Sunday, November 30, 2014

Pope: All Muslims not terrorists as all Christians not fundamentalists




Pope Francis attacked those who say “all Muslims are terrorists”, adding: “As we cannot say that all Christians are fundamentalists.”




Pope Francis on Sunday urged Muslim leaders worldwide to “clearly” condemn terrorism carried out in the name of Islam, and called for an end to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.



Francis said he had told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that “it would be wonderful if all the Muslim leaders of the world – political, religious and academic, spoke up clearly and condemned” violence which damages Islam.



“That would help the majority of Muslims if that came from the mouths of these political, religious and academic leaders. We all have need of a global condemnation,” Francis told reporters aboard the plane taking him back to Rome after a three-day visit to Turkey.



The pope acknowledged that current global crises had generated a danger of all Muslims being tarred with the same brush.



Francis attacked those who say “all Muslims are terrorists”, adding: “As we cannot say that all Christians are fundamentalists.”



In a rare joint plea, the pope and Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I spoke out against anti-Christian violence, saying the world could not stand by and allow “a Middle East without Christians.”



They said the “terrible situation” of Christians calls “for an appropriate response on the part of the international community”.



The Argentine leader of the world’s Catholics denounced what he termed the current wave of “Christianophobia” in the Middle East, accusing Islamist radicals of “hunting” Christians while certain officials acted as if “they did not want any left in these countries”.



The pontiff did not specify which countries he was referring to.



On the final day of his first visit to Turkey, Francis urged an end to the millennium-old schism between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and said this was all the more urgent due to the violence against Christians by Islamic State (IS) extremists.









Bahrain PM Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa resigns after parliamentary elections




Bahrain’s government has resigned after announcing the results of the runoff parliamentary elections in the country.




Bahrain’s government has resigned after announcing the results of the runoff parliamentary elections in the country.



Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa said on Saturday that the decision was made "based on Article 33 of the constitution that stipulates that the government should resign at the beginning of each new legislative term,” adding, he would hand in the resignation of the cabinet to Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa “in order to take the necessary decision."



Bahrainis went to the polling stations for runoff parliamentary elections amid a widespread boycott by opposition groups.



The runoff vote was held a week after the first-round vote determined only the fate of six of the 40-seat lower house of parliament. Voters decided about the remaining 34 seats on Saturday.



The Bahraini premier congratulated the elected lawmakers on “winning the people’s trust,” saying, Bahrain is on "the threshold of a new phase of national action."



As many as 14 seats of the parliament were won by Shia candidates.



Bahraini Justice Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ali Al Khalifa, who heads the electoral commission, said the elections were a “great success.”



Bahrain’s main opposition party, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, issued a statement on the runoff parliamentary elections in the country, saying the turnout has been less than 30 percent.



The group also said the majority of the Bahraini people would continue their long struggle for justice and democracy until their legitimate demands are met.



Bahraini protesters have held numerous demonstrations since mid-February 2011, calling for the royal family to give up power.









14 Shia candidates win Bahraini parliament seats




Bahrain: Fourteen Shia candidates have won seats in the Bahraini parliamentary elections that were boycotted by the country's Shia-dominated opposition.




MANAMA, Bahrain: Fourteen Shia candidates have won seats in the Bahraini parliamentary elections that were boycotted by the country's Shia-dominated opposition.



Among the winners in the election results released on Sunday were three women. The results follow runoff elections on Saturday for the 40-seat lower house of parliament in the tiny Gulf island nation.



The elections were the country's first full parliamentary elections since widespread Islamic Awakaning erupted in February 2011.



Bahrain is a Western ally that hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet and is part of the US-led coalition striking the Islamic State group. It continues to face street clashes and other low-level unrest as Shias press for greater political freedoms.


A few days ago Bahraini regime forces stormed the top Shia cleric Isa Qassim's house in the mostly-Shia village of Diraz, west of the capital Manama, and checked the identities of everyone inside the house.



The senior Shia cleric braved the tense atmosphere created by the regime and said at the Friday prayers in Diraz that pro-democracy protests would continue unabated in the country.



Sheikh Qassim has repeatedly and openly criticized the Al Khalifah regime over violent crackdown on anti-regime protests.



The reasons for the Bahrain uprising



Following the successful popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the people of Bahrain tried to follow their examples and obtain concessions from the Al Khalifa government. In the beginning, protesters stated their minimum demands which included a number of political reforms and establishing a constitutional monarchy. In truth, these demands did not target the Al Khalifa regime and Bahrainis only wanted to participate in the political governance of the country as well as in determining its future.



The main reason behind the Bahrain uprising can be sought in the institutional, financial and ethical corruption of the Al Khalifa regime, which had become more pronounced in Bahrain in recent years.



This Persian Gulf littoral state is completely dominated by the royal family and for example 98 percent of the country’s coasts are considered Al Khalifa property and off-limits for Bahrainis.



In recent years, Bahrain has turned into a haven for criminals. Mafias trafficking human organs and women have become organized in this country. This has turned Manama into one of the most important crime centers in the world.



Ethnic and religious discrimination in Bahrain has resulted in some pundits saying the country is governed by a regime similar to the South African apartheid. This being said, the Bahraini uprising was in essence a civil rights movement.



Because of these conditions, Bahrainis on Feb 14, 2011 rose up against the Al Khalifa regime. Political activists in Bahrain have named this day “Day of Rage” and asked people to state their demands by staging protests. The first part of Bahraini demands was political reforms. They wanted the prime minister and head of administration to be elected by the people like other democratic governments.



They also wanted political activists and Shia clerics who had been jailed since August 2010 to be released. Bahrainis also wanted the Shura Council, which has 40 members who are appointed by the Al Khalifa, to be dissolved.




4000 Volunteers Prepare For Arbaeen Pilgrimage in Karbala




The Secretariat General of the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine announces the joining of 4000 volunteers to provide service for the pilgrims arriving at the Shrine of Imam Hussein during the Arba'een Pilgrimage.




The Secretariat General of the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine announces the joining of 4000 volunteers to provide service for the pilgrims arriving at the Shrine of Imam Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him) during the Arba'een Pilgrimage.



The duties that will be performed by the volunteers include general services, security and medical care for the pilgrims.


Arba'een or Chehelom "the fortieth [day]", is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad which falls on the 20th day of the month of Safar.



Imam Husayn and 72 companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (680 CE), killed by Yazid army. Arba'een is also observed 40 days after the death of a family member or loved one. Forty days is the usual length of the time of mourning in many Islamic cultures. Arba'een, or Chehlom, is one of the largest pilgrimage gatherings on Earth, in which over 15 million people go to the city of Karbala in Iraq.







Former Egyptian Grand Mufti 'Ali Gomaa' Rejects considering Shias as infidels




Ali Gomaa, former grand Mufti of Egypt, said Takfir of Shias (considering Shias as infidels) is not acceptable.




Ali Gomaa, former grand Mufti of Egypt, said Takfir of Shias (considering Shias as infidels) is not acceptable.



Speaking to Kuwaiti daily al-Ray, he also said that calling for the return of Islamic caliphdom is invalid and that such a call has nothing to do with true Islam.



He underlined that those like ISIL and al-Qaeda who hold Takfiri ideology seek sectarian discord and sedition.

Gomaaadded that such groups know nothing about the true Islam and the Fiqh (jurisprudence) and Sharia.



“These groups have tarnished the image of Islam in the world, “he said, noting that these Takfiri groups implement the enemies’ agendas.



In recent months, Takfiri groups such as ISIL have carried out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians in countries like Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.









Iran Supreme Leader: Israel will be more insecure whether there will be a nuclear agreement or not



The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 27, 2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with the members of the Supreme Council of Basij-e Mostazafin. The meeting was held on the occasion of Basij Week.







In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful



All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, Ab-al-Qassem al-Mustafa Muhammad, upon his chosen and pure household, upon his chosen companions and upon those who follow them with righteousness until the Day of Judgment.



