Originally posted by Northerner: More travels, more pics,,,, Tiwi (Oman) a desert Oasis Jannah, so thats what it looks like!

Originally posted by WaTerLily: ^^^ Some of the points Khayr made are facts and do present a double standard on our parts. Eg. the boycotting on Iraqi products and what it has done do our Muslim borthers& siters in Iraq for decade. We should use our buying power seriously. Having said that, the problem is within the Muslim world (not Islam), why are Muslims stabbing other Muslims in the back? The problems with non-believers are age old, the Muslims of the past dealt with them because they were united and a force to be reckoned with. Today that unity is missing, because we take non-believers as protectors, when the Quran specifically told us not to take them as protectors because they will only side against us. Allah guide us, what else can I say? I agree with you and Ameen to that du'a. Here I am trying to advocate for SELF-RESPECT in us, fellow muslims and I am not getting that same love. That same Commenality to Unite and take a little Pride in our selfs as Muslims. Concentrate on the Positives more and inshallah, you will be able to hold your head up high. Imagine this, If EVERY African american were asked to apologize and take RESPONSIBILITY for GUN VIOLENCE and Crack? :rolleyes: Well, thats how MUSLIMS are treated and viewed by Most-ALWAYS RESPONSIBILE for EVERYTHING NEGATIVE that a Muslim does (ALL 1.4BILLION of them). Fi Amanillah

Originally posted by Laba_Xiniinyood: Seriously, this is enough of the ****** cartoons! How about this for offensive: hundreds of thousands of muslims are at risk of starvation in East Africa. Thousands more will drown in 2006 trying to get away from despotic regimes. ...Naden, Maybe the ONE prophet(p.b.u.h) is more important to us than the thousands who are at risk of starvation and the thousands drowning! The Rasul (sallahu calihe wasilm) is the BEST OF CREATION. The Rasul (sallahu calihe wasilm) is the PILLAR of the Deen, in Him was the Message, Through Him was the Message. How can you compare ANY OTHER CREATIION? :confused: Naden, Where are your priorities? .......... MasahAllah, its nice to see diff. sects of the ummah in u.k. UNITING under the banner of the SHAHADA on this SUBJECT MATTER.

Originally posted by Sharmarkee: Back to the Topic, I being longing to read the Classic work of Ibn Kathir for a time now “The Beginning and the End†(AlBidayah wa Nihayah), I dont know how many volumes it would be, but it's a great (Marjac)- a reference and It is considered to be one of the most authoritative sources on Islamic history. Wa Salaam [/QB] Masha Allah, its 8 volumes worth. Tell us what sort of information is in it, saxib. These books need to be translated. I don't think that there is a single contemporary scholar that can match the effort, the thought, the will, that such an alim/scholar as ibn kathir put in to his work. Source Waterlilly, what do you think about books like the Da Vinci Code? Fi Amanillah

Salamz, Originally posted by Nur: That is so right bro. Kids learn through three mediums 1. School 8 hours/day 2. Frineds and Neighborhoods 8 hours/day 3. Home Weekends When you put TV at home, you are bringing strangers to upbring your kids, in addition to their influence at school and the street. What we need is to define the problem better, a good question is half the answer, let us think about end results we would like to see after all is said and done. Lets us ask questions: 1. Are we role models for what we want our kids to be? 2. Are we taking an active part in their developmjent? 3. Are we seeking advice and help of ways to help bring up our kids in line with our faith? Answers tothe questions can unearth the problem, after which we can think of how to solve them, but first, we must face issues at point blank. Nur [/QB] Parents view CHILDREN'S EDUCATIOn and Education as a whole, as an OUTSIDE OF THE HOME experience, as if learning stops at 3:00pm. If I am not mistaken, there is a saying 'The MOTHER IS THE MADRASSAA' and that has been neglected. Parents are the #1 educators for their children, Taribya/education begins in the home. Active development takes 24hrs/7days a week. Its a daunting task for a parent to cultivate an ISLAMIC PERSONALITY/SHAAKHSEEYA in their children, when all that is around them is OTHER then ISLAM, is anti-Tawhid. Seeking advice and help is important in islamic education b/c its the ISLAMIC COMMUNITY that TEACHES islam, that creats a LIVING ISLAMIC TRADITION and something for the children to look up to and identify with. We don't need more engineers per say, but we need a thriving, closely knit muslim communities that show that Islam is alive. Your child doesn't have to worry about getting Experience for a Job b/c the Muslim community will give them an opportunity to get that experience. The muslim child doesn't have to feel uncomfortable about being muslim or dressing muslim b/c they have a vibrant islamic community that has their Standards, their own WAY OF LIVING that stems from the Islamic tradition, inshallah. I was thinking about Literary theory and the thought of school cirriculms came to me. In islamic schools of late, a western approach to Education has been adopted i.e. Testing, report cards etc. But if in Islam, the aim is to be SLAVE OF GOD, then shouldn't ISLAMIC EDUCATION be measured upon that, upon CULTIVATING TAQWA. Why the need to QUANTIFY things, when you are trying to do something QUALITIVELY-an Islamic Personality (a good muslim boy/girl)? I'm not advocating for being impractical, or becoming too idealistic, but rather for using a different SET OF MEASUREMENTS when scoring how an ISLAMIC EDUCATION succeeds and I don't think report cards, tests etc. do that. Does anyone catch my drift? Fi Amanillah

Salamz, Originally posted by Honesita: It is actually sad to say that the Muslims are bad but the reality is that WE ARE BAD...!! I could not have agreed more with what Castro said....it is really wise when we acknowledge our own problems, admit that we have problems and dont over exagerate in our greatness...!! The Muslim Ummah is NOT great, it is Islam that is great and perfect...!! Islam is invulnerable and Muslims are vulnerable...!! It is wise to ACKNOWLEDGE our Problems (proper time and place, that doesn't mean ALL THE TIME 24/7), laakin we don't have to REPEATEDLY, over and over and over again, day after day, HUMULIATE OURSELVES infront of NONMUSLIMS. HOLD UP YOUR HEAD HIGH as a MUSLIM, inshallah. The Muslim Ummah is NOT great, it is Islam that is great and perfect...!! Islam is invulnerable and Muslims are vulnerable...!! This is the message that is DRILLED in our HEADS...the Ummah is NOT GREAT, the PROBLEM WITH MUSLIMS, Muslims don't do enough and the list NEVER endsss...... The FOCUS is on the NEGATIVE sooo much so that muslims when engaging in a debate with a nonmuslim, almost ALWAYS end up APOLOGIZING for being a MUSLIM (Yes, I'm sorry...Yes, You are right, Muslims have alot of problems,...Yes, we as muslims have to acknowledge our mistakes etc.)... Why be DEFENSIVE ALL THE TIME? SubhanAllah, your a member of KhayruKhalqu Allah's UMMAH, Nabi Muhammed (sallahu caliyhe wasilm), say Alhamdulillah and STAND TALL. Callypso said: They don't, but Muslims wouldn't be happy to know that one white Westerner has a negative perception of Islam. Muslims care a great deal about how possible converts view them; many are more concerned about how they look to outsiders than how they conduct themselves with fellow Muslims. 100 lies amidst one truth.... I agree and I personally do my part as a muslim inshallah and let my character speak more volumes, just follow the various sunnans(prophetic traditions/practices) and inshallah just be true to my deen. Callypso said: By the way, why does all of Denmark have to apologize for the actions of a single Danish tabloid? Why is the maker of a cream cheese spread being held responsible for the decision made by the editor of Jyllands-Posten? B/C as a nation, they shoWED their arrogance and hide behind 'freedom of expression' to propogate their hate for islam and muslims. As to the maker of the cream cheese, he supports Denmark and if that company doesn't lobby the government to get the EDITOR fired (theY got the money and the power to do so) and just supports their government's actions, then they should be boycotted. Afterall, they make their money from Muslims too. Callypso, I don't see you asking about why the Americans put an embargo on Iranians for wanting an islamic state, why iraqi kids were starved to death b/c of american lead boycotts (100,000's of children, old people). How come you dont' FIRE AWAY and BLAME OTHERS? As for Americans, some think Bush and co are right and so don't think they have anything to apologize for; some feel it's wrong, but don't care what non-Americans think of them; and some think Bush is wrong and do go out of their way to apologize to others. If you live in America, you've surely met all three kinds. So is it ok for a Muslim then to include in almost every conversation they have with an americann, that an APOLOGY should be made for AMERICANSS massacring kids in Falluja in Nov./dec. 2004? Or killing Afghani people from a Tomcat f-14 high up in the sky, like it was a video game? etc... Also, why do Americans BLAME BUSH for everything, last time i recall, a whole lot of americans continue to sign up WILLINGLY to join the ARMY. Bush didn't win with a 1000 votes, rather millions supported him. Also, when its time to rescue an American, they all become united as Americans and are more then willing to support that rescue by ANY means NEcessary(even if it includes killing children, innocent people. To them, they are incidentals.) See the DOUBLE STANDARDS that the people use when it comes to MUSLIMS. The muslim has to apologize for everything related to Muslims and Islam-Tell me why again they have to do that??? :rolleyes: Why does A Muslim have to Apologize or be held accountable for whatever happens in the muslim world?

The strength of orientalists has always been articulacy not truth and coherence. I would add that their strength is in having control via MASS PRINT, MASS MEDIA and their point is by spreading doubt and confusion by INDOCTRENATING people through IMAGES via newspapers, t.v. news, magazines etc. Case in point 9/111, no matter how many theories to negate it, the MASS people have been INDOCTRENATED to equate 9/111 with MUSLIMS. This goes back to Literary Theory.

Originally post by Zafir in anther thread 40,000 rally peacefully against Prophet cartoons in southern Pakistan city Zarar Khan, Canadian Press Published: Thursday, February 16, 2006 KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - Tens of thousands of people shouting "God is Great!" marched through Karachi on Thursday and burned effigies of the Danish prime minister in Pakistan's latest round of protests over cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. About 5,000 police and paramilitary forces, wearing helmets and wielding guns and shields, were deployed along the three-kilometre route of the rally to prevent the violence that has plagued other protests throughout the country this week, police said. The rally in Karachi ended peacefully and about 40,000 people participated in it, said Shahnawaz Khan, a senior Karachi police officer. Protesters burned Danish flags and also chanted, "God's curse be on those who insulted the prophet." The government ordered educational institutions to close for the day and many shops in the city - a hotbed of Islamic militancy - were shut. Most public transportation did not operate. Shah Turabul Haq, the head of Jamat Ahl-e-Sunnat, the Sunni Muslim group that organized the rally, said the "movement to protect the prophet's sanctity will continue until the pens of the blasphemous people are broken and their tongues get quiet." He demanded the government expel ambassadors of countries where newspapers published cartoons of the Prophet. Another cleric, Mufti Munibur Rahman, called for a boycott of products from those countries, and called for world bodies like the United Nations to treat "attacks" on the Prophet's sanctity as a crime. Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday appealed for European and other western countries to condemn the cartoons, saying freedom of the press did not mean the right to insult the religious beliefs of others. The drawings were first published in a Danish newspaper in September and later reprinted by other media, mainly in Europe. Many Muslims regard any depiction of the Prophet Muhammad as blasphemous. One of the drawings depicted the prophet with a turban shaped like a bomb. On Wednesday, a protest by more than 70,000 Pakistanis in the northwestern city of Peshawar dissolved into deadly riots by stone-throwing and gun-wielding youths, who targeted foreign businesses. The unrest followed similar riots Tuesday in Lahore, where U.S. and other western business properties were vandalized and the provincial legislators' assembly set on fire. Five people have been killed in protests in Pakistan this week. Ameer ul-Azeem, a spokesman for United Action Forum, an opposition coalition of religious parties that have organized most of the protests in Pakistan, said television footage of violent attacks by protesters on embassies in other countries had prompted Pakistanis to do the same. He appealed for people to avoid violence in more demonstrations the coalition plans for later this month, but didn't expect people to follow his advice. "At least, there will be one violent protest in every village, town and city," he said.

Originally posted by WaTerLily: Blessed, Tolstoy & Castro, those sound like fascinating reads, will look into them. Khyar It would be a Herculean task to define exactly what literary theory is. If I could do that I would be loaded. Anyway, I’ll have a go and give you the briefest and general outlook because your question covers a huge topic. Literary theory is concerned with how literature is read/approached. From whose perspective and from which tradition. The traditions that are common reflect the type of literature that is dominant as well as who wrote that literature. the theories also reflect powerful movements/historical changes that have shaped societies and education(marxism & feminsim). There are a number of approacolonialism, Psychoanalysis, Structuralism, Marxist theory , Postmodernism (the works of Habermas specifically have great impact in literature of the early 20th century) Feminism and the eternal Critical theory. Literary Criticism is born out of literary theory. This may also lead to questions ches to literary theory common to humanities in general, the popular ones being Historical Criticism, Formalism, Post about the nature of literature. What is its purpose? To entertain? To educate? (Plato) To imitate/represent nature/art? (Aristotle) You can see some of these debates are still raging with no end in sight. Thus to conclude, the purpose of literary theory is to ask questions, and keep asking them so that we may not take what we read for granted. It also shows that much of literary theory is a Western product. Literary theory is concerned with how literature is read/approached. From whose perspective and from which tradition. So then, it is safe to say that it comes with an set AGENDA, a set BIAS-RIGHT? So if a book is written by a british 17th century author, that book would carry with it the authors AGENDA, authors BIASES, authors HISTORICAL OUTLOOK, authors WORLDVIEW etc. The traditions that are common reflect the type of literature that is dominant as well as who wrote that literature. the theories also reflect powerful movements/historical changes that have shaped societies and education(marxism & feminsim). So books like Jane Eyre,Great Gatsby,Brave New World, 1984, Joy Luck Club, Lord of the Flies etc. had a CERTAIN COMMON THEMES i.e. anti-socialism, evolution, equality of the sexies etc. behind them, thus a reason why they were taught and are part and parcel of some school Cirriculms. the nature of literature. What is its purpose? To entertain? To educate? (Plato) To imitate/represent nature/art? (Aristotle) It is ALL of the above because Literature does EDU-TAINMENT and Imitates the social values of its time. Case in point, sci-fi,fantasy books like the Chronicles of Narnai v. Harry Potter. One was written in an age were pernnial concepts such as Divinity, Good v. Evil, Truth, Honesty etc. were cherished and these themes run through out the Chronicles of Narnia. I don't know about Harry Potter, but someone told me that it doesn't have these themes and that it represents a diff. age of writers. P.S. The name is KHAYR not kheyr, khyar, or whateve else way your spell it. Inshallah, I hope you can respect that.

Salamz, What did they do? I did not catch that, saxib. Meaning-what was the reason for their arrest? Thanks, General Duke!

Once again, you avoided the original question Why does A Muslim have to Apologize or be held accountable for whatever happens in the muslim world? and decided to blow your own horn. Castro said: What we can do is feel sorry for ourselves. And while doing that we have delusions of grandeur. Don't get me wrong, Islam is grand but we're not. Actually, In the quran, it does state that 'TO Allah belongs Eezaa/Honor, and to his Messenger (salallahu calihe wasilm) and to the Believing Men and Women'. (If someone knows the exact ayat, pls do help, thanx.) That fact that we are believers inshallah, gives us HONOR, GRANDEUR and we don't NEED to BEAT UP on OURSELVES, saxib. Castro, I'll apologize if I came off rude but you were singing the usual tune that everyone sings nowadays-Muslims are Bad, Muslims are what is Negative etc.

Lately, I've been reading Imam Suyutis' Jami Al Saghir which is a small (10,000) hadith collection. MashaAllah, what a wonderful work b/c these hadiths are ordered in letters and phrases and not subject matter. Waterlilly, I still need your assistance with literary theory. what is your definition?

Salamz, Good story indeed. MashAllah!

Why does A Muslim have to Apologize or be held accountable for whatever happens in the muslim world? Castro, Stop blaming Muslims all the time saxib, you're one to BLAME TO, especially since all you do is LOOK FOR FAULTS and CRACKS in the UMMAH and exploit them. i.e. hijab=tent, al azhar fatwa etc. I didn't post this so that muslims can BEAT UP on THEMSELVES. SubhanAllah, why-we get BEAT UP by EVERYONE ELSE then come home and BEAT UP ON OURSELVES. Where is the PRIDE in being part of the MUHAMMEDAN UMMAH? Another aspect of your question...how come the Muslims never ask for an apology, well, we are puppets to the west..so i think of it...we want to please them at any given moment...!! Did we ever think about why the Holocaust is over emphasized and not the genocides of any other nation including the Muslims....well, because the Jews make it a point to talk about it, teach it to their children and to others and simply demand sympathy for them...!! However, we Muslims, the vast majority of us are not even aware of the genocides that took away Muslim lives....for the simple fact that they were Muslims...!! Weren't not responsible for the HOLOCAUST, so why the hell do we, as muslims, have to Pay for it, over and over again....BLAME EUROPE not the MUSLIMS, who have to suffer over...and over...again! Puppets is right...some muslims just want to say what Westerners want and what the POPULAR SENTIMENT is. Again, Why does the Muslim have to be DEFENSIVE all the time? Why does the Muslim have to be APOLOGETIC for ALL CRIMES done my Muslims? Dam it, ask the american citizen that he should APOLOGY for their nation massacring muslims, Ask the DANE to APOLOGY over and over again to YOU, for his Nation supporting such insidous journalism?

Originally posted by WaTerLily: Khayr what is your point? Literary theory, yes I know about it I studied for an entire semester (it was compulsory) in my final year. If you are interested in it read Literary Criticism, Norton Anthology volume, it has lots on literary theory from Plato to current day. I also found this out about continental philosophy/literary theory on Wikipedia One common theme of continental philosophy might be a certain kind of anti-transcendent skepticism, which holds that thought can not be abstracted away from some natural or material preconditions, and also that the philosopher must struggle with this impossibility Waterlilly, can you help me out as to give me YOUR definition of Literary Theory is. I Am curious as I am learning about it. I find it interesting that the books that nomads mentioned, are a reflection of their personality and for some-their values.

Originally posted by Castro: quote:Originally posted by Khayr: Not long ago , you liberally reported the details of Al-Azhar fatwa from french sources. I provided the source then. In fact, a few of them. And it wasn't a French source. Can you read son? Dailystar (lebanon) and the article was from Agence France Presse (AFP) (FRENCH SOURCE)

Originally posted by Castro: ^ Apparently the story has some elements of truth to it. Read it here , though xiniinyood decided to liberally report the details and neglected to provide the source to us. Not long ago , you liberally reported the details of Al-Azhar fatwa from french sources. Easy up on the brother!

Originally posted by WaTerLily: I think 8 months is a bit harsh. A warning would have sufficed. Perhaps they didn't know the origins of the day and only wanted to be cool or 'westernized'. And since when did having a party become banned in Somalia? I don't want to return to no Afghanistan. ^^^ Stay in UK, Stay un UK then.... naden Could you please state your reasons for Islam having nothing with 'this'? You haven't answered the question, you just made more demands. The burden of proof is on you since you made a sweeping statement.

Originally posted by Liban The Man: I'm actually kinda surprised people didn't think I wasn't Somali. I mean come on, how many Somali people do you know that like hockey(other than Pucca)? But yeah, I'm white. I became Muslim in 2002 and married a Somali woman and now have 4 kids. Alxamdulillah!! I know lots of people may be interested in how I found Islam, or rather how it found me, and insha Allah, I'll post that story soon. hmmm, did u have twins? 4kids since 2002 is a whole lot laakin/but MashaAllah, keept it roooolling!

Has any nomad heard of 'LITERARY THEORY'? Literary theory is the theory (or the philosophy) of the interpretation of literature and literary criticism. Its history begins with classical Greek poetics and rhetoric and includes, since the 18th century, aesthetics and hermeneutics. In the 20th century, "theory" has become an umbrella term for a variety of scholarly approaches to reading texts, most of which are informed by various strands of Continental philosophy. (In much casual academic discussion in the English-speaking world, the terms "literary theory" and "Continental philosophy" are roughly interchangeable, though there are clear distinctions between the two.) Literary theory and literature One of the fundamental questions of literary theory is "What is literature?", though many contemporary theorists and literary scholars believe either that the term "literature" is undefinable or that it can potentially refer to any use of language. Specific theories are distinguished not only by their methods and conclusions, but even by how they define a "text." For some scholars of literature, "texts" means "books belonging to the literary canon". But the principles and methods of literary theory have been applied to non-fiction, popular fiction, film, historical documents, law, advertising, etc., in the related field of cultural studies. In fact, some scholars within cultural studies treat cultural events like fashion, football riots, etc. as "texts" to be interpreted. Taken broadly, then, literary theory can be thought of as the general theory of interpretation. Since theorists of literature often draw on a very heterogeneous tradition of Continental philosophy and the philosophy of language, any classification of their approaches is only an approximation. There are many "schools" or types of literary theory, which take different approaches to understanding texts. Most theorists, even among those listed below, combine methods from more than one of these approaches (for instance, the deconstructive approach of Paul de Man drew on a long tradition of close reading pioneered by the New Critics, and de Man was trained in the European hermeneutic tradition). Broad schools of theory that have historically been important include the New Criticism, formalism, Russian formalism, and structuralism, post-structuralism, Marxism, feminism and French feminism, new historicism, deconstruction, reader-response criticism, and psychoanalytic criticism. Source

Originally posted by naden: quote:Originally posted by Castro: ^ Seriously though, what is a party if people are not rubbing elbows and dancing to some booty-shakin', foreign music? If the concept of a party is frowned upon in Islam, then it matters not what the reason for celebration is. I don't know. My opinions on this particular issue are changing as I get older. But an opinion is not really what this is about. Somali music causes the most booty shakin' (and wigglin', and jumpin' up and around ) but that's beside the point. A gathering not approved is a party while one approved is a majlis, an aroos, a going-away-or-coming-back-or-just-plain-bored get together. Islam, I think, has nothing to do with this. Could you please state your reasons for Islam having nothing with 'this'? Castro, whats with this JACKYL & HYDE business? One min. you're a Liberal and the next, your trying to be a Conservative? Who needs the straight jacket now?

Originally posted by Amelia: ^ . Qaraar yuu ku dilin. quote: I wonder what was CW now known as Amelia's reason for posting that article. Obviously because I thought it was a great article...one which still remains despite ur silly name calling and replies to misunderstood quotes. :rolleyes: Maadhama faarixey iya afka ilaai kuu fuudhadey, maybe you can explain your points better and help us to understand as to why you thought it was a great article. Surely, you are competent enough to do so.

Were are Bashir Goth's supporters?

Originally posted by Amelia: Kheyr , My father always said 'silly questions have no answers'. I happen to agree with him. I hope you don't mind then if I ignore your QUACKING! p.s. Spell the name right-KHAYR!

Originally posted by Yahoo_UK: well most muslims don't opoligize and is usually the few so-called muslims reps that give press connferences, those types were created by their masters to be the so-callled voice of Islam ... I came to the conclusion that teh best to defeat this media is best to ignore it and muslims should create a media blackout, no speeches, no interviews , no views .. basically let them I agree with the idea of a MEDIA BLACKOUT. However, this doesn't only come from the Media but by the average person and also the average Moderate Muslim who wants to distinguish and seperate themselves from the rest of muslim ummah.