Helping Hands Qurbani appeal 2008

“So keep offering prayer to your Lord, and offer sacrifice.”[Quran 108:2]

Dear Brother/Sister in Islam

Assalam-o-Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah-e-Wa Barakatuhu

While celebrating Eid-ul Adha this year, do not forget your Muslim brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who are affected by natural calamities like earthquakes in Pakistan, cyclones in Bangladesh, and armed conflicts in different parts of the world, such as tribal areas of Pakistan and Africa, and occupied territories like Palestine.

Your participation in our Qurbani project will make sure those who are the most needy can celebrate these days of blessings and festivities with you.

You can pay directly into the following bank account*:

UK BANK DETAILS Bank: HSBC Bank PlcA/c Name: Helping HandsSort code: 40-15-17Account no: 01673033
INTERNATIONAL BANK DETAILS Bank: HSBC Bank PlcA/c Name: Helping HandsIBAN: GB88MIDL4015170 1673033Swift Code/BIC: MIDLGB2114H

*If you pay directly in our bank account please call us to give details about your Qurbani.
UK & Rest of World44 (0)20 8539 5353USA & Canada1 866 467 8816
Postal Address:HELPING HANDSP.O.Box 939Harrow, HA3 3GY United Kingdom

Book your Qurbani online now at: www.HelpingHandsworldwide.

Haj 2008 pilgrims conned by rogue travel agent

On Thursday 13th November 2008, police raided the offices of Qibla Hajj Kafela Ltd (a rouge travel agent, based off Brick Lane in London) that conned over 300 pilgrims of fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam - going to Hajj. The travel agent owned by Al-Haj Md. Faruk Ahmed was offering one of the cheapest Hajj Packages available this year (£2,300 and £2,500 for Hajj). He falsely claimed to be an authorised agent approved by the Ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia and his words to reassure people regarding the package made pilgrims trust him and his fellow workers. Md. Faruk Ahmed set up Qibla Hajj Kafela on 06.08.2008. He previously worked in a group called Al Qibla Travels Limited (a Ministry of Hajj authorised agent) the previous year and due to some dispute went his separate ways.

Suspicions arose when pilgrims who paid their monies went to collect their Passports and tickets from his office at an agreed pickup date and found out that the office was closed with a notice sign on the door.

Md. Faruk Ahmed and his staff were nowhere to be seen. Police raided the office and confiscated hundreds of passports and other documents from locked cupboards. It is estimated that this con artist could have made away with up to £700,000.

He is nowhere to be seen. If you spot him and his crew please contact the police immediately.Arrests will be made as people like this cannot hide forever, the world is small place. I just hope for his own safety the police catch him before any of the pilgrims he conned do.Here's a report in Bengali taken from WeeklyBangladesh.

Thanks to the efforts of individuals like Councillor abdal Ullah, Trading Standards and the Police I have been made aware that all the passports for the unfortunate pilgrims have been returned to their rightful owners. "this is by no means, the best outcome," said Councillor Ullah. "But at least those who wish to and can afford to, can look at booking a Haj trip with another travel provider.

"I would like to assure the community that all agencies involved are working extremely hard to locate the said individual behind this and we will update the public as soon as we have relevant information."

If you are a victim of the scam please telephone the police on this special number: 020 8217 4948 to reclaim your passport.If there is a victims groups set up or if you want to set one up please let me know and I will post it here.Additionally if there are any photographs of this person and his group members as well as any other details such as his address in UK or Bangladesh (possibly where he ran off to) would be useful. Remember any useful info should also be reported to the police - lets not let these crooks get away!


You can also email in confidence info@al-islam.co.uk

Very important Virus alert

There is a dangerous virus being passed electronically, orally and by hand. This virus is called Worm-Overload-Recreational-Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from colleagues, boss or anyone else via any means, DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you come into contact with WORK put on your jacket and take two good friends to the nearest bar. Purchase the antidote known as Work-Isolator-Neutralizer-Extractor (WINE) or Bothersome-Employer-Eliminator-Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system. You should forward this warning to 5 friends. If you do not have 5 friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life!

Rory's rocket

He’s gained a rep somewhat of a loafer
“Who cares, launch it” bellowed the gaffer

For insight on Stoke Ramblers very own duffer
Read Brittania Pulis not zonal Red Rafa

To retrieve the ball you’d need a chuck wagon
Hefty throw from the hidden dragon

Pellet launched, weighing a hefty tonne
Bullet like force as the opposition it’ll stun

Just what of it all would Sir Stanley make?
As purists scream this football’s all fake

But as the fireball descends and opposing backs freeze
It’s more celebration at the potteries


Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
http://www.football-poems.com/

A tough teaser for you to crack

I wanna play a game! (Rasping voice)

Your mission should you accept is to study the pictures below and crack this age old mystery.

You may partake in some humour should ths task begin to cause any distress. Please note that I will take no responsibility if any violence is exhibited, manifested or administered during the course of this groundbreaking social experiment.

Good luck & Godspeed!!!

Sheikh Hasina returns home to contest national elections

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh & Awami League President, Sheikh Hasina Wajed has left the UK, returning to Bangladesh to partake in the upcoming Bangladesh elections.

Sheikh Hasina was escorted at the airport by a host of UK Awami League personalities, including UK branch President Alhaj Shamsuddin Khan and activists Afsar Khan Sadek and Lutfur Rahman Sayad.

"Bangladesh will be much richer with her return," said Awami League Activist Afsar Khan Sadek.

Sheikh Hasina has returned after 5 months of health treatment in the US. She returns to lead her party in the upcoming December national elections.

ALL CHANGE

Out today is the Obama T-shirt from http://www.philosophyfootball.com/ to mark a historic triumph for change in the USA. The design- at a special celebratory low price of JUST £14.99 - takes the words of Obama's victory speech in Chicago to form a stars and stripes, representing the very different America we must all hope his Presidency will help shape. Available in sizes S-XXL, and women's skinny-rib fitted too. Also still available is the superb Kanye West T-shirt 'Buy any jeans necessary'.

http://www.philosophyfootball.com/

Beardsley

Thus began the search to find the new king Kenny
Cost a record fee and most likely a pretty penny

Produce of the conveyor belt at Wallsend Boys Club
Diet Coke teetotaller who took a shimmy past the pub

An affable Red Merlin, he made the Kop glow
With a hit barber that was sponsored by Flymo

Heartstopping Adonis, Peter of the Mersey
One and only hipswaying Andrew Beardsley

With Barnesey, Houghton and Aldo he took us to he moon
Couldn’t fathom why he was let go so soon

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Sh Riyadul Haq lecture

Cartoon du Jour - By Khalil‏ Bendib

Wicked cartoons by America's Most Wanted Political Cartoonist. Enjoy!


www.bendib.com

East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre declared the best mosque in the UK

British Muslims have voted East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre as their Super Model Mosque for 2008.

The competition, organised by Islam Channel was held at the Global Peace and Unity Event at the London Excel Arena on 26th November. The final was contested by East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre and the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regents Park for the prize of a £50,000 consultation. East London Mosque won the competition with a massive vote of support from public.

East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre got to the final after facing Sparkbrook Islamic Centre from Birmingham in the semi-final.

Secretary of the mosque Ayub Khan commented, “This is a great honour for our mosque and centre. Over the years we have worked tirelessly to build a centre with facilities and services that everyone can use regardless of age, ethnicity or religion. The prize will go towards a centre of excellence for Muslim women and girls. For a long time we have been looking to address that need and the £50,000 will help immensely.”

The mosque is in the planning stages of building a new section which will house dedicated services for women as well as new prayer space for all.

He continued by saying, “The management committee and the staff of the mosque would like to congratulate Regents Park Mosque for getting to the final, Islam Channel for holding such a great initiative, and also thank all those who voted for us and have supported us.”

One of the Imams of the Ka'bah Shakih Adel Salem Al Kalbani led the congregational evening prayer last night at the East London Mosque.

Over 2000 people came to the mosque to pray behind the Skaykh and hear him give a short talk after the prayer.

His visit ended with a tour of the mosque and centre.

Invitation to Al-Hawdaj

Eminent writer Elham Fathi is inviting readers to visit her new blog Al-Hawdaj.

“Alhawdaj is a place where 4 girls are kept protected from the outside world no one is allowed in without their permission and no one ever knows what’s going on inside their minds” said Elham.

“In Al-Hawdaj every week there will be a new entry from a different user. Please read my first entry and don't forget to leave a comment and give us your opinion about the idea, the design and topics you would like us to discuss in the blog” she added.

