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 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 7 (391) 1st—15th October 2020 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 Integral scientific and religious approach to Covid-19 www.abrar.org.uk The sudden spike in infections with Covid-19 is been a major setback. Religion has not claimed Email: a serious development in the fledgling battle superiority in fighting normal diseases or pan- abrarhouse between mankind and the Corona virus. Nine demics. Islamic teachings have stressed the @hotmail.com months have passed since the infections had need to regulate the human intake as a way to Website begun and research started to counter its spread. prevent diseases. Imam Ali said: The stomach www.abraronline.net Up to date no real breakthrough has been is the house of disease; the diet is the house of Charity no. 293802 achieved. It is clear that the summer season has cure. Modern medicine is based on tackling the reduced infections especially in the Northern symptoms of the disease but not the causes re- hemisphere, but they have started to climb up as lated to the quality of food. With the spread of Autumn began. It is feared that seasonal cold the genetically modified (GM) foods and the and flu can lead to the mushrooming of the extensive use of chemical fertilisers healthy diet We stand for: Covid-19 infections and more death could oc- has not been available to all. Organic products cur. The governments aim at preventing the are too expensive and scare and are not immune • Inter-faith and inter- scenario of overwhelmed health services that from human intervention. Religion has promot- civilisational dialogue also have to deal with seasonal and normal ail- ed healthy eating and moderate intake. Imam ments. The second wave of the pandemic could Ali also said: Sit on to east when you feel like • Respect for the human complicate the situation further. What does all to eat (have appetite) and leave when you still race and rights this mean? feel like to eat (ie, avoid excessive eating). Re- There have been two conflicting strategies; to ligion also calls for deep understanding of the • Cooperation for the go all the way for a total lockdown. This has divine (natural) laws and promote divine in- good of people proven to be effective in most countries that structions to mankind as complimentary (and had seen large infections like , Italy, part of) the natural laws. It also promotes the • Moderation Spain and UK. Infections and death came down principle of the integral relations between man • Modernity dramatically The other strategy is to avoid total and nature, rather than the notion of struggle shutdown of the economy and to let the virus against nature or the struggle to “conquer” it. • High standards of take its course. The summer months saw the As the world prepares to enter into a probable spirituality lifting of most restrictions. People failed to ob- second lockdown to avoid a repeat of last win- serve the essential parameters; social distanc- ter’s sour experience, mankind is urged to make ing, wearing of masks and general cleanliness. positive use of segregation and solitude. Yes It was expected that this would lead to further technology has provided virtual life away from spread of the disease. Now that situation has reality, but this does not provide for the human In this issue risen in most places. It is a known fact that the need of spirituality and engagement with God. Chinese are the most observant of the regula- The solitude provides ample opportunity to Local Events 2 tions, even before the pandemic. In the streets engage in spiritual ascendance with deeper link- of the European cities, the Chinese would be age with God and deeper belief in the Muslim Affairs 3 seen wearing face masks to avoid the pollution. “Unseen”. Science has, so far, failed to stem the After the pandemic China spread of the pandemic. was the fastest to impose Religion does not claim the Arba’een is becoming restrictions and take the ability to do that either. But interfaith meeting 4 pandemic more seriously what religion provides is than others. The result has an ample platform for man- Desecration of sanctities been that China has en- kind to engage with the to deflect attention 5 joyed mor stable situation absolute and entrench faith with small numbers of and belief. While urging Debate in Singapore: infections and almost no people to engage with sci- deaths, while European ence and follow instruc- and job 6 countries are now witness- tions by health and science ing new spikes. experts, people are also The road to Arba’een 8 While science has been urged to dig deeper into the main player in the matters of faith, spirituality fight against the pandem- and moral ascendance. ic, its failure to produce Integration of religion and vaccination or cure has science will work. Page 2 Local Events

GCC-Israel links debated the issues that split the region into the We recognise that our country has been over whelming majority of people on the standing all the time with the rights of On 15th September a joint online semi- one hand and these isolated propped up the people. Since 2010 things. Today we nar was held by the Open Discussion regimes like the UAE, Bahrain and the can see the problem. It will lead us to a and the Gulf Cultural Club to debate Saudi regime who are only there because war in the region. We can see that the the signing of the political deal between of the CIA and Mossad and foreign inter- UAE is responsible for that. the governments of the United Arab vention which is keeping them in power. is leading the emirates and we know that Emirates on one hand and the Israeli Jawad Fairooz (former Bahraini MP) today the people will make the decision government. Three speakers addressed said: I like to stress how active the Bah- without taking the opinion of the other the meeting. raini people have been to support the states or the other emirates. The consti- Sami Ramadani, Iraqi veteran activist Palestinians to get their land back and to tution describes the relationship with and researcher first referred to the secure their rights. The