Hajj: Divine Worship with Great Human Benefits Fax: 020 7724 7219 the Hajj Season Has Ended Without Major Inci- Wearing the White Shroud of the Hajj

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 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 Abrar LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 13, No 6 (294) 16-30th September 2016 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 Hajj: divine worship with great human benefits Fax:www.abrar.org.uk 020 7724 7219 The Hajj season has ended without major inci- wearing the white shroud of the hajj. The con- Email: dents, thanks God for that. Pilgrims have experi- gregation of millions of worshippers in Mecca Abrarhouse enced less tranquil times during past seasons, provides an opportunity for more integration of with abundance of deaths resulting from stam- the Muslims, mutual understanding, cooperation @hotmail.com peded, fires and political repression by the Saudi and unity. These values have been lacking for Website forces. The past three decades witnessed trage- decades. Pilgrims were detained, abused, killed www.abraronline.net dies that made pilgrimage the most perilous jour- and barred from reciting the prayers recom- Charity no. 293802 neys in modern times. This is not totally natural. mended by their faiths. The nationalisation of Other congregations with millions of worship- the pilgrimage by the Saudis must not be accept- pers have not been marred by similar wholesale ed by the Muslims. This annual congregation deaths. The Iranians have been receiving mil- must e utilised to enhance the quality of life of We stand for: lions of visitors to the holy shrines without a the worshippers. Enhancing their links, educa- single incident of death outside except the natu- tion, awareness and morality will contribute to  Inter-faith and inter- ral ones. And despite the troubles faced by Iraq, the creation of stronger communities and reduce civilisational dialogue the large crowds congregating or converging on the tensions created by stereotyping, misinfor- holy shrines, especially in Karbala did not expe- mation and distortion. Imam Ali (AS) indoctri-  Respect for the human rience similar events. The number of participants nated one of his followers on the values of pil- race and rights in the advent of the Arba‘een (the fortieth day grimage. after Imam Hussain‘s martyrdom) exceeded ten These teachings aim at providing the real mean-  Cooperation for the millions. Yet no stampedes, fires or other major ing of hajj, surpassing the its pure rituals. As good of people accidents have been reported since 2003 (when with other forms of worship, pilgrimage to Mec- Saddam Hussain‘s regime was removed from ca provides a spiritual journey that aims at puri-  Moderation power). fying the soul and sharpening the mind of the What is then that makes the most important an- believer and creating links with God and man. It  Modernity nual Muslim congregation prone to those lethal is also linked to the divine message enshrined in ―accidents‖? Last year alone at least 2000 pil- the human beings who must behave as God‘s  High standards of grims lost their lives in what the authorities representatives on earth. These great values are spirituality termed ―stampede‖, among them over 460 Irani- God‘s gifts to the human race who are exposed an pilgrims. Thousands died at a stampeded in to evil, injustice and self-destruction. The hajj Al-Mu‘aisem tunnel in Mecca when one end of helps the worshipper to abandon evil, achieve it was closed to allow the motorcade of one of real liberation and rise with the soul to divinity, In this issue the Saudi princes. In 2005 hundreds died as fires purity and high standards of piety. Real benefit swept the tents of the pilgrims at Mina. In 1987 will occur when material tendencies are shunned more than 400 Iranians were butchered by the by the worshipper. Hajj is the annual complete Local Events 2 Saudi forces as they were participating in a service for the human soul which seeks perfec- peaceful march. The Saudis have been able to tion and guidance from central leadership whose Muslim Affairs 3 impose a blanket cover over those events, with commands and orders are obeyed by the believ- meagre media coverage. This stae-engineered ers. It is a necessary exercise on the way to Zain Al Din Gorgani 4 news blackout prevented the truth to come out in achieve human harmony, peace and purpose. all these accidents. Fear of loss of life has become epidemic, especially as the European Muslims are Saudis raised the stakes prior to each not new or the same 5 season with threats and intimidations by the ministry of the interior of severe Women veil leads to punishment to those who may opt out of more integration 6 the official line of the state. Calls have been repeatedly made for a pan-Islamic The journey of for- management of the event in order to spare lives and create harmony among giveness 8 the Muslims in their annual congregation in the holiest of places. What needs to be done? God Almighty has designated the Holy Sanctuary as a place of peace where worshippers are not allowed to kill even an insect while Page 2 Local Events

