Compiled by The Revival’s Foreign Correspondent Team. This is our new regular news feature to digest with your tea and cookies!
Chechnya: Slaughter of the Lambs
Media reports have proven that Russia has committed crimes against humanity. In a report by a British news group, a film was shot of Russian soldiers covering a mass grave. It has also been reported that all Chechan males fleeing Grozny aged between 16 and 60 were detained by Russian troops.
British Muslims supporting the Chechen Mujahideen pose a threat to Russia serious enough to warrant regular intelligence gathering on their activities, the Russian Ambassador to London claimed according to one British newspaper.
Russian fears of pro-Chechen activists within Britain’s Islamic community stem from a meeting of British Muslims last year at which the Chechen war was discussed and a Russian television crew covering the event was beaten up.
When it’s a little power like Yugoslavia, the West will go to great lengths to save people from ‘crimes against humanity’ but when it’s concerning Russia, it’s merely a case of their internal security. Is this a case of double standards? Me… think so!
Nigeria: Sharia or no Sharia? that is the question
Rioting has ensued between Christians and Muslims in Northern provinces where Sharia (Islamic law) has been implemented. Dozens of people have been killed, mosques and churches have been destroyed and the military has been imposed a 24 hour curfew is some areas. Even the Pope on his first visit to Egypt has criticized the move by the authorities to ‘impose’ Islamic law.
Sharia was chosen to be implemented by Muslims form the majority of people in the North of the country. Why is it that there exist two standards for the West. If the majority of Christians adopts something it is ‘democracy’ but when it concerns Muslims it is ‘forced coercion’.
Pakistan: United we stand
Over 1000 Shayukh (that’s scholars to me and you) gathered in Lahore, Pakistan on Sunday 20 February at the headquarters of Minhaj ul Qur’an to highlight that the religious movement is gathering political and significant momentum in Pakistan.
Prof. Tahir ul Qadri is now regarded by many as being the leader of a movement, which can transform the state, which for so long was blighted with corruption and inability.
This is a favorable sign for the Islamic Movement as it continues to attract people from all walks of life under the banner of Islam. It also shows that there is no distinction between politics and religion, which has been a common held misconception since the creation of the nation.
United Kingdom: Sex Attack!
The Scottish Assembly has voted by a majority to repeal section 28 of the Local Government Act, which forbids the promotion of homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle in schools.
To placate church leaders and family groups, the Government has said that it will strengthen the family structure by stressing it as being the way which most people choose to be brought up by.
Scotland’s Muslims have threatened to transfer their children to Catholic Schools if the government allows gay sex education to be taught in the state sector. The number of Muslim pupils at some Catholic schools is already as high as 45%.
Astaghfirullah! How long will it be before Westminster repeals this for England and Wales? Rather than being helpless and muted Muslims we should be united against this taking place and lobby for the right to withdraw our children from Sex education classes.
This is a difficult subject to deal with but has to be explained to parents and children that this is entirely wrong. (See center pages)
Iran: Revolution – take two?
The victory of the reform camp in Iran’s parliamentary elections will obviously give President Mohammad Khatami the opportunity to carry out reforms, give more freedom to Iranians, and mend relations with the United States. Many have greeted this positive move for change.
Now when America is happy about something especially when it concerns Muslims then that means there’s definitely something-fishy going on. Revolution? I don’t think so
Kashmir: Muslim fighters promise to win Kashmir within three years
Pakistani Muslims fighting in the disputed state of Kashmir are stepping up their campaign and will force Indian troops out within three years, a spokesman for the largest Muslim group said.
“India is losing occupied Kashmir and inshallah (God willing) within two to three years we will liberate Kashmir,” Abdullah Muntazer, told AFP in an interview.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has ruled out any negotiation unless Pakistan gives up the third of Kashmir under its control. Pakistan’s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has said he is ready to meet any threat from India.
Saudi Arabia: Muslim pilgrims pour into Holy Lands
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, obligatory for all Muslims sound of body and able to pay to carry it out. A total of two million pilgrims take part annually. It is without a shadow of a doubt the largest gathering in the world but not surprisingly, its only given 30 second coverage on the BBC or CNN!