tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85296729108388042882024-02-19T08:08:18.607-08:00MunguniMkubwaZainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-47125800654352545482015-09-04T08:30:00.002-07:002015-09-04T08:30:25.774-07:00CONGRATULATIONS KIM DAVIS - YOU ARE ONE IN A ZILLION !!!!<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1" id="YDC-UH" style="display: block; height: 128px;">
<div class="YDC-UH-Stack Z(10) End(0) Start(0) T(0) Pos(f)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0" id="YDC-UH-Stack" style="height: 128px;">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header">
<div class="Fz(13px) C(#fff) Bgc(#2d1152)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1" id="masterNav">
<br /><ul class="M(0) Lh(1.7) NavLinks Z(11) H(22px) Pos(r) P(0) Whs(nw)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0" id="eyebrow" role="navigation">
<li class="D(ib) Zoom Va(t) Pstart(10px) Pend(6px) Pos(r) Z(4)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0.$12" id="yucs-more"><a class="C(#fff) Td(n) Pos(r) Z(1) yucs-leavable rapidnofollow" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0.$12.0" href="https://everything.yahoo.com/" id="yucs-more-link" role="button"><span class="Td(u):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0.$12.0.0" id="moreText"></span><svg class="Cur(p)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0.$12.0.1" height="8" style="cursor: pointer; fill: #fff; margin-left: 5px; stroke-width: 0; stroke: #fff; vertical-align: middle;" viewbox="0 0 512 512" width="8"><path d="M500.77 131.432L477.53 108.18c-14.45-14.55-40.11-14.55-54.51 0L255.845 275.363 88.582 108.124c-15.015-14.874-39.363-14.874-54.42.108L10.94 131.486c-14.58 14.44-14.58 40.11-.033 54.442l217.77 217.845c15.004 14.82 39.33 14.874 54.42-.108L500.88 185.82c14.818-14.982 14.87-39.298-.11-54.388z" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.1.0.$12.0.1.0"></path></svg></a><br /></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="UH UHMR1D Pt(13px)! Pb(14px)! Bdbs(s)! Bgc($bg-header) Bgc(#f9f9f9) Z(10) Start(0) End(0) Pos(f) Miw(980px) Bdbs(s) Bdw(1px) T(22px) Bdc($c-divider) Py(18px) Trs(shadowTransition) UhHideSubnav_Bxsh(shadowOn) Bxsh(shadowOff)" data-name="tdv2-applet-uh" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2" data-version="6.1.104" id="UH-0-Header">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0" id="geom_inter_3_1441380166201_59">
<div class="uh-search D(ib) uh-max_Py(50px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1">
<form action="https://search.yahoo.com/search" class="M(0) P(0)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1.0" method="get" name="input">
<label class="Hidden" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1.0.0" for="search-assist-input"></label><div class="D(ib) Mend(6px) Fl(start) W(486px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1.0.1">
<div class="Z(2) Pos(r)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1.0.1.0" id="search-assist-input">
<div class="D(ib) Va(t) Px(10px) Bdw(1px) Bdc($c-divider) Bdc(borderColorLight)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1">
<input autocomplete="off" class="Fz(18px) Pos(r) W(100%) M(0) O(0) O(0):f Bgc(#fff) Py(5px) Z(2) Bxsh(n) Bxsh(n):f Bdrs(0) Pstart(10px) Pend(10px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-0-Header.2.0.1.0.1.0.0.$userInput" name="p" placeholder="" style="-webkit-appearance: none;" type="text" value="" /><br /><ul data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1" style="height: 308px;">
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$7" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: -308px;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$7.0" href="https://screen.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$7.0.1">Screen</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$8" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$8.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/autos"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$8.0.1">Autos</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$9" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$9.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/homes/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$9.0.1">Homes</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$10" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$10.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/parenting"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$10.0.1">Parenting</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$11" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$11.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/health"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$11.0.1">Health</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$12" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$12.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/food"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$12.0.1">Food</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$13" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$13.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/style"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$13.0.1">Style</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$14" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: -308px;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$14.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/beauty"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$14.0.1">Beauty</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$15" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$15.0" href="https://celebrity.yahoo.com/horoscope/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$15.0.1">Horoscopes</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$16" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$16.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/travel"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$16.0.1">Travel</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$17" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$17.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/politics"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$17.0.1">Politics</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$18" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$18.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/tech"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$18.0.1">Tech</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$19" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$19.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/makers"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$19.0.1">Makers</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$20" style="margin-left: 340px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$20.0" href="https://games.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$1.1.$20.0.1">Game</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1" id="YDC-UH" style="display: block; height: 128px;">
<div class="YDC-UH-Stack Z(10) End(0) Start(0) T(0) Pos(f)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0" id="YDC-UH-Stack" style="height: 128px;">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0">
<div class="Pos(r) Z(1)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail" data-version="7.0.140" id="UH-1-Navrail">
<nav class="tdv2-applet-navrail" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0"><div class="Ff(navFrontFamily)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0">
<div class="nr-applet-logo-nav Pos(f) Mt(logoNavDropDownPos) W(100%) Ov(h) Z(9) Mah(0) Op(0) nr-open_Mah(1000px) openSubNav_Mah(1000px) nr-open_Op(1) openSubNav_Op(1) Trs(logoNavTransitionOut) nr-open_Trs(logoNavTransitionIn) openSubNav_Trs(logoNavTransitionIn) Bdw(1px) openSubNav_Bdbs(s) nr-open_Bdbs(s) Bgc($bg-header) Bdc($c-divider) Bgc(#f9f9f9) Bdc(borderColorLight) Mt(logoNavDropDownPos_uhMagDesign)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0">
<div class="Miw(1252px) Py(10px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0">
<div class="D(ib) Va(t) Px(10px) Bdw(1px) Bdc($c-divider) Bdstarts(s) Bdc(borderColorLight)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2">
<ul data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1" style="height: 308px;">
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$7" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: -308px;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$7.0" href="http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$7.0.1">Fantasy Sports</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$8" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$8.0" href="https://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$8.0.1">Fantasy Baseball</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$9" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$9.0" href="https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$9.0.1">Fantasy Football</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$10" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$10.0" href="https://groups.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$10.0.1">Groups</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$11" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$11.0" href="https://answers.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$11.0.1">Answers</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$12" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$12.0" href="https://www.flickr.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$12.0.1">Flickr</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$13" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: 0;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$13.0" href="https://tumblr.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$2.1.$13.0.1">Tumblr</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="D(ib) Va(t) Px(10px) Bdw(1px) Bdc($c-divider) Bdstarts(s) Bdc(borderColorLight)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3">
<ul data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1" style="height: 308px;">
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$0"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$0.0" href="https://mobile.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$0.0.1">Mobile</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$1"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$1.0" href="https://advertising.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$1.0.1">Advertise</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$2"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$2.0" href="https://careers.yahoo.com/us/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$2.0.1">Careers</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$3"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$3.0" href="https://info.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$3.0.1">Company Info</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$4"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$4.0" href="https://developer.yahoo.com/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$4.0.1">Developer Network</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$5"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$5.0" href="https://yahoo.uservoice.com/forums/297627-us-homepage-ydc"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$5.0.1">Feedback</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$6"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$6.0" href="https://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/helpcentral/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$6.0.1">Help</span></a></li>
<li class="H(subNavItemHeight) W(logoNavItemWidth)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$7" style="margin-left: 170px; margin-top: -308px;"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item nr-subnav-link D(ib) Lh(subNavItemHeight) W(100%) Ell Td(n) Maw(150px) Px(10px) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Fz(13px)! Fw(b)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$7.0" href="https://info.yahoo.com/legal/us/yahoo/utos/terms/"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.0.0.0.$3.1.$7.0.1"></span></a><br /></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="nr-applet-main-nav Pos(f) Start(0) End(0) Z(8) Mt(headerHeight) H(navHeight) Lh(navHeight) Fz(13px) Fw(b) Bdw(1px) Miw(980px) Bgc($bg-header) Bdc($c-divider) Bgc(#f9f9f9) Bdbs(s) Bdts(s) Bdc(borderColorLight) Bdtc(t)! Mt(headerHeight_uhMagDesign)! H(navHeight_uhMagDesign)! Lh(n)! Bdw(0px)! Bdbs(n)! Bdts(n)!" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1" id="UH-1-Navrail">
<div class="nr-applet-title Fl(start) Pend(navPaddings) Bxz(bb) Ov(h) H(navHeight) Mstart(navPaddings) H(itemHeight_uhMagDesign)! Pend(30px)! Mstart(50px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1.0">
<div class="Fl(start) H(navHeight) Fz(0) Ta(c)! Fl(n)! H(itemHeight_uhMagDesign)!" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1.0.0:$0">
<span class="D(ib) H(itemHeight) Fz(22px) Bdbs(s):h Fw(b) Bdc($fg-header) Bdc(lightTheme) Fz(13px)! Bdbs(n)!:h H(itemHeight_uhMagDesign)!" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1.0.0:$0.1"><a class="nr-applet-nav-item rapidnofollow Ell Td(n) D(ib) Lh(itemHeight) C(lightTheme) Tt(c) Lh(itemHeight_uhMagDesign)! Va(m)! Tt(u)! C(hoverColor_uhMagDesign):h" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1.0.0:$0.1.0" href="https://www.yahoo.com/politics"><span data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.1.0.0.$UH-1-Navrail.0.0.1.0.0:$0.1.0.1"> </span></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</nav></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Bgc($bg-content) Cf D(b)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2">
<div class="Pos(a) W(100%) D(n)--sm" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1" id="YDC-Col2">
<div class="StickyWrapper-Outer Pos(r)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0">
<div class="StickyWrapper-Inner Z(1) Cf W(100%)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0">
<div class="Fl(end) W(1/3)--md W(1/4)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0">
<div class="Z(1) Pos(r) Bxz(bb) Maw(340px) P(20px) W(100%)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0" id="YDC-Col2-Stack">
<div class="M(a) W(0)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0">
<div class="Pos(r) Start(-150px) W(300px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0">
<div class="YDC-Height-Container" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer" id="Col2-2-HeightContainer">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer.0">
<div class="tdv2-applet-stream Bdc(#e2e2e6) desktop" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer-0-Stream" id="Col2-2-HeightContainer-0-Stream" style="max-width: 900px;">
<h2 class="C(#26282a) Fw(n) Fz(20px) Ff($ff-primary) Lh($lheight) Lts($lspacing-sm) Fsm($fsmoothing) Fsmw($fsmoothing) Fsmm($fsmoothing)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.1.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer.0.$Col2-2-HeightContainer-0-Stream.0">
</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Pos(a) W(100%) D(n)--md D(n)--sm lightweight_D(n)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3" id="YDC-Side">
<div class="StickyWrapper-Outer Pos(r)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0">
<div class="StickyWrapper-Inner Z(1) W(100%)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0">
<div class="Cf W(1/4)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0">
<div class="Z(1) Pos(r) Bxz(bb) Fl(end) Maw(340px) P(20px) W(100%)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0" id="YDC-Side-Stack">
<div class="M(a) W(0)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0">
<div class="Pos(r) Start(-150px) W(300px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0">
<div data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0">
<header class="canvas-header" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-0-HeadComponentTitle" id="Side-0-HeadComponentTitle"><h1 class="Lh(1.1) Fz(25px)--sm Fz(32px) Mb(17px)--sm Mb(20px) Mb(30px)--lg Ff($ff-primary) Lts($lspacing-md) Fw($fweight) Fsm($fsmoothing) Fsmw($fsmoothing) Fsmm($fsmoothing)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-0-HeadComponentTitle.0">
Why aren’t there more Kim Davises?</h1>
</header><div class="auth-attr W(100%) Mb(5px)--sm Mb(20px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution" id="Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution">
<div class="auth-prov-soc Mend(4px) Va(m) D(tbc) H(84px) H(40px)--sm" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1">
<div class="D(ib)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0">
<div class="author Mb(4px) Mend(4px) D(ib)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0.0">
<div class="author-name C(#000) Fz(14px) Fw(b) Lh(18px) Td(n) Mend(3px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0.0.0">
Liz Goodwin</div>
<div class="author-title C(#999) Fw(b) Mend(3px) D(n)--sm" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0.0.1">
Senior National Affairs Reporter</div>
</div>
<div class="provider Mb(4px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0.1">
<div class="provider-name C(#999) Fw(b)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.3.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.$Side-1-HeadComponentAttribution.1.0.1.0">
Yahoo Politics</div>
</div>
<div class="W(100%) Pos(r) H(0)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.3.0" style="padding-bottom: 66.7%;">
September 4, 201<img class="Trsdu(.42s) StretchedBox W(100%) H(100%) ie-7_H(a)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.3.0.0" src="https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/3Dp_Q4O_NNDwO17_Qvo.5A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9NTQwO2g9MzYwO2lsPXBsYW5l/https://s.yimg.com/cd/resizer/2.0/FIT_TO_WIDTH-w540/a82cf81feaa824d0418354694b6c5b30c0380732.jpg" /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<article data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2" data-type="story" data-uuid="560481bb-7c76-3a09-aa18-d1d7637241f1"><figure class="canvas-image W(100%) Mx(a) canvas-atom Mb(24px) Mb(22px)--sm" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.3" data-type="image" style="max-width: 100%;"></figure><div class="canvas-body C(#26282a) Cl(start) Fz(18px) Fz(16px)--sm Fz(20px)--lg Lh(1.6) Ff($ff-secondary)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4">
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$1" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<i>County clerk Kim Davis during a rally on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol. (Photo: Timothy D. Easley/AP)</i></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$1" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$2" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
A
federal judge ordered Kim Davis — the defiant Kentucky county clerk who
has cited her Christian faith in refusing to issue marriage licenses to
gay couples — to jail Thursday afternoon for refusing to carry out the
duties of her position. </div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$2" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$3" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
Davis
has become a symbol of religiously motivated disobedience after the
landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage in June — she’s
said she is acting under “God’s authority” when she repeatedly turns gay
couples away. But Davis is very much alone in her defiance. The refusal
of other clerks to marry same-sex couples largely melted away as it
became obvious their legal claims would not hold up in federal court.
Only 13 counties in Alabama and two counties in Kentucky are refusing
marriage licenses to gay couples, according to the gay rights group
Freedom to Marry. Despite many loud proclamations of defiance after the
ruling, the vast majority of counties have accepted the law.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$3" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$3" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
practice might be behind some of this
unexpected compliance. In Utah, North Carolina, Texas and other states,
local governments are shifting responsibilities so that employees who
object to gay marriage do not have to be involved with wedding licenses
at all. In this scenario, the objectors’ co-workers or other government
officials rotate to handle the task, allowing clerks who object to fade
into the background and not participate. </div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$3" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$5" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
In
fact, this might be what happens in Davis’s case: Late Thursday
afternoon, five of her deputy clerks offered to begin issuing marriage
licensing, a move that could save her from jail.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$5" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$6" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
They
won’t be the only clerks covering for their bosses. Hood County Clerk
Katie Lang denied a marriage license to a same-sex couple in Texas
several times after the Supreme Court ruling. But after the pair filed a
federal lawsuit, their licenses were quickly granted. Lang released a
statement saying she would “personally refrain” from issuing them, but
that other people in her office would do so instead.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$6" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$7" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
These kinds of personal exemptions have flourished elsewhere, as well.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$8" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
In
June, North Carolina legislators overrode the Republican governor’s
veto to establish that county magistrates who object to same-sex
marriage can opt out of wedding licensing entirely and designate someone
else to perform the function. (This is what Kim Davis wants to happen
in Kentucky, according to a statement from her lawyer. She’d like
another Rowan County agency to take over marriage licensing entirely.)</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$8" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$9" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
So
far, 32 out of 672 magistrates in North Carolina have recused
themselves from wedding licensing and have designated substitutes.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$9" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$10" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
Although
the ACLU and many gay rights groups strongly object to these
exemptions, they’re hard to challenge legally unless a magistrate does
not find an adequate substitute, and gay couples find it hard to marry
in a certain county.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$10" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$11" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
North
Carolina ACLU Legal Director Chris Brook says they are concerned a
magistrate could recuse himself at the very moment a same-sex couple
walked in, thus denying the couple a marriage license without giving
them an alternative. </div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$11" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$12" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
But
as long as same-sex couples are able to access marriage the same way
opposite-sex couples are, a legal challenge would be tough.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$12" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$13" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
“I
think the attempt to create exemptions is going to bump up against the
[the gay marriage decision] if it’s not made available on roughly the
same terms that civil marriage is made to opposite sex couples,” says
Robert Tuttle, a professor at George Washington University Law School.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$13" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$14" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
Then
there’s the so-called Utah Compromise, which carves out personal
exemptions for government officials while extending housing and hiring
protections to LGBT people. In Utah, county clerk employees who don’t
want to marry gay people can privately notify the government of that and
then appoint someone else in the community to handle all marriage
licenses.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$14" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$15" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
“There
are good reasons to try to allow people who have been in these jobs for
a long time to be able to keep their jobs,” Wilson says. “That’s a
really noble thing to do in our culture, especially at a time of deep
division.”</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$15" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$16" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
But
a group of Columbia University law professors argue in a recent memo
that these kinds of exemptions create “conscience creep,” in which
government employees can refuse to provide more and more services that
violate their beliefs. And what happens when no one wants to provide the
service? “The exemption proposals would make the efficacy of same-sex
couples’ constitutional right to marry contingent upon their being able
to find a public official who has no objection to their having such a
right,” they write.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.0:$16" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Ov(h) Mah(999999px)" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2" style="transition: max-height 10s ease-in 0s;">
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$17" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
Nonetheless, states may choose to copy North Carolina’s law when their legislatures reconvene in September and January.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$17" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$18" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
Legal
precedent says government officials have a right, like anyone else, to
uphold their religious beliefs. But they do not have a right to their
government job and paycheck. If their beliefs conflict with their duty
to uphold federal law, they can lose their job.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$18" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$19" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
“If
you are going to work for the government, you have to respect the
constitutional rights of its citizens,” Ted Olson, the lawyer who argued
against California’s same-sex marriage ban in Supreme Court, told Yahoo
News in an email.</div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$19" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
<br /></div>
<div class="canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)--sm Mt(0.8em)--sm canvas-atom" data-reactid=".1m1b5oqtslc.0.2.4.0.0.$Col1-0-ContentCanvas.2.4.2.$20" data-type="text" style="letter-spacing: .01em;">
One
clerk in Tennessee recently chose to opt out of government service over
this issue. In Decatur County, longtime clerk Gwen Pope and many who
worked for her resigned on July 5 over objections to same-sex marriage.
“I honestly believe God will take care of us,” Pope told the <i>Jackson Sun</i>.</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-43534460070710886042015-08-16T22:37:00.000-07:002015-08-16T22:37:19.242-07:00THE LEGACY OF SHAYKH DR. AMINUDDEEN ABUBAKR OF KANO, NIGERIA<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><br />(107): The Legacy of Shaykh, Dr Aminuddeen Abubakr (I)<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br />by<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br />Muhammad Jameel Yusha'u<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><a href="http://jameelyushau.blogspot.com/2015/08/107-legacy-of-shaykh-dr-aminuddeen.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;">http://jameelyushau.blogspot.com/2015/0 ... ddeen.html</span></a><span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br /><br /><br />Sometime
in 1983, my mother broke the news to me that henceforth, I will be
joining my father to attend Friday prayers at the Bayero University old
campus mosque, where my father regularly prays. It was an excellent news
for a little kid. Apart from attending prayers, it was an opportunity
to go out, and as you know, when you go out with your dad, you get a
treat, and I still remember those days with nostalgia.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />On
arrival at the mosque, sitting by the side of my father, we listened to
the sermon delivered by Imam Abbas. But even as a kid, I noticed a man
sitting slightly ahead of the first row, listening attentively to the
sermon, you can’t miss his exceptional devotion from the way he sat.
Immediately after the prayers, this gentleman stood, and after some
introduction in Arabic, he started translating the Khutbah (sermon) in
Hausa, our native language. Instead of people leaving the mosque shortly
after the prayers, they started moving forward, those outside the
mosque where trying to find a space inside in order to listen to the
translation of the Khutbah. The man was dressed in a long gown, an ash
coloured jallabiyya, and a cap a made from wool, also an ash colour with
some black stripes.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />I
asked my father, who is this gentleman? He said this is Shaykh
Aminuddeen Abubakar. He was looking youthful, most likely in his mid or
late thirties at the time. Then comes another good news. “We will pray
Asr, (the late afternoon prayer) in his mosque”, my father told me. It
means we will stay some more hours before returning home. After
listening to the translation of the sermon, we came out of the old
campus mosque; there was a convoy of cars, one of them an SUV with
public address system on top. The translation of the sermon was played,
and the convoy started moving, which we also joined, and move straight
to No 483, Sulaiman Crescent in Nassarawa quarters, Kano metropolis.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Again
I asked my father, to tell me more about this place, and he said, this
is Kajawah Group of Nigeria founded by Shaykh Aminuddeen Abubakar.
Inside the compound was a newly built school, a mosque made from wood,
painted in blue, but made bright by the number of fluorescents in and
outside. Some feet away from the mosque was a construction site, which
later became the current mosque within the vicinity of the centre, some
classes as well as the office of the Shaykh.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />We
prayed Asr in the mosque shortly after Shaykh Aminuddeen arrived from
Bayero University. He attended to a number of students and visitors
afterwards before entering his house briefly, to be ready for the Magrib
(night prayer), where he also deliver different lessons on daily basis
in between the Maghrib and Isha (late night) prayers. After spending the
entire evening at the centre, my father broke another news to me, "a
new Islamic school has started here at night, and you would be enrolled
in the night classes", he said. I still remember with ecstasy when my
father took me to Shaykh Muhammad Sanusi Abubakr, the brother and one of
the closest associates of the Shaykh, to interview and register me for
the classes.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />The
founding of Daawah Group of Nigeria was in my opinion one of the major
legacies left by Shaykh Aminuddeen Abubakr for a number of reasons.
First, it was the first modern religious organization of its type
established in Kano, and one of the first in northern Nigeria with a
completely different approach to Islamic education.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Da'awah
Group was a major religious centre with a global worldview, but rooted
within the local culture. Shaykh Aminuddeen Abubakr has established
strong partnership with international organisations particularly in the
Middle East and other parts of the world. As such, the centre was a
major hub for international visitors from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan,
Jordan, Syria, United States, United Kingdom, Morocco, Algeria and
different parts of the world.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Whenever
these visitors came, he seized the opportunity either to ask them to
deliver the Friday Khutbah (sermon) or dedicate to them one of the slots
during the lessons he delivers between Maghrib and Ishaa. This culture
established by the Shaykh contributed significantly in creating a
worldview among the visitors, which made them understood global issues,
and learn how Muslims live in other parts of the world, as well as the
challenges they were facing.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />This
culture provided an opportunity for comparison between various Muslim
nations and what obtains in Nigeria. I can still recall the visit by
Shaykh Babandi Abubakar Gumel in the early 1990s, who took his time to
lead a delegation of Muslim reverts to Nigeria, and they camped at the
Daawah Mosque sharing their experiences on how they came in contact with
Islam, and why they devote their time to the propagation of Islam.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Secondly,
Daawah Group was unique because of the chain of schools established by
Dr Aminuddeen Abubakar. The schools include a modern primary school
which combines both Islamic and Western education. In the evening there
was a school for married women which I shall elaborate on later. The
school for women runs simultaneously with a section for children
learning the memorization of the Glorious Qur’an. The children school
was a perfect fit, because the women do not have to worry about their
children, as the section takes care of the kids, with an added value,
which is learning the Qur’an. At night there was the school for children
which runs for four nights at the time, and the remaining three nights
dedicated to male adults. These chain of schools completely
revolutionized the running of Islamic schools in Kano, a feat that
continue to be replicated to date in Kano and other parts of Nigeria.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Thirdly,
Da'awah Group was unique with the daily lessons between Magrib and Isha
delivered by Dr Aminuddeen. This contribution was unique because he
brought for the first time a different methodology of teaching which was
different from the traditional system of Makarantun Zaure. Under
makarantun Zaure, as I witnessed with my late grandfather, Malam Yusuf
Abdurra’uf, a group of students will visit the scholar, each of them
with his book(s), usually, Taalimul Muta'allim, Al Akhdari, Al-Izziyya,
Arrisala and Mukhtsar Khalil. There were other books like Aajurumiyya,
Muwatta Malik and Tafsir Al Jalaalain, as well as the Sihah Assitta for
more advanced students. This system treat each student according to his
learning ability. The scholar listens to each student while reading from
the text, and then translates and provide interpretation in Hausa.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />It
was a unique system that has value till date, because apart from the
textual lessons, the students learn from the character of the scholar,
listening to more advanced students and becoming more familiar with
advanced texts before reaching that level. The student also has a more
learned authority to make reference to whenever the need arises. It is a
system that the Muslim community should pay significant attention to
its revival, especially in this age when people accord to themselves the
status of scholars without going through tarbiyya that is associated
with learning from pious scholars.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />What
Dr Aminuddeen Abubakar did was to add a spice to the traditional system
of makarantun zaure by encouraging the learning of Arabic as a
language, at least ensuring that students have an excellent reading and
writing proficiency. Then he transformed the Da'awah mosque to provide
multipurpose function by serving as a mosque and library.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />The
first thing a visitor will notice in the 1980s and 1990s when he enters
the mosque, which differentiates it from many mosques, was that it was
covered by bookshelves. The bookshelves contain abundant copies of books
from the Sihah al-Sitta (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhy, Abu Dawood, Ibn
Maja, Nasaa’iyy, and Sunan Ahmad), Riyad Assalihin, Kitaab Al Kabaa’ir,
Fath Al Majid, Bulugh Al-Maram and several books of Tasfsir (Quranic
exegesis) and Dhikr (remembrance of Allah).<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />He
ensured that enough copies were made available. Between Maghrib and
Isha he teaches one book only from the collection stated, and each
student attending the lesson has a copy available for use. A student
does not have to worry about purchasing a copy, especially those who
cannot afford to do so. For those with strong thirst for knowledge, they
can utilize the time after prayers to revise the lessons and even read
from other books. At any time, the mosque was a reference point.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br />This
system that he established contributed greatly in producing a lot of
youths with a sound understanding of Islam, some of whom later developed
to study in higher institutions of learning in Nigeria and others in
universities in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Pakistan and Niger among
others. In those days, we have witnessed people who embraced Islam in
Daawah Group, or came to the centre with a very weak foundation, yet
develop sound understanding of Arabic and other religious texts, which
enables them secure admission into secondary and post-secondary
institutions in Nigeria and abroad in order to advance their studies.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />To be continued insha Allah.<span class="yiv0967999608apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-11561298619424683372015-07-20T08:32:00.001-07:002015-07-20T08:32:15.550-07:00WHAT MUHAMMAD DID FOR HUMANITY - TEN POINTS <span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><h2 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">What Prophet Muhammad Gave Humanity in 10 Points</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></h2>
<h4 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<b><span style="border: solid gray 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; padding: 4.0pt;">By <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/a-mercy-for-all/448938-what-prophet-muhammad-gave-to-humanity-in-points.html#authordes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-size: 10.0pt;">Adil bin Ali Ash-shaddy</span></a></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="border: solid gray 1.0pt; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Secretary General of IPIPM</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Arabic calligraphy: Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah</span><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Some
non-Muslim westerners wonder what Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) offered to humanity. This question is raised particularly
after incidents of defamation targeting the Prophet's honorable
character by western media.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">So,
it is our duty to answer these questions and to highlight what our
Prophet gave to humanity and the world. Aided and guided by God's
revelation, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) contributed
the following:</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">1.
He transferred humanity from obedience and submission to other men to
the worship and submission to God alone, associating nothing with Him.
Consequently, humanity became free from servitude to other than God, and
this is the greatest honor for mankind.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 170px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 1.5pt;" width="2"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #A8C33B; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 3.75pt;" width="5"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 4.5pt;" width="6"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Read Also:</span></i></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/456246-our-relationship-with-prophet-muhammad.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-size: 8.0pt;">Our Relationship with Prophet Muhammad</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/reflections/449209-the-universal-message-of-the-prophet.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-size: 8.0pt;">The Universal Message of the Prophet</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/manners/451125-prophet-muhammad-a-model-of-change.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Prophet Muhammad: A Model of Change</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/reflections/458830-prophet-etrole-model-ethics-islam-example.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Why Prophet Muhammad Is My Role Model</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/manners/461001-prophet-gratitude-allah-devotion-grateful-thank-.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">The Prophet’s Gratitude to Allah</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/manners/450054-prophet-muhammad-the-men-maker.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Prophet Muhammad: The Best Maker of Men</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">2.
Through revelation from God, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
liberated the human mind from superstition, deception, and submission
to false objects of worship as well as those concepts contrary to
reason. This includes the claim that God had a human son, and that idols
and stones can harm people.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">3.
His message laid the foundations for tolerance among people. In the
Qur'an, God revealed to His Prophet that there is to be no compulsion in
the acceptance of religion.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
Prophet also clarified the rights of non-Muslims who do not wage war
against Muslims and guaranteed protection of their lives, children,
property, and honor. Even today in many Muslim countries there are
Jewish and Christian citizens living in peace and security, in contrast
to the Spanish Inquisition when Muslims were exterminated in an ethnic
cleansing that violated all basic human principles.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">4.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy sent by God to
all peoples regardless of race or faith. In fact, his teachings include
mercy even to birds, animals, plants, and inanimate beings. He forbade
harming them without right or reason.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">5.
Muhammad showed unparalleled respect for and appreciation of all the
prophets who preceded him, among them Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace
and blessings be upon them all).</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">One
who denies or disrespects any of the prophets cannot be a Muslim. Islam
regards all of the prophets as one brotherhood, inviting people to the
belief that there is no deity worthy of worship except God, who is the
one true God.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Follow the Shari`ah Zone</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">6.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) defended human rights for
both males and females, for the young and the elderly, regardless of
social status. He established a set of sublime principles; one example
being in the speech he gave during his farewell pilgrimage in which he
declared strict prohibition of transgression against people's lives,
property, and honor.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">He
laid down these principles more than 1400 years ago, long before the
world knew of the Magna Charta in 1215, the Declaration of Rights in
1628, the Personal Freedoms Law in 1679, the American Declaration of
Independence in 1776, the Human and Citizen Rights Charter in 1789, and
the worldwide Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-color: initial; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.5pt; outline: 0px; padding: .75pt 3.75pt .75pt 3.75pt;"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #7d9a33; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) presented to the world a perfect model of brotherhood among human beings.</span></b><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">7.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) elevated the importance of
morality in human life. He called for good manners, honesty, loyalty,
and chastity, and strengthened social bonds such as being dutiful to
parents and relatives, always putting into practice what he preached.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">He
prohibited and warned against negative behaviors such as lying, envy,
betrayal, fornication, and disrespect of parents, and he treated the
problems stemming from these grave social diseases.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">8.
