| Islamic World News | |
| 28 Feb 2010, NewAgeIslam.Com | |
| Minister admits Islamic extremists who believe in jihad and sharia law have infiltrated the Labour Party | |
Clashes erupt at Al-Aqsa mosque after stone attack Muslim Endowment Fund launched at Takoradi Swiss face 'holy war' with Gadhafi's Libya Sectarian clashes kill 6 in north-western Pakistan Terrorists are maligning Islam: Gilani Taliban and Al Qaeda Financiers Are Tied at the Hip!! Saudi Oger one of largest contributors for Prince Salman Science Oasis project Dubai strengthens its position as the epicentre of the regional energy industry Israel police storm holy site to quell protest Israel - PM Netanyahu on the national heritage sites EGYPT WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT ARAB, MUSLIM ISSUES – MUBARAK Sleepless in Gaza...and Jerusalem" Police 'in Jerusalem holy site' Sheikh Rasheed boycotts by-polls at Lahore, Jhang Islam seeks a perch in Tajikistan's political life West engaged in propaganda against Islam: Qureshi Islamic banking in the Philippines India's Singh Favors Talks with Pakistan: Press Trust Says 1Malaysia: Is Najib still in control? Compiled by Aman Quadre Photo: The IFE supports jihad - such as acts carried out by Humam Khalil Abu Mulal al-Balawi (pictured) who killed seven CIA operatives URL of this Page: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=2518 ----- Minister admits Islamic extremists who believe in jihad and sharia law have infiltrated the Labour Party 28th February 2010 The Labour Party has been inflitrated by Islamic fundamentalists, a Government Minister admitted today. Members of the Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) which believes in Britain should develop sharia law have placed sympathisers in elected office and local branches of parties, an investigation revealed. The covert campaign is part of an attempt at 'mass mobilisation' of voters by the group, which believes in jihad. Jim Fitzpatrick, the Environment Minister, told the Sunday Telegraph the IFE had become a secret party within Labour. He said: 'They are acting almost as an entryist organisation, placing people within the political parties, recruiting members to those political parties, trying to get individuals selected and elected so they can exercise political influence and power, whether it's at local government level or national level.' 'They are completely at odds with Labour's programme, with our support for secularism.' Mr Fitzpatrick, the MP for Poplar and Canning Town, said the IFE had infiltrated and 'corrupted' his party in east London in the same way that the far-Left Militant Tendency did in the 1980s. Leaked Labour lists show a 110 per cent rise in party membership in one constituency in two years. A six-month investigation into the IFE and its political activities revealed it had 'consolidated' its influence at theLondon borough council of Tower Hamlets, which has a budget estimated at£1bn. Other recordings by undercover reporters include leaders of the group saying they opposed democracy and supported sharia law. The investigation revealed the group had received £10m in taxpayer cash from government funds designed to 'prevent violent extremism'. It also uncovered evidence that moderate Muslims were being targeted by group leaders who resent their 'un-Islamic' behaviour. Lutfur Rahman, leader of Labour-run Tower Hamlets Council, obtained his post with the group's help. Referring to IFE activists, he said: 'There are various people across Tower Hamlets who get excited, who get involved.' He would not comment on concerns about infiltration, saying they were 'party matters'. He said: 'If you look at our flagship policies, like investing £20 million to tackle overcrowding, you can see that we are working for everyone.' The IFE said it did not seek to influence the council and had not lobbied for Mr Rahman. 'If anything, existing members of the Labour Party have joined the IFE, rather than the other way round,' it said. The group insisted it was not a fundamentalist or extremist organisation and did not support violence. ---- Minister Urges Muslim Unity against Israel February 28, 2010 (FNA)- Iran's Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi on Sunday called on the Muslim states to show solidarity and support for the Palestinian resistance against Israel in a bid to stop the Zionist regime's expansionist policies. "The Islamic World should side with resistance in the form of unity because today silence of the Muslim world over the Zionists' expansionism encourages the Zionists," Moslehi said, addressing an international conference on 'National and Islamic Solidarity for the Future of Palestine' also attended by Hamas Politburo Chief Khaled Meshaal, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and officials of the other Palestinian groups. Pointing to the US and Israel's coordinated moves against the Islamic states, Moslehi added, "The ongoing moves of the Zionist regime of Israel and the US in the region are just part of their activities for stirring tension in the region and impeding unity among the regional states." "Accordingly, in such circumstances it is proper that the Islamic states move towards confronting the enemies' plots without any dispute and difference," the minster went on saying. He further stated that the recent developments in Palestine proved once again that the approach which encourages resistance and non-reconciliation with the Israel regime is the only way to confront the Zionists. Elsewhere, Moslehi also called for a cyber war against the Israel and arrogant powers, saying, "We can wage an all-out cyber war in virtual networks against the international arrogance and Zionism." http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8812091517 ---- Clashes erupt at Al-Aqsa mosque after stone attack February 28, 2010 Clashes broke out at Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Sunday after police entered to arrest Palestinians who had hurled rocks at visitors they believed were Jewish extremists. At least 13 people were wounded just outside the compound when dozens of Palestinians pelted stones at Israeli police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, according to an AFP correspondent. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said security forces entered the compound after Muslim worshippers threw rocks at the group of unidentified visitors. "Around 20 young people are holed up inside the mosque, and as a preventive measure we have decided to limit access to the esplanade to men over the age of 50," as well as women and children, he added. Dozens of police wearing riot gear were deployed throughout the narrow streets of the Old City as loudspeakers on minarets called on Muslims to "save Jerusalem." An official from Jerusalem's Islamic Supreme Committee said the Palestinians hurled stones at people they believed to be Jewish extremists intending to pray at the site and upset the delicate status quo. "They threw rocks because (Israeli) settlers have been surrounding the compound for two or three days and had said they intended to enter on Sunday or Monday to pray at Al-Aqsa," Adnan Husseini told AFP. Jews, who observe the Purim holiday on Sunday and Monday, are allowed into the compound, but authorities prevent them from praying there. The Al-Aqsa mosque compound is Islam's third-holiest site, after Mecca and Medina. Muslims refer to it as the Al-Haram Al-Sharif and believe it to be the place where the Prophet Mohammed made a night journey to heaven on horseback. It is the holiest site in the world for Jews, who believe it was the location of the Second Temple, torched by the Romans in 70 AD, and refer to it as the Temple Mount. The site has been bitterly contested for decades, and the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, erupted there in September 2000 after a visit by Ariel Sharon, a right-wing politician who went on to become Israeli prime minister. Violence erupted on several occasions starting last September after Muslim worshippers hurled stones at people they believed to be Jews seeking to pray at the site during major holidays. Israeli authorities insisted the visitors were French tourists. The latest disturbances comes after days of clashes in the West Bank town of Hebron over an Israeli plan to renovate the Tomb of the Patriarchs there, another ancient site revered by Jews and Muslims. ---- Muslim Endowment Fund launched at Takoradi 28 February 2010 Mr Mohammed Ali, Presiding Member of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), on Saturday launched a Muslim Endowment Fund known as WAQF Foundation at Takoradi. He said with proper management, the Foundation would achieve a lot in the area of education for the Muslim community in the Western Region. Mr Ali, therefore, advised those who would be entrusted with the management of the fund to be prudent about how the funds would be used and to ensure accountability. He also urged Muslims irrespective of the sects they belonged to, to unite and contribute financially towards the fund and to support it in other ways. Sheikh Suleman Ahmed Mozu, Western Regional Ahle-Sunna Wal Jama'a (ASUAJ) Imam, said the idea to set up the Foundation was mooted by the Chief Imam of Ahle-Sunna Wal Jama'a, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim and every committed Ghanaian Muslim would contribute one Ghana cedi monthly to it for five years. He said the fund would help to eradicate poverty and ignorance among Muslims and assist to raise their living standards. Sheikh Mozu said the pilot phase of the fund was successfully implemented in the region and added that it would soon be launched in all regions of the country. Chief Imam Sheikh Ibrahim said the fund would make a big difference in the lives of Muslims when it was well patronized. He said wealth should be used to bring up children to be respectful citizens. http://news.myjoyonline.com/news/201002/42785.asp ---- Swiss face 'holy war' with Gadhafi's Libya By BRADLEY S. KLAPPER 28 February 2010 GENEVA — After two centuries of neutrality, Switzerland found itself in a bizarre and unprecedented situation Friday, facing a would-be "holy war" announced by Libya's Moammar Gadhafi. The Swiss government declined to comment on Gadhafi's latest salvo in a simmering diplomatic saga stemming from the Geneva police's 2008 arrest and brief detainment of his son, Hannibal, and his wife for allegedly beating up their servants. Although Gadhafi's jihad declaration late Thursday was widely viewed as a stunt by a leader given to outlandish behavior, the danger was difficult to dismiss in an era of Islamic-Western foment over issues ranging from headdress bans in Europe to faraway Middle East disputes, Iran's nuclear program and Nordic newspapers' caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Analysts urged caution and Swiss citizens and politicians expressed alarm that a nation which managed to steer clear of direct involvement in the world wars and other bloody European conflicts was being dragged into an increasingly messy — if still nonviolent — conflict with an unpredictable government. "You never know with crazies," nationalist lawmaker Oskar Freysinger told The Associated Press. "I can imagine that this won't be taken very seriously. But nevertheless, it's the head of a state making a declaration of war againstSwitzerland." Full report at: Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. ---- Israel police storm holy site to quell protest By ARON HELLER (AP) 28 February 2010 JERUSALEM — Israeli police forces stormed the most contentious holy site in Jerusalem on Sunday to disperse masked Palestinian protesters hurling objects at visiting foreign tourists. The incident was over quickly, but the area remained tense afterward. In the past, violence at the site — known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary — has erupted into deadly battles. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said police dispersed some 20 masked protesters who had holed up overnight in Al-Aqsa mosque building inside the hilltop compound. The protesters pelted tourists with objects early Sunday, and threw rocks at the police when they responded to the incident, he said. Calm was quickly restored, he said, and about a thousand tourists have since visited the area. However, small groups of masked Palestinians continued to clash with police elsewhere in Jerusalem's Old City and in a nearby neighborhood just outside the walled area. Rosenfeld said police dispersed the protesters without having to use force, but two officers were lightly wounded and seven Palestinian rioters were arrested. By midday, the clashes had ended, but about 15 Palestinians remained holed up inside the complex. Tensions have been high in recent days following the Israeli government's announcement that two West Bank shrines would be added to Israel's list of national heritage sites. Palestinians denounced the move as a provocation, and President Mahmoud Abbas has warned the incident could spark a "religious war." Full report at: Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. ---- EGYPT WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT ARAB, MUSLIM ISSUES – MUBARAK Feb 28th, 2010 Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak on the event of the birthday of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Saturday, pledged his country's commitment towards sheltering the issues and interests of the Arab and Islamic worlds. At a ceremony held on the occasion, he told gatherers that the efforts of Islamic evangelists, researchers, writers and thinkers are an important part of spreading the true essence of the religion, and its precise teachings. These efforts secure the unity and harmony of cultures, tackling the threat of division and ethnic tension, he explained, adding that his country is well aware of these dangers at home, in reference to the country's Muslim and Coptic populations. Mubarak then indicated to the Egyptian constitution, which notes to patriotism as the basis for its democratic system, and which promotes equality in rights and duties between all citizens and prevents the establishment of any religiously-motivated political parties. He expressed sorrow over the woes and worries currently facing some regions in the Islamic world, namingAfghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia as some of these. The Egyptian leader also expressed grief on the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, who continuously have to live under harsh Israeli practices. ? NNN-KUNA http://news.brunei.fm/2010/02/28/egypt-will-continue-to-protect-arab-muslim-issues-mubarak/ ---- Israel - PM Netanyahu on the national heritage sites 28 February 2010 There is no intention here to alter the status quo, neither at religious sites nor with prayer arrangements. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, 25 February 2010, referred to the national heritage plan and the inclusion of the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb in it: "It could be that some elements in the international system mistakenly think that this is a diplomatic decision, a political decision. In fact, it is neither a diplomatic decision nor a political decision. It will not change anything in this sense. It seeks to preserve heritage and this heritage has existed with us for close to 4,000 years. We are not determining anything new. The patriarchs of the Jewish people, our forefathers, are buried there. This is an existing fact. We will not decide otherwise and it is absurd to think so. Neither are we overlooking the Islamic context there. We are simply seeing to it that there are proper conditions for Jewish and Muslim worshippers alike. This is important. There is an international desire to maintain heritage sites, to preserve them. But our intention is not to change them. Our intention is not to change the existing arrangements at all. I think that the leading governments around the world will understand this very quickly because we are explaining it to them. I think that this issue needs to come off the agenda. Apparently, there has been a misunderstanding because there is no intention here - and no plan - to alter the status quo, neither at religious sites nor with prayer arrangements. We will maintain freedom of worship and the existing arrangements for Jewish and Muslim worshippers alike. What we will do is maintain and strength existing prayer arrangements. Full report at: http://www.isria.com/pages/28_February_2010_18.php ---- Sectarian clashes kill 6 in north-western Pakistan Feb 28, 2010 Pakistan authorities on Sunday clamped curfew on a Pakistani town following sectarian clashes between rival Sunni groups that left at least six people and 16 more injured. The clashes erupted on Saturday when gunmen opened fire on a rally by the Brelvi sect of the Sunni Muslims to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Mohammad in Paharpur area of Dera Ismail Khan district. Following the incident, the angry crowd of Brelvi Muslims attacked a seminary of a Deobandi sect of Sunni Muslims, ensuing gunfights that continued for hours. Ihsan Ullah, a senior police officer, said four people died on Saturday while two injured succumbed to their injuries on Sunday morning. Sixteen more people were injured. The authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in various parts of the district while the police and paramilitary troops were patrolling the streets. The security forces have arrested around 100 members of the both groups. The similar clashes between Brelvi and Deobandi Muslims occurred in Faisaladad, a metropolitan in the eastern Punjabprovince on Saturday and continued by Sunday midday. Six people were injured in the running gun battles between the groups while the protesters set a blaze several vehicles and the building of a police station in Ghulam Muhammadabad area. Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik held emergency meetings with the leaders of the rival Sunni sects in the southern city of Karachi as an effort to stop the violence spreading to other parts of the country. ---- Taliban and Al Qaeda Financiers Are Tied at the Hip!! By Victor Comras 28 Feb, 2010 Could it be that while the Taliban is awash with cash, Al Qaeda is struggling for every dime? This is the supposition that emerges from recent assessments by different sets of experts. But can such a thesis stand in the face of the continuing close cooperation between the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and with what is now occurring in Afghanistan,Pakistan, and Yemen, and elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa? International terrorism alerts are now at their highest levels since just after 9/11. And senior US officials are warning that a major terrorist attack against theUnited States should be considered imminent. The thesis that Al Qaeda may be running out of cash has been given increased credence recently at the Council of Foreign Relations and several other think tanks. The fall-off in donations to al Qaeda, they maintain, stems largely from the increased pressure being placed on potential terrorist financiers by national and inteernational regulators, and may also reflect the general international economic downturn. After all, money is now tight all over. According to Treasury Assistant Secretary David Cohen "al-Qaeda is in its weakest financial condition in several years (and)…as a result, its influence is waning." Similar claims have been made by Richard Barrett who leads the group of experts supporting the work of the UN's Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee. At the same time there are clear indications that Taliban cash reserves remain solid. According to a recent well sourced story in the New York Times, the Taliban continues to bring in huge sums from "the illicit drug trade, kidnappings, extortion and foreign donations." While the Taliban's cash flow from Afghanistan's poppy fields comes as no surprise, the amount of foreign donations they continue to receive is a real eye opener. Full report at: http://counterterrorismblog.org/2010/02/taliban_and_al_qaeda_financier.php ---- Sleepless in Gaza...and Jerusalem" 28 Feb, 2010 On March 1st - this coming Monday-the premier episode of a 90 part series, "Sleepless in Gaza...and Jerusalem" will be launched on YouTube. It will be a video diary about four young Palestinian women, Muslim and Christian, two living in Gaza and two in Arab Jerusalem/West Bank. PINA TV Production camera crews will be covering Ashira Ramadan, a broadcast journalist based in Jerusalem; Ashira's friend in Gaza, the documentary film maker Nagham Mohanna; Donna Maria Mattas, a 17 year-old student at the Holy Family school in Gaza who dreams of growing up to be a journalist, and Ala' Khayo Mkari who works with Caritas in Jerusalem. The intention of this series is neither rant nor rhetoric. It is rather an opportunity for all of us, who do not live in Gaza, occupied Arab Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, to grasp how these four young Palestinian women live out their daily lives, precisely because their lives are stories we journalists were taught almost dismissively to think of as "human interest" and almost necessarily conflict driven. How, as human beings, these four Palestinians can also experience moments of personal and community achievement, and the warmth of friends and family life that in real life is possible even in the most difficult circumstances of siege and occupation. Each episode runs 26 minutes and will be shot in Jerusalem/West Bank and Gaza, edited and uploaded the same day. So you will find a new sequence six days a week at www.youtube.com/SleeplessinGaza. On Friday, we all rest. A "Sleepless..." trailer should be up on YouTube by the time you receive this letter. We also have just set up "Sleepless in Gaza...and Jerusalem" on Facebook. It's got such a long URL that Facebookers should note-- just type in "Sleepless in Gaza...and Jerusalem" in the Facebook search and you will be home. We don't have our own domain website yet, but our partners PINA TV Productions' website will serve as such for the time being at www.pina.ps. http://arabinform.org/news/quotsleepless_in_gazaand_jerusalemquot/2010-02-28-225 ---- Saudi Oger one of largest contributors for Prince Salman Science Oasis project 28 February 2010 Saudi Oger contributed fifty million Saudi Riyals as a support to the Prince Salman Science Oasis project. Prince Salman Science Oasis project will be built on an area of 200 thousand square meters on a land located on King Abdullah Road, northwestern side of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology. Saudi Oger contribution to this national project represents its partnership with the community towards improving its development. The Oasis project encourages the young members of the community, to discover the world and to choose their career path through encouraging them to explore the importance of science and education in building productive nations. Prince Salman Science Oasis is an educational edifice and a national investment to develop all members of the society and their awareness to establish flexible ways to cope with environmental issues of our region to contribute to achieving the optimum exploitation of land resources. It also aims to create awareness of the scientific and technical advancement in the various areas, and highlights the role of Muslim scholars in this scientific development by linking the Islamic Scientific Heritage with the modern industries. Saudi Oger support of this initiative comes in line with the company Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to reinforce our continuous interest in the youth activities that enriches them professionally, culturally and socially. http://www.ameinfo.com/225319.html ---- Dubai strengthens its position as the epicentre of the regional energy industry 28 February 2010 The significant growth in visitors attending the 35th Middle East Electricity (MEE) exhibition, which finished its annual three day run at Dubai International Exhibition Centre last week, saw Dubai further strengthening its strategic importance to the regional and international energy, water and lighting industries. "Over the three days, attendance figures totalled 49,293 - a year on year increase of 12.4%," said Anita Mathews, Exhibition Director, IIR Middle East, the organisers of the event. "This reinforces not only the financial buoyancy of the energy, water and lighting sectors across the region but also Dubai's position as a vital conduit for the region's trade professionals to source innovative products and solutions." Acknowledged by exhibitors and visitors as the world's leading event of its kind, MEE2010 featured 1,000 exhibitors from 59 countries, with strong representation from the world's leading countries in the energy sector, including China,Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the UK. "One of the reasons for the event's success is that it delivers a totally comprehensive showcase of products and services from every aspect of the energy, water and lighting industries," added Mathews. "But most importantly, it attracts serious professional visitors who specifically come to source products and services - exhibitors recognise MEE as a proven sales generator, and this has seen the show deliver sustained growth over the last 35 years." Clear evidence of this is the fact that MEE 2010 set a new benchmark in terms of satisfaction with the event, an unprecedented 100% of exhibitors stating that they achieved their overall objectives by participating at the exhibition. Full report at: http://www.ameinfo.com/225264.html ---- Police 'in Jerusalem holy site' 28 February 2010 Israeli police say they have entered a compound in Jerusalem containing the al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites. Police said they entered the compound to disperse at least 20 Palestinians who were throwing stones at visitors. The site also contains the Western Wall, a sacred site for Jews. Tensions have been high in recent days following clashes in the West Bank town of Hebron over Israel listing two disputed shrines as heritage sites. Contested site A Palestinian official said the group of youths had spent the night in the al-Aqsa mosque to prevent what they believed to be Jewish extremists from praying at the sensitive site. An Israeli police spokesman said calm had been restored to the compound and visits resumed. The spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said Muslim men under the age of 50 had been barred from the site, while older men, women of all ages and children had been permitted to enter. The Jerusalem complex, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif and to Jews as Temple Mount, has long been contested. Clashes erupted at the site last September after Muslims threw stones at people they believed to be Jewish extremists trying to pray at the al-Aqsa mosque. A visit to the compound in 2000 by then-opposition leader Ariel Sharon, later prime minister, led to clashes that escalated into years of violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The compound containing the mosque lies in Jerusalem's Old City, which has been controlled by Israel since they captured it in the 1967 war. Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad ascended to heaven from the spot in the complex marked by the Dome of the Rock. The site is holy to Jews because it is where the First and Second Temples were built according to the Old Testament, with the Western Wall still remaining. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8541428.stm ---- Sheikh Rasheed boycotts by-polls at Lahore, Jhang 28 February 2010 LAHORE: Sheikh Rasheed, leader Awami Muslim League announced to boycott by-polls at Lahore and Jhang while addressing press conference in Lahore on Sunday. Sheikh Rasheed said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was involved in rigging in by-polls at NA-55 Rawalpindi. He said that the women polling agents of Awami Muslim League were not allowed to see the process of the counting of the votes at the polling stations at NA-55 Rawalpindi. He said that Chief Justice of Pakistan Jusice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry must form a commission to investigate the matter of rigging at NA-55 Rawalpindi. He also said that PML-N government which claims to have good governance in the country have failed to arrest the murderers of three Awami Muslim League workers. SAMAA http://www.samaa.tv/News17487-Sheikh_Rasheed_boycotts_bypolls_at_Lahore_Jhang.aspx ---- Terrorists are maligning Islam: Gilani 28 February 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the terrorists are trying to malign Islam. Addressing the annual Urs gathering of Hazrat Karmanwala in Okara the Prime Minister said the whole nation was trying to curtail terrorists by all means. He vowed to spend all the finds on public uplift after the war against terror ends. The PM also announced to build a bridge in Renala Khurd and to make Karmanwala a model village. ---- Islam seeks a perch in Tajikistan's political life 28 February 2010 Islam is on the rise in Tajikistan, and the only legally registered Islamic party in former Soviet Central Asia hopes to capitalize on that momentum in Sunday's parliamentary election. More than a decade after a devastating 5-year civil war, Tajikistan is still mired in poverty, prompting many to turn to their faith for a solution. Emerging out of the rubble of the officially atheist Soviet Union, Tajikistan's Islamic Revival Party has sought to fill the spot once occupied by Communism's ideological certainties. "People are turning to Islam in search of an alternative, fairness and a better life. So far, only religion has been able to provide such a platform," party leader Muhiddin Kabiri told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Kabiri's party only has two deputies in the 63-seat parliament in Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan, but he says it could boost its tally to at least 10 if Sunday's vote is fair. The Islamic Revival Party wears its religious cloak lightly, stressing Tajikistan's Muslim identity while adamantly eschewing calls for the creation of an Islamic republic. That stance corresponds with a largely secular-minded population. But analysts nonetheless predict that the President Emomali Rakhmon-led People's Democratic Party, which currently holds 52 seats, is likely to benefit from the tacit support of the state and run away with the election. Life in Tajikistan is tough and jobs are scarce, so many have headed to Russia for work and to earn money to send back to their families. Even the capital, Dushanbe, is crumbling and dreary, dotted with half-completed roadwork turned to mud by the winter rains. Full report at: http://www.telegram.com/article/20100227/API/302279822/-1/NEWS06 ---- India's Singh Favors Talks With Pakistan: Press Trust Says By Abhishek Shanker February 27, 2010 Feb. 28 (Bloomberg) -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the country was ready to discuss all matters, including Kashmir, with Pakistan as there was no alternative to dialogue to resolving issues, the Press Trust of India reported. Singh said India sought a peaceful relationship with Pakistan and expected the two to cooperate in fighting terrorism, the Press Trust reported late yesterday said. India and Pakistan began the peace process in 2003 after they came to the brink of war the previous year. They have fought three wars since independence in 1947, two of them over Kashmir, which is divided between the two and claimed by both. The country blamed a Pakistan-based group for attacks on Nov. 26, 2008, in Mumbai that killed 166 people and interrupted the peace process that had improved trade and transportation links. India says progress in talks depends on Pakistan ensuring its territory isn't used for terrorist activities. Singh, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, is expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan with King Abdullah Bin Abdel Aziz Al-Saud after terror attacks in central Kabul on Friday, another Press Trust report said. The suicide attacks on Feb. 26, carried out by Taliban militants, killed 17 people including nine Indians, according to the report. ---- West engaged in propaganda against Islam: Qureshi February 28, 2010 Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday said that the West has been engaged in propaganda against Islam and urged the need of showing real face of the Islam to the world. Addressing the annual Urs gathering of Syed Ismail Shah Bukhari in Okara Qureshi said that western newspapers and think tanks have been engaged in propaganda against Islam. "We have to prove with our action that Islam is is the religion of peace and it teaches equality." ---- Islamic banking in the Philippines By Atty. IGNACIO BUNYE February 28, 2010 Not many of us are aware that there is such a concept as Islamic banking, and that there is actually a special bank for our Muslim brothers and sisters. In a country like the Philippines where there is a significant Muslim population, this financial system is indeed very important. Islamic banking pertains to a system of banking that is consistent with the principles of Sharia (Islamic law). In this type of banking system, the collection and payment of interest, which Muslims refer to as "riba," is strictly prohibited. Islam forbids transactions involving interest because of its teachings that all income must be determined by the supply of work associated with the factors of production. It emphasizes that if money is lent for interest, capital is consequently augmented without any effort. Profit-Loss sharing in Islam encourages Muslims to invest their money and become partners in order to share the profits and risks of the business. Islamic law prohibits investing in sectors contrary to Islamic values such as gambling, alcohol, tobacco, the arms industry and pornography. In an Islamic mortgage transaction, instead of loaning the buyer money to purchase the item, a bank might buy the item itself from the seller and resell it to the buyer at a profit, while allowing the buyer to pay the bank in installments. The Philippines actually pioneered in Islamic banking with the creation of the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines in 1973. Al-Amanah even antedated the establishment of the Dubai Islamic Bank in 1975. Full report at: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/245575/islamic-banking-philippines ---- 1Malaysia: Is Najib still in control? February 28, 2010 It is not inconceivable that MPM (Majlis Perundingan NGO Melayu) has the support of a significant number of the Malays and Muslims. Cuepacs itself represents over a million civil servants. MPM's message is loud and clear. Do not tinker with the NEP and Malay/Muslim supremacy. This is also a warning to the PM and his advisors (Idris Jala, Koh Tsu Koon), and his forthcoming economic liberalisation policies. This is also a warning to all those who subscribe to the 'Malaysian Malaysia' ideology and the premise that all are equal, irrespective of race, religion or creed. I believe that a large and significant proportion of Malays and Muslims subscribe to the MPM ideology due to fear and insecurity brought on by globalisation. Also one should thank Tun Mahathir Mohamad and the BTN (Biro Tatanegara) for successfully inculcating this ideology among the masses. Unfortunately, organisations like MPM will only expedite the brain drain and capital outflow. Chinese, Indians and liberal Malays who oppose MPM policies will emigrate. SusahKes: This ain't about Malay rights. This is all about politics. Ibrahim Ali needs a bogeyman to push his agenda of remaining as (Pasir Mas) MP. Obviously, PAS will no longer let this King Frog run on their ticket any longer. And it also looks like Umno, for now, is not keen to let King Frog re-join. As much as Perkasa is being made use of by Ibrahim to remain in public eye, Umno is also making use of Ibrahim to sub-contract their Ketuanan Melayu agenda. All this erosion of Malay rights is a smoke screen... if they want to be genuine about Malay rights, then fight for Kelantan's right to oil royalty as Kelantan is the Malay heartland. Full report at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/125294 URL of this Page: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicWorldNews_1.aspx?ArticleID=2518 |
Minister Urges Muslim Unity against IsraelAsadullah Syed
No comments:
Post a Comment