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The Friday Bulletin Commentary
During the 2007 post-election violence, the media stood in unison in making a rallying call for unity of the country and strongly urged Kenyans to remain united and reject all attempts being made to divide the country along ethnic lines. The animosity which had built up in the prelude to the general elections that year only needed a small spark to ignite and the flares went up soon after Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner in the controversial presidential elections. The end result of this was the catastrophic killings which led to the loss of more than 1,200 innocent souls. A few weeks ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta was in Rwanda where he formally apologized for Kenya's failure to intervene during the 1994 genocide which led to the extermination of more than 800,000 people from the Tutsi ethnic community. The paradox in these two incidents is that the media played a key role in helping to unite the country and contributing significantly to prevent the escalation of bloodshed while in the case of Rwanda, the media was the driving force in spreading the flames of animosity, hatred and ethnic intolerance. This week, the National Police Service planned to air a documentary on local television stations ostensibly to highlight the challenges faced in the fight against terrorism. It should be clear that efforts to help weed out these hydra headed monster should be given the full support by all citizens as it is clear that the effects of terrorism override religious, racial or ethnic boundaries. The documentary however, was a one sided affair aimed at radicalizing the minds of viewers that Muslims are the purveyors of terror and the teachings of Islam condone the killing of innocent people. The producers of the feature appeared to be reading from the same script as one top government official who has been traversing churches speaking Continued To Page 2
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Former deputy speaker Farah Maalim addressing the media at Jamia Mosque Nairobi on Friday. Muslim leaders continue to raise their concerns on the ongoing security operation which is targeting the community especially ethnic Somalis
'' the state should practice its mandate to protect Kenyans against violation of their rights. We are equally affected as any Kenyan if not more,'' Lethome
it is being carried out adding that innocent people are bearing the brunt of the operation. In a joint statement read by Jamia Mosque committee member, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome, the leaders noted that the security operation has brought torture to the victims since women and children are not handled according to respected moral values and Muslim faith
Continued To Page 2
Muslim leaders' fury over human rights violations Story Continues To Page 8
Muslim leaders have raised concerns over the violation of human rights by the police in the on-going operations in Eastleigh and Coast region under the pretext of fighting terrorism. At a press conference held at Nairobi Jamia Mosque last Friday, the leaders who included religious and political leaders said they were concerned about the ongoing police operation particularly the manner in which
INSIDE STORIES
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EDITORIAL
Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
about the evil doctrine of terrorists. These strategies are not helping in fighting terrorism but helping to build and nurture animosity towards Muslims. More so, it serves as a perfect tool to justify the violation of the rights of Muslims and members of the Somali community on the pretext of fighting terror. Through spirited response from Muslim leaders drawn from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, Jamia Mosque Committee and the National Muslim leaders Forum, the four major media houses resolved not to air the documentary which had been planned to go on air on Tuesday and Wednesday. In recent times, the media has over amplified the voices of those who have distorted the teachings of Islam and are supporting acts of violence against innocent people. As a result of this false narrative, an increasing body of non-Muslims view Islam as an intolerant faith which promotes terrorism and is against peaceful co-existence, It is the same narrative which formed the main focus of the documentary and the message aimed at watering the seeds which could sprout interreligious strife whose ultimate goal is to take the country to the pathway of Rwanda or the current inter religious strife in Central Africa Republic. It therefore, becomes imperative for the media not to succumb to financial incitements and disregard its role of nurturing unity of the country. At whatever cost, it should not allow to embed with those who would like to see Kenyans turning against each other. On another note, Eastleigh has now become a ghost town. The once spiraling
businesses suburb, Kenyas most vibrant commercial center after the Nairobi Central Business District is now a deserted place thanks to the brutal operation ostensibly to root out illegal immigrants and criminals from the country. For the residents, it has been a horrendous time as security agents who are supposed to protect the population have turned into villains breaking into peoples homes, carting properties and engaging in acts of sexual harassment. While the state has been repeating its claims that the Operation Usalama Watch is only targeting criminal elements, it is more than clear that this is nothing but collective punishment. The operation clearly appears to be targeting a particular group of Kenyans and from Eastleigh, it has been extended to areas with significant Muslim population in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Namanga and other areas. In areas where Muslims are seen as minorities, intimidation from the state security machinery is becoming the order of the day. In Kilgoris, local officials are threatening to take over a Muslim educational institution which they accuse-without any evidence-of training Al Shabab recruits and turn it into a public school. In Marakwet, Mosques have been told to hand over a list of names and ID numbers of worshippers. This is the dangerous trend Operation Usalama Watch is taking. While Kenya has been known as a haven for refugees from countries which have suffered war and civil strife such as Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Somalia, the spotlight is on refugees from Somalia. Those being detained at what has now come to be known as the Safaricom Concentration Camp in Kasarani are largely from one ethnic and religious community. With the threat of terrorism hovering especially in the wake of rising incidents of grenade attacks and shooting incidents, it remains an ob-
ligation for every security conscious citizen to support efforts aimed at apprehending these hydra headed monsters. But these efforts should not be undertaken at the expense of disregarding the rights of the people as enshrined in the constitution and international treatise which Kenya is a signatory to. It is not only Muslim or Somali community leaders who have raised alarm over this wanton abuse of rights, but leaders from the mainstream churches, human rights activists and the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) have all faulted the operation, a clear indicator that it is beset with glaring flaws. It remains our cardinal call to the government to review its stance and stop what is clearly being seen as an open affront against a section of Kenyans. Denials will not take these facts away. When they romped into power, the UhuRuto duo sought to assure all people within the borders of this country that they will be treated with dignity and fairness but the latest operation in Easteligh and other areas seems to send out a clear message that for a particular group of people, it is not yet UhuruRuto. In a democracy, as they say, the minorities also have rights but deliberately trampling on these rights and persistently ignoring to address the issues of discrimination, victimization and historical injustices will only help to breed a worse monster -May Allah forbid.
hence infringing on their rights and privacy. ''We are aware of the security situation in the country and we support the operation but the state should practice its mandate to protect Kenyans against violation of their rights. We are equally affected as any Kenyan if not more,'' said Lethome. Lethome pointed out that whereas criminals are lawless, the government should not retaliate in a lawless manner, stressing that the government should do whatever is possible to ensure that innocent people do not suffer. On ''shoot-to-kill'' order Lethome said the Muslim leadership was against the order as it is counter-productive and unconstitutional, adding that it would contribute to the killing of innocent people and lead to loss of vital evidence and information. He further said that the victims are losing money through extortion in the security
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Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
QUR'AN
Surah Al-Faatihah
Its a Day when deeds will be accounted. Everything is in the hands of Allah. Instead of relying on people we should rely on Allah. Turn to Allah, prepare today for that day. 5. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. We should worship Him Alone under all circumstances. Worship out of Love and Respect. This is manifested through our actions, through our Ibadaat for example Salah, in which we put the most prominent part of our body to the level of our feet [by prostration].We have been created solely to do His Ibaadah. Man has been created weak, due to which we always depend on others. But we should always try to overcome our weaknesses by turning to Allah for our needs. 6. Guide us to the straight path. The first Duaa Allah has taught us is to seek His guidance for indeed guidance is in Allahs hands only.We are asking Allah to show us the way and give us the ability to implement the knowledge to keep us on the path.In this Duaa, we are asking Allah for the knowledge as well as implementation. Also by asking Allah to show us the way, make us steadfast and also lead us to the destination i.e. Jannah (Paradise). It is the path of Allah, path of knowledge. 7. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. What is Siratal Mustaqim? It is the path of Diyn/Islam, Quran, the path of Knowledge. This is the path of those who are bestowed with Allahs favor. These people have been mentioned by Allah: And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the Prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions (4: 69). Truthful are those like Abu Bakr (Radhiya Llaahu anhu), Martyrs are those who give up their lives for Allah, Righteous are those who obey Allah and follow Prophet (Swalla Llaahu alayhi wa sallam). They got the blessing of Diyn, Islam. They are the ones upon the guidance. They have knowledge and action. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah. Make Duaa to be like them. Those who have earned Allahs anger are those who have knowledge but do not apply it like the Jews. And those who have gone astray are the Christians due to their ignorance. They want to seek the true knowledge, but are unable to find it because they did not seek it from its proper resources. It is highly recommended to say Aamiyn after finishing the recitation of Al-Faatihah. Aamiyn means, O Allah! Accept our invocation.' The evidence that saying Aamiyn is highly recommended is contained in what Imams Ahmad, Abu Daawuud and AtTirmidhi recorded, that Wa'il bin Hujr said, I heard the Messenger of Allah recite, Not (that) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray, and he said Aamiyn extending it with his voice. Abu Daawuuds narration added, Raising his voice with it. Abu Hurayrah narrated that whenever the Messenger of Allah would recite, Not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray, He would say Aamiyn until those who were behind him in the first line could hear him.Abu Daawuud and Ibn Maajah recorded this Hadith with the addition, Then the Mosque would shake because of (those behind the Prophet) reciting Aamiyn. Saying Aamiyn is recommended for those who are not praying when reciting Al-Faatihah and is strongly recommended for those who are praying, whether alone or behind the Imaam. The Two Sahihs recorded that the Messenger of Allah said, When the Imaam says, Aamiyn, then say, Aamiyn, because whoever says, Aamiyn with the Angels, his previous sins will be forgiven. When we examine these verses, we find that it has some very interesting qualities that make it a unique prayer.
Background: Surah Al-Faatihah is a Makki Surah (i.e. revealed before the Hijra of the Prophet (Swalla Llaahu alayhi wa sallam). It is the 5thsurah to be revealed in Chronology. It was the first Surah (Chapter) that was revealed completely. The first 3 verses glorify Allah and the rest of the verses are a Prayer/Duaa (Invocation). We recite surah al-Faatihah 17 times in our Salah daily. It is the most recited Surah. This is the greatest Surah of the Quran Al-Faatihah literally means The Opening. This is due to the fact that it is the opening of the Quran; Prayer opens with it; and It is the opening of the door to guidance itself. Names of Faatihah: Al Faatihah, Al Asas (Foundation), Ummul Kitab (Mother of the book), Ummul Quran (Mother of the Quran), Saba alMathani (7 oft repeated verses), As-Salah (the Prayer), Ash Shifa (Healing), Ar Ruqya (Remedy), Al Hamd (All Praise), Fatihatul Kitab (Opening of the book). The verses 1. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We should always begin the recitation of the Quran commencing with seeking refuge from Satan as is evident: So when you recite the Quran, [first] seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the expelled [from His mercy](Surah 16:98). When we start to do anything good Satan tries to hinder us. We need Allahs help by starting in His Name. With the recitation of Basmalah (In the Name of Allah), we invoke His Mercy. Its recitation has been taught by the Prophet (Swalla Llaahu alayhi wa sallam),when he said Any act which is not started with Bismillah is devoid of blessings. 2. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds We should always Praise Allah for everything he has given us and in all circumstances. This praise for Allah is out of Love, Respect and Gratitude to Allah. It is because He is the Lord of the worlds. He is the planner, He is maintaining everything. He is the Creator [Khaaliq], Owner [Malik] and Planner [Mudabbir] All praise to Allah for everything we have either by asking or otherwise. He has provided us with provision from the time we were in the womb of our mothers till now. 3. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful He is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim. His Lordship is based on Mercy and compassion. Ar-Rahman - in a broader sense means His Mercy encompasses all of mankind whether we deserve it or not; whether believers or disbelievers.Ar-Rahim - Allah is repeatedly and especially merciful for the believers. 4. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. Allah is the owner of the Day of Judgment. That Day Hell have complete authority.
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WOMEN
Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
Mariam Ibrahim
What are the most famous women of today celebrated for? Those held up as role models for the modern woman include actresses, singers, footballers WAGs (wives and girlfriends) and glamour models all celebrated for their physical appeal. Very rarely will a woman be deemed successful for other than what is really just superficial and then, as is often the case, when she ages and her physical features fade, she will fall out of favour with the media and younger women will replace her as the icons of their era. But Allah shows us in His Book that a woman is so much more than the outer shell that is her body. Our history is replete with examples of great women who were gems of their times and whose sparkling appeal is timeless. Islam demonstrates for us that the truly successful are those of integrity who fulfil the purpose of their creation and rise to the challenges that are presented to them throughout life with tenacity, thereby gaining the pleasure of their Creator and everlasting victory in the next life. The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said in an authentic Hadeeth, The best women from the people of Jannah are Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatima daughter of Muhammad, AasiyabintMuzaahim the Wife of Pharoah and Mary daughter of Imran, may Allah be pleased with them all.1 In fact Allah specifically mentions two of these great women in the Quran, as role models for believing men as well as women. In Surah at-Tahreem Allah says, And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: The wife of Pharaoh, when she said: My Lord! Build for me a home with you in Paradise, and save me from the Pharaoh and his actions, and save me from the people who are oppressors. And Maryam, the daughter of Imran who guarded her chastity. And we breathed into the sleeve of her garment through our Ruh, and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and believed in His books and was of those who are obedient to Allah. So what were the characteristics that made them worthy of such accolade? What made Allah and His Messenger single out these women above all others? And more importantly, how can we benefit and learn from their example? They affirmed the Truth immediately When they heard the truth, they submitted without hesitation. We see from their stories that Mariam accepted the huge task of going through pregnancy and childbirth by herself unsupported by a man, and then of presenting her child to the people who would inevitably accuse her of being a loose woman; something she was so far from being, she was obedient to Allahs command.Khadijah accepted Islam immediately and was the first Muslimah. When the Prophet returned from Mount Noor having received the first revelation from Angel Jibreel, it was Khadijah who immediately accepted his message and believed in him even though he himself was shaken by the event. Today, there is a culture amongst us of Fatwa Shopping. In other words, when an Islamic ruling makes us feel uncomfortable, instead of saying We hear and we obey, we just go and ask someone who has another opinion until we find the opinion that is most akin to our own desires. We must become women who when faced with the truth in any matter, sincerely accept it and submit without hesitation. They had a strong relationship with Allah Their knowledge of Allah and His attributes made them close to Him. When the Prophet returned from the Cave of Hira, fearing something bad had happened to him Khadijah knew Allah would never forsake him. She said, Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress. She knew that Allah is Just and does not humiliate the righteous. Aasiya knew when Pharaoh was torturing her to turn her from her faith, that Allah could hear her cries and her dua, she asked Allah to build for her, with Him a house in Paradise. During her ordeal, Allah showed her house in Paradise to her, which made her smile, just as she was martyred at the hands of her husband. Mariam
Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
YOUTH
AbulBaraa Akh, how can you go to a job interview with that beard? Trim it down a bit. Akh, why are you being so extreme? Just shake her hand during the interview; Islm makes exceptions for necessities, and this is definitely a necessity. Akh, why dont you just exaggerate a bit in your CV or when you are being interviewed? Youre not lying, youre just exaggerating a bit, and thats acceptable, isnt it? These are words I have heard many times on many different occasions, and I assume most people reading this have heard them, too. As a university student in this day in age, the main method of getting jobs is to apply while you are studying in your final year, or apply for a placement in your penultimate year, and this is exactly what I did. I knew that job opportunities are scarce and competition is high, so I applied early to try to avoid any disappointment. When applying for jobs, I ensured that I didnt lie on my CV, and when answering the competency questions, or participating in a phone interview, I also ensured that everything I said was true. I wont deny that in my first few interviews/answers to competency questions, there were some exaggerations from my part, but Alhamdulillh I didnt get those jobs, and I pray that Allh will keep me steadfast in not doing this again. When I got to my first finalstage job interview, which was for a job in Southampton, I received the usual comments and advice that I should trim/shave my beard, and shake hands with a female interviewer if she put her hand forward, but what stopped me from listening to this advice is that I knew that my sustenance comes from Allh, so how can I get a job if I disobey Allh in the process? Even if I had gotten the job, how could I ever expect to have any barakah (blessing) in that job if I disobeyed Allh in the process? The first interview, as expected, didnt go too well and I didnt get the job. My second interview I tried to maintain Islamic principles when attending the interview and not do anything that displeases Allh, but again I was rejected. Being rejected in the final stage of a recruitment process is very disheartening because it means you have already gone through all the previous stages of answering competency questions, phone interviews, et cetera, and fallen at the last hurdle. What makes it even more annoying is when they tell you not to feel bad because you have been specially selected from hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people to attend the final stage. Now that I had two rejections at the final stage of the recruitment process, my motivation was lowered and the need for compromise began to hit me. The compromise could be in my dn (trim my beard, shake hands, and so on), or it could be in where I was willing to work. Again, Allh reminded me of the importance of abiding by His Guidance, and that only He controls my sustenance. My third final-stage interview was a two-day assessment centre which ended up with a rejection. As time went by, I got more and more rejections, including those in the final stage of the recruitment process. The total number of companies that I was waiting to hear from was quickly decreasing, and so were my hopes of finding a job in my sector. Despite all of that, I kept on reminding myself that Allh is al-Razzq, and that only He can provide for me, not my physical appearance, or my actions, and that is what kept me going. As time went on, and I was coming closer to completing my degree without securing a job, I began to apply for teaching positions as the hopes of working in my sector were diminishing, and becoming a teacher would be my back-up option. I then heard back from a company which I had previously applied to, and they invited me to attend a first-stage interview, and Alhamdulillh, they then progressed me further to the final stage assessment centre. Approaching the assessment centre, I was thinking to myself, this is going to be another rejection; oh well, Im used to it by now. Alhamdulillh, the assessment centre went fine and at the end of it, I sat down with an HR representative so that he could give me feedback on how I had performed. The feedback was good, Alhamdulillh, and I was getting very excited; then came the killer question. The question was: Its physi-
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AQIYDAH
Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
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Jumaada al-Thaany18,1435/April18,2014
between a rock and hard surface. They face double attack by the al-Shabaab terror and the Kenyan security agencies,'' he said. Maalim added: ''Where is our intelligence system? Must a whole community become a target whenever attacks occur?'' Wajir women's representative Fatuma Ibrahim described the operation as discriminative as it targeted only at one particular community. ''Is this how the government wants to win the fight against terrorism? Actually they are creating more terrorists and radicals,'' she said. The operations which has far netted over 4,000 people, a vast majority of them being from the Somali community has generated anger in the Muslim community with accusations that the government is deliberately profiling members of the community. Most of the detained are being held at the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani in Nairobi that some have dubbed a ''concentration camp'' where they have had no access to help, according to lawyers, aid organisations and rights.
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The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@islamkenya.org. Printed by Graphic Lineups Limited-Kweria Road info@graphic.co.ke