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Peter Gould
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hayat@i-mag.org I-MAG is a free online non-profit quarterly magazine. The first issue of the
Ibrahim Babelli [Ibraaheem Baabally]
magazine was published in February 2005; three more issue came on a
Editor and Copy Editor monthly basis. A pause of three months followed for evaluating and renovat-
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Visual Arts Sections Editor I-MAG is an acronym of Islaamic Magazine. I-MAG is pronounced in two syl-
konash@i-mag.org lables; “I” as in “eye” and “mag” as in the first three sounds of magazine.
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Hicham Maged
Islaam, but it also refers to the first speaker pronoun since we hope that we
Ahmad Al-Abdullatif [A’hmad Al‘abd Alta’teef]
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2 | I-MAG Enlighten Your I
Table of
Contents
Photo-Great:
22 - Old & New
- Marrakesh
24 Fair View:
The End of History & Islaam
26 Lofty Toons
17
Sarah
Wonders
Q.
Sarah is a nine-year-
old girl with an in- I knew that Muslims have
quisitive mind. She their own calendar which is different
has a lot of ques- than the one I’m used to. How is
tions about Islaam. that? Is it based on the Birthday of
She attempts to Mu’hammad?
sort out the myth
from the stereotype are calculated from the year Prophet
from the truth. Mu’hammad (P.B.U.H.) immigrated from
When in doubt, she
asks. A. Dear Sarah,
Makkah to Almadeenah which took place
1429 years ago.
In each issue, we That is true Sarah. Arabs Actually the idea to start a different
Some artists would say that art chose of 20. In the years since I have been media styles and techniques.
Peter Gould is a Sydney-born them while others would say that they fortunate to travel through many Muslim
graphic designer and artist. chose art, did you choose art or did countries and am now undergoing a I love trying to interpret script into
Since embracing Islaam in art choose you? Tell us about yourself, process recording and expressing those vibrant and contemporary styles also
2002 his travels and studies your background, and how you became collective experiences through art and incorporating traditional Islaamic motifs
throughout the Middle East have interested in the arts. photography. and elements in unexpected ways.
inspired a unique cultural fusion Recently I’ve been exploring oils and
that is reactive to a world of I was born in Sydney, Australia and have I recall being profoundly moved during acrylics again which I did often when
misunderstanding. spent most of my 25 years living here. my time in Andalusian Spain in 2003; the I was younger which is at once both
I’ve always had a creative streak and a Alhambra in particular had a presence liberating and challenging.
His photography and artwork has passion for the visual arts. that awakened something in me and
featured in several exhibitions encouraged an investigation into the Who is in your mind when you’re in the
locally and abroad including I was particularly drawn to the Islaamic arts. process of creating an artwork? (the
a solo exhibit at The Sydney possibilities of digital expression which layman, the artist, etc)
Children’s Hospital, Randwick, led me to studies in graphic design and Do you have a certain artistic style and
entitled “The Road Less to my current position running a small what medium do you prefer to work I’ve often tried to photograph timeless
Travelled” and a collaboration with design studio and as working as a part- with? scenes, so the viewer is sharing the
international master calligrapher time artist. same enchanted moment as someone
Haji Noor Deen, “Eastern Fusion” In addition to black & white photography else from centuries ago.
I explored a spiritual path in my late I like to explore possibilities in the digital
teens and embraced Islaam at the age realm, often referencing traditional natural There exists a deep beauty and visual
Contact Info:
www.azaan.com.au
Globalisation
&ISLAAM
By Teresa Lesher, Ph.D.*
lesher@maktoob.com
Globalisation is generally seen as an The World Bank (WB) was established Pros and Cons of Globalisation as people develop artificial wants,
economic movement -a worldwide to provide loans to developing countries increases credit-based economies,
process of homogenising prices, to encourage accelerated growth and There are several general benefits of contributes to an unequal distribution
products, wages, rates of interest provide a higher living standard for their globalisation, including the familiarity of wealth, widens economic gaps and
and profits- which depends on the people; the International Monetary Fund and connectedness that geographically inhibits national industry and jobs.
movement of commodities, money, (IMF) was established to give loans to distanced peoples and cultures can
information and labor around the globe. developing countries so that they can experience. Local cultures are gradually lost or
maintain the value of their currencies destroyed (sometimes referred to
More generally, globalisation is a and repay foreign debts; and the World Products, services, and technologies are as cultural imperialism), and the
comprehensive term for the emergence Trade Organisation (W.T.O.) was created becoming standardized, which makes environment and natural resources are
of a global society, a result of advances to lower tariffs and to encourage the travel, trade and communication easier. irresponsibility exploited for monetary
in communication, transportation, and trade of products, services, investments, gains.
information technologies. and the protection of intellectual The legal and monetary systems around
property rights. the world have similarities, allowing Tabb (2007) shares some statistics and
It describes the growing economic, greater communication with shared incidents in criticism of globalisation:
political, technological, and cultural languages. Infrastructures, such as • More than 80 countries had lower per
links between individuals, communities, It is worth noting that the IMF and WB transportation and communication, capita income at the end of the 1990s
businesses, and governments around have certain conditions, or “structural are coordinated and standardised to than they had at the end of the 1980s;
the world. adjustment programs” required by fund facilitate the delivery of products and
recipients: detailed instructions on ideas worldwide. • In countries worldwide in 1960, the
Major Forces in Globalisation required economic changes, with the top 20 percent had 30 times the income
aim to develop free markets through Finally, people have better access to of the poorest 20 percent. By 1999, the
Three major organisations, established privatization, or the selling off of products not available locally, which also top 20 percent had 75 times the income
at the end of World War II, have spurred government enterprises; deregulation, or encourages production, development of the poorest 20 percent;
the growth of globalisation by enabling removing rules that restrict companies; and greater profits.
