HAFSAH BINT UMAR (The Custodian of the Book of ALLAH)

Hafsah was one of the daughters Umar ibn al-Khattaab (The Second Caliph). Her full name was

Hafsa bint Umar b. al-Khattab b. Nufayl b. 'Abdul-'Uza b. Riyah b. 'Abdullah b. Qurt b.Razah b. 'Adi. In Arabic, Hafs is one of the names given to the lion. The Prophet (SAW) would often address Umar (RA) as Abu Hafs (the father of Hafs, i.e. Hafsah). Hafsah was born 16 years before the Hijra; 3 years before the Prophet Hood of Muhammad (SAW) and was among the Mothers of the Believers.

Before she was married to the Prophet (SAW) she was married to

FLASH BACK: Muslims Gave Lives to Save Christians

Salah Farah

As has been echoed by Muslims through the ages, Islam means life for all with the exception of those who rebel against ALLAH. ALLAH (SWT) talked about the sanctity of

Harvard: Qur’an Verse One of the Greatest Expressions of Justice

Harvard University which was founded in 1636 made a remark which shocked many including Muslims when on 11th March 2015 it declared through the Harvard Law School that a verse in the Qur’an was one of the greatest expressions of justice anywhere in the world. The verse in question is Suratul Nisa (4:135) in which ALLAH said: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do”. The Harvard Law School posted this verse at the entrance to its faculty library showing how much respect it has for it. Harvard University has the largest academic library in the world managed by some of the world’s critical philosophers. Harvard stated on its official website, "The words on these walls affirm the power and irrepressibility of the idea of justice." Of all scriptures of the world's major faiths, only the Qur'an had a quotation prominently displayed.

UNESCO: Islam is the World’s Most Peaceful Religion

Muslims over the centuries have chanted and chorused it over and over again that Islam is a religion of peace employing different media from lectures and debates to articles and broadcasts. But, the ill-informed ones have continued to argue-mostly citing the actions of a minority among the Muslims rather than looking at the original content of the Qur’an and Ahadith. The debate was however settled by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The United Nations body with 195 members which was founded on 16 November 1945 made an announcement  in July 2016 declaring Islam the most peaceful religion in the world which by implication means-more peaceful than Christianity, Judaism and others. The declaration came after a 6 month long study from January 2016 by some of the best researchers in the world in conjunction with religious leaders from different faiths. UNESCO carried out the study in collaboration with the International Peace Foundation which is chaired by a gentleman by name Robert McGee (not a Muslim). The officials were asked concerning the acts of group like ISIS who claim to be drumming for Islam and the response as given by Mr. Robert was, “Terror has no religion, Islam means peace.” Another key response given by officials at the gathering which was also attended by UNESCO officials was that Muslims are the greatest victims of the acts of these groups, how could they be possibly referred to as heroes of Islam. If UNESCO has said it, then the United Nations has said it; which means the world has said it and history has recorded it.

MISCONCEPTION 9: Muslims Worship the Ka’abah

Points:

1. Muslims pray facing the Ka’abah.
2. Muslims circumbulate the Ka’abah during Hajj (Tawaf).
3. Muslims love to kiss and touch the Ka’abah and the black stone.

Pay Nigeria Airways Pensioners Now!

Nigeria Airways Logo

After decades of government laxity and corruption, Nigeria’s national carrier Nigeria Airways Limited was officially liquidated in 2003 after 45 years of operation without the settlement of staff benefits by the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo in his first four year tenure. After years of wrestle by the new ex-workers of Nigeria Airways through various local and international trade unions, the Federal government agree to pay off the now pensioners in 2005. 

'Muslim' Countries That Support Trump’s Muslim Ban

Emir of Dubai and Emir of Kuwait

Donald Trump made it ‘a major campaign promise’ that when elected, he would keep Muslims out of America. Soon after he was sworn-in, he began to actualize his words. On 27 January, Trump issued an order banning the issuance of visas for people from seven predominantly Muslim nations. The nations were: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. There was a wave of protests in several places across the globe by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike rebuking the decision, four states in America filed a law suit against the Order calling it discriminatory and anti-constitutional. On 9 February, the Federal Appeals court of America ordered the halt of Trump’s proposal. That was how the non-Muslims reacted to the American move. 

On the Muslims side, some countries have not only hailed the Trump model, but have even gone on to replicate it in their own countries. On February 3, the Arab nation of Kuwait announced a migration ban from five Muslim dominated countries, the countries were: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan even though the Pakistani ambassador to Kuwait, Ghulam Dastadi has said that his country was not among the banned. There has been no protest so far against the decision by Kuwait as was seen against Trump. Another country that has hailed the Trump move is the UAE. The foreign minister of the gulf kingdom, Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan on 1 February defended Trump’s decision by saying, "The United States has taken a decision that is within the American sovereign decision. There are attempts to give the impression that this decision is directed against a particular religion, but what proves this talk to be incorrect first is what the US administration itself says ... that this decision is not directed at a certain religion." Al Nahyan went on to say that America should rather give priority to the Syrian Christians refugees. 

Of all the five Gulf Arab countries-which includes Saudi Arabia, only Qatar expressed condemnation for the ban. Qatar’s foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said of the ban while on a visit to Serbia, "When it comes to be addressed in a Muslim framework, I think this is something we will stand against". A senior police official in Dubai (UAE) identified as Dhahi Khalfan wrote on Twitter three days after Trump’s ban was announced, "complete support for Trump's ban. Every country has the right to protect its security ... Trump, what you're doing is right." 

Another country which was not expected to show indifference on the issue was Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation. Shortly after the ban was announced, President Joko Widodo said at a function, "We are not affected by the policy. Why fret?" Widodo’s spokesman, Johan Budi while defending his boss said, “Widodo has made sure that the policy of the American president does not have an impact on Indonesian citizens. Therefore, people are asked to remain quiet." It is not clear if other Muslim countries will follow this trend but, with the silence of the likes of Saudi Arabia which has continued to be an American ally; nothing is certain.

Suggest an alternative title for this article.

Yusuf Islam Meets Turkish President

Yusuf Islam

Famous Islamic singer and song writer, Yusuf Islam, has visited Turkey to show his delight on the various virtuous actions of the Turkish government under Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The 70 year old was particularly referring to the Turkish government’s role in looking after the Syrian refugees and the assistance of Turkey in building the Abu Bakr Jamia Masjid in Cambridge, UK. Islam met Erdogan at the Presidential palace in Ankara on 8 February where the two reportedly discussed for over an hour. In the meeting, Islam who embraced Islam on 23 December 1977 expressed his joy at the failure of the attempted coup in July 2016. The Abu Bakr Jamia Masjid-the contruction of which is being assisted by the Dinayet (Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate) will have the capacity to take at least 1,000 worshippers. Erdogan, 62, also expressed his delight at Islam’s visit on social media as he wrote on his Twitter account, “My dear brother Yusuf, thank you for your visit and sincere conversation. Welcome to Turkey.”

Pope Francis Condemns Persecution of Rohingya Muslims

Shi'ite leader-Christian leader-Sunni leader

In his weekly address at the Vatican on 8 February, Pope Francis whose papacy began on 13 March 2013 once again showed his spirit of tolerance towards Muslims. In a situation where most Muslim leaders turn a blind eye, he defended the right of Rohingya Muslims to practice Islam and went on to call them his brothers and sisters. The 80 year old was heard telling the 7,000 strong congregation at the Paul VI Hall, "They are not Christians, they are peaceful people, and they are our brothers and sisters." The Pope was speaking in response to a UN rights flash report which showed that the Rohingya Muslims in Burma have faced abuses such as rape, torture, confistication and brutal suppression for quite some time. The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, recently has been the only Muslim leader who has been blowing the whistle on the Burmese government over its maltreatment of the Rohingya Muslims. The Pope said in his speech that the Rohigya are “good people” who are being persecuted “simply because they want to live their culture and their Muslim faith”. He also said in his speech that the Rohingya Muslims "are being chased from Myanmar and are fleeing from one place to another because no one wants them". The new wave of persecution of Rohingya Muslims started in October 2016 when an attack on a police post on the Burmese border with Bangladesh lead to the death of a number of Burmese officers. In the wake of the persecution, over 80,000 Rohingya Muslims fled to neighbouring Bangladesh where there is no good record of Rohingya accommodation. On the 29^th of December 2016, the Bangladeshi government ordered the refugees be sent back to Burma. In 2013, the Burmese government passed a law that made it illegal for Rohingya couples to have more than two children. According to world officials, there are currently 1.2 million Muslims in the Rakhine state of Burma which is the original home-land of the Rohingya Muslims.

