Muslim immigrants face high unemployment and new gender dynamics Study finds religious practices and political attitudes differ widely amongst groups web page TORONTO, June 16, 2005 -- York U professor Haideh Moghissi is leading a team of researchers who have made some challenging discoveries about the experience of immigrants of Islamic cultures and how they experience changes occasioned by displacement and migration. Co-investigators in the project are Saeed Rahnema and Mark Goodman. All are based in the School of Social Sciences in York’s Atkinson Faculty. “We are particularly interested in the ways in which social class, gender and religious commitments affect an individual’s experience when he or she is forced to move,†said Moghissi. “How migrants are received by the host country, however, can also play a major role in cultural acclimation as well.†The project focuses on four distinct groups: Iranians, Afghans, Pakistanis and Palestinians and the research team is drawn from Canada, Britain, Iran, Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza. In each area, research partners work actively with community members, building a basis of trust. Already, they have found that communities are extremely diverse in their political and religious views. This supports the central hypothesis that it is not possible to identify a single type of “Islamic†migrant, as the differences are too great. Of special interest in the study, Moghissi notes, is how men and women cope with displacement once the reality of exile and the need to adjust has been identified. Many women find that migration presents a positive experience, where they have an opportunity to establish something of a new identity, revising their relationship with their extended family, for instance. Despite high levels of education, getting satisfying work is often difficult particularly for men. An analysis of the 2001 Census by the team shows that despite a high level of post-secondary education (almost double the national average), Muslims in Canada have a very high rate of unemployment (14.3%), almost twice as high as the national average (7.4%) and their median income is 37% below the national average. Similar results were obtained from the over 1600 questionnaires administered by the team and its community partners in greater Toronto. Depending on the community, as many as half the males interviewed did not feel that their current job made good use of their education. Many also felt that the skill level of their Canadian job was lower than that of their work at home. This last finding was particularly acute among Iranian males, where over 36% rated the skill level of their job as “lower†or “much lower†than their work at home. As well, 22% of Pakistani males reported that they did blue collar wage work in Canada, despite the fact that over half of them had completed a B.A. or higher degree at home. Among Afghan males, 12% in the sample are unemployed and another 32% are engaged in blue collar work. While changing gender dynamics in the new country can lead eventually to a new understanding among partners, this social and cultural transformation can also lead to heightened struggle between the genders, sometimes with severely damaging effects. “Culturally, when family understandings collapse, this process can be accompanied by an effort to find religious justification for gender inequality,†said Moghissi. “The difficulties encountered in the new country can drive migrant men to embrace a more conservative practice with respect to religion and a more vigorous attachment to the homeland in an attempt to recapture the dominance they enjoyed in their countries of origin.†These gendered meanings, however, cannot be inferred from religious behaviour alone. So far, a measure of religious practice used by the team (which is based on attendance at mosque, the taking of Halal diet, fasting, praying and following Islamic dress code) shows fairly equal participation of women and men in each of the communities, but very sharp differences among the communities, reflecting differences in national and ethnic origins and the experience at home. While males scoring “high†on this index of religious practice nearly always match women or are higher, the striking differences are between males from different groups. Over 76% of Afghan males and 80% of Pakistani males score “high†compared to only 9% of Iranian males. As well, 40% of Pakistani males say that their “religious beliefs, faith or religious identity†is “much stronger†now than at home, compared to less than 1% of Iranian males who report this view, and 15% who find their religious feeling to be “much weaker†now. The sharply different movement in religious attitudes and practice is particularly remarkable for Iranians and Pakistanis, since both arrived in Canada as well-educated groups. Of those interviewed in Canada, researchers found that the great majority is satisfied with life here and overwhelmingly feel that they made the right decision in coming to the country. This is despite the fact that, following the events of September 11, as much as one-third felt that attitudes towards them had become much more hostile and very few felt greater sympathy or understanding from outside their communities. Many felt that changes in immigration rules make it harder for people to come to Canada and easier for people to be deported to dangerous places. Moghissi hopes that the findings of the Diaspora, Islam and Gender research will assist both migrant communities and policy makers at all levels of government. In identifying the problems and opportunities involved in contributing to the larger community while maintaining a distinctive culture, the study may help migrants to better address the aspects of their migration and settlement which affect their readiness and ability to adapt to a new country. As well, it is hoped that the project’s research findings will assist government in the design and implementation of programs which will improve that experience and promote harmonious relations between migrant communities and the host country. “I am hopeful that a surer, factual understanding of the realities of diasporic life should help break the harmful hold that distorting, stereotypical ideas have had on the description of Muslim migrants’ attempts to adapt their diverse ways of thinking to the culture of the host country,†observed Moghissi. Moghissi is a professor of sociology who is cross-appointed in York’s School of Women’s Studies and the School of Social Sciences, in the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies and the Faculty of Graduate Studies. She is also a member of the executive committee of the Centre for Refugee Studies. Her most recent publication is a 2005 three volume reference, Women and Islam, Critical Concepts in Sociology, published by Routledge, London. York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation. -30- Media contact: Nancy White, Director, Media Relations, York University / 416 736 2100 x22094 / whiten@yorku.ca

Bob, Niaje bro,umepotea kiasi hicho? Karibu tena kwenye homestead. Hopes alls well at ur end. Fiamanillah

Asalaam aleykum What you have shown (picture)is a rare case of cancer in children. The most malignant one being Sarcoma botryoides and the least fibrosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. What I would advıce is if anyone can be of help to do so. If the worst case is Sarcoma botyroides halima will need preoperatıve (in this case pre)or postoperative chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy which are expensive treatments. And the outcome is favourable. I cant promise but I will try to talk with some of my Gynaecology oncology professors and ask if there are means of helping. As in medical treatment. Have read a case where a 5yr child was treated succesfully in Nigeria.(1999) Fiamanillah

The Test a Believer Faces in This World Adil Salahi, Arab News The Prophet (peace be upon him) always emphasized that life in this world is merely a test and those who prove their understanding of the nature of this test are the ones to pass it with honors and gain the great prize reserved for those who are successful. Failure in this test is the result of one’s own lack of effort. The Prophet was keen to illustrate to his companions, and to Muslims in following generations, the basic Islamic concept that attaches no importance to the comforts, pleasures and luxuries of this world. A random incident or a readily understood image provided a chance for the Prophet to re-emphasize this concept. In Madinah, where the economy was agriculture-based, the Prophet described the life of this world as the farming that yields its fruit in the hereafter. This is an image that is clearly understood by everyone who works in agriculture, and its nature of hard work that for a long while does not seem to be producing anything. A farmer works hard for months on end, weeding, preparing the land, plowing, cultivating the soil, seeding, adding fertilizers, and ensuring irrigation at regular intervals. If you look at his farm during the long winter months, you do not see the promise of any yield. Yet without such work no harvest would be forthcoming. The farm will be desolate, and the people who rely on it for their living will be in a miserable state of affairs. Yet people find much enjoyment and are ready to sacrifice a lot for the comforts of this life. They compete with one another in pursuing the luxuries that give life a different taste of enjoyment. The Prophet repeatedly emphasized that such comforts are of little value, unless they are used to improve one’s chances to pass the test we have to go through in this life. Jabir ibn Abdullah reports that the Prophet once went through the market, entering from its upper side. People were with him walking on either side. As he walked, he saw a dead goat with its two ears cut off. He held it by the remaining part of one ear and, addressing his companions, he said: “Who of you would like to have this for one dirham?†They said: “We do not like to have it for anything whatsoever. What shall we do with it?†He asked again: “Would you like to have it anyway?†They answered in the negative. He repeated this last question three times. They added in answer: “We would not like to have it at all! Had it been alive, it would be of little value because of his cut ears. How could it be worth anything when it is dead?†The Prophet said: “By God, the whole of this world is, in God’s sight, of lesser value than this is to you.†(Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Muslim and Ahmad) In his dialogue with his companions, the Prophet made sure that everyone of them was clear in his mind that he would not take that dead goat for the smallest amount of money. When this was clear to all, he told them that, to God, the entire world we live in is even more worthless. I suppose that the description here is so graphic that the intended message is most clearly understood. Anyone who contemplates the message of this Hadith is filled with wonder when he looks at how people strive hard to get what they cherish and think most valuable in this life. Yet, what they can get is only a fraction of what