Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014 Issue No. 576

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred

Friday BulletinTheThe Weekly Muslim News Update

www.islamkenya.org

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Govt shuts down Darul Irshad

Coast leaders protest over profiling of Muslims

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Page7Page 6

End abusive security operation - HRW

Coast leaders have taken offence with reports from the national government inti-mating that two youths killed at the Mwem-be Tayari bus stage bomb blast were sui-cide bombers.Speaking at a Private Public Partnership function in Mombasa, local Governor Ali Hassan Joho insisted that thorough inves-tigations must be conducted to unearth the identities of the perpetrators of the hei-nous act that has so far claimed three lives and left scores injured.He asked the national government needs to involve local leaders in the fight against terror which he said is indiscriminate, and has no regard for creed or race.Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who

was also present at the function lamented that the national government has not gone out of its way to involve the local leaders in stemming the terror problem.The national government should know that the war on terror and radicalism can-not be fought on its own front alone, Mr. Omar stressed.He said that the war on terror began on the wrong footing and that is the reason why the country has been unable to stamp its foot on the problem.He further added that the unfair profling of Muslims must stop, failure to which the national governments policies towards fighting terrorism would be lost.

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Why I dont support #BringBackOurGirls

Why Is Paradise at the Feet of Mothers?

The countrys foremost reverts training institution Darul Irshad Centre lo-cated in Nguluni, Machakos County has been closed down indefinitely. The centre which provided basic Islamic teachings to new Muslims was shut down on Wednesday on the orders of County commissioner of Macha-kos district. A circular dated May 13 from the commissioner did not however, give a rea-son for the closure but to many Muslims, the move is part of the wider cam-paign against terrorism. The County Intelligence Security Committee has recommended the closure of the above centre. Use your DSIC (District Security Intelligence Commit-tee) team to effect the closure today and inform the office accordingly, said the signed by G. Onyango on behalf of the Country Commissioner addressed to the deputy county commissioner Matungulu sub county.According to the Darul Irshad administrator Ahmed Ramadhan, a contingent of more than 15 armed policemen accompanied by local security and administrative offic-ers stormed the institution at Nguluni, 60 kilometres from Nairobi and issued orders for all students to immediately vacate the institution.The officials were led by the District Com-missioner Patrick Mwangi and included the area OCPD, the local Administration police commandant and officials from the National Intelligence Service and Criminal Investigation department.We have been having a good working relationship with them but in spite of the

An aerial view of the Darul Irshad Centre. INSET: The poultry project, one of the ventures established by theCentre to economically empower the students

The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014

Govt shuts down Darul Irshad

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Continued From Page 1

Address insecurity concerns, government toldCommenting on the spiraling terror-ist attacks that have rocked the country, the Imam of Nairobis Landhies Mosque Sheikh Ahmad Uthman asked the govern-ment to stop blame games and instead take appropriate measures to ensure that the lives and property of Kenyans were protected.The Imam said Kenyans have had enough of unfulfilled pledges and want to see the government act accordingly and rein in on those who are causing terror and mayhem in public places.Sheikh Ahmad said all Kenyans from di-verse backgrounds were victims adding that perpetrators of terrorism should not be seen as originating from one commu-nity.Terrorists maim and kill both Muslims and non-Muslims and we equally feel pain when non-Muslims are killed. The govern-ment should stand up and act to stop this worrying trend, said the Sheikh on Friday in his khutbah (sermon) at Jamia Mosque Nairobi.

Sheikh Ahmad said while Kenyans were united in supporting the efforts to weed out those who are perpetrating acts of violence against innocent people, he faulted the di-rection of the war on terror saying that in-stead of addressing insecurity, it is alienat-ing the Muslim community further.He explained that the extrajudicial killings, disappearance of Muslim youth, police raids on mosques and security swoops which targeted Muslim neighborhoods were sending out a clear picture that the anti-terror campaign was targeting Mus-lims.At the same time, he urged Muslims to live by the tenets of Islam and live in peace and harmony with other Kenyans.In his sermon, Sheikh Ahmad also challenged the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) to stand up and take a robust approach in defending Muslim interests. He appealed to the umbrella Muslim body to end its perpetual silence and make its voice known on issues affecting Muslims. The Imam said amid the increasing wave

of xenophobia, police harassment and ethnic profiling faced by Muslims particu-larly those from the Somali community, the voices of the Muslim leadership need to be heard louder. Where are you when our Somali brothers are being harassed? What are you doing about it? He asked.Sheikh Ahmad urged the Council to rise up and provide leadership to the com-munity saying that it should not abdicate its responsibilities of protecting and safe-guarding the interests of the community. Reacting to the illicit killer brews that has claimed almost 100 lives in various coun-ties around the country, the Imam called for the total ban of alcohol and miraa in the country saying that it was a social evil which was destroying the lives and health of Kenyans.He further urged Muslim leaders to be at the forefront in spearheading the ban on miraa saying that the leafy substance has for so long affected the Muslim youth population adversely.

