Spain: Moorish revival

Via BBC:

A thousand years ago North African Muslims ruled southern Spain. Now some of their descendants are contributing to a “Moorish revival” that is regenerating parts of Andalucia, says the BBC’s Sylvia Smith.

Sitting in Abdul Hedi Benattia’s tea shop you forget for a moment where you are.

The sound of sweet mint tea being poured into tiny glasses, the murmur of Arabic in the background, and piles of almond cornes de gazelle, served to customers sitting on low sofas, all suggest Morocco or Tunisia.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

But step outside the shop and walk a few metres downhill and you are in Granada, Spain.

This teteria, or tea shop, is just one of dozens that festoon the historic area and have come to symbolise a significant change in the culture and economics of an important part of the city.

It was the opening of a tea shop alongside the city’s first neighbourhood mosque that ignited the North African renaissance in Granada, according to Said Ekhlouf from Tetouan in northern Morocco.

He and his fellow shop owners took over empty properties, breathing fresh life into a previously run-down area.

“Before we set up shop, few people dared walk down this street, especially in the evening,” he explains.

“Everything was boarded up and the only people you’d meet were junkies and prostitutes. But we have turned this street into one of the most popular.”

The transformation is eye-catching. Dozens of brightly coloured, open-fronted stalls sell all kinds of Moroccan and Tunisian handicrafts, and the only music you will hear is Arabic, interspersed with the call to prayer.

Taking advantage of low property prices, the first arrivals in the 1980s colonised the Calderia Nueva and began, unwittingly, to introduce a modern version of Islamic Andalucian culture.

Abdul Hedi Benattia, who is a Tunisian historian as well as owning a restaurant and tea shop, claims that Islam as practised in Granada is very close to the original tolerant religion that spread across North Africa and through most of the Iberian peninsula from the 7th Century until the 14th Century.

“We accept our Christian neighbours and respect their traditions,” he says. “We didn’t set out specifically to recreate peaceful co-existence, but at times you can’t help but reflect that this is exactly what has happened”.

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Dresden: ‘Veil martyr’ memorial desecrated

Via The Local:

Vandals have attacked an art project erected in honour of a pregnant Egyptian woman who was murdered in a German court room, organisers said Friday.

The Citizen.Courage group, which sponsored the display in the eastern city of Dresden, said that a few knife-shaped columns used in the open-air show had been knocked over several times and signs explaining the project were stolen.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

“Citizen.Courage assumes this was a malicious, politically motivated attempt to destroy the project,” group chairman Christian Demuth said in statement.

WELT

“To warn against everyday racism, we will not restore the destroyed installations. But we will continue the project.”

A police spokeswoman said authorities had opened an investigation.

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Book Review: Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?

Shall the Religious Inherit the Earth?: Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann

Via The Observer, Kenan Malik’s review:

Europe, 2020. The Islamists have stormed to power across the continent. Every French woman is forced to be veiled. Holland’s gay clubs have been relocated to San Francisco.

(…)

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Kaufmann is sceptical of the idea that Europe will soon become a Muslim continent. He accepts that Muslims are predominantly young, have a higher fertility rate, are more devout than other groups and rarely marry out. But while Muslim fertility rates may be relatively high, they are plummeting. In Britain, for instance, the fertility rates of Bangladeshis and Pakistanis have fallen from almost 10 children per couple to under three in 40 years. The drop is partly the result of fertility rates falling in immigrants’ home countries, and partly the result of assimilation to local norms. By 2030, the fertility rates of European Muslims are expected to resemble those of the majority population. By the start of the next century, he expects around a fifth of Europeans to be Muslim.

But there is a kicker in his argument. The real problem is an “emerging ‘culture war’ between fundamentalists of all faiths and those who back the secular status quo” in which Islamists, Christian fundamentalists and orthodox Jews join forces to establish a “new era of religious politics” and “an unprecedented European desecularisation”. Since “fertility differences based on theology do not fade like those based on ethnicity”, fundamentalist victory is assured. For Kaufmann, Europe appears doomed because fundamentalists of every kind are multiplying far more than their liberal cousins while secularists are failing even to replace their numbers. Is this any more plausible than the arguments of the fantasists of Eurabia?

(…)

Kaufmann recognises this distinction between peoples and values. His Europe will be convulsed not by a clash of civilisations between the west and Islam but by a war of values between secularists and fundamentalists.

