NewTrendMag.org   News  #  1069
[ Arabic ][ Deutsch ][ Español ][ Français ][ Italiano ]

Dr Kaukab Siddique | Editor-in-Chief Sha'ban 28,1427/September 22, 2006 #63

DO PAKISTANIS KNOW THIS?
General Musharraf, Pakistan's Military Coup Leader during his press conference with President Bush:
"I trust President Bush. I have full confidence in him." " We have total cooperation at the intelligence level."

Jamaat al-Muslimeen News [only 2 items]
P.O. Box 10881
Baltimore, MD 21234

Imam 'Umar's Hearing Put off to September 28
by Abu Talib, Jamaat rep. in Brooklyn, NY

On September 21, a hearing was held in the Federal Court in downtown Manhattan for Imam Warith Deen Umar. The Judge seemed to sense that there is nothing in the government's hands to go against the Imam. He put it off to next week, September 28.

The Imam's wife and son were with him.
ISNA leader Siraj Wahhaj who is linked to some of the trouble the Imam is facing did not turn up. Siraj has been very quiet about Imam Umar's case although it is a clear case of state terrorism against a distinguished Muslim African-American leader.

Most Muslims and people of conscience can see that the case against Imam Umar is bogus. All Muslims are urged to rally to the support of the Imam. I could see that he is very spirited and unafraid of the power of the government.

[Jamaat al-Muslimeen has prepared an information card about Imam Umar for distribution to Muslim populations across the country. Please let us know if you would like to distribute it.]

The Role of the INFORMER in the Oppression of U.S. Muslims
From Sis. Aisha, Jamaat representative in Manhattan

I was watching the 6pm CBS Evening News yesterday when this interesting bit came up.

It was an interview with an Egyptian informer named Osama El-Darwoodi. After the events of 9/11/2001 took place, he claimed to have voluntarily walked into a NYC police precinct to offer his services as an informer on the Muslim community. He was told to go into Masjids and pray with others and listen out for any "radical" talk.

He is the informant who had Matin Siraj and another Muslim brother arrested for "plotting" to blow up the subways. El-Darwoodi was asked if it was possible that they might have been spewing rhetoric and he stated that he believed they had a viable plan. He was paid heftily for his services.

Now, after all of this informing, El-Darwoordi feels he's been left like a sitting duck. He was nearly brought to tears as he described how he put his life on the line for America and how America betrayed him. He says his identity was never to be revealed but it was. When he was asked if he expected any help from the muslim community, he stated that the government should help him. NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly stated that Osama El-Darwoodi would remain on the payroll, however.

Well, doesn't the Qur-an mention that when one does any deal with the devil that only the devil comes out ahead?

I am writing this article to hopefully inform Muslims that there are "agents" working among us. Most Imams have indicated that these informants are not regular Jummah attendees but, that just leads others to be suspicious. I think it's safer to just watch what one says around strangers.

NEW TREND FUNNIES: General Musharraf, facing rejection and ridicule by the Pakistani people, came up with a totally new story on September 21, 2006, almost 5 years after he betrayed the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He claims now that a deputy secretary in the U.S. administration, Armitage, told him that Pakistan would be bombed to the stone age if he did not cooperate fully.

Musharraf, the brazen faced liar that he is, made this claim WHILE HE IS VISITING THE U.S. and wants his reward from his master George Bush! The arrogance of this man is such that he thinks he can fool the Pakistani people any time. One may ask, if the U.S. was threatening military action, why didn't Mush take the issue to the Pakistani people? Did he have to bring the FBI and the CIA into Pakistani homes?

IMMEDIATELY after his military coup, Musharraf visited EGYPT and had an in depth meeting with the Egyptian internal security chief who specializes in controlling, subverting and suppressing the Islamic opposition.

SECOND FUNNY: Bush's second puppet in the region, Karzai, the ruler of Kabul, inaugurated a Coca Cola plant in Kabul.
[Source: Fox TV, September 10] Let them drink Coca Cola!

THIRD FUNNY: Musharraf and Karzai are blaming EACH OTHER for their iinability to catch Osama bin Laden. Karzai says, he is sure Osama is in Pakistan. Musharraf says, if you know, why don't you point him out so we can arrest him! Our observers see Karzai and Mush as loyal servants of Bush who have to explain to their master why they have failed.

NO CHANCE OF CRESCENT SIGHTING ON SEPTEMBER 22. Ramadan can begin on September 24

Dr. Omar Afzal, [Ithaca, New York] America's foremost Muslim expert on crescent sighting, told New Trend that sighting of the crescent is not possible on September 22. Anyone starting Ramadan on September 23 will be starting on the wrong date.

There is a slim chance on Sept. 23 of sighting in the southern areas of the U.S. from Florida to San Diego, California, Dr. Afzal says Thus the earliest day on which Ramadan can start will be September 24, inshallah; otherwise it will be September 25.

New Trend asked Dr. Afzal about ISNA's Fiqh Committee on whose behalf Dr. Muzzammil Siddiqui of Orange County [Los Angeles] has already announced dates for Ramadan and Eid. Dr. Afzal said that Muzzammil sold out many years back and knows on which side his bread is buttered.

Dr. Afzal said that Islam has ordained the sighting of the crescent for both the startiing and the ending of Ramadan. We can use science, he said, to know where and when sighting is possible but science cannot replace Sunnah.

Readers can obtain the charting and sightability of the crescent all over the world from Dr. Omar Afzal.

JUMA' KHUTBA
ISSUES of UNITY and SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT related to MOON SIGHTING
Muslim Women and Families Should be in the Masjid: No Male "Hislam"

On September 15, Dr. Kaukab Siddique devoted a part of his khutba to the issue of moon sighting related to the starting and ending of Ramadan. The khutba was given at Masjid Jamaat al-Muslimeen in Baltimore. Here are the main points of the Khutba:

AFRICA: From New Trend's Media Monitor

SOMALIA: The central masjid [mosque] in Mogadishu re-opened last month and more than 20,000 people came to the first Friday prayers. The masjid was closed for 16 years owing to ongoing conflict fomented in Somali society by foreign influences which fragmented civil society.

The central masjid [mosque] in Mogadishu is the biggest in Africa.

The Islamic power in Somalia is rapidly consolidating itself and basic amenities along with peace and security have been established.

Meanwhile the U.N. supported "government" in the northern city of Boadoa is isolated and has become extremely unpopular after accepting the support of Ethiopian toops [backed by the U.S.]. Most of the ministers in this "government" have resigned. Last week, the leader of this "government" narrowly escaped being killed in a bomb attack which killed his security unit.

SUDAN: Zionists in USA Preparing Military Intervention: First step: U.N. Forces

An in-depth propaganda campaign is on in the U.S. to prepare public opinion for military intevention in Sudan to "to save the people of Darfur." The Zionist media are pouring out atrocity propaganda against Sudan. All Islamic responses to the propaganda are being blocked. Some flavor of the level of this campaign can be gauged from the story told by Nicholas Kristoff of the New York Times and aired on CNN by Anderson Cooper on September 14. This story was about "Arabs" raping a Darfur girl "simply because she is Black."

Imagine the impact this poisonous propaganda would have on people who do not know that ALL the people of Sudan [including President Bashir] are Black. One does not become an 'Arab" by being able tro speak Arabic.

Clooney the film star and his charity man father are putting in all their efforts to condemn Sudan. The word "genocide" is being repeated without a shred of evidence. The grounds for military intervention have already been prepared. Mr. Bush's Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms. Jendayi Frazer, spoke at length about Sudan on August 24. She pointed out that MULTIPLE SANCTIONS against Sudan are already in place and the U.S. is spending $700 million on Darfur. Where is this money going? The fragile economy of Darfur is undergoing severe strain owing to actions by rebel groups, said to be armed by the U.S. and Israel. The rebel groups see an opportunity to break Darfur away from Sudan.

THE HOLY MONTH of RAMADAN : An Overview: Good Points for non-Muslims Neighbors.

(Press release to announce Ramadan by Imam Ali Siddiqui, 7153 Twinspur Ct., Corona Valley, CA 92880, Phone: 951-734-4599, email: siddiqui@aol.com)

1.6 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate their holiest month of Ramadan starting Sept. 24, 2006. During this month, healthy Muslim adults will observe Fasting during the daylight hours. Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. In addition, avoiding immoral behavior and anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The purpose of fasting is manifold. Al'lah (the God Almighty) mentioned it in the Holy Book of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and God-consciousness (Quran 2:183).

Therefore, the purpose of fasting is to develop self-control, God-consciousness, improvement of health by reducing or eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and the sick. Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social responsibility. The fulfillment of one's obligations during this month is rewarded by Allah 70 times.

Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of Faith, Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the wealth of the financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time pilgrimage to Kaaba). It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down from 7th level of heaven to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a piece meal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. They fast during the day, pray, and read Quran during the part of the night. There is a special night called the Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran (Chapter 97), as a night of mercy and light. Worshiping during this night is better than the worship of 1,000 months. During this night, Muhammad was chosen by Allah as the Messenger of Allah and Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. During this night, Al'lah (the God Almighty) sends down an army of special angels, under the leadership of Archangel Gabriel, who go to every nook and cranny of the earth to pray for the mercy of Al'lah (the God Almighty) and salvation of the believers.

Unlike common calendar, which is Solar based, Islamic calendar is Lunar based. It does not mean that Muslims worship moon. It is another way to count days of the month and the year. Like all Islamic months, Ramadan, 9th lunar month, begins after sighting the Crescent, but not the new moon. The probability to see the Crescent for Ramadan is on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006, just after sunset on the western horizon.

The population of Muslims in the US is estimated at 7 million, of which about 1 million live in the Southern California. All healthy Muslim adults including homemakers, school-going kids around the age of 13, factory workers, businessmen, and others among them will be fasting.

Your Muslim neighbors will be getting up very early to take their sahoor, a pre-dawn meal before starting their fast. So, don't get alarmed if you hear lot of noise next door. School staff has to show understanding and consideration towards Muslim students fasting during the month of Ramadan from Sept. 24, 2006 to Oct. 23, 2006. They should be assigned alternate activities instead of strenuous gym activities. Physicians should also understand that their patients might be fasting. They should prescribe the medicine in a way that they could take it with their pre-dawn or after sunset meals. However, if the patients' life may be in jeopardy, explain it to the patients or seek help from a Muslim Chaplain at the hospital, (like Imam Ali Siddiqui, 951-734-4599, Siddiqui@aol.com, a Hospital Chaplain in Southern California) or an Imam/director of a local Musjid/Islamic Center. According to Muslim physicians, there are some physiological benefits from Muslim Fasting (total abstention from food and liquids) including lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of systolic blood pressure.

At the completion of month of Fasting, Muslims all over the world celebrate their holiday of Eid al-Fitr. It is the biggest Muslim holiday. It is a true thanksgiving for a Muslim believer for having the opportunity to obey Al'lah (the God Almighty) by observing Fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st day of 10th lunar month, Shaw'waal. This year, it will be on Oct. 24, 2006. The holiday begins with Muslims putting on their best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid congregation. Eid congregations are very large gatherings of Muslim men, women, and children across the country. You can witness these gathering at local Convention Centers, Fair grounds, and/or Community Parks. Afterwards, people greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The children receive gifts of money and toys. After the congregation, Muslims visit each other at their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and friends. Don't be surprised if you are invited to an Eid dinner or Eid celebration by your Muslim neighbor or friend. Please do accept such an invitation. The hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim cuisine will pleasantly surprise you. Greetings of Ramadan, Ramadan Karim!
The local police and other law enforcement agencies should take extra precautions, during this month around the local Musjid/ mosque/Islamic Center and where the Eid Congregation will be held, for the safety of Muslims and their facilities. The Muslim Communities across the nation appreciate the local police officers and the law enforcement agencies for doing such a great job for their safety. Muslim Communities are also thankful of volunteers from many faiths who have provided support and vigilance. Thank you! May Allah, the Creator, look after you in your hour of need. Amen!
P.S. Muslims should call the local Musjid for the beginning and end of Ramadan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE ACQUIRED THROUGH E-MAIL: siddiqui@aol.com

About the author

Imam Ali Siddiqui with 34 years of service, is a Friday Khatib, Islamic teacher, Muslim Chaplain, youth advisor, family counselor, educator, poet and writer with a vision who has been involved in the teaching of Islam, history, comparative religion, contemporary issues to Muslims and non-Muslims. He is actively involved in the community service including spiritual/educational development, service to the sick and the incarcerated. He has been on speaking tours to Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, India, Iran, Pakistan, and across the USA. He frequently presents Islamic Perspective and Muslim Point of View on current affairs to Non-Muslims and Muslims. He has been very active in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, and teach-ins to promote Islamic awareness and inter-faith understanding. He has received numerous commendations for his work, service, and scholarship. Presently, Imam Siddiqui is the Vice President of Corona-Norco Interfaith Association and Member of the Board of Directors of Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.

2006-09-22 Fri 18:41:33 cdt
NewTrendMag.org