Thousands of Kuwaitis stormed parliament on Wednesday after police and elite forces beat up protesters marching on

the prime ministers home to demand he resign, an op-position MP said. Now, we have entered the house of the people, said Mussallam al-Barrak, who led the protest along with several other lawmakers and youth activists also calling for the dissolution of parliament over alleged corrup-

tion. The demonstrators broke open parliaments gates and entered the main chamber, where they sang the national an-them and then left after a few minutes. The police had used batons to prevent protesters from marching to the residence of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a senior member of the ruling family, after stag-ing a rally outside parliament. Witnesses said at least fi ve demonstrators were injured and treated on the site. Some activists said they will continue to camp outside parliament until the premier is sacked. Chanting the people want to remove the prime minister, the protesters started to march to the nearby premiers residence when police blocked their way. This was the fi rst political violence in the oil-rich Gulf state since December, when elite forces beat up protest-ers and MPs at a public rally, though activists have been holding protests since March. Tension has been building in Kuwait over the past three months after it was alleged that

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Two exiled former Syrian regime insiders have emerged to form opposition groups, as belief in Bashar al-As-sads rule weakens even among members of his Alawite minority and ruling Baath Party. Experts say the return to the scene of 79-year-old former vice president Abdel Halim Khaddam and of Assads uncle 74-year-old Rifaat al-Assad shows that the Syrian elite increasingly expects the strongman to fall. But they also warn that in joining the fray, these elderly and divisive fi gures could further fragment and undermine the Syrian opposi-tion. They have deep knowledge of the system. They know something has changed and that its over. They are trying to position themselves for a place in a future Syria, said Ziad Majed, of the American University in Paris. Last week the rival veterans became the latest Syrian fi gures to launch political movements in Paris, Khaddam the National Council to Support the Syr-ian Revolution, and Rifaat the National Democratic Council. Khaddam demanded international military action in Syria modelled on NATOs support for this years uprising in Libya, while Rifaat wants Arab or world powers to negotiate Assads safe replacement by

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Pakistan took further steps toward normal trade and travel ties

with India on Tuesday, agreeing to open most commerce with its larger neighbour by February and ease visa rules in the latest sign of a thaw in relations between the nuclear-armed rivals, reported by Dawn.We have turned the corner, Pakistans Trade Secretary Zafar Mehmood said at a joint news conference with his Indian counterpart in Delhi.We are talking of a complete normalisa-tion roadmap.The two countries trade secretaries agreed Pakistan will replace a limited list of items India can sell across the border with a short list of items that cannot be traded, minutes of the meeting showed. Lasting India-Pakistan peace is seen as vital to South Asian stability and to smoothing a dangerous transition in Afghanistan as Nato-led combat forces plan to withdraw from that country in 2014. Distrust, border clashes and militant attacks have undermined stability in the region ever since two nations were carved out of colonial India in

1947 with the disputed region of Kashmir at the heart of the problems.Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani promised to open a new chapter in their fraught history after a nearly an hour-long discussion at a resort island in the Maldives last week.On Tuesday, India and Pakistan agreed to push for easing of visa rules that severely restrict travel across the heavily armed border. They will look at the feasibility of electricity trading and will open a second road trading post by February. Under the existing practice, both countries require businessmen to register with police on their arrival and regularly report to them. Visas are issued only for one city.This time it is different. Its not just politicians giving state-ments; theres a whole roadmap chalked out with a time frame, Amin Hashwani, president of the Pakistan-India CEOs Business Forum told Reuters. The negative list of items that India will initially be restricted from trading includes the pharmaceutical and engineering industries, S.M. Muneer, president of the India-Pakistan chamber of commerce told Reuters. Pakistani pharmaceutical and engineering com-panies are worried they will be swamped by Indian imports.Mehmood said the list would be drawn up within a couple of months then gradually phased out. He said an expert panel would decide in January on allowing the trade of oil products.In contrast to the excitement in the business community, In-dias defense minister sounded a note of caution.There are positive signs for a breakthrough but one should not expect a miracle, Defence Minister A.K. Antony told

Considered by many Pakistanis to be public enemy number one, the United States on Monday turned to the musical descendents of rap group Public Enemy in an at-tempt to counter its highly unpopular image in the south Asian nation, reported by Reuters. As part of its cultural diplomacy program, the US embassy brought the FEW Collective, a hip-hop troupe from Chicago, to Islamabad, where they danced, rapped and recited poetry to a Westernized, educated elite audi-ence of young Pakistanis.The groups 10-day trip is the latest by a number of mu-sical acts sponsored by the US State Department as part of its American Festival of the Arts, a cultural program designed to promote exchanges between the people of the two countries.It gives a good impression, said Atroz Abro, 20, who attended the show. You rarely fi nd such events in Pakistanto pump up the youth by bringing something new.But FEW Collective has its work cut out. Only 12 per cent of Pakistanis have a favorable opinion of the United States, according to a July poll by the Pew Research

Center, while 73 per cent have an unfavorable opinion and 16 per cent dont know.These strong negative perceptions are often cited by the Pakistani military as one reason why Pakistan wont tackle militants in its wild border regions.Rampant anti-Americanism in Pakistan also allows the government to avoid making needed but unpopular economic reforms demanded by international lend-ing agencies, which are widely seen as aligned with the United States.The goal, said US assistant cultural attache Jamie Mar-tin, is to show that theres another layer to the relation-ship. Its not just government to government and military to military. Its people to people.Such cultural events which have included the Ari Roland jazz group and country-pop star Mary McBride are part of a long-standing State Department tradition.Jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie and Dave Brubeck toured Pakistan in the late 1950s as part of the programme. But as he discovered more of his heritage, he found common

Continued on pg 6

Continued on pg 6

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Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 20115 i n t e r n a t i o n a l

Deadly accident at illegal Chinese mine Deadly accident at illegal Chinese mine Source: At least 21 miners killed and 22 others still trapped following gas leak at unlicensed

coal mine in southwest China

Sudan rebels form alliance to oust president

Iran taking military strike threat seriously: offi cial

Doubt cast over glowing Afghan survey

Rebels in Sudans Darfur region and in the troubled border states of Blue Nile and South Kordofan have formed an alliance to overthrow the government of President Omar al-Bashir, a statement released by the rebels said. The alliance, called the Sudanese Revolutionary Front, is bent on toppling the regime of the [Sudans ruling] National Congress Party with all possible means and replacing it with a democratic system, the groups said in the joint state-ment sent to the Reuters news agency on Saturday. A joint military committee will be formed to co-ordinate military ac-tion against Khartoum, said the alliance, without elaborating. This is a military and political alliance. We will co-ordinate fi ght-ing to end this government which wants no peace, said Ibrahim el-Hilu, a spokesman for one faction of the Sudan Liberation

Army, a rebel group in Darfur. The decla-ration of war on Khartoum raised the pros-pect of more violence in the volatile areas. It comes nearly a week after Bashir visited Kurmuk in Blue Nile after his troops seized the town from a branch of the Sudan Peo-ples Liberation Army North (SPLA-N). Analysts say the move signalled attempts at closer military co-ordination among vari-ous rebel groups left in Sudan after South Sudan seceded in July under a 2005 peace agreement with Khartoum. Khartoum has held several rounds of talks with rebels in the western region of Darfur to try to resolve the confl ict, which began in 2003 after the main rebel group there - the Jus-tice for Equality Movement - complained of marginalisation. While there has been no serious fi ghting in Darfur, where the UN maintains a peacekeeping mission, fi ght-

ing erupted between SPLA-N rebels and the Sudanese army in South Kordofan in June and spread to neighbouring Blue Nile state in September. Khartoum accuses South Sudan of arming fi ghters in the two states and has taken the matter to the UN Security Council, but South Sudan rejects the charges. The SPLA-N forces in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states served as the 9th and 10th divisions of the southern rebel forces called SPLA during the civil war between south and north, but the peace agreement placed the areas they fought for in the north. Many SPLA-N fi ghters uniforms still show the fl ag of the former rebel group that now governs South Sudan. Obaid Murawah, a spokesman for the Sudanese foreign ministry, told Al Jazeera that the country was not looking for an excuse to invade its southern neighbour and

that it was battling rebels within its own borders. Our [the governments] point of view is that if anyone is seeking power they should do so through the election boxes, he said. Analysts say the move may mean no immediate military threat to Bashir but could dash hopes of a political solution to end insurgencies in Darfur and southern border regions.Source: Al-Jazeera

