International Islamic Seminar
SAN PERNARDU : The International seminar on “Islam in South American Civilization and Human Relations” has concluded its meetings recently in this Brazilian city.
Dr. Jamal Badawi, spoke on “The relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims”. He pointed out that Muslim practice is based on living peacefully with their minorities and respecting their customs and religions. He argued convincingly that, forgiving nature of Islam could be traced to Islamic principles, and the Hadith.
Dr. Badawi’s scientific explanation of the forgiving and peaceful nature of Islam was extremely well received by the audience.
The secretary general of the British-based Islamic Establishment, Dr. Mohammed Manazir Ahsan, spoke about the British government policy on Islamic schools, and the difficulties facing Islamic Da’wa in Britain. Mr.Azzedine Ba’albaki, the most famous Muslim citizen in San Pernardu, and the author of Al-Risalah magazine delivered the lecture concerning the beginning of Da’wa work in Brazil.
The women of the Muslim community were represented by sister Fatima Mahayeri, who travelled from Londrina to lecture on the historical background of the Muslim community in South America.
She compared Western civilization with Muslim civilization. She argued that Western materialism failed to bring happiness and joy to the people, because it consists of pure materialism and is devoid of human feelings, whereas the Islamic civilization came to provide equality, justice, spirituality and happiness to mankind.
Dr. Aziz Bananis, a Moroccan scholar, spoke about the historical background to the Muslim presence in South America. She explained the locations of Muslim communities in the continent and their social situation.
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Islamic Names and Symbols
OHIO : The names and symbols of Islam are on the increase in this state. For example, there are four cities located there with Islamic names. They are Makkah, Madina, Taltila, and Ashbilia. The origin of these Islamic names is due to the Muslim origin of a large proportion of its inhabitants. As their numbers, and Islamic Da’wa activities increased the city of Makkah, Ohio state was founded in 1880. The Christian inhabitants named the city after the holy city of Makkah as a mark of respect for the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). There are numerous little cities across the US named after famous Arab cities in Egypt, Sham, Iraq and Morocco. (IINA)
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Malaysian Hajj Establishment
KALALAMPUR : The Malaysian Hajj Establishment (Tabung Haji) established in 1962, with just 1281 members depositing their savings (46,600, Malaysian dollars) is now having a membership of 30,00,000. The Hajj Establishment facilitates Malaysians who have intend to perform Hajj; to increase their savings; invest it according to shariah rules in productive economic activities till they accumulate the funds required to perform Hajj. The establishment invests the depositors’ money and distributes dividends, after Zakat tax is deducted. (IINA)
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A Halal Meat Factory
NEW YORK : The African-American Muslims in the US have established the largest Halal meat-canning factory in the US. The meat, which is meant for the domestic and export market, consists of cattle and poultry meat.
The factory, which will be located in the poor African- American suburb of Harlem (New York), is expected to generate an income of US $180 million per year. This Islamic project is expected to provide employment opportunities for poor people in the area. (IINA)
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Islamic Medical Conference
BIRMINGHAM : The London-based Muslim Dental Association, and the American-Muslim Medical Society concluded their joint conference on "The History of Islamic medicine" here. The participants in the two-day medical conference discussed the influence of Islamic ethics on the medical profession, in addition to research papers on the immense contribution to medical knowledge by Ibn Sina, Al-Razi, and Al-Zahrawi (IINA)
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The Ahl-al- Barr Society Counter Evangelisation
OUAGADOUGOU (BURKINA FASO) : The Al-al-barr Society here plans to counter evangelists campaign by dawah efforts to spread awareness about Islam. The African country which was once Muslim dominated came under massive efforts of evangelisation under French colonial rule. The Society has appealed for 40,000 to establish a radio station for dawah programme. The Christian missionaries own four radio stations covering the entire country while Muslims have none.
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Coca-Cola allows Beards for Muslim Workers
WASHINGTON : The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) recently announced that Coca-Cola Bottling Company has altered its policy. The new policy will allow beards worn for religious or medical reasons.
The policy shift came following a complaint to CAIR fun a Muslim worker who was denied a Job as a driver because of the beard he wore for religious reasons. Following discussion with CAIR, officials at Coca-Cola’s corporate head quarters in Atlanta, Ga., agreed that the bottling company would charge its policy prohibiting all breads.
“We appreciate Coca-Cola’s commitment to religious diversity in the work place.” Said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad.
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Drought in Ethiopia
JEDDAH : More than 4 million Ethiopians are starving due to the severe drought in many areas of the country. Addis Ababa, relief agency based in the Ethiopian capital reported that malnutrition has been an important cause for deaths among the children. Peasant and farmers in remote mountain villages are forced to sell their cattle at half price to buy wheat and their children are surviving on seeds and other unpalatable food. (IINA)
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Islamic Revival in Chechnya
CHECHNYA : Christian evangelical groups are witnessing an upsurge in Islamic commitment among Chechen people now. As a mark of Islamic revivalism more women have started wearing the Hijab and consumption of alcohol has declined. The Shariah law in Chechnya has helped the Chechyan resistance fighters to confront the Russian invaders.
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Liverpool Allows Muslim School
LIVERPOOL (U.K) : The Muslim dominated area of Granby here will have a community school that will allow Islamic prayers as well as prayers for all faiths. The Local Education Authority of Liverpool has allowed the community school with Islamic ethos after closing down St. Bernard and Granby Schools. The LEA recognised the need to handover the school to Muslims as 80% pupils in the area were Muslims said The Muslim News from London.
The School will be run by Muslims. Out of ten foundation representatives, six will be Muslims while others will be drawn from the city council, Granby Community, Christian Community and Liverpool Hope, University College Councillor Neville Bann Commented that community school was an innovative idea, in which all sections of the community, Muslims, Christians, and those who have no faith, will be able to work together. The school would cater for the children aged 5-11.
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Campaign against Abortion
LONDON : A large crowd of Muslims gathered here in front of the Houses of Parliament to show their opposition to abortion.
They carried placards explaining why Islam opposes the practice of abortion. The Muslim demonstration coincided with the 30th anniversary of a parliamentary legislation that permitted abortions in hospitals and clinics. (IINA)
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CAIR Conference
WASHINGTON : The Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR) is organizing a three-day conference on 26-28 June, 1998 under the theme of “strengthening our common ground” in Washington.
The objective of the conference is to discuss problems faced by Muslims in the US with suggestions to improve the Muslim situation there. The council will honour personalities from the Muslim community in America who have worked for the service of Islam.
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Arabic Official language of Red Cross
JEDDAH : The president of the Jeddah-based Pan-Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Society, Mr. Abdul Azi Ashi, announced that after dedicated lobbying and concerted efforts, Arabic has been accepted as the fourth official language of the International Red Cross and Red crescent societies. English, French and Spanish are the other three working languages of the Union. (IINA)
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