tunku

Mustapa On How To Win Kelantan

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000+08:00

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has spelled out several key factors which are crucial to Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) in its quest to win back Kelantan from PAS in the 13th general election.
Mustapa, who foresees the coming polls to be the most intense ever in the country's election history, said Kelantan Umno and BN must be strong to be able to enter the fray and emerge the winner.
"Alhamdulillah our leader, (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is strong and so is his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; but that is not enough if Kelantan Umno and BN are not strong. Everyone of us should be strong because only then people will accept us," he said in an interview with Bernama here.
Mustapa, who is Jeli member of parliament and International Trade and Industry Minister, said the choice of candidates would be "extremely important" in winning back Kelantan after 22 years of PAS' rule.
PAS wrested Kelantan from the BN in 1990. In the 12th general election in 2008, PAS won 30 state seats, BN won six, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), one. PAS also won nine parliamentary seats, PKR won three and BN, two.
Mustapa said although it has not been finalised yet, Kelantan Umno has come up with a list of "winnable candidates" for the election.
"In the past, there might have been some miscalculations in several areas. Generally, the candidates were good but might not be suitable to be fielded in certain areas and that was why we lost in those seats," he said.
This time around, he said, Umno should be more careful and field only those who are truly capable of winning.
"This concept of winnable candidates is not just about being popular in Umno but also about being accepted by all. If they are popular only in Umno, then they will lose for sure. They should not contest; because they will lose the battle on the very first day," he said.
"Winnable candidates are those who are popular with the people, non-governmental organisations, civil servants, police, the armed forces, veterans and so on."
"They must be able to attract the interest of people," Mustapa said. "They must have the 'oomph' -- the wow factor -- to attract people; not just Umno people but all the voters, fence-sitters or otherwise."
It was therefore crucial, he said, for Kelantan Umno members and leaders to accept the decision of party leadership on the choice of candidates and not resort to the "chah keting" practice or back-stabbing if they are not chosen because this would mean giving advantage to the opponents.
Those who aspire to become candidates should assess their own capabilities and not try assert themselves because this might prove to be counter-productive.
"Those who try to do so would normally be rejected. If one asserts himself as someone who is qualified, it maybe because he is not," he said, adding that Umno was aware of the fact that there might be many winnable candidates in an area, making it difficult to choose the right one.
"So we choose the best among the winnables," he added.
The rest of the winnable candidates should be patient and accept the reality that the party can only choose one, he said.
"Don't do anything detrimental to the party, don't resort to sabotage. It's important to have discipline because in this fight, we want to win."
"If we resort to rebellious attitude and sabotage, this will weaken the party and our struggle to wrest back Kelantan from PAS will be rendered futile," he said.
Observers have been alluding to the fact that Umno lost Kelantan in 1990 not due to the strength of PAS but because the party had been weakened by the practice of "chah keting" by those who failed to get posts at the divisional level and boycotted their own divisions' election campaign.
To win the 13th general election, Mustapa said, all divisional leadership including the Youth, Wanita and Puteri should work as a team with one objective -- to win Kelantan.
He said the "red wave" -- a movement launched last year to galvanise party members and supporters to win Kelantan -- had lifted the spirit of party members and leaders.
"It has united us to fight under a common objective -- to ensure BN emerges the winner," he said, stressing that in-fightings, which had caused the people to distance themselves from Umno, should be stopped at once.
Umno leaders at all levels should get down to the grassroots not just when there were events involving the government or party, he added.
They should also be proactive and make their own initiatives to reach out to the people, and not just relying on the initiatives of state Umno leaders, so that the people would be able to feel their touch, he said.
They should meet as many groups of people as possible, including NGOs, civil servants, government retirees, farmers, fishermen, traders and the young so that they will be able to feel that Umno cares for their plights, Mustapa said.
"We are proud of Wanita Umno's 'Jalinan Rakyat' programme where the members have been visiting party divisions and villages. This has been the neatest of machinery, with one member taking care of 10 families," he said.
Information machinery should also be strengthened so that government policies can be accurately disseminated, he said.
"Information is important. If people are deprived of it, they cannot be blamed for having a skewered view towards us and becoming easily influenced by the opposition's lies and propaganda," he said.
"Twenty-two years is a period too long under an opposition's rule. I'm confident that if we are united and loyal to the leadership, the BN will return to power in Kelantan come the 13th general election," he said.

tunku : its easy to win kelantan, get rid most of the current leaders and put up new faces that can help mustapa to win kelantan. mustapa is one of our "great" leader in malaysia but failed to shine due to his clean and humble personality.he should be the vice president of umno and next in line for deputy president post. back to kelantan, there is chance for bn to wrest back kelantan as long as there is no back stabbing among the leaders in kelantan.

Hadi Awang's Intention Not To Contest Indicates Something Is Wrong In PAS - Awang Adek

2012-01-29T00:47:00.002+08:00

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The intention voiced by Pas President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang not to contest in the 13th general election clearly indicates that there is something wrong in the party, according to Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein.
He said the public statement made by the party president was something really extraordinary and was a sign that the party was passing though a severe crisis.
"This (decision) is probably resulting from the conflict in PAS, including from the sacking of Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.
"This situation will probably give a major blow to PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, as he is the one who should be making such a decision after holding the post of Kelantan Menteri Besar for too long," he said.
Earlier, Dr Awang Adek witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU)between AFPM Lifestyle Sdn Bhd and Jalinan Prospek (M) Bhd here.

tunku : if a party president don't want to contest in election then you know that he is good for nothing. his time will end soon.for this matter this is another drama by him, he said he won't contest but willing to contest only in one seat.what does that means?he might be depressed with recent tragedies happening in the party.

Datuk T returns with new Thailand sex expose

2012-01-27T15:09:00.002+08:00

The ‘Datuk T’ trio, who had screened a sex video claiming to be that of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, today challenged the opposition leader to prove them wrong or face another “more shocking” video expose.
In a front page report on Malay language daily Utusan Malaysia, one of the trio, former Perkasa treasurer Shuib Lazim (right) , said the new sex video was recorded on Jan 12 and 13 last year in Thailand.
"I have seen the video passed to me by Eskay.
"I believe Eskay is ready to make an expose of the video in court if Anwar sues us," he said, referring to another Datuk T member Shazryl Ekay Abdullah.
"Look at (Anwar’s) passport to check where he was. Or ask his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail," he said.
Shuib added that Anwar should sue the trio, including former Malacca chief minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, if any international forensic analyst can prove that Anwar was not in the first sex video exposed last March.
The video, first screened to journalists, showed a man resembling Anwar fornicating with a woman.
Anwar lodged a police report denying that the man in the video was him, while the Datuk T trio were fined for screening pornography in public.
Police are investigating Anwar under Section 182 of the Penal Code for giving " false information to injure another person” based on his police report denying he was the man in the video.
'No point debating with Anwar'
Meanwhile, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak need not entertain Anwar’s challenge for a debate on the country’s policies.
Mahathir was reported by Malay language dailies Sinar Harian and Berita Harian as saying that Anwar only wants to have a debate to "show that he is bengis (fierce)".
"What’s the point of debating when everyone knows his stand, and the debate won’t change this.
"It’s a different case if Anwar shares the government’s opinion on matters raised," he said.

tunku : anwar dare not to sue the trio datuk T, ezam and few others as he knows they got all the bullets with them. if he is "man" enough than he should sue them for defamation but no. he just duck down infront of these guys. i hope the other "shocking" video would be released soon. let the people see the action of the "god gifted man".

Umno Mobilises More Than 63,000 Information Campaigners

2012-01-22T00:37:00.002+08:00

KANGAR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- More than 63,000 Umno information campaigners nationwide will be actively mobilised to disseminate information on national development in the light of the coming general election.
Umno Malaysia Information chief Datuk Ahmad Mazlan said the campaigners would be aided by 3.3 million Umno members to ensure the public could evaluate the huge contribution of the party, which is the backbone of the government.
Speaking at a press conference before holding a briefing session for Umno division information chiefs here, he said the information campaigners must be fully made use of.
He said four methods would be utilised by the information machinery, including face-to-face media, print media, digital media and electronic media.
Although, there were those who were of the opinion that the information machinery must focus on young voters, Ahmad, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said attention would be on all levels of voters.

tunku : i hope the numbers is a real figure. with this figure plus the cyber troopers, i am sure umno will make through the next GE with convince victory.hope these 63k campaigners do their given task successfully. all the best to them.

Saiful Sends Appeal Request To Attorney-General

2012-01-20T14:37:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan today sent an official letter asking the Attorney-General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, to file an appeal against Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision on Jan 9 to acquit and discharge Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from a sodomy charge.
Mohd Saiful Bukhari in his blog said that the letter was sent through his lawyer, Mssrs Zamri Idrus & Co.
He said the letter had to be sent as he had yet to receive any feedback from Abdul Gani pertaining to the notice of appeal.
"Up till today, there is no response from the Attorney-General concerning my father's and my open application to file the appeal. Time is running out," he said.
Mohd Saiful Bukhari if he had the right to file the appeal himself, he would have done it without bothering other individuals.
However, the absolute power to file the appeal was in the hand of the Attorney-General.

tunku : i guess AG is taking his own sweet time on it.it only happens in Malaysia where opposition has the advantages whenever there is a case against them.it's always conspiracy and they are always not guilty, if they are found guilty then the court is wrong and controlled by the government.