this world offers. The entire wealth of the richest person on earth is only a fraction of what this world contains, and the most powerful ruler enjoys only a small portion of the authority and power that our world exhibits. The same applies to everything that people covet and desire. But if we put this whole world together with all the wealth, power, beauty and happiness it can provide to all its inhabitants, it is worth practically nothing in God’s sight. This is what we should remember when we wonder why unbelievers may have power, riches, and life’s comforts. We should not be surprised because we know that God may give whatever people may desire in this life to both believers and unbelievers, but He gives the happiness of the hereafter only to believers. It has to be said, however, that Islam does not advocate a total rejection of life’s comforts. On the contrary, a Muslim may enjoy these, provided that he acquires them in a legitimate way. He must not seek to acquire a position of arrogance as a result of having such comforts. On the contrary, he should use them to show kindness to his neighbors and to the poor in the community. If he does, then these luxuries become a means of earning reward from God. One aspect Islam disapproves of and is indicative of values that prevail in non-Islamic societies is that of treating tribal or national allegiance as paramount. When a person finds himself in difficulty or under pressure, he appeals to his family, tribe or community for support. He expects them to support him only because he belongs to them, not because he suffers injustice or oppression. When such bonds are made paramount, then Muslims must take the right stand, and show their rejection of such bonds. “Once a man appealed for support in the fashion of pre-Islamic days in the presence of Ubayy ibn Kaab, and Ubayy immediately abused him in clear terms. The people present looked at him with disapproval. He said to them: ‘It seems that you disapprove of what I said. I do not fear anyone at all. I heard the Prophet as he said: ‘Whoever appeals on the basis of ignorant bonds should be abused in clear terms.’†(Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban) What is significant in this Hadith is that it recommends the use of clear abusive language, not merely indirect disapproval. Such language may be thought contrary to the values Islam advocates, which disapprove of express and clear abuse. There is no contradiction between the two, because the warning against the use of such language is made in the case of people who do not deserve such abuse. The situation to which this Hadith applies merits such usage as part of the punishment for the one who resorts to the values of ignorance. Indeed the Prophet disapproved even when some people made an appeal for support invoking ties much closer to Islam than tribal loyalties. In a dispute between two Muslims, one called out to the Muhajireen and the other to the Ansar for support. But the Prophet told them: “Abandon such blind loyalty, for it stinks.†Although the two men called out invoking an Islamic loyalty, it was akin to what the people of ignorance in pre-Islamic days used to make. Hence, the Prophet’s censure. source

Inshallah looking forward to read your articles, always Mashallah. May Allah make it easy for you. Fiamanillah

They say better late than never. Congratulations bro khayr, Barakallaho laka wa barakallahu alaika wa jamaa bainakuma fee khair. Amin Fiamanillah

The playground and baby sitters works wonders. Mashallah the important thing is 2 have more baby sitters than toddlers. As the toddlers could still run amok. Apart from that ,the meetings should be held in the afternoon/after lunch time, in time for the toddlers to take their daily nap. You will have less commution but there will be in need of another space allocation with the sign -Nap area shushhh I agree with Hibo that the mothers still need to be taught toddler handling classes. As for the teenagers I believe the responsibility lies with the parents or whoever acts as the guardian on that day. They shouldnt leave their seats. Whats the use of them goin in the first place if they will be chit chatting??

