The

Friday Bulletin
Sign indemnity Bill into
law-President told
Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Weekly Muslim News Update

Issue No. 375

SUPPORTING MICRO-ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES

Murang'a East DO Mr. A. Abdulkarim (LEFT) hands over a Sh60,000 cheque to Faiz
Abdallah Hakim, a beneficiary of the micro financing scheme initiated by Uwezo
Foundation. See Story on Page 7

he failure to sign into law the Indemnity

(repeal) Bill has warranted a petition
to the head of state to approve the Bill
into laws. Nominated Member of Parliament
Muhammad Affey called on President Mwai
Kibaki to sign the Indemnity (repeal) Bill saying that it will contribute greatly in achieving
national reconciliation. He said the proposed
law which seeks to end the impunity vested
against residents of Northern Kenya and parts
of Coast province is long over due and the
president has an obligation to ensure that the
wronged part finally see to it that justice finally
prevails.
The fact that the President has taken over
three months to sign it without writing to parliament shows that the government does not
want the bill to become law yet the same government was represented by the Minister for
Defence when the Bill was being discussed
and approved in parliament, the nominated
MP said.
Parliament on April 14 passed a Bill that seeks
to revoke a law that grants blanket immunity
to security forces and other government agencies that may have committed human rights
violations in North Eastern and some areas of
Coast province between 1963 and 1967.
He complained at the reluctance in signing the
Bill into laws saying that procedures allows
for the attorney general to take 14 days to forward it to the President who has 21 days to
append his signature.
Story Continues To Page 2

Scholar faults MPs' over pay rise

Members of Parliament have been faulted in their move to award themselves a hefty pay
rise that will place them among the highest paid legislators in the world.
Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim of the Kenya Council of Imams and Ulamaa (KCIU) said that
it was wrong for the MPs to award themselves huge tax-free salary increments.
The Sheikh said it was ironic that the MPs could take only a record 45 minutes to increase their pay yet it has taken over three years for teachers to get a better pay package
for their service which is vital to the growth of education in the country.
These are actions by people who have no ethics and do not care about the fate of the
ordinary mwananchi, he said at Jamia Mosque during his weekly lecture. He wondered
how a third world country like Kenya was in a position to pay the legislators astronomical
salaries that dwarf those paid to leaders of the first world countries like the United States
and Britain.
With a struggling economy, he said it was inappropriate for the MPs to award themselves
such a hefty pay rise which will further strain the resources of the country.
The move has been greeted with outrage from the public as well as civil society organisations and trade unions. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) secretary

This Week
Editorial
A fresh look at youth empowerment

Da'wa

Israa' and Mira'j - Everlasting lessons

P3

Women Issues

Lady Zainab bint Khuzaimah-Mother of the

Poor
P4

Youth and Children

Your body-You Rule

P5

Feature
Islam the new religion in Chiapas Mexico P6

National News

Story Continues To Page 2

www.islamkenya.com

P2

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

P7

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

Editorial

A fresh look at youth empowerment

former street children have benefited from the various training programmes and are now discharging their skills in the labour market.
Besides this, NYS graduates stand a better chance of being absorbed in the disciplines forces and other government departments
where they can enhance on their skills and improve on their welfare. Moreover, the youth could also take advantage of the education and training opportunities provided by various youth polytechnics spread in various areas of the country. Tuition fees in these
institutions are subsidized by the government and the youth could
benefit immensely by acquiring vocational and technical skills at
a subsidized cost.
Another avenue where Muslim organisations could assist in youth
empowerment is by providing capacity building programmes in
leadership and management training. Such programmes have the
potential to improve on management and entrepreneurship expertise which could be vital in propelling the young people to engage
in entrepreneurial development activities.
The participation of Muslim youth at all levels of society need to be
promoted and young people have to be empowered so as to contribute meaningfully to the community and the nation. Occupying
young people during their free time is an effective way of keeping
them off drugs, crime and irresponsible immoral behaviours.
It is therefore important that concerted and collaborative effort are
put in place to address the challenges facing the Muslim youth.
Taking this move will inshallah create a responsible, empowered
and productive youth who will contribute to building a better Muslim community and a better Kenya.

Recognizing the strategic role youth play in the society, it is imperative that community leaders take a fresh look at empowering
the Muslim youth to facilitate their engagement in the community
and the country at large.
One of the fundamental areas to attain this objective is to seek innovative and practical ways to create employment opportunities for
the youth. Equipping the youth with modern, market-driven technical and vocational skills are among the long-term solutions to the
problems of unemployment among the youth.
The gravity of the unemployment problem among the youth is best
illustrated by statistics which indicate that 67% of all those who
are unemployed fall in the age bracket of 15 and 30 years old,
and that a big proportion of this figure - 45% - are under 24 years.
With figures which indicated that predominantly Muslim regions
are among areas with the highest level of poverty indices in the
country, it is obvious that unemployment affects a big proportion
of Muslim youth.
Statistics in primary school examinations reveal that 43% of young
Kenyans do not make it to secondary school. Of those who enroll
in primary school, only 1 percent manage to attain university education. Besides this, 92% of those unemployed (especially youth)
have no jobs, not because they cannot work but sadly because
they lack vocational or professional skills.
One way of seeing to it that the youth are productive is to facilitate
their entrance to the National Youth Service (NYS). For several
decades, NYS has played an important role in providing training
programmes in technical and vocational skills to youths to make
them productive to society. Thousands of youth who include

