The

Friday Bulletin
Jumaada al-Uula 27,1435/March 28,2014

The Weekly Muslim News Update

Fury over shoot-to-kill order

Issue No. 569

Angry reactions and condemnations greeted the shoot-to-kill order to the police by the Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa to execute terror suspects. Members of the civil society, through their working group on counter-terrorism and human rights, Tetea they termed the order as illegal and affront to the legitimate efforts to combat attacks. ''It is unacceptable in the modern society for the commissioner to seek to impose on regular policemen and security agents the responsibility and authority of the judge and executioner, under the guise of fighting terrorism.'' the statement read in part. Following the Likoni church attack last Sunday where terrorists sprayed bullets on worshippers, killing six of them, the Mombasa county commissioner issued shoot-to-kill order on all terrorism suspects. The civil society led by the Tetea co-convernor Al-Amin Kimathi urged President Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior Cabinet secretary Joseph Ole Lenku and Inspector General of police David Kimaiyo to overrule and declare the order illegal and instruct security agencies to disregard the order. ''We further call on the Commissioner to resign or alternatively be relieved of his duties immediately and prosecuted for inciting the killing of innocent Kenyans, ''they said. They further argued that the right to life was a fundamental human rights enshrined in the constitution with emphasis on the presumption of innocence until one is proven guilty. ''The entire judicial process is meant to ensure that no Kenyan can be deprived of rights on the basis of mere suspicion and any attempt to circumvent the process makes the country more insecure,'' said Kimathi. He noted that terrorism posed a threat to everyone but urged that efforts to fight the heinous acts of terror must be undertaken with due regard to the Constitution as opposed to wholesale victimization. They said that most suspect were being arrested on more suspicion of terrorism-related offences without clear proof from security agents as witnessed in the recent operations where suspects rounded up have been acquitted by the court for lack of evidence.

George Moshu, a youth entrepreneur from Narok speaks to young people on starting small scale income generating projects at the Pumwani Riyadha mosque during a Youth entrepreneurship seminar held at the weekend.Story on page 7

Education ministry accused of double standards

The education ministry has been put on the spot for its double standard approach on Muslim centered issues. The Muslim Education Council (MEC) chief executive officer Munawwar Khan said on many occasions, the ministry has deliberately ignored issues of concern for Muslims but was quick to probe unsubstantiated allegations against Muslim schools. He cited the recent press allegations linking a Nairobi school with terrorism activities saying that while the ministry saw it fit to put in place a rapid response team to initiate investigations, it has for the most part took a no-care attitude on complaints regarding discrimination of Muslim students. On numerous occasions we have made complaints relating to Muslim students being forced to attend church services, denied their right to learn Islamic Religious Education (IRE) and stopped from practice their faith but seldom does the ministry take any action against these grievances but regrettably the ministry is quick to initiate investigations into unsubstantiated press allegations against Muslim schools, he told The Friday Bulletin. Munawwar Khan dismissed the allegations against Kinderworld Academy made in the Nairobian, a publication of the Standard Group, saying that it was a deliberate scheme to tarnish the reputation of the school and was also part of a wide campaign to discredit integrated Islamic schools. He said the officials sent to probe the Continued To Page 2

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The Friday Bulletin

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

EDITORIAL

Lets promote Islamic micro-finance for poverty eradication

Islamic Finance in Kenya has continued to enjoy vibrant growth since establishment; recently an International certificate in Islamic finance was launched by the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) in collaboration with International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance(INCEIF). The introduction of a course in Islamic Banking by the two institutions is a very good move that needs to be lauded by all; it is in the right direction and will offer training and knowledge on key operations of Islamic finance and banking to interested parties. Therefore it is our call to all Muslims to encourage their children to go for the course and training in Islamic finance. At the same time we call on Muslim entrepreneurs, professionals and business community to take advantage of the growing demand of Islamic banking products in the market and venture into the business .Nevertheless, the concept of Islamic microfinance(MFI) is not yet well developed rendering access to finance by the poor abit difficult, hence there is crucial need to promote this component of Islamic banking to facilitate the achievement of a broad-based ownership of business and industries necessary for eradication of poverty and realization of the egalitarian objectives of Islam. The highest concentration of the 10 million Muslim population in Kenya are found in the rural regions of North Eastern, Coast, Western Kenya as well as the slums of major cities and towns across the country. Majority of them are poor and do not qualify for financial credit offered under the terms of available Islamic banking products. The only way Islamic banks can service them financially is by or through MFI Products that have proved successful among poor Muslim communities in S.E Asia and Middle East. One way Islamic banks could reach out Muslims in above mentioned rural regions is by introducing products similar to Indonesia's rural MFI initiatives that have played vital role in reducing poverty rate in the country from 40 percent in 1970 to 12.4 percent in 2011. The success has been attributed to Baitul Mal wat Tamwil (BMT) which started Islamic MFI'S operations in 1980's.According to Bank Indonesia, Islamic micro-finance is estimated to account for 70 percent of Islamic financing in the country. Other successful Shariah compliant micro-finance schemes that have brought about transformational change to the poorest of Muslim rural communities are UNDP's Rural Community Development Project(RCDP)at Jabal al Hoss in Syria and AlHudaidah micro-finance program in Yemen(poverty Reductionscaling up local initiatives for transformational change-UNDP poverty practice Bureau for Development policy, country case studies 2012). An illustrious example of a country that is on the path to successfully eradicating poverty particularly by empowering women through Islamic micro-finance is Bangladesh. In the past decade alone, Bangladesh has slashed its poverty by half, rapidly decreasing family size by two-third, ensured that 90 percent of its girl children are enrolled in schools and reduced child mortality by 60 percent. Following the success of this initiative, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in 2012 expressed interest in establishing an Islamic MFI to scale up this new innovative approach to development throughout Bangladesh (Atiur Rahman)''The role of Islamic micro-finance as a Tool of poverty Alleviation.'' Muslim youth joblessness is another area that could be addressed through MFI's instead of youth idling, engaging in drug abuse and other social menaces; they should be empowered through promotion of business entrepreneurship. Presently, pragmatic Muslim youth have tried to fight poverty by joining non-Shariah compliant MFI's and savings and credit schemes (Saccos).However, the religiously conservative majority continue to survive precariously in the vicious cycle of poverty. Given growing popularity of Islamic banking among Muslims and non-Muslims in Kenya, Islamic micro finance has ample room to flourish, through cooperation with IDB and local Islamic NGO's, Islamic banks can rigorously promote MFI's for attainment of faster poverty eradication and realization of egalitarian society.