First of all, I would like to welcome you dear brothers and sisters, outstanding members of the Basij society of the country and chosen personalities who accompanied intelligence, reason and knowledge with love and enthusiasm and who stepped in an arena which will definitely result in victory and satisfaction of God.



In one part of the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted speaks about the people "Whom He loves and who love Him" [The Holy Quran, 5: 54]. They love God and God loves them. In another part of the Holy Quran, He says about these people or a group of these people, "Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid strengthened structure" [The Holy Quran, 61: 4]. He speaks about those youth, men, women, outstanding and knowledgeable personalities and believers who have gathered all their power and entered the arena. This is our definition of Basij. I hope that God rewards and bestows success on you. I hope that He will not stop guiding you even for one single moment and I hope that He increases your achievements on a daily basis.



The statements of these two dear brothers - the honorable Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and the head of Basij Mostazafin Organization - were reasonable and correct statements. They were strong and calculated statements. I too would like to say a few things:



From the very first day until today, we have seen Basij in the arena of action. We have seen it in different arenas, but all of these arenas were arenas of action. We have seen it during the Sacred Defense Era - the eight-year war - during the Construction era and in the course of developing different technologies ranging from stem cells to the nuclear energy. These are the achievements of Basij. We have witnessed the presence of basiji physicians in the hospitals which were located near the front lines. I myself saw those hospitals in those days. I saw that the enemy could target those centers with short-range shells. Different physicians had come from Tehran and provincial cities to offer help. As soon as they were informed by the front that they should go, they packed their bags and sacks and set out to go and work under those circumstances.



Basij has also been active and influential in the area of artistic activities and outstanding artistic works. Thankfully, these activities have continued until today. We have seen Basij in every arena of action. Of course, the arena of action is very vast - later on, I will refer to this issue - ranging from scientific, artistic, military and construction to economic and other such actions.



In the opinion of this humble person, what has received less attention is the issue of the intellectual front of Basij. Basij is a thought, philosophy and logic. It is an intellectual system. The reason why everyone sees that graduates, outstanding personalities and geniuses from different fields of study are attracted to Basij is that Basij is not a movement which is purely based on feelings and emotions. There is a strong logic behind it. When this logic and knowledge is accompanied by action, it will bring about astonishing phenomena and events. What is the basis of this logic and philosophy?



I would like to say a few things about this philosophy which forms the structure of Basij and which is its source of support. I will raise two points in this regard and these points should be thought about, discussed and worked on.



The basis of this philosophy is belief in the sense of responsibility of human beings. Human beings are responsible creatures. The opposite of this philosophy is irresponsibleness, "let it go", "go and have fun" and "think of yourself". The intellectual basis of Basij is this divine sense of responsibility which is based on firm religious principles. Later on, I will expand on this issue. We are responsible not only towards ourselves, our families and our friends, but also towards the events of our lives and the fate of the world, our country and our society, whether our country and society are Muslim or non-Muslim. Besides, this sense of responsibility is not only towards the people who have the same beliefs as we do or towards the people who are believers and Muslims. We are responsible even towards non-Muslims and non-believers.



The opposite of this is self-indulgence, "let it go", laziness and shirking our responsibilities. The main basis of Basij is this sense of responsibility. The philosophy behind one's sense of responsibility is one of the clear principles of Islam. No one can doubt that from the viewpoint of Islam, human beings are responsible creatures. From the viewpoint of Islam, human beings are creatures who have been asked to do something.



Take a look at different Islamic rules such as enjoining to do good and advising against evil. Enjoining to do good means that all of you are responsible for promoting and requesting good. Advising against evil means denouncing evil, malevolence and indecent acts. It means preventing it with different methods. What is the meaning of this? It means responsibility towards the public health of society. Everyone is responsible: I am responsible, you are responsible and other people are responsible as well.



Another Islamic rule is jihad. In Islam, jihad is assistance to those peoples who exist behind the scenes of colonialist, arrogant and despotic policies so that they can not receive the light of Islam and guidance. The purpose of jihad is destroying these barriers and veils. This is Islamic jihad. The question whether jihad is defensive or offensive is a peripheral issue. The main issue is this: "And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children?" [The Holy Quran, 4: 75]. Why do you not engage in jihad and battle in the way of God?



Then, this ayah immediately says, "and of the weak". Why do you not fight for the sake of saving the weak? This is a sense of responsibility. It means that you should endanger your own life in arenas of danger for the sake of saving the weak. This is the meaning of responsibility. Another example is the well-known hadith, "Anyone who wakes up in the morning without the intention of attending to the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim" [al-Kafi, Volume 2, page 163]. There are many other such ayahs and hadiths in Islamic texts which are among the clear principles of Islam.



Islam wants people to have a sense of responsibility towards themselves, their relatives, their society and the entire humanity. If you pursue this matter in Islamic texts, you will see many astonishing narrations about this attention and sense of responsibility.



The Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) says to God in supplication, "Oh God, guide my people" [Characteristics of Ali ibn Abi Talib's Household, Volume 1, page 193]. His people were the ones who used to beat, disown and threaten him. They used to cause serious trouble for him, but he says to Allah the Exalted in supplication, "Oh God, save, cure and guide these people". This is the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.).



When the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) hears that Muawiyah's army went and looted a city, he says in a sorrowful manner, "I have come to know that every one of them entered upon Muslim women and other women under protection of Islam" [Nahjul Balaghah, Sermon 27]. The men of this plundering army entered the houses of Muslims and muahids - muahids are Christian, Jewish and other people who live under the protection of Islam - and insulted women. They took away their bracelets and other ornaments. Then Hazrat says, "If any Muslim dies of grief after all this, he is not to blame". Notice that he felt responsible to such an extent. He does not say, "If Muslims' ruler dies, he is not to blame". Rather, he says, if any Muslim and other person dies of grief because this, he is not to blame. This is sense of responsibility. The main basis of Basij's movement is this: having a sense of divine responsibility.



The second basis which exists alongside this and which complements the first basis is wisdom and foresight. What does it mean? It means knowing the developments of the time, knowing needs and priorities, knowing the enemy and the friend and knowing the instrument that should be used against the enemy. These types of knowledge are foresight. We cannot always fight with one weapon. We cannot move forward in all arenas with only one weapon. So, which weapon should we use? Where is the enemy?



I have said many times that those people who lack foresight - like the poor people who were entangled in fitna - are like the people who strike an enemy and opponent in the dark and in a thick fog and haze. Well, they do not know where the enemy is. One of the first requirements in wars is having information. In a war, we should go and gather information to see where the enemy is. If you go without having information, you may aim where the friend is. You may target someone who is not the enemy. This way, you help the enemy. Sometimes, this happens.



If foresight does not exist, this is the result. There is a hadith which says, "A person who is up-to-date is not the target of mistakes" [Tohaf al-Uqul, page 356]. Doubts, lack of knowledge and stupidity do not attack a person who is familiar with the developments of his time because he knows what he is doing. If this foresight does not exist, there will be problems although we may be responsible people.



During the time of revolutionary activities, some people had a sense of responsibility, but they did not know where to expend it. They expended it in areas which were to the disadvantage of the great revolutionary movement of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.). They acted in the same way after the Revolution until today. Some people have a sense of responsibility and motivation, but they expend them in the wrong way and in wrong places. They do not aim the gun at the right place. This is because of lack of foresight.



When the issue of fitna arose a few years ago, we spoke about foresight. Some people jeered at this and said, "What is foresight?" Yes, we should have foresight. If foresight does not exist, then the more we have a sense of responsibility and motivation, the greater the danger will be. This is because the person who has no wisdom and foresight, who does not know the enemy and who does not understand where he should expend his sense of responsibility, energy and motivation cannot be trusted. So, this is the second basis which is very very necessary. If the second basis does not exist, our enjoining to do good, our jihad and our tasks in general are done in the wrong way and they deviate from the straight path.



