By Nigar Ataulla
During the heydays of the DD, Satyajit's Ray's films were a treat to watch. Kolkata appeared totally serene. But today real life Kolkata seems to be eons away from that reel life portrayal.
Negotiating streets of Kolkata and West Bengal on my voyage of discovery of Bengali Muslims was no mean task. So there I was (my husband in tow), groping through crowded roads, traffic snarls, overflowing drains, heavily dented trams and honking taxis. We wriggled our way into the Indo-Arab Cultural Association. Even before I could catch my breath, I was unleashing my advice for Sabir Ghaffar, the enthusiastic youngster and general secretary of the Association: 'Why don't you compile a directory of Muslims in West Bengal just like our Millat Directory from Bangalore'. The Association helps Bengali Muslims 'to connect to their Arab roots'. But I wished the youth could have made much prudent use of their resources and energy by probing the reasons for mass poverty that is so omnipresent in West Bengal. It has brought out an Islamic colouring book so far.
Our next stop was Madrasa Aliah, founded in 1781 in Calcutta by Warren Hastings. He ran the institution out of his own pocket for 18 months till he was reimbursed by the Bengal Government. It was founded in Baithak Khana near Sealdah. But is currently located to the north of Wellesley Square renamed Haji Md. Mohsin Square in the Taltala area. Its first head was Mulla Majduddin who was succeeded by Muhammad Ismail in 1791. The school taught Persian, Arabic and Muslim Law (Fiqh) and its graduates were hired as interpreters for the British Raj. After facing financial crises, Captain Ayron a retired British army officer was appointed in 1819 to be on the Madrasa management committee for helping the Board of Revenue. Upon further financial and administrative deterioration, another European head, Aloys Sprenger, was brought in 1850.
The Madrasa has now been turned into Aliah University by an Act in 2007 and through section 3(3) has been conferred status of a minority educational institution under the Department of Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education, Government of West Bengal. Aliah has set up Centre for Vocational Studies and taken up several programme for the skill development among minorities.
No one seems to be more ardent believers in biodiversity on roads than Kolkattans. Roads just outside the Aliah University were lined up with huts with plastic roofs and spaces were shared with all kinds of cattle by humans.
When queried about the way to West Bengal Urdu Academy, a passerby had the following to say: Seedha jayen, ek kachre ke dheir ke pas wali imarat hi Urdu Academy hai!. (Go straight, the building near the heap of garbage is the one you are trying to locate! Grime infested books on the Victorian era shelves with garbage piles underneath the creaking staircase presented the tell-tale picture of the state of language in West Bengal. The West Bengal Madrasah Board has though huge space at its disposal, vies with the Urdu Academy for the dubious distinction for the most unkempt places. A grogy-eyed officials looked totally non-plussed at our request for any publication from the Board and promised to send them by post. We are still expecting the knock of the postman!
Murshidabad, on the southern bank of river Bhagirathi is four hours away from Kolkata by rail. It was the capital of undivided Bengal during the Mughal rule. Later Bengal nawabs retained this as capital. Royal buildings bear the glory of those halcyon days. The administrative headquarters of the district is at Berhampur. It was in 1704 that Nawab Murshid Quli Khan shifted the seat of government from Dhaka to Maksudabad, which was rechristened Murshidabad after him. The family of Jagat Seth maintained its position as state bankers at Murshidabad from generation to generation. Even after the conquest of Bengal by the British, Murshidabad remained for some time the seat of administration. Hastings removed the supreme civil and criminal courts to Calcutta in 1772 only to be brought back in 1775. In 1790, under Lord Cornwallis, the entire revenue and judicial staffs were fixed at Calcutta. Of historic interest are Nizamat Kila (the Fortress of the Nawabs), also known as the Hazaarduari Palace (Palace of a Thousand Doors), built by Duncan McLeod of the Bengal Engineers in 1837, in the Italian style, the Moti Jhil (Pearl Lake) just to the south of the palace, the Muradbagh Palace and the Khushbagh Cemetery, where the remains of Ali Vardi Khan and Siraj Ud Daulah are interred. Though Hazaarduari palace is in fine shape, Wasif Mahal, the palace of the last nawab is rotting in filth! Worse still is the fate of rich treasure of manuscripts that are decaying in the palace. According to a descendant of the nawab, a store-keeper here, the palace is under the state Government administration. Paid guides dole out all kinds of spurious and dubious versions of history. But the truth that may be lying buried in the manuscripts, needs to be unearthed. But who will unravel the truth?
Malda or formerly English Bazaar, is still five-hours away towards north of Murshidabad. An English factory was set up here in 1771. Malda is the base for visiting Gaur and Pandua. Gaur, capital to three dynasties of ancient Bengal—the Buddhist Palas, the Hindu Senas and the Muslim Nawabs—has seen three distinct eras of glory. Pandua, once the alternate seat of power to Gaur, has the third largest concentration of Muslim monuments in Bengal. Historical monuments include the Jami' Masjid (1566) and the landmark Nimasari tower across the river. During the 18th century, it was the seat of prosperous cotton and silk industries.
Gaur, 12 km south of Malda, right on the Indo-Bangladesh border, offers rich feast of history and archaeology. Monuments on the must-see list are Bara Sona Mosque, Dakhil Darwajah (built in 1425), Qadam Rasul Mosque, Lattan Mosque and the ruins of the extensive fortification. Pandua, 18 kms north of Malda, another important site of archeological importance has some impressive Muslim architecture including the vast Adina Mosque built by Sikander Shah in 1369. It is one of the largest mosques in India.
But present day Muslims of West Bengal, wallowing in poverty and illiteracy, seem to be the unworthy inheritors of the glorious past. No aspect of Muslim life in Bengal today offers anything positive that could provide room for hope.
Reference by: http://islamicvoice.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Over 32,000 widows, 97,000 orphans in Kashmir
There are over 32,000 widows and 97,000 orphaned children in violence-battered Jammu and Kashmir, a new study has found, suggesting that the unending conflict in the border state has only made things worse for the vulnerable sections of society.
"There were 32,400 widows and 97,200 orphans in 2008 in Kashmir and the number is growing. With the continuity and intensification of armed conflict, their life conditions have deteriorated to miserable sub-human levels," says the study conducted by valley-based known sociologist Bashir Ahmed Dabla.
The study says that widows and orphans in the state, which has been battling a separatist war since 1989, have not received adequate help from the government or NGOs.
"Neither the state nor NGOs have been able to help them in an organised and systematic manner. The tragic aspect of the situation is that the state has not adopted any specific social policy and programme in this regard. Their problems accumulate and intensify day by day," it says.
"Individuals, society, community and the state must share responsibilities in terms of coordination, organisation and effective implementation of relevant programmes," the study asserts. (IANS)
reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
"There were 32,400 widows and 97,200 orphans in 2008 in Kashmir and the number is growing. With the continuity and intensification of armed conflict, their life conditions have deteriorated to miserable sub-human levels," says the study conducted by valley-based known sociologist Bashir Ahmed Dabla.
The study says that widows and orphans in the state, which has been battling a separatist war since 1989, have not received adequate help from the government or NGOs.
"Neither the state nor NGOs have been able to help them in an organised and systematic manner. The tragic aspect of the situation is that the state has not adopted any specific social policy and programme in this regard. Their problems accumulate and intensify day by day," it says.
"Individuals, society, community and the state must share responsibilities in terms of coordination, organisation and effective implementation of relevant programmes," the study asserts. (IANS)
reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Muslims should avoid Namaz on road
By Andalib Akhter
New Delhi:
A section of Muslims under a banner of Zakat Foundation of India have appealed the community not to offer Namaz on roads. They said that offering Namaz at places where it could cause disturbance to the members of the society is against the basic principles of Islam.
The appeal came following a row over a mosque of Aravali Apartment in Alaknanda in south Delhi where residents objected to people offering namaz beyond Mosque premises claiming it blocked traffic in the area.
Lately the residents had filed a contempt petition against Delhi Police after the Delhi High Court passed an order in January last year asking the cops to ensure that the prayers were offered within the walls of the mosque. However, the HC dismissed the contempt petition after getting an assurance from the police that the area beyond the mosque boundary will be kept free of the namazis.
A senior police officer told this correspondent that the problem of namazis going beyond their premises is found in all part of the country. The mosques do not have the capacity to accommodate so many people due to which they are forced to offer prayers on the road. Police have to take extra care when people offer namaz on the road and big manpower is used to prevent any untoward incident.
In a statement after meeting with scholars, the president of Zakat Foundation of India, Dr. Zafar Mahmood said the community should outline a mechanism that devout could offer prayers without disturbing the traffic and the society. He asked Muslims to be sensitive to the needs and difficulties of the other members of the society. 'The namaz on roads or footpaths disturbs not only non-Muslim but Muslims too. The children, elders and the sick are more affected if traffic is blocked on roads. He appealed to the Muslims, particularly the Imam and Mutawallis of mosques to send a list of mosques where people offer nemaz beyond the premises of the mosques, in order that alternative arrangements could be thought of.
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
New Delhi:
A section of Muslims under a banner of Zakat Foundation of India have appealed the community not to offer Namaz on roads. They said that offering Namaz at places where it could cause disturbance to the members of the society is against the basic principles of Islam.
The appeal came following a row over a mosque of Aravali Apartment in Alaknanda in south Delhi where residents objected to people offering namaz beyond Mosque premises claiming it blocked traffic in the area.
Lately the residents had filed a contempt petition against Delhi Police after the Delhi High Court passed an order in January last year asking the cops to ensure that the prayers were offered within the walls of the mosque. However, the HC dismissed the contempt petition after getting an assurance from the police that the area beyond the mosque boundary will be kept free of the namazis.
A senior police officer told this correspondent that the problem of namazis going beyond their premises is found in all part of the country. The mosques do not have the capacity to accommodate so many people due to which they are forced to offer prayers on the road. Police have to take extra care when people offer namaz on the road and big manpower is used to prevent any untoward incident.
In a statement after meeting with scholars, the president of Zakat Foundation of India, Dr. Zafar Mahmood said the community should outline a mechanism that devout could offer prayers without disturbing the traffic and the society. He asked Muslims to be sensitive to the needs and difficulties of the other members of the society. 'The namaz on roads or footpaths disturbs not only non-Muslim but Muslims too. The children, elders and the sick are more affected if traffic is blocked on roads. He appealed to the Muslims, particularly the Imam and Mutawallis of mosques to send a list of mosques where people offer nemaz beyond the premises of the mosques, in order that alternative arrangements could be thought of.
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
Workshop on Rights of Women in Quran
By Nigar Ataulla
Mumbai:
The Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) and Institute of Islamic Studies, Mumbai organized a three-day workshop on “Rights of Women in Quran- Theory and Practice” at the Bio-Medical Ethics Centre, St Pius College in Mumbai. Representatives from the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan from across India formed the majority of participants. But NGOs working in the field of women's rights too participated. The first session of the programme was taken by Dr Zeenath Shaukat Ali, professor of Islamic Studies at St Xaviers College, Mumbai who elaborated on the Quranic verses that explain the status accorded to women by Islam. She also spoke on “Concept of Evidence in Law.” Maulana Shoiab Koti handled the subject on “Concept of Women in Quran” and “Gender Parity in Islam”. Shazia of CSSS spoke on “ Fatwa: its origin, history and present reality.” Advocate Flavia Agnes spelt out the “Legal Rights of Muslim Women.” Nausheen, an advocate and working with the NGO Majlis presented case studies. Nilofer Akhter, also an advocate interacted with the participants stressing on the importance of knowledge of the laws for women. Dr. Malika Mistry referred to many case studies on “Responsible Parenthood.” Qutub Jahan Kidwai threw light on the need for Reforms in Muslim Law. Dr Asghar Ali Engineer, due to ill health could not be present for the sessions, however presented his remarks on the “Quranic Rights for Women”, over phone from the hospital.
Reference by: http://islamicvoice.com
Mumbai:
The Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) and Institute of Islamic Studies, Mumbai organized a three-day workshop on “Rights of Women in Quran- Theory and Practice” at the Bio-Medical Ethics Centre, St Pius College in Mumbai. Representatives from the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan from across India formed the majority of participants. But NGOs working in the field of women's rights too participated. The first session of the programme was taken by Dr Zeenath Shaukat Ali, professor of Islamic Studies at St Xaviers College, Mumbai who elaborated on the Quranic verses that explain the status accorded to women by Islam. She also spoke on “Concept of Evidence in Law.” Maulana Shoiab Koti handled the subject on “Concept of Women in Quran” and “Gender Parity in Islam”. Shazia of CSSS spoke on “ Fatwa: its origin, history and present reality.” Advocate Flavia Agnes spelt out the “Legal Rights of Muslim Women.” Nausheen, an advocate and working with the NGO Majlis presented case studies. Nilofer Akhter, also an advocate interacted with the participants stressing on the importance of knowledge of the laws for women. Dr. Malika Mistry referred to many case studies on “Responsible Parenthood.” Qutub Jahan Kidwai threw light on the need for Reforms in Muslim Law. Dr Asghar Ali Engineer, due to ill health could not be present for the sessions, however presented his remarks on the “Quranic Rights for Women”, over phone from the hospital.
Reference by: http://islamicvoice.com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Historic Mosque restored in Zanzibar
Three historic mosques in Tanzania including the one near Kizimkazi on the island of Zanzibar has been restored by the support received from the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation. Kizimkazi mosque is considered one of the oldest Islamic buildings on the coast of east Africa. The 2008 grant allowed for repairs and restoration of the mosque's roof, ceiling, doors and windows as well as the mihrab, the ornate alcove that indicates the direction of Mecca.
The Kizimkazi mosque is old enough to show the roots of Islam in the region. Most of the mosque dates to a reconstruction in the 18th century — as proclaimed in an Arabic inscription from that time — but inscriptions near the mihrab that are in Kufic, an older form of Arabic script, put the date of construction in the 12th century, and some design elements of the mosque reflect the influence of Persia. Islam arrived in southeastern Africa with traders from Arabia and Persia, 3,500 miles (5,633 kilometers) to the north.
Zanzibar attracts a lot of tourists who also visit the town as the launching point for dolphin tours. The mosque bearing Persian and Swahili architecture had fallen into disrepair due to the harsh climate.
A U.S. official who visited Pemba to discuss plans for the project “heard many complaints about the hardships of life in these villages, including the problem of having no access to fresh water,” the proposal said. “But when asked which was a higher priority for the community — access to fresh water or restoration of their historic mosque — the village elders unanimously stated that restoring the mosques was more important,”
reported news portal afrik.com\
The Kizimkazi mosque is old enough to show the roots of Islam in the region. Most of the mosque dates to a reconstruction in the 18th century — as proclaimed in an Arabic inscription from that time — but inscriptions near the mihrab that are in Kufic, an older form of Arabic script, put the date of construction in the 12th century, and some design elements of the mosque reflect the influence of Persia. Islam arrived in southeastern Africa with traders from Arabia and Persia, 3,500 miles (5,633 kilometers) to the north.
Zanzibar attracts a lot of tourists who also visit the town as the launching point for dolphin tours. The mosque bearing Persian and Swahili architecture had fallen into disrepair due to the harsh climate.
A U.S. official who visited Pemba to discuss plans for the project “heard many complaints about the hardships of life in these villages, including the problem of having no access to fresh water,” the proposal said. “But when asked which was a higher priority for the community — access to fresh water or restoration of their historic mosque — the village elders unanimously stated that restoring the mosques was more important,”
reported news portal afrik.com\
US jettisons linking terrorism with Islam
The US President Barack Obama has ordered a revision of America's National Security Strategy with the aim to remove terms that link Islam to terrorism, administration officials said.
The officials said the change would remove terms like “Islamic radicalism” from the National Security Strategy, a document that was created by the previous administration to outline the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war.
The US National Security Strategy outlines major national security concerns and the methods to deal with them. Such documents are prepared periodically by the executive branch of the government for Congress. US media outlets often refer to this document for borrowing terms to use in a report.
The Bush-era document describes the war against terrorists as “the struggle against militant Islamic radicalism … the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the announcement on April 8, saying it was a step in the right direction.
“We welcome this change in language as another step towards respectful and effective outreach to Muslims at home and abroad,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. He recommended that media professionals and commentators adopt similarly neutral and objective language and avoid “loaded” terminology.
In 2008, the US National Counter-Terrorism Centre produced a document, called “Words that Work and Words that Don't: A Guide for Counter-Terrorism Communication,” which encouraged government agencies and officials to avoid characterizing Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups as “Islamic” or “Muslim,” as that could “unintentionally legitimise” their tactics.
US Counterterrorism officials said the move to rewrite the security strategy is part of an effort to assure the Muslims that the United States does not link them with terrorism. Since taking office, President Obama has attempted o seek reconciliation with the Muslim world. During his landmark speech at Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009, Mr. Obama said that the US did not have any enmity with the Muslim world.
The document that the Obama administration is consulting for drafting the new strategy — “A Guide for Counter-Terrorism Communication” — urges US officials to “avoid labelling everything 'Muslim.' It reinforces the 'US vs. Islam' framework that Al Qaeda promotes.” It reminds US officials that “a large percentage of the world's population subscribes to this religion” and “unintentionally alienating them is not a judicious move.”
Urging officials not to use the word Islam in conjunction with terrorism, the guide notes that, “Although the Al Qaeda network exploits religious sentiments and tries to use religion to justify its actions, we should treat it as an illegitimate political organisation, both terrorist and criminal.”
Instead of calling terror groups Muslim or Islamic, the guide suggests using words like totalitarian, terrorist or violent extremist — “widely understood terms that define our enemies appropriately and simultaneously deny them any level of legitimacy.”
By employing the language the extremists use about themselves, the guide warns, officials can inadvertently help legitimise them in the eyes of Muslims. “Never use the terms 'jihadist' or 'mujahideen' … to describe the terrorists,” instructs the guide. “A mujahid, a holy warrior, is a positive characterisation in the context of a just war. In Arabic, jihad means 'striving in the path of God' and is used in many contexts beyond warfare. Calling our enemies Jihadis and their movement a global Jihad unintentionally legitimises their actions.” The guide also bans the use of the word caliphate to describe Al Qaeda's goal. The term “has positive connotations for Muslims,” says the guide, adding, “The best description of what (Al Qaeda) really want to create is a 'global totalitarian state.'”
A longer document — “Terminology to Define the Terrorists: Recommendations from American Muslims” — says officials should use “terms such as 'death cult,' 'cult-like,' 'sectarian cult,' and 'violent cultists' to describe the ideology and methodology of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.” It recommends eschewing the terms Islamist or Islamism — the advocacy of a political system based on Islam – while referring to terrorist groups.
The document urges officials to consider describing Al Qaeda's ideology as “Takfirism” — the practice of declaring Muslims who disagree with extremism apostates who can be killed.
Reference by: http://islamicvoice.com
The officials said the change would remove terms like “Islamic radicalism” from the National Security Strategy, a document that was created by the previous administration to outline the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive war.
The US National Security Strategy outlines major national security concerns and the methods to deal with them. Such documents are prepared periodically by the executive branch of the government for Congress. US media outlets often refer to this document for borrowing terms to use in a report.
The Bush-era document describes the war against terrorists as “the struggle against militant Islamic radicalism … the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) welcomed the announcement on April 8, saying it was a step in the right direction.
“We welcome this change in language as another step towards respectful and effective outreach to Muslims at home and abroad,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. He recommended that media professionals and commentators adopt similarly neutral and objective language and avoid “loaded” terminology.
In 2008, the US National Counter-Terrorism Centre produced a document, called “Words that Work and Words that Don't: A Guide for Counter-Terrorism Communication,” which encouraged government agencies and officials to avoid characterizing Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups as “Islamic” or “Muslim,” as that could “unintentionally legitimise” their tactics.
US Counterterrorism officials said the move to rewrite the security strategy is part of an effort to assure the Muslims that the United States does not link them with terrorism. Since taking office, President Obama has attempted o seek reconciliation with the Muslim world. During his landmark speech at Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009, Mr. Obama said that the US did not have any enmity with the Muslim world.
The document that the Obama administration is consulting for drafting the new strategy — “A Guide for Counter-Terrorism Communication” — urges US officials to “avoid labelling everything 'Muslim.' It reinforces the 'US vs. Islam' framework that Al Qaeda promotes.” It reminds US officials that “a large percentage of the world's population subscribes to this religion” and “unintentionally alienating them is not a judicious move.”
Urging officials not to use the word Islam in conjunction with terrorism, the guide notes that, “Although the Al Qaeda network exploits religious sentiments and tries to use religion to justify its actions, we should treat it as an illegitimate political organisation, both terrorist and criminal.”
Instead of calling terror groups Muslim or Islamic, the guide suggests using words like totalitarian, terrorist or violent extremist — “widely understood terms that define our enemies appropriately and simultaneously deny them any level of legitimacy.”
By employing the language the extremists use about themselves, the guide warns, officials can inadvertently help legitimise them in the eyes of Muslims. “Never use the terms 'jihadist' or 'mujahideen' … to describe the terrorists,” instructs the guide. “A mujahid, a holy warrior, is a positive characterisation in the context of a just war. In Arabic, jihad means 'striving in the path of God' and is used in many contexts beyond warfare. Calling our enemies Jihadis and their movement a global Jihad unintentionally legitimises their actions.” The guide also bans the use of the word caliphate to describe Al Qaeda's goal. The term “has positive connotations for Muslims,” says the guide, adding, “The best description of what (Al Qaeda) really want to create is a 'global totalitarian state.'”
A longer document — “Terminology to Define the Terrorists: Recommendations from American Muslims” — says officials should use “terms such as 'death cult,' 'cult-like,' 'sectarian cult,' and 'violent cultists' to describe the ideology and methodology of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.” It recommends eschewing the terms Islamist or Islamism — the advocacy of a political system based on Islam – while referring to terrorist groups.
The document urges officials to consider describing Al Qaeda's ideology as “Takfirism” — the practice of declaring Muslims who disagree with extremism apostates who can be killed.
Reference by: http://islamicvoice.com
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Muslim Heritage Film wins International Movie Award
London:
A short film about the scientific heritage of Muslim civilisation has won a series of international awards. 1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets, starring Oscar-winning screen legend Sir Ben Kingsley, won four awards at the International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) ceremony held in London on 26th March.
Judges commended the short film saying it was “in a league of its own” awarding it four prestigious awards:Gold Award for Best Education Film, Gold Award for Best Photography, Silver Award for Best Drama, Silver Award for Best Original Music.
The movie was produced by the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) and The Edge Picture Company as an introductory film for the 1001 Inventions exhibition that was launched at London's Science Museum in January 2010.
In the movie a group of young school children take a field trip to a dusty old library after their teacher challenges them to research the era known as the “Dark Ages” civilisation, a chore they resent until they meet a mysterious librarian (Kinglsey) who takes them on a journey to the past to uncover the thousand years of scientific and cultural excellence that took place outside Western Europe between the 7th and 17th century.
The film 1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets can be seen as part of the 1001 Inventions exhibition at London's Science Museum, and can be viewed online at www.1001inventions.com. The exhibition is free to the public, seven days a week, and runs from the 21st January to 30th June 2010.
For further press information please contact: Junaid Bhatti on junaid@1001inventions.com
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
A short film about the scientific heritage of Muslim civilisation has won a series of international awards. 1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets, starring Oscar-winning screen legend Sir Ben Kingsley, won four awards at the International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) ceremony held in London on 26th March.
Judges commended the short film saying it was “in a league of its own” awarding it four prestigious awards:Gold Award for Best Education Film, Gold Award for Best Photography, Silver Award for Best Drama, Silver Award for Best Original Music.
The movie was produced by the Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) and The Edge Picture Company as an introductory film for the 1001 Inventions exhibition that was launched at London's Science Museum in January 2010.
In the movie a group of young school children take a field trip to a dusty old library after their teacher challenges them to research the era known as the “Dark Ages” civilisation, a chore they resent until they meet a mysterious librarian (Kinglsey) who takes them on a journey to the past to uncover the thousand years of scientific and cultural excellence that took place outside Western Europe between the 7th and 17th century.
The film 1001 Inventions and The Library of Secrets can be seen as part of the 1001 Inventions exhibition at London's Science Museum, and can be viewed online at www.1001inventions.com. The exhibition is free to the public, seven days a week, and runs from the 21st January to 30th June 2010.
For further press information please contact: Junaid Bhatti on junaid@1001inventions.com
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
WOMEN IN ISLAM
Obituary: Aminah Assilmi - She led a caravan on the route of faith
Aminah Assilmi, renowned female scholar of Islam died on March 5 in a car accident in Newport, Tennessee while returning from a speaking engagement. She was President of International Union of Muslim Women, the organization that was responsible for persuading the US Postal Service to issue the first postage stamp with an Islamic theme 'Eid Mubarak'. She was 65. Aminah lost touch with several of her relatives and friends when she embraced Islam on May 21, 1977. However, she worked her way to the hearts of all those who had deserted her, eventually all of them converting to Islam.
She was a Southern Baptist girl, a radical feminist, and a broadcast journalist. She was a girl with an unusual calibre, who excelled in school, received scholarships, ran her own business, and was competing with professionals and getting awards - all these while she was going to college. A group of Islamic missionaries who knocked at her door one day introduced her to Islam with a copy of the Holy Quran and a book on Islam. She hated Islam in the beginning and used to find mistakes in the holy scripture in order 'to convince the Muslims of the fake nature of Islam and Prophet Muhammadsaw. But slowly Islam made inroads into her heart till she declared the Shahadah. This resulted in a divorce with her husband and under State laws of Colorado denied her the custody of two little kids. Judge gave her 20 minutes to decide whether she would give up Islam or the kids.
She loved her children very dearly. It is perhaps the worst nightmare that a mother can have: asked to willfully leave her child - not for one day, month, or year, but forever. On the other hand, how could she keep the Truth away from her children and live as a hypocrite? "It was the most painful 20 minutes in my life", she said in an interview. Those of us who are mothers and fathers, especially of young children, little imagination is needed to feel the pain and torment that she must have passed every second in those 20 minutes. What added further to her pain was that according to doctors, she could never bear another child because of certain complications. "I prayed like I had never done before ... I knew that there was no safer place for my children to be than in the hands of Allah. If I denied Him, there would be no way in the future to show my children the wonders of being with Allah."
She decided to retain Islam. Her two dear children - one little boy and one little girl - were taken away from her and given to her ex-husband.
Aminah Assilimi later fought back and took her case to the media. Although she did not get custody of her children again, a change was made in the Colorado law that one cannot be denied child custody on the basis of his or her religion.
Aminah kept touch with everyone in the family even though they hated her or detested her decision to embrace Islam. She would keep sending them cards on various occasions with a few quotes from the Quran. First to accept Islam among them was her grandmother, at 100, who died soon after conversion to Islam. Next to join her faith was her father who had loaded his double barreled shotgun to kill her when he first heard the news of her entering Islam. Her mother too entered the fold of Islam a few years later. Curiously, both her father and mother were Muslims for at least two years, without each one knowing of other also being a Muslim. Her son, upon becoming adult, accepted Islam. When he turned 21, he called her and said that he wanted to become a Muslim.
Sixteen years after the divorce, her ex-husband also accepted Islam. He said that he had been watching her for 16 years and wanted his daughter to have the same religion that she had. He came to her and apologized for what he had done. He was a very nice gentlemen and Assilimi had forgiven him long ago.
Perhaps the greatest reward for her was yet to come. Assilmi later married another person, and despite the doctors' verdict that she could never conceive another child, Allah blessed her with a beautiful boy. If Allahswt makes a gift to someone, who can prevent Him? It was truly a wonderful blessing from Allahswt, and so she named him "Barakah"
She lost her job because of wearing hijab. She was later appointed the President of the International Union of Muslim Women. She used to deliver lectures nationwide and was on high demand.
She is survived by her daughter Amber, and sons, Whitney and Mohammad, as well as by several grandchildren.
(abridged from www.iumw.org)
Aminah Assilmi, renowned female scholar of Islam died on March 5 in a car accident in Newport, Tennessee while returning from a speaking engagement. She was President of International Union of Muslim Women, the organization that was responsible for persuading the US Postal Service to issue the first postage stamp with an Islamic theme 'Eid Mubarak'. She was 65. Aminah lost touch with several of her relatives and friends when she embraced Islam on May 21, 1977. However, she worked her way to the hearts of all those who had deserted her, eventually all of them converting to Islam.
She was a Southern Baptist girl, a radical feminist, and a broadcast journalist. She was a girl with an unusual calibre, who excelled in school, received scholarships, ran her own business, and was competing with professionals and getting awards - all these while she was going to college. A group of Islamic missionaries who knocked at her door one day introduced her to Islam with a copy of the Holy Quran and a book on Islam. She hated Islam in the beginning and used to find mistakes in the holy scripture in order 'to convince the Muslims of the fake nature of Islam and Prophet Muhammadsaw. But slowly Islam made inroads into her heart till she declared the Shahadah. This resulted in a divorce with her husband and under State laws of Colorado denied her the custody of two little kids. Judge gave her 20 minutes to decide whether she would give up Islam or the kids.
She loved her children very dearly. It is perhaps the worst nightmare that a mother can have: asked to willfully leave her child - not for one day, month, or year, but forever. On the other hand, how could she keep the Truth away from her children and live as a hypocrite? "It was the most painful 20 minutes in my life", she said in an interview. Those of us who are mothers and fathers, especially of young children, little imagination is needed to feel the pain and torment that she must have passed every second in those 20 minutes. What added further to her pain was that according to doctors, she could never bear another child because of certain complications. "I prayed like I had never done before ... I knew that there was no safer place for my children to be than in the hands of Allah. If I denied Him, there would be no way in the future to show my children the wonders of being with Allah."
She decided to retain Islam. Her two dear children - one little boy and one little girl - were taken away from her and given to her ex-husband.
Aminah Assilimi later fought back and took her case to the media. Although she did not get custody of her children again, a change was made in the Colorado law that one cannot be denied child custody on the basis of his or her religion.
Aminah kept touch with everyone in the family even though they hated her or detested her decision to embrace Islam. She would keep sending them cards on various occasions with a few quotes from the Quran. First to accept Islam among them was her grandmother, at 100, who died soon after conversion to Islam. Next to join her faith was her father who had loaded his double barreled shotgun to kill her when he first heard the news of her entering Islam. Her mother too entered the fold of Islam a few years later. Curiously, both her father and mother were Muslims for at least two years, without each one knowing of other also being a Muslim. Her son, upon becoming adult, accepted Islam. When he turned 21, he called her and said that he wanted to become a Muslim.
Sixteen years after the divorce, her ex-husband also accepted Islam. He said that he had been watching her for 16 years and wanted his daughter to have the same religion that she had. He came to her and apologized for what he had done. He was a very nice gentlemen and Assilimi had forgiven him long ago.
Perhaps the greatest reward for her was yet to come. Assilmi later married another person, and despite the doctors' verdict that she could never conceive another child, Allah blessed her with a beautiful boy. If Allahswt makes a gift to someone, who can prevent Him? It was truly a wonderful blessing from Allahswt, and so she named him "Barakah"
She lost her job because of wearing hijab. She was later appointed the President of the International Union of Muslim Women. She used to deliver lectures nationwide and was on high demand.
She is survived by her daughter Amber, and sons, Whitney and Mohammad, as well as by several grandchildren.
(abridged from www.iumw.org)
Muslim Law Board for better deal for women
Even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board did not take a stand on much publicized women reservation bill at its annual conclave here, yet the deliberation at meet widely reflect concern for the women.
The Board not only increased the representation of the women in the body, its president Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadvi asked for a better deal for women In his presidential address, Nadvi emphasized the need to accord greater importance to women in all spheres, particularly in matters of marriage, inheritance and reforms within the Muslim society.
“The true spirit of Islam is in giving honour and respect to women who often do not get their due,” said Nadvi, who was re-elected the Board chief for the third consecutive term. He was first elected as chairman in the Hyderabad session of board.
Nadvi appealed to the Muslims to stay away from social evils like female foeticide, dowry and lavish weddings. These, incidentally, formed the core of the islah-e-ma'ashra (reform of society) programme of the Law Board. He laid emphasis on the protection of women's rights.
Interestingly the board's reluctance to oppose the bill is seen as a setback to many, from Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad to Mamata Banerjee, who have described the legislation as detrimental to Muslim women.
Sources in Board said that an informal discussion before the formal session where some office-bearers had highlighted the need for a “quota within the quota”. But Nadvi dropped it on the ground that the Board should restrict itself with protection and preservation of the Islamic shariah instead of taking a political position on key issues of the day.
Board secretary Abdul Raheem Qureshi too explained that it was not the proper platform to discuss a “sensitive and potentially political issue” like the women's reservation bill.
The total number of women members in the executive panel of the body has been enhanced to five. The four new female members are Rukhsana Lari, Safia Naseem (both from Lucknow), Noorjehan Shakeel (Kolkata) and Asma Zehra (Hyderabad). Naseem Iqtidar Ali Khan was till now the sole woman member in the executive committee. She continues to be on the panel.
Another significant feature of the Board's elections was its attempt to expand its representation in the north-eastern States and Ladakh. The representatives from these regions were elected as term members. While, Maulana Bilal was elected from Meghalaya and Syed Ahmed from Tripura, the Independent MP from Ladakh ( Jammu and Kashmir), Ghulam Hussain and Maulana Ata-ur- Rehman, AUDF (Assam United Democratic Front) MLA from Badarpur in Assam were elected term members from Ladakh and Assam.
Meanwhile the Board has decided to oppose the proposed amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which seek to give more powers to men in uniform. The Board would bring all Muslim MPs to mobilise opinion on the issue.
“The police force throughout the country is biased against Muslims… any arbitrary powers given to them would be extremely harmful for the community,” the Qureshi said. “We oppose amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which would give extraordinary powers to the police in riot situations,” he said. (andalib2001@yahoo.com)
By Andalib Akhter
The Board not only increased the representation of the women in the body, its president Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadvi asked for a better deal for women In his presidential address, Nadvi emphasized the need to accord greater importance to women in all spheres, particularly in matters of marriage, inheritance and reforms within the Muslim society.
“The true spirit of Islam is in giving honour and respect to women who often do not get their due,” said Nadvi, who was re-elected the Board chief for the third consecutive term. He was first elected as chairman in the Hyderabad session of board.
Nadvi appealed to the Muslims to stay away from social evils like female foeticide, dowry and lavish weddings. These, incidentally, formed the core of the islah-e-ma'ashra (reform of society) programme of the Law Board. He laid emphasis on the protection of women's rights.
Interestingly the board's reluctance to oppose the bill is seen as a setback to many, from Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad to Mamata Banerjee, who have described the legislation as detrimental to Muslim women.
Sources in Board said that an informal discussion before the formal session where some office-bearers had highlighted the need for a “quota within the quota”. But Nadvi dropped it on the ground that the Board should restrict itself with protection and preservation of the Islamic shariah instead of taking a political position on key issues of the day.
Board secretary Abdul Raheem Qureshi too explained that it was not the proper platform to discuss a “sensitive and potentially political issue” like the women's reservation bill.
The total number of women members in the executive panel of the body has been enhanced to five. The four new female members are Rukhsana Lari, Safia Naseem (both from Lucknow), Noorjehan Shakeel (Kolkata) and Asma Zehra (Hyderabad). Naseem Iqtidar Ali Khan was till now the sole woman member in the executive committee. She continues to be on the panel.
Another significant feature of the Board's elections was its attempt to expand its representation in the north-eastern States and Ladakh. The representatives from these regions were elected as term members. While, Maulana Bilal was elected from Meghalaya and Syed Ahmed from Tripura, the Independent MP from Ladakh ( Jammu and Kashmir), Ghulam Hussain and Maulana Ata-ur- Rehman, AUDF (Assam United Democratic Front) MLA from Badarpur in Assam were elected term members from Ladakh and Assam.
Meanwhile the Board has decided to oppose the proposed amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which seek to give more powers to men in uniform. The Board would bring all Muslim MPs to mobilise opinion on the issue.
“The police force throughout the country is biased against Muslims… any arbitrary powers given to them would be extremely harmful for the community,” the Qureshi said. “We oppose amendments to the Communal Violence Bill which would give extraordinary powers to the police in riot situations,” he said. (andalib2001@yahoo.com)
By Andalib Akhter
Islamic scholars condemn genocide of Christians tribals
Top Nigerian Islamic scholars have condemned as un-Islamic and barbaric the massacre of hundreds of people, mostly women and children, in attacks on three Christian villages south of Jos metropolis, urging authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"The massacre is no doubt a condemnable and abominable act which is totally rejected by the Muslim community," Dr Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), told IslamOnline.net on March 9.
Some 500 people, mostly Christian women and children, are believed to have been killed in attacks by machete-wielding gangs on three villages on the fringes of Jos, capital of Plateau state.
Abdullahi Shuaib, coordinator of the Conference of Islamic Organizations (CIO), branded the killings as unacceptable and called for holistic probe into the progrom that has left the hitherto beautiful state into a shadow of its old self.
Professor Lakin Akintola, prominent Islamic televangelist and lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), said the Muslim community condemns these wanton killings.
Ethnic, Not Religious
Prof. Akintola said the conflict was ethnic and not religious in nature but both divergent faiths of the two tribes get a bad name.
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
"The massacre is no doubt a condemnable and abominable act which is totally rejected by the Muslim community," Dr Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), told IslamOnline.net on March 9.
Some 500 people, mostly Christian women and children, are believed to have been killed in attacks by machete-wielding gangs on three villages on the fringes of Jos, capital of Plateau state.
Abdullahi Shuaib, coordinator of the Conference of Islamic Organizations (CIO), branded the killings as unacceptable and called for holistic probe into the progrom that has left the hitherto beautiful state into a shadow of its old self.
Professor Lakin Akintola, prominent Islamic televangelist and lecturer at the Lagos State University (LASU), said the Muslim community condemns these wanton killings.
Ethnic, Not Religious
Prof. Akintola said the conflict was ethnic and not religious in nature but both divergent faiths of the two tribes get a bad name.
Reference by:http://islamicvoice.com
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