Malaysia Creates Religious Guidelines for Muslim Astronauts Tuesday , May 01, 2007 KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Muslim-majority Malaysia's first astronaut will get guidelines allowing flexibility in praying in zero gravity and eating space meals under Islamic rules, the country space chief said Monday. The government-prepared advice is for a Malaysian joining a Russian scientific mission on the International Space Station in October, Malaysia's National Space Agency chief Mazlan Othman told The Associated Press. Officials have previously said an Islamic code of conduct in space is necessary because few Muslims have embarked on such expeditions, and there have been no standardized guidelines for them. Malaysia's two finalists for the voyage, Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Faiz Khaleed, are now training in Moscow. They were selected from more than 10,000 candidates. Malaysia held a forum for Islamic scholars in April 2006 to discuss problems Muslim space travelers might face, such as pinpointing the Saudi holy city of Mecca, which Muslims are expected face when they pray five times a day. The guideline booklet, published this month, says the direction should be determined "according to the capability" of the astronaut. Those in space during the holy fasting month of Ramadan — when Muslims are required to go without food or water from sunrise to sunset — can choose to fast then or to make up for it when they return, the booklet says. The first Malaysian astronaut's stint will likely overlap with Ramadan, which starts in mid-September this year. If Muslim astronauts doubt whether a meal is halal, or prepared according to Islamic rules, they "should consume it only to the extent of restraining hunger," the guidelines say. The astronaut must be dressed decently whenever in public view, which involves covering at least the portion of the body between the navel and the knees for men. Both of the finalists for Malaysia's first astronaut are males. Maintaining Islamic beliefs "is mandatory for Muslims in every situation, time and place," Mustafa Abdul Rahman, who heads Malaysia's state-run Department of Islamic Development, said in the guidelines. "Circumstances on the ISS which are different from circumstances on Earth are not an obstacle for an astronaut to fulfill a Muslim's obligations," he said. Other Muslims who have gone to space include Saudi Arabia's Prince Sultan bin Salman, who went aboard the U.S. shuttle Discovery in 1985, and Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American telecommunications entrepreneur who went to the ISS in September 2006. http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,269312,00.html

