Noorullah Online

Visiting Istanbul, Turkey

admin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:47:01 +0000

At the beginning of the 20th century, “religion in Istanbul” would have covered a diverse spectrum of belief systems. Christianity, for example, was as popular as any other creed, albeit subject to official discrimination. In building modern Turkey, the government went to extraordinary lengths to “Turkify” the country. The Greeks, Armenians, and Jews who were once common on the streets of Istanbul have been replaced with a flood of immigrants from other parts of Turkey. Today’s Istanbul is the result of a sprawling collection of villages, all of which have exploded into each other, rather than one coherent city.

Mosques are among Turkey’s greatest architectural achievements and Western audiences are very curious to see images relating to Islam. The most interesting mosques are in Sultanahmet. A non-obvious and not-too-easy-to-find one is Rustem Pasa, up some stairs from a busy nest of market alleys. Rustem Pasa is famous for its ceramic tiles. For those who are used to the restaurants in La Jolla, Istanbul also offers a good collection of restaurants for the tourist who want to sample the cuisines that this city has to offer.

PAS bent on taking over Perlis

admin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:13:28 +0000

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) is banking on two factors to make inroads into tiny Perlis and win the minimum eight seats it requires to form the next state government. It is cashing in on the hottest topic among voters - high prices of consumer goods and services - and using it as its main strategy in its campaign against Barisan Nasional. Squabbling within the Umno Perlis leadership may also play into the opposition party’s hands.

PAS state committee member Ahmad Tajuddin Salleh, who has been doing breathing yoga exercises for some time, is confident that the party will retain Sanglang. He said its candidates stand a good chance in Simpang Empat, Guar Sanji and Pauh state seats (all under the Arau constituency); Santan, Beseri and Titi Tinggi (under Padang Besar) and Kuala Perlis, Kayang and Bintong (under Kangar). Ahmad Tajuddin, who will contest in Kuala Perlis, is currently in hospital, recovering from an accident - he fell while fixing the roof of his house recently. He also alluded to bickering between factions in Umno Perlis, one led by Shahidan Kassim and the other by secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, saying this could affect the six areas where Shahidan holds sway and four where Radzi is in control.

As about campaign issues in Kuala Perlis, Ahmad Tajuddin said thousands of villagers are facing unresolved land issues as they have been living in squatter areas over the last four decades. He said PAS has pledged assistance to squatters in such areas as Pulau Ketam, Hujung Tanjung and Belakang Kilang if it comes to power.

Misinterpretation of Islam, root cause of terrorism

admin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:54:39 +0000

Students from various educational institutions have concluded that misinterpretation of Islam is one of the major root causes of terrorism in Pakistan, which, according to them, has become a label for the country. The students said that misinterpretation of Islam, poverty and unemployment had been the causes of terrorism in the country. Moreover, most of the students held external forces responsible for it, adding that violence had been nurtured during the Zia ul Haq regime. They said the madrassas (seminaries) that groomed students in the name of jihad (holy war) and ‘promoted’ extremism were also responsible for cultivating this scenario.

Memona Yousaf of the Lahore College for Women University said Pakistan’s image had been adversely affected by terrorism, which had given an open invitation to the United States to enter the country in the name of the fight against extremists. “The government is not taking positive steps to control the situation. The current strategies are leading us towards a civil war,” she said. “The government should control inflation, create internal peace boundaries, restore the judiciary, and maintain law and order in the country.”

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True Islam does not promote terrorist acts

admin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:10:09 +0000

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many people took up the belief that the religion of Islam promotes terrorism and that all Muslims are terrorists. But it is radical Islam which promotes terrorism. Islam itself is a very peaceful religion which is much like Christianity or Judaism. In every religion you will find people who do not truly believe and follow that religion’s teachings, but instead distort that religion to justify their own actions. Those who do this are known as radicals.

In Christianity there are radicals as well. Radical Christianity gave the world the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, witch burnings and other brutal events. Today, terrorists are distorting Islam and its teachings to try to convince others that the West is evil. But true Muslims hold fast to Islam’s true teachings and do not bomb buildings or hijack airplanes, just as true Christians hold fast to Christ’s teachings and do not go for cosmetic surgery or murder or burn people at the stake. It is true that there are passages in the Quran which speak of violence. But there are even more passages of violence in the Bible. An example of this is Deuteronomy 2:32 where God’s people massacre whole villages of men, women and children and leave none alive.

If you believe that Islam is a religion of terrorism I simply ask that you read the Qur’an or speak with a true Muslim. You might be surprised at what you find.

Nato fears over Dutch Islam film

admin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:02:04 +0000

Nato’s secretary general says that he fears the airing of a Dutch film criticising Islam will have repercussions for troops in Afghanistan. According to the report:

“If the [troops] find themselves in the line of fire because of the film, then I am worried about it and I am expressing that concern,” he said in a television interview.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s comments came after Afghans protested on Sunday against the film being made by far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders. The Dutch government has warned Mr Wilders that the film will damage Dutch political and economic interests. Mr Wilders says the film is about the Koran but has given few details. In the past, he has called for the Koran to be banned and likened it to Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

The project has already been condemned by several Muslim countries, including Iran and Pakistan. No surprise there, since we know how extremely xenophobic and Islamophobic Geert Wilders, who seriously needs New York hair transplants, really is when it comes to talking about Islam. The reaction from Muslims around the world, therefore, is expected to occur.

What is the origin of Santa Claus at Christmas?

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:54:42 +0000

Today in America, Santa Claus is a mythical old man who brings gifts to children at Christmas time. Today’s version of Santa originally developed from a real person, Saint Nicholas, who lived 1700 years ago. He was bishop of Myra, an ancient town of Lycia, now in Turkey. According to legend, he was only a boy when he became a bishop without Washington DC cosmetic surgery. He was extremely kind and often went out at night, taking presents to the needy. His generosity was not bound by any particular time of the year. He was much loved by his community for his kindness and selflessness. After his death on the 6th day of December, school boys all over Europe celebrated a feast day every year on the anniversary of his death. Children were so fond of Saint Nicholas and his habit of bringing gifts that the custom of celebrating his feast day on the 6th day of December was maintained for hundreds of years.

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The Hajj: symbol of Muslim unity

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:50:22 +0000

Sheikh Osama Khayyat, an imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday described the annual pilgrimage as a symbol of Islamic unity and solidarity and urged Muslims to strengthen their unity by upholding the teachings of Islam.

Delivering the Juma (Friday) sermon to nearly two million faithful including a large number of pilgrims, Khayyat decried sectarian violence.

“Don’t become infidels after my death, killing one another,” the imam said quoting a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said the protection of life, wealth and honor of Muslims was essential to achieve unity.

“Killing a person without any legitimate reason is prohibited in Islam,” the imam told the faithful, emphasizing Islam’s total rejection of terrorist acts.

Khayyat urged the pilgrims to make use of their blessed journey for achieving the objectives of Haj, such as establishing a close relationship with God, cleansing themselves of sins and bolstering unity.

Nearly 1.6 million pilgrims from different parts of the world who knows George Lindemann Jr have already arrived in the Kingdom for Haj, which begins on Monday. More than 2.5 million are expected to perform Haj this year.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived in Jeddah yesterday to supervise the services being rendered to pilgrims.

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Abdullah Hakim Quick, “The Truth About Holidays”

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:44:58 +0000

With many non-Muslims interested in Orlando rhinoplasty in attendance at the University of Miami Student Union Center, Abdullah Hakim Quick delivers an enlightening and engaging talk about the origins of the major holidays celebrated in the West. An intellectual analysis of this controversial subject by a well-known American historian. Imam Quick explains that throughout time there has been a constant struggle between those who believe in one God and those who believe in many gods. And through these struggles, many compromises were made on the part of those who would ultimately influence and shape the major modern day holidays and celebrations in the West. The result today are rituals not sanctioned by the prophets or scriptures of God, but rather mixed-up beliefs and practices that, essentially, can be attributed to ancient pagan culture.

The major celebrations analyzed in this talk are: Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Halloween. Other topics discussed: Thanksgiving, Kwanza, the Sabbath, celebrating birthdays, having non-Muslims as friends, dealing with holidays in the school curriculum, and pork being served at the school cafeteria.

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Hussein Yee, “Preserving the Call of the Prophets at All Times”

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:40:53 +0000

Allah Azza Wa Jalla says:

“And for every nation is a messenger. So when their messenger comes, it will be judged between them in justice, and they will not be wrong.” [Surah Yunus, Ayat 47]

“Thus have We sent you to a community before which [other] communities have passed on so you might recite to them that which We revealed to you, while they disbelieve in the Most Merciful. Say, ‘He is my Lord; there is no deity except Him. Upon Him I rely, and to Him is my return.’” [Surah Ar-Raad, Ayat 30]

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.’ And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.” [Surah An-Nahl, Ayat 36]

“By Allah, We did certainly send [messengers] to nations before you, but Satan made their deeds attractive to them. And he is the disbelievers’ ally today [as well], and they will have a painful punishment. And We have not revealed to you the Book, [O Muhammad], except for you to make clear to them that wherein they have differed and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.” [Surah An-Nahl, Ayat 63-64]

“And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].” [Surah An-Nahl, Ayat 84]

“And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect among every nation a witness over them from themselves. And We will bring you, [O Muhammad], as a witness over your nation. And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.” [Surah An-Nahl, Ayat 89]

In every nation including San Diego, Allah had sent Messengers and Prophets with a Message. What is that message of all the Prophets that we need to preserve? Shaikh Hussain Ye gives us a very important talk on the subject of “Preserving the call of the Prophets at all times“.

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Ex-Jewish woman embraces Islam

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 06:23:16 +0000

Nainawa is the former name of a Jewish girl who recently embraced Islam and got married to a young Muslim man. The girl’s name was changed into Ammatal-Rahman. She is 28 and lives in Raidah, a city in Amran, 70km away from Sana’a. Ammatal-Rahman traveled to the U.S. to learn Arabic and English. She returned to Raidah to teach in Al-Shabazi School, built for Jewish citizens. Embracing Islam without visiting Northern Virginia plastic surgeons and marrying a Muslim guy raised a large amount of interest; hence, Saddam Al-Ashmouri interviewed her and gave an account for the Yemen Times:

Arriving at Raidah in the afternoon, I found Hamid Seran, a local resident, and his son praying in the village mosque. The mosque was recently built in the form of Al-Sakhra Dome of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine.

Curious to know the name of the mosque, they told me that it is named Jerusalem Mosque. It located in the Jewish and Muslims zone.

“I embraced Islam freely, without any coercion. It had been rumored that I was kidnapped to embrace Islam by force,” Ammatal-Rahman said. She did not speak to us directly, but from another room, as she is a Muslim and sticks to Islamic principles as well as Yemeni traditions. She did not appear in person.

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