Why I Shed Bikini for Niqab: The New Symbol of Women's Liberation

I am an American woman who was born in the midst of America's "Heartland." I grew up, just like any other girl, being fixated with the glamour of life in "the big city." Eventually, I moved to Florida and on to South Beach of Miami, a hotspot for those seeking the "glamorous life." Naturally, I did what most average Western girls do. I focused on my appearance and appeal, basing my self-worth on how much attention I got from others. I worked out religiously and became a personal trainer, acquired an upscale waterfront residence, became a regular "exhibiting" beach-goer and was able to attain a "living-in-style" kind of life.

Years went by, only to realize that my scale of self-fulfillment and happiness slid down the more I progressed in my "feminine appeal." I was a slave to fashion. I was a hostage to my looks.

As the gap continued to progressively widen between my self-fulfillment and lifestyle, I sought refuge in escapes from alcohol and parties to meditation, activism, and alternative religions, only to have the little gap widen to what seemed like a valley. I eventually realized it all was merely a pain killer rather than an effective remedy.




By now it was September 11, 2001. As I witnessed the ensuing barrage on Islam, Islamic values and culture, and the infamous declaration of the "new crusade," I started to notice something called Islam. Up until that point, all I had associated with Islam was women covered in "tents," wife beaters, harems, and a world of terrorism.

As a feminist libertarian, and an activist who was pursuing a better world for all, my path crossed with that of another activist who was already at the lead of indiscriminately furthering causes of reform and justice for all. I joined in the ongoing campaigns of my new mentor which included, at the time, election reform and civil rights, among others. Now my new activism was fundamentally different. Instead of "selectively" advocating justice only to some, I learned that ideals such as justice, freedom, and respect are meant to be and are essentially universal, and that own good and common good are not in conflict. For the first time, I knew what "all people are created equal" really means. But most importantly, I learned that it only takes faith to see the world as one and to see the unity in creation.

One day I came across a book that is negatively stereotyped in the West--The Holy Qur'an. I was first attracted by the style and approach of the Qur'an, and then intrigued by its outlook on existence, life, creation, and the relationship between Creator and creation. I found the Qur'an to be a very insightful address to heart and soul without the need for an interpreter or pastor.

Eventually I hit a moment of truth: my new-found self-fulfilling activism was nothing more than merely embracing a faith called Islam where I could live in peace as a "functional" Muslim.

I bought a beautiful long gown and head cover resembling the Muslim woman's dress code and I walked down the same streets and neighborhoods where only days earlier I had walked in my shorts, bikini, or "elegant" western business attire. Although the people, the faces, and the shops were all the same, one thing was remarkably distinct--I was not--nor was the peace at being a woman I experienced for the very first time. I felt as if the chains had been broken and I was finally free. I was delighted with the new looks of wonder on people's faces in place of the looks of a hunter watching his prey I had once sought. Suddenly a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I no longer spent all my time consumed with shopping, makeup, getting my hair done, and working out. Finally, I was free.

Of all places, I found my Islam at the heart of what some call "the most scandalous place on earth," which makes it all the more dear and special.

While content with Hijab I became curious about Niqab, seeing an increasing number of Muslim women in it. I asked my Muslim husband, whom I married after I reverted to Islam, whether I should wear Niqab or just settle for the Hijab I was already wearing. My husband simply advised me that he believes Hijab is mandatory in Islam while Niqab is not. At the time, my Hijab consisted of head scarf that covered all my hair except for my face, and a loose long black gown called "Abaya" that covered all my body from neck to toe.

A year-and-a-half passed, and I told my husband I wanted to wear Niqab. My reason, this time, was that I felt it would be more pleasing to Allah, the Creator, increasing my feeling of peace at being more modest. He supported my decision and took me to buy an "Isdaal," a loose black gown that covers from head to toe, and Niqab, which covers all my head and face except for my eyes.

Soon enough, news started breaking about politicians, Vatican clergymen, libertarians, and so-called human rights and freedom activists condemning Hijab at times, and Niqab at others as being oppressive to women, an obstacle to social integration, and more recently, as an Egyptian official called it--"a sign of backwardness."

I find it to be a blatant hypocrisy when Western governments and so-called human rights groups rush to defend woman's rights when some governments impose a certain dress code on women, yet such "freedom fighters" look the other way when women are being deprived of their rights, work, and education just because they choose to exercise their right to wear Niqab or Hijab. Today, women in Hijab or Niqab are being increasingly barred from work and education not only under totalitarian regimes such as in Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt, but also in Western democracies such as France, Holland, and Britain.

Today I am still a feminist, but a Muslim feminist, who calls on Muslim women to assume their responsibilities in providing all the support they can for their husbands to be good Muslims. To raise their children as upright Muslims so they may be beacons of light for all humanity once again. To enjoin good--any good--and to forbid evil--any evil. To speak righteousness and to speak up against all ills. To fight for our right to wear Niqab or Hijab and to please our Creator whichever way we chose. But just as importantly to carry our experience with Niqab or Hijab to fellow women who may never have had the chance to understand what wearing Niqab or Hijab means to us and why do we, so dearly, embrace it.


Most of the women I know wearing Niqab are Western reverts, some of whom are not even married. Others wear Niqab without full support of either family or surroundings. What we all have in common is that it is the personal choice of each and every one of us, which none of us is willing to surrender.
Willingly or unwillingly, women are bombarded with styles of "dressing-in-little-to-nothing" virtually in every means of communication everywhere in the world. As an ex non-Muslim, I insist on women's right to equally know about Hijab, its virtues, and the peace and happiness it brings to a woman's life as it did to mine. Yesterday, the bikini was the symbol of my liberty, when in actuality it only liberated me from my spirituality and true value as a respectable human being.

I couldn't be happier to shed my bikini in South Beach and the "glamorous" Western lifestyle to live in peace with my Creator and enjoy living among fellow humans as a worthy person. It is why I choose to wear Niqab, and why I will die defending my inalienable right to wear it. Today, Niqab is the new symbol of woman's liberation.

To women who surrender to the ugly stereotype against the Islamic modesty of Hijab, I say: You don't know what you are missing.

Sara Bokker is a former actress/model/fitness instructor and activist. Currently, Sara is Director of Communications at "The March For Justice," a co-founder of "The Global Sisters Network," and producer of the infamous "Shock & Awe Gallery."

Islamic Brotherhood

"The Believers are but a single Brotherhood." [Al-Hujurat 49:10]

"A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he leave him at the mercy of others." [Sahih Muslim].

The Islamic Brotherhood is not based on economic interests, race, or color. It is based on something infinitely superior: Rejection of falsehood and acceptance of the Truth as revealed by the One True God.

Not only is this Brotherhood based on faith, it is also a part of that faith. The Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: "You cannot enter paradise unless you become a total believer and you won't become a total believer unless you love each other." Obviously, faith and community are inseparable in the faith community produced by Islam. Even a casual reader of Qur'an would note that it almost always addresses the Believers and not the Believer. All acts of worship that are declared pillars of Islam have a collective form. The five daily prayers are best performed in congregation, that being twenty-seven times more valuable than the individual prayer. The special Friday prayer cannot be offered individually at all. Zakat is obviously aimed at making the rich of the community take care of the needs of its poor. Fasting, an essentially individual act, has been given a collective form through unity in time. Hajj enforces unity in both time and place, bringing the believers together in the plains of Arafat in their remembrance of Allah.

Those who join in the worship of Allah produce a Brotherhood that embodies the best moral values of the faith: Mercy, compassion, fear of Allah, piety, and justice. It is a Solid Cemented Structure [As-Saff, 61:4], a tremendous force in the service of Right and against Wrong. Its members are to help each other in righteousness and piety but not in sin and rancor [Al-Maida 5:2]. They are to be "strong against unbelievers but compassionate amongst each other [Al-Fat-h 48:29]. They do not do injustice to others nor do they tolerate any injustice to themselves. In their love and concern for each other, all members of this Brotherhood are one body: when any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels the pain [Sahih Muslim].

This Brotherhood was established in the most unlikely place: Arabia, where before Islam internecine war was a way of life. On both social and political levels, this was one of the greatest achievements of Islam. On both levels, it remains one of Islam's greatest goals. We can imagine the sensitivity of the Shariah about it by reflecting on its teachings regarding the relations between believers. It is forbidden, for example, for two Muslims to start a whispering conversation in the presence of the third. This might offend the one left out and weaken the Brotherhood. It is not permissible for a Muslim to sever relations with his brother for more than three days. "It is sufficient evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother. The life, wealth, and honor of a Muslim are inviolable by another Muslim." [Sahih Muslim]. The books of hadith are full of such teachings.

This Brotherhood was a force for good, a purveyor of peace and justice for everyone. It provided stability in a quarrelsome world. To the downtrodden and oppressed everywhere, it provided freedom. When it was powerful, it even saved the Jews and Christians in Palestine and Spain from each other.

Two unfortunate developments in this century have impaired this Brotherhood. The first was the destruction of Khilafah and the emergence of independent nation-states in the Muslim world. This made it possible for "national interests" to be declared that are at cross-purposes to the interests of the Brotherhood. Not only that, it destroyed the means for both defining and defending the Brotherhood interests. The second development was the emergence of the United Nations Organization and the participation of individual Muslim nation-states in it, solely at its terms. The U.N. was and remains an organization of unequal powers, designed to perpetuate that inequality. Its purpose was to establish hegemony of the Western alliance over the rest of the world--- not for any higher moral purpose but solely for economic exploitation. Its very structure (with real decision making in the hands of a few in the Security Council ) guaranteed the disenfranchisement of the weak, and the entire Muslim world found itself in that category at the end of official colonialism.

While the U.N. has failed miserably in its declared goals, it has been tremendously successful in the real ones. While it promised peace and justice, it has delivered death and destruction, exploitation and oppression. It provided legal cover for the first U.S.- Iraq war in 1991. It facilitated the carnage in Bosnia by tying the hands of the victims. It has perpetuated genocide in Iraq through the imposition of the most brutal economic sanctions in the history of the world, resulting in death of a million people through starvation and disease.

If any one country or group of countries had tried to commit such atrocities on their own, there would have been a tremendous reaction. But we have allowed ourselves to be deceived by the legal camouflage provided by the U.N. And witness how low we have fallen with our own accord. Muslims are not allowed to kill the women and children of their enemies even in war. How could we support the killing of our own women and children? A Muslim is not really a believer if he eats his full while ignoring the plight of a hungry neighbor. How could a believer then participate in economic sanctions designed to starve his own people to death?

When giving commands regarding the Islamic Brotherhood, the Qur'an uses a beautiful style with a profound message. Instead of saying, "greet each other" it says, "greet yourself." [An-Nur 24:61]. Instead of saying, "do not defame each other," it says, "do not defame yourself." [Al-Hujurat 49:11]. Instead of saying, "do not kill each other," it says, "do not kill yourself." [An-Nisaa 4:29]. The message is clear: Whatever is happening to others in the Brotherhood, is actually happening to yourself. Any aggression against any part of the Brotherhood is an aggression against all of it.

We must free the Brotherhood from the servitude to the ideology of nation-states and the unjust international organizations so we can stop killing ourselves

Sita Mbaroni Kwa Kuichoma Moto Quran Uingereza

Polisi wa nchini Uingereza wamewatia mbaroni watu sita kwa kueneza chuki katika jamii kwa kuweka VIDEO kwenye YouTube wakionyesha jinsi wanavyoichoma moto Quran na kuipiga mateke.
Polisi wa nchini Uingereza wametoa taarifa wakisema kuwa wamewatia mbaroni watu 6 ambao waliweka video kwenye YouTube wakionyesha jinsi walivyoichoma moto misahafu na kuipiga mateke.

Taarifa ya polisi ilisema kuwa watu wawili walitiwa mbaroni septemba 15 na wengine wanne walitiwa mbaroni juzi jumatano. Wote wako nje kwa dhamana huku uchunguzi ukiendelea.

"Walikamatwa kufuatia tukio la kuchoma moto misahafu miwili katika kitongoji cha Gateshead siku ya septemba 11", alisema msemaji wa polisi.

"Tukio hilo lilirekodiwa na baadae kuwekwa kwenye internet", iliendelea kusema taarifa ya polisi.

Video hiyo ya YouTube iliwaonyesha wanaume walioficha sura zao kwa vitambaa wakipiga kelele za "Septemba 11, siku ya kimataifa ya kuichoma moto Quran" wakitukana na pia wakiimba "Hii ni kwaajili ya vijana wetu waliopo Afghanistan".

Wanaume hao walichukua mafuta ya petroli na kuyamwaga kwenye misahafu miwili na kuichoma moto misahafu hiyo.

Waliendelea kuimba na kupiga kelele wakati misahafu hiyo ikiendelea kuungua kabla ya kuanza kuipiga mateke.

Polisi kwa kushirikiana na uongozi wa kitongoji hicho ulitoa taarifa ya pamoja wakilaani kitendo hicho na kusema kuwa vitendo vilivyoonyeshwa kwenye video hiyo haviwakilishi mawazo ya jamii.

"Jamii yetu imeundwa kwa heshima kwa watu wote na tunaendelea kushirikiana na viongozi wa jumuiya, wakazi na watu wa imani zote ili kudumisha ushirikiano uliopo", ilisema taarifa hiyo.

Kutiwa mbaroni kwa wanaume hao kumekuja zikiwa hazijapita wiki mbili tangu mchngaji wa nchini Marekani, mchungaji Terry Jones alipoahirisha mpango wake wa kuichoma moto misahafu 200 katika kuadhimisha siku ya kuwakumbuka wahanga wa shambulizi la septemba 11, 2001.

Zana za mawe zilianza kale zaidi Afrika

Zana za mawe

Timu ya watafiti imeripoti kuwa imegundua upya nyenzo za zama za zana za mawe zinazopendekeza kuwa mwanadamu ametokea kwenye ardhi "ndani ya Afrika" mapema na ilivyotarajiwa.

Wataalamu wa masuala ya kale wanakadiria kuwa uhamiaji kutoka Afrika kuelekea kusini-mashariki mwa Asia na Australia ulifanyika takriban miaka 60,000 iliyopita.

Lakini Dr Michael Petraglia, wa chuo kikuu cha Oxford, na wenzake walisema zana za kale za mawe zilizogunduliwa kwenye rasi ya Uarabuni na India zinaonyesha kuanza takriban miaka 70,000 mpaka 80,000 iliyopita, na hata kabla ya hapo.

Dr Petraglia, ambao wenzake ni pamoja na watafiti kutoka Australia na India, aliwakilisha fikra zake katika tamasha la wanasayansi wa Uingereza, linalofanywa katika chuo kikuu cha Aston mwaka huu.

"Ninaamini jamii ya watu mbalimbali ilitoka Afrika katika kipindi cha miaka 120,000 na 70,000 iliyopita," alisema. " Ushahidi wetu ni zana za mawe tunazoweza kujua zilitengenezwa wakati gani."

Zana nyingi zimetoka ndani ya nchi- kilomita nyingi kutoka pwani. Alisema, hii inamaanisha kuna uwezekano mkubwa binadamu walihama kupitia ardhini kuliko hata kwenye boti.

Zana hizo zimepatikana kwenye maeneo ambayo aghlabu huonekana hazikaliki, lakini kwa wakati huo zilionyesha kuwa nzuri zaidi kwa uhamiaji.

Aliiambia BBC, " Kwa muda huo tunaouzungumzia, mazingira kwa hakika yalikuwa mazuri." "Kwahiyo maeneo ambayo yana jangwa leo hii, wakati huo kulikuwa na mito na maziwa, na kulikuwa na mimea na wanyama tele."




Machimbo ya mawe

Watafiti hao waligundua zana hizo- zilizo na urefu wa sentimita kadhaa hadi kufikia sm 10- katika safu wanazoweza kujua muda wake kwa kutumia mchanga na vitu vinavyotokana na volcano zinazopatikana juu na chini ya zana hizo



Zana hizo zilikuwa zaidi mikuki na miparuzo.

Baadhi ya zana hizo zilibananishwa na majivu kutokana na mripuko wa volacno maarufu ya Toba ambao wataalmu wa jiolojia wanaweza kwa umakini kujua muda wake ni miaka 74,000 iliyopita.

Baadhi ya viumbe hasa binadamu wa awali kwa hakika waliondoka Afrika kabla ya sisi (Homo sapiens), lakini timu ya Dr Petraglia anafikiri zana walizogundua ni zile zilizotengenezwa na binadamu wa sasa.

Utafiti wa awali ulikuwa ukitathmini zaidi asidi nasaba ya watu wa jamii mbalimbali kujua ni muda gani uliopita waliokuwa wametoka kwenye ukoo unaofanana- kizazi cha Afrika kinachofanana.

Profesa Chris Stringer, kutoka makumbusho ya Historia ya London, alisema taarifa hizo za asidi nasaba zinaonyesha binadamu waliondoka Afrika takriban miaka 60,000 iliyopita au hata kabla ya hapo.

Alikubali, " zana hizi zinaonyesha watu waliishi katika maeneo haya, lakini asidi nasaba zinaonyesha waliondoka Afrika baada ya miaka 60,000 iliyopita. Watu wa India wangepotea kabisa."

Hata hivyo, Dr Petraglia, alisema kufanya utafiti wa uhamiaji kwa kutumia asidi nasaba za watu huenda kusitoe matokeo sahihi, kwasababu utafiti wote wa sasa unachunguza watu wa sasa pekee.

Alidai kwamba, kutokuwepo asidi nasaba ya watu wa kale ili kufanya uchunguzi wa ziada umesababisha utafiti huu kutokuwa na uhakika

Aichana Quran na Biblia na Kuzivutia Sigara Kurasa Zake

Mwanasheria mmoja wa nchini Australia amezua balaa jingine baada ya kuzichana kurasa za kwenye msahafu na biblia na kuzitumia kurasa hizo kuvutia sigara.
Siku chache baada ya mchungaji wa Marekani kuzua mtafaruku duniani baada ya kutishia kuichoma moto Quran, mwanasheria mmoja wa nchini Australia amezua mtafaruku mwingine kwa kuzichana kurasa za kwenye msahafu na kwenye biblia na kisha kuzitumia kurasa hizo kuvutia sigara.

Mwanasheria huyo aliyejulikana kwa jina la Alex Stewart, aliandaa video ya dakika 12 ambayo aliiweka kwenye YouTube akiwa ameshikilia msahafu na biblia kabla ya kunyofoa kurasa kwenye vitabu hivyo vitakatifu na kuzitumia kuvutia sigara.

Stewart ambaye hana dini alisema katika video hiyo "Hivi ni vitabu tu kama vitabu vingine".

Video yake ilifutwa kwenye YouTube muda mfupi baada ya kuwekwa baada ya watu kuanza kuilaani video hiyo.

Stewart ambaye anafanya kazi kwenye chuo kikuu cha Queensland University of Technology amesimamishwa kazi kwa muda na chuo hicho ambacho kimesema kuwa kimesikitishwa sana na kitendo chake.

"Chuo kikuu kimesikitishwa sana na hakijafurahia kitendo kama hiki kutokea", alisema makamu mkuu wa chuo hicho Peter Coaldrake.

Kitendo cha Stewart kimefuatia tukio la mchungaji Terry Jones wa Florida, Marekani kutishia kuchoma moto misahafu 200 siku ya septemba 11.

Aliahirisha azma yake hiyo kutokana na vitisho toka kwa waislamu na shinikizo kubwa toka kwa serikali ya Marekani.

Hata hivyo wachungaji wawili wa jimbo la Tennessee nchini Marekani, mchungaji Bob Old na msaidizi wake Danny Allen waliichoma moto Quran na kitabu chenye maandishi ya "Muhammad" kwenye ukurasa wake wa mbele.

Mjini Washington, mwanaume mmoja aliichana Quran mbele ya jengo la ikulu ya Marekani na kukiweka kipande cha ukurasa alichokinyofoa kwenye mfuko wa plastiki.

Tukio hilo lilishuhudiwa na watalii waliokuwa maeneo hayo pamoja na polisi wanaolinda usalama eneo hilo ambao hawakuchukua hatua yoyote ili kuepuka kuingilia haki za watu za uhuru wa kujieleza

Papa akutana na waliodhalilishwa na mapadre

Kiongozi wa kanisa Katoliki duniani, Papa Benedict, akiwa ziarani nchini Uingereza amekutana na kundi la watu waliodhalilishwa na makasisi wa kanisa hilo katika miaka ya nyuma, na kuelezea huzuni kubwa na fedheha kuhusiana na waliyoyapitia watu hao pamoja na familia zao.




Papa Benedict akiongoza ibada kwenye bustani ya Hyde Park jijini London.


Alifanya sala na waathirika hao, na kuwahakikishia kwamba kanisa Katoliki linaendelea kutekeleza hatua muafaka zinazokusudiwa kuwalinda watoto.

Alisema kanisa linafanya kila liwezalo kuchunguza madai yote, na kushirikiana na serikali mbali mbali kuona kwamba hatua za kisheria zinachukuliwa dhidi ya mapadre waliohusishwa na uhalifu huo.

Mapema kwenye misa katika kanisa la Westminster Cathedral kiongozi huyo wa Katoliki aliomba msamaha kwa waathirika wote na familia zao, na kuelezea huzuni kubwa.

Hii ilikuwa ni mara ya kwanza kwa Papa Benedict kuomba msamaha hadharani kuhusiana na vitendo hivyo.

Pia alikutana na kundi la watu waliopewa jukumu la kuwalinda watoto kutokana na vitendo kama hivyo vya kudhalilishwa kimapenzi.

Jumamosi jioni zaidi ya watu 80,000 wengi wao waumini wa Katoliki walijumuika katika bustani ya Hyde Park jijini London kwa maombi yaliyoongozwa na Papa Benedict mwenyewe.

Malalamiko

Kulikuwa na maandamano makubwa mjini London ya watu waliopinga ziara ya Papa Benedict huku wakibeba mabango ya kumbeza kiongozi huyo wa Katoliki.

Wengi walielezea ghadhabu kuhusu mapadre kuwadhalilisha watoto kingono, baadhi wakiwa wamevalia fulana zenye maandishi ya kutaka Papa Benedict akamatwe.

Waandamanaji hao pia wamekuwa wakipinga msimamo wa kanisa kukataza ndoa za watu wa jinsia moja, kukataa kutawazwa wanawake kuwa mapadre na kukataza watu kutumia mbinu za uzazi wa mpango.

Kulikuwa pia na watu wasiotaka kujihusisha na dini, ambao waliandamana kupinga ziara hiyo kugharamiwa na serikali kwa fedha za walipa kodi.

Msimamo na mikutano

Kwenye hotuba zote alizotoa katika ziara yake, Papa Benedict alisisitiza haja jamii ya waingereza kukumbuka misingi yao ya kikristo na kukataa wimbi la kampeni za kutaka sherehe za kidini kama vile Krisimasi zipigwe marufuku.

Alitaka imani ya Kikristo ipewe nafasi yake katika shughuli za kila siku nchini Uingereza, na akataka kanisa liendeleze mafundisho yake bila kukabiliwa na hatari ya kutengwa.

Alikutana na Waziri mkuu David Cameron na naibu wake Nick Clegg, pamoja na kaimu kiongozi wa upinzani Bi Harriet Herman.

Papa Benedict pia alikutana na kiongozi wa kanisa la Anglikana duniani, Askofu mkuu Rowan Williams, kama ishara ya maridhiano kati ya makanisa hayo mawili, miaka 500 tangu Uingereza ilipojitenga na Rome.

Kwenye mazungumzo yao alitoa wito wa kuwepo ushirikiano siyo tu baina ya makanisa, lakini pia baina ya dini zote, ili kulinda imani na kuikabili hali inayojiri ya watu kutotaka kujihusisha na imani katika Mwenyezi Mungu.

Kwenye bustani ya Hyde Park Papa Benect aliwaasa waumini wa Katoliki wawe tayari kudhihakiwa kwa ajili ya injili ya Kristo



Papa amekutana na viongozi wa ngazi za juu wa kidini na kiserikali. Hapa yuko na David Cameron, Waziri mkuu wa Uingereza.


Makundi ya waumini wa Katoliki kutoka nchi mbali mbali na parokia nchini Uingereza yalibeba bendera za nchi yao na mabango ya kumkaribisha Papa Benedict.

Kulikuwa na vikundi vya kutumbuiza yakiimba nyimbo kutoka sehemu mbali mbali za dunia mkiwemo zile za Kiswahili za ‘’Moto umewaka’’ na ‘’Twatembea katika mwangaza.’’

Ilikuwa rahisi kuwatambua waumini wa Katoliki kutoka Uganda na Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo kwa kuwa walipeperusha bendera za nchi zao na kuvalia mavazi ya Kiafrika.

Papa Benedict anakamilisha ziara yake siku ya Jumapili, ambapo ataongoza misa ya hadhara katika bustani ya Crofton House mjini Birmingham

Papa Benedict kuhutubia bunge Uingereza

Ziara ya kiongozi wa Kanisa Katoliki duniani Papa Benedict nchini Uingereza imeingia siku ya pili, na shughuli nyingi zikifanyika jijini London.

Mambo yatakayopewa umuhimu katika siku ya pili ya ziara hiyo ni elimu inayotolewa na taasisi za kikatoliki, uhusiano wa kanisa katoliki na kanisa la Anglikana, na nafasi ya imani nchini Uingereza.
Alhamisi Papa Benedict alikutana na Malkia Elizabeth II mjini Edinburgh na pia kuongoza misa ya hadhara mjini Glasgow





Malikia Elizabeth wa Uingereza akiwa na mgeni wake Papa Benedict.



Anatazamiwa kuendelea kupiga vita hali inayojiri Uingereza ya watu wengi kutotaka kujihusisha na dini, na kampeni zinazoendeshwa na makundi ya watu kama hao za kutaka imani za kidini zisitumike kama kipimo cha maadili.

Baadhi wamekuwa wakisema wazi kwamba imani za kidini ni hatari kwa uhuru na usawa katika nchi ya Uingereza.

Mbali na kuwahutubia maelfu ya watoto katika chuo cha kikatoliki cha St Mary’s magharibi mwa London, Papa Benect XVI atahutubia viongozi wa serikali na wabunge katika ukumbi wa Westminster na baadaye kufanya sala kwa pamoja na kiongozi wa kanisa Anglikana duniani Askofu mkuu Rowan Williams wa Canterbury.

Hotuba katika chuo cha St Mary’s inakusudiwa kuwa fursa ya kusherehekea kazi inayofanywa na shule za kikatoliki zaidi ya 2000 kote nchini Uingereza kwa ushirikiano na serikali.

Lakini wadadisi wanasema kwa baadhi ya watu huenda hafla hiyo ikachochea chuki dhidi ya shule zinazosimamiwa na makanisa kwa kuwa inakumbusha swala la makasisi kuwaharibu watoto.

Baadaye Papa Benedict atakutana na waakilishi wa dini nyingine kabla ya kumtembelea kiongozi wa kanisa Anglikana duniani katika makazi rasmi ya Lambeth Palace.

Mkutano baina yao utakuwa kama ishara ya maridhiano ya pande mbili hizo, kwa kuwa maaskofu wakuu wa kanisa Katoliki Uingereza waliishi kwenye makazi hayo hadi Uingereza chini ya uongozi wa mfalme Henry VIII, ilipojitenga na Rome.

Mwisho wa siku Papa Benedict alitazamiwa kuhutubia wabunge kwenye ukumbi wa Westminster

Ufaransa kuendelea na bomoabomoa

BRUSSELS

Ufaransa itaendelea na mpango wake wa kuzibomoa kambi za Waroma zisizokuwa halali nchini humo. Akizungumza katika mkutano wa kilele wa Umoja wa Ulaya mjini Brussels, Rais wa Ufaransa Nicolas Sarkozy ameutetea uamuzi wa serikali yake wa kuwafurusha Waroma kwani ni suala la usalama. Hata hivyo kauli za kuifananisha hatua hiyo na yaliyowasibu Waroma na Wayahudi wakati wa vita vya pili vya dunia zilimshtua. Siku ya Jumanne wiki hii, Kamishna wa Umoja wa Ulaya anayehusika na masuala ya sheria Viviane Reding, aliikosoa Ufaransa kwa sababu ya kuwafurusha Waroma na akalifananisha hilo na yale yaliyotokea wakati wa vita vikuu vya dunia. Kwa sasa Bibi Reding tayari ameiomba radhi Ufaransa. Duru zinaeleza kuwa Rais Sarkozy wa Ufaransa na Rais wa Kamisheni ya Umoja wa Ulaya Jose Manuel Barroso walirushiana maneno makali kuhusu suala hilo wakati wa mlo wa mchana. Kamisheni hiyo imetangaza kuwa ina mpango wa kuichukulia Ufaransa hatua za kisheria kwani kuna uwezekano kuwa imekiuka sheria za Umoja huo zinazowapa raia wa mataifa wanachama uhuru wa kusafiri

Marekani kuishirikisha Syria kusaka amani ya Mashariki ya Kati

AMMAN

Marekani ina mpango wa kuzishirikisha Syria na Lebanon kuzungumza pamoja na Israel kama hatua muhimu ya kuisaka amani ya kudumu ya Mashariki ya Kati kama ilivyoelezwa kwenye makubaliano yaliyofikiwa mwaka 2002. Kulingana na hati hiyo iliyozinduliwa kwenye kikao cha kilele cha mataifa ya Kiarabu mjini Beirut, Israel itatambuliwa na mataifa yote ya Kiarabu endapo itaondoka kwenye maeneo iliyoyateka nyara mwaka 1967 wakati wa vita vya Mashariki ya Kati ikiwemo Jerusalem Mashariki.

Kauli hizo zimetolewa na Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Marekani Hillary Clinton akiwa mjini Amman, baada ya kukutana na Mfalme Abdulla wa Pili wa Jordan. Kwa mujibu wa Bibi Clinton, viongozi hao wamejitolea na wana nia ya kuyatafutia suluhu mambo mazito yanayowakabili.

Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari na mwenzake wa Jordan Nasser Judeh, Waziri wa Mambo ya Nje wa Marekani, Hillary Clinton, alisema anaamini kuwa Waziri Mkuu wa Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, na Rais wa Mamlaka ya ndani ya Palestina, Mahmoud Abbas, wanaweza kufanikiwa kutafuta suluhu ya mzozo huo

Ufaransa na Burka:Ujerumani na riba za mabenki.

Vipi Kuba kujinusuru na msukosuko wa uchumi wake ?

Wahariri wa magazeti ya Ujerumani hii leo wamechambua mada mbali mbali tangu za ndani hata za nje ya nchi: Ufaransa na Burka,Kuba na mkakati wake mpya wa mageuzi ya uchumi-ni miongoni mwa mada za nje.Lakini pia, hali inayojikuta sasa serikali ya Ujerumani ya kanzela Merkel na jinsi mabenki nchini yanavyotoza riba kubw kwa wateja wanaokopa.

Berliner zeitung na Kuba yageuza mkondo katika uchumi.Laandika:

Uchumi wa kisiwa cha Kuba, umekumbwa na msukosuko.Bidhaa zake inazouza n'gambo mwaka jana zilipungua kwa kima cha 36% wakati huo huo mavuno ya miwa inayotengezewa zao lake la sukari yalikuwa mabaya kabisa tangu 1905.

Sasa Rais Raul Castro, anajaribu kuzuwia kuporomoka kwa Kuba, lakini kwa muda mrefu ujao, uchumi wa Kuba unaweza tu kuokolewa endapo pakifanyika mageuzi ya sarafu na kuruhusu kumiminika fedha za kigeni nchini.

Mageuzi kama hayo lakini, hayaendi sambamba na mfumo wa kidikteta .Na hiyo ndio inayoifanya Kuba kutojua njia gani kufuata:Kuba, inajikuta chini ya udiktetea wa Castro ambao unawekea mipaka mageuzi yanayofanyika sasa."

Likituchukua Ufaransa na sera za Rais Sarkozy za kupiga marufuku Burka-aina ya bui-bui linalofunika mwili mzima isipokuwa macho tu, gazeti la Saarbrücker Zeitung-laandika:

"Kwa kupiga marufuku Burka, Sarkozy na serikali yake hawakulenga hasa kuweka nidhamu nchini,bali hasa kuvutia kura za wafuasi wa mrengo wa kulia .Kuwatimua nchini kwa Waroma,si kingine bali, ni saifisha-safisha ya kikabila na kunafanya kupigwa marufuku kwa Burka kuonekane kwa jicho jengine kabisa.

Rais huyo wa Ufaransa, anafuata mkondo mkali wa kuitenga na kuisafisha nchi yake na raia wa kigeni ambao, hapo kabla, aliwatumia kama kisingizo kwa kushindwa kufanya kazi sera zake."

Sarkozy, laongeza Saarbrücker Zeitung,amevuka mpaka ambao ila zilizotolewa na miji mikuu ya nchi jirani zimestahiki.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung likiendeleza mada hii na hasa juu ya kutimuliwa kwa waroma nchini Ufaransa, laandika:

"Changamoto hii ya kuoneshana nguvu, kamwe Ufaransa haiwezi kushinda.Kwani, hivi sasa sio tena ni mvutano kati ya serikali ya Ufaransa na maalfu ya waroma kutoka Rumania na Bulgaria,bali kwanza ni kesi ya kisiasa na sio ya kisheria na Tume ya Umoja wa Ulaya dhidi ya Jamhuri ya Ufaransa...."

Ama kuhusu hali jumla inayojikuta sasa serikali ya Ujerumani ya kanzela Angela Merkel, gazeti la Augsburger Allgemeine laandika:

"Tangu pale vyama vya CDU/CSU na cha kiliberal (FDP) kutawala pamoja, vimejitwika pia jukumu la upinzani.Katika maswali mbali mbali kuanzia kodi,Hartz IV ,bima ya afya na jukumu la kulitumikia jeshi,kumekuwa na mawazo tofauti .

Kwa wakati fulani, ikibainika kana kwamba ,kiongozi wa Upinzani kutoka chama cha SPD, hakalii kiti cha usoni upande wa wabunge wake,bali katika Afisi ya waziri-mkuu mjini Munich.Waziri mkuu wa ( Bavaria )Horst Seehoefer , anahujumu kile ambacho binafsi, wakati wa majadiliano ya kuunda serikali aliichangia kuridhia."

Mwishoe, gazeti la Rhein-Neckar-zeitung linatumalizia kwa kuchambua riba kubwa mno inayotozwa na mabenki Ujerumani kwa wale wanaokopa kupindukia hazina iliomo katika akiba zao .Laandika:

"Kwa mabenki yanayotoa mikopo hiyo, ni biashara nono kabisa.Kwani, kila mjerumani wa 6 ana kasoro katika akiba yake.Wakati huo huo lakini, mabenki hujipatia fedha yanazokopesha, kwa riba ndogo.Kwamba, hali hii imezifedhehi sasa Banki,ni kuona nyingi zimefuta ghafula katika mtandao wao matangazo yao ya mikopo.........."

Mwandishi: Ramadhan Ali/ DPA

Bunge la Ufaransa lapiga maarufuku vazi la "Burqa"

Ufaransa imekuwa nchi ya kwanza barani Ulaya kupiga marufuku vazi linalovaliwa na baadhi ya wanawake wa Kiislamu kufunika viwiliwili vyao, linaloujikana kama Burqa.

Masaa machache tu baada ya Bunge la Seneti la nchi hiyo kuiidhinisha rasmi , kukazuka kitisho cha bomu lililotengwa kwenye mnara wa Eifel na kituo cha treni jijini Paris. Makundi ya Waislam wenye msimamo mkali wametishia kufanya mashambulio wakipinga kupigwa marufuku Burqa. Lakini, pamoja na yote, anasema Bernd Riegert, uamuzi huu wa baraza la Seneti la Ufaransa hauhusiani na kuweka vizuizi kwa uhuru wa kuabudu.

Upigaji marufuku wa vazi linalositiri kiwiliwili kizima na uso mzima ulioidhinishwa na Bunge la Ufaransa ni hatua ya haki. Hauna uhusiano wowote na ukosefu wa ustahmilivu au na uhuru wa mtu kufuata dini aitakayo. Vazi linaloziba uso wote, iwe Burqa au Nikab, ni kikwazo kwa maingiliano ya tamaduni, jambo ambalo jamii za Ulaya haziwezi kulistahmilia. Mtu anapokuwa amevaa vazi hili, ni kama kwamba anakusudia kuwaambia watu wengine: "Sitaki kushirikiana nanyi kwa lolote. Hamruhusiwi kuuona uso wangu." Vazi hili si sehemu ya mafunzo ya dini yoyote ile, bali ni mila tu ambayo inatumika kuwapokonya wanawake uhuru na haiba yao. Hoja ya watunga sheria hii ni kwamba, haki ya mtu binafsi kuvaa anavyotaka hapa ni halali.




Ufaransa inakuwa nchi ya mwanzo katika Umoja wa Ulaya kukataza rasmi Burqa na mavazi yanayokifunika kiwiliwili chote na nyuso. Lakini huenda isiwe ya mwisho. Tayari Ubelgiji imo kwenye hatua za awali kuelekea sheria kama hiyo. Nchini Denmark, mvaaji wa mavazi hayo analazimika kujifunua anapokuwa kwenye sehemu za umma. Katika nchi za Uholanzi, Uswisi na Hispania nako suala la upigaji marufuku Burqa linajadiliwa. Italia ina sheria inayofanana na hiyo tangu mwaka 1975. Hata huko Ufaransa, sheria hii haikuwekwa dhidi ya Waislamu tu, bali kwa mwengine yeyote yule. Hii ni kusema ni lazima kila uso wa mtu uonekane. Na hapa Ujerumani pia inawezekana kuwa na mdahalo huu wa mavazi yanayofunika kiwiliwili chote. Kote ambako watu wanataka kuzungumzia haki za wanawake wanaweza kufanya hivyo, na sio juu ya uadui dhidi ya Uislamu.

Tofauti labda iko Uingereza tu, ambako serikali ya vyama vya Conservative na Liberal Democrats hazijaona umuhimu wa kulitia maanani jambo hili.

Mtu hapaswi kuuhusisha mdahalo juu ya mavazi yanayofunika kabisa uso na mdahalo juu ya kuvaa kofia au kilemba. Kwamba tangu hapo mwanzoni, mavazi haya yamekuwa ni alama ya Uislamu kama vile zilivyo alama nyengine kwenye Ukristo. Kutenganisha dini na dola ni katika mafanikio makubwa ya ustaarabu wa Ulaya. Nchini Uturuki kwa kuwa kilemba kilikuwa pia ni alama ya kidini na kisiasa, kilipigwa marufuku kuvaliwa na wanafunzi vyuoni. Lakini hapa Ujerumani, wanafunzi wanaweza kuvaa vilemba vyao mashuleni au vyuoni, jambo ambalp linachangia katika maingiliano ya tamaduni.

Kwa hivyo si sawa kuchukulia kwamba kila anayetoa maoni yake kupinga uvaaji wa mavazi yanayoficha kiwiliwili kizima kuwa ni ana chuki dhidi ya Waislamu na wageni au ni Mnazi mamboleo. Maana, tangu hapo, si kweli kwamba mavazi haya yanaungwa mkono na Waislamu wote.

Badala yake, mdahalo huu katika nchi nyingi za Ulaya unaonesha kuwa wale wanaopinga mavazi haya ni wengi zaidi, kwani uvaaji wake unazidi kuzitenga mbali jamii za Kiislamu na wageni katika mfumo wa maisha ya Ulaya

11 mbaroni sakata la vifo vya watoto Luxury Pub

KUFUATIA ripoti maalum iloyoundwa kuchunguza sababu iliyopelekea kutokea kwa vifo vya watoto na kubainika ni uzembe ulisababisha vifo hivyo, watu 11 wanashikiliwa na polisi.

Ripoti hiyo imeonyesha kuwa uzembe mkubwa ulifanyika katika ukumbi huo na kusababisha vifo hivyo.

Akitoa ripoti hiyo, Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Temeke, Bi. Chiku Galawa alisema, ripoti hiyo imeonesha kuwa uzembe uliofanyika katika ukumbi huo ni kuwa na idadi kubwa ya watu ndani ya ukumbi huo kuliko uwezo wa ukumbi.

Pia mmiliki wa ukumbi huo imegundulika hakuwa na kibali cha kuendesha biashara hiyo ya disco hivyo alikuwa akienda kinyume na sheria za nchi, na aliendesha dico hilo toto hadi majira ya saa 1:50 usiku na kuonekena kukiuka utaratibu uliowekwa.

"Watoto ni haki yao kufurahia sikukuu, lakini mmiliki wa ukumbi huo alikiuka maadili ya watoto, kwanza aliwalundika watoto ukumbini kupit kiasi, pili alipitisha muda maalum" alsiema mkuu huyo

Mmiliki wa ukumbi huo alitambulika kwa jina la Damas Nyingo alikuwa ni mmoja kti ya watu 11 waliokamatwa na majina mengine hayakuekwa bayana hadi upelelezi ukamilike.

Watoto wawili waliweza kupoteza maisha sikukuu ya Idd Pili, katika ukumbi wa Luxury Pub uliopo Temeke, katika makutano ya mtaa wa Madenge na Liwale baada ya umeme kukatika ghafla na kusababisha watoto kukimbia hovyo mlangoni na kukanyagana.

Watoto waliopoteza maisha ktika tukio hilo ni Lilian Sango (8) na Amina Ramadhani (7), wote wakazi wa Temeke na wengine zaidi ya kumi na moja kujeruhiwa

11 mbaroni sakata la vifo vya watoto Luxury Pub

KUFUATIA ripoti maalum iloyoundwa kuchunguza sababu iliyopelekea kutokea kwa vifo vya watoto na kubainika ni uzembe ulisababisha vifo hivyo, watu 11 wanashikiliwa na polisi.

Ripoti hiyo imeonyesha kuwa uzembe mkubwa ulifanyika katika ukumbi huo na kusababisha vifo hivyo.

Akitoa ripoti hiyo, Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Temeke, Bi. Chiku Galawa alisema, ripoti hiyo imeonesha kuwa uzembe uliofanyika katika ukumbi huo ni kuwa na idadi kubwa ya watu ndani ya ukumbi huo kuliko uwezo wa ukumbi.

Pia mmiliki wa ukumbi huo imegundulika hakuwa na kibali cha kuendesha biashara hiyo ya disco hivyo alikuwa akienda kinyume na sheria za nchi, na aliendesha dico hilo toto hadi majira ya saa 1:50 usiku na kuonekena kukiuka utaratibu uliowekwa.

"Watoto ni haki yao kufurahia sikukuu, lakini mmiliki wa ukumbi huo alikiuka maadili ya watoto, kwanza aliwalundika watoto ukumbini kupit kiasi, pili alipitisha muda maalum" alsiema mkuu huyo

Mmiliki wa ukumbi huo alitambulika kwa jina la Damas Nyingo alikuwa ni mmoja kti ya watu 11 waliokamatwa na majina mengine hayakuekwa bayana hadi upelelezi ukamilike.

Watoto wawili waliweza kupoteza maisha sikukuu ya Idd Pili, katika ukumbi wa Luxury Pub uliopo Temeke, katika makutano ya mtaa wa Madenge na Liwale baada ya umeme kukatika ghafla na kusababisha watoto kukimbia hovyo mlangoni na kukanyagana.

Watoto waliopoteza maisha ktika tukio hilo ni Lilian Sango (8) na Amina Ramadhani (7), wote wakazi wa Temeke na wengine zaidi ya kumi na moja kujeruhiwa

The Value of the Qur'an

The religion of Islam is superior to any other in that it guarantees happiness in man's life. For Muslims, Islam is a belief system with moral and practical laws that have their source in the Qur'an.
God, may He be exalted, says, "Indeed this Qur'an guides to the path which is clearer and straighter than any other" [XVII:9]. He also says, "We have revealed to you the book which clarifies every matter" [XVI:89].

These references exemplify the numerous Qur'anic verses (ayat) which mention the principles of religious belief, moral virtues and a general legal system governing all aspects of human behaviour.

A consideration of the following topics will enable one to understand that the Qur'an provides a comprehensive programme of activity for man's life.

Man has no other aim in life but the pursuit of happiness and pleasure, which manifests itself in much the same way as love of ease or wealth. Although some individuals seem to reject this happiness, for example, by ending their lives in suicide, or by turning away from a life of leisure, they too, in their own way, confirm this principle of happiness; for, in seeking an end to their life or of material pleasure, they are still asserting their own personal choice of what happiness means to them. Human actions, therefore, are directed largely by the prospects of happiness and prosperity offered by a certain idea, whether that idea be true or false.

Man's activity in life is guided by a specific plan or programme. This fact is self-evident, even though it is sometimes concealed by its very apparentness. Man acts according to his will and desires; he also weighs the necessity of a task before undertaking it.

In this he is promoted by an inherent scientific law, which is to say that he performs a task for "himself" in fulfilling needs which he perceives are necessary. There is, therefore, a direct link between the objective of a task and its execution.

Any action undertaken by man, whether it be eating, sleeping or walking, occupies its own specific place and demands its own particular efforts. Yet an action is implemented according to an inherent law, the general concept of which is stored in man's perception and is recalled by motions associated with that action. This notion holds true whether or not one is obliged to undertake the action or whether or not the circumstances are favourable.

Every man, in respect of his own actions, is as the state in relation to its individual citizens, whose activity is controlled by specific laws, customs and behaviour. Just as the active forces in a state are obliged to adapt their actions according to certain laws, so is the social activity of a community composed of the actions of each individual. If this were not the case, the different components of society would fall apart and be destroyed in anarchy in the shortest time imaginable.

If a society is religious, its government will reflect that religion; if it is secular, it will be regulated by a corresponding code of law. If a society is uncivilized and barbaric, a code of behaviour imposed by a tyrant will appear; otherwise, the conflict of various belief-systems within such a society will produce lawlessness.

Thus man, as an individual element of society, has no option but to possess and pursue a goal. He is guided in the pursuit of his goal by the path which corresponds to it and by the rules which must necessarily accompany his programme of activity. The Qur'an affirms this idea when it says that "every man has a goal to which he is turning, so compete with each other in good action" [II:148]. In the usage of the Qur'an, the word din is basically applied to a way, a pattern of living, and neither the believer nor the non-believer is without a path, be it prophetic or man-made.

God, may He be exalted, describes the enemies of the divine din (religion) as those "who prevent others from the path of God and would have it crooked" [VII:45].

