Switzerland: Swiss People’s Party surveys Swiss on foreigner policy

Via WRS:

Should Switzerland abandon or renegotiate the Free Movement of People accord with the EU? Should long term unemployed foreigners be sent home? Should foreigners who commit serious crimes be automatically deported?

The Swiss People’s Party has sent out a questionnaire to every Swiss household to canvas opinion on these and similar issues. The questionnaire’s accompanied by a pamphlet outlining the Swiss People’s Party’s outlook on foreigners, immigration and crime.

WRS reports (audio).

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)

Norway: Rejected refugees riot to protest living conditions

Police have arrested 23 people on suspicion of arson after last night’s fire that destroyed Lier asylum centre in Buskerud.

The fire started in three separate buildings that were far apart almost simultaneously, and preliminary investigations show traces of inflammable liquids.

Inmates already knew what was going to happen, as several refugees had packed their belongings, according to VG.

Jan Erik Skretteberg, regional director of SOS Rasisme, says he can understand why the fire was started, claiming there are many frustrated people who don’t get enough food or vitamins. There isn’t enough hot water in the showers, and a complete lack of mental health services.

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

“Several residents have warned previously it was only a matter of time before someone either harms of kills himself because of conditions at the institution. Not only do they live under severe mental pressure, but living conditions at the centres are also not fit for human beings,” he says.

Trouble at both the Lier, as well as Fagerli asylum centre in Nannestad in Akerhus municipality started early yesterday morning. Rioters destroyed fixtures and fittings, broke windows, and started smaller fires. Both facilities are now uninhabitable.

The centres house refugees who are awaiting deportation, after their asylum applications have been a final rejection. Some have been living there for four years.

(more)

———–

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, after the riots but before the center was burned down, the leader of the Kurdish asylum seekers was interviewed by Drammens Tidende.

“I’m the one who started it. I threw the first stone,” an Iraqi man told Drammens Tidende when we visited the Lier natioanl reception yesterday afternoon.

Several others earlier said the same, but when the Iraqi came, we quickly got the message from the others that he’s the leader.

He’s kept to the background towards the press for a long time, but makes direct contact and wants to talk.

When he talks, the others fall silent.

“I’m the leader of about 35 Kurds here in the center,” says the man, who’s been there for a year and two months.

The man claims that he was the spokesperson with the police during the night. He can come up with names, and agrees to being photographed from the back.

“But don’t photograph the face. I don’t want to be a famous man,” he says.

We walk around the center. Almost all the glass windows in the administration buildings and dormitories are broken. We step over glass everywhere. Stones are strewn on the lawn and inside the buildings.

In one place the asphalt is torn up – apparently to obtain more ‘ammunition’.

Next to the main building, a garbage shed burned down, and in front of the building a car of the center is without windows.

Nevertheless, we can’t find remorse by the man.

“No. We wrote a letter to the Directorate of Immigration (UDI) and met the boss here three times in the past month. We’ve complained about the conditions. We’re treated like animals. But nothing happened,” says the man.

“Therefore violence is the only and best way. There were no journalists here yesterday. Now all the journalists re here and are asking what’s happening and wondering how we’re doing,” he explains.

“We don’t like violence. But see no other solution. And if it doesn’t get better, this is just a first warning of what can happen.”

Q: There was also trouble in the reception center in Nannestad. Were you in contact?

“Yes. We speak to each other all the time.”

———–

Drammens Tidende met several desperate people in the reception center. All said they’d like to go home to their homeland – but that it was too dangerous. Therefore they have to stay in Norway.

“If I go home, I’ll be killed,” said one.

“I’d rather be here than to go home to prison,” said another.

Each of them tells of bad food, not enough food, not enough warm water in the showers, that the internet connection is bad, that they get 100 kroner a week to live on and that they get bad medical care.

“We feel like slaves without a social life. There are people who have been here for four-five years,” says the leader.

Another men says he stole a cola when he was on a tour of Drammen.

“We get juice, juice and juice. I hadn’t tasted a cola for several months. In the end I took one,” says the man.

“We can’t sleep at night. There are many who have to take pills to sleep a little. And there are many who tried to take their lives. You can see the attempts on people’s arms,” says the leader of the Kurds.

“Why can’t we get permission to work, earn money and pay taxes? Now we just sit in the center all day. Have no money to do anything.”

The leader shows us his room to see the conditions he lives by. But the police prevented Drammens Tidende from going into the premises.

“We live five to a room. We are people but are treated like animals.”

Several other people made contact and told the same stories, but didn’t want to be in the paper. They feel treated in an unworthy manner, and think that the conditions in the waiting center are the reason for the riots.

———–

An Iraqi resident, who didn’t want his name in the paper, shows Aftenposten.no the damage to cars, buildings and sheds. He’s been in the Lier center for three months.

“I’m glad for the violence. It’s the best way to get attention in Norway. Now everybody knows what’s happening here, that we just get 100 kroner a week, and that everything we can do is to eat and sleep,” he says.

He participated in the riots during the night, and thinks it’s the only way to change his hopeless situation.

He shows Aftenposten his bedroom, a narrow, small room of 15-20 sqm, shared by five grown men. Some metal lockers for clothes and personal property. Five beds and a desk with a television is all that’s there. The TV, says the Iraqi, was obtained by the residents, they didn’t get it from the center.

Another resident says that they’ve been in Norway illegally for years, and says that he’s been here since 2002. Some of them have been in the Lier center since it was opened five years ago.

“Look at him down there,” one points to a thin man sitting alone under a tree.

“He always sits there, all alone, and speaks to the tree. People go crazy living here, there’s nothing to do besides eating and sleeping,” says the man, originally from Somalia. He’s been in Norway for the past nine years and says he’s a ‘Dubliner‘ and in theory should go back to Italy.

Sources: The Foreigner (English), Drammens Tidende, Aftenposten (Norwegian)

8 ways to earn even after your death.

1. Give a copy of the Qur’an to someone. Every time they read from it, you
   gain.
2. Donate a wheelchair to a hospital. Each time a sick person uses it, you
   gain.
3. Teach someone to recite a Dua.
4. Share a Qur’anic CD.
5. Participate in building a Mosque.
6. Place a water cooler/ well in a public place.
7. Plant a tree. You gain whenever a person or animal sits in its shade or
   eats from it.
8. Share this message with other people. Even if only one person applies any of the
   above, you gain.

Related posts:

1. The fruits of Honesty
2. The True Value of 90 Minutes
3. The Boy who tried to escape Death – ch2

London: Gay nightclub owner slammed for Muslim boycott

Community leaders have slammed XXL club owner Mark Ames today after he vowed to boycott British Muslims.

The London nightclub entrepreneur promised to snub Muslim-owned businesses in response to racial unrest in East London. He also tried to justify his decision by reference to the death toll of British troops in Afghanistan, which has risen above 300.

He wrote on Facebook: “From today I will be boycotting any shops, petrol stations restaurants or businesses I know are owned by Muslims this also includes holidays to muslim [sic] countries today see [sic] our death toll up to 300, so why the hell are we not just flying this scum back out to there beloved states and pull out and let them fight out there [sic] own issues!”

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

PinkPaper.com has repeatedly invited Ames to speak to us but he has refused saying he has already been “tried and convicted” and adding, in an email to us, “i [sic] dont [sic] want to see anyone race or creed [sic] being kicked out of the country.”

There is no suggestion that others involved in XXL club share his views but one representative did say they would be supporting his right to freedom of speech.

Now, leading members of London’s gay community have criticised his original comments.

Ali Hili of IraqiLGBT said: “I don’t think it’s acceptable from anyone, especially someone with a high profile. This is especially when the people he’s talking about could be deported to a country which, in turn, may cause them harm. I am in this country because I have fear for my life and I still face discrimination – even here.”

Royston Ford, secretary of gay group Imaan, agrees: “If he [Mark Ames] holds the views attributed to him, he has shown himself to be a rather unpleasant, but unrepresentative example of the LGBT community in London and further afield.

“Whilst racist and Islamophobic views like this do exist amongst a minority of LGBT people, he is not representative of the majority of fair-minded and decent people. If Mr Ames chooses – whilst most of are preparing to celebrate the diversity of our communities in Pride 2010 – to descend into his own gay shame, then that is his loss.

“He is as representative of LGBT people as the drug-peddling, murdering gangsters of Afghanistan are representative of ordinary Muslims – whether gay, straight, in this country or elsewhere. Imaan, and LGBT Muslims are preparing to celebrate Pride 2010 with our brothers and sisters of all communities, both in the parade and with events in London and in Bradford. We suggest Mr Ames is best ignored.”

(…)

And Joseph was worried that the comments would make gay Muslims feel unwelcome at XXL.

“Gay Muslims are a minority amongst a minority and we should be supporting them,” he said. I hope gay Muslims stand up against what he says because their voice isn’t heard enough in this country. I would say boycott XXL if you support gay Muslims.”

However, some PinkPaper.com readers have backed Ames. In response to our exclusive yesterday, one forum user wrote: “whats the big deal? [sic] and why does a phoney pc liberal, pink paper [sic] reader find it disturbing? the reader should be more disturbed by the evil persecution and hate murder on a par to genocide of lgbt people in islamic states.” [sic]

(more)

Source: PinkPaper

In Surah Al-Ahzab, Allah addresses the wives of Prophet Muhammad [صَلى اللهُ عَليهِ وَ سَلم] with specific commands to guard their chastity:

“And abide quietly in your homes, and do not flaunt your charms as they used to flaunt them in the old days of pagan ignorance; and be constant in prayer, and render the purifying dues, and pay heed unto Allah and His Messenger: for Allah only wants to remove from you all that might be loathsome, O you members of the [Prophet’s] household, and to purify you to utmost purity.” [33:33]

The word قَرْنَ stems from the root letters وق ر or, according to other scholars, the root letters ق ر ر, both implying more or less the same implicit meaning. According to Lane’s online Arabic-to-English lexicon, the root of the word قَرْنَ means –> to settle; be firm, steady, fixed, settled or established; be motionless, quiet, still, standing, stationary; to rest, remain, continue or reside in a place. Synonyms are ثَبَتَ and سَكَنَ which, when used for a man, also imply to reside or rest somewhere ’with authority or power’.

According to Tafsir ibn Kathir, ”And stay in your houses” means “stay in your houses and do not come out except for a purpose. One of the purposes mentioned in Shari`ah is prayer in the Masjid, so long as the conditions are fulfilled, as the Messenger of Allah [صَلى اللهُ عَليهِ وَ سَلم] said:

- “Do not prevent the female servants of Allah from the masjids of Allah, but have them go out without wearing fragrance“.  According to another report:

“…even though their houses are better for them” [Abu Dawood: 567]” [End quote tafsir.com]

Tafsir Maududi expounds, “The word قَرْنَ in the original is derived from قرار according to some lexicographers and from وقار according to others. In the first sense, it will mean: “Settle down, stick firmly;” and in the second sense: “Live peacefully, sit with dignity”. In both the cases the verse means to impress that the woman’s real sphere of activity is her home; she should carry out her functions within that sphere peacefully, and she should come out of the house only in case of a genuine need.

This explanation makes it abundantly clear that what Allah forbids for women is to move out of their houses showing off their physical charms and beauty. He instructs them to stay in their houses because their real sphere of activity is their home and not the world outside. However, if they have to move out of the house for an outdoor duty, they should not move out as the women used to do in the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. For it does not behoove the women of a Muslim society to walk out fully embellished; to make their face and figure conspicuous by adornments and tight-fitting or transparent dresses, and to walk coquettishly.”

[End quote Maududi tafsir]

We need to keep in mind the context of the revelation of these verses of the Quran. The wives of the Prophet [صَلى اللهُ عَليهِ وَ سَلم] were being specifically addressed. Just before this verse, they were commanded not to soften their speech when conversing with non-mahrum men due to necessity. After being told to stay in their homes, they were commanded not to do تَبَرُّج (wanton display of charms and beauty).

Muslim women emulate the wives of the Prophet [صَلى اللهُ عَليهِ وَ سَلم], considering them role models. Any Quranic command addressed towards the latter, particularly one that aims to establish lofty moral character and conduct, automatically becomes a praiseworthy goal for the average Muslim woman, for all time to come. Therefore, the necessary traits of moral behavior of exemplary Muslim women, whom other women of the ummah would always look up to, viz. the Prophet’s wives, are being outlined here.

The question arises as to why the wives of the Prophet [صَلى اللهُ عَليهِ وَ سَلم], as the epitomes for all Muslim women, were commanded to mostly stay in their homes? Also, what falls under “genuine need” that allows a woman to emerge from her home in full hijab?

The purpose of this command is not the confinement of women to their homes out of a disdain for their intelligence or productivity as individuals. Neither does Islam consider a woman solely responsible for the moral vices that emerge in a society. If that were the case, men would not have been commanded to lower their gaze and guard their chastity [Reference: Quran, 24:30].

As the word meaning of قَرْنَ implies, a Muslim woman should keep her home as the focus of her attention and activities, and make it the base of her affairs. A cursory glance at women all over the world shows that, no matter how hard they work outside the home (whether in plantation fields, picking up the children from school, or for other pursuits), eventually they always return home. When they do, they have to run its affairs too, such as the sometimes mundane tasks of cooking and cleaning. Even if they choose to delegate these internal home affairs to employees or paid helpers, the task of supervision, planning and follow-up still remains their primary responsibility. Whether it is a rural lass in the valley of Chitral or a housewife in suburban California, matters such as what the family will eat for the day and when the clothes will be washed, are up to the women of the house to decide and execute.

Here are a list of necessities that allow Muslim women to leave their homes:

1. To perform salah in the masjid, especially the Jum’uah and Eid salah.
2. To perform hajj and umrah.
3. Pursuit of education/knowledge.
4. To visit sick relatives, or to respond to social calls and dinner/wedding invitations; to visit neighbors, extended family, and other people for the sake of joining relations; commiserating after a death and attending a funeral, or matchmaking/negotiating marriage proposals between families.
5. To visit the doctor or the hospital when sick and needing medical treatment, or to give birth.
6. To work at a job, if there is no mahrum man providing for them (out of chance or choice). For the conditions that allow a Muslim woman to work, please see: Guidelines on Women Working Outside the Home (IslamQA.com).
7. To teach or cater to other women and children viz. work as professors, primary school teachers, Montessori teachers, daycare providers, or institution administrators/program coordinators.
8. To work to provide medical services and other care to women and children viz. to work as  doctors, nurses, dentists, surgeons, physiotherapists, lactation consultants, counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and necessarily, as obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives.
9. To work as domestic helpers/maids, nannies, cooks, personal assistants/secretaries, and as attendants to elderly or invalid women. We all know how often Muslim women need other women to help them in their day-to-day affairs. For example, a doctor’s office or ladies’ gym might need a receptionist or office assistant; a Professor at a University might need a teaching assistant; and so on.
10. To work for security. At airports, visa-issuing embassies, and other checkpoints, women need to be present to check other women for security reasons. This is extremely necessary in order to prevent Muslim women from being checked by male security personnel.
11. To work as technicians, trainers, fashion designers or beauticians. Again, the restrictions ordained by Islam need to be observed whilst pursuing this line of work, but it is a fact that women love to beautify themselves and they need/pay other expert women to help them out, for example, to achieve just the right shade of lowlights in their hair, or to have henna applied for a wedding. The beauty industry can actually be a very fruitful profession, especially for young artistically inclined girls, as it allows them to offer services for a fee to women clients even within private homes.
12. For passports and national identity documents, women need to be photographed and those who choose to cover their faces, should have the option to uncover their faces only before a female photographer. Unfortunately, because women do not usually enter these fields as professionals, veiled women have to have their pictures taken by men instead.
13. Similarly, in laboratories, trained female technicians should be present to serve female clients, e.g. to draw blood from their veins for blood tests,or take their blood pressure and other vital statistics.
    Although our scholars are quick to point out very quickly and all-encompassingly that “Muslim women have been commanded to stay in their homes!”, they do not point out those fields or professions, where some women should work, as a fard kifayah, in order to serve the other women of the ummah, especially to prevent them from going for the same services to men. For example, I know many women who were not exactly pleased to find out, after having chosen to take an epidural for childbirth, that a man will come in to administer it to them, right above their backside (which meant uncovering their lower back to him, and that too while in labor!). In Pakistan, at least, no women are trained to administer the epidural shot.

It becomes clear, then, that far from being confined to their homes twiddling their thumbs, Muslim women will need to emerge very often in order to fulfill the obligations of Islam - such as seeking and imparting knowledge - and to perform social and moral duties in their society. It is for this purpose that hijab has been ordained and they have been warned in the same verse not to do tabarruj as in the days of the first ignorance/jahiliyyah (implying that the same jahiliyyah would re-emerge in the future, which has unfortunately happened).