May God's mercy and paradise be bestowed on our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) who thought of all these things. Imam (r.a.) - who had sharp-sighted eyes and who enjoyed divine foresight - derived inspiration from Allah the Exalted. He took from God everything that was necessary without studying politics anywhere or without learning it from anyone. These things were inspired to his pure heart. He both created Basij and showed the way. Imam (r.a.) did not only say to us to move forward, to have a sense of responsibility and to be basijis. He also told us what to do. He said to us, "Shower as many cries as you have on America". This means showing the way and teaching what to do, where to go and where to aim. He taught these things to us.



During the time of war and the eight-year Defense Era, he used to say, "The war is at the top of the agenda". We had certain responsibilities in those days. I was the president and other people had certain other responsibilities. We had thousands of tasks to carry out. When many executive tasks fall on the shoulders of officials, they sometimes show negligence. But Imam (r.a.) showed everyone - officials, the people and youth - the path by saying, "The war is at the top of the agenda". This was the case. He guided everyone by saying that they should pursue this task. This is important.



On the issue of participation in Syria for the sake of fighting against the occupying Zionist regime, our youth were very happy because they were supposed to go and fight. Two of them - who are among our great martyrs in the present time - came to me and expressed their happiness. In the beginning, Imam (r.a.) did not know about this. When he became aware, he said, "The path of fighting against Israel goes through Iraq". This way, he prevented everyone from going to Syria and those who had gone came back. Notice that this is identifying and having an understanding of priorities. Imam (r.a.) showed the path and the direction.



He said, "Preserving the Islamic Republic is one the most important obligations or the most important one". That is to say, all other issues are peripheral to this one. He showed us this direction. It is possible that you have a difference of opinion with your friend over a small or big issue, but when it comes to preserving the system, both of you are equally responsible.



Those who did not understand this statement of Imam's (r.a.) made egregious mistakes in some areas. Imam (r.a.) showed us the direction. This great man used to move forward in this way.



Therefore, the intellectual basis means having a sense of responsibility which is a firm intellectual framework for you who want to move forward in the arena of Basij. And the necessary prerequisite for this - which is the second basis - is foresight. You should not ignore these two bases even for one single moment. Having a sense of responsibility means working for the sake of satisfying God "by showing patience and behaving in a decent way" [speaking in Arabic]. We should say, "Oh God, I make this scientific breakthrough, I study this, I create this artistic work, I engage in this jihad, I carry out this economic task, I help Zaid [any person in general] and I fight against Amr for the sake of You because You have made me responsible". This is the sense of responsibility and divine commitment that you should have. After this, we should have wisdom. We should know where we are, where our location is, where the enemy's location is, who the enemy is and with what weapon we should fight against him. This is the second basis. With this outlook, both the circle of basijis and the arena of Basij's activities will become clear.



As for the circle of basijis, who is a basiji? Anyone who is active in this ideological and human framework is a basiji. Of course, the resistance force of Basij is the manifestation of this great, public, comprehensive and national movement. The resistance force of Basij is the main piece, center and place in the great umbrella which has covered all our people. It is a source of inspiration for discipline, presence and movement in society, universities, schools and Islamic seminaries and among people from different social backgrounds. It is a source of inspiration in any area. The presence of the resistance force of Basij means this. It means channeling, providing guidance, observing discipline and order and identifying the different responsibilities of the members as much as possible. As the brothers in this meeting explained, resources are naturally limited. Of course, Basij has thankfully reached a position where tens of million people have joined it. This was about the circle and the scope of basijis' presence.



As for arenas, arenas are endless. They have no limits: the arena of defense, the arena of policy, the arena of construction, the arena of economy, the arena of art, the arena of knowledge and research, the arena of religious committees and the arena of mourning ceremonies. These arenas exist everywhere and they are of many different kinds. These are the arenas of Basij's presence which exist everywhere.



We have role models in all these arenas. We have outstanding role models all of whom have shown that they are outstanding and great. We had great sardars and outstanding personalities in the war. Some of them were scientific personalities. These people - such as Shahid Chamran - came to the war and they became soldiers with a gun in hand. Chamran was a scientific personality. He was also an artistic personality. He used to say to me, "I am skilled at photography". But he had come to the war and he was wearing military uniforms. He had become a soldier. But before entering this arena, he was an outstanding personality.



Of course, some of these role models were not outstanding before they entered the arena of war. It was this arena who helped them reach peaks. An example is Avesta Abdol-Hossein, a construction worker. In fact, he was a student of a construction worker, but he entered the arena of war and reached the sun. In the war, he reached peaks and became an outstanding personality, one who was very prominent. These are our outstanding personalities. We have many outstanding personalities in the area of knowledge and research. One of them was the late Kazemi Ashtiani who developed stem cells research and these great technologies. He built many people and his colleagues are like him as well. Thankfully today, this movement is continuing.



Another personality was Shahid Shahriari. These days, we are mentioning his name because it is his martyrdom anniversary. The rest are the same: Rezainejad, Ali Mohammadi and Ahmadi Roshan. These were our outstanding personalities in the area of knowledge and research. They used to work in a basiji manner.



Shahid Shahriari used to work in a basiji manner as well. In those days, they wanted to close the gates to the people of Iran with the methods that many of the people saw on TV and heard in the news. Many of these methods were adopted behind the scenes. In the future, it will come clear how malevolent they were. They wanted to do something to prevent radiopharmaceuticals from reaching the people's hands. They wanted to create problems for the Islamic Republic. They used to say, "We will not sell these radiopharmaceuticals". This was done with the purpose of closing our center in Tehran, but people like Shahid Shahriari worked on it in a diligent way. Then, they came to us and said, "We have managed to produce 20 percent". After that, they informed us that they had built fuel rods and fuel plates. The enemy was astonished. This was the work of basijis and it was not an ordinary piece of work. In all the arenas that we pointed out, there were and still are great individuals. They have made great efforts some of which we mentioned.



Well, this philosophy - which is a basiji philosophy and which was created by our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) in Islamic Iran - has been promoted. Revolutionary and Islamic concepts are like the scent of spring flowers. No one can prevent their scent from spreading. It goes everywhere. These concepts are like an enlivening and revitalizing breeze which cover and imbue everywhere. Now, they can create uproar and they can go on ranting and raving. This philosophy has already been promoted and you can witness it in different countries. This philosophy is active in Lebanon and Iraq. Iraqi youth have joined their army and they have managed to achieve these victories. The same is true of Syria, the same is true of Gaza, the same is true of Palestine, the same is true of Yemen and by Allah's favor, the same will happen in Holy Quds and in liberating al-Aqsa.



Well, this point became clear. Now, I want to say that Islamic Iran is invincible because of this. Those who threaten the Islamic government and the Islamic Republic to do such and such things should know that the Islamic Republic is invincible thanks to this basiji philosophy, action and movement. Any Iranian individual is potentially a basiji except for a few people who are either suffering from egotism, lustfulness and materialistic desires or who are working with the enemy. We exclude these people who are few, not many. The majority of the people of Iran are potentially basijis and this is the reason behind the invincibility of the Islamic Republic. However, everyone should pay full attention. There are always tests for everyone. The movement should not be undermined and the direction of the movement should not change. The direction of the movement is towards arrogance and fighting against it.



We - including our people and we ourselves - who mention the name of America do this because of its arrogance. The issue of America is arrogance. We mention its name because America is an arrogant government. Its methods are based on arrogance. We have no problems with America as a geographical entity, as a nation or as a group of people. In this sense, it is like other countries. Our issue with America is the issue of American arrogance. They are arrogant, conceited, thuggish and greedy. The statements that they made recently on the issue of nuclear negotiations prove this. Notice that they negotiated for several months and now, they have extended them. After that, they began talking, just like always.



Now, I would like to say a few things about these matters. First of all, I am not against extending negotiations as I was not against beginning them in the first place. We did not oppose entering into negotiations in the beginning and we explained to the people why we did this. In a speech, I explained the reasons and now we are not opposed to extending negotiations.



