Saturday, March 29, 2008

ABDULLAH WON TALENT QUEST

THANKS ALLAH
CONGRULATION FOR WON TALENT QUEST
S. ABDULLAH AL-NABI WON THE TALENT QUEST AT AL-MADINA SCHOOL ON GALA DAY
   Nice work ABDULLAH.... 1  MASHALLAH

Friday, March 28, 2008

Women Killed For Family Honor

Thousands of Women Killed for Family "Honor"

Click here to find out more!
Hillary Mayell
for National Geographic News

 

Hundreds, if not thousands, of women are murdered by their families each year in the name of family "honor." It's difficult to get precise numbers on the phenomenon of honor killing; the murders frequently go unreported, the perpetrators unpunished, and the concept of family honor justifies the act in the eyes of some societies.

 

Most honor killings occur in countries where the concept of women as a vessel of the family reputation predominates, said Marsha Freemen, director of International Women's Rights Action Watch at the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Reports submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights show that honor killings have occurred in Great Britain, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Pakistan, Morocco, Sweden, Turkey, and Uganda. In countries not submitting reports to the UN, the practice was condoned under the rule of the fundamentalist Taliban government in Afghanistan, and has been reported in Iraq and Iran.

But while honor killings have elicited considerable attention and outrage, human rights activists argue that they should be regarded as part of a much larger problem of violence against women.

In India, for example, more than 5,000 brides die annually because their dowries are considered insufficient, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Crimes of passion, which are treated extremely leniently in Latin America, are the same thing with a different name, some rights advocates say.

"In countries where Islam is practiced, they're called honor killings, but dowry deaths and so-called crimes of passion have a similar dynamic in that the women are killed by male family members and the crimes are perceived as excusable or understandable," said Widney Brown, advocacy director for Human Rights Watch.

The practice, she said, "goes across cultures and across religions."

Complicity by other women in the family and the community strengthens the concept of women as property and the perception that violence against family members is a family and not a judicial issue.

"Females in the family—mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters, and cousins—frequently support the attacks. It's a community mentality," said Anjali Das, a program assistant for women's human rights at Amnesty International.

 

In the Name of Family Honor

Officials often claim that nothing can be done to halt the practice because the concept of women's rights is not culturally relevant to deeply patriarchal societies.

"Politicians frequently argue that these things are occurring among uneducated, illiterate people whose attitudes can't be changed," said Brown. "We see it more as a matter of political will."

In April 2004 Urmila, a 28-year-old married woman seeking a divorce from her violent husband after 10 years of marriage, reluctantly agreed to meet her own mother in a lawyers' office. Urmila's family opposed the divorce and considered her seeking a divorce to be un-hinduism. Her mother arrived at the lawyer's office with a male companion, who immediately shot and killed Urmila.

"In many cases, the women are creameted secretly and all records of their existence are wiped out," said Brown.

Women accused by family members of bringing dishonor to their families are rarely given the opportunity to prove their innocence.

Ending Violence Against Women

Violence against women is being tackled at the international level as a human rights issue. In 1994 the UN's Commission on Human Rights appointed a special rapporteur on violence against women, and both UNICEF and the UN Development Fund for Women have programs in place to address the issue.

But the politics of women's rights can be complex. Last year the special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions was criticized by a coalition of member countries for including honor killings in her report, and a resolution condemning honor killings failed to pass.

Amnesty International is preparing to launch a worldwide campaign to halt violence against women in 2003.

But a lot of the work needs to be done at the local level.

"Police officers and prosecutors need to be convinced to treat these crimes seriously, and countries need to review their criminal codes for discrimination against women—where murder of a wife is treated more leniently than murder of a husband, for instance," said Brown.

Countries that don't recognize domestic violence as a crime at all need to bring their penal codes up to international standards, she said, adding that increased public awareness and greater education about human rights would also help.


Qibla locator

Assalamu Alaikkum !

Lots of us sometimes found it hard to locate the Qibla for praying
at new place / office. Now it's easy - when you visit : Click the link below
and (it will first show US location, you may move the direction key and go
any part of the world, until you find your street / home.

http://www.qiblalocator.com

http://www.qiblalocator.com/?address=dun+laoghaire%2C+dublin
 You'll notice a red line after wards. That red line is actually connecting
 your address to the Ka'abah. You can also have a satellite view to make the
 direction even more accurate.

Jazakum Allah Khairan

O MUSLIM UMMAH

      
 
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MESSAGES
    ((( Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem )))

~~~Let there be a community among you who call to the good, and enjoin the right, and forbid the wrong. They are the ones who have success.(Qur'an, 3:104)

~~~They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the righteous.(Qur'an, 3:114)

~~~If you avoid the serious wrong actions you have been forbidden, We will erase your bad actions from you and admit you by a Gate of Honour.(Qur'an, 4:31)

~~~Help one another in birr (righteousness, virtue), and taqwa (piety, fear of Allah, God-consciousness), and do not help one another in sinning and transgression. And fear and revere Allah; verily, Allah is severe in punishment.(Qur'an, 5:2)

~~~You who believe! Have fear of Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him and strive in His way,so that hopefully you'll be successful. (Qur'an, 5:35)