poorer countries to participate in world and trade liberalisation, which opens • Rich countries negotiate trade
trade and by protecting producing local markets to foreign goods by However, there are also several agreements at the expense of the poor
countries from devaluation of both their removing import/export barriers. recognised adverse effects of countries. For example, the 48 least-
tangible and intangible products. globalisation: it promotes materialism developed countries in the world face
© http://www.sxc.hu/photo/237250
advantages of globalisation while
Interest on loans, which channels wealth protecting us from its harm.
from the poor to the rich, encourages
exploitation of the poor and widens The result is a global community
economic gaps, is strictly prohibited in of producers and consumers who
Islaam. The ’Qura~n states that “God promote just and equitable business in
has permitted trade and has forbidden an atmosphere of mutual service and
interest” (2:275). compassion.
Muslims:
Citizens of the World
By Aisha Stacey*
hmstacey@msn.com
“Read in the name of your Lord Who constructed and provided hospitals,
has created, He has created man from a built libraries and schools, planted tree Islaam comes from the Arabic verb “And I (Allaah) created not the jinn
clot of blood. Read and your Lord is the and gardens and generally advanced salama and means peace, security, and and mankind except that they should
Most Generous, Who has taught by the the name of Islaam with humility, grace safety. The word also means submission worship Me (Alone).” (The Holy ’Qura~n,
pen, He has taught man that which he and generosity. to the One God and thus achieving Chapter of Azaariat, verse 56)
knew not.” (The Holy ’Qura~n, Chapter peace, security and safety.
of Al‘ala’q, verses 1-5) Education was universal. Muslims, One way of fulfilling our obligation to
Christians and Jews studied side Islaam encourages diversity and worship Allaah is to take seriously the
These are the first words of ’Qura~n by side at some of the most famous tolerance and has created no barriers guidelines He has given us – His words,
revealed to Prophet Mu’hammad universities in the known world. to knowledge because of ethnicity, race the ’Qura~n and the Sunnah of His
(May Allaah’s peace and blessings Unfortunately some Muslims are now far or religion. Today we, collectively as a Prophet Mu’hammad (P.B.U.H.) Allaah
be upon him). They began a tradition removed from the true nature of Islaam, planet are in dire need of unity in the Almighty says in the ’Qura~n:
that became embedded in Islaam. as it was practiced by the early Islaamic face of adversity and mutual respect. “O mankind! We have created you from
Read, seek knowledge, and know your generations. a male and a female, and made you into
Creator. Muslims were, and by the grace of nations and tribes, that you may know
Those early generations established Allaah still are global citizens, because one another.” (Chapter of Al’hujuraat,
Islaam urges people to open their minds truth and justice on earth. Islaam has in we believe ourselves to be part of verse 13)
and broaden their horizons. Throughout the 21st century erroneously become a universe created specifically for
Islaamic history Muslims made synonymous with terror and this is not the worship of our Crator. We are all Here, in the simplicity that characterises
advances in medicine and science, the case. different but our purpose is the same. Islaam, we have the essence of Muslims
Muslims and
Globalisation
By Edwin Anthony
edwin@i-mag.org
Generally, when we speak of “Muslims” predominant. They are, in other words, And where it is not, a siege mentality In my perusal of blogs, editorials,
in the context of “Globalisation”, many “assimilationist” in their approach. emerges along with cultural enclaves magazines, and so on, I rarely come
Muslims and non-Muslims tend to that basically reject everything Western. across articles written by Muslims from
consider this phenomenon from the This is to be expected considering the When global issues are spoken about an Islamic perspective that address,
point of how Muslims might fit into the post-colonial dominance of the West amongst Muslims, it is generally in for instance, Western issues from an
general scheme of things. in the global socio-economic-cultural relation to Muslims or the Islamic world. advisory approach. When they do
milieu West (one could say that we are Thus, like much of the rest of the world, speak on non-Islamic related matters,
Those I have spoken to, when asked living not in the ‘post-colonial world’, the Islaamic world is generally focused they simply reiterate viewpoints that
for their thoughts on “Muslims and but the “modern phase of colonialism” on its own issues, or defensive or emerge from a western view of things.
globalization” tend to speak on how that seeks to ossify in institutional discursive when it comes to Western
Muslims might embrace “moderation”, and perspectival form the generic views of them. When they write, they write in a
how they might ‘fit in’, how they might perspectives that inspired colonialism). ‘Western way’, dispassionate, un-
be “more open to Western perspectives” In other words, the world is fast And like much of the rest of the world, poetic, informative as opposed to
or “culture”, or how they might becoming little more than a puddle Muslims are failing to see the relevance charismatic, with little use of rhymes,
“integrate”, amongst others. reflecting the moon that is the West. and potency of their own culturally- proverbs, analogies, amongst others,
Pop-stars, celebrities, writers, artists, inherited perspectives in actually aiding that they might be accustomed to using
Whilst they do, later, speak on the teenagers, amongst a host of others, in the address and resolution of global their own languages and which elevates
need to maintain their culture, the are increasingly taking their perspectival and Western problems. the use of language as a mere tool of
“fitting-in complex” seems to be and attitudinal cue from the West. communication to one of inspiration.