Jazkhallah kheir ya Ukhti, You brought back some good memories and facts about the status Muslim women have in Islam. Although the author wrote about the nature of women as being compassionate,supportive and responsible as mothers and wives.He failed to mention that their responsibilities or duties in the Ummah dont end there. We know that Women in Islam were given other prestigious positions for example the right to inherit, indulge in a career(business, field of healing), the right to voice her decision on matters pertaining her future(divorce, marriage),right to express her thoughs on matters partaining the Muslim welfare,exceptions on matters of worship (Hijab,laws on Nifas,Hidh..) and the best of all the right to attain knowledge. Apart from that Men and female are looked upon as equals and will be judged so by Allah according to the Amal we make. With these rights/ qualities applied God fearingly she as an individual is able to give more to the Ummah as she is knowledgable (and with her innate compassionate character),economically sound(she maybe dependent/independent),healthy,watchs out for the welfare of others, law abiding citizen.

Amatillah I should apologise the name does mislead alot of Nomads. Alhamdullilah,Ive still got 3 months to complete my Univ. course but our graduation ceremony was held early. Another female doctor to be of help to our Ummah Inshallah.

Salaam Nur I for one havent. Its just moving in slow motion recently but posting is always at the back of my mind. Inshallah will post soon.Been busy with my graduation ceremony, personal loss of relatives and the ailing of others. All Allahs Kadar and trials.Hope to be among the patient. Dont want to sound cheeky but Brother arent we supposed 2 be posting in the quraan readers lounge? Oh and as for the verses in a nutshell, express the Idea of Tawhid and the reason why humans(though the verses are directed to the Prophet to say) are on earth and the reward/punishment in the afterworld.And the importance of knowledge without knowledge truth cannot be appreciated . >> 'The real mission and message of Islam.' Sorry,wish I could write more Fiamanillah.

All noble enthusiasms pass through a feverish stage, and grow wiser and more serene. William Ellery Channing

^^ Asante, was a smart test. And Im a chocolate addict even if its a peice for 7days a week. Increases the serotonin effect I think :confused: :confused:

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^^^ Well I dont know about the gun collection but do know that Abo is over protective when it comes to his girls.

Originally posted by wind.talker: P.S. The good thing is that with a text message divorce, one avoids confrontation and all the dramas that come with it. What you forget is there is an Iddat period where a husband has to tend to his wifes welfare and still share the same household till the period ends. If he approaches her/viceversa the divorce doesnt count.

Im also a slithering snake :rolleyes: Diplomatic and popular, the Snake has the sensual art of seduction down. This Sign is an interesting mix of gregariousness paired with introversion, intuitive reasoning paired with savvy business skills. Snakes are considered to be lucky with money and will generally have more than enough to live life to the fullest, regardless of how important it considers money to be; this may be due to the fact that Snakes tend to be rather tight with cash. They're not stingy, they're simply more mentally than physically active. Snakes tend to hang back a bit in order to analyze a situation before jumping into it. Their charming, seductive quality actually belies a rather retiring nature; this Sign is perfectly happy to spend the whole day curled up with a good book and, thus, can be mislabeled as being lazy. The Snake is somewhat insecure deep down and tend to be a rather jealous, possessive lover, behavior that can end up alienating loved ones. Despite these less-than-stellar tendencies, however, the Snake often proves irresistible and is a generous, loving partner.. Slightly dangerous and disarmingly smart, the Snake's philosophical and intuitive mind generally supersedes logic in favor of feelings and instinct. Snakes will rely on their own gut reactions and intuitions before turning to others for suggestions. This makes this Sign a great hand in any business venture, possessing the caution and smarts needed to get ahead. Snakes are hard workers (when they see good reason to be!) and are possessed of a keen intelligence. Snakes have incredible follow-through, once they get going, and they expect the same from others. Thus, their coworkers and employees had best stay on their toes, lest they anger the Snake and suffer its poisonous bite! In general, of course, Snakes are generous and genteel, charming and appealing. Snakes must try to learn humility and to develop a stronger sense of self. Once Snakes realize that confidence comes from within, they will finally be comfortable in their own skin.

Salaam Saabir sorry for misleading you. I am not Lady Fatma. I found this topic while reading the old posts n decided to bring it back.

Salaam, I just brought back this topic.Im in need of a reality check and motivation to do good in a world where alot of vice prevails. May Allah keep us strong and on the path to become victorious on the day of no respite. Fiamanillah

May Allah restore your health and increase you in patience.

Inallilahi waIna illahi rajiun Og girl walalo May Allah grant you patience, strenght and courage in this time of tribulation. And may He forgive and have mercy on your father and allocate Him a place in the paradise-Alfirdous. Amin

Viking, After the Quran we find guidance from the Hadith and sunnah of the Prophet SAW. Thats why I quoted some hadith. wondering now of the strenght of the hadiths though. Sister OG Girl, you summed it up well JZK. Bro Nur, Looking forward to read your article. JZK in advance. May Allah ease the task for you. I support you though that credentials do not stipulate how knowledgeable a person is. Especially when it comes to matters of religion. May Allah increase us in knowledge. Religion is sincerity..

Mashallah, May he do better and be a modal for the upcoming youth. He is going into big competition now and Inshallah pray all goes well. Glad to see our younger ones making use of the opportunity they have, to its fullest potential. May Allah increase him in knowledge and determination and be of help to the Muslim Ummah.And all the others walking the same path. After every rough storm there is a calm sea.And never forget your goal and ideals. Fiamanillah

Viking this article has disturbed and confused me. Personally, I stay hold to the hadith of the Prophet and believe that an apostate should be reminded of his duty to Allah then if failed killed. The question of how long the grace period lasts I know not of. But I do know that fire is not allowed to be used to kill such a person. SAHIH Muslim Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57: Narrated 'Ikrima: Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'" But I do recall a hadith which says if a person does not pray for 40 (?)days he is considered a Kufar.And its through prayer we connect with Allah. Apostasy is in contrast with the Idea of Tawhid oneness of Allah accepting Him Allah and His way of justice after beleiving And according to Sahih Muslim, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 470: Narrated Mu'adh bin Jabal: The Prophet said, "O Mu'adh! Do you know what Allah's Right upon His slaves is?" I said, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "To worship Him (Allah) Alone and to join none in worship with Him (Allah). Do you know what their right upon Him is?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know best." The Prophet said, "Not to punish them (if they do so)." AND Volume 9, Book 84, Number 59: Narrated Abu Huraira: When the Prophet died and Abu Bakr became his successor and some of the Arabs reverted to disbelief, 'Umar said, "O Abu Bakr! How can you fight these people although Allah's Apostle said, 'I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, 'and whoever said, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah', Allah will save his property and his life from me, unless (he does something for which he receives legal punishment) justly, and his account will be with Allah?' "Abu Bakr said, "By Allah! I will fight whoever differentiates between prayers and Zakat as Zakat is the right to be taken from property (according to Allah's Orders). By Allah! If they refused to pay me even a kid they used to pay to Allah's Apostle, I would fight with them for withholding it." 'Umar said, "By Allah: It was nothing, but I noticed that Allah opened Abu Bakr's chest towards the decision to fight, therefore I realized that his decision was right." Thus an apostate is fit to be punished . Nevertheless the Prophet SAW predicted that muslims will occur who will unite with idolators and kill muslims and he promised if he was Alive he would have killed them. Thus this does imply that punishemnt is mandatory to such people. Volume 9, Book 93, Number 527: Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: When 'Ali was in Yemen, he sent some gold in its ore to the Prophet. The Prophet distributed it among Al-Aqra' bin Habis Al-Hanzali who belonged to Bani Mujashi, 'Uyaina bin Badr Al-Fazari, 'Alqama bin 'Ulatha Al-'Amiri, who belonged to the Bani Kilab tribe and Zaid AI-Khail At-Ta'i who belonged to Bani Nabhan. So the Quraish and the Ansar became angry and said, "He gives to the chiefs of Najd and leaves us!" The Prophet said, "I just wanted to attract and unite their hearts (make them firm in Islam)." Then there came a man with sunken eyes, bulging forehead, thick beard, fat raised cheeks, and clean-shaven head, and said, "O Muhammad! Be afraid of Allah! " The Prophet said, "Who would obey Allah if I disobeyed Him? (Allah). He trusts me over the people of the earth, but you do not trust me?" A man from the people (present then), who, I think, was Khalid bin Al-Walid, asked for permission to kill him, but the Prophet prevented him. When the man went away, the Prophet said, "Out of the offspring of this man, there will be people who will recite the Quran but it will not go beyond their throats, and they will go out of Islam as an arrow goes out through the game, and they will kill the Muslims and leave the idolators. Should I live till they appear, I would kill them as the Killing of the nation of 'Ad." There is an example of a person punished in Islamic histroy for reverting. Volume 9, Book 84, Number 58: Narrated Abu Burda: Abu Musa said, "I came to the Prophet along with two men (from the tribe) of Ash'ariyin, one on my right and the other on my left, while Allah's Apostle was brushing his teeth (with a Siwak), and both men asked him for some employment. The Prophet said, 'O Abu Musa (O 'Abdullah bin Qais!).' I said, 'By Him Who sent you with the Truth, these two men did not tell me what was in their hearts and I did not feel (realize) that they were seeking employment.' As if I were looking now at his Siwak being drawn to a corner under his lips, and he said, 'We never (or, we do not) appoint for our affairs anyone who seeks to be employed. But O Abu Musa! (or 'Abdullah bin Qais!) Go to Yemen.'" The Prophet then sent Mu'adh bin Jabal after him and when Mu'adh reached him, he spread out a cushion for him and requested him to get down (and sit on the cushion). Behold: There was a fettered man beside Abu Muisa. Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, "Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, 'I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.'" and Volume 9, Book 84, Number 67: Narrated Abu Sa'id: While the Prophet was distributing (something, 'Abdullah bin Dhil Khawaisira At-Tamimi came and said, "Be just, O Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet said, "Woe to you ! Who would be just if I were not?" 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said, "Allow me to cut off his neck ! " The Prophet said, " Leave him, for he has companions, and if you compare your prayers with their prayers and your fasting with theirs, you will look down upon your prayers and fasting, in comparison to theirs. Yet they will go out of the religion as an arrow darts through the game's body in which case, if the Qudhadh of the arrow is examined, nothing will be found on it, and when its Nasl is examined, nothing will be found on it; and then its Nadiyi is examined, nothing will be found on it. The arrow has been too fast to be smeared by dung and blood. The sign by which these people will be recognized will be a man whose one hand (or breast) will be like the breast of a woman (or like a moving piece of flesh). These people will appear when there will be differences among the people (Muslims)." Abu Sa'id added: I testify that I heard this from the Prophet and also testify that 'Ali killed those people while I was with him. The man with the description given by the Prophet was brought to 'Ali. The following Verses were revealed in connection with that very person (i.e., 'Abdullah bin Dhil-Khawaisira At-Tarnimi): 'And among them are men who accuse you (O Muhammad) in the matter of (the distribution of) the alms.' (9.58) Allah knows better. Fiamanillah

Originally posted by STOIC: Is it fair to ban DDT when the international community with all its might is not doing anything to fight malaria parasite other than preventive measures?.Do you think that DDT should be banned just because it is enviromental hazard to the birds? Should we meet human needs regardless of enviromental pollution or should we protect the water and the air we breath even if somehuman beings are dying by the thousands each year?. Yes it should be banned. It been ages since we came to know of the adverse effect of DDT.And yet it is still used illegally in the rural parts of Africa(Yes, true coz its cheap remember cases in my home country). Why should it be banned has been used as poisons , humans have ingested it,also has polluted crops of the poor peasant who over the years accumulated it in his body. And as far as the sanitation systems dont really exist in African villages the freshwater bodies are polluted thus the flora and fauna affected. I remember South Africa was in the forefront crying out loud against its usage as it affected its Predatory bird wildlife. A conclusion reached by their hardwork, thorough and accurate observation of their natural habitat which alot of african countries cant even dream of doing so. Im humbled and admire to see what they did. Who knows what would have happened later in africa? Have villages full of sick people untreatable dying slowly? The few animals in their natural habitat disappearing thus loss in tourism the main economy earner in africa? DDT maybe cheap but its affects last long. African nations and africans together need to return to the basics. We still dont have proper sanitation,waterworks, we have the vast perfect breeeding areas for mosquitos and nobody really cares. People are more concerned of their own personal precaution than clearing that new stream and eradicating the breeding places for the mosquitos. As far as I can remember during my primary and secondary education they taught us how 2 do the clearing and cleaning but ended there no action was taken. Its high time the people decided to clean their environment and stop waiting for our govts and foreign investors to do so. As far as Tanzania is concerned we have researches done where millions are invested in cracking the mosquitos genes , trying to make vaccines. while the real culprit to be tackled is taking extra care of the environmental conditions, having the public play a role and the govt have programs 2 treat the wildlife. But unfortuately that never is the issue because who really wants to help africa??. The antimalarian medications used now in africa are highly resistant but still the WHO force them down our throats because they are cheap. CHEAPER versions of the required medications are not allowed to be manufactured in Africa > imperialism really. Sorry if Im ranting but kinda tired of these wrong policies and funds channeled to satisfy the wests fancies. mALARIA kILLS MILLIONS in a year Tanzania for example we have 14-19 million people infected with malaria in a year. (Can check the facts on WHO WEBPAGE). My parasitology teachers were shocked when I gave them the facts.Malaria is the leading cause of death of mothers in africa. What we need isnt DDT what we need is a committee of scholars /thinktank - public health coordinators, parasitologists, environmentalists, engineers, ....politicans, publicists to come together and come up with something for the best interest of All africans shouldnt be for one nation but as a continent. And get the investors and greedy pharmaceutical companies to change their tactics and play a role in making the idea a reality. But I guess Im dreaming wont happen?? What about those fat checks and protuding bellies which the people in charge run after?? Anyway I know its possible doing it the hard way. By clearing the marshes and adding pesticides, prophylaxis to those vunerable and quarantine to malaria patients but using the appropriate dosage and RIGHT medication. Have wildlife monitored and treated. I know it needs money and manpower, which African nations claim they have not. But if everyone plays a role the manpower issue could be reduced the govt could pay for the medication/pesticides. And its a lot less compared to the money the western countries pay into Malaria research. Turkey was among the last countries in western hemisphere to clear its land from the pest & parasite in 1932. The ironic thing is they also used DDT with mass education/ impowerization, It was the people who made the effort supervised by the new govt.They still have isolated cases of malaria as does italy and spain. and they are doin just fine. New cases of malaria are thoroughly examined people are quarantined and treated vigorously. If there is a possible reason to beleive its due to an environmental cause measures are taken.Also goes done to planning and good organisation skills and the determination to do whats right. In Africa unfortunately we still have individual goals to fulfill, people pocketing part of grants then claim that projects failed or give interesting data. Its a shame really. I believe its possible to eradicate malaria without spoiling our beautiful african heritage WITH the polluting effects of DDT.

Asalaam aleykum I would like to beleive that depression isnt a disease a Muslim should face but medically speaking the cause of depression relates to chemical imbalances in the brain circuiting. Counselling should be emphasised and for a muslim, faith in Allah against all odds and blessings should be frequently reminded. People with mild to moderate depression are usually given a try with psychotherapy. Medication alone cant really help; lifestyle changes, therapy sessions on an individual and family basis are of value. Sorry got 2 run but depression like all diseases need alot of attention and interaction with the family and community as a whole.And more emphasis on religious support should be encouraged.Thus we need more Muslim doctors and the society to live as an Ummah- a pillar of support, compassion and development. And as its a disease I remember the hadith of the Prophet SAW which says" Allah has created every disease with a cure." thus its our responsiblity to seek means to get cured.