~~~Ask your Lord for forgiveness and then repent to Him. He will let you enjoy a good life until a specified time, and will give His favour to all who merit it. But if you turn your backs, I fear for you the punishment of a Mighty Day.(Qur'an, 11:3)

~~~Strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has selected you and not placed any constraint upon you in the religion-the religion of your forefather Ibrahim. He named you Muslims before and also in this, so that the Messenger could be witness against you and you could be witnesses against all mankind. So perform prayer and give alms and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protector-the Best Protector, the Best Helper. (Qur'an, 22:78)

   (((Subhan-Allahi Wa-Bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil Azeem)))
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Allah punished those are Munafiqeen and not follow Allah

 TRUE STORY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FAITH(IMAAN)
 
 
Just click on below link and read the truth
 

We find in Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w): - After burial of dead person his soul will return to his body, then two Angels will come, Munkar and Nakir, and will ask: "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "my Lord - Allah ". Then they will ask: "What is your religion?" he will answer: "My religion - Islam". Then they will ask him: "Who that person who has been sent to you?" he will answer: "He is the Prophet of Allah ". Then they will ask him: "How do you know?" He will answer: "I read the Book of Allah and trusted Him. And then from heavens the voice will come: " My Slave has told the truth, lay it to bed from Paradise and open the Gate of Paradise " - then it will be full of pleasure and he begins to feel pleasures of the paradise, and his grave becomes spacious, that eyes can reach. The Prophet of Allah Muhammad (s.a.w) said about the sinners. After burial of dead person his soul will return to the body, then two Angels will come and ask, "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "I do not know". Then they will ask: " Who that person who has been sent to you?" he again will answer: I "do not know" - and then from the sky the voice will come: "he told a lie, Put him into a box from fire and open before it the Gate of a hell ! "- than it will be captured with heat of the hell, and his grave becomes narrow and the edges will be compressed. In Hadis it is also said, that Angels will severely beat the sinners during interrogation in the tomb and this torture will be awful. It is informed also, that our Messenger (s.a.w) supplicated to Allah to protect Him from tortures of the grave and asked other people to do so. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: " The grave is the first stage of the hereafter. If a person is saved from its torment, then what comes after it is really easy. If one is not saved from it, what follows is really severer." (Ibn Maja) The Prophet (s.a.w) said: " I have never seen a more horrible sight than that of the grave. " (Ibn Maja, Al Termizi) This true story

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Pakistan Develops LOW COST UAV

Integrated Dynamics a local company is manufacturing and exporting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) at $20,000 per price against starting price of $0.2 million in the global market.

“The company has already exported UAVs to Spain, Australia, South Korea, and Libya,”

Raja Sabri Khan, chief executive Integrated Dynamics said talking to the News at his stall at Expo Centre during the ongoing IDEAS 2006.

“During past 18 months our company has exported approximately over $0.3 million worth of UAVs,” he said.

“Visiting delegates from France, Turkey, Egypt, and Germany have visited this stall and showed interest in collaboration,” he said adding that talks are in initial phase and hopefully result would be better.

Raja said that the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), play a significant role in war strategy. UAV are used for surveillance during peace and detection of enemy positions in war.

He told The News, “With a background in Aerospace, I started about 15 years ago and today my company not only indigenously manufactures UAV, but exports the same to several countries of the world.”

Elaborating the importance of UAV, Raja said that developments have been in progress and people will see that the remote controlled instrument or the UAV would be the most effective equipment during peace and war.

“We are the only company in Pakistan that had exported the Pak-made UAV to Australia, South Korea, USA and others,” he mentioned adding that Pakistan has capability to produce more if government supports the private sector in this venture.

“UAV having ranges of five to five thousand kilometres are available in global markets and our models have operational range of 20 to 1600 kilometres. Our product has the almost the same system as UAV made in developed countries yet our rates are higly competitive,” he said.

“In the world market the price of a UAV starts at about $0.2 million but we sell almost the same product at $20,000,” he said.

Regarding ‘Tornado’ one of the products Integrated Dynamics, he said that it appears on the radar as a fighter aircraft for which it would be targeted giving away the exact location of enemy.

Responding to a question he said that, cooperation from the government would improve company’s performance and put Pakistan on UAV supply source map in the world market.

Replying to another question he said that development in the aerospace industry needs extra-ordinary government patronage particularly in education, research and trade.

 

We must be fair to christian

Addressing the reciprocity issue, Qatar's deputy prime minister, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, said: "We are enjoying the construction of mosques and Islamic centres in the West, so we must be fair (to Christians)."

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

A Church in Saudi Arabia

S. Arabia, Vatican in talks over churches

Mike Ghouse: Article follows my comments.

I have lost track of a Saudi minister who had asked me to put together an interfaith meeting with about 20 people, comprising Jews, Christians and Muslims. I fought with him to include all faiths, but finally agreed to work in stages, from familiar to unfamiliar ones. It was some where around 2005. I am pleased to see at least a dialogue is emerging between Vatican and Saudi's. Neighboring Dubai has just opened up a mega church this month.

I recall some Mormon friends of mine who had a congregation in Saudi Arabia way back in 1978-80 headed by a Houstonian by name Norman Powell, and of course my buddy Everett Blauvelt of Richardson was a Mormon as well, who first went to Saudi in early 40's and had worked there for nearly 30 years and made a come back in late seventies. There were several others who attended the Baptist and Catholic mass on Sundays. The Indian, Pakistani and Filipion christians groups had their own gatherings as well.

### Now the article

LONDON, March 18: The Vatican and the Saudi Kingdom are holding secret talks on lifting the age-old ban on building churches in Saudi Arabia, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The newspaper quoted one of Pope Benedict's most senior Middle East representatives, Archbishop Paul-Mounged El-Hashem, as saying: "Discussions are under way to allow the construction of churches in the kingdom. We cannot forecast the outcome."

There are said to be around three or four million Christians in Saudi Arabia.

At the Vatican, the Pope's spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, said: "If we manage to obtain authorisation for the construction of the first church, it will be an outcome of historic dimensions."

The opening last Friday of the first church in Qatar left Saudi Arabia as the only country in the region that still bans the building of churches and all forms of open Christian worship.

Diplomats in Rome said talks on the building of churches would be consistent with recent developments.

Saudi Arabia is among the few countries that do not have diplomatic links with the Vatican, but sources in Rome say the Saudis are keen to establish formal relations.

In Qatar last Saturday, some 15,000 people attended an inaugural mass at the country's first church. Our Lady of the Rosary in Doha is one of five Christian places of worship planned in the state.

Addressing the reciprocity issue, Qatar's deputy prime minister, Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, said: "We are enjoying the construction of mosques and Islamic centres in the West, so we must be fair (to Christians)."

The Pope is expected later this year to meet representatives of 138 Muslim scholars who wrote a letter to Christian leaders last October calling for peace between the two religions.


A Dialogue between K철nig and Dupuis

Fr. Jacques Dupuis Cardinal Franz K철nig
Dialogue between K철nig and Dupuis