Takaful product compensates pastoralists

A Shariah compliant livestock insurance policy is compensating pastoralists for the drought-induced losses of animals. The 71 men and 30 women in arid and semi-arid Wajir county will be the first beneficiaries of livestock insurance that conforms to the concept of takaful (Islamic insurance), in which risks are shared among a group of participants. Through a contract called tabbaru (donation), participants make contributions to a risk that will pay approximately Sh5, 800 for losses suffered to their herds of sheep, goat, cattle and camels. The herds were insured last August by Takaful Insurance of Africa (TIA) with an Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) product, branded as Index-Based Livestock Takaful (IBLT). The index uses satellite imagerymeasuring the conditions of grazing landsthat is fed into an algorithm that predicts livestock loses. Predictions beyond the 15 percent level trigger indemnity payments. Drought conditions in much of Wajir County have surpassed the index trigger and active contract holders in these areas will be compensated. Our goal is to show pastoralists that they can use a fair and ethical business model to protect their assets from a natural hazard of keeping livestock in East Africa, said Hassan Bashir, the CEO of Takaful Insurance, Experts at International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) say that in semi-arid and arid regions, insurance can make keeping livestock a more effective and sustainable livelihood strategy and can act as a cushion to household assets and income in times of distress. This payout is critical for building confidence in the concept of insurance for the pastoral, drought-prone regions of East Africa, where life revolves around livestock and droughts can bring disaster, said Andrew Mude who leads the IBLI program at the institute. We saw what Wajir was like in 2011 when the worst drought in decades killed almost half the livestock in the region and lives were left hanging in the balance, said Liesbeth Zonneveld, country director of Mercy Corps, an organization that is a partner in the IBLT project. Today we see a situation where drought remains a threat, but people have a way to protect their central source of food and income, she added.

Ministry accused of double standards

Continued From Page 1

school had a sinister motive as their investigations focused on the integrated model of education which has been adopted by many Muslim schools. Their questions revolved on what the school was teaching pupils with regard to Tawheed (oneness of Allah, Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and Seerah (life of Prophet Muhammad), he said. The CEO recalled the Kajiado High School incident where a mosque in the school compound was demolished and all Muslim students forced to vacate the school due to the growing animosity perpetrated by the school administration. Till today, there is no Muslim student at the public school and despite our continuous requests, the ministry has not seen it important to address this incident which poses a clear threat to religious harmony and national cohesion, he said.

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

The Friday Bulletin

QUR'AN

Introduction to the Tafsiyr

Al-Haafidh ibn Kathir

All praise is due to Allah, Who started His Book by saying, All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all that exists. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Owner of the Day of Recompense (Al-Faatihah 1:2-4)and Who began His creation with the Hamd(His praise and appreciation), by saying, All praise and thanks be to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and originated the darkness and the light; yet those who disbelieve hold others equal to their Lords (Al-An`am 6:1), and ended it with the Hamd, by saying, after mentioning the destination of the people of Paradise and the people of the Fire,And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne (of Allah), glorifying their Lord with praise. And judgement will be made between them (creatures) with the truth. And it will be said: All Praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists. (AzZumar 39:75) Similarly, He is Allah, there is no illah except for Him, His is the praise in the beginning and in the end, His is the judgment and to Him you (all) return. (Al Qasas 28:70). All thanks are due to Allah in the beginning and in the end, for what He has created and what He shall create. Allah is the One praised for all things, just as the praying person says, O Allah, Yours is the praise, praise that fills the heavens, the earth and whatever You will after that. (al-Bukhaari, Muslim and others) All the thanks are due to Allah Who sent His Messengers, whom He described as, Say, What thing is greatest in testimony? Say, Allh is witness between me and you. And this Qurn was revealed to me that I may warn you thereby and whomever it reaches. Do you [truly] testify that with Allh there are other deities? Say, I will not testify [with you]. Say, Indeed, He is but one God, and indeed, I am free of what you associate [with Him]. (An-Nisaa 4:165) And ended them with the unlettered, Arabian, Makkan Prophet who guides to the clear straight path. Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him to all of His creation - the Jinns and mankind - from the time that his prophet hood began until the commencement of the Last Hour. Allah said, Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Verily, I am the Messenger sent to you all by Allah, the One to Whom the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs. There is no god (worthy of worship) but He. It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided. (Al-A`raf 7:158) and, That by it, I may warn you and whoever it reaches (Al An`am 6:19). Therefore, whether one is an Arab or non-Arab, black or red, human or Jinn, whoever this Quran is conveyed to, it is a warning for them all. This is why Allah said, So is one who [stands] upon a clear evidence from his Lord [like the aforementioned]? And a witness from Him follows it, and before it was the Scripture of Musa to lead and as mercy. Those [believers in the former revelations] believe in the Quran. But whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions the Fire is his promised destination. So be not in doubt about it. Indeed, it is the truth from your Lord, but most of the people do not believe. (Hud 11: 17) Therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Qur'an among those whom we mentioned, then, according to Allah, the Fire will then be their destination. Allah said, Then leave Me alone with those who deny this narration (the Quran). We shall gradually punish them from where they perceive not. (AlQalam 68:44). The Messenger of Allah Peace be upon him said,I was sent not to the white and red. Mujahid commented, Meaning, mankind and the Jinns.

