Do Gods Die?- Michael Jackson’s Death

By Zaythoun Suleman- What do Man in the Mirror, Heal the world, Thriller, Bad and Billie Jean have in common? Yep, MICHAEL JACKSON. Many of us awoke this morning with the news that the “King of Pop” had a full cardiac arrest and died last night.

Many of us received and sent texts late last night about his death. As the news travelled around the globe, fans and the general population were and still are in shock. Michael Jackson is dead!

At the age of 50, the life of the man who many of us grew up with ended. He was a son, father and brother and loved by many others around the world.

He was due to tour London in a couple of weeks with tickets sold out within an hour of the opening. People were still hoping to get in to see him even if it meant paying £1000 a ticket.

Many people will have many different memories of the child star that began his career at 5 years old, whilst most children were playing. His songs and dancing influenced much imagination. The moonwalk became the in thing as was wearing one sequinced glove and pants revealing glittery socks underneath.

As the news of his death spread, many of his followers gathered outside UCLA hospital and his home. Many in total shock and disbelief that such a thing had happened.

Why has it been such a shock? Why is it hard to believe?

When I received a text at 11pm last night, I thought it had to be wrong until I saw it on the news. I questioned why I was shocked as death comes to each and everyone of us, so why should it surprise me so much… Did I believe he could not die? As this thought occurred to me, I realised Allah swt speech “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’oon – To Allah we belong and to him we shall return”

In the morning, I told my sons what had happened. To which one of them replied, “People thought of him as a God, but he died like everyone else”

Before I began practicing, his words from his song “Man in the mirror” influenced me! Many will remember the lyrics “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways and no message could have been any clearer, if u wanna, make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change. You gotta get it right whilst you got the time…”

And “Heal the world; make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race…” He sang many influential songs.

Many say that Michael Jackson died as a Muslim. The Daily Mail dated 21st November 2008 reported Michael Jackson had reverted to Islam and had changed his name to Mikaeel but Allah knows best.

If this is the case. May Allah swt grant his soul ease after such a hard life and grant him the best in the Akhirah… ameen. When a person dies, he is remembered for what he has done in this life. Every one of us will leave an imprint on people’s lives, let us make a positive one in which we will be rewarded in the Akhirah also Insha Allah.

Michael Jackson’s death to his followers reminded me of the death of Prophet Muhammed sallallahu alaihi salam many years ago.

When the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam died, Abu Bakr radiallahu Anhu came out to the waiting crowd of Muslims and said “O people, If anyone among you worshipped Muhammed, let him know that Muhammed is dead, but those who worshipped Allah, let them know that he lives and will never die…

MP Expenses Scandal- ‘Politicians’ OR ‘Democracy’ to blame?

By Majed Iqbal- “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” Thomas Jefferson

Such descriptions of the mythical ‘god like’ concept of democracy could not be described more aptly and with such significance than the times British Politics is going through right now.

The last few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for many MP’s in the whole Expenses debacle- a national laughing stock and growing signs of anger and frustration from the British Population at Government and Politicians across the board.

Ratings for News channels must have soared as reality TV took a new turn with each day unveiling who has been caught in another expenses scandal. In fact Newspapers might even be thinking of releasing an end of the month top 30 ‘Lunacy Chart’ that orders the most scandalous MP expenses Issue in order with a prize for the most ‘well behaved’.

As European Elections draw closer, there is huge debate on the Role of Politicians and huge question marks on whether Politics is a Career or a responsibility to the masses and constituents.

The endless line up of accusations and betrayal of trust has drawn a huge gulf between Politicians and the people. Can they be trusted? Especially with the entire farce that has been just so difficult to swallow.

Sir Gerald Kaufman Labour backbench MP for Manchester Gorton was accused of claiming his flat in a posh block near London’s Regent’s Park was “a slum” and putting in bills for £38,834 of work on the kitchen and bathroom. He also claimed £1,851 for an antique rug, £8,865 for a luxury TV and £1,262 for a gas bill that was actually £1,055 in credit. He has no mortgage on the property but still claimed £115,109 over seven years.

Tory backbench MP Nadine Dorries took £18,000 in rent payments. Beds daily between Westminster and her “second home” in Bedford, where her daughter goes to school and her dogs stay. This would mean she claimed expenses on the wrong property.

Tam Dalyell Labour backbench MP until 2005 Accused Of: Asking for £18,000 worth of designer bookcases for his Scottish turreted castle, the House of Binns, just eight weeks before retiring as MP.

