Just something i came across,,,, Introduction Recent news reports claim that the Saudi prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Al-Saud, a nephew of the late King Fahd, has donated $20 million each to Harvard and Georgetown universities in the US. These funds will be used to expand the Islamic studies programmes of both universities, promote the study of Islam and the Muslim world, and support interfaith understanding. The prince also gave a total of $15 million to the American universities in Cairo and Beirut for establishing centres for American studies. [1] The prince is an international businessman, listed by Forbes magazine as the fifth richest person in the world. His wealth is estimated at $14 billion and he controls a worldwide empire in investment, banking, construction and leisure. His $10 million contribution to a September 9, 2001 victims fund was rejected by then New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani after the prince suggested U.S. policies in the Middle East contributed to the terror attacks. Prince Al-Waleed has recently bought 5.46% of the voting shares of News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch’s diversified international media and entertainment empire that includes Fox News Channel (FNC). Fox had been reporting on the Saudi role in the promotion of Islamist terror, and it is thought that the prince may hope to dampen any potential criticism by his investment. [2] [3] It is claimed that Fox News Channel recently changed its coverage of the Muslim riots in France after he called the network to complain. The Dubai based Khaleej Times quotes the prince as saying: I was in America watching Fox News when I saw a news report being labelled as Muslim riots. I immediately called up Fox Murdoch and informed him that it was wrong to label any riot caused by whatever reason as Muslim. After a short while, there was a change, and the news report about Muslim riots was simply labelled as riots PATTERNS OF SAUDI SPENDING The prince’s recent financial gifts to Western academic institutions follows a pattern of Saudi funding for Western institutions that have the potential to influence Western perceptions in favour of Islam and of Saudi interests. Such funding has become an urgent Saudi project since the September 11, 2001 attacks in which the majority of the terrorists (15 out of 19) were of Saudi origin. Following the attacks, Saudi sponsorship of radical Islamism came under growing scrutiny, and Saudi relations with the US and other Western countries suffered a setback as Western media and public increasingly linked Saudi Arabia to Islamist terrorism. Many observers agreed that Saudi Arabia was the main source of funding for Islamist extremist organisations. Western intelligence services following the financial trails of terror funding found that Saudi government and private finance had for many years been funding the infrastructure of radical Islamist groups, as well as Islamic mission (Da‘wa, i.e. propagation of the faith) and the promotion of the Wahhabi brand of Islam worldwide. Saudi Arabia’s massive public-relations campaign intends to recapture its lost image in the West as a force for moderation and stability. In addition to the funding of Western institutions, it has lately developed a scholarship programme for Saudi students studying in the US, offering 5,000 students a full four-year scholarship including living allowances. This programme aims at improving the Saudi image in the US and reducing the widespread hostility to the US among the Saudi public. [5] Strong anti-West and anti-US bias is evident in Saudi mosque sermons, school textbooks, publications and media. Western governments, dependent on Saudi oil and needing Saudi Arabia as an important ally in the Middle East, continue to stress its moderating influence and opposition to terrorism. The reality is that, since the 1970s, Saudi Arabia has poured large amounts of its oil riches into the worldwide expansion of the strict and narrow Wahhabi form of Islam that is deeply hostile to any reformation and reinterpretation of Islam. It also has supported the most radical Muslim groups around the world, thus escalating their power and their slide into terrorism. Wahhabism had been a marginal extremist sect, but as a result of the oil money influx since the 1970s it has become part of mainstream Islam, redefining Muslim views worldwide. Extreme Wahhabi doctrines and attitudes – branding non-Muslims as infidels, judging other Muslims as apostates (this process of judging is called Takfir), and its emphasis on violent Jihad - helped it to forge alliances with similar-minded Islamist groups and lay the ideological basis for Islamist terrorism. [6] Saudi Arabia itself has recently come under attack from radical Islamist Salafi-Jihadi groups and is now trying hard to join the war on terrorism. Its security forces are busy fighting their erstwhile terrorist allies and it has promised to restrain extremist anti-Western rhetoric and reform its textbooks and educational curriculum. Its moderate rhetoric has undoubtedly increased in recent years and it has killed many of its home-grown terrorists in confrontations with Saudi security forces. However, its Wahhabi ideology and commitment to the worldwide spread of its version of Islam makes it very difficult to effect a clear separation between Wahhabism and Jihadi terror. The regime’s legitimacy is still based on its Wahhabi heritage which includes the Takfiri and Jihadi elements basic to Islamist terrorism. HISTORY OF SAUDI FUNDING OF DA‘WA (ISLAMIC MISSION) AND JIHAD Observers note that the rapid build-up of semi-official Saudi charities occurred after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the takeover of the main mosque in Mecca and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that same year. Many of them contend that these charities were used to spread Saudi Wahhabi Islam worldwide as a response to the perceived new threats to Saudi legitimacy. This effort was supplemented by funding from other Arab oil-rich states in the Gulf, especially the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait. The Kingdom also funded Islamist terror groups, giving both protection money to induce them not to attack targets in Saudi Arabia, and also contributions to fund the waging of Jihad against perceived enemies of Islam, especially in Afghanistan. Saudi Arabia has reportedly spent over $70 billion since 1979 on overseas aid, more than two-thirds of it on its campaign to spread Wahhabism across the world. This programme included the founding of thousands of mosques and madrassas (Islamic schools) as well as Islamic centres that have served as support networks for Wahhabi ideology and for Jihadi movements. Funding for the Afghan Jihad was part of this wider campaign, and Saudi charities have funded radical groups and movements as well as educational and social welfare activities across Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, the former Soviet Union and the West. [7] The Saudi drive to spread the Wahhabi form of Islam is channelled through a variety of Islamic organisations and charities controlled by the Saudi government. Among them are the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD); the Muslim World League; the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC); the International Islamic Relief Organisation (IIIRO); the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY); Al-Haramein; Benevolence International Foundation (BIF) and many other private charities operated by wealthy Saudis. The larger organisations and charities are mostly headed by leading members of the Saudi state, often members of the royal family. [8] The official Saudi newspaper in English, Ain al-Yaqeen, published an article on March 1, 2002 describing the Kingdom’s efforts at supporting Islam worldwide. It claimed that the Kingdom had spent “astronomical†sums of many billions establishing thousands of mosques, madrassas and Islamic centres in non-Muslim countries in Europe, North and South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. Among the biggest projects was the King Fahd Islamic Center in Malaga, Spain. In addition, the Kingdom has established a number of academic chairs in some of the most respected universities in the developed world in order to “encourage understanding of the true nature of Islam by explaining clearly Muslim beliefs and by correcting misconceptions and misrepresentationsâ€. Especially mentioned are the King Abdul Aziz Chair in Islamic Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara; the King Fahd Chair in Islamic Sharia Studies at the College of Law at Harvard University; the King Fahd Chair in Islamic Studies at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) at the university of London and the provision of a resident professor for the Prince Naif Department for Islamic Studies at the University of Moscow. [9] The King Fahd website claims that King Fahd’s personal efforts alone in this field of the propagation of Saudi-style Islam has resulted in the establishment of some 210 Islamic Centres, more than 1,500 mosques, 202 colleges and almost 2,000 Muslim schools worldwide. [10] Some of these funds are directed at Western academic and research institutes, in order to “challenge and expose the caricature of Islam which is widely promoted by sections of the Western mediaâ€. [11] Some specific beneficiaries of the late King’s generosity in the United States include the American University of Colorado; the American University of Washington; Duke University, North Carolina; Howard University, Washington; Johns Hopkins University, Maryland; Middle East Institute, Washington; Shaw University, North Carolina; Syracuse University, New York. CONCLUSION Saudi Arabia’s state religion is Wahhabism, a narrow form of Islam hostile to reforms in Islam and ideologically akin to radical Islamism. Generous Saudi funding of institutions in the non-Muslim world, and especially in the West, has a long history and is driven by the Saudi state and the royal family. While Saudi sources claim that the funding is given to help remove Western misunderstandings of Islam, evidence suggests that much of the motivation is founded in Islamic doctrines of mission (Da‘wa) and holy war (Jihad) and aims at the spread of Islam (especially in its Wahhabi form) and its political dominance around the world. More recently it has been apparently employed in improving the Saudi image in the West and regaining its influence there, as both were severely damaged by the impact of the 11 September 2001 attacks.

Not much to see, just lots of Somalis. Thats the main reason i want to go,,,, Dubai is surprisingly very Islamic, away from all the malls of course.

At the very least head south where the Muslims will treat you like a king and the islands are stunning. Tell them I said Sawatika. I hear there is a bit of unrest down there :confused: Well it all depends on winning the contract

^^^lool This has more to with his movie The Passion of the Christ than anything else. You dont wanna mess with the Jewish people otherwise your career is over.

WL: I already new what to expect but its the small things that matter the most. After nearly a year in Oman which is a very closed society and less developed than he UAE, plus i'm now in majority Sunni country whereas Oman is Majority Ibaadi. Jimcaale, i have been meaning to go to Ajman but havnt managed to yet. Dabshid, i stay indoors between 11am and 3pm. Other than those hours its ok really. Well i have been spending my time at work, hotel and trying to find a place here. Some very nice villas and apartments, some in nice areas with plenty of amenities and others in the middle huge construction sites. The whole of Sharjah is a construction site. Should find a place this week IA. Others things such as nurseries/schools have to be considered.

This is my new home, so who are my neighbours?

BUMP I know its 7 or 8 weeks away but i think this is the right time to prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan. We all know what we need to do, its made that much is easiers with a little prep and eating less in the lead up. A timely reminder,,,,,,,,

Ibn Battuta then crossed the Red Sea to Somalia, disembarking first slightly north of Djibouti, then called Zeila. He judged it "a large city with a great bazaar, but it is in the dirtiest, most disagreeable, and most stinking town in the world" because of its inhabitants' habits of selling fish in the sun and butchering camels in the street. Ibn Battuta In Somalia

Dates

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is angry about the prospect of his side being forced to travel to Israel during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Reds have been drawn against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League third qualifying round, with the second leg in Haifa on 22 or 23 August. "It's a crazy situation and totally unacceptable to think about us going over there," he told the club website. "There is no way we should be going to Israel to play at this time." Benitez added: "The situation is very clear in my mind. I feel sad for the people over there at the moment because it's a terrible time for them. "But we have to put the security and safety of everyone involved before anything else and that means we cannot travel there. It would be impossible to concentrate on the game. We would love the match to be in Haifa Haifa president Jacob Schachar "Uefa (European football's governing body) need to make a decision quickly because there will be lots of our supporters wanting to know what is happening." Liverpool are set to make an official representation to Uefa about the situation and ask for the game to be moved to a neutral country. Uefa official Rob Faulkner has already admitted the match could be moved away from Israel. "We all see the news and have serious concerns - and the situation is changing daily. But this is the right way to do it and we're asking the right people," he said. "We'll be in discussions with both clubs but the key is the safety of players, fans and officials - and we wouldn't go ahead if we didn't have those assurances. "We have played with problems and conflict there before and also played games away from Israel. That is Plan B - a back-up plan." Haifa president Jacob Schachar also moved to reassure worried fans. "There are many Liverpool fans in Israel and I hope the match can go ahead," he said. "We would love the match to be in Haifa but it could go ahead in Tel Aviv which is quiet." But Les Lawson, of the Liverpool International Supporters' Club, added: "Surely common sense should prevail. I have heard a Haifa official saying the game can be played in Tel Aviv where everything is quiet. "But that's nonsense. Security cannot be ensured anywhere in Israel. "This is a dangerous, volatile situation in Israel and safety for everyone, the team, the officials, fans, referee everybody, should be the main consideration. "Uefa have known this situation was coming. They have known about the war there for a few weeks now and they knew Haifa were in the draw. They should already have said Haifa's home leg has to be played in a neutral country." bbc.co.uk

I guess i will have to wait for the next edition of transworld sports

It amazes me how someone (or group of people) who is all for law, order and primarily peace can be vilified in such a manner. Not just in this thread but others aswell. This is the best chance for Somalia and people are finding it hard to acknowledge it due to their support for others who have very questionable pasts with even more questionable plans. If ever there was a unifying entity then this is by far and away the closest to it, in my humble opinion. Many questions have been raised about the UIC but only time will tell. Who is willing to give them that time? SUPPORT PEACE AND NOT ANARCHY!

Akhi Nur What is the ruling on giving the interest earned away in a charity box. Many mosques have a box for unwanted interest. I know one should not 'intend' on giving it as sadaqa and therefore should not hope/expect to be rewarded for it. But was is the permissibility of it? (putting it in abox that may be used as money for the poor/bills etc

"Mo Farah ran the second fastest time by a Briton over 5,000m last week to vastly improve his European ranking and he followed that up with a good 1500m in London". - Steve Cram

Well done indeed. From strength to strength!

Shehe, today i learned of a proposed trip to Thailand and Singapore in Oct. Its free (great first day at work ey? ) but i'm planning to avoid going,,,,,,,,

SB says: I read several Sahih Ahadith to the contrary. I'll be back

Shehe, maybe i'm being arrogant but i dont think there is anything in certain parts of Asia that would take me by surprise. Yes beautiful landscapes etc old temples etc but nothing that would have a wow factor. Paying for such a trip would be very risky indeed.

^^As a result of immorality in western societies which in turn in a direct result of separating the church from the state? Secularism?

^^I have already seen it. Shall i tell you who wins?

Travelling just to be right is just wrong. 'The whole of Asia is not worth it apart..'. Now that is one hell of a sweeping statement unless u have been to the whole of Asia and deemed it unworthy except for some parts, don't u think? Many places in Asia just dont interest me, maybe i would be surprised if i did visit them but i dont think so. So i'm right before i've even boarded the plane Asia meaning far east of course.

"so halimo, waxbarashadi iyo aadi yaa-rayee" :confused: I'm assuming its something along the lines of who is winning? I think education is the key to your future. Being in a good enough position to do pretty much what you like is a good thing. You can get your qualifications then make your decesions as things pan out. You can not say i will work or be a house mom as things are never that simple. Finding a balance is the key. I havnt done anything for 3 years and i feel brain drained, need to find an MBA/MSC to keep me on point :cool:

Hizb, i was never into Albert Square anyway, programmes i miss include Match of the Day, the Apprentice (i would win that) and Grand Designs.

The day Nasser nationalised the canal "It's a long story..." former head of the Suez Canal Authority Ezzat Adel pauses briefly to reflect on the day 50 years ago when Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser announced he was nationalising the waterway. "Of course it is a very important date, not to us as ex-Suez Canal people, but to the whole of Egypt's population. "It represents a very important idea which is that the Egyptians were not thought able to run this international waterway and we proved the contrary." Trained as an engineer, Mr Adel, now 84, was one of just 30 men entrusted with the president's plans for taking control of the 192km (120 mile) trading route. As deputy to the head of the petroleum authority he was attending the inauguration of a new oil pipeline with his then boss Colonel Mahmoud Younes and President Nasser. "We noticed that he (the president) whispered to Colonel Mahmoud Younes...and we noticed also that Colonel Younes disappeared from the office giving no reason for his disappearance and he returned absent minded. Click here for map and sequence of events "On the second day, the 24 July, he also disappeared once more without saying where he was going and what he was doing and he returned after almost one hour and he called me and one of my colleagues to his office and to our astonishment he locked the door." When he first heard what the president had in store Mr Adel said his reaction was one of fear - not for his own safety - but the fear of not succeeding. "We were told that President Nasser will declare the nationalisation during his speech in Alexandria on the 26 July, we are on the 24 July, almost 50 hours to plan. It was, I think, one of the most critical periods in my life." He knew so little about the canal, he did not even know the whereabouts of the company headquarters or who was in charge, nor did he really understand what was meant by "nationalisation". De Lesseps Armed with just a pamphlet of information about the canal, he was instructed to go with a small group of men to Ismailia and take control of the headquarters of the Suez Canal company. Two further groups were to go to other offices - all three were to wait until they heard the codeword "de Lesseps" in Nasser's speech. De Lesseps was the man who headed the French company which built the canal. "I remember that we had the radio on ...and I remember that he (President Nasser) doubted that we heard this password so he repeated it two or three times. "We entered the offices in Ismailia at around 7pm and there was no staff in the offices, except the nightshift. We called the senior staff, foreigners of course because there was no Egyptian in the decision-making level...and they were taken by surprise." Experienced pilots Even some government ministers had been kept in the dark. Keeping the mission such a closely guarded secret, was, he claims, the reason they succeeded. "The first thing to do was to inform (the staff) that 'we guarantee your safety, your family's safety and we also guarantee all your salaries, premiums and everything and we moreover request you to continue working for the Suez Canal, nobody will be fired'. "Everything went smoothly for a period of time, less than two weeks...until we noticed that some of the employees that were on summer holidays did not return. Some foreigners, also staff, are selling their cars, their furniture, so we anticipated that there is a move to leave the Egyptians alone to run the Suez Canal." As newly-appointed Under-Secretary General of the Suez Canal Authority, Mr Adel had to move fast. If the canal was to remain open, he needed experienced pilots to guide the ships through the narrow shipping lanes. "Any other speciality can be filled to a certain extent," Mr Adel said, "but this (finding new pilots) will be the most delicate part." But new pilots were found and trained and ultimately the nationalisation of the canal proved a success. Mr Adel rose through the ranks of the Suez Canal Company to become Chairman in the mid-80s. He has never doubted that Nasser was right to nationalise the canal. "Egypt lost 120,000 people digging the Suez Canal by shovels and carrying cases of sand under almost slavery conditions, very little health care, very few wages. Against this very high sacrifice Egypt did not get a fair share of the profits of the Suez Canal... "Egypt paid all the head shareholders of the Suez Canal company the full value of their shares in the money market in Paris the day before nationalisation so I didn't really feel myself that we are taking something for nothing and this is the reason why I didn't blame myself. "I feel that the salt water of the Suez Canal is running (in my veins) and if I go back to what I should have done, I am relieved to say that I didn't save any effort since the nationalisation of the Suez Canal." So what does he say to those who regard him as a national hero? "I'm a single Egyptian that tried his best." bbc.co.uk