The Independent 10 October 2001

Messrs Bush and Blair may tell the world they are going to win the "war against terrorism" but in the Middle East, where Osama bin Laden is acquiring almost mythic status among Arabs, they have already lost.

Whether it be a Lebanese minister, a Saudi journalist, a Jordanian bank clerk or an Egyptian resident, the response is always the same: Mr bin Laden's voice, repeatedly beamed into millions of homes, articulates the demands and grievances - and fury - of Middle East Muslims who have seen their pro-Western presidents and kings and princes wriggling out of any serious criticism of the Anglo-American bombardment of Afghanistan.

Hamza Yusuf is arguably the west's most influential Islamic scholar. Many Muslims find his views hard to stomach, but he is advising the White House on the current crisis, and today he will be talking to religious leaders in the UK. Jack O'Sullivan meets him

Monday 8 October 2001, The Guardian

A few days ago, for reasons that remain rather unclear, the FBI decided to pay a call on the home of Hamza Yusuf. "He isn't home," said his wife. "He's with the president." The FBI agents did not seem to believe her; they called the White House to check. "He's got 100% security clearance," said the voice at the other end. The FBI agents did not return.

Occupied Jerusalem: 8 October, 2001

While denouncing the 11 September terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the vast bulk of Palestinians seems squarely opposed to the Anglo-American aerial and missile bombings of Afghanistan, a Muslim country.

"It is a shame to see the world's richest and most powerful country gleefully bullying the world's poorest and decimated country," said Sheikh Hasan Yousef, an Islamist spokesman in Ramallah.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, 7 October 2001 (InfoTimes): Afghanistan's Ambassador to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef said on Sunday the U.S. and British military attack on Afghanistan, which took place Sunday night at about 9 p.m. (12:30 p.m. EDT), on 7 October 2001, is a "terrorist attack" against Islam, all Muslims, all Arabs and the innocent children, women and men of Afghanistan, according to the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

"This attack by America is a terrorist act," AIP quoted Zaeef as saying.

Muslim Leaders Struggle With Mixed Messages

By Hanna Rosin and John Mintz, Washington Post Staff Writers, Tuesday, 2 October 2001; Page A16

On Sept. 20, FBI agents showed up at the house of Hamza Yusuf, a Muslim teacher and speaker in Northern California. They wanted to question him about a speech he had given two days before the Sept. 11 attacks, in which he said that the U.S. "stands condemned" and that "this country has a great, great tribulation coming to it."

"He's not home," his wife said. "He's with the president."

BY Karen Armstrong

Time Magazine, October 1, 2001 Vol. 158 No. 15

There are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world, and Islam is the world's fastest-growing religion. If the evil carnage we witnessed on Sept. 11 were typical of the faith, and Islam truly inspired and justified such violence, its growth and the increasing presence of Muslims in both Europe and the U.S. would be a terrifying prospect. Fortunately, this is not the case.

There are 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. Yep…that means 1 in every 5 person in the world is a Muslim. Did you know that??

And guess what…. Islam is the fastest growing faith in the world (1) but why is it that Islam is the most misunderstood faith today?

Now, when you mention the word Islam today…after the chap has recovered from a nervous breakdown, the first thing that pops in his head is that '…oh yeah…that's that "paki-religion" innit… those dodgy looking blokes with long beards hijacking planes, blowing up buildings and chopping peoples hands….'.

Before you know it the word 'terrorist' and 'backward' will come to mind, women chained to the kitchen sink, guys with many wives and 'they hate Jesus' will be their idea of Islam.

How smart are you really?

p>The Sub-editor of The Revival - Br. Saqib Ilyas- attended the Rihla Deen intensive course that was held in July at the Zaytuna Institute in California (USA), founded by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. Here's his personal account, check it out:

The 3-week course was based on the theme of "Unity through Diversity" where talks concentrated on matters of Fiqh (Jurispudence), unity through our diverse ways and simply on the importance of understanding and learning Traditional Islam.

The course attracted several hundred dedicated brothers and sisters from all corners of the world bringing together people of all colours, races and cultures under the banner of Islam.

Whether you are a Muslim or not you have to admire and appreciate what Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has given to mankind. Let's see what the non-Muslims have to say about him:

Michael H Hart.

'The 100: A Ranking of the most influential Persons in History'. New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc. 1978:

'My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.'

Encyclopaedia Britannica.

11th Edition: 'Muhammad was the most successful of all religious personalities.'