SALAHUDDIN AL AYUBI
Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi, the hero of hundreds of battles, was the person who for twenty years braved the storm of the Crusaders and ultimately pushed back the combined forces of Europe which had come to swarm the Holy Land. The world has hardly witnessed a more chivalrous and humane conqueror.
The Crusades represent the maddest and the longest war in the history of mankind, in which the storm of savage fanaticism of the Christian West burst in all its fury over western Asia. `The Crusades form', says a Western writer, `one of the maddest episodes in history. Christianity hurled itself against Muhammadanism in expedition after expedition for nearly three centuries, until failure brought lassitude, and superstition itself was undermined by its own labour. Europe was drained off men and money, and threatened with social bankruptcy, if not with annihilation. Millions perished in battle, hunger or disease and every atrocity imagination can conceive disgraced the warrior of the Cross'. The Christian West was excited to a mad religious frenzy by Peter the Hermit, and his followers to liberate the Holy Land from the hands of the Muslims. `Every means', says Hallam, `was used to excite an epidemical frenzy'. During the time that a Crusader bore the Cross, he was under the protection of the Church and exempted from all taxes as well as free to commit all sins.
Peter the Hermit himself led the second host of the Crusaders comprising forty thousand people. `Arriving at Mallevile, they avenged their precursors by assaulting the town, slaying seven thousand of the inhabitants, and abandoning themselves to every species of grossness and liberalism'. The savage hordes called Crusaders converted Hungary and Bulgaria into desolate regions. When they reached Asia Minor, they, according to Michaud, `committed crimes which made nature shudder'.
The third wave of the Crusaders commanded by a German monk, according to Gibbon, `were comprised of the most stupid and savage refuse of people. They mingled with their devotion a brutal licence of rapine, prostitution and drunkenness'. `They forgot Constantinople and Jerusalem', says Michaud `in tumultuous scenes of debauchery, and pillage, violation and murder was everywhere left on the traces of their passage'.
The fourth horde of the Crusaders which had risen from western Europe was, according to Mill, `another herd of wild and desperate savages... The internal multitude hurried on the south in their usual career of carnage and rapine'. But, at last, they were annihilated by the infuriated Hungarian Army which had a foretaste of the madness of the earlier Crusaders.
Later the Crusaders met with initial success and conquered a major part of Syria and Palestine, including the Holy city of Jerusalem. But their victories were followed by such brutalities and massacres of innocent Muslims which eclipsed the massacres of Changiz and Hulaku. Mill, a Christian historian, testifies to this massacre of the Muslim population on the fall of the Muslim town of Autioch. He writes: `The dignity of age, the helplessness of youth and the beauty of the weaker sex were disregarded by the Latin savages. Houses were no sanctuaries, and the sign of a mosque added new virulence to cruelty'. According to Michaud: `if contemporary account can be credited, all the vices of the infamous Babylon prevailed among the liberators of Scion'. The Crusaders laid waste to flourishing towns of Syria, butchered their population in cold blood and burnt to ashes the invaluable treasures of art and learning including the world famous library of Tripolis (Syria) containing more than three million volumes. `The streets ran with blood until ferocity was tired out', says Mill. `Those who were vigorous or beautiful were reserved for the slave market at Antioch, but the aged and the infirm were immolated at the altar of cruelty'.
But in the second half of the 12th century, when the Crusaders were in their greatest fury and the emperors of Germany and France and Richard, the lion-hearted king of England, had taken the field in person for the conquest of the Holy Land, the Crusaders were met by Sultan Salahuddin Ayubi, a great warrior who pushed back the surging wave of Christianity out to engulf the Holy Land. He was not able to clear the gathering storm but in him the Crusaders met a man of indomitable will and dauntless courage who could accept the challenge of the Christian West.
Salahuddin was born in 1137. He got his early training under his illustrious father Najmuddin Ayub and his chivalrous uncle Asaduddin Sherkoh, who were the trusted lieutenants of Nooruddin Mahmud, the monarch of Syria. Asaduddin Sherkoh, a great warrior general was the commander of the Syrian force, which had defeated the Crusaders both in Syria and Egypt. Sherkoh entered Egypt in 1167 to meet the challenge of the Fatamide Minister Shawer who had allied himself with the French. The marches and counter-marches of the gallant Sherkoh and his ultimate victory at Babain over the allied force, according to Michaud, `show military capacity of the highest order'. Ibni Atheer writes about it: `Never has history recorded a more extraordinary event than the rout of the Egyptian force and the French at the littoral by only a thousand cavaliers'.
On January 8, 1169 Sherkoh arrived in Cairo and was appointed as the Minister and Commander-in-Chief by the Fatimid Caliph. But Sherokh was not destined to enjoy the fruits of his high office long. He died two months later in 1169. On his death, his nephew Salahuddin Ayubi became the Prime Minister of Egypt. He soon won the hearts of the people by his liberality and justice and on the death of the Egyptian Caliph became the virtual ruler of Egypt.
In Syria too, the celebrated Nooruddin Mahmud died in 1174 and was succeeded by his eleven year old son, Malik-us-Saleh who became a tool in the hands of his courtiers, specially Gumushtagin. Salahuddin sent a message to Malik-us-Saleh offering his services and devotion. He even continued to keep his name in the `Khutaba' (Friday Sermons) and coinage. But all these considerations were of no avail for the young ruler and his ambitious courtiers. This state of affairs once more heartened the Crusaders who were kept down by the advice of Gumushtagin retired to Alippo, leaving Damascus exposed to a Frankish attack. The Crusaders instantly laid siege to the Capital city and released it only after being paid heavy ransom. This enraged Salahuddin who hurried to Damascus with a small force and took possession of it.
After occupying Damascus, he did not enter the palace of his patron, Nooruddin Mahmud, but stayed in his father's house. The Muslims, on the other hand, were much dismayed by the activities of Malik-us-Saleh and invited him to rule over the area. But Salahuddin continued to rule on behalf of the young Malik-us-Saleh. On the death of Malik-us-Saleh in 1181-82, the authority of Salahuddin was acknowledged by all the sovereigns of western Asia.
There was a truce between the Sultan and the Franks in Palestine but, according to the French historian Michaud, `the Mussalmans respected their pledged faith, whilst the Christians gave the signal of a new war'. Contrary to the terms of the truce, the Christian ruler Renaud or Reginald of Chatillon attacked a Muslim caravan passing by his castle, massacred a large number of people and looted their property. The Sultan was now free to act. By a skilful manoeuvre, Salahuddin entrapped the powerful enemy forces near the hill of Hittin in 1187 and routed them with heavy loses. The Sultan did allow the Christians to recover and rapidly followed up his victory of Hittin. In a remarkably short time, he reoccupied a large number of cities which were in possession of the Christians including Nablus, Jericko, Ramlah, Caesarea, Arsuf, Jaffa and Beirut. Ascalon, too, submitted after a short siege and was granted generous terms by the kind-hearted Sultan.
The Sultan now turned his attention to Jerusalem which contained more than sixty thousand Crusaders. The Christians, could not withstand the onslaught of the Sultan's forces and capitulated in 1187. The humanity of the Sultan towards the defeated Christians of Jerusalem procures an unpleasant contrast to the massacre of the Muslims in Jerusalem when conquered by the Christians about ninety years before.
According to the French historian Michaud, on the conquest of Jerusalem by the Christians in 1099 `the Saracens were massacred in the streets and in the houses. Jerusalem had no refuge for the vanquished. Some fled from death by precipitating themselves from the ramparts; others crowded for shelter into the palaces, the towers and above all, in the mosques where they could not conceal themselves from the Christians. The Crusaders, masters of the Mosque of Umar, where the Saracens defended themselves for sometime, renewed their deplorable scenes which disgraced the conquest of Titus. The infantry and the cavalry rushed pell-mell among the fugitives. Amid the most horrid tumult, nothing was heard but the groans and cries of death; the victors trod over heaps of corpses in pursuing those who vainly attempted to escape. Raymond d'Agiles who was an eye-witness, says :that under the portico of the mosque, the blood was knee-deep, and reached the horses' bridles.'
There was a short lull in the act of slaughter when the Crusaders assembled to offer their thanksgiving prayer for the victory they had achieved. But soon it was renewed with great ferocity. `All the captives', says Michaud, `whom the lassitude of carnage had at first spared, all those who had been saved in the hope of rich ransom, were butchered in cold blood. The Saracens were forced to throw themselves from the tops of towers and houses; they were burnt alive; they were dragged from their subterranean retreats, they were hauled to the public places, and immolated on piles of the dead. Neither the tears of women nor the cries of little children--- not even the sight of the place where Jesus Christ forgave his executioners, could mollify the victors' passion... The carnage lasted for a week. The few who escaped were reduced to horrible servitude'.
Another Christian historian, Mill adds: `It was resolved that no pity should be shown to the Mussalmans. The subjugated people were, therefore, dragged into the public places, and slain as victims. Women with children at their breast, girls and boys, all were slaughtered. The squares, the streets and even the un-inhabited places of Jerusalem, were strewn with the dead bodies of men and women, and the mangled limbs of children. No heart melted in compassion, or expanded into benevolence'.
These are the graphic accounts of the massacre of the Muslims in Jerusalem about ninety years before the reoccupation of the Holy city by Sultan Salahuddin in which more than seventy thousand Muslims perished.
On the other hand, when the Sultan captured Jerusalem in 1187, he gave free pardon to the Christians living in the city. Only the combatants were asked to leave the city on payment of a nominal ransom. In most of the cases, the Sultan provided the ransom money from his own pocket and even provided them transport. A number of weeping Christian women carrying their children in their arms approached the Sultan and said `You see us on foot, the wives, mothers and dauthers of the warriors who are your prisoners; we are quitting forever this country; they aided us in our lives, in losing them we lose our last hope; if you give them to us, they can alleviate our miseries and we shall not be without support on earth'. The Sultan was highly moved with their appeal and set free their men. Those who left the city were allowed to carry all their bag and baggage. The humane and benevolent behaviour of the Sultan with the defeated Christians of Jerusalem provides a striking contrast to the butchery of the Muslims in this city at the hands of the Crusaders ninety years before. The commanders under the Sultan vied with each other in showing mercy to the defeated Crusaders.
The Christian refugees of Jerusalem were not given refuge by the cities ruled by the Christians. `Many of the Christians who left Jerusalem', says Mill, `went to Antioch but Bohemond not only denied them hospitality, but even stripped them. They marched into the Saracenian country, and were well received'. Michaud gives a long account of the Christian inhumanity to the Christian refugees of Jerusalem. Tripoli shut its gates on them and, according to Michaud, `one woman, urged by despair, cast her infant into the sea, cursing the Christians who refused them succour'. But the Sultan was very considerate towards the defeated Christians. Respecting their feelings, he did not enter the city of Jerusalem until the Crusaders had left.
From Jerusalem, the Sultan marched upon Tyre, where the ungrateful Crusaders pardoned by Sultan in Jerusalem had organized to meet him. The Sultan captured a number of towns held by the Crusaders on the sea coast, including Laodicea, Jabala, Saihun, Becas, Bozair and Derbersak. The Sultan had set free Guy de Luginan on the promise that he would instantly leave for Europe. But, as soon as this ungrateful Christian Knight got freedom, he broke his pledged word and collecting a large army, laid siege to Ptolemais.
The fall of Jerusalem into the hands of the Muslims threw Christendom into violent commotion and reinforcements began to pour in from all parts of Europe. The Emperors of Germany and France as well as Richard, the Lion-hearted, king of England, hurried with large armies to seize the Holy Land from the Muslims. They laid siege to Acre which lasted for several months. In several open combats against the Sultan,, the Crusaders were routed with terrible losses.
The Sultan had now to face the combined might of Europe. Incessant reinforcements continued pouring in for the Crusaders and despite their heavy slaughter in combats against the Sultan, their number continued increasing. The besieged Muslims of Acre, who held on so long against the flower of the European army and who had been crippled with famine at last capitulated on the solemn promise that none would be killed and that they would pay 2,00,000 pieces of gold to the chiefs of the Crusaders. There was some delay in the payment of the ransom when the Lion-hearted king of England butchered the helpless Muslims in cold blood within the sight of their brethren.
This act of the king of England infuriated the Sultan. He vowed to avenge the blood of the innocent Muslims. Along the 150 miles of coastlines, in eleven Homeric battles, the Sultan inflicted heavy losses on the Christian forces.
At the last the Lion-hearted king of England sued for peace, which was accepted by the Sultan. He had found facing him a man of indomitable will and boundless energy and had realized the futility of continuing the struggle against such a person. In September 1192, peace was concluded and the Crusaders left the Holy Land with bag and baggage, bound for their homes in Europe.
`
Thus ended the third Crusade', writes Michaud, `in which the combined forces of the west could not gain more than the capture of Acre and the destruction of Ascaion. In it, Germany lost one of its greatest emperors and the flower of its army. More than six lakh Crusaders landed in front of Acre and hardly one lakh returned to their homes. Europe has more reasons to wail on the outcome of this Crusade as in it had participated the best armies of Europe. The flower of Western chivalry which Europe was proud of had fought in these wars'.
The Sultan devoted the rest of his life to public welfare activities and built hospitals, schools, colleges and mosques all over his dominion.
But he was not destined to live long to enjoy the fruits of peace. A few months later, he died on March 4, 1193 at Damascus. `The day of his death' says a Muslim writer, `was for Islam and the Mussalmans, a misfortune such as they never suffered since they were deprived of the first four Caliphs. The palace, the empire, and the world was overwhelmed with grief, the whole city was plunged in sorrow, and followed his bier weeping and crying'.
Thus died Sultan Salahuddin, one of the most humane and chivalrous monarchs in the annals of mankind. In him, nature had very harmoniously blended the benevolent and merciful heart of a Muslim with a matchless military genius. The messenger who took the news of his death to Baghdad brought the Sultan's coat of mail, his horse one dinar and 36 dirhams which was all the property he had left. His contemporaries and other historians are unanimous in acknowledging Salahuddin as a tender-hearted, kind, patient, affable person--- a friend of the learned and the virtuous whom he treated with utmost respect and beneficence. `In Europe', says Phillip K. Hitti, `he touched the fancy of the English minstrels as well as the modern novelists and is still considered the paragon of chivalry'.
Monday, July 29, 2002
TARIQ IBNU ZIYAD
After landing on the coastal strip overlooking the rock which was later named as 'Jabal-ul-Tariq' (Gibraltar), its conqueror Tariq Bin Zayid, ordered the burning of the ships that had brought his Muslim troops from Africa in 711 A.D.
Why are you doing this. Sir?' cried the astonished soldiers.
How will we return? Enquired some.
Tariq remained unmoved by these appeals.
In reply, he uttered those historic words, which will always inspire people to embark on brave deeds. He said: 'We have not come her to return. Either we shall conquer and establish ourselves here or we will perish.'
Emboldened by these words. Tariq and his soldiers routed one of the most formidable armies of the West and carried the banner of Islam even beyond the high walls of the Pyrenees.
Soon after the death of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sws), the Muslims were threatened from all sides. The mighty neighbouring Empires of the Roman and Persians were conspiring to uproot this new force. But the Arabs not only met this challenge but also crushed the two greatest Empires of the world, and in less than half a century their arms held sway over the three known continents.
The Islamic principles of equality and fraternity had enabled the conquered and newly converted races to take their share in the government along with the noblest of the Arabs. Islam recognised no distinction of caste and creed and readily patronised talent wherever found. This is why all capable slaves have occupied the highest positions in an Islamic polity and many slave dynasties have magnificently ruled over Muslim subjects.
Tariq bin Ziyad, a newly converted Berber slave wsa a lieutenant of Musa bin Nusair, the Muslim Viceroy of Africa. The Berber slave was destined to be the conqueror of Spain, the biggest Muslim territory in Europe, which, for eight centuries under the Muslims, kept aloft the torch of civilisation and culture that at last dispelled the gloom that had enveloped the Mediaeval Europe.
At this time, when Africa was enjoying the blessings of toleration, justice and prosperity under the Muslims, neighbouring Spain was groaning under the tyranny, and bigotry of its Gothic ruler. The honour of women was not safe and the tillers of the soil were put to heavy taxation. The rulers and their henchmen revelled in luxury while the masses groaned in poverty. A large number of refugees from Spain both Christians and Jews who had suffered under the Gothic rule had taken refuge in Muslim Africa. One of them was Julian, the Governor of Ceuta, whose daughter. Florinda, had been dishonoured by Roderick, the Gothic King of Spain. They appealed to Musa to liberate their country from the tyrant's yoke.
In response to their prayer and with the sanction of the Caliph, Musa made a reconnaissance on the southern coast of Spain. The report was favourable and in May 711, Tariq bin Zaid with 7,000 Muslims crossed the Straits in ships in small contingents. As his troops landed in Europe, Tariq concentrated them on a hill, which took the name of 'Jabl-ul-Tariq' (The Rock of Tariq) now called Gibraltar, and urged them either to conquer or perish. They had no intention to go back home.
The Gothic King Roderick collected a huge army of more than one lakh solders. Tariq, too was reinforced by 5,000 soldiers dispatched by Musa and now his army numbered 12,000. The two armies met at the mouth of river Barbate, on the shores of a lagoo of Janda and fought a decisive battle on July 9th, 711, A.D. The two armies were unequally matched. The Christians by Tariq was irresistible and the Goths were completely routed with terrible losses. King Roderick was drowned in the river. This remarkable victory of Tariq broke the morale of the Spaniards, and henceforward, they did not dare face the Muslims in the open.
Therefore, the armies of Tariq met little resistance in the interior of Spain. His was a triumphant march from place to place in the Peninsula. Tariq had divided his small army into four divisions and directed one of his lieutenants towards Cordova, the other towards Malaga, the third towards Granada and himself at the head of the main body hurriedly marched upon Toledo, the Capital of Spain. All these cities capitulated without much resistance. The Goths were paralysed by the rapidity of Tariq's movement and the severity of his blows. The Gothic armies fled before him. 'God', says an analyst, 'filled the hearts of idolators with terror and alarm.' The oppressed masses of Spain hailed the Muslims as their liberators. The exemplary treatment of Tariq and his men endeared him to the conquered races.
The fiercest battle of the entire campaign was fought at Ecija, which resulted in the victory of Tariq's forces. Toledo, the Capital of Spain, also capitulated after little resistance. Here Tariq was joined by his Master Musa bin Nusair, thee Muslim viceory of Africa. Hence forward, the two generals moved side by side and in less than two years, the whole of Spain was in Muslim hands Portugal was conquered, a few years after. 'This constituted the last and the most sensational of the major Arab campaigns', writes Philip K. Hitti,' and resulted in the addition to the Moslem world of the largest European territory ever held by them. In its swiftness of execution and completness of success, this expedition into Spain holds a unique place in the Mediaeval Military Annals.
Musa and Tariq would have easily conquered the whole of Europe which lay at their feet. There was none to stop their victorious advance, but Providence meant otherwise. When they were planning the conquest of Europe, they received summons from the Caliph to present themselves at Damascus. They exhibited a rare discipline by obeying the orders of the Caliph, reaching Damascus at the earliest possible time. Tariq died there afterwards.
The conquest of Spain by Muslims opened a new era for the Peninsula. It brought about a social revolution in which the freedom of religion was fully recognised. The intoleration and persecution of the Christians gave place to toleration and large-heartedness. The captured Christian cities received favourable terms which were faithfully observed. Individual acts of violence by the Muslim soldiers were severely punished. No properties or estates were confiscated. Instead, the Muslims introduced an intelligent system of taxation, which soon brought prosperity to the Peninsula and made it a model country in the West. The Christians had their own judges to settle their disputes. All communities had equal opportunities for entry into the public services.
