Please take the time to watch and listen to what these Muslims have to say about Islam and their then preconceived idea structured by their respective society before they converted to Islam. These brothers and sisters came from different background, though they all reside in UK, and their story reflects not only those with the similar experience but also Muslim diasporas. What captured my thought is the sincerity of these sisters who admittedly recognize the role of Islam in every aspect of human life and their response to the misconception about the role of Muslim women. Part I http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7173510180956130070&q=from+darkness+to+light+part+1&pl=true Part II http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2596931779946562716&q=islam Audio: http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45395&page=2 Wa alaykum salaam

By Abdus Sattar Ghazali “Direct confrontation and military conquest are now secondary tools to dominate cultures and markets. Habits and lifestyles are primary targets of change in order to guarantee an open market based on a free consumer who has an open mind.†This premise sets the tone of the agenda-driven study of Rand Corporation, a Washington-based think tank, about Islam and Muslims. The study, titled “Civil Democratic Islam: Partners, Resources, and Strategies,†is written by Cheryl Benard, a sociologist and fiction writer. As US Deputy Defense Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, a leading newcon, confided on the eve of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March 2003: "We need an Islamic reformation and I think there is real hope for one." The Rand Study, released on March 18, 2004, apparently unveils the newcons’ plan for global revamping of Islam. Cheryl Benard, arguing that Islam is not necessarily a very “accessible†religion, arbitrarily compartmentalizes the 1.4 billion Muslims into four categories depending on their degree of affinity for Western values and concepts: 1. Fundamentalists , who reject democratic values and contemporary Western culture. 2. Traditionalists , who want a conservative society. They are suspicious of modernity, innovation, and change. 3. Modernists , who want the Islamic world to become part of global modernity. They want to modernize and reform Islam to bring it into line with the age. 4. Secularists , who want the Islamic world to accept a division of church and state in the manner of Western industrial democracies, with religion relegated to the private sphere. Although Benard arbitrarily divides all Muslims into four categories – fundamentalists, traditionalists, modernists and secularists – but pay attention to what’s there, but not spelt out. For her objectives all Muslims, except modernists, are virtually the same. Source: http://www.amperspective.com/html/americanization_of_islam.html

Mohamoud-Baari, thank you for the link. Ramadan Kariim.

Aamiin. Ilaahey ha unaxariisto, adiga iyo familkana sabar iyo iman ha idanka siiyo.

^^Indeed, it is a breath taking! Br, could you could provide the kid's name. I visited the site hoppying that I could find his name or some recitations. I gather arabic is the only available source.

^^Bile Now, it is more lik..naaah. I am await unitll ramadna ends. Ramadan kariim.

^^ Che's Criticism is somewhat constructive. In fact i concure some of the points that he made earlier. So, let's just say, he doesn't possess some of the elements you look for in your backup. In other words, your group has specific kind of pattern formed by one sound. Widaay, marka Jooji Jumb ballka aad tuureysid, sxb. "Comprehension is a must and key in Somali politics, alas!..." [/b][/b] Do you mean memorizing you 40 awoowe names and mythology that comme with them, are prerequisite to comprehending somali politics?

Mr. Horn, I see that your usual backup singers (The Pips) are about to appear on the stage. They are preparing for another echoing-performance. I mentioned the name of your "hero", before you know, they echoing your baseless criticism. How is he (Sharifka)opportunistic? You said Shariifka is opportunistic without making any rational explanation as to how this alleged criticism came about. Criticism, dissatisfaction, and disapproval expressed by pointing out shortcoming are normal. I am of the opinion f challenging political figures when such decisions fall short of public demand. Since he is in political echelon, he is not immune from any kind of criticism which stems from public discontent. But, considering our political phase, one will be suspicious about the baseless allegation motivated by qabiil.

^^ Soonka ajarkiisa yuusan kugafin, sxb. Marka iskala her. Sidaa horeyba kugu shegey, isku celi bahasha, yee san kaa fakan. hadii kale soon waa ka buraa. Haye is xaji magaca jiryee.

Originally posted by HornAfrique: Shariifka has proven to be an opportunistic, attention-seeking, selfish individual. Let him trapse around the world, having his five minutes of fame (of lack of) will come back to hunt him, I dare say! I don't believe he correctly understood the description of his position. If he is the Speaker of the Parliament , why does he seem to think he is Somalia's at-large International Ambassador? Reer koreey never cease to amaze. Waa lajoojiya banaan, lajiifya banaan. War nin yahow kac oo qur'aan akhris ama wax kale oo kheyr ah samee. Soonka yuusan ku gudbin adoo marna hiiraale difacaya marna umada kale wax xun wax xun kasheegaya. Bal is ku celi bahasha intuu soonka kadhamanayo, akhi.

