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Friday Bulletin
Muharram18, 1435/November 22, 2013
Twenty year old Nimo Muhammad Zubeir, a University of Nairobi student receives her prize of a laptop from the chairman of the Jamia mosque Majlis Ulamaa Sheikh Fathuddin Thangal. Nimo was among this years winners of of the Ahl and Sahab competition. Story on Page 7
President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged his support for the re-opening of the Palestinian embassy in the country. The President expressed the support on Tuesday during a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait city where he was attending the 3rd Afro/Arab Summit. The Palestine administration has requested land to build a chancery in Nairobi and the Head of State welcomed the proposal and assured that the government will provide the necessary support. Kenya acknowledges the interest of Palestine to re-open its Embassy in Nairobi and what has been requested will be considered, the President said. President Uhuru reiterated his government continued support to the Palestinian cause for an independent State. Kenya, alongside other
like-minded countries, voted in favour of a resolution of the UN General Assembly to grant Palestine the status of a non-member State of the UN, he added. A lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict will immensely contribute to international peace and security, said the President. Story Continued To Page 2
Seven Kenyans detained in Uganda over alleged terrorism claims have threatened to go on hunger strike in protest against what they say is delayed justice. The Kenyans have been joined by five Ugandans who are facing the same charges and accuse the Ugandan authorities of deliberately frustrating their attempts to seek justice. The detainees who have all denied the terrorism and murder charges against them have so far spent more than three years in detention at the Luzira Maximum prison for their alleged involvement in the attack against fans watching the 2010 world cup finals. They were arrested in different part of the country and deported to Uganda in an act which provoked strong condemnation from Muslim organizations, human rights group and the High Court which accused the government of violating the constitutional rights of its citizens. After more than three years of waiting for justice, we do hereby make notice of our stand to protest. We deem this appropriate after lodging constitutional petitions at the constitutional court, said the detainees in a letter seen by The Friday Bulletin. The State has been extenuating and evasive in its obligation to grant us a fair hearing, they added, Story Continued To Page 2
President Uhuru Kenyatta with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the AfroArab summit in Kuwait
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The President encouraged peaceful settlement of the dispute between Palestine and Israel, and expressed his support to the Quartet Peace Plan and the Annapolis Declarations, which affirm the commitment to the peaceful co-existence of the two states, Palestine and Israel. The Quartet Peace Plan is a road map to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while Annapolis Declaration is the joint understanding by the two to end bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict. At the summit which closed on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta reached out to Arab nations to support his government with the knowledge and technology to conduct cost-effective exploration and extraction of the countrys resources. We are already reaching out to various Arab states to encourage their private investors to consider the opportunities in Kenya in the oil, natural gas and energy sub-sectors, the President said. The Summit brought over 65 Arab and African presidents, Kings and heads of government. During the visit, President Kenyatta also held talks with the Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and restated his governments commitment to work closely with Kuwait and other Arab countries to strengthen economic and cultural ties. The President also conveyed a message of condolences to the people of Kuwait over the death of Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sumait. He was a pioneer humanitarian, who founded Direct Aid which ran educational and humanitarian programmes in several countries including Kenya. Dr. Al Sumait who passed away in August this year also helped to found Umma University, the first Islamic university in the country to be recognized by the government.
Two years ago, the detainees lodged a petition in the Ugandan constitutional court seeking orders to nullify what they said was their continued illegal detention but more than two years down the line, the hearing is yet to start with reasons such as lack of quorum at the appellate court, lack of funds and death of judges cited for the failure to dispense justice. A new date had been set last month by the constitutional court but their joy was short lived as the hearing was cancelled hours before it started. There has been no communication from the judiciary with regards to the stalemate. We have sought One of the renditioned victims Omar legal means including Awadh during an appearance in a bail applications which Kampala court were lodged at different occasions to no avail, they further said in the letter. The detainees have complained of being subjected to mental and physical torture and voiced their disapproval of the medical state of affairs in prison saying that while some of them are suffering from ailments such as kidney and liver infections as well as failing eye sights, they have not been provided with specialized medical care. We earnestly seek for justice as acquiescing to the status quo is to let injustice prevail as this is morally wrong, debasing and a disgrace to humanity, they said, Our stand to protest against the indefinite detention without a fair hearing is rooted in our own humanity and love for freedom and peace for all without distinction in colour or creed, the letter added. Among those who appended their signature to the document were Muhammad Hamid Suleiman, Omar Awadh Omar, Habib Suleiman Njorioge, Idris Magondu, Yahya Suleiman Mbuthia, Hussein Hassan Agade and Muhammad Ali Muhammad. Kenyan human rights activist Al Amin Kimathi was among the detainees and spent a year in custody before charges were dropped against him two years ago. He was arrested after he travelled to Uganda to attend the hearing of the renditioned Kenyans.
Da'wa
Ab Abd Allh I. Damiel
On the 10th of Muarram (the day of `shra), in the year 61 A.H. the Prophets (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) beloved grandson al-usayn bin `Al bin Ab lib (rah Allhu anhum) was martyred. Undoubtedly the murder of the grandson of the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) was a sad day in Islamic history. However, he was not the first to be martyred; rather, he was preceded by many great companions who were also killed unjustly, including `Umar, Uthmn, al-usayns own father, `Al bin Ab lib and his brother al-Hassan (radhiAllhu anhma). After the death of Al b. Ab Tlib (radhiAllhu anh), some of the companions pledged allegiance to al-asan (radhiAllhu anh), regarding whom the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: This son of mine is a chief, and Allh will make peace between two large groups of Muslims through him. (Bukhari) After a short period he was also martyred, and some tribes wrote to his brother al-usayn (radhiAllhu anhu) promising him support and allegiance if he was to come to them at Kfa. Ibn `Abbs and Ibn `Umar (radhiAllhu anhum) both advised al-usayn against accepting their invitation, as they felt that the people inviting him were treacherous and untrustworthy. Al-usayn (radhiAllhu anh) relying on the words of the Kfans set out for the city with his family and followers. On the way he was deserted by his followers and betrayed by the Kfans. Consequently, he was left with a small band consisting of his family members and friends (a total of 72 people) in the middle of the sandy desert of Karbala fighting against the governor of Kfa, `Ubayd Allh bin Ziyd, and his troops of more than 4000 men. The entire group was massacred on the 10th of Muarram. It was after this incident that the Shiites, who considered Alusayn (radhiAllhu anh) as the third Imm and rightful successor of the Prophet, began to take this day as a day of grief and sadness, mourning the fact that they were not present at the battle to fight and save al-usayn and his family. Ibn Taymiyyah writes: Satan took the opportunity with the death of al-usayn (radhiAllhu anh) to introduce two innovations: the innovation of showing sadness and mourning on the day of `shra by slapping, screaming, crying and lamenting, and (the innovation of) cursing the ahbas (companions of the Prophet). He then reminds the reader that wailing and excessive mourning over past calamities was clearly prohibited by Allh and His Messenger. Allh (ubhnahu wa tal) says in the Qur`n: We will try you with fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives, and fruits; but give glad tidings to those who are patient. Who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say: `To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. It is these on whom descend blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided. (Surat Baqara: 155-157) Also the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: He who slaps his cheeks, tears his clothes and follows the ways and tradhitions of the Days of Ignorance is not one of us. (Bukhari) In another adth the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: There are four characteristics among my people that belong to the pre-Islamic (jhiliyyah) period which they have not abandoned: boasting of high rank, reviling other peoples' genealogies, seeking rain by stars, and wailing. He (further) said: If the wailing woman does not repent before she dies, she will be made to stand on the Day of Resurrection wearing a garment of brass and an armor of mange. (Muslim) The Shiitesin addition to public processions of ceremonial chest beating, wailing, injuring oneself and cursing Ab Bakr, `Umar (raiyallhu anhum) and the rest of the companionsavoid all manifestations of joy during this month. They refrain from eating meat and avoid getting married or wearing new clothes during this month and especially during this day. Images of men and small boys slashing themselves with razors or knives, allowing their blood to run freely over their bodies is common among some of
Date: 24th November 2013 Time:2.00 pm -4.00 pm Jamia Mosque Multi-Purpose Hall ALL SISTERS INVITED Pumwani Social Hall-Majengo General cases, dental, eye check up and circumcission for boys aged 12 years and above Saturday 23rd November 2013 8.30 pm -4.00 pm The Awliyaa Satan and their errors Organised byof Light Sisters Organization Ustadhah Twaybah 6thNovember ANNUAL GIRLS YOUTH CAMP 2nd 2013 2.00 pm -4.00 pm Date 1st-8th December 2013 Venue: Jamia Mosque Multi-purpose Hall Venue: Star Sheikh Academy Athi River For more information contact Ustadha Hafswa Diko Cell 0725828028/0738282828 Email:mwanajahadiks@yahoo.com Belief Of Loving Prophet's Companions Brother Abdallah Athman 23rd November 2013 2.00 pm -4.00 pm Venue: Jamia Mosque Multi-purpose Hall Hima katika ibadah By Saad Ahmed Date: 24th November 2013 Time:2.00 pm -4.00 pm Makina Mosque Kibera
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SATURDAY LECTURE
SUNDAY LECTURE
WOMEN
By Altaf Husain How would you answer this question? As a young Muslim, do you feel this question is relevant to you at all? Have you discussed it with your friends? Is it a question you have thought about? Do you understand why not? If you are uncertain about how you would answer this question, don't worry. Perhaps the most misunderstood of all human relationships is the premarital relationship between young men and women, especially among those who are just coming of age and coming to terms with their sexuality. The dominant understanding is that premarital relationships should be allowed and even encouraged. The most common arguments are that premarital relationships help to socialize young people to deal with one another, and that they help those who are looking to get married to have up close and personal, intimate knowledge of their potential spouse. Do you agree with these two arguments? Do they reflect your way of thinking? The latter argument couldn't be further from the truth. Learning to socialize with the opposite sex, however, is a commendable personal goal, but it cannot be left to chance and definitely need not involve having an intimate, physical relationship with a member of the opposite sex. Are Islamic Teachings Old-Fashioned? Depending on your upbringing, who your friends are, and your exposure to television shows and movies, you might have been socialized to believe that premarital relationships are glamorous, filled with romantic overtures, and a natural expression of a man's attraction towards a woman. In fact, some young Muslims are so convinced that premarital relationships are the norm rather than the exception that, when told "dating is haram [forbidden]," they respond by saying, "Why is Islam so backward? Why can't we just get with the times and realize that today, premarital relationships are OK because not everyone is thinking about sex all the time." Even the premise that the Islamic prohibition on premarital relationships is rooted solely in the notion that people think about sex all the time is false. There is no outright prohibition of friendship between men and women and, yes, those friendships can also be warm, caring, and long lasting. The important question is, how are these men and women related to one another? In Islam, men and women who are ineligible to get married to one another, who are each other's mahrams, that is, are able to have very powerful, long lasting, warm and caring, platonic relationships. It is helpful to review who these people are. In Surat An-Nur, after telling the believing men to lower their gaze, Allah Almighty continues in the next verse: And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical desire, or small children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss. (An-Nur 24:31) So, yes, in principle, there is no problem with men and women being friends, as long as the men are in any of the categories described above in Surat An-Nur, verse 31. For those men who are non-mahrams, that is, eligible to be married, the risk is always there that one or the other will become vulnerable and will incline towards the other outside of the framework of a marital contract. Think about it. If you have come of age recently, you know that with the onset of puberty you experienced distinct and profound changes in your body. Among those changes were an increased awareness of your own sexuality and the occurrence of 'wet dreams,' or nocturnal emissions. With hormones raging and very new and intense
YOUTH
and would find nothing stick to them [as the arrow would pass so quickly that nothing would stick to it] neither excrement nor blood. They would be recognized by the presence of a black man among them whose upper arms would be like a woman's breast, or like a piece of meat as it quivers, and they would come forth at the time when there is dissension among the people. Ab Sa`d (radhiAllhu anhu) said: I testify to the fact that I heard it from the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam), and I testify to the fact that `Al b. Ab Tlib (radhiAllhu anhu) fought against them and I was with him. He gave the orders for that man and he was sought for; when he was brought, I looked at him and he was exactly as the Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) had described. (Muslim) The Shi`ites and the Khawrij opposed each other by introducing an innovation in the religion. So while one group lamented and mourned on this day the other group celebrated and made it a day of happiness. As for the Ahl as-Sunnah they oppose both of these groups, neither making it a day of celebration nor a day of mourning. This is the established practice of the companions and the pious predecessors, including the four Imms: Imm Ab Hanfah, Imam Mlik, Imm ash-Shfi and Imm Amad (May Allh be pleased with them all). The Messenger of Allh (allallhu alayhi wa sallam) said: You must follow my sunnah and the sunnah of the rightly-guided caliphs. Hold on to it and stick fast to it. Avoid newly invented matters [in the religion], for every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance. (Abu Dawud, Ahmad and Tirmidhi) Ibn Taymiyyah writes in his Fatw: As for cooking special foods, wearing new clothes, applying kohl, spending extra money on the children, doing special prayers, having a special bathall of
An Islamic Institution based in Nairobi in the process of establishing and running a TV station seeks to recruit qualified candidate for the following position HRZ/001/13: TECHNICAL MANAGER/PRODUCTION MANAGER The Technical Manager will be in charge of the non-editorial broadcasting functions. In charge of the hardware/ technical direction for broadcasting set up, advise on hardware and software solutions to enable transmission and ensuring the signal goes on air and all safety precautions are taken by staff handling company equipment and ICT. Job description Identifying, assessing the needs and recommending appropriate equipment for broadcasting Rigging and set up of broadcast infrastructure for diverse needs Maintenance of the stations transmission equipment Overseeing the functioning of live or recorded program links Responding to equipment failure and fixing problems Planning the technical aspects of a production, ensuring equipment is ready and technical checks are completed before production begins Assisting with camera settings, lens choices, etc. Training staff on equipment use, safety and new technologies Assisting with equipment changes and modification. Qualifications At least a Bachelors degree or advanced professional training in telecommunications technology, electronics or audio visual production At least three years working experience in a similar position Experience with servers and transmission systems and new media technology Experience in media projects start-ups Good leadership skills and ability to work under intense pressure and deadlines
VACANCY
As they settled down in Madinah, there were numerous attacks upon them, as their dawah work spread as an institution (state), rather than at an individual level. This was a grave threat to the people of Makkah, especially the Quraysh tribe, who were unable to eradicate such a movement at such a grand scale. Humiliated and dejected, the Quraysh attacked the Muslims outwardly, and when they could not kill off their spirit even when the Quraysh were victorious at the Battle of Uhud, they began to create allies within Madinah, through Jewish tribes, and attacked from within. The Muslims, even though, escaped persecution in their homeland, were still at risk in Madinah, after a moment of calm, while they settled down in the relatively safe environment. They still had to fight battles, lives were still lost and families were torn apart. And this is the same for Hijrahs today. They are journeys. Just because a major change happened, it does not mean life comes to a stop. More challenges come along the way maybe even more difficult ones forcing ourselves to look forwards and renew our intentions at every possible juncture. Putting trust in Allah, and Allah Alone At the end of the day, much like the comrades of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and some of the many iconic women of the time, like Asma, Umm Salama and Zaynab, we have to remember to put our trust in Allah. After planning, strategizing and thinking out of a big change, we can have so much control over our situations; whether it is entering into a marriage or taking an opportunity to climb the corporate ladder. Women all over the world face challenges of their own, whether personal, family, professional, or spiritual in nature. Some of them are physical Hijrahs, where they move from one place to the other and every single change needs to be endorsed by Allah Taala for it to happen smoothly.
Send your detailed CV and copies of testimonials quoting the job title and reference to: P.O Box 100786 00101, Nairobi or email to info@islamkenya.org to be received latest by 30th Nov 2013.
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NATIONAL
VACANCIES
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The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@islamkenya.org. Printed by Graphic Lineups Limited-Kweria Road info@graphic.co.ke