Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014 Issue No.

576
This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred
Friday Bulletin
The
The Weekly Muslim News Update
www. i sl amkenya. org
Page 4
Govt shuts down Darul Irshad
Coast leaders protest over profling of Muslims
Continued To Page 2
Page7
Page 6
End abusive security
operation - HRW
Coast leaders have taken offence with
reports from the national government inti-
mating that two youths killed at the Mwem-
be Tayari bus stage bomb blast were sui-
cide bombers.
Speaking at a Private Public Partnership
function in Mombasa, local Governor Ali
Hassan J oho insisted that thorough inves-
tigations must be conducted to unearth
the identities of the perpetrators of the hei-
nous act that has so far claimed three lives
and left scores injured.
He asked the national government needs
to involve local leaders in the fght against
terror which he said is indiscriminate, and
has no regard for creed or race.
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who
was also present at the function lamented
that the national government has not gone
out of its way to involve the local leaders
in stemming the terror problem.
The national government should know
that the war on terror and radicalism can-
not be fought on its own front alone, Mr.
Omar stressed.
He said that the war on terror began on
the wrong footing and that is the reason
why the country has been unable to stamp
its foot on the problem.
He further added that the unfair profing
of Muslims must stop, failure to which the
national governments policies towards
fghting terrorism would be lost.
Continued To Page 2
Why I dont support
#BringBackOurGirls
Why Is Paradise at the Feet
of Mothers?
T
he countrys foremost reverts training institution Darul Irshad Centre lo-
cated in Nguluni, Machakos County has been closed down indefnitely.
The centre which provided basic Islamic teachings to new Muslims was
shut down on Wednesday on the orders of County commissioner of Macha-
kos district.
A circular dated May 13 from the commissioner did not however, give a rea-
son for the closure but to many Muslims, the move is part of the wider cam-
paign against terrorism.
The County Intelligence Security Committee has recommended the closure
of the above centre. Use your DSIC (District Security Intelligence Commit-
tee) team to effect the closure today and inform the offce accordingly, said
the signed by G. Onyango on behalf of the
Country Commissioner addressed to the
deputy county commissioner Matungulu
sub county.
According to the Darul Irshad administrator
Ahmed Ramadhan, a contingent of more
than 15 armed policemen accompanied
by local security and administrative offc-
ers stormed the institution at Nguluni, 60
kilometres from Nairobi and issued orders
for all students to immediately vacate the
institution.
The offcials were led by the District Com-
missioner Patrick Mwangi and included
the area OCPD, the local Administration
police commandant and offcials from the
National Intelligence Service and Criminal
Investigation department.
We have been having a good working
relationship with them but in spite of the
An aerial view of the Darul Irshad Centre. INSET: The
poultry project, one of the ventures established by the
Centre to economically empower the students
The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
Govt shuts down Darul Irshad
Page 2
Continued From Page 1
Address insecurity concerns, government told
Commenting on the spiraling terror-
ist attacks that have rocked the country,
the Imam of Nairobis Landhies Mosque
Sheikh Ahmad Uthman asked the govern-
ment to stop blame games and instead
take appropriate measures to ensure that
the lives and property of Kenyans were
protected.
The Imam said Kenyans have had enough
of unfulflled pledges and want to see the
government act accordingly and rein in on
those who are causing terror and mayhem
in public places.
Sheikh Ahmad said all Kenyans from di-
verse backgrounds were victims adding
that perpetrators of terrorism should not
be seen as originating from one commu-
nity.
Terrorists maim and kill both Muslims
and non-Muslims and we equally feel pain
when non-Muslims are killed. The govern-
ment should stand up and act to stop this
worrying trend, said the Sheikh on Friday
in his khutbah (sermon) at J amia Mosque
Nairobi.
Sheikh Ahmad said while Kenyans were
united in supporting the efforts to weed out
those who are perpetrating acts of violence
against innocent people, he faulted the di-
rection of the war on terror saying that in-
stead of addressing insecurity, it is alienat-
ing the Muslim community further.
He explained that the extrajudicial killings,
disappearance of Muslim youth, police
raids on mosques and security swoops
which targeted Muslim neighborhoods
were sending out a clear picture that the
anti-terror campaign was targeting Mus-
lims.
At the same time, he urged Muslims to live
by the tenets of Islam and live in peace
and harmony with other Kenyans.In his
sermon, Sheikh Ahmad also challenged
the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims
(SUPKEM) to stand up and take a robust
approach in defending Muslim interests.
He appealed to the umbrella Muslim body
to end its perpetual silence and make its
voice known on issues affecting Muslims.
The Imam said amid the increasing wave
of xenophobia, police harassment and
ethnic profling faced by Muslims particu-
larly those from the Somali community,
the voices of the Muslim leadership need
to be heard louder. Where are you when
our Somali brothers are being harassed?
What are you doing about it? He asked.
Sheikh Ahmad urged the Council to rise
up and provide leadership to the com-
munity saying that it should not abdicate
its responsibilities of protecting and safe-
guarding the interests of the community.
Reacting to the illicit killer brews that has
claimed almost 100 lives in various coun-
ties around the country, the Imam called
for the total ban of alcohol and miraa in
the country saying that it was a social evil
which was destroying the lives and health
of Kenyans.
He further urged Muslim leaders to be
at the forefront in spearheading the ban
on miraa saying that the leafy substance
has for so long affected the Muslim youth
population adversely.
fact that they affrmed that they did not have
any problem with our activities, they said they
were only enforcing orders from their superi-
ors, Ramadhan told The Friday Bulletin.
He said the institution has over the years
positively changed the lives of hundreds of
people and it would have been prudent for
the government to provide them with support.
We have had criminals, drunkards and drug
addicts whom we have rehabilitated into good
citizens, the government need to recognize
our efforts, he said.
The CEO of Al Amin Masjid Trust which man-
ages the centre Ali Hajj Omar said the cen-
tre beneftted the wider local community from
services such as free water provision and em-
ployment opportunities and maintained that it
was not involved in any illegal activity. Secu-
rity offcials have visited the centre on numer-
ous occasions and at no time have they found
any evidence to link it to any illegal activity,
he added.
Ali said the action could have been triggered
by a recent report in the Daily Nation newspa-
per which alluded to Darul Irshad Centre as
a terrorist training facility. Security offcials
came here immediately after the story run
but again found nothing to substantiate their
fears, he added.
The news, as expected was received with
shock and generated a wave of strong con-
demnations from the Muslim leadership. We
condemned this in the strongest words pos-
sible, said Adan Wachu, the SUPKEM secre-
tary general. He said the move went against
apledge from the government for regular con-
sultations and dialogue on issues touching on
Muslim educational institutions. By target-
ing Muslim educational institutions, they are
abusing the partnership which has been in
place. The Internal security cabinet secretary
must explain the reasons for closing down the
centre, he said on phone from Tanzania.
Wachu said the Muslim leadership will not
take the matter lying down and it will take all
the necessary measures to ensure that jus-
tice is served.On his part, the National Muslim
Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) chairman Abdulla-
hi Abdi said closure was sending out clear sig-
nals that the government was turning the war
on terror into a campaign against Muslims. It
is clearly appearing that the fght against ter-
rorism has been replaced with Islam as the
bogeyman, he said.
He noted that despite the Muslim leadership
extending a hand of cooperation to the gov-
ernment on security related matters, the state
continues totreat them with disrespect. We
have met the top most leadership in this coun-
try and those in the security sector but our
recommendations are continuously ignored,
he added.The NAMLEF chairman termed the
closure as unlawful adding that the conduct of
the state security machinery was contributing
to the alienation and victimization of Muslims
being witnessed in the country.
He advised Muslims to be resolute and contin-
ue with their activities saying that they should
not succumb to fear and intimidation. Darul
Irshad Centre opened its doors in 1997 at a
residential facility along Muranga Road with
a goal of providing basic Islamic education to
new Muslims. It later moved to a spacious fa-
cility at Nguluni on land donated by a British
based Kenyan woman who embraced Islam.
The centre recently initiated various pro-
grammes poultry project, animal and crop
husbandry as well as fsh farming to provide
students with economic empowerment skills.
A polytechnic to provide students and resi-
dents of the neighbouring communities with
vocational studies such as carpentry, plumb-
ing and electrical works was in the fnal stages
of completion.More than 2,000 students from
various areas of the country have graduated
from the centre since its inception.
Mombasa Women Representatives
Ms. Mishi Mboko echoed similar
sentiments and denounced reports
that the two Muslims who lost their
lives in the Sunday night blast had
anything to do with terrorism, claim-
ing that she knew one of the young
men who died.
She said that the national govern-
ment should cease from unfair pro-
fling of Muslim adherents, adding
that the practice is likely to divide the
country along religious lines.
Her remarks were made in light of
reports emerged that out of the three
people who died in the blast the two
Muslims who died in the bus stage
blast might have been terrorists.
She advised the government to
carry out investigations rather than
engage in wholesome labeling of
Muslims who have equally been af-
fected by terrorism.
Youths in the county, and especially
Muslims have come under siege,
following the terror attacks and the
government needs to work its way
out of the problem rather than mak-
ing enemies out of its own citizens,
Ms Mishi said.
Also speaking at the same func-
tion Mombasa County Commisioner
Nelson Marwa called on parents to
become more vigilant over their chil-
drens activities, and warned that
failure to be privy to their childrens
movements in some instances is
what has led some youths to join
criminal gangs and terror outfts.
Protest over profl-
ing in terror war
Continued From Page 1
The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
The parents are entitled by right to kind
and dutiful treatment from their children.
Since this is an important duty that Allah
emphasized so strongly, it is essential for
every human being to know what consti-
tutes kind treatment of parents. It is no
exaggeration to say that for a believer, to
be a dutiful son or daughter is to take the
way that surely leads to heaven.
We note frst that Islam uses the Arabic
word birr in connection with children's
attitude towards their parents. The term
connotes kindness, compassion, benevo-
lence, and almost every aspect of good
and generous treatment of others. One of
Allah's own attributes is derived from this
root. Allah is the "Barr," which means that
His kindness, compassion, grace, and
generosity never fail. Scholars say that
this term includes everything that is good.
Muslim scholars divide birr into two main
branches; fnancial and non-fnancial. In
respect of children-parent relationship, if
either or both parents are poor, children
must support them according to their
means.This is not a matter of choice.Is-
lam makes it a duty on the children to look
after their parents, providing them with
the same standard of living as they pro-
vide for their own children.
If children are well off, to go beyond the
mere provision of what is necessary for a
decent living, so as to allow their parents
to share in the comforts and luxuries that
they can afford, is to make an investment
for the hereafter. Nothing goes amiss with
Allah. Allah is pleased with any son and
daughter who please their parents.
Looking for Allah's reward, some people
make their parents feel that whatever they
own is their parents' as well. They can use
it in the way they please. Although some
people are careless how they spend their
money, most parents are more careful
when it comes to spending their children's
money than spending their own.So, to
make one's parents feel that they do not
live on their children's charity is to give
them that kind of trust that makes the dif-
ference between feeling oneself to be a
burden and feeling perfectly at home.
