The

Friday Bulletin
The Weekly Muslim News Update

Issue No. 370

Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/June 04 2010

'Autonomy if
Kadhi's courts go'
T

Sheikh Muhammad Osman of the Majlis Ulamaa Kenya receives a cheque donation
from Internal security minister George Saitoti as a contribution towards the construction of the Ongata Rongai Mosque.

Sheikh Hammad retires, Muhdhar

named acting Chief Kadhi
Sheikh Hammad Muhammad Kassim has retired as the Chief Kadhi of Kenya and his
place taken over by Sheikh Ahmed Muhdhar in an acting capacity.
Before his appointment, Sheikh Muhdhar has been the Kadhi of Nairobi.
Sheikh Hammad has served as the Chief Kadhi for the last eight years, a position
which he took over from Sheikh Nahdy Nassoro in 2002.
"At a later stage, he is expected to be confirmed as the Chief Kadhi, Sheikh Hammad
told The Friday Bulletin.
In his parting advice to the ummah, Sheikh Hammad told Muslims to maintain unity
especially at this critical time when the country is gearing for the referendum which
will shape the countrys political future. He stressed that unity was of paramount importance and Muslims should continue to remain united as disunity will weaken their
resolve and at the same time give strength to those who have a sinister agenda against
the community.
Story Continues To Page 7

ourism minister Najib Balala has warned

that the country must be prepared to review its borders to exclude coast province
in case the Kadhis court are removed from the
constitution.
Reacting to the controversial high court ruling
which termed the inclusion of the Islamic courts
in the current laws as unconstitutional and discriminatory, the minister was categorical that
Muslims will not allow any attempt to have the
courts removed from the constitution.
The judgement by the high court on the Kadhis
courts is questionable and only meant at dividing the country along religious lines and tcreate
religious intolerance between the Muslims and
the Christians who have lived cordially for many
years, the minister said.
Balala who is also the MP for Mvita constituency noted that if the courts were removed he will
marshal support to ensure that Kenya return the
coastal strip back to the people of Coast province as per the agreement between the Kenyan
government represented by the founding president Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and the Sultan of
Zanzibar.
The minister made these remarks at the weekend during the fundraising event for the Ngong
Ongata Rongai Mosque.
The assistant minister for livestock Adan Dualle
said that the Kadhis courts were very important
to the Muslims in the country and any attempt to
remove it from the constitution was unacceptable. The issue is very significant to the Muslim
community in the country and the ruling by the
Story Continues To Page 7

Editorial

This Week

Act on provocative behavior by the clergy

Da'wa

Ten principles of peaceful life

Women Issues

Reason for the Prophet's marriages

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P3
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Youth and Children

How a teen changed her life

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Opinion
Is the church playing devil's advocate

National News

www.islamkenya.com

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

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Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/June 04 2010

The Friday Bulletin

EDITORIAL

Act on Provocative behaviour by clergy

tically with a cross in the middle of a Muslim residential neighbuorhood who for years have tolerated its presence.
While Muslims have persisted with this tolerant attitude, it behoves
to see that a section of the Christian clergy have the audacity in a
Muslim heartland to go to court and seek the removal of the Kadhis
courts from the constitution.
For centuries, these courts have been a pillar in the judicial aspects
of Muslims and it is regrettable that schemes are plotted to undermine the inalienable rights of Muslims.
Such an attitude is provocative, offensive and an affront to the dignity of Muslims in the country. More so, it risks damaging the cordial
and brotherly relations which have existed between Muslims and
non-Muslims over the years. Those engaged in this campaign, it is
apparent that they do not care about the innate feelings of Muslims
towards the Kadhis courts.
The persistent war being wedged by a section of the clergy against
the Kadhis courts which has now extended in the courtrooms is
divisive and risks igniting unnecessary religious animosity.
President Mwai Kibaki in his Madraka day speech warned of dire
consequences against those peddling hate speech which could
divide Kenyans in the run up to the referendum. The Presidents
warning is welcome and the government security machinery should
work tirelessly to ensure that peace, stability and co-existence is
enshrined.
The purveyors of this campaign should also be singled out as their
action have far much wider and dangerous ramifications which
could lead to religious conflict in the country. The ultimate aim of
Bishop Joseph Kimami, Reverend Musyoka Nzui and Agnes Mbinya Musyoka was to bring about a religious divide among Kenyans
and their actions to file a court case seeking the removal of the
Kadhis courts from the constitution was drive by none other than
hatred to Islam and Muslims.
Lessons should be learnt from the post election violence whose
roots were planned months before the violence broke up and it is
important to nip early the bud of those planting the seeds of intolerance, divisions and religious animosity in time before their seeds
mature into poisonous fruits.

Since its founding hundreds of years ago, Mombasa has positioned

itself as the main cultural and economic Muslim centre at the coast
and in the country at large.
These dynamics are however, gradually changing. Only two decades ago, the Catholic Church which stands along Digo Road was
the main visible symbol of Christianity in Mombasa. For a first time
visitor to the town presently, one can harbour a belief that this Muslim town has turned into a Christian enclave. On the main gateway
to the town at Tudor, five churches have been strategically posited
to welcome the visitors.
In the town itself and the surrounding areas, churches continue to
mushroom and crusades are now part of the weekend lifestyles for
the Christian community. In many suburbs of the town, like Bamburi and Changamwe, the Muslim population is gradually being outnumbered by immigrants from other parts of the country- wabaara
as the locals fondly refer to them.
Despite these encroachments, the local Muslims have welcomed,
tolerated and accommodated these settlers for years. These visitors have been absorbed into the society and have become an
integrated part of the local community. During the post election violence, three years ago, the systematic attacks against other communities considered to be settlers which were witnessed in many
parts of the country, were devoid in the predominantly Muslims areas of Coast province.
For Muslims, tolerance is a cardinal religious principle which is
rooted in divine commandments. The history of the coast region is
replete with these noble characteristic of tolerance which continue
to serve as shining examples which should be exemplified by other
communities in the country.
Despite the atrocities committed against Muslims by the Portuguese, their symbols which are reminder to their gruesome past
like the Vasco Da Gama pillar in Malindi have stood for more than
500 years and successive Muslim rulers tolerated them despite
their Christian identity of the presence of the cross-considered to
be offensive to Muslims.
In Mkomani area of Mombasa, the tomb of John Krapf who is credited with introducing Christianity into the country stands out majes-

Protests in Kibera over sacrilege of the Holy Quran

The Muslim community in Kibera were up in arms on Monday this
week after a primary school teacher allegedly forced two standard
six pupils to step on the holy Quran, the Muslims sacred book.
The irate residents and parents who were baying for the teachers
blood stormed into Kibera primary school to eject the alleged teacher, one Sophie Mwaniki from the school compound after she alleged
executed corporal punishment to compel the Muslim pupils to do
the dreadful act.
We strongly condemn the act by the teacher which we consider as
very blasphemous and an upfront against our religion, Islam and the
Muslim community in the area, said Sheikh Suleiman Mohammed,
the Imam of Makina mosque in Kibera.
The Imam added that the same teacher had been reported to have
been forcing Muslim children in the school going to the mosque on
Friday to remove their kanzus (tunics).
A crisis meeting to resolve the issue was called by the Langata District commissioner Omar Beja who is also the chairman of the District Education board on Wednesday to discuss the issue urgently to
see that it is resolved amicably.
Several recommendations were made in the meeting attended by
local leaders as well as the school administration where it was resolved that the said teacher be retired in the public interest as transferring her to another school will not be solving the unbecoming
behaviour by the teacher.
The meeting also proposed that the head teacher of the school Helen
Otieno be transferred to another school after she was also accused
by the leaders of not being proactive in running of the school.
Local leaders led by the chairman of the Kenya Nubian Council

of Elders Sheikh Issa AbdulFaraj accepted the apology from the

school saying that it was in accordance with the teaching of Islam
to forgive.
The Head teacher of the Kibera primary School Helen Otieno had
earlier apologised to the Muslim community saying that the alleged
act by the teacher was not in accordance to any religious conduct
adding that the school had for many years worked cordially with the
Muslim community dominant in the area.
The act is wrong and unprofessional on the part of the teacher. It is
not in harmony to any religious teachings, she said.
She said that the matter was serious and sensitive as it was a gross
violation to the religion of Islam and may lead disharmony between
the school and the Muslim community in the area.
Saida Yusuf, the pupil who was strained to do the intimidating act
said that the teacher forced her to step on the Quran accusing her
of hitting the bible. The Second pupil Hafifa Suleiman said that the
teacher also forced her to throw the book up and down then step
on it after she cautioned the other pupil Saida not to step on the
Quran.
Many parents and residents who turned up at the school on
Monday this week were angered by the conduct of the teacher and
called for her immediate transfer from the school.

'And know that true servants of Allah are only those who
never bear witness to what is false, and who, whenever they
pass by people engaged in frivolity, pass on with dignity.'
The Quran 25:72
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Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/June 04 2010

The Friday Bulletin

DA'WA

10 Principles for a peaceful Life for a Believer

There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book, by which
Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace
and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path. [5:15-16]
1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed,
the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be
questioned. (Isra:17)
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic
and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized
and steered to the right direction, i.e. our direction. This thinking
denies the existence of individuality and consequently undermines
the Intelligence and Creativity that is only attributed to God. God
has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings
can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the
way they do because Allah has made each one of us different, with
different personalities. Be patient with one another, and mind your
own business and you will keep your peace.
2. Forgive And Forget:
But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is
Forgiving and Merciful. (Quran 64:14)
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind, but also challenging to acheive. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the
person who insult us or harm us. We nurture grievances resulting in
loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. We further aggravate stress in ourselves by remembering, and
reminding ourselves of the very persons that caused us harm. Get
over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,
forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.
3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
"O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You
will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor
whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all]
good. Indeed, You are over all things competent. (Qur'an 3:26)
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody
without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you
are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget
your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you
wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Do your duties
ethically and sincerely, and only seek the pleasure of Allah through
salah and ibaadah.
4. Do Not Be Jealous:
And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you
exceed others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and
for women is a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his
bounty. Indeed Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing. (Quran 4:32)
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of
mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the
office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started
a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your
neighbour whose business is only a one year old. There are several
examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember, a person's life is shaped by their destiny, which becomes
their reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can
stop you. And if you are destined to be poor, then no matter what
you do, you will only be what you are destined to be. Nothing will be
gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get
you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.
5. Change Yourself:
Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they
change what is in themselves. (Quran 13:11)
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances
are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment.
As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly
to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:

You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves.
And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture
before you and from those who associate others with Allah much
abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the
matters [worthy] of determination. (Quran 3:186)
Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations,
and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them
or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must
learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain
in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.
7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
"Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the
graveyards. No! You are going to know." (Qura'n 102: 1-3)
So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].
And to your Lord direct [your] longing.
We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable
of. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take
on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain
peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your
material engagements and spend time in prayer, and introspection.
It will prevent you from thinking of matters that upset you. An uncluttered mind is a peaceful mind.
8. Make Regular Dhikr:
And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear
without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless. (Quran 7:205). And
whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a
depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection
blind." (Quran:20:124)
Dhikr, the rememberance of Allah, calms the mind and gets rid of
disturbing thoughts. Try it yourself. If you do tasbih, dhikr, whenever
you are free, your mind will be at peace during the day. Your mind
will not be easily disturbed as it was before.You may think that this
will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase
your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less
time.
9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
For each is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that is]
good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
(Quran 2:148). Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse
touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they
have insight. (Quran 7:201)
An empty mind is the devil's workshop. Keep your mind occupied
in something positive, something worthwhile and negative thoughts
will not plague your mind. Actively follow a hobby, something that
holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money
or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work,
may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of
fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically,
occupy yourself in healthy reading or in dua
10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah
loves those who rely [upon Him]. (Quran 3:159)
Do not waste time in protracted wondering, " Should I or shouldn't
I?" You can never plan enough because you can never fully anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that
need to be done now. It does not matter if you fail the first time, so
long as you don't leave it for tomorrow. You can learn from your
mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will
lead to nothing.

Saturday Lecture

Islam and Ascetism

Sheikh Juma Amir
Saturday 5th June 2010 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
Jamia Mosque Multi Purpose Hall

Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/June 04 2010

The Friday Bulletin

WOMEN ISSUES

Reasons for the Prophets Marriages

Sheikh Saleh al Munajjid
We can categorize all his marriages under two aspects of his personality:
Muhammad the man who needed a loving wife, children, and a
stable home, so he married Khadijah and remained with only her
for 25 years until she died.
Muhammad the Prophet who married the other wives for reasons
pertaining to his duty to deliver the Message to the world. Those
particular women were carefully selected, not just haphazardly acquired for carnal reasons, as suggested. Here are some of the
reasons for which Muhammad married:
1. To pass on Islam to the next generations as a practical legacy
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him is the only prophet without
any privacy, and with a meticulously preserved tradition in speech
and actions in all minute details of his public and private life. Preserved in the sharp minds of his wives and his Companions, those
narrations comprise the daily life manual for Muslims to follow until
the end of time. The fact that Islam was spread on the shoulders of
women and preserved in their hearts is a great honor to the females
of this Ummah. The books of authentic Hadith attribute more than
3,000 narrations and Prophetic traditions to his wives alone.
2. To cement the relations of the budding nation
In a tribal society, it was customary to seal treaties through marrying
into tribes. Muhammads closest Companions later became the four
caliphs who led Islam at the critical stage after his death. Two of
them were the fathers of his wives `Aishah (daughter of Abu Bakr)
and Hafsa (daughter of `Umar); the other two married his daughters
(`Uthman married Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum in succession, and
`Ali married Fatimah).
3. To teach Muslims compassion with women
He taught them to be compassionate not just to the young and
beautiful maidens, but more so to the weak and destitute widows,
divorcees, orphans, and elderly women. Islam teaches that women
are to be respected, protected, and cared for by their men folk.
They are not to be cast out to face a harsh life alone while able men
around them just pity them and do nothing to help, or worse, use
their weakness to take them as mistresses!
4. To offer a practical role model to Muslims until the end of
time
Although many believing women often approached Muhammad
salallahu alayhi wa sallam offering him themselves in marriage, he
politely turned down their offers. Most of his wives after the death
of Khadijah were old, devoid of beauty, and previously married,
except `Aishah, who was the only young virgin. He married from
other nations and religions; some were the daughters of his worst
enemies, and his marriage to one woman won all her people into
Islam. Regardless of his neutral feelings towards many of them, he
was a model example of equal justice and kindness to them all, and
he would never discriminate among them.
Who Were the Prophets Wives?
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) married
12 wives in his life. When he died he had 9 wives. They have a
very special status in the hearts of Muslims as the Mothers of the
Believers, as the Quran instructs, and they are the source of a
great amount of wisdom which they learned while living close to
such a great man. Here are their names: Khadijah bint Khuwaylid,
Sawdah bint Zamah, `Aishah bint Abi Bakr, Hafsah bint `Umar ibn
Al-Khattab, Zaynab bint Khuzaymah, Umm Salama, Zaynab bint
Jahsh, Juwayriah bint Al-Harith, Umm Habibah Ramlah bint Abusufyan, Safiyah bint Huyay ibn Akhtab, Maymunah bint Al-Harith,
Maryah al Qibtiyyah.
Can We Consider His Marriage to `Aishah a Case of Child Molestation?
When traveling back in time 1400 years to examine a lifestyle we
never witnessed, it is unfair to apply our present day standards, so
lets listen to the experts. Authentic historical records prove that the
social traditions of the time and placeregardless of religioncon-

sidered Arab females as women as soon as their menstrual cycles

began. The custom was to give daughters in marriage at that age.
This was practiced by all dwellers in Arabia before Islam: pagans,
disbelievers, Jews, and others. Its a fact that female menstruation
in hot climates starts much earlier than in cold climates, so females
in Arabia matured as early as 8 or 9; they also aged earlier than
other women.
Its a neglected fact that before she was married to Muhammad,
`Aishah had been engaged to an infidel, Jubair ibn Musab ibn Ady.
Her fianc broke the engagement on the basis of religious difference. So her father, Abu Bakr, agreed to give her hand in marriage
to the Prophet.
The Great Wisdom in Selecting `Aishah as a Young Wife
`Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) came from a house famous
for learning and memorizing great quantities of knowledge; her father was a live encyclopedia of Arab tribal pedigrees and poetry. She
inherited his ability, and in her young, intelligent, receptive mind, she
preserved a precious portion of Islam she learned during nine years
of marriage, for 47 years after the death of the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) she taught thousands of men worldwide
their religion as she had learned it firsthand from the Prophet. To our
present day, she is considered among the most prominent Islamic
scholars, and she holds extremely high esteem in the hearts of all
Muslims as such and as the beloved of the Prophet, who often
mentioned her as the human he loved the most on the face of this
earth. With her, he built a model Muslim home for Muslims to strive
to imitate forever.

The fact that Islam was spread on the shoulders of women and preserved in their hearts is
a great honour to the females of this Ummah.
The books of authentic Hadith attribute more
than 3,000 narrations and Prophetic traditions to his wives alone.

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen

Curried Fish (mchuzi wa samaki)
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. ghee or vegetable oil
2 sliced onions
3 crushed cloves of garlic
1 tsp. curry powder
2 sliced tomatoes
1 tsp. tomato puree
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh coriander
500gm filleted fish
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup water

Method
Fry onions in ghee or vegetable oil until brown.
Add garlic and curry powder. Stirring vigorously,
cook for 1 minute on medium heat.
Add tomatoes, tomato puree, fresh coriander;
cook for another minute.
Add fish, lemon juice, salt, and water.
Cover and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes
Serve hot with rice.

Share your favourite recipes with our readers. Send them to P. O. Box 10078600100 or email:fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or fridaybulletin@gmail.com

Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/June 04 2010

The Friday Bulletin

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

How One Teen Remembered Allah and Turned her Life Around
By: Maryam

As most people do, I turned to Allah and Islam during the hard times
of my life. It's a sad fact of life. When times are happy and life is
good, no one feels obliged to turn towards his or her Deen (religion). It's all about living the moment.
After I had turned towards Allah, I approached a friend in a very
casual manner, trying to encourage her to also turn towards Islam.
Her reply chilled my blood. "Right now, my life is good, I'm happy
and I don't need any change."
I thought to myself, better bite your tongue. I wanted to shake her
and say, "Would you really want some tragic event to happen before waking up to Islam?" Obviously no one in his or her right mind
would want to do so, but subconsciously, I feel everyone does.
I was no exception to that. I was on the brink of depression, as a
result of a series of events that happened. Now looking back at it, it
wasn't much, but being a teenager who had lost her sense of identity and purpose in life, it was the monster of all crises.
I had been separated from my best friends, snatched up away from
my life and replaced in a place I had once called home. It was hard,
and I was suffering. I used to find comfort, lying awake at night and
staring at the stars, amazed at the fact that these were the same
stars I stared at when I lived on the other side of the world.
My family, Alhamdulillah (All Praise be to Allah), had all changed
towards Islam in the past years. No one forced me to wear Hijab,
and I didn't simply because I thought I wasn't ready. They did, however, expect me to dress modestly and most importantly offer my
daily prayers.
My aunt used to take me to these classes held nearby, and I went
when I could. I was in pain and I didn't quite understand why. And
it happened so that the particular topic at that class I had attended
was on why pain and suffering happens. The teacher said that we
are put through hard times as a test, to see how we cope with it. To
see if we will turn towards Siratul Mustaqeem (the Straight Path),
or away from it.
It was that day that I learned that every bit of pain we endure, both
emotional and physical, alleviates us from our punishments in the
hereafter. It was then that I started truly understanding the ways of
Allah, how everything that happens has a purpose and that I was
supposed to learn from that.
It's been almost two and a half years since that period of my life. It
took me a year and a half to actually start changing. I knew Islam,
but I did not practice it the way a Muslim is supposed to. I thought I
was happy, but deep down inside I knew that I was not.
I was a hypocrite, and as much as I tried denying it, I could not. It
sank in and I accepted it and prayed that I find the right way. My
conscience was not dead, but I had muted it. Before, I used to get
the urge to start Hijab, yet I used to fight it. I performed Umra and I
prayed continuously that the next time my conscience spoke to me,
I would not only listen to it, but I would amplify it so that I could not
ignore it.
Late one night, Hijab got on my conscience and would not go away.
I told myself that I was not ready, that there were many strings attached that I may not be able to fulfil, but with the right words from
supportive friends I told myself that if I didn't start now, I would never start. And I believed that 200%. So I no longer had any excuse
for not doing Hijab. So Allhumdulilah, I finally put on my Hijab at the
age of 18, and have been wearing it ever since.
After a month or so, I realized that Hijab was not as big a deal as
I had thought. It was not difficult in the least. To this day there has
never been a moment that I regretted Hijab, and for that I am so
grateful, Alhamdulillah. I immediately found many friends who also
wear Hijab. These friends and my family were the greatest strength
for my new found Iman (faith).
I occupied myself with more Masjid-oriented activities and attended
more classes to increase my knowledge of our religion. I am grateful that I put my foot down and decided to start Hijab then, because
had I not, who knows how long it would have taken for me to start.
How do I remember Allah and His magnificent ways?
When I step outside and marvel at the beauty of nature. When I
stop to play with a baby and see how perplexing, yet perfect, the
precious cycle of life is. When I go out and people stop to say

As-Salaam-Wa-Alaikum to me. When I study the Qur'an and the

Hadeeth of our beautiful Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings
be upon him) and how perfectly and completely it incorporates our
lives and faith. When I pass by my fellow sisters in Islam adorned
proudly and confidently in their Hijabs. Everything reminds me of
Allah, and I can feel my love for Him, our Prophet, and our religion
grow by the day.

Telling the truth

Telling the truth is a very good habit. If you always speak the truth, you can save yourself from
a lot of trouble! Here is a story of a man who did a
lot of bad things, but his promise to tell the truth
saved him.
Once a man asked a scholar, "I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?" The
scholar said, "Give up telling lies first and always
speak the truth." The man promised to do so and
went home.
At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought for a moment about
the promise he made with the scholar. "If tomorrow the scholar asks me where have I been, what
shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing?
No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell
the truth, everyone will start hating me and call
me a thief. I would be punished for stealing."
So the man decided not to steal that night, and
gave up this bad habit.
Next day, he felt like drinking wine, when he was
about to do so, he said to himself, "What shall I
say to the scholar if he asks me what did I do during the day? I cannot tell a lie, and if I speak the
truth people will hate me, because a Muslim is not
allowed to drink wine." And so he gave up the idea
of drinking wine.
In this way, whenever the man thought of doing
something bad, he remembered his promise to tell
the truth at all times. One by one, he gave up all
his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a
very good person.
If you always speak the truth, you can be a good
person, a good Muslim whom Allah likes and favors.
If Allah - our Creator - is pleased with us, He will
reward us with Jannah, which is a place of happiness and joy.
MAKE A PROMISE: I SHALL ALWAYS SPEAK
THE TRUTH.
O you who believe! Have fear of God, and
be among the truthful. (Quran Suratul Tawbah
9:119)
5

Jumaadal Thani 21 1431/May 04 2010

The Friday Bulletin

OPINION
Billow Kerrow

Are some of our churches playing the devils advocate?

Indeed, we are a nation of peculiar habits, including our Churchmen. Globally, the Church has
always sought to bring religion into the State but it is the politicians who preach secularism. In
Kenya , the Church goes to court fulminating about establishment of religious laws in a secular
state, and demands a wall of separation.
In Southern Sudan, our Church was at the forefront demanding the Christian and animist South
be freed from the Muslim North on grounds of religious persecution.
Locally, they consider the special constitutional privileges to the Muslim minority an injustice
against Christians. The Church was categorical until last week that they were merely opposed
to the constitutional entrenchment of Kadhis courts but not the courts parliamentary enactment
or their existence. Yet, their first statement after the court ruling was to urge the Government to
scrap the courts immediately.
According to the Church, religious freedom for all was intended to exalt Christianity, not other
faiths. It sees itself as a depository of the nations moral and social guidance, but seeks justice
and equality for Christians at the expense of the Muslims.
The flip side of the political court ruling was however a wake-up call for the Muslims, creating a
sense of unity and determination.
In 1960, residents of the Coastal strip wanted to join the Sultanate of Zanzibar whilst the inhabit-

ants of NFD sought to join Somalia.

In both instances, the Muslim population feared they would be discriminated
against on religious grounds. The British then appointed two commissions,
the Kenya Coastal Strip Commission
in 1961 and the Northern Frontier District (NFD) Commission in 1962, to
survey public opinion regarding their
future in the light of the constitutional
development sweeping East Africa.
The Coast inhabitants obtained the
right to practice their faith under the
new regime after the Commissions
recommendation for Kadhis courts
were promulgated by Kenya in 1963.
The Somalis in NFD agitated for selfdetermination, leading to the Shifta
War. As part of the peace agreement
brokered in Arusha by Zambias Kenneth Kaunda in 1967, residents of NFD
were also allowed to access the Kadhi
courts. The British had recognised the
importance of freedom of faith and appointed the first State-funded Kadhi
for NFD in 1927, based at Wajir.
Clearly, these courts symbolise the
most incontrovertible manifestation of
the Muslims faith.
At Bomas, Muslims unsuccessfully
lobbied that self-determination clause
be included in the constitution as in
South Africa and Ethiopia.
In the latter, that provision allowed
Eritrea to secede; while in South Africa the provision safeguarded the
rights of the white minority should they
feel threatened. If these courts are
scrapped, wont the Muslims renew
their agitation for secession?
Muslims feel it would be a matter
of time before the Church declares
Kenya a Christian state. Next may
be a campaign to outlaw the call to
prayer, halt Islamic Religious Education in schools, regulate mosques/
madrassas and ban the Muslim veil.
Early this year, the Church ran adverts
questioning the growing political, social and economic status of Muslims in
the country, raising concerns on such
matters as Islamic banks and Halal
certification.
The Churches obsession with the
growth of Islam in Kenya irks Muslims.
Its perception that Islam is foreign to
Kenya undermines the confidence of
Muslims as citizens. The pitched antiIslam propaganda in rural churches
is bound to increase radicalism and
resentment among Muslim youth who
already feel discriminated against, and
underprivileged.
In recent years, Muslims have been
targeted and harassed on anti- terrorism related security crackdowns.
Muslims are calm. But for how long?
Before the clergys impunity drives us
to the brink, could someone forward
their envelope to The Hague?

Jumaadal Thani 14 1431/May 29 2010

The Friday Bulletin

NATIONAL NEWS

Thika College graduation for June 14

A first aid instructor Feysal Muhammad from Kenya
Red Cross (Left)
demonstrates how
to assist a person
with a leg fracture.
This was during a
two weeks training
programme
for Jamia mosque
staff to equip them
with First Aid skills.
The
programme
wil enable the staff
members to respond to injuries
and other urgent
medical assistance
to
worshippers
around the mosque
premises.

The Thika College of Shariah and Islamic studies is set to hold its
graduation event on June 14. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is
expected to officiate at the event as the guest of honour.
This will be the first graduation ceremony since the college opened
its doors in 1997.
The college is the only Muslim institution of higher learning which is
registered by the Commission for Higher Education, a recognition
which it achieved in 2008 after years of relentless efforts.
The college offers degree and diploma programmes in Islamic studies and Shariah (Islamic law) and enrollment is open to both male
and female students. Vocational programmes which include community development also form part of the academic programmes.
The institution is academically affiliated to the International University of Africa in Khartoum Sudan and the affiliation has allowed
many students to offer the universitys academic programmes in
the country.
The college has began its ascent to higher academic circles and is
presently embarking on a journey to transform into a fully fledged
University-Ummah University which will be based in Kajiado.

Gulf bank posts profitability

Gulf African Bank, has completed the first quarter with achieving
profitability, financial results ending March 31 2010 indicated.
The bank posted profit of Sh25 million in the first three months of
2010 as compared to a loss of Ksh 96 million in the corresponding
period last year. The banks customer deposits grew by Sh. 3 billion,
an increase of 75% to stand at about Sh.6.9 billion.
This focus on excellence led to the bank being voted 2nd best
bank with most satisfied customers during the 2009 Kenya Banking
Awards and garnered new accolades in the 2010 Banking Awards
having been capped 1st runner up in Tier III banks and 2nd runner
up in best innovative product for the Shariah Compliant Mortgage
Product, said a statement from the bank.
The bank, which has opened 12 branches in its first two years of
operation, will also continue to focus on its expansion strategy
throughout Kenya with the opening of the three new branches in the
next quarter. Further to this, the bank plans to expand its regional
footprint in East Africa by 2011.

JOB VACANCY

A Muslim higher institution of learning situated at Maili Tissa (nine miles

from Namanga border town in Kajiado district) is looking for a capable
Muslim brother to teacher MATHEMATICS and PHYSICS on full time
basis.
The eligible person should have the following minimum requirements
Degree in Education from a recognized institution
Two or three years teaching experience in other institutions of higher
learning
Practicing Sunni Muslim
Good Oral/Written communication skills
Those meeting the above requirements should contact the below
mentioned persons before 15th June 2010 Please give day/evening
telephone contacts;

The Manager
0722746719/0722492850

HOUSES FOR SALE

Flats for sale situated along 3rd PARKLANDS AVENUE 300 metres
from Parklands Mosque

Features

4 Bedroom flats with a built up area of approximately 1800sq

going for 11.5m
3 Bedroom Flats with a built up area of approximately 1200sq
or 1600 sq going for 10.5m to 8.5m

high court amounts to discrimination to the community, he said.

Dualle who is also the MP for Dujis constituency in Garissa also disclosed that he will second a motion tabled in parliament by Imenti
Central MP Gitobu Imanyara to discuss the conduct of the three
high court judges who passed the erroneous judgement on the
courts.
On the constitution, Balala accused those opposed to the proposed
new law of seeking personal interests at the expense of the country
and trying to dampen the tremendous efforts the nation had made in
the quest for a new constitutional dispensation.
Speaking at the same function, internal security minister Prof.
George Saitoti called on Kenyans to be tolerant to each others
views on the proposed laws to ensure peace prevails in the country.
We need to promote good relationship between religious groups so
that they are not used to plant seeds of discord among Kenyans,
Saitoti said.
Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Rukia Subow reiterated the
position of women in the country in support of the constitution due
to a referendum on the august 4th this year.
The fundraising to construct the mosque raised over Sh. 2.1 million.
In attendance were assistant minister for defence Julius Nkaiseery,
SUPKEM secretary general Adan Wachu, Sheikh Mohammed Osman of the Majlis Ulamaa Kenya among other local leaders.
Elsewhere, the SUPKEM director general Abdullatif Shaban was
emphatic that the removal of the Kadhis courts would lead to a redraw of the countrys borders. He said the courts formed the basis
of the present geographical make up of the country and doing away
with them risks having the redraw of the geographical boundaries
of Kenya. It will involve the right to self determination by Muslims
living along the 10-mile coastal strip, he said.
The strip, which was initially under the sovereignty of the Sultan of
Zanzibar, was annexed to Kenya on the condition that the Kadhis
courts would at all times be preserved as part of the Kenyan judicial
system.

Sheikh Muhdhar is acting Chief Kadhi

Story From Page 1

The property includes

Autonomy call if Kadhis courts go

Story From Page 1

Borehole water
2 parking bay per flat
Electric fencing on the perimeter wall

Financing can be arranged for those who qualify

For more details please contact us on 0732727196

7

With the current campaign against the Kadhis courts, it is imperative that we all come together and ensure that the interests of Muslims are safeguarded, he said.
Sheikh Hammad also called on Muslims to give their support to the
new Chief Kadhi who he descried as an astute and capable person
who will live up to his role in serving the ummah.

Turkey's popularity on the rise after botched Israeli attack

Ankara's diplomatic confrontation with
Israel over the bloody seizure of an aid
ship bound for Gaza has boosted Turkey's
popularity among Arabs who long to see
their own governments show similar resolve.
From Cairo to Kuwait, Turkey's red flag
has flown across the Arab world in a show
of support for its response to the Israeli
raid in which nine activists, at least three
of them Turks, were killed as they tried to
break the sea blockade of the Palestinian
enclave.
Ankara's reaction, including the withdrawal
of its Tel Aviv ambassador, has shown up
the few Arab governments that also have
diplomatic ties with Israel. These include
Egypt, which was already under fire for
helping Israel enforce the Gaza blockade.

Conscious of Arab and wider Muslim

criticism of its role in enforcing the embargo, Cairo opened the Rafah crossing
on Wednesday. It is the only gateway to
the Gaza Strip not fully controlled by Israel, which has imposed a tight blockade
on the Hamas-run territory.
Predominantly Muslim Turkey, a NATO
member and once a close regional ally of
Israel, said on Wednesday it would only
normalize ties with the Jewish state once
it lifts the blockade.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has further enhanced his status through calls for
the Jewish state to be punished for the
sea raid. The UN Security Council has
condemned the deaths.
"The time has come for the international
community to say 'enough'," he said

JAMIA MOSQUE COMMITTEE

VACANCY-POSITION OF MUADHIN

The prospective candidate should possess the following qualities: 1. Having a Thanawi certificate
2. Good recitation of the Quraan and has memorized a portion of the Quran
3. Good and loud voice
4. Good moral standing and trustworthy
5. The Prophet (Swalla Llaahu alayhi wa sallam) The caller for prayer is
trustworthy (Abu Daawud & Tirmidhi)
6. Experience of at least a year in a similar position.
Urgently apply to:
SECRETARY GENERAL JAMIA MOSQUE COMMITTEE P.O. Box 100786-00101 NAIROBI

Deadline of application 15th June 2010

PRIME PLOTS FOR SALE

SYOKIMAU

Size: 100x50 Price 1.2 million

Contact
Jambo Star Properties (K) Limited
Amal Plaza 3rd Floor
Tel: 020 2072807
Mobile
0722 734536 Abdullahi
0722 853889

ALIM HIGH SCHOOL

P.O BOX 234 MACHAKOS TEL:0202120064,0715603666,0738204055

PRIZE GIVING DAY

The management, staff and students of Alim High School

invite parents , well wishers and friends of the school
to the Annual Prize Giving Day to be held at the school
tomorrow Saturday 5th June 2010 at 10:00am.
The Guest of Honour will be:
Bro. Abdul Latif Essajee Lecturer, School of Business University of Nairobi,
Chairman Ummah Foundation and Director First Community Bank
ALL ARE WELCOME
The school is located off the Nairobi Mombasa road 2km past the junction to Machakos.

Service to the sick

Many Muslims will recall a few years back, a
woman by the name Sadia from Dandora Estate, who had been admitted to the Kenyatta
National Hospital with serious third- degree
burns. Four months in hospital, just after the
Holy Month of Ramadhan, is when her nonMuslim neighbour called a radio station to alert
Muslims about her fate. No one had come to
visit her. Apart from the hospital authorities,
no one knew her progress, nor her condition.
When she returned home, she was welcomed
by her crying and hungry three little children
aged ten, six and one, all living on their own for
the four months she was hospitalised.
There have been several similar cases, or worse
than this every now and then. There have been
cases in the recent past where Muslims had to
salve situations where bodies of our own brethren have been left in the morgue for months on
end.
Alhamdulllah, for over three years now, the Ummah Foundation has operated a section specifically designed to address this enigma. With
Sheikh Subki Shee Muhammad, the programme
has various daily duties in its itinerary. It primarily deals with providing counselling, spiritual
guidance and teaching religion and da`awah
to the in-patients in major hospitals such as the
Kenyatta National hospital, the Nairobi hospital
and others. It also liaises with the hospital`s administration in addressing extra- ordinary cases
where the in-patient has been entangled in dire
straits.
In a day, the routine requires going through the
hospital wards, counselling the patients and
giving them guidance. This noble program also
entails providing Islamic literature to the in-patients, reconciling the hearts of new in-patient
revertees, as well as addressing any cases of
unclaimed bodies of Muslim brethren lying in
the morgues, providing kaffan and burial services for them.
This is a section that has helped to save the face
of the Muslim Ummah in front of the public eye,
has given help to the utterly unable members
of the Ummah, has given due respect to the
abandoned departed souls, as well as helped
to repair broken hearts. We hope that you will
participate in developing these noble functions.
We will appreaciate your helping hand to enable
us extend a caring heart to the Ummah.
For further details contact us at;
Ummah Foundation
Village Plaza, Ngara
P. O. Box 58717-00200 Nairobi Tel 3747612.
Email: info@ummahfoundation.net
www.ummahfoundation.net

The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@gmail.com.
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