FEATURE - Muslim, traditional, but finding love on the Web Tue May 1, 2007 12:47 PM IST By Luke Baker LONDON (Reuters) - When "Sweetgal", a 29-year-old British Muslim from central England, began looking for a new husband last year, at first she didn't know where to turn. The answer, it turned out, was on the Internet. She'd been married once - a union arranged by her parents - to a man from Pakistan. It lasted seven years and produced children but broke down due to cultural differences and she didn't want to go through a similar trauma again. At the same time, being a respectful Muslim who wears hijab, she wasn't going to start 'dating', and knew her parents would have to be involved in her new search in one way or another. Over the past two years there has been a boom in the use of Web sites that introduce Muslim men and women, not for casual dating, but for those actively seeking traditional Muslim marriage. Where once young British Muslims might have had a marriage arranged to a spouse from the country of their parents' origin - perhaps Pakistan or Bangladesh - it is now much more common for them to marry within the Muslim community in Britain. "Sweetgal", who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, has been registered on www.singlemuslim.com for several months, in which time she's found someone she hopes could be a marriage prospect. She does not allow her picture to appear on the site. "My parents are coming round (to the idea)," she said. "He's a British Pakistani Muslim and more in line with what I'm looking for. Where marriages used to be fixed up solely by parents with the help of religious leaders, the Internet now plays an influential role in bringing partners together, even if parents remain part of the equation. Singlemuslim.com, which calls itself Britain's largest Muslim introductions agency, has seen registered users more than double over the past year to 100,000, as word has spread about its service, not only among singles but their parents too. Such is the demand for trustworthy introductions that its founder is now opening sites in the United States, Canada and Australia to cater to large Muslim communities there. "Our success rate is extremely high," said Adeem Younis, who founded the site from his base in West Yorkshire six years ago. "Two people a day, on average, are coming off the site having found success, which is a lot really. We're seeing the number of traditionally arranged marriages dropping quite rapidly as this becomes more popular." "MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD" "For some people it's difficult because I've got children," said "Sweetgal". "I want someone who is caring and understands where I'm coming from. That's why the site's really useful - I can be so much more straightforward on the Web." "Sweetgal" is not alone. One of the most marked effects of the growth of sites that cater to Muslims as well as Sikhs, Hindus, Tamils and others across South Asia looking for traditional marriage, is the empowerment of women. On some sites, more than half the registered users are professional women with above-average incomes who use the service to save time and broaden the scope of their search. They are direct and demanding about what they are looking for. "It's been a major revolution," said Geeta Sri Vastav, the UK head of www.shaadi.com, which calls itself the world's largest matrimonial service, with 10 million registered users, most in South Asia - in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In Britain, where 700,000 people are registered, 40 percent of users say they have an average annual income of 40,000 pounds ($80,000). "In the past, an Asian woman who came of age didn't have too many choices in terms of marriage. But the Internet has increased her options immensely," Sri Vastav said. "Whereas before she would meet 10 or 20 people through her family, now she potentially has millions to choose from. She has the initiative. It has put power in her hands, allowing her to shape her destiny when it comes to marriage." FAMILY-FRIENDLY Another impact of the sites, particularly in Britain, where there are approximately 1.8 million Muslims, is to increase the tendency for young people to "marry in", rather than looking to marry someone from their "home" country. Rapid changes in lifestyle, wealth and outlook have increased the gap between Britain and the countries where most of its Muslims originally came from - Pakistan and Bangladesh - making cross-national marriage a much trickier affair. New immigration laws introduced since Sept. 11, 2001 have also made it more difficult for potential brides or grooms from countries like Pakistan to enter Britain for marriage. "Anita", a Sunni Muslim and typical user of one of the sites in Britain, is a case in point. In her profile, she makes it clear she does not want a non-British Muslim partner. "MUST BE A UK CITIZEN, preferably raised in the UK," she writes, adding: "Once compatibility is established, would prefer family involvement. My family know I am looking so would prefer someone who is looking with permission from their family." There are no precise figures on Muslim marriages in Britain, but community leaders say trends have changed rapidly in recent years, particularly as far as strictly arranged marriages go, and point to education and the Internet as the main causes. "It's just not as common anymore," said Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, the head of the Muslim Parliament of Britain. "People coming from abroad find it difficult to adjust, and people living here find they have much more compatibility with Muslims who were also born or grew up here, so the demand for the old traditional arranged marriage just isn't there." A side-effect of Muslim women's increased confidence that he's noticed, however, is that there now appear to be fewer "good Muslim male" marriage prospects to go around. That's led to some women marrying outside their community, so a British Pakistani woman might marry a British Bangladeshi. http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-05-01T124141Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-296288-1.xml

Sudan's 'wedding of the year' The BBC's Jonah Fisher, who recently left Sudan after more than two years as our Khartoum correspondent, reflects on the society wedding he attended shortly before he left. Opheera (l) learned 75 dances for her husband Ati ® It all began with the slaughtering of a weary camel and the distribution of the meat to the poor. And then continued night after night... after night. Opheera wasn't actually there when she was officially married. Neither was Ati. Both of their fathers had gone to the Ali Saeed mosque in north Khartoum, where in a short ceremony they agreed that their grown-up children should become man and wife. The master of ceremonies at the mosque was one of Sudan's foremost religious leaders turned political celebrity - Hassan al-Turabi. A close associate of Osama Bin Laden during his time in Sudan and through most of the 1990s, he was the ideological driving force of Khartoum's Islamist government. Gunshots Mr Turabi spent most of the last five years in jail - but now free he revels in his status as troublemaker-in-chief to his former friends in government. Interviews with him can go on for hours - with Mr Turabi chuckling throughout. Despite the many bloody events that took place while he was in government, in Mr Turabi's version of history, he is always the enlightened voice of common sense - calling for federalism when the government was being centralised - and tolerance of all religions - all of this while Khartoum was trying to force the mainly Christian south into converting to Islam. Anyway, once Mr Turabi had given his official seal of approval in the mosque, the men headed back to Ati's house where we were met by the women, a parade of dancing horses and gunshots being fired in the air. This was the prelude to the Jirtik ceremony - a ritual which has more to do with Sudan's pharoanic roots than any Islamic beliefs. This is where the bride makes her first appearance - covered in red fabric and gold jewellery. It's the culmination of weeks of preparation. Milk-spitting Opheera had stayed indoors and been vigorously scrubbed for two hours every day to make sure her skin was perfectly soft and smooth. She was led out by her new husband, Ati, waving a sword over his head - every inch the conquering hero in his white robe and red sash. Jonah (l) will not be going on any more reporting trips with Opheera Around him his male friends joined in waving their fists in the air. Guyanese-born Opheera - an award-winning journalist with the Reuters news agency, a woman used to arguing with ministers and rebel leaders, followed behind - shielding her face in a traditional display of shyness and submission. In front of several hundred invited guests, the couple jumped into bed together There was no mattress or sheets but seated on a large wooden frame, surrounded by their relatives, the newlyweds went through an elaborate set of rituals. The culmination of which is the spitting of milk - whoever out of the husband and wife spits it the furthest is said to be the dominant force in the future household. Opheera and Ati diplomatically declared it to be a tie. The next night is just for women and the bridegroom. Screens Opheera had learnt 75 different dance routines to show her new husband. Thursday was the white wedding - 1,500 invited guests at a reception in the garden of a hotel on the banks of the Nile. The guest list was a "Who's Who" of Khartoum society - President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, former rebel leaders, even war crimes suspects wanted by the International Criminal Court. Of course they didn't all come but the banks of the Nile rocked with what was surely a never before heard mixture of Sudanese music, western pop and Guyanese rhythms. As a journalist with more than a passing knowledge of TV production I couldn't help but be impressed with the scale of their video operation. Four cameras fed their pictures back to a central gallery - which relayed the pictures onto eight huge screens around the venue. There wasn't much point in physically following the happy couple around - every smile that crossed their lips could just as easily be seen on one of the screens. Coke and water With Sharia law still in force in Khartoum there was of course no alcohol - officially. Thirsty expatriates ensured there were some spirits smuggled into the event - disguised in mineral water bottles. I'm sure I saw a few knowing Sudanese smiles at the foreigners' apparent appetite for coke mixed with water. The white wedding over, the next two days saw more parties before the couple headed off on honeymoon. For Opheera and I it marked the end of more than two years working side by side. Though employed by different news organisations we regularly travelled to Darfur together - there aren't many foreign correspondents permanently based in Sudan. Even though newly married, Opheera will be back reporting in Darfur soon. But next time I won't be with her. After two and a half years, my time in Sudan has come to an end. Khartoum's wedding of the year was my last Sudanese story. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6607637.stm

Armed forces Imam 'doing duty' By Karen Rollins BBC News Imam Hafiz was appointed by the then defence secretary John Reid. Imam Asim Hafiz was appointed Muslim chaplain to the British armed forces in November 2005. In his first full interview since taking up the role, he speaks to the BBC about his work. Since his appointment, Imam Hafiz has kept a low profile as he provides "spiritual and pastoral" support to 340 serving British Muslims. And he says that while the decision to appoint an Imam was "long overdue", he acknowledges that many feel there is no room for an Imam inside the armed forces. Imam Hafiz graduated from an Islamic college in Lancashire in 1999. Since then he has held several positions in mosques, a Muslim boarding school and the NHS. He was also the first full-time Imam for Wandsworth prison before taking up his current post at the age of 29. Now his 'parish' consists of the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. When asked why he was attracted by the job, he says he felt it was a "duty" to serve his community and society. The military's decision to appoint an Imam was "long overdue", he says, pointing out that Muslim soldiers seeking religious guidance had been forced to look outside the services. He says: "On the whole I have been welcomed by the military. People have been engaging, getting in touch and using me as much as possible. "However, like any change it can take time for people to adjust and there will always be a minority of Muslims and non-Muslims who feel there is no place for an Imam in the armed forces but I feel my appointment has boosted confidence and morale among serving Muslim soldiers." Imam Hafiz describes his army role as 'rewarding' After 18 months in the post, Imam Hafiz says he has already made personal contact with over 100 serving British Muslims. He says their problems were probably similar to other soldiers as they seek religious perspective and moral guidance on their role. He insists that if they are worried about serving in Iraq and Afghanistan it is not necessarily because they are Muslims. "At some time any soldier may question the conflict they are fighting. If they are concerned about killing other Muslims I tell them that Islam regards all life as sacred and no life should be wasted unjustifiably. "But I can't advise them on how to do their job and it is not for me to say which conflict they should or should not fight in." The British military is trying hard to encourage people from differing ethnic and religious backgrounds to join up and Imam Hafiz says any Muslim considering it would be able to practise their beliefs freely. He says soldiers are given room to pray five times a day and are allowed to fast during the religious festival of Ramadan as long as it does not interfere with military duties. "They are soldiers and Muslims and one does not take precedence over the other as they need to be just as good at both. But they understand that they are soldiers and in the end they have a job to do," he adds. Even though the armed forces are currently predominantly deployed in Islamic countries, Imam Hafiz says he has not met any Muslim soldiers who do not want to serve anymore because of a conflict of interest, although he accepts that some Muslims outside the military may question their loyalty. "If we, as Muslims, are to live in the UK then we should contribute to all aspects of British society including the military," he says. He accepts that operations in Iraq and Afghanistan may discourage Muslims from signing up, but points out that any war discouraged new recruits. "I would tell any Muslim considering joining the armed forces that it is a great career," he says. Imam Hafiz: "Muslims have a sense of duty to the UK" When he took up the role he faced personal criticism but says people usually saw the point once he explained what he hoped to achieve. He stresses that he wanted to show "the true face of Islam" and felt communicating and educating others about Islam was a major part of the role. He does not believe that some people in the UK are scared of Islam but claims most are misinformed and accuses the media of "demonising" the religion. He says: "The media does not provide a balanced view of Islam. They concentrate on a small minority who are not in step with what most other Muslims think and believe. "Some politicians also question the loyalty of Muslims to the UK which is unfair. The vast majority of British Muslims have a great sense of citizenship and duty to this country." He added: "We all have a duty - Muslims, non-Muslims and politicians - to promote social cohesion and integration. "We must all work together to identify those who are doing Muslims a disservice by portraying us as rigid, inflexible and hateful towards other faiths." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6592031.stm

Not to worry. I just found out that I can convert WMA files to mp3.

I am looking for this song in mp3 form. Does anyone have i? http://banadir-city.com/audio/songs/2006/lastcolection2006/12%20Track%2012.wma

There is something fascinating about other planets...sort of Dr Wo-ish way. ETEND to send the men away..we are just playing really..we really wouldnt live with you

War bey keentey. What about the chances of him sleeping around? Does he suddenly become faithful and be able to put back in his pants just cos he is married? I have met men thinking like that and i used to call them 'dhooroos'. It is possible to meet a nymph who was a virgin when he married and qaraabeysato when he turns his back.

^^loool They are right. It is cultural thing and not religious whatsoever. In religious terms, repentence doesnt cost as much as £4000. But I only thought it was just (some) Somali men who slept around with women and to marry the virgin. Why cant they marry the one they deflowered?

First of all ..I am suprised if this is called democracy. The army will remove anything Islamic, even if the people choose. As Ngonge mentioned, those who oppose the secular movements are even more people. It seems that Islamic parties are popular in Turkey judging from the number of times the army interfered. There is nice artcle on this very subject: http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:Ilc02rPv_GgJ:www.islamtoday.com/book/I_secular/Islam%2520and%2520Secularism%2520_proofread_.pdf+turkey+islam+and+secularism&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7& gl=uk In the above link, you will find nice gems like: How can we possibly reconcile between the position of secularism and Allah’s command:“Say: verily my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, the Lord of All the Worlds. He has no partner. This is how I have been commanded and I am the first of those who submit.” [sūrah al-An`ām: 162-163] The phrase “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and give unto Allah what is Allah’s” is exactly what the pagans in Mecca were saying when the Prophet (peace be upon him)was sent to them.Allah informs us in the Qur’ānthat they used to say: “They assign unto Allah, of the crops and cattle which He created, a portion, and theysay: ‘This is for Allah - in their make-believe – ‘and this is for His partners with respect to us’.” [surah al-An`ām: 136]“Yet they attribute to some of His servants a share with Him.” [sūrah al-Zukhruf: 15]“And they assign unto Allah that which they themselves dislike, and their tongues pronounce the lie that the better portion will be theirs. Assuredly theirs will be the Fire,and they will be hastened to it and abandoned.” [sūrah al-Nahl: 62]

Especially when the army vowed to defend secularism. We can see that it aint just a religion that can be militant here. No doubt, there will be no condemnation from this sort of militancy.

Huge rally for Turkish secularism The rally is being described as a huge show of force Hundreds of thousands of people have rallied in Istanbul in support of secularism in Turkey, amid a row over a vote for the country's next president. The protesters are concerned that the ruling party's candidate for the post remains loyal to his Islamic roots. The candidate, Abdullah Gul, earlier said he would not quit despite growing criticism from opponents and the army. 1950: Born in Kayseri 1991: Elected to parliament for pro-Islamist Welfare Party 2001: One of founders of AK 2002-03: Prime minister 2003: Foreign minister, leading EU accession talks Mr Gul failed to win election in a first round parliamentary vote which opponents say was unconstitutional. Opposition MPs boycotted the vote. They are also challenging its validity in the Constitutional Court. An army statement on Friday accused the government of tolerating radical Islam and vowed to defend secularism. Business leaders have also issued a statement calling on the court to annul the vote, paving the way for early elections. The influential TUSIAD association said a vote was necessary "to preserve the inseparable principles of democracy and secularism". Mr Gul has steered Turkey's European Union accession talks as foreign minister and is seen as less confrontational than Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development (AK) party. "The president must be loyal to secular principles. If I am elected, I will act accordingly," he said after his nomination for the presidency. But some analysts say he is closer to his religious roots, and his wife would be the first First Lady to wear a headscarf, a deeply divisive statement in Turkey. 'Test case' The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says secularists are concerned that if he is elected, the AK party will control the presidency, the government and parliament. Sunday's "Republican Meeting", planned by dozens of non-governmental organisations, took place in the city's Caglayan Square. "Turkey is secular and will remain secular," shouted demonstrators from all over the country as they waved flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. "We want neither Sharia, nor a coup, but a fully democratic Turkey," they added. Many sang nationalist songs and called for the government's resignation. Our correspondent describes the rally as an enormous show of force. More than 300,000 people attended a similar event two weeks ago. On Saturday, AK spokesman Cemil Cicek responded to Friday's unusually forthright army statement, saying any intervention was inconceivable in a democratic state. The military, which led coups in the past, said it was concerned by the party's choice of presidential candidate. History of coups Our correspondent in Istanbul says the army statement late on Friday night caused a real stir in Turkey. Many also believe that it is also a message to the judges in the constitutional court to declare the vote invalid and dissolve parliament, she adds. The army has carried out three coups in the last 50 years - in 1960, 1971 and 1980 - and in 1997 it intervened to force Turkey's first Islamist Prime Minister, Necmettin Erbakan, from power. The AK is an offshoot of Mr Erbakan's Welfare Party, which was banned in 1998. The secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), which boycotted Friday's vote, said it would challenge the election in court because a quorum of MPs had not been obtained - a charge the AK denies. A second round of voting is due on Wednesday and the court has said it will try to rule on the appeal before the vote. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6607033.stm

Salaam I have emailed my MP and even considering to send an email to the MEPs. I think it is important that we get heard loud and clear. Xanthu..Didnt know that you worked for Islam Channel. I may need to ask a favour sometime in the future (nothing strenous) ..that is if you dont return back home.

To actually hand positions of authority to the very warlords who in the past have put up isbaarooyin and extorting money from the public is beyond belief. All the TFG has done was make the plundering of resources official. Money TFG supporters loved highlinghting the fact Indhocade was part of the ICU. How about these warlords in the TFG? Different rule for them eh?

^^ You are pro. I have seen how you handle mucaaradiinta of Jacelbaro. Well done. Here is nacnac.

Dont be like that H. Who is gonna hijack the threads and entertain us? You gotta at least have 1000s posts and have been a member for at least 5months. We all loose our cool here sometimes but if we are somalis we have to learn to accomodate/listen to others point of view and learn to agree to disagree. There is no one who I disagree more than Duke and Violet but still I try to educate them rather than lose my cool. It is more effective.

Quite unsettling for blokes to chat about the 'perfect kiss'.

^^ Wax cusub halala yimaado. I am all for innovation in the matters of weddings but lets not be sheeps. Jaranjaro hadey iska tuuraan, is that what we will do? White wedding dresses are tacky anyway. Zafir: Let us ask ourselves..For a young lady, is there a joy involved in the honeymoon period? Dhaqan ahaan?

P Maldini? The only older defender I can think of.

^^ Question is wide open. Is the defender based in the UK? A premiership player or any other league in Europe? I find it hard to believe that someone who played against Platini also faced C Ronaldo?

I would say Les Ferdinand. Man City Leicester Spurs West Ham Newcastle QPR (when they were in the premiership) I first thought to be Teddy Sherringham.

Is he still playing for a team in the premiership?

lol@ faramaceesi! Dont you think it is tad over-dramatisation to equate honeymoon with necessities of life sustenance? The story of men throwing thier brides over their shoulder and taking to deserted area is a story my grandma omitted to mention. Tell me more bal..

Very Old story. The goat news story that just won't die James Silver Tuesday April 24, 2007 The Guardian Goats tend to get scant coverage in the mainstream media. However, one unfortunate creature has bucked the trend, garnering lasting infamy in cyberspace in the process. In February 2006, BBC News Online's "trusted" Sudanese stringer filed a story with the following headline: "Sudan man forced to 'marry' goat". It told how the goat's owner, a Mr Alifi, from Hai Malakal in Upper Nile State, was woken one night by "a loud noise" and raced outside - only to discover a man entangled with his goat. The goat-lover in question, Mr Tombe, was hauled before a council of elders who ordered him to pay "a dowry" of 15,000 Sudanese dinars [about £37] to Mr Alifi, as he had "used [the goat] as his wife". Displaying a notable flair for one-liners, Mr Alifi said: "We have given him the goat, and as far as we know they are still together." A staggering 14 months later, the tale still regularly tops the site's list of most popular stories, refusing to slip quietly into the archive section. Indeed, only last week it beat reports on flammable toilets and "how chocolate is better than kissing" to the top spot. Some News Online hacks wondered whether there was an organised campaign to keep the story in pole position. A thought that world editor Adam Curtis admits also crossed his mind. "It had not been re-published or revised, so how is it that upwards of 100,000 people a day were passing it on to their friends?" he wondered on his blog. "We put our senior software engineer Gareth Owen on the case. His verdict is unequivocal. The demand was genuine". A BBC spokesperson adds that a follow-up is now being considered. All of which raises an unpalat-able issue for hacks. When readers can "vote" with a mouse click, editors now know precisely how many people read every article they publish. One popular American gossip site offers staffers bonuses based on the amount of traffic their stories get. If only such a scheme had been in place at the BBC, one Sudanese stringer would be a very rich man indeed, while the goat would probably be advised to approach Max Clifford for representation. http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2063975,00.html

He said that the Ethiopians were studying people's elbows and hands for bruises or marks to indicate that they had been firing weapons during insurgent activity. "They entered our house and arrested three people, including a woman. They looked at my hands and elbows and released me," he said. "All men are fleeing their houses for fear of being arrested," said Shamso Nur, a female resident of Kamin area. What on earth are they doing? People could have bruises by burying their dead, perhaps saving people under a ruble.. Grasping straws is more like.