Abrar A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Abrar Islamic Foundation

45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Abrar Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 18 (402) 16th-31st March 2021 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 The Ayatullah, the Pontiff and the politics of faith www.abrar.org.uk Was it a political or religious “crusade”? What the event. In their audience at the house of Email: did the Pope see and hear in his four-day trip to Ayatullah Sayed Ali Al Sistani in a small alley- abrarhouse Mesopotamia? What is it in that land that had way in the holy city of Najaf, the Pope and the @hotmail.com attracted the ultimate authority in the Christian Ayatullah exchanged constructive and positive Website world to make the arduous visit at a time when views on the relations between Christianity and www.abraronline.net everyone else would think twice before making Islam within the attempts to reconcile the two Charity no. 293802 the journey? Undoubtedly, the recent experi- sides. The Iraqi Christians had sought such un- ences of Iraqi Christians had been a factor in derstanding in order to enjoy the benefits as planning the papal visit to Baghdad, especially citizens with equal constitutional and religious when the “Christian world” paid little attention rights. to the plight of that small community in Iraq What is next? The hope is that a new ear has We stand for: and Syria which was being mercilessly targeted. started with the meeting between the two men, Political and religion were seen to be at the characterized by mutual recognition, equal citi- • Inter-faith and inter- heart of one of the worst episodes of violence in zenship and rights. It is also hoped that the civilisational dialogue the Middle East. Was it purely accidental? Or meeting would establish a framework for active was it planned? Who had raised the flag of sec- cooperation between the two largest world reli- • Respect for the human tarianism? In whose political dictionary does gions based on reciprocal acceptance, respect race and rights the word sectarianism appear most? And who and peaceful co-existence without compulsion, would adopt “divide and rule” as a political hatred or prejudice. The People has now seen • Cooperation for the means? The Pope’s visit to Iraq was necessary. first hand how Shia Muslim religious authority good of people But what would have been more significant is if views the followers of other regions. It is hoped he had pinpointed to those who had been re- that the Pope would call on the Western powers • Moderation sponsible for the massacres of Christians. Of to have different approaches to the region • Modernity course, it would have been more humane and which needs a riposte from its recent experience objective if the query was made about all those with violence based on religious hatred, preju- • High standards of affected by a decade of unprecedented violence dice and political considerations. Iraq and Syria spirituality that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands received lion share of violence that claimed the of Iraqis, mostly Shia Muslims. lives of hundreds of thousands of Shia Mus- The Pope’s visit to Iraq was necessary in order lims, Christians, Yazidis and Sunni Muslims. to regain the balance not only in Iraq but in the The Pope can take a leading role to impress on region. In this day and age, why should anyone the Western powers to adopt a more humane In this issue be targeted for his/her religious affiliation? This policy towards Iraq and the Shia Muslims, as is exactly what is happening in “Muslim” coun- well as all Muslims not only in Iraq but else- Local Events 2 tries supported by the “Christian” West. The where. Religious affiliation must not be used to Christians, Jews and Muslims belong to mono- justify discrimination, sectarianism or repres- Muslim Affairs 3 lithic religion advocated by Prophet Abraham. sion. That is against the religious spirit. These Abrahamic religions had enjoyed peace- ful co-existence in history, but modern politics Anti-Shia remarks by are playing part either out of its secular nature John Kirby 4 of for political expediency. Regligious leaders such as the Pope and, Ayatullah Sistani in British aid to Yemen cut Najaf, Ayatullah Sayed Ali Khameanei in Iran condemned 5 and Dr Ahmad Al Tayed, in Egypt are well- placed to make a difference. The Pope has al- Edmonton Muslim wom- ready been to Egypt and now Iraq and is thus well-placed to a take a leading role in inter-faith en fearful of attacks 6 work in order to create a new world order with religious content and direction. The Iraqi gov- Fears for your life 8 ernment was enthusiastic about the visit hoping it would grant them a stamp of approval in a region that has been hostile to Iraq as a country, people, religious and political leadership. But the religious establishment was also happy for Page 2 Local Events

Martyrdom of der house arrest with one of his confi- the Middle East. He said: The Zionist Imam Musa Al Kahdem dants, Al Fadl ibn Al Rabie. He was era as envisaged by Theodor Herzl has then moved to another prison with enjoyed a century long era and has now The Abrar weekly meeting on Thurs- harsher conditions where he stayed until superceded by a wider Western project. day 4th March was dedicated to the his martyrdom on 25th Rajab of 183 Why do the Americans insist on stay- memory of Imam Moosa Al Khadem AH. In order to confuse the situation an ing in Iraq and the Middle East despite (AS) who was killed by the Abbassid deny involvement in his murder, Al Ra- the rising economic and political costs? ruler, Harun Al Rashid. Three speak- shid brought army commanders as well There is a new form of Christianity ers talked about the life and circum- as members of the Imam’s family to which cares for the third generation. A stances of the Imam who had spent 14 “examine” him. His face was opened new trend in the church envisages dif- years behind bars at Abbassid’s pris- which showed no signs of ill-treatment. ferent mission in the world. US sol- ons. Sheikh Ayyoub Rashid said that A lamentation session was recited by diers in Iraq claim to be “God’s sol- the centre of the Sheikh Ali Abu Zahira from Bahrain. diers” with a mission. They see their state was moved He used one of the mission as cleansing the Middle East to from Damascus to sayings of the Imam: prepare it for the emergence of Christ. Baghdad in order To cleanse your The term Abrahamic project is a new to be nearer to deeds you have to be project in the region with the aim of their supporters in good with your influencing the minds of the youth. Persia. The city brothers. He dealt Atheism is now replaced with this reli- became a centre of with the concept of gious phenomenon. The youth will knowledge during charity which was boast of being “Abrahamic” to show what is generally implemented by the that they are now bigger than the ex- termed the “Golden Age”. Harun Al Imam himself. He tremist thoughts in Christianity or Is- Rashid dispatched his men to the far looked after the poor lam. They want to convert Muslim corners of the state which was expand- even when he was behind bars. Charity youth to this new religion. They aim at ing at fast rate, from China to Soma- has a wider meaning than donating mon- changing the DNA of the native people lia, Tanzania and Kenya. There was a ey. It must be done with good and truth- in the Middle East and replace them big movement of translation from ful intention. God is the one who deter- with others. They will use the notion of Greek to Arabic. As non-Muslims mines its viability and whether it is gen- the Abrahamic religion to justify this were involved in this field foreign uine or for the sake of fame. When genetic and ideological transformation. ideas were introduced. The Shia lead- Imam Reda was collecting the religious In Iraq we have great resources and ers and Imams as well as Christians dues a woman gave him one dirham and wealth but we are not allowed to use it. were persecuted by the state. Some said this is all I have. The Imam be- We cannot even have enough electrici- sources say that the Christians were lieved her. When she died three days ty. Gas, for example was exported by forced to wear special colours for easi- later he prayed himself for her. This Egypt to Israel who cleansed it and re- er identification. The Abbssid state shows that when the donation is genuine exported it back to Egypt. Israel will be was oppressive despite their earlier then it is a great one. The other neces- the distributor of wealth. The Pope is a pledges to reform the state when they sary element for good charity is that it good man inside him but he is imple- were fighting the Umayyads. should be done for the sake of goodness menting grand designs of which he has Hassan Rashid to others. To be good to the others is not little knowledge. He insisted on visit- Naji, a researcher confined to giving them money but to ing Iraq despite the spread of Covid from Iraq talked extend helping hands to them. To take and the security concerns. about the Imam’s someone to hospital is a charitable act. Sheikh Abdulla Al Jabri, from Leba- role in leadership of To solve a dispute between two people non talked about the role of the Schol- the believers. He is also an act of charity. Imam Al Sadiq ars Union in averting sectarianism and said Imam Al used to buy land and donate it for good extremism. He said that it had played Kadhem was chal- causes such as worship or education. major roles in protecting the youth lenging the un- The other thing to possess is strong will. He presented challenges facing the Islamic ideologies. If you have it then you will remain Islamic propagation work such as: The Abbassid ruler, Al Mahdi ordered steadfast. The Imam was imprisoned for preaching that has become a job not a his arrest in Baghdad but he returned 14 years but his will remained strong. voluntary mission, the shortage of real to Medina after his release. The battle He was moved from one jail to another scholars who like to preach, the lack of of Fakh near Mecca in 169 AH be- until he became under a heartless jailer, funding as religious endowment remain tween the Alawite revolutionaries and called Al Sindi ibn Shahek, who poi- in the hands of government, the nega- the Abbassid army was a horrific one soned him. tive competition among the scholars and led to deeper enmity between the and preachers, the shrinking of the reli- state and the followers of the Imams. Advent of Prophetic mission gious narrative, the spread of atheism Many Alawites were killed in that and the widespread materialism. battle. Then Al Rashid assumed power To mark the advent of the Prophetic and started persecuting Imam Al mission (Bi’thah) Abrar Islamic Foun- Kadhem. The entourage of the ruler dation dedicated its weekly meeting on gossiped in his ear against the Imam, Thursday 11th March to debate its his- so he ordered that he be brought to toric and current significance. The meet- Basra in disguise. During his year ing was chaired by Sheikh Hassan Al long stay there scholars were able to Taraiki and addressed by two speakers. reach him. Al Rashid was angered by The first was Sheikh Yousuf Al Naseri this so he ordered his governor to kill from Iraq who talked about the recent him, but he refused. Then the Imam Pope’s visit to Iraq and related it to the was taken to Baghdad and placed un- wider issue of the Western presence in Muslim affairs Page 3

economy of the United States. cials said on Thurs- Iran criticizes IAEA inaction The US president further alleged that day. against Israel’s nuclear threat Tehran is proliferating and developing “Syria is in a deadly "missiles and other asymmetric and con- spiral of warfare, Iran's Ambassador ventional weapons capabilities," support- economic downturn, and Permanent Rep- ing "terrorist groups” and maintaining pandemic and sanc- resentative to the what it called "network and campaign of tions,” International Vienna-based Inter- regional aggression.” Committee of the national Organiza- The administration of former US presi- Red Cross (ICRC) tions Kazem Gharib- dent Trump unilaterally abandoned the President Peter abadi criticized the nuclear deal, formally called the Joint Maurer told a news conference. “Close International Atomic Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to three-quarters of the population now Energy Agency in May 2018, and unleashed the so-called need humanitarian assistance, an in- (IAEA) for inaction “maximum pressure campaign” with the crease of 20% compared to 12 months against the nuclear threat posed by the stated objective of forcing Iran to negoti- ago.” Zionist regime. ate “a better agreement.” Of Syria’s current population of some Gharibabadi made the remarks when 18 million, 13.4 million rely on aid, elaborating on Iran’s stances against a WHO calls for urgent action to U.N. figures show. report released by the IAEA director- produce COVID vaccines for all Syria has seen a sharp rise in COVID- general regarding the safeguards. 19 infections since mid-February but Noting that all Middle East countries, Director-General of the World Health lockdown options remain limited due to except for the Zionist regime, are mem- Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom the country’s dire economic situation, a bers of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Ghebreyesus said on Friday that urgent member of the country’s coronavirus (NPT) and have committed themselves action is needed to increase the produc- advisory committee said in Damascus to accept the IAEA’s safeguards, Gha- tion of COVID-19 vaccines that will be on Thursday. ribabadi said that developing a secret distributed through the global initiative Khaled Hboubati, President of the Syri- nuclear weapon program by the Zionist making these medicines accessible by all an Arab Red Crescent, said Western regime is a serious persisting threat not countries. sanctions on the government of Presi- only to the security and stability of the The WHO chief was dent Bashar al-Assad also hindered region and the World, but also for the speaking at the end of imports of medical equipment and med- effectiveness of NPT and the Agency’s a historic week which icines. safeguards. saw COVAX deliver Needless to mention, he continued, the more than 20 million U.S. opposed to ICC probe of Zionist regime is not a member of any of vaccine doses to 20 Israel, Harris tells Netanyahu the other disarmament and WMD non- countries. A further 31 proliferation WMD treaties. countries will receive Vice President Kamala Harris, in a call He added that the nuclear capabilities of 14.4 million doses with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin the Zionist regime and its threats have next week, according Netanyahu on Thursday, reaffirmed been put on the agenda of the United to UN News. U.S. opposition to an International Nations General Assembly while the “This is encouraging progress, but the Criminal Court probe of possible war IAEA has issued several resolutions in volume of doses being distributed crimes in the Palestinian Territories, the this regard. through COVAX is still relatively White House said. small," said Tedros, speaking during his The call, the first between the two since Biden renews anti-Iran sanc- biweekly briefing from Geneva. Harris and President Joe Biden took tions, US national emergency “One of our main priorities now is to office in January, came a day after the increase the ambition of COVAX to help ICC prosecutor said she would launch President Joe Biden all countries end the pandemic. This the