Visit Elli’s blog HERE

Welcome to Great Britain

Emdad Rahman

You couldn’t help but notice. He stood there on his own – poppies on one arm, collection container on the other. Ramrod straight, smartness personified, a pristine set of clothes, a proud man who instantly caught your eye.

A war hero, once a young man who had confronted a powerful menace, had laid his life out to preserve true freedom.

Finding it hard to keep up with my better half, I’d sat down in the shopping mall to rest up my tired limbs. It was a great opportunity to survey my surroundings.

Next to me sat a wheelchair bound deaf woman who I engaged in conversation with as best as possible. She was polite with an ever so friendly face and a beaming smile. I couldn’t help but try to communicate with her. “I really need to get some BSL coaching” I thought, for the second time in 7 days.

“F***k off!” an unladylike voice screeched behind me. It wasn’t at me, nor the deaf woman, nor the kind faced little old lady who had just sat down on my right. Oh no, it was directed at her child; “ You’ve F*****g p*******d me off now” she hissed, her language as foul and grotesque as her physical being.

“Sit the f**k DOWN.” The child, not more than three or four went mute silent. Her doe like eyes met mine and I shamefully averted my gaze, focussing on the Mother. To my shame she stared me down and I again had to look away.

A bustling West Indian woman smiles at me as she catches the attention of the dear next to me, asking if she’s been robbed. She answers in the affirmative. They obviously don’t know each other and this is getting very interesting indeed. It turned out that Columbo like, the deaf lady had signed to the West Indian lady that she'd witnessed the crime when it had happened a few days ago.

The dear on my right turned towards me; “twas was a European lady,” she said and grabbing the hand of a stranger (mine) she guided it to the side of her leather shopping carry trolley. On both sides it had knife slits.

“They had seen me in the post office and had followed me. She (the perpetrator) distracted me by asking for directions in a foreign language. Her accomplice slit the sides but couldn’t get in because of the cardboard lining.

“It didn’t stop them as seeing I was still distracted the accomplice simply opened the top zip, saw the cash notes in plastic wrapping and nabbed what is for many, a weeks wages.

"Shame my only witness was a deaf lady. The cameras here are probably out of order and the security guards are no good.

“Could have been worse – if I’d discovered the plot I could have faced that blade myself.

“I lost £150.00, a lot of money when you’re on limited income” she added.

Welcome to Great Britain! Fast turning into a nanny state. A society that seemingly punishes the hardworking, whilst pandering to the whims of the long term useless.

A society lacking a vital basic ingredient – one that is a yardstick by which all model societies should be measured by - RESPECT!

Standing up I shuffled towards the old war veteran. I dropped a coin in the container as he handed me a poppy – “Here you go son” he said. Thank you for supporting us and have a very good day.”

“You’re a dying breed sir”, I muttered, sauntering off to look for my wife.

Scams - The depths to which some people stoop

I received this in my inbox from a close friend this morning. The fact is I knew she was safely tucked away with her hubby and their little Princess in Bow. The email, sent from her own hotmail account read as follows... I've places an x for privacy in some sections.

Reply Soon... xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx
From: xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx (xxxxxxxxxe@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent: 28 October 2008 10:07:25
To: Whole email address list

How are you doing today? I am sorry i didn't inform you about my traveling to Africa for a program called "Empowering Youth to Fight Racism, HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education, the program is taking place in three major countries in Africa which is Ghana , South Africa and Nigeria . It as been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that i found myself is very hard for me to explain.

I am really stranded in Nigeria because I forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the Hotel am staying, I am facing a hard time here because i have no money on me. I am now owning a hotel bill of $1050 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon else they will have to seize my bag and hand me over to the Hotel Management, I need this help from you urgently to help me back home, I need you to help me with the hotel bill and i will also need $1250 to feed and help myself back home so please can you help me with a sum of $2300 to sort out my problems here? I need this help so much and on time because i am in a terrible and tight situation here, I don't even have money to feed myself for a day which means i had been starving so please understand how urgent i need your help.i have decided not tell my family so that they will not be worried.when I return I will tell them and they will understand.

I am sending you this e-mail from the city Library and I only have 30 min, I will appreciate what so ever you can afford to send me for now and I promise to pay back your money as soon as i return home so please let me know on time so that i can forward you the details you need to transfer the money through Money Gram or Western Union.Hope to hear from you.