Hence, Muhammad Peace be upon him is the Messenger to all creation, mankind and Jinn, conveying what Allah revealed to him in the Glorious Book that, Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it, (it is) sent down by the Wise, Worthy of all praise.(Fussilat 41:42) Therefore, the scholars are required to elaborate upon the meanings of Allah's Speech and to convey these meanings, provided they seek them from their proper resources. The scholars are required to learn and convey these meanings, just as Allah said, And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it. But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased. (Al Imran 3:187). Verily, those who purchase a small gain at the cost of Allah's covenant and their oaths, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter (Paradise). Neither will Allah speak to them nor look at them on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, and they shall have a painful torment (Al Imran 3:77). Allah criticized the People of the Scriptures - Jews and Christians - who came before us, for ignoring Allah's Book that was revealed to them, and for acquiring and indulging in the affairs of this life, all the while being distracted from what they were commanded, that is, adhering to Allah's Book. We Muslims are thus required to refrain from doing what Allah criticized the People of the Scriptures for, and to heed what He commanded us; learning and comprehending the Book of Allah, revealed to us, and to convey all that is in it. Allah said, Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah's Reminder (this Qur'an), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture before, and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Faasiquun (the rebellious, the disobedient to Allah) Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Aayat to you, if you but understand(Al Hadid 57:16-17). Hence, Allah's mentioning this Aayah(57:17) after the Aayah that preceded it, alerts us to the fact that just as He brings life to the earth after it has died, He also softens the hearts with faith and guidance after they become hard because of committing sins and errors. We ask Allah to grant us this good end; He is Most Kind, Most Generous.

Say, "If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other assistants." And We have certainly diversified for the people in this Qur'an from every [kind] of example, but most of the people refused [anything] except disbelief. Quran 17 : 88,89,

FROM THE NOBLE QUR'AN

LECTURE Topic: Kuipa SUNDAY dunia nyongo sehemu ya pili

By: Ustadha Ummu Hamza 30th March 2014 2.00 pm -4.00 pm Venue: Makina Mosque Kibera

SUNDAY LECTURE

The Friday Bulletin

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

HADITH

Riyaadhasw-Swaalihiyn as Explained by Sh. Ibn Uthaymiyn

Al-Ikhlaas and Derivation of an-Niyyah in all Actions and Sayings, Apparent and Concealed Know that an-Niyyah according to the statements of the Scholars comprises of two definitions: The First Definition: an-Niyyah differentiates between the various acts of worship. For example: It distinguishes between the Dhuhr prayer and the 'Asr prayer or it distinguishes between the observance of the fast during the month of Ramadhan and outside that month. Or an-Niyyah differentiates between actions of worship and those performed habitually or by convention. For example: The action of washing from major ritual impurity and washing for the purpose of refreshment and cleanliness. This definition is frequently found in the recorded utterances of the Jurists in their books. The Second Definition: an-Niyyah refers to the different objectives [desired] in the performance of the deed. For example: Was the action performed for the sake of Allah alone, without an associate, or was it performed partially for Allah and partially for other than him? This definition is the one which the People of Knowledge speak of in their works and their utterances concerning alIkhlaas and its consequence. It is oft-quoted in the statements ofthe Predecessors, indeed Abu Bakr ibn Abi Dunya composed a book entitled Kitab al-Ikhlaas and an-Niyyah, citing this definition of an-Niyyah (see AI-Haafidhibn Rajab, Jaami'a al-UloomwalHikam,p.32). Allah, the Most High says: And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish Prayer and to give Zakah. And that is the correct religion. (Surah 98: 5). And also: Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you (Surah 22: 37). He also says: Say, Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it (Surah 3: 29). The Explanation An-Niyyahis derived from the heart. It has no concern with the tongue in any matter pertaining to worship. Hence it is said that the one who verbally declared an-Niyyahprior to the performance of an action shall be deemed an innovator. For he is declaring in the DiynofAllah that which is devoid of foundation. It is often entertained upon the minds of the general populace, no - rather upon their tongues: Their intention in [the performance of] certain acts of innovation and matters unprecedented were good.For they did not want to contradict the Shari'ah, and did not assume that they were amending the religion. Furthermore, it did not occur upon their hearts to pursue and arrive upon acts of innovation and matters unprecedented. Rather it is found that the educated ones amongst them derive their actions from his tradition: Indeed all actions are by intention, and for every individual is that which he intended. So whose migration was for Allah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allah and His Messenger. And whose migration was for a matter connected to the world or for a woman in marriage, then his migration is for that which he migrated to. To investigate the validity of their derivation [concerning this matter] and their statements, I say: It is obligatory upon the Muslim to be desirous of acquiring knowledge ofthe truth, arriving upon it and acting in accordance to it. [In addition] not to restrict oneself to particular Prophetic traditions and ignore others. Rather it is imperative upon the individual to look towards the textsin general, so that his rules and directives are close to the truth, distant from error. This [method is applicable] to the one who is competent and able to deduce a ruling [from the Shari'ah]. If however the individual is a layperson, or educated in contemporary academia, distant from the sciences of the Shari'ah, it is said to him in that circumstance: This is not your nest, so go away!! Concerning that individual I say: Indeed the correct statement relating to this matter of importance is his statement: Indeed all actions are by intention. For verily it has arrived in order to clarify one of the two fundamental principles which [all] actions of worship are founded upon: The first fundamental principle: Sincerity in the performance of deeds and truthfulness in matters concealed. So that the deed performed is not for other than Allah, containing no form ofdeficiency. The second fundamental principle: The deed performed is in accordance with the Sunnah. This principle is incorporated in the tradition: Whosoever performs an action, not from amongst our affair, shall have it rejected (al-Bukhaari and Muslim). For it is the 'correctness' that is sought from the servant, accomplishing it in the sum total of his actions and statements. Accordingly, the entire religion is embodied in these two lofty traditions itsfundamentals and branches, outward and internal [aspects]. Hence the tradition: Indeed all actions are by intention... is a balance for deeds concealed. The tradition: Whosoever performs an action is a balance for deeds apparent. Both traditions impose [an obligation] towards assuming a state of sincerity for the One Worshipped, and [a state] of adherence to the Messenger (SwallaLlaahu alayhiwasallam). They are a condition [for the acceptance] of every deed and statement, apparent and concealed. Whosoever is faithful in their deeds for Allah, adhering in the performance of the action to the Messenger of Allah (SwallaLlaahu alayhiwasallam), shall have his deeds accepted. Whosoever was deficient in [either] of the two matters, or in one of them, shall have his deeds rejected(BahjahQuluub al-Abrar, ShaykhAbdur-RahmanibnNaasir al-Sa'diy, p. 10). This is the meaning related from Fudhayl ibn 'Ayaadh in his explanation ofHis statement, the Most High: He may test which one of you is best in deed [Surah 67: 2]. He said: [In relation to the action, it concerns]: It's faithfulness and correctness. Indeed the deed shall not be accepted: If it was [performed] sincerely, but was not correct. [In addition], the deed shall not be accepted: If it was correct but not performed sincerely. It is[deemed]sincere ifitis forthesake ofAllah,the Exalted, theMajestic. It is [deemed] correct if it is in accordance with the Sunnah(Narrated by Abu Nu'aim, Hilyah al-Awliyaa, Vol. 7, p. 95); see (Tafsiyr al-Baghawiy, vol. 5, p. 419).

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen

Fish in Masala sauce
Ingredients 1/2 kg fish (washed with salt or vinegar or lemon) 3-4 green chilies (optional) 1 cup of fresh dhaniya leaves (cilantro / coriander leaves) 1 tsp garlic paste salt according to taste 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder 2 tbs tamarind water 1 large tomato and onion 1 tsp fenugreek Method
Grind all the spices together except Onion and fenugreek. Fry the Onion in oil. Add the grinded spices and fenugreek. Do not cook the fish for a long time otherwise it will become hard