Nevertheless, he still makes his argument on the terrain of demography. And therein lies the problem. Secularism and fundamentalism are not ideas stitched into people’s DNA. They are, like all values, absorbed, accepted, rejected. A generation ago, there were strong secular movements in Muslim communities and fundamentalism was a marginal force. Today secularism is much weaker, and Islamism much stronger. This shift has been propelled not by demographic changes but by political developments.

(…)

Whether or not the religious will triumph, no one can say. What is certain is that if they do, it will not be because secularists have been out-bred, but because they have been out-thought. The real challenge they face is not in bed but in the public square.

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Lower Bavaria: Christian, Muslim asylum-seekers segregated

Via Euro-Islam.info:

The government of Lower Bavaria in southern Germany has segregated Christian and Muslim asylum seekers into different residential homes. The Bavarian Refugees Council called the measure an “inhuman act of reallocation”.

The government confirmed that they had moved 40 asylum seekers of Christian background due to rising numbers of incoming Muslim asylum seekers from Somalia. The office’s spokesman said that asylum seekers of different faiths usually got along well, but there were often a few troublemakers, which is why the measure was necessary.

(more)

Translated from Süddeutsche Zeitung (German)

Denmark: Can I fight for a Christian country?

A recent Q&A on Danish newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad’s religion portal led to a storm of opinions.

The question:

Salaam alakayium, I’m a boy of 18 who wants to ask a question: I’ve been to the army’s [recruiting] day in Slagelse, and I was born and raised in Denmark. When I’m thinking about it now, my parents are from Pakistan and I’m from Denmark.

So my question is: is military service permitted by Islam, and what now, if I’m considering being a soldier for Denmark or doing some form of training in defense of the country where I will live my whole life?

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Is it permitted to be a soldier and fight for a Christian country which has so many Muslims? And if it’s not allowed, in which way, and if it’s allowed, in which way? I’m really confused on this issue.

Mohammad

Answer:

Wa aleikum al salam,

It’s allowed to do military training in a non-Muslim country, if during the training you can still practice Islam and at the same time, it’s not required that you carry out acts which are not permitted in Islam, including serving as a silent and obedient slave-soldier for oppressive governments, which unfortunately wage wars for their own interest above the people’s welfare.

For example, I can’t see who a Muslim can be stationed in Afghanistan, without at the same time helping to support oppression, which unfortunately is taking place.

I can see possibilities elsewhere though. Some of the military training can be done while at the same time keeping away from the wars, our government has gotten involved in. You’re not forced to be stationed abroad. You can easily serve as a soldier at home. This depends though on the training you’re taking.

With my limited knowledge in this area, I think that combat troops are forced to be stationed abroad when you’re finished training, while people in the Royal Guard have the option of serving in Denmark and not getting involved in the government’s foreign affairs.

I therefore advise to explore your options and choose those that suit you best.

I myself have great interest in the military and strongly considered after finishing high-school (HF) to start military training, but dropped the idea and put other priorities ahead of it. If you are passionate about it, I again advise you to explore your options.

You can inquires by the army and explain to them your situation or go through their website: forsvaret.dk.

Sincerely,
Mohammad Al-Jizani
Shia Muslim and student

Mohammad Al-Jizani is the editor of the Shia debate forum www.shiaonline.dk.

This led to quite a few opinion pieces in response.

Theologist Bo Grünberger:

“.. a democratic government’s attempt to defeat a barbaric regime, which publicly beheads people, bans music and forces women and men into a fanciful hell of a prophet’s dream, can’t be called oppressive, unless there is something very wrong with one’s perception of reality,” wrote Bo Grünberger, who also criticized Kristeligt Dagblad for using Mohammad Al-Jizani as a responder.

As did Johan Aa, who thinks Mohammad Al-Jizani’s answer is an expression of a different form of oppression.

“Is this the image that Al-Jizani himself – in a distorted understanding of religion – wants to serve as a silent and obedient slave-solder for an oppressive Islam?”

Other Muslims also joined in the debate, including Safia Aoude, a jurist and teacher at a Muslim school.

“Muslims are obligated to defend their homes, both by the Koran and the Prophet’s example, and therefore also the country where you and your family live in. Therefore it’s not only permitted, but also laudable and benefits the community, if you get military training, for example, the Danish army,” says Safia Aoude, who stresses that the Danish army allows you to opt out of participating directly in war.

