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

45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 Abrar 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 2 (362) 16th– 31st July 2019 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 Grant religion a space in the materialistic civilisation www.abrar.org.uk The struggle between divinity and godless and values that attract followers and enable Email: tendencies in modern societies is intensifying. them to continue propagating them to the other Abrarhouse Religions are a source of good for the human people. If these are not religious-based then @hotmail.com race. This is a fact despite the negative imaging they often become weapons against divinity. Website of those religions. Divine religions aim at per- The youth in the Arab and Muslim worlds were www.abraronline.net fecting the human life so that mankind makes attracted to Islam as a political doctrine that Charity no. 293802 the best of this earth. Those religions were calls on them to challenge the materialistic rul- propagated by God’s prophets and messengers ers who had been supported by foreign powers whose message is one with different names. aiming at neutralizing the power of Islam in None of the prophets contradicted the other or modern day Arabia. The lack of interest in reli- brought about a different religion. God’s mes- gion is a product of the counter propaganda by We stand for: sage is universal, historic and eternal. But it has modern powers who seek to establish a human always been challenged by the enemies of God; society that is subservient to the materially-  Inter-faith and inter- those who aspire to enslave the others and stop strong even if they are morally inept. The mod- civilisational dialogue their liberation from evil, materialism, consum- ern propaganda machines are void of morality erism and selfishness. It is wrong to assume that or religious values. Religion is always portrayed  Respect for the human the message of religion is confined to spiritual as an ancient concept that is not fit for purpose race and rights uplifting, worship or the personal cleansing. On in the modern world. Religion is presented as the contrary, religion seeks to create the perfect being responsible for the ongoing strife in the  Cooperation for the man that is the cornerstone of the perfect socie- world and cannot be relied on as a basis for good of people ty. This is the message of God’s religions. This countering extremism, fascism or terrorism. cannot be negated by the bad behaviour by Intact these propaganda machines often link  Moderation some of the advocates of religion. The bad im- religion to those pervert ideologies. The counter plementation does not prove an error in the -Islamic propaganda is feeding on the people’s  Modernity principle, value or command. ignorance, prejudice and lack of desire for real A recent poll undertaken by the BBC showed work.  High standards of that the Arab world is becoming less religious. The modern society, as can be seen in UK, for spirituality Among the reasons, according to the poll, are example, is suffering a breakdown of law and the failures of the Islamists to create successful order policies. The security agencies have taken modern statehood. Whilst the research is a it on their shoulder to support dictators in the sound approach, the reasoning is far from reali- Arab world rather than dealing seriously with In this issue ty. There is general trend against religion, but the rising crimes like the stabbing among youth, this is a historic phenomenon. Anti-religion the drug gangs, the prostitution networks, the Local Events 2 forces have always been active in the human slavery rackets and the money-laundering society with the aim of creating political sys- groups. More serious approaches are needed to Muslim Affairs 3 tems that are alien from God. There are many tackle these crimes. Among the most effective reasons why evil powers on this planet stand long-term solutions is to promote religious val- Ibn Sirin 4 against divinity. Among those are the greed of ues among the youth. Despite the negative prop- those powers that seek to aganda against divine UK media mis- establish materialistic religions, they can still be culture on this earth, the utilized to deal with the represents Muslims 5 inherent power of reli- social ills. Our human gious concepts to defeat society must not be left to Acting damaged my the evil and earthly pow- continue its free fall to- Relation with God 6 ers in the human socie- wards the abyss. Politi- ties, the dominance of the cians are duty-bound to Jesus led me to Islam 8 materialist culture in seek a consensus on how modern societies and the to make this earth more unethical approach and peaceful, secure and pros- policies by the satanic perous. Wars are not the forces. way forward. Internal Human civlisations must reconciliation is neces- always possess principles sary as a first step. Page 2 Local Events

Sex education environment. But here he encounters and belief in the life of Al Sadiq. He is sexual relations at schools of different the head of the various schools of Is- At the weekly meeting of Abrar on levels. There may be positive aspects to lamic thought. I hope that there will be Thursday 4th July the issue of the pro- this law but there are objections from less sensitivity in the Arab world to- posed compulsory sex education at many in the society. What can be done? wards the research into the lives of the schools was debated. The seminar There is no magical solution. Some Imams. was chaired by Sheikh Hassan Al communities like the Jewish have chal- Taraiki and addressed by Dr Moham- lenged the law. Some of their schools Role of Imam Al Sadiq mad Kadem Al Tha’alebi. The speaker may close down because they do not said that when we came to the West observe these new subjects. MPs cannot Sheikh Fadel Al Khateeb delivered a with our families we knew that it is a do much because 580 of them have voted Hussaini session to commemorate the different cultural environment. This for it. It is estimated that gay community martyrdom of Imam Jaffar Al Sadiq presented many challenges which in- has increased 4000 percent in recent who died on 25th Shawwal of the year tensified with time. We were mature times. 40,000 UK schools will teach this 148 Hijri. Scholars have described the people when we came but our children subject. There may be only 1percent who true Shia Muslim as the one who does opened their eyes to see different real- are gays but they form 10 percent of the not indulge in the forbidden things, has ities that do not conform to their teaching profession. Can a child of six deep piety and morality. The Imams parent’s cultural upbringing. This is a years really think of sex? We have to had always been truthful and would not challenge to Muslims and non- deal with these challenges collectively. tell lies. Born in the year 83 AH he was Muslims. The struggle is universal. We must have personal religious com- the longest serving Imam. He lived For centuries the values in the West mitment, as well as collectively and during the reigns of several Abbassid have changed and the law-making has spend more time with the children. rulers: Hisham ibn Abdul Malik, Al been confined to parliaments. In the Walid ibn Yazid, Umar ibn Abdul Az- past the laws were based on chastity, Imam Sadiq’s contribution iz, Yazid ibn Al Walid and Abu Jaffar but not anymore. I want to present the Al Mansoor. During this period the 50-page law titled: Legal governmen- On 27th June the weekly meeting of Shia school of thought was developed tal instructions to the managers, Abrar was dedicated to the martyrdom of and assumed its place in the body of schools and teachers”. It says: we Imam Jaffar Al Sadiq (AS). There were the Ummah. Also the downfall of the teach children the basic foundations two speakers. The first was Dr Moham- Umayyad dynasty and the rise of the for healthy relations based on respect, mad Hisham Sultan (former Professor of Abbassids provided an opportunity for we teach them and seek to shelter Beliefs at Aal Al Bait University in Jor- the Imam to propagate religious and them from psychological and mental dan). He said that Imam Jaffar Al Sadiq natural sciences among the Muslims. illnesses, providing advice from the was a university to all Muslims, Shia and Imam Al Sadiq moved from Medina to correct sources, how to get to know Sunni. Unfortunately the Sunni world Kufa which had a significant Shia pres- people living them of different back- has not known the Imams of Prophet’s ence. He made strong presence there grounds, urging children not to disre- Mohammad descendants closely. There and delivered lessons and lectures to spect adopted children from other were objective scholars who had dealt people. There were many scholars from families. It asks schools to teach reli- with the lives of those Imams like Sheikh Shia and Sunni schools of faith includ- gious aspects, fight against discrimi- Mohammad Abu Zuhra who wrote a ing Imam Abu Hanifa. He was instru- nation or persecution of male or fe- book about Imam Al Sadiq and said that mental in cultivating inter-Islamic links male, training children on achieving he was the teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa and contribute to the rise of religious strong will and care for others. So Al Nu’man, Imam Malik and Imam Al jurisprudence. The Imam started com- where are the concerns? Among the Shafi’ei who was also student of Imam municating with his followers through concerns is the following point: The Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Scholars consider letters on how to deal with the social teacher must collect books, videos and Imam Al Sadiq as the first of the senior and religious problems of the time. The means of explanation. The question is: Imams of jurisprudence. He was the head positive reception of these letters con- Who is behind this? It is the people of schools of philosophy, logic and sci- tributed to preserve Shiism. He urged who support this tendency including: ence. When I was supervising research his followers not to withdraw from The Forum of Sex Education and the students at the University I urged stu- public life as the Kharijis had done. He National Secular Society. The new dents to research the Imams who were wrote them treatise of conduct with syllabus does not believe in what we Mohammad’s descendants. In 2004 I others. It is an important guide for mi- believe in; what is permissible and proposed a theme “Science of theology norities living among larger communi- what is no. The number of church of Imam Jaffar Al Sadiq”. When the ex- ties. During his reign there were big goers does not exceed 10 percent. The amination took place the student was conquests leading to the emergence of majority of the society is secular. So failed because he had chosen an unfa- irreligious people, doubters and athe- to abandon religion and adopt gay vourable subject. There is a need to pur- ists. The Imam played great role in culture does not present a big problem sue the research in the fields of language pacifying their attempts to smear the to many. To a religion. The record- certain extent ing of the prophet’s we still uphold traditions had been some religious banned until the values which year 99 when Umar our children ibn Abdul Aziz lift- have also ed that ban. The adopted. They Imam managed to go to school fill the vacuum left and return by this ban and was home where he able to confront the finds religious doubters. Muslim affairs Page 3

UN Security Council debates that “the humanitarian needs here are International Committee of the Red terrorism and organized crime only likely to grow over the coming Cross Reto Stocker on Tuesday re- days with more downpours expected.” viewed ways to proceed with humanitar- Executive Director According to the ian operation of the two agencies, saying of the United Na- agency, vital infra- that the humanitarian services must not tions Office on structure that chil- be hampered by the US sanctions. Drugs and Crime dren rely on such as In his meeting with Reto Stocker, Ali (UNODC) Yuri learning centers and Asghar Peyvandi referred to close ties Fedotov said that health facilities have between Iran Red Crescent Society and criminals and ter- been damaged or the ICRC office in Tehran, saying Iran rorists shared a destroyed. To date, Red Crescent hails boosting relations need to operate in five UNICEF- since it considers itself as strategic part- the shadows, ex- supported centres ner of the ICRC. ploiting gaps in criminal justice respons- have been heavily damaged, with over Alluding to US unilateral and cruel es in and between countries and regions. 750 partially damaged, interrupting the sanctions, he said based on the interna- Speaking at the UN Security Council education of more than 60,000 children. tional regulations, sanctions should not open debate on threats to international The risk of waterborne diseases is also damage humanitarian services. peace and security on Tuesday, Fedotov growing, UNICEF said, pointing out Due to blocking Iran's bank accounts, it told the Council members that organized that at least 47 water distribution points was not possible to transfer the assis- crime gangs may employ "terrorist tac- and networks, and over 600 latrines tance offered by other countries and the tics" to achieve their objectives, while have been affected or damaged, increas- International Federation of Red Cross terrorists get involved directly in income- ing the risk of Acute Watery Diarrhea and Red Crescent Societies to Iran. generating criminal activities. (AWD). Stressing the fact that Iran Red Crescent Daesh terrorist group, for example, had society is in charge of distribution and profited immensely from the illegal trade US Senate Foreign Relations production of drugs, medical equipment in oil, trafficking in cultural property chairman: Bill on Saudi rights and artificial limbs, Peyvandi said Iran they ransacked from places such as Pal- needs special facilities to buy basic ma- myra in Syria, and Mosul in Iraq, and The Republican chairman of the U.S. terials. kidnapping for ransom, the UN official Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Meanwhile, Former Representative of noted. Senator Jim Risch, has introduced legis- the International Committee of the Red He indicated that Somalia's al-Shabaab lation seeking to push back on Saudi Cross (ICRC) Mark Ackerman referred extremists supported piracy and finance Arabia over human rights and criticizing to strategic cooperation between two some of their operations from trade in Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. humanitarian agencies, saying Iran Red Somali charcoal through the Gulf of The bill, seen by Reuters on Wednes- Crescent Society is an important partner Oman, while al-Qaeda terrorist group day, is the latest effort in the U.S. Con- of the ICRC and their cooperation is not resupplies its forces around the Arabian gress to hold Saudi Arabia accountable limited to inside the country. Peninsula by sea. for rights abuses, including the murder He noted that there are short-term solu- Also during the debate, Executive Direc- of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a tions to the problem of transferring cred- tor of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Saudi consulate in Turkey and a human- its and international aid to Iran. Executive Directorate (CTED) Michèle itarian catastrophe in Yemen, where ICRC will spare no efforts for solving Coninsx outlined the Council’s various Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emir- this problem, he reiterated. activities to combat the financing of ter- ates are fighting Iran-backed Houthi rorism. She noted that the territorial loss- rebels. Sri Lanka curbs Saudi influ- es sustained by Daesh, which just a few However, it does not address weapons ence after bombings years ago controlled large swathes of sales to Saudi Arabia. Risch had said he Sri Lanka is moving to curtail Saudi Syria and Iraq, had made it imperative wanted to introduce legislation that Arabian influence, after some politicians for them to access funds through a wide President Donald Trump would sign. and Buddhist monks blamed the spread range of criminal activities including Although Trump’s fellow Republicans of the kingdom’s ultra-conservative drug trafficking, weapons sales, kidnap- hold a majority of seats in the Senate, Wahhabi school of Islam for planting ping and extortion. the chamber last month defied him by the seeds of militancy that culminated in voting to block billions of dollars in deadly Easter bomb attacks. Rohingya refugee children en- military sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE On April 21, nine Sri Lankans blew dure devastating rainfall and other countries. themselves up in churches and luxury A handful of Republicans joined Demo- hotels, killing more than 250 people and Heavy flooding and landslides in the crats to pass resolutions to block the shocking the country a decade after its Rohingya refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar sales, rejecting Trump’s decision to civil war ended. in Bangladesh, has left thousands of chil- sidestep Congress’ review of such deals Sri Lanka has since arrested a Wahhabi dren and families in an increasingly dire by declaring an emergency over Iran. scholar and is poised to take over a Sau- situation with critical infrastructure dam- Trump has promised to veto all 22 of di-funded school. The government also aged or destroyed, the UN Children’s the resolutions of disapproval. The says it will monitor previously un- Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday, measures did not get enough votes in the checked money flows from donors in- while scaling up relief efforts to those Senate to override his veto. cluding prominent Saudi families to vulnerable children. mosques on the Indian Ocean island. “Conditions in the camps and host com- US sanctions “Nobody will be able to just make dona- munity are deteriorating rapidly because affect humanitarian activities tions now,” said Muslim cabinet minis- of the brutal weather," said Acting ter Kabir Hashim, who has urged Mus- UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Head of Iran Red Crescent Society Ali lim communities to look at how radical Alain Balandi Domsam, while stressing Asghar Peyvandi and new head of the ideas could have spread. Page 4 Open Forum