I should add that our negotiating team are really and truly diligent and active. They show resistance and they speak with reason. They do not give in to bullying and they are working hard. Everyone should pay attention to this. Most people are not aware of the details of these negotiations. They do not know what is happening in the process. They are working in a serious, reasonable and diligent way and their actions are based on reason. Unlike the other side - mainly America - which says different things every day, our negotiating team behave towards them in a rational and powerful way. In private meetings and in their correspondence, the opposing parties say something, but in public meetings and in their public speeches, they say another thing. One day, they say something, another day they completely change it. When there is no straight path, this is what happens.



In order to solve their domestic problems, they want to use the negotiations. This is why they have to say different things here and there. Of course, Iran is alone in the face of these negotiators and the people who stand against Iran. They are an army. They are comprised of several countries behind each of which there is an army of diplomats, people in charge of public relations, photographers, analysts and other such people. The Americans are the most ill-tempered people among them and the English are the most devious ones. Now, they have extended the negotiations.



Everyone - both the other side and those people inside the country who are concerned about this matter and who follow these negotiations - should know that if negotiations fail, we are not the ones who suffer the most loss. Rather, it is the Americans. We are honest with our people. We say to our people what the truth of the issue is and they have already understood what the truth is. With different reasons, we can prove that the real goal of arrogance and the west in the face of Iran is to prevent the people of Iran from achieving growth and power. Their real goal is to prevent the increasing dignity of the people of Iran.



The nuclear issue is merely an excuse and of course, there are other excuses as well. The main issue is that the talents of the people of Iran are gradually being revealed, that they are making progress in all dimensions - including political, scientific and social dimensions - and that they are achieving power. This is why they are dissatisfied and unhappy. This is what they want to prevent.



And the purpose of sanctions and pressures is this. The purpose of sanctions and economic pressures is to prevent the developing efforts of the people of Iran. This is why they impose sanctions and exert economic pressures. Of course, economic pressures are an important factor. We speak freely with our people, but they do not do so and they do not believe in their people. The popularity of their president has dwindled on a daily basis. I am saying this according to the statistics that they themselves have released. The day that president was elected, he enjoyed great popularity, but since then, his popularity has decreased on a daily basis. This is because their people do not believe in their political system.



In the recent elections in America, the turnout was very low. They themselves have acknowledged and mentioned this. This signifies that their own people do not believe in their political system. They are not optimistic about it. Compare this with the presence of 65, 70 percent of our people in ballot boxes. But they have problems with all their people. You have heard the news about Ferguson, the state of Missouri and other such cities. They are fighting against their own people. Their own reports say that America's police have killed more than 400 people with different reasons in the course of one year. This has been done by the police, not their judiciary system. They are not in good terms with their own people and their people do not believe in them. So, they have problems. It is they who need an achievement and a great victory, not us.



One of the members of our negotiating team said an interesting thing. He said, "Even if we do not reach an agreement, it is not the end of the world and it is not a catastrophe. Nothing happens if we do not reach an agreement". This is true. We will not suffer the loss that they think we will. They thought that if such and such things happen, we will suffer a loss. This is not the case. There is a solution for this. The solution is the economy of resistance which reduces the effects of the enemy's blows. This is related to the short term. In the medium and long terms, it even helps the great movement of the people to reach its peak. The economy of resistance is like this. This was the judgment that experts in economic areas made after we announced the policies on the economy of resistance. We have certain solutions, but they do not.



Despite all this, they move in an arrogant way. You should listen to the statements that they made a few days ago. They say, "Iran should earn the global community's trust". They refer to themselves as the global community. Now, America, England, France and a few arrogant countries have become the global community. Is this the global community? Are the 150 non-aligned countries which held a congress in Tehran two years ago not part of the global community? About 50 presidents and rulers participated in an active way in Tehran's congress. Are they not the global community? Are the billions of people who live in these countries not the global community? Are these few countries, in which the people are mostly separated from their rulers, the global community? "Earn the global community's trust" means "Earn the trust of us Americans". We do not want to earn the Americans' trust. We do not need thed Americans' trust at all. We do not need you to trust us. Your trust in us has no significance for us. We and your people do not trust you either.



Another thing that they say is that Israel's security should be preserved. First of all, Israel will be more insecure on a daily basis whether there will be a nuclear agreement or not. You should know that Israel's security will not be ensured whether there will be a nuclear agreement or not. But because you say, "Israel's security should be preserved", I say in response that this is not a genuine statement either. For America's politicians - whether male or female - the security of Israel is not the main issue. The main issue is something else. The main issue for these lords is satisfying the Zionist capitalist network which has taken their lives in its hands. Their issue is this. Otherwise, what do they care if Israel exists or not? What they care about is that they have entrusted their lives to the network of Zionist capitalists.



These Zionist capitalists both bribe and threaten them. They bribe them with money and they accept it. They also bribe them with positions and political promotions and if the American politicians do not compromise with these people who pull the strings of America's economy, then they cannot achieve high positions such as presidency, ministerial positions and other such advantages. This is the main issue for them. The Zionist capitalists also issue threats. If they act against the wishes of that dangerous network, they threaten to make them resign or create a scandal for them. You have seen this in American life recently. They accuse different individuals, they create scandals for them, they charge them with sexual corruption, they make them resign and they murder them.



They have murdered some of their high-ranking and great officials. Their hands are open. You are afraid of this. Your considerations are because of this. The issue is not the security of Israel. Rather, the issue is your own security. They are arrogant and they speak like this. So, we do not get along with arrogant people. Well, if reasonable statements are made, we will raise no objections. We accept reasonable statements. We accept fair and reasonable deals, but we do not give in to bullying and greed. The Islamic Republic - from its lowest to its highest ranks - and the people of Iran will not accept this. They should know this.



Now, I would like to say a few things to you dear basijis and all the basijis of the country. I invite the dear basijis to good behavior. What does good behavior mean? It means patience, tolerance, resistance, honesty, purity, courage, sacrifice and piety. Basijis need such things so that this strong structure continues to prevail. If you want this lofty structure to stand firm against the enemies like a strong and well-made fort, you should observe these things. You should show tolerance and patience. You should behave in a good way. You should show purity. Take a look at great role models in the early Islamic era. We should avoid arrogance and conceit.



Despite his great position and courage and despite the fact that he was deeply respected by the Commander of the Faithful (a.s.), Malik al-Ashtar was walking on the streets one day. A boy did not know him and he began to make fun of him. Perhaps, he threw stones at him. This kid saw that someone is going somewhere and he began to make fun of him. Then, Malik al-Ashtar moved away. The people who saw this scene said to the boy, "Do you know what you did? Do know whom you made fun of? But the boy did not know him and he said, "No". They said, "He was Malik al-Ashtar". The boy became agitated. He rushed after him either on his own or with his father and friends to apologize in some way. They wanted to apologize so that they will not be in trouble.



They went after Malik al-Ashtar and they found him in a mosque praying. They moved forward and tried to apologize. Malik al-Ashtar said, "I have come to mosque to pray to Allah the Exalted so that He forgives this young person". Notice that this is forgiveness, sense of responsibility and tolerance. You and I should learn such things.



Moreover, I strongly advise you to preserve your piety and your ideological and religious beliefs. On the path of life, we slip up when we are faced with different temptations such as the temptation of money, lust, positions and friendship. You should not slip up in ideological areas. You should influence your environment rather than allowing it - if it is bad - to influence you.



All people from different social backgrounds should receive attention by our great, national and divine Basij. I pointed out to basijis - particularly Sardar Naqdi - that some people have been ignored by Basij. It should not be the case that you ignore some people from a specific social background. Besides, you should define the relationship between basijis from different social backgrounds. You should develop a relationship between them. Sometimes, student Basij is unaware of the activities of, say, physicians, engineers and industrialists Basij. They are not in touch with one another. This should not be the case. They should be in touch because they may prove valuable to one another. Each Basij organization, made up of people from different social backgrounds, can help other organizations to make progress. You should define these relationships. You should have such things in your organization.



