INTERNATIONAL FAMILY DAY: STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES

11th May, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: MAY 15: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES: A CALL TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES     Sunday 15th May, 2011 will be observed worldwide as the International Day of Families. This is in recognition of the vital role of families in building the society.          The family unit is a microcosm of the larger society and its status reflects in the overall condition of the population in a country. Islam places high premium on family ties since every human being belongs to one family or another. It therefore follows that suffering in the land will reduce to a large extent if we all take care of members of our families. The Glorious Qur'an repeatedly lays emphasis on the need to care for the Ulul-Qurba (blood relations; Qur'an 2:83; 4:7, 4:36; etc).     Regrettably, the social crisis facing Nigeria and the world in general today emanates from the family unit. The rise in crime, drug abuse, cultism, examination malpractice, bribery and corruption in Nigeria can all be traced to this single unit in social statistics.   The Glorious Qur'an enjoins parents to educate their children and give them proper care (Qur'an 2:233). Parents who engage in child abuse by feeding fat on under-aged children or wards who are made to hawk wares on the streets are therefore committing sin. Education is the Allah-given right of all children. Governments of all nations are therefore enjoined to make education free at all levels. In the alternative, education must be made cheap and affordable. Children must be well fed, comfortably accommodated and decently clothed by parents.   In loco parentis, parents and guardians must also sermonize young ones who live under them. Nigeria faces a moral burden today because family heads have abandoned their traditional responsibility of guidance. Parents employ and pay mercenaries who impersonate their children in examination halls. Society hails the rich even when the source of wealth is known to be illegal. Dilligence and discipline are frowned upon and labelled as 'old school'. Homo sapiens now worship materialism.   The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) calls on parents to set aside special periods to counsel children and wards. Prophet Luqman set this good example in Qur'an 31: 13-21. He taught his children to fear Allah, to be prayerful, to be humble, to be honest and to shun greed and materialism. The future of nations like Nigeria is still bright if parents can emulate Prophet Luqman.   MURIC also charges Nigerians and the rest of the world to maintain close family ties with all members of the extended family. The eradication of poverty will remain a dream if each family unit is fragmented into the 'haves' and 'have-nots'. Efforts should be made to extend economic empowerment to members of the family. Qur'an 17:23 commands goodness to parents. We  therefore remind all men to take good care of their parents. A river that forgets its source will soon dry up.   Finally, we urge governments to introduce a free medical care scheme for all pregnant women. This will reduce the high incidence of pre-maternal fatalities. Families are sustained through regeneration and this is impossible without successful pregnancy period.   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

"WHOEVER IS WORSHIPPING BIN LADEN..."

WHOEVER IS WORSHIPPING BIN LADEN …   Nobody will doubt the fact that Muslims love Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) with passion. The love is undiluted. They believe in him and his prophecy and follow him almost without questioning. This faith in Muhammad is not a new phenomenon among Muslims.   It led Ali bin Abi Talib to boldly and readily take the Prophet's place on his bed as the latter slipped out of his house to escape being killed by the idolators of Makkah who had surrounded his house. But of course the enemies fell into a mysterious sleep when the prophet came outside! The same love fired Abubakr into accompanying Muhammad on the long and dangerous journey to Madina with the Makkans in hot pursuit. Abubakr did not waver a little bit inside the cave when he was alone with the Prophet and they watched the enemies surrounding the cave.   The same passionate love for Prophet Muhammad motivated his companions to spontaneously offer their lives in place of Muhammad's in a moment of grave danger at Uhud. A vicious arrow had hit the Prophet on the forehead and he fell. This was during the battle of Uhud in 625 C. E. Though the Muslims had gained the upper hand ab initio, a group of archers numbering fifty whom the Prophet had placed strategically at the other side of Mountain Uhud to guard the rear of the Muslim flank abandoned their vital position because they thought it was all over.   The enemy did not miss this great opportunity. They came from the rear and rained an array of arrows on the Muslims. The Prophet turned to face the marauding enemy. That was the moment one of the arrows struck him. Realizing that the Prophet was down, the enemy rushed forward to finish the job. Upon seeing the deadly danger facing their beloved leader, the Muslims surged forward. Umar was the first to lie on top of the Prophet, others began to pile up on his body to give him protection. Another group of fighters ran a ring round him, fencing off his aggressors. The prophet was saved.   Though the Muslims readily sacrificed their own lives for the Prophet on the above occasions, none of them could save him from death when it finally snuffed life out of him in 632 C. E. The Prophet had been knocked down by fever for about a week. It was a different scenario. No life could have replaced his. They all watched helplessly until he died.   That was when hell was let loose. Many of them expressed disappointment that Muhammad had died. How could the Prophet die: a whole prophet? Didn't he have the power to stop death? They had thought he was immune to death. One after another they expressed skepticism, their faith diminishing in the burning desert sun.   Then Abubakr climbed a raised platform and addressed the mourning assembly thus: "Whoever is worshipping Muhammad, verily indeed I say unto you: Muhammad is dead. But whoever is worshipping Allah, verily indeed ALLAH IS ALIVE. He never dies!" (Hayun la yamut). Upon hearing this, the Muslims went into a frenzy, shouting 'ALLAHU AKBAR'!!!   Without committing the blasphemy of comparing Osama Bin Laden to the Holy Prophet, we have seen the mood among Muslims worldwide since news of Bin Laden's death was broken. To many it was incredible, impossible. Some cried, some wailed. Only a few knowledgeable ones took the news in good faith, with deep Iman.   But it was clear that terrorist or no terrorist, Muslims loved Bin Laden. Many may have been intimidated into refusing to admit this but deep in their hearts they still love him, even in official circles. Many will not like to be seen associating with terrorists, but the same axiom in international politics is true in Muslim circles, viz, the enemy of my enemy if my friend. Simple mathemagics, isn't it? Yes, mathemagics. If mathematics will not find the solution, mathemagics will definitely do.   Bin Laden embarked on his militant jihad because of the obvious injustice in the world today particularly the subjection of Palestinians to oppression in the hands of Israel, backed by the United States and the rest of the West. There is also no gainsaying the fact that he enjoyed the sympathy of majority of Muslims worldwide though some did not approve of his violent method, yours sincerely included. No other figure was so popular in Islamdom.   Therefore the news of his death appeared to have broken the myth surrounding him, hence the incredulity. The registration of reality in the medulla oblongata is capable of shattering those Muslims whose faith is not so strong, those who have little or no knowledge about their faith. It is for such Muslims that I write today.   Death is a reality in Islam. Islam teaches a fatalistic philosophy of death as a necessary end. Qur'an 3:185 says, "Every soul shall taste of death". I have no doubt that Bin Laden's death has come at his appointed time because the Qur'an affirms that no soul shall enjoy an extra minute or second nor shall any be denied a single minute (Qur'an 7:34). The Qur'an also says that only Allah can cause death (Qur'an 3:145). In reality, therefore, Allah allowed the killing of Bin Laden when his appointed time came.   Otherwise why do you think the Prophet escaped death several times? Many other people have escaped death before, some of them are known to you. But did they not die eventually? So has Bin Laden escaped death on many occasions. But when the time appointed by Allah that he would die came, He created an avenue for his death to take place in melodramatic fashion.   Come to think of it. Who heard the news when Bin Laden was born? Did any radio or television announce his birth? Was it published by any newspaper? But Bin Laden became a household name today, even in death. Pathologically hated by his foes, passionately loved by friends, Shakespeare probably had Bin Laden in mind when he said, "When beggars die, there are no comets seen, the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes".   The death of Bin Laden should not create any 'down syndrome' for Muslims. For me it is jihad continua, victoria asserta. I don't worship Bin Laden. I might have admired him. I never belonged to his school of thought. To me human life is sacred. I abhor violence. Dialogue is my choice. My jihad is intellectual jihad. It is more effective. It is positive and productive. No collateral damage.   Therefore verily verily I say unto you Muslims, like Abubakr to the Ummah, "Whoever is worshipping Bin Laden, verily indeed Bin Laden is dead. But whoever is worshipping the One and Only Allah, He (Allah) is ALIVE indeed. He never dies, not even for one second." Jihad continua!!! Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

BIN LADIN'S DEATH: LET JUSTICE REIGN

2nd May, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: BIN LADEN'S DEATH: LET JUSTICE REIGN     The death of Osama Bin Laden, leader of Al-Qaedah, was announced today on several cable networks. Bin Laden was reportedly killed in Pakistan by American special forces. Bin Laden was the alleged brain behind the September 11 attack on the United States.   The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) is not in any way surprised by this development in view of the fact that he has since been a fugitive sought after by all intelligence agencies around the world.   Islam teaches a fatalistic philosophy of death as a necessary end. Qur'an 3:185 says, "Every soul shall taste of death". We have no doubt that Bin Laden's death has come at his appointed time because the Qur'an affirms that no soul shall enjoy an extra minute or second nor shall any be denied a single minute (Qur'an 7:34). The Qur'an also says that only Allah can cause death (Qur'an 3:145). In reality, therefore, Allah allowed the killing of Bin Laden when his appointed time was due.        MURIC reaffirms its avowed abhorence of violent tendencies. We therefore call on all disciples of violent reactions to embrace dialogue.   It will be assumed that America sought justice and got it. They wanted Bin Laden dead or alive. From now on, the onus lies squarely on America. Post-Bin Laden era must be characterized by respect for the sovereignty of all nations. The violations of territorial integrities must stop. Only thus can mutual suspicion end among nations. The United States must cease to usurp the sovereignty of the United Nations. Justice must be the key word in American international diplomacy particularly in the Middle East.  The arbitrary use of veto in favour of Israel must become an anachronism.   The above are the conditions under which the world can enjoy peace. There can be no peace without justice. The world must not deceive itself into believing that peace would envelope the world once Bin Laden was captured or killed. Justice is the soul of peace. Nobody can deny one and still enjoy the other. We therefore call on America, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the rest of the West to unlock the door of justice and allow the world to breath the air of peace.   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

JOIN A NOBLE CAUSE: 'US MUST PUNISH QUR'AN BURNERS'

Dear All, As-Salaam Alaykum   I am appealing to all lovers of peace, justice and fairness to join me in condeming the type of explosive extremism displayed by the two US pastors who burned the Qur'an recently. This appeal is to all men and women of conscience. We are calling on the United States to punish these two fanatical pastors who have publicly demonstrated their lack of tolerance for another faith. The US would have lost every moral right to wage war on terrorism or extremism outside its own shores if it could not do same within.   You can join me in doing this by visiting Facebook's 'causes'  at 'www.causes.com'.   Click on 'Find a Cause' when the site opens. Type the words 'US Must Punish Qur'an Burners' in the space marked 'Search Causes'. This should open the 'cause'.   Click on the word 'Join' at the extreme right of the page. But dont stop there. Invite others in your address book as well.   Allah bless you for supporting a noble cause.   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

QUR'AN BURNING: WE REJECT OBAMA'S KID-GLOVE STANCE

QUR'AN BURNING: WE REJECT OBAMA'S KID-GLOVE STANCE   We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) reject American President Barrack Obama's soft handling of the burning of the Qur'an. He merely condemned the incident. This is not enough. Muslims want those two American fanatics brought to book. Does American law stomach incitement? Terry Jones and Wayne Sapp must be stopped by their own government. No responsible government anywhere in the world will allow its citizens to take actions capable of disturbing world peace. Crisis management requires an iron will. Obama must act now or be held responsible for the reactions of the Muslim world.   Defacing a holy book is an act of aggression against the Creator. Aggression against the Creator is an violent affront against humanity. MURIC has said it before: terrorism is mere smoke; provocation is the fire and cause of the smoke. Any good fire-fighter will direct the hose not at the smoke but at the fire. If you extinguish the fire, the smoke vanishes without lifting a finger at it. But if, in your own wisdom, you choose to fight the smoke, then you may have to keep fighting at very huge cost till Kingdom comes. Justice is the soul of peace.   Both Wayne Sapp and Terry Jones who were responsible for the burning of the Qur'an are planning a protest against the Qur'an for April 22, 2011. The proposed venue is the largest central mosque in America. Only Allah knows what they will do next. We believe that these two American terrorists have been emboldened by the tacit approval so far received for their criminal acts against humanity. As part of the moderate elements in the Muslim world, we are being embarrassed by acts of injustice coming from the United States, the West in general and the United Nations. It is not helping the cause of dialogue, rather it is being used by extremists to justify their acts of terror and to recruit more sympathisers.   We repeat again: JUSTICE is the SOUL of PEACE   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