Tribalism and Islam would not declare their faith. This is speak to the youth and offer guidance. the mentality of the tribal chiefs who Today when you look at hajj you see The Abrar meeting would not embrace religious ideals or groups who are fighting each other on Thursday 1st principles. Tribalism leads to several before hajj and are likely to resume September was ad- immoral attributes; prejudice, vio- that fight afterwards. Why aren‘t there dressed by Ayatul- lence, jealousy and blind following. efforts to educate Muslims and recon- lah Sheikh Wa‘izi, cile them. Why isn‘t there an alliance a senior religious Pilgrimage and Islamic Unity among Muslims similar to that forged figure in the Islamic by the Prophet in Mecca? What we seminary of Qom. The annual pilgrimage to Mecca was have are arrangements that facilitate He talked about the the subject of debate at Abrar‘s week- foreign enemies and create chaos struggle between ly meeting on Thursday 8th Septem- among the brothers. I chose several tribalism and Islam ber. Two speakers participated in this concepts relating to the unity of Mus- since its advent. topical debate and. Dr Abdul Zahra Al lims: First is the Quranic notion of one The function coin- Bandar who discussed the issue of community. Those ho wage wars on cided with the martyrdom anniversary of shirk (believing in other gods beside Muslims in Yemen and Syria then re- Imam Mohammad Al Jawad who lived Allah) and Dr Kamal Helbawi who ceives pilgrims, what unity does he during the reign of the Abbassid caliphs talked about the role of Hajj in creat- seek? If the concepts are correct we Al Ma‘moon and Al Mu‘tasim. He being unity among Muslims. Dr Al Ban- would not have reached this state of came the Imam at an early age and was dar emphasised the notion of unicity disunity. The second is the awareness known for his command of the religion, of God not only as the Creator but of the Ummah, facing the challenges, piety and resilience. He was married to also the supreme commander of hu- lack of the Islamic proto type. The Umm AlFadhl, the daughter of Al man existence. It is necessary to edu- preserving of Islamic heritage, counter- Ma‘moon. The discourse of te lecture cate the masses on total submission to ing prejudice and faith in God‘s victo- revolved around the political stands of God, the Just, the all powerful and ry. We have to be optimistic. those rulers some of whom appear to Almighty. Shirk (involving others in adopt less hostile policies towards the God‘s commands) is the worst kind of Multiculturalism Prophet‘s household. Why, then, did oppression. It prevents deep attach- And cultural rights they not acknowledge the rights of the ment to God. Worship in Islam aims Prophet‘s household in leading the Um- at forging strong bond between man The Open Discussion in conjunction mah? Here comes the debate about the and God and diminishing of the ten- with the Gulf Cultural Club held a tribe and Islam. It is clear that the main dency towards shirk. Thus when God seminar on Tuesday 13th September tribes of Arabia did not really embrace calls on Muslims to perform hajj titled: Multiculturalism, cultural rights, the religion at least in its political di- (pilgrimage) the aim is to strengthen public freedoms and integration. Two mensions. Since the separation of state the centrality of the divine in people‘s speakers dealt with the subject; Profes- and religion at the hands of Mu‘awiyah, lives. All rituals of the hajj centre sor Tahir Abbas of (RUSI) and Arzu the founder of the Umayyad dynastical around God, as the Creator, the Com- Mirali (of the Islamic Commission of rule, Arab tribalism took precedence mander and the supreme judge. When Human Rights). The debate was held over the religion which was hijacked by the pilgrim moves around the Ka‘ba it on the backdrop of the burkini saga in the state and removed from political is a symbolic act of acknowledging France. The two speakers agreed on power. Thus we had rulers who only the centrality of God‘s position. When the need to guarantee personal rights paid lip service to Islam. However the he moves between the two small and avoid stigmatisation of the Muslim holy Quran presents many aspects of the mountains (Safa and Marwa) it is an- community. Professor Tahir Abbas tribal animosity to God‘s religion. To other symbol of blind following by said multiculturalism, which was popu- many tribe is identity, feeling of belong- man and the significance of his move- lar with the liberals, has now become a ing and distinction. Individuals would ment along the path to God. Spending dirty word. There is a shift in the dis- obey the tribal chiefs more than God and two or three nights in the desert is yet course of the British elite towards the His messenger. Mohammad attempted to another self-disciplining exercise. right, and that affects the notion of accommodate tribalism to serve Islam. Man needs to fulfil two desires relat- multiculturalism. He said that teachers The Quran acknowledged the signifi- ing to body and soul. This materialises have been given duty to monitor Mus- cance of the tribe as a social entity that in Hajj. lim children. This traumatises young bounds individuals together. This is not Dr Kamal Helbawi talked about the people. We have counter-terrorism wrong. What is not right is to have prej- role of pilgrimage in fostering unity state. Integration is forced assimilation. udice on tribal basis. Elements of faith among Muslim. He said: In the seven- Arzu Mirali said that tolerance and must be taken into account when deter- ties I saw for myself the manifestation protection of minority rights must be mining relations and links. Truth must of Islamic unity in hajj. In those days part of liberal democracy. Liberal de- determine the validity of relations, not the Muslim Brotherhood had their mocracy faired badly especially with just the blood links. The speaker pre- own camp to assist the youth in under- religious minorities. The feeling sented many arguments with regards to standing hajj. There were people of among the British public towards the tribal affiliation. Mohammad was diso- different backgrounds like Sheikh burkini is as bad as that in France. beyed because he crossed the tribal Lutfi AlKhawli and others who would boundaries and affirmed the priority of faith. Tribal chiefs would come to the Holy Prophet and demand proofs of his message and would present arguments to weaken his position. Some would go further and ask Mohammad to order the tree to come, then to go and then half of it to come and then to go. Yet they Muslim Affairs Page 3

US House legislation lets 9/11 They will also be able to wear trousers my Shapiro, the research director of the families sue Saudi Arabia instead of skirts to school, as long as European Council on Foreign Relations. they are white. This brings Christian Stressing the need for securing the bor- The US House of Representatives has schools into line with the uniform poli- ders of EU countries, former EU Com- passed on Friday a legislation that lets cy at state schools. missioner Michel Barnier said at the the families of victims of the Septem- conference that the refugee crisis faced ber 11th attacks sue Saudi Arabia. Iranian opposition group in by Europe could potentially be exploited The bill, which will let the 9/11 fami- Iraq resettled to Albania by the terrorists who might enter the lies sue the foreign governments that bloc disguised as asylum seekers. may be suspects in the case, has been The remaining members of an exiled okayed by the House just a few days Iranian opposition group based in Iraq CCIB warns against before the 15th anniversary of the Sep- for decades left on Friday for resettle- Islamophobia in Belgium tember 11th attacks. ment in Albania following several at- The bill, which passed the Senate in tacks on their camps in recent years. The Collective against Islamophobia in May, now heads to President Obama's More than 280 members of the People's Belgium (CCIB) stated in Le Soir news- desk. The White House strongly oppos- Mujahideen Organization of Iran paper on 5th September that a ―series of es the legislation and worries the legis- (PMOI) living at Camp Liberty, next to Islamophobic events during the summer lation leaves the US open to similar Baghdad International Airport, departed is feeding the current climate‖. suits. from Iraq, the group said in a statement. "Islamophobia is a stepping stone for As the NBC News says, Under a deal brokered by the United both the far right and the propaganda of 'The president is ex- States and the United Nations refugee the ISIS group. The repetition of these pected to veto the bill.' agency, almost 2,000 dissident Iranians controversies risks leading to the dismis- 'It's difficult to imagine have been resettled in nearly a dozen sal of Muslim citizens, warns Vice- the president signing European countries since the start of President of CCIB Hajib Al-Hajjaji. this legislation. That 2016. Until a few years ago, PMOI, He believes that Islamophobia is a continues to be true,' also known by its Farsi name Mujahi- breeding ground for radicalization. "If NBC News quoted deen-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), we want to fight radicalization, we need White House press sec- was listed as a terrorist organization by a comprehensive plan retary Josh Earnest as the US States and the European Union. against racism, includ- saying in May. The group sided with Saddam Hussein ing Islamophobia," As some critics argue, the bill will put during Iraq's war with Iran in the 1980s The Brussels times US relations with Saudi Arabia in jeop- but fell out of favor with Baghdad after reported quoting Al- ardy and potentially set a dangerous he was toppled by a U.S.-led invasion Hajjaji. He added that precedent of Americans suing foreign in 2003. we cannot "remain governments. indifferent to the flood 5000 ISIS Militants of racist comments on Kenyan Muslims can wear hi- Living in EU Countries social media‖. The jab at Christian schools: Court organization favors a An estimated 5,000 members of ISIS comprehensive plan against racism and A court in Kenya has ruled that Chris- terrorist group are currently living in Islamophobia (hatred and prejudice di- tian schools may not ban Muslim girls the countries of the European Union rected against Muslims and Islam). from wearing hijab (headscarve) as part (EU), Press TV reports. of their uniforms, BBC reported. The revelation was made at a confer- US President Offers $115bn A church-run school had banned fe- ence called the European Security Poli- Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia male pupils from wearing the head- cy in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on scarf, saying that allowing students to Wednesday, where it was also revealed The administration of US President dress differently created discord. But that the vast majority of the Takfiri ter- Barack Obama has offered Saudi Arabia judges ruled education promoters must rorists living in the EU are themselves $115 billion in arms sales, a report seen embrace the principles of diversity and European citizens. by Reuters has found. non-discrimination. Experts at the conference discussed the The offer, including weapons, other Some 11 percent of Kenyans are Mus- EU‘s failed security police, saying the military equipment and training, is the lims while 83 percent follow the Chris- terrorists, who are scattered all across highest the United States has offered in tian faith. State schools already allow the 28-member bloc, have ambitions to its 71-year alliance with the monarchy, girls to wear the hijab. carry out more deadly attacks on Euro- the agency reported Wednesday. Kenya has had a long-running row over pean soil. Authored by William Hartung of the US the place of the hijab at schools that are The conference criticized the lack of a -based Center for International Policy, funded by Christian Churches, with coordinated approach to tackling terror- the report said the offers were made in some such schools banning the garment ism and poor levels 42 separate deals and most of what they outright. But following this ruling, of intelligence shar- consist are yet to be delivered. Muslim girls will be able to wear head- ing among EU coun- According to Reuters, ―US arms offers scarves to school. tries. ―These threats, to Saudi Arabia since Obama took office in Europe at least, in January 2009 have included every- stem from dysfunc- thing from small arms and ammunition tional and difficult to tanks, attack helicopters, air-to- domestic politics, ground missiles, missile defense ships, more than they stem and warships. Washington also provides from external maintenance and training to Saudi secu- sources,‖ said Jere- rity forces.‖ Page 4 Great Personalities Zayn al-Din Gorgani; Persian physician, philosopher and theologian Zayn al-Din Sayyed Isma‗il ibn Husayn to a part of the body, surgery, skin dis- Chapter two is related to symptoms and Gorgani (1040–1136), also spelled al- eases, poisons and antidotes, and signs of the diseases and methods of Jurjani, was a Persian 12th century royal medicaments (both simple and com- treatment, sphigmology ("sphygmo" in Islamic physician from Gorgan, Iran. In pound). In endocrinology in particular, Greek means pulse), and any liquid ma- addition to medical and pharmaceutical al-Jurjani was one of "the first to asso- terial excreted from the body (such as sciences, he was also an adept in theolog- ciate exophthalmos with goitre," which sweat and urine). Chapter three is about ical, philosophic and ethical sciences. He was not repeated until Caleb Parry the water and weather, nutrition, exer- learnt the rudiments of medicine in Gor- (1755–1822) in 1825, and later by Rob- cise, emotions, sleep and wakefulness, gan. ert James Graves (1796–1853) and Carl and methods of treatment for children Jurjani was a pupil of Ibn Abi Sadiq and von Basedow (1799–1854). Al-Jurjani and the elderly. Chapter four is about the Ahmad ibn Farrokh. He arrived at the also established an association between differential diagnoses and course of dis- court in the Persian province of goitre and palpitation. eases. Chapter five defines fever catego- Khwarazm in the year 1110 when he was On "Drugs recommended for lice con- ries and natural moisture and its relation already a septuagenarian. There he be- trol," Gorgani recommends the follow- with fever. In chapter six, Jorjani writes came a court physician to the governor of ing method: about treatment of any diseases that re- the province, Khwarazm-Shah Qutb al- A) Keeping oneself clean late to the head, cervix, and the upper Din Muhammad I, who ruled from 1097 B) Wearing Cotton and Silk Clothing and lower limbs and trunk. In chapter to 1127. It was to him that he dedicated C) Changing them Frequently seven of his book, Jorjani writes about his most comprehensive and influential D) Using anointments composed of the methods of treatment of different types work, the Persian-language compendium following drugs which work as desic- of wounds, inflammations, oncology, Zakhirah-i Khvarazm'Shahi. cating agents: 1) Fruits of sumac with burns by hot water, hot oil and fire, cau- Jurjani continued as court physician to Olive Oil; 2) leaves and roots of Ru- terization, and orthopedics. Chapter eight Khwarazm'Shah Qutb al-Din's son and mex; 3) Alum (vitriol) with olive oil; is about diseases that relate to the integu- successor, Ala al-Din Atsiz, until at some 4) leaves of Melia azedarach; 5) leaves ment system such as general dermatolo- unspecified time he moved to the city of of pomegranate; 6) leaves of colocynth; gy, hair pathology, fatness, weight loss Merv, the capital of the rival Seljuq Sul- 7) leaves of myrtle; 8) leaves of Thy- and methods of treatment of it. Chapter tan Sanjar (ruled 1118–1157), where he mus Serpyllum; 9) leaves of flax nine contain topic about the toxins, died nearly at 100 lunar years of age. [Linum Usitatissimum]; 10) leaves of drugs, animal bites and rabidity, and Jurjani composed a number of important Acorus Calamus; 9) Leaves of flax insects stings. Finally in chapter ten Jor- medical and philosophical treatises, in [Linum Usitatissimum]; 10) leaves of jani writes about classification of drugs both Persian and Arabic, most of them Acorus Calamus; and finally 11) Cinna- and basic pharmacology, drugs for the written after he moved to Khwarazm at mon with olive oil, specially with the ear, eye, nose and mouth, epilepsy, the age of 70 lunar years. oil of Cathamus Tinctorius and oil rad- stroke, and pharmacological terminolo- Thesaurus of the Shah of Khwarazm ish. ‖ gy . Al-Jurjani wrote the Persian medical Most of the above botanicals have re- Some of his works are: encyclopaedia, Thesaurus of the Shah of cently been shown to possess insecti- Zakhireh-i Kharazmshahi, a ten volume Khwarazm (also known as The Treasure cidal properties. encyclopedia of medical sciences of Khwarazm Shah), sometime after chapters and contents of Zakhirah-i Khafi Alayee, a summary of Zakhireh-i 1110, when he moved to the northern Khvarazm'Shahi Kharazmshahi Persian province of Khwarezm. Much of Zakhirah-i Khvarazm'Shahi contains 10 Al-Iqraz al-Tebbieh and Al-Mabahis al- his work was dependent on Avicenna's chapters and a preface. In the preface Alaieh, The Canon of Medicine (c. 1025), along Jorjani writes about the ecology of the Tib Yadegar with al-Jurjani's own ideas not found in Khorezm and the foods and nutrition of Kitab-fi-Hifz al-Sihat (Book On Preserv- the Canon. The work is composed of ten the people of the Khorezm (now called ing Health) volumes covering ten medical fields: Khorasan). Chapter one is about the Book on Anatomy anatomy, physiology, hygiene, diagnosis importance of medicine, human anato- Zubdah al-Tib, a discussion of medicine and prognosis, fevers, diseases particular my, and general pathophysiology. and pharmacology (Arabic) Al tazkereh al-Ashrafyeh fi Asnaah al- Tebbieh, an Arabic translation of Khafi Alayee Al-Tib al-Mulkuki Kitab al-Manbah or Al-Risalah al- Manbah, a book on ethics and resisting desires and passions, Kitab Tadbir al-Yaum va Laylah, a book on ethics and morality, Kitab Nameh, about ethics Fi al-Qias, a philosophical work Fi al-Tahlil, another philosophical work Al-Zakhireh al-Kharazmshahieh, a translation of Zakhireh-i Kharazmshahi into Arabic Al-Kazemieh, a philosophical treatise Al-Javiah al-Tebbiah va al Mabahes al- alaiyeh, (authorship disputed) Kitab fi al-Rad al-Phalasifah Open Forum Page 5 European Muslims are not new. Nor are they all the same Natalie Nougayrède ―In Europe, we Muslims have to toman-styled dome. It is still under The Guardian 9th September acknowledge that we have no common construction, and it stands as proof of narrative,‖ says the mufti, ―there are some of the societal changes now under With so many passions aroused in many differences.‖ For example, he way. Europe by the impact of the refugee points to how ethnic characteristics play a A million Muslims live in the German crisis, rising populism, fear of terror- more important role than many observers state of North Rhine-Westphalia – a ism, not to mention confused debates realise. Muslims can relate as much to third of Germany‘s three-million-strong over secularism and burkinis, explor- their ethnic or national roots (Bosnian, Turkish community. The Turkish- ing what European Muslims think has Albanian, Turkish, Kurdish, Algerian, Islamic Union has strong institutional arguably never been more important. Pakistani etc) as they do to their religious ties with the Turkish state – something One interesting figure is the grand beliefs. Religious revival, as in any faith, that has led some German politicians to mufti of Slovenia who I met at a re- doesn‘t mean you sweep away other parts express doubts about where its loyalties cent conference in Austria, held by the of your identity. lie. It took decades for Germany to face International Peace Institute. Slovenia But that‘s not to say there can‘t be a up to the fact that its Turk- is a predominantly Catholic country of ―common narrative‖, and Grabus is ada- ish Gastarbeiter immigrants, who ar- two million people – among them, an mant that: ―As Muslims in Europe, our rived mostly in the 1950s and 1960s, estimated 50,000 Muslims. The coun- duty is to create one, in which we would should be entitled to citizenship and try‘s first mosque is currently under expose our understanding of Islam be- treated as an integral part of society – a construction in the capital, Ljubljana. longing here.‖ Much of this, he points population that had settled definitively, Building it required the overcoming of out, has to do with education and over- not temporarily. But Murat Kayman, a many political and administrative hur- coming ignorance, both among Muslims member of the Turkish-Islamic union, dles – these were eventually cleared and non-Muslims. How many people, he says ―the attitude towards Muslims has when Slovenia‘s constitutional court asks, know that Austro-Hungary, under never been as bad‖ as it is today. Anti- ruled that denying a minority the right the Habsburgs, recognised Islam as an Muslim and racist incidents are on the to a place of worship ran counter to official religion as long ago as 1912? rise. The fact Germany is now grap- religious freedoms. Unsurprisingly, How many know that the first mosque pling with the integration of more Grand Mufti Nezad Grabus thinks inFrance was built by the secular French than one million refugees who arrived these are difficult times for Muslims republic (in Paris, in the 1920s) as a trib- in 2015 – many of them from the Arab in Europe. They constantly have to ute to the tens of thousands of Muslims world – has created additional stress. fend off suspicions of links with radi- who died in the first world war? And how Last year‘s outbreak of ―welcome cul- cal Islamism or terrorism. many people are ready to consider that the ture‖ has faded and the far right has Grabus is a quiet, smiling man in his medieval scholar Averroes, born in Cór- madeelectoral gains – to which Angela late 40s. If there is one thing he wants doba when Andalucía was ruled by the Merkel reacted ambiguously by saying to stress, it is that ―Islam is part of Arabs, was a European Muslim? in a speech: ―Germany will remain European civilisation‖. Islam is by no With all the current obsessing over terror- Germany.‖ means a new religion in Europe, ―but ism and radicalisation, it‘s easy to forget What struck me while talking to the it has new manifestations‖, he says. about Europe‘s variety, and the diversity Slovenian grand mufti and to leaders of He was shocked by this sum- of its Muslim populations. Days after Cologne‘s Turkish Muslims is what mer‘s burkini ban in some French talking with Grabus, I was in Cologne, little contact and exchanges they seem seaside resorts, and he‘s bluntly op- meeting representatives of the Turkish- to have with each other, or with Mus- posed to any legislation outlawing the Islamic Union for religious affairs (as part lim communities in France, Britain or niqab. But he also says the niqab is of a study group on Germany and the ref- Scandinavia. Just as European countries something European Muslims must ugee crisis, organised by the Robert each grapple separately with issues to work to counter, because it prevents Bosch Foundation). The central mosque do with multiculturalism, integration, Muslim women from finding a right- in Cologne is a beautiful, modern building and contrasted models of relations be- ful place in society. Grabus was born with concrete and glass walls, and an Ot- tween religion and the state, European in the Bosnian town of Travnik Muslim populations are frag- (his father later moved the mented. These complexities get family to Slovenia where he‘d drowned out in Europe‘s often found work, when it was part hysterical debates over Islam. of communist Yugoslavia). He The historian Tony Judt once is a Balkan