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Dr Kaukab Siddique | Editor-in-Chief Zulqi'dah 24,1429/ November 23, 2008, #59

Do you buy Starbucks? Scroll way down. Chances are you may never do it again.

Very informative. Latest list of the "chosen people" in the senate and the Congress. Scroll all the way down

On October 17, Dr. Amina Wadud repeated her stunt, this time in Oxford, England. A very gentle letter of advice was sent to her by one of New Trend's correspondents in England on Oct. 21. She did not take the trouble to reply. Please scroll all the way down.

Embedded in the Muslim community, through the use of big money, are government-related groups known as ISNA and CAIR and other 4 letter organizations. One of the central people in ISNA, who calls himself "Imam" Siraj Wahhaj has set up a Black version of ISNA known as MANA. During the recent ISNA Convention, Siraj Wahhaj was repeatedly brought on the stage to publicize MANA.

ISNA is closely allied to the U.S. government and the FBI. Its recent Convention was co-sponsored by the U.S. government's State Department. ISNA has turned out to be a failure inspite of the funds it spends. Hence the decision to set up MANA to absorb the efforts of the Black community.

These people supported the Clinton administration when Iraqi children were dying. Then they gave the block vote to Bush. Now, without apologies for their past crimes, they are falling over each other to get on the new-old Democratic bandwagon led by Obama.

Here we provide, from CAIR's own publication, a glimpse of this clique, with Siraj Wahhaj in the lead, serving the enemies of Islam over the decades. [Siraj Wahhaj helped the Zionist judge, Michael Mukasey, now Bush's attorney general, to put the distinguished Islamic scholar Dr. Omar Abdel Rahman in prison for life. Later he boasted of his exploit in an interview with the Wall Street Journal]

This is shocking material because many Muslims are fooled by the Islamic appearance of these people. Hence, we present this damning evidence from their own publication.
Scroll way down and pray that Allah may save U.S. Muslims from the clutches of these slick operators. --- Editor

Jamaat al-Muslimeen [News}
Qur'an and Hadith for Peaceful Change
P.O. Box 10881
Baltimore, MD 21234

Seeds That Give Life [From Sis. Hamdiya, South Carolina re: healthyMuslim.com ]
Since most things grow from seeds, seeds are packed full of nutrients and energy. They also contain the essential minerals we need such as magnesium, calcium, selenium, zinc and others. These seeds also contain essential fats that aid the digestive process and support the elimination of toxins.
The the best combination of seeds are to be made as follows. In a jar fill half of it with flax seeds. And the remaining half fill with equal portion of sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. You should mix them together and put them in an airtight container, store cool and keep away from light. By avoiding exposure to heat, light and oxygen they will stay fresher for longer. Try to have a tablespoon of this every day.
This gives the optimum mix of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids

Outreach: To the Guyanese Community in Silver Spring, Maryland

The Islamic Society of Washington [ISWA}, with a largely Guyanese [South American] congregation is meeting at a church for Juma' prayers while its mosque is under re-construction. After Juma' salat, Jamaat al-Muslimeen's Shoora resolutions were given to 57 persons. Among other things, the Shoora called for an end to the exploitation of women in the media, the reform of U.S. prisons and the release of political prisoners.

Nihad Awad, the Director of a lackey group known as CAIR, left quickly after prayers. He seems to have sensed that he was not popular.

Wide Ranging Shoora Resolutions now on Web Site

On November 8, 2008, the National Islamic Shoora of Jamaat al-Muslimeen issued wide ranging resolutions to express the aspirations of the Muslims of America. These include opposition to President Elect Obama's support group as well as deep concern about human suffering in Somalia and other parts of Africa along with condemnation of the Pakistan army's destruction of Islamic villages in Swat, Bajaur, Adam Khel and other areas.

The complete text of the resolutions and the basic message of the Jamaat are now available on its web site:
JamaatAlMuslimeenInternational.org

How to Join Jamaat al-Muslimeen?