This wise an generous administration of Muslim conquerors had its good effects. The Christians including their priests, who had first left their homes in terror came back and passes a happy and prosperous life. A well-known Christian writer says: 'The Moors (Muslims) organised that wonderful kingdom of Cordova, which was the marvel of the Middle Ages, and which, when all Europe was plunged in barbaric ignorance and strife, alone held the torch of learning and civilisation bright and shining before the Western world.' (Extracted from 'The Hundred Great Muslims')
After landing on the coastal strip overlooking the rock which was later named as 'Jabal-ul-Tariq' (Gibraltar), its conqueror Tariq Bin Zayid, ordered the burning of the ships that had brought his Muslim troops from Africa in 711 A.D.
Why are you doing this. Sir?' cried the astonished soldiers.
How will we return? Enquired some.
Tariq remained unmoved by these appeals.
In reply, he uttered those historic words, which will always inspire people to embark on brave deeds. He said: 'We have not come her to return. Either we shall conquer and establish ourselves here or we will perish.'
Emboldened by these words. Tariq and his soldiers routed one of the most formidable armies of the West and carried the banner of Islam even beyond the high walls of the Pyrenees.
Soon after the death of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sws), the Muslims were threatened from all sides. The mighty neighbouring Empires of the Roman and Persians were conspiring to uproot this new force. But the Arabs not only met this challenge but also crushed the two greatest Empires of the world, and in less than half a century their arms held sway over the three known continents.
The Islamic principles of equality and fraternity had enabled the conquered and newly converted races to take their share in the government along with the noblest of the Arabs. Islam recognised no distinction of caste and creed and readily patronised talent wherever found. This is why all capable slaves have occupied the highest positions in an Islamic polity and many slave dynasties have magnificently ruled over Muslim subjects.
Tariq bin Ziyad, a newly converted Berber slave wsa a lieutenant of Musa bin Nusair, the Muslim Viceroy of Africa. The Berber slave was destined to be the conqueror of Spain, the biggest Muslim territory in Europe, which, for eight centuries under the Muslims, kept aloft the torch of civilisation and culture that at last dispelled the gloom that had enveloped the Mediaeval Europe.
At this time, when Africa was enjoying the blessings of toleration, justice and prosperity under the Muslims, neighbouring Spain was groaning under the tyranny, and bigotry of its Gothic ruler. The honour of women was not safe and the tillers of the soil were put to heavy taxation. The rulers and their henchmen revelled in luxury while the masses groaned in poverty. A large number of refugees from Spain both Christians and Jews who had suffered under the Gothic rule had taken refuge in Muslim Africa. One of them was Julian, the Governor of Ceuta, whose daughter. Florinda, had been dishonoured by Roderick, the Gothic King of Spain. They appealed to Musa to liberate their country from the tyrant's yoke.
In response to their prayer and with the sanction of the Caliph, Musa made a reconnaissance on the southern coast of Spain. The report was favourable and in May 711, Tariq bin Zaid with 7,000 Muslims crossed the Straits in ships in small contingents. As his troops landed in Europe, Tariq concentrated them on a hill, which took the name of 'Jabl-ul-Tariq' (The Rock of Tariq) now called Gibraltar, and urged them either to conquer or perish. They had no intention to go back home.
The Gothic King Roderick collected a huge army of more than one lakh solders. Tariq, too was reinforced by 5,000 soldiers dispatched by Musa and now his army numbered 12,000. The two armies met at the mouth of river Barbate, on the shores of a lagoo of Janda and fought a decisive battle on July 9th, 711, A.D. The two armies were unequally matched. The Christians by Tariq was irresistible and the Goths were completely routed with terrible losses. King Roderick was drowned in the river. This remarkable victory of Tariq broke the morale of the Spaniards, and henceforward, they did not dare face the Muslims in the open.
Therefore, the armies of Tariq met little resistance in the interior of Spain. His was a triumphant march from place to place in the Peninsula. Tariq had divided his small army into four divisions and directed one of his lieutenants towards Cordova, the other towards Malaga, the third towards Granada and himself at the head of the main body hurriedly marched upon Toledo, the Capital of Spain. All these cities capitulated without much resistance. The Goths were paralysed by the rapidity of Tariq's movement and the severity of his blows. The Gothic armies fled before him. 'God', says an analyst, 'filled the hearts of idolators with terror and alarm.' The oppressed masses of Spain hailed the Muslims as their liberators. The exemplary treatment of Tariq and his men endeared him to the conquered races.
The fiercest battle of the entire campaign was fought at Ecija, which resulted in the victory of Tariq's forces. Toledo, the Capital of Spain, also capitulated after little resistance. Here Tariq was joined by his Master Musa bin Nusair, thee Muslim viceory of Africa. Hence forward, the two generals moved side by side and in less than two years, the whole of Spain was in Muslim hands Portugal was conquered, a few years after. 'This constituted the last and the most sensational of the major Arab campaigns', writes Philip K. Hitti,' and resulted in the addition to the Moslem world of the largest European territory ever held by them. In its swiftness of execution and completness of success, this expedition into Spain holds a unique place in the Mediaeval Military Annals.
Musa and Tariq would have easily conquered the whole of Europe which lay at their feet. There was none to stop their victorious advance, but Providence meant otherwise. When they were planning the conquest of Europe, they received summons from the Caliph to present themselves at Damascus. They exhibited a rare discipline by obeying the orders of the Caliph, reaching Damascus at the earliest possible time. Tariq died there afterwards.
The conquest of Spain by Muslims opened a new era for the Peninsula. It brought about a social revolution in which the freedom of religion was fully recognised. The intoleration and persecution of the Christians gave place to toleration and large-heartedness. The captured Christian cities received favourable terms which were faithfully observed. Individual acts of violence by the Muslim soldiers were severely punished. No properties or estates were confiscated. Instead, the Muslims introduced an intelligent system of taxation, which soon brought prosperity to the Peninsula and made it a model country in the West. The Christians had their own judges to settle their disputes. All communities had equal opportunities for entry into the public services.
This wise an generous administration of Muslim conquerors had its good effects. The Christians including their priests, who had first left their homes in terror came back and passes a happy and prosperous life. A well-known Christian writer says: 'The Moors (Muslims) organised that wonderful kingdom of Cordova, which was the marvel of the Middle Ages, and which, when all Europe was plunged in barbaric ignorance and strife, alone held the torch of learning and civilisation bright and shining before the Western world.' (Extracted from 'The Hundred Great Muslims')
Ensiklopedi Da'wah
Da'wah
Setiap kegiatan yang bersifat menyeru, mengajak dan memanggil orang untuk beriman dan taat kepada Allah Subhaanahu wa ta'ala sesuai dengan garis aqidah, syari'at dan akhlak Islam. Kata da'wah merupakan masdar (kata benda) dari kata kerja da'a yad'u yang berarti panggilan, seruan atau ajakan.
Kata da'wah sering dirangkaikan dengan kata "Ilmu" dan kata "Islam", sehingga menjadi "Ilmu da'wah" dan Ilmu Islam" atau ad-da'wah al-Islamiyah.
Yang dimaksud Ilmu da'wah adalah suatu ilmu yang berisi cara-cara dan tuntunan untuk menarik perhatian orang lain supaya menganut, mengikuti, menyetujui atau melaksanakan suatu ideologi, agama, pendapat atau pekerjaan tertentu. Orang yang menyampaikan da'wah disebut da'i sedangkan yang menjadi obyek da'wah disebut mad'u. Setiap Muslim yang menjalankan fungsi da'wah Islam adalah da'i.
Tujuan utama da'wah ialah mewujudkan kebahagiaan dan kesejahteraan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat yang diridlai oleh Allah Swt. Nabi Muhammad Salallaahu 'alaihi wa salam mencontohkan da'wah kepada ummatnya dengan berbagai cara melalui lisan, tulisan dan perbuatan. Dimulai dari istrinya, keluarganya, dan teman-teman karibnya hingga raja-raja yang berkuasa pada saat itu. Di antara raja-raja yang mendapat surat atau risalah Nabi Saw adalah kaisar Heraclius dari Byzantium, Mukaukis dari Mesir, Kista dari Persia(Iran) dan Raja Najasyi dari Habasyah (Ethiopia).
Dalil
Adalah keterangan yang dijadikan bukti atau alasan sesuatu kebenaran. Dalam Islam (ilmu matiq) dikenal dua macam dalil, yakni dalil naqli yang bersumber dari Al-Qur'an dan as-Sunnah dan dalil aqli, yaitu dalil yang berdasarkan hukum akal(logika), analisa akal dan pembahasan ilmu pengetahuan.Kata dalil juga bisa diartikan kaidah, patokan dalam suatu pembahasan, prasaran, dan sebagai kaidah yang harus diterapkan kebenarannya dalam ilmu pasti.
Dalil-dalil Naqli yang berasal dari ayat-ayat al-Qur'an semuanya berstatus sebagai dalil-dalil ang qat'i al-wurud, artinya sudah diyakini merupakan wahyu Allah swt yang terpelihara dari campur tangan manusia. Sedangkan dalil aqli yaitu dalil-dalil yang diperoleh melalui proses penalaran akal(ijtihad). Ijtihad ini adakalanya dilakukan dengan membandingkan segi persamaan ('illat) yang terdapat pada suatu perbuatan yang belum ada ketentuan hukumnya dengan berbuatan lain yang sudah ada ketentuan hukumnya dalam dalil naqli(kias). Ijtihad biasanya dilakukan dengan memperhatikan ruh tasyri'(jiwa atau semangat hukum), kemaslahatan umum, dan sebagainya.
Fiqhud-Da'wah
Ilmu yang memahami aspek hukum dan tatacara yang berkaitan dengan da'wah, sehingga para muballigh bukan saja paham tentang kebenaran Islam akan tetapi mereka juga didukung oleh kemampuan yang baik dalam menyampaikan risalah al Islamiyah.
Penyakit-penyakit da'i
Adalah bentuk hambatan yang dialami juru dakwah(da'i) sehingga berakibat mengganggu aktivitasnya sebagai muballigh. Di antara bentuk-bentuk penyakit tersebut adalah:
1. Futuur
Penyakit hati (ruhani) yang melanda juru da'wah dari yang semula giat dan bersemangat, menjadi lemah dan kehilangan gairah. hal-hal yang menyebabkan juru da'wah terserang penyakit ini adalah: (1) Sikap berlebihan yang tidak mempertimbangkan situasi dan kondisi baik fisik, kesehatan maupun psikis; (2) Tidak mengontrol hal-hal yang mubah, seperti makan minum, tidur dan beraktivitas seksual sehingga nafsu berkuasa; (3) Memisahkan diri dari Jamaah; (4) Kurang mengingat kematian; (5) Santai dalam beribadah.
2. Isti'jal
Jenis penyakit juru da'wah yang ingin mencapai perubahan atas realitas yang dialami kaum muslimin dalam waktu yang sesingkat-singkatnya tanpa memperhatikan lingkungan, akibat, dan tanpa melihat kenyataan, juga tanpa persiapan yang cukup sebelumnya baik sistem maupun sarana. Dengan kata lain, Isti'jal merupakan cara-cara da'wah yang menginginkan hasil yang maksimal dengan waktu yang sesingkat mungkin.
Da'wah Fardiah
Metode da'wah yang dilakukan seseorang kepada orang lain (satu orang) atau kepada beberapa orang dalam jumlah yang kecil dan terbatas. Biasanya da'wah fardiah terjadi tanpa persiapan yang matang dan tersusun secara tertib. Termasuk kategori da'wah seperti ini adalah: menasihati teman sekerja, teguran, anjuran memberi contoh. Termasuk dalam hal ini pada saat mengunjungi orang sakit, pada waktu ada acara tahniah (ucapan selamat), dan pada waktu upacara kelahiran (tasmiyah).
Da'wah Ammah
Merupakan jenis da'wah yang dilakukan oleh seseorang dengan media lisan yang ditujukan kepada orang banyak dengan maksud menanamkan pengaruh kepada mereka. Media yang dipakai biasanya berbentuk khitabah (pidato).
Da'wah Ammah ini kalau ditinjau dari segi subyeknya, ada yang dilakukan oleh perorangan dan ada yang dilakukan oleh organisasi tertentu yang berkecimpung dalam soal-doal da'wah.
Hidayah
Petunjuk Allah Swt kepada manusia mengenai keimanan dan keislaman. Dalam al-Qur'an tidak didapati kata hidayah tersebut. Kata hidayah merupakan bentuk masdar (infinitif) dari kata kerja hada (telah menunjuki atau membimbing) dan yahdi (akan atau sedang menunjuki atau membimbing), yang sangat banyak dalam al-Qur'an. Selain itu pengertian petunjuk atau bimbingan yang terkandung dalam kata hidayah itu persis sama dengan kata al-huda, yang amat banyak kita jumpai dalam al-Quranul karim.
Pengertian hidayah yang terkandung dalam kata hada, yahdi dan al-huda itu pada umumnya mengacu kepada bimbingan atau petunjuk bagi manusia kepada jalan yang lurus (as-sirath-al-mustaqim), yang baik (at-thayyib) yang benar (al-haq), atau jalan yang terpuji (as-sirat al-hamid).
Hidayah itu diberikan oleh Allah kepada manusia supaya manusia mengikutinya dengan baik, agar mereka berhasil memperoleh apa yang mereka butuhkan di dunia ini dengan cara yang baik, benar, lurus, atau terpuji, sehigga mereka berbahagia dunia dan akhirat. Tugas muballigh dalam hal ini adalah memberikan penerangan kepada ummat manusia agar mereka dapat memperoleh hidayat dari Allah Swt.
Da'wah bil-Lisan
Dakwah jenis ini adalah penyampaian informasi atau pesan da'wah melalui lisan (ceramah atau komunikasi langsung antara subyek dan obyek da'wah). Da'wah jenis ini akan menjadi efektif bila: disampaikan berkaitan dengan hari ibadah seperti khutbah Jum'at atau khutbah hari Raya, kajian yang disampaikan menyangkut ibadah praktis, konteks sajian terprogram, disampaikan dengan metode dialog dengan hadirin.
Dakwah bil-Haal
Da'wah bil al-Hal adalah da'wah yang mengedepankan perbuatan nyata. Hal ini dimaksudkan agar si penerima da'wah (al-Mad'ulah) mengikuti jejak dan hal ikhwal si da'i (juru da'wah). Da'wah jenis ini mempunyai pengaruh yang besar pada diri penerima da'wah.
Pada saat pertama kali Rasulullah Saw batu tiba di kota Madinah beliau mencontohkan dakwah bil al hal ini dengan mendirikan masjid Quba, dan mempersatukan kaum anshor dan kaum muhajirin dalam ikatan ukhuwah Islamiyah.
Da'wah bit-Tadwin
Memasuki zaman global seperti saat sekarang ini pola da'wah bit at-Tadwin( da'wah melalui tulisan) baik dengan menerbitkan kitab-kitab, buku, majalah, internet, koran, dan tulisan-tulisan yang mengandung pesan da'wah sangat penting dan efektif.
Keuntungan lain dari da'wah model ini tidak menjadi musnah meskipun sang dai, atau penulisnya sudah wafat. Menyangkut da'wah bit-Tadwim ini Rasulullah saw bersabda," Sesungguhnya tinta para ulama adalah lebih baik dari darahnya para syuhada."
Da'wah bil Hikmah
Yakni menyampaikan da'wah dengan cara yang arif bijaksana, yaitu melakukan pendekatan sedemikian rupa sehingga pihak obyek da'wah mampu melaksanakan da'wah atas kemauannya sendiri, tidak merasa ada paksaan, tekanan maupun konflik. Dengan kata lain da'wah bi al-hikmah merupakan suatu metode pendekatan komunikasi da'wah yang dilakukan atas dasar persuasif.
Dalam kitab al-Hikmah fi al Da'wah Ilallah ta'ala oleh Said bin Ali bin wahif al-Qathani diuraikan lebih jelas tentang pengertian al-Hikmah, antara lain: Menurut bahasa; adil, ilmu, sabar, kenabian,al-Qur'an dan Injil; memperbaiki (membuat manjadi lebih baik atau pas) dan terhindar dari kerusakan; ungkapan untuk mengetahui sesuatu yang utama dengan ilmu yang utama; obyek kebenaran(al-haq) yang didapat melalui ilmu dan akal; pengetahuan atau ma'rifat. Menurut istilah Syar'i; valid dalam perkataan dan perbuatan, mengetahui yang benar dan mengamalkannya, wara' dalam Dinullah, meletakkan sesuatu pada tempatnya dan menjawab dengan tegas dan tepat.
Khatib
Dalam pengirtian umumnya khatib merupakan sebutan untuk orang-orang yang berpidato. Pengertian khususnya adalah orang yang khutbah saat shalat Jum'at dan shalat Id.
Pada zaman pra Islam, para khatib menempati kedudukan yang sangat tinggi yang mampu menciptakan prosa bersajak (an-nahr al-masju') secara alami, sehingga kehadiran khatib di kalangan mereka sama dengan penyair yang mempunyai kedudukan tinggi dalam masyarakat. Khatib umumnya berasal dari kalangan orang-orang yang berpengaruh atau cendekiawan yang menguasai sejarah bangsa Arab.
Para khatib yang terkenal pada saman Rasulullah saw antara lain: Sabit bin Qis al-Anshari, Abdur Rahman bin Zubair bin Awwam, Abdullah bin Zubair, Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Ibnu Mas'ud) Talhah bin Ubaidillah, Sa'ad bin Rabi, dan Habbab bin Musnir.
Manhaj
Bentuk metode (kaidah) gerakan yang mengambil sumber dari al-Qur'an dan as-Sunnah, baik menyangkut dasar gerakan, tujuan, sasaran yang ingin dicapai, serta para aktivitas pelakunya.
Jama'atun min Jama'atil Muslimin
Sebuah jamaah yang merupakan bagian dari komunitas Jamaah Muslimin sedunia. Menurut Ali Jabir MA dalam bukunya Ath Thariq ilal Jama'atul Muslimin, saat ini belum terbentuk Jama'atul Muslimin. Yang ada adalah jamaah dari sebagian kaum muslimin (Jama'ah minal Muslimin), baik berbentuk kelompok maupun negara.
Harakah Jihadiyah al-Islamiyyah
Jalan menuju jihad untuk menyebarkan luaskan ajaran al-Islam keseluruh pelosok bumi. Tugas ini merupakan kewajiban seluruh kaum Muslimin, tanpa terkecuali. Dalam hal ini sesuai dengan tingkat kemampuan individu masing-masing.
Da'wah
Setiap kegiatan yang bersifat menyeru, mengajak dan memanggil orang untuk beriman dan taat kepada Allah Subhaanahu wa ta'ala sesuai dengan garis aqidah, syari'at dan akhlak Islam. Kata da'wah merupakan masdar (kata benda) dari kata kerja da'a yad'u yang berarti panggilan, seruan atau ajakan.
Kata da'wah sering dirangkaikan dengan kata "Ilmu" dan kata "Islam", sehingga menjadi "Ilmu da'wah" dan Ilmu Islam" atau ad-da'wah al-Islamiyah.
Yang dimaksud Ilmu da'wah adalah suatu ilmu yang berisi cara-cara dan tuntunan untuk menarik perhatian orang lain supaya menganut, mengikuti, menyetujui atau melaksanakan suatu ideologi, agama, pendapat atau pekerjaan tertentu. Orang yang menyampaikan da'wah disebut da'i sedangkan yang menjadi obyek da'wah disebut mad'u. Setiap Muslim yang menjalankan fungsi da'wah Islam adalah da'i.
