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Muslims escorted out of CAR capital Bangui

Evacuation of hundreds of Muslims from Central African Republic's capital Bangui triggers looting in abandoned areas. Last updated: 28 Apr 2014 02:42

Crowds of Christians, some armed, looted the area as the convoy left [Reuters]

Peacekeeping troops have escorted around 1,300 Muslims out of the Central African Republic’s capital city, removing one of the last pockets of Muslims from Bangui, in a nation torn apart by religious violence. Peacekeepers stood by on Sunday, as Christians, some armed with machetes and bows and arrows, swarmed into and looted houses in Bangui's northern PK12 neighbourhood, which had been a Muslim district in the majority Christian south. "We are leaving to save our lives," Mohamed Ali Mohamed, who was born and brought up in the area, told Reuters news agency as fellow Muslims tied jerry cans to trucks ahead of the trip. Foreign troops have escorted thousands of Muslims to relative safety in the north of the Central African Republic. But some leaders fear that will make permanent divisions that have led to talk of partition after 18 months of conflict. Central African Republic's minister for reconciliation last week criticised the evacuations, warning they would play into the hands of Muslim rebels who want to create an independent state in the north. Auguste Boukanga, president of the URD party which remained neutral in the conflict, echoed these concerns, calling on the 2,000 French and over 5,000 African peacekeepers to instead stick to their mandate of disarming the gunmen. Giuseppe Loprete, head of the local office of the International Organisation for Migration, the UN agency involved in the evacuation, said Muslims living near the central mosque and in PK5, another Bangui neighbourhood, did not want to leave. "We are working on social cohesion ... I'm not sure that they want to leave. Actually they told us they prefer to stay in Bangui," he said. ‘Religious cleansing’ Some of the departing Muslims torched their cars as they could not take them in the convoy but did not want Christians to be able to use them once they had left. Mainly Muslim rebels, known as Seleka, seized Bangui last year after complaining they had been marginalised by President Francois Bozize's government. Their time in power was marked by abuses and killings that led to the creation of Christian self-defence militia. Seleka leader Michel Djotodia stepped down in January under international pressure as violence spiralled out of control. Interim authorities, backed by French and African peacekeepers, are still struggling to restore order and rights groups say parts of the country have experienced "religious cleansing". "It is a shame but there is nothing we can do," said Dieudonne Bignilaba, a Christian resident. "For many years we lived together but they were the ones who brought the weapons here to kill us." After watching their former neighbours leave, from behind a thin white rope barrier put up by Congolese peacekeepers, hundreds of Christians, including women and children, took part in the looting. Many chanted "Liberation, Liberation!"

Source: Reuters

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/04/muslims-escorted-out-car-capital-bangui-20144280303869318.html

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Why is Pornography Haram?

“I just found out that at least one of my sons spent some time this afternoon (signed on as me) going to XXX rated (web) sites. They are 13 and 11. I am so upset, I do not know what to do. Insha Allah, it is a curiosity thing, but I am totally blown away by this.” (A mother in a parenting forum)

Internet pornography is the latest media menace parents and anyone concerned about children and morality in general, must deal with. Pictures of naked women (its usually women, since most pornography caters to heterosexual men) and couples engaged in various forms of sexual intercourse, to name just a few of the contents of pornography, are not just reserved to the internet though.

For decades, ‘porn’ in various forms has been found in magazines, films, and more recently during a lot of prime time television.

The Internet is just the latest tool pornographers have found to spread their “art,” which poses a number of problems.

The pervasiveness of pornography on the Internet means Muslims need to consider once again the Islamic perspective on this issue while they use this new medium.

The Islamic Perspective:

“There is no room for anyone to say pornography is not Haram. It’s ab solutely Haram,” notes Shaykh Muhammad Nur Abdullah. He is the Imam of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis in Missouri.

“If someone is looking at someone committing Zina (sex outside of marriage) whether it is movies or pictures or the actual thing, it is all Haram,” he adds. Some of the proofs he gives for the prohibition of pornography in Islam include verses 30 and 31 of chapter 24 (Noor) of the Qur’an, as well as Ahadith that say what leads to Haram is Haram and that Zina is committed by the eye and the hand, even before a sexual encounter takes place.

He has openly discussed the problem of the Internet, pornography and Muslim youth in his Khutbahs. On a day to day level, he says he gets at least two cases daily of young Muslims, boys and girls, who come to the mosque and speak to him personally about this problem.

Dremali says the teenagers feel guilty, but they cannot stop looking at this material. They need a cure, they have become addicted.

“The person who looks at these things will always have Shaytan in his mind because he wants to commit these ,” he says. “Shaytan never takes the person immediately to commit adultery (he does it in steps).”

Dremali also gives a clear example of the role the Internet plays in being one of the steps leading to sex outside of marriage.

“The hand commits adultery by touching Haram and the person using the keyboard and using the mouse to look at these pictures, he or she is committing adultery,” he warns

“Unfortunately there are a lot of Muslim youth who are using pornography on the {nternet]} and they basically use the Internet only for that purpose,” notes Taha Ghayyur, 19, who is National Coordinator of Young Muslims Canada.

Too often, though, parents are willing to bury their heads in the sand when the issue of pornography and their children comes up. “How do you know your kids don’t know about it?” asks Dremali.

The easy access to pornography on television (no longer reserved to just the very late night hours), on the magazine stands and the Internet makes it almost impossible to avoid, even if one’s intentions are clear.

In the case of the Internet, sometimes accompanying links or windows to pornographic websites or WebPages will suddenly open up, against the wishes of the surfer.

This however, does not mean parents should automatically assume the worst about their children.

Shaykh Nur Abdullah stresses the importance of openly talking to children about the problem, especially if they have been caught looking at such material. If parents don’t do this “then we are turning our face away from the problem,” he says.

“ Internet is good and bad,” says Dremali. “Allah gave us the brains to think where is the good way and where is the bad way. According to your choice Allah will judge you.

Some Statistics and Facts on Pornography:

Over 30% of sites on the World Wide Web are pornographic” (USA Today).

Looking for one thing, finding another:
“Our Internet search engine reports reveal a disturbing reality. In over 99% of the hits directed to our site, the person performing the search was looking for pornography, many looking for child pornography. To think, 99% used pornography search words inspired our project, Internet Intervention. Internet Intervention is a network of computers, hosting hundreds of websites, which direct the keyword searcher of child pornography to an Intervention Help Site. The very people that need it the most see our message of help. Click here to see a help website that you could have been directed to if you use child pornography search words on your search engine request.” (From the website of the Tonya Flynt Foundation, an anti-pornography website. Tony Flynt is the daughter of notorious American pornographer Larry Flynt)

A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY:

Pornography is a $12-$13 billion- a-year industry - more than the combined annual revenues of the Coca-Cola and McDonnell Douglas corporations. (From an Affair of the Mind by Laurie Hall)

Pornographic entertainment on the Internet constituted the third largest sector of sales in cyberspace, with estimated annual revenues of $100 million. Such marketing success has fueled an increase in the size of the pornography industry -- $10 billion annually, according to conservative estimates. (Anthony Flint, Skin Trade Spreading Across U.S., Boston Sunday Globe)

HITS ON A PORN SITE:
Playboy’s headquarters received 4.7 million hits (electronic visits) in a recent seven day period. (Promise Keepers website)

PORN VIDEO RENTALS:
Porn video rentals soared to 665 million in 1996, accounting for 13.3% of video rentals in America. Profits of sales and rentals of porn videos was $4.2 billion in 1996. (USA Today, & UPI News)

ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY:
Pornography consumption can be as “mood altering” and as addictive as narcotics. (A study by Richard Drake, assistant professor at Brigham Young University College of Nursing).