fact that they affirmed that they did not have any problem with our activities, they said they were only enforcing orders from their superi-ors, Ramadhan told The Friday Bulletin. He said the institution has over the years positively changed the lives of hundreds of people and it would have been prudent for the government to provide them with support. We have had criminals, drunkards and drug addicts whom we have rehabilitated into good citizens, the government need to recognize our efforts, he said.The CEO of Al Amin Masjid Trust which man-ages the centre Ali Hajj Omar said the cen-tre benefitted the wider local community from services such as free water provision and em-ployment opportunities and maintained that it was not involved in any illegal activity. Secu-rity officials have visited the centre on numer-ous occasions and at no time have they found any evidence to link it to any illegal activity, he added.Ali said the action could have been triggered by a recent report in the Daily Nation newspa-per which alluded to Darul Irshad Centre as a terrorist training facility. Security officials came here immediately after the story run but again found nothing to substantiate their fears, he added.The news, as expected was received with shock and generated a wave of strong con-demnations from the Muslim leadership. We condemned this in the strongest words pos-sible, said Adan Wachu, the SUPKEM secre-tary general. He said the move went against apledge from the government for regular con-sultations and dialogue on issues touching on Muslim educational institutions. By target-ing Muslim educational institutions, they are abusing the partnership which has been in place. The Internal security cabinet secretary must explain the reasons for closing down the centre, he said on phone from Tanzania.

Wachu said the Muslim leadership will not take the matter lying down and it will take all the necessary measures to ensure that jus-tice is served.On his part, the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman Abdulla-hi Abdi said closure was sending out clear sig-nals that the government was turning the war on terror into a campaign against Muslims. It is clearly appearing that the fight against ter-rorism has been replaced with Islam as the bogeyman, he said.He noted that despite the Muslim leadership extending a hand of cooperation to the gov-ernment on security related matters, the state continues totreat them with disrespect. We have met the top most leadership in this coun-try and those in the security sector but our recommendations are continuously ignored, he added.The NAMLEF chairman termed the closure as unlawful adding that the conduct of the state security machinery was contributing to the alienation and victimization of Muslims being witnessed in the country. He advised Muslims to be resolute and contin-ue with their activities saying that they should not succumb to fear and intimidation. Darul Irshad Centre opened its doors in 1997 at a residential facility along Muranga Road with a goal of providing basic Islamic education to new Muslims. It later moved to a spacious fa-cility at Nguluni on land donated by a British based Kenyan woman who embraced Islam. The centre recently initiated various pro-grammes poultry project, animal and crop husbandry as well as fish farming to provide students with economic empowerment skills. A polytechnic to provide students and resi-dents of the neighbouring communities with vocational studies such as carpentry, plumb-ing and electrical works was in the final stages of completion.More than 2,000 students from various areas of the country have graduated from the centre since its inception.

Mombasa Women Representatives Ms. Mishi Mboko echoed similar sentiments and denounced reports that the two Muslims who lost their lives in the Sunday night blast had anything to do with terrorism, claim-ing that she knew one of the young men who died.She said that the national govern-ment should cease from unfair pro-filing of Muslim adherents, adding that the practice is likely to divide the country along religious lines.Her remarks were made in light of reports emerged that out of the three people who died in the blast the two Muslims who died in the bus stage blast might have been terrorists.She advised the government to carry out investigations rather than engage in wholesome labeling of Muslims who have equally been af-fected by terrorism.Youths in the county, and especially Muslims have come under siege, following the terror attacks and the government needs to work its way out of the problem rather than mak-ing enemies out of its own citizens, Ms Mishi said.Also speaking at the same func-tion Mombasa County Commisioner Nelson Marwa called on parents to become more vigilant over their chil-drens activities, and warned that failure to be privy to their childrens movements in some instances is what has led some youths to join criminal gangs and terror outfits.

Protest over profil-ing in terror war

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The Friday BulletinRajab 17,1435/May 16,2014

The parents are entitled by right to kind and dutiful treatment from their children. Since this is an important duty that Allah emphasized so strongly, it is essential for every human being to know what consti-tutes kind treatment of parents. It is no exaggeration to say that for a believer, to be a dutiful son or daughter is to take the way that surely leads to heaven.We note first that Islam uses the Arabic word birr in connection with children's attitude towards their parents. The term connotes kindness, compassion, benevo-lence, and almost every aspect of good and generous treatment of others. One of Allah's own attributes is derived from this root. Allah is the "Barr," which means that His kindness, compassion, grace, and generosity never fail. Scholars say that this term includes everything that is good.Muslim scholars divide birr into two main branches; financial and non-financial. In respect of children-parent relationship, if either or both parents are poor, children must support them according to their means.This is not a matter of choice.Is-lam makes it a duty on the children to look after their parents, providing them with the same standard of living as they pro-vide for their own children.If children are well off, to go beyond the mere provision of what is necessary for a decent living, so as to allow their parents to share in the comforts and luxuries that they can afford, is to make an investment for the hereafter. Nothing goes amiss with Allah. Allah is pleased with any son and daughter who please their parents.Looking for Allah's reward, some people make their parents feel that whatever they own is their parents' as well. They can use it in the way they please. Although some people are careless how they spend their money, most parents are more careful when it comes to spending their children's money than spending their own.So, to make one's parents feel that they do not live on their children's charity is to give them that kind of trust that makes the dif-ference between feeling oneself to be a burden and feeling perfectly at home.The more parent feels happy and con-tented with their children, the more Allah is pleased with those children. Moreover, parents pay their children back immedi-ately. This takes the form of praying Al-lah for them. Such a prayer by parents for their children, which for Muslims, normally takes the form of "May Allah be pleased with you," is certain to be answered. When Allah is pleased with someone, He helps him or her overcome their difficul-ties, eases their hardships, and guides them to success in this life as well as in the hereafter.The duty required of sons with respect