You should ask basijis for great feats. Many of our talented people can accomplish great feats. Of course, the administration should help Basij as well. Executive organizations in different sectors should help Basij to achieve growth and to develop. Also, they should pay attention to these economic issues. As I said before, the basis of the economy of resistance is strengthening domestic production and reducing the imports which are either unnecessary or which already exist in the country. They can ask Basij for help on these matters. Under these favorable circumstances, as I have said many times, I have no doubts that - by Allah's favor - the future belongs to the people of Iran.



May the blessed soul of our magnanimous Imam (r.a.) be happy. May the pure souls of our dear martyrs be happy and may God help us join those martyrs.



Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings





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Ayatollah Khamenei's Important Speech in Meeting with Participants of International Congress on Takfirism / Pics





  • News Code : 655020

  • Source : khamenei




The following is the full text of the speech delivered on November 25, 2014 by Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, in a meeting with participants of the International Congress on "Extremist and Takfiri Orientations from the Viewpoint of Islamic Scholars".




In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful



All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and greetings be upon our Master and Prophet, al-Mustafa al-Amin, upon his immaculate and pure household and upon his chosen companions. May goodness be showered upon them until the Day of Judgment.



First of all, I would like to welcome the dear guests, the honorable participants and you ulama who have participated in this meeting from different Islamic denominations. I thank you for your active and valuable presence in this important two-day congress.



I deem it necessary to thank the great ulama and scholars of Qom - particularly Hazrat Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi and Hazrat Ayatollah Sobhani - who put forward and implemented this idea. Thankfully, they prepared the ground for this task. This movement should continue. I was briefed on the statements of the honorable speakers who delivered speeches during the past two days. I too would like to raise a few points:



First, the purpose of this congress is attending to the issue of takfirism which is a harmful and dangerous orientation in the world of Islam. Although this takfiri orientation is not new and although it has a historical background, it is a few years now that it has been revived and strengthened with the plots of arrogance, with the money of some regional governments and with the schemes of the intelligence services of colonialist countries such as America, England and the Zionist regime.



The purpose of your meeting, your congress and your movement is to confront this orientation in a comprehensive way. The purpose is not to confront what is known today as DAESH. The orientation which is known as DAESH today is only one of the branches of the malevolent tree of takfirism, not the whole of it. The corruption - this act of destroying people and shedding the blood of innocent individuals - that this group of people is involved in is only part of the crimes of takfirism in the world of Islam. We should adopt this outlook towards the issue.



I am sorry from the bottom of my heart that today, we have to focus our attention on the problems that arrogance has created in the world of Islam. This is while we should focus all our energy on confronting the plots of the Zionist regime and the move that they made against Holy Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque. This should move and stimulate the entire world of Islam. However, there is no other option. In fact, attending to the issue of takfirism is something that has been imposed on the ulama, activists and scholars of the world of Islam. The enemy has brought this to the world of Islam as a custom-made product and problem. Therefore, we have to attend to it. However, the main issue is the issue of the Zionist regime. The main issue is the issue of Quds. The main issue is the issue of the first qiblah for Muslims which is al-Aqsa Mosque. These are the main issues.



There is an undeniable point which is the fact that the takfiri orientation and the governments which support and advocate it move completely in the direction of the goals of arrogance and Zionism. Their work is in line with the goals of America, the colonialist governments in Europe and the government of the usurping Zionist regime.



Certain signs confirm this claim. The takfiri orientation is Islamic on the face of it, but in practice, it is at the service of the great colonialist, arrogant and political orientations that are working against the world of Islam. There are clear signs which cannot be ignored. I would like to mention a few of these signs: one is that the takfiri orientation managed to make the movement of Islamic Awakening deviate from its path. The movement of Islamic Awakening was an anti-American and anti-arrogance movement which was against the elements that America had installed in the region.



It was a movement that had been launched by the masses of the people in different countries of North Africa. These countries were against arrogance and America. The takfiri orientation changed the direction of this anti-arrogance, anti-American and anti-tyranny movement. It turned it into a war between Muslims and into fratricide. The front line of fighting in the region was the borders of occupied Palestine, but the takfiri orientation came and changed this front line to the streets of Baghdad, the Jameh Mosque of Syria and Damascus, the streets of Pakistan and different cities of Syria. These places became the front line of fighting.



Take a look at the condition of today's Libya, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan and see against whom the forces and swords of Muslims are being used. These forces should have been used against the Zionist regime. The takfiri orientation changed the direction of this fighting to our homes, our cities and our Islamic countries. They cause explosions inside the Jameh Mosque of Damascus. They kill people by causing explosions in Baghdad while they are holding their ordinary rallies. In Pakistan, they fire a volley of bullets on hundreds of people. As you can witness today, they are creating such disastrous conditions in Libya. All of these are among the unforgettable and historical crimes of the takfiri orientation.



It is this orientation that has brought about this situation. This movement is at the service of arrogance. It is at the service of America and England. What they do is at the service of the intelligence services of America and England. It is at the service of Mossad and other such intelligence services.



Another sign is that those who support the takfiri orientation compromise with the Zionist regime so that it fights against Muslims. They do not even frown at the Zionist regime, but they deliver all sorts of blows to Islamic countries and nations and they hatch all sorts of plots against them.



Another sign is that the seditious movement which the takfiri orientation launched in Islamic countries - including Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon and other countries - has led to the destruction of the valuable infrastructures of these countries. Notice how many roads, refineries, mines, airports, streets, cities and houses have been destroyed in these countries. Notice how long it takes and how much money is necessary for these countries to go back to their prior conditions. This has happened as a result of domestic wars and fratricide. These are the losses and the blows that the takfiri orientation has delivered to the world of Islam since a few years ago until today.



Another sign is that the takfiri orientation damaged the reputation of Islam in the world and it painted an ugly picture of it. Everyone in the world saw on TV that someone is made to sit on the ground and they behead them with a sword without charging him with any crime: "Allah forbids you not - with regard to those who fight you not for your faith nor drive you out of your homes - from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you - with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support others in driving you out - from turning to them for friendship and protection. And whoever makes friends with them, these are the unjust" [The Holy Quran, 60: 8-9].



These people did the exact opposite of this. They killed Muslims and innocent non-Muslims and the pictures were broadcast all over the world. The whole world saw this. These acts were done in the name of Islam. This was the way they introduced Islam, which is known for its mercy, reason and logic and for "Allah forbids you not - with regard to those who fight you not for your faith nor drive you out of your homes - from dealing kindly and justly with them". Is there any crime greater than this? Is there any fitna which is more malevolent than this? This has been committed by the takfiri orientation.



Another sign is that they left the axis of resistance alone. Gaza fought alone for 50 days. They resisted on their own for 50 days. Islamic governments did not help Gaza. Oil revenues and dollars were not put at the service of Gaza although part of them was put at the service of the Zionist regime. This is another sign.



Another sin and another sign was that the takfiri orientation changed the direction of young Muslims' enthusiasm and valor which existed throughout the world of Islam. Today, youth from throughout the world of Islam enjoy a certain kind of enthusiasm and valor. Islamic Awakening has influenced them. They are prepared to move forward at the service of the great goals of Islam. The takfiri orientation changed the path of this enthusiasm and valor. It drew some ill-informed and ignorant youth to beheading Muslims and slaughtering women, children and infants of a village. These are among the sins of the takfiri orientation.



We cannot ignore and forget about these signs and proofs easily. All these signs show that the takfiri orientation is at the service of arrogance, the enemies of Islam, America, England and the Zionist regime. Of course, there are other signs and proofs as well. We have been informed that an American transport plane dropped the ammunitions that this group, known as DAESH, needed. This was done in order to help them. We said to ourselves, "Perhaps, this was a mistake". Then, we saw that they kept doing it. According to the reports that I have received, this was done five times. Do they make a mistake five times?



This is while they have formed a so-called coalition against DAESH. This is a downright lie. This coalition follows other malevolent goals. They want to keep this fitna alive, pit the two sides against one another and continue the domestic war between Muslims. This is their goal. Of course, you should know that they will not manage to do this.