probe, prompting swift rejections by has renewed the US means urgent action to ramp up produc- Washington and Jerusalem. national emergency tion.” Tedros said the UN health agency Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, who will declared in 1995 and its COVAX partners will meet with be replaced by British prosecutor Ka- with respect to Iran government and industry representatives rim Khan on June 16, said in December and the comprehen- next week to identify “bottlenecks” and 2019 that war crimes had been or were sive sanctions relevant solutions. being committed in the West Bank and against Iran for an- “We currently face several barriers to Gaza Strip. She named both the Israel other year. increasing the speed and volume of pro- Defense Forces and armed Palestinian In a letter sent to US duction, from export bans to shortages of groups such as Hamas as possible per- House Speaker Nan- raw materials including glass, plastic and petrators. Harris and Netanyahu noted cy Pelosi on Friday, stoppers," he told journalists, pointing their governments’ “opposition to the Biden said, "I have determined that it is out that WHO is working on four ap- International Criminal Court’s attempts necessary to continue the national emer- proaches to the issue, including calling to exercise its jurisdiction over Israeli gency declared in Executive Order for waiving patent rights for vaccines. personnel,” the White House said. 12957 with respect to Iran and to main- The two agreed to continue to cooper- tain in force comprehensive sanctions Syrians struggle with food, fuel ate on regional security issues, specifi- against Iran to respond to this threat," cally Iran’s nuclear program and according to the White House. A decade after Syria’s conflict began, “dangerous” behavior, the White House He also claimed that the actions and families struggle more than ever to buy statement said. policies of the Iranian government pose food while ambulances lack fuel to bring Harris “emphasized the United States’ an unusual and extraordinary threat to wounded and COVID-19 patients to hos- unwavering commitment to Israel’s the national security, foreign policy, and pital, Red Cross and Red Crescent offi- security,” the statement added. Page 4 Open Forum

Anti Shia remarks by John Kirby March 5, 2021 alongside Americans in fighting ISIS and As the Pope is set to visit Grand Ayatol- AlQaeda. lah Ali Sistani on Saturday, the Depart- Mr. Kirby is creating an environment of ment of Defense’s Assistant to the Secre- hate against Shia Muslims in America tary of Defense for Public Affairs and spokesman, John Kirby makes an Anti- Incidents of Anti-Shiism, Shia and xenophobic statement that has February 2021 outraged religious and minority rights In the month of February, 84 incidents activists. of violence against Shia Muslims were and around the world by using the word In the Pentagon briefing on March 3, reported in the nations of Afghanistan, “Shia” as pejorative and this label is un- acceptable. 2021. John Kirby associated active mili- Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon, Nigeria, Saudi We consider Mr. Kirby’s labeling of vio- tia groups with the faith of Shia Islam, a Arabia, and Syria. rhetoric that is false in association and lent groups in Iraq as “Shia-backed” to be It is important to note that cases of vio- harmful to the millions of Shia Muslims harmful to the international Shia commu- lence noted in this report are, in fact, who actively condemn violence. nity and a serious cause for concern as it John Kirby’s remarks vilify the Shia only a sample of the incidents of anti- incites anti-Shia rhetoric within Ameri- faith and marginalize the millions of Shiism faces by the world’s Shia minori- can foreign policy. Shia Muslims who live in the United ty. Shia Rights Watch recognizes that Shia Muslims have long condemned sin- State of America and damage relations incidents of violence are in large part not gular political associations and links to with the international Shia community. reported as many religious minorities any particular nationality. His remarks are a stark contradiction to live in fear of further persecution on the In addition to an unambiguous apology, President Biden’s Executive Order on basis of their religious identity. Mr. Kirby should meet with Shia Ameri- Advancing Racial Equity and Support can intellectuals in Washington to gain an Underserved Communities through the accurate understanding of the Shia Mus- Federal Government and Secretary of Lebanon Bahrain lim community, a global population stretching from Australia to the American Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s commitment Saudi to enhance diversity and combat hate in heartland in Ann Arbor Michigan, home the federal government, by creating a to the largest mosque in America. “working environment free of discrimi- Iraq We urge the current political administra- nation, hate, and harassment.” tion to take immediate steps to promote Shia Americans serve in many govern- Afghanistan inclusivity for all religious identities and mental agencies such as the U.S military, to refrain from using anti-Shia rhetoric in and many Shia Iraqis and Afghans died their statements.

Statement of the Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s office about meeting with Pope Francis Great religious and spiritual leaders must play role to prevent catastrophes March 6, 2021 tries suffer from, especially wars and ues of solidarity, peaceful coexistence SHAFAQNA- The office of the Grand acts of violence, the economic siege, the and human solidarity in all societies Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf Ashraf today displacement and other issues that the based on respect for the rights and mutu- (Saturday) issued a statement regarding nations of our region, especially the Pal- al revere between followers of different the meeting of the Supreme Religious estinian people, are suffering from in the religions and intellectual tendencies. Authority of the Shia Muslims of the occupied territories. He also referred to the position of Iraq, world with Pope Francis, the world’s His Excellency went on to point out the its glorious history and its well- Catholic leader. role that great religious and spiritual conditioned people, and expressed the The statement said that the great chal- leaders must play in preventing catastro- hope that they would soon overcome the lenges facing humanity and the role of phes, and noted that they are expected to current suffering, emphasizing his ef- faith in adherence to high moral values persuade the relevant parties, especially forts to ensure that Christian citizens, were discussed and exchanged views. the great powers, to prefer reason and like other Iraqis, live in security and The text of the statement reads: wisdom and to abandon the language of peace and enjoy their full constitutional The Grand Ayatollah Sistani met this war, and to refrain from spreading self- rights, and noted the role that Religious morning (Saturday) with Pope Francis interest to the detriment of the rights of Authorities have played in supporting of the Catholic Church and the Head of nations to live in dignity and freedom, them and others involved in the events the Vatican Government. In this meet- and he also stressed the importance of in recent years, especially during the ing, the great challenges that humanity redoubled efforts to strengthen the val- time when terrorists occupied large are- faces in this period and as of several Iraqi prov- the role of faith in adher- inces and committed ence to high moral values shameful criminal acts. were discussed. In the end, His Excellency The Grand Ayatollah Sis- prayed for the Pope and tani talked about injustice, the followers of the Cath- oppression, poverty, reli- olic Church and all hu- gious and intellectual per- manity, and thanked the secution, the suppression Pope for enduring the of fundamental freedoms sufferings of the trip to and the lack of social jus- Najaf Ashraf. tice that different coun- Open Forum Page 5 UK foreign aid: Yemen cut condemned by charities More than 100 UK charities have con- false economy that will remove a vital Conservative former international de- demned the government's decision to cut lifeline from millions of people in velopment secretary Andrew Mitchell aid to Yemen, following cross-party Yemen and beyond who can't feed their said the "unimaginable" move would criticism. families, have lost their homes and "condemn hundreds of thousands of At least £87 million has been pledged in whose lives are threatened by conflict children to starvation". aid to the Middle Eastern country, down and Covid." Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy from £164m in 2019-2020. He also urged the government to stop said the change represented the UK A Foreign Office spokesman said the the "immoral" practice of selling arms "abandoning our moral obligations". government remained "steadfast" in its to the war-torn state. The decade-long conflict in Yemen has support to the Yemeni people. 'Moral obligation' left an estimated 20 million people - two Yemen is among several Middle Eastern The government wants to reduce its -thirds of the population - dependent on and African countries whose UK aid is overall international aid budget by humanitarian assistance while two mil- at risk, a leaked email suggests. about £4bn in 2021-2022, which will lion children are acutely malnourished. First reported by openDemocracy, a mean missing the UN target of spend- In Syria, the country has been left dev- leaked document dated last month sug- ing 0.7% of national income on foreign astated by a conflict that erupted after gests officials are considering cutting aid. But it has yet to say where the axe President Bashar al-Assad's government aid to Syria by 67% and Lebanon by will fall. responded with deadly force to peaceful 88%. Aid to Nigeria could drop 58%, The leaked Foreign Office email gives anti-government protests in March Somalia 60%, South Sudan 59% and the the first indication of which countries 2011. Democratic Republic of Congo by 60%, might lose out. The fighting has left at least 380,000 it says. Kevin Watkins, chief executive of Save people dead and caused half the popula- In a letter to Boris Johnson, charities say the Children, said the UK's decision to tion to flee their homes, including al- the government has made a cut aid would have "devastating real- most six million refugees abroad. "misjudgement" by thinking the public life consequences". A UK government spokesman said: is happy to turn away from countries MPs from across the political spectrum "The seismic impact of the pandemic on affected by poverty, war and disease. have criticised the reduction in aid. the UK economy has forced us to take "History will not judge tough but necessary deci- this nation kindly if the sions, including temporari- government chooses to ly reducing the overall step away from the people amount we spend on aid. in Yemen and thus destroy "We are still working the UK's global reputation through what this means as a country that steps up for individual programmes to help those most in and decisions have not yet need," the letter says. been made. Oxfam, Christian Aid, "We remain a world- Save the Children and leading aid donor and we Care International are will spend more than £10 among the 101 signatories. billion this year to fight Danny Sriskandarajah, poverty, tackle climate Oxfam GB chief execu- change and improve glob- tive, said: "Aid cuts are a al health." Over 168 million children miss nearly a year of schooling: UNICEF Report More than 168 million schoolchildren According to UNICEF, nine of the 14 for the most days, followed by El Salva- globally missed out on learning in class, countries, where schools remained dor, Bangladesh, and Bolivia. as schools in some 14 countries re- mostly closed between March 2020 to In addition, around 214 million children mained largely shut for almost an entire February 2021, are in the Latin Amer- – one in seven pupils globally – missed year due to coronavirus-related lock- ican and Caribbean region, affecting more than three-quarters of their in- downs, the United Nations Children’s nearly 100 million students. Of these person learning, while over 888 million Fund (UNICEF) reported on 3rd March. countries, Panama kept schools closed continue to face disruptions to their edu- “As we approach the one-year cation due to full and partial mark of the COVID-19 pan- school closures, according to demic, we are again reminded UN data. of the catastrophic education Executive Director Fore emergency worldwide lock- called on all nations to keep downs have created," schools open, or prioritize UNICEF Executive Director them in reopening plans Henrietta Fore said in a news where they are closed. release, announcing the agen- “We cannot afford to move cy’s findings. into year two of limited or “With every day that goes by, even no in-school learning children unable to access in- for these children. No effort person schooling fall further should be spared to keep and further behind, with the schools open, or prioritize most marginalized paying the them in reopening plans," heaviest price," she added. she highlighted. Page 6 Women issues

popular neighbourhood, pushed her to ‘Racism is a real problem’: Muslim women the ground and made threats to kill her and tear off her burqa. fearful following attacks in Edmonton The latest attack happened Feb. 17. Posted March 3, 2021 Cheryl Voordenhout with the Edmonton The National Council of Canadian Slurs about her hijab and the colour of Police Service says it received 60 reports Muslims said a man approached a her skin have become so frequent that of hate crimes last year. So far in 2021, Black Muslim woman wearing a hijab she doesn’t report them to police any- three of seven hate-crime-related investi- at the Century Park transit station, more. gations have involved Somali-Muslim swore at her and threatened to kill her. Whether she’s running errands or on her women. Political leaders, including Premier way to work, the Somali-Canadian says On Dec. 8, a mother and daughter were Jason Kenney, have spoken out against she’s always looking over her shoulder. violently attacked in the Southgate mall the attacks. But the CEO of the nation- The woman, who told Global News that parking lot. A week later, near the same al Muslims council says condemnation she wishes to remain anonymous, and mall, another woman was subject to ra- is not enough and government leaders several other Black and Muslim women cial slurs as someone tried to hit her at the local and provincial level need in her life are feeling more frightened in head with a shopping bag. to take action. public, she says, because of an increas- In February, a man made racial com- “Anti-Black racism is a real problem ing number of assaults. Five Somali- ments and became aggressive toward a in Alberta,” said Mustafa Farooq. Canadian women, all wearing hijabs, woman at the University of Alberta “Black-Muslim women tend to face have been attacked or threatened in Ed- transit centre. The same day, a man greater challenges than almost anyone monton in the last 10 weeks. “I’ve al- came up behind a woman walking in a else, because racism and gendered ways been hyper-vigilant in Islamophobia are real prob- public spaces because of my lems. identity. But hearing about “We can look, for example, at these attacks has made me street harassment bylaws. We more anxious and aware of my can look at ways in which anti- surroundings.” racism initiatives are being She says she has also has been funded. We can look at hate assaulted in the past, but is too crime units and their advocacy traumatized to reveal details. in dealing with these challeng- Avoiding public transit, not es,” Farooq says. running errands alone and self- “So much can be done imme- defence classes are all things diately, but it’s not happen- she says she and her female ing.” friends and family are consid- Daley adds that recent rallies ering. and marches in Edmonton and Edmonton’s Al-Rashid Mosque began Swiss Voters support ban Calgary in opposition to COVID-19 offering Muslim women self-defence on face coverings in public measures are examples of how the lessons following the recent attacks. The pandemic has exacerbated racism in classes are full. Switzerland has narrowly voted in fa- Alberta. Some participants were seen She says the number of hate crimes re- vour of banning face coverings in pub- carrying tiki torches, which many say ported to Alberta’s police forces are not lic, including the burka or niqab worn are a symbol used by white suprema- reflective of the increasing number of by Muslim women. cists. people approaching her with their sto- Official results showed the measure had Edmonton police Chief Dale McFee ries of assaults. “It makes me enraged,” passed by 51.2% to 48.8% in Sunday's said the police service is doubling she says. “Most of my visibly Muslim referendum. down in its effort to work with the friends and family members have a sto- The proposal was put forward by the Somali community to address racially ry of some kind of Islamophobia. The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) motivated assaults. general public hears about this through which campaigned with slogans such as “We’ve got to listen to what they need the media, while our reality is that these "Stop extremism". and then we’ve got to figure out how are our sisters and our mothers.” A leading Swiss Islamic group said it we can … actually get some of the Trent Daley is a member of Edmonton’s was "a dark day" for Muslims. changes that they need,” he said at a Anti-Racism Advisory Committee. He "Today's decision opens old wounds, news conference Tuesday. says someone approaches him or his further expands the principle of legal McFee also alluded to the suspects in network on a weekly basis about an inequality, and sends a clear signal of the assaults possibly having mental- assault. Most victims are Black and exclusion to the Muslim minority," the health issues. Muslim women. Central Council of Muslims said in a Meanwhile, the Somali-Canadian “There’s been a notable marked increase statement, adding that it would chal- woman who shared her story says the (in assaults) following the pandemic. lenge the decision in court. Muslim community needs support It’s so pervasive right now,” Daley says. The Swiss government had argued from leaders and neighbours. “It’s full of racial epithets, full of dis- against the ban saying it was not up to “It’s widely researched that repeatedly gusting language targeting them based the state to dictate what women wear. experiencing racism … causes worse off the scarf that they wear and the iden- According to research by the University health outcomes for communities of tity they presumed that this person has. of Lucerne (in German), almost no-one colour. In a pandemic that’s brought so Calgary police say they received 80 hate in Switzerland wears a burka and only many of our inequalities to the fore- crime complaints between January and around 30 women wear the niqab. front, these (attacks) are only making November 2020. About 5% of Switzerland's population it worse,” she says. “Every single time Woman confronts B.C. Muslim out- of 8.6 million people are Muslim, most we hear that yet another woman has reach group in angry tirade on Vancou- originating from Turkey, Bosnia and been attacked, we hold our breath and ver street – Dec 30, 2020 Kosovo. call our family and friends.” Off the Shelf Page 7 Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia By Karen Ruffle normativity and everyday religious life - Draws from author's studies and field- Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia is an and material culture work throughout India and Pakistan, fea- introduction to the everyday life and - Contextualizes Muharram rituals, turing numerous color photographs cultural memory of Shi’i women and public performances, festivals, vow- - Places Shi'i religious symbols, cultural men, focusing on the religious worlds making, and material objects and prac- values, and social systems in historical of both individuals and communities at tices of South Asian Shi'a context particular historical moments and - Includes an extended survey of scholar- places in the Indian subcontinent. Au- ship on South Asian Shi’ism from the thor Karen Ruffle draws upon an ar- seventeenth century to the present ray primary sources, images, and eth- Everyday Shi'ism in South Asia is an nographic data to present topical case important resource for scholars and stu- studies offering broad snapshots Shi'i dents in disciplines including Islamic life as well as microscopic analyses of studies, South Asian studies, religious ritual practices, material objects, ar- studies, anthropology, art history, mate- chitectural and artistic forms, and rial culture studies, history, and gender more. studies, and for English-speaking mem- Focusing exclusively on South Asian bers of South Asian Shi'i communities. Shi'ism, an area mostly ignored by Karen Ruffle, PhD, is Associate Profes- contemporary scholars who focus on sor in the Department of Historical Stud- the Arab lands of Iran and Iraq, the ies and the Study of Religion at the Uni- author shifts readers' analytical focus versity of Toronto where she specializes from the center of Islam to its periph- in the study of South Asian Shi'ism. Her ery. Ruffle provides new perspectives research and teaching interests focus on on the diverse ways that the Shi'a in- Shi'i devotional texts and ritual and ma- tersect with not only South Asian reli- terial practices in South Asia. She is the gious culture and history, but also the author of Gender, Sainthood, and Every- wider Islamic humanistic tradition. day Practice in South Asian Shi'ism. Written for an academic audience, yet accessible to general readers, this Publisher : Wiley unique resource: Paperback368 pages £32.99 - Explores Shi’i religious practice and ISBN: 978-1-119-35714-8 the relationship between religious Date published: April 2021

The Qur'an: What Everyone Needs to Know Jane McAuliffe Qur'an, introduces readers to this im- what it has to say about a host of criti- portant text by discussing its origins, cal contemporary issues. Where did the Millions of non-Muslims know the structure, themes, interpretations, and Qur'an come from? Do Muslims be- name of the Muslim scripture, whether lieve that the Qur'an is God's own it is written as "Qur'an" or "Quran" or word? How do Muslims study the "Koran." But for most, that is all they Qur'an? What does the Qur'an say know. Many have fallen victim to the about God? About family? About eth- mass of misinformation that circulates ics? About violence? By answering the about the Qur'an. Others may have questions that many people have about tried to read the Qur'an, but the text the Qur'an and its role in Muslim faith, itself is tough to decipher. With no this book offers an invaluable resource sense of context, chronology, or inter- for anyone who is curious about one of pretive history, many would-be read- the world's most important faiths. ers of the Qur'an quickly give up the Jane McAuliffe is a senior research effort. As for those trying to find out fellow at the Berkley Center of what the Qur'an says about any partic- Georgetown University. Her previous ular subject or issue, they, too, soon positions include inaugural director of discover that this is not a simple or National and International Outreach at straightforward undertaking. the Library of Congress and director of A clear, concise introduction to the its John W. Kluge Center, president of holy book that guides the lives of 1.6 Bryn Mawr College, and dean of arts billion people on our planet, this brief and sciences at Georgetown Universi- volume opens the world of the Qur'an ty. McAuliffe has also taught at Emory to interested readers who want to University and the University of To- know where this scripture came from ronto. and how it has achieved a profound influence in today's world. Writing in Publisher: Oxford University Press an easy-to-read question-and-answer Paperback 240 pages $16.95 format, Jane McAuliffe, one of the ISBN: 9780190867676 world's foremost scholars of the Published: 02 March 2020 Page 8 Words of Faith

