King Fahd, Mahathir view major Islamic issues

RIYADH - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz held talks here on 19 October with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on major Islamic and international issues.

Mahathir thanked the Saudi King for the care given by the Saudi government to the Malaysian Siamese twins who were successfully separated at the King Abdul Aziz Medical City here.

The Malaysian premier also held talks with Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard, and discussed major global developments, including the US threat to launch a military strike on Iraq.

Mahathir, who arrived earlier on 19 October, and Crown Prince Abdullah reviewed the Palestinian issue and the fast-paced developments in the region. His meeting with the Crown Prince was attended by Prince Sultan Ibn Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense and Aviation, Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz , Governor of the Riyadh Region, and top officials.

Mahathir also visited the Malaysian Siamese twins at the medical city. Prince Abdullah had arranged for the surgical separation of the twins. Later speaking to reporters, the Malaysian prime minister commended the development achieved by Saudi Arabia in the medical field and the capabilities of Saudi doctors. He called for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the medical field.

Meanwhile, addressing a four-day international symposium on "the Future Vision for Saudi Economy" here on 19 October, the Malaysian prime minister suggested that Saudi Arabia, endowed with its wealth of oil and mineral resources, should mobilize them for the reforestation of at least a part of the desert for the benefit of its people. It could utilize its oil wealth to produce electricity, both for domestic consumption and for running desalination plants, he added.

Above all, he continued, Saudi Arabia should accord priority to information technology if it wants to make use of the modern tools of progress. He cited Malaysian's experience in this field and explained how his country, previously caught in the straitjacket of tin-and-rubber-based economy, leapfrogged into the knowledge-based economy by placing emphasis on information technology and other modern tools of learning. He said his country would be willing to share its expertise and experience in this field for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The prime minister said the history of Islam shows that there is no conflict between Islam and scientific progress. To this end, Muslim countries should emphasize the teaching of science and mathematics in the school curriculum, since Arabs were pioneers in these fields.

"But Muslims turned their back on science and math, which explains their state of backwardness today," he added.

Mahathir said Saudi Arabia could play a leadership role in the Islamic world by using cutting- edge technology in its march to progress. Such technological progress could be achieved without compromising on its Islamic values as the home of the Two Holy Mosques.

"Holy places will remain holy places even if Saudi Arabia becomes an economic power," the prime minister said, dismissing the orthodox view that technological progress could pose a threat to Islamic values.

Later on Crown Prince Abdullah, in the inaugural session of the symposium, called on experts and economic planners to formulate a strategy that will stimulate Saudi Arabia's progress without undermining its Islamic and cultural values and national traditions.

Prince Sultan, members of the royal family, Cabinet ministers, diplomats, senior government officials, and a large gathering of invitees attended the inaugural session that has brought together both national and international experts. - SPA

Dr. Al-Turki named Islamic personality of the year

DUBAI - Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al- Turki was named Islamic Personality of the Year 2002 by the Dubai International Holy Qur'an Awards Committee.

Chairman of the Organizing Committee Ibrahim Bu Melha made this announcement during a press conference on 16 October. He said Dr. Al-Turki was unanimously chosen by the award's committee members.

Dr. Al-Turki, a prominent Islamic scholar, will be awarded one million dirhams at a ceremony to be held under the patronage of Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and the UAE Defense Minister at the Dubai Airport Expo Center on 20 Ramadan.

Dr. Al-Turki was former Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance. Born in 1940, he got a B.A. degree in Islamic Law from the Shari'ah College in Riyadh in 1963. He then got an M.A. from the Higher Institute for Justice in Riyadh in 1969, and finally a Ph.D. in the Fundamentals of Islamic Jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University, Cairo, in 1973.

Bu Melha said Dr. Al-Turki was chosen from among many prominent Islamic scholars. He has been honored for his distinguished contributions in the service of Islam through his membership of national and international institutions and councils.

"Dr. Al-Turki is a noted writer on Islamic issues. His books have been well received the world over. Some of his titles are "The Role of Islam in Building the Family", "Responsibility of Islamic Nation for Da'wah (Call) to Allah" and "Islam and Human Rights".

"He also contributed in founding a number of Islamic universities and designing their programs. These include, among others, the Islamic University in Niger and the International Islamic University in Islamabad.

"Dr. Al-Turki received his nomination for the title with modesty and said that there are many other scholars who duly deserve it," said Bu Melha.

The number of participants in the Holy Qur'an competition increased to 58 this year from different Arab and Islamic countries and Muslim communities. The contestants whose number increases by the day will be tested initially on their memorization before the beginning of the competition. - GN

WAMY sends relief items to Palestine, builds mosques in Indonesia

JEDDAH - As parts of urgent medical relief program sponsored by E'telaf Al-Khair in favor of the Palestinian people, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) has recently distributed 6,200 first-aid kits at a total cost of SR300,000, according to Assistant Secretary-General of WAMY Dr. Abdul Wahhab Noorwali.

Dr. Noorwali said that the kits, fully equipped with medical items, were equally distributed among Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to be used in emergency cases and in field rescuing of injured and wounded Palestinians when access to hospitals becomes difficult due to Israeli blockade and daily raids.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem- based Humanitarian Relief Association that carried out the distribution process on behalf of WAMY said in its report: "The urgent medical campaign was very helpful and had contributed in alleviating the suffering of many Palestinians."

On the other hand, construction works are underway to establish three new mosques in Indonesia at an estimated cost of SR150,000, thanks to a donation made by the WAMY.

One mosque, which is known as Fatimah Zahra, is being built at western Java and the other two edifices, known as Abdur Rahman Sinnari and Aloufi mosques, are being constructed at eastern Java, according to Dr. Noorwali.

He expressed his gratitude to the Saudi benefactors for their continuous support, which enables WAMY to extend relief and humanitarian assistance to poor and needy in different parts of the world.

Last year WAMY built 462 new mosques and dug more than 400 waterwells in a number of countries besides implementing various health, education and social projects.

Meanwhile, WAMY has recently held a month-long Islamic training course for a group of 70 new Muslims in Rwanda to familiarize them with the principles of Islam and help them implement its tenets in a practical way, according to Dr. Noorwali.

He said the participants were aged between 17-54 years old and were selected from different parts of the country.

Dr. Noorwali explained that the new Muslims were briefed on teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's (peace be on him) Sunnah, in addition to some cultural awareness programs.

He pointed out that the converts had engaged in open discussions, which concentrated on comparison between Islam and other religions, and coexistence between Muslims and non- Muslims.

Previously WAMY had organized two medical caravans in Rwanda, which covered eight regions and offered free medical treatment to more than 10,000 patients.

Dr. Noorwali said that such charitable activities came within the framework of WAMY's complete educational, training and development programs for Rwandan youth.

Meanwhile, Ugandan Muslims Supreme Council thanked WAMY for organizing a students' camp, which was attended by 100 participants as well as conducting of an orientation course that attracted 108 propagators and Imams.

On the other hand, WAMY set up educational and enlightenment summer centers for female university students in Yemen, including computer training courses, lectures, cultural contests, entertainments, and various social relating activities.

Dr. Noorwali said that the center which was organized at the city of Aden had attracted around 122 girl students who participated actively in various cultural and orientation programs designed primarily to make use of students' spare time during summer holidays.

He added that the objective of the center was to enhance Islamic and educational knowledge of the participants, and qualify them to assume positive role in their community.

He pointed out that the event came as part of WAMY's complete education programs consecrated for youths in Yemen. - Press Release.

Malaysia warns of backlash if Iraq attacked

HYDERABAD (India) - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad warned on 17 October that any attack on Iraq would aggravate the divide between Muslims and the West.

"Any attack on Iraq will not be productive. It will only increase animosity among Muslims and between Europe and America," Mahathir told reporters.

Referring to the bombing on 12 October of a nightclub in the Indonesian island of Bali that left more than 180 people dead, Mahathir said: "The situation today is worse than post- September 11. Too much attention is being paid to security and defense instead of looking at the causes," he said.

"This is not a conventional war where any enemy or a country can attacked and defeated. We just don't know where they will strike next. So unless we know why they are doing this no progress can be made."

"We have today because of the act of a small group of crazy extremists and the rage of an unfettered giant, the prospect of a radically new world," he said without elaborating.

The Malayian prime minister's comments came as Malaysian police said they had arrested another terror suspect linked to Jemaah Islamiyah organization, bringing to 72 the total detained since November. - RD

IN BRIEF

MWL to participate in Muslim-Christian dialogue in Manama

MAKKAH - The Muslim World League will participate in the 10th Conference of the Muslim-Christian dialogue in Manama, capital of Bahrain, during 22-24 Sha'ban (28-30 October). The purpose of the conference is to strengthen cooperation and coexistence among the peoples and exchange of views on common important contemporary issues to evolve a common principle of understanding about them.

In a letter to Secretary-General of the MWL Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsin Al-Turki, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in Bahrain Abdun Nabi Abdullah Al- Shu'la, who is also the chairman of the Higher Committee for Preparation of Conference, explained that the conference will discuss the topics, including the religious view on common understanding about contemporary issues, legal responsibility for common acceptance, respect for national and cultural features and encouraging contribution among the races, etc.

The MWL has participated in a number of Muslim- Christian dialogues. It has formed an international Islamic delegation to hold conferences for dialogue in the United States, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Britain, in order to introduce the fundamentals of Islam and refute the barbaric attacks on Islamic Shari'ah.

WAMY offers free copies of Qur'an  English translation

RIYADH - The headquaters of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in Riyadh has announced that it offers free copies of the Holy Qur'an to non-Muslim across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was contained in a statement released by Muhammad Abbas Afesh of the Cultural Department of the organization. The statement asked interested non-Muslims to come to its office along King Fahd Highway in Riyadh, or better contact through its phone No. 205-000. Ext. 406 and mobile No. 05546270. WAMY is known for humanitarian services across the globe.

Three nurses embrace Islam

NAFI - Three female nurses at the Nafi General Hospital have embraced Islam. According to Al-Riyadh Arabic daily, one of them gave herself the name Rawan and said that she embraced Islam because of the good treatment she received from her Muslim mates.

The second one, who gave herself the name Amal, said that she was married to a Muslim and her close relationship with his relatives gave her a chance to understand Islam. She said that Islam was the religion of justice and fairness.

The third nurse, whose name is Ayeshah, said that she had a Muslim friend who kept talking to her about Islam and invited her to embrace it but the main reason of her conversion was the behavior of the patients in intensive care rooms, who insisted that she help directing them toward Makkah when it was time for performing prayers, so that they would not miss the prayers. - Al-Riyadh

Amnesty wants action against Hindu leader over Muslim bashing

NEW DELHI - Amnesty International called, on 18 October, for legal action against a prominent right-wing Indian Hindu leader, accusing him fostering up hatred against the minority Muslims.

The London-based human rights group said it was "alarmed at repeated inflammatory statements" made by Ashok Singhal, international working president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), or World Hindu Council.

"Investigations to establish Singhal's responsibilities in relations to the reported statements should be initiated as a matter of urgency and appropriate action, including possible prosecution should be taken accordingly," Amnesty said in a statement. It cited Singhal's comments on the riots in the western Indian state of Gujarat, where more than 6,000 Muslims have been killed. The violence broke out on Feb. 27 when a mob torched a train carrying Hindu activists, killing 58. Amnesty quoted Singhal as saying on 11 Oct. that "what happened in Gujarat will happen in the whole of the country," and on 3 Sept. calling the massive killings a "successful experiment which will be repeated all over the country." - AFP

Muslim states can unitedly thwart threat to regional stability

RIYADH - A big crisis seemed imminent for the Middle East as the US was seriously planning to take unilateral military action against Iraq, said Hazim Al-Samarai, a British national of Iraqi origin and author and publisher of books. "This crisis could be avoided only if Muslim and Arab countries stood united to thwart a threat of destabilization of the region.

"The Arab countries are saying 'no' to a US military strike against Saddam's Iraq, but they are not united in terms of taking concrete measures against such a possible threat. They should send a strong signal to America to change its discriminatory policy toward the Middle East. This could be done only by adopting a plan of action," he pointed out.

Referring to Israeli atrocities on defenseless Palestinians, who are being killed every day by the Jewish army, Al-Samarai said, all UN resolutions were implemented only in the case of Muslim and Arab countries.

"The world community acts as a mere spectator to Israeli defiance. No UN resolutions are implemented and no military action is taken against Israel, which has weapons of mass destruction, killing innocent men, women and children in Occupied Palestine every day."

He called for strong political will among the Arab and Muslim states and for punitive economic measures against the US through a bold united stand.

Speaking about the US double standards he said: "The world knows that Saddam is a dictator and a fascist, but the US used this same Iraqi ruler instigating him to wage a war against Iran and later to invade Kuwait.

Similarly, during the cold War period with the former Soviet Union, the US aided the Afghan Mujahideen to drive out the communist forces from that country. Ultimately the situation in Afghanistan did not serve US interests, so it removed the Taleban. Now, against world opinion, the US is bent upon striking Iraq."

On being asked whether Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, as claimed by the US and Britain, Al- Samarai said he did not think so.

"Saddam has been weakened by prolonged UN sanctions," he said.

"Why does America concern itself only about Arab and Muslim countries, if they possess certain weapons. Israel has all types of weapons of mass destruction and there is no hint of an American strike on Israel."

The author warned that following the US strikes, there would be civil war in Iraq, because the country had different ethnic and religious groups, including Muslims, Christians, Kurds and Arabs.

He said the US had a master plan for the region. Iraq would be the first state to capitulate, then American hegemony would expand to Syria, Iran and other countries in the region. Al-Samarai, owner of a publishing house in London, was in Riyadh to participate in the recently held International Book Fair at the King Saud University. - SG