tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16675773098888635872024-03-04T22:14:56.169-06:00ThePerfectionistasOn emulating the four perfect women of all times: Asiya (foster mother of Moses), Maryam (mother of Jesus), Khadija (wife of Muhammad S) and Fatima (daughter of Muhammad S). May God's peace and blessings be upon them all. This chronicles one imperfect woman's vicissitudes on that most ambitious trail.Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-19600843916476225592020-02-07T08:22:00.000-06:002020-02-16T11:40:00.862-06:00Pak Feminists, Free Your Colonized Minds Before 'Azadi' March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chanting Chilean protest song "A Rapist In Your Path" in Karachi</td></tr>
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Organizers of the upcoming Aurat March promoting Western solutions to Pakistani women's problems should be required to watch popular American tabloid talk shows from the turn of the century. </div>
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These (addictive!) talk shows like Maury and Sally are available on the Internet and explore the horrendous problems that began seriously afflicting American families just a generation after the 1960's and 1970's women's liberation movement succeeded in mainstreaming miniskirts, sex outside of marriage, and abortion as part of their struggle for equal rights. </div>
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Some of the episodes are "Five Men DNA Tested For My Daughter...Who's Her Dad?" "I'm Only 12...and I'm Pregnant," "Mom Stop Lying To Me...Is This Man My Father?" "Woman Needs Child Support, Man Insists He's Not the Child's Father," and "Abortion Survivor Meets Her Birth Mother" to name a few.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maury</td></tr>
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Of course, these issues are as old as time but they've become widespread now and guess who's suffering the most: women. Articles like "Liberated and Unhappy," "Gains In Women's Rights Haven't Made Women Happier," and "Has Modern Feminism Failed Us?" in the Western media reflect this reality.</div>
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It's unfortunate that 70 years on, organizers of the Aurat March in Pakistan are following in the footsteps of the failed sexual revolution of Western feminists. These Pakistani feminists want to create a society where women can wear whatever they want, have sex with whomever they want (male or female, married or unmarried), abort unwanted pregnancies whenever they want, all without any legal, religious, and social restrictions or judgment all the while ignoring the devastating consequences it will have on Pakistani society like it had on the West.</div>
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Indeed, Aurat March organizers have no qualms about shamelessly copying their Western counterparts to a T, from the date and name of the demonstration to the placards, lingo, and activities on display that day. </div>
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For example, American socialists first commemorated Women's Day on March 8, 1907, and it was picked up later by the feminist movement in 1967 and then the United Nations in 1975. Even the name Aurat March, held for the first time in Pakistan last year, is the Urdu translation of Women's March, which was organized by American women in 2017 in response to the election of U.S. President Trump. </div>
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While their manifesto incorporates some important local issues like ending enforced disappearances and freedom for Kashmiris, its demands for Pakistani society to accept the queer lifestyle and sanctify abortions completely contradicts the principles of most Pakistani women. In fact, slogans chanted last year like "Mera Jism, Meri Marzi" (My body, My choice) is from the mouths of American abortions rights organizations like Planned Parenthood and repulsive to most Pakistani women. Even the characters on last year's Aurat March placards, like Rosie the Rivetor who is an American cultural icon of WWII, were stolen from the West. Couldn't the organizers find any inspiring Pakistani sheroes to display on their posters?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"My Body, My Choice" placard at Women's March in Washington 2017</td></tr>
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This year will likely be more of the same. In February the Aurat March team released an Urdu version of a Chilean protest song called "A Rapist In Your Path" and performed it in Karachi with the same style and movements done in the Americas and Europe. It's sad that they couldn't come up with their own original anthem.</div>
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Nothing can explain this self-destructive aping behavior other than that these women suffer from a severe case of Stockholm syndrome, where the oppressed fall head-over-heels in love with their oppressor. Aurat Marchers emulate everything related to their Western dominators, who not only once ruled, exploited, and raped their lands but continue to colonize their minds through education, language, and multi-media.</div>
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No doubt, like all women around the world, Pakistani women suffer tremendous difficulties that need proper solutions. If Aurat Marchers only focused on offering organic fixes to issues afflicting the common Pakistani woman, they would gain more respect, support, and long-term success. One of their own, Pakistani feminist and poet Kishwar Naheed, made that same suggestion when she criticized last year's march for not reflecting Pakistani "culture and traditions." </div>
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Hopefully, Pakistani women who have healthy decolonized minds, who honor their country's religious ideals, and who work year-round for the betterment of Pakistani society will come out on March 8 in a counter demonstration to show them how it's done.<br />
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<i>If you look, you're sure gonna find</i><br />
<i>Throughout mankind's history</i><br />
<i>A Colonized Mind</i><br />
<i>The one in power makes law</i><br />
<i>Under which the colonized fall</i><br />
<i>Without God, it's just the blind leading the blind</i><br />
--"Colonized Mind" by Prince<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-59641873450750611732020-02-05T19:04:00.000-06:002020-02-06T09:57:41.203-06:00Empire Can Form A UNITED States or a European UNION But No Alliance for Asians?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If three black men can't congregate on the street corner without American cops showing up to bust them, five Asian countries with a combined population of 2 billion attempting to form an alliance better beware.</div>
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Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Mohammad Ali Hosseini suggested a union between Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, and China to foster development and progress during a speech at the Islamabad Strategic Studies Institute Tuesday, and already Wednesday Western media outlets were in a "panic." "World War 3 Panic: US alert As Iran Call for Alliance with Pakistan, Russia, and China," screamed one headline. </div>
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In actuality, the West doesn't have a problem with black folks or Eastern countries getting together, it's when they do so independently and without Empire's leadership or control. No doubt, Empire will do everything to prevent this bloc from forming, but unity can be accomplished through wisdom and perseverance.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-41245392870841960032020-02-02T22:21:00.001-06:002020-02-03T14:38:33.515-06:00Saudis Bar Iran From Monday’s OIC Meeting on Palestine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Will Pakistan Boycott It For “Dividing the Ummah”?</h2>
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The Pakistani nation suffered much humiliation in December when its Prime Minister Imran Khan ditched in the eleventh hour a summit in Kuala Lampur to discuss Muslim issues after being summoned by Saudi Arabia and told to skip the meeting. Saudis said the Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation should be the only platform to discuss problems afflicting the Muslim world, and the Kuala Lampur summit, which included Saudi rivals Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, was sabotaging Islamic solidarity and would split the ummah, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmoud Qureshi.<br />
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Now that the Saudis are deepening rifts in the ummah by refusing to issue visas to the Irani delegation planning to attend the February 4 emergency OIC meeting on Palestine, will Pakistan boycott OIC like it did Kuala Lampur? Of course not, because the Pakistani government does not make decisions on principles but rather under pressure from America and its Arab puppets like Saudi Arabia. Khan is in Malaysia now in a face-saving trip that is too little too late.<br />
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The absence of Iran from the OIC meeting is a blow for the Palestinian cause, and it should concern Pakistan as the OIC response to Palestine will be a precursor to how it handles the Kashmir crisis.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-7486598613449482842020-02-02T09:23:00.000-06:002020-02-02T12:58:49.227-06:00Trump's State of the Union Tuesday to Announce "Great American Comeback" (from the Middle East?)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Will President Trump's February 4 State of the Union address on the so-called "Great American Comeback" be about American troops finally coming back from the Middle East? Now that would be great!<br />
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Some observers say the military-industrial complex embedded in the U.S. government and pressure from Israel has been obstructing Trump's attempts to fulfill his campaign promise to end the "endless wars" in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, Trump's had to turn to the playbook of a "clown" in history to get things done this election year. That person is Bahlool, also known as "the wise fool of Baghdad," who was an honorable judge in ninth century Iraq. Bahlool pretended to go insane so he could gain public support for just causes without reprisal from the corrupt in power.</div>
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Optimistically speaking, everything Trump's been doing in Iraq since the New Year seems looney unless it's part of a circuitous plan to outmaneuver war hawks surrounding him and get U.S. troops home by hook or by crook. Trump killed off top military commanders of regional super power Iran and neighboring Iraq at Baghdad airport on Januray 3 and then not only took responsibility but also taunted them by boasting, "I killed two birds with one stone." This got the only reaction expected from the proud Iranian leadership: We will avenge these deaths by expelling all U.S. forces from the Middle East. Iran's allies were equally irate and advised American military to go back or be sent home "in coffins." </div>
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So far an American base in Iraq was destroyed, scores of U.S. troops injured, and an American military plane mysteriously crashed in Afghanistan that was reportedly carrying CIA officers who orchestrated the original assassinations. The Iraqi Parliament voted for the first time to expel U.S. forces from their country and millions of Iraqis have protested on the streets to demand the same. </div>
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Trump's immediate reaction was tweeting "All is well!" and later trivializing American soldiers' traumatic brain injuries as "headaches," neither of which makes any sense. If Trump is like Bahlool, then he's talking and acting in code to outrage and wake up the masses to "bring 'em home." But if it turns out Trump's more like the Jester of Genocide with chaos, mayhem, and war on his mind, then the world is in serious trouble.</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-6259407991009796732020-01-29T21:35:00.000-06:002020-02-01T21:47:31.048-06:00A Salute To Those Uniting Muslims Despite Backlash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">A women I met on our <a href="https://www.ziyaratgroup.com/" target="_blank">Ziyarat Group</a> trip last month told me this true story: Her family was nestled in their seats, ready to embark on their much-anticipated pilgrimage to Iraq when her husband called a relative to say good-bye.</span></span></div>
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"So you're going to Iraq to get a mutah (temporary marriage)?" came the reply on the other end from the chuckling professional, who like her husband is Sunni as are most of their family and friends.</div>
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"Um, no. That's not part of my school of thought," her husband replied, clearly shook up and spirits dampened. That's not the response he was expecting from a loved one who knew he was going to visit the sacred lands and resting places of important people connected to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S).</div>
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That was a lower blow than usual but she said her spouse is used to everything from snarky remarks to personal attacks to shouting matches with family and friends because of his willingness to understand and communicate other Islamic perspectives for the sake of unity among Muslims.</div>
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What a growing number of brave souls like her hubby realize is that unity is essential for Muslim survival, sticks and stones notwithstanding. Scholars, political leaders, and journalists in the Muslim world--though still a drop in the ocean--are slowly but surely making moves to unite the hearts of Muslims, a precursor to any type of alliance in fighting enemies and developing progress, With 27 million Muslims killed so far in the American War on Terror, isn't it time all Muslims follow the Quranic injunction: "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided"? (3:103)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">Unity is more important now that a Muslim leader, Iran's Supreme Leader Imam Sayyid Ali Khamanei, has publicly picked up the gauntlet in response </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">to the American assassination of Irani General Qassim Suleimani and comrades </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.4px; text-align: justify;">and vowed to lead the region in expelling U.S. military forces. But Imam Khamanei also warned that "t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">his ideal [unity] has dangerous enemies" because "Islam rejects oppression, domination, and arrogance." Opponents of Islam know better than Muslims themselves that differences are surmountable and all Muslims "would accept Iran as the leader of a new caliphate" to rid the region of "Israel and the West," as Zionist Eric Stakelbeck predicted in a 2011 article for Christian Broadcasting News.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #606163; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">Unfortunately, some of the most toxic enemies of unity come from within: Muslim friends, family, colleagues, and followers who mock and abuse those who encourage love, tolerance, and cooperation among Muslims for the sake of God. Imam Khamanei himself has faced hate from fellow Shias who claim he's appeasing Sunnis by encouraging Muslims to pray in each other's mosques and prohibiting Shias from insulting Sunni icons like wives and companions of Prophet Muhammad (S). </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #606163; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14.4px;">Other examples:</span></span><br />