Regards.
xxxxxxxxx xxxxxx

Jack of all trades – Football’s unsung utility men

I like to refer to them as the “V” men
Humble, in the background types
Workhorses carrying out a range of roles
With double toil to earn their stripes

Kenny Burns switched to centreback
Orchestrated by Old Big Head
The bedrock to become twice a Euro winner
Foreign strikeforces were ripped to a shred

Peter (Schmeichel) the great was an extra centre back
Many times Sprinting up as third striker
Carlos Alberto, swapping roles with Jair
Just was he a full back or winger?

At Anfield the epitome of versatility
Accomplished even in baseball
Carra is one who never walks alone
Be it strike, mid, fullback, central

Chris Sutton of the SAS variety
Partnered ably with Dizzy Dion Dublin
Aided by the devastating pace of Warhurst
Performing artiste with a violin

The Germans are a nation of utility
There’s Der Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer
Then there’s Buchwald, Breitner, Basler
Commander Mathaus unleashing the power

Leeds Madeley served in all of ten roles
Even then outshone by a world champ
As Martin Peters starred in all the eleven
Gaining his mug on a first class stamp

There’s the Welsh dragon John Charles
Gentle giant standing tall
Rock at the back, rapier up front
Arguably the greatest in British football

You’d do a lot worse than Rene Higuita
A keeper to play the sweeper
Though eccentric the clown was brilliant
But look out for Mr Milla

Total football led to Berry Van Aerle
Africa gave Essien and Geremi
Hargreaves, P Neville, Matt Elliott
With a Sombrero we’ve “Nacho” Ambriz

Hence these are the folks that make it all happen
There’s no doubt regarding their esteem
Insurpassable, unflinching, invaluable
And very much the heartbeat of a team

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Food, glorious food

I'd decided that today was the start of a new regime for me - after a weekend of flu I had semi promised to modify my diet and once recovered I would start light jogging again.

Visiting two of my fav students during the half term bnreak I was greeted with the surprise, erm, pictured left. Mind you there were hot green chillies within and it was obviously meant to sweat out my cold :)

It would have been a crime to say no to such hospitality, so with a very heavy heart I dug in and ate that which God had intended for me to eat. To be fair I did keep the discipline as with great difficulty I restricted myself to (only) 3 helpings of this mighty fine example of culinary excellence.

The end result is here for all to see :)

Shahin Badar launches eagerly awaited Laila

Award winning and Dynamic leading British Asian vocalist Shahin Badar releases her debut solo album 'Laila' and returns to the music scene for the first time in nearly two years. She is the first muslim Female artist to have crossed over with the world renowned dance band 'The Prodigy'.

Laila features a blend of Arabic, English and Indian influences that showcases a talent that lead to collaborations with the likes of AR Rahman, Jah Wobble, Twista and Juliet Lewis. It is a strong offering of 18 solid cuts, which are edgy, tripping and hypnotic beats and chants. No dance floor is likely to be empty when tracks like Doleh Reh from Mercury nominated Choque Hosein, Jhoom Jhoom, Laila, and Andheri Raai hit the decks.

Shahin is best known for the Prodigy’s 'Smack My Bitch Up' which featured her spine tingling chant on their multi million selling Fat Of The Land album giving them and Shahin Billboard and UK No. 1 chart positions and entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest selling album at the time. For this she received a double platinum disc and a place in music history. Shahin featured on two further Prodigy albums that enjoyed UK number 1 chart positions. She has worked with dance maestro Tim Deluxe on the single Mundaya, which was chosen as an ‘Essential tune of the week’ by BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong.

Shahin’s distinctive vocals have also featured in over 30 Hollywood and Bollywood films including Academy nominated Closer and Charlie’s Angels, US sitcoms North Shore and Kevin Hill and Shyam Bengal’s Zubeidaa. Shahin supported leading US rapper 50 Cent when his tour took in Lebanon with award winning producer Guy Manoukian at The Biel, in front of a 20 thousand strong audience followed by an invitation to perform with chart topping Turkish artist Mercan Dede in Germany.

Shahin has already won Best female Vocalist at the Asian Pop Awards; nominations for Ethnic Multicultural Media Award - Best New Comer; Asian Women of Achievement Awards - Arts & Culture; Muslim News Alhambra Award for Excellence and Channel 5’s prestigious Community Award – Glory of India thereby establishing Shahin as one of the most outstanding female Asian vocalists in the UK dance and British Asian music scene.


Born in Colchester to Indian parents Shahin had shown strong vocal ability From a very young age , encouraged by her mother she took semi - classical lessons. Having spent 12 years in Kuwait Shahin’s musical horizons broadened and Arabic influences were added to her already strong beautiful Indian vocals.

Shahin scored chart success with the Prodigy’s ‘Smack My Bitch Up’, which featured her spine tingling chant on their multi-selling ‘Fat Of The Land’ album. Shahin, along with the Prodigy earned number 1 chart positions on both sides of the Atlantic and a double plantinum award. Their ‘Fat Of The Land’ album also reached number 1 in19 further countries.

Her collaborations include the likes of AR Rahman, Jah Wobble, Twista and Juliet Lewis. Her vocals have already featured in more than 30 Hollywood and Bollywood films including Academy, BAFTA and Golden Globe Award nominated Closer and Academy Award nominated Charlie’s Angels; US sitcoms North Shore and Kevin Hill as well as Shyam Bengal’s Zubeidaa.

One of Shahin’s greatest achievements includes supporting US rapper 50 Cent when his tour took in Lebanon with award winning producer Guy Manoukian at the Biel in the presence of a 20 thousand strong audience. She was then invited to perform with chart topping Turkish artist Mercan Dede in Germany and worked with director Ang Lee on The Hulk, starring Eric Bana.

Shahin has already won MTV Video Music Award – Best Breakthrough Video Award (Prodigy / Smack My Bitch Up); Muzik Magazine Dance Awards – Best Video Award (Prodigy / Smack My Bitch up); Best Female Vocalist at the Asian Pop Awards; Grammy Award nomination for The Fat of the Land / Prodigy; Ethnic Multicultural Media Award – Best New Comer. Other nominations include Ivor Novello nomination for soundtrack ‘Second Generation (film); Asian Woman of Achievement Awards – Arts & Culture; Muslem News Alhamra Award for Excellence and Channel 5’s prestigious Community Award – Glory of India;

On a personal level, Shahin, having returned from recording vocals for The Hulk in Hollywood with composer Michael Dannah was informed by her mother that her father made the decision to embark on the Hajj pilgrimage, the largest annual pilgrimage in the world.

Still exhausted by her LA flight, within moments of stepping through her front door and upon hearing this news Shahin went to her room to pray. She then informed her mother of her decision to join her father on this epic and momentous trip.

The whole experience was life affirming to her and provided the inspiration for one of her most spiritual songs to date: “Light At The End Of The Tunnel”.

Shahin was to find her faith tested once again. On a trip to India she collapsed and passed out. Taken to hospital it was discovered that Shahin had contracted a serious illness thus forcing her to take time out of her very hectic music career. It has now been two years and Shahin has been given the all clear. She is delighted that interest in her debut album ‘Laila’ has been positive and she’s eager to return to performing live, on stage.

Shahin has emerged as one of the most accomplished crossover/commercial female Asian vocalists in the UK mainstream and Asian music scene.

Release Date: LAILA out now !
Label: Shahin Badar Records through Imprint Records

Distribution: Cargo

www.shahinbadar.com
www.myspace.com/shahinbadar

Sheffield Day & Steel city’s finest

Perhaps the greatest combat in steel land
All nations watched Wembley
Red Blades took on the blue Owls
In the South Yorkshire derby

On a very warm day in April
With the big cheese ambassadorial
Sheffielders invaded London
Descending en masse on the capital

Crammed into the famous old stadium
Just who’d be at the Cup final?
Bragging rights in neighbourly disputes
Be it school, streets, the public urinal

A belter from Waddle streaked in
Hysterics from Stanmore to York
But the Blades scythed away the lead
Courtesy of the veteran Alan Cork

It wasn’t to be the United
As Brightey struck home the winner
To send the blue-and-whites into rhapsody
And the Blades home to their boiled dinner

Woods, Harkes, Warhurst, Nilsson
Hirst, Palmer, Pearson
Bright, Waddle, Worthy, Wilson
Do the Bart man, Sheridan

The Hillsborough Kop and clever Trev
Steel city’s greatest Wednesday team
Ambrosial delectable delight
Like luscious strawberry and cream

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Shisha mania

Health Risk or a Harmless Pastime?

Emdad Rahman

ASH research points out that Shisha smoking is 200 times worse than a cigarette and their research states that three leading experts from across the Middle East warned prior to last years smoking ban that excluding “Shisha bars” would worsen the grave inequalities in health that already affect ethnic minorities.

Full article...

Jewel of Medina

Emdad Rahman

Forget Ocean’s 12/13, pyramid scams and selling home made fizzy pop from the boot of your Fiat Punto.

The latest get rich scheme involves much less hard work, one that is likely to incur the wrath of a quarter of the world’s population and the numero uno religion in the world. *

If the scam works then the green dollar Benjamins will roll in. It’ll be a life of sand, sea, champagne and caviar – all safely a million miles away from the hurt feelings and remonstrations of over a billion hurt fellow humans.

I refer to the latest garbage that is served up as a historical novel, an excuse of a work of fiction titled the Jewel of Medina – a farcical attempt to “bring the love story of Aisha and Muhammad to the West.” Astonishingly, the writer Sherry Jones had never visited the Middle East and had based the novel on her readings and study of the Middle East. The BBC said that the book was a “synthesis of all” she had learned. Upon learning this one wonders whether the Author’s “study” focussed on the Arabian Knights & One Thousand and One Nights? Inaccuracies within the novel included the use of the non Arabic terms “Hatun”, used to describe the wives of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him and “Purdah”.

Texas University Professor Denise Spellberg told the NY Times that she “felt it was my duty to warn the press of the novel's potential to provoke anger among some Muslims."

It is said that Random House, the biggest publisher in the USA wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole because of the perceived response from the Muslim world. I happen to think that the truth in fact was that the eggheads within the marketing section actually concluded that Sherry Jones’ version of Mills & Boon meets Lady Chatterley’s lover was actually a major flop in terms of literary content.

I'd like to take this opportunity to ask whether it is necessary to reform the rules of the game in relation to “freedom of speech.” Just how far reaching are the tentacles and how far can you actually push the boundaries? A dramatic scenario may involve a poison pen campaign launched against an individual or group. There is no guarantee that what is written is factually correct – but in many such cases people don’t care. (Remember the Paediatrician in south Wales hospital that was forced out of her home by moronic vandals who thought she was a "paedophile".) The response is often ill judged, ill fated and the effects of such a campaign often end up in catastrophe or tragedy.

In such a case, can we writers still scream freedom of speech? Do writers, commentators and authors not need to be aware of their greater social responsibility. More so, do writers not need to be trained in the finer aspects of freedom of speech? because as it stands it’s a complete interpretation free for all.

They say that the pen is mightier than the sword, so can freedom of speech be used to insult and bully individuals or groups? It seems nowadays a very convenient weapon that can be used to attack and incite detestation, loathing and repugnance amongst communities. Can this extremely warped notion of freedom of speech be a good thing if it promotes enmity, hatred, division and disorder?

Does the notion of “freedom of speech” allow one party to criticise, bully, insult an individual or group yet throw scorn on the second party to also “express” their displeasure through reactions that could manifest themselves through debate, dialogue, picketing, counter abuse and in extreme cases, threats and violence. If I reported such an attack against on my self, would the perpetrator be able to cite freedom of expression, saying they were responding to my bear baiting and had no intention whatsoever to become physical? Can I as a novice scribe still complain, when using my freedom to express, I insult a group of people, then cower and complain when the very same people take advantage of the same freedom to hit back?

I think it is for these very reasons that eminent and farsighted academics like Dr Spellberg have criticised the book and made their recommendations and concerns public. Professor Spellberg saw an edition and said it "made fun of Muslims and their history" describing the book as a "very ugly, stupid piece of work" and saying “You can't play with a sacred history and turn it into soft core pornography."

Who was Ayesha – fondly referred to as Mother of the believers? A brilliant mind, and immensely charismatic figure. A scholar of great repute, and an advisor of the highest order. As one of the greatest Jurists of Islam Ayesha taught some of the greatest Scholars of Islam. Her knowledge was so vast that she was able to reject narrations of the Hadith from many prominent companions of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him.

It was the lesson of the whole Salman Rushdie and the Satanic Verses that taught Muslims a very important lesson. Whilst burning the book and passionate speeches may have looked good on camera – the publisher giggled all the way to the bank with primetime publicity they could never have dreamt of expending their budget on. And before the frothy mouthed banshees had even gotten to wipe their beards the author had become a multi millionaire, albeit one in hiding, and before long a Knight of the realm. Members of the fastest growing religion on earth had just been mugged off, very much a clear case of daylight robbery.

For the Neanderthals’ that just scream and shout I humbly request that if you can’t respond with reasoned debate and dialogue then save your diesel and stay out of it. Islam, the Prophet Peace be Upon Him and Aisha do not need half witted fools masquerading as their defenders.

Responding to such deliberate provocation with threats of violent action simply plays into a trap set by the publishers - who no doubt hope to make millions from the controversy attracted by a 3rd rate book.

Me, I’m certainly not going to buy a copy as I settle down to some serious reading. Pass me the Beano someone!

* Islam overtakes Catholicism as world's largest religion – Times Online: March 31, 2008

Barclays Premiership trophy at Mulberry Place

Staff at the town hall, Mulberry Place were able to spend a day admiring the Barclays the Barclays Premiership trophy.

Full article...

Courtesy of Asian Image

Grafitti - Art or vandalism?

Giant robot promotes recycling in Tower hamlets

Tower Hamlets council has this week launched its biggest ever recycling campaign with the help of a spectacular giant robot in a bid to improve its record as one of the worst performing councils for recycling in the country.

Entitled 'We can Recycle More', the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of recycling and using the borough's recycling service and saw the robot - named 'Mr Recycle More' - on display with special effects at Spitalfields Market this morning.

At six metres tall, the robot, which is made of 33 recycling bins, towers over a double-decker bus. He has been built with the support of the council's recycling contractor, Veolia. The giant will now tour the streets as the council's ambassador for recycling as well as visiting community days, in residential areas and estates.

Hundreds of posters will also be put up on bill boards and buses starring local people who recycle. The work is especially important because Tower Hamlets is among the lowest recycling authorities in the country, recording an 11.75% recycling rate in 2006-07.

Tower Hamlets council's Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener, councillor Abdal Ullah said: "It's no secret that Tower Hamlets is among the lowest recycling authorities in the country. But rather than just accept this fact the council is going all out with a massive campaign to get the whole community involved in recycling more.

"Our recycling rates in September this year were the highest they have ever been at 16 and a half per cent. This shows that people are responding to our services and the improvements we have made. We are really keen to carry on working with people and encouraging everyone to get involved and recycle more," he added.

Children from Ben Jonson Primary school also attended the launch to showcase a DVD they produced, with the council's waste education officer, about recycling.

A council spokeswoman added that Tower Hamlets would not use "over the top" enforcement measures to get residents on side.

She said: "We are all aware of the so-called council snoopers and reporting of use heavy-handed measures like fines and we are proud that Tower Hamlets Council is working with the community on a voluntary scheme.

Tower Hamlets resident Ayesha Khan was at the event; "This is a wonderful way of promoting recycling," she said. "I hope this robot can visit schools where children can really benefit from such a positive message," she added

"Against a background of increasing unease at what some perceive as over the top enforcement, Tower Hamlets is promoting am ambitious programme relying on people getting involved rather than enforcement tactics," she added.

The move in Tower Hamlets follows the introduction of weekly food waste recycling collections in the borough from September 1 as well as an army of litter pickers who will sort recyclable litter at the point they collect it for the first time.

The borough also recently launched Whitechapel as the first market in the country to recycle 100 per cent of the waste it generates.

Hermitage memorial, riverside etc

Cartoon du Jour - By Khalil‏ Bendib

Wicked cartoons by America's Most Wanted Political Cartoonist. Enjoy!


www.bendib.com

Explaining Liverpool's Asian Appeal

Liverpool are claimed to be by far the best supported football club among Britain's Asians. That is the premise of journalist and lifelong Reds fan Mohammed Bhana, and the aim of The Asian Liverbird - a book commissioned by the club after an approach by Bhana - is to explore how so many immigrants from Asia came to choose Liverpool as their club on arriving in England in the 1960s and 1970s, and why their children and grandchildren are still passionate about the Merseyside Reds.

Full post...