Ibn Sirin: the 8th century famous interpreter of dreams rah, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Omar, But that book, allegedly محمد بن Muhammad Ibn Sirin (Arabic born in Basra) was a M- and Anas ibn Malek. written by Ibn Sirin, who)سيرين( uslim interpreter of dreams who lived in Known as Ibn Sirin, Mu- died in 110 AH, comprises the 8th century. He was a contemporary hammad was one of the many discrepancies of Anas ibn Malik. first ascetics of Al-Basra. (anachronic passages). For According to Yehia Gouda‘s most au- He became the instance, it tells a story thoritative encyclopedic reference book prime imam in religion and about Imam Shafe’i who on Muslim oneiromancy Dreams and an erudite in the Qur’an. He died in 204 AH. It also Their Meanings in the Old Arab Tradi- was described by one of his quotes Is’haq Ibrahim ibn tion (ISBN 0-533-08877-1, published in contemporaries (Abu ‘Abdullah Al-Kirmani, who 1991), the legendary hazrat Abu Bakr Ná’eem) as wise, heeding died in 400 AH. Muhammad Ibn Sirin Al-Ansari (R.A.) God and perspicacious, Nonetheless, some scholars (33-110 AH; AD 653–728), was, indeed, sharing food with his breth- are of the view that most if born in Basra, as mentioned, in AD 653, ren and travelers, strongly not all of the works related i.e., the 33rd year after Muhammad’s interceding in favor of the to Ibn Sirin might migration from Al-Makkah to the then lonely and those who were be apocryphal, or even Al-Madinatul Munawarah. His birth punished for one reason or misattributed to him com- came two years before the end of the rule another. He was alert, cau- pletely. Another example of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan. tious, honest and properly maintaining lies in the authenticity of the book Muhammad’s father (the name Abu Bakr whatever was entrusted to him. He used to “Muntakhabul Kalam …” which is defi- was seldom used) was one of the many weep at night and smile and rove around all nitely non-genuine, for the simple reason captives taken by the great Muslim war- day. And he fasted every other day. No one that it relates those stories that happened rior Khalid ibn Al-Walid when he em- was as religious or as knowledgeable as long after Sirin’s death as already stated barked on his campaign to conquer Al- him in his art. His family was so generous [citation needed]. Nevertheless, it is pos- Sham (the area comprising Syria, Leba- that they would not hesitate to offer to their sible that these books were written by non and Palestine), under the caliphate of visitor the last loaf of bread in their house. another expert or by Ibn Sirin’s students Ómar ibn Al-Khattab (AD 583–684). He He used to savor and recite poetry. and/or admirers. The major suspect is a was a coppersmith from a town called He was particularly renowned for his ex- Muslim preacher by the name of Abu Jirjaya, settled and working in a place traordinary skill in interpreting dreams as Sa’id Al-Wa’ez, himself author of sever- called ‘Ain Al-Tamr, where a decisive attested by the Arabs’ greatest intellectuals, al books on Islamic oneiromancy. battle took place in Hijra (migration) such as Al-Gaheth, Ibn Qutaybah and Ibn What lends credence and adds weight to year 12. Certain historians contend that it Khaldoun, who considered his work as cru- the theory that Ibn Sirin never wrote was Abu Bakr’s mother, named Sireen, cial in this field. anything is the established fact that he who had been taken captive. But, accord- Works abhorred books. He always relied on his ing to the Encyclopedia of Is- This section needs additional citations excellent memory and was of the view lam (London; Leiden & E.J. Brill, 1971), for verification. Please help improve this that it is books that led to vol. 3, p. 947, Ibn Sirin’s mother, Sa- article by adding citations to reliable the perdition and doom of past genera- fiyya – a slave of the caliph Abu Bakr – sources. Unsourced material may be chal- tions. Whenever he wanted to memorize was held in such esteem within the com- lenged and removed. (March 2015) a hadith (quotation of Muhammad), he munity that when she died, her laying- The most notable of the books attributed to wrote it down on a piece of paper which out was performed by three of Muham- him is Dreams and Interpretations. Ibn Al- he destroyed as soon as he learned it by mad’s wives and eighteen Badris Nadim says that he was the author heart. One night, a friend begged him to (veterans of the battle of Badr), led of Taabirul Ro’oya (What Dreams Ex- keep in his house a book he was carry- by Ubay ibn Ka’b, were present at her press), which is different from or an ing, which he categorically refused by burial. ‘Omar sent him as a present, ei- abridged version of Muntakhabul Kalam Fi saying he had vowed that never “shall a ther directly to Anas ibn Malik (one of Tafsir El Ahlam (A Concise Guide for the book” spend a night at his home. Alt- the most authoritative sources on the life Interpretation of Dreams) first printed hough he was known for correctly inter- and opinions expressed by Muhammad) in Bulaq, Egypt, in 1284 AH, in Lucknow preting dreams, this book cannot be au- or first to a man called Talha Al-Bukhari in AD 1874 and in Bombay in 1296 AH. It thentically traced back to him. (from Bukhara, Central Asia) who, in was subsequently reprinted numerous times The rare second edition in Italian of his turn, gave him to Anas. in various parts of the Arab World under interpretation Sirin tried to convince Anas to set him different titles. of Egyptian and Persian dreams was free against a sum of money translated from Leo Tosca- (mukataba). When the latter no‘s Latin into Italian by the refused, Sirin complained to famous cheiromantist Patricio ‘Omar, who ordered that his Tricasso, who, in his foreword wish be granted for to Alessandro Bicharia, explains 40,000 dinars, to be paid in in- that he has omitted many of the stallments. original interpretations owing to Muhammad worked as many dreams being inspired an ambulant cloth merchant, or either by melancholy or evil peddler, in Al-Basra. The fact spirits. The origi- that he was deaf or hard-of- nal Arabic, Greek and hearing did not prevent him Toscano’s Latin texts seem not from becoming one of the most to have survived and this is the fabulous storytellers of his time second of three Italian editions about Muhammad (the Prophet), of the sixteenth century, the quoting such prominent person- others appearing in 1525 and alities as Abu Huray- 1551 AD. Open Forum Page 5

UK media's portrayal of Muslims 'misleading and negative': study A first of its kind study finds the British The study said 78 percent of the stories The study said Muslim women were media contributing to Islamophobia by in the Mail on Sunday newspa- either "othered" through misrepre- giving a negative coverage on Muslims. per featuring Islam or Muslims living in sentative choices of images, or si- the UK had a negative coverage of the lenced through a general lack of due Media reports on Muslims are contrib- community. prominence. uting to a rise in Islamophobia with most On the other hand, it said the Guardian, Other anti-Islam tropes the study said British news outlets giving a "negative the New Statesman and the Independent it found in the British media included and misleading" coverage of the commu- had the least negative portrayal of Mus- the faith being "inherently anti- nity, a first of its kind study has found. lims. Semitic". It said news reports conflat- The study, published by the Muslim In television, Sky News had the highest ed support for Palestinians with anti- Council of Britain (MCB) on Tuesday, proportion of misleading coverage, with Semitism and portrayed Muslim soli- said far-right leaders and commentators 14 percent of its clips rated "very bi- darity with Jews as unusual. used TV debate programmes to propa- ased", the study said. The report said far-right figures were gate stereotypes about Islam and Mus- It said that regional TV broadcasters given prominent positions in TV de- lims. presented a more supportive coverage of bates, which helped them in normalis- The study analysed more than 10,000 Muslims, with the ITV's regional chan- ing their propaganda. news articles and broadcasts in nels having no content they could call The study, conducted by the the UK from 2018 and identified "serious "very biased". MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring, problems" in the way British me- said its methodology was verified dia reports about Islam or Mus- by Professor Paul Baker, an expert lims, its authors said. in critical discourse analysis at Grappling with the far right on the Lancaster University. UK's airwaves "As the first in a series of quarter- In print media, the study found ly reports, the Centre for Media that 59 percent of the articles ana- Monitoring hopes that by high- lysed associated Muslims with lighting examples of coverage on negative behaviour, while more Muslims and Islam, it can serve as than a third "misrepresented or a valuable resource for journal- made generalisations" about the ists," said the study's co- community. author Faisal Hanif. New research explores contemporary Muslim girlhoods in Assam, India A new book by Dr. Saba Hussain of the within the family and community, while actors in the field of education, and University of Warwick Department of being sensitive to their claims of injustice which increasingly seek to articulate and Sociology offers new insights into the na- as a member of a minority community in politicize their experiences of subordi- ture of educational disadvantage experi- India and elsewhere." Among her key nation. enced by Muslim girls in the Assam region findings, Dr. Hussain argues: Dr. Hussain added: "The figures of of India, exploring the impact of religion, The equal education policy regime in con- Muslim women and Muslim girls are culture, location, class and ethnicity on temporary India disproportionately values increasingly invoked within India's pop- their educational experience, and arguing the protection of cultural rights of Muslim ular politics, policy and legal frame- for a novel theoretical framework which girls over their economic rights works, in development and aid regimes centres Muslim women and girls in schol- Teachers showed deeply gendered, globally and in discourses around coun- arship about them rather than viewing classed, religious, and ethnic biases tering violent extremism (CVE) in the them as passive subjects. against Muslim girls, especially girls from West. Drawing on extensive research which lower-class backgrounds with a Bengali "Muslim women have become the site mapped the entire field of school educa- speaking heritage in a location where the of powerful contestations between the tion, including the Indian state, teachers, majority of women were Assamese- "West" and the "Rest," between parents and the girls themselves, Dr. speaking Hindus. "secular" and "religious," and between Hussain developed a rich understanding of Contrary to popular perception, Muslim "modern" and "traditional." They have how school-going Muslim girls in India parents across class backgrounds valued come to symbolize an incomplete sub- accept or reject attempts to education for their jecthood as though they are in a constant confer identities upon daughters—but in the state of becoming—more modern, more them, and how these iden- context of a "good girl- secular, more nationalistic, more em- tities are lived, negotiated hood" in which educa- powered and so on. "The broader contri- and resisted. tion, academic achieve- bution of this book is towards the sharp- Though focused on educa- ment, and career success ening of our analytics to understand how tion, the book makes an were seen as pre- "Muslim women' and "Muslim girls' are original contribution to the requisites to joining the being constructed and used towards broader understanding of "domestic" realm as explicit and implicit political projects." gendered minority subjects future wives and moth- The book is expected to appeal to schol- in post-colonial contexts, ers. ars of sociology and gender studies with and discusses the myriad School-going Muslim interests in education, class, religion and forms of disadvantage girls don't passively identity. experienced by Muslim accept the identities Contemporary Muslim Girlhoods in girls in North-East India. created for them but India: A Study of Social Justice, Identity Dr. Hussain said: "My actively create and artic- and Agency in Assam by Dr. Saba research offers a way for us to understand ulate their own self-identities, in ways that Hussain is published in the Routledge Muslim women's gender injustice claims seek to claim authorization as legitimate Research in Gender and Society series. Page 6 Open Forum

“Damaged My Relationship With Allah”: I became Muslim because of Jesus Actress Zaira Wasim Quits Films Continued from Page 8 “5 years ago I made a decision that environment that damaged my Then, my mentor lent me a CD series changed my life forever”: Zaira peace, imaan and my relationship with called Purification of the Heart by Zaira Wasim will next be seen in The Allah (God),” she said. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. I listened to Sky Is Pink Talking about her life as an actor, she those CDs daily, deeply connected Zaira made her Bollywood debut with said she continued to observe things and with its messages, and felt these in- Aamir Khan’s 2016 film Dangal twist her perceptions as she wanted them credible reverberations in my heart “Five years ago I made a decision that to be, without really understanding that when the shaykh recited passages changed my life forever. As I stepped the key was to see them as they were. “In from the Quran in Arabic. I even felt my foot in Bollywood, it opened doors the great and divine wisdom of the the same reverberations in my heart of massive popularity for me. I started Quran, I found sufficiency and peace. when I recited the first chapter of the to become the prime candidate of public Indeed the hearts find peace when it ac- Quran, syllable-by-syllable. As I lis- attention, I was projected as the gospel quires the knowledge of Its Creator, His tened and I practiced my Arabic, I felt of the idea of success and was often Attributes, His Mercy and His command- as if I was strengthening my commu- identified as a role model for the youth. ments,” she added. nication with God. “However, that’s never something that I The actor, who made her big Bollywood As I prayed and fasted during my first set out to do or become, especially with debut opposite superstar Aamir Khan in Ramadan, I felt this magnificent regards to my ideas of success and fail- 2016, said she questioned the deepest closeness to an essence that I had nev- ure, which I had just started to explore sources of her ideas of success, meaning er encountered before, and conscious- and understand,” Wasim said in the and the purpose of her life. ly nurturing that essence filled me lengthy post. “The source code that governed and im- with immense bliss. It was in those The 18-year-old actor said as she com- pacted my perceptions evolved into a moments that I felt the most connect- pleted five years in the profession, she different dimension. Success isn’t corre- ed to myself; it was in those moments wanted to “confess that I am not truly lated with our biased, delusional and con- that I felt the most connected to God. I happy with this identity i.e my line of ventional shallow measures of life. Suc- knew then that I was ready to accept work”. “For a very long time now it has cess is the accomplishment of the purpose Islam as my chosen faith. felt like I have struggled to become of our creation. We have forgotten the Through God’s tremendous grace and someone else. As I had just started to purpose we were created for as we igno- my mentor’s tenacious planning, on explore and make sense of the things to rantly continue to pass through our lives; the 27th day of Ramadan 2016, I which I dedicated my time, efforts and deceiving our conscience,” she said. found myself sitting alongside the emotions and tried to grab hold of a Zaira said the journey has been scholar whose words in both English “exhausting, to battle my soul for so new lifestyle, it was only for me to real- and Arabic transformed my heart into long” and life was too short yet too long ize that though I may fit here perfectly, a Muslim one: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. I do not belong here.” to be at war with oneself. About announc- He led me through my Testimony of “This field indeed brought a lot of love, ing the decision on social media, the actor Faith, which were the sincerest words support, and applause my way, but what said she was openly doing so not to paint that I had ever spoken. it also did was to lead me to a path of a holier picture of herself, but “this is the I nervously stumbled through it. Then, ignorance, as I silently and uncon- least I can do to start afresh.” sciously transitioned out “This is just my first step as I have ar- he asked me if I had been raised of imaan (faith). While I continued to rived at the clarity of realization of the Christian. I confirmed that I was in- work in an environment that consistent- path I wish to be on and strive for and deed raised Catholic. He responded by ly interfered with my imaan, my rela- during this time I may have consciously asking me to repeat these words: “Wa tionship with my religion was threat- or unconsciously planted a seed of temp- Ash’hadu Ana Issa Rasulullah Wa ened,” she said. tation in the hearts of many, but my sin- Kaleematahu. Wa Mariem Zaira Wasim said as she continued to cere advice to everyone is that no amount Sadiqqah...I testify that Jesus is a mes- “ignorantly pass through” while trying of success, fame, authority or wealth is senger of God and his logos and that to convince herself that what she was worth trading or losing your peace or the Mary is his righteous servant.” doing was okay and was not really af- light of your ‘imaan‘ for,” she said. My heart gleamed in those moments. fecting her, “I lost all the Source “Damaged My Relationship With For as long as I could remember, I ‘Barakah” (blessing) from my life”. Allah”: Actress Zaira Wasim Quits Films. searched for a place that felt like “I was constantly battling with my soul home, and as I sat next to Shaykh to reconcile my thoughts and Hamza Yusuf, I realized that I had instincts to fix a static pic- finally found it within Islam. ture of my imaan and I Over a decade has passed since I was failed miserably, not just first introduced to Islam, my true path. once but a hundred times… What anchored me then, still anchors “I kept procrastinating by me now. The only difference is that I tricking and deluding my now have a place that allows me to conscience into the idea that honor my past, while I continue to I know what I am doing seek truths from our greatest sources. doesn’t feel right but as- As a Muslim of Irish-Catholic de- sumed that I will put an end scent, I’m not quite sure where I fit in to this whenever the time just yet. But in the early morning feels right and I continued to hours, right before dawn, and as I pray put myself in a vulnerable alone, facing Miami’s Biscayne Bay, I position where it was always feel right at home. For me, that’s all so easy to succumb to the that matters right now Off the Shelf Page 7