Mike Ghouse/ Article follows my commentary;

Of course, we cannot expect a gatekeeper of a religion with political boundaries, rather than spiritual boundlessness to acknowledge the otherness of others. Although at times superficial attempts are made, but deep down, as human as one is, there is arrogance that my faith is complete, my faith is the true faith and my way is the only way to this elusive salvation.

This arrogance prevents a true dialogue between the two, and thus breeds conflict, as one is geared up to convince the other that he should think up, and never give an inch to the other in matters of faith. Ah, faith it is.

Jesus is indeed the true savior; to the believers. Just as other faiths have their theology of salvation, and without a shade of doubt, true to them.

Indeed, God (Cause or source of creation or creator to include our Atheist/ Agnostic idea of creation) is the truth. Every which way you believe in that creator should be fine. The Ten Commandments or its equivalent ought to be the goals of the civilization to march forward for peaceful co-existence. I like this particular sentence in the article ". We seek God's truth in our fellow human beings -- who are all his creatures -- through dialogue."

And this makes sense too "D: Dialogue must be theologically founded. An open theology of dialogue must recognize the real values -- the elements of divine truth and grace -- which are found in the other religious traditions, and that is where the [congregation] is still very much behind the times."

We should consider the effects of getting hung up in the words and the individuals be it Moses, Jesus, Mohamed, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Nanak, Zoroaster, Bahaulla, Joseph Smith and other great teachers. We should focus on their message and not them or their words. As focusing on the teachers makes us take the position of support to the individual as opposed to their message. We should not negate one for the other; they were all great teachers with a common theme – to create a world of peace through Justice and love.

One should be free to choose what one wants to believe, but we should seriously consider holding off making conversion a business. Do unto others… Let others believe and live their life to their satisfaction. Real conflict emerges from three tangible things – your space, food and family, all others are imaginary conflicts.

Let's learn to give full value to the otherness of other, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

### And now the article
Fr. Jacques Dupuis Cardinal Franz K철nig Dialogue between K철nig and Dupuis

Following is a transcript of the K철nig-Dupuis dialogue, which took place in Vienna, Austria, July 16, 2003. The NCR staff has excerpted it for space considerations. For the full dialogue, see the Special Documents section, NCRonline.org.

Jesuit Fr. Jacques Dupuis: As we were saying at coffee just now, it is so important to consider interreligious dialogue in the Asian context. The big question is how to proclaim Jesus Christ in a country like India today. Once you start talking about proclaiming -- I mean using the actual word proclaim -- that somehow suggests an obligation to tell everyone that Jesus Christ is the only universal savior and that the people you are proclaiming to must convert to Christianity. ... One must make it quite clear that evangelization is not mere proclamation. Evangelization first of all means bearing Christian witness. Secondly it means involvement for justice in the world and the liberation of people from unjust practices. Then, thirdly, comes interreligious dialogue -- and finally -- that is fourth in order of importance, as laid down by the Secretariat for Non-Christians -- comes proclamation. In the Indian context what is most important is involvement for human liberation and interreligious dialogue. ...

That is why John Paul II's words were dangerous when he came to Delhi to publish the exhortation on the Church in Asia after the Rome synod on the subject. You remember he recalled that the first millennium had been that of the evangelization of Europe, the second of Africa and America and the third millennium would be the evangelization of Asia and of India. By referring to the evangelization of Africa and America, he conjured up memories of just how those two continents were evangelized -- evangelization as missionizing in the colonial sense. In the Indian context one must make clear, as I have just done, that what is important is involvement in human liberation and interreligious dialogue -- and that proclamation comes last. Talking of "the evangelization of Asia" as if it was similar to the evangelization of America and Africa is a very dangerous way of speaking in India.

Cardinal Franz K철nig: Of course -- exceedingly dangerous. One must never forget the burden of history -- in this case the colonial burden. ... It's like the word missionaries. To many Asians, Africans and Latin Americans the very word recalls white European missionaries forcefully converting thousands of indigenous people by immediately and often very superficially baptizing them.

D: The present Indian government is against Christianity, very strongly against it. ... When I asked my provincial in Calcutta if it would be possible for me ... to come back to Calcutta and stay in my province, he said, "Forget about it! You'll never get permission to stay -- not ever again." And that although I'd lived in India for 36 years! ... One thing you could perhaps mention in the article, Your Eminence, is the importance of interreligious dialogue in this context. Genuine interreligious dialogue, that is, without any ulterior motives, is the only way to make contact.

K: The thing is that the word dialogue has become so hackneyed. ... I think one would have to explain very carefully what genuine dialogue involves. It is a matter of getting closer to the truth by asking one another questions and by diminishing false truths.

D: Does everyone in Rome want that kind of dialogue?
K: They should since the Second Vatican Council. The church used to be far too afraid of questions. ... The council changed all that. We no longer, less today than ever, believe that there is no truth outside the church. We have become a little more humble. God alone is the final truth. We seek God's truth in our fellow human beings -- who are all his creatures -- through dialogue.

D: Please, you must write on all this.
K: Did the pope [John Paul II] just a fortnight ago -- when he met the Indian bishops in Rome -- did he mention this problem of using the word proclaim?

D: He again insisted on proclaiming Jesus Christ. Bishop [Joseph Robert] Rodericks, who is bishop emeritus of Jamshedpur -- he's a Jesuit and a dear friend of mine -- came to see me when the Indian bishops were in Rome and he told me about their meeting with Cardinal [Joseph] Ratzinger and their meeting with the pope. And he said they both insisted on proclaiming Jesus Christ.
And Rodericks said to the Holy Father, "Yes, Holy Father, but you must see this in the Indian context, you cannot proclaim straight away -- directly as it were. You have to make your message acceptable through Christian witness first."
K: Of course.
D: And secondly through dialogue. And dialogue presupposes a positive, open theology.
K: Naturally.

D: Dialogue must be theologically founded. An open theology of dialogue must recognize the real values -- the elements of divine truth and grace -- which are found in the other religious traditions, and that is where the [congregation] is still very much behind the times.
K: Isn't the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples also involved?
D: Of course. The prefect, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, was one of the cardinals who denounced my book.
K: Tomko, of course, has a very Western approach to all this.

D: Take the first Assisi meeting in 1986. The pope [John Paul II], Cardinal [Roger] Etchegaray and all those responsible insisted that they went to Assisi together to pray, but they emphasized afterward, "We did not pray together." Praying together with non-Christians -- really praying together, that is -- was not possible, it was said. At the second meeting in Assisi they prayed separately -- even more separately in 2002 than in 1986. I devote the last chapter of my book Christianity and the Religions ... to interreligious prayer, and in this last chapter I explain what the official position in Rome was in 1986 at the time of the first Assisi meeting. Then I quote the Indian bishops' conference's document on dialogue in which the Indian bishops say praying together is not only possible but an obligation. So where is the truth? The Indian bishops are surely also a part of the world episcopate, aren't they?
K: ... Could we perhaps take Assisi -- the 1986 meeting -- as a starting point in the article and begin by pointing out that there are lot of things behind Assisi?

D: The 1986 Assisi meeting was most important but ...
K: Cardinal Ratzinger was against it.
D: Yes, Cardinal Ratzinger was against it. But I just want to go back to what the Indian bishops said. ... The bishops say: "A third form of dialogue goes to the deepest levels of religious life and consists in sharing in prayer and contemplation. The purpose of such common prayer is primarily the corporate worship of the God of all who has created us to be one large family. We are called to worship God not only individually but also in community, and since in a very real and fundamental manner we are one with the whole of humanity, it is not only our right but our duty to worship him together with others."
And "with others" means very clearly also with non-Christians. Now when the pope talks of evangelizing in India it must first be made clear that he primarily means interreligious dialogue. But in the [congregation's] declaration Dominus Iesus, at the end, when they speak of interreligious dialogue they still pooh-pooh it. ... If you remember, the last part of Dominus Iesus says something to the effect that while interreligious dialogue is part of the church's evangelizing mission, the church must be primarily committed to proclaiming the truth -- and there we are again with the chief emphasis on proclamation.

K: But what sense would dialogue have then? Genuine dialogue must be honest. There must be no ulterior motives. Of course each partner has an aim. It's not meant to be a pointless chat, after all. The aim is to convince one's partner of the soundness of one's arguments. But the opposite also applies. One must equally be prepared to allow oneself to be convinced of the soundness of one's partner's arguments -- one must want to gain an insight into them. Dialogue is not an attempt to persuade or convert -- the aim is to get to know your partner and why he or she believes what they do.
D: But for Rome the all-important thing is proclamation. ...

K: My impression is that at the beginning Pope John Paul II was very close to your position but that later he gradually allowed himself to be corrected by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
D: Yes, yes. This pope has played a very important role in stressing the travels of the Holy Spirit -- the universal travels of the Holy Spirit ...
K: Yes, I see it that way too ...
D: ... not only in the religious life of individual Christians ...
K: but also in communities ...
D: and also in cultures and in other religions. He believes the Holy Spirit is present in Hinduism ...
K: Yes ...
D: And in Islam and Buddhism.
K: Yes.

D: My question is what is the Holy Spirit doing there? Is this not what the council meant when it spoke of those elements of truth and grace in other religions?
K: Yes, that is the point.

Christa Pongratz-Lippitt: Are there no cardinals in Rome who think like you?
D: That's a good question. Personally I have very few contacts with cardinals. ... As far as my order is concerned, the Jesuit order, my father general has always been on my side from the very beginning. Thank God I had him. otherwise I don't know what I would have done or what would have become of me.

K: Couldn't we mention the Jesuits -- the great ideas they have and their activities in this field -- how they have now taken up your ideas and that they are now a big issue for them? Father General told me when I spoke to him about you that the Jesuits would try to press on in your direction -- very carefully at the beginning -- but that they wanted to discuss your problems. Do you feel that they are waiting, as it were?
D: They are careful and wouldn't take risks. That is the mentality of many of them. It's sad, because theologians must be able to publish. ... But to go back to your question as to whether there were cardinals in the Vatican who were on my side. I can tell you that Father General once told me, "You know there are more people in the Vatican on your side than you think -- but they can't say so openly. Even important people."
K: He is quite right. That is so.

D: Even important people in the Vatican, however, cannot contradict the [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith], you see. I can only tell you that I have no contacts on high. No cardinal phoned me to say, "I am with you on this." All I know is what Father General told me -- that there were more people on my side than I realized. But to get back to your article, I think you could emphasize the Asian context, especially the Indian context and the importance of interreligious dialogue as the constitutive element of the church's evangelizing mission. As far as the theology of dialogue is concerned, the answer obviously is an open theology of dialogue which recognizes the divine values present in other religious traditions and that even as Christians and as Catholics our faith can be enriched by entering into interreligious dialogue, which is the whole point and context of my book.
K: We could highlight certain chapters in your new book. I'm thinking particularly of Chapter 9 on dialogue and Chapter 10 on prayer.

D: And go into what has already been published in the way of important documents such as "Dialogue and Mission" issued by the Secretariat for Non-Christian Religions in 1984, which -- in No. 13 -- actually spells out the mission of the church -- that is, witness, involvement in justice, dialogue and, only finally, proclamation. ... Some years ago, you know, Cardinal Tomko gave the keynote address at the beginning of a full assembly of the [Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences], and he said, not in these exact words but in the equivalent, "You Asian bishops are not doing your job because there are no or very few conversions to Christianity in Asia." The Asian bishops took this very badly indeed and reacted very strongly, with the result that next morning Cardinal Tomko immediately took the plane back to Rome. You see it's this obsession that evangelization is proclamation and means baptizing. But this is not according to certain official documents, which give a much broader view of the church's mission.

K: What you're saying is most important. Which chapter in your second book do you consider the best or condenses the whole problem best? The beginning and the end perhaps?
D: That is difficult to say. Certainly the question of dialogue -- that is Chapter 9 of Christianity and the Religions, but possibly also the second to last chapter of the previous book, Toward a Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism, Chapter 14, where I explain how dialogue is evangelization and go into the theology of dialogue. ...

D: It's Page 366 [and the following pages]. That's where I discuss the document "Dialogue and Proclamation," but also the important contribution Pope John Paul II has made through his constant affirmation of the presence and action of the Spirit of God among the members of other religions and of course at Assisi where he laid down the theological foundation for interreligious dialogue.
K: Fr. [Karl] Rahner called the idea of dialogue and religion the supernatural existential, you remember.
D: Yes, of course. I was actually much inspired by Rahner. ...

K: If I said religion belongs to or is a part of human existence, would you say that was the same as what Rahner says when he talks of a/the supernatural existential?
D: I think so. Rahner's "existential" means that man is already always in creation itself ... That means ... that salvation history doesn't start with Abraham. It starts with creation. And throughout human history God has been seeking [strongly emphasized] the human beings he created and therefore there is divine revelation -- the divine act of salvation -- throughout human history. But of course this line is not accepted by everybody.

K: In the end -- if I accept your ideal -- it gives a lot of positive aspects to the Christian religion -- I mean Christianity comes out in a very positive light? ...
D: And it is the Christian message which should make us develop this positive and open attitude instead of presenting the Christian faith as a sort of closed faith -- closed within itself as "the only true religion" and so on.

K: And all this is a very important question for Europe. What is the meaning of revelation? What is the meaning of religion? The European way of practicing religion -- of religious belief -- has undergone so many changes over the ages.
D: Yes. And you know one thing strikes me ... I've been giving lectures everywhere and presenting in so many countries what I've written about and what I believe, and everywhere I've seen how happy people are to discover a way of presenting the faith that makes sense to them because it is open and they can breathe -- instead of being told that outside the church there is no salvation.
K: Always that idea of fighting against others ...
D: Yes. Unfortunately there is no doubt that the church is moving backward at the moment. Dominus Iesus is a big step back. They [the congregation] say that revelation in Jesus Christ is complete, final, definitive and all the rest -- but that is impossible [voice rising] -- the New Testament says that God will be fully revealed at the end of time.
K: Yes.

D: What is true is that revelation in Jesus Christ is unsurpassed and unsurpassable as divine revelation in history.
K: Yes.
D: But the full, definitive revelation of God -- according to the New Testament -- will be at the end of the world. So how can they [the congregation] say what they say?
K: They study books, not reality.

D: They want to say "absolute," "definitive" and all the rest because they don't want to accept that revelation may be found outside Christianity.
K: That is a very important aspect. Of course we have to accept that revelation in Jesus Christ is finished but the thing is: Have we understood it all correctly? We must go on discussing this extensively and continue to try and clear up points that are not yet clear. As I see it, although divine revelation is finished, isn't there perhaps a possibility that some people may yet get special, personal, new insights -- a mixture of revelation and interpretation, a sort of inspiration? We believe in the activity of the Holy Spirit -- and I'm inclined to think that the Holy Father agrees with me in this but does not say so to the [congregation] -- we believe in the activity of the Holy Spirit in the whole world and that all the world religions are trying to find answers to the final questions. Perhaps human insights and the Holy Spirit working together, as it were, will reveal a new approach. Cardinal Ratzinger and most theologians in Rome are Westernized; they don't know enough about Asia or about the Asian or Indian mentality. But do the Hindus -- at the moment -- want dialogue?

D: One thing is obvious at the moment -- the Hindus are on the defensive. They fear that dialogue is perhaps just a sort of way round to try and convert them to Christianity. ... But once they realize that you are intent on open dialogue, open to their own religious traditions, then the atmosphere changes and they are most interested. I was recently at a meeting in Sicily ... between Christian, Muslim and Jewish scholars. As soon as they heard that Christianity was open to admitting that there is something in their religions -- in the Quran for instance -- or as the pope [John Paul II] said so clearly recently that the covenant of God is Moses' covenant -- their fears disappeared. ... If we take this attitude toward interreligious dialogue, there is no question whatsoever of diminishing the mystery of Jesus Christ, but it must be understood correctly, and not as excluding that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are also present and active outside the boundaries of the church. That is of course what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is not prepared to accept.

K: Are there theologians from the Eastern world in the [congregation]? My fear is that they are all Western.
D: That is true. The bulk are Western. The result is that these matters are then discussed by people who all think alike. And the different theological schools of thought in the world are not represented. So it's not surprising things are dealt with as they are in the [Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith].

K: Was there no contact before Cardinal Tomko went to India to address the [Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences]? No contact with Indian bishops or with the Jesuits at de Nobili College in Pune for instance?
D: Absolutely none. The Indian bishops are rejected -- like Indian theologians and like Fr. Dupuis! I think one could say this goes for many Asian bishops and certainly theologians. You remember the lineamenta the Vatican published -- in English and French I think it was -- before the Synod on Asia. It was quite a thick booklet ... it more or less said that the Asian church must make greater efforts to evangelize. And you remember how the Japanese bishops completely rejected it [the lineamenta] and efforts by the Vatican to lay down the rules.

K: ... The next pope must work on the collegiality issue. You can't just ignore the opinion of the Asian bishops before an Asian synod. I feel the history of the religions of mankind is a European product, a European way of thinking, of exploring. In recent centuries it has often reflected a tension between the Christian religion and science and the concept has changed as a result of the Christian religion's stance against science. So we must go back to the natural situation -- man trying to find answers to the last big questions --
D: Nostra Aetate puts that very nicely, doesn't it? It shows how all religions ask those decisive questions about man and the meaning of life, and so on. ... Over the centuries, there was an increasing tendency to exclusiveness -- Christianity as the only true religion, and so on. In a sense this started with Constantine once Christianity was not only accepted in the Empire but became the religion of the state. Now the Vatican II document on religious liberty did not use that expression -- that Christianity is the only true religion. Wouldn't it be possible to state clearly and without ambiguity what is unique and new and original in Christianity without having to use exclusivist expressions such as "the only true religion"? That phrase sounds as if we have the monopoly and that is not true. ...

K: ... The Vatican II text that states that human beings are always looking for answers to the final questions could be our starting point.
D: It is very important to take what Pope John Paul II has said about the universal presence of the Holy Spirit very seriously. The conclusion follows that there must be salvific values in other religions. ... Fr. [Gerald] O'Collins, my dear friend and mentor, asked in a Tablet letter whether condemning Fr. Dupuis didn't actually amount to condemning Pope John Paul II. I, naturally, consider this a very appropriate question, as to a certain extent it is surely true. ... If you take John Paul II's very strong affirmation of the Holy Spirit seriously, then dialogue must be open. When in his encyclical Redemptoris Missio [1990] the pope says that the two elements -- dialogue and proclamation -- must retain their distinctiveness and should not be manipulated, that surely means that dialogue cannot be reduced to an instrument for proclamation as Cardinal Tomko would seem to see it.
K: Dialogue must be open. Fear is always a bad counsellor. An open attitude and not a closed mentality will help to give new depths to the Christian message. ...

[Here Cardinal Koenig refers to Jesuit Fr. Waldenfels in Bonn, Germany, who had "spent a long time in Japan" and who, in an article about Dupuis' case in a German-language journal, had quoted Gottlieb S철hngen, a teacher of Cardinal Ratzinger, writing on a future Chinese theology: "The Chinese and other East Asians will have to analyze Western Christian theology from their Far Eastern point of view and not end up with a 50 percent Western and 50 percent Eastern mixture, which resembles a sort of chicken goulash. They will have to produce a new essence of Christian theology -- namely a Far Eastern theological view whose Far Eastern characteristics will really strike us hard so that we won't know what day it is -- for the very reason that since the Greek philosophers, the eyes and ears of Western thinkers have developed differently."]
D: [That] shows how well Waldenfels knows the situation in Asia. That is what so many curia cardinals lack -- they have no experience of living in the reality of the non-Christian world. Cardinal Tomko, Cardinal Bertone, Cardinal Ratzinger, what do they know about India? Have they ever even studied any of the great works of other religions -- with the exception of the Old Testament, which is not another religion but our elder brother as it were? Have they ever gone into Hindu religious literature in any detail? Quite apart from having entered into dialogue with Hindu religious leaders? It underlines the unfairness of Dominus Iesus.

K: I don't think Dominus Iesus was carefully enough prepared. Cardinal Ratzinger admitted that when he said the [congregation] had not been prepared for the worldwide reactions. Before you compose a document like that, you have to take so much into consideration, particularly the language and the tone. Words like "deficient" for other religions, [words] which are derived from the Latin but have taken on a pejorative meaning in modern English, for instance. And, of course, it has a lot to do with psychology. You must consider who will read the Vatican document. Theologians shouldn't address general audiences and Dominus Iesus was certainly intended for a general audience -- for bishops, theologians and for Catholics in general.
I think it's time for a glass of wine. We've had a long day. And don't worry, I'll do my best to write on all this.

Monday, March 24, 2008

A ARAB MUSLIM BECOME CHRISTIAN

If Muslims not respect own brothers more can happened. Muslims need to learn respect and truth do not follow the BIDDAH HASSNA AND BIDDAH HARAM HASSNA
 
 