Muslim. Islam wrote about the need to ―map the certainly isn‘t new in the Bal- overlapping contours and fault- kans, a region that was domi- lines of European identity and nated for centuries by the Otto- experience‖, because ―in an age man empire. of demographic transition and Just as Europe is a patchwork resettlement, today‘s Europeans of cultures and nations, Eu- are more numerous and hetero- rope‘s Muslim populations are geneous than ever before‖. How extremely diverse, as is their European societies embrace history. This may sound obvi- growing diversity will in many ous, but it‘s something that ways determine the fate of our gets easily pushed aside in all democracies. Paying more atten- the heated debates about Islam, tion to the differences among migration and identity politics. Europe‘s Muslims, rather than Muslims tend to get lumped seeing them as a homogeneous together as a single entity. bloc, could be a way forward. Page 6 Open Forum

Response of black Muslim woman who was targeted in a football ad. By Cindy Boren September 12 had to throw a Muslim in there, didn‘t company that uses Facebook‘s audi- The Stanford football game advertise- you,‖ another commented, adding, ence-specific advertising, as school ment was typical for what‘s often issued ―Disgusting. Not one white person in officials later told her. The im- by colleges around game day: a group of that ad. Screw Stanford.‖ age appeared on Facebook and students, smiling and cheering in the One Facebook user left a comment was shared on the site by the Stanford stands and displaying school colors. One saying, ―Hey Stanford take the Muslim Club, eventually finding its way to of the fans pictured, a black Muslim stu- bull—- elsewhere, we don‘t wanna see Yusuf. dent at the center of the frame, was it…‖ to which another replied, ―Take ―We all thought it was pretty cool that dressed in a hijab. That‘s what got the the Islamophobia elsewhere, we really they had used the picture of us for the attention of some online commenters last don‘t wanna hear it.‖ ad and didn‘t make much of it other- week. Tesay Yusuf, the Muslim student in the wise,‖ she wrote in an email to The ―That Hijab Or whatever is being shoved ad and a junior at the university, didn‘t Post. right done [sic] my throat!‖ one user immediately see the ad for a Stanford But the self-described first-generation wrote on Facebook. ―VIP Football Experience‖ because it American and first-generation college ―What a ridiculous advertisement. You was sponsored through a third-party student soon noticed the comments, and she made the decision to reveal a few of the more vitriolic responses on her Twitter account Saturday morning. ―I became more frustrated, which led me to share the tweet,‖ wrote Yusuf, who was born in Maryland and grew up in the Washington, D.C., area. ―I wasn‘t expecting the tweet to get so much attention.‖ At press time, Yusuf‘s post has been retweeted more than 6,000 times and liked over 5,000 times. Many users offered words of support, calling Yusuf ―gorgeous,‖ imploring her to ―keep spreading your light,‖ and saying ―Stanford should be honored to have you in the pic.‖

Muslim women may wear veil 'to allow them to integrate more' Amelia Hill, 1 September 2016 modesty: veiling would then be a strate- of sociology and an official fellow of Young, highly educated Muslim women gic response, a form either of commit- Nuffield College, University of Ox- who live in modern, urban environments ment to prevent the breach of religious ford. ―Banning or shunning veiling may be choosing to wear the veil be- norms or of signalling women‘s piety to would deprive them of a means that cause it enables them to mix with non- their communities. allow them more opportunity for inte- Muslim friends, work outside the home ―Our findings have important implica- gration rather than marking their dif- and interact with strangers, according to tions for cultural policy and Muslim ferences.‖ the first empirical study into why wear- integration in Europe as if the option of The study drew on data of thousands ing the veil increases alongside moderni- wearing a veil is taken away from Mus- of women living in Belgium, Turkey sation. lim women, they fall on costlier ways and 25 Muslim countries. Aksoy and Attempts to force Muslim women to of proving their piety,‖ said Aksoy, a Gambetta used mathematical models stop wearing the veil might, therefore, postdoctoral research fellow from the to see how the intensity of wearing the be counterproductive by depriving them department of sociology at the Univer- veil varied according to the women‘s of the choice and opportunity to inte- sity of Oxford. education, employment, urbanisation grate: if women cannot signal their piety ―A veil is seen as a genuine expression and contact with non-Muslims. The through wearing a veil, they might of a woman‘s religiosity. Paradoxically, study includes the wearing of head- choose or be forced to stay at home, it is the women who are engaging with scarves, the turban or hijab, the cha- concludes the study, published in the the modern world who appear to rely on dor, the burqa (which covers the face Oxford University Press‘s European the veil to signal to others that they will too), and no head covering at all. Social Review. ―For highly religious not succumb to the temptations of mod- ―As you might expect, we found the women, we found the modernising forc- ern urban life,‖ he added. tendency for veil wearing decreases es of education, occupation and higher Diego Gambetta, the report‘s other co- among young, highly educated women income, urban living, and contacts with author, agreed. ―Contrary to the popu- when they are exposed to modern in- non-Muslims actually increase veiling,‖ list cant that seems now dominant in fluences if they are ‗averagely reli- said Ozan Aksoy, co-author of the re- Europe, veiling could be a sign of more gious‘ Muslim women,‖ Gambetta port, Behind the Veil: The Strategic Use rather than less integration. said. ―However, Muslim women who of Religious Garb. ―Highly religious women who have are ‗highly religious‘ tend to increase ―We conjecture that for highly religious more native friends and live in areas their wearing of religious head cover- women modernising factors raise the dominated by natives use the veil to ings and use more conservative styles risk and temptation in women‘s environ- keep their pious reputation while being as the level of modernisation, or ‗risks‘ ments that imperil their reputation for integrated,‖ said Gambetta, a professor they are exposed to, increase.‖ Off the shelf Page 7

depth collection of studies written by The Hajj : Pilgrimage in Islam leading authorities from various fields. It M. Toorawa, Cornell University, New eighteenth-century Damascus and mak- is comprehensive in its coverage and York ing the pilgrimage, or that the proportion theoretically illuminating, and the arti- Every year hundreds of thousands of of female pilgrims has overtaken that of cles span the millennium-and-a-half his- pilgrims from all over the world con- males in some parts of the world, begin- tory of this global institution. The book verge on Mecca and its precincts to ning in the 1960s for Southeast Asia.' is a must-read for any scholar engaged in perform the rituals associated with the Christopher Melchert, National Humani- the study of the ritual of pilgrimage. It is Hajj and have been doing so since the ties Center also the best textbook on al-Hajj availa- seventh century. In this volume, schol- 'This is undoubtedly the most important ble now. A great contribution to Islamic ars from a range of fields - including book to appear on al-Hajj this decade. It studies.' Walid Saleh, University of To- history, religion, anthropology, and is both an introduction to the phenome- ronto literature - together tell the story of the non of al-Hajj and the most engaging in- 'This interdisciplinary collection of Hajj and explain its significance as one scholarly articles examines the hajj as a of the key events in the Muslim reli- religious, cultural, economic, and socio- gious calendar. By outlining the param- political phenomenon … a significant eters of the Hajj from its beginnings to contribution to the theoretical and practi- the present day, the contributors have cal appreciation of the Muslim ritual of produced a global study that takes in the religious pilgrimage … vast geographies of belief in the world of Islam. This volume pays attention to About the Authors the diverse aspects of the Hajj, as lived every year by hundreds of millions of Eric Tagliacozzo is Professor of History Muslims, touching on its rituals, its at Cornell University. regional forms, the role of gender, its Shawkat M. Toorawa, Cornell Universi- representation in art, and its organiza- ty, New York tion on a global scale. Contributor Reviews & endorsements Eric Tagliacozzo, Shawkat Toorawa, 'The Hajj presents an impressive array Harry Munt, Fareeha Khan, Travis Za- of historical, anthropological, artistic, deh, Asma Sayeed, Benjamin C. Brower, technological, spiritual, and even epide- Robert Bianchi, Sylvia Chiffoleau, miological approaches to pilgrimage to Valeska Huber, Saud al-Sarhan, Gary R. Mecca. These diverse essays illustrate Bunt, Michael Wolfe, Juan Campo the variety, complexity, and endless fascination of the Hajj.' Kecia Ali, Bos- Publisher: Cambridge University Press ton University Date published: February 2016 'This book ranges wide. It is full of tell- Paperback £19.99 ing little facts like a comparison be- ISBN: 9781107612808 tween the costs of buying a house in From the First World War to the Arab Spring senting readers with a complete yet con- Authors: McMillan, M. E. cise briefing on the last fifteen hundred Starting from the events surrounding the years. … It is a truly brilliant piece of writ- First World War, the author traces the ing.‖ (Hubert O‘Hearn, San Diego Book history of the modern Middle East and Review, sandiegobookreview.com, De- puts the Arab Spring into context. McMil- cember, 2015) lan breaks down the nuances of Western ―Understanding the Middle East is a sub- involvement in the Middle East, alliances ject that occupies us all, but might seem at and divisions between Middle Eastern first to be an impossible task. The intrac- peoples and nations, and the role of reli- tability of the issues, current and historic, gion in these conflicts. almost defy explanation. M. E. McMillan M. E. McMillan is author of Fathers and is an historian and commentator of ex- Sons: The Rise and Fall of Political Dyn- traordinary courage in tackling the issues asty in the Middle East and the acclaimed in an effort to help us cut though the prop- The Meaning of Mecca: The Politics of aganda. Her impeccable objectivity helps Pilgrimage in Early Islam. She has worked us through the sometimes deadly maze of as a translator for the United Nations in Middle East politics. Her book is essential New York and Geneva reading for historians, commenta- ―I would certainly recommend it. It is tors, politicians, academics, in fact anyone clear, well written and accurate, but above touched by events in the region.‖ (Michael all balanced and sympathetic, and a great Grade, former chairman of the BBC and place to start.‖ (Hugh Kennedy, Times member of the House of Lords, UK) Higher Education, timeshigherededuca- tion.com, May, 2016) Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan ―M. E. McMillan has written a cultural Hardcover £65.00 and political history with the clear and ISBN 978-1-137-52204-7 objective language of unbiased journalism. Publishing date: Spring 2016 … McMillan succeeds admirably in pre- Page 8 Words of Faith

The journey of forgiveness as seen by two children

2. Allah is He Who by Rabail Altaf and Fahad Altaf After spending the night in Muzdalifah we raised the heav- For those on the annual Hajj the journey can be returned to Mina to stone the devils, It was ens without any one of great discovery and self-fulfilment. chaotic! I had to make sure that I was not pillars that ye Two local Muslim kids share their experience struck by a stone and at same time make sure can see; is firmly of hajj, Rabail Altaf 10 grade student and that I don‘t accidentally harm anyone, either. established on younger brother Fahad Altaf 7 grade student After Mina we returned to Makkah to perform the throne (of au- with their parents join a local group from Or- thority); He has Tawaaf-e-Ziyarat, returned to Mina pelt the subjected the sun lando, with Caravan of Lights. devils again for two days and then returned to and the moon (to it is a journey more than anything else about Makkah, We performed the last Hajj rite the his Law)! Each one forgiveness and helping you to focus on your farewell Tawaaf and left Makkah with heavy runs (its course) own spiritual well-being. heart for Medina. for a term ap- Any body can change no matter who you are. Medina is home to the tomb of the Prophet pointed. He doth For me going on Hajj was very personal Muhammad, masjid-ul-nabi is a structure of regulate all af- thing. Most people I have spoken to say one fairs, explaining inexplicable beauty, at first glance it was hard the signs in de- thing when they return. It is indescribable. to look away, its a vision which will be im- tail, that ye may I think going on Hajj should help you become a printed in my heart forever. I still can‘t be- believe with cer- better person. You can‘t judge people‘s inten- lieve that I‘m actually here, it‘s nothing short tainty in the tions but one should try to take as much from of a miracle. It was an honour and privilege to meeting with the Hajj experience as possible. visit the most Beloved of Allah Messenger. your Lord. The sighting of the Kaabah was overwhelm- IT‘S a whole different experience sending 3. And it is He who ing. I was awestruck by its magnificence, its spread out the Salam them in Masjid-ul-nabwi. When I visit- earth, and set beauty cannot be described in any other way ed the historical sight of Medina I could not thereon moun- except by pure experience of its presence. stop the tear from streaming down my face, to tains standing I felt incredibly insignificant standing before walk in a place so steeped in Islamic History is firm and (flowing) the house of my Almighty creator. As I did my inspiring and humbling.. In addition to the rivers: and fruit Tawaaf (circulation) around the Kabah, I historic religious shrine, Medina is home to a of every kind He couldn‘t help but glance up overwhelmed by Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken and doz- made in pairs, two the thought that at this very moment thousands and two: He ens of modern hotels catering to religious tour- draweth the of angels were doing Tawaaf around the superi- ists. The American pilgrims found the con- night as a veil or abode of Allah directly parallel to our ta- trast disconcerting. o'er the Day. Be- waaf. After we performed our tawaaf we When I went to visit the Holy Prophet (saw) hold, verily in cooled ourselves down by drinking zamzam for the last time before departing. When I these things water in which I felt all my fatigue and thrist return to USA physically, I‘ll be there or in there are signs diminish. After we went to perform saee, once any where else in the world but my hearty will for those who again I became emotional recalling the plight consider! always remain in MEDINA. (the thunder) of Hajrat Hajarrah thinking how frantic she I feel as if I came here with an empty spiritual must have been looking for water. Finally, to wallet and as returning with an unbelievable end the rituals of Umra, we cut off a lock of amount of richness (spiritual). Even if I Spend hair my dad and younger brother cut their hair. the rest of my life saying Thank you to Allah over the next days, the mass of pilgrims will (swt). It still would be insufficient I‘M indebt- move outside Mecca to sites in the desert. the ed to His (swt) kindness and mercy. thunderous, melodious chants of the talbiyah The feelings that I used to feel in those blessed www.abraronline. was echoed from every direction, never had I places are missing here. felt such a strong sense of belonging. net The center piece of hajj is a day-long This is our website. vigil on mt. Arafat, the open ground Have visited it: It was full of an incredible hum of people. It was the day where tears fell and will put you face- hearts overflowed with thankfulness to to-face with an al- Allah, with a strong belief in His mer- ternative world, full cy that all our sins will be forgiv- of spirituality, mo- en. The day of Arafaat is the day I ‗ll never forget. rality coupled with In Muzdalifah as far as the eye could modern outlooks see all I could see was millions of peo- and perspectives. ple spread out on floor, under the clear We want to hear black sky. It truly is an enriching experience, it gave me the international your views on its experience of the ummah. There are contents, layout people here from every corner of the and general quality. world, of all diverse colours, cultures and classes. However here every one is sleeping on the floor. This spiritual Join us in our Noon equality of the sexes, the races the rich and Afternoon and poor is the main foundation of prayers Hajj, wearing an Ihraam further rein- forces this feeling of equality. I am Everyday unsure that my Hajj will be accepted in at 13.00 the court of Allah, since deficiencies in deeds are bound to occur on account of human frailty and imperfection.