Story from Page 1

President told to assent to Indemnity Bill

for the community and the country meant that it deserved to be
supported.
The Indemnity (repeal) bill is meant to revoke the Indemnity Act
which was designed to restrict any legal proceeding or claims for
compensation by any court, authority or tribunal established for
atrocities committed by the public officers or members of the armed
forces implicated in human rights violations in the course of security
operations in North Eastern province, as well as Marsabit, Isiolo,
Lamu and Tana River districts.
The Indemnity Act emerged as one of the most contentious issues
affecting the work of the TJRC. Victims and various civil society
organisations have voiced concern that the Act undermines the
TJRC's work. Arguments have been put forth that the Act bars residents of the affected regions from testifying before the Truth, Justice
and Reconciliation Commission about the separatist Shifta war and
subsequent security campaigns like the 1984 Wagalla Massacre
where crimes were committed by Government forces.
TJRC chair Bethwell Kiplagat is also faced with accusation that he
was among prominent people who were involved in the brutal killings at Wagalla where an estimated 5,000 people lost their lives.

The MP termed the Indemnity Act as discriminatory saying that it

was contravening the fundamental rights and freedom as enshrined
in the constitution by delaying the residents of the affected areas
an opportunity to seek redress where their constitutional rights had
been grossly violated. The
Indemnity Act protects security officers who were
involved in human rights
violations
it is therefore
relevant to remove all the
leads that will protect some
people who have committed
atrocities in those areas, he
told The Friday Bulletin.
Affey repeated his sentiments that it was meaningless for the Truth Justice
and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) to carry out
its sittings in the affected
Nominated MP Muhammad Affey

areas before the Act is

repealed. He went
on to appeal to residents of the areas to boycott the TJRC sittings
until the bill is assented to arguing that their grievances will not be
adequately considered as the Act is still in place.
Affey asked Muslim leaders in the country to exert pressure on the
President to assent to the Bill so that documentation of the atrocities and subsequent compensations of the victims can be done.
On the constitution, he reiterated Muslims leaders support for the
new constitution saying that it was better than the present document and urged all Muslims in the country to vote in its support. The
nominated MP added that the retention of the Kadhis courts was
not the only important aspect for Muslims in the new constitutional
dispensation but the fact that it had many other positive elements

Scholar faults MPs' over pay rise

Story from Page 1
general Francis Atwoli has threatened to mobilize for a nationwide
strike of employees if President Kibaki ascents to the Bill.
Currently, an MP earns Sh851, 000, most of which is tax free. The
proposed increment which arises from suggestion contained in the
Akiwumi report, if implemented will see the legislators earning a
whopping Sh1.2 million a month.
The Prime Minister Raila Odinga has criticised the attempts to raise
the salaries while the finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta has been
categorical that the Treasury will not foot the bill as the funds are
not available in government coffers.

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

DA'WA

Al Israa and Miraj-Everlasting lessons

Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradhawi
Al-Israa was a land-to-land journey that Allah Almighty caused His
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to make from Makkah
to Al Quds (Jerusalem), that is, from Almighty Allah's Sacred House
to Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al-Mi`raj was a land-to-heaven journey from Al-Quds to the heavens. It was a journey to a place that no human being other than the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had ever reached [or
has reached since]. It was a journey to the Lote Tree of the utmost
boundary, whose place only Almighty Allah knows.
Such two journeys were a turning point in the Prophet's life and
in the course of his call in Makkah, especially after all the suffering
he (peace and blessings be upon him) had faced at the hands of
the Quraysh.
Allah Almighty wanted Al-Israa and Al-Mi`raj to be an alleviation
and relief to His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He
Almighty wanted to tell His Prophet that if the people of the earth
had let him down, the people of heaven were there to support him;
if the people of the earth had rejected his call, Allah Almighty would
receive him and His Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them)
would follow him and he would be their Imam.
That journey was an honour and compensation to the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) from Almighty Allah. It was also
a preparation for him to the following stage of his call. A few years
later, he (peace and blessings be upon him) would migrate to Madinah, where he (peace and blessings be upon him) would lead a life
of strife and jihad and confront the Arab tribes and other parties that
would stand as one man against his international call.
In fact, it is not known exactly when the Night Journey and Ascension took place, but it was certainly before the Hijrah (emigration
from Makkah) to Madinah. It was said to have happened either
three years or 18 months before the Hijrah.
Anyway, there are two important points that we are to concentrate
on in discussing Al-Israa and Al-Mi`raj. The first thing is to contemplate how Allah Almighty linked His Sacred House and Al-Aqsa
Mosque, and why He Almighty wanted to inform us that Al-Aqsa
Mosque was a main destination of the Night Journey. We should
meditate why the Night Journey was from Allah's Sacred House to
Al-Aqsa Mosque, from which the Ascension to heaven was made,
why Ascension did not take place from Allah's Mosque to heaven
directly. This indicates that Al-Aqsa Mosque, that sacred place
which Allah Almighty has blessed, was a main destination of the
Night Journey.
Prophet Muhammad's being received by other Prophets of Allah
Almighty in Al-Aqsa Mosque and his leading them in Salah (ritual
Prayer) there is also significant. It indicates that leadership was
moved to a new nation and to a new Prophethood.
It is significant that Prophet Muhammad's mission was not like the
missions of the previous prophets. Each of all the other prophets
(peace and blessings be upon them all) was sent to his own people, while Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
was sent to all mankind [and jinn]. He (peace and blessings be
upon him) was sent as a mercy to the worlds at all times. This was
a sign of the eternity and internationality of His message (peace
and blessings be upon him).
Thus, his going to Al-Aqsa Mosque, the land of Prophets, from
which came Prophets Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaaq (Isaac) and Eesa
(Jesus), was an indication that leadership of the world had moved
to the new international message, Islam. Allah Almighty wanted
Muslims to realize and deeply appreciate the relation between
His Sacred House and Al-Aqsa Mosque. It was from His Sacred
House that the Night Journey began and to Al-Aqsa Mosque that
it reached.
Allah Almighty has blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and its neighborhood.
He Almighty says in that regard: Glorified be He Who carried His
servant by night from the Inviolable Place of Worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship the neighborhood whereof We have blessed (Al-Israa 17:1) [The Inviolable Place of Worship mentioned
in this verse refers to Allah's Sacred House in Makkah and the Far
Distant Place of Worship refers to Al-Aqsa Mosque.]

When the prayer was ordained on the Muslims, Al-Aqsa Mosque

was the qiblah to which they were to turn during Prayer. They would
turn their faces in prayer towards it for three years in Makkah, and
for 18 months in Madinah before the qiblah was changed to Allah's Sacred House. Besides, Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the three
mosques to which Muslims are required to dedicate time for visiting;
the other two mosques are the Sacred Mosque and the Prophet's
Mosque in Madinah. This shows that Al Quds (Jerusalem) is the
third sacred place after Makkah and Madinah in Islam.
Allah Almighty wanted to establish and emphasize the significance
and sacredness of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Muslims' hearts so that they
do not cede it for anything. They are to hold it as sacred as both
Allah's Sacred House and His Prophet's Mosque. That was why
Muslims [when they were strong] were zealous to keep Al-Aqsa
Mosque under their rule and protection. Hence, Muslims must realize the importance of Al Quds in their history and the significance of
Al-Aqsa Mosque in their religion and life.
Allah Almighty wills that we remember the importance of Al-Aqsa
Mosque when we celebrate the anniversary of Al-Israa and AlMi`raj. This is to remind us of the gravity of the circumstances in
which Al-Aqsa Mosque is in this age. We must not give up our responsibility in defending Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). This is a sacred issue to fight for. We should not, under any
circumstances, give up our role in that regard.
The Jews dreamed of establishing a state (in the land of Palestine)
and managed to achieve that dream. That being so, we at least
must not give up hope that one day we will again have Al-Aqsa
Mosque and Jerusalem under our control. We should not lose hope
of that at all, even if we see surrender embodied everywhere in our
status quo.
We must believe that Allah Almighty is with us and that He Almighty
will grant us victory and make Islam prevail, as He, Most High, always supports the true believers.
Imams Ahmad and At-Tabarani reported on the authority of Abu
Umama Al-Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, "A
group of my nation will keep being in the side of right and victorious
over its enemy; no party of their enemy can cause them harm; the
only harm that may afflict them is (physical) exhaustion. They would
be like so until the Day of Judgment." The Prophet's Companions
(may Allah be pleased with them) asked, "Where would they be, Allah's Messenger?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "In
Al-Quds and its surrounding vicinity."
The second most important lesson that we are to learn from AlIsraa and Al-Mi`raj is concerning Prayer. It is known that Prayer
was ordained on that great night.
It is because of the great importance of Prayer that Allah Almighty
ordained it in heaven. He Almighty sent for His Messenger to mankind (peace and blessings be upon him) and caused him to go on a
night journey and ascend to heaven and the Lote Tree to inform him
(peace and blessings be upon him) of the ordinance of Prayer.
Mind that all other ordinances were decreed on the earth. This
indicates how important prayer is in Islam. It symbolizes ascension
to heaven; it is the Muslim's spiritual ascension to heaven.
Thus, Prayer is the gift that the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) brought with him from that journey to all Muslims so that
they can worship Allah Almighty through it.
Prayer had to do with Al-Aqsa Mosque. Al-Aqsa Mosque was the
first qiblah in Islam. If it is true that Al-Israa and Al-Mi`raj took place
in the tenth year of the Prophet's mission, this would mean that the
Muslims' qiblah in Prayer was towards Al-Aqsa Mosque for three
Continued on page 6

Saturday Lecture

The world of Jinn

Sh.Abdullatif Abdulkarim
Sat. 10 th July 2010 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
Jamia Multi Purpose Hall

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

WOMEN ISSUES

Lady Zainab bint Khuzaima-The mother of the poor

Zainab bint Khuzaima hailed from a famous Arab tribe of those days
namely Banu-Hilali.People know her as Ummul-Masaakeen (Mother of the needy and poor).
She was very pious, kind hearted and always helped the poor and
needy people. She was beautiful and generous in nature.
Anybody looking for help never returned disappointed after meeting
her. This characteristic of helping
others was overwhelming in her
personality hence every body
called her Ummul-Masaakeen.
This name was more popular
than her real name.
Zainab was the fifth wife of the
Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa
sallam. Prior to this marriage,
all his marriages had taken place within his ancestral tribe i.e. the
Quraish. She was the first one to join the sacred house of the Holy
Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam as a non-Quraish.
She was married to the Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam in
the 4th year of Hijra. At that time she was thirty-one years old. According to some other reports, she was forty-eight years old.
All the marriages of the Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam with
various women had some strong reason behind the. Some were intended to foster fraternity with a certain tribe while some were aimed
at guiding others that marriage with widows is a welcome step.
Zainab was first married to Tufail bin Harith. Tufail died after a few
years of his marriage. She was then married to her deceased husbands brother Ubaida bin Harith. Ubaida was martyred during the
battle of Badr. Tufail bin Harith and Ubaida bin Harith, were cousins
to the Holy Prophet Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa sallam.
After Ubaida, Zainab was married to her cousin Abdullah bin Jahsh.
Abdullah too was martyred in the battle of Uhud. The battles of Badr
and Uhud, both left Zainab as a widow. This was a great sacrifice by
Zainab when Islam was in its developing stage.
Within a short span of time, Zainab had three husbands and all of
them died one by one. Now there was hardly any chance for her for
another marriage.
In the battle of Uhud, Muslims lost seventy companions. This battle
left thirty women of Madina, as widows. This was half of the married female Muslim population. These widows, now had no home or
help. Islam did not leave these widows alone and neglected.
After the battle of Uhud, the Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam took cognizance of the situation and ordered his followers to
marry the widows left alone by this battle. Every body followed the
order and married the widows giving them a sense of honour and
security.
To set an example the Holy Prophet took the initiative himself and
married many widows at different occasions in his life. Others followed the precedent set by the Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa
sallam and the tradition of marrying widows or divorcees became a
part and parcel of the social customs of the society.
The relatives of Ummul-Masaakeen i.e. Hadhrat Zainab were financially too weak to help her and there was no place where she could
have spent the rest of her life. As she was in the habit of giving alms
and charity to the poor, she had no savings with her. Her first husband died in Badr and the other in Uhud, and that too within a span
of three years.
Both of her dead husbands were refugees in Madina from Makkah,
having no immovable or much of movable property. By way of this
calculation, she was most deserving to be helped.
Allah gave her the best compensation. The Holy Prophet (salallahu
alayhi wa sallam married her in the fourth year of Hijra. The duration of Zainabs stay with the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam
was very short. After only three months of married life with the Holy
Prophet, she died. The Holy Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam led
her funeral prayer and laid her to rest in the grave himself. There are

only two wives who died during the life of the Holy Prophet salallahu
alayhi wa sallam namely Khadijah and Zainab bint Khuzaima.

In the battle of Uhud, Muslims lost seventy

companions. This battle left thirty women of
Madina, as widows. This
was half of the married
female Muslim population. These widows, now
had no home or help. Islam did not leave these
widows alone and neglected

Mothers of the
Believers

FROM THE BOOK OF ALLAH

"O my Servants who have transgressed against their
souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Quran 12:87
FROM THE TRADITIONS OF THE PROHET
Turn to Allah O people, offer repentance and seek His
forgiveness. I myself offer repentance to Allah a hundred times a day." (Muslim)

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen

Fish in coconut curry
Ingredients
Oil -- 3 tablespoons
Fish filets, cut into serving portions -- 500 gms
Salt and pepper -- to taste
Onion, chopped or sliced -- 1
Red or green capsicums, chopped or sliced -- 2
Garlic, minced -- 6-8 cloves
Tomatoes, seeded and chopped -- 1 cup
Coconut milk -- 1 1/2 cups
Garam masala or curry powder -- 2-3 teaspoons
Tamarind paste or lemon juice -- 1-2 tablespoons
Salt and pepper -- to taste

Method
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet or pot.
Season the fish with salt and pepper
Sear the fish fillets on both sides and remove to a plate.
Do not cook through.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions and
peppers Saut until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic
and saut 1-2 minutes more
Add the tomatoes, coconut milk, garam masala or curry
powder, tamarind paste or lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 6-8
minutes.
Add the fish fillets, cover and continue to simmer until the fish
is cooked through, 5-10 minutes. Serve with rice, ugali,
boiled potatoes, boiled cassava or chapatti.
Share your favourite recipes with our readers. Send them to P. O. Box 10078600100 or email:fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or fridaybulletin@gmail.com

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Humaira Shabir

Your body, YOU rule

Desires... what comes to mind when you hear this word, would it go
along the lines of wow that girl/guy is fit, a wild night of clubbing
with mates, smoking and getting high on drugs, driving a beamer
to impress the ladies or is it being with my boyfriend/girlfriend ...
you get the point right?
When you do any of the above it is out of enjoyment, its great being
loved by someone who says he/she will do anything for you (ever
tried asking them to jump off a cliff for you?), it is great dancing to
the music in the club and at the same time checking out fit gals/guys
and pulling and how wonderful is it when youre joy riding, all this
dangerous excitement, how cool does it feel?!
Problem is that all of that is wrong and there is a negative side, yeah
you heard right, NEGATIVE, want to hear what that is? you got no
choice because Ill tell you anyway...
But it feels so good!
Most people may think, but why do these things make me feel so
good? Thats because Satan is always trying his best to make things
which are against Islam seem very tempting and in most cases he
succeeds. We may not realise what effect this is having on us but
slowly our inner self becomes clouded with darkness and therefore
when we continuously persist upon the same sin we no longer think
it is wrong.If we are faced with the desire to wrong we should always
listen to our mind as opposed to the ego which will lead us to do bad
and not good.
As humans, we have free will, we can either choose to do something
or not, so its important that we think before we act and remain in
control. Whenever you are about to act upon a bad desire you might
think oh it is to do with hormones, its out of my control but fact is,
at the end of the day it is up to you whether you act upon this effect
of your hormones, after all we are humans not animals, we do have
self-control!
Everyone has the will to say no I will not do this as opposed to saying Im weak and Satan gets the better of me (wrong answer I am
afraid), everyone is responsible for their own actions. It is a matter
of taking control of your own body and not letting your body control
you, basically live as a ruler of your body, do not live as a slave of
your body.
Consequences
Put yourself in this situation, you are in love with someone and you
are willing to do anything for him, and when he asks you to give up
your chastity you are willing to do that too, let us say once hes got
what he wants and dumps you and goes for another girl (most cases
this happens, so dont sit there thinking my man would never do that
to me he loves me, could happen to anyone). How would you be
feeling in this situation? The answer is obvious, rubbish! Someone
who claimed to love you left you at the drop of a hat.
A person should seriously consider very hard before getting themselves into this situation, is a guy who just wants to use and abuse
you worth losing your self-respect over? Of course not, any girl
would vouch for that. Same applies to those who drink and smoke
drugs, in the long-term this is seriously affecting your health, when
you are on drugs you do things out of your control, so regretting later
what you have done will not change the consequence of taking the
drug and it has a major affect on your loved ones and your relationship with them.
As for drinking, you are left with a hangover and the embarrassing
memories of what stupid things you did the night before and in some
cases you do not not even remember anything! Our life in this world
is temporary we should do things out of only one desire and that is,
to please Allah subhana wa tala and the Holy Prophet Peace and
Blessings of Allah be upon him.
So... how do you control your desires?
There are ways to help you from acting upon these desires and if a
person acts upon the following advice, Satan will not be able to play
with your mind;
1 - Have pious mates/company - Hang about with those who are
God-fearing who help you stay away from the bad things.
2 - Stop watching programmes or listening to songs that bring
the desire for bad things - i.e. Movies which promote wrong things
and Music channels. So instead of watching these programmes lis-

ten to Islamic lectures on the topic of your interest.

3 - Keep up your 5 daily prayers - This will make you connect to
Allah and also make you conscious that He is watching you, which
in turn will make you stay away from bad deeds.
4 - Remain in state of wudhu - This not only cleans your body but
it is a means of cleansing yourself from minor sins which keeps you
in state of purity at all times. Also fasting has been recommended
by the Holy Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah) be upon him
for those who can not control their sexual desires.
5 - Eat less - Eating too much makes a person lazy and a person
is more likely to waste time in sin and skip prayer as he/she cant
be bothered to read it.
6 - Speak less - When I say this, I dont mean totally walk about
like a zombie saying nothing! It is referring to talking less so a person avoids gossip and useless talk.
7 - Sleep less - Sleeping too much again is a way in which we
become lazy and its a damper on our spiritual state, a person requires rest as this is a basic need of the body but no more than 8
hours!

ARE

YOU

TELLING
TRUTH

THE

As Muslims we must speak the truth

We all must really try
If we want to please Allah
Then we must never lie!
Be careful then before you speak
Allahs watching you!
Allah sees and hears all things
And knows what youre up to!
Allah does not like us lying
It is very bad!
But if we always tell the truth
Then Allah will be glad!
Allah will make things all right
When we just say whats true
So tell the truth and dont be scared!
Hell give rewards to you!
Allah says, It is only those who believe
not in the Ayah of Allah, who fabricate
falsehood, and it is they who are liars."
[al-Nahl 16:105]
The Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam
said: The signs of the hypocrite are
three: when he speaks, he lies; when he
makes a promise, he breaks it; and when
he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