David Chaytor was disgraced following the revelation he spent nearly a year claiming £12,925 for a loan he had already paid off.

Elliot Morley claimed £16,800 in 18 months after clearing his second home’s mortgage.
There was even an Oscar level performance between parties to present themselves as the leaders of rectifying the situation. Gordon Brown challenged David Cameron to justify why taxpayers should pay millionaire MPs’ mortgages.

He told Cameron: “The rich don’t need mortgages.”

Cameron, the wealthy Tory leader has been claiming close to the maximum to pay a £1,176-a-month mortgage on a £1.4million Oxfordshire house.

Rich Shadow Chancellor George Osborne bought his £445,000 constituency home in Cheshire for cash but then raised a mortgage on it, charging the taxpayer £1,560 a month.

Anthony Steen Tory backbench MP for Totnes tried to use the sympathy vote after claiming the maximum £87,729 over four years for items including tree surgery, protecting shrubs against rabbits, a wrought iron fireplace and a survey of his rhododendrons at his £1million Devon mansion.

He Said “It’s just the system is wrong and for the public it’s totally confusing and they think we’re all crooks – but we’re not.”

Are these all just simply examples of rotten apples that need to be ‘pushed out’ to allow more ripe and a newer breed of Politicians to come out?

The American Writer, Elwyn Brooks described so simply that “Democracy is itself, a religious faith. For some it comes close to being the only formal religion they have”.

Hence it is of no surprise that Politicians have run away from criticising the ‘D’ word- Democracy. And this is no different for the News Channels, Newspapers, Magazines, Political websites, journals and blogs, all who have criticised politicians and not the Democratic system which breeds such corruption.

What is even more surprising is how the Muslim community has constantly been bulldozed into accepting democracy as part of parcel of a formation of a common identity and shared values that all British citizens must subscribe to.

In fact it was Hazel Blears, another Politician in the firing line over expenses claims, that even organised a Muslim youth advisory group to tackle ‘extremism’ and mobilise this body to engage in Politics as a counter path to those who advocate non –participation for the very above reasons.

As part of these efforts we have already seen ‘Exemplar’ ‘Muslim’ politicians presented to us in the past as voices for the Muslim Community but in the last weeks have really shown that their politics has nothing to do with serving communities but only themselves.

After Blear’s scandal, are such Politicians in the position to lecture the Muslim community on the ideals and ‘benefits’ of Democracy?

Are Shahid Malik and Khalid Mehmood simply just bad Muslims that need to be replaced with better Muslim in the Democratic process?

The ‘D’ word has reached a stage where it is sacrosanct to even question it, despite the fact that as a system it is institutionally corrupt, produces terrible laws and has switched off millions from the political process.

So is there any surprise that Muslims in Britain challenge the narrative of Democracy as the only form of governance that can guarantee prosperity? Is there any surprise when the same ideals are imposed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan that people in these regions show concern? How can such a discredited system be presented as ‘the’ model of governance countries should have?

Even more so, how can the British Government in their latest adventure, the “Contest 2” document label a Muslim as extremist who challenges Democracy?

“We want to move away from just challenging violent extremism. We now believe that we should challenge people who are against democracy and state institutions”,

This is not just a grievance relegated to a particular community, but seems to be an idea that many have reservations for- and this is not just restricted to the recent expenses furore.

“Democracy means simply the bludgeoning of the people by the people for the people.” Oscar Wilde

“The more you read and observe about this Politics thing you got to admit that each party is worse than the other” – Will Rogers

“Saying we should keep the two-party system simply because it is working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts.” – Eugene McCarthy

A lump of Clay

By Zaythoun Suleman- Imagine being handed a lump of clay with the challenge of moulding it into something beautiful. You have seven years “wet” time when it will be easier to mould, followed by seven years “drying” time when you are able to correct those imperfections made during the wet period followed by a lifetime of back seat viewing to be there for when the finished product needs attention.

Although, you have absolutely no idea on how to mould clay, you naturally accept the offer as it resembles you or your partner. After an undefined amount of time (1 day – many years), the rightful owner will take it back and you will be asked about how you dealt with the challenge.

Yes, the lump of clay is a baby. Even though we carry them for up to 42 weeks whilst fathers wait eagerly, nothing can prepare us for the first time we lay our eyes on them. Although, they are purple and look like something out of a science fiction movie, to us they seem like the most beautiful person ever.

I remember the first time I saw my eldest son, he was so small with shiny black hair and as his little eyes scanned the surroundings, I found myself repeatedly saying “You are so beautiful!”

Hours later, when alone with him; I stroked his soft face gently, amazed to finally meet the one who had been living inside me all this time. It was then the realisation hit me – I was a mother. A huge sense of responsibility overwhelmed me and for the first time since becoming pregnant, I felt fear. What do I do with the baby? How do I take care of him? What kind of upbringing do I give to him? All these new problems started popping up and I felt a feeling of awe of the creator. How small and insignificant I really was that I did not even know what to do with a newborn baby and I dreaded to hear him cry!

In the weeks following, it became a common practice that he cried for food, cried when wet, cried when bored and cried when in pain and the fact of the matter was it all sounded the same for a while. Crying was all he knew. He worked both day and night shifts without prior warning, resulting in countless sleepless nights and bags under my eyes and my weekly shop to the supermarket consisted of a chance to meet up with new mothers in the nappy aisle to discuss best nappy brands. Welcome to the countless problems of parenthood!

I knew that I wanted the best solutions for my child just like any parent. However, what was the best? I did not just want him to be successful in this life I wanted him to be successful in this life and the Akhirah. I wanted him to enter Jannah and to achieve that I would have to teach how to pray at seven so he could be regularly praying by ten, I wanted him to be a walking, talking Qur’an like the Prophet Muhammed sallallahu alahi wasalam and the sahabah. The only problem was I was not practicing and children learn from what we do not what we say!

I suddenly realised I had two paths in front of me; years later, I compare this to how Neo from Matrix must have felt when he was offered the choice of the red or blue pill. In my case and many other parents who embark on the journey of Islam the taking of one pill would keep us in the rat race life which would have surely lead us to our destruction and the fire or the other pill which would lead us to an undiscovered path into Jannah.

That day, I chose the pill, which would lead to Jannah Insha Allah.

I began by naming him after Usamah ibn Zaid. (The son of Zaid – Prophets adopted son) We shaved his hair on the seventh day, endured the pain of circumcision six weeks later all for the love of Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and his beloved Prophet.

Every problem, I came across had many solutions, given by mums, parenting books and western specialists. I took the positive, which did not contradict Islam and left the ones that did.

I remember the midwife telling me to leave my baby crying and to only feed him every two hours but when he cried, my natural reaction was to comfort and feed him because he seemed hungry. It became a constant battle between trusting my instincts or trusting the “professionals”. I came across the hadith of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam making the prayer shorter because a baby was crying and he knew the amount of distress it was causing the mother. He did that so the mother could tend to the baby. I compared the two reactions to a baby crying and found the Islamic solution a better option and my baby did too…

How do our children learn?

Learning begins in the womb and continues with admission into the world, by hearing voices and watching actions. Children are like sponges. They absorb information at an alarming rate, they boogy with boogy beebies and stick pencil crayons between knuckles imitating Wolverine. With the wide variety of TV programmes, movies, pop idols, internet, magazines and graphic novels available – you will find them picking up some bad habits too.

It begins with a word which becomes a habit, a continued habit becomes apart of their personality and their personality determines their success in the present, future and Akhirah.

So, what is our role as mums and dads? Should we sit and watch our cherished lump of clay turn into a prickly cactus, or do we try to reshape it back into the intended flower before it becomes dry?

Form a bond of affection with them so they will turn to you when they have problems InshaAllah

One of my toughest challenges was to show affection in the early days as all he wanted to do was cry, which I later understood was his way of communicating needs. As I had not been shown affection as a child, I did not know how to give it until I came across the story of a Bedouin who came to the Prophet

Muhammed sallahu alaihi wa salam and said “Do you kiss your sons? As we do not.”

To which the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam replied, “What can I do for you if Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala has removed mercy from your heart?”

In a beautiful hadith, where Aaishah radhi alllahu anha reported that whenever Fatimah came into the room, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam would stand up, welcome her, kiss her and offer her a seat, and whenever he came into the room, she would stand up, take his hand, welcome him, kiss him and offer him her seat. SubhanAllah, this is a beautiful example of how our child can learn from us with the simplest of habits.

I realised that if I wanted him to be affectionate, I would have to show him affection, so from that moment on, I cuddled and kissed him when he was sad and happy, stroked his hair as I passed him, I tickled him for no other reason apart from showing him affection. When we meet, we give salaam and when we depart, we give salaam.

My youngest picked this up alhamdulillah, you will see him running up to aunties with hijabs on he does not know in the supermarket and giving salaam to them and he will be stroking babies heads in a loving manner and shushing the crying babies in the masjid for Jumah prayers.

Give them a sound education so they are able to distinguish right from wrong.

Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala reminds us “O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones…”Surah 66 verse 6

So what is education? Is education just academia?

When I began home schooling my sons, years ago – It was the scariest moment ever but I did it for the pleasure of Allah swt and his deen and he swt made it easy for me.

I realised the definition of education from Islam wasn’t just academia, it was about having an Islamic personality which would be distinct from the western personality, it would be someone who knew what was right and wrong and be aware that all actions had an affect in this life and the Akhirah. Someone who would do that which pleased Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and keep away from those actions which displeased him. They would feel the love of the Ummah when it cried, when Gaza was in pain, these children would join marches, demos, and make sincere du’as in their prayers. They would defend the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam when others made fun of him. The Qur‘an would be entwined in their life. They would dream about meeting the Prophets one day and imagine the questions they would ask them. They would draw paintings of what they would like in Jannah…

Make sure they have good friends.

The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam reminds us “The good companion and the bad companion are like the bearer of musk and the one who pumps the bellows. With the bearer of Musk, either he will give you a share, or you will buy from him or you will smell a pleasant scent from him; but with the one, who pumps the bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you will smell a foul stench from him (Bukhari and Muslim). Therefore, we must guide our children to choose good friends.

Discipline on which displeases Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala rather than the people

When children misbehave, ask yourself “Have they done something to displease Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala or the people?” Is their a difference?

A child spilling a drink on the floor isn’t displeasing Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala as the child is not accounted for this action but the recording angel will note down the parents reaction. Understanding the child is not held accountable by Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala shines a different light to the scenario.

In many homes, you will find Mothers wiping up spills asking their child in a calm manner to be careful next time and educating the child to be more responsible by watching their drink. They understand their reward is from Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala Insha Allah.

When you chose the solution from Islam over other solutions, you feel totally liberated, almost as though the shackles have been broken and you can breathe the fresh air. You feel the peace and tranquillity flow through your veins instantly.

I recently asked a father how he managed to discipline his 14-year-old son, to which he replied, “Our children always knew we were the parents” They set this principle from the beginning and kept it consistent in their life.

How do you deal with challenges that children face in the west?

“We talk to our children about all issues they come across in great detail openly, It’s then up to us to trust them enough to make correct decisions”

Another parent jokingly replied, “I have told him that if he has a relationship with a girl, I will perform their nikah straight away!” Giving clear solutions from Islam at all times SubhanAllah.

We need to remember that children are an amanah (trust) for a set period; they may leave this earth before or after us.

We have no guarantees of how they turn out and that is the beauty of Islam. We will not be asked about how they turned out by Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala, just what we did with the time we had with our little lump of clay.

The prophet sallallahu alaihi wa salam reminded us: Beware! Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible and answerable for his flock. The leader and the ruler is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects; a man is a guardian over his family and shall be questioned about them; a woman is the guardian over the household of her husband and his children and will be questioned about them….Beware! Every one of you is a guardian and every one of you will be questioned with regard to this trust (Bukhari & Muslim)

It is true what a loving sister once wrote “What we do in this life truly echoes in eternity” And as Muslims, we want what we do in this life to echo in this life and in the Akhirah Insha Allah…

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- “Renting while Muslim”- India’s new Conundrum

The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper examining if India had really progressed as a secular democracy in light of revelations of further discrimination of Muslims in housing.

The full Article can be read here. Read the newspaper online on the Look Asia Website .

“Renting While Muslim”- India’s new Conundrum!

By Majed Iqbal- Indian Elections are in full Swing as the Worlds largest democracy takes its course to decide the future of its 1.1 billion populous.

India’s marathon elections entered the penultimate phase of the five-stage election with parties going head to head in the last rounds. In this festival like Election fever, feelings around politics and the future of India have been mixed as citizens and observers abroad put their thoughts forward.

“Indian democracy is nothing but a miracle” said one person.

“It is a shinning example that how 1.1 billion people with different ethnicity, religion, caste and language can vote together is a victory of democracy and its institutions”

“The greatest democratic operation in the world is a model to every country” said another”

Some had more deeper and sceptical views about the whole Election process.

“In this country the educated don’t vote because they think it will make no difference and the poor don’t seem to realize the reason of voting”

“Politicians try to influence village people by giving hate speeches about there opposite candidate or they will try to raise religious issues; if that does not work, maybe they use violence or money which might work for them”
“Corruption runs so deep in government and different offices of this country that every Indian has now started to live by the rule set by corrupt people to pay and get your work done”

In the midst of these views is a new phenomenon which is set to take its toll during the election period which has come to limelight in more recent times.

“Renting while Muslim” has been the new label for the discrimination in finding rented accommodation Muslims receive in India.

Whilst communal in-fighting and tensions over the years has been apparent in India, the new phenomenon of “Renting while Muslim” has remained more low key and goes beyond just the ‘ordinary’ Muslim facing problems with housing from Hindu landlords.

Palvisha Aslam, 22, a Bollywood producer, wanted a spacious bedroom and a kitchen that overlooked a garden in a middle-class neighbourhood that was a short commute to Film City, where many of India’s Hindi movies are shot.
She was about to sign the lease when the real estate broker noticed her surname. He didn’t realize that she was Muslim, he said. Then he rejected her. He then showed her a grimy one-room tenement in a Muslim-dominated ghetto.

“That night I cried a lot. I was still an outcast in my own country — even as a secular Muslim with a well-paid job in Bollywood,” said Aslam.

Rana Afroz, a Muslim editor with the newspaper the Hindu has been investigating such issues after spending three months unable to find a landlord willing to rent to her and her husband.

“It is ridiculous that I have to prove to non-Muslims that I am not making bombs in my kitchen,” she said. “Is this really the modern India I live in?”

Since the Mumbai Attacks, such stories have become the norm even among some of the countries most beloved Bollywood actors, screenwriters and producers with a Muslim background in India’s most cosmopolitan city.

India has seen a rise in Muslims participating at the highest level for the country. From the Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan and Zaheer Khan Cricketing sensations for the Indian Cricket team right to the “King Khan” status of the most popular Actor of the Bollywood film Industry Sharukh Khan, things have still not set course for India’s secular Democracy, home to 150 million Muslims; one of the largest Muslim communities in the world.

“The ethos of Bombay is a city open to the world. The Muslims of this city feel that way, too. But the real question is why do we as Indian Muslims always have to be proving our loyalty?” asked Nawman Malik, a popular Bollywood producer who spent months searching for an apartment.

In India, Muslims are often segregated, and experience high poverty rates and low literacy. Although they make up nearly 14 percent of India’s population, they hold fewer than 5 percent of government posts and are just 4 percent of the student body in India’s elite universities, according to a 2006 government report.

Having the credentials of being the Worlds largest Democracy and presenting itself as a secular State has not rubbed itself well with India’s Muslim population. Fingers can be easily pointed out at politicians who may have exacerbated tensions for Political purposes, but the notion of a secular India offering a promising future for all citizens regardless of race, religion and caste is somewhat difficult to digest.

Maybe questions on the suitability of secularism for India should be raised.

Sex at five? No thanks!

By Zaythoun Suleman- When I was five, all I wanted was to play with my friends and enjoy my childhood under the cloudless skies and fields full of daisies. I was unaware of the dangers and evils of this world and if it was up to me, I would have loved to have it kept that way for as long as possible.



Do our children really need to begin knowing about sex and relationships at 5 years old? Is making them aware of their body parts and sexual acts preparing them to make informed decisions for the future or is the Government opening Pandora's box even further? A box filled with evil unleashed to plague the innocent mind is surely doing more damage than good.

The evil spreading reminds me of nuclear bombs dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the effect of which is long-term devastation and destruction for many years to come. Instead of equipping them to protect themselves from the monsters of society, Isn't SRE making them more vulnerable with this knowledge?

Children are an amanah (trust) given to us by Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala; with their minds fresh and like sponges, they absorb information from all around them. They are like a handful of clay that can be moulded to form any shape. It is up to us as parents or carers on how we should mould them.

So how do we as parents reply when our children come and ask us "Mum/Dad where do babies come from?"

Muslim Parents face prosecution over school ‘Gay Week’ protest

By Majed Iqbal- Muslim parents who withdrew their children out of school to prevent them being taught about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender relationships are facing prosecution.



The East London primary, George Tomlinson School, has hit the headlines when around 30 pupils were absent from a week of special lessons to highlight non-heterosexual partnerships.

The row has once again bought the debate forward to the suitability of such explicit subjects, which were once introduced in the late years of High School some years back and are now being exposed and presented to young children at Primary Level.

As part of the ‘learning' process, students were planned to watch a special adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian. Stories covered in the lessons at George Tomlinson School included a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses before falling in love with one of their brothers and the tale of Roy and Silo - two male penguins who fall in love.

Leaked Government document “Contest 2” says you are an Extremist

By Majed Iqbal- The Muslim community has been taken back by a new leaked document by the government which plans to ban traditional Islamic ideas, equating them with extremism.



The document titled ‘Contest 2' was leaked to the press last month in the Guardian Newspaper and covered on a BBC Panorama episode where the classification of an extremist was broadened to include anyone whose views do not correspond to the ‘government' definition of shared British values.

The new proposals in the leaked document plan to tackle people who are not involved in violence or support terrorism. Under the current proposals, British Muslims would be considered "extremist" if they advocated non-participation in UK elections, called for the creation of a caliphate, promoted Shariah for the Muslim world and argued that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God.

Additionally, extremist views would include supporting armed resistance by Palestinians against Israel as seen in the current Gaza conflict - and a failure to condemn the killing of British service personnel in Iraq or Afghanistan.

BBC and Sky's ‘impartial' coverage of Gaza come under raps!

By Majed Iqbal- Sky News and the BBC came under heavy criticism on their refusal to broadcast an emergency appeal for Gaza by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella group of humanitarian charities including Oxfam, Save the Children and the Red Cross, in spite of renewed pressure from the public on the grounds that it would jeopardise their neutrality.



The decision added further to fury to many in Britain who believed that the coverage of the Gaza massacre by the BBC and Sky news amidst many other Western news Corporations leaned more favourably to viewing the whole events through Israeli lenses with considerable airtime offered to people to speak with this angle.

More than 10,000 people protested in central London against the BBC's refusal to air the DEC aid appeal for Gaza which was followed by incidents in the week where BBC buildings in London and Manchester were occupied by protesters.

John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York said "This is not an appeal by Hamas asking for arms but by the Disasters Emergency Committee asking for relief"

It's time to look beyond Obama

By Waseem Aslam- The inauguration of Barrack Obama was a true 21st Century world event, with live coverage being beamed all across the globe. Obama for many is not just a replacement for George Bush but a real sense of hope for the future - this includes many in the Muslim world.



A charismatic speaker who has a way with words, it is easy to see why so many are drawn to the new President of the Untied States. Add on top of that the fact that he is the first Black President then it is little wonder the world is in such awe of Obama.

It is however, imperative that Muslims across the globe look at Obama in the cold light of day and not with rose tinted glasses. Despite the fact that he has promised to close Guantanamo Bay (which was due for closure anyway) his attitude towards the Muslim world is little different to that of the Bush administration. It must not be forgotten he pledged to follow the Taliban into Pakistan and has pledged 100% backing for the state of Israel, both financially and politically.

Many of these issues require a more detailed discussion; however, one thing the Muslims who are dumfounded by Obamamania can learn from the man himself is the idea of self reliance. The core message of this campaign was for average Americans to help themselves and thus help America.

COMMENT: Dutch MP ordered to be Prosecuted after anti-Islamic Statements

By Majed Iqbal- After months of rhetoric only now the Courts move in for incitement of religious hatred against Dutch MP Geert Wilders. Will Denmark follow suit next charging the Editors of Jyllands Posten Newspaper who published and re-published later offensive cartoons of the Prophet of Islam??



How about Prosecuting Jack Straw for his remarks on the Muslim women's veil? Or Tony Blair for calling aspects of Islam as an evil-ideology? Or David Cameron for continuously calling to ban non-violent mainstream Islamic political parties like Hizb ut-Tahrir?

By painting the Dutch MP as some form of extremist on the European Political Scene, Mainstream politicians are trying to absolve themselves of having anything to do with such thinking.

'Another' cheap point scoring exercise on Gaza Issue by Rochdale Politician

By Majed Iqbal-New allegations that the ongoing conflict in Gaza is leading to an 'acute sense of anger and despair felt in Rochdale' 'and 'could do great damage to race relations in communities like Rochdale', aired by Parliamentary Candidate Simon Danczuk are being met with raised eyebrows by Rochdale Muslims.



In a meeting with Bill Rammell MP, the UK Minister for the Middle East, Mr Danczuk warned the that the Gaza conflict is creating a huge sense of grievance and injustice in Muslim communities and that Britain must step up the diplomatic pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire.

Last week Paul Rowen MP attempted to come into the limelight on the Gaza Issue with his open letter trying to make a 'stand' after a muted two weeks and now the Muslim community was being greeted with words of despair from the Parliamentary candidate for Rochdale.

Simon Danczuk's statements feed off the impressions he got at a recent Gaza Event in Rochdale where a jammed packed audience raised concerns at the ongoing massacring in Gaza. Many people raised their opinions on what could be done to stop the escalating situation.

Comments like "If the world could unite against Nazism, Apartheid and see their end then why cant the world put a stop to Zionism which is embodied in the principle foundation of the Israeli State?"

Other comments voiced their concern on how the world and the UN issued sanctions on Iraq and then invaded Iraq with a regime change and why it was now not possible to do the same for Israel as the same actions are being conducted by them?

COMMENT- Zardari confers Prestigious award to Boucher for 'services' to Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- President Zardari decided to begin the new year of 2009 by rubbing further salts in the wounds of the people in Pakistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was given the prestigious civilian award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam for his 'services' to Pakistan.



These services include meddling in the affairs of the government of Pakistan , use of Pakistani airspace to bombard the border areas in air raids which have killed thousands of innocent civilians and displaced further tens of thousands from their homes in FATA, setting up of over 50 FBI offices to monitor and detain those who question the actions of the government as detailed in the Amnesty International latest report where over 550 have been reported missing, and for playing a pivotal role to bring a change in government through the removal of the previous Presidnet, Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels

Soon after receiving the award Boucher insisted that US air attacks against Pakistan would continue.

Rochdale Politicians score cheap points on Gaza Issue

By Majed Iqbal- When one Reads between the lines of the Open letter on Gaza submitted by the Rochdale MP, Paul Rowen, he has actually done no different to what the rest of the British media and Politicians have done- That is to condemn Hamas and blame them for the cause of the issues in the current crisis.



Peace in that area cannot be brokered with a war-mongering and rogue state like Israel.

Where is the United Nations that placed sanctions on Iraq for over 10 years when Iraq allegedly did not comply with UN resolutions, starving millions of vital medical supplies who suffered from depleted Uranium used by Allied forces?

Israel has NEVER abided by any of the UN resolutions passed on it- Where are the sanctions on Israel by the international community who backed the UN on Iraqi sanctions in the late 90's???

The MP's request for the EU, UN and US to place any pressure on Israel will fall on deaf ears as none of these blocks have any vested interests in doing so. History is witness to this each time demonstrating from their un-relenting praise and support for the Israeli State.

Mumbai Attacks- Pakistan's ISI comes under fire

In the continued efforts and pre-Iraq invasion styled rhetoric, the US continues to jab away in any way possible at Pakistan to present the case against the country as being on the brink of disaster.



Now the intelligence services run under fire accused of in-directly supporting armed militant groups. In these endeavours old recruits from the ISI are being named by the US to be added onto the UN list of people and organisations linked to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

"It goes beyond information sharing to include some funding and training" The Times quotes one US official as saying. "And these are not rogue ISI elements. What's going on is done in a fairly disciplined way".

A report, which appeared in The Washington Post's Sunday issue, claimed that Islamabad has agreed to a 48-hour deadline set by India and the US for key suspects to be handed over to India. New Delhi was keen to see the extradition of 20 suspects including former director of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Hamid Gul.

Condoleeza rice in her visits levelled similar accusations stating that "Pakistan has had historic links with these armed groups previously" referring to the relationship of the Intelligence services and movements operating in the Kashmir region.

COMMENT: Mumbai Attacks- Is Pakistan now on the Defensive?

Published on the Asian News Website

By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan's weak government, despite claiming that we are not on the back foot on the Mumbai Blasts is surely feeling the heat.

Whilst the foreign minister argues that there was no reason for Pakistan to be on the defensive over the attacks, the President, Mr zardari went as far as offering a no first-use of nuclear weapons, ignoring decades of established policy.

The apparently off-the-cuff remark in an interview with Indian media astonished Pakistanis as much as Indians.

Whilst the Foreign minister talks about not being defensive, the President does exactly that.

With no consistent line on how to tackle the Mumbai blasts scenario, Pakistan will end up presenting itself a failed state who is unable to deal with the challenges it is facing- whether economic, political or Foreign affairs.

This case which is being built internationally against Pakistan as a failed state is a pre-requisite to any further action by outside powers in an Iraq style invasion. Before that, the rhetoric now drums up against this country which from being an ally of the US, now faces being the next casualty in the War on Terror.

Mumbai Attacks, Pakistan and the American strategy

By Majed Iqbal- "The terrorist attack on Mumbai is an audacious challenge to India's Nation State. While maintaining calm and unity, we must all resolve to break the back of India's enemies. Clearly, the terrorists have declared a full-scale war on India and sought to sever the country's economic nerve with their meticulously planned carnage across the metropolis".

The words echoed by India's Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani could sum up how the Indian nation is feeling after the unfortunate events in Mumbai that took place in the last week of November as well as providing us with glimpses of where the anger is being directed at.

The blame game over who was responsible for the attacks turned into internal chaos as Indian ministers came in the firing line. Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil and national security adviser MK Narayanan submitted their resignations amid growing pressure on the Indian government to explain why it was unable to prevent the strike in which at least 172 died.

Pakistan immediately became the first target for Indian officials to point the finger of blame on which began from the onset of the crisis with hardly any investigation done. India's Deputy Home Minister, Shakeel Ahmad, told the BBC it was "very clearly established" that all the attackers were from Pakistan. "Whether they had government backing or whether there was any official involvement in it - it will come to light after proper investigation," Mr. Ahmad said.

The Jewel of Medina- Is this Sherry Jone's idea of "Honouring" Islam?

By Majed Iqbal- The passion of the Christ, The Satanic Verses, The Last Temptation of Christ, Danish cartoon of Prophet Mohammad and sketches of Hindu Goddess- recent times have seen plenty of controversies surrounding religion under the shroud of Freedom of expression.



In addition to these on-going debates lands the latest hot issue in the form of a Book titled "Jewel of Medina" by Sherry Jones that has made it one of the most controversial books of the season is the next showdown in this battle of ideas of religious sensitivities and the values of the 'free world'.

Jones book is based on the life and events surrounding the Wife of the Prophet of Islam, Aisha, a renowned and well respected figure head for all Muslims referred to as "The mother of the believers".

Sherry Jones has said, "I wanted to honor Aisha and all the wives of Muhammad by giving voice to them, remarkable women whose crucial roles in the shaping of Islam have so often been ignored – silenced – by historians. Anyone who reads the book will not be offended," Jones said. "I wrote the book with the utmost respect for Islam."

Chief Justice of India praises Islamic penal code

The Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan has hailed the Islamic penal code saying they were effective in deterrence against the criminal offenders. Addressing a workshop on "Growing Crimes – deterrent punishment : search for appropriate theory of punishment", organized by the organization of Retired Judges and NALSAR University at the Andhra Pradesh High Court Balakrishnan gave the example of Gulf countries.

"People say the laws in those countries were harsh but it is a fact that because of the harsh punishments, the crime rate in those countries is very low".

"Women can move around even at midnight with out any fear", he said. "Even traffic rules were so strict that there were very few traffic accidents in those countries".

He recalled that till 1857, Islamic penal system was in force in India and the law and order situation in the country was very good.

"The introduction of Indian Penal Code was a good move but the law and order situation in the country did not remain the same", Chief Justice said. Pointing out that in contrast to the Gulf countries, India was a democratic country. "But in our country neither the women can move around with out fear nor there is any respect for the traffic rules", he said.

Chief Justice Lord Phillips and his Misconceptions on Shariah Law

By Majed Iqbal- What was sparked off as a major discussion in February this year by Archbishop Rowan Williams on Shariah law has once again re-surfaced in the Media. However, this time its not a religious figure who will be maligned by the nation for promoting values of Islam instead of his own faith.

Joining the discussion this time round is Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers who has said "There is no reason why sharia principles, or any other religious code, should not be the basis for mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution".

The judge said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, had been misunderstood when it was reported in February that he said British Muslims could be governed by sharia law. "Dr Williams suggested that sharia could play a role in aspects of marital law, the regulation of financial transactions and authorised structures of mediation and conflict resolution. It was not very radical to advocate embracing sharia law in the context of family disputes" he said.

Whilst one would warm to the comments made by the Chief Justice in appreciating how Shariah has the ability to resolve disputes in a manner in personal lives in a decent and befitting manner, much to the contrary of what is seen in wider society, his understanding of how shariah deals with crime and punishment in societal life seems to be marred with the same images of 'Kangaroo courts' displayed in Tabloid press and documentaries that have hit our screens.