religion at the University of Chicago. The Iranian Metaphysicals "Important and highly original."--Nile Explorations in Science, Islam, and the Uncanny Green, Los Angeles Review of Books "Alireza Doostdar’s The Iranian Meta- By: Alireza Doostdar "superstitious," instead encouraging the physicals stands as a rigorous and What do the occult sciences, séances development of rational religious sensi- thoughtful contribution to this scholar- with the souls of the dead, and appeals to bilities and dispositions. However, far ship. Drawing on a rich ethnographic saintly powers have to do with rationali- from diminishing the diverse methods archive, Doostdar gives us a superbly ty? Since the late nineteenth century, through which Iranians engage with the argued and highly original exploration of modernizing intellectuals, religious lead- immaterial realm, these rationalizing Iran’s ‘metaphysical explorers.’"-- ers, and statesmen in Iran have attempted processes have multiplied the possibili- Charles Hirschkind, Immanent Frame to curtail many such practices as ties for metaphysical experimentation. "Beautifully written and argued, this The Iranian Metaphysicals examines powerful book turns our full attention to these experiments and their transfor- the rationality of enchantment in the mations over the past century. Drawing modern world. Deftly weaving gripping on years of ethnographic and archival stories with history, theology, and politi- research, Alireza Doostdar shows that cal considerations, Doostdar presents an metaphysical experimentation lies at the important analysis of the landscape of center of some of the most influential Iranian metaphysical inquiry and a new, intellectual and religious movements in fresh perspective on the conditions and modern Iran. These forms of exploration qualities of reason and rationalization in have not only produced a plurality of the world and in anthropological in- rational orientations toward metaphysi- quiry."—Courtney Bender, Columbia cal phenomena but have also fundamen- University. tally shaped what is understood as ortho- "Examining contemporary Iranians' wide dox Shi‘i Islam, including the forms of -ranging experiments with the supernatu- Islamic rationality at the heart of projects ral, including political-cultural and his- for building and sustaining an Islamic torical contexts, Doostdar demonstrates Republic. the profound ‘edginess' of these practi- Delving into frequently neglected as- tioners: their doubts and concerns with pects of Iranian spirituality, politics, and respectability. This is a captivating read intellectual inquiry, The Iranian Meta- and an unprecedented book, certain to physicals challenges widely held as- appeal to anthropologists and to Middle sumptions about Islam, rationality, and East specialists alike."—Cyrus Scha- the relationship between science and yegh, Princeton University religion. Publisher: Princeton University Press Alireza Doostdar is assistant professor of Hardcover 312 pages £66.00 Islamic Studies and the anthropology of ISBN: 978069116377 ence. A must read for students and Contesting Islamophobia scholars alike.” – Nasar Meer, Profes- Anti-Muslim Prejudice in Media, Culture and Politics sor, University of Edinburgh,

Editor(s): Peter Morey, Amina Ya- history, sociology, and literature, the Publisher: I.B. Tauris qin, Alaya Forte book brings together interdisciplinary Hardback 296 pages £91.80 Islamophobia is one of the most preva- perspectives from culture and the arts as ISBN: 9781788316149 lent forms of prejudice in the world to- well as political and policy reflections. Published: 30-05-2019 day. This timely book reveals the way in It argues for an inclusive cultural dia- which Islamophobia's pervasive power logue through which misrepresentation is being met with responses that chal- and institutionalised Islamophobia can lenge it and the worldview on which it be challenged. rests. “Both a primer for those new to the The volume breaks new ground by out- topic and a source of sophisticated con- lining the characteristics of contempo- ceptual advances for those already im- rary Islamophobia across a range of po- mersed, the range of topics covered by litical, historic, and cultural public de- authors at the top of their game will bates in Europe and the United States. provide insights for all. From literary Chapters examine issues such as: how fiction to Donald Trump, from superhe- anti-Muslim prejudice facilitates ques- ro comics to real life military cultures, tionable foreign and domestic policies of and from classroom toolkits to fantasy Western governments; the tangible pres- in the Game of Thrones, this collection ence of anti-Muslim bias in media and informs and inspires challenges to the the arts including a critique of the global poisonous pervasiveness of contempo- blockbuster fantasy series Game of rary Islamophobia.” – Reina Lewis, Thrones; youth activism in response to Centenary Professor of Cultural Studies, securitised Islamophobia in education; London College of Fashion, UAL, and and activist forms of Muslim self- author of Muslim Fashion: Contempo- fashioning including Islamic feminism, rary Style Cultures., visual art and comic strip superheroes in “Contesting Islamophobia is a very rich popular culture and new media. Draw- and distinctive collection that will be of ing on contributions from experts in interest to a broad international audi- Page 8 Words of Faith