Bahraini people Israel and how we have to deal with the Camp David agreement signed by for- have been active in this for more than six rights of the Palestinians. This agree- mer Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat decades. They have provided logistical ment contradicts the values upon which and Israel following the 1973 October and financial support. I could not find any our countries were founded which are War. That deal caused a major setback other nation in the Gulf more active than based mainly on supporting all the re- for the Palestinian struggle. The Egyp- the Bahrainis in the 50s, 60s and 70s. gional causes and not building relation- tian-Israeli deal of 1979 is by far the Even today there are absolute security ships with the Israeli occupation. Today most strategic event and set the region measures in every corner of the country. I the Emirati people cannot raise their back in terms of US and Israeli occupa- can mention a list of the names of the voice. There is only one voice; that of tion of Arab land. The second country Bahrainis who were martyred when they the government. They imprison people that followed was Jordan in participated in certain wars and the popu- who call for reform. These people estab- 1994. Jordan established mutual rela- lar movement and confrontations that lished an association in 2000 which is tions with Israel again under the auspi- happened during different times. anti-normalisation with the Israeli occu- ces of the USA with President Clinton The second point about the treaty is that it pation. These people are either in jail or being the arbiter of that recognition. is against the sovereignty of the country out of the country. So we had to estab- Now we have the two miniature re- and the question comes who gave the lish a new association in 2010 in Shar- gimes of the UAE and Bahrain follow- right to the ruling family to take such an jah. We have now established a new ing suit. One should differentiate re- important decision. We are challenging association outside the country. Many gimes and governments from the peo- the current government and the ruling people have joined us. The voice of the ple because none of these treaties re- family. Who did they consult when they people shows that most of the people of flect the will of the Egyptian, Jordani- took this decision? Where did they get the UAE are against this agreement an, Emirati or Bahraini people. The this right to take such an important deci- which was made without taking the relations between Israel, UAE and Bah- sion which is affecting our sovereignty? opinion of the people into account. rain have been developing since 2010 It is against Article 1 of the constitution There are more than 250,000 people and since 2015 much more publicly which clearly mentions that sovereignty who signed our petition which was between Bahrain and Israel. The inva- is in the hands of the people, the source drafted yesterday. We see how the peo- sion and occupation of Bahrain by Sau- of all power. Now we come to article 37 ple support Palestine. They care about di troops and UAE troops in 2011 that of the constitution: Peace treaties, alli- our country and our region. We under- helped crush the Bahraini people’s up- ances, natural resources, the public and stand that all the people. rising is an important background as to private rights of the citizens. All these how the Bahraini regime has become have to be promulgated by law to be val- Imam Hassan martyrdom much more subservient to the Saudi id. We are moving towards darkness and regime. The US strategy in the Middle instability and definitely all of the demo- The martyrdom of Imam Hassan ibn Ali East has also contributed to this. The cratic principles have been ignored. This was marked online by Abrar on Thurs- phase of direct occupation and invasion has not been approved by the elected day 24th September. Sheikh Ali Hassan of countries like what happened in Af- government. It is not part of the will of Ghuloom Ali from Kuwait presented a ghanistan and are generally not the people it will lead to tension. It is so brief of the life of Imam Hassan in the being followed anymore because the clear that this treaty will create more ten- 25 years between the demise of his USA was defeated in both cases. The sion. grandfather, Prophet Mohammad and people will see who their friends are Ahmed Al Shaiba Al Nuaimi (from the ascendance of his father, Ali to be- and who their enemies are. Who wants UAE) said: I am talking on a day which is come the Muslim Caliph in the year 35 to lift the siege of the West Bank and a really bad day for all of us. It is a day of AH. It was a unique analytical insight Gaza, who wants to see democracy in shame for the people of the UAE. We feel supported by historic narrations into the Bahrain and . These are that it is a day of shame in our history. life of this great Imam. Muslim affairs Page 3

Pakistani court sentences two to breyesus said, "the pandemic must moti- more just, sustainable, and equitable death for deadly 2012 blaze vate us to redouble our efforts to achieve world. the Sustainable Development Goals, not In another devel- ’s deadliest industrial fire, which become an excuse for missing them." opment Mr Gu- killed more than 260 garment factory The WHO chief urged preparedness for terres told the Se- workers in 2012, was a case of arson and the next pandemic now. "We must move curity Council he not an accident, a court ruled on Tuesday heaven and earth to ensure equitable cannot take any as it sentenced two former political party access to diagnostics, therapeutics and action on a U.S. activists to death for starting it. vaccines," he said. declaration that all The Anti-Terrorism Court found that the U.N. sanctions on men set the factory ablaze because the UK’s TUC is against Israel’s had been re- owners did not give in to their extortion West Bank annexation imposed because demands and pay them money. “there would appear to be uncertainty” The fire at Ali Enterprise, a multi-story Britain’s Trade Union Congress (TUC) on the issue. unit for readymade garment manufactur- passed a motion in protest against Is- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ing in the southern city of , sent rael’s intention of annexing the occupied said last month that he triggered a 30- shockwaves through the country as survi- West Bank, calling it a move illegal day process at the council leading to the vors told of people trapped and killed under international law. return of U.N. sanctions on Iran on Sat- behind locked factory doors. The TUC, which is an organization con- urday evening that would also stop a Of the eight other people accused in the sisting of UK trade unions, said in its conventional arms embargo on Tehran case, four were found complicit while the motion that it’s clear that there is no from expiring on Oct. 18. other four were acquitted, including the intent on Israel’s part to end the occupa- But 13 of the 15 Security Council then provincial minister for industries, tion, calling for the recognition of the members say Washington’s move is Rauf Siddiqui, defence counsel Abid rights of Palestinian people to self- void because Pompeo used a mecha- Zaman told reporters outside the court. determination. nism agreed under a 2015 nuclear deal Siddiqui belongs to the Muttahida Qaumi “Congress stands united in its full oppo- between Iran and world powers, which Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a party sition to the Israeli government’s de- the United States quit in 2018. linked to years of at times violent politi- clared intention to annex great swathes cal rivalry in Karachi and now a partner of the West Bank, a move that is illegal Demise of prominent scholar in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s coalition under international law and that makes government. clear there is no intent on the part of the Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri, a The two men given the death sentence, Israeli government to end the occupation member of the Assembly of Experts, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Chariya, were and recognize the Palestinian people’s died of heart failure on Tuesday at the both MQM activists. right to self-determination. It will be age of 76 in Tehran’s -al-Anbya another significant step in the creation of Hospital. a system of apartheid,” the TUC motion He represented Tehran Province in the said, arguing that Israel’s crimes cannot top-level clerical assembly and was be tolerated anymore. also a senior advisor on Muslim world “For too long the international commu- affairs to Leader of the Islamic Revolu- nity has stood idly by as the Israeli state tion Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has been allowed to carry out its crimes ISNA reported. and this cannot be tolerated or accepted Ayatollah Taskhiri had earlier served as any longer. Decisive action is now ur- the representative of Gilan Province gently needed in relation to Israel’s ille- and was also former president of the gal actions against the Palestinians.” World Forum for Proximity of Islamic WHO chief: 200 COVID-19 It also resolved to “send a letter to the Schools of Thought. vaccines are in clinical testing prime minister demanding that the UK In a letter of condolence, Ayatollah take firm and decisive measures, includ- Khamenei praised the valuable services Director-General of the ing sanctions, to ensure that Israel stops of the late cleric in international Islamic World Health Organi- or reverses the illegal annexation, ends associations and described him as the zation, (WHO) Tedros the occupation of the West Bank and “voice of and Shiism”. Adhanom Ghebreyesus blockade of Gaza, and respects the right “His strong determination and highly said on Monday that of Palestinian refugees to return.” motivated heart even overcame his almost 200 vaccines physical inabilities in recent years, for COVID-19 are cur- UN Chief calls for more sus- helping his effective presence to contin- rently in clinical and tainable and equitable world ue wherever needed and useful,” he pre-clinical testing. said. "The more candidates United Nations Secretary-General Anto- we test, the higher the nio Guterres in his message for the In- chance we will have a safe and effica- ternational Day of Peace, 21 September cious vaccine," Ghebreyesus said at the 2020, with a focus on International Day media briefing on COVID-19 in Geneva. of Peace namely “Shaping Peace To- "We have no guarantee that any single gether”, said together, I know we can — vaccine now in development will work. and will — build a more just, sustaina- The history of vaccine development tells ble and equitable world. us that some will fail, and some will suc- According to the United Nations Infor- ceed," he added. mation Center (UNIC) in Tehran, UN In a message to world leaders on the 75th Secretary-General in his message put anniversary of the United Nations, Ghe- emphasis on collective efforts to build a Page 4 Open Forum

Beyond racial, ideological, ethnical differences Arba’een is becoming more of an interfaith meeting Iranian university professor, Mohammad the martyrdom of Imam, Hussain ibn Ali where else in the world. By 2014, over Shoja’ee, has called Arba’een ceremony in 61 AH (680 AD). 19 million people from 40 countries of a unique incident marked by followers of Anticipating Arbaʽeen, or the fortieth day the world participated in this occa- different religions, in an online event on of the martyrdom, the pilgrims make their sion, making it the second largest gather- the theme of “a different Arba’een” as journey to Karbala on foot- ing in the world. The figure reached 22 the annual ritual is to be held under cer- where Hussain and his companions were million pilgrims by 2015, according to tain restrictions due to the new corona- martyred and beheaded by the army Iraqi state-run media. By 2016, accord- virus . of Yazid I in the Battle of Karbala. ing to al-Khoei Foundation, almost 22 In an online meeting held on the eve of The number of participants in the annual million pilgrims gathered in Iraq, 10% Arba’een, 40th day after the martyrdom pilgrimage reached 20 million or more by more than 2014. Even though the Hin- of Imam Hussein (AS), third Shia Imam 2016. On the routes of the march food, du Kumbh Mela is larger in population, and grandson of Prophet Mohammad accommodation and other services are it is only held every four years, and (PBUH), Mohammad Shija’ee referred to provided for free by volunteers. hence the Arbaʽeen pilgrimage is the participation of different religions in one Hussain is believed to transcend all cultur- largest gathering held annually. of the greatest religious marches as the al boundaries and be a symbol of universal The pilgrimage is marked by long walks people do not believe that the third Shia freedom and compassion. from or Basra to Karbala. People Imam belongs only to the Shia Islam, He Some of the pilgrims make their journey from different walks of life, ethnicity referred to participation of Christians, from cities as far as Basra, about 500 kilo- and sect participate in the Jews and Zoroastrians loyal to Imam metres (310 mi) away by road. The ritual march including toddlers in prams and Hussein (AS) and said,” One should ask has been described as "an overwhelmingly elderly pushed in armchairs. why should followers of different reli- powerful display of Shia belief and soli- Hussain ibn Ali, the Muslim saint for gions from different racial, ethnical, ide- darity". Iran and Shias however have criti- whom the pilgrimage is made, is be- ological and language backgrounds unite cized mainstream media for ignoring the lieved to transcend all cultural bounda- to express their respect and love a Shia event. ries and be a symbol of universal free- Imam.” Jabir ibn Abd Allah was the first visitor of dom and compassion. The mood of the Mohammad Shoja’ee called Arba’een as Hussain ibn Ali forty days after his mar- pilgrimage has also been described as an international manifest belonging to all tyrdom. According to narrations, the cus- "one of intense piety and communal religions. He called on the Shia Muslims tom of performing the pilgrimage on foot solidarity". across the globe to mark one of the most was forgotten during a time period af- The ritual is no longer considered a glorious ceremonies for Arba’een main- ter Morteza Ansari and it was revived purely cultural ceremony while ISIL, the taining the health protocols against the by Mirza Husain Noori Tabarsi in an Eid group who regards Shia as apostate, had new coronavirus. al-Adha who repeated this action every launched a wide offensive in Iraq, and Muslims and those loyal to the third Shia year performing the last one by 1319 AH hence the presence of such a large popu- Imam attend the great march of Arba’een (AD 1901). Some other scholars lation of Shia Muslims is of a political which marks 40th day after the martyr- and Marja's kept on the same manner in importance. According to Ali Mamouri dom of Imam Hussein (AS). Arbaʽeen up to the Saddam's time during writing in Al-Monitor, the pilgrimage This year however the ceremony is re- which the pilgrimage was banned alt- became "a show of force against those stricted to the local people in Iraq due to hough a small number of people used to hostile to the rise of the Shia in the re- the new coronavirus pandemic which has perform it secretly. It was revived just gion". After the fall of Mosul to imposed restriction on nearly all gather- after Saddam's overthrow in 2003 and the the ISIL "and the subsequent massacres ings. number of participants grew year after of Shia soldiers and civilians", the gath- The Arbaʽeen Pilgrimage, or the Ar- year reaching 20 million pilgrims by 2016. ering took a political form for the first ba’een Walk, is the world's largest annu- Shia cities, towns and villages all over time for the Shia, who use the mourning al public gathering that is held every year Iraq empty out during the 20-day period of rituals as a way to condemn injustice and in Karbala, Iraq at the end of the 40-day the pilgrimage "as their people take to the express their social power. "The second mourning period following Ashura. The roads in an elaborately organised and well sign of Arbaʽeen's political shift was the religious ritual is held to commemorate protected mass movement not seen any- regional message conveyed by Shia Muslims to their opponents" Mamouri added. As the third sign he pointed to "a message exchanged between regional forces" and "unprecedented Iranian pres- ence" which has led to "a feeling of soli- darity between Arab and non-Arab Shia". Surveys are done to study Shi'a Muslims via both "traditional survey instruments and experimental methods". The survey included topics such as "religion and politics, democracy, women's rights, regional conflict and Iran's nuclear agreement". Experimental methods were employed to investigate the "latent per- spectives" of pilgrims towards "sensitive topics", including "Iran's nuclear pro- gram, and attitudes toward the West, China and Russia". Religion and politics are intertwined in their faith. Open Forum Page 5

Muslim world calling on Desecration of Islamic sanctities to distract the Islamic states to join in Muslims from normalization a single front against Zion- ists. Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari, secre- normalization agreement be- The cleric made the com- tary general of World Forum for Proxim- tween Bahrain, United Arab ments in a video conference ity of Islamic Schools of Thought, Emirates (UAE) and Israel." with Sheikh Zuhair Juaid stressed that the recent desecration of "Naturally they would spark a from Lebanon's Action Islamic sanctities in France and Sweden crisis in the world of Islam in Party as the Lebanese cleric meant to distract attentions from the order to distract minds" said called for more cooperation main issue, normalization of ties between Hujjat-ul-Islam Shahriari and between the two Islamic Arab states and Israeli regime. added," Our responsibility is centers in a bid to material- Secretary general of World Forum for to boost solidarity among different de- ize joint objectives. Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, nominations because that is also a key in a video conference with Shiekh Zuhair plot by the enemies." Pakistani president Juaid from Lebanon's Action Front, not- Secretary General of World Forum for denounces Takfir, stresses ed that facing two issues, desecration of Proximity of Islamic Schools of Islamic sanctities and normalization of Thought also slammed the provocation Islamic unity ties between Israel and some Arab na- of Shia and Sunni community in Paki- tions would distract the Muslims from stan by disrespecting a certain denomi- Pakistani President, Arif Alavi, has the main issue they should be focused on, nation as another instance of distracting condemned Takfir (excommunication) reported Taqrib News Agency (TNA). minds from the crimes committed by stressing necessity of cooperation He said," The recent sacrilegious efforts Zionists, settlement expansion and nor- among different Islamic denominations against Islamic sanctities was part of malization of ties with Arab states. and boosting solidarity across the na- Zionist plot carried out at a certain time Hujjat-ul-Islam Hamid Shahriari tion. He made remarks in "Unity of to distract the attention of Muslims from warned of different crises challenging Nation" meeting denouncing terrorism, extremism, sectarian violence and murders committed under the pretext Omani mufti calls Muslims Umrah to resume October of religion and Islam. to ponder Islamic unity Saudi Arabia has announced admitting Religious figures, Shia and Sunni pilgrims for Umrah (minor Hajj) will scholars from across the country and Omani senior muf- gradually resume from October 4 fol- Pakistani Minister of Religious Affairs ti has called on lowing the restrictions imposed due to also attended the conference held at Muslims to con- the new coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan's presidential palace. template Islamic Following cancelation of the Umrah Arif Alvi referred to rejection of ter- unity expressing pilgrimage due to the COVID-19 pan- rorism under the name of religion by regret over conflict demic since March, Saudi Arabia has all religious leaders and said," No ora- among some Mus- announced that 6'000 pilgrims residing tor or lecturer desecrates prophets or lim states. in the country will be able to perform Ahlul Bayt (AS) and once he does so, Sheikh Ahmad bin minor Hajj from early October. all schools of thought would announce Hamad Al Khalili, The statement by Saudi Arabia's Minis- their disavowal of that." grand mufti of the try of Hajj and Umrah has also an- He added: “Takfir should not find a Sultanate of nounced that pilgrims from other coun- place among us and we should note highlighted Islamic solidarity as an im- tries will be able to perform Umrah from that no one has the right to excom- portant issue urging Muslims to ponder first of November. It added that the municate a Muslim man or desecrates Islamic unity, reported Taqrib News number of pilgrims allowed to carry out his religious beliefs." Agency (TNA). Umrah will increase to 20,000 per day "No one should disrespect compan- Top Omani cleric noted that solidarity as of November. The pilgrims will be ions, Kalifs, household of Prophet Mo- among Muslims should command dif- admitted in four gradual stages with the hammad (PBUH)" said the top Paki- ferent aspects of their life including the last stage when the Grand will stani official and called on the govern- social and political arena. be able to admit the pilgrims, worship- ment to react against those violating "Spiritual tie which is a divine relation pers and visitors at its full capacity as all the life or sanctities is in fact a guarantee to link the people" the coronavirus risks have gone. of religious minori- said the senior mufti and added," Al- Serious restrictions have been imposed ties in the country. mighty God addresses all Muslims be- on the number of Hajj pilgrims since the 200 prominent cler- yond their denominations, gender, com- outbreak of the coronavirus in Decem- ics and religious plexion or race as people are ranked ber 2019. Saudi Arabia has held very leaders from differ- based on their piety." limited Hajj pilgrimage this year with ent denominations, Sheikh Ahmad Al Khalili called on only 10,000 pilgrims residing in the Arab and European Muslims to think deeper on Islamic uni- country admitted to perform Hajj 2020 ambassadors and ty and expressed regret over the present which began in July. federal ministers bloodshed in the world of Islam. attended the conference to stress ne- He said," It is necessary that Muslims cessity of reacting against fake fatwas cooperate in line with promoting unity" deviating from the holy Qur'an and urging Muslims to stay optimist on fu- Islamic guidelines, respecting the ture of Muslim world. rights of minorities and followers of Omani mufti also regretted that Mus- other religions and also legal confron- lims have been a target for hardest at- tation with Takfiri groups, particularly tacks in the history of Islam. during the month of Muharram. Page 6 Women issues Job or hijab? Singapore debates ban on Islamic veil at work Every day before she starts Facebook, which attracted make it more difficult for women to her shift at a government more than 500 comments. enter the workforce. hospital in Singapore, Farah "During this COVID-19 peri- "Some women don't feel comfortable removes her hijab - the od when concerns over jobs removing a part of their identity just to Islamic veil she has worn and livelihoods are greater, be able to earn money," she said. since a teenager. incidents of discrimination "Having to put this very difficult choice Although minority Muslim exacerbate anxieties and on Muslim women is unfair and un- women can freely wear the people feel threatened," she just." hijab in most settings in added. Singapore, some profes- Freedom of choice ‘Burka ban’ escalated at- sions bar the headscarf - The hijab has been a divisive and a recent case has trig- issue for Muslims world- tacks on Muslim women gered fresh debate on di- wide. versity and discrimination in the work- Many Muslim women cover their heads ‘Burka ban’ has led to upsurge in attacks place. in public as a sign of modesty, although on Muslim women – report Society Sep- Now Farah has joined a growing number others see it as a sign of female oppres- tember 21, 2020 Photo: Depositpho- of Muslims - who account for about 15 sion and, in the Middle East, women face tos.com The so-called ‘burka ban’ has percent of Singapore's 4 million resident jail for eschewing it. led to a wave of physical and verbal population - calling for the ban to end, In 's conservative Aceh prov- abuse against Muslims, according to an with an online petition gathering more ince, women without a headscarf have organisation petitioning for its abolition. than 50,000 signatures. been censured. In , Islamic au- The Report Islamophobia Foundation "They told me I can't work here if I wear thorities have probed a book about Mus- (Stichting Meld Islamofobie) has called the tudung," said Farah, using the Malay lim women who refuse to wear the hijab. on parliament to reconsider the law ban- term for hijab, as she recounts her job But women's rights campaigners in Singa- ning face coverings on public transport interview in 2018 for a physiotherapist pore say they want Muslim women to and in buildings including schools and position. have freedom of choice. hospitals. "I felt a sense of helplessness, it's unfair. Such restrictions have hindered women's Between 200 and 400 women in the Why has the tudung become a barrier for job prospects, especially when the coro- Netherlands are estimated to wear a bur- us to look for jobs?" asked the 27-year- navirus pandemic has pushed Singapore ka or niqab that cover the face. Since old, who used a pseudonym for fear of into recession and companies are laying August 1 last year they face being fined reprisals at work. She accepted the job off, they say. €150 if they breach the ban. It does not eventually but has to remove her head- "Women should be able to practice their apply to garments such as the hijab or scarf whenever she is at work. religion freely without having to choose that cover the hair but leave the Farah's case is not an oddity. There was between having a job or to practice their face exposed. outcry in August when a woman was religion," said Filzah Sumartono, a writer ‘Muslim women with and without face asked to remove her hijab to work as a who helps run Beyond the Hijab, a web- veils say they have been the target of promoter at a department store. site focused on Singaporean Muslim islamophobia more frequently since the Halimah Yacob, the country's first female women. "This issue in Singapore is only law was introduced,’ the organisation president who herself wears the hijab, being faced by Muslim women, it's a wrote in its annual report. ‘They are said there is "no place" for discrimination strong discriminatory policy against Mus- mostly targeted in places where the law when asked her view of the case. lim women," she told Reuters. does not apply such as shops and play- The store reversed its policy, but many 'Unfair and unjust' grounds and the police are not always took to social media pointing out re- Others urge consistency, noting that the properly informed about what the law strictions remain on wearing the hijab for turban - headgear worn by Sikh men - is says, meaning Muslim women do not some civil servants, including policewom- allowed at work in Singapore. have confidence in them.’ en and nurses. "Why the double standard," asked Nur, a The foundation said the ban had also Multicultural livelihoods Muslim law student who signed the peti- sparked online ‘witch hunts’ and articles The debate surrounding the hijab is not tion posted online in June. She requested in the media telling people how to make new in Singapore, a modern city-state not to use her full name to protect her a ‘citizen’s arrest’ if they saw the law which takes pride in its multicultural and privacy. was not being enforced, multiracial background. The 22-year-old said her mother and though it noted large- In 2013, then Muslim affairs minister sister, who work as a nurse and in a pri- scale persecution had not Yaacob Ibrahim said wearing a hijab at vate security company respectively, are ensued. the workplace would be "very problem- both banned from wearing a headscarf at Children were involved atic" for some professions that require a work. in around half of the inci- uniform. She called on officials to explain the re- dents, mostly as witness- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in strictions, saying countries such as Britain es. ‘They have had to 2014 that the hijab issue was about or Australia have changed tack, with dis- watch their mothers in "what sort of society do we want to build posable for nurses to address any face veils become the in Singapore," according to media re- hygiene concerns. target of verbal aggres- ports. Singapore's police force and the "I accept that racial harmony is very frag- sion, comments and vio- health ministry did not respond to re- ile, but it's not just acknowledging these lence,’ a spokesman said. peated requests seeking comment. differences exist and live with them. It's It said the law had created problems ra- Referring to the department store case, much more than that," said Nur, a co- ther than solving them, describing it as Singapore's president said discrimination founder of Lepak Conversations, an ‘gesture politics with far-reaching conse- in the workplace was "disturbing" as it online group. quences for Muslim women who wear deprives a person of earning a living. "It's about knowing these differences face veils,’ and has started a petition for "People should be assessed solely on exist, accepting them and embracing its abolition. The cabinet is due to evalu- their merits and their ability to do a job these differences." Filzah of the Beyond ate the law in 2022. and nothing else," Halimah wrote on her the Hijab group said the restrictions can Read more at DutchNews.nl: Off the Shelf Page 7