Open Letter
to
By Tanya C. Hsu*
TanyaHsu@mindspring.com
Saudis Perhaps the land. Had I the chance to stay I would
have searched until I found an answer.
Having returned from the Kingdom, Having completed my book on the In Riyadh I used a Saudi friend’s office Sadly, within the Kingdom and
four weeks in an abaya [‘abaa-ah] and Kingdom, I had been invited to the for a fortnight, was treated equally despite access to satellite television,
’hijaab, I am angry and frustrated. Saudi American Interactive Dialogue in and was privy to top-level business newspapers and the Internet, even
Jeddah. Staying to gather material for discussions. Thus began my irritation. Jarir Bookstore has yet to catch up:
As an analyst specialising in Saudi a second book, I met with people from I had expected to return to the U.S., Only travel and photography books, or
Arabia, I knew much of what to expect, all walks of life: Rich, poor, mothers, defensive posture prepared. Since historical biographies of Gertrude Bell
thus covering and not being able working women; the highly successful, September 11, I have tried in vain and Harry Philby were available. Not
to drive were nonissues. Landing in the unemployed, royalty, Bedouin to explain the Kingdom to a country permitting political material available to a
Jeddah I dropped ten degrees body market sellers, and those in between. reluctant to understand or listen, have hungry public belies logic at this stage.
temperature switching from linen to an been the target of attacks, and have
abaya. I met with Saudis by birth, Saudis by had professional difficulty for insisting on I experienced few inconveniences.
choice, and foreigners. I lived with Saudi clarity on Saudi issues. Prayer time forces the habit of pausing.
Four weeks later, I flew through to families, those with domestic help and Time passes differently in the United
Atlanta without removing my abaya, those without. All were open and eager It is acceptable in the US to be anti-war, States as we race from work to school
not only to test American reactions to share their opinions. anti-Bush, or support the Palestinians; to the grocery store to after-school
but because it was comfortable and it is not acceptable on either side of the activities to dinner, housecleaning and
practical. I travelled freely across the country, political spectrum to be “pro-Saudi”. laundry, finally collapsing in exhaustion
an Arab [’Arab] woman alone. Fed having barely spoken to our children
In Riyadh’s Bedu Souk I added a burqua monumental amounts of food in Saudi That is “sleeping with the enemy” or eating in separate rooms at different
[burqu‘] and realised, for the first time homes nightly, unable to escape such “hero worship”. Little of Saudi Arabia, times.
in my adult life, men spoke directly to generous hospitality, I never witnessed is covered in the West other than trade,
me rather than to a physique. That is men separate from women. oil, and proclamations of reform. Families walk together along the Jeddah
respect. corniche, flying kites or riding donkeys,
© http://www.sxc.hu/photo/119883
stop re-emphasising your weaknesses.
You are a dignified people, so take pride Another wife, Aisha [‘a-ishah], fought in
in your country in action, not just spirit. battle alongside men, and Islaam forbids
Explain to the world how you respect racism. How then did it take until 1963
women, how safe and free from crime after riots and protests before blacks
you are, and how family takes priority. were granted civil rights, the end to
segregation, and freedom?
Demand how the U.S., world leader in
murder, rape and domestic violence, Bias remains rampant and races
dare accuse you of human rights still do not mix freely. Why can the
abuses. Ask how Americans can U.S. government attack any Arab
By Robert Jensen*
rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu
Technology technology. Those who question on the car and think through the might argue, we got a handle on that
Religious, national, and economic such declarations are often said consequences. one and banned CFCs, and now the
fundamentalisms are dangerous. to be “anti-technology,” which is a ozone hole is closing. True enough,
They are systems of thought -or, meaningless insult. All human beings Or how about CFCs and the ozone but what lessons have been learned?
more accurately, systems of non- use technology of some kind, whether hole? Chlorofluorocarbons have a
thought; as Wes Jackson puts it, it’s stone tools or computers. variety of industrial, commercial, and Society didn’t react to the news about
“fundamentalism takes over where household applications, including in CFCs by thinking about ways to step
thought leaves off” http://www. An anti-fundamentalist position is not air conditioning. They were thought back from a world that has become
oriononline.org/pages/oo/sidebars/ that all technology is bad, but that the to be a miracle chemical when dependent on air conditioning, but
America/Jackson.html- that are at introduction of new technology should introduced in the 1930s -- non-toxic, instead looked for replacements to
the core of much of the organised be evaluated on the basis of its effects non-flammable, and non-reactive with keep the air conditioning running.
violence in the world today. -predictable and unpredictable- on other chemical compounds.
human communities and the non- So, the reasonable question is: When
They are systems that are deployed human world, with an understanding But in the 1980s, researchers began will the unintended effects of the CFC
to constrain real freedom and justify of the limits of our knowledge. to understand that while CFCs are replacements become visible? If not
illegitimate authority. But it may turn stable in the troposphere, when they the ozone hole, what’s next? There’s
out that those fundamentalisms Our experience with unintended move to the stratosphere and are no way to predict, but it seems
are child’s play compared with consequences is fairly clear. For broken down by strong ultraviolet reasonable to ask the question and
U.S. society’s technological example, there’s the case of light they release chlorine atoms that sensible to assume the worst.
fundamentalism. automobiles and the burning of deplete the ozone layer.