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Liaqat Baloch, Deputy Amir of Jamaat -e- Islami poltical party in Pakistan, got attacked on Twitter by his own followers earlier this month for leading a delegation to Iran to pay condolences for the martyrdom of Suleimani, who they wrongly consider the architect of Sunni genocide in Syria. </li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Scholar Syed Jawad Naqvi, chancellor of Jamia Urwa-tul-Wusqa in Lahore, made many enemies amongst fellow ulema for allowing scholars of other sects to speak freely at his annual unity conference in November 2019. Opponents of Naqvi are sadly some of the crudest trolls on social media. </li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Popular Pakistani scholar Tariq Jameel, disparagingly called a "shia-lover" by some, was publicly chastised by scholars of his own school of thought and forced to answer humiliating questions in a July 2018 interview held to determine whether the news circulating on social media that he was converting and encouraging his followers to become Shia was true or not. </li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas reportedly got heat from members of his own party for traveling to Iran to attend the funeral of Suleimani, who he hailed a martyr of Al Quds.</li>
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<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Scholar Sheikh Ahmed Kerina of Al Azhar University in Egypt was temporarily suspended by university officials in 2014 for visiting a Shia seminary in Iran where he presented a project of cooperation between the two schools to combat extremism.</li>
<li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0.25em 0px;">Saudi Scholar Salman al-Awda has been imprisoned since 2017 by his government for encouraging reconciliation between Muslim countries after Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt imposed a boycott against Qatar for its close ties with Iran. "May God harmonize between their hearts for the good of their people," was his fateful tweet.</li>
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In North America, scholars and intellectuals at the Institute for Contemporary Islamic Thought have persevered for 40+ years to foster unity among Muslims, despite facing hate and rejection from other Muslims. These trailblazers include Zafar Bangash, president of Toronto's Islamic Society of York Region, Crescent magazine editor Afeef Khan, and scholar Imam Muhammad al-Asi, who has dedicated his life to bringing Muslims together through his Friday khutbahs given outside the Islamic Center of Washington. Imam Abdul Alim Musa of the Al Masjid Mosque in Washington D.C says he got kicked off the speaker circuit of Islamic conferences years ago for his support of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.</div>
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No doubt, mockery and ostracism hurt more when they come from those close to us. This work is not for the faint of heart. People who put their relationships, careers, and peace of mind on the line to unite the ummah per God's instructions need to be respected and honored.</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-34958715411323613672020-01-22T11:12:00.001-06:002020-01-22T11:13:22.579-06:00Will Pakistan Be First To End US Dominance In Post-Suleimani Era? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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While thronging Irani and Iraqi mourners stole the spotlight after Americans killed off their top generals, little global attention was paid to how much the assassination inflamed neighboring Pakistanis, perhaps enough to turn simmering anti-US sentiment into a revolution that finally casts off decades-long American dominance.<br />
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Iran's Supreme Leader Imam Sayyid Ali Khamanei and the rest of the Axis of Resistance vowed straight away to avenge the assassinations by "ending the corrupting presence of America in the region" and tens of thousands of Pakistani voices echoed the sentiment, even though their government itself refused to condemn the killings and apparently banned media from referring to the slain as martyrs.<br />
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Influential Pakistanis, including politicians, military officials, scholars, political activists, and journalists across the country, took it upon themselves to give bellicose speeches upbraiding American foreign policy while youth torched American flags and chanted anti-American slogans at rallies and women clutching babies in even the tiniest villages lit candles at vigils held to commemorate the January 3 assassinations of Irani General Qassim Suleimani and comrades.<br />
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"Pakistan is indebted to Hajj Suleimani," Allama Syed Jawad Naqvi, Chancellor of Jamia Urwa-tul-Wusqa, expounded at a gathering in Islamabad he helped organize to protest America's assassinations and policies in the region. After wreaking havoc in Iraq and Syria ISIS (Daesh) had announced its plans to move towards Pakistan and Afghanistan on its way to Iran, and some factions in Islamabad were ready to welcome it, Naqvi said. "But Hajj Suleimani put his hand on Daesh's neck and did not let it take a single step towards any other Muslim land. Why did they kill Hajj Suleimani into bits and pieces? Because he tore apart [America's] schemes in the region into bits and pieces."<br />
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Other prominent protestors:<br />
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<li>Pakistan Muslim League (N) Leader Khwaja Asif lambasted Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan during a Parliament session on January 6 for failing to stand by Iran. He accused Khan of making foreign policy decisions based on"fear" and "blackmail" from America and Saudi Arabia.</li>
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<li>In a GTV Network interview on January 10 former Pakistan National Assembly member Syed Raza Abidi of Pakistan's People's Party said he's returning to the political arena "because my country needs me," and he wants to "help defeat American plots" in the region. </li>
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<li>Former Pakistani Army Chief Mirza Aslam Baig, whose picture with young Suleimani getting military training in Cherat, Pakistan, in 1989 is circulating on social media, called Suleimani a "friend" during a protest organized by Muslim Unity Forum in the nation's capital of Islamabad on June 5. He said "we should unite under the guidance of Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (S) and ready ourselves to challenge our enemy (American government and its foreign policies)."</li>
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<li>Thousands of Sunnis and Shias attended Murdabad America (Death to American Hegemony) rallies in major Pakistani cities in the days after the assassinations. Mufti Sayyid Ashiq Hussain said at the march to the American Consulate in Lahore: "America [government] is not only an enemy of Iran but also of Pakistan and all of the Muslim world. Pakistan should stand with Iran. This one martyrdom has united and awoken us all."</li>
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<li>Deputy Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Liaqat Baloch led an 8-member delegation to Iran on January 14 to offer condolences to Irani political and religious leaders. Baloch had spoken the previous week at the Islamabad rally. "We have to take revenge on the enemy's of Islam, humanity, and Muslim unity." Thirty-five religious organizations plan to meet soon in Lahore under the banner of the National Alliance for Religious Harmony to strategize on how to deal with "new threats to Islam."</li>
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Indeed, the assassinations may be the spark that burns down perennial American subjugation in Pakistan. This nation usually ranks top three in Pew polls for strongest anti-US sentiment thanks to the devastating consequences of "friendship" with America, especially during the last 40 years of U.S. adventurism in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Khan, who had promised while campaigning to stand up to U.S. dominance, lamented in 2011 that "ours is perhaps the only country in history that keeps getting bombed by our ally."<br />
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Independence has been an evolving process for Pakistanis, starting from day one when millions put their lives and wealth on the line to create a land where Muslims could live according to Islamic teachings. Intellectuals like Allama Iqbal urged Pakistanis to continue the struggle and break away from neocolonial rule. After suffering for decades under corrupt puppet governments, Pakistanis thought voting in an outspoken leader like Khan would bring independence, dignity, and prosperity to themselves and their Kashmiri neighbors. But it didn't, and in fact the opposite happened.<br />
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At this point, enough Pakistani people seem to realize that the only path to freedom is through themselves. If they're looking for a bit of direction, Iqbal showed them nearly a century ago where to turn.<br />
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<i>Dekha hai Malukiyat-e Afrang ne jo Khwab</i><br />
<i>Mumkin hai ki Us Khwab ki Tabir badal Jaye</i><br />
<i>Tehran ho gar Alam-e Mashriq ke Geneva</i><br />
<i>Shayad Kurra-e Arz ki Taqdir Badal Jaye</i><br />
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Imperial dreams of the West<br />
Could become dashed<br />
If Tehran becomes the Geneva of the East<br />
The fortunes of this hemisphere might turn<br />
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The crude assassinations catapulted Iran into the spotlight, and it responded by vowing to lead the region to freedom from American subjugation. It's up to Pakistani scholars like Naqvi--one of the best leaders Pakistan has produced in decades--to channel people's renewed enthusiasm into a new reality that helps achieve that goal.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-15882487343165383482020-01-17T16:13:00.001-06:002020-01-19T19:40:21.488-06:00Don't Let Empire Sabotage Post-Suleimani Resistance Like It Did Arab Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The outpouring of emotions and people onto the streets of the Muslim world and beyond after the American assassination of Irani General Qassim Suleimani and comrades was so serendipitous that Iran's Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Khamanei called it a "day of God" in his historic sermon during Friday prayers January 17 in Tehran.<br />
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"The day of God means seeing the hand of God in the events - the day when tens of millions in Iran and hundreds of thousands in Iraq and some other countries came to the streets to honor the blood of the commander of the Quds Force," Khamanei said.<br />
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Resistance and revolution are definitely in the air, not only in Iran and Iraq but everywhere the heart beats for peace and justice. The last time Muslims rallied in similar numbers was during the 2011 Arab Spring, which was ignited by the self-immolation of an impoverished Tunisian street vendor. People hit the streets to bring down U.S.-backed dictators and the havoc their decades-long imperial rule had wrought in the Middle East. Within months, U.S. puppets in Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon were booted and regimes in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, and Jordan were under pressure.<br />
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But Empire struck back fast and furious then, and it's doing the same now, vehement in its desire to maintain hegemony over the Muslim world. It's important we study the tactics used to subvert the Arab Spring so we avoid falling in similar traps today, some of which are already underfoot.<br />
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US and its allies "employed a number of simultaneous tactics to sabotage the Arab Spring," according to a 2012 opinion piece in the Muslim Village. "These included: (1) instigating fake instances of the Arab Spring in countries that were/are headed by insubordinate regimes (2) co-opting revolutionary movements (3) crushing pro-democracy movements against “friendly” regimes; and (4) using the age-old divide and rule trick by playing the sectarian trump card of Sunnis vs. Shi’ites, or Iranians vs. Arabs."<br />
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American think tanks like the Brookings Institution is already predicting (hoping?) the assassinations will be "plunging the region into a chaotic abyss."<br />
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There are signs, however, that this time things will be different. Here are three:<br />
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1. There is a single apparent leader this time, Imam Khamanei, who has 30+ years experience leading the fight against imperialism.<br />
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2. The goal of the movement is concrete and clear: remove U.S. military presence from the region.<br />
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3. Martyr Suleimani fought down imperialism wherever it was needed, from Yemen to Palestine to Turkey, regardless of the people's race or religion, and is a unifying figure among Sunnis, Shias, and Christians as well as Arabs and non-Arabs.<br />
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In fact, even U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the hit, can fall in line with Suleimani on this one.<br />
