Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Beautiful - Baba Bullay Shah
Parh Parh Kitaaban Ilam Diyan
Tu Naam Rakh Liya Qaazi,
Hath Vich Farh Ke Talvaar
Tu Naam Rakh Liya Gaazi,
Makkay Madinay Ghoom Aaya
Tay Tu Naam Rakh Liya Haaji,
" BHULLY SHAH "
Haasil Ki Kita,
Je Tu Yaar Na Rakhaya RAAZI.
Haasil Ki Kita,
Je Tu Yaar Na Rakhaya RAAZI.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Death Announcement - Mother of Mr Qaiser Bhutta expired
Mother of Mr Qaiser Bhutta, resident of 9/869 Manukau Road, Royal Oak has expired. For condolence and more information, you may pl ring Mr Bhutta on 6345396.May Allah enter her soul in Jannah Aameen
PANZ
PANZ
Blood Donation
A blood donation is when a healthy person voluntarily has blood drawn. The blood is used for transfusions or made into medications by a process called fractionation.
In the developed world, most blood donors are unpaid volunteers who give blood for a community supply. In poorer countries, established supplies are limited and donors usually give blood when family or friends need a transfusion. Many donors donate as an act of charity, but some are paid and in some cases there are incentives other than money such as paid time off from work. A donor can also have blood drawn for their own future use. Donating is relatively safe, but some donors have bruising where the needle is inserted or may feel faint.
The amount of blood drawn and the methods vary, but a typical donation is 500 milliliters (or approximately one US pint)[1] of whole blood. The collection can be done manually or with automated equipment that only takes specific portions of the blood. Most of the components of blood used for transfusions have a short shelf life, and maintaining a constant supply is a persistent problem.
In Auckland, BillaG organise "Blood Balti" which is purely a humanitarian activity. This must be praised by all and there is a lesson too for us which is "Every person can make a change provided he or she is willing to ADD something to the society from which we have gained but not returned back anything yet".
In the developed world, most blood donors are unpaid volunteers who give blood for a community supply. In poorer countries, established supplies are limited and donors usually give blood when family or friends need a transfusion. Many donors donate as an act of charity, but some are paid and in some cases there are incentives other than money such as paid time off from work. A donor can also have blood drawn for their own future use. Donating is relatively safe, but some donors have bruising where the needle is inserted or may feel faint.
The amount of blood drawn and the methods vary, but a typical donation is 500 milliliters (or approximately one US pint)[1] of whole blood. The collection can be done manually or with automated equipment that only takes specific portions of the blood. Most of the components of blood used for transfusions have a short shelf life, and maintaining a constant supply is a persistent problem.
In Auckland, BillaG organise "Blood Balti" which is purely a humanitarian activity. This must be praised by all and there is a lesson too for us which is "Every person can make a change provided he or she is willing to ADD something to the society from which we have gained but not returned back anything yet".
Friday, March 27, 2009
Tailor Master
TELLING TRUTH?
what do you think?
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|
A PRAYER FOR ALL
A Prayer for All
Allah always has three replies to our Dua,
1)'Yes'
2)'Yes, but not now'
3)'I have a better plan for you'
There's never a 'NO'....just have faith and keep praying.
This is an awesome prayer .
Believe it and you shall be blessed.
The problem with many of us is that we don't believe that Allah will open a window and pour in blessings that we won't have room to receive them. I dare anyone to try Allah. He is true to His word. Allah cannot lie and His promises are sure.
My prayer for you today:
The eyes beholding this message shall not behold evil, the hands that will send this message to others shall not labor in vain, the mouth saying 'Ameen' to this prayer shall remain happy forever. Remain in Allah's love as you send this prayer to everybody on your list. Have a lovely journey of life! Trust in Allah with all your heart and He will never fail you because He is Rahim and Rahman !
If you truly need a blessing, continue reading this email:
Ya Allah, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to You that You abundantly bless my family and me(Ameen). I know that you recognize, that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you. Oh Allah, I send up a prayer request for Your blessings not only on the person who sent this message to me, but for all those whom I have forwarded this message on to and myself (Ameen).. I am also aware that the power of joint prayers by those who believe and trust in You is more powerful than anything. I thank you always for Your blessings (Ameen)..
Almighty Allah, relieve the person reading this right now from debt and debt's burdens. Release Your Godly wisdom that we may be good stewards over all that You have given us Ya Allah, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are. Ya Rabbul Alameen I am also fully conscious of the fact that if we just obey You and walk on Your way that You have shown us, You will pour Your more blessings on us (Ameen).. I thank you now Ya Allah for the recent blessings I have received and for the blessings yet to come because I know You are not done with me yet. In your name I pray. (Ameen).
Innaka Alaa Kulle Shai-in Kadeer
Ameen .
Take 60 Seconds and send this to those on your list. Insha-Allah within hours, you will have caused a multitude of people to pray to Allah for each other.
Then sit back and watch the power of Allah work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.
