Bank to the Dalai Lama here. Around 100 According to Mr. Rahmathulla, as outstanding loan (principal + Meanwhile, current President, community’s control. religious leaders and scholars of now the Bank’s position was interest) amount during his tenure Mr. Naseer Ahmed who in a The press conference was also decided to set up an action sound and a takeover could well against the norms of the banking meeting with several NGOs address by Mr. Sardar Ahmed committee. "The committee will be averted. He said the Bank has regulations. belonging to the community Quershi, President, Tippu Sultan recommend preventive measures Rs. 300 crores in liquid fund, gold in the first week of September, United Front; B. L. Shankar, or remedial action in response convertible into Rs. 35 crores in Govt Protecting the Defaulting promised to induct new members President, Dalit Sangharsh to any unfortunate occurrence of deposits against loans and a further Directors into the board of directors on Samiti; Syed Md. Iqbal of the conflicts within and between our Rs. 165 crores of secured loans. They said the Government of the promise of committing some Muslim Muttahida Mahaz and communities, especially when He said some resourceful persons Karnataka attached the personal funds necessary to bale out the Mr. K. L. Ashok, secretary, it takes place in the name of within the community were properties of the above stated Amanath Bank, had changed the Komu Souharda Vedike. n religion.” n willing to pump in Rs. 35 crores persons but they were able to to fulfill the RBI’s moratorium secure stay from the higher on the Bank’s functioning but courts in order to remain in wouldn’t do so unless they were possession of the property. He taken in as directors first. “But the told news persons that the RBI in present management was insisting its letter dated June 24 UBD(BL) deposits prior to nominating N04732/09-01-001/2013-14 this them directors, something not year has asked the Government agreeable to the management”, he to file criminal cases against ex commented. president, ex directors and the official who connived with them Bank can Still be revived in issue of loans. But the current The Committee referred to Congress government was the reasons given by the RBI protecting the defaulters, they for placing moratorium, i.e., asserted. Page 4 By-election Outcome ... prices keeping their rise upward, schisms, friction and conflict to the mesmerizing spell cast by the the mess and make the life even media is clearly wearing thin. more nightmarish. People are coming out of the The Congress and the regional stupor and finding that there is no parties too have to realize that their wishing away of harsh economic major test lies in addressing the realities and no one has the magic basic issues of removing poverty, wand to address the larger question ensuring affording education, of economic inequality, corruption health and housing for all. and inflation. Over and above that, Replacing communal propaganda the BJP’s communal politics is with secular rhetoric would not all likely to add a layer of social win them the lost ground. n ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 6 ISNA Condemns ISIS Killing of Britain to curb Muslim Brotherhood operations in London Journalist Steven Sotloff London: Britain is set to curtail at the activities of the Muslim The Islamic Society of North mainstream Muslims believe and Iraq and the Kurdish region. In Muslim Brotherhood activities Brotherhood in many countries. America (ISNA) has condemned practice. Our condolences go out 2005, ISNA was also a signatory and block activists coming to There have been submissions the vicious murder of American to the family and loved ones of to the Fatwa Against Terrorism London after report finds ties that have been given to us that journalist Steven Sotloff at the Steven Sotloff. We hope that those issued by the Fiqh Council of North with armed groups and extremists are very sensitive. One of the hands of the America. This expert in Middle East and elsewhere. main areas of concern raised with terrorist group that legal opinion (fatwa) Critics of the movement accuse it Sir John’s report was that the calls themselves clearly stated that it is of links to jihadist groups "Islamic State of forbidden to commit and of pursuing divisive Iraq and Syria" terrorism and violence sectarian politics that or ISIS. In a against civilians. Those infringe the freedom of statement, ISNA who take part in acts other religions and Islamic President Azhar of terror are criminals. interpretations. Officials Azeez said: "We The Islamic Society of privy to the drafting of condemn the North America (ISNA) Sir John's report said it continued un- is the largest and oldest had been handed over to Islamic behavior Islamic umbrella Downing Street and a statement Muslim Brotherhood charities of ISIS. We will continue to responsible for his murder will be organization in North on its findings would be published that now face renewed scrutiny reiterate that their actions have brought to justice for their crimes." America. Its mission is to foster before the end of the year. While by the Charity Commission”. no basis in the teachings of Islam. ISNA had condemned the ISIS the development of the Muslim it stops short of proposing a ban Egyptian officials believe Their barbaric actions represent killing of journalist James Foley community, interfaith relations, on the Brotherhood, it accepts much of its ongoing political terrorism and murder, both of and denounced ISIS attack on civic engagement, and better n thet some of the movement's activities have shifted to which are antithetical to what religious minorities near Northern understanding of Islam. activity amounts to complicity London, where the Brotherhood with armed groups and extremists maintains an international Ningxia Chinese to perform in the Middle East and elsewhere. office in Cricklewood. Other A senior British official involved predominantly Muslim countries Haj for the first time in the process said parts of the allow Muslim Brotherhood This year, an estimated region of Xinjiang, report are too sensitive to publish. operations, including Tunisia, 14,000 Chinese pilgrims otherwise known as "It's a very comprehensive look Libya and Kuwait. n will be performing the Haj East Turkestan, where pilgrimage. For the first the Muslims are largely Muslims fare better in time, Chinese pilgrims from of a Turkic ethnic Ningxia, an autonomous background, the Hui America than in Europe region will be performing population is a Sinitic A recent Pew Study revealed that African immigrants in France. the Haj this year. The first race that has accepted Muslims in America fare better As a community, they over- flight with 297 pilgrims Islam. n than Muslims in Europe. The whelmingly reject terrorism and from Ningxia arrived in (Reported by Irfan results of the study Jeddah last fortnight. A Mohammed) illustrate American total of 2,833 pilgrims Islam as diverse, inte- are scheduled to arrive from this grated, well-educated part of China. Some pilgrims and economically suc- expressed joy at being able to cessful. Additionally, perform the pilgrimage noting American Muslims that their parents had been unable are more tolerant of to do so owing to the restrictions other sects within in the past, Chinese media said. Islam. Their experi- Around half of China’s 20 million ence and situation in Muslims live in Ningxia, where the America is in stark people identify their ethnic group contrast to the experi- as Hui, a recognized minority ences of Muslims in Europe like identify first as Americans and in China. Unlike the Uighur the Turks in Germany and North then as Muslims. n Muslims in the autonomous Society ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 7 Pope lauds Albania’s This Trio stood steadfast when Christian-Muslim Harmony ATM Rained Cash Tirana: Pope Francis has said that killed, persecuted or forced to Albania’s inter-religious harmony flee their homes. The Vatican has By Asif Yar Khan decided to immediately alert open and there were piles of was an “inspiring example” for voiced mounting concern about the police control room on 100. cash inside,” says Lateef, who the world, showing that Christian- the exodus of faithful from lands Hyderabad: Deputy Commissi- Within minutes, a police team completed his B. Tech (electrical) Muslim coexistence was not only where Christian communities oner of Police (West) V. from S.R. Nagar police station last year. His father works as a possible, but beneficial for a have existed for 2,000 years. “Let Satyanarayana felicitated Shaik rushed and took possession of the teacher at a government school. country’s development. no one consider themselves to be Lateef, Prasad and Hari for their cash. Durga Prasad, who completed his “The climate of respect and the ‘armor’ of God while planning honesty. The trio, who went to While Lateef, hails from West B. Tech (EEE), last year is also mutual trust between collect cash from an ATM, found Godavari of Andhra Pradesh, his son of a school teacher, while Catholics, Orthodox and the door open and Hari Prasad’s par- Muslims is a precious gift Rs. 24.50 lakh inside ents run a tiffin cen- to the country,” Francis the machine. They tre in Mahabubnagar. said in his opening speech immediately informed Prasad is pursu- on his arrival in the Balkan the police who came ing Chartered nation, where Christians and collected the cash. Accountancy and and Muslims endured brutal They went to an ATM working as a part- religious oppression under centre to withdraw Rs. time accountant at communism, but today 200 for their friend’s a private firm on a live and work together peacefully. and carrying out acts of violence birthday party. But, monthly salary of “This is especially the case in and oppression!” Francis said in what they got in return Rs. 10,000. these times in which authentic the wood-paneled reception room tested their honesty, “Every month I save (Photo: Nagara Gopal) religious spirit is being perverted of Tirana’s presidential palace. upbringing and even about Rs. 3,000 by extremist groups, and where Muslims make up about 59 their friendship. friends, Hari and Durga Prasad for my studies. We religious differences are being percent of Albania’s population, For the three friends Shaik Lateef, are from Mahabubnagar district are grateful for our upbringing distorted and instrumentalized,” with Catholics amounting to 10 Durga Prasad and Hari Prasad, the and stay at a hostel in S. R. Nagar because our parents taught us a he told an audience that included percent and Orthodox Christians sight of nearly Rs. 25 lakh lying area. The three friends, who are lot on the virtues of honesty. We Albanian President Bujar Nishani just under that, according to the open in the ATM machine was a desperately seeking employment, owe it to them,” he says. The and the diplomatic corps. country’s official figures. Francis’ big shock of their lives. went to the ATM centre to three friends were felicitated by It was Francis’ first visit to a decision to visit tiny Albania “Never did we see such a huge withdraw cash and buy a cake for the West Zone police and by the majority Muslim nation since before any major European capital amount at one place. Thanks to the the friend’s birthday. State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH) the Islamic State crackdown on is in keeping with his desire for Almighty we did not get influenced “I inserted the card and withdrew authorities. Christians in Iraq, where members the Catholic Church to go to the at that point of time,” recalls Rs. 200 cash, when I noticed the (www.thehindu.com/news/cities/ of religious minorities are being “periphery.” n Lateef. The trio unanimously door of the ATM machine was Hyderabad) HUMANITARIAN ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 8 ISSUES Hyderpora Jamia Masjid becomes first Home for By Muddasir Ali newborn Kiran Srinagar: On September 12, when Srinagar was under flood, family found comfort in the At the hospital the doctors, after an expecting mother from Gujarat mosque after they were provided attending to Neeta, advised her found home in a local mosque accommodation in the first floor husband to bring her next day at Hyderpora on the Srinagar of the religious place. After being (September 13). Neeta was taken outskirts to give birth to a baby served tea and dinner, Kishore, back to the Masjid and provided daughter. hesitantly, broke news to the care under the guidance of local Kiran (ray of hope). The relief committee members that females. newborn, was christened in the his wife’s delivery date was on “We kept a vehicle ready to ferry mosque by locals after the family September 12, the day when from Gujarat, insisted that their the flood had already created “saviors” should name their baby. devastation in Srinagar, leaving Neeta, wife of Kishore from thousands homeless. Gujarat was brought to Jamia The committee members who “She was really humbled and Masjid Hyderpora, in a critical were already under stress to prayed for all of us when we condition by rescuers from provide food and shelter to arranged milk feeder for the new Bemina, one of the worst hit areas thousands of displaced survivors born,” said chairman of the relief by the devastating flood, which including outsiders didn’t waste committee, Nazir Ahmad Dar. killed around 280 people across time. After staying at the Hyderpora J&K. “We immediately rushed her mosque for two nights, the Besides, her husband, Neeta was (Neeta) to the nearby nursing Gujarat family left for their accompanied by her mother-in- home to ensure proper medical home-state on September 15. law and two other members of the treatment for her,” said Bashir They were dropped at the airport family. Ahmad Paul, another member in a vehicle, arranged by the “Fear was writ on their face and of the relief committee. At Photo Credit (AP) relief committee. they were desperate to get to the same time the committee the expecting lady to the hospital and a pack of tea and later we Dar said the committee also some safe place,” said Ghulam communicated to the hospital for check up during night,” said served tea to Neeta after she managed the air tickets for the Hassan Dar, executive member, authorities that it would bear all Paul. The vehicle was owned by asked for it,” said Dar. family. “All these days have relief committee, Hyderpora. charges for the medical treatment Dar’s son Touseef Ahmad. Later, in the evening of been testing times for all of us Under trauma, the Gujarat of Neeta. On September 13, Neeta after September 13 when Neeta was and we thought it is our duty to night stay at the Masjid was shifted back to the Hyderpora help the family,” said Dar. Golden Temple extends help in relief program again admitted in the hospital mosque after being discharged Two other expecting mothers where she gave birth to a baby. from the hospital, the members were also taken care of by the for flood victims in Jammu and Kashmir “Fortunately, it was a normal of the Gujarat family insisted Amid the rescue operations, where the armed forces evacuated over organizers at the mosque, the delivery,” said Ghulam Hassan that locals should christen their shelter home. “They were from thousands of victims, the IAF roped in help from Golden Temple Dar. “Kishore rushed to the new born. in Amritsar. The langar committee of the temple would provide Srinagar,” said Dar. mosque to inform the relief That is when a member of the The relief camp is serving the ready to eat meals to the victims. The Air force base in Srinagar that committee that her wife has relief committee came up with was providing 10,000 displaced people, who were put delivered a baby daughter and he the name Kiran. “Kiran means up in the mosque, for more than food packets per day thanked us all for help. He got so ray of hope and we had a hope previously felt the need 10 days now. “We had more than emotional that tears were rolling even when the devastating floods 1500 people from outside,” said to call in for help as the down his eyes.” ravaged the entire city,” he said. number of victims was Ghulam Hassan Dar. The first In the trying times, the relief After seeing the kind of treatment floor of the mosque was kept growing. committee did everything they received at the mosque and Shiromani Gurdwara reserved for females while as the possible to ensure the family that too in times of crisis, the men would stay in the 2nd floor. Parbandhak Committee has home like comfort at the mother in law of Neeta was all (SGPC) would initiate to provide food packets to the victims. The “Everyday hundreds of people mosque. thankful to the organizers, said would be served tea, lunch and IAF flew a special aircraft from Amritsar to Srinagar carrying “One of our volunteers travelled another member of the relief special food packets. dinner,” said Dar. a long distance to get pure milk committee. (www.greaterkashmir.com) ISLAMIC RELIEF AND RESEARCH TRUST (IRRT), KASHMIR Opposite L.D Hospital, Lal Mandi Road, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190001, India. Humanitarian Appeal for Flood Victims of Jammu & Kashmir State Islamic Relief and Research destitute, orphans, widows, and devastating violent conflict that Kashmir Valley. The devastating Food Items Trust (IRRT), Kashmir is in general to victims of conflict has brutalized the inhabitants of flood waters have left most of the 1. Rice an initiative for just and and natural calamities regardless the State resulting in thousands people without shelter, medicine 2. Wheat (AATA) compassionate society and is of caste, creed, religion, region of killings rendering numerous and food. At present, we are 3. Dry Milk (Nestle or a social/charitable enterprise and gender. children as orphans and spouses passing through the rescue phase Everyday) for equitable and sustainable IRRT is registered under law of as widows. To add insult to of the disaster management that 4. Baby Milk (Lactogen or change. IRRT was established the state and is also registered injury natural calamities and is simultaneously complimented Cerelac) in the year 2000 under the law with Home Ministry of India disasters time and again create by relief phase. After these two 5. Biscuits of the land. It is a non profit, under FCRA no. 152640002 and havoc adding to the miseries phases, we need to go for the 6. Sugar non-political, non-governmental is also registered with Income of the unfortunate masses. The rehabilitation phase that is the 7. Spices philanthropic organization Tax department under 12 A of I.T September, 2014 flood has long drawn and permanent one. 8. Tea based in Srinagar, Kashmir, Act. affected more than 60% of the At present we are in dire need of 9. Cereals India. It provides humanitarian Since last more than two decades, population of J&K state i.e. six the following items in terms of 10. Pulses assistance to poor, needy, the state of J&K is witnessing a million people, particularly of the immediate relief for the victims. Page 9 UPDATE ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 9 Legal Matter SC Ruling on Second Official Language Hope of Revival for Urdu in Uttar Pradesh

By Maqbool Ahmed Siraj Hindi Sahitya Sammelan which to secure linguistic secularism.” had approached the court against It also clarified that Article 345 There is no bar on adoption In a significant ruling in early the introduction of Urdu as the of the Constitution clearly laid of more than one language as September the Supreme Court second official language of the down that “the Legislature of a ‘Official Language’ of a State. has allowed State Governments to State on October 7, 1989 through State may by law adopt any one declare any language used widely an amendment passed by the or more of the languages in use in in the State as an official language UP Assembly. The bench was the State or Hindi as the language 40 years after Independence UP The October 7, 1989 Notification and the right does not restrain the headed by Chief Justice of India or languages to be used for all for remained practically the Hindi- by the last of the Congress government from declaring more Justice R. M. Lodha and had any of the official purposes of only State with provision of governments in the State had than one languages as official Justices Messrs Dipak Misra, that State.” teaching no language other than specified seven different objects languages. The ruling has removed Madan B. Lokur, Kurian Joseph Hindi in Government schools. for which Urdu would be used: restriction from Urdu being the and S. A. Bobde. The ruling cited Secular Heritage second official language in Uttar the precedent of Bihar, Haryana, It is useful to be reminded that But it is to be seen as to how the 1- Acceptance of petitions in Pradesh, the erstwhile birthplace Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Urdu suffered the worst fate in State’s vast Muslim populace Urdu and issuance of their and bastion of Urdu. The ruling Pradesh and Uttarakhand where Uttar Pradesh which is home to would work for the revival of replies in Urdu. has the effect of putting its stamp languages other than Hindi as many as three crore Muslims Urdu as nearly three generations of approval on Urdu being the 2- Acceptance of Urdu of modern educated Muslims second official language of documents in courts Urdu can now be used for seven have grown unaware of Urdu. The Uttar Pradesh and endorsing the generation gap is likely to cause linguistic and cultural diversity of specified purposes at official level. 3- Publication of all important serious problems in finding users of States and the State Government’s rules, regulations, official facilities for the language. right to use more than one notifications in Urdu. too were being used as official who have traditionally used The ruling has brightened the language as the official medium languages. Urdu for speaking as well as prospect for teaching of Urdu and 4- Issuance of all circulars and of communication. medium of written expression. employment for Urdu-knowing Government Orders (GOs) in It may be noted that Urdu is the The state produced eminent persons. The State has witnessed Urdu. The SC ruling will have a far- second official language in Bihar writers, poets and critics of Urdu a massive gap between Urdu- reaching impact inasmuch and has the same status in Delhi such as Munshi Premchand, knowing generation and those 5- Publication of important as it will grant the power of where even Punjabi is used for Majaz Lucknowi, Jigar who would be willing to learn official advertisements in introduction of Urdu as a medium official communication. Even Urdu of official communication thereby the new state of Telengana has Yawning gap due to discontinuity creating thousands of vacancies declared Urdu as the second 6- Publication of the State for Urdu-knowing persons as official language. in learning of Urdu leaves us with Gazette in Urdu translators, teachers, interpreters, the imponderable: If there would be and allowing its use for official Linguistic Secularism enough takers for the official facilities? 7- Putting up official signboards advertisements, communiqués in Urdu. and Government Orders (GOs). The Court observed that “law and The matter had been under languages are both organic in their Muradabadi, Braj Narain the language now. This yawning The Apex court has thus put a lid litigation for nearly a quarter mode of development. In India, Chakbast, Mir Taqui Meer, Mirza discontinuity may hamper the over the debate that only a single century. these are evolving through the Dabeer, Mirza Anees, Raghupati progress of the language as there language deserves to be the process of accepting legitimate Sahay Firaq Gorakhpuri, Bal may be a situation where there official language of a particular Provision for more than one aspirations of the speakers of Mukund Arsh Malsiani and would be no takers for these state and has clarified that Article different languages. Indian publishers such as Munshi facilities even if the administration 345 of the Constitution does not The apex court passed the order language laws are not rigid but Nawal Kishore who straddled is willing to create opportunities bar adoption of more than one on a petition by the Uttar Pradesh accommodative, the object being the religious divide. For the first for the language. languages for official use.n Page 8 Humanitarian Appeal for Flood Victims .... Ltd. With its branch office at +91-9419075361 11. Cooking Oil the IRRT has established several we appeal to all donor agencies/ Chadoora India. [email protected] 12. Chlorine tablets for drinking base camps for the rescued grant giving institutions and other FCRA Bank Account No. is [email protected] water flood victims wherein food and generous individuals to come 0008040100023713 [email protected] 13. Mineral Water Bottles medical facilities are provided by forward with possible relief in www.irrtonline.org Our Local Account No. is 14. Fresh Dates utilizing our own resources. But kind and financial assistance in 0008040100051713 our resources are meager and will cash for permanent rehabilitation Mushtaq Ul Haq Ahmad Other Items run out soon due to the severity of more than six million people. IFSC code : JAKA0Chadur Sikander 1. Towels and magnitude of the relief Media Secretary, IRRT 2. Sanitary pads for girls and operations. We are maintaining our Bank A.R. Hanjura +91-9906654567 women So on Humanitarian grounds accounts with J&K Bank Founder, IRRT [email protected] 3. Pampers for children 4. Toothpaste 5. Soaps 6. Mugs 7. Buckets

