MWL Condemns Terrorist Attacks in Riyadh

MAKKAH - The Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the terrorist attacks in Riyadh, killing four people, including an - eleven year old schoolgirl, and injuring 148. A powerful car bomb devastated buildings of Special security forces and the traffic department, destroying dozens of vehicles, shops and other buildings.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary general of MWL, said in a statement that these are criminal acts of a deviant gang, who are targeting this country and its citizens as well as expatriates.

Dr. Turki said that these attacks would not undermine the unity of the Kingdom and its people. He also praised the security forces for their continuous efforts and keenness in protecting the country and people, and foiling several attempts to carry out terrorist attacks and killing of civilians.

Beirut based Islamic Universities League also condemned the Riyadh terrorist bombings. Dr. Al- Turki, chairman of the organisation has said in a statement that the seventh conference of the league, which is being held in the Lebanese capital, has denounced the explosions perpetrated by terrorists on April 2l.

The participants have asserted that such vicious acts would be damaging the image of Islam and would serve only the interests of the enemies of Islam. "Islam strictly prohibits killing of innocent civilians, blood shedding, spreading of anarchy and disobeying of the rulers," the statement said while stressing the need for imparting proper education of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah to the younger generation.

Dr. Al Turki also said that the league expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and praised its efforts in combating terror. More than 100 Islamic universities from various parts of the world are taking part in the conference.

Palestine Main Issue for MWL

BEIRUT - Dr. Abdullah Al-Turki, secretary general of Muslim World League (MWL), said that the organization is giving due importance to the Palestine issue, and considering it as the top issue of Muslims. He was speaking on the eve of his tour in South Lebanon. Dr. Al-Turki was accompanied by Sheikh Muhammad Dali Balta, Qadi of Saida, who is also representative of Lebanese mufti, Sheikh Muhammad Rasheed Qabbani.

The MWL secretary general and the accompanying delegation visited the cities of Saida and Sour in South Lebanon and held talks with Muslim religious heads in both the cities. Dr. Turki, who is chairman of the Islamic Universities League, arrived here to attend its conference.

King Fahd Orders Distribution of Over 1 Million Qur'an Copies

RIYADH - Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz has issued orders to distribute 1,120,800 copies of the Holy Qur'an and its translations in 13 languages printed at King Fahd Qur'an Printing Complex in Madinah, among various government agencies, Saudi embassies, Islamic centres, societies and organizations inside the Kingdom and abroad.

The translations of the Qur'an will be distributed in the following languages: English, French, Spanish, Turkish, Russian, Sindi, Chinese, Uygur, Somalia, Malayalam, Tamil, Urdu and Tagalo. - IINA

Tehran to Host International Conference on Islamic Unity

TEHRAN - Tehran will host the 17th international conference on Islamic unity entitled "Islamic awakening and the coming horizons" on May 5. "The International Academy to Bring Together Islamic Schools of Thoughts" announced this. Several Islamic scholars and thinkers from around 32 countries will take part in the three-day event. - IINA

Iran to Help Reconstruction of Mosques in Bosnia

BELGRADE - A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed on Iran's participation in the reconstruction of mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Several prominent persons, including Mahmoud Sadri, Iranian ambassador to Bosnia, Ismat Asbaheej, deputy chairman of the Islamic society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnian government officials, heads of Iranian institutions in Bosnia, and Islamic scholars attended at the signing function.

As per the MOU, Iran will extend Bosnian Mark 500,000 during the current year as its contributions to the reconstruction of mosques destroyed during the ethnic conflict. This amount constitutes nearly half of the total amount pledged by Iran for the reconstruction of mosques. Ismat Asbaheej thanked Iran for the continuous support being extended to the Bosnian refugees.

Decision to Ban Hijab Denounced

BERLIN - A Muslim organization in Germany has denounced the decision of some provincial governments to impose ban on wearing Hijab in schools. Riyad Ghalyani, president of the Supreme Muslims Council of the southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, said Muslim women were prevented from wearing Hijab in some provinces while people of other religions were allowed to wear their religious dresses.

He said that this measure violates the provisions in the constitution that guarantee equality for all religions in the country. Ghalyani described the judgment of a provincial court banning Hijab as one, which flouts the fundamental laws in the country.

Christian University Hosts Luncheon for Muslims

BEIRUT - The Christian University of Kasleek in Lebanon hosted a luncheon party in honour of the Muslim Universities League officials on the occasion of the league's seventh conference. Several prominent figures, including Dr. Jaafar Abdussalam, secretary general of the Muslim Universities League, Father Karam Rizq, Rector of the university, and several other officials attended the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Karam Rizq said that the university gives admission to students of various religions without any discrimination, and the guiding principle in their dealings are transparency and reciprocal respect.

Yemen Signs Cooperation Agreements with Morocco

SANA'A - Yemen and Morocco have signed three agreements for bilateral cooperation in the judicial and technical fields. Dr. Adnan Al Jaafari, Yemeni minister of justice, said that the agreements are aimed mainly to promote judicial activities.

"The agreements also aimed at qualifying students at higher judicial institute as well as exchange of visits and expertise between the two countries," the minister said while adding that his recent visit to Morocco was a great success in this respect.

FROM THE HOLY HARAMS

Protect the Country and Ummah From Criminals

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in his Friday sermon has advised Muslims to be God-conscious and fear Allah. Sheikh Al-Sudais prayed to Allah to protect the country, the Ummah and all the Muslim countries from sedition and all evil. He prayed to the Almighty to improve the conditions of the Ummah.

He stressed the importance of being God- conscious as with this characteristic people become safe from tribulations and misfortunes and they enjoy a life of stability and bounties.

Sheikh Al-Sudais also stressed the importance of security. He said security is the goal of the individuals, societies, states and governments. The foundations of glories and civilizations are built on security. No persons will disagree that realizing safety, security and stability is the desired goal of all human societies and international authorities. Even the birds and animals seek security.

Without it, nobody can sleep nor enjoy food or drink. Furthermore, without security people cannot participate in development.

Any act or call for shaking the security of the society is a great crime against the Ummah and is an act of injustice, double-dealing, corruption and creating mischief on the earth. The sedition has been aggravated by bloodshed, killing innocent people, arousing sedition, considering other Muslims as infidels (Takfeer) and the series of explosions and destruction.

Sheikh Al-Sudais said every pious and reasonable person was shocked by the recent criminal terrorist act in Riyadh, the capital of the country hosting the Two Holy Mosques. He deplored the reckless act of sabotage, the Riyadh blast. It is a great crime that no human mind or logic will justify. By all standards it is a forbidden matter and a serious precedent. He emphasized that every act of sabotage targeting innocent people and terrifying the peaceful Muslims is contrary to Allah's Shariah. If this is a general rule, how will it be when the act is perpetrated in the country of the Two Holy Mosques, the cradle of revelation, the fountainhead of the message of Islam and the Qibla of the Muslims, he asked.

How will it be, when the targeted persons are Muslims including innocent citizens and expatriates, he asked.

He said that these criminals have no mercy not even for children, old people and women. They have no consideration for any religious and moral values. They do not care about resorting to reason or being humane. Haven't they heard the verses and texts of the Qur'an warning against carrying out such terrible crimes, he asked.

Sheikh Al-Sudais said it is regrettable that our youth and sons have become stubborn. They have disobeyed the Ulema and the rulers.

They disturbed the security and unity of our country. He castigated them for the evil and destruction they are spreading everywhere; through booby- trapped cars and rigged trucks. He said that they feed on the bounties of this country and are brought up on its soil, and then they turn their backs against it and start destruction, sabotage and explosions.

Ugly crime

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ali Bin Abdul Rahman Al- Hudhaifi, Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah urged Muslims to be God-conscious. In his Friday sermon, Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi denounced the Riyadh blast that took place on 21st April.

He said the blast, which claimed innocent lives and caused destruction, is an ugly crime that Islam combats strongly. This hateful terrorist act is a war against Islam and Muslims. It is targeting the religion, security, stability and the constituent elements of life for the citizens and expatriates. This act is causing mischief on the earth.

These miscreants have achieved what the Satan and the enemies of Islam could not achieve. He asked whether they are content with this evil position for themselves. - SG

Mercy And Compassion of the Prophet

ALLAH'S Messenger was the kindest of men just as he excelled all others in courage and valor. He was so kindhearted that his eyes brimmed with tears at the slightest sign of inhumanity. Ibn Abbas related that a man once threw a goat on its side and then started sharpening his knife. When the Prophet saw him he said, "Do you want to kill it twice? Why didn't you sharpen the knife before throwing it on the ground?"

The Prophet forbade his Companions to keep the dumb creatures hungry or thirsty, or to disturb or overburden them. He commended kindness to animals and putting them at ease as meritorious acts tending to bring man nearer to Allah. Abu Hurairah reported the Prophet as saying:

"A traveler who was thirsty saw a well on the way. He got inside the well and when he came out he saw a dog licking mud because of thirst. The man thought to himself that the dog should be as thirsty as he was and so he got into the well again, filled his leather sock with water and carried it out holding it with his teeth. And thus he quenched the dog's thirst. Allah was pleased with this act of kindness and pardoned his sins."

The Companions asked: "O Messenger of Allah, is there recompense in the matter of beasts and wild animals also?"

The Prophet replied: "There is recompense in regard to every creature that has a living heart."

Abdullah ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet said:

"A woman was doomed to enter the Fire because of a cat. She imprisoned it and neither fed it nor set it free to eat the rodents of the earth." Abdullah ibn Ja'far narrated that once the Prophet entered the enclosure of a young man from the Ansar (the people of Madinah) where there was a camel that started groaning on catching sight of the Prophet, tears running down its eyes. The Prophet approached it and patted its hump and face, which set it at ease. Then the Prophet asked who its owner was. The Ansari young man came and said:

"O Messenger of Allah, it belongs to me."

The Prophet said to him: "Do you not fear Allah in the matter of this beast although He has made you its owner? It complained to me that you bore hard upon it and always kept it at work."

Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet as saying:

"When you travel in a fertile country do not deny the camels their due from the ground, and when you travel in a land barren and dry, cover it with speed. When you encamp at night keep away from the roads, for they are where the beasts pass and are the resorts of the insects at night."

Ibn Mas'ud reported: "While we were on a journey with Allah's Messenger, he went a short distance from where we had encamped. There we saw a small bird with two of its chicks and caught them. The bird was fluttering when the Prophet came back and so he asked, 'Who has distressed it by taking its chicks?' Then he asked us to return the chicks. There we also saw an anthill and burned it out. When the Prophet saw he asked, 'Who has burned it?' When we informed him that we had done it, he said, 'Only the Lord of fire has the right to punish with fire.'"

The Prophet strongly enjoined kindness towards and generous treatment of the slaves, servants and labor engaged for manual work. Jabir related the Prophet of Allah as saying: "Feed them with the food that you eat, clothe them with such clothing as you wear and do not cause trouble to Allah's creatures."

The Prophet is further stated to have said: "Those whom Allah has made your dependents are your brothers, servants and helpmates. Anybody whose brother has been made subservient to him ought to feed him with the food he eats and clothe him with the clothes he wears. Command him not to do that which he is unable to do and if it becomes necessary to do so, then he should help him in doing the job."

Abdullah ibn Umar said that once a nomadic Arab came and asked the Prophet, "How many times should I pardon my servant in a day?" The Prophet replied, "Seventy times." He also quoted the Prophet as saying, "Pay the wages of a labourer before his sweat dries up."

- Islamonline.net

OIC ministerial panel to meet Quartet committee on Palestine

KUALA LUMPUR - A group of Muslim foreign ministers headed by Malaysia will hold meeting with the Quartet committee on Palestine comprising United Nations, European Union, America and Russia. The meeting is aimed at persuading the committee to revive the Palestinian Road Map as part of realizing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. Hamid Albar, foreign minister of Malaysia said, his country, being the current chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), would select the foreign ministers to represent OIC in the forthcoming meeting which will be held at the earliest possible in view of the deteriorating situation in Palestine.

The emergency ministerial meeting of the OIC countries held recently in Malaysia had urged the Quartet committee to intensify efforts to realize a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. - IINA