Mandela’s Muslim Grandson Bans Alcohol

Mandla Mandela

The eldest grandson of late Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, has banned the sale of alcoholic drinks from his village. The 42 year old was made the king of Mvedo in eastern cape-town which happens to be a predominantly Christian town by Nelson Mandela in 2007. Mandla who embraced Islam in February 2016 has however said that the new move has no religious under-tone. He said his decision was humanitarian considering the harmful effects alcohol has on the society, he explained his point by referring to the death of his own father. He said, “One of the direct causes or influences of his death was alcohol. He told me and Ndaba [Mandla's younger brother] that we must look at him as an example that alcohol is bad, that we must never drink alcohol.” Mandla’s father died of AIDS in 2005. So far, Mandla has instructed bars and local pubs to stop selling alcohol on the land, he has also banned trucks carrying alcohol from coming into the town.

Salman al-Farsi (The Good)

Salman al-Farisi was a seeker of Truth, he grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the village of Jayyan. His father was the chief of the village and was the richest person there. Salman’s father loved him more than any other person so he kept me at home, in the same way that young girls were kept. Salman became devoted to the Magian religion so much so that he attained the position of custodian of the fire which they worshipped. His duty was to see that the flames of the fire remained burning day and night. Salman came across a group of Christians and was attracted to their religion. His father feared that he might leave the religion of their fore-fathers, he kept Salman in

Scotland’s First Family of Hijab Wearing Officers

In the month of June of 2016, police Scotland announced that it was incorporating the hijab as part of the police uniform to accommodate women from the Muslim community who shun the job. That seems to be yielding results as a Muslim woman, Shafqat Rafi and her daughter, Aleena Rafi have gotten to the final stages of becoming police officers. Shafqat, 50, said, “Sometimes people just see the hijab and not what is underneath. Our religion teaches us to help each other, Islam means peace.” Her daughter, Aleena, 19, in a joyful mood said, “People have stereotypes about people from ethnic minorities wearing a hijab - that they are oppressed or forced to wear it. People will see we can do anything - it doesn’t make us any less able.” Police Scotland justified its move last year saying minority groups in the country are poorly represented in the force; hence the need to make adjustments that will encourage minorities (especially Muslims) to join. A department in the force call Positive Action Team which is run by Chief Inspector Ann Bell has been established to help entice people from minority backgrounds. The Chief Inspector said, “Whenever we mention the introduction of the hijab at events in the community there’s a round of applause - it has been really really well received”.

Philipino Muslim Community To Establish First Rehab

In an effort to assist government re-incorporate drug addicts into the society, the Ayala foundation has signed a partnership deal with the Marawi city government and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Minandao (ARMM) which will see the establishment of the Philippines’s first ever Muslim-community based rehab center. The facility which has been hinted will be called ‘Siyapen’ which means ‘care’ in Maranao, will have bed space for 70 in-patients but will also provide services to out-patients. Siyapen which will be occupying an already existing building owned by the city government of Marawi, will provide opportunities for the patients to engage in re-creational activities and also enjoy visits from loved ones which helps the recovery process. The proximity of the facility to a Masjid and a close coordination with the Imam is hoped will enhance the spiritual cleansing of the patients. The construction arm of Ayala Land Inc; Makati Development Corp (MDC) will refurbish the facility from January to April after which the facility will be handed over to the city government of Marawi. The president of the Ayala Foundation, Ruel Manaran said during the signing ceremony, “In building Siyapen, we hope to provide a space where person-centered recovery is made first priority, thereby paving the way for meaningful reintegration into society. We believe that the Siyapen Center will contribute significantly to the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents in ARMM, primarily in Marawi City”. Marawi is estimated to have over 600 drug addicts.

Nigerian Police: Why Can't Muslims Show Islam?