Studies show pornography is progressive and addictive for many. It often leads to the user acting out his fantasy often on children. (Victor Cline, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Pornography Effects: Empirical and Clinical Evidence, pg. 24)

PORNOGRAPHY AND SEX ADDICTION:
The average age of first time contact of pornography among sex addicts is 11. (American Family Association Outreach)

PORNOGRAPHY’S EFFECTS ON FATHERS:
More sophisticated analysis reveals that men who had “purchased pornographic materials in the past year” had significantly lower marital, fathering and family-life satisfaction when compared to those who had not purchased pornographic materials in the past year. (National Center for Fathering)

PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL ASSAULT:
Research gathered over the past few decades demonstrates that pornography contributes to sexual assault, including rape and the molestation of children. (Pornography Victims Compensation Act of 1992, U.S. Senate Comm. on the Judiciary)

Child molesters often use pornography to seduce their prey, to lower the inhibitions of the victim, and to serve as an instruction manual. ( W.L. Marshall, Ph.D., Pornography and Sexual Offenders, in Pornography: Research Advances and Policy)

WHO CONSUMES PORNOGRAPHY:
A primary pornography consumer group is boys between ages 12 - 17.9 (Attorney General’s Final Report on Pornography)

PORNOGRAPHY’S EFFECT ON SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Pornography distorts the natural development of personality. If the early stimulus is pornographic photographs, the adolescent can be conditioned to become aroused through photographs. Once this pairing is rewarded a number of times, it is likely to become permanent. The result to the individual is that it becomes difficult for the person to seek out relations with appropriate persons. (Jerry Bergman, Ph.D., The Influence of Pornography on Sexual Development: Three Case Histories, IX Family Therapy)

By Ustadha Zaynab Ansari

Q) I have a pornography problem. I am 16 years old and when I am finished pleasing myself I often feel guilty and disgusted by myself and what I become at times for those couple of minutes. And now I have noticed that I am viewing gay porn instead. I know everything that I am doing is wrong and completely forbidden. I have started to stop myself but it is hard. I mean I don't want to continue this habit of masturbating and watching porn, or even the factor of me being gay to come into play. I have been going to the mosque regularly and I have tried to increase my iman. I feel when I enter the mosque that I am secured and away from all things bad.

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
Assalamu alaikum,

I pray this message reaches you in good health and spirits.

My teachers caution against looking at images, even those which may be permissible, simply because of the effect they can have on one's heart, and the way they can be a door to the unlawful. It's amazing (and sad) how seemingly innocent web surfing can deteriorate into time wasting, which, in turn can degenerate into the haram.

Here are some tips, which may or may not be helpful. Ultimately, Allah Most High is the only one who can assist you in subduing the lower self, which calls you to these sinful things. So please seek Allah's guidance. Implore Him to give you an exit from these unlawful habits.

1. Once the door of pornography is opened, it is very hard to close. You will have to be firm with yourself, even unyielding, if you want to put an end to this habit. Shut the door to temptation by getting rid of your computer. This may sound drastic, but it is helpful to put this instrument out of your life, until such time you can use it for the good of your soul. If you can't get rid of it, at the very least change out your hard drive and memory.

2. Look at how and when you use your computer and drastically change these habits. If you get online in private, then, from now on, only use the computer when others are around. If you look at these things at night, then refrain from turning the computer on altogether during these hours.

3. By looking at porn, you are willingly putting yourself in a situation in which you will consistently feel temporary, yet completely false, gratification. The problem with this type of "instant" gratification is that it leaves you empty, broken, guilty, and self-loathing. Why put yourself through this? True gratification only comes when you enjoy sexual activity through lawful means, that is, with a spouse. Anything else simply harms your heart and soul.

Finally, and most importantly, you must take steps toward sincere repentance. Sincere repentance consists of :
1. Turning away from the sin
2. Feeling remorse
3. Resolving to never go back
4. Changing one's environment so that the temptation is removed

Please avail yourself of the beautiful literature on repentance. There are many Qur'anic verses and Prophetic traditions on repentance. Allah Most High, says, "Say: "O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (Will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped" (Az-Zumar, 39:53-54)

And the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, said, "Allah the Mighty and Majestic accepts the repentance of His servant as long as long as his death-rattle has not begun" [At-Tirmidhi, Riyad al-Salihin]

Cultivate good habits, and Allah willing, these will replace the bad ones. Establish a connection with the Book of Allah by reading it and reflecting on it daily. Contemplate the noble example of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, and the biographies of his companions, Allah be pleased with them, to see how you can implement these life lessons.

And, find good Muslim friends. This is of huge importance in fortifying yourself against temptation.

May Allah Ta'ala make things easy for you.

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As Salaamu Alaikum

You can use K9 Web protection to block out most gambling, porn, Alcohol,etc, websites. It also safeseaches when you are using seachengines. Click HERE to Download.

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බොදු බල සේනාව කරන්නේ ආණ්ඩුවයි, බුද්ධාගමයි දෙකම විනාශ කිරීමේ කුමන්ත්‍රණයක්

ප්‍රවීණ දේශපාලන විචාරක සී.ඒ.චන්ද්‍රප්‍රේම

බොදු බල සේනාව ඇතුළු බෞද්ධ සංවිධාන කිහිපයක් සම්බන්ධයෙන්, දේශපාලන විචාරකයකු ලෙස,ඔබ  දැඩි විවේචනයක් කර තිබුණා. මුලින්ම ඔබගේ මේ විවේචනයේ පදනම ගැන යම් හැඳින්වීමක් කරන්න?

ප්‍රධාන වශයෙන් මගේ විවේචනයට ලක්වන්නේ මේ ආගමික සංවිධානවල හැසිරීමයි. කිසියම් ගැටලුවක් ඇතිනම් ඒ සම්බන්ධයෙන් කටයුතු කළ යුතු ආකාරයක් තිබෙනවා. එවැනි කාරණයකදී විශේෂයෙන්ම බෞද්ධ භික්ෂුවක් කටයුතු කළ යුතු ආකෘතියක් තිබෙනවා. එසේ නොකර කලබලකාරී තත්ත්වයක්, ගැටුම්කාරී තත්ත්වයක් ඇති කළ විට එය ගැටලුවක් වෙනවා. සාමාන්‍යයෙන් කලබලකාරී තත්ත්වයන් ඇති කරන්නේ ගිහි පුද්ගලයිනුයි. පූජ්‍ය පක්ෂයේ අය එවැනි කලබලකාරී තත්ත්වයක් ඇති කළ විට ඒ කරුණ මතම ගැටලුවක් ඇති වෙනවා.
දැන් ආගම පැත්තකින් තියලා දේශපාලනය ගන්න. දේශපාලනඥයෙක් කිසියම් කරුණක් සම්බන්ධයෙන් මැරයෙකු සේ කටයුතු කරනවානම් ජනතාවගේ සිත් සතන් තුළ වඩාත් අවධානයට ලක්වන්නේ ඔහුගේ එම මැර හැසිරීමයි. එසේ නැතිව ඔහු කියන කාරණය ජනතාව අතරට යන්නේ නැහැ. එම මැර දේශපාලනඥයින් පිළිබඳව ජනතාව තුළ ඇතිවන්නේ වෙනස් ආකාරයක ප්‍රතිරූපයකුයි. යම් දේශපාලන පක්ෂයක අයෙක් ඒ ආකාරයට කටයුතු කළ විට ලැබෙන ප්‍රතිචාරය එසේනම් භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේ නමක් සිවුරක් දමාගෙන ඔය ආකාරයට හැසිරීමෙන් ඇතිවන තත්ත්වය කෙසේදැයි සිතාගත හැකියිනේ. සිවුරක් දමාගත් අයෙකුගේ මැර හැසිරීමෙන් හානියක් වන්නේ බුද්ධාගමටමයි.
බොදු බල සේනාව ඇතුළු සංවිධාන විසින් රටේ සිදුවනවා යැයි කියන කාරණාවලින් බුද්ධාගමට කිසියම් හානියක් වන්නේද, ඔය භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලාගේ හැසිරීම නිසා ඒ හානිය වගේ දස ගුණයක හානියක් සිදුවෙනවා.
බෞද්ධ භික්ෂුවක් කියන්නේ ආගමික ස්වරූපය අතින්ම වෙනස් කෙනෙක්. මේ වගේ කටයුතු නිසා බෞද්ධ භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලාගේ ප්‍රතිරූපය කඩා වැටීමේ අවදානමක් තිබෙනවා. මේ වගේ තවත් සංවිධානයක් හරක් මස් තහනම් කරන්න කියලා බලපෑම් කරනවා. හරක් මස් කන බහුතරය සිංහල බෞද්ධයින්. ඔවුන්කළයුතු වන්නේ හරක් මස් නොකන තැනට ජනතාව ‍පොළඹවන එකයි. එසේ නැතිව බලහත්කාරයෙන් ආණ්ඩුව ලවා කරන්න යන එක නොකළ යුතුයි.

මේ ආකාරයට බොදු බල සේනා සංවිධානය ඇතුළු සංවිධානවල භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා ප්‍රචණ්ඩ ආකාරයෙන් හැසිරීමට හේතුව කුමක් විය හැකිද?
මේ ආකාරයට හැසිරෙන එකේ ඇති වරද උපසම්පදාව ලැබූ භික්ෂුවකට නොතේරෙන්න විදියක් නැහැ. ඔවුන් කරන දේවල්වලින් ඇතිවන බලපෑම ඔවුන්ට තේරෙනවා. ඕනකමින්ම තමයි මේ භික්ෂූන්වහන්සේලා ප්‍රචණ්ඩකාරී ආකාරයට හැසිරෙන්නේ. මේ අය සිවුරටත් නිගා දෙන ආකාරයට තමයි හැසිරෙන්නේ. මම විශ්වාස කරන ආකාරයට විදේශීය බලවේගවලට වුවමනා ආකාරයට මේ භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා කටයුතු කරන බවයි.

එසේ කියන්නේ ඇයි?
මම එසේ කියන්නේ හේතු ඇතිවයි. මේ සංවිධාන කාලයක් තිස්සේ වර්ධනය වූ සංවිධාන නොවෙයි. යුද්ධය පැවති කාලයේදී මේ අය සිවුරු දමාගෙන මේ ආකාරයට දිව්වේ පැන්නේ නැහැ. යුද්ධය ඉවරවුණාට පස්සේ එක්වරම මේ අය මතුවෙන්න ගත්තා. යුද්ධය කාලයේ තිබුණේ නැති ජාතික බලවේගයක් යුද්ධයෙන් පසුව මතුවුණේ කෙසේද?
දැන් ප්‍රචණ්ඩ ආකාරයට හැසිරෙන භික්ෂූන්වහන්සේලාගේ නම් යුද්ධය කාලයේදී ජනතාව දැනගෙන සිටියේවත් නැහැ. මැරකම් කරන දේශපාලනඥයෝ වගේ මැරකම් කරලා තමන්ගේ නම ප්‍රසිද්ධ කරගන්න වෙන්න ඇති මේ භික්ෂූන් කටයුතු කරන්නේ. මැර ක්‍රියාවලින් තමන්ගේ ‘කීර්ති නාමය’ සකස් කරගෙන තිබෙනවා. ඒක අපේ කම්පනයට තුඩු දිය යුතුයි.

බොදු බල සේනාව පිටුපස විදේශ බලවේග සිටිනවා යැයි ඔබ කියනවා නම් එසේ සිටින විදේශ බලවේග මොනවාද?
චිලී රාජ්‍යයේ ආණ්ඩු පෙරළීම සඳහා ඇමෙරිකාව කටයුතු කළ ආකාරය පිළිබඳව ඇමෙරිකානු කොංග්‍රස් මණ්ඩලය විසින්ම වාර්තා ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබෙනවා. ඇමරිකානු සී.අයි.ඒ. ඔත්තු සේවාවන් කාලයක් තිස්සේම චිලී රාජ්‍යයේ ක්‍රියාත්මක වුණා. පිටතින් කටයුතු කරමින් තමන්ට සතුරු බලවේග විනාශ කිරීමට නොහැකි විට ඔවුන් එම සතුරු බලවේග තුළට ගොස් ඒවා විනාශ කිරීමට උත්සාහ ගන්නවා. නැතිනම් එම බලවේග මෙල්ල කරනවා. දැන් බටහිර රටවල සතුරන් සේ සලකන්නේ අපේ රටේ සිංහල ජාතිකවාදී බලවේගයි. එළියෙන් ඇවිත් පහරදීලා එම ජාතිකවාදී බලවේග බිඳහෙළිය නොහැකියි. පිටතින් පහරදෙන්න පහර දෙන්න එම ජාතිකවාදී බලවේග ශක්තිමත් වෙනවා. ඒ නිසා ඇතුළට ගොස් ඒවා විනාශ කළ යුතුයි. බොදු බල සේනාව හරහා මේ ක්‍රියාත්මක වන්නේ මේ රටේ ජාතිකවාදී බලවේග විනාශ කිරීමේ කුමන්ත්‍රණය කියලයි මම හිතන්නේ.
එසේ ජාතිකවාදී බලවේග විනාශ කිරීම සඳහා ගනු ලබන කුමන්ත්‍රණයක් බව පැහැදිලි වන්නේ බොදු බල සේනාවේ ක්‍රියාකාරීත්වය එක්වරම මතුවීම නිසයි. එක්වරම ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙලා කිසියම් තැනක ගැටුමක් ඇතිකිරීමේ හැකියාව මොවුන් සතුවෙනවා. ඒවාට සම්පත් අවශ්‍යයි. දැන් මැතිවරණ රැස්වීමක් පවත්වන්න ගියත් නිකම්ම ඒකට මිනිස්සු අදින්න බැහැනේ. ඒකට මුදල් අවශ්‍යයි. සම්පත් අවශ්‍යයි. මේ අය දැන් මිනිස්සු ඇදගෙන ගිහින් විරෝධතා, උද්ඝෝෂණ කරන විදියට ඒ කාලයේදී මායිම් මිනිස්සු අරගෙන එන්න තිබුණානේ. ඒත් එහෙම කළේ නැහැනේ. දැන් මේ අය කරන මැරකම් වගේ මැරකම් කොටි ඉන්න කා‍ලේ කළානම් එදා කොටි ඉදිරියේ දනින් වැටීමේ අවශ්‍යතාවක් ඇතිවෙන්නේ නැහැ. මේ අයට දැන් ඇවිත් තියෙන ජාතිකවාදී හැඟීම එන්න තිබුණේ මීට අවුරුදු දහයකට පහළොවකට කලින්. එදා පහරදීලා විනාශ කළ නොහැකිවූ ජාතික බලවේගය දැන් සිවුර තුළින්ම විනාශ කිරීමේ කුමන්ත්‍රණයක් තමයි ක්‍රියාත්මක වෙන්නේ.

බොදු බල සේනාව ඇතුළු සංවිධාන හැසිරෙන ආකාරයේ ගැටලුවක් තිබුණාට ඔවුන් මතුකරන කාරණාවල ගැටලුවක් නැහැ නේද?
ඔවුන් මතුකරන කාරණාවල නොවෙයි ගැටලුව තිබෙන්නේ. ඔවුන් එම කරුණු කතා කළාට කමක් නැහැ. ඒත් එය කළ යුතු ආකාරයක් තිබෙනවා. ඔවුන් ක්‍රියාකරන ආකාරයේ තමයි ගැටලුව තිබෙන්නේ.

බොදු බල සේනා ඇතුළු සංවිධාන මේ ආකාරයෙන්වත් කටයුතු කරන්නේ නැතිනම් බුදුදහමට හා බෞද්ධයින්ට එරෙහිව  දැනට ඇතිවෙමින් තිබෙන තත්ත්වයන් පිළිබඳ සමාජයේ කතිකාවක් ඇතිවන්නේ නැහැ කියලා කෙනෙක් කියන්න පුළුවන්.
දැන් පාඨලී චම්පිකලා, උදය ගම්මන්පිලලා, විමල් වීරවංශලා, ගුණදාස අමරසේකරලා වගේ අයත් මේ ප්‍රශ්න ගැන කතා කරනවානේ. මේ අය මේ වගේ ගැටලු විසඳගත්තේ මැරකම් කරලාද?
අනෙක ප්‍රභාකරන් විනාශ කළේ ගිහියෝ වෙඩි තියලා. ත්‍රස්තවාදීන්ට යළිත් නැගී සිටිය නොහැකි ආකාරයට ප්‍රහාර එල්ල කළේ ගිහියෝ. දැන් මේ හාමුදුරුවරුන් මතුකරන ගැටලු ගැන කතා කිරීමට සිංහල බෞද්ධයින් සිටිනවා. බොදු බල සේනාවේ හාමුදුරුවෝ අනවසර පදිංචිකරුවන් ගැන කතා කරනවානම් ඒ ගැන කතා කිරීමට සිංහල බෞද්ධ ගිහියන් සිටිනවා. ඒකට හාමුදුරුවරුන් මේ වගේ ප්‍රචණ්ඩ ආකාරයට  මැදිහත් විය යුතු නැහැ. චම්පිකලා, උදයලා, විමල්ලා, අමරසේකරලා ඉන්නේ මේ වගේ දේවල් කතා කරන්නයි. මේ ප්‍රශ්න කතා කරන එක ගිහි අයට භාරදිය යුතුයි.
දැන් හාමුදුරුවරු සිවුරත් උස්සාගෙන ඕවා ගැන කතා කරන්න යනවා. ඒත් යුද්ධය කාලයේදී චම්පිකලා සරම කැහැපට ගහගෙන යුද්ධයට ගියේ නැහැ. ඒ අය කටයුතු කළේ ඒ විදියට නම් භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේ කෙනෙක් හැසිරෙන ආකාරය මීට වඩා වෙනස් විය යුතුයි.

බොදු බල සේනාව ආණ්ඩුවේම ඇතැම් පාර්ශ්ව විසින් මෙහෙයවනු ලබන සංවිධානයක් බවටත් චෝදනා එල්ලවෙනවා. ආණ්ඩුවට මෙවැනි සංවිධානයක් නඩත්තු කිරීමේ අවශ්‍යතාවක් තිබෙනවාද?
බොදු බල සේනාව වගේ සංවිධානයක් පවත්වාගෙන යාමෙන් ආණ්ඩුවට කිසිදු වාසියක් අත්වන්නේ නැහැ. එයින් ආණ්ඩුවට සිදුවන්නේ අවාසියක් පමණයි. බොදු බල සේනාවේ හාමුදුරුවන්ගේ හැසිරීම ජාතියටම අපහාසයක්. යුද්ධය ජයග්‍රහණය කරලා ඔළුව ඔසවන ජාතියකට කරන නිගාවක් තමයි මේ භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා කරන්නේ. ඒ විතරක් නොවෙයි සිවුරටත් නිගා කරනවා. හාමුදුරුවෝ මැරකමට යොමු කළා කියලා ආණ්ඩුවට එයින් කිසිදු වාසියක් අත්වෙන්නේ නැහැ. මොකද මේ අය ඡන්දයක් කාලයට ඡන්ද ව්‍යාපාරයට එන්නේත් නැහැනේ. ඒ වගේම මේ අය නිසා ආණ්ඩුව ගැන ජනතාවගෙන් හොඳ ප්‍රතිරූපයක් ලබාගැනීමටත් නොහැකියි.
මේ අය දැන් සූදානම් වෙන්නේ ආණ්ඩුවත් විනාශ කරගෙන බුද්ධාගමත් විනාශ කිරීමටයි. ලංකාවේ ජාතිකවාදී ව්‍යාපාරයේ සාර්ථක පියවරක් තමයි මේ ආණ්ඩුව. මේ අය ජාතිකවාදී ආණ්ඩුවට වගේම බුද්ධාගමටත් කරන්නේ හානියක්. බොදු බල සේනාවේ එක් භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේ නමක් ප්‍රසිද්ධ රූපවාහිනී නාලිකාවකට ඇවිත් තමන් නෝර්වේ යන විට ඒ බව
ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යංශයට දැනුම් දුන් බව පැවසුවා. හාමුදුරු නමක් නෝර්වේ යන විට ඒ බව ආරක්ෂක අමාත්‍යංශයට කියන්නේ ඇයි? අනෙක යුද්ධය පැවති කාලයේදී නෝර්වේ ආණ්ඩුව හා ලංකාවේ ආණ්ඩුව අතර තිබුණේ විශම සම්බන්ධයක්. මේ වගේ ප්‍රකාශ කරන්නේ යුද්ධය දිනා ගෞරවයක් අත් කර දුන් ආණ්ඩුව ගැරහීමට ලක් කිරීමටයි. ආණ්ඩුව ගැන වැරදි චිත්‍රයක් ඇති කිරීමටයි.

බොදු බළ සේනාව ත්‍රස්තවාදී සංවිධානයක් බවට ‘ට්‍රැක්’ නමැති සංවිධානය විසින් හඳුන්වා දී තිබෙන බව වාර්තා වුණා. එය විග්‍රහ කළ හැක්කේ කෙසේද?
ත්‍රස්තවාදී සංවිධානයක් කියන්නේ ආයුධ අරගෙන යන සංවිධානයක්නේ. මොවුන් අතේ ආයුධ නැහැ. ඒත් මේ අය සිවුරට නිගා කරනවා. මොවුන් බුද්ධාගමට එරෙහි ත්‍රස්තවාදයක් තමයි ක්‍රියාත්මක කරන්නේ. ප්‍රවෘත්ති සාකච්ඡාවකට සහභාගි වූ භික්ෂූන්වහන්සේ නමක් බය කළ හැටි අපි රූපවාහිනියෙන් දුටුවානේ. අපේ රටේ මහානායක හිමිවරුන් ඉන්නවා. ඒ අය කැසිනෝවලට විරුද්ධව කතා කරනවා. ඒත් මහානායක හිමිවරුන් මේ ගැන කිසිම අවවාදයක් කළේ නැහැ. මේ අය මහානායක හාමුදුරුවොත් වට කරලාදැනටමත් තර්ජනය කර තිබෙනවාද දන්නේ නැහැ. දැන් දේශපාලනය ගැන කතා කරන සෝභිත හාමුදුරුවෝ වගේ හාමුදුරුවෝවත් මේ ගැන කතා කරන්නේ නැහැනේ.

බොදු බළ සේනාවේ ක්‍රියාකාරීත්වය නිසා ජාත්‍යන්තරව ලංකාවට එල්ලවන පීඩනය කුමන ආකාරයක් ගන්නවාද?
මේ අයගේ ක්‍රියාකාරීත්වය නිසා ජාත්‍යන්තර වශයෙන් ලංකාවට තිබෙන ප්‍රතිරූපය විනාශයට පත්වෙනවා. දැනටමත් එය සිදුවෙලා. ආගමික උම්මත්තයකින් සිටින රටක් ලෙස තමයි අපේ රට නම් කෙරෙන්නේ.

මෙම සංවිධාන කටයුතු කරන ආකාරයට ඉදිරියටම කටයුතු කළොත් මොනවා සිදුවෙයිද?
මේ අය කටයුතු කරන විදියට කටයුතු කළොත් තවත් අවුරුදු දහයක් පහළොවක් යද්දී බුදුදහම නැතිවෙලා යාවි. විදේශ බලවේගවලට ලංකාවෙන් පලිගත හැකි හොඳම ආකාරය තමයි සිංහල බෞද්ධ අනන්‍යතාව විනාශ කරන එක. දැන් මේ යන ගමනේ අවසානය එය විය  හැකියි.

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Pornogrpahy: Why it is Haram & How to deal with it?

Definition of Pornography?

Pornography is defined in the English language as an indecent form of art or literature. Islam also views it as indecent and terms it as faahisha in the Quran.

Allah Ta'ala says (what means): "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds whether open or secret…"(Qur'an 7:33)

Faahishah is translated as "shameful deeds" because it refers to every bad deed that is noticeably ugly to human beings. In many places in the Quran, Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) refers to zinaa, adultery and fornication as a faahishah. In another verse, Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) refers to the marrying of one's father's wife also as being a faahishah because, like adultery, anyone with a pure nature will clearly see it as hideous. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) also calls the crime of the people of Lut (Alaihis Salaam), homosexuality, a faahishah. Likewise to view pictures of nudity, sexual suggestion, intimacy between two people, or a person of the opposite gender who is improperly covered (Islamically) is also an ugly sin to anyone who wishes to adhere to piety.

Television
One of the most pervasive tools of pornography is the television. Shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "Baywatch" have no other purpose except to display blatant degrees of nakedness and indecent scenes of intimacy. Movies also succeed in conveying lewd imagery by almost always including a love/lust story in the story line. However there are other forms of pornography on TV that are much more subtle. For example, most Muslims would not realize that the viewing of several sports events includes pornographic images. The swimsuits that are worn by both men and woman during the Olympics are iniquitously revealing. They expose the 'awrah of a woman and a man for their respective genders and the opposite gender.

The word 'awrah refers to those parts of the body which are Islamically prohibited to expose in front of another (either the opposite gender or the same gender). For example, it is a must for a woman to cover all of her body except for her face and hands in front of men who are permissible for her to marry - that is her 'awrah. Likewise the man's 'awrah is everything between his navel and knees while in front of a woman or a man. The skimpy swimsuits worn by these athletes just don't meet the Islamic dress code.

Underwear Ads

Another subtle example regards women who view advertisements that contain pictures of other women modeling bras and underwear. The 'awrah of Muslim women in front of other Muslim women doesn't allow these areas of the body to be exposed and hence it is haram for even a woman to view them.

It is also important to keep in mind that a person could be "clothed but naked" as Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) said. For example, competitors in races usually wear some sort of bodysuit that adheres very tightly to their skin and the exact shape of their body parts is apparent. This is almost equivalent to being naked, since it doesn't take much imagination to figure out what is under such type of clothing.

Lowering the Gaze

When such images become prevalent in a society, what is deemed pornographic changes drastically. The very standard of modesty, which should be a defining characteristic of Muslim dress and behavior, will become degraded. The Islamic standard must be upheld. The true believer fears Allah's judgement and knows that no act will go unaccounted for and that even his own eyes will bear witness against him on the Day of Judgement. Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) says: "Until, when they reach it (Hell-Fire) their hearing and eyes and skin will testify against them as to what they used to do." Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Salaam) warned us that there is a zinaa of the eyes just as there is a zinaa of the private parts.

The Islamic solution to living in a society where pornographic images are so visible is to lower one's gaze.

Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) says: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well aquainted with all they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof… "(Qur'an 24:30-31)

The scholars of tafseer say that this means that both men and woman are obliged to direct their sight away from that which is haram and that there is no harm in looking at that which is halal (such as viewing one's spouse while they are uncovered).

In regard to these verses Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) says: "So He (Allah) put purity after lowering of the gaze and protecting of the private parts. For this reason lowering the gaze away from the prohibited things warrants three great benefits. The first of them is the sweetness of Imaan and the pleasure that comes from it, which is more sweet and pleasing than that which he diverted his eyes away from for Allah's sake. Verily, whoever abandons a thing for Allah's sake, He (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) compensates him with better than it…The second benefit is a light in the heart and quality of intuition… and the third benefit is the strength of the heart and steadfastness and courage. So Allah (Subhaanahu WaTa'ala) would give him, by His strength, the ability of wisdom and substantiation, and the devil would flee from him as it has been mentioned in the saying, "Whoever fears his whims, the devil would race out of his shadow."

Indeed, the opposite is also true. This is because the eyes are the most direct path to the heart. One who allows his whims to overwhelm him and indulges his eyes in the viewing of haram things has weakened his heart, corrupted his soul, and invited shaytan to control him.

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Become an active member of the ProductiveMuslim community and enrich it with your thoughts. Leave a comment on this article and with it, your presence. We look forward to reading your comments.

The Prophet Muhammad was reported to have said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock …” [Abu Dawud]

As described in the hadith above, all of us are answerable to our subjects. As managers, we are shepherds too and are answerable in two ways:

1. As a servant who is a guardian over the property of his master (the employer).
2. As a caliph who is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (the subordinates).

This two-way balance is a tight rope to walk on, which often results in one of the two sides being offended. A manager who is productive leads his team to realize the vision of the organization that they all are a part of. He has to direct his sheep in the right direction, guarding them and not allowing them to go astray. On top of that, there may be ‘black sheep’ that he needs to identify and prevent from leading others astray.

Productive Team, Productive Manager

For a manager to be productive, he should have a productive team. However, that is not always possible since, in most cases, teams are composed of individuals with varied levels of qualifications and experience. It becomes imperative for a manager to groom his team members so they can fulfill their fullest potential. You are a manager because you are considered to be most qualified and experienced among your team members. Below are some of the qualities a manager should possess to make himself and his team more productive.

Lead by Example

Your team works under your guidance. At times when they are stuck, you need to roll up your sleeves and get involved to solve critical issues. While doing so, you should not be boasting your contribution or belittling theirs.

The companions of the Holy Prophet were die-hard soldiers and never wanted any pain for him. Yet many a time, the Prophet joined them in digging trenches, toiling in the battle grounds and even in building Al-Masjid an-Nabawi brick by brick, ”… The Prophet himself started carrying unburnt bricks for its building …” [Bukhari]

You need to build your team, task by task, project by project. If there is something on which your team is at odds with you, but you know your decision to be correct, you need to persuade others.One of the ways to do this is to start doing the action yourself. They will automatically follow suit, In sha Allah.

A similar thing happened when most of the companions did not agree with the concessions given to the opponents in the treaty of Hudaibiyya. They were reluctant to come out of the state of Ihram without performing the Umrah. The Holy Prophet continued with what he thought was right. He then “… slaughtered the sacrifice and called his barber who shaved his head. Seeing that, the companions of the Prophet got up, slaughtered their sacrifices, and started shaving the heads of one another …” [Bukhari]

Integrity is Better Than Intelligence

This is a management saying and generally applied by recruitment specialists who are faced with a trade-off between the intelligence and honesty of a candidate. Many of them prefer a honest candidate over an intelligent one.

Managers can apply this concept to themselves too. Being intelligent is a part of your job because your position demands so, but you need to be honest while executing your affairs dealing with your subjects.

The Holy Prophet said: “Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people, and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise.” [Bukhari]

Be Just

As a manager, one of the biggest trials you may face is being just, especially in a multicultural, multilingual and multi-ethnic environment. Personal likes and dislikes based on these factors tend to creep in while making decisions affecting the team, preventing them to be well-knitted. If two or more members are at odds with one another and you are required to be a judge, you must be just. Favoring a member over the other based on your personal preference causes resentments within the team and you will also lose respect.

The Holy Qur’an asks us to be just: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is acquainted with what you do.” [Qur’an: Chapter 5, Verse 8]

There are numerous narrations of the Holy Prophet delivering just verdicts, no matter the person’s background or religion. In one such incident, the Prophet relied on the oath of a defendant Jew even though the claimant was a Muslim because the latter lacked evidence to prove his claim. The dispute between Ash’ath bin Qais and a Jewish man is detailed in Sunan Ibn Majah.

Be Cheerful

If your absence makes people cheerful and your entrance brings silence in the office, you are an authoritarian manager and not a lenient one.

The Holy Prophet told Aisha : “… be lenient, for leniency makes a thing decorated and when it is removed from a thing it makes it defective.” [Abu Dawud]

Also Mu’adh was advised by the Holy Prophet while being sent to Yemen on a mission: “Show leniency (to the people); don’t be hard upon them; give them glad tidings; and do not create aversion. Work in collaboration and don’t be divided.” [Muslim]

Being friendly and cheerful with your subordinates makes them feel comfortable. Creating a friendly atmosphere is a way to invite their ideas, whereas a restricted environment prevents them from sharing their ideas. The Holy Prophet said: “Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face.” [Muslim]

Avoid using harsh words since “Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness, and He grants reward for it that He does not grant for harshness.” [Ibn Majah]

Be a Mentor

Your success as a manager depends on the strength of your team. To make your team strong, you have to be a mentor. Organize training and workshops for them depending on their job function, then meet them regularly to provide some insights on what you have gained through your overall experience. Let them have a feeling of ‘growing together’.

Be Flexible

If your organization allows, you may also try flexible working hours for your workers. Flexibility in working hours sometime enables them to fulfill their household duties too, like dropping or picking kids to or from school, or attending to an ailing loved one. If required to work at odd hours, taking advantage of information technology, you may also consider allowing a member to work from home. This is definitely a possible option since we live in an age where a person can connect to his office network from his home computer.

Focus on Issues at Hand

Keeping yourself focused on the task at hand leads to better management and quicker delivery. Make your meetings conclusive by discussing and deliberating only the purpose of the meeting. Do not let your attention divert from the topic and remind others to stick to the agenda. If any other topic comes up, politely ask them to keep it aside for a separate discussion. This will not only keep you focused on one task at a time, but your colleagues’ time will be better utilized too. Once you have finished the meeting, write the minutes and circulate among the stakeholders what you have discussed and decided. Even if the meeting was inconclusive, it is better to write and circulate the minutes so the attendees can recall what you already discussed and what needs to be discussed during the next meeting.

Consultation and Participation

When the Makkan army marched towards Madinah, the Prophet wanted to defend Madinah from within. But it was the suggestion of some companions, most of them in their youth, to go out and fight. He agreed to their advice and thus the historic battle at Uhud took place.

As a manager, you must consult your team and invite the participation of the younger members as well. This serves as a big motivation and generates a sense of involvement of even the less experienced ones. Decisions based on consultations often yield productive results. The Quran also emphasizes on consultation: “… and consult them in the matter…” [Qur’an: Chapter 3, Verse 159]

Convince, not Confuse

You do not have to adopt the “If not convinced, confuse” theory. If you do, you are bound to lose trust among your team and co-workers. If someone comes to you with his problem, he comes with a hope of getting a solution from you. You need to address his concerns rather than using jugglery of words and making the situation confusing and worse for him.

Moreover, confusing someone deliberately is akin to misguiding him. Keep things simple and explanation clear. If they are not convinced, try different means of communication to explain, such as explaining through writing, or a graphical display, or any other form of presentation.

Trust Your Team

Adopt a non-interference doctrine once you have assigned a task to your team. Frequent follow-up bugs them. The individuals in the team will then try to finish off the tasks ‘quickly anyhow’, rather than completing correctly and efficiently. Give them some breathing space and let them be on their own to perform, unless you see something going wrong or your interference is extremely necessary. Instead, design a follow-up meeting schedule to review their progress on the tasks.

Rotate Tasks

Adopt a policy of ‘cyclic rotation’ of tasks if there are more members in the team and adopt the ‘hand-shake’ method when exchanging tasks between two members. Performing the same task daily makes it monotonous for them. Newer assignments provides them with an opportunity to learn something new, making them more interested in their jobs. Different ideas from different individual adds value to the way certain tasks are being done. One of the benefits of exchanging and rotating tasks is that you are not left limping with an unexpected resignation or temporary unavailability of a member who was handling critical tasks of which nobody else is aware.

Maintaining your team as a unit ensures greater productivity. Building a team is a managerial skill, but it can be considered an act of virtue too in light of how the Holy Prophet joined the emigrants and the ansar together as brothers for a mission. When an employee leaves, the manager also needs to self-reflect. As many management experts say, “The employee does not leave an organization, he leaves the manager.”

I hope these tips will inspire you in your professional and personal lives. If you have any other tips or comments, feel free to share them in the Comments section below.

About the Author:

The writer is a Middle East-based IT systems analyst originally from Aurangabad, India. He writes on various issues pertaining to the Muslim world. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama conveys its sincere thanks to the Sri Lankan Muslim community for abiding by the guidance provided by our organizing in the past period when various adversities were lobbed at them. We also congratulate the Lankan Muslims for acting in the most pleasant and judicious manner with forbearance thus contributing to preserve peace and harmony in our Motherland.

ACJU once again reminds our people that we should always turn towards the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and exemplary ways of our beloved Prophet (Sal) and his Companions for solutions for any and every crisis that come our way.

Sri Lanka Muslims have a historic reputation as an uncomplicated ethnic group that exists congenially with all the communities that live in this country and as an affable religious minority that always gives prominence for national welfare, unity and harmony. ACJU asserts the importance of steadfastly maintaining that good repute, especially in these turbulence times when we have become a chosen target for provocation.

Muslims are pointedly proscribed from insulting other faiths and the Holy Qur’an enjoins as follows in this regard:

‘And insult not those whom they (disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge’
-Sura Al An Aam 108

However, Muslims have become more hurt by the latest stunt of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, in which it has started to make horrendous remarks against the Holy Qur’an by misinterpreting its commands and spitefully commenting on its verses out of context.

Along with other false allegations that could be disproved in no time, the BBS propagates that there is a concept in Islam called ‘Thaqiya’ as facilitated by the Holy Qur’an which allows Muslims to defraud people of other faiths and that makes lawful for Muslims to acquire properties and wealth of non Muslims by cheating them. This incredulous allegation have deeply disturbed the local Muslims and it might agitate global Muslims as well which is not going to profit our country in anyway. Especially in these times when the entire world is scrutinizing us.

We are hoping to soon secure an audience with His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as one with Ven. Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter to make an appeal in this regard with the ultimate hope that necessary steps would be taken to put an end to these atrocities that clearly have surpassed all the limits.

In the meantime, we call our community to continue to be patient and prudent in these chaotic times as certain evil elements eagerly watch for a single slip from our side to ignite nationwide mayhem. We also request Muslims to make additional supplication to Almighty Allah, soon after the forthcoming Jumu’a Prayer to bring about lasting peace and unity to our country.

Ash Sheikh M. M. A. Mubarak
General Secretary,All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama

http://www.acju.lk/press-release/co-existence/

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My Journey to Freedom

By Sumayyah Joan

It will be three years since I stood before two Muslim sisters and declared openly my belief in God (Allah) and His Messenger, Peace be upon him, and thus freeing and liberating myself from my former self-imposed bondage. Stepping out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of Islam, it’s funny that I found such freedom in the very thing that was keeping me from Islam in the first place - the hijab.

Even though I get the wide gamut of strange stares, points and comments, this covering makes me feel honored, safe and cherished. 

The word hijab comes from the Arabic word “hajaba” meaning to hide from view or to conceal. Women who don’t reveal their beauty in this society and give in to this oppressive system, are looked upon as invisible, without sexuality and backward. 

Because I’m often mistaken for a nun, or terrorist, I feel the reactions to the hijab for many women, is the truest test of being a Muslim. 

But in reality, the hijab is easy!

In instructing us to wear the hijab, Allah has given Muslim women what they can bear of injunctions and obligations. For Allah says:

Unfortunately, Satan and his cohorts are calling the Muslim woman to enslave her to the creation, and to forget about her servitude to her Creator. Chastity, modesty and piety are deceptively marked as shackles on personal freedom. 

Allah Ta'ala warns the believers that they should not let Satan deceive them, as he deceived their parents, Adam and Eve. Under the guises of fashion, culture, and modernism, Satan has succeeded and is succeeding to lead the Muslim woman –and all women- into immodesty. 

Since the heyday of the feminist movement, there has been an increasing amount of scrutiny placed on the dress and status of Muslim women.

According to these “liberated” women, the hijab not only covers the head, but also covers the mind, will and intellect. They say that our dress code is outdated and oppressive, and it stops us from being productive human beings. They speak out of ignorance when they say that our hijab does not belong in these modern times, when due to the constant decrease in moral values in the world today, circumstances make the hijab even more necessary. 

From the dawn of civilization, flowing dresses and headscarves have always been associated with “Godliness” or “God consciousness”. Even the Christian pictorial representation of the earlier prophets and their womenfolk bear familiar likeness to the dress ordained for Muslim men and women (e.g. Mary). This tradition of modesty is reflected in the Qur’an (7:26), wherein Allah says:

Allah enjoined hijab on the Muslim woman to protect her from harm.

He knows His creation, and knows that when women make a dazzling display of themselves, with immodest clothes, perfumed bodies and made-up faces, it serves to increase the sexual deviance of the overall society. Many of those who are misguided however, would have us think that the hijab is a portable prison that restricts our minds, lives and hearts. It is none of these things, and in order not to fall victim to their plots, we must begin to understand what the hijab truly is- a source of liberation, dignity and protection.

What the Hijab is...

• An act of Obedience to The Creator.
• An Act of Honour & Dignity.
• An act of Belief & Faith.
• An act of Modesty.
• An act of Purity.
• An act of Bashfulness.
• An act of Righteousness.
• A Shield.

What the Hijab is NOT...

• It is NOT something new. Muslim women follow the example of righteous women in the past such as Mary, the mother of Jesus.
• It is NOT a symbol of oppression.
• It is NOT required in non-public places where there are only muslim females and close male relatives.
• It is NOT a means to restrict a woman’s freedom to express her views and opinion, or to have an education and a career.
• It is NOT an act of defiance, confrontation or protest to non-Muslims.
• It is NOT a portable prison.

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UN raises alarm over Rohingya Muslim abuse

Human rights envoy says the long history of persecution in Myanmar could amount to "crimes against humanity". Last updated: 08 Apr 2014 07:21

A UN report has decried the "systematic discrimination and marginalisation" of Rohingya Muslims [Reuters]

A UN human rights envoy says severe shortages of food, water and medical care for Rohingya Muslims in western Myanmar are part of a long history of persecution against the religious minority that could amount to "crimes against humanity". Tomás Ojea Quintana's statement follows the evacuation of hundreds of international humanitarian workers from Rakhine state, home to almost all the country's 1.3m Rohingya Muslims, tens of thousands of whom are living in crowded displacement camps. The aid workers left after Buddhist mobs attacked their offices and residences two weeks ago. Some have tried to return, but have been barred by the government. Quintana, the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights, said the developments in Rakhine were the latest in a "long history of discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya Muslim community which could amount to crimes against humanity". More than 170 aid workers were pulled out of the state as a result of last month's unrest, the first time they have been forced to leave en masse, and there are fears that the entire relief infrastructure has been severely damaged. The exodus has deepened an already dire health situation for hundreds of thousands reliant on international medical relief, with some 140,000 in the camps, as well as more than 700,000 vulnerable people in isolated villages severely affected. 'Systematic discrimination' Tensions have been heightened by Myanmar's recent census, the first in three decades, which has stoked anger among Buddhists that it might lead to official recognition for the Rohingya Muslims, a religious minority viewed by the authorities as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Quintana said the government's decision not to allow Rohingya Muslims to register their ethnicity in the March census meant that the population tally was not in accordance with international standards. The outspoken envoy, who is approaching the end of his six-year tenure, urged the government to address "systematic discrimination and marginalisation" of the Rohingya Muslims in his final report on the country. British Foreign Minister Hugo Swire tweeted Monday that he had summoned the Myanmar ambassador "to register our deep concern about humanitarian access and conduct of census in Rakhine".

Source: Agencies

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2014/04/un-raises-alarm-over-rohingya-muslim-abuse-20144863638917587.html

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Backbiting and Slander

'...Allah will defend him in this world and in the next....'

And why did you not, when you heard it, say?  "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander" (Quran 24:16)

A commentary on one of the most destructive of major sins

Islam is a religion of peace, love and compassion. Lies, suspicion, back biting, slander and gossip are totally alien to Islam. In fact they are considered amongst the most destructive of major sins. This is so because these sins sow enmity and discord among the Muslim Ummah and lead to its destruction. They cause hostilities between people of the same household, and between neighbors, friends and relatives.

Islam demands that our relationship with mankind should be one of sincerity and responsibility. It should be one where we have respect for the honor, reputation and privacy of others. Islam teaches us that we are not only held accountable for our own attitudes and actions but also for anything else over which we have control or influence over, in our society or the world around us.

Verses: Let's see what the Quran states about backbiting and slander - 'This is the Book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah'. (2:2)

Allah has forbidden the believers from backbiting

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah, verily, Allah is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49: 12)

When we reflect deeply over this assimilation it should be enough to keep us away from backbiting!

Do not treat the issue of Backbiting & Slander with indifference because it is a great sin

Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah (24: 15)

Many of us back bite and gossip without thinking. We think it is minor matter, however Allah reminds us to be careful and even though we think we are doing something little it is in fact very big in the sight of Allah!

Allah teaches us to speak out against Slander and try to put a stop to it

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah, this is a most serious slander" (24:16)

Many people are so busy spreading the slander they hear that they do not even stop to think if it is true or not.

Shaitan (Satan) wants us to use our tongue to create conflict and hatred

Say to My servants that they should only say those things that are best, for Satan does sow dissensions among them, for Satan is to man an avowed enemy. (17:53)

Are we falling into Shaitan's (Satan's) trap? We can all analyze ourselves.

Hadiths: Let's see what Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said about Backbiting in the hadiths. Allah states in the Quran - You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern of conduct. (33:21)

The definition of Backbiting & Slander

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said :"Do you know what backbiting is?" They said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He then said, "It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike." Someone asked him, "But what if what I say is true?" The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) said, "If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)

We should guard our tongue from sins and use our limbs in acts of obedience

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said : "Who protects his tongue from unlawful utterances and his private parts from illegal sexual intercourse, I shall guarantee him entrance into Paradise." (Bukhari and Muslim)

The definition of the best muslim

"I asked the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him): Who is the best Muslim? The Messenger of Allah(Peace Be Upon Him) replied, "He is the one from whom Muslims are safe from the evil of his tongue and hands." (Muslim)

Deriding people in their presence by making negative facial expressions or by hand gestures while they are unaware is also a form of backbiting.

We need to beware of the slipping of our tongues

"When man wakes up in the morning each day, all parts of the body warn the tongue saying, ‘Fear Allah as regards us for we are at your mercy; if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are crooked, we become crooked.’" (At-Tirmidhee)

Summary

Backbiting and slander is so widespread that it has become the topic of people’s meetings and an avenue for expressing their anger, misgivings and jealousy. Those who indulge in backbiting are oblivious of the fact that they are only harming themselves. This is because of the fact that on the Day of Resurrection both the wrongdoer and the wronged will stand before Allah, Who is the Just Judge, Allah will then give this wronged person from the good deeds of the person who wronged him in accordance with his wrong by backbiting.

Some situations allow us to inform others of what someone has done. It is allowed for us to inform the authorities when someone does injustice to us or others. It is allowed for us to inform someone who can help a perpetrator from committing further vice. It is also permissible for us to tell whoever seeks our advice on a person for business dealings or marriage. In this case it is not allowed for us to hide what we know about the person so that the enquirer will not be deceived. All these types of speaking about others are lawful.

Islam teaches us that if people are being ridiculed or backbited in our presence, we should defend their honor. If we neglect this, we shall deprive ourselves of ever needed help and mercy from Allah - If a man's Muslim brother is slandered in his presence, and he is capable of defending him and does so, Allah will defend him in this world and in the next. But if he fails to defend him, Allah will destroy him in this world and the next. (Baghawi). What will we do the next time we are tempted to backbite or hear slander in our presence? Right now the choice is ours!

We ask Allah the Most High, the All Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allah grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his family and companions.