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Compiled by: Syed Nehal Zaheer
INDIA
Not to Hike Air Fare for Haj
Pilgrims
The Indian government decided not to increase the air
fare for Haj pilgrims this year despite the increase in
fuel prices and the resultant hike in airfares the world
over. The concession will benefit 110,000 Haj pilgrims
who will be flying to Jeddah this year for the annual
pilgrimage. But the government will pass on the
increased subsidy amount of around 400 million to Air
India that will ferry the Hajis. This year, Air India
has included Varanasi also as an embarkation point.
SRI LANKA
Haj preparations in full
swing
Sri Lanka’s Haj preparations are under full swing and
this year about 5,500 Sri Lankans – the same number as
last year will perform the annual pilgrimage. This time
it has been reported that the government has intensified
their efforts to see that the pilgrims are not exploited
by the country’s tour operators. Last year the
government suspended 18 tour operators for not offering
the desired level of service to the pilgrims. Sri Lanka
has 68 approved tour operators who handle Haj and Umrah
pilgrims
MALAYSIA
Moves to Soothe Race
Tensions
Malaysia’s Prime Minister moved recently to soothe
racial and religious tensions ahead of expected early
elections, saying there was no room for extremists
tendencies in the moderate Muslim nation. After 50 years
of independence, race relations remain a thorny issue in
a country that has suffered race riots in the past. The
Prime Minister warned the country’s dominant Malays, and
its Chinese and Indian minorities, against playing with
religious and racial issues. Issues must be addressed on
the basis of the interests of the nation and the
Malaysian people as a whole”, said the 67 year old
leader.
Islamic Banking at Full Tilt
Hong Leong Islamic Bank (HLIB) in Malaysia is a bank
with a difference. It is not your archetypal Islamic
bank owned by Muslim Malay shareholders or any of the
government agencies. It is part of a diversified
industrial conglomerate involved in financial services,
real estate, manufacturing and the hotel sector.
Malaysia’s Islamic banking sector is going through a
massive transformation. There are 9 Islamic banks
including three foreign owned ones.
Plans to Build World’s First
Islamic Car
Malaysia, Iran and Turkey plan to build an “ Islamic
car”,, fitted with a compass to find the direction of
Makkah, and a compartment to keep the Qur’an in, the
Malaysian state news agency said. Malaysian automaker
Proton’s director said during a visit to Teheran that
the vehicle would be aimed at the global export market.
He further said that the vehicle was an Iranian
initiative.
PHILIPPINES
IDB to Give USD16m for Moro
Uplift
The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has decided to give
USD16 million to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
for poverty alleviation and reconstruction of
infrastructure in the southern Mindanao region.
According to the Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC), USD4.2 million of the allocation is ready for
immediate delivery. The announcement was made at the end
of a three way meeting between the Philippines
government, the MNLF and the OIC. The OIC called the
meeting in order to preserve the gains achieved through
the 1996 peace agreement.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
DIFX set to list Islamic
Products
The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) is
preparing to list a range of Islamic structured products
that will offer investors attractive new Shariah
compliant opportunities. They will be listed on the TraX
platform, which the DIFX created in August 2007 as the
only structured products platform in the region.
Citigroup,Duetche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley
are the banks planning to list Islamic products in the
near future.
Banks Islamic Services
Rising
The number of banks offering Islamic products will
increase by 50 percent around the world by 2009 because
of high public demand, the head of the newly licensed
Shariah compliant investment bank in Bahrain said
recently. “ Some might say Islamic banking is a fashion,
but it will continue to grow as people feel more
comfortable with it’. The value of Islamic loans is
growing by 40 percent a year and the rate is likely to
fasten.
BAHRAIN
Beit Al Qur’an : Islamic Art
at Its Best
Beit Al Qur’an in Manama, Bahrain, is one of the most
renowned Islamic museums in the world. The museum
presents a unique collection of Qur’ans from different
historical periods and different styles of writing. The
museum also includes a mosque, a Qur’anic school and
exhibition halls. Construction began on the museum in
1984 and it was opened in 1990. Muslim heritage is
presented through pictures, videos, cassettes and
drawings. The museum is designed according to
traditional Islamic architecture but with modern
touches. It is divided into five sections and has an
open court with a fountain. A special traditionally
designed minaret that goes back to the 12th century is
in the open court. Beit Al Qur’an is where one can find
Qur’anic manuscripts of different shapes and of
different handwriting that come from around the world –
from China to Andalus (Spain). For more information :
http://www.beitalquran.com
Islamic Bank Unveils
Strategic Plan
Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) unveiled an ambitious
business plan taking the bank to the new heights of
progress and development by tapping the opportunities
across the Gulf countries including listing on various
GCC stock exchanges to enhance its equity base. BisB now
inhabits an increasingly competitive environment where
customer expectations are even higher.
SAUDI ARABIA
Jamrat Bridge, Second Phase
to be ready for Haj
The second phase of the SR4 billion high tech Jamrat
Bridge project was ready for Haj. The three one way
roads from the bridge reduced the congestion in the area
and ensured a smooth flow of pilgrims . During last
year’s Haj , pilgrims used the high tech structure in
Mina for the firs time. The first phase increased the
bridge’s capacity to 250,000 pilgrims in hour
Company set up to Promote
Tourism in Islamic Countries
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
announced at the conclusion of the First Tourism Forum
of Islamic Countries the establishment of the Islamic
Tourism Company for promoting tourism in member states
of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) The
founding members include tourism companies from Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan
with an initial capital of USD100 million and will be
open to further investments by other participants. The
ICCI will follow up the establishment of the company.
Qur’anic Ringtones Haram
The Islamic Jurisprudence Council banned the use of
the verses of the Holy Qur’an as ringtones for mobile
phones because it impinges on the sacred character of
the Muslim Holy Book, the Saudi Press Agency reported. “
It is deameaning and degrading to the verses of the Holy
Book to stop abruptly at the middle of the recitation or
neglecting the recitation, as happens whey they are used
as ringtones in mobile phones. On the other hand
recording the verses from the Holy Qur’an in phone sets
wit the intention of recitation and listening is a
virtuous act, the scholars attending the council said in
a statement.
Plan for Zamzam Distribution
in Haj
The Zamzam Office in Makkah has outlined a new
distribution plan for the upcoming Haj season, which
will see pilgrims being handed gifts of 300ml bottles of
the holy water on the first day of Dhul Qidah, said the
deputy chairman of the Zamzam Office’s board of
directors. There are six groups of workers that have
been divided to work two shifts to distribute the Zamzam
bottles. Each group has to cover two districts of Makkah.
The office will be distributing Zamzam to more than
6,000 buildings around Makkah.
* Million Riyal Award to Uproot
“Possessed” Date Palm
A local Saudi investor has offered a reward of SR1
million to anyone who can remove a date palm from
outside a mall currently under construction, Al Youm
daily reported recently. The date palm is in the middle
of what is meant to be a parking area for the mall. Many
attempts have been made to remove the tree but all
efforts have failed. The project manager ordered a
bigger tractor to uproot the tree but it failed in doing
so. Finally, a number of religious sheikhs told the
builder not to remove the date palm as a family of jinn
lived under it and that was the reason all efforts to
remove it had failed. The tree, it seems, is protected
by the jinn, which live under it.
Sacrificial Meat Project
Successful, Says IDB Chief
With pilgrims required to sacrifice animals as part
of the Haj rituals, they have been warned against
falling prey to unauthorized individuals distributing
unofficial coupons for animal sacrifice. The President
of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) delivered the
warning at an annual meeting with Haj officials,
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) delegates
and representatives from foreign embassies. Slaughtering
of animals begin immediately after Eid prayers and is
completed before the sunset of Dhul Hijjah 13. The
Kingdom established the Saudi Project for Utilization of
Haj Meat in 1403H to enable pilgrims to have a smooth
and trouble free Haj, and to make maximum utilization of
the sacrificial meat.
More Space for Women at
Prophet’s Mosque
Madinah officials are gearing up for the forthcoming
Haj, where pilgrims visit the Prophet’s Mosque on their
way to the pilgrimage. The Presidency of the Prophet’s
Mosque Affairs, said that new arrangements are being
drawn up to accommodate women in Al Rawda area after
night prayers. Al Rawda is a very special area in the
heart of the Prophet’s Mosque, which extends from the
tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to his pulpit.
During peak time, women are getting a wider area in Al
Rawda.
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PALESTINE
Mufti Slams Tunnel Plan
Under Al Aqsa
The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine slammed an
Israeli plan to construct an underground passage
Jerusalem’s Old City to link the reconstructed Israeli
synagogue “Ohel Yitzhak”, in the Muslim quarter with the
Western Wall (Al Buraq Wall) tunnels in the Jewish
quarter. The Mufti said that the goal of Israeli digging
under the Muslim quarter in the city is causing its
mosques and mainly Al Aqsa Mosque to collapse.
IRAN
Iranian Police Unveil “ Vice
List”.
Iranian police have unveiled a list of vices
including make up, un Islamic dress and decadent movies,
being targeted in an ongoing moral crackdown, a
conservative newspaper reported recently. The list which
does not make any reference to gender, highlights the
fight against extortionists and drug dealers. Thousands
of women have been warned for wearing tight, short
coats, and skimpy headscarves and for flouting, the
Islamic dress code.
TURKEY
Haj Draws 700,000 Turkish
applicants
Turkish officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia say
that applications for Haj from Turkish nationals have
been annually increasing. About 700,000 applications
have been received to perform Haj this year. Even the
number of Umrah pilgrims have been going up with around
200,000 have performed the mini Haj this year, as
against 130,000 last year.
MOROCCO
A World of Choices
Marrakech, the Pearl of the South, is also known as
the “ Pink City”, for the ochre color of its walls. It
is one of life’s greatest magical and splendid joys
Marrakesh has awakened every day for 800 years with the
voice of muezzin calling from the 70m high minaret of
Koutoubia. The streets then begin to get crowded with
people gathering in front of Ibn Yousuff Mosque, which
is one of the most historical structures of the Qur’an
School established by Sultan Merinid Abu Al Hassan, who
ruled from 1331 to 1349. Rabat is the historical blue
and white city and the capital of Morocco.
RUSSIA
Should take part in Politics
Millions of Russians will go to the polls next month
in crucial parliamentary elections for the Duma, the
outcome of which may well decide the political future of
two term Russian President. For Russia’s 20 million plus
Muslims, however, this will be a watershed election. It
is time for Russian Muslims to decide whether they want
to transform themselves from being a risk group for the
law enforcement and intelligence services to a
responsible political stakeholder in modern Russia.
UNITED KINGDOM
Muslim Live 8 Raises Cash
for Darfur
Thousands of British Muslims gathered for a charity
peace concert dubbed “ Muslims Live 8”, to raise money
for victims of Sudan’s long running Darfur conflict. The
concert, starring top Islamic singer , was backed by the
British government, which is spearheading efforts to
press the Sudanese government to stop violence in the
western province. The concert was also aimed to promote
efforts to unite the community amid widespread suspicion
of Islam in Britain. All profits from the event will go
to Islamic Relief to help fund its work in Darfur.
First sale of Modern Arab
and Iranian Art
Sotheby’s held the first sale of Modern and
Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art in London. About 85
works were from the Arab world were for auction and the
works presents a different look at Arab art which has
been traditionally associated with Islamic art. A
Sotheby’s spokeswoman from the Contemporary Art
Department said the general impression that many had was
that Arab art is Islamic art and Arabic calligraphy.
This is different since it gives a contemporary view to
political and social issues in the Arab world.
Survey Shows Disparate Views
A wide ranging survey on the impact of Islam on
London culture commissioned by London’s evening
newspaper, The Evening Standard, perhaps not
surprisingly reveals a mixed picture about a divided
community on a number of issues. The survey, conducted
by pollster YouGov, clearly , showed that a solid
majority of Londoners favor the integration rather than
the separation of the capital’s diverse Muslim
communities which encompass Pakistanis, Bangladeshis,
Cypriot Turks, Somalis, Afghans, Muslims from various
parts of Africa, Albanians, Kosovans, Bosnians, and of
course Malaysians. Some 71 percent of those surveyed
said that they would vote for a suitably qualified
Muslim candidate to be mayor of London. Some 64 percent
feel there is some degree of discrimination against
Muslims. Almost three quarters of Londoners said that
Muslims have greatly contributed to the business life
and economy of London, although only a third stressed
that Muslims have contributed to the intellectual and
academic life of the capital.
London Mosque Row Highlights
Muslims Struggle for Status
A bitter row has blown up in east London over a
secretive Muslim organization’s plan to build Europe’s
largest mosque a stone’s throw from the city’s 2012
Olympic zone. If officials grant planning permission the
mosque, in the deprived but diverse district of West Ham
in east London, will hold up to 12,000 worshippers and
feature facilities including a school and conference
center. It is, though, a big if. The plan has drawn
furious opposition from some politicians and locals. The
area is heavily Muslim – accounting for roughly a
quarter of the local borough’s population, according to
the most recent census in 2001.
CANADA
Ban Veiled Voting
Muslim women in niqabs or burqas will no longer be
allowed to stay veiled when voting in Canada, under
government legislation introduced recently. The issue
has become a hot potato especially in the province of
Quebec, which is debating how far to accommodate
minorities and where the provincial electoral officer
reversed course last March and required the unveiling of
voters.
UNITED STATES
Likely to Retry Muslim
Charity
Prosecutors will likely retry the former leaders of a
Muslim charity, as well as the organization itself,
after the government’s biggest terror financing case
since September 11, ended in a mistrial. Not one of the
leaders of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and
Development was convicted, and many acquittals were
thrown out after three jurors took the rare step of
disputing the verdict. The jury heard two months of
testimony on charges that the Holy Land Foundation for
Relief and Development funneled more than USD12 million
in aid to the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
US Still a Great Place to
Practice Islam
The Interfaith Association of Central Ohio held a
public forum on the “ Many faces of Islam”, at the Ohio
State House. A large number of people from different
religions attended. Four panelists shared their
experiences and challenges of being a Muslim in America
especially after September 11. All panelists felt that
America was a great place to practice Islam despite the
challenges they faced after September 11. One of the
panelists said that I made American my home because here
everyone is treated with true dignity,unlike in most
Muslim countries. They felt that things were gradually
changing for the better for the Muslims after September
11. They said that they were concerned about the radical
Muslims who have harmed the image of Islam. We should
explain Islam as the scholars have”.
Anger at Los Angeles Police
Plan to Map Muslims
A plan by the Los Angeles Police Department’s
counterterrorism bureau to map Muslim groups in the city
has angered civil rights activists and community
leaders, it was reported recently. The Los Angeles Times
reported that the LAPD wants to create a map of Muslim
groups in order to help communities avoid the influence
of radicals seeking to incite violent, ideologically
based extremism. According to reports an estimated
500,000 Muslims live in the Greater Los Angeles area,
the country’s second biggest concentration outside of
New York.
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