FEATURE

Islam is the new religion in rebellious Mexican state of Chiapas

By Jan-Albert Hootsen

More and more Mayan and Tzotzil people in the Mexican state of
Chiapas are becoming Muslims. It is fifteen years since the Zapatista uprising in Chiapas and the region has undergone some profound
changes. One of them is the emergence of Islam as a new religion
in the state.
The Muslim community, dominated by converted Mayans and Tzotzils, is slowly gaining ground. Molino de los Arcos is one of the poorest neighbourhoods of San Cristbal de las Casas, the second largest city in Chiapas and popular with tourists for its colonial beauty.
The barrio is ethnically almost entirely indigenous, with Tzotzil Mayan as the dominant language. On Fridays, though, you can hear
the slow, monotonous Arab chants of Muslim prayer. In a wooden
shack, painted with Arab religious phrases, some twenty Tzotzil
Muslim families have established a small place of worship.
"This is where we cleanse our spirits and pray to Allah. Not everyone came today, some people have to work," Imam Salvador Lopez
Lopez smiles. "But we are doing well. Our community is still small,
we are maybe two hundred, but little by little we're growing."
Lopez reverted to Islam in 1995 and adopted the Arab name of Muhammad Amin. He was one of the first Tzotzils to embrace the religion. He describes his reversion as a tough, two-year period of
soul searching. "There is a lot of ignorance in Chiapas about Islam.
Nobody really knew what it was and at first I myself wasn't sure it
was the thing for me. My family didn't agree with it either at first. It
was hard."
Alternative to capitalism
There have always been Muslims in Mexico, but they were usually
immigrants from Muslim countries in Africa and the Middle East. It
wasn't until 1995, when Spanish Muslims led by Aureliano Prez left
for Mexico to spread the word of Allah, that Mexicans themselves
started reverting to Islam.
The arrival of the Spanish can be seen in direct relation to the uprising of the Zapatista rebels in Chiapas, in 1994. They saw the impoverished state as fertile ground for the principles of Islam. Indigenous
Mayans and Tzotzils have led marginalised lives ever since the
Spanish conquest in the 16th century. They live in extreme poverty;
suffer exploitation by corrupt governments and racism by white and
mestizo Mexicans (people with mixed European and Native American racial origin). Alcoholism among indigenous Mexicans is rampant.
The Mayans and Tzotzils adopted Islam, which upholds a strict
ban on the use of alcohol and profits made on money lending. It
has proven to be attractive to indigenous Chiapanecos as a viable
alternative to capitalism. Yet Muhammad Amin stresses that Islam
is not just for indigenous Chiapanecos: "Allah makes no distinction
between races. We welcome everyone."
Zapatist Muslims
The social component in Chiapaneco Islam did present itself in its
early days though, when the Muslims under Nafia offered to support
the Zapatista rebels of Subcomandante Marcos. Many Zapatista
rebels, who fight for indigenous rights and land reform are Tzotzils.
A number of them did revert, even though Marcos was hesitant at

Family Resource Centre

first. The Mexican government was alarmed and started monitoring

the presence of Islam. Former president Vicente Fox even accused
them of having links with Al-Qaeda, although solid proof was never
presented.
Muhammad Amin chuckles when he refers to these accusations.
"We have no links whatsoever with any foreign group of Muslims,
and we have no problem with any other religion here. Islam means
peace, we respect everyone around us."
Andrs Ferrer, who now goes by the Arab name of Muyahid,
reverted to Islam in 1998. He is had to overcome a lot of prejudice:
"Many people reacted badly, because they have no idea what
Islam is. Some of them even called us terrorists. My own family
called me crazy!"
Despite the opposition Islam is doing well in Chiapas. The Muslims have opened a madrasah or Qur'an school, an Islamic mission, a carpenter's shop and a pizza restaurant.
They teach Arabic to reverts and even organize the hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah, which many indigenous Muslims have already undertaken. Islam is growing slowly but surely, says Imam Lopez: "In
this particular mosque there are seventeen Islamic families now.
Gradually more people are opening themselves up to the word of
Allah. Yes, I think we are here to stay." (Radio Netherlands)

Al Israa and Miraj-Everlasting lessons

Story from Page 3

years before the Hijrah to Madinah and 16 months after it.

Then Almighty Allah decreed that the qiblah be changed towards
the Sacred Mosque. Allah Almighty says: [So turn thy face toward
the Inviolable Place of Worship, and ye (O Muslims), wheresoever
ye may be, turn your faces when ye pray) toward it.] (Al-Baqarah
2:143)
Prayer is the spiritual means through which Muslims can ascend
to their Lord. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended to heaven (once), we, brothers and sisters, could spiritually
ascend there as much as we can through Prayer.
Allah Almighty says in a the qudsi hadith: "I have divided the Prayer
into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will
receive what he asks. When the servant says, 'Praise be to Allah,
the Lord of the universe,' Allah the Most High says, 'My servant has
praised Me.' And when he (the servant) says, 'The Most Compassionate, the Merciful,' Allah the Most High says, 'My servant has
lauded Me.' And when he (the servant) says, 'Master of the Day of
judgment,' He Almighty remarks, 'My servant has glorified Me.' And
when he (the worshiper) says, 'Thee do we worship and of Thee do
we ask help,'
He Almighty says, 'This is between Me and My servant, and My
servant will receive what he asks for.' Then, when he (the worshiper) says, 'Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom
Thou hast been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray,' He (Allah Almighty)
says, 'This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he
asks for.'"

Public forum on the Constitution

LOOKING FOR A SPOUSE? We will help you to get a

suitable wife or husband-the halal way
Visit us at Jamia Plaza 3rd Floor (Kigali Street)
We also provide counselling services to married couples and those wishing to get married

All Muslims are invited to attend a public forum on the

proposed constitution
Venue: Jamia Mosque Multi Purpose Hall
Date: Sunday 11th July 2010 2.00 pm-4.00pm
Organised by Kenya Muslims Charitable Society (KMCS)

Darul Irshad Centre

Islamic Lecture

36th Graduation Ceremony

LY

Invitation to attend the Graduation Ceremony

Sunday 11th July 2010 10.30 am-1.00 pm
AL-Amin Masjid near Juja Road Estate

TE

S
SI

N
SO

Matunda Ya Imani

LY

ON
Ustadha Amina Atitale
S
Sat. 10 th July 2010 2.00 pm-4.00 pm TER
S
MAKINA MOSQUE KIBERA
SI

Rajab 27 1431/July 09 2010

The Friday Bulletin

NATIONAL NEWS

Sh 1.7Million boost for Muranga micro projects

Muranga residents are to benefit from a Sh1.7 million micro-finance
project to assist small economic enterprises. Already a first batch of
Sh350, 000 has been made available to the residents of Mjini area
to boost their economic projects.
The remaining funds are expected to be disbursed to beneficiaries
by the end of the month.
The programme is being implemented as a pilot project by Uwezo
Foundation and its eventual success will see the programme rolled
out in other areas of the country. Our aim is to economically empower small scale business enterprises as this will greatly contribute to the reduction of poverty levels in the community, said Abdallah Ndope the foundation chairman.
The Muranga East District Officer A. Abdulkarim who witnessed the
exercise praised the Foundation saying that its activities will supplement on the governments programme to uplift the economic situation of the people as part of the measures to achieve the goals of
the Vision 2030 programme.

Aisha centre to hold

harambee for waqf project
Faced with dwindling resources, Aisha Centre,
one of the foremost female revertscentre in the
country plans to hold a major harambee to raise
much needed funds for a waqf (endowment)
project. The endowment facility is geared at ensuring the self sustainability of the centre which
provides basic Islamic education to those who
have embraced Islam.
The current annual expenses required stand at
Sh2, 480,000 which we can barely meet, said
Khalid Al Kizim, the chairman of Al Fajr al Jadid,
(New Dawn Community Developemnt project)
the initiator of the project.
To make the project sustainable, an endowment
facility is urgently needed to be established to
run the institutions so that dependece on donations are minimized, he added.
The harambee will be held on Sunday July 11 at
the Memon Hall, Bilal Mosque in South C. Gulf
African Bank CEO Najmul Hassan and Fatma
Hyder, a prominent Muslim activist and former
SUPKEM director for women affairs will be the
chief guests at the function.
The proposed waqf comprises a block of flats at
Imara Daima Estate in Nairobi which cost Sh65
million. Contributions towards the project can be
channeled to New Dawn Community Development Project Gulf African Bank account number
0710000501 or First Community Bank account
number 09992571.
Besides the one year basic Islamic studies
course, students are also provided with tailoring,
computers and cookery studies.
The centre is located at Sigona, Kiambu district,
where it was relocated in 2005 after its original
home was razed to the ground together with the
mosque in the skirmishes at the South B mosque
grounds in the year 2000.
In 2007, the centre expanded and incorporated
a boys boarding section which provide Quran
memorization classes, among other disciplines
to students from the surrounding areas.
The total number of students stand at 70 with 40
in the female reverts programme and the rest undertaking Quranic lessons.

The programme particularly targets groups involved in economic

projects who benefit from interest free loans. On repayment, the
funds are placed in a revolving fund which is used to benefit others
in the community.
The beneficiaries included 786 Shukran Group which is involved
in confectionary, Maendeleo enterprises dealing with halal chicken
meat, Zuhura Asmani and traders involved in garment and shoe
trading, Chakula kitamu restaurant and Virtuous Ladies Group who
are involved in a salon and knitting project. The groups received
amounts ranging from Sh50, 000 to Sh90, 000.
Uwezo Foundation is a partnership between the National Muslim
Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) and Islamic Dawa Group (IDG).
Last month, the foundation undertook a relief food distribution exercise in the area and a medical camp which benefitted hundreds of
residents in Mjini area, a predominantly Muslim suburb of Muranga
district.

17 benefit from IDB scholarships

Seventeen students are to benefit from for the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) scholarship programme.
The students drawn from different provinces of the country are expected to undertake
their studies in Turkey in various disciplines which include medicine and engineering.
The beneficiaries are Adam Hussein Karanu from Muranga, Muhammad M. Gunda
from Thika, Hussein Ali Ireri who hails from Malindi, Abdulaziz A Ali from Mombasa
UmmKulthum Hussein Omar who also comes from Mombasa.
Others are Muhammad Rashid and Dagu Sole Male both from Moyale, Khadija A,
Abdulkarim from Nairobi, Asha Ahmed Ibrahim from Nairobi, Alamin Muhammad Nur
from Garissa and Said Hammad Wanangwe from Siaya in Nyanza province.
Other beneficiaries are Khadija Muhammad Said from Kisumu, Zeytun Abdullahi Somo
from Kajiado, Ibrahim Ali Omar from Koibatek, Chamalah Sadiq Barack from Hamisi
and Yasmin Ikata Faraj who hails from Vihiga, Western province.
The Scholarships are aimed at providing educational opportunities for the academically meritorious and financially needy young Muslim students from Muslim communities in non-member countries to pursue undergraduate or first-degree study so as to
make a meaningful contribution to the development of their communities.
The Islamic Development Bank offers the education programme ihrough the Supreme
Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).

PROVIDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Dr. Abul Hassan Al-Samani from the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY)
headquarters in Jeddah Saudi Arabia conducts a training programme for Imams,
preachers and Ustadhas during a three day workshop held at Jamia Mosque multupurpose hall. The workshop was facilitated by the WAMY Kenya office.

Saudi to issue Hajj

health rules

Srebrenica families sue

against Dutch soldiers

The Saudi Health Ministry is expected to

issue a set of health conditions to be observed by pilgrims coming for this years
Haj soon.
"The new conditions will inform all pilgrims of what health arrangements they
have to make before they can proceed to
the Kingdom to perform Haj, Undersecretary of the Haj Ministry Dr. Ziyad Maimash told Arab News on Wednesday.
He, however, would not say if the new
health conditions would be the same as
those last year, which prevented people
under 12 and above 60 from performing
Haj because of the swine flu pandemic
and made it a must for all pilgrims to be
vaccinated against the disease.
The Haj Ministry usually endorses the
recommendations of the Health Ministry,
which then needs to be strictly observed
by everyone coming for Haj or Umrah.

Relatives of some of the 8,000 men and

boys murdered in the Muslim enclave of
Srebrenica in 1995 have started legal
proceedings for genocide and war crimes
against three Dutch military officials, the
NRC reports on Tuesday.
The enclave was under the protection of
Dutch soldiers serving with the UN when
attacked by Bosnian Serbs.
According to the complaint, the soldiers
forced the victims from a UN-designated
"safe area", resulting in their deaths. The
complaint also states that the men knew
about the Sprevious execution of Muslims, making the soldiers complicit in the
deaths of the victims.
The Dutch prosecutor will now consider
whether to investigate the charges. If the
men were to be convicted, they could face
a sentence of life in prison. (Dutch News
Report)

JAMIA AUDIO VISUAL LIBRARY

Providing a wide range Video materials on DV, CDs and
VHS by local and International Islamic scholars
Sheikh Juma Amir
Dr. Bilal Phillips
Sheikh Ahmad Msallam
Dr. Zakir Naik
Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu
Ahmed Deedat
Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim
Ai'dh al Qarny
Sheikh Nassoro Bachou
Sheikh Nabil Awadh
Sheikh Uthman Maalim
Sheikh Muhammad Hassan
AND MANY OTHERS....
Also available Islamic documentaries, Children visual materials and audio
materials on Tape and CD
Pay us a visit
Jamia Audio Visual Library
Jamia Mosque Complex next to parking bay
Open from 9.00 am-5.30 pm Mon Saturday

JAMIA MOSQUE COMMITTEE

RE-ADVERTISEMENT
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 16th July 2010

Those who submitted their applications need not to reapply

Ramadhan 1431 AH- Zakat

and Sadaqah Appeal
We are in the month of Rajab, just a month in between before we enter the Holy month of Ramadhan, Inshallah. The Ummah foundation depends
entirely on your goodwill and contributions so that
we can meet our objectives.
Being one of the leading Islamic organizations
in the country, the Ummah Foundation provides
diverse services to the Muslim Ummah for eradication of poverty and ignorance and human suffering.
Alhamdulillah, with the grace of ALLAH subhana
wa taala and with your continuous support, we
have been able to provide the following:
Education bursaries and scholarships to needy
and deserving students at high school, college
and university levels.
Medical assistance to needy and deserving
cases in various hospitals in the country.
Distribution of relief food and water during hard
and trying times of hunger and severe drought.
Distribution of Iftar during the holy month of Ramadhan.
Distribution of wheelchairs and crutches to the
old and to the physically challenged.
Facilitating eye operations to correct deficiencies
like eye cataract.
Distribution of computers to various Islamic institutions.
Support to various madarassahs in the country
by providing salaries and learning materials.
Propagation work through distribution of religious
books and materials.
Assistance of the Prisoners Rehabilitation Programme.
Zakaat distribution as stipulated in the Glorious
Quran.
Construction of low cost houses for the poor.
Burial and funeral arrangements for the needy.
With the same zest and spirit, we can emulate
the example set by Umar Bin Abdulaziz. It was
during this time that Muslims donated so much
until there was surplus Zakaat and Sadaqaat.
Everyone was contented with the situation then.
Allah subhana wataala says in Suratul Maaidah,
Ayah 162: Those who establish regular prayer
and give regular Zakat and believe in ALLAH and
the Last Day, to them We shall soon give a great
reward.
Please send your contribution to:
Ummah Foundation,
Village Plaza, Ngara Rd, Suite A2, P.O.Box
58717-00100, Nairobi.
info@ummahfoundation.net
Or paid to : Ummah Foundation,
First Community Bank, Wabera Street, AC No.
101943-01 (Ksh) or 101943-02 (US $)
Or Gulf African Bank- Kenyatta Avenue
AC No.s 0720 002001 (Ksh)
0720 002002 (US $ Account)
0720 002003 (Zakat Account)

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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