Medicine 1. Insulin (Human Mixtard) 2. Thyronorm (25 and 50 mcg) 3. Anti-Biotics 4. Medicine for Hypertension

Presently in coordination with other activists and volunteers, opinion ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 10 Eid Not-So-Mubarak Making Encounters Transparent When we are asked by non-Muslims why all the “Islamic states” on The rule of law has received a massive boost in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 16-point guidelines for investigation earth are dictatorships that trample on human rights, most of us into encounter killings. While it is well recognized that simply say: “they are not real Islam.” maintaining law and order and combating crime is a delicate task, it is also a painful reality that the police role in the By Mustafa Akyol the root of all evil. In the horrible civil wars in Syria and alleged encounters with criminals, militants and terrorists Iraq, Muslim groups which all proclaim “Allahu Akbar,” has not always been above board. Promotions and gallantry Eid Mubarak! Or, in English, may your feast be blessed. are killing each other due to differences in sect or even awards for the personnel involved in such encounters only That is what we Muslims say to each other during these faction. All across the Muslim world, we have plenty of seek to suppress the element of highhandedness, if any, in such days. We share desserts, we visit relatives, and we wish, heavy-handed dictators and militant opponents, but very incidents. In extreme cases, even the criminals in uniform get Eid Mubarak. few democracies. In even democracies such as Turkey, rewarded. Hyped up publicity serves to hinder or cover up the However, deep down in my heart, I know this Eid (or Islamic sentiments generate authoritarianism when they reprehensible role of those meant to comply with the rules in Bayram, as we say in Turkish) is not much of a blessed assume full power (as seen in the case of Erdogan), and/ the statute book. one for the global Muslim community. The reason is that, or initiate bitter intra-Islamic conflicts (as seen in the case The apex court has put a firm cap on immediate celebration first, the horrible injustices done to our co-religionists. of Erdogan vs. Gülen). of such incident which in several cases have proved to be Secondly, there are horrible injustices done by our co- When we are asked by non-Muslims why all the “Islamic cold-blooded murder of innocents as well as criminals. If religionists. states” on earth are dictatorships that trample on human rule of law has to retain its credibility and carry conviction On the first front, there is of course the nearest tragedy in rights, most of us simply say: “they are not real Islam.” with people, there must be scope for such incidents to be Gaza. As I was writing this piece, more than a thousand of But isn’t this a bit like an apologetic socialist saying that seen transparently. Out of turn promotions and conferment all experiments based on his ideology were just “not real of awards could wait till investigations reveal their veracity Palestinians, most of them civilians, including hundreds socialism?” If you keep getting horrible results from the beyond reasonable doubt. It will discourage the tendency to of children, were killed by the Israeli military. Israel’s application of a theory, shouldn’t you begin questioning claim credit for stage-managed encounters when the killings staggering ruthlessness and self-righteousness while were premeditated, as has been witnessed in umpteen cases. killing so many innocent people, is undoubtedly sickening. the theory itself? The court has also laid down that intelligence tip-offs should And the poor people of Gaza (and West Bank, and the But mind you: By “theory,” I don’t mean the divine core be brought to record and the probe should be headed by police refugee camps in Lebanon and elsewhere) deserved of Islam, to which I am undoubtedly loyal. But I mean and investigative personnel from another police station. It nothing but support and sympathy. “historical Islam” that has evolved over the centuries with also makes it mandatory for the State Police chiefs to table However, do we Muslims really think that we will the commentaries of past scholars, and stagnated for quite the reports of encounter deaths before the State Human Rights help liberate Palestine by merely condemning Israel’s a while. I specifically mean “Shariah,” or Islamic law, Commissions every six months. occupation and militarism? Israel is intoxicated with its which often reflects the social norms of medieval societies Hindsight reveals that personnel lauded as ‘encounter might, but what have we done to counter this in the right rather than the eternal tenets of our religion. I also mean specialists’ were booked for extortions later; intelligence way? For decades, what have Arab and other Muslim “Islamism,” which is modern political ideology that aims tip-offs in Ishrat Jahan case turned out to be mere figments governments done to find a rational, feasible solution at imposing this Shariah either at the barrel of a gun or, of imagination and ordinary criminals and activists were that will take Palestinians to statehood? Haven’t we more moderately, with the dictates of a ballot. eliminated under the garb of combating Naxalism. The PIL rather weakened or de-legitimatized this right cause by What I mean, basically, is that we should revisit Islam’s preferred before the Supreme Court had itself questioned the devolving into sensationalism and anti-Semitism, and relation to power, especially state power. We should agree genuineness of 99 encounters resulting in death of about 135 even the exploitation of Palestine for domestic politics? that God’s authority over men cannot be the basis of persons between 1995 and 1997. Beyond Palestine, the Ummah, the global Muslim men’s authority over men — and over women, for that community, is burning, too. But more so by the matter. Only then, I believe, we will have the mental The True Spirit of Sacrifice confrontationalism among Muslims themselves, rather tools to build a world of much more blessed, joyful and than the conspiracies of “infidels” that we often see as peaceful Eids. Muslims all over the world will be performing the Hajj and then celebrating Bakrid. While the rituals are performed, its time that Muslims introspect and reflect into their souls to understand the LETTERS spirit of sacrifice. In times of turmoil that the world is today, including the Muslim world, Muslims have to be proactive and look into themselves and find out where they are going wrong. Practise Islamic Values with Sincerity Are we too egoistic? Are we stuck in the victimhood syndrome? This has reference to the essay "Change or Perish" by M.A This sorry state has continued to the present times. Are we always dependant on others to improve our socio- Siraj (IV August 2014). If one goes through the earlier Writing articles and giving big speeches can create can economic status? Are we loud and brash? Are we misusing history of Islam, it says that during the first 80 years after, awareness, but it certainly does not change the conditions religion to create terror in the hearts of the people? Are we poor communicators, lacking etiquette in manners towards our the passing away of the Prophet (Pbuh), nearly 80% of the of the Muslim society, unless, Islamic teachings are neighbours? civilized world was under the control of Muslims. It was practised, as was the case in the early period of Islamic Living in India with so many diverse communities existing in also the period, when renowned scholars, administrators, history. As the Quran says: " O who you believe why you harmony with each others for centuries, Muslims should be military generals and businessmen were in plenty. Only say that which you do not do. Certainly most hateful in playing a positive role in building bridges of unity. Its time in the later years, when multiple interpretation of Quranic the sight of Allah is that you say , which you do not do during festivals like Bakrid, that Muslims can display genuine verses and unauthentic Hadith, and personal views (Sura 61:2-3). Thus key to progress is the practice of the respect for the sentiments of their neighbours, their non-Muslim of the religious scholars were introduced, because of Islamic fundamentals with sincerity and devotion. friends and the whole society at large. political interference and worldly greed, things became Akhtar Mahmood Vulgar parade of sacrificial animals on the streets is bound to hurt complicated, leading to degradation of the Ummah. 206 /40-A Chandigarh, [email protected] sentiments. Being pompous about the number of animals being sacrificed by each family need not be the focus of discussion, A Community of Beggars or for that matter even giving names of the four caliphs to the animals seems like making a mockery of the ritual. This is with reference to the essay, “ Issues in upliftment jobs. This being the sorry state of the community, what Thinking about the needs of the poor, sharing food with the poor of Muslims” and “Change or Perish” by Maqbool sort of scientific inventions, discoveries, research or and needy, Muslims and non-Muslims, can be very beneficial Ahmed Siraj in the July 2014 and August 2014 issues scholastic achievements can be expected from such a towards uplifting our souls. Muslims need to work more on the of Islamic Voice. On the basis of these essays, it can community? need to sacrifice their bloated egos, their puffed up pride about be concluded that the so called religious scholars are If this world is a prison for a Muslim, obviously he leads being the best community destined to heaven, and looking down to be blamed for the backwardness of the community. a life of perdition, he is chained for life. What excellence on the rest as all destined to hell. If this life of the world is for the non-believers to excel can be expected from a prisoner who has been destined The need of the hour is not to spend time drying out left over in worldly affairs, then what is the status of Muslims? to a condemned existence after birth. Why cannot these kababs after Bakrid on our clothesline in our backyards, but to Either they are slaves or mendicants! And there does so called scholars who sway the community, eliminate spend time and mull over the little time we have left in this not seem to be any decline in the breed of beggars in the polarization of the community which has been split world to do good and be good, till the angels of death seize our our community. Obviously we are begging for various into so many different sects? souls. That’s the true spirit of sacrifice. sops from the government, apart from reservation in Khaleel Ahamed, Tumkur ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 11 Dr. Kareem Khan who died New Delhi: The National has published 9 titles and intends in 2010 at the age of 94, was Advisory Committee under the to publish 4 more for which it a freedom fighter and later aegis of the Tagore Research has requested extension of the Road Named after struggled for consolidation of and Translation Scheme, (TRTS) Tagore Research and Translation Kannada speaking areas into the Department Kareem Khan reorganized state of Karnataka. of Urdu, at He refused the Freedom Fighter’s Jamia Millia Tagore’s Writings By A Staff Writer unveiled the board naming the Pension from the Government Islamia has Translated into Urdu two kilometer road through the dedicating his services to commended the Bangalore: Despite stiff posh colony as Dr. S. K. Kareem the nation rather than to any efforts of experts at Jamia opposition from the BJP, the Khan Road. pecuniary gains. He remained and faculty Bangalore City Corporation The City unmarried all through the life. members of the Department of Scheme by another six months. named the 100-Feet Road after Dr. Corporation Kareem Khan was educated Urdu for having worked together The Department of Urdu intends S. K. Kareem Khan, the legendary stirred through Kannada medium and as a team to translate writings of to upload the pdf files of all the into action later studied Sanskrit to gain Rabindranath Tagore into Urdu. books published under TRTS on after noted insight into Ramayana and other Prof. Wahajuddin Alvi, Head, the Jamia website. Prof. Shahzad Kannada Hindu scriptures and took up Department of Urdu, JMI welcomed Anjum, TRTS Coordinator, activist and leader of the writing of songs in Kannada the Members of the Committee and presented a comprehensive report Kannada Chaluvali, Mr. language. thanked them for their unstinted detailing the efforts and challenges Vatal Nagaraj threatened Speaking at the occasion, Chief support towards fulfillment of the confronted in the administration of to himself the stall the Minister announced institution objectives of the Tagore Research the project. n new name board if the of Kareem Khan Award for two & Translation Scheme. The project (Twocircles.net) BBMP ignored the plea persons each year who serve the to rename the road after cause of Kannada and Karnataka. New Delhi: The Kannada folk artist Mayor Satyanarayana said Jamia Millia Islamia Chief Minister Siddrahaiah inaugurating the Road Jamia Launches Kareem Khan. couplet from Kareem Khan’s has launched named Dr. S. K. Kareem Khan Yakshagana is a theatre songs would be inscribed on the ‘Swachchata Cleanliness Yakshanagana artist. Though the form that combines dance, music, plaques on the two side of the Abhiyan’ (Cleanliness Corporation (known as Bangalore dialogue, costume, make-up, and prominent road in order to spread Campaign) with a Campaign Mahanagar Maha Palike-BBMP) stage techniques with a unique awareness about the artist’s vow by the students upon the resolution made in had passed a resolution in 2004 style and form. This theatre views. to make the Jamia a plastic and Wardha by Mahatma Gandhi to to rename the road after Kareem style, resembling Western opera, Kareem Khan’s grand nephew litter free zone. Vice Chancellor link Education with the world of Khan, opposition from the BJP is mainly found in the coastal Tanweer Ahmed, a software Prof. Talat Ahmed inaugurated work. stalled the process. districts of Karnataka and Kerala. engineer, played the leading role the programme on September The Abhiyan was launched Chief Minister Mr. Siddrahaiah Yakshagana is traditionally in reviving the BBMP resolution 22 from the Department of in response to Prime Minister and area MLA Mr. N. A. Harris presented from dusk to dawn. to rename the Road. n Narendra Modi’s call to clean up the Aligarh: The Innovation Council awarded to a University student research performed during one country and make of Aligarh Muslim University is and another Best Innovation of academic session to a University it an attractive organizing Sir Syed Innovation the Year prize of Rs. 25,000/- will teacher among the Faculties of destination for Festival to tap innovative skills and be awarded to a school student Science, Life Sciences including international tourists. Interdisciplinary Biotech Unit, The Registrar, JMI AMU to organize Sir Syed Engineering & Technology, in his address put the Medicine, Unani Medicine and emphasis on making Innovation Festival Agriculture. Another Outstanding campus litter free and to promote research activities in for the best innovation displayed Researcher of the Year Award of for this all concerned the University. This festival, which or showcased in the Sir Syed Rs. 1 lakh shall be given away Educational Studies and should consider it as their is to be an annual phenomenon, Innovation Festival. each year for the best research Department of Teacher Training collective responsibility to pick will be organized on October 10- Prof. Rizvi said that the performed during one Academic and Non-Formal Education up the wrappers and litter only to 12, 2014. The Innovation Council, University has also instituted Session to a University teacher (IASE) with the latter launching be put into the bin. He asked the with the Pro-Vice Chancellor two awards to encourage among the Faculties of Arts, the NSS camp to mark the students to take a pledge for the as its Chairman, has instituted research in the University. The Social Sciences, Law, Commerce, occasion. The Faculty of same. In the inaugural function, two Best Innovation of the Year Outstanding Researcher of the Management Studies & Research Education came into existence Jamia Tarana, the NSS song and prizes. The Best Innovation of the Year Award of Rs 1 lakh shall be and Theology. as the first National Laboratory Swachhata Geet were sung by a Year prize of Rs. 50,000/- shall be given away each year for the best (Twocircles.net) of Basic Education consequent group of students. n views ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 12 Don’t Mess With Me… Warns Nature!

"Most of the swollen waters of the in anger to reclaim its original Today the Dal Lake has swollen in anger to reclaim its original Dal Lake were drained through boundaries. The Jhelum, in fury, boundaries. The Jhelum, in fury, has again demarcated its flood basin, the 'Nallah Mar' (Serpentine has again demarcated its flood canal) that went round the city basin, sending out a devastating sending out a devastating warning to not to mess with its majesty. and drained all its surplus waters warning to Kashmiris not to into the Jhelum. mess with its majesty. By Sheikh Qayoom even government infrastructure "What can be a bigger proof "Not only has the majority of The mud and slush that the creation has for over 130 years of the government's lack of Dal Lake's original area been Lidder stream in the south and Srinagar How quickly will been in the flood basin of the foresight and planning than the encroached upon over the years, the Sindh stream in the north Kashmir recover from the shock Jhelum river that flows through fact that the Hajj House, the but some of our 'visionary brought down with their flood and trauma this land of meadows, the city. Jhelum Valley Medical College, politicians and town planners' waters to drain into the mighty lakes and rivers underwent during Historical records, including the state motor garages and in the mid-1960s chose to fill Jhelum announced loudly and the recent floods? Financially, revenue records of the state even the land records office that up the 'Nallah Mar', which is violently that forests in the within a few months or years, but government, prove that densely- houses Kashmir's entire revenue today a wide road going around catchment areas of these streams emotionally, perhaps never. populated and upscale residential records were constructed by the the entire old Srinagar city with have been felled, making the soil For years, there had been warnings areas left of the Jhelum are its government in Bemina in the shops and houses around it. loose and erosion-prone. that no matter how much the old flood basin. flood basin zone. "This has been the reason that The flood of 2014 has claimed greed and need of humankind to Walter Lawrence, the British land "All these government offices the present flood inundated some over 200 human lives and billions encroach and vandalise rivers, revenue settlement commissioner are today submerged under 10 areas due to the choking of water of rupees in terms of damage to lakes and forests, one day these of Dogra maharaja Pratap Singh, feet of flood water," said Farooq drainage systems because of the private property, businesses and ecosystems would reclaim their noted that this huge flood basin Ahmad, 54, a resident of the swollen Dal Lake," Showkat Ali government infrastructure. original borders. had taken the brunt of the 1893 Qamarwari residential area, added. Would this angry warning by This was ironically ignored deluge and formed a huge lake whose home has been under the Ironically, Showkat Ali's house nature to Kashmiris not to mess by Kashmiris to their own right up to the present central flood waters for the last 12 days. in Srinagar was also inundated with her lakes, rivers, forests and detriment. Kashmir's Badgam district. "Ironically, the entire flood basin by flood waters and he and his flood basins be taken seriously Going by historical records, Today, Walter Lawrence's flood that saved Srinagar in 1893 wife were rescued by a private so that a greater warning is not except for its expansion in the basin has vanished. Instead, there from greater devastation was boat. His brother, who lived next needed to jolt them out of their north towards Ganderbal and are residential neighbourhoods vandalised through mindless door, could not be rescued for greed? some highlands in the central of the rich of Rajbagh, Kursoo, planning for urbanisation," four days. Well, the future generations Badgam districts, the entire Jawahar Nagar, Gogjibagh, Wazir Hakim Showkat Ali, a well Kashmir was called the "Venice would know. One can only hope growth of summer capital Bagh, Chanapora, Natipora, known hydraulic engineer and of Asia" because of the serpentine they don't have to pay for the Srinagar through residential Bemina and Qamarwari, among a retired chief engineer, told Nallah Mar. Most navigation and follies of their forefathers. colonies, business centres and others. IANS. trade transport of Srinagar was (Sheikh Qayoom can be done through this canal. reached at at sheikh.abdul@ Today the Dal Lake has swollen ians.in) 80 Computers Gifted to Muslim Orphanage

Bangalore: MISYS India, a software gifted 80 desktop company engaged in financial computer systems to the 120 year old Muslim Orphanage. Page 3 The new systems were installed in the existing Computer Lab Teachers Day... in the Orphanage premises on Peenya, and J.P Nagar. This is Dickenson Road, Bangalore. the 6th year of Asian Kids School with Day Care from 9 am - 7.00 pm(Saturday 9.30 am - 1.00 pm) Play Group, Nursery, L.K.G & U.K.G, with efficient staff and many facilities like, Library, Pet House, House Drama and Theatre, for the recreation of the students. The school’s main branch is at: No. 1275, 8th Cross, 27th main, Behind RV Dental College, LIC Colony, JP Nagar, 1st Phase, Bengaluru - 560 078, Phone 080 – 22456786 / 9900276786 n ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 13 New Delhi: Members from the God-conscious. It continues this developed personality can and Syria, one of the students caliphate. Therefore, the concept Centre for Peace and Spirituality throughout the life of a believer. be settled in the eternal abode of enquired whether CPS had issued of caliphate was not found in (CPS) were invited to address According to Islam, every person Paradise. In her address on Islam any statement in this regard. early Islamic history. students of theology at Vidyajyoti in this world is on test. Any and Peace, Sufia Khan said that Rajat replied that in one of his Another student asked whether College of Theology, New Delhi situation, pleasant or unpleasant, peace was integral to the religion recent lectures, the Maulana in Islam men are held superior on September 5, 2014. Of the four- that he is faced with, is meant as of Islam. All Islamic teachings condemned ISIS’s activities as to women. To this Maria replied member team, Rajat Malhotra a test for man. It is required of are based, directly or indirectly, being wholly un-Islamic. The that the Quran is the authentic spoke on the Al-Risala and CPS a person to steadfastly adhere to on the principle of peace. The first four caliphs of Islam, whose source of Islam, and no verse in Movement, Sadia Khan spoke the principles of justice, honesty, very word Islam is derived from period is considered as authentic it speaks of such superiority. On on Jihad in Islam, Maria Khan accountability in whatever he is the Arabic root word “silm”, in Islamic history, were referred the other hand, the Quran says: spoke on Understanding Religion faced with in life. This is the true which means peace. The Prophet to as amir al-mominin, that is, “Men and women are members from the Islamic one of another.” Perspective, and (3:195). The Sufia Khan spoke Understanding Religion, Mission, Jihad and Peace Prophet of Islam on Islam and Peace. The talks spirit of jihad. of Islam has said: “Do not wish commander of the By Maria Khan has stated: “Men were followed by a question and Explaining the purpose of life for confrontation with your believers. The word and women are two answer session. Victor Edwin SJ, according to Islam, Maria Khan opponent. Instead, always ask for “khalifa” or caliph came into equal halves of a single unit.” . the course director of the module said that the goal, Islam gives peace from God.” use after the period of these Rajat cited the example of Ayesha “Popular Islam” invited CPS and to an individual is the building Many questions were raised four caliphs, that is, during the (RA), the Prophet’s wife and made all arrangements. CPS is an of the human personality on during the interaction that rule of the Umayyad dynasty. said that she is considered most organization founded by Maulana learned among the Companions Wahiduddin Khan. To spread of the Prophet. Many of her spiritual wisdom based on peace, sayings have been recorded in Maulana Wahiduddin Khan the books of the traditions of established CPS International, i.e., the Prophet and are regarded Centre for Peace and Spirituality as a very valuable source for in 2001. Al-Risala and CPS are understanding the Prophet’s basically same movements with teachings. It was emphasized different names. CPS chapters all that Islamic teaching should over India and abroad are trying to be differentiated from Muslim spread the message of peace and practice, the latter should be spirituality to the world. Members Sadia Khan Maria Khan judged in the light of the former of CPS are either working and not vice versa. professionals or pursuing Islamic divine foundations, that is, followed the talks. In the light The Umayyads’ was a dynastic (The writer is a PhD candidate, studies. Rajat Malhotra has done on the principles of tolerance of the atrocities being committed rule and to justify it they started Department of Islamic Studies Master’s in Islamic History from and humility, to God in all that by the Islamic State of Iraq to call their reign as khilafat or Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi) Kerala University, Sadia Khan is one goes through in life. The doing PhD in Islamic Studies at teachings of Islam are aimed Jamia Millia Islamia VC promises Jamia Millia Islamia, Maria Khan at transforming an individual. is doing PhD in Islamic Studies at The aim of Islam is not the collaboration with USTM Jamia Hamdard and Sufia Khan is establishment of a system or Guwahati: “North Eastern was delighted to see the efforts intake capacity of hundred which currently doing Master’s in Islamic government. Rather, the aim of Universities should take the lead of a single person, Mahbubul has been already filled up in the Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia. Islam is to reform an individual. to start courses like Disaster Hoque, the Chancellor of USTM maiden year itself. USTM has Jihad in Islam, Sadia explained, All the commandments of Islam Management, in order to sort to make such a huge contribution planned to increase the intake to is the spiritual struggle within are aimed at developing this noble out the problems of floods in the field of a believer in order to become character, so that in the afterlife, and earthquakes and to deal education. He effectively with such Natural also assured Abbas will demand UN resolution Disasters,” said Prof Talat that Jamia Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia to end Israeli occupation Millia Islamia in Guwahati. He will be in full also said that NE states are full collaboration New York: Palestinian leader recent Gaza war has weakened of potentials and opportunities and association Mahmoud Abbas has said that Abbas domestically, with Hamas which must be explored to the with USTM he will demand an international enjoying a surge of popularity maximum extent. in terms of resolution that would set a among Palestinians for fighting “The development of a region manpower and timetable for ending Israeli Israel. He is under pressure at mainly depends upon their other Academic Prof Talat Ahmad with USTM authorities and its Chancellor, occupation of Palestinian home to come up with a new Mahbubul Hoque education system. More and Research territories when he political strategy importance must be given on the related activities. The School has another hundred for the next year. speaks to the UN after his repeated, primary and basic education for got the approval from National The inauguration ceremony was General Assembly. but failed attempts which qualified trained teachers Council for Teacher's Education followed by the release of USTM If the UN rejects his to establish must be appointed. Government (NCTE), ERC, Bhubaneswar News Letter by the Chief Guest appeal, Abbas said he a Palestinian must emphasize on the right to run B.Ed. Courses with an Prof. Talat Ahmad. n will seek membership state through kind of practical training for the in international US-mediated teachers,” Ahmad said while institutions and negotiations with inaugurating Prof. Qoumrul agencies. His aides Israel. Hoque School of Education, a have said that would include the Abbas would ask the UN Security constituent college of University International Criminal Court. Council to issue a binding of Science and Technology, Joining the court could potentially resolution, with a specific date Meghalaya (USTM). open the door to war crimes for ending Israel’s occupation charges against Israel, both for of the West Bank, Gaza Strip This school of education will be its military actions in Gaza and and east Jerusalem. Captured by a catalyst in producing quality for ongoing construction of Israel in 1967, the territories were trained teachers in the region. He Jewish settlements on occupied recognized by the UN General also said that he has been visiting lands. Abbas spoke at a lecture Assembly in 2012 as making up North East for quite some time for at Cooper Union college. The a state of Palestine. n his research work and projects and book review ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 14 Does FBI Create Terrorist?

The Terror Factory Trevor Aaronson raises questions about illegal and The Terror Factory questionable practices by the American investigative agency InsideInside the the FBI’s FBI’s Manufactured Manufactured War War onon Terrorism Terrorism that has been into the game of entrapping radical youth. ByBy Trevor Trevor Aaronson Aaronson IGIG Publishing, Publishing, Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New New York York author’s research over to catch them when they step over words, the potential recruits are 272272 pages pages the last few years. that line to operator”. told to work as informant and And FBI’s anti-Muslim prejudices the FBI will help stop them from Price:Price: Not Not Stated Stated Prejudices Amplified can be imagined from its counter- being deported; refuse and the Fed on a diet of terrorism document in circulation FBI won’t use its considerable Reviewed by Maqbool Ahmed Siraj prejudices against in 2011 which described Prophet influence in courts t to prevent Islam, FBI has been Muhammad as ‘a cultist leader’ the issuing of a one-way ticket operating on the and labeled Islamic charities out of the country. Among other basis of belief that no as a “funding mechanism for bludgeoning measures are putting The book under review The policy, or have international terrorist combat”. the nay-sayers on ‘No-Fly’ list. Terror Factory: Inside the FBI’s expressed sympathy organization is now In some cases garbage from Manufactured War on Terrorism for international capable of attacking Funding anti-Israeli homes and digital cast-offs too is a bold attempt to unravel and terrorist groups. These youths are the US and therefore the best Campaigns are scanned for potential clues to expose the United States’ war on then moved to the next stage; the the organization could do was Informants infiltrate mosques, someone’s criminal antecedents. terrorism which has devastated sting in which an FBI informant, to induce and inspire someone enamour some young people Dale Watson, FBI’s Assistant two States namely Iraq and posing as a terrorist, offers already in the West to carry out with their anti-Israel speeches Director for Counterterrorism Afghanistan, and caused mayhem to help facilitate a terrorist a terrorist attack—an attack and recruit radicals into arms told Aaronson: The Bureau wants over wide swathes of land in the training and possibly, even supply informants who have committed Middle East. them a few. The most amenable unprosecuted crimes, so that The Federal Bureau of “The FBI wants informants who have (or vulnerable) to the FBI are those crimes can then be used as Investigation (FBI) has been committed unprosecuted crimes, so that those those who have some violations leverage to control them. deft at announcing foiled terror crimes can then be used as leverage to control of immigration laws registered Sixty-three per cent of American plots frequently. The highly them”: Dale Watson, Assistant Director, FBI. against them. They are intimidated Muslims are immigrants, having monopolised US media—which and bullied in order to fall in line been born abroad. Since most of also caters to various national or be ready to be deported. Not them fall in high income bracket media around the world—makes attack for the target. Inert Al-Qaeda’s leadership would many people are strong enough and are fairly represented in condescending noises and hypes bombs and disabled rifles likely know nothing about until to stand up and resist and fight— professional class, few are prone “the good work in defusing the are supplied to the would- it happened—and then stupidly to reject their offers. In other Page 24 threat to security”. What however be terrorist. FBI agents swoop claim credit for it. And inspire remains from being publicized down on the prey when they are they must in order to convince is that most terrorists within the about to dial the detonators. In the the US Congress that rolls out US are able to carry forward years since 9/11, the FBI and the the $3 billion package to the potentially lethal plots only Justice Department have indicted FBI annually. To assist with this, because FBI informants and agents and convicted more than 150 the FBI came up with a kind of supplied them the means, in most people following sting operations. radicalization spectrum, running cases weapons and equipment, in In most cases, an FBI informant from sympathizer to operation. some cases even paying for rent not only led one of every three As one of the officials told the and cash for logistics. The book terrorist plots, but also provided author: “We are looking for revolves round the query: Is the all the necessary weapons, money the sympathizer who wants to FBI catching terrorists or creating and transportation, concludes the become an operator, and we want them?

Throwing Bait for the Trap The pattern has almost been patented in the years following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York. The FBI’s paid informants—who now number around 15,000—are on the lookout for young Muslims who espouse radical beliefs, are aged 18 to 35, are vocal about their disapproval of US foreign book review ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 15 Challenging Radical Islamist Interpretation of Jihad

significantly—and again the lower ego. This is what has have declared: ‘The wrestling The Supreme Jihad in contrast to Islamist been called in the Islamic tradition champion is not the one who Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri extremists—none of as jihad bi’n-nafs (jihad against conquers (the other wrestlers in Rupa, New Delhi them sanctions revolt one’s own [ill-commanding] self) the ring) but the one who reins in 2014 against established and as jihad bi’l qalb (jihad to his ire.’ 64 Pages political authorities in purify the heart of impure and In addition to statements attributed the name of jihad. The harmful ambitions and selfish to the Prophet, the book provides ISBN: 978-81-291-3095-2 quotations that Tahir ul- pursuits). several other references, from Rs. 195 Qadri puts together here The book provides numerous the writings of noted ‘classical’ provide an altogether references to substantiate the Islamic scholars, to stress the different picture of great importance of this form centrality of the jihad against Reviewed by M. Irfan jihad, with physical of jihad in Islam. It tells us, for one’s baser self. It quotes Imam war (defensive war, that is) instance, that the Prophet greeted Sufyan al-Thawri, for instance, as he critiques the discourse of being just one, and not the most people who returned from a remarking, ‘Indeed, your enemy radical jihadism and offers a important, form of it. If radical battle, saying: ‘Congratulations! is the same (lower) self that Much confusion and ambiguity refreshing alternative perspective jihadists argue that jihad bi’s-sayf, You have returned from a lesser lies between your sides. Strive surround the term ‘jihad’. Radical on jihad. He accomplishes this physical warfare (against non- (al-jihad al-asghar) to a supreme against your lusts and appetites fundamentalist self-styled Islamic in a rather novel way. He makes Muslims or against supposedly jihad (al-jihad al-akbar).’ It was far more spiritedly than you do outfits claim that the seemingly hardly any appearance in the text (in the battle) against your foe.’ endless violence they have himself. Instead, he puts together We learn that Imam Ibn Battal unleashed in different parts of the Quranic verses, sayings attributed A key form of jihad, Tahir ul-Qadri suggests, is commented that ‘Striving against world are Islamically-sanctioned to the Prophet Muhammad (called striving against our baser desires and our lusts, or the desires of one’s self is the jihads. In contrast, their ideological hadith reports) and remarks by the lower ego. This is what has been called in the most perfect jihad.’ Hasan al- Muslim opponents insist that this noted early Muslims (mainly Basri was of the opinion that ‘The violence has nothing whatsoever ‘classical’ Islamic scholars) on Islamic tradition as jihad bi’n-nafs (jihad against antagonism against one’s own to do with true Islamic jihad, jihad to convey an understanding one’s own [ill-commanding] self) and as jihad (ill-commanding) self is the most and that, in fact, it is its polar of jihad that is vastly different bi’l qalb (jihad to purify the heart of impure and virtuous jihad.’ When Umar bin opposite. from that of Islamist radicals. Abdul Aziz was asked, ‘Which Much has been written, by These quotations are enough to harmful ambitions and selfish pursuits). jihad is most virtuous?’ he replied, scholars of diverse ideological effectively challenge the radical ‘Combating your lusts.’ The book persuasions, about jihad. Literally, Islamist interpretation of jihad quotes Ibn Qayyim as stating, the word denotes striving to one’s without need for any commentary irreligious Muslim rulers) is the submitted: ‘O Messenger of ‘Therefore, striving against one’s utmost. Often, Muslims use the or elaboration. most important form of jihad, Allah! What is supreme jihad?’ own self (inwardly) is prior to term in connection with exertion Some Islamist extremists insist the sources from the Islamic The Prophet said: ‘Striving the fight against the enemy (in or striving in God’s path. How this that Islam calls for Muslims tradition that Tahir ul-Qadri against desires and lusts.’ the battlefield), and that is its ‘striving in God’s path’ is actually to engage in offensive jihad, provides clearly indicates that he ‘The (great) striver is the one who origin.’ According to yet another defined varies considerably, physical warfare in order to vehemently disagrees. This does strives against his own self (i.e. ‘classical’ Islamic scholar, Allama however. What one ideologue expand the borders of what they not mean that he rules out the lusts, indulgences and luxurious Mahmud al-Alusi al-Baghdadi, sees as jihad in God’s path might call the ‘abode of Islam’ or dar legitimacy of physical warfare pursuits)’, the book quotes a ‘Striving against one’s (inside) be seen as fasad or as striving in al-islam and to conquer what altogether. The quotations he hadith of the Prophet as relating. self is a greater jihad than fighting the path of Satan by another. they term as the ‘abode of war’ provides indicate that he regards According to a similar hadith the enemy outside in the field.’ Tahir ul-Qadri is one of Pakistan’s or dar ul-harb, (these being terms that such warfare is legitimate if it report, the Prophet said: ‘The A second such peaceful form most well-known Islamic scholars. that have no Quranic sanction is rightfully resorted to in defence most excellent jihad is to strive of jihad, the book tells us, A prolific writer, he has emerged but that are routinely deployed and directed against aggression, against the (ill-commanding) is jihad bi’l mal, which signifies as a powerful voice for interfaith in both medieval Muslim as strife and wrongful rebellion. self and its lusts in the pursuit altruism, generosity and selfless dialogue and reconciliation in well as modern radical Islamist But that is not the only, or even of Allah’s pleasure.’ Yet another spending on deserving people. recent years and as a strident critic discourses). None of the scores necessarily the most important, hadith report relates that ‘He who The book quotes a ‘classical’ of terrorism in the name of jihad of quotations from a range of form of jihad, he opines. strives against the base desires of Islamic scholar as commenting that is playing such havoc in large Islamic sources contained in this A key form of jihad, Tahir ul- (ill-commanding) for the sake of that ‘Removing doubts and parts of the world, including in his book supports that understanding Qadri suggests, is striving against Allah performs the best jihad.’ ambiguities and clarifying and our baser desires and our lusts, or own country. In this slim volume, of jihad, however. Equally Similarly, the Prophet is said to Page 17 people Obituary ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 16 Goolam E. Vahanvati of the Indian team Greg Chappel Died: Marwari language for imparting of training to young Habeeb Wali Muhammad Passes Away writer and activist Abdul First Muslim Attorney General of cricketers. Noted Pakistani ghazal singer Habeeb Wali Muhammad died in a Los Jabbar Khan died in Jodhpur India Goolam Essaji Vahanvati on September 14. Khan worked died in Mumbai on September 2 Mumtaz Ahmed Khan Awards Angeles hospital on September province of Sindh around 1988. 5 after prolonged illness and His rendition of Bahadur Shah with the Rajasthan Government’s at the age of 65. He had resigned Presented Department of Public Instructions his post on Mau 27 after the new surgeries. He passed away two Zafar’s ghazals na kisi ki ankh Bangalore: Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed days after his 93rd birthday. ka noor hoon, and Lagta nahin as schools coordinator Central Government was sworn Khan Awards were presented to and retired in 2009. in. Habeeb was immensely hai jee mera ujde dayar mein, Dr. Aslam Ahmad of Al-Ameen popular among ghazal became great hits among He was associated Hospital, Bangalore; Maulana with the Marwar Prior to his appointment as aficionados in the Hindi and Urdu listeners. Md. Idriss Umari,, Dr. Anita Muslim Education Attorney General in 2009 by the Indian subcontinent. He Actress Meena Kumari Nair, HoD, English, Al-Ameen and Welfare Society’s UPA government, Vahanvati had was born in a Memon who was associated with College, Edathalla, Kerala; Mrs. group of Institutions served as Solicitor General of family in Rangoon (now Radio Ceylon in her early Shamla, Principal, Eddappalli in Jodhpur for the last five years. India and Advocate General of Yangon) in Burma on career was a great fan of Al Ameen Kindergarten, Kerala; He was associated with movement Maharashtra Government. He is September 3, 1921. He later him and often played his ghazals and Mushtaque Ahmed, social for recognition of the Marwari survived by his wife and son. He shifted to Mumbai and pursued which boosted his popularity. Worker, Tumkur on September 7 language spoken in Marwar was suffering from lung infection business, a family occupation. Ten years after the Partition, on the eve of the Founders Day region (Jodhpur being the largest for some time. His family, Tabani, an industrial Habib’s family migrated to celebrated here on the birthday of house has large business Pakistan and set up their Shalimar city of the region). He was 65. Cricket Academy by Pathan Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, founder holdings in Pakistan. Silk Mills and other businesses in Died: Qari Hafiz Muhammad Brothers Al-Ameen Educational Society. During his childhood Habib Karachi. Due to active business Qasim Bhopali, former imam of The awards were presented by often listened to Qawwali music. career, he did not pursue his Vadodara: Cricketers and the Periamet Mosque in Chennai Janab Zahid Ali Khan, Editor, But due to economic reasons, he singing career aggressively. brothers, Yusuf Pathan and Irfan died at Bhopal on September Urdu Daily Siasat, Hyderabad. gave priority to academics. He After 1970s, he and his family Pathan launched 13. He was 57. Hazrath Bibi received his MBA from Syracuse settled down in Los Angeles. their Crircket A Qari (reciter Khadija Awards University, New York in 1947, Both of his sons, Rizwan and Academy of of the Quran) of were presented to and then lived in Mumbai for Nadeem are ghazal performers Pathans here on international repute, Sabia Begum, wife about 10 years before moving and often stage performances in September 11. he led the prayers of Mr. Nurul Islam to Pakistan. His brother Ashraf the United States. The Academy in Periamet Mosque of Al-Ameen W. Tabani was governor of the will run two Talimi Mission, for close to three c o u r s e s , Kolkata and Anzu decades. He twice preliminary and Ara Khanam, wife Carpet Industry incurs represented India in Quranic advanced. The former will take of Muhammad Hussain Ismail, recitation contests at Makkah eight to nine weeks. Three more Al-Ameen School, in Assam. losses worth $5 Billion and Malaysia. He was a graduate from Madrassa Jamia Islamia branches are proposed to be set Ismail has set up several schools As the waters recede and the clean up finally begins, up in leading cities by next year. in Assam while Anzu Ara Khanum Arabia, Bhopal. He leaves behind They plan to hire former coach has been assisting her husband. business owners, including those selling Kashmir’s most his wife and three sons. His famous exports, are beginning to count their losses. Qiraat was recorded by Attibiyan Srinagar: Caked with mud and of my finest carpets are lying of the Islamic Foundation Trust, DELHI DIARY soaked in putrid water, Qazi elsewhere in the flooded city.” Chennai which were marketed Mohammad Yahya’s ruined Kashmir carpets have traditionally later. His Jumaa sermons were Minority Affairs Ministry to award handmade carpets and Pashmina been a major earner for the region, highly informative, progressive shawls reflect Kashmir’s whose generations of weavers toil and inspiring. 90 lakh Scholarships to Students economic devastation from the for months on wooden looms to By Abdul Bari Masoud from this year. “In case of Online region’s worst floods produce single (FCIK). “Our main commercial Scholarship Management System, in a century. intricate pieces hub (in Srinagar) was the worst New Delhi: Presenting the 100 facility of uploading the forms More than 450 people that sell for hit,” Mir said, adding that the days report-card, Union Minister is also being started to improve were killed when thousands of figures were likely to be higher for Minority Affairs Dr. Najma delivery and transparency” she the floods, triggered dollars in the because most of the Kashmir Heptulla said that several new added. by heavy monsoon West. Scores Valley’s 500,000 traders under- initiatives have been taken to It has targeted selection of rains, swept this of carpet insured their stock. Mir himself strengthen and augment minority 1500 minority students for Free month through the showrooms now runs a steel fabrication plant welfare schemes, Coaching for Engineering Himalayan region lie under water employing 100 people. “I can’t particularly simplifying and Medical Entrance and into neighboring after Srinagar’s support my staff under the the procedure of pre- Examination and has Pakistan, leaving hundreds of Dal Lake burst its banks, sending circumstances,” he said. matric scholarships, and already sanctioned coaching villages submerged and tens of residents fleeing for higher ground. Mir said many business owners made it demand-driven. to 1150 students. It will also thousands of residents homeless. Many of the handlooms have also including farmers lost financial “The ministry took new establish the Khwaja Gharib As the waters recede and the been destroyed and hundreds of records, making it difficult for initiatives for formulating Nawaz Senior Secondary clean up finally begins, business people are out of work. “It may them to seek help from banks new schemes to meet priority School at Ajmer (Rajasthan) owners, including those selling take one year to recover, it may and other financial institutions. agenda of the Government or to through the Maulana Azad Kashmir’s most famous exports, take 50. It depends on Allah,” says “Businesses need to rebuild fast reorient existing programmes”. Education Foundation. She said are beginning to count their 55-year-old Yahya who travels to for which liberal institutional Addressing the media here the ministry is giving focus to losses — at least $5 billion by Europe, Southeast Asia and the help is a must,” Mir said. Many on September 17, she said the Skill Development of minorities conservative estimates. “My US every year to sell his carpets. business owners were among ministry focuses on educational by giving priority to “Seekho 35 years of earning is gone,” From carpets and saffron, another the tens of thousands who also empowerment with skill aurKamao (Learn & Earn)” Yahya said outside his home in famed Kashmir export, to apples, lost their homes. “Minimum development as it may award scheme. The scheme guarantees the picturesque region’s main walnuts and gold jewelry, documents, minimum time (to 90 lakh scholarships under Pre- minimum 75 per cent employment city of Srinagar as water-logged business owners are returning to provide financial help) is the key,” matric, Post-matric, Merit-cum- of trained minority youths and out carpets collected from one of his their flood-wrecked shops to find he said. means based scholarships with an of them, 50 per cent will be in showrooms were unloaded from a tons of goods gone or destroyed. In one of Srinagar’s main and approximate amount of Rs. 1700 organized sector. It has sanctioned truck. “The loss is incalculable,” a “Our most conservative estimate oldest markets, Maharaj Bazar, crore in the current year. She also skill development training of more grim-faced Yahya added, staring at of loss is at least 30,000 crore mounds of ruined dried fruits announced that the Direct Benefit than 24,364 minority youths in 29 muddy bundles of what had been rupees ($5 billion),” said Ashraf and other goods line the road as Transfer in the bank account of States through 51 selected expert handspun fine cashmere wool to Mir, president of the Federation shopkeepers begin the massive students has been operational skill development organizations. n make Pashmina shawls. “Most Chambers of Industries Kashmir cleanup. n GLOBE TALK ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 17 We Must Correct the Image of Islam Religious Harmony, Damaged By Extremists Compassion, and Islam

In my dialogue with Europeans, I had to admit that the image of even Although I’m a Buddhist, an outsider to­ Islam, practising Muslims has been changed in the minds of people not only in nevertheless I have been voluntarily making the West, but in the Arab world as well. efforts as a defender of Great Islam By His Holiness isolated from each other. But now By Abdul Ilah Jadaa on themselves and their countries forums available to us. I have the Dalai Lama they are in much closer contact but also on the moderate religion tried my best to present the true and so we need to make special The savage killing of American of Islam, which was revealed to image of Islam and its unequivocal I would like to say something efforts to promote religious journalists James Foley and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon position towards these terrorists concerning religious harmony. harmony. Steven Sotloff cannot be justified him), who was the embodiment of in my talks with some French and Sometimes, conflicts involve On the first anniversary of in the name of any prescribed law the perfection of all noble qualities. German nationals. However, the religious faiths. For September 11, a memorial except the law of the jungle. Such Islam is a code of life based on reports appearing in Western media instance, previously prayer ceremony was crimes by terrorists of the so-called peace and justice. Even the enemies about the savage practices of IS in Northern Ireland, held at the Washington Islamic State are instrumental in of Islam have certified that this terrorists in the name of Islam were although the conflict National Cathedral. I producing a negative image and a is the true nature of the religion. instrumental in weakening my was basically a was at that meeting and I grim picture in the minds of people However, these deviant terrorists arguments. political issue, it mentioned in my talk that around the world about Muslims, do not, even for a moment, think In my dialogue with these quickly became a nowadays, unfortunately, in general, and Muslim countries about the magnitude of damage Europeans, I had to admit that the religious issue. This some people create the and organizations, in particular. caused by them to the image of image of even practising Muslims was very unfortunate. impression that because Such acts do a disservice to the Islam and Muslims worldwide. has been changed in the minds of In Sri Lanka as well, of a few mischievous Muslim world and a large number This is happening at a time when people not only in the West but in although the conflict there is Muslims, all Muslims are militant of moderate Muslim countries and a large number of people in the the Arab world as well. Bearded also political, yet in some cases and violent. They then speak of stigmatize the image of the religion West have become sympathetic to Muslims have become a source of one gets the impression that the a clash of civilizations between of Islam which has nothing to do the cause of the Palestinians, who fear in airports in some countries. conflict is between Hindus and the West and Islam. This is with terrorism, violence, bloodshed were savagely attacked by Israeli This is the handiwork of Al-Qaeda, Buddhists. This is really terrible. unrealistic. and dictatorship. occupation forces. IS and other terrorist outfits which In ancient times, followers of It is absolutely wrong to Are these IS terrorists aware of We have to strive to remove have created a negative image of different religions were mostly Page 19 the offense and damage they are misgivings about Islam and Muslims among people in all parts causing to Islam and Muslims? present its true image, in addition of the world. They are inflicting harm not only to defending true Muslims in all (www.saudigazette.com)

Page 15 Challenging Radical Islamist ... elucidating the truth too is a form point. A hadith report relates that According to a similar hadith report, of jihad’. So also is jihad bi’l lisan, the Prophet remarked: ‘Whoever the Prophet said, ‘For everything to verbal striving in God’s path, in the comes to learn or teach knowledge shine, there is something that causes form of discourse and oration, for in my mosque, he stands equal in it to shine, and the remembrance instance. The book quotes Imam rank to the striver who strives in of Allah causes the heart to shine. al-Dhahabi as saying that the ‘most the way of Allah.’ There is no salvation from the superior’ form of jihad is to invite Striving for God’s remembrance torment besides the remembrance people towards God through verbal and worship is also jihad, we are of Allah.’ The Companion communication. told. ‘Establish prayer because submitted: ‘Not even fighting for Another peaceful form of jihad, this is an excellent jihad […]’, the cause of Allah?’ The Prophet the book relates, is what jihad bi’l says a hadith report. We learn said: ‘(No) Even if you fight so ‘amal, or striving for promotion that the Prophet is said to have much that your sword breaks.’ This of morality and human values. remarked, ‘No action of man is means that remembrance of God is ‘The excellent jihad’, the Prophet more protecting against the Fire (of more protecting against the fire of is also said to have remarked, Hell) than remembrance of Allah’. Hell than physical jihad. ‘is his who starts his day with a When the narrator asked him ‘not This little book of inspiring mind pure of any malefaction or even fighting in the way of Allah?’ quotations on jihad is a welcome injustice against anyone.’ Another the Prophet replied, ‘No, not even addition to the already enormous peaceful form of striving in God’s Jihad even if you fight so much corpus of writings on a hotly- path is jihad bi’l ‘ilm—or striving that your sword breaks, and then debated subject. It is a treasure for for knowledge. Here, too, the book you fight again and that sword also those in search of a meaningful provides inspiring Prophetic and breaks, and then you fight on until religious response to terrorism in other sayings to substantiate this another sword breaks.’ the name of Islam. ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 18 In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful

And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never Allah and the Limits of fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a Human Imagination thousand years of those which you count.” are entrusted with the tasks for the unbeliever’s challenging demand (Qur’an: Surah Al-Haj: 22:47) following day. This day that we that God’s chastisement visit are speaking of however, is equal them, one day of God’s reckoning to a thousand years according to is stated to measure 50,000 years. of a new life begins, the Day of human computation.” Allah has In order to grasp the two Reckoning. Then, Allah says, “They ask you created time for us so we may statements it is necessary that Similarly the people who are in When Allah is timeless, why (O Muhammad) to hasten on the count days, months, and years we relinquish our own, restricted their grave, their time is not the He talks about a time frame for torment.” as explained in the following scales of measurement when we same as the time of the living; humans? Yet, the wrongdoers are being verse: “And We appoint the night speak of time with reference to time has seized for them as we This question has a lot of warned, do they really want to and the day two portents. Then God. When we speak of a hundred know it, and each depending components e.g. time, space, hasten the punishment in the We make dark the portent of the or even 50 years with reference to on their deeds will feel the time boundaries; this life/world next life, when even what would night, and We make the portent human beings, it’s a fairly long differently. (duniya), the next life/Hereafter appear to be a short time there, is, of the day sight-giving, that time span. So time after death is the (akhirah); and Allah is not bound in reality, a long time according to you may seek bounty from your But when we speak of time perception that each person by our space time dimensions. their measure of time. Lord, and that you may know the durations with reference to God, feels, depending on his or her Allah tells us in a Divine Hadith If that is the case, why seek to computation of the years, and each chunk of time consists of a status in the Hereafter; yet it is (Hadith Qudsi) “I am Time,” hasten it? Again, why not change the reckoning; and everything thousand or even 50,000 years; still equivalent to what Allah has meaning that He created time or while you have time following have We expounded with a clear and even these figures are for the mentioned if to be compared to rather He created the means by the examples that can be seen expounding.” (Qur’an, 17:12) purposes of illustration only.” this worldly life. which we can measure time. Time if one travels in the earth? The So the comparison that Allah gives So for Allah to account His After all what is 50,000 years relates to change and Allah does warning has dire consequences in the above verses are relevant to creation, it will take 50,000 years compared to eternity; it is just not change. That is time started and is ignored at one’s peril. the context, since in another place of what we count; this measure like a drop of water in an ocean when Allah created it. Allah also mentions in another Allah mentions that the Day of would become meaningless for and even smaller. For someone in Also, time consists of the past, verse what is translated as: “He Judgment is equivalent to 50,000 us since everything ceases to bliss during this great tribulation, the present and the future, all of directs the ordinance from the years: “A questioner questioned exist upon Allah destroying life that will indeed be a very short which are present with Allah, yet heaven unto the earth; then it concerning the doom about to as we know it; and the beginning Page 19 He is beyond time, or outside of ascends unto Him in a Day, fall, Upon the disbelievers; which our space time dimension. whereof the measure is a thousand none can repel, From Allah, Lord Another way of looking at time is years of that ye reckon.” (Qur’an, of the Ascending Stairways, that total knowledge is with Allah, 32:5) (Whereby) the angels and the there is no knowledge outside It is mentioned in a scholarly Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day of His knowledge thus the past, book, “Towards Understanding whereof the span is fifty thousand present and future are all known the Qur’an” concerning the above years.” (Qur’an, 70:1-4) to Him. His knowledge is over verse: “This means the annals of The book mentioned above everything. a thousand years of man’s history explains concerning the last verse How can we understand the are no more than a day’s work above: “In Al-Haj (22:47) and concept of past, present and for God. Whatever tasks God Al-Sajdah (32:5), the measure of future being one? It is beyond our entrusts to His angels today are a day is stated to be a thousand comprehension. In the same way, completed by them before they years. But here, in response to an how are we to understand time when there is no time, or no space time dimension or boundary? We simply cannot understand this. So, Allah makes our understanding easy by explaining what is outside of our dimension in our terms, the comparison of “days.” A short time for Allah is an inordinately long time for us. In the above verse, Allah answers the challenge of the wrongdoers “to hasten the torture (in Hell)” by saying that “(even) a day of your Lord (in the next life) is like a thousand years of what you count (in this life).” Allah has been speaking of the wrongdoers and the punishment meted out to them, how He has given respite and how He has destroyed them. He also asks, “Have they traveled and seen the consequences for themselves of the people who do wrong and have they understood.” ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 19

Prophetic Way of Showing Concern Towards People

Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) spoke with all people asking them about matters of their own concern. This was customary with the Prophet, so that his guests would feel at ease.

Commentary by Adil Salahi Arab delegation, coming from let their mounts free and came pointed to Mundhir. The Prophet a date container and said: ‘Do you this eastern side.’ I was restless forward speedily. The seated asked: ‘Is he the descendant of call this kind Al-Ta’dood?’ They This Hadith related by Al-Bukhari through the night. So, early in people moved to give them space your chiefs?’ answered in the affirmative. He in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad speaks the morning I prepared my camel to sit while the Prophet remained “They said: ‘In pre-Islamic said: ‘And do you call this one of the Abd Al-Qays delegation’s and set out fast for a time. Then reclining. A man from among days, his forefathers were our Al-Sarafan?’ They said: ‘Indeed.’ visit to the Prophet (peace be I thought that I should start on them, nicknamed Al-Ashajj, but chiefs, and it was he who has He again asked: ‘Do you call upon him) in Madinah. Members my journey back home, when the known as Mundhir ibn A’idh led us to Islam.’ When the man this kind Al-Burni?’ They again of the delegation were from a tribe first of your camels appeared. ibn Mundhir stayed behind. drew near, he wanted to sit at a answered: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘This living in the eastern provinces of “He then turned his camel back corner, but the Prophet sat up and is the best of your dates and the today’s Saudi Arabia, and the and sped on his way home, until said to him: ‘Come and sit here, most ripe.’ Prophet had some correspondence he arrived and met the Prophet Ashajj.’ (This was the first time “Some of the tribe’s elders say: with them, starting when one who was sitting with a number he was nicknamed Al-Ashajj, ‘This last type was plentiful and of their members, Munqidh ibn of his companions from both which means ‘one with a cut in we used to feed our camels and Hayyan, visited Madinah on a the Muhajireen and the Ansar. his forehead’. When he was an donkeys from it. But when we trade trip. The Prophet explained Addressing the Prophet, he said: infant, a donkey hit him with its returned after this trip, we were the message of Islam to him and ‘May my parents be sacrificed hoof, making a moon-like mark keen to grow more of it until it he accepted the faith. The Hadith for your sake! I have come to in his face). The Prophet sat became our main dates and we quotes a member of the delegation give you the news of the arrival him next to him and was very found out that it yielded blessed who reports: of the Abd Al-Qays delegation.’ cordial to him, speaking to him harvests.’” “When we decided on visiting He said: ‘How do you know at length. We see how the Prophet spoke Madinah, we set out on our trip. about them, Umar?’ Answered “The people asked the Prophet with these people asking them Shortly before our arrival, we he: ‘They are following me fast. many questions and he answered about matters of their own met a man riding fast on a young They will be here in no time.’ them all. As they were about to concern. This was customary with camel of his. He greeted us and He mentioned how he saw them. He collected their camels, sat finish, the Prophet asked whether the Prophet, so that his guests we replied to him. He stopped The Prophet said to him: ‘May them down and relieved them they still had some of the food would feel at ease. We also see and asked us to which tribe we God give you happy news.’ The of their loads gathering it all they have carried with them. how the Prophet’s companions belonged. We said: ‘We are a people with the Prophet began to together. He then took out a box They answered in the affirmative, took his word seriously, even delegation from Abd Al-Qays.’ prepare themselves to receive the of his luggage and changed his going fast to their luggage and when it did not refer to something He said: ‘You are welcome here. I newcomers. traveling clothes and put on a suit each of them bringing some related to religion. When the have come on purpose to see you “The delegation arrived and both of his best garments. He came dates. They were all placed on a Prophet described a particular and to give you a happy news. the Muhajireen and the Ansar towards the Prophet walking hide in front of him. He had with type of dates as the best and most The Prophet said to us yesterday were delighted to see them. calmly. The Prophet asked them: him a date branch stripped of its beneficial, they concentrated on as he looked to the east: ‘You When the new arrivals saw the ‘Who is your chief and the one leaves which he used to hold in farming it, and soon began to will receive tomorrow the best Prophet and his companions, they whose lead you follow?’ They all the middle. He pointed with it to yield its benefits.n Page 17 Religious Harmony ... characterize a whole religion would believe this. loves Allah, one must love all This is the same in all religions who have religion and who as bad because of a few Since September 11, although His creatures. – don’t practice killing, stealing, are sincere and serious in it, mischievous people. This is I’m a Buddhist, an outsider to­ In Muslim countries, bank interest sexual abuse, lying. The different one’s own religion has great true regarding Islam, Judaism, Islam, nevertheless I have been is discouraged. So, if we know religions may use different potential to further increase our Christianity, Hinduism, and voluntarily making efforts as a Islam and we see how followers methods, but they all have compassion. Buddhism all alike. For example, defender of Great Islam. Many of Islam implement it sincerely, the same purpose. Look at the We need a secular way to some followers of the protector of my Muslim brothers – very then like all other religions, it results, not at the causes. When promote secular ethics. Secular Shugden killed three people near few sisters – explain to me that is truly wonderful. In general you go to a restaurant, just enjoy does not mean to be against my residence. One of them was a if anyone creates bloodshed, this if we know others’ religions, all the different foods, rather than religion or to have disrespect for good teacher who was critical of is not Islam. The reason is that a we can develop mutual respect, argue that this food’s ingredients religion. When I say “secular,” it Shugden and he received sixteen true Muslim, a true follower of admiration, and enrichment. come from this or that. It’s better is like in the Indian constitution. knife wounds. The other two were Islam, should have love towards Therefore, we need constant to just eat and enjoy. Gandhi emphasized secular his students. Those killers were the entire creation the same way, effort to promote religious So, those different religions religion: he did prayers from really mischievous. But because as he or she has love towards interfaith understanding. – rather than argue that your all religions. “Secular” means of that, to say that all of Tibetan Allah. All creatures are created In Lisbon recently, I attended an philosophy is bad or good, see no preference of one religion Buddhism is militant – no one by Allah. If one respects and interfaith meeting in a mosque. that they all teach compassion as over another, but to have respect That was the first time that an their purpose and goal, and that for all religions, including for Page 18 Quran Speaks... interfaith meeting was held in they all are good. Using different nonbelievers. Therefore, we need time just like the time between extremely fast. a mosque. After the meeting, methods is realistic for different secular ethics through secular Zuhr and Asr in comparison to an As for the unbelievers, their we all went into the main hall people. We must adopt a realistic ways, on the basis of education everlasting life. perception of time after death will and did silent meditation. It was approach and view. about common experience and The time appears to pass by appear to be a very long time; just really wonderful. Therefore, Inner peace is related with scientific evidence. quickly in order for the believers like when we say that those few always make effort for interfaith compassion. All major religions (Excerpts from Dalai Lama’s to enjoy the blessings waiting minutes of my life took forever, harmony. have the same message – love, talk in Milan, Italy, 9 December for them in Paradise. Similarly, when facing an extremely difficult Some say God, some say no God compassion, forgiveness. We 2007 when we enjoy a good time in this moment in this world. – that is not important. What is need a secular way to promote Transcribed and lightly edited world, we feel that time passed by (By Daud Matthews-Arab News) important is the law of causality. compassion. For those people by Alexander Berzin) Our Dialogue ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 20 Practising Patience in

adversity favors white people, so he spent on his Passport (In Cairo you a lot of money trying to change have to have many stamps on your Q: In our everyday lives, we face so many problems himself, but he only ended up documents. You get this person to A: If we look at the obstacles making a mess of himself. stamp this and sign that and that in life, we can put them under and at times we get so tired that we keep wondering, Inner peace can only be achieved person to stamp that and sign this) a variety of headings: Personal ‘where’s God’, we lose hope, we simply want if the obstacles that are beyond But there he was at the airport with problems, family issues, financial everything to end. As a Muslim, please tell me, how our control are accepted by one stamp missing. As he was a dilemmas, work pressures and does one handle these problematic situations? us patiently as part of Allah’s teacher in Bahrain and this flight spiritual confusion. And there destiny. was the last one back to Bahrain are many issues under these Know that whatever happens which would enable him to report headings. really obstacles, but we have whatever we find of these kinds which we had or have no control back on time, missing it meant We have so many problems, so misinterpreted them as being of obstacles then we just have to over, then Allah has put in it some that he would have lost his job. So many obstacles that they are like obstacles. be patient with them and realize good, whether or not we are able he nagged them to let him on the illnesses. If we try to deal with For example, in this time one that, in fact, they are not really to grasp what is good in it; the flight. He became frantic, started them one by one we will never get might find oneself born obstacles. Allah told us: good is still there. So we accept crying and screaming and going through them. We need to identify black in a world that “…and it may be that it! berserk, but he could not get on them, put them in some general favors white people you dislike a thing There was an article in a the plane. It took off without him. categories and tackle them as over black people; which is good for newspaper, which had a He went (to his home in Cairo) a group as opposed to trying to or born poor in a you and that you photograph of a smiling Egyptian distraught, thinking that he was tackle each individual obstacle world that favors like a thing which man. He had a smile on his face finished and that his career was and problem. the rich over the is bad for you. from ear to ear with his hands over. His family comforted him To do this we have to first of all poor, or born Allah knows but stretched out and both thumbs and told him not to worry about remove obstacles that are beyond short, or crippled, you do not know.” sticking up; his father was kissing it. The next day, he heard the our control. We have to be able to or any other physical (Qur’an, 2: 216) him on one cheek and his sister on news that the plane he was meant distinguish which obstacles are condition which is So the obstacles that are the other cheek. to be on crashed and everybody within our control and which ones considered a handicap. beyond our control, we may Underneath the photograph it had on board died. And then there he are beyond our control. While we These are all things that were and dislike them and we may want to a caption. He was supposed to was, ecstatic that he did not make perceive the ones that are beyond are beyond our control. We did not change them, and some people have been on a Gulf Air flight the the flight. But the day before it our control as obstacles the reality choose which family to be born actually spend a lot of money day before, Cairo to Bahrain. He was the end of his life, a tragedy is that they are not. They are the in to; we did not choose which trying to change them. Michael had dashed down to the airport to that he did not get on the flight. things that Allah has destined body for our spirit to be blown Jackson is a classic example. He catch the flight and when he got These are signs, and such signs for us in our lives, they are not into, this is not our choice. So was born black in a world that there he had one stamp missing Page 22 LIVING ISLAM Imam Abu Bakr al-Ajurri a single word until the azaan for work done and on Saturday I He said, “If I die, sell this iron asked him who the youth was, he (d.330AH) mentions the following Zuhr had been called. He left for went looking for the youth, but spade, wash my woollen garment replied, “My son. He was born incident in his treatise Sifatul prayer and when he returned, he did not find him. I inquired after and towel and bury me in them. to me before I was afflicted with Ghuraba…. worked assiduously until ‘Asr him and discovered that he was Undo the pocket of my garment, leadership; he was a righteous and left for prayer again, when ill, someone who knew about you will find a ring in it, take it boy who learnt the Quran and It has reached us that Abdullah he returned, he worked until night him told me that he would work and await the day that Harun al- knowledge, when I became the ibn al-Faraj, the worshipper, said, fall, then I paid him his wage and for one and one-sixth dirham, and Rashid, the Khalifah, comes; Caliph, he left me, not desiring ‘I was in need of someone to make he left. stand in a place that he can anything of the world that had something for me so I went to the A few days later, we were see you, call him and show been opened before me. I gave marketplace looking for a suitable in need of some more work him the ring. He will call his mother this precious ring to person. At the end of the market, and my wife advised me to you and when he does, give give to him, knowing that he was I found a pale young boy before find the same youth again him the ring, but make sure obedient to his mother, in the hope whom was a large basket, he because of his sincere this only happens after my that he could sell it and use the wore a garment of wool and had a efforts. I went to the burial.” money. His mother passed away woolen towel. marketplace, but could not and after that I have heard nothing I agreed and he passed I asked him, “Do you work?” find him and upon asking of him till this day.” away. I did what he asked about him I found that he He replied, “Yes,” and awaited the day that al- Then he said, “At nightfall take only came on Saturday Rashid would pass by. me to his grave.” “How much do you charge?” I and always sat alone. asked. When that day came, I When night came, I took him to On Saturday, called out to his grave, he sat by it and weeping “One and one-sixth of a dirham.” I went to him him, “Leader overtook him, when dawn broke, and asked, ” The Simple Pious Labourer I said, “Stand and come to work.” we arose and returned. He asked Do you wish spend one-sixth me to stay with him and help him He said, “I have one condition..” to work?” Son of the Wealthy King everyday to to go to the grave every day and “What is it?” I asked. He replied, “You already know meet his daily needs. of the Believers! I have a trust to I did so. the wage and my condition.” I found out where he lived and discharge,” and I showed him the He replied, “When the time for I never knew that youth was the went to his house, and there I ring. Zuhr comes and the azaan is I agreed and he stood and worked son of al-Rashid until al-Rashid found an old woman and enquired given, I leave, purify myself, pray for me as he had previously done. He ordered me to come and I went himself told me.’ after him. She told me that he had in congregation in the mosque and This time I paid him more than with him to his house, he then been ill for a number of days; I (Source: The Journey of the then return. The same applies for he had asked for but he refused called me to him and everybody visited him and found him in a Strangers, Imam Abu Bakr al- ‘Asr.” to accept anything additional, I else left. He asked me who I was state, resting his head on a brick. Ajurri, pg-56-58 insisted and he became irritated and I told him, then he asked me I agreed. and left. This bore down on me I extended the salaam to him and where I got the ring from. I told Also mentioned in al-Tawwabin He went with me to my house and heavily and I left after him to at asked him if he needed anything. him the story of the youth and he pp.171-173 by Imam ibn I explained to him what needed least give him the wage he had wept, and kept weeping until I felt Qudamah and Tanbih al-Ghafilin He said, “Yes, if you accept.” to be done. He tightened his belt agreed upon. sorry for him and comforted him. vol.2pp.681-683 by Imam and commenced work, not saying After some time, I needed more I said, “I accept in’shallah.” When his weeping subsided, I Samarqandi.) Interview ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 21

“Those Muslims who adopt a traditionalist mindset of Islam’s superiority would not be capable of true Say, ‘People of the Book, dignity and autonomy. As far as let us arrive at a statement former is concerned, this can dialogue”…. Adis Duderija. that is common to us all: be achieved only at the level of we worship God alone, we the individual’s consciousness Adis Duderija was born in Bosnia in 1977. He is currently (Arabian monotheism based ascribe no partner to Him, through education, because lecturing at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He on the faith of Abraham) and and none of us takes others we cannot force someone to received his Ph.D. in 2010 from the University of Western Christianity. beside God as lords.’ If they ‘respect’ another religion unless Australia in contemporary Islamic hermeneutics. He has turn away, say, ‘Witness our that person sees something written extensively on issues related to Islam and Muslims. It is important to note in this devotion to Him.’(3:64) inherently good and righteous He also maintains a blog: adisduderija.blogspot.com context that the very fabric and in it that is common to all In this interview with Darwish, he talks about issues related nature of the Qur’an clearly [Prophet], call [people] to religions. to Islam, Muslims and interfaith dialogue. depicts many of the events and the way of your Lord with the nature of the relationship wisdom and good teaching. between the Muslim community Argue with them in the and the non-Muslim Other, most courteous way, for Q: What, in your view, should Meaningful interreligious during the revelatory period. your Lord knows best who be the basis of interfaith dialogue also brings about Here it is essential to point has strayed from His way dialogue? the multifaceted, complex out that the Qur’anic attitude and who is rightly guided. and contested nature of the (and, therefore, the Prophet (16:125) A: The basis for interfaith participants’ own religious Muhammad’s praxis) towards dialogue should be the traditions and does not neglect the religious Other was highly [Believers], argue only acknowledgement of every the cacophony of diverse and, at contextual in nature and in the best way with the Adis Duderija human being’s humanity and times, marginalized voices that therefore context-dependent, People of the Book, except basic dignity, regardless of make up each religious tradition if not ambivalent. The aspects with those of them who act Q: Why is it that relatively few their religious or any other itself. of religious identity, continuity unjustly. Say, ‘We believe in interfaith dialogues have been background. When two people and commonality with other what was revealed to us and initiated by Muslims? are engaged in a dialogue, Q: What does Islam say about faiths, especially Judaism in what was revealed to you; A: I am not sure that what you they embark on a search for interfaith dialogue? Can you and Christianity (adherents our God and your God are stated is entirely correct. Take common meaning though a please elaborate with the help of which the Qur’an refers one [and the same]; we are for example the “Common process of a mutual inquiry, of references to the Quran and to as Ahl-e Kitab, i.e. People devoted to Him.’ (29:46) Word” initiative taken by and in the spirit of coopertion Hadith? Muslim scholars and academics they suspend any preconceived A: This is a complex question. in the light of the famous assumptions of the other prior to Regensburg lecture given by entering it. Through dialogue, its The Islamic tradition, like any other religious tradition, is the former Pope. There are participants become consciously many other similar initiatives. ‘vulnerable’, seeking deeper open to many interpretations on many issues, including that However, there is some truth in understanding of the other your question. Those Muslims (and thereby the self) with the of interfaith dialogue. It is the respective interpretational who adopt a traditionalist aim of generating empathy mindset of Islam’s superiority and increased sensitivity for models governing these textual of Scripture), are intertwined Q: Some people may claim ipso facto would not be capable humanity and the inherent sources as well as interpretations with those of the emergence that because many Muslims of true dialogue. dignity and difference of the of Muslim history that will and emphasis on the Muslim think of other religions as other. It is a process of bringing determine the outcome of the Q: There are hardly any identity, originality and false or corrupted, Muslims the hearts (and not necessarily interpretation. If interpreted genuine intra-Muslim distinctiveness. In addition see little point in dialogue. the minds) of those engaged in holistically and with due dialogue efforts—dialogue to this, in the Qur’an there are What do you have to say? dialogue together. consideration to the historical between different Muslim context in which the revelation verses (e.g. 22:17;5:69;2:62) ‘sects’. Intra Muslim, inter- which place some of the A: I think that the kind of Willingness to exercise was reveled and which it in many sectarian polemics not only Ahl-e Kitab adherents in very mentality and arguments you introspection and self-criticism ways mirrored, the normative continue unabated (with each favourable light, while in described do predominate among are also essential ingredients sources of Islam—the Qur’an Muslim sect claiming to be the some verses, other members significant portions of Muslim of those engaging in dialogue. and Sunna—in my view present true, saved [najiyya] one), but of the Ahl-e Kitab are strongly community, especially among For dialogue to be meaningful, us with many opportunities they have sharply escalated in criticized for some of their traditional religious leaders and its participants must establish for a fruitful and constructive recent times in many places beliefs and unjust practices, their proponents. Indeed, for mutual trust and approach interfaith dialogue. and in several countries have such as the belief in the Divine those who do adopt such a view, dialogue with integrity and now assumed fiercely violent nature of Jesus (which Muslims it is incommensurate with the honesty. To understand how Muslims nature of dialogue in its proper forms. have approached (and still understood as a form of shirk or If the different Muslim sects polytheism), the distortion of meaning as described above. Q: What do you feel should approach) interreligious For them, this ‘dialogue’ would cannot peacefully dialogue be the purpose(s) of interfaith dialogue, in addition examining the (meaning) of the previous among themselves and see texts of revelation (known as amount to nothing more than a dialogue? scriptural sources more needs chance to ‘proselytise’. polemics and violence as to be said about the context in tahrif), or killing of previous the way to deal with their A: What I outlined above about which Islam first appeared. The Messengers of God . The reports Q: What do you think should differences, can we seriously the nature of dialogue in general context of the emergence of about Prophet Muhammad’s be meant when we talk expect Muslims to be sincerely also applies to interreligious Prophet attitude regarding the religious about the need to respect enthusiastic about dialoguing dialogue. What is peculiar to other as given in the Hadith other religions? Does it mean with people of other faiths? interreligious dialogue is that, Muhammad’s message in literature reflect this Qur’anic respecting these religions given the above, it does not seventh century Arabia as contextuality and possibly (their beliefs, practices etc), A: This is a very important seek doctrinal agreement or evident in the Qur’an was such ambivalence via-a-vis the or respecting the right of their point. I attempted to establish on conversion, but is a process of that it took place alongside religious other. The Qur’an adherents to follow them? two occasions, some years ago, enriching one’s own faith by other already well-established is, however, unequivocal on A: For the purposes of governance an academic journal on intra- gaining a better understanding religious communities, most the importance and beauty of and law, it is the latter, as long Muslim dialogue. It never took of the other and establishing important of which were, apart dialogue with just and upright as they are based on a principle off. In some places like Lebanon respect for those who belong to from Arabian pre-Qur’anic religious others, as evident in of a shared universal that does I think there has been some a different religious tradition. beliefs, Judaism, Hanifiyyah the following verses: not undermine a person’s Page 22 Reflections ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 22 Cooking His Way to Contentment

therefore, they are doomed to about the many things he can How many of us think like Raju How many of us regard our work as an always being agitated, unhappy cook—from Kashmiri palau Anna? I hardly do, I have to expression of our gratitude to God for all and discontented with life. You to Tibetan momos to Kerala admit. simply can’t be happy as long as parathas and stew—you can see How many of us, even those of that He has given us? you are poor, I used to think. his eyes light up with sheer joy! us who’ve been blessed with a But Raju Anna has taught me ‘Do you know why Raju well-paying job, passionately By Das K fraction of what he might have that it’s not just people with fat Anna’s food tastes so special?’ pour our hearts into our work, got elsewhere for the work he salaries and jet-setting lifestyles said Salim, his co-worker, the as Raju Anna does? How many ‘I love it when big groups come does. who can enjoy what they do for other day. ‘It’s because he puts of us see our work as a means to visiting’, said Raju Anna the ‘You could earn lakhs a living. You can see that so much love into it! If you express our inner selves, and not other day. ‘It’s wonderful then, if you opened an eatery Raju Anna puts his whole cook mechanically, without simply a way to earn money or being busy, doing things— of your own,’ I told heart into his work any enthusiasm, it spoils the a routine exercise that we think washing and cutting vegetables, him the other day. But as he sweats it out taste. You can make out when we simply have to go through, cooking food, rolling laddus, he just laughed it off. on a hot summer someone’s cooked something day after day? making chapattis. When there ‘God has blessed me afternoon frying like that. But when you cook How many of us consider are no groups, it’s terribly dull, with enough money. I have a with love and passion—as Raju our work as a means to help and I don’t know what to do with house back home in my village. Anna does—it makes such a others, and not just ourselves? myself then!’ My son drives a truck and difference!’ How many of us, even those Raju Anna is—and I can vouch gives enough money to ‘ I love cooking, not only of us who have jobs with hefty for this personally—definitely his mother. What need do because it’s my bread-and- salaries, never complain about among the best cooks in the I have to earn lakhs? I’m butter and it keeps me busy,’ ‘low’ pay? whole of India. He works in the content with what I already Raju Anna says, ‘but also How many of us aren’t driven by hostel where I presently live, have,’ he replied. ‘The more because it’s my way of helping perpetual dissatisfaction with our which doubles up as a guesthouse money you have, the more others. I feel happy when I think work and aggressive ambition to for groups sponsored by various problems you have to face.’ that because I do the cooking, so ‘make it big’? NGOs for training progammes. It’s truly amazing, Raju Anna’s many other people who live in How many of us regard our work Raju Anna is just a little older passion for his work. It’s made the hostel or spend a few days as an expression of our gratitude than me—perhaps 55 or so—but me unlearn some things that I here are spared the need to make to God for all that He has given he looks much younger than thought were plainly obvious— their own food and so they can us? Raju Anna—thanks for all his age, and he’s almost always for instance, that it’s only if focus on doing other things. the many things that I’ve learnt bursting with energy. you are paid a hefty salary My cooking is an expression of and unlearnt seeing you going ‘I just LOVE my work!’ he says. that you can truly enjoy what my gratitude to God for all that about your work. He’s still a temporary worker— you do for a living. Or that for He’s given me. It’s also my way And yes, as I never fail to tell which means his salary isn’t very all poor people, their work is samosas in a giant vat or rolls of paying back to society for you whenever you make it for much—but I’ve never heard him necessarily, and in every case, two hundred rotis for a special everything that I’ve received breakfast, your uppuma is just complain about it. He gets only a an imposed drudgery, and that, lunch. When you hear him talk from it.’ SOOOOOOPER! Page 21 Page 20 Practising Patience ... Interview ... can be found in the story of Musa of the boat praised Allah due to OUR AGENTS progress with regard to intra- bringing people of different and Khidr. When Khidr made a the fact that there was a hole in Muslim dialogue, and perhaps faiths and backgrounds face hole in the boat of the people who their boat. (This incident refers the larger Muslim community to face on a regular basis who were kind enough to take him to a king who was an oppressor can learn from it. However, as otherwise might not have ever and Musa across the river, Musa and was known for seizing every you suggested, the dynamics met is itself powerful enough asked why he (Khidr) did that. good boat by force, but the at play between intra-Muslim to warrant the continued When the owners of the boat saw people who owned the boat were dialogue and interfaith dialogue existence interfaith dialogue. the hole in the boat they wondered poor people and it was their only are not too different. My experience of such dialogue who did it and thought that it was means of benefit so Khidr wanted has definitely helped me in a nasty thing to have done. A short the boat to appear to be faulty so Q: Can you please reflect on better recognizing our human while later the king came down that the king did not seize it in your experiences of interfaith condition , our profound to the river and forcefully took order for the poor people to carry dialogue. What do you feel interconnectedness , the away all the boats except the one on benefiting from it.) about the efficacy of such inherent dignity of each human with a hole in it. So the owners (By Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips) encounters? being , the many commonalities A: I have been involved in different religions/spiritualities interfaith dialogue for about 5 share, and have shattered some Job Opening for years. It is not easy to evaluate preconceived notions I had in the efficacy of these initiatives my mind. Office Assistant unless one adopts a scientific (Adis Duderija can be empirical approach. But based on contacted on adisduderija@ Islamic Voice requires MALE office assistant with good my anecdotal evidence, simply gmail.com) knowledge of computer data entry/ emails and typing letters. The candidate should have good communication and inter-personal Page 1 skills to handle field work related to office like going to the bank, Against Extremism ... post office, printing press and other miscellaneous office work on rather for remaining faithful to the by Kazakh President Nursultan scooter. heritage of their ancestors," the Nazarbaev as an international The candidate should be aged preferably between 35 to 50 years, Interreligious Council of Russia's discussion, raged about the should be honest, punctual and follow office rules of records, book Roman Bogdasarov said. advisability of going to war in keeping, and timings. "Some dishonest political leaders Iraq. It has completed a decade Interested candidates can send their C V by mail to awskhan@ are bent on polarizing us," as one of the most important gmail.com or [email protected]. Bogdasarov, a Russian Orthodox international events among many By post, send your CV to The Manager, Islamic Voice, No 3/1, deacon, said. others, organised by the former Palmgrove Road, Victoria Layout. Bangalore-560047. The Congress, founded in 2003 Soviet republic. MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 23 Contemporary Muslims are in Need of Spirituality

By Tariq Ramadan with the moral protection of the of cultural colonialism and faithful, based on the reiteration alienation perceived and As far as Islam is concerned, of norms, rituals and, above all, experienced in Arab societies. Muslim societies are profoundly bereft it must be noted that Arab and prohibitions. But spirituality Caught up in political resistance, of serenity, coherence and peace. The Muslim majority societies are is not faith without religion; Islamist movements have time has come for a spiritual and seriously lacking in spirituality. it is the quest for meaning and gradually focused their attention religious emancipation. There is not a deficit of “religion” peace of heart as the essence of on questions of a formal nature, but of spiritual life. It can be religion. Viewed in this light, setting aside the spiritual core of encountered among Islamists, Muslim majority societies are religious practice. Between the propounded do not encourage even in the way it asserts itself as well as among secularists profoundly bereft of serenity, rhetoric of traditional religious the autonomy, well-being and against the opposition. Social and ordinary citizens. Religion coherence and peace. The time authorities and institutions, and confidence of human beings and political activism prevails refers to the framework, to the has come for a spiritual and that of the Islamists, whether in their everyday individual over spiritual considerations; structure of ritual, to the rights religious emancipation. narrowly rigorous in outlook and social lives. In their the struggle for power has and obligations of believers The decline of Islamic or hypnotized by political formalism and concentration sometimes eclipsed the quest and, as such, lies at the heart of civilisation, followed by liberation, ordinary citizens are upon norms, the traditional for meaning. social and political debate. In colonialism, has left its mark, as offered few answers to their institutions that represent or By way of response to this the classical Islamic tradition, has the experience of political spiritual pursuit of meaning, teach Islam reproduce a double void, the majority of mystical framework, reference and and cultural resistance. The faith, the heart and peace. culture of prohibition and movements and circles have practices can — like all religions way in which religion, and the Between the overbearing guilt. The religious reference called upon their initiates to and spiritual traditions — be best Islamic reference, are understood ritualism of official religious is transformed into a mirror in direct their attention inwards, seen in the light of their relation was gradually adapted to the institutions and the obsessive which the believers are called towards themselves, their to meaning (here, to the Divine), requirements of resistance : for politicisation of Islamist leaders upon to judge themselves for hearts, their worship and their to a conception of life and death, both traditional Muslim scholars the thirst for meaning, which their own deficiencies: such inner peace. Around them has to the life of the heart and mind. (Ulema) and Islamist movements finds its expression in cultural rhetoric can generate nothing arisen a culture of isolation, Contemporary Islamic discourse (which often began with mystical and religious references, seeks more than unease. The Islamist social and political passivity and has, however, too often lost aspirations) moral norms, rules for ways to express itself. approach, which seeks to free loss of responsibility, as though its substance, which is that pertaining to food, dress and Mysticism sometimes provides society from foreign influence, spirituality were somehow of meaning, of understanding strict observance of ritual have the solution. But careful thought has in the long run brought necessarily opposed to action. ultimate goals and the state of the come increasingly to the fore should be given to the real-life forth a culture of reaction, Still, it must be noted that a heart. Increasingly, it has been as means of self-assertion, in impact of such phenomena as they differentiation and frequently large number of Sufi circles do reduced to reactivity, preoccupied direct proportion to the danger relate to the crisis of spirituality of judgment: who is a Muslim, speak out on social and political and therefore of religion. what is Islamic legitimacy, etc. It issues, and actually encourage In every case, the teachings sometimes casts itself as victim; their followers to speak out on social and political matters, and to become actively involved in society. Between the culture of prohibition and guilt and that of reaction and victimisation, between abandonment of responsibility and isolationism, what options remain for the Arab world to reconcile itself to its cultural, religious and spiritual heritage? What must be done to propound a culture of well-being, autonomy and responsibility? There is a need to rediscover and reclaim the spirituality that permeates Eastern cultures, and that lies at the heart of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, a consideration that today’s social and political uprisings can ill afford to neglect. For there can be no viable democracy, no pluralism in any society without the well- being of individuals, the citizens and the religious communities. (The writer is Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University)- matrimonial ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 24 WANTED GROOM NO. 9916882156. Email: shahinpasha@ 5’.4” groom should be an engineer, well qualified person hailing from a decent Bride should be from respectable gmail.com settled, up to 30 years, above 5’.9” working educated family Working in India or educated family from “AHLE SUNNAT SM BROTHERS SEEK ALLIANCE in Bangalore/Middle-East from decent abroad. Mail bio-data to prof.wayez@ WAL JAMAT” family, Beautiful/fair 24 to A Highly renowned and reputed Delhi FOR THEIR SISTER, 36 YRS. family. Contact 0816-2271990,Mobile- gmail.com contact 9632878387. 26 yrs. BE, MSC or any PG degree 5’.4” based Sunni Muslim family invites OLD MBA GRADUATE, FAIR, 9008273357,email:naveeda622@ to 5’8” No Dowry, No-Demand. Call 080- alliance for their very talented, slim,fair, Sunni Muslim Parents seek alliance 5’.3” HEIGHT, WORKING yahoo.co.in 26688465, Mob. 9448015421. PROFESSIONAL NEVER MARRIED, beautiful,26 years,5 feet 7 inches, for their daughter 25 years, Ht.5.4” WITH VERY GOOD FAMILY & convent educated, postgraduate Sunni Muslim parents invite alliances Bcom-MBA,CA, working in a MNC as SUNNI MUSLIM PARENTS ISLAMIC VALUES FROM DECENT daughter, with moderate Islamic for their daughter 23 years, M.Com. a senior Associate religious, modern SEEK ALLIANCE FOR THEIR FAMILY SETTLED IN BANGALORE. upbringing. Email:sabakhan2223@ PGFM. Height 5.11 observes Hijab, outlook. Groom should be post HIGHLY SETTLED ONLY SON, KINDLY SEND BIO-DATA WITH gmail.com whatsapp/sms:08586814361 good looking from educated well settled graduate, well settled, religious, modern MBA (FINANCE), 5’11” AGED 29, PHOTO TO EMAIL: EHTHYSHAM@ Grooms. Father working as an Officer mindset. Contact: 9886169197. Email: WORKING IN TOP MULTINATIONAL SM Syed Parents invite alliance for GMAIL.COM MOOSAKAZIMV.R.@ at Reserve Bank of India, Bangalore. [email protected] COMPANY, BANGALORE, FROM their daughter 25 years 5”.4” B.E. Civil GMAIL.COM MOB.9008490720 OR Contact at 9448239863 or Email to : RESPECTABLE, PIOUS AND pursuing M.Tech. Groom should be 08939100064 [email protected] EDUCATED FAMILY. HE IS VERY professionally qualified well settled from WANTED BRIDE CARING, HOMELY, DOWN- a decent family. Send photo Biodata SM parents (shariff) seek alliance Mysore SM family seek alliance Sunni Muslim family with a well- TO-EARTH, HANDSOME AND email: [email protected] for their daughter 25 yrs , 5'.7"; B.E, for their only daughter, 25 yrs, 5'5", established land-developers business, BROUGHT UP WITH GREAT coming from decent, religious well MBBS, religious. Looking for a groom seek alliance for their son 28-years FAMILY VALUES. BRIDE SHOULD Tamilnadu: SM Parents Urdu speaking, settled, small & respected family from preferably MD/MS/BE/MBA. contact (BBM).,6ft.,tall, handsome, athletic BE GRADUATE OR AALIMA, Kula, No issue, Age 33 years,165 cms. Mysore, Require a well settled boy Ph: 0821-2490997, 9901270460. grown up with Islamic values. The RELIGIOUS, KIND HEARTED AND MCA,very fair and slim working in IT from a sheikh/syed/ shariff family who email:[email protected] Bride should be of age of 25 years, SHOULD LEAD A HAPPY LIFE. Co., seek any professional, Divorcee, should be B.E , Mtech, MS, MD from fair, beautiful, religious Non-working, SHE WILL BE HOMEMAKER. SM Khan family seek alliance for their preferably from Chennai or Bangalore. Bangalore/Mysore/UAE. Preferably 27 - with good values, contact Mobile ABSOLUTELY NO DEMANDS. religious daughter B.E.(E&C) working Please contact:09444050315,Email:kha 31 Yrs. Please send biodata and photo No.9886464017 or Email: ramez786@ CONTACT: 9845218292 Email: in Central Govt. Undertaking as Senior [email protected] to: [email protected]; gmail.com [email protected] Engineer, aged about 29 years,5.4” tall Mysore: We are a nucleus, educated, Mob:9886990734 & fair, Groom should be well educated/ Bangalore based sunni Muslim parents religious & middle class family, seek BANGALORE S.M. PARENTS SEEK BRIDE & GROOM settled Muslim Family preferably alliance for our daughter, aged 23, invite alliance for their son aged 33years B.E.,MCA., M.B.A., or equivalent ALLIANCE FOR THEIR KHULA Bsc,Dip in computers, working in Saudi SM Syed Parents seek alliance fair, height 5’.2”, B.E-Electronics & OBTAINED ISSUE LESS DAUGHTER residing in & around Bangalore aged Communications, performed Hajj & Arabia. Girl should be a graduate 24-27 for daughter 22 years 5’.4” Bsc FAIR GOOD LOOKING 36 YEARS. (Biochemistry),fair, Beautiful, religious, around 30-35 years. Please Email Bio Umrahs, not sent for employment, yrs age from a decent and Islamic fly. Early B.U.M.S., PRACTICING DOCTOR own house, Boy should be B.E. or M.B.A data to [email protected] or observes Hijaab, wear Niqaab marriage (as the boy has come down), LOOKING FROM EDUCATED ,age 25-28 Years, religious ,own house, call @ 9901682829/9886953199. compulsorily, follows rulings on Contact: 9448611968, Mail your photo PROFESSIONAL QUALIFIED WORKING working in Bangalore or Gulf. Mahrams & Non-Mahrams relating to biodata to [email protected]. OR WELL SETTLED BUSINESSMAN Son B.E. working in IT Company 27 SM PARENT INVITE GROOM FOR Purdah. We are looking for a well settled, BELOW 42 YEARS MOB: 9448030576 BANGALORE: SM Educated & years, 5.10” religious, girl should be SECOND MARRIAGE OF THEIR qualified groom from religious family Email : [email protected] respectable sheikh parents seek alliance any graduate, homely and religious DAUGHTER FAIR 5’.3”,22 YEARS, who believe in no dowry or demands for son 30 yrs. 5’.10” working as senior early marriage Email:Gulnazbegum01@ STUDYING IN 5TH SEM. BCA FROM & simple marriage as per Shariah. Our SM parents seek alliance for their software engineer in MNC Bangalore. gmail.com Mob: 9964309133 EDUCATED PROFESSIONALS/ contacts: Cell: 97425 67577 or Email: daughter B.E., 27 yrs 5.7'' good looking BUSINESS CLASS FROM BANGALORE [email protected]. belonging to a respectable and educated & WITHOUT ISSUE. AGE SHOULD family, working as Technology Leader at Page 27 Women in the Early Days ... BE AROUND 30 YEARS. SEND YOUR SM Parents seek alliance for their INFOSYS USA and holding a valid H1B BIODATA WITH LATEST PHOTOS CELL daughter, good looking, BE, 23 years, allow her to continue her charity in Madinah to accept Islam; Visa. Groom should be professionally work after marriage. Rufaida Al-Aslamia is depicted as a kind, empathetic nurse and a Page 14 In Teaching: Does FBI Create Terrorist? ... good organizer. With her clinical to such baits from the FBI. But the spy net the FBI cameras in order to justify the expenditure from the Shifa Bint Abdullah Al- skills, she trained other women to is spreading has caused alienation among them as public exchequer. Equally significant is observation Adawiyyah was one of the few be nurses and to work in the area newcomers in any mosques are suspected. People from Myron Fuller, ex FBI veteran: “The billions of people who were literate in of health care. She also worked as are reluctant to speak to new neighbours. It restricts dollars allocated to terrorism have forced the FBI to the pre-Islamic times. She was a social worker, helping to solve voluntary information and most of the info reaching assume that a danger exists in communities where known for her sharp intellect social problems associated with the FBI is of coerced nature. intelligence indicate no threat is present, and sting and beneficial knowledge. She illness. cases are simply the Bureau’s way of justifying how was skilled in the art of Ruqyah, In Battles: FBI Fuels Bigotry it is spending all the money it receives for counter- or promoting healing through Nusayba Bint Kaab Al-Anariyya, Once into their dragnet, the FBI informants fuel terrorism.” supplications, spirituality, prayer, also known as Umm Ammara, is bigotry in their prey and bolster their personal and reading verses from the holy another shining example on the narratives of persecution as a misunderstood Bogeymen from Buffoons Qur’an. During the early days of role of women in Islam. Nusayba Muslims. They will pounce upon any opportunity to The author is of the view that most of those Islam, she taught Muslim women is most remembered for taking amplify paranoia and hatred of Jews. For example convicted for terrorism in 150 and odd cases so far the art of Ruqyah as well as how to read and write. part in the Battle of Uhud (when one informant told his recruit: ‘I was reading in one were ordinary crooks and braggarts who walked the tide of the battle changed) of the newspapers, in the New York Times, that every into the traps laid by the FBI informants and were In Nursing and Social Work: in which she carried swords second among the advisors in the White House were convicted on the basis of acts they did simply out of Born into a family with strong and shields and fought against Yahuds’. stupidity. No wonder then that several FBI former ties to the medical community, the enemy troops. She shielded FBI agents are under severe pressure from their officers complain that the Government was creating Rufaida Al Aslamia’s father, Saad Prophet Muhammad (peace be superiors to build a terrorism case, something to offer bogeymen from buffoons in the name of fighting Al Aslamy, was a physician and upon him) from enemies and bore to the public about terrorists taped, caught on secret terror. n mentor under whom Rufaida several wounds while fighting initially obtained clinical in front of him to protect him. Page 25 You Can Become A Super Achiever ... experience. Devoting herself to It is said that after she sustained are bound to receive less energy great task as their goal. Thus, their the quantum of success depends nursing and taking care of sick her twelfth wound, she fell from your mind and the result minds release a greater amount of on one’s own planning. Wise people, Rufaida Al-Aslamia unconscious and the first question will be that your personality will energy for the performance of this planning makes one a superman became an expert healer. She she asked when she awoke a day become weak. If you are ambitious task, and so they become super or superwoman, while unwise practiced her skills in field later was, “How is the Prophet? and choose to embark on a great achievers. planning makes one lag behind in hospitals in her tent during many Did the Prophet survive?” task, then certainly your mind will Man himself is the master of his life. battles. Women such as Khadijah Bint release a greater amount of energy, destiny. This saying is true, but The mind of an individual is like She was among the first people Khuwaylid, Nusayba Bint Kaab the result of which will be that you not in a mysterious sense. It all a great water reservoir. Opening Al- An?ariyya, Aisha Bint Abi will develop a strong personality. depends on how much a person has the gate of this reservoir depends is this difference that decides the Taleb, and many other women Everyone is born with the same unfolded his mind and how much on one’s target. If one’s target is level of one’s achievement. became key public figures in the mind that is full of energy. But energy the mind has released. an ordinary target then the mind Never complain to others. Try to earliest years of Islamic history, some people fail to utilise this One achieves greater or smaller will open the door of energy on a utilise your own mind, and you and they serve as great role energy and die without developing successes in life depending on how smaller scale. But, if the target is will certainly achieve anything models for the Muslim woman. their personalities fully. The other much energy one’s mind releases. a big one, the mind will open the you want to in life. Source: (http://www.saudigazette. kind of people are those who set a Every individual is self-made. But gate of energy on a larger scale. It (www.speakingtree.in) com.sa/ n MISCELLANY ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 25 The Wonderful Woodpecker

Pine trees older than 100 years suffer an illness that causes the hard and thick bark to soften. This was only recently discovered by science, but woodpeckers have known it for centuries. By Harun Yahya nothing happens to it. that causes the hard and thick life; woodpeckers have known it tongues are also sticky, which Nothing happens because the bark to soften. This was only for centuries. allows them to collect the ants As we all know, woodpeckers head structure of woodpeckers recently discovered by science This is not the only reason why that live there. The perfection in build their nests by boring holes is ideally created for such a task. and perhaps you may be reading the woodpeckers prefer pine their Creation is further revealed in tree trunks with their beaks. The skull of the woodpecker trees. Woodpeckers dig cavities by the fact that their tongues have This may sound familiar to has a remarkable suspension around their nests, the function a structure which prevents them most people. But the point many system that absorbs the force of which was not originally from being harmed by the acid in people fail to examine is why of the blows. Its forehead and understood. These cavities were the bodies of the ants. woodpeckers suffer no brain some skull muscles adjoined later understood to protect them These woodpeckers prove with haemorrhage when they beat a to its beak and the jaw joint are from a great danger. Over time, all their detailed features that tattoo so vigorously with their so robust that they help lessen the sticky resin that leaks from the they are 'created'. If woodpeckers heads. What the woodpecker does the effect of the forceful strokes pine trees fills up the cavities and had evolved coincidentally as the is in a way similar to a human during pecking. the outpost of the woodpecker's theory of evolution claims, they being driving a nail into the wall Calculation and order do not nest is thus filled with a pool would have died before they with his head. If a man ventured to end here. Preferring primarily whereby woodpeckers can be acquired such extraordinarily do something like that, he would pine trees, a certain species of protected from snakes, their consistent traits and they would probably undergo a brain shock woodpecker checks the age of the greatest enemies. be extinct. However, as they followed by a brain haemorrhage. trees before boring a hole in them Another interesting feature of were created by Allah, they However, a woodpecker can peck and picks those older than 100 woodpeckers is that their tongues started their lives by bearing all a hard tree trunk 38-43 times in years, because pine trees older are thin enough to penetrate even the vital characteristics suitable just two or three seconds and than 100 years suffer an illness of it here for the first time in your ants' nests in the trees. Their for their life. n YOUTH & LIFE You Can Become A Super Achiever your personality, as it controls all only be done with the help of this Everyone is born with the same mind that is full of of your activities. Studies show energy. If we choose to do an easy energy. But some people fail to utilise this energy and that all our performances depend task, then the mind will release a die without developing their personalities fully. totally on our minds. The mind lesser amount of energy. And, if we has unlimited reserves of energy. decide to do some difficult or great By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan All those individuals who attained When we decide to do anything, task, then the mind will release a greatness, regardless of which the mind at once releases energy greater amount of energy. Not facility, not ease, but difficulty walk of life they came from, were and we perform with the aid of this The building of a personality and effort make a man, wrote the products of difficulty and not energy. depends on your own efforts. If you Scottish author and reformer of facility. They faced challenges The mind is the prime source of are an easygoing person then you Samuel Smiles. This statement is and emerged as super achievers. energy and whatever we do can Page 24 based on a natural fact and examples But the question is: why does in history have proved its veracity. difficulty have a greater role to play

in the building of a personality than facility? The reason is traceable to one of the laws of nature. The fact is that all of our actions, big or small, are directly related to our minds. It is the mind that directs all activities of our personality. The human mind is greater than all great things of the universe: It is the mind that is master of Global Affairs ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 26 R&D in Arabian, Persian, Turkish Middle East grouping have increased their share average. For Turkey, 1.5% of 900 papers in 2009 while Qatar too Scientific Research in Middle East of world output from less than 2% its engineering output met the has risen from 51 in 2000 to 230 in Turkey and Iran lead the rest of Watch sponsored by Thomson to more than 4% in the last decade. same criterion. Although national 2009. the Middle East nations in R&D Reuters has been compiling reports The volume of world output average citation impact may lag v Iraq, Qatar and Yemen more than activity. The nations in the region on progress of scientific research indexed by Thomson Reuters behind world averages, there is doubled their – still small - share spend just one-fourth of the world regionwise for the last few years. increased from around 760,000 to a growing volume of excellence of world output between 2000 and average on R&D. We present the summary of its that will undoubtedly enable 2009. Islamic world, mainly the Arabian, observations with regard to the further growth of high-quality v Turkey produces about half Persian and Turkish Middle East AP&TME region. The 14 countries capacity. of the region’s research articles (referred to as AP&TME for the which are covered here are: v Among the larger producers, and reviews, of which medical sake of this report) contributed Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Turkey’s predominance is research makes up its biggest single richly to the advancement of science Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, strikingly evident, as is its discipline. Iran produces about during the middle ages when Europe Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United steep rise from just over 5,000 one-quarter of regional output, was into its dark ages. But in the Arab Emirates and Yemen. papers in 2000 to nearly 22,000 Egypt slightly less than one-eighth, modern era, it has fallen behind and v The OIC’s (Organisation of in 2009. Iran, meanwhile, Saudi Arabia about half as much does not show significantly on the Islamic Conference which has 57 although starting from a lower as Egypt and Jordan about half as international Scientific Research member-states) research investment over 1,160,000 publications in the point with roughly 1,300 papers much again. These five collectively chart. (expenditure on R&D compared same period, so the region is taking in 2000, has displayed a similar account for more than 90% of total Investment in higher education to Gross Domestic Products or a growing fraction of an expanding trajectory following a notable surge AP&TME research publications. and research builds up a country’s GDP) and capacity (i.e., number of pool. after 2004. By 2009, Iran’s output The five nations smallest in research knowledge capacity, its ability to use researchers compared to population) v Research activity and output by approached 15,000 papers. The rest productivity came from Syria, discovery and innovation to create is just 25% of world averages. (This Turkey and Iran has progressed of the world has been expanding as Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain and Yemen economic wealth, and its potential means the OIC countries spend just notably. For Iran, 1.7% of its well. Nonetheless, Turkey’s share produced about 3,000 publications to realize benefits in health, culture $25 on R&D if the world average is publications in mathematics were of world output nearly trebled from over the period. and the quality of life. taken as $100). ranked in the global 1% most 0.7% in 2000 to 1.9% in 2009 while This report is a summarized on The global organization Science v The 14 countries in the AP&TME highly-cited: well above global Iran’s share grew phenomenally the basis of Global Science Watch from less than 0.2% to 1.3% over report produced periodically by One Million Newborns Die within 24 hours the same decade. Thomson Reuters. The Science v Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan Watch does not include Israel in the of Birth: UN Report have trebled their world share over AP&TME region. where it stood in 2000. (For detailed report log on to: In a break from the recent slate to eat contributed to nearly half of for more than one-third of deaths v The United Arab Emirates’ http://sciencewatch.com/grr/ of doom-and-gloom reports of all deaths in children under 5, the among children under five, while contribution has risen sharply i.e., middle-east) catastrophes, wars and destruction, report said. sub-Saharan Africa has the world's a United Nations report says the Children in sub-Saharan Africa and highest child mortality rates, having number of children under 5 who South Asia remain at greater risk recorded reductions in line with the die each year fell by 49 percent than their counterparts elsewhere world average. between 1990 and 2013, from 12.7 on the globe. Nearly half of all There has been dramatic and million to 6.3 million, saving accelerating progress in 17,000 lives every day. One reducing mortality among million babies each year died children, and the data prove WORKSHOP SCHEDULE within 24 hours of birth from that success is possible even for 1.​ WORKSHOP IN UDIPI mostly preventable causes, a poorly resourced countries. Dates: 10, 11 & 12 OCTOBER 2014 recent United Nations (UN) The 2014 Committing to Child ​Workshop fees - 500 report, released on September Survival, a Promise Renewed Venue - Salihat ​E​nglish medium school, T​onse​, ​ ​U​dupi 16, 2014, said. progress report showed that Contact - abdul kadir:​​ 096 11 697629 The report, titled “Levels and child deaths in 2013, 3.1 million, many of these deaths could be Mohammed Anis​: ​ 9970042726​ Email: [email protected] / [email protected] Trends in Child Mortality 2014” and occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. easily prevented with simple, cost- compiled by UNICEF, the World Nearly a third, 2 million, were in effective interventions before, ​2​. WORKSHOP IN GOA Health Organization, the World South Asia. during and immediately after Dates: 17, 18 & 19 OCTOBER 2014 Bank, and the U.N’s Department of The report found that rich, birth. ​Workshop fees - 1000 Economic and Social affairs, said developed regions accounted for The report, released by the Venue - ​D​uttraj hall, above M​ ​ahindra showroom, A​rlem, ​M​argao that the rate for deaths of children only 1.4 percent of child deaths United Nations Children's Fund Contact - J​ ​unaid ​: ​9225983350 ​Mohammed ​Anis​: ​ 9970042726​ under 5 fell from 90 deaths per in 2013 _ about 87,000, of whom (UNICEF), is the second in a series Email: [email protected] / [email protected] 1,000 live births in 1990 to 46 in 29,000 died in the United States. intended to track progress on child ​ ​ 2013. Latin America and the Caribbean, survival and hold governments ​3​ WORKSHOP IN BAHRAIN Overall, in developing regions, Eastern Asia and Northern Africa, accountable. Dates: 29, 30, 31 & 1​ ​NOVEMBER 2014 the rate fell from 100 per 1,000 the data show, reduced the under-5 The data clearly demonstrate that an Organized By: Discover Islam live births in 1990 to 50 in 2013, mortality by more than two-thirds infant's chances of survival increase Contact: Syed Thahir, Cell: +973 39821748 the report said. In rich, developed since 1990, with reductions of 67 dramatically when their mother has Email: [email protected] ​ regions, the rate fell from 15 per sustained access to quality health percent, 76 percent and 67 percent, ​4​. WORKSHOP IN ​DUBAI​ 1,000 live births in 1990 to six respectively. care during pregnancy and delivery. Dates: 06, 07 & 08 NOVEMBER 2014 in 2013. In the United States, Similarly, the findings show that Special efforts must also be made ​ contact Mr Hamid : 0503387289/0561153948 the decline was somewhat less of the 60 countries where the to ensure that the most vulnerable EMAIL:[email protected] dramatic, from 11 per 1,000 live under-5 mortality rate remains are reached. births in 1990 to seven in 2013. higher than 40 deaths per 1,000 Since 1990, the number of under- 5.​​ WORKSHOP IN KARIMNAGAR The major causes of death live births in 2013, 27 reduced the five years’ old children's deaths has Dates: 14, 15 & 16 NOVEMBER 2014 Organised by​: ​ MESWAK for children under 5 are pre- rate by at least half since 1990. been cut in half from 12.7 million ​(​Muslim Educational Social Welfare Association​) term birth complications (17 Among those countries with the to 6.3 million. But more remains ​Karimnagar​, Telangana State.​ percent); pneumonia (15 percent); biggest reductions were Malawi, to be done. The first 28 days of Contact: Dr.Syed Imam Showkath Ali complications during labor and Bangladesh, Liberia, Tanzania, a newborn's life are the most +91-9885247333 / +91-8125247333 delivery (11 percent); diarrhea (9 Ethiopia, East Timor, Niger and vulnerable and as it stands now ​E​mail : [email protected]​ percent); and malaria (7 percent), Eritrea. almost 2.8 million babies die each www.discoveryourself.in the study notes. Not having enough India and Nigeria together account year. n WOMEN’S VOICE ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 27 Women in the Early Days of Islam the amount of dowry before her marriage to Prophet Prophet Muhammad (peace be Islam gave women the right to inheritance, to be a that a woman can ask Muhammad (peace be upon him). upon him). She played a central witness in court, to vote, to engage in politics, to run for in marriage. In She ran her own business and it role in the politics, teaching her own business, the right to education; which were the council, a woman is said that her caravan during circles, jurisprudence, and even unheard of in that time in other parts of the world. voiced her opinion the summer journey to Syria and military tactics. that no limit should be winter journey to Yemen equaled She is one of the most famous women the right to inheritance, to placed on what is to be the caravans of all other traders of narrators of Hadith or sayings of By Samar Yahya be a witness in court, to vote, to given to a woman, because Allah the tribe of Quraysh put together. Prophet Muhammad (peace be engage in politics, to run her own did not place such a limit. Umar, She played a central role in upon him), reporting more than Women in Islamic history gained business, the right to education; the Caliph, admitted that she was supporting the new faith of Islam. 2,000 sayings. strength from a legacy of strong which were unheard of in that right and he was wrong, and he As Prophet Muhammad (peace be and influential women in the time in other parts of the world. refrained from writing this new upon him) said, “God Almighty In Charity: founding years of the Islamic Women continued to play vital legislation. never granted me anyone better One notable example of women’s faith. They were granted ultimate roles in political life in various Thus, Muslim women played in this life than her. She accepted role in early Islam was Zainab equality by the teachings and rules Islamic empires as the centuries remarkable roles in the early days me when people rejected me; Bint Abi Taleb, most known for of Islam. In the days of ignorance went on. of Islam. Between the 9th and she believed in me when people her generosity and humanitarian before Islam shone its light in the As evident in the verses of the 15th century, women participated doubted me; she shared her work, and who was buried in Arabian Peninsula, women were holy Qur’an and in the attitude in the fields of theology, religious wealth with me when people Egypt. Zainab’s passion for oppressed; they had no rights for of the early Muslims, woman is knowledge and scholarship, as deprived me; and God granted me charity and making a difference inheritance, they were treated as as vital to life and society and the well as in the teaching of these children only through her.” (Sahih in society led her to become the possessions, and baby girls were political sphere as man, and she is sciences. Muslim) first Muslim woman to establish buried alive. not inferior to him. Aisha Bint Abi Bakr and wife orphanages in Iraq and Egypt. Islam has given woman rights In a famous story, the Caliph In Business: of Prophet Muhammad (peace Zainab also made it one of and privileges, which she never Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the ruler Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid was a be upon him), had a very the conditions in her wedding enjoyed under other religious or of his time, wanted to make a successful merchant and one of strong influence on the Muslim agreement that her husband would constitutional systems. Islam gave law that would place a ceiling on the elite figures of Makkah, even community after the death of Page 24 GUIDANCE