Remain Blessed!!! Ameen.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pl submit your Forms to Pakistan High Commission Or PANZ for Registration
The Forms are required to be filled and submitted by every Pakistani. Form is already available on this site and be sent to Pakistan High Commission duly filled in or be sent to PANZ POBox 57057, Owairaka, Auckland. A copy be also obtained by email ( For that pl email panz01@gmail.com). You may visit http://www.opf.org.pk/home/home.html for more information. Pl pass on this information to all who you know. Muhammad Qaiser Siddiqui, Regards
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
PROPHET saw
'ProphetSAW carpet' goes for $5.5m | |
 The Pearl Carpet was created in the late 1860s A carpet that was commissioned in India 150 years ago to decorate the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in Medina has sold for nearly $5.5m at an auction in Doha. Bidding was expected to start at about $5m but the starting price was brought down to $4.5m as there were few buyers. The rug, known as the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, was created using an estimated two million natural seed pearls. It is decorated with hundreds of precious stones, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. A gift "We had to reduce the opening bid to $4.5m and the pearl carpet [eventually] sold at $5.458m," including commission and fees, news agency AFP quoted Sotheby's spokesman Habib Basha as saying. The identity of the buyer has not been revealed as he wished to remain anonymous, Mr Basha said. It is believed that the Pearl Carpet of Baroda was commissioned by India's wealthy Maharaja of Baroda, Gaekwar Khande Rao, as a gift to sit at the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The maharaja's death meant it was never delivered and remained in India, being exhibited as a highlight of the Delhi Exhibition more than 100 years ago. Later, it was taken by a family member to Monaco. The tiny natural pearls, known as Basra, were harvested from the waters of the Gulf. Created in the late 1860s, the carpet is largely red and blue, with swirling vines of flowers and three large round rosettes across its centre. | |
Saturday, March 21, 2009
TXT : You will receive
TXT : You will receive
This is a FREE community service provided by Sohni Dharti
Just txt your name to 021 1655 871 (BillaG) , if you care to share a important news with in Pakistani community. (Vodafone only)
You can sand any important news , events by TXT , which can be forward to all community members on their Mobile Phones .
For detailed Message www.sohnidharti.multiply.
Please pass this message to all Pakistani you know
Thanks
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
CARPET
'Prophet saw carpet' set for auction | |
 The Pearl Carpet was created in the late 1860s A carpet that was commissioned in India 150 years ago to decorate the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad saw in Medina is due to be auctioned in Qatar. The rug, known as the Pearl Carpet of Baroda, was created using an estimated two million natural seed pearls. It is decorated with hundreds of precious stones, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds. Bidding is expected to start at about $5m but experts say its eventual selling price could be far higher. Tradition has it that the Pearl Carpet of Baroda was commissioned by India's wealthy Maharaja of Baroda as a gift to sit at the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad. saw The maharaja's death meant it was never delivered and remained in India, being exhibited as a highlight of the Delhi Exhibition more than 100 years ago. Later, it was taken by a family member to Monaco. The tiny natural pearls, known as Basra, were harvested from the waters of the Gulf. Created in the late 1860s, it is largely red and blue with swirling vines of flowers and three large round rosettes across its centre. The carpet is to be auctioned in Doha on Thursday by Sotheby's. The auctioneers say it is not inconceivable that the carpet could fetch as much as $20m. Whoever the new owner is, it is unlikely the carpet will sit on a floor - it is expected to be used as a wall hanging. | |
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
78 divorce cases a day
| 78 divorce cases a day |
| JEDDAH: A total of 357 marriage contracts each day were signed in the Kingdom during the year 2007. In the same period, there were 78 divorce cases per day. These statistics are from the Ministry of Justice in its annual report for the year 1428H (2007), according to Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper. The report said that in the same year, 130,451 marriages were conducted in the Kingdom as opposed to 28,561 divorces, including 25,697 divorces in which both parties were Saudi and 2,864 divorces in which only one party was Saudi. According to the report, 15,853 marriage contracts were between Saudi nationals while 2,769 contracts were between Saudi men and non-Saudi women. It added that 1,635 foreign men were married to Saudi women. The ministry said 17,830 marital contracts were conducted in courts and 112,621 contracts made by marriage officials while marriage contracts between foreign residents were 10,850. According to the ministry, there were 1,415 khula cases (a woman divorcing her husband after relinquishing her dowry) and 3,025 cases of abrogation of contracts. Makkah topped all cities in marriages (34,702) and divorces (8,318) with Riyadh second with 28,269 marriages and 9,293 divorces. The report said 1,892 couples were reconciled by the courts, thus saving their marriages. |
Hackers steal Shell customer details
Online hackers have stolen personal information from almost 6000 Shell customers in New Zealand and Australia.
Shell spokeswoman Jackie Maitland confirmed today that 1400 New Zealand customers were affected and another 4500 in Australia.
Both the New Zealand police e-crimes unit and the Queensland police were investigating.
Ms Maitland said the information obtained by the hackers was contained in online application forms for a Shell fuel card.
The company became aware of the hacking on February 17 and has contacted all the people concerned.
"The information obtained is equivalent to what would normally be found on business cards and cheques - including company names, address details, email addresses and some bank account details," Ms Maitland said.
The company advised its customers to take precautions over the coming months and report any breaches of their security to police.
- NZPA
Check Mate
News are good , but clouds of doubt are thick and very low , as long as Zardari is in power nothing is cretin in Pakistani politics , it is an clear cut “Check Mate” to SHAH , if he doesn’t learn his lesson from this than wait for news of PHHAH or THHAH ,
By forcing out GEO from air , he has proved that this man is not capable of facing the truth , resgnation of Sheeri Rahman and Raza Rabani is big slap on Mr Zardari’s face . Said Javeed Iqbal President of Pakistan Muslim League NZ. Talking with Sohni Dharti web site he said .
Sharif Bros are doing horse treading in Punjab instead they should meet Ch Shoujjah , which can be more benefits for Punjab
Mr Iqbal added . By now peoples of Pakistan knows difference between Sahrif Brors and Choudhry Bros , Sharif Brothers went to Zardari to make Govt in Punjab , Zardari came to Choudhry’s doors to offer them to form Punjab Govt , they refused it by saying that we do politics of principals , not to get in to Govt by deals
Nawaz did not learn his lesson , it was Ch Shoujjah who brought him from Fiance minister to PM twice ,
Non of Muslim leagues have majority in Punjab , it time for both ML to come together to form Govt in Punjab and save Punjab from Zardari
23rd March - A gathering at Fickling Convention Centre at 6:20 pm on 23.03.09- Pl inform others
Dear all
We are going to have a simple gathering to remember Pakistan Day as per program here under:
Venue :
Date : 23rd March 2009
Time : 6.20 pm
We hope to finish by 9 pm provided start in time.
