The

Friday Bulletin
'Govt policy counterproductive in addressing extremism'
State policies which collectively punish Muslims are starving efforts for sustainable response in combating the threat posed by violent extremism and terrorism. These sentiments were made by the national chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Prof. Abdulghafur El Busaidy who accused the government for alienating and victimizing Muslims saying that this did not augur well for good relationship with the Muslim community and the efforts to combat extremism. In his opening address last week during a the three day forum called to deliberate on measures to counter the problem of violent extremism, Prof. El-Busaidy said while the

Rabi' ul Awwal 23, 1435/January 24, 2014

The Weekly Muslim News Update

Issue No. 560

Concerns over high schools fees

Stakeholders in the education sector continue to raise their voices against the move by head teachers to increase school fees. They accused the school heads for illegally hiking fees, a move which has forced parents to dig deeper into their pockets to ensure that their children access secondary education. Latest to raise concern is Secretary General Council of Imam and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Sheikh Muhammad Dor who asserted that the principle of free primary education has been violated completely and does not exist anymore a thing he blames on school boards and principals. He said the constitution provides that all children have a right to free basic education and it was wrong for public schools to levy high fees. The constitution clearly states that every person has a right to education. Public schools are supposed
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Muslim community has been positive in addressing this challenge, it has instead been on the receiving end at the hands of state agents. We have witnessed arbitrary arrests, extra judicial killings and renditions of Kenyans suspected to be involved in acts of terrorism. These unfortunate acts by the government security machinery is alienating the relationships with the Muslim community, starving itself of both assist the goodwill and intelligence that would in countering terrorism efforts, he said. Consequently, the majority of innocent Muslims have found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand they have to grapple with a faceless group of people within their midst who cause mayhem in the name of advancing the course of their religion, on the other hand they have (Muslims) have to conto confront a ruthless counter-terrorism security apparatus that rarely take any steps to investigate and make distinc- front a ruthless counter-tertion between the real terrorist and the innocent Muslim, rorism security apparatus he added. that rarely take any steps Prof. El Busaidy observed that relations between the gov- to investigate and make disernment and the Muslim community were at and all time tinction between the real terlow and need to be improved to foster a climate of mutual rorist and the innocent Muslim -PROF EL-BUSAIDY Story Continued To Page 2

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The chairman of the Kisumu-based Da'wah Development Group (DDG) Abdulqadir Omar breaks the ground for the proposed Kakamega High School Mosque. Witnesseing the event are officials from the organisation, the school and Muslim leaders from Kakamega county. The organisation responded to a plea from the school to construct a mosque to serve the students. STORY ON PAGE 7

www.islamkenya.org

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred

The Friday Bulletin

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/January, 24 2014

EDITORIAL

Govt should not disperse the seeds of extremism

For the first time, a forum to deliberate on the emerging issue of extremism was recently held under the auspices of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM). The forum brought together opinion leaders, policy thinkers and government representatives to weigh up measures to counter the threat posed by those who subscribe to extremist views. This matter is increasingly becoming a source of concern not only for the government but for the Muslim community as well as the ideas espoused by a section of this group pose a grave danger to internal Muslim unity and peaceful religious co-existence. Views espoused by this group promote and praise violence against both Muslims and non-Muslims and endeavor to promote an intolerant version of Islam which views those who do not subscribe to their views as apostates and hypocrites-a clear deviation from the sacrosanct teachings which are embodied in the Quran and the Sunnah. For Muslims, It becomes a religious obligation to repudiate these wayward thoughts as they are antithesis to Islamic teachings and only serve to create and breed animosity and hatred. At the same time, while the government is passionate about addressing this problem which it sees as a threat to national security, at the same time it needs to come to the realization that its policies, more than anything else have served to exacerbate this problem. Going by recent developments, it is clear that the ten-month Jubilee administration, either by accident or design has chosen to inherit policies of previous governments which have perpetrated exclusion, discrimination and criminalization of the Muslim community. In the aftermath of the Westgate Mall attack and the recent attempt to bomb the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), these acts of unfair treatment and victimization are being enforced with zeal. More stringent measures-which are not applicable to other faith groups-, are being enforced on Muslims seeking national documents and police raids where the rights of residents are violated are becoming a normal occurrence in Muslims populated areas. Such miscalculated attitudes only serve to stir up Muslim anger and provide the fodder for more recruits to join the extremist cause. While this anger gradually builds up, the government-as usualcontentedly continues to live in denial. During the recent forum on countering extremism, the Internal security minister Joseph Ole Lenku was emphatic that there was no state discrimination and victimization against Muslims and went further to say that the government will use a heavy handed approach (read extra judicial killings) against those whom it consider extremists who he described as dangerous and heavily armed. On his part, his principal secretary Mutea Iringo described it as perception that Muslims were being discriminated against, with the same message being shared by the Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo. Time and again, Muslim leaders have expressed interest to engage with the government in curbing this menace, however, the radical State policies have repeatedly turned out to be counterproductive and a the major stumbling block as they work to isolate and alienate Muslims and further provide ammunition to those who put forth arguments that the government harbours hostile design towards the community. More than anything, the war on terror has created a wedge and mistrust between the State and the community and sincere engagements where the grievances of Muslims are acknowledged and addressed, will help to build the bridges of understanding that will contribute to dismantling extremism. While it remains a religious obligation of Muslims to tackle this vice, the State needs to understand that it has an added responsibility of ensuring that the principles of fairness, justice and adherence to the law are applicable to all citizens regardless of the faith backgrounds ignoring this matter will only further the dispersal of seeds which in the near future will germinate into intolerance.

Govt alienation counterproductive

Continued From Page 1

trust. This can only be done through dialogue on grievances held by the community regarding the approach that the government has used to deal with terrorism, which is viewed as a collective punishment against all Muslims, he said. The chairman took a swipe against counter terrorism efforts and demanded that the government must make moves to address the pending issue of Kenyan rendition victims who are being held in Uganda. The outstanding cases of Kenyans held in Uganda since 2010 on suspicions of terrorism must be resolved through an immediate trial or unconditional release, he said. He called for sincere steps to on the part of the government to addressing the grievances of Muslims to restore the shattered trust between the two sides. Addressing participants who included leaders drawn from community organizations, civil society members, government representatives and other stakeholders, he said extremism was a reality and it should be addressed as it has a potential of undermining the freedoms and progress which Kenyans has achieved over the years. Prof. El-Busaidy went on to emphasize on dialogue saying that it was embraced by Prophet Muhammad, on whom be Allahs peace and blessings noting that it helps to create a climate where different ideas are embraced and divergent views respected. The teachings of Islam have put a high premium on the idea of peaceful dialogue and enjoin Muslims to embrace dialogue and consultations, he said. The forum organized by SUPKEM and held under the theme, Advancing shared responsibility for a peaceful society was the first attempt in an attempt to address the growing challenges of extremism in the country.

Concerns over high schools fees

Continued From Page 1

to follow government guidelines on fees but this is not being done and even primary schools have created hidden charges, he said. Sheikh Dor, who also serves as the Imam for Mbaruki mosque in Mombasa further said that if schools continue to impose high fees, 60% of those eligible to enroll in both primary and secondary public schools will not be able to access education. If this situation is not controlled immediately we will have thousands uneducated and jobless youth, he continued. The former nominated Member of Parliament urged the education ministry to take stern action against all school boards and principals whose actions infringed on the rights of ordinary citizens. Education cabinet secretary Professor Jacob Kaimenyi recently warned school heads against the increment of school fees without the approval of the ministry. Boards of management and head teachers should adhere to ministerial guidelines on charging extra levies, he said while adding that the Basic Education Act 2013 has clear provisions on charges. The Kenya National Association of Parents (KNAP) which threatened to sue the government for imposing high fees on public schools. The union argued that public schools should not charge more than Sh18, 435 and Sh3600 for boarding and day schools respectively.

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/24, January 2014

The Friday Bulletin

Da'wa
By Khalid Baig

Prophet as a Man: The One to Love The Most

It is important to realize that Umars words were genuine. He did not say words simply to please his interlocutor, who in this case was the Prophet himself. He was expressing his feelings in a direct manner. At first, Umar thought that no one can ever love anyone else better than his own self. Hence, his first statement. The Prophet explained to him the fact that every Muslim should know. Nothing could take precedence ahead of the Prophet in any Muslims feelings, not even ones person or interests. These should be sacrificed when set against what the Prophet requires. Umar understood this perfectly. Hence, his rejoinder that the Prophet was now dearer to him than his own soul. This is not merely a word uttered. It is a question of balance. Umar was now aware that the Prophets orders took precedence over everything else and he accepted this. Hence, his statement that the Prophet was dearer to him than his own soul. The love these Hadiths speak of is not a mere feeling. It must be supported by the right action. Otherwise, the Prophet would not have accepted Umars last statement until it was put to test

Muslims often talk about their love of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In their ordinary speech, many refer to him as our beloved one, rather than mention him by name. Others use different titles and adjectives, always indicating how greatly they value, respect and love him. When people of other religions realize this, they often express shock or surprise. They wonder why should we feel such love for someone who died some 1,400 years ago. We all remember how the publication of the Danish cartoons insulting the Prophet stirred a worldwide reaction among Muslims. This was extremely surprising to people in the West. Yet such love is to us the mark of true faith. We do not really believe in Islam unless we love the Prophet more than anyone else. Such love is a requirement of the Islamic faith. It must be genuine love, not a merely verbal statement. The Prophet is quoted by Anas as saying: None of you is a true believer unless I am dearer to him than his parents, children and all others. (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Nasaaie and Ibn Majah). Uttered by anyone other than Prophet Muhammad, such a statement may be ill considered or misunderstood. From him, however, it must be treated as part of the education he gave his followers. He was no seeker of any position in this world. He looked for nothing that people could give. He aspired to no status other than the one given to him by Allah. He was Allahs Messenger, and his role was to deliver His message and educate people in how to accept it and conduct their lives on its basis. The statement quoted above should be viewed in this light. What it tells us is that when something is contrary to what the Prophet says or orders, we must never hesitate between the two; we must always take what the Prophet says abandoning anything that differs with it. We clearly see this in the following Hadith, which associates loving the Prophet with loving Allah. It is again a highly authentic Hadith in which Anas quotes the Prophet as saying: There are three qualities which are certain to give anyone the sweetness of faith: to love Allah and His Messenger more than anyone else, to love a person for no purpose other than for Allahs sake, and to hate to relapse into disbelief after Allah has saved him from it as much as to hate to be cast in the fire. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Al-Nasaaie). In this Hadith loving the Prophet is seen as part of loving Allah. This is not surprising because it was through the Prophet that we learned who Allah is, His attributes, our position in relation to Him, what concept to formulate of Him and what Allah wants from us. Thus, as Allahs Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him) has given us everything we need to know about Allah, delivered His message and guided us through practical example along the way that is certain to earn for us Allahs acceptance and to ensure that in the life to come we will be in ultimate bliss. He has taught us every good thing we need to know in our life. When someone does us a good turn, we feel grateful. If the good turn is bound to spare us exposure to some detriment, we feel heartily touched. If it brings us some happy feeling, we are ever so excited. Muhammad (peace be upon him) did us the best turn anyone can ever have, presenting to us divine guidance at its purest and most complete. He has spared us the worst calamity that can ever befall anyone, which is incurring Allahs anger and punishment. He has given us the faith that is bound to fill us with the happiest feelings mankind can experience in this life. If we realize all this, how can we fail to love him more than we love ourselves? Abdullah ibn Hisham, a companion of the Prophet, reports: We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he held Umar ibn Al-Khattabs hand. Umar said to him: Messenger of Allah! I love you more than anyone and anything else, apart from myself. The Prophet said to him: By Him who holds my soul in His hand, this will not do, unless you love me more than you love yourself. Umar said: Well, now you are indeed dearer to me than my own self. The Prophet said: Now, Umar, you have got it right. (Related by Al-Bukhari).

JAMIA BURSARY 2014

The Education Committee invites applications from suitable, qualified and eligible needy Muslim students who sat for their KCPE in 2013 and will be joining Form 1 in 2014. The applications for the limited number of scholarships must meet the following criteria: Must have sat for KCPE in 2013 and obtained at least 375 marks (Pupils from public primary schools will be given priority) Be an orphan or from a family suffering extreme poverty Must have been admitted to Form 1 in a Public secondary school (Special cases joining Islamic integrated schools will be considered) Application Procedure Fill in the standard bursary form (available at Jamia Mosque Library or Jamia website www.islamkenya.org) Hand written application letter Copy of KCPE result slip Copy of Form 1 admission letter and fees structure Parents ID card or Death certificate or Revertion certificate Any other supporting document All applications to be received latest by Friday 31st January 2014. Incomplete applications will not be received. Only those with the necessary qualifications should apply. The Education committee reserves the right to request for further information before the award of the bursary to any applicant and their decision will be final. The sponsorship (either in full or part) will benefit the successful applicants from Form 1to Form 4 on the basis of the students academic performance and discipline records.

Parents are invited for a one day workshop on parenting. The programme is a follow up on the earlier programme held in November Venue: Muslim Academy-Park Road Date Sunday 2nd February 2014 Time: 9.00 am-Dhuhr Organised by Park Road Youth Group and Family Resource Centre Topic:Adhabu ya mwenye kuacha Swala By: Ustadha Nuru 26th January 2014 2.00 pm -4.00 pm Venue: Makina Mosque Kibera
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PARENTING SEMINAR

SUNDAY LECTURE

The Friday Bulletin

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/24, January 2014

WOMEN

Cherish Your Wife the Prophets Way

By Muhammad Fathi In Islam, the relationship between husband and wife is a strong bond to be nurtured with kindness, love and mercy. It is so significant that Allah Almighty mentions it in the Quran as one of His great signs in the world: {And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought} (Ar-Rum 30:21) Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the role model for every Muslim in all aspects of life. When you read about the Prophets treatment of his wives, you will be amazed by the great level of care, gentleness, love and compassion he showed them. The following collection of hadiths highlight glimpses of his guidance in this regard: She Deserves the BEST Treatment 1.Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character. And the best of you are those who are best to their women.(At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani) 2. Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best among you is the best towards his wife, and I am the best of you to my wives." (Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani) 3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A believer must not hate a believing woman (i.e., his wife); if he dislikes one of her traits he will be pleased with another." (Muslim) 4. `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The world is but a (quick passing) enjoyment; and the best enjoyment of the world is (to have) a pious wife." (Muslim) Express Your Love 5. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, which of the people is most beloved to you?' He answered: "`Aishah. He was asked, 'And among men?' He said: 'Her father.' (Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani) 6. `A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said, Never did I feel jealous of any of the wives of the Prophet except for Khadijah, although I have never seen her. She added, When Allah's Messenger slaughtered a sheep, he said: Send it to the friends of Khadijah. One day `A'ishah mentioned Khadijah in a way that made the Prophet upset. He told `Aishah, I have been granted her love (by Allah). Render Love into Deeds 7. `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah would give her a vessel to drink, when she was menstruating, then he would look for the spot where she had put her lips on and put his lips on the same spot. (An-Nasai and authenticated by Al-Albani) 8. Anas narrated that the Prophet had a Persian neighbor who was good in cooking soup. One day he prepared some soup and invited the Prophet to it. `Aishah was present so the Prophet suggested to the neighbor that she should join them. The neighbor refused to include her in the invitation. The Prophet, therefore, declined the invitation. The Persian repeated the exclusive invitation for the Prophet who, once again, declined the invitation. In the third attempt, the Persian neighbor invited both the Prophet and his wife, `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). Then, the Prophet accepted his invitation and went with `Aishah to the mans house. (Muslim) 9. Al-Aswad asked `Aishah about what the Prophet used to do at home. She replied. "He used to serve his household but when it was time for the prayer, he would get up for prayer." (Al-Bukhari) Have Fun with Her 10. `Aishah reported that she accompanied the Prophet in a travel when she was still slim. The Prophet told people to move forward and then he asked `Aishah to race with him. They had a race and `Aishah won. In a later travel, when `Aishah had forgotten the race and had already gained weight, the Prophet told her to race with him again. She declined, How can I race with you while I am in such a condition? The Prophet insisted and they did have a race. The Prophet won this time. He laughed then and said tit for tat. (Authenticated by Al-Albani) 11. `Aishah reported: It was the day of `Eid and some Ethiopians were playing with shields and spears. Either I requested Allah's Messenger or he himself asked me whether I would like to see the display. I replied in the affirmative. Then he let me stand behind him; my cheek was touching his cheek and he was saying, "Carry on, O Bani Arfida (i.e., Ethiopians)!" When I got tired, he asked me if that was enough. I replied in the affirmative and he told me to leave. (Al-Bukhari) Love that Transcends Time 12. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when something was brought to the Prophet, he would say, Take it to so-and-so because she was a friend of Khadijah (his deceased wife) (Authenticated by Al-Albani) 13. `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: Once, Halah bint Khuwailid (the sister of the Prophets first wife, Khadijah) sought permission to enter. The Prophet recognized and recalled the manner of Khadijah when she sought permission to enter. So, he was deeply moved and said, "O Allah, may she be Halah bint Khuwailid!" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/24, January 2014

The Friday Bulletin

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Prophet Muhammad: Best Example for Youth Today

Idris Tawfiq Young people today see a lot of pomp and ceremony when it comes to politicians and leaders. It seems today as though the more authority you have, the more the red carpet is laid out for you, the more special attire and finery you are expected to wear, and the more freedom you have to express your opinions - whether they are held up by evidence or not, and no matter how much they may offend others. But let's take a look at the final Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and see the stark difference between what is now and what was before. "Which one is Muhammad?" So humble was the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that strangers looking for him in the mosque in Madinah had to ask this. Sitting in the row of believers for the daily prayers, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), with his simple and modest bearing, could not be distinguished from anyone else. He was so calm, so dignified, and so peaceful that no one could single him out as the leader. Children and youth could approach him to receive a warm greeting or to ask this great, yet humble man a question or some advice. In quiet prayer he looked like any other simple man. There was no sign here of the great warrior, the skillful negotiator in times of war and peace, the statesman. There was no sign either that this was the man, from among all men, who was chosen to receive the Creator's final message to mankind. In the mosque his focus was on Allah alone. He was like every Muslim who enters the mosque to pray. And yet, unlike any other Muslim, he had been chosen as the Seal of the Prophets, the most honorable and the noblest of men. He was the one whom Allah selected to guide all mankind. Orphaned by the age of six and born in a relatively unimportant region of the world to a simple family, Muhammad could neither read nor write. When commanded by the Angel Jibreel to recite the first glorious verses of the Qur'an, Muhammad could only respond that he was unable to read or recite them. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had neither power nor wealth. He possessed none of the things that the world considers important. Yet Allah chose him from all men in the world to be what the Qur'an calls "a mercy to mankind." This is the role that young Muslims should take on in this world that is so full of turmoil and hate. The youth are the standard-bearers of the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and it is a message of mercy. In his person, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a mercy to all the people on earth. One so kind, so pious, so devout in prayer and obedience to the will of Allah had been chosen as the guide for mankind. We should ask ourselves, how closely are we living our lives according to the message of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). If we are living in his way, no problem will be too great to overcome, our future will appear clear before us, and the challenges of young adulthood will seem small. If young Muslims join in the ranks of the followers of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), they will be joining the ranks of the merciful, pious, and just people through all the ages, from the beginning of time. Indeed, Allah opens the way for those who sincerely obey Him and His Messenger. Good people should surround themselves with good friends. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was surrounded by people who sought the pleasure of Allah. Ask yourself: Who do you mix with and why? Your friends reflect who you are. At the end of his life, when Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was laid to rest in the earth, his funeral was attended by his heartbroken friends and Companions. They had been with him for so long, many since the time of the first revelation of the Qur'an some 23 years before, and now they were to be left alone, without a guide for the first time in so many years. Imagine yourself living at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings Continued to page 6

Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa sallam, the Last Prophet

Muhammad was an orphan. His father had died before Muhammad was born and his mother died while he was still very young. This was why Muhammad was brought-up first by his grandfather, Abdul Mutallib, and later by his uncle, Abu Talib. Both of them loved the orphaned Muhammad very much, and both devoted a lot of care to him. When he was big and strong enough to work, Muhammad tended sheep on the outskirts of Makkah, the town where he lived. Muhammad was still a boy when he worked as a shepherd. Later, when he grew into a young man, Muhammads uncle, Abu Talib, used to take him along on his trading journeys. Makkans like Abu Talib were merchants and the journeys they made where very long. Their camels brought many different goods into Makkah. This was a very good and exciting experience for Muhammad and when he grew older he was able to lead the caravans on his own. In Makkah there lived a wealthy widow whose name was Khadija. She owned trade caravans and employed Muhammad to lead them for her. Khadija had made a very wise choice, for Muhammad was a good honest tradesman and a very successful one. Later on, Muhammad and Khadija were married and settled down with their children to lead a happy and peaceful life in Makkah. As the years passed and Muhammad grew older, he began to think deeply about many things. Although his own family life was very happy, several problems worried him. Muhammad often wandered by the mountains outside Makkah and here, in a cave in Mount Hira, he used to sit and think in peace and solitude: I wonder how it happened that I, who was once an orphan, am now such a rich man, Muhammad thought, I have a good wife and loving children, and yet I am still not entirely happy. Muhammad knew very well why this was so, for he had long been troubled by the situation that existed in Makkah: They dont help the poor. They do not bother about caring for orphans or nursing the sick back to health. People in Makkah seem to be interested only in having a lot of money and when they have that, they want even more! These thoughts troubled Muhammad for many years.

The Friday Bulletin

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/24, January 2014

FEATURE

Best Example for Youth Today

Continued from page 5

Abdiazizs agony instills the spirit of Islam

When he was admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital last month after developing severe complications, Asha Jaldesa, the mother of Abdiaziz Isaak Adan did not have an indication on how the high cost of treatment will be met. The 18-yearold former student of Shang Tao Media College in Nairobi was Sheikh Juma Amir (Left) accompanied by Noor forced to put Abubakar and Sheikh Subki Shee with a jovial aside his Abdiaziz after his hospital discharge at his Kodreams of being rogocho home. They took along with them a food ration package for the family. a journalist after he developed bone cancer-a rare condition among his age mates. The malignancy led to the amputation of his right leg at Kenyatta National Hospital in March last year but without follow-up chemotherapy, the disease spread to the remaining part of the amputated limb leading it to be heavily swollen and leaving him in agonizing pain which forced him to be in bed all the time. Follow up treatment at the national referral hospital did not help as he was only prescribed with painkillers Forced by circumstances, the family decided to have him admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital. Without the mandatory deposit required before the commencement of treatment, his single mother who hails from the Korogocho slums and ekes a living from hawking, put her trust to the Almighty with hopes that well-wishers will come on board to assist her son access treatment. Following a story about his agonizing plight in The Standard, the deputy Imam of Jamia mosque Sheikh Juma Amir visited him at the hospital and later highlighted his pitiable condition to the congregation. The matter was further relayed by The Friday Bulletin with a call from the Sheikh for the faithful to visit Abdiaziz in hospital and also fulfill their obligation in ensuring that he accessed treatment. Visiting patients is one of the highly meritorious deeds a person could undertake and this helps in appreciating Allahs innumerable blessings of good health, he said. With the clarion call, assistance gradually started streaming in. An anonymous sister contributed Sh200, 000, followed by another worshipper at Jamia mosque who also did not want to be known who paid Sh50, 000 directly to his hospital account while a group of youth under the banner of Ansaar Sisters Organization raised Sh33, 000 through a food bazaar. Several people visited him at the hospital to pray for him and wish him good health with a number of them making their contribution directly on his hospital account-many doing it anonymously. Other assistance also came in through MPESA donations. Continued to page 8

be upon him); imagine walking in his blessed footsteps. If you follow his Sunnah, you are walking in his footsteps today. His body was not laid to rest in some grand tomb as one might expect for so important and so influential a man. Rather it was placed in the earth beneath the spot where he used to sleep on a simple mat. It fell upon Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him), his friend from before the time of the first revelation, to deliver the funeral sermon. Abu Bakr had to try to make sense out of this tragedy for the crowds assembled before him. At this key moment in the development of Islam, they eagerly awaited what Abu Bakr, the closest friend of the Prophet, would have to say. His words to them were filled with wisdom. "O men," he said, "if anyone worships Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead. But if anyone worships Allah, then know that Allah is alive and will never die." Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) told the Muslim faithful that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the greatest man to have lived but he was not the Lord of all creation. He was a man like all men. And this is what makes Islam so extraordinary. There are now at least one and a half billion Muslims in the world, and we are attentive to what our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said or did. Each one of us proclaims at least five times a day that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah. It is the core of our faith. In the same breath in which we declare belief in the One true Lord of mankind and all that exists, we declare belief in His Messenger. The love and reverence which we have for Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is both real and deep. We see him as the gentlest, the kindest, and the sweetest of men, and yet he remains for us precisely that: a man. Neither a god nor a saint. We do not ascribe to our Prophet magical powers. It would be a blasphemy for us to do so. We see him as a simple man, chosen from among men, with the same cares and worries we might have. But in Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) we see that it is possible for us to dedicate all our lives to Allah and to live under His guidance, yet live in the midst of life. Not divine, but human like us, Prophet Muhammad showed us by his life and example that Islam is the perfect way of life and that it is possible to achieve happiness by following this way. If you find your life is taking you in another direction, stop and think. Don't make decisions in your youth that will take you on a different path that heads away from that of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In Islam there are no priests or popes. That, perhaps, is the secret of Islam. There is no special knowledge reserved for a professional religious class. There are no go-betweens between the Creator and the created. Islam is ours for the taking. How many of us reach out and take what Islam has to offer? How many of us are shining examples of mercy and justice that Islam can develop in us? Each of us can fall prostrate before our Maker and say what we need to say without the help of anyone else. Just you and your Creator! We can see this clearly inside any mosque. Muslim men and women, each in their own place, gather in the mosque for the five daily prayers. They pray together as a community, in congregation, receiving blessings for doing so, yet it is obvious to anyone who looks on that each Muslim is concerned with speaking to his or her Lord individually. It is perhaps this, more than anything else, which makes the place of Prophet Muhammad so strong in the heart of every Muslim. Muhammad was a man and he found it possible, with Allah's help, to live out every requirement of Islam. So you and I, then, can try to do the same and, with Allah's help, we can live out our faith like our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Friday Bulletin

Rabi' Ul Awwal 23, 1435/24, January 2014

NATIONAL

Concerns raised over high divorce rates

An Imam has raised an alarm over increased divorce cases and domestic violence in the community and called on Islamic scholars (ulamaa) to step up the drive against these rising incidences. The Jamia Mosque Imam Sheikh Mohammed Swalihu called for urgent measures and intervention to tackle the worrying phenomenon, adding that if not checked it would lead to large scale family breakdown and immoralities. Speaking recently during a one day workshop in Eastleigh, the Imam pointed out that marriage in Islam is a social and legal relationship intended to strengthen and extend family relationships hence there was need for couples to live harmoniously and show love to each other as encouraged by Islamic teachings. He further noted that Islam was against wife beating which causes body injuries or even death adding that Islam encourages its adherents to engage in dialogues and reconciliation incase misunderstandings arises. The Sheikh said there is need for Ulamaas to probe the causes leading to these trends and re-establish the importance of marriage among the couples through provision of guidance and counseling to safeguard the welfare of children, further pointing out that it is regrettable to see Muslims failing to comprehend on the moral wisdom behind marriage and its sanctity. The Imam told parents to encourage their children to marry to preserve their modesty and strongly spoke against practices were parents reject suitable spouses for their children on the bases of tribe and ethnic backgrounds and stressed that they should instead provide them with support and guidance for harmony to prevail in the nascent family, Parents should not reject suitable spouses for their children on the basis of tribe and they need to know that marrying from a different culture fosters peaceful co-existence among the different communities, he said.

Dawa Group to fund Kakamega High School mosque

Muslim students from Kakamega High School have a reason to smile after a Kisumu based non-governmental organisation, Dawah Development Group (DDG) positively responded to a plea for construction of a mosque in the institution. The school in October last year sent a plea for well wishers to construct a prayer of worship to cater for the spiritual development of Muslim students and staff members. The school administration had set aside land for the project, but it failed to take off due to financial impediments. Last week, officials from the organisation led by the chairman Abdulqadir M. Omar visited the school and after a meeting with the school board chairman Nassor Rashid and the principal Oliver Minishi agreed to undertake the project. It is our desire to assist in community projects which have a positive bearing on the society. We also appreciate cooperation from development partners or individuals who share the same passion in development, said the CEO Sheikh Musa Ismail. Dawah Development Group is involved in sustainable development projects which are aimed at empowering the most vulnerable in society. At present, the organisation which has a working partnership with the Dar al Ber Society of the United Arab Emirates is in the process of construction a Sh200 million ultramodern referral hospital in Holo, near Kisumu which is envisaged to be the second referral hospital in the region after the New Nyanza General Hospital. Among other projects, Dawah Development Group is involved in education programmes, orphan and widows support and borehole projects.

Governor aids fire victims

Victims of the fire tragedy that occurred on Friday in Belgesh, Garba-Tulla Isiolo County received relief food from the county administration. The fire that razed down a popular local trading center led to destruction of property and rendered hundreds of families homeless. On Sunday Isiolo County Governor Godana Doyo consoled the fire victims and promised to put effective measures to handle emergency cases in the county. The Governor through his newly appointed chief of staff Abdikadir Suleiman, distributed food and non foodstuffs to the families whose houses and shops were destroyed by the fire. We are going to employ staff, secure ambulances and fire fighting machines in order to respond to such tragedies, said the governor. The Governor further assured the residents that the county government was on the process of establishing a disaster rescue centre to manage the challenges faced in combating fire, accidents and drought. The families received sugar, maize flour, cooking oil, salt and rice. Kenya Red Cross Society also made its donations by giving mosquito nets, blankets, utensils and tents to the families. The county has lately witnessed several incidences of fire and the county government has pledged to acquire ambulances and fire engines to deal with such emergency cases

BULLETIN MAIL BOX Address the challenges of education

I wish to send a message of congratulation to all Muslim Brothers and Sisters who performed well in the 2013 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) Examinations. We are proud of you and pray to Allah to guide you and give you strength even to perform much better in future examinations. At this time, parents are embroiled in efforts to find schools for their children while embarking on this journey; it is prudent to exercise care when selecting the school of choice for the students. While it is the desire to see the youngsters join the best institutions for them to excel in the future, issues pertaining to their Islamic moral upbringing after the four years of academic study need not to be ignored. Many schools- public and private-have deliberately worked to ruin the Islamic upbringing of the students by denying them their right to practice their faith. Many schools such as Kenya High have prohibited Muslim girls to wear the hijab and have also denied the students a place of worship. Others have gone a step further and even force the students to participate in religious activities of other faiths. It should be understood that Muslim students are admitted in these institutions on the basis of their performance and their presence should not be seen as a favour but a right and they need to be treated equally like other students. I do also urged Muslim organizations and educationist to explore long term solutions to address the myriad of problems facing Muslim students in schools. Additionally, while we appreciate the efforts made by some of our institutions to establish Muslim schools to provide opportunities for students to learn in a conducive Islamic environment, the high tuition fees are increasingly becoming a challenge for many parents who desire to send their children to Muslim schools. A good number of these schools are charging more than Sh100, 000 per academic year which is far beyond the reach of many parents. They need to consider lowering the cost of education to see to it that education is affordable to a wider section of the community.
Umar Sakwa Ahmad Nairobi Muslim Student Association Executive Officer

Militias Kill Muslims Fleeing CAR

OnIslam & News Agencies BANGUI Running for their lives from war-torn Central African Republic, 22 unarmed Muslims, including three children, were killed in a grenades attack, highlighting United Nations warnings of a brewing genocide. It is a sign of the still fraught and highly dangerous situation in the Central African Republic that children and their families have been attacked and killed while trying to evacuate to safety, Robert Lankenau, the director of Save the Children aid group, said in a statement cited by CNN on Saturday, January 18. Armed militias have attacked a caravan transporting Muslim families evacuated from the strife-torn CAR, leaving at least three children among 19 adults killed, and more than 50 with serious injuries. According to Save the Children, dozens of Muslims, including children, were hacked to death by machetes. The injured were treated in a hospital in the northwestern town of Bouar. The officials of the UK based aid group said that the fleeing Muslim families were evacuated from the village of Vakap, seeking refuge in Cameron. It's clear that this protection is not reaching children in more remote areas, Lankenau added, AFP reported. Lankenau urged a wider reach of the peacekeeping forces in CAR remote areas. We're continuing to call for this UN-mandated force to patrol the remotest regions where so much of the violence goes unseen, with more troops deployed if necessary, he added. Last week, the first findings of the UN investigation, based on 183 interviews, revealed that the conflict in Central African Republic has caused more than 1,000 deaths in attacks occurring last December 5, 6. Deployed to cripple the ongoing fighting in CAR, the French peacekeeping forces have disarmed the ex-Seleka rebels, allowing Christian militias to retaliate from the disarmed Muslim community. Going from door to door, anti-balaka Christian militias have raided Muslim homes killing children and women and looting and vandalizing properties, the UN report revealed. The French troops have been accused of turning deaf ears to atrocities against Muslims, watching Muslims killed in cold blood. Earlier this month, the president of the Central African Republic resigned under pressure over his failure to stem the sectarian unrest ripping his country apart. The UN warned that the CAR conflict could end in genocide and some 2.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Amnesty International called for international intervention as crimes against humanity including extrajudicial executions and mutilations of bodies are being committed throughout the country.
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One Shilling Foundation donates bicycles to Imams

The One Shilling Foundation is a registered trust, non-political, non profit-making community organization that strives to improve the lives of Muslims. The Foundation is convinced that big dreams such as provision of affordable health facilities, development of Islamic learning institutions, Islamic banks and provisions of other social amenities that will benefit Muslims will be realized. Muslims in Kenya are estimated to be about ten million people. If Muslims utilize their numbers well they may not need donor funding from abroad to fund their projects. The concept of every Muslim contributing one shilling per day has been in the lips of many for a while. One Shilling Foundation utilizes the funds collected in various projects and one of this is to reach out to the needy and deserving Imams in the efforts to make their Dawah work more easy and flexible. Our target is the rural villages where Islam faces so many impediments. It is our objective that propagation work spreads widely across the country especially the rural areas. One Shilling Foundation this week donated 30 bicycles to duats- Islamic imams and teachers across the country. There is a lot of need to give support to these Imams who are the voice of Islam in those marginalised areas. Most of them have to cover very long distances walking to reach families and communities that have heard very little as far as Islam is concerned. In an event attended by more than 20 Imams, it came to our knowledge that through these efforts Islam spreads more rapidly in the rural areas than the urban. The areas that benefitted from this project across the country are Muranga, Kiambu, Kangundo, Maragua, Nyeri, Voi, Taita-Taveta, Kisumu, Kakamega, Transnzoia, Eldoret, Kericho Mumias, Bungoma and Busia. It was very jubilant to see the duats thank the donors and funders of this noble project. This project was a success through the efforts of Sister Aisha Wangare- a Co-ordinator of One Shilling Foundation and founder member of After the Shahada, who collected the funds on behalf of One Shilling Foundation. We call upon well wishers and donors to give us a lot of support by contributing to this noble cause so that we can make our dreams come true. Contact us: One Shilling Foundation Village Plaza, Ngara Rd P.O. Box 58717- 00200 Nairobi. Email: info@oneshillingfoundation.org Web: www.oneshilling foundation.org Tel: 0717 613 333, 0722 734 090

Abdiazizs agony

At the completion of his treatment which took ten days, more than Sh480, 000 had been raised but an outstanding amount of Sh744, 500 remained to be paid before the hospital could allow him to go back home. During last weeks Friday prayers, Sheikh Juma repeated his appeal and a benefactor paid a visit to his hospital bed and later cleared the remaining amount. If we had used the traditional system of collection in the mosque, we could have barely raised Sh100, 000 but this method was far more effective as most importantly, it enabled the people to visit the patient to get to know the importance of good health, he said while holding another cheque of Sh120, 000 which was presented by a benefactor. The budding journalist who used to present a show called Watoto wa Mkenya at the local community radio station, Koch FM is optimistic that he would be able to continue presenting the programme once he fully recovers. The doctors told me that there are some Koreans at Kikuyu who make special artificial legs. It gives me the hope that I will walk again and go back to the studio at Koch FM to do my programme and other community work, he said. The mother who sells perfumes and bed sheets in the Korogocho slum neighbourhoods to look after her six children graciously extended her thanks to all those who helped in providing the much needed assistance to her son. May Allah graciously reward all those who supported him. While I was optimistic, it was hard to believe that such an amount could be raised in a short time and considering the fact that final bill was far above what we had anticipated, she said. This is the true spirit of Islam and we should continue with to live with it, were her parting words.

The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@islamkenya.org. Printed by Graphic Lineups Limited-Kweria Road info@graphic.co.ke