Mending My Manners I’d never even once thanked God for any of the By Roshan Shah towards the door, dragging his disgusting! innumerable things He had provided me with! You know how easily love suitcase behind him. ‘We’ll meet How disgustingly ungrateful I was! There’s one thing that I really can’t again, we’ll meet again.’ he said. can turn into hate: after stand—and that’s bad manners. ‘I’ll leave now. I want to do all, it’s the same energy, I’m not bragging, but I do think some shopping before I get to though flowing in the opposite manners. I simply decided that I He had provided me with! I’m polite. That’s something that I the station.’ way. Today you love someone would ignore him from then on. How disgustingly ungrateful I love about myself. Saying ‘please’ Saying that, he slipped out of the and you think he’s the best, most I thought he was so sickeningly was! and ‘thank you very much’, ‘if adorable person in the world manner-less and ungrateful that For all the ‘good manners’ which you don’t mind’ and so on comes I made up my mind, there and I prided myself on, I had never naturally to me, and I really mean then, that I would have absolutely felt any gratitude to the One it when I use those words. And nothing to do with him again. who had so generously granted so, when I see people behaving Years passed, and I had no me everything I needed without absolutely manner-less, it really communication with Samir. But my even asking Him for it. He disgusts me. in between, once every couple continued to give me all that Some years ago, a friend of mine, of months, I would think of him I required despite my never Samir, came to visit me when I and remember how disgustingly bothering to acknowledge His was staying in my mother’s house. he had behaved. generosity. He hadn’t abandoned It was wonderful meeting him Just the other day, I was provoked me for my not even once thanking after a long time. He stayed with to think of Samir again, but this Him for His kindness. Not for a us for three days. time in a different light. I was moment did He stop giving me Mummy generally goes reflecting on gratitude and how all that I needed all along! overboard when guests come important it is to acknowledge Wasn’t I appallingly ill- visiting—sometimes it gets really all that we receive from others mannered? embarrassing for me—and that’s when it struck me that everything At that moment, I remembered precisely what she did when that I ‘have’—the clothes I Samir. And do you know Samir came. She found out what wear, the food I eat, the water what? I thought of him with his favourite dishes were and door and got into the elevator. and that you can’t live without I drink, the computer which I great fondness! Compared to then made almost all of them for ‘Bye’, he said, grinning and him. You dismiss what others work on, the chair I sit on, the his ‘misdemeanour’—of not him. One day, she took us out waving out as he slammed the regard as his irritating foibles as ground I stand on, the air that I thanking me and Mummy for for a picnic, and the next day she elevator door shut. cute and harmless eccentricities. breath, the room I sleep in, the three days’ hospitality—my bought tickets for us for a play. I was appalled! But tomorrow he says or does body that my soul inhabits, and appalling bad manners, of not Mummy didn’t really have to do something and suddenly there’s my very soul, too—all of these thanking God even once for any of this, you will agree. After Not a word of thanks! no one on the face of the earth and everything else that I can almost fifty years of His care all, parents don’t generally go He need not have thanked me, whom you hate more than him! imagine are not my own. Rather, and concern, seemed so utterly out of their way like that for their although he could have—but It’s so easy for the best of friends they have all been given to me trivial! grown-up children’s friends. And, after all that Mummy had done to become the worst of enemies! to use by Someone else: by God. And do you know what else? I then, it was only the first time she for him, not a word of gratitude Something like that happened And, I discovered to my horror got in touch with Samir, and now was meeting Samir. or appreciation for her! He didn’t between Samir and me that day. as I continued to muse, all these he and I are good friends again! But that’s how Mummy is. even bother to meet her and say I didn’t fight with him, though, almost fifty years of my life, I’d He’s probably coming next week bye! nor did I say even a word to never even once thanked God for to visit me! Samir gave me a hug and walked What cheek! How simply him about his appalling lack of any of the in numerable things Isn’t that wonderful! n Life & ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 28 Relationships Our Ego is Our Own Enemy

The ‘Discover Yourself’ workshop was hosted by the Islamic Propagation Centre International (IPCI), Durban and Madina Institute, Cape Town, in September 2014. Some of the participants share their experiences about the workshop

8 I wish every person would attend this workshop, especially my family. 8 We should have been taught this way of thinking a very long time ago. 8 This workshop is mind blowing, it changed my life. 8 It is amazing; I discovered how to change my life. 8 It puts everyday life in a clearer light. Helped me see things from a different perspective. 8 Excellent, it happened at the right time. This course should be a must for everyone. 8 It was interesting, fun and educating. It made me distinguish between truth and falsehood and to stop being judgmental. 8 I see my husband minus glasses. 8 Very useful, relevant and simple practical steps on getting connected to your Creator. calls me and I play counsellor for me steadfast. And help me and my 8 I wish I had attended this workshop some 20-30 years ago; I weep for all the time I lost in both of them. And I do it with no husband to do the right thing at all ignorance. malice in the heart. My heart is at times. 8 I found the workshop brilliant, extremely useful. It empowered me to have control over all peace and I love the inner me. My AMEENA: It is what I needed and situations. husband and I are still together, I am grateful for it. My life before 8 It helped me to release all my past baggage. Alhamdulillah. the workshop was very stressful between work and home life. I had 8 Alhamdulillah-A very beneficial life changing workshop, I have benefitted especially in So by coming to the workshop to live on a daily basis with conflict learning how to switch my waswas (whisperer, inner critic) off. this weekend, it just reinforced situations at work and home. As a 8 It is methodical, logical and an accessible way to understand the ‘True self’. my belief and my direction. Br. result, I have been hospitalized 8 Before I was very judgmental and after the workshop I look at others as human beings. Sadathullah, thank you for doing numerous times for depression. 8 It has opened the way to be able to find my ‘True Self’ that Allah has created. what you are doing by having My husband was diagnosed with 8 Before I was on war and after the workshop I am in peace. these workshops. It is having such a brain tumour and had a massive 8 Life changing -forced me to face my reality. a good impact on people. May stroke after a brain operation, but 8 Mind blowing- a heart purifying experience. Allah reward you in this life and not only his life changed, all our lives changed in the family. Now 8 I have learnt that my ‘EGO’ is my own enemy. the hereafter. that he is disabled he is frustrated 8 It brought me back from darkness to light (truth). SABIHA: I want to express from and does not understand the the onset my humble appreciation children. The lesson I learnt at this FARHA: From today I have made life. A lot of what was explained on to things and the past cannot to firstly Allah and you to have workshop that I cannot change you my mentor. Your workshop has and discussed is what I have benefit me in any way. I want to brought me to this workshop. I everyone around me, so I have to made a big difference in my life and learnt in previous workshops. A share my story with you in this have benefitted greatly and I want change myself. The workshop has the lives of those I love and care lot of visuals I have seen and also email as I could not express it in to just share with you my little taught me to be a player and focus for. You are definitely an answer to use when I facilitate workshops. the workshop. I have been married transformation from last night. on what change I can make to my prayers. I had knowledge but However, this ‘Discover Yourself’ for 14 years but knew my husband After the workshop when I reached improve my thoughts and feelings. the way you presented it made all workshop is “The cherry on for 7 years before we got married. home, I was so full of emotions that the difference. They say everything top “. For me, it was awesome, We schooled together. Ours was I went up to my eldest daughter SIMON: I gained knowledge to happens for a reason and Allah many ‘AHA’ moments, many a love marriage. We have had our and asked her to forgive me and submit and live in the present. My (swt) timing is perfect. Jazakallah realisations, introspections problems over the years, but we got that I love her for the pleasure of life had lost its meaning before Khair. Words cannot express how I and being in the ‘LA’ state and through them. In this year I found Allah and that I need a chance to the workshop, but now it gained felt after this weekend. It's like I am realizing that there is only ‘ONE out that my husband had made have a new beginning, and thus I energy and interest. I am looking alive again. I can ONLY see light REALITY’ and my conscious nikah in secret 1 year ago and I did went on like this to each and every forward to change it for the better even in the darkest of situations. I mind to realise from where I am not know it. This was a big blow child of mine. Thereafter we all sat with the help of Allah. I am feeling have read the Quran on numerous operating from. Alhamdulillah! I for me. I never saw it coming. Yes and had supper together and were much relieved and vibrant. occasions in English, but this am so grateful to Br Sadathullah, I cried and we had fights but I told very peaceful. This was never done weekend was an eye opener. I am may Allah grant you health and myself that I cannot stay in that before, my kids were shocked at [Islamic Propagation Centre currently facing another challenge strength (abundantly) to continue feeling forever. I picked myself my behaviour. I went to my room, International (IPCI), Durban : and I see Hope and light in the this amazing journey. up and stopped feeling sorry for changed, took a shower and read www.ipci.co.za, www.ahmed- situation. I am grateful; Allah (swt) myself and stopped asking why, all my Salah because I had missed deedat.co.za. Email: info@ipci. has given me this opportunity ZOHRA: I have attended your how could he, does he not love Maghreb as well, this I never once com. of meeting you. I feel blessed workshop in Durban this week and me. I have now accepted the did before. I would justify and say Madina Institute Cape Town knowing you. You said if you touch I must say that it was the BEST situation I am in, that my husband I am very tired and I will make up offers ground breaking, one year one person’s life this weekend, you WEEKEND I have had in a long has a second wife. THAT IS MY for it in the morning which was intensive Usul-ud Din program. have achieved something. From time. Coming to your workshop REALITY. I was the one to tell never done. But last night I saw a This intensive, traditional program the way people responded you has just reinforced what I knew, him stop secretly visiting her and new me, I was not lazy, nor tired, is designed to develop leaders. have touched many lives. You have but it needed someone like you go live with her some days of the but willing whole heartedly to Website:www.madinainstitute. definitely touched my life. May to revive those thoughts. Just like week. It was hard for me to face perform my Salah, I was so full org.za, Email: intensive@ Allah (swt) bless you always. Allah repeats certain words or that it was the right thing to do. of energy, I was happy and made madinainstitute.org.za] phrases in the Quran to remind us And now I feel that it was the best intention to get up for fajr and I did FATIMA: I have been attending over and over again I needed that decision I made. Now when he just that without an alarm. May Discoveryourself Workshop many workshops throughout my reminder to remember that holding has a fight with his second wife he Allah guide me always and keep Schedule on Page No. 26 Advertisement ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 29 CHILDREN'S CORNER ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 30 Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Perhaps all of us have heard the gave him the title of ‘Maulana’ would read any book that he him, often thought he was an were afraid of its popularity and name of Abul Kalam Azad. But (meaning ‘learned man’). could manage to lay his hands elderly person. In 1904, people imprisoned him for four years. very few of us know that he was Mohiuddin was quite a naughty upon. He would spend the pocket He met Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 born in Makkah. The year was boy just as any boy of his age money that his father would give and both became staunch friends 1888. His father was from India would be. He studied Arabic, him on buying books. At the age and believers in Hindu-Muslim but mother was an Arab. His Urdu and Persian. But his father of 12, he had set up a library, a amity. In 1923, Azad was made the original name was Abul Kalam did not allow him to learn English reading room and had organized President of the Indian National Mohiuddin Ahmed and was given as he hated the British who were a debating society at his home in Congress, the youngest ever a nickname ‘Firoze Bakht’. For then ruling India. But somehow Calcutta (now Kolkata). Around head of the party. He famously some years he studied in some Mohiuddin learnt the English the age of 16, he had brought out said in his presidential address in madrassa in Makkah and then Alphabets and went on picking a magazine from Calcutta. People the party’s all India session: “If his family returned to India. It up the language through private would often wait for his magazine someone promises swarajya (self was only several years later that study until he began to read to appear on the newsstands. rule) to India within 24 hours only he adopted the pen name Azad newspapers and even novels and The magazine was ably edited if the Congress Party gives up the (meaning ‘free’) and since he was a other books. and used powerful language. idea of Hindu-Muslim unity, I great oratory and a scholar, people He was very fond of books and The people who had not seen would opt for unity rather than the swarajya. of Lahore invited him to speak Maulana Abul Kalam Azad became Enhance Your WordPower at a huge gathering. Those who the first Education Minister of went to receive him at the railway India after Independence. He conceived and established several Things that are made by hands Wood carving station were disappointed to find famous institutions such as are called Handicrafts. We live in is a form of a 16-year old boy stepping out University Grants Commission, an age when most things of use working wood by of the train bogey. There was a Indian National Science Academy, mixed feeling of surprise as well such as clothes, utensils, bulbs, means of knife Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya as disappointment. He spoke for pens, paper, pins and phones are and chisel and Akademi, Indian Council of manufactured in factories. Things making wooden full two and half hour and the Cultural Relations and several audience remained spellbound. other institutions. The meeting was being presided Maulana Azad breathed his last on Handicrafts by 67-year old Urdu poet Maulana February 22, 1958 at the age of 70. Altaf Hussain Hali. At the end of His tomb is situated in the park in that are made by hand are therefore figure or figurine. the meeting, Hali hugged him front of the majestic Jama Masjid very few. Similarly, cloth woven It is also used to and said: “My dear son! Though in Delhi. His birthday is celebrated by hand is called Handloom. There carve flowers and I am convinced that you are the on every 11th November which is are virtually hundred basket making is the process of same Azad whom we had read designated as ‘Education Day’ by of handicrafts that are weaving pliable materials into all these years, but my sense of the Government of India. practiced in different a basket or other similar form. wonderment simply refuses to (Compiled by: parts of the world. Let People and artists who weave vanish.” Maqbool Ahmed Siraj) us learn words related to baskets are called basket makers Azad joined the Indian National handicrafts this month. and basket weavers. Congress in 1910 and plunged into the struggle for freedom of Handicraftsman / Artisan: India. He would keep company One who practices the with books and was very fond of art of making things by Glassblowing is a glassforming drinking cups after cup of black hands. technique that involves inflating tea and listening to music when molten glass into a bubble he was alone. Azad had deep (or parison), with the aid of commitment to unity among Pottery: Art of making pots by figures into plain surfaces of wood a blowpipe (or blow tube). A Hindus and Muslims whom using the mud, porcelain or stone. like doors, frames, beams etc. person who blows glass is called he considered a single nation. But pottery is the place where pots a glassblower, glassmith, or He began publishing a weekly are made. The articles so made are gaffer. journal Al-Hilal in 1912. Its called pottery ware. circulation grew to 26,000 copies Sculpture: Sculpture is the art within a few months. The British of making things as they look in Embroidery is the handicraft of three dimensional form in metal, decorating fabric or other materials stone, wood, clay or any other with needle and thread or yarn. It substance. can also be done by using metal strips, beads, pearls, and sequins.

Knitting is a method by which Saddlemaking: The saddle is a thread or yarn is used to create a supportive structure for a rider or cloth. other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. These are made of leather. Crochet : It is a process of creating fabric from yarn, thread, or other Bookbinding is the process of material strands using a crochet physically assembling a book from hook. a number of folded or unfolded sheets of paper or other material.

Basket weaving, basketry, or CHILDREN'S CORNER Do ISLAMIC VOICE, October 2014 31 What's Wrong with YouKnow Galaxies and Grown-ups? ‘Milky Way’ According to a class full of ten- you've done something just a little What is the Constitution? A galaxy is a collection stars year-olds in a Sunday school class, wrong and grownups take away A Constitution is the most basic lay down regulations. After this, as well as dust and gas clouds these are the problems with grown- something that means an awful lot document which lays down the various departments issue and is a ‘star system’. All ups: to you. Other times you can do principles followed by a country. Government Order (GO). All 1. Grown-ups make promises, then something really bad and they say It carries the essence of all that these are in accordance with the they forget all about them, or else they're going to punish you, but a country stands by and commits spirit of the Constitutions. This they say it wasn't really a promise, they don't. You never know, and itself to observe and comply. Some entire procedure is called the just a maybe. you ought to know. people confuse the Constitution hierarchy of law. 2. Grown-ups don't do the things 9. Grown-ups talk about money with a book of law. But actually India has the largest written they're always telling the children too much, and bills, and things like a Constitution provides the Constitution with 395 Articles. to do--like pick up their things, or that, so that it scares you. They framework for law-making. In The US Constitution is the these are bound together by say money isn't making a Constitution, all people, shortest with only seven Articles. gravitational pull. The galaxy very important, but parties and groups are involved. There are certain countries where in which our earth is situated the way they talk It is not made by a ruling party there is no Constitution such is called ‘Milky Way’. It has about it, it sounds or a Government. Most countries as Saudi Arabia. Firmans from a diameter of about 120,000 like the most appoint a Constituent Assembly the King’s office are the law light years. It has billions of important thing in for this purpose. The laws are there. England has no written stars and there are billions of the world. then passed by the Parliament Constitution but the country is such galaxies. 10. Grown-ups on the basis of the Constitution. run on the basis of conventions There are more than 30 other gossip a lot--but Once laws are passed, the galaxies near the Milky way if children do the and traditions which nobody alone. The largest of them is very same thing Government and the ministries violates. Andromeda Galaxy. and say the same Diesel from Plants Advertising and Propaganda be neat, or always tell the truth. words about the same Several plants can yield fuel that can be Advertising and propaganda propaganda purpose and do not 3. Grown-ups won't let their people they're being used to run vehicles. This is called biofuel have a few things common allow the media to criticize children dress the way they want disrespectful. or even bio-diesel. between them. Both use media them or their rule. The media to--but they never ask a child's 11. Grown-ups pry Several plants and trees such as Karanja and both are used to influence opinion about how they should into children's secrets. (in Hindi) or Honge (in Kannada) and people and their attitudes. dress. If they're going out to a They always think it's Jatropha yield pods with seeds which But the purpose behind them party, grown-ups wear just exactly going to be something when crushed, yield oil. This oil can be a is different. Propaganda has what they want to wear--even if it bad. They never think political motives. Several looks terrible, even if it isn't warm it might be a nice dictators and super powers use enough. surprise. it to project themselves as the 4. Grown-ups never really listen 12. Grown-ups are benefactors of the people and to what children have to say. They always talking about their sole saviours. Advertising what they did and what always decide ahead of time what is used for the acceptance and is instructed to publish their they're going to answer. they knew when they sale of goods and services. Its pictures and curb the publication 5. Grown-ups make mistakes were ten years old--but motive is economic. Both use of material about their rivals. but they won't admit them. They they never try to think the media like newspapers, Advertising is done by buying always pretend that they weren't what it's like to be ten substitute for diesel. In several countries radio, TV, and Internet. space in newspapers or time on mistakes at all--or that somebody years old right now. juices rich in sugar and carbohydrates are All dictators use the media for the air in radio or TV. else made them. Does this sound used for making ethanol which too is used 6. Grown-ups interrupt children all familiar to you? If it the time and think nothing of it. If a does, it might interest as fuel for vehicles. Sugarcane and child interrupts a grown-up, he gets you to know that these corn (maize) are also a source for Some Facts about the Seas these juices. a scolding or something worse. complaints were made v The deepest point in all the city of Houston, the American city Normally a Karanja tree can yield 7. Grown-ups never understand in 1953--well over half oceans is the Mariana Trench in the in the state of Texas. enough seeds to produce 10 kgs to 50 how much children want a certain a century ago. Just Pacific. It is 11 kilometre deep. kgs of biodiesel in a season. These thing--a certain color or shape or what have we learned v Icebergs are broken pieces of trees grow abundantly in India. size. If it's something they don't about being adults and ice from the glaciers near the two Since petrol is running out fast, the admire--even if the children have treating children over poles. Normally, only one-ninth of search for plants that can yield fuels spent their own money for it--they the last five decades, the iceberg stays over the surface is increasing. It is estimated that always say, "I can't imagine what if we continue to of the water i.e., if an iceberg is 2.6% of the fuel for road transport you want with that old thing!" perpetuate some of the 100 metre high, the part under the v Rivers have one gram of salt in was provided by pants and trees in 8. Sometimes grown-ups punish treatments that were sea is 800 metre deep. a litre of water while the seawater 2010. children unfairly. It isn't right if unfair so long ago? v Some icebergs are as big as the carries 35 grams of salt in a litre.