petroleum in internal-combustion This technological fundamentalism
Most concisely defined, technological engines, which gave us the interstate This unintended effect deflated the makes it clear why Jackson’s call
fundamentalism is the assumption highway system and contributes to exuberance a bit. Depletion of the for an ignorance-based worldview
that the increasing use of increasingly global warming. ozone layer means that more UV is so important. If we were to step
more sophisticated high-energy, radiation reaches the Earth’s surface, back and confront honestly the
advanced technology is always a We haven’t quite figured out how to and overexposure to UV radiation is a technologies we have unleashed
good thing and that any problems cope with these problems, and in cause of skin cancer, cataracts, and -out of that hubris, believing our
caused by the unintended retrospect it might have been wise immune suppression. knowledge is adequate to control the
consequences of such technology to go slower in the development consequences of our science and
eventually can be emedied by more of a transportation system based But, the technological fundamentalists technology- I doubt any of us would
© http://www.sxc.hu/photo/481454
religion, nation, capitalism, and high- we see clearly and gather the strength streak in all of us, religious or secular,
technology. But the problem goes to move forward. whatever our political affiliation. We
deeper than the most exaggerated need to stop mistaking cleverness
versions of these systems. What is that path? Tracking the four for wisdom. We need to embrace our
fundamentalisms, we can see some limits -our ignorance - in the hopes
If there is to be a liveable future, turns we need to make. that we can stop being so stupid.
religion as we know it, the nation- When we do that we are coming to
state, capitalism, and what we • Technologically: We need to stop terms with the kind of animals we are,
think of as advanced technology talking about progress in terms that in all our glory and all our limitations.
will have to give way to new ways reflexively glorify faster and more
of understanding the world and powerful devices, and instead adopt a That embrace of our limitations is an
organising ourselves. standard for judging progress based embrace of a larger world of which we
on the real effects on humans and the are a part, more glorious than most of
We still have to find ways to struggle wider world of which we are a part. us ever experience.
with the mystery of the world through
ritual and art; organise ourselves • Economically: We need to stop When we do that -if we can find our
politically; produce and distribute talking about growth in terms of more way clear to do that- I think we make
goods and services; and create the production and adopt a standard for possible love in this world. Not an
tools we need to do all these things. economic growth and development idealised love, but a real love that
based on meeting human needs. recognises the joy that is possible and
But the existing systems have proven the grief that is inevitable.
inadequate to the task. On each • Nationally: We need to stop talking
front, we need major conceptual about national security and the It is my dream to live in that world, to
revolutions. national interest -code words for live in that love. There is much work to
serving the goals of the powerful- and be done if we want that world. There
I don’t pretend to have answers, focus on people’s interests in being is enormous struggle that can’t be
nor should anyone else. We are at secure in the basics: food, shelter, avoided. When we allow ourselves to
the beginning of a long process of education, and communal solidarity. face it, we will realise that ahead of us
redefining what it means to be human there is suffering beyond description,
in relation to others and to the non- • Religiously: We need to stop trying as well as potential for transcending
human world. We are still formulating to pin down God. We can understand that suffering.
questions. God as simply the name we give to * Robert Jensen is a journalism
that which is beyond our ability to There is grief and joy. professor at the University of Texas
Some find this a depressing situation, understand, and recognize that the And there is nothing to do but face it. at Austin and board member of the
but we could just as well see it attempt to create rules for how to Third Coast Activist Resource Center
as a time that opens incredible know God is always a failed project. http://thirdcoastactivist.org/. He is
opportunities for creativity. the author of The Heart of Whiteness:
I want to end by reinforcing the Race, Racism, and White Privilege and
To live in unsettled times -especially ultimate importance of that recognition: Citizens of the Empire: The Struggle
times in which it’s not difficult to Most of the world is complex beyond to Claim Our Humanity (both from City
imagine life as we know it becoming our ability to comprehend. It’s not that Lights Books).
increasingly untenable- is both there’s nothing we can know through
frightening and exhilarating. In that our rational faculties, but that it’s His website
sense, my friend’s acknowledgement essential we recognise the limits of http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/%7Erjensen/
of profound grief need not scare us those faculties.
Photo by
If you have any nice photos
that you would like to share
Mesh‘al Al-Mazyad
[Mish’al Almazyad]
with us, please contact: meshal@3points-ad.com
konash@i-mag.org
Marrakesh
Photo by
Ahmed Bahhodh
[A’hmad Bahhodh]
bahhod@yahoo.fr
www.ahmedbahhodh.com
TheEnd of History
andISLAAM
By Abdelwahab Elmessiri [‘Abd Alwahhaab Almiseery]
What is the view from within- a Muslim’s in the hope of finding a new basis for the natural or physical science model, which like a workshop, and will land man in an
view- on the relationship between Islaam and evolution of a new modernity, one that does presupposes a natural man in the Western iron cage, where everything is calculated,
the West? not necessarily end with the death of God, the imagination. instrumentalised.
death of man, the destruction of nature and a
We have to place the concrete experience veritable end of history. On the concrete social level, this abstract The multi-nationals and the Pentagon operate
of the Muslims with the West in a complex concept takes two concrete forms: economic in terms of a global market that is no different
historical context. The first dialogue between But why do some Western scholars perceive man (Adam Smith and Marx), and libidinal from Weber’s iron cage- a market for one
the West and Islaam was an armed one. this return to our roots as a threat to their man (Freud). The world founded by Western based either on Christian values or on a
well-being? modernity operated in terms of this image of secularised version thereof. They reject this
The imperialist troops of Europe marched man. insane unilinearity and mentality of conquest.
