Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, National, Religion | Tags: Events
For the graphic version, click here.
Attention neighbors, come join us at our annual summer program held in the Catskill Mountains for anyone coming with a positive attitude.
The International Quranic Open University (IQOU) is pleased to announce the Annual Boys’ Summer Program in the rural upstate New York village of Holy Islamberg. The Program is for all boys 15 years of age and older, and lasts for 30 days, beginning on the 5th of July, 2008. Participants are invited to attend with open minds, a positive attitude, and a willingness to follow the Ten Commandments.
Outdoor activities for the Program include: basic hiking and mountaineering; wrestling; swimming; boating; fishing; and basketball. The ancient sport of kabbadi will be featured as well for various levels of competition.
The standard IQOU curriculum includes: recitation of Holy Quran, to be completed by all within 30 days; studies from Bukhari Sharif and knowledge of Hadiths; research in Islamic Studies and Islamic Law; the Sirah, or life study, of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him and his family); as well as Conversational Arabic, which will be taught beginning with Book One by the IQOU staff , including staff members who have recently returned from studies at The National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad , Pakistan .
Seniors may look forward to a curriculum including an in-depth study of Holy Quran, Islamic History, Islamic Calligraphy, and Modern English reading and writing.
To qualify as a senior one must have at least a High School Diploma; and must have graduated from three previous IQOU summer programs with the completion of the Holy Quran and its translation at least once. Basic knowledge of Sharia, or Islamic Law, is also necessary to qualify.
The fee for the 30 day program is $125 per student participant, to be collected at the time of registration.
For further information, please contact IQOU staff members: Khalifa Khalid Ihsan (607) 624-3338, or M. Ahmed A. Mumin (434) 426-5083.
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: Baitun Noor, Gilani, Holy Khanqah
By Nafisah Begum & Zahidah Faruq, Islamic Post Staff Writers. 
Above, the Holy Khanqah Gilaniya where many, including some reunion participants, have been blessed with beholding the blessed names of Allah and of the Holy Last Messenger Muahammad, sal Allahu alayhe wa sallam. 
A few of the hundreds of ladies present at 2008 Banaatun Noor reunion. 
Holy Islamville, SC– “This is your second chance at life, in this life.”
These divine words were spoken by his Eminence Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Jilani, prior to the blessed Third Annual Banaatun Nur Reunion. The reunion took place in Holy Islamville, SC on June 7-17, 2008. Holy Islamville is where the beautiful Holy Khanqa Gilania is located. Many miracles have been revealed in this blessed Holy Khanqa of the Sufis. People have been spiritually healed, spiritually blessed and physical health conditions have been improved and/or totally healed, just by entering into this blessed and revered place. Miracles do continue to happen, even during the Banaatun Nur reunion participants beheld the brilliant shining Nur of the Almighty Creator that turned into rainbows.
Ladies from all around the country traveled to Holy Islamville, South Carolina to attend the BanaatunNoor Reunion. The air crackled with excitement in the triple digit heat as ladies began to trickle in, in hopes of seeing fellow members of their individual chapters. All fall under the umbrella of BanaatunNoor (Daughters of Light) International, established in 1987 by his Eminence Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani. Some of the ladies had not seen each other in the years since they had the unique opportunity to travel abroad, where they each underwent extensive studies in Islamic education and culture, home economics, and had the opportunity to live with our beloved Murshid, Pir Sahib Sultan Muhyuddin Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, Hashmi, affording them an opportunity to see, breathe, and live the sunnah of the Beloved of Allah, Syedina Rasooli Akram (peace and blessing be upon his noble person).
They then returned home to their respective areas where they taught what they learned to their families, friends, and fellow countrymen.
Over the years there have been many other opportunities to educate other Muslim ladies at various camps. This reunion has allowed the members to continue their education and brush up on their various skills.
As the ladies set up the campsite, outdoor kitchen, and atrium where classes would be held, the camaraderie, love, and kinship could be seen everywhere.
At the request of our Murshid, we came together as a group to make a special du’a (supplication) for El Sheikh’s dear friend, Mr.. Sher Khan, who was scheduled to have surgery during the reunion. We were honored to be given the privilege to aid our beloved in this way. This du’a was composed of 12,000 x’s Bismillahir Rahman nir Raheem (in the Name of Allah, ArRahman, ArRaheem), twelve nawaful rakaats made in sets of two (to be made after every 1,000 x’s recitation of the Basmala); then the du’a was said and continued in this manner until its completion.
This du’a, composed of words specifically requesting the Almighty Creator to grant good health, freedom from calamities, prosperity, and long life for ourselves, community, participants, and the dear friend of El Sheikh, was to be done over the course of three nights following the evening prayer.
On the second night of the program, over 60 ladies filled the Holy Khanqah Gilaniyah, to continue imploring Almighty Allah for the good health of Mr.. Sher Khan.
Upon the completion of the program, one of the ladies pointed to the foyer in the Holy Khanqah (the site of numerous miracles) where two rays of light could be seen. These rays were filled with rainbow colors, each color vibrant and distinct from the other; each ray was about 6 feet in length, going from the upper wall near the ceiling down to the floor and both were pulsating, swaying to and fro in dhikr. Some witnessed the name of Allah and the name of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon his noble person) written in white noor (light), while many saw his Eminence leading dhikr and guiding the program.
In another room of Baitun Noor (house of light), a lady had Almighty Allah’s name, and the name of the Beloved Holy Last Messenger written as Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon his noble person), and the face of our beloved Murshid on her right thumbnail and on the back side of the thumb. Many ladies gathered around her to see this blessed miracle.
The rainbows were witnessed by all present. Upon seeing this miraculous manifestation all went immediately into sajdah, thanking Almighty Allah for this great benefit. The rainbow gives assurance to the believers that Allah Almighty hears and answers the prayers of His sincere devotees.
At tahajjad on another morning, we did a spiritual program for Samia Begum and for our Jamaat. After a few days, we were informed that both people were doing very well and had sent their sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the programs for them. The reality of both of those programs is that the participants of this intensive ibadah were personally and spiritually invigorated themselves.
Our beloved Murshid Kamil personally refined and directed all of the essential aspects of this reunion. He was in contact daily, sending messages regarding the program and changing the course outline as directed by Allah subhana wa ta Ala. He wrote a discourse on Adaab & Iklaq which was dictated by Dr. Jawwiriya A. Abdallah-Shahid. This discourse covered, in a condensed form, everything that a Muslim lady should know and do, regarding proper conduct in life. He continued to stress the importance of reading and understanding the Holy Quran. He said “at night, when your family has retired read the Holy Quran, this is your personal conversation with Allah subhana wa ta Ala.”
After our morning worship was performed, the following classes were given: Arabic, Surah Baqarah DVD, 99 Names of Allah ta ‘ala, 40 Hadith Jami, On the Authority of the Sunna, Marriage, Gardening, Raising Chickens, Fish Farming, Canning, Hakimah Remedies, Ladies’ Health and Personal Beautification. After some time, our Murshid moved the Banaatun Noor Administrative office closer to the conference center and had a Hakimah Station set up to take care of the health needs of the participants. Our tasty meals were cooked on an outdoor fire and most of the conference attendees participated in the cooking and serving of each meal.
There were many smiling faces, warm salaams and loving arms that were continually engaging and embracing us. The faces of all the ladies were so beautiful and full of Nur, their eyes twinkling, sparkling and shining, as if secrets were being revealed to them at any given moment. There was a genuine feeling of true sisterhood; the differences of our ages merged into one. Respect and love replaced other emotions that were previously there. Everywhere we turned there were groups of ladies rehearsing inspirational stories, gems full of Hikma and Ilm from the Holy Quran Majeed, Al Hadith, and from our guide on this blessed path of Tasawwuf, our Murshid Kamil.
The grand highlight of the Banaatun Nur reunion was the conference call from our beloved Murshid to his American talibahs. His overall message was full of love and concern for our well being. His words were very clear; “become Mutaqeen, love your country, be good Americans; you are American Muslims, be good neighbors. He said to become exemplary Muslim ladies, be kind, be merciful, be modest, help the poor and needy; take care of your person and your children. By following the way of Nabi Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, everyone reaches back home. He also said, “Allah loves you and you must love Him with your heart and soul.”
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To view the print version of this page, click here.
By Umm Umair, Islamic Post Staff Writer
The Islamic Post congratulates Muhammad Atiq Shahid (left in photograph), Senior Development Editor in Southeast Asia and Pakistan.
The esteem and popularity of the Islamic Post is ever-increasing in many countries around the globe. The reputation of the Islamic Post, the only Islamic international journal of its kind, has particularly gained recognition and regard since its debut and recent printing in Spanish in the Caribbean Islands.
The journal has also been acknowledged favorably in Southeast Asia, particularly in Pakistan, and for these reasons the executive board of the Islamic Post recently appointed Muhammad Atiq Shahid as the Senior Resident Editor in Southeast Asia and Pakistan.
Considering this, it is quite deplorable that at the onset of his trip, while coming to Pakistan to take up his new position, the editor’s luggage was removed from the plane at John F. Kennedy airport prior to take-off.
This is quite unforgivable as Mr. Shahid is not only a great writer and orator, he is also a senior veteran who fought in Vietnam.
His patriotism to the United States is unquestionable, and he is a good Muslim. He loves both his deen (religious way of life) and his country without hesitation and without doubt.
Unfortunately, the hate campaign against Muslims is gaining great momentum in the U.S. spearheaded by Zionists who operate with fictitious names and bogus post office boxes. The worst thing is that they pretend to be Christian. Their aim is to bring about a clash between two faiths, Islam and Christianity. They have been successful in many countries.
However, learning of this horrendous conspiracy, American Muslims have awakened in time to establish a Muslim-Christian united front and have held rallies in order to save the United States and the world.
The American Muslims have realized that only Muslim-Christian unity can achieve this goal.
The Islamic Post has released statements wishing Mr. Atiq Shahid the best of luck and success in his new post.
He has furthermore been authorized to print the Islamic Post in Pakistan.
Officials of the paper have also requested the Information Minister, Mr. Shahree Rahman, to send Mr. Atiq Shahid invitations to press conferences that will further his reprinting and successful distribution of the journal in Pakistan.
Mr. Shahid will be staying at the Islamic Post office in Muree.
By Durdana Jamaal Qadria, Islamic Post Staff Writer
There was no doubt Robert Mugabe would win the election considering the fact that many in opposition were jailed, missing or believed dead.
With Morgan Tsvangirai losing the popular vote to Mugabe in March, Mugabe was standing in a one-man race. His race was riddled with fear, threats and possible death to those who would stand in opposition even after Tsvangirai lost. Of the opposition, 90 had been killed, 2,000 were jailed, 10,000 assaulted and injured and 200,000 were displaced in the run-up to the vote.
Unlike his counterpart, Mr. Tsvangirai considered the lives of the people over whom he wanted to preside by pulling out of the presidential race last month, saying he could not ask his supporters to vote “when that vote would cost them their lives.”
Although the obvious threat of retribution at the hands of Mugabe’s agents was present, Tsvangirai remained on the ballot and tens of thousands of Zimbabweans voted in his favor.
Few were surprised by the declaration that the elections were not free and fair. The Pan-African parliament wants a new vote when the environment is “conducive” for a valid poll.
A Pan-African parliament monitor said that he had spoken to voters from a squatter camp who told him that they were voting for Mugabe because their home would have been destroyed if they refused to comply.
Going against the rest of the world, Robert Mugabe continued to go ahead with the voting process; however he looked a bit subdued at his inauguration in Harare on Sunday. If all continues according to his plan, he will preside over the country for a sixth term.
This sixth term will come at a major price for him and his country. He will now face growing scrutiny, stricter sanctions and even warrant armed peacekeepers to enter his country as a result of his stolen presidency. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “I think that a very good argument can be made for having an international force to restore peace.” The U.S. said that it will call for UN action against Zimbabwe such as an arms embargo. US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice made it a point to say, “It makes sense to deny the government of Zimbabwe the means to conduct violence against its own people.”
His arrogant behavior knows no bounds as he stated that “only God” could remove him from power; but, after such a statement, he now realizes that he may be forced to share his authority to some degree. Forced to eat his words, just before his trip was due to depart for the African Union Summit, he promised to hold “serious talks” with those in opposition to his election.
Nelson Chamisa, spokesman for Movement for Democratic Change, said, “But when all is said and done, there has to be dialogue about a transitional period that would lead to a free and fair election.
He continued, “The politicians of this country need to set aside their egos and think of the future of this country. We need to put a full stop on our people’s suffering.”
By Durdana Jamaal Qadria, Islamic Post Staff Writer
Scientists and government agencies are baffled by the constant barrage of floods, tornadoes, and wildfires occurring simultaneously in several different locations.
Many of these storms have eluded all scientific detections and are only discovered when it is far too late to implement evacuation plans. There was a time when such devices were of value and offered enough warning to the people whose lives would be affected; however, predictions of mega-storms like Louisiana’s hurricane Katrina have fallen short in estimating the danger and destruction caused.
Floods in Iowa have swallowed entire towns, breaking or weakening the levees that were constructed to protect the masses. Many rely on the weather agencies to give concrete information substantiated by scientific facts as to the severity of a storm; however, Ron Fournier, a spokesman with the Army Corps of Engineers in Iowa , said,“There is no way to predict whether these levees will break. That’s a crystal ball that nobody has.”
In other states like Kansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi, tornadoes have leveled residential communities and small towns. Horrific tornadoes-sometimes two or three touching down in the same area at the same time- have exceeded the estimations of the agencies that tract them. Preliminary statistics from the National Weather Service show that 172 tornadoes have been reported in Kansas this year — the most in the nation.
Wildfires have charred and destroyed thousands of acres in California with its newest destruction in Hollywood. There has been speculation as to the origins of these wildfires but no evidence to corroborate such ideas. At best the reason given is that the heat combined with the lack of rain makes for an easy target for ‘wildfires’ to occur. Scientists, who would have the masses believe that these mega-storms are the results of mixes in climate from one region of the country to another, know all too well the reasons for such horrific occurrences.
When the people of New Orleans, Louisiana returned to their homes, they were more concerned about reviving Mardi Gras then repairing the damage done to some of the poorest areas in the city. State funds were allocated for the sole purpose of rebuilding New Orleans-a haven for all that is impure and against The Almighty Creator’s Law.
Homosexuals have been granted the right to ‘marry’ in California thus they are flocking to the state in droves seeking to make lawful what the Almighty Creator has deemed unlawful. This in the face of the fact that he sent the Great Flood of Noah (peace be upon him) to destroy them for the same actions.
One should pay careful attention to arrive at the conclusion that history is repeating itself. The crimes against the Almighty Creator are more prevalent now than in the past; bringing a multitude of calamities. Instead of one great flood, we suffer several of them. Instead of one tornado or forest fire, many storms befall our nation leaving us with nothing but memories.
How selective are our memories that we forget or refuse to acknowledge the one thing that makes complete sense? The Almighty Creator’s Laws are being broken therefore He sends the Wrath. Even worse is the wrath upon those who chose to ignore the signs as a punishment, not a natural disaster.
Filed under: International, July Volume I- 2008, Science | Tags: Dr. Jemille, EGM, El Gilani Methodology, Gilani, Medicine, Psychology, Quranic Psychiatry, Spirituality
By Dr. Jemille Wasi, Islamic Post Contributing Writer
In the April 2008 edition of the Islamic Post, I introduced the first of a series of articles whose purpose was to establish El Gilani Methodology (EGM) as a viable, proven treatment option for those suffering from a multitude of disease processes. In that article I focused on introducing the historical background of EGM and the events that were transpiring that necessitated its development. Now we turn our attention to the components of the methodology itself.
Lines of Holy Quran have been used since times past as a means to cure disease. The Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) used a compilation of 34 such ayaats (known as the Manzil) to cure mental disease. After the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him), Sufi scientists used the 6 Ayaats of Shifaa, healing various ailments.
EGM was developed from the mold of the practices of the early sufis, including the ultimate sufi, the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him).
EGM is a standardized systematic approach that institutes the application of the healing properties of the Holy Quran for the general population at large. It centers on the use of the projection of a highly concentrated visual image of the name of Allah ta’ala, who is the Most High, and the name of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him).
Originally it consisted of audiotapes of the method’s founder reciting various ayaats. Although El Sheikh still dispenses treatment, the method now also consists of highly trained therapists administering prescribed therapies on an individual basis, often in person, to the afflicted individual.
Patients are given specific prescriptions for the disease process. Some aspects of each prescription are generic for a particular ailment, but some parts of the treatment regimen are customized to an individual patient.
As is the case with most formal systems of medicine, the practitioners must take courses specific to the method. This often occurs at one of the many campuses of the International Quranic Open University. Students must pass examinations in order to become qualified therapists and receive certifications. Another facet of the training is that students must adhere to the same principles as the patients, which include a belief in one God, following the Ten Commandments, performing good deeds, and shunning the committing of sinful acts. Once a fully competent therapist, one is released to provide services to all that seek assistance. For difficult cases, the more accomplished therapists are available to render services.
EGM has met some resistance in the past which, I believe, is due to the fact that it is often mistakenly grouped with forms of non-traditional medicine. Unlike these practices, this is a medical system that includes a medical code, texts, and formally trained therapists.
A book called Treatment of Mental Disorders: A Review of Effectiveness, edited by Norman Sartorius, describes how various forms of indigenous medicine often showed greater success rates in healing diseases than did commonly used practices. Westermeyer had reached this same conclusion in a previous study in 1979.
Although EGM is applicable to all forms of disease, its primary focus is the treatment of mental disease. Upon further review of this unique methodology, one will find that it focuses on the true nature of many diseases. If given the proper audience one will find the results of instituting this treatment strategy effective in curing many of the incurable diseases that afflict mankind!!
As always…only from Allah ta’ala can we be healed!
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Dr. Jemille graduated in 1998 with honors from Longwood University, with a Bachelors in Chemistry. In June 2006, he received a Medical Degree from International Quranic Open University (I.Q.O.U.). In September 2006, he received his M.D. from Eastern Virginia Medical school. Dr. Jemille is scheduled, this year, to participate fully as a physician at St. Francis Family Residency Program.
For any comments or concerns send an email to Dr. Jemille:
Jemille23@gmail.com
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Dr. Jemille Series: The Introduction to El Gilani Methodology Intro| Part 1| Part 2 | Part 3
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, National, Politics, Religion | Tags: Baitun Noor, CAN, Gilani, Holy Khanqah
Will the Hate Campaign Ever Stop?
By Islamic Post Staff Writers
The Christian Action Network (CAN), a racist faction of hate mongers, has selected the Holy Shrine in the Village of Holy Islamville, York, South Carolina, one of the holiest places in America and the world, as a target for their campaign of hate and religious prejudice.
This obsessed group of anti-social misfits greatly maligns Jesus, son of the chaste Mary, by calling themselves Christians. Their sinister, terrorist type tactics range from throwing bundles of hate pamphlets out of low flying planes over Muslim villages, to obstructing traffic and agitating and harassing Muslim women and children. Their literature and posters are crammed with rambling hateful venom and their public address system spews out inflammatory anti-Islam propaganda. It is obvious their underlying intent is to incite a clash between the followers of these two great religions.
In the serene Muslim village of Holy Islamville, thousands of people, of different faiths, have visited the Holy Shrine from around the world. They have beheld the miraculous manifestations. Some have been cured of ailments and so-called “incurable” diseases.
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(Right) People of all faiths are welcome anytime at Baitun Noor, the Holy Khanqah of the Sufis. The Muslims of the Americas are working to prepare for the return of Christ Jesus who will unite our two great religions into one (Herald photo).
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Local newspaper and other media have visited the Holy Shrine on numerous occasions, and reported what they beheld. Photographs and video recordings that support the miraculous manifestations are available for public viewing.
It was on the 13th of Shabaan 1416, of the Hijri calendar, the 5th of January 1996, at the Banaa tun Noor, Ladies Retreat, held in Holy Islamville, York, South Carolina, USA, that those present were informed that a special dua, to be recited on the 15th of Shabaan-Shab-e-Bara’at, (the mid of the month that precedes the fasting month of Ramadan) was being faxed. Joyous cries of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) were heard when the fax machine came to life. The sheet with the dua (prayer) on it appeared to have become jammed while emerging, but when it was retrieved, the message was completely intact.
While the ladies began reading the fax, Afifa Begum looked up at the ceiling and noted a special sight. “I looked and yelled, ‘Look! There’s a rainbow on the ceiling.” Adeelah Ahmed went to the sink to see if the light reflecting off the water was causing the rainbow and found that the rainbow was not caused by any reflection. However, she did find something else: she found the name of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), appearing on the wall in vivid, shimmering and brilliant colors of green, yellow, blue and streaks of red. For a good 25 minutes the name of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) appeared on the right and on the left; a vivid rainbow appeared on the wall. Each time someone tried to take a picture with a camera, both would disappear. When the camera was put down, both reappeared. When some of the ladies tried to block the miraculous manifestations with their hands the name still appeared on the wall.
Amira Najah remarked, “Each letter was clear and easy to see and easy to trace. It was written as though it were a staircase and the meem was the highest step and the dal was the first step.” Ladies kept coming in and out and the joy, ecstasy, and excitement were beyond compare.
The dua was faxed to the ladies by His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, El Hashmi, Al Hassani wal Hussaini, the Vice Chancellor of the Intl Quranic Open University with permission to recite it, along with the correct method of recitation. The dua was to be recited on the Nifs of Shabaan (middle night of Shabaan) and was written by El Sheikh Gilani’s direct ancestor, Ghausul Azam, Muhayyuddin, Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani of Baghdad.
There were at least 125 ladies on that blessed night (the 15th of Shaban, the Night of Predestination) at the Holy Shrine where much worship, dhikr and recitation took place. It was then that the prayer was recited in Arabic. The English version of the prayer follows:
Ya Allah, Thou favor all and needs the favor of no one. O most Exalted and Supreme and Bestower of Rewards, there is no Deity save Thee, O the “backbone” of those who seek Thy help. Thou art the Refuge of those who seek Thy protection and Thou art the Abode of Peace for those who are stricken with terror.
O, my Allah, if Thou hast written my name in Thy Book (Loh-e-Mahfooz) as unlucky, miserable or destitute or deprived of Rizq (provisions) in abundance, then Ya Allah delete that.
O, my Allah, for the sake of Thy Fadl (Favor) may my misery, my depravity, my destituteness and shortness of rizq (provisions ) be changed in Thy Book (of destiny) and be written as lucky, bestowed with rizq in abundance and may I be the one granted competency to do virtuous deeds because (Ya Allah) Thou hast spoken and Thou speakest the HAQQ (the truth) in Thy Revealed Book (Holy Quran) and Thy Messenger hast also spoken that, “Allah deletes whatever He willeth and preserves whatever He willeth and with Him is the Book of Destiny (Holy Quran).”
Ya Allah, for the sake of Thy greatest Tajjaly [Divine manifestation of His Noor (Light), Names or Words] during the mid-half night of Shaaban in which the Almighty, All Wise gives judgment on every issue (to befall until next Shaaban) and fulfills it as well, we beseech and implore Thee (Ya Allah) to save us from all adversities, miseries, trials about which we know and don’t know but indeed Thou art the Best Knower, the most Exalted and Supreme One. Blessings be upon our Lord the Last Messenger Muhammad and upon his descendents, companions and walees (friends).
Mrs. June, a Christian lady, began a conversation at a local shopping mall with a couple of Muslim ladies that reside in Holy Islamville. She disclosed that her husband’s health was failing and was encouraged by the Muslim ladies to visit the Holy Shrine where others had been cured of numerous ailments. Shortly thereafter, Ms. June and her husband, Muhammad Najjar, who was diagnosed with cancer, by doctors at Piedmont Medical Center, made a visit to the Holy Shrine to pray for a cure. The personal name of Allah appeared before her on the walls of the room she was in but Ms. June could not read Arabic and did not realize what it was that she saw. It wasn’t until Ms. June embroidered a tapestry to commemorate her visit that she was told and shown what she had seen. On her tapestry was embroidered the very name of Allah in Arabic script. When her husband returned to Piedmont for further examination and treatment his doctors were amazed that the cancer was gone! No doubt this was done by the permission of the One Almighty Creator.
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(Right) the distinguished Dr. Syed Malik Hamid Hussain Qadri, Member of the Sudanese Parliament, showed utmost respect before miraculous manifestations in the Holy Khanqah Gilaniyah. which he visited at the behest of His Eminence Al Imam Sheikh Syed Mubarik ‘Ali Shah Gilani.
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Sudanese Ambassador, Syed Dr. Malik Hussein Hamid, President of the Sudanese Data Bank, member of the Sudan National Assembly and candidate for the Presidency of Sudan (2000) accepted the invitation of His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani and arrived at the Holy Shrine on the 16th of December 2003 and engaged in vigorous prayer, dhikr and contemplation. He dozed off and beheld beautiful manifestations. It impacted him so much that he dictated his account which was printed in both the U.S. and the Sudan and reads in part:
“I saw with my own eyes the following. Accompanying the witness of Allah ta’ala before whom I am responsible and will hold so, until I see Him on the Day of Judgment Insha Allah.
I saw a cluster of rainbows spread over the eastern and southern walls of the house in such a way that indicated independence from presence of water in the area. These rainbows were of similar essence, but different from all those rainbows which I saw since I was young and associated with rainy days, clouds, and light. But these rainbows made me feel that they are associated with extraordinary happenings and they remained there even during dark and that was the amazing thing about it. They never changed their places which indicate their disassociation to other factors.
This observation was then followed by the big culminating miracles and that was the presence of the light at quite a number of places manifesting Arabic letters composing the Name of Allah (Jallah Jallalahoo) very clearly displayed in a consistent and organized handwriting followed by the name of Rasulullah Muhammed (sal Allahu alayhe wa sallam).
On the corresponding wall, I saw the two names forwarded by Shah Mubarak Gilani to be used for zikr by the followers. Later on we came after dark to find the same rainbow and Allah’s name also showed on the walls. We all gathered and I gave a lecture about the issue which is already documented on tape and can be included with this statement since it was inspired by the scene itself. I was cherishing my heart and mind in a unique blend when I went to my bed and saw the whole scene again. When I came for Fajr prayers, I saw the same. During a short nap which I had in the shrine, I saw my son Hussein (10 years old) asking me why you did not take me to see these Karamat. While I was there a Christian came to see the miracles and he confirmed the same. My whole visit to this shrine was instigated, inspired, and ordered by the Maulana Shah Mubarik Gilani who made his orders to his followers to receive me and take me around. They really did it with Islamic generosity and love.
These accounts are not contrived stories but are in fact divine manifestations and are a sign of the divine mission of our blessed Sheikh…His Eminence El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani El Hashmi, El Hassani wal Hussaini and the Almighty’s Love and Favor for this jamaat.
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FBI Special Agent in Charge, Leslie Wieser (right), Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, South Columbia, felt very welcomed addressing a Muslim Scouts of the Americas graduating class in Holy Islamville, SC.
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The residents of Holy Islamville, other villages of International Quranic Open University, and Muslims of the Americas Inc. are neither soldiers nor terrorists. Rather they are American citizens who are dedicated lovers of the One Almighty Creator and the Holy Last Messenger, and adhere to the Ten Commandments as do our good Christian brothers. We are working diligently to join forces with our Christian brethren through increased dialogue and cooperation and are helping and preparing for the return of Christ Jesus who will unite our two great religions into one.
The campaign of hate against our leader and our organizations has been launched by the same ones who conspired and manipulated America into WWII by allowing the tragedy of Pearl Harbor despite having prior knowledge of the attack. The same culprits allowed thousands of Christians and Muslims to die while knowing full well what was planned for the 11th of September, 2001; they also knew about the planned bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Lebanon before it was carried out and did nothing to warn America of the impending danger.
Whatever the case, they will not be able to deter Muslim/Christian unity. Preparations and readiness are being made for the return of Jesus, born of the chaste Mary, and on his return he will settle things and expose the wrongdoers. Those terrorist hate mongers may do what they will but they won’t be able to stop the inevitable. They should remember the wrath of God comes in many forms; floods, fires, earthquakes and tornadoes, etc. “You reap what you sow.” Our work to bring Muslims and Christians together is divinely inspired and we will not be stopped. We don’t fear anything or anyone, nor will we be intimidated or provoked. Nothing can stop us; nothing will change our goal for we are Sufis, and that is what makes us different. The hate mongers will not goad us into a confrontation of their making. We will use every legal means to address them and avoid their scheme which is to wreak havoc and to destroy this nation. We know well who they are… These culprits are none other than the ADL and the JDL. This cult of vipers, (CAN), in lamb’s clothing have nothing to do with Christ Jesus and shouldn’t even call themselves Christians. When Jesus returns he’ll expose their evil and give them their just due and about that there is absolutely no doubt!
Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: Gilani, hadith, interfaith
By Umm Yahya & Noora Begum
Islamic Post Staff Writers
“How is it possible for a mu’min to fill his stomach while his neighbor is hungry?”- Arbaeen Jami
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Deposit NY residents celebrate the survival of the 2006 flood with Islamberg neighbors. The doctor at the local clinic in Deposit, John Giannone, now fasts during the holy month of Ramadan out of respect for the Islamberg community’s beliefs and has maintained a relatively close relationship with the Islamic village. When his house was devastated by flooding that nearly wiped Deposit off the map in June 2006, volunteers from Islamberg came down and helped him clear out the debris. Giannone says they even did the dishes.
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The above hadith sherif is heard, recited and memorized all over the Muslim world. While the every day interpretation of the text is accepted by most as, “I should feed my neighbor if he is without food,” the wealth of Islamic information available makes the understanding even clearer.
Before clarifying what the treatment of the neighbor should be, one should first understand exactly who is the neighbor that is being referred to.
Al Adab Al Mufrad, a collection of hadith shareef from Imam Bukhari, quotes Al-Hasan (may Allah ta’ala be pleased with him) as having been asked who is the jaar, or neighbor. Al Hasan said, “The term ‘neighbor’ includes the forty houses in front of a person, the forty houses behind him, the forty houses on his right and the forty houses on his left.”
Thus, it can be said that the term “neighbor” actually refers to a person’s entire neighborhood.
For those living in an un-Islamic society, this may seem to limit the donor to whatever Muslim neighbors may be at hand. Not so.
Also from Al Adab Al Mufrad there is a hadith reported by Mujahid who said: A sheep was slaughtered for ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr. He asked his servant, “Have you given any to our Jewish neighbor?? I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say, ‘Angel Jibril kept on recommending that I treat my neighbors well, until I thought that he would order me to treat them as my heirs.’”
Therefore, the neighbor’s right of honor, help, and hospitality, is meant for all neighbors, regardless of their religious or cultural background.
This point was made very clear by El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, in the video commentary of the book Kashful Israar, which was written by Hadrat Ali Hajweri. El Sheikh narrated an incident, during the discourse, in which Hadrat Ali Hajweri spiritually assisted the Hindus who lived near his holy tomb, by praying for the well-being of the family’s dying son, who was brought back to health by virtue of Hadrat Ali Hajweri’s presence and supplication. He said, “You are my neighbor.”
In line 36 of Sura Nisaa’ in the Holy Qur’an, Allah ta’ala (the Most High) says, “Be good to your parents and relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are related to you and neighbors who are not related to you.”
Ibn Kathir related that Mujahid was reported to have said that Allah ta’ala’s statement, “the neighbors who are not related to you” also refers to one’s companion during travel.
Thus we are left with a clear definition of jaar. All the people who live in one’s neighborhood or village, be they Muslim or non-Muslim, family or not; or, a traveling companion would be understood as such.
This being the scope of the word neighbor, it then becomes necessary for Muslims to broaden their perspective in order to conform to the teaching and life pattern of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon he and his family).
Everyone knows that the Holy Last Messenger, (peace be upon him), preferred the next life to this one, and was in no way attached to worldly wealth and charm. We hear the stories of his sleeping on a simple mat, tying a stone to the tender side of his stomach to alleviate hunger, and of his wives fasting and giving away their evening meal, which would be used to break the fast. Why all of this? The Holy Last Messenger and his blessed Ahle Bait, or members of his household, could not stand to see others suffer and go hungry, whether the afflicted persons were Muslim, Christian, Jew or polytheist.
It is not that the Honored and Beloved Messenger, (peace be upon him), was without wealth, but the Holy Last Messenger (Allah’s peace be upon him) made it a point to never keep wealth in his hands. Once, the Holy Last Messenger, peace be upon him, gave a man “so much gold that he could not carry it,” as related in Ash Shifa of Qadi ‘Iyad. The narration continues to say that in another instance, 90,000 dirhams were brought to the Holy Last Messenger, (peace be upon him), who placed them on a mat and then got up and distributed them, not turning away anyone who asked until he had given it all away. “It is mentioned that Mu’awwidh ibn ‘Afra’; said, ‘I brought the Holy Messenger, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), a plate of fresh dates and cucumber [as a gift], and he gave me a handful of jewelry and gold.’”
In this, we see the true spirit of Islam in the overwhelming generosity of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, (peace be upon him), who not only honored, helped, and gave great hospitality to his neighbors, but also condemned those who were crude, disrespectful and hurtful to their own neighbors.
Muslim reported that the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, said “Taqwa is here!” pointing to his breast three times, “It is enough evil for man to scorn his Muslim brother.”
People with little understanding of the way of Islam, are quick to scorn those who are impoverished as somehow undeserving of the bounty of Allah ta’ala. Yet Allah ta’ala speaks of this very mentality in Sura YaSeen. Ibn Kathir comments, on line 47 of Sura YaSeen: “And when it is said to them, ‘Spend of that with which Allah has provided you,’’’ means that when they are told to spend of that which Allah ta’ala has provided to them on the poor and the needy, they say, “Shall we feed those whom, if Allah willed, He (Himself) would have fed)?” (Holy Quran) In ignorance, such people feel that if Allah ta’ala had wished, He would have fed the poor people. Thus they fail the test which was created to “see who amongst you performs the best deeds.” (Holy Quran)
What is more sad is that these people, while discarding the magnanimous pattern of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him), think that they are united with the will of Allah ta’ala in His dispensation of provisions to the people. Allah ta’ala save us from becoming ignorant and hard-hearted, as this is a plague that is left over from the days before Islam.
How is it that in one home there is an abundance of food with every luxury and amenity of life, while just next door, or up the road, another home eats at the bottom of the food pyramid, if at all, and has no running water, nor even electricity?
In another noble tradition (hadith), Ibn ‘Umar said, “There was a time when no one was more entitled to a person’s money than his Muslim brother. Now people love their dirhams and dinars more than their Muslim brother. I heard the Holy Last Messenger, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), say, ‘How many a neighbor will be brought together with his neighbor on the Day of Rising! He will say, ‘Lord, this man closed his door to me and refused to show me common kindness!’”
In Riyadhus Saaliheen, Abu Hurayra reported that the Holy Last Messenger, (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), said, “By Allah, he is no mu’min! By Allah, he is no mu’min! By Allah, he is no mu’min!” It was asked, “Who is that, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Someone whose neighbor is not safe from his mischief!”
In Al Adab Al Mufrad, Thawban said, .”..There is no man who wrongs his neighbor, to the extent that he forces him until he makes him leave his home, who is not destroyed.”
In such a situation, those people whose hearts are dead as such to the needs of their neighbors, have traded their iman for their comforts and riches. For this bad neighbor, his salat and ibadah to Allah ta’ala is not accepted until he helps his neighbors, according to the commentary of El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani on the Arbaeen Jami hadiths. “[Helping one’s neighbor] is the very gist of ibada in Islam.”
El Sheikh has said elsewhere that the purpose of ibada, or worship, is to cultivate the true spirit of sacrifice in a human being. Therefore, if there is no spirit of sacrifice, one may clearly see that the worship of such a miser helps him not at all.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: Gilani
A copy of the card made in honor of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad upon the occasion of the honored beholding of Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah, may be viewed here; the text of which is as:
This is the explanation of the incident and also in gratitude to the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) who, when the Ummi of Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah cried to him for help, and asked him to come and heal her son from the terrible pain he was suffering, he did come.
The Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) helps those in distress who call out to him for his help.
He is the Rahmatillil ‘Aalameen, and this is the proof that he is Haazir and Naazir.
The Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him) knows all of his descendants by name and he helps them when they are in need and cry to him for help and mercy.
My son, Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah was feeling very sick for most of the evening and complained that his stomach was hurting him.
At first I thought he wanted my attention and it was not serious. I gave him an herbal stomach powder; but he didn’t feel better and eventually fell asleep.
I could not sleep most of the night. Noor Shah was rubbing his stomach and crying. I felt very bad because I could not make his stomach stop hurting. I looked around for medicine to give him.
Eventually he woke up at about 2 am and was complaining of severe pains. I told him to lay down and recite Durood Shareef. He did. Then I began to recite Durood Shareef and I wrote with my index finger three times on his stomach (Meem Ha Meem Dal) Muhammad in Arabic.
Then I said, “Ya Rasulullah (peace be upon him), you saved this boy many times before and you always help me. Please, remove the pain from his stomach. No, ya Rasulullah (peace be upon him) not only remove the pain but whatever is the cause ailing his stomach, remove that cause, take it out of his stomach please. Ya Rahmatillil Aalameen, I cannot help Noor Shah but you can and you always do. Please help him.”
Then I prayed some more for my son and began to recite Durood Shareef again.
After a few minutes Noor Shah jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. He vomited and vomited whatever was in his stomach and then he instantly felt better. He went back to sleep reciting Durood Shareef.
When he woke again he narrated to me word for word the account below.
Shukr Alhamdulillah li Rahmatil lil Aalameen (peace be upon him), who solves our problems when we are in distress and who mends the hearts which are broken with grief. May Allah continue to shower His choicest Barakah, Salaam and Salawaah upon the Master of Man and Jinn, Muhammad Mustafa.
The following is a true account in the exact words of Syed
Noor ul Hussain Shah.
“Ummi, I saw Rasulullah (peace be upon him). First a bright light came into this room and I fainted. Then Rasulullah (peace be upon him) and his wife (or a blessed lady) came in. He was very beautiful with a nice beard. He said, ‘As Salaamu alaykum, ya Noor ul Hussain.’ He was speaking in Arabic. He said, ‘Noor ul Hussain, make all of your salaah, read Holy Quran and do dhikr. Rasulullah (peace be upon him) left the room and then came back. He said, ‘you are a very special boy.’”
“As Salaatu Was Salamu Alaika Ya Rasulallah 
YA ALLAH!!
YA MUHAMMAD !!!
Ya Rasulallah ,
I thank you a million times over, for when I was crying in terrible pain and my Umi and I cried to you for help you came last night and put your hand on me and I was relieved of pain. And I thank you for telling me I am a special child and guiding me to study the Islamic curriculum.
With Sincerest Gratitude,
Your Son,
Syed Noor ul Hussain Shah Gillani
Hashmee Hasnee wal Hussainee
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Touring, travel | Tags: Gilani, Pakistan, thoughts, travel, World
By El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, Vice Chancellor International Qur’anic Open University, Chief Editor Islamic Post
To view the Islamic Post print edition of this article, click here.
Introduction by Islamic Post Staff Writer
INTRODUCTION
Bismillahir Rahma nir Raheem
The Vice Chancellor El Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani was the first person to give a scientific demonstration on the healing powers of the Holy Quran from 1976 – 1977. In the 1980’s, he spent his life conducting khalwas (retreats) in the desert and mountains where talibs beheld the Holy Last Messenger, peace be upon him, who told them what was to happen in the upcoming century of Islam. This is recorded in Futihat-e-Muhammadiya. However, during his school days, he spent his entire life in the mountains leading national and international expeditions. He established mountaineering and hiking clubs based on character-building through adventure. Students and army personnel from all over Pakistan were trained. From the very beginning of his life, each and every minute has been spent in serving and achieving. Many talibs (seekers) will be amazed to learn the type of life he led and the world he faced. He undertook expeditions to explore Northern regions in the range of the Karakoram Mountains which have some of the highest peaks and longest glaciers in the world. At that time very little was known about that area. By writing articles and stories about his expeditions, he inspired the youth to be adventurous and to explore the unknown regions of Pakistan. He established a youth hostel association which eventually built hostels in many attractive mountainous regions, including the Kaghan Valley. He imparted courage, boldness, fearlessness, a sense of enterprise and a passion for adventure to the youth of Pakistan. El Sheikh and his companions were the bravest, most adventurous, and most fearless people on the face of the earth. Their expeditions produced maps and routes to unknown places and information on various cultures. After he left mountaineering, he felt saddened that no-one continued exploring the unknown areas; he was very sorry that adventure died in Pakistan. All that he and his companions had accomplished through exploration became a legend. The following article reprint from the Pakistan Times is the result of El Sheikh and his companions traveling with full pack, in burning heat, 16 to 20 miles per day. El Sheikh had hardly come out of high school; his command of language, the graphic description of the new region, Nagar Valley, previously unexplored in Pakistan, is plain to see. In the 90’s, our own mountain and hiking club of Islamberg passed through Nagar and Hunza when going to China. Of course, the Islamberg Hiking Club went by jeep but previously, the Vice Chancellor walked.
“Journey to the Land of Gold and Apricots” is reprinted on the occasion when El Sheikh celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of friendship with Brigadier Sher Khan, a lifelong friend and partner in adventure, along with a few others such as Dr. Farakh Ahmed Khan. Friendship is something, also, to feel happy and proud about; for it to be valued and unbroken continuously for fifty years is remarkable. Brigadier Sher Khan has just celebrated his fortieth wedding anniversary. This is a good lesson, for people should celebrate their 40th, 50th wedding anniversaries. We all wish Muhammed Sher Khan, Dr. Farakh Ahmed Khan, and others, a happy, prosperous and blissful life and continuation of friendship in this world and the hereafter as well!
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Journey To The Land Of Gold And Apricots
By Mubarik Ali Gilani
Secretary, Climbers Club of Pakistan
Brigadier Sher Khan receives an award and certificate of honor for climbing and exploring from Lieutenant General Bakhtiar Rana.
This summer the Climbers Club of Pakistan sponsored a mountaineering expedition under the patronage of Lieutenant General Bakhtiar Rana. On their way the expedition passed through the State of Nagar which forms the subject of this article. The flight to Gilgit is well known as a daring feat of flying. Usually the route follows the Indus river gorge and the Babusar Pass. Our Dakota at Rawalpindi was stuffed with many odd things. When it was air-borne, we were rather impatient for a sight of the Nanga Parbat. Most of us occupied the seats near the windows facing the mountain. Down below, the view was partially curtained by heavy clouds. Thick, black forests bordering snowy summits heralded the approach of Kaghan Valley. The tiny, irregular shaped terraces on the banks of the river presented a beautiful pattern of many colors. The narrow, winding road running along the turquoise-green Kunhar River seemed more enchanting than usual. The view changed abruptly and the scene was now dominated by the peak of Nanga Parbat. This solitary peak has fortified itself with its steep icy precipices which fall almost vertically for more than 16,000 feet over the Diamir Glacier. This summer, the Nanga Parbat has repelled another assault by the German team.
Familiar Contours
I saw its familiar contours. I could see the last ridge on which Herman Buhl’s successful climb was accomplished in 1953. Then, down below, I saw the fatal camp site over the Monk’s Head where almost the entire German expedition vanished in 1937. I could guess that from here F. Mummery, one of the earliest Europeans, vanished in 1892. Haramosh dominated the scene when we turned west from Bunhji for Gilgit. It had defied many attempts before it was scaled. Then Rakaposhi appeared from her veil of clouds.
The Dakota landed very smoothly and we were in Gilgit, to see the old familiar faces and friends. We headed for our usual Garden rest house. There is a small island platform in the river, beside the rest house. I guess it is the favorite rendezvous of the Gilgit elite. After some days, one cloudy morning we left on our long journey towards our mountain which is situated in the Nagar territory. Nomal, the first stage from Gilgit, is about 16 miles, and is dreaded by travelers due to scarcity of water and the absence of shade and shelter. Usually, people prefer to travel on this route at night.
Chalt is the next stage from Nomal and the distance is about 15 miles. It is situated in a large bowl-shaped valley rich in orchards and crops. It is also the winter capital of the Mir of Nagar.
We traveled its long, narrow, poplar-flanked lanes for some miles which led us on to a road; this further ran along a stream, which we crossed.
About six miles up, along Hunza River, a very dangerous rock-cut track offers thrilling trekking. Usually, people get down at this extremely steep, precipitous stretch. A helper runs with a piece of stone along it in order to put it behind the tyres to check the back skid, which can result in a plunge into the river hundreds of feet below. No doubt it is risky to travel by jeep on this route.
Sikandarabad
At Khazirabad we crossed once again into Nagar territory and reached Sikandarabad. This is a large village whose source of water is the nullahs coming down from the Rakaposhi glaciers. The land is extremely fertile and the scenery magnificent. Forests high above provide these people with timber which is a rarity in Hunza.
As compared to Hunza, Nagar is much more fertile, but Nagarites have not developed a liking for outsiders yet. Since we arrived in the fruit season, we had apricots and mulberries in evidence everywhere. In the beginning we enjoyed taking fruits very much but gradually we were satiated with them.
Fruit is the staple diet of these people. Even goats, cows, dogs, and horses enjoy these fresh or dry fruits. I was told that, in the apple season, the cows are fed on apples. Rakaposhi is one of the most precious gifts of nature to the people of Nagar. Without Rakaposhi, Nagar would be reduced to desert. The most impressive view of Rakaposhi, however, can be had from Hunza. Mike Bank, a well-known British mountaineer, who led the joint Pak- British expedition which climbed it in 1958, believes that this peak is much more difficult than Everest. After having a look at its steep frozen massif and precipices and walls, I am also of the same opinion. Perhaps Nanga Parbat offers the only comparison. It is a blessing for the Nagarites. It lends eternal beauty to the valley and its sweet streams irrigate their fields. Its pastures supply them with milk and meat and its forests yield a generous supply of wood and timber.
Minnapin
From Sikandarabad we hired mules and donkeys to carry our equipment up to the next stage-Minnapin. All along the way, for more than sixteen miles, we passed under a canopy of fruit trees flanking the roads. We were told that every tree which grows on the roadside is dedicated to travelers. Nobody owns these trees. Our march was interrupted several times when we had to distribute medicines to the ailing people of the locality. Most of the people were suffering from dysentery. Our doctor told us that they get it from the wells they use for water storage. Cases of malaria and eye sore were also fairly common.
All Beauty is Music
I believe all the beauty in nature can be translated into music, and the mountains produce music for those who have “ears” to listen to this music. For appreciating this music, one needs to develop a hearing power which can only be acquired through communion with nature.
It was moonlight when we reached Nagar and were led towards the royal guest house. We were astonished to find that our meal was ready and that it had been arranged by the order of His Highness. Next morning we met the most illustrious and colorful personality of Nagar – the old Wazir. Although he is seventy and keeps a long white beard, he enjoys robust health.
Nagar
The town of Nagar lies on the right bank of the Nagar River and to the west of Baltit, the capital of Hunza. The Nagar River is formed after the confluence of Nispar with Hopar above Nagar from where it is known as Nagar River.
From here there is no regular approach to Hunza except a rope bridge, which is considered the nightmare of travelers. Perhaps it is due to this that Nagar is very little known to outsiders. This bridge is supported by two cables which are bound together and covered by small wooden planks set at irregular distances. And a pair of cables is supposed to offer hand support to the traveler. One of my companions had a very narrow escape while crossing the bridge. Nagar is situated on a high plateau which guards approaches to the interior of the Karakoram. Routes to Hispar, Baifo, and other glaciers lead from here. Among the peaks, Dastigil Sar, Kunyang Chhish, and Ghani Chhish, all are approached from Nagar.
No Police
I was told that there were no police and all the affairs were looked after by the headmen of the villages, themselves, who keep in touch with the Ruler. Few crimes are committed, and there was only one murder, 18 years ago. There is no set code of laws.
The People
An average Nagarite is tough, well-built, fair, and sturdy. They do not belong to the same race as the people of Hunza. The people are very religious and do not have many colorful customs and rites. The women are very shy and observe strict purdah. After marriage, many discard it in order to be able to look after the fields. The rosy, chubby children are pretty and seem to be well fed.
Houses
An average Nagar house is built with boulders and mud, which is plastered with a thin layer of hard clay. Most of the houses are double-storeyed. The lower storey is used for cattle and the upper for family members.
The Golden Peak
The Golden Peak is the most romantically carved mountain I have ever seen. It dominates the view from every ridge, spur, field, or any place in Nagar. It shoots up into the blue heaven more than 24,000 feet. For myself, I found there was no better pastime than to watch it during evening hours.
Nagarites are, by nature, peace-loving people. They have not indulged in war against any people. The royal house of Nagar is closely related to that of Hunza, due to many inter-marriages which have strengthened the relations between the two.
Songs and Dances
Nagarites dance when they wish to honor their guests, or on weddings and festivals. It is considered a necessary education for a gentleman. The better a man can dance, the more respected he is in society. It is a tradition that the wazirs of the Ruler should be fully conversant with dances. Their dances are altogether different from our dances. And there is no link between these and the Khattak dance of the Frontier. The Nagar dances closely resemble the dances performed in Tashkent. The music is simple yet very enchanting indeed. It consists of drums of various sizes, flutes, sarods, and the audience usually takes part in rhythmic clapping, howling and whistling.
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Filed under: International, July Volume I- 2008, Politics | Tags: aipac, campaign, elections, israel, mccain, obama, Politics
By Farhana Jamal, Islamic Post Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C.-In a country often referred to as the “Land of opportunity,” the most recent race for the U.S. Presidency has turned into the prime chance for Israel to stake their claim on this great land by backing the presidential candidate who surrenders to their demands in order to be named the next president of the United States.
America’s leading pro-Israel lobby, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), “…works with both Democratic and Republican political leaders to enact public policy that strengthens the vital U.S.-Israel relationship,” the organization’s website states.
Any U.S. relationship with Israel, the Zionist capitol of the world, reaps no benefit for the American people. Americans want change and the slogans for Democratic and Republican presidential nominees promise this change, but what changes can be made if promises are made to the government of a country which seeks only to annihilate all other countries who refuse to surrender their lands?
Senator John McCain, a former POW, and Senator Barack Obama, the first African American presidential nominee, are working diligently in their respective campaigns to become leader of the “free world.”
McCain openly accepts donations from lobbyists such as AIPAC to fund his campaign and in return agrees to terms and stipulations that contradict his promise of “Leadership you can believe in!” At the 2008 AIPAC Policy Conference, McCain said, “…I welcome you to Washington and your money and it’s–it’s a pleasure as always to be in the company of the men and women of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.”
McCain talks to his fellow Americans of his desire to serve them, if elected president while making the policies of AIPAC American policies. “The threats to Israel’s security are large and growing and America’s commitment must grow as well. I strongly support the increase in military aid to Israel scheduled to begin in October. I am committed to making certain, Israel maintains its qualitative military edge.
“Israel’s enemies are too numerous, its margin of error too small, and our shared interests and values too great for us to follow any other policy,” he said in his speech at the conference.
In earlier speeches McCain said that the U.S. must remain in Iraq and Afghanistan until victory has been declared. As of today, no such victory has occurred. Is this the start of another war?
The U.S. military is stretched beyond capacity in the current wars, but due to Israel’s demands military support, McCain is willing to risk more lives – the lives of those in the military as well as those civilians who expect their military to be available to protect their own homeland.
For those who find his alliance with Israel deplorable, McCain says, ‘too bad.’
“If there are ties between America and Israel that critics of our alliance have never understood, perhaps that’s because they do not fully understand the love of liberty and the pursuit of justice. But they should know –they should know those ties cannot be broken.
“We were brought together by shared ideals and by shared adversity; we have been comrades in struggle and trusted partners in the quest for peace. We are the most natural of allies and like Israel itself–that alliance is forever,” he said.
McCain is not alone in making contradictory statements to the masses.
Barack Obama, who is known for statements about denying donations from lobbyists because they do not care about the American people, is also making promises to Israel.
While there does not appear to be any record of him accepting donations from AIPAC, he has allied the organization friends to his presidential campaign. “Our alliance is based on shared interests and shared values,” Obama said at the 2008 AIPAC Conference.
Obama, while admired by many around the world, is still a politician who will make necessary deals to secure his election.
Meeting behind closed doors with Senator Hillary Clinton, a known Zionist supporter, shortly after his nomination, assuredly benefited himself, as well as Clinton and Israel. Then there was the pressure from the media and Clinton supporters to take Hillary Clinton as his running mate or risk losing her supporters. Perhaps he really does want to change Washington, but in a political world governed by the Zionists, change comes at a hefty price.
“As President I will implement a memorandum of understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade, investments to Israel’s security that will not be tied to any other nation,” he said.
With the economy in such a disastrous state, education and its funding below average, and the military being stretched thin, how can such an expensive promise be made?
Like McCain, he is also making similar statements and promises to the Zionists. How can he make changes in politics, but make promises to Israel?
Israel’s list of demands involves the death and destruction of all Muslim countries, including Indonesia where Obama lived for some time, and Kenya, the home of his father.
Unfortunately, Muslim countries are listed as terrorist strong-holds making them targets of the Zionists. Islam is their greatest enemy.
Because they have presented Muslim countries as a threat, Obama has stated that, “Those who threaten Israel threaten us; Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines and I will bring to the White House an unshakable commitment to Israel’s security.”
One would think that Senator Barack Hussein Obama, son of a Kenyan Muslim, would refrain from making alliances with AIPAC especially when those who are targeted by them are his Muslim family.
While he has tried to discourage making his campaign an issue of race, he has definitely avoided the Muslim aspect of it as well.
Although he is not a Muslim, he is familiar with Islam and those who practice its way of life and for that reason alone making any pacts with the Zionists is an insult to his Muslim family.
Working with Israel is the same as signing their death warrants.
Barack Obama sealed the deal by reaffirming his commitment to Israel’s security and its New World Order saying, “Now is the time to stand by Israel as it writes the next chapter in its extraordinary journey. Now is the time to join together in the work of repairing this world and I’m looking forward to being a partner with AIPAC in making that happen.”
Regardless of which person is voted into office, the Zionists will see to it that their plan is implemented. The Democrats and Republicans will continue to argue over which candidate is most worthy of the job and will vote accordingly, but they fail to realize that there is a third party voting in this election-the Zionist Party. Their candidate wins every election.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Latino/Caribe, Politics | Tags: Chavez, farc, Venezuela
The Associated Press recently corrected an article which claimed that Chavez “urged world leaders to back the [FARC] armed struggle”. The correction mentions that the day after calling the FARC an “army” back in January, the Venezuelan president said, “I don’t agree with the armed struggle,” and called for a political resolution.
Colombia announced last month the opening of an international investigation based on computer files allegedly belonging to former FARC negotiator Raul Reyes.
The investigation will probe contacts between the leftist FARC rebels and prominent politicians, journalists and foreigners, including a U.S. consultant, the AP reported. The prosecutor, Mario Iguaran, also asked the Colombian Supreme Court to look into three opposition lawmakers including Senator Piedad Cordoba, who helped Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broker the release of six rebel hostages earlier this year.
The foreigners placed under investigation include two Ecuadoreans, a Venezuelan and an American alternative development expert James C. Jones, who has been working with Democrats in the U.S. Congress.
Venezuela Analysis reported on June 12, however, that representatives of the International Police Organization (Interpol) told Ecuadorian Presidential Adviser Fernando Bustamante, in a meeting, that its investigation of the laptop computers which Colombia claims belonged to the FARC “does not determine if the computers provided were found in the guerrilla camp of the FARC during the incursion on March 1st; [nor] if they effectively belonged to Raúl Reyes, and even less so their contents,” according to a recent missive released by the Ecuadorian Foreign Relations Ministry.
Senator Cordoba told students in the western city of Cali that the investigation amounted to “an attack on reason.”
She said she’s been working for a prisoner swap “because I have a mandate from the families.” Cordoba’s close ties to Venezuelan President Chavez and her appearance in group photos with FARC leaders have upset conservative Colombians who overwhelmingly back Uribe’s efforts to defeat the FARC militarily with billions of dollars in U.S. aid, said the AP.
The other two Colombian lawmakers under investigation are Sen. Gloria Ines Ramirez and Rep. Wilson Borja, a former union leader who survived a 2000 assassination attempt by a right-wing death squad.
Cordoba is also a survivor of 2 assasination attempts, was kidnapped in 1999 by the AUC paramilitary group, and recently held up by immigration on a flight to NYC.
The Venezuelan placed under investigation is also a Chavez ally.
After the announcement of the investigation, the non-government organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) requested that the Venezuelan government “provide a full accounting of its relationship” with the FARC. Venezuela’s Ambassador to the OAS responded to the request by saying that HRW is joining with forces that want to oust President Chavez, Venezuela Analysis reported. HRW urged President Hugo Chávez to officially ban support for the FARC, and asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to investigate Venezuela’s relationship with the Colombian insurgents. The group also criticized Chávez for expressing sympathy for the FARC and for advocating that the FARC be treated as a political rather than a terrorist organization to help facilitate negotiations.
HRW has not had direct access to the computer files, according to the organization’s press release. Requests for access to these files, even by the Colombian Supreme Court, have so far gone unheeded by the Colombian and U.S. governments, in whose custody the files remain.
In the fallout of the March smart bomb which killed Raul Reyes, but left his computer intact to the point of retrieving valuable information, authorities of eleven countries have also requested from the Colombian government the computer files on Reyes’ computer after it was alleged that it also contained communications with people living in those countries. The countries mentioned by Universal News included: Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico, Venezuela and Spain.
Jose Miguel Vivanco of HRW judged that “for any government to support a guerrilla group like the FARC that routinely commits atrocities against civilians is entirely beyond the pale.” He specifically referred to Chávez’s pronouncements in January 2008 that the FARC have “a political and Bolivarian project that is respected here [in Venezuela],” and Chávez’s call for a moment of silence to observe the death of Raul Reyes in March.
President Hugo Chavez subsequently denounced the FARC’s tactics. “The guerrilla war is history,” he said. “At this moment in Latin America, an armed guerrilla movement is out of place.” In his weekly Sunday television and radio program, Chavez urged the new FARC leader Alfonso Cano to “let all these people go.” “There are old folk, women, sick people, soldiers who have been prisoners in the mountains for 10 years,” he added. The announcement was hailed by the United States officials as “good words,” but Chavez had also said back in January during the uproar over his alleged FARC support, “I don’t agree with the armed struggle.”
In an effort to clear its name, the Ecuadorian government has already committed to investigating Colombia’s accusations that Ecuador offered refuge to the rebels.
President Chavez has repeatedly denied that Venezuela provided any kind of material support to the FARC and that the only contacts his government has had with the FARC has been to facilitate the release of hostages held by the FARC. In early 2008 Chavez managed to convince the FARC to release six out of 45 of its high profile hostages.
At the UNASUR summit in Brazil, Chavez met with Colombia’s president Alvaro Uribe behind closed doors. In a relaxed atmosphere, Uribe promised Chavez’s 6 year old daughter that she would be able to see peace as an adult, commenting to her on the merits of mutual respect. Chavez and Uribe spoke at length. [I told Uribe] “we will not meddle in the internal problems of Colombia,” Chavez commented afterwards, “our message is of peace.”
“Here, I ask for the world’s help… enough of so much war, the hour to sit down and talk of peace has arrived, we call on the world to seek this path,” he said.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Latino/Caribe | Tags: bolivia, evo morales, referendum
By Noora Ahmad, Islamic Post Staff Writer
President Evo Morales volunteered to hold a nationwide referendum in August allowing Bolivians to decide whether he and his vice president Alvaro Garcia Linera should remain in power, after the provinces voted for autonomy from the Morales government. Opposition forces took Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, and Tarija in a series of referendums that are denounced by the Organization of American States (OAS) and many Latin American countries.
Morales referred to the referendums as “popularity polls” due to the unconstitutionality of the May autonomy referendum. “Those opposition groups who lost their control over the national government want to use the autonomy question to damage or divide Bolivia,” Morales explained to Juan Gonzalez of Democracy Now, “First, the autonomy statute that they’re holding a vote on is illegal and unconstitutional. Why? Because under the current constitution, there is no provision for autonomy… Second, any referendum must be called by the national congress, but here the governor decided illegally and unconstitutionally [to hold a referendum]. This is because the historical enemies of the indigenous movement of the people, and the enemies of social progress, are in agony.”
Although it was widely reported that the Santa Cruz referendum was a landslide, with 85% of the residents of Santa Cruz voting “yes,” over 50% of the eligible population boycotted the referendum by not voting at all. Residents of areas with majority populations loyal to the Morales government destroyed voting booths in their communities, which precipitated clashes between pro- and anti-referendum partisans, and left hundreds injured.
The Bolivian president mentioned during a speech at the Plaza de Armas in front of thousands of adherents that before the nationalization of natural gas in May of 2006, Bolivia received 300 million dollars annually from the industry, this tripled in 2007 to 1700 million dollars and this year the income escalated even higher to 2.5 billion dollars a year, as reported by the Associated Press. The profits “are not Evo’s, nor the government’s, nor do they belong to the prefects and mayors, all of this is for the people of Bolivia,” Morales asserted.
The recent announcement of the nationalizations of telecommunications in Bolivia follows Morales’ denouncing of capitalism in general at the United Nations to more than 2,500 indigenous delegates who took part in a two-week session, the first since the UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding declaration last September upholding the human, land and resources rights of indigenous people.
The Bolivian president also called for the UN system, particularly the powerful Security Council, to be “democratized” so that power cannot continue to be monopolized by a few nations.
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Filed under: International, July Volume I- 2008, World | Tags: 9/11, interfaith, National, Politics, UN, unity
By Umm Shadzia, Islamic Post Staff Writer
United We Stand. “On this day, we stand on common ground… we will no longer be duped or manipulated by a “hidden hand” into fighting or going to war with each other.” (R-L) The distinguished Ms. Mary Yelenick of the Nat’l Catholic Social Services Lobby; the Honorable Earnest Davis, former Mayor of Mount Vernon, NY; Muhammad Haseeb Qadri, International Quranic Open University rally coordinator; the Honorable Khalifa Muhammad Atiq Qadri, President of Muslim Veterans of America; and the Honorable Khalifa Muhammad Hussein Qadri, Deputy Director of IQOU.
NEW YORK- An impressive crowd of over 3,000 Muslims and Christians were not deterred by the warnings of severe thunderstorms and hail as they boarded buses, vans, trains and planes throughout the United States and Canada to participate in the Muslim-Christian ‘World Peace Rally’, held in New York City, USA. The participants gathered on the corner of 47th Street and 2nd Avenue, and boldly marched toward the United Nations building. The Muslims and Christians joined by peace activists, humanitarian organizations and politicians collectively initiated the first annual, “Rally for World Peace” of this type.
A newly established group, ”The United Muslim-Christian Forum” (UMCF), hosted the historic event as they publicized their aims which include but are not limited to, Muslim–Christian Unity, taking a decisive stand against worldwide suffering, and launching a vigorous and unyielding advocacy campaign for world peace and against war and terror. During the program, the crowd was awed and invigorated as it was announced that the lifelong humanitarian and advocate for world peace, His Eminence, the Vice Chancellor of the International Quranic Open University, El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani, called via telephone to send his regards and admiration for such efforts.
As they stood, at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza, in the shadow of the United Nation’s building, the theme of the gathering was encompassed in the opening remarks made by Mr. Muhammad Hasib Qadri, a rally coordinator, when he stated: “On this day, we stand on common ground. We serve notice to the world, that as Muslims and Christians we will no longer be duped or manipulated by a “hidden hand” into fighting, or going to war with each other.”
Amongst the distinguished guests were: the Honorable Earnest Davis, former Mayor of Mount Vernon, New York, Mr. Naquan Muhammad, representative of “The Islamic Political Party of America”, the distinguished Ms. Mary Yelenick, representative of the National Catholic Social Services Lobby, the Honorable Khalifa Muhammad Hussein Qadri, Deputy Director of the International Quranic Open University, and the Honorable Khalifa Muhammad Atiq Qadri, President of Muslim Veterans of America Inc.
Further into the program UMCF made its dynamic demands clear:
-We demand world peace and no more war!
-We demand that no more lives be wasted!
-We demand an independent inquiry into the absence of 4000 Jews from the World Trade Center on 9/11 and why it is being covered up.
-We demand to know who actually carried out the 9/11 attacks.
-We demand to know what happened to the 5 Israeli men, dressed in Arab clothes, dancing and jeering on the other side of the river and filming while the attacks were being carried out.
-We demand to know why Building 7 crumbled without being damaged in any way by the attack.
President of the Muslim Veterans of America Inc., Khalifa Muhammad Atiq in his forceful speech demanded to know why 4,000 Jews had prior warning of the devised attack on the World Trade Center and stayed home while Muslims and Christians were kept in the dark and left to perish.
The Muslim war veteran quoted from Andrew Carrington Hitchcock’s popular book, The Synagogue of Satan which stated, “On September the 11th, the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon is orchestrated by Israel with the complicity of Britain and America, under the orders of the Rothschilds (international bankers), which they in turn blame on so-called Muslim terrorists.
This is Stage One of getting the Western World, on behalf of the Jews, to go to war with the Arab world. Here lies another textbook Mossad false flag operation; one should remember well their motto ‘By Way Of Deception, Thou Shalt Do War’.”
The president of Muslim Veterans of America Inc., went on to show a glaring similarity with what transpired at Pearl Harbor when he quoted from the same book: “Interestingly, back in 1938, President Roosevelt tried his hardest to railroad the United States into the war in Europe to accommodate the Jews in the United States and the world, but when that failed he knew he had to try a different tactic. That was, of course, what happened at Pearl Harbor.”
Today, many books state that the US had broken the Japanese code and had prior knowledge of the pending attack by the Japanese but allowed it to take place to bring about America’s entry into the war.
Earnest Davis, the former Mayor of Mount Vernon, New York, made note that the crowds stand against the rain was like unto their “stand for peace against war and terror and remarked, “Our commitments may not take shape and force today, or immediately, but it will take shape and the annals of history and will make note that today we started a movement that leaves behind all else and moves toward peace in the world.”
Mayor Davis was followed in the program by the distinguished Ms. Mary Yelenick, representative of the National Catholic Social Services Lobby, who added, “What we do as a Catholic organization is what Muslims around the world have been, and still are doing: reaching out to others and standing strong for what is right and good and true.”
At the end of the program, as the rain came to an abrupt end, bringing forth the sun which shone fiercely, the Muslims and Christians joined hands and together with one voice repeated again, and again, Allahu Akbar (“God is Great!”)
It should be duly noted that, the inspiration for the rally took shape after both Muslims and Christians gathered earlier this year to celebrate the august birth of the Holy Last Messenger (peace be upon him).
It was then that both groups vowed that they were “fed up” and would stand together against those who are actively instigating clashes between Muslims and Christians any where in the world.
At this time, the interim board members of the United Muslim-Christian Forum are launching a worldwide membership drive, and will be holding a conference in the very near future.
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Filed under: International, July Volume I- 2008, Politics, World | Tags: Gilani, Musharraf, news, Politics
By Abu Rashid Qadri, Islamic Post Staff Writer
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani (right) accompanied by President Pervez Musharraf (left). For the first time in sixty years, a member of such noble ancestry is holding a pivotal governmental position, in a country established as a place of refuge for Muslims the world over.
MURREE, Pakistan-Worshippers gathered at the Holy Khanqah Qadriyah Awliyyah, in the village of Holy Islamville, York, South Carolina, USA, to extend, on behalf of His Eminence, El Sheikh, Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gillani, El Hashmi of Mian Mir Sharif, the warmest of congratulations to the newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Honorable Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani.
Worshippers, including those Muslim lady participants in the “Annual Banaatun Noor Reunion,” also celebrated the election of the Honourable Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan. Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani is a direct descendent of the blessed, noble and purified family, the Ahli Bayt, of the Holy Last Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him). Notably, he is also a descendent of the esteemed family of Ghausul Azam, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani (Allah’s mercy upon him).
This is the first time in some sixty years that a member of such noble ancestry has held such a pivotal governmental position in a country established on the blood of hundreds of thousands, to be a refuge for Muslims the world over.
Unfortunately, this Islamic Republic is better known for the disrespect, ill treatment and violence meted out to Ahli Bayt (peace be upon them) and their dedicated followers and supporters; perpetrated against them by extremists and puppets of both domestic and foreign special interest groups.
Hence, we extend a caution to the new Prime Minister for him not to become anyone’s agent, but rather he remains only the agent of his ancestor, Ghausul Azam, Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, of Baghdad (Allah’s mercy upon him). He must keep in mind that his success lies in his ability to be steadfast in upholding the principles, values and heritage of his noble family.
Throughout America members of our Sufi Lodges are making Du’a (Prayer) of support, hoping the Prime Minister will uphold the honour of the Ahli Bayt in every decision making instance.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Latino/Caribe, Politics, World | Tags: news, Politics
Sen. Jack Reed Castigates William Haynes (clip from Cspan, additional information on the Detainee Interrogation Techniques Hearing here).
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday, former Pentagon counsel William Haynes who (as posted on June 17) came up with a legal framework that would allow the military to ignore a law prohibiting American soldiers from engaging in torture, was rebuked by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) told Haynes that his advice “did a disservice to the soldiers of this nation. You empowered them to violate basic conditions which every soldier respects — the Uniformed Code of Military Justice, the Geneva Convention. … Don’t go around with this attitude of you’re protecting the integrity of the military. You degraded the integrity of the United States military.” Watch it:
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Latino/Caribe | Tags: Guyana, news, suppressed news, Trinidad
By Islamic Post Staff Writer
New York judge Dora Irizarry, appointed by former mayor Rudy Giuliani to the criminal bench in 1996, ruled of late that none of the information released to the defense in Russell Defreitas’ case, including all transcripts, notes and other documents determined to be evidence by the prosecution, may be shared with the media.
The Guyanese-born man was accused along with three others, of plotting to blow up John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, after an alleged sting operation involving a U.S. informant. Defreitas, who has been held in a Brooklyn jail since June last year, is now accused of being the mastermind behind the plan. The judge said anyone who breached that order would be in contempt of court, according to Caribbean360.
Prosecutors said Defreitas, a 63-year-old former J.F.K. airport worker, conducted surveillance of the airport using photographs, a video camera and satellite images. The prosecution also claimed that the men used their connections to present a terrorist plot to radical groups in South America and the Caribbean, also according to Caribbean360.
Defreitas’ co-accused, former Guyanese parliamentarian, Abdul Kadir, his countryman Abdel Nur and Trinidadian, Kareem Ibrahim, were in custody in Trinidad and Tobago until late last month, fighting extradition to the U.S..
Reuters reported back in December that Kareem Ibrahim was undergoing a psychiatric test to see if he could be sent to the United States for trial. Local reporters confirm that he was being held at St. Anne’s hospital, otherwise known as “The Mad-House.” The extradition took place on June 23.
(…article continues below)
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Huda Ibrahim (right), 21, claims that her
father was entrapped by Steve Francis Taveras (left) 36, now publicly known by his background as a twice convicted drug felon working under cooperation deals with U.S. federal authorities
(Terry DeSouza AKA Steve Francis Taveras, Trinidad Daily Express photo; Huda Ibrahim, AFP/Getty Images)
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More “aspirational” than operational.
During the appellate hearing in Trinidad, defense attorney Fyard Hosein said the U.S. government had not presented any evidence to show the men were involved in a terrorist plot. He said the men lacked the funds and capacity to organize such a thing, claimed the men had been entrapped by an informant who was working with U.S. law enforcement in order to reduce his own sentence for drug trafficking. “From the evidence, none of the claimants are originators of this plot,” Hosein said.
CaribWorldNews reported that the informant, Steve Francis Taveras (AKA Terry DeSouza, AKA Anas Knaddert), while working with law enforcement agents, began monitoring the plot at its early stages and made numerous recorded conversations with the defendants.
Huda Ibrahim, daughter of Kareem Ibrahim, issued a statement to the media last year claiming U.S. justice officials had engaged in entrapment: “Unfortunately, innocent persons with no connection whatsoever to the political and military disputes between the United States and the Middle East …have been used as pawns in an international game of subterfuge.”
Authorities have acknowledged the plot was more “aspirational” than operational.
Prior to the media seal on the case, investigators [full story] were able to access information about the informant, releasing facts about his prior drug convictions. Francis was arrested by detectives assigned to an NYPD Tactical Narcotics Team. He was nabbed carrying a Gap bag containing five kilogram packages of cocaine. A subsequent search of a Kingsbridge apartment connected to Francis turned up 44 more kilo-sized packages. When asked about his cocaine-filled satchel, Francis told one officer that he “just found the bag.” At the time of his bust, a kilo of cocaine wholesaled for about $25,000. Since the street value was double that amount, the coke seized from Francis was worth around $2 million. Indicted on four felony charges, Francis was jailed and his bail was set at $1 million.
Francis remained in custody, records show, for nearly a year, until mid-December 2003. It was then that Francis cut his second cooperation deal. The first took place in 1994 after Francis was arrested by federal agents and charged with distributing “large quantities” of cocaine in West Harlem, Brooklyn, and Queens. Though federal guidelines called for an “imprisonment range” of between 27 and 34 years, Francis was only given a seven-year sentence.
While the nature and extent of his 1990’s government cooperation remains confidential, and the 2003 agreement and guilty plea are not part of the public record, the criminal complaint in the JFK terror case notes that, “The Source was…convicted on drug trafficking charges in the New York Supreme Court in 2003. His sentence in that case is pending as part of his cooperation agreement with the government.”
Francis’ bail was slashed from $1 million to $50,000. He was released after his older brother deposited $5000 with the court.
As for what Francis was doing for the State Department in 2004, 2005, and early-2006, and the extent of the “financial assistance” that officials said they provided to him, it was originally thought that the details may have surfaced at the trial, but now it seems the world may never know.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Latino/Caribe | Tags: 9/11, Guantanamo, news
<<Doubts. Yosri Fouda (bottom left), claimed in 2002 that although Khalid Shaikh Mohammed tries to appear the “religious leader, or the leader of a political party…his shallow knowledge of both religion and politics” paints a different story; Top Pentagon lawyer William Haynes (middle left), who came up with a legal framework that would allow the military to ignore a law prohibiting American soldiers from engaging in torture, was initially rewarded a nomination for a life term as a federal judge, then fired upon pressure from Congress; the fourth chief prosecutor at Guantanamo to quit, Col. Morris Davis (bottom right), claims he was pressured by Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartmann (top) to rush the military tribunals before the presidential elections. Hartmann was disqualified from the trial recently after his impartiality came into serious question.
By Khalida Khaleel
Even without additional legislation to justify the proceedings, the tribunals are forging ahead as if the Supreme Court had not spoken at all.
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) made their own decision in May in regards to Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr. Their ruling was based on the original decision in 2004 by the U.S. Supreme Court, which said the Guantanamo Bay process “violates international law,” as reported by CTV. “The process in place at Guantanamo Bay at the time Canadian officials interviewed K(hadr) and passed on the fruits of the interviews to U.S. officials, has been found by the U.S. Supreme Court … to violate U.S. domestic law and international human rights obligations to which Canada subscribes,’’ the ruling said.
Jurist reported the U.S. Department of Defense as having dismissed Col. Peter Brownback, the judge presiding over the military commission trial of Khadr. No explanation was given for the dismissal, but Khadr’s defense lawyers speculated that it was related to Brownback’s threat last month to suspend the military commission proceedings against Khadr until and unless the U.S. government submits daily records of Khadr’s detention. Khadr’s military lawyers had requested the records to corroborate allegations of abusive treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Reuters reported that at a pre-trial hearing in the Khadr case, Brownback said that the Pentagon was unhappy with his decisions in the case, and that he had “taken a lot of heat” for dismissing charges against Khadr in June 2007. Those charges were later reinstated.
Most recently, the BBC reported that defense attorney in the case Lt. Cmdr. William Kuebler alleged that Guantanamo Bay interrogators were told to destroy handwritten notes in case they were called to testify on detainee treatment during the trials. He was, however, able to obtain a procedures manual which reportedly contained the torture instructions.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has “strongly” objected to a resolution passed by the Icelandic parliament on human rights abuse in the Guantanamo prison. The resolution “condemns the inhumane treatment of prisoners at the U.S. detention camp” and “urges that the camp be closed,” according to an English translation of the text, AFP reported.
“I strongly object to the notion that there are human rights violations at Guantanamo, as is suggested in the resolution,” Secretary Rice said Friday during a press conference with her Icelandic counterpart Ingibjoerg Solrun Gisladottir.
A bit of hope.
Recently, a celebration was held in Sudan, with hundreds of well-wishers in attendance, after the release of Sami al-Hajj, an Al Jazeera cameraman, from Guantanamo Bay.
(…article continues below)
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>>Sami Al-Hajj (center) with his son (left) and Wadah Khanfar (right), Al Jazeera’s director general, at al Hajj’s welcome home gathering. Officials told ABC news that al-Hajj’s claims of torture are false, calling him “manipulator” and “propagandist”. Al Jazeera photo.>>
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Civil society groups and the Al Jazeera television network organised the gathering in the capital, Khartoum, to mark al-Hajj’s freedom. He addressed the attendees and said that his U.S. captors had hoped to turn him into a spy. “I was subjugated to more than 130 interrogations, 95 of them were about my work and Al Jazeera,” he told the crowd, which included Wadah Khanfar, the network’s director general. “They wanted me to betray the principles of my job and to turn me into a spy. Al-Hajj had been held for nearly six and a half years without charge or trial. He was subjected to harsh psychological and physiological torture.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, National, Politics | Tags: news, oil, Politics
Deborah Tate from VOA News reported that Peter Robertson, vice chairman of the board of Chevron Corporation, criticized proposed legislation that would revoke tax breaks to major oil companies. “Punitive measures that will weaken us in the face of international competition are the wrong solution at this critical point in our history.”
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$36 billion in oil profits have been made in only the first three months of this year.
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Top US oil executives appeared before Congress recently to answer a claim, by Democrats, like Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, as to why there have been profits of $36 billion in only the first three months of this year.
Combined, the major oil companies: Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, BP PLC, Chevron Corp., and ConocoPhillips, made $123 billion last year alone, and are already slated to make billions more this year. This is at a time when US motorists are paying record prices at the pump – now averaging $3.29 a gallon amid talk of $4 a gallon this summer and one out of 8 Americans are on food stamps.
“It just doesn’t seem fair,” said Kohl.
Stephen Simon, senior vice president of Exxon Mobil, answered that their firms’ profits are invested back into the company and claimed that the oil conglomerate’s huge profits are in line with other industries.
The oil company officials also blamed soaring crude prices on rising global demand, urging lawmakers to end restrictions on exploration and production of oil in the United States by lowering the taxes involved.
Deborah Tate, from VOA News, reported that Peter Robertson, vice chairman of the board of Chevron Corporation, criticized proposed legislation that would revoke tax breaks to major oil companies.
“Punitive measures that will weaken us in the face of international competition are the wrong solution at this critical point in our history,” he said. “Such measures will only increase our dependence on foreign supplies of energy while resources at home are untapped.”
The oil company officials took issue with another bill, passed by the House in May, but awaiting Senate action, that would allow the United States to sue the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on antitrust and price fixing grounds.
Critics say the measure could prompt a backlash from oil producers, and President Bush has vowed to veto the measure.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, National, Politics | Tags: 9/11, news, Politics
Arizona state senator Karen Johnson (R) delivered a letter to the office of U.S. Senator John McCain asking him to meet with a group of professionals to discuss the events of –9/11 when terrorists hijacked four airplanes and attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
“Even the chairman of the commission has announced his dissatisfaction with the [official] report,” said Johnson in her support of a new, independent investigation. “Anyone who reads the report can see that much was left out and that there are many discrepancies,” she said.
(…article continues below)
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Architect Richard Gage (above), using a steel beam exhibit, alleges that thermite could have been used to collapse the Twin Towers. A number of researchers, Gage among them, have made the connection between the buildings’ collapses and a controlled demolition often used in the construction industry that would have required carefully placed explosives planted at a critical number of locations within the buildings.
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Johnson’s letter requests that McCain meet with Scottsdale professor, Blair Gadsby, who has been on a hunger strike outside McCain’s office on 16th Street for nine days. Gadsby has arranged for architect Richard Gage and physicist Steven Jones to meet with McCain, at his convenience to present evidence of controlled demolition gathered from the ruins of Ground Zero. Gage is the founder of Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth – a group consisting of hundreds of building professionals who want Congress to open up a new investigation of 9/11. Dr. Jones is a physicist who has done laboratory analysis of residue from the rubble of the World Trade Center and found evidence of explosives. Both Gage and Jones believe that the Twin Towers and Building 7 collapsed from explosives planted in the buildings before September 11.
The researchers allege there to be a connection between the buildings’ collapses and a controlled demolition used often in the construction industry which requires explosives to be placed in critical locations throughout the buildings.
“Their evidence is very significant,” said Johnson, “because it wasn’t presented to the 9/11 Commission when they did their original investigation, and it completely changes the conclusions of the Commission. There’s nothing wrong with going back and having another look. If the Commission didn’t have all the facts, then so be it, but we need to know what happened on 9/11. Nearly 3,000 Americans died that day, and we deserve to know the truth about what happened. It’s time to get to the bottom of this.”
“Senator McCain wants to be elected to the highest office in this country,” said Senator Johnson, “and he needs to know the truth about 9/11. Finding answers to 9/11 should be a significant part of this presidential campaign. The events of 9/11 led to this war with Iraq, to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, to the loss of habeas corpus, the use of wiretaps, the push for a national ID and other legislation that deprives us of freedom. This is a very significant issue, and no one is discussing it. Our presidential candidates need to talk about this.”
…read Senator Karen S. Johnson’s full article
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, National, Politics | Tags: dialog, Gilani, history, jul, news, Politics, zionism
“What better way to fight back,” Bjerknes says, “than to join together the forces of righteousness and peace to expose” the globalist plot for a One World Order and One World Religion.”
Reverend John Hagee (left), who was forced to withdraw his endorsement of Senator John McCain for the presidency, and Reverend Jeremiah Wright (right), former spiritual advisor to presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. (Photo of Rev. Wright, AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
By Noora Ahmad
Having received no less than 13 standing ovations, Senator Barack Obama’s conciliatory speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) just after his nomination as the official Democratic candidate, more than made up for any comments his former pastor made that were deemed anti-Semitic.
Senator John McCain, the main Republican challenger to Obama, cast doubts on Obama’s sincerity, while others point to the fright over comments about Zionism made by Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, now Obama’s ex-spiritual advisor. McCain’s loyalty to the Jewish constituency also came into question regarding statements on the same topic that were made by Rev. John Hagee of Texas who was subsequently forced to formally withdraw his endorsement from McCain.
Although McCain emphasizes that at no time was Hagee his pastor, a similarity between the two instances remains. A detailed look at their comments will help explain the theory of Christopher Jon Bjerknes, a Jew who founded the Interfaith Council to Defeat the Anti-Christ Al-Dajjal. He asserts that Zionism has pitted Christians and Muslims against one another in an effort “to reduce Christendom and Islam to ashes. What better way to fight back,” Bjerknes says, “than to join together the forces of righteousness and peace to expose” the globalist plot for a One World Order and One World Religion.
Rev. Hagee: Hitler helped Zionism.
John Hagee, a Christian Zionist, asserted Hitler to be a “hunter” doing the will of God. “A hunter is someone with a gun and he forces you. Hitler was a hunter. And the Bible says — Jeremiah writing — ‘They shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill and from the holes of the rocks,’ meaning there’s no place to hide. And that might be offensive to some people but don’t let your heart be offended. I didn’t write it, Jeremiah wrote it. It was the truth and it is the truth. How did it happen? Because God allowed it to happen. Why did it happen? Because God said my top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel.”
Perhaps Hagee suffers from confusion regarding the desire of his Creator, as opposed to the desire of oppressors amongst men.
Hagee did explain himself further, however: “Theodore Herzl is the father of Zionism. He was a Jew who at the turn of the 19th century said, this land is our land, God wants us to live there. So, he went to the Jews of Europe and said, ‘I want you to come and join me in the land of Israel.’ So few went, that Herzl went into a depression. Those who came founded Israel; those who did not, went through the hell of the holocaust.”
Other sources attest to Hagee’s view of history, though not to his interpretations.
Michael Seizer in his book Zionism Reconsidered noted that the Holocaust was seen by Zionists in 1933 as “a God-sent opportunity for an undreamt of wave of immigration to Palestine.” The book, Who Financed Hitler?, by James and Suzanne Pool details how the top globalist of the day financed Hitler for their own ends, a most cruel and calculated effort to eventually sweep the Jews of Europe and Russia into Israel and uphold Zionism as the savior of the Jews.
Ironically Hagee, the Christian Zionist, does not place proper emphasis on the sadistic population control efforts exercised on Jews during the Holocaust; only on the fact that the ends were achieved.
Christian Zionists adhere to the belief that Armageddon will come to earth after the reestablishment of the Kingdom of Israel. Hence, in a misguided effort to hasten the return of Jesus (peace be upon him), Christian Zionists have turned away from the lovers of Jesus (i.e., Muslims) to those who never supported him.
Rev. Wright: U.S. still helps Zionism.
Rev. Wright, on the other hand, claimed in a past sermon: “We [as Americans] supported Zionism shamelessly while ignoring the Palestinians and branding anybody who spoke out against it as being anti-Semitic. . . . We care nothing about human life if the end justifies the means. . . .” Although demonized by this and other controversial statements, which were taken out of context, Wright’s ideas that Zionism is a “racist” ideology are not new. In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 3379 which defined Zionism as, ‘a form of racism and racial discrimination.’
Stephen Sizer, researcher into the Zionist Christian sect and pastor of Christ Church in Virginia Water, UK (which holds numerous Christian-Muslim unity conferences), upholds that Zionism runs contrary to the teachings of the New Testament. “[The] Mosaic promises were always conditional. ‘Obey and stay or rebel and be removed,” says Sizer, who then continues with a reference from the New Testament, “Jesus himself warns: ‘Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’ (Matthew 21:43).”
In the commentary of Sura Baqara in the Holy Qur’an, Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani speaks about the history of the Jews, encouraging them to come back to the right path. Holy Qur’an is “guidance for all mankind. Come! If you are a Jew, I am not against Jews. I do not say kill them…I feel pity for them because Allah gave them so much honor and they have lost it; Allah trusted them so much and they violated His trust; Allah guided them and they ran away from Him. Open the unchanged Torah (Sura Baqara of the Holy Qur’an) and come back to Allah.”
See the About page tells more about El Sheikh Gilani.
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Poetry, Religion, Touring | Tags: Dominican Republic, Islam, love, poetry, Religion
By Maryam A. Latif,
the Dominican Republic
el-islamenlaisla.blogspot.com
(Click on the original link above for the Spanish of this post.)
Sometimes, I have thought…
Here with the most humble remembrance,
that awakens during the night, when I’m sleepy;
He soothes me, He overwhelms me, matchless,
covering more than half my thoughts, those that
turn around in my mind and finally turn to You…
I hold on, in hope of some sign that will end
the uncertainty of that longing, for You, and what
You represent to me.
You love me with a pure love, sincere and with
compassion, and this is in what I hope.
You make me happy with each small thing, You give me
everything and at the end, after finding You and
knowing You, I will not have to hope nor desire,
for You are here.
You turn my shadow, in the light it travels, and
returns to me filling me with hope, an immense
serenity of peace that clothes my being, my soul
flaming to have found You, and to be taught by
You.
What happiness is this which overwhelms
the uncertainty, arriving at Your path and coming
to know You?
So I come to understand that You are the
most pure and beautiful, all that I hoped for.
Never does it matter the stones, rocks, voids in
my path, every pain is worth you in the end. I
will come back to You and I place my hope in you
because You have filled me with life and flashes
of light, having fallen upon a dry earth, which
made me into Spring, for You.
For You are who I love in truth, Who has made me happy, so…
Can I live my life to Your desire, because
of You and for You, and renounce that which I
thought at one time was happiness?
Can I accept a way of living created by You which will bring me
nearer to You?
The answer is, yes, ya Allah
From me to Thee, oh Merciful One.
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AP photo
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Filed under: July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Poetry, Religion | Tags: friends, Islam, love, poetry, Religion, thoughts
Poem by Baji Halimah
I have a rosebush and each flower is a friend,
And through the years this bush keeps growing, and some new flowers begin.
Among these are my close companions, who’ve grown roots here in my heart,
And every day I love them more, even though in earthly miles, some are apart.
But the “Bond” of Bonds unites us. And all across the universe,
For the love of Him, who loves us most, our beams of love are sent forth.
And on occasions, when we are all together again, the joyfulness of our union is great!
O my sisters! My brothers! True family are we! We are one, all for Allahu’s sake.
And just to let you know how special you are,
Upon each of you beautiful roses, I have placed a bright shining star.
For, my love for you overflows, my sisters, my brothers, my friends.
Our bounding grows stronger and stronger as we approach this life’s journey’s end!
And to my many beautiful children, I’ve attended some of you in birth and watched you grow
Into very fine adults and Muslims. Please! Keep the faith in every seed that you sow.
For it is for you we’ve paved the roads. And you or yours must shield the banner.
Through you Islam shall prevail. Its victory will come in like manner.
Many of us have grown old together, and together yet we still strive,
As the fingers of “Maut” come closer to carry us over to the other side.
To those whom I have wronged, I ask forgiveness, in case I haven’t managed in the past.
The same for you I have already sent forth; my forgiveness you don’t have to ask.
You know the path of Deen-ul-Islam is so awesome and splendid to me,
And I hope to ride the rainbow across to eternity.
Here’s hoping we all make it to Heaven’s gate, and that its doors be open wide
To receive all of you, my friends and me, when we are home on the other side..
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Filed under: Did You Know?, July Volume I- 2008, Magazine/ Culture, Religion | Tags: dialog, history, interfaith, Islam, Politics, Religion, thoughts, UK
“If there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilisation owe to the Islamic world. It is a failure, which stems, I think, from the straight-jacket of history, which we have inherited. The medieval Islamic world, from central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because we have tended to see Islam as the enemy of the West, as an alien culture, society, and system of belief, we have tended to ignore or
erase its great relevance to our own history.”- Prince Charles, during a lecture at Oxford University, October 1993.
The Prince of Wales in traditional Islamic clothing.
Text Source: Prince of Wales government website
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