The homepage of a newly launched Malaysian Islamic bank CIMB Islamic will be shariah compliant soon (in terms of using a proper images). At the moment it showcases a woman without hijab. After receiving complains from the people CIMB Islamic decided to be shariah compliant in all fields and not just in banking. After all, that is what Islam is all about, right? It’s a way of life and everything should be halal.
Aljazeera reports that the Israeli government has voted to appoint its first-ever Muslim cabinet minister. The Labour Party’s Galeb Magadla becomes minister without portfolio in the coalition government of Ehud Olmert, the prime minister.
What this so called “Muslim” minister will do? Stop Jewish state from occupying Palestine by working for them?
Muslim Hands has been carrying out qurbanis on behalf of the Muslim community for over 12 years. Here are just some of the reasons why you should offer your qurbani through Muslim Hands…
Make your Qurbani now and may Allah accept your sacrifice: http://www.muslimhands.org/Site/Pages/Appeals/Qurbani2007
I was born in a typical greek family. My parents are both christian theologists who teach christian religion in school. This means that I had access to more religion books than my friends. Although they are theologists, they don’t go to church except on special occassions. When I was a child, my mother used to go to church every Sunday and used to take me with her. When in church, I couldn’t help staring at all pictures that depicted Jesus, Mary and saints. I watched people going to kiss the pictures, light candles inside, kneeling in front of the pictures etc. I couldn’t find a logic in all this. My mother and my grandmother took me in front of the pictures and told me to kiss the picture, so that the saint depicted would help me. Being a 5 year old, I couldn’t see any benefit and I thought that maybe when I grow up I will understand. read more »
AudioIslam.com has lots of lectures in MP3 format, you can also download full Quran in MP3 by different reciters such as; Saad al-Ghamdi, Abdullaah `Alee Jaabir, Abdullaah `Awwaad Aljuhanee, Abdullaah Basfar, Abdul`azeez Alahmad, Abdur Rahman al-Sudais, Saud al-Shuraim and many more.
“Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those who say “We are Christians”: because amongst these are men devoted to learning (priests), and men who have renounced the world (monks), and they are not arrogant. And then they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth. They pray: ‘Our Lord! We believe, write us down among the witnesses.’ (Surat Al-Maida 82-83)”
This was what happened to the former British Catholic Priest Idris Tawfiq on reciting the holy book, Al Qur’an, to his students at a school in the UK. And this was one of the important steps in his journey of conversion to Islam. read more »
Imam Zaid Shakir is amongst the most respected and influential Islamic scholars in the West. As an American Muslim who came of age during the civil rights struggles, he has brought both sensitivity about race and poverty issues and scholarly discipline to his faith-based work.
On the site you can download his free lectures, purchase his lectures on a CDs, and see the events where the imam will be giving speech. http://www.zaidshakir.com
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki is the author of famous and best selling Islamic Lectures. You can download some of the free lectures here.
According to CagePrisoners Imam Anwar al-Awlaki has been arrested in Sana’a, Yemen on 31/08/2006.
Imam Anwar al-Awlaki served as an Imam in Colorado, California, and later in the Washington, D.C. area where he headed the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center and was also the Muslim Chaplain at George Washington University.
According to this article from USNews.com dated 6/21/04, it can be understood that they were long trying to get him behind bars. Saying that 9/11 hijackers attended his mosque and friday prayers! Mosque is a place where every practicing Muslim will at least once a week will come to pray (on fridays), and nobody can prevent anyone from praying in the Mosque. How would an imam of the Mosque know who is coming and who is going? How would an imam of the Mosque know who is terrorist and who is not? Why would an imam get arrested for someone else’s wrongdoings? United States always claim that this is a war against terrorism and not against Islam. How would US want us Muslims to believe that when they keep arresting innocent Muslims (most of the time there is no even trial) and jailing our leading Islamic scholars?
Jailing of the imams is not a new thing, all four great imams; Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Hanbal, Imam Malik, and Imam Shafi‘i, were jailed and punished frequently for their independent opinions against the rulers and for saying the Truth. And three of these Imams took their last breath while in prison. Enemies of Islam might jail our imams but they can never stop the religion of Allah. May Allah give strength to our brothers and sisters in Islam who are suffering just because they are following the Truth. May Allah make them successful in this world and Hereafter. May Allah give patience to Imam Awlaki. Ameen.
VIDEO: Understanding Ramadan: A Day in the Life of an Imam Anwar al-Awlaki
Much awaited Al Jazeera English News Channel is now live! They have also revamped the Al Jazeera English Website
Al Jazeera English, the new international news channel from the Qatar-based television network, has begun broadcasting from its main studios in Doha.
The opening broadcast, which was expected to be available in 80 million households around the world, took place at 3pm Doha time (12:00 GMT) and featured a clip introducing the channel.
Aiming to be the channel of reference for Middle East events, Al Jazeera also has broadcast centres Kuala Lumpur, London and Washington.
Al Jazeera, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on November 1, has revolutionised news media in the Arab world, and has also provoked controversy.
‘Unprecedented’ launch
Wadah Khanfar, the director-general of Al Jazeera network, said on the eve of the first broadcast: “Our launch figure is over double the original target we set for ourselves.”
“This is unprecedented in the broadcasting industry - no other international news channel has launched with such a high number of homes across the world.
“We will continue to build on this figure after launch and will be looking to expand our reach significantly. This is another reflection of the strength of Al Jazeera brand.”
In addition to cable and satellite, it will be available on broadband, IPTV, ADSL, terrestrial and mobile phone platforms.
Source: Al Jazeera
Yusuf Islam has released his new pop album “an other cup” after 28 years of absence from the music industry (western music industry). Because all these while he has been producing Islamic albums such as; A is for Allah, I Look, I See, Night of Remembrance, Footsteps in the Light, The Life of The Last Prophet and others.
All these while Yusuf Islam has been researching whether Music other than Nasheeds were haram (forbidden) in Islam. In an interview with Q-News Magazine, published early October 2003, this is what Yusuf’s views were about music:
“I still do not believe that the issue of music is as clear-cut as some would like to present it. I cannot agree with the view that all types of music are haram (forbidden); neither do I hold the view that all music is halal (permitted). But I think there is a wide difference between sex driven disco music and morally motivating devotional songs. It’s well documented that the Prophet (peace be upon him) witnessed and even encouraged certain forms of entertainment during social and commemorative occasions. I personally do not use guitars or other musical instruments other than percussion. That does not mean I would point a finger at other people who were able to use those in a proper way.”
In his new album he uses various types of musical instruments, including the guitar. I guess since 2003 his views about music and the usage of musical instruments in Islam has changed once again.
In one of the songs of his new album “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” he talks about this issue. Because he says “But I’m just a soul whose intentions are good, Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood“. We all know that his intentions are good and that he only wants to promote Islam with his comeback to the industry. May Allah SWT reward him for that and forgive him if his ijtihad (personal judgement) about Music is wrong.
MountHira is a site where you can learn how to recite Quran. Surah’s are displayed in a flash movie where you can play each ayah, while the ayah is being played the translation as well as the the words of the ayah are highlighted. Currently following surahs are available, and many more are coming soon InshaAllah.
Fake Quran is being circulated in Amazon.com by the enemies of Islam. Publisher of this fake Quran is “Wine Press”. These fake Qurans are being distributed to some english speaking schools in Arab countries. Instead of Bismillah, each Surah begins with a longer vesion of Bismillah incorporating the Christian belief of the three spirits (Trinity). Please let other Muslims know about this book.
In an unprecedented move, an open letter signed by 38 leading Muslim religious scholars and leaders around the world was sent to Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 12, 2006. The letter, which is the outcome of a joint effort, was signed by top religious authorities such as Shaykh Ali Jumu‘ah (the Grand Mufti of Egypt), Shakyh Abdullah bin Bayyah (former Vice President of Mauritania, and leading religious scholar), and Shaykh Sa‘id Ramadan Al-Buti (from Syria), in addition to the Grand Muftis of Russia, Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Slovenia, Istanbul, Uzbekistan, and Oman, as well as leading figures from the Shi‘a community such as Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Taskhiri of Iran. The letter was also signed by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan and by Muslim scholars in the West such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf from California, Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr of George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and Professor Tim Winter of the University of Cambridge.