Our team apologies for not being able to organise this function on a weekend due to non availability of Hall.
Secondly if you want your son or daughter to participate in that program then just write us immediately briefly about that.
Thirdly if you have any suggestion to make that program more good then also feel free to email us back (panz01@gmail.com) at the earliest.
Finally we also need your email back confirming your presence (showing how many people will be attending program inshaallah ).
Any feedback is more than welcome.
Wassalaam
--
Jamshaid ul Hassan
Pakistan Association of New Zealand
We are going to have a simple gathering to remember Pakistan Day as per program here under:
Venue :
| Fickling Convention Centre | |
| 546 Mt Albert Rd TKngs Auckland | 0-9-379 2030 |
Date : 23rd March 2009
Time : 6.20 pm
We hope to finish by 9 pm provided start in time.
Our team apologies for not being able to organise this function on a weekend due to non availability of Hall.
Secondly if you want your son or daughter to participate in that program then just write us immediately briefly about that.
Thirdly if you have any suggestion to make that program more good then also feel free to email us back (panz01@gmail.com) at the earliest.
Finally we also need your email back confirming your presence (showing how many people will be attending program inshaallah ).
Any feedback is more than welcome.
Wassalaam
--
Jamshaid ul Hassan
Pakistan Association of New Zealand
Monday, March 16, 2009
A Request from High Commission for Pakistan
The message received from PHC is being forwarded to you. kindly fill that Form and send back to PHC. This will help in establishing a database for stronger communication of matters of mutual interest.
Regards
President PANZ
09 March, 2009.
Dear Community Members,
Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) is in the process of compiling data of expatriate Pakistanis to up-grade and improve its existing schemes / welfare projects.
2. Attach please find a form which is also available at OPF website www.opf.org.pk. You are requested to kindly fill in the enclosed form and sent it back to the High Commission at the following postal address:-
High Commission for Pakistan,
182-Onslow Road, Khandallah,
Wellington-6035.
3. It would be appreciated if the email is also shared with other community members who might not have received this email.
Kind Regards,
(Irfan Shaukat)
Head of Chancery
High Commission for Pakistan
182 Onslow Road, Khandallah
Wellington, New Zealand
Tel. +64 4 4790026
Fax. +64 4 4794315
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Race Relation Day Mt.Roskill
Here is our advertising concerning our up and coming event, "People in our
Neighbourhood, here it is! We are going to distribute this in Roskill over
the next few days. If you are interested in any A4 flyers or A3 posters,
pop into the centre and feel free to take some. If your Pakistani group of
ladies want to cook for this community event with the idea of selling their
food to fund raise for themselves, they can do so. You need to let us know
if they decide to go ahead, because we have to get special consent from the
Council.
Regards
Zena & Bronwyn
Roskill South Oasis Early Years Services HUB
021-254-1666 or 620-8079
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
SUBHANALLAH
| Remembering the Prophet’s teachings |
| All praise be to Allah the Almighty, Lord of the Universe, Who honored and praised His last Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, saying: “Verily you have the great manners (morals).” (Qur’an, Al-Qalam: 4) Peace and prayers flow to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his honorable family and all his Companions, up to the Day of Judgment, Ameen. I think that it is of vital importance for all of us and especially for our young people and children to know about the very high rank of our Prophet whose birth and advent was a gift from Allah and a mercy to all mankind. Hence, it is important that, on the occasion of his birthday, we should pause to reflect on his Sirah (biography) and tell miracles that took place during and after his birth. It is a known fact that in Islam there are only two Eids (feasts). These are, namely, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. But, other Islamic functions such as the mawlid (birthday) of our Holy Prophet, the Prophetic Hijrah (emigration) from Makkah to Madinah, which marked the beginning of a new history of man, the emergence of a new super force, state and community (Ummah), as well as the Prophet’s Isra’a (night journey) from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest One, are all occasions of great importance for Muslims all over the world. We need to remember and commemorate all these occasions, which remind us of the greatness and high-ranking of our beloved Prophet. When I talk about commemorating these events, this should not be understood that we call on Muslims to turn them into Eids or festivals that involve wrongful practices, which are common in some places in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. But, it is also true that we are living at a time when the enemies of Islam are using every possible means to destroy and conquer the Ummah of the Prophet from within and without, with no sign of mercy or conscience, and that there are very few believers, in fact, who are able to confront them. This may be because we have reached a time of a new jahiliyah (period of darkness and ignorance), among both Muslims and non-Muslims, so much that the truth has become a commodity. It is obvious that those who have power in their hands claim that they have the right to defend the truth, in the form they like it to be, propagate and market it. Thus, the truth itself has become a trademark or a fabricated commodity, and one of their innocent victims. The blood of Muslims in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Pakistan and elsewhere has become cheap to the extent it is not even worth talking about or caring about. As a result, the dignity, sacred symbols and divine values of Muslims have become the main target and the shortest way to name and fame. The Danish cartoons and movie that were designed to defame our Holy Prophet, the recent show on Israeli Channel 10, which included direct insults on both Prophet Muhammad and Jesus Christ (peace be upon them) are but a few examples of the ongoing vigorous campaign against Islam and Muslims. Hence, it is our duty to make use of every opportunity to show our deep love and veneration for our Holy Prophet, who stands very high and above all in the hearts of believers and those who love the truth. The enemies of Islam should know that any attack on our Prophet will never be acceptable to Muslims and that they will pay for it a very high price. It is very important for us now to take every occasion to aggrandize our beloved Prophet, speak out to Muslims and non-Muslims about his merits, teachings and judgments on every aspect of life, and tell about the miraculous signs that accompanied his birth. Furthermore, we should take the opportunity of the mawlid to make it clear to all peoples that the religion of Ibrahim, Noah, Jacob, Moses, Sulayman, Dawood, Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) is one and the same. That Islam is the universal religion for all mankind and that it stands for peace, love, brotherhood, equality, justice and tolerance. We also need to make it clear that the cause of Islam has nothing to do with violence and terrorism; that it is the identity of all lovers of truth, East and West; and that the truth in Islam never changes for the sake of politics, or to suit the purposes of anyone. For all these reasons, I think celebrating the mawlid of our Prophet, if observed without any sinful practices, is a good innovation (bida’a hasanah) as long as it comes out of good intention (husn al-maqsad), Allah knows best. — Dr. Mohammed Abdo Yamani is Saudi Arabia’s former minister of information. He heads several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). |
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Special General Meeting (SGM)- Pakistan Association of New Zealand
| Special General Meeting (SGM)- Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) |
Date Sunday the 15th of March 2009
Place 48 Oriana Street Lynfield
Time 05:15 pm
Agenda Review & Amendment in Constitution
23rd March Programme
Anyother point with the permission of chair may also be discussed
Kindly attend this meeting and take care of time. Pl feel free to convey any reservation or comment to panz01@gmail.com
It would be great of you to pass on this information to our friends / brothers so that a maximum turn out is there. Secondly if you have any suggestion then, pl feel free to send via email at panz01@gmail.com or via a comment at this site
On behalf of
Mr Jamshaid ul Hassan
President PANZ
027 290 70 80
Scientific miracle of the Quran
Scientific miracle of the Quran
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Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Islamic Mortgage Paradigm Shift or Trojan Horse?
| The Islamic Mortgage: Paradigm Shift or Trojan Horse? |
All praise is due to Allah and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his Companions. During recent years there has been an unprecedented expansion in the range of commercial banking products labelled as “ Shari`ah compliant” in many countries of the world. Popular interest among Muslims in the Shari`ah of financial transactions has increased likewise, and in the United Kingdom the permissibility of so-called “Islamic mortgages” is among the most frequent topics of enquiry. We therefore thought it appropriate to record here what we see as the main problems associated with this product class from the perspective of Shari`ah, knowing that many of our criticisms can be equally well applied to other types of product that are currently available from the Islamic banking sector. Scholars who have approved the main forms of Islamic mortgage will no doubt disagree with some elements of our criticism. We mean them no harm, and remind the reader that Allah has decreed the existence of differences among people, including Muslims, as one of the tests by which Paradise may be attained. Although we conduct a purely contractual examination of the issues, it is important not to forget the socio-political context of the discussion. Muslims in the West are attempting to implement certain elements of Shari`ah within an environment that is frequently inhospitable, and the formulation of an appropriate strategy is therefore rather complex. The question is not limited to whether particular financial products are contractually valid. Wider concerns are also in play. For example, is it permissible to establish an Islamic bank that initially has some dealings with interest if the intention is eventually to become interest-free? Should we be content with a structure in which an essentially un-Islamic industry accommodates some Islamic products? Or should banking as an industry be avoided until a completely interest-free opportunity presents itself? If so, how will Muslims satisfy their banking needs in the meantime? Perhaps most fundamental of all, is the Western model of Islamic banking and finance something that can be ‘Islamised’ in the first place? When approaching this subject some scholars of Islam may give greater weight to the surrounding context than they do to narrow contractual issues, particularly in Western countries where the institutional and legal framework is rooted in practices that are often prohibited in Islamic law. It is surely unreasonable to expect a wholly Islamic banking paradigm to suddenly sprout from un-Islamic foundations, and some sort of transitionary phase is therefore to be expected when developing Islamic alternatives. Moreover, in many countries of the world, Islamic and non-Islamic, the Muslim community is not in a position to effect the wide ranging institutional changes that would be required if a genuine Islamic financing paradigm is to emerge. Whatever approach is taken to dealing with the problems that face us, we feel that one key rule to be obeyed is that Islamic principles and teachings should not be twisted to fit preconceived solutions. The basic Islamic prescription for success in these matters is, as always, to deal with the causes of a problem and not its symptoms. If we are asked to provide an Islamic solution to the economic problems caused by interest, without eliminating interest, then we say that Islam does not have that solution. To those who argue that “partly Islamic” financial products are an acceptable stepping stone towards an ideal solution, we respond that such products may already be part of the problem. Many of today’s Islamic financial products are neither presented nor perceived among the Muslim population as temporary solutions dictated by force of circumstance. Because of this, the drive towards improvement in the Islamic finance industry is being diminished. If existing products are already “Islamic”, why develop new ones? Now referred to as "home purchase plans" by the UK Treasury and Financial Services Authority, Islamic home financing products usually adopt one of three basic forms of Islamic contract. These are murabahah, `ijara wa iqtina (sometimes referred to as ijara muntahia bitamleek) and musharakah mutanaqissa. Murabahah is a sale of an item to a buyer at a disclosed profit margin over cost. In order to implement a murabahah mortgage, a bank will buy from the vendor the property that is desired by its home-buying client for the agreed price, and immediately sell it to the client at an agreed profit margin over cost. The home-buyer will pay the price of the property in installments over several years, and mortgage the property to the bank in order to secure the installments that are due. Banks that offer this form of finance usually borrow (at interest on the money market) the amount of money that they use to purchase the property in the first leg of the murabahah transaction. The installments paid by the client are therefore set at a level that is sufficient to repay the money borrowed by the bank from the money market, and provide the bank with a profit on the deal. The installments paid by the client must be fixed in total (since a contract in which the price is not specified is invalid under Shari`ah) hence a bank often uses the interest rate swap market in order to fix its interest costs. By fixing its own borrowing costs, the bank can fix its client's installment payments. Rises or falls in interest rates during the term of the murabahah will not then have an effect upon the cash-flows of either the bank or its client. `Ijara is a rental of an item by its owner to a client, and `ijara wa iqtina is a rental of an item followed by its sale to the client. In the case of home financing using `ijara wa iqtina, the bank will buy from the vendor the property desired by the home-buying client at an agreed price, rent it to the client for a period of years, and then sell it to the client at the end of the period at a price agreed between them at the outset of the contract. The client's monthly payments to the bank will comprise two main payments. One is rent, the other an amount that is held by the bank as an assurance that the client will be able to pay for the purchase of the property when required to do so at the end of the rental period. The “assurance money” is loaned out at interest by the bank to the money market, producing a financial benefit for the bank. The client's monthly payment under an `ijara corresponds approximately to the payments under an amortising interest-based loan in which capital and interest are repaid in changing proportions over the term of the loan. This similarity allows a bank to easily adapt its interest-based lending processes to the requirements of an `ijara mortgage. Musharakah mutanaqissa is a diminishing partnership between a financier and a homebuyer. There are several ways in which this partnership can operate. In the case of the Al- Buraq scheme in the United Kingdom , the bank purchases the property desired by the home-buying client using its own funds plus a deposit provided by the client. Although the property is registered in the name of Al-Buraq at the Land Registry, the diminishing partnership contract splits the so called "beneficial interest" in the property between the bank and the client so as to reflect the relative size of their contributions to the purchase price. The client now lives in the property as a tenant and pays rent to the bank. The amount of the rent is adjusted to reflect the fact that the client owns part of the beneficial interest in the property. In addition to the rental payment, over time the client buys the bank's beneficial interest in the property and eventually becomes the owner of all of that interest. At this stage, the client's total rental payment is zero and the final formal step is taken of transferring ownership into the name of the client at the Land Registry. It should be noted that in some other diminishing partnership contracts, the property is held by the financier in trust for itself and the client. Of itself, this modification need not affect the cash-flows described above. Ahli United Bank in London offers products that are described as murabahah and `ijara. United National Bank, HSBC, and Al-Buraq offer what they call a diminishing partnership contract. The Al-Buraq contract has been adopted by Bristol and West, Lloyds TSB and Islamic Bank of Britain . Until recently, HSBC offered an Islamic home financing contract in accordance with `ijara wa iqtina principles, but this has now been replaced by its diminishing partnership product. The Islamic principles of financial transactions are found within a part of Islamic law called muamalat. As a rule, muamalat states what is prohibited, not what is permitted. If a contract can be shown to contain a prohibited feature, it is deemed void or partly invalid under Islamic law. The onus is on the one who prohibits to prove his case, not on the one who permits. Hence, it is not for the bank to show that its mortgage product is halal (permissible). Rather, it is for detractors to show that the product contains a prohibited feature such as riba (usury, of which the charging of interest is one form) or gharar (deception or uncertainty in contractual terms). It is worth pointing out that the fashion of issuing religious judgements to approve financial products as halal goes against this basic legal approach. However, it seems that the spread of riba and unlawful features within most contemporary financial transactions has encouraged Shari`ah scholars to issue such judgments to signify conformity rather than non-conformity. Islam defines riba in such a way as to prohibit any benefit received by a lender for the giving of a loan, no matter how big or small the benefit. (Riba can also occur in certain other forms of trading transaction that we do not deal with here.) The main point for our purpose is that modern interest falls under the scope of the riba prohibition. In contrast, a transaction in which goods are exchanged for money cannot contain riba. This is called trading. It is however possible that such an exchange will be invalid on other grounds, such as coercion or misrepresentation. Muslim merchants are therefore allowed to make a profit by selling goods for more than they purchased them, but they are not allowed to make a profit by lending money. This is the way in which we may understand the Qur'anic injunction that: "... Allah has permitted trading and forbidden riba ... " from ayat 275, Surah al-Baqarah Islamic law also prohibits hila (legal trickery) that can produce a usurious loan from otherwise permissible contracts. For example, a usury-free loan, a promise and a gift are each permissible in Islam. However, if Person A gives Person B a usury-free loan of £100 on condition that Person B promises to give Person A a gift of £10 upon repayment of that loan, then this is clearly a usurious loan when looked at as a whole. It is therefore prohibited by all schools of Islamic thought that we are aware of. In other words, combinations of Islamically acceptable contracts cannot be used to defeat the usury prohibition. In E`lam al-Muwaqi`in, ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah comments: “What matters in contracts is substance, not words and structure.” Speaking of such contracts in a more general sense, the late Arab scholar ibn Uthaymeen described modern day Islamic banking as the "usury of deception". This he viewed as more serious a sin than usury on its own, for the former entails deception as well as usury, while the latter does not attempt to present itself as anything other than what it is. Similarly, at a conference in Dubai during March 2004, Justice M. Taqi Usmani is reported to have said that: “What we are developing now is not fiqh-ul-mu`amalat (the jurisprudence of financial transactions), but rather fiqh-ul-hiyal (the jurisprudence of legal tricks)”. Contract combination has become very common in modern Islamic banking. For example, in the murabahah model, Person A (the bank) might buy a property for £100,000 from Person B (the seller of the property) and immediately sell it on to Person C (the homebuying client) at a price of £150,000 to be paid in equal installments over 15 years. Person C must begin the process by promising in writing that if Person A buys the property from Person B, then Person C will immediately buy the property from Person A. The few Shari`ah scholars who approve this transaction say that it is trading (buying and selling of properties), not borrowing and lending money at interest, and that it is therefore halal. But viewed from the bank's perspective, as soon as the bank transfers £100,000 to Person B, the agreement with Person C automatically comes into effect requiring Person C to repay £150,000 to the bank at a later date. The transaction is referred to as “murabahah to the purchase orderer” in the Islamic banking literature. The contractual documentation used in a murabahah to the purchase orderer transaction usually includes an offer letter which states that the bank does not agree to execute any one leg of the transaction unless all legs have been agreed among the relevant parties. In this way the bank avoids the situation in which it owns the property for any meaningful period of time, and from the bank’s perspective the transaction is merely one of “moneynow for more money later”. In effect, the property is used as a means of lending money at interest. The possibility that contracts of sale could be used in such a way was well recognised by ibn `Abbas. When asked about a piece of silk that was sold for a deferred price of 100 and re-purchased for a payment of 50 in cash, Ibn `Abbas commented: “dirhams for dirhams, with a piece of silk in between”. The use of an offer letter may maintain the appearance that the transactions (property purchase followed by property sale) are independent and therefore not similar in analogy to the combination of contracts described above as hila. However, we are not convinced by this