"This can give rise to hopelessness and could undermine Muslims' sense of belonging in the EU. I believe a muslim will never ever be accepted in a non-muslim country! No matter how much we try to "integrate". It is said the Kuffars will never accept us until we leave our belief and become just like them. A'uthubillah

Muslims' sense of belonging could be eroded by European nations not tackling discrimination, a watchdog has warned. A report by a European Union-backed anti-racism body says the number of Islamophobic incidents in the 25 member states is probably under-reported. The report calls on governments to speed up Muslim integration - but says Muslims must also do more to counter stereotypes and fears of extremism. At least 13 million Muslims are thought to live in European states. In the report, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) says it has documented a wide range of anti-Muslim or Islamophobic abuse across the EU's 25 member states. The body was established by Brussels in 1998 to collect accurate data on extremism across the continent. It says that Muslims are confronting a rise in racism ranging from violence through to discrimination in housing and employment. The EUMC's report lists hundreds of reported cases of violence or threats against Muslims from across the continent. These incidents include attacks on mosques, verbal abuse of women wearing veils or headscarves and other forms of discrimination. However it says it is difficult to fully understand what may be happening because so few countries collect data on religiously-motivated hate crimes. The report says the UK is the only member state currently publishing crime statistics on hate crimes against Muslims. Beate Winkler, director of the body, said the 117-page report underlined the vulnerability of Muslims to discrimination across the EU amid an intensifying debate over Islam's place in the West. "The report makes it clear that Muslims, along with other migrant and minority groups, frequently suffer different forms of discrimination which reduce their employment opportunities and affect their educational achievement," she said. "This can give rise to hopelessness and could undermine Muslims' sense of belonging in the EU. "Integration is a two-way process. Many European Muslims acknowledge that they need to do more to engage with wider society. "At the same time, Europe's political leaders must make a stronger effort to promote meaningful intercultural dialogue and tackle racism, discrimination and marginalisation more effectively." The position of Muslims in the EU has become an increasingly important political question in the five years since the 9/11 attacks on America. However, events ranging from terrorism to the international row over the Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad - has made integration a problematic issue for many governments. In Turkey earlier this month, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for greater understanding between Christianity and Islam. He also sought to ease Muslim outrage over his remarks in September that cited a medieval emperor speaking about violence and Muhammad's teachings. "Muslims feel that acceptance by society is increasingly premised on 'assimilation' and the assumption that they should lose their Muslim identity," says the report. "Muslims feel that since 9/11 they have been put under a general suspicion of terrorism." The report recommends that EU nations do more to boost the job opportunities of Muslims and to improve the way schools explain Islam to children. It praises some initiatives to improve inter-ethnic relations and integration, such as a programme of faith studies in Luxembourg schools and community forums in the Netherlands. source

^^well said.....and good advice brother!

Excellent idea Ameen!! I will share with you a hadith that shows the excellence of reciting the Quran and acting upon it's injunctions: Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported; I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying,"Read the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for it's reciters on the day of Resurrection" Muslim So intercession means that the Quran will be endowed with the power of speech by Allah and will request Allah to forgive the sins of the reciters who acted upon its teachings. Allah will accept the request of the Quran!!! Imagine you standing there, on the day of judgement, with the quran asking for your forgivness!! What a sight! So come on ppl.......lets drop those trashy western novels we waste our time on and lets pick up our holy book thats sitting on our top shelf out of our reach!!!

I don't like ppl claiming that they are the nationality thats written on their passport! Kasim is a Somali full stop. How can he call himself Canadian??

^^If I were you rudy......I'd be carful who I call a "fake muslim"! It might come back to you. Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan said the same thing on oprah! May Allah guide her and remove her ignorance!

Originally posted by MKA Yoonis: Sometimes, I actually really do think that I'm too intelligent to fall in love! Looooooooool!!!! Walaahi Yoonis.....you truly are a unique character! The hypothesis would be: Is it actually true, that according to MKA's thinking, that he's indeed too intelligent to fall in Love and are geniuses to dumb for love too? Investigate immidiately!

Whats 'gap year'?

...in my final year.......happy but nervous about graduating! mantra, time's gonna fly. 3 years is not thaaaaaat long.....trust me!

^^aaaawwwwwwww ofcourse there's nothing wrong with you!!! All in due time it will happen for you bro! But my advice to you is don't wait for it......and make dua.....and inshaallah Allah will grant you a pious sister! Maybe you should be friends with Horn

You know what they say, becoming the friend of a brother of a girl you like will get you the easiest access and route to the house! Lol! lol.........so true!! MKA, seems like your talking from experience.

By someone called Shazia Ahmad........amazing indeed!

Thanx Haneefah......I forgot to put up the translation!

I was going to post this under the islamic section but thought it fits in here! Hope it opens ppls eyes a lil bit(by the way, it's not mine. By someone called Shazia Ahmad)....pretty scary! --------------------------- These words I jot down, 'cos I shudder with fear At the thought that young Muslims can sleep without prayer That to close ones eyes can be as easy as pie Thinking that prayer is a ritual, outdated, should die You stup!d young kid, you must be as dumb as a log, For you have forsaken your freedom, to be lead like a dog! Have you the faintest idea what will happen to you When you rot in your grave with the worms gnawing through! When your body is dust, your flesh rotted away, "GAME OVER" is flashing, and no more credits to play! Then the sun will explode and the mountains will sway And the whole of creation will rise on that day! The angels will fly, like moths to a flame, And you'll tear from the earth, to explain your life's game! Blackened to a char will be the skin on your face, Your friends will desert you, there won't be a trace, Iblis will be laughing, with a stitch on his side, Because you were too STUP!D, to get off his ride. The wealth of this world, took you for its bride Its too late kid, its HELL for you inside. A fire so hot, that the boulders will burn Like a match exploding, it'll soon be your turn. If only you had that chance to repent, You'd soon reconsider all the time that you'd spent! And there will stand people, against whom you did tease, 'cos their sajdah did scare you, filled you with unease While you tried to disown them, like a infectious disease, Now you toss in the flames, while they cool in the breeze In the line of eternity, your life is a dot A hundred years, just a twinkle, is all that you've got 5 minutes of prayer! Not worth the time? Against your soul you've committed the greatest crime! Prayer is not for your God, He does not need your words Its for you to remember that your greatness ain't yours! When you put that big head on the humblest of dust, Its your heart that you clean, all tarnished with rust! You connect your soul with creations' Great Light Even the darkest of hearts can be left shining bright You remove all the sin, and Shaitan's whispering words And you slash evil's hold, with the greatest of swords. Prayer is the path from earth to the sky, From a caterpillar you'll become a bright butterfly. Prayer makes you remember that you ain't all that hot And that your life really starts, when your flesh starts to rot Prayer is that link to the mother from the womb Prayer is the guardian that protects you in the tomb. Prayer untangles your life, like a comb through your hair Against the fire of hell, it's the only cloak you can wear So understand kid! To skip prayers is not cool, Its so stup!d, so mad, you must be a fool It's like crossing a desert without water to drink Just open your eyes kid, just sit back and think! This world is a lie, this world is game Like a poisonous snake, which you never can tame And just as you turn you back on what's right Fangs will leap from the darkness, and in your neck bite As you lie in your coffin, facing the sky, Your life will flash past, a twinkle in your eye You'll scream as the truth is slowly unveiled It's too late, mate.

I stummbled across this and thought; sharing is caring ----------------------------- The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders. It is seen in the width of his arms that encircle you. The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice. It is in the gentle words he whispers. The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has. It is how good a buddy he is with his kids. The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work. It is in how respected he is at home. The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits. It is in how tender he touches. The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest. It is in his Heart that lies within his chest. The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift. It is in the burdens he can understand and overcome. The strength of a man isn't in the volume of his voice it is in the wisdom of his words and the softness of his tone. The strength of a man isn't in his controlling ways of others it is in the way he controls himself.

Pretty long but worth the read! ================================================== There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show her off to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men. He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times. Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her. One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!" Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant's heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is so good over here! I'm going to remarry when you die!" The merchant's heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the 2nd wife, "I always turned to you for help and you've always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated. Then a voice called out : "I'll leave with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, "I should have taken much better care of you while I could have !" Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives ....... The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll never leave with us when we die. Our 3rd wife ? Our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we're alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. BOTTOMLINE! "The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and sensual pleasure. Guess what ? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it's a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we're on our death-bed to lament."

^^Lol.........rudy, you actually started off sounding pretty supportive............you had me fooled for a minute!

My parents will have to kick me out man when the time comes for me to flock the nest. Xalimopatra.....that made me laugh!!!!lol.....you sound a bit like me. Crystal_Clear.....don't pay ant attention to those ppl. Let them keep assuming. However, islamically, a girl must live with a mahram. I think I would just go crazy if I lived alone!!!

....it scares me to think where she is now!! Subhanallah.....it amazes me how quickly life can slip away!

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favourite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one... So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy... Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Thought for the day: Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching. --- Author Unknown

I think I've heard of this story before........it really got to me.......how someone can be on the straight path and in their final chapter of their lives do a complete flip! Like my distant relative, she was a niqaabi, a good religous girl.......then one day she just changed! Now, she's your average weastern girl! I was really disappointed in her! Barseesa begged for help, so shaitaan instructed “If you prostrate to me i will save you.” So Barseesa prostrated to shaitan..... That is the most scariest thing to me..............to die, having committed shirk!

Kimiya............do you have a baby?????? Super cute indeed!!!

'Turning muslim in Australia' This aussie guy is pretty funny.......he loves islam so much that he went out and got the shahada tattoed on his arm....lol......only to find out that it's haraam......that cracked me up!!

Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, criticised the "unacceptable situation". "It is incitement... we are in a situation where people are being killed because of extremism. :rolleyes: Here we go again......quotes being pulled out of context and completley twisted to suit them!!I would love a jewish school to be inspected. The book also allegedly asks the reader to "explain that those who die without adhering to Islam will go to hellfire". Whats wrong with that!!! Thats what we, as muslims believe.....which is exactly what the christians and jews believe.....that a muslim will go to hell if they don't follow judaism or christianity! They make me so mad I'm going to go check out the site....maybe there's a comments section.....

aaawwwwwww what a cute lookin couple! They so suit each other.