Two bombs kill 20 near Iraqi Shi'ite city of Kerbala

KERBALA Iraq (Reuters) - Two car bombs exploded near the holy Shi'ite city of Kerbala in southern Iraq on Monday, killing 20 mainly Shi'ite pilgrims and wounding 54, an Iraqi official said.

The blasts took place on the road between Kerbala and the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf, Mohammed al-Moussawi, head of the Kerbala provincial council, told Reuters.

The bombs were targeting Shi'ite pilgrims visiting Kerbala, 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Baghdad, ahead of the anniversary of Imam Mohammed al-Mehdi's birthday for which several hundred thousand people are expected this week.

A police source said there were a total of 30 killed or wounded by one car bomb.

The birthday is one of several annual pilgrimages that have evolved into shows of strength for Iraq's majority Shi'ite community since the fall of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein, who curbed such rites.

 I'm not a Muslim if this is Islam

BRUNEI Sultan wants improved PS

The Sultan of Brunei has called for improvements in the Public Service during a national address on his 64th birthday.
   The Sultan said productivity and work ethics needed to be improved in the PS, particularly in the Departments of Health and Education.
   He called for Key Performance Indicators to be used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Public Service.
   “Through this methodology, we are able to measure to what extent can the public service carry out its responsibilities in meeting the demands of this country and the public,” The Sultan said.
   He said the Department of Health in particular needed to introduce assessments, especially for its medical professionals.
   “We do not want our hospitals to become frightening places just because the doctors always fail to provide their services.”
   He said in the Department of Education, new and effective techniques were needed but not at the expense of national priorities such as religious proficiency.
   The Sultan said that Muslim children in Brunei needed to be proficient in religion, and that to do so, the education system must prioritise religious education.
   He said that weak religious beliefs would thrust the nation into disaster and suggested that without strong religious restrictions, young people would become susceptible to crime and drugs.
   “This cannot be taken lightly,” he said.
   “As conscious people, we must remedy it and that remedy is religion.”

This is a great initiative but I hope they will focus on the core values of... Islam rather than sectarian Islam ..

Influential Saudi cleric says Muslim women can respect veil bans

A LEADING Saudi cleric has condemned France for moving to ban Muslim face veils, but approved of Muslim women foregoing veils when visiting a country which outlaws them.

"It is illogical and unreasonable that the French government undertakes such a thing, which is condemned by neutral people, not just Muslims, because the secular state assures freedom of religion," Sheikh Aed al-Qarni told Saudi paper Al-Hayat.

"The state has to respect religious rituals and beliefs, including those of Muslims," he said in an interview.

However, he added, if Muslim women are in a country that has banned the niqab, or full-face veil, or if they face harassment in such a place, "it is better that the Muslim woman uncovers her face."

Numerous scholars of various Islamic schools of thought agree on this point, Qarni said.


"We must not confront people in their own country or other countries, or bring hardship on ourselves."

His comments followed France's parliament voting on July 13 to ban the niqab. The French senate will vote on the measure in September, after which it could still be challenged on constitutional grounds.

I agree if they are just visitors but if they are citizens then they have all right to oppose it by all legitimate means .. 

DARYL McLURE: no need to ban the burqa

I HAVE been intrigued in recent times by the calls by some Australians for the burqa - the head-to-toe, face-covering clothing worn by a small minority of Muslim women - to be banned.

I think such calls are a threat to religious freedom and provoked by ignorance and fear rather than by logic and real concern for the rights of Muslim women.

This is certainly the case in Europe. More than 50 million Muslims now live in Europe, including Russia and Eastern Europe, with some 15 million in the countries of the European Union.

Tensions have arisen partly because of this, partly because of the religious/cultural differences and partly because in some countries, including traditionally tolerant Britain and the Netherlands, locally-born Muslims have been attracted to the Jihadi cause and become involved in murder and terrorism.


Hence an increase in fear.

Recently, France became the first nation in Europe to ban the burqa, but Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and some parts of Italy are also debating the issue. And, back home in Australia, we have seen the Rev Fred Nile and other Australians take up the cause.

Should the burqa be banned?

About the only reason I can see for doing so is security. But how often have we seen, even in Europe, the burqa being used as a cover for terrorist operations? I may be wrong, but I can't recollect any.

Locally, most of those opposing the wearing of the burqa, including the Rev Nile, follow the European mantra and claim they are taking their stand in the interests of human rights, the freedom of women to wear what they want to wear. But are they?

Only a small minority of Muslim women in Australia - even in many Muslim countries - wear the burqa. Is it not plausible that most of them do so, not because it is imposed on them by males, but because they take references in the Koran, which encourage modesty among both men and women, literally?

The Rev Nile and his unlikely bedfellows among the women's libbers are really patronising these women.

There are Christians, Pentecostalists, Revivalists and so forth who take the Bible literally, who believe in creationism. Should we stop them from holding their belief?

Of course not. Roman Catholic and Anglican nuns used to wear head-to-toe habits and have just their faces exposed for similar reasons of modesty. That is what the burqa is about.

There is still debate among Muslim scholars relating to interpretation of the Koran and the extent of covering of female bodies. Modesty is demanded of both sexes, not just women.

It is difficult. We live in a secular society but that society has evolved from traditional Christian values, that in many respects were - and, among a minority still are - not all that different to those of Muslims. But as secularism has become more widespread in Western society, norms have changed and secular (civil) law has evolved from the religious laws which once prevailed.

Will this happen with Islamic law? It may but certainly not in the short-term. However, as long as Muslims living in Australia and other Western countries accept that they owe an allegiance to their new countries as well as to their religion, there should be no conflict of loyalty.

As Muslim women mix more widely and new generations of Muslim Australians are born, there may be evolution and change in attitude. But a minority may always feel the burqa is both a religious statement and helps protect their virtue.

Is that a bad thing? Why should we force that minority to compromise their religious beliefs?

Some say the burqa is intimidating but then so is a Mohawk haircut to some and tattoos to others.

Should we ban them too? I repeat, I agree with those who have said that the only real reason to ban the burqa is security. And, in the absence of any security threat linked to the burqa or the nijab, I see no reason to do so. If we offer respect, perhaps it will be returned.

I salute such sensible & realistic thinking .. 

Sacked Liberal candidate goes loudly into exile, defending views on Muslims

SACKED Liberal hopeful David Barker has spent his first full day as a disendorsed candidate vigorously defending his views on Muslims.

In an interview with the Ten Network, Mr Barker declared the Muslim faith had no place in Australia and declaring his love for Mr Abbott, whom he earlier described as "God's mouthpiece" in politics. "I would stand up against the Muslim beliefs and ethics . . . well, I don't believe the Muslim faith actually has a place in Australia," Mr Barker told the Ten Network.

Coast Imam rejects Hanson option

The head of the Islamic Society of the Gold Coast said if the controversial former One Nation MP ran for the position and won, it would spell disaster for the city.
Earlier this year Ms Hanson came under fire for stipulating she would not sell her Coleyville home to a Muslim, but Imam Husain said no Muslim would want to buy her property anyway.....More than 20,000 Middle-Eastern people visited the Gold Coast in the year ending March 2010, but Imam Husain said they could be put off if Ms Hanson became mayor. "They enjoy our beautiful facilities here, and of course our mayor has been very accommodating to these tourists," he said. "These people are good spenders, but if they know of someone who is not so kind to them and has this biased attitude towards Muslims, then obviously they are going to look for some other destination. "Emotionally, some people may say 'that's good, we don't need these Muslims', but practically it's not good for the Gold Coast."

UK politician warned of legal action if he will not meet with women in burqas

A BRITISH lawmaker has been warned he faces possible legal action if he carries out a threat to refuse to meet constituents wearing burqas.

Conservative politician Philip Hollobone has been warned that the Equality Act obliges him to avoid discrimination, , Sky News reported.

Civil rights campaign group Liberty has told him it "will be happy to represent any of your constituents that you refuse to meet because they are veiled."

Iraq war turned British Muslims against their country: former spy chief

She said British involvement in Iraq "radicalised" some British citizens, "not a whole generation, a few among a generation -- who saw our involvement in Iraq on top of our involvement in Afghanistan as an attack on Islam".


Asked what specific proof there was of a direct correlation between the Iraq invasion and the growth in Muslim terror plots in Britain she said: "I think we can produce evidence because of the numerical evidence of the number of plots, the number of leads, the number of people identified and the correlation of that to Iraq and the statements of people as to why they were involved.


"What Iraq did was to produce a fresh impetus of people prepared to engage in terrorism."

You harvest what you sow!

Six years after public rap, Keelty judgment on terror upheld

FORMER Australian Federal Police chief Mick Keelty's judgment that the Iraq war had increased the terrorist threat has been vindicated.


He was promptly jumped on by the Howard government for contradicting its line on the war.
Yesterday, he was belatedly backed in spectacular fashion by former director-general of MI5 Lady Eliza Manningham-Buller, who told Britain's Chilcot inquiry into the war that the Iraq invasion had substantially increased the threat of terrorist attacks and was a significant factor behind the radicalisation of young Muslims.

Last night, he told The Australian he did feel vindicated by Lady Manningham-Buller's testimony.
"It's probably the strongest indication yet that the position I took not only at the time, but subsequent to that, to ensure that the Islamic community was properly engaged and not marginalised in Australia, was an important decision," Mr Keelty said.
He started by introducing Islamic awareness training in the AFP and put Islamic liaison teams in each state and territory.

I salute you Mr. Keelty!

Pakistani Christians accused of blasphemy murdered outside courthouse

Police were transporting Pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother, Sajid Emmanuel, from the court in Faisalabad to jail when masked gunmen opened fire, killing the two Christians and seriously wounding a policeman accompanying them before getting away, reported Washington-based International Christian Concern.

The brothers had been arrested on July 2 after being accused of writing a pamphlet with blasphemous remarks about the Muslim Prophet Muhammad – a crime punishable by death.

The two had just made a court appearance when Monday’s attack took place, prompting strong words from ICC. “It’s outrageous that the Islamists managed to kill the Christians while they were under police custody,” exclaimed Jonathan Racho, ICC’s regional manager for South Asia

I am not a Muslim if this is Islam!

Child bride law challenged in Nigeria

A Nigerian Islamic group has challenged a lawsuit against a senator who married a 13-year-old Egyptian girl.

While the government has issued the suit against Ahmed Sani Yerima for his marriage to the girl,
the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria is seeking an order of the Federal High Court to restrain the government from taking action over the marriage.

The Supreme Council for Sharia enforces Islamic laws and stands outside the regular court system.

The government-backed National Human Rights Commission and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficing in Persons had brought the lawsuit, which will be challenged on constitutional grounds.

According to the Supreme Council for Sharia, Muslim men in Nigeria are allowed to marry four wives without restriction on age, even a child in the womb of her mother.

The group has said the constitution guarantees the senator the right to practice his religion in the way and manner it is described.

Yerima, 49, the ex-governor of Muslim-dominated northwest Zamfara State, has slammed the Nigerian Child Rights Act of 2003 which forbids marriage to anyone under the age of 18, saying it contravenes the country's constitution which guarantees a citizen's rights to practice his religion. The case has been adjourned until October 21.

So that's how the Islamists will run their Islamic states according to Sharia?! I would be the first to flee such a state!

UK citizens more a threat than Saddam: spy chief

"Our involvement in Iraq radicalised, for want of a better word, a whole generation of young people - not a whole generation, a few among a generation - who saw our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan as being an attack on Islam," she said.
"During 2003-04, we realised that the focus was not foreigners. The rising and increasing threat was a threat from British citizens and that was a very different scenario to, as it were, stopping people coming in." Eliza Manningham-Buller, former head of British domestic intelligence agency MI5

Arab jailed for sex with Israeli woman

A Palestinian man has been convicted of rape after consensual sexual intercourse with an Israeli woman who believed he was Jewish because he introduced himself as "Daniel". An Israeli court made international legal history by jailing Sabbar Kashur, from East Jerusalem, for 18 months. The 30 year-old delivery man was convicted of "rape by deception" after a criminal trial that drew criticism from across Israel. Kashur was accused of misleading the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, by introducing himself with the traditionally Jewish name when they met on a street in central Jerusalem in 2008. After striking up a conversation, they went into a nearby office block and engaged in a sexual encounter, after which Kashur quickly left.

And justice prevails! :^D 

Does the media pick on Muslims?

So it’s our fault, is it? The media’s? According to some Aussie Muslims, it is journalists who have given Muslims a bad name.
Since that infamous date of September 11, when Islamic terrorists slaughtered thousands in the US, the Australian public’s attitude towards Muslims has “hardened”, says a new report from the Australian Department of Immigration.

The media is blamed. One Iraqi father was quoted saying: “The media portray us as terrorists. The media are against us.” According to a co-author of the study, Ilan Katz, “the families felt strongly the media were gunning for Muslims: it was a huge concern.”
Are they right? Or are they just shooting the messenger? I see plenty of reports about Muslims in the Australian press but most of them seem to be news reports about atrocities committed by Islamic males abroad – such as suicide bombings – or by Islamic countries, such as the proposed stoning to death - currently postponed - in Iran of a 43-year-old mother of two, Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, who has already been given 99 lashes for alleged adultery.

Wouldn’t Aussie Muslims be better speaking out against these blots on the Islamic faith? A caller phoned Melbourne radio 774 ABC a while back when Muslim writer Waleed Aly was guest-hosting, asking this very question. Aly’s response was that “very few” countries condoned stoning any more and then he moved on. Few? Even one is one too many.
But you certainly don’t have to look far to find bad press involving Muslims. Here’s one from the weekend in The Age: “Suicide bombers hit mosque” , which told of Sunni Muslims killing 27 people and injuring 270, presumably (seeing as it was a mosque) all fellow Muslims. To add to the outrage, the Jamai mosque was bombed as Muslims celebrated the birthday of the grandson of the prophet Muhammed.
Rather than decry the media for “hardening” people's attitude towards Muslims, shouldn’t all good peace-loving Muslims be loudly condemning this appalling act of barbarity on one of their own sacred days?
What puzzles a lot of non-Muslims is why the good law-abiding Muslims don’t speak out against the atrocities that continue to be perpetrated all over the world by thugs and criminals in the name of Allah. When a terrorist explodes a suicide vest in a crowded market place or mosque, the media is not going to ignore it, whether it is done in the name of Allah or not. What the decent Muslims need to do is loudly and consistently condemn this pointless Islamic violence, as much of the rest of the world does. The media would be happy to report that. 

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/blogs/modern-times/does-the-media-pick-on-muslims/20100717-10ezg.html

Please fellow Muslims brothers/sisters .. Make your stand load and clear .. condemn terrorist acts and disassociate yourself clearly and publicly from such non-Islamic barbaric acts .. Speak out for Allah's sake! Quit being passive! Please! Please!

Better ways to spend $1 trillion

RUSSELL Skelton, in his article ''Australia 'lacks clear Afghan strategy' '' (The Age, 17/7), does not mention the financial costs of the war in Afghanistan. The United States has already committed about $US1 trillion on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is reported to have spent about £20 billion on both wars. The loss of lives, both combatants and in the civilian population, is the greatest tragedy in this brutal means of stimulating nations' economies. Imagine what we could have done with this money on winning the hearts and minds of people in the Islamic world to give them basic literacy and health and the infrastructure to build a foundation for better growth, peace and prosperity. Such measures would have gone a long way to eliminate anti-Americanism or anti-West feeling.

2 Muslim inmates sue prison Pair allege discrimination of faith by failure of State Correctional Institution at Retreat to provide special food for Islamic holidays.

SCRANTON – Two Muslim inmates at the State Correctional Institution at Retreat have filed a federal lawsuit against the prison, alleging officials are discriminating against members of their faith by failing to provide specialized food to celebrate two Islamic holidays. Inmates Ronald Banks and Ravanna Spencer claim the prison provides special food to Christian inmates in celebration of the Easter and Christmas holidays, but has refused to do the same for indigent Muslim inmates who wish to celebrate Ramadan and Hajj.

The Racial Theory of "No Soul" is Once Again With Us....

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has big concerns about the Emerald Coast Tea Party Patriots inviting Brigitte Gabriel, the head of the anti-Islam hate group "ACT! for America," to be their keynote speaker at its "U.S. Constitution Freedom Rally" on August 21 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. CAIR is asking political candidates scheduled to be at the event, such as Marco Rubio, to cancel their appearances unless Gabriel is dropped as a speaker. In 2007, Gabriel gave a speech and said "between Israel and the Arab world is the difference between civilization and barbarism and also said of the "Arabic world," that they "have no soul."

Yes, that was a racial comment but sadly he's right, Arabs have no soul, they are dead ages ago! 

Mesut Ozil race begins as Arsenal, Spurs, and United line up transfer bids

A devout Muslim of Turkish descent,  21-year-old Werder Bremen midfielder is the most coveted player in Europe recites the Holy Quran before the World Cup matches in a bid to help him focus.

Talking to the Berlin-based daily Der Tagesspiegel on Saturday, Ozil said, "I always do that before I go out (on the pitch). I pray and my team-mates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period." A third generation Turkish-German, Ozil has become one of the superstars at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Source: http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/835601-mesut-ozil-race-begins-as-spurs-arsenal-and-manchester-united-line-up-transfer-bids

Indonesian Muslims praying to Kenya, not Mecca, after faulty edict

"After a thorough study with some cosmography and astronomy experts, we learned they've been facing southern Somalia and Kenya," said Ma'ruf Amin, a prominent cleric of the MUI. "We've revised it now to the north-west." He said Indonesians need not worry, however. "Allah understands that humans make mistakes," he said. "Allah always hears their prayers."

I hope some of the so called "scholars" won't decree that all their prayers were void and have to be repeated again!

Israeli millionaire builds mosque in France

Father of four Robert Harush, 58, grew up in Ashkelon and having completed his military service tried his luck in the real estate business in Europe. His success has won him many hotels and buildings and he is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of shekels.




Despite his success Harush did not forget his hometown and has returned to Ashkelon and invested in local building ventures. For the past 10 years he has been dividing his time between Israel and France. His four children all speak Hebrew.




The businessman even chose to stay in the southern city during Operation Cast Lead. He remained in Israel also after a Grad rocket landed near his house.




Surprisingly, he has not harbored any ill-feelings against the Arab side and is a strong supporter of co-existence. He was recently approached by the mayor of Montereau, a French city adjacent to Paris, who informed him of his difficulties in financing the renovation of a large mosque in the city.




"I told myself 'here is an opportunity to bring the people together' and decided to donate the money," Harush said. "People were dumbfounded. What does a Jewish-Israeli man have do to with refurbishing a mosque? The answer is simple: I'm sick and tired of the hatred. A sane voice must emerge."




Harush explained that he built the mosque in order to promote co-existence. "It wasn't a cheap venture but I did with all my heart."

Where are Muslims?! They ran out of money and can't renovate their own Mosques?! An Israeli took a pity on their Mosques and donated for its renovation?! What a stigma!

Syria bans face veils (Niqab) at universities

DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syria has banned the face-covering Islamic veil from the country's universities. The Education Ministry's ban on the niqab comes as similar moves in Europe spark cries of discrimination against Muslims. An official at the ministry says the ban affects public and private universities and aims to protect Syria's secular identity.

However, Aljazeera reported that the officials claim the ban has nothing to do with the latests bans of Niqab in Europe, according to Aljazeera the official claims the main reason for the ban is to maintain the integrity of the education system especially the examination process because some students wear Niqab only during the exams so they can easily cheat.

Source: http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/C4A10A55-E65D-4368-86A4-70EF582C16BE.htm?GoogleStatID=9

Born into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids

Bitter injection of reality that's really needed to wake us up from the ridiculous fantasy of Bollywood & Hollywood .. Also, I reckon the least people can do is not to use the word 'bastard' (in all languages) to describe bad people, it's ironic that ethnic slurs like Negro and Hymie are forbidden words while 'bastard' that's applied to the human race is not ..

Afghanistan: an open-ended commitment?

Looking at the terrorism threat to Australia, the reality is that our involvement in Afghanistan is more likely to lead to terrorism in Australia than prevent it. The main terrorism threat today is not from terrorists coming to Australia from Afghanistan, but from a few disaffected second-generation young Australian Muslims motivated by what they see as our involvement in a US-led international war against Islam. Some will travel to places like Pakistan, Lebanon and Somalia to get terrorism training, but more will rely on what they can learn from the internet.

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2953525.htm

Indonesia to ask ISPs to block porn websites

I am curious, how Islamic this restriction of freedom of choice is? In other words, is it backed by a robust source of Shariah/Islamic law? I don't think it's Islamic but it could be democratic if the majority of people voted for!

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, is planning use a controversial anti-pornography law to restrict pornographic websites in the next few months, a communications ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

http://www.itnews.com.au/News/219912,indonesia-to-ask-isps-to-block-smut.aspx

Fox News: Pakistan No.1 in the world in pornographic internet searches

Since the source was Fox News I had to double check the claims myself using Google Insights:
http://www.google.com/insights/

Even though the claims were true, I can easily tell it was quite biased as well, according to Google Insights 6 of the top 10 countries that search for "porn" are Western countries:
1.     Papua New Guinea    
2.     Trinidad and Tobago    
3.     United Kingdom    
4.     Ireland    
5.     Canada    
6.     New Zealand    
7.     Bangladesh    
8.     United States    
9.     Jamaica    
10.     Australia
Source: http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=porn&cmpt=q

Moreover, ironically 6 of the top 10 countries that search for "sex" are Muslim countries:
1.       Viet Nam     
2.     Pakistan    
3.     Eritrea    
4.     Bangladesh    
5.     Sri Lanka    
6.     India    
7.     Somalia    
8.     Syria    
9.     Egypt    
10.     Yemen    
Source: http://www.google.com/insights/search/#q=sex&cmpt=q

Nonetheless, the article made a valid point, Pakistan was lately banning many popular websites including Facebook for offensive and blasphemous material while at the same time it's of one the top searchers for pornograhpy! This is just a total irony!

The Muslim country, which has banned content on at least 17 websites to block offensive and blasphemous material, is the world's leader in online searches for pornographic material, FoxNews.com has learned.

“You won’t find strip clubs in Islamic countries. Most Islamic countries have certain dress codes,” said Gabriel Said Reynolds, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Notre Dame. “It would be an irony if they haven’t shown the same vigilance to pornography.”

So here's the irony: Google ranks Pakistan No. 1 in the world in searches for pornographic terms, outranking every other country in the world in searches per person for certain sex-related content.

Pakistan is top dog in searches per-person for "horse sex" since 2004, "donkey sex" since 2007, "rape pictures" between 2004 and 2009, "rape sex" since 2004, "child sex" between 2004 and 2007 and since 2009, "animal sex" since 2004 and "dog sex" since 2005, according to Google Trends and Google Insights, features of Google that generate data based on popular search terms.

The country also is tops -- or has been No. 1 -- in searches for "sex," "camel sex," "rape video," "child sex video" and some other searches that can't be printed here.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/07/12/data-shows-pakistan-googling-pornographic-material/

CBC News: Saudi prince, Fox to start Arabic news channel

Fox News is way away from neutral journalism, Al-Waleed is a Saudi prince and a businessman, I can't have much faith in him but if it will counter the extremisim of Salafism then that's good!

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has announced plans to launch a 24-hour Arabic-language news channel in partnership with Rupert Murdoch's Fox network.
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, former editor in chief of Alwatan newspaper and a media adviser to Prince Turki Al-Faisal at Saudi embassies in London and Washington D.C., will head the station.
Khashoggi is a controversial choice because he has clashed with Saudi authorities over religious police and women's rights and resigned from his newspaper position earlier this year over an editorial questioning Salafism, a form of Islam at the heart of the conservative state.
Prince Alwaleed's new channel will compete for Arab viewers with well-established networks Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera. He did not name the channel, which will build a network of Arab correspondents.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2010/07/12/arabic-news-channel.html#ixzz0tqbCjVcC

The Prophet of Islam Muhammad: A Brief Biography and Pictorial Pocket Guide to His Teachings and Main Events in His Life

Nice pictorial and brief introductory guide about the Prophet of Islam, entirely viewable online:

http://www.muhammadpocketguide.com/preview/

Allah The Most Merciful vs. Stonning To Death?

Stoning is the capital punishment in Judaism and Islam for a married person whether a male or a female who commits adultery. In Islam it is the only capital punishment which literally requires at least four credible eye-witnesses who have in person witnessed the actual penetration--this condition makes it almost impossible to be fulfilled in reality and that's a manifestation of the mercy of Allah but if it does happen then doesn't that mean that crime was carried out in public? wouldn't be some sort of exhibitionism? or was done with the intention of promoting it to the whole community instead of merely fulfilling the lust? I think if the condition has been met then the crime has had bypassed the personal level and became a public crime. Stonning to death is really a harsh punishment but so is any kind of execution, however its aim is not merely getting rid of the felon like other execution but obviously it aims to effectively deter people.


In the case of Ashtiani, I think the case needs a total review thus I signed the petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_stoning/?cl=652818231&v=6766

"The authorities in Iran have announced that a woman convicted of adultery will not be stoned to death.

But it is not clear whether they have lifted the death sentence against Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been in prison in Tabriz since 2006.

The 43-year-old had already been punished with flogging for an "illicit relationship" outside marriage when another court tried her for adultery.

There has been an international campaign to prevent her being stoned."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10565103.stm

Robert Fisk: CNN was wrong about Ayatollah Fadlallah

‎"Well, he wasn't Hizbollah's man, but no matter. He was definitely a giant. A man of immense learning and jurisprudence, a believer in women's rights, a hater of "honour crimes", a critic of the theocratic system of government in Iran ..... But it just goes to show that Fadlallah – who was also a poet – can get people's backs up, even in death ..... I do believe that Fadlallah was a very serious and very important man whose constant sermons on the need for spiritual regeneration and kindness did more good than most in a country constantly flooded in a rhetoric bath. Hundreds of thousands attended his funeral in Beirut on Tuesday. I am not surprised."

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-cnn-was-wrong-about-ayatollah-fadlallah-2023179.html

VOA:Britain Removes Ambassador's Blog Post Praising Late Lebanese Cleric

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”  George Washington

The British government says it has removed a blog post by its ambassador to Beirut praising Lebanon's controversial top Shi'ite cleric, Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, who died earlier this week.

In a blog entry titled The Passing of a Decent Man, Ambassador Frances Guy wrote she was saddened by Grand Ayatollah Fadlallah's death last Sunday, and that the world "needs more men like him willing to reach out across faiths."

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Britain-Removes-Ambassadors-Blog-Post-Praising-Late-Lebanese-Cleric-98107499.html

Telegraph: Islamist preacher warns France against banning the burka

I think this is some sort of blackmailing! Burka is not an Islamic thing like the headscarf, it's rather a cultural thing, an obvious evidence that it's not Islamic is that women pilgrims have to take it off in the Holiest place for Muslims during the pilgrimage in Mecca. However, I'm personally against Burka but I'm also against restricting freedom of choice, I don't think the legal ban is a wise solution for the Burka but education is, by educating Muslim women that it's truly not an Islamic thing ...

""Look what happened in Belgium and in France," Omar Bakri said, referring to Belgium's ban on the burka, or full Islamic veil, and the start of debates by the French parliament on a similar law that is all but certain to be adopted.

"They believe that prohibiting Muslim women to use the burka is going to make them safer. But they are wrong. This is going to make Muslims living in France give more support to al-Qaeda", Bakri told Spain's Cadena Ser radio."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/7878011/Islamist-preacher-warns-France-against-banning-the-burka.html

Christiantoday: Somali Islamists execute Christian convert

I'm not a Muslim if this is Islam!

"ICC said that Sheik Adan Yare, the Al-Shabab governor of the Bakol region, spoke to the press on July 1 and said, "Our holy warriors have today, on July 1 at 11: 45 am, executed in front of angry Muslim witnesses a young man whose name was Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris who insulted our beloved prophet."

The execution, which took place at a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds of people, including school children who were forced to watch the grizzly scene."

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/somali.islamists.execute.christian.convert/26257.htm

AsiaNews:Kerala, hand severed of Christian Professor accused of blasphemy

I'm not a Muslim if this is Islam!

"The victim is a college professor who "insulted Muhammad" in an exam questionnaire. Islamic extremism is growing in Kerala: many schools face pressures on the use of the veil. The condemnation of national Muslim organizations. Sajan K. George: Sharia is not law in India."

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kerala,-hand-severed-of-Christian-Professor-accused-of-blasphemy-18843.html

Great job from Jon Stewart! I wish there's an Islamic agency that's dedicated to expose the irony and hypocrisy of the American media in such a smart & sarcastic way!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Wish You Weren't Here
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

JTA - Jewish & Israel News: Muslim, Orthodox Jew to run N.J. township

Islam is not against Judaism and Muslims are not against Jews .. Islam against all sort of imperialism and oppression an example of that is Zionism/Israel!

(JTA) -- A practicing Muslim and an Orthodox Jew have been chosen to run a New Jersey township.

Mohammed Hameeduddin was picked last week by the Teaneck Township Council to serve as mayor and Adam Gussen was chosen as deputy mayor for two-year terms.

Hameeduddin, Teaneck's first Muslim mayor, is one of only a handful of Muslims to lead a U.S. municipality.

The leaders attended middle school together in Teaneck, which has a large Orthodox Jewish population, and both attended Rutgers University, according to ABC News.

"Nowhere else is this possible," Hameeduddin told ABC. "The opportunity to bring two communities together and break down stereotypes that have belittled our nation is both monumental and humbling."

http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/07/07/2739938/muslim-orthodox-jew-to-run-teaneck

The Age: Shepparton shines as a haven with no room for racism

I think the biggest mistake immigrants do is alienating themselves and the best thing they can do is to keep their values and principles but engage warmly with the overall community.

"Shepparton Mayor Geoff Dobson said 11 per cent of the city's population were born overseas and 32 languages were spoken.

He said he was particularly impressed with how recent immigrants from Sudan and the Congo had made themselves at home and reached out to the community with their music and dancing groups.

''I think the Afghans and Iraqis are a bit different,'' he said.

''They tend to keep to themselves and don't become so engaged in the mainstream community.''"

http://www.theage.com.au/national/shepparton-shines-as-a-haven-with-no-room-for-racism-20100706-zz1u.html

Ynetnews: Israeli Soldiers' dance in Hebron may mean trouble

I don't know why the Israeli army is upset for having such a talent! You got to give it to them, they are not bad dancers at all! :^)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3915671,00.html

Fadlallah is finally free from this frustrating Ummah!

Mohammed Hussein Fadallah, A spiritual guide, a knowledgeable cleric, a human rights defender, an anti-imperialism fighter, an Islamic and social reformer, a champion of Islamic unity, an interfaith promoter … I'm not aware of a contemporary cleric that can fill in the massive gap he left behind! He's been freed from this world today!
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/07/20107354240249363.html

"Your Freedom" Initiative, The UK government is keen in hearing the public out!

"We're working to create a more open and less intrusive society. We want to restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness, and free our society of unnecessary laws and regulations – both for individuals and businesses.

This site gives you the chance to suggest how we can do this. Your ideas will inform government policy and some of your proposals could end up making it into bills we bring before Parliament to change the law.

So if there are any laws or regulations you'd like us to do away with, then first, check if there are any similar ideas here already and then add your comments to it and rate it to move it up the list. If it's not here, then add it!  And remember - we want you to suggest ideas for removing laws and regulations, rather than ideas for creating them."
I urge all Muslims of UK to speak out about their problems instead of moaning about the government among each other! This is a great chance to be heard out! Quit being pessimistic and skeptical and take it seriously, at the end of the day what will you lose?!

"Your Freedom" website: http://ping.fm/amRDT

In memoriam Israel Shahak (April 28, 1933 ? July 2, 2001) an Israeli Holocaust Survivor

"Regarding my country, I think that Zionism is a form of racism. For many years I have been claiming that it is a mirror image of anti-Semitism. While any anti-Semitism is based on denying the humanity and dignity of Jews, Zionism is grounded on discrimination and of fostering hatred and suspicion towards all non-Jews. This suspicion is not directed at Arabs for being Arabs but rather at non-Jews, Arab and non-Arab, and no one who reads the Hebrew media can, in my opoinion, escape from this conclusion."

An interesting interview: http://ping.fm/wFBQ7

Aqsa Parvez's father and her brother have been sentenced to life in prison after pleading to killing the 16-year-old in their Mississauga, Ont., home.

This is a "disgrace killing" not an "honour killing". That kind of Muslims worship their community instead of worshiping Allah.

"Later a statement by her father to her mother right after murdering her was publicized, supporting the honor killing theory: “My community will say you have not been able to control your daughter. This is my insult. She is making me naked.”"
http://ping.fm/E3gCC

Twin suicide blasts killed at least 42 people at a Sufi shrine in Lahore, Pakistan, late yesterday

Have those Islamist extremists who consider Muslims praying in such shrines as apostates ever read Qura'an?!

And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient. Qura'an 9:84

وَلاَ تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدًا وَلاَ تَقُمْ عَلَىَ قَبْرِهِ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُواْ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
التوبة : 84

And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid." Qura'an 18:21

وَكَذَلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ وَعْدَ اللَّهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السَّاعَةَ لا رَيْبَ فِيهَا إِذْ يَتَنَازَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ فَقَالُوا ابْنُوا عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَانًا رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ قَالَ الَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا عَلَى أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا
الكهف : ٢١

There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. Qura'an 2:256

لاَ إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
 البقرة : ٢٥٦

Saudi Women Vow Let Us Drive or We Will Breastfeed Our Drivers (so they can be our sons)!

Those so called 'scholars' are depriving them from what's Halal (permissible) in Islam and forcing them to do what's overwhelmingly considered Haram (forbidden) by most Islamic scholars!

http://ping.fm/JaQ8O

The 1st anniversary of "The headscarf martyr" Marwa El-Sherbini brutal assassination

Today is the 1st anniversary of "The headscarf martyr" Marwa El-Sherbini brutal assassination, whom was assassinated by a German racist who stabbed her 18 times in front of her 3 years old son while shouting "islamist" "terrorist" .. To all Westerners, be honest women's rights supporters and respect the Muslim women right to wear her headscarf!

Imam Husain, Malcom X, Farag Foda ... something is in common?

They were all prominent Islamic critical thinkers, reformers, human rights defenders

They were all deemed foes by bigoted, dogmatic, fanatic Muslim leaders

They were all assassinated by ignorant, maniac Muslim followers