Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

by

Asma bint Shameem

Iblis. Shaytaan. The Devil. Whatever name you call him, everyone knows him. He is the accursed one. The rejected outcast, who was thrown out of Jannah. The one damned to the Fire of Hell forever and doomed until eternity.

Ever wonder how he got there? I mean, really wondered...?

What did he do, or perhaps not do, that condemned him to the be the most despicable and humiliated creature in the heavens and the earth?

Yes sure, we all know the story. We’ve known it since we were babies. We’ve read it in Qur’aan a million times.

But, have we ever read the story with the eyes of our heart?

Have we really thought about what happened?

Have we ever pondered over it?

What did iblis do that was so wrong?

Let us look at some of Iblis actions.

1. Did Iblis not believe in Allaah? Indeed, he did!

Iblis, the accursed believed in Allaah. He knew Allaah is the Master, Owner, Sustainer, the Giver of life and death, the Lord of all things. In fact, he calls Him my Rabb, my Lord.

He (Iblis) said: 'My Lord, reprieve me till the Day they are raised.' (Surah al-Hijr:36)

Why, Iblis even swore by Allaah’s Might, knowing fully well, that it is Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala, Who is AlMighty and that all Power belongs to Him Alone. Iblis swears:

He (Iblis) said: 'I swear by Your Might, that I will surely mislead them all. (Surah Saad:82)

2. Did he believe that someone else created him? NO, he knew Allaah is his Creator!

Shaytaan knew very well that Allaah is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them, including himself, all jinn and mankind. He admitted it himself.

(Iblis) said: 'I am better than he (Adam). You created me of fire and You created him of clay.' (Surah al-Aaraaf:12)

3. Did Iblis deny the Day of Judgment? No, he acknowledged it!

Iblis also affirmed that there will be a Day when we will all be resurrected and brought back to life, to stand in front of our Rabb, and give account of all that we did. It’s not that he denied the Day of Judgment; rather he believed in it completely.

(Iblis) said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected." (Surah Saad: 79)

4. Did Iblis claim that there is a path other than Islaam? NO, he knew Islaam is the Way!

Iblis didn’t believe in any other religion to be the Truth. He accepted and recognized that Islaam is the way to salvation and it is only through it that a person will be successful. That’s why he calls it the ‘Straight Path’.

(Iblis) said: "Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path.” (Surah al-’Aaraaf:16)

5. Did he not believe in Jannah, Jahannum and the Angles? Indeed he did!

Iblis very much believed in the Angels. How could he not? He saw them with his own eyes and was among them until, when Allaah ordered them all to prostrate to Adam (Alayhi salaam) and he refused. Iblis had even seen Jannah and was witness to its blessings before he was thrown out of it, disgraced and humiliated. And he was aware of of Jahannum. So Iblis knew exactly what they all were and acknowledged their existence.

So what is the point of all this???

Does it ever hit you O Muslim, that perhaps we do the same?

Perhaps there’s not much difference between us and Iblis!!

Don’t we also believe in Allaah? Don’t we also consider Him our Master, our Creator, our Sustainer?? Don’t we call Him our Rabb??

Don’t we also acknowledge His Power and Might?

Don’t we also say we believe in the day of Judgment?

And in heaven and hell and the angels??

Yes, we do!

So what makes us different from Iblis, the Shaytaan???

The difference lies in the obedience of our Rabb, in submitting to His Commands, in conforming to His Orders.

Shaytaan refused to obey Allaah when He commanded him to make sajdah to Adam (Alayhi salaam). He didn't comply to the His Orders. He didn't submit to his Rabb. There was no compliance. There was no ubudiyyah.

That was the problem. That was what was so wrong that made Iblis the most despicable

creature ever.

That’s the point we all have to think about. Long. And. Hard.

How many of us are out there, who are supposed to be Muslim, who believe in Allaah, who know there’s a Day of resurrection, who claim they want to enter Jannah, yet are still living a life of sin and desire....a life of defiance and neglect!

How many of us are involved in major, major sins...steeped in disobedience and transgression?!

And how many of us continue in this wrongdoing, obstinately defying Allaah’s Laws....despite the warnings... ignoring all the reminders!

Brothers and sisters, if there’s no obedience to Allaah, if there’s no submission to His commands, if there is no effort to comply to His Orders, then there is no difference between us and Iblis.

Plain and Simple and Straightforward.

The difference lies in the obedience of this Rabb....In submitting to His Commands....in doing what He says and in staying away from what He prohibited.

If there's no obedience, then where’s the difference between us and iblis?

Then how are we any better?

What makes us any different?

That is something to really think about......

And Allaah knows best.

__._,_.___

Editorial, Mahbubur Rahman,

We, human beings, of past, present and future, are in absolute need of Divine grace and the opportunity to earn His pleasure. Our human power — no matter how great — can’t give us immortality and eternal bliss. With or without our consent, we are heading to the clutches of death. But as we all know, death is not the end. Death is simply the start of a journey from this world to the Divine presence. To God is our ultimate return and on the Great Day of Final Judgment, we will be asked about, and held accountable for, our thoughts, intentions, feelings, motives, and actions. Not one human soul can escape this reality, no matter how much he denied during his lifetime this meeting with the Lord, the Almighty God.

Yet how many of us lead our lives with full consciousness of this reality? Why can’t we keep this awareness as we ought to do? Why do many of us fail to elevate ourselves? God Almighty, our creator who knows all of our affairs—hidden or manifest — tells us in the Qur’an: “Verily, he truly prospers who purifies himself and glorifies the name of the Guardian-Lord, and (lifts his heart) in prayer. But you prefer the life of this world, whereas the life hereafter is better and ever- lasting. This indeed is what is taught in the former scriptures, the scriptures of Abraham and Moses” (Surah Al-A’la: 15-20).These verses of the Qur’an are very revealing and eye-opening, and therefore require further elaboration so that we might deeply contemplate and comprehend their meaning.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “If someone wants to know what position he enjoys in the eyes of God, he has only to look at what place he gives to God [in his heart and life].”

The first and foremost point is the emphasis on purification—cleansing ourselves from all manner of defilement. We are created in a very complex fashion and our minds, hearts, and physical bodies are in constant fluctuation and vulnerable to imbalance. Likewise, our faith increases and decreases, and so our manners in dealing with other people can be of greater or lesser quality. Therefore, it’s a matter of ongoing struggle, to engage in the process of contemplation and self-examination, continually striving to perfect our manners in our relationship with ourselves, with others, and above all, in our relationship with our Lord. This battle of our inner forces, of the heart and the ego, is the scene for the “testing period” here on earth. As God the Almighty states in the Qur’an, it is “He who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deed”(Qur’an 67:2). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also reminded us: “Be heedful! There is a piece of flesh in your bodies that when it is well, the rest of you is well, and when it is sick, the rest of you is sick. Know that it is the heart” (Bukhari and Muslim).Veritably, a heart is healthy when it is cleansed of wrongful concerns and heedless impulses, those being put right by the practice of good morals and genuine surrender to Allah SWT.

It is the case that every soul is created in a pure form, but as we live and engage in human society, our personalities are shaped by multiple influences. Some are positive and some are negative. Therefore, we have to consciously strive to discern what elevates us and what debases us, and use our God-given faculties to cultivate the best elements within ourselves and eliminate the rest. Only a sound heart will find entry into Paradise.

The second point we can glean from the above verse is that the constant remembrance of God is the key to spiritual elevation and success. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “If someone wants to know what position he enjoys in the eyes of God, he has only to look at what place he gives to God [in his heart and life]” (Hakim). Indeed, a God-oriented life for man starts by his remembering God and following His commandments in every sphere of his life. The remembrance of God should never be absent from our hearts and minds no matter where we are and whoever or whatever we are dealing with. Indeed, successful will be the ones who earn God’s grace on the Day of Judgment, whose balance of good deeds will be weightier than that of their bad deeds; and that only proceeds from a cultivated habit of remembering God and what He has ordained.

The third point is that the attitude and approach toward this worldly life must be proper. We should not sacrifice Akhirah (the life hereafter) which is permanent and real, for Dunya (this worldly life) which is transitory and illusionary. As Hasan Al-Basri so rightly and eloquently stated, “What is this world but a dream that a sleeper sees—he delights in it for a few moments, and then wakes up to face reality.”The “reality” he refers to is accountability in the Hereafter. Along these same lines, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) advised us that we should have “an indifference towards the abode of delusions.” Indeed, “disconnecting one’s heart from the life of this world,” as Imam Ghazali has pointed out, “is not fully achieved unless one also possesses a balanced character and a sound and upright heart.” Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Good character and morals transform errors as water melts ice, while bad character alters good deeds as vinegar cuts honey” (Tabarani and Baihaqi). Therefore, when we err, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that every mistake is an opportunity and a signal that it is time to grow in our relationship with Allah (SWT). And as we turn to Him walking, He turns to us rushing. May Allah (SWT) help us experience this spiritual awakening and enable us to beautify our hearts and lives with His Divine Light. Ameen.

Bismillah

as salam alykom, I received this very important email and thought to share it, since it raises a crucial issue that is quite spread among Muslims these days, it had been so, but it is increasing coupled with a significant amount of misinformation.

--------------------------------

In the name of ALLAH, The Most Merciful, The Most Beneficent

Assalam u alaikum sisters/brothers,

Today I want to share my opinion on a subject that has been ignored for a long time now. This ignorance is creating destruction in Muslim families. Here in Pakistan people are resorting to spiritual healers for every problem. The moment they face a problem they call or meet the "healer" before ever turning to ALLAH. Unauthenticated wazeefas are being practiced. These wazeefas are leading to more problems than solutions. It is sad to see that they would rather put behind the practices of Our Prophet (peace be upon him) saying "we need more, our problems are severe." There is a site

http://spiritualhealinginislam.webs.com/...niques.htm

They have exposed different techniques that so called spiritual healers adopt for healing. If anyone has any spiritual problem please at least go through this site once before calling a healer/peer.

WARNING SIGNS

The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew. Indeed, Allah knows whatever thing they call upon other than Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise. And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

[al-'Ankaboot; 41-44]

Given below are signs that are found in fake spiritual healers (roohani doctors). All signs do not have to be present. If even one of the signs are found in the healer, then leave as soon as possible no matter how pious the healer may seem.

1. Asks the clients his/her mother's or father's or husband's name. Asks for items like shirts, pictures, hair etc.

2. Gives amulets, threads etc.

3. Uses salt or sand in any way during healing sessions

4. Client is asked to make a physical or invisible (in imagination) circle around himself / herself during healing sessions. This circle is known as the magical circle made by Christians and Jews during their rituals).

5. Demands money for his healing sessions.

6. Client is asked to stare into something during the healing session e.g. cube, mirror etc.

7. Client is asked to use the `X' mark in any manner during session.

8. If medicines are sold to patients.

9. Follows Sunnah strictly in some matters but goes against it in other matter. E.g tells you to stop a previous wazeefa (calling it a bidah) and in turn gives you another wazeefa (which is also a bidah).

"… The most truthful speech is the Book of Allaah. The best way is the way of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is misguidance and every misguidance is in the Fire." (Hadith - Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (3/188).

10. Enquires about your dreams.

Abu Salama replied: I used to see (such horrible dreams) that I fell ill. I saw Abu Qatada who also said: I used to see dreams which made me sick until I heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Good dreams are from Allah, so if any one of you sees which he likes he should not disclose it to one but whow he loves, but if he sees something which he does not like he should spit on his left side thrice and seek refuge with Allah from the mischief of the satan and its mischief (i. e. of the dream), and he should not relate it to anyone, then it would not harm him. [bukhari]

11. Requests you to keep the techniques of healing sessions a secret and not to share with anyone. (Islam is an open and clean religion. Our Prophet did not keep any secrets from the ummah. Our beloved prophet(pbuh) has fully conveyed the message and the prophetic traditions. Any person exercising techniques that are not according to sunnah is misleading the ummah. No one can claim to possess knowledge that the Prophet(pbuh) hid from the ummah and left it only for him (the healer).

"This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion" (al- Ma`idah: 3)

Prophet Muhammad's Last Sermon:

…….So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone. O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray……… Be my witness oh ALLAH that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Narrated By Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman: The people used to ask Allah's Apostle (pbuh) about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me. Once I said, "O Allah's Apostle (pbuh)! We were in ignorance and in evil and Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has bestowed upon us the present good; will there be any evil after this good?" He said, "Yes." I asked, "Will there be good after that evil?" He said, "Yes, but it would be tainted with Dakhan (i.e. Little evil)." I asked, "What will its Dakhan be?" He said, "There will be some people who will lead (people) according to principles other than my tradition. You will see their actions and disapprove of them." I said, "Will there be any evil after that good?" He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O Allah's Apostle (pbuh)! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language"

It is time that knowledgeable people get together to save distressed muslims from the clutches of these healers who exploit them and rob them of their assets and faith.

Narrated by Ibn Abbas ALLAH's Apostle (Peace be upon him) said, "Seventy thousand people of my followers will enter Paradise without accounts, and they are those who do not seek Ar-Ruqya (daam) and do not see an evil omen in things, and put their trust in their LORD". [sahih Bukhari Volume 8]

Assalam u alaikum.

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (Reuters) - A powerful 8.6 magnitude earthquake and a series of strong aftershocks struck off Indonesia on Wednesday, sending people scurrying from buildings as far away as southern India, but there seemed little risk of a disastrous tsunami as in 2004.

Indonesia said it was checking for damage and casualties but remarkably, no such reports had been received for several hours after the quakes, including in Aceh, the closest province and the area decimated by the disaster eight years ago.

However, some areas close to the epicenter are remote so it could take some time to find out if there was any damage.

Many people were frightened of further tremors.

"It's dark out here but I am scared to go home," said Mila, a 41-year-old woman taking refuge in the grand mosque in the town of Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.

"I just want to stay alert because I fear there will be more quakes coming. We are human, it is only natural that we have fear, but I really wish we will all be safe."

Waves of up to one meter (3.3 feet) high were seen near islands off Aceh, but Indonesia cancelled a warning for fresh tsunamis. It said the worst-hit area was the thinly populated island of Simeulue, off Aceh's southern coast.

The first quake struck at 4.38 a.m.EDT and an 8.2 magnitude aftershock just over two hours later, at 6.43 a.m. EDT. Two more strong aftershocks hit later.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also withdrew tsunami warnings for the entire Indian Ocean after keeping them in force for several hours.

"Level readings now indicate that the threat has diminished or is over for most areas," the agency's bulletin said.

Thailand and India also withdrew tsunami warnings.

Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India were all badly hit in 2004. At least 230,000 people in 13 Indian Ocean countries were killed in the Boxing Day disaster that year, including 170,000 in and around Aceh alone.

Last year, an earthquake and tsunami off Japan's northeastern coast killed at least 23,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years after waves battered a nuclear power station.

On Wednesday, people near the coast in six Thai provinces were ordered to move to higher ground. Authorities shut down the international airport in the Thai beach resort province of Phuket.

The quakes were about 300 miles southwest of Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island, the U.S. Geological survey said. The first was at a depth of 20.5 miles.

Indonesia's disaster management agency said power failed in Aceh province and people were gathering on high ground as sirens warned of the danger.

"The electricity is down, there are traffic jams to access higher ground. Sirens and Koran recitals from mosques are everywhere," said Sutopo, spokesman for the agency.

"The warning system worked," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.

Warning sirens also rang out across the Thai island of Phuket, a tourist hotspot that was one of the worst hit areas in the 2004 tsunami.

"Guests from expensive hotels overlooking Phuket's beaches were evacuated to the hills behind and local people were driving away in cars and on motorcycles. Everyone seemed quite calm, the warning had been issued well in advance," freelance journalist Apichai Thonoy told Reuters by telephone.

OUT ON THE STREETS

Indonesian television showed people gathering in mosques in Banda Aceh. Many others were on the streets, holding crying children.

In the city of Medan, a hospital evacuated patients, who were wheeled out on beds and in wheelchairs.

Wednesday's quakes were felt as far away as the Thai capital, Bangkok, and in southern India, hundreds of office workers in the city of Bangalore left their buildings while the port of Chennai closed down because of tsunami fears.

The quakes were in roughly in the same area as the 2004 quake, which was at a depth of 18 miles along a fault line running under the Indian Ocean, off western Indonesia and up into the Bay of Bengal.

Experts said Wednesday quakes were a "strike-slip" fault, meaning a more horizontal shift of the ground under the sea as opposed to a sudden vertical shift, and less risk of a large displacement of water triggering a tsunami.

"The nature of the sideways rupture and sideways movement is not predisposed to cause a bad tsunami, so almost certainly, the crisis has been avoided," said David Rothery, an expert at the Open University in the U.K.

The quakes were also felt in Sri Lanka, where office workers in the capital, Colombo, fled their offices.

Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka's minister for disaster management, called for calm while advising people near the coast to seek safety.

"I urge the people not to panic. We have time if there is a tsunami going to come. So please evacuate if you are in the coastal area and move to safer places," Amaraweera told a private television channel.

In Bangladesh, where two tremors were felt, authorities said there appeared to be no threat of a tsunami. Australia also said there was no threat of a tsunami there.

(Reporting by Jakarta, New Delhi, Bangalore, Bangkok and Colombo bureaus; Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Jonathan Thatcher)

..

Brotherhood candidate says spy chief Omar Suleiman's presidential bid is an 'insult' and that the former Mubarak VP could only win through forgery which would spark a second uprising, in an interview with Reuters



A bid for power by Hosni Mubarak's former intelligence chief is an insult to Egypt's revolution that, if successful, would trigger a second nationwide revolt, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate for Egypt's presidency said.

In his first public comments since being nominated by the Brotherhood on March 31, Khairat El-Shater played down fears of a clash between the powerful Islamist movement and the army generals who have ruled Egypt since Mubarak was ousted last year.

But he warned the Brotherhood would not back a $3.2 billion emergency IMF loan requested by the army-backed government unless the terms are changed or the government steps down and lets a new administration oversee how the funds are spent.

In an interview with Reuters on Sunday, the 61-year-old millionaire businessman denounced former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman's eleventh-hour decision to seek his former boss's job. Mubarak made Suleiman vice president just before losing power.

"I consider his entry an insult to the revolution and the Egyptian people," said Shater, who said he spent 12 years in jail during the Mubarak era. "Omar Suleiman has made a big mistake. He will only win through forgery and, if this happens, the revolution will kick off again."

The military council, which took over from Mubarak in February last year, has said it will hand power to civilians after a presidential election due to be held in May and June. More than 20 candidates completed the formalities to run for head of state and the top contenders are all Islamists or Mubarak-era politicians.

Support from the Brotherhood's formidable campaign machine makes Shater an immediate front-runner in the vote. Suleiman is a dark horse who proved he still wields political clout by quickly collecting the 30,000 signatures of eligible voters that he needed to run.

Violent protests and sectarian clashes have prolonged an economic crisis since Mubarak's overthrow but the streets have returned to relative calm after a parliamentary election as the country's political forces manoeuvre for influence and the army prepares to step aside.

The Brotherhood, which built support for its project of an Islamic state through decades of preaching and charity work, was suppressed by Mubarak but shifted to the centre-stage of politics after the January 2011 popular uprising begun by liberal and left-wing revolutionaries.

It promised not to monopolize power in the style of Mubarak and his associates but its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) now has almost half the seats in parliament and dominates an assembly tasked with drawing up a new constitution. Now it has reversed a pledge not to field a candidate for the presidency.

AVOID CLASH

Shater, who stepped down as Brotherhood deputy leader to run for the presidency, said the decision was motivated by fear that the army-backed government was failing to cooperate with the Brotherhood-dominated parliament and the movement needed an executive post in case the assembly lacked teeth.

But he said a clash with the military - backbone of national security - must be avoided.

"Even if there are issues with the military council's handling of the transitional period, such issues must be resolved in a way that does not lead to a real clash with the armed forces," he said. "We must, in fact, work to strengthen and develop the army."

Egypt's new government would exercise civilian oversight over the armed forces' budget and their business interests, said Shater.

The military makes substantial profits from an extensive and tax-exempt business empire that ranges from real estate and heavy industry to home cleaning services and gasoline stations.

"It is not just taxing the military that is an issue. There is the problem of conscripts who are forced to work in army economic projects without payment. What about the land that the army controls for free? All these issues will be addressed by the new government," Shater added.

Should he reach the presidency, Shater said he would seek to reform government institutions and society on the basis of Islamic teachings. "Our foremost aim is achieving progress based on Islamic principles".

Egypt's military-appointed government began negotiating a loan with the International Monetary Fund in January to help it avert a balance of payments crisis.

The IMF has said broad political support in Egypt is a pre-requisite for the loan deal and the Brotherhood has yet to provide its backing. The government now says the talks might not conclude before June.

"We told them (the government), you have two choices. Either postpone this issue of borrowing and come up with any other way of dealing with it without our approval, or speed up the formation of a government," Shater said.

The Brotherhood could also accept a loan if the size of the initial disbursement is reduced so that most of the funds are paid out after a new government takes power following the completion of a presidential vote in June, he added.

http://knowingallah.com/V2/Document.aspx...31&lang=en

All perfect praise be to Allaah The Almighty and peace and blessing be upon the Messenger of Allaah, his household, his companions and all of those who adheres firmly to his footsteps.

To proceed:

The West and their allies of hypocrites have tried to frighten people from Islam and promote what they called Islamophobia to keep people away from this great religion.

Accordingly, many people have acquired such fear from Islam, believing that adopting Islam and applying the religion of Allaah The Almighty means cutting hands and suppressing freedoms. They have also believed that the religion of Islam is limited to these prescribed punishments. They believed that embracing Islam means stoning Muslims and returning to the dark middle centuries. They filled the hearts of many people with terror and fear. They even claimed that if Islam is put into effect, tourism will be prohibited, playgrounds will be closed, women will be forced to wear Hijaab and so on. Indeed, all of these things are a kind of oppressing and distorting Islam. In the following words, I would to explain for all people what Islam really is?

Dear readers, when revolution were broken out in our countries; there were many mottos that young people and others raised. Most of these mottos focused on justice, freedom, safety, combating corruption, equality, increasing salaries, economical reform and the like of such great correct mottos.

When I contemplate them, I observed that there is only one word that combines all of these mottos, do you know what it really is?

It is Islam

Surely, it is Islam; the religion of Allaah The Almighty.

If we adopted Islam, then all of these needs will be satisfied and even much more than that. Furthermore, let Muslims; rather the whole world, know that the first of the fruits of Islam is the reformation of the worldly life and the first of the benefits of applying the religion of Allaah The Almighty is to have a noble natural life, then what else may happen if we adopt Islam?

If we adopt Islam, then desired justice will be attained:

It is the justice that makes the president of the state in the sight of Islam is equal to the lowest man (in rank) in it.

In Islam, powers and positions cannot be used to oppress people for our Lord has said in the Qudsi Hadeeth: “I have forbidden oppression to Myself and I have made it forbidden among you, so do not wrong one another.”

Dear readers, do you know if we adopt Islam, then any one of the people has the right to meet the president to ask his needs and no one can prevent him. This is really a kind of complete perfect justice. Contemplate thoughtfully the Hadeeth in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever oversees an affair for my nation and disappeared or abandoned them without fulfilling their needs while impoverishing them, Allaah The Almighty will debar him from his needs and impoverish him on the Day of Resurrection.” Glory be to Allaah, it is the perfect justice.

If we adopt Islam, then true equality will be achieved between the ruler and the ruled, honorable and humble, rich and poor. You will not find mediation and favoritism because all people are really equal

This is how our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, lays down the pillars of equality when a noble woman from Bani Makhzoom stole. Usaamah ibn Zayd, the beloved one to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to intercede for her so that he, peace and blessings be upon him, may give up punishing her. Usaamah was then surprised with the principle of equality when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, rebuked him saying: “O Usaamah, are you interceding concerning one of the punishments prescribed by Allaah? ...” Islam is really sufficient!

If we adopt Islam, there will be neither dictatorship nor autocracy. But rather, there will be mutual consultation with complete kindness, mercy and leniency. Islam is the religion of real mutual consultation. Contemplate the saying of Allaah The Almighty to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him:

{So by mercy from Allaah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter.} [Aal-‘Imraan: 159]

Therefore, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, consulted his companions regarding the captives of the battle of Badr. He adopted their opinion. Rather, he, peace and blessings be upon him, adopted the opinion of his wife on the Day of Al-Hudaibiyyah and carried out her consultation.

If we adopt Islam, Allaah The Almighty will reform economy and He, the Most rich and Most Generous, will enrich His slaves.

Islam has prohibited wasting wealth and urged defending it. Rather, the one who is killed defending his wealth is a martyr. Moreover, Islam has fought Riba (usury, interest, etc) which is a kind of consuming the wealth of people unjustly and a war against Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Do you believe that prominent economists in Europe said: “We have to apply the Islamic economy entirely so that we may find a way out of this international economical crisis? We will decrease the rate of interest to zero and impose taxes ranging from 2% to 3%.” This is exactly what the good loan and Zakaah really mean.

If we adopt Islam, provisions will be increased, Allaah The Almighty will confer great blessings upon them as He The Exalted says:

{And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared Allah , We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth.}[Al-A‘raaf: 96]

These blessings from Allaah The Almighty is what made the grain of wheat during the time of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil Azeez as much great as the pit of a date over which it was written: This is what really grows during the times of justice.

If we adopt Islam, corruption will be stopped and rights will be regained from the corrupters. That is because Islam has the prescribed punishment of Haraabah (waging war against Allaah and His Messenger and causing mischief in the land) that is carried out against the one who harms, kills, steals, plunders and causes mischief in the land. Allaah The Almighty says:

{Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.} [Al-Maa’idah: 33]

If this happens, the needs of the needy will be satisfied and salaries will be raised.

If we adopt Islam, our hearts will be purified, our streets and public squares will be cleaned and our ways will be paved.

Islam is what teaches us that we can take a reward for just removing harmful objects from the way of Muslim. Also, the ruler will fear that if he does not pave ways for people and even for animals, that Allaah The Almighty will hold him accountable and ask him: Why did he not pave the way for them?

If we adopt Islam, social solidarity will be achieved.

Zakaah is one of the pillars of Islam. It is taken from the rich. It is not put, like what happens with the unfair taxes, in the pockets of the presidents. But rather, it is given to the poor so that life will not be limited for the rich alone. In addition, the door of charity is widely open and Islam has encouraged it.

Islam encourages taking care of the orphans and that whoever takes care of an orphan will be brought together with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in Paradise. Also, Islam states: “Whoever has extra provision should give from it to the one who has no provision.”

If we adopt Islam, houses will be reformed and families will become better.

Children will be dutiful for their parents for this is an obligation imposed by Allaah The Almighty and parents will take care of their children for this is a command.

By Islam, honors will be preserved and thus fornicators will not be able to attack them.

Marriage will be facilitated; rather, plural marriage will be available. This will surely put an end to the forbidden acts.

If we adopt Islam, different parts of life will be organized and improved even what is hidden of it such as food and drink; rather, sexual intercourse and answering the call of nature.

If we adopt Islam, freedom will be attained.

O you who seek freedom! Freedom is surely in Islam which declares: “Since when do you enslave the people when their mothers bore them as free men?” We will not be salves for wealth, wives, presidents, officer nor for anything else. We will be freed of all of these things and be slaves for only one i.e. Allaah The Almighty. This is really the perfect form of freedom.

If we adopt Islam, the whole society will be reformed.

Everyone will feed his neighbor for he will be rewarded for this good action.

One will honor and be generous towards his guests for this is from Imaan (sound faith) and implies great reward. Even the strangers and wayfarers should feel happy, eat, drink and feel satisfied for Islam gives them right to do so.

If we adopt Islam, our manners that the West stole from us will be regained. Lying is not permissible in Islam; rather, it calls for truthfulness and purity of the heart. Also, immorality and slander are not permissible in Islam; rather, it calls for mutual communications and kindness. There is no negligence of responsibility in Islam for it calls for perfecting work.

If we adopt Islam, we will be the scholars of the whole world as we had been before. Also, development and civilization will be disseminated. That is because the first word in Islam is (Read!). Indeed, it is the knowledge on which the invitation of Islam was based.

If we adopt Islam, all creatures will be happy even the animals.

Showing kindness to animals does not have just an association in Islam; but rather, it is a basic element of our religion. A drink of water you gives to a dog may make you enter Paradise. Showing mercy or giving a piece of bread to a cat may make your sins be forgiven.

If we adopt Islam, balance will be realized between soul and body, worldly life and religion. Islam orders us: “Your Lord has rights over you” and in the same time: “Your body has rights over you, your family has rights over you, and your guest has rights over you …”

If we adopt Islam, safety and security will be achieved for us and others.

Allaah The Almighty says:

{They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice - those will have security} [Al-An‘aam: 32]

We will combat those who went astray and criminals. Amongst the basic objectives of Islam is to preserve soul, honor and wealth in the same way of preserving religion.

If we adopt Islam, Christians and all non-Muslims will be safe.

Whoever causes harm to them in our countries, we will fight him, believing that “for you is your religion, and for me is my religion” and “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion”. Moreover, the Prophet of Islam is the one who said: “Whoever killed a Thimmi (a free non-Muslim subject living in a Muslim country) or a Mu‘aahid (who has a peace treaty with the Muslims) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

If we adopt Islam, we will not break a promise or an agreement even if it is with the Jews unless they break it.

Allaah The Almighty says:

{Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him].} [At-Tawbah: 4]

Fearing Allaah The Almighty regarding honoring agreements is with them and others.

If we adopt Islam, we will fight for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty. It is not a kind of having thirst for blood, but rather for preserving it, regaining rights, opening the doors of invitation and restoring the rights of people. Amongst the surprising matters is that if we take those who fight us and seek to kill us captives, we do good with and feed them for we will be reward for this. Our Lord says:

{And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive.} [Al-Insaan: 8]

If we adopt Islam, woman will be happy for her inheritance will be preserved. No oppressor will be able transgress it. Her honor will be preserved. Whoever slanders her will be flogged 80 times. She is not responsible to spend upon anyone, but rather, she has to be spent upon and given a salary even if she does not go out of her house. Also, due to her is similar to what is due to man, according to what is reasonable. Allaah The Almighty says:

{And due to the wives is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is reasonable.} [Al-Baqarah: 228]

The best of the people is the one who does good to her. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The best of you is the one who is best in attitude towards his womenfolk.”

If we adopt Islam,

· We will communicate with Allaah The Almighty via prayer five times without experiencing any fatigue. Whoever is unable (i.e. physically disabled or very sick) can do it even while he is sleeping.

· We will fell the poor and thus fast and whoever is sick can fast some other days instead.

· We will go to the journey of Hajj and whoever is unable, it will be dropped from him.

Obligations involve neither difficulty nor hardship; otherwise, they will be dropped.

Allaah The Almighty says: {And has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.} [Al-Hajj: 78]

He The Exalted says: {Allaah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.} [Al-Baqarah: 185]

In conclusion, I would like to say that the affairs of this nation will not be corrected except by religion. The affairs of the later generations of this nation will never be corrected except by that by which the affairs of the earlier generations were corrected, i.e. Islam. Adopting Islam and applying the rulings of Allaah The Almighty is not at all a supererogatory or recommended matter; but rather, it is a compulsory one. As Allaah The Almighty says:

{There is no deity except Allaah} [Muhammad: 19]

He the Exalted also says: {The decision is only for Allaah.} [Al-An‘aam: 57]

We ask Allaah The Almighty to endear for this nation His religion, Quran, and the Sunnah of His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and to apply their judgments and rulings in us, guide us to Him, appoint the best of us over us and not appoint over us the evilest of us, and reform our religion, worldly life, rulers and subjects. Indeed, He The Exalted is able to do all that. He The Exalted is the excellent Protector, and excellent Helper.

Written by

‘Abdur-Rahmaan As-Saawi

Mansura- Monday, 18th Rabee‘Al-Awal 1432, 21st February, 2011.

May Allaah The Almighty reward all who help disseminating this material, by words, publishing or actions

http://www.khaama.com/afghan-delegation-...urning-723

According to an Afghan parliament member, US military commanders in Bagram air base said lack of knowledge of an interpreter to Arabic led to the desecration of Holy Quran in this base.



Abdul Qayoum Sajadi who visited Bagram air base along with the other delegation to assess the incident on Friday said, the delegation handed over its findings to Afghan president Hamid Karzai.

Mr. Sajadi further added, US military commanders had ordered the interpreters to separate and burn those books printed in Pakistan which encourages extremism.

US military commanders and interpreters who were involved in the process told Afghan parliament members, books with the Quran texts were placed in a specific place while separating the books.

US military officials and interpreters quoted by Mr. Sajadi said, the employees of a different shift started throwing away the books and documents which were separated without. They did not know that Holy Quran and religious books were inside the boxes and were separated.

Afghan Parliament member Abdul Qayoum Sajadi said, the detainees had exchanged these books and documents with the other Dari, Pashto and Arabic documents which led to the outspread of doubts and misunderstandings.

US military officials vowed to further probe the incident and take precautions to prevent such incidents in the future, Abdul Qayoum Sajadi Afghan MP said.

He also said, the report which was presented to Afghan president Hamid Karzai also reflects the intention towards the issue.

The delegation urge for a legal probe into the issue, Mr. Sajadi said.

Thousands of Afghans across the country demonstrated over the desecration of Holy Quran in Bagram air base after the report was broadcasted last Tuesday.

A number of people were killed and injured following clashes between the security forces and angry protesters during the protests.

Demonstrations and rallies were also noted on Friday in a number of cities including capital Kabul on Friday where protesters gathered and shouted against the United States after the Friday prayers.

Bismillah

as salam alykom

I received this on an email, I believe it is a good read worth considering!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ka’aba Shareef should be the reference of time for all regions of the world Instead of Greenwich

Today, Muslims are being assaulted and insulted in every step due to staying away from Islam. As the large portion of the Muslims are greatly careless of acquiring `Ilm, so they lack the ‘Ilm of complete Deen. The reasons of staying away from Islam of the Muslims are the negligence of Muslims as well as the evil scheme of the Kaafir-Mushrik. The vast trap of their conspiracy is laid on our religious, economical, social, family affairs and even in all daily necessary stuffs. Day to day time of Muslims is determined by maintaining the reference of Greenwich Time of the British. Though for Muslims, Ka’aba Shareef is the guide for all the matters.

Allah Pak declares in Suratul Al-imran (Ayat 96) Verily, the first House of ibadat (worship), fixed for mankind, and was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessings and guidance for the mankind and jinn.

At present, (local) time of different regions of the world has been fixed considering the time of Greenwich as the standard time; not only that, the world is divided into different longitudinal lines keeping the ‘0’ degree longitudinal line along the position of the Greenwich. The ‘0’ degree longitudinal line is called Prime Meridian. Whereas, the time of whole world should be determined by considering only the sacred Ka’aba Shareef as the centre and the position of Ka’aba Shareef will be the ‘0’ degree longitude (Prime Meridian) of the world.

So called British Royal Observatory was founded on 1675. The meridian along the Greenwich was chosen as Prime Meridian on 1884. It is not the case that the prime meridian was imagined along Greenwich as a famous and historical place. In fact, two reasons are noteworthy. At first, USA was using Greenwich as prime meridian for their time zone even before 1884. As a result, their advantage is that they acquired compliance from their trusted countries in the conference of fixing prime meridian for all. Secondly, once the British were able to extend their domination to some extent on earth and so, they, with assistance of United States, had imposed over the world the matter of determining time from Greenwich till the present time. Although, even before Greenwich, Brussels, Copenhagen, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Lisbon, Madrid, Oslo, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Ujein- all these areas were also used as Prime Meridian. Not only that, long before all these areas, Makkah Shareef was also used as a prime meridian. It is clear that only for political cause rather than any historical reason Greenwich has been considered as Prime Meridian.

http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/netanya...02205.html

..Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Barack Obama that Israel must remain the "master of its fate" in a firm defense of his right to mount a unilateral strike on Iran.

Obama assured Netanyahu he had Israel's "back" but also stressed before Oval Office talks that he saw a "window" for diplomacy, despite rampant speculation Israel could soon mount high risk go-it-alone military action.

The leaders, who have had a famously testy relationship, met for two hours of talks amid clear signs of differences on the imminence of the perceived Iranian nuclear threat, if not its ultimate danger to both nations.

Obama is also facing a curtain of Republican fire on Iran as he cranks up his reelection campaign from opponents who accuse him of appeasement and of deserting America's closest Middle Eastern ally.

In an impassioned on-camera statement, Netanyahu told Obama: "Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, by itself, against any threat.

"That's why my supreme responsibility as prime minister of Israel is to ensure that Israel remains the master of its fate," said Netanyahu.

The Obama administration has signaled that it does not yet believe Iran has taken a choice to develop a nuclear weapon, or that the time is right for military action, preferring to give biting new sanctions time to work.

Israel, which sees an Iranian nuclear weapon as a threat to its existence, however believes that Iran may be on the cusp of "break out" capacity -- the moment when it could quickly produce weapons-grade uranium.

A senior US official said Washington now believed after the meeting that Netanyahu understood that Obama was deeply serious about preventing Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

An Israeli official commented that Israeli concerns were now also widely understood, but did not elaborate.

In the days before Netanyahu arrived, Obama bolstered his rhetoric on Iran -- making clear he did not "bluff" and would order military action if necessary, but refused to set public "red lines" for such a response.

The US official said the administration believed it would have up to a year to decide on how to respond should Iran decide to begin enriching uranium to weapons-grade quality. Israel does not share that timetable.

In a nod to the tragic history of the Jewish people, Obama recognized that it was "unacceptable" for Israel to tolerate Iran developing a nuclear weapon after Teheran called for the Jewish state's destruction.

And despite slamming "loose talk" about war on Sunday in a speech to the top pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, Obama said his intent was prevention, and not living with an Iranian bomb.

"I reserve all options and my policy here is not going to be one of containment.

"My policy is prevention of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons ... when I say all options are on the table, I mean it," Obama said.

But the president, seeking to preserve a way out for Iran short of war, said he believed a diplomatic solution was still possible.

"We do believe there is still a window that allows for a diplomatic resolution to this issue."

Washington fears that an early, preemptive strike from Israel could trigger a fierce reaction from Iran, unleash regional turmoil, endanger US troops in the region and drag Washington into a new war.

It is also uncertain whether Israel possesses sufficient military capacity to end Iran's underground pursuit of the nuclear arsenal it denies seeking, and could at best set back the program just a few years.

Israel meanwhile is worried that despite their potency, increasingly tough US and European sanctions on Iran and its central bank and vital petroleum industry will not convince Tehran to renounce a nuclear arsenal.

The Islamic Republic denies it is seeking nuclear weapons.

Washington also warns that tensions over Iran benefit the Islamic Republic by hiking the price of oil, and rock energy markets in a way that could crimp the slow yet building economic recovery.

Officials from both sides said that despite their differences in the past, the meeting between Obama and Netanyahu went ahead in a productive atmosphere, ahead of the Israeli leader's own speech to AIPAC later on Monday.

The nuclear stand-off has pushed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict into the background, although Obama did raise the stalled talks.

He pledged to work for "a calmer set of discussions between the Israelis and the Palestinians" in a bid to seek a "peaceful resolution to that long-standing conflict."

The White House said the talks also ranged over the political implications of the Arab Spring and turmoil in Syria.

...

The Role of OFSTED

Education of Bilingual Muslim Children

The right to education in one’s own comfort zone is a fundamental and inalienable human right that should be available to all people irrespective of their ethnicity or religious background. Schools do not belong to state, they belong to parents. It is the parents’ choice to have faith schools for their children. Migrant Muslims are not economic slaves. They are part and parcel of British society with their own cultures, languages and faith. Migrant Muslims need to preserve and transmit their cultural, linguistic and spiritual identities; otherwise, they will be lost in the western jungle. Learning Arabic, Urdu and other community languages do not deter people from integrating. It helps them integrate. British schooling is at war with Migrant Muslims learning Arabic, Urdu and other community languages. Multilingualism should be celebrated because it is an asset but British education regards it as a problem.

We live in a shrunken world and millions of people are on the move; one of our biggest challenges is how we learn to live in proximity to difference – different skin colours, different beliefs and different way of life. According to a study by COMPAS, Muslims born and educated were given the impression of outsiders. The perception among Muslims is that they are unwelcome in Britain is undermining efforts to help them integrate into wider society. Most of them say that they have experienced race discrimination and religious prejudice. Muslims and Islam is promoted a fundamentalist and separatist by the western elite, which have negative impact on community and social cohesion. The number of racist incidents occurring in London Borough of Redbridge’s schools have reached their highest levels since record begin. Racism is the biggest type of bullying at schools in Bradford accounting for 75 per cent of incidents during the last academic year, it has been revealed.

According to recent studies, bilingual Muslim pupils feel unsafe and unwelcome in state or public schools because they are bullied by native children. Anthropologist Laura Gillian from Danish Pedagogic University, who has carried out field work, believes that many minority children feel that they do not belong in their schools. The feeling of alienation, as well as dissatisfaction with the curriculum, has been brewing for a long time with the result that many ethnic groups have started their own private schools. The Manifesto of the Norwegian Terrorist and mass murderer clearly states that in Europe Pakistani Muslims are on the increase because of migration and high birth rate and one day they are going to demand the Pakistan of Europe. When he was in school, he was afraid of a Pakistani gang. He is afraid of popularity of Islam and revertion of Europeans.

Community cohesion has failed because there is a negative experience of mutual understanding and cooperation between the hostile host community and Muslim community. A report by the Institute for Community Cohesion found that native parents were deserting some schools after finding their children outnumbered by pupils from ethnic minorities. Schools in parts of England are becoming increasingly segregated. The study focused on 13 local authorities. Many of the schools and colleges are segregated and this was generally worsening over recent years. This is RACISM because British society is the home of institutional racism. My statement regarding Muslim schools where there is no place for non-Muslim child or a teacher is based on educational process and not on racism. Muslim children need Muslim teachers during their developmental periods. For higher studies and research, Muslim teacher is not a priority.

There are good grounds for believing that linguistic and intercultural competence are more important than ever in preparation for global citizenship and for life in multicultural societies. In this context, community languages represent a valuable resource for individual and society and yet they have been marginalised in British education system. There has been a failure to locate them within language and literacy policies and to recognise links to inclusion, community cohesion and citizenship. According to a French political sociologist, Muslims in Europe feel that they are not welcome. Inspite of official initiative, a significant minority see institutional racism across the board. Blatant racism exists in parts of the world of work. Religious intolerance is “the new racism” and one of the main causes of persecution of minorities. Terrorism efforts and economic marginalisation are increasingly being associated with religion, not ethnicity. In my opinion, British schooling has been producing Muslim youths with anger, extremism and frustration. Muslim children are confused because they are being educated in a wrong place at a wrong time in state schools with non-Muslim monolingual teachers. They face lots of problems of growing up in two distinctive cultural traditions and value systems, which may come into conflict over issues such as the role of women in the society, and adherence to religious and cultural traditions. The conflicting demands made by home and schools on behaviour, loyalties and obligations can be a source of psychological conflict and tension in Muslim youngsters. There are also the issues of racial prejudice and discrimination to deal with, in education and employment. They have been victim of racism and bullying in all walks of life. British schooling and the British society is the home of institutional racism. BNP, EDL and all other main political parties are the true photo of the racist British society. Why not NATO and all the other WATCH DOGS group impose sanction on England, for not doing anything to tackle the racism in their Country. These so-called organisations can interfere with the Middle East Countries, to rape the people of their OIL! But can’t do anything about the racism and exploitation of minority groups in England. When these societies oppress some groups, and unleash the monster then, and the people retaliate, then they call them terrorist! Need some serious pro-action instead of reaction. According to DFE, 56% of Pakistanis and 54% of Bangladeshi children has been victims of bullies. The first wave of Muslim migrants were happy to send their children to state schools, thinking their children would get a much better education. Than little by little, the overt and covert discrimination in the system turned them off. There are fifteen areas where Muslim parents find themselves offended by state schools. The British teachers have no respect for Islamic faith and Muslim community. Western education system can easily deprogram Muslim children and force them to adopt un-Islamic values. Let the Muslim parents decides how and where to educate their children. According to MORI social research institute on behalf of Bristol LEA, nine out of ten Muslim parents agreed with the model of an Islamic secondary school set up within the state system. I rejected British schooling for Muslim children in the early 70s. I have been campaigning for state funded Muslim schools since then. I set up the first Muslim school in London in 1981. At the time of 9/11, there were only 54 schools and now there are more than160 full time Muslim schools and more are in the pipe lines. Only 12 Muslim schools are state funded. According to a report, the majority of Islamist terrorists in the UK are British born and educated is under the age of 30, well educated and likely to be employed. Most terrorism in Britain is committed by home-grown terrorists. Britain’s fight against terrorism has been a disaster. It has alienated Muslim youths. The campaign has targeted non-violent Muslims and branded them as supporters of violence. Britain remains under severe risk from terror attacks. The government policy had made the task of the police harder by alienating Muslim youths. The staffs at Gendale Primary in Pollokshield, where Muslim children are in majority, are being asked to look for signs of radicalisation. It is an increibly worrying development. We cannot have a culture of teachers spying on Muslim children as young as five. Racism is very ripe in Scottish schools and society. Muslim and other minority children has been victim of racism in all walks of life. LAs and schools are trying their best to hide this issue under the carpet. Hardly anybody was convicted or imprisoned by the Authorities. What do you expect from Muslim youths when they have been victim of racism throughout their development periods? Now Muslim youths are victim of terrorism. Thousands of them are being searched in streets and hundreds of them are behind the bar without any trials.

Bilingualism can help pupils' all-round education and should be encouraged. Children who know an “eastern” as well as a “western” language are more academically able than others. With the pace at which the world interacts today, multi-lingualism is a step forward. A child who has English as a second language is seen as having a special need – not as having a skill to be lauded from the rooftops. Bilingual children think in different way. Language has a profound effect in shaping the ways people think and act. Certain concepts are embedded in words that do not translate. There are repertoires of phrases which exist in Arabic or Urdu because there is no English equivalent. State schools are slaughter houses and are not suitable for bilingual Muslim children. Muslim children in the UK may lose out when they join reception classes because the school’s values and language reflect those of the dominant native culture, rather than those of their home. Almost all recent research literature agrees that if you want children whose home language is not English to excel in English –medium schools, it is important to nurture and acknowledge that first language alongside their English development. Cultivating bilingualism could and should promote pupil’s linguistic development. Muslim children need bilingual Muslim teachers as role models. Muslim community feels that state schools with non-Muslim monolingual teachers are not suitable for bilingual Muslim children. The number of Muslim schools is on the increase and I believe that by 2020 there will be more than 500 Muslim schools. Muslim schools give young children self-confidence and self-esteem in who they are and an understanding of Islamic teaching of tolerance and respect which prepares them for a positive and fulfilling role in society. According to a study by ioe, putting children in classes with a range of minority children does not necessarily lead to improved race relation. Native children become less tolerant of minority classmates after being overtaken by them in lessons. It seems that minorities are only accepted by majority pupils if they stay in a subordinate position. Minorities may not be perceived as a threat when they are struggling to succeed, but as they increase their status and become more adept at finding their way in society, this seems to change. There are hundreds of state schools where Muslim children are in majority. In my opinion, all such schools may be opted out as Muslim Academies. Bilingual Muslim children need bilingual Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. There is no place for a non-Muslim monolingual teacher in a Muslim school. Muslim schools protect Muslim children from the onslaught of Euro-centrism, homosexuality, racism, binge drinking, drug addiction, incivility, anti-social behavior, teenage pregnancies and abortions and secular traditions. Muslim schools made pupils aware of their future role as proactive British Muslims and left them well prepared for life in a multicultural society. Under British education system, Muslim children will distance themselves from their culture, languages and faith. There is nothing left but their beautiful Muslim names.

English is one of the most damaging subject, reflects secular and immoral beliefs that contradict the viewpoint of Islam. Romeo and Juliet of Shakespare advocates disobeying parents and premarital relations. Most people know English as a language, perhaps as a global language. Now English has become an industry, according to Ahmar Mahboob from the University of Sydney. There are a range of commercial, economic, and industrial interests that are affiliated to it. It is these interests that we will call 'industry'. English language relates to the interests of corporations and governments, who use the language to make money and to promote certain beliefs and practices. As English was (and is) learnt in many parts of the world as an additional language, the learners need teachers, teaching material, and language tests, etc. This need for teachers and material has led to a development of a large number of local, national, and multinational corporations that train and produce these human and material resources. Speaking English does not promote integration into British, American and Australian societies, and broaden opportunities. English speaking Muslim youths are angry, frustrated and extremist, thanks to English language. English language is not only a lingua franca but also lingua frankensteinia. Human right is also covers linguistic right. Cultural and linguistic genocide are very common. British schooling is murdering community languages like Arabic, Urdu and others. English is today the world killer language. Linguistic genocide is a crime against humanity and British schooling is guilty of committing this crime.

Official figures show that almost one million pupils speak English as a second language but British schooling has been accused of making them notoriously monolingual Brits. The teachers even discourage children to speak their languages at schools. The teachers do not teach them Standard English. The children learn local English accent in playground and in street. British schooling is also responsible for turning away bilingual migrant children from their mother tongues. It does not encourage or provide facilities for the teaching and learning of their languages. There is a positive co-relation between British schooling and Aborigines Protection Act. It enabled to remove children from their parents and to place them in institutions so that they could forget their cultural roots and languages. British schooling has been anglocising Muslim children and they find themselves cut off from their cultural heritage and languages. Teaching profession does not like Muslim children attending Masajid in the evening or at weekends to learn the Holy Quran, Arabic, Urdu and other community languages. Even full time Muslim schools have been classified as “Osama bin Laden Academies” by Nasuwt Teaching Union. Majority of anti-Muslim stories are not about terrorism but about Muslim culture--the hijab, Muslim schools, family life and religiosity. Muslims in the west ought to be recognised as a western community, not as an alien culture.

The present structure of OFSTED is not in a position to inspect Muslim schools properly. There is a dire need for bilingual Muslim Inspectors. Non-Muslim monolingual Inspectors are not in a position to inspect Muslim schools with bilingual Muslim children. OFSTED should employ bilingual Muslim inspectors for the inspection who should not only be well versed in English, Arabic, Urdu and other community languages but also in sciences and humanities. Muslim girl schools should be inspected by Muslim ladies inspectors. They must make sure that Bilingual Muslims children have a right, to be taught their culture, languages and faith alongside a mainstream curriculum.

Bilingual Muslim children need to learn and be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. The problem is that they learn English in the streets and in the playgrounds. British schooling does not teach English to migrant children. The teachers let them speak the same accent in the classroom. They have no courage to stop them or correct them. This is one of the main reasons why one third of children have difficulties with reading when they leave primary schools. Majority of such children are bilingual Muslims. They often speak "street" with its own grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. In other European countries and in the sub-continent argot and slang are not allowed into the classrooms. In Britain primary school teachers do not feel that it's role to interfere with self-expression in any shape or form. They encourage children to read poems and stories written in ethnic dialects. Bilingual Muslim teachers are in a better position to teach English to their children.

Iftikhar Ahmad

http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk