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Islamic Sciences Encyclopedia Issued

March 31, 2013, 3:04 pm
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Egyptian scholars hope the encyclopedia would help correct misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in the West

Cairo: In an attempt to correct misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in the West, a new encyclopedia on Islamic religious sciences has been launched in Egypt, meeting the needs of a large number of non-Arabic speaking Muslims around the world.

"The encyclopedia, which holds the title "Introduction to study Islamic religious sciences" is presented in the English language in a very simple way,” Dr. Ibrahim Negm, a senior advisor to Egypt's Grand Mufti, told Egypt State Information Service on Saturday, February 16.

"It includes thirty disciplines of Islamic sciences as Qur'an, Islamic jurisprudence, theology, comparative religion and Islamic ethics studies, research methods in Islamic sciences and many other fields."

Negm said the new encyclopedia would also tackle a number of modern controversial issues such as Jihad, women in Islam and renewal of Islamic thought.

The launch crowns two years of extensive work under outgoing Mufti Ali Gomaa who established connections with biggest European and American universities.

A copy of this encyclopedia would be uploaded on Dar al-Ifta media center page on the Facebook.

Egyptian scholars hope the encyclopedia would help correct misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in the West.

“The encyclopedia will help the non-Arabic speaking Muslims to get acquainted with the Islamic sciences and serve as the defense line for the mediated Islamic thought,” Negm said.

“This encyclopedia will stand against the fierce attacks on Islam that are based on misinterpretations and misunderstanding of Islamic Shari`ah."

In Islam, Shari`ah govern issues in Muslims’ lives from daily prayers to fasting and from to inheritance and marital cases to financial disputes.

The Islamic rulings, however, do not apply on non-Muslims, even if in a dispute with non-Muslims.

Earlier in 2011, another educational encyclopedia was launched in Saudi Arabia, compounding scholarly work on Islam, human rights and inter-religious affairs in modern ages.

Titled "An Educational Encyclopedia of Islam”, the two-volume encyclopedia includes scholarly work on Islamic cultures, religion, history and politics, the entries of the encyclopedia are arranged alphabetically.

The encyclopedia places particular emphasis on nineteenth and twentieth centuries, containing over a thousand articles in two volumes on Islam, Muslims and the Islamic culture in the Arab mainland, South and Southeast Asia and Europe.

(Courtesy: OnIslam.net)
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Arab street view of Obama’s Mideast visit

March 31, 2013, 3:15 pm
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Ordinary people agree that the US president wasted a historic opportunity to restart stalled peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians by spending his time on rhetoric rather than action

By Tariq A. Al Maeena

US President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Israel and Jordan raised expectations among some observers that stalled peace negotiations would finally resume under the firm directions of a second-term US president.

However, in the eyes of many residents I communicated with, the visit appeared to lack bite and for the most part, there was disappointment. Among the views I would like to share are the following:

Mona, a Saudi school teacher, said: “What did the president exactly do? He came, he saw, and then he went back! There were no substantial breakthroughs and no treaties signed between the Israelis and the Palestinians. And so, we shall continue to see the following … Israeli encroachment on Palestinian land while the Palestinians get squeezed further and further.”

Hans, a German engineer, said: “It is naive to expect anything from a US president. The reality, if one follows the news, is that there is a force behind the scenes that runs foreign policy. In fact, we are witnessing such manoeuvring even in US domestic issues today, such as the economy or gun control. But getting back to foreign policy … powerful lobbies will always ensure an unbalanced US approach to Arab-Israeli affairs, one that will continue to favour the Israelis over Arab interests. One must not think otherwise.”

Photo Courtesy: Luis Vazquez/Gulf News
Sami, a Palestinian working in Saudi Arabia, said: “I was one of those eagerly looking forward to his arrival. I felt that Mr Obama in his second term would break away from Israeli influence and bring about a fair and just solution. Instead, he visited the holocaust memorial wearing a yarmulke and laid a wreath on the grave of Theodor Herzl, the father of Zionism.

“Do you know what the Israeli ambassador to the US said immediately after that ceremony? I quote, ‘By laying a wreath at Herzl’s grave just now, an act that other foreign leaders have refused to do, President Obama was reaffirming Zionism and the idea of a Jewish state’. That ceremony was the first thing the Israelis insisted upon when the trip was being planned.

“He said the holocaust would never happen again. There is an ongoing holocaust, and it has been so for the past 70 years against the Palestinian people. Does he fail to recognise that? At the site, he was humble and genial enough to say that, ‘Nothing equals the wrenching power of this sacred place, where the totality of the holocaust is told. We could come here a thousand times, and each time our hearts would break’.

“Why does he not express similar words for the innocent souls of our people killed by the Zionist encroachment on our lands? If gas chambers were used then, cluster bombs and phosphorous incendiaries are used now. What is the difference? Perhaps we should build our own holocaust memorial, and insist that whenever a US president is in the region, he must don a kafiyeh and pay his respects there.

“He spent a large portion of his trip in Israel holding several meetings with Benjamin Netanyahu, their prime minister. Then he took off for a very brief visit to Ramallah in the West Bank where he proceeded to tell Mahmoud Abbas to drop their demands for a freeze in the continued building of illegal Israeli colonies on Palestinian land in order for peace talks to continue. Does he expect the two parties to seriously sit down and talk peace while the land beneath one of them slowly disappears under the control of the other?

“And what of Israeli occupation of our lands and the continuous torture and killing of our people? Did he sound off enough convincing arguments? No, on the contrary, it was a tame speech he delivered to students in [occupied] Jerusalem, casually ignoring that the main obstacle to peace is Israeli commitment to illegally encroach upon our lands and build illegal colonies.”

Ali, a Saudi banker, said: “It was foolish of some to expect that Obama came to the region to discuss Arab-Israeli affairs. He was in Israel to discuss options on Iran. There were some customary public relations releases on peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, but the real agenda was Iran.

“If he was really serious about bringing the two parties to the table for meaningful negotiations, would he have taken a day off to go sightseeing in Petra? As long as the US does not play the impartial broker between the Palestinians and the Israelis, there will be little or no support for them against Iran on the Arab street.”

Badr from the UAE said: “I followed his visit and speeches on Al Jazeera. Obama is good at what he does. He talks and talks. He uses the right rhetoric, but does it ever amount to anything? He could have seized the opportunity this time around to end the stalled negotiations and make inroads in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians that has been going on for decades. He is after all the US president. But in studying the visit, I began to feel that it was all an orchestrated Israeli public relations stunt, with Obama saying just the right things. A visit of no significance, that’s what I say.”

So what good has come of the visit, one wonders? Where is the beef?

[Tariq A. Al Maeenais a Saudi socio-political commentator. He lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. You can follow him at www.twitter.com/@talmaeena]

(Courtesy: Gulf News)
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Pakistan -- A Week Under Caretaker Governments

March 31, 2013, 3:25 pm
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106 Killed,18 Kidnapped,10 Women Raped,Tortured, Missing

By Abbas Kassar

Hyderabad: With the departure of elected governments and induction of caretakers in center and provinces, the crime rate has increased drastically during their first week 23 to 30 March 2013, in which as many as 106 persons including 22 security personnel, 4 children,10 women (under Karo Kari) were killed that proves ineffectiveness of 80 plus rulers. It is amazing that past government and opposition chose retired judges to become caretaker prime minister, 3 provincial chief ministers and also election commission members all happen to be of more than 80 years. Generally speaking 20 years after retirement is the age of worship and to count days and not meant for rule. Second question is that are judges made to rule or make rulers accountable to justice.

It is said that Khoso has been made prime minister to appease the rebel Baloch who had ascended to mountains as part of their movement for separation. With his one son in Tehrik Insaaf and another former MPA of PPP how can he play neutral role is to be watched.

I come back to subject that crime rate has increased in first week of caretakers rule. Apart from above 18 person including 3 women and 6 children were kidnapped,3 children of the age of 15 months, one year died in Nagarparkar of measles and another child or 3 year also died of not receiving the vaccination for measles and 10 more were lying on death bed in Kachho area of Dadu district. 2 women Shakeela and Soina were gang raped near Tando Adam when the culprits dragged them out from rickshaw. 4 persons including a woman committed suicide during the week and one had died of taking hand made poisonous wine while a worker died of burns in match factory in Tando Adam. Aming 18 kidnapped are 8 class sutdent Sohnal Mugheri of Qambar, 16 years old girl student Yasmeen Mughal from Sukkur, 10 years old Jamshed son of Azeem of Shahpur Jehanian, 8 years Faizan from Merabpur and Sakina mother of 8 from Sita Road, 2 Hindus Baldev and Preetamdas from Bakhshapur while a Hindu girl 18 years Ganga was kidnapped from Jaccobabad, converted and married to a Muslim man. Hindu Panchayet's continued protest remains unheard as they were mulling to leave Sindh and migrate to India.4 women of Chandia community of Tando Ghulam Ali district Badin were missing from Darul Aman Hyderabad where they were sent by concerned court on their request for divorce from their husbands. One among them is young daughter accompanied with her mother. These missing women are: Shahnaz, Sakina, Amna and girl Sughra.

The strange aspect of wave of crimes was indifference and apathy of police which not only did not move to arrest killers, kidnappers or to bust the crime but in few cases it took sides with perpetrators as was evident from followings: In Kotdiji in Khairpur district a man Khabar snatched 3 animals from a woman Sharifan who was grazing them in meadow. On resistance and cries the culprit let dogs loose on Sharifan who though bleeding of dog bites reached Kotdiji police station but police did not took her complaint. She rushed to government hospital but finding it locked went to a private clinic where doctor gave her chit for purchase of medicine which was too costly and out of her reach. In anohter case of torture in village Sachal Shar near Faiz Ganj also in Khairpur district husband Allahdino tortured his wife Jameelan by binding her with ropes. He also beat his two infant sons Zahid and Asif. Affer untieing her she went to police station Faiz Jang but police did not help her nor registered complaint. She visited press club and told her plight to journalists. Even after publication of story in press police did not move nor the caretakers.

In another hair raising incident a villager Aziz Chang was killed by armed men of Wadero Younis Chang by firing when he was running to save life in village streets where no one came to rescue him. Reason being that Aziz Chang had refused to give his 9 year old daughter for marriage with a 50 year old Wadero Younis Chang. Before being killed he raised voice against the tyranny of Wadera by observing hunger strike in front of press club Faiz Gang but police of the area neither took notice of his hunger strike and nor registered FIR of his murder against Wadera.

In yet another very cruel incident a 15 year old boy Mushtaq Manganhar was locked in a police quarter and tortured for refusing to have sex relations with paedo SHO of Nindo Shahar police station in district Badin, Ayub Khaskheli. Anoher 15 year old boy Ramzan Mallah was arrested, hand cuffed and locked up by Kaloi police station also in Badin district. His father and elder brother Ashraf reached police station to know the facts but police locked them both up. A journalist Irshad Khaskheli went to police station to take pics but he was brutally beaten by police and his camera was snatched. Later on payment of bribe of Rs.10,000 police released all.

In another incident of brutal torture with children, a landlord caught a 15 year old boy Fayaz Rahu near Mirpur Bathoro in Thatta district and ted him in ropes with camel then flogged camel to run fast. With every scream of a boy of his wounds receiving while being dragged behind running camel the most tyrant Wadera raised his ugly laughter in jubilation. The peasants working in nearby fields did not dare to rescue the wounded boy who after the instinct of tyrant entertainment of Wadera was over the boy was untied. He is now in civil hospital for treatment.

These are but a few incidents of crime except may be more nor reported in press during first week of the octogenerian rulers upto 30 March 2013. No doubt they are here to hold fair elections but are they not responsible for crimes like murders, kidnapping, rape, torture and violence on women and children. If the silence on part of rulers, which I will call criminal silence, is not broken hundreds may die until the doomsday of polling.

[Abbas Kassaris a Jounalist in Hyderabad, Pakistan and presently working as bureau chief of daily Messenger Karachi and Lahore Times ( online), a member of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and European Journalism Center. He can be reached at kassar_hyd@yahoo.com;kassarabbas@lycos.com and 92 3453585137]
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‘Being’ a Muslim

March 31, 2013, 3:31 pm
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Humra Quraishi wonders what it will take for us to break away from the strange stereotypes we associate with Muslims.

In the last few years, I’ve attended several public meetings held in New Delhi that dealt with the growing despair amongst Muslims, and their constant dread of being profiled as terrorists, followed by denials of bail, tortures, biased police investigations and trials, and extra-judicial killings. Not to mention the daily discrimination in education, employment, housing and public services.

Compounding this situation, rightly or wrongly, are the weird stereotypes that prevail about Muslims in India. That they breed like rabbits and eat meat at every occasion. That they don’t bathe. So often, I’ve been asked, “You really a Muslim? You don’t look like one!” What am I supposed to look like? Doing salaams or stuffing meatballs into my mouth, I suppose, if not cooking and eating biryani every day, or going out of doors on the arm of a bearded, achkan-clad, hatted man with a brood of squabbling children trailing me.