A US-funded survey in Afghanistan says that 73 per cent of the popula-tion is satisfi ed with the governments performance, a claim which leaders and analysts have disputed as being far from reality. The survey, published by Asia Foundation, a US-based non-profi t with more than a dozen offi ces across Asia, also said that nearly half of Afghans think their country is moving in the right direction. But the number of those who believe the country is moving in the wrong direction has risen to 35 per cent, its highest level since polling began in 2004. Positive re-ponse to the performance of provincial governments is reported even higher, at 80 per cent. Parliamentarians, offi cials and analysts said generally positive fi ndings do not refl ect realities on the ground. Despite progress in certain areas, such as education and healthcare, President Hamid Karzais government continues to be marred by corruption and insecurity, among other problems. A messy dispute over a parliamentary election rife with fraud also contin-ues to stall legislation, a year after the vote. Even government offi cials were surprised by the surveys fi gures. This is bigger than a white lie, said Ramazan Bashardost, a member of parliament and former presidential candidate from Kabul. Even Karzai himself is not happy with his govern-ment, and the poor guy often complains to the media about the problems. It [the survey] seems part of the illusion-weaving to get out of here, but reports like this are actually dangerous for us, and for the US security interests. The survey, which cost about $300,000, was funded by a grant from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and has a large audience of policymakers in the Afghan govern-ment and the international community. It comes as Afghanistan prepares for a second round of security handovers, in which Afghans take over responsi-bilities from foreign forces ahead of the 2014 withdrawal date of international troops. President Karzai is expected

to announce that 17 provinces will be transitioned. Seven areas completed the process in the fi rst round, in July. Some, like Kandahar MP Abdul Rahim Ayoubi, say the lack of a better alterna-tive could be a factor in the high posi-tive response to the government. Over the past couple of decades, Afghans have seen a worsening trend, they fear for the worst, he said. Shaharzad Ak-bar, a partner with QARA Constulting, an Afghan public affairs fi rm, said the polls high fi gures could be a result of who was picked for the interviews, and how the questions were framed. Her fi rm has worked extensively in gauging public opinion for government and non-government clients. Random sampling, the method employed by the survey, is also tricky in places like Afghanistan, she said. The country lacks the popula-tion data - both at local and national level - that planners need in order to make sure the different demographics are refl ected in the samplings. But Dr Bruce Tolentino, the Asia Foundations country representative in Afghanistan, said the survey was held to rigorous standards of research. The opinions of those living in highly insecure areas are likely to be underrepresented in survey fi ndings, he said. But the surveys fi ndings also seem at odds with an internal study recently conducted by the Afghan government over concerns that poor governance could be fuel-ling discontent and armed resistance. Corruption, violation of laws, and our governments inability in implement-ing the law across the country are all shortcomings that undoubtedly cause discontent, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Karzais national security adviser, said in October after the study was complet-ed. Last week, a Gallup poll showed that the percentage of those suffering had increased to 30 per cent in Afghani-stan, up by seven per cent from the previous year. Government offi cials also expressed their surprise at the Asia Foundations fi ndings.Source: Al-Jazeera

Iran is taking seriously the reported threat of a military strike against its nuclear facilities, a senior Iranian offi cial said Tuesday while insisting that any such action would be very silly. With tensions again rising over Irans nuclear program, Mohammad Javad Larijani, a senior advisor to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and head of the governments human rights council, insisted his country

would never give up its right to acquire nu-clear technology. Questioned about reported threats of a military strike, Larijani told report-ers: No threat to Iran is taken superfi cially by the people in charge. We are fully prepared to confront any challenge. And to attack Iran may not be very diffi cult. Military strikes would be very silly, Larijani added on the sidelines of a visit to the United Nations. He

also referred to the killing of Iranian nuclear scientists which the Islamic state has blamed on Israel and the United States. If you kill two scientists there are hundreds more, if you hit one place then another one will be built, he said. We are very proud that we know this technology and science. We are very proud that we are number one in the region. Nobody can deprive Iran of this capability, he declared. Larijani repeated accusations that Israel with the cooperation of the United States was behind the killings in January 2010 and November last year of two Iranian nuclear scientists. He was also asked about an explosion on Saturday at a military base near Tehran in which a top missile expert was killed. Larijani said fi rst signs indicated an accident but that an investigation was underway. The International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors meets in Vienna on Thursday and Friday, and western powers want a resolution condemning Iran over a new report on its nuclear drive. The United States and its European allies accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear bomb. Tehran denies the charge. Re-ports that Israel or another nation could launch a military strike on Irans nuclear facilities have stoked the tensions.Source: AFP

about 16 MPs in the 50-member parliament received about $350 million (259 million euros) in bribes. The opposition has been leading a campaign to oust the premier, whom they accuse of failing to run the wealthy nation and fi ght

corruption, which has become wide-spread. Earlier on Wednesday, about 20 opposition lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary session, a day after the government and its supporters succeeded in rejecting a bid by the opposition to quiz the premier over allegations of corruption. After the rejection, three opposition MPs fi led a fresh request to

question Sheikh Nasser over allegations of graft involving MPs and illegal overseas money transfers. The premier, 71, has been a target of opposition criticism since he was appointed to the job in February 2006, forcing him to resign six times. Parliament has also been dissolved three times in the same period. Source: AFP

Kuwait : Continued from pg 1

A Surrey First council would provide child advocacy and recreation facilities for at-risk youth as part of an attempt to make the city one of the safest in Canada, Mayor Dianne Watts said Thursday. The slate, which released its platform Thursday, also aims to boost the RCMPs street presence by 30 offi cers, add 12 fi refi ght-ers, and establish a community court. Its getting to the root cause of crime. Theres always an opportunity for more police, but its got to come from the roots ... with early child education, getting kids engaged in the community and in sports, Watts said. If you were ever to change behaviour, you really have to start very young. Theres so much research on that; its where you effect change. Youth are a big focus of the slates three-pronged platform, with a child advocacy centre - where youth under 16 can seek help in dealing with abuse - expected to be ready to go by February, Watts said. The slate also pledges to expand Surreys job base, with a new arts facility in south Surrey, 50-metre pools for Guildford and south Surrey, and an expansion of the Fraser Surrey Docks to create about 800 jobs, and to increase transit options. Watts on Thursday appeared to be gaining momentum in her push for light rail with a letter this week from Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom, who said the province is examining the use of LRT as well as the potential for bus rapid transit and SkyTrain technology to provide frequent, fast, reliable services to communities south of the Fraser. Watts, who has long advocated for light rail for Surrey, said