POSTPONEMENT OF NIGERIA'S ELECTION

2nd April, 2011 PRESS RELEASE: CANCELLATION OF TODAY'S ELECTION: JEGA NOT TO BLAME     The hopes of Nigerians were dashed today Saturday 2nd April, 2011 when the parliamentary elections were suddenly postponed hours after the exercise began. The postponement was attributed to the non-delivery of vital electoral materials as at this morning.      We are not surprised by this development because the few reports reaching the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) from our monitoring team have not been encouraging. In Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ojo Local Governments of Lagos State, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were yet to arrive as the polling stations as at 12 noon. The story is the same at Gatakonwa area, Oja Oba Bus Stop, Abule Egba.   MURIC laments over this national tragedy but we salute the courage of INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, for having the courage to face the truth early in the exercise. The non-arrival of materials can hardly be blamed on him personally. We appeal to Nigerians to exercise patience at this critical moment in the history of our nationhood.   Apart from logistic issues, the printing and delivery of electoral materials are very sensitive matters which involve security and the state of our infrastructure. The fact that many of INEC's materials had to be produced outside the country is pregnant with meanings. The level of corruption and the reputation of our politicians for rigging had kept INEC on the tip-toes of alertness and anxiety. These and other factors must be held responsible for what happened today.   We have seen that so far so good, INEC chairman has maintained his independent status. Unlike his predecessors, he has refused to dance to the gallery. Neither has he dined and wined with the high and mighty. MURIC calls on Nigerians not to slay the goose that lays the golden eggs.   The Federal Government must also leave Jega alone. President Jonathan in particular must avoid the temptation to seize the opportunity of today's postponement and the national embarrassment to get rid of a 'non-compliant' Jega and to replace him with a stooge. That will be an unmitigated disaster. Jega must be given the chance to prove his worth.       Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace

QUR'AN BURNING:WESTERN FANATICS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORLD TENSION

QUR'AN BURNING:WESTERN FANATICS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORLD TENSION   The world remains under great tension and serious threat today in spite of talks about religious tolerance, lessons on peaceful coexistence and trainings in conflict resolution. The crux of all these is the determination of certain elements to compel the Muslims to do their own bidding. It is the belief of this group to ensure that Muslims around the globe are robbed of their identity, their culture and their religious freedom.   This manifests in widespread Islamophobia: the hatred for Shari'ah, the ban placed on hijab and the minaret in Western countries, disallowing Muslim children from having access to Islamic education, turning traditional Muslim countries into satellites of the West and their rulers into mere cronies of Western leaders.   The latest onslaught is the campaign for the burning of the Qur'an which, though dissuaded in the United States in 2010, materialised in the same US in 2011 when evangelical preacher Wayne Sapp burned the Qur'an in a renegade Florida church.   The question is: what is the West doing about the extremists among them when the Muslims have excommunicated fanatical elements and have even gone to the extent of fighting them? Why is the West treating Israel with kid gloves when Muslim countries have joined forces to attack Iraq and Libya?   Why does the West hurriedly impose and apply sanctions on Muslim countries while failing to impose a single sanction on Israel in spite of hundreds of United Nations (UN) resolutions ignored by Israel? Why is the US always more than willing to veto UN resolutions on Israel? What is wrong if Iran possesses nuclear power when nobody has ever querried Israel for its nuclear arsenal?   Western wrongs against Muslims and their nations flow from Western fanaticism. The earlier the White House discusses this with No.10 Downing Street the better for the conscience of the West. Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), 234-818-211-9714 E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk              muslimrights@gmail.com Website: www.muric.net Yahoo Group: groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimrights Blog:       muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com Twitter:   twitter.com/muslimconcern           Be just Justice is the soul of peace No one can deny one and have the other Neither can violence or naked force bring lasting peace