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Dr Kaukab Siddique | Editor-in-Chief Rabi' al-Thani 1, 1433/ February 23, 2012 # 9

Breaking news: February 22
Nine people gave their lives for the Qur'an and 51 were wounded as Karzai's security forces fired on unarmed Afghan students trying to enter US military installations. Protests have broken out across Afghanistan against the desecration of the Qur'an by US troops . For first report on the protests issued by AFP scroll way down.
Also photo of half-burned Qur'an displayed by the youths..

Sis. Amna Janjua started a permanent "sit in" in Islamabad to call for the return of those "disappeared" by General Kayani's military intelligence. Jamaate Islami leaders joined the sit in. See photo of Syed Ameer Munawar Hasan sitting with Sis Amna. Her tears and his struggle are bringing new hope to Pakistan. Scroll to end.

Ethiopia's Awesome Mosque: A glimpse of Sis. Ashira's recent visit to Addis Ababa. Please scroll to end.

National Islamic Shoora of Jamaat al-Muslimeen: April 7, 2012, Inshallah.

Inshallah, on April 7 [Saturday], the National Shoora will meet to discuss the situation of Muslims in America.
Agenda is being prepared. Suggestions for issues which are important for US Muslims are welcome from all over America.
Host: Imam Badi Ali [North Carolina]
Secretary General: Sis. Ashira Na'im [Maryland]
Philosopher: Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz [Louisiana] [ DrAAS.info ]
Ameer: Kaukab Siddique [Pennsylvania]
Adviser: Br. Shamim Siddiqui [New York]

US Muslims Condemn Desecration of the Qur'an by US Troops in Afghanistan

February 21: On Behalf of US Muslims, Jamaat al-Muslimeen condemns the desecration of the Qur'an by US troops in occupied Afghanistan. Those who committed this sacrilege should be arrested and put on trial. This is a major crime against Islam and against the 1.8 billion Muslims of the world.
Unless the perpetrators are punished, General Allen's words of apology mean nothing.
President Obama is facing the same dilemma that George Bush faced. Although he is a major supporter of Israel, he keeps claiming that he is not at war with Islam. The actions of troops prove otherwise. What can be more disgusting for a Muslim than that his/her holy book is burned by occupation forces sent in by America.
Under President Bush, the Qur'an was desecrated in Guantanamo Bay cage prisons. No one was punished, yet Bush claimed he was not at war with Islam. Now, Obama is following in his foot steps.
Muslims of America are not deceived. American forces support Israel and desecrate the Qur'an, often secretly and sometimes openly.
For more on what makes the Qur'an the most sacred book, contact Dr. Kaukab Siddique : ksidd37398@aol.com


US Burns Qurans at Bagram, Sparking Major Protests - News from Antiwar.com
news.antiwar.com
Feb. 21: Thousands of Afghans are protesting outside of the Bagram Air Base today, after Afghans working inside the facility revealed that US military personnel were burning large numbers of Qurans at the base.

Baltimore, Maryland: A symbolic Protest Against US Court System. Feb. 15.
Prominent Activists in downtown Baltimore..


Fatwa of Imam Khomeini, May Allah bless him, on Salman Rushdie

Freedom as defined by Zionists means Censorship of all Independent Voices

February 18 marks the 1989 anniversary of Imam Khomeini's fatwa censuring Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses." As someone who has lived in the West all but two years of her life, I invite my American friends to resist the temptation to react to turbaned ayatollahs and perceived Islamic extremism (Muslims are the only ones who are extremists, right? lol). Consider who ("WHO WHO WHO" in the words of Amiri Baraka) forges the boundaries of hate speech and artistic freedom. This was one of the first times that an independent Muslim leader--a symbol resistance to imperialism worldwide--set these boundaries. Khomeini challenged the world order by censuring a darling of the West, beloved by imperialist think tanks like Rand, American Enterprise, PEN, etc. In the decade that Rushdie penned his obscene attack on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his family in the guise of fiction, Algerian Muslim writers experienced torture at the hands of the pro-U.S. Algerian regime, Palestinian poets were held indefinitely by "Israel," writers who questioned the official version of WWII events were physically attacked or prosecuted. And today, many other artists, writers, and journalists--from my friend Duane G. Davis, so called-Towson Toilet bomber; to Norm Finkelstein; to Gary Webb; David Irving; and my father Dr. Kaukab Siddique--are harassed, hounded, or jailed, or even killed, their lives, careers, and families torn apart, with not a peep from the so-called advocates for artistic freedom/freedom of expression. This begs of question: Who sets the dialogue on which voices/talents are valid and worthy of airing, and why are they permitted to continue doing so. Kudos to Imam Khomeini (RA) for standing up to the imperialist paradigm.

- Nadrat Siddique


Five dead in Afghan protest over Quran burning
AFP


An Afghan demonstrator holds a copy of a half-burnt Quran, allegedly set on fire by US soldiers, at the gate of Bagram airbase during a protest against Quran desecration at Bagram, about 60 kilometres north of Kabul, on February 21. —AFP Photo

KABUL: At least five Afghans were shot dead and dozens wounded Wednesday in clashes between police and demonstrators protesting over the burning of the Quran at a US-run military base, officials said.

At least five Afghans were shot dead and dozens wounded Wednesday in clashes between police and demonstrators protesting over the burning of the Quran at a US-run military base, officials said.

In the capital Kabul and in provinces to the east, north and south of the capital, furious Afghans took to the streets screaming "Death to America", throwing rocks and setting fire to shops and vehicles as gunshots rang out.

In the eastern city Jalalabad, students set fire to an effigy of President Barack Obama, while the US embassy in Kabul declared it was on lockdown.

In Kabul, hundreds of people poured onto the Jalalabad road, throwing stones at US military base Camp Phoenix, where troops guarding the base fired into the air and black smoke from burning tires rose, an AFP photographer said.

Afghanistan is a deeply religious country where slights against Islam have frequently provoked violent protests and Afghans were incensed that any Western troops could be so insensitive, 10 years after the 2001 US-led invasion.

The US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, apologised and ordered an investigation into the incident, admitting that religious materials, including Qurans "were inadvertently taken to an incineration facility". He also ordered that all troops would be trained in the "proper handling of religious materials no later than March 3".

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta also apologised, saying that he and Allen "disapprove of such conduct in the strongest possible terms" and promising to "take all steps necessary and appropriate so that this never happens again".

The United States leads and dominates the 130,000-strong foreign military fighting a 10-year Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

Three protesters were killed in Shinwar district of Parwan province north of Kabul, provincial administration spokeswoman Roshna Khalid told AFP.

"The protests got violent. They attacked police with rocks and in a clash between police and protesters three people were killed and over 10 others are injured," Khalid said.

Kabul demonstrators attacked anti-riot police, forcing them to retreat and shots were fired as they tried to march on the centre of the capital, killing one person and wounding at least 11, according to a health ministry official.

Police spokesman Ashmat Estanakzai denied police opened fire, but said the demonstration "got violent after they attacked Camp Phoenix" and blocked the key highway leading east towards the Pakistani border.

The demonstrators were driven back and the protest was over by mid-afternoon, witnesses said.

A second protest erupted in west Kabul, involving about 100 university students and a third was held by dozens more at parliament until they were driven away by riot police.

In Jalalabad, there were also pockets of demonstrations across the city. Gunshots were heard but police did not confirm firing. Crowds threw rocks at cars and they set fires in the streets, an AFP reporter said.

Doctor Ahmad Ali said one person was killed and 10 others had been admitted to Jalalabad hospital with gunshot wounds.

"I saw the body myself. He is a young man from the protesters," Ali said.

More than 1,000 demonstrators, many of them university students, blocked the highway shouting "Death to Americans, Death to Obama", an AFP reporter said.

Elsewhere in the country, about 800 gathered in district centre Baraki Barak in Logar province, a flashpoint for Taliban violence south of Kabul, shouting anti-US slogans, said Sayed Wakil Agha, the district chief.

Reports that the Quran had been mistreated emerged on Tuesday, sparking demonstrations in Kabul and at Bagram airbase, but it remains unclear exactly who was responsible.

A spokesman for the US-led NATO force in Afghanistan, Lieutenant Colonel Jimmie Cummings, told AFP he could not confirm that the Qurans had been burnt by Americans at the base, saying it was still under investigation.

Two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP the military removed Qurans from the US-run prison at Bagram because inmates were suspected of using the holy book to pass messages to each other.

Letter
Reader Notes New Trend's Steady Drift vs Views Popular among Muslims in the West

Dear Br Kaukab,
I've noticed that you are leaning increasingly towards the salafi sect tendencies. Of course you are entitled to that for your personal opinions. This is falling into the trap of other groups like Hizb Tahrir etc who start with a clear political message then blur it, by insisting on taking positions on aspects of culture.
For example you put an article about celebrating the birthday of the prophet (something in my family we were never taught to do) but its clearly biased against majority of muslims who like to mark it in some way.

Then you have an article against interfaith work, which is specifically criticize the use of the word "god." It is such an abtuse point - it has no value. In fact it is an affront to people like me who have been brought up in the west and never had any problem using this word. It is like those people who want to outlaw the word Khuda in Turkish/Iran/Pakistan circles.
Of course there should be a dialogue with people of other religions and co-operation on issues of common concern. Also such occasions should be used to tell the truth to them as it is. I know this is possible, because I used to do it. You dont have to compromise your principles. But the examples of ISNA behavior are of course not acceptable.

Then you want to espouse niqab, without seeing that the vast majority in the world who wear this dont have this anti-materialist stance. I live in a part of the world where behind the niqab is a cultural American sitting . Again in the west the niqab has become some sort of cult, where you are not a proper muslimah unless you are wearing niqab.

Salaam,
Shoaib [Qatar]

With thanks to Mel Underbakke & al-Arian Support Group.

Ninth Commemoration of the Political
Persecution of Professor Sami Al-Arian
Dr. Al-Arian still under House Arrest Awaiting
Dismissal of Unjust Case

Washington, DC - February 20, 2012

On this day nine years ago Dr. Sami Al-Arian was snatched from his family and community by the U.S. authorities in a pre-dawn raid that the professor described in a poem. Thus, tomorrow marks the beginning of the tenth year of the incessant persecution of a voice of conscience for freedom in Palestine, and equal justice for all in America. This injustice against Dr. Al-Arian and his family has lasted now more than the entire tragic Iraqi war, launched one month after the arrest of Dr. Al-Arian.

Throughout his ordeal, Dr. Al-Arian spent over 5 ½ years in prison (3 ½ years in solitary confinement), and an additional 3½ years under house arrest that is still continuing.
Despite a trial, an acquittal, and a subsequent plea agreement, the government continues to pursue Dr. Al-Arian in an effort to punish him and once again jail him, due to his political and religious beliefs in a country that prides itself on the bill of rights that purportedly guarantees freedom of beliefs, opinions, and associations.

Tragically many American Muslim families have suffered since the dreadful events of September 11, 2001 in the name of the so-called war on terror. It has claimed many innocent casualties, as the government pursued many individuals, such as Dr. Al-Arian, based on their thoughts, opinions and beliefs. In many cases the government targeted individualsby manufacturing charges against them as the government planned, financed, and executed the crimes.

Whether it was thought crimes like Dr. Al-Arian's, or manufactured charges, the government employed a tactic called "preemptive persecutions," in which the government reversed the system of justice: first choose the targets then match them with a crime to secure convictions. Although this tactic failed with Dr. Al-Arian, far too many individuals and families have fallen victims to this blatantly unjust and unconstitutional practice.

Today Americans of good conscience must show concern by questioning these underhanded tactics used by the government. They must reject the practice of targeting individuals like Dr. Al-Arian as well as many other hundreds, because of their religious or political beliefs.

On this day all Americans must renew their utmost commitment to the constitutional promise of the bill of rights and its protections of equal rights, civil liberties, and political freedoms. Our pledge of "Justice and Liberty for all" is not a cliché but the principle under which our country was founded, and our system of justice has endured. We must live up to it for the sake of the future of our Republic.


Hundreds have been "Disappeared" byPaki Security
Sis. Amna Started a Permanent sit-in by Families of the Disappeared
Here Jamaate Islami Leaders join the Crying Families.
Photo below Shows Islamic Leader Munawar Hasan sitting next to Sis.Amna. "You are my sister: Islam will free the captives."


Awesome Beauty of the Main Masjid in Addis Ababa, the Capital of Ethiopia.
by Ashira Na'im [Administrator of Masjid Jamaat al-Muslimeen, Baltimore]

As I prepared myself for Jumah prayer, I asked what do the women wear. Do they wear black dresses to Jumah or white or is there any other particular color that most of the women wear? I was advised to "feel free" and wear whatever color I wished to wear as there was no particular color. To be safe, I wore the popular black "overdress" with black slacks underneath and a quiet floral scarf.

The awesome beauty of the masjid could only be imagined as we looked up at the minaret which could be seen in the sky several blocks from the location. The structure was beautiful but not new as we were told that it had been there for many years with repairs when necessary.

I was stopped at the first entrance door about a half block from the entry for the men. I was pleased to find that a large number of the women were dressed in black so that I blended right in. The rest of the women wore a variety of colors and looked much like the muslim women at any masjid throughout America.

They were very kind and polite as they directed me where to place my shoes since I had not brought a bag to carry them with me. We were in a separate part of the large masjid but could hear the khutba clearly via speakers that had been placed throughout the ceiling. In addition, there was no English spoken—only Amharic and some Arabic. Yet, the spirit of the address was vibrant and owing to the little Arabic that I could recognize (especially when verses from the Holy Quran were spoken) I was able to gain from the khutba, Alhumdullilah.


An Invitation to Think
Spotlights for our Struggle in America
by Imam Badi Ali, National Shoora Leader
Spotlight #1:
There are no short cuts to heaven.
Spotlight #2:
Think big, work hard, do what you can within your abilities and limits.
Spotlight #3:
Ignorance is our enemy.
Spotlight #4:
Nothing distorts the truth more than taghooti "scholars" who distort the truth and cloud the issues.
Spotlight #5:
Evil culture is spreading because we do nothing.
Spotlight #6:
Action is the key to freedom.
Spotlight #7:
Planning, however objective, without action is nothing but a plan.
Spotlight #8:
Life is short. Time is running out. Transfer your feelings, thoughts and abilities into moral action.
Spotlight #9:
Every second of life is an opportunity to act.
Spotlight #10:
Allah created us to worship Him and to build what is good on this earth. Are we doing it?


2012-02-23 Thu 04:29:33 cst
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