Muslims Beginning To Reject Khan

SRK and his wife in 2014

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan has been known to cause controversy in both Muslim and Hindu communities over his rather haphazard views on religion. The 51 year old was born to practicing Muslim parents in New Delhi but as fame came in, his views on religion (Islam) began to take fundamental turns. This began to become manifest when he married Guari Khan (a Hindu) in 1991 with whom they now have three children. Scripturally (Islam), a Muslim man is only allowed to marry a Muslim, a Jew or a Christian; this SRK defied. “And do not marry polytheistic women until they believe. And a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you. And do not marry polytheistic men [to your women] until they believe. And a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you. Those invite [you] to the Fire, but Allah invites to Paradise and to forgiveness, by His permission. And He makes clear His verses to the people that perhaps they may remember” Suratul Baqarah (2:221). He even went on to defend his decision in his 2010 movie My Name Is Khan in which his character married a Hindu as a Muslim. The actor once told the public that his children practice both Islam and Hinduism, Islamically, this is the only act that ALLAH will never forgive (Shirk). In April 2012, SRK appeared on a TV program with Zakir Naik and secular elements in the Indian Muslim community and SRK didn’t fail to show his secular stand. SRK has just recently stirred up controversy over his latest movie Raees which was released on 25 January. In the movie, a group of Muslims were portrayed as hardened criminals. The movie has been banned by the Pakistani government who said the movie painted a misleading picture of Islam and Muslims. SRK has also come under fire in India on certain occasions where he spoke in favour of oppressed Muslims in the country.

Muslims Excited As Trump Proposal Is Smashed

Statue of Liberty

Muslims across the America are still writhing in joy after the American Federal Appeals court ruled that the travel ban on seven Muslim majority countries ordered by Donald Trump was unconstitutional and hence; be suspended. A panel of three judges of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on Thursday defended the stand of other constitution experts saying the Trump executive order be put to an immediate halt. The biggest Muslim civil rights group in America, the Centre for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has expressed delight at the development. The American National Executive Director of CAIR, Nihad Awad, was quoted to have said, "We applaud this ruling as a reaffirmation of the strength and independence of our system of justice. This decision adds to the long list of federal judges - both Republican and Democratic appointees - who found reason to block this discriminatory order”. Donald Trump has however responded by saying as President of the country, he has the right to determine who comes into the country and that he will continue to push for the Muslim ban until it is successful.

American Athlete Was Detained Without Explanation

Ibtihaj Muhammad

Authorities in America have confirmed that fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad, was detained for nearly two hours without any explanation shortly after Donald Trump announced his Muslim Migration ban. 31 year old Ibtihaj who holds the record for the first ever American athlete to compete at the Olympics while wearing the hijab said in an interview, "I personally was held at Customs for two hours just a few weeks ago. I don't know why, I can't tell you why it happened to me, but I know that I'm Muslim. I have an Arabic name. And even though I represent Team USA and I have that Olympic hardware, it doesn't change how you look and how people perceive you”. The 2016 Olympics bronze medalist however has a strong feeling that she was maltreated because of her Islamic faith, she added in the interview, "Unfortunately, I know that people talk about this having a lot to do with these seven countries in particular, but I think the net is cast a little bit wider than we know. And I'm included in that as a Muslim woman who wears a hijab". In the wake of the disclosure, Rep. Donald Payne wrote on his tweeter account, "Sickened to hear that Ibtihaj was detained at U.S. Customs for two hours WITHOUT EXPLANATION". Ibtihaj Muhammad did not give any details on the date and time the incident occurred.