Files of your life tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I had- 3. And it is He n't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, who spread out In that place between wakefulness and dreams, not so much by the quality of music, but more the earth, and I found myself in a room. There were no dis- by the vast amount of time I knew that file set thereon tinguishing features save for the one wall cov- represented. mountains standing firm ered with small indexcard files. They were like When I came to a file marked "Lustful and (flowing) the ones in libraries that list titles by author or Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. rivers: and subject in alphabetical order. But these files, I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing fruit of every which stretched from floor to ceiling and to test its size, and drew out a card. I shud- kind He made in seemingly endlessly in either direction, had dered at its detailed content. I felt sick to pairs, two and very different headings. As I drew near the think that such a moment had been recorded. two: He draweth wall of files, the first to catch my attention was An almost animal rage broke on me. One the night as a one that read "People I Have Liked". I opened thought dominated my mind: "No one must veil o'er the it and began flipping through the cards. I ever see these cards! No one must ever see Day. Behold, ver- ily in these quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recog- this room! I have to destroy them!" In an in- things there are nized the names written on each one. sane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size did- signs for those And then without being told, I knew exactly n't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the who consider! where I was. cards. But as I took it at one end and began 4. And in the pounding it on the floor, I could earth are not dislodge a single card. I be- tracts (diverse came desperate and pulled out a though) neigh- card, only to find it as strong as bouring, and steel when I tried to tear it. De- gardens of vines feated and utterly helpless, I and fields sown returned the file to its slot. Lean- with corn, and ing my forehead against the palm trees - wall, I let out a long, self-pitying growing out of sigh. single roots or otherwise: wa- And then I saw it. tered with the The title bore "People that I same water, yet Have Taught About Allah". The some of them We handle was brighter than those make more ex- around it, newer, almost unused. cellent than I pulled on its handle and a small others to eat. box not more than three inches Behold, verily in This lifeless room with its small files was a long fell into my hands. I could count the these things crude catalog system for my life. Here were cards it contained on one hand. there are signs for those who written the actions of my every moment, big And then the tears came. I began to weep. understand! and small, in a detail my memory couldn't Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stom- match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, cou- ach and shook through me. I fell on my knees (The thunder) pled with horror, stirred within me as I began and cried. I cried out of shame, from the over- randomly opening files and exploring their whelming shame of it all. The rows of file content. Some brought joy and sweet memo- shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one www.abraronline. ries; others a sense of shame and regret so in- must ever, ever know of this room. net tense that I would look over my shoulder to I must lock it up and hide the key. This is our website. see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one Have visited it: It marked "Friends I Have Betrayed". The titles will put you face- ranged from the mundane to the outright If you hate a person, you hate some- to-face with an al- weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have thing in him that is part of yourself. ternative world, full Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have What isn't part of ourselves doesn't of spirituality, mo- Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in disturb us. their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My rality coupled with Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I HERMANN HESSE modern outlooks Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Hate is too great a burden to bear. It and perspectives. Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I We want to hear never ceased to be surprised by the contents. injures the hater more than it injures Often there were many more cards than I ex- the hated. your views on its pected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. contents, layout I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the CORETTA SCOTT KING and general quality. life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had It is easy to hate and it is difficult to the time in my 30 years to write each of these love. This is how the whole scheme Join us in our Noon thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in of things works. All good things are and Afternoon my own handwriting. Each signed with my difficult to achieve; and bad things prayers signature. are very easy to get. Everyday When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to CONFUCIUS at 12.00 contain their contents. The cards were packed