According to me, she raised some good issues which many protagonist of anti circumcision need to address. I must agree with some of you, Somali language would have helped her cause to be mutually understood. But she, nevertheless, stresses on the issue of circumcision being a practice that is perpetuated by not only male but also female species. She challenges the notion of male being sole architect of this practice. Moreover, she challenges the idea that this practice is perpetuated because of social control. Islamic leader in most of these tuulo are striving to eradicate female circumcision. In contrast, it is the women of these societies that are reluctant to relinquish this norm, as she put it. At least, she does not harbour a abhorrence toward her Muslim fellow, or blame Islam for personal hardship which she experienced during her childhood. She basically challenges norms that is affront and detriment to women as oppose to holding her people in contempt. Ramadan Kariim

Qani Hodan Maalqabeen Beesoleey iyo Diite kabo laawe aad katagtey. Sxb, maku fahmin ee faah faahi.

Originally posted by Jaylaani: Are the Bengals for real? Thanks for correcting me, J. In fact Arizona is 1:3. I meant to say Cin. Bengals which is the top of the whole league. As for the Eagles, for some reason i havae this feeling that they will go all the way.

Any Eagle fan up here? I hoppying this is the season that they should go all the way. Mcknabb has to assume this leadership role and tell Mr. Me (T.O.) to stop whining about the conract which he signed years ago! I get disoppointed every freaking play off.. My prediction f last season was kinda disoppointng, however, I am still optimistic considering the way Mckanbb performed yesterday. He wasn't 100% in health wise, and yet he had one of his best performance. The team that is makiing some noise, beside colts, is Arizona, though this an early stage of the season.

Originally posted by Johnny B: I hearby officially ask the Admin or anyone who can move this thread from the ISLAM section to the say 'General' section, and change the topic to " Castro´s trail" if possible. Akhi, I think we should give it a rest and utilize all that we can obtain (Xasana) from Allah. Becasue Ramadan is about to start, therefore, Akhi, let's forigive each other and wish ramadan Kariim for all muslims. P.S. Easy with sambuusiga iyo burka hadii kale laab jeexa aa kaqaade. I get that every ramadan Ramadan Kariim to all my brs and sis in Islaam.

Akhi, Amiin. Ramadan Kariim to all my brs and sis in Islam! May Allah remove all Obstacle that hinder us from success both here and hereafter. Ramadan Kariim!

Dove hai trovato la articolo? Ce soni tanti nomads che hano avuto problema con questa articolo. Per biecere, amicho mie, non posiamo capire, voliamo trudizione per tuti articoli. It took me 15 minutes to write thses couple of sentences. Oh well so did this one. I feel like I am Chretiene, former prime minister, when hes was asked why he didn't master both language, french and english. His reponse was: I speak the language most Canadian do.

JB, Before we indulge ourselves in some sort of philosophical inquiries about nature of God, it is a must that we have a clear understanding of our true nature. ? As limited we are, we are species who feel neither extreme cold nor extreme heat. Our intellect holds the same position in the universe of thought as our body occupies in the expanse of nature. As Pascal put it, Our senses perceive no extremes; too great distance hinders our views. If this is our true nature, what makes us believe ourselves far more capable of penetrating His knowledge than of mere physical things? When object of our understanding is God, then human imagination is the only available instrument by which we reach such inferences about the nature of the unseen. And that imagination alone is what we have as a means for arriving to a conclusion pertaining to God, in terms of his description. Then, that being the basis of understanding, there arise our conflicting views or conception of God, because we are merely employing our faculty of imagination, as we are unable to gain a complete knowledge of Him. As you know, there are different theories about description of God. Some of the school thoughts confined God to heaven and believe that he has no authority whatsoever over human affairs while others disputed about the degree of God’s power and knowledge by using argument from evil. The later argue that if God is so powerful evil would not have existed. The question is then: Can we develop coherent conception of God? In other words, can you and I gain the same understanding of Him? Because your question implies that we have different understanding of Him. How do I understand God? My understanding is solely predicated to none other than His words!Allah (swt) is the One and is the unimaginable Supreme Being. Allah is the Eternal and Infinite self-glowing Divine Power with All knowledge. Allah speaks to all mankind in allegory for He is the Knower of all things and gives allegorial description of Himself in the holy Quran in the verse (24:35) which is: ‘Allah is the Light of heaven and earth. The similitude of His light is a nche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) thought no fire touched it. Light upon light, Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories for Allah for is the knower of all things’ (24:35). Ramadan kariim to all.

The article, The Problem of Evil, was intended to challenge ontological (or a priori) argument for proving God's existence from simple but powerful premises. Existence is derived from the clear and distinct idea of a supremely perfect being. The author attempts to controvert Descartes’ Third Medication concerning existence of Supreme Being, while he seemingly dismisses the idea that evil can solely be human nature, in other words, it is human product. He and several other authors use argument from evil which in some cases provides basis for an argument which challenges established idea of God being omniscient and omnipotent. The persuasive effect of this article is that the word evil is mutually intelligible.Hence, since its conception is coherent, it can be used as basis for an argument, be it proving or disproving existence of God, understanding God’s character in terms of his power and knowledge and so on. JB, It will be more appropriate to post this kind of topics on other threads rather Islamic one. I don't think by posting here serves a good purpose. It is just a suggestion and nothing else is intended, saxib.

to remind us of how hunger during the fast may cause suicide? None of the above. I will give you a hint. Try this time with unconfused mind which is requisite for transcending thses immediate object of needs and into to the spiritual dimensions. It appears that lack of comprehension most often stems from epistemological differences. But, nevertheless, a competant mind will alway dare to venture in spite of the uncertainties that lies ahead. I am confident that yours is one, and it will afford you develope a different inference. Ramadan kariim to all.

The prophet's words were divinely inspired, his ways examplary but at the end of the day he was a human being -- fallible man, not God. I'm simply saying you shouldn't make the error of assuming the prophet's words are equal to Allah's words. Allah said his words are found in the Quran and in the Quran ONLY. If it is not in the Quran, then it is not from Allah. Hence, the hadiths (whether they are true or not) are the words of Mohammed (scw). As I understood, you are neither denying nor challenging authenticity of the Book of Allah (swt), right? And granted that you put great emphasis on comprehending the Qur’aan, how would you then construe this verse? “ Wamaa yundiqu canil hawaa, in huwa ilaa waxyun yuxaa†(third verse of Sura Al najmu). These are the words of Allah describing our prophet’s nature, that is to say, his way of life was complete antidote to any social ills emanated from lower motives, i.e. injustice and corruption. In other words, human desire for worldly gain was never his aim. Those who say to be a muslim you must accept the Sunnah of Mohammed (pbuh) are living in fanstasy world. For starters, muslims on the whole don't accept the Sunnah. Some accept the Sunnah in its totality, others pick and choose, while others reject it all together. All consider themselves muslims. Once again you and I quarrel over the meaning of certain words. I must admit, language itself is an art which needs years of training. Most definitely I am far from claiming to have mastered this language; most obvious is my writing. However, I refer our prophet infallible because of various reasons mentioned in the Qur’an; the above verse is one them. The very source of our belief (Qur’aan) says that he never spoke from his hawa. For that reason his teaching and actions are, unarguably, infallible. Again, contemplate above verse! By the way, Mohamed (PBUH) was the seal of all prophets, hence, we must follow or emulate his actions, because he was sent as a mercy to human race. Wallahu Aclam.

"While a prophet is under divine moral guidance, he is fallible. Infallibilty is akin to divinity. Prophets are human who do not capitulate to intentionally commiting sin but they are fallible." "What is the purpose of another 'form' of revelation when we already have all of Allah's revelations in the Quran? And where does it say in the Quran we have to follow the 'hadiths'. I know it says we have to follow and obey the prophet (scw) but that is not the same thing as obey and follow the hadiths, is it.." If you are not following his saying, then how else would you follow? Hadiths are his actions and hence it is the actions of the prophet (PBUH) we have to at least emulate. Remember! There is verse that say, I am paraphrasing, our prophet never spoke from his desire. Then, can we deny his infallibility? Since he was a messenger of Allah, what other rule or source of information did he convey? Was he not Rahmata Lil Calimeen? He never had lower motives, and that makes him infallible.

there are 70,000 who will enter Paradise without (being asked about their) accounts . Vicking, according to my limited understanding, 70,000 will enter paradise without being asked or reckoned in terms of their actions (good or bad) while the rest enter either Jana or hellfire after they are being assessed. If the true interpretaion is rather opposite of what i have just stipulated, then one will not be at ease when one contemplate the magnitude and the small fractin that is allowed to enter paradise. (Note I am aware the fact that we enter Jana because of the Rahma of Allah and not by our own merit)

Baashi, Thanks for the links, widaay. I never once visited theier website, though I tune in some of the of the programs aired by PBS. It is very educational, indeed.

We look to the West because the West got it right and we haven't. I'm not saying we should shun our religion and culture for Western ones but that we take from them what has helped them go from being poor, uneducated, uncivilised, barbaric civilisation of the Medieval times to what they are today. There is nothing wrong from learning from other civilisations. As Muslim, my definition of success is utterly different from those which you have ascribed to western nations. Every Muslim needs to be concerned of how they conduct themselves, that is, following commandment upon which Allah decreed us. The conditions which we [Muslims] find ourselves today are the end result of Muslims emulating life style oriented to the blasphemous rather than the sacred. One needs to take a hasty glance at history of how Muslims became corrupted, disintegrated, and antagonised by both externally and as well as internally. I don’t think we will ever understand this ongoing predicament which we find ourselves, so long as we remain ignorance and see everything through the lenses of western nations. Muslims are not the only ones who are experiencing this hardship. There are other nations who are suffering as well. To understand the phenomenon of these crises one will make a gross error for dismissing the history of colonization and of plantation, and the economic incentives that associated with them. Hence, we can not simply assert the economic improvement is solely attributed to secularism or some other ideology. It is true that many peopple use our religion for their personal gain (prestige, power, and egoisim). It is inevitable fact that human use system or religion for evil cause.