The more parent feels happy and con-
tented with their children, the more Allah
is pleased with those children. Moreover,
parents pay their children back immedi-
ately. This takes the form of praying Al-
lah for them. Such a prayer by parents for
their children, which for Muslims, normally
takes the form of "May Allah be pleased
with you," is certain to be answered.
When Allah is pleased with someone, He
helps him or her overcome their diffcul-
ties, eases their hardships, and guides
them to success in this life as well as in
the hereafter.
The duty required of sons with respect
Page 3
What Is Kindness to Parents?
Adil Salahi
"No. You have not even
paid back one twinge
of her labor pain when
she gave birth to you."
DA'WA
SUNDAY LECTURE
SUNDAY
SUNDAY LECTURE
Topic: Masharti za Swalah
Sehemu ya pili
By: Ustadha Mariyam Ibrahim
18th May 2014 Time: 2.00 pm -4.00
pm
Venue: Makina Mosque Kibera
to fnancial support of their parents is to
provide them with what is reasonable ac-
cording to their means. A son of moderate
means cannot be expected to provide his
parents with the same standard of living as
a much wealthier son.Although we speak
of this as kind treatment by children, it is
indeed a repayment of a debt. Parents look
after their children when they are young
and helpless. They provide them with all
they need as much as they can. Moreover,
they do it willingly.
Children take what they are given una-
ware of how much effort their parents ex-
ert in order to earn money for them. When
the children grow up and their parents are
in need of their support, that support must
come naturally, without letting the parents
feel themselves to be a burden on their
children.Apart from fnancial support, chil-
dren must respect and honor their parents
and extend to them the sort of treatment
that befts their status as parents. In any
social occasion, and even when they go
out with their parents on the street, chil-
dren must not precede their parents or
take a higher or more favorable position
than theirs. Children should always allow
their parents to take precedence.
In Muslim societies, that sort of treatment
always earns children more respect. Mus-
lim society looks down on anyone who do
not extend to their parents the standard of
honorable treatment expected from chil-
dren.
Moreover, children are expected to do as
their parents tell them. From the Islamic
point of view, this does not apply only
when a child is young. As long as a son or
a daughter is able to grant the wishes of
their parents and by doing so they neither
incur any sin, nor jeopardize any greater
interest, then they should do so as if these
wishes of their parents were commands.
There is nothing excessive in this. It does
not impose a great, heavy burden.Normal-
ly, a parent is easy to please. Even when
parents ask for something that is diffcult
to obtain, children can maneuver their way
to please their parents without undertak-
ing any great diffculty.
However, some parents may be unrea-
sonable in their demands, especially
when they live with their son in the same
house. Relations between his wife and his
mother may be occasionally strained. A
mother may feel that her daughter-in-law
takes her son away from her. That may
lead to friction between the two.A wise
son tries his best to reconcile his mother's
rights with those of his wife. He must not
be unfair to either. Should his mother ask
him to divorce his wife, he must not do so
if his wife fulflls her duties toward him and
his mother. All that a daughter-in-law is re-
quired to do towards her mother-in-law is
to look after her in a reasonable manner.
Even in such kind treatment, children are
only paying back a debt to their parents.
No matter how great a burden the chil-
dren bear, they do not pay them back ad-
equately. It is very rare that a parent is so
ill and handicapped that he or she needs
to be looked after in the same way as a
baby is looked after by his parents. `Ab-
dullah ibn `Umar, a leading scholar among
the Prophet's Companions once saw a
man from Yemen carrying his mother on
his back and going around the Ka`bah in
his Tawaf. Rather than show any sign of
complaint, the man was happy, repeating
a line of poetry in which he likened him-
self to a camel his mother was mounting.
The only difference is that a camel may be
scared by something and go out of con-
trol. He would never go out of her control.
He looked at `Abdullah ibn `Umar and
asked him whether by so doing he dis-
charged his debt to his mother. Ibn `Umar
said, "No. You have not even paid back
one twinge of her labor pain when she
gave birth to you." (Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab
Al-Mufrad and authenticated by Al-Albani)
That was not an exaggeration by Ibn
`Umar. The Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) defnes the only way
through which children repay their parents
fully. He said, as related by Al-Bukahri in
his book Al-Adab Al-Mufrad and by Mus-
lim and others on the authority of Abu
Hurairah, "No child repays his parent fully
unless he fnds him a slave, then he buys
him and sets him free.
Maahad Teachers Training College
and Mwangaza Women Self Help
Group are holding an ILM DAY on
Sunday 18th May 2014
Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Venue: Memom Hall South C
Speakers: Ustadha Azra Khwaja,
Fatma Saman and Fatma Sharrif
ENTRANCE FREE
ILM DAY
The Friday Bulletin Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014 WOMEN
page 4
Taking time to refect as I was carry-
ing my newly born grandson Rayyan
after witnessing his entering the world,
I realized what a blessing I was given,
not just because I was now offcially
a grandmother, but more because of
the chances I was given to enter par-
adise if I respected my own mother.I
recognized the signifcance of women
and mothers' status in Islam and how
they were held in high regard, not as
the stereotyped second class citizens
some may wrongly portray.Since there
is this negative typecast of how Islam
views women, many non-Muslims may
not know that mothers specifcally, and
parents in general, are held in very
high esteem in the faith.
Allah says:And We have enjoined upon
man, to his parents, good treatment.
His mother carried him with hardship
and gave birth to him with hardship
and his gestation and weaning period
is thirty months.He grows until, when
he reaches maturity and reaches the
age of forty years, he says, "My Lord,
enable me to be grateful for Your fa-
vor which You have bestowed upon
me and upon my parents and to work
righteousness of which You will ap-
prove and make righteous for me my
offspring.Indeed, I have repented to
You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims.
(46: 15)
In other words, the debt we owe to our
mothers is magnifed due to the dif-
fcult nature of pregnancy - not to
mention the nurturing and attention
paid to us in our infancy. Moreo-
ver, we must treat our mothers in a
manner beftting their exalted posi-
tion - and, again, revere the wombs
that bore us.
Contrary to what some may believe
regarding women in Islam, we are
commanded to treat women with
kindness, and are ordered to re-
spect and obey our parents with
specifc emphasis and preference
given to the mother. Indeed Proph-
et Muhammad highlighted the sig-
nifcance and standing of women
in Islam in his last sermon, where
he cited:"Do treat your women well
and be kind to them, for they are
your partners and committed help-
ers." (At-Timidhi, 276)
Islam is the best reminder of any
mother's presence with the daily
encouragement from the Quran and
the living example of Prophet Mu-
hammad. While he never saw his
father because he died before his
birth and he lost his mother when
he was six years old, Muhammad
(peace be upon him), understood
the importance of ones parents,
especially the mother. He narrates:
"Do good to and serve your mother,
then your mother, then your moth-
Deana Nassar
Why Is Paradise at the Feet of Mothers?
er, then your father, then the near relatives and
then those who come after them." (Al-Bukhari,
5971)
The privileged reiterated status of the mother
here, in Islam, is differing to the endless articles
on 'Women in Islam' which regrettably tend to
collapse the status of women and the reverence
for mothers in Islam.
Mothers: Only One Day?
Motherhood is not merely defned by bearing
and raising children; but is a statement regard-
ing the divine nature of woman and her position
in Islam. We are taught that we must always feel
a deep appreciation for our mothers, not just
when people celebrate Mother's Day but every
day.
Islam has effectively placed the ultimate re-
ward for human beings in their devotion to their
mothers. Abdullah ibn Abbas, a companion of
the Prophet and a great scholar of Islam, con-
sidered the kind treatment of one's mother to
be the best deed for strengthening or rectifying
one's relation with God. He relays:"I know of no
other deed that brings people closer to Allah
than kind treatment and respect towards one's
mother."
The Best Reminders
All the verses and hadiths on mothers dem-
onstrate the importance of this fgure in Islam.
They also show that the mother is accorded a
higher honor than even the father because of
all the responsibilities she has towards her child
indicating again the impact of women and moth-
ers in Islam.The Prophet underscored that sons
and daughters must honor their mothers, and
that the biggest debt they owe is the one to their
mother for raising them. He ordered us to re-
spect and fully accept the caretaking of our ag-
ing parents without considering it a burden, that
of course if they are living.
What if our mothers are no longer among us?
Do our duties towards them end? Prophet Mu-
hammad has advised us to perform good deeds
in the name of our parents, so that the reward
goes to the soul of the dead parent. Abu Hurai-
rah reported that the Prophet said:"When a
human being dies, all of his deeds are termi-
nated except for three types: an ongoing char-
ity, knowledge from which others beneft, and
a righteous child who makes supplications for
him." (Muslim and An-Nasa'i, 3651)
In this, we may ascertain that it's never too late
to repay our parents and mother in particular if
they have passed away. We are given a sec-
ond chance.For me, Islam is the best reminder
of my mother's presence on a personal basis
and her signifcance to Islam on a general basis.
With the daily encouragement mentioned above
I know I will always keep my mother close to my
heart. After all she is my connection to the divine
and I am truly grateful for the occasion to refect
on that.Each of us should appreciate what we
have in our mothers. They are our teachers and
our role models. Every day with them is an op-
portunity to grow as a person. Every day away
from them is an opportunity missed.
The Friday Bulletin
page 5
Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
Many young Muslims have grown up
knowing only hostility between Islam and
the West. It seems to them as though Is-
lam and Muslims are blamed for the ills
of the whole world.
Since the infamous attacks in the United
States on September 11, 2001, in which
so many lives were lost so senselessly,
Islam and the West look upon each other
with suspicious eyes.
In many countries, Muslims are now
looked upon with fear and suspicion, as
though they are not really a part of the
communities in which they live. The veil,
far from being the beautiful garment of
modesty and piety as Muslims see it, is
regarded as a symbol of some strange
religion. Young Muslim men wearing a
beard are seen as fanatics or extrem-
ists, and are stopped and searched on
the street as possible terrorists. Even
politicians now speak about Islam and
Muslims as though they are a hidden en-
emy within the country, who have to be
watched very carefully.
On the other hand, what young Muslims
see in the news is also very disturbing.
The tragedy being played out before all
of our eyes in Palestine, Iraq and Afghan-
istan, ever since the United States and
its allies invaded those countries, and
the daily oppression of ordinary men,
women, and children in Palestine, leave
many young Muslims wondering what
it is that so many people have against
Islam. The so-called War on Terror has
been linked very clearly to Islam. Does
the world really hate Islam, they ask.
It is a simple fact that most people who
are not Muslim do not have much expe-
rience of Islam. How could they? The
only information they get about Islam
and Muslims is what they see on the
television, news, or in the newspaper.
Newspapers, though, don't run head-
lines about people trying to be good. The
news carries stories about explosions
and wars and violence
Islam is simply beyond the experience
of most people who are not Muslim. If
you live in a Muslim country, you will
hear the Call to Prayer and you will see
people praying in the street and recit-
ing the Qur'an on the bus. It is as natu-
ral as breathing. If you live in a country
that isn't Muslim, you will not only see
these things, but they would seem very
strange to you if you did.
Before the horrible episode of those
cartoons in Denmark, which upset Mus-
lims so much because of the way they
spoke about our beloved Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him), the Danish
Queen made a remark that summed up
much of the problem. Referring to de-
vout Muslims, she talked about "those
people for whom religion is everything."
Now, to us as Muslims, religion is eve-
rything, and it is not strange to say so.
People who aren't Muslim, though, just
don't see it that way, and that is where the
problem starts. They don't have friends
who pray openly and talk about the Crea-
tor as the center of their lives. It's not that
people hate Islam, but it's really that they
don't know enough about Islam and they
are being fed with misinformation and
wrong stories about Islam and Muslims
all the time.
Politicians, though, are very clever. If
there is a problem in a country, it is far
easier to fnd a reason for the problem and
point a fnger at who is to blame than to
admit that you don't know how to solve it.
Unfortunately, this is what has happened
recently with Islam and Muslims. To fght
a "War on Terror" you need to have an en-
emy. You can't fght a war against no one.
Even though it has been proved beyond
a doubt that there were no weapons of
mass destruction in Iraq and that people
knew this, the country was still attacked,
with tragic consequences. If bombs go off
in the London Underground or in beach
resorts, killing innocent people, people
want the culprits to be caught. They want
someone to blame and they want some-
one to be punished.
We fnd that throughout a country's his-
tory, different groups are blamed for that
country's problems. When IRA violence
was at its height in Northern Ireland, Irish
Catholics were looked upon with suspi-
cion, as sympathizers towards the bomb-
ers. When unemployment gets high in a
country, people look to immigrants from
abroad to blame for the lack of jobs.
It is natural, then, for people to be easily
led and to be fed targets whom they can
blame. It is wrong but natural. If a fnger
can be pointed at someone else, then
people feel they know where the danger
lies. Not knowing who the terrorists are is
very frightening indeed.Another very sin-
ister fact is that there are some groups
in the world who do not want Islam to
prosper, and they do everything they can
to feed the media with misinformation to
make Islam and Muslims seem bad.
As for ordinary people, though, they don't
hate Islam. They just don't know anything
about it. The challenge for all Muslims,
then, is to let people know about Islam.
Huddling into small groups and having
nothing to do with non-Muslims is not the
answer. We need to be proud of who we
are and what we believe and to be very
much a part of the communities where
we live. If our school is made up mostly
of non-Muslims, we should respect that,
but let them see what we believe, also.
If our workmates drink alcohol and go to
the pub on a Friday night, we needn't look
down our noses at them, but we can let
it be known in a very simple and gentle
way that Muslims just don't do that. We
don't have to compromise what we be-
lieve here, as though it isn't important,
but there are ways we can do it which will
make our point without giving offense.
Who knows, the way we talk about Islam
in daily life might be just what is needed
to correct the wrong ideas people have.
If we play in a Muslim youth football
team, for example, we can show the
other teams who are not Muslim that our
soccer skills don't require us to swear or
to drink. The very way we behave on and
off the pitch should be our own da`wah,
our own way of calling others to Islam.
Sometimes, we are our own worst en-
emies because we fail to speak up or to
give the good example that others are
expecting of us.
In all things, Muslims say "al-hamdulil-
lah." If people misunderstand us at the
present time, then this is just an op-
portunity for us to talk about Islam. By
showing the people around us that Islam
is not about violence or extreme teach-
ings, but that it is very beautiful and very
sweet, we can change people's minds
and win their hearts for Allah. No, peo-
ple don't hate Islam, they just have never
met any good Muslims. Let us be the frst
ones they meet!
YOUTH
Do people really hate Islam?
Idris Taufq
ABRAR HIGH SCHOOL ELDORET
PRIZE GIVING DAY
The B.O.G of Abrar High School
wish to invite the parents, former
students and friends of Abrar to cel-
ebrate the 2013 K.C.S.E performance
on Saturday 24th May 2014, at 9:00
am in the school.
MEAN of 7.05 (C+),
The 2nd most improved school in El-
doret East
Position 7 in Eldoret East and 24 out
of 133 in the County
Limited vacancies in form ONE &
TWO available.
All are Welcome.
The Friday Bulletin
Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
Raza Nadim
Lets make this clearno one supports
Boko Harams kidnapping or mistreating
anyone, especially children, but I dont
support #BringBackOurGirls being hi-
jacked by the political elite because they
dont really care. The support is for their
own political gain.
We all support the families in getting their
children back. The nerve of the political
elite to show concern about these young
girls just annoyed me, and many others,
so much.
I refuse to be associated with the political
elite. I dont want their crocodile tears
they only talk about ethics & human rights
when it is politically expedient. When its
their wars that are responsible for killing
Muslim children they are silent
We all want the girls to be able to safely re-
turn to their loved ones but we dont want
Michelle Obama and her ilk to give us their
support.
But there is another, more important, rea-
son why I am angry at people like Michelle
Obama supporting the campaign.
For the elites, supporting #BringBackOur-
Girls isnt about showing solidarity with the
girls. It is about war.
The political elites only support this cam-
paign because it fts in with the narrative
they use to justify their wars.
The dominant narrative that currently
drives public discourse is that Muslims are
uncivilised and extreme, and they hate the
West because it is civilised and liberal.
Boko Haram are a perfect ft for their nar-
rative. They are the boogeyman that the
political elites, and their experts warn
people about.
The group is so fanatical that no one can
understand their barbarity. They seemed
to have no goal at all except to kidnap girls
and kill people. The Western elites saw
their chance.
Dont get me wrongIm not saying that
Boko Haram are a nice bunch of people,
but I am saying that the only reason why
the political elite choose to support #Bring-
BackOurGirls is because it fts in with their
narrative.
Their narrative, in which Muslims are a
threat to the West, gives legitimacy to the
war crimes they have committed, are com-
mitting and will commit
Just think about itthe only way that the
War On Terror (aka War OF Terror) can
continue is if the boogeyman is still at large.
Only if there is the constant danger of fa-
natical Muslims coming to kill Westerners
can drone strikes, wars and torture be jus-
tifed and never challenged by the general
public.
They jumped onto a legitimate, genuine
campaign and hijacked it.
Now the shocking kidnapping of poor black
girls became a part of theirnarrativeit
became a story of fanatical backward Mus-
lim terrorists that hated women and were a
threat to us all.
The Western propagandists had what they
neededanother incident to advance their
narrative & legitimize their violence in the
name of peace.
Their support for #BringBackOurGirls was
never about the girlsit was about further-
ing their own narrative. The narrative that
justifes their wars.
Dont believe me?
Then ask yourselfwhy are Obama, Cam-
eron et al., silent about Muslims being eth-
nically cleansed in Central African Repub-
lic?
Theyre black too.
Why are the political elite silent about the
Why I dont support #BringBackOurGirls being hijacked
constant atrocities committed against the
Muslims in Palestine?
Theyre suffering too.
Where is their support for campaigns for
the Rohingya Muslims persecuted in Bur-
ma?
Theyre suffering at the hands of fanatics
(Buddhist ones) too.
Ill tell you where their support isno-
where to be seen. They dont speak out on
those issues because it does not ft in with
their narrative.
If they genuinely cared about human rights
they would be speaking up for oppressed
Muslims who have seen a systematic deg-
radation of their human rights.
They dont support those causes because
having Muslims seen as the victim doesnt
ft into their narrative. It works against their
interests. They only speak out or act when
Muslims can be painted as the aggressors.
Consider thiswhen a Muslim does a bad
thing it is used as proof of their narrative
that Muslims are a threat. Yet when Mus-
lims are the ones suffering theyre referred
to by their ethnicity or countrynever by
their religious identity.
When its a crime, were all criminals. When
were the victims, only the people of that
area are the victims, their being Muslim is
largely ignored.
Why? Because it fts into the message they
want to get across.
Evil Muslims sells war better than poor,
oppressed Muslims does.
We cannot allow the campaign to be hi-
jacked by the political elite. We must ex-
pose their hypocrisy and confront their
propaganda.
Ive been able to separate my anger at the
political elites hypocrisy from my support
for the original campaignthe campaign-
ers must do the same. We dont need their
support because it is tainted.
It is tainted by their hypocrisy, tainted by
the agenda they seek to further, and tainted
by their deafening silence at the atrocities
being committed against Muslim children
every single day.
We dont need their support. Neither do the
girls.
#BringBackOurGirls?
Of course, we all support the families who
want their daughters back, but theyll come
back without the hypocritical support of the
political elites.
I dont want their crocodile tears, I dont
want them to further their propaganda-flled
narrative, and I dont want them to think
they can get away with this.
Neither should you.
Raza is a member of the UK based Muslim
Public Affairs Committee (mpacuk.org)
page 6
SUNDAY
The Friday Bulletin NATIONAL Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
Rajab 17,1435/May 16,2014
End abusive security operation - Human
Rights Watch
page 7
Power struggle and internal wrangles over
leadership have been cited as the main
contributing factors hindering the progress
of Muslims in Bungoma County.
The Islamic Youth Community Organiza-
tion (IYCO), coordinator Muhammad Wan-
gusi said it was important for the Muslim
community in the region to unite and put
more efforts in education and learning the
Noble Qur'an for holistic guidance instead
of fghting over leadership.
Addressing a gathering at Samulia J amia
mosque Sang'alo in Bungoma, Wangusi
noted that while members of other faiths
were improving their capacity and em-
powering themselves through education,
members of the Muslim community were
engaged in leadership tussles.
He pointed out that education empowers
and enhances development in the com-
munity adding that investment in education
deserves to be given priority as this has
proved to be productive in building the so-
ciety.
He however, said residents are yet to reap
the benefts of education due to the persis-
tent differences.
''Whenever development projects are con-
ceptualized, some people have emerged
and forestalled such programmes through
wrangles which have prevented the com-
munity to progress,''Wangusi decried.
Wangusi emphasized that unity and peace
is the key to prosperity, stating that there
was need for Muslims in the region to unite
for development to be achieved. ''Unity and
peace is a fundamental aspect for devel-
opment of the community and this can be
achieved if we realize its importance and
benefts it will bring,'' he said.
He further advised Muslim parents to in-
culcate Islamic ideals in their children and
provide them with good education and reli-
gious foundation to mould them as respon-
sible persons in the society.
Wangusi reminded Muslim youth that they
have important obligations to play in pre-
senting Islam positively and furthering the
true message of Islam to people of other
faiths.
Sheikh Kassim Werunga who presided over
elections of new offcials at the mosque
urged Muslims in the region to embrace
the pillars of governance through consul-
tation when executing leadership functions
for peace and unity to prevail.
End wrangles to foster
development
The government has been told to immedi-
ately put to an end the ongoing security op-
eration as it has turned out to be a conduit
for serious human rights violations.
According to the New York based Human
Rights Watch (HRW), the security opera-
tion has been plagued with collective pun-
ishment, harassments and detention of
thousands of people in appalling conditions
for periods well beyond the 24-hour limit
set by the law.
During the Operation Usalama Watch
which was launched following grenade
and gun attacks in Mombasa and Nairobi
by unknown perpetrators, security offcials
have raided homes, hotels, shops and loot-
ed properties from residents and refugees.
Kenyan police and security forces are
using abusive and discriminatory tactics
in the name of national security, targeting
entire communities. This crackdown clearly
violates basic rights of Kenyans, refugees,
and other foreign nationals and does noth-
ing to improve security, said Daniel Bekele
director HRW Africa on Tuesday in a state-
ment seen by the Friday Bulletin.
Bekele said authorities are carrying out
collective punishment under the guise of
fghting terrorism stressing that the opera-
tion violates the fundamental rights and
freedoms of Kenyans and non-Kenyans
and risks making the country more divided
and insecure.
Kenyan authorities should immediately
end ongoing harassment, arbitrary deten-
tions, forced relocations to refugee camps,
and summary deportations in a round-up
operation that has affected both foreigners
and Kenyan citizens, he further said.
The statement cited incidences where
Eastleigh residents were forced to part with
Sh30, 000 - 40,000 to secure their release
as police confscated and destroyed their
Identity cards, UN refugee documents and
alien cards.
The rights watchdog said it witnessed de-
tainees being whipped at Pangani police
station, while detainees said police kicked,
beat, pushed, and threatened to shoot or
deport them during the raids and arrests.
Many said they went for days without food
and only relatives who could bribe police
offcers with Sh100 were able to get food to
detainees in the cells.
The cells were full beyond capacity, a
former detainee told Human Rights Watch.
We sat on each other inside, or else one
had to stand straight to ft. The toilets next
to the cells were overfowing and human
waste would fow back to the cells where
we were. No one could go to the toilets, so
we helped ourselves on the foor inside the
cells and then we all ended up trampling on
it, he added.
According to Human Rights Watch, at least
two people have died during the round-ups,
a 6-month-old baby girl who lost her life in
her crib three days after police arrested her
mother and a pregnant woman who died
after police offcers pushed her off a police
truck during a round-up.
The United Nations High Commission for
Refugees (UNHCR) also accused Kenyan
authorities of denying it access to detain-
ees in police cells, at the Kasarani stadium
and at the airport to identify registered refu-
gees and asylum seekers.
The UNHCR has declared Somalia a very
dangerous place, and said no Somali
should be forcibly returned there unless as-
sured that they would not risk persecution.
Hajj application goes online
Those planning to undertake the hajj will
henceforth make their applications online.
The Kenya Hajj Mission said the new move
is a requirement from the Saudi Arabian
authorities and will also involve the pay-
ment for hajj services such as accommo-
dation and transport to be made through
international money transfer.
The new rule has taken effect and all
those wishing to undertake the hajj must
adhere to the new requirement, said
Sharrif Hussein Omar, the vice chair of the
mission.
He disclosed that the Mission will send two
offcials to the kingdom to familiarize them-
selves with the new procedures to ensure
a smooth transition.
Sharrif Hussein went on to appeal to in-
tending pilgrims to start early preparation
to avoid unnecessary last minute prepara-
tions which could hinder their performance
of the journey of a lifetime.
It is imperative for intending pilgrims to
start off early preparations and ensure that
they are not inconvenienced by a last min-
ute rush, he said.
At the same time, the Vice chairman who
also doubles as the Supreme Council of
Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) organizing sec-
retary appealed to the immigration depart-
ment to expedite the issuance of the travel
documents to enable Kenyans to perform
their religious obligation. He further called
for a review of the vetting process saying
that it has turned out to be a stumbling
block for Kenyan Muslims to acquire travel
documents.
In the aftermath of the Westgate attack,
the government introduced stringent condi-
tions which effectively require all Muslims
seeking passports to be vetted.
This years Hajj, the largest annual gath-
ering of humanity is expected to be per-
formed in the frst week of October.
FROM THE NOBLE QUR'AN
"Ask forgiveness of your Lord.
Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual
Forgiver. He will send [rain from]
the sky upon you in [continuing]
showers. And give you increase in
wealth and children and provide
for you gardens and provide for
you rivers." (Surat Nuh 71:10-12)
Ummah Foundation being a charitable and
a humanitarian organisation is working in
collaboration with Bridge of Hope, a Charity
in UK in Loingalani which is on the eastern
shores of Lake Turakana in Marsabit County
in the following activities:
School fees project We sponsor 10 stu-
dents from marginalized areas by paying for
their full school fees.
Sponsoring of 4 university students
Elmolo clinic where we funded purchase
of alternative energy equipment for Loin-
galani Health Centre. There is no electricity
in the villages and the vaccination for the im-
munization program did not have any refrig-
erated storage facility. Ummah Foundation
purchased on behalf of Bridge of Hope and
organized installation and commissioning of
a wind generator together with solar pow-
ered refrigerators and solar panels for light-
ing at the Health Centre. We also donated
medical consumables to Loingalani and clin-
ics in Dadaab Refugee camp.
We also have a team of cardiac doctors
who come to Kenya and operate on pae-
diatric cardiac patients at Mater hospital at
no cost. This all under courtesy of Bridge of
hope.

Before this the only Medical facility that
served the entire district was in Lodwar
which is very far and unreachable. Thanks
to Allah, the Health Centre at Loingalani was
supplied with medicines and medical equip-
ments and today we are happy to announce
that even mothers can give birth in this clinic.
Even those who have been affected by wars
in Ethiopia and Southern Sudan, get their
medical services from this health centre. War
and poverty that has ravaged their countries
for long, encourage them to leave their coun-
tries and go to live in a foreign land. Most of
them having lost everything and having no-
body to turn to for help, they become prone
to diseases and starvation and the only place
they can run to is the health facility. Loingala-
ni Health Centre also serves as a food relief
centre and equally Ummah Foundation and
Bridge of Hope have closely been involved
in the food distribution program in the area.
We would like to appreciate the joint venture
being undertaken by Ummah Foundation
and Bridge of Hope through its Project Di-
rector, Ms. Yacoub. It is through her efforts
that that we have realized the above men-
tioned achievements. We call upon other
like-minded organisations and individuals
to give your support to Ummah Foundation
wholeheartedly so that we can together less-
en the hardships being faced by our brothers
and sisters.
Ummah Foundation
Village Plaza, 2nd Floor, Ngara Rd
P.O. Box 58717-00200 Nairobi
Tel: +254-20-2680610/13 Mob: 0734845277
Email: info@ummahfoundation.net
www.ummahfoundation.net
Ummah joins hands
with Bridge of Hope
The government has released Sh170 Million to compensate victims of the Moyale
inter-clan clashes between Borana and Gabra.
The money will cater for houses and businesses destroyed during the ethnic clashes
that took place in December 2013.
Victims who lost permanent houses are set to receive a total of Sh275,000, Sh100,000
for semi-permanent and Sh20,000 for those who lost grass thatched houses.
Despite welcoming the move by the government, Moyale residents feel the allocation
is way below their expectation urging the government to increase the amount .
The chairman of the committee on Marsabit confict Francis Ole Kaparo told the com-
munities in Moyale to co-exist and embrace peace.
Affected families from Manyatta, Iladu, Butie, Faf and Sese are among those set to
beneft from the resettlement kitty.
Meanwhile three people have being killed and others injured in Wajir County during
inter- clan clashes between the Degodia and Garre communities.
Wajir County Commissioner Naftali Mungathia said the three were killed at Ogoralle
village in Tarbaj constituency by attackers from a rival clan in renewed skirmishes over
clan boundary dividing Mandera and Wajir counties.
"This is an unfortunate incident. The government will bring those criminals to justice.
But as we mourn our departed brothers, sons and relative we must defeat those bent
on starting inter- communal violence by showing a lot of restrains," he said.
The deceased were among laborers working on a road project involving clearing of
bushes on 25 km stretch road linking Wajir to Mandera County, a project funded by
the Wajir county government.
Early last year over sixty people were killed, hundreds maimed and tens of thousands
displaced from their homes, after fghting pitting the two communities, started in Man-
dera county and later spilled over to the neigbouring Wajir county and lasted for six
months before a peace deal was signed.
Victims of Moyale clashes compensated
Concern is growing over what appears to be a concerted government plan to clamp
down on Muslim educational institutions apparently to force them to close down.
The deputy secretary general of the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM)
Hassan Ole Naado criticized the acts of harassment against the educational institu-
tions saying that the move paints a picture of state victimization of Muslim institutions.
He expressed the sentiments in the aftermath of a recent police raid on the Shartuka
Islamic Centre in Kilgoris, Trans Mara country which he termed as unwarranted and
a harassment against the minority Muslim community in the area. A contingent of
armed policemen recently raided the institution on the claims that it is training Al Shab-
bab, this is utter nonsense and an act of impunity against Muslim residents, he said.
He further explained that a search operation conducted by the police did not yield any
link to back the allegations. How can you train people in military activities in an area
around a market place which is frequented by many people, he wondered.
Ole Naado who is also the founder of the institution later received summons from the
County police commandant requiring him to appear in Narok for investigation in rela-
tion to the activities of the centre. I will not honour the summons as this is tantamount
to harassment. Our activities are clear and we are not involved in any illegal activities,
he told The Friday Bulletin.
Shartuka Islamic Centre was founded in the early 1990s by reverts of Islam of Maasai
origin after they had embarked on a 480 kilometre walk from Nairobi to Mombasa to
raise funds for the establishment of the centre.
It later received support from the J eddah based Islamic Development Bank which
helped in the establishment of a primary school that serves all community members.
According to Ole Naado, the local administration offcials are now scheming to take
over the school and convert it into a public school to replace the government owned
primary school which is in a dilapidated state.
There is a hidden agenda to try to disorganize the community so that the school is
taken over. This is a clear infringement on the rights of Muslims in the area, he said.
The SUPKEM offcial said that he was working with other organizations including Ja-
mia mosque to revitalize the centre and ensure that it plays an active role in enhancing
Islamic teachings and also promote co-existence between the different people in the
area.
Ole Naados comments come in the wake of what appears to be a spirited campaign
against Muslim educational institutions. This week, the Machakos County Commis-
sioner issued an order to shut down the activities of Darul Irshad Centre in Nguluni.
Security offcials are also reportedly harassing the administration of Kinderworld Acad-
emy in Nairobis South C. The Nairobian newspaper which is published by the Stand-
ard Group carried a report linking the school to so-called terrorism activities but an
investigative team from the education ministry exonerated the school from the claims.
Dont criminalize Muslim institutions, govt told