Rabi' ul Thaany 14,1435/February 14,2014

Issue No. 563

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred
Friday Bulletin
The
The Weekly Muslim News Update
www.i sl amkenya.org
The executive director of Haki Africa Hussein Khalid at a press conference where he de-
manded the police to provide information on Hemed Salim who was arrested at the masjid
Musa but his whereabouts remain uknown
Story Continued To Page 2
Seventy Muslim students were expelled from a
school in Mpeketoni, Lamu county for refusing
to take Christian Religious Education (CRE) as
a subject and attend church services.
The students from Blessed Bakanja Second-
ary School were sent home on J anuary 20, for
what the school termed as failure to abide by
the school doctrines and regulations.
Parents have raised their concerns over what
they termed ''brainwashing'' and forced reli-
gious indoctrination of their children adding that
the school was infringing on the rights of stu-
dents.
''We are disturbed by the constant complains
we get from our children that they are taken to
Sharawe report key to addressing
youth challenges
Muslim religious and political lead-
ers have called upon the government
to act and implement the Abdullahi
Sharawe report which addressed the
various challenges faced by the Mus-
lim community.
The leaders said implementing the
report which brought to light the
grievances of Muslims would be a
positive conduit to addressing the ris-
ing challenges of extremism and radi-
calization of youth.
At the same time, they admitted a
lapse between the leadership, schol-
ars and the youth emphasizing that
there is need for urgent intervention
measures to bridge this divide and
provide the necessary guidance to
the youth and the Muslim community
in general.
In a communiqu released last week,
the leaders drawn from various Mus-
lim organisations said the report cat-
egorically warned of dangerous rami-
fcations if the grievances of Muslims
which included historic injustices, dis-
crimination and state injustice are not
addressed.
It is regrettable that genuine griev-
ances raised by the community
through the Presidential Action Com-
mittee on grievances of the Muslim
community on alleged harassment
and discrimination have been ig-
nored, the statement read by Man-
dera Senator Billow Kerrow said.
The commission that was tasked with
investigating alleged harassment and
discrimination against Muslims pre-
sented its report to the then Presi-
dent Mwai Kibaki in 2009 but it has
largely remained on the shelves after
the government decided to keep its
fndings under wraps.
In the joint statement, the leaders
said the persistence harassments,
detentions, renditions and extra ju-
dicial killings were fueling the radi-
calization of Muslim youth and urged
the government and in particular the
security apparatus to put to an end
Continued To Page 2
attend church services and taught CRE,''
said one parent who opted to remain
anonymous.
When reached for comment, the Princi-
pal of the school a Mr Ngege could not
deny the claims, adding that he is help-
less since it is the decision of the man-
agement.
He, however, confrmed the school
does not teach Islamic Religious
Education(IRE) despite its large number
of Muslim students who comprise almost
a half of the population. ''This is a catholic
school and that is why we do not have
IRE subject in our syllabus, he said.' 'We
Lamu School expels 70 Muslim girls
The Friday Bulletin
2
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
State should address discrimination of Muslims in schools
Lamu School expels 70 Muslim girls
Continued From Page 1
EDITORIAL
This week, the National Assembly resumed its sittings after a re-
cess of more than two months and among the pending issues
expected on the foor of the House is a statement from the Par-
liamentary Committees on Education, Research and Technology
and that of Labour and Social Welfare on the treatment of Muslim
students in public schools.
Before the MPs went for a break, Nominated MP Zuleikhah Has-
san passionately raised concern regarding to the challenges fac-
ing Muslim students in many public schools. These issues in-
clude the right to perform daily prayers, being forced to study
Christian Religious Education and attend church services and
the girls being denied the right to wear the hijab among other
challenges. She mentioned schools such as Alliance Girls High
School, Limuru Girls, Kenya High School, Buruburu Secondary
School, Precious Blood Riruta, and Ganze Secondary school
which were fagrantly violating the rights of the students.
The Honorable MP singled out the school board of Ol-Kejuado
High School which ignored a directive from the Ministry of Edu-
cation to allow the reconstruction of a prayer place for Muslim
students .The board went ahead to incite animosity against the
students which led to the demolition of a Mosque in the school
compound which was undergoing construction.
This clear case of hostility forced Muslim parents to withdraw all
students and Ol- Kejuado remains the only public school with-
out the presence of Muslim students. Sadly, even after Muslim
leaders raised this matter, which is a threat to national cohesion
and integration, with the relevant authorities, no action has been
taken by the ministry against the board.
As Honorable Zuleikha rightly noted, the preamble and the Bill
of Rights in the Constitution clearly outlaw discrimination on the
basis of religion and this is meant to foster unity in diversity. Re-
grettably, a section of Kenyan communities are either totally or
partially denied the enjoyment of this fundamental right.
We should not lose sight of the fact that marginalization whether
real or perceived and violations of constitutional rights is one the
main factors that lead to undesirable social behaviors. This is
further aggravated by the fact that proper channels of address-
ing these issues of concern are persistently overlooked or de-
liberately ignored and this is likely to create more resentment
among Muslims or other communities so marginalized.
The government should understand that some of the factors
which are fueling radicalization of young mind is that there is
a growing perception that Muslims are unwanted in public in-
stitutions and it is therefore imperative that this matter must be
urgently addressed.
these unfair policies which create resentment among Muslim
and drive young men to conduct activities which are an affront
to the rule of law.
The current policy of deliberate profling and discrimination of
Muslims will not be a solution in solving the problems related to
the war on terror, extremism and radicalism and the state needs
to review its policy and engage in constructive dialogue as a way
of addressing these issues reads the statement in part.
The leaders said the government needs to embrace the spirit
of engagement and constructive dialogue with the Muslim com-
munity.
As part of the measures to bridge the gap between the leader-
ship and the youth, an eight man team comprising of prominent
scholars and Muslim personalities was last week dispatched to
Mombasa and deliberated with various stakeholders who includ-
ed the youth on fnding an agreeable and lasting solution on
issues of radicalization.
The leaders reiterated their condemnation of the raid on Masjid
Musa and further demanded that the police to be sensitive to
Muslim feelings and refrain from violating the sanctity of Muslim
institutions. It was totally unacceptable and unwarranted for the
police to enter the mosque with shoes and adding insult to injury
spilling deliberately use live ammunition against people in the
mosque when they could have resorted to alternative methods
which could have prevented the spilling of blood in the mosque,
the joint statement from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
(SUPKEM), J amia Mosque Committee among other organiza-
tions.
have strict guidelines not to teach Islamic religious education from
the management and we have no plan to have an IRE teacher,''
he further affrmed.
Effort to reach the chairman of the school board a Mr Nathan for
comment was fruitless as his phone had been switched off.
Parents of the affected students sought the intervention of the
Eastern region chairman, Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
(SUPKEM), Abdalla Kamwana, who condemned the move saying
it was an affront to the rights of worship enshrined in the constitu-
tion. ''This is an abuse of the rights of the students and violate the
principles of freedom of worship.''
He said attempts by the parents to have the order rescinded were
met with negative response adding that the majority of those ex-
pelled are in Form Four and come from far fung areas.
''As we are speaking the students are still at home and I am afraid
their expulsion will have effect on their fnal results,'' said Kam-
wana.
He noted that the education act no.14 of 2013 and the constitu-
tion is very clear on religious freedom as well as on expulsion of
students. ''The responsibility of expelling students lies with the
Ministry of education and not school boards,'' he explained.
Kamwana pointed out that he had got in touch with the Lamu
county education director for his intervention in the matter and let
the students back to school but no action has yet to been taken,
adding that the expulsion is an act of pure impunity and will only
help fan impunity.
The Supkem offcial has called on the cabinet secretary for edu-
cation Prof J acob Kaimenyi to intervene and ensure that the con-
stitutional right of the seventy students are respected.
In 2009 the then permanent secretary in the education ministry
Prof. Karega Mutahi issued a circular to all schools emphasizing
that they should not force children to attend religious functions
which they do not subscribe to and further ordered the schools to
Sharawe report
Continued From Page 1
ensure that they protected the constitutional rights of children
regardless of their faith and social backgrounds.
3
The Friday Bulletin
Da'wa
Logicians argue that one cannot pass a judgment on something
unless one has a clear conception of it, because the unknown and
the undefned cannot be judged. Therefore, we frst have to deter-
mine what "religious extremism" means before we can condemn
or applaud it. We can do so by considering its reality and its most
distinguishing characteristics.
Literally, extremism means being situated at the farthest possible
point from the center. Figuratively, it indicates a similar remote-
ness in religion and thought, as well as behavior. One of the main
consequences of extremism is exposure to danger and insecurity.
Islam, therefore, recommends moderation and balance in every-
thing: in belief, ibadah (worship), conduct, and legislation. This is
the straightforward path that Allah calls al Sirat al mustaqim.
Moderation, or balance, is not only a general characteristic of Is-
lam, it is a fundamental landmark. The Qur'an says: Thus have
we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be
witnesses over the nations and the Messenger a witness over
yourselves. (Quran 2: 143).
As such, the Muslim Ummah is a nation of justice and moderation;
it witnesses every deviation from the 'straightforward path' in this
life and in the hereafter. Islamic texts call upon Muslims to exer-
cise moderation and to reject and oppose all kinds of extremism:
ghuluw (excessiveness),
tanattu' (transgressing; meticulous religiosity) and tashdid (strict-
ness; austerity).
A close examination of such texts shows that Islam emphatically
warns against, and discourages, ghuluw. Let us consider the fol-
lowing ahadith:
1. Beware of excessiveness in religion. [People] before you have
perished as a result of [such] excessiveness. "The people referred
to above are the people of other religions, especially Ahl al
Kitab [the People of the Book]; J ews and Christians. The Qur'an
addresses these people: Say: O People of the Book! Exceed not
in your religion the bounds [of what is proper], trespassing beyond
the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in
times gone by who misled many, and strayed [themselves] from
the even Way". (Quran 5: 78)
Muslims have therefore been warned not to follow in their steps:
he who learns from the mistakes of others indeed lives a hap-
pier life. Furthermore, the reason behind the above hadith is to
alert us to the fact that ghuluw may crop up as an insignifcant
action which we then unwittingly allow to continue and develop
into a menace. After reaching Muzdalifah-during his last hajj-the
Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam requested Ibn 'Abbas to gath-
er some stones for him. Ibn 'Abbas selected small stones. Upon
seeing the stones, the Prophet approved of their size and said:
"Yes, with such [stones do stone Satan]. Beware of excessive-
ness in religion". This clearly indicates that Muslims should not
be so zealous as to believe that using larger stones is better, thus
gradually allowing excessiveness to creep into their lives. Al Imam
Ibn Taymiyah argues that this warning against excessiveness ap-
plies to all forms of belief, worship, and transaction, and notes that
since the Christians are more excessive in faith and in practice
than any other sect, Allah admonishes them in the Qur'an. "Do not
exceed the limits of your religion".
2. "Ruined were those who indulged in tanattu'" And the Prophet
salallahu alayhi wa sallam repeated this thrice.
Imam al Nawawi said that the people referred to here, "those in-
dulging in tanattu:" i.e., those who go beyond the limit in their ut-
terance as well as in their action. Evidently the above two
ahadith emphatically assert that the consequence of excessive-
ness and zealotry will be the complete loss of this life and of the
hereafter.
3. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam used to say: "Do not
Sheikh Yusuf Qardhawi
Extremism: The Accusation and the Truth
overburden yourselves, lest you perish. People [before you] over-
burdened themselves and perished. Their remains are found in
hermitages and monasteries. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad salal-
lahu alayhi wa sallam always condemned any tendency toward
religious excessiveness. He cautioned those of his companions
who were excessive in ibadah, or who were too ascetic, especially
when this went beyond the moderate Islamic position.
Islam seeks to create a balance between the needs of the body
and those of the soul, between the right of man to live life to its
full, and the right of the Creator to be worshipped by man; which is
also man's raison d'etre.
Islam has laid down certain forms of `ibadah to purify the human
being both spiritually and materially, individually and collectively,
thereby establishing a harmonious community in which feelings
of brotherhood and solidarity rule, and without hindering man's
duty to build culture and civilization. The obligatory duties such as
salah, zakah,' siyam' and hajj are simultaneously personal as well
as social forms of ibadah. While performing these obligations, a
Muslim is neither cut off from the mainstream of life nor is he alien-
ated from his community. On the contrary, his ties are emotionally
and practically strengthened. This is the reason why Islam did not
prescribe monasticism, a practice which requires alienation and
seclusion, thus preventing man from enjoying the blessings and
al tayyibat of normal life and from sharing in its development and
promotion. Islam considers the whole earth a feld for religious
practice; or the very business of religion.
Islam also considers work a form of ibadah and a jihad' when
one's intention is genuinely committed to the service of Allah. As
a result, Islam neither approves of the pursuit of spirituality at the
expense of materialism nor of the tendency to "purify the soul"
by neglecting and punishing the body, which other religions and
philosophies prescribe and advocate. This is made very clear in
the Qur'an: "Our Lord! Give us good in this world and good in the
hereafter" (Quran 2: 201), as well as in the following hadith "O,
Allah, set right for me my religion which is the safeguard of my
affairs; and set right for me the affairs of my [life in this] world
wherein is my living; and set right for me my hereafter on which
depends my afterlife; and make life for me [a source] of abun-
dance for every good and make my death a source of comfort
for me protecting me against every evil;" and: "Your body has a
right over you."' Moreover, the Qur'an disapproves of and rejects
the tendency to prohibit tayyibat and beautifcation (zinah'), which
Allah taala has provided for his servants. In a verse revealed in
Makkah, Allah says: O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful ap-
parel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink, but waste
not by excess, for Allah loves not those who waste. Say: who has
forbidden the beautiful gifts of Allah which He has produced for His
servants, and the things clean and pure which He has provided for
sustenance? (Quran 7: 31 32)
In another surah, revealed in Madinah, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taa-
la) addresses the believers in the same way: O you who believe!
Make not unlawful the good things which Allah has made lawful for
you. But commit no excess, for Allah does not like those given to
excess. Eat of the things which Allah has provided you, lawful and
good, but fear Allah, in Whom you believe.
These ayat explain to the believers the true Islamic way of enjoy-
ing tayyibat and of resisting the excessiveness found in other re-
ligions. It is reported that the situational context for the revelation
of these two ayat was when a group of the Prophet's companions
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
Topic: Kujikurubisha kwa Allah
By: Ustadha Ummu Hamzah
16th February 2014 2.00 pm -4.00 pm
Venue: Makina Mosque Kibera
SUNDAY LECTURE
The Friday Bulletin
WOMEN
4
The Romantic Veil
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
By Sahar El-Nadi
Ask any enthusiast about the reason for wearing Hijab and youll
get the standard explanation that veiling is meant to protect wom-
en against preying eyes.
Girls are told theyre so precious that they have to be wrapped
carefully like unique jewels and shielded from public view, until
prince charming comes along one day to be her one and only-
thats why she should save herself for him.
But what about her? What would prince charming offer her in re-
turn for her precious gift? No one seems to bother to think about
that.In our sweet and shy teen years were fattered by the anal-
ogy, but as we morph into radiant adult women, we begin to doubt
and question.
Many break free from the old-fashioned notions. They rebel
against being a human gift, a beautifully wrapped package, wait-
ing to be given away. Surely there must be more to womanhood
than that degrading position? Veils come off in indignation by
women who are eager to explore the world.
The glossy pages of fashion magazines lure us with the promise
of romance and the illusion of teaching us all the secrets of pleas-
ure. They dazzle us with a kaleidoscope of colors, fragrances and
expert advice on the mysteries of love. We cant resist dreaming
to be like the glamorous women with the smoky eyes and tantaliz-
ing smiles, always a gorgeous guy lurks in the shadows apprais-
ing the stunning girl.
So we twist and turn in front of mirrors, practicing the perfect pout,
trying on different looks and picking out a new face each day, with
eyes fxed on the dream, the prince charming who would sweep
us off our feet because were wearing the right shade of lipstick or
the perfect hair-do.
We look into the beauty bibles and we obey religiously. Its only
instinct. A woman is created to be beautiful and alluring. And so,
hiding her beauty seems like an oxymoron. Why should we spend
so much on clothes and spas, only to hide behind a headscarf and
concealing clothes?
What about all the poems we learnt in school? What about all the
advice that a woman must polish her beauty to a shine so she
could lure herself a man? Isnt that also in all the movies, adver-
tising, TV and pop song? They all repeat again and again that
faunting our female attributes is our only way to fnd love and to
live happily ever after. We never stop to think that well never live
happily ever after with men who hunt women for their looks.
Everyone seems to hammer it into our brains that our chances in
life are in direct proportion to our looks, so we should spare no
effort to paint them on or plant them in. Fake you say? No, this is
called good marketing! Even self-help books tell a woman how to
use her assets to her best advantage at work; they call that suc-
cess. But no one bothers to specify the true benefciary.
In this tinsel world, mens preying eyes are a womans proof of
initiation into the realm of feminine charms; a testimony that she
is winning against her competition, because she is more beautiful
and so more worthy of love.
That should make her happy shouldnt it? Everyone promised her
that. Oh, the satisfaction of seeing envy in the eyes of other fe-
males. Who would be so silly to hide from all that?
Cool Wears Off!
But in real life, after the intoxication wears off, a woman is left feel-
ing empty, lost and lonely.
The doorman, the taxi driver, the waiter and the passersby on
the street; the people on the bus to work and the cashier at the
supermarket, all the nameless strangers who stare at her, none of
them really knows her or genuinely appreciates who she is, they
just enjoy her looks and then walk the other way.
Their admiration means nothing; she needs to see herself in the
adoring eyes of one special man. But does that mean she is just
a mere gift, beautifully wrapped and waiting for the lucky winner?
On my wedding day, my friend recalls, the most romantic mo-
ment was when my husband lifted my hijab to see my hair for the
frst time, she paused to giggle he actually blushed as he stared
at me in amazement as if I were a dream come true, and then he
said something wonderful, that I had beautiful ears! I couldnt help
laughing in surprise, my ears? But that made me feel beautiful all
over, I felt like a princess.
Suddenly the realization hit me in the face: Hijab is not a womans
gift to a man; its actually the other way around! Its a unique and
precious wedding gift for her, a priceless moment, exactly what
she needs to feel on her wedding.
She is the woman, above any competition, the ultimate feminine
princess of all the fairytales, and the sexiest cover model of all
the glossy magazines, in the eyes of one man, the only one that
actually matters, the only one who truly knows her and wants her
for who she is because she is incomparable to any other woman.
In his eyes, she will see the adoration she craves that she used to
look for in all the wrong places, the pure love and sincere boyish
wonder and surprise. Oh, the intoxicating feeling of knowing he
sees only her right now, out of all the women in the world. And the
heady satisfaction of knowing everything about her is beautiful in
his eyes as he sees her for the frst time as he had never seen
her before, when she most needs it, at the most special moment
of her life.
I suddenly realized that Hijab is not just to restrict and preserve,
or to test and discipline. Its not to protect women and men from
each other; its actually a relationship booster and an exclusive
shield against anyone outside this intimate circle of love, of hus-
band and wife.
Women fulfll their need to be mysterious and intriguing and men
indulge their instincts to imagine, conquer and discover.
The age-old wedding tradition attempts to induce this special mo-
ment artifcially in front of the photographers camera, but its not
the same as the exclusive ceremony just for two.
When a Muslim man lifts a veiled womans hijab on their wedding
night, its their private celebration of love, a very romantic bridal
gift from Allah, to every woman, handed to her by the only man
she loves on a magical moment to last her a lifetime.
Dress-making Tutor/Seamstress
Well established Training Institute in Nairobi CBD is look-
ing for a person to fll a full time position for a tutor in
dressmaking department.
A suitable candidate should:
--Be a Muslim lady
A Diploma holder of Fashion design & garment making
from a recognized institution or
Have successfully passed Trade test -Grade 1 from
the Directorate of Industrial Training
Have at least TWO years working experience
Possess excellent interpersonal and communication
skills
Computer literate.
The candidate must be able to work with minimum or no
supervision. She must have a high commitment to qual-
ity. Closing date for applications: Friday 28th February
2014.
NB: ONLY SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE
CALLED FOR AN INTERVIEW.To apply, Drop your CV
and relevant testimonials to:
The Administrator ,
Jamia Mosque Committee
Nairobi
The Friday Bulletin
5
YOUTH
It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with what
the real intentions are behind it. The love referred to on
this day is romantic love, taking mistresses and lovers,
boyfriends and girlfriends. It is known to be a day of prom-
iscuity and sex for them, with no restraints or restrictions.
They are not talking of pure love between a man and his
wife or a woman and her husband, or at least they do not
distinguish between the legitimate love in the relationship
between husband and wife, and the forbidden love of mis-
tresses and lovers. This festival for them is a means for
everyone to express love.
Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive;
it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a
man and a woman. It is love when we cry for those Mus-
lims being tortured and killed by those evil armies of the
West. It is love when we cry looking at the people of Soma-
lia dying out of hunger. It is love when we morally, mentally
and fnancially support those Muslims whose lives have
been devastated by tyrant rulers like in Syria.
There is no religion which encourages its followers to love
and care for one another more than Islam does. This ap-
plies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one
particular day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our
emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said: If a man loves his
brother, let him tell him that he loves him. (Abu Dawood
and al-Tirmidhi).
And he said: By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you
will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will
not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not
tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one
another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst your-
selves. (Muslim)
I am not forced to admit to you on this day that I have
known love. However, this does not coerce me to allocate
one day for the rest of my entire life to regret the killing of
the patron saint of love (Valentine) and commemorate him.
I am not obliged to show love to those who are massacring
the concept of true love in my country, killing my dreams
and corrupting my youth. I am not obliged to behave like
an innocent child, to receive a red heart by the right hand
while they treacherously stab me from behind with their
left hand. I am not required to commemorate Astartes
(one of so called Greek goddess) rivers of tears for Adonis
(one of so called Greek goddess of beauty and desire),
while my peoples rivers of blood are shed in our streets.
History has been crushed under the feet of those who
came to my country. I want to tell them: You will never be
dearer to me than Huda and Abeer (two young Muslim
girls who fell victims to the enemies brutal attacks in Gaza
and Iraq). Your yellow smile will never deceive me to for-
get Imaan and Muhammad Al-Durra (Palestinian children
killed by the Zionists). I will not be able to hide my face
and share your joy and forget the sorrows of my Ummah.
I am not coerced to live as a yes-man while they compel
me to remember those whom I love one day, for I have
many loved ones. If they have Valentine, I have some-
one much greater than him, Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi
wasallam) who taught me to dedicate all my life and days
for love.
He taught me that when I love someone, I should quickly
come to him, not wait until February 14, or any other date,
to tell him how I feel. He taught me that a gift (regardless
of its value and color) is the messenger of love. Therefore
he said: Exchange gifts and you will love each other. He
taught me a way to be more beautiful than Adonis and
On Valentine's Day - Muslims against Love?
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
So, Muhammad told his children and his friends
to leave Makkah and go to Madina. Then all who
believed in Allah and worshipped only Allah, left
Makkah. The last to leave were Muhammad and his
close companion, Abu Bakr. However, the people of
Makkah were not content with driving Muhammad
out. Now they wanted to kill him, because he had
been warning them of their evil deeds. But Mu-
hammad was able to leave while the Makkans were
on their way to kill him. All, Muhammads brave
young cousin, laid himself on Muhammads bed so
that the Makkans would think that the Prophet
was still there. But Muhammad and Abu Bakr were
long since gone on their way, and so that nobody
could fnd them, they hid themselves in a cave.
When the people discovered that it was Ali who
was in Muhammads bed and that the Prophet had
gone, they became very angry. But there was noth-
ing they could do, for Muhammad was already well
beyond their evil reach.
Madina was completely different from Makkah.
Here, Muhammad had more friends than enemies.
However, the people of Makkah did not leave him
in peace. Instead, they followed him to Madina, to
make war with him. But Allah helped the Prophet
and his followers, and kept them safe from their
enemies.
In Madina, Muhammad continued to receive
Allahs messages from the Angel Gabriel. These
messages were written down in a book, called the
Quran. In the Quran, we can read everything that
Allah has said to Man.
The Prophet and his friends built a mosque in
Madina and here they prayed fve times every day.
Once every year, they observed a month of fast-
ing. During the days of this month, they did not
eat or drink anything during the daytime. They
trained themselves to go without food and drink,
for the sake of Allah. From this experience, they
learned to get used to eating very little food. So,
they had a lot of food left over to give to the
poor. They also gave the poor some of their money.
Muhammad and his friends believed in Allah and
worshipped Him alone. They were obedient to Al-
lah and followed His commands.
Prophet Muhammad: Da'wah to the
Quraish
Continued to page 6
The Friday Bulletin
6
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
superior to Venus. Therefore, he said: Allah is beautiful and He
loves beauty.
Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) taught me that Allah The
Almighty loves me because I live with love. Therefore, He said:
My love is due for those who love each other for My sake, meet
together for My sake and visit each other for My sake. He promised
me that I will be with him if I love him, for love of the Prophet (sal-
lAllahu alayhi wasallam) is more than just words. He said: One will
be resurrected with those whom he loves.
Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) directed me to the verse
in which Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Close friends,
that Day, will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.}
[Quran 43: 67] He told me that the essence of my love in this world
is love for Allah The Almighty and love for His sake. In a Hadeeth
(narration), he said: The one who loves for the sake of Allah, hates
for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah and withholds for
the sake of Allah has perfect faith.
Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) taught me to choose
those whom I love in order not to regret my love, Allah The Exalted
Says (what means): {And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his
hands [in regret] he will say, Oh, I wish I had taken with the Mes-
senger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a
friend. He led me away from the remembrance after it had come
to me. And ever is Satan, to man, a deserter.}[Quran 25: 27-29]
As for those who love each other for the sake of Allah The Almighty,
He will shield them on the Day of J udgment under His shade when
there will be no shade but His and include them in His love. On the
Day of J udgment, Allah The Almighty will call them, saying: Where
are those who love each other for My Majesty? Today, I will shield
them under My shade, as today there is no shade but Mine. He will
praise them, saying: Those who love each other for My sake for
them [are] pulpits of light, the prophets and the martyrs will look at
them with admiration.
Muslims against Love?
Continued from page 5
Maahad College providing opportunities in teachers education
FEATURE
A recently commissioned four storey building at the Girls Train-
ing Institute of Islamic Education is now a noticeable landmark
in the Pangani area of Nairobi.
On the top foor, what was initially an open laundry area is now
a built up facility with tiled classrooms complete with electronic
white boards and fully equipped modern offce facilities.
This is the home of the Maahad Teachers Training College, the
latest addition to the education complex which provides an all
round holistic education which caters for all classes ranging
from toddlers to adults.
In this ladies only facility, at least 500 people go through its
doors on a daily basis through its facilities which include ma-
drasa classes, the Islamic institute (Maahad) and a secondary
school Maahad Academy as well as well as adult classes.
Maahad Teachers Training College opened its doors late last
year after getting approval by the education ministry. It becomes
the second Islamic teaches college in the country after the Mom-
basa based Islamic Teachers Training College.
The institution received authorization to offer the Early Child-
hood Diploma Education (ECDE) Programme, the P1 training
programme for primacy school teachers and the Diploma Teach-
ers Training Education (DTTE) which targets secondary school
teachers.
Ironically, the idea of the teachers college arose after it became
a challenge to recruit Muslim teachers at the Maahad Academy
to drive forward the integrated approach of education. We
didnt have adequate teaching staff at the Academy this gave the
birth to the idea of establishing a college which would provide a
pool of qualifed Muslim teachers, the Principal Fawziya Anze-
limi Hubeisa told The Friday Bulletin.
Our main objective is to have teachers who teach in an inte-
grated manner. Even while teaching history, this can be done
through an Islamic perspective and this is well be articulated by
Muslim teachers, she further explained.
The teaching approach at the college while it puts more empha-
sis on Islamic Religious Education and Arabic (IRE), at the
same time students are taken through skills areas such as child
decided to castrate themselves and to roam the land like monks.
Defects of Religious ExtremismAll these warnings against ex-
tremism and excessiveness are necessary because of the seri-
ous defects inherent in such tendencies.
The frst defect is that excessiveness is too disagreeable for or-
dinary human nature to endure or tolerate. Even if a few human
beings could put up with excessiveness for a short time, the
majority would not be able to do so. Allah's legislation address-
es the whole of humanity, not a special group who may have a
unique capacity for endurance. This is why the Prophet salal-
lahu alayhi wa sallam was once upset with his eminent compan-
ion Mu'adh, because the latter led the people one day in salah
and so prolonged it that one of the people went to the Prophet
and complained. The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam said
to Mu'adh: "O Mu'adh! Are you putting the people on trial?" and
repeated it thrice.
On another occasion he addressed an Imam with unusual an-
ger: "Some of you make people dislike good deeds [salah]. So
whoever among you leads people in salah should keep it short,
because amongst them are the weak, the old, and the one who
has business to attend to.
Furthermore, when the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam sent
Mu'adh and Abu Musa to the Yemen, he gave them the following
advice: "Facilitate [matters to people] and do not make [things]
diffcult. Give good tidings and do not put off [people]. Obey one
another and do not differ [amongst yourselves].
Continued from page 3
Extremism
psychology and material development and the training is further
enhanced through various workshops to help build their capacities
in professional teaching practices.
The college is also developing programmes with Islamic integrated
schools to further build the capacities of teachers in the schools
through educational seminars.
The institution is expected to graduate its frst batch of students next
An ECDE class in session at the Maahad Teachers Training College
Continued to page 8
The Friday Bulletin
7
NATIONAL
A celebratory mood gripped Eshisiru Islamic Center in Kakamega
county, after hundreds of people turned up to witness a historic
Muslim mass wedding.
The event that was organized and sponsored by a Kakamega
based non-governmental organization, Muslim Group for Develop-
ment (MGD), and saw over fourteen couples solemnize the mar-
riage in a ceremony presided over by the Upper Western region
Kadhi, Sheikh Shaaban Issa Muhammad.
The arrangement was aimed at helping young Muslim and reverts
to get married to protect their chastity.
In his address to the gathering, Sheikh Shaaban spoke on the
virtues of young people getting married stressing that in Islam
marriage is a simple affair and called on parents to do away with
customs and traditions which have made the institution expensive
hence locking out many youths to get married.
He underscored the importance of marriage in bridging the cultural
divide and pointed out that marriage was not only a matter between
two individuals but an institution which brings different families and
by extension communities together.
At the same time the judicial offcer called on Muslim couples to
register their marriages immediately after the marriage.
He said it was important that married couples are registered and
issued with marriage certifcates noting that Islam encourages its
adherents to put down in writting any transaction or agreements for
reference, transparency and accountability purposes.
He further explained that according to the law, married couples
without a marriage certifcate could be jailed for six months or fned
Sh3000 or both. Divorced couples also face similar punishment if
they do not have a certifcate to show they are divorced.
In attendance at the ceremony were -Sheikh Khamis Wakhusama,
the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Western re-
gion Secretary and Sheikh Ali Muhammad Ali -Imam of Amalemba
Taqwa Mosque among others.
In a similar event last year, Muslim Group for Development spon-
sored ten couples to get married and provided them with house-
hold goods to help jumpstart their new lives.
Mass wedding for Muslim couples
held in Kakamega
Rabi' Ul Thaany 14, 1435/February,14 2014
With severe drought conditions recorded in many parts of the
country and more than one million people at risk of starvation and
rising cases of malnutrition, Muslims has been called upon to step
out and lend a helping hand to the victims of the drought through
the provision of relief food.
The Imam of Landhies Mosque in Nairobi Sheikh Ahmed Uthman
asked the community not to turn a deaf ear to the drought crisis
that has been witnessed in several parts of the country stressing
that Muslims have an obligation to provide support towards the
suffering.
It is our obligation as Muslims to give a helping hand to these vic-
tims. It does not matter whether they are Muslims or non-Muslim.
This is a religious duty and we are under obligation to assist those
who are threatened with starvations, the Imam said during a re-
cent khutbah (sermon) he delivered at Nairobis J amia mosque.
Sheikh Ahmad called on Muslim institutions to come together and
develop modalities to help those threatened with drought.
He faulted the government for failing to put in place long term
measures to mitigate its citizen against such hazards which have
become a perennial occurrence. It is a sad state to hear that in
this era, people could be resorting to eating dogs to survive, this is
unacceptable and the government should live up to its obligation
of looking after its citizens, he said.
Turkana County has been among the hardest hit areas and a re-
cent Kenya Red Cross Societys (KRCS) assessment indicates
that majority of residents in northern Kenya face starvation follow-
ing massive crop failure in the last three planting seasons.
In his sermon, the Imam also called for the government to take
steps to bring back Kenyan citizens renditioned to Uganda and re-
minded the President and his deputy to live by their promise which
they made during the presidential campaigns. Uhuru Kenyatta
and William Ruto promised that they will bring back the detainees
from Uganda. We do remind them to fulfll their pledge which they
made to the Muslim community, Sheikh Ahmad told worshippers
who gathered for the Friday prayers.
Muslims urged to assist drought
victims
The Independent Police oversight Authority (IPOA) has been
called up to initiate investigations into the February 2 raid on Mas-
jid Musa in Mombasa.
A human rights organizations Haki Africa while condemning the
raid which left at least eight people dead, said it was necessary
for the raid to be investigated as many questions surrounding the
operation remained to be answered.
This particular incident has aroused much emotion amongst
leaders and the public alike. We feel that it is crucial for your insti-
tution to immediately intervene and carry out thorough investiga-
tions, said the executive director Hussein Khalid in a letter to the
IPOA chairman Macharia Njeru.
The rights body questions why the police allowed the meeting to
take place when it had earlier declared it illegal. Was it neces-
sary for the police to raid the mosque in the frst place? Could
they have called out for all who were inside to disperse or sur-
render for arrest? Hussein asked.
He queried why the police chose to enter the mosque with shoes
and went on to shoot and kill people in the place of worship know-
ing full well that the action will stir strong emotions among Mus-
lims.
The organization also said there was no reason for the police to
lobe tear gas in the mosque when they were aware that women,
children and babies were inside and also demanded to know why
Call to investigate Masjid raid
minors were arrested those who surrendered mistreated. Was it
necessary to kick and hit those who had already surrendered and
make them walk on their knees, he asked.
Hussein complained that those who were arrested had their consti-
tutional rights violated and were kept incommunicado for fve days
without access to their families and legal representatives.
The statement also demanded the police to come clear on the
whereabouts of four people who are still reportedly missing. The
missing persons include Hemed Salim whose arrest was captured
by virtually all media houses but he was not produced in court and
a search made at police stations and even the mortuary has not
revealed his whereabouts.
Meanwhile the MP for Mvita Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir said he
will bring the matter to the National Assembly and push for adop-
tion of a report in the House condemning the police raid.
He said together with area leaders who include the Mombasa Gov-
ernor Ali Hassan J oho and the Senator Hassan Omar, the lead-
ers will continue their quest for justice and also to ensure that the
sanctity of mosques was respected and protected. We will use
the same to ensure justice is achieved and most importantly such
an incident to never happen to anyone in any place of worship. We
dont support terror or terrorism from anyone including from those
who are meant to protect us, he said.
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
Daawah work in Our Prisons
t year after completion of the diploma training programme in Early
Childhood Development Education (ECDE).
The principal emphasized that Muslims should embrace the
teaching profession describing it as an exciting career which
helps to mould students into productive citizens. She said stu-
dents look upon teachers as role models and it is essential to
have more qualifed Muslim teachers who can be seen by stu-
dents as good role models.
Education is the best gift a parent can give to his child and if
this can realized through a good teacher as this leaves positive
imprints not only on the students but the society as well, said
Fawziya who is herself a Maahad graduate and is currently un-
dertaking a masters on education management at the University
of Nairobi.
On the challenges facing the nascent institution, the director of
the Girls Training Institute of Islamic Education Ustadha Azra
Khawaja spoke on the slow response from the community but
expressed optimism that this will inshallah build up in the near
future. It was the same reaction when we started Maahad Acad-
emy and now we are overwhelmed with requests and many par-
ents are disappointed that their girls cannot secure be admis-
sion, she said.
The college is receiving support from the Muslim Education
Council (MEC) which has offered scholarships to students wish-
ing to take a career in teaching.
UMMAH FOUNDATION
Education bursaries
1-Ummah Foundation will be awarding new education
bursaries to bright and needy students.
The applicants should meet the following criteria:
-Should have passed with a mean score of 350 points at
K.C.P. E. Level.
-Should be from poor and needy families and prefer-
ence will be given to orphans
-Active member in Islamic work and member of One
Shilling Foundation.
Please collect your application forms from our Offces in
Ngara- Village Plaza or download online from our web-
site: www.ummahfoundation.net
2-Kaffans are available at Ummah Foundation offces
for needy cases. Please contact us with a burial permit
when need arises.
3-Ummah Foundation would like to inform all Muslims
that we are undertaking the project of Mosque repairs
and maintenance. We request the Mosque committees
to collect the application forms from Ummah Foundation
Offces and furnish us with more information about the
mosque status for this project to be approved by Trus-
tees
Criminal rehabilitation is gaining popularity among many who are
forward thinking. Such forms of rehabilitation can help to reduce
the number of repeat offenders who return to jail after being unable
to adapt to life outside of jail. This can also help to solve some of
the more serious cases, such as sexual offenders who may con-
tinue in their heinous ways after being released, preying on women
or children.
Criminal rehabilitation can help to solve the problem of overcrowd-
ing in most prisons. The criminal population continues growing, as
the death penalty has been abolished, and the state would need to
spend more on facilities to house criminals.
There are statistics showing that only 35 percent of inmates do
not make their way back to prison upon their release. This leaves
us with a large percentage of released criminals who do commit
crimes and end up being repeat offenders. This poses a major dif-
fculty to society as well as a strain. The government has to fork out
huge sums to keep tabs on these possible repeat offenders as well
as maintaining the prison systems. Needless to say, the possibility
of releasing prisoners who might be repeat offenders is a threat to
social safety.
However, the scenario does have a light at the end of the tunnel.
There seems to be a good reason why some former inmates do not
return to jail: it appears that their time in incarceration was spent
productively, changing some vital aspect of their personality.
Education is one of the ways in which this positive change can be
effected. Ummah Foundation through its Prisoners Rehabilitation
Program has been in the forefront in bringing change in prisons
through Islamic teachings and other technical programs. In Na-
ivasha maximum prison, Ummah Foundation has established an
Education Centre that serves as a mosque for the inmates and an
Education hub that inmates come together every day to learn and
watch prominent Muslim scholars give lectures from the video and
Tv set that the Foundation has provided for them. In a very short
period ever since Ummah Foundation found its space there, quite a
number of new Muslim revertees have embraced Islam.
In Kamiti Maximum Prison, Ummah Foundation in collaboration with
PRP has started construction of another centre that is similar to the
one in Naivasha. With the same setup and programs we anticipate
to rehabilitate a bigger number than before through Daawah.
Other Prisons like Nairobi Remand, Athi River, Langata Womens
Prisons are equally in need of the same services and that is why
we call upon all well-wishers to join hands with Ummah Foundation
through its Prisoners Rehabilitation Program to see changes in our
Prisons through Daawah work. With your help and support we ex-
pect to achieve the following:
1-Have an adequate number of educational (secular and spiritual),
vocational and work programs being provided to rehabilitate prison-
ers.
2-Cater for the special needs of our Muslim Sisters at Langata Wo-
mens Prisons who need to be provided with sanitary facilities and
children clothes.
3-There are certain groups of prisoners remand and short term,
young offenders and prisoners with mental health problems- who
need our care and satisfactory rehabilitation. We can also help
those with minor offences to be bailed out of the prisons.
For your participation in this noble initiative contact us:
Ummah Foundation
Village Plaza,2nd Floor Ngara Road
P.O.Box 58717-00200 , Nairobi, Kenya
Tel:+254-20-2680610/13, Mobile: +254734845277
E.Mail: info@ummahfoundation.net
Web: www.ummahfoundation.net
Maahad College
Continued from to page 6