... The HOPE Bulletin..

Transcription

1 Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful... The HOPE Bulletin.. Health, Ongoing Projects, Education August 2011 (Vol. 6:2) AAIIL Worldwide Edition Editor: Akbar Abdullah CALIFORNIA JAMA AT PROJECT: APPROVED BY THE CENTRAL ANJUMAN, LAHORE INTRODUCTION Editor s Note The letter E in our Bulletin s HOPE stands for Education. The California Jama at, as reported in the past, participates with the Central Anjuman in funding a useful financial aid program for the needy children of our Jama at in Pakistan. Each year, Central Anjuman conducts Tarbiyyati classes at Darus Salaam to enhance the knowledge of Islam and Ahmadiyyat of Ahmadi children in Pakistan and visiting students from abroad. This year, the programme was blessed with the attendance of some 160 local students and several participants from abroad, including two female and two male students from the Netherlands. Jazak Allah! Hazrat Ameer Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib takes great pride in the accomplishments of this annual project. Jazak Allah! As in the past, Hazrat Ameer is pleased to share the good tidings of Education news with our valued readers, in the form of a photographic display snapped during a very successful conclusion of the Tarbiyyati Course (A two-part photo-supplement will be circulated separately.) We hope that in the past several years of our endeavour we have met your expectation and kept your reading interest alive. We earnestly urge you to submit your contributions regularly and give us your feedback with your critique and suggestions to enable us to generate our readers enthusiasm and reading interest. Once again, we urge members of our global Jama ats to promptly submit their Eid-ul-Fitr khutbas, photographs and reports to be included in the 2011 Eid Supplement. Kindly note that delay in the timely submission is not fair to those Jama ats/members who submit their material on time. Your cooperation in this regard will be highly appreciated.

2 JAMA AT NEWS Admission by Qadiani Jama at leaders that Lahore Ahmadi elders loved the Promised Messiah and he loved them. Report compiled by Dr. Zahid Aziz, AAIIL, UK 1. In a speech in 1925, published in Al-Fazl, Mirza Mahmud Ahmad stated: For the sake of the khilafat we had to make an unparalleled sacrifice. And that was that we sacrificed for its sake the old followers of the Promised Messiah, those who were called his friends, those who had a very close relationship with him. If this religious difference had not arisen between them and ourselves, they would be dearer to us than our own children because they included those who knew the Promised Messiah and those who were his companions, and they had worked with him. (See for further extracts from this speech. The bolding here is mine.) 2. In the book Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Mirza Bashir Ahmad (the younger brother of Mirza Mahmud Ahmad) makes the following incidental observation about two Lahore Ahmadi leaders: I further add that among those people who stumbled at the second khilafat there were two who, in my opinion, loved the Promised Messiah very greatly during his life, and he too loved them. One was Mirza Yaqub Baig marhoom and the other was Shaikh Rahmatullah marhoom. Regrettably, they stumbled at the death of the first khalifa. (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, v. 3, p. 112) At least it is admitted in these quotations that during the life of the Promised Messiah the Lahore Ahmadi elders were his close, beloved followers. Yet the Qadiani Jama at also alleges, elsewhere, that even during the life of the Promised Messiah these people were hypocrites and weak-hearted! We suggest that it was their love for the Promised Messiah, which they displayed all through his life that led to their so-called stumbling in 1914! (Both the above original Urdu references may be found on the Qadiani Jama at website alislam.org.) Correspondence from a Muslim convert in the United Kingdom We have referred the following letter of Mr. Manuel Cristiano to the officials of the UK Jama at for them to establish a dialogue with him and to address some of his concerns. Any of our readers interested in contacting Mr. Cristiano can write to us for his address. His letter follows: Dear Brothers and Sisters of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Assalamu Alaikum Waramatullah Wa Barakatohoo. I m Manuel Cristiano, 59 yrs old, Portuguese citizen (Portuguese and English speaker), not from the Arabic or Urdu languages background, ex-roman Christian Catholic and since a few years ago, 2

