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It is permissible to celebrate the Prophet's birthday as an expression of love to the Prophet provided that the celebration doesn’t involve any of the prohibited acts.
In this regard, we would like to cite for you the following fatwa issued by Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, in which he states the following:
According to historians, the Fatimides were the first to celebrate the Prophet's birthday. Qalqashandi, in his book Subh Al-A`sha, says that the Fatimides used to make a huge celebration in Egypt and distribute large amounts of sweets for the occasion. Actually, the Fatimides used to celebrate the birthdays of other members of the Prophet's family and they also celebrated Christ's birthday.
However, all of these celebrations were stopped in 488 upon an order from Caliph Al-Musta`li billah appointed as prime minister Al-Afdal Shahindah, son of Commander-in-chief Badr Al-Jamali, a powerful man who conformed to the Sunnah as stated by Ibn Al-Atheer in his book Al-Kamel, volume 8, page 302.
People stopped celebrating such occasions till Al-Ma'mun Al-Bata'ihi came to power and issued an official decree in 517 enjoining the distribution of alms in 12th Rabee` Al-Awwal. Sanaa' Al-Malik was in charge of distributing them.
When the Ayoubides came to power, they stopped all Fatimide practices, but families used to celebrate the Prophet's birthday in their houses. Then it returned to be officially celebrated at the beginning of the seventh century in the city of Irbil upon a decree from its prince, Muzafar Al-Deen Abi Sa`d Kawakbri Ibn Zein Ed-Deen `Ali- Ibn Tabakatikin, who was a Sunni.
Muzafar gave great care and attention to such celebrations and ordered marquis to be erected starting from the beginning of Safar. Such tents, which were wonderfully decorated and extended from Al-Qal`a gate till the Khandaq gate. Muzafar used to go everyday after `Asr prayer to watch the festivities in these tents.
The celebration was sometimes held on the 8th of Rabee` Al-Awwal (and sometimes on the 12th) which used to be an official holiday so that the people could enjoy the festival. Two days before the actual celebration, Muzafar used to order the sheep, cows and camels to be slaughtered in the main avenue amidst cheerful festivities, then the meat would be cooked and distributed among the people.
Ibn Al-Hajj Abu `Abdullah Al-`Abdari says that such festivals were widespread in Egypt during his rein and condemned the innovations that used to take place during such festivals. (Al-Madkhal, volume 2, p 11, 12)
Many books were written on the Prophet's birthday in the seventh century such as the stories of Ibn Dahya, who died in Egypt in 633 AH, Muhy Ed-Deen Ibn Al-`Arabi, who died in Damascus in 683 AH, Ibn Taghrabik, who died in Egypt in 670 AH; and Ahmad Al-`Azli and his son Muhammad, who died in Sabata in 670 AH.
Due to the spread of innovation during such celebrations, scholars have denounced them and stated that they were groundless. Among those scholars is the Maliki jurist Taaj Ad-Deen `Umar Ibn Al-Lakhmi Al-Sakandari known as Al-Fakahani, who died in 731 AH; he wrote his thesis Al-Mawrid fil Kalam `Ala-Mawlid on this issue and As-Suyuti quotes it in his book Husn Al-Maqsid.
Sheikh Muhammad Fadl `Ashur says that in the ninth century, scholars were divided over the issue. Some said it was permissible, others said it was not and it was recommended by As-Suyuti, Ibn Hajar Al-`Asqalani and Ibn Hajar Al-Haythmi, yet they condemned the innovations that took place during such festivities. Their opinion was derived from the verse: (And remind them of the days of Allah) (Ibrahim 14: 5).
Explaining the previous verse, An-Nasa`i and `Abdullah Ibn Ahmad report in Zaway’d Al-Musnad and Al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab Al-Iman reports on the authority of Ibn Ka`b that he said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), said: 'The days of Allah' are Allah's Blessings and Signs, and the Prophet's birth is a great bliss." (Al-Alusi's Ruh Al-Ma`ani)
Muslim reports on the authority of Qatadah Al-Ansari that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), was asked about fasting on Monday and he replied: "It is the day on which I was born and on which I received the Divine Revelation". It is also reported on the authority of Ibn `Abbas and Ibn Jabir that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was born in the "year of the elephant" on the 12th of Rabee` Al-Awwal. He also received the Divine Revelation, ascended to the Heavens, migrated to Madinah and died on the 12th of Rabee` Al-Awwal.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), says that the day he was born was a special day. Since it is well known from the Shari`ah that Muslims should seize the opportunity in blessed days and do good deeds, Muslims should celebrate the Prophet's birthday so as to thank Allah for guiding them to Islam through Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Therefore, celebrating the Prophet's birthday is permissible provided that it does not include committing any of the prohibited things. As for throwing banquets, this comes under the verse saying: (O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He whom ye worship.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 172)
My opinion is that celebrating such a religious occasion is recommended especially nowadays for youth have become forgetful of these religious occasions and their significance because they have indulged in other celebrations.
