10 ways to make the best of the day of Arafat:

The best day of the entire year - The day of Arafat - is tomorrow (Fri 3rd October & Sat 4th for many).

What makes this day even more special is that it has fallen on the best day of the week - Jummah.

Therefore we cannot possibly afford to miss out on the immense rewards that are available on this special day.

This is a day where we can change our lives forever & get closer to Allah & gain forgiveness for an entire lifetime of sins:

The Prophet (SallAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is no day when Allah sets free more slaves from the Fire than the day of 'Arafat. He (Allaah) draws near, then He boasts about them before the Angels and says: 'What do these people want?'"(Muslim)

It is a day when the reward of good deeds are increased significantly. For eg. If there was a sale on where everything was buy 1 get 70 free you would see people queuing for miles and even trampling on each other to get such a deal. But in reality the day of Arafat is far more valuable than this. So we should grab as much as we can on this blessed day!

The following is a worship plan for the day of Arafat:

1. Intend to fast on this special day:

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah. He replied, "Fasting on the day of Arafat is an expiation (for sins) for the preceding year and the following year...[Muslim]

In Luton - Suhur ends:5:30 am
Iftar:6:35 pm

If you live outside Luton then please check your local Masjid timetables.

2. Prepare food for Suhur before sleeping and sleep early in order to awaken a little earlier for the Tahajjud prayer. Surely Allah listens to the prayers of those who ask of him in the depths of the night when most people are asleep.

Eat at Suhoor time as there is a blessing during this time even if it is a date and then pray Tahajjud & intense Dua until Fajr begins.

3. Pray the 5 prayers on time - In congregation at the Masjid for men.

4. Pray the 12 Rakah Sunnah's on this day (For a reward of a pallace in Jannah): ( 2 Rakah Sunnah - Fajr, 4 & 2 Rakah Sunnah - Dhuhur, 2 Rakah Sunnah - Maghrib & 2 Rakah Sunnah - Isha)

5. Pray as many Nawafil (Voluntary) prayers as possible on this day particularly Tahajjud which is the best Nawafil prayer - even if it is 2 Rakah just before Fajr begins, 2 - 8 Rakah Nawafil Salaatul Duha between 20 mins after sunrise until before Dhuhur begins, 2 Rakah Nawafil in Dhuhur, 2 Rakah Nawafil in Maghrib, 2 Rakah in Isha & 2 Rakah Nawafil in Isha. 2 Rakah Nawafil after every Wudu & 2 Rakah Nawafil whenever at the Masjid.

6. Constantly recite the following all day during this blessed day no matter what you are doing: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha ilallah. Make a target of how many you will recite like 1000 each etc and whilst reciting contemplate on the greatness of Allah.

7. Recite the Quran as much as possible. Make a target for yourself. Three Juz (chapter), two, one, half a Juz, or even a page.

8. Make as much Dua as possible on this blessed day:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The best du'aa is du'aa of the day of 'Arafah...(Tirmidhi)
Repent as much as you can and thank Allah. Ask of your hearts desires.

Make sure your free to make your special Duas 20-30 minutes before Fajr begins at 5:30 am & before the fast ends when Maghrib begins at 6:35 pm.

These are the times when Dua's are even more readily accepted. Especially the last hour before Maghrib begins on Jummah which has a special significance. So leave your most special Dua at this time.

9. Give as much Charity as you can on this day as much as you can afford - whether it is £1000, £500, £250 £100, £50, £25, £10 or whatever change you have. If you have not given Qurbani yet then there is no better time than on this blessed day:

You can give your Qurbani donations to charities like Ummah Welfare who have a 100% donation policy -
Www.uwt.org

10. Take every opportunity to do good deeds on this blessed day whether it is by serving your parents, being good to your neighbours, being the best towards other people no matter how they are towards you solely to please Allah.

Good manners & character are the heaviest on the good deed scales so be the best person you can be. Even a smile to your fellow Muslim or moving an object from the path is reward. Every act can be a reward with good intentions and sincerity.