Sanusi Clears Himself on Islam and Education

Emir of Kano: Muhammad Sanusi II

In the last couple of weeks, the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammad Sanusi II has been talking tough on the need for Nigerian Muslims especially in the northern part of the country to pay more attention to formal education than erecting Islamic symbols. On 19 January, the 56 year old while speaking in the opening ceremony of the Third International Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance in Kano was quoted to have said, “If you want to help the poor, establish schools for them, or provide health institutions or empowerment in terms of providing job opportunities. But don’t come to me to say you want to build Mosque because we have them everywhere. So, my appeal is that if you really want to help Kano, don’t come to me with a request to build a N300million mosque because I have enough mosques everywhere. And if I don’t have a mosque, I’ll build it myself. If you really want to help, go and educate a girl child in the village.” As reported by news outfits on 7 February, Sanusi, while speaking at an Educational Week programme was quoted to have said, “I was in Morocco sometimes ago and I asked to see their universities. They took me to mosques where I saw each serving as classrooms teaching Computer Science and other subjects.” However, some people took his comments to mean Masajids (mosques) should be converted to schools which would mean that Sanusi preferred material to spiritual. In the wake of the controversy, Sanusi in a special interview with the LEADERSHIP newspaper said that was never what he meant. He said he was only trying to drive home the point that Masajids should have a versatile role in the community; they shouldn’t be restricted to only five daily prayers. The former Central Bank Governor buttressed, “It should be known, for clarity, that the use of mosques as venues of instruction is nothing new, I didn’t say that schools should substitute or cancel mosques.” Muhammad Sanusi II was made the Emir of Kano on 8 June 2014 after the demise of his grand Uncle-Dr Ado Bayero on 6 June 2014.

Man Attempted to Burn Ka’abah

The Holy Ka'abah

Reports from Macca have it that a man whose identity is yet to be released was arrested on Monday night (6^th February) when he allegedly tried to set the Ka’abah on fire. I-witnesses said the man approached the Ka’abah and began to bathe the black fabric materials on the Ka’abah with gasoline; he was however muscled down before he could make any further moves. Though the man’s motive is not clear, observers have been left dumb-founded as to how the man could come within the vicinity of the Ka’abah with such in his possession. Scripturally, only Muslims are allowed to come within the Haram. The man’s religion is hence not certain.

Atikah bint Khalid: How Well She Described Muhammad (SAW)

Her full name was Atika bint Khalid b. Khalif b. Munqidh b. Rabi'a b. Asram b. Dabays b. Haram b. Habsha b. Salul and Umm Ma’bad was her nick name. Her father was Khalid b. Khalif. She was a famous, chaste, strong and courageous woman who had a camp in Qudayd. 

MISCONCEPTION 8: Islam Supports Slavery

Slavery

Points:

• The Qur'an and Ahadith talk about handling of slaves. 
• Muslims are allowed to capture enemies as slaves during war.

Erdogan Rebukes Merkel For Saying ‘Islamist Terrorism’

Merkel (left) Erdogan (right)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a press briefing to conclude talks on the crisis in the middle-east on February 2. All was going smoothly until Merkel, 62, made use of the term ‘Islamist Terrorism’ which immediately changed Erdogan’s mood. Merkel’s statement was, “We spoke in detail about... the questions of the fight against Islamist terrorism, against every form of terrorism, also the terrorism of the PKK. We agree we want to cooperate; we are all affected by this. We agreed to have closer cooperation in the future.” Erdogan waited patiently for Merkel to finish her speech with an obvious frown on his face and then responded, “This expression ‘Islamist terror’ seriously saddens us Muslims. Such an expression is not correct because Islam and terror cannot be associated. The meaning of Islam is peace. Please let's not use it. As long as it is used we need to stand against it. As a Muslim president personally I cannot accept that.” Erdogan who turns 63 on February 26 has been dubbed by some as the modern day Caliph for his strong defense and support for Islam. Erdogan is a founder of the Islam-inclined Turkish political party AKP (Justice and Development Party)

Professor Azizan bint Baharuddin-The All-round Muslimah

Professor Azizan Bint Baharuddin

Prof. Azizan received her BSc. (Hons) Biology, University of Tasmania, Australia in 1978, MSc. (Univ. College London) and PhD in Philosophy of Science, University of Lancaster, U.K. She specializes in several areas such as environmental and bioethics, science, religion and development; interfaith and inter-civilisational dialogue. She has published widely in all these areas (14 books & monographs and more than 100 articles). She is also active in several NGOs that are connected with development as well as being a member  of various advisory and consultative committees for ministries such as Unity & National Integration, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Women’s and Social Development, Ministry of Science and Technology. Besides annually giving papers at various conferences locally and abroad, she is also invited regularly to give inputs through the local media regarding issues that are of relevance and connected to her areas of specialization. Currently

Canada-Masjid Attacker Not Called ‘Terrorist’

After an attack on a Masjid by a gun man in Quebec-Canada, the shooter has been apprehended and identified as social science student, Alexandre Bissonnette. However, the most derogatory name Canadian authorities have called him has been ‘Lone Wolf’. The name that would have been used if he was Muslim would have likely been ‘Terrorist’. On January 29, Laval University student, Alexandre, opened fire at the Masjid of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre killing 6 and injuring 5. The worshippers in the Masjid at the time of the shooting included: men, women and children. The premier of the province, Phillip Couillard has however called the attack an act of terror without direct reference to the shooter. According to a post on the Quebec Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s Tweeter account, the shooter faces 6 count charges of murder and 5 counts of attempted murder. The 6 martyrs in the attack were:

NAME                                                 AGE                                                       PROFESSION

Ibrahim Barry                                      39                                                      Health Insurance worker

Abdul Karim Hassan                           41                                                        Computer scientist

Mamadou Tanou Barry                       42                                                            I. T specialist

Abubakr Thabti                                   44                                                       Student Pharmacist

Azzedine Soufiane                              57                                                        Grocery store owner

Khaled Belkacemi                               60                                                  Professor at Laval University

Rihanah Comes Under Fire For Supporting Muslims

Rihanah

Barbadian musician Robyn Rihanah Fenty has come under strong criticism from rapper Azealia Banks after the former wrote on social media criticizing Trump’s visa ban on seven Muslim countries. The 28 year old posted on January 29, “Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!” Azealia in a series of replies to Rihanah suggested that criticizing Trump now after having kept quiet while Barack Obama bombed Muslim countries for 8 years and temporarily ban immigration from Iraq is hypocritical. Even though Azealia systematically admitted that attacks on America by Muslims may be justified, she still went on to justify Trump’s immigration policy. “You don't get to show up in another man's country, kill his young , his wives, ruin his home and think a peace talk Is going to be the end of it. ITS NOT. There's absolutely no way to end this war but to finish it ourselves. It's TERRIBLE, do I agree with it , NO, do I personally like what's happening , NO! But I can say that as an American who enjoys her safety and overall ability to maintain a certain level of ignorance as pertains to the world outside of our borders …” she said. 25 year old Azealia then goes on to suggest that Muslims deserve what they are facing with Trump due to atrocities Arabs (Muslims) have perpetrated against blacks both in the past and present, “MANY Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East still to this day have house slaves, sex slaves.... 6 year old Arab boys being gifted another six year old black boy to be his servant. STILL TO THIS DAY!!!!! Feeling sorrow for the very same group people who were the FIRST and STILL THE LAST to enslave Africans is asssssss backwards. If you want to speak on behalf of ANYONE it should be the millions of unspoken about/hidden black faces of the Middle East. #MAKEEGYPTBLACKAGAIN”, Azealia posted. Azealia Banks has always been known for her quarrelsome attitude to life even on social media.

Arnold Schwarzenegger Blasts Trump On Immigration

New host of The Celebrity Apprentice, Arnold Alois

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger has become among the top personalities to criticize Donald Trump’s immigration policy that heavily targets Muslims. 69 year old Arnold who replaced Donald Trump as the host of The Celebrity Apprentice in 2015 told Extra, “You go in there new, you have a new team, and mistakes are made; I hope this is a wake-up call for them”. Speaking directly about the immigration order issued recently by Trump, the former California governor said, “It’s crazy, it’s crazy and makes us look stupid when the White House is ill-prepared to put this kind of executive order out there.“ Other celebrities that have lashed out at the new policy include Rihanah (musician) and Ashton Kutcher (actor).