Celebrating such a great event should be done through reading more about the Prophet's Sunnah and life, building mosques, religious institutes and doing other forms of charity work that remind people of the Prophet's life and his struggle.
Therefore, it is permissible to celebrate the Prophet's birthday as an expression of our love to him and our endeavor to follow him as an example provided that these celebrations do not involve any of the prohibited things. Some prohibited things are improper intermingling between men and women, behaving improperly at mosques and partaking in innovations such as worshiping at tombs and other things that violate the teachings of Islam. If such previously mentioned violations surpass the religious benefit realized from these celebrations, then they should be stopped in order to prevent harm and wrongdoing as indicated in the Shari`ah.
Moreover, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, adds:
We all know that the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not celebrate the Prophet's birthday, Hijrah or the Battle of Badr, because they witnessed such events during the lifetime of the Prophet who always remained in their hearts and minds.
Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas said that they were keen on telling their children the stories of the Prophet's battles just as they were keen on teaching them the Qur'an. Therefore, they used to remind their children of what happened during the Prophet's lifetime so they did not need to hold such celebrations. However, the following generations began to forget such a glorious history and its significance. So such celebrations were held as a means of reviving great events and the values that we can learn from them.
Unfortunately, such celebrations include some innovations when they should actually be made to remind people of the Prophet's life and his call. Actually, celebrating the Prophet's birthday means celebrating the birth of Islam. Such an occasion is meant to remind people of how the Prophet lived.
Allah Almighty says: (Verily in the Messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the last Day, and remembereth Allah much.) (Al-Ahzab 33: 21)
By celebrating the Prophet's Hijrah, we should teach people values such as sacrifice, the sacrifice of the Companions, the sacrifice of `Ali who slept in the Prophet's place on the night of the Hijrah, the sacrifice of Asma' as she ascended the Mountain of Thawr. We should teach them to plan the way the Prophet planned for his Hijrah, and how to trust in Allah as the Prophet did when Abu Bakr told him: We could be seen so easily, the Prophet replied saying: "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two when Allah is their third?" (Have no fear, for Allah is with us.) (At-Tawbah 9: 40)
We need all these lessons and such celebrations are a revival of these lessons and values. I think that these celebrations, if done in the proper way, will serve a great purpose, getting Muslims closer to the teachings of Islam and to the Prophet's Sunnah and life.
As for celebrating `Ashura’, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), celebrated this day by fasting only. He asked the Jews why they fasted on that day and they told him that it was the day that Allah saved Moses and the people of Israel. The Prophet replied saying: "We have more of a right to Moses than you." So he fasted on that day and ordered the people to fast on that day. He also said near the end of his life: "By Allah, if I lived longer I would fast on the 9th of Muharram." That is, that he would fast on the 9th and the 10th in order to be different from the Jews who fast on the 10th only. However, some of the Sunnis celebrate `Ashura as if it were a feast. The Shi`ah consider it a day of sadness and mourning, but all such things are innovations and are completely un-Islamic.
As for the second part of the question, the exact date of the Prophet's birth is controversial, but it is most likely to be on Monday, 9th Rabee` Al-Awwal (20th or 22nd of April, 571 AC), the same year in which the invasion of the Elephants took place against the Ka`bah. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away on Monday 12, Rabee` Al-Awwal in the eleventh year of Hijrah (8 June 632 AC.)
Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Islamic ministers praise Kuwaiti moderation experience - official Religion
By Abdulrazzaq Al-Hezami
JEDDAH, May 26 (KUNA) -- A number of ministers of Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs in Muslim world praised the Kuwait experience in the field of moderation, said a Kuwaiti official here Tuesday.
Kuwaiti Undersecretary of the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry Dr. Aadil Al-Falah told KUNA, on the sidelines of the 8th conference of ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the Muslim world that kicked off here Saturday, that the Kuwaiti initiative of forming a higher moderation committee and establishing the International Moderation Centre was hailed by several ministers.
The ministers included Egyptian Awqaf Minister Dr. Mahmoud Zaqzouq, Brunei's Religious Affairs Minister Dr. Mohammad Zain bin Serudin, and Afghanistan's Acting Hajj and Islamic Affairs Minister Mohammad Sediq Chakari, he said.
Al-Falah pointed out that the ministers taking part in the conference approved a number of Kuwaiti papers, one of which discussed moderation, and that Sudanese Religious Affairs and Waqf Minister Azhari Al-Tigani called for implementing the successful Kuwaiti experience in all Islamic countries.
After the success of the Kuwaiti experience, several countries, like Algeria, Afghanistan, Guinea, Niger, Iraq, and Syria, established similar moderation centers, he noted.
The main pillars for moderation are dealing with extremism, responding to intellect with intellect, refuting the suspicions of terrorists, using scientific research and fields studies, and searching for the problem's causes, he stressed.
On the sidelines of the three-day conference, sponsored by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Al-Falah and his accompanying delegation met with Saudi Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call, and Guidance Minister and head of the conference Salih Al-Shaykh and discussed with him cooperation between Kuwait and the kingdom regarding endowment and Islamic issues.
Al-Falah also met the Mufti (religious cleric) of Azerbaijan and several Islamic ministers and figures. (end) ay.ris KUNA 261354 May 09NNNN
JEDDAH, May 26 (KUNA) -- A number of ministers of Awqaf (endowment) and Islamic Affairs in Muslim world praised the Kuwait experience in the field of moderation, said a Kuwaiti official here Tuesday.
Kuwaiti Undersecretary of the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry Dr. Aadil Al-Falah told KUNA, on the sidelines of the 8th conference of ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the Muslim world that kicked off here Saturday, that the Kuwaiti initiative of forming a higher moderation committee and establishing the International Moderation Centre was hailed by several ministers.
The ministers included Egyptian Awqaf Minister Dr. Mahmoud Zaqzouq, Brunei's Religious Affairs Minister Dr. Mohammad Zain bin Serudin, and Afghanistan's Acting Hajj and Islamic Affairs Minister Mohammad Sediq Chakari, he said.
Al-Falah pointed out that the ministers taking part in the conference approved a number of Kuwaiti papers, one of which discussed moderation, and that Sudanese Religious Affairs and Waqf Minister Azhari Al-Tigani called for implementing the successful Kuwaiti experience in all Islamic countries.
After the success of the Kuwaiti experience, several countries, like Algeria, Afghanistan, Guinea, Niger, Iraq, and Syria, established similar moderation centers, he noted.
The main pillars for moderation are dealing with extremism, responding to intellect with intellect, refuting the suspicions of terrorists, using scientific research and fields studies, and searching for the problem's causes, he stressed.
On the sidelines of the three-day conference, sponsored by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Al-Falah and his accompanying delegation met with Saudi Islamic Affairs, Endowment, Call, and Guidance Minister and head of the conference Salih Al-Shaykh and discussed with him cooperation between Kuwait and the kingdom regarding endowment and Islamic issues.
Al-Falah also met the Mufti (religious cleric) of Azerbaijan and several Islamic ministers and figures. (end) ay.ris KUNA 261354 May 09NNNN
Damascus Declaration Expresses Islamic States' Aspirations and a Result of Successful Conference
Damascus,(SANA)- Assistant Secretary General of Civil Organizations in the Islamic World Mohammad Naeem Aqbeek said on Tuesday that Damascus Declaration, approved by the Foreign Ministers Council of the Organization of Islamic Conference in its 36th session, asserted that there is a qualitative leap in the Organization's work and expressed the Islamic states aspirations.
In a statement, Aqbeek pointed out that Damascus Declaration was comprehensive and discussed all the causes that concern the Islamic states, particularly the Palestinian cause.
Aqbeek added that the Syrian policy has been adopting all Arab causes and don't give up any Arab right, asserting that the conference success was a sign of Syria's credibility.
He underlined that Damascus Declaration stressed that there was solidarity among all the Islamic states and peoples, considering the cause of Jerusalem as their main cause and that it is exposed to the process of judaization and settlement.
Aqbeek added that we need a practical plan to support Jerusalem's people, clarifying that Israel pays no heed to international law and tries to impose the status quo policy.
In a statement, Aqbeek pointed out that Damascus Declaration was comprehensive and discussed all the causes that concern the Islamic states, particularly the Palestinian cause.
Aqbeek added that the Syrian policy has been adopting all Arab causes and don't give up any Arab right, asserting that the conference success was a sign of Syria's credibility.
He underlined that Damascus Declaration stressed that there was solidarity among all the Islamic states and peoples, considering the cause of Jerusalem as their main cause and that it is exposed to the process of judaization and settlement.
Aqbeek added that we need a practical plan to support Jerusalem's people, clarifying that Israel pays no heed to international law and tries to impose the status quo policy.
The Beliefs and Laws of Islam - WVXEEA75WMRF
Origins Islam is the religion of allegiance to God and his prophet Mohammed, who lived around 570-632 and came from a family of traders at Mecca. The religion's book of revelation, mediated by the prophet, is the Koran. The word Islam derives from the same semitic root as the Hebrew word Shalom, which means peace. Islam means "entering into a condition of peace and security with God, through allegiance or surrender to him".
Mohammed is said to have received his revelations over a period of 23 years from the Angel Jibreel, or Gabriel, who was relaying the word of God.
It was not a completely new faith but is the third great monotheistic religion. In Muslim eyes, Mohammed completes a succession of prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, each of whom refined and restated the message of God.
The Koran therefore corroborates, updates and expands the Old and New Testaments.
It contains 114 chapters, written in vivid, rhyming prose, and was settled in its current form within 30 years of Mohammed's death.
Main tenets Central to Islam is the absolute sense that there can only be one God - Allah - and that he is the source of all creation and disposer of all lives and events. Hence, there is no God but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
All people should become a single Umma - community - witnessing to that fact. On the day of judgment, all will rise from the dead and be sent to heaven or hell.
The Koran contains many moral exhortations, forming the basis of Islamic (sharia) law. It lays down generosity and fairness and the requirements for daily prayer, alms giving, abstinence during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca.
The five pillars of the Islamic faith - the fundamental constituents of Muslim life - are: · Shahada, the profession of faith in the uniqueness of Allah and the centrality of Mohammed as his prophet · Salat, formal worship or prayer · Zakat, the giving of alms for the poor, assessed on all adult Muslims as 2.5% of capital assets once a year · Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim should undertake at least once in their lifetime; the annual hajj takes place during the last 10 days of the 12th lunar month every year · Sawm, fasting during Ramadan, the holy ninth month of the lunar year.
Early history In 622, Mohammed travelled from Mecca to Medina in the hijrah (emigration) - this forms the starting point in the Muslim dating system.
After the prophet's death his community split into followers of the caliph Abu Bakr and those who supported Mohammed's closest relative, his son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib.
This division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis on the guiding role of the imam.
About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia.
Sharia The divine law of Islam by which Muslims should live their lives.
It embraces every aspect of life, including family relations, inheritance, taxation, purification and prayer and observes no distinction between secular and religious law.
How far modern Islamic states follow this principle depends on the degree of secularisation they permit. It is essentially laid down by the Koran but has been updated and extended by fatwa (legal opinion), consensus and custom.
Reference by:http://www.islamfortoday.com/beliefs01.htm
Mohammed is said to have received his revelations over a period of 23 years from the Angel Jibreel, or Gabriel, who was relaying the word of God.
It was not a completely new faith but is the third great monotheistic religion. In Muslim eyes, Mohammed completes a succession of prophets, including Abraham, Moses and Jesus, each of whom refined and restated the message of God.
The Koran therefore corroborates, updates and expands the Old and New Testaments.
It contains 114 chapters, written in vivid, rhyming prose, and was settled in its current form within 30 years of Mohammed's death.
Main tenets Central to Islam is the absolute sense that there can only be one God - Allah - and that he is the source of all creation and disposer of all lives and events. Hence, there is no God but God and Mohammed is his messenger.
All people should become a single Umma - community - witnessing to that fact. On the day of judgment, all will rise from the dead and be sent to heaven or hell.
The Koran contains many moral exhortations, forming the basis of Islamic (sharia) law. It lays down generosity and fairness and the requirements for daily prayer, alms giving, abstinence during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca.
The five pillars of the Islamic faith - the fundamental constituents of Muslim life - are: · Shahada, the profession of faith in the uniqueness of Allah and the centrality of Mohammed as his prophet · Salat, formal worship or prayer · Zakat, the giving of alms for the poor, assessed on all adult Muslims as 2.5% of capital assets once a year · Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim should undertake at least once in their lifetime; the annual hajj takes place during the last 10 days of the 12th lunar month every year · Sawm, fasting during Ramadan, the holy ninth month of the lunar year.
Early history In 622, Mohammed travelled from Mecca to Medina in the hijrah (emigration) - this forms the starting point in the Muslim dating system.
After the prophet's death his community split into followers of the caliph Abu Bakr and those who supported Mohammed's closest relative, his son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib.
This division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate) persists to this day. Although both share most of the customs of the religion, Shiites place more emphasis on the guiding role of the imam.
About 90% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and about 10% Shia.
Sharia The divine law of Islam by which Muslims should live their lives.
It embraces every aspect of life, including family relations, inheritance, taxation, purification and prayer and observes no distinction between secular and religious law.
How far modern Islamic states follow this principle depends on the degree of secularisation they permit. It is essentially laid down by the Koran but has been updated and extended by fatwa (legal opinion), consensus and custom.
Reference by:http://www.islamfortoday.com/beliefs01.htm
Monday, May 25, 2009
Brain Lara Has Accepted Islam
Great news,
King of cricket Brain Lara of West Indies has accepted Islam.Saeed Anwar and Junaid jamshed had preached him.Now Brain Lara is Muslim.What is his Muslim, it still not confirm.Special congratulates for Saeed Anwar and Junaid jamshed.The great news for all Muslims.
King of cricket Brain Lara of West Indies has accepted Islam.Saeed Anwar and Junaid jamshed had preached him.Now Brain Lara is Muslim.What is his Muslim, it still not confirm.Special congratulates for Saeed Anwar and Junaid jamshed.The great news for all Muslims.
President may visit Russia in June: Qashqavi
Tehran, May 25, IRNA – Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi announced on Monday that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is probably to visit Russia in June.
He added that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has invited his Iranian counterpart to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on June 15-16.
Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are the SCO member states while Iran, India and Mongolia are the observer countries.
On the recent remarks made by Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on settlement of the existing dispute between Iran and the UAE on the three Persian Gulf islands through his organization, Qashqavi said the dispute is only on the island of Abu Musa and not the three islands.
“The issue can be settled by the two sides and there is no need for involvement of any other country or organization,” the spokesman reiterated.
Criticizing the continued siege of the Gaza Strip by the Zionist regime, he regretted the inaction of regional states towards the issue.
Gaza is a prison with 1.5 million inmates established through West’s support for the Zionist regime, he said, expressing concern over the critical condition of the oppressed people in the city.
Underlining the need for efforts by human rights organizations to help resolve the issue, Qashqavi stressed that cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Muslim countries would help lift the siege on the city.
He added that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has invited his Iranian counterpart to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on June 15-16.
Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are the SCO member states while Iran, India and Mongolia are the observer countries.
On the recent remarks made by Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on settlement of the existing dispute between Iran and the UAE on the three Persian Gulf islands through his organization, Qashqavi said the dispute is only on the island of Abu Musa and not the three islands.
“The issue can be settled by the two sides and there is no need for involvement of any other country or organization,” the spokesman reiterated.
Criticizing the continued siege of the Gaza Strip by the Zionist regime, he regretted the inaction of regional states towards the issue.
Gaza is a prison with 1.5 million inmates established through West’s support for the Zionist regime, he said, expressing concern over the critical condition of the oppressed people in the city.
Underlining the need for efforts by human rights organizations to help resolve the issue, Qashqavi stressed that cooperation between the Islamic Republic and Muslim countries would help lift the siege on the city.
Ahmadinejad invites US president to debate at UN
Tehran, May 25, IRNA -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday invited US President Barack Obama for a debate at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Speaking to foreign reporters in Tehran, he recalled that the Islamic Republic of Iran had earlier invited the US president for debate on global peace and security at UN General Assembly.
"If I am reelected in the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, I would like to renew the invitation to President Obama for debate on global issues, as well as world peace and security," said President Ahmadinejad.
Speaking to foreign reporters in Tehran, he recalled that the Islamic Republic of Iran had earlier invited the US president for debate on global peace and security at UN General Assembly.
"If I am reelected in the upcoming presidential elections in Iran, I would like to renew the invitation to President Obama for debate on global issues, as well as world peace and security," said President Ahmadinejad.
BBC...Middlie east - 20/09/08
rchbishop Desmond Tutu has delivered a scathing report to the UN Human Rights Commission on Israel's shelling of Beit Hanoun in Gaza in 2006.
The report, leaked on Monday, says the shelling may have been a war crime.
It criticises an Israeli inquiry that concluded that the shelling was due to a flawed artillery system.
The Archbishop also criticised the international community for "failing to fulfil its role in respect of the suffering of the people of Gaza".
"It is the silence of the international community in the face of what is happening there which most offends. This silence begets complicity," he said.
The right to life has been violated not just through the killings, but also through the lack of an adequate investigation of the killings
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
He expanded on this in comments to journalists.
"I think the West, quite rightly, is feeling contrite, penitent for its awful connivance with the Holocaust," Archbishop Tutu said.
"The West is penitent, the penance is being paid by the Palestinians."
Nineteen Palestinian civilians were killed in the shelling.
The Israeli military was at the time trying to prevent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
'Report inappropriate'
Archbishop Tutu's report said that the "Israeli response of a largely secret internal military investigation is absolutely unacceptable from both legal and moral points of view".
The mission appears to have legitimised the iron fisted control of the Hamas terrorist organisation holds over the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip
Aharon Leshno-Yaar
Israeli ambassador
"In the absence of a well-founded explanation from the Israeli military - who is in sole possession of the relevant facts - the mission must conclude that there is a possibility that the shelling of Beit Hanoun constituted a war crime," his report said.
The Israeli delegate at the Human Rights Council, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, rejected the conclusions of the inquiry.
"The mission appears to have legitimised the iron-fisted control of the Hamas terrorist organisation over the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. It is not clear to me whether such action is appropriate by a representative from the Quartet," he said.
International justice
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Abu-Koash, said: "The Israeli shelling of civilians in Beit Hanoun, while asleep in their homes, and targeting those fleeing, is a war crime, and it's perpetrators must be brought before international justice."
Archbishop Tutu appealed to the UN Human Rights Council to show the same concern for protecting Israelis from Palestinian attacks as it does for Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation.
The council has been widely criticised for its frequent and heavy criticism of Israel while appearing to soft-pedal on human rights violations elsewhere in the world.
He said Hamas also had an obligation under international law to stop the firing of rockets into Israel.
The report, leaked on Monday, says the shelling may have been a war crime.
It criticises an Israeli inquiry that concluded that the shelling was due to a flawed artillery system.
The Archbishop also criticised the international community for "failing to fulfil its role in respect of the suffering of the people of Gaza".
"It is the silence of the international community in the face of what is happening there which most offends. This silence begets complicity," he said.
The right to life has been violated not just through the killings, but also through the lack of an adequate investigation of the killings
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
He expanded on this in comments to journalists.
"I think the West, quite rightly, is feeling contrite, penitent for its awful connivance with the Holocaust," Archbishop Tutu said.
"The West is penitent, the penance is being paid by the Palestinians."
Nineteen Palestinian civilians were killed in the shelling.
The Israeli military was at the time trying to prevent rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
'Report inappropriate'
Archbishop Tutu's report said that the "Israeli response of a largely secret internal military investigation is absolutely unacceptable from both legal and moral points of view".
The mission appears to have legitimised the iron fisted control of the Hamas terrorist organisation holds over the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip
Aharon Leshno-Yaar
Israeli ambassador
"In the absence of a well-founded explanation from the Israeli military - who is in sole possession of the relevant facts - the mission must conclude that there is a possibility that the shelling of Beit Hanoun constituted a war crime," his report said.
The Israeli delegate at the Human Rights Council, Aharon Leshno-Yaar, rejected the conclusions of the inquiry.
"The mission appears to have legitimised the iron-fisted control of the Hamas terrorist organisation over the Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip. It is not clear to me whether such action is appropriate by a representative from the Quartet," he said.
International justice
The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Mohammad Abu-Koash, said: "The Israeli shelling of civilians in Beit Hanoun, while asleep in their homes, and targeting those fleeing, is a war crime, and it's perpetrators must be brought before international justice."
Archbishop Tutu appealed to the UN Human Rights Council to show the same concern for protecting Israelis from Palestinian attacks as it does for Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation.
The council has been widely criticised for its frequent and heavy criticism of Israel while appearing to soft-pedal on human rights violations elsewhere in the world.
He said Hamas also had an obligation under international law to stop the firing of rockets into Israel.
Friday, May 22, 2009
European Muslim women: against all odds
Growing majority of women in Europe - socially, economically, ethnically diverse - are countering discrimination.
In April, US President Barack Obama appointed a Muslim woman who wears the hijab (headscarf) to his White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The move has become a hot topic in Europe, where it has generated both questions and hope over whether European Muslim women could experience greater political participation.
Of the 20 million Muslims in Europe, 12 million are women. These Muslim women are socially, economically, ethnically and politically diverse, yet all are prone to growing multi-layered discrimination which portrays them as ethnic minorities, disenfranchised women, or even “potentially radical” threats. Muslim women in Europe are often stereotyped as victims of forced marriage, domestic violence and honour killings.
Reference by:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english
However, a growing majority of these women – especially those raised in Europe – are now talking about freedom and faith, equal rights and diversity, and countering discrimination that arises from within both Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
For example, women have now begun asking for equal space in mosques and access to the same religious training that men receive. In fact, the majority of students at the Institutes of Islamic Studies – which emerged in major cities throughout Europe in the last decade – are now women who are seeking knowledge of their religious rights in order to defend their status in their own Muslim communities.
As a result, Muslim women are beginning to find solutions to the issues affecting them inside the community. Last year, a group of young Muslim associations launched the “Joining Hands Against Forced Marriages” programme in cities throughout Europe, including Brussels, Paris, Madrid, London, Berlin, Bologna and Rotterdam. Seeking to create dialogue on the issue, these groups brought together imams, parents, children and municipal officials to explain to both Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike that Islam forbids practices like this.
At the same time, Muslim women also suffer discrimination resulting from societal misunderstanding outside their communities – in schools, social and healthcare centres, political parties and housing agencies. For example, institutional discourses defining the headscarf as a sign of oppression against women have resulted in women being criticised for wearing it in the public spaces because they are seen as acquiescing to male oppression.
If discrimination has led some women to withdraw from society, the majority are trying to establish a place for themselves by investing in new channels: media and the private sector. Magazines like the British Emel or the French MWM are offering an alternative vision of Muslim women by targeting a readership that goes beyond Muslim communities. Creating their own Islamic fashion or bio-cosmetics companies is also a way European Muslim women are escaping job market discrimination.
In Denmark, Muslim women are overcoming hurdles with the help of the government and the larger public. Following the 2005 cartoons controversy, Danish society has witnessed the rise of female Muslim politicians, a television newscaster and even a national soccer player – surprisingly, all of whom wear the hijab. It is through positive models of identification like these that Muslim women today are building self-confidence.
Discrimination experienced by European Muslim women should be tackled using a multi-dimensional approach which includes building knowledge of their rights, increasing involvement in media and public institutions, and developing partnerships between Muslims and non-Muslims, and between men and women.
The way Muslim women are taking advantage of their European environment to stand up for their rights reveals that feminist, religious and ethnic identities are changing. With their demands for equal rights and equal access to the public sphere, they are confronting European policymakers with the need to adapt their strategies in an atmosphere that is rapidly expanding in terms of its diversity.
Policymakers need to shift they way they see these women – from immigrants with anti-European values who need to be “integrated”, to the active residents and citizens that they already are: women who want to feel secure, work, get an education and be visible. Discrimination against Muslim women – whether it emerges in the Muslim communities in which they are raised, or the larger public – should become an issue of common interest in the development of a more cohesive Europe.
In April, US President Barack Obama appointed a Muslim woman who wears the hijab (headscarf) to his White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The move has become a hot topic in Europe, where it has generated both questions and hope over whether European Muslim women could experience greater political participation.
Of the 20 million Muslims in Europe, 12 million are women. These Muslim women are socially, economically, ethnically and politically diverse, yet all are prone to growing multi-layered discrimination which portrays them as ethnic minorities, disenfranchised women, or even “potentially radical” threats. Muslim women in Europe are often stereotyped as victims of forced marriage, domestic violence and honour killings.
Reference by:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english
However, a growing majority of these women – especially those raised in Europe – are now talking about freedom and faith, equal rights and diversity, and countering discrimination that arises from within both Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
For example, women have now begun asking for equal space in mosques and access to the same religious training that men receive. In fact, the majority of students at the Institutes of Islamic Studies – which emerged in major cities throughout Europe in the last decade – are now women who are seeking knowledge of their religious rights in order to defend their status in their own Muslim communities.
As a result, Muslim women are beginning to find solutions to the issues affecting them inside the community. Last year, a group of young Muslim associations launched the “Joining Hands Against Forced Marriages” programme in cities throughout Europe, including Brussels, Paris, Madrid, London, Berlin, Bologna and Rotterdam. Seeking to create dialogue on the issue, these groups brought together imams, parents, children and municipal officials to explain to both Muslim and non-Muslim communities alike that Islam forbids practices like this.
At the same time, Muslim women also suffer discrimination resulting from societal misunderstanding outside their communities – in schools, social and healthcare centres, political parties and housing agencies. For example, institutional discourses defining the headscarf as a sign of oppression against women have resulted in women being criticised for wearing it in the public spaces because they are seen as acquiescing to male oppression.
If discrimination has led some women to withdraw from society, the majority are trying to establish a place for themselves by investing in new channels: media and the private sector. Magazines like the British Emel or the French MWM are offering an alternative vision of Muslim women by targeting a readership that goes beyond Muslim communities. Creating their own Islamic fashion or bio-cosmetics companies is also a way European Muslim women are escaping job market discrimination.
In Denmark, Muslim women are overcoming hurdles with the help of the government and the larger public. Following the 2005 cartoons controversy, Danish society has witnessed the rise of female Muslim politicians, a television newscaster and even a national soccer player – surprisingly, all of whom wear the hijab. It is through positive models of identification like these that Muslim women today are building self-confidence.
Discrimination experienced by European Muslim women should be tackled using a multi-dimensional approach which includes building knowledge of their rights, increasing involvement in media and public institutions, and developing partnerships between Muslims and non-Muslims, and between men and women.
The way Muslim women are taking advantage of their European environment to stand up for their rights reveals that feminist, religious and ethnic identities are changing. With their demands for equal rights and equal access to the public sphere, they are confronting European policymakers with the need to adapt their strategies in an atmosphere that is rapidly expanding in terms of its diversity.
Policymakers need to shift they way they see these women – from immigrants with anti-European values who need to be “integrated”, to the active residents and citizens that they already are: women who want to feel secure, work, get an education and be visible. Discrimination against Muslim women – whether it emerges in the Muslim communities in which they are raised, or the larger public – should become an issue of common interest in the development of a more cohesive Europe.
Two Islamic Jihad militants killed in S Gaza
GAZA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinian militants, members of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) armed wing, were killed by Israeli soldiers on Friday southeast of Rafah town in southern Gaza Strip.
The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that two of its militants were killed when they were trying to attack an Israeli army force near the fence of a border crossing. No injuries were reported among the Israelis.
In the statement, the Islamic Jihad mourned the death of its two militants and also vowed to "revenge their death."
Israeli radio reported early on Friday that Israeli soldiers stationed near Kerem Shalom Crossing, east of Rafah, shot dead two militants who were planting roadside bombs near the fence of the borders between east Rafah and Israel.
Meanwhile, Hamas security sources in Gaza said the Israeli side informed the Gaza emergency and ambulance services of the death of the two militants.
Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that Palestinian ambulances brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City the bodies of two Palestinians who were shot dead by Israeli gunfire southeast Gaza Strip.
The two militants were identified as Yassin Jasser, 23 and Abdel Majid Salleh, 22, both of whom are from Gaza, he said.
Reference by:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english
The Islamic Jihad said in a statement that two of its militants were killed when they were trying to attack an Israeli army force near the fence of a border crossing. No injuries were reported among the Israelis.
In the statement, the Islamic Jihad mourned the death of its two militants and also vowed to "revenge their death."
Israeli radio reported early on Friday that Israeli soldiers stationed near Kerem Shalom Crossing, east of Rafah, shot dead two militants who were planting roadside bombs near the fence of the borders between east Rafah and Israel.
Meanwhile, Hamas security sources in Gaza said the Israeli side informed the Gaza emergency and ambulance services of the death of the two militants.
Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that Palestinian ambulances brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City the bodies of two Palestinians who were shot dead by Israeli gunfire southeast Gaza Strip.
The two militants were identified as Yassin Jasser, 23 and Abdel Majid Salleh, 22, both of whom are from Gaza, he said.
Reference by:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english
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