Tujuan utama da'wah ialah mewujudkan kebahagiaan dan kesejahteraan hidup di dunia dan di akhirat yang diridlai oleh Allah Swt. Nabi Muhammad Salallaahu 'alaihi wa salam mencontohkan da'wah kepada ummatnya dengan berbagai cara melalui lisan, tulisan dan perbuatan. Dimulai dari istrinya, keluarganya, dan teman-teman karibnya hingga raja-raja yang berkuasa pada saat itu. Di antara raja-raja yang mendapat surat atau risalah Nabi Saw adalah kaisar Heraclius dari Byzantium, Mukaukis dari Mesir, Kista dari Persia(Iran) dan Raja Najasyi dari Habasyah (Ethiopia).
Dalil
Adalah keterangan yang dijadikan bukti atau alasan sesuatu kebenaran. Dalam Islam (ilmu matiq) dikenal dua macam dalil, yakni dalil naqli yang bersumber dari Al-Qur'an dan as-Sunnah dan dalil aqli, yaitu dalil yang berdasarkan hukum akal(logika), analisa akal dan pembahasan ilmu pengetahuan.Kata dalil juga bisa diartikan kaidah, patokan dalam suatu pembahasan, prasaran, dan sebagai kaidah yang harus diterapkan kebenarannya dalam ilmu pasti.
Dalil-dalil Naqli yang berasal dari ayat-ayat al-Qur'an semuanya berstatus sebagai dalil-dalil ang qat'i al-wurud, artinya sudah diyakini merupakan wahyu Allah swt yang terpelihara dari campur tangan manusia. Sedangkan dalil aqli yaitu dalil-dalil yang diperoleh melalui proses penalaran akal(ijtihad). Ijtihad ini adakalanya dilakukan dengan membandingkan segi persamaan ('illat) yang terdapat pada suatu perbuatan yang belum ada ketentuan hukumnya dengan berbuatan lain yang sudah ada ketentuan hukumnya dalam dalil naqli(kias). Ijtihad biasanya dilakukan dengan memperhatikan ruh tasyri'(jiwa atau semangat hukum), kemaslahatan umum, dan sebagainya.
Fiqhud-Da'wah
Ilmu yang memahami aspek hukum dan tatacara yang berkaitan dengan da'wah, sehingga para muballigh bukan saja paham tentang kebenaran Islam akan tetapi mereka juga didukung oleh kemampuan yang baik dalam menyampaikan risalah al Islamiyah.
Penyakit-penyakit da'i
Adalah bentuk hambatan yang dialami juru dakwah(da'i) sehingga berakibat mengganggu aktivitasnya sebagai muballigh. Di antara bentuk-bentuk penyakit tersebut adalah:
1. Futuur
Penyakit hati (ruhani) yang melanda juru da'wah dari yang semula giat dan bersemangat, menjadi lemah dan kehilangan gairah. hal-hal yang menyebabkan juru da'wah terserang penyakit ini adalah: (1) Sikap berlebihan yang tidak mempertimbangkan situasi dan kondisi baik fisik, kesehatan maupun psikis; (2) Tidak mengontrol hal-hal yang mubah, seperti makan minum, tidur dan beraktivitas seksual sehingga nafsu berkuasa; (3) Memisahkan diri dari Jamaah; (4) Kurang mengingat kematian; (5) Santai dalam beribadah.
2. Isti'jal
Jenis penyakit juru da'wah yang ingin mencapai perubahan atas realitas yang dialami kaum muslimin dalam waktu yang sesingkat-singkatnya tanpa memperhatikan lingkungan, akibat, dan tanpa melihat kenyataan, juga tanpa persiapan yang cukup sebelumnya baik sistem maupun sarana. Dengan kata lain, Isti'jal merupakan cara-cara da'wah yang menginginkan hasil yang maksimal dengan waktu yang sesingkat mungkin.
Da'wah Fardiah
Metode da'wah yang dilakukan seseorang kepada orang lain (satu orang) atau kepada beberapa orang dalam jumlah yang kecil dan terbatas. Biasanya da'wah fardiah terjadi tanpa persiapan yang matang dan tersusun secara tertib. Termasuk kategori da'wah seperti ini adalah: menasihati teman sekerja, teguran, anjuran memberi contoh. Termasuk dalam hal ini pada saat mengunjungi orang sakit, pada waktu ada acara tahniah (ucapan selamat), dan pada waktu upacara kelahiran (tasmiyah).
Da'wah Ammah
Merupakan jenis da'wah yang dilakukan oleh seseorang dengan media lisan yang ditujukan kepada orang banyak dengan maksud menanamkan pengaruh kepada mereka. Media yang dipakai biasanya berbentuk khitabah (pidato).
Da'wah Ammah ini kalau ditinjau dari segi subyeknya, ada yang dilakukan oleh perorangan dan ada yang dilakukan oleh organisasi tertentu yang berkecimpung dalam soal-doal da'wah.
Hidayah
Petunjuk Allah Swt kepada manusia mengenai keimanan dan keislaman. Dalam al-Qur'an tidak didapati kata hidayah tersebut. Kata hidayah merupakan bentuk masdar (infinitif) dari kata kerja hada (telah menunjuki atau membimbing) dan yahdi (akan atau sedang menunjuki atau membimbing), yang sangat banyak dalam al-Qur'an. Selain itu pengertian petunjuk atau bimbingan yang terkandung dalam kata hidayah itu persis sama dengan kata al-huda, yang amat banyak kita jumpai dalam al-Quranul karim.
Pengertian hidayah yang terkandung dalam kata hada, yahdi dan al-huda itu pada umumnya mengacu kepada bimbingan atau petunjuk bagi manusia kepada jalan yang lurus (as-sirath-al-mustaqim), yang baik (at-thayyib) yang benar (al-haq), atau jalan yang terpuji (as-sirat al-hamid).
Hidayah itu diberikan oleh Allah kepada manusia supaya manusia mengikutinya dengan baik, agar mereka berhasil memperoleh apa yang mereka butuhkan di dunia ini dengan cara yang baik, benar, lurus, atau terpuji, sehigga mereka berbahagia dunia dan akhirat. Tugas muballigh dalam hal ini adalah memberikan penerangan kepada ummat manusia agar mereka dapat memperoleh hidayat dari Allah Swt.
Da'wah bil-Lisan
Dakwah jenis ini adalah penyampaian informasi atau pesan da'wah melalui lisan (ceramah atau komunikasi langsung antara subyek dan obyek da'wah). Da'wah jenis ini akan menjadi efektif bila: disampaikan berkaitan dengan hari ibadah seperti khutbah Jum'at atau khutbah hari Raya, kajian yang disampaikan menyangkut ibadah praktis, konteks sajian terprogram, disampaikan dengan metode dialog dengan hadirin.
Dakwah bil-Haal
Da'wah bil al-Hal adalah da'wah yang mengedepankan perbuatan nyata. Hal ini dimaksudkan agar si penerima da'wah (al-Mad'ulah) mengikuti jejak dan hal ikhwal si da'i (juru da'wah). Da'wah jenis ini mempunyai pengaruh yang besar pada diri penerima da'wah.
Pada saat pertama kali Rasulullah Saw batu tiba di kota Madinah beliau mencontohkan dakwah bil al hal ini dengan mendirikan masjid Quba, dan mempersatukan kaum anshor dan kaum muhajirin dalam ikatan ukhuwah Islamiyah.
Da'wah bit-Tadwin
Memasuki zaman global seperti saat sekarang ini pola da'wah bit at-Tadwin( da'wah melalui tulisan) baik dengan menerbitkan kitab-kitab, buku, majalah, internet, koran, dan tulisan-tulisan yang mengandung pesan da'wah sangat penting dan efektif.
Keuntungan lain dari da'wah model ini tidak menjadi musnah meskipun sang dai, atau penulisnya sudah wafat. Menyangkut da'wah bit-Tadwim ini Rasulullah saw bersabda," Sesungguhnya tinta para ulama adalah lebih baik dari darahnya para syuhada."
Da'wah bil Hikmah
Yakni menyampaikan da'wah dengan cara yang arif bijaksana, yaitu melakukan pendekatan sedemikian rupa sehingga pihak obyek da'wah mampu melaksanakan da'wah atas kemauannya sendiri, tidak merasa ada paksaan, tekanan maupun konflik. Dengan kata lain da'wah bi al-hikmah merupakan suatu metode pendekatan komunikasi da'wah yang dilakukan atas dasar persuasif.
Dalam kitab al-Hikmah fi al Da'wah Ilallah ta'ala oleh Said bin Ali bin wahif al-Qathani diuraikan lebih jelas tentang pengertian al-Hikmah, antara lain: Menurut bahasa; adil, ilmu, sabar, kenabian,al-Qur'an dan Injil; memperbaiki (membuat manjadi lebih baik atau pas) dan terhindar dari kerusakan; ungkapan untuk mengetahui sesuatu yang utama dengan ilmu yang utama; obyek kebenaran(al-haq) yang didapat melalui ilmu dan akal; pengetahuan atau ma'rifat. Menurut istilah Syar'i; valid dalam perkataan dan perbuatan, mengetahui yang benar dan mengamalkannya, wara' dalam Dinullah, meletakkan sesuatu pada tempatnya dan menjawab dengan tegas dan tepat.
Khatib
Dalam pengirtian umumnya khatib merupakan sebutan untuk orang-orang yang berpidato. Pengertian khususnya adalah orang yang khutbah saat shalat Jum'at dan shalat Id.
Pada zaman pra Islam, para khatib menempati kedudukan yang sangat tinggi yang mampu menciptakan prosa bersajak (an-nahr al-masju') secara alami, sehingga kehadiran khatib di kalangan mereka sama dengan penyair yang mempunyai kedudukan tinggi dalam masyarakat. Khatib umumnya berasal dari kalangan orang-orang yang berpengaruh atau cendekiawan yang menguasai sejarah bangsa Arab.
Para khatib yang terkenal pada saman Rasulullah saw antara lain: Sabit bin Qis al-Anshari, Abdur Rahman bin Zubair bin Awwam, Abdullah bin Zubair, Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Ibnu Mas'ud) Talhah bin Ubaidillah, Sa'ad bin Rabi, dan Habbab bin Musnir.
Manhaj
Bentuk metode (kaidah) gerakan yang mengambil sumber dari al-Qur'an dan as-Sunnah, baik menyangkut dasar gerakan, tujuan, sasaran yang ingin dicapai, serta para aktivitas pelakunya.
Jama'atun min Jama'atil Muslimin
Sebuah jamaah yang merupakan bagian dari komunitas Jamaah Muslimin sedunia. Menurut Ali Jabir MA dalam bukunya Ath Thariq ilal Jama'atul Muslimin, saat ini belum terbentuk Jama'atul Muslimin. Yang ada adalah jamaah dari sebagian kaum muslimin (Jama'ah minal Muslimin), baik berbentuk kelompok maupun negara.
Harakah Jihadiyah al-Islamiyyah
Jalan menuju jihad untuk menyebarkan luaskan ajaran al-Islam keseluruh pelosok bumi. Tugas ini merupakan kewajiban seluruh kaum Muslimin, tanpa terkecuali. Dalam hal ini sesuai dengan tingkat kemampuan individu masing-masing.
Sunday, July 28, 2002
The Library
An Important Component of A Muslim Home or Institution
SAFA ALSHIRAIDA MAS Tarbiya Department
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People engage in an Islamic activity come to a very astonishing realization- that the human personality is a very complex entity. No single approach can reform the personality, and no same set of approaches can be effective for all personalities.
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used different approaches while performing his noble duty of calling to Allah, the Almighty. He treated each individual differently. He may stress on one person what he does not on another.
The Islamic movement follows the steps of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and adopts the slogan: “The Messenger is our Role Model.” That slogan requires that the personality molding (Tarbiya) should be approached in a comprehensive way that covers all human activities. Personal contact, lectures, trips, camps, seminars, conferences, conventions, regular meetings, and I’tikaf are only few examples of some of these activities.
One of the activities that help in molding oneself to fit the Islamic model is book reading. It supplements the other methods of Tarbiya and enforces them. Thus, it is very important that a Muslim family or institution have a library consisting of essential books that help in the understanding of Islam in a comprehensive way.
In order to help in selecting the most important and appropriate literature for a Muslim library, a list of books and video-tapes is given below. They are classified into three levels, with level one being the introductory level; each level needs to be covered before proceeding to the next one. Covering this material in that order will give, in time, a comprehensive understanding of Islam.
An Important Component of A Muslim Home or Institution
SAFA ALSHIRAIDA MAS Tarbiya Department
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People engage in an Islamic activity come to a very astonishing realization- that the human personality is a very complex entity. No single approach can reform the personality, and no same set of approaches can be effective for all personalities.
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used different approaches while performing his noble duty of calling to Allah, the Almighty. He treated each individual differently. He may stress on one person what he does not on another.
The Islamic movement follows the steps of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and adopts the slogan: “The Messenger is our Role Model.” That slogan requires that the personality molding (Tarbiya) should be approached in a comprehensive way that covers all human activities. Personal contact, lectures, trips, camps, seminars, conferences, conventions, regular meetings, and I’tikaf are only few examples of some of these activities.
One of the activities that help in molding oneself to fit the Islamic model is book reading. It supplements the other methods of Tarbiya and enforces them. Thus, it is very important that a Muslim family or institution have a library consisting of essential books that help in the understanding of Islam in a comprehensive way.
In order to help in selecting the most important and appropriate literature for a Muslim library, a list of books and video-tapes is given below. They are classified into three levels, with level one being the introductory level; each level needs to be covered before proceeding to the next one. Covering this material in that order will give, in time, a comprehensive understanding of Islam.
Books for Self Study recommended by Muslim American Society of California
========================================
LEVEL ONE
The Holy Qur’an
In the Shades of the Qur’an, by Sayyid Qutb
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Easy Tajweed, by Al-Muqri’ Husaini.
Al-Tibyan Fi Adab Hamalat Al-Qur’an (The etiquette of the carriers of Al-Qur’an), by Imam Al-Nawawi
Way to the Qur’an, by Khurram Murad
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The Hadith
Al-Nawawi’s Forth Hadiths with explanation.
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Al-‘Aqeedah Al-Islamiyah (The Islamic Creed)
General Introduction to Islam, by Ali Tantawi
Towards Understanding Islam, by Imam Maududi
Resalat Al-‘aqa’ed, by Imam Hassan Al-Banna
Four Basic Terms, by Imam Maududi
The Faith, by Muhammad Na’im Yasin
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AL-Seerah Al-Nabawiyah and seerat Al-Sahabah wa-l-Tabi’een (The Life of The Prophet (PBUH) and the Lives of the Companions and Followers)
Light of Certitude (Nur al-Yaqeen), by Al-Khudri
Portraits of the Companions of the Prophet, by Al-Basha
Companions of the Prophet, by Abdel Wahid Hamid
The Life of the Companions (Hayat al-Sahaba), by Kandahlawi
Men Around the Messenger, By Khaild M. Khalid
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Al-Fiqh al-Islami (Islamic Jurisprudence and Laws)
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sheikh Syed Sabeq
Everyday Fiqh, by Yusuf Islahi.
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Tazkiah (Purification), Morals and The Muslim Character
Zaad ‘Ala-t-Tariq (Nourishment along the Path), by Sheikh Mustafa Mashhour
How to Attain True Piety and Righteousness in Islam, by Amin Islahi
Al-Raqa’eq (The Softeners of the Heart), by Muhamed Ahmed Al-Rashed
The Commitment, by Shamim Siddiqui
Al-Ma’thurat (Memorial Supplications), by Imam Hassan Al-Banna
Muslim’s Character, (Khulqul Muslim), by Sheikh M. Al-Ghazali
Kimya’ As-Sa’ada, by Imam Al-Ghazaly
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Da’wah
To Be A Muslim, by Sheikh Fathi Yakun (Both Parts A & B)
Milestones, (Ma’alem Fi-t-Tariq), by Sayyid Qutb
This Religion of Islam, by Sayyid Qutb
The Tracts of the Imam Hassan Al-Banna, by Imam Hasan Al-Banna:
o To the Youth
o To What do we Summon Mankind
o Between Yesterday and Today
o Under the Banner of the Qur’an
The Reigion of the Future, by Sayyid Qutb
The Passages of Truth. (Mamarraat Al-Haq) (selected translations), by Ra’ed Abdel-Hadi:
o Propriatory
o Abidance
o Courage
o Advice
o Work for Islam
o Importance of Collective Work
o High Aiming Ambtion
o Humility
o Confidence in Allah
o Educational Groups
o Comprehensiveness
o Inportance of Tarbiya
o Strong Foundation
o Duties of Today’s Muslim Da’iya
========================================
LEVEL TWO
The Holy Qur’an
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hadith
Sahih Muslim
Riyadh-us-Saliheen, by An-Nawawi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Aqidah
Four Basic Terms in the Holy Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Islamic Belief Made Simple, by Hasan Ayyub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tazkiya
Almustakhlah Fi Tazkiyati-l-Anfus (in Arabic)
How to Attain Piety and Righteousness in Islam, by Amin Islahi
At-Targheeb Wa-t-Tarheeb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Seerah
Summarziing the Seerah of Ibn Hisham, translated by Silima Mihammed
Fiqh us-Seerah, by M. Al-Qhazali
Seerat un-Nabi, by Shibli Numani
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biographies of the Companions
Companions of the Prophet, Vol. 1-3, by Abdul Wahid Hamid
Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d
Hayat us-Sahaba, by Kandahalwi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiqh
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sayyid Sabiq
Al-Fiqh ‘Ala-l-Madhahib Al-Arba’a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Islamic System
The Individual and the State, by Dr. Abdulkarim Zaidan
Political System of Islam, by Imam Maududi
On Political System of Islam, by El ‘Awwa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da’wah
Manual of Da’wah to Individuals, by MAS
Individual Da’wah, by Sheikh, Mustafa Mashhoor
Manual of Acquaintance with MAS, by MAS Tarbiya Department
Manual of Acquaintance with ICNA, by ICNA
Passages of the Truth:
o Confidence
o Sacrifice
o Mujahada
o Distinctiveness
o Necessity of Leadership
o Obedience, singleness of purpose
o Loyalty, steadfastness
Usool ad-Da’wah, (in Arabic) by A. Zaidan
Witnesses Unto Mankind, by Imam Maududi
The Tracts of the Imam Hassan Al-Banna, by Imam Hasan Al-banna:
o Our Mission
o The Fifth Conference
o Our Da’wah in a New Stage
o Towards the Light
o Our Problems in the Light of the Islamic System
o The Jihad
o The Message of the Teachings
o Usrah System
Qawaid ad-Da’wah Ila Allah (in Arabic)
The Path of Da’wah by Sheikh Mustfa Mashhoor
Methodology of Da’wah, by Shamim Siddiqui
========================================
LEVEL THREE
The Holy Qur’an
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Ulum al-Qur’an, by A. Von Denfer
A Course in the Sciences of the Qur’an, by Ibrahim Surty
Towards Understanding the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Way to the Qur’an, by Khurram Murad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hadith
Riyadh-us-Saliheen, by An-Nawawi
Studies of Hadith Methodology and Literature, by M Azmi
As-Sunnah wa Makanatuha fi-t-tashree’ (in Arabic), by M. As-Siba’I
The Sunnah: Source of Civilization, by Sh. Al-Qaradawi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Aqidah
Al-‘Aqida At-Tahawiyya/Islamic Belief Made Simple, by H. Ayyub
Al-‘Uboodiyya, by Ibn Taymiya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiqh and Usool al-Fiqh
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sayyid Sabiq: from ayman to end of book
Al-Fiqh ‘Ala-l-Madhabhib Al-Arba’a
Al-wajeez fi Usool Al-Fiqh (in Arabic), by A. Zaidan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da’wah
Manual of Da’wah to the Masses, by MAS
How to Tell Others About Islam, by Y. Emerick
ICNA Bylaws and Regulations
MAS Bylaws and Regulations
Manual of Acquaintance with the USA, by MAS
Usool Ad-Da’wah (in Arabic), by Sheikh Al-Qaradawi
Fiqh ud-Da’wah, by M. Nassir
Methodology of Education, by Dr. Ali Abdulhaleem
Saviors of Islamic Spirit, by A. Nadwi
A Short History of Revivalist Movements, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Communism, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Capitalism, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Secularism, by Imam Maududi
Al-Mawsoo’a Al-Muyassara fil-Adyan wal-Madahib Al-Mu’asira (in Arabic), by WAMY
Ad-Da’wah: Qawa’id wa Usool (in Arabic), by J. Amin
The Islamic Movement: Dynamics of Values, Power and Change, by Imam Maududi
Islam and the World, by A. Nadwi
Problems Facing Da’wah and Da’iya, by Fathi Yakun
Allah’s Universal Laws, by Dr. Abdulkarim Zaidan
Call to Islam, by A. Islahi
The Muslims of America, edited by E. Haddad
Memoirs, by Imam Hasan Al-Banna
========================================
LEVEL ONE
The Holy Qur’an
In the Shades of the Qur’an, by Sayyid Qutb
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Easy Tajweed, by Al-Muqri’ Husaini.
Al-Tibyan Fi Adab Hamalat Al-Qur’an (The etiquette of the carriers of Al-Qur’an), by Imam Al-Nawawi
Way to the Qur’an, by Khurram Murad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hadith
Al-Nawawi’s Forth Hadiths with explanation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al-‘Aqeedah Al-Islamiyah (The Islamic Creed)
General Introduction to Islam, by Ali Tantawi
Towards Understanding Islam, by Imam Maududi
Resalat Al-‘aqa’ed, by Imam Hassan Al-Banna
Four Basic Terms, by Imam Maududi
The Faith, by Muhammad Na’im Yasin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AL-Seerah Al-Nabawiyah and seerat Al-Sahabah wa-l-Tabi’een (The Life of The Prophet (PBUH) and the Lives of the Companions and Followers)
Light of Certitude (Nur al-Yaqeen), by Al-Khudri
Portraits of the Companions of the Prophet, by Al-Basha
Companions of the Prophet, by Abdel Wahid Hamid
The Life of the Companions (Hayat al-Sahaba), by Kandahlawi
Men Around the Messenger, By Khaild M. Khalid
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Al-Fiqh al-Islami (Islamic Jurisprudence and Laws)
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sheikh Syed Sabeq
Everyday Fiqh, by Yusuf Islahi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tazkiah (Purification), Morals and The Muslim Character
Zaad ‘Ala-t-Tariq (Nourishment along the Path), by Sheikh Mustafa Mashhour
How to Attain True Piety and Righteousness in Islam, by Amin Islahi
Al-Raqa’eq (The Softeners of the Heart), by Muhamed Ahmed Al-Rashed
The Commitment, by Shamim Siddiqui
Al-Ma’thurat (Memorial Supplications), by Imam Hassan Al-Banna
Muslim’s Character, (Khulqul Muslim), by Sheikh M. Al-Ghazali
Kimya’ As-Sa’ada, by Imam Al-Ghazaly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da’wah
To Be A Muslim, by Sheikh Fathi Yakun (Both Parts A & B)
Milestones, (Ma’alem Fi-t-Tariq), by Sayyid Qutb
This Religion of Islam, by Sayyid Qutb
The Tracts of the Imam Hassan Al-Banna, by Imam Hasan Al-Banna:
o To the Youth
o To What do we Summon Mankind
o Between Yesterday and Today
o Under the Banner of the Qur’an
The Reigion of the Future, by Sayyid Qutb
The Passages of Truth. (Mamarraat Al-Haq) (selected translations), by Ra’ed Abdel-Hadi:
o Propriatory
o Abidance
o Courage
o Advice
o Work for Islam
o Importance of Collective Work
o High Aiming Ambtion
o Humility
o Confidence in Allah
o Educational Groups
o Comprehensiveness
o Inportance of Tarbiya
o Strong Foundation
o Duties of Today’s Muslim Da’iya
========================================
LEVEL TWO
The Holy Qur’an
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hadith
Sahih Muslim
Riyadh-us-Saliheen, by An-Nawawi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Aqidah
Four Basic Terms in the Holy Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Islamic Belief Made Simple, by Hasan Ayyub
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tazkiya
Almustakhlah Fi Tazkiyati-l-Anfus (in Arabic)
How to Attain Piety and Righteousness in Islam, by Amin Islahi
At-Targheeb Wa-t-Tarheeb
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Seerah
Summarziing the Seerah of Ibn Hisham, translated by Silima Mihammed
Fiqh us-Seerah, by M. Al-Qhazali
Seerat un-Nabi, by Shibli Numani
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biographies of the Companions
Companions of the Prophet, Vol. 1-3, by Abdul Wahid Hamid
Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d
Hayat us-Sahaba, by Kandahalwi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiqh
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sayyid Sabiq
Al-Fiqh ‘Ala-l-Madhahib Al-Arba’a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Islamic System
The Individual and the State, by Dr. Abdulkarim Zaidan
Political System of Islam, by Imam Maududi
On Political System of Islam, by El ‘Awwa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da’wah
Manual of Da’wah to Individuals, by MAS
Individual Da’wah, by Sheikh, Mustafa Mashhoor
Manual of Acquaintance with MAS, by MAS Tarbiya Department
Manual of Acquaintance with ICNA, by ICNA
Passages of the Truth:
o Confidence
o Sacrifice
o Mujahada
o Distinctiveness
o Necessity of Leadership
o Obedience, singleness of purpose
o Loyalty, steadfastness
Usool ad-Da’wah, (in Arabic) by A. Zaidan
Witnesses Unto Mankind, by Imam Maududi
The Tracts of the Imam Hassan Al-Banna, by Imam Hasan Al-banna:
o Our Mission
o The Fifth Conference
o Our Da’wah in a New Stage
o Towards the Light
o Our Problems in the Light of the Islamic System
o The Jihad
o The Message of the Teachings
o Usrah System
Qawaid ad-Da’wah Ila Allah (in Arabic)
The Path of Da’wah by Sheikh Mustfa Mashhoor
Methodology of Da’wah, by Shamim Siddiqui
========================================
LEVEL THREE
The Holy Qur’an
The Meaning of the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Ulum al-Qur’an, by A. Von Denfer
A Course in the Sciences of the Qur’an, by Ibrahim Surty
Towards Understanding the Qur’an, by Imam Maududi
Way to the Qur’an, by Khurram Murad
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hadith
Riyadh-us-Saliheen, by An-Nawawi
Studies of Hadith Methodology and Literature, by M Azmi
As-Sunnah wa Makanatuha fi-t-tashree’ (in Arabic), by M. As-Siba’I
The Sunnah: Source of Civilization, by Sh. Al-Qaradawi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Aqidah
Al-‘Aqida At-Tahawiyya/Islamic Belief Made Simple, by H. Ayyub
Al-‘Uboodiyya, by Ibn Taymiya
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiqh and Usool al-Fiqh
Fiqh us-Sunnah, by Sayyid Sabiq: from ayman to end of book
Al-Fiqh ‘Ala-l-Madhabhib Al-Arba’a
Al-wajeez fi Usool Al-Fiqh (in Arabic), by A. Zaidan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Da’wah
Manual of Da’wah to the Masses, by MAS
How to Tell Others About Islam, by Y. Emerick
ICNA Bylaws and Regulations
MAS Bylaws and Regulations
Manual of Acquaintance with the USA, by MAS
Usool Ad-Da’wah (in Arabic), by Sheikh Al-Qaradawi
Fiqh ud-Da’wah, by M. Nassir
Methodology of Education, by Dr. Ali Abdulhaleem
Saviors of Islamic Spirit, by A. Nadwi
A Short History of Revivalist Movements, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Communism, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Capitalism, by Imam Maududi
Islam and Secularism, by Imam Maududi
Al-Mawsoo’a Al-Muyassara fil-Adyan wal-Madahib Al-Mu’asira (in Arabic), by WAMY
Ad-Da’wah: Qawa’id wa Usool (in Arabic), by J. Amin
The Islamic Movement: Dynamics of Values, Power and Change, by Imam Maududi
Islam and the World, by A. Nadwi
Problems Facing Da’wah and Da’iya, by Fathi Yakun
Allah’s Universal Laws, by Dr. Abdulkarim Zaidan
Call to Islam, by A. Islahi
The Muslims of America, edited by E. Haddad
Memoirs, by Imam Hasan Al-Banna
Watch out for the Arrow!
Oh, what a beautiful day: Twenty-two degrees Celsius; a clear sky; the sun passionately declaring its warmth to the land below. I put on my cap and decide to go out for a walk. Moments later, I come across two scantily dressed girls, “enjoying” the wonderful weather. Nervously, I look down towards the cement sidewalk and walk past them. I look up, only to encounter a couple, rollerblading towards me in the most fashionable, spandex exercise gear.
I fidget with my cap using it to shield myself from obscenity and continue walking. With my head down and cap covering my view, it was bound to happen some time: I walk into a lamppost and hit my head! As I lay on the sidewalk recovering from the accident, I hear a male voice asking me, “Are you alright?” As I open my eyes to figure out what is going on, I see a bare-chested man, jogging in position, offering his hand to help me get up. Subhan-Allah, what a day! I get up, run home, go to my room, and close my door. How am I expected to survive in such a filthy environment? Am I supposed to isolate myself from the society to escape such temptations?
No. Obviously, with every trial and difficulty Allah always provides us practical defensive tools. Keep in mind, though, that the command to control our eyes is not just a ‘fatwa’ of some ‘conservative’ scholar ‘from the East’. It is explicitly expressed in the words of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What’s Wrong With A Lustful Gaze?
Many of us who are used to watching Sinbad or Temptation Island, or are addicted to Bollywood movies, or enjoy the company of people of opposite gender, may wonder what’s wrong with lustfully staring at the attractive features of the opposite gender? Perhaps one saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sums it all:
“The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him (Great and Gracious is He) a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.” (al-Haakim.)
Therefore, a secret lustful look at a person of opposite gender has been compared by the Prophet (pbuh) to an arrow from Shaytan that:
1. poisons our hearts
2. ruins our intentions
3. gives rise to false hopes and desires
4. distorts our perception of 'reality'
5. deprives us from enjoying and concentrating in Prayers
6. gives rise to constant feeling of guilt and depression
7. sometimes leads to sleepless nights
8. renders our heart weak for continuous Shaytanic attacks
9. promotes hypocrisy
10. weakens our memory
11. eventually leads to Zina (adultery)
12. above all, diminishes our love for and fear of Allah
Allah commands us: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that will make for greater purity for them..." [24:30.] In the verse following this one, Allah commands “the believing women” in the similar manner.
5 Secret Benefits Of Jihad Against Temptation
Perhaps the greatest secret reward of resisting the temptation is the increase in your Faith (Iman), the sweetness of which could only be sensed by you! This empowering force of renewed Iman will help you suppress the desires in unimaginable ways.
Right when you are urged, if you remember Allah’s mercy, commandments, and displeasure, He will make it easy for you to get out of the situation without regrets, stress, or pain. Allah reassures us: “And the one who fears Allah (has Taqwa), He will make a way out.” [65: 2.]
It will also have a remarkable impact on your character, since the heart is like a mirror and the base desires are like rust upon it. When the mirror is polished and cleansed of the rust, it reflects the realities as they actually are. Your family and friends will see the difference!
Frequent gazing at unlawful scenes of sexuality tire and wear down both the heart and the eyes. The heart becomes ‘bored’ and depressed after a while. However, when your eyes are prevented from looking around, the heart finds relief from the arduous task of vainly desiring something it does not possess.
As the Prophet (pbuh) once said to his Companion: “By Allah! Whosoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!" If you remain patient in this world, Allah will bless you with joys in ways you could never imagine!
18 Ways To Survive In Temptation Island!
Yes, it’s hard, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with obscene images: that hot, scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story or Spider Man!); or the pervasive links to pornography while you may simply be checking your e-mail. How can you protect yourself from all of this?
1. Don't forget the power of Allah’s Remembrance (Dhikr)! It is the most powerful of all the defenses. Regular reading of prescribed Du'as will develop your Taqwa (consciousness) and keep you mindful of what thoughts you entertain.
2. Remember your Accountability to Allah. In Islam, you're fully accountable as soon as you understand and feel such temptations. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment.
3. Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure not to bump into a hydro post! Lowering the gaze does not mean that you cannot have any ‘eye contact’ as you walk or during a conversation. It means that you keep your eyes under control.
4. Take the Right Seat! In a public place (e.g. café), choose a seat that minimizes your view-frame and avoid mixed-crowds. It is precisely about such comfortable gazing at the attractive features of the passers-by that the Prophet (pbuh) advised 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Ali, do not let a second look follow the first. The first look is allowed to you but not the second.''(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi.)
5. Hangout with those known for noble character and modesty. When you are around good people, they can remind you to abstain from that which Allah dislikes. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friends, so be careful about who you make your friend.” (Ahmad.)
6. Avoid friends that are into immoral movies, music, dirty jokes etc. Such activities are the tools of Shaytan that promote the idea of ‘love based on looks’ or ‘love at first sight’. Such friends would take you into an artificial world of fantasies and false hopes, away from reality, before it’s too late! Therefore, either you help your friends change through gentle advice, or abandon frequent contact with them. As Allah warns us: "If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion." [43: 36.]
7. Avoid visiting malls and parks alone. Always try to go out with a family member or a good friend, whose company may help you avert your eyes from the objectionable billboards and inappropriately clothed people. In summer, step out only when you have to.
8. Surf or Watch TV when others are around. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures is heightened when you're alone in your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Shaytan's primary target is always a lonely person! Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing.
9. Never have 'nothing to do'! Shaytan loves 'bored and idle' people. If you are feeling bored, do the dishes, or take out the garbage, or read some book. Allah says, "Do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands." [2: 195.]
10. Volunteer for Islamic Organizations. Your Jihad against immorality in the society is one reason for you to join Muslim youth groups in your community. Your involvement with such activities, along with the love of helpful brothers or sisters struggling for a good cause, will keep your mind, energies, and thoughts focused away from the Haram.
11. Read, Read, and Read! Yes, read as many Islamic books and articles as possible. Reading keeps your mind and eyes busy! It keeps you motivated to live your Islam and strengthens your relationship with Allah.
12. Always remember that the beauty of this world is temporary and the life hereafter is everlasting.
13. Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit.
14. If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah. It may be one of the most effective, yet challenging, defense mechanisms against such temptations.
15. For Brothers, remember your Mom and Sister. Disgusting right? Exactly! No sane person would look at his mom or sister the way many of us examine the girls on TV shows or stare at our Muslim sisters in social gatherings. This thought should sicken you enough to stop, In-sha-Allah.
16. Remind yourself of the Death and Hereafter often. "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet (pbuh) once reminded us. (at-Tirmidhi.)
17. Increase your Good Actions. Try following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Remain conscious of Allah and fear Him wherever you are. And follow a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.” (at-Tirmidhi.)
18. Repent and Return to Allah. Allah is All-forgiving and loves those who return to Him, promising not to repeat their sins. “Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength.” [11: 52].
http://youngmuslims.ca/publications/arrow.asp
Oh, what a beautiful day: Twenty-two degrees Celsius; a clear sky; the sun passionately declaring its warmth to the land below. I put on my cap and decide to go out for a walk. Moments later, I come across two scantily dressed girls, “enjoying” the wonderful weather. Nervously, I look down towards the cement sidewalk and walk past them. I look up, only to encounter a couple, rollerblading towards me in the most fashionable, spandex exercise gear.
I fidget with my cap using it to shield myself from obscenity and continue walking. With my head down and cap covering my view, it was bound to happen some time: I walk into a lamppost and hit my head! As I lay on the sidewalk recovering from the accident, I hear a male voice asking me, “Are you alright?” As I open my eyes to figure out what is going on, I see a bare-chested man, jogging in position, offering his hand to help me get up. Subhan-Allah, what a day! I get up, run home, go to my room, and close my door. How am I expected to survive in such a filthy environment? Am I supposed to isolate myself from the society to escape such temptations?
No. Obviously, with every trial and difficulty Allah always provides us practical defensive tools. Keep in mind, though, that the command to control our eyes is not just a ‘fatwa’ of some ‘conservative’ scholar ‘from the East’. It is explicitly expressed in the words of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
What’s Wrong With A Lustful Gaze?
Many of us who are used to watching Sinbad or Temptation Island, or are addicted to Bollywood movies, or enjoy the company of people of opposite gender, may wonder what’s wrong with lustfully staring at the attractive features of the opposite gender? Perhaps one saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sums it all:
“The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for the fear of Allah, will receive from Him (Great and Gracious is He) a faith, the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.” (al-Haakim.)
Therefore, a secret lustful look at a person of opposite gender has been compared by the Prophet (pbuh) to an arrow from Shaytan that:
1. poisons our hearts
2. ruins our intentions
3. gives rise to false hopes and desires
4. distorts our perception of 'reality'
5. deprives us from enjoying and concentrating in Prayers
6. gives rise to constant feeling of guilt and depression
7. sometimes leads to sleepless nights
8. renders our heart weak for continuous Shaytanic attacks
9. promotes hypocrisy
10. weakens our memory
11. eventually leads to Zina (adultery)
12. above all, diminishes our love for and fear of Allah
Allah commands us: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that will make for greater purity for them..." [24:30.] In the verse following this one, Allah commands “the believing women” in the similar manner.
5 Secret Benefits Of Jihad Against Temptation
Perhaps the greatest secret reward of resisting the temptation is the increase in your Faith (Iman), the sweetness of which could only be sensed by you! This empowering force of renewed Iman will help you suppress the desires in unimaginable ways.
Right when you are urged, if you remember Allah’s mercy, commandments, and displeasure, He will make it easy for you to get out of the situation without regrets, stress, or pain. Allah reassures us: “And the one who fears Allah (has Taqwa), He will make a way out.” [65: 2.]
It will also have a remarkable impact on your character, since the heart is like a mirror and the base desires are like rust upon it. When the mirror is polished and cleansed of the rust, it reflects the realities as they actually are. Your family and friends will see the difference!
Frequent gazing at unlawful scenes of sexuality tire and wear down both the heart and the eyes. The heart becomes ‘bored’ and depressed after a while. However, when your eyes are prevented from looking around, the heart finds relief from the arduous task of vainly desiring something it does not possess.
As the Prophet (pbuh) once said to his Companion: “By Allah! Whosoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better than it!" If you remain patient in this world, Allah will bless you with joys in ways you could never imagine!
18 Ways To Survive In Temptation Island!
Yes, it’s hard, especially when you’re constantly bombarded with obscene images: that hot, scantily clad guy or gal in the magazine luring you; or the persistent emphasis on sex in the movies (even Toy Story or Spider Man!); or the pervasive links to pornography while you may simply be checking your e-mail. How can you protect yourself from all of this?
1. Don't forget the power of Allah’s Remembrance (Dhikr)! It is the most powerful of all the defenses. Regular reading of prescribed Du'as will develop your Taqwa (consciousness) and keep you mindful of what thoughts you entertain.
2. Remember your Accountability to Allah. In Islam, you're fully accountable as soon as you understand and feel such temptations. Your eyes will testify about what you looked at on the Day of Judgment.
3. Always walk with your gaze lowered. But make sure not to bump into a hydro post! Lowering the gaze does not mean that you cannot have any ‘eye contact’ as you walk or during a conversation. It means that you keep your eyes under control.
4. Take the Right Seat! In a public place (e.g. café), choose a seat that minimizes your view-frame and avoid mixed-crowds. It is precisely about such comfortable gazing at the attractive features of the passers-by that the Prophet (pbuh) advised 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: "Ali, do not let a second look follow the first. The first look is allowed to you but not the second.''(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi.)
5. Hangout with those known for noble character and modesty. When you are around good people, they can remind you to abstain from that which Allah dislikes. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “A person is likely to follow the faith of his friends, so be careful about who you make your friend.” (Ahmad.)
6. Avoid friends that are into immoral movies, music, dirty jokes etc. Such activities are the tools of Shaytan that promote the idea of ‘love based on looks’ or ‘love at first sight’. Such friends would take you into an artificial world of fantasies and false hopes, away from reality, before it’s too late! Therefore, either you help your friends change through gentle advice, or abandon frequent contact with them. As Allah warns us: "If anyone withdraws himself from Allah's remembrance, Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one to be his intimate companion." [43: 36.]
7. Avoid visiting malls and parks alone. Always try to go out with a family member or a good friend, whose company may help you avert your eyes from the objectionable billboards and inappropriately clothed people. In summer, step out only when you have to.
8. Surf or Watch TV when others are around. The temptation to sneak a look at dirty pictures is heightened when you're alone in your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Shaytan's primary target is always a lonely person! Try to avoid late night TV and internet surfing.
9. Never have 'nothing to do'! Shaytan loves 'bored and idle' people. If you are feeling bored, do the dishes, or take out the garbage, or read some book. Allah says, "Do not throw yourself into destruction with your own hands." [2: 195.]
10. Volunteer for Islamic Organizations. Your Jihad against immorality in the society is one reason for you to join Muslim youth groups in your community. Your involvement with such activities, along with the love of helpful brothers or sisters struggling for a good cause, will keep your mind, energies, and thoughts focused away from the Haram.
11. Read, Read, and Read! Yes, read as many Islamic books and articles as possible. Reading keeps your mind and eyes busy! It keeps you motivated to live your Islam and strengthens your relationship with Allah.
12. Always remember that the beauty of this world is temporary and the life hereafter is everlasting.
13. Observe voluntary fast to strengthen your willpower and to cool your passions. The Prophet (pbuh) strongly recommended the youth to make it a habit.
14. If you are able and responsible then get married for the sake of Allah. It may be one of the most effective, yet challenging, defense mechanisms against such temptations.
15. For Brothers, remember your Mom and Sister. Disgusting right? Exactly! No sane person would look at his mom or sister the way many of us examine the girls on TV shows or stare at our Muslim sisters in social gatherings. This thought should sicken you enough to stop, In-sha-Allah.
16. Remind yourself of the Death and Hereafter often. "Remember often the terminator (or destroyer) of all the pleasures [i.e. death]," the Prophet (pbuh) once reminded us. (at-Tirmidhi.)
17. Increase your Good Actions. Try following the advice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Remain conscious of Allah and fear Him wherever you are. And follow a bad deed with a good deed which will wipe it out, and behave well towards people.” (at-Tirmidhi.)
18. Repent and Return to Allah. Allah is All-forgiving and loves those who return to Him, promising not to repeat their sins. “Ask forgiveness from your Lord, then turn towards Him in repentance; He will loosen the sky over you in abundance, and He will add strength unto your strength.” [11: 52].
http://youngmuslims.ca/publications/arrow.asp
U.S. Soldiers Return from Afghanistan to Kill Their Wives
Last victim… so far
Additional reporting by Khaled Mamdouh, IOL Staff
WASHINGTON, July 27 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - In a rash of violence that shocked the Special Operations Command and left U.S. Army commanders deeply concerned, four wives of U.S. soldiers, who recently served in Afghanistan, were killed over the past six weeks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Analysts believe it may be stress-related crimes, news agencies reported Saturday, July 27, 2002 .
Three of the servicemen involved were members of Special Operations units and had recently returned from Afghanistan . Two of those soldiers killed themselves, police said. The fourth slaying, which occurred earlier this month, was allegedly committed by a sergeant from a regular Army unit that was not involved in the Afghan war, reported CNN.
In addition to these six deaths, an officer assigned to the Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg was shot and killed earlier this week as he slept in his home in nearby Fayetteville . No arrests were made in that case, a spokesman for the Fayetteville police department said.
"It's mind-boggling," Henry Berry, manager of an Army family support program, said at a news conference at the base Friday. "To be absolutely honest, I was completely caught off guard."
Fort Bragg is one of the Army's biggest bases. It is home to about 40,000 troops, including two elite units, the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army Special Forces Command, that have played key roles in the Afghan war.
Special Forces troops were at the fore of the U.S. offensive in Afghanistan last fall, coordinating air strikes against Taliban and al Qaeda front lines and also working with local Afghan opposition forces. Parts of the 82nd Airborne recently were deployed to Afghanistan to replace units from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions.
Commanding officers at the base, especially in Special Forces, are puzzled and concerned by the string of killings, military officials said. "They're running around in circles here," one senior officer said in a telephone interview, CNN said.
"I've never seen anything like it," said retired Air Force Col. John Carney, who spent almost two decades in Special Operations units. He said he knows many of the commanders of the units involved.
"I'm sure they're just as mystified as I am," said Carney, who is president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a charitable organization that provides free college educations to the children of Special Operations troops killed on missions or in training.
Carney said he expects that commanders at Fort Bragg will conduct a review of how troops and their families were handled as they returned from Afghanistan to "try to figure out where they missed signals, and hopefully avoid future problems."
"We don't have reason to think it was stress-related," said Ben Abel, spokesman for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
However, psychologists are almost certain the crimes are stress-related.
“Given the facts of the soldiers returning from Afghanistan , the short time intervals among the four murders, I believe stress is a decisive element here,” Egyptian psychologist Amr Abu Khalil told IslamOnline Saturday.
“War, in general, is one of the major driving forces leading to stress. War in Afghanistan , with all the surrounding moral and human elements, for sure constitutes a heavy-weight psychological stress on any human being. If those soldiers, who had to carry out military orders without questioning, thought about the high toll of civilian death, the motive behind that war, it is more than likely for them to suffer tremendous stress.
“This brings to mind the refusal of many Israeli soldiers to serve in Palestinian occupied territories. Armies are not formed to kill and humiliate civilians. Soldiers believe deep down that they are protecting their homelands. So, when they have to fight highly controversial battles, like the case in Afghanistan or the Middle East conflict, they are bound to fall victims of deep psychological disturbances that may lead to anything,” Abu Khalil added.
Last victim… so far
Additional reporting by Khaled Mamdouh, IOL Staff
WASHINGTON, July 27 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - In a rash of violence that shocked the Special Operations Command and left U.S. Army commanders deeply concerned, four wives of U.S. soldiers, who recently served in Afghanistan, were killed over the past six weeks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Analysts believe it may be stress-related crimes, news agencies reported Saturday, July 27, 2002 .
Three of the servicemen involved were members of Special Operations units and had recently returned from Afghanistan . Two of those soldiers killed themselves, police said. The fourth slaying, which occurred earlier this month, was allegedly committed by a sergeant from a regular Army unit that was not involved in the Afghan war, reported CNN.
In addition to these six deaths, an officer assigned to the Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg was shot and killed earlier this week as he slept in his home in nearby Fayetteville . No arrests were made in that case, a spokesman for the Fayetteville police department said.
"It's mind-boggling," Henry Berry, manager of an Army family support program, said at a news conference at the base Friday. "To be absolutely honest, I was completely caught off guard."
Fort Bragg is one of the Army's biggest bases. It is home to about 40,000 troops, including two elite units, the 82nd Airborne Division and the Army Special Forces Command, that have played key roles in the Afghan war.
Special Forces troops were at the fore of the U.S. offensive in Afghanistan last fall, coordinating air strikes against Taliban and al Qaeda front lines and also working with local Afghan opposition forces. Parts of the 82nd Airborne recently were deployed to Afghanistan to replace units from the 10th Mountain and 101st Airborne divisions.
Commanding officers at the base, especially in Special Forces, are puzzled and concerned by the string of killings, military officials said. "They're running around in circles here," one senior officer said in a telephone interview, CNN said.
"I've never seen anything like it," said retired Air Force Col. John Carney, who spent almost two decades in Special Operations units. He said he knows many of the commanders of the units involved.
"I'm sure they're just as mystified as I am," said Carney, who is president of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a charitable organization that provides free college educations to the children of Special Operations troops killed on missions or in training.
Carney said he expects that commanders at Fort Bragg will conduct a review of how troops and their families were handled as they returned from Afghanistan to "try to figure out where they missed signals, and hopefully avoid future problems."
"We don't have reason to think it was stress-related," said Ben Abel, spokesman for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
However, psychologists are almost certain the crimes are stress-related.
“Given the facts of the soldiers returning from Afghanistan , the short time intervals among the four murders, I believe stress is a decisive element here,” Egyptian psychologist Amr Abu Khalil told IslamOnline Saturday.
“War, in general, is one of the major driving forces leading to stress. War in Afghanistan , with all the surrounding moral and human elements, for sure constitutes a heavy-weight psychological stress on any human being. If those soldiers, who had to carry out military orders without questioning, thought about the high toll of civilian death, the motive behind that war, it is more than likely for them to suffer tremendous stress.
“This brings to mind the refusal of many Israeli soldiers to serve in Palestinian occupied territories. Armies are not formed to kill and humiliate civilians. Soldiers believe deep down that they are protecting their homelands. So, when they have to fight highly controversial battles, like the case in Afghanistan or the Middle East conflict, they are bound to fall victims of deep psychological disturbances that may lead to anything,” Abu Khalil added.
Thursday, July 25, 2002
Brotherhood Roundup
Thursday, July 25 @ 04:14:43 MYT
EGYPT - Police continued their clampdown on the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, arresting 28 members for allegedly planning pro-Palestinian demonstrations, reports Khaled Dawoud.
Police last Friday arrested 28 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group for allegedly planning pro-Palestinian demonstrations for after the Friday prayers at Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque.
State security prosecutors originally ordered the arrest of 30 presumed members of the Brotherhood, but could not find two of those wanted after raiding their homes early Saturday in the governorates of Cairo, Giza and Qalioubiya.
The arrest warrant issued by the Interior Ministry's state security department, responsible for combating anti-government political activities, said the suspects "wanted to exploit current events [in the region] and planned to stage a demonstration after the Friday prayers at Al-Azhar Mosque, allegedly to support the Palestinian cause and to criticise the government's policy in handling that issue". State security added that the suspects also had in their possession leaflets that lashed out at the government, "claiming that its policies were responsible for unemployment and economic stagnation". The suspects allegedly raised funds to support the Palestinian cause "while the money was actually used to support the banned group and revive its activities", state security added.
All detainees denied the charges, but state security prosecutors late Saturday ordered their imprisonment for 15 days. They were officially charged with joining a banned group, possessing books and publications that promote the group's ideas which they intended to distribute.
Adel Abdel-Maqsoud, a lawyer who attended the interrogations of the arrested individuals, told Al- Ahram Weekly that he was "astonished" by the arrests. "Even if we assume that they [the detainees] were planning to stage a pro-Palestinian demonstration, what is wrong with that?" Abdel- Maqsoud said. He added, "All political groups in the country have been active in staging demonstrations since the Intifada began two years ago, and more protests have been held since the Israeli attacks [in late March]."
Abdel-Maqsoud also pointed out that "whenever Brotherhood members participated in a demonstration, they were usually very disciplined, and never sought to go out to the streets or seek a confrontation with the police."
Sources in the Brotherhood described those arrested on Friday as being "mid-ranking members in the group, who do not assume leading positions".
Essam El-Eryan, a former member of parliament who spent five years in prison after he was convicted for being a member of the banned group in 1995, said that "it seems that the government no longer wants to see pro-Palestinian demonstrations". He added that Friday's clampdown "should be seen in the framework of the current atmosphere aimed at reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians".
The arrest of the Brotherhood members came shortly after a major confrontation between the government and the banned group at the Mediterranean city of Alexandria a few weeks ago. At least 150 presumed members of the group were arrested for taking part in riots while supporting two Muslim Brotherhood candidates running for parliamentary elections against members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). Thousands of policemen surrounded nearly every polling station in Al-Raml district in Alexandria where voting was taking place, and Brotherhood supporters alleged they were not allowed to cast their ballots.
Another group of 22 leading Brotherhood members, including Mahmoud Ghozlan, who is described as the third figure in the group's leadership, are also awaiting sentences by a military court on 30 July. They were arrested earlier this year and immediately referred to a military tribunal. Most of that group were professors and they were charged with encouraging students to hold anti-government demonstrations.
"All in all, there are 230 Brotherhood figures who are now in prison in a variety of cases, but the majority are from Alexandria," Abdel-Maqsoud said.
The Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt's largest political Islamist group. In the country's last parliamentary elections, held in 2000, it achieved a stunning showing compared to recent years and to opposition parties, with its independent candidates winning 17 seats. (Taken from www.ahram.org.eg)
Thursday, July 25 @ 04:14:43 MYT
EGYPT - Police continued their clampdown on the banned Muslim Brotherhood group, arresting 28 members for allegedly planning pro-Palestinian demonstrations, reports Khaled Dawoud.
Police last Friday arrested 28 members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood group for allegedly planning pro-Palestinian demonstrations for after the Friday prayers at Cairo's Al-Azhar Mosque.
State security prosecutors originally ordered the arrest of 30 presumed members of the Brotherhood, but could not find two of those wanted after raiding their homes early Saturday in the governorates of Cairo, Giza and Qalioubiya.
The arrest warrant issued by the Interior Ministry's state security department, responsible for combating anti-government political activities, said the suspects "wanted to exploit current events [in the region] and planned to stage a demonstration after the Friday prayers at Al-Azhar Mosque, allegedly to support the Palestinian cause and to criticise the government's policy in handling that issue". State security added that the suspects also had in their possession leaflets that lashed out at the government, "claiming that its policies were responsible for unemployment and economic stagnation". The suspects allegedly raised funds to support the Palestinian cause "while the money was actually used to support the banned group and revive its activities", state security added.
All detainees denied the charges, but state security prosecutors late Saturday ordered their imprisonment for 15 days. They were officially charged with joining a banned group, possessing books and publications that promote the group's ideas which they intended to distribute.
Adel Abdel-Maqsoud, a lawyer who attended the interrogations of the arrested individuals, told Al- Ahram Weekly that he was "astonished" by the arrests. "Even if we assume that they [the detainees] were planning to stage a pro-Palestinian demonstration, what is wrong with that?" Abdel- Maqsoud said. He added, "All political groups in the country have been active in staging demonstrations since the Intifada began two years ago, and more protests have been held since the Israeli attacks [in late March]."
Abdel-Maqsoud also pointed out that "whenever Brotherhood members participated in a demonstration, they were usually very disciplined, and never sought to go out to the streets or seek a confrontation with the police."
Sources in the Brotherhood described those arrested on Friday as being "mid-ranking members in the group, who do not assume leading positions".
Essam El-Eryan, a former member of parliament who spent five years in prison after he was convicted for being a member of the banned group in 1995, said that "it seems that the government no longer wants to see pro-Palestinian demonstrations". He added that Friday's clampdown "should be seen in the framework of the current atmosphere aimed at reviving peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians".
The arrest of the Brotherhood members came shortly after a major confrontation between the government and the banned group at the Mediterranean city of Alexandria a few weeks ago. At least 150 presumed members of the group were arrested for taking part in riots while supporting two Muslim Brotherhood candidates running for parliamentary elections against members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP). Thousands of policemen surrounded nearly every polling station in Al-Raml district in Alexandria where voting was taking place, and Brotherhood supporters alleged they were not allowed to cast their ballots.
Another group of 22 leading Brotherhood members, including Mahmoud Ghozlan, who is described as the third figure in the group's leadership, are also awaiting sentences by a military court on 30 July. They were arrested earlier this year and immediately referred to a military tribunal. Most of that group were professors and they were charged with encouraging students to hold anti-government demonstrations.
"All in all, there are 230 Brotherhood figures who are now in prison in a variety of cases, but the majority are from Alexandria," Abdel-Maqsoud said.
The Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt's largest political Islamist group. In the country's last parliamentary elections, held in 2000, it achieved a stunning showing compared to recent years and to opposition parties, with its independent candidates winning 17 seats. (Taken from www.ahram.org.eg)
Keadilan, PRM inks merger MoU
Susan Loone
6:57pm Thu Jul 25th, 2002
Leaders of two opposition parties, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expedite the long-awaited merger between their parties.
Several leaders of both parties witnessed the historic event at the Keadilan headquarters in Phileo Damansara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Syed Husin said the MoU outlined 13 articles including the party's new name, logo, leadership transition process, purpose and objective of the merger, and the structure and organisation of the party.
He said the merged party's name will be “Parti Keadilan Rakyat”, or “Keadilan” in short.
Wan Azizah said the MoU reflected the "political commitment and interests" of the two parties in the merger.
"We both feel that with this merger, the strength and potential of the two parties can become one to face the challenges of the current political scenario," she said in a joint statement with Syed Husin.
"This merger is a necessary step so that efforts to combat cruelty and promote justice will be successful," she added.
The two parties had earlier broached the merger proposition but this was put off because of opposition within Keadilan. At its meeting in July last year, it failed to obtain a two-third majority on the resolution which called for the amendments to the party’s constitution to facilitate the merger.
Amendments
The amendments included a change of the party’s name — from Parti Keadilan Nasional to Parti Keadilan Rakyat Nasional — and in the design of Keadilan’s blue-and-white flag which was to have the addition of two red stripes to signify PRM’s presence.
Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri said he is however optimistic that the party's delegates will support the merger proposal at its annual general meeting in October.
Asked the outcome if the party does not obtain the two-third votes to support the merger, Sahri said, "We will cross the bridge when we come to it".
PRM faced hardly any opposition to the merger. At its congress last year, delegates voted overwhelmingly for the merger.
On the proposed de-registration of PRM in order for its members to join Keadilan, secretary-general Sanusi Osman said the party would wait for the new entity to be "strong and stable" before PRM de-registers and its members cross over en bloc.
Youth wings
Other matters to be dealt with include the anomalies of the merged party’s Youth wings. PRM has a single youth wing whereas Keadilan has separate wings for the two sexes.
PRM Youth vice-chief Jonson Chong said the MoU did not address the issue but the wing members will meet this Sunday to discuss their fate.
Keadilan deputy Youth chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said "any efforts that strengthen the party will be welcomed" when asked his response on the issue.
Witnesses to the MoU signing today included Keadilan deputy chief Abdul Rahman Othman, supreme council member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and women chief Fuziah Salleh. From PRM, deputy president Rustam Sani, vice-presidents Lee Sang and R Sivarasa, and Youth deputy Latheefa Koya were there.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/200207250016609.php
Susan Loone
6:57pm Thu Jul 25th, 2002
Leaders of two opposition parties, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expedite the long-awaited merger between their parties.
Several leaders of both parties witnessed the historic event at the Keadilan headquarters in Phileo Damansara in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Syed Husin said the MoU outlined 13 articles including the party's new name, logo, leadership transition process, purpose and objective of the merger, and the structure and organisation of the party.
He said the merged party's name will be “Parti Keadilan Rakyat”, or “Keadilan” in short.
Wan Azizah said the MoU reflected the "political commitment and interests" of the two parties in the merger.
"We both feel that with this merger, the strength and potential of the two parties can become one to face the challenges of the current political scenario," she said in a joint statement with Syed Husin.
"This merger is a necessary step so that efforts to combat cruelty and promote justice will be successful," she added.
The two parties had earlier broached the merger proposition but this was put off because of opposition within Keadilan. At its meeting in July last year, it failed to obtain a two-third majority on the resolution which called for the amendments to the party’s constitution to facilitate the merger.
Amendments
The amendments included a change of the party’s name — from Parti Keadilan Nasional to Parti Keadilan Rakyat Nasional — and in the design of Keadilan’s blue-and-white flag which was to have the addition of two red stripes to signify PRM’s presence.
Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri said he is however optimistic that the party's delegates will support the merger proposal at its annual general meeting in October.
Asked the outcome if the party does not obtain the two-third votes to support the merger, Sahri said, "We will cross the bridge when we come to it".
PRM faced hardly any opposition to the merger. At its congress last year, delegates voted overwhelmingly for the merger.
On the proposed de-registration of PRM in order for its members to join Keadilan, secretary-general Sanusi Osman said the party would wait for the new entity to be "strong and stable" before PRM de-registers and its members cross over en bloc.
Youth wings
Other matters to be dealt with include the anomalies of the merged party’s Youth wings. PRM has a single youth wing whereas Keadilan has separate wings for the two sexes.
PRM Youth vice-chief Jonson Chong said the MoU did not address the issue but the wing members will meet this Sunday to discuss their fate.
Keadilan deputy Youth chief Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said "any efforts that strengthen the party will be welcomed" when asked his response on the issue.
Witnesses to the MoU signing today included Keadilan deputy chief Abdul Rahman Othman, supreme council member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar and women chief Fuziah Salleh. From PRM, deputy president Rustam Sani, vice-presidents Lee Sang and R Sivarasa, and Youth deputy Latheefa Koya were there.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/200207250016609.php
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
CAIR ACTION ALERT #339
AIRLINE PILOT COMPARES VEILED WOMEN TO "SHAMEFUL WHORES"
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/24/02) - CAIR is calling on American Airlines to
investigate whether an anti-Muslim commentary allegedly written by one of
its pilots is a hoax, and if it is not, to repudiate the Islamophobic views
expressed in the article.
In a commentary published on the right-wing web site Worldnetdaily.com,
Capt. John Maniscalco wrote that he is "worried" by the presence of Arab
Muslims in America. He wrote: "I wish when I walked down the streets of
this country that I love, that your color and culture still blended with
the beautiful human landscape we enjoy in this country. But you don't blend
in anymore. I notice you, and it worries me."
SEE: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28386
After describing the reasons for his worries about American Muslims,
Maniscalco's commentary degenerates into anti-Muslim bigotry.
He stated: "Do you and your fellow Muslims hate us because our women
proudly show their faces in public rather than cover up like a shameful
whore?...Are you here to take our money? Are you here to undermine our
peace and stability? Are you here to destroy us? If so, I want you to
leave. I want you to go back to your desert sandpit where women are treated
like rats and dogs. I want you to take your religion, your friends, and
your family back to your Islamic extremists, and STAY THERE! We will never
give in to your influence, your retarded mentality, your twisted, violent,
intolerant religion."
"If this is indeed a genuine commentary and not just an Internet hoax, it
is a truly disturbing revelation of bigotry on the part of someone who is
charged with protecting the lives of a diverse flying public," said CAIR
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
"We respect Mr. Maniscalco's First Amendment rights and support his right
to publish even bigoted views. But American Airlines has a duty to protect
its reputation by repudiating hate-speech that is written by someone
apparently misusing the company's good name," said Hooper. Hooper added
that any Muslim passenger would be justified in feeling uncomfortable
knowing that Maniscalco would be his or her pilot.
It was an American Airlines pilot who earlier this year removed a Muslim
Secret Service agent from his flight because of alleged racial and
religious profiling. The airline is one of four carriers being sued by
passengers who claim they weren't allowed to fly because of anti-Arab
prejudice. CAIR's Civil Rights Department reports more complaints about
profiling on American Airlines than on any other carrier.
ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE.)
Contact American Airlines to demand that they repudiate the pilot's bigoted
views and make sure his on-the-job performance does not reflect these
views. Request that the company institute sensitivity training for its
flight crews.
CONTACT:
Mr. Donald J. Carty
Chairman, President and CEO
American Airlines, Inc.
4200 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155
TEL: 817-963-1234 or 817-967-1577
FAX: 817-967-4162
URL: http://www.aa.com
E-MAIL: tim.doke@aa.com,gus.whitcomb@aa.com
COPY TO: cair@cair-net.org
CAIR ACTION ALERT #339
AIRLINE PILOT COMPARES VEILED WOMEN TO "SHAMEFUL WHORES"
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/24/02) - CAIR is calling on American Airlines to
investigate whether an anti-Muslim commentary allegedly written by one of
its pilots is a hoax, and if it is not, to repudiate the Islamophobic views
expressed in the article.
In a commentary published on the right-wing web site Worldnetdaily.com,
Capt. John Maniscalco wrote that he is "worried" by the presence of Arab
Muslims in America. He wrote: "I wish when I walked down the streets of
this country that I love, that your color and culture still blended with
the beautiful human landscape we enjoy in this country. But you don't blend
in anymore. I notice you, and it worries me."
SEE: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=28386
After describing the reasons for his worries about American Muslims,
Maniscalco's commentary degenerates into anti-Muslim bigotry.
He stated: "Do you and your fellow Muslims hate us because our women
proudly show their faces in public rather than cover up like a shameful
whore?...Are you here to take our money? Are you here to undermine our
peace and stability? Are you here to destroy us? If so, I want you to
leave. I want you to go back to your desert sandpit where women are treated
like rats and dogs. I want you to take your religion, your friends, and
your family back to your Islamic extremists, and STAY THERE! We will never
give in to your influence, your retarded mentality, your twisted, violent,
intolerant religion."
"If this is indeed a genuine commentary and not just an Internet hoax, it
is a truly disturbing revelation of bigotry on the part of someone who is
charged with protecting the lives of a diverse flying public," said CAIR
Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.
"We respect Mr. Maniscalco's First Amendment rights and support his right
to publish even bigoted views. But American Airlines has a duty to protect
its reputation by repudiating hate-speech that is written by someone
apparently misusing the company's good name," said Hooper. Hooper added
that any Muslim passenger would be justified in feeling uncomfortable
knowing that Maniscalco would be his or her pilot.
It was an American Airlines pilot who earlier this year removed a Muslim
Secret Service agent from his flight because of alleged racial and
religious profiling. The airline is one of four carriers being sued by
passengers who claim they weren't allowed to fly because of anti-Arab
prejudice. CAIR's Civil Rights Department reports more complaints about
profiling on American Airlines than on any other carrier.
ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be POLITE.)
Contact American Airlines to demand that they repudiate the pilot's bigoted
views and make sure his on-the-job performance does not reflect these
views. Request that the company institute sensitivity training for its
flight crews.
CONTACT:
Mr. Donald J. Carty
Chairman, President and CEO
American Airlines, Inc.
4200 Amon Carter Boulevard
Fort Worth, TX 76155
TEL: 817-963-1234 or 817-967-1577
FAX: 817-967-4162
URL: http://www.aa.com
E-MAIL: tim.doke@aa.com,gus.whitcomb@aa.com
COPY TO: cair@cair-net.org
Israeli Missile Attack Kills 12, Wounds 140 in Gaza City
A baby terrorist killed by U.S.-made F-16.
GAZA CITY, July 23 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Putting a damper on a new round of diplomacy, an Israeli F-16 warplane bombed a neighborhood in central Gaza City late Monday, killing at least 12 people, half of them children and women, and wounding more than 140 others.
Israel claimed the missile attack, around midnight, targeted Salah Shehadeh, chief of the military wing of the resistance group Hamas. Shehadeh was later confirmed dead, along with his wife and one of his daughters, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Five or six children died in the Israeli strike, according to Palestinian hospital sources. They said 15 of the wounded were in critical condition and more people could be trapped in the rubble.
Hospital sources said a total of 12 people were killed and some 140 wounded in the attack that plunged Israel and the Palestinians into a new round of recriminations after a day of conciliatory gestures that appeared to ease tensions.
Palestinian witnesses told AFP that the Israeli F-16 swooped in just before midnight and fired a missile which destroyed or damaged five multi-story buildings that were home to dozens of families, as well as a warehouse.
Rescuers had difficulty getting to the rubble to search for survivors as the neighborhood was plunged into darkness. Crowds of frantic Palestinians carried bloodied victims away from the rubble and into ambulances.
Israel claims it wants peace to prevail.
There were frantic scenes as Palestinians hoisted the blood-spattered wounded over their shoulders and bundled them into waiting cars. Jamal Halaby, a local police officer, said he saw the missile cross the sky, then heard the sound of a large explosion.
"I fell out of my bed and I found myself a minute later covered in dust and stones, and the sounds of my children screaming and crying," he said, reported British daily The Independent.
The Israeli raid came only hours after Hamas' spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, said the resistance group would consider stopping attacks on Israelis if the Israeli army withdrew from West Bank towns it reoccupied.
For their part, Palestinian leaders expressed outrage at what they called a "war crime" and hundreds of angry Palestinians took to the streets across the Gaza Strip in protest. At least 10 were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat denounced the raid as a "despicable and cowardly act" just at a time when the two sides were beginning to rekindle a dialogue on humanitarian and security issues.
"We need to break this vicious cycle by giving efforts to put the peace process back on track the chance it deserves," Erakat told CNN.
They were about to sleep in peace.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan deplored the Israeli air attack, calling on Israel to respect the international humanitarian laws, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said late Monday.
"Israel has the legal and moral responsibility to take all measures to avoid the loss of innocent life. It clearly failed to do so in using a missile against an apartment building," Eckhard said in a statement.
Eckhard said Annan is calling on the government of Israel to halt such actions and "to conduct itself in a manner that is fully consistent with international humanitarian law."
"The secretary general is deeply concerned about the possible consequences of this attack, and urges the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do all in their power to restore safety and security for the civilian population on both sides," he said.
Gideon Meir, an Israeli spokesman, claimed the Jewish state was committed to the peace process but defended the operation to kill Shehadeh. "In order for peace to prevail we must eradicate terrorism," he said on CNN.
Israel insists that the Palestinians legal right to resist occupation is terrorism, whereas its use of lethal weapons against people under occupation is an act of self-defense.
Israel carried out nearly 100 assassinations of Palestinian resistance activists, unmindful of the fact that the strategy came under fire from the international community.
Hamas vowed to avenge the assassination of Shehadeh, whom Israel claimed ranked first on their most wanted list.
Hamas spokesman Ismail Haniyeh vowed that the movement would "take revenge for the martyrs. All the Palestinian people will unify to take revenge for the blood of the martyrs," he told reporters at Gaza hospital, where the dead and wounded were taken.
http://islamonline.net/english/news/2002-07/24/article01.shtml
A baby terrorist killed by U.S.-made F-16.
GAZA CITY, July 23 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Putting a damper on a new round of diplomacy, an Israeli F-16 warplane bombed a neighborhood in central Gaza City late Monday, killing at least 12 people, half of them children and women, and wounding more than 140 others.
Israel claimed the missile attack, around midnight, targeted Salah Shehadeh, chief of the military wing of the resistance group Hamas. Shehadeh was later confirmed dead, along with his wife and one of his daughters, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Five or six children died in the Israeli strike, according to Palestinian hospital sources. They said 15 of the wounded were in critical condition and more people could be trapped in the rubble.
Hospital sources said a total of 12 people were killed and some 140 wounded in the attack that plunged Israel and the Palestinians into a new round of recriminations after a day of conciliatory gestures that appeared to ease tensions.
Palestinian witnesses told AFP that the Israeli F-16 swooped in just before midnight and fired a missile which destroyed or damaged five multi-story buildings that were home to dozens of families, as well as a warehouse.
Rescuers had difficulty getting to the rubble to search for survivors as the neighborhood was plunged into darkness. Crowds of frantic Palestinians carried bloodied victims away from the rubble and into ambulances.
Israel claims it wants peace to prevail.
There were frantic scenes as Palestinians hoisted the blood-spattered wounded over their shoulders and bundled them into waiting cars. Jamal Halaby, a local police officer, said he saw the missile cross the sky, then heard the sound of a large explosion.
"I fell out of my bed and I found myself a minute later covered in dust and stones, and the sounds of my children screaming and crying," he said, reported British daily The Independent.
The Israeli raid came only hours after Hamas' spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, said the resistance group would consider stopping attacks on Israelis if the Israeli army withdrew from West Bank towns it reoccupied.
For their part, Palestinian leaders expressed outrage at what they called a "war crime" and hundreds of angry Palestinians took to the streets across the Gaza Strip in protest. At least 10 were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat denounced the raid as a "despicable and cowardly act" just at a time when the two sides were beginning to rekindle a dialogue on humanitarian and security issues.
"We need to break this vicious cycle by giving efforts to put the peace process back on track the chance it deserves," Erakat told CNN.
They were about to sleep in peace.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan deplored the Israeli air attack, calling on Israel to respect the international humanitarian laws, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard said late Monday.
"Israel has the legal and moral responsibility to take all measures to avoid the loss of innocent life. It clearly failed to do so in using a missile against an apartment building," Eckhard said in a statement.
Eckhard said Annan is calling on the government of Israel to halt such actions and "to conduct itself in a manner that is fully consistent with international humanitarian law."
"The secretary general is deeply concerned about the possible consequences of this attack, and urges the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do all in their power to restore safety and security for the civilian population on both sides," he said.
Gideon Meir, an Israeli spokesman, claimed the Jewish state was committed to the peace process but defended the operation to kill Shehadeh. "In order for peace to prevail we must eradicate terrorism," he said on CNN.
Israel insists that the Palestinians legal right to resist occupation is terrorism, whereas its use of lethal weapons against people under occupation is an act of self-defense.
Israel carried out nearly 100 assassinations of Palestinian resistance activists, unmindful of the fact that the strategy came under fire from the international community.
Hamas vowed to avenge the assassination of Shehadeh, whom Israel claimed ranked first on their most wanted list.
Hamas spokesman Ismail Haniyeh vowed that the movement would "take revenge for the martyrs. All the Palestinian people will unify to take revenge for the blood of the martyrs," he told reporters at Gaza hospital, where the dead and wounded were taken.
http://islamonline.net/english/news/2002-07/24/article01.shtml
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
The Ho Ching miracle
fateha Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2002
I remember the UMNO General Assembly immediately before Anwar Ibrahim's ouster. Together with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, UMNO's then Youth Chief, Anwar claimed that there was Corrution, Collusion and Nepotism (KKN) in the Mahathir administration. In response, Mahathir published a roll of companies headed by Anwar's associates.
Nepotism in Malaysia is openly discussed and debated. While it has been taken as a fact of political life, such transparency has also allowed closer scrutiny. Mahathir's 2 sons constantly complained about being viewed as lesser than competent businessmen and that their success was largely owed to Mahathir's influence.
In Singapore, Mahathir's children will not have such problems. Not only are these matters not discussed openly, government excuses are taken as facts, without any form of public inspection.
Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife, Mdm Ho Ching was appointed to take over Temasek Holdings. According to PM Goh, Ho Ching's appointment is for the greater good of Singapore. Temasek Holdings is the business arm of the Singapore government.
A major shareholder in companies ranging from airlines to telecommunications to the media, Temasek Holdings is far more than a mere business entity. It is a political manoeuvring tool.
Temasek Holding’s controlling power in Singapore's biggest companies allows the government to dominate not only the political sphere of Singaporean life (which has been beaten to non existence) but also, the ability to determine politically shrewd decisions in the guise of business practices.
While Singaporeans have decided to either not bother with political manoeuvrings via state instruments or been beaten to submission, it is amusing to read PM Goh's comments on the appointment of Ho Ching.
According to PM Goh, Ho Ching's appointment is the result of a dearth of talent. We do not have the people who are able to do the job. PM Goh also claimed that SM Lee is the best man at the helm of the Gonvernment of Singapore Investment Corp.
What PM Goh has effectively stated that in a nation of 3.6 million, talent and intelligences seems to be concetrated in only one family. We have a dearth of talent and it can only be found in those associated with Lee Kuan Yew.
As compiled in Singapore Window, it seems that Lee Kuan Yew's family has the biggest share of talent in Singapore.
Apart from being chairman of GIC, his son, the Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is his deputy. In fact, a number of his relatives hold senior positions in Government Linked Companies.
The following is short breakdown of the positions that Lee Kuan Yew's family hold in GLCs:
Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Chairman of GIC
Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
(Minister of Finance)
Deputy Chairman of GIC
Mdm Ho Ching (Lee Hsien Loong's wife)
Chairman of Chartered Semiconductor, ST Engineering, ST Capital, StarHub, Deputy Chairman of Singapore Technologies, and Director of Temasek Holdings and SembCorp Industries (Singapore Technologies unit)
Brigadier-General Lee Hsien Yang
Chief Executive of SingTel Group and SESAMi Inc (SingTel unit), and Director of Singapore Technologies Industrial Corporation and National Computer Systems (SingTel unit)
Colonel (Dr) Kwa Soon Bee
Managing Director of Jurong Bird Park, Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and Director of Keppel Land
Mr Edmund Lee
Chief Executive of DBS Vickers (DBS and Singapore Technologies unit)
Mr Kwa Chong Seng
Deputy Chairman of Temasek Holdings (Ministry of Finance unit)
Mr Ho Sing
Vice President of Singapore Precision Industries 2000 (Singapore Technologies unit) and Director of Advanced Materials Technologies (Singapore Technologies unit)
Mrs Lee Suet Fern
Director of SembCorp Logistics
Ms Lim Suet Boey
Senior Vice President of SembCorp Utilities
It is amazing to note that all this talent can only come from Lee Kuan Yew's relatives. It seems that PM Goh is trying to claim that out of the whole population, talent is monopolised by Lee Kuan Yew's family and relatives.
If this were Malaysia, there would have been a vibrant debate. But this is Singapore. A self-proclaimed pragmatic society that takes such appointments with little more than a shrug and soft whispers in coffee shops. This pragmatic society knows that if they dared to raise the issue, there will be hell to pay.
So, PM's ridiculous claim is left unsupported, undebated. And we are taught that only Lee Kuan Yew's family has the talent to run mega government business.
A nation of 3.6 million and talent exists in only one family. A statistical improbability. A miracle in talent concetration.
But this society is pragmatic. It is practical. It knows its priorities. It has the backbone of grass.
That may be the main ingredient for such miracles.
http://www.fateha.com/cgi-bin/newspro/politicalwatch/fullnews.cgi?newsid1024479916,77822,
fateha Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2002
I remember the UMNO General Assembly immediately before Anwar Ibrahim's ouster. Together with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, UMNO's then Youth Chief, Anwar claimed that there was Corrution, Collusion and Nepotism (KKN) in the Mahathir administration. In response, Mahathir published a roll of companies headed by Anwar's associates.
Nepotism in Malaysia is openly discussed and debated. While it has been taken as a fact of political life, such transparency has also allowed closer scrutiny. Mahathir's 2 sons constantly complained about being viewed as lesser than competent businessmen and that their success was largely owed to Mahathir's influence.
In Singapore, Mahathir's children will not have such problems. Not only are these matters not discussed openly, government excuses are taken as facts, without any form of public inspection.
Recently, Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wife, Mdm Ho Ching was appointed to take over Temasek Holdings. According to PM Goh, Ho Ching's appointment is for the greater good of Singapore. Temasek Holdings is the business arm of the Singapore government.
A major shareholder in companies ranging from airlines to telecommunications to the media, Temasek Holdings is far more than a mere business entity. It is a political manoeuvring tool.
Temasek Holding’s controlling power in Singapore's biggest companies allows the government to dominate not only the political sphere of Singaporean life (which has been beaten to non existence) but also, the ability to determine politically shrewd decisions in the guise of business practices.
While Singaporeans have decided to either not bother with political manoeuvrings via state instruments or been beaten to submission, it is amusing to read PM Goh's comments on the appointment of Ho Ching.
According to PM Goh, Ho Ching's appointment is the result of a dearth of talent. We do not have the people who are able to do the job. PM Goh also claimed that SM Lee is the best man at the helm of the Gonvernment of Singapore Investment Corp.
What PM Goh has effectively stated that in a nation of 3.6 million, talent and intelligences seems to be concetrated in only one family. We have a dearth of talent and it can only be found in those associated with Lee Kuan Yew.
As compiled in Singapore Window, it seems that Lee Kuan Yew's family has the biggest share of talent in Singapore.
Apart from being chairman of GIC, his son, the Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is his deputy. In fact, a number of his relatives hold senior positions in Government Linked Companies.
The following is short breakdown of the positions that Lee Kuan Yew's family hold in GLCs:
Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Chairman of GIC
Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
(Minister of Finance)
Deputy Chairman of GIC
Mdm Ho Ching (Lee Hsien Loong's wife)
Chairman of Chartered Semiconductor, ST Engineering, ST Capital, StarHub, Deputy Chairman of Singapore Technologies, and Director of Temasek Holdings and SembCorp Industries (Singapore Technologies unit)
Brigadier-General Lee Hsien Yang
Chief Executive of SingTel Group and SESAMi Inc (SingTel unit), and Director of Singapore Technologies Industrial Corporation and National Computer Systems (SingTel unit)
Colonel (Dr) Kwa Soon Bee
Managing Director of Jurong Bird Park, Chairman of Wildlife Reserves Singapore and Director of Keppel Land
Mr Edmund Lee
Chief Executive of DBS Vickers (DBS and Singapore Technologies unit)
Mr Kwa Chong Seng
Deputy Chairman of Temasek Holdings (Ministry of Finance unit)
Mr Ho Sing
Vice President of Singapore Precision Industries 2000 (Singapore Technologies unit) and Director of Advanced Materials Technologies (Singapore Technologies unit)
Mrs Lee Suet Fern
Director of SembCorp Logistics
Ms Lim Suet Boey
Senior Vice President of SembCorp Utilities
It is amazing to note that all this talent can only come from Lee Kuan Yew's relatives. It seems that PM Goh is trying to claim that out of the whole population, talent is monopolised by Lee Kuan Yew's family and relatives.
If this were Malaysia, there would have been a vibrant debate. But this is Singapore. A self-proclaimed pragmatic society that takes such appointments with little more than a shrug and soft whispers in coffee shops. This pragmatic society knows that if they dared to raise the issue, there will be hell to pay.
So, PM's ridiculous claim is left unsupported, undebated. And we are taught that only Lee Kuan Yew's family has the talent to run mega government business.
A nation of 3.6 million and talent exists in only one family. A statistical improbability. A miracle in talent concetration.
But this society is pragmatic. It is practical. It knows its priorities. It has the backbone of grass.
That may be the main ingredient for such miracles.
http://www.fateha.com/cgi-bin/newspro/politicalwatch/fullnews.cgi?newsid1024479916,77822,
The real reason for forcing girls to remove hijab?
fateha Posted on Friday, June 7, 2002
There were various speculations as to the reasons the government force Muslim girls to remove their hijab.
The common excuse given is that the government wants to expand the social compact and improve inter religious harmony. How harmony can be attained by suppression is anyone's guess.
But according to our sources, the issue is not about harmony or integration. From the information that we received, this is purely about Lee Kuan Yew.
It was stated that Lee Kuan Yew does not want Muslims in Singapore to practice their religion in ful. His vision is of Muslims in Turkey, where they are Muslims only in name. Lee Kuan Yew is determined to remove any trace of Islamic practices.
According to our source, PM Goh does not disagree with girls wearing headscarves in school. But Lee Kuan Yew has made it clear that he will not allow Muslim girls to wear it in school.
Supported by Lee Kuan Yew's statement to UPI on 11 May 2001, where he said "Throughout 150 years of British rule and 36 years of independence, dress was never an issue. But now the Muslims have made it a major one. I'm sure you've seen the covered heads of women around town. It's part of this worldwide movement. And we have a problem."
The real issue is not integration. It is the bigotry of one man.
Lee Kuan Yew is a known racist. If the information is true, then Muslims should realise their place in this land.
The land is rule by a man who is against their beliefs. And we know that Lee Kuan Yew will do anything to get his way.
http://www.fateha.com/cgi-bin/newspro/politicalwatch/fullnews.cgi?newsid1023443114,96254,
fateha Posted on Friday, June 7, 2002
There were various speculations as to the reasons the government force Muslim girls to remove their hijab.
The common excuse given is that the government wants to expand the social compact and improve inter religious harmony. How harmony can be attained by suppression is anyone's guess.
But according to our sources, the issue is not about harmony or integration. From the information that we received, this is purely about Lee Kuan Yew.
It was stated that Lee Kuan Yew does not want Muslims in Singapore to practice their religion in ful. His vision is of Muslims in Turkey, where they are Muslims only in name. Lee Kuan Yew is determined to remove any trace of Islamic practices.
According to our source, PM Goh does not disagree with girls wearing headscarves in school. But Lee Kuan Yew has made it clear that he will not allow Muslim girls to wear it in school.
Supported by Lee Kuan Yew's statement to UPI on 11 May 2001, where he said "Throughout 150 years of British rule and 36 years of independence, dress was never an issue. But now the Muslims have made it a major one. I'm sure you've seen the covered heads of women around town. It's part of this worldwide movement. And we have a problem."
The real issue is not integration. It is the bigotry of one man.
Lee Kuan Yew is a known racist. If the information is true, then Muslims should realise their place in this land.
The land is rule by a man who is against their beliefs. And we know that Lee Kuan Yew will do anything to get his way.
http://www.fateha.com/cgi-bin/newspro/politicalwatch/fullnews.cgi?newsid1023443114,96254,
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
HIDUPKU UNTUK MATIKU
aku mencari
apa yg telah aku temui
aku janjikan
apa yg telah aku mungkiri
aku kan berubah
namun tetap begini
aku hanya cinta
dengan membenci
aku kan setia
tapi tak akan menanti
aku kan kejar
walau tidak berlari
aku gagahi
apa yang aku takuti
aku ingkari
demi untuk mentaati
aku kan mengalah
hanya untuk memenangi
berkorban untuk memiliki
bermaruah dengan menghambakan diri
perjuanganku untuk menawan dunia
hanya ingin menyerah diri
pada yg empunya segala …
setiap makhluq,
setiap negeri,
seluas langit,
seisi bumi ..
kerana …
datangku
hanya untuk kembali
matiku
untuk hidup selama-lamanya pasti!
150702
teman_sejati
“hidupku, matiku demiMU ILAHI…”
aku mencari
apa yg telah aku temui
aku janjikan
apa yg telah aku mungkiri
aku kan berubah
namun tetap begini
aku hanya cinta
dengan membenci
aku kan setia
tapi tak akan menanti
aku kan kejar
walau tidak berlari
aku gagahi
apa yang aku takuti
aku ingkari
demi untuk mentaati
aku kan mengalah
hanya untuk memenangi
berkorban untuk memiliki
bermaruah dengan menghambakan diri
perjuanganku untuk menawan dunia
hanya ingin menyerah diri
pada yg empunya segala …
setiap makhluq,
setiap negeri,
seluas langit,
seisi bumi ..
kerana …
datangku
hanya untuk kembali
matiku
untuk hidup selama-lamanya pasti!
150702
teman_sejati
“hidupku, matiku demiMU ILAHI…”
Dua Sejoli Di atas Jalan Dakwah
Muhammad Kamal Sananiri seorang aktivis Jamaah Ikhwan Muslimin yang bersungguh-sungguh melibatkan diri melalui perjalanan dakwah yang diwarnai dan disirami dengan keringat, darah dan air mata. penglibatan ini mengheret beliau ke penjara selama 25 tahun dengan melakukan kerja-kerja berat rentetan kezaliman regim Jamal Abd Nasir pada tahun 1954. Penyiksaan dan kekejaman yang ditanggungnya menghantar beliau ke rumah sakit Liman Taroh selepas 5 tahun berada dalam kurungan besi. Di sinilah beliau bertemu dengan Sayyid Qutb dan di kesempatan ini beliau menyampaikan hasratnya untuk memperisterikan Aminah Qutb, adik kandung Sayyid Qutb. Seterusnya, lamaran itu telah diterima oleh Aminah walaupun dia tahu bakal suaminya masih mempunyai tempoh tahanan selama 20 tahun lagi. Pernikahan berlangsung di penjara Liman Taroh dalam suasana Kamal ditahan oleh konco-konco toghut.
Hubungan hati kedua suami isteri ini terus mekar walaupun dipisahkan oleh tembok penjara dan berjauhan. Kunjungan dan surat-surat daripada Aminah benar-benar menjadi 'hiburan imani' untuk Kamal dan sahabat-sahabatnya yang lain. Suatu hari, sewaktu Aminah menziarahi suaminya di penjara, Kamal menghampiri isterinya lalu berkata : "Isteriku Aminah....Adinda memang tahu dan sepertii yang telah aku katakan sejak dulu, yakni sejak pernikahan kita, bahawa keadaan aku dalam penjara ini masih tidak jelas. Adakah akan berakhir 20 tahun lagi atau hayatku akan berakhir di sini? Aku tidak sanggup melihat penderitaan yang engkau alami. Mulai saat ini, aku serahkan kepadamu untuk menentukan sikapmu. Aku tidak ingin mengganggu masa depanmu. Abdul Nasir telah memujuk kami untuk menyetujui keputusannya, tetapi tidak mungkin kami menerima keputusannya itu, meskipun kerananya jasadku dipotong-potong. Fikirkan dengan baik dan tuliskanlah pendapatmu."
Sebaik sahaja Aminah mahu menulis jawapan untuk suaminya, dia diusir keluar kerana waktu melawat sudah tamat. Kesedihan Aminah sudah dijangkakan dan apabila tiba di rumah, meluncurlah rangkap-rangkap syair 'cinta imani' yang mencurahkan perasaan hatinya sejak di penjara lagi, yang antara lain berbunyi,
"....Adinda akan tetap hidup bersama jihad....
....kerana jihad adalah pintu syurga....
...suamiku...
...adinda akan tetap setia di sampingmu mengharungi jalan ini...."
Syair itu dikirimkan kepada Kamal, dan sungguh luar biasa kesannya sehingga Kamal benar-benar merasai nikmat pertolongan Allah melalui teman hidup yang solehah di tengah-tengah kemelut seksaan musuh yang kejam. Setelah 22 tahun dalam tahanan barulah Kamal dibebaskan ekoran kematian Jamal Abdul Nasir.
Muhammad Kamal Sananiri seorang aktivis Jamaah Ikhwan Muslimin yang bersungguh-sungguh melibatkan diri melalui perjalanan dakwah yang diwarnai dan disirami dengan keringat, darah dan air mata. penglibatan ini mengheret beliau ke penjara selama 25 tahun dengan melakukan kerja-kerja berat rentetan kezaliman regim Jamal Abd Nasir pada tahun 1954. Penyiksaan dan kekejaman yang ditanggungnya menghantar beliau ke rumah sakit Liman Taroh selepas 5 tahun berada dalam kurungan besi. Di sinilah beliau bertemu dengan Sayyid Qutb dan di kesempatan ini beliau menyampaikan hasratnya untuk memperisterikan Aminah Qutb, adik kandung Sayyid Qutb. Seterusnya, lamaran itu telah diterima oleh Aminah walaupun dia tahu bakal suaminya masih mempunyai tempoh tahanan selama 20 tahun lagi. Pernikahan berlangsung di penjara Liman Taroh dalam suasana Kamal ditahan oleh konco-konco toghut.
Hubungan hati kedua suami isteri ini terus mekar walaupun dipisahkan oleh tembok penjara dan berjauhan. Kunjungan dan surat-surat daripada Aminah benar-benar menjadi 'hiburan imani' untuk Kamal dan sahabat-sahabatnya yang lain. Suatu hari, sewaktu Aminah menziarahi suaminya di penjara, Kamal menghampiri isterinya lalu berkata : "Isteriku Aminah....Adinda memang tahu dan sepertii yang telah aku katakan sejak dulu, yakni sejak pernikahan kita, bahawa keadaan aku dalam penjara ini masih tidak jelas. Adakah akan berakhir 20 tahun lagi atau hayatku akan berakhir di sini? Aku tidak sanggup melihat penderitaan yang engkau alami. Mulai saat ini, aku serahkan kepadamu untuk menentukan sikapmu. Aku tidak ingin mengganggu masa depanmu. Abdul Nasir telah memujuk kami untuk menyetujui keputusannya, tetapi tidak mungkin kami menerima keputusannya itu, meskipun kerananya jasadku dipotong-potong. Fikirkan dengan baik dan tuliskanlah pendapatmu."
Sebaik sahaja Aminah mahu menulis jawapan untuk suaminya, dia diusir keluar kerana waktu melawat sudah tamat. Kesedihan Aminah sudah dijangkakan dan apabila tiba di rumah, meluncurlah rangkap-rangkap syair 'cinta imani' yang mencurahkan perasaan hatinya sejak di penjara lagi, yang antara lain berbunyi,
"....Adinda akan tetap hidup bersama jihad....
....kerana jihad adalah pintu syurga....
...suamiku...
...adinda akan tetap setia di sampingmu mengharungi jalan ini...."
Syair itu dikirimkan kepada Kamal, dan sungguh luar biasa kesannya sehingga Kamal benar-benar merasai nikmat pertolongan Allah melalui teman hidup yang solehah di tengah-tengah kemelut seksaan musuh yang kejam. Setelah 22 tahun dalam tahanan barulah Kamal dibebaskan ekoran kematian Jamal Abdul Nasir.
TERLEPASNYA PENDANG - SATU ANALISA PRESENTIF
oleh 'Abdul Qahhar', US
Kegagalan PAS mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Pendang dalam pilihanraya semula berikutan pemergian Ustaz Fadzil Noor baru-baru ini membangkitkan kembali isu yang diperjuangkan ke atas umat Melayu Muslim yang tidak pernah selesai. Ketika dipercayai kemenangan PAS dalam pilihanraya umum 1999 yang lepas dengan memenangi majoriti kerusi Parlimen di Kedah, termasuklah Pendang, pencinta kebangkitan Islam dan pejuang keadilan menyangkakan itu adalah tanda rakyat semakin menerima Islam, atau dalam erti kata lain, kejayaan pada 1999 tersebut adalah gambaran kefahaman tentang Islam dan isi seruannya telah meningkat di kalangan masyarakat. Akan tetapi, kepercayaan itu dengan tiba-tiba meleset apabila PAS tewas di kerusi Pendang, kubu kuat mereka seperti yang diakui oleh seteru PAS sendiri.
Samada terdapat kepincangan dalam jentera kempen pilihanraya PAS, atau wujudnya penipuan besar oleh pihak BN seperti penggunaan pengundi hantu, atau taburan wang oleh pihak BN seperti setengahnya mendakwa, perkara yang lebih penting untuk dibincangkan sebagai pos-mortem kepada kekalahan PAS dengan defisit 280 undi itu adalah perihal pengundi-pengundi itu sendiri. Yang perlu dibedah-siasat dan dikaji adalah mentaliti atau apa yang terbuku di dalam kepala otak pengundi itu sendiri; agar pada pilihanraya akan datang, PAS akan mampu merampas semula kerusi Parlimen Pendang tersebut. Suka ditegaskan di sini bahawa merampas kerusi dalam pilihanraya bererti meraih kepercayaan pengundi, dan untuk meraih kepercayaan pengundi, mentaliti pengundi itu perlu dirobos, diceroboh, dan ditilik sepenuhnya akan
apa sebenarnya yang membuatkan mereka enggan beralih dari satu kepimpinan yang kotor kepada yang bersih.
Di dalam otak orang kita, rasa ingin maju begitu meluap-luap. Kemodenan menjadi wawasan, walaupun pada akarnya mereka buta dengan definisi kemodenan. Bagi mereka, maju itu terletak kepada bangunan. Maju itu menurut mereka adalah tumbuhnya kedai-kedai perniagaan bagai cendawan tanpa peduli siapa pemiliknya, Melayu, Cina, atau India. Yang penting, bertambahnya ruang niaga itu bermaksud ekonomi kita maju. Untung atau tidak, itu cerita kedua, yang penting 'nampak maju'. Itu mentaliti mereka. Maka apabila disuap dengan 'kemajuan' sebagai pengabur mata, sekalipun yang untungnya adalah penyuapnya sahaja, maka yang tersuap itupun merasa bangga dan seronok kerana bumi tinggalnya semakin maju dan berjaya. Terima kasih kepada kerajaan kata mereka. Kami rasa terhutang budi atas kemajuan yang dicipta.
Orang kita tidak suka berfikir. Bukan sahaja tidak suka berfikir, ramai juga yang takut untuk berfikir. Berfkir boleh buat 'kepala jadi serabut' kata mereka. Kerana itu, bila sampai kepada mereka saranan media, berita gembira atau durja yang belum pasti benarnya, mereka terima seadanya. Tidak mereka tadabbur apa yang datang kepadanya. Menyedari hakikat yang samalah Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz menulis Tragedi Pemikiran Melayu. Beliau mengungkitkan segala 'keharu biruan' pemikiran orang kita. Kata beliau, "Perspektif mereka (orang Melayu) terhad, tidak suka menyiasat dan mereka tidak mahu berfikir dengan mendalam." Ya, orang Melayu kita tidak mahu berfikir dengan mendalam!
Dalam merungkai isipati kekalahan PAS di Pendang baru-baru ini pun, penulis percaya hal ketidakmahuan berfikir bangsa Melayu selaku penentu undi majoriti merupakan salah satu isu yang perlu di'tackle' dan dikorek akar tunjangnya. Kepercayaan kepada canangan media bahawa kerajaan pimpinan parti BN itu bersih, PAS itu buruk, dan BN sahajalah yang mampu mentadbir diterima bulat-bulat oleh majoriti rakyat. Sedangkan cerita pokok berhantu mudah dipercayai, inikan cerita dongeng telahan media. Itulah keadaan pemikiran orang kita.
Lebih berkeladak dari kelemahan pemikiran dan salah lihat erti kemajuan oleh umat kita, khususnya di Pendang, adalah krisis kecetekan kefahaman akan Islam itu sendiri. Permasalahan ini menjawab lebih banyak persoalan kenapa pembuangan undi mereka sedemian rupa. Mereka memahami Islam itu sebagai soal ritual dan sukar bagi mereka untuk memahami hubungan pemerintahan dan agama. Ini soal lama, yang mana kejayaan di Pendang pada pilihanraya umum 1999 yang lalu memberi gambaran yang silap tentangnya bila mengandaikan umat Pendang terlepas darinya, walhal mereka masih lagi di takuk lama. Lantaran masih rendahnya kefahaman kepada perlunya Islam dijadikan asas pemerintahanlah maka beralunnya ombak pemilihan di kalangan orang kita. Krisis kefahaman ini membawa banyak kesan buruk kepada cita-cita PAS, sebagai penjunjung Islam ke arah kedaulatannya.
Walaupun Pendang pernah dimenangi PAS 1999 yang lalu, ianya tidak memberi makna bahawa pemilihnya itu berpartikan Islam dengan sebenarnya. Ada yang
memangkah sekadar memangkah mengikut citarasa. Ya, penulis perlu membuktikannya. Walaubagaimanapun, apa yang ingin dikeutarakan adalah andainya mereka telah memangkah parti Islam, maknanya mereka ingin berparti dengan Islam seperti seruan Quran akan hizbul Islam. Mereka yang berparti dengan Islam jika disertai dengan kefahaman yang jazam akan menonjolkan mereka itu mereka yang berakhlakkan Islam. Akan tetapi, perkara sebaliknya berlaku di Pendang secara khusus. Akhlak mereka tidak Islam! Ini sekaligus menimbulkan konflik kepada mereka yang bersama memilih parti Islam, atau yang masih di atas pagar antara parti Islam atau bukan. Kejadian seperti berasing masjid untuk solat Jumaat, tidak menjemput jiran ke kenduri kahwinnya lantaran parti berlawanan, bertempik kelebihan PAS di kedai kopi
sedang tidak ke masjid, cukup memberi gambaran dan kesan buruk kepada PAS. Ini semua adalah lantaran kedengkelan mereka ini akan matlamat sebenar berparti dengan Islam dengan sefahamnya. Andai kelompok ini tidak dibantu mengalirkan semangat yang tinggi di dalam jiwa mereka itu ke arah yang sewajarnya, maka mereka akan menjadi perosak, seperti pepatah bagai api di dalam sekam.
Induk perbincangan kita akhirnya menerjahkan persoalan tentang sejauh mana tarbiyah Islam telah sampai ke setiap isi masyarakat kita sekarang. Adakah undi yang kita terima menggambarkan perubahan kepada kefahaman Islam, ini satu persoalan belum pasti berjawapan. Adakah organ tarbiyah kita telah mencapai misi dan visinya, satu lagi soalan yang sukar dijawabkan. Tatkala faktor monopoli dan manipulasi media oleh pihak lawan dirisaukan, PAS perlu menilai gerak kerja jentera tarbiyahnya yang sepatutnya menyelinap masuk ke diri-diri bakal pengundinya. Jentera tarbiyah yang ada sekarang sudah pasti telah bekerja dengan kerasnya, tetapi analisa semua kepada keberkesanannya perlu diulangkaji. Ataupun sekiranya yang sudah sedia dilakukan itu memberi kesan tetapi perlahan, mungkin jumlah tenaga atau pekerja perlu dilihat sebagai faktor yang perlu ditingkatkan. Tarbiyah adalah elemen paling penting sebagai asas untuk mendidik rakyat melawan media, wang suapan dan
dakyah lawan.
Tarbiyah yang dijalankan perlu merobos kedengkelan persepektif umat kita pada erti kemajuan. Visi mereka akan apa itu kemodenan perlu diubah. Umat kita perlu dianjak paradigmanya, dihambat mindanya agar berani berfikir, dididik agar lebih berfikiran kritikal, dan diajar untuk lebih peka pada realiti semasa. Tarbiyah yang akan dihayunkan perlu menerjah masuk ke dalam lubang-lubang kejahilan masyarakat tentang perlunya Islam menjadi pilihan mereka, dan akan maksud sebenar berparti dengan Islam dan sistemnya. Ini semua diperlukan Pendang secepatnya.
Pendang sedikit sebanyak mengembalikan kita untuk memikirkan isu lama, yang tidak pernah selesai sebenarnya.
oleh 'Abdul Qahhar', US
Kegagalan PAS mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Pendang dalam pilihanraya semula berikutan pemergian Ustaz Fadzil Noor baru-baru ini membangkitkan kembali isu yang diperjuangkan ke atas umat Melayu Muslim yang tidak pernah selesai. Ketika dipercayai kemenangan PAS dalam pilihanraya umum 1999 yang lepas dengan memenangi majoriti kerusi Parlimen di Kedah, termasuklah Pendang, pencinta kebangkitan Islam dan pejuang keadilan menyangkakan itu adalah tanda rakyat semakin menerima Islam, atau dalam erti kata lain, kejayaan pada 1999 tersebut adalah gambaran kefahaman tentang Islam dan isi seruannya telah meningkat di kalangan masyarakat. Akan tetapi, kepercayaan itu dengan tiba-tiba meleset apabila PAS tewas di kerusi Pendang, kubu kuat mereka seperti yang diakui oleh seteru PAS sendiri.
Samada terdapat kepincangan dalam jentera kempen pilihanraya PAS, atau wujudnya penipuan besar oleh pihak BN seperti penggunaan pengundi hantu, atau taburan wang oleh pihak BN seperti setengahnya mendakwa, perkara yang lebih penting untuk dibincangkan sebagai pos-mortem kepada kekalahan PAS dengan defisit 280 undi itu adalah perihal pengundi-pengundi itu sendiri. Yang perlu dibedah-siasat dan dikaji adalah mentaliti atau apa yang terbuku di dalam kepala otak pengundi itu sendiri; agar pada pilihanraya akan datang, PAS akan mampu merampas semula kerusi Parlimen Pendang tersebut. Suka ditegaskan di sini bahawa merampas kerusi dalam pilihanraya bererti meraih kepercayaan pengundi, dan untuk meraih kepercayaan pengundi, mentaliti pengundi itu perlu dirobos, diceroboh, dan ditilik sepenuhnya akan
apa sebenarnya yang membuatkan mereka enggan beralih dari satu kepimpinan yang kotor kepada yang bersih.
Di dalam otak orang kita, rasa ingin maju begitu meluap-luap. Kemodenan menjadi wawasan, walaupun pada akarnya mereka buta dengan definisi kemodenan. Bagi mereka, maju itu terletak kepada bangunan. Maju itu menurut mereka adalah tumbuhnya kedai-kedai perniagaan bagai cendawan tanpa peduli siapa pemiliknya, Melayu, Cina, atau India. Yang penting, bertambahnya ruang niaga itu bermaksud ekonomi kita maju. Untung atau tidak, itu cerita kedua, yang penting 'nampak maju'. Itu mentaliti mereka. Maka apabila disuap dengan 'kemajuan' sebagai pengabur mata, sekalipun yang untungnya adalah penyuapnya sahaja, maka yang tersuap itupun merasa bangga dan seronok kerana bumi tinggalnya semakin maju dan berjaya. Terima kasih kepada kerajaan kata mereka. Kami rasa terhutang budi atas kemajuan yang dicipta.
Orang kita tidak suka berfikir. Bukan sahaja tidak suka berfikir, ramai juga yang takut untuk berfikir. Berfkir boleh buat 'kepala jadi serabut' kata mereka. Kerana itu, bila sampai kepada mereka saranan media, berita gembira atau durja yang belum pasti benarnya, mereka terima seadanya. Tidak mereka tadabbur apa yang datang kepadanya. Menyedari hakikat yang samalah Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz menulis Tragedi Pemikiran Melayu. Beliau mengungkitkan segala 'keharu biruan' pemikiran orang kita. Kata beliau, "Perspektif mereka (orang Melayu) terhad, tidak suka menyiasat dan mereka tidak mahu berfikir dengan mendalam." Ya, orang Melayu kita tidak mahu berfikir dengan mendalam!
Dalam merungkai isipati kekalahan PAS di Pendang baru-baru ini pun, penulis percaya hal ketidakmahuan berfikir bangsa Melayu selaku penentu undi majoriti merupakan salah satu isu yang perlu di'tackle' dan dikorek akar tunjangnya. Kepercayaan kepada canangan media bahawa kerajaan pimpinan parti BN itu bersih, PAS itu buruk, dan BN sahajalah yang mampu mentadbir diterima bulat-bulat oleh majoriti rakyat. Sedangkan cerita pokok berhantu mudah dipercayai, inikan cerita dongeng telahan media. Itulah keadaan pemikiran orang kita.
Lebih berkeladak dari kelemahan pemikiran dan salah lihat erti kemajuan oleh umat kita, khususnya di Pendang, adalah krisis kecetekan kefahaman akan Islam itu sendiri. Permasalahan ini menjawab lebih banyak persoalan kenapa pembuangan undi mereka sedemian rupa. Mereka memahami Islam itu sebagai soal ritual dan sukar bagi mereka untuk memahami hubungan pemerintahan dan agama. Ini soal lama, yang mana kejayaan di Pendang pada pilihanraya umum 1999 yang lalu memberi gambaran yang silap tentangnya bila mengandaikan umat Pendang terlepas darinya, walhal mereka masih lagi di takuk lama. Lantaran masih rendahnya kefahaman kepada perlunya Islam dijadikan asas pemerintahanlah maka beralunnya ombak pemilihan di kalangan orang kita. Krisis kefahaman ini membawa banyak kesan buruk kepada cita-cita PAS, sebagai penjunjung Islam ke arah kedaulatannya.
Walaupun Pendang pernah dimenangi PAS 1999 yang lalu, ianya tidak memberi makna bahawa pemilihnya itu berpartikan Islam dengan sebenarnya. Ada yang
memangkah sekadar memangkah mengikut citarasa. Ya, penulis perlu membuktikannya. Walaubagaimanapun, apa yang ingin dikeutarakan adalah andainya mereka telah memangkah parti Islam, maknanya mereka ingin berparti dengan Islam seperti seruan Quran akan hizbul Islam. Mereka yang berparti dengan Islam jika disertai dengan kefahaman yang jazam akan menonjolkan mereka itu mereka yang berakhlakkan Islam. Akan tetapi, perkara sebaliknya berlaku di Pendang secara khusus. Akhlak mereka tidak Islam! Ini sekaligus menimbulkan konflik kepada mereka yang bersama memilih parti Islam, atau yang masih di atas pagar antara parti Islam atau bukan. Kejadian seperti berasing masjid untuk solat Jumaat, tidak menjemput jiran ke kenduri kahwinnya lantaran parti berlawanan, bertempik kelebihan PAS di kedai kopi
sedang tidak ke masjid, cukup memberi gambaran dan kesan buruk kepada PAS. Ini semua adalah lantaran kedengkelan mereka ini akan matlamat sebenar berparti dengan Islam dengan sefahamnya. Andai kelompok ini tidak dibantu mengalirkan semangat yang tinggi di dalam jiwa mereka itu ke arah yang sewajarnya, maka mereka akan menjadi perosak, seperti pepatah bagai api di dalam sekam.
Induk perbincangan kita akhirnya menerjahkan persoalan tentang sejauh mana tarbiyah Islam telah sampai ke setiap isi masyarakat kita sekarang. Adakah undi yang kita terima menggambarkan perubahan kepada kefahaman Islam, ini satu persoalan belum pasti berjawapan. Adakah organ tarbiyah kita telah mencapai misi dan visinya, satu lagi soalan yang sukar dijawabkan. Tatkala faktor monopoli dan manipulasi media oleh pihak lawan dirisaukan, PAS perlu menilai gerak kerja jentera tarbiyahnya yang sepatutnya menyelinap masuk ke diri-diri bakal pengundinya. Jentera tarbiyah yang ada sekarang sudah pasti telah bekerja dengan kerasnya, tetapi analisa semua kepada keberkesanannya perlu diulangkaji. Ataupun sekiranya yang sudah sedia dilakukan itu memberi kesan tetapi perlahan, mungkin jumlah tenaga atau pekerja perlu dilihat sebagai faktor yang perlu ditingkatkan. Tarbiyah adalah elemen paling penting sebagai asas untuk mendidik rakyat melawan media, wang suapan dan
dakyah lawan.
Tarbiyah yang dijalankan perlu merobos kedengkelan persepektif umat kita pada erti kemajuan. Visi mereka akan apa itu kemodenan perlu diubah. Umat kita perlu dianjak paradigmanya, dihambat mindanya agar berani berfikir, dididik agar lebih berfikiran kritikal, dan diajar untuk lebih peka pada realiti semasa. Tarbiyah yang akan dihayunkan perlu menerjah masuk ke dalam lubang-lubang kejahilan masyarakat tentang perlunya Islam menjadi pilihan mereka, dan akan maksud sebenar berparti dengan Islam dan sistemnya. Ini semua diperlukan Pendang secepatnya.
Pendang sedikit sebanyak mengembalikan kita untuk memikirkan isu lama, yang tidak pernah selesai sebenarnya.
S’pore limits student intake for Islamic schools, website cries foul
Arfa’eza A Aziz
2:09pm Tue Jul 23rd, 2002
Only 400 pupils will be allowed to be admitted into Year One at the six primary madrasah (Islamic schools) in Singapore beginning next year, said the editor of a website for Singapore Muslims.
Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff of Fateha.com said the restriction on students’ enrolment is one of the conditions imposed by the Singapore government which had to abandon its 1999 plan to close down the six schools after much protest and public debate from the Muslim community.
“Initially the government wanted to scrap the primary madrasah and allow only the secondary Islamic schools to continue. But the Muslim community feared if the primary schools are closed, it will have a negative impact on the secondary intake. So there was strong resistance from us.
“After much debate, the government compromised. They allowed the primary schools to continue but the madrasah will have to maintain a certain standard performance in the Primary School Release Examinations ( similar to Malaysia’s UPSR examination). If they cannot maintain that standard for three consecutive years, the schools will be closed,” he told malaysiakini during a recent interview held in Kuala Lumpur.
The religious schools receive no financial grant from the government and are independently funded.
Zulfikar said the quota restriction had not only quashed the schools’ plan to increase student intake to accommodate the growing 450,000 Muslim population in the country but will cause thousands of applications to be rejected.
“Before the quota was imposed, the schools could take more than 400. But now the figure is even lower. The schools receive between 1,500 and 3,000 applications a year as Muslims parents are now more eager to have their children exposed to religious upbringing,” said Zulfikar.
Alternative channel
According to him, it was the government’s plan to deny Muslim parents their rights to provide their young children with Islamic studies that prompted Zulfikar and his friends to set up Fateha.com.
“The local media failed to report our views on the issue. We decided to provide an alternative channel to air our views. Since we cannot form a publication, we decided to set up a website,” he said.
Asked why the government wanted to scrap Islamic schools, he replied they feared that the existence of the schools would result in social disintegration among the different races in the republic.
He said the reason given showed the government’s double standards in dealing with different races in the country.
“The government had introduced the “special assisted programme” or SAP schools to promote Mandarin and Chinese values for all Singaporeans. I have absolutely nothing against SAP schools or their noble intention to promote their cultures and I don’t think that it will repress other races.
“But while you allow one race to promote its culture and language, you should not deny the minority to promote their culture and language too,” he said.
Zulfikar also said the government’s decision to ban the wearing of tudung (head scarf) by female Muslim students attending public schools, is not the only problem faced by Muslims in Singapore.
He claimed there were complaints that some Muslim students and teachers were barred from performing their daily afternoon prayers during school hours.
“They used to perform prayers during recess but recently they were not allowed to pray even during the break. One of the complainants told us that the school principal said students can qadha (postpone their prayers) which is not entirely correct. The principal claimed that MUIS (Singapore Islamic Religious Council) had given the school the advice. I called MUIS for confirmation but their officials denied giving such advice.
“The other complaint involved a convent where a teacher was stopped from performing daily prayers. The reason given was since it was a Catholic school and she should not be performing her prayers while in school. So in Fateha, our stand is: Where do we cross the line? When do we say stop? When do we say that this is too much!,” said Zulfikar who did not want to reveal the schools.
He said such problems faced by Singaporean Muslims will never see their day in the local press which he claimed to prefer portraying the people rather than the issue.
“Take the case of the father of the girl who defied the tudung ban. The local media portrayed him as a stubborn, incorrigible and recalcitrant father who does not care about his child’s education, just his views. But when prime minister Goh Chok Tong was adamant on the ban, he was said to be a man of principle,” he said.
MPs fail the Muslims
Asked if the Muslim community had relayed their grouses to Muslim members of Parliament, Zulfikar said Muslim MPs have failed to prove that they represent the Muslims in Singapore.
“I have stopped calling then Malay Muslim representatives. I call them the EGP short for “explainers of government policies”. The term was invented while we debated on the madrasah.
“Instead of representing us, they instead came to us to explain why the government had implemented the policies,” he said.
He also pointed out that these MPs were voted by the majority of their respective constituencies but not the majority of Malay Muslims.
“The government ensures that each constituency holds no more than 25 percent of Malay Muslims.
“So their role is not really to represent the Muslims but rather to take care of the constituency which elected them,” Zulfikar said.
Fateha.com which went online in 1999 receives some 14,000 hits daily.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/200207230016549.php
Arfa’eza A Aziz
2:09pm Tue Jul 23rd, 2002
Only 400 pupils will be allowed to be admitted into Year One at the six primary madrasah (Islamic schools) in Singapore beginning next year, said the editor of a website for Singapore Muslims.
Zulfikar Mohamad Shariff of Fateha.com said the restriction on students’ enrolment is one of the conditions imposed by the Singapore government which had to abandon its 1999 plan to close down the six schools after much protest and public debate from the Muslim community.
“Initially the government wanted to scrap the primary madrasah and allow only the secondary Islamic schools to continue. But the Muslim community feared if the primary schools are closed, it will have a negative impact on the secondary intake. So there was strong resistance from us.
“After much debate, the government compromised. They allowed the primary schools to continue but the madrasah will have to maintain a certain standard performance in the Primary School Release Examinations ( similar to Malaysia’s UPSR examination). If they cannot maintain that standard for three consecutive years, the schools will be closed,” he told malaysiakini during a recent interview held in Kuala Lumpur.
The religious schools receive no financial grant from the government and are independently funded.
Zulfikar said the quota restriction had not only quashed the schools’ plan to increase student intake to accommodate the growing 450,000 Muslim population in the country but will cause thousands of applications to be rejected.
“Before the quota was imposed, the schools could take more than 400. But now the figure is even lower. The schools receive between 1,500 and 3,000 applications a year as Muslims parents are now more eager to have their children exposed to religious upbringing,” said Zulfikar.
Alternative channel
According to him, it was the government’s plan to deny Muslim parents their rights to provide their young children with Islamic studies that prompted Zulfikar and his friends to set up Fateha.com.
“The local media failed to report our views on the issue. We decided to provide an alternative channel to air our views. Since we cannot form a publication, we decided to set up a website,” he said.
Asked why the government wanted to scrap Islamic schools, he replied they feared that the existence of the schools would result in social disintegration among the different races in the republic.
He said the reason given showed the government’s double standards in dealing with different races in the country.
“The government had introduced the “special assisted programme” or SAP schools to promote Mandarin and Chinese values for all Singaporeans. I have absolutely nothing against SAP schools or their noble intention to promote their cultures and I don’t think that it will repress other races.
“But while you allow one race to promote its culture and language, you should not deny the minority to promote their culture and language too,” he said.
Zulfikar also said the government’s decision to ban the wearing of tudung (head scarf) by female Muslim students attending public schools, is not the only problem faced by Muslims in Singapore.
He claimed there were complaints that some Muslim students and teachers were barred from performing their daily afternoon prayers during school hours.
“They used to perform prayers during recess but recently they were not allowed to pray even during the break. One of the complainants told us that the school principal said students can qadha (postpone their prayers) which is not entirely correct. The principal claimed that MUIS (Singapore Islamic Religious Council) had given the school the advice. I called MUIS for confirmation but their officials denied giving such advice.
“The other complaint involved a convent where a teacher was stopped from performing daily prayers. The reason given was since it was a Catholic school and she should not be performing her prayers while in school. So in Fateha, our stand is: Where do we cross the line? When do we say stop? When do we say that this is too much!,” said Zulfikar who did not want to reveal the schools.
He said such problems faced by Singaporean Muslims will never see their day in the local press which he claimed to prefer portraying the people rather than the issue.
“Take the case of the father of the girl who defied the tudung ban. The local media portrayed him as a stubborn, incorrigible and recalcitrant father who does not care about his child’s education, just his views. But when prime minister Goh Chok Tong was adamant on the ban, he was said to be a man of principle,” he said.
MPs fail the Muslims
Asked if the Muslim community had relayed their grouses to Muslim members of Parliament, Zulfikar said Muslim MPs have failed to prove that they represent the Muslims in Singapore.
“I have stopped calling then Malay Muslim representatives. I call them the EGP short for “explainers of government policies”. The term was invented while we debated on the madrasah.
“Instead of representing us, they instead came to us to explain why the government had implemented the policies,” he said.
He also pointed out that these MPs were voted by the majority of their respective constituencies but not the majority of Malay Muslims.
“The government ensures that each constituency holds no more than 25 percent of Malay Muslims.
“So their role is not really to represent the Muslims but rather to take care of the constituency which elected them,” Zulfikar said.
Fateha.com which went online in 1999 receives some 14,000 hits daily.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/200207230016549.php