on Africa and Asia, and pounded Muslim I have argued elsewhere that Western
societies with superior military technology. modernity is based on a metaphysics of I am not here referring to the whole Western Muslims can definitely engage in a dialogue
immanence that denies transcendence. intellectual tradition, but to what I term the with those elements. We can all cooperate
Despite the imperialist onslaught, however, “operative paradigm”- namely the paradigm in the attempt to evolve a more humane and
many Arab thinkers called for an adoption The world is seen as self-activating, self- that underlies concrete political, military and complex modernity.
of Western modernity, for it had produced transforming and self-explanatory. The laws economic decisions. Dissenting humanistic
coherent societies with a sense of purpose, immanent in nature are sufficient as a basis and anarchistic voices do not contribute to But there is another form of dialogue; what
stable family structures, humanistic value for explaining both man and nature. This is the formation of the operative paradigm. I have referred to as an “armed dialogue”, in
systems, and impressive technological the basis of Western rationalism. the sense that by resisting we can force the
achievements. To envisage an image of man different from imperialist other to recognise our existence
Within that frame of reference, the sources the one propagated by Western modernity, and our rights.
Western modernity, to use post-modern of man’s motivation and conduct have to be to develop (or even dream of) a modernity
terminology, was logo-centric, based on found within his material self or within natural that would not necessarily result in reification Can you elaborate?
stable epistemological, moral, and signifying laws. In other words, man is reduced to and commodification, and to see the natural The overarching paradigm in modem Western
systems. Imperialism, Zionism, racism, and nature, the human is reduced to the material. sciences as inadequate in charting man’s full civilisation is Darwinism. By it’s very nature it
the genocide of Native Americans were all complexity: to do this is to represent a real cannot accept rational dialogue.
marginalised as mere deviations from an As a result of this process, man began to be threat, for this new image of man cannot be
otherwise wholesome humanistic culture. defined not in terms of his needs, longings, easily accommodated within the restricted Darwinism is committed to evolution, process
desire to transcend, namely not in terms of his parameters of technological rationalism and and survival, its main mechanism is struggle
Looking for alternative modernity: This last full human complexity, but rather in terms of value-free rationalisation. and conflict, and the only way it can resolve
fact encouraged Muslim intellectuals to the simple laws of nature. conflict is through power.
deepen their critique of Western modernity Max Weber predicted that this process, if left
and to reexamine their own Islaamic heritage This accounts for the centrality of the unchecked, will turn society into something Men are either supermen who dominate, or
So does this amount to a clash of cultures? Actually, for me, it is not that sudden. I strategy for a declining west, when everybody
discovered America in 1963, and right away I is asked to erase his historical memory and
The fact of the matter is that there is an discovered the end of history. forget his identity in order to become an
Islaamic culture based on the idea of a economic or libidinal man who trades and
monotheistic God. Islaam is a symbol of all The whole enlightenment project with its view enjoys in a passive way.
those cultural formations that still espouse of the past as a history of backwardness and * Abdelwahab Elmessiri is an Arab
ideas of transcendence. including Western darkness implies a negation of history. The He does not seek reform or change or thinker and writer. He has a Ph.D. in
humanism itself. technological Utopias of the Renaissance are transcendence. But passivity and pragmatism English and comparative literature
all based on an idea of end of history. is for us; the West has its guns. Israel with its from Rutgers University, U.S.A.
So it is not a case of Islaam versus the West. nuclear arsenal is an apt symbol of this end He published scores of books and
It is a case of one civilisation based on the Hegel’s view of history reaches its fulfilment in of our history, of this deconstruction of the articles. Amongst which is “The
denial of transcendence or committed to the end of history. The idea of America as a human and the transcendental. Encyclopaedia of Jews, Judaism, and
Zionism” which has eight volumes
technological rationalism as opposed to any new Zion falls within the same pattern.
and is a result of 25 years research
civilisation advocating transcendence and You spoke in your last book of an Islaamic and critical inquiry with a team of 30
humanism. Fascist ideologies and some revolutionary project What would be its main features? researchers.
ideas postulate an end to history. Walt Part of our Islaamic project is defending
I think this is what Huntington means when Whitman speaks of America, a new Zion, man against secular nihilism and This article is published in
he singles out Islaam and Confucianism in the “scienusing” the past, and terminating history. amorality, technological rationalisation and collaboration with www.elmessiri.com
Thanks to Youtube and Google Video, Rayyan [Rayyaan], their daughter, pious not as popular as the mosque. The show was not flawless though. It
I have been able to bask in the sun of a and outspoken, is a physician and is had goofs such as a mistake in a verse
wonderful comedy. totally different than them. Actually it was him who gave Muslims of the Holy ’Qura~n recited by Baber
the chance to have a mosque by renting in the first episode, or when Sarah tries
Little Mosque on the Prairie, which is There is also Fatima [Faa’timah], who a part of his Parish to them. to pray and jumps right from bed to
now in its second season, will for sure comes from African roots. She runs a the praying carpet without doing the
hit your funny bone, but it will also hit café and also runs on the same track as Ann Popowicz is Mercy’s mayor. Her ablution which is a must before praying.
a raw nerve; Muslims in North America the old Imaam Baber does; they both role in the series is not confined to
after September 11th. think that while equals evil. encounter with Muslims –usually through She also seems to be fatigued and is
her PR officer Sarah- but also encounter praying all the time which is not true.
Zarqa Nawaz, A Canadian from Babers’ daughter, Layla, is a teenager with the issue of women in power. Muslims pray five times a day and the
Pakistani roots, created the series that in struggle to live hip and satisfy her prayer takes less than 5 minutes.
is cantered around a small mosque father’s requirements. Your cheeks will hurt when you learn
in fictitious town in the prairies called about the “Halaloween”, An Islaamic Humanisation through humourisation
“Mercy”. But this is not Babers’ main concern, equivalent of the Halloween introduced is the strategy of the series. It shows
because a new Imaam has arrived, by Ammaar, or when Baber -the over Muslims as normal human beings who
Acting as mini melting pot, Mercy Amaar [Ammaar]. A young, open- protective father -insisted to accompany might be good or bad or in between,
accommodates different types of minded, ex-lawyer, freshly imported from the children- was rewarded with the who have their good side but also have
people. On the Muslims front, there is Toronto is killing Baber with his “lax” greatest deal of candies because flaws which could be funny.
Hamoudi Family. Yasir Hamoudi [Yaasir decisions. everyone though he was disguised as
’Hammoody], the father, does not seem Osama Bin Laden! That was the strategy of Seinfeld
to be very concerned Islaam as much as Non-Muslims include Fred Tupper. A which aimed at normalising the Jewish
he is concerned about his business. paranoid host of the daily radio show Or when Yasir’s mother come from character. Laughing could cure almost
who dedicates his morning program Lebanon and tries to convince Yasir to everything, including misinformation and
His wife Sarah -who works for the “Wake Up People” to incite the town take a second wife and the hilarious -yet even myths!
mayor of Mercy- embraced Islaam against Muslims. On the other hand, meaningful- chaos begins, or when an
but is not that happy with many of its Reverend Magee is so tolerant with open house in the mosque ends up with
teaching. Muslims and admits that his church is an explosion.
The Mainstream
Modest
By Nadia Ali* [Naadiyah ‘Aly]
nadiafreelancewriter@yahoo.com Muslim Woman
We are about to witness a revolution become editors and publishers of great
where Muslim women are bringing the Muslim magazines.
power of iqra into the 21st century. No Such magazines already exist on racks
longer sitting back waiting for someone in shops such as Azizah (U.S.), Muslim
else to produce a medium by which Girl Magazine (U.S.A.), Sisters Magazine
their voices can be heard. (U.K.), and Emel (U.K.).
© http://www.sxc.hu/photo/449023
In the Middle of Nowhere :
Essence of Life in a
Globalised World
By Hicham Maged [Hishaam Maajed]
hicham@i-mag.org
At the threshold of the 21st century, was neither painted with Michael Anglo’s interested in presenting the output of which is the Islaamic creed that man
humanity enters its third phase of the nor Renoir’s brushes. Full Stop! Islaamic Civilisation as in scratching ought to belief in;
undoubtedly dynamic development Tracing back the Roots this surface. Hereby I shall explain the • Law: Allaah legislated sharee‘ah which
which is broadly considered the Accordingly, one can not simply system rationally yet I ought to precede is the Islaamic law that man ought to
consequence of ‘Western Civilisation’ ignore the influential impact of Islaamic this by terminology of the system itself. follow;
that was modelled according to Civilisation upon its successor, the • Messenger: Allaah sent to mankind
sequential notions, starting with western, not merely via preserving and Rationally speaking, I can illustrate prophets and messengers to reveal
‘Renaissance’, ‘Age of Enlightenment’, reviving the heritage of predecessor Islaam as a system that compromises the message; and thus Mu’hammad
‘Industrialisation’ and ‘Western antiquities, but mainly for its prosperous the complexity of human being which (P.B.U.H) was not merely the prophet of
Modernity’ in its successive discourses contribution to the human race exists into a ‘duplex state’; not merely Islaam but also “Seal of the Prophets.”
in the 20th century. development in various realms; either ‘body’ but also ‘soul’. Such dual parts
being scientific, logic or ethic. interact within a homogenous milieu Consequently, sharee‘ah depends on in
Chronology and Terminology where the resultant force of both ‘logic’ two main fundamental sources:
Renaissance is perceived as the Terms like scientific, logic and ethics and ‘spirit’ is bestowed in order for • Holy ’Qura~n: Textbook of Islaam
cornerstone of those sequential might surprise occidental mind and human being to work precisely to fulfil a which was revealed to Prophet
processes that looked back into the leads to another inquisitive question: special mission on Earth. Mu’hammad Mu’hammad (P.B.U.H.);
ancients’ heritage to restore. but how come that an irregular religion • Prophetic Sunnah: Teaching,
that spread by fire and sword of some Nevertheless, such system can not exist ’hadeeths (saying) of Prophet
Nevertheless, it is claimed that ‘Middle barbarians who call themselves Muslims alone; rather an ‘Almighty power’ guide Mu’hammad (P.B.U.H.) that
Ages’ intermediated the ‘Classic to produce such civilisation? it in order to sustain its stability, thus a complementary explained and legislated
Antiquity’ and ‘Renaissance’. Those ‘doctrine’ for soul to believe in and ‘law’ according to the revelation.
ages are known also as ‘Dark Ages’ but Let us explain for whoever might care for his body to follow is ought to be
an inquisitive question rises: were they about understanding because before taught via some ‘messengers’. The reward for fulfilment the goal of
really dark ones? you communicate you should know! creation is not merely urbanisation; in
Now I ought to translate this into the other words welfare of humanity in the
Let us explore the darkness. Whoa! It is Islaam Decoded terminology of the system itself: mundane life, but mainly is considered
not merely a ‘black hole’ in the space of Westerns produced their civilisation • Creator: Allaah the omnipotent of as the validation to get a final reward in
humanity; there are dimmed lights of a according to their system, so rationally, universe and no God except him; the Hereafter and this is the complete
predecessor civilisation named ‘Islaamic Muslims must have sort of system that • Creation: Man is his viceroy for fulfilling worshiping to Allaah.
Civilisation’, was prevailing. Ironically, it persuaded them to do so either. This the mission of urbanising Earth;
is described a dark era just because it system is ‘Islaam’. I’m not as much • Doctrine: Allaah legislated ‘a’qqdah This is an extremely briefed fundamental
A Quiet
Room
By Suzy Fouad* [Soozi Fu-aad]
suzyness@yahoo.com
A quiet room, with only the sounds of And out comes the next awaited guest Moving in slow motion with little or no When the sounds of rain dripping
rain falling progress quickly disappear
Twinkling in the night sky, the stars
A window to look out of and see birds make their entrance I, among multitudes, am shackled in When the blowing trumpet is all that we
chirping, one another they are calling The moon makes its way as well with no dependency, hear
need for repentance
Calling to gather atop the trees in a Dependency on people, comfort, and What will be your answer, did you do
state of tranquillity All of Allaah’s creatures worship him being worry free your part?
flawlessly night and day But when the sun makes its debut
To join together and worship Allaah the entering from the west Did you at least let compassion fill your
All Mighty Couldn’t we humans be the same way When we will no longer await our sky’s heart?
twinkling guests
Over and beyond the sun slowly rises on His grace and mercy bestow us with
the distant sea brains above all creatures * Suzy Fouad was born and raised in Despite being a hard decision socially, it
the U.S.A. to Egyptian parents whose was an easy one spiritually, so she finally
Obeying Allaah the All Powerful, running Yet compared to them we bare the most number one priority was nurturing a started wearing the hijab at fourteen
its daily cause faithfully unpleasant internal features strong religious foundation in her. She years old after much deliberation. In an
came to realize that there would always effort to sort through the emotions that
Finishing its job as it makes its exit to Floating through life in selfish be a weakness in this foundation without occur when making such a commitment,
the west headlessness the ’hijaab. she turned to poetry writing. She has
since gotten married and become an
elementary school teacher.
ISLAAMIC : AnEconomic
FINANCING Boom
By Dania Al-deen* [Daaniah Addeen]
daldeen@gmail.com
The essence of every industry and in order to make clear what can be Unlike Riba that is clearly prohibited, Insurance companies also have many
company lies within finance. Due to categorised as Islaamic. ’garar is permissible to a certain characteristics that are prohibited by
the great influence from globalisation, This topic can be very intense therefore extent. ’Garar refers to selling risky or garar due to their equivocal nature.
Islaamic finance has grown exponentially we will only brush upon the basic ambiguous products. There are many These rulings were put into place to
in recent times. principal’s that led to the development of rulings in Islaam in regards to its extent protect the needs of an individual and
Islaamic finance. of its allowance. During the time of the the society as a whole.
This has caused a great influx of interest Prophet (P.B.U.H.), it was mentioned in
in the subject. It is a vital issue since There are two major prohibited facets; the following’hadeeth by A’hmad and Now that we covered the underlying
it highlights an aspect that is a part of Riba and ’garar. Riba basically can be Ibn Maajah narrated on the authority of significance on why [Islaamic banking
every individual’s daily livelihood; money. defined as interest. This is anything that Aboo Sa‘eed Al’kudry: is necessary, we can take a look at its
is collected or retrieved in excess of evolution from one bank to becoming
There has been controversy in regards to original amount exchanged. There are “The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) has forbidden an international trend flared by
whether contemporary Islaamic finance assortments of verses from the’Qura~n the purchase of the unborn animal in globalisation.
is truly abiding by Sharee‘ah or is it just and’hadeeths that reiterate this concept its mother’s womb, the sale of the milk
another business tactic. such as: in the udder without measurement, the During the last three centuries finances
purchase of spoils of war prior to their and economies were greatly influenced
Attention to this has been manifested Muslim narrated on the authority of Aboo distribution, the purchase of charities and occupied by the West enforcing
due to the similarities in practicality Sa‘eed Al’kudry]: prior to their receipt, and conventional westernised ideologies of
between conventional financing and the purchase of the catch of a diver.” financial markets.
some contemporary Islaamic financing “Bilaal visited the Messenger of Allaah
institutions. (P.B.U.H.) with some high quality dates, In analysing the above’hadeeth, it is safe What caused the spread of Islaamic
and the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) inquired to assume that it is impermissible to sell finance? Firstly, the outbreak of freedom
There may appear to be a fine line about their source. Bilaal explained that entities that are apparently unclear of for development caused Islaamic
drawn to distinguish the two. Both he traded two volumes of lower quality their results. countries to have the opportunities
methodologies will certainly consist of dates for one volume of higher quality. to establish their own system that
many similar characteristics due to their The Messenger of Allaah (P.B.U.H.) said: From a financial perspective this can coincides with their values and beliefs.
nature as financial instruments. “this is precisely the forbidden Riba! Do be applied to investments that are
not do this. Instead, sell the first type of unreasonably risky such as forward, Though, nationalism played a key role in
However, there are fundamental dates, and use the proceeds to buy the future, options, and other derivative the accelerated economic movement,
differences that set them apart. These other.” securities. religion was a significant force that made
basic attributes should be distinguished many turn to Islaam for guidance.
© http://www.sxc.hu/photo/835971
Islaamic financial institutions. that was taken was the creation of the
Dow Jones Islaamic Index established
The first actual modern application by various well known scholars.
was in Egypt by A’hmad Annajjaar. The
seventies was the decade that Islaamic Of course, with these advancements, it
financing became open to the world created a need for technology catered
and many institutions opened such to Islaamic processes for these financial
as the Dubai Islaamic Bank (l975), the assets. Hence, this is one of the factors
Faisal Islaamic Bank of Sudan (l977), causing Islaamic finance to have a
the Faisal Islaamic Bank of Egypt (l977), strong influence with globalisation.
and the Bahrain Islamic Bank (l979). The
trend even spread over the Asia-Pacific As for private sector, Islaamic] banking
with Philippine Amanah Bank and Bank became a booming industry. By 21st
Islam Malaysia Berhad. century there were 200 Islaamic financial
institutions with assets over $160 billion,
The first one that was established in deposits of above $100 billion, and
west was in 1978, the Islaamic Finance more than $8 billion in capital.
House of Luxemburg. This of course
The Pacifism of
Islaam
By Harun Yahya* [Haroon Ya’hya]
info@harunyahya.com
According to the ’Qura~n, war The revelation of the ’Qura~n to Prophet Even establishing their own political another way, God granted permission
represents an “unwanted obligation” Mu’hammad lasted for 23 years. During system did not prompt them to take up for war only for defensive purposes.
which has to be absolutely carried out the first 13 years of this period, Muslims weapons against aggressive pagans of In other verses, Muslims are warned
with strict observance of particular lived as a minority under a pagan rule Makkah. against use of unnecessary provocation
humane and moral values and resorted in Makkah and faced much oppression. or unnecessary violence:
only when it is inevitable. Many Muslims were harassed, Only after the following revelation, the “Fight in the Way of God against those
abused, tortured, and even murdered, Prophet commanded his people to get who fight you, but do not go beyond
In a verse, it is explained that those who their houses and possessions were prepared for war: the limits. God does not love those
start wars are the disbelievers and that plundered. “Permission to fight is given to those who go beyond the limits.” (Chapter of
God does not approve wars: who are fought against because they Alba’qarah, verse 190)
“…Each time they kindle the fire of war, Despite this however, Muslims led their have been wronged - truly God has the
Allah extinguishes it. They rush about lives without resorting to any violence power to come to their support - those After the revelations of these verses,
the earth corrupting it. Allah does not and always called pagans to peace. who were expelled from their homes wars occurred between Muslims
love corrupters.” (Chapter of Almm-idah, without any right, merely for saying, ‘Our and pagan Arabs. In none of these
verse 64) When the oppression of pagans Lord is God” (Chapter of Al’haj, verses wars, however, were the Muslims the
escalated unbearably, Muslims 39-40) inciting party. Furthermore, Prophet
A closer examination of Prophet emigrated to the town of Yathrib, which Mu’hammad established a secure and
Mu’hammad’s life reveals that war is a was later to be renamed Medina, where In brief, Muslims were allowed to wage peaceful social environment for Muslims
method resorted for defensive purposes they could establish their own order in a war only because they were oppressed and pagans alike by signing a peace
only in unavoidable situations. more friendly and free environment. and subjected to violence. To put it in agreement (Hudaybiya) which conceded
to them that they were secure. Istanbul, became a refuge for the much
Furthermore, he visited their churches tortured Spanish Jews. They were never
and declared that they could continue to forced to accept Islaam.” (2)
practise their worship freely.
John L. Esposito, a professor of
In 1099, four centuries after the Religion and International Politics at the
conquest of Jerusalem by Muslims, Georgetown University, makes a similar
Crusaders invaded Jerusalem and put comment:
all Muslims inhabitants to the sword. “For many non-Muslim populations
in Byzantine and Persian territories
Again, contrary to the fears of already subjugated to foreign rulers,
Christians, Saladin, the Muslim general Islaamic rule meant an exchange of
who captured Jerusalem and saved the rulers, the new ones often more flexible
city from invasion in 1187, did not touch and tolerant, rather than a loss of
even a single civilian and did not allow independence.
a single soldier to plunder. Moreover, he
By
Ahmad Alsaggaf [A’hmad Alsa’q’qaaf] Mohammad [Mu’hammad]
ahmadalsaggaf30@hotmail.com
Messenger of Allah [Allaah]
40 | I-MAG Enlighten Your I
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why we spell
Arabic Words
Different than
other Publications?
I-MAG Others
Allaah Allah
Islaam Islam Check our Arabic phonemes transcription
Mu’hammad Mohamad
’Hijaab Hijab
guide to learn how we transcribe Arabic
’Qura~n Qur'an sounds in to the English writing system:
Madeenah Madinah
Makkah Mecca
In Shaa- Allaah Insha'Allah www.i-mag.org/arabic.pdf
Oummah Ummah
’Hadeeth Hadith