Answer this question in 100-300 words: What can I do to help the cause of Islam in America?
Then fill this form:

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Committment: I will donate $ ____ every month.
Go to the web site of the Jamaat and email it to the person on the Shoora nearest to your area:
JamaatAlMuslimeenInternational.org

Outreach 2: Khutba in Baltimore: Personal Piety different from Public Struggle against Oppression. Don't Discuss other People's Religions

On November 21, 2008 Dr. Kaukab Siddique gave the Juma' khutba at a masjid in Baltimore. The masjid was packed with people, mostly immigrants from Africa and working class Pakistanis. However, it's a small masjid, so the main points of the khutba are given here for wider distribution across the country.

Texts for khutba:
"O you who believe, if a corrupt person [fasiq] comes to you with news, investigate it carefully, lest you harm peolple unwittingly and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done." [The Qur'an 49:6]

"By Him in whose Hand is my life, you must continue to command that which is good and forbid that which is bad otherwise Allah will send upon you His Punishment and then you will pray but your prayers will not be accepted." [Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, Hadith in the Sunan of Tirmidhi.]

"A nation in which an evil doer is doing evil and no one stops him though they have the power to stop him, such a nation will be subjected to Allah's punishment even before its death." [Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, Hadith in the Sunan of Abu Dawud and the Sunan of ibn Majah.]

CNN Damaged Washington's Cause
Wolf Blitzer does not Understand Black History and Blundered into Distributing Ayman al-Zawahiri's Message Across America
Media Analysis by Kaukab Siddique, Ph.D

On November 19, 2008 Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri issued a videotape critical of President Elect Obama which successfully penterated America's tightly controlled corporate-zionist media. Al-Zawahiri is one of the top leaders of the armed Islamic resistance movement known as al-Qaidah. The U.S. has put a $50 million bounty on his head and is reported to have come near killing him several times in missile attacks on Pakistani villages supporting islamic groups.

The Nov. 19 videotape, as seen on CNN, showed Obama wearing a Jewish yarmulke on one side at the Israeli wailing wall in occupied Palestine and Malcolm X [al-Hajj Malik Shabazz] kneeling in prayer in Makka on the other.

Al-Zawahiri accused Obama of being a "house slave" [in Arabic] which was translated into English on the tape as 'House Negro" referring to a famous speech by Malcolm X.
CNN's top anchor, Wolf Blitzer, misunderstood the Islamic leader's message as a "racial slur" and started presenting it repeatedly on CNN to create the impression that al-Zawahiri had insulted Obama in racial terminology. Other TV cable channels, such as FOX TV and MSNBC, took Wolf Blitzer's word that it was a "racial slur" and broadcast and re-broadcast the story all day and into the night. Thus the Islamic leader's message reached the American public, in its millions, courtesy of America's own media.

Wolf Blitzer, a Jewish American, owing to the deep hatred of Islam that he harbors, is so out of touch with the struggle of the African American people that he had no idea what Malcolm X was referring to when he used the term 'house negro.' It is a very famous passage, known to young and old in the Black community and to friends of the Black community. Malcolm X was certainly not making a racial statement. He was making a deep comment on the mentality of the slave who loves his master. Malcolm said that the "house negro" loves his master so much that when the master gets sick, he says: "massa' we sick?" [This attitude also came to be known as Uncle Tomism.]

Malcolm X [al-Hajj Malik Shabazz] went on to oppose the attitude of the "house negro" to that of the "field negro" who does not wish to be be integrated with the master's ethos. The "field negro" is against slavery, including mental slavery [such as that displayed by Obama], and, says Malcolm X, when the master's house catches fire, the field negro prays that a strong wind will come and whip up the flames.

Like their Jewish friend, Wolf Blitzer, CAIR and MPAC, two groups of "Muslim" lackeys and bootlickers of the U.S. power structure, rushed to claim that it was indeed a racial slur and that they condemn it. They also took the attitude that they [CAIR and MPAC] represent Islam and Dr. al-Zawahiri does not. It would have been more honest to say that we are American patriots and al-Zawahiri is not and we wish we could kill him and we hope America will do so soon.

Strangely, the media had a problem bringing any Black leader to comment on the al-Zawahiri tape even from Obama supporters. Finally, on November 20, Fox TV brought Al Sharpton, a "reverend" known for his sharp practices. He claimed, without explaining what he meant, that in the 9.11 attacks al-Qaidah had targeted Black people.

It seems that after a full day and more of fulmination, the media wised up to the fact that they had put their foot in their mouth and dropped the story.
An important point which made Blitzer's efforts quite pointless was that al-Zawahiri himself is African, from Egypt, and was mistreated in the prisons of U.S. ally Hosni Mubarak, the dictator of Egypt, known to all human rights organizations as top of the list in torture and violation of basic human rights. The behavior of Hosni Mubarak [and of the Pharoah before him] contributed probably to Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri's development into an enemy of Mubarak's main patron, the U.S. of A.

Al-Qaida number two Ayman al-Zawahiri video statement about president-elect Obama 19 Nov. 2008
A view of the al-Zawahiri video shown on CNN.

This is what Malcolm X [al-Hajj Malik Shabazz] said. It has become part of African American lore. Blitzer, being a Zionist Jew, was quite ignorant of it. ---Editor
MALCOLM X: "MESSAGE TO THE GRASSROOTS"

MALCOLM X: "THE HOUSE NEGRO AND THE FIELD NEGRO" : SPEECH TO SNCC WORKERS, SELMA, ALABAMA, FEB. 4, 1965

"...back during slavery. There were two kinds of slaves. There was the house Negro and the field Negro. The house Negroes - they lived in the house with master, they dressed pretty good, they ate good 'cause they ate his food — what he left. They lived in the attic or the basement, but still they lived near the master; and they loved their master more than the master loved himself. They would give their life to save the master's house quicker than the master would. The house Negro, if the master said, "We got a good house here," the house Negro would say, "Yeah, we got a good house here." Whenever the master said "we," he said "we." That's how you can tell a house Negro.
If the master's house caught on fire, the house Negro would fight harder to put the blaze out than the master would. If the master got sick, the house Negro would say, "What's the matter, boss, we sick?" We sick! He identified himself with his master more than his master identified with himself. And if you came to the house Negro and said, "Let's run away, let's escape, let's separate," the house Negro would look at you and say, "Man, you crazy. What you mean, separate? Where is there a better house than this? Where can I wear better clothes than this? Where can I eat better food than this?" That was that house Negro. In those days he was called a "house nigger." And that's what we call him today, because we've still got some house niggers running around here.
This modern house Negro loves his master. He wants to live near him. He'll pay three times as much as the house is worth just to live near his master, and then brag about "I'm the only Negro out here." "I'm the only one on my job." "I'm the only one in this school." You're nothing but a house Negro. And if someone comes to you right now and says, "Let's separate," you say the same thing that the house Negro said on the plantation. "What you mean, separate? From America? This good white man? Where you going to get a better job than you get here?" I mean, this is what you say. "I ain't left nothing in Africa," that's what you say. Why, you left your mind in Africa.
On that same plantation, there was the field Negro. The field Negro — those were the masses. There were always more Negroes in the field than there was Negroes in the house. The Negro in the field caught hell. He ate leftovers. In the house they ate high up on the hog. The Negro in the field didn't get nothing but what was left of the insides of the hog. They call 'em "chitt'lin'" nowadays. In those days they called them what they were: guts. That's what you were — a gut-eater. And some of you all still gut-eaters.
The field Negro was beaten from morning to night. He lived in a shack, in a hut; He wore old, castoff clothes. He hated his master. I say he hated his master. He was intelligent. That house Negro loved his master. But that field Negro — remember, they were in the majority, and they hated the master. When the house caught on fire, he didn't try and put it out; that field Negro prayed for a wind, for a breeze. When the master got sick, the field Negro prayed that he'd die. If someone come [sic] to the field Negro and said, "Let's separate, let's run," he didn't say "Where we going?" He'd say, "Any place is better than here." You've got field Negroes in America today. I'm a field Negro. The masses are the field Negroes. When they see this man's house on fire, you don't hear these little Negroes talking about "our government is in trouble." They say, "The government is in trouble." Imagine a Negro: "Our government"! I even heard one say "our astronauts." They won't even let him near the plant — and "our astronauts"! "Our Navy" — that's a Negro that's out of his mind. That's a Negro that's out of his mind.
Just as the slavemaster of that day used Tom, the house Negro, to keep the field Negroes in check, the same old slavemaster today has Negroes who are nothing but modern Uncle Toms, 20th century Uncle Toms, to keep you and me in check, keep us under control, keep us passive and peaceful and nonviolent. That's Tom making you nonviolent. It's like when you go to the dentist, and the man's going to take your tooth. You're going to fight him when he starts pulling. So he squirts some stuff in your jaw called novocaine, to make you think they're not doing anything to you. So you sit there and 'cause you've got all of that novocaine in your jaw, you suffer peacefully. Blood running all down your jaw, and you don't know what's happening. 'Cause someone has taught you to suffer — peacefully.

Slightly tongue in Cheek [Muslims have CAIR: Non-Muslim Arabs have Zogby --- Editor]

Rahm the Mechanic goes to Washington: The Jim Zogby Dilemma

By Hesham Tillawi, PhD www.currentissues.tv

Every day, I am assaulted by something in the topsy-turvey world of US politics that amazes me and makes me say to myself, 'Well I guess I have seen it all now', only for it to be outdone and replaced the very next day by something even more outrageous.
Politics can do that to people. Power and the opportunity to play on the 'big field' is like a drug that makes people do crazy things, things that defy reason, logic, and sometimes decency.
Take for example the most recent article by Arab American Institute James Zogby in his defense of President Elect Barak Obama;s decision to appoint Rahm Emmanuel as White House Chief of Staff. In his piece entitled "Rahm Emanuel and Arab Perceptions" he writes "The emails and calls to my office were both troubled and troubling because much of the reaction was based on misinformation". The "misinformation' in this case dealt with Rahm Emanuel, the "brilliant strategist" as Jim puts it and his many "proven" political skills which led to him being "tapped" by Obama. No more no less. That is, as Jim calls it, "First, the facts." I just wonder if Rahm's 'proven politics' is also what dragged Obama to AIPAC's conference this past summer to deliver that infamous shameful speech, as well as the meeting afterwards with the board of AIPAC where he was accompanied by Rahm Emanuel. I don't think Rahm being born to an Israeli parent who once ran guns for the Irgun Terrorist Organization, his faith as a devout Jew or his being a staunch supporter of Israel had "nothing" to do with his appointment as the conventional wisdom would like us to believe. Of course not, it is his 'brilliancy' that got him there. "Its that simple" says the spokesman for the Arab-American community Jim Zogby. Maybe Arabs lack thinking brains to be in positions of power.
Ok, Emanuel may not be an Israeli Citizen, even though Israeli law grants citizenship to Jews who are born for Israeli parents abroad. As a matter of fact the Israeli Law of Return" Grants Israeli citizenship to any Jew who wishes to have it. As a matter of fact many American Jews in high power positions are dual citizens. One such is Douglas Feith, who ran the Office of Special Plans at the Pentagon, and who concocted the 'Yellow Cake' theory giving George Bush the ammo he needed to invade an Arab country. Another one coming to mind is Michael Chertoff, our Director of Homeland Security whose father fought in the Bitar Brigade, a Jewish terrorist group during the Palestinian Holocaust which by the way, started way before the so-called 'Holocaust' of Europe and which continues to this very day. No doubt the reader is inclined to call me an 'anti-Semite' despite the fact that there is more 'semitism' in one of my eyelashes than there is in the whole of European Jewish community because I said the "so called" Oh well, I guess I am one of those 'self-hating' Semites.
Jim goes on to defend Rahm's service in the Israeli Army saying: "Emanuel volunteered for a few weeks, as a civilian, doing maintenance on Israeli vehicles." Is he a mechanic? So, not only is he "brilliant" when it comes to politics, he is 'Rahm the Mechanic' as well. Talk about a real Renaissance man. Not only is Rahm "brilliant" in banking and finance, "brilliant" in the way he stabs a steak knife into a hardwood table repeatedly when talking about 'enemies' who must be dealt with, but "brilliant" with cars too, especially the ones used by Israel's military. There is something so familiar between this and the whole "Joe the Plumber" business we heard so much about during the campaign.
Ok, let's get back to that then--What vehicles Jim? What is a civilian volunteer in the Israeli Army? Did you know that there are no 'civilians' in Israel? If someone volunteers to go help a country at a time of war, one can safely assume he will be involved in some kind of a defense position. Was he greasing up the Israeli Tanks before they took positions on the Northern border with Syria and Lebanon in 1991? Or did he just write some nice love notes on Tank Shells? I am not sure, but this "brilliant" American found it necessary to go and join the Israeli Army- ok in a civilian capacity, god don't be so uptight on technicalities- but yet, he did not join the American Army fighting two wars. It makes you wonder what country comes first in Rahm's mind. Is he one of those Israel's Firsters bunch?
As an aside (although one of supreme importance) what should be noted is that if Mr. Zogby--seeing his homeland of Lebanon being bombarded by Israel as it was in July 2006--decided to don his US Passport and go to Lebanon in order to volunteer in protecting another country, he would be arrested upon re-entry into the US and charged with a whole assortment of crimes related to terrorism. However, when it is a Zionist Jew doing so for Israel, he is offered the highest position in the president's cabinet and the rest of the world is not supposed to think anything of it.
Oh yes, this is the killer, I almost left it out. Jim wrote: "The truth is that Emanuel is an effective leader in Congress. He is a strong supporter of Israel. But then, how many members of Congress are not?" Its no big deal, he is just one of the many in Washington who are supporters of Israel. Well Jim you forgot one fundamental difference between "Rahm the Mechanic" and others, namely that the other members of congress prostitute themselves for power, influence and money, but they really don't get much enjoyment out of the deal. On the contrary--just like prostitutes they want the ordeal to be over with asap because deep down they feel so ashamed of themselves seeing Palestinian children dying from Israeli bullets fired by Israeli settlers as well as Israel's imposed starvation and hunger on innocent people and they can't do anything about it. "Rahm the Mechanic" however, Mr Jim Zogby, enjoys what he is doing for Israel. His father, his family, and his "mother country" are proud of what he has become. Israeli Newspapers said "one of us in the White House." He is doing it because he enjoys it. The Arabs are the sworn enemies of Rahm's father and his last name is a reminder of that. Emanuel actually is not the last name of the family they changed it when rahm's uncle, Emanuel was killed by Arabs before the establishment of Israel, and the family changed their last name to, Emaneul. Now do you understand why Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, and all freedom-loving people around the World are disturbed by Rahm's appointment? Can you take your democratic hat off for a second and voice your concern about Rahm? Can you, Uncle Tom?
I saw you turning the world upside down for a comment that John McCain did not make-even though, we made a big issue out of it- I for one made the biggest stink about it, but I did not see you doing the same when Rahm's father actually, and factually insulted ALL Arabs, dead, alive and yet to be born. Thank God for Mary Oakar and the ADC who forced an apology out of Rahm for what his father had said about how his son will "surely influence Obama's decisions on Israel" while following it with the comment that "he wasn't Arab" and therefore will not be going to the White House to "mop floors". The funny thing in the whole episode is Rahm's apology, and especially when he said that the comment made by his dad did not "reflect the way he was raised and did not reflect his family values". I wonder who raised him?
It was his father who said it, the head of his family, the man who installed the values in Rahm, the very same man who ran guns to the Jewish terrorists to massacre the poor souls of Deir Yasin. Now Jim, do you blame the Arabs for their "perception" of Ram? Is it just a perception? "Can you hear me now!!!"

Current issues with Hesham Tillawi can be viewed Live every Thursday at 8:00 PM Central Standard Time on Cox Cable system Channel 15 in Louisiana as well as Live on the Internet at www.currentissues.tv and can be contacted at Tillawi@currentissues.tv The show is also broadcast on Bridges TV via cable, satellite, and broadband and on Amazonas satellite World Wide. Current Issues the radio show airs live around the World on Broadband and shortwave 5.050 and many stations around the U.S. every Saturday 4-6 PM Central Time on www.republicbroadcasting.org

Document of Infamy: These "Muslims" in 2008 are as they were in 2000: Licking the boots of the power structure.
[Editor]
From CAIR's official publication dated Summer 2000, page 7.

"State Department Hosts Iftar for American Muslim Leaders."
"During the past Ramadan, Secretary of State Medeleine Albright hosted the first ever iftar for American Muslim leaders at the State Department. Muslim participants broke their fast with the traditional water and dates before performing their sunset prayers.
" Those in attendance at the dinner included representatives from the Council on American-islamic Relations (CAIR), American Muslim Council (AMC), Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Muslim American Society (MAS), North American Council for Muslim Women, and other local and national Muslim leaders such as Imam Siraj Wahhaj of New York.

"In dinner table discussions and in her prepared remarks, Secretary Albright touched on the ongpong sanctions agains Iraq, the war in Chechnya and the need to recruit American Muslims for State Department posts.

She also rejected the idea that the Muslim world and the West are adversaries. "There are a billion and a half Muslims in the world. They are of many nationalities and live in virtually every corner of every continent. How can anyone apply a stereotype to a quarter of the globe's people?" said Albright.

"We appreciate the opportunity to meet with State Department officials in a social setting," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper. "This event gave us a chance to get to know one another on a personal level. That can only serve to facilitate future political discussions on issues of importance to the American Muslim community," said Hooper. Hooper added that American Muslim leaders are currently involved in a series of round-table meetings at the State Department, focusing on domestic and international issues."

New Trend's note: By the year 2000, sanctions on Iraq had been in place for ten years and a million Iraqis, including large numbers of children had died a slow death of malnutrition and disease. Here CAIR etc were having IFTAR with the architect of the sanctions, Medeleine Albright. It's not possible that they don't know that the Qur'an has strictly forbidden cooperation with oppressors. Notice how CAIR is publicizing the regime as a friend of the Muslims and noting the job openings in the regime:
"the need to recruit American Muslims for State Department posts."

Montreal Perspectives
By Jalaluddin S. Hussain

The Shocking World of Torture + The Positive Role of Community Radio

Daily, The Gazette of Montreal, in its editorial of October 31, 2008, applauds the conviction of the "first home-grown Canadian jihadist", Momin Khawaja and wrongly declares that the Canadian anti-terror laws have worked. Really not true, because the prosecution was interested in relating Momin with the London bombings and it was not successful in this.

Again, in spite of the amendment to the Canadian 2001 Anti-Terrorism Act, as a result of the Canadian Supreme Court ruling and addition of the "Special-Advocate" provision, the cases of Adil Charkaoui, Mohamed Harkat, Hassan Almrei, Mohammad Mahjoub, Mahmoud Jaballah, have still to be finalized, even after more than six years. It is hoped that that these pending cases will also be finalized soon.

I might sound cynical, but President-elect Obama does not seem to be following the path which many of us wold have liked him to follow. His very first appointment of Mr. Rahm Emmanuel, as Chief of Staff, leaves much to be desired. We can only hope that after January 20, 2009, when he will actually be installed in the White House, he will prove himself to be a harbinger of peace and reconstruction.

"Under the Hood: A voyage into the world of torture", was screened in Montreal, in the first week of November, 2008. By all counts, it is a depressing film, seeing of which can even make you sick. The Montreal filmmaker, Patricio Henriquez has made his central point clear through this "horror" film, that "...what happened at the U.S. prisons of Guantanamo and Abu Gharaib, has infact been happening for hundreds of years, including during the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades". The sad thing is that such cruelties and ruthlessness are still persisting, even in these times of international human rights and universal justice!
Amy Goodman, the Democracy Now! radio show host and independent media icon, recently came to Montreal to speak on the subject of, "Indpendent Media on War and Elections". An enthusiastic crowd of more than 500 students and fans of Amy attended the one-and-a-half hour speech and frequently clapped her. As usual, she was very frank and provocative, in her speech and talked at length about the corporate power and greed and the captive mainstream media. She, however, praised the role of community radio stations.

This talk was part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC). It may be mentioned, that the first global conference on community radio was held in Montreal in the August of 1983 at UQAM - University of Quebec in Montreal.

The AMARC Secretary General Marcelo Solvervicens said that his Association has 4000 members, in more than 100 countries. He further said that community radio has become a powerful tool for progressives and social activists, particularly in the deveoping world.

CKUT FM 90.3 community radio was also part of the team which organized this global meeting.

Dr. Amina Wadud's Latest Stunt: A Progressive Muslim tries to advise her. She does not take the trouble to Answer
"... they are using people like you."

Dear Sister Amina,

There are many of us who consider ourselves to be progressive Muslims. Who don't consider anything wrong in principle with having a woman imam. However, you have to take into account the sensibilities of the common people, and the political environment of Muslims wrt American domination of foreign policy. The British government and probably US govt is trying to promote moderate and pro-westernised Muslims to serve its own ends. Some of this is actually through something which is more of a cultural attack than an attack on Islam e.g. arranged marriages, clothing (hijab), women not shaking hands with men, and women not leading prayers. In this context they are using people like you. Muslim people are sensitive about cultural issues and they will respond accordingly - seeing it as a western assault.
Unfortunately, this does nothing to create a useful debate; it just forces people to take up postures. I want to stress this is actually making it more difficult for people like me to stimulate a more progressive discussion amongst the sensible and intelligent Muslims.

In the last 20 to 30 years I've seen women get more involved in mainstream Muslim organisations. As they get more knowledgable, assertive and clearly possess the skills things are changing. At the same time western women are re-assessing what the goals of feminsm aught to be. In UK we've had a female prime-minister. What did it do for the everyday lot of women? Yes - made it worse! So, to effect change in the everyday life of women there are probably lot more useful - less provocative things that can be done.
We live in an environment where women aren't even treated in accordance with best practice in conservative patriarchial interpretation of islam. In Muslim countries there is terrible corruption, social insecurity and violence. Into this environment when Taliban come or strict sharia law is applied, the improvement in law and order - social stability is straight away appreciated by the people who have been sufferring.
So respected sister and scholar of Islam, I think everything has a time and place, and I don't think it is now.

Salaam,
Shoaib Qureshi
UK.

Do you take Starbucks?
[With thanks to Sis. Romi.]


Gun in one hand, Starbucks in the other - ready to dominate the world..
Soldiers posing in front of the first makeshift Starbucks store in Afghanistan, made from a shipping container
In March 2005 Starbucks arrived in Guantanamo Bay, the illegal US detention and torture centre, to open a chain of its "We Proudly Brew" outlets. One of the outlets is just a "stone's throw" from the barbed wire behind which prisoners are caged and tortured. Apparently torturing is thirsty work, Starbucks is selling 1400 cups a day at Guantanamo.

The United Nations has demanded the closure of the torture den, Starbucks are not bothered they say "We refrain from taking a position on the legality of the detention center". For Starbucks its commitment to the military is more than just business, their Customer Relations say "Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military.. who risk their lives to protect Americans and our values of freedom and democracy". Starbucks in return, according to Petty Officer Barry Tate, is doing its share by helping " lift the morale" of the guards and interrogator' s at Guantanamo Bay.

It could be argued that with its blind support for the US military, Starbucks is itself implicated in the war crimes being committed at the illegal torture den of Guantanamo Bay. Its another reason for people of conscience to boycott Starbucks.


Howard Schultz
Chairman, Starbucks

All the Politicians, just about, are Zionists, but these are actual Jews who are Zionists 
U.S. SENATE
Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.)
Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)**
Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.)
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.)
Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)**
Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.)
Carl Levin (D-Mich.)**
Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.)
Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)
Arlen Specter (R-Pa.)
Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Gary Ackerman (D-N.Y.)
John Adler (D-N.J.)*
Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.)
Howard Berman (D-Calif.)
Eric Cantor (R-Va.)
Stephen Cohen (D-Tenn.)
Susan Davis (D-Calif.)
Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.)
Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.)
Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Barney Frank (D-Mass.)
Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.)
Jane Harman (D-Calif.)
Paul Hodes (D-N.H.)
Steve Israel (D-N.Y.)
Steve Kagen (D-Wisc.)
Ron Klein (D-Fla.)
Sander Levin (D-Mich.)
Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.)
Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.)
Jared Polis (D-Colo.)*
Steve Rothman (D-N.J.)
Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.)
Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.)
Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)
Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.)
Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)
John Yarmuth (D-Ky.)
* Elected to Congress for the first time
** Senators who were re-elected (Coleman defeated Democratic challenger Al Franken in Minnesota by 571 votes, but a recount is expected. Franken also is Jewish, leaving 13 Jewish senators regardless of who emerges as the winner.)

2008-11-25 Tue 20:53:41 cst
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