There are some great duties which need to be carried out. You honorable gentlemen came up with some solutions and specified certain responsibilities in this two-day congress. I too would like to mention two, three tasks that cannot be ignored. One is the formation of a scholarly, rational and comprehensive movement by ulama from all Islamic denominations with the purpose of uprooting the takfiri orientation. This movement should not be confined to certain denominations. All the Islamic denominations which believe in and feel sympathetic towards Islam share this responsibility. A great scholarly movement should be launched.



They entered the arena with the false slogan of following "the righteous predecessors" [salafu saleh]. We should prove the righteous predecessors' animosity towards the things that they are doing and the movement that they are launching. This should be done with the language of religion, knowledge and reason.



You should save youth. There are some people who are influenced by these deviant thoughts. These poor individuals think that they are doing good deeds. They are the manifestation of these holy ayahs: "Say: ‘Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?'" [The Holy Quran, 103-104]. They are the manifestation of these ayahs. They vainly think that they are fighting in the way of God. These are the same people who will say to God on Judgment Day: "Our Lord, We obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us as to the right path. Our Lord, give them double penalty and curse them with a very great curse" [The Holy Quran, 33: 67-68]. These are the same poor people.



Those who murder a great scholar in the Damascus Mosque are among these people. Those who behead Muslims with the excuse of apostasy are among these people. Those who shed - by causing explosions - the blood of innocent people in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Baghdad and in different cities of Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are among the same people who will say on Judgment Day: "Our Lord, We obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us as to the right path. Our Lord, give them double penalty".



In another part of the Holy Quran, God says, "For each one there is double" [The Holy Quran, 7: 38]. Both of you leaders and followers will be punished. "Truly that is just and fitting: the contending one with another of the inmates of the fire" [The Holy Quran, 38: 64]. These people fight against one another on that day. Therefore, they should be saved. These youth should be saved and this falls on the shoulders of ulama because they are in contact with both intellectuals and the masses of the people. They should try to do this. Allah the Exalted will ask ulama on Judgment Day: "What did you do?" They should take action. This is one task.



The second task which is really urgent is illustrating the role of the arrogant policies of America and England. This should be illustrated and explained. Everyone in the world of Islam should know what the role of America's policies in this regard is. Everyone should know what the role of the intelligence services of America, England and the Zionist regime on this matter is. Everyone should know that they are working for them, that the plot has been hatched by arrogance and that these takfiri orientations receive support and money from them. They receive money by the regional puppet regimes. It is these puppet regimes which give them money, but the plot is hatched by arrogance and as a result, they ruin these poor takfiri youth. They create such a problem for the world of Islam. This is another necessary task that should be carried out.



The third task that should definitely be carried out is attending to the issue of Palestine. You should not allow the issue of Palestine, Holy Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque to be consigned to oblivion. This is what they want. They want the world of Islam to ignore the issue of Palestine. You can see that the Zionist regime cabinet has recently announced that Palestine is a Jewish country. It announced that Palestine is a Jewish country. They have been pursuing this issue from long ago. Now, they are openly declaring it. By pursuing the ignorance of the world of Islam, the masses of the people and Muslim nations, they are after occupying Holy Quds and al-Aqsa Mosque, and weakening the Palestinians as much as they can. We should pay attention to this.



All peoples should ask their governments to pursue the issue of Palestine. Islamic ulama should ask their governments to pursue the issue of Palestine. This is an important and major responsibility. We thank God that in the Islamic Republic, the government and the people share this belief. From the beginning, the Islamic Republic government and our magnanimous Imam announced and raised the policy of supporting Palestine and showing enmity towards the Zionist regime. This policy has continued until today. It is 35 years now that we have not deviated from this line and our people too are supportive with complete eagerness.



Sometimes, a number of those youth whose requests are not granted in this regard write a letter to me and say in an insistent manner, "Allow us to go and fight against the Zionist regime in the front lines". Our people love fighting against the Zionists and the Islamic Republic has proved this as well. By Allah's favor and grace, we have passed through the barrier of denominational discord. We helped Hezbollah of Lebanon - which is a Shia group - in the same way that we helped Hamas and Islamic Jihad and we will continue to do that [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"]. We did not become a prisoner of denominational limits. We did not differentiate between Shia, Sunni, Hanafi, Hanbali, Shafi'i and Zaidi denominations. All Palestinian areas have to become armed.



We looked at our main goal and we offered help. We managed to strengthen the fists of our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and by Allah's favor, we will continue to do that. I announced- and this will definitely happen- that the West Bank should be armed like Gaza and be prepared for defense [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"].



I will tell you dear brothers that America's splendor should not intimidate you. The enemy has become weak. The enemy of Islam - which is arrogance - is weaker now compared to all other eras during the past 100, 150 years. Take a look at colonialist governments in Europe. They are faced with economic, political and security problems. Today, these governments have all sorts of problems. America is worse than them. It is faced with moral, political and serious financial and monetary problems. It is faced with disgrace and damage to its superpower status everywhere in the world, not just in the world of Islam.



Besides, the Zionist regime has become weaker compared to the past. This is the same regime which used to chant the slogan of "from Nile to Euphrates". They used to shout and say openly that the region from Nile to Euphrates belongs to them. However, they could not conquer Palestinian tunnels in Gaza for 50 days. This is the same regime. They used all their power for 50 days so that they can sabotage, destroy and conquer the underground tunnels of Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Palestinians, but they failed. This is the same regime which used to say, "The region from Nile to Euphrates belongs to us". Notice how it has changed. Notice how weak it has become.



The problems of the enemies of Islam are many. The enemies of Islam were frustrated in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. They were frustrated in different areas and their goals were not achieved. As you saw, in order to confront the Islamic Republic on the nuclear issue, America and colonialist countries in Europe gathered and used all their power so that they could bring the Islamic Republic to its knees on this matter, but they failed and they will continue to fail [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"].



This is the weakness of the other side. But by Allah's favor, you will become stronger on a daily basis. The future belongs to you and "Allah has full power and control over His affairs" [The Holy Quran, 12: 21] [audience shout "Allahu Akbar"].



Greetings be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings





































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Discrimination Excluding British Muslims from Jobs




Muslims are facing the worst job discrimination of any minority group in Britain, according to new research which found that they had the lowest chance of being in work or in a managerial role.




Muslims are facing the worst job discrimination of any minority group in Britain, according to new research which found that they had the lowest chance of being in work or in a managerial role.



Muslim men were up to 76 per cent less likely to have a job of any kind compared to white, male British Christians of the same age and with the same qualifications. And Muslim women were up to 65 per cent less likely to be employed than white Christian counterparts.



Muslims were the most disadvantaged in terms of employment prospects out of 14 ethno-religious groupings in the UK, researchers Dr Nabil Khattab and Professor Ron Johnston found using data from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey of more than half a million people. Skin colour made little difference to the figures.



Dr Nabil Khattab, of Bristol University, said the situation was "likely to stem from placing Muslims collectively at the lowest stratum within the country's racial or ethno-cultural system due to growing Islamophobia and hostility against them.



"They are perceived as disloyal and as a threat rather than just as a disadvantaged minority," he added. "Within this climate, many employers will be discouraged from employing qualified Muslims, especially if there are others from their own groups or others from less threatening groups who can fill these jobs."



Dr Khattab said the "penalties" for being Muslim got worse when applying for better-paid managerial or professional jobs.



"If this persists, it could have long-term implications for the cohesion of the UK's multi-ethnic, multicultural society. The exclusion of well-qualified black and Muslim individuals could undermine their willingness to integrate in the wider society," he said.



For women, Muslim Pakistanis and a "Muslim other" group were 65 per cent less likely to have a job, with Muslim Indians 55 per cent, Muslim Bangladeshis 51 per cent and white Muslims 43 per cent less likely. For men, the "Muslim other" group was 76 per cent less likely to be in work, followed by Muslim Bangladeshis (66 per cent), white Muslims (64 per cent), Muslim Pakistanis (59 per cent) and Muslim Indians (37 per cent), the Social Science Journal study found.