Mahathir Questions Criticisms Over Anwar's Accuser Right To Appeal

2012-01-18T10:44:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) --It is difficult to win an appeal but not in the case of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said since facing a sodomy charge in 2008, Anwar had not exhausted his court appeals.
Dr Mahathir said when Anwar was acquitted and discharged by the High Court recently of the charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the victim's plea for an appeal against the verdict was disputed.
"Does the opposition leader has a special privilege that justice is served only when he is found not guilty?
"Does a minnow has no right to seek justice to the extent that his appeal cannot be heard by the court anymore?" asked Mahathir in his blog entitled "Right to Appeal" Tuesday.
Several opposition leaders have criticised Mohd Saiful Bukhari's father, Azlan Mohd Lazim for seeking the Attorney-General's Chambers to appeal against the verdict.
Dr Mahathir questioned why Anwar's refusal to take a religious oath (sumpah laknat) at the mosque to deny the sodomy allegation did not have any meaning, particularly to Muslims.
Mohd Saiful Bukhari swore by holding the Quran at the Federal Territory Mosque here on Friday, Aug 18, 2008, claiming that Anwar had sodomised him.
"... and doesn't a sumpah laknat taken by a nobody means anything?" asked Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir said if the recent court verdict was not in his favour, Anwar would have filed an appeal to a higher court.

tunku : it happens only in malaysia. when the government side charged in the court then he is 100% guilty and if opposition it is government's conspiracy.only the opposition and anwar only allowed to appeal not others and this is backed by the bar council. the bar council is actually an opposition political party in shadow.

Hasan slams Anwar over BBC interview

2012-01-17T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Dr Hasan Ali has called Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim "power crazy" and said he cannot see himself working with the PKR adviser.
The Gombak Setia assemblyman, sacked by PAS last week, also said Anwar's recent comments in an interview with the BBC on homosexuality was one of the reasons why he cannot bring himself to be associated with the Opposition leader.
"The people must reject Anwar's struggle. God forbid, if we legalise laws to accept homosexuality in our society, chaos will ensue," he said.
He also said he would go on a nationwide road tour to "expose the parasites who have infested PAS", as well as explain his sacking.
"These parasites have come into PAS and are holding strategic positions in the party. I will reveal who they are during ceramahs at my nationwide roadshows," said Dr Hasan at a press conference held at his house Monday.
Dr Hasan also said his heart will always remain with PAS and that he has no intention to join Umno.
"If one day PAS can free itself from these parasites, I will be filling up a new member's form to rejoin PAS."
He declined to reveal what his plans were for the upcoming general election.

tunku : no true muslim will support a person like anwar, not only muslim , even a good human being with good morale will not support anwar. those who supports him are all disgusting like him.

Mat Sabu's Statement A Lie- Ahmad Maslan

2012-01-16T10:07:00.002+08:00

SHAH ALAM, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's claim that various quarters in Barisan Nasional (BN) are supporting Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to ensure that PR gains control of Putrajaya in the coming general election is a lie.
Umno Information chief Datuk Ahmad Mazlan, who made the statement, said there was no proof indicating that some BN members were found to be supporting PR.
"He is lying and I deny his statement. If there is support from BN, I want him to show me a list of who in BN are supporting Pakatan Rakyat," he told reporters after attending a function here, Sunday.
He was asked to comment on the allegation by Mohamad or Mat Sabu that certain quarters in BN including ex-ministers and ministers offered support to topple BN to enable PR to take over Putrajaya.
Mat Sabu made the statement at the Third PR Convention at Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim, Kedah, yesterday.
Ahmad said: "What Mat Sabu said is baseless. It is the same as his remarks, prior to this, when he said Mat Indera was a freedom fighter when he (Mat Indera) was actually a member of the Malayan Communist Party. This had been proven."

tunku : mat sabu got the inspiration from anwar on how to lie to public.....remember the 16 september scenario, now mat sabu is trying to fool the people again with their fairy tales stories. only fools will buy such stories.

PM: Best to hold polls after Govt fulfils promises and reform plans

2012-01-14T11:44:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: The 13th general election will not be held so soon as the Government's reform initiatives are not in full swing yet.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who said this in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, said the general election would be held as soon as the economic reforms imposed produce real results.
“Essentially, it's a call you have to make on the basis of a feel-good factor, and that's when you press the button,” said Najib in the interview published yesterday.
He also insisted that the Government had to fulfil its promises to the people.
“You can have all the polling numbers but you must have the sense that this is the right time.
“I hope it will be the right time soon enough, but we still have not delivered on our promises and it's important for people to have the feeling that the reforms we have promised will actually benefit them,” he added.
Najib acknowledged that the deteriorating global economic environment, especially with Europe's debt crisis, could be a factor on when to dissolve parliament.
“But so far we are still quite comfortable because our exposure to the EU in terms of total trade is only about 9%. So, we are less vulnerable.
“But a Euro-zone collapse or some other catastrophe there will affect the whole world,” he said.
The general election has to be called before April 2013, with much speculation that it could be held as early as March this year.
In the interview, Najib also said Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent acquittal from the sodomy charge underscored the depth of the reform process.
“It shows that, as chief executive of the country, I don't interfere in the judiciary,” Najib said.
Anwar was acquitted on Monday on a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The judge ruled that there was a lack of corroborative evidence in the two-year long trial to penalise the former deputy prime minister.
Once the verdict was released, “all of the tension surrounding the trial suddenly fell away and people suddenly realised that there are more important things than just the Anwar issue.
“What is important now is that we move forward,” Najib added.

tunku : that is the best for bn. do not rush for election. there's ample of time. bn should make sure all its project being implemented. forget about the oppositions and just concentrate on the economy.that will be the biggest asset for bn in the general election. economy is the key success here.

Shahrizat applies for leave from ministerial duties pending NFC probe

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Thursday she has applied for three weeks' leave from Friday from her duties as Women, Family and Community Development Minister.
She said in a statement that she had put in the leave application to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"I hope the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will be able to undertake the investigation to determine whether I was associated with or not in any of the decisions made by the Government on the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) in which my husband, Datuk Seri Dr Mohammad Salleh Ismail, is the executive chairman," she said.
The NFC issue cropped up after the 2010 Auditor-General's Report issued last October said the corporation's cattle-breeding project in Gemas, Negri Sembilan, to boost production and reduce import of beef had failed to meet its target.
The issue heated up following allegations by the opposition political parties of irregularities in the government allocation of RM250mil to NFC. - Bernama

tunku : applying leave is not enough kak jat, just resign from the ministerial post for time being. concentrate as wanita chief and later when things settle down and if the pm thinks that your service is required in the cabinet, he will appoint you then. sacrifice for the party kak jat.do not make party suffer just because of you.

Prosecution wants to appeal against Anwar's acquittal

2012-01-12T10:25:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: The prosecuting team of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's trial wants to appeal against the High Court decision which acquitted the Opposition Leader of the charge of sodomising former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Lead prosecutor Solicitor-General II Datuk Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden said the decision to file for an appeal was made after studying all evidence relating to the case, reported TV3 in its Nightline English news this morning.
Mohd Yusof would make the recommendation to Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail soon so that an appeal could be filed within 10 days, added Nightline.
The Solicitor-General II added that prosecutors would first apply for the full written judgment to study the grounds for the acquittal.
On Monday, Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah said the court could not be 100% certain after going through the evidence that the integrity of the DNA samples had not been compromised.
“The court finds that it is not safe to rely on the DNA evidence. So what is left is only SP1's (Mohd Saiful) testimony, ” he said in his oral judgment.
“As this is a sexual crime, the court is reluctant to convict based entirely on SP1's testimony without corroboration. The accused is thus acquitted and discharged,” he ruled.
Earlier in the day, at a press conference, Saiful's father Azlan Mohd Lazim urged for an appeal.
“For the sake of my son, I plead with the A-G's Chambers to appeal. As a father, I will continue to be with my son to get justice,” he said.
He added that the A-G's Chambers should not be influenced by the Bar Council or any other party asking it not to appeal.
Azlan said the view of the council seemed to deny a citizen's right to a trial.
“The Bar Council should take a neutral stand on the judicial process and not prevent justice.
“This is the first time that we are appealing and there are attempts to prevent it. Why the double standards? Is it because my son is an ordinary citizen and not a VIP or a politician that his rights can be denied?” he asked.
Azlan said his family had yet to decide on the next course of action, including taking a civil suit against Anwar, adding that they would wait until the 14-day period to appeal had been exhausted.
He, however, did not want to answer questions on the outcome of the trial but said that despite the court's decision, Saiful was “all right and upbeat”.
“Life is normal for him and the family. We have moved on. We act professionally, even though we are nobodies,” he said.

tunku ; till today no one had read the full judgement. the judge only gave his verdict on a short couple of paragraphs only.any how we don't mind if they (prosecutors)don't appeal the case as long as anwar can swear about it in the mosque that he had not done (sodomy) that. can anwar do it (swear) now? why he worry now ? he had won the case in the court.

