The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper highlighting how Hilary Clinton’s visit to Pakistan was a wake up call for America who had believed that the Pakistani public endorse their presence in their country
Read the full text of the Article HERE. Read the newpaper online on Lookasia HERE Read the rest of this entry »
Excerpts of article published on the Asian News
By Majed Iqbal- In light of the deteriorating situation in Pakistan, local residents gathered to protest in Manchester and Bradford, sending a strong condemnation to Pakistan’s government for allowing America to operate as a state within a state with immunity in Pakistan.
The protests, organised by the Islamic Political Party Hizb ut-Tahrir took place on the famous Wilmslow Road on Friday 6th November in Manchester where protestors held large banners titled “Save Pakistan”.
Voices were raised in chants and slogans against the Pakistani Government’s inability to take decisive steps against American Military and Political interference in the country being sold to the Pakistani Public under the guise as a fight against ‘militancy’; a lie which was exposed during American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit where Journalist, students and Media challenged American plans for their country.
Organisers distributed leaflets about the campaign and invited the public to raise their voices against America’s presence in a soveriegn state.
Protests continued in Bradford on Sunday 8th November to hear about the current crisis in Pakistan and solutions proposed by the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu,Inshallah you are all in the best state of health and Imaan.Please take time to send durood upon the Priophet (saw) especially on the Day of Jumah.
Abu Hurrayrah (Radi Allah Ta’lah Anhu) narrated Allah’s Messenger (Salallahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, “The person who recites eighty times on Friday (the following Durood) immeadiately after Asar Salah, before standing up from his place, eighty years of his sins will be forgiven by Allah and the reward equivalent to eighty years of worship will be written for him- Allahuma Sallay Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin Nabiyyil Ummiyi wa Ala Aalihi Wa sallim Tasleema“
Ya Mashar al-Muslimeen
In the last years. months and recent weeks none of us have failed to notice the dire situation which our brothers and sisters have been facing in Pakistan. News Stations have been beaming in pictures directly into our homes of the horrors that have been going on in the country.
Whether this has been former President of Pakistan Musharraf’s unstinting support for America after 9/11 to invade Afghanistan using Pakistani airspace and land or Musharraf’s role in the lal Masjid operation to build a hatred in the minds of Pakistani’s for those who call for Shariah in the country. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article was published in the Nationwide Passion Islam Monthly Magazine which addressed the recent and much awaited tour of American secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Pakistan.
The article looked at the perceptions of America from the ordinary citizen of Pakistan and raised the question if Americas War on Terror and the Af-pak Strategy is winning the hearts and minds of Pakistanis. The article can be read online on the Passion Islam Online Magazine on page 2. Click Here to read further. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- US secretary of state Hillary Clinton completed her three day tour of Pakistan in the last week of October attempting to win the hearts and minds of a population which has become instrumental to Americas War on Terror.
Many Pakistani commentators dubbed her visit as a ‘charm offensive’ to re-build that ‘trust deficit’; a long overdue initiative to ease tensions with the Pakistani masses that have been having second and third thoughts about their ‘use and abuse’ partnership with the US since its inception in 2001.
The tour saw concentrated efforts in dialoguing directly with the public on a range of issues which the people of Pakistan were thinking about on Pakistan- US relations.
Hillary Clinton’s “people to people” diplomacy — with journalists, students and common people, which included town hall meetings in a “no holds” barred question and answer session at a university in Lahore were part of a new packaging.
This was possibly an approach to re-build that trust in an open and transparent way, a somewhat ‘revolutionary’ step away from more clandestine approaches with Government ministers and opposition figureheads to manipulate political will.
Clinton, who professes deep personal affection for Pakistan and its people, was aiming to be cautiously optimistic in her visit to maybe change as many hearts and minds among Pakistanis. Read the rest of this entry »
On Sunday morning 25th October, i participated in the BBC programme, The Big Questions’. The show can be seen on the link HERE. My comments appear at 35.10 into the show.
The areas of discussion for the show were 1- Are strikes necessary 2- Does Britain have a moral duty for giving aid to other countries in light of the recession 3- Organ donation after death.
My comment focused on the second topic. Aid is never a moral decision but a financial one and will always be tied to the strategic interests of a nation. The release of the Libyan prisoner for the Lockerbie bombings was not based on humanitarian or moral grounds. Evidence later surfaced that Oil contracts and business relations were the driving force behind the release despite the denial of Politicians from the start of the case. Read the rest of this entry »
In light of the launch of the ICE (Islamic citizenship and Education) Curriculum, Majeds Blog has organised a Facebook campaign against this project. The ICE Curriculum is going to be launched on Friday 9th October in Rochdale.
This Facebook campaign wishes to mobilise Muslims in Rochdale specifically against such projects which have been crafted out and endorsed by the Government. This Project will be launched in Central West Minister Hall on the 24th October which highlights a clear governement connection to the this allegedly “independent” campaign.
The ICE curriculum has recieved £360,000 funding to promote Islamic classes licensed by the British Government which in itself speaks for the credentials of what type of Islam the Government wants. Hazel Blears, Communities Secretary until she resigned on June 3, said the project aims “to ensure young people are equipped with the skills they need to stand up to violent extremists” Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- In the last few years there has been an intense effort by the government in taking direct hands on approach in the affairs of the Muslim community in the name of tackling ‘radicalisation’ and combating ‘extremism’.
For some, this has been a welcoming gesture, seeing the Government playing a ‘positive’ role in understanding the issues of the Muslim community. For the majority, this has been viewed as intervention and a concentrated effort to make Muslims swallow ideas with a carrot and stick approach.
No other faith group in the country has been subject to so much scrutiny as the Muslim community has with project after project being designed to tackle all possible sectors and groupings of Muslims.
Muslim women groups like the Muslim women’s assertiveness course, Youth groups, National Mosque Groups like MINAB, ‘Extremism’ tool kits for schools and Colleges for Muslim pupils, New Government endorsed curriculum’s for Mosques in the North West titled ‘Nasiha’ and local councils given thousands of pounds to give to groups to promote key ideas which the government is interested in imparting to local Muslim residents- the list can continue with numerous more examples. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- A new report issued by the Tax payer’s alliance has singled out Rochdale Council, after it refused to disclose key information on how the Prevention for Violent Extremism (PVE) money had been distributed in Rochdale.
The Tax payer’s alliance, an independent body who research where tax payers money is being spent by the government, rubbished the Government “Prevent” strategy which was designed to tackle ‘radicalisation’ as part of efforts in its counter terrorism strategy. The Government promised £45 million to local authorities over three years as PVE grants, allocated to those Councils with Muslim populations of more than 5 per cent.
The new report by the Taxpayers’ Alliance used the Freedom of Information requests to compile the data, listing all the organisations that had received PVE (Prevention of Violent Extremism) funding in the last two years by their local councils. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article was published in the Passion Islam Magazine Spetember 2009 edition. It evaluated how muslims can be selective about what parts of the Quran they wish to practice, despite Islam forbidding this.
Read the Article ONLINE on pages 18-19. Read the full text of the article by Clicking HERE
The following article was published in the Passion Islam Magazine Spetember 2009 edition. The article was written for this blog by one of the contributors.
Read the Article ONLINE on pages 24-26. To read the full article by Zaythoun Suleman, please CLICK HERE.
By Majed Iqbal- The second presidential election in Afghanistan under the new constitution, designed after ‘liberation’ in 2001 was held on August 20, 2009.
The much awaited election has been at the forefront of international observers from the west. An election result which must prove that democracy has now been embedded in Afghan society and a living showcase to the world that the troops sent thousands of miles away from across the world were not fighting in vain.
The fight for ‘people power’ took a new form, away from the battlefield where western troops are fighting the ‘insurgency’. The fight to establish people power was now through Television allowing Afghanis to digest democracy through voting for their favorite singing stars by text messaging, in the form of the countries own version of Pop Idol.
The program titled “Afghan Star” drew viewing figures of 11 million people (a third of the population) who tuned in to watch the finale, gathering in homes, fruit shops, coffee houses and military barracks. The six-month-long television show, running for the third season would name the final two contestants, based on votes sent in from viewers via text message and offering a grand prize of £2,500 for the winner. Read the rest of this entry »
The following is the text of an Islamic Circle delivered earlier this week in Rochdale on how to approach the Quran completely and comprehensively
By Majed Iqbal- Here we are now in the first week of the month of Ramadhan. The Quran which has been resting on the top of our shelves for days, weeks and for some months and has now found itself back in the hands of the believers.
We are now inshallah habitually reading it and trying our best to understand its meaning by deeply pondering over its purposes. Were hearing the Quran recited eloquently and beautifully by the Qari’s at Salaat-ul Taraweeh.
Many of us have realised that the Quran, its message, its verses and the vision of life which it proposes is no joke. We have also realised that it was in this blessed month that this noble kitaab was revealed and finalised for mankind as the last and final revelation for humanity and what Allah (swt) wishes for his creation to do on this Earth.
Allah (swt) says in the Quran in Surah al Hashr: Read the rest of this entry »
The following is the text of an Islamic Circle delivered earlier this week in Rochdale on the preparation for Ramadhan
By Majed Iqbal- The blessed month of Ramadhan is just around the corner as we all await eagerly for this blessed guest to illuminate our lives once again.
This is the month of opportunity, the month for change, the month for addressing ourselves, the month of charity, the month of generosity, the month of looking at the state of affairs of the Ummah and making change and the month of evaluating our relationship with Allah (swt) and with what his final and beloved messenger, Muhammad al-Mustafa (saw) bought- The final revelation and the Furqan.
However, we can only reap the true benefits of Ramadhan if we truly understand our sole purpose of existence. Only by addressing this fundamental question can we truly appreciate what Ramadhan is, our relationship with this month and the benefits and consequences of fulfilling or not fulfilling its due. Read the rest of this entry »
Pubished on the Asian News Website-
By Majed Iqbal- A report released last week by think-tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) has criticised the flagship £70 million Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) programme launched by the government two years back because it alienates Muslims.
Community groups across the North West and Yorkshire have refused to join a Government-funded scheme to prevent violent Islamic extremism because it “victimises” Muslims, it has been claimed.
The PVE programme was modeled to “promote shared values, support local solutions, build civic capacity and leadership and strengthen the role of faith institutions and leaders”.
The generic nature of the strategy was welcomed initially at the first look but rejected once the details became further apparent. The plans were considered divisive and an effort to divide the Muslim community on the lines of moderates and extremists by branding what ideas of Islam will be acceptable in Britain and what won’t. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on the Asian News Website
By Majed Iqbal- A government minister last week joined the list of Politicians in raising, once again, allegations that Muslims lead ‘segregated’ lives.
Following a similar line of discussion to his colleague, Jack Straw who raised similar comments on women in Blackburn attending his surgery with Niqaabs and dubbed it as a sign of segregation, Jim Fitzpatrick, the minister for food, farming and environment, stormed out of a constituent’s wedding at the London Muslim Centre after being told that male and female guests were to be segregated and that he could not sit with his wife.
Fitzpatrick said it was “strange” he could not sit with his GP wife Sheila at the ceremony on Sunday. “We’ve been attending [Muslim] weddings together for years but only recently has this strict line been taken. We left so as not to cause offence,” he said.
But the newly weds at the wedding ceremony did take offence after the minister contacted his local newspaper straight after the walkout to tell them he was “disappointed” by what had happened. “We are trying to build social cohesion in a community but this is not the way forward,” he said. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on the Asian Image Website
By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan Independence day will be celebrated in full swing today by the young and the old to mark the day which saw the formation of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistanis will be jumping with joy with festivities, speeches, and remembrance of the sacrifices made to bring the country into existence.
Without a doubt, the feeling of being liberated and having a homeland to be able to live freely and choose a lifestyle suitable to your culture, history and civilisation is unmatchable to anything.
However, if one was to pause and reflect on even just the last decade or event the last year of the country’s history, those jumping with celebratory independence passion would stop in reflection.
Pakistan has been subject to foreign intervention, and that’s not referring to the ‘insurgents’, but to America since 2001, and has been the subject of threatening behaviour from White House officials which has even made Pakistani Parliamentarians jump out of their seats. Read the rest of this entry »
On Sunday morning 19 July i participated in the BBC programme, The big Questions’. The show can be seen on the link HERE. my comments appear at 36.30 during the show.
Three areas were looked at- 1. Should the Government introduce marriage 2. Are Faith schools divisive and 3. Is there a North and south Divide. All three areas were topical and i had plenty of views that i would have liked to express in each area. Read the rest of this entry »
In the last months, there has been an active campaign to mobilise the Rochdale community against new Government plans to introduce compulsory sex education for 5 year old children.
The group “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” has played an active public role in highlighting these proposals and demonstrating exactly how the Muslim Community specifically and the wider community in general will be affected by this.
The group “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” now will be participating in the national consultation process on this issue.
We have gathered over 1000 petition signatures, and have led a Facebook campaign with at the time of writing, galvanised 388 Facebook group members on board, organised Weekly public stalls in busy areas in Rochdale, promoted the issue through a locally created YouTube advert, presented information packs to all Rochdale Mosques, visited churches and opened dialogue with local councillors. Read the rest of this entry »
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COMMENT- Musharraf rewarded for ‘Services’
21 07 2009By Majed Iqbal-Musharraf, the Darling of the west and dedicated comrade in the War on Terror has landed in London for a new chapter of his life and has been officially inaugurated in the House of commons. He now moves into his new £500,00 house with his family as he plans ahead his life in a country to whom he has been very close with in the last decade under his self- declared positions as General, Chief Executive and President of Pakistan.
After providing his support to the Americans and the British in steering Pakistan for their agendas and providing his ‘unstinting support’ in the war on Terror, Musharraf, the one who sacrificed Pakistan’s strategic depth with Afghanistan, the one who massacred men, women and children in Lal Mosque, the one who allowed over fifty FBI offices in the country to abduct Pakistanis at will, the one who silenced media and ordered torturingof outspoken journalists and editors of newspapers, the one who made foreign Western culture readily available to the youth through the Cable and Media channels and heir own version of MTV to distance them further from Islam, the one who said that i know more about Khilafah than Hizb ut-Tahrir and began harassing, jailing and torturing its members, the one who allowed America to use its airspace to bomb Pakistan’s citizens since 2005, the one who sold off the gas and Electricity utilities to foreign multi–national companies making the people in Pakistan suffer and the one who talks about ‘Pakistan first’ and then does everything to destroy the country has been warmly received and accepted in Britain. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Caliphate, Lal Mosque Crisis, Musharraf, Pakistan, Secularism, War on Terror
Categories : Comment, Pakistan