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Trump just a few months ago: "Time to bring 'em home!"<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-84040043410131258032020-01-15T12:20:00.001-06:002020-01-16T08:21:05.264-06:00Ditch Muslim Scholars Mute on Iran War<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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You'd think it was U.S. scholars and not U.S. soldiers who hit the bunkers last week when missiles went flying after U.S. President Donald Trump's de facto declaration of war on Iran.<br />
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Usually tripping over each other to be the first to condemn/support the social issue du jour, influential American Muslim scholars' voices were nowhere to be heard in the aftermath of Trump's drone assassination of top Irani and Iraqi military brass on January 3.<br />
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That's even though the martyrdoms of Irani General Qassim Suleimani and Iraqi Commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis shook the Muslim world to the core, bringing millions to the streets to mourn and seek vengeance for heroes who protected the shrines of holy personalities from ISIS and buried the terror group in Iraq and Syria. Iran swiftly retaliated by destroying U.S. military base Al-Asad in Iraq--the first time a country has attacked America since WW2--and vowing to kick out all U.S. military presence in the region.<br />
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After bombing to bits Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Somalia in front of our very eyes, America now declared war on Iran and threatened to attack 52 of its cultural and religious sites, which could include the shrines of family and companions of Prophet Muhammad (S), and not even a tweet out of our so-called Muslim "leaders"?<br />
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Where were Yasir Qadhi, Omar Suleiman, Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir and all the other scholars who otherwise love pontificating on "social justice" and "standing up for justice" in Islam.<br />
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Upon hearing about the assassinations--considered an act of war by international standards--these scholars should have immediately organized, strategized, and mobilized to educate and guide Muslims, the American public, and the U.S. government on understanding the geopolitical situation, avoiding further conflict, bringing home our troops, and working towards peace and justice for all.<br />
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But, as usual, our most influential leaders are silent when it comes to PREVENTING death and destruction. It's later that they like to show up to guilt-trip us into donating to their favorite charities and love getting their pictures taken flying around delivering water bottles and blankets to desperate war refugees.<br />
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Here's Shaikh Omar Suleiman in a 2019 video appeal for donations to Yemen: "I want to focus on the name of an organization Human Concern. If the Prophet (S) was alive and he saw the image of the young Yemeni child whose rib cages were so pronounced and then dying because they don't have proper food and drink, what do you think the Prophet (S) would do?"<br />
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Please tell us, Sheikh, what Prophet Muhammad (S) would do. Would he be running around trying to save babies drowning in the river or would he have been upstream stopping those throwing babies in the river in the first place?<br />
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From his Facebook status updates (which did not mention the Iran flare-up at all), we know Shaikh Yasir Qadhi was in Turkey passing out winter packs to refugees from the previous war while we were on the brink of World War III.<br />
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"If only I could explain how sad their stories are and how pathetic the situation is," Qadhi wrote. "On average, they [Syrian refugees] have been living in shanty tents for around five years, with no idea of what awaits them next. They rely almost totally on aid to survive."<br />
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Qadhi added: "We desperately need more funds to deliver more packs."<br />
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A breath of fresh air, Imam Muhammad Al-Asi of the Islamic Center in Washington D.C. is one of the few Muslim leaders in America who discussed the assassinations during his January 3 Friday khutbah. He lamented that not enough people speak up on issues afflicting the Muslim world.<br />
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"There are no Abu Dharr's [an outspoken companion of Prophet Muhammad (S)] in today's world," Al-Asi said.<br />
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The first step to fixing our problems is booting spineless, gutless "scholars" from leadership positions, according to Al-Asi.<br />
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Al-Asi: "You go to their [scholars who are silent] functions. You attend their programs. You are part of the crime. It's not easy to say this. It's the fact and it is the reality. Some humans can speak truth to injustice and others remain silent. If this continues like this there will be other martyrs. If you continue to be silent or passive to all of this, you will be on the wrong side of this issue. I don't care how you perform your prayers or which masjid you go to. The marytrdom that has taken place is a testimony to all of you who have been absent in reality.<br />
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Do we want to kill ourselves with our silence in addition to their bullets and bombs?" </div>
Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-83836264002275269242019-10-04T11:22:00.002-05:002019-10-05T23:55:37.802-05:00Scandalous New Indian Film "Aisha" Aimed at Dividing Muslims <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Muslims from all schools of thought are strongly condemning an upcoming film called "Aisha" falsely based on the life of one of the Mothers of the Believers or wives of Prophet Muhammd (S).<br />
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A 17-second trailer for the film was released this summer and indicates the production will be even more blasphemous than British writer Salman Rushdie's book "The Satanic Verses." Controversial personality and UP Shia Waqf Chairman Waseem Rizvi of Lucknow, India, produced the film starring actress Sonam Tripathi and set to be streamed in 2020.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waseem Rizvi</td></tr>
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After public outrage from Sunnis and Shias alike, the Delhi Minorities Commission issued a notice calling for a hold on the film even though Rizvi claims the film's trailer's been doctored.<br />
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“…This is a gross insult and sacrilege of highest order which will inflame millions of Muslims not only in India but also in many countries across the world," said commission chairman Zafarul-Islam Khan.<br />
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The enemies of Islam and Muslims have lately gone into overdrive to create divisions between Shias and Sunnis, aiming to disrupt the growing harmony and unity--especially political unity--among the different Muslim schools of thought. British secret service M16 has been leading this cause, funding "scholars" and leaders in the Shia community worldwide to make disparaging statements against the Companions and wives of Prophet Muhammad (S) during their sermons, speeches, and educational programs. The Shirazi family of "scholars" from Iran and "Imam" Tawhidi in Australia are stars of this despicable and unIslamic movement.<br />
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Muslims should take this opportunity to unite against this movie as well as any other forum (including mimbars!) where the Companions and wives of Prophet Muhammad (S) are disrespected.<br />
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"Shias should be foremost in standing up against this [fitna] so it doesn't become a sectarian issue," Ustadh Syed Jawad Naqvi, chancellor of Jamia Urwa-tul-Wusqa in Lahore, said in his October 4 khutbah [sermon]. "Shia scholars especially should not be silent. If they don't teach Waseem Rizvi a lesson, there will be other Waseem Rizvis and the fitna will spread."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ustadh Syed Jawad Naqvi</td></tr>
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Such disrespect has been one of the biggest barriers between Shia-Sunni unity and has been prohibited by Supreme Leader Imam Khamanei. Both Shias and Sunnis should know this.<br />
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“Insulting figures and symbols celebrated by Sunni brethren, including the wife of the Prophet (S) of Islam [Aisha] is prohibited," Imam Khamenei pronounced in a 2010 fatwa. “Disrespecting the pure wives of the Prophet (S) should be avoided. The Prophet’s (S) wives are all respectable; anyone who insults any of them has insulted the Prophet. I resolutely declare this offensive. The commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A) treated her eminence Aisha in such a respectful manner."<br />
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Once a speaker who had been invited to a large Muharram gathering in my friend's backyard started insulting the first three khalifas. The women listening from the second floor of the house started throwing down notes ordering the organizers to halt the speech and kick the speaker out. Thanks to these wise and active women, he was never seen in that town again.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-24835795947651274712019-10-03T12:00:00.001-05:002019-10-03T12:56:01.799-05:00FATF's Ruling Pakistan, PM Imran Khan's Only the "Stooge" He Promised Never To Be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As the Pakistani government goes into overdrive unveiling one major policy change after another to avoid getting blacklisted later this month by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), it becomes clear that Machiavellian international alphabet organizations are really running this country.<br />
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From education reforms (government-control of Islamic madrasas) to foreign policies (banning Pakistanis from crossing border to help Kashmiris), major government decisions are being made by the Pakistani government to comply with FATF's long list of "bold steps" Pakistan must take to avoid being considered a haven for terror funding and money laundering. FATF put Pakistan on its greylist last year and gave it 15 months to comply with a 27-point action plan or risk losing aide from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).<br />
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"The FATF can anytime blacklist Pakistan for terror funding," India's defense minister Rajnath Singh said earlier this week. In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan accused India of "trying to push us on the FATF blacklist to economically isolate us."<br />
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Pakistan should never have agreed to submit to FATF orders in the first place. That way the Pakistani government would be freer to make policies and programs befitting its people without any pressures to oblige to an intergovernmental group created by a few powerful countries. It also wouldn't have to beg countries with voting rights in FATF, like America and Saudi Arabia, for help.<br />
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The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Syed Ali Khamenei saw FATF as a trap and advised the Iranian government last year to refuse to submit to its rules and regulations.<br />
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"A number of domineering powers gather somewhere in their so-called think tanks and plan something based on their own interests and benefits," Imam Khamenei said. "We don't have to accept these things when we don't know their eventual consequences while we know their potential problems."<br />
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Imam Khamenei also said Iran's "Islamic Consulting Assembly is a sensible, prudent, and discerning assembly with a great work force" that could adopt its own policies to combat problems like money laundering.<br />
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The Pakistani government could have done the same by following the advice of Imam Khamanei. And it still can if it tells FATF to bug off and starts making decisions befitting Pakistan and not other countries.<br />
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Khan should remember what he said in 2014: "We are not slaves of [foreign powers]. We do not polish their shoes. A prime minister like Imran Khan can never be a stooge!"<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-63229812747408090362019-10-02T00:20:00.001-05:002019-10-02T10:12:17.449-05:00Sadly, Yasir Qadhi Distorts "Non-Sunni" Understanding of Imam Mahdi During Sept 18 Lecture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Muslim scholars should be confident enough in their own beliefs that they don't have to make up lies or talk in a derogatory way about the teachings of other schools of thought.<br />
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In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NQLSBlLDc" target="_blank">lecture</a> given on September 18, 2019, called "The Mahdi: Explained," Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, a popular speaker and an academic who holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Yale University, said the following:<br />
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"Within non-Sunni Islam. the concept of Mahdi really went far left. Within non-Sunni Islam, this concept became something totally different from within Sunni Islam, and, of course, the most obvious group is that of the Twelver group of non-Sunni Islam, the Imamia. And if you know their history, when the eleventh Imam died young without having been married so there is no progeny, there is no heir to the eleventh Imam [Hasan al-Askari (A)], they invented a mysterious nonexistent twelfth Imam and they said this twelfth Imam is the Imam al-Ghayb, the Hidden Imam and he is the Mahdi. And they took the concept from Sunnism and they tacked it on to their unknown nonexistent twelfth Imam and they said he is the Mahdi and they then made an entire cult and entire supernatural mystery around the Mahdi and they said he controls the<i> ilm al ghayb </i>[knowledge of the unseen]<i>,</i> controls the future, knows this and that and gave him all these types of characteristics that we know not to be correct." (minutes 1:00 53--1:02 04)<br />
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A quick Google search tells us more accurate information about the "Non-Sunni" concept of Imam Mahdi than Qadhi did!<br />
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As Qadhi said in his lecture, all Muslims agree that Imam Mahdi will come to unify Muslims under his leadership and bring justice on earth, and "there's a lot of work that we need to do" as we wait for him to come.<br />
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This effort towards unity starts with scholars correctly educating themselves (<a href="https://www.al-islam.org/al-imam-al-mahdi-just-leader-humanity-ayatullah-ibrahim-amini/chapter-1-beginning-belief-mahdi" target="_blank">here's</a> a start) and then others on the the beliefs of different schools of thought so we can overcome negative stereotypes and misunderstandings and work together in achieving common goals. Influential scholars like Qadhi should definitely not be adding to the lies, confusion, and division!<br />
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On that note, there are at least thirty traditional Sunni scholars who hold the same beliefs as "Non-Sunnis" regarding Imam Mahdi. You won't hear that from Qadhi but you can find details<a href="https://www.al-islam.org/shiite-encyclopedia-ahlul-bayt-dilp-team/special-specifications-imam-al-mahdi" target="_blank"> here</a>.</div>
Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-75954009101054874432019-10-01T17:04:00.001-05:002019-10-05T22:35:36.161-05:00 Imran Khan Projected as "Supreme Leader" To Counter Iran's Imam Khamanei<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Pakistani journalist Mubasher Lucman made the following statement today in a segment on his YouTube channel:<br />
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"After Imran Khan's trip to the UN and his speech given there...it's clear that Imran Khan has surfaced as the Supreme Leader of the Muslim ummah. People used to say it is Mahathir (Prime Minister of Malaysia), Edrogan (President of Turkey), or Muhammad bin Salman (Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia).. but now there's an undisputed opinion that if there is a legitimate and genuine leader of the Muslim ummah, it is Imran Khan."<br />
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The euphoria with which Pakistanis and the Pakistani diaspora reacted to Khan's 50-minute speech makes me think Lucman's opinion is a popular one.<br />
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How low are Muslims' expectations that someone can become the leader of 1.3 billion Muslims only after giving a speech?<br />
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Imran Khan may not realize it but the enemies of Islam are using him to divert Muslims from their true leader Imam Syed Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. With Muslims from Yemen to Palestine to Kashmir awakening and gaining strength, direction, and victories through Imam Khamanei's guidance, the enemies of Islam are using an old trick to try to stop Muslim unity and progress.<br />
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This is easy to do when a people like us have been severely repressed and lived under oppressive or Pharonic systems for hundreds of years. In the Quran, during the absence of Prophet Moses (Musa A), his brother Aaron (Haroon A) was the appointed leader of the Jews until the return of Moses A. However, the people turned away from Aaron A and started following a populist man named Samari, who rose to power by mixing some religious elements of the teachings of Moses A with the wishes of the people. Women inclined towards religion, in particular, wholeheartedly supported and promoted Samari.<br />
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The ummah is in a similar situation to the people of Moses. We are also waiting for the coming of our Moses, which is Imam Mahdi.<br />
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Can we recognize the Haroon of our times, the person who is most knowledgeable, practices his knowledge, and has correct political insight to be Guardian (Vali Faqih) of the ummah until Imam Mahdi comes?<br />
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Imam Khamenei has been that person for the past 30 years. While Imran Khan was playing cricket, Imam Khamenei was getting multiple PhDs in Islam, overturning a 2,000-year monarchy and replacing it with an Islamic system, fighting in an 8-year war to protect the revolution (and has a handicapped hand to prove it) and leading his nation as well as his neighbors to freedom, dignity, and progress under the guidance of the Quran and sunnah of Prophet Muhammad S.<br />
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Or will we run after Samari? Khan may be an honest, hardworking, and sincere person but he is being badly used by the Pharoahs of today, including President Trump and Crown Prince Salman, to turn the ummah away from the path of vilayat. Trump even pointed to Khan once and said: "I trust this gentleman right here. I trust him. He's a great leader, and he's a brave leader."<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-59571532413189818652019-09-30T13:44:00.001-05:002019-10-01T08:22:54.903-05:00If Pakistan Wants To "Fight" for "La illaha illallah," It Must Figure Out Which Side Allah Is On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Despite their bravado, Pakistani officials seem scared out of their minds of an impending nuclear war with archenemy India.<br />
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"It's a fear, worry, that where are we headed?" Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). "If a conventional war starts between two countries, nuclear countries, anything could happen."<br />
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Stress of going up against another nuclear power Khan described as "seven times" bigger than itself is forcing Pakistan to make fear-based decisions that are getting in the way of helping free Kashmir from Indian occupation. In fact, Pakistan has yet to announce a clear Kashmir policy other than to "raise the issue of Kashmir at every global forum."<br />
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To avoid being "blamed" for "another Pulwama incident," the Pakistani government says it has "disbanded all militant groups," forbidden its people to "cross the border to join the Kashmiris," and limited protests to thirty minutes of standing in "solidarity with the Kashmiri people."<br />
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"Eventually, even speaking out for the Kashmiris will be illegal [in Pakistan]," Syed Jawad Naqvi, chancellor of the Islamic university Jamia Urwa-tul-Wusqa in Lahore, predicted in his September 27 Friday sermon.<br />
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To allay their fears, Khan and other policymakers who feel they're "sitting on a hot plate" should review the inspiring Quranic story of Prophet David (A) and Goliath (Jalut). A small contingency of obedient soldiers defeat the tyrannical army of strongman Goliath after young and slender David (A) takes out Goliath with a fatal slingshot aimed at the bright red ruby in the middle of the crown on his forehead.<br />
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Quran: "But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, 'How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient.'" (2:249)<br />
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This scenario should be familiar to Pakistanis who are witnessing up-close-and-personal the defeat of another modern-day Goliath Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman at the hands of the poor and malnourished Yemenis. Unfortunately, Pakistani soldiers are backing the Saudi Goliath, who is armed to the teeth and supported by the U.S., Israel, and a coalition of 30+ Muslim countries led by retired Pakistani General Raheel Sharif. In a devastating attack this past weekend, the Yemenis reclaimed territory, seized armed vehicles and weapons, and captured thousands of troops in Saudi Arabia. Pakistani soldiers under the command of Sharif were among those captured by the Yemenis, according to Al Jazeera.<br />
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If the Pakistani government is set to fight in the name of "La illaha illallah" as Khan told UNGA, it needs to first figure out which side Allah is on.<br />
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Quran: "Certainly, your guardian (Vali) is Allah and His Messenger and those who believe who establish prayer and give charity while they bow. And whoever takes Allah and His Messenger and those who believe as his guardian (Vali), so surely the party of Allah will be victorious." (5:55)<br />
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The Yemenis recognized that the Guardian Jurist (Vali Faqih) of our time is Imam Syed Ali Khamanei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and they've achieved miraculous success by following his leadership just like David (A) attained astounding victory after obeying his leader Saul (Talut), even if it entailed drinking only a sip of water from the river and enduring other hardships and sacrifices.<br />
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If Pakistanis want to defeat India's Goliath Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they must turn away from all other Goliaths of our time and seek out Imam Khamanei's political advice, which is rooted in the Quran and sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S) and has been a guiding light for the past thirty years.<br />
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Khan, who's rushed to meet American, Saudi, and Emirati rulers to resolve the Kashmiri issue, should pay attention to what Yemeni leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi proclaimed to the Saudis: "When the sea is with you, air is with you, land is with you, oil is with you, cash is with you and the US is with you, but yet you do not succeed, you should know that God is not with you!"<br />
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Indeed, Pakistanis must join the path of Vilayat to defeat their Goliath!<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-81046657137466382422019-09-28T16:22:00.000-05:002019-09-28T23:13:07.997-05:00In UN Speech, Imran Khan Washes Hands of Kashmir <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If only Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was as astute about contemporary issues as he is about historical ones.<br />
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It was refreshing to hear Khan openly discuss the roots of Islamophobia, expose the racist ideology of India's ruling party, defend Muslims' passionate love for Prophet Muhammad (S), regret Pakistan's role in training American-sponsored "mujahideen groups" in Afghanistan, and lament his country's alliance with the United States after 911 at the expense of 70,000 Pakistani lives and $150 billion lost to the Pakistani economy.<br />
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"Our Prophet was the witness to the divine book the Holy Quran. The Holy Quran is the book of guidance for muslims and the Prophet's life was living the Quran so he is the ideal we all try to get to. The Prophet lives in our hearts," Khan explained passionately during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday. "When he is ridiculed, it hurts. The pain of the heart is far far far more hurtful than physical pain."<br />
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Any Muslim, Pakistani or not, Khan-supporter or not, can't help but swell in pride at such honest and heartfelt discourse delivered at an important international forum.<br />
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But with the Muslim region on the precipice of the mother of all wars, we need much more than that. We need leaders who are able to translate past experiences to lessons learned so correct political decisions are taken today.<br />
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Unfortunately, Khan's proposed solutions to the Kashmir crisis show he is unable to do that. His solutions, starting with rooting for Modi's electoral win thinking "some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached," not only fail to fix problems but create exponentially more!<br />
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After listening to back-to-back speeches and interviews Khan gave during his New York trip, it's obvious that the Pakistani government has no plans to help Kashmiris other than lip-service.<br />
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And it's not the first time Kashmiris have been abandoned. During a meeting of the League of Nations [precursor to UN] in Geneva, Switzerland, 80+ years ago, Pakistani thinker Allama Iqbal lamented the selling off of Kashmir:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaAMcU_P7elReu7xM21dFVr7eGFDL9OOdJGt1z8dF9UxX25rvIWIZaswvGz2-_UrYGDCgx0k-OOo9epbQr6XZ60fCKhzm-uexGVrRgIyzWkJhikR0j-JatrlTajz7wsSX0-XQ8cZ546E/s1600/iqbal+kashmir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtaAMcU_P7elReu7xM21dFVr7eGFDL9OOdJGt1z8dF9UxX25rvIWIZaswvGz2-_UrYGDCgx0k-OOo9epbQr6XZ60fCKhzm-uexGVrRgIyzWkJhikR0j-JatrlTajz7wsSX0-XQ8cZ546E/s400/iqbal+kashmir.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<i>Bade Saba Agar Ba Geneva Guzar Kuni</i><br />
<i>Harfai Zaman ba Majlisi Aqwame Baz Goyai</i><br />
<i>Dehkan Wa Kesht Koh Wa Joyai Wa bayaban Farokhtand</i><br />
<i>Qoumai Farokhtand Wa Cha Arzan Farokhtand</i><br />
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More non-solutions from the "Ambassador of Kashmir":<br />
<ul>
<li>Khan handed Kashmir off to the "world community" to resolve, knowing full well that the UN has failed to do so in 70+ years. While Khan vowed to "fight" India if India attacks Pakistan, he said nothing about what Pakistan will do to free Kashmiris, otherwise. In fact, using the Orientalist jingo that he condemned earlier in his speech, he urged the UN to come save the Kashmiris who, left on their own, will become "radicalized" under the horrific curfews. Like any other oppressed people, Kashmiris will organize, mobile, and resist. Why call that radicalism?</li>
</ul>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Khan accepted U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to mediate the Kashmir issue even though, as Khan said in his speech, Pakistan's suffered a "nightmare" every time America came into the equation. Anyone following Trump's mediation in Palestine knows his solution to the Kashmir crisis will likewise be giving land to the occupier and resettling indigenous people to other lands. Khan should have rebuffed Trump's offer as Iranian President Rouhani did in his speech to UNGA. "The solution for [peace, security, and stability] should be sought inside the region rather than outside of it," Rouhani said. "The issues of the region are bigger and more important than the United States is able to resolve. The United States has failed to resolve the issues in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria and has been the supporter of extremism, Talibanism, and Daeshism. Such a government is clearly unable to resolve more sophisticated issues of today." [As a side, Rouhani's failure to mention Kashmir in his UN address was very upsetting!]</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Khan invited the U.S. to "put out flames in the world" despite witnessing (and even condemning) decades of U.S drone attacks in Pakistan and indiscriminate bombing of neighboring countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. How can Khan expect America the trouble-maker to become America the problem-solver? Modi threatened to take Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, and then Gilgit-Baltistan. If Pakistan doesn't help Kashmiris kick India out now, the fire burning in Pakistan's backyard will enter its house. </li>
</ul>
Help from Pakistan should come in the form of standing behind the Kashmiri Resistance Movement and assisting them in whatever form THEY need, not passing the buck to those behind death and destruction in Muslim lands.<br />
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It should be clear to Kashmiris now that they can rely on no one but God and themselves for their freedom. I supplicate in the words of Iqbal: “Bring revolution in the hearts of Kashmiris so that they can live with honor in this world.”</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-91109802904633904532019-09-24T13:30:00.001-05:002019-09-24T15:38:16.117-05:00Famous Egyptian YouTuber Urges Actvists to Ally With Iran<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian YouTuber Abdullah Elshrif and Iran's Supreme Leader Imam Khamanei</td></tr>
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<div>
Lookie here!!</div>
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When the Islamic Republic of Iran's Supreme Leader Imam Khamanei urged Egyptians thronging Tahrir Square eight years ago to gain inspiration from the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a prominent Egyptian media personality mocked the Imam. </div>
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"When he [Imam Khamenei] wanted to address the Egyptian people [during a Friday sermon], he spoke in Arabic after always talking in Farsi 'sha shi shi sha she' [gibberish]," Al-Hayat television host Amr Adib taunted. </div>
<div>
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<div>
"Do our youth even need the support of Iran? None of them knows Tehran!" Adib insisted.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ZqVIkpnUj3nDmbNGP1T0ztOV_fvFtQghyLZwW5Q7NmJVE5bEwtKatvrrdM1GIdZjUz1r-PQPw34N1fABI0VfS5smqxzwdAqSXjMlUgUpfD6lVqOgSvdnrpkvuy9Jl1x19fzr_yVwsI/s1600/adeeb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1ZqVIkpnUj3nDmbNGP1T0ztOV_fvFtQghyLZwW5Q7NmJVE5bEwtKatvrrdM1GIdZjUz1r-PQPw34N1fABI0VfS5smqxzwdAqSXjMlUgUpfD6lVqOgSvdnrpkvuy9Jl1x19fzr_yVwsI/s1600/adeeb.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Egyptian media personality Amr Adib</td></tr>
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<div>
While the Egyptians succeeded in overthrowing dictator Hosni Mubarak and voting in Mohammad Morsi of the Islamic Movement's Muslim Brotherhood organization, the victory was short-lived as a military coup under General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi brought el-Sisi, U.S. President Donald Trump's "favorite dictator," into office one year later.</div>
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But as last weekend's street protests against el-Sisi indicate, the Egyptians have not given up on their aspiration for a representative government eight years on from the Islamic Awakening.</div>
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And if Egyptians didn't know anything about the Islamic Revolution of Iran then, as Adib claims, they do now thanks in part to famous Egyptian social media influencer Abdullah Eshrif who motivates his nearly two million followers to "learn from [Iran]" despite their religious and political differences.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This summer he posted a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LenowU-qdFs" target="_blank">video</a> comparing the current Egyptian revolutionary movement to that in Iran before the Islamic revolution. He says the revolution in Iran succeeded after many years of persistence by leader Imam Khomeini, who was imprisoned and exiled before returning to lead his people to a final blow to the system.</div>
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<div>
"I learned this story from Iran, that there's still hope and that Truth comes back if there are people still voicing it," Elshrif said. "Al Khomeini was keeping people on the streets by passing clandestinely audiotapes from Iraq...nine years of motivational speeches and fearless, striking words that let no place for despair and kept hope rooted in the spirit of the people until the proper moment came."</div>
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Egyptians tuning into Iran should review the advice Imam Khamenei gave them in February 2011. He warned that a "collaborating regime is not toppled when its visible leader leaves the country. If these leaders are replaced by others from behind the scenes, then nothing has changed. This is a trap set for the people."</div>
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"We believe the following experience could be beneficial to the current circumstances:"</div>
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1. "The awakening of people is a war of two wills--the will of the people and the will of its enemies."</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. "The enemy tries to sow despair about achieving your goals."</div>
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3. "The enemy sends his well-equipped security forces against you in order to spread terror and chaos among the people. Do not fear them. You are stronger than those mercenaries."</div>
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4. "The [most] important weapon of the people when confronting the forces of tyranny and the collaborating rulers is unity and harmony."</div>
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5. "Do not trust the role played by the West and America, or the political maneuvers they use towards your awakening."</div>
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<div>
6. "The circumstances require that the religious scholars, and Al-Azhar with its well-known history of struggle, play a much more significant role. When the people embark on its revolution from the mosques and the Friday sermons, and raise the slogan of 'Allah Akbar,' the Islamic scholars are expected to play a more prominent role."</div>
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<div>
7. "The Egyptian army, which bears on its chest decorations from at least two wars with the Zionist enemy, is facing a great historic test today. The enemy wants to spur this army to oppress the masses. If this happens, God forbid, it would constitute an unbridgeable breach in the ranks of this proud army. The Zionist enemy, not the Egyptian people, should tremble in fear of the Egyptian army. There is no doubt that the members of the Egyptian army, which is part of the Egyptian people, will join the masses, Allah willing. Then this sweet experience will repeat itself in Egypt." </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
8. "America, which supported the collaborating rulers for 30 years, against the will of the Egyptian people, is not in a position to mediate or to advise in the case of Egypt. View any American move or advice with a doubt and pessimism, and do not trust it." </div>
<div>
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<div>
Egyptian and Iranian Islamic revolutionaries have cooperated and supported each other throughout the last century, setting aside sectarian differences in their struggles to lift their nations out of oppression. Imam Khamenei, in fact, translated many of Muslim Brotherhood icon Sayyid Qutb's books into Farsi to educate the Iranians on the revolutionary spirit of Islam. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1984</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
"Learn from them [Iran] and strengthen your weaknesses," Elshrif advises his followers. "Or even ally with them!"</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-39555436607504194362019-09-18T12:21:00.001-05:002019-09-19T09:16:25.541-05:00Muslim Ummah Rising Like A Phoenix From the Ashes, But American Muslim Scholars Remain Oblivious<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's quite depressing if you follow American Muslim scholars on social media.<br />
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"There has perhaps never been a time in history where it was so painfully obvious that Muslim leaders are the greatest enablers and purveyors of the oppression of Muslim masses worldwide," declared Omar Suleiman on a Facebook post in August.<br />
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We are reminded of that oppression in post after post and tweet after tweet describing the desperate plight of Muslims everywhere, from Palestine and Kashmir to Yemen and Burma. These posts are often followed by Quranic verses and Prophetic (S) narrations aimed at guilt-tripping us into donating to a cottage industry of Muslim charities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YvGsienFacIAmoZryY_41BDxeam_k_zF5Ozb1wfcQ67EJnmJjXacll32t4Wo5HuLi-U6HLKVQZrgOBaZw040cpxE9idytr9w-zBZOekxk-RP_xWGMCbqRY8JZwk_FnbkTFujvq-zMsQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-09-18+at+10.58.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YvGsienFacIAmoZryY_41BDxeam_k_zF5Ozb1wfcQ67EJnmJjXacll32t4Wo5HuLi-U6HLKVQZrgOBaZw040cpxE9idytr9w-zBZOekxk-RP_xWGMCbqRY8JZwk_FnbkTFujvq-zMsQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-09-18+at+10.58.47+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't get me wrong. It's important to highlight the issues but should be accompanied by breaking down the political situation and identifying those in the forefronts of change. However, our scholars never mention Muslim leaders who are organizing their people and scoring astonishing victories.<br />
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For example, this past weekend the Yemeni Resistance movement hit and shut down the world's largest oil refinery Saudi Aramco in retaliation for four years of Saudi bombing and blockade. They are demanding an end to hostilities and free elections or else more of this to come.<br />
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"We looked at those photos...they were exquisitely precise, they knew exactly where to hit, they hit it perfectly," according to American energy consultant Bob McNally.<br />
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But scholars didn't even mention this on social media. Instead, scholar Yasir Qadhi, for example, posted a video discussing the Islamic ruling of lowering the pants below the ankles!<br />
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Muslims in other parts of the world, likewise, are making tremendous progress in freeing their lands of oppressive and occupying forces.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Army have just about defeated ISIS and its allies. </li>
<li>Afghani Resistance has gained the upper hand after 18 years and is close to kicking out foreign armies.</li>
<li>Palestinian Resistance has gained strength through weekly protests and even downed an Israeli drone over Gaza a few days ago. </li>
<li>One threatening speech by the Lebanese Resistance promising retaliation recently forced Israeli soldiers to pull on their diapers and flee positions along the border.</li>
</ul>
Resistance movements in Kashmir, Turkey, Pakistan and other places have taken root.<br />
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Of course, the inspiration for all of these movements, the Islamic Republic of Iran under the guidance of Imam Khamenei, is never ever mentioned by these scholars--neither the way it overthrew a 2,000-year-old monarachy 40 years ago nor the way it has survived war, sanctions, and other belligerence from the "international community" for supporting the Palestinians and other oppressed groups.<br />
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Instead, scholars continue to dishearten us with proclamations like "our leaders are shameless and betraying our causes," and we are devoid of "any type of Muslim solidarity from Muslim leaders today."<br />
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That's not completely true. The Muslim Ummah is rising like a phoenix from the ashes. If our scholars would remove their sectarian sunglasses, they could see it clearly.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-32607743077966399152019-09-17T12:11:00.000-05:002019-09-17T20:42:56.641-05:00Speaking Fees: The Bid'ah Muslim Scholars Don't Talk About<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's a Quranic verse you won't hear many scholars quoting on the speaking circuit:<br />
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"Say, [O Muhammad], 'I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship.' And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative." [42:23]<br />
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In other words, Allah is instructing the Prophet (S) to tell his followers that there's no charge of any sort for preaching Allah's message (except to show love to the Prophet's (S)/your family). The reward will be given by Allah Himself.<br />
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As followers and even heirs of the Prophet (S), scholars are obligated to follow that <i>sunnah</i> [tradition] of speaking without a set fee.<br />
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However, many of our scholars are neck deep in this unspoken <i>bid'ah </i>[innovation].<br />
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Better-known scholars in America are charging a whopping $5,000 to $20,000 per lecture in addition to demanding paid transportation and 4- to 5-star hotel stays. Some even require travel costs for their "personal assistants."<br />
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The problem with getting paid for speaking is that public lectures about Islam now become a commodity to go to the highest bidder, starting from wealthy mosques to big-budget conventions to government-sponsored forums to eventually uber-rich kingdoms.<br />
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Scholars no longer talk about what needs to be said, but what their paymaster wants to hear. And the richer the host, the less likely they'd want to shake the status quo, though Islam came to challenge it and free the oppressed.<br />
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Several years ago a "celebrity Shaykh" came to give a lecture in our town. He's considered one of the more outspoken imams living in a very politically active community so I was excited to go listen to him while the War on Terror was in full swing.<br />
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But he ended up talking about the habits of frogs for much of the time.<br />