structuring of documents, since the legal effect is identical to the inclusion of all legs of the transaction in a single contract. For example, a United Bank of Kuwait murabahah mortgage offer letter in 1998 states that: "We [UBK] will not buy the Property from the Vendor or sell it to you [the Client] until all the matters set out in the Schedule of Offer Conditions have been completed to our satisfaction". We feel that if the obligations of the parties to a given financial product are to be spread among more than contract, then it is obligatory for jurists to look at the scheme as a whole rather than at its separate components before forming an opinion on its permissibility. Turning our attention to the method by which rental levels are set in `ijara and diminishing musharakah mortgages, we note that in many such contracts rent is linked to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This rate is determined on a daily basis for specified periods going forward. For example, the six month Sterling LIBOR rate for 11 August 2006 was 5.07688%. This means that a person borrowing £100 for the six month period starting two days after 11 August will pay an annualised interest rate of 5.07688% for the period (approximately £2.54 for the contract in question). Given that we cannot know what LIBOR will be for any period starting tomorrow or on subsequent days, clients whose rental payments depend upon that interest rate are in a position of ignorance as to what their future rental payments will be. With regard to the rental payments, the Al-Buraq contract states that: “Before the start of each Rent Period, we will send you an Adjustment Notice notifying you of the adjusted Rent and Acquisition Payments which will be payable on each of the Payment Dates in that Rent Period. The rent payable on each of those Payment Dates will be found by applying the formula P% x AC/12 where P% = the percentage found by adding LIBOR to the Margin ...” [the Margin being an amount added to LIBOR in order to provide Al-Buraq with a profit]. Clause 6, Al-Buraq Lease Agreement, 2006 Scholars have argued that setting rental levels in line with market interest rates is not in itself haram. They argue this by analogy, on the basis that it is permitted for a Muslim shopkeeper to make the same percentage profit selling lemonade as the non-Muslim shopkeeper makes selling alcohol. However, we identify a rather different and serious problem arising in the link to LIBOR, namely one of gharar. This is because the client does not know what rental amount he must pay to the bank until the beginning of each new period, remembering that the client is contractually bound to rent the property for the subsequent period. If interest rates increase dramatically, then the rental payments will likewise increase and the client may find himself locked into the payment of rentals that he cannot afford. This is one basic reason that traditional scholars in Islam have made the specification of price a basic requirement of any sale contract. One cannot agree to buy or rent something without knowing the price one must pay. Wahba al-Zuhayli summarises: "... general conditions specify that the sale must not include any of the following six shortcomings: uncertainty or ignorance (al-jahala), coercion, time-restriction, uncertain specification (gharar al-wasf), harm (al-darar), and corrupting conditions (al-shurut almufsida)" Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Proofs, Dar al-Fikr (2003), p. 33 “A sale without naming the price is defective and invalid" Dr. Wahba al-Zuhayli, Islamic Jurisprudence and Its Proofs, Dar al-Fikr (2003), p. 56 If the home-buying client later decides that he can no longer afford the rental, both the HSBC and Ahli United `ijara contracts require that he or she must guarantee to repay the cash sum initially provided by the bank to fund the purchase of the property. In those cases where the property has to be sold to achieve this, the possibility arises that, if property prices have fallen in the meantime, the sale proceeds may not be sufficient to repay the financed amount. In this case, by requiring the client to make up any shortfall to the bank, the possibility of "negative equity" arises, a position in which the client owes more to the bank than the property is worth. Clause 6.3 (d) of the United Bank of Kuwait `ijara agreement from 1998 provides an example of the way in which banks seek to protect themselves from capital loss. Here, the bank is allowed to sell the client's property in the event of default and to subtract such amounts as are necessary from both the proceeds of sale and the on-account payments made by the client in order to protect the bank from a loss on its investment. From the Shari`ah perspective, it is clear that a client can only be renting a property if he doesn't own it. Yet if the legal reality is one of rental, a question arises as to why the client must bear the risk of a fall in the property's price. Those who rent cars from hire companies are not expected to compensate the hire company for a fall in the value of the car during the period of the hire. On the other hand, if the client is bearing the risk of a fall in property value precisely because he owns the property, then it must be asked why the client is expected to pay rental to the bank. In answer to this question some Shari`ah scholars have argued that, in a modern `ijara agreement, the bank only buys the property and rents it to the client because the client has expressed a need for the property. It would be unfair, they argue, for the bank to suffer a loss if the client does not proceed to purchase the property at the price agreed at the outset of the `ijara. Once again, we are not convinced by this argument. The essence of an ‘ijara contract is to free the tenant from bearing responsibility for loss or damage to the property (unless it results from the tenant’s misuse of the property). A compensation for loss of capital value is a condition that defeats the purpose of an `ijara contract, and this kind of condition is not permitted in muamalat. Another example would be to sell a watch to a buyer on condition that the buyer must give the watch back to the seller after one month without compensation. Such a condition defeats the purpose of sale, which is that ownership passes permanently to the buyer in return for payment of the price to the seller. If such conditions are to be permitted on the grounds of intention, what is to stop Partner A in a partnership from asking Partner B to guarantee him against capital loss, on the basis that Partner A entered into the partnership merely as a favour to Partner B? Such an argument would be seen as invalid under Shari`ah because it defeats the purpose of partnership, yet it is almost identical to the argument used by those scholars who defend the rights of the bank in the aforementioned `ijara agreement. Furthermore, an `ijara mortgage typically requires that the client purchases the property from the bank at the end of the `ijara term as a means of protecting the bank’s original capital contribution. This transaction, involving a deferred delivery of both countervalues (property and price), has been prohibited by the four main schools of thought: "Delay from both sides is not permitted by consensus either in corporeal property or in liabilities as it amounts to a proscribed exchange of a debt for a debt." Ibn Rushd, Bidayat al-Mujtahid (English translation), Garnet (1996), p. 154 The final issue that we wish to address here is the purchase of shares by a home-buying client under the diminishing partnership form of contract. Here, the price and timing of share purchases is usually fixed at the outset of the contract. We are aware that in one particular case, the price of share purchases is related to the market value of the underlying property at the time of the purchase, and that in this same case such purchases are not forced upon the client contractually. This case is however an exception and the majority of financial institutions adopt the former model. For example, the Al- Buraq contract forces its home-buying client to purchase shares in the partnership at monthly intervals: "We agree to sell and you agree to buy Our Share of the Property for the Acquisition Cost on the terms of this Deed. The Acquisition Cost shall be payable by way of the First Acquisition Payment, which shall be paid on the date of this Deed; and the Acquisition Payments ... which shall be paid on each Payment Date ..." Clause 2, Al-Buraq Diminishing Ownership Agreement, 2006 It is worth noting that the Shari`ah standards of the Bahrain-based Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) prohibit the purchase of shares in a diminishing partnership at a price that is fixed in advance. This is on the basis that partners in a contractual investment (in this case, a rental property) must share any losses on their investments in proportion to their capital contribution. If one partner forces another to buy his shares at a predetermined price, he may effectively be able to protect himself against loss, thus breaking the principle of loss sharing that must apply if an Islamic partnership is to be valid. For example, if two partners put £50 each into a business partnership, the partnership capital is £100 in total. If it is further agreed that the first partner will purchase the shares of the second partner in one year's time at a price of £50, then the second partner has assured himself, contractually, that he cannot make a loss on his investment in the business. AAOIFI clearly recognises the risk that a halal partnership contract can be transformed into a riba contract by means of pre-agreed share transactions: "It is permissible for one of the partners to give a binding promise that entitles the other partner to acquire, on the basis of a sale contract, his equity share gradually, according to the market value or a price agreed at the time of acquisition. However, it is not permitted to stipulate that the equity share [sic] be acquired at their original or face value, as this would constitute a guarantee of the value of the equity shares of one partner (the institution) by the other partner, which is prohibited by Shari`a.” AAOIFI Shari`ah Standards 2003 - 2004, section 5. Diminishing Musharakah, p. 214 The diminishing partnership contracts that have come to our attention protect the bank from capital loss on its share of the partnership by various means and to varying degrees under English law. In the event of a deterioration in the United Kingdom property market, Muslims who default under such contracts may therefore find themselves required to guarantee the bank’s original capital contribution to the property purchase. If property prices fall sufficiently far, the position of negative equity that was described earlier could become widespread. This would no doubt be an unexpected surprise for many clients, given the language of “risk sharing” that typically accompanies Islamic home finance products. In summary, we believe that any Islamic home financing scheme in which the financing organisation stipulates conditions to protect itself from a negative return on capital is equivalent to an interest-bearing loan. Contracts in which the financier buys a property for a client while requiring the client to buy it back at a higher deferred price are the most common (but not only) means of implementing such loans. In these cases, the property is used firstly as a tool to transact the loan, and secondly as a means of securing it. Given that it is possible to produce genuinely Shari`ah compliant Islamic property financing contracts under English law, we feel that to permit the present range of products on contractual grounds is a flawed strategy for the Muslim community to follow. The risk is that the benefits possible under a proper implementation of Islamic finance will not emerge, and that what could have been the beginning of an interest-free economic renaissance will in fact become a mechanism for its suppression. Allah knows best and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and all his Companions. |
Friday, March 6, 2009
Tennis Ball Cricket Tournment 2009
Tennis Ball Cricket Tournment 2009
A Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament to be held on 8 March 2009 at Melville Park on St Andrews Road in Epsom. The tournament will be a knockout tournament with 8 teams. Each team has a maximum of 8 players. Number of overs per innings is 8. Drinks, snacks and pizza will be provided for spectators. The team draw will be taking place at 9:30am sharp on the grounds. Refreshments for spectators will be provided. All are welcome to enjoy the performance of our local boys! Photos of the tournament will be posted on my facebook page which can be accessed through this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photos/?ref=sb
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Independent inquiry into wrongdoing under Bush’s War on Terror.
Hello
Although it is not in the news − this week, the US Senate is debating if it will set up an independent inquiry into wrongdoing under Bush’s War on Terror. This is big!
Such an investigation could have massive global consequences, and if properly set up would have the power to find out what really happened in Guantanamo Bay and it could reach all the way up the chain of command.
If enough of us around the world make clear to the US Government that we support an effective and powerful inquiry − we could tip the debate. Click here to sign a global petition. I just did it and only takes one second:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_terror/98.php?cl_taf_sign=1e306760cd4786041917a6b7029f6e5a
Although it is not in the news − this week, the US Senate is debating if it will set up an independent inquiry into wrongdoing under Bush’s War on Terror. This is big!
Such an investigation could have massive global consequences, and if properly set up would have the power to find out what really happened in Guantanamo Bay and it could reach all the way up the chain of command.
If enough of us around the world make clear to the US Government that we support an effective and powerful inquiry − we could tip the debate. Click here to sign a global petition. I just did it and only takes one second:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/end_the_war_on_terror/98.php?cl_taf_sign=1e306760cd4786041917a6b7029f6e5a
Pakistan Association of NZ - March 2009 Newsletter Issue: 4
Bismillahir Rehamanir Rahim
Assalam-o-alaikum
Introduction:
We hope the community is well and is in good health. We are continuing to interview our leading members in the community so please let us know if you know someone who would like to appear in our newsletter.
In this newsletter, we had the opportunity to talk to the cricket captain of the HEC cricket team, Zia Hashmi.
Q1: How has the cricket season been going for the HEC cricket team?
A. It was not as good in the beginning for HEC team playing in 1 day 5A grade, as most players were playing after a long time and were also new to hard-ball cricket but now our team is well set and we have won our last four matches in a row.
Q2: What role do you play in the cricket team?
A. I am the captain of HEC scholar’s team playing in 1 day 5A grade.
Q3: Who can join the HEC team?
A. Preference is given to those HEC scholars who are registered with Takapuna club. But if some of the players are missing due to other commitments then any Pakistani player can get a chance to play in this team.
Q4: How often do you train and where?
A. We have one practice session per week, on Thursday, at Parnell nets.
Q5: What kind of training do you do?
A. We usually do batting, bowling and fielding (catching) training.
Q6: Have you ever had a serious injury in a game?
A. No. But minor injuries are part of this game or even normal life.
Q7: Who is your favorite cricketer and why?
A. My favorite cricketer is Imran Khan as he is one of the greatest all-rounders of all time and in my opinion the best ever skipper of this game.
Q8: What do you think about India not touring Pakistan?
A. I think it is their personal decision but nothing should affect cricket.
Q9: What do you think about taunting during the game?
A. I think it is part of this game but it should be within certain limits. One should not attack one’s personality.
Q10: What are your activities when you are not playing?
A. I try to spend my time with my family.
Q11: How do you balance cricket and study?
A. I think a PhD student has flexible study timings so its not hard to devote one and a half days for cricket (provided you have got enough passion for cricket).
Q12: Why did you choose to study in New Zealand?
A. As it is an English speaking country, has got cultural diversity and everybody is free to live in their own way over here.
Q13: What and where were you studying before you came to New Zealand?
A. I was serving in Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Islamabad, an environmental research organization.
Q14: What is your area or topic of study?
A. My research area is “assessment of hydrologic impacts of Climate Change”.
Q15: What are your goals for this year?
A. InshaAllah, I am going to submit two research articles in two well reputed journals of my field and will present a paper at a conference in Cairns, Australia in July this year.
Q16: Are more HEC students expected to come to New Zealand?
A. To my knowledge, no students are expected to come to New Zealand for some time but HEC is working on a new plan which will make it possible for HEC to send more students here.
Q17: What will you do once you finish your studies?
A. I will go back to sohni dharti Pakistan and re-join GCISC.
Q18: How have you found the Pakistani community in New Zealand?
A. It is really great to see Pakistanis living here as a strong community and are very helpful to their Pakistani brothers always.
Q19: What is your favorite place in New Zealand?
A. I have not seen South Island of New Zealand yet, but I suppose some place over there would be my favorite in New Zealand.
Q20: How do you keep in touch with friends and family in Pakistan?
A. My family and friends in Pakistan regularly call me as it is really cheap to call from Pakistan to New Zealand and on special occasions like Eid, someone’s birthday etc I call them as well.
Thank you very much Allah hafiz.
Students activities
The students are doing great. During the recent couple of weeks, many students have been busy for their visa extension process. Unfortunately, Immigration NZ gives only one year visa extension which puts financial burden on students every year along with other difficulties. We raised this issue at different forums several times but in vain. In Auckland club cricket, HEC scholars team demonstrated excellent performance during the last couple of weeks under the leadership of Mr Zia Hashmi. HEC scholars’ team is expected to be in top-4 after pool matches. HEC scholars have also started Islamic lessons at prayer room on the university after Zuhr.
For further information please contact Mr. Tanveer Abbas on 0212102911.
Prayer timings
Fajar: 6:15 am
Zuhar: 1:50 pm
Asr : 6:00 pm
Magrib:8:00 pm
Isha: 9:45 pm
What is happening in Pakistan
At this time, Pakistan is facing many challenges like the political situation of our beautiful city Swat, the global recession and the economic crisis. As Pakistanis we all should pray for our beautiful country. May Allah solve all the problems and make Pakistan a great place to live (Ameen).
Sports
When we talk about sports the first thing that comes to mind is cricket and Pakistan is currently playing test matches against Sri Lanka with the last test on 6 March 2009 in Lahore.
The Pakistani Hockey Federation has named Olympian Shahid Ali Khan as the chief coach of the national hockey team. Shahid said he would try his best to help Pakistan regain its lost glory in hockey and his first job will be to prepare the team for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia from April 6-12 2009. Khan said he wanted a youthful team with a blend of experienced players.
Tennis Ball Cricket Tournment 2009
A Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament to be held on 8 March 2009 at Melville Park on St Andrews Road in Epsom. The tournament will be a knockout tournament with 8 teams. Each team has a maximum of 8 players. Number of overs per innings is 8. Drinks, snacks and pizza will be provided for spectators. The team draw will be taking place at 9:30am sharp on the grounds. Refreshments for spectators will be provided. All are welcome to enjoy the performance of our local boys! Photos of the tournament will be posted on my facebook page which can be accessed through this link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photos/?ref=sb
Facebook is free to join and a great way to keep in touch!
For more information contact Mr. Ata-ur-Rehman Qureshi Cell: 0212070071 or
Khalid Jatoi : 02102799259
Websites
PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSION CONTACT DETAILS
182 Onslow Road, Kandallah
Wellington
04-479 0026-27
For anything to be added in next newsletter pl contact Mr Ayaz Manzoor on 09 627 9136
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