What do people think of George Galloway? A hero who never fears to speak up for those in Palestine, Iraq and elsewhere? A man who challenges the U.S on it's illegal wars? Or a man who is using the Asian/Muslim card to get in power? Or someone who speaks first and then thinks as he did about womens consent for sex? What does George Galloway mean to you?

What does Islam mean to you?
Just a religion you were born into? A way of life that gives you your purpose in life and peace of mind? A religion that is strict and takes all the fun away? A faith that keeps you on the right track? A religion you are embarassed to be associated with? Or a Deen you try to live and spread passionately?
So what is Islam to you?

As you may have already heard - during a recent marathon in Boston, two bombs exploded causing havoc which lead to the injury of more than 170 people and the death of three.The suspected bombers are two Chechnyan brothers. One a 26 year old, amateur boxer who describes himself as a 'very religious' non-drinker and non smoker. During a stand off he was shot.

The other is a 19 year old, who according to his father, was awarded a scholarship to pursue further education in order to become a brain surgeon. During a manhunt he was found hiding in a boat in a homeowner's backyard. Afterall, you can run but you can't hide.   

With links now being made to their origins and to Islam, Amercian Muslims may face a backlash due the bombers sharing the same faith as them. A 10 year old child went to his Ohio school and was surprised by a question from a classmate when having a discussion regarding the explosions. The classmate asked: 'Does that mean Yusef is going to blow up the school?'

A confused Yusef, whose family asked that his last name not be used, says he repeated the classmate's question. But the teacher apparently only heard Yusef's end of the exchange, a misunderstanding that resulted in detention and having his locker searched.

So how will you be reacting? Do you think that once again, you'll be stereotyped by the doings of certain individuals? Should we continue to hold press conferences and apologise to the world on their behalf and remind the world that not all Muslims are terrorists or do we dismiss the situation and mention the many examples of Muslims suffering at the hands of America and Western countries?

Share your thoughts.

I know there have been previous topics about this already, like the one I read http://www.therevival.co.uk/forum/general/1312?page=3 BUT it still doesn't answer the question.

1. WHY is it unlawful? 

2. What if you shake hands with the right intention without fear of 'temptation'?

3. If you do it cause you have 'no choice', is it still a sin? I don't mean the other person taking offence, but for the sake of remaining professional and having manners. 

I come across http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies/faqs-and-fatwas/shaking-hands-w… and read what it says but it still doesn't clarify anything for sure. I've come across situations like this so many times, and whenever I see people who make a big deal out of such stuff, it makes me think twice about whether its right or not.. so I thought there should be a strong hadith somewhere claiming its disliked? But what if its just a spur of the moment thing and you don't think about the 'effect' of the handshake? And then I read somewhere else that if you're put in a situation where someone stretches out their hand you're allowed? Its just something people do out of formality and respect, otherwise that would mean you can't shake hands with your colleagues, boss or even teachers? If its islamically wrong, that would make it haraam which means its a sin all this time? Argh! 

Making this topic was a last resort, so once I have my answer it can be deleted straight away, since there already is one about the same thing. I honestly don't get it and rather find out than to feel bad later on. So please someone (kindly) put me out my misery. 

IS IT ALLOWED OR NOT?!??!!! 

((Thankyou))

Halal 'pub' keeps with changing times

A SWIFT drink down the local has taken on a new twist – at what is thought to be the country’s first Islamic ‘pub’. Reminiscent of the 19th century temperance bars, the Halal Inn, on Featherstall Road, is a public house which has most of the trappings of a traditional British hostelry, but is missing what many would think is the key ingredient – alcohol!

Owner Azizur Rahman and business partner Muzahid Khan spotted a gap in the market and came up with the idea to provide an alternative social gathering place for local Muslims. Mr Khan explained: "It’s a gathering place for people who abide by strict Islamic rulings and don’t like going to places where they serve alcohol. "What we’ve done is turn the bar into a soft drink and juice bar, with snooker tables, darts, karam boards and nasheeds (Islamic songs) in the background. "As a non-alcoholic venue it will appeal to Muslims more, but it is essentially for people from all backgrounds."

The building, formerly the Westwood Inn, also includes a restaurant serving daily specials, a prayer room, study room, business lounge and steam room. The drinking hole with a difference opened its doors in December and has been growing in popularity. "Halal Inn is a name which most people find intriguing," said Mr Khan. "There was a lot of conversations in the community about the whole concept and a lot of people were wanting to know more about it. We got a lot of word of mouth publicity and have even had visits from people from Birmingham and London wanting information on recreating the brand.

"It’s an alternative to your normal inn – a pub essentially means a place where people procure alcohol, but that’s what we’re trying to get away from. "Throughout the world there has been a whole movement about the word halal and products that are branded as halal. Muslims are a major consumer group. "Because of all this going on we thought that in Oldham we should have a brand of our own. It was easy to replace the word Westwood with Halal. It makes perfect sense." The venue, which opens from 4.30pm to 11.30pm, will also host a monthly Islamic quiz night and has created a snooker and karam league.

Taken from:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/halal-pub-keeps-…

#SNM. #SMH.

British taxpayers can well “afford” to contribute to the estimated £10 million cost of Baroness Thatcher's funeral, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said this morning, as MPs and peers gathered to debate her legacy.

Both Houses of Parliament will meet this afternoon in special session to allow tributes to be paid to the former prime minister.

MPs that were abroad at the time of her death and wanted to attend will be able to claim up to £3,750 to reimburse the cost of flying back.

But Mr Hague, who was backed by Baroness Thatcher when he ran successfully for the party leadership in 1997, said the cost of funeral arrangements and other associated expenses were entirely appropriate considering what the former prime minister had contributed to Britain.

Speaking on BBC One's Breakfast programme, Mr Hague said: “It's right Parliament meets and commemorates such a leader of historic proportions in our country's history.

“She changed the course of our history and there have been many comments over the last few days from all corners of the political spectrum.

“When it comes to money, the rebate she negotiated for this country from the EU has brought us so far £75bn - which is twice the size of our annual defence budget.

“I think that puts money in perspective... so I think we can afford to contribute to a funeral.”

Full story: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/taxpayers-can-well-afford…

Children and young people in the UK are facing a bleaker future under the coalition government than they did under Labour, according tochildren's charity Unicef.

In what amounts to a direct challenge to the government's austerity agenda and widespread tightening of access to benefits, Unicef ranks the UK 16th out of 29 developed countries for overall wellbeing – and warns that teenagers' prospects trail behind their counterparts in many European countries, including Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

Continuing high rates of teenage pregnancy, relatively low levels of young people in education, employment or training and problems of alcohol abuse in young teens push the UK down the international league table.

Unicef said the situation facing young people in Britain is "expected to worsen" as a result of government policies, and it warns that "since 2010 the downgrading of youth policy and cuts to local government services are having a profound negative effect on young people".

Unicef says although the picture for British children may appear better than when the charity last compiled a league table – which put it at the bottom of a 21-country list in 2007 – their prospects are worsening once more as the cuts threaten to "sideline" a generation.

The country is placed 29th on further education – bottom of the list of developed nations in Unicef's report – 27th on teenage pregnancy, and on youth unemployment it is ranked 24th.

Read the rest here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/apr/10/children-bleaker-future-c…

Yes? No? Maybe? And why do you think that?

Are Sharia councils failing vulnerable women?

BBC Panorama has uncovered fresh evidence of how some Sharia councils in Britain may be putting Muslim women "at risk" by pressuring them to stay in abusive marriages.

...

In Leeds I met Sonia, a woman who suffered extreme violence from her husband, who punched and kicked her and threw her down the stairs. He also hit their son. When Sonia got a civil divorce, the courts would allow him only indirect access to the children.

Sharia courts are not allowed to interfere in child access matters, but when Sonia went to Leyton Islamic Sharia Council for a Sharia divorce, they told her she would have to give the children up to her husband.

"I couldn't bear the thought of such a violent person having my children," said Sonia.

"What was shocking was when I explained to them why he shouldn't have that access to the children, their reaction was - well, you can't go against what Islam says."

...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22044724

Panorama: Secrets of Britain's Sharia Councils will be proadcase on Monday 8 April 2013.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rxfjt

Share your views.