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After the talk, I went up to ask him why he didn't address the ongoing wars.<br />
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"Our community is very inactive and I was hoping you would say something to encourage them," I said.<br />
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"I do talk about that but it depends on what town I'm in," he said.<br />
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"Well, there are other scholars who say what needs to be said no matter what." I then gave him a name of such a scholar.<br />
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"I know him," he said. "Look at how many followers he has and how many I have."<br />
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I left flabbergasted but convinced that the $83.33 per MINUTE we spent on him was a waste!<br />
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Mosques across America should boycott scholars with set fees to free the pulpit for the more sincere and <i>sunnah</i>-following scholars satisfied with whatever recompense is voluntarily given. Those interested in rolling in dough should take up another line of work.</div>
Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-26630665342104441362019-09-16T13:27:00.002-05:002019-09-18T08:53:04.373-05:00Yemeni Resistance to Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: Ready or Not, Here We Come!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It seems like everyone and their mother (including <a href="https://theperfectionistas.blogspot.com/2019/09/seven-years-after-insulting-axis-of.html" target="_blank">myself)</a> penned a response to influential American scholar Shaykh Hamza Yusuf's claim in a viral video that Muslim's in the Middle East are "not ready" to fight off their oppressors.<br />
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But the best rejoinder came from the barefooted Yemeni Resistance, which, less than a week later, shockingly set ablaze the world's biggest oil refinery Aramco in Saudi Arabia, running up oil prices 18% and pushing down major stock markets in one swift move.<br />
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The poorest Arab country, Yemen has produced a strong resistance movement despite suffering death, devastation, and starvation after a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, along with the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), started bombing and blockading the Yemenis four years ago for overthrowing a repressive Saudi-backed regime.<br />
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The fearless Yemeni Resistance has also warned the U.A.E. of missile strikes on their port city of Dubai if they don't pack up and leave their country.<br />
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Guess who lives part-time in the U.A.E. working on a government-sponsored "peace forum"?<br />
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Shaykh Hamza Yusuf!<br />
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Now, tell me, who needs to get "ready"?<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-34561829786009634692019-09-14T11:05:00.000-05:002019-09-15T06:15:37.349-05:00Mother of the Faithful Aisha Retired From Public Affairs After Political Err, Hamza Yusuf Should, Too<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hamza Yusuf is an influential and knowledgeable person but he isn't more influential and knowledgeable than Mother of the Faithful Bibi Aisha, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (S).<br />
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More than a thousand hadith of the Prophet (S) are attributed to Bibi Aisha, and, according to the Prophet's (S) Companion Abu Musa Ashari, "Whenever a hadith was unclear to us (the Companions), and we asked Aisha about it, we always gained knowledge about that hadith from her.”</div>
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While Bibi Aisha demonstrated knowledge of Islam, unfortunately, she lacked correct political insight, an attribute essential to be considered a scholar with sway in the public sphere. Specifically, Bibi Aisha took up arms against Imam Ali during his caliphate in the Battle of Jamal where she was defeated after the death of more than 20,000 Muslims and further disunity amongst the ummah.</div>
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Immediately, she regretted her political stance and apologized to Imam Ali for supporting the rebellion. </div>
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But what she did afterwards is what today's scholars need to pay heed to: She bowed out of political affairs, allowing those with better understanding to lead Muslims to progress while avoiding enemy traps. </div>
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Hamza Yusuf has repeatedly demonstrated his lack of political insight (regarding police brutality, Palestinian struggle, Syrian rebellion, UAE peace forum, President Trump's human rights panel). These mistakes in judgement are no joke. By encouraging Syrians in 2012 to keep fighting against their government, for example, he contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Muslims. He's regretted some of his positions and even offered public apologies, including one on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcYNdmaA-Oo" target="_blank">Syria</a> yesterday.</div>
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But he needs to go further. It's time he retire from political affairs--while some of his dignity is still intact--like Bibi Aisha did. Bibi Aisha continued teaching privately. Maybe that's what he should do, too.</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-22520108068668169382019-09-13T21:29:00.001-05:002019-09-13T21:41:30.876-05:00Shaykh Omar Suleiman Does Pakistani PM Imran Khan Dirty <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
American Shaykh Omar Suleiman accused Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan of not being "completely clean" because he "abandoned" the Uighur Muslims in China while advocating for the Kashmiris.<br />
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"Don't give a pass to that garbage," Suleiman told his congregation during his Friday sermon on September 6, a week after Khan addressed the 56th Convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) via videolink. "Be principled in your critique. Be principled in standing up for your brothers and sisters wherever they are," Suleiman added.<br />
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Ever since last summer when U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo started denouncing rival China for detaining up to three million Uighurs in internment camps, Suleiman has been sounding the alarm about the Turkic-speaking Muslim minority in northwestern China being tortured and stripped of their religious rights.<br />
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Suleiman circulated a petition earlier this year that quoted Pompeo, then U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and U.S. President Mike Pence "lamenting" over the Chinese treatment of the Uighurs, who they say are suffering "food & sleep deprivation, forced medication, organ harvesting, rape, and torture leading to a brutal death." He also supported a bill passed in the U.S. Senate this week that calls for possible sanctions on Chinese officials, and he urged a "Save Uighur" boycott of Chinese goods. Suleiman even addressed a rally in November 2018 for Uighur rights that called for a free and independent East Turkistan.<br />
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Chinese officials, on the other hand, say thousands of Uighurs are returning home from fighting in Syria (some alongside ISIS), including those who intend to turn their military training towards a decade-old separatist movement. "Vocational centers" have been set up to educate and provide skills for Uighurs who were "influenced by religious extremism and committed minor legal offenses" so that they can readjust to society, according to the Chinese government.<br />
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The international community is split over the American government's calls for action against China. While 22 nations signed a letter this summer calling for the Chinese government to close down their camps, 37 other countries, including Pakistan, penned one defending China's "remarkable achievements" in human rights.<br />
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According to London-based Islamic Human Rights Commission, the Uighurs have been persecuted for decades. So why is Suleiman only concerned now that Pompeo is calling it the "stain of the century."<br />
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So concerned that he--who supported the now failed U.S. regime-change operation in Syria that Uigurs were duped into joining, putting them in their current predicament in the first place--is chiding Pakistan for not jumping on the bandwagon to rebuke China, it's neighbor, longtime ally, and heavy economic investor and trade partner.<br />
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From Syria to China, Suleiman's social activism is too often in line with U.S foreign policy objectives to the detriment of Muslim countries. Khan's smart to decide for himself when and how to support the Uighurs.</div>
Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-9642286722944329442019-09-12T11:45:00.002-05:002019-09-13T20:32:24.824-05:00Sorry, Omar Suleiman, Personal Opinions Fail Political Activism; Obedience to Religious Leadership Brings Triumph<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In Urdu there's a saying: "jitne moo, utni bathey," which translates to "as many mouths, as many opinions."</div>
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That applies to scholars these days when it comes to giving Muslims advice on how to free ourselves from endless wars, occupation, and dictators. Hadith are being cited left and right to encourage everything from armed revolt (in Muslim countries) to civil disobedience to doing absolutely nothing. </div>
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With no unified strategy on any political issue, it's no surprise that there is chaos and disillusionment in many quarters. What makes matters worse is that scholars are promoting this hotchpotch approach by glorifying it as the sunnah or tradition of the early Muslims. It didn't work then and it won't work now.</div>
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American scholar Omar Suleiman gave a khutbah around Ashura rightfully arguing that Islam has always encouraged political activism, whether it be speaking truth in the face of a tyrant or taking up arms to resist him.</div>
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Where Suleiman goes wrong is that he promotes the proliferation of opinions when it comes to political strategy. Instead, it is obedience to a single legitimate religious authority that was required then and is essential now.</div>
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"In perfection of Allah's wisdom, each one of these people actually challenged the tyrant in a different way," Suleiman said in his September 6 khutbah, referring to the "trials and tribulations" that befell Muslims soon after the death of Prophet Muhammad (S).</div>
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Prominent Muslims, says Suleiman, like Imam Hussain and ibn Zubayr took up arms in resistance. Others like ibn Omar condemned ruthless governor Hajjaj to his face and "actually drove him crazy." Even those who did not take action expressed their dissatisfaction by refusing to be the "mouthpieces" of the illegitimate rulers, Suleiman explained. </div>
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The problem is that to be politically successful, what is needed is OBEDIENCE to a legitimate religious leader (if no Islamic government is present then obedience to the highest religious authority). In order to attain a goal, there has to be a set vision, strategy, and course that everyone adheres to.</div>
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"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you do believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best, and most suitable for final determination." (Quran 4:59)</div>
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Allah is NOT saying different strokes for different folks so go ahead and do whatever each of you think is strategically right.</div>
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What Allah is saying is that the leadership decides which action--from the arsenal of options available--to take depending on the situation, and the rest are to follow. </div>
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From the life of the Prophet (S) we have examples of differing strategies that the Muslims were ordered to adopt, including staying put (Battle of Uhad), leaving (Hijra to Medina), fighting (Battle of Badr and others), negotiating (Treaty of Hudaybiyyah), and amnesty (Conquest of Mecca). There was no room for personal opinions.</div>
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Muslims need to recognize the highest religious authority at this time and follow him in unison, without allowing personal opinions, nationalism, or sectarianism to get in the way. It takes knowledge, application of that knowledge, and correct political insight to lead Muslims and prevent them from falling into enemy traps, and everyone doesn't have it.</div>
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First thing scholars like Suleiman should do is build awareness about the need for political unity among Muslims through obedience to one legitimate religious authority (not to dictators, like some influential scholars are doing!) and stop glorifying the adherence to personal opinions.</div>
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Even ibn Umar warned us on his death bed that his biggest regret in life was following his personal opinion and not the authority of Imam Ali during the fourth caliph's rule. </div>
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"I regret that I did not join Ali and fight the rebellious group," ibn Omar is quoted as saying in Sahih Bukhari.</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-37522044448360834122019-09-10T12:10:00.000-05:002019-09-11T00:05:56.450-05:00Seven Years After Insulting the Axis of Resistance, Hamza Yusuf Falls From Grace on Ashura Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In a newly released <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPiQRSkmYgg&fbclid=IwAR0WHNW6c-2-NLSo5vLvSGkD5-PCYiMMJtRte2oZW583uCZ5lAzlU6oSoJk" target="_blank">video</a> from a 2016 conference, American Muslim "scholar" Hamza Yusuf is seen snickering as he asks Syrians:<br />
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"How's that revolution working for you? Huh? You know what the slogan of the Syrian revolution was? Huh? 'The Syrian people will not be humiliated.' They were shouting it in the streets. Now all these poor innocent people are begging non-Muslims to let them into their countries. Allah can humiliate whomever he pleases."<br />
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What he forgets to mention is that he was also on the streets in September 2012 leading a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny8z1qkRM_A" target="_blank">Syria Freedom Rally </a>in Washington, fully encouraging the Syrian people to join a (now-failed) regime change plan orchestrated by America and Israel and their Arab and Turkish lackeys. Shouting from the stage, Yusuf promised that "the Syrian people will not be humiliated" in their fight against the so-called "tyranny" of the Syrian government.<br />
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However, four years later in the video he is seen sitting on a cushioned sofa in the coastal town of Samsun, Turkey, laughing as he discusses the plight of the Syrians who were duped into destroying their own country by people like him. Now he claims Muslims are "fluff" and don't have the capabilities to choose their own leadership (conveniently ignoring that the Islamic Republic of Iran successfully overthrew a 2,000-year-old monarchy in 1979 and replaced it with an Islamic government).<br />
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Chastising those who rebelled against Syrian President Bashar Assad, Yusuf says: "'If you humiliate a [legitimate] ruler, God will humiliate you.' That's a hadith in Tirmidhi."<br />
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Once again, he neglects to mention that it was he who was bashing Muslim leaders of the Axis of Resistance at the Syria Freedom Rally: "The leadership...in Lebanon and Iran [allies of the Syrian government] have revealed themselves to be the political machiavellian people that they are. They have revealed themselves to side with the tyrants against those who are oppressed."<br />
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The irony of it all is that since insulting the Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanese Resistance in 2012, it is Yusuf who has fallen in disgrace, tumbling in the eyes of the Muslim masses as he revealed his true self by insulting the Black Lives Movement, affiliating with the UAE government's peace forum, becoming a human rights advisor to President Donald Trump, and crash landing today with the release of this video. He tried to humiliate the Axis of Resistance through the Syrian crisis, but it is his comments on that very issue that are destroying him on social media today.<br />
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It's not a coincidence that the final nail in the coffin of Yusuf's respectability as a Muslim scholar came on the day of Ashura, when Muslims around the world commemorate the triumph of good over evil. There are so many political lessons to be learned from Kerbala. If only more Muslims would remember, understand, and analyze the events and personalities of Kerbala, they would clearly be able to recognize the Hussains and Yazids (and Yazid's court scholars) of today.<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-42177361002645449942019-03-21T17:59:00.002-05:002019-09-11T00:16:04.559-05:00Don't Neglect Nudist Rights in Aurat March 2020!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Once upon a time (last week) I was rather "regressive" and critical of some of the demands and slogans of Pakistan's Aurat March. But after engaging with gung-ho feminists and reading up on the movement, I have to say I now agree with a</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">n elderly gentleman interviewed during the demonstration when he said it didn't go far enough in its demands for women's rights! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Sure, the manifesto called for urgencies such as equal pay for women, end to honor killings, and abortion and LGBTQIA (the old and "tone deaf" me would have stopped at Q) rights, but it didn't "bring under its banner" another minority group struggling for its "basic human right" to feel "safe" and "be respected" and "have freedom." This group is the growing Naturist Community, whose lifestyle includes embracing nature, healthy eating, yoga, as well as nudity. Yes, nudity, as in going buck naked anywhere, anytime in public "spaces." Please don't "judge."</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">The Aurat March organizers must be old-fashioned third wave feminists or something because from what I read, it's the more "progressive" <i>fourth wave</i> feminists who realize how </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">important body positivity is and include it in its program for female empowerment. "Progressive" cities like Seattle already allow people to go nude, as long as you don't flash it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">For body freedom fighters, nudity is not just about their physical and psychological revulsion to clothes, it's about the basic human right to "live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association." What's more basic than being able to wear your birthday suit, because after all, you were born that way?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Britisher naturist Stephen Gough even went to the European Court of Human Rights to prove that nudity is a "basic human right" as a freedom of expression. Though he lost his case, he is continuing to fight for his right to bare all because, as they say, <i>mera jism, meri marzi</i> (my body, my choice)!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen Gough and friend<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Self-identifying naturists argue that by going naked, they want to release the body from "toxic" cultural shame, restrictions, and the sexualization of their bodies. Not only that, but they cite medical and mental health benefits of exposing one's body to sunlight and fresh air. They say those with "fragile sensibilities" who feel "uncomfortable" at people roaming the streets in the nude, should just avert their eyes, or better yet, <i>dupatta ankho pay bandlo</i> (wrap a headscarf around your eyes).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">In fact, a 2017 study from the University of London found that the naturist lifestyle may help people lead happier lives. According to the research, those who spend time naked or partially naked around others like their bodies more, regard themselves more positively, and are more satisfied with life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Michelle Wallen spent thirty years of her life as a textilist (person who wears clothes in public)--and those years were steeped in bullying, self-hate, and depression--before realizing she was really a naturist. As she relates in a moving and inspiring <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpQOTjgxt6g" target="_blank">TEDx</a> talk, after coming out in public buck naked, she is now happy, confident, full of life, and most importantly, has a positive body image.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">If you really think about it, who are we "to police what women (or others) wear or don't wear" anyway? That's so "patriarchal" and "entitled" of us textilists. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">As for those who slam public nudity by playing the "Islam card," like the KP Assembly which passed a resolution condemning this year's march as "shameful and unIslamic," they need to realize "judgement is one of the main things forbidden in Islam." Anyone who cites Quranic verses to argue against public nudity should be told their "views about our religion are unenlightened and based on shoddy scholarship." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Believe it or not, according to the latest feminist interpretation of the Quran, not only do women not have to cover their hair, but they don't have to cover anything at all! In the story of Adam and Eve (or Steve, I'm trying to be inclusive here), the couple were unabashedly nude in their early days in the Garden of Eden. Islamists saying we need to go back to the days of <i>Riyasat-e-Medina </i>(State of Medina) have it all wrong. We need to go back to <i>Riyasat-e-Jannah</i> (State of the Garden of Eden)!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">I'm sure the Aurat March organizers--as vociferous advocates of human rights--won't have any trouble adding naturist rights in their 2020 manifesto as it is a "platform (and perhaps the only platform in Pakistan at this point unfortunately) for ALL women to express themselves how THEY want to and does not differentiate or discriminate based on sexuality, opinions or gender." In fact, many of these feminists <a href="https://twitter.com/iVeenaKhan/status/1105209525106298880" target="_blank">"fully defended"</a> Pakistani actress Veena Malik's rights when she went nude in the Indian FHM men's magazine a few years back. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Of course, most Pakistani women will not be so "tolerant" but that's okay. Only one percent of Pakistanis favor abortion and LGBTQIA rights, according to a Pew Research Center poll, but marchers were able to include those issues in the manifesto this year. Slowly, "dubious minds [will] begin to accept variation in opinion and acceptance of life."</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Non-governmental organizations in Pakistan, such as Aahung, World Population Federation, and Organization for Participatory Government, who have already been working with the Coalition </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.9); color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) (don't listen to conspiracy theorists who say this organization was started in 2001 to work in tandem with the War on Terror to destroy Muslim countries) can be recruited to be "allies" in promoting naturist rights. The CSBR raises awareness "</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">of how human rights—including sexual and reproductive rights—have been under attack in Muslim societies," according to its website. These NGOs help fight the "use of sexuality as a tool of oppression" and I am sure will be happy to include gymnophobes (those who have an aversion to nudity) to that category.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Since "slogans and such are supposed to be controversial," words alone won't bring shock factor to the Aurat March next year. To "start a conversation" about naturist rights, the organizers can get tips from feminists marching in the International Women's Day parade in Spain in 2014, where Iranian dissidents protested mandatory covering in their country by going stark naked, cutting out the word Allah from their flag, and holding it up against their privates. "Much better, don't you think?" one asked on her blog.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">My newly "enlightened," "tolerant," and "inclusive" self urges organizers to add naturist rights to next year's manifesto and invite Pakistani nudists, women (and men and everyone in between), to partake in the march. If placards with "d*%k pics" started such a firestorm of attention (after all, "no publicity is bad publicity") imagine the public reaction to seeing the real deals!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">If this naturist movement takes off in Pakistan, it will solve so many of the feminists' problems! No more pressure to wear a <i>"dupatta" </i>(head covering) or a long "<i>kameez</i>" (shirt)! And, my favorite, no more stinky "<i>mozey"</i> (socks) to look for! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "source sans pro" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><i>**This article was written as satire to show the ridiculousness of copying the West's definition of women's rights, freedoms, and progress. Most of the words in quotes--the usual jargon of imperial feminists--were taken directly from arguments they made to me online when I shared my <a href="https://theperfectionistas.blogspot.com/2019/03/aurat-marchers-following-footsteps-of.html" target="_blank">blog </a>with them. However, I am afraid that these feminists, intoxicated by Western education, travels, and accolades--are so affected by intergenerational <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macaulayism" target="_blank">Macaulayism</a>, that if the Women's March in the US does include naturist rights next year, the Aurat March will too! I wish they would watch some of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnmzgq7g_zs" target="_blank">talk shows in the US</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=094Mj2s8dFM&t=649s" target="_blank">Britain</a> that allow a peak into the dysfunctional lives of families two generations after the 60s sexual revolution where women achieved so-called "azaadi." Sue Ellen Bowder, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Subverted-Helped-Sexual-Revolution-Movement/dp/1586177966" target="_blank">Subverted</a> and former writer for Cosmopolitan magazine, was a part of the 60s feminist movement but regrets the hijacking of the agenda by the sexual revolution. "After years of promoting the 'Cosmo Girl' lifestyle as a pathway to freedom, I realized the sexual revolution lifestyle is destroying women’s lives, wrecking families, and tearing apart our nation." Take heed, Pakistani feminists!</i></span></div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-51418349805425250182019-03-17T13:53:00.004-05:002019-09-10T23:14:53.304-05:00Blame Mosque Imams in the West--Not Trump--For New Zealand Massacre<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Cowered by President George Bush's declaration after 911 that "you are either with us, or against us," most imams in the West thought going apolitical would protect them and their sacred places, but the political discourse ejected from the mosques is now ricocheting back in the form of the bloody massacre in New Zealand that took the lives of 50 worshipers.<br />
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The New Zealand terrorist that live streamed himself shooting up Muslims in prayer wrote in his manifesto that his crusade took inspiration from President Donald Trump's "white identity and common purpose." He opposed Muslim migration to Western countries and intended to "create an atmosphere of fear" and "incite violence" against Muslims, according to Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison. But while Trump's bellicose anti-Muslim rhetoric is being blamed for the massacre, it's just a continuation of the War on Terror (aka Islam and Muslims) kickstarted by the false-flag Twin Tower attacks in 2001 and perpetuated by Islamophobia in the media ever since.<br />
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While the forever-imperial American establishment acted upon the Project for the New American Century to secure "global leadership" through a clash with the Muslim world, which they believed posed as the next threat after the fall of the Soviet Union, it was the job of Muslim leaders in the West to get political and counter any lies and deceptions told along the way.<br />
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It was their duty to protect Islam, Muslims, and all of humanity from the ensuing hate, violence and wars by telling the truth when politicians, think tanks, and media were spreading fear and disinformation. When the going gets tough, imams are supposed to get going. That is, going out into the public sphere and doing <i>amr bil maruf wa nahi anil munkar</i> (establishing good and dismantling evil) and having faith that God will protect them while defeating enemy plots.<br />
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God taught us this through telling a story about the mother of Prophet Moses (A) in the Quran. While other mothers were hiding their sons inside their homes to save them from the Pharoah's men, she was inspired to throw her son into the river and promised he would not only return to her safe and sound but would also liberate his people from the tyrannical Pharoah.<br />
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Unfortunately, most of our imams went awol from the political field after 911 when Muslims were blamed for the terrorist attack that killed more than 3,000. These mosque imams lacked the two characteristics God expects in good leaders: knowledge (plus political analysis, insight and strategic thinking) and strength (to speak truth to power). They thought a non-confrontational approach would protect their mosques and allow them to continue performing their ritual prayers and other worship.<br />
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Mosque after mosque went into kiss up mode to prove they were the "good Muslims." While politicians and media continued to poison minds against Islam and Muslims, mosques got busy baking baklava and making kava for neighbors to discuss interfaith issues, writing up condemnations of terrorist attacks, and holding vigil after vigil for Muslims killed by the growing corps of extremists. None of these activities included honest discussions on the political machinations unfolding around the world.<br />
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This approach, as does any that goes against God's teachings, has backfired. Islamphobia has allowed the slaughter of millions perceived as threats in the Muslim world and now those living in the West are falling victim to extremists similarly feeling endangered by Muslims.<br />
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Overwhelming majority of imams have gone wrong because they:<br />
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<li>Do not confront the 911 false flag narrative. More than half of all Americans believe <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qk4VE0Vo6U" target="_blank">911 was an inside job</a> now but most Muslims realized this a long time ago. Imams should have been shouting this from the top of their pulpits to lay bare the event that triggered perpetual war against Islam and Muslims. Be like Arabic Studies Professor Kevin Barrett. Kevin Barrett has dedicated himself to exposing lies about 911 on radio shows like False Flag Weekly News.</li>
<li>Do not oppose wars in the Middle East. Imams should have actively opposed wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia in which millions of Muslims were killed in pursuit of "terrorists" perceived to be threats to the United States. That would have nipped that justification for violence espoused by terrorists now shooting up Muslims in mosques like New Zealand.</li>
<li>Do not point out <a href="https://www.mintpressnews.com/us-support-isis/245868/" target="_blank">Western, Israeli, Saudi involvement </a>in creating terrorist groups from the Taliban to Al Qaeda to ISIS to achieve political objectives in the Muslim world. These groups are not organic.</li>
<li>Do not stand up for Palestinians on the forefront of fighting occupation by violent, racist, extremists. Other than an occasional "prayer for Gaza" on Fridays, most imams do little to highlight the oppressive policies of the Zionist regime and their involvement in <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/union-israel-european-180716085952930.html" target="_blank">supporting far-right groups in Europe</a> that inspire terrorists like the one in New Zealand.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Israelâs right-wing justice minister samples âfascismâ perfume in bizarre campaign ad (VIDEO)" height="112" src="https://cdni.rt.com/files/2019.03/xxs/5c90ac45fc7e93ee298b45c7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Israel's Minister of Justice tries on "fascism" perfume in bizarre campaign ad.</td></tr>
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<li>Do not call out entrapment of Muslim youth in terrorist plots of Western intelligence agencies. If Muslims are terrorists, why does the FBI have to <a href="https://theintercept.com/2015/02/26/fbi-manufacture-plots-terrorism-isis-grave-threats/" target="_blank">manufacture plots</a> to nab them? How many times have imams discussed entrapment during khutbahs or advised youth on how to avoid it? To the contrary, some mosques, like the Adam's Center in Sterling, Virginia, have hosted the FBI's Junior Special Agents Program, allowing open access to Muslim children.</li>
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You would expect the terrorist attack in New Zealand to shock mosque imams into reevaluating their strategies. But once again mosque are not going beyond the usual tropes: calling in extra security during mosque prayers, urging congregations to "<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2019/03/15/new-zealand-shooting-we-must-stand-up-hatred-leads-tragedy/3179159002/" target="_blank">not reciprocate hate with hate</a>," and holding candlelight vigils for the victims.</div>
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Instead, why not begin offering salat khauf (prayer in times of danger) during Friday congregational prayers? These prayers are done in two shifts with one group praying and the other on the look out for attackers and then vice versa. Not only will this save mosques money on hiring security officers, it will remind Muslims that their religion and their selves have been under attack since 911 and psychologically compel them to work towards ending the perpetual global wars and human suffering by speaking the truth. </div>
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Speaking of speaking the truth, Iraqi veteran Jon Turner links the post-911 Iraq war, the indiscriminate killing of "innocent" Iraqis and the shooting up of mosques in Iraq "to take out our aggression" in a chilling admission. Please watch it linked <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kE0wzXdT5Q" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1667577309888863587.post-33639875535431642822019-03-13T12:20:00.000-05:002019-03-15T16:07:34.444-05:00Aurat Marchers: In the Footsteps of Women of Bani Israel and Prophet Lut<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Women pouring onto the streets in protest is essential as change only comes when female activists are involved and in the forefront.<br />
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Take it from Imam Khomeini, the architect of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran that uprooted a 2,500-year-old monarchy: "Women have shown that they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their menfolk in the struggle; one could even go so far as to say that they lead the way."<br />
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Throngs of Pakistanis came out for an Aurat March (Women's March) on March 8 International Women's Day to demand long overdue rights for females, such as equal pay and safe working conditions, and to end wrongs, such as sexual harassment and domestic violence. Demonstrations took place in cities across the country and were organized by hundreds of women dedicated to making life better for millions of their fellow sisters.<br />
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But because Muslims, including Pakistanis, have endured centuries of oppression by a violent pharonic colonial system that weakened, humiliated, and fomented self-hate, our minds are also colonized. So while we can pick out the glaring problems blighting our society, few are enlightened enough to understand the roots, solutions, and the path to attain those fixes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwsrCrS7590Bhx4ws4gOcqnJlYs-9nEZehMQZpxYdmCtrKKfo7u_T2CjvTakS6apb_Wp_wod6yt0z446_YhG3tAxIIhol7AMhnnCd-GXloXnA2La4_In8TcA-J8BsBohYMOlT5PXXBjU/s1600/decolonize.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="110" data-original-width="457" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwsrCrS7590Bhx4ws4gOcqnJlYs-9nEZehMQZpxYdmCtrKKfo7u_T2CjvTakS6apb_Wp_wod6yt0z446_YhG3tAxIIhol7AMhnnCd-GXloXnA2La4_In8TcA-J8BsBohYMOlT5PXXBjU/s320/decolonize.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's why the Aurat March turned into such a public fiasco and national humiliation. It was run by women--surely, good-hearted and well-intentioned--who were doing the bhangra, waving unsavory placards, and chanting "azaadi" (freedom) without realizing that first it's their minds that need to be freed from the fetters of generations under oppression.<br />
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This crippling psychological effect of brutal subjugation is as old as time. To help us see straight, God relates stories of previous nations, and, in particular, anecdotes of women as influencers of those societies. Two oppressed nations described in detail belonging to Prophets Musa (A) and Lut (A) offer distinct and relateable examples of women either perpetuating or fighting oppression.<br />
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The women of Prophet Musa's tribe Bani Israel and the wife of Prophet Lut are the standard bearers of misguided activism while Asiya, the wife of Pharoah and foster mother of Prophet Musa, is hailed in the Quran as a stellar examplar of a righteous rebel and revolutionary.<br />
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See for yourself whose footsteps the Aurat Marchers were following.<br />
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<b><u>Could they see Islam as the solution?</u></b></h3>
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<i>Bani Israel:</i> refused to accept Prophet Musa's solution--to bring down the tyrant Pharoah, dismantle his system, and implement an Islamic socio-political system--to their problems. They said: "So go, you and your Lord, and fight you two, we are sitting right here." (Quran 5:24)</div>
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<i>Asiya: </i>exemplified righteous rebellion. She actively resisted the corrupt system of her husband and supported the Islamic system being established by her foster son. "My Lord...save me from an unjust people.” (66:11)<br />
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<i>Aurat Marchers: </i>did not offer the implementation of the Islamic system already on the country's books as the answer to the woes of Pakistani women.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you like the dupatta (head covering) so much then tie it around your eyes.</td></tr>
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<b><u>Were they settling for less?</u></b></h3>
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<i>Bani Israel:</i> were content with procuring small gains from God, such as garlic, lentils, and onions, to which Musa (A) replied: "Do you seek to replace what is superior with that which is inferior?"<br />
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<i>Asiya:</i> had her eye on the big picture, which was attaining nearness to God. That's why she supported Prophet Musa in establishing a system that guides people to live their best lives in this world while achieving success in the Hereafter. “My Lord, build for me with Thee a house in heaven." (66:11)<br />
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<i>Aurat Marchers: </i>demanded "paratha rolls instead of gender roles" and exemption from having to warm up food for their husbands! But, seriously, they were picking and choosing issues when they could get it all with systematic change.<br />
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<b><u>Who has Stockholm Syndrome?</u></b></h3>
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Bani Israel: </i>were mentally weakened from living for centuries under a pharonic system, and they believed imitating their oppressors was the solution to their problems. "O Musa, make for us a god as they have gods." (7:138) The women, in particular, were duped by trickster Samari into donating their jewelry so a golden calf could be built for worship.<br />
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<i>Asiya:</i> didn't want anything to do with tyrannical Pharoah and his ways even though his government was providing her with wealth, privileges, and luxury. "My Lord...save me from the Pharaoh and his doings." (66:11)<br />
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<i>Aurat Marchers:</i> even stole the name "Aurat March" from the "Women's March" first organized by American feminists to protest the election of President Donald Trump. Affinity to the secular, liberal, and free lifestyle that the West promotes was on display at the march in their manifesto, dances, songs, slogan, and placards.<br />
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<b><u>Do they support LGBTQ?</u></b></h3>
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<i>Prophet Lut's wife: </i>embraced the queer lifestyle. As a result, she was "among those who remained behind" for not necessarily practicing homosexuality but being an ally to them. She was killed in a God-sent natural disaster.</div>
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<i>Asiya: </i>opposed homosexuality as it was outlawed by the Law of Prophet Musa.<br />
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<i>Aurat Marchers: </i>"Our feminism is queer, trans-inclusive, class conscious...The Aurat March brings under its banner a diverse array of feminists, queer individuals, activists and organisers." (Aurat March Lahore Manifesto)<br />
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It is clear that the women of the Aurat March are dancing to the tunes of female activists on the wrong side of history: the women of Bani Israel and wife of Prophet Lut.<br />
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To truly improve the condition of women, activists need to turn to Asiya, whom God celebrates as a paragon of righteous rebellion and correct political insight. Indeed, she is considered one of four perfect women of all times along with Maryam, Khadija, and Fatima (A).<br />
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"And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh." (66:11)<br />
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Salina Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08156542579412279055noreply@blogger.com0