“If you don’t want to fight for Denmark, for example, in other parts of the world, the Danish military system leaves you plenty of opportunities to do civil service. In recent years the military in Denmark did a lot to give a place to the religious needs of Muslim soldiers during training and service, although it hasn’t yet introduced a hijab uniform, but I’m certain that will also come sooner or later,” wrote Safia Aoude.

Aminah Tønnsen, a Muslim lecturer and author of several books about Islam, criticized the war in Afghanistan.

“In my view there’s nothing to prevent a Muslim from training for the Danish army. However, it’s problematic if he’s then stationed in war-like conditions, as the Koran only permits defensive war,” wrote Aminah Tønnsen, who generally rejects the belief that war is a solution.

“I don’t think that you can establish people, freedom and democracy by force of arms, death and destruction,” writes Aminah Tønnsen.

The fierce debate led Mohammad Al-Jizani to respond:

“Overall, I’m very much aware how oppressive and barbaric is the Taliban. I myself am a strong opponent of theirs. Therefore I think that such tyrants should be removed from power. I don’t support, though, anybody who wants them removed. A superpower like the USA have their own interests in the country, and I don’t think that moral people should support them,” wrote Mohammad Al-Jizani and added that his answer shouldn’t be seen as a criticism of Danish soldiers.

“I have a lot of respect for our soldiers and veterans, and I’m convinced that they do it in good faith and really want to help the Afghans and make a difference down there, which is a noble idea. Additionally, I have friends who’ve been stationed in Afghanistan and I’ve talked a lot with them about the war. This doesn’t mean though that I exclude other opinions and don’t look at the war objectively. The war is unjustified and I prefer that people don’t get involved in it, but instead serve in Denmark. It’s much more noble to defend and serve one’s country than to wage war against others,” wrote Mohammad Al-Jizani.

Source: Kristeligt Dagblad (Danish)

Italy: Debate over Muslim symbols on horse race banner

The Palio, the famous breakneck, bareback horse race around Siena’s main piazza, has been clouded by a debate over this year’s official banner which features Islamic, Jewish and Christian symbols.

The banner was painted by Lebanese-born artist Ali Hassoun and is to be awarded to the winner of Friday’s big race.

The painting features St. George wearing what appears to be a black and white checkered keffiyah. Above him is a picture of the Madonna, featuring a crescent moon — one of the most prominent symbols of Islam — the Jewish Star of David and a cross on her crown, surrounded by Arabic writing.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

[ed: If I'm not mistaken, the Arabic writing says "Sura Maryam"]

The city of Siena has called the painting “beautiful.” But right-wing groups and at least one conservative newspaper have called it blasphemous.

Il Palio

On Thursday, Siena’s Roman Catholic diocese said the Islamic and Jewish symbols on the Madonna’s crown were “problematic” but said it hoped the debate that has ensued would recall the Christian traditions of the Palio.

Hassoun said his painting was an expression in favour of dialogue and finding common ground among cultures, according to the CnrMedia news agency. “I note that the cross is higher up than the other symbols, because this is the tradition of the country where we live,” he said.

(more)

Source: Canadian Press

Berlin: Politician demands IQ immigration tests

Many in Germany have long been skeptical of immigration. Now, a conservative Berlin politician has proposed requiring immigrants to take an intelligence test before being allowed in. His idea has not been well received.

Germany’s conservatives have never been terribly coherent when it comes to immigration. Despite a stubbornly low birth rate and what many consider to be a developing need for skilled foreign labor, members of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) have long been unwilling to roll out the welcome mat.

On Monday, the party once again made a less-than-fortunate foray into the immigration debate. Peter Trapp, a domestic policy expert with the CDU in Berlin, demanded in an interview with the mass-circulation tabloid Bild that would-be immigrants to Germany be given intelligence tests before they are allowed in.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

“We have to establish criteria for immigration that really benefit our country,” Trapp said. “In addition to adequate education and job qualifications, one benchmark should be intelligence. I am in favor of intelligence tests for immigrants. We cannot continue to make this issue taboo.”

Trapp received support from Markus Ferber, a member of the European Parliament for the Christian Social Union, the CDU’s Bavarian sister party. Ferber said: “We need a unified policy for Europe. Canada is much further along on the issue and requires that children of immigrants have a higher IQ than those born in Canada.”

(….)

The CDU on Monday was at pains to play down the comments made by Trapp and Ferber. Given Berlin’s focus on improving the integration of the country’s immigrant population, Maria Böhmer, who has been tasked by Merkel with improving integration, rejected the call for intelligence tests.

Such comments do not promote “a culture of welcoming, which would do our country good,” Böhmer said. “The demand for an IQ test for immigrants is absurd and does not demonstrate much intelligence.”

(more)

Source: Spiegel

Netherlands: Muslims, PVV share dislike of gays

The acceptance of homosexuality in the Netherlands is growing. Religious Protestants and Muslims have the most difficulty with it. Looking at political preference, PVV voters in particular are negative towards gays.

Those are some of the findings from a report of the SCP (Institute for Social Research) about the acceptance of homosexuality in the Netherlands. The study, conducted for former minister Ronald Plasterk (Emancipation), was presented Thursday. In 2008, says the SCP, 9% of the people had a negative attitude towards homosexuality, compared to 15% in 2006.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

The report devotes considerable attention to religious and ethnic minorities. In addition there’s a separate SCP publication about homosexuality in Protestant Netherlands. Homosexuality is a very sensitive here here, but in religious-Protestant and, to a lesser degree, in “bevindelijk” Reformed circles, there are, according to the SCP, ‘careful positive changes relating to homosexuality’. Among Evangelical Christians, gay-emancipation is impeded, because many there don’t accept homosexuality as a given, says the report.

Among the immigrant Dutch, half see homosexuality as a lack of respect and loyalty to the family. Moroccan, Turkish, Chinese and, to a lesser degree, also Surinamese gays sometimes don’t out themselves, because they would then cause disrepute to the whole family.

The SCP also checked the relationship between political preferences and gay-acceptance. A negative gay attitude is most common among PVV voters (11%), followed by CDA (9%), and the VVD (5%).

Supporters of GroenLinks (Greens) and the SP (Socialists) are the least negative towards homosexuality. The data for small parties such as the ChristianUnion and SGP (religious Christians) aren’t known, since there were too few supporters in the test sample. There does seem to be a correlation to belonging to a church. The SCP says that of those who go to a church every week, 34% have a negative attitude towards homosexuality, compared to 4% among those who don’t belong to a church.

Source: Nederlands Dagblad (Dutch)

5.5 MANNERS WITH PARENTS
Observe complete respect and reverence to your father and mother, for they are the most worthy of your consideration. Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that a man asked the Prophet (PBUH): Oh Messenger of Allah, who is the most worthy of my best conduct?’ He answered: ‘Your mother! Your mother! Your mother! Then your father, then the next, and the next.’

Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and Abdul Razzaq in his Musanaf (the wording is his) reported that Hisham bin ‘Urwa recounted that his father told him that Abu Hurairah (RA) saw a man walking ahead of another. He asked him: ‘How is this man related to you?’ ‘He is my Father,’ the man answered. Abu Hurairah told him: ‘Do not walk ahead of him, do not sit until he sits, and do not call him by his name.’

According to Ibn Wahab, a student of Imam Malik bin Anas named Imam ‘Abdul Rahman bin Al-Qasim Al-’Utaqi Al-Masri (132-191 AH), said: ‘While Imam Malik was reading Al-Muwata^ to me he suddenly stood up for a long while, then he sat again. He was asked why, and he answered: ‘My mother came down asking me something. Since she was standing I stood up respectfully, when she went, I sat back down.’

The revered follower Tawoos bin Kisan said: ‘It is part of the Sunnah to respect four persons: a scholar, an elder, a leader, and a father. It is considered rude that a man call his father by his name.’ At the end of his book of Malkite Fiqh Al-Kafi, Imam Bin ‘Abdul Al-Barr said:

‘Kindness to the parents is an obligatory, duty and by the grace of Allah it is an easy matter. Kindness means to be humble with them, to speak to them nicely, to look at them with love and respect, to speak in a mild tone that does not surpass theirs unless they are hard of hearing, to give them complete access to your own wealth, and to offer them the best of your food and drink.

Children should not walk ahead of their parents, nor speak ahead of them in matters that they know are their father’s. Children should wholeheartedly avoid upsetting their parents and should seek their pleasure as much as possible. Making your parent’s life enjoyable is one of the most virtuous acts.

Children must hasten to respond to their parents’ call. If a child is praying voluntarily, he/she should shorten the prayer and respond promptly. Children should express only good words.

In return, it is the parents’ duty to make it easier for their children to be kind to them by being kind and generous to their children, but without Allah’s help people cannot become obedient, nor can they perform his commands.’