This verse shows that the term Sabil Allah- the path of God - used in the verse refers to the din of fitrah - the inherent pattern of life intended by God for man. It also indicates that even those who do not believe in God implement His din, albeit in a deviated form; this deviation, which becomes their din, is also encompassed in God's programme

The best and firmest path in life for man is the one which is dictated by his innate being and not by the sentiments of any individual or society. A close examination of any part of creation reveals that, from its very inception, it is guided by an innate purpose towards fulfilling its nature along the most appropriate and shortest path; every aspect of each part of creation is equipped to do so, acting as a blueprint for defining the nature of its existence. Indeed all of creation, be it animate or inanimate, is made up in this manner.

As an example, we may say that a green-tipped shoot, emerging from a single grain in the earth, is "aware" of its future existence as a plant which will yield an ear of wheat. By means of its inherent characteristics, the shoot acquires various mineral elements for its growth from the soil and changes, day by day, in form and strength until it becomes a fully-matured grain-bearing plant - and so comes to the end of its natural cycle.

Similarly, if we investigate the life-cycle of the walnut tree, we observe that it too is "aware", from the very beginning, of its own specific purpose in life, namely, to grow into a big walnut tree. It reaches this goal by developing according to its own distinct inherent characteristics; it does not, for example, follow the path of the wheat-plant in fulfilling its goal just as the wheat-plant does not follow the life pattern of the walnut tree.

Since every created object which makes up the visible world is subject to this same general law, there is no reason to doubt that man, as a species of creation, is not. Indeed his physical capabilities are the best proof of this rule; like the rest of creation, they allow him to realize his purpose, and ultimate happiness, in life.

Thus, we observe that man, in fact, guides himself to happiness and well-being merely by applying the fundamental laws inherent in his own nature.

This law is confirmed by God in the Qur'an, through His Prophet Moses, when he says, "Our Lord is He who gave everything its nature, then guided it" [XX:50]. It is further explained in LXXXVII:2-3 as "He who created and fashioned in balanced proportion and He who measures and guides"

As to the creation and the nature of man, the Qur'an says, By the soul and Him who fashioned it and then inspired it with wrong action and fear of God; he is truly successful who causes it to grow and purifies it and he is a failure who corrupts and destroys it. [XCI:7-1O].

God enjoins upon man the duty to "strive towards a sincere application of the din," (that is, the fitrah of God, or the natural code of behaviour upon which He has created mankind ), since "there is no changing the laws of the creation of God" [XXX:30].

He also says that "In truth, the only deen recognized by God is Islam" [III:19]. Here, Islam means submission, the method of submission to these very laws. The Qur'an further warns that "the actions of the man who chooses a din other than Islam will not be accepted" [III:85].

The gist of the above verses, and other references on the same subject, is that God has guided every creature - be it man, beast or vegetable - to a state of well-being and self-fulfillment appropriate to its individual make-up.

Thus the appropriate path for man lies in the adoption of personal and social laws particular to his own fitrah (or innate nature), and in avoiding people who have become "de naturalized" by following their own notions or passions. It is clearly underlined that fitrah, far from denying man's feelings and passions, accords each its proper due and allows man's conflicting spiritual and material needs to be fulfilled in a harmonious fashion.

Thus, we may conclude that the intellect 'aql should rule man in matters pertaining to individual or personal decisions, rather than his feelings. Similarly, truth and justice should govern society and not the whim of a tyrant or even the will of a majority, if that be contrary to a society's true benefit.

From this we may conclude that only God is empowered to make laws, since the only laws useful to man are those which are made according to his inherent nature.

It also follows that man's needs, arising from his outward circumstance and his inner reality, are fulfilled only by obeying God's instructions (or laws). These needs may arise through events beyond man's control or as a result of the natural demands of his body.

Both are encompassed in the plan of life that God has designated for man. For, as the Qur'an says, the "decision rests with God only," [XII:40,67] which is to say that there is no governance (of man or society, of the inner or the outer) except that of God.

Without a specific creational plan, based on the innate disposition of man, life would be fruitless and without meaning. We may understand this only through belief in God and a knowledge of his Unity, as explained in the Qur'an.

From here we may proceed to an understanding of the Day of Judgement, when man is rewarded or punished according to his deeds. Thereafter, we may arrive at a knowledge of the prophets and of prophetic teachings, since man cannot be judged without being first instructed in the matter of obedience and disobedience. These three fundamental teachings are considered to be the roots of the Islamic way Of life.

To these we may add the fundamentals of good character and morals which a true believer must possess, and which are a necessary extension of the three basic beliefs mentioned above. The laws governing daily activity not only guarantee man's happiness and moral character but, more importantly, increase his understanding of these beliefs and of the fundamentals of Islam.

It is clear that a thief, a traitor, a squanderer or a libertine do not possess the quality of innocence; nor can a miser, who hoards money, be called a generous person. Similarly, some- one who never prays or remembers God cannot be called a believer in God and the Last Day, nor be described as His servant.

From this we may conclude that good character flourishes when joined to a pattern of correct actions; morals are to be found in the man whose beliefs are in harmony with these fundamentals. A proud man cannot be expected to believe in God nor be humble in respect to the Divine; nor can the man, who has never understood the meaning of humanity, justice, mercy or compassion, believe in the Day of Rising and the Judgement.

Chapter XXXV:I0 speaks of the relationship between a sincere system of belief and a fitting character: Pure speech rises up to Him and He raises up good deeds still further.

In chapter XXX: 10 we learn again of this relationship between belief and action: Then evil was the consequence of those who do wrong action because they denied the signs of Allah and they made a mock of them.

To summarize, the Qur'an is composed of the following Islamic fundamentals which together form an interlocking whole: a primary system of belief in the Unity of God, Prophethood and the Day of Reckoning, accompanied by a second group of beliefs, namely, belief in the Tablet, the Pen (which delineates the sequence of cosmic events), the rule of destiny and the decree (without implying pre-determination), the angels, the throne of the Creator, and, finally, in the creation of the sky, the earth and everything between them.

Thereafter, we observe that man's well-being lies in his character being in harmony with these principles.

The shari'ah, namely the laws and code of behaviour explained in the Qur'an and commented upon in every detail by the model of the Prophet's life, is the means whereby a man may practise these principles. At this point we should add that the Prophet's family are his chosen heirs and are entrusted with the task of exemplifying and explaining further the prophetic message and the shari'ah after the Prophet's death. The Prophet himself has shown that the tradition, hadith, known as the hadith al-thaqalayn which all sects of Islam accept, refers specifically to this matter of succession.

The Qur'an as a Document of Prophethood

The Qur'an refers on several occasions to the fact that it is the word of God, that it issues from a divine source in the very words in which the Prophet received them and which he later transmitted. The divine nature of the Qur'an is affirmed in several verses.

In LII:33-34 we read, "or they say that (the Prophet) is inventing it. Indeed they do not believe. If they are truthful then let them produce words like it". Likewise in XVII:88 "Say (O Muhammad), if all the jinn and mankind were to join forces to produce something like this Qur'an they could not produce it even if they were to help one another." Again, in XI:13 "or they say he has invented it! Say: then produce ten verses like it which you have invented," and again in X:38, "or they say he has invented it. Say: produce a single chapter like it," we find further proof.

The following challenge is made in Chapter II:23 "and if you are in doubt concerning that which we have revealed to Our slave then produce a chapter like it. "

Here it should be noted that the Qur'an is addressing those who grew up with Muhammad, the man they knew to be unlettered and untutored in the matters spoken about in the Qur'an. Despite this knowledge, they still doubt.

Another challenge is issued, (to those who would find contradictions in the Qur'an, but obviously cannot): Will they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from other than God, they would have found in it much incongruity [IV:82].

Since everything in the world is in a state of growth and self-perfection, then the Qur'an would of necessity lack harmony since it was revealed over a period of twenty-three years; it would lack harmony that is if we were to suppose that it was the work of a man rather than of a prophet. The Qur'an, whose messages announce and confirm that it is the work of God, also teaches us that Muhammad is a messenger, sent by God, thus confirming the authenticity of the Prophet. In chapter XIII:43 God speaks Himself, as on many occasions, confirming that He is witness and testimony to the prophecy of Muhammad: "Say God is sufficient witness between you and me." The verse refers to disbelievers and defies their disbelief.

In another verse, the testimony of angels is added to that of God's: But God testifies concerning that which he has revealed to you; He has revealed it in His knowledge; and the Angels also testify. And God is sufficient witness [IV:166].

Koran burner Derek Fenton booted from his job at NJ Transit

The protester who burned pages from the Koran outside a planned mosque near Ground Zero has been fired from NJTransit, sources and authorities said Tuesday.

Derek Fenton's 11-year career at the agency came to an abrupt halt Monday after photographs of him ripping pages from the Muslim holy book and setting them ablaze appeared in newspapers.

Fenton, 39, of Bloomingdale, N.J., burned the book during a protest on the ninth anniversary of Sept. 11 outside Park51, the controversial mosque slated to be built near Ground Zero.

He was apparently inspired by Pastor Terry Jones, the Florida clergyman who threatened to burn the Koran that day but later changed his mind.

NJ Transit said Fenton was fired but wouldn't give specifics.

"Mr. Fenton's public actions violated New Jersey Transit's code of ethics," an agency statement said.

"NJ Transit concluded that Mr. Fenton violated his trust as a state employee and therefore [he] was dismissed."

Fenton was ushered from the protests by police on Saturday and questioned, but he was released without charges.

"He said, 'This is America,' and he wanted to stand up for it, in a Tea Party kind of way," a police source said.

Another police source said Fenton described himself as a "loyal American" exercising his "right to protest."

But the source said Fenton looked like he was having second thoughts as he was released.

"He looked nervous, like he was starting to think it wasn't such a good idea," the police source said.

Described by neighbors as a likable family guy with two children, Fenton was an assistant train-consist coordinator, sources said - a job that entails ensuring there are enough train cars positioned to be put into service. He previously worked as an NJ Transit conductor.

Several neighbors in Fenton's town stood up for his right to express himself with flames.

"Good for him for burning the Koran," neighbor Jacqui Marquez, 40, said.

"Everybody's entitled to their opinion ... by firing him, they're sending a message that there's no freedom of speech. They're completely wrong for doing this."

"He's a family man," neighbor Randy McConnell, 43, said.

"He loves his kids and he loves trains. I don't agree with what he did, but he shouldn't lose his job over it. That's his right."

If Fenton was fired for burning the Koran while off-duty, his First Amendment rights probably were violated, Chris Dunn of the New York Civil Liberties Union said.

"The Supreme Court has recognized a constitutional right to burn the flag. As reprehensible as it may be, burning the Koran would be protected as well."

Even pastor’s old church condemns Quran-burning

It's increasingly looking as though the only spiritual or political figure who will not denounce Florida pastor Terry Jones' plan to commemorate Sept. 11 by burning copies of the Quran is Jones himself. Wednesday brings the news that even the church Jones founded in Germany in the 1980s is condemning the upcoming Quran-burning at his small place of worship in Gainesville, Fla.

"We are surprised and shocked at the extreme radicalism being displayed [by Jones] right now on this issue," Stephan Baar of the Christian Community of Cologne told the Associated Press. The 60-member church kicked out Jones in 2008. Jones' estranged daughter says the eviction arose from her father's reported penchant for dipping into the church's till to pay his own expenses.

Jones' wish to burn hundreds of copies of the Islamic holy book has drawn a wide chorus of protests. Gen. David Petraeus said on Monday the action could hurt U.S. troops, while hundreds of Afghans protested in Kabul and burned Jones in effigy. The Gainesville Fire Department has denied Jones a permit for the event -- but the pastor says he plans to go ahead with it anyway.

Indeed, so many high-profile people have spoken out against the plan that they may now outnumber the fringe church's 50-member congregation, raising the question of whether the condemnations are magnifying the cause of a very small group of extremists.

Here's a partial list of people who have condemned the planned bonfire:





Should Petraeus have weighed in on Koran burning? General defends himself





"It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," top commander in Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus told the media. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems.


Washington – Was it a good idea for Gen. David Petraeus, US commander of the war in Afghanistan, to comment on the Koran-burning plans of a small fringe church in Florida? That is the debate quietly making rounds among Pentagon officials and military analysts after Petraeus told the Wall Street Journal that the move “could endanger troops, and it could endanger the overall effort in Afghanistan.”

At issue, they say, is whether a top military commander should weigh in on free speech matters involving American citizens and, what’s more, whether doing so crosses a civil-military dividing line.

Petraeus argues that it does not. “I’m not commenting on an issue of free speech. I’m providing an assessment of the likely impact of an action by a fellow American citizen on the safety of our troopers and civilians,” he says in an e-mail to the Monitor Wednesday. “I think I’ve got an obligation to those I’m privileged to lead to provide such an assessment.”

Government officials are entitled to express their views – and these views can be valuable in lending moral weight and providing practical feedback, says Eugene Volokh, a first amendment law professor at University of California Los Angeles. “It really is him trying to use his moral authority, and his expertise, to opine on what people ought to be doing.”

At the same time, one possible problem, adds Mr. Volokh, is that by jumping into the national debate, “It may be that General Petraeus may be inadvertently exacerbating the problem by encouraging people to restrain what they are saying for fear of extremist violence” waged against US troops by radical insurgents overseas.

What Afghans expect of the USIt also plays into expectations in some parts of the world that American officials can and should control the legal, if undesirable and ugly, behavior of its citizens.

“It could be that these statements from American government officials could quiet at least some critics who will say, ‘Look, at least the American government is saying the right thing here, so we shouldn’t retaliate,’ ” Volokh says.

But, he adds, such statements could also anger some Afghans even more.

“They could say, ‘Even the American government is acknowledging that it’s a bad thing, so why isn’t it stopping them?’ " he says. "There’s reason to say that whatever the practical benefits might be of accommodating your action to the demands of violent extremists, there are also practical costs.”

But there is a difference between stopping or threatening to retaliate against free speech and simply pointing out its possible effects, says Christopher Swift, a fellow at the Center for National Security Law at the University of Virginia School of Law. “It’s perfectly fine for a four-star general whose mission depends on developing goodwill to say that the action of this small group of extremists in Florida is going to undermine what we’re trying to do.”

That doesn’t mean, he adds, “that they are going to shut down these folks. Whether General Petraeus has stepped over the line or is trying to chill free speech – I don’t see that happening. He’s concerned about an 18-year-old private running into an 18-year-old Afghan. How is that Afghan going to give the American soldier the benefit of the doubt when he has pictures of Koran-burning on his mobile phone? Petraeus is right to call that out.”

The spirit of civilian controlBut while such remarks from military officials do not violate any tenets of civilian control of the military, they may violate their spirit, particularly if such statements are sanctioned or encouraged by the Obama administration, says Michael Cohen, senior fellow at the American Security Project.

“What worries me a little is that I don’t think the administration minds that the general is out front on this. They think, ‘Look, he has credibility. It has weight coming from Petraeus,’ " says Mr. Cohen. "To me that’s very dangerous. It puts a national-security cast on what is unfortunately protected free speech, and I think there’s something deeply inappropriate about a general doing that.”

Even as the Koran-burning designs of a 50-member Florida congregation threaten to imperil US troops, such a prospect, he adds, is no less than the high price of democracy.





Clinton: Planned Quran burning not American way



WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday that plans by a small church in Florida to burn the Muslim holy book are "outrageous" and "aberrational" and do not represent America.

In remarks to the Council on Foreign Relations, Clinton lamented that the tiny Dove World Outreach Center congregation in Gainesville had gotten so much attention for what she called a "distrustful and disgraceful" means of marking the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"It is regrettable that a pastor in Gainesville, Florida, with a church of no more than 50 people can make this outrageous and distrustful, disgraceful plan and get the world's attention, but that's the world we live in right now," Clinton said. "It is unfortunate, it is not who we are," she said.

Despite pleas from senior Obama administration officials that it will put Americans abroad at risk, church Pastor Terry Jones vowed to go ahead with the event.

Clinton appealed for Jones to reconsider and cancel. And, in the event he goes ahead with the plan, she suggested to laughter from the audience, that the news media ignore it.

"We are hoping that the pastor decides not to do this," she said. "We're hoping against hope that if he does, it won't be covered as an act of patriotism."

"We want to be judged by who we are as a nation, not by something that is so aberrational and we will make that case as strongly as possible."





Vatican: Burning Quran is outrageous, grave move



The terrorist attacks of 9/11, says the Vatican, "cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community."

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican on Wednesday denounced as "outrageous and grave" plans by a Christian minister in Florida to burn copies of the Quran to mark the Sept. 11 anniversary.

The Vatican office responsible for relations with Islam issued a stern statement saying every religion has the right to expect that its sacred books, places of worship and symbols will be respected and protected.

While deploring those 2001 terror attacks, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said such violence "cannot be counteracted by an outrageous and grave gesture against a book considered sacred by a religious community."

Pastor Terry Jones of the small, evangelical Dove World Outreach Center which espouses anti-Islam sentiments has said he would go ahead with plans to burn copies of Islam's holy book this weekend despite opposition from the White House, the U.S. military and others.

The Vatican said the proper reflection to mark the ninth anniversary of the attacks is to offer solidarity with those affected by the attacks and pray for them.

"Each religious leader and believer is also called to renew the firm condemnation of all forms of violence, in particular those committed in the name of religion," the statement said.

The communique was issued a day after the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, reported that Christians around the world were protesting the plans by Jones. "No one burns the Quran," the paper's headline read







Attorney General Eric Holder called the plan "idiotic and dangerous."



WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder is calling the planned burning of the Quran at a Florida church idiotic and dangerous.

That's the word from religious leaders who met with Holder for nearly an hour Tuesday to discuss recent attacks on Muslims and mosques around the United States.

The meeting was closed to reporters, but a Justice Department official who was present confirmed that Holder said that the plan by the Rev. Terry Jones to burn copies of the Quran at his church in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday was idiotic.

The official, who requested anonymity because the meeting was private, also said Holder was quoting Gen. David Petraeus when he used the word dangerous.

Petraeus said the book burning could endanger U.S. troops







Mitt Romney: 'Burning the Quran is wrong'



Presumed presidential candidate Mitt Romney told Politico
"Burning the Quran is wrong on every level. It puts troops in danger, and it violates a founding principle of our republic."


'It puts troops in danger, and it violates a founding principle of our republic,' Romney said. | AP Photo
CloseBy ANDY BARR | 9/8/10 2:37 PM EDT Updated: 9/8/10 4:43 PM EDT
Presumed GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney came out Wednesday against the planned burning of the Quran by a Florida pastor, saying that doing so would endanger American troops.

“Burning the Quran is wrong on every level,” the former Massachusetts governor said in a statement to POLITICO. “It puts troops in danger, and it violates a founding principle of our republic.”



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41895.html#ixzzG3pgqdTNA

The Rev. Terry Jones has been under pressure to not go forward with the planned burning of the Islamic text on Sept. 11 at his Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., but pledged Wednesday that he will proceed as planned.

"We are still determined to do it," Jones said on CBS’s “Early Show.”

While Romney was critical of the idea, he did not line up with those who have suggested that Jones should not be permitted to carry out his plan.

Romney’s critique echoes that of Gen. David Petraeus, who said the planned burning would endanger military personal stationed in Muslim countries.


Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has also condemned the plan, calling the idea “disgraceful.”

Another possible Republican presidential contender, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, said Wednesday at breakfast with reporters sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor that he does not “think well of the idea of burning anybody’s Quran, Bible, Book of Mormon or anything else.”

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been the most prominent voice defending Jones’s right to burn the Quran, even though he scolded the Florida reverend for his “boneheaded and wrong” view on Tuesday during an interview on ABC.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41895.html#ixzzG3ph1XlMZ








Barbour: 9/11 Koran Burning A Bad Idea



Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said today that he opposes a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11, and said he accepts "totally" that President Obama is a Christian.

"I do not think well of the idea of burning anybody's Koran, Bible, Book of Mormon or anything else," Barbour told reporters at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor.

"I don't think there is any excuse for it," Barbour said. "I don't think it's a good idea."

A reporter followed up to ask Barbour for his opinion as to why so many Americans (wrongly) think Obama is a Muslim.

"I don't know why people think what they think," Barbour said. He paused and then added, "This is a president that we know less about than any other president in history."

Barbour said that Obama has said that he is a Christian "throughout his public life" and added, "I accept just totally at face value that he's a Christian."

He was then asked if it is a vast right-wing conspiracy that polls show so many voters don't agree. "No, ma'am," he said.

Barbour repeatedly said the GOP should not take their "eye off the ball" with a focus on social issues instead of on the economy and jobs.

"That's what the American people are concerned about," Barbour said.

After the breakfast, several reporters asked Barbour to clarify what he meant by Obama's history being so unknown. He specified that Obama's college-age years are a question mark, and admitted he has not read the president's "Dreams from my Father" memoir outlining his childhood.

"There's not much known about his, in college, or growing up ... we don't know any of the childhood things," Barbour said. "Part of it is the fact that he'd only been in public office a brief period of time."

Barbour said Americans know plenty about Ronald Reagan, or that George Washington "chopped down a cherry tree," and that it's his observation they know "a whole lot more" about other presidents than Obama. "I don't say it as an insult as anything other than just an observation," Barbour said.

Reporters asked if Barbour believes Obama was born in the United States. "As far as I know," he said. He added that, "I don't have any such question."






White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says no action is currently in the works to respond to the pastor …

"Any type of activity like that that puts our troops in harm's way would be a concern," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday

WASHINGTON – The White House said Tuesday that a Florida church's threat to burn copies of the Muslim holy book could endanger U.S. troops abroad, while the State Department denounced the plan as "un-American" and said it would put American diplomats and travelers at risk.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs noted the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David Petraeus, has warned that images of a burning Quran would be used by extremists to incite violence.

"Any time activity like that puts our troops in harm's way would be a concern to this administration," Gibbs told reporters.

At the State Department, spokesman P.J. Crowley took a tougher line, saying the administration hoped Americans would stand up and reject the the church's plan to burn copies of the Quran to mark the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. He called the plan "un-American" and "inconsistent" with American values.

"We think that these are provocative acts," Crowley said. "They are disrespectful, they're intolerant, they're divisive. ... We would like to see more Americans stand up and say that this is inconsistent with our American values; in fact, these actions themselves are un-American."

Crowley called the announced plan "a divisive potential act of disrespect of one of the world's great religions. And, while we support (and) defend our freedoms, including freedom of expression, this is an action that has potential serious ramifications."

Crowley said U.S. diplomats had already reported small-scale demonstrations against the talk of Quran burning in several countries "where anxiety levels are building because of the publicity surrounding this proposed action. It does put the lives of ordinary Americans at risk, as well as diplomats, as well as soldiers," he said.

The Christian minister who is organizing the Quran burning says he will go ahead despite the government's concerns. Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center, a small, evangelical Christian church in Gainesville with an anti-Islam philosophy, said he has gotten more than 100 death threats and has started wearing a pistol on his hip.






Lieberman: Koran-Burners Should 'Reconsider And Drop Their Plans'



"I appeal to people who are planning to burn the Quran to reconsider and drop their plans because they are inconsistent with American values and, as General Petraeus has warned, threatening to America's military," Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said in a statement.


Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) released a statement today asking those planning to burn copies of the Koran on September 11th to "reconsider and drop their plans because they are inconsistent with American values."

"I appeal to people who are planning to burn the Quran to reconsider and drop their plans because they are inconsistent with American values and, as General Petraeus has warned, threatening to America's military," Lieberman wrote.

He continued:

We are at war against violent Islamist extremism, as propagated by al Qaeda, its ideological affiliates, and radicalized individuals, who justify their wanton violence based on a corrupted interpretation of Islam. Let us concentrate on working with the moderate Muslim majority to defeat the Islamist extremist minority in Afghanistan, and wherever else it may establish sanctuary, and to discredit this violent ideology that propagates the hateful lie that the Islamic world and the Western World are engaged in a clash of civilizations. We will never defeat this brutally repressive enemy by discarding America's historic respect for religious diversity.Lieberman is the latest politician to speak out about the plans, following Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) who said earlier today that the plans are "unwise," but stopped short of asking for the event to be stopped






House Minority Leader John Boehner spoke out against the event, comparing it to the planned Islamic center near Ground Zero. "Well, listen, I just think it's not wise to do this in the face of what our country represents. ... Just because you have the right to do something in America, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do."




New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg disagrees with a Florida pastor's impending Koran-burning rally on the coming 9th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, calling the plan "boneheaded and wrong."

Even as he defended the pastor's right to carry out his plan, Bloomberg told "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts that he didn't believe the pastor should do it.

Bloomberg made the comments to Roberts on a recent tour of the Ground Zero site, which is being prepared to house a memorial and underground museum to honor the more than 3,000 people who were killed when terrorists flew two jetliners into the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

His reaction echoed similar sentiments expressed by interfaith leaders, politicians, and the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan


Bloomberg: Builders Have the Right to Islamic Community Center and Mosque
Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., has cited the terror attack as the reason for his planned bonfire of Korans Saturday




Gen. David Petraeus has warned that Jones' plan could inflame some in the Muslim world, resulting in danger to U.S. troops even as the 9th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks approaches.

A proposed Islamic community center and mosque at Ground Zero in New York seems to have sharply polarized the public: critics say such a facility has no place at Ground Zero, while supporters say the nation's Constitution guarantees each individual the freedom to practice his or her religion.

Bloomberg told Roberts that the mosque sends a message, adding that most of the 9/11 victims' family members with whom he has talked have said builders should have the right to erect the community center and mosque.







New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called it "boneheaded and wrong" but said the protesters are protected by the First Amendment. "He has a right to do it," he said.





Mohammad Sajjad/AP Photo

Angelina Jolie condemns planned Koran burning

Angelina Jolie is in Pakistan to view flood damage as part of her UN humanitarian duties. Angelina Jolie blasted a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Koran this weekend.

Hollywood actress and the goodwill ambassador of UNHCR, Angelina Jolie visits a camp setup for people displaced by heavy floods, in Mohib Banda near Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday. Jolie blasted the planned Koran burning by a Florida church this weekend



Hollywood actress and the goodwill ambassador of UNHCR, Angelina Jolie visits a camp setup for people displaced by heavy floods, in Mohib Banda near Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday. Jolie blasted the planned Koran burning by a Florida church this weekend.




Vanity Fair magazine conducted an online poll survey of who's the Most Beautiful Woman, Angelina Jolie- a mother of six, philanthropist, a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee, an academy award winner, and a good actress at her times rank as number 1, garnering 58 percent of the votes. She's been considered as the modern day "Helen of Troy" and most likely a face that could launch a thousand fans and likely to start a war.




Islamabad
Angelina Jolie on Wednesday condemned a Florida church's threat to burn copies of the Muslim holy book to mark the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks


The 35-year-old actress spoke out against the proposed burning during a trip to Pakistan to raise awareness about the floods that have devastated the largely Muslim country over the last six weeks. She visited in her capacity as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency.

Jolie's criticism echoed that of top U.S. officials, who have described the church's plan as a disgraceful act and have even warned that it could endanger U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Americans worldwide.





"I have hardly the words that somebody would do that to somebody's religious book," Jolie told reporters in Islamabad after visiting refugees camps in northwestern Pakistan — one of the areas of the country hit hardest by the floods.

The Christian minister organizing the Koran burning, Pastor Terry Jones, has said he plans to go ahead in spite of concerns. He is part of the Dove World Outreach Center, a tiny, evangelical Christian church in Gainesville, Florida, with an anti-Islam philosophy.

The issue has not gotten much attention in Pakistan, where officials and residents have been trying to cope with the devastation caused by floods that first hit the country at the end of July following extremely heavy monsoon rains. The floodwaters have killed more than 1,700 people and have affected over 18 million others.

"I was shocked especially by how high the floodwaters went," said Jolie, who wore a long dress and covered her hair with a black scarf in keeping with local Muslim custom. "In some of the people's houses, it was nine feet (three meters) high."

U.N. officials have expressed hope that Jolie's visit would help spark the fundraising campaign to help Pakistan, which has stalled in recent days. The U.N. issued an appeal for $460 million in emergency funds on Aug. 11, but only $294 million, or 64 percent, has been received so far even though it is one of the worst natural disasters in recent years.

"There's lots of speculation about why this one has not gotten the attention it deserves," Jolie said. "Even all of the wonderful coverage ... is not getting the response that usually it's able to get."