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What Is Kindness to Parents?Adil Salahi

"No. You have not even paid back one twinge of her labor pain when she gave birth to you."

DA'WA

SUNDAY LECTURE

SUNDAYSUNDAY LECTURE

Topic: Masharti za SwalahSehemu ya pili

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pm Venue: Makina Mosque Kibera

to financial support of their parents is to provide them with what is reasonable ac-cording to their means. A son of moderate means cannot be expected to provide his parents with the same standard of living as a much wealthier son.Although we speak of this as kind treatment by children, it is indeed a repayment of a debt. Parents look after their children when they are young and helpless. They provide them with all they need as much as they can. Moreover, they do it willingly.

Children take what they are given una-ware of how much effort their parents ex-ert in order to earn money for them. When the children grow up and their parents are in need of their support, that support must come naturally, without letting the parents feel themselves to be a burden on their children.Apart from financial support, chil-dren must respect and honor their parents and extend to them the sort of treatment that befits their status as parents. In any social occasion, and even when they go out with their parents on the street, chil-dren must not precede their parents or take a higher or more favorable position than theirs. Children should always allow their parents to take precedence.In Muslim societies, that sort of treatment always earns children more respect. Mus-lim society looks down on anyone who do not extend to their parents the standard of honorable treatment expected from chil-dren.Moreover, children are expected to do as their parents tell them. From the Islamic point of view, this does not apply only when a child is young. As long as a son or a daughter is able to grant the wishes of their parents and by doing so they neither incur any sin, nor jeopardize any greater interest, then they should do so as if these wishes of their parents were commands. There is nothing excessive in this. It does not impose a great, heavy burden.Normal-ly, a parent is easy to please. Even when parents ask for something that is difficult to obtain, children can maneuver their way to please their parents without undertak-ing any great difficulty.However, some parents may be unrea-sonable in their demands, especially when they live with their son in the same house. Relations between his wife and his mother may be occasionally strained. A mother may feel that her daughter-in-law

takes her son away from her. That may lead to friction between the two.A wise son tries his best to reconcile his mother's rights with those of his wife. He must not be unfair to either. Should his mother ask him to divorce his wife, he must not do so if his wife fulfills her duties toward him and his mother. All that a daughter-in-law is re-quired to do towards her mother-in-law is to look after her in a reasonable manner.Even in such kind treatment, children are only paying back a debt to their parents. No matter how great a burden the chil-dren bear, they do not pay them back ad-equately. It is very rare that a parent is so ill and handicapped that he or she needs to be looked after in the same way as a baby is looked after by his parents. `Ab-dullah ibn ` Umar, a leading scholar among the Prophet's Companions once saw a man from Yemen carrying his mother on his back and going around the Ka`bah in his Tawaf. Rather than show any sign of complaint, the man was happy, repeating a line of poetry in which he likened him-self to a camel his mother was mounting. The only difference is that a camel may be scared by something and go out of con-trol. He would never go out of her control.He looked at `Abdullah ibn `Umar and asked him whether by so doing he dis-charged his debt to his mother. Ibn `Umar said, "No. You have not even paid back one twinge of her labor pain when she gave birth to you." (Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and authenticated by Al-Albani)That was not an exaggeration by Ibn `Umar. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) defines the only way through which children repay their parents fully. He said, as related by Al-Bukahri in his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and by Mus-lim and others on the authority of Abu Hurairah, "No child repays his parent fully unless he finds him a slave, then he buys him and sets him free.

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The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014WOMEN

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Taking time to reflect as I was carry-ing my newly born grandson Rayyan after witnessing his entering the world, I realized what a blessing I was given, not just because I was now officially a grandmother, but more because of the chances I was given to enter par-adise if I respected my own mother.I recognized the significance of women and mothers' status in Islam and how they were held in high regard, not as the stereotyped second class citizens some may wrongly portray.Since there is this negative typecast of how Islam views women, many non-Muslims may not know that mothers specifically, and parents in general, are held in very high esteem in the faith.Allah says:And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship and his gestation and weaning period is thirty months.He grows until, when he reaches maturity and reaches the age of forty years, he says, "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your fa-vor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will ap-prove and make righteous for me my offspring.Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims. (46: 15)In other words, the debt we owe to our

mothers is magnified due to the dif-ficult nature of pregnancy - not to mention the nurturing and attention paid to us in our infancy. Moreo-ver, we must treat our mothers in a manner befitting their exalted posi-tion - and, again, revere the wombs that bore us.Contrary to what some may believe regarding women in Islam, we are commanded to treat women with kindness, and are ordered to re-spect and obey our parents with specific emphasis and preference given to the mother. Indeed Proph-et Muhammad highlighted the sig-nificance and standing of women in Islam in his last sermon, where he cited:"Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed help-ers." (At-Timidhi, 276)Islam is the best reminder of any mother's presence with the daily encouragement from the Quran and the living example of Prophet Mu-hammad. While he never saw his father because he died before his birth and he lost his mother when he was six years old, Muhammad (peace be upon him), understood the importance of ones parents, especially the mother. He narrates:"Do good to and serve your mother, then your mother, then your moth-

Deana Nassar

Why Is Paradise at the Feet of Mothers?

er, then your father, then the near relatives and then those who come after them." (Al-Bukhari, 5971)The privileged reiterated status of the mother here, in Islam, is differing to the endless articles on 'Women in Islam' which regrettably tend to collapse the status of women and the reverence for mothers in Islam.Mothers: Only One Day?Motherhood is not merely defined by bearing and raising children; but is a statement regard-ing the divine nature of woman and her position in Islam. We are taught that we must always feel a deep appreciation for our mothers, not just when people celebrate Mother's Day but every day. Islam has effectively placed the ultimate re-ward for human beings in their devotion to their mothers. Abdullah ibn Abbas, a companion of the Prophet and a great scholar of Islam, con-sidered the kind treatment of one's mother to be the best deed for strengthening or rectifying one's relation with God. He relays:"I know of no other deed that brings people closer to Allah than kind treatment and respect towards one's mother."The Best RemindersAll the verses and hadiths on mothers dem-onstrate the importance of this figure in Islam. They also show that the mother is accorded a higher honor than even the father because of all the responsibilities she has towards her child indicating again the impact of women and moth-ers in Islam.The Prophet underscored that sons and daughters must honor their mothers, and that the biggest debt they owe is the one to their mother for raising them. He ordered us to re-spect and fully accept the caretaking of our ag-ing parents without considering it a burden, that of course if they are living.What if our mothers are no longer among us? Do our duties towards them end? Prophet Mu-hammad has advised us to perform good deeds in the name of our parents, so that the reward goes to the soul of the dead parent. Abu Hurai-rah reported that the Prophet said:"When a human being dies, all of his deeds are termi-nated except for three types: an ongoing char-ity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes supplications for him." (Muslim and An-Nasa'i, 3651)In this, we may ascertain that it's never too late to repay our parents and mother in particular if they have passed away. We are given a sec-ond chance.For me, Islam is the best reminder of my mother's presence on a personal basis and her significance to Islam on a general basis. With the daily encouragement mentioned above I know I will always keep my mother close to my heart. After all she is my connection to the divine and I am truly grateful for the occasion to reflect on that.Each of us should appreciate what we have in our mothers. They are our teachers and our role models. Every day with them is an op-portunity to grow as a person. Every day away from them is an opportunity missed.

The Friday Bulletin

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Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014

Many young Muslims have grown up knowing only hostility between Islam and the West. It seems to them as though Is-lam and Muslims are blamed for the ills of the whole world.Since the infamous attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, in which so many lives were lost so senselessly, Islam and the West look upon each other with suspicious eyes. In many countries, Muslims are now looked upon with fear and suspicion, as though they are not really a part of the communities in which they live. The veil, far from being the beautiful garment of modesty and piety as Muslims see it, is regarded as a symbol of some strange religion. Young Muslim men wearing a beard are seen as fanatics or extrem-ists, and are stopped and searched on the street as possible terrorists. Even politicians now speak about Islam and Muslims as though they are a hidden en-emy within the country, who have to be watched very carefully.On the other hand, what young Muslims see in the news is also very disturbing.The tragedy being played out before all of our eyes in Palestine, Iraq and Afghan-istan, ever since the United States and its allies invaded those countries, and the daily oppression of ordinary men, women, and children in Palestine, leave many young Muslims wondering what it is that so many people have against Islam. The so-called War on Terror has been linked very clearly to Islam. Does the world really hate Islam, they ask.It is a simple fact that most people who are not Muslim do not have much expe-rience of Islam. How could they? The only information they get about Islam and Muslims is what they see on the television, news, or in the newspaper. Newspapers, though, don't run head-lines about people trying to be good. The news carries stories about explosions and wars and violenceIslam is simply beyond the experience of most people who are not Muslim. If you live in a Muslim country, you will hear the Call to Prayer and you will see people praying in the street and recit-ing the Qur'an on the bus. It is as natu-ral as breathing. If you live in a country that isn't Muslim, you will not only see these things, but they would seem very strange to you if you did. Before the horrible episode of those cartoons in Denmark, which upset Mus-lims so much because of the way they spoke about our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Danish Queen made a remark that summed up much of the problem. Referring to de-vout Muslims, she talked about "those people for whom religion is everything." Now, to us as Muslims, religion is eve-rything, and it is not strange to say so. People who aren't Muslim, though, just