17. If it had been Our wish to take I Became Muslim Because Of Jesus (just) a pastime, We should sure- I was born with an unshakable inquisitiveness cept of Islam for the first time in the Autobi- ly have taken it that caused me to question everything, but ography of Malcolm X. It wasn’t the religion from the things there was one thing I never questioned, and that grabbed my attention; it was the way nearest to Us, if that was the existence and power of God. My Malcolm X used Islam to quench his continu- We would do mother sometimes reminds me that as a ous thirst for truth. (such a thing)! young child my response to her requests for If Saint Thomas More’s dogged loyalty to 18. Nay, We hurl me to clean my room or brush my teeth was God inspired me throughout my childhood, the Truth oftentimes, “You can’t tell me what to do; then it was Malcolm X’s unwavering search against false- hood, and it only God can tell me what to do!” And I for truth that further inspired me in college. knocks out its meant it—even at the age of five. Taken together, it became a bit clearer to me brain, and be- I was raised in an Irish-Catholic family; home that if I kept searching, I could possibly find a hold, falsehood is where a Claddagh hangs over the door, source for both connecting with God and find- doth perish! Ah! sounds from my mother’s bodhran or fiddle ing the truth that I was seeking. woe be to you resonate from the living room, and questions I discovered Islam’s Jesus in West Africa. for the (false) are returned with questions by my Jesuit- After college, I volunteered with an interna- things ye as- educated father. tional nonprofit in West Africa. One after- cribe (to Us). What I know now is this: I was never able to noon, I was sitting outside in the sweltering 19. To Him belong fully accept Catholicism as my faith. I wanted heat with a Ghanaian volunteer. To avoid get- all (creatures) so desperately to follow and honor both God ting sunburned, I wrapped my favorite orange in the heavens and Jesus, but I couldn’t sincerely do that by pashmina over my head. and on earth: Even those who being Catholic. To my surprise and over the Then, I heard my friend say: “You look beau- are in His (very) course of 13 years, I found that Islam provid- tiful in hijab.” Presence are not ed me the opportunity do both. “Are you Muslim?” I asked him. He nodded, too proud to Over time, with equal parts reluctance and and with some prodding, revealed to me that serve Him, nor fervor, I learned that Islam supported my Muslims both recognize and honor Jesus as a are they (ever) faith in ways that Catholicism could not. This prophet. That detail caught my attention and weary (of His is my conversion story. got me thinking: Could Islam be the source of service): My doubts pointed me towards new convic- clarity that I was seeking? I wasn’t sure, and I 20. They cele- tions. wasn’t quite ready to explore the possibility brate His praises I scrutinized many details about my assigned just yet. night and day, religion of Catholicism. I resettled into metropolitan Miami life quite nor do they ever flag or intermit. First, I never could bring myself to believe well. Years passed. Life was so easy and oh- that Jesus was God. Yes, I love Jesus, and I so fun! I felt incredibly blessed, but just be- 21. Or have they wholeheartedly believe that we should proac- neath the surface, I was very lonely, and far taken (for wor- ship) gods from tively seek to obtain the extraordinary human too often, I fell asleep with tears in my eyes the earth who qualities that he possessed, but in my eyes, and a growing heaviness in my heart, so I can raise (the there is only one God, and a man could never turned to my father for guidance. He listened dead)? be God. to me intently and made one simple sugges- (the prophets) Secondly, I was unable to ever accept the tion: Read. concept of original sin (that newborns entered When I started reading, Islam found me. this world carrying sins that could be forgiv- I used my alone time to explore books about www.abraronline. en through the Sacrament of Baptism). I per- philosophy, psychology, poetry, and religion. net ceived this as an initiation ritual into Christi- Little by little, I began gravitating towards This is our website. anity; it felt more political than spiritual. books about Islam. The more I read about Have visited it: It These doubts left my foundation as a Catholic Islam, the more I realized that it was more impermanent, but I knew that I could never than just a beautiful concept; it was a way of will put you face- desert my eternal love for God and my cease- life. to-face with an al- less admiration for Jesus. I remained Catho- I sought out a mentor who could show me ternative world, full lic, while I searched for a place that allowed what that life entailed, and I eventually found of spirituality, mo- me to preserve what I would not one. She was an established rality coupled with abandon and provide me clarity career woman, with a loving for what I could not accept. and supportive husband and modern outlooks Where that was, I wasn’t sure. I two incredible children, and and perspectives. genuinely hoped that it existed most importantly, she had an We want to hear somewhere. insatiable love for Islam. She your views on its Saint Thomas More and Malcolm was the kind of woman who I X gave me the courage to pursue aspired to become. contents, layout the truth. We met weekly. She shared and general quality. My chosen patron saint as a teen- stories about Prophet Muham- age Catholic was Saint Thomas mad and his closest compan- Join us in our Noon More; he chose death over aban- ions. She reiterated Islam’s doning his faith—his loyalty to belief in the prophhethood of and Afternoon God remains an invaluable inspi- Jesus and its denial of original prayers ration to me. sin. She showed me how to Everyday I was also inspired by Malcolm pray and gave me my most at 13.00 X. In my freshman year of col- beloved copy of the Quran. lege, I was introduced to the con- .Continued on page 6