4 4

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

The Friday Bulletin

FEATURE

Striving for health needs of the Muslim community

Islam enjoins preservation of life for mankind as a whole and it is obligatory for Muslims to play significant role in helping to provide better health to all. As part of its social welfare programme and contribution to humanitarian service, Nairobi Jamia Mosque committee in collaboration with Citizens Neighborhood Network in January, 2014 executed one of the most successful medical care and treatment camp. The Free Medical camp was carried out in slums of Lunga Lunga Township, at the border post of Kenya and Tanzania. A total of over 3000 patients were screened and treated, they were diagnosed and dispensed with the appropriate drugs all at absolutely no cost to them. The purpose of this Free medical care program was to supplement the government's and other NGO's efforts in providing the underprivileged community of Lunga Lunga in Kwale county with first class health care and drugs for treatable medical conditions. Among the services offered during the camp included Eye care and treatment, owing to high costs and inaccessibility of eye treatment, the camp was a blessing to majority of the needy population in the entire South Coast region. Over 600 patients were screened and about 120 were prescribed and given Eye Glasses for their vision correction, ailment. The Eye correction glasses were all dispensed free of charge and those with cataracts taken to the Eye clinic for surgery at no cost. Breast Cancer Awareness unit services, the medical camp had a unit that was dedicated to the ''Awareness of Breast cancer'' women had a counseling session to guide them in cases related to Breast cancer. Several women were guided on how to examine themselves for any signs of Breast cancer and also counseled on how to handle life even if one is diagnosed with Breast cancer. Other services provided were Dental services where 338 patients were screened,261 Extractions were done, including wisdom molar disimpactions,12 patients were medicated and 64 were referred for restorative treatments to Msambweni Hospital. Basically majority of the patients treated were those who had simple treatable medical problems. These patients were referred to the General Practice Unit where the Doctors diagnosed their diseases and then prescribed the treatment and necessary drugs. There was the availability of a small laboratory at the camp to better diagnose common pathogens and the costs of the testing reagents were bored. The following tests were availed to the Doctors at the camp: Rheumatoid factor for Arthritis, H-Pylori for Ulcers, Stool for ova and cyst. Urine Analysis, Pregnancy Tests, VDRL for Syphilis, Widal Test for Typhoid, Hemoglobin estimation, AAFB for TB and BUS for Malaria. Pharmacy services were also provided, the patients lined up immediately after the respective Doctor had treated and prescribed them with the drugs. The patients were then queued under lines designated for pediatrics, women only and Men only. The elderly were taken care of and special entrance was ensured for them for quick service delivery. The team that carried out this project consisted of a Medics Team of 27 Doctors, including the Pharmacy Unit,all from Nairobi.An additional 15 Doctors from Mombasa and Msambweni beefed up the team. The Camp consisted of the Dental Unit, Eye Unit, Gynecology Unit, Pediatric Unit, Spine related unit, General Practitioners and the Pharmacy Unit. The prevalence of disease and especially terminal illnesses in the country is at an alarming rate. Cases of cancer are on the increase yet the cost of medical care is also astronomically increasing thus leaving many people lacking access. Muslims have not been spared from this calamity and are suffering equally as other citizens. Jamia has been at the forefront to mitigate against such double jeopardy and through the charity of its Muswalin, emergency collections have been made so as to settle the bills and free the patients. Jamia intervenes so as to alleviate the suffering of Muslims and ensure that they are able to access medical care, special emphasis has been on those who are terminally ill and those requiring advanced medical procedures. Hundreds of patients have been assisted in their cancer treatment, complex medical operations and other general medical needs. The cost of medical care has created an unfortunate phenomenon whereby most patients are ending up with high medical bills which they had least anticipated. This has created a scenario where most patients are detained in hospitals for failure to settle the bills in full. For the pleasure of Allah, Jamia Mosque Committee found it prudent to involve itself in the sector to cater for the health needs of the community.

Chief Kadhi calls for incorporation of Assistant Registrars into judiciary

Chief Kadhi Sheikh Ahmad Shariff Muhdhar has called on the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) to incorporate assistant registrars of Islamic marriages and divorces into the Judiciary. Sheikh Muhdhar said that currently there is confusion on the duties and remuneration of Assistant registrars; where most of them do not know whether they are operating under the judiciary or the attorney general's office. He added that his office together with the judiciary is in the process of streamlining the work of Assistant registrars of Islamic marriages and divorces in the country to serve the Muslim community diligently. Speaking to Friday Bulletin, Sheikh Muhdhar disclosed that after meeting stakeholders and getting their views concerning Assistant registrars, he had written and forwarded recommendations to the judiciary for consideration and implementation. He noted that he would wish to see a situation where Assistant registrars are recognized and incorporated into the judiciary, adding if the recommendations are passed, the judiciary will draw a list of qualifications for those wishing to be Assistant registrars. At the same time, Sheikh Muhdhar has issued an alert over the existence of fake Muslim Marriage certificates in Nairobi and Mombasa cities. Sheikh Muhdhar further said that other than those marriage certificates printed and issued by the government through the Kadhi offices, there are individuals who are printing and issuing similar documents purporting them to be genuine ones. He warned that the culprits will be nabbed in due time and appealed to couples intending to get married and registered to always follow the right Islamic procedures and get genuine marriage certificates from the Kadhis offices and authorized persons.

The Friday Bulletin

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

INTERNATIONAL
Dr Vacy Vlazna The velocity with which the US and EU imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea is equal to the mass of hypocrisy on Israel's creeping annexation of Palestinian land through colonial-settlement expansion. The ongoing expansion is seen as a war crime "falling into the provision of Article 8 of the International Criminal Court statutes". Following the overwhelming vote by Crimeans to secede from the Ukraine and join Russia in the rushed referendum on March 16, US President Barack Obama, on March 20, ordered a second round of soft sanctions targeting a list of key Russian officials, businessmen and bankers, sending ripples of instability through Russia's stock market. Unfazed, the following day, President Vladimir Putin, formalised the annexation into law which was then passed unanimously by the Russian parliament. In parallel, the EU and the Ukraine signed a security and defence co-operation pact with the added sweetener of reduced tariffs to boost Ukraine's debt-ridden economy. Countering the large Russian troop presence on Ukraine's eastern border, the US raised the stakes in the sabre-rattling game. The Pentagon cancelled a military exercise, Atlas Vision, that was to be held in Russia and instead announced the inclusion of US forces in the multinational military exercise, Rapid Trident, that will be held soon in the Ukraine. Israel's illegal annexations When in 1947, the UN grappled with the idea of partitioning Palestine, it was rejected, outright and rightfully, by the Palestinians. Nor were the entire inhabitants under the British mandate granted a referendum, as were the Crimeans on the matter because the indigenous population far exceeded the Zionist immigrants whom the international community favoured. So when Israel - unilaterally - declared the state of Israel, after massacring unarmed Palestinian children, women, elderly and men, destroying over 500 villages and forcefully deporting 700,000 terrified Palestinians, the West did not impose economic sanctions nor lift a military finger to redress the grave violations of international law then. Furthermore, the West ignored Israel's unilateral annexation, on June 28, 1967, of East Jerusalem, including the Old City, that placed its Palestinian residents under Israeli jurisdiction, administration and illegal military occupation as well as ignoring Israel's annexation of Syria's Golan Heights. Both annexations have been deemed invalid by many UNSC Resolutions such as 478, 269 and 497 - all rejected by Israel that, 47 years later, relentlessly fuels its annexation drive by the expansion of its settlement colonies. On March 20, while the Ukrainian crisis unfolded, the Israeli Civil Administration, with Putinesque arrogance, defied the Israeli-Palestinian peace process demand for a settlement freeze, by announcing the approval of more than 2,000 housing units in the illegal West Bank settlements. Today, there are 121 colonies plus 101 offshoot outposts subsidised by the government of Israel and supported by monies from Jews worldwide through rich Zionist organisations like the apartheid JNF"charity" whose provision of illegal settlement housing and leases on stolen Palestinian lands are "chartered to benefit Jews exclusively". Moreover, JNF's racist policies and illegal operations are tax-exempt in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Almost half a million illegal colonists reside in the encroaching settlements. They have the right to bear arms and enjoy the impunity to act as government militia under the protection of the Israeli Occupation Forces. Systematic settler oppression includes torching fields, uprooting thousands of fruit and olive trees, damaging property, arson, poisoning sheep, defacing graves and mosques, illegal squatting, water and farmland contamination by diversion of sewerage, throwing sewerage on Palestinian passer-bys, road blocks, attacks on schoolchildren and school buses, intimidations, beatings, shootings, deliberate hit and run, vile verbal abuse, racist and threatening graffiti. Over the recent months of peace talks, provocative assaults by set-

Western hypocrisy: Crimea and Israel war crimes

tler and military activity against the al-Aqsa mosque has heightened fears of Zionist desecration and judaisation of al-Haram al-Sharif, marked for the site of the Jewish Third Temple as demonstrated in the propaganda film featuring Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon. Billions of dollars to fund the Third Temple are set aside and ready to literally blast away the Dome of the Rock and the holy al-Aqsa Mosque which are under daily threats by excavations below and above by the Zionist religious and settler zealots impervious to the inevitable repercussion of a Muslim conflagration. The judaisation of East Jerusalem is fundamental to Israels annexation master plan to unite East and West Jerusalem as Israels capital. The relentless coercion and the dispossession and displacement of Palestinian residents is executed by the Israeli government, the Municipality of Jerusalem and Elad, the right-wing settler organisation through the revocation of residency rights, absentee property laws, discriminatory taxation policies, home demolitions, transfer of Palestinian residents,. In short - ethnic cleansing in direct violation of Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention: "Any destruction by the Occupying Power of real or personal property belonging individually or collectively to private persons is prohibited." Every day, with every brick laid in the colonial settlements, a war crime is committed as Palestine shrinks before the eyes of the world. The very same eyes that have been indifferent to and complicit with 67 years of the longest brutal occupation in modern history have suddenly flared with indignation for the Russian annexation of the Crimea implemented with the blessing of the Crimean people. Israel's overt and furtive annexation of Palestine is also the annexation of Palestinian dignity, rights and freedoms. However, it is not only the people of Palestine who are injured by the political hypocrisy of Western leaders, all of us are the losers when international law is cynically and deliberately abused and neglected. (Al Jazeera.com)

Scholarship programme for IIUM launched

International institute of Islamic Thought in collaboration with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has launched scholarship programmes to support outstanding Muslim students to further their studies at the university. The programme is set to benefit those from poor backgrounds with outstanding academic performance and high Islamic moral values with the aim of making the students participate in the development of their communities through their respective professions. The programme provided by the institute also acts as a tool for the improvement of the socio-economic status of the Muslim community as whole. It offers students the opportunity to pursue their studies in the faculties of Human Sciences, Education, Law, and Economics. Those to be considered are undergraduate and postgraduate who would benefit from either full or partial financial support in the form of a soft loan to be refunded or repaid by the beneficiaries. Application forms are available online and dully filled forms are to be submitted to the Registrar of academics of the university accompanied with a submission fee of 15 Dollars. Applicants are also required to obtain a letter of recommendation from a well known local Muslim organisation. Applications are open to citizens of East and Central Africa. Interested parties can find more information by visiting this site WWW.IIUM.org.

The Friday Bulletin

Jamaada al Uula 27,1435/March,28,2014

NATIONAL

Dont shun informal jobs, Youth told

Muslim youth have been advised against despising informal jobs as these are also pathways to economically improve on ones livelihood. The advice was given by Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim, the director of Al-Muntada Development Project who reminded young people the importance of engaging in productive activities which have a positive bearing on their lives and the society at large. He said it was regretful that many Muslim youth deliberately choose to stay idle and live on handouts rather than engage in informal employment activities which could help to make their lives better. Speaking during a youth entrepreneurship seminar held at the weekend at Pumwani Riyadha mosque, Sheikh Abdullatif who is also the chairman of the Family Resource Centre said, it was a precarious situation for the youth to remain inactive explaining that such a situation left them vulnerable to be used by wrong elements in the society. Often times with the promise of financial gains, unemployed youth are exploited by politicians for their selfish sinister motives, lured to abuse narcotic substances and become easy prey to be drawn into the criminal underworld. In contrast, for those who are engaged in productive activities, it becomes difficult to lure them to such anti-social behaviors, he said. He further reminded young people to take advantage of government economic initiatives such as the Uwezo Fund and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and also urged Muslim organisations to support the youth in starting off micro and small scale business enterprises. The Sheikh urged young people to embrace small scale business enterprises saying that some of the top names in the corporate world had a humble beginning from informal businesses. He further advised them to use the acquired skills to initiate income generating projects. We are building your capacity with the training, we expect you to move forward and improve on your lives, he said. The seminar featured a presentation by a Narok youth entrepreneur George Moshu who spoke on the concept of making briquettes cheap and environment friendly charcoal which can be used as a viable economic generating project.

Marriage Bill- Muslim rights protected

The controversial Marriage Bill 2013 was last week passed into law by parliament. According to the Secretary General Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Sheikh Mohamed Dor, the three fundamental issues of marriage, divorce and inheritance have been inscribed in the Quran and guidance pertaining them provided by the teachings of the prophet Mohammad (pbuh). He said Muslims are fully protected and assured of their Islamic rights as their issues relating to the three fundamental personal rights are being covered by the Kadhis court as stipulated in the Kenyan constitution. As for the Bill discussed and passed in parliament, Muslims should not be worried because their issues relating to marriage, divorce and inheritance will be covered by the Kadhis court said Sheikh Dor. Regarding the clause requiring consultation before another wife is married which was the bone of contention in the Bill; the Imam said that a Muslim does not need to ask for permission to marry another wife adding that it is a good habit if the husband decides to inform the wife and all wives have equal rights in regards to inheritance. Muslim men need no consent from their wives to marry but equity, fairness and justice needs to be observed to balance the equation he continued. Though Islam allows the marrying of up to four wives, the Quran clearly outlines polygamy as a solution to the pressing social welfare problems. Allah has already confirmed its validity as clearly stated in the Quran Surah 4:3 (An-Nisaa), Marry of the women that pleases you, two, three or four but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with them, then only one. The Quran strongly warns men that if they cannot be just between their wives, they are truly better with only one. Some of the provisions in the Bill which now awaits the president to assent include the compulsory registration of marriages and the clause requiring consultation before marrying another wife. Samuel Chepkonga , the chairman of the Justice and Legal Affairs committee who moved the amendment said that the committee had agreed to introduce a clause in the law that exempted Muslims from any provisions that were inconsistent with Islamic law. This was after Majority leader Aden Duale raised concerns.

Concern over harassment of Likoni residents

Haki Africa, a human rights group, has raised concerns over harassment and victimisation of Likoni residents by police following the brutal shooting and attack of worshippers at Joy Jesus Church that killed six people and several others injured. In a press release, executive director, Hussein Khalid said they had received complaints from residents claiming that the police are breaking into homes and shops arresting people who have no knowledge of what is going on, adding that what the police term as ''swoop'' is a clear violation of constitutional rights and amounts to further widening the gap between the citizens and the police. ''The people who were attacked at the church are now being harassed and victimized at their homes by the police.'' ''This double victimization and attack will not help.'' said Khalid. Khalid stated clearly that they do not support terrorism or criminal activities, pointing out that after the Sunday incident, police should work with the community to collect intelligence and not to further cause pain and anguish to the very same community that has already suffered from the attack. He further said that it is only by working tcogether that the issue of insecurity will decisively be addressed, adding that the police should ensure they do their work with utmost respect of the rights of the people. ''Let us build bridges between the people and the police and not widen the rift.'' Khalid added. Khalid noted that, Haki Africa supports police's investigation to bring the culprits to book, however they are against violation of rights in the guise of investigations, adding that the incident is painful to all people who value life and there was need to boost security to avoid such incidents. He urged the police to make sure those behind the attack were apprehended and charged.

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Ethnic Cleansing of the Rohingya People

Sufyan bin Uzayr Few days back, I read about yet another vicious attack on Myanmars helpless and persecuted Rohingya minority. This time, the venue was Du CheeYa Tan village in the Rakhine state, which lies pretty close to Bangladesh. Just in case you are thinking that the rioters shamelessly justified their misdeeds by claiming that the victims were illegal Bengalis trying to sneak into Myanmar yeah, youre right. Angry Buddhist mobs attack the Rohingya masses (the latter being in minority). Thereafter, the carnage follows: kill, rape, loot, massacre, and so on. This time, news sources claim that members of the Rohingya community had dared to protest against the atrocities after certain local Rakhine officials had kidnapped, raped and killed eight Rohingya women last week. Needless to say, the protesters were rewarded with brutal acts of slaughter. To make matters worse, each time there is an attack on the Rohingya community, the Burmese riot police and army are present in the vicinity of the area, but they choose to act as mute spectators.Of course, the state media claims that nothing big happened, and there were hardly any noticeable instances of violence. United Nations has not described the Rohingya as friendless for no reason, after all. Violence Everywhere! Back in 2012, sectarian violence killed hundreds of Rohingya men and women, and left over 140,000 homeless as entire neighbourhoods were razed to the ground. According to Human Rights Watch, planned campaigns of ethnic cleansing were conducted, and considering the fact that the defaulters were local political and religious warlords, the government chose to ignore such crimes against humanity. In 2013, the riots spread to central Myanmar. BBC reported that Rohingya children were burnt alive, and many of them were filmed being brutally attacked right in front of the police. Arson and killing became the norm, and Human Rights Watch once again reported that the government showed zero interest in punishing the wrongdoers in spite of overwhelming evidence against its own security forces. Most of the anti-Rohingya activities in 2013 were carried out by the extremist 969 Movement of Buddhism, which has repeatedly called for the annihilation of ethnic minorities in Myanmar. In cities such as Lashio and Thandwe, the 969 Movement often circulates pamphlets that are blatant hate speech against the minorities in general and Muslims in particular. Absolute Chaos? Amidst all this, where does the government of Myanmar feature?Siding with the oppressors.The state of Myanmar has defended its armed forces as well as the Buddhist extremists, claiming that their actions against the ethnic minorities are in the best interest of the Burmese nation. In spite of international criticism and laws against religious hate speech, the government of Myanmar has turned a blind eye towards the plight of the Rohingya. Even further, the government repeatedly supports the 969 Movement and affirms its anti-Muslim sentiments. As a result, when word spread about the incidents in Du CheeYa Tan village, the governments spokesperson was quick to react. And to quote the Deputy Information Minister Ye Htut:We have had no information about killings. Yeah, maybe because the authorities were the ones who did most of the killings! This anti-Rohingya bias and hateful stand of the government of Myanmar is not a new concept. Ever since the conflict began, the government has followed a policy of siding with the oppressors. Even more so, the official word used for the Rohingya community is Bengali, hinting at the (false) belief that Rohingya are not ethnically Burmese and thus, deserve to die.A Final Word Ethnic strife and religious conflicts are not a new issue. All around the world, various groups have fought, bled and killed over such matters. However, in case of Rohingya, the story is different in the sense that they are practically helpless. They are too less (in terms of numbers) for their voices to be heard, too poor to have any ounce of influence, and too weak to be noticed by the rest of the world. Make no mistake about it: the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar has all the ingredients of a full-fledged genocide. Religious extremists, hate groups, violent attackers, biased state police and army, as well as an inefficient state you surely wouldnt wish to be a minority in Myanmar! As a result, when the government calls for inquiries and investigations, one cannot help but question the credibility of such processes. More often than not, official inquiries end up claiming that no violence occurred whatsoever, and whatever little damage was done, the Rohingya have none but themselves to blame for it.Thus, if justice is to be administered, a neutral investigation needs to be conducted. Question is: is the international community willing to act, or are we planning to just watch the Rohingya children bleed to death?

Decent Burial for our Dead

As part of its continuance support to the community. Ummah Foundation has in the spirit of enhancing effective social welfare activities to the Ummah, incorporated the services of Sheikh Subki, a diligent religious worker to offer spiritual guidance and support to our brothers and sisters in hospitals and prisons. Sheikh Subki attends to various activities as part of his daily work routine, however his main activities are: 1. Spiritual guidance 2. Counseling 3. Support services such as referral services for clients with very needy cases. Sheikh Subkis main areas of activity are usually the hospitals, mortuaries and prisons. One reason for the spiritual sickness of our society is that so many do not know or care about what is morally right and wrong. So many things are justified on the basis of expediency and the acquiring of money and goods. In recent times, those individuals and institutions that have had the courage to stand up and speak out against adultery, dishonesty, violence, and gambling, and other forms of evil are often held up to ridicule. Many things are just plan and simply wrong, whether they are illegal or not. The menace that results from the crimes and lack of spiritual guidance is drug abuse, mental sickness, thuggery, robbery with violence and high suicide cases. Many end up in mental hospitals, prisons and solitary confinements. Our Sheikh Subki finds his way of getting to their hearts through the continuous visits he makes to the affected institutions on a weekly basis. He has made several visits to Mathare Mental Hospital where the situation is more than terrible for the patients there. The laxity and apathy that is seen there draws one into tears. Quite recently we heard of some mental patients who were escaping from the institution due to non committal and proper care from the service providers. This is one area we need to focus our attention to. We have our brothers and sisters there who apart from the medical and psychological cure they receive, they equally need some spiritual and divine mentorship to help them heal. The same case applies with our prison inmates who equally deserve to be guided spiritually to reform and make changes in their lives. This noble work needs to be fully supported and we call upon all Muslims to participate in making it a big success. Contact us: Ummah Foundation Village Plaza, 2nd Floor, Ngara Rd P.O. Box 58717- 00200 Nairobi Tel:020-2680610/13 Mob: 0734 845277 Email: info@ummahfoundation.net Web: www.ummahfoundation.net

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