3 after a deep study of the Bible, that I decided to convert myself to Islam, or to became Muslim, as I BEAR WITNESS THAT THERE IS NO DEITY BUT ALLAH, and I BEAR WITNESS THAT MUHAMMED ( PBH) IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH. After that first conversion to Islam, I decided to join the AHMADIYYA ANJUMAN ISHA'AT- E- ISLAM LAHORE or the LAHORE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, and I sent by internet and posted my Declaration of the Acceptance of Islam, and the Terms of the Pledge. Since that time I did not change my religion, my beliefs or my spiritual home. So that makes me a new converted Muslim and a member of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Dear brothers and Sisters of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam; Please keep me included in your mailing list and keep me informed and get me involved. Unfortunately I have no printing facilities, because there are some articles in our internet sites, that I would like to print. Is there any chance to send me copies of articles such as Introduction to the LAHORE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, Introduction to Islam etc, so I can make copies and share my faith in ISLAM with others (who are not yet converted to Islam). Any publications, articles that can help more people to come to know ISLAM and LAHORE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT, will be more than welcomed. Also here in this area of Bracknell, Reading, a study group and prayer can be started. May ALLAH help us all; Thank you so much for reading this and please keep me in your books/records and mailing contact. Salam MANUEL CRISTIANO American Non-Muslim thrilled with the revised Edition of the Holy Qur an Mr. Steve Sandin, who resides in the United States, in a letter to Dr. Zahid Aziz, expressed his desire to obtain a copy of the revised version of the Holy Quran, which was recently printed in the United Kingdom, since, in his own words, I was impressed how easy to read and to understand your version is. We have arranged with the California Jama at and Oakland Mosque to provide Mr. Sandin with a copy of the revised Holy Qur an. Mr. Steve Sandin s letter follows: Hello! I saw online a copy of the Holy Quran Revised 2010 Edition, Edited by Zahid Aziz. I have been looking for a reliable English version, and I was impressed how easy to read and to understand your version is. I AM TRYING TO FIND THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD. I would like to purchase a copy, but I live in the United States, and I am unable to find anyone who sells it here. 3

4 Could you please tell me how I can obtain a copy? Thank you Steve Sandin Congratulations to grandparents Shahid Aziz and Begum Aziz We are proud to announce the birth of a new member in our Jama at in the family of Mudassar Aziz, Manager of the UK Virtual Mosque and son of Shahid Aziz, General Secretary of the UK Jama at. Shahid Aziz is one of our valuable contributors in the development of The HOPE Bulletin and his grandchild is blessed to be a part of a lineage of such a noble family. Alhamdollillah! May God bless the newborn and make him to grow with an exemplary life under the spiritual and temporal guidance of his worthy grandparents. Let us all pray for the newest addition to our nascent Jama at and may Allah (swt) protect him at all times. Aameen. 4 Baby Zain Aziz, weighing 6 lbs 3 ounces, born in UK on July 18 th to proud parents Mudassar and Tahmina Aziz. May Allah bless the newborn. Aameen. Abid Raza appreciates our effort in donation for Auckland Mosque in NZ During the short visit of Abid Raza, President of AAIL, NZ, to the Bay Area of San Francisco, he attended the Jumu ah prayer at the residence of Ahmad Nawaz Sahib in Hayward, California. Here Zafar Abdullah and Ahmad Nawaz donated generously towards the building purchased in Auckland by the New Zealand Jama at. Hazrat Ameer wholeheartedly supported and endorsed the project of the New Zealand Jama at to acquire this building for the spiritual and social needs of our New Zealand Ahmadi community. Jazak Allah! Br Abid Raza wrote: Dear Br Akbar, It certainly was nice catching up with you and Bhabi Parveen and talk of old times. You still have not lost

5 your sense of humour, despite your setback which, inshaa Allah with our dua and that of global members, will become free from all your ailments. Ameen. Your input to talk to Brother Zafar Abdullah is well appreciated and recognized regarding the donations for our NZ Centre. Kindly submit as discussed addresses of other Pakistani and Fiji members for me to send appeal letters. Photographs of my visit will be sent soon along with that of Taravih prayers performed last night. Brother Jalal, kindly stay well and wish you and the family the very best greetings for a spiritually and materially successful Ramadan. Allah Hafiz & Best regards, Abid Raza Iftar party given by Ahmad Nawaz and family at the Oakland Mosque Each year during Ramadan in our worldwide Jama ats, communal iftar parties are given on each weekend of the holy month. Usually one family takes the responsibility of food. The devotees break the fast together followed by congregational Maghrib prayer. After prayers, the evening meal is served followed by dars, and Isha/Tarawih prayers before the guests leave. This Ramadan, the tradition continues in our Oakland Mosque in California. Br Ahmad Nawaz Sahib, together with his family and children, was the first to host an iftar party at the Mosque on Saturday, August 6, Over 50 members, together with their families, participated in this communal iftar gathering. Notable devotees included Imam Mohammad Mustapha, Jaffar Ali Bux, Choudhary Abdul Sattar, Zafar Abdullah, Abdul Majid (with mother-in-law, Begum Choudhary Riaz Ahmad), Abdul Rahman Libed, and Ikram & Hameed Jahangiri and their families. The speakers of the evening were Br Hameed Jahangiri, who spoke on the sanctity of fasting, and Br Ikram Jahangiri who outlined the history of Islam. Br Ahmad Nawaz Sahib translated these speeches, which were rendered in English, into Urdu for the benefit of most of the audience. After the breaking of fast with fruits and liquid, Mohammad Mustapha, Imam and President of the Oakland Mosque, led the Maghrib prayer and offered a dua welcoming the arrival of the sacred month of Ramadan. After the Maghrib prayer, all the guests partook of a variety of delicious dishes that were served for dinner. The devotees departed after offering congregational Isha prayer led by Imam Mohammad Mustapha Sahib. O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil. (2:183). 5

6 Pakistan s Independence Day celebration at Darus Salam, Lahore [Courtesy LahoreAhmadees Forum, Central Anjuman, Lahore] Today Pakistan celebrates its 64 th Independence Day. In Darus Salaam, Lahore, the festivities started with the hoisting of the national flag on the main entrance to Jaamiah Darus Salaam by Hazrat Ameer. All the members present then joined in the singing of the national anthem. This was followed by national songs by groups of children which everyone enjoyed. In the end Hazrat Ameer made a very inspiring address and offered prayers for the solidarity and progress of Pakistan. A special dars-i-qur an was held at 12:30 pm in which Qari Arshad Mahmood highlighted the significance of independence. In the evening Shabbaan ul Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Youth Organisation) are arranging an Iftar get together in which all local Jama at members have been invited. We wish our Pakistani members the world over a very happy Independence Day. Please offer special prayers for your country which is passing through extremely difficult times. I am attaching some pictures of the flag hoisting ceremony for your viewing pleasure. Seeker of your prayers Lahore Ahmadees Moderator Mohammad Saeed Hazrat Ameer hoisting the national flag in a shower of rose petals 6

7 PRAYER & HEALTH NEWS Obituary news of our elder member in New Zealand Shabir Buksh, General Secretary of AAIIL, NZ, relayed this sad and sorrowful obituary news about the irreparable loss of Chacha Saheeb Hussein Lala, a eenior and elder member of the NZ Jama at: Inna Lillahe wa inna ilehi rajeoon. It is with great regret that I inform you that Chacha Saheeb Hussain (father of Adil Hussain) passed away on Saturday 13th August at his 8.30 pm. He was our foundation and a perfect example of a Muslim. He will be sadly missed by all and especially the NZ Jamaat. Janaza will be held tomorrow Sunday 14th August at 2.30 pm at Manukau Memorial Gardens. Condolence messages can be done by calling Br Adil on The NZ Jamaat would like to thank the Fiji Jamaat who has sent their President, Br Abdul Nasim, who will be leading the Janaza prayers. Allah Hafiz. Br Shabir Buksh Letters of sympathy and condolence Message from the Editor to the Marhoom s son, Adil Hussain of New Zealand Dear Brother Adil Hussain: Assalam-o-Alaikum wrwb. Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, the Jama at, and I are deeply saddened to learn about the very sad and sudden demise of your beloved father in Auckland, New Zealand. Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilehi Rajeoon. Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolence. I vividly recall my meeting with your beloved Dad on my visit to New Zealand in 2007, and found him to be a very sincere and dedicated Ahmadi member of your local J Jama at. May Allah (swt) reward him for his many sacrifices and yeomen services rendered to further the cause of Islam and Ahmadiyyat in Fiji and New Zealand throughout his lifetime. Aameen. Our thoughts and prayers are that Allah Almighty in His Infinite Mercy and Compassion will grant eternal peace, solace and happiness to the dearly departed soul of your beloved father, and bestow on him an abode in the highest pedestal of Heaven, Jannate-Firdous, which He has promised to all righteous persons. Aameen. All of us further wish that our Lord God with His cherished blessings will grant Marhoom s surviving family members and extended family members and relatives, and the NZ Jama at a source of spiritual and physical strength and comfort in their grief and anguish to bear the burden of this irreparable personal loss. Aameen. 7

8 Allah Hafiz. Your brother-in-grief Akbar Abdullah Humble seeker of your prayers Jannifar Khanoum on the passing away of Sheikh Muhammad Afzal of Pakistan Assalam-o-Alaikum. We are very sad to receive the obituary news. Our deep and heartfelt sympathy and condolence to the family and friends of the late Marhoom Sheikh Muhammad Afzal of Pakistan. May Almighty Allah grant his family the patience and strength to bear the burden of this irreparable loss. May he rest in peace and may the Almighty Allah grant him a place in Jannate-Firdouse. Ameen. Jannifar Khanoum Personal Secretary and daughter of Mohammed Mustapha President of AAIIL, Oakland, USA Du a-e-shifa for our worldwide Brothers and Sisters suffering with afflictions Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, the Jama at, and the members of our global Prayer Circle are praying for the complete shifa with speedy recovery of an unnamed member of the UK Jama at and all other ailing members of the Jama at who requested du a-e-shifa in the present and the past. May Allah (swt) have mercy on all of them and bless them with complete shifa and speedy recovery, easing their pain, discomfort or suffering. Aameen. Please also include me in your prayers as, according to the strong advice of my physician, I have agreed to an elective surgery of my gall bladder in September; the exact date is not settled yet. I also urge the members of our global Prayer Circle to pray for our beloved Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, who recently suffered a similar ordeal. May Allah (swt) have mercy on him and grant him stamina, strength and good health to successfully lead our nascent Jama at worldwide. Aameen. POEM (Courtesy A Spiritual Note) A beautiful rendering into English by Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, who meticulously rhymed each couplet in a stanza, maintaining the spirit of Hazrat Mirza Sahib s Urdu poem, composed by Mirza Sahib to express the beauty of the Holy Qur an. 8

9 Devotional Ode in praise of the Holy Quran The immense beauty of the Quran is for every Muslim s life a light, Others look to the moon, while the Quran makes our souls bright. Nothing pleases our eyes, however deeply we reflect and compare, And why should it not be, for nothing can with the Holy Rahman s words compare. Every passage of it is fresh as an everlasting spring, for ever to abound, Such beauty is neither in the garden beds nor in flower gardens found. There can be no match to the value of the pure words of the Yazdan, Whether they be the pearls of Oman or the rubies of Badakhshan. How can the words of God with those of human words compare, One the Immensely Powerful, the other abject; the difference is clear. In Whose presence the angels ignorance plead, How can words of humans His words exceed. A human who can not a leg of an insect make, How can he the creation of Light of Truth undertake? O people, to His Eminence give the respect with grace, Hold your tongues in respect if you have of faith any trace, To associate others with God is a shameful deed, As you lie and slander of God s wrath do heed. If by confessing there is no God but He you abide, Then how within your hearts you so many idols hide. How in the veils of ignorance your hearts are concealed, Refrain from your error if you have any fear of Yazdan, to Him yield. I have no grudge against you, my brothers, I only humbly advise, For those pure of heart; respectfully with heart and soul I rise. Say: If men and jinn should combine together to bring the like of this Quran, they could not bring the like of it (17:88). This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who keep their duty (2:2). Surely this Quran guides to that which is most upright (17:9). 9

10 HEALTH INFORMATION Feedback from Capt. Abdus Salam Khan, Cucamonga, California, USA In the previous issue of The HOPE Bulletin, we published the benefits of onions as prophylactics and furthering our health needs. We are delighted to publish feedback from our valued contributor, Captain Abdus Salam Khan of Cucamonga. California, USA, which follows. Onion juice for colic This month s HOPE carried an interesting piece about onions and their efficacy in repelling flu virus. Another good quality of onion juice that I would like to pass on to the readers is that it is a specific remedy for colic. Once I had such severe stomach pain due to colic that I was crying. Our maidservant peeled an onion, minced it in the mincer, and drew out the juice by pressing the pulp through muslin. She gave two table spoonfuls in half a cup of water, and lo and behold, I was cured of the colic attack within minutes. Joint pains Another specific remedy that is good for joint pains is taking a tablespoonful of a mixture of apple cider vinegar and minced garlic kept in a glass jar with every meal as a dressing. I normally spread the potion on top of my food. It helps ease the knee pain. Pains of nervous origin Black pepper, taken liberally with every meal, is very good for sciatica (pain in the legs and back). With best wishes and regards, Capt. Abdus Salam Khan FEATURE REPORT A letter was received from Irfan Mirza, who enquired if our organization is familiar with the Deendar Anjuman, which was founded by Siddiq Deendar. This Editor was not familiar with the so-called Anjuman, so we sought the help of our learned scholar, Dr. Zahid Aziz of AAIIL, United Kingdom. We are thankful to Dr Aziz for his investigative report on the Deendar Anjuman. The letter from Mr. Irfan Ahmad and the response from Dr. Zahid Aziz follow: Letter from Irfan Ahmad Hello Mr. Akbar, Hope you are doing good. The other day I was going through the newsletters of your organization and noticed your contact details. Since long I had a wish to visit Qadiyan and to speak to your oldest people in your community but that did not happen. 10

11 But I do happen to meet a lot of young and new Qadiani Muslims. As you seem to be one of the responsible ones in your community and I thought of asking you a question. Did you ever heard about Siddiq Deendar the founder of Deendar Anjuman. I wanted to know how, what and why they are somewhat linked up with Qadiani faith and community. Even this group among Muslims has been facing a huge opposition and has been labeled as of Qadiani. Just wanted to know the Qadiani opinion about Deendar Anjuman. Looking forward for your reply. Sincerely Irfan Mirza Reply by Dr Zahid Aziz I personally know nothing about them, but doing a Google search I came across the following article in Wikipedia: Here is the first para from this article: Deendar Anjuman is an Islamic organization based in Hyderabad, India. This organization is more bent towards (Sufi) Barelvi school of thought and believes the preaching of Islam among the non-muslims through the grass-root level. The followers of Deendar are often confused with the Qadiani sect. But it has been confirmed from the reliable sources within the Qadiani community that Siddiq Deendar's faith and ideology does not align with the Qadiani cult. Instead he had worked against the Qadiani people for several years and instructed his followers to work hard for the reform of Qadiani cult. It is now banned by the Government of India under unlawful activities. Deendar Anjuman is alleged to be behind bomb blasts of Christian churches in South India in the year of The case is still pending in Supreme Court of India due to lack of evidence against organisation's involvement Regards, Zahid Aziz And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. And these are they who are successful. (3:104). 11

12 QUESTION AND ANSWERS Enquiry from Adil Hussain, AAIIL, New Zealand I would be pleased to know the significance of Shaab e barat towards our belief as a Muslim and as a Lahori Ahmadi. A lot have been heard and also observed about this night in our Sunni Muslim brothers. Therefore, I would be pleased if I can get some information on its importance to us at your earliest. Khuda Hafiz, Adil Hussain Article by Jalal Ud Dean, AAIIL, Fiji on Shab-e-Barat suitable for response IDENTIFYING SHAB-E-BARAT IN OUR SCRIPTURES When is Shab-e-Barat in Year 2011? This is on 17 th July 2011, as a matter of common information, but really a non-prescribed-event. This article is for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. Is Shab-e-Barat Specifically Identified in the Holy Qur an? No. There is no specific mention of Shab-e-Barat anywhere in the Muslims principal Holy Scripture. This event is also variously known as Laylatul Bara'ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha'ba in some countries. The Holy Qur an is silent on this issue, regardless of different names. What Exactly is Shab-e-Barat? Shab-e-Barat is an early but subtly friendly warning event, as mid-point of the Islamic month of Shaban, that the next month following is Ramadan, the prescribed holy month of fasting. In fact Shab-e-Barat warns Muslims inasmuch as the amber light (orange) is an early warning system of preparing to stop before the red light in any traffic light controlled intersection. In a nutshell, Shab-e-Barat is mid-point or the 15 th day of the 8 th month (Shaban) in Islamic calendaring system. This early warning is around 2 weeks prior, allowing people to get their household inventory in order in preparation for fasting and finally culminating to Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan is that self-assessment and testing period for Muslims to go in their lives prescriptively correct, insofar as self-discipline, self-control, purity, charity and obedience to Allah matter. In a nutshell, if people can pass this testing period of a month, then people must continue with that same trend for the next 11 months towards perpetuity. Who Celebrates Shab-e-Barat? Mainly the peoples of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and to lesser extent the peoples of Iran and Afghanistan celebrate Shab-e-Barat as significant annual event. The ideologies applied by these communities differ both geographically and to some extent politically, when their Governments allow the event celebrated nation-wide. Although the principal scripture, the Holy Qur an does not impose any specific observation and practice of Shab-e-Barat, the Diasporas of these communities from India, have continued and carried their beliefs on Shab-e-Barat as customary and unnecessary excess luggage to their cultures. This practice differs significantly amongst different sects within Islam; and this document positively claries that Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (Lahore) does neither celebrate Shab-e-Barat per se nor encourages its celebration within its fold. 12

13 Is Shabe-Barat Documented Anywhere at All? Since all aspects in broad spectrum of different Hadith are not widely accepted Islam-wide, but some are accepted in certain communities only, the issue of Shab-e-Barat develops its inherent weakness and becomes questionable. Taking full cognizance of the required tact in diplomacy and respect, it is not for the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (Lahore) to comment on other sects beliefs and practices on an issue, which the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (Lahore) does not believe in and practice. On the contrary, communities which spend cumulatively millions of dollars (or other currency) in lavish foods, festoon lights, fireworks, etc would be better guided to redeploy such resources towards charity, welfare funds and maintenance of mosques as practical examples of spending such funds. What is the History of Shab-e-Barat? The event of Shab-e-Barat is also known by different names in different communities and geographies, as already elaborated above. It is also necessary to dwell into and understand some of the significant events which impacted upon India over the last years ago, commencing with Delhi Muslim Sultanate ( ), the Mughal Empire ( ) and the British Raj ( ), which finally led to independence of India and Pakistan in August During these very trying times ( ), the Indian communities were under intense pressures, where on one hand the Muslim Rulers imposed strict Muslim prescriptions, on the other hand the mixed Indian populace went through transformations, which included conversions from other faiths to Islam and some extent of cross-marriages. Islam was periodically infused with Arabic, Turkish, Afghani and Persian culture-mix and not forgetting Hindu influences, especially during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jalal-Ud-din Muhammad Akbar, who accommodated these cultural and religious interventions. It should also be noted, that such non-prescribed add-ons are prevalent only in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and to lesser extent by the peoples of Iran and Afghanistan. Millions of Muslims in the rest of the world have mostly not even heard of the term Shab-e- Barat let alone celebrating it. The Mughals (a Persian terminology, which is taken to mean cross-cultured combination of Turkish and Mongols, who ruled northern and greater part of India to the Deccan region), actually allowed introduction of foreign rituals to some extent within Islam in India. The distribution of sweets/halwa to friends and relatives was the symbolic equivalent of distributing Prasad by Hindus. Hence the earlier comment of customary and unnecessary excess luggage introduced to their cultures in India and to the Indian Diaspora. LESSON OF THE DAY [Courtesy Muhammad Zafarullah, Australia] A British man came to Sheikh and asked: Why is it not permissible in Islam for women to shake hands with a man? The Sheikh said: Can you shake hands with Queen Elizabeth? The British man said: Of course not, there are only certain people who can shake hands with Queen Elizabeth. The Sheikh replied: Our women are queens and queens do not shake hands with strange men. Then the British man asked the Sheikh: Why do your girls cover up their body and hair? 13

14 The Sheikh smiled and got two sweets; he opened the first one and kept the other one closed. He threw them both on the dusty floor and asked the British: If I asked you to take one of the sweets, which one will you choose? The British replied: The covered one. The Sheikh said: That s how we treat and see our women. PUBLICATION Web link to The HOPE Bulletin on Central Anjuman s official website The aaiil.org webmaster will place online, at some selected issues of The HOPE Bulletin and some articles and special photographic supplements which do not carry any sensitive or confidential matters of our worldwide Jama at. The webmaster, with his monumental task of managing the Central Anjuman s website, in gathering a vast resource of material of great versatility to make it freely available to the worldwide enquirer, is highly commendable. Jazak Allah, and may Allah bless him for his yeomen service. Aameen. Along with our monthly news journal, The HOPE Bulletin, special international editions, and special supplements, he has placed online the monthly magazines Noor-i-Islam (Canada), ILAN (Pakistan), The Islamic Sunrise (Canada & USA), The Light (UK), The Light & Islamic Review (USA), the weekly A Spiritual Note (Suriname), The CALL (T&T), The Message (T&T), Paigham-e-Haqq (Fiji), and Bashshaar (Australia). Besides these current magazines, there are many more included on the website which are no longer being published. Jazak Allah for the availability of these valuable resource materials stored in the archive. The Light UK Edition To access current and previous issues, kindly click on the following weblink: Since June of this year, the Light is being published under the editorial stewardship of our dedicated brothers, Shahid Aziz and Mustaq Ali, of AAIIL, United Kingdom. Eik Ghalti ka Azala by Hazrat Mirza Sahib, translated by our learned scholar, Dr. Zahid Aziz Sahib, is now available from the UK Jama at at a cost of 2.50 English pounds plus postage. We have sent among you a Messenger from among you, who recites to you Our messages and purifies you and teaches you the Book and the Wisdom and teaches you that which you did not know (2:151). He grants wisdom to whom He pleases. And whoever is granted wisdom, he indeed is given a great good. And none mind but men of understanding (2:269). 14

15 WHAT OUR READERS SAY Appreciation from Hazrat Ameer Sahib on our special editions during Ramadan Dear Akbar, As-salamu alaikum wa-rahmat-ullah wa-barakato. Thanks for keeping me posted; you are doing a great job. Allah bless you. Pasha Appreciation from Muhammad Ameen Sahu Khan, Sydney, Australia My Dear Brother Akbar Sahib Assalaamu Aleikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatahu. RAMADAN SHAREEF MUBARAK. I pray that you and bhabi are keeping well by the grace of Allah Subhanahu-Wa-Ta'ala. Thank you so much for sending me The Hope Bulletin on a regular basis. May Allah reward you. Could you please include my niece on your mailing address:... Many thanks. Allah Hafiz. Ameen Prayer and appreciation from Shauhat A Ali, Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Region Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuhu. JazakAllah for your messages and for the HOPE Bulletins. Last week I was thinking the same thing that I had not heard from you and was praying for your health and well being. We have been in Phuket, Thailand for about two months and went to Bangkok for a few days and returned last night. However I have received the bulletins so I knew all is well and still praying that Allah ta'ala grant you excellent health and long, happy and spiritually blessed life as you are doing work with dedication, devotion, zeal and enthusiasm for the Jamaat. May the blessings of Allah be always with you and your loved ones - aameen. Please convey our Salaams to your loved ones and to the members of the Jamaat. Shaukat 15

16 Okra with white rice Ingredients 1 bag frozen okra, thawed 1 large can of petite diced tomatoes 2 garlic cloves, sliced 3 tablespoons of olive oil Salt to taste 1 chopped green bell pepper (big pieces) Method of Preparation Heat oven to 375 degrees HOPE MEMBER SERVICE Recipe of the Month Combine okra, olive oil, salt, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic in an oven safe pan. Bake for about an hour and a half, until everything is cooked through. Serve with white rice. PHOTOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION RAMADAN AROUND THE WORLD [Courtesy Nafiesa and Ashraf Ali, Trinidad] Millions of Muslims around the world celebrate the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, when Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to sunset. The beginning of Ramadan, which changes each year depending on the moon, began this year on 1 August. The breaking of the fast each day is called the iftar, when families and communities gather to partake of food together. The meal often starts with the eating of a single date, a tradition that originated with the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). After breaking the fast, congregational Maghrib prayer is performed. Before retiring to bed for the night, Isha and Tarawih prayers are performed in mosques and homes. Below are some photographs of activities surrounding Ramadan around the world. 16

17 Palestinians get ready for the month of Ramadan at the occupied Jerusalem s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, one of the world s holiest sites for Muslims A Muslim man in Indonesia looks at the moon through a telescope on July 31, one day prior to the start of Ramadan Pakistani farmers carry harvested dates in a palm orchard in Rajankot, near the city of Hyderabad, in preparation for Ramadan. Pakistan is the world s fourth largest producer of dates, which are generally used to break the fast during Ramadan each day Women in Nigeria prepare food for sale in the Utako district of the capital Abuja Saudis buy and sell dates on the eve of Ramadan at a market in Riyadh The shadow of a Palestinian boy reading the Qur an on a wall at the Al-Omari Mosque in Gaza City 17

18 Kashmiris perform ablutions near a fountain at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar Anti-government protesters attend the iftar meal in Sanaa, Yemen A man enters a mosque for evening prayers in Moscow Pakistanis pray before their iftar at the Dervesh Mosque in Peshawar Women in Jakarta attend congregational prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque People in Turkey break their first day of fasting with free meals distributed by the municipality in downtown Istanbul A Yemeni man fires a cannon to mark the end of the first fasting day of Ramadaan in the southern city of Taiz 18

19 NEVER TO BE ABANDONED [Courtesy Muhammad Ameen Sahu Khan, Australia] During Ramadan, many Muslims are more observant of their prayers. However, even outside Ramadan, prayers are never abandoned by Muslims, even during the most difficult circumstances. The elderly do not abandon it; neither do women, nor even children Not in corrupted countries, or on the road, or in the forest During times of rain, bombardment, or destruction 19

20 On stairs, and on top of buses At train stations, on planes, and on the beach Above the ocean, and underwater 20

21 Under captivity, after captivity; the able and the disabled We beseech Allah for ourselves, before the day comes when prayers are said on our behalf CONTACT INFORMATION Akbar Abdullah Editor, The HOPE Bulletin Mailing Address: P.O. Box Sacramento, California , U.S.A. Address: Telephone Number: (773) ISLAM stands for I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND 21