White British men and women of no religion were, respectively, 20 and 25 per cent less likely to have a job than Christians. Black Christians with Caribbean origins were 54 per cent and 48 per cent less likely.



The only ethno-religious group with better work prospects than white British Christians were British Jews, with women and men 29 and 15 per cent more likely to be employed.



Of those in work, the researchers found only 23 per cent and 27 per cent of Muslim Bangladeshis and Muslim Pakistanis, respectively, had a salaried job. White British Jews had the highest rates, with 64 per cent in salaried jobs, followed by Hindu Indians and white Christian Irish on 53 and 51 per cent respectively. White British Christians, white British of no religion and black Christian Africans were all above 40 per cent.



Dr Khattab added: "The main components of this discrimination are skin colour and culture or religion. But colour is dynamic, which means white colour can be valued in one case, but devalued when associated with Muslims. Equally, having a dark skin colour – Hindu Indians, for example – is not always associated with any significant penalty."









Former Bishop of Oxford: Holy Quran Should be Recited at the Next Coronation




Earlier this week the former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Harries, suggested in the House of Lords that the next coronation service in Westminster Abbey should include readings from the Holy Quran.




Earlier this week the former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Harries, suggested in the House of Lords that the next coronation service in Westminster Abbey should include readings from the Holy Quran.


"The gesture would be a "creative act of accommodation" to make Muslims feel "embraced" by the nation" bishop Lord Harries of Pentregarth said.


The former Bishop of Oxford and a leading Church of England (CofE) liberal thinker, made his suggestion about reciting the Qur'an at the next coronation service in Westminster Abbey and said: "The principle of hospitality can and should be reflected in many public ceremonies, including the next coronation service."







Turkey: Pope Francis Prays in Mosque to Show Commitment to Christian-Muslim Relations




Pope Francis further demonstrated his commitment to improving relations between Christians and Muslims as he prayed in Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque.




ISTANBUL— Pope Francis further demonstrated his commitment to improving relations between Christians and Muslims on Saturday, as he prayed in Istanbul’s historic Blue Mosque and visited the Hagia Sophia—two powerful symbols of the Muslim and Christian faiths.



On the second of a three-day trip to Turkey, the pontiff removed his shoes before entering the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles embellishing its walls. After a tour of the cavernous 17th-century mosque, he stood alongside Istanbul Grand Mufti Rahmi Yaran, facing in the direction of Mecca, and bowed his head in long prayer.



The move was an important public demonstration of Pope Francis’ commitment to Christian-Muslim dialogue.



Pontiff also said dialogue can help bring an “end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism.



Some locals welcomed Pope Francis. “It’s good that he came to a Muslim country,” said Ferit Ogulmus, a 54-year-old owner of a shop near the mosque, who said he was worried about the advance of Islamic extremist in neighboring countries. “We need more of these visits in these chaotic times.”



Hasan Bahadir, another shopkeeper, said he worried about growing Islamophobia in the West. “There is a slandering campaign against Muslims,” said the 63-year-old. “There is fear. They’re afraid of us trying to take over, while most of us are just trying to make a living.”







900 Austrian police raid mosques




Some 900 police officers swooped in on mosques, prayer rooms and homes across Austria early Friday in an operation against suspected jihadi recruiters and alleged financiers of the ISIS terror grou




Some 900 police officers swooped in on mosques, prayer rooms and homes across Austria early Friday in an operation against suspected jihadi recruiters and alleged financiers of the ISIS terror group, local media reported.



Prosecutors confirmed to NBC News in a statement that 13 people were arrested in the raids. They provided limited details but, according to Austrian newspapers, the raids took place in in Vienna, Graz and Linz and were the culmination of a two-year investigation into people suspected of recruiting young people to fight in Syria.



A Vienna-based Bosnian preacher, who was the main suspect, was among those arrested in the raids which began before dawn at 4:00am. (10 p.m. ET on Thursday), according to the media reports.



"In the apartment searches, terrorist propaganda material, electronic storage mediums, money and banned weapons (knuckle-duster) were confiscated," said the statement from the prosecutor's office in Graz.



Beyond recruiting fighters, the Kronen Zeitung newspaper said that the suspects were investigated for helping to finance the ISIS terror group. Some 160 people have so far left Austria to join jihadists in Syria and Iraq, or have been stopped while trying to do so, according to the interior ministry.







Saturday, November 29, 2014

Allameh Tabatabaei's "Shia in Islam" published in Italian




Italian translation of the book 'Shia in Islam' written by the Iranian world-known scholar Allameh Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei was published in Rome by Iran's Cultural Office




Italian translation of the book 'Shia in Islam' written by the Iranian world-known scholar Allameh Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei was published in Rome by Iran's Cultural Office.



The original version of the book with a preface by the noted Iranian philosopher, Gholamreza Avani, had been published in Persian language by Iran Association of Philosophy and Theosophy.



The book was translated by Alireza Jalali and Mona Rezvan and edited by Iman Mansub-Basiri.



The book featuring Allameh Tabatabei's correspondences with western orientalist, Henry Corbin is of high significance in view of reviving Shia philosophy.



Allameh has contributed a lot to promotion of Shia discourse and introducing Shia teachings in the West.




Seyed Mohammad Hossein Tabataba'i
was one of the most prominent thinkers of philosophy and contemporary Shia Islam. He is famous for Tafsir al-Mizan, the Quranic exegesis.









Sheikh Zakzaky: Kano mosque attack handiwork of enemies of Islam and humanity




His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky says the recent bomb attack on worshippers at Kano central mosque on Friday was the handiwork of enemies of Islam and Muslims, who have no regard to human values.




His Eminence Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky says the recent bomb attack on worshippers at Kano central mosque on Friday was the handiwork of enemies of Islam and Muslims, who have no regard to human values.



The Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria made the statement during the commemoration of martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Mujtabah, grandson of the Messenger of Allah, which was held at Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria on Saturday.



He said, no Muslims whatever his belief, could have unleased such a heinous that “only the hard-hearted and stone-hearted could have done this”.



He further explained that, to dissuade the people from the truth of the matter, the crime is attributed to a faceless organization called Boko Haram, whose only preoccupation had been murder and arson. “The executed similar attack same day on worshippers in a mosque in Afghanistan”, he added.



“How could an organization with political mission kill Muslim worshippers in mosques and churches? What for? If the group is fighting the government, does the government has a mosque that the group now targeted? How then could a group that wants to establish an Islamic state kill worshippers in mosques, churches and market places? We cannot be fooled!”



Sheikh Zakzaky also said, those perpetrating the bloodshed were fully known, as they were unmasked when they came in broad daylight and opened fire on peaceful protesters during Quds Day in Zaria. “When they turned to us, they were exposed. We saw them in their full military uniform and armed”.



Commenting on the planned attack on the forthcoming Arba’een symbolic trek, the Leader explained that, the security is presently contemplating on the mode of atrocity to unleash on the trek; whether to detonate bombs or open fire on the people during the trek.



“The man who killed my sons was given the task of containing the Trek from Jaji. Already, they have kept weapons in a store in Jaji and employed secret operatives to work for them in Kaduna. They have equipped them with vehicles to move about, black attire and flags to melt into the Trek”.



Sheikh Zakzaky said, they are still holding meetings on the best way to contain the Trek without being exposed, as they attempted last year but was exposed.






Ex-Mussad chief calls Netanyahu ‘egomaniac‘




The former head of Israeli spy service Shin Bet has lashed out at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his scenario of Judaizing the occupied Palestinian territories, calling the premier an “egomaniac.”




“Israel is headed today by a bunch of pyromaniacs and is being led by an egomaniac to its final destruction,” Carmi Gillon said on Saturday, addressing a demonstration against the so-called Jewish state law in front of Netanyahu’s residence in al-Quds (Jerusalem).



Following a stormy meeting on November 23, the Israeli cabinet voted in favor of the controversial motion in another sign of increasing efforts to Judaize the occupied Palestinian territories.



