Friday Bulletin
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Be Ambassadors of Peace
Muslim leaders at the first Annual Journey of Faith Islamic Conference, themed Muhammad the Messenger of Peace at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). More than 3,000 people turned up at the two day event held at the weekend. INSET:Canadian Scholar Sheikh Said Rageah, the founder and chairman of the Journey of Faith Conference addressing participants
The first annual Journey of Faith International Islamic conference closed on Sunday with a clarion call on Muslims to carry forward the message of peace, tolerance and co-existence as epitomised in the teachings of the Noble Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, on whom be Allahs peace and blessings. The two day event held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi attracted more than three thousand participants both Muslims and non-Muslims and saw several speakers stressing on the need for Muslims to embody and follow the example of the Prophet in their lives. The founder and chairman of the Journey of Faith Conference, Canadian scholar Sheikh Said Rageah told the gathering that they have a responsibility to change the negative perception of Islam being held by many non-Muslims.
He called on Muslims to work together in correcting the misconceptions that the teachings of Islam promotes violence and stressed that contrary to this perception, Islam stands for peace, harmony and mutual relations with people of other faiths and this was exemplified by none other than Prophet Muhammad who lived in mutual relations with idolaters, Christians and Jews. Upon his migration to Madina, his first statement to the people who were from different faiths was to spread the message of peace to everyone, he said. In this country the only option which we have is to live with the rest of humanity in peace. We should live and show them the true of Islam by preaching peace, he said. Speaking on the lessons from the battle of Uhud, the Canadian scholar told Muslims to remain united and follow the leaders and
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Be Ambassadors of Peace
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scholars of the Ummah saying that taking a different approach will only result in weakness and defeat. If we are not united, if we are not willing to listen, respect and follow our leaders and scholars, we will be defeated, he added. The same message was amplified by Sheikh Ahmed Hameed from India who said that even after more than a decade of being tortured, attacked and humiliated, the Prophet peace be upon him continued to show exemplary attitudes towards his enemies and never showed animosity towards people of other faiths. After the conquest of Makkah, he extended a hand of peace to the people of Makkah who had tortured him for 13 years and forced him to migrate from the city, he said. Sheikh Hameed stressed that Muslims have a responsibility to show to people of other faiths the innate values of peaceful mutual relations and they should be good ambassadors of Islam through their day to day conduct with other people. This is the best way to convey the message of Islam to other people, he said. Speaking at the event, the majority leader in the National Assembly Aden Dualle said the conference came at the right time and expressed optimism that it will address the misunderstanding and misconceptions being levied against Islam and Muslims. He told scholars that they have the responsibility to preach the ethos of peace and mutual relations stressing that this is what Islam stood for. Duale scoffed at the media and security agencies for taking an unfair attitude against Muslims saying that their actions meant to demonise the faith. Islam according to the Quran and teachings of Prophet is not the video shown by the National police Service Commission. The media should also be fair to Muslims and stop associating the faith with terrorism and violence, he said. Do not get the picture and position of Islam from a few individuals and then splash it on television, he told members of the media fraternity. Duale who is also the MP for Dujis said Muslim leaders should no longer continue to bury their heads in the sand saying it was a fundamental obligation upon them to come out clearly in broad day light and preach peace and tolerance and also condemn acts of violence. He said Muslims were being seen as a security threat and were unfairly being targeted due to the misconception that Islam and Muslims are intolerant. We cannot freely walk in our own country. Today our sisters mode of dress has become a security risk, the rest of Kenyans looks at the hijab and the kanzu through a different angle, he said. To the government, Duale said the Muslim community is a serious stakeholder
and should not be stigmatised, discriminated against, placed in confinements and instead need to positively be engaged in fighting terrorism. His message to nonMuslims was to get the true teachings of Islam by reading the Quran and not taking the television documentary by David Kimaiyo (the police commissioner) as the teachings of Islam. On his part, the Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow said the fact that the Quran states that the Prophet was sent as a mercy to mankind sends a clear message that Islam stand for peaceful co-existence. It begs the question why do some people unfortunately give the negative perception that you must kill non-Muslims yet the faith is very clear that the prophet was sent to mankind as a mercy to all people, he said. The Quran is very clear if you kill one life you have destroyed the whole of mankind and if you save one life you have saved the whole of humanity, he further explained. Other speakers at the conference included Sheikh Abdulrahman Ibn Mansoor al Qahtani from Saudi Arabia and Sheikh Badru Jaffar, a member of the Jamia Mosque Majlis Ulamaa.
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LEFT: Sheikh Ahmed Abdulhameed gives his presentation as Abdulwahhab interpretes in sign language. ABOVE: Aden Duale, the Majority leader in the National Assembly together with Muhammad Mahmoud, the Mandera West MP and Bura legislator Hassan Wario in a light moment during the conference
LEFT: Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan (Middle) who is recovering from the effects of a grenade attack follows proceeedings at the conference: ABOVE: Participants at the the ladies section follow lectures through TV screens
RIGHT: Zool Nimji, the Ummah Foundation Secretary General, Abdullahi Abdi, the NAMLEF chairman and Farouk Adam, the Jamia Mosque Committee vice chairman were among the thousands who turned up at the conference at KICC. Left: Muslims who turned up for the conference performing prayer at the KICC grounds
Sheikh Badru Jaffar (Left), a member of the Jamia mosque Majlis Ulamaa and Sheikh Wasim Kempson, the Imam of Al-Muntada masjid in London deliver their talks
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peace, it will certainly help. 7) Take Time Off Take time off when you need it. After a busy time at work or studies for exams, it's important to take some time off to recharge batteries; both spiritual and physical. Taking time off gives a chance for reflection and deep thinking, a chance to refresh one's ideas and clear pending matters. Time off also allows for contemplation and being closer to God, the only real source of peace. 8) Take Life One Day at a Time Sometimes we feel like there are so many problems to deal with this week, next month or next year, but we forget that each problem has a solution, and that we don't cross our bridges till we get there. When feeling stress due to future problems, it is wise to unwind by taking it one day at a time. Yes, one should plan ahead and do one's best, but at the end of the day it is Allah who decides what will eventually happen, so we need to ask Him to guide us to what is best for us in this world and in the Hereafter. 9) Look at the Positive Side of Life Being positive most of the time is one of the ways which leads to inner peace. Each event we experience has its positive and negative sides. Sometimes the positives are greater than the negatives, and in some cases it's the other way round. Even when a believer experiences a negative event, he/she is advised to look at its bright or positive side, as only focusing on the nega-
tive side leads a person to losing hope. We must remember that there is always hope, and even if we can't immediately understand the positive side of the matter we face, it is there, and by thinking and reflecting we can benefit from lessons learned, even after weeks or months, and gain more experience. So be positive and patient if you are searching for peace 10) Be Content and Satisfied Even if the external environment is hostile or hard, a content believer would still be happy. Why? Because happiness comes from the heart, it comes from the inside. If the external factors are good, this would help increase happiness, but if they are unfavorable if one is content one would still be happy. If you are searching for real peace and happiness, not temporary pleasures, start by refining your heart and coming closer to God, and when you become content with what God has provided you and the many blessings you have you will find inner peace. An important way to achieve that is to lower expectations regarding worldly matters, and to remember those who have less than you and thank God for His many bounties and blessings. Tarek M. Ezzat is the managing director of OnIslam.net
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