An average Indian Muslim’s lifestyle isn’t very different from that of his fellow Indians’. There is no difference, except for this – a deep sense of insecurity! Mind you, this does not come from you or me or other apolitical Indians, but from those who are at the very helm: communal politicians and their allies.

In my parents’ home, like in most Indian homes, dark realities were seldom discussed. At least, not openly, and definitely not in front of children. But what’s happening outside our homes cannot be brushed under the carpet for long, and children are very intuitive and sensitive to undercurrents of something amiss. As I write this, I remember how some snippets of whispered conversations would find their way to my ears, often on a late evening when my two younger sisters and I would lie sprawled under mosquito nets on our beds.

My grandfather, certain we were asleep, would sit discussing things with my grandmother, things such as the horrific rioting in one of the areas of Uttar Pradesh, and of Muslims getting killed or hounded by the PAC jawans. I was very young then, and these stories were difficult to come to terms with. To this day, those accounts of police brutality have stayed with me, imprinting themselves on my mind permanently as I saw for myself those same things taking place, frighteningly and frequently backed by a powerful political-police nexus.

Another reality lay right in front of us every summer, when we’d travel down to Shahjahanpur to spend the vacations with my maternal grandparents. It was here that I first saw acute poverty among Muslims. Around my nana’s ancestral home, an entire mohalla lay spread out, housing poverty-stricken Muslims, many of them would come to our home recounting not just stories of their poverty, but of so many insecurities of the worst kind. The Right-wing political mafia often called this township ‘miniPakistan’, because it largely comprised Muslims.

As a child, these things hit hard. As I grew up, it got harder to cope as I saw and sensed very early in life that I belonged to a minority community that faced some very obvious communal biases. Tragically, these realities have worsened in recent years. I didn’t have to be an investigative reporter to find this out. I didn’t even have to go into Muslim mohallas or bastis. I saw and heard and experienced it all right here, in our capital city.

Soon after the demolition of the Babri Masjid, it was traumatic to remove the nameplate from outside our home which, at that time, was situated in New Delhi’s high profile Shahjahan Road, a high-security VVIP area. Why did we have to remove it? Because it bore a Muslim name. There were constant rumours of mobs attacking Muslim homes. After all, during the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, the home of at least one senior Sikh bureaucrat was targeted in Lutyens’Delhi.

After the Babri Masjid demolition, I did an in-depth feature for the Illustrated Weekly of India on how Muslim children studying in the best public schools of the capital city had to hear snide comments, not just from their classmates but also from some of their teachers. The demolition had several Muslim mothers change their children’s names/surnames to ensure basic survival.

Several Muslim mothers from Ahmedabad, Malegaon and Hyderabad have told me, “The police pick our children up even if a cracker bursts in the area. They are sometimes released after weeks or months, but their names lie forever in police records, so they are picked up again, the next time there’s another crime in the area.” It’s well-known by now that young Kashmiris who step out of the Valley to study or work in different cities of this country, are immediately looked upon with suspicion by the local cops and given a hard time.

I don’t harbor any hopes from the often barbaric policing that happens in this country, but I do harbor hopes from fellow Indians who are determined to fight the system. I firmly believe that our social fabric is still intact because of apolitical men and women of this country, especially those who belong to the ‘majority’ community, and who can see and sense the divisive politics at work. They are doing their utmost to see that good sense prevails. Along the way, they are helping hundreds and thousands of innocents and the disadvantaged survive against all odds.

[Humra Quraishiis a senior political journalist based in Gurgaon. She is author of Kashmir: The Untold Story and co-author of Simply Khushwant.]

(Courtesy: The Metrognome)
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Solidarity in Muslim community: The Spirit Of Islam

April 6, 2013, 3:15 am
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By Shaukat M Zafar

Social solidarity is one of the principles that Islam has established to enable man to lead a decent life. Solidarity among Muslims is a Shari‘ah-based obligation, enjoined by Allah Almighty in the Qur’an and in the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be upon Him). The greatest obligatory duty in this time is to work for the Islamic Unity. The Islam has brought important duties and rules which result in Mutual Assistance. Islam is a religion of brotherhood, kindness, cooperation and solidarity. Social Solidarity in Islam is one of the bases of society through which it can achieve its permanent happiness, goodwill, security, unity, and peace. Simply, each member of society should help those in need so that they can lead even the least decent life and meet their basic needs.

Just as loyalty and sincere devotion to Allah, brotherhood and solidarity are the important attributes of believers. In order to preserve this brotherhood and that mutual love, Islam introduced matter that maintains the human dignity of the society by imposing the amount by which the poor’s need could be met. Each male and female Muslim should take into consideration the fact that the whole Muslim Nation, both individuals and Governments, have the responsibility of solving the crisis of poverty, corruption, and iniquity suffered by millions of Muslims all over the Islamic World. We should take the initiative and encourage one another to enhance social solidarity. Thus, we would be able to be absolved by God on the Day of Judgment as we exert every effort to enhance donation and justice, which is the least of faith.

The Qur’an tells that all believers are brothers; they are the people sharing the same feelings who strive for the same end, adhere to the same book and struggle to reach the same goal. 
The Prophet Muhammad, (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “He is not a believer who goes to bed having eaten his fill while his neighbour remains hungry and he is aware of that fact.” Also, He (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “If someone grows hungry among residences of a town, God and His Messenger will reject them.” Simply, each member of society should help those in need so that they can meet their basic needs. The Almighty Allah says: O ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) We have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith- they are the wrong-doers (Al Baqra Verse 2:254).

As a servant, any Muslim possesses true sincerity and helps the poor and needy, even if he himself is in need, even giving up the things he loves (Surat al-Insan: 8). In Surat adh-Dhariyat: 19, which reads, “And beggars and the destitute received a due share of their wealth,” Allah has revealed that rendering assistance, helping others and doing good are all incumbent upon Muslims. Today the world of Islam is in an exceptional situation. There are about one and half billion Muslims having unique environmental, geographical, natural and human capacity could form a great and united group, but are divided. Muslims are facing persecution and subjected to killing like what is happening to the Muslims in Myanmar, and Palestinians. Western colonial powers are still looting the riches of the Muslims.

All Islamic nations must be united. Strenuous efforts should be made to help upgrade religious solidarity and dialogue among Muslim nations across the globe. Excellence in knowledge, research and innovation is imperative for the Muslim world to reclaim its rightful place in the international arena. Islamic world must defeat injustice and counter extremism through a unified solution and urged all Muslims to embody the values of Islam. Our Religion, our nation, our countries can only be protected from all kinds of dangers and enemies through the enormous Power generated by the religious brotherhood and solidarity of Muslims.

(Courtesy: Pakistan Observer)
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Aga Khan - the fraudulent Imam and a lover of Dajaal

April 6, 2013, 3:23 am
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By Gulshan Aalani

I don't think there is a single Muslim who doesn't know what is in the Quran, and what is halaal (permissible) and haraam (forbidden).

Even though, Arabic is not their language, but they read in their own language and listen to the Khutba (Friday sermon) and the lectures by men and women and are fully aware, yet some prefer to follow the old pagan ways and commit shirk, may be due to their dire and difficult situations and trying to find the cure by any means. According to Islam and the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (SAW), we are supposed to correct such in the best of manners, if they follow the advise it is good and if they don't then leave them alone.

Also, let us count our blessings that there are some willing to teach Quran reading, free or by fees charged. As a convert I would have given thousands to learn to read the Arabic Quran. As I (and all followers) paid millions to god Aga Khan for silly home made rituals with thousands to go to Paradise and forgiveness of sins and to have a baby boy etc. Moreover, forgiveness of Islam and the practices by the payment of cash that has commercialized the cult in the name of Islam, that would make one shiver.

Aga Khan and his Girlfriends
Islam is not at all commercialized. In Islam there are no home-made religious rituals but all ordained by Allah and so none of the Muslims are wasting time in practicing them. In fact not practicing is kufar or hypocrisy if one is using the ID of Muslim.

Some are charging for Quran teaching due to their own financial problems, which is not haram. It is better to have an honest earning than to steal like Imam Aga Khan.

You are too quick to criticize others but are using the most hateful childish language of calling the Mullahs / teachers 'bigots.' Is this Islamic way?

Even the so-called educated Mike hateful of true Sunni Muslims and a lover of Dajaal Aga Khan the fraudulent Imam, using the hateful childish language calling "Saudi bigot Imam". He should know that because of such today we have the original Islam otherwise we all would be floating in the cults and pagan practices. You don't like Imam Kaukab because he stands up for the truth, which you are the denial of.

Your way of Islam is not Islam at all. It is merely hypocrisy.

However, the situation of Ahmadiya, 45 sects of Shia and all other sects, is very complex and difficult to declare them as non-Muslims or Muslims.

There is no doubt that they all have made a mistake by adding innovations in Islamic belief and rituals. If only they would believe the Prophet SAWS was the seal of Prophets as well as the seal of all the teachings.

Though, all above sects have in common with Sunnis and Islam: One Allah, Messenger Muhammad SAWS, the Al-Quran, 5 major Pillars of Islam and faith.

If they would have studied the original Islam given by the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and practiced by Caliph H. Ali (RA) and the Ahlayl Bayt, then they would not have made such major innovations, which is like going against Allah and Rasool SAWS.

Ironically, some of the early century Ahmadi claiming that Mirza Ghulam was a Prophet and the other official claim is that he was the Mahdi and Messiah.

Their confusion is quite laughable as they don't know the difference between the Mahdi and Messiah, they are both separate figures.

If they do not believe he was a Prophet and just the later belief of M.M. then I don't think the true Muslims would object much.

Thus, let us educate them and then leave them alone as they are not anti Islam, anti-Quran, or anti-Allah and so let them use the ID of Muslims. Except the Aga Khan and his followers cannot use the title of Islam or the ID of Muslim as they are anti-Islam, anti-Allah, and anti-Quran.
Following are the details of recent public program by Ahmadiya. Sadly as Ismailis we were never introduced such remarkable details, not even the name Allah or Quran. So those who hate Ahmadiya should think twice and know whom should they hate more or rather declare non-Muslim.

[Email received by Indian Muslim Observer on April 2, 2013 at 10.43 AM. Sent byGulshan Aalani. He can be contacted at pardah52@hotmail.com]
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Saudi Arabia eases ban on women riding bikes

April 6, 2013, 3:27 am
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Local newspaper says kingdom's religious police now allow women to ride bicycles in recreational areas.

Saudi Arabia will now allow women to ride motorbikes and bicycles but only in restricted areas, a local newspaper has reported.

The al-Yawm daily on Monday cited an unnamed official from the religious police as saying women can ride bikes in parks and recreational areas but they have to be accompanied by a male relative and dressed in the full Islamic head-to-toe abaya.

Saudi Arabia follows an ultraconservative interpretation of Islam and bans women from driving.
Women are also banned from riding motorcycles or bicycles in public places. The newspaper didn't say what triggered the lifting of the ban.

The official says women may not use the bikes for transportation but “only for entertainment'' and that they should shun places where young men gather “to avoid harassment.''

(Courtesy: Al Jazeera)
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Muslim women decry topless gender protests

April 6, 2013, 3:38 am
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"Muslimah Pride Day" launched on internet to denounce motives of Ukrainian group Femen, which held "Topless Jihad Day".

A group of Muslim women has launched an online campaign in response to demonstrations by bare-breasted activists staged in front of mosques and Tunisian embassies across Europe.
The "Muslimah Pride Day" was organised in response to the Ukrainian women's rights group Femen's self-declared "Topless Jihad Day", a day of topless protests around the world to support Tunisian activist Amina Tyler.

Organiser Sofia Ahmed, writing on Facebook, said: "Muslimah [Female Muslim] pride is about connecting with your Muslim identity and reclaiming our collective voice. Let's show the world that we oppose Femen and their use of Muslim women to reinforce Western imperialism."

Using social media sites, some Muslim women have posted photographs of themselves holding placards with messages to Femen such as "Nudity does not liberate me - and I do not need saving" and "Femen can't tell me what I can and can't wear".

The Femen rallies on Thursday targetted the case of Tyler, who sparked a scandal last month when she posted pictures of herself online with the words "My body belongs to me" emblazoned across her bare chest.

Supporters fear she could face criminal prosecution.

"Topless Jihad Day" was celebrated in capitals such as Berlin, Kiev and Paris.

"We're free. We're naked. It's our right. It's our body. It's our rules and nobody can use religion, [or] some other holy things, to abuse women, to oppress them," Femen member Alexandra Shevchenko said at a small demonstration in front of a Berlin mosque amid near-freezing temperatures.

Police in Kiev detained two young activists with "Free Amina" on their exposed chests immediately after their arrival in front of the city's only mosque.

Around two dozen topless feminists in Paris whose bodies were tagged with "No Islamists" and "No Sharia" tried to approach the Tunisian embassy but were deterred by police as they emerged from the subway, according to a photographer with the AFP news agency.

In Brussels, a small group of women stripped to the waist gathered in front of the Grand Mosque shouting "Free Amina", while three protested briefly outside the Tunisian consulate in Milan.

(Courtesy: Al Jazeera)
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Foreskin Man is back to battle Muslim circumcision

April 6, 2013, 3:43 am
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By Jennifer Lipman

Superman, Spiderman and all manner of superheroes have returned for sequel outings during which they saved the world and got the girl. So it should come as no surprise that Foreskin Man – the blonde haired, blue eyed caped crusader against male circumcision – has returned to fight foes in the Muslim world.

The character is the creation of Matthew Hess, president of the Male Genital Mutilation Bill group, which unsuccessfully campaigned for a circumcision ban in San Francisco two years ago.

In his original incarnation, Mr Hess' character sought to stop Jewish circumcision, battling against such villains as Monster Mohel and Dr Mutilator, who were depicted with peyot (sidelocks), black hats and a tallit.


Mr Hess was condemned for using "antisemitic imagery" that the Anti-Defamation League in America said called to mind "age-old antisemitic canards such as the blood libel".

The fourth edition of the comic series, released this month, is unlikely to be any less controversial, since the action takes place in Turkey, with Foreskin Man embarking on a hunt for an ancient artifact found in the Museum of Genital Integrity.

The all-American hero swoops in to protect a young Muslim boy from the sunnet (circumcision) ritual,

The comic, which can be bought as a print copy or an e-version, features baddies wearing traditional Middle Eastern dress, and portrays the boy's father as abusive, while his mother is a belly dancer.

Mr Hess said he is not concerned about the reaction from the Muslim community, despite the negative response from Jews to his original creation.

"The brutal tradition of sunnet is deeply ingrained in Muslim culture," he said. "But that doesn't mean it can't be replaced with a peaceful alternative. Rites of passage do not have to be cruel, and I hope Foreskin Man 4 will encourage child advocates in Turkey and other Muslim countries to begin questioning the legitimacy of male circumcision."

(Courtesy: The Jewish Chronicle)
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A Bosnian Muslim welcome to Pope Francis

April 6, 2013, 3:49 am
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By Mustafa Ceric

The election of Argentine Pope Francis, the 266th Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, deserves both our congratulations and our reflection for the future of Muslim-Christian coexistence and dialogue.

As a survivor of genocide at the end of 20th century in Bosnia, I am very interested in the policy of the Vatican and the message of the Holy See, which speaks for the Catholic Church. While the political influence of the Vatican might be limited to public diplomacy, the spiritual influence has great significance for millions of Christians worldwide. Consequently, the pope has always had a great impact on global peace and security.

Pope Francis may find in his two immediate predecessors important lessons that could guide his future relations with Muslims.

Pope John Paul II was a good communicator and supporter of interfaith dialogue. His relationship with the Muslim world was respectful and promising.

For example, he spoke against the four year siege of Sarajevo every Sunday. Pope John Paul’s message, “Never again war. Never again hatred and intolerance,” has been well received by all people. When he visited Sarajevo in April 1997, the late Bosnian president, Alija Izetbegovic, called him “one of the most influential men of the 20th century.”

While relations with Muslims were strained in an unfortunate way with Pope Benedict XVI’s remarks about Islam and the Prophet Mohammad at the University of Regensburg in 2005, his subsequent apology rekindled dialogue.

This dialogue began with the A Common Word Initiative, launched by 138 Muslim scholars and academics. On Oct. 13, 2007, these scholars released an open letter entitled “A Common Word between Us and You” to Christians worldwide, inviting them to seek common ground with Muslims based on the love of One God and neighbor. Every major Muslim-majority country in the world was represented, and Christian leaders responded positively to this initiative.

This led to the establishment of the Catholic-Muslim Forum. Two summits have been held so far. The first one took place at the Vatican in 2008, where Pope Benedict met all the participants and the second one in Jordan in 2011. Relations were also strengthened through the pilgrimage Pope Benedict made to Jesus’ baptism site in Jordan and his visit to the King Hussein Mosque during the same trip in 2010.

Pope Francis’ statement on dialogue, published in his 2011 book “On Heaven and Earth” says, “Dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other person, from a conviction that the other person has something good to say. It assumes that there is room in the heart for each individual’s point of view and opinion. To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not a condemnation. In order to dialogue it is necessary to know how to lower defenses, open the doors of one’s house, and offer human warmth.”

With this in mind, I hope that Pope Francis has inherited the best of both of his predecessors: the openness and good will of Pope John Paul toward Muslims, and the willingness of Pope Benedict to continue dialogue and strengthen relations with Muslims worldwide.

Indeed, I hope that Pope Francis will renew the Catholic-Muslim Forum with new energy and commitment to the spirit of the A Common Word Initiative which Pope Benedict helped begin. With such work, I am hopeful for my two grandchildren that they may live in peace in Bosnia without fear of religiously motivated violence.

With strong interfaith relations, there are three areas of common human concern that Pope Francis might make important. First is the issue of poverty, which should have an appeal to our human and religious conscience. Second is the issue of climate change due to global pollution caused by human negligence and greed. And third is the issue of nuclear threats that could lead to human self-destruction.

These issues are global in nature and local in action. Regardless of our faith, culture, race, nationality and ideology, we are in the same boat of global collapse or salvation. Therefore, we need to build our ark with peace, dialogue and mutual respect. I hope that Pope Francis will do what he can to work with Muslims and others in order to build an ark that will save this common humanity of ours.

May God bless us all to be friends to one another. We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere. Friends are God’s way of caring for us.

[Mustafa Cericis the grand mufti emeritus of Bosnia-Herzegovina and currently serves as president of the World Bosniak Congress. He was the 2003 co-recipient of the UNESCO Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize.]

(Courtesy: The Daily Star)
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MAS: Promoting Islamic finance is not just about tax

April 6, 2013, 3:55 am
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By Helen Burggraf

A top official in the Monetary Authority of Singapore has stressed that the promotion of the island’s Islamic finance industry remains key, even though two tax incentives aimed at promoting it were allowed to lapse recently.

"Like all our tax incentives, they [had] a fixed tenure, in this case, of five years,” Ng Nam Sin, assistant managing director of the MAS, told an audience at an Islamic finance event in Singapore on Tuesday morning.

“It is useful to note that Islamic Finance activities will continue to be incentivised, alongside conventional finance activities, under our other existing schemes,” he added.

“The lapsing of the two incentives is thus no reflection of MAS’ continuing commitment to develop Islamic financial services in Singapore.”

Ng went on to stress that Singapore’s “proposition” for the Islamic finance industry had to be about more than “just tax advantage”.

Instead, he went on, the city-state’s success as a financial centre came from “its high standards of regulation; deep and liquid capital market, the presence of international buy side players, and a critical mass of financial intermediaries with expertise to address a wide range of financing needs”.

The global Islamic finance industry is now worth around US$1.3trn, while the sukuk issuance reached a record level in 2012, Ng noted, with demand for such financial products coming not only from the Muslim community but also from non-Muslim investors.

That said, Singapore is located near two major Islamic finance countries: Malaysia, which has established itself as Asia-Pacific's dominant Islamic finance centre, and Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population of any country, at more than 200 million. Wealthy individuals from both these countries are among those who invest in Singapore's financial services industry.
Singapore has been involved in promoting the sector's growth since 2004, Ng said.

(Courtesy: International Adviser)
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Islamic Finance Entrepreneurs: The Coming of the Next Islamic Finance Professional

April 6, 2013, 3:59 am
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With hiring at an all time low, and an overall sense that banks are not the place where the bigger problems of humanity get solved, a new kind of professional is quietly emerging: the Islamic finance entrepreneur.

IMO News Service

Growing numbers of professionals are choosing to set off on their own rather than join an Islamic bank. With hiring at an all time low, and an overall sense that banks are not the place where the bigger problems of humanity get solved, a new kind of professional is quietly emerging: the Islamic finance entrepreneur. Young, savvy, and jaded, they want to change the world on their terms without the confinement of a stratified corporate environment.

Whereas before the late 1990s starting up a company required a level of financial commitment that exceeded the wherewithal of most start-ups, professionals around the world are now realizing that the Internet has opened up a host of possibilities affecting funding, marketing, executing, and distributing a product or service.

"The personal satisfaction experienced in setting up Youthschool, an Islamic micro-finance based charity that supports young entrepreneurs in under-developed nations – is beyond words," says Ahmed Ali Khan, an Ethica graduate from London.

With the emergence of Islamic finance entrepreneurs, what may be happening in Islamic finance is something that has already happened in other sectors. For instance, media went from mainstream paid-for print (i.e. major newspapers and magazines) to the exact opposite: very small scale, lower priced or free, online efforts (i.e. websites, blogs, and related media). This “long-tailing” of the media industry has not hit banking. Yet.

While media deals in information and ideas, banks deal in money, a highly regulated commodity. Even so, if the successes of smaller players like PayPal, Kiva, and various community-based currencies are anything to go by, banking may also soon undergo its own cataclysms. And entrepreneurs, such as those in the Islamic finance industry, will be poised to seize their opportunity.

One example of how this new generation of Islamic finance entrepreneurs is being supported comes from Dubai. Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, the leading Islamic finance certification provider, is embarking on a series of new initiatives designed to support entrepreneurs. “At Ethica, we want to provide Islamic finance entrepreneurs with a practical set of tools to be able to create products and services on their own. We intend to provide a training and certification platform for entrepreneurs to be able to deliver small-scale, replicable – and ideally scalable – Islamic finance solutions.”

Perhaps the continuing global financial crisis comes with the silver lining of this happy irony: that a new entrepreneurial culture of creativity and independence will help us move away from our collective dependence on banks, the ones who brought us the financial crisis in the first place.
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Forming your own opinion

April 6, 2013, 4:11 am
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Rushdi believes that a change agent must tell the truth to a benevolent dictator, religious hardliner, and compassionately connect with youth and have nots.

By Rushdi Siddiqui

“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” — Thomas Jefferson

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.” — Jackie Robinson

Everyone has an opinion; however, some people are shy to share. An interactive article, much like a survey, requiring readers’ opinions may actually encourage wider audience participation. For many of us, constructive comments about an online article actually provide more insights than the article itself.

Politics

Why is that when China, North Korea, Russia, Venezuela (under the late Hugo Chavez) made/make provocative comments about the US, the reaction from the Tea Party loyalists and Fox talk show hosts are not immediate and proportional, if at all, when compared to comments from stateless extremists like Al Qaeda?

Is it because, in the mind of the loyalists, these sovereignties are not trying to expand religion, and they can actually do economic and/or military harm to the US? What about election year politics?

Many of the Muslim countries are trying to diversify their economies from natural resources, commodities, conventional banking, basic manufacturing, typically 4-5 economic sector bias, to a knowledge based economy as part of 2020 and 2030 vision plans.

The knowledge pursuit implies linkage of educational budgets for clusters, technology parks, equity financing (venture capital and crowd funding), legal protections, mentoring, etc. One way of looking at the output would be the number of patents registered with the US Trade & Patent Office. Does Malaysia have the most patents from the OIC?

Why do selected Muslim countries with excessive surplus continue to purchase trophy assets in the US and western Europe, at times at top of the market, and not invest more of the money in the “national mission” of establishing and enabling an educational infrastructure for future generations?

I recently had an eye-opening conversation with the former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, where he articulated that education starts in the mother’s womb with appropriate nutrition, food and spiritual guidance! The Muslim world needs this type of thinking to close the “knowledge” approach gap with the developed world.

Why has the OIC, as a whole, not captured the imagination of emerging market investors like BRICS? Is it because, out of the 57 OIC states, 22 are least developed but only three are G-20, there is corruption, capital flight, brain drain, and a host of most of the world’s intra-country conflicts, etc? Thus, requiring a sub-OIC, like SAMI +3, Saudi Arabia, Ankara, Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Egypt? Who will promote such a clustering?

Inferiority complex

Why is it when celebrities like Mike Tyson or the late Michael Jackson allegedly “revert” to Islam, it spreads like wildfire on Muslim websites (with excitement)? Why is it when the UK wanted to issue a sovereign Sukuk (roughly and badly translated as an Islamic bond), the Islamic finance world spoke of it as a “badge of arrival” for the niche market? Do Muslims have an identity crisis and still mentally and/or are psychologically colonised by Western/conventional offerings?

Faith, finance, food and fashion

Islamic finance isn’t just about finance, but linked to faith, food, fashion, etc., hence, when will it or, rather, how will it step up and be the financial “lubricant” to these satellite-linked activities? Islamic finance needs to serve the economy, and not be positioned as the economy!

Should Ogilvy Noor, an Islamic branding consultancy, examine the merits of rebranding Islamic finance to Participation Finance, especially if the cross-sell to non-Islamic customers and countries is one of the KPI growth stories? Furthermore, how best to “educate” the anti-syariah movement, which attempts to link, without evidence, Islamic finance to terrorism financing?

Why Islamic finance, biased towards real estate financing, does not finance a real economy-linked movement like the halal food industry, as they are both mentioned in the same chapter of the Quran? The irony of the situation is a Muslim can consume the end product of certified halal food companies, like Malaysia-based Prima, but may not be able invest in the stock as it violates one of the financial ratios (too much conventional debt)!

Is the blame game spread to both halal (need to tell a better story of halal as an asset class) and Islamic finance (halal, asset backed, is ripe for Sukuk offering)?

Is food manufacturing considered a “sexy” or exciting industry compared to mega developments and information super corridors, etc.? Do people get excited about a food park or cows or chickens? Yet, everyone knows how important food security is to a country; hence, the disconnect.

Why is ethnic cuisine a great ambassador for a country? For example, in US, we have Italian, Chinese, Lebanese and Mexican food, Turkish delights, Pakistani biryani, Indian curry, Polish sausages, etc.

What Malaysian food/meal would be a good ambassador to the US? Would satay be a perfect food ambassador as the signature dish of Malaysia Airlines? How many Malaysian fast-food franchises exist in the US/UK?

Why is healthy food, vitamins, etc, expensive in Malaysia? This is one area, along with health club membership, the government should sunset subsidise until people feel the difference and understand the implications of health.

Human element

Why do Muslim countries not encourage local sport development by way of budgets, facilities and international coaches? Some of the countries offer “citizenship” for non-nationals to represent the country, and, even then a victory appears to be hollow.

For example, assume 25 per cent of the 1.8 billion Muslims are under 15 years old, there are Michael Jordans, Lebron Jameses, Tiger Woodses, David Beckhams, etc, in the Muslim world, and they would be wonderful ambassadors and role models for the country and its youth.
Who has a greater contribution to society, one who does not wear the “veil” and provides much charitable contributions, including the kindness of a smile, or the taker of charity, who passes judgment?

The highlight of the Proud to Be Human moment for 2012 had to be the recovery of Malala Yousufzai, the brave young Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban for promoting girls’ education. Her actions should earn a Nobel Peace Prize for the courage of a “special ops soldier”.
The Nobel committee needs to send a strong signal about girls’ education by awarding her the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for Courage and Contribution to Girls’ Education in Emerging Markets.

“Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” — John F. Kennedy

So, what is your thoughtful opinion?

(Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider)
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Pak woman makes history with run in May vote

April 6, 2013, 4:16 am
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Islamabad: A 40-year-old Pakistani housewife has made history by becoming the first woman to run for parliament from the country's northwest tribal region, a highly conservative area that is a haven for Islamist militants.

Badam Zari told The Associated Press on Monday that she will participate in the May 11 election to bring greater attention to problems facing women, which she believes the government has ignored.

"I want to reach the assembly to become a voice for women, especially those living in the tribal areas," Zari said.

Zari is from Bajur, part of Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The area is mostly populated by Pashtun tribesmen who have very conservative views toward women. Most women in the tribal region are uneducated, rarely work outside the home and wear long, flowing clothes that cover most of their skin when they appear in public.


Zari spoke to reporters at a press conference Monday wearing a colorful shawl wrapped around her body and head, with only her eyes showing.

Bajur is one of the many areas in the tribal region where the army has battled Taliban militants, who are waging a bloody insurgency against the government. The militants have a history of using violence to enforce their hard-line views on women.

Last fall, the Taliban in a different part of the northwest shot 15-year-old schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in the head in an unsuccessful attempt to kill her because she resisted the militants' views and was a strong advocate of girls' education.

Zari, who finished high school and does not have any children, said she filed the paperwork necessary to run for office on Sunday in Khar, the main town in Bajur. She was accompanied by her husband, who she said fully backed her decision to run for a seat in the National Assembly.
"This was a difficult decision, but now I am determined and hopeful society will support me," Zari said.

Men in Bajur and other parts of the tribal region have historically discouraged women to vote, saying they should remain at home, according to local traditions.

Far fewer women vote than men in other parts of Pakistan as well, and females remain underrepresented in the country's politics. But there are examples of Pakistani women holding very powerful political positions in the country, such as the late former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Zari said she hopes she can convince women to go out to vote. Out of the roughly 186,000 registered voters in her constituency, about 67,000 are women, according to government records.

Under Pakistan's political system, the winning candidate is the one who receives the most votes - not necessarily a majority - meaning Zari could be a strong candidate if she can get women to vote for her.

Zari said she has not yet received any threats or been discouraged from locals to run.
"My decision to contest the election will not only give courage to women in general and attract attention to their problems, but also helps negate the wrong impression about our society," Zari said. "This will reflect a true picture of our society, where women get respect."

(Courtesy: Hindustan Times)
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Pakistan: Fair Elections Under Toothless Election Commission A Dream

April 6, 2013, 4:23 am
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By Abbas Kassar

Hyderabad (Pakistan): It is widely being trumpetted that elections 2013 in Pakistan will be held in fair and transparent manner. No doubt after the end of most corruptible government which gave nothing to 180 million citizens of Pakistan except unemployment, poverty, hunger, diseases, inflation and heap of foreign debt, every one desires change that can be brought through vote the polling for which is scheduled for 11 May 2013. But the question is that who is going to follow orders of election commission that are meant for fair elections. Then election commission itself has woken up from deep slumber of last 3 years.

Former secretary to Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Dilshad has observed that the election commissions in Pakistan have never been powerful enough like that of Indian Election Commisison to implement its orders. Giving example he said that recently Election Commission has banned exhibition of ams during election campaign but the the candidates when going to offices of returning officers for filing nomination papers are accompanied with their armed guards who not only exhibit the weapons in public, but are also seen firing in air. This is done to frighten the opponents but the election commission has kept silence on it. He said that the orders of election commission are not being followed for the reason that the district police officers and district deputy commissioners who are duty bound to implement instructions of election commission were all recruited by past government on political grounds and they owe fidelity with past ruling political parties.

Shaikhul Islam Allama Tahirul Qadri has already cast doubts on impartiality of election commission of Pakistan and has been demanding change in it. Allama had for the purpose organzied a mammoth Dharna (public sit in) in front of parliament house in Islamabad on January 14. Thousands had gathered despite chilling cold and rain. Then government of prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf had sent a team of half a dozen federal ministers to him for dialogue and signed agreement with him under which it was decided that article 61 and 62 of constitution of Pakistan would be fully implemented. These articles call for parliamentary candidates to be pious, God fearing and having basic Islamic knowledge. It was also decided that scrutiny of candidates under these articles will be of one month but later in contravention of agreement with Allama Qadri the election commission has allowed only 7 days for scrunity. Now the supreme court of Pakistan has also asked for more time for scrutiny.Apart from Allama Qadri the leader of Mutehida Qaumi Movement Altaf Hussain has also expressed doubts on impartiality of ECP for its order for new delimitation in Karachi city alone. Altaf Hussain has asked why not the same in whole Pakistan and that why such practice so late when the polling is so close. Why election commission had not carried out fresh delimitation during last 5 years.

Another aspect under article 61 and 62 is that of disqualifications as if a candidate has even given wrong information in his nomination form he is to be disqualified . On the orders of Supreme Court as many as 189 members of past parliament are facing charge of fake degress they had mentioned in then nomination forms in 2008 but could not prove nor present certificates of their educational qualification. Now on orders of SC the Higher Education Commission has been sent list of these 189 fake degree holder past parliamentarians for verification last date of which is April 5. This again proves ineffectiveness, apathy or lack of interest on part of Election Commission as to what it was doing for last years and why had it not got degrees of these 189 parliamentarians verified during their tenure. Kanwar Dilshad has criticised present election commission for its lethargy. Political analysts are also of the view that 4 members of election commission out of 5 are politically appointed and have allegiance with one or other political party in that scenario the question is that how elctions in Pakistan are going to be held fair and transparent which in my opinion is no more that a dream. It is again courts who have started to punish such fake degree holders and as a result former Member of National Assembly (MNA) Humayoon Aziz Kurd has been convicted for fake degree for term of 1 years and sent to jail on Tuesday. On same day Khalifo Abdul Qayoom and Javed Tarkai have been convicted for 3 years and sent to jail.Warrants have been issued for ex MNAS Malik Langrial,Badshah Qaisrani and Jamshed Dasti ( the right hand man of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who has already been disqualified by the Supreme Court.

[Abbas Kassaris a Jounalist in Hyderabad, Pakistan and presently working as bureau chief of daily Messenger Karachi and Lahore Times ( online), a member of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and European Journalism Center. He can be reached at kassar_hyd@yahoo.com;kassarabbas@lycos.com and 92 3453585137]
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Former Alderman Sayyed challenges incumbent John W. Valle

April 6, 2013, 4:30 am
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By Tausif Malik

Oakbrook Terrace resident Ahmed Sayyed is challenging the current incumbent John W. Valle for the position of York Township supervisor.

Sayyed is a former ward 3 Alderman for the City of Oakbrook Terrace. He believes under his leadership York Township, “can do a lot better for its citizens”.

His plan is to develop the team and environment to promote transparency and integrity. Sayyed said that he has questioned spending and transparence, and added that the present township leadership lacks integrity.

He further added that if elected he would tirelessly work to bridge gaps in the community, spending and governance.

York Township is one of the fastest growing suburban areas in Chicago land with an annual budget of $3.5 million for 2012-13.

He said. “York Township has three mandatory functions: administering general assistance to the seniors, youth and needy; maintaining township roads, district highways and bridges and appraising property values. Additionally, I feel that township government should be responsible for filling the gaps in services offered by municipalities. Individuals who can demonstrate the need, but who do not qualify for assistance from federal, state, or local programs should be able to receive help from the township”.

Sayyed concluded by saying that, “As a former Oakbrook Terrace Alderman, and a longtime resident, I understand the needs and concerns of the citizens of York Township. I have seen firsthand the importance of integrity within township government. My background in finance has inculcated a need for fiscal responsibility and a desire to save taxpayers money”.

Sayyed is a Financial Adviser/Broker and has MBA, from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, (1984). He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations & Welfare (Personnel management), from the Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur, India. (1976). and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Poona University, Poona, India, (1974).

He is divorced with no children. He has two sisters and a brother that live in the Chicago suburbs and a brother who lives in Texas.

[Tausif Malikis Managing Editor of US-based The Desi Times. He is also Founder of World’s First Muslim Spelling Bee Competition. He is also associated with Indian Muslim Observer as Contributing Editor. He can be contacted at media@muslimspellingbee.com]
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A. Sayeed elected new national president of SDPI

April 6, 2013, 4:40 am
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By Pervez Bari

Coimbatore: A. Sayeed was unanimously elected new national president of Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), for two years for the period of 2013-15 at the two-day National Representative Council, (NRC), meeting which concluded here at Ayesha Mahal campus on Sunday.

Sayeed was elected in place of E. Abubacker, the outgoing president who has completed two terms as president of SDPI. Sayeed was the national general secretary in the outgoing team of office-bearers of the party.

Prof. P. Koya, who was the returning officer, also announced the names of other office-bearers which included three vice presidents, three general secretaries and secretaries each along with a treasurer who were also elected on the occasion. The complete team of office-bearers which were elected late Saturday night by the 45-member National Working Committee, (NWC), are as under:-

President: A Sayeed; Vice Presidents: 1) Prof. Naznin Begum, 2) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan & 3) Sam Kutty Jacob; General Secretaries: 1) Afsar Pasha, 2) Abdul Majeed Faizy & 3) Adv. Sharafuddin Ahmad; Secretaries: 1) Dr. Mehboob Shareef Awad, 2) Abdul Rasheed Agwan & 3) Rafeeque Mulla & Treasurer: Adv. Sajid Siddiqui.

Apart from this a 15-member National Secretariat was also formed during the NRC meeting. The members of the National Secretariat are: 1) A. Sayeed, 2) Afsar Pasha, 3) Abdul Majeed Faizy; 4) Adv. Sharafudeen Ahmed, 5) E. Abubacker, 6) Dr. Mehboob Awad Shareef, 7) Muhammed Shafi,8) VP Nasarudheen, 9) MK Faizy, 10) Noushad Punnakkal, 11) Hafiz Manzoor Ali Khan, 12) Yasmeen Faruqui, 13) Dehlan Baqavi, 14) Abdul Majeed Kodlipet and 15) Adv. K M Ashraf.

It may be mentioned here that born on June 1st 1955 the new president of SDPI A. Sayeed hails from Kerala and is from Edappal in Malappuram District. He is a retired Public Relation Officer of the Postal Department.

Seven resolutions were adopted in the NRC meeting which included (i) Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians; (ii) Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis; (iii) Land Reforms; (iv) Reservation of Muslims; (v) Prevention of Communal Violence Bill; (vi) Need for Broad Based Political Coalition; (vii) Suspend AFSPA; Repeal Amendments to UAPA.

A. Sayeed
Later in the evening Coimbatore District unit of SDPI organised a public meeting wherein several thousands people turned up to hear the national and local leaders of the party. A number of issues afflicting Muslims and Dalits due to the style of governance of the governments of the day at the Centre and Tamil Nadu state ruled by traditional parties were highlighted by the speakers of SDPI. The aspirations of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is allegedly said to be architect of 2002 pogrom wherein thousands of Muslims were massacred, was also vehemently criticised by nearly all the speakers.

Meanwhile, delivering the presidential address in the opening session of the NRC meeting the outgoing national president of SDPI E. Abubacker, had said: “The Social Democratic Party of India, (SDPI), is a political movement drawing inspirations from the earth as well as skies for its march forward. Our politics is not the pedestrian politics practised by the traditional political outfits. We put across a meta-politics, distinct from professional politicians and their politics. This concept takes us beyond materialistic political views. As such we expect not only results but also rewards.

In the two-day NRC meeting about 225 delegates from all over the country participated. A. Sayeed, the outgoing national general secretary, presented a detailed 35-page two years report of the activities of the SDPI since the last NRC which was held at Bangalore on May 21 & 22, 2011.

Prior to this SDPI president Abubacker hoisted the green-red flag amidst NRC members renting the air with “SDPI Zindabad”.

SDPI Manifesto

It may be mentioned here that SDPI, a registered party with the Election Commission of India, was formed to realize a social order and political system based on the Constitutional ideals of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity. The SDPI was officially constituted on June 21, 2009 in New Delhi and was formally launched a month later on July 29.

The SDPI has put forth the slogan of “Freedom from Hunger, Freedom from Fear” in its manifesto which was released in first National Delegates Meet on October 18, 2009. The manifesto calls for the empowerment of all marginalized sections of the society by mobilizing themselves into a political force, instead of remaining as mere vote banks of different political parties in elections. It has demanded balanced representation of all social groups in legislatures and all administrative bodies nominated by government, in proportion to their population.

The manifesto of the party has underlined that SDPI has been launched to mobilize people to work for alternative socio-political and economic model that is sustainable, pro-people and democratic in its core –principles. Such a model alone will take India to greater heights of prosperity and justice. “We seek the support of all people irrespective of their caste or creed”, manifesto states.

As such SDPI has been launched to empower Muslims and other deprived communities. It is time to bid goodbye to tactical voting and go for strategic plans designed to achieve adequate representation in legislative bodies, the manifesto said.

Meanwhile, the Resolutions adopted in the NRC Meeting of SDPI are as under:-

Genocide of Sri Lankan Tamil Civilians

In 2009, during the final phase of civil war in Sri Lanka, more than one lakh Tamil civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan Rajapaksa government. The international war norms were vastly violated. The women, children and surrendered militants were massacred indiscriminately. Educational institutions, hospitals, domiciles were destroyed in the pre-planned and targetted bombing of army. Banned weapons such as cluster bombs, white phosphorous, chemical weapons were used on densely populated civilian areas. A large scale of human rights violations have been reported by various rights organizations. It was witnessed and reported by the watch groups and world viewers as that was nothing but brutal genocide on Tamil community.

The SDPI demands the perpetrators of genocide and war crimes should be punished. The Sri Lankan government and its President Rajapaksa along with his accomplice should undergo the International Independent Inquiry. SDPI also demands the Indian government should initiate the effective steps to try Rajapaksa and his accomplice before International Criminal Court. SDPI condemns the Indian government for rendering help and continuing meaningless efforts to protect the Sri Lanka in the cover of friendly nation.

The shocking news is reaching the nook and corner of the world that the human rights violations have been continuing even after the ending of civil war. Thousands of Tamil youths mysteriously disappeared by the army and the police forces. The sexual violence against Tamil women is increasing day by day. The Sinhalese people are being settled in the Tamil populated areas. The environment was created by the Rajapaksa regime that the Tamil community would never live peacefully along with the Sinhalese people.

The NRC meeting of SDPI demands that the UNO and the international community to find the permanent solution for the Sri Lankan Tamil community life challenging issue. The referendum for the Sri Lankan community is the need of the hour as such it was conducted in various part of the world.

SDPI demands the international community should come forward to isolate the Sri Lankan fascist government till the permanent solution reaches the Tamil people. We demand the India should not participate in the Common Wealth Countries Conference, which is scheduled to be conducted in Sri Lanka. We also stress that the Common Wealth games should not be conducted in Sri Lanka and should be shifted to some other countries.

Intervene urgently to prevent NRI Crisis

Lakhs of Indians are working all over the world especially in Gulf and their contribution to the economy of India by flowing foreign currency have been helpful for the growth of the nation.
Saudi Arabia is now formulating hard laws which will lead to expulsion of Indian expatriates from Saudi Arabia. One of the major reasons for loss of employment is Saudi government’s refusal to grant permission for change of visa to the sponsor under whom they actually work. This is only technical while many Gulf countries allow it.

Government of India has not yet taken strong and constructive steps at the diplomatic level to solve the crisis. As a result lakh of Indians are compelled to return with their unfinished dreams.
The NRC of SDPI resolves that the Government of India should intervene without any further delay to solve the issue diplomatically by sending a team of Ministers to Saudi Arabia for concrete discussions. It is also resolved that both central and respective state governments should provide free financial aid for rehabilitating the returnees.

Land Reforms

India is an agrarian country with about 60 per cent of its population, which will come to nearly 75 cores, are directly or indirectly depending on agriculture. According to the information published by labour bureau of Central Government, 59 per cent of rural households do not posses any land. Majority of the farmers of India are working on the lands of others for meagre benefits. Fanatical gain from agriculture is enjoyed by landlords and intermediaries. Actual farmers are in extreme poverty. Transfer of agricultural land to the actual farmers is necessary to meet ends of social justice and economic development of the country. There are crores of Indians who do not have a house as their own.

As a result this NRC of SDPI hereby resolve that Central Govt. must take immediate steps to limit extend of land for each family and the excess land must be taken over and distributed among the farmers and landless farmers across the country.

Reservation Of Muslims

SDPI takes a strong exception on the attitude of Central Government on the issue of reservation to Muslims as they have will fully been deprived of their due rights, discriminating them and Christians on the basis of religion, firstly by the Presidential (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950, shamelessly ignoring and violating the provisions of the article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India. The government appointed committees and commissions, thereafter, have consistently given findings that the entire Muslim community has been the most marginalized and backward group, even lagging behind the Scheduled castes in India. Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report pin-pointedly recommended that in any case, 10 per cent reservation be granted to Muslims but the government has miserably failed to act upon the recommendations of justice Mishra Commission. The country may not shine, if the Muslims are mischievously denied the upliftment to get the level-playing as permitted to other weaker sections.

SDPI has, in a sustained manner, been demanding the reservation to Muslims but the government is not responding in an honest way. The party is forced to take the issue to the public if the government causes further delay, to take corrective steps for reservation of Muslims as it has been very long due.

Prevention Of Communal Violence Bill

The SDPI strongly demands for tabling of communal violence Bill in the parliament, lying with the government since the year 2011. In a number of communal incidents, including the ethnic cleansings in Assam and genocide of Sikhs in the year 1984 and genocide of Muslims in Gujarat in the year 2002, a large number of the weak, helpless and vulnerable children, women and men have fallen prey to communally ignited and government engineered hatred and violence but victims could not get justice.

The proposed law, deftly drafted with the involvement of persons, known for their secular credentials and social concern, may prove a strong tool to control group criminality in the country. Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, have always been easy target of planned blood-shedding, arson and neglect on part of conniving establishment to bring the culprits to justice, in timely help for relief and rehabilitation as well as in time-bound disposal of cases of communal incidents. UPA Government in fear of right-wing forces has been sleeping over the Bill in spite of making loud promise by its leader, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, ignoring repeated demands for passing the law. SDPI wants that if the Government does not shed procrastination on the matter, the party will be compelled to launch a nationwide agitation.

Need For Broad Based Political Coalition

The NRC meeting of SDPI reiterates the need for a broad-based political coalition against the backdrop of the fundamental changes taking place in the socio-economic situation of the country. Since the Congress government rejected the ideals of welfare state in favour of capitalist model of development, the number of the poor in the country has only increased and deprivation, poverty and hunger have become a common feature of Indian villages while the new billionaires are carving up land and natural resources. All the traditional parties including the Left have failed to stop the juggernaut which is crushing people, destroying the subsistence farm lands and driving them to urban slums as bonded labour.

At the same time there are many other formations and groups engaged in resistance to the unsustainable models of growth. Local or provincial organizations are active in struggle for land distribution, environmental protection and against forceful appropriation of farm lands. Neo-social movements are building up cadres for total empowerment of minorities or Dalits.
It is the need of the time that the Party takes initiative to bring all these multiform forces on one platform and build up a broad coalition to accelerate the new policies of alternate development and just political representation. This platform is the only alternative to the current system based on convenient distribution of political spoils among the traditional party managers engaged in perpetuating the exploitation. SDPI will start negotiations to achieve this objective forthwith.

Suspend AFSPA; repeal amendments to UAPA

The meeting of NRC of SDPI expresses its deep anguish and concern at the increasing use of repressive laws in the country to stifle legitimate democratic dissent and protest against the anti-people policies of the governments at the centre an in the states. Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis form the majority of people put behind bars without trial. In the case of Muslims it is to portray them as terrorists and in the case of others to crush resistance against deprivation and denial of land. They are tortured in to submission and put in jails using the provisions of UAPA, AFSPA, PSA etc., When TADA and POTA were enacted the government claimed they were emergency laws to meet emergencies and included sunset clause to assure the people. But exploiting the uproar against 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, the government inserted on the sly very stringent articles in the UAPA making them a permanent feature in the penal laws. The recent amendments in the act make it more expansive and vague, amenable to arbitrary interpretation and misuse by the police.

AFSPA in use in many border states are used by the security forces to trample upon the fundamental rights of the people. The troops kill people, enter their private living quarters and indulge in rape and arson. Many youths are killed in fake encounters. Likewise Public Security Acts are used by state governments to imprison and torture leaders of people’s movements. The main reason for human rights violations in the country is the existence of repressive laws. Sops and palliative measures announced by the governments on the eve of elections are not going to help thousands of remand prisoners.

The NRC is of the view that the repeal of repressive laws alone will offer relief to the people. As an interim step the government should suspend the operation of AFSPA in J & K and Manipur. All amendments made to UAPA since 2008 should be withdrawn.

[Pervez Bariis a senior Journalist based at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is associated with IndianMuslimObserver.com as Bureau Chief (Madhya Pradesh). He can be contacted at pervezbari@eth.net]
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An Overview of Socio Economic Profile of Muslims in Maharashtra

April 6, 2013, 5:05 am
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By Prof. Vibhuti Patel

Maharashtra’s multicultural milieu is marked by crucial contribution made by Muslims. The Sachar Committee Report, 2006 stated that the condition of Muslim in Maharashtra demands special attention of the state where the Muslim members are the biggest religious minority. Seven surveys commissioned by the Maharashtra State Minority Commission to Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) , Nirmala Niketan’s College of Social Work of Mumbai University and Research Centre for Women’s Studies of SNDT Women’s University that were submitted in 2011 discovered that a very large proportion of Muslims live in very dismal economic conditions. Nearly 1/3rd of the respondents in the TISS research reported an annual household income of less than Rs.10,000, 24.4% between Rs. 10,001-Rs.20,000, 7.5% between Rs.20,001-Rs.30,000, 3.8% between Rs.30,0001-Rs.40,000, 1% between Rs.40,001-Rs.50,000 and 5.6% above Rs.50,000. In the 21st century, limited occupational diversification is noticed among educated middle class Muslims in the cities of the state due to new openings in IT and construction industry.

As per the census 2011, Maharashtra's Parbhani and Nanded districts had 30% Muslim population and Malegaon and Bhiwandi were Muslim majority Cities. Mumbra and Kashi mira in thane district are emerging as new hub for economic activities, technical education institutions and community work among Muslims. In Malegaon block of Nashik district, highest percentage of Muslim community is to be found (42.5 %) as a proportion to the total population followed by Bhiwandi in Thane (35.8 %), Nanded (26.5 %), Aurangabad (25.5 %) and Parbhani (25.1 %). Marathwada as a region had a late integration and betrays a story of neglect. In Malegaon of Nashik district Muslims are mainly concentrated in the urban area (70.96%) as compared to rural areas of Malegaon (3.6%). Among the tehsils, highest percentage of Muslim community is found in Shrivardhan tehsil of Raigarh district (20.26%), and nearly similar in percentages in both the rural and urban areas. In Vidarbha region, in Akola, Yavatmal and Amaravati Muslims constitute 8.3% of the total population.

Work and Employment Profile

In a state level survey by the Minority Commission in 2011, it was found that nearly 32.4 per cent of Muslims reported as being ‘a worker’ as compared to 42.5 per cent of total population in the state. Among Muslims the work participation rate was reported higher among men (49.97 %) as compared to women (12.67 %). Muslims in rural Maharashtra reported nearly 38.12 per cent as worker as compared to 29.97 per cent in urban areas. Among Muslim men not much difference was observed in rural and urban areas as compared to Muslim women population. Nearly one forth of Muslims women living in rural areas reported as workers, while it was only 6.3 per cent in urban areas.

Among Muslims in Maharashtra, nearly 70.7 per cent engaged in category of work activities such as semi skilled and skilled informal sector work such as carpentry, masonry, electrician, plumber, mechanic, manual labour, coolie job, solid waste management, butchery, weaving, bead-work, jari and embroidery work, tailoring, hawking, petty trade, pulling cycle rickshaws and handcarts, driving four wheelers and heavy vehicles ; nearly 8 per cent as cultivators, mainly small and marginal farmers; 17.6 per cent as agricultural labourers and 3.6 per cent in household industry. The proportion of Muslim population involved in cultivation and agricultural activities is lesser than their counterparts in Hindu as well as total population in Maharashtra, however, Muslim’s involvement in household industry and other category of activities is higher than them. In rural areas a higher percentage of Muslim population has reported as agricultural laborers as compared to Hindu population, while the proportion of Hindu population reported as cultivators is more than double than the Muslim population. Nearly 44 per cent of Muslim women workers reported as agricultural labourers, and their proportion in rural areas is 61.6 per cent. Among Muslim population, the involvement in other category of activities is higher among men as compared to women, in both rural and urban areas. It should be noted that nearly 70 per cent of Muslim population in the state of Maharashtra is found in urban areas where non-agricultural activities dominate.

Unemployment 

Census collects data on persons seeking or available for work among non workers. In 2001 census, those who reported as marginal worker were also asked about seeking or available for work. About 39.9 per cent marginal workers among Muslim community in rural areas reported as seeking/available for work. Among Muslim non-workers, nearly 6 percent reported as ‘job seekers’ in rural areas. The age wise job seekers were highest in 20-24 years followed by 15-19 and 25-29 years. Thus unemployment among Muslim youth is a most challenging problem faced by the state.

In urban areas, Muslim job seekers among marginal and non-workers were little higher as compared to rural areas. The age specific rate of job seekers among marginal workers was observed much higher level as compared to non-workers. Muslim men were found to be actively seeking /available for work in higher percentage than their women counterparts.
As per NSS 61st Round in 2004-05, unemployment rate was found much higher in urban areas with wider difference by gender and community. Muslim men reported nearly two times higher unemployment than their Hindu counterparts. The unemployment rate was higher in urban areas for both men and women as compared to rural areas.

Pattern of Landholding

In the NSS 60th round in 2004 in which information on land cultivated was collected revealed that ‘having no cultivable land’ percentage was much higher among Muslim household in Maharashtra as compared to their situation in the rest of India. From 1993-94 to 2004-05 the situation remained similar. In 2007-08, land possession data showed that Muslim household possessed less land or no land in higher proportion than Hindu households. In urban areas possession of land was much less.

Housing

In Greater Mumbai (NFHS 2 and NFHS 3) and Nagpur (NFHS 3) data were collected from slum and non-slum areas. Both survey clearly show that Muslim household in these districts were living in much higher percentage in slum areas as compared to Hindu and Christian households. Large majority of Muslims in Bhivandi, Mumbai, Malegaon and over 40 towns declared as minority population concentrated, live in ghettos without basic amenities such as safe drinking water, electricity, toilets, proper roads, closed gutters. The ghettoization is detrimental to the long term well-being of the community as well as for national integration. Very small percentage of other minority groups lives in slums. It indicates that majority of Muslim in the cities in Maharashtra is mostly engaged in the low paying skilled, semi skilled or unskilled jobs owing to their low educational qualifications.

Migration

As per NSS data of 2007-08, 84.5 per cent women in rural areas and 65.7 per cent in urban areas reported marriage as reason for their migration. The family migration in urban areas is second most dominating reason among females. Among men, economic reason was most dominating reason for migration as reported by nearly 53 per cent in rural and 73 per cent in urban areas. Migration due to education was reported by little higher percentage in urban areas as compared to rural areas. Migration among Muslims women due to economic reasons was reported by about 1.5 per cent in rural areas and 3.5 per cent in urban areas.

Bank loans

The reluctance of banks to grant loans to Muslims is another factor for their economic backwardness. In all studies commissioned by the Minority Commission, the respondents have stated that in most cases, banks are biased, and there are no well-defined and objective criteria for rejecting loan applications of Muslims resulting into arbitrariness, bureaucratic bungling, corruption and leakage. The average amount of loans banks disbursed to the Muslims is found to be lower than the one given to other minorities, especially Buddhists and Sikhs.

Socio-economic Infrastructure

Muslims in Maharashtra are a highly deprived community in terms of several socio-economic indices. Their employment pattern is highly skewed towards lower level activities in the tertiary sector with hardly any occupational mobility. The access of Muslims to bank credit is low and inadequate; the community has one of the lowest monthly per capita expenditure (MPCE), and lowest representation in the public sector employment. In response to persistent exclusion of Muslims from development efforts, the Ranganath Mishra Commission Report (2007) had asked for 10% reservation for Muslims in central and state government jobs and 6% within OBC quotas for Muslim OBCs, and the inclusion of Muslim and Christian dalits in the scheduled castes list and Equal Opportunities Commission to be set up expeditiously. But these recommendations are yet to be implemented.

Muslim communities throughout the state have complained that to avail any government scheme, agents charge Rs. 1000/- for fulfillment of formalities/paper work and if the amount is granted by the state, they disappear with money. Hence it is important to monitor the implementation of the schemes thro’ voluntary organizations/NGOs/potential beneficiaries.
The Muslim community lags behind severely in political representation. The number of Muslim MLAs is 5. The number of Muslim MLCs is 11. Representation of Muslims in Indian Administrative Services has been less than 1% for the last three decades. The number of Muslims in Maharashtra cadre IAS in 2011-12 is one among total 288 IAS officers. One Muslim officer resigned in July 2011. The sanctioned strength for IAS officers is 350 - there is a shortfall of 62 officers in the cadre. In 2010-11, there were 2 Muslim officers out of total strength of 350. In 2009-2010 also there were 2 Muslims out of 340 IAS officers’ posts. The number in the IPS is 4 out of 203 officers in 2011. The sanctioned cadre strength for police officers in Maharashtra state is 302.

The major reason for the socio economic deprivation of Muslims is the high incidence of communal riots. Absence of civic ties due to ghettoisation creates an insular feeling. Mumbai which has 15 to 18 % Muslim population, according to various estimates, is the worst hit. During 1908 to 2009; Mumbai alone was inflicted with 83 communal riots which claimed nearly 1,900 lives and resulted in injuries to over 8,000 people. No other city or region in Maharashtra has had more communal riots than Mumbai. It exceeds that of the communal incidents in Malegaon. A distant second in the 1908-2009 riots list is Aurangabad (12 incidents), followed by Pune, Nagpur and Malegaon (11 incidents each). Though Bhiwandi occupies fifth spot with 8 incidents, it ranks second in terms of deaths. During 1998-2008, 172 lives were lost in 1,192 incidents in the state due to highly polarized society that is sharply divided along caste and religious lines.

Syncretism Culture

Culture of Maharashtra is marked by a high degree of syncretism and pluralism. Political economy of communal conflicts is proving to be a major threat to this glorious legacy. Maharashtra has had 1,192 communal clashes during the 11-year period from 1998 to 2008, the highest in the country. Throughout the 11-year period, Maharashtra witnessed 10% to 23% of the total incidence of communal riots in India. Its share was particularly high during 2005-06, when 20% of all such incidents took place in the state. In this context, massive development intervention among poor Muslims with special focus on inclusive growth is a need of an hour.

Recommendations

This inquiry into causes of socio economic deprivation of Muslims is a crucial exercise to arrive at remedial measures and doable agenda for inclusive development of Muslims thro the government initiative of Multi Sectoral Development Programme (MsDP). Main rationale for MsDP is to remove disparities faced by areas with sizable minority population. In Maharashtra, four districts Parbhani, Hingoli, Washim and Buldhana are identified by Central Government as Minority Concentrated Districts for Multi-sectoral Development Program during XI Plan (2007-12).

Bhiwandi

Known as Manchester of India, this textile city is famous for handloom and power loom industry. As most of the workers are migrant and working too hard, citizens groups are not active in the city.
• The state has to be pro-active in ensuring social security and social protection to the informal sector workers. All of them must be provided with ration cards.
• Currently only 30% of the city has a drainage system. Remaining 70% of the city of Bhivandi must be provided drainage system so that most of the illnesses related to water born diseases can be controlled.
• Public health and sanitation measures against unhygienic living and working condition must be taken as early as possible. Eradication of contagious disease programme TB, skin ailments needs an immediate attention.
• Occupational health and safety standards for workers in powerloom and handloom industries need to be operationalised by Factory Inspector’s Office and Labour Bureau. Support structures and medical facilities must be provided for disabled people.
• Massive urban housing scheme for Muslims is urgently required in Bhivandi.
• Modernisation of slaughter house in Bhivandi as per the norms of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board is need of an hour, hence adequate financial assistance must be provide in the PRI and state government budget.
• To eradicate child labour in Bhivandi, the Child Labour Prevention Act, 1986 must be implemented.
• Create new posts of Community Development Officers at the Bhivandi Municipal Corporation.
Mumbai: Behrampada, Dharavi, Jogeshwari, Madanpura, Govandi, Mankurd, Kurla, Govandi, Mumbra
Mumbai has Muslim ghettoes spread around all three railway lines-central (Kurla, Byculla, Mazgaon), Western (Behrampada, Dharavi, Jogeshwari) and Harbour (Madanpura, Govandi, Mankurd). There is a need to establish a strong centre-link programme that would co-ordinate, policies, programmes and ground realities. This unit established either in the Department of Minorities Affairs or the Minorities State Commission. It
• must monitor the socio-economic and financial sector programmes within the access parameters of the minorities such as budget allocation for the minorities in proportion to the population and their levels of development,
• top priority in the budget must be given to housing, roadwork, drainage, water supply and electricity
• call for a mid-term review of programmes and ensure that the allocations made for the minorities/ women and other vulnerable groups are not re-allocated, but will be spent for the purpose it is intended.
• facilitate the dissemination of information about the various state welfare programmes especially targeting the minorities, but of all programmes and initiatives aimed at addressing issues of socio-economic justice. The idea is to have a single window approach to programmes.
• Resolving Dispute over Land Ownership in Favor of the Community.
• The present condition of the slaughter houses in the city is very bad, and is a threat to the health and hygiene of persons living nearby, as well as persons working there, and people who consume the meat that comes from there. Hence modernisation is urgently required, at least to ensure that basic standards of hygiene are in place.

Malegaon

Malegaon has a potential to emerge as a modern industrial hub and urgently needs an Urban Renewal Plan.

• Major housing scheme, drainage and sanitation measures, tapped water, street lights, roads and public transport demand urgent attention for the poor Muslim workers in Malegaon.

• Small scale manufacturing units-power-loom, textile, oil, food and plastic industries and oil refinery should be provided regular and reliable electricity supply, credit and banking facilities, physical infrastructure in terms of road and transport for passengers and goods.

• Powerloom industry must be modernized and yarn bank must be established. Paithani sarees produced in Malegaon deserves more proactive marketing.

• Vocational Training Institutes must be established for generating skilled workforce as majority of population Malegaon is young in age.

• Malegaon film industry should get encouragement and state support in terms of investment, marketing, land for development of film city with studios, loans, consultancy services and awards the way Bollywood and Marathi Film industries are getting.

• The government should encourage formation of 5000-6000 SHGs of women in Malegaon.

• The state government must evolve a special package for the industrial development of Maegaon city.

• The government must make concerted efforts for intermixing of different religious communites thro’ creation of mixed neighbourhood as agsinst extreme segregation existing currently, sports, cultural activites, public parks, libraries, community centres, youth camps, health check ups by voluntary organizations for all citizens.

Overall Recommendations

• Block wise disaggregated data- base on socio-economic indicators for Muslims in the state must be provided and regularly updated for proper targeting of development schemes and programmes.

• In 49 Muslim inhabited blocks in Maharashtra, basic civil amenities such as water, street lights in the urban areas, sanitation, road, hospital/health centre, ICDS centers, school, multi-purpose activity centers, community libraries and banking facilities must be ensured on a top priority basis.

• The government officers should be sensitized to issue BPL cards and judiciously implement anti poverty programmes and schemes for deserving muslims. Community Based Organisations and No-Government Organisations should be empowered to monitor procurement of BPL cards.

• Wide publicity should be given to Maulana Azad Employment Loan Scheme, Educational loan and Scholarships.

• Quarterly audit of budgetary allocation for social sector human development initiatives for Muslims must be done so that the funds can be utilized on time.

• Reservation policy to be made applicable to Dalit and OBC Muslims as per Justice Rangnath Mishra’s recommendation.

• The State must set an example by taking a lead in instituting an Empowered Equal Opportunities Commission as per the recommendations of Sachar Commission and Justice Ranganath Misha Commission.

• Urdu medium schools to be adequately and consistently funded to meet the expenditure of school building, teachers’ salaries and campus/play-ground maintenance.

• State initiative in construction of urban houses for the Muslims among whom 60% currently are living in the slums.

• Priority Sector advances by the public sector banks should be increased to 15% of the total lending in agriculture and small scale industry as compared to current lending of 6% and 7% respectively.

• To stop discrimination against Muslims in housing sector, stern action must be taken against housing societies and builders who discriminate against citizens on the basis of religion/caste in selling or renting out flats/houses.

• Women headed households should be given special considenration in all affirmative and anti poverty programmes of the state.

• Maulana Azad Minority Economic Development Mahamandal, Government of Maharashtra should give religion wise break up of beneficiaries of finaicial aid/loans under loan schems, subsidy, education loan, micro credit, mahila samriddhi, loans for farmers and fisherfolks and micro fiancé for SHGs and vocational training scheme.

To promote higher and vocational education among Muslims girls and women, colleges and vocational training institutions must be started in the areas inhabited by Muslims.

Employment and Livelihood

 Ensuring that the selection panels for government jobs has a representative from the Muslim community.

 Ensure minorities do not face discrimination regarding bank loans. The government should clearly indicate that such forms of discriminations are unacceptable

 There is a need for strengthening SHG programmes to ensure that the people do not have to take loans from private money lenders on high rate of interests.

 It has to extend the outreach of schemes such as Sanjay Gandhi Nradhar Anudhan Yojana

 Sharvanbal Seva Raj Nivrattan Yojana

 National Family Benefits Scheme

 Extend the Coverage of the Unorganized Sector Workers Bill to the people of Behrampada

 Ensure that the people are covered by insurance polices that are people friendly

 The various schemes for minorities have not reached the residents of Behrampada

 Sensitization of the bureaucrats, staff and the police.

 Employment of Muslims in Muslim concentrated areas.

 Professional skills and self employment opportunities among Muslims.

 The Government should strengthen its health and education delivery systems to ensure that people do not get indebted due to these basic requirements of the people.

 All rural and urban slaughter houses in the state need modernization that meets the standards of environmental and health safety standards.

 Hostels for working people

Creation of Skilled Labour Force

At least 20 new ITIs in Urdu Medium must be recognised on grant-in-Aid basis. And at least 20 Second shift ITIs in Urdu/Marathi medium must be started in Govt/ Aided ITIs exclusively for minorities.

 18. At least 10 new polytechnics in Urdu Medium (with affiliation from Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad) and 10 new polytechnics in English Medium must be started by the State Government for minorities.

 These can be started as Second Shift Polytechnics using same infrastructure of Govt/Semi Government Polytechnics as suggested by National Knowledge Commission and A.I.C.T.E.

For effective time bound implementation of minority welfare schemes, following are the suggestions to be worked out at State level and local level by the Government and Non-Government Organizations.

1. Administrative set up of District Minority Welfare Officer, at each district Head Quarter is essential at par with District Social Welfare Officer by the State Government. (A.P. and U.P. model can be referred in this regard)

2. For empowerment of Minorities, a State level Minorities Welfare Action Committee must be constituted.

3. For mass awareness of the schemes up to root level, programs must be organized at each taluqa/minority populated areas.

4. In depth study of implementation of each and every scheme, practical difficulties observed during its implementation, number of deserved applicants, all such aspects must be considered to review the existing schemes to cater the needs of a large number of minorities.

5. Property-homes, shops etc. of the muslims must be insured keeoing in mind fear of riots.

 Amendment of the Maharashtra Slum Rehabilitation Act 1970

The Maharashtra Slum Rehabilitation Act has to be revised to create housing for all the existing residents of the area. They are among the poorest people in Maharashtra and they are a vulnerable community. Their problems are located in the overall neglect of the urban poor in state policies.

 Establishment of People’s Action Committee for Area Development There is a need for a People’s Action Committee for the Development of Behrampada to facilitate the development of the area. Comprising high level officials, BMC engineers community leaders (both men and women) and local NG0s, this committee will be responsible for the identification of bonafide residents. This need arises from the discussions we have had with the local bureaucrats and the community. The understanding we received was that when the housing board wished to build houses after the fire in Behrampada, they were faced with the difficulty of identifying the bonafide beneficiary, since so many came with the same set of documents claiming ownership entitlements. It was narrated that the surveyor had a knife placed at his throat and the records torn by the hoard of angry residents who crowded them demanding the inclusion of their names. This observation was reiterated by the women in the area. A few said that they were the original residents of the area, but many more were claiming ownership rights.

 The need for area development committee is necessitated by the principles of democratic and participatory development. It will ensure that the people have a say in their own development.

 This monitoring of the development programme by this committee will circumvent the problems of identification of beneficiaries and maintain vigilance against corruption and delays in the completion of the projects.

 It will also be able to mediate between those responsible for the execution of the project and the beneficiaries. Our discussions with the BMC officers and the community highlighted the difference in understanding/explaining delays. For instance the women living in the redeveloped part of Behrampada (i.e., the area destroyed by fire), complained about the difficulties of living without water. The water pipes had been laid but the supply had not been released. When we discussed this point with the BMC, we were told that this was because some miscreants had broken the pipes, to illegally divert water. The need to repair the pipes and ensure that they are not damaged was a major concern.

 It will be able to ensure and insist that there is better coordination between the various departments of housing, roadwork, drainage, water supply and electricity so that the project can be completed on time with the minimum overflow of the sanctioned budget.

 The Group will also ensure the education of the slum dwellers on the importance of sanitation and cleanliness in the environment to improve the quality of life issues.

 In addition, on the principle of social justice, Government and civil societies should send a clear message all housing societies that do not admit Muslims are against the country’s policies of social inclusion. There should be a quota for Muslims in Government Housing schemes.

Food Security

National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) reports for 1993-94, 1999-2000 and 2004-05 (NSSO 1996, 2001 and 2007) on Calorie Deprivation In Maharashtra revealed that Religion wise distribution indicates that Muslims are the most vulnerable in urban areas with an incidence of calorie-poor of 55%. Their population share is only 17% but their share of the calorie poor is nearly one fourth.

The recommendations made here is only concerned with questions of distributive justice, although the policy makers will no doubt take into account the need for efficiency in the procurement, transportation and storage of food supplies along with efficiency of distribution. The findings of the study indicate the following shortcomings of the existing TPDS system:

 The procedure for the acquisition of ration cards places the most vulnerable people (the homeless, migrants, single women and tenants) outside the eligibility criteria.

 The rules governing proof of residence, income, etc. should be simplified. Deserted women in particular would find it difficult to acquire these documents.

 It is necessary to revise the Poverty Line Index on the basis of the current inflations. Additionally, it must factor in the high cost paid by the family for health and education, home repair and other basic amenities of water, electricity in the calculations.

 The existence of TVs or other major durable commodities cannot be criteria for the measurement of poverty: For these commodities may be discards and pre-owned products that do not indicate the economic well-being of the households.

 The TPDS should be need-based rather than supply based. The coverage should be extended to all households requiring subsidies. The short supply and pilfering of essential commodities.

 There are errors of inclusion and exclusion in the TPDS system.

 Policies should ensure that women from minority communities have access to welfare schemes.

 Government Regulations to improve services should be widely disseminated. Government GRs are not necessarily known to the local officers and NGOs. Information should be published in the local papers.

This study calls for the following interventions 1) legislative changes of policies; 2) streamlining and monitoring of food storage and distribution network; 3) strict vigilance at the local fair price shops to ensure that there is no pilfering of essential grains; and 4) quality control of grains and lentils supplied in the TPDS. The right to food security should be available to everyone irrespective of caste, or religious/ethnic identity. It should be demand based and not supply based.

[Prof. Vibhuti Patelis Head, Department of Economics, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai-400020. E mail: Vibhuti.np@gmail.com]

This Report was prepared for Maharashtra State Minority Commission, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
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IMO EXCLUSIVE: Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus' nephew Syed Islam ditches Americans, becomes Fly-By-Night operator

April 6, 2013, 5:43 am
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[The Indian Muslim Observer is presenting a stunning revelation in the own words of an American woman Susie Mann, a Bridal Wears Designer, who says that Syed Islam, the Nephew of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh, had terminated his business after hiring many women and a designer to design and create a line of wedding gowns. According to Susie, he tried to sexually harass her on several occasions, gave bounced checks for her services, owes money to several workers in the U.S. and has now left for Bangladesh along with his wife Yasmine. Susie is clearly distressed and perturbed, and says this makes Americans view Bangladeshis as people having low status in life. She goes on to say that Muslims are represented by corrupt and dirty businessmen and that is how Christians and Jewish Americans will look at them. She says that pigs are cleaner than they are. After receiving three emails from Susie, I also got perturbed and promised her that I am going to publish all that she has to say regarding the misdeeds of the illustrious Nephew of Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Laureaute Dr, Mohammad Yunus, warn other people from falling into the trap of such crooks and allay misconception that all Muslims are definitely not like this atrocious, disgusting fellow. The Indian Muslim Observer is presenting all that Susie wants to reveal with slight editing for language clarity. -- Danish Ahmad Khan, Founder-Editor, IndianMuslimObserver.com]

By Susie Mann

Syed Islam, the Nephew of the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh, is now known as a liar and thief in New York City, where he recently terminated his business after hiring many women and a designer to design and create a line of wedding gowns. Syed Islam was incoherent of all American business laws, payment of taxes and Labor laws.

Syed Islam made me move to New York Area to work in New York City. I am a professional Designer who worked for other leading Bridal Manufacturers as well. I left my home and friends in Massachusetts, to work for Syed Islam at 240 West 37th st. My concept was to design wedding gowns for full figure women in Silks and French laces. This concept is brand new and was highly praised by American Stores. However, Syed Islam, then thought he did not need my services and of production manager and terminated me and my staff comprising 10 women, of which 5 of the women were Muslims.

Syed Isam after taking his decision to terminate our services, however, continued paying the male employees who worked for him. When it came to paying his female employees he wrote checks which bounced. I was made to sign a contract to work for Syed Islam is also due 60 days of salary upon termination. The total amount that Syed Islam owes me is a little under $25,000. For other female employees that Syed Islam owes runs into thousands of dollars.
Not only this, this crook Syed Islam, who cheated us and swallowed our money, also did not pay months of rent and was kicked out of this location. A person like Syed Islam is a high risk to be in any kind of business. Syed Islam's company "Yeasmine Bridals" with which I worked was name after his co-partner and wife Yeasmine. He named the Wedding gown company after her even though she hadn't a clue about wedding gowns. This was the second company. He had other companies as well called "OPERA" and "Persona".

Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammad Yunus
This man Syed Islam has become a well known crook among the bridal industry and is losing all credibility in all the American New York Business world as a "FLY BY NIGHT" operator. This is a great deterrent for the Muslim world in finances. By being corrupt and a thief, as well as, sexual harasser, a Muslim businessman will be known to bankers and to the American public as a company not to be trusted.

I have had my own business as a bridal apparel designer as well as an import business. This Syed just used us. I moved 200 miles at his insistence to have an office in New York city. His uncle started the Micro Credit Bank in Bangledash as well as won the Nobel peace prize. Hillary Clinton bought the Nobel Peace Prize for Dr. Yunus instead of their Beautiful Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. This Syed is dishonest and cheats on his wife as well. Many times he hangs out in Hotel lobbies. He used to send me sexual harassment texts as well which I am still in possession of and can show whenever required as a proof. This is obscene and shows other Americans how crude and low life status the people from Bangeldash are.. No wonder it is a third world country... Pigs are cleaner than they are. And purer in heart than Muslims.. Muslims are represented by businessmen and if these businessmen are corrupt and dirty...then that is how Christian and Jewish Americans will look at you ALL. If I was a Muslim businessman, I would stone this Syed Islam and His wife Yeasmine ... Both are the same caste system...lower than swines.

Syed Islam lied and cheated the government in taxes and labor laws. He illegally wrote payroll checks , knowingly he was going to bounce them. I even have an email telling me that he is going to bounce my payroll checks. He used my staff of 10 women and me to make wedding gowns. After we finished the line of gowns, Syed Islam decided he didn't need us anymore. He had decided to make the gowns in Bangladesh or China. He owes me 5 weeks salary and my staff 2 weeks salaries. He paid the men but not us women. This is discrimination in THIS COUNTRY! and A felony to intentionally write bad checks. This Syed Islam is a snake and dirtier than a Swine's pen.

DO NOT TRUST HIM in any kind of business or with your daughters and wives. I have two texts of his sexual harassments. This is the second company Syed Islam has lied and cheated his employees. IN the UNITED STATES we have labor laws. And we have the IRS who will go after businessmen who do not pay their taxes. SYED ISLAM didn't take out ANY payroll taxes or unemployment taxes.

Syed Islam never intended on having a business. He just wanted to be a big shot Muslim businessman in New York City. His ego is bigger than his manhood. We will never trust another Muslim man or woman in this country. We dont' want your low life mentality and corruptions. I had moved here and spent thousands of dollars to do so, I invested in the business to keep it afloat while Syed Islam vacationed in Bangledash...trusting this Liar and dishonest man. He is not a businessman at all. Has no ideas about Modern business. Lied and said he had a business degree. If you ever meet this man, Syed Islam, do not shake his hand, because, if you are wearing a watch or ring, he would steal it from you.

Dear Sir, I find your interest in my heartache very inspiring. I agree that it doesn't matter what religion or nationality one is, corruption and dishonesty is unnecessary. I have many friends who are from India and in my heart, they are family to me.

My late husband and I were treated with great respect and kindness throughout India and Asia, so, I didn't think I should be leery of a person from Bangladesh. However, this was the first time that I did have any contact with a Muslim businessman. I have had conversations with Iranians and dated a Muslim man for a while in the 70s .

But never have I been involved with someone so corrupt and blinded to United States laws. That to think because you are from another country, you can ignore our laws. We have strict Labor laws. The first draft of our contract together, Syed Islam said I had to work 60 hours a week. I thought he was joking or he was just ignorant.

Syed insisted on the Wedding gowns be finished for deadlines for our Chicago and New York markets.

Because Syed Islam had no credit in this country, he used me to get a showroom. We hired a professional business consultant who has had 50 years in the bridal industry. This person was an older man but very much attuned to the bridal business. I have known and worked with him over the years from 1972. Right before the markets opened in Chicago and New York, Syed Islam who had said this man was too old, made it impossible for him to continue with Yeasmine Bridals. Instead of being his employer, he just made him quit. Showing me and others that this Syed Islam has no idea about being an executive businessman. While finishing up our line of wedding gowns, I was thrown into organizing the shows and models. I had 10 women who have never made couture wedding gowns sewing for me. (I learned couture when I was Product developer and assistant designer for Priscilla of Boston in Boston Massachusetts.) Before that, I had designed 15 years or more for Bridal Originals (in the 70s and 80s, became the largest Bridal manufacturer in the world). I have had my own bridal business as well, YST Originals.
My husband had 22 factories throughout Asia making jeans and jackets and I also produced wedding gowns in Taiwan and China. So, I am very experienced with off shore production and associating with many foreigner manufacturers and businessmen. While I was designing for Syed, I was renewing my contacts in China and Vietnam for production.

So, I took Syed Islam on face value as we say in the United States....meaning, I accepted him for what he showed me to my face as a decent businessman. I grew to really like this man. However, I didn't really get much time to know him too well because his work days consisted of coming in the late afternoons , maybe two times a week.

My Staff of women included 5-6 Muslim women who had zero experience in sewing professionally. They understood very little English but we all fell into a good professional relationship. I taught them as much as I could. It did cost money to train them but they worked hard and long hours. My other employees were Spanish, 2 Hindu, Buddist and Christian. They had very little experience in the Bridal manufacturing business and professional sewing. But, I worked hands on with them and long work hours and finally we created 13 wedding gowns for our first week of Bridal Market. Syed, then wrote us checks for our labor. He then informed us that he was going away for a couple of weeks and we would continue when he got back from Bangladesh. During this time, Syed Islam had taken on an investor who had invested $100,000.00. The man was from Bangladesh and a nice person. However, later on, I realized that Syed had deceived him as well. Out of no where, Syed accused me of spending $600,000 of his money. I had every receipt that I had spent and it came nowhere near that amount. I figured that Syed had told the investor that he had put into the company more than he actually did in order to have complete ownership and control of the business. He also told this man that I had stolen from him this money.

Another bad thing happened, Syed, not wanting to work more than a couple of hours a week, wanted a business manager to run his New York Office and all the many other businesses which he was planning on developing. He hired a woman with very little experience in wedding gowns. This woman saw how inept this Syed Islam was and cheated him out of thousands of dollars. She stated to me and others, that she had no intention of selling our gowns until she knew where she could have them made. I was not only hired as a designer but a production manager. I had two factories lined up for production in China and Vietnam. One of them one of the top manufacturers in the Far East. Not only wedding gowns but computers and one of the wealthiest companies in Taiwan. I knew that this woman would use overseas productions in getting commissions on top of her salary. I expressed these concerns to Syed. I also knew this woman had no credibility because I had her checked out. But Syed, ignored me now, because now, I was finished with the designing and he was going to use her and pay her a cheaper salary. This woman had never imported anything from anywhere, nor knew anything about wedding gowns.

But the whole corruption came when his accountant whom I suggest Syed to hire to keep track of his money and payroll.

He wrote us checks for our labor, knowing they didn't have the money in the US banks. Over the past months, he took out our taxes and unemployment and Social Security taxes. But, he never paid the Government those taxes. He kept it.

He does have a period of paying the government. However, he created fraud by writing bad checks of over $20,000.00. Syed and his accountant insisted that we do not go to unemployment. Syed even called some of the women and me that he was going to pay us. So, we put off from going to the police and the State Labor Department. When I did go to Unemployment, it was then that I discovered that he was cheating the US government.

As it stands, none of us have been paid. I do not know, if he is still in business with Persona, a business he started with a man while involved with Yeasmine Bridals. He also had another company called Opera who he claimed stole from him. But I now doubt it. He invests in money and thinking it will have overnight returns and when it doesn't , he pulls out, leaving the companies out to dry (American slang), and the designers and employers stranded. This man has no heart.

This Syed would call me or text me at all hours of the night. I would laugh it off but when he text me that he wanted to see me on the beach in a bikini. and another time, he text me while I was alone and working late that he had video cameras watching me because I am such a beautiful lady. He claimed he wanted to sit at home and watch me work. I told him that was creepy and not appropriate between employer and employee. These are considered sexual harassment in New York State. If I was 20 yrs younger, I would had quit, but I considered him as a very immature man. But it did bother me enough that I told my neighbors to watch out for strange men. I showed others the text as well as kept them for the police.

When Syed left for Bangladesh this summer, he left us with no money. He was gone over 6 weeks. I took out my savings to buy fabrics and laces. I paid for lunches and train fares for my some of my staff because they had no money to come to work out of my own money. I loved my staff, working so diligently into the late night hours. A couple of times, they would work until 1 am in the morning, not getting home until 3 am. We had faith in Syed.

I had every receipt which I paid out of my savings. I did not charge him for the train fares or the lunches. Syed wrote me a check for $4,000. He bounced the check. Now, because I used up my small savings, I have no more money. I must now leave the East Coast because I can no longer afford the rent but move in with my family. Because of my move, I will now have to break up with the love of my life. I have lost more than money!

I have lost respect for a man who claimed he was a religious Muslim. I have been cheated, used and betrayed. Not knowing that being A WHITE WOMAN and OLD would go against me. Now, I know why Bangladesh will always remain poor from it's dishonesty. There is no honor or self respect for themselves. And because of this lack and limitations, this keeps the populace in filthy poverty. Using their gutter- business practices on honest and ambitious American women, I will not allow it to spill over into our culture or work ethics.

Their Prime Minister, she should be ashamed, being that she is a highly loved and respected leader.

Dr. Mohammad Yunus should also be ashamed. His own Nephew, Syed Islam cheated poor, widows, and helpless women out of their hard earned money. This is unforgiveable!

I am not a "FLY BY NIGHT" as Syed Islam. I have designed and developed wedding gowns since 1972. Making millions of dollars for my employers. I always gave it my all.

So, this is my story. What is so very sad, I have a small dog whom I love very much. His name is Jasper and Jasper is really ill with heart disease. When he gets any sicker, I will have to kill him because I have no extra money for the hospital bills. This is what my savings which I gave to Syed was for. To keep Jasper alive for a year longer or more. I think this upsets me more than moving to a shack. I am a widow now, and must depend on myself for food and clothing and rent.

We all worked so hard and long hours for this Syed, and he spit on us! He thinks he has gotten away with all of this, but he hasn't. God will punish him. In reality, it wasn't that much money. He owes me $15,000 and $10,00 for breached of contract. He owns two ladies around $2,000 each. The sweet Muslims ladies probably no more than a couple of thousand dollars in all. It is the principal of cheating us not only for our work but for our sacrifices from spending holidays with our families. We loved this man and he showed us no mercy! Americans, we have a strong back bones! I will continue looking for investors for a Bridal business. But I want the Muslim world to understand this, we do not bend to you nor to any other religious culture. Not even to Christians or Jews, do we bend. We have laws and we will fight for these laws and freedom from oppression!

Dear Sir, I must admit, I got quite emotional in my letter to you. It is mostly because of the fears of my little dog getting sick and sicker and I wont be able to pay for his hospital bills. And I had moved from Massachusetts , costing me 3 thousand dollars. My best friend and I will now have to separate because I am moving away to Missouri.

I do not have a picture of Syed Islam. I have his address which he did live with his wife's family. He has moved everything out of the showroom.

The address is 41-25, 73 rd st., Apt D 30, Woodside, New York , NY. 11377. I think his Bangladesh number is 1-866-459-9173 785 831. His US cell phone number is 718-709-1127. I do not have a picture of him.

But you can see the entire wedding gown line on Facebook. Yeasmine Bridals. If not, He started a web site ..and you can see one of the featured gowns.

My concept was to design a line of couture wedding gowns for plus -sized women. ( Average prize started at $3,000. As well as a line for Mother of the Brides and Bridesmaids. I had actually did multiple business plans for him to consider and to have his lawyers and accountants to go over. I had a 3 year contract with him which he signed. Then all of a sudden , he wanted me to sign another, which I did, but later found out , this was a ruse. He never signed it, he admitted this to me. But my first Contract is signed by both of us. I think he was creating a business to get his citizenship and to bring over relatives. A man who worked in his office told me that he had multiple names that didn't work in the office on his payroll.This is also illegal. If you would like a copy of the bounced checks , I can fax them to you.

Than you for your concern.

Respectfully yours,

Susie Mann

[Emails received by Indian Muslim Observer fromSusie Mannon March 24, 2013 at 2.06 AM and on April 2, 2013 at 2.41 AM & 11.13 PM. She can be contacted at Ssuiemann@aol.com]
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The Mosque of Al-Azhar

April 12, 2013, 11:44 pm
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By Idris Tawfiq

Al-Azhar, ‘The Resplendent’. is one of the most famous and venerable Islamic institutions in the world. Its very name shows the esteem and the honour in which Al-Azhar is held by Muslims. Greater than any one man or group of men, for one thousand years when Al-Azhar spoke Muslims listened. Through the centuries, generations of scholars have looked to Al-Azhar for authentic teaching and for the standard of learning for which Islam became famous. Even those who were not Muslim looked with admiration at Al-Azhar.

Built around the year 970, when Gawhar al-Siqili enclosed the Fatimid city of al-Qahira, the teaching Mosque of Al-Azhar was given the status of a university in 988, by the Caliph al-Aziz. It is remarkable, isn't it, that at the same time that London was little more than a settlement of mud and brick dwellings, the Islamic civilisation was a gem of mediaeval culture and learning, with libraries and universities, as well as paved streets and public gardens.

The original Al-Azhar Mosque was less than 6000 square metres, with a central courtyard of just over 1630 square metres. It was built as a congregational mosque, in other words, so that the whole community of Muslims could gather together to pray on a Friday.

The Mosque today is a mixture of architectural styles, reflecting the frequent enlargements of the Mosque over the last thousand years, and especially in the latter half of the eighteenth century, when Al-Azhar was enlarged by the influential Ottoman janissary officer, Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda.

Then, as now, you entered Al-Azhar through the Barbers' Gate, where students had their heads shaved prior to taking up their studies in Islamic Law and Qur'anic Studies. This was not only a sign of humility, but an eminently hygienic practice. The Prayer Hall, which now measures over 4000 square metres, has nine rows of columns, 140 in total, and 90 of them are said to be very ancient, having been brought from other monuments. To the right of the central courtyard is a fourteenth century madrassa, with a beautiful mihrab (or pulpit) and a riwaq, where free lodgings were provided for students.

To the east, blind students, famous throughout the Muslim world for their religious fervour and devotion, memorised the holy Qur'an.

It is remarkable that the followers of Prophet Muhammed, (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who could neither read nor write, should have created such a splendid centre of worship and learning as Al-Azhar. It is worth noting, too, that so many of those followers, renowned scholars though they may have been, remained simple men, whose sole aim was the worship of Allah alone.

Their studies and their scholarship throughout the centuries have left a legacy today which includes a library of almost 100,000 books and in 2005 the Al-Azhar online document archive was launched, which will eventually give access to all 42,000 manuscripts in the library.
Such is a brief survey of Al-Azhar Mosque.

In recent years the university of Al-Azhar has grown to enormous proportions and now has hundreds of thousands of students and many teaching faculties all over Egypt, studying in all disciplines and a variety of languages. Many of the students hope that their studies will help them to make Egypt a better place and help them to make the real message of Islam known in the world.

In a world that is very complex, the twenty-first century needs men and women who can speak to the world about Islam in a language it understands.

At the present time Islam and the West look upon each other with suspicious eyes. It will need devoted and devout followers of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) to dispel those misconceptions. The Qur’an tells them how they will do this:

O ye who believe! Put not yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger; But fear Allah, for Allah is He Who hears and knows all things. 49:1

Resolving the world's conflicts, or engaging in constructive dialogue with others, needs more than just talk. We need to start here and now, today.

For those visitors to Egypt who haven’t yet paid a visit to Al-Azhar Mosque it is easy to do so, perhaps combined with their visit to Khan Al Khalili. Doing so will be their small contribution to building bridges between cultures and peoples. Inshallah, the reception they receive will be worthy of what Muslims can do.

The beautiful Mosque of Al-Azhar can teach the whole world about Islam, but only if we allow it to.

Egypt and the rest of the world will only learn how beautiful and sweet Islam really is when we show them how good Muslims behave.

[British Muslim writer, Idris Tawfiq, teaches at Al-Azhar University and is the author of nine books about Islam. You can visit his website at www.idristawfiq.com, join him on Facebook at Idris Tawfiq Page and listen to his Radio Show, “A Life in Question,” on Sundays at 11pm on Radio Cairo 95.4 FM.]

(Courtesy: The Egyptian Gazette)
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