don't see it that way, and that is where the problem starts. They don't have friends who pray openly and talk about the Crea-tor as the center of their lives. It's not that people hate Islam, but it's really that they don't know enough about Islam and they are being fed with misinformation and wrong stories about Islam and Muslims all the time.Politicians, though, are very clever. If there is a problem in a country, it is far easier to find a reason for the problem and point a finger at who is to blame than to admit that you don't know how to solve it. Unfortunately, this is what has happened recently with Islam and Muslims. To fight a "War on Terror" you need to have an en-emy. You can't fight a war against no one. Even though it has been proved beyond a doubt that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that people knew this, the country was still attacked, with tragic consequences. If bombs go off in the London Underground or in beach resorts, killing innocent people, people want the culprits to be caught. They want someone to blame and they want some-one to be punished.We find that throughout a country's his-tory, different groups are blamed for that country's problems. When IRA violence was at its height in Northern Ireland, Irish Catholics were looked upon with suspi-cion, as sympathizers towards the bomb-ers. When unemployment gets high in a country, people look to immigrants from abroad to blame for the lack of jobs.It is natural, then, for people to be easily led and to be fed targets whom they can blame. It is wrong but natural. If a finger can be pointed at someone else, then people feel they know where the danger lies. Not knowing who the terrorists are is very frightening indeed.Another very sin-ister fact is that there are some groups in the world who do not want Islam to prosper, and they do everything they can to feed the media with misinformation to make Islam and Muslims seem bad.As for ordinary people, though, they don't hate Islam. They just don't know anything about it. The challenge for all Muslims, then, is to let people know about Islam. Huddling into small groups and having nothing to do with non-Muslims is not the answer. We need to be proud of who we are and what we believe and to be very much a part of the communities where we live. If our school is made up mostly of non-Muslims, we should respect that, but let them see what we believe, also. If our workmates drink alcohol and go to the pub on a Friday night, we needn't look down our noses at them, but we can let it be known in a very simple and gentle way that Muslims just don't do that. We don't have to compromise what we be-lieve here, as though it isn't important, but there are ways we can do it which will make our point without giving offense.

Who knows, the way we talk about Islam in daily life might be just what is needed to correct the wrong ideas people have. If we play in a Muslim youth football team, for example, we can show the other teams who are not Muslim that our soccer skills don't require us to swear or to drink. The very way we behave on and off the pitch should be our own da`wah, our own way of calling others to Islam. Sometimes, we are our own worst en-emies because we fail to speak up or to give the good example that others are expecting of us.In all things, Muslims say "al-hamdulil-lah." If people misunderstand us at the present time, then this is just an op-portunity for us to talk about Islam. By showing the people around us that Islam is not about violence or extreme teach-ings, but that it is very beautiful and very sweet, we can change people's minds and win their hearts for Allah. No, peo-ple don't hate Islam, they just have never met any good Muslims. Let us be the first ones they meet!

YOUTH

Do people really hate Islam? Idris Taufiq

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The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014

Raza Nadim

Lets make this clearno one supports Boko Harams kidnapping or mistreating anyone, especially children, but I dont support #BringBackOurGirls being hi-jacked by the political elite because they dont really care. The support is for their own political gain.We all support the families in getting their children back. The nerve of the political elite to show concern about these young girls just annoyed me, and many others, so much.I refuse to be associated with the political elite. I dont want their crocodile tears they only talk about ethics & human rights when it is politically expedient. When its their wars that are responsible for killing Muslim children they are silentWe all want the girls to be able to safely re-turn to their loved ones but we dont want Michelle Obama and her ilk to give us their support.But there is another, more important, rea-son why I am angry at people like Michelle Obama supporting the campaign.For the elites, supporting #BringBackOur-Girls isnt about showing solidarity with the girls. It is about war.The political elites only support this cam-paign because it fits in with the narrative they use to justify their wars.The dominant narrative that currently drives public discourse is that Muslims are uncivilised and extreme, and they hate the West because it is civilised and liberal.Boko Haram are a perfect fit for their nar-rative. They are the boogeyman that the political elites, and their experts warn people about.The group is so fanatical that no one can understand their barbarity. They seemed to have no goal at all except to kidnap girls

and kill people. The Western elites saw their chance.Dont get me wrongIm not saying that Boko Haram are a nice bunch of people, but I am saying that the only reason why the political elite choose to support #Bring-BackOurGirls is because it fits in with their narrative.Their narrative, in which Muslims are a threat to the West, gives legitimacy to the war crimes they have committed, are com-mitting and will commitJust think about itthe only way that the War On Terror (aka War OF Terror) can continue is if the boogeyman is still at large.Only if there is the constant danger of fa-natical Muslims coming to kill Westerners can drone strikes, wars and torture be jus-tified and never challenged by the general public.They jumped onto a legitimate, genuine campaign and hijacked it.Now the shocking kidnapping of poor black girls became a part of theirnarrativeit became a story of fanatical backward Mus-lim terrorists that hated women and were a threat to us all.The Western propagandists had what they neededanother incident to advance their narrative & legitimize their violence in the name of peace.Their support for #BringBackOurGirls was never about the girlsit was about further-ing their own narrative. The narrative that justifies their wars.Dont believe me?Then ask yourselfwhy are Obama, Cam-eron et al., silent about Muslims being eth-nically cleansed in Central African Repub-lic?Theyre black too.Why are the political elite silent about the

Why I dont support #BringBackOurGirls being hijacked

constant atrocities committed against the Muslims in Palestine?Theyre suffering too.Where is their support for campaigns for the Rohingya Muslims persecuted in Bur-ma?Theyre suffering at the hands of fanatics (Buddhist ones) too.Ill tell you where their support isno-where to be seen. They dont speak out on those issues because it does not fit in with their narrative.If they genuinely cared about human rights they would be speaking up for oppressed Muslims who have seen a systematic deg-radation of their human rights.They dont support those causes because having Muslims seen as the victim doesnt fit into their narrative. It works against their interests. They only speak out or act when Muslims can be painted as the aggressors.Consider thiswhen a Muslim does a bad thing it is used as proof of their narrative that Muslims are a threat. Yet when Mus-lims are the ones suffering theyre referred to by their ethnicity or countrynever by their religious identity.When its a crime, were all criminals. When were the victims, only the people of that area are the victims, their being Muslim is largely ignored.Why? Because it fits into the message they want to get across.Evil Muslims sells war better than poor, oppressed Muslims does.We cannot allow the campaign to be hi-jacked by the political elite. We must ex-pose their hypocrisy and confront their propaganda.Ive been able to separate my anger at the political elites hypocrisy from my support for the original campaignthe campaign-ers must do the same. We dont need their support because it is tainted.It is tainted by their hypocrisy, tainted by the agenda they seek to further, and tainted by their deafening silence at the atrocities being committed against Muslim children every single day.We dont need their support. Neither do the girls.#BringBackOurGirls?Of course, we all support the families who want their daughters back, but theyll come back without the hypocritical support of the political elites.I dont want their crocodile tears, I dont want them to further their propaganda-filled narrative, and I dont want them to think they can get away with this.Neither should you.

Raza is a member of the UK based Muslim Public Affairs Committee (mpacuk.org)

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SUNDAY

The Friday Bulletin NATIONALRajab 17,1435/May 16,2014 Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014

End abusive security operation - Human Rights Watch

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Power struggle and internal wrangles over leadership have been cited as the main contributing factors hindering the progress of Muslims in Bungoma County.The Islamic Youth Community Organiza-tion (IYCO), coordinator Muhammad Wan-gusi said it was important for the Muslim community in the region to unite and put more efforts in education and learning the Noble Qur'an for holistic guidance instead of fighting over leadership.Addressing a gathering at Samulia Jamia mosque Sang'alo in Bungoma, Wangusi noted that while members of other faiths were improving their capacity and em-powering themselves through education, members of the Muslim community were engaged in leadership tussles.He pointed out that education empowers and enhances development in the com-munity adding that investment in education deserves to be given priority as this has proved to be productive in building the so-ciety.He however, said residents are yet to reap the benefits of education due to the persis-tent differences.''Whenever development projects are con-ceptualized, some people have emerged and forestalled such programmes through wrangles which have prevented the com-munity to progress,''Wangusi decried.Wangusi emphasized that unity and peace is the key to prosperity, stating that there was need for Muslims in the region to unite for development to be achieved. ''Unity and peace is a fundamental aspect for devel-opment of the community and this can be achieved if we realize its importance and benefits it will bring,'' he said.He further advised Muslim parents to in-culcate Islamic ideals in their children and provide them with good education and reli-gious foundation to mould them as respon-sible persons in the society.Wangusi reminded Muslim youth that they have important obligations to play in pre-senting Islam positively and furthering the true message of Islam to people of other faiths.Sheikh Kassim Werunga who presided over elections of new officials at the mosque urged Muslims in the region to embrace the pillars of governance through consul-tation when executing leadership functions for peace and unity to prevail.

End wrangles to foster development

The government has been told to immedi-ately put to an end the ongoing security op-eration as it has turned out to be a conduit for serious human rights violations.According to the New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW), the security opera-tion has been plagued with collective pun-ishment, harassments and detention of thousands of people in appalling conditions for periods well beyond the 24-hour limit set by the law.During the Operation Usalama Watch which was launched following grenade and gun attacks in Mombasa and Nairobi by unknown perpetrators, security officials have raided homes, hotels, shops and loot-ed properties from residents and refugees. Kenyan police and security forces are using abusive and discriminatory tactics in the name of national security, targeting entire communities. This crackdown clearly violates basic rights of Kenyans, refugees, and other foreign nationals and does noth-ing to improve security, said Daniel Bekele director HRW Africa on Tuesday in a state-ment seen by the Friday Bulletin.Bekele said authorities are carrying out collective punishment under the guise of fighting terrorism stressing that the opera-tion violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of Kenyans and non-Kenyans and risks making the country more divided and insecure.Kenyan authorities should immediately end ongoing harassment, arbitrary deten-tions, forced relocations to refugee camps, and summary deportations in a round-up operation that has affected both foreigners and Kenyan citizens, he further said.The statement cited incidences where Eastleigh residents were forced to part with

Sh30, 000 - 40,000 to secure their release as police confiscated and destroyed their Identity cards, UN refugee documents and alien cards.The rights watchdog said it witnessed de-tainees being whipped at Pangani police station, while detainees said police kicked, beat, pushed, and threatened to shoot or deport them during the raids and arrests. Many said they went for days without food and only relatives who could bribe police officers with Sh100 were able to get food to detainees in the cells. The cells were full beyond capacity, a former detainee told Human Rights Watch. We sat on each other inside, or else one had to stand straight to fit. The toilets next to the cells were overflowing and human waste would flow back to the cells where we were. No one could go to the toilets, so we helped ourselves on the floor inside the cells and then we all ended up trampling on it, he added.According to Human Rights Watch, at least two people have died during the round-ups, a 6-month-old baby girl who lost her life in her crib three days after police arrested her mother and a pregnant woman who died after police officers pushed her off a police truck during a round-up.The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) also accused Kenyan authorities of denying it access to detain-ees in police cells, at the Kasarani stadium and at the airport to identify registered refu-gees and asylum seekers.The UNHCR has declared Somalia a very dangerous place, and said no Somali should be forcibly returned there unless as-sured that they would not risk persecution.

Hajj application goes online Those planning to undertake the hajj will henceforth make their applications online. The Kenya Hajj Mission said the new move is a requirement from the Saudi Arabian authorities and will also involve the pay-ment for hajj services such as accommo-dation and transport to be made through international money transfer.The new rule has taken effect and all those wishing to undertake the hajj must adhere to the new requirement, said Sharrif Hussein Omar, the vice chair of the mission.He disclosed that the Mission will send two officials to the kingdom to familiarize them-selves with the new procedures to ensure a smooth transition.Sharrif Hussein went on to appeal to in-tending pilgrims to start early preparation to avoid unnecessary last minute prepara-tions which could hinder their performance of the journey of a lifetime.

It is imperative for intending pilgrims to start off early preparations and ensure that they are not inconvenienced by a last min-ute rush, he said.At the same time, the Vice chairman who also doubles as the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) organizing sec-retary appealed to the immigration depart-ment to expedite the issuance of the travel documents to enable Kenyans to perform their religious obligation. He further called for a review of the vetting process saying that it has turned out to be a stumbling block for Kenyan Muslims to acquire travel documents.In the aftermath of the Westgate attack, the government introduced stringent condi-tions which effectively require all Muslims seeking passports to be vetted.This years Hajj, the largest annual gath-ering of humanity is expected to be per-formed in the first week of October.

FROM THE NOBLE QUR'AN"Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers. And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers." (Surat Nuh 71:10-12)

Ummah Foundation being a charitable and a humanitarian organisation is working in collaboration with Bridge of Hope, a Charity in UK in Loingalani which is on the eastern shores of Lake Turakana in Marsabit County in the following activities: School fees project We sponsor 10 stu-dents from marginalized areas by paying for their full school fees. Sponsoring of 4 university students Elmolo clinic where we funded purchase of alternative energy equipment for Loin-galani Health Centre. There is no electricity in the villages and the vaccination for the im-munization program did not have any refrig-erated storage facility. Ummah Foundation purchased on behalf of Bridge of Hope and organized installation and commissioning of a wind generator together with solar pow-ered refrigerators and solar panels for light-ing at the Health Centre. We also donated medical consumables to Loingalani and clin-ics in Dadaab Refugee camp. We also have a team of cardiac doctors who come to Kenya and operate on pae-diatric cardiac patients at Mater hospital at no cost. This all under courtesy of Bridge of hope. Before this the only Medical facility that served the entire district was in Lodwar which is very far and unreachable. Thanks to Allah, the Health Centre at Loingalani was supplied with medicines and medical equip-ments and today we are happy to announce that even mothers can give birth in this clinic. Even those who have been affected by wars in Ethiopia and Southern Sudan, get their medical services from this health centre. War and poverty that has ravaged their countries for long, encourage them to leave their coun-tries and go to live in a foreign land. Most of them having lost everything and having no-body to turn to for help, they become prone to diseases and starvation and the only place they can run to is the health facility. Loingala-ni Health Centre also serves as a food relief centre and equally Ummah Foundation and Bridge of Hope have closely been involved in the food distribution program in the area. We would like to appreciate the joint venture being undertaken by Ummah Foundation and Bridge of Hope through its Project Di-rector, Ms. Yacoub. It is through her efforts that that we have realized the above men-tioned achievements. We call upon other like-minded organisations and individuals to give your support to Ummah Foundation wholeheartedly so that we can together less-en the hardships being faced by our brothers and sisters. Ummah FoundationVillage Plaza, 2nd Floor, Ngara RdP.O. Box 58717-00200 NairobiTel: +254-20-2680610/13 Mob: 0734845277Email: info@ummahfoundation.netwww.ummahfoundation.net

Ummah joins hands with Bridge of Hope

The government has released Sh170 Million to compensate victims of the Moyale inter-clan clashes between Borana and Gabra.The money will cater for houses and businesses destroyed during the ethnic clashes that took place in December 2013.Victims who lost permanent houses are set to receive a total of Sh275,000, Sh100,000 for semi-permanent and Sh20,000 for those who lost grass thatched houses.Despite welcoming the move by the government, Moyale residents feel the allocation is way below their expectation urging the government to increase the amount .The chairman of the committee on Marsabit conflict Francis Ole Kaparo told the com-munities in Moyale to co-exist and embrace peace.Affected families from Manyatta, Iladu, Butie, Fafi and Sese are among those set to benefit from the resettlement kitty.Meanwhile three people have being killed and others injured in Wajir County during inter- clan clashes between the Degodia and Garre communities.Wajir County Commissioner Naftali Mungathia said the three were killed at Ogoralle village in Tarbaj constituency by attackers from a rival clan in renewed skirmishes over clan boundary dividing Mandera and Wajir counties."This is an unfortunate incident. The government will bring those criminals to justice. But as we mourn our departed brothers, sons and relative we must defeat those bent on starting inter- communal violence by showing a lot of restrains," he said.The deceased were among laborers working on a road project involving clearing of bushes on 25 km stretch road linking Wajir to Mandera County, a project funded by the Wajir county government.Early last year over sixty people were killed, hundreds maimed and tens of thousands displaced from their homes, after fighting pitting the two communities, started in Man-dera county and later spilled over to the neigbouring Wajir county and lasted for six months before a peace deal was signed.

Victims of Moyale clashes compensated

Concern is growing over what appears to be a concerted government plan to clamp down on Muslim educational institutions apparently to force them to close down.The deputy secretary general of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Hassan Ole Naado criticized the acts of harassment against the educational institu-tions saying that the move paints a picture of state victimization of Muslim institutions. He expressed the sentiments in the aftermath of a recent police raid on the Shartuka Islamic Centre in Kilgoris, Trans Mara country which he termed as unwarranted and a harassment against the minority Muslim community in the area. A contingent of armed policemen recently raided the institution on the claims that it is training Al Shab-bab, this is utter nonsense and an act of impunity against Muslim residents, he said.He further explained that a search operation conducted by the police did not yield any link to back the allegations. How can you train people in military activities in an area around a market place which is frequented by many people, he wondered.Ole Naado who is also the founder of the institution later received summons from the County police commandant requiring him to appear in Narok for investigation in rela-tion to the activities of the centre. I will not honour the summons as this is tantamount to harassment. Our activities are clear and we are not involved in any illegal activities, he told The Friday Bulletin.Shartuka Islamic Centre was founded in the early 1990s by reverts of Islam of Maasai origin after they had embarked on a 480 kilometre walk from Nairobi to Mombasa to raise funds for the establishment of the centre. It later received support from the Jeddah based Islamic Development Bank which helped in the establishment of a primary school that serves all community members. According to Ole Naado, the local administration officials are now scheming to take over the school and convert it into a public school to replace the government owned primary school which is in a dilapidated state.There is a hidden agenda to try to disorganize the community so that the school is taken over. This is a clear infringement on the rights of Muslims in the area, he said.The SUPKEM official said that he was working with other organizations including Ja-mia mosque to revitalize the centre and ensure that it plays an active role in enhancing Islamic teachings and also promote co-existence between the different people in the area.Ole Naados comments come in the wake of what appears to be a spirited campaign against Muslim educational institutions. This week, the Machakos County Commis-sioner issued an order to shut down the activities of Darul Irshad Centre in Nguluni. Security officials are also reportedly harassing the administration of Kinderworld Acad-emy in Nairobis South C. The Nairobian newspaper which is published by the Stand-ard Group carried a report linking the school to so-called terrorism activities but an investigative team from the education ministry exonerated the school from the claims.

Dont criminalize Muslim institutions, govt told