A gripping and moving account of the The War on the Uyghurs humanitarian catastrophe that China China's Internal Campaign against a Muslim Minority does not want you to know about, The War on the Uyghurs draws on Roberts’s By: Sean R. Roberts Roberts reveals how China has been own in-depth interviews with the Uy- using the US-led global war on terror ghurs, enabling their voices to be heard. Within weeks of the September 11 at- as international cover for its increasing- "Sophisticated, nuanced, and deeply tacks on New York and Washington, ly brutal suppression of the Uyghurs, informed. Roberts offers broad insights the Chinese government warned that it and how the war’s targeting of an unde- into the ways the global war on terror faced a serious terrorist threat from its fined enemy has emboldened states has enabled authoritarian regimes around Uyghur ethnic minority, who are largely around the globe to persecute ethnic the world to repress minority popula- Muslim. In this explosive book, Sean minorities and severely repress domes- tions."—Michael E. Clarke, author tic opposition in the name of combat- of Xinjiang and China's Rise in Central ting terrorism. Asia—A History Of the eleven million Uyghurs living in "Roberts provides a comprehensive ex- China today, more than one million are planation for the current arbitrary mass now being held in so-called reeducation detention of Uyghurs in China, an issue camps, victims of what has become the of global geopolitical significance. His largest program of mass detention and book will likely become a standard refer- surveillance in the world. Roberts de- ence for students on this topic."—Max scribes how the Chinese government Oidtmann, author of Forging the Golden successfully implicated the Uyghurs in Urn: The Qing Empire and the Politics the global terror war—despite a com- of Reincarnation in Tibet plete lack of evidence—and branded them as a dangerous terrorist threat Sean R. Roberts is associate professor with links to al-Qaeda. He argues that of the practice of international affairs the reframing of Uyghur domestic dis- and director of the International Devel- sent as international terrorism provided opment Studies Program at George justification and inspiration for a sys- Washington University's Elliott School tematic campaign to erase Uyghur of International Affairs. He lives in identity, and that a nominal Uyghur Washington, DC. Twitter @robertsreport militant threat only emerged after more than a decade of Chinese suppression in Publisher: Princeton University Press the name of counterterrorism—which Hardcover 328 pages £25.00 has served to justify further state re- ISBN: 9780691202181 pression. Published: 09/08/2020 'Thomas Hegghammer's exceptional book The Caravan is a detailed account of the life of Abdal- Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad lah Azzam, Islamist ideologue, activist and organiser. It is a fascinating story in By Thomas Hegghammer, Universitetet essential. Hegghammer provides a itself, told with forensic skill and a pow- Abdallah Azzam, the Palestinian cleric first-rate guidebook. Meticulously erful sense of place and time. But it is who led the mobilization of Arab fight- researched, this reads like a Graham also much more than this. Through this ers to Afghanistan in the 1980s, played Greene thriller - only it's true.' James narrative of Azzam's ideas and activities a crucial role in the internationalization L. Gelvin we get an unparalleled insight into the of the jihadi movement. Killed in mys- many dimensions of the world of transna- terious circumstances in 1989 in Pesha- tional Islamism.' Charles Tripp, author of war, Pakistan, he remains one of the The Power and the People: Paths of Re- most influential jihadi ideologues of all sistance in the Middle East time. Here, in the first in-depth biog- 'Thomas Hegghammer's long-awaited raphy of Azzam, Thomas Hegghammer biography of Abdallah Azzam turns out explains how Azzam came to play this to be more than an interesting account of role and why jihadism went global at his life. It is about the rise of global ji- this particular time. It traces Azzam's hadism, an entirely new phenomenon in extraordinary life journey from a West the 20th century. Azzam's role cannot be Bank village to the battlefields of Af- fully appreciated without this valuable ghanistan, telling the story of a man book.' Lawrence Wright, author of The who knew all the leading Islamists of Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road his time and frequented presidents, CIA to 9/11 agents, and Cat Stevens the pop star. It 'The Caravan deals with a highly sensi- is, however, also a story of displace- tive and controversial subject, but it is ment, exclusion, and repression that evidence-based, meticulous and full of suggests that jihadism went global for carefully judged distinctions - recent his- fundamentally local reasons. tory at its finest.' Ian Black, The Observer Reviews Publisher: Cambridge University press 'For anyone wishing to understand the Hardback 718 pages £ 24.99 story of global jihad, understanding the ISBN: 9780521765954 life and thought of Abdallah Azzam is Published: March 2020 Page 8 Words of Faith

,terrorist attacks. In 2018 alone ٤- إِلَ ْي ِه َم ْر ِجعُ ُك ْم َج ِميعًا ۖ َو ْع َد اللَّـ ِه َحقًّا ۚ إِنَّهُ The road to Arabeen Iraqi intelligence foiled over يَ ْب َدأُ ا ْل َخ ْل َق ثُ َّم يُ ِعي ُدهُ ِليَ ْج ِز َي الَّ ِذي َن آ َمنُوا -Emily Garthwaite is a photojournalist. 300 Daesh related attacks. Ar َو َع ِملُوا ال َّصا ِل َحا ِت بِا ْل ِق ْس ِط ۚ َوالَّ ِذي َن َكفَ ُروا لَ ُه ْم َش َرا ٌب ِِّم ْن َح ِمي ٍم َو َعذَا ٌب أَ ِلي ٌم بِ َما َكانُوا Here she shares her experiences on the baeen offers a positive narrative يَ ْكفُ ُرو َن ◯ road to Arbaeen: of resilience, solidarity and .4To Him will be your return of Dear Pete, faith. Surprisingly, Arbaeen all of you. The I’ve decided to write an open letter to remains almost unknown to the promise of God is you. Although we’re yet to meet, we’ve world, and there continues to be true and sure. It had quite a few email exchanges. When widespread criticism of the is He Who begin- you approached me to write about the media blackout surrounding it. neth the process Arbaeen pilgrimage, I knew I wanted to share my We regularly read negative news and rarely of Creation and repeateth it that personal experience of it. Since 2017, I have doubt it, and yet, when positive stories regard- He may reward become incredibly invested in a community who ing certain communities come out, people ques- with justice those have welcomed me with open arms and allowed tion the intentions. I think about this every day. who believe and me to share their stories. While photojournalism People deserve to see shades of grey, not black work righteous- is undoubtedly about neutrally and compassion- and white narratives. There are issues in every ness but those ately documenting the world around us, it also country around the world, but some seem only who reject Him will have nothing affects the photographer and, in my case, it has to receive negative press. but draughts of changed my life. I still feel the same about pho- In 2017, an Iranian documentary team asked me boiling fluids and tography as I did when I first picked up a camera to present a documentary on Arbaeen. I agreed a Penalty griev- aged 15. almost instantly and within a matter of weeks ous: because they I am now 25 years old and have never known a found myself in Najaf, the home of Imam Ali’s did reject Him. time when Iraq hasn’t been a conflict zone. In the Shrine, where the pilgrimage traditionally starts. UK, I grew up with the media sharing photos of This experience led me to return in 2018 with ٥- ُه َو الَّ ِذي َجعَ َل ال َّش ْم َس ِضيَا ًء َوا ْلقَ َم َر نُو ًرا وقَ َّدرهُ منَاز َل ِلتَ ْعلَموا َع َد َد ال ِِّسنِي َن وا ْل ِحسَا َب ۚ .Iraq – of barren landscapes, fighters, bombs, and the documentary producer, Farzan Nikpour َ َ َ ِ َٰ ُ َ َما َخلَ َق اللَّـهُ ذَ ِل َك إِ ََّّل بِا ْل َح ِِّق ۚ يُفَ ِ ِّص ُل ا ْْليَا ِت ِلقَ ْو ٍم -dust. I firmly believe a country is not defined by He’s more than a colleague or friend – I consid يَ ْعلَ ُمو َن ◯ war, and yet, the Western media has, more often er him my second father. I call him Baba, which .5It is He Who made the sun to be a than not, focused on conflict in the Middle East. is Persian for father. There are many memories shining glory and It led me to believe, as a young child, that the that we share, but it was the quiet moments of the moon to be a Middle East was a cruel place. It’s essential we contemplation I will always remember. We light (of beauty) cover the ongoing struggle that many Middle walked through Al-Hillah, a rural region lush and measured out Eastern countries face, but it is equally important with date palm, and discussed faith and its many stages for her: to highlight the beauty of these countries. In my shades, and how, even though we were from that ye might know the number case, I have been photographing Iraq. different walks of life, ages, religion, experienc- of years and the In 2017 and 2018, I walked Arbaeen. Arbaeen is es, we had a shared love of people. count (of time). No- the world’s largest annual pilgrimage and yet Farzan and I decided to use the power of social wise did God cre- little known to the rest of the world. Up to 25 media. I started to share Instagram stories from ate this but in million pilgrims walk in peace to the shrine of Iraq – we even live-streamed from people’s truth and right- Imam Hussein [Prophet Mohammed’s grandson] homes. I wanted people to join me on the jour- eousness. (Thus) doth He explain in Karbala every year. The Arbaeen Pilgrimage ney, and to show them the other side of Iraq. his Signs in detail marks the end of a 40-day mourning period fol- We followed the power of positivity and arrived for those who un- lowing Ashura, the religious ritual that commem- in Iraq without a plan. I think a lot of people derstand. orates the death of the Prophet Mohammad’s thought we had arranged meetings and inter- (Yunus, Jonah) grandson Imam Hussein. Imam Hussein became views, but in truth, we just spoke to everyone a martyr during the Battle of Karbala [680CE] we met and doors [sometimes quite literally] where he fought against the Yazid armies. Arba- opened. I would spend the night with Iraqi www.abraronline. een is the largest number of people fed for free women and their children, while Farzan would net and the largest group of volunteers serving a stay with the men. By the time we reached Kar- This is our website. single event in the world. Millions of pilgrims bala and the Shrine of Imam Hussain, the videos Have visited it: It make the 75km journey from Najaf to Imam went viral. More than anything, it showed me Hussein’s shrine in Karbala, while some walk that people wanted to see good news. will put you face- 700km from Basra in Southern Iraq. Social media is a strange one. I keep my online to-face with an al- Sayed (35) spent five years fighting Daesh as voice clear, and open. I will not adapt to my ternative world, full part of the voluntary Iraqi military service. This audience, and I will not change my work or who year he returned home after being shot multiple I am. It’s a liberating feeling to be yourself, and of spirituality, mo- times in the shoulder and shin. Sayed’s grandfa- I have, only in the past two years, found my rality coupled with ther and father fought against Saddam Hussein, voice. I am happy to lose followers if it means I modern outlooks and his family are well-known fighters, “Our keep my integrity. People should value their volunteer Iraqi troops are very strong and guided work more than the number of followers they and perspectives. by our local religious leaders who ordered us to have. I try to find joy in social media, and to We want to hear fight. Even now I feel ready to go to war if nec- make my account a positive space. I share my your views on its essary, this is how I function now. Give me two world online, and many intimate moments – and contents, layout hours, and I’ll be there” I do it on my terms. We must trust our instincts Arbaeen has been banned above all else. There are and general quality. many times, including by always challenging moments Saddam Hussein, who be- on assignments, but I show Join us in our Noon lieved the walk of peace the beauty in my day and let could be weaponised and the negatives dissipate. and Afternoon pilgrims would revolt against There’s so much more I prayers his dictatorship. It remains want to tell you, but I’d like Everyday set against the tense back- you to know I will be proud- at 13.00 drop of the Iraqi geopolitics ly walking it again this year. and is a target for numerous Best wishes, Emily