You may encounter various difficulties while serving your mother and father, but do not forget that their rights are multiples of these difficulties. For this Aallah said in the Qur’an ‘Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to the parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in the life, say not a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness lower to them the wing of humility, and say: ‘My Lord bestow mercy on them as they cherished me in childhood.” The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘No child will compensate a parent unless he finds him or her a slave and he frees them.’

Keep in mind that everyone likes to be the best in status, prestige and popularity, and hates to see someone better than himself or herself. Only your parents would wish that you become better than what they are. How should you treat those who prefer you to themselves and wish you better.

5.6 Tell Your Family your Whereabouts
If you leave home to go to a place other than your usual work, it is advisable to inform your family where you are going. This information is very useful to have their mind at ease knowing where you are. The great follower, Qatada bin Di’ama Al-Sadousi disapproved of someone going somewhere without telling their family their whereabouts. Imam Ahmad reported that Qatada narrated that he went with Abo Ma’shar to visit Al-Sha’bi. His family said he was not home. Qatada asked, ‘Where did he go?’ His family said, ‘We do not know.’ Qatada then said, ‘You mean he does not tell you where he goes?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ Telling your family where you are lessens their worries besides putting you and them at ease if you were late since they know where you are.

5.7 RESPECT THE POOR
If you come across a poor person at a gathering or you were visited by a poor person at home or at work, do not look down upon him or her because you consider them poor. Poverty is not a defect or a fault to be ashamed of, while lack of kindness and generosity is.

Treat poor companions or guests with honour and respect. Be pleasant while talking to them, using the best of language. Again, poverty is not a vice. Many of the poor are more honourable than the wealthy, and many who are penniless are preferred to the rich.

5.8 DEALING WITH NON-MUSLIMS
If your neighbours happen to be non-Muslim you must not forget Islamic manners in dealing with neighbours. The recommendation of Islam for good relationship with neighbours is for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

You as a Muslim should demonstrate to all people the goodness of Islam with your gentle manners and kind behaviour. Bukhary and Muslim reported the Hadith of Anas ‘No one is a believer if he do not like for his brother what he likes for himself.’ The report of Muslim said ‘ till he loves for his brother, or neighbour, as he likes for himself’. The scholars said that the word ‘brother’ here is said in the most common context and thus the means brothers in humanity including Muslims and non-Muslims. A Muslim would love for his non-Muslim brother, as he loves for himself, to become a Muslim to enjoy the benefits of Islam and the rewards of Allah.

A Muslim would do very well when he prays for the guidance of his non-Muslim brothers as he likes for his Muslim brothers to remain Muslim and to continue their devotion and adherence to Islam. In Sura Al-Mumtahana, Allah said ‘Allah forbid you not, with regard to those who did not fight you for your faith nor drive you out of your homes, to deal kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fought you for your faith and drove you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, for turning to them for friendship and alliance. Those of you who do that are doing wrong.’

There is nothing to prevent us from being kind, generous and helpful to non-Muslims as long as they do not demonstrate verbal or tangible animosity towards Islam. Hopefully, this will remove barriers to introduce them to join Islam and Muslims.

This positive attitude does not mean going along with non-Muslims and abandoning our distinct personality. It means we must fair, kind and moderate with ourselves and our neighbours in all matters. In interpreting this, Imam Qortubi said: ‘This constitute a consent by Allah to maintain amicable relationship with those who did not antagonize Muslim or attack them. Imam Qortubi cited the opinion of Abdul Rahman bin Zayed who said that this rule was in the beginning of Islam when fighting was not required, but later it was annulled. Imam Qortubi also cited Qatada who said this verse had been annulled by another verse in Sura Al-Tawba (9:5) ‘But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and the slay the pagans wherever you find them..’

After citing these two opinions and other similar ones, Imam Qortubi concluded by saying: The majority of interpreter are said that it is a valid verse that has not been annulled. They cited the story reported by Bukhary and Muslim of Asma’ bint Abi Bakr when she asked the Prophet if could entertain and be kind to her non-Muslim mother who visited her in Madina and the Prophet said ‘Yes.’

It was said that this verse was revealed in this incident. Al-Mauardi and Abo Dawood reported that Amer bin Abdullah bin Al-Zubair narrated that his father told him that before Islam Abu Bakr divorced his wife Qutaila who was the mother of Asma. When the truce was held between the Prophet and the pagans of Quraish, the mother visited her daughter in Madina and brought her an ear-ring and other gifts. Asma was reluctant to accept the gifts before asking the Prophet. In answer to her question Allah revealed this verse. When Allah says ‘to deal kindly and justly with them’ Al-Faraa said that Allah meant those who did not fight you alluding to Khoza tribe who made an agreement with Muslims not to fight them or assist those fighting them. Allah ordered Muslims to be kind and faithful to them as per the terms of the agreement.

Al-Kadi Abu Bakr ibn Al-Arabi said that the expression of qist is not derived from justice but from share, meaning you may give them a portion of your money to maintain cordial relationship. For justice is a duty toward all whether they were friends or foes. Imam Bukhari and Imam Ahmad reported that Anas bin Malik that a Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet, preparing his ablution and to hand him his shoes. The boy became ill. The Prophet went to visit the boy and he was gravely ill with his father sitting at his head. The Prophet invited him to Islam by telling him to say: There is no God but Allah. The boy looked at his father who kept silent. The Prophet repeated his request and the boy looked at his father again who told him ‘Obey Abo Al-Kasim.’ The boy, just before dying, said ‘I bear witness that no God but Allah and that you are His Messenger.’ The Prophet said ‘Thank Allah for enabling me to save him.’

Hafiz Ibn Hajar said that this Hadith indicates many rules; that Muslims are allowed to employ non-Muslims, to visit them while sick. It also directs us to maintain cordiality. It allows the employment of the youth, to offer them Islam if they were mature to make a choice, and to accept their conversion if they embraced Islam.

Hafiz Al-Badr Al-Aini said this Hadith indicted the consent to visit ill non-Muslims especially if they were neighbours since it demonstrated the kindness of Islam and may encourage them to embrace it. The Hadith also allows the employment of non-Muslims and the coridality to them. It also consent employing the youth.

You may console non-Muslims on mourning using appropriate expressions. Imam Al-Kadi Abo Yosuf said, in the end of his book Al-Kharaj, that he asked Abo Hanifa about how to console a Jew or a Christian who lost a child or relative. Abo Hanifa said to say ‘Allah decreed death for all His creations. We ask Allah to make death the best fate to wait for. We all belong to Allah and to Him we all shall return. Be patient and endure this calamity.

Abo Yosuf said we learned that a Christian who used to attend the lectures of Al-Hasan Al-Basri died. Al-Hasan went to console his brother. He said: May Allah reward you for this calamity as He reward your fellows. May Allah bless our death and make it the best fate to wait for. Be patient against the misfortunes. You may say these kind words and remind them of death as the inescapable fate with which we can do nothing about but acceptance and patience.

Imam Ibn A’bdin in his book Rad Al-Muhtar that the Shaf’ee said: You may console Muslims when at the death of a non-Muslim relative. On such occasion you may say: May Allah increase your rewards and patience. You may console non-Muslims on the loss of a Muslim relative. On such occasions you may say: May Allah forgive your deceased and give best condolence.

from the book ISLAMIC MANNERS
By Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (RA)

Related posts:

1. Social Manners with the Elderly
2. The Manners of Conversation
3. Manners of Visiting

Germany: ‘Immigrants making Germany dumber’

A controversial board member of Bundesbank has come under fire for claiming immigrants are making Germany ‘dumber in a simple way’.

Thilo Sarrazin told a business group in Frankfurt that people arriving in the country from Turkey, the Middle East and Africa are less educated than those from other nations.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

The 65-year-old added: ‘There’s a difference in the reproduction of population groups with varying intelligence.’

In his speech this week, Mr Sarrazin, a former finance minister, cited what he called ‘ample statistics’ for proof.

He said the fact that immigrants tend to have more children than Germans – who have the lowest birthrate in Europe – meant this caused ‘a different propagation of population groups with different intelligence because parents pass their intelligence on to their children’.

Susanne Kreutzer, a spokesman for Bundesbank, said the comments are ‘the personal views of Mr. Sarrazin’ and declined to comment further.

But there is speculation now that his views may make his position on the bank‘s board untenable.

(…)

Mr Sarrazin has made no moves to say sorry for his latest remarks.

A spokesman for a Muslim group in Berlin said; ‘He is a tired old white Christian male full of prejudice and few ideas.’

(more)

Source: Daily Mail

* Berlin: Former minister calls to stop Muslim immigration

* Germany: Police investigate ‘Turks are conquering Germany’ comment