Hasan can still be a thorn

2012-01-11T10:50:00.003+08:00

Datuk Dr Hasan Ali was a constant thorn in the side of the Selangor government and his party colleagues in PAS. Now that he is sacked, will he continue to torment the party?
AFTER months maybe years of agonising, PAS has finally bitten the bullet and summarily sacked its fiery former Selangor commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.
The maverick politician is accused of consistently pulling the party in a different direction, essentially to-wards an alliance on Malay unity with Umno.
PAS is taking a big gamble sacking Dr Hasan now and not earlier, when many Pakatan Rakyat colleagues had wanted the party to act against its wayward member.
Dr Hasan was a constant thorn on the side of the Selangor government and his own party colleagues.
He was seen as not being a team player, pushing hard his own Islamic agenda.
He feels strongly that Malays, who are divided three ways between Umno, PAS and PKR, should unite and form a big and unshakeable bloc in Parliament and the state assemblies.
Only then, he reasoned, can they defend the Malay interest, Islam and the institution of the Malay Rulers.
The problem is that not everybody agrees with him and PAS has to tolerate his many gaffes and intransigence ever since the Pakatan Rakyat coalition came to be formed in the aftermath of the March 2008 general election.
Within days, it was revealed that Dr Hasan was one of the PAS leaders who went behind the back of his PKR and DAP colleagues and others in PAS to seek a unity government with Umno.
From that time onwards, his relationship with his Pakatan allies soured, to the point he was removed as Selangor PAS commissioner last year to allegedly mitigate the damage done to the Pakatan partners and among PAS' multi-racial supporters.
But he continued to speak up and berate the PAS leadership that is dominated by the Erdogans or moderates, led by spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, for allegedly deviating from their Islamic path and charging that PAS was no longer an Islamic party.
The last straw was his call on PAS members to stay away from the rally in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex on Monday, ostensibly because it was a “personal moral issue” of Anwar.
A disgusted PKR deputy president Azmin Ali publicly demanded that PAS act against Dr Hasan for breaking Pakatan's agreed rules to stand by Anwar at any cost.
The party's central committee meeting on Sunday unanimously decided to sack the Gombak Setia assemblyman without recourse to asking him to answer disciplinary charges.
He is to be removed from the state exco, where he holds the portfolio for Islamic Affairs, Malay Custom, Infrastructure and Public Amenities.
His only recourse is to appeal to the party's Syura Council but it is not known, at this juncture, if Dr Hasan would do this.
He called a press conference at his Taman Tun Dr Ismail home on the day he was sacked and, along with Islamic scholars, continued to berate PAS for being ungrateful.
“I have defended Islam and the Malay race for 20 years and PAS rewards me with a sacking,” he told his audience, who included former PAS deputy president Nasarudin Mat Isa.
The question, now that Dr Hasan has been sacked, is how much damage he can do to the party and the Pakatan coalition.
Being a motivational speaker and articulate in expressing his views, can he turn his sacking into a momentum of grievances among Malay voters against his former party and deliver Selangor to Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general election?
Dr Hasan is viewed as a champion of the conservative bloc in the party and the Malay community and, as such, he is not easily rebuffed.
PAS has erred by not acting earlier against him and calling for a by-election in his state seat.
By delaying, the party had allow-ed him to grow and become powerful.
But it has finally put a stop to the runaway train by sacking Dr Hasan and seeking to remove him from the state exco but at what cost?

tunku : it is a blessing actually. now hasan can move freely and explain to the muslims especially in selangor and generally nationwide on what is wrong with pas and pkr. hasan can now tell all the dark secrets of pas,pkr, dap and of the state government. most of pas members are upset with the sack of hasan. pas had made a big mistake . before his sacking he was a small thorn but now he is much bigger thorn to pakatan now.

Sodomy II: Anwar not guilty

2012-01-09T10:47:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court on Monday acquitted Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of the charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah said that after going through the evidence, the court could not be 100% certain the integrity of the DNA samples was not compromised.
He said as such, the court was left only with Saiful's testimony, which was uncorroborated, and was reluctant to convict based entirely on this.
Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah - "After going through the evidence, the court could not be 100% certain that integrity of DNA samples was not compromised, and finds that it is not safe to rely on DNA evidence.
"As such, court is left only with Saiful's testimony. As this is a sexual crime, the court is reluctant to convict based entirely on Saiful's testimony, which is uncorroborated. The accused is thus acquitted and discharged."

tunku : the court could not be 100% certain on the dna samples but what about other evidences? its ok we hope saiful will file the case to the higher court. anyway today's verdict is confirmed that the court does not belongs to the ruling party.if it is belong to them then for sure anwar is behind bar right now.that shows how transparent the government is and how fair the court is. may be it is a good verdict for NOW as anwar's supporters won't have the chance to make street protest and create tense till the election. they can't accuse the government and the court now.

Hasan Ali sacked from PAS - a victory for the evil.

2012-01-08T20:51:00.003+08:00

S'gor to submit replacement exco member's name on Wednesday

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali has been sacked from PAS with immediate effect, party organ HarakahDaily reported Sunday.
In a brief statement, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party's central committee's collective decision was reached based on a provision in Paragraph 82(9) of the party's constitution because of Hasan's actions, which were deemed detrimental to the party.
Dr Hasan, who is also former Selangor PAS commissioner and assemblyman for Gombak Setia, has been critical of PAS' leadership, particularly on the welfare state concept espoused by the party, which he said deviated from its original struggle of championing Islam.
PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan, in an immediate reaction, expressed full support for the decision.
Dr Hasan can appeal against the decision to the Shura council, the party's top decision-making body.
Reacting to the party's action, Dr Hasan expressed shock and said he would be consulting his friends and religious scholars on his next course of action.
"I just received news of my sacking. I am very shocked with the drastic action by the PAS central working committee," said Dr Hasan in a statement.
"I am also sad that my struggles for Islam are repaid in this manner," he added.
Dr Hasan said he will be calling for a press conference "soon" to clarify his position.
Meanwhile, the Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary Faekah Husin said the name of the new executive councillor would be submitted to the palace on Wednesday.
She said Dr Hasan should resign as the executive councillor as he was no longer a member of the Pakatan Rakyat component party.

tunku : it's a victory day for the evil, at last the evil has succeeded in bringing down pas. pas is no longer an islamic party. they are now worst than a secular party. Islam is dead in pas. they always talk about democracy, islamic values, fair,transparent etc but when come to them nothing comes into account. they should have call hasan to defend himself but no, they sacked him without his presence.at least when anwar was sacked from umno, he was called and given all the chances to defend himself.now dap and pkr can freely do all the illegal things in selangor without hasan as an exco member with the blessing of pas,of course.

Hadi brushes off Dr Hasan's "prime minister" statements

2012-01-08T00:10:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has brushed aside Datuk Dr Hasan Ali's suggestion that he or spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat should become Pakatan Rakyat's prime minister of choice.
"What is important is that we must first win the general election.
"The question of who becomes prime minister is not important. What is important is that our country is safe. Everything is decided by Allah,” he said in his Facebook posting which was liked' by over 700 people.
Dr Hasan, the former Selangor PAS Commissioner, has been in hot soup recently for his slew of statements, including one in which he said Nik Aziz or Abdul Hadi should be the alliance's choice for prime minister as the country's top leader needed to be of “good moral standing”.
His statement was seen as an open defiance against Pakatan's decision to have PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the alliance's prime minister should they take over Putrajaya in the next general election.
Anwar had said that an interim prime minister would be appointed if he is jailed over the sodomy charges,
On Friday, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali called on the PAS top leadership to take action against Dr Hasan for his statements, stating that he was gone “overboard” and was no longer adhering to the principles and spirit of Pakatan.

tunku : hadi knows that he has no quality to be a prime minister so does nik aziz.he can't say that his deputy can be one.actually there is no qualified person in pakatan that can be a prime minister.that is why anwar had approached ku li to come in should they win the next general election.what a shame.

Police agree Free Anwar rally be held at car park of Jalan Duta court complex

2012-01-06T15:17:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have agreed that the "Free Anwar 901" gathering on Monday can be held at the car park of the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex in Jalan Duta here.
City police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh said this was decided at a meeting between the police and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali on Friday.
"Following the discussion, they have decided and promised to have a peaceful gathering at the car park," Mohmad told a press conference.

tunku : the police should allow justice for saiful's group to be allowed to gather at the court complex car park too. be fair to both , not one side only.

Justice For Saiful' Vs 'Free Anwar' Gathering On Jan 9

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) -- A gathering called "Himpun Keadilan Untuk Saiful" is being planned at the courts complex here on Monday, the same day supporters of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are planning to stage a demonstration in conjunction with the delivery of the court's verdict in his sodomy case.
The "Himpun Keadilan Untuk Saiful" gathering is to be organised by an organisation called Pertubuhan Permufakatan Majlis Ayahanda Malaysia (Permas) in support of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a former aide of Anwar whom the opposition leader is alleged to have sodomised.
Permas secretary-general Zulkifly Shariff said about 5,000 Permas members would participate in the gathering which he added is also aimed at defending the country's judicial system from being tarnished by Anwar's supporters.
"They know that street demonstration is not our culture and if they continue to hold the rally, they will have to face Permas and the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM)," he told reporters here Thursday.
Zulkifly said Permas would apply for a police permit to hold the gathering which would involve the participation of 15 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under Permas.

tunku : this is good planning as police will surely fail to stop the illegal gathering by pakatan.so the answer is to let permas,ppim etc to handle them.

Anwar is plotting his own death.

2012-01-05T08:30:00.001+08:00

Anwar says Pakatan has identified successor

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat has identified Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's successor, should he be found guilty of sodomy and jailed, the PKR adviser told Bloomberg Wednesday.
However, Anwar did not reveal the name of his potential successor.
On Tuesday, Anwar told a press conference that the Pakatan Rakyat leaders have discussed the worst-case scenario in the event he was imprisoned.
"If I am jailed, involved in accident or shot, we are prepared, discussed various possibilities, scenario one, two, three," Anwar had told reporters.
On Monday, the High Court is expected to deliver its verdict on whether Anwar is guilty of sodomising a former aide.

tunku : the moron is plotting his own death now. if he is involved in accident then the blame will go to the government, if he is shot etc, the blame will go to the government.and by doing so they will get sympathy votes that will ensure their victory.by saying so, anwar had opened so many eyes in the opposition parties who look at this scenario as their best bet and "will try" to do something.. so lets be prepared for any outcome. the police should put a special squad to monitor the moron's movement from now and every movement is recorded.

PKR To Go Ahead With 901 Campaign Even With No Permit

2012-01-05T00:00:00.000+08:00

SHAH ALAM, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) will go ahead with its "Free Anwar 901" campaign although no application for a police permit has been made by the organisers.
"We definitely don't intend to apply for a permit to hold the campaign rally as we know a permit will not be issued (by police) as had happened before," said Selangor PKR information chief, Shuhaimi Shafie.
The gathering planned for this Jan 9 is said to be aimed at seeking justice for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when the Kuala Lumpur High Court gives its verdict on the sodomy case involving the opposition leader on that day.
Asked on the 336 police reports lodged by various groups from throughout the country up to yesterday against the campaign, Shuhaimi said PKR would not bow to such pressure.
He said besides the Kuala Lumpur High Court, the campaign would also be carried out at other locations in the federal capital, but these had not been determined yet.

tunku: come on PDRM. arrest those who are organizing it and those who are supporting it. it is an illegal gathering, use the available law to curb it.

PDRM , PLEASE STOP THEM ONCE AND FOR ALL.

2012-01-04T10:35:00.004+08:00

More Lodge Police Reports Against Planned 'Free Anwar Campaign

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- More organisations and individuals have lodged police reports against the planned "901 Free Anwar Campaign" in the capital on Monday.
Three office-bearers from two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and two political leaders filed their reports at the Dang Wangi police station here Tuesday.
They were Ikatan Rakyat Malaysia (IRIMM) president Amir Amsaa Alla Pitchay, Penang IRIMM chairman Zainol Abidin Ahmad, Dewan Ekonomi dan Sosial Malaysia president Mohd Fazil Abdullah, MIC Wangsa Maju division chief S.Mohan Pillay and Federal Territory Wanita Umno chief Datuk Azizah Abdul Samad.
Speaking to reporters, Amir Amsaa said the organisers were trying to get the attention of foreign media to paint a bad picture of the country to the world.
"If the protest takes place, it will adversely affect our economy. We urge the police to take action against the organisers and ensure that the protest does not take place," he said.

tunku : the moron (anwar) is not jailed yet but there's already a movement to free him. that means everyone knows that he is guilty including his close aides. all they want is to create tense and chaos before the general election. police must not give them face. act within the law. the law is there to stop them and please use it. don't let this small group ruin the country's image. the majority out there are against it.

Raja Petra hits back at detractors

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Controversial blogger-in-exile Raja Petra Kamaruddin has hit back at critics who have accused him of selling out to Barisan Nasional after he criticised Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a recent interview with Mingguan Malaysia.
In his latest post on his website, he said he had expected the barrage of criticism unleashed against him once the interview was published as "not many could accept the truth".
Dismissing comments in various online portals where readers questioned whether he had sold out or turned traitor against Anwar, he said the vast majority of their comments did not matter to him.
"The more important issue is, which category are you in? Are you amongst the less than four million Malaysians who voted Opposition in the last general election in 2008 or are you amongst the more than 11 million eligible voters who did not vote Opposition, did not vote at all, or did not even register to vote?
"Yes, I value your comments, but only if you fall in the first category of all those various groups above. If not, then your comments are of no significance. And that would probably mean almost all if not all of those who are commenting," he wrote in his latest blog post Monday, questioning the majority of the commenters' true commitment towards asserting their political rights.
Once a staunch Anwar supporter, RPK stunned many when he questioned whether Anwar was the best candidate to lead the country and said he "wasn't impressed" with Anwar's performance in Selangor.
"Have there been many drastic changes in Selangor? Definitely not. The feedback we have received reflects that corruption still remains at the same level, no decrease," he said in the interview, which was also published in Berita Harian, The New Sunday Times and his online website Malaysia Today on Sunday.
RPK pointed out that it had been three years since Anwar was appointed Selangor's economic advisor, and yet had gone for more than 60 overseas trips during that period instead of carrying out his duties.
"We tell him, stay in the country and carry out your duties in Pakatan. More than 60 trips overseas is really too extreme," he said.

tunku : i personally don't like rpk at all but what he had exposed in the interview with utusan was the truth that most of the people knew about it except those die hard supporters of the moron(anwar) and once rpk was in that category too. people should open their eyes, one after one anwar's man leaving him as they know who is he or what kind of evil he is.leave him once and for all and let him rest peacefully in the prison after 9th january.

Late Salleh Majid's Extraordinary Achievements As Bursa Chief Remembered

2012-01-02T22:26:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- The late Datuk Mohd Salleh Abdul Majid was today hailed as a leader who made extraordinary achievements while helming the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (now known as Bursa Malaysia) besides championing the Malay economic agenda.
Former Bernama general manager Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, who often covered economic news when he was with Bernama's editorial team, said share prices when Mohd Salleh was heading the exchange (from 1996 until his retirement in 2003) kept going up unlike now.
"That time, share prices were skyrocketing and there were even cases where the share price of unknown counters reached up to RM140. Now there are shares which are even cheaper than a roti canai (average price RM1), and not going up.
"That was the situation during Mohd Salleh's heyday," said Azman, who was Bernama's Editor-in-Chief before being promoted as its general manager.
He added that one of Mohd Salleh's aspirations was the formation of an Islamic stock exchange involving the participation of several Arab countries and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama) president Datuk Moehamad Izat Emir said Mohd Salleh was a very consistent person and a decisive leader.
"I hope someone will compile his thoughts into a book," he said in commenting on the death of Mohd Salleh, 62, who died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) of rectal cancer and renal failure at 10.20am Monday.
Perkasa (a right wing Malay movement) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali described Mohd Salleh's passing as a big loss for the Malays, saying he had been relentless in his effort in pushing for the Malays to advance economically.
"We studied together at the Mara Institute of Technology (now Universiti Teknologi Mara) but he was more inclined to economics than politics," he said, adding that Mohd Salleh was a very humble and moderate person.
According to Mohd Salleh's younger brother, Ibrahim Abdul Majid, 60, Mohd Salleh had been suffering from kidney problems since the 1990s.
"My brother had been in and out of hospitals several times and was warded again at the KLH on Tuesday," he said.
A daughter of Mohd Salleh, who did wish for her name to be published, said Mohd Salleh was a loving father and always made time for the family despite his busy schedule.
Mohd Salleh's remains were buried at the Ar-Ridhuan Mosque Muslim Cemetery, in Hulu Kelang here this afternoon.

tunku : the nation had lost a great man. Al Fatihah.

DAP’s Karpal Singh tells Ramasamy to quit as Penang dep CM II

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has urged Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy to resign from his post for making serious allegations against party leaders.
“Dr Ramasamy's position in the state government is no longer tenable because he had defied the decision of the party's three-member committee not to refer the party's internal problems to the press,” he said in a press conference on Saturday.
Karpal Singh said Dr Ramasamy had publicly disclosed allegations about party leaders and members without any basis.
He was referring to the report in The Star on Friday quoting Dr Ramasamy as saying his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours.
“This is a serious allegation. Till now, Dr Ramasamy has not denied making the statement,” he said.

tunku : the godfather of dap had spoken and gaves his verdict. ramasamy left with no choice but to resign or else the godfather and the mafia(the Lims) will make his life miserable.that is the style of dap. do not mess with the godfather and the mafias.

Rift In PAS Due To Deviation From Original Struggle

2011-12-24T01:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The rift between former Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali and several senior PAS leaders appears to be worsening over several issues including Hasan's allegation that PAS has deviated from its original struggle to set up an Islamic country.
Many PAS members are actually unhappy with the party's policy to set up a welfare nation as its struggle all this while been to establish an Islamic country.
Hasan's voice should not be seen as only his alone as it represents a fair portion of the grassroot members.
"I have the facts and proof that PAS members who all this while been supporting PAS are beginning to question and mulling whether to continue to support PAS as it has deviated from its main struggle," said Dr Hasan, who is also the PAS assemblyman for Gombak and a Selangor state executive councillor.
PAS is now is seen as being too yielding to its coalition partners, the DAP and PKR, on the seizure of liquor in Shah Alam, the apostasy issue, entertainment prohibition in Kedah and the one million Muslims assembly held at the Shah Alam stadium recently.
Since the rift erupted two weeks ago, Hasan's stand has begun to gather momentum among PAS members.
On this, independent member of Parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baharu Datuk Zulkifli Noordin said that the people would reject PAS's Welfare Nation Policy as it was not consistent with its struggle.
He said PAS in 2003 presented its Islamic Nation Document to oppose the concept of Islam Hadhari introduced by former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Nevertheless, now the 2003 document was rejected by PAS itself and was replaced with its present policy while the Islamic Nation Document has been buried with the excuse that the Islamic country concept was not mentioned in the al-Quran," he said.
Zulkifli said the Welfare Nation Document was only to overcome the concept of Islam Wasathiyah which was the thrust of the 1Malaysia concept.
History expert Prof Datuk Dr Ramlah Adam said the current stand of PAS was different from the pact it made with DAP and PKR before the 2008 general election.
She said PAS had also made an election pact with DAP in the 1999 under Barisan Alternatif and the Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah in 1990 with Parti Semangat 46 but the party's policy had not changed.
"The statement by Dr Hasan that there were not many ulama left in the party only confirmed the general perception of the people.
"From the party (PAS') election in June, we can see the ulama are no longer in control of the party," she told Bernama.
She said DAP and PKR were stronger than PAS in deciding the direction of the opposition pact.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) senior political science lecturer Abdul Ghapa Harun said it was a common thing to have members and leaders in a party holding differing views.
He said irrespective of whether it was Umno, PAS, DAP or PKR, there would always be differences in opinions.
"Despite the differing views in a party which practises democracy, it should be managed well by the top leadership so that it would not create problems to the party," he told Bernama.
He said in the context of Dr Hasan's issue, it was related to party orientation which was not in the hands of a particular leader and should be debated at its annual general assembly.

tunku : pas today is not the pas that we used to know.it has deviated far far away from what its struggles was.pas today is just a tool for dap and pkr and crazy for power. dap and pkr controlled pas inside out. pas supporters should tell its leaders to buck up or else leaves the party for good as it is gone to the evils.

Abdul Hamid Othman dies of stroke

2011-12-23T23:09:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman (pic) died of a stroke Friday. He was 72.
The adviser of Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd died at about 4.45pm while at work in his office at Maju Junction here.
His personal aide, Nor Azhar Yusof, said Abdul Hamid, who had heart disease and diabetes, was his normal self when he came in to work, but later complained of breathing difficulties.
He said Abdul Hamid's body had been brought back to his house at Taman Tenaga, Batu 9, Jalan Puchong.
Abdul Hamid, who was also adviser of the Women and Family Welfare Centre (Kewaja), leaves behind wife, Puan Seri Jamilah Mohd Said, 68, son Wafi Nazrin and five grandchildren.
Abdul Hamid, born on July 21, 1939 at Kampung Kemelong, Mukim Sik, Kedah, was appointed a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department in 1990 and was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department from 1995 to 1999.
In 2001, he was appointed the religious adviser to the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and then as religious adviser to Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2005 to 2009.
Abdul Hamid was among the first batch of students to receive the Malaysian government scholarship to pursue Islamic law studies at the Al-Azhar University in 1961. BERNAMA

AL FATIHAH

Take action against this gay.

2011-12-17T11:28:00.002+08:00

The Islamic Religion Department should take action against this gay named Ariff Alfian Rosli once he step his foot in this country. This is very sickening. Only those without religion can do such disgusting act. No religion in this world concern this type of marriages. Pity the parents who had raised him up and sent him to Dublin for further studies(to be a doctor) but the boy end up giving up his studies and got married to a man.

Ex-IGP Musa may take legal action against bloggers for slander

2011-12-05T09:55:00.003+08:00

PETALING JAYA: Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan is thinking of taking legal action against bloggers for reports slandering him that he married an artiste in a hush-hush RM15mil wedding.
Musa, who retired last year, said he did not have that much money to splurge.
not go anywhere to marry anyone because I was with her’
“Every time the rumour-mongers make wild accusations, it will backfire on them when the allegations are proven baseless.
“The (then called) Anti-Corruption Agency investigated me over allegations of a RM2mil bribe from the underworld and I was cleared,” he said yesterday.
He added that his wife Puan Sri Juriah Ahmad was not shocked by the marriage rumours because she knew they were not true.
“She knows I did not go anywhere to marry anyone because I was with her. I have only one wife, four children and six grandchildren.
“And if I ever marry again, I will certainly not keep it a secret as a wedding is a sacred affair. It is not like committing adultery,” he added.
Syella: Photos of her cutting a cake with the groom are being circulated in the blogs.
Allegations about the “lavish wedding” between Musa and local artiste Syella Kamaruddin surfaced in the blogsphere recently with claims that the ceremony cost RM15mil, with bridal gifts that included a RM5mil bungalow and an RM800,000 Audi R8.
Syella, who did not want to reveal the identity of her husband, had reportedly said her husband did not look like Musa, adding that he was younger and sturdier.
Photographs of Syella cutting a multi-layered cake with the groom are being circulated in the blogs and were published by the Chinese media.
Musa said he taught at the Centre for Media Warfare at Universiti Teknologi Mara.
He said he had turned down several other offers, including a diplomatic posting and teaching at the Anti-Terrorism Academy in Langkawi.
“I am content with my current post as a lecturer,” he said.

tunku : tan sri musa, just sue them. teach them a lesson. they have been spreading it all over the country as it was a truth. do not give them chance as they will never learn and keep spreading lies.

PAS Should Include Hudud Law In It's Election Manifesto

2011-12-05T00:01:00.004+08:00

MCA President Says PAS Should Include Hudud Law In Manifesto

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- PAS should include the Hudud law in its election manifesto and make it a common agenda for the opposition pact in the coming general election, spelling out all the details about the law, MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Sunday.
"I would suggest, as a matter of transparency, that PAS include the Hudud law and its implementation, in their general election manifesto.
"And since they always say that they will never do anything without consulting their partners, I would suggest that it be made a common agenda of the opposition," he said.
Speaking at a forum on "Hudud and Its Implications on Non-Muslims in Malaysia" organised by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research, here, Chua said the Hudud law would affect all Malaysians although PAS had claimed that it would not affect the non-Muslim community.
The panellists at the half-day forum comprised legal practitioners and government officers dealing with Islamic affairs.
Among them were the International Movement For a Just World (JUST) President Prof Dr Chandra Muzaffar and Religious Adviser to Terengganu Menteri Besar Mohd Kamal Saidin.

tunku : it is a brilliant idea. pas should include hudud law in it's election manifesto if they are really sincere in implementing it, otherwise all these while they have been fooling the muslims.this is their golden opportunity, do not waste it.

Umno delegate tells Indians to quit DAP over "black metal" remark

2011-12-02T14:39:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Indians in the DAP should quit the party in protest of Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming's "metallic black" remark, a Malacca delegate told the Umno general assembly.
Datuk Hasnoor Husin said by making the remark, Nga had insulted all "dark-skinned people."
"This DAP leader is so rude. Is Nga implying that dark-skinned people cannot be a Mentri Besar?" he said.
Nga on Wednesday apologised for making the remark where he called Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir a “metallic black person”.
Stressing that he was dark-skinned too, Hasnoor said Indians should make a stand against the "chauvinistic DAP leader."
"DAP is a chauvinist party and they have the cheek to falsely accuse Umno as being chauvinist," he said.
Hasnoor also said that PAS was shackled by the DAP and the party had to compromise on their Islamic state agenda, hudud and other principles to please the DAP.

tunku : dap is father of all racist party. they have been racist since day one. they only fight for one race and tries to fools people like from pas and pkr that they fight for all. the people should ditch them.

Shahrizat to Zuraida: Why don't you get your president to resign

2011-12-01T00:10:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil lambasted the opposition, singling out PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin for asking her to resign over the cow and condo issue.
She said Zuraida should ask PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to resign over the controversies surrounding Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Slightly straying away from her prepared opening speech at the Wanita general assembly, Shahrizat said:
"Just because my husband is the chairman of the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC), she asked me to resign. I have nothing to do with it. I am not guilty, yet she wants me to go.
"Now I am issuing this challenge to her, Cik Puan, by the same principle, I am daring you to ask the PKR president (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) to resign.
"If you are truly brave, ask Wan Azizah to resign because her husband, PKR's adviser, had been found guilty of a crime that I do not even have the heart to say out loud," she said.
Shahrizat said the opposition must take her as weak just because she had kept quiet on the issue.
"This is just the beginning. I have not even started yet," she said

tunku : shahrizat is wasting her time by challenging zuraidah to ask wan azizah to resign to resign because her husband, PKR's adviser, had been found guilty of a crimes.that is because pkr and other opposition does not mind that their leader is a sodomizer, womanizer etc. they love him for what he is.

Najib on track to achieve Vision 2020, says Dr M

2011-11-29T00:24:00.003+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is on track in bringing Malaysia to achieve Vision 2020, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"He (Najib) is trying. I cannot say he is able to (bring the nation) achieve Vision 2020 but lots of people said Malaysia is already a developed country," he said.
However, Dr Mahathir said Najib was having a "hard time" following the smaller majority in Parliament and was dealing with crises.
"He doesn't have the majority that I had. I had (bigger) majority that I was able to handle a lot of opposition.
"So, he has a hard time," he told reporters after hosting a luncheon for delegates attending the International Forum on 'Politics of Economic and Social Transformation in the Era of Global Crisis.'
Earlier, when opening the forum, Najib said: "I told Dr Mahathir, 'You did the easy part, you did the 'what' part, but I have to do the 'how' part."
On Umno, Dr Mahathir said the party was progressing and "it is better than in 2008".
"In 2008, I know lots of Umno members voted for the opposition, not because they are 'less Umno' but they did not like the leadership at that time," he said. BERNAMA

tunku : najib is doing his best for the party and most important is doing his best for the nation and its people.so malaysian from all walk of life should support him and make sure this country won't get in the hand of the evils from the pakatan. if Dr M is confident in Najib, that is a good sign for all of us.Najib is doing well in the hard time and that is a very big credit to him.

Azmin: PKR will break down jail walls to keep Anwar free

2011-11-26T00:00:00.001+08:00

JOHOR BARU: PKR will do anything, even break down the prison walls, to ensure that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim be the next prime minister, said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.
"This is a strong reminder to Umno that we, the Youth and Wanita, pledge to rise and break down the prison walls to free him.
"Pakatan (Rakyat) leaders are together that Anwar should be the next prime minister," Azmin said when opening the PKR Wanita and Youth congress here.
"We will bring down any conspirancy to put him behind bars," he said.
Azmin said PKR hoped to make inroads into Johor to ensure that the state was no longer Umno's 'fixed deposit'.
To achieve this, he said, PKR would avoid three-cornered fights involving its Pakatan Rakyat partners.

tunku : this is what you called a gangster party. malaysia does not need gangsters to rule the country.by the way,azmin is admitting that anwar is guilty as they had accepted that he will be going to jail soon.again, malaysia does not need a sodomizer to be the prime minister.pity pakatan, they dont have any capable leader to be a pm candidate as they can only look at a prisoner to be their leader.

No directive to serve only halal food in Chinese and Tamil schools

2011-11-23T23:39:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no directive from the Education Ministry that only halal food be sold at all Chinese and Tamil primary schools, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.
He said while under the ministry's guidelines, canteen operators must provide halal food if there was a sufficient number of Muslim students in the school concerned, Chinese and Tamil school canteen operators could also offer non-halal food to their non-Muslim students.
"However, in practice, school canteen operators usually offer pork-free food," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Wednesday.
Dr Wee was responding to a vernacular news report stating that a circular was recently issued by the Negri Sembilan Education Department to schools in the state that only halal food be sold by canteen operators.
Based on initial feedback, he said Negri Sembilan's Education Director had confirmed that no such directive had been issued.

tunku : there should be a directive that only halal food in all schools in malaysia. there are also muslims in chinese schools or some in tamil school.

DAP and PAS continue to squabble over hudud

2011-11-20T10:07:00.002+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: DAP has maintained that there is no consensus among Pakatan Rakyat members on the implementation of hudud law in the country despite PAS' push for the policy.

Its chairman Karpal Singh said that implementing hudud law would be problematic besides posing a dangerous threat to the country.

“This is totally not workable as Malaysia is a secular state as set out under the Federal Constitution,” said Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, at a press conference in Air Itam here yesterday.

He said both DAP and PKR had taken a firm stand against hudud law in Malaysia.

Karpal was commenting on a statement by Kedah Islamic Religious, Education and Cooperative Committee chairman Datuk Mohamed Taulan Mat Rasul during a state assembly meeting that it would implement hudud law after Kelantan.

On Kedah MCA chairman Datuk Chong Itt Chew's criticisms against DAP and PKR for keeping silent over the issue, he said MCA should not criticise DAP because its stand had been clear all the time.

Chong had said that as both DAP and PKR had campaigned for PAS, they would indirectly contribute towards the removal of non-Muslims' rights and opportunities under hudud law.

He claimed that although the Syariah Criminal Enactment, which had been passed in Kelantan, was yet to be officially adopted in Kedah, there was already some semblance of an ultra-conservative ideology enforced by local authorities.

Chong had also questioned why Kedah was copying Kelantan, which already earned brickbats from the public over its policy.

At a separate press conference in Tanjung Bungah yesterday, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the implementation of hudud law was not a consensus among Pakatan's parties.

“Different parties may have different stands but hudud law is definitely not Pakatan Rakyat's common policy,” said Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general.

tunku : the melodrama keeps playing it's play again and again. everyone is trying to fool the people. the people should not trust these jokers.

Muhyiddin Questions Need For Third Link To Penang Island Now

2011-11-17T00:06:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin questioned the rationale for the proposal to build a third link in the form of an sea tunnel between the mainland and Penang island when the second bridge project has yet to be completed.
"What's the purpose of (Chief Minister Lim) Guan Eng building the tunnel? Is he implying that the traffic congestion is so bad that the second bridge now under construction cannot solve the congestion in George Town.
"Rightly, we should let the second bridge project to be completed. Perhaps the second bridge will be enough to handle the congestion. So, what's the point of spending so much money, said to be around RM8 billion, for the tunnel," he told a news conference after a meeting with Federal Territory youths in conjunction with his day-long walkabout in Kuala Lumpur today.
Muhyiddin said the second bridge project, expected to be completed in 2013, had taken into account the projection of use for the long term.
"Only years after the first bridge was built has the federal government decided to build the second. Now, the second bridge has yet to be completed and its projected use is for 10 to 20 years to come.
On Monday, the Penang government reportedly announced an RM8-billion plan to construct four major road and tunnel projects to reduce traffic congestion in the state.
Chief Minister Lim was quoted as saying that the projects will allow greater access between the island and the mainland.
The proposed projects are a third (tunnel) link connecting Gurney Drive to Seberang Perai North District, a by-pass connecting Gurney Drive to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, a link between Bandar Baru Air Itam to the same expressway, as well as a paired road to the existing coastal road from Tanjung Bungah to Teluk Bahang.

tunku : these are the people ( the oppositions) who had opposed to the construction of the first bridge. they said government is wasting money etc. now suddenly they want to build a tunnel, why? it is just to fish for votes and empty promises because general election is around the corner. lim guan eng is the biggest liar in dap's camp.

Malays Will Become A Minority If They Are Divided, Says Mahathir

2011-11-11T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Malays will become a minority group who are incapable of championing their rights if they continue to be divided, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the Malays were now divided into three factions and that only through unity could they become an effective majority group to protect their interest.
"Previously, the Malays were united into one party to the extent that they succeeded in opposing (the proposed establishment of) the Malayan Union," he said when responding to a question from a participant at the premier lecture by him, entitled "The Development of the Civilisation and Culture of the Malaysian Community Towards the Formation of a Progressive Nation", here today.
Dr Mahathir, 85, said the voice of the Malays would be drowned if they were divided into several minority groups and needed the support of other groups to achieve the objectives of their struggles to preserve their own race.
Regarding the group who championed the individual's fundamental rights, the fourth Malaysian prime minister said the original democratic principle that emphasised on the rights of the majority had now turned to the aspects of the individual's fundamental rights.
He said if the freedom of the individuals was allowed without any restriction, this would create tension in the community.
Dr Mahathir said demonstrations were allowed in a democracy but if they were carried out on a large scale without restriction, this could bring about negative results such as jeopardising business activities.
He said it was also important to develop positive personal values from the young age so that this would continue to be upheld by the people as they grew older.

tunku : to me malays today are the minority in their own land. they are divided in 3 groups generally.each group will be a minority group with less say.the malays should realize this before it's too late.there is still time to reconcile.do not be fools.

Groups told not to make issue of slaughtering of cows in school compounds

2011-11-08T15:25:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other non-Muslim organisations have been told not to make an the issue of the slaughtering of cows in school compounds during the Hari Raya Haji celebrations.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this issue touched religious sensitivities and furthermore, the practice had been carried out for a long time.
Hindus in the country understood the neccesity of this practice according to the teachings of Islam, Muhyiddin told reporters after meeting the 50 Teach for Malaysia fellows here Tuesday.

tunku : the Muslims have been tolerating with other religion celebrations all these while and so do others, why suddenly this thing have to come up.they should know their limit when arising certain issues.do not create tense and anger the people.it is not good for the country.

PM: My daughter was not in Perth during CHOGM

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has clarified that his daughter was not in Australia while he was attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Perth recently.
He said people should not fall for or indulge in spreading lies.
“Don't believe and spread lies. My daughter was not even in Australia and my wife (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) did not buy any jewellery,” Najib said in his Twitter update.
His comments came on the heels of the publication of an article in an Australian newspaper which alleged that his daughter had spent A$60,000 at a shopping centre in Perth, the venue of the CHOGM gathering.
The report also mentioned about “one first lady known to have bought A$150,000 worth of WA (Western Australian) pearls”.
However, it did not name the person in question.
Najib and Rosmah are currently performing the haj in Saudi Arabia. - Bernama

tunku: malaysia's opposition has third class mentality and a very dirty mind.they just spread lies as they wish and make people believe in it.God will curse them all.

PAGE hands over memo on English to PM

2011-10-31T14:04:00.002+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: The Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (PAGE) delivered its memorandum on the language issue to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak here on Monday with the hope "he is listening to the people."
"We want the memorandum to reach the hands of the PM before he leaves for Mecca for the Hajj.
"The PM says he is listening to the Rakyat, so I hope he listens to us," Page chairperson Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim told reporters after handing over the memorandum at the PM's Office.
Around a dozen Page members accompanied Noor Azimah to hand over the memorandum to request that the government allow the option for the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI).
Noor Azimah added that she handed over graphs and figures showing the percentage of parents and students supporting PPSMI and exam results that warranted the continued use of English.

tunku : it is still not too late for the government to decide on ppsmi. think about what is the best for the children. do not listen to some people like "samad said" type who know how to oppose only.

Dr Mahathir Urges Rich Nations To Give Small Fraction Of Zakat To Poor Countries

2011-10-30T00:19:00.002+08:00

LANGKAWI, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that a small fraction of the zakat money from rich Muslim nations be set aside to help poor countries or poor people in other countries.
The former prime minister said the zakat money would be distributed to the eight Asnaf (eight categories of people), adding that in most of the rich Muslim nations, the eight Asnaf did not exist anymore.
He said that if they did exist, the amount of zakat money collected would far exceed their needs.
"But, if we consider ourselves as the Ummah, the community of Muslims using the zakat for the poor in other countries cannot be considered as breaching the categories of the people entitled to zakat funds," he added.
Dr Mahathir said this in his keynote address on the first day of the Third Langkawi Islamic Finance & Economics International Conference (LIFE 3) here today.
The three-day conference is themed 'Islamic Banking and Finance: Waqaf, Zakat and Sadakah As Community Empowerment And Strategies For The Economic Transformation Of The Ummaah'.
It is jointly organised by the Insaniah University College, Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI).
Also present were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, IDB president Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al Madani and Insaniah University College Rector Prof Datuk Dr Jamil Osman.
Dr Mahathir, who is also LIFE patron, said even a fraction of the 2.5 per cent zakat that was collected by all countries would be very substantial and it would go a long way to relieve the pain and sufferings of the poor.
He said it would also go a long way towards developing the poor Muslim countries, in terms of building infractures over a period of time and creating jobs for them, through investment in labour-intensive industries.
"Can we spend zakat funds on the infrastructures? If they are for alleviating the poverty and the wretchedness of the people in poor Muslim countries, I do not think we would be going against the injunctions of Islam," said the former prime minister.
Dr Mahathir said, for the purpose of collecting and administering the zakat fund, a special institution should be set up, manned by personnel from the contributing countries.
Muslims, he said, were enjoined to be charitable but they should not confine their largesse to Muslims only, adding that they should also help humanity at large, when the need arose.
tunku : if this idea to become reality, i believe the will be no muslims without food or shelter in this world. we should work on this idea and act on it asap.

Dr M: Can PAS' hudud serve justice to all?

2011-10-28T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned whether PAS' plans for hudud can serve justice to Malaysia's multi-religious population.
"They have a stand (on hudud), they say hudud is for Muslims only.
"So, if you happen to go stealing with a non-Muslim friend, they'll chop off your hand but your Chinese or Indian friend will get two months' jail.
"To PAS, that is justice. Of course, if you do something else, they'll chop off your head," he told a press conference Thursday.
The former prime minister was responding to reports that the Kelantan government announcing the setting up of a hudud technical committee headed by Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.

tunku : that is what we call it pas's hudud not the real hudud. the actual hudud applies to all but pas's hudud is created to suits them ( to get non muslim support/vote). if a couple of muslim and non muslim is caught for khalwat, how can justice be done when only one person get the punishment.

Propagation Of Non-Islamic Teachings To Muslims Can Be Charged In Civil Court, Says Jamil Khir

2011-10-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Non-Muslims who propagate their non-Islamic religious teachings to Muslims can be charged in the civil court under the Control and Restriction of the Propagation of Non-Islamic Religions Enactment.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said provisions in the enactment included offences for persuading, coaxing and instigating Muslims to change their religious faith.
Besides publishing publications on other religions other than Islam, it is also an offence to expose non-adult Muslims to other religions, he said when debating the Supply Bill 2012 in the Dewan Rakyat.
Many people were not aware of the law which had been enforced since 1980, he said, adding that among states which enforced the law were Terengganu, Kelantan, Selangor, Melaka, Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Perlis.
He said the Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) would continue to collaborate with all state Islamic religious councils in an effort to weaken the religious faith of Muslims.
He said efforts were also made by the government to standardise Islamic law in all states.

tunku : it should be implemented in penang,sabah ,perak and sarawak too. there are many cases especially in sabah and sarawak. the government should also amend the constitution regarding the freedom of religion, it should exclude muslims from this clause.

Concerned Groups Insist On Aerobridges At KLIA2

2011-10-24T14:14:00.002+08:00

PETALING JAYA, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- Installing aerobridges at the under-construction KLIA2 airport will benefit everyone, not only the disabled.
The reminder came from a group of concerned individuals who gathered here today to express their deep concern over the issue.
"Our purpose of gathering today is to reassert our call for aerobridges to be installed at KLIA2 for the safety, security and comfort of all passengers," according to a statement issued by the group.
They comprised wheelchair users, people with various disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women, volunteers and others.
Meanwhile, Shuang Fu Disabled Independent Living Association chief executive Danny Tan, who is wheelchair-bound, said aerobridges were important for disabled passengers.
"We're disabled people, we don't want to burden others in helping us to get to the plane," he said, adding that the relevant authorities should look into the matter.

tunku : government should not listen to airasia but should listen to the people. the people wants the aerobridges, so please built it.the passengers won't mind to be charged to use that facility.i don't understand why airasia is so reluctant to use it? what's the agenda behind it? it's only cost them about rm100 to use it.in a flight there are more than 100 passengers. airasia can put the cost in the ticket's price.

Leave children and family out of politics, says PM

2011-10-24T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Children and family should be left out of politics and family matters should not be exploited for one's own political gains, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“You can debate about differences of policies in terms of weaknesses and implementation but you leave family aside,” he said on Sunday at a press conference after attending a gathering with retired and former police officers.
Najib was answering a question on whether children should be left out of politics given the attacks against Lim Guan Eng's son, whom some bloggers had alleged that he had molested a schoolmate.
Najib added that politicians from both sides of the divide must adhere to the ethics of excluding families from politics.
“Everyone should adhere to it including the Opposition. That is the ideal in a modern democracy to concentrate on policy matters.
“We have to agree to certain ethics. It works both ways. I am not saying about the facts of this case. I do not know about the facts of this case,” he added.

tunku : the oppositions have been targeting the BN leaders family from day one and now when they are the victim they cry like babies. as pm said, we have to agree to certain ethics in politics and it should work both ways, not only to the opposition but also to the ruling party.the opposition only debate about differences of policies in terms of weaknesses and implementation about 20% and the rest they attack on personal matters including the family.they should change themselves first before accusing others.

Himpun Wants Law To Prevent Apostasy

2011-10-23T03:58:00.001+08:00

SHAH ALAM, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The Gathering of One Million Muslims (Himpun), themed "Save Our Faith", today wants the government to formulate a special law to prevent activities to convert Muslims in the country.
Himpun chairman, Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, said this was among 10 resolutions reached at the gathering, which included provisions safeguarding the special position of Islam, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, to be drafted into the new law to replace the Internal Security Act.
About 4,000 people, including representatives from several non-governmental organisations, attended the gathering which was held at the Shah Alam Stadium. Also present was Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria.
Mohd Azmi said the country's education system should also be reviewed to ensure Muslim students were not exposed to elements which could erode their Islamic faith.
He said a declaration containing the 10 resolutions would be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Meanwhile, at a media conference held after the gathering, Azmi refuted claims by some quarters that Himpun was an agenda to demonise other religions.

Pas' hudud allows to sodomy the wife.

2011-10-21T00:02:00.003+08:00

Dewan Rakyat Hots Up To PAS Hudud Allowing Husband To Sodomise Wife

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat proceedings today got heated up when an independent member alleged that the Hudud laws passed by the PAS government when it was administering Terengganu allowed husbands to sodomise their wives.
When debating the 2011 Supply Bill, Datuk Zulkifli Noordin (Ind -Kulim-Bandar Baharu) said according to Section 14 of the Syariah, Qisas and Takzir Criminal Enactment gazetted in 2004 in the state, it would not be an offence for a husband to do so.
Zulkifli's statement upset several opposition members and caused an uproar.
"I am utterly shocked as there were more than 10 areas which were in conflict with Islam but what I want to show did not come from Islamic laws. As an example, on sodomy, it was stated in Section 14 of the enactment and it has been gazetted.
"Sodomy was interpreted as a offence which is an intercourse between a man with another man, or between a man and a woman unnaturally through the anus.
"What shocked me most was that it was stated 'apart from the wife'. It means should a husband have intercourse through the anus of the wife it is not sodomy according to PAS'hudud," said Zulkifli.
Zulkifli also disclosed that the enactment on the appointment of judges would allow non-Muslims to be appointed as judges on hudud laws while another aspect on 'qazaf' which involved four witnesses for adultery, provides that should one of the witnesses withdraw, the three other witnesses would be punished.
He said the disclosure showed what had been called hudud laws by PAS which it wanted to implement were not the laws of Allah but were laws designed by the party itself.
"When I checked, it was true Tun Mahathir (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) rejected Terengganu's hudud laws because they were not Islamic laws but the laws of PAS. There were obviously errors such as allowing sodomy of wives and others," he said.
According to Zulkilfi, the decision of Tun Mahathir in rejecting the hudud had been distorted by certain parties at that time.
The disclosure by Zulkifli on sodomy got Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) to interject and accuse Zulkifli of making wild accusations and requested that Zulkifli and Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) who also supported the statement to be referred to the Rights and Priviliges Committee.
Earlier, Bung Mokhtar had stood up and enquired:"Can one sodomise one's own wife? and Zulkifli replied:"According to PAS' hudud, can."
Salehuddin stood up and said: He cannot make such an accusation. There is no such thing according to PAS'. I asked that the two members to be censured im-for saying wife sodomy is PAS' hudud.
However, this was rejected by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee who decided that they had not violated the Standing Orders.
The house continued to be in a commotion when Salahuddin and a few other members of the opposition were not happy and disputed the decision of the Deputy Speaker until Zulkifli could not continue to explain on his statement about the enactment.
Zulkifli was the forced to end his speech on the 2012 Supply Bill when his 20 minutes allocated time was over.

tunku : Astaghfirullah. No wonder Tun Mahathir rejected it. it is actually not a hudud law but pas' law.i have checked the enactment and it is right what zulkifli nordin said. it is stated clearly that sodomy is not allowed apart from the wife.click here.

PAS opts out of Himpun gathering

2011-10-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS will not take part in the Himpun gathering at Shah Alam Stadium this Saturday.
The decision to opt out was made at the party's political bureau meeting Tuesday night.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, in a press statement Wednesday, said the rally organised by the non-governmental groups would not involve any political party.
“We respect the groups' decision but we will not take part," he said.
Earlier, PAS Youth Wing had declared their support behind the gathering, which was scheduled to be held from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday, to “protect, defend and champion the cause of Islam.”

tunku : Islam is dead in pas. pas has shown us it is no longer an Islamic party and only uses Islam as a political tool whenever it is benefited to them. God damn pas.

Kelantan Faces Higher Deficit

2011-10-19T00:08:00.002+08:00

KOTA BAHARU, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan government has presented a deficit budget of RM83.23 million next year, higher than a deficit of RM53.25 million the previous year.
State Economic Planning, Finance and the Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa said although the revenue was expected to increase to RM430.27 million next year from RM410.89 million this year, the increase was not sufficient to cover the estimated expenditure, thus resulting in the deficit hike.
"The expected revenue next year is RM430.27 million while operating expenditure is estimated at RM513.50 million. Thus, deficit for the year 2012 is expected to be RM83.23 million.
"Although the 2012 Budget is a deficit budget, the state is expected to repeat the 2010 record where the actual deficit was far less than the deficit figure in the budget," he said when presenting the 2012 Budget with the theme "Well-being Correlate Blessing" at the State Assembly here today.
He said the budget was based on actual results with the state focusing on three main thrusts -- economic spin-offs, human development based on Islam and defending the weak and poor, needy, disabled, orphans, single mothers and elderly.
Husam said the estimated revenue of RM430.27 next year would be derived from taxes (RM88.49 million), non-tax revenue (RM196.24 million) and non-receipt revenue (RM145.54 million).
He said forestry would become the largest source of revenue at RM118.51 million or 27.54 per cent of the total revenue followed by land revenue (RM109.46 million or 25.44 per cent).
The Kelantan government budgeted expenditure totalled RM768.43 with operating and development components at RM513.49 million and RM254.94 million respectively, he said, adding that RM113 million of the development expenditure would be secured from loans.
Husam also announced that the state government would pay a half-month bonus with a minimum payment of RM500 for state civil servants in the December salary.
The sitting continues tomorrow.

tunku : when the federal government presented a deficit budget which is lower than last year the opposition made it a fuss but they themselves now presented a budget which is higher than last year put it in the way that the state is expected to repeat the 2010 record where the actual deficit was far less than the deficit figure in the budget. what a joke.

Permit given for Himpun gathering

2011-10-18T14:54:00.002+08:00

SHAH ALAM: Police have approved and given a permit to the organisers of Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Himpun) to hold a gathering here against alleged proselytisation by Christians.

OCPD Asst Comm Zahedi Ayop said they approved the permit last week as the Himpun event was to be held inside a stadium (Shah Alam Stadium) and would not pose any public order situation.

"We have taken into account all aspects of security and approved their application," he said.

He also said policemen would be stationed in and outside the stadium to ensure no untoward incidents occurred.

Although the event has been dubbed as "a gathering of one million faithfuls", the stadium's capacity is only about 80,000.

Meanwhile, PAS Youth has thrown in its support for the gathering.

Its chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi praised the organisers for holding the event.

tunku : it is a legal gathering at Shah Alam stadium. let us all join the gathering to show our support.

Apostasy Act Has To Be Referred To The State First - Jamil Khir

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 (Bernama) -- The proposed formulation of the Apostasy Act has to be looked into comprehensively at the state and federal levels before it can be carried out, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
He said before the law could be formulated, it has to be referred to the state first because Islamic matters come under the jurisdiction of the sultan.
"This (Apostasy) act has to be referred to the state first. Whether it is to be implemented or not depends on the state," he told reporters at a media conference here. He was commenting on a proposal by Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harunussaini Zakaria recently for the formulation of an Apostasy Act to punish individuals who were guilty of converting Muslims.
On Malaysian haj pilgrims in Mecca having problems to withdraw their money from Tabung Haji, Jamil Khir said it was due to measures taken by the Saudi Arabia government in restricting the amount of withdrawal to prevent money laundering.
"We will discuss with the Saudi Arabia government to resolve the problem," he added.

tunku : let's get it done asap.this is a very urgent issue that should be solved once and for all. by the way lets join "Himpunan Sejuta Umat" to show support for anti apostasy on 22nd October at Shah Alam stadium.may you be from umno, pas or pkr let us join hand in hand as muslim to show our unity against apostasy.

Malaysia Will Be Bankrupt If Opposition Wins

2011-10-16T00:00:00.000+08:00

SEREMBAN, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will be bankrupt if the opposition wins the general election, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the opposition was only good at making empty promises.
When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tabled the 2012 Budget, promising to retain the country's deficit at 4.7 per cent, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim made a mockery of it.
"The shadow budget by the opposition shows its expenditure, purportedly for the people, but it does not take into account the deficit.
"If the deficit goes up to 10 per cent, it means the country is not managed well," he said when addressing a crowd of about 6,000 people at a dinner with the residents of Taman Tasik Jaya, here Saturday.
Also present at the function were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Rembau Member of Parliament Khairy Jamaluddin.
Muhyiddin also advised the people not to be misled by Pas' promise of setting up an Islamic state, including to implement hudud law, saying that it was merely a rhetoric, like the Kelantan government's slogