The High Court has dismissed a challenge to laws that require immigrant spouses to be able to speak English in order to live in the UK.

Three couples had challenged the rules which were introduced in November 2010.

But Mr Justice Beatson ruled the new language test was not a disproportionate interference with the couples' right to family life.

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the ruling would affect many UK citizens

But Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "We believe it is entirely reasonable that someone intending to live in the UK should understand English, so that they can integrate and participate fully in our society.

"We are very pleased that the courts agree with us."

America is officially ended its "war operations" in Iraq with a flag ceremony.

They make it look so dignified, as if a lot of what they did there can be whitewashed and ignored.

Unforetunately we cant do anything about what has happened but we can remember.

Hotter Than a Pile of Curry has reminded me about Fallujah and what happened there.

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4j50ghDeKA]

An Afghan woman jailed for adultery after being raped has told the BBC she is willing to wed her attacker if he finds a wife for one of her brothers.

The relative who raped her is still in prison

While Gulnaz does not necessarily want to marry the man who raped her, our correspondent says, it may be the only way to stop the families becoming enemies.

She said that she would do so for the good of her family's name.
If he can't find a wife for my brothers, I'm not crazy about marrying him.

Gulnaz said that the rapist - who is her cousin's husband - would also have to pay her brothers 1m Afghanis ($20,700/£13,300).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16201956

The Quran at Surah 29, Aya 27, admits that prophet Mohammad (PBHU) could not be a prophet since it stipulates that prophets will come in the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mohammad (PBUH), according to Muslims, came in the line of Ishmael, which means he could not be a prophet and Mohammad was not related to Ishmael.

Also, Genesis 17:21-22, says God made a covenant with Isaac, NOT Ishmael. Deuteronomy 18:18 states that only a "brethren" of the Israelites, as in a fellow Israelite, could be the prophet.

Simon Sebag Montefiore continues his history of Jerusalem by discovering the impact of Islam and the crusaders' attempt to win it back for Christianity.

Anyone watching this ?, it seems to contain many discrepancies.

David Cameron says he is determined to "get to grips" with tackling England's most troubled families by pledging a network of troubleshooters.

The government will provide £448m - but councils must provide 60% of funding.

Labour say ministers have cut Family Intervention Projects and the work councils had been doing on the issue.

Mr Cameron has promised to turn around the lives of 120,000 families by 2015.

Ministers say troubled families are costing the state an estimated £9bn a year in terms of spending on the NHS, the police and social services.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16187500

Dammaj a city located in Yemen and more particularly a school there is under siege by a group called Houthis. and well.. looks like hardcore fighting so just wanted to ask people to make duah coz brothers defending the place are getting killed.

the school is international and it accepts families and stuff so there's children in there as well as young people from all over the world.

i cant seem to be able to find any current current news. All ive got is dating back to late nov/early december. but please do rememember our brothers and sisters in your duahs.

http://maldivesbest.com/darul-hadeeth-of-dammaj-under-severe-siege-by-ho... nice article. not sure if bias.

There are at least 5,000 to 8,000 cases of forced marriage in England every year but it is impossible to know the full scale of the problem, according to the Home Office.

The estimate is contained in the official consultation paper published on Monday on whether making forced marriage a specific criminal offence will help better protect victims.

Read more @ The Guardian

Dec 23, 2011: 7pm to10pm (Open to the community)

Edmonton Islamic Center (EIC) Al-Masjid
20-34 Raynham Road
Upper Edmonton, London, N18 2SJ

For the Muslim, the Qur’an is not only a book to be understood but also a book to be appreciated. Its language has awed scholars for centuries and yet most only get exposed to it in translation through which most if not all of its incredibly beauty fades. This seminar unveils for English speaking audiences the mystery of why the Arabic of the Qur’an is divinely beautiful.

This class is an enriching experience for every Muslim, and provides motivation to further one’s connection with the Glorious book of Allah and gain a deeper appreciation for its magnificent beauty.

A 71-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to stealing flowers from a child's grave in an east London cemetery.

Berta Manzanero, of Green Lane, Dagenham, admitted stealing four flower pots from Rippleside Cemetery, Barking, in November. She has been fined £300.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16112754