쨩 All news video

Pope Benedict XVI baptises journalist Magdi Allam (R) as he celebrates a Easter Vigil mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 22, 2008. Pope Benedict led the world's Catholics into Easter on Saturday at a Vatican service where he baptised Allam, a Muslim-born convert who is one of Italy's most famous and controversial journalists. (Dario Pignatelli/Reuters)
Reuters Photo: Pope Benedict XVI baptises journalist Magdi Allam (R) as he celebrates a Easter Vigil mass...

Reuters
Muslim baptized by pope says life in danger

By Philip Pullella Sun Mar 23, 2:35 PM ET

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A Muslim author and critic of Islamic fundamentalism who was baptized a Catholic by Pope Benedict said on Sunday Islam is "physiologically violent" and he is now in great danger because of his conversion.

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"I realize what I am going up against but I will confront my fate with my head high, with my back straight and the interior strength of one who is certain about his faith," said Magdi Allam.

In a surprise move on Saturday night, the pope baptized the 55-year-old, Egyptian-born Allam at an Easter eve service in St Peter's Basilica that was broadcast around the world.

The conversion of Allam to Christianity -- he took the name "Christian" for his baptism -- was kept secret until the Vatican disclosed it in a statement less than an hour before it began.

Writing in Sunday's edition of the leading Corriere della Sera, the newspaper of which he is a deputy director, Allam said: "... the root of evil is innate in an Islam that is physiologically violent and historically conflictual."

Allam, who is a strong supporter of Israel and who an Israeli newspaper once called a "Muslim Zionist," has lived under police protection following threats against him, particularly after he criticized Iran's position on Israel.

He said before converting he had continually asked himself why someone who had struggled for what he called "moderate Islam" was then "condemned to death in the name of Islam and on the basis of a Koranic legitimization."

His conversion, which he called "the happiest day of my life," came just two days after al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden accused the pope of being part of a "new crusade" against Islam.

The Vatican appeared to be at pains to head off criticism from the Islamic world about the conversion.

"Conversion is a private matter, a personal thing and we hope that the baptism will not be interpreted negatively by Islam," Cardinal Giovanni Re told an Italian newspaper.

Still, Allam's highly public baptism by the pope shocked Italy's Muslim community, with some leaders openly questioning why the Vatican chose to shine such a big spotlight it.

"What amazes me is the high profile the Vatican has given this conversion," Yaha Sergio Yahe Pallavicini, vice-president of the Italian Islamic Religious Community, told Reuters. "Why could he have not done this in his local parish?"

ANOTHER DEATH SENTENCE

Allam, the author of numerous books, said he realized that his conversion would likely procure him "another death sentence for apostasy," or the abandoning of one's faith.

But he said he was willing to risk it because he had "finally seen the light, thanks to divine grace."

Allam defended the pope in 2006 when the pontiff made a speech in Regensburg, Germany, that many Muslims perceived as depicting Islam as a violent faith.

He said he made his decision to convert after years of deep soul searching and asserted that the Catholic Church has been "too prudent about conversions of Muslims."

At a Sunday morning Easter mass hours after he baptized Allam, the pope, without mentioning him, spoke in a prayer of the continuing "miracle" of conversion to Christianity some 2,000 years after Christ's resurrection.

The Vatican statement announcing Allam's conversion said: "For the Catholic Church, each person who asks to receive Baptism after a deep personal search, a fully free choice and adequate preparation, has a right to receive it."

It said all newcomers to the faith were "equally important before God's love and welcome in the community of the Church."

(Reporting by Philip Pullella, editing by Mary Gabriel)

 

وزیراعظم

ھم سب جناب سید یوسف رضا گیلانی صاحب کو پاکستان کا نیا وزیراعظم مقرر ھونے کی پیشگی مبارکباد پیش کرتے ھیں۔اللہ رب العزت پاکستان کو تمام مشکلات سے نکالنے میں ان کی بے پنا ہ مدد فرمايں۔ آمین

تعزیت

انا للہ وانا الیہ راجعون
جمشیدالحسن صاحب کے بھائ صاحب کی وفات کا سن کر بہت افسوس ھؤا۔اللہ رب العزت مرحوم کو جوار رحمت میں خاص جگہ عنایت فرماویں۔
آمین۔

Sunday, March 23, 2008

CONDOLENS

 
 
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ {156}
156. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return"
 
Condolens for unexpected death of Brother of PANZ President Mr.Jamshedul Hassan. May Allah grant him peace and give to family sabber Ameen.
JazakAllahkhiern
Shahji & Family
 

Condolens

Panz president Jamshaid ul Hussen's brother passed away in pakistan
condolens can be offered 0272907080  or 092753628
23 March function has been canceled

PAKISTAN DAY GIFT

                 
                                
                       
HAPPY PAKISTAN DAY GIFT
 

یوم قرارداد پاکستان

Ø¢ ج 23 مارچ ھے۔آپ سب Ú©Ùˆ یوم پاکستان مبارک ھو۔پانز Ù†Û’ جشن منانے کا اعلان کیا ھے۔امید کرتے ھیں کہ لوگ صبرو تحمل کا مظاھرہ کریں گےاورشاید اس مرتبہ آرام Ùˆ سکون سے پروگرام کا مزہ لیں گے۔میں سوچ رھا تھا کہ پانز Ú©ÛŒ تاریخ میںشاید موجودہ صدر جناب جمشید صاحب ایسے شخص ھیں جنہوں Ù†Û’ کبھی ہمت نہیں ہاری۔مستقل مزاجی سے اپنا کام Ú†Ù¾ کر Ú©Û’ ادا کرتے رہے ہیں۔کیا خوب ہو اگر ایگزیکٹو کمیٹی انہیں اس کارنامے پر پروگرام Ú©Û’ دوران کسی انعام سے Ù†ÙˆØ§Ø²Û’۔مجھے معلوم ہے کہ جمشید صاحب Ú©Ùˆ اس Ú©ÛŒ خواہش نہ ہو Ú¯ÛŒ لیکن پھر بھی اگرزندگی میں ایک بار پانز کسی Ú©ÛŒ کاوشوں Ú©Ùˆ تسلیم کر Ù„Û’ تو اس میں کوـئ حرج نہیں۔
نجانے کیا بات ھے کہ جو ایک مرتبہ پانز کی نمائندگی کرتا ھے پھر دوبارہ اس کام سے توبہ کر لیتا ھے۔کئ آۓ اور کئ گۓلیکن دوبارہ مڑ کے کوـئ نہ آیا۔شاباشی ھے جناب جمشید صاحب پرکہ ھمیشہ جب بھی پانز مشکل کا شکار ھوـئ انہوں نے اس کو سہارا دیاھے۔
اسی طرح ملک جاوید صاحب ھیں،کئ پاکستانیوں کی بغیر کسی چیز کی خواہش کے بے شمار مدد کی ہے۔اللہ رب العزت ان لوگوں کو اور ہمت دے کہ یہ کمیونٹی کی اسی طرح مدد کرتے رہیں۔
آمین۔
پاکستان زندہ باد۔

Friday, March 21, 2008

abc Primetime - How Muslims Are Treated In USA

abc Primetime - How Muslims Are Treated In USA
 
Asalam-Alikumm, Please watch.....

A clip from YouTube -----http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqbQWxHIn4U

SAYING AS KAFFIR NOT ALLOWED

 
SAYING AS  KAFFIR EACH OTHERS TODAY MUSLIMS ARE WORSE AND YOU CAN SEE MUSLIMS NOWDAY

Thursday, March 20, 2008

ATTA


  • بھائ جان آپ کا بہت شکريہ کہ آپ نے ميرا پيغام پڑھا اور اس کا جواب بھی ديا۔اگر ميرے الفاظ سے آپ کو یا کسی اور بھائ کو تکليف پہنچی ھو تو ميں ابھی تحریری طور پر معافی طلب کرتا ھوں۔آپ کی ذرہ نوازی ھو گی اگر آپ معاف کر دیں۔میرا مقصد ھرگز کسی کا دل دکھانا مقصود نہ تھا۔بلکہ ایک ھلکی سی کاوش تھی کہ شايد تيرے دل ميں اتر جاۓ میری بات۔اور نیئ کابینہ زیادہ تندہی سے کام کر سکے۔
    لیکن پھر ندیم اشرف صاحب کا بہت شکریہ ادا کروں کا کہ،جن کی کاوش سے اس مرتبہ پانز حلف اٹھانے میں کامیاب ھوئ۔وگرنہ شاید قصۂ پارینہ بن جاتی۔

    آخر میں تمام پاکستانی قوم کو یوم قرارداد پاکستان بہت بہت مبارک ھو۔اللہ تعالی بلوچستان پر بھی اپنا خاص کرم کرے۔ا'مين

ALLAH DECLARED WAR AGAINST YOU

Building Mosques and Musallah with Money Involving Interest (Riba)

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 12 Sha'ban 1422, 29 October 2001


Q.) I am living in a Western society. In this society sometimes people purchase buildings for the purpose of establishing a place of worship (i.e. Mosques and Musallah) using interest based financing. What is the order of Shariah in this regard? Can we offer prayers in such places and secondly can we invite others to pray in such places?

A.) It is haram (strictly prohibited) to take a loan on interest. Allah Ta'ala has declared war upon such people. Dealing in interest incurs the La'nat (curse) of Allah Ta'ala. The Musjid is the house of Allah and a means of invoking the mercy of Allah. That can be achieved only by utilising pure and halal money. Using interest bearing loans to build a Masjid defeats the purpose of the Masjid – invoking the mercy of Allah. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Revelation concerning those who Insults Prophets

 
 
May the peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad pbuh and his pure family
 

Revelation for Believers concerning those who Insult prophets

Just Click and read Articales

http://groups.msn.com/ISLAM--MEANS--PEACE/waytoislam.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=291

 

Refrence from Below just click:

Monday, March 17, 2008

Important Alerts !!‏

Dear All,
 
Please spare 2 minutes to read
Dear Brothers & Sisters

Assalamu alaikum


I am one of the large numbers of Muslims who were hurt by
Nike's ad which shows Muslims prostrating to a woman in one of their brand jeans. I will remind you of what the Company Nike did to Muslims when they portray the name of Allah on one of their sports shoes.

The Result was that many Muslim countries have stopped importing Nike products.(But innocent Muslims feel proud to purchase from abroad).  If you look carefully you will find That it was after that incident that Nike began to report earnings less than expected on the Wall Street which caused their stock price to tumble.

The stock price has not Recovered yet. Check it for yourselves. I am emailing this letter to as many Muslims I Can. Thank you for reading this letter.

P.S. to all Muslim brothers and sisters who receive this email, please email this letter to as many people as you can. Please donate 5 minutes of your precious time for the sake of Allah.

 
 
 

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Full Mecanical Repair

 
Save this address and it will save you time and money

Saturday, March 15, 2008

SAMA South Auckland

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH(SWT)MOST GRACIOUS MOST MERCIFUL.

To:

The Secretary of SAMA, 15/3/08

Auckland.

For your kind information I request for clearfication the truth why Abdullah return back from South Africa Darul Uloom Pretoria.

Principal of Darul Uloom Pertoria Mr Mufti Akbar Hazarvi will be soon arrive to New Zealand.We want invite the public to hear the truth to declare from Mr Hazavi,Javed Malik,Imam Al Mustafa Qari Qadri Siddiqi,Abdullah and myself.What happen internal why he return back .

Take Oath on the Quran and speak the truth .

Whoever liar can’t be save from Allah(swt) punishment.

Soon I will provide all details about Darul Uloom Pretoria to the Govt of South Africa.

Jazak Allah khiern

Wasalam.

Sign by

Syed.I.Nabi.

Copy to the President of Pakistan Association of New Zealand.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Pakistan Day

Pakistan Day

Muslim Leaders from all over the Subcontinent gathered in Lahore for the annual session of All India Muslim League. This was here at Minto Park, Lahore that the idea of creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of India originated. A "Lahore Resolution" was proposed by Maulvi Fazle Haque, which later paved the way for the creation of our beloved Homeland. This was the time when the Muslim India was united. Every one was thrilled by the prospect of having a separate homeland. Great Leaders like Quaid-e-Azam, Allama Iqbal, Liaqat Ali Khan & others fulfilled this dream and today we have a great land of the pure for us.

To commemorate this day, Minar e Pakistan was built in Minto Park and the park was named "Iqbal Park". Today, when we visit the Minar e Pakistan, it reminds us of the great number of sacrifices of our ancestors & now its our job to keep it in safe hands till the day of judgement.

 

To commemorate this day, Pakistan assoceation of NZ has organised RANGA RANG program of national songs we invite all friends and families to join us and have wonderful evening with us said Jamshaid Ul Hussen President of PANZ , Mr president said that FAKHER E PAKISTAN , winner of Bolly wood singing completion AAmir Khan will be performing in this Pakistani function , also from kids to elderly there would be something for everyone

Sunday 23rd of March 2008

Time; 6pm sharp

New Lynn community hall

Dinner will served after function

For further in formations please contact

Jamshaid ul Hussen president 0272907080

Attiya Shah 6275853 VP PANZ

Ashraf 832807 Mobil 0210565825

SAUDIS WOMAN TRYING TO CHANGE THEIR CULTURE

Saudi Women Initiate Change From Within
Javid Hassan & Hadeel Al-Khudair, Arab News
 

RIYADH, 14 March 2008 — Despite cultural taboos, a new generation of Saudi girls is fighting back to assert their role in Saudi society. Many young ladies in the Kingdom today occupy jobs in different sectors from health care and banking to media and business.

The mindset of Saudi women is slowly but surely undergoing a change. Whereas once a fresh graduate would say, “I want to study dentistry, but I am afraid I won’t get married,” now a 14-year-old boldly asserts, “As long as I am sustaining my hijab, I will study medicine and become a physician.”

The seeds of change are being planted in young minds at a time when the Kingdom is experiencing its second economic boom. Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, who visited Jeddah recently, observed, “There is no one outside that can force change on Saudi Arabia. The change should come from Saudis themselves.”

Brundtland added she believes that religion is not a hindrance and does not deprive women from access to opportunities. She felt that the problem lies with tradition and culture.

Change, however, is happening and young women are forcing the pace of this change, as Arab News found out.

“My work has become a chance for me to progress and make changes I never thought existed. The banking sector is like a window to the world,” said Reem, a bank investment service representative. “My self-reliance has boosted greatly and I learned that it’s a blessing to learn investment rather than spend away monthly earnings.”

Women are no longer willing to cave in to the restrictions imposed by culture. They are conscious of the need to separate culture from religion by working in various fields while maintaining their Islamic identity.

“Almost 10 years ago, most people here in the Kingdom were against the notion of women becoming physicians,” said Danah Al-Joma’ah, a medical student. “But now, people’s viewpoints have remarkably improved. This is enough proof that Saudi society has become more aware of the significance of having the female facet in different fields... A woman should have an active role in society and her prosperity affects neither her Islamic values nor her role as a wife and mother,” she added.

Interestingly, even a section of men are veering round to the idea of women working. However, the No. 1 factor that deters them from working in hospitals, banks, etc. are the long working hours and prolonged absence from home. It is encouraging to note that the government has embarked on a new initiative enabling Saudi women to work in different sectors. The Shoura Council is currently engaged in setting rules and regulations regarding women’s careers, which will ensure not only their rights but their safety as well.

In this context, it should be emphasized that the 10x10 strategy formulated by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which seeks to push Saudi Arabia among the 10 most competitive nations by 2010, should also envisage expanding the frontiers of their work domain. Currently, an estimated 16 percent of Saudi women — who comprise nearly 50 percent of the population — are employed. With a large segment of the Saudi population disabled by the weight of cultural traditions, one wonders whether SAGIA could home in on its 10x10 target.

The problem is further compounded by the fact that many Saudi women pursue higher studies, especially in humanities, in trying to get around the restrictions that they face. As Al-Hanouf, an administrative worker at a Riyadh University observes: “With so many students applying for a medical doctor (MD) course, you would assume they were going for a bachelor’s degree course.”

It turns out that this is just an exercise in intellectual embellishment as it lends prestige and weight to their personality. “Because our youth have not been well groomed for the job market, they take the easy way out and continue their studies until they are faced with nothing but the walls of their homes,” a King Saud University student told Arab News on condition of anonymity.

However, their hopes are blighted when they find roadblocks in their hunt for jobs. And when they do receive job offers, they find themselves ill prepared for interviews. Their CVs are often also not in order. No wonder, according to a recent study, an estimated 66.3 percent of educated Saudi women are unemployed. Usually, those who seek higher studies are either interested in raising their level of income through a well-paying job or merely seek to enhance their knowledge in a specific field.

“I just want to apply for a scholarship, acquire my MD and PhD and I don’t care then if I do nothing but sit at home,” May, a sociology student, told Arab News. “Even though most students think that they might secure better jobs with an MD, in essence they go for it as a matter of prestige,” she adds.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Prime Minister of Pakistan?

The show has now begun in the political stage of Pakistan.

The honeymoon between PPP and PML-N is not going to last for a long time.At present there common enemy is President Musharraf and once that issue will resolve or if it resolves than these politicians will start their own fight and bitter relations and in the end we will be back to square one.

It is no surprise that after so many weeks passing by the winning party has not been able to select a prime minister yet.It is height of selfishness that Zardari who is in king making position wants to be KING himself

