Saudi Arabia slams Israeli policy of assassinations

RIYADH - The Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia on 30 December condemned Israel for stepping up the "assassinations and arrests" of Palestinians and urged the United Nations to press the Jewish state to respect international laws.

Presiding over the weekly Cabinet meeting here, King Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, asserted, "this dangerous escalation by Israel and the return to the policy of assassination and destruction aims at torpedoing all Arab and international efforts to calm the situation."

Information Minister Dr. Fouad Abdus Salam Al-Farsy said the Cabinet "affirmed the challenge by Israeli authorities to international laws and efforts being exerted to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region." The cabinet renewed its appeal to the "UN to activate its resolutions relevant to the Palestinian affairs and press Israel to comply with the international resolutions." Palestinians are subjected to "daily killings, torture, arrest and house demolition... in an unprecedented shameful and brutal treatment which contravenes basic human rights," the Cabinet said. - SPA

MWL Secretary-General blasts US media attempt to insult Islam

MAKKAH - The Secretariat General of the Muslim World League (MWL) has strongly denounced the American media's deliberate insult against Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). It expressed the outrage of Muslims all over the world over the repeated humiliation and insult to the Prophet of Islam in some American media organs.

The MWL remarks were published in urgent statement issued by the League's Secretary-Gen- eral Dr. Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki regarding a cartoon published by the Florida State-based Tallahasee Democrat newspaper. The cartoon by cartoonist Doug Marlette headlined "What would Muhammad Drive?" shows Prophet Muhammad driving a nuclear-bomb- laden trucks similar to the one that used by Timothy McVeigh in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

A press release issued by MWL quoted Al-Turki as saying that some of those who are opposing Islam are working for defaming the image of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), the same thing they did when they published blasphemies about the Qur'an and explained its meaning in a wrong way.

He added that MWL is following up all these repeated insults that hurt the feeling of Muslims in the world. He explained that some church and media men contributed in the blasphemy against the Prophet and the Holy Qur'an. He cited Evangelist Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Franklin Graham as well as programme transmitted by some American TV stations that insult Prophet Muhammad like the one aired by the American Fox News Network on 18 September, 2002 which attacked Islam and the Prophet of Islam.

Al-Turki pointed out that these media campaigns damage relation between peoples, put obstacles before the dialogue between civilizations and spread hatred among people. He disclosed that the objective of these anti-Islam campaigns are to provoke the people of the world against Islam and its civilization and serve as a justification for the discrimination and hatred against Muslims and promote conflict.

The MWL Secretary- General asked Tallahassee Democrat newspaper to apologize to Muslims for the defamatory attack on the Prophet and not to publish what defames Islam and the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world. He also thanked the Council of American Islamic Relations for its follow-up and its efforts to defend of Islam and Muslims

OIC warns of Muslim backlash over US move on Jerusalem

JEDDAH - A US Congress bill demanding the American Embassy in Israel be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will only heighten Muslim resentment, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) warned.

OIC Secretary-General Abdul Wahed Belqeziz voiced "particular concern because of the political and legal considerations stemming from this legislation which harm Islamic interests." On 24 December Bush signed into law the 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act but in an accompanying message made clear he would ignore provisions of the bill that would shift the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Such a move would recognize the disputed city as Israel's capital leaving aside the Palestinians who demand control of East Jerusalem, which the Jewish State seized in the 1967 war. The Bush administration had been urging lawmakers to take out the call for the relocation of the embassy, but Congress went ahead and included it." This decision is in total contradiction with (UN) Security Council resolutions," Belkeziz said in a statement in the name of the 57-member Islamic body based in Jeddah.

"Such an attitude from the American administration at a time when Israel is waging an unprecended campaign against the Palestinian people is liable to exacerbate resentment among Muslims... and is not liable to facilitate the role of the United States as co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process," he said.

Meanwhile, Qatar, which holds the rotating chair of the OIC, called the congressional move "a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem and a provocation against the feelings of Islamic and Arab nations."

The Qatar News Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying it also ran counter to the US policy "which considers that the final status of Jerusalem must be examined within the framework of peace negotiations."

Israeli killings slamed:

On the other hand, the OIC on 28 December strongly condemned Israeli's killings of Palestinians, accusing Tel Aviv of attempting to torpedo all peace proposals. Belkeziz condemned the "daily killings by Israeli authorities in the occupied Palestinian territories despite a period of relative calm," achieved with the help of Palestinians.

He appealed to the international community and members of the diplomatic quartet on the Middle East - the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations - to "halt these (Israeli) aggressions and provide protection for the Palestinian people."

He deplored the "Israeli government's deliberate attempt to turn the killings into a topic in the Israeli election campaign." - AFP

Arab League warns US against preemptive strike on Iraq

ABU DHABI - Arab League has said that all its 19- member states have unanimously opposed a preemptive US strike against Iraq and warned that should an attack take place, it would be a negative sign for future international relations. In an intrview to Khaleej Times, Hisham Badr, Chief of the Cabinet of the Arab League, said.

UN risks credibility

Responding to a question whether a US-led strike will be launched irrespective of whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction or not, he replied, "If this were the case, it would be really dangerous. The UN and Security Council would then lose their credibility. This would also indicate that the international community is no longer on board. In the Iraq case, the arbiter is the Security Council."

Badr said that as long as Iraq complies, the US could not decide alone on going to war. Otherwise, it would be a blatant breach of the Security Council resolution.

"I think the time has come for the US administration to take into account and respect the Arab public opinion, especially when it comes to the Iraq issue," said Badr.

He added, "People of the Middle East are already frustrated by the atrocious policy practised by the Israeli army against the unarmed Palestinians, including mass killings and devastation of infrastructure. "This will be aggravated by any possible war against Iraq. - SG

Saudi, Kuwaiti ministers review cooperation in Islamic affairs

KUWAIT - Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh held here on 28 December evening talks with Kuwaiti Minister of Justice, Endowments, and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Yaqub Bakir Al-Abdullah.

Speaking on the occasion, Al-Sheikh underlined the importance of coordination between the Saudi and Kuwaiti ministries of Islamic Affairs, and said it was an essential matter to benefit from the experience of the Saudi ministry of Islamic affairs in the field of endowments, mosques and Islamic call.

He noted that the Saudi and Kuwait sides were scheduled to review a number of important topics, notably the vicious campaign launched against the Islamic charitable work in addition to the ongoing attempts to defame the Islamic educational curricula.

Meanwhile, Al-Sheikh briefed the Kuwaiti minister on the activities and achievements of the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance.

Citing the achievements of the Saudi ministry, Al- Sheikh said the ministry issued in the last seven years 580 Islamic books, in addition to more than 10 million Islamic booklets and cassettes in various languages.

"Moreover, the ministry has been giving top priority to the problems of the Muslim minorities and international organizations in various countries, in addition to its partial or complete supervision of the Islamic centres and institutions," Said Al- Sheikh.

Al-Sheikh said, "Saudi Arabia and Kuwait participate in the investment fund of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in line with the resolutions adopted by the Islamic ministers of endowments in this respect.

"We have benefited from Kuwait's experience in the field of endowment's investments," he said, noting the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the Saudi and Kuwaiti ministries of Islamic affairs.

Following the official talks, Al-Sheikh said that they had exchanged views on a number of topics including means of confronting the vicious campaign launched against Islam and Muslims by the western quarters, in addition to organization of Islamic and charitable works.

"We have also reviewed the issue of human rights in the contemporary time, the Islamic charter for human rights," he said. "Moreover, rights that are not approved and recognized by the Islamic Shari'ah are not viewed as genuine rights."

Meanwhile, Al-Sheikh and his accompanying delegation visited on 28 December the headquarters of the Islamic Charitable Commission, the Society of Social Reforms and the Society of the Revival of the Islamic Heritage as well as the office of the Higher Consultative Committee for Completion of the Implementation of the Islamic Shari'ah in Kuwait. - RD

IN BRIEF

King Fahd to host 1,000 pilgrims

RIYADH - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Fahd will host 1,000 pilgrims from South Africa, Senegal, Ghana, Albania, Poland, Japan and South America this Hajj season, Sheikh Saleh Al-Sheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, said in a statement on 27 December. The King will meet the expenses of these pilgrims, he added.

The ministry has taken all steps to facilitate a comfortable stay and pilgrimage for the royal guests. More than 7,455 guests from 26 countries have performed Hajj over the past six years since the King's personal sponsorship scheme was launched in 1997. - AN

Charities form group to fight suits

JEDDAH - Six Muslim charitable societies have formed an umbrella group which will defend the charities in the event lawsuits are filed against them in US courts by the relatives of the 9/11 victims. The Secretary-General of the Muslim World League (MWL) Abdullah Ibn Abdul Mohsen Al-Turki chaired a meeting of the charitable organizations in Jeddah recently and decided to fight the suits. The organizations have been accused of funding terrorism. The meeting decided to appoint Saudi legal firm Dr. Basem Abdullah Ali to represent them and allocated $1 million to cover initial expenses. The Saudi Attorney is expected to meet the American and European lawyers in this regard. - AN

SR2m IIRO aid for Asian, African countries

JEDDAH - The International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) has spent more than SR2 million to dig and equip 609 wells in 19 Asian and African countries during the year 1423H. In a press statement, Dr. Adnan Khalil Pasha, the Secretary-General of IIRO, which is an affiliate of the Muslim World League (MWL), said that the IIRO has spent SR2,589,154 to dig and equip those well in remote areas in order to provide the people with water for their daily consumption and for irrigation purposes. He noted that those remote areas have faced scarcity of water for a long time. - SPA

22 Koreans embrace Islam

JEDDAH - As many as 22 persons have embraced Islam in South Korea recently, an official of World Assembly of Muslim youth (WAMY) said.

Sheikh Abdur Rahman Le Joho, WAMY's representative in Seoul, said that the new Muslims, 18 of whom are women, included a Russian and a Taiwanese.

They said that they were always impressed by the unity, hospitality, friendliness, solidarity, and kind nature of the Muslims in South Korea, especially during religious occasions, such as the holy month of Ramadhan and the two Eids.

WAMY has appointed Korean Muslim scholars in its Seoul Chapter to carry out its Dawah programmes in South Korea, said Dr. Abdul Wahab Noorwali, the Assistant Secretary-General of WAMY. - SG

FROM THE HOLY HARAMS

Muslims need unity to face challenges

MAKKAH/MADINAH ­- Imam and Khateeb of the Holy Haram in Makkah Sheikh Saleh Ibn Abdullah Ibn Humaid, in his Friday Khutbah on 20 December, said it is Allah's law that His creatures cannot lead a righteous life and they cannot achieve great accomplishments unless they come together.

Islam is the religion of natural human qualities that call upon the Muslims to get acquainted with one another for the sake of unity and harmony. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (Not that you may despise each other)." (Verse 13, Surah Al-Hujurat)

Sheikh Ibn Humaid also said that disposition or tendency to know other people and mix with them is an essential trait in the Islamic way of life, that is to live with the group or gathering and have good relations with one another so that there is stability and peace of mind in the Muslim community. He also noted that in a closely-knit community knowledge is spread, Allah is obeyed in a correct manner, religious fundamentals become clear, virtue prevails and evil does not have an upper hand.

"Some people may come up with a pretext that this is in an age of corruption. It is better to lead a lonely life worshipping Allah and not being influenced by others.

"If there are ills in the society, it is the duty of its members to advise one another to get rid of these ills," he said.

"There is a greater reward from Allah for those Muslims who counsel their brethren or tell in forceful words as compared to those who (prefer to) stay aloof.

"Reward of Allah is greater of the worship that offered in congregation as compared to praying alone. The bigger the congregation, the more pleased Allah is with the worshippers," he added.

Sheikh Ibn Humaid concluded his Khutbah by saying, although Islam stresses the need to come closer, it also calls for keeping a balance between the Muslim brethren with some time spared for staying alone in order to contemplate about certain matters or carry out personal tasks.

Meanwhile, in Madinah, the Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet's (peace be on him) Mosque, Sheikh Saleh Al-Bedair, in his Friday Khutbah advised Muslims to be patient under distressful conditions and in hardships, for Allah will give them victory and domination ultimately.

"Today, the Muslim Ummah is facing a fierce opponent and a brutal war waged by the conspirators whose rancour has been unmasked by the events (of aggression). They have filled the earth with corruption and strife and have ignited fires that have engulfed all corners (of the world). How can such people bring long-lasting peace and tranquility to the world?" he said.

"Incidents are orchestrated and then allegations are fabricated in brazen arrogance, as outrageous alliance are formed among wrong-doers, thus creating a state of recurrent violence, instability and insecurity in many places.

The world has thus come to be ruled by the law of the jungle and threats and intimidation is being resorted by self-serving uni-polar system that seeks to dominate others and impose their will on the weak, trying to sow seeds of disunity and weakness among Muslims," he said.

"This is a situation, no honourable person can accept. The continued backing and support given to the crimes and atrocities of the Zionists, and aiding them to further commit brutal crimes of genocide and destruction, is an evidence of their blind hatred," he added.

Sheikh Al-Bedair concluded his Khutbah by saying injustice and oppression have reached an intolerable point and must be ended. Injustice cannot last long, and it will end, however strong the wrongdoer may be, and however weak the oppressed may be. - SPA

IDB panel elects nine members for three years

JEDDAH - Nine new members have been appointed to the Board of Executive Directors (BED) of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

A get-together was arranged at the IDB on 22 December to bid farewell to the outgoing BED members and welcome the new members.

The BED members, who have been elected for a three- year term are Ould Samba Achor (Mauritania), Ahmed Ibn Haji Hashim (Malaysia), Abdul Aziz Nur Hersi (Somalia), Ilgar Veysal Oglu Isayev (Azerbaijan), Dr. Waqar Masood Khan (Pakistan), Dr. Zul Kifl Salami (Benin) and Mahamad Ali Taleb (Bahrain).

Saudi Arabia and Iran have permanent members in the 14-member BED. They have replaced their nominees. The new members are Ibrahim Ibn Muhammad Al-Mofleh (Saudi Arabia) and Mehdi Ahmad Karbasian (Iran).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ahmed Muhammad Ali, IDB President, said the bank has made all-round progress. Recently, Standard & Poor, an organization that gives rating to financial institutions, had given IDB the rating of AAA for long-term prospects and A-1+ for short-term prospects.

He said this couldnot have been achieved without the hard work and cooperation of all the bank staff.

He said a number of new institutions have been established. The International Waqf Foundation will be an umbrella organization to enable philanthropists to support charitable work in Muslim countries.

During the last meeting of the Board of Governors a draft declaration was approved for support of Africa. In this connection the IDB will provide assistance for development of African countries.

Speaking on behalf of the outgoing BED members, Muhammad Sayed Uddin said a lot of new products have been introduced by the IDB. However, there is no room for complacency. The bank must move ahead to meet the demand from its members.

DR. M. Ghazali Ibn Muhammad Noor, chairman of IDB Social, Cultural and Sport Activities Committee (SOCOM), who earlier welcomed, said seven members of BED are replaced every three years. Ahmed Al-Bar, acting bank secretary, introduced the new BED members. - SG

Islam in France

Dr. Nora Ahmed

IT is only recent bias against Muslims and complete failure to absorb them into French society, which created tension with this growing large minority. France's colonial past in Algeria in which it strengthened its invasion by sending French emissaries invoking Christian solidarity against Arabs and Muslims continued until 1962 and the old bias seems infested in European culture.

It was French colonization of Algeria since 1830 due to France's irritation with the bey of the Magreb region for having demanded payment of French debts that led to the invasion. Europeans today who preach tolerance and understanding of other cultures did not practise it in the 19th century. It was only after Algerian independence in 1962 that some liberal voices began to be outspoken concerning Muslim rights in France but even then they were hardly effective.

Since World War II France absorbed large number of immigrants for economic reasons, especially from its former colonies. The Muslim population is not more than five times faster than the European one to the extent that the world Muslim population will probably match the Christian by the year 2020.

The Europeans fear that population size will be to their disadvantage, coupled with the growing military capability of the Muslim world, that would pose a serious challenge to Europe. For this reason France has tightened immigration from North Africa and began deportation of Muslim North Africans in the 1980s and 1990s. The French authorities went as far as in November 1993 to deport a Turk Imam who preached that in regarding headscarves "God takes precedence over French law," and thus bypassed civic rights of individuals.

In parts of Paris, Marseilles, Rhone-Alpes and Strasburg between a third and a half of the young people are Muslims just want to live in peace. So it is time for Europeans to revise their laws and views on Islam and Muslims.

In order to gain more understanding of Islam, France agreed to allow Muslims to share top posts on the new French Council for the Muslim Religion. The Council would be presided by Dalid Boubaker, an Algerian doctor. The task of the Council will be providing clergy to minister to Muslims in the army and universities, acquiring burial sites, delivering "halal" meat certificates, organizing the pilgrimage to Makkah and building new mosques. This is an encouraging step that would hopefully end any discrimination of minorities in the future once the Council gains more power and authority.

Rather than be fearful and bias against Muslims, France should extend its hand with tolerance towards its Muslim citizens. This is what the new French Council for the Muslim Religion aims to do. Islam, if properly understood, is compatible with the Rights of Man as they are understood in France.

Four Muslims injured in fresh violence in Gujarat

NEW DELHI - Four Muslims were injured in fresh religious violence between Hindus and Muslims in India's riot-scarred western Gujarat state, a police official said on 28 December.

He said groups of Hindus and Muslims clashed and pelted stones at each other after a Hindu religious ceremony near the industrial town of Baroda late on 27 December.

"Now the situation is totally quiet and peaceful after the state reserve police was deployed," the police officer, who did not want to be identified, told Reuters.

He was speaking by telephone from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat.

At least, 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in Gujarat in a frenzy of reprisals after 59 Hindu activists were burnt to death when their train was torched by a Muslim mob in February.

The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, which heads the federal coalition, stormed back to power in Gujarat earlier this month with a two-thirds majority, presenting itself as protector of Hindus against Muslim. - RD