Logo: Nigerian Police Force

Most Nigerians alive today have never seen a police man wearing a beard irrespective of his religious inclinations, neither have we ever seen a female officer wearing a scarf, in a nut shell, asides the name tags on uniforms, there is absolutely nothing to show that Muslim officers are  proud of their faith. This has cause many upright Muslims in Nigeria to shun serving in the military and paramilitary agencies. Due to the trust and reliability that Muslims have showed over the years, Western nations are devising various means to entice Muslims to join their military and paramilitary bodies. On November 28 2016, the police Commissioner for New York City, James P. O’Neil announced that the NYPD was making adjustments to their dress code which saw Muslim and Sikh officers being granted the right to grow their beards and even wear the turban if they so wish.  This came after an earlier episode in New York when a judge ruled on June 22 2016 that a Muslim officer, Masood Syed, be reinstated and paid damages after he was suspended for growing his beard. Islamic appearance for female officers should not be left out, in June 2016; the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) gave its approval for female Muslim police officers to wear the hijab as part of their uniform. As has been proven in places like Afghanistan, Pakistan and the likes, the length or thickness of the beard has absolutely nothing to with one’s ability to operate an AK-47, a magnum or even an RPG. In confirmation of this, on January 3 2017, the U.S. Army released new regulations that would allow Muslim soldiers grow their beards (males) and even wear the hijab (females). But, how comes in most countries of the world including Nigeria; military and paramilitary male officers are prohibited from keeping their beards regardless of their religious beliefs but are allowed to grow their moustache? Is the beard and moustache not composed of the same organic matter called hair? Besides, the constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion. Non-Muslims in Nigeria or anywhere else do not have the constitutional right to stop Muslim military personnel from showing their religious beliefs just as Muslims do not stop Christian personnel from wearing the crucifix. It should be however implemented that only people belonging to religions that emphasize growing beards or wearing the hijab are allowed to so as is the norm in Western nations where Muslim officers are allowed to practice their faith openly while serving. As for Muslim police officers in New York, they have to seek approval from the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, a Nigerian version can be coined. Looking at the countries that grant these freedoms to Muslim personnel, we see that they are secular countries (even more secular than Nigeria) so no one will be on point to call the implementation of these adjustments in Nigeria an Islamization attempt.

CAUTION
The argument and facts stated above would make many Muslims nod their heads saying, “This is how it should be”. But, coming home to Nigeria where the police are arguably the second most cursed federal government agency after the electric power authorities owing to the heinous crimes the security outfit perpetrates against the masses such as: rape, extrajudicial killings, extortion, e.t.c. some people argue that the introduction of the beard and hijab to the dress code of the military and paramilitary outfits will be a stain on Islam. Imagine the sight of a police officer with a beard or hijab demanding a N20 bribe from you, is this inevitable or not? We also live in an era where there are endless conspiracies against Muslims. Think of the possibility of evil agents disguising as Muslim officers to perpetrate heinous crimes which would be blamed on some ‘devoted Muslim officers’. Would the Muslim community be able to dictate who is allowed to look like a Muslim and otherwise?

Salon For Muslim Women to Open in New York

A New Yorker, Huda Quhshi has been moved by experiences in the past to start a salon for Muslim women even though, she says women from other faiths are also welcome. The 37 year old will be unveiling her salon, Le’Jamalik, on Sunday (in sha ALLAH) which will offer services such as hair dos, pedicures, manicures and henna applications. Huda said she was move to actualize the initiative when she had to hurriedly cover her hair and run to a back room in a salon when a man walked in. It is a sin for non-family members of a matured woman to see her hair without a cogent reason. The Le’Jamalik (‘for your beauty’ in Arabic ) salon will be opening on Sunday in Bay Ridge Brooklyn in New York.

ISESCO Selects Capital City for Islamic Culture for 2017

Official logo of ISESCO

The Islamic Education Scientific Cultural Organization (ISESCO) has named the Iranian city, Mashhad, the capital city for Islamic Culture for the year 2017. Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Reza Salehi Amiri said in a ceremony celebrating the event that the selection of the Iranian city showed the growing unity in the Muslim world. ISESCO’s Deputy Director General, Dr Amina Al Hajri, said the city was chosen due to its contribution to Islamic culture over the years. The ceremony was attended by 250 cultural figures from 51 countries. ISESCO was formed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in May 1979 with 52 member countries and is headquartered in Rabat, Morocco. Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri is the Director General ISESCO, the 66 year old is also the Secretary General of FUIW (Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World).

Islam Respects The Chastity of Women

Despite the fact that revertees to Islam (especially in the Western world) are mostly women, people critical of Islam have mostly brought their attacks from the women’s rights angle accusing Islam of ‘gross nonchalance’ to issues pertaining to the rights of women. 

Their points however fail to stand because they always place Islam on the scales of their cultures and interest. They have always failed to judge Islam as regards the effects of Islam on the creature called ‘woman’ or ‘female human’.

Muslims Keeping Up in Colombia

Sheikh Munir Valencia

The first Muslims arrived in Bonaventura Colombia in the 1960s when Esteban Mustapha Melendez arrived the port city with the Nation of Islam set of ideas. 90% of Bonaventura’s population is Afro-Colombian and the Muslim community has just about 300 members. After the 1960s, the influence of Esteban watered down and the Muslims of Bonaventura looked for other means of Islamic awareness. Members of the community travelled to Saudi Arabia and returned to introduce a main stream understanding of Islam different from the black supremacist views of NOI introduced by Esteban. The small Muslim community received more support after the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran which brought about financial support from Iran. Iran also gave scholarships to members of the community. Up to 50 people attend Jum’at prayers every Friday, led by the Imam, Sheikh Munir Valencia. Sheikh Valencia who said he aspired be become a priest was among the beneficiaries of the scholarships. The increased Muslim assistance shifted the attention of the community from America to Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries willing to assist. Valencia won a scholarship to study at the At-Tauhid mosque in Buenos Aires and then continued his studies at the University of Qom in Iran. Despite Bonaventura being among the most violent places in Colombia, Sheikh Valencia has been able to establish two private schools having 180 pupils. The schools, one of which is Silvia Zainab, has only five Muslim pupils but teaches both material and Islamic education. Sheikh Munir Valencia says as regards the schools that, they do not intend to convert anyone but to teach the pupils to respect other people’s religions.