Aspiring to be a fake beauty…

Fatema Yasmine Khatun

I will never be anorexic as I love the taste of food far greater than I enjoy fashion, and I will never be bulimic because vomiting makes me cry. Are my dreams of becoming a beautiful person over?

Ok, that is a bit of an extreme statement, but if we girls admit the truth, we have at some point (if not every second of every waking hour) wanted to be a size zero: something which is extremely unhealthy, and on the tip of starving yourself to death.
Being a young woman not only in the ‘normal’ world, but attending events and being surrounded by models, one can only feel severely intimidated. After a certain gathering of these ‘super human’ creatures, I got home and caught myself in the mirror. I was rubbing my feet insanely from the pain of the ridiculously high heeled shoes I had worn. Funnily enough, even with my platform heels, I still only managed to come up to the knees of some of the people there. My body was tired but my eyes wandered against my will to my legs, the legs that appeared to have stopped growing well before they even really started - and then to my love handles, trying to push them in, only to realise that they will not budge. After the initial bombardment of comparisons made by my mind had ceased, sanity crept back in. I didn’t dislike what

I saw in the mirror, what was reflected back was a person of normal health and normal height.

So why is it that we place an absurd and unrealistic amount of pressure on to ourselves to look ‘beautiful’? Why is it that we fail to acknowledge that the beauty advertised and forced onto us is not real? Why do we conveniently forget the hours of photoshopping and the army of stylists behind every photo in a magazine?
Our mind is on a constant heightened sense of awareness, scouring the vicinity for new wonder diets and ridiculously high heels. If you are happy with yourself you shouldn’t let unrealistic images make you feel otherwise.

If you were to ask any of your male friends (and I don’t mean the one with the model fetish), they will tell you the same thing: they don’t want a stick insect as their partner or a girlfriend. It is women that perpetuate and keep this cycle running, the circle of ‘fake beauty’.

Suppressing food (that which many do to achieve a thin figure) is denying one of the biggest basic cardinal desires as a human being. What makes it worse is the lack of action being taken against this. Only recently The British Fashion Council rejected to enforce a Model Health Certificates, something which would have ensured that each and every single model on the runway was healthy - not according to the world of eccentric designers but in accordance to medical professionals. This would have been a turning point and a chance for us Brits to lead by example and set a new trend of health and beauty combined.

Fatema Yasmine Khatun is co founder & Marketing Director at Inside Desi

Bag it up!

A local grocer has teamed up with Tower Hamlets Muslim Women’s Collective to launch re-usable shopping bags to help the environment.

Taj Stores was founded in 1936 and recently decided to stock the reusable bags in a bid to cut the amount of polythene sent to landfill.

The Muslim Women’s Collective, which is supported by Tower Hamlets Council, is a group of women from ten different organisations across the borough which is working to encourage the Muslim community to be more environmentally aware.

They have joined forces with Taj Stores to produce 5,000 of the bags which will be free to customers.

Jamal Uddin, director of Taj Stores said: “We are happy to be working with the Muslim Women’s Collective on such an important issue. Our business has been here for a long time and we want to think about protecting the environment for years to come. It is very important that people try to do their bit to help the environment.”

Chair of the collective, Sufia Alam from the Wapping Women’s Centre, said: “The importance of sustainable living in Muslim teaching underpins the work of the collective. This is a really powerful message that should not be underestimated.

“Since it launched, the collective has been delivering a programme of community-based environmental education programmes for local women. We were delighted to get involved with Taj Stores in encouraging people not to waste bags. So many are sent to landfill that taking a reusable one out shopping with you makes so much more sense.”

Tower Hamlets Council’s Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener Abdal Ullah will also attend on Friday. He said: “Taj Stores were founded in 1936 but they are definitely keeping up with the times. Everyone is now aware of the importance of recycling more and wasting less so this initiative with the Muslim Women’s Collective is to be highly commended.”

The large shopping bags feature the bright logos of the store and that of the Muslim Women’s Collective with the message.

CAPTION: Sufia Alam, Chair of Muslim Women's Collective, Joynal Uddin, Director Taj Stores, Cllr Ullah and Jamal Uddin, Director Taj Stores

Premiership trophy AGAIN!! :)

This is the second time I've lifted it - Does that make me a living legend???

I thought my vice captain Jay should get on in this one too :)