Through the revelation from God, His Messenger invited people to use
their minds, to discover the universe around them, and to acquire
knowledge. He confirmed that God rewards such deeds at a time when
scientists and intellectuals in other civilizations were suffering
persecution and accusations of heresy and blasphemy, being terrorized in
prisons, tortured and often killed.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/reflections/442126-the-prophets-contribution-to-human-thought.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17;">The Prophet’s Contribution to Human Thought</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">9.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) came with a revelation from
God, presenting a religion compatible with human nature, a way of life
that satisfies the needs of the soul and those of the body, and
establishes a balance between worldly deeds and those done for the
Hereafter.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">It
is a religion that disciplines human instincts and desires without
suppressing them completely as happens in some other cultures which were
absorbed with ideas contrary to human nature, depriving religious men
of such natural human rights as marriage and of such natural reactions
as anger toward transgression. This led most members of these
civilizations to reject religious teachings and become absorbed in the
material world, which caters only to their bodies while leaving their
souls in a miserable state.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">10.
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) presented to the world a
perfect model of brotherhood among human beings. He taught that no race
is superior to another for all are equal in origin and equal in
responsibilities and rights. One's degree of faith and piety is the onWly
criterion for preference. His Companions were given equal opportunities
to belong to Islam and serve the religion. Among them were Suhayb, a
Byzantine, Bilal, an Abyssinian, Salman, a Persian, and many other
non-Arabs.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
conclusion, each of these ten points requires further details and
explanation. What Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) offered
humanity is too detailed to be mentioned in this brief outline. There is
also a great deal that has been said about him by objective researchers
from the East and West after they studied the biography of this great
Prophet.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">God's
Blessings and peace be upon Prophet Muhammad as well as upon all other
God's prophets, his family, Companions, and followers.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="background: #F4F4F4;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">* Taken with some modification from <a href="http://www.mercyprophet.com.**/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mercyprophet.com.**</a> This article was published in 2010.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="background: #F4F4F4;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Adil bin Ali Ash-Shaddy is Secretary General of the International Program for Introducing the Prophet of Mercy</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14ea5f643e41f15f_authordes" rel="nofollow"><strong><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dr. Adil bin Ali ash-Shaddy</span></strong></a><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> is Secretary General of the International Program for Introducing the Prophet of Mercy.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal">
<span style="color: mediumblue; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/a-mercy-for-all/448938-what-prophet-muhammad-gave-to-humanity-in-points.html#at_pco=smlre-1.0&at_si=55ab7d8e5560d64b&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=1&at_tot=3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/a-mercy-for-all/448938-what-prophet-muhammad-gave-to-humanity-in-points.html#at_pco=smlre-1.0&at_si=55ab7d8e5560d64b&at_ab=per-2&at_pos=1&at_tot=3</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7296624481MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">__._,_.___</span></div>
<br />Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-79762237710748412702015-07-18T07:18:00.001-07:002015-07-18T07:18:37.252-07:00TIME TO REAP THE HARVEST <div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Time to reap the harvest</span></b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dr Mohammad Manzoor Alam</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv5605761024MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">We
are meeting at a highly auspicious moment, blessed by God – the night
of 29th Ramdhan in much of the Subcontinent and the night of 30th in
many parts of the Muslim world. These are the most precious moments of
the holy month, and possibly the Night of Power (<em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">Lailat-al-Qadr</span></em>) in the Subcontinent.<br /><br />We
have been asked by our beloved prophet (PBUH) to find the great night
in which a night’s prayer and supplications are worth about 85 years of
the same. We have been asked to try to seek it in the nights with odd
numbers of the last ashra (10 days) of the month (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th
and 29th). For most of us, it could be this night. For the rest it
could be the night before Eid, which has its own blessings from Allah.
We must strive in the way of Allah in the time left up to Eid. We must
ensure these precious moments are not lost in frivolity.<br /><br />Within
the next 24 to 48 hours it will be time to rejoice, to thank Allah for
our having been chosen to be alive in these blessed moments, for having
bestowed on us the<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">taufiq</span></em><span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span>to
fast and pray and stay away from everything forbidden by Islam in the
days of Ramdhan. At the end of it comes Eid (which, in Arabic, means
joy), the time to rejoice. This is also the time to reap a rich harvest
of our deeds in the form of Allah’s pleasure, which is the most precious
treasure coveted by a Muslim.<br /><br />Allah has shown the reward for
every good deed, all acts of faith and piety, including the prayers and
supplications during Ramdhan (which is 70 times greater than in the rest
of the year), but He has not disclosed the reward for this month’s
fasting, which is mandatory. The reward is understood to be Allah’s
pleasure, which will bring us a clean, moral and satisfying life and a
Hereafter that will bring us such good things that our eyes had never
seen, our ears never heard, our minds could never imagine.<br /><br />With
the Eid prayers this cycle of Ramdhan, with all its blessings, ends to
come only next year, which many of us will never see. Remember, for many
of us it is going to be our lives’ last Ramdhan. Do not allow a single
moment to pass without Allah’s remembrance. By the time Eid prayers,
followed by the mandatory<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">khutba</span></em><span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span>ends, Allah will confer his approval on us (<em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">Insha Allah</span></em>) and we will return home, satisfied and thankful to Him.<br /><br />We
will return home with the commitment and pledge to live the rest of our
lives in prayers to Allah and service to His Creation, living clean
lives dedicated to Islam. We will keep this spirit for the rest 11
months till we welcome the month again with great enthusiasm and
thankfulness. But, remember, all of us may not see the next Ramdhan. So,
make the most of what is left of it.<br /><br />With this, I take leave of you. As I may not meet you in the next few weeks, accept my<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">Eid Mubarak</span></em><span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span>a few hours in advance.<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">Wassalam</span></em>.<br /><br />P.S: Please try to pay<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">fitrah</span></em><span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span>(in Indian value, Rs. 50 each person) before heading for the<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">Eidgah</span></em><span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span>for the Eid prayers. That is the preferred way of paying<span class="yiv5605761024apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif";">fitrah</span></em>.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv5605761024MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv5605761024MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "MS Sans Serif", "serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a href="http://iosworld.org/short_takes/Time_to_reap_the_harvest.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://iosworld.org/short_takes/Time_to_reap_the_harvest.htm</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv5605761024MsoNormal">
</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-79648471008128488972015-07-01T01:58:00.000-07:002015-07-01T01:58:13.086-07:00RAMADHAN - A MONTH OF SYMPATHY <span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<h2 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia", "serif";">Ramadan: Month of Sympathy</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></h2>
<h4 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<b><span style="border: solid gray 1.0pt; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; padding: 4.0pt;">By <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/474457-ramadan-sympathy-charity-solidarity-share-care.html#authordes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A. S. Halawani, PhD</span></a></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="border: solid gray 1.0pt; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; padding: 4.0pt;">Academician and Writer</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></b></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">What follows is based on a true story…</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">There
was an affluent father who used to keep his family fed and clothed
decently, if not splendidly. After a while, things changed and he became
in straitened circumstances. Unable to afford food for his family as he
used to, the month of Ramadan came. His social standing as well modesty
prevented him from stretching his hand to ask others for assistance
even if it were in the form of a personal debt. While struggling with
life, all he could manage to be feeding his children with was nothing
but cheese, oil and beans.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 1.5pt;" width="2"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #A8C33B; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 3.75pt;" width="5"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 4.5pt;" width="6"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Read Also:</span></i></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/special-coverage/487285-ramadan-mubarak-quran-taqwa-islam-taraweeh-fasting.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Ramadan1436 (Special Page)</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/462476-islam-and-selflessness-ithar-ansar-migrants.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Tips to Develop Ithar (Selflessness)</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/shariah-and-humanity/457180-solidarity-the-fruit-of-a-righteous-society.html?Humanity=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Solidarity: The Fruit of a Righteous Society</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/islam-day-to-day/society/452442-solidarity-in-the-muslim-community.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Solidarity in a Muslim Community</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/this-hadith/462000-caution-islam-brotherhood-fight-envy-hatred.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Caution: Beware of Brotherhood Pitfalls</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/this-hadith/459179-feed-greet-and-pray.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Feed, Greet and Pray</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The children put up with this on the first and second days of Ramadan. On the third, however, the youngest commented:</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">“O
Father! Cheese and oil have burnt our stomachs. We are fasting and we
need something to moisten our tummies in this burning heat. We are
almost about to faint from the smell coming up from the kitchens of our
neighbors. Why don’t you feed us as our neighbor does to his children?
Why don’t you feed us as you used to do?”</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Then, the expressive but burning words of the little child were followed by tears spilling from his sad eyes.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Upon
that, the grief-stricken father withdrew into a dark corner of the
house where he burst into tears, as he did not want his children to see
signs of society’s faithlessness and people’s cruelty on his face!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Did you find this emotional? Did it move your feelings? Did it move you to tears?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">If
yes, let me then congratulate you for the remaining sense of humanity
you still have; the sense of humanity which Islam came to advocate and
instill into the societies which broke away from all senses of common
humanity.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">When
humaneness fades away, the law of the jungle prevails so that the
strong devours the weak, the rich only gives charity to the poor to see
humiliation and humbleness in his eyes, and one does not care about his
next-door neighbor or even bother to know anything about his conditions.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Follow the Shari`ah Zone</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Customarily,
when a Muslim breaks his fast, he praises Allah for His abundant
blessings and favors. However, praising Allah for His favors should not
be via the tongue alone. It should involve sharing such blessings and
favors with other indigent brothers in humanity and in faith.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Many
are those who are poor and to whom neither the society show mercy, nor
the state care about in any way; a matter which makes them groan in pain
under the severity of misery and deprivation. In fact, if mercy for
these people is mandatory in other than Ramadan, it is most mandatory
and necessary during the blessed month. Likewise, if humanity
necessitates that anyone who recognizes them should assist them, a true
Muslim should be keener on helping them so as to wipe away the tears
from their eyes and to see his own happiness in making them happy.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The
poor, for real, are too many to be counted. Here, I do not mean the
professional beggars who knock at doors or roam the streets asking for
charity. Rather, the ones who are meant here are the likes of a father
who cannot find work to feed his kids; a mother who lost her guardian
but her chastity and modesty prevent her from stretching her hand out; a
child whose father passed away leaving him alone with no supporter or
protector around; a refugee who was driven out of his own homeland at
the hands of oppressive rulers and traitorous politicians leaving behind
his riches as well as pride.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/this-hadith/458962-how-to-find-allah.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">How to Find Allah</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">These
are the ones, along with so many others, to be remembered during the
blessed days of Ramadan. I am not saying we should give them out in
charity as charity is a supererogatory or voluntary act of worship. No,
never do I mean any of this! What I mean here is that we should expiate
for our own sins by way of making them feel the duly blessings of
brotherhood, neighborhood, religious affiliation, and human compassion.
Indeed, were it not for our and the society’s negligence, they would not
have been in such bad and cruel conditions!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">It
goes without saying, if they feel the bitterness of deprivation in
other than Ramadan for once, they feel it more than a thousand times in
Ramadan!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">How
many Muslims spread their tables with various colors of food and drink
every time they break their fast? Amazingly, only a little amount of
these extra foods and drinks may feed whole families, relinquish their
thirst, and wipe away the tears from the eyes of their groaning
children.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Is there anyone of us who thinks about his nearby needy neighbor and destitute relatives?!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Is
there anyone of us who thinks he can save some of the food he prepares
for his own family on daily basis and decide to give it out to a poor
family to break their fast with?!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">In
fact, if every fasting well-off person feeds another who is poor, no
one will ever remain hungry or thirsty. If this really takes place,
Ramadan will turn into a season whose blessings do not cease or come to
an end and we, Muslims, will be the best of all nations for real.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Given
this, let us search for the refugees, the homeless, the destitute and
those who lost their breadwinner to do ourselves good through supporting
them and to save ourselves from Allah’s torment through sympathizing
with them. It is we who need them more than they need us!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let
every one of us remember that Allah the Almighty may not accept our
fasting or acts of obedience while there are hungry human beings whom we
could satisfy and unhappy fellows whom we can make happy around us.
Finally, let us remember the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) in which he says, “</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The one who sleeps with a full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry doesn’t believe in me.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">” (At-Tabarani)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14e25abc7a8de26f_authordes" rel="nofollow"><strong><i><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">A. S. Halawani </span></i></strong></a><em><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">is
an Assistant Professor of Linguistics and Translation, Misr University
for Science Technology (MUST); Former Editor-in-Chief of the Electronic
Da`wah Committee (EDC), Kuwait; Former Deputy Chief Editor and Managing
Editor of the Living Shari`ah Department, www.islamOnline.net; Member of
the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS); and member of the
World Association of Arab Translators Linguists (WATA).</span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9494767905MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-21631579486821949892015-06-09T09:46:00.002-07:002015-06-09T09:46:57.441-07:00ISLAM IS BRITAIN'S FASTEST-GROWING RELIGION <!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="2050"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e5b8b7; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 102;">Islam is Britain’s
Fastest-Growing Religion</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e5b8b7; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 102;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;"></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br clear="ALL" style="mso-ignore: vglayout;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 4.5pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
1900, almost 80% of the world’s Christians lived in Europe and North America.
Today Christianity has declined in large parts of Europe, its traditional
heartland, and is surging in Latin America, Africa and China. More than 60% of
the world’s Christian population is now concentrated in Latin America, Africa
and Asia. The share of Europe in the world’s Christian population has shrunk to
about 26%.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
decline of Christianity in its European heartland is evidenced in the declining
fertility rates and the fall in the Christian population, in the falling rates
of church membership and attendance, in the diminishing recruitment of the
clergy, in the growing loss of faith among European Christians, in the radical
changes in codes of personal behaviour in respect of sexuality, birth control,
abortion, marriage and living together without marrying. A series of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eurobarometer surveys since 1970 in five key
European countries (France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy) show that
regular church attendance has fallen from about 40% three or four decades ago
to less than 15% today. In Germany, between 1965 and 1999, the percentage of
church-goers dropped from 75% to less than 30% and has now fallen to less than
15%. In 1851 about 60% of the population of England and Wales attended church
services. By the end of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the figure fell to about
10%. According to the Church of England, 800,000 Christians attended a Sunday
service in the UK in 2013, down from 160,000 in 1968. The available survey data
suggest that there is a steady erosion of religious beliefs among Christians
and a rapid decline in church membership and attendance. A number of surveys
suggest an increasing loss of faith among Christians in several parts of
Europe. Almost 40% of the French and 34% of Swedes deny the existence of God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
rapid decline in church membership and attendance and the escalating costs of
maintenance of churches have led to the closure of thousands of Protestant and
Catholic churches across Europe. Thousands of churches in Germany, Britain,
France, the Netherlands, Belgium and other European countries have been
converted into restaurants, shopping centres, supermarkets, theatres, banks, offices,
libraries, clubs and pubs. Dozens of churches have been sold to Muslims and
Sikhs, who have converted them into their respective places of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between 1990 and 2010, 340 Protestant
churches were closed down in Germany, and of those 46 were demolished. In
Hamburg, a Protestant church building has been bought by the local Muslim
community. It is estimated that out of about 45,000 churches in Germany, some
15,000 will soon be out of use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
the Netherlands, almost 60 churches are shut down, sold or demolished every
year. There are about 47,000 churches in the UK and thousands of them have
fallen into disrepair. Since 1960, nearly 10,000 churches have been closed down
in the UK. Many of them have been converted into homes, offices and pubs or sold
to Muslim worshippers. Methodist churches declined from 14,000 in 1932 to 6,000
today and closing down at the rate of 100 a year. The 18<sup>th</sup> century
Huguenot church in the East End of London became a Methodist chapel in 1819, a
synagogue at the end of the 19<sup>th</sup> century and a mosque in 1976. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcN6KY9UXYejPCUGomCc_1fWD8Pa1fabeBAsQs9CzdC8dEDZo0-berzqGYZWnzSo_kF3RM_mEDaX6jrykhSkTH6xy-ZhRGbmbmBwz21cZRU0kGZfinuvQl14WDl2ZIdwlxBD6Lb8GvjR0/s1600/450px-Fatihmosqueamsterdam.jpg"><span style="color: #cc3300; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">
</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fatih Camii Mosque in Amsterdam, formerly a</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Catholic church, which was sold to the local Turkish </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>community. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In
2005, while lamenting the decline of churches in Europe and Australia, Pope
Benedict said, “There is no longer evidence for a need for God, even less of
Christ. The so-called traditional churches look like they are dying.” Lord
William of Oystermouth, former Archbishop of Canterbury, said in 2013 that
Britain was no longer a “nation of believers,” adding that it was now “a
post-Christian country.” </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">The Church of England has
lost nearly two million followers in the last two years. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
Church of England has been in decline for the past three decades. The proportion
of Anglicans in the country was 40 per cent in 1983. According to a recent
survey carried out by the NatCen’s British Social Attitudes Survey, a
well-known poll of public opinion, the Church of England has lost nearly two
million followers in the last two years. The percentage of people affiliated to
the Church of England dropped from 21 per cent in 2012 to 17 per cent in 2014.
The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has warned that unless urgent
action is taken the Anglican Church is “just one generation away from
extinction.” According to the NatCen’s survey, nearly half (49 per cent) of
Britons (24.7 million people) said they have no religious beliefs, compared
with 31 per cent in 1983.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #000066; font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muslims in Britain</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
global Muslim population is estimated to be around 1.85 billion today. According
to the 2011 Pew Forum’s report, Europe is home to over 38 million Muslims, who
make up more than 6 per cent of the continent’s population. The largest Muslim
populations in Europe are found in France (over 6 million), Germany (over 4
million), UK (2.9 million) and Spain (1.6 million). The population of Muslims
in the Russian Federation is over 20 million. Islam is spreading with amazing
speed across several parts of Europe and the United States. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://muslimmirror.com/eng/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/13muslims1.span_.jpg"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">
</span></b></a><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 191;">Islam is now Britain’s
fastest-growing religion. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The
2011 census data showed that Islam was the fastest-growing religion in the UK and
estimated the country’s Muslim population at 2.7 million (4.8 per cent of the
population). The 2015 survey by NatCen shows that the number of Muslims in the
UK during 2012-2014 grew by almost a million and that Muslims now make up over
5 per cent of Britain’s population. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A 2013 study by Faith Matters, an inter-faith think-tank,
suggested that the number of Britons who have entered the fold of Islam is as high
as 100,000, with 5,000 new conversions each year. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A
study carried out at Swansea University showed that in the past ten years, some
10,000 Britons have converted to Islam, and three-quarters of them were women.
Of the 5,200 Britons who converted to Islam in 2010, more than half were white
and nearly 75% of them were women. Despite the wide prevalence of the
stereotype that Islam is oppressive to women, a quarter of female converts were
attracted to Islam mainly because they felt it treated women with honour and
dignity. </span></div>
<div class="font-null" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;">White Europeans who have converted to
Islam include many prominent persons and intellectuals, including Martin Lings,
a former Keeper of Oriental Manuscripts at the British Museum, Yusuf Islam, the
former pop singer Kete Stevens, Timothy J. Winter, an Oxford scholar, Yahya
Birt, the son of BBC’s former chief, Joe Ahmad Dobson, the son of a former
cabinet minister in Britain, Lauren Booth, the sister-in-law of former British
prime minister Tony Blair, Yuonne Ridley, a British journalist who embraced
Islam in 2003 after being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, and
Angela Collins Telles, an American woman who travelled across Egypt and Syria
and was impressed by the people’s generosity and kindness there. </span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e5b8b7; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 102;">Germany’s Highest Court
Lifts Ban on Headscarves</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e5b8b7; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 102;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;"></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #595959; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Lauren
Booth, sister-in-law of Britain’s former prime minister Tony Blair</span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-86284457729384522102015-06-08T11:55:00.002-07:002015-06-08T11:55:23.098-07:00KIMORALI, MBUNDIMBUNDI ZINAVYOVUNJA NDOA WILAYANI ROMBO, TANZANIA !!!<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 24pt;">Kimorali,
Mbundimbundi ‘zinavyovunja ndoa’ Rombo <b><span style="font-size: large;">[Mungu ameharamisha Ulevi wa aina yoyote katika Kur-an- blogger]</span></b></span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></b><div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Na Fina Lyimo,
Mwananchi, Tanzania.<br />
<br />
Posted Jumanne, Juni 2 2015 saa 12:1 PM</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kwa
ufupi</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wilaya ya Rombo</b>
yadaiwa kuwa na aina <b>52</b> ya pombe za kienyeji, Mkoa wa<b> Kilimanjaro</b>
waanzisha operesheni kukabili utengenezaji na unywaji uliokithiri.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></li>
</ul>
<div align="center" class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="http://epaper.mcl.co.tz/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: none;"><span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wilaya
ya Rombo</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,
Kilimanjaro imekuwa na sifa nzuri ya uchapakazi na kuifanya kuwa na
wafanyabiashara pia wajasiriamali wengi hivyo kuchagiza maendeleo ya eneo hilo
hata Taifa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hata
hivyo, sifa hiyo nzuri inaporomoka kutokana na kuingia doa kwa kukumbwa na
wimbi la utengenezaji, uuzwaji na unywaji wa pombe za kienyeji ikiwamo maarufu
na haramu ya gongo.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wilayani
Rombo sasa kunakadiriwa kuwa na aina<b> 52</b> za pombe zinazotengenezwa kienyeji bila
kuzingatia ubora. Pombe
hizo zimesababisha vijana wengi kujiingiza na kuzama katika ulevi uliopindukia
hivyo kupoteza nguvu kazi.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hali
hiyo pia imeanza kuibadili sifa iliyokuwapo ya kukubalika kuwa na watu
wachapakazi na wajasiriamali. Mtazamo huo umebadilika na Rombo kuanza kutazamwa
kama eneo la wanywaji pombe wa kupindukia.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Matokeo
ya hivi karibuni ya Ripoti ya Utafiti wa Ukubwa wa Matumizi ya Pombe nchini,
yaliutaja <b>Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro</b> kuongoza kwa kuwa na idadi kubwa ya wanywaji huku
Wilaya ya<b> Rombo</b> ikitajwa kuongoza hasa vijana na wanaume.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mbali
na matokeo ya utafiti huo uliofanywa na Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti Magonjwa ya
Binadamu <b>(NIMR) </b>na matokeo yake kutangazwa <b>Machi, 2015 </b>unywaji uliopitiliza wa pombe
haramu umeleta mifarakano ndani ya baadhi ya familia za Wilaya ya<b> Rombo</b> na
kuzua malalamiko kutoka kwa wanandoa hasa kina mama, wanaodai kunyimwa unyumba.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hata
hivyo, uchunguzi unaonyesha kuwa matumizi ya pombe hizo yanatokana na wananchi
wengi kushindwa kumudu bei ya bia ambayo ni kati ya <b>Sh2,200</b> hadi<b> 3,500</b>, hivyo
kukimbilia pombe za kienyeji na pombe kali (spirit). Hali
hiyo ya unywaji wa pombe kupita kiasi, inaelezwa kuwa ilianza takriban miaka<b> 15</b>
iliyopita, ambako pia uzalishaji wa pombe zisizo na viwango ulianza na
kudhoofisha baadhi ya wanaume, ambao ndiyo wateja wa kubwa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ingawa
kina mama pia wa wilayani <b>Rombo </b>wamekuwa wakinywa pombe hizo, lakini hali
imekuwa mbaya zaidi kwa baadhi ya wanaume na vijana.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mkazi
wa Kijiji cha <b>Kikelewa</b> kilichopo <b>Tarakea </b>wilayani humo,<b> Germana Kimario</b> anasema
awali pombe haramu aina ya gongo ilikuwapo na ilitumiwa na baadhi ya wananume lakini
haikuwa na madhara makubwa kama ilivyo sasa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anasema
tangu kuanza kuzalishwa aina hizo za pombe katika wilaya hiyo, baadhi ya
vijana na wanaume wamekuwa wakidhoofika siku hadi siku hali inayosababisha
wanawake kufanya kazi ambazo zingefanywa na wanaume kama vile kuchimba
mitaro na kubeba zege.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span><b>Germana</b> anasema Serikali
inawajibika kuangalia namna ya kudhibiti pombe hizo kwa kuwakamata na
kuwafilisi wanaozizalisha.</span><br />
<br />
<span>Anadokeza kuwa mara kadhaa
wazalishaji pombe haramu wamekamatwa lakini waliachiwa na kuendelea na kazi
yao. Anaeleza kwamba vijana wengi
katika kijiji hicho wamegeuza pombe kuwa kama ‘wake zao’, wakisahau mambo mengi
ya msingi ya kifamilia hata yale ya ujenzi wa Taifa.</span><br />
<br />
<span>“Vijana wengi hapa <b>Rombo </b>wakiamka
asubuhi kitu wanachoweza ni <i><b>‘kimorali’ </b>au <b>‘mbundimbundi’, </b></i>hizo ni baadhi ya
pombe zinazozalishwa hapa, ambazo zimekuwa zikiharibu afya za baadhi ya
vijana. Hali imekuwa ngumu kwa kuwa
wanaume wakishaanza kunywa pombe hizo hawawezi kufanya kazi nyingine
yoyote zaidi ya kuanza kuuza vitu vya ndani ili aweze kupata fedha za kunywa,”
anasimulia mama huyo.</span><br />
<br />
<span>Anaeleza kwamba katika kijiji
hicho wanaume walio na nguvu, wengi ni <b>Wakenya</b> na kwamba ndiyo wanaofanya
kazi kutokana na mwingiliano wa eneo hilo la mpaka.</span><br />
<br />
<span>“Ndiyo hao pia wamekuwa wakitoa
huduma ya<i><b> ‘tendo la ndoa’</b></i> kwa wanawake wa kijiji hiki kutokana na wanaume
kushindwa kutoa huduma hiyo,” anasema <b>Germana.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span>Mkazi mwingine wa wilaya hiyo,<b>
Joyce Shirima </b>ambaye hivi karibuni amehamia <b>Dar es Salaam</b> anasema: “Tatizo hilo
linakuwa siku hadi siku kutokana na pombe hizo kupikwa karibu kila nyumba
katika <b>Tarafa ya Tarakea </b> na zinazidi kuharibu wanaume na vijana
hapa <b>Rombo.”</b> Anaongeza: “Hali ilivyo sasa
baadhi ya wanaume na vijana wamekuwa wakishindwa kurudi nyumbani na
kuishia kulala kwenye mitaro kutokana na ulevi.”</span><br />
<span><br /></span>
<span>Mkazi mwingine, <b>Athanas Kimario,
</b>anasema baadhi ya wanawake kutoka nje ya<b> Rombo</b> sasa hutumia mbinu ya kuolewa na
wanaume wa <b>Rombo</b> ili kupata makazi ya kudumu lakini baadaye hufanya mbinu ya
kupata watoto kutoka kwa mwanaume wa nchi jirani ya <b>Kenya.</b></span><br />
<br />
<span>“Kuna uwezekano unywaji wa pombe
hizo ukasababisha<b> Tarakea</b> ikawa na watoto wenye baba zao nchi jirani kutokana
na unywaji wa hizi pombe, kwani hata ukinywa, hutamani tendo la ndoa kabisa,”
anasema <b>Kimario</b> na kuongeza:<b> “Kuna pombe nyingine wanaume
wanaokunywa wanavimba mashavu, nyingine zinaharibu mwili, kuhakikishia hilo mtu
aliyekunywa pombe hizo akikojoa kwenye majani hunyauka, hiyo inaonyesha
wanachokunywa ni sumu.S"</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mimi
natumia pombe hizo pia hata tendo la ndoa silitamani kwa kuwa nikishakunywa
‘kimorali’ naishiwa nguvu kwa ulevi na siwezi kufanya chochote, ninalala
tu. Sasa mke wangu ameniacha naishi mwenyewe.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Padri
wa Kanisa Katoliki, Kigango cha Kikelelwa, Serafin Kilawe</b> anasema kiwango
cha ulevi katika tarafa hiyo ni kikubwa na kwamba kimeathiri baadhi
ya vijana na wanaume.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anasema
hali hiyo imesababisha wanandoa wengi hasa wanawake kufikisha malalamiko yao
kanisani wakiomba kusuluhishwa kutokana na waume zao kushindwa kuwahudumia
katika haki ya ndoa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Tumekuwa
tukitangaza katika ibada tunazozifanya kutaka watu waache unywaji pombe kupita
kiasi, lakini hali hii imekuwa inaendelea kuota mizizi siku hadi siku kutokana
na baadhi ya viongozi wa Serikali kugeuza maeneo yanayopika pombe hizo kuwa<b> ‘ATM’
</b>ya kujipatia fedha,” anasema <b>Padri Kilawe.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Uchunguzi
wa gazeti hili unaonyesha kuwa baadhi ya wasimamizi wa sheria wamekuwa
wakiwatafuta wapika pombe na kuunga urafiki nao hivyo kutowathibiti kutokana na
wao kuchukua rushwa hali inayoruhusu wapikaji kuendelea kutengeneza pombe
hizo zinazoua nguvu kazi ya <b>Rombo.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Kweli
kazi za maendelo sasa zinafanywa na kina mama kwa kuwa ndiyo wenye nguvu na
wanaume kuishia kwenye pombe na kushindwa kusaidia familia zao,” anasema<b> Padri
Kilawe</b> na kuongeza:</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Kuna
matajiri katika kijiji hiki kazi yao ni kuua watu kwa kuwa ndiyo watengenezaji
wa pombe ambazo hazina kiwango. Siasa pia imeingia, viongozi wanaochaguliwa na
wananchi hawathubutu kukemea ulevi kwa kuhofia kutochaguliwa.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Huku<b>
Tarakea,</b> baadhi ya viongozi wanafanya kampeni za kuomba kura kwa kusema
endapo wakichaguliwa wataruhusu uuzwaji wa pombe pamoja na unywaji wa
pombe hizo. Hali hiyo inasikitisha, kiongozi kuongoza wananchi wasio na
nguvu na kuruhusu wanywe sumu?”</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mwenyekiti
wa <b>Kijiji cha Kikelelwa</b>, <b>Justine Shirima</b> anakiri kuwapo kwa tatizo la wanandoa
kutopewa haki yao ya msingi kutokana na ofisi yake kupokea malalamiko mengi
hasa kutoka kwa wanawake.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wanawake
wengi wanafika ofisini kuwalalamikia waume zao kutowatimizia tendo la ndoa
kutokana na unywaji wa pombe uliokithiri,” anasema <b>Shirima.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anasema
baadhi ya wanawake wanapata huduma hiyo kutoka kwa wanaume wa nchi jirani
kutokana na eneo hilo kuwa mpakani na<b> Kenya.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mkuu
wa Mkoa wa Kilimanjaro<b>, Leonidas Gama</b> anaeleza kuwa katika kikao cha <b>Kamati ya
Ushauri </b>ya <b>Mkoa (RCC),</b> mwaka jana ajenda iliyotawala ilikuwa ni unywaji
wa pombe uliokithiri ndani ya mkoa na kwamba wilaya iliyokithiri ilitajwa kuwa
ni <b>Rombo.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Gama</b>
alitoa agizo la kusambazwa kwa Waraka namba moja wa mwaka <b>2014</b> maeneo yote,
ambao ulifafanua lengo la Serikali kufanya operesheni ya kudhibiti ulevi wa
kupindukia ndani ya mkoa huo.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Waraka
huo uliogiza mamlaka zote za usalama na uongozi wa Serikali kuanza rasmi
operesheni maalumu ya kudhibiti matumizi ya pombe yanayokiuka sheria kuanzia
<b>Desemba 15, 2014,</b> ulisomwa katika nyumba zote za ibada, kwenye
mikusanyiko na kusambazwa kwa mashirika yasiyokuwa ya kiserikali <b>(NGO)</b> mkoani
Kilimanjaro kwa muda wa mwezi mmoja, kuanzia <b>Novemba 15, 2014.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gama
anasema waraka huo ulitokana na viongozi wa dini na baadhi ya wananchi wa mkoa
huo kuona baadhi wa watu wakinywa pombe zisizo na viwango.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Rombo
ilionekana kuathirika zaidi hali ambayo ilinafanya nifanye ziara
nikajionee. Nilipokwenda niliwakuta wanawake wakichimba mitaro. Nilipowauliza
wakasema wanaume hawawezi kufanya tena hiyo kazi kutokana na kuathirika na
pombe zisizo,” anasema <b>Gama.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anasema
pombe zinazozalishwa ndani ya wilaya hiyo ni sumu kutokana na kuharibu
afya za binadamu kwa kuwa hata ukiwaona baadhi ya wanywaji, wamevimba
mashavu na tumbo.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Naambiwa
pombe hizo zinachanganywa na betri za magari, kinyesi cha binadamu na mbolea ya
urea. Kwa kweli hali hii isiposimamiwa na kudhibitiwa kwa haraka, kizazi cha
<b>Rombo</b> kitakwisha,” anasema <b>Gama.</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anaongeza:<b>
“Hali hiyo ilinisukuma kuwaagiza wakuu wa wilaya kuweka mpango mikakati
ya kutokomeza pombe haramu zinazozalishwa ndani ya wilaya, ikiwa ni
pamoja na kudhibiti unywaji wa pombe saa za kazi.”</b></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mkuu<b>
Walaya ya Rombo, Lembris Kipuyo</b> anasema wilaya hiyo imeonekana kuwa na
viashiria <b>10 </b>vya uvunjifu wa amani alivyovitaja kuwa ni watu kujichukulia
sheria mkononi, malumbano ya kisiasa, matukio ya ubakaji, mimba kwa wanafuzi na
uharibifu wa mazingira.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vingine
ni dawa za kulevya, pombe haramu ya gongo, utengenezwaji wa pombe ambazo ni
zaidi ya aina<b> 52</b> zisizo na viwango, kukithiri kwa uhalifu wa kutumia silaha na
migogoro ya ardhi baina ya wafugaji na wakulima.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Kipuyo</b>
anasema kuwa kati ya vyote alivyotaja, kilichokithiri wilayani humo ni
utengenezaji na unywaji wa pombe zisizo na viwango hali inayosababisha kuharibu
nguvu kazi ya vijana.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anasema
kuwa kutokana na hali hiyo, wameanzisha operesheni endelevu ya kutokomeza pombe
haramu ndani ya wilaya na kwamba katika ya miezi mitatu iliyopita, wamefanikiwa
kukamata na kuharibu zaidi ya lita <b>3,000</b> za gongo, mapipa<b>
1,200</b> yenye lita <b>240</b> na kisima chenye zaidi ya lita 3,000 za
malighafi ya utengenezaji wa gongo.</span></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv8142627501MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mkuu
huyo wa wilaya anasema operesheni hiyo inayoshirikisha vitongoji, vijiji, kata
pamoja na uongozi, inabena ujumbe usemao: <b>“Wilaya Rombo bila gongo
inawezekana.”</b></span></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-18813585690916916192015-06-01T10:38:00.001-07:002015-06-01T10:38:07.325-07:00A MUSLIM WOMAN DENIED A CAN OF COKE IN A FLIGHT - THE BACKLASH OF ISLAM IS EVOLVING !!!<ul>
<li class="follow-property-twitter clearfix">
<div class="follow-icon small">
<a class="Mt-2" data-action-outcome="sh" data-rapid_p="3" data-ylk="t1:a4;t2:sh-fwm;t3:tp;sec:sh-fwm;elm:icn;cpos:1;_p:2;itc:0;tar:twitter.com;test:312113;act:click;rspns:nav;slk:btn-sh-tw;elmt:sh-tw;" href="https://twitter.com/yahoonews" rel="publisher" role="link" target="_blank" title="on Twitter">
<i class="Icon"></i>
</a></div>
</li>
<li class="follow-property-tumblr clearfix">
<div class="follow-icon small">
<a class="Mt-2" data-action-outcome="sh" data-rapid_p="5" data-ylk="t1:a4;t2:sh-fwm;t3:tp;sec:sh-fwm;elm:icn;cpos:1;_p:3;itc:0;tar:yahoonews.tumblr.com;test:312113;act:click;rspns:nav;slk:btn-sh-tu;elmt:sh-tu;" href="http://yahoonews.tumblr.com/" rel="publisher" role="link" target="_blank" title="on Tumblr">
<i class="Icon"></i>
</a></div>
</li>
<li class="follow-property-gplus clearfix">
<div class="follow-icon small">
<a class="Mt-2" data-action-outcome="sh" data-rapid_p="7" data-ylk="t1:a4;t2:sh-fwm;t3:tp;sec:sh-fwm;elm:icn;cpos:1;_p:4;itc:0;tar:plus.google.com;test:312113;act:click;rspns:nav;slk:btn-sh-gp;elmt:sh-gp;" href="https://plus.google.com/+YahooNews" rel="publisher" role="link" target="_blank" title="on Google+">
<i class="Icon"></i>
</a></div>
</li>
<li class="follow-property-flickr clearfix">
<div class="follow-icon small">
<a class="Mt-2" data-action-outcome="sh" data-rapid_p="9" data-ylk="t1:a4;t2:sh-fwm;t3:tp;sec:sh-fwm;elm:icn;cpos:1;_p:5;itc:0;tar:www.flickr.com;test:312113;act:click;rspns:nav;slk:btn-sh-fl;elmt:sh-fl;" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/yahoonews" rel="publisher" role="link" target="_blank" title="on Flickr">
<span></span>
</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="Col1 yog-np Pos-a Start-0 Z-5 Stack Pstart-10">
<div class="Row" data-plugin="sticker" data-sticker-toptarget="#UH" id="Navigation" role="navigation" style="margin-top: 0px; position: relative; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px);" tabindex="0">
<div class="Row yog-nav">
<div class="yom-mod navigation" data-ylk="t1:a2;t2:lnav;sec:lnav;" id="mediacontentnavigation" role="navigation">
<nav class="nav-stencil Pstart-4">
<ul class="navlist Fw-200 Pstart-1" id="navlist">
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="1" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:1;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/">News Home</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="2" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:2;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/us/">U.S.</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="3" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:3;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/world/">World</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="4" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:4;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/politics/">Politics</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="5" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:5;" href="http://www.yahoo.com/tech/">Tech</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="6" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:6;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/science/">Science</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="7" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:7;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/health/">Health</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="8" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:8;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/odd-news/">Odd News</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="9" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:9;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/local/">Local</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="10" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:10;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/dear-abby/">Dear Abby</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="11" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:11;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/comics/">Comics</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="12" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:12;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/abc-news/">ABC News</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="13" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:13;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/originals/">Yahoo Originals</a>
</li>
<li class="Mb-6 Fz-m Ff-b">
<a data-action-outcome="navigate" data-rapid_p="14" data-ylk="itc:0;tar:news.yahoo.com;ct:naventry;rspns:nav;t1:a2;t2:lnav;t3:st;t4:m-1;sec:lnav;elm:itm;elmt:cat;cpos:14;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/yahoo_news_photos/">Photos</a>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
<div class="yom-remote">
<div class="" id="td-applet-games_container">
<div class="js-applet" data-applet-guid="10254241335215628" data-applet-type="td-applet-games" id="applet_10254241335215628">
<div class="App-Bd">
<div class="App-Main yui3-app-views" data-region="main" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_674">
<div class="js-applet-view-container-main">
<div style="padding-left: 5px; padding-top: 20px;">
<div class="Pb-6" data-groupitems="3">
<h2 class="Grid-U Mt-0 games-autocolor-h2hd" style="color: black; font-size: 1.4rem; font-size: 14px;">
</h2>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="yom-remote">
<div class="" id="td-applet-photoheader_container">
<div class="js-applet" data-applet-guid="10254246376793092" data-applet-type="td-applet-photoheader" id="applet_10254246376793092">
<div class="App-Bd">
<div class="App-Main yui3-app-views" data-region="main" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_731">
<div class="js-applet-view-container-main">
<div class="SlowTrans Pos-r Z-3 Cf Ov-h" id="td-photoheader">
<div class="W-100 Pos-r tie-title">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<header class="header" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_813">
<h1 class="headline" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_812">
No can of Coke for Muslim woman? American Islamic backlash simmers</h1>
<h2 class="subheadline">
Since the aftermath of 9/11,
American conservatives and liberals have diverged sharply in what they
think about Islam. Two events this weekend, including a spat over an
in-flight Coke, hint at how and why a backlash to Islam is evolving.</h2>
</header>
<div class="credit-bar clearfix large-sharebtns">
<div class="credit-bar-inner">
<div class="credit">
</div>
<div class="credit">
</div>
<div class="credit">
</div>
<div class="credit">
</div>
<div class="credit">
<a data-rapid_p="1" data-ylk="sec:content;slk:provider;itc:0;tar:www.csmonitor.com;ltxt:ChristianScience;" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/"><img alt="Christian Science Monitor" class="provider-img" src="http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/p/csm_logo_115.jpg" /></a>
<div class="credit-text">
<cite class="byline vcard top-line">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span>By </span><span class="fn">Mark Sappenfield</span>,
<abbr>21 hours ago</abbr></span></b></cite></div>
<div class="credit-text">
<cite class="byline vcard top-line"><abbr> </abbr>
</cite>
<span class="bottom-line">
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
This weekend, a protest by anti-Muslim demonstrators with
military-style weapons and an in-flight disagreement over a can of Diet
Coke provided fresh evidence of a mounting Islamic backlash in America.<br />
<br />
<div class="body-slot-mod">
<div class="yom-remote">
<div class="" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container">
</div>
</div>
</div>
High-profile incidents have become familiar in recent months, with an <a data-rapid_p="8" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/USA-Update/2015/0414/Colleges-wrestle-with-screening-American-Sniper" target="_blank">outpouring of anti-Islamic sentiment</a> on social media after the release of the surprise hit film "American Sniper," and a <a data-rapid_p="9" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0130/Why-Texas-Muslims-remained-calm-in-face-of-angry-hecklers" target="_blank">protest against an annual Muslim day of outreach</a> at the Texas Legislature. A Mohammed cartoon drawing contest in Garland, Texas, last month, even provoked a <a data-rapid_p="10" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2015/0504/Anti-Muhammad-cartoon-contest-Free-speech-or-deliberately-provocative-video" target="_blank">failed terrorist attack</a>.<br />
<br />
Polls
suggest that these flashpoints come from a decisive and growing split
in how Americans see Islam. The current backlash is largely among
conservatives, and it appears to reflect not just a fear of terrorist
attack but also a deeper conviction that the tenets of Islam
fundamentally prevent it from living peaceably with the modern world.
The result has been a hardening of rhetoric.<br />
<br />
Friday's
protests were a response to last month's attack in Garland. About 250
demonstrators – many of them armed, some wearing T-shirts with profane
anti-Muslim messages – gathered outside the Phoenix mosque where the
shooters in the attack had worshipped. The organizer called himself a
patriot standing up against the perceived tyranny of Islam.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile
on Sunday, social media was humming with the story of a Muslim scholar
who had been denied a can of soda on a United Airlines flight because
the attendant said it could be used as a weapon – though others on the
flight had received cans, the scholar said. A fellow passenger also told
the scholar: "yes you know you would use it as a WEAPON, so shut the
**** up," she added on her Facebook page.<br />
<br />
While the incidents
point to activity on the anti-Muslim right in America, they also hint at
its limits. Pro-Muslim counterprotests in Phoenix were reportedly just
as large, and <a data-rapid_p="12" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/05/30/hundreds-gather-in-arizona-for-armed-anti-muslim-protest/" target="_blank">a Washington Post report</a>
spoke of anti-Muslim protesters whose minds were changed when they were
welcomed into the mosque. Social media hashtags boycotting United
Airlines and supporting the Islamic scholar have also sprung up.<br />
<br />
In
recent years, however, American opinions of whether Islam is more
likely than other religions to promote violence have taken two very
different tracks. From 2002 to 2003, the share of Democrats with that
opinion spiked from 22 percent to 43 percent. But since then, the number
has steadily declined to 29 percent in 2013, <a data-rapid_p="13" href="http://www.people-press.org/2013/05/07/after-boston-little-change-in-views-of-islam-and-violence/" target="_blank">according to the Pew Research Center for US Politics & Policy</a>.<br />
For
Republicans, there was also a spike from 2002 to 2003. But since then,
the numbers have continued to climb to 62 percent in 2013.<br />
<strong><br /><a data-rapid_p="14" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2015/0525/On-Memorial-Day-Ramadi-s-fall-forces-Iraq-vets-to-find-deeper-meaning-in-sacrifice"><span class="story_link"> </span></a></strong><br />
<a data-rapid_p="15" href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/01/29/the-political-divide-on-views-toward-muslims-and-islam/" target="_blank">Earlier this year</a>,
Pew reported that conservatives – particularly evangelicals – viewed
Muslims more unfavorably than every other religious group, including
atheists. On a "thermometer" to measure warmth of feeling, Muslims got a
chilly 33 degrees from conservatives; evangelicals a toasty 71 degrees.
Liberals had Muslims closer to the middle at 47 degrees.<br />
<br />
In this divergence, the rise of Islamic State appears to have acted as a stimulant.<br />
<br />
An <a data-rapid_p="16" href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/isis-threat-fear-terror-attack-soars-9-11-high-nbc-n199496" target="_blank">NBC News poll</a>
taken shortly after the Islamic State's beheadings of two American
captives last year found that 47 percent of respondents said that
America was less safe now than before 9/11. The previous high – in 2013 –
was 28 percent.<br />
<br />
The spate of recent high profile anti-Muslim
events has come since the rise of the Islamic State. But the Islamic
State has no known operational capacity in the United States aside from
attempts to inspire lone wolf terrorists from afar. And, <a data-rapid_p="17" href="http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/jan/08/sally-kohn/kohn-911-right-wing-extremists-killed-more-america/" target="_blank">by the best available data</a>, right-wing extremists appear to have killed more people in America since 9/11 than have Islamist terrorists.<br />
<br />
Instead,
it is perhaps the Islamic State's apocalyptic brand of Islam – which
embraces the notion that Islam cannot reconcile with the West as
anything other than conquerors – that has most played into latent
American fears.<br />
<br />
The winner of the draw Mohammed contest, for example, <a data-rapid_p="18" href="http://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/05/afdijw-muhammad-cartoon-contest-winner-bosch-fawstin-the-garland-attack-is-a-litmus-test" target="_blank">told Jihad Watch</a>
that "any term other than Islam to refer to the enemy's ideology
implies that Islam as such is not the problem, that only some deviant
form of it is the problem. Every time we use a term other than Islam,
we’re helping Islam."<br />
<br />
Political activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali also
became a frequent guest on conservative media after Brandeis University
revoked its plan to give her an honorary degree. She has said "violence
is inherent in Islam" and "Islam is the new fascism," <a data-rapid_p="19" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/us/brandeis-cancels-plan-to-give-honorary-degree-to-ayaan-hirsi-ali-a-critic-of-islam.html?ref=us&_r=2" target="_blank">according to The New York Times</a>.<br />
<br />
A <a data-rapid_p="20" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants/384980/" target="_blank">groundbreaking piece on the Islamic State in The Atlantic</a>
took on the question of the group's "Islamic-ness" directly, suggesting
that the rules of the caliphate in Iraq and Syria are drawn directly
from and are consistent with the Quran. Other scholars have <a data-rapid_p="21" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants-reader-response-atlantic/385710/" target="_blank">challenged that conclusion</a>.<br />
Contact
with actual Muslims, however, has at times softened the cutting edges
of the debate. In a Washington Post report on Friday's protests in
Phoenix, Evan Wyloge writes:<br />
<blockquote id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1363">
<b>Jason
Leger, a Phoenix resident wearing one of the profanity-laced shirts,
accepted an invitation to join the evening prayer inside the mosque, and
said the experience changed him.</b><br />
<b>“It was something I’ve never
seen before. I took my shoes off. I kneeled. I saw a bunch of peaceful
people. We all got along,” Leger said. “They made me feel welcome, you
know. I just think everybody’s points are getting misconstrued, saying
things out of emotion, saying things they don’t believe.”</b><br />
<b>Paul
Griffin, who had earlier said he didn’t care if his t-shirt was
offensive, assured a small crowd of Muslims at the end of the rally that
he wouldn’t wear it again.</b><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1362">
<b>“I
promise, the next time you see me, I won’t be wearing this shirt,” he
told one man while shaking his hand and smiling. “I won’t wear it
again.”</b></div>
</blockquote>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1259">
To some,
the backlash against Islam speaks primarily to the rise of Muslims as a
visible – and visibly distinct – minority. By 2050, they will be the
second-largest religious group in the United States (at 2 percent),
outnumbering Jews, <a data-rapid_p="22" href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1263" target="_blank">according to the Pew Research Center for Religion & Public Life</a>.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1259">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1265">
<b>"The
good news is that everything that is said about Muslims today – that
they are not American, that they are fearful, that they don't belong
here – everything that was said about Muslims today were said about the
Jews in the '40s and '50s, was said about Catholics at the end of the
19th century," Iranian-American author Reza Aslan</b> <a data-rapid_p="23" href="http://www.csmonitor.com/null" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179666048_1267" target="_blank">told "The Daily Show."</a>
"And those two religions, through the passage of time, through the
slow-building of relationships and the integration of story, became very
much part of the religious fabric."</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-31931407924153973142015-06-01T10:26:00.003-07:002015-06-01T10:26:42.542-07:00ABERCROMBIE [USA] DENIED A MUSLIM WOMAN A JOB FOR WEARING HIJAB<header class="header" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_516">
<h1 class="headline" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_515">
U.S. Supreme Court rules for Muslim woman denied job at clothing store</h1>
</header>
<div class="credit-bar clearfix large-sharebtns" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_832">
<div class="credit-bar-inner" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_833">
<div class="credit">
<div class="credit-text">
<cite class="byline vcard top-line">
<abbr>May 1, 2015, 1 hour ago</abbr>
</cite>
<span class="bottom-line">
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="cover-wrap " id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_841">
<div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_840">
<div class="img-wrap" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_839">
<figure class=" cover
get-lbdata-from-dom
go-to-slideshow-lightbox
" data-id="c0c36830-086c-11e5-bde6-1acdfa036a69" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_838">
<div>
<a data-rapid_p="8" data-ylk="rspns:xpnd;t1:a3;t2:ct-mod;t3:ld;sec:ct-mod;slk:expand;elm:img;elmt:ct;itc:1;grpt:;edtr_vos:;g:;aid:c0c36830-086c-11e5-bde6-1acdfa036a69;ct:4;cpos:1;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/u-supreme-court-rules-muslim-woman-denied-job-142210545--finance.html#"><img alt="USA-COURT/EMPLOYMENT" height="377px" src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YAewlnRUusIPnhaU1Q55lw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTM3NztpbD1wbGFuZTtweG9mZj01MDtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz02NzA-/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2015-06-01/afb65340-086c-11e5-95b4-dbf3be698c2d_2015-02-25T174812Z_1804350784_TB3EB2P1DG10W_RTRMADP_3_USA-COURT-EMPLOYMENTC2.jpg" width="670px" /></a>
</div>
<div class="cta-overlay" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_837">
<span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow " id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_842">.</span>
<div class="cta-text large " id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_843">
View gallery</div>
</div>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_852">
<span style="font-size: large;">By Lawrence Hurley</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_852">
<br /></div>
<div class="body-slot-mod">
<div class="yom-remote">
<div class="" id="mediacontentrelatedstory_container">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_846">
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor
of a Muslim woman who sued after being denied a job at an Abercrombie
& Fitch Co clothing store in Oklahoma because she wore a head scarf
for religious reasons.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_846">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_845">
On an 8-1 vote in an important religious rights case, the court
handed a victory to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC), a federal agency that sued the company on behalf of Samantha
Elauf. She was denied a sales job in 2008 at an Abercrombie Kids store
in Tulsa when she was 17.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_845">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_850">
The legal question before the court was whether Elauf was
required to ask for a religious accommodation in order for the company
to be sued under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which, among other things,
bans employment discrimination based on religious beliefs and practices.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_850">
<br /></div>
Monday's ruling was the second decision by the high court
during its current term in favor of a Muslim alleging discrimination. In
January, the justices found that an Arkansas policy prohibiting inmates
from having beards violated the religious rights of a prisoner who had
wanted to grow one in accordance with his Muslim beliefs.<br />
<br />
The court has taken an expansive view of religious rights. Last
year, it sided with a Christian-owned company that objected on religious
grounds to providing health insurance coverage for certain
contraceptives. <br />
<div class="body-related">
<a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-pos="1" data-rapid_p="11" data-uuid="e4634a00-bc8e-3064-96e8-09355a35d955" data-ylk="t1:a3;t2:ct-mod;t3:embd;sec:ct-mod;slk:expand;elm:img;elmt:ct;itc:1;g:3cf6b9fc-0bd8-300c-b74c-3f76d3de37e0;aid:e4634a00-bc8e-3064-96e8-09355a35d955;ct:4;cpos:1;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/shopper-walks-down-fifth-avenue-abercrombie-fitch-bag-photo-143312664.html" title="A shopper walks down Fifth Avenue with an Abercrombie …">
<div class="img-wrap">
<div class="cta-overlay">
<span class="clearfix title cta-text medium"></span>
<span class="cta-text xsmall ">View gallery</span>
<span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall "></span>
</div>
<img alt="A shopper walks down Fifth Avenue with an Abercrombie …" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="206" src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/T7FFgIkZ_OccSBXuqk.nfQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwNjtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2015-06-01T143312Z_1_LYNXMPEB5014Q_RTROPTP_2_USA-RETAIL.JPG" width="300" /> </div>
</a>
<div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="width: 300px;">
A shopper walks down Fifth Avenue with an Abercrombie & Fitch bag in New York October 8, 2009. ( …</div>
<div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="width: 300px;">
</div>
</div>
Abercombie said in a statement that the case will
continue, noting that the court had not determined that discrimination
took place.<br />
<br />
<span class="yui-media yui-editorial-embed" style="height: 354px; width: 630px;"></span><br />
"We will determine our next steps in the litigation," the statement said.<br />
<br />
The court, in an opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia, ruled
that Elauf needed only to show that her need for an accommodation was a
motivating factor in the employer's decision.<br />
<br />
Elauf
was wearing a head scarf, or hijab, at the job interview but did not
specifically say that, as a Muslim, she wanted the company to give her a
religious accommodation.<br />
<br />
"A request for
accommodation ... may make it easier to infer motive, but it is not a
necessary condition of liability," Scalia wrote.<br />
<div class="body-related">
<a class="body-related-link body-related-image go-to-slideshow-lightbox rapid-noclick-resp landscape onesize get-lbdata-from-dom" data-pos="2" data-rapid_p="13" data-uuid="6bc3bcb6-0ee5-3266-b169-7c74755aee5b" data-ylk="t1:a3;t2:ct-mod;t3:embd;sec:ct-mod;slk:expand;elm:img;elmt:ct;itc:1;g:3cf6b9fc-0bd8-300c-b74c-3f76d3de37e0;aid:6bc3bcb6-0ee5-3266-b169-7c74755aee5b;ct:4;cpos:2;" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/supreme-court-hears-case-involving-20150225-173726-265.html" title="Supreme Court Hears Case Involving Abercrombie & Fitch …">
<div class="img-wrap">
<div class="cta-overlay">
<span class="clearfix title cta-text medium"></span>
<span class="cta-text xsmall ">View gallery</span>
<span class="icon-slideshow icon-white-slideshow-xsmall "></span>
</div>
<img alt="Supreme Court Hears Case Involving Abercrombie & Fitch …" class="body-related-thumb" data-src-2x="" height="200" src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/sLLVaJWwcnnKi31Y6mVvaA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTIwMDtxPTc1O3c9MzAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/gettyimages.com/supreme-court-hears-case-involving-20150225-173726-265.jpg" width="300" /> </div>
</a>
<div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="width: 300px;">
Zainab Chaudry (C) joins other supporters from The Council on American-Islamic Relations during a ne …</div>
<div class="body-related-title photo-caption" style="width: 300px;">
</div>
</div>
Justice Clarence Thomas was the sole dissenter.
He said that "mere application of a neutral policy" should not be viewed
as discrimination.<br />
<br />
The company denied Elauf the job
on the grounds that wearing the scarf violated its "look policy" for
members of the sales staff, a policy intended to promote the brand's
East Coast collegiate image.<br />
<br />
Abercrombie said in its
statement that in April it replaced the "look policy" with "a new dress
code that allows associates to be more individualistic" while also
changing hiring practices so that "attractiveness" is no longer a
factor.<br />
<br />
Muslim groups said in a friend-of-the-court
brief in support of Elauf that employment discrimination against Muslims
is widespread in the United States. Often, the act of a woman wearing a
head scarf is what triggers the discrimination, according to the brief.
The EEOC has reported that Muslims file more employment claims about
discrimination and the failure to provide religious accommodations than
any other religious group.<br />
<br />
Groups representing Christians, Jews and Sikhs also filed court papers backing Elauf.<br />
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_870">
The case involving a young Muslim woman alleging workplace
discrimination in the American heartland was decided by the top U.S.
court at a time when some Western nations are struggling with culture
clashes relating to accommodating Muslim populations. The United States
has not, however, faced the same tensions as some European countries
including France.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_870">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_869">
<b>The case is EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch, U.S. Supreme Court, No.14-86</b>.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433179242460_868">
(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley. Additional reporting by Sruthi Ramakrishnan; Editing by Will Dunham)</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-85246018117656310332015-06-01T10:18:00.004-07:002015-06-01T10:18:45.189-07:00IT'S A NO BRAINER - SMOKING DESTROYS AND KILLS<table align="center" border="0.0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 700px;"><tbody>
<tr><td bgcolor="#D5EDB3" colspan="3" rowspan="2"><div align="center">
<span style="color: #993366; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 5px;">South African National Halaal
Authority <strong>(SANHA)</strong></span></span></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D" width="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#D5EDB3" colspan="3" rowspan="2">
<div align="center">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica,sans-serif;"><strong><span lang="EN-ZA">IT'S A NO BRAINER -
SMOKING DESTROYS</span></strong></span></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D" width="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#D5EDB3" colspan="3"> </td>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#99CC66">
<div align="right">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px;"><strong>No.96</strong></span></span></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#99CC66" colspan="3">
<div align="right">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 3px;"><strong> May 2015 : Shabaan
1436</strong></span></span></div>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D" width="3"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D" rowspan="8"> </td>
<td bgcolor="#F4FFE4" colspan="3"> </td>
<td bgcolor="#5C743D"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#F4FFE4" width="8"> </td>
<td bgcolor="#F4FFE4" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;" width="1182">
From the <strong><em>“glamour”
</em></strong>associated with smoking that hooks teenagers
with their first puff to the lag of several years before
their health suffers and leads to a painful death, we
see an increase in the death toll today. It has caused 100
million deaths in the 20th century and if the trend
continues, it will result in one billion deaths in the 21st
century. Smoking is the single largest preventable cause of
disease and premature death which kills more people every
year than all drugs combined, alcohol and vehicle
accidents.<br />
<strong>SANHA</strong> has over the years
presented compelling arguments with irrefutable evidence
backed up by scientific research on the harmful effects
which we summarise below:-<br />
<br />
<strong>DIVINE LAW </strong><br />
Most of the world’s religions regard
smoking to be a sin and forbid it. Islam as the Final
Revelation to mankind has condemned smoking and Muslim
Jurists have ruled it to be either Makruh (detested and
undesirable) or Haraam (forbidden) on the basis of causing
harm to one’s health (Qur'an 2:195 & 4:29), danger
to your family's health and the environment (Qur'an 33:58),
inconvenience, harm and discomfort to others (Hadith),
waste of money (Qur'an 17:26-27) and possible ingestion of
Haraam ingredients (Quran 7:157).<br />
<br />
<strong>HEALTH</strong><br />
The tobacco smoke you inhale contains 4000
different chemicals with known cancer-causing carcinogens.
Then there is a poisonous algoid called nicotine whose
pharmacologic and behavioural processes that determine
addiction are similar to those of drugs such as heroin and
cocaine. It also has substances such as carbon
monoxide, acrolein, ammonia, prussic acid, aldehydes and tar
that seriously affect the heart, lungs, blood circulation,
bones, stomach, mouth and oral, throat, eyes, skin,
reproduction and fertility and even Alzheimer’s
disease.<br />
<br />
<strong>LOSING YOUR HEAD</strong><br />
If all of the above and your own inner voice
is not persuasive enough for abstention then here is a new
reason to wrap your head around the smoking gun -
<strong>it damages the brain</strong>.<strong>
</strong>Professor Ian Deary from the University of
Edinburgh who led the research scientists and Dr Sherif
Karama of McGill University of Montreal, found the brain
cortex is thicker in non-smokers than smokers. The cortex
is the outer layer of the brain in which critical cognitive
functions such as memory, language and perception take
place. It's the most highly developed part of the
brain, often known as grey matter. Most of the actual
information processing in the brain takes place in the
cortex.<br />
<br />
Although the cortex grows thinner with normal
ageing the study found that smoking appears to accelerate
the thinning process leading to cognitive
degeneration. The good news that the scientists
mention is that <strong><em>“Subjects who stopped
smoking seem to partially recover their cortical thickness
for each year without
smoking</em></strong>.<strong>”</strong><br />
<br />
With all this evidence in front of you, do
you really want to subject your family and yourself to a
sentence of ill-health in the years to come and painful
heartache for your loved ones to bear? Allah Ta'ala has
given us intellect which resides in our head. The clear
message is:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>USE IT OR
LOSE IT! QUIT WHILE YOU ARE
AHEAD</strong><strong>…</strong></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-29011432072958541112015-06-01T02:11:00.000-07:002015-06-01T02:11:06.501-07:00CONCRETE DEVELOPMENT IN MACCA TO ACCOMMODATE NUMBERS OF EXPANDING PILGRIMS<h1 class="content__headline js-score" itemprop="headline">
As the Hajj begins, the destruction of Macca's heritage continues </h1>
<h1 class="content__headline js-score" itemprop="headline">
By <span itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a class="tone-colour" data-link-name="auto tag link" href="http://www.theguardian.com/profile/oliver-wainwright" itemprop="url name" rel="author">Oliver Wainwright</a></span></h1>
<div class="tonal__standfirst u-cf">
<div class="gs-container">
<div class="content__main-column">
<div class="content__standfirst" data-component="standfirst" data-link-name="standfirst">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pilgrims follow in the footsteps of the prophet Muhammad [pbuh], but there is little of his legacy left in Islam's holiest city
</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<figure class="media-primary media-content" data-component="image" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<a class="article__img-container js-gallerythumbs" data-is-ajax="" data-link-name="Launch Article Lightbox" href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/oct/14/as-the-hajj-begins-the-destruction-of-meccas-heritage-continues#img-1">
<div class="">
<img alt="The Grand Mosque in Mecca, teeming with pilgrims for the start of Hajj this week." class="maxed responsive-img" itemprop="contentUrl representativeOfPage" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381754953129/f2dd1517-3106-4dc1-925a-ce7d83304214-300x180.jpeg" />
<span class="rounded-icon article__fullscreen"></span>
</div>
</a>
<figcaption class="caption caption--main caption--img" itemprop="description">
The Grand Mosque in Macca, teeming with pilgrims for the start of Hajj this week. Photograph: Amr Nabil/AP
</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="content__meta-container js-content-meta js-football-meta u-cf
content__meta-container--twitter
">
<div class="content__dateline">
<time class="content__dateline-wpd js-wpd content__dateline-wpd--modified tone-colour" data-timestamp="1381766052000" datetime="2013-10-14T16:54:12+0100" itemprop="datePublished">
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday 14 October, 2013 <span class="content__dateline-time">16.54 BST</span></span></time><time class="content__dateline-lm js-lm u-h" data-timestamp="1400739079000" datetime="2014-05-22T07:11:19+0100" itemprop="dateModified"><span style="font-size: large;">; Last modified on Thursday 22 May 2014 <span class="content__dateline-time">07.11 BST</span></span>
</time>
</div>
<div class="meta__extras">
<div class="meta__social" data-component="share">
<a class="social__action social-icon-wrapper" data-link-name="social top" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp%2F3jgmk%2Fsfb&ref=responsive" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><span class="u-h"></span>
<span class="rounded-icon social-icon social-icon--facebook">
</span>
</a>
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
<b>
</b></div>
<b>
</b><div class="content__article-body from-content-api js-article__body" data-test-id="article-review-body" itemprop="articleBody">
<b>
</b><b>Two million</b> Muslims have flooded into<b> Saudi Arabia's Mina Valley</b> from <a class=" u-underline" data-component="auto-linked-tag" data-link-name="auto-linked-tag" href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/mecca">Macca</a>
for the start of the Hajj pilgrimage this week. Dressed in simple white
garments and freed from their worldly possessions, they are following
in the footsteps of the prophet<b> Muhammad [pbuh]</b> But in <b>Islam's</b> holiest city,
there is increasingly little sign of the prophet's legacy – or the
frugal life he espoused.<br />
<br />
“The authorities are trying to destroy anything in <b>Macca</b> that is
associated with the prophet's life,” says <b>Irfan al-Alawi,</b> director of
the <b>UK</b>-based <a class=" u-underline" data-component="in-body-link" data-link-name="in body link" href="http://www.islamic-heritage.org/">Islamic Heritage Research Foundation</a>,
who recently returned from a trip to the city. “They have already
bulldozed the house of his wife, his grandson and his companion – and
now they are coming for his birthplace. And for what? Yet more
seven-star hotels.”<br />
At the foot of the <b>Khandama</b> mountain to the west of the <b>Grand Mosque,</b>
an innocuous white building stands alone, cast adrift in a sea of
paving and tarmac. This small library was built to mark the site of the
house where the prophet was born, known as the <a class=" u-underline" data-component="in-body-link" data-link-name="in body link" href="http://www.sunnah.org/arabic/mawldhouse/history_of_the_mawlid_house.htm">House of Mawlid</a>, the remains of which Alawi says still lie beneath its raised plinth. But it is now in the path of bigger plans.<br />
<figure class="element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares" data-media-id="gu-fc-6d45b93b-fb45-4d6b-8dfc-85383587355c" id="img-2" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<a class="article__img-container js-gallerythumbs" data-is-ajax="" data-link-name="Launch Article Lightbox" href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/oct/14/as-the-hajj-begins-the-destruction-of-meccas-heritage-continues#img-2"><img alt="Under threat … The library built to mark the site of the prophet's birthplace." class="gu-image" itemprop="contentUrl" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381755091969/77f09165-e597-4a42-aa18-7193d16b121e-300x180.jpeg" /><span class="rounded-icon article__fullscreen"></span></a>
<div class="block-share block-share--article hide-on-mobile" data-link-name="block share">
<a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--facebook js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp%2F3jgmk%2Fsfb%23img-2&ref=responsive" target="_blank"> <span class="u-h"><br /></span></a><a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--twitter js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=As+the+Hajj+begins%2C+the+destruction+of+Mecca%27s+heritage+continues&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp%2F3jgmk%2Fstw%23img-2" target="_blank"><span class="u-h"></span></a><a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--pinterest js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social pinterest" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?description=As+the+Hajj+begins%2C+the+destruction+of+Mecca%27s+heritage+continues&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fartanddesign%2F2013%2Foct%2F14%2Fas-the-hajj-begins-the-destruction-of-meccas-heritage-continues&media=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.guim.co.uk%2Fsys-images%2FGuardian%2FPix%2Fpictures%2F2013%2F10%2F14%2F1381755089879%2F962ef437-e7ef-4416-b44a-fc8aae07d572-1020x612.jpeg" target="_blank"><span class="u-h"></span> </a>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption caption--img caption caption--img" itemprop="description">
Under threat … The library built to mark the site of the prophet's birthplace. Photograph: <b>Irfan al-Alawi
</b></figcaption>
</figure>
Across the road, the house of Muhammad's [pbuh] wife, <b>Khadijah</b>, has already
been replaced with a block of <b>1,400</b> public lavatories. Further up the
hill, centuries-old neighbourhoods have been flattened to continue the
marching line of steroidal hotel towers. Its neighbours already swept
away, the library is next in the firing line, standing in the way of
plans for an underground car park and a metro line extension – needed to
cope with the huge influx of visitors, set to reach <b>17</b> million a year
by <b>2025.</b><br />
<br />
As if to preempt any outcry, the prophet Muhammad [pbuh] was born
in this place, so it is forbidden to make this place specific for
praying, supplicating or get blessing.” A booth manned by the religious
police ensures that no visitors step out of line.<br />
<br />
It is, says <b>Alawi,</b> just the latest move in a series of state-endorsed
acts of cultural vandalism, urged on by the hardline wahhabist sect,
which perceives historic sites and the veneration of the prophet as
encouraging sinful idolatry. A <b>1,400-year-old well, Bir e Tuwa</b>, where
the prophet spent a night, now stands alone as another endangered
fragment marooned in a rubble wasteland. Its neighbours have been razed
for hotels, and it looks to be going the same way.<br />
<figure class="element element-image img--landscape" data-media-id="gu-fc-7f45c353-3747-48d8-81bd-acac58df157f" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<img alt="The Bir e Tuwa well, a holy site associated with the prophet Muhammad, is now facing demolition." class="gu-image" itemprop="contentUrl" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381755240576/4c0f5e0a-448d-41d8-905a-234fa419e79e-300x180.jpeg" />
<figcaption class="caption caption--img caption caption--img" itemprop="description">
The Bir e Tuwa well, a holy site associated with the prophet Muhammad [pbuh], is now facing demolition. Photograph<b>: Irfan al-Alawi</b>
</figcaption>
</figure>
In the Grand Mosque itself, a group of <b>500</b>-year-old stone columns and
vaults have now been demolished to make room for a vast extension. It
is no coincidence, says<b> Alawi</b>, that the columns in the firing sights
were inscribed with calligraphic poetry recounting<b> Muhammad's</b> journeys
and associated sites of pilgrimage.<br />
<figure class="element element-image img--landscape" data-media-id="gu-fc-c456ca4a-2c58-451e-b38f-a29fe7234050" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<img alt="Five hundred-year-old Abbasid columns in the Grand Mosque, now destroyed." class="gu-image" itemprop="contentUrl" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381755345229/2dc73e33-0711-4244-9d32-e73871a2c8f2-300x180.jpeg" />
<figcaption class="caption caption--img caption caption--img" itemprop="description">
Five hundred-year-old Abbasid columns in the Grand Mosque, now destroyed. Photograph: Irfan al-Alawi
</figcaption>
</figure>
Encircled by a looming ring of hotels and topped by Big Ben's big
brother clock-tower of the <b>Abraj al-Bait</b> complex, the Grand Mosque has
been transformed beyond all recognition over the last decade. <a class=" u-underline" data-component="in-body-link" data-link-name="in body link" href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/oct/23/mecca-architecture-hajj1">As reported last year</a>,
the view from the open courtyard in the centre of the mosque is now
choked with cranes, jostling for position with minarets and towers; but
this year there is a new addition just metres from the <b>Ka'aba</b> itself. The
holy black cube, around which pilgrims must walk, has now been blessed
with an elevated roundabout.<br />
<br />
Raised <b>13m</b> in the air, rising just above the top of the Kaaba, this
floating halo provides an extra <b>3,000 </b>square metres of space for
perambulating pilgrims. With priority given to the elderly and disabled,
its <b>12m</b>-wide walkway is big enough to accommodate <b>1,700</b> wheelchairs per
hour – but it comes at the cost of throttling the <b>Ka'aba</b> in a
three-storey cage and blocking the sacred black box from the view of
thousands of others on the elevated prayer halls around.<br />
<figure class="element element-image img--landscape fig--narrow-caption fig--has-shares" data-media-id="gu-fc-af6b9a03-bccc-4bd9-b5dd-bb08d582178d" id="img-3" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<a class="article__img-container js-gallerythumbs" data-is-ajax="" data-link-name="Launch Article Lightbox" href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/oct/14/as-the-hajj-begins-the-destruction-of-meccas-heritage-continues#img-3"><img alt="Floating halo … the temporary Mataf extension accommodates 1,700 wheelchairs per hour." class="gu-image" itemprop="contentUrl" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381755474256/7597aaff-7198-49c1-bb8e-8374ff7cd882-300x180.jpeg" /><span class="rounded-icon article__fullscreen"></span></a>
<div class="block-share block-share--article hide-on-mobile" data-link-name="block share">
<a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--facebook js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp%2F3jgmk%2Fsfb%23img-3&ref=responsive" target="_blank"> <span class="u-h">Facebook</span> </a>
<a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--twitter js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=As+the+Hajj+begins%2C+the+destruction+of+Mecca%27s+heritage+continues&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp%2F3jgmk%2Fstw%23img-3" target="_blank"> <span class="u-h">Twitter</span> </a>
<a class="rounded-icon block-share__item block-share__item--pinterest js-blockshare-link" data-link-name="social pinterest" href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?description=As+the+Hajj+begins%2C+the+destruction+of+Mecca%27s+heritage+continues&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fartanddesign%2F2013%2Foct%2F14%2Fas-the-hajj-begins-the-destruction-of-meccas-heritage-continues&media=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.guim.co.uk%2Fsys-images%2FGuardian%2FPix%2Fpictures%2F2013%2F10%2F14%2F1381755475534%2F89f55406-1968-4bfd-820b-b6921493fb1a-1020x612.jpeg" target="_blank"> <span class="u-h">Pinterest</span> </a>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption caption--img caption caption--img" itemprop="description">
Floating halo … the temporary Mataf extension accommodates 1,700 wheelchairs per hour. Photograph: Irfan al-Alawi
</figcaption>
</figure>
Authorities say it is only a temporary measure for the next three
years, while the <b>£13</b> bn mosque expansion project is underway, leaving a
substantial area out of action. Parts of the ground and first floor of
this huge complex are open for the first time this year, welcoming
pilgrims into its lofty halls, linked by escalators to <b>10,000</b> ablution
places. When complete, this gargantuan triangular slab, which sprawls
out to the north like a slice of marble-encrusted wedding cake, will
more than double the capacity of the mosque to <b>1.2</b> million worshippers,
with <b>52</b> entrance gates,<b> 120</b> elevators and four new minarets. And the
price of this extra space? The wholesale demolition of one of Macca's
most historic neighbourhoods – and the forced eviction of its residents.<br />
<br />
Earlier this month, senior <b>Saudi cleric Sheikh Saad bin Nasser Al Shathri</b> <a class=" u-underline" data-component="in-body-link" data-link-name="in body link" href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/04/saudi-cleric-expansion-grand-mosque">called on Muslims around the world</a>
to support the expansion project. “Co-operating with the expansion of
the Grand Mosque is consistent with sharia principles,” he said,
“because building mosques is regarded as one of the greatest acts of
piety and the best of all mosques is the Grand Mosque.”<br />
<figure class="element element-image img--landscape" data-media-id="gu-fc-2fa739b0-f23e-4c24-9d21-adf362443e56" itemprop="associatedMedia image" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject">
<img alt="The £13 billion mosque expansion project will more than double the capacity to 1.2m worshippers." class="gu-image" itemprop="contentUrl" src="http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/10/14/1381755586595/c27d789e-ee51-477e-b6ae-934c6fbb117e-300x180.jpeg" />
<figcaption class="caption caption--img caption caption--img" itemprop="description">
The £13 billion mosque expansion project will more than double the
capacity to 1.2m worshippers. Photograph: Saudi Bin Laden Group
</figcaption>
</figure>
With the entire city choked by building work, the kingdom has taken
the unusual step of urging pilgrims to delay their visit, and numbers
are down 20% this year as a result of reduced visa quotas. “If Muslims
choose not to travel to the Grand Mosque with the benefit of other
Muslims in mind,” said Shathri, “they will be rewarded in the same way
as if they had performed the pilgrimage.”<br />
<br />
“At times it is appropriate to refrain from performing certain acts
of obedience,” he said, “in order to avoid the hardships of others.” At
times it may also be appropriate to refrain from certain building
projects, to avoid the relentless transformation of Mecca into a luxury
pay-per-prayer resort.<br />
</div>
<hr />
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-60759798193028521872015-05-31T21:38:00.000-07:002015-05-31T21:38:05.428-07:00WHY ALCOHOL IS FORBIDDEN IN THE QUR-AN<table class="W(100%) M(0)! P(0) H(100%)"><tbody>
<tr><td class="W(100%) W-100 Va(t) Px(0)"> </td> <td class="Va(t) Tren(os) W(10%) Whs(nw) Pstart(4px) Pend(0) Bdcl(s)"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="W(100%) M(0)! P(0) H(100%)"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="Mx(a)! My(0)! W(100%)" id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_464" role="presentation"><tbody id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_463">
<tr id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_462" role="presentation"><td id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_461" role="presentation"><form action="https://search.yahoo.com/search" autocomplete="off" class="M(0) P(0)" data-verticalaction-tar="" data-vfr="" data-webaction-tar="search.yahoo.com" data-webaction="https://search.yahoo.com/search" id="UHSearch" method="get" target="_top">
<table class="W(100%) M(0)! P(0) H(100%)"><tbody>
<tr> </tr>
</tbody> </table>
</form>
</td> <td class="W(1%)" id="uhNavWrapper" role="presentation"> </td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yui3-skin-sam" id="yhelp_container">
</div>
<div class="rapidnofollow ct-box-bd yui-sv-bd" id="magazine_app">
</div>
<div class="GridTable-Cell Va-t col-left Pend-20" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0" style="max-width: 305px; width: 305px;">
<h1 class="Font-A-6-110 title W-100" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.0" id="article-aft-title-120112791673">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain, Heart, and Muscles</span></h1>
<div class="attribution-component D-b W-100" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1" id="article-aft-attribution-120112791673" style="max-width: 305px;">
<div class="author-info author-info-text-first Pt-10 W-100 Bd-t Bd-b Bdstart-0 Bdend-0" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0">
<div class="GridTable W-100" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1">
<div class="D-tbr" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0">
<div class="GridTable-Cell Va-t" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><cite class="byline col D-b Fs-n" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><span class="author-name Font-C-2-140 D-b" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.0"><a class="attribution-name Font-C-2-140 Fw-b Whs-n" data-rapid_p="45" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.0.0" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="t1:a2;t2:article;t3:cat;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:17;elm:itm;elmt:link;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/" style="color: black;" target="_blank">Men's Health, </a></span><time class="date Font-C-2-140 Fw-n D-b" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.2"><span data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.2.0">May 31, 2015, </span></time></cite></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><cite class="byline col D-b Fs-n" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline" style="padding-bottom: 15px;"><time class="date Font-C-2-140 Fw-n D-b" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.2"><span data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.0.1.0.1.0.$attribution-byline.$byline.2.0"><i>By Cindy Kuzma</i></span></time></cite></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="pre-cut" data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0" style="height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.5em;">
<figure data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$figure-0">
<img alt="What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain, Heart, and Muscles" height="342" src="https://s.yimg.com/cd/resizer/2.0/FIT_TO_WIDTH-w540/63ac5b4aac07fcfd56ae95bea29c3d9dc0cc33bf.jpg" width="540" />
</figure><div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-2">
<b>See how drinking affects every part of your body.</b> (Image: Thinkstock)</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-2">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-4">
Just
one sip of beer, wine, or whisky hangs out in your body for about<b> 2
hours</b>. Once it quickly enters your bloodstream, it touches down on
nearly every organ and system in your body.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-4">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-6">
Thanks
to its job breaking down toxins, your liver bears the brunt of heavy
drinking. But even if you don’t imbibe enough to cause cirrhosis—the
dangerous liver scarring that marks the final stage of alcohol-induced
liver disease—your bar nights may start taking their toll on your
health. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-6">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-8">
Now,
we like alcohol, so we’re not finger-wagging. Moderate drinking—about
two servings per day for men—brings a slew of health benefits, from
lowering your risk for diabetes to boosting your creativity. (And for a
book filled with how to achieve all of your healthy-living goals, check
out <a data-rapid_p="46" data-v9y="0" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealthbettermanproject.com/?cid=EX_mh.com_textlink_betterman&keycode=253137?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15_The5FastestWaysMenDie_BetterManProject" target="_blank"><b>The Better Man Project</b></a>.
It’s jam-packed with genius strategies for losing your belly fat,
sharpening your mind, and getting everything you want out life.)</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-8">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-10">
But
if you start to overdo it, alcohol can certainly have negative effects.
Here’s what happens in your body when you throw down more than a few. </div>
<figure data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$figure-12">
<div>
<img alt="image" class="ImageLoader-Loaded" data-reactid=".1" height="810" id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_291" src="https://s.yimg.com/cd/resizer/2.0/FIT_TO_WIDTH-w415/2e0745ba58509536a6f60592a4debaf776b61f31.gif" style="opacity: 1;" width="415" /></div>
</figure><div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.0.$p-14">
<b>1. Your Brain</b></div>
</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-1">
Contrary
to popular belief, alcohol doesn’t actually kill your brain cells, says
<b>David Sack,</b> M.D., CEO of addiction-treatment company Elements
Behavioral Health.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-1">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-3" id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_711">
But
hooch does alter levels of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers
that control your mood, perception, and behavior, he says. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-3" id="yui_3_15_0_1_1433132727773_711">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-5">
<b>Related: </b><a data-rapid_p="47" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/12-ways-to-look-smarter?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15__12ScientificWaysToLookSmarter" target="_blank"><i><b>12 Scientific Ways To Look Smarter</b></i></a></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-7">
Alcohol
impairs brain areas such as the cerebellum—the control site for your
balance and coordination—and your cerebral cortex, which is responsible
for thinking, memory, and learning, says <b>Kimberly S. Walitzer,</b> Ph.D.,
deputy director of the <b>University at Buffalo’s</b> Research Institute on
Addictions. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-7">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-9">
Plus,
University of Michigan researchers found the <b>amygdala</b>—an area of the
brain involved in fear and anger—showed less of a reaction to
threatening faces after a single drink, potentially explaining why
you’re prone to risky behavior (like fighting a bouncer) under the
influence. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-9">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-11">
<b>2. Your Skin</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-13">
Sure,
beer goggles may make other people appear hotter—but booze doesn’t do
your own mug many favors. Alcohol dilates blood vessels on your face,
making them more prone to breakage.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-13">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-15">
<b>Related Video: <a data-rapid_p="48" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/dating-tips-1?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15__HowBeerGogglesWork" target="_blank"><i>How Beer Goggles Work</i></a></b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-17">
This
gives you bloodshot eyes and worsens a ruddy-skinned condition called
rosacea, says dermatologist <b>David E. Bank,</b> M.D., of Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-19">
Your
heart pumps more fluid into surrounding tissues to balance out those
alcohol-widened arteries and veins, leaving you with a bloated, puffy
face. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-19">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-21">
<b>3. Your Muscles</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-23">
Hit the gym as hard as you want—if you hightail it to the bar afterward, you may never get the arms you want.<i><b> </b>(And by the way, here’s</i> <b><a data-rapid_p="49" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/build-bigger-biceps?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15__25WaysToBuildBiggerBiceps" target="_blank"><i>25 Ways To Build Your Biceps</i></a></b>.)</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-23">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-25">
Alcohol
tinkers with your hormonal and inflammatory responses to exercise,
making it more difficult for your body to repair damaged proteins and
build new ones (essential steps in getting ripped), according to a
recent review in the journal <i>Sports Medicine</i>. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-25">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-27">
You’ll
compound this effect if you reach for a beer before a recovery snack or
shake, says study author <b>Matthew Barnes,</b> Ph.D., of <b>Massey University in
New Zealand.</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-29">
So
take the time to get some protein, carbohydrates, and non-boozy fluids
into your system post-workout before cracking open your first cold one.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-31">
<b>4. Your Heart</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-33">
Moderate
drinking might protect your ticker due to the blood vessel-relaxing
polyphenols that alcohol contains or by raising your levels of HDL,
(“good” cholesterol), says researcher <b>Kirsten Mehlig,</b> Ph.D., of the <b>
University of Gothenburg in Sweden. </b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-33">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-33">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-35">
But her recent study in the journal <i>Alcohol</i>
suggests these effects may only benefit the <b>15</b> percent of the
population with a certain genetic profile affecting <b>HDL </b>levels. It’s too
soon to recommend genetic testing to guide your alcohol consumption,
she points out. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-35">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-37">
Meanwhile, those same two drinks per day can raise your risk of atrial fibrillation by 17 percent, according to a study in the <i>Journal of the American College of Cardiology</i>.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-37">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-39">
<b>Related: </b><a data-rapid_p="50" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/health/month-without-alcohol?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15__WhatHappensWhenYouGiveUpDrinkingFor30Days" target="_blank"><i><b>What Happens When You Give Up Drinking For 30 Days</b></i></a></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-41">
This type of irregular heartbeat approximately quadruples your risk of having a stroke and triples your risk of heart failure.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-41">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-43">
<b>5. Your Stomach</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-45">
Just
one night of bingeing—that’s five drinks or more for guys in about<b> 2
hours</b>—increases what’s called your gut permeability, according to <b>
University of Massachusetts Medical School</b> researchers.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-47">
Harmful
toxins and bacteria leak from your digestive system into your
bloodstream, prompting a dangerous imm</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-47">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-49">
At
lower doses, alcohol irritates your stomach, increases acidity, and
relaxes the muscle at the end of your esophagus, causing heartburn,<b> Dr.
Sacks</b> says. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-49">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-51">
(Too much drinking can also lead to a beer belly. But you can enjoy alcohol and drop your dead weight with <a data-rapid_p="51" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="https://www.rodaleu.com/courses/lose-your-spare-tire?utm_source=YahooHealth&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=What-Alcohol-Does-To-Your-Body" target="_blank"><b>The Lose Your Spare Tire Program</b></a>.)</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-51">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-53">
<b>6. Your Penis</b></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-55">
Having
as few as five drinks a week decreases your sperm count and percentage
of healthy swimmers, perhaps by affecting levels of sex hormones like
testosterone, <b>Danish</b> researchers recently reported in the journal <i>BMJ Open</i>. </div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-55">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-57">
And
while you may find a glass of vino sets the mood, anything more than
that could wreck your performance in the bedroom, <b>Dr. Sacks</b> says.</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-57">
<br /></div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-59">
Almost
three-quarters of men with alcohol dependence have at least one sexual
health issue, such as low desire, erectile dysfunction, or premature
ejaculation, say Indian researchers. (Find out the other <a data-rapid_p="52" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="elm:itm;elmt:link;t1:a2;t2:article;t3:body;t8:3a5e363e-ac44-3bba-bdcc-a611c5763b5d;t9:18;itc:0" href="http://www.menshealth.com/health/8-things-that-wreck-your-erection?cid=synd_Yahoo_May15_TheStaggeringSmokingStatYouCantBelieve_BetterManProject" target="_blank"><b>Weird Things That Can Wreck Your Erection</b></a>.)</div>
<div data-reactid=".0.$cover-mosaic-transition-group.$=1$cover-mosaic-0:0.$article-120112791673.0:$Pos-r.$article-inner-container.$inset-container.$grid-template.0.$col-left.$content.$grid-content.0.1.1.$text-body.0.2.$p-61">
<br /></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-86160105362280200432015-05-25T07:13:00.001-07:002015-05-25T07:13:06.411-07:00THE LOVE I FOUND IN ISLAM <div class="odin with-ads page">
<table class="uh">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="uh-logo"><div class="uh-logo-div" style="background: url(https://s1.yimg.com/rz/l/yahoo_mail_en-US_f_p_119x34.gif) no-repeat; width: 123px;">
<a href="http://uk.mail.yahoo.com/" style="width: 123px;" tabindex="-1" target="_top">Yahoo Mail</a></div>
</td>
<td class="uh-srch">
<form action="search" method="get">
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="uh-srch-td"><input class="uh-srch-box" name="s" title="Search" value="" /></td>
<td><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</form>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table><tbody>
<tr><td class="uh-srch"><form action="search" method="get">
<table><tbody>
<tr>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</form>
</td>
<td class="uh-rt">
<span class="uh-name" title="zmwatawala@yahoo.co.uk">zainab</span><span class="uh-rt-spc"> </span>
<form action="jump" method="get">
</form>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table class="uh"><tbody>
<tr><td class="uh-rt"><form action="jump" method="get">
</form>
<span class="uh-rt-spc"> </span>
<a class="uh-signout" href="http://login.yahoo.com/config/login?logout=1&.direct=2&.src=ym&.intl=uk&.done=http://uk.yahoo.com" rel="nofollow">Sign Out</a>
<span class="uh-rt-spc"> </span>
<a class="uh-home" href="http://uk.yahoo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Home</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="navcontainer">
<ul class="pimtabs" role="navigation">
<li class="selected" id="%40B%40Bulk"><a href="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/launch?fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&.rand=1872589578">
<strong>Spam</strong></a></li>
<li id="contacts"><a href="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/contacts?fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&.rand=1872589578">
<strong>Contacts</strong></a></li>
<li id="notes"><a href="https://calendar.yahoo.com/?view=notepad" target="_tab"><strong>Notepad</strong></a></li>
<li id="calender"><a href="https://calendar.yahoo.com/" target="_tab"><strong>Calendar</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div id="upsell">
<a href="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/setYMV?ymv=4&ncrumb=5cg0OVadavO">Switch to the newest Yahoo Mail</a></div>
</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="doc" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><thead>
<tr class="layoutfixer">
<td class="c1"> </td>
<td class="c2"> </td><td class="c3"> </td></tr>
</thead><tbody>
<tr class="toolbar hd"><td colspan="2"><div class="globalbuttonbar" id="globalbuttonbartop">
<form action="compose?&.rand=1872589578" method="GET">
<span class="btn">
</span></form>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="doc" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="toolbar hd"><td colspan="2"><div class="globalbuttonbar" id="globalbuttonbartop">
<form action="compose?&.rand=1872589578" method="GET">
<span class="btn">
</span></form>
</div>
</td><td class="rightRailAdContainer" rowspan="2"><br /></td></tr>
<tr class="bd"><td class="navigation"><br /></td><td class="main"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="delim"></span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"></span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"></span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"></span><span class="btn"></span><div class="msgheader">
<div class="subjectbar clearfix">
<h1>
<span>[CTI] The Love I Found in Islam!</span></h1>
<div class="msgdate">
<nobr>Monday, 25 May, 2015 </nobr></div>
<a class="readicon" href="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/launch?fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&.rand=1872589578&filterBy=&mid=2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE&mcrumb=ezhRe00Gq5p&cmd=msg.unread&unreadMid=2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE" title="Mark as Unread"><span class="offscreen"></span></a><div class="btn" role="checkbox">
<form action="/neo/b/message?sMid=3&fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&filterBy=&.rand=1872589578&midIndex=3&mid=2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE&fromId=&enc=auto" method="POST" name="flagMessageForm">
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="msgheader">
<div class="vcard">
<div class="contentnav">
<span class="delim"></span><a href="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/message?sMid=3&fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&filterBy=&.rand=1872589578&midIndex=3&mid=2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE&fromId=&pView=1&view=print&enc=auto" target="_blank"><br /></a><div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/443123-the-love-i-found-in-islam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/443123-the-love-i-found-in-islam.html</span></a><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<span dir="LTR" style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span dir="RTL"></span><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span dir="RTL"></span> </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="mailContent">
<div class="messagebody undoreset clearfix" id="message1687090960" role="main">
<div id="yiv2699523652">
<div>
<div class="yiv2699523652WordSection1">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding: 9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt 9.0pt;"><div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<h2 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Love I Found in Islam!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></h2>
<h4 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Fatima's Ultimate Journey</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-weight: normal;"></span></h4>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #6c98c7; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
describes herself as a person who was at first preoccupied with her own
needs, and who has become one who is concerned about the needs of
others.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fatima
Mali is a domestic worker from the squatter camp of Crossroads located
on the outskirts of Cape Town (South Africa), who embraced Islam in
2005.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Born in 1955 in the Transkei, she came to Cape Town in 1991 in search of work.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sixteen
years later, Fatima is one of ten recipients of the Gifted Hajj
program, that presents at least ten deserving Muslims with the
opportunity of fulfilling the requirements of the fifth pillar of Islam,
the pilgrimage to the cities of Makkah and Madinah. Fatima departs for
Saudi Arabia on November 12.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
is Fatima's ultimate journey. Not because it is the first time she will
set foot outside her country. Not because it is the first time she will
set foot on an aircraft. Not even because the hajj is the ultimate
journey for every Muslim.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="background: #CCCCCC; border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 300px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;"> <strong> More Stories of New Muslims</strong></span><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">- <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/485491-how-embryonic-development-led-me-to-islam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Embryonic Development Led Me to Islam</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">- <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/450544-kari-owen-conversion-story.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Search for Moral Guidance Led Me to Islam</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">- <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/485497-how-did-i-end-up-muslim.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">How Did I End Up Muslim?</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">- <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/412737-an-indian-familys-journey-to-islam-.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Islam Accepted Us with Open Arms</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">- <a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/contemporary-stories/441028-gift-of-islam.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">Finally at Peace with My Lord</span></a></span></strong><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fatima's
hajj is the ultimate journey because her journey begins before she
receives the good news of the Gifted Hajj. Her journey begins with the
first steps she takes towards consciously embracing the life of a
Muslim.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">It
is an ordinary working day in 1995. Fatima, then known as Nozibele
Phylis Mali, is busy working for her employer, Mehrunisa Dawood, fondly
known as Mehrun Bhana, in Rylands Estate.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
is busy sweeping a room from which she can clearly hear Mehrun Bhana's
son, Shafeeq, in the lounge, revising the Quranic chapters he has
memorized. Fatima is listening, spellbound. This is strange,
interesting, she thinks, although she does not understand a word.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Why
is this child sitting like this?" Fatima's wonderment brings her work
almost to a standstill. As a diligent worker she does not want to appear
to be slowing down her work, so she watches secretly.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">"I don't want him to see me because I must work," Fatima says.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">But
she is so drawn to the recitation, the respectful way this child is
sitting with the book he holds. It is so beautiful and almost disturbing
at the same time, because it is so beautiful yet you cannot understand.
Fatima starts questioning why she is so attracted to this melodious
sound?</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
hears footsteps, and quickly resumes her work. But her mind and her
heart are fixed on this child reciting the book. She knows neither the
Quran, nor Islam. But, as she watches and listens, she ultimately
recognizes one powerful truth: "This thing comes in my heart."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Touching the Heart</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.5pt; outline: 0px; padding: .75pt 3.75pt .75pt 3.75pt;"><div align="center" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-size: 13.5pt;">There is a sisterhood that transcends the typical race, class and employer-employee barriers.</span></b><b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
so the one thing that comes into her heart is Shafeeq's recitation, his
posture, the whole atmosphere created by a sacred moment.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">But there are other things too, she says, that come into her heart.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">"This
lady, every morning when I'm coming here, she's got a smiling face."
Even when Fatima errs in her work, she has learned that there is no fear
of reprisal for the common mistake in domestic chores. Instead, there
is the culture of admonishment with kindness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
treatment is very different from that which Fatima experienced whilst
in the service of a previous Muslim employer. With Mehrun Bhana it is an
unusual relationship. There is a sisterhood that transcends the typical
race, class and employer-employee barriers.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Her
food is served on the same plates as the rest of the family and she
eats at the same table as Mehrun Bhana. When one touches another person
through these man-made barriers, then one reaches the heart of the
other. Fatima feels this touch and recognizes it as a feeling that makes
her "smile and cry at the same time."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Another
thing that comes into her heart is Mehrun Bhana's ritual ablution and
prayer. At 1pm Mehrun Bhana goes into the bathroom and comes out with a
beautiful long top and a scarf.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Her
questions multiply, urging like a wave. What is going on in this house?
Why am I so attracted to these people and their life? Mehrun Bhana
senses her curiosity. She knows Fatima is clearly searching for
spiritual guidance.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fatima had been born into the Methodist Church and is the only surviving member of her family.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mehrun
Bhana prompts a discussion with Fatima on religion, the church and her
faith. They speak of the things that dissatisfy Fatima in her faith over
breakfast. Mehrun Bhana advises her to pray.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">"When
you leave my door, speak to God. Say 'O God, please help me. Show me
the truth.' Say that all the time as you walk until you get to your
home, and God will show you the path."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Several
months later Mehrun Bhana takes Fatima to the Islamic Da'wah Movement
(IDM) office where a Xhosa-speaking member of the organization explains
Islam to her in her native language. Right after that, Fatima decides to
embrace Islam.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mehrun Bhana reflects on the day Fatima goes to the IDM: "When I came back the Imam said: 'she immediately said the <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Shahadah</span></em> and adopted the name Fatima.' It was a very emotional moment for me. I was actually speechless."</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Hardships of a New Life </span></strong><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.5pt; outline: 0px; padding: .75pt 3.75pt .75pt 3.75pt;"><div align="center" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-size: 13.5pt;">Christina's hostility compels Fatima to leave her brother's home and seek refuge</span></b><b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The change in Fatima's life is visible.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She
describes herself as a person who was at first preoccupied with her own
needs, and who has become one who is genuinely concerned about the
needs of others. Previously she had no time for others. Now, she says,
she even makes time to smile.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">But
the new life does not come to her without its hardship. Although her
brother Douglas is always very kind to her and shares his home with her,
his wife, Christina, is vehemently opposed to her sister-in-law's new
faith and she openly resents Fatima, deliberately making life difficult
for her.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">However,
Fatima perseveres with patience and constancy. She is neither deterred
from practicing her faith, nor from refraining to respond in like manner
to Christina.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Christina's
hostility compels Fatima to leave her brother's home and seek refuge in
the nearby home of another sister in Islam, Nadia. Soon after she
embraced Islam, Fatima helps a neighbor and his two children who are
abandoned by their mother.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
father is so overwhelmed by the benevolence of Fatima and Nadia that he
feels drawn to their faith and, with his children, embraces Islam
later.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Angel of Death </span></strong><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Within
a few months an unexpected turn of events presents Fatima with another
challenge. In 1996, Christina's teenage son falls seriously ill and dies
of injuries sustained in an accident. Fatima responds with magnanimity
and comes to the aid of her sister-in-law. At a time when all
Christina's friends forsake her after the funeral, Fatima remains
faithfully at the side of the grieving mother and helps to heal her
broken spirit.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Is
it not in the nature of a grieving spirit to recognize compassion
foremost from one who had been rejected? Christina's heart melts with
Fatima's compassion. Her hostility dissipates and she is transformed
into a bosom friend.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">She asks Fatima to let her come with her to Macassar to attend the weekly <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">madrasa</span></em>(school)
where they learn the basic teachings of Islam. After three visits to
the madrasa Christina's heart relents and she finally embraces Islam,
adopting the Muslim name Shanaaz. A bitter sister-in-law is transformed
into a beloved sister-in-faith.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
so Fatima becomes familiar with the visits of the angel of death. This
messenger had already summoned the souls of many of her nearest kin; all
her siblings, her parents, her husband, and the last one was Douglas,
her beloved brother, who met his death in October 2006 as a victim of an
armed robbery. This incident occurs three days before he is due to
visit the offices of the IDM to embrace Islam.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fatima grieves, but her comfort is that Douglas had made the <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">niyyah</span></em> (intention) to accept Islam, and that his reward is the realization of that <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">niyyah</span></em>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Ultimate Journey </span></strong><b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext 1.5pt; outline: 0px; padding: .75pt 3.75pt .75pt 3.75pt;"><div align="center" class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-size: 13.5pt;">Her four sons, aged 27, 18, 14 and 12, accept Islam immediately when they arrive in Cape Town</span></b><b><span style="color: #6c98c7; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Fatima does
not speak of her joy of undertaking the Hajj. Before the decision was
announced she simply "never put it in [her] heart" until the good news
reached her in April this year. It is a quiet joy, tempered by the
preparation and instruction under the tutelage of teacher Yasmina.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mehrun
Bhana offers further guidance and takes care of the physical and
logistical matters. The Gifted Hajj Committee attends to the basic
costs. Fatima is excited, but she continues to fulfill her role as
helper and caregiver in her community wherever there is a need and where
it is possible to help.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Her
four sons, aged 27, 18, 14 and 12, accept Islam immediately when they
arrive in Cape Town from the Transkei at the end of 2006. Nozuko,
Fatima's first-born, is married and has not yet accepted Islam, but
undertakes the responsibility to look after her younger siblings in her
mother's absence.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
her original journey, from a self-centered woman, to a compassionate
Muslim, Fatima touches the lives of many people. Of these, a total of
fifteen people commit themselves to the Islamic faith, including her
children and neighbors.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Of
the fifteen, Shanaaz remains the most important symbol of
reconciliation and steadfastness in Fatima's journey. In a deeply
profound way, Shanaaz represents a true measure of Fatima's devotion.
For the past four years Shanaaz has been living with cancer. Her
condition is deteriorating and Fatima continues to care for her sister
in Islam who was married to her brother. The bond of faith supersedes,
but also affirms, the bond of family.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Mehrun
Bhana affirms that propagation of Islam begins at home. Fatima
reflects, "Allah is love… so, I must try to love." Two women complete
the circle of giving and receiving.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">But Fatima's journey is not yet full circle. When and how it will be, Allah knows best.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<br /><div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" dir="RTL" style="direction: rtl; outline: 0px; text-align: right; unicode-bidi: embed;">
<span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><span dir="LTR" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">__._,_.___<span dir="RTL" lang="AR-SA"></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 1.0pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">__,_._,___</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="yiv2699523652MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="contentbuttonbar ft">
<div class="inner">
<form action="launch?mid=2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE&fid=%2540B%2540Bulk&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&filterBy=&.rand=1872589578" method="POST" name="showMessageForm">
<span class="delim-first delim"> </span><span class="btn"></span></form>
</div>
</div>
<span class="delim"> </span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"> </span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"> </span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"> </span><span class="btn"></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="doc" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="bd"><td class="main"><div class="container">
<div class="contentbuttonbar ft">
<div class="inner">
<span class="delim"><br /></span><span class="btn"></span><span class="delim"></span><span class="btn"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</td></tr>
<tr class="toolbar ft"><td colspan="2"><div class="globalbuttonbar" id="globalbuttonbarbottom">
<form action="compose?&.rand=1872589578" method="GET">
<span class="btn">
</span></form>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="odin with-ads page">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="doc" style="height: 100%px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="toolbar ft"><td colspan="2"><div class="globalbuttonbar" id="globalbuttonbarbottom">
<form action="compose?&.rand=1872589578" method="GET">
<span class="btn">
</span></form>
</div>
</td><td class="ad-filler"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<img class="offscreen" src="https://uk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com/neo/b/b?bt=1432562753.0492&s=messagePage&.rand=1872589578" /><img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=7241469&cv=2.0&cj=1&c5=967340506&c7=https%3A%2F%2Fuk-mg42.mail.yahoo.com%2Fneo%2Fb%2Fmessage%3FsMid%3D3%26fid%3D%252540B%252540Bulk%26sort%3Ddate%26order%3Ddown%26startMid%3D0%26filterBy%3D%26.rand%3D570087714%26midIndex%3D3%26mid%3D2_0_0_6_26356_ACFFfbwAAASZVWL7kg1d4GibHXE%26fromId%3D" />Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-91603951965603973252015-05-25T07:05:00.000-07:002015-05-25T07:05:17.644-07:00LINDA SARSOUR - A TRUE NEW YORK MUSLIM <h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Linda Sarsour: A True NY Muslim (Exclusive)</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></span></span></h2>
<h2 align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/485929-linda-sarsour-a-true-ny-muslim-exclusive.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/485929-linda-sarsour-a-true-ny-muslim-exclusive.html</span></a></span></h2>
<h2 align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></h2>
<div class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #9c162e; font-size: 13.5pt;">"We’ve been painted as a one issue community and we’re not," Sarsour.</span><span style="color: #9c162e; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">NEW
YORK – With conflict in the Middle East making headlines and
anti-Muslim backlash a nationwide concern, the public discourse around
Islamophobia has grown considerably in the US, and NY's Linda Sarsour is
unstoppable on the subject.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">"I
let the Brooklyn out of me," Sarsour laughingly admitted to supporters
outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)'s forum on Islamophobia
where she joined a six-panel discussion on Islamophobia in Brooklyn, New
York.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The
New York flagship public radio station WNYC 93.9 FM hosted event,
moderated by Brian Lehrer, led to a lively discussion with influential
commentators and scholars including, Al Jazeera America co-host and
digital producer Wajahat Ali, British journalist Douglas Murray, Iraqi
filmmaker Faisal Saeed Al Mutar, author Asra Q. Nomani, Arab American
Association of NY (AAANY) director, social justice activist and media
commentator Linda Sarsour, together with senior Middle East
correspondent for The Daily Show with John Stewart – Egypt's own – heart
surgeon, turned political commentator Bassem Youssef, to explore how we
can collectively move toward a more informed conversation about the
issues at stake.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Intrinsically
involved in the Muslim community through her work with AAANY and as the
advocacy and civic engagement coordinator of the National Network for
Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Sarsour's work transcends boundaries
and her persona shatters stereotypes of Muslim women.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sarsour
more than held her own against panelists al-Mutar, Nomani, Murray when
they co-opted the BAM discussion on Islamophobia into a condemnation of
Islam, identifying it with the acts of a few extremists.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OnIslam was honored to be able to engage in an exclusive interview with Linda Sarsour.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">OnIslam:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> You just finished your discussion, or debate, on Islamophobia, any remarks or comments on how that transpired?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Linda Sarsour: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I
think it’s a debate that doesn’t happen often. I welcome it. I wish
that they would have more true New Yorkers in places like Brooklyn. They
had to bring a guy from London (Douglas Murray) to tell me what it’s
like being an American-Muslim, I do find that a bit disingenuous, but I
welcomed the entire debate.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OI: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We
heard Asra talk a bit about free speech, but we’ve seen it become a
recurrence when anti-Muslim polemics pain themselves as free speech
martyrs when in actuality, they are advocating on trampling the free
speech rights of Muslims as in the case of Pamela Geller, Geert Wilders
and the Garland shooting. What do you make of this sort of hypocrisy?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LS: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">They
are definitely not free speech advocates. They are anti-Muslim
activists. That’s what they do for a living. For Asra to point out that
she’s a feminist, to make the assumption that I am not a feminist or
make the assumption that a Muslim woman cannot be a feminist. I’m a
feminist and I also exercise my free speech. So, she has to acknowledge
my story as I acknowledge her story. What do they do? They try to
discredit the majority of Muslims in the world and say that we are
irrelevant, and the next breath, they would say “where are all the
moderates Muslims in this conversation? I think they are a bit
disingenuous and try to paint their experiences as the experiences of
all Muslims— which is not true.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OI:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Contrary
to 2000, when George W. Bush was trying to court the Arab-American vote
by speaking against racial profiling and policing the world, we’ve seen
a turn in the Republican Party. Many 2016 presidential election
candidates are engaging in Muslim-bashing to garner support from
neo-conservatives and those in the far-right alike. How do
Muslim-Americans see this as election season begins ramping up?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv5108144476MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 305px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: 13.5pt;">I
am who I am and I want to be acknowledged for who I am as a mother, as a
daughter, as an activist, as a non-profit leader, and as a Muslim
leader.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LS:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> We
are already seeing it way before the 2016 elections with people like
Bobby Jindal and many others who are trying to buy their way into
becoming the next President of the United States. If we’re monitoring it
a little bit more closely, I think our community is used to it now and
are addressing it in a more proactive and also reactive way, because we
have to push back on it, but it’s going to happen. It’s going to be
ugly, because people in this country have set up a precedent of where
you will win elections or you will fundraise on the backs of vilifying
Muslims. We’re saying enough is enough, but I think we’ll be more
prepared to see that in the 2016 elections.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OI: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">How
are Muslims viewing the situation in Baltimore? From an outsider
perspective, we’re seeing some within the Muslim community taking part
in the #BlackLivesMatter movement and in Baltimore, but it seems as if
Muslim organizations have kept their distance. What do you have to say
about that and what can people within the Muslim community do to engage
with black communities?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LS: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I
want to clarify that a lot of those in the Muslim communities are
actually a part of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, because they are
black and Muslim. So that community hasn’t really been talked about. And
there are some other Muslim advocates that are taking part. When I went
to Ferguson, there were many Muslim advocates and there are many of
them here in New York City for the police reform movement who work
really close with the black communities. Can the Muslim do more to help
black communities? Mostly the immigrant communities? Absolutely. I think
they’re able to build coalitions. And it’s taking a few of us to do it
to show the benefits of it and to show how important it is for us to
have justice for other communities just as much as we need justice in
our community. I’ll be in Baltimore again working at a justice concert
and a town hall meeting supporting the people of Baltimore–which
includes many Muslims like the Nation of Islam and many of those on the
ground. I think we are seeing a lot more progress in our community and a
lot more intersectional ties happening. I think there needs to be more
of a priority in us doing it.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OI:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> For
a while, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a center-stage issue
for the Muslim community. What do Muslims think about the recent
developments and is this still a top priority for the community?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LS:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I
think peace in the Middle East, specifically Palestine-Israel, impacts
the entire world and it’s a very important issue to Muslims. Many of
them see the kind of holy land, Dome of Rock, Masjid al-Aqsa as very
symbolic for Islam. It’s a very important issue for me as a
Palestinian–as someone who is an Arab-American. But I’m also seeing
Muslims care about healthcare, education, law enforcement
accountability, and national security issues. We’ve been painted as a
one issue community and we’re not. We care about Pakistan also and we
care about what’s happening in other Muslim countries like in Syria, for
example. Palestine-Israel is an important issue, but it’s not the only
issue. And I’m not sure if the priority for all Muslim communities, but
definitely for Palestinian-Muslim communities.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">OI: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I
have to ask you one more question–a bit personal. A lot of people know
you for your phenomenal work as a social justice activist, a crusader
against racial injustice, and a media commentator. Not many people know
that you’re a mother of three. Some people are at amazed at how you’re
able to do all of that? What keeps you going and how do you do it?</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">LS:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I
am who I am and I want to be acknowledged for who I am as a mother, as a
daughter, as an activist, as a non-profit leader, and as a Muslim
leader, and as someone who is proud to be Muslim and that Islam has
given me the opportunities that I have now. I have never been shunned
from any part of the Muslim community and I have been to some of the
most conservative mosques in America and have been respected. Are there
issues with individuals in the Muslim community? Absolutely. The problem
is not with the faith of Islam, but those who follow Islam. So, I’m
very proud of my children. I’m living by example. If I want my children
to be productive members of society and to be active Muslims, I need to
be that and that’s what I’m being right now.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/news/americas/485929-linda-sarsour-a-true-ny-muslim-exclusive.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><br /></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv5108144476MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-43215103714486251702015-05-11T07:56:00.001-07:002015-05-11T07:56:19.011-07:00BENEFITS OF EATING WHILE SEATED ON THE FLOOR !!!<br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE BENEFITS OF </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sitting on the floor and eating</span></b><br /><br />MOST of us can’t do this anymore. back and knee problems.<br /><br />
In many <b>Indian and Arabic/Muslim</b> households you will find that people sit on the
floor and eat their meals. While most of us have embraced the table and
chair as a place to eat, there are those of us who prefer to sit in
front of the TV and/or sit on the bed and eat. While this might be very
comfortable, it might not necessarily be the best thing for your health.
Our ancestors definitely had a plan when they made sure we sit on the
floor, cross legged and ate our food. Here are<b> 7</b> reasons going back to
your roots is the best for your health.<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 1. Helps improve your digestion:</span></b><br /><br />
When you sit on the floor, you usually sit cross legged – an <b>asana</b>
known as s<b>ukhasana</b> or a half <b>padmasna</b> which are poses that help in
digestion (since it is believed that when one sits in this pose in front
of food it automatically signals your brain to prepare for digestion).
Apart from that when you eat from a plate placed on the floor, you will
have to naturally bend forward slightly and go back to your starting
position to swallow. This constant back and forth movement causes the
muscles of your abdomen to be activated and also leads to increased
secretion of stomach acids – making it much easier for you to digest
food.<br /><br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Helps you lose weight:</span></b><br /><br />
Sitting on the floor and eating has significant weight loss benefits
too. When you sit in this position, your brain automatically calms down
and is better equipped to focusing on the food you eat. Moreover this
position helps you cognate the amount of food you have eaten and helps
you feel full faster. How does that work? Well, the main reason people
overeat is because they do not know when they are full. This happens
because the vagus nerve (the main nerve that transmits signals from the
stomach to the brain) sends signals to the brain as you eat, telling it
if you are satiated or not. When you sit on the floor this nerve is able
to perform better and transmit signals more efficiently. Also, since
this position makes you eat slower than you would while sitting on a
table, it gives your stomach and brain time to cognate the signals of
feeling full, thereby preventing overeating and bingeing.<br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> 3. Makes you more flexible:</span></b><br /><br />
When you squat or sit in padmasana, the muscles in your lower back,
pelvis, around your stomach and those of the upper and lower abdomen
stretch – reducing pain and discomfort. This, in turn helps your
digestive system relax and stay in a normal position. Moreover, this
position does not compress your stomach in anyway helping you eat and
digest better. Moreover, the regular stretching of these essential
muscles also helps make you more flexible and healthy.<br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 4. Aids in mindful eating:</span></b><br /><br />
When you sit on the floor and eat as a family it aids in mindful
eating. Not only does it help you focus on your food, but it also helps
you make better choices when you eat. Since your mind is calm and your
body is ready to accept nutrition, sitting on the floor is the best way
to eat the right amount and kinds of food. According to leading
nutritionist, Rujuta Diwekar, eating food while concentrating on every
aspect of the food – its smell, taste, texture and how much you are
eating is the key to losing weight – which is what sitting on the floor
and eating gives you.<br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"> 5. Helps you bond with your family:</span></b><br /><br />
Usually the practice of sitting on the floor and eating is a family
activity. This time is great for you to bond. One of the reasons
sitting on the floor is better at helping you bond is because it leads
to a calm and happy mind – helping you listen more intently and
peacefully.<br /><br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> 6. Improves your posture:</span></b><br /><br />
Posture is very important when it comes to staying healthy. Good
posture not only helps prevent injuries but it also reduces the chances
of excessive strain on certain muscles and joints, which can lead to
fatigue and quicker than normal wear and tear. When you sit on the floor
your posture is automatically corrected, making your back straight,
lengthening your spine and pushes back your shoulders – beating all the
common aches and pains that come with bad posture.<br /><br /><br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;"> 7. Can make you live longer:</span></b><br /><br />
Sounds a bit unbelievable right? Well, it’s true, sitting on the
floor and eating can actually help you live longer. A study published in
the Journal European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people
who sat on the floor in padmasana and were able to get up without any
support were more likely to live lZainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-55553930957768567362015-05-08T08:24:00.002-07:002015-05-08T08:24:34.020-07:00RATIBA YA SWALA ZA SUNNA ZILIZOSISITIZWA NA ZISIZOSISITIZWA<span></span>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> KUTOKA AL HIDAAYA.</span> </span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext;">Ratiba Ya Swalah Za Sunnah Zilizosisitizwa Na Zisizosisitizwa</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span><div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 696px;"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: rgb(236,233,216); border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: rgb(236,233,216); border-top: rgb(236,233,216);">
<table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin: auto auto auto 89.45pt; width: 546px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 44.1pt;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="2" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: windowtext 2.25pt solid; height: 44.1pt; width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">NYAKATI ZA</span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">SWALAH</span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: windowtext 2.25pt solid; height: 44.1pt; width: 165.75pt;" valign="top" width="221">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">*MUAKKADAH <br clear="none" />
(ZILOSISITIZWA)</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="2" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: windowtext 2.25pt solid; height: 44.1pt; width: 126.75pt;" valign="top" width="169">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">GHAYR MUAKKADAH (ZISOSISITIZWA)</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 32.85pt;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 32.85pt; width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">KABLA</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 32.85pt; width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">BAADA</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 32.85pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">KABLA</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background: rgb(224,224,224); border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 32.85pt; width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">BAADA</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 48.6pt;"><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 48.6pt; width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">ALFAJIRI</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 48.6pt; width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">**2</span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Soma Suratul-Kaafiruun na Ikhlaasw</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 48.6pt; width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 48.6pt; width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); height: 48.6pt; width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">ADHUHURI</span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">4</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">2</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">ALASIRI</span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">4</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">MAGHARIBI</span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">2</span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Soma Suratul-Kaafiruun na Al-Ikhlaasw</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">2</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75.75pt;" valign="top" width="101">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">'ISHAA</span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 75pt;" valign="top" width="100">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 78pt;" valign="top" width="104">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">2</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 69.75pt;" valign="top" width="93">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">2</span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: windowtext 2.25pt solid; border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 44.25pt;" valign="top" width="59">
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: green;">-</span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td><td colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: rgb(236,233,216); border-left: rgb(236,233,216); border-right: rgb(236,233,216); border-top: rgb(236,233,216); width: 1in;" width="96">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 15.6pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: windowtext;">Fadhila Zake:</span></b><b><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span lang="AR-AE" style="color: blue;">((</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-AE" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">مَا</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">مِنْ عبْدٍ مُسْلِم يُصَلِّي للَّهِ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">تَعَالى</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ثِنْتَيْ عشْرةَ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">رَكْعَةً</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">تَطوعاً غَيْرَ الفرِيضَةِ ،</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">إِلاَّ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">بَنَى اللَّه لهُ بَيْتاً في</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">الجَنَّةِ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">، أَوْ : إِلاَّ بُنِي لَهُ بيتٌ في</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">الجنَّةِ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">))</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">رواه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">مسلم</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"></span></b></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">* </span><span style="color: blue;">((</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;">Hatoswali mja </span><span style="color: blue;">Rakaa 12 zisizo za fardhi</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">kwa siku</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;">, ila</span><span style="color: blue;"> atajengewa</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;"> [na Allaah] </span><span style="color: blue;">nyumba peponi))</span><span style="color: windowtext;"> [Muslim] </span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> Nazo ni hizo Muakkadah (Zilosisitizwa) jumla yake ni 12 </span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: blue;"> <span lang="AR-SA">((</span></span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">ركْعتا الفجْرِ خيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنيا</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">ومَا</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">فِيها</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">))</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">رواه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">مسلم</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"></span></b></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">** </span><span style="color: blue;">((Rakaa mbili (za Sunnah) kabla ya Alfajiri ni kheri kuliko duniya na yaliyomo ndani yake</span><span style="color: windowtext;">) [Muslim] </span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span dir="ltr" style="color: green;"> </span><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">((ما من عبد يسجد لله سجدة إلا</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">كتب الله</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">له بها حسنة ومحا عنه بها سيئة ورفع له بها درجة فاستكثروا من</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">السجود)) </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">رواه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">ابن ماجه</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">((Mja
yeyote atakayesujudu sijda moja ataandikiwa wema mmoja, na atafutiwa
baya moja, na atapandishwa daraja yake, kwa hiyo zidisheni kusujudu))</span><span style="color: windowtext;"> [Ibn Maajah] </span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span dir="rtl" lang="AR-AE"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Swalah ya Tahajjud</span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">(( أفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">الليل)) </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">رواه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;">مسلم</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">((Swalah iliyo bora kabisa baada ya Fardh ni Swalah ya usiku))</span><span style="color: windowtext;"> [Muslim]</span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;">Swalah Ya Dhuhaa na Swalah Ya Witr</span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 5pt 15pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">عـَن أبي</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">هـُريْرَة رضيَ الله</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">عنه قال</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;"> : </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">أوصـَانـِي خـَليلي صـَلـَّى الله عليه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">وسلم</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">بـِصـِيامِ ثـَلاثـَة ِ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">أيـَّام ٍ</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">مـِنْ كـُل شـَهر ٍ، وَ ركـْعـَتي</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">الضـُّحى</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;">، وأنْ أوتـِرَ قبلَ أنْ أرقـُـد</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA" style="color: blue;"> </span></b><b><span dir="ltr" style="color: blue;">" </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA">ـ متفق عليه</span></b><b><span dir="ltr" lang="AR-SA"> </span></b><b><span lang="AR-SA">ـ</span></b></span></div>
<div dir="rtl" style="direction: rtl; margin: 5pt 15pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 15pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 15pt 5pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">Kutoka kwa Abu Hurayrah (Radhiya Allaahu ‘anhu) kwamba “Ameniusia rafiki yangu Swalla Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;"> [mambo matatu];</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">kufunga siku tatu katika kila mwezi, Rakaa mbili Dhuhaa na niswali Witr kabla ya kulala” </span><span style="color: windowtext;">[Al-Bukhaariy na Muslim] </span><span dir="rtl" lang="AR-SA" style="color: windowtext;"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 15pt 5pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 5pt 15pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext;"> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin: 5pt 15pt 5pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tunamuomba
Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) Atuwezeshe kujitenga na maasi na
kuzidisha mema katika mwezi huu mtukufu na Atufikishe Ramaadhaan. Aamiyn.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin: 5pt 15pt 5pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin: 5pt 15pt 5pt 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-49117949381840014012015-05-04T00:08:00.001-07:002015-05-04T00:08:39.834-07:00WANYAMA NA ALIVYOVIUMBA ALLAH VINATHIBITISHA TAWHID [KUMPWEKESHA ALLAH]<dl class="details" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3240" role="presentation"><dd class="hdr-info" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3239" role="presentation"><ul class="inline-items" id="msg-header-bcc" title="All recipients">
<li class="hLozenge" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3264"><span class="lozenge-static hcard" data-action="contact-card-menu" data-address="msaiaa@googlegroups.com" data-name="msaiaa@googlegroups.com" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3263" role="button" tabindex="0" title="msaiaa@googlegroups.com"></span> </li>
</ul>
</dd><dd class="hide-dd"> </dd></dl>
<div class="base-card-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3086">
<div class="msg-body inner undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3085" role="presentation" tabindex="0">
<div class="email-wrapped" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3084">
<div id="yiv1730277045">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3083">
<h1 class="yiv1730277045" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3115">
Wanyama Na Alivyoumba Allaah Vinathibitisha Tawhiyd</h1>
<div class="yiv1730277045" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3082">
<span class="yiv1730277045"></span>
<div class="yiv1730277045" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3081">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3080">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3079" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Hud-hud (ndege) alikuwa
miongoni mwa jeshi la Nabiy Sulaymaan (‘Alayhis-Salaam). Aliporuka na
kufikia mji wa Sabaa alikuta watu huko wanaabudu jua, akarudi kumpa
taarifa Nabiy Sulaymaan (‘Alayhis-Salaam) kwa kuikansuha ‘ibaadah hiyo
batili. Uzuri ulioje ndege huyo kuthibitisha Tawhiyd ya Allaah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa)! Kisa chake kinaanza katika Qur-aan pale
alipokosekana katika jeshi la Nabiy Sulaymaan (‘Alayhis-Salaam):</span></div>
<div dir="RTL" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3120">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3119" style="color: red; font-family: simplified arabic, serif; font-size: 16pt;">وَتَفَقَّدَ
الطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِيَ لَا أَرَى الْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ
الْغَائِبِينَ ﴿٢٠﴾ لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ
لَأَذْبَحَنَّهُ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّي بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ ﴿٢١﴾ فَمَكَثَ
غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن
سَبَإٍ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ ﴿٢٢﴾ إِنِّي وَجَدتُّ امْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ
وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ ﴿٢٣﴾ وَجَدتُّهَا
وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ اللَّـهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ
الشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا
يَهْتَدُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾ أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا لِلَّـهِ الَّذِي يُخْرِجُ الْخَبْءَ
فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
﴿٢٥﴾ اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ ۩﴿٢٦﴾</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3244">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3262" style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">(Sulaymaan)
Akakagua ndege, akasema: “Imekuwaje, mbona simuoni Al-Hud-hud, au
amekuwa miongoni mwa walioghibu? Bila shaka nitamuadhibu adhabu kali, au
nitamchinja, au aniletee hoja bayana (ya kughibu kwake).” Basi hakukaa
sana (mara alitokeza) akasema: “Nimegundua usilogundua na nimekujia
kutoka Sabaa na habari za yakini. Hakika mimi nimemkuta mwanamke
anawamiliki, na amepewa kila kitu, na anacho kiti cha enzi kikubwa.
Nimemkuta (yeye) na watu wake wanalisujudia jua badala ya Allaah, na
shaytwaan amewapambia ‘amali yao (hiyo), basi akawazuia na njia (ya
haki); kwa hiyo hawakuongoka.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Hawamsujudii
Allaah Ambaye Anatoa yenye kufichika katika mbingu na ardhi na Anayajua
yale mnayoyaficha na yale mnayoyadhihirisha. Allaah - hakuna <em>ilaaha</em> (muabudiwa wa haki) ila Yeye, <em>Rabb</em> (Mola) wa <em>Al-‘</em><em>Arsh</em> adhimu. </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3243" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">[An-Naml: 20-26]</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3245">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Tumepata mafunzo yafuatayo kutokana na ndege huyo Al-Hud-hud:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">1. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Alikuwa mwenye ‘Aqiydah swahiyh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">2. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Aikuwa ni mwenye kumwamini Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">3. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Alikuwa mwerevu kuweza kuchungua na kutambua wanayoyaabudu watu katika safari yake hiyo ya haraka kabisa. </span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3247">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">4. </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3246" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Aliungulika moyoni kuona watu wanakanusha Tawhiyd ya Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Taa’alaa).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">5. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Amefanya kazi ya Rasuli kulingania katika Dini ya Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">6. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Jambo kuu alolingania ni la kukanusha shirki na kuthibitisha Tawhiyd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">7. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ameonya kuhusu udanganyifu, uchochezi wa shaytwaan kuwa anawapambia watu ‘amali zao.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">8. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ametafakari Utukufu wa Muumba wake, neema Zake na uwezo Wake wa kuyajua yaliyo dhahiri na yaliyofichika.</span><br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3249">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">9. </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3248" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Amefadhilisha Aakhirah kuliko dunia kwani hakujali mali na starehe alizojaaliwa nazo Malkia wa Sabaa. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3251">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3252" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">10. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> Akathibitisha tena baada yote hayo Tawhiyd ya Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa).</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3250">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3254">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3253" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Je, ingekuwaje kama
Hud-hud angepitia watu katika zama zetu wanaomshirikisha Allaah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta’aa’aa) kwa kila aina ya shirki? Kisha tujiulize; Je,
ni wangapi wenye mfano wa Hud-hud? Ni dhahiri kwamba Hud-hud alikuwa
mbora kuliko baadhi yetu juu ya kuwa yeye ni mnyama dhaifu anayeruka
angani. Bali hakika </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">wanyama na vitu vyote Alivyoumba Allaah (Subhaanahu wa </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ta’aalaa</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">) vinashuhudia Tawhiyd kwani vyote vinamsujudia na kumsabbih Allaah (Subhanaahu wa </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Ta’aalaa</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">) kama Anavyosema:</span></div>
<div dir="RTL" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3217">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3216" style="color: red; font-family: simplified arabic, serif; font-size: 16pt;">أَوَلَمْ
يَرَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّـهُ مِن شَيْءٍ يَتَفَيَّأُ ظِلَالُهُ
عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَالشَّمَائِلِ سُجَّدًا لِّلَّـهِ وَهُمْ دَاخِرُونَ﴿٤٨﴾
وَلِلَّـهِ يَسْجُدُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن
دَابَّةٍ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ﴿٤٩﴾ يَخَافُونَ
رَبَّهُم مِّن فَوْقِهِمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ ۩﴿٥٠﴾</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3219">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3218" style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Je, hawaoni
vile vitu Alivyoumba Allaah ambavyo vivuli vyake vinaelemea kulia na
kushoto vikimsujudia Allaah na huku vinanyenyekea? Na ni kwa Allaah
pekee vinasujudia vyote vilivyomo mbinguni na ardhini katika viumbe
vitembeavyo na Malaika, nao hawatakabari. Wanamkhofu <em>Rabb </em>(Mola) wao Aliye juu yao, na wanafanya yale wanayoamrishwa. </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">[An-Nahl: 48-50]</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3220">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3261">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Na Anasema pia:</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3260">
<br /></div>
<div dir="RTL" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3222">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3221" style="color: red; font-family: simplified arabic, serif; font-size: 16pt;">أَلَمْ
تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّـهَ يَسْجُدُ لَهُ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي
الْأَرْضِ وَالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ وَالنُّجُومُ وَالْجِبَالُ وَالشَّجَرُ
وَالدَّوَابُّ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنَ النَّاسِ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ حَقَّ عَلَيْهِ
الْعَذَابُ ۗ وَمَن يُهِنِ اللَّـهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِن مُّكْرِمٍ ۚ إِنَّ
اللَّـهَ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۩﴿١٨﴾</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3224">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3223" style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Je, huoni
kwamba Allaah wanamsujudia walioko mbinguni na ardhini, (na vinamsujudia
pia) jua, na mwezi na nyota, na majabali na miti na viumbe
vinavyotembea, na wengi miongoni mwa watu? Na wengi (miongoni mwa watu
pia) imewathibitikia adhabu. Na ambaye Allaah Amemdhalilisha, basi
hatopata wa kumkirimu. Hakika Allaah Anafanya Atakavyo</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. [Al-Hajj: 18]</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3225">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3226">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Na pia:</span></div>
<div dir="RTL" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3228">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3227" style="color: red; font-family: simplified arabic, serif; font-size: 16pt;">تُسَبِّحُ
لَهُ السَّمَاوَاتُ السَّبْعُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن
شَيْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ
تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا ﴿٤٤﴾</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3230">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3229" style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Zinamsabbih
mbingu saba na ardhi na vilivyomo humo. Na hakuna kitu chochote
isipokuwa kinasabbih kwa Sifa Zake njema, lakini hamzifahamu <em>tasbiyh</em> zao. Hakika Yeye daima ni <em id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3231">Haliyman-Ghafuwraa</em> (Mpole wa kuvumilia waja - Mwingi wa kughufuria)</span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1430722560380_3259" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. [Al-Israa: 44]</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-3836444511405115402015-04-28T10:41:00.001-07:002015-04-28T10:41:25.446-07:00DROPS OF FAITH: WATER IN ISLAM<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><h2 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 24.0pt;">Drops of Faith: Water in Islam</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"></span></h2>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Source:</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="background: #F4F4F4;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/contemporary-issues/human-conditions-and-social-context/418062-water-islam-environment-green-christianity-ablutio.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/contemporary-issues/human-conditions-and-social-context/418062-water-islam-environment-green-christianity-ablutio.html</span></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">As
a universal religion born initially in the harsh deserts of Arabia to
complete the message of former prophets and convey the divine revelation
in its last testament (Qur’an), Islam ascribes the most sacred
qualities to water as a life-giving, sustaining and purifying resource.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">It
is the origin of all life on earth, the substance from which Allah
created man (Al-Furqan 25:54), and the Holy Qur’an emphasizes its
centrality: {<strong>We made from water every living thing</strong>} (Al-Anbiyaa’ 21:30). Water is the primary element that existed even before the heavens and the earth did:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and his Throne was upon the waters} </strong>(Hud 11:7).<strong> </strong></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The water of rain, rivers and fountains runs through the pages of the Qur’an to symbolize Allah’s benevolence:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>He sends down saving rain for them when they have lost all hope and spreads abroad His mercy</strong>} (Ash-Shura 42:28).</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 1.5pt;" width="2"><br /></td><td style="background: #A8C33B; outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 3.75pt;" width="5"><br /></td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 4.5pt;" width="6"><br /></td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><i><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 13.5pt;">Read Also:</span></i></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/shariah-and-humanity/shariah-and-life/463013-islam-environment-nature-recycle-consumption-green.html?Life=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Environmental Questions & Islamic Answers (Folder)</span></b></a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/456852-10-green-hadiths-earth-recycle-tips-consumption-.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;">10 Green Hadiths</span></b></em></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/muhammad/reflections/456768-green-tips-from-the-sunnah.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Green Tips from the Sunnah</span></b></em></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/contemporary-issues/human-conditions-and-social-context/435365.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Prophet Mohammed: A Pioneer of the Environment</span></b></em></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/understanding-islam/islam-and-the-world/environment/426030.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Islam, Muslims and the Natural World</span></b></em></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/quran/this-verse/431761-nature-too-praises-allah.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;">Nature, Too, Praises Allah</span></b></em></a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">At
the same time, the believers are constantly reminded that it is Allah
Who gives sweet water to the people, and that He can just as easily
withhold it:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>Consider
the water which you drink. Was it you that brought it down from the
rain cloud or We? If We had pleased, We could make it bitter}</strong>(56:68-70)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
this verse the believers are warned that they are only the guardians of
Allah’s creation on earth; they must not take His law into their own
hands.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Facing Allah in Radiant Purity: Ablutions</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">“<strong>Cleanliness is half of faith,</strong>”
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tells his companions in
one of the Hadiths. (Muslim) These well-known and oft-repeated words
reveal not only the central importance of purity and cleanliness, but
also the essential role water plays in Islamic religion. Purification
through ablution is an obligatory component of the Islamic prayer
ritual; prayers carried out in an impure state are not valid. In
addition, a more thorough ritual is required on specific occasions.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Qur’an tells believers that Allah {<strong>loves those who cleanse themselves}</strong> (At-Tawbah 9:108) and instructs them:</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>O
you who believe, when you rise to pray, wash your faces and your hands
as far as the elbow, wipe your heads, and [wash] your feet to the ankle.
If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, cleanse yourselves… Allah
does not wish to burden you, but desires to purify you}</strong> (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Allah will reward those who purify themselves, as proved by the hadith reported by Muslim:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">“My Ummah will come on the Resurrection Day with brightness on their foreheads, hands and feet from the effect of ablution.”</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div align="center" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #9c0031; font-size: 13.5pt;">Follow the Shari`ah Zone</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Entire
chapters of the Hadiths are dedicated to ablutions, detailing when and
how they should be performed, and explaining in which order the various
parts of the body should be washed, how the feet are to be cleaned, how
the head should be rubbed - even how often the nostrils should be
cleared.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">They also specify that the water used for ablutions should be pure (<em>mutlaq</em>)
which means it should not be mixed with any other liquid. Water from
rain, wells, flowing water from taps, rivers and streams, and still
water from lakes, ponds, seas and oceans, are all considered to be pure
and suitable for ritual ablution.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The body and the Soul: Physical Purity in Religious Contexts</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">There are two types of ablution. <em>Wudu’,</em> the
minor purification carried out before prayer, consists of washing the
hands, the face, the forearms, the head and the feet. The Hadiths
explain that by performing <em>wudu’</em> the believer washes away sin, and drives the devil away.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The process of <em>wudu’</em> is
described in a very physical way, as though the sin were a visible
stain, an insidious little demon that clings to the believer and can
only be chased away with water. Thus when a believer washes his face
during <em>wudu’</em>, the Hadiths say that every sin that he
contemplated with his eyes is washed away from his face with the last
drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought is
effaced; and when he washes his feet, every sin toward which his feet
have walked is washed away, until he comes out pure of all sins.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ghusl</span></em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> is
the major purification, which cleanses the whole body from impurities
and is required after intercourse, menstruation, childbirth, when
adopting Islam, and after death. It is also recommended before important
celebrations and before the Hajj.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Cleansing the Mind: Spiritual Purity</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Wudu’</span></em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> and <em>ghusl</em> are
both part of the act of worship, rituals that are mandatory before
starting prayers, or touching the Qur’an. As such, these rituals include
a spiritual component, which means that even if one is physically
clean, but has not carried out the purification in ritual fashion, it is
not permitted to even touch the Qur’an.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
prohibition has nothing to do with physical purity - whether one has
clean hands or whether one might stain the pages of the Holy Book, for
example. It is purely a question of reverence towards the Word of Allah.
Thus physical purity alone does not suffice to arrive at a state of <em>tahara</em>, ritual purity.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ablution should not be carried out mechanically, but only after <em>niyyat</em> (intention),
the silent expression of sincerity and obedience to Allah. This is the
spiritual component of the purification ritual: while the body is
purified with water, the mind must be completely focused on Allah.
Carrying out <em>wudu’</em> or <em>ghusl</em> simply for refreshment in hot weather, for example, makes it invalid.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The physical and spiritual components of the purification ritual reflect the Islamic principle of <em>tawhid</em> (unity):
body and mind should be united in the performance of religious duties.
Islam means “surrendering to Allah”, and Muslims, “those who have
surrendered to Allah”, do so with body and soul. An inscription in the
baths of Granada’s old Moorish Quarter expresses this link between
physical and spiritual purity. It says that the body is the mirror of
the soul, and therefore “outer stains suggest inner ones as well.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Saving Water</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div align="center" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/shariah-and-humanity/shariah-and-life/461893-islam-consumerism-shopping-shopaholic-spend-mall.html?Life=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Islam and Consumerism (1)</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
Hadiths urge moderation and thriftiness in the use of water during
ablution. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned that <em>wudu’</em> should
not be performed more than three times in a row before each prayer; the
Prophet himself (peace and blessings be upon him) washed each part only
two or three times without ever going beyond three, even if water
supplies were abundant. Commentators add:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">“The men of science disapprove of exaggeration and also of exceeding the number of ablutions of the Prophet.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
Hadiths also offer advice for times of scarcity, using the Prophet’s
actions as a guideline. One day when the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) was travelling through the desert with his companions, his
wife `A’ishah lost her necklace. They spent time searching for it and
when prayer time came, the company was nowhere near a water source. It
was then that Allah revealed the ritual of <em>tayammum</em> to the Prophet:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>O
you who believe, (…) if you are sick or on a journey, (…) and if you
can find no water, then have recourse to clean dust and wipe your faces
and your hands with it.</strong> } (An-Nisaa’ 4:43).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Clean
earth can thus be used as a substitute for water in exceptional
circumstances. Indeed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
acknowledged the pure nature of earth when he said: “The earth has been
created for me as a mosque and as a means of purification.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Islam and Christianity: Two Religions, Two Waters</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">One
of the fundamental distinctions between Islam and Christianity lies in
their view of the relationship between body and soul, and this also
indirectly reveals a difference in the valuing of water. Where Islam
assumes a unity of body and soul, Christian philosophy sees the two as
independent entities. Inspired by Plato’s philosophy of dualism, it
conceives of a rational, controllable mind or soul, and a body that is
governed by blind necessity and that cannot always be kept in check by
the mind.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
idea of separation of body and soul was adopted by the Church and
strongly dominated the ideology of early Christian ascetics. They
believed physical suffering and deprivation would purify the spirit and
bring the faithful closer to Christ, leading to decidedly questionable
ideas about purity and cleanliness. Saints of early Christianity boasted
that water had never touched their feet except when they had had to
wade across a stream. St. Jerome also denounced bathing as a pagan
practice and affirmed that “He who has bathed in Christ [i.e. has been
baptized] does not need a second bath.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
abhorrence of bathing and everything related to it persisted far into
the Middle Ages and went beyond the realms of the clergy. During the
Spanish Reconquista of the fifteenth century, Queen Isabella famously
declared she would not change her robe until Granada fell. Given that
the siege lasted eight months, one can imagine the odour that surrounded
the pious Catholic Queen. As mentioned above, in Islam, the unity of
body and soul means regular ablution and bathing is a religious
requirement.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Christian
baptism, in which newborn babies [or adults] are blessed by holy water
and accepted into the Church, also reveals a different view of water in
the two religions. In Islam, all water is sent as a gift from Allah.
This is repeated many times in the Qur’an: {<strong>We provided you with sweet water</strong>} (Al-Murslat 77:27). All water, as long as it is <em>mutlaq </em>(pure), can be used for ablution.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
holy water that is used in Christian baptism is of a different nature;
it is not just any water, but water that has been blessed in the name of
Christ. This blessing gives the water a special quality, an added value
that sets it apart and elevates it above other water. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px none;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Records from the
early Church Fathers show that holy water was believed to chase away
evil spirits and cure a variety of illnesses. Many Christians kept
baptismal water in their houses throughout the year, or else used it to
water their fields, vineyards and gardens. In Islam, water, in general,
is Allah's blessing:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>And
you see the land dried up, but when We send down water upon it, it
trembles, and swells, and put forth every lovely kind (of growth).</strong>} (Al-Hajj 22:5)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Bathhouse and the Drinking Fountain: Water’s Legacy in the Islamic City</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Water’s
importance in Islamic culture has, over the centuries, also left its
mark on the design of the city. The fountains, cisterns, and public
baths that can still be found today in cities around the Islamic world
survive as a physical testimony to the central role water plays in
Muslim society.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The <em>hammam</em>,
the public bathhouse, has a long history that goes back to pre-Islamic
times. Tradition attributes the creation of the bathhouse to King
Solomon and Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba (see Al-Tha`labi, <em>The Stories of the Prophets</em> for more on the origin of the <em>hammam</em>). While scholars generally agree that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never visited a <em>hammam</em> himself, they were much frequented until running water was installed in homes.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">While the visit to the <em>hammam</em> was,
of course, in the first place part of the purification ritual, the
steam and hot water also served medicinal purposes, and many visited
them for health reasons. Today <em>hammams</em> are not frequented as often as they were, except in North African countries like Tunisia and Morocco, where visits to the <em>hammam</em> have become a social event as much as a component of the religious ritual.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Before
running water was installed in households, inhabitants of the Islamic
city fetched their water from fountains, cisterns or wells. In many of
the medieval towns, the water source was a place where women and girls
met and chatted when they came to fill up their jugs and pitchers every
day. Today little remains of these social hubs with the exception of
the <em>sabil</em>, the drinking water fountain that existed through the Ottoman Empire.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sabils</span></em><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> were
usually charitable donations from rich and powerful citizens, and their
water was free for all. They were more than just water sources; soon
buildings were designed around them, and they evolved to become
architectural features within the urban texture, monuments to water’s
holy qualities. Many <em>sabils</em> are combined with small <em>madrasas</em> (schools) on the first floor.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">They are called <em>sabil-kuttub</em>, literally “fountains of books” or “fountain schools”. Hidden in the narrow alleys and lanes of Islamic Cairo, the <em>sabil</em> and the <em>sabil-kuttub</em>can
still be found. Some are built of wood and decorated with fine
carvings; some look like baroque tea pavilions, dripping with ornaments,
elaborate stone and metalwork; others are hardly recognizable,
crumbling stone structures hidden under layers of grime and dust. Today,
as the majority of homes have running water, the <em>sabil</em> has fallen into disuse, though some of the <em>madrasas</em> within them still function.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Shafa and Shirb: Water and Islamic Law</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
harsh desert climate of Arabia, the Near East and Saharan North Africa
makes water a highly valuable and precious resource here. Islamic law,
the Shari`ah, goes into great detail on the subject of water to ensure
the fair and equitable distribution of water within the community.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
word "Shari`ah" itself is closely related to water. It is included in
early Arab dictionaries and originally meant “the place from which one
descends to water”. Before the advent of Islam in Arabia, the <em>shari`ah</em> was, in fact, a series of rules about water use: the <em>shuraat al-maa</em> were
the permits that gave right to drinking water. The term later evolved
to include the body of laws and rules given by Allah.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Water
is a gift from Allah. It is one of the three things that every Muslim
is entitled to: grass (pasture for cattle), water, and fire. Water
should be freely available to all, and any Muslim who withholds unneeded
water commits a sin. The Hadiths say that among the three people Allah
will ignore on the Day of Resurrection there will be “<strong>the man who, having water in excess of his needs, refuses it to a traveler...</strong>” (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; outline: 0px none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">There are two fundamental precepts that guide the rights to water in the Shari`ah: <em>shafa</em>, the right of thirst, establishes the universal right for humans to quench their thirst and that of their animals; <em>shirb</em>,
the right of irrigation, gives all users the right to water their
crops. Both rules are interpreted in different ways by the various
schools of Islam, and their implementation varies from region to region,
from village to village, each community applying the law to suit
geographical and social circumstances.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Boiling, Festering and Simmering Waters: Punishing the Non-believers</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><div align="center" class="yiv0704634614MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/quran/this-verse/457089-the-quran-on-the-judgment-day.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Judgment Day in the Qur'an</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Allah
does not always send water as a gift. It can also be a violent
punishment. The unbelievers and those who take their religion “as jest
and frolic” will be burned by rains of fire, and boiling water will be
poured over them. In Hell, the unbelievers will be forced to drink from a
source of simmering water (Al-Ghashiyah 88:5). They will drink boiling,
festering water (Al-An`am 6:70) that will tear their innards apart
(Muhammad 47:15), and they will be dragged in fetters through boiling
water (Ghafir 40:72) and receive it over their heads (Al-Hajj 22:19),
burning their skin.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
the earthly context, water can also be a source of suffering. Indeed
the quantity and quality of the water Allah sends down from heaven
determines whether it will be a blessing or a punishment. The Qur’an
distinguishes between different types of water: {<strong>one palatable and sweet, the other salt and bitter</strong>} (Fatir
35:12) Salt, bitter, and brackish water cannot quench thirst or bring
life to the land; it will only bring suffering. It is not only the
quality; the quantity of water also determines whether it will bring
life or destruction.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Again, this decision lies in Allah’s power: {<strong>Who sent down water from the heaven in measure</strong>}<strong> </strong>(Az-Zukhruf
43:11). This means the rains can bring life to barren land, bringing
forth crops for the people and their cattle (As-Sajdah 32:27), but the
Qur’an also speaks of rains of hail (An-Nur 24:43), rains of fire
(11:82) and of punishment {<strong>darkness, thunder and lightning.</strong>} (Al-Baqarah 2:19)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">“Water, Greenery and a Lovely Face”: Images of Islamic Paradise</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
poetic and Qur’anic metaphors in which water is used to symbolize
Paradise, righteousness and Allah’s mercy are, however, much more
frequent. From the numerous Qur’anic references to cooling rivers, fresh
rain and fountains of flavored drinking water in Paradise, we can
deduce that water is the essence of the gardens of Paradise. It flows
beneath and through them, bringing coolness and greenery, and quenching
thirst. The believers will be rewarded for their piety by {<strong>rivers
of water incorruptible; and rivers of milk unchanging in taste, and
rivers of wine, delicious to the drinkers, and rivers of honey purified</strong>} (Muhammad 47:15).</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
water in Paradise is never stagnant; it flows, rushes, unlike the
festering waters of Hell. The Qur’an also equates the waters of Paradise
with moral uprightness:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">{<strong>In the garden is no idle talk; there is a gushing fountain</strong>} (Al-Ghashiyah 88:11-12).</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; outline: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
many specific statements about the topography of Paradise in the Qur’an
led to many attempts to map Paradise. Throughout history, Muslim rulers
from Moorish Spain to Persia sought to reproduce the image of Paradise
in the design of their palace gardens, creating elaborate water
features, pools and fountains. The gardens of the Alhambra in Spanish
Granada, the Bagh-é-Tarikhi in Iran’s Kashan, and the gardens of the
imperial palaces in Morocco’s Marrakesh all testify to this desire to
emulate Qur’anic Paradise on earth. All are designed around water
features and fountains that have been subtly woven into the layout of
the beautiful parks, hence combining water and the beauty of natural
landscape to fill the human soul with faith, joy and happiness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-63380751807119143062015-04-22T10:49:00.000-07:002015-04-22T10:49:53.039-07:00AHADI NA DHULMA KATIKA UISLAM<div dir="ltr">
DAAWA KWA WATU</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Imepokelewa kutoka kwa<b> Abu Hurayrah</b> (رضي الله عنه) kwamba<b> Mtume</b> (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم ) amesema:<i> </i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<i> ((Allaah Aliyetukuka Amesema: Watu watatu Mimi Nitakhasimiana nao Siku
ya Qiyaamah: Mtu aliyempa nduguye ahadi kwa kutumia Jina Langu kisha
akavunja ahadi hiyo. Mtu aliyemuuza muungwana na akala thamani yake. Na
mtu aliyemwajiri mwajiriwa naye akammalizia kazi yake, wala asimpe ujira
wake)).</i> <b>Al-Bukhaariy</b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<b>Mafunzo Na Hidaya:</b></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Maamrisho ya kutimiza ahadi</div>
<div dir="ltr">
[Al-Baqarah 2: 177</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Al-Maaidah
5: 1]. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Na asiyetimiza ahadi, atakuwa na sifa ya wanafiki ambao walikuwa
hawaachi kuvunja ahadi. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
[Al-Baqarah 2: 100,</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Al-Anfaal 8: 56,</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Ar-‘Rad 13:
25 </div>
<div dir="ltr">
[Rejea Hadiyth namba 18].</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
وَأَوْفُوا بِالْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ الْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْئُولًا ﴿٣٤﴾</div>
<div dir="rtl">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Na timizeni ahadi; hakika ahadi daima ni ya kuulizwa (Siku ya Qiyaamah) Al-Israa (17: 34)</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Kutimiza ahadi ni miongoni mwa sifa zitakazomfikisha Muumin Peponi</div>
<div dir="ltr">
[Ar-Ra’d 13: 20-24,</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Al-Ma’arij 70: 32,</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Al-Muuminuun 23: 8].</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Inaruhusiwa kuvunja kiapo kwa kubadilisha jambo ovu kwa jambo jema. [Rejea Hadiyth namba 5].</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) Amemsifu Nabii <b>Ismaa’iyl</b> kwa sifa ya kutimizia ahadi [Maryam 19: 54].</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Uislamu unahimiza haki baina ya watu na uhuru wa binaadamu.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Makatazo ya kumdhulumu mwajiriwa kwa kutokumlipa ujira wake, kwani kufanya hivyo ni hiana, nayo ni dhulma.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ
بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا
كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿١٦١﴾</div>
<div dir="rtl">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Na haipasi kwa Nabii yeyote kukhini. Na yeyote atakayekhini
atakuja na kile alichokikhini Siku ya <b>Qiyaamah</b>. Kisha italipwa kamilifu
kila nafsi yale iliyoyachuma nao hawatodhulumiwa<b>.</b> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Aal-‘Imraan (3: 161)</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Mtu anayekhasimiwa na Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى), tena Siku ya
<b>Qiyaamah</b>, atakuwa katika adhabu kali. Hivyo, ni juu yetu tufanye
yatakayotupatia uhusiano mzuri na Muumbaji wetu, na mambo yote
Aliyotukataza tuwe mbali nayo.</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-46901415697319045292015-04-22T06:24:00.000-07:002015-04-22T06:24:08.605-07:00 SEVEN REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT KHADIJA, WIFE OF THE PROPHET OF ISLAM <h1 class="title">
7 Remarkable Things About Khadija, Wife of the Prophet of Islam.</h1>
<h1 class="title">
By Yasmina Blackburn </h1>
<h1 class="title">
<span class="posted"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Posted: <time datetime="2015-04-21T15:51:19-04:00">
04/21/2015 3:51 pm EDT </time>
</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">
<span class="updated">
Updated: <time datetime="2015-04-21T15:59:01-04:00">
04/21/2015 3:59 pm EDT</time></span></span></b></h1>
<div class="float_right padding_left_10">
</div>
<div class="content" id="mainentrycontent">
<div class="float_left">
<div class="ad_share_box">
</div>
</div>
I often get into debates with people about women in Islam.
How we dress. How we don't dress. What we think or don't think or
should-be-thinking. I get into debates about feminism. What it is and
what it isn't. I think I've spawned permanent foes because I don't care
to apply the label, feminist, to describe myself. (I'm not one for
labels, sorry. But if it's even required of me, "Muslim woman" suits me
just fine.) But if we could agree for a moment that there exists a pure
definition of the word feminist to mean:<b> awesomely fierce to the
millionth degree, </b>then I'd like to introduce you to <b>Islam's</b> first
feminist.<br />
<br />
Her name is <b>Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.</b> She was the wife of
the <b>Prophet Muhammad</b> (peace and blessings be upon him.) And she is one
of the people that I think about when I face or debate issues
surrounding women today.<b> Khadija's </b>existence precedes mine by more than<b>
1,400</b> years; and, if I can at the very least, continuously strive to
emulate her character, I will consider myself a success in life.<br />
<br />
<b>7 things you might not know about the awesomely fierce, Khadija </b>(may God be pleased with her):<br />
<br />
<strong>1. She was a successful and esteemed business woman. </strong><br />
I
would give anything to do an on-the-job, ride-along with<b> Khadija.
</b>Gladly swipe my car for a camel- my laptop for a government-issued glass
weight to measure goods in trade. What could I learn in one day of
shadowing this highly-respected business leader, trading furniture,
pottery and silks? <b>Khadija</b> was born to a father who was a successful
merchant in their <b>Quraysh</b> tribe of<b> Macca.</b> She inherited her father's
skills in a time in history where society was male-dominated and
dangerous. Upon her father's death, she took over the business and
traded goods through the primary commerce centers at that time, from
Mecca to Syria and to Yemen, hiring the most trustworthy men of
character to brave the dangerous trade routes. Her business was larger
than all of the <b>Quraysh</b> trades combined and the most acclaimed with a
reputation of fair-dealing and high-quality goods. She had a keen eye
and was highly intuitive, earning the monikers, <b>Ameerat-Quraysh
</b>("Princess of Quraysh") and <b>al-Tahira</b> ("The Pure One") due to her
stellar reputation.<b> Khadija</b> knew what she was doing business-wise, never
compromising her modesty or integrity to succeed in the male-dominated
trades- hiring only those that could meet these standards. Glass
ceiling? Hah<b>! 1,400</b> years ago, yes, <b>Khadija</b> shattered it.<br />
<br />
<strong>2. She turned down many marriage proposals.</strong><br />
Being
the most successful woman around, rich in worldly attainment as well as
character, it seems <b>Khadija</b> faced a consistent campaign of men seeking
her hand in marriage. She was married twice before her wedlock to the
Prophet; both of these marriages produced children and both left her
widowed. Her keen sense of character left her picky; and, she was less
than eager to suffer another painful loss of a husband. She resigned
herself to being a widowed woman taking care of herself and her family.
Until ...<br />
<br />
<strong>3. She asked the Prophet to marry her.</strong><br />
Love
comes when you aren't looking, or so I have heard. (And experienced.)
<b>Khadija</b> learned of the stellar character of <b>Muhammad </b>as well as his
experience managing caravans on the trade routes accompanying his uncle,
<b>Abu Talib</b>. She hired him into her conglomerate. Marriages at this time
were typically necessary for survival and not always about love as we
know it in today's world. <b>Khadija</b> didn't need a husband to take care of
her financially. And <b>Muhammad</b> did not have the means to seek a wife. She
fell in love with him, and through a friend, asked him to marry her.
(He said yes.)<br />
<br />
<strong>4. She was 15 years older than Muhammad.</strong><br />
If
Khadija's story hasn't broken stereotypes about Islam yet, it might
intrigue you to know that she was <b>40</b> years old when she married
Muhammad. He was <b>25.</b><br />
<br />
<strong>5. She was an ideal wife; theirs was a true love story.</strong><br />
<i><b>"Your wives are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them." (Qur'an 2:187)</b></i><br />
Taking
multiple wives was a common practice, yet <b>Khadija </b>and<b> Muhammad's</b>
marriage was monogamous until her death <b>25</b> years later.<b> Muhammad'</b>s
prophethood began during his marriage to<b> Khadija,</b> when he received the
first of God's revelations through the<b> Angel Gabriel </b>that left him
frightened, strained and feeling alone when no one believed in him.
<b>Khadija</b> comforted her husband and encouraged him during the most
difficult days of his life. She bore him <b>6</b> children. He loved no one
more than<b> Khadija</b> during his lifetime.<br />
<br />
<strong>6. She was the first Muslim.</strong><br />
Khadija,
the mother of Islam, was the first person on earth to accept Muhammad
as the final prophet of God and accept the revelations that culminated
into the Holy Qur'an. She was greeted with "Salam" (peace) by God
himself as well as the Angel Gabriel. She bequeathed her worldly goods
and put herself in the face of danger to stand by the Prophet Muhammad
as Islam became established in the land.<br />
<br />
<strong>7. She spent her worldly riches on the poor.</strong><br />
In
Islam, whether rich or poor, one's financial condition is a test.
<b>Khadija </b>gave her earnings to the poor and to the orphans, to the widows
and the sick. She helped poor girls get married and provided their
dowry.<br />
<b>Khadija</b> was one of history's most remarkable women. Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) once said that the four greatest women of mankind were:
<b>Khadija bint Khuwaylid,</b> <b>Fatima bint Muhammad</b> (his youngest daughter,)
<b>Mary bint Emran</b> (the Virgin Mary) and <b>Asiya bint Muzahim</b> (the wife of
Pharaoh.) <b>Khadija </b>continues to inspire people to this day who revere her
for taking great care of the <b>Prophet of Islam</b> and for showing the
world, through her behavior, what a<b> pious, modest </b>and<b> courageous</b> woman
can accomplish. The example she left for mankind remains timeless.<br />
</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-36887896792034540732015-04-20T21:51:00.004-07:002015-04-20T21:51:59.354-07:00LOVE THE MASJID <br clear="none" />"Whosoever wishes to Love Allah SWT, should love me.
Whosoever loves me Should love my companions. Whosoever loves My
Companions, should love the Quran. Whosoever loves the Quran should
love the Masjid (Mosque)." (Qurtubi) <br clear="none" /><br clear="none" />Side comments on practical applications:<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" />1. Are we sure, we love the Masjid?<br />
<br clear="none" />2. If you are sure, what evidence do you have?<br />
<br clear="none" />3.
Are you member of Mosque committee trying to defraud on opportunities
or nominate Imamship as a gesture to few or purely to improve Ummah's
reflections?<br />
<br clear="none" />4. Have you ever contributed any<b> substantial
amount</b> apart from or the exception of small token to basket at prayer
time to the Masjid?<br />
<br clear="none" />5. <b>Have you ever checked the ceiling,
fans, loud speakers, electrical sockets, mats or carpets, cleaning rags</b>
etc to improve immensely to the welfare of worshippers?<br />
<br clear="none" />6. Have you ever secretly gave small amount to Imam or Muezzin or other Masjid support staff?<br />
<br clear="none" />7. Are you just coming to Masjid to pray (five times and Jummat etc) or also making further additions?<br />
<br clear="none" />8.
Are you a member of Dawah committee of the Masjid? Do you give Dawah or
Sermon on show-off knowledge or making presentations on critical
aspects and religious seasonal effects? <br />
<br clear="none" />9. Do you invite from time to time learned scholars from outside to give lectures on certain topics?<br />
<br clear="none" />10.
In your Masjid, do you have current <b>contact list</b> (secretly kept) in
case of any problems i.e. death/funeral, sickness, theft/robbery, naming
ceremonies, weddings etc. <br />
<br clear="none" />11. In your Masjid, do you train or caution your Muezzins' calling lapses? <br />
<br clear="none" />12. <b> Do you take record of absentees and follow up?</b><br />
<br clear="none" />13. In your Masjid, do you have books or pamphlets or articles in your book shelves? If yes, do people ever open the books etc. <br />
<br clear="none" />14. Do women pray in your Masjid? If yes, do have separate entries?<br />
<br clear="none" />15.
Do you Have separate ablution area? If yes, are they taken care off
hygienically? We noticed some areas, you remove shoes before going into
toilet? How is your toilet separated from ablution spot?<br />
<br clear="none" />16. In your Masjid, do you have elders where their advise is reckoned? Etc.Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-18917458205995420722015-04-19T08:48:00.005-07:002015-04-19T08:48:55.910-07:00SATAN IS CLEVER ... HERE IS ONE OF HS TRICKS !!!<div align="center" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Satan is Clever... Here is One of His Tricks</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></h2>
<h4 align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 1.5pt;" width="2"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #A8C33B; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 3.75pt;" width="5"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 4.5pt;" width="6"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: #D7EBAC; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<strong><i><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Read Also:</span></i></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/484977-spirituality-destroyers-danger-islam-repent-soul.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Watch Out! 10+ Spirituality Destroyers (Folder)</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 187px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 60.0pt;" width="80"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 2.25pt;" width="3"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/quran/this-verse/471133-your-very-worst-enemy.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;">Your Very Worst Enemy</span></b></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/463452-you-vs-satan-the-eternal-war.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">You Vs. Satan: The Everlasting War</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/437327.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Satan Strives to Lead You Astray</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/quran/this-verse/463200-original-sin-mercy-adam-heavens-islam-repent-satan.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">It’s Original Mercy…Not Sin</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/3366/448151.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Your Shields</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/quran/reflections/440644" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">The Cunning of Satan Is Weak</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span>·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/448127-your-heart-and-gates-of-satan.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><em><b><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; text-decoration: none;">Your Heart and Gates of Satan</span></b></em></a></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">The
twenty-second verse of Surat Al-A`raf is a long one, but in this brief
reminder, I want to share with you the first part of the expression that
is used in it, that has just an incredible amount of wisdom in it for
life in our dealings with Satan.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Allah Almighty is describing how Satan got our parents, Adam and Hawwa (Peace be upon them), to make the mistake that they made.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">What
was his strategy to get them to listen to him? Not just what he said to
them, we all know that he whispered to them, we all know that he
offered them eternity and that they could stay in Jannah. We know that,
but how did he do it? What method did he use?</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">That method is important to understand, and it is captured in the first expression of the verse, (</span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Fadallahuma Bighurur</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">). The verb </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">dalla </span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">is used when you draw a bucket, which is called </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">dalw </span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">in Arabic. Another related verb is </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">adla</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">,
which means to drop a bucket down and pull it right back up. You know
in the old times there is a well and you kind of crank up the water?
You know, and you pull the bucket back up, this is </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">adla</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">But </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Dalla</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> is
to slowly lower the bucket, or to put a bucket, you know, for a very
primitive way of hunting an animal. You have some food, like a carrot or
something, you put it inside the bucket and it is tied to a rope, and
the animal comes and you sort of pull it little, by little, by little
towards yourself, and the animal follows it. This is actually called </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">dalla</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> and that is exactly how Satan works.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #9c0031; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Follow the Shari`ah Zone</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Satan
didn't go out and say, "Disobey Allah!" He offered it, just a small
little bit of compromise, and they listened. And then he offered just a
little bit more.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">He
may have whispered to them, "It's harmless, what I'm saying isn't
haram, I'm just saying, take it a little bit easy, you know? You don't
have to eat from this tree. I'm not saying you should eat from the
tree, I'm just saying at least check it out. It's a beautiful tree,
there's no harm in looking at it, is there?"</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now look, Allah's commandment was {</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Do not go near this tree</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">}
(Al-A`raf 7:19). So, Satan may have started with them saying, "Look, at
least you are not touching it, okay? Just go near it, what's the big
deal?"</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
when they go near, "You know what, it is not like you are not supposed
to climb it, you are just not supposed to eat from it. Just have a
little climb, it is not big deal."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">It's not just one time. The word </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">dalla </span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">also
implies that these suggestions came a day, then another day, then
another day, like this was a process for Satan. It was not like he
whispered to Adam (peace be upon him) and immediately he went and he ate
from the tree; rather, there was actually an entire, strategic plan;
little, by little, by little winning over the argument.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And
that is what he does to us till this day. This is the reason it is
mentioned in the Qur'an. That he drew them out using deception.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">In
other words, there are things that are clearly wrong. You and I know
that, there are things that are clearly, clearly wrong. But there are a
lot of small, not as clearly wrong steps that are there, that you
should have the sense to know that if I take this one tiny step,
tomorrow I will be taking another tiny step, and then another, and then
another, and before I know it, I will end up in the wrong.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">So
you have to put protective measures in place. And when you put those
protective measures in place, it keeps you from falling into trouble.
Now Satan comes, and he does not attack directly; he does not tell you
to make the </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> into the </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">halal</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">. That's too direct, and the Muslim will say, "No, it's obviously </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">, I'm not going to do that."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; empty-cells: show; outline: 0px; width: 210px;"><tbody>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 7.5pt;" width="10"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="outline: 0px;"><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="background: transparent; outline: 0px; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in;"><div align="center" class="yiv7813778054MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/476611-satan-devil-evil-trick-shaytan-islam-sin-spiritual.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #808a17; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">God.. Our Protector from Satan</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Rather, he comes and says, "Listen, this one little step I am asking you to take, it is clearly not </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">, that is not wrong, you can do that much. There is nobody that can blame you for that."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then
people come and say to the scholar, "Hey, so I know that drinking is
wrong, but can I hang out with friends who drink? I am not going to the
bar or anything, but they sometimes drink in my office, can I just be
with them? Because you know, they are my friends. Can I at least do
that? Is it absolutely </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> for me to do that?"</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">And the scholar will say something like, "I advise you not to do that, it is not a good idea, it is bad company."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">"But is it </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">? Is it absolutely haram?"</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Well I don't know if I can say it is absolutely."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">"Okay thanks, I got my answer. It is not absolutely </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">, which means I can do it." And that is how Satan gets you to first hang out with them.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then
they will say, "Hey, we're going to the bar, want to come along?" Then
you go to the bar and you are just having a coke or whatever, and they
are drinking their beer.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Eventually
one late night, it's just a little bit, "can you just slip some in?"
You know? Somebody gave it to you, or they slipped it into your drink,
and you did not realize it, and you are like, "Well I didn't intend to
do it."</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">It's just one thing after another, after another, after another </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">subhan Allah.</span></em><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">So,
Satan will not come at you directly calling you to do the wrong thing.
Satan will try to make you just compromise, or just get on the road to
the wrong. And by the way, when you are on that road, until you do the
wrong, nobody can come out and directly tell you, "Listen, what you are
doing is wrong." Because it is not wrong, it is on the road to it. If
you don't recognize that you are being pulled slowly, but surely towards
it, then you only have yourself to blame.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; outline: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">This
is why Allah's commandment to Adam (peace be upon him) wasn't just do
not eat from this tree, the advice was do not go near it. There is a big
difference between those two things, and, therefore, you and I have to
recognize that there are somethings that are clearly </span><em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">haram</span></em><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">, but there is a road that leads to them. We have to watch out and not go on that track that Satan is trying to reel us into.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="color: mediumblue; font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/485009-satan-devil-trick-islam-sin-adam-treeshaytan.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";">http://www.onislam.net/english/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/485009-satan-devil-trick-islam-sin-adam-treeshaytan.html</span></a></span>Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-67678825381412822522015-04-19T08:44:00.002-07:002015-04-19T08:44:31.525-07:00GRACE BAZAAYA ANGERS MUSLIMS AT A PRESENTATION AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY !!!!<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>National</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 22pt;">Makerere
official angers Muslims<br />
</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Publish Date: Apr 19, 2015 Newvision, Uganda.</span></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By Eddie Ssejjoba </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Makerere University staff member
angered Muslim students when she made utterances that associated terrorism
with the Islamic religion.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For us terrorism is Islam. We are
appealing to you to talk to Muslims to be religious and help to create a
sense of peace and brotherhood in them,” said Grace Bazaaya, a staff of the
College of Computing and Information Science said while making her
contribution during a public dialogue.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">She said she was so worried about
terrorism and the prevailing tension at the University after rumors started
circulating around campus that terrorists ‘were about to hit’ the place.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Participants who were attending
the dialogue on Religion, Insurgency, Terrorism and New World Order that
discussed a topic on ‘Sharing Experience from Afghanistan’ were baffled when
Bazaaya continued to say that some students had come to attend the dialogue
‘as agents of terrorism’.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Haron Aloko, an Afghan strategist
and scholar was the guest speaker at the dialogue that was organized in
solidarity with the students of Garissa University College in Kenya who were
recently killed by Al Shabaab militants. The meeting observed some
minutes of silence for the fallen students.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There was a general thinking here
that terrorism is Islam, but we are telling students not to tag terrorism
with any religion, instead we should find solutions to the root causes of
grievances and try to open space for talking,” said associate Prof. Dr.
Deusdedit R. K. Nkurunziza who was the facilitator.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nkurunziza had to intervene to
calm down angry students and other participants who complained that a senior
member of the University had made direct attack on their religion.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Let’s not lose tampers as people
of academia, let us continue dialogue and find how we move forward and change
mindset of our people on this topic,” Nkurunziza said. </span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some other participants asked
Aloko to give answers as to whether it was proper to identify terrorism with
Islam and why terror groups had chosen to work through Islam.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Muslim students who had been
angered by the utterances read out verses in the Koran in a bid to explain
that the faith promoted peace.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">They said Islam was a religion of
peace and brotherhood and there was no any reference to terrorism in the Holy
Book. </span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Katumba Salim, a student of social
sciences asked whoever is concerned to make deep research on why terrorists
had chosen to work through Islam instead of making ‘annoying conclusions’
about their faith.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Aloko however told participants
that ‘nobody should be profiled or put under a cloud of suspicion simply
because of their faith’.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He said there were many people
affiliated with terrorism but were not followers of Islam and cited an
example of the Islamic State group fighting in the several countries who he
said had nothing to do with Islam.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He asked all stakeholders to
concentrate on finding solutions to promote peace and dialogue and how to
protect everyone.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know many people have pain
inside and are seeking for answers. I don’t have the answers but let us
continue to dialogue because the global players in terrorism don’t want this
kind of debate, which they fear will give possible solutions,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A German educated Muslim, Aloko
explained that he had lived with Christians, Jews and Muslims but every
religion was for peace and said affiliating a particular faith with terrorism
and extremism was not proper.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Extremists and terrorists,
according to Aloko, use people who are hopeless, poor and desperate to
achieve their political agenda.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pastor Jerom Mugisha, a lecturer
said the University community and Ugandans in general should instead mourn
the killing of Christian students at Garissa and find solutions to terrorism
instead of blaming it on religion.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“In history, Christians have
killed more people than Muslims using crusades in Europe, but these were not
doing it for religion although they used their faith to commit these
atrocities,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Several students tasked the
University administration to explain what they had done to guard them against
possible attacks. They said apart from a few security personnel manning
entrances to a few premises, the rest of the University remained open and
prone to possible attacks.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other participants asked
authorities to pay more attention to sensitizing the youth on the negative
impact of joining terror groups, saying since some attackers at Garissa were
students, ‘everyone was a potential terrorist’.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Somali student, Abdirisaq
Muhammed Sabriye who said was twice a victim of terror attack said although
the attackers in Kenya targeted Christian students; Al Shabaab terrorists had
killed more Muslims in Somalia by attacking mosques.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">He however complained that
killings inside Somalia had attracted less World attention.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The deputy principal, college of
humanities and social sciences, Prof. Abbas Kiyimba said the University
community was the best suited to discuss and advise government on how it
could deal with terrorism and promised to organize more dialogues. “The more
we invest in dialogue the better for us,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="yiv9125384146MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-72587974579511558792015-04-10T00:51:00.003-07:002015-04-10T00:51:55.921-07:00MAKING SENSE OF THE EVENTS IN YEMEN<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>MAKING SENSE OF THE EVENTS IN YEMEN</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">By A group of students of Islamic Studies, The Hawza, Qom<br />Date: 07/Jamadi II/1436; 28/March, 2015</span></b><br />The
forgotten country of Yemen is suddenly in the news. The Gulf Arab
States led by Saudi Arabia and supported by Egypt and Jordan have
launched a military attack on it. The USA and Turkey say they support
the attack while Iran, Hizbullah and Russia have condemned it. The
meagre media coverage of events in Yemen often mentions rebels called
"Houthis".<br />
<br />What's happening and why? Who are the Houthis? What’s
going to happen? Here are a few observations meant to provide those
concerned about injustice in the world and are striving to reduce it,
especially Muslims, a better understanding of the situation.<br /><b><br />Yemen – General Information</b><br />Yemen
is a Muslim, Arab country to the south of Saudi Arabia. The country is
mostly mountainous but also has large stretches of desolate desert. It
has a long coastline and an important port at Aden, control of which can
translate into control over the Suez Canal shipping route. It has a
large and fast-growing population that at 25 million is even greater
than Saudi Arabia’s.<br /><br />In terms of religious belief, between 30-40%
of the population is "Zaydi"; the rest are mostly Shafi'ii Sunni.
Wahhabi teachings appear to have little acceptance in society. The
social structure is essentially tribal in nature. The influence of
modernity on the beliefs and lifestyle of the people is still relatively
slight and material standards of living are low; these are important
features to consider when seeking to understand present developments.
Yemen has no oil. Most people view Yemen as a backward, poor country of
little consequence.<br /><b><br />Yemen – History</b><br />Unlike nearly every other
Arab country, Yemen is not an entity created in the 20th century by
European colonial powers. It enjoys historical continuity of several
centuries and has a rich culture and history. In the past couple of
centuries however, Yemen has been a battleground between competing
foreign powers – at first the British dominated the country and then in
the second half of the 20th Century the Americans did, although neither
of them directly ruled the country. Their domination brought with it the
usual "divide-and-rule" policies that prevented Yemeni society from
progressing politically and socially.<br />
<br />Things went so far that in 1967
Yemen was split into two separate countries, one allied with the
American-Saudis and the other with the former Soviet Union. The two
Yemens were then goaded into going to war with each other, finally
re-uniting in 1990 under complete American-Israeli-GCC domination, an
association of powers that we shall call "The Oppression Axis". Ali
Abdullah Saleh was installed as President. His long rule over Yemen had
the usual hallmarks of Western-backed "strongman-rule" the world over -
nepotism, runaway social injustice, suppression of dissent, and
subservience to foreign interests. Saudi Arabia in particular acquired
enormous influence in every aspect of Yemeni public life.<br /><br /><b>2011 Uprising – Thwarted, Unfinished</b><br />Yemen
was one of the countries most severely shaken by the wave of popular
uprisings that swept through the Arab world that year. People from
across different regions, sects and tribes rose up in unity to demand
the overthrow of the ruling system and to express hatred for the
foreigners that controlled it. The pressure from the masses was so great
that many of Saleh’s allies publicly dumped him. Saleh offered some
concessions to the public, but obstinately clung on to power.<br />
<br />
To
forestall a full-blown revolution that could lead to a complete
dismantling of their control, the Oppression Axis worked through the UN
and prevailed upon Saleh to cede power to his vice-president Mansur Hadi
as a compromise solution. Hadi became President in early 2012 through
an election in which he was the only candidate, and promised a new era
of justice, freedom and democracy. As everywhere else in the Arab World,
the Arab Spring in Yemen too appeared to have lost direction and steam.
But not everyone was satisfied with this compromise; certain groups,
the most important of them being the "Houthis", viewed it as a sell-out
and as a setback. However they did not openly oppose this compromise,
choosing instead to prepare for the time when it would inevitably
unravel.<br /><br /><b>From Houthis to Ansarallah</b><br />The Houthis is a term used
to describe a collection of mostly Zaydi tribes based in North Yemen
that have emerged over the past two decades as the most dynamic
political movement in Yemen. At the time of writing, they are in control
of the entire North, the Western Coast, the capital city San’aa, and
most of the other major population centres. They now also control
territory around the port of Aden in the south. This movement came to be
known as "Houthi" as all its leaders have up until now belonged to the
"Houthi" clan. However the movement prefers to be called by the name it
has chosen for itself – "Ansarullah", or God’s Helpers.<br /><br />The Zaydi
sect of Muslims is defined by its belief that <b>Zayd As-Shaheed’s (r.a.)</b> –
son of the 4th Shia Isna Ash’ari Imam – was an "Imam", and that his
uprising against the corrupt Umayyad dynasty in the year 122 A.H., set
the role-model for subsequent Muslim leaders and masses to follow. The
Zaydi sect is usually described as a shia sect, but some scholars
disagree. But there is unanimity among scholars that they exhibit some
of the most important features of shia Islam – specifically, their
emphasis on following righteous leaders, on establishing social justice,
and their embracement of the culture of personal sacrifice and
martyrdom. The Zaydi have played an important role in Yemeni affairs for
more than a thousand years; in fact the last Zaydi Imamate was
dismantled by the Oppression Axis as recently as in the 1960s.<br />
<br />The
Houthi/Ansarullah movement began in the mid-90s when an Islamic scholar
and social activist called Husain Badruddin Al-Houthi, inspired by the
Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeini (r.a.), began a movement in the
north for social reform and justice. His movement spread rapidly among
the Zaydi tribes and invariably came into conflict with the government
in San’aa. A series of military battles followed over the next 15 years,
often with the direct involvement of American and Saudi army and
air-force units on the side of the San’aa Government.<br />
<br />
The Houthis
performed well in these battles, even shooting down some Saudi combat
planes and taking some Saudi soldiers as prisoners of war. The battles
usually ended in cease-fire agreements that allowed the Houthis to
regain strength and to consolidate their rule and build institutions in
the areas under their control. Badruddin Al-Houthi was killed by the
Yemeni Government in 2004, and since then his brothers have led the
movement. At present the movement is led by one of his brothers, Abdul
Malik Al-Houthi, who at a reported 33 years of age is remarkably young.<br /><br /><b>The events of 2014 – Ansarullah sweeps into popular control over San’</b>aa<br />Not
surprisingly, the replacement of Saleh with Hadi in 2012 did not bring
about any significant change in the situation in Yemen. Popular
resentment against the ruling system began to grow again, exploding in
renewed anger at the doubling of fuel prices in July 2014.<br /><br />Ansarullah
moved swiftly and decisively. Using what it had learned from the 2011
uprising, it raised slogans seeking justice not just for the
marginalized Zaydi tribes but for all Yemenis. Non-violent confrontation
with the state was prioritized. Riding a wave of popular support and
trust, Ansarullah swept into San’aa in September of 2014, bringing the
capital to a stand-still with massive demonstrations that brought
President Hadi’s government to its knees. Government TV channels and
some other elements of the state apparatus came under Ansarullah
control. Many military units pledged support for Ansarullah. The
long-standing military nemesis of the Zaydis, the feared Maj.-Gen. Ahmar
abandoned his palace and fled San’aa and possibly, Yemen.<br /><br />Once
again, the Oppression Axis moved through the UN to secure a deal – fuel
prices were rolled back, Hadi sacked his entire cabinet and announced a
new power-sharing "unity government" with Ansarullah. But it was of no
use; the momentum was clearly with the revolutionary movement. To keep
the pressure on, unarmed Ansarullah supporters continued to camp in
San’aa supported by a sympathetic public; they were frequently targeted
by bombings that led to the death of many.<br /><br />From October to
December of 2014, there was intense political friction between
Ansarullah and the Hadi Government Elite and their foreign backers; each
side claimed the other was a foreign stooge that had precipitated the
crisis and was obstructing its solution. Ansarullah and Saudi-backed
tribes and salafists also fought battles in several cities, with
Ansarullah winning nearly everywhere. Curiously, deposed President Ali
Abdullah Saleh also came out in support of the revolutionaries.
Ansarullah’s power continued to increase day by day, and it increased
pressure on the Hadi-led ruling elite to act per the agreements of the
September power-sharing pact, and in line with the genuine interests of
the Yemeni people. Hadi was still officially the President, but people
had set their hearts on the revolutionaries. Support for Ansarullah
among the masses, including among the non-Zaydi inhabitants of Yemen,
continued to grow day by day.<br /><br /><b>The Empire Strikes Back</b><br />At the
start of 2015, the Hadi Government elite and their foreign backers in
various Arab capitals, Tel Aviv and Washington found themselves facing a
nightmare – here was a genuine (unlike the ISIL and other caricatures)
and sensible Islamic movement, one that enjoyed support across followers
of different Muslims sects, which looked up to Iran and Hizbullah for
inspiration and had a sharp anti-American and anti-Israeli stand, that
was set to assume power in an Arab state. The Oppression Axis knew that
if this were to be allowed to happen in even one Arab country, it would
electrify genuine Islamic movements the world over and weaken ISIS-type
caricatures everywhere. It had to act.<br /><br />Once again the "chaos
option" was selected; rather than seek to fruitlessly confront and
contain this powerful revolutionary movement, the Oppression Axis
decided instead to ensure that the revolutionary momentum building up in
in Yemeni society would be dissipated into fruitless and damaging
endeavours – specifically, into sectarian and tribal in-fighting and
civil wars.<br /><br /><b>The rapid-fire developments of 2015</b><br />So when in
January 2015 Ansarullah attempted to further pressurize President Hadi
by limiting his control to just the Presidential Palace compound in
San’aa, Hadi and his cabinet dramatically announced their resignation.
Ansarullah immediately called a "National Conference" of all tribes and
parties to find a way out of this political crisis, but this conference
did not arrive at any clear result. In early February Ansarullah
declared it was formally taking over power to fill the power vacuum
created by Hadi’s resignation, and established a Revolutionary Committee
to rule the country and oversee transition to a new political order.<br /><br />With
the capital San’aa now an Ansarullah stronghold, Aden became the focus
of anti-Ansarullah efforts. Hadi and his entourage managed to reach
Aden, and after announcing a withdrawal of their resignations, declared
Aden to be the new capital of Yemen. The Arab Gulf States and other
allied governments shut their embassies in San’aa and began to re-open
them in Aden. The stage was set for Yemen to be split into two once
again.<br /><br />The conflicting sides realised that speed was of the
essence. Hadi and his foreign backers knew they must act very fast to
establish an alternative state structure centred in Aden; with this in
place, they could then depict the San’aa government as illegitimate, and
drag the internal conflict on for decades. Ansarullah understood that
it must prevent this from happening. It was clear that armed conflict
was going to escalate, and rapidly too.<br /><br />Ansarullah pressed
forward towards Aden in March, making rapid military advances with the
help of popular support. Bomb blasts during Friday prayers in San’aa
killed more than 150 Zaydi worshippers on the 20th of March, but failed
to dampen Ansarullah’s momentum. ISIS claimed responsibility for these
blasts while Iran airlifted the injured to Tehran for medical treatment.
The fall of Aden appeared imminent. Panic gripped the anti-Ansarullah
camp; Elite US Special Forces abandoned their Al Anad airbase near Aden
and fled the country. President Hadi and his supporters too disappeared,
apparently fleeing<br />by sea to Oman.<br /><br /><b>A Combined attack on Yemen</b><br />On
the 25th of March, Hadi’s foreign minister appeared in Cairo and
appealed for an international coalition to attack Ansarullah. The
Oppression Axis responded as per plan; the GCC and other countries
issued statements claiming to respond to this request for assistance
from Yemen’s legitimate government authority, and began their assault on
Yemen. The governments of USA, UK and Turkey expressed support for the
attack. There are unconfirmed reports of Pakistan preparing to join the
attack. On the other hand Iran, Iraq, Syria, Hizbullah – an association
of forces we can label as the "Resistance Axis" - have condemned it. So
has Russia.<br /><br />As of writing, the attack appears to have been
limited to two main elements – the aerial bombardment of Zaydi
population centres, and an air and sea blockade of the country. The
bombardment aims to create terror, demoralization and ultimately
disunity among Ansarullah’s core support base. However this appears to
have back-fired at least for the moment; massive crowds now throng the
major northern cities screaming in anger and hatred at America, Israel
and Saudi Arabia. The blockade aims to prevent arms and other supplies
from reaching the Yemenis so that they can eventually be forced to back
down. In any case, it appears that Aden may now be under Ansarullah
control but this is not entirely clear. The sparsely populated east of
Yemen, bordering both Saudia Arabia and Oman, is apparently not yet
under Ansarullah control.<br /><br /><b>Looking to the future</b><br />Will the
attacking countries launch a ground invasion as well, hiring the
Pakistani or Egyptian armies for the purpose? Will they unleash the ISIS
hordes on Yemen too? Will the Ansarullah movement hold together despite
the sectarian and tribal differences in Yemeni society? Will their
leadership be able to avoid major mistakes, especially considering the
absence of senior Islamic scholars? What will the effect of former
President Saleh’s support for Ansarullah be? These and other questions
engage the minds of those observing Yemeni events. Providing specific
answers to these questions is very difficult; instead, we will close
this article with a mention of some important considerations that impact
any analysis of current events in Yemen.<br /><br />The Oppression Axis’
immediate goals are to ensure disunity and paralysis in Yemen as a
pre-cursor to rolling back the revolutionary movement through internal
disunity. At the minimum, it wants Yemen to go back to being an
invisible and inconsequential Saudi satellite. At a larger level, it
sees the Yemen crisis as another opportunity to achieve its grand dream
of triggering a massive sectarian civil war between Muslims across West
Asia; this partly explains its attempts to expand the military coalition
attacking Yemen to include other Sunni-majority countries such as
Pakistan. This Axis banks on its superior military, financial and media
power, and on the support of client regimes across the Muslim world, to
achieve its goals.<br />
<br />In contrast, the Ansarullah movement and its
sympathisers across the Resistance Axis seek to establish and
consolidate power over a united Yemen in the short term. At a larger
level, they seek to set up a revolutionary, anti-imperialist Islamic
State in Yemen as another stepping stone to further deepening the
revolutionary movement across the world. The Resistance Axis draws its
power primarily from Islamic Ideology, popular support and superior
strategic leadership; its leaders believe that God has promised those
who engage in brave, just and sensible resistance against the world’s
oppressors, enormous divine assistance.<br /><br />What happens in Yemen,
and indeed in West Asia and beyond, will depend on how this clash of
wills between members of The Oppression Axis and the Resistance Axis
plays out. Both Islamic ideology and trends over the past few decades
indicate that victory for the Resistance Axis is more likely. However,
this does not mean that its victory will be swift; the path to victory
may be paved with several small defeats and setbacks as well.<br /><br />In any case, the most influential human actors on this stage are in fact the ordinary Muslim masses. It is their level of understanding
of the issues at stake and the motives at play, their level of
commitment to Islamic ideals, and their courage to make the choices
required to bring those ideas to life, that will have the biggest
influence on how Yemen, and indeed the rest of Muslim world, shapes up
in the years to come.<br />- Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8529672910838804288.post-39028387100939582972015-04-09T10:15:00.000-07:002015-04-09T10:55:50.968-07:00THE FUTURE OF WORLD RELIGIONS: POPULATION GROWTH PROJECTIONS, 2019 - 2050<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/category/publications/demographic-study/" title="Demographic Study">Study by PEW RESEARCH CENTRE</a>
<br />
<div class="content" id="content" role="main">
<div class="meta date">
April 2, 2015</div>
<h1>
The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050</h1>
<div class="subhead">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Why Muslims Are Rising Fastest and the Unaffiliated Are Shrinking as a Share of the World’s Population</span></b></div>
<div class="text ">
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#projected-growth-map"><img alt="PF_15.04.02_Projections_promo640x320" class="aligncenter wp-image-22715 size-full" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_Projections_promo640x320.png" height="320" width="640" /></a><br />
The religious profile of the world is rapidly changing, driven
primarily by differences in fertility rates and the size of youth
populations among the world’s major religions, as well as by people
switching faiths. Over the next four decades, Christians will remain the
largest religious group, but Islam will grow faster than any other
major religion. If current trends continue, by 2050 …<br />
<ul>
<li>The number of Muslims will nearly equal the number of Christians around the world.</li>
<li>Atheists, agnostics and other people who do not affiliate with any
religion – though increasing in countries such as the United States and
France – will make up a declining share of the world’s total population.</li>
<li>The global Buddhist population will be about the same size it was in
2010, while the Hindu and Jewish populations will be larger than they
are today.</li>
<li>In Europe, Muslims will make up 10% of the overall population.</li>
<li>India will retain a Hindu majority but also will have the largest
Muslim population of any country in the world, surpassing Indonesia.</li>
<li>In the United States, Christians will decline from more than
three-quarters of the population in 2010 to two-thirds in 2050, and
Judaism will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion. Muslims
will be more numerous in the U.S. than people who identify as Jewish on
the basis of religion.</li>
<li>Four out of every 10 Christians in the world will live in sub-Saharan Africa.</li>
</ul>
These are among the global religious trends highlighted in new
demographic projections by the Pew Research Center. The projections take
into account the current size and geographic distribution of the
world’s major religions, age differences, fertility and mortality rates,
international migration and patterns in conversion.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_projectedchange640px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22705"><img alt=" Projected Change in Global Population" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22705" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_projectedChange640px.png" height="847" width="641" /></a><br />
As of 2010, Christianity was by far the world’s largest religion, with
an estimated 2.2 billion adherents, nearly a third (31%) of all 6.9
billion people on Earth. Islam was second, with 1.6 billion adherents,
or 23% of the global population.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_populationchange_310px-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-22717"><img alt="Islam Growing Fastest" class="alignright size-full wp-image-22717" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_populationChange_310px.png" height="441" width="311" /></a>If
current demographic trends continue, however, Islam will nearly catch
up by the middle of the 21st century. Between 2010 and 2050, the world’s
total population is expected to rise to 9.3 billion, a 35% increase.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-1" id="fnref-22652-1">1</a></sup>
Over that same period, Muslims – a comparatively youthful population
with high fertility rates – are projected to increase by 73%. The number
of Christians also is projected to rise, but more slowly, at about the
same rate (35%) as the global population overall.<br />
As a result, according to the Pew Research projections, by 2050 there
will be near parity between Muslims (2.8 billion, or 30% of the
population) and Christians (2.9 billion, or 31%), possibly for the first
time in history.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-2" id="fnref-22652-2">2</a></sup>
<br />
With the exception of Buddhists, all of the world’s major
religious groups are poised for at least some growth in absolute numbers
in the coming decades. The global Buddhist population is expected to be
fairly stable because of low fertility rates and aging populations in
countries such as China, Thailand and Japan.<br />
Worldwide, the Hindu population is projected to rise by 34%, from a
little over 1 billion to nearly 1.4 billion, roughly keeping pace with
overall population growth. Jews, the smallest religious group for which
separate projections were made, are expected to grow 16%, from a little
less than 14 million in 2010 to 16.1 million worldwide in 2050.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables8/" rel="attachment wp-att-23058"><img alt="Size and Projected Growth of Major Religious Groups" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23058" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/pf_15.04.02_projectionstables8.png" height="365" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Adherents of various folk religions – including African traditional
religions, Chinese folk religions, Native American religions and
Australian aboriginal religions – are projected to increase by 11%, from
405 million to nearly 450 million.<br />
And all other religions combined – an umbrella category that includes
Baha’is, Jains, Sikhs, Taoists and many smaller faiths – are projected
to increase 6%, from a total of approximately 58 million to more than 61
million over the same period.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-3" id="fnref-22652-3">3</a></sup>
<br />
While growing in absolute size, however, folk religions, Judaism
and “other religions” (the umbrella category considered as a whole) will
not keep pace with global population growth. Each of these groups is
projected to make up a smaller percentage of the world’s population in
2050 than it did in 2010.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-4" id="fnref-22652-4">4</a></sup>
<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_unaffiliated2_640px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22708"><img alt="Projected Change in the Unaffiliated Population, 2010-2050" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22708" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_unaffiliated2_640px.png" height="251" width="641" /></a><br />
Similarly, the religiously unaffiliated population is projected to
shrink as a percentage of the global population, even though it will
increase in absolute number. In 2010, censuses and surveys indicate,
there were about 1.1 billion atheists, agnostics and people who do not
identify with any particular religion.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-5" id="fnref-22652-5">5</a></sup>
By 2050, the unaffiliated population is expected to exceed 1.2 billion.
But, as a share of all the people in the world, those with no religious
affiliation are projected to decline from 16% in 2010 to 13% by the
middle of this century.<br />
At the same time, however, the unaffiliated are expected to continue
to increase as a share of the population in much of Europe and North
America. In the United States, for example, the unaffiliated are
projected to grow from an estimated 16% of the total population
(including children) in 2010 to 26% in 2050.<br />
As the example of the unaffiliated shows, there will be vivid
geographic differences in patterns of religious growth in the coming
decades. One of the main determinants of that future growth is where
each group is geographically concentrated today. Religions with many
adherents in developing countries – where birth rates are high, and
infant mortality rates generally have been falling – are likely to grow
quickly. Much of the worldwide growth of Islam and Christianity, for
example, is expected to take place in sub-Saharan Africa. Today’s
religiously unaffiliated population, by contrast, is heavily
concentrated in places with low fertility and aging populations, such as
Europe, North America, China and Japan.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_totalfertility_640px/"><img alt="Total Fertility Rate by Religion, 2010-2015" class="aligncenter wp-image-22707 size-full" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_totalFertility_640px.png" height="202" width="641" /></a><br />
Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1
children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum
typically needed to maintain a stable population.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-6" id="fnref-22652-6">6</a></sup>
Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4)
is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility
(2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other
groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk
religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the
unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6).<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_agedistribution_310px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22720"><img alt="Age Distribution of Religious Groups, 2010" class="alignright size-full wp-image-22720" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_ageDistribution_310px.png" height="369" width="311" /></a>Another
important determinant of growth is the current age distribution of each
religious group – whether its adherents are predominantly young, with
their prime childbearing years still ahead, or older and largely past
their childbearing years.<br />
In 2010, more than a quarter of the world’s total population (27%)
was under the age of 15. But an even higher percentage of Muslims (34%)
and Hindus (30%) were younger than 15, while the share of Christians
under 15 matched the global average (27%). These bulging youth
populations are among the reasons that Muslims are projected to grow
faster than the world’s overall population and that Hindus and
Christians are projected to roughly keep pace with worldwide population
growth.<br />
All the remaining groups have smaller-than-average youth populations,
and many of them have disproportionately large numbers of adherents
over the age of 59. For example, 11% of the world’s population was at
least 60 years old in 2010. But fully 20% of Jews around the world are
60 or older, as are 15% of Buddhists, 14% of Christians, 14% of
adherents of other religions (taken as a whole), 13% of the unaffiliated
and 11% of adherents of folk religions. By contrast, just 7% of Muslims
and 8% of Hindus are in this oldest age category.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_religiousswitching_640px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22706"><img alt="Projected Cumulative Change Due to Religious Switching, 2010-2050" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22706" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_religiousSwitching_640px.png" height="354" width="641" /></a><br />
In addition to fertility rates and age distributions, religious
switching is likely to play a role in the growth of religious groups.
But conversion patterns are complex and varied. In some countries, it is
fairly common for adults to leave their childhood religion and switch
to another faith. In others, changes in religious identity are rare,
legally cumbersome or even illegal.<br />
The Pew Research Center projections attempt to incorporate patterns
in religious switching in 70 countries where surveys provide information
on the number of people who say they no longer belong to the religious
group in which they were raised. In the projection model, all directions
of switching are possible, and they may be partially offsetting. In the
United States, for example, surveys find that some people who were
raised with no religious affiliation have switched to become Christians,
while some who grew up as Christians have switched to become
unaffiliated. These types of patterns are projected to continue as
future generations come of age. (For more details on how and where
switching was modeled, see the <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/appendix-a-methodology-2/#estimating-religious-switching">Methodology</a>. For alternative growth scenarios involving either switching in additional countries or no switching at all, see <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#switching">Chapter 1</a>.)<br />
Over the coming decades, Christians are expected to experience the
largest net losses from switching. Globally, about 40 million people are
projected to switch into Christianity, while 106 million are projected
to leave, with most joining the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated.
(See chart above.)<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_interregion_310px-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-23041"><img alt="Impact of Migration on Population Projections, by Region" class="alignright size-full wp-image-23041" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_interRegion_310px1.png" height="698" width="311" /></a>All
told, the unaffiliated are expected to add 97 million people and lose
36 million via switching, for a net gain of 61 million by 2050. Modest
net gains through switching also are expected for Muslims (3 million),
adherents of folk religions (3 million) and members of other religions
(2 million). Jews are expected to experience a net loss of about 300,000
people due to switching, while Buddhists are expected to lose nearly 3
million.<br />
International migration is another factor that will influence the
projected size of religious groups in various regions and countries.<br />
Forecasting future migration patterns is difficult, because migration
is often linked to government policies and international events that
can change quickly. For this reason, many population projections do not
include migration in their models. But working with researchers at the
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg,
Austria, the Pew Research Center has developed an innovative way of
using data on past migration patterns to estimate the religious
composition of migrant flows in the decades ahead. (For details on how
the projections were made, see <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#migration">Chapter 1</a>.)<br />
The impact of migration can be seen in the examples shown in the
graph at the right, which compares projection scenarios with and without
migration in the regions where it will have the greatest impact. In
Europe, for instance, the Muslim share of the population is expected to
increase from 5.9% in 2010 to 10.2% in 2050 when migration is taken into
account along with other demographic factors that are driving
population change, such as fertility rates and age. Without migration,
the Muslim share of Europe’s population in 2050 is projected to be
nearly two percentage points lower (8.4%). In North America, the Hindu
share of the population is expected to nearly double in the decades
ahead, from 0.7% in 2010 to 1.3% in 2050, when migration is included in
the projection models. Without migration, the Hindu share of the
region’s population would remain about the same (0.8%).<br />
In the Middle East and North Africa, the continued migration of
Christians into the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
(Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates) is expected to offset the exodus of Christians from other
countries in the region.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-7" id="fnref-22652-7">7</a></sup>
If migration were not factored into the 2050 projections, the estimated
Christian share of the region’s population would drop below 3%. With
migration factored in, however, the estimated Christian share is
expected to be just above 3% (down from nearly 4% in 2010).<br />
<div class="aside">
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="beyond-the-year-2050"></a><br />
<h3>
Beyond the Year 2050</h3>
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_2050sidebar_310px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22721"><img alt="Long-Term Projections of Christian and Muslim Shares of World’s Population" class="alignright size-full wp-image-22721" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_2050-sidebar_310px.png" height="453" width="311" /></a>This
report describes how the global religious landscape would change if
current demographic trends continue. With each passing year, however,
there is a chance that unforeseen events – war, famine, disease,
technological innovation, political upheaval, etc. – will alter the size
of one religious group or another. Owing to the difficulty of peering
more than a few decades into the future, the projections stop at 2050.<br />
Readers may wonder, though, what would happen to the population
trajectories highlighted in this report if they were projected into the
second half of this century. Given the rapid projected increase from
2010 to 2050 in the Muslim share of the world’s population, would
Muslims eventually outnumber Christians? And, if so, when?<br />
The answer depends on continuation of the trends described in Chapter
1. If the main projection model is extended beyond 2050, the Muslim
share of the world’s population would equal the Christian share, at
roughly 32% each, around 2070. After that, the number of Muslims would
exceed the number of Christians, but both religious groups would grow,
roughly in tandem, as shown in the graph above. By the year 2100, about
1% more of the world’s population would be Muslim (35%) than Christian
(34%).<br />
The projected growth of Muslims and Christians would be driven
largely by the continued expansion of Africa’s population. Due to the
heavy concentration of Christians and Muslims in this high-fertility
region, both groups would increase as a percentage of the global
population. Combined, the world’s two largest religious groups would
make up more than two-thirds of the global population in 2100 (69%), up
from 61% in 2050 and 55% in 2010.<br />
It bears repeating, however, that many factors could alter these
trajectories. For example, if a large share of China’s population were
to switch to Christianity (as discussed in this <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#the-potential-impact-of-religious-switching-in-china">sidebar</a>),
that shift alone could bolster Christianity’s current position as the
world’s most populous religion. Or if disaffiliation were to become
common in countries with large Muslim populations – as it is now in some
countries with large Christian populations – that trend could slow or
reverse the increase in Muslim numbers.</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="projected-growth-map"></a><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_worldgrowthrate640px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22710"><img alt="Projected Annual Growth Rate of Country Populations, 2010-2050" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-22710" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_worldGrowthRate640px.png" height="460" width="640" /></a><br />
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="regional-and-country-level-projections"></a><br />
<h3>
Regional and Country-Level Projections</h3>
In addition to making projections at the global level, this report
projects religious change in 198 countries and territories with at least
100,000 people as of 2010, covering 99.9% of the world’s population.
Population estimates for an additional 36 countries and territories are
included in regional and global totals throughout the report. The report
also divides the world into six major regions and looks at how each
region’s religious composition is likely to change from 2010 to 2050,
assuming that current patterns in migration and other demographic trends
continue.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-8" id="fnref-22652-8">8</a></sup>
<br />
Due largely to high fertility, <b>sub-Saharan Africa</b>
is projected to experience the fastest overall growth, rising from 12%
of the world’s population in 2010 to about 20% in 2050. The <b>Middle East-North Africa</b>
region also is expected to grow faster than the world as a whole,
edging up from 5% of the global population in 2010 to 6% in 2050.
Ongoing growth in both regions will fuel global increases in the Muslim
population. In addition, sub-Saharan Africa’s Christian population is
expected to double, from 517 million in 2010 to 1.1 billion in 2050. The
share of the world’s Christians living in sub-Saharan Africa will rise
from 24% in 2010 to 38% in 2050.<br />
Meanwhile, the <b>Asia-Pacific</b> region is expected to
have a declining share of the world’s population (53% in 2050, compared
with 59% in 2010). This will be reflected in the slower growth of
religions heavily concentrated in the region, including Buddhism and
Chinese folk religions, as well as slower growth of Asia’s large
unaffiliated population. One exception is Hindus, who are overwhelmingly
concentrated in India, where the population is younger and fertility
rates are higher than in China or Japan. As previously mentioned, Hindus
are projected to roughly keep pace with global population growth.
India’s large Muslim population also is poised for rapid growth.
Although India will continue to have a Hindu majority, by 2050 it is
projected to have the world’s largest Muslim population, surpassing
Indonesia.<br />
The remaining geographic regions also will contain declining shares
of the world’s population: Europe is projected to go from 11% to 8%,
Latin American and the Caribbean from 9% to 8%, and North America from
5% to a little less than 5%.<br />
<b>Europe</b> is the only region where the total population
is projected to decline. Europe’s Christian population is expected to
shrink by about 100 million people in the coming decades, dropping from
553 million to 454 million. While Christians will remain the largest
religious group in Europe, they are projected to drop from
three-quarters of the population to less than two-thirds. By 2050,
nearly a quarter of Europeans (23%) are expected to have no religious
affiliation, and Muslims will make up about 10% of the region’s
population, up from 5.9% in 2010. Over the same period, the number of
Hindus in Europe is expected to roughly double, from a little under 1.4
million (0.2% of Europe’s population) to nearly 2.7 million (o.4%),
mainly as a result of immigration. Buddhists appear headed for similarly
rapid growth in Europe – a projected rise from 1.4 million to 2.5
million.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionsoverview_usreligcomposition_310px/" rel="attachment wp-att-22709"><img alt="Religious Composition of the United States, 2010-2050" class="alignright size-full wp-image-22709" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/PF_15.04.02_ProjectionsOverview_usReligComposition_310px.png" height="653" width="421" /></a>In <b>North America</b>,
Muslims and followers of “other religions” are the fastest-growing
religious groups. In the United States, for example, the share of the
population that belongs to other religions is projected to more than
double – albeit from a very small base – rising from 0.6% to 1.5%.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-9" id="fnref-22652-9">9</a></sup>
Christians are projected to decline from 78% of the U.S. population in
2010 to 66% in 2050, while the unaffiliated are expected to rise from
16% to 26%. And by the middle of the 21st century, the United States is
likely to have more Muslims (2.1% of the population) than people who
identify with the Jewish faith (1.4%).<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-10" id="fnref-22652-10">10</a></sup>
<br />
In <b>Latin America and the Caribbean</b>, Christians
will remain the largest religious group, making up 89% of the population
in 2050, down slightly from 90% in 2010. Latin America’s religiously
unaffiliated population is projected to grow both in absolute number and
percentage terms, rising from about 45 million people (8%) in 2010 to
65 million (9%) in 2050.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-11" id="fnref-22652-11">11</a></sup>
<br />
<div class="aside">
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="changing-religious-majorities"></a><br />
<h3>
Changing Religious Majorities</h3>
Several countries are projected to have a different religious
majority in 2050 than they did in 2010. The number of countries with
Christian majorities is expected to decline from 159 to 151, as
Christians are projected to drop below 50% of the population in
Australia, Benin, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, the Republic of Macedonia and the United Kingdom.<br />
<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables18/" rel="attachment wp-att-23059"><img alt="Countries That Will No Longer Have a Christian Majority in 2050" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23059" src="http://www.pewforum.org/files/2015/04/pf_15.04.02_projectionstables18.png" height="355" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Muslims in 2050 are expected to make up more than 50% of the
population in 51 countries, two more than in 2010, as both the Republic
of Macedonia and Nigeria are projected to gain Muslim majorities. But
Nigeria also will continue to have a very large Christian population.
Indeed, Nigeria is projected to have the third-largest Christian
population in the world by 2050, after the United States and Brazil.<br />
As of 2050, the largest religious group in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands is expected to be the unaffiliated.</div>
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="about-these-projections"></a><br />
<h3>
About These Projections</h3>
While many people have offered predictions about the future of
religion, these are the first formal demographic projections using data
on age, fertility, mortality, migration and religious switching for
multiple religious groups around the world. Demographers at the Pew
Research Center in Washington, D.C., and the International Institute for
Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria, gathered the
input data from more than 2,500 censuses, surveys and population
registers, an effort that has taken six years and will continue.<br />
The projections cover eight major groups: Buddhists, Christians,
Hindus, Jews, Muslims, adherents of folk religions, adherents of other
religions and the unaffiliated (see Appendix C: Defining the Religious
Groups). Because censuses and surveys in many countries do not provide
information on religious subgroups – such as Sunni and Shia Muslims or
Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians – the projections are for
each religious group as a whole. Data on subgroups of the unaffiliated
are also unavailable in many countries. As a result, separate
projections are not possible for atheists or agnostics.<br />
The projection model was developed in collaboration with researchers
in the Age and Cohort Change Project at IIASA, who are world leaders in
population projections methodology. The model uses an advanced version
of the cohort-component method typically employed by demographers to
forecast population growth. It starts with a population of baseline age
groups, or cohorts, divided by sex and religion. Each cohort is
projected into the future by adding likely gains (immigrants and people
switching in) and by subtracting likely losses (deaths, emigrants and
people switching out) year by year. The youngest cohorts, ages 0-4, are
created by applying age-specific fertility rates to each female cohort
in the childbearing years (ages 15-49), with children inheriting the
mother’s religion. For more details, see the <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/appendix-a-methodology-2/">Methodology</a>.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-12" id="fnref-22652-12">12</a></sup>
<br />
In the process of gathering input data and developing the
projection model, the Pew Research Center previously published reports
on the current size and geographic distribution of major religious
groups, including <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2009/10/07/mapping-the-global-muslim-population/">Muslims</a> (2009), <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/">Christians</a> (2011) and <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/">several other faiths</a>
(2012). An initial set of projections for one religious group, Muslims,
was published in 2011, although it did not attempt to take religious
switching into account.<br />
Some social theorists have suggested that as countries develop
economically, more of their inhabitants will move away from religious
affiliation. While that has been the general experience in some parts of
the world, notably Europe, it is not yet clear whether it is a
universal pattern.<sup class="footnote"><a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/#fn-22652-13" id="fnref-22652-13">13</a></sup> In any case, the projections in this report are not based on theories about economic development leading to secularization.<br />
Rather, the projections extend the recently observed patterns of
religious switching in all countries for which sufficient data are
available (70 countries in all). In addition, the projections reflect
the United Nations’ expectation that in countries with high fertility
rates, those rates gradually will decline in coming decades, alongside
rising female educational attainment. And the projections assume that
people gradually are living longer in most countries. These and other
key input data and assumptions are explained in detail in Chapter 1 and
the Methodology (<a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/appendix-a-methodology-2/">Appendix A</a>).<br />
Since religious change has never previously been projected on this
scale, some cautionary words are in order. Population projections are
estimates built on current population data and assumptions about
demographic trends, such as declining birth rates and rising life
expectancies in particular countries. The projections are what will
occur if the current data are accurate and current trends continue. But
many events – scientific discoveries, armed conflicts, social movements,
political upheavals, natural disasters and changing economic
conditions, to name just a few – can shift demographic trends in
unforeseen ways. That is why the projections are limited to a 40-year
time frame, and subsequent chapters of this report try to give a sense
of how much difference it could make if key assumptions were different.<br />
For example, China’s 1.3 billion people (as of 2010) loom very large
in global trends. At present, about 5% of China’s population is
estimated to be Christian, and more than 50% is religiously
unaffiliated. Because reliable figures on religious switching in China
are not available, the projections do not contain any forecast for
conversions in the world’s most populous country. But if Christianity
expands in China in the decades to come – as some experts predict – then
by 2050, the global numbers of Christians may be higher than projected,
and the decline in the percentage of the world’s population that is
religiously unaffiliated may be even sharper. (For more details on the
possible impact of religious switching in China, see <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/main-factors-driving-population-growth/#the-potential-impact-of-religious-switching-in-china">Chapter 1</a>.)<br />
Finally, readers should bear in mind that within every major
religious group, there is a spectrum of belief and practice. The
projections are based on the number of people who <i>self-identify</i>
with each religious group, regardless of their level of observance.
What it means to be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish or a
member of any other faith may vary from person to person, country to
country, and decade to decade.<br />
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="acknowledgements"></a><br />
<h3>
Acknowledgements</h3>
These population projections were produced by the Pew Research Center
as part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project, which
analyzes religious change and its impact on societies around the world.
Funding for the Global Religious Futures project comes from The Pew
Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation.<br />
Many staff members in the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public
Life project contributed to this effort. Conrad Hackett was the lead
researcher and primary author of this report. Alan Cooperman served as
lead editor. Anne Shi and Juan Carlos Esparza Ochoa made major
contributions to data collection, storage and analysis. Bill Webster
created the graphics and Stacy Rosenberg and Ben Wormald oversaw
development of the interactive data presentations and the Global
Religious Futures website. Sandra Stencel, Greg Smith, Michael Lipka and
Aleksandra Sandstrom provided editorial assistance. The report was
number-checked by Shi, Esparza Ochoa, Claire Gecewicz and Angelina
Theodorou.<br />
Several researchers in the Age and Cohort Change project of the
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis collaborated on the
projections, providing invaluable expertise on advanced (“multistate”)
population modeling and standardization of input data. Marcin Stonawski
wrote the cutting-edge software used for these projections and led the
collection and analysis of European data. Michaela Potančoková
standardized the fertility data. Vegard Skirbekk coordinated IIASA’s
research contributions. Additionally, Guy Abel at the Vienna Institute
of Demography helped construct the country-level migration flow data
used in the projections.<br />
Over the past six years, a number of former Pew Research Center staff
members also played critical roles in producing the population
projections. Phillip Connor prepared the migration input data, wrote
descriptions of migration results and methods, and helped write the
chapters on each religious group and geographic region. Noble Kuriakose
was involved in nearly all stages of the project and helped draft the
chapter on demographic factors and the Methodology. Former intern Joseph
Naylor helped design maps, and David McClendon, another former intern,
helped research global patterns of religious switching. The original
concept for this study was developed by Luis Lugo, former director of
the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life project, with
assistance from former senior researcher Brian J. Grim and visiting
senior research fellow Mehtab Karim.<br />
Others at the Pew Research Center who provided editorial or research
guidance include Michael Dimock, Claudia Deane, Scott Keeter, Jeffrey S.
Passel and D’Vera Cohn. Communications support was provided by
Katherine Ritchey and Russ Oates.<br />
We also received very helpful advice and feedback on portions of this
report from Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Scholar in Political
Economy, American Enterprise Institute; Roger Finke, Director of the
Association of Religion Data Archives and Distinguished Professor of
Sociology and Religious Studies, The Pennsylvania State University; Carl
Haub, Senior Demographer, Population Reference Bureau; Todd Johnson,
Associate Professor of Global Christianity and Director of the Center
for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon Conwell Theological
Seminary; Ariela Keysar, Associate Research Professor and Associate
Director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and
Culture, Trinity College; Chaeyoon Lim, Associate Professor of
Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Arland Thornton, Research
Professor in the Population Studies Center, University of Michigan;
Jenny Trinitapoli, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Demography and
Religious Studies, The Pennsylvania State University; David Voas,
Professor of Population Studies and Acting Director of the Institute for
Social and Economic Research, University of Essex; Robert Wuthnow,
Andlinger Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the
Study of Religion, Princeton University; and Fenggang Yang, Professor of
Sociology and Director of the Center on Religion and Chinese Society,
Purdue University.<br />
While the data collection and projection methodology were guided by
our consultants and advisers, the Pew Research Center is solely
responsible for the interpretation and reporting of the data.<br />
<a class="toc-anchor" href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8529672910838804288" name="roadmap-to-the-report"></a><br />
<h3>
Roadmap to the Report</h3>
The remainder of this report details the projections from multiple
angles. The first chapter looks at the demographic factors that shape
the projections, including sections on fertility rates, life expectancy,
age structure, religious switching and migration. The next chapter
details projections by religious group, with separate sections on
Christians, Muslims, the religiously unaffiliated, Hindus, Buddhists,
adherents of folk or traditional religions, members of “other religions”
(consolidated into a single group) and Jews. A final chapter takes a
region-by-region look at the projections, including separate sections on
Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the
Middle East and North Africa, North America and sub-Saharan Africa.<br />
<br />
<span class="footnotereverse"></span>
<br />
</div>
</div>
Zainab Mrisho Mwatawalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01846320829966738380noreply@blogger.com0