Khawla bint Tha'labah (The One ALLAH Listened To)

Khawla bint Tha'labah was a great woman who enjoyed very high standing among the companions of the Prophet (SAW), who were her contemporaries and knew her virtues. Khawla exemplified patience while standing firm in her beliefs. She maintained her high standing through time, and people, including the stature of ‘Umar (ra), paid attention to what she had to say. The story of Khawla bint Tha'labah and her husband Aws ibn al-Samit is narrated by Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud and quoted by Ibn Kathir in his tafsir at the beginning of Surat al-Mujadilah.
Khawla said: "By Allah, concerning me and Aws ibn al-Samit, Allah revealed the beginning of Surat

Overcome Stammering Before Your Next Birthday

My name is Ibrahim, I am 28 years old. I got hold of my senses to discover that I was a stutterer. I had a somewhat tough childhood as a result of this. People would tell lies against me because they knew I could not speak audibly enough to defend myself. I sat down every now and then asking myself, “Will I continue the rest of my life like this?” From the age of 11, I started taking time to isolate myself, rehearsing words and expressions I found difficult to say (backed up with serious prayers). Whenever there was an incident I knew would be blamed on me, I would begin to rehearse my defense in preparation for when my dad got back from work. I continued like that for years until I came across a saying in a movie that goes, ‘No matter

Defend the Shari’a of Niger State

Late Engr Abdul Kadir Abdullahi Kure

From the account of people who were in Niger state before the Islamic Revolution of the year 2000, the only differences between Niger state and states like Anambra were that; there were regular calls to prayer in Niger state and the women dressed relatively more decently. Every other thing was more or less the same. After the 1999 elections, an engineer became the governor of the ‘Power state’. Everything was expected to continue in the same septic state but no, ALLAH had HIS plans. Some members of the Muslim Ummah decided to do things differently; they sparked-up the Shari’a debate. In an era when the idea was not likely to see the light of day; they succeeded. Zamfara state, headed by Ahmad Sanni Yarima declared Shari’a on January 27 2000. This paved the way for other Muslim-majority states to follow suit. States from the so-called middle belt were not expected to covet the status ‘Shari’a state’. But, on the 4th of May 2000, after much anxiety, Niger state, headed by Engineer Abdul Kadir Abdullahi Kure against the desires of traditionalists, haters and bigots signed the Shari’a code into law. The declaration of Niger state as a Shari’a brought about drastic positive changes in everyday life in the state. The changes majorly bordered around morality. Brothels were shut down, beer-parlors within the cities were sent packing into the bushes, adulterers and fornicators were tamed and to a very great extent; mini-casinos disappeared. With all these physical transformations came an invigorated spiritual awareness of the inhabitants of Niger state. The era of Kure passed, ushering the era of a new set of leaders. The popular saying among bigots, perverts and haters became, ’Shari’a has gone’ and they were not too far from the truth. The perverts gradually began to summon courage to rear their ugly heads once again and to our dismay, today in Niger state; Shari’a is heading for ground zero. It is no longer strange to see used condoms on our streets, we now see empty cans and bottles of beer on our dumping sites, gambling joints are springing up all over the place and the most dangerous of them all; the prostitutes are coming back. Some people try to tell us that Shari’a in Niger state ended with Kure’s rule but we tell them they are liars. In the records of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there are currently 12 states that are officially and constitutionally recognized as Shari’a states and the last time we checked, Niger state is one of them. This is not the time to criticize current leaders, but the time to tell them that this is a democracy and in a democracy; what the people want is what becomes law. As conscious Muslims of Niger state, we must be pro-active. There are people in government who want morality to thrive just as much as we do, but they have to be sure that the people will not leave them to the mercy of critics when issues arise. What makes this issue so simple is that: to get what we want, we not even quote an Ayah or Hadith. There are tens of thousands of secular communities across the globe where these vices are strictly frowned at. In the Nigerian constitution, prostitution is illegal. There used to be a time in Nigeria when certain places were raided frequently by police in search of gamblers. Even in Western nations, casinos are not found just anywhere. In 2014, Uganda; a predominantly non-Muslim country implemented nation-wide dress-code to improve decency and the non-Muslim citizens embraced the move wholeheartedly. All these being said, to make the come-back more effective, we must put our feet firm on the ground to ensure that traditionalists and sectarianists (among Muslims) do not have a say in how Islam works in Niger state and on the other hand, make sure that we do not leave the indigents to themselves. This was the major mistake that was made by the 2000-2007 sets across the country which gave bigots and haters spears to throw. Shari’a is not just about restrictions; it is most especially about the welfare of the masses. We need pressure groups of sincere men and women to point the leadership in the right direction. The most difficult task (signing the Shari’a code into law) has been done, it is left for those of us alive and healthy to do the easier part; keeping it in place. For all the people who made the Islamic Revolution possible, I say may ALLAH through their work for Islam in the state forgive them and as for the head of the revolution, Engineer Abdul Kadir Abdullahi Kure; may ALLAH grant him Jannatul Firduas-AMEEN.

Malaysia Set To Draft Shari'a State Road-Map

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, announced on Friday 20th January the convergence of the Islamic Religious cluster of the National Transformation 2050 (TN50). He said the dialogue was called for by the Prime Minister Najib Razak who instituted the panel a day ealier to seek the views of the relevant quarters and also to draft the Islamic agenda up to 2050. Dr Ahmad was quoted by pressmen to have said, "We will invite all the new and young ulamas because we want to know what we have to plan for, to carry out.” Deputy PM Ahmad also said the Islamic Religious cluster will seek to tailor Islamic education to suit the needs of the labour market. The state and national-level Quran Class e-Teacher Management and Fardu Ain Online (KAFA e-Teacher) systems have also been launched by Malaysian government.

Officials To Fight Corruption On Hajj

Holy Ka'aba

The Saudi Arabian government last week announced the increase in the quota of intending Nigerian pilgrims. 5 years ago, the Saudi government slashed the number of intending pilgrims in what it called a measure to boost safety during the expansion of the grand Masjid. While jubilant, the public relations officer of Media Awareness Initiative for Hajj (MAI-HAJJ) Kabiru Yusuf, urged the pilgrims board of the thirty-six states to show preference to first-timers and also to check the activities of those who try to obtain hajj seats ‘through the back door’. Kabiru also hinted that some people purchase the seats in bulk in-order to sell them at exorbitant rates to desperate Muslims. MAI-HAJJ has also urged the intending pilgrims to adhere to the rules stated  by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) among which is: intending pilgrims should have a guarantor; either the Chief Imam of area of residence, traditional ruler or a senior civil servant of not less than grade level 12. Women are also required to have a male guide to be registered.

MISCONCEPTION 7: Embrace Islam or Die

Points:

(a) That’s what Boko Haram and ISIS do.

(b) Muhammad made similar declarations.

REFUTATION

(a) Till the Last Day, the sources of Islam will remain the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Boko Haram, ISIS, Al qaeda and other anti-Islam mercenary groups do not have the mandate to speak for Muslims not to talk of Islam as a faith. Even an Islamic scholar does not speak for Islam if his speech is not in-line with the spirit of Islam as exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions. Besides, statistics show that Muslims are the major victims of the activities of these mercenaries.

MISCONCEPTION 6: Paying Jizya Is Derogatory

Points: 

1. Why should members of one religion pay taxes to the heads of another religion?
2. Those who pay Jizya must be humiliated.
3. People embraced Islam to avoid paying Jizya.

REFUTATION

Why should members of one religion pay taxes to the heads of another religion?
The questions to be asked here should be:

(a) What are these taxes used for?

(b) What do other tax collectors do with the wealth?

Before going on to answer these questions, it needs to be stressed that Muslims also pay taxes to the Islamic state called Zakat and, a

THE GOOD AND BAD OF YAHYA JAMMEH

Jammeh in trademark pose with Qur'an

Yahya Abdul Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh born on May 25 1965 has cut out a style for himself as the only ruler in the world who does not hesitate to hold out a copy of the Qur’an in public places and call the word ‘Allah’ with visible pride. Yahya Jammeh came to power in a bloodless coup in 1994 at the age of 29 and quickly transformed into a civilian President in 1995. Despite losing the December 1 2016 elections to Adama Barrow and refusing to step-down after 22 years in power, there are reasons to believe that Jammeh’s rule isn’t as bad as most people think even though the 51 year old still has to leave to respect the people’s desires. This write-up will look at both sides of the argument; for and against Yahya Jammeh.  

GOOD SIDE OF JAMMEH’S RULE

Morality

In a century that has been plagued with immorality, only a few nations have stood in staunch resistance to those who call to immorality. As the wave of gay right legalization swept through the world-Africa inclusive, Jammeh made the forces behind the call realize that homosexuals had no place in Gambia. In May 2015, Jammeh upped his anti-gay stance, telling the crowd in a tour: "If you do it [in the Gambia] I will slit your throat – if you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it."

Health

According to Gambians and international agencies across the globe, Jammeh’s 22 year rule has seen great improvements in the health sector. In 2010, maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births Gambia was found to be 400, which is a mile stone when compared to 628.5 in 1990 before Jammeh took power. Findings also show that the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is one in 49 which is among the best figures in Africa. The Gambia was certified as polio-free in 2004. "The Gambia EPI program is one of the best in the World Health Organization African Region,” Thomas Sukwa, a representative of the WHO said.

In October 2012, it was reported that the Gambia had made significant improvements in polio, measles immunisation, and the PCV-7 vaccine.

According to Vaccine News Daily:

·      The Gambia is tied for third place in Africa for measles immunisation among one-year-old children.

·         The Gambia is tied for fourth place in the world for the DTP3 immunisation for one-year-old children.

·   The Gambia is ranked second in Africa for "feverish children under the age of five who received antimalarial treatment, according to Trading Economics.

Education

Jammeh’s rule has also seen a significant improvement in the education sector. The constitution mandates free and compulsory primary education in the Gambia even though, lack of educational infrastructure has made implementation of this somewhat difficult. In February 1998, Jammeh ordered the termination of fees for the first six years of schooling since school fees was a major factor deterring parents from seeking formal education for their children. Jammeh also emphasized education for the girl child, girls make up about 52% of primary school pupils in Gambia. Due to Jammeh’s emphasis on education, in 1995, the gross primary enrolment rate for Gambia was 77.1% and the net primary enrolment rate was 64.7% which is a achievement for a West African nation and a great improvement compared to the pre-Jammeh era.

The Rich and Poor Divide

Most Gambians concur that there was gross abuse of power during the rule of Dawda Kairaba Jawara which saw unabated corruption and an ever increasing gap between rich and poor. According to provisional figures, Jammeh’s rule has seen a change in this trend as the 2003 census show that the gap between the urban and rural populations is narrowing as more areas are declared urban. The figures also show that urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with civilization. A contributing factor to this is the low import duties and minimal administrative procedures which Gambian proletarians have enjoyed under Jammeh’s rule.

Regional Stability

As a member of ECOWAS, the Gambia under Jammeh played an active role in the efforts of ECOWAS to resolve the civil unrests in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Jammeh had also sought to mediate disputes in Guinea-Bissua and the nearby Casamance region of Senegal. Gambian forces under Jammeh have subsequently participated in several other peacekeeping missions including in; Bosnia, Kosovo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, and East Timor. Jammeh contributed 150 troops to Liberia in 2003 as part of the ECOMIL battalion and in 2004, the Gambia contributed 196 soldiers to the AU-UN Hybrid Darfur mission. International affairs experts, Paul Williams and Alex Bellamy, classify the Gambia as a Tier 2 peacekeeping contributor. The NYU's Center on International Cooperation describes the Gambia (under Jammeh) as a regional leader in peacekeeping.

African Voice

Yahya Jammeh pulled Gambia out of the Common Wealth group of nations in October 2013, calling the group and extension of colonial rule that brought no benefit to African nations. The Common Wealth is a an Organization comprising of 53 former British colonies. Jammeh also pulled the nation out of the ICC having the belief that the organization was created to make a mockery of African nations since it is so slow in prosecuting white leaders but very fast acting when it comes to indicting black African leaders. In the wake of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, Jammeh accused the West of attempting to cripple African nations by aiding the spread of the disease. He always made reference to how the deadly disease was able to fly over several Southern and East African nations to get to West Africa.

Emphasis on Religion

Even though some observers have doubted the sincerity of Jammeh’s official inclination to Islam, it must be said that Gambia has witnessed a change of garment from secular/traditional to Islamic. On December 12 2015, Jammeh announced on state television, “In line with the country’s religious identity and values, I proclaim Gambia as an Islamic state. As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy”. Hence, Gambia became the 5^th Islamic republic in the world after Pakistan (1956), Mauritania (1958), Iran (1979) and Afghanistan (1992). Muslims make up 95% of Gambia’s 1.8million population.

BAD SIDE OF JAMMEH’S RULE

Iron Fist Rule

Jammeh’s rule has been characterized by many as an iron fist dictatorship which has brought so much suffering on Gambians. Popular mentions of this include:

• ·        Even though Jammeh denied the allegation of ordering the April 10 and 11 2000 shooting of 12 protesting students and a journalist, the agreed culprits were never prosecuted.
• ·         Mass detention of opposition figures without trial.
• ·       Little or no tolerance for criticism is very visible in Jammeh’s rule, this has led to very strict measures against the press community.

Relative Poor Economic Development

Agriculture has been the main stay of the people of Gambia, employing at least 70% of the work force. But, with an arable land of 43% and water areas of 11.5%, the people of the Islamic republic of Gambia had no business worrying about financial stability. The country has access to the Atlantic ocean which means proper attention to fishing would have done the economy a lot of good. Gambia also has a few oil deposits along also with a few mineral deposits which means in a nutshell; the administration of Yahya Jammeh had everything at its disposal to make Gambia a country comparable to the likes of Singapore and other tiny but successful countries but they failed despite the very small population of the country. Jammeh also witnessed the rule of Muammar Gaddafi who was quite generous to indigent nations. Diplomatic skills on Jammeh’s part would have helped Gambia benefit from the great Muammar Gaddafi’s benevolence.

Corruption

Jammeh and his wife Zinab in America (August 2014)

With the resources present in Gambia and the length of time Jammeh has been in power, the country has definitely generated millions; if not billions of dollars. If the impact of these billions cannot be seen on the people of Gambia, then it will be right to suspect that some diversions are taking place. It is reported that Jammeh’s second wife who happens to be the first lady, Zinab Jammeh whom he married in 1999, is a spend drift who hardly stays in the country. She flies from one country to another on shopping sprees; definitely with the people’s money, this is corruption. Jammeh has accused of religious double standard because while showing public support for Islam, his wife, Zinab Jammeh, never wears the hijab. 

India Levels New Allegations Against Zakir Naik

Sheikh Dr Zakir Naik

The Indian government through the Enforcement Directorate, said it has issued a second summon to Zakir Naik telling him to appear at the agency to answer questions on money laundering allegations. The government has accused Zakir Naik of not showing due regard to the summon, a government source was quoted to have said, “The second summon was sent to Naik soon after the first. If IRF is claiming that it has not received it till today then the summon has also returned back to us.” An IRF legal counsel speaking to Indian news outfit, India Today, said, “We have received the first summon for IRF, for the next week. But no other summon for Zakir Naik per se, yet,” The Enforcement Directorate said it has already gathered information on Zakir Naik’s financial transactions from the NIA (National Investigation Agency). On the November 15 2016, the Indian government announced a five year ban on IRF (Islamic Research Foundation), accusing Zakir Naik of inspiring the July 1 2016 terror attacks in Bangladesh through his lectures on terror, the attack left 22 people dead. Zakir Naik is currently not in India and was not able to attend the funeral of his father (Abdul Karim Naik) who passed away on October 30 2016 at 87. Muslim observers believe the new move by the Indian government is an attempt to tarnish the image of Zakir Naik and Islam and a trick to lure the 50 year old to India after which he will be arrested and made to face more humiliations.

Non-Muslim Women To Wear Hijab On Trump’s Inauguration

Image posted by Kathy Najimy on Face Book

An American non-Muslim actress, Kathy Najimy, has called on Muslim and non-Muslim women in Washington to turn-up for Donald Trump’s inauguration wearing the Islamic Hijab in solidarity with Muslim women. Trump’s Presidential campaign was soaked with anti-Muslim and racist rhetoric which has put Muslims and foreigners on their toes as inauguration hour approaches. Kathy, 59, posted on Face Book on Wednesday (18^th January), “We intend to show that we stand with our about-to-be-disenfranchised Muslim Sisters, in solidarity. We support every woman's right to worship as they wish and live in security and peace. Wherever you are in public on inauguration day, Jan 20th, please join The Sisterhood of the

Anti-Trump activist: Kathy Najimy

Traveling Scarves by wearing a scarf around your head, hijab style.” Kathy said while speaking to US website People, “I saw a woman with a hijab, and I thought, how can she know that I support her without going up and embarrassing her? So I thought, what if we wore them on Inauguration Day?"

Yvonne Ridley Urges Lindsay Lohan To Embrace Islam

Yvonne Ridley in 2009

As Muslims wait in anticipation for Lindsay Lohan to announce her coming into the fold, one popular woman has found it impossible to hold back her words. Yvonne Ridley who herself embraced Islam in 2001, told Sam Denaley of Talk Radio, "If Lindsay Lohan is embracing Islam, what I would say is not to put yourself under any pressure. There is pressure on converts, because people do expect us to be, not quite zealous, but on a higher level than other Muslims, and it's a lot of pressure to be under." 58 year old Yvonne Ridley also said, “The Qur’an is a blueprint for women’s rights”. 

Anthony Joshua Losing Fans After Showing Islam

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua in 2012

The heavy-weight boxer, Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, was not known by many in Britain and the world over to be a Muslim, but that changed on Tuesday January 17 2017. Anthony posted a picture of himself and some friends observing salah in a Masjid in Dubai on his tweeter account with a message that read, “Besides luck, hard work & talent.. Prayer is a solid foundation. It was nice to join my brother as he led through afternoon prayer (asr)”. Loads of comments followed afterwards, first from haters and then from sympathizers; majorly Muslims. One angry fan posted, “He is a great fighter but, I’m shocked and disappointed by his support of such a vile religion”. Another posted, “AJ, u was doing everything right, now your going to lose loads of fans! Me for one!” The funniest of all the hate post was the one from ‘bobby b’ who posted, “didn’t know he was a Muslim. Not a fan anymore”. Muslims from among Anthony’s 800,000 tweeter followers joined the discussion-defending the 27 year old 2012 olympic gold medalist. In response to the hate comments, a fan, Alfie Quadir posted, “I’m sorry Anthony for ppl with abusive comments. I support u no matter what religion-you are a true champ. Another Naz posted, “to all the people hating. Muhammad Ali was a Muslim and the greatest of all time, do you guys hate him as well??” Anthony Joshua MBE, who is rated as world number 2 heavy-weight by BoxRec has not made any comments on the backlash. The Nigerian-born star

currently boasts of a 100% Knockout-to-win ratio.

ECHR: Muslim Girls Must Swim With Boys

Aziz Osmanoglu with his wife

In a case that has been on since 2010, the European Court for Human Rights has turned down the plea of Muslim parents who want separate swimming sessions for their children. In July 2010, Aziz Osmanoglu was fined £1,140 in Switzerland for refusing to allow his two daughters take part in swimming classes with boys. It was a long battle between Aziz and the Swiss government. Muslims in Germany have also faced the same problem but, all their pleas appears to have fallen on deaf ears after the recent ruling by the ECHR that compels Muslim children to take swimming classes with the opposite gender. The ECHR justified its verdict thus, “The children’s interest in a full education, thus facilitating their successful social integration according to local customs and mores, prevailed over the parents’ wish to have their children exempted from mixed swimming lessons.” The Swiss and German authorities have given Muslim girls the option of wearing the burkini (a swim suit that covers the whole body like a diver’s suit) but Muslims are not satisfied with that offer because the burkini still shows the contours of the body; which is against Islam. The Muslims in Switzerland are fighting back at the ECHR ruling by making plans to establish a private Islamic school that will teach swim according to Islamic standards. The Basel Muslim Council in Switzerland has backed Mr Aziz who has refused to allow his daughters, 16 and 18, to take part in the swimming classes. Since the imposition of fines started, a non-Muslim philanthropist theologian, Yohannes Czwalina, has repeatedly paid-off fines on behalf of numerous Muslims and has said he will continue to do so. Yohannes said he will gladly contribute to the establishment of the Islamic school. Muslims make-up over 5% of the total Swiss population.

Australians Proud of Muslims On Billboard

The image that was deleted

A director at Creative Edge (an advertising company) Dee Madigan has opened an account to raise money seeking to re-activate an image on an electric billboard that showed two Muslim girls in hijab celebrating ‘Australia Day’. Islamophobes, majorly from the political group ‘United Patriots Front’, campaigned for the image to be removed saying the girls in hijab did not represent Australia. The owners of the private electronic billboard were forced to delete the image after receiving threats from anonymous individuals. Ms Madigan, a non-Muslim said she was disgusted by the actions of the far-right and that prompted her to launch the GoFunfMe page on Wednesday 18th January in a bid to raise funds. She was surprised however when she was able to raise over $30,000 in just a few hours. The mother told Nine.com.au, “A few of the donations have been from businesses but the majority of the money is made up of very small donations from individuals who want to see Muslim Australians represented – that is the most heartening thing”. Dee Madigan was also quoted to have said, “These are two Muslim Australians celebrating Australia Day – it doesn’t get any more assimilated than that”. Ms Madigan said the money will be used to raise similar billboards all over the country in solidarity with the Muslim community.

Boko Haram: UNIMAID Bomb Victims Were Infidels

Boko Haram members with leader Shekau

In an audio that went viral yesterday, a voice which is supposedly that of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, praised the bombing, declared that Boko Haram was responsible for it and promised more of such attacks. In the speech which was in Hausa language, the speaker called the victims of the attacks ‘infidels in mosques’ because they supported the political participation of Muslims in the democratic system. The speaker said with no remorse, “The act of participating in politics is worse than homosexualism”. The speaker in the audio once again said that he was Shekau and that he has not been killed contrary to what the government has said in the past. The voice also said the audio was recorded on the evening of the day of the attack. The speaker called on Muslim scholars who criticize the activities of Boko Haram to bring their proofs that the group is a deviant one. He also lashed out at President Muhammadu Buhari calling him the leader of an infidel land. It would be re-called that prior to the Presidency of Buhari, Boko Haram once called on him to mediate between them and the government of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; Buhari declined. On Monday (16th January 2017), a suicide bomber detonated his explosives in the Central Mosque of the University of Maiduguri Borno state killing five and injuring fifteen others. Among the martyrs were a Professor of veterinary medicine and four students. Boko Haram pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group in 2015.

Al Sisi Regime Declares Aboutrika a ‘Terrorist’

Abou Trika in 2008 Nations Cup

A mixed smell of anger and sadness is in the air in Egypt after the authorities of the Egyptian dictatorship updated their terror list with the inclusion of the name of a national hero; Mohammed Aboutrika to the list. The reasons given by the authorities’ borders along his support for the proponents of Islam in the country; especially Muslim Brotherhood inclined organizations.  The one time BBC African player of the year is a direct contrast to what the dictatorship stands for; inclination to Islam and staunch support for the Palestinian cause. In 2016, some assets belonging to the 38 year old ex-soccer star were returned to him after they were frozen when the dictatorship usurped power. Fans of the three time Nations Cup winner have however taken to social media rebuking his persecutors. One fan wrote, “Say he’s a terrorist all you want, we will always love him and he’s always going to be in our hearts,” another after showering praises on the star and rebuking the authorities, ended his post with, “I love you terrorist.” The norm in Egypt under the dictatorship after terror list inclusion of an individual is, confiscating of his/her assests, a shady trial and then imprisonment but, it is not clear if the same will happen to a person of Aboutrika’s caliber considering the status he has established for himself home and abroad. He is a WFP Ambassador Against Hunger.

Pastor: Christians Should Learn From Muslim Women

Pastor Ronald Wenzinger

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Ronald Wenzinger, a pastor in America challenged the Christian population in the country to stop criticizing Muslim women for wearing the hijab but should rather criticize themselves and learn from the Muslim women. Wenzinger was airing his views in the stargazete online platform on the 6^th of January 2017. Wenzinger who has been a Methodist pastor for nearly 35 years expressed his frustration at how more Christians are refusing to wear symbols that identify them as Christians with particular reference to Christian women who see covering the hair as an archaic practice. Wenzinger said, “In fact, the tradition of women covering their heads goes back to the earliest Christian communities.

In a letter to the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul encouraged the women there to keep their heads covered in worship. While this may reflect more of a tradition than a church law, it has been a part of Christianity since its beginnings”. He urged Christians to see Muslim women wearing the hijab as a uniting factor between Muslim and Christians and not a dividing one. He also called on Christians to be more tolerant of Muslims as American Christians were once a persecuted community prior to the migration of Europeans to the land of the Red Indians in the 1600s, “In 1620, a band of oppressed Europeans took a tremendous risk to travel to this “New World.” They came so that they might practice their religion freely”.

In the concluding part of his write-up, Pastor Ronald Wenzinger said, “For this new year, I challenge my Christian sisters and brothers to learn from our courageous Muslim sisters. Let us commit to living out our faith in similar public and powerful ways as we enter this New Year. Imagine if, instead of criticizing the spirituality of others, we worked to improve our own! At the same time, we could be living an example of the religious tolerance that was in the hearts and minds of our founders over 240 years ago.

Glasgow Cathedral Still Under Fire Over Qur’an Reading

St Mary's Cathedral Glasgow

On the 6th of January, the St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow Scotland came under heavy fire after they invited Muslims into the Cathedral to mark the Feast of the Epiphany and allowed a Muslim read verses of the Qur’an than contradicts the Christian view of Jesus Christ.  A 19 year old Muslim student, Madina Javed, did the Qur’anic recitation from Suratul Maryam after which it was translated to English. The Church’s Provost, Very Reverend Kelvin Holdworth has defended the Church’s action saying the move was aimed at building unity between the two faiths. Rev Holdworth told BBC, "Such readings have happened a number of times in the past in this and in other churches and have led to deepening friendships locally, to greater awareness of the things we hold in common and to dialogue about the ways in which we differ." The 'Feast of Epiphany' is an event celebrated by Christians marking the visit of Jesus Christ
by the 'Three Wise Men' while he was in the cradle (according to Christian beliefs).The Scottish police is currently investigating harsh and threatening comments that have been directed at the Church thus far on on-line media platforms. A spokesman for the police told pressmen in Glasgow, "We can confirm we are investigating reports of offensive comments made towards St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow and inquiries are ongoing. Police Scotland will not tolerate any form of hate and encourages all communities to work together to ensure no-one feels threatened or marginalised." The St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow was opened on 9th November 1871.