Lekstroms letter is both an acknowledgment of our issues and a sign that transportation in Surrey will be improving for the future. It will allow us to shape our communities and connect our town centres, while at the same time increasing economic development in our city, Watts said in a statement. Watts, who would like to see a range of transit options in Surrey, argues light rail is an effective and effi cient form of transporta-tion, and, along with streetcars, would complement the existing SkyTrain and buses. Surrey is already inves-tigating three light rail routes: 104th Avenue between 152nd Street and City Centre (near the Surrey Central SkyTrain); King George Highway from City Centre to Newton (and eventually South Surrey); and Fraser Highway between City Centre and Langley. Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender said an LRT is the way to go south of the Fraser because more infrastructure can be built for less. He expects planning could begin on an LRT route as early as next year. TransLink, which had tentatively proposed building a six-kilometre SkyTrain from City Centre to Guildford, has estimated the cost of light rail at $27 million per kilometre, compared to $127 million per kilometre for the Evergreen Line and $233 million for the UBC/Broadway line. The Canada Line, linking Vancouver and Richmond, cost $2 billion to build, while the Evergreen Line is set at $1.4 billion. Its a signifi cant win for us, Fassbender said.Source: Vancouver Sun

Designated bike lanes and the Occupy Vancouver protest may not be the hot-button election issues that incumbent Mayor Gregor Robertsons political op-

ponents hope they are, according to a new poll. The handling of Occupy Vancouver was identifi ed as a very important or moderately important issue by 70 per cent of respondents in the Angus Reid poll, while public safety, sanitation services and overall quality of life were each identifi ed as important by at least 90 per cent. The whole Occupy Vancouver issue has been gain-ing prominence, but its not really the most important issue for people in B.C., said pollster Mario Canseco. Public opinion of the Vancouver Occupy encampment continues to decline, however, with 64 per cent of those polled declaring an unfavourable view of the protest. Only 29 per cent supported Occupy, and just 15 per cent said the protest should be able to continue indefi nitely. But six issues garnered more attention in the Angus Reid poll, which surveyed 402 adults in Vancouver from Nov. 9-10. Protecting the environment was identi-fi ed as important by 87 per cent of respondents, while 83 per cent pointed to homelessness and 74 per cent said it was important to help small businesses. Bike

lanes and backyard chicken coops were only identi-fi ed as important to 39 and 17 per cent of respondents, respectively -- and Canseco said most of the people

griping about bike lanes wont be voting in Van-couvers election. Theyre driving from North Vancouver, theyre driving from West Vancouver, Canseco said. [Vancouver voters] are going to be deciding the election, and those voters are not particularly dismayed with the situation with the bike lanes. Sixty-two per cent of respondents said the current municipal government had done a good job or very good job with the lanes. Forty-fi ve per cent said the same about chicken coops. Respondents were also asked to select words to describe Robertson and his Non-Partisan Association rival, Suzanne Anton. The best traits

attributed to Robertson were intelligence (43 per cent), being down to earth (30 per cent) and compassion (28 per cent). He was also described as arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent) and ineffi cient (27 per cent). Anton was most favourably described as intel-ligent (27 per cent) and strong (20 per cent). She was also found to be arrogant (32 per cent), out of touch (30 per cent), boring (23 per cent) and uncaring (18 per cent) -- but Canseco insists that doesnt mean shes not a contender. People over the age of 55 seem to look at Suzanne Anton in a much more positive light, Canseco said. That is the group that votes the most in municipal elections. Forty-seven per cent said they wanted Rob-ertson as mayor ether with a Vision Vancouver council or not. Twenty-seven said they preferred an Anton-led municipal government, with or without a Non-Partisan Association council. The online poll claims a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 per cent.Source: CTV News

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 20116Occupy Vancouver, bike lanes not main election issues: poll

Voter turnout at early polls shatters

record

Watts pledges centres for at-risk youth, focus on causes of crime

c a n a d a

Advance turnout for this years civic election is surpassing any in history, indicating there may be a huge number of voters com-ing out to the polls on general voting day, Nov. 19. In the early voting opportunities, in the last week, 6,489 people cast ballots. That almost doubles the 3,700 voters who showed up during week-long advance polls three years ago, and even eclipses the 4,900 who took early voting opportunities during the 2005 mayoral slug-fest between Dianne Watts and Doug McCallum. In fact, its a greater number than have ever come out to the early polling stations, city staff say. In Delta, 2,403 people came out to the three early voting days, greater than the 2,090 three years ago and the 2,269 in the by-election last year. However, Surrey was extremely strong. Describing action at the advanced polls as brisk and steady, city staff are excited by the high turnout, which represents 2.32 per cent of registered voters, bringing this city the third best percentage in history. In 1980, four per cent of the registered voters showed up to the early polls. All of this could be a harbinger of what is to come on election day. In 2005, 35.4 per cent of registered voters came out to cast their ballots on election day. If the turnout passes that, it will be the greatest showing in more than 20 years (37.95 per cent of voters partici-pated in 1990). Several factors could be at play to explain the high turnout at advance polls, including an effective advertising campaign by the city letting people know of the early voting, along with a dynamic competition for mayor, council and school board, where signifi cant issues are being raised that are engag-ing voters. It also indicates theres effective get-out-the-vote machines in two party camps, both in Surrey First and the Surrey Civic Coalition. Surrey is electing eight councillors and a mayor as well as six trustees on Saturday, Nov. 19Source: BC Local News

a member of his family. Both men are tainted by the association with the regime of Assads late father strongman Hafez al-Assad, and their movements are not seen as truly representative of the eight-month old revolt on the streets of Syria. But their deci-sion to speak out could mark a turning point, coming as the Arab League votes to suspend Syria, King Abdullah of neighbour-ing Jordan calls on Assad to stand down and opposition forces step up armed attacks. Rifaat al-Assad unsettles the Alawite community in power and Bashar al-Assads family, said Joseph Bahout, a researcher at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris. But exiled leaders -- who once held the highest posts in Hafez al-Assads governments -- have considerable fi nancial means and networks of contacts in their homeland and Rifaat al-Assad tried to lead a coup in 1983. Some Western intelligence agencies cal-culate that Rifaat could be a vector for an uprising in key military units, Bahout said. Khaddam was a long term ally of Hafez al-Assad, serving as his foreign minister, deputy prime minister and vice president, and was a leading fi gure in the ruling Baath Party, one of the pillars of the regime, until 2005. Rifaat al-Assad was Hafez younger brother and commanded his feared internal security forces. He is accused of overseeing the 1982 massacre of between 10,000 and 25,000 civilians in the town of Hama. As former regime apparatchiks, both men have little credibility with the larger opposition movements that are attempting to direct the revolution.These people are largely discredited in Syria. They are burdened with very weighty pasts. The opposition sees them as millstones around its neck, said Karim Emile Bitar of the Institute of International and Strategic Relations. Bahout warned the new parties could create new rifts in the opposition, and the return of Khaddam and Rifaat could be exploited by Assad who could say that the people who are against him have no credibil-ity.Source: AFP

themes between American and Pakistani musical forms.I see a trajectory between even traditional qawwali music and hip hop, he said.Qawwali is a beloved Pakistani musical form characterised by complex vocalisations and improvisation. One of its most tal-ented artists, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was an international sensa-tion until his death in 1997. Other members see their purpose in Pakistan as not only representing the United States, but empow-ering young Pakistanis to fi nd their own voices.Mahmud Ali Durrani, a former ambassador to the United States, said of the embassys efforts: I think it has a real value, par-ticularly when the level of mistrust is so high. But it has to be sustained and it has to be expanded.

reporters at a meeting on regional security.We need to change our mindset if we really wish to reap the benefi ts of mutual cooperation, he said.Business leader Hashwani said the army was on board this time. Contrary to popular belief, the Pakistan army has been tacitly supportive of a good relationship with India, he said.He called on the two countries leaders to make the

most of the current goodwill between the nations.It is very important, as the Chinese say, to cross the river by feeling the pebbles under both your feet, he said.The rapprochement is a game-changer if it works, a senior US offi cial in Islamabad recently said. Its going the right way. And theyve made more progress than many expected.

Pakistan: Continued from pg 3

Syria : Continued from pg 1

US : Continued from pg 3

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 20117

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OBLIGATION OF ELECTION PARTICIPATIONThe rising political temperature ahead of November19th civic election in the munici-palities of British Columbia are the source of excitement of course. With the political wrangling already get-ting red hot, many people are desperately contesting to grab the mayoral position. And, there are number of candidates trying to win against available positions for the offi ce of councillorship, while many candi-dates are struggling for the school trustees. As the race is interesting one, the local citizens must feel free to go ahead and vote for their favourite contestants for next three year tenure. Taking an active part in the democratic pro-cess is duty of every eligible voter. Ignor-ing the important process and the obligated participation therein would be of great disadvantage to the local citizens. Exercis-ing the right of vote means electing those who have a clean past record with integrity. However, not voting means missing out the extremely important opportunity to ef-fectively voice your opinion about the right candidate. In fact, the political process has been designed in a way, where voting connects the voters with each other, so that the can-didates with majority votes are chosen to look after the offi cial duties.Furthermore, just a simple act of marking ballot tells our leaders exactly what we think about policy decisions that affect our lives. Fair taxation, health care issues, the en-vironment and numerous other issues are handled better, if competent people with

integrity are chosen at the time of election.Moreover, through voting each citizen be-comes politically aware of the democratic system, obligations and the advantages. On the contrary, the citizen with I dont care attitude actually encourages the opposite of fair and impartial election results; thus contributes negatively. And the level playing fi eld is compromised again to the disadvantage of the local community. It is clear that by not voting, the citizen is staying SILENT resulting in the loss of any right of voicing later to correct any misap-propriation or administrative mishandling. Disaster is when the incompetent politi-cians have already manipulated and taken advantage of the voters low turnout. Publicity by the biased media becomes problematic, as it sends wrong signal resulting in adversely affecting a good candidate. Misinformation is unfair, as it would not help the public choose the right candidates for the right job. That will be waste of time and money adding to the fi nancial strain on all concerned.Its a bitter reality that some wrong ele-ments in the media focus only on the nega-tive actions of politicians, such as scandals, and ignore the contribution of such good candidates. Such a biased attitude is dangerous enough to turn the voters off. And, there are always many students who are of the opinion that keeping up with election coverage is a waste of time for a variety of reasons, the most popular be-ing that students never see the benefi ts of any election outcome. Here media has to play a positive role. Nevertheless, having

been inspired by late Jack Layton, a large number of Canadian youth jumped into the arena of politics, the younger voters still need encouragement to get involved with the political process at all levels by joining the political institutions.As no immediate fruits of such participa-tion are seen, so many citizens are not convinced enough. The government must take some steps to educate the student community to enhance their sense of civic responsibility that would encourage the youth to get out and vote.Clearly, by not voting, we actually break the connection between individual Cana-dians and their community. A democratic community can only survive if its citizens participate in the political process under all circumstances. And, this electoral process connects us to one another as citizens, as well as by expressing our opinion we actu-ally help maintain our democratic order. Certainly, the democracy would be dead if no one comes out to vote. Therefore, a democracy by its very nature needs the participation of the people, otherwise there is no democracy. Therefore, its of extreme importance to make your voice heard through casting a ballot for the candidate of your independent choice. Not voting clearly equals nothing but stupid silence allowing the crooks to grab positions of political importance. A crook and incompetent person should never be allowed to serve the community. Yet, in the absence of voicing your opinion through polls, there is your silence which becomes a contributory negligence as the right

people for the right job couldnt have been elected; thus, depriving the community of competent offi ce holders. Now, you cant complain about what you already have allowed by not showing up. A vote was your voice, which you lost by ignoring your own legal right of voting. Agreement or disagreement is immaterial after its all over.Also, voting is a responsibility and a duty. It also gives you power, because you become involved as a participant. Its encouraging to note that even the chamber of commerce demands municipal voting rights be extended to businesses. Without the vote, according to Chamber CEO John Winter, his commercial con-stituents have shouldered an unfair tax burden.Most importantly, there is absolutely no excuse for not voting, as a lot of fl exibility is available to facilitate the potential voter. As there is always a big price tag attached - to carry out the democratic process aimed at selecting the federal, provincial or citys political representatives, the tax payers must think twice before voting for the wrong person or staying silent by not tak-ing part at all in the political process during election time.

Waan laysa lil insaniilla ma saaa

That man can have nothing but what he strives for.

L E T T E R S & O P I N I O N S

Municipal Election November 19th

Nuclear Program of Iran

In Defence of Pure-Raw Milk& Campaign for the

Dairy Farmer Mr. Michael Schmidt

e d i t o r i a l

By: Ijaz Ahmed ChathaSCC Trustee Candidate for Surrey Board EducationRespected community members, I would like to thank you all for giving me mandate in the previous election to serve you as a Surrey school trustee. It gives me great pride by saying that I have preserved the trust of the residents of Surrey I have taken my responsibilities with complete honesty and passion, knowing that any decision taken is bound to affect the life of an individual or of an entire family. November 19 is just around the corner, and once again I would like to request all of you, please consider my name as your best choice on the ballot paper as you head out to the polling stations. Once again I am in need of your support in order to secure our represen-tation on the Surrey Board of Education. You will fi nd me loyal, trustworthy and commit-ted to the issues.It may be more convenient for you to cast your vote in the advance voting days, rather than waiting until the last date of November the 19th.

By: G.AalaniHuman Rights ActivistThere is no danger in drinking Raw Milk, or rather un-pasteurized Milk. I can vouch about it and prove it. We millions of East Africans are the living proof for the safetyof Raw Milk. I am an Indian African and for centuries we the whole of African world drank Organic Milk coming straight from Cows sold to us by the African farmers; who didnt even have any knowledge of todays technol-ogy, yet provided us with natural delicious creamy Raw MilkConsequently, we never needed to question them the hygienic principles of sanitary, and cleanliness, as we never got sick drink-ing un-pasteurized Milk.Though, we followed one important rule of boiling it as soon as we received it, as we

By: Zaheer Ali MankiA new International Atomic Energy Agency ( IAEA ) reports on Irans nuclear program

didnt have the Fridge in early days. Even after we got the fridge we still boiled it fi rst and then stored it.Although, many of us drank it raw, but never got sick or had any kind of health problems, as the Cows and Goats were fed with normal food of pure Grass unlike todays Cows are fed with anti-Biotic and other chemicals mixed in their feed, which makes it more health hazardous, but still not as dangerous as Cigarette smoke or Alcohol, which is proven health hazard killing many, yet it is legal.As a living proof of safety of Raw Milk, I urge Mr. Schmidt to fi nish his fasting, (hunger strike) as he has the living truth to support him, as well as the Divine Revela-tion about the purity of Milk ( Quran 16:66): and since the Biblical time, in pre-Islamic period up to the present time people still drink the Raw Milk in Africa and other third world countries.Let us pray for the positive outcome, InshaaAllah-God willing.

impose sanctions against Israel. This will defi nitely eliminate the animosity against the US in the Muslim world. The American foreign policies against the Muslim Nations are immoral, lopsided and insane.

suggests that it has found credible infor-mation that Iran had achieved the capability to develop a nuclear warhead. The report however did not fi nd any evidence that the country had actually decided to build a bomb. The credibility of this report has been called into question by the Iranian Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Larijani who was quoted as saying that the Report had been released under the US infl uence. The authors of the report had been meeting with the US offi cials one week before the release of the report. This activity does not instill an air of impartiality. The optics are certainly biased. The Americans have stockpiles of weap-ons of mass destruction but have chosen to introduce themselves as the advocates of human rights. It is so unfortunate and insincere to focus on Iran nuclear program, which is still in the embryonic stage, while Israel has many nuclear warheads supplied by the US. Why is it that the atom bombs held by several nations of the world including Israel do not threaten the world peace. When it comes to Iran possessing a nuclear warhead, the whole world peace is in danger?. The Iran ambassador to IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh reiterated that there was no nuclear weapons program. Sanctions against Iran ( which does not have a nuclear weapon ) are just a shameless & bullying exercise. If owning a bomb is reason to put sanctions on a nation,

The Eternal, Living RealityThe Quran is the word of the Ever-living God; it has been sent down to guide man for all times to come. No book can be like it. As you come to the Quran, Allah speaks to you. To read the Quran is to hear Him, even to converse with Him, and to walk in His ways. It is the encounter of life with the Life-giver. God - there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting (by whom all subsist). He has sent down upon you the Book with the Truth ... as a guid-ance unto mankind ... (Al Imran 3: 2-3)For those who heard it for the fi rst time from the lips of the Prophet, blessings and peace be on him, the Quran was a living reality. They had absolutely no doubt that, through him, Allah was speaking to them. Their hearts and minds were therefore seized by it. Their eyes overfl owed with tears and their bodies shivered. They found each word of it deeply relevant to their concerns and experiences, and integrated it fully into their lives. They were completely transformed by it both as individuals and as a corporate body - into a totally new, alive and life-giving entity. Those who grazed sheep, herded camels and traded petty mer-chandise became the leaders of mankind.Today we have the same Quran with us. Millions of copies of it are in circulation. Day and night, it is ceaselessly recited. In homes, in mosques, and from pulpits. Volu-minous exegetical works exist expounding its meaning. Words pour out incessantly to explain its teachings and to exhort us to live by it. Yet eyes remain dry, hearts remain unmoved, minds remain untouched, lives remain unchanged. Ignominy and degrada-tion appear to have become the lot of the followers of the Quran. Why? Because we no longer read the Quran as a living reality. It is a sacred book, but it tells us something of the past only, concerning Muslims and Kafi rs, Jews and Christians, the faithful and the hypocrites, who once upon a time used

to be.Can the Quran, again, be a living, relevant force, as powerful for us now, 1400 years away, as it was then? This is the most crucial question that we must answer if we wish to shape our destiny afresh under the guidance of the Quran.There appear, however, to be some dif-fi culties. Not least of which has to do with the fact that the Quran was revealed at a certain point in time. Since then we have traveled a long way, made gigantic leaps in technological know-how, and seen consid-erable social changes take place in human society. Moreover, most of the followers of the Quran today do not know Arabic, and many who do have, little idea of the living language of the Quran. They cannot be expected to absorb its idiom and metaphor, so essential to exploring and absorbing the depths of the Quranic meaning.Yet its guidance, by its own claim, has an eternal relevance for all people, being the word of the Eternal God. For the truth of this claim, it seems to me, it must be possible for us to receive, experience, and understand the Quran as its fi rst recipients did, at least in some measure and to some degree. We seem to almost have a right to this possibility of receiving Gods guidance in its fullness and with all its riches and joys. In other words, despite the historical incidence of the revelation in a particular language at a particular time and place, we should be capable of receiving the Quran now (because its message is eternal), capa-ble of making its message as much a real part of our lives as it was for the fi rst believ-ers and with the same urgent and profound relevance for all our present concerns and experiences.But how do we do this? To put it very forthrightly, only by entering the world of the Quran as if Allah were speaking to us through it now and today, and by fulfi ll-ing the necessary conditions for such an

encounter.Firstly, then, we must realize what the Quran as the word of God is and means to us, and bring all the reverence, love, longing, and will to act that this realiza-tion demands. Secondly, we must read it as it asks to be read, as Allahs Messenger instructed us, as he and his Companions read it. Thirdly, we must bring each word of the Quran to bear upon our own realities and concerns by transcending the barriers of time, culture and change.For its fi rst addressees, the Quran was a contemporary event. Its language and style, its eloquence and rationale, its idiom and metaphor, its symbols and parables, its moments and events were all rooted in their own setting. These people were both wit-nesses to and, in a sense, participants in the whole act of revelation as it unfolded over a period of their own time. We do not have the same privilege; yet, in some measure, the same ought to be true for us.By understanding and obeying the Quran in our own setting, we will fi nd it, as far as possible, as much a contemporary event for ourselves as it was then. For the essence of man has not changed; it is immutable. Only mans externalitiesthe forms, the modes, the technologies - have changed. The pagans of Mecca may be no more, nor the Jews of Yathrib, nor the Christians of Na-jran, nor even the faithful and the unfaith-ful of the community at Madina; but the same characters exist all around us. We are human beings exactly as the fi rst recipients were, even though many fi nd it extremely diffi cult to grapple with the deep implica-tions of this very simple truth. Once you re-alize these truths and follow them, once you come to the Quran as the fi rst believers did, it may reveal to you as it did to them, make partners of you as it did of them. And only then, instead of being a mere revered book,

a sacred fossil, or a source of magic-like blessing, it will change into a mighty force, impinging, stirring, moving and guiding us to deeper and higher achievements, just as it did before.The New World that Awaits YouAs you come to the Quran, you come to a new world. No other venture in your life can be so momentous and crucial, so blissful and rewarding, as your journey to and through the Quran. It is a journey that will take you through the endless joys and riches of the words that your Creator and Lord has sent to you and all mankind. Here you will fi nd a world of untold treasures of knowledge and wisdom to guide you on the pathways of life, to mould your thoughts and actions. In it you will fi nd deep insights to enrich you and steer you along the right course. From it you will receive a radiant light to illumine the deeper reaches of your soul. Here you will encounter profound emotions, a warmth to melt your heart and bring tears running down your cheeks.

It is crucial for you because, as you travel through the Quran, at every step you will be summoned to choose, and to commit to Allah. To read the Quran is nothing less than to live the Quran willingly, sincerely, devotedly, and totally. The outcome of your entire life depends on how you heed the call given by God. The journey is therefore de-cisive for your existence, for mankind, for the future of human civilization.A hundred new worlds lie in its verses. Whole centu-ries are involved in its moments.Know, then, that it is the Quran, and only the Quran, which can lead you on and on to success and glory in this-world and in the world-to-come.Excerpted and adapted from the book Way to the Quran by Khurram Murad

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 20118 f a i t hThe Beginning of Hijrah

The Journey of Life

Volume 3, Book 48, Number 810: Narrated Anas:

A funeral procession passed in front of the Prophet and the

people praised the deceased. The Prophet said, It has been af-

firmed (Paradise). Then anoth-er funeral procession passed by and the people talked badly of the deceased. The Prophet said, It has been affirmed (Hell). Allahs Apostle was asked, O

Allahs Apostle! You said it has been affirmed for both? The

Prophet said, The testimony of the people (is accepted), (for) the believer are Allahs witnesses on

the earth.

By Aelfwine Mischler Although Muslims do not actually celebrate the Muslim new year in the way other peo-ple celebrate their respective new year, the fi rst day of the lunar month of Muharram is a legal holiday in many Muslim countries. The Islamic calendar is counted from the year of Prophet Muhammads fl ight from Makkah to Madinah in September 622 CE, known as the Hijrah (or hegira in English from Latin from Arabic). This journey is one of the most important events in Islamic history. The early Muslims in Makkah were harshly persecuted and tortured by the ruling pagan Quraysh tribe. The Muslims were few in number and many of them were slaves. With no power to repel their persecutors, they could only wait patiently until Allah (God) opened a way for them. In the twelfth year of the Prophets mission, 12 men from the city of Yathrib (later to be known as Madinah) came to Makkah during the Hajj season and met with Muhammad at Al-`Aqabah. Having heard of his mission, they became Muslim and pledged their faith in the fi rst covenant of Al-`Aqabah. The Prophet sent Mus`ab ibn `Umayr back to Yathrib with them to teach them the religion. Mus`ab succeeded in converting many of the people of Yathrib to Islam. The following year, in June 622 CE, 73 men and 2 women from Yathrib came to the Prophet during the Hajj and pledged allegiance to him in the second covenant of Al-`Aqabah. They promised to protect him and help the Muslims of Makkah to resettle in their city. This delegation was the core of what came to be known as Al-Ansar, the Helpers, the

Muslims who were natives of Yathrib, later known as Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarathe Illuminated Cityor Madinah. The Muslims gradually left Makkah a few at a time so as not to attract the attention of the Quraysh. Eventually the Quraysh realized what was happening and tried to stop many of them from leaving. History tells many stories of these men and women who gave up their homes, wealth, and families to be able to freely practice their religion in Madinah. Only after several months did Allah grant the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) permission to leave Makkah. Shortly before his departure, Jibreel (Angel Ga-briel) told Muhammad that the Quraysh had devised a plot to stab him while he was sleeping. On the night of the planned assassination, his cousin `Ali ibn Abi Talib slept in Muhammads bed while the latter escaped with his friend Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to a cave south of Makkah, opposite the di-rection to Madinah. Fortunately for `Ali, the assassins looked at his face before stabbing him and left him alone when they realized they had been outwitted.Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in the cave for three days while the Quraysh searched all around Makkah. At one point, their enemies were only a few feet away outside the cave, but Allah protected them by sim-ple everyday miracles. A spider spun its web across the mouth of the cave, pigeons nested and laid eggs in front of it, and the branches of a small tree blocked it. Thus the pursuers assumed no one had entered the cave recently and did not search it. The two then made their way, led by a

pagan guide, to Madinah via a coastal route to throw off the pursuit. When they fi nally arrived in Madinah, Muhammad let his camel wander where it willed until it sat in one place. The owners of the land where the camel sat were paid, and the Prophets mosque and living quarters were built on the site while the Prophet and Abu Bakr lived as guests of the Ansar. The Hijrah, at last, gave the Muslims a place where they could openly declare their Islam and worship in peace. It was the beginning of the Islamic state. The Quranic verses revealed in Makkah had dealt mainly with the nature of Allah and mans relation-ship to Him. In Makkah, there had been very few households in which all of the members were Muslims. At the time, Islam appeared to be concerned only with the individual and the hereafter. In contrast, the verses revealed in Madinah dealt more with mans relationships with othersthe social, political, and economic aspects of Islam that could not be developed under persecu-tion.The Hijrah was also signifi cant for the unselfi sh brotherhood demonstrated by the Ansar towards the Muhajirun (immigrants from Makkah). The Ansar were not wealthy, yet they took in the Muhajirun, shared their food and homes with them, and helped to establish them in trade or work. Further, the Ansar were well aware that by doing so they were challenging the Quraysh and all the pagan tribes of the whole Arabian Peninsula . Indeed, the pagans did launch several battles in an attempt to snuff out the nascent Muslim state. But the Ansar remained faithful followers of the Prophet

(peace and blessings be upon him) and were always loved and praised by him. It was the second caliph, `Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who chose the year of Hijrah to be the starting point of the Muslim calendar. Before that, each province marked the years as the nth year in the reign of so-and-so, or the year when such-and-such happened. `Umar standardized the chronology, and it is signifi cant that he chose the Hijrahrather than the birth or death of Muhammad or the fi rst revelation of the Quranas the starting point. The Hijrah was the beginning of Islam as a complete way of life affecting all aspects of Mans existence.

Begins on Nov 26

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 20119Miracle Media Group Presents

On Saturday, November 26th, 2011 at 5:00 pm

At Afghan Chopan Restaurant & Banquet Hall, York Centre Surrey

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Booking by email on First come fi rst serveProgram will InshaAllah begin with Welcoming of Hajjaj e Karam of 1432 H (2011).

Dates for Preliminary selection rounds and further details will be announced in the next edition. The main purpose of this religious program is to promote interest in memorization

of Holy Quran and role of Huff az Karam in our community.

Main Sponsor: Afghan Chopan Restaurant and Banquet HallOther Sponsors: - Aisha Islamic Books and Crafts Centre - Bullay Shah Academy of Canada, Falcon Travel, Galaxy Travel

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Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201110 E l e c t i o n E x c l u s i v eImportant dates in the history of Vancouvers election system

1872 - Newly entered into Confederation, British Colum-bias legislature enacts the Municipal Act, which governs all B.C. Municipalities to date except Vancouver. 1886 - April 6: City of Vancouver incorporated under a private bill in the legislature called the Vancouver Incorpo-ration Act (revised and renamed the Vancouver Charter in 1953). May 3: First municipal election held at large. Council passes By-law 3, creating fi ve wards electing two alder-men each. Mayor is elected at large. Terms are one year. 1904 - Number of wards increased to six. 1910 - Plebiscite held on whether some aldermen to be elected at large. Rejected by voters. 1911 - Number of wards increased to eight with annexa-tion of Hastings Suburban Lands and District Lot 301. 1916 - Number of alderman elected per ward reduced from two to one, for total of eight. Ward residency requirement for aldermen is eliminated. 1920 - Plebiscite establishes proportional representation in Vancouver. 1923 - Single-member ward system re-established by plebiscite. 1927 - Two-year terms and staggered elections introduced, with one-half of council standing for election each year. 1929 - Vancouver, South Vancouver and Point Grey amal-gamated. Council increased from eight to twelve wards. 1935 - December 11: Plebiscite asks, Are you in favour of abolishing the wards system? Majority of 67.9 percent vote to switch to at-large system, reducing number of Council members from twelve to eight. 1936 - First at-large election for Vancouver City Council since the year of the Citys incorporation. 1953 - Vancouver Incorporation Act is revised and re-named the Vancouver Charter. 1956 - Council committee form of administration replaced with a Board of Administration, based on the City Man-ager form of municipal government found in many other North American cities. (The senior administrative offi cer of the city, the Commissioner of the Board of Administra-tion, is renamed City Manager in 1974.)

1957 - Council increased to ten aldermen, refl ecting growth of the city. 1973 - Following public consultation on electoral reform, Councils Community Development Committee recom-mends ward representation. October 24: Plebiscite results in 58.8 percent vote to keep at-large system. 1978 - November 15: Plebiscite returns 51.5 percent in favour of wards. 1979 - April 23: Council appoints a commission to review the at-large/ward question and other issues of local govern-ance. November 29: The commissions report recommends a system of fi ve wards electing three aldermen each, with two elected by ward voters only and one by voters of the city as a whole. Ward boundaries to apply also to School and Park Boards and to provincial electoral districts. Few of the proposals are accepted by Council. 1981 - March: Council requests provincial government to change the Vancouver Charter to allow elections by wards. The provincial government asks for more information, and a special committee of Council is created. The committee holds public meetings regarding wards across the city in early 1982. 1982 - April: Council votes to change Vancouver to a full ward system with ten wards each electing one alderman. Decision-making on the exact ward boundaries is deferred until 1981 Census is available and until progress has been made in getting the government to amend the City Charter. November 20: General election. Referendum result is 57 percent in favour of wards. 1983 Council adopts ward boundaries submitted to the provincial government in sup-port of Citys request for change to the City Charter. 1987 - July: Vancouver Charter is amended to allow changes to electoral method. However, the amendment stipulates that such a change fi rst requires a 60 percent majority of votes in a referendum. The Charter amendment requires the referendum question to specify the number of Council members to be elected, the boundaries of the wards, and number of Councillors per ward.

1988 - February: Council appoints Electoral Boundaries Commission to propose ward boundaries and recommend whether there should be separate referenda for the Park and School Boards.

August 25: Commissions report proposes new boundaries for ten wards and two referendum questions which are ap-proved by Council and included in the November munici-pal elections. November 19: Referendum result is 56 percent in favour of ten-ward system. Wards not instituted since 60 percent majority was required to change the system. 1990 - Terms of City Council members increased from two to three years. 1993 - July 29: Provincial governments Local Elections Reform Act amends the Vancouver Charter provisions dealing with municipal elections. Council may now pass a by-law to provide for all or some Councillors to be elected on a neighborhood constituency basis (i.e., by ward). By-law must be approved by the provincial government and no longer requires a 60 percent majority by referen-dum. 1995 - November 14: Council formally votes to hold a 1996 referendum on the election system. A 60 percent majority will be required for any change to be institutedSource: http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/election_systems/chapter1.html

Across BC general elections are held every three years for mayors, councillors, regional district electoral area directors, school board trustees and Islands Trust trustees pursuant to the BC Local Govern-ment Act (RSBS 1996 Chapter 323) Part 3 and 4. Candidates are voted in for a three-year term. General voting day is always the third Saturday in November. This year, general voting day falls on November 19, 2011. Candidates are voted in for a three-year term.

Voting is an important part of our demo-cratic process. It is a chance, for every eli-gible person to infl uence the policies that affect our lives on a daily basis. With only a simple mark on a ballot, voting lets us decide who our representatives will be and what our future will look like. The right to vote is protected by Canadas Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is one of our countrys most cherished institutions. B.C. was the fi rst province in Canada to establish fi xed election dates. Provincial general elections are to take place on the second Tuesday in May every four years. The next provincial election is on May 14, 2013. Subsequent elections are scheduled to take place as follows: Voting eligibility requirements In order to vote in an election for an electoral district, an individual must: be a Canadian citizen;

be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day for the election; be a resident of the electoral district; have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before General Voting Day for the election; be registered as a voter for the electoral district or register as such in conjunction with voting; and not be disqualifi ed by the Election Act or any other enactment from voting in the election or be otherwise disqualifi ed by law.Information for voters All of these offi cials are elected at-large for a three-year term Voters will also decide whether to al-low the City to borrow money for major construction projects (for example, re-build certain community centres, or extensive re-construction of water or sewer lines). How to vote? If you received a Where to Vote card, bring it with you An election offi cial will check your name on the Voters List. If you are not registered on the Voters List, you will have to present two pieces of ID. You will be given a ballot, a special pen to mark the ballot, and a secrecy sleeve. Go to the voting booth and make your choices with the special pen provided. Fol-low the instructions on the ballot. Put your completed ballot in the secrecy sleeve provided, then walk over to the vot-ing machine. 2008 High The AccuVote automated voting ma-chines were used in the fi ve elections, and will be used for the 2011 election. They are accurate, simple to use, and can provide fi nal election results within hours after the close of voting. Either you or a City election offi cial will feed your ballot into the voting machine.

(It doesnt matter which way the ballot is fed into the AccuVote -- the machine will read it properly from any direction). Youre done! Thats all there is to it. Now you can wait for the election re-sults to come in after the polls close at 8

p.m. Watch this website for results starting around 8:30 p.m. on November 19. Unof-fi cial results should be available around 10 p.m. Offi cial election results will be available by 4 p.m. on November 23

Municipal elections were held in the Canadian province of British Columbia on November 15, 2008. First and Second highest Votes gainers

Election 2008 records lowest voter turnout in history In 2008, voter turnout at the Vancouver civic election was 31 per cent, This is the low-est its been in 50 years.

Advance polls popular in B.C.s biggest municipalitiesAdvance polls are proving popular with voters in B.C.s biggest municipalities this year, with line-ups reported at some locations. Vancouver had already surpassed the number of advance vot-ers in the last municipal election. More than 10,700 residents had cast their ballots as of Monday night, according a City of Vancouver spokeswoman Wendy Stewart. This is up from a total of 9,578 advance voters in 2008. However, there are eight advance-polling dates this year compared with four in 2008, so Vancouver voters have more opportunities to cast their ballots early this time around. Advance polls were also busy in Surrey, where almost double the number of advance vot-ers in 2008 cast their ballots early. Almost 6,500 people have already voted in that municipality, up from 3,775 in 2008. The number of advance voters is not, however, a reliable indicator of voter turnout on election day. Several B.C. municipalities with high advance turnout in 2008, such as Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack, had average or below-average turnout on election day. Voter turnout across the province in 2008 was 23 per cent. In this BC civic election 2011, Surrey may exceed 35% turnout.

Highlights of 2008 General Local Elections in major BC Cities

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201111

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Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201112 l o c a l`Diversity Reporter` celebrates Eid

Mela at Dhaliwal HallOn November 4, Urdu weekly Jang Canada & Diversity reporter organized a very successful Eid Mela at Dhali-wal Banquet Hall with the help of four businesswomen in clothes and crafts business. The Hall lighted up as hundreds turned up for the eve of Eid ul Adha Celebrations. Muslims families with their friends enjoyed the event till mid night. More than 20 stalls of businesses were selling and promot-ing, fashion, jewellery, art & scriptures, henna painting etc. Ethnic food stalls were another attraction where people indulged themselves into variety fast-food, pops, tea, green tea, Kashmiri tea etc along with live entertainment by musi-cal bands. The event was hosted by Diversity reporter editor in chief Mr. Mohsen Abbass. He also drew many door

prizes at the stage from time to time.Many community leaders and organizations were present along with distinguished MP Jinny Sims & Jasbir Sandhu, MLAs Sue Hammell, Bruce Ralston and Surrey Civic elec-tion candidates who took this opportunity and personally wished the attendees and all lower mainland residents Eid ul Adha Mubarak. Prizes sponsored by many business community members were given throughout the night to the attendees and the crowd kept buzzing till late hours of the night. Overall, this was a house-full event two nights before Eid ul Adha.

By Jasleen KaurA session on creating a Surrey Interfaith Council was held in the City Central Library on 16th November 2011.This workshop was held by Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society, under their Interfaith Bridging initiative funded by EmbraceBC. This session was held in collabora-tion with David Dalley, Surrey Neighbouring Faiths Soci-ety, and Deidre Goudriaan, BC Healthy Communities. The session focused on collaborative efforts by differ-ent faith groups, Community Serving Organizations and Multifaith groups to create a central body that will address faith needs in our community. After an invigorating talk by keynote speaker, Rebecca Tobias, North American Trustee for United Religions Initiative, the group proceeded on a discussion on the vision of a Surrey Interfaith Council and what will be the mandate of this council. The group dis-cussed what some of the important faith issues in Surrey are and how they should be addressed. A lot of emphasis was laid on education and more collaborative efforts in neigh-

bourhoods. There was talk about opening new channels for dialogue and action. There was also emphasis laid on creating a sacred space where different faith groups could celebrate their special faith festivals and days for everyone in the community.A consensus was reached that Surrey is a diverse and multicultural community and we need a committee to take a leadership role in addressing Faith Issues and also infl uence public policy. The session was ended with concluding remarks by PICS CEO, Charan Gill. Gill emphasized on the need of having a structure for a council with a vision that is collective and progressive to each member no matter what faith they belong to. He also expressed that this council will have a powerful affect in ensuring a better and safer Surrey.

PICS to create a Surrey Interfaith Council

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201113 l o c a lMP Sims and Mayor Watts attend Eid

Dinner by PCAOn Nov 13, The Pakistan Canada Association & Islamic Trust organized an annual Eid ul Adha celebration Dinner at Pakistan House Surrey. Just after Aisha prayer, Mr. Raza Mirani (General Secretary of PCA) began the program as the MC. After welcoming and thanking everyone for attending, he called Master Shamim for recitation of Holy Quran. Afterwards Mr. Malik Arfan, President PCA spoke to the audience and updated everyone about Pakistan House.Mr. Mirani invited the Surrey First team, who is seek-ing re-election under the leadership of Mayoral Candidate Dianne Watts with Tom Gill, Marvin Hunt, Barinder Rasode & Linda Hepner. Mayor Watts was the special guest for this event and she greeted the Pakistani Community on this occa-sion and infomed them about upcoming election.At this celebration, MP Jinny Sims was also invited to the podium to speak abouot the occasion. She focused on sacri-fi ce and referenced to sacrifi ce of Hzt Ibrahim (A.S) and Hzt Ismaeil (A.S) in her speech. She also promised that she will

take stand in House of Commons in Ottawa for issues affect-ing the Muslim community issues specially delay in process of immigration from Pakistan.Mr. Ihsan Malik, Islamic Trust member was invited to the stage to provide a summary of Pakistan House including fi nancial reports and deposits of the property Tax to the City of Surrey .He requested all Pakistani Community members to generously support for building and maintenance expenses of Pakistan House. SCC Surrey Board of Education candi-date Mr. Laurence Greeff and independent Councillor can-didate Judy Higginbotham also delivered their messages at this event along with Consul General of Pakistan Mr. Shuja Alam who shared his thoughts on Eid ul Adha and greeted all Pakistani Community.The speeches were followed by performances of Punjabi Community artists with their Musical Band, alongside a deli-cious dinner catered by Mr. & Mrs .Mian Saeed of Kabob Palace, Surrey.

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Mayor Dianne Watts calls Port Metro Vancouver to action

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Nov 15, Surrey, B.C Mayor Dianne Watts and the Surrey First team are calling on Port Metro Vancouver to approve a mini-mum of an additional 1.3meters in dredging in the Fraser River, which will result in

over 1,300 jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic activity.The Fraser River is a marine highway and we need to start treating it as such. Port Metro Vancouver, which includes several facilities along the Fraser River, is respon-sible for 47,700 family supporting jobs and $2.2 billion economic activity in the region, says Mayor Watts. For Surrey, the Port is responsible for 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and $220 million in wages annually. With a minimum of 1.3 meter dredging required, important local busi-nesses, like Fraser Surrey Docks, will see signifi cant expansion up to 800 direct jobs, 500 direct trucking jobs and hundreds

of millions of dollars in increased eco-nomic activity. Our city cannot wait any longer for the Port to move forward and do the dredging required to support the expan-sion of this industry. We are calling on Port Metro Vancouver to act now.Fraser Surrey Docks is the only regional port that has direct access to all major Northern American railways, truck access via the south Fraser Perimeter road, central-ized proximity to all the major industrial parks and direct access to the second larg-est border crossing in the country.Fraser Surrey Docks is currently 70% underutilized, says Surrey First Councillor and Vice-Chair of the Port Metro Van-

couver Board of Directors Linda Hepner. Fraser Surrey has the potential to more than double its economic activity and job growth over the next three years if Port Metro Vancouver continues ongoing main-tenance dredging and approves a minimum of an additional 1.3 meter of increased depth over the key sections of the Fraser River. This needs to happen, and it needs to happen now.Surrey First is calling on the Port to move ahead immediately with the dredging and to develop a sustainable joint funding for-mula with stakeholders, including the ports located along the waterway and the federal government.

November 15, Ottawa,- The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacifi c Gateway welcomes the introduction of the Canada-Jordan Economic Growth and Prosperity Act and the Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act to implement free trade agreements with Jordan and Panama.

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The Miracle Media Group has been serving the community for almost 11 years. The management has kept and maintained newspaper boxes at the entrances of the Mosques entrances for the facility of Miracles readers to avoid violation of any regulations by the mosques. It also keeps the newspapers to be scattered around the place by wind and other elements and inadvertently, creating a problem on Mosque premises. We also avoid forcefully distributing the copies in your hands and leave it on your discretion to pick up the copy at your convenience without disrespecting Islamic literature and pictures. Therefore, we request all of you to continue using the newspaper boxes to obtain a copy of your favorite newspaper.- Miracle Management

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Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201115Eid Open House at MP Jinny Sims Offi ce in Surrey

Dignitaries gather to Honour Sacrifi ce of Veterans at Re-membrance Day Service in Whalley

By: Raj HundalRaj Hundal, NDP candidate for Surrey-Tynehead was joined by representatives from all levels of govern-ment at the Remembrance Day Service held at the Surrey Whalley Legion Branch on Friday morning. The service included singing O Canada and God Save the Queen, Prayers, Two Minutes of Silence and Wreath Laying by dignitaries and representatives of many different groups, organizations, agencies and families. Raj Hundal said that It is important that we never forget the ultimate sacrifi ce of those who fought and died in confl ict to preserve our democracy and fundamental freedoms and It is essential for future generations to understand the suffering and hardship for both those fi ghting in war and those left at home so that we may avoid such confl icts in the future, we must not overlook the sacrifi ce and service of men and women in past wars who fought bravely for Canada and their Allies. Many of these veterans have made

On Nov 6, MP Jinny Sims hEld an open house on Eid ul Adha day at her Newton-North Delta offi ce at Scott Road. Many Muslim community members attended and shared this joyful occasion with Sims. Mr. Nusrat Hussain, communication / out-reach advisor organized this fi rst Eid event in the MP offi ce and his public relations skills and effort brought many community members particularly from Pakistani community to the open house.

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Public questions should be answered in board meetings

Burnaby City Council attends Muslim Events

By: Trustee Ijaz ChathaSurrey Board of EducationOn Nov 10th, a notice of motion was presented at the public board meeting by Trustee Ijaz Chatha, in which, he proposed that the respons-es to Question Period questions should, in addition to being provided in writing, be read publically, if not at the same Board meeting, at the next regular Board meeting.During the Question Period at regular Board

meetings, members of the community are invited to ask questions. Per Board policy, the questions are then submitted in writing so that responses may be provided on behalf of the Board. Responses, subsequent to the meeting, are provided in writing but are not shared with the general public. This may satisfy the person asking the question, but there may be others who are also interested in the topic said Mr. Chatha

He also highlighted the importance of his proposal by saying Questions presented by the public during Question Period may be helpful, constructive or express concerns refl ective of the larger community and that the questions/answers may enhance the dialogue process with the Board; and may involve topics that may come up at a future meetingThis motion is set to be considered at the next scheduled regular board meeting.

In the past year, Burnaby city council members as well as MP Peter Julian have been seen at various Muslim events. This included workshops based on Muslim awareness ,culture and Diversity as well as other event held at Masjid -al-Salam. Last year, they also joined theMuslim community in welcoming pilgrims returning after performing Hajj as seen in the picture to the right.

Issue 297 - Dhul Hajjah 22, 1432 / November 18, 201117

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