No matter what their religion, culture or ethnicity, women today who choose to pursue full-time, demanding careers almost always face a crossroads in their professional lives when they hear their biological clock ticking loudly during their thirties, especially if they have consciously chosen career over marriage and motherhood. Even after having babies, those women who choose to work, admit to living with a constant guilt; a nagging feeling of having let down their family, or not being there for their children when they need them (which is several times a day). And even those women who have achieved accolades and won awards for their accomplishments in their professional lives, admit to feeling a sense of desolation when, at the end of the day, they come home to a lavish but empty apartment/villa and have dinner alone.

In contrast, those women who keep their home their priority, or shall we say, their “primary occupation”, but continue to dabble in their professions and hobbies on a part-time or freelance basis – viz. at a level that doesn’t obstruct fulfillment of their responsibilities at home - lead a more satisfied life, entering into a win-win bargain. Their homes and families are taken care of, fulfilling their maternal and nurturing instincts, whereas their mental and intellectual faculties also remain stimulated because their spare time is used constructively for the benefit of others in society.

Ka’ab relates, once at the time of Prophet Musa (AS), there was a drought. The Bani Israeel aked him to pray for rain. Prophet Musa told them to come with him to the mountain. When they climbed the mountain he said to his People, “Whoever has committe a sin, then do not follow me ” They all turned and walked back down the mountain except one man. He was blind from one eye and known to the people as Barkh.

Prophet Musa asked him, “Did you not hear what I said?” “Yes” he replied. Prophet Musa again asked, “Have you never committed a sin?” Barkh paused and then replied, I cannot remember committing a sin except for one, but I do not know whether it is regarded a sin. I will mention it to you and if it is a sin I shall return.”

Prophet Musa enquired, “What is it?” Barkh replied, “Once I happened to pass the door of a house which was open. I glanced in and saw somebody, but I was not able to tell whether it was a man or woman. I said to my eye, ‘Out of my whole body you hurried to commit a sin, you cannot remain with me anymore’, so I plucked out my eye. If this is a sin I will return.” Prophet Musa assured him that he had not sinned and then told him to pray for rain.

They prayed to Allah, “Oh Almighty, whatever You have does not finish. There is no end to your treasures you cannot be accused of being miserly. Oh Allah show us your mercy and send forth rain.” The narrator states that they both walked home in the mud.

Related posts:

1. The Ultimate Test
2. The Shepherd and Ibraheem Adham
3. Dreams

EU: Responses to Gaza flotilla attack

Various anti-Israel protests are already planned across Europe. I’ll be updating this thread throughout the day.

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

FIOE ( Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe) message:

In the very early hours of this Monday morning, Israeli military forces—by premeditated decision of their government—committed a gross and bloody act of piracy against the “Freedom Flotilla”; ships that had embarked from several European ports aiming to take humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, who are suffering under a strangling and immoral blockade.

(…)

The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe emphasises that the “Freedom Flotilla” is a live expression of human conscience rising against the unjust blockade inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza; given that this blockade is a reprehensible crime rejected by religion, human values, moral standards, and international conventions. These seafarers travelling to Gaza present an image of courageous human solidarity that has broken the wall of silence surrounding the blockade, and scored a victory for the right of peoples to life and dignity.

The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe condemns in the strongest possible terms this act of piracy and mass killing perpetrated against the “Freedom Flotilla”, and demands serious and urgent official European action to confront this dangerous piracy, and bloody massacre, and put an end to a long series of blatant Israeli violations.

The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe also expresses its solidarity with those humanitarian organisations, public figures, and European and world media participating in the Freedom Flotilla, and calls upon civil society and media institutions in Europe to take up responsible stances corresponding to the enormity of the crime, and to focus attention on the grave and serious nature of this bloody attack on a humanitarian convoy, as well as the crime of a suffocating blockade inflicted on human beings.

The Federation calls upon Muslims in Europe, and the general public in European societies, to urgently mobilise—in wide-scale and public action, to condemn the blatant piracy and bloody massacre perpetrated against the Freedom Flotilla, and to escalate in the legitimate demand for a lifting of the unjust blockade on Gaza that can no longer be tolerated.

————–

Danish MP was to have been on Gaza vessel

A Danish MP, who was to have been on board an aid convoy to Gaza, is to call for action from the Danish government and the EU after Israel’s action against a Gaza aid convoy which is reported to have cost the lives of at least 10 people and injured some 30.

Socialist People’s Party MP Kamal Qureshi was invited to take part in the six-vessel convoy, but was prevented from taking part due to parliamentary work.

“This was a serious and unnecessary provocation. It is difficult to be a friend of Israel at the moment. I will be raising this issue with the foreign minister and the European Union. It was unacceptable and must be condemned,” says Qureshi.

(more)

————–

Demonstrations in Sweden

About 35 people gathered in front of the Israeli embassy (SE) in Stockholm, Sweden. Three people were arrested after trying to prevent people from coming or going into the embassy.

Several protests are planned for later this evening in Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg.

Demonstrations in the Netherlands

The Dutch Palestine Committee is organizing a protest (NL) at the Israel Embassy in the Hague, together with a number of other Palestinian and Turkish organizations. Milli Gorus called its followers to join. The Jewish organization “A different Jewish voice” is also participating. 200-300 people are expected.

Demonstrations in the UK

MPACUK is organizing protests across the UK.

Netherlands: 50% support forced integration

The debate about integration and immigration is first and foremost a subtle play on words. Many Dutch people are critical of immigrants, but at the same time it seems they don’t want to be associated with the ideas of Geert Wilders.

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

This according to a study conducted by TNS NIPO for De Volkskrant. The research agency cut the research group into two in many questions, in which both groups were asked the same question with slightly different wording.

The provided substantial differences. When the question was about ‘ethnic Dutch and immigrants’ 50% of the respondents supported forced integration. Just 19% favored the multicultural model: it’s better to live apart peacefully.

But as soon as the same question is asked about ‘Muslims and non-Muslims’, the percentage of supporters of forced integration drops to 38%, and 36% prefer living peacefully apart. That last point of view is also held by more than half of GroenLinks (Greens) and PvdA (Labor) supporters.

This certainly doesn’t mean that Muslims can decide everything on their own. To the statement, “Muslims should decide on their own to which measure they want to integrate,” 82% answered “disagree”.

According to TNS NIPS, since 2006 the Netherlands has been moving unmistakeably in the direction that newcomers should adapt to Dutch culture. This trend is partially reflected in the electoral platforms of political parties.

About how to deal with the phenomenon of ‘black’ schools, the people are ‘extremely divided’. The opinion that fighting black and white schools is more important than freedom to choose your own school, is rejected by 42% of the people, but endorsed by 41%.

Similar discord can be seen in the statement that freedom of education stands in the way of integration. Agreement with the statement is much greater among liberal parties than among Christian parties.

The topic of integration and immigration, is for many Dutch 8th in the list of issues which play a role in their voting behavior. Health, social security and the economy are the top three. The issue is decisive when choosing a party only for PVV voters.

Twice as many Dutch are structurally negative about Muslims than are positive (31% vs. 15%). According to TNS NIPO this ratio has been stable for years. Half of the Dutch are neutral (52%).

Almost half of the Dutch (48%) say that the government should make family reunification more difficult, 26% disagree. The people are even more opposed to marriage immigration. Two thirds (65%) of the Dutch wants marriage immigration to be made more difficult, 16% disagree.

Source: Volkskrant (Dutch), h/t Euro-Islam.info

We know that the state we die in is the state we will be resurrected in for the Hereafter.  So if your last words were harsh profane ones right before a serious car accident then those would be the words you would be reciting as you are brought back to life.  Similarly, if you were in the state of Haraam or you were with people you would be embarrassed to be seen with, those are the people you would be raised amongst.

However, at the same time, if you died at Hajj or during some form of worship, that would be the beautiful state you would be resurrected in.  Similarly, if you were to die amongst people that are righteous and pious, you would be raised amongst them as well.  Therefore, it is extremely important that we always put ourselves in a state where we are surrounded by people we respect and honor with the hope that these are the type of people we would be raised up amongst.  Similarly, we should stop using any profane and ugly words so that we can train ourselves to have the last words off our tongues be, “La ilaha illa Allah.”  This is just a brief reminder to myself first and foremost and to anyone else who would like to read this.

Kamal el Mekki has some nice reflections in the following five minute video: