The Blessed Month of Ramadhan…

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting (saum), in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until dusk. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadhan is a time to fast for the sake of Allah S.W.T., and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadhan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year. Ramadhan was the month in which the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

Origins of Ramadhan

The name "Ramadama" had been the name of the ninth month in the Arab world long before the arrival of Islam, the word itself derived from an Arabic root (ﺮ ﻢ ﺽ), as in words like "ramida" or "ar-ramad" denoting intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of rations. In the Holy Quran, Allah S.W.T. proclaims that "fasting has been written down (as obligatory) upon you, as it was upon those before you". According to the earliest Hadith, this refers to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur.

Laylat al-Qadr, considered the most holy night of the year, is the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Muhammad S.A.W., the "Night of the Power". Muslims believe it to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadhan, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th (in Sunni thought) or the 19th, 21st or 23rd (in Shi'a thought). Ramadhan ends with Eid ul-Fitr on the 1st of Shawwal, with much celebration and feasts. During the month following Ramadahan, called Shawwal, Muslims are encouraged to fast for a further six days, known as “as-Sitta al-Bid”, or "The White Six." When fasting is over, Muslims go to Mosques in nice clothes to pray the first Eid prayer. They give out presents to the young ones and greet their friends and families. They then thank Allah S.W.T. for what He has given them

Fasting (Saum)

The most prominent event of this month is fasting. Everyday during the month of Ramadhan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, then they perform the Subuh prayer. They have to stop eating and drinking before the call for prayer starts until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's Subuh prayer call. Then the process starts all over.

Ramadhan is a time of reflecting and worshipping Allah S.W.T.. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to Allah S.W.T.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity. However, a certain level of self-control can be lost by those who suffer from eating disorders.

The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavour to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those travelling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Iftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host him in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast.

A person who is observing Ramadhan might break the fast accidentally, due to having forgotten it. In such an instance, one should spit out the food being eaten or cease the forbidden activity, immediately upon remembering the fast. This can usually happen in the first or early days of Ramadhan because that person might have not yet been acclimated into fasting from dawn till dusk.

When Ramadhan came to overshadow Ashura in importance, it took on some characteristics of the latter. According to a well-known Hadith, the person who observes Ramadhan properly will have all their past sins forgiven. According to another, "When Ramadhan arrives, Heaven's gates are opened, Hell's gates are closed, and the demons are chained up" and who ever passes away will enter paradise.

Prayer and reading of the Holy Quran

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Holy Quran. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Holy Quran by means of special prayers, called Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Holy Quran (juz, which is 1/30 of the Holy Quran) is recited. Therefore the entire Holy Quran would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadhan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment, establishing a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involved the preparing of special foods and inviting people for the Iftar meal (the meal to open the fast).

Eid ul-Fitr

The Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr’ marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. The Eid falls after 29 or 30 days of fasting, per the lunar sighting. Eid ul-Fitr means the Festival of Breaking the Fast; a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (‘Zakat al-Fitr’), everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two rakaahs only, and it is optional (sunat) prayer as opposed to the compulsory five daily prayers

Dogs... what Malaysian Muslims' Should Know...

My cousin Faizal wrote this earlier this year, This Is No Doggy Joke!

Reading it, I realise that most Malaysian Muslims have forgotten that we are khalifah's on this earth... and that it is our duty to protect everything on it... Earth isn't ours', we are merely its' caretakers...

Before going on, Muslims’ should remember that the Al-Quran, our Holy Book, is the literal transcript of the word of Allah S.W.T. as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

“This is the Book (the Holy Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah S.W.T. much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah S.W.T. much (perform all kind of good deeds which He has ordained).]

Al-Baqarah, Verse 2.

One should also remember that the Hadith’s (sayings/traditions of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.) were compiled by those around the Prophet S.A.W., amongst whom are followers and believers, and also munafiqs and non-believers... For this reason, the validity of every Hadith is questionable and never to be taken literally… As Muslim’s, it is our duty to ponder, to question and to give thought to everything in life…

My fellow Muslims, the question regarding the rules in Islam pertaining to dogs have always been a popular topic of discussion… What saddens me is that most Malays whom claim to profess Islam make the statement that dogs are dirty and impure creatures… When asked why, and when asked prove of it they (more often than not) will say:

(a)They learn it in school
(b)They say it’s written in the Al-Quran
(c)They say it’s written in the Hadith

If they learn it from school, I challenge them to prove to me that their Ustaz or Ustazah are really qualified and knowledgeable about Islam… Cause let’s face reality people, most of our teachers just read from prescribed text given to them by the Ministry... Those people we call our teacher are not really teaching us, they are merely reading to us… Hence why we are only really educated in the literal meaning of the word in tertiary level, where lecturer’s (most, if not all) are more concerned with teaching us how to think and question about facts, and not to blindly accept facts as facts…

Hmmm… they say it’s in the Holy Quran… my question to them is where? Correct me if I’m wrong, but by some miracle, the Holy Quran, Chapter 5 (Al-Maidah) & Chapter 18 (Al-Kahf), which instead of degrading dogs, actually spell out the purpose and functions dogs have in our life. No verse in the Holy Quran which condemns dogs are dirty & filthy animals, but verses in two surah chapters with numerous verses regarding the functions of dogs to us humans…

Hidith? Out of the tens of thousands of Hadiths out there, many are questionable in it’s authenticity… can you prove, or can anybody out there prove any Hadith to be 100% authentic? Can you prove to me that there hasn’t been any alteration to the Hadith since it was written? Nay! You can’t… let’s use logic, the possibility of tempering is very high… Hadith Bukhari, Hadith Abu Dawud, and Hadith Muslim have very conflicting statements in them… one part they say the Prophet S.A.W. ordered the killing of all dogs… in another part, the Prophet S.A.W. talked about the rules regarding game caught by hounds… and in another part, the Prophet S.A.W. talked about the role of dogs are for protection and hunting… my logic-senses are beeping! Didn’t the Holy Quran ask us to think and deliberate? Are Hadiths the word of Allah S.W.T.? No, the Holy Quran is… so must we blindly accept the Hadiths are authentic? My personal stand on this is use logic… some parts of the Hadiths makes a lot of sense, it’s writings are consistent with what’s written in the Holy Quran, some part just make no sense whatsoever, it contradicts everything that’s written in the Holy Quran, and more evidently it contradicts what’s written in the Hadith itself… perhaps those verses from the added later on? Question it yourself…

Back to the main issue here… dogs, it’s context in Islam…

Why I believe there is a need to write about this is cause the rampant mistreatment of dogs by Malays, and thought I do not accept them as Muslims, I am very well aware of the fact that they claim themselves to be Muslims, and more importantly they are the yard-stick in which non-Muslims in Malaysia compare Muslims to… in simple terms, they are the image of Islam in Malaysia…

Traditionally, dogs have been seen as impure, and the Islamic legal tradition has developed several injunctions that warn Muslims against most contact with dogs… Unfortunately, many Muslims have used this view to justify the abuse and neglect of dogs, even though cruelty contradicts the Holy Quran's view that all animals form "communities like you"…

Let me clarify a few myths and make a few points:

1. It is NOT haram to own a dog, though it is not hygienic to keep a dog in the house…

2. It is NOT haram to touch a dog or any other animal… If the saliva of a dog touches you or any part of your clothing, then it is required of you to wash the body part touched and the item of clothing touched by the dog’s mouth or snout...

3. It is incumbent upon all Muslims who own animals, whether for farming or work purposes or as pets, to provide adequate shelter, food, water, and, when needed, veterinary care for their animals... Arrangements must be made, if one is going to be away from home, to have one’s animals taken care of as well...

4. It is haram to keep a dog or any other animal on a short lead for long periods without food, water, and shelter... Dogs need exercise and are social creatures who form organized “family” structures in nature… Dog owners therefore need to spend time daily with their dogs…

5. It is cruel, and therefore haram, to keep any animal in a cage so small that it cannot behave in a natural way…

6. It is haram to participate in any blood “sport,” like dog fighting and trophy hunting…No animal has been cursed in any way...

Animals are referred to in many instances in the Qu’ran. In Surah Al-Kahf, verses 18 to 22, mentions about the companions of the Cave and their dog… We would love for Allah to bestow His mercy upon us, so let’s show mercy and compassion to all His creation… This will also give non-Muslims a true reflection of Islam, aiding daqwah…

What puzzles me is how the Malays came to the conclusion that dogs are dirty creatures and that it is haram to own one, and how they justify ill-treating dogs, based on what is probably fabricated Hadith… are these people devoid of all common sense?

Dogs are wonderful creatures… They bond with humans, protect them and serve them and that has been true since Allah S.W.T. placed man on earth, the first animal that Adam A.S. touched when he first came down to earth was the dog, and it was the dog that protected him and became his companion is his search for Hawa… Does it make sense then that Muhammad S.A.W. would place prohibitions on these loving creatures when Allah S.W.T. does not?

"Among His proofs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the creatures He spreads in them. He is able to summon them, when He wills."

Ash-Shura, verse 29

"The heavens and the earth are full of proofs for the believers. Also in your creation, and the creation of all the animals, there are proofs for people who are certain."

Al-Jathiyah, verses 3 & 4

Here’s the summary of what I’ve written:

1 – Allah S.W.T. tells us in the Holy Quran about the story of the dwellers of the Cave (Al-Kahf)… In verse 13 Allah S.W.T. tells us that they were good believers and that Allah S.W.T. guided them… In verse 18 Allah S.W.T. tells us that they had their dog with them… Now if dogs are prohibited and dirty, would Allah S.W.T. speak of those dwellers of the Cave (who had a dog) as good believers?

2 - In Al-Maidah, verse 4 Allah S.W.T. tells us that it is OK to eat what the trained dogs catch (dogs are used in hunting)… But if dogs are dirty would Allah S.W.T. say that it is OK to eat what they catch with their mouths?

3 - There is not one verse in the Holy Quran where Allah S.W.T. says that dogs are dirty or that they are prohibited to keep…

4 - Is it logical that Allah S.W.T. would create an animal to be man's best friend and serve him in many ways, and then prohibit such an animal?

Use the ability to think and rationalize that Allah S.W.T. has given all of us, and think about this issue, and rationalize the reality for what it really is…

Fraudulent Defenders of Our Faith

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by M. Bakri Musa

With Ramadan soon upon us, Muslims everywhere are caught up in a heightened sense of spirituality. That is the good news.

Take last Thursday evening, for example. The San Jose, California, masjid was inundated with believers staying late into the night. It was the 15th of Shaaban, an especially blessed time in the Muslim calendar. Shaaban is the month before Ramadan, and serves as a ‘warm-up’ to it.

As my Imam Ilyas noted wryly in his Friday khutba, what struck him was that many that evening had never before set foot on the premises. That is the bad news.

Malays too are struck by this wave of religious fervor with the impending arrival of Ramadan. Thus the recent local governmental agency raid on a 7-Eleven store in Selangor, stripping the store of its beer inventory. Never mind that the store had been selling that beverage for decades without any harassment from the authorities.

Then there was UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin calling on his PAS counterpart to ‘unite’ against DAP (and thus Pakatan) for allegedly ‘insulting’ Islam. Not to be outdone, Khir Toyo, a fellow ‘fighter’ in UMNO Youth, chided PAS for not standing up to the Pakatan state government’s ‘insulting’ Islam by ordering the beer loot be returned to the store. It turned out that the local agency had no authority to conduct such a raid. Alas, observing the niceties of the law has never been a strong point with these Malaysian jihadist wannabes.

Our Malaysian jihadists may consider themselves ‘modern’ and of a different breed. After all Khairy has been to Oxford while Khir is a trained dentist. Alas they are ‘modern’ only in their outward appearances, what with their fancy suits and palatial bungalows. In mindset and attitude however, they are no different from those madrasah-educated, disheveled bearded Talibans dwelling high in the caves of Afghanistan.

More to the point, I am not all assured that these overzealous ‘defenders’ of Islam are doing our faith any favor. On the contrary, these fraudulent defenders of our faith are smearing the image of Islam.

As my Imam Ilyas rightly pointed out on noting the large crowd at the masjid on the evening of 15th Shaaban, while he was pleased with the turnout he gently reminded us that it is far more important to do the many little “good” gestures required of us by our faith all the time than be focused on doing the spectacular ultra religious deeds during Ramadan.
For example, it is much more important to be generous throughout the year rather than making a highly publicized generous donation during Ramadan. On another level, there is no point for us to live a life of vice and corruption and then once a year undertake a Hajj or umrah in an attempt to ‘cleanse’ ourselves. If the average citizen could see through the hollowness of such ‘pious’ gestures, rest assured that Almighty Allah would have minimal difficulty figuring out the hoax.

The late Zakaria Mat Deros, a former railway guard turned fabulously wealthy politician with the obscenely ostentatious bungalow squatting amidst the squalor of the Malay kampong in Port Kelang, was a prime example. He was accompanied on one of his frequent umrahs by no less than the head of Islam Hadhari, then Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

I wish that characters like Mat Deros were the exception; unfortunately they are the norm. Consider that self-admitted adulterer Razak Baginda. Not only did he try to cleanse himself religiously by visiting (yes, ‘visiting’ is the appropriate term) Mecca, he went on to ‘purify’ himself by going to Oxford. Presumably he thinks that a doctorate from that august institution would purify him in the eyes of the secular crowd.

I wonder how Razak Baginda felt when he undertook his umrah knowing that a young girl his daughter’s age was blown up to smithereens as a consequence of his philandering. Did he offer any prayers for the soul of his former lover and for her still grieving family? Charity and generosity after all are one of the pillars of our faith.

These Malays should heed the advice of my young but wise Imam. They should instead focus on being ‘good’ in their every day existence instead of trying to display their piety in dramatic ways during special occasions.

The central injunction of our Quran – Amal makruf, Nahi mungkar (Command good, forbid evil) – should be our daily creed. Frequent trips to Mecca, glamorous iftar parties during Ramadan, and having a surau as part of your palatial mansion will not make up for your ignoring this elemental and recurring Quranic refrain.

I wish that Khairy Jamaluddin and Khir Toyo, being young and the future leaders of UMNO, as well as others would address the gross injustices perpetrated on our citizens, the corruption that is infesting our society, and the poverty that blights far too many Malaysians, instead of being unnecessarily obsessed with 7-Eleven stores selling beer. In the same vein I do not see Khairy, Khir and others of their ilk being outraged at UMNO stalwarts serving on the boards of Carlsberg and the Genting casino company. The pair’s selective outrage baffles me. Or stated differently, I, like others, readily see through their hoax.

There is nothing Islamic about a society infested with corruption, dehumanized by poverty, and riddled with injustices. It would be the height of hypocrisy, and mock our great faith to boot, for Khairy and Khir Toyo to claim the mantle of Islamic leadership if they are a part of the state apparatus that allows these evils to continue.

republished - Muslim vs. "Muslim"...

Originally written by myself January 20th 2008…

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I am the last person in the world who should question anybody’s believe in Allah (God)…

I have committed countless sins…

I consume alcohol, not often, but often enough…

I eat pork, knowingly…

I brush aside the question of Halal and non-Halal, for conveniences sake…

I haven’t prayed (Solaah) in years, I cannot even remember the last time I prayed…

I have never observed fasting (Saum) in the holy month of Ramadhan...

so I do not consider myself a muslim… but I realise that I believe in Allah… I believe in Islam and its’ teachings… I realise that I WANT TO BE A MUSLIM!...


Let’s be realistic… most of us should not call ourselves muslims… how can we call ourselves muslim when we do not even adhere to the five pillars of Islam???

Let us recall what these five pillars are…

#1 The affirmation of the Kalimah

#2 The establishment of Solaah

#3 The payment of Zakaah

#4 The observance of Saum (fasting) in the month of Ramadhan

#5 The performance of Hajj by those who can afford to make the pilgrimage

Just ask yourself, what do you know about the first pillar?... What do you understand about the Kalimah?...

What is the significance of reciting “Laa illaha illal-laah, Muhammadar rasu-lullah”?...

We know its’ meaning, “There is no God (who is worthy of worship and obedience) except for Allah (the one God), and Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of God”…

but I assure you there is more to the Kalimah than just reciting it and understanding it…

it is a vow, a promise we make to Allah, a binding contract between Allah and us when we recite it…

By affirming it and reciting it with sincerity and conviction, we earn our salvation…

the condition is that when we recite it, we must accept conscientiously and with full understanding the declaration of the Oneness of Allah (Qul huwal-laahu ahad!) and the prophet-hood of Muhammad (SAW) contained in it…

“Laa ilaaha illal-laah”… the affirmation of the Oneness of Allah…

it means that there is no one except Allah who is worthy of worship and obedience…

Worship and obeisance (homage) should be offered to Allah alone because Allah and no one else is our Lord and Creator, Nourisher, Sustainer, Dispenser of Life and Death, sickness and health, poverty and riches…

in short, all manner of good and evil, gain or loss, lies solely in Allah’s control…

apart from Allah, whatever living things exist on the earth, or in the heavens, be they man or angels, are all Allah’s creatures and slaves…

Allah is partnered by no one, no one has a share in Allah’s divinity nor can anyone amend or alter Allah’s will or interfere with Allah’s function…

Hence, Allah and Allah alone is worthy of devotion and worship…

The kalimah holds the power to restore and revitalize the faith for the simple reason that it embodies the affirmation of Divine Unity and the covenant to worship Allah alone, to do allegiance to no one else aside of Allah, and to hold Allah dearer and nearer to heart than anything or anybody else in the world….

“Muhammadur rasu-lullah”… the affirmation of the prophet-hood of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)…

by affirming this part of the kalimah, we accept that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was raised up (brought into this world) by Allah for the guidance of the world, and whatever he taught, preached, or revealed was one hundred percent true and authentic…

in this we accept that there is not the least excuse, the slightest reason, for doubting or questioning the Prophet’s (SAW) words…

the guidance he gave to men, the laws he laid down, were Divine Guidance and Divine Laws that had been inspired to Him (SAW) by Allah…

A muslim should hold himself bound by this covenant and try his level best to shape his conduct in its light so that he may earn recognition in the eyes of Allah as a genuine man of faith and attain his salvation and place in Paradise…

Those who are blessed enough to bear faith honestly in both the parts of the holy kalimah, and to give proof of it by word as well as deed, are the recipients of countless glad tidings…

Affirm now the kalimah with a true heart and with full knowledge and awareness of its implications and importance… and resolve now and forever to lead your lives according to it in order that your attestation (testimony) may not turn out to be false… on this very attestation depends your faith and salvation…

As-salamu-alai-kum...

RAPERAs' point of view...

This was posted on my uncle's blog, http://jahaberdeen.blogspot.com/

We had touched on this issue earlier when he came for lunch at my house... keep in mind that he is a prominent lawyer and is also very well-versed about Islam...

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Friday, August 7, 2009

More than a Can of Beer

Sales of beer in convenience stores has become a major issue in the Pakatan State of Selangor. Beyond the can of beer are many important indicators and signs that the Rakyat (both Muslim and non-Muslim) must understand. Raperas, must of course read the signs beyond religious and racial sentiments.

It apparently began with the MBSA seizing 70 cans of beer being sold legally in a retail outlet.

The Star reported it:

When the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) enforcement unit seized 70 cans of beer from a retail outlet in Section 8, state executive councillor Ronnie Liu got involved and got MBSA to return the beer and apologise to the owner. Selangor PAS said that the ban will only concern Muslims and not impinge on the rights of non-Muslims, although he conceded to would have to travel farther for their fix. It accused the DAP’s Liu of “meddling in Islamic affairs.”

The Edge reported:

"Ronnie Liu, the state local government, study and research committee chairman, ordered the local council officers to return the seized beer, sparking an outburst from Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali, chairman of the state Islamic affairs and Malay culture, infrastructure and public facilities committee.

Hasan also called for the removal of Liu from his portfolio. The sale of beer in Muslim-majority areas became a contentious issue, prompting Khalid to issue a gag order on his exco pending his announcement of the new guidelines"

I have been advised to stay away from commenting on this on the grounds that this is sensitive….but I would like to think that, being a Muslim, it would be munafiquun (hypocritical) of me to shy away from learning from this episode.

These are my comments and observations (stand to be corrected, of course):

1. Obviously, Pakatan has not worked out a formula for cooperation between their leaders of different racial and religious background – again and again it has shown that at the human level, it appears unable to live together. God save multi-cultural, multi-religious and multi-ethnic Malaysia from such leaders!

2. How did MBSA get away with infringing on the retail outlets legal right to sell what is lawfully allowed? (assuming it is not illegal to sell the beer in the first place). What has happened to Pakatan’s commitment to the rule of law?

3. Was Ronnie Liu’ s insistence that the retail outlet be allowed to act in accordance with the law tantamount to “meddling with Islamic affairs”? Is there no respect for existing law?

4. Is Pakatan (PAS) setting a precedent for this country that the minute someone cries “meddling in Islamic affairs”, we, the citizens of this country must immediately dispense with our responsibility to God and country? I think we should first of all evaluate whether our acts really do tantamount to meddling in Islamic or other religions’ affairs.

5. This will once again raise the alarm bells among BOTH Muslims and Non-Mulims living in Selangor about how PAS will react to so-called “Muslim sentiments”. As a Muslim, I believe there must be respectful efforts at reform and it has no place for arrogance, even if it well disguised under religious pretexts. It is very scary when a group of Muslims take it upon themselves to speak for the rest of the Muslim world in issues such as this.

6. If it is true as the Star reported that “that the ban will only concern Muslims and not impinge on the rights of non-Muslims”, well, since I am a Muslim, and it does concern me in the sense that it affects how my non-Muslim friends perceive how Muslims react to such issues, I have spoken up. Like gambling, I do not see consumption of alcohol as an “Islamic issue” but a social issue that needs to be addressed.

7. On the issue of sales and availability of liquor, the following has been my position for years:
(a) I have been against the sale of uncontrolled liquor in convenience stores (24 hours!) because it is EASILY available to teenagers. I believe there must be controls on such items.
(b) I have been against the opening hours of pub and discos extending beyond 11 pm due to many reasons – social problems, drunkenness, again teenagers and young adults get into bad patterns of behaviour. Incidentally, in UK pubs are closed at 10.30pm and in South India, the public is unable to buy any liquor after 1030pm. (both do not boast of being “Islamic”!)

8. I pray to Allah that He gives wisdom to those who claim to champion “Islamic” causes such that their efforts do not move people further away from the Light of Islam, which is a mercy for all humankind.

I do not know Ronnie Liu at all but I know Dr Hasan Ali. In fact I often visit his website and it is even on my blogroll. I am surprised at the way he reacted (unless he has other reasons which I do not know).

Peace !

Posted by Jahamy

Islamophobia...

Looking at the causes and ways to tackle them

OIC Journal, Issue 1

If peace, harmony and equality are to prevail we should start by learning to better communicate with each other based on mutual respect, understanding and empathy of each other. Using such terms as “Islamic fascists”, “Muslim terrorists” and “Islamist fundamentalist extremists” do not help in fighting the so called “war on terrorism”.

On the contrary, such offensive, irresponsible and insensitive terms only serve to inflame resentment towards the US and instill a fear of Muslims in westerns' mind.

Profiling 'Asian looking' people at airports and removing individuals with 'Muslim sounding names' from airplanes because they make others uncomfortable is a clear indication of a growing biased fear and suspicion of Muslims.

The publication and republication of cartoons in European media caricaturing the Prophet Mohammed in a way perceived by Muslims as deliberately insulting and defamatory but done, according to the publishers, in the name of freedom of the press, exposed a cultural divide that erupted into anger because of stereotyping.

The horrific, criminal and unjustified terrorist acts of 9/11 in New York and 7/7 in London violently expressed the frustration, disappointment and disillusion that are festering deep in the Muslims' soul towards the aggressions and discriminations committed against them by the West.

Recognizing the importance of communication to clarify the mound of misunderstandings and negative feelings between the West and the Muslim world, the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference initiated in association with Wilton Park in London on May 2, 2006 the conference on 'Challenging stereotypes in Europe and the Islamic world: Working together for constructive policies and partnerships'.

Senior policy-makers and officials from Europe, OIC member states, the United Nations and the European Union as well as representatives, academic and experts from Muslim communities and NGOs in Europe and North America discussed practical measures to combat stereotypes and prejudice in both Europe and the Islamic world.

Most agreed that multiculturalism in Europe has come under severe strain in recent years. Others believed that the issues at stake are not exclusively about Islam and Muslims. Stereotyping and prejudice arise when there is marginalization and alienation, primarily among minorities, whether they are migrants or indigenous workers. The policy should therefore be based on recognition, respect and inclusion. There is also a need to promote common citizenship and recognize multiculturalism rather than speak of minorities. Meanwhile, Muslims need to engage in policy formulation, they should be present and engaged in public institutions, to be part of the solution to the current problems.

The threat to multicultural societies comes from extremists on both sides. Fear of change and of the “other”, which is a major cause of prejudice, can be tackled by dialogue and creating opportunities for various groups to meet and know each other.

Economic and social measures are also needed to address the parallel societies that have formed, tackling inequalities in access to education, employment, housing and health.

Education plays a key role in combating ignorance and misinformation that often underlies fear and alienation. There is widespread agreement that greater knowledge of Islam is needed in Europe and equally about the West in Muslim majority societies.

This requires a change in school curriculum, while there are Islamic and Middle Eastern studies programs are available in European universities, there should be European studies program in Muslim countries.Subjects such as religion and history need careful attention and review in schools in both societies.

The recent caricature controversy has prompted a debate on the role of legislation in addressing blasphemy, defamation of religion and incitement of hatred on grounds of religion. An independent judiciary is vital to ensure that hate speech is closely monitored and does not enjoy, in some cases, impunity while freedom of expression is not limited under the pretext of preventing hate speech.

The existing international legal framework could be strengthened by all states ratifying international human rights treaties and implementing their provisions. Regional human rights institutions, some of which are absent in Asia and the Middle East, also have a role to play. Their legal frameworks and mechanisms need to reflect the views of their societies. With regards to tackling Islamophobia, developing a national action plan could be effective.

Of course the media also plays a major role in feeding Islamophobia. It focuses almost exclusively on conflict, disasters or violence in the Middle East.

When covering wars, some tend to become partisan. Disproportionate time and space are given to extremists while the opinions of moderate Muslims are ignored. The involvement of more European Muslims in mainstream media would help counter this situation. Media should be more representative and diverse. It can also try to present a more rounded view of Muslims and more coverage of their everyday lives. Non-Muslim journalists need to have more basic information about Muslims and their religion. Meanwhile, Muslim organizations and representatives of Muslim communities in Europe could benefit from training on how to deal with media. They can also organize to improve their own image and correct any misinformation and misrepresentation.

Western foreign policy is considered to be the single most significant factor determining the attitudes of many Muslims toward the West. They point to inconsistencies, biases and double standards in western policy approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Hamas election victory, Bosnia and Chechnya, intervention in Iraq, prison abuses at Abu Ghraib and in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, it was acknowledged that were the Islamic world to take more responsibility to address the problems of bad governance in its own backyard there would be less need for others to do so.

Unfortunately, Islam often conjures in the western minds images of authoritarian government, subjugation of women, cruel punishments of Sharia Law and violence in the popular Western mind.

Such perceptions, some argue, are based on a lack of accurate information, misrepresentation and stereotyping. It is important to recognize that certain structural features of a state as backwardness, inefficient economy and underdevelopment hamper democracy and human rights in some Muslim countries. It is also important to recognize that some governments in these Muslim countries are committing themselves to political and other reforms and they should be supported. The content and pace of reform will likely vary in line with the local conditions and specificities of each country.

Urgent action and dialogue are needed by governments in both the West and in the Muslim world to bridge the gulf of misunderstanding or 'clash of ignorance' which has led to the rise of stereotyping of Muslims and associated acts of intolerance and discrimination. Inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society actors, the media, local communities and others all have a role to play.