Could Trump actually be good for Muslims and Islam?
Donald Trump has moved seamlessly from President-elect to President. In fact, so seamless has been the transition that he seems identical to the one who started as the prospective Republican nominee. Trump is just as egocentric, brash, brazen and still as Twitter-obsessed as he has always been. For all his faults, one thing that he is not - is fickle. He has unashamedly maintained his anti-Muslim rhetoric which has, true to his words, now been enacted through one of his many executive orders. Trump famously campaigned on a pledge to ban all Muslims from entering the United States. This pledge has seen Trump…
#AleppoIsDying but her people are victorious
Never in the history of war has the world been able to follow, up close and personal, the lives and the news of people who have suffered during a brutal war. However, we have watched and read in disbelief as the people have sent their ‘final’ messages from besieged eastern Aleppo. Whose heart doesn’t bleed following the events of the last couple of days in eastern Aleppo? The regime’s aerial bombardment, illegal use of chlorine barrel bombs and incessant shelling have facilitated massive territorial gains over the last 24 hours, leaving the rebels to defend a very small pocket of land with…
Aleppo: Starved, Bombed, Gassed, Broken but not Defeated
Aleppo: Starved, Bombed, Gassed, Broken but not Defeated The regime has finally broken the rebel defences in besieged eastern Aleppo and has retaken a third of the territory. Up to 20,000 people have fled from rebel held areas as the regime has moved in. Most of them headed to Kurdish controlled areas, hoping that they may be more accommodating than regime-held territories. However, with some social media reports of summary executions of refugees suspected of rebel tendencies, this was a forlorn hope. Kurdish controlled and regime controlled areas of Aleppo offer no difference with clear evidence of Kurdish forces conspiring…
Church bells toll but are the mosque mimbars silent?
The cruel joke of Russia & Assad's 'humanitarian' ceasefire The Russians and the Syrian regime have supposedly agreed to a 'humanitarian pause' and opened 'humanitarian corridors' in Aleppo. The big question is - was this a genuine humanitarian gesture? The answer, unfortunately, is an unambiguous, categorical, undeniable and definitive, NO. We are not fooled by words and gestures, when actions clearly demonstrate otherwise. What humanity is there, when they: Bomb women and beautiful, innocent children? Destroy the only UN aid convoy destined for Aleppo, for which they had guaranteed a safe passage? Maintain a barbaric siege which has meant that there is…
Qunut al-Nazila for Syria in English Mosques
Living in a 'civilised' world we have grown used to international laws that govern and ensure the 'rule of law' is upheld and maintained. Human life is sacrosanct and human rights are paramount. The International Criminal Court was established in 1998 to deal with serious crimes such as crimes against humanity, genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes. The International Criminal Court is overseen by the United Nations which, in itself, was established to 'end' future wars after the Second World War. Well, you know, I have absolutely zero trust left in the ICC, the UN and in fact the entire…
Reflecting a week on from Turkey’s failed coup
A day of twists and turns, a day of pride, a day to give thanks, and above all, a day to remember As Saturday 16th July 2016 came to a close, I was still transfixed to my mobile phone, searching and reading anything and everything for news on the failed coup in Turkey. I was on a high and wanted news, reflections and thoughts that would give me another 'fix'. Even after just 24 very short hours from the start of the events in Turkey, a friend messaged me to say that he was still 'buzzing'. And why not? Within…
Allah’s ‘Signature’ in the Moon
The Creator and the Creation Allah (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) says in the noble Qur’an, "Indeed, within the heavens and earth are signs for the believers." The greatest miracle bestowed on the beloved of Allah and Master of all humanity, Muhammed (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), was the noble Quran; unmatched in literary excellence, sublime in its beauty and religious reverence. However, despite its immense power and unparalleled nature, there are many from humankind who would not attest to its divine origin. However, to many Muslims, just hearing the words of the noble Quran is enough to send shivers down the…
The Muslim Brexit – No Justice No Peace
This article is part of our EU Referendum debate series, click here to read more. Articles to Remain in the EU: Why I am voting AGAINST BREXIT The Muslim vote on the Referendum must be to REMAIN Articles to Leave the EU: Why I am voting for BREXIT The Muslim Brexit – No Justice No Peace No Justice No Peace The vast majority of people voting in the EU referendum will have little or no idea what they are actually voting for. For some it will be sold as a means of better integration with our European brethren, for others it…
BBC vs. ‘The Deobandis’ – Round 2
You're Having A Laugh Click here for part 1 It was with baited breath and eager anticipation that I awaited the main course of a two-part BBC Radio 4 programme entitled the 'The Deobandis'. Last week's starter was not at all appetising to the 600,000 so-called 'Deobandis' in the UK. In fact, based on reviews since the programme has aired, far from just leaving a bitter taste in the mouth, it has left a significant percentage of the British Muslim population feeling metaphorically sick. Bennett-Jones cooked up a first episode which was about as representative of 'Deobandis' as Delia Smith is of traditional Indian…
BBC vs. ‘The Deobandis’ – My Response
BBC Radio 4 - The Deobandis (Part 1) - The Response Click here for part 2 I love a good drama. After much hype and social media chatter, I settled down to listen to the first of a two-part series on Radio 4, 'The Deobandis'. I listened intently and was engrossed from the beginning. In fact, with the eerie music and sinister overtones, I thought I had accidentally tuned in to the afternoon drama. These thoroughly nasty 'Deobandis' were the villains and our intrepid reporter, Owen Bennett Jones, went out to expose their dastardly deeds. All the 'actors' were hand-picked and…