Sharif is waiting for the right time to get full control So the chances are Pakistan is in for big trouble and their past explains it all We will be in position of " OTHHAR TUM ETHHAR HUM" get ready for worst

This what someone said some where Some one make you fool once Shame on them. Someone make you fool twice shame on you.

PANZ

     
 
 PAKISTAN ZINDA ABAD
 
 
Mubarakbad toPakistan community  for We have a great  newly elected PANZ President Mr Jamshed-ul -Hassan MashAllah Our Persident who like to talk truth hear truth speak truth he who can works for unity for our community and build for jinnah Hall,jinnah Mosque,Jinnah School these are signs of unity of Pakistanis and proud of Pakistan InshAllah
JazakAllahkhiern
Wasalaam
Shahji & Family

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Placement is urgently required

Placement is urgently required , three Pakistani kids to place in good Pakistani home , interested please make a call today

For further information

Chhaiya; 9129159

After hour 5754968

Oath Ceremony

Oath Ceremony

About 25 people gather in Sandringham community hall to wetness the oath ceremony of new PANZ , Oath taken by well known personality , JP and QSM Taquir Khan

After ceremony few issue came under discussion, first issue raised by Sabir Cheema , about the placement of tow Pakistani girls and one Pakistan boy who donot want to live with their parents, Mr Khan suggested that we should have safe heaven for such kids, Mr Atta said these kids lives in extreme religious environments if it comes to placement we should place them to moderate Islamic families where they stay in touch with our culture

Vice President Miss Attiya said we need to do parents classes and she can be help as she is studding in social studies

An other issues raised by BillaG , that there is $1600 in Quaid E Azam accounts which is community money, if PANZ wants to claim it , Mr Hussen president of Pakistan Association said we are already short of fund and we will welcome such move

Talking with Sohni Dharti Jamshaid ul Hussen president to Pak community said that preparations of 23rd March function are under way

 

 

Chief Election Commission Election 2000

It was an honour to acts as Election Commission for PANZ 2008 election.We are quite happy that the process completed in a transparent manner.We congratulate the newly elected PANZ team under the presidentship of Mr. Jamshed-ul-Hassan and expect they will continue to serve Pak community to the best of their abilities.I thank you Mr. Nadeem Asharf, executive committee member of PANZ for giving election commission full powers to run the electoral process.I also thank you my fellow commission members Tauqeer Khan Sahib and Shabbir Ali for working as well-knit team.I am further thankful to outgoing PANZ President Syed Waqar Ali and Ex President Shahid Azad whose services we used for paper work, record-keeping and communication...Hopefully PANZ 2008 election would be a step further in community development.
Pakistan Zinda Baad
Qamrudin Ahmed
Chief Election Commission
Election PANZ 2008

Thursday, March 6, 2008

PANZ ELECTIONS

سب سے پہلے تو ساری پاکستانی کمیونٹی کو اس بات کی مبارکباد کہ کسی نہ کسی نے تو اس بات کا بیڑا اٹھایا کہ وہ اس قوم کو ساتھ

لے کر چلے۔میرا ذاتی خیال ھے کہ اس میں سب سے بڑا ھاتھ ندیم اشرف صاحب کا ھے۔جن کی کوشش سے یہ سب ممکن ہوا۔

کیا ھم اس نئ کابینہ سے امید کر سکتے ھیں کہ يہ لوگ کچھ کر دکھائیں گے؟کیا ھم جناح ھال کے مستقبل کی کوئ شمع

روشن دیکھ سکتے ھیں؟یا یہ لوگ بھی 14 اگست پر چاول بیچ کر فارغ ھو جائیں گے؟؟؟؟؟؟؟

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Flag Hosting

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

 Kindly find attachment which is an invitation from H.E. Mr.. Munawar Saeed Bhatti, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Paksitan for a National Day flag hoisting ceremony at the High Commission for Pakistan.

Regards

Syed Waqar Ali

 

Address:

High Commission for Pakistan

182 Onslow Road, Khandallah Wellington, New Zealand

Tel. +64 4 4790026 Fax. +64 4 4794315

 

 

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Funeral Prayer

Is it permissible to pray for one who committed suicide?

Question:
Is it permissible to offer the funeral prayer for one who committed suicide?.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.  

Killing oneself is a major sin, and there are stern warnings addressed to the one who does that, but it does not put one beyond the pale of Islam. In the Sunnah it shows that it is permissible for ordinary people to offer the funeral prayer for one who commits suicide, but it is prescribed for the elite, such as scholars and prominent figures, not to offer the funeral prayer for him, as a rebuke and so as to deter others from doing likewise. It was narrated that Jaabir ibn Samurah said: A man who had killed himself with a broad, sharp-edged arrow was brought to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he did not offer the funeral prayer for him. Narrated by Muslim (978). 

Al-Nawawi said:  

The scholars said: this hadeeth is to be understood as a deterrent to suicide, just as he did not offer the funeral prayer for one who was in debt, but the Sahaabah offered the funeral prayer for the debtor on the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). That was in order to deter others from getting into debt, not because he was a kaafir. According to Maalik it is makrooh to offer the funeral prayer for one who has been stoned to death as a hadd punishment, and one who was immoral, as an expression of disapproval. 

Sharh Muslim, 7/47. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked about a man who claimed to be a holy man, then he saw a snake and some of the people wanted to kill it, but he stopped them, then he picked up the snake trying to do a miraculous deed, but the snake bit him and he died. Is it permissible to offer the funeral prayer for him or not? 

He replied: 

Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. The scholars and people who are religiously committed should not pray for this man and others like him, but the ordinary people should pray for him, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) refrained from praying for a man who had committed suicide, and one who had stolen from the war-booty, but he said: “Pray for your companion.” They said to Samurah ibn Jundub: “Your son did not sleep last night.” He said, “Was it because he ate too much?” They said: “Yes.” He said: “If he had died I would not have prayed for him.” Samurah explained that if he died because he had eaten too much, he would not pray for him, because he would have killed himself by eating too much. And it is more appropriate that the scholars and those who are religiously-committed should refrain from offering the funeral prayer for this man who prevented others from killing the snake, and held it in his hand until it killed him, because he killed himself. 

Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 3/20, 21 

Shaykh al-Islam also said: 

If a person refrains from praying for one of them – i.e., the one who stole from the war-booty, the one who killed himself and the debtor – as a deterrent to others from doing likewise, then that is good.  But if he refrains from praying for him in public but makes du’aa’ for him in private, then he will achieve two ends, which is better than omitting one of them. 

Al-Ikhtiyaaraat al-‘Ilmiyyah, p. 52. 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz was asked: 

Can the funeral prayer be offered for one who kills himself? 

He replied: 

Some of the Muslims should pray for him, as for any other sinner, because he is still a Muslim according to Ahl al-Sunnah. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 13/162. 

And he was asked: 

Should one who killed himself be washed and the funeral prayer offered for him? 

He replied: 

The one who killed himself should be washed and the funeral prayer offered for him, and he should be buried with the Muslims, because he is a sinner, but he is not a kaafir; killing oneself is a sin, it is not kufr. 

If a person kills himself – Allaah forbid – he should be washed and shrouded, and the funeral prayer offered for him, but the ruler and important figures should refrain from offering the funeral prayer for him as an act of denunciation, lest anyone think that they approve of what he did. If the caliph, ruler, judges, governor, mayor etc do not offer the funeral prayer for him as an act of denunciation and a declaration that this was wrong, then that is a good thing, but some of the worshippers should offer the prayer for him. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 13/122; Fataawa Islamiyyah, 2/62 

And Allaah knows best

Wasalaam

Shahji

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Namaz E Janaza

 

Arshad and Ahmad’s mother passed away in Auckland , Namaz E Janaza would be in Watekere cemetery off great North Rd Gleneden

Time 3pm sharp

Today 1/o3 08