Israeli MPs are set to vote on the bill on Wednesday.



The newly-introduced law will eat Israel’s body “like a cancer,” he added.



The new development is seen as an extension of Israel’s efforts over the past decades to change the demographic makeup of al-Quds (Jerusalem) by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.



Palestinians argue that al-Quds is the capital of a future Palestinian independent state, and that its heritage should remain intact.



Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned the Israeli regime over a bill aimed at Judaizing the occupied Palestinian territories, describing the move as very dangerous.



On Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also slammed the bill proposed by the regime in Tel Aviv, reiterating that Palestinians will never recognize Israel as a Jewish state.









Iraq: Security and Services Preparations For Arba'een Pilgrimage




The Secretariat General of the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine held a conference with the security and services departments with preparations for the Arba'een Pilgrimage




The Secretariat General of the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine held a conference with the security and services departments with preparations for the Arba'een Pilgrimage. Sheikh Abdul-Mehdi El-Kerbala'i attended the meeting along with officials from the El-Abbas Holy Shrine and officials from the local government of Kerbala City. The reason is to discuss the important security and services plans that will be provided for the pilgrims this year.



Fadhil Awaz, Head of the Safety Regulations Division indicates the initiation of new security plans with the introduction of the latest security services for luggage inspection and modern inspection mechanisms for pilgrims. The motive is to provide the highest level of security and comfort for the pilgrims who came from around the globe to peacefully make pilgrimage to Imam Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him).







A Shiite man shot martyred in Karachi




A young Shhite man was shot martyred in Korangi in a terrorist attack that left his friend wounded on Saturday, police and party sources said.




KARACHI: A young Shhite man was shot martyred in Korangi in a terrorist attack that left his friend wounded on Saturday, police and party sources said.



They added armed motorcyclists gunned down 35-year-old Kamran Zaidi when he was busy in regular business at his mobile accessories shop in Korangi 3½.



“It is a busy area called Furniture Market,” said SHO of Korangi police station Inspector Zahid Soomro.



“Witnesses said that they saw two men pull up outside the shop, one of them got off the two-wheeler and fired shots at Kamran.”



The firing left him and another young man identified as 27-year-old Zeeshan Shakir wounded. They were taken to the Jinnah Postgra­duate Medical Centre (JPMC), but Kamran died on the way to hospital. Zeeshan was being treated at the hospital and said to be out of danger, the police added.



“The victim was a resident of the same area and was not associated with any political party, but his killing seemed to be linked with the recent wave of armed attacks by [savage militants of Sipah-e-Sahabah],” said the Korangi SHO.



A spokesman for the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) condemned the killing of Kamran and described it as a failure on the part of the government to provide security to people despite assurances to them.









Grand Ayatollah Sobhani: Takfiris follow the same logic as the Arab’s of the pre-Islamic era




At the beginning of his Ba’th al-Kharij class at Qom’s Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah, Grand Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani discussed the Takfiri phenomenon.




At the beginning of his Ba’th al-Kharij class at Qom’s Holy Shrine of Lady Fatimah al-Ma’sumah, Grand Ayatollah Ja’far Sobhani discussed the Takfiri phenomenon.



“The basis of the formation of some Islamic sects dates back to follow some individuals who followed incorrect narrations,” the revered source of emulation said in reference to Wahhabism, the extremist and intolerant official religion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.



He stressed that the Takfiri tsunami that has hit many Islamic countries has become a disaster for the Muslim world. “The Takfiri phenomenon is a great strife afflicting Muslims. The Takfiris seeks to form an Islamic caliphate and return society to the era of the caliphate. But they are unaware of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad’s sunnah [tradition],” Ayatollah Sobhani stated.



In the wars fought during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, only 800 people were killed from both sides, but we see today that Takfiris are kill more than 800 innocent people in one event, without the slightest thought or reflection.



Ayatollah Sobhani pointed out that Takfiri groups do not know the limits of faith and heresy and blasphemy. “Their logic is that anyone who supports them is a Muslim, and anyone who opposes them should be stoned or killed, for he is an apostate,” he stated.



He continued, saying that the logic of Takfiri groups is the same as the logic of the infidels and polytheists of the Era of Ignorance before Islam. How can they judge an [innocent] individual, group or state on in disbelief or apostasy and find them guilty of murder? They are either ignorant or tools to implement a certain agenda,” he stated.



He stressed upon the incorrect beliefs of Takfiris, which are far from the teachings of Islam and he condemned collective excommunication as illegitimate, saying the agreement of all Muslim scholars is that excommunication should be done in a competent court of law by a just judge.



Ayatollah Sobhani explained that even the heretical 13th century scholar ibn Taymiyyah did not call for collective excommunication. The origin of the Takfiri phenomenon is in extremist religious schools located in some of the Gulf states, where students study the ideas of Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab. I we want to eliminate and eradicate the Takfiri phenomenon they must change the curriculum taught there.









Senior Bahraini cleric calls for elections on public demands




A prominent Bahraini Shia cleric has called upon the ruling Al Khalifa regime to agree to elections and referendum as demanded by the public, noting that pro-democracy protests will continue unabated in the country.




Speaking at the Friday Prayers sermon in his home village of Diraz, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim stated that the Manama regime clearly knows how last week’s legislative vote reflects people’s will.


He further noted that Bahrainis are already weary of injustice and oppression by the regime and want change.


Sheikh Qassim also said people know that the Al Khalifa regime is ready to go ahead and carry out destruction if the circumstances allow.


However, such an approach will not deter the people from continuing their popular uprising despite the regime’s crackdown and terror tactics, the senior cleric pointed out.


On November 22, polling stations closed at 10:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) in Bahrain after the electoral commission extended it for two hours in a likely bid to increase turnout amid reports that many Shia Muslims had joined a boycott campaign launched by the Bahraini opposition.


While the official electoral commission put the voter turnout at 51.5 percent, Bahrain’s al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, which had decried the elections as a “farce,” said only 30 percent of eligible voters had participated in the election.


The opposition group denounced the official turnout rate as “amusing, ridiculous, (and) hardly credible.”


Al-Wefaq and four other opposition groups have called for an elected prime minister who is independent from the ruling Al Khalifa monarchy.





Bahraini Women: statement on Int’l Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women




As the world celebrates the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Bahraini regime continues to subject women to various forms of physical and psychological abuse, solely for taking part in the ongoing pro-democracy peaceful movement that erupted in 2011.




As the world celebrates the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Bahraini regime continues to subject women to various forms of physical and psychological abuse, solely for taking part in the ongoing pro-democracy peaceful movement that erupted in 2011.



Five Bahraini women remain behind bars for political reasons, one of them, with a 6 month old infant. Zahra Alsheikh is serving a one year sentence in jail for exercising right to freedom of expression. She is suffering with her newborn child from the poor prison conditions.



Nafisa Alasfour is another female political prisoner. Nafisa is suffering from physical effects of torture and is in great need for adequate healthcare.



Nafisa was arrested and prosecuted along with another female protester named Rayhana Almusawi. Both women were subjected to various forms of torture and abuse in prison. Rayhana was forcefully stripped of her clothes by officers, she is still suffering from the psychological effects of the degrading treatment she has been subjected to.



All five women were arrested, and some prosecuted, based on lawsuits against them, without consideration to due process. On the other hand, security personnel accused of murder and the practice of torture, coercion and mistreatment of innocent citizens have not been convicted or even questioned.



The Bahraini regime is continuing its shameful practice of violence against women by threatening them to be arrested from their homes in front of their children. Over the past 4 years, many Bahraini women were abused and threatened with rape during interrogations. Most were not told what their accusations were, in violation to the constitution and national and international laws.



The Women Affairs Department in Al Wefaq National Islamic Society appeals to Ms. Rashida Manjoo, the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women at the United Nations, to urge for the release of the Bahraini female political prisoners who are denied fundamental rights and freedoms.





Women Affairs Department

Al Wefaq National Islamic Society

25 November 2014