Archive for February, 2007

Blogger: Hakim Abdullah
Article: Can We Raise ‘Good Muslim’ Children in the West?
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-27 21:58:31

Today, I went to my favorite local deli near the hospital where I work in Brooklyn, NY. I often go to this deli because, 1) the brothers are Muslims and I pray with them every Friday at our local masjid; 2) the deli is halal - thank God that some Muslim business owners are still concerned about the conditions of their products and services with respect to our religious beliefs - and 3) its healthy to break out of the office monotony to go and speak a different language and joke around with nice people after the noon prayer.

This visit however, was in the morning and not at noon. After I got my morning coffee and made a few salutations of good-will, a brother named ‘Abdullah and I began a conversation about foosha Arabic grammar. He is helping me to find a private Arabic teacher for my wife and children. ‘Abdullah is a very pious and hard-working Muslim from Yemen. And he shares with me one of his worrisome concerns about Muslims in this country saying,

“You know brother, when Muslims come to this country and have kids, our children start to speak English and forget all about the Arabic language.”

He goes on to tell me that its not only the language but Islam that is often forgotten or even rejected by our children. And I agree with ‘Abdullah, which is why I am working so vehemently to have my children learn firstly, about their religion and secondly, about the Arabic language. Consequently, the Qur’an the central authority of the global Muslim community, is incomplete without the Arabic language, so there must be a certain level of competence in speaking, reading and especially comprehension of Arabic.

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The enemy next door: Iran and its Jews

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007

Blogger: Point of no return
Article: The enemy next door: Iran and its Jews
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-27 21:34:40

Anti-Zionism has not always been the default position of Iran. In fact, in the Sixties, a group of visiting Iranian intellectuals was smitten with admiration for Israel’s kibbutz socialism. While cultural antisemitism has always simmered in the background, the regime’s opponents today are more likely to be pro-Israel on the grounds of ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’. In the ‘Enemy next door’ author Roya Hakakian, who fled the country 20 years ago, writes eloquently in Guilt and Pleasure, magazine on the complex and ever-changing relationship of Iran and its Jews.

In December of 1978, a chain of powerful knocks shook our courtyard door in Tehran. But the sound of the iron door rattling in its frame was not nearly as terrifying as the look on the face of the person rattling it. When my father finally buzzed the caller in, there was my Aunt Monavar, her face blurred behind a stream of tears. A greeting must have seemed superfluous to my father, who simply shouted:”What’s wrong, Monavar?”

“She erupted. The words tumbled from her mouth. They sounded tragic, severe, frenzied, although their meaning eluded me. My father and his siblings spoke to one another in the Jewish dialect of their childhood village in central Iran, a language to which I, born and raised in Tehran, was not privy. ”

Read article in full.

Blogger: Hakim Abdullah
Article: Mercy for All Peoples – Part 1: The Prophet of Islam and Christians
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-27 02:04:16

In Christian circles – and particularly in the West – it is widely believed today that Islam is a threat to Christians, to Christianity and to Christian values. Few men have been more hated, maligned, caricaturised, and misunderstood in the West than the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of God be upon him).

However, Western intellectuals who took the trouble to study, in a dispassionate and unbiased way, the most revered figure of Islam – whom God calls “a Mercy for all peoples” (Qur’an: Chapter 21) – were profoundly touched by the magnanimity and noble character of Muhammad, the Messenger of God.

Annie Wood Besant, that well-known English theosophist, women’s rights activist, writer and orator of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, was moved to write:

“It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher.” (Annie Besant, THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD)

George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright, critic and political activist requiring no introduction in the West, wrote:

“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - the wonderful man - and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness…” (George Bernard Shaw, THE GENUINE ISLAM, Volume I)

So what was it that prompted Western intellectuals to write of their admiration for Muhammad (pbuh)? We propose to present a series of posts on some of the aspects of the Prophet’s character and life that are not widely known in the West.

How did Muhammad, that man of whom Western nations are so distrustful, address the peoples of Christianity? The following charter extended to Christians by the Holy Founder of Islam – an amazing document when one considers that it was composed in the 7th Century AD, an age of much savagery and darkness – shows without a shadow of doubt that not only had the Holy Prophet (pbuh) guaranteed Christians of all times and of all parts of the world freedom of expression, of religion and of residence, but he had also given his word of honour that they would be guaranteed assistance and full protection. He ordered all his followers to strictly observe the covenant until the Day of Judgment. Can the like of such a generous document be found at any other point in history?

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Norooz 2007

Sunday, February 25th, 2007

Blogger: View from Iran
Article: Norooz 2007
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-25 15:13:00

Continually updated post… Watch this space for more and more and more…

Pictures and posts:

From Kamangir: Let the Propoganda Begin

You can email me (responses (AT) gmail (DOT) com) or link to this post when you have added a Norooz 2007 link. Or you can always add your link in the comments section.

Thanks

Hiking in Jerusalem

Saturday, February 24th, 2007

Blogger: Mideast Youth - Thinking Ahead
Article: Hiking in Jerusalem
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-24 16:05:44

I chose well to take last Tuesday off. The weather was incredibly warm for February and I sat on the bus next to an ex-pat Canadian journalist from the Jerusalem Post and we were both smug as we got off the bus and stepped onto lush grassy areas and views of blooming almond trees. If we had stayed in Canada, we would have been knee deep in snow and not being able to hike anywhere but to the car in minus -0 weather. We were like drunk in happiness. I was thrilled not to be sitting in my stuffy office. The hike was with a group called Esra (English speaking residents association) and we were a mix of Australians, South Africans, Brits, Canadians and one American couple. It began easy up and down hills - up Har Hatayassim, to Kibbutz Tzuba - one of the few successful kibbutzim that make furniture, run a children’s amusement park, a kiddy zoo, a 4-star hotel, tourism, etc. They’re quite resourceful over there. Then we were climbing up to Tel Tzuba with a crusader fortress called Belmont (beautiful mountain in French) and with ruins of a Palestinian village pre-1948. There was also a mention of a Jewish village of talmudic times 1700 years ago or so - probably in the same area. Every town and village here has its layers of history.

Trudging through the easy part of the long - 7-hour hike, it was easy to keep up conversations and I found good camaraderie with the journalist who, like me, wanted open (a big stress on the “open”), peaceful mid-east borders. After which we can join up with the EU and make it one big happy family. “There aren’t many people here who think like you and me”. But now that I found out HE thinks like me, I’m sure there really are others and I’m gonna find them wherever they’re hiding.

The tour guide explained that there were many Palestinian villages here but he believes that in 1948 the Jordanian legion told the residents to flee because they were gonna whip the fledgling Israeli army and then when they do, they’ll be able to return back to their homes. That never happened of course and the only thing that remained of the villages were the terraced hills, with almond, carob, olive and fig trees. There were traces of biblical farms with the “shomeras” structures where farmers and/or watchmen slept guarding their fields.

The difficult part of the trail was when we were in the valley about to go up to Moshav Even Sapir. The place was called Wadi Yusouf and we had to climb on ledges and the forest was thick and overgrown. It reminded me of some enchanted forest - that if there were such a thing as elves and fairies, they’d be right there. I ended up walking like some Neanderthal woman, on all fours because climbing was so steep and there was nothing to hold onto. But we did get back to civilization, eventually.

And now for the photos….

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Today, they took away a friend

Thursday, February 22nd, 2007

Blogger: Mideast Youth - Thinking Ahead
Article: Today, they took away a friend
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-22 10:57:31

My friend Kareem has been sentenced to 4 years in prison. 3 years for his stance against Islam and 1 year for ‘defaming the President.’

I have nothing further to say. I don’t know whether to cry or to kick something in anger.

His appeal will be launched on Saturday by his lawyers, but we are told that it won’t do much, I just hope his sentence will at least be decreased.

The fight for his freedom will go on. We’ll work harder with more passion. He really doesn’t deserve this.

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Blogger: Baha’i Faith in Egypt
Article: Washington Post on the Rights of Egyptian Baha’is
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-21 19:56:00

A Reuters story by Cynthia Johnston regarding the Baha’is in Egypt was published in the Washington Post on 20 February 2006. The article entitled “Baha’is in Egypt fight for recognition as people” describes the daily personal struggle of the Baha’is living in Egypt precipitated by their inability to obtain ID cards and be treated as equal citizens in their own homeland.

This report is very well researched, balanced and objective. In addition to the Baha’is interviewed, it reported on certain historical facts regarding the continuing challenges facing the Baha’is in Egypt.

The reporter also interviewed others including Diane Ala’i, the Geneva-based Baha’i representative to the United Nations who said “If this policy continues, Baha’is will be in a way fifth-class citizens, or even non-citizens, in their own country;” Hala Mustafa, editor of al-Ahram Quarterly Democracy Review who stated “the new restrictions were imposed as Egypt was becoming more religiously conservative,” and said she “saw no signs that the government would change its view of Baha’is soon;” an Interior Ministry spokesman who stated “rulings were issued in this matter that there are to be no identity cards issued for this Baha’i religion. I mean that’s forbidden. It’s a court ruling, not us. We are just implementing it;” and Hossam Bahgat, the director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights and an outspoken humans rights activist who said “it is a step backward for the Baha’i community….”

To read the article, please click here….

Blogger: Baha’i Faith in Egypt
Article: Washington Post on the Rights of Egyptian Baha’is
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-21 19:56:00

A Reuters story by Cynthia Johnston regarding the Baha’is in Egypt was published in the Washington Post on 20 February 2006. The article entitled “Baha’is in Egypt fight for recognition as people” describes the daily personal struggle of the Baha’is living in Egypt precipitated by their inability to obtain ID cards and be treated as equal citizens in their own homeland.

This report is very well researched, balanced and objective. In addition to the Baha’is interviewed, it reported on certain historical facts regarding the continuing challenges facing the Baha’is in Egypt.

The reporter also interviewed others including Diane Ala’i, the Geneva-based Baha’i representative to the United Nations who said “If this policy continues, Baha’is will be in a way fifth-class citizens, or even non-citizens, in their own country;” Hala Mustafa, editor of al-Ahram Quarterly Democracy Review who stated “the new restrictions were imposed as Egypt was becoming more religiously conservative,” and said she “saw no signs that the government would change its view of Baha’is soon;” an Interior Ministry spokesman who stated “rulings were issued in this matter that there are to be no identity cards issued for this Baha’i religion. I mean that’s forbidden. It’s a court ruling, not us. We are just implementing it;” and Hossam Bahgat, the director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights and an outspoken humans rights activist who said “it is a step backward for the Baha’i community….”

To read the article, please click here….

Jewish Moroccan heritage.

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007

Blogger: Cherguis’ whispers
Article: Jewish Moroccan heritage.
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-21 17:06:00

Grave in Fez jewish cemetery

A long story that started very early, around roman times.
A tradition says that the Kahina, the Berber Queen who resisted the lattest to Arabic conquest, was actually leading a jewish tribe (Kahina would be a form of Cohen). However, jews were very early well integrated in the Berber tribes in the souts, and used, for example, in spite of their dhimmi condition, to wear and use arms to defend their tribe during the permanent raids and feudal disputes. Priviledge which was totally forbidden in most of the other countries, ans specially in all Europe !
A second wave of jewish immigration came with the fall of the Cordoba caliphat, and populated for example Fez and Essaouira…

More recently, Moroccan Jews were protected during WWII, and the King gave them moroccan citizenship, to protect them, refusing that they wear the yellow star or get deported.

If many of them left Morocco during the sixties and seventies, mainly for France and Israel, there is still a community, whose best known member might be Andre Azoulay, one of the nearest King’s advisors. And there are still a lot of jewish “marabouts”, graves of holy men, where people come in pilgrimage.

I translate here a very interesting article from Larbi’s blog, unfortunatly in French.

Jewish part of Moroccan identity is still not well known, and that’s a pity. Islam and Moroccan Judaism bear many similarities (traditions, rite…) which supported in the past a beautiful jewish-muslim fusion in Morocco. Here are a few examples :


Synagogue Moïse Nahon in Tangiers.

A Ketouba : Moroccan jewish wedding contract. According to the tradition, it is written in aramaic. You can see how much it looks like the muslim wedding act : both are impossible to decipher, and signed by religious officers.
For wedding, the rite is nearly identical in both communities : Legrama (Gifts and offers), henna ceremony, zgharit and even the old fashioned exhibition of the white sheet maculated with blood to prove the spouse’s virginity.

I never knew why God enforced this punishment on guys, child of a Jew, child of a Muslim, both must be circumsed, taht’s called Brit Mila by the Jews, Thara by the Muslims. Calendar is quite short for the first ones, avec the ceremony must be performed by the father on the eighth day after the birth, while the lattests are not bound by a formal limit (but they must not delay too long). nowadays, Muslims and Jews cheat a little bit and delegate the operation to hospitals and doctors.

Moroccan people, jewish or muslim, are highly superstitious and fear evil spirits. Hence the Khmissa to fight bad luck and protect oneself from the eye [bad eye means evil wish, bad luck, or anything negative sent on you by other people’s wish or magic]. Khmissa is, by the way, no muslim religious sign, as I often hear it in France, but a sign common to all Morrocans, independantly from their religion.

This is a Moroccan cover of a Sefer Torah, a hand written copy of the Torah, stored as a roll. You can also spot the similarity with the decorations of Mihrabs and mosque, made with coranic verse (suras)

Photos: Association of Moroccan Jews

Love Your Enemies

Monday, February 19th, 2007

Blogger: Chaldean Thoughts
Article: Love Your Enemies
Originaly Posted On: 2007-02-19 10:12:00

Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.

Read the rest of this entry.

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