Forward this to as many people as you can so all can benefit from this as it will be a great reward for anyone who acts upon this.

So let us make the best of this most blessed day. Remember there is no guarantee we will be alive tomorrow let alone next year. So if you want to make life changes and get closer to Allah then there is no better time to do so than now. Our enemy satan only wants us to keep putting off these changes until death takes us when it will be too late.

May Allah enable us to make the best of this blessed day and make it a means for us to change our lives for the better forever by making us fully immerse into the deen and to get closer to him. Ameen

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary has been released from police custody after being arrested on suspicion of being a member of a banned terrorist group.

He was one of nine men held on Thursday as part of a Met Police inquiry into Islamist-related terrorism.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29386983

The dates of the Blessed 10 days & nights of Dhul Hijjah 2014

Dhul Hijjah is the last month of the Islamic calendar and also the sacred month of Hajj. So blessed are the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah that according to a large group of commentators of the Qur’an, Allah swears by these 10 days in Surah Fajr:

 
Allah the Most High & Exalted says: By the Dawn; By the ten Nights; (89:1-2)

The Prophet (Sallahu Alaihi Wassalam) has said regarding these Blessed days:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days."The people asked , "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?" He said, "Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out, giving himself and his wealth up for the cause (of Allah), and came back with nothing." (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Many great scholars say that the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are even more superior than the days of Ramadan. It is clear then that these 10 days possess tremendous blessings and excellence.

Therefore we should spend these 10 blessed days & nights in intensive worship & virtuous acts. How can we possibly afford to miss out on such immense rewards for surely we would be of those in utter regret in the Hereafter!

The following are the dates of the blessed 10 days and nights of Dhul Hijjah 2014 are as follows:

 
The first of the 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah begin on Wednesday 24th September from Maghrib.

The first of the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah begin on Thursday 25th September from Fajr.

The day of Arafat – 9th*Dhul Hijjah – Friday the 3rd October, 2014

Eid Ul Adha – 10th*Dhul Hijjah – Saturday the 4th October, 2014

 
Refer to the following link in order to maximise these blessed 10 nights & days of this auspicious month:

 
4 Things to do to Maximise the Blessed 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah:

http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?378059-4-things-to-do-on-the-Blessed-10-Days-of-Dhul-Hijjah

Trojan Horse
 
Tahir Alam is allegedly the man behind a blueprint for the ‘Trojan Horse’ plot for the radical ‘Islamisation’ of secular state schools. An alleged plot to takeover some of Britain’s schools by Islamist extremists has been reportedly masterminded by a ringleader who had drafted a guide document on the process, a media report has said. Tahir Alam, chairman of governors at Park View school in Birmingham, is allegedly the man behind a blueprint for the so-called “Trojan Horse” plot for the radical “Islamisation” of secular state schools. He called for “girls [to] be covered except for their hands and faces”, advocated gender segregation in some school activities, and attacked a “multicultural approach” to collective worship, the Sunday Telegraph' reported. In his 72-page document, published by the Muslim Council of Britain in 2007, Tahir Alam and co-author Muhammad Abdul Bari categorically attacked many state schools for not being “receptive of legitimate and reasonable requests made by some Muslim parents and pupils in relation to their faith-based aspirations and concerns”. They described how Muslim governors could be activated to press the “views and aspirations of Muslim parents and the local community” on reluctant schools. Birmingham has a large Muslim population, nearly 22 per cent, according to the 2011 census. The “Trojan Horse” plot had come to light recently and involves the alleged takeover of secular state schools and the removal of secular head teachers in Birmingham by radical Muslim staff and governors
 
The man accused of being at the centre of the plot, Faisal Khan, has denied the allegations, saying his sole motive was to improve the standards at schools and that he had no wish to “Islamize” British schools. British authorities are now investigating the alleged plot. UK Education Secretary Michael Gove appointed Peter Clarke, former head of Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command, to lead the probe. The appointment of Clarke has faced criticism, with critics saying the move has resulted in rising fears over a possible government crackdown on Muslim communities in the UK. There are concerns that the plan could prevent ordinary Muslims from getting involved in their children’s schooling affairs for fear of being branded extremist.
 
“The idea that MCB document was a Communist or Trostkyite-type plot to takeover all Birmingham/UK schools is laughable. This feeds into a wider 'counter-jihadist' (Breivik, EDL, etc) narrative that Muslims want to "take over".
To describe the handbook as 'a document on manipulating teachers and curriculum' or 'a detailed blueprint for the radical "Islamisation" of secular state schools', as Sunday Telegraph says, is an insult to the many thousands of professionals and lay people who have been involved over the last ten years in the massive improvements in the educational achievement of young Muslim people.
There is a level of hysteria building which is not justified, we need to take the temperature down and politicians must not play with these issues or else face a potential backlash, possibly in community cohesion."
Abdul Bari

The whole saga is outrageous, beyond belief and frankly if it was not so serious, it would be comical. The documents on which this whole action is perused is false and as there is no proof of extremism in schools, Mr Gove has made it illegal for Muslims to have conservative views (coming from a minister of conservative government, its comical really). Feel like we are back in the fifties in the USA again. Michael Gove is an avowed Zionist which is not the best way to approach issues like this! Because it can lead greater attacks on Islam. It amazes me that on the basis of an anonymous letter the whole country has been lead to believe that there is an organised plot to somehow take over schools, now allegedly across the length and breadth of Britain! Furthermore the amount of coverage that this has received from the media as being a credible story, to me, suggests the level of Islamophobia in our society has reached alarming and dangerous heights. I would suggest that for the sake of fairness, equality and justice all schools are subject to the same level of scrutiny. For example Christian, C-of-E, Jewish and Hindu, Sikh schools. I believe that this not only a witch hunt but a move to tarnish and undermine the credibility of Muslims in general and the noble teachings of a widely practiced and rapidly growing religion which a people devotedly choose to follow. Islamophobia should be stopped - especially when the racist is a government minister or department. you must share this island with many people, why does it belong to one people? Grammar schools regularly carry out gender segregation, shall we remove those Head teachers too. 

 The horse in question, it is alleged, contained Muslim extremism – brought to state schools by stealth, by governor bodies launching subtle pincer movements, to remove the kind of pesky teachers who might object to the segregation of pupils by sex, or a refusal to stick to the syllabus. How incredibly extremist. Schools where segregation of pupils by sex occur. How different from boy's only Grammar schools and High schools for Girls that exist in predominately Conservative areas. And that exist predominately in the private school sector. It does though surely produce better exam results, as pupils are less influenced by the idea of 'girl's subjects' and 'boy's subjects', and are less likely to be distracted by sex. Allegations of an Islamic takeover plot of Birmingham schools are just the latest in a string of slurs against Muslims. It is not clear what is meant by an "Islamic plot takeover", and whether that is the same thing as saying or hinting that some Muslims might want to get some schools to adopt their particular version of Islamic religious values, behaviours and life-styles. If it is the latter, that would not necessarily be an indication of "terrorism", so I struggle to see the need for 'counter-terrorism' input. It is not terrorism in any way shape or form. It is important to remember this is not about Islam as such but yet another chance to bash people perceived as foreigners. To many Muslim is another word for immigrant and coloured person, two terrible bugbears. Why should an unnamed, undated, unspecific source has effected students, teachers, governors, parents in one swoop. It has serious implications on unfounded accusations for hundreds of people. In no way shape or form is this right, nor should have it EVER happened. Just by a anonymous letter how can you judge the schools and it is bringing such bad vibe to Birmingham schools and local Muslim community we feel like we're targets no matter how hard we try we will never please and move forward from the terrorist labelling. I am disgusted at the way these particular schools and governors were targeted for no reason other than being Muslim. No solid evidence wa available to substantiate these accusations which arose and yet such great weight and focus was attached to them. Morally unjust and utterly unacceptable. The Trojan Horse document was clearly written by someone who knows little about Birmingham and even less about Islam. It has chimed, however, with widespread Islamophobic fantasies and fears amongst non-Muslims, and as a result of unethical reporting in the media has done much damage.
 
On the one hand we get told we are not integrating enough and we should engage more in civic society. On the other, when we do, we get accused of having sinister agendas. Since when do concerns by religiously conservative parents about teaching on homosexuality, girls and boys mixing, and the reciting of prayers, require anti-terrorist experts to get involved? Allegations of an Islamic takeover plot in Birmingham schools aren't justified by the evidence – and the government response is way out of proportion. Perhaps its best to let the Muslim community sort these issues out. These are in effect Muslim schools now. It is up to the Muslim community to see off hard liners (if there are any) otherwise it is their own children's' education that will suffer. I think it would be very difficult for non Muslims to get involved either as governors or management so perhaps that it is one of the reasons for the conflicts that have arisen. It may be best for the Government to but out providing the record of the school is O.K. from an exam point of view. I am so disgusted that even after it was proved there is no factual evidence or basis for that racist and hate filled document, schools in Birmingham are being subjected to this horrific ordeal and the name of many good reputable teachers is being tarnished... Why? Clearly viewable that this accusation has been purposely placed on these schools which surprisingly consists of majority Muslim children. Clearly the school policies are being contradicted by Mr Gove as they clearly state that it is the schools priority and job to meet the needs of the local community and of the students within the school. So if a school is doing that then what is the issue? What is happening feels like the persecution of a religious group. This is important because the wit hunt feeds Islamophobia. As we can see from the bombings and arson attacks on mosques in the UK, Islamophobia is a very dangerous and divisive form of racism. I'm sick of this hatred of Islam and Muslims. Haters, ignorant scum, look for any means to target Muslims, now even in our schools. It's a joke and this has to stop. How hypocritical does a country have to be to illegally invade Muslim countries and then accuse Muslims of terrorism? I am a Muslim. I am an anti-terrorist.
  
I never realised how racist and anti-Islamic this country is until I moved here. These people are here legally and have the right to live how they want to. Just because there are terrorists who use Islam as a doctrine to justify their hateful acts, does NOT mean that every Islam wants to change Britain to Sharia Law, kill the gays and put all women in burkas! These people are being judged and punished for the actions of others that have nothing to do with them, simply because they are of the same religion. Do you judge Germans in the same way because their country committed genocide? Or the Irish if they are from an area where religious conflict was particularly violent? No. Seems like thinly veiled racism to me, not the 'staunch upholding of British rights against religious extremists' as you all seem to espouse. What do people mean when they talk about 'multiculturalism'? If a lot of people come from a foreign country and settle in a particular area they will bring the culture of that country with them. Of course they will want their schools to promote their values. Gender segregation is everywhere in the Muslim world including in EU applicant, Turkey, so either we believe in Britain as multicultural or we don't. You don't get to pick and choose the bits you want. Why not sit down with parents and listen to their concerns, instead of ordering an investigation? Shocked at this terrifying witch hunt against Muslims who are simply trying to raise standards. Its totally unacceptable to create a furore in the country over anonymous accusations with no proof. Because it is a divisive move and will affect community relations. This is the very reason why society does not function properly, this is a deliberate attempt to spread fear amongst communities, as the best way to control a nation is through fear itself. because this is NOT ,,I repeat is NOT an Islamic plot to take over Birmingham, so DO NOT put false information in the media to put Muslims down!!!!! What next.....Muslims taking over hospitals, banks, pubs....come on... Tomorrow, a Pakistani MP would become the PM of GB and this does not mean that the country has become a colony of Pakistan. 
 
What's taking place is an absolute disgrace. This whole witch hunt is putting Muslims off from becoming governors at a time when it is need the most. Why should Muslim parents be targeted when all they want at the end of the day is a good all round education for their children. Before Muslims governors came on to the scene all the inner city schools were doing poorly and failing all the children of the school. Muslim parents were criticised for their lack of involvement in their children's schools. Now they are being vilified. It is an absolute disgrace that an ex anti terrorist police office has been brought in to investigate the situation. It stinks of racism and the desire to label all Muslims into the category of extremist and jihadist. What a disgrace by the national and the local government. It's wrong for Gove to be deliberately politicising our Education system. All our children deserve respect and not to be scapegoated. What a total waste of tax payers money and tactical manoeuvre by Michael Gove to divert attention away from the real issues. Gove’s war is designed to destabilise governing bodies where Muslims form a majority. Don't want us to be part of 'big society'?  We totally reject the idea that there is Muslim plot to take over Birmingham schools. We abhor the scapegoating of the Muslim community being whipped up by the media. We call for the removal of Peter Clarke as we believe this is a provocative appointment, designed to divide our community. I don't believe that there is an Islamic Plot to take over Birmingham schools. It's a set-up. Anonymous complaints have been used in the past to hound good head teachers of community schools out of their jobs in order to facilitate the creation of academies. This whole story smells of falsification and corruption. I suspect that the people wishing to take over schools are not Islamic extremists, but Academy Chains with business interests. A shamefully irresponsible and sensationalised inquiry whose adverse impact on community relations locally and nationally will sadly be lingering long and far.
 
If British authorities are so concerned about their education institutions being infiltrated by ``extremists'' then I suggest they stop Tony Blair, architect in chief of the illegal and violent 2003 Iraq invasion from speaking at colleges and universities across the UK and the world. His lies and fabrications caused the deaths, directly and indirectly, of thousands of Iraqis, British and Americans. While the survivors of his wars suffer in silence, this former British Prime Minister makes millions through his speaking engagements at educational institutions across the world with little or no sign of remorse for the suffering he caused. Nothing I see in the above articles suggests the British Muslim educators in question did anything illegal, let alone anywhere as remotely destructive as the twice elected British Prime Minister. Britain's interests would be served better if they questioned their own domestic and overseas policies instead of perennially whining on about ``extremist'' from their (mostly) law abiding immigrant communities.
 
There are a total of 21300 Primary and 3900 Secondary schools in the UK. Finding that 6 out of these 25200 had board members who wanted to push their extremist views over the governance of those school is not a Islamic Plot or Trojan Horse to Islamises UK. This is a massive overreaction and the Islamophobia on display in the comments is more terrifying than the actual case itself. Stop the racist witch hunt in Birmingham schools. We Muslims have a right to our religion. I decry everything which denigrates Muslims in this country. The media and governmental attitudes and actions, inflame prejudice and ignorance. We want the best for our children and such baseless witch hunt of school governors does not help the cause of better education.
 
Stop this hate against Muslims. It is not them who are terrorists , but all those who imply they are with the help of media you try bringing others to your side giving false details - twin towers wasn't Muslim either - that was the Americans - you will not win as Islam Will forever grow and prove it is peaceful through the will of God (Allah SWT)... amen. This is undermining confidence in the Muslim community and increasing Islamophobia. This is another example of the media whipping up hysteria against the UK Muslim community.  The way our Govt treating British Muslims is as if all Muslims are terrorists unless they prove otherwise. Govt should focus on its job. Governors of this school worked hard to help a failing school achieve outstanding rating from Ofsted. Please fix Ofsted and stop demonising Muslims. Nick Clegg on LBC radio indicated that the DFE is full of right wing ideologues and extremist loons. Islamic schools protect Muslim children from the onslaught of Euro centrism, homosexuality, racism, and secular traditions. All education systems appear to be indoctrination systems. I went to a good private school. Guess how we were 'encouraged' to think about politics! Having a Muslim name in UK is a crime. All UK job application forms have sections ask your race and religions. Most UK employers simply reject your applications just by looking at this section.
 
Native Brits must learn to respect and tolerate those who are different. The needs and demands of the Muslim community are different from those of natives. Muslims are in Britain not to give up their cultural heritage. They must integrate in their new home country, learn new languages and apply for political representation -- without forgetting their cultural heritage. It is important to learn Standard English, but their  languages should not be neglected. They need Masajid and grave yards. Muslim children not only need halal meat or Eid Holidays but they need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their development period also. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school.

A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. The whole world belongs to Muslims. He/she must learn and be well versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time, he/she must learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. For a Muslim English is an economic language and Arabic is a religious while Urdu and other community languages are their social and emotional languages.

Muslim children not only need halal meat or Eid Holidays but they need state funded Muslim schools with Muslim teachers as role models during their development period also. There is no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. Legally, the state has an obligation to respect the rights of parents to ensure that 'education and teaching(of their children) is in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.' The schools must satisfy the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural needs of Muslim pupils. State schools with non-Muslim monolingual teachers are not in a position to satisfy their needs. A good school is not just a knowledge factory or a conveyor belt for churning out exam passes - it is a community, a family. A community is held together by common values and principles.
Iftikhar Ahmad
London School of Islamics Trust
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk
 

When the bodies of three Israeli teenagers, kidnapped in the West Bank, were found late last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not mince words. "Hamas is responsible, and Hamas will pay," he said, initiating a campaign that eventually escalated into the present conflict in the region. 

But now, officials admit the kidnappings were not Hamas's handiwork after all. 

Non-plagiarizing BuzzFeed writer Sheera Frenkel was among the first to suggest that it was unlikely that Hamas was behind the deaths of Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach. Citing Palestinian sources and experts the field, Frenkel reported that kidnapping three Israeli teens would be a foolish move for Hamas. International experts told her it was likely the work of a local group, acting without concern for the repercussions: 

[Gershon Baskin] pointed out that Hamas has earlier this month signed an agreement to form a unity government with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, bridging, for the first time in seven years, the Palestinian leadership in the West Bank and Gaza.

“They will lose their reconciliation agreement with Abbas if they do take responsibility for [the kidnappings],” Baskin added.

Today, she was proven right.

Read more

Take the test then share your results.

As academics, public figures and activists witnessing the intended genocide of 1.8 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, we call for a ceasefire with Israel only if conditioned on an end to the blockade and the restoration of basic freedoms that have been denied to the people for more than seven years.

Our foremost concerns are not only the health and safety of the people in our communities, but also the quality of their lives – their ability to live free of fear of imprisonment without due process, to support their families through gainful employment, and to travel to visit their relatives and further their education.

These are fundamental human aspirations that have been severely limited for the Palestinian people for more than 47 years, but that have been particularly deprived from residents of Gaza since 2007. We have been pushed beyond the limits of what a normal person can be expected to endure.

A living death

Charges in the media and by politicians of various stripes that accuse Hamas of ordering Gaza residents to resist evacuation orders, and thus use them as human shields, are untrue. With temporary shelters full and the indiscriminate Israeli shelling, there is literally no place that is safe in Gaza.

Likewise, Hamas represented the sentiment of the vast majority of residents when it rejected the unilateral ceasefire proposed by Egypt and Israel without consulting anyone in Gaza. We share the broadly held public sentiment that it is unacceptable to merely return to the status quo – in which Israel strictly limits travel in and out of the Gaza Strip, controls the supplies that come in (including a ban on most construction materials), and prohibits virtually all exports, thus crippling the economy and triggering one of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the Arab world.

To do so would mean a return to a living death.

Unfortunately, past experience has shown that the Israeli government repeatedly reneges on promises for further negotiations, as well as on its commitments to reform.

Likewise, the international community has demonstrated no political will to enforce these pledges. Therefore, we call for a ceasefire only when negotiated conditions result in the following:

Freedom of movement of Palestinians in and out of the Gaza Strip.
Unlimited import and export of supplies and goods, including by land, sea and air.
Unrestricted use of the Gaza seaport.
Monitoring and enforcement of these agreements by a body appointed by the United Nations, with appropriate security measures.

Each of these expectations is taken for granted by most countries, and it is time for the Palestinians of Gaza to be accorded the human rights they deserve.

Signatures:

• Akram Habeeb, Assistant Professor of American Literature, Islamic University of Gaza (IUG)
• Mona El-Farra, Vice President and Health Chair of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society
• Ramy Abdu PhD, Chairman of the Euro-mid Observer
• Abdullah Alsaafin, Palestinian Writer/journalist
• Ali Alnazli, Businessman
• Adel Awadallah, Head of the Scientific Research Council
• Hanine Hassan, Graduate Research Assistant
• Sheren Awad, Journalist
• Yahia Al-Sarraj, Associate Professor of Transportation, IUG
• Tawfik Abu Shomar, Writer and political analyst
• Hasan Owda, Businessman
• Ibrahim AlYazji, Businessman
• Walid Al Husari, Chair, Gaza Chamber of Commerce
• Nael Almasri, Dentist
• Wael El-Mabhouh, Political researcher
• Rami Jundi, Political researcher
• Ashraf Mashharawi, Filmmaker
• Mohammad Alsawaf, Journalist
• Hasan Abdo, Writer and political analyst
• Kamal El Shaer, Political researcher
• Omar Ferwana, Dean of Medicine Faculty, IUG
• Iyad I. Al-Qarra, Journalist, Palestine newspaper
• Musheir El-Farra, Palestinian activist and author
• Khalil Namrouti, Associate Professor in Economics, IUG
• Moein Rajab, Professor in Economics, Al-Azhar University - Gaza
• Basil Nasser, Planning advisor
• Hani Albasoos, Associate Professor in Political Science, IUG
• Arafat Hilles, Assistant Professor, Al-Quds Open University
• Imad Falouji, Head of Adam Center for Dialogue of Civilizations
• Moin Naim, Writer and political analyst
• Yousri Alghoul, Author
• Mohammad Jayyab, Editor of Gaza Journal of Economics
• Mousa Lubbad, Lecturer in Finance, Al-Aqsa University
• Iskandar Nashwan, Assistant Professor in Accounting, Al-Aqsa University
• Shadi AlBarqouni, Graduate Research Assistant
• Adnan Abu Amer, Head of Political Department, Al-Umma University
• Wael Al Sarraj, Assistant Professor in Computer Science, IUG
• Said Namrouti, Lecturer in Human Resource Management, IUG
• Khaled Al-Hallaq, Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering, IUG
• Asad Asad, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs, IUG
• Hazem Alhusari, Lecturer in Finance, Al-Aqsa University
• Shadi AlBarqouni, Graduate Research Assistant
• Deya’a Kahlout, Journalist, Al-Araby newspaper
• Raed Salha, Assistant Professor in Geography, IUG
• Sameeh Alhadad, Businessman
• Tarek M. Eslim, CEO, Altariq Systems and Projects
• Sami Almalfouh PhD, Senior engineer
• Fayed Abushammalah, Journalist
• Fadel Naeim, Chairman of Palestine Physicians Syndicate
• Zeyad Al-Sahhar, Associate Professor in Physics , Al-Aqsa University
• Iyad Abu Hjayer, Director, Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution
• Wael Al-Daya, Associate Professor in Finance, IUG
• Younis Eljarou, Head of the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip
• Donia ElAmal Ismail, Head of the Creative Women Association
• Zeinab Alghonemi, Head of Women for Legal Consulting Association
• Amjad AlShawa, Palestinian Nongovernmental Organizations Network (PNGO)
• Mohsen Abo Ramadan, Head of Palestinian Nongovernmental Organziations Network (PNGO)
• Abed Alhameed Mortaja, Assistant Professor of Linguistics, IUG
• Talal Abo Shawesh , Head of Afaq Jadeeda Association
• Zohair Barzaq, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip
• Marwan Alsabh, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip
• Ghassan Matar, Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip
• Rania Lozon, Writer
• Ashraf Saqer, IT Specialist
• Samir AlMishal, Mishal Cultural Centre
• Jamila Sarhan, Independant Commission for Human Rights
• Jalal Arafat, Union of Agricultrual Work Committees
• Khalil Abu Shammala, Aldameer Association for Human Rights
• Jamila Dalloul, Association Head of Jothor ElZaiton
• Maha Abo Zour, Psychologist
• Psychologist Ferdous Alkatari
• Yousef Awadallah, Health Work Committee
• Yousef Alswaiti, Al-Awda Hospital Director
• Taysir Alsoltan, Head of Health Work Committees
• Taghreed Jomaa, Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees
• Imad Ifranji, Journalist, Alquds TV
• Jehal Alaklouk, Activist
• Adel Alborbar, Boycott Committee
• Hatem AbuShaban, Board of Trustees of Al-Azhar University - Gaza
• Saleh Zaqout, Secretary of the Red Crescent Society for the Gaza Strip
• Mohammed Alsaqqa, Lawyer
• Nihad Alsheikh Khalil, Professor of Modern and Contemporary History, IUG
• Mohsen Alafranji, Lecturer at Media Department, IUG
• Nedal Farid, Dean of Business Faculty, Al-Aqsa University
• Salem Helles, Dean of Commerce Faculty, IUG
• Ahmad Ali PhD, Economic Analysis
• Raed M. Zourob PhD, Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health
• Mosheer Amer, Professor of Lingusitics, IUG
• Moheeb Abu Alqumboz, Lecturer
• Fatma Mukhalalati, Supreme Court judge
• Fahmi Alnajjar, Supreme Court judge

Taken from: Electronic Intifada

Do You Want To See Allah? ᴴᴰ - Amazing Ramadan Reminder

http://youtu.be/2sINPMvdfQE

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lashed out at the United Nations and Muslim countries for not taking action to stop a deadly Israeli aerial campaign targeting Gaza, which he said has amounted to “systematic genocide.”

During a speech in front of Muslim scholars attending a meeting in İstanbul, the prime minister accused the UN of “serving a secret cause” and lambasted the Muslim world for not working to stop the killings in Gaza because what happens there has nothing to do with the Sunni-Shiite conflict.

“Muslim world, where are you? Is your heart not aching over what is happening? We keep asking why the West is silent. Leave the West aside! Will others be concerned if your own family [of Muslim nations] does not care?” he asked at the meeting organized by Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate.

Erdoğan also claimed that there are Muslim countries that are “pleased” with what is happening regarding the Palestinian issue, without elaborating or naming any such country.

“Since what is unfolding in Palestine is not a sectarian conflict, since it is not a Sunni-Shiite clash, unfortunately, this means it does not get the attention of the Islamic world,” he said.

At least 224 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the course of Israeli air strikes targeting Gaza, which began 10 days ago.

“This is not the first time we are witnessing this. Since 1948, we have been witnessing systematic attempts at genocide [in Palestinian territories], especially during [the holy month of] Ramadan,” he said.

Erdoğan, who earlier blamed the UN for the Palestinian casualties, this time said the world body was doing nothing to achieve its stated goal of maintaining peace. He accused it of serving a “secret cause,” which he did not disclose.

“What was the UN established for? For world peace. Is this what it is doing? Is it making any contribution to world peace? What is it good for? It is only serving their secret cause,” he said, without explaining whom he was referring to.

He also said the UN is not “built to serve peace” because there is no Muslim country sitting in the 15-nation UN Security Council.

Source

I was actually waiting for this to happen - For a somewhat brave and courageous leader to speak up and address this "lack of concern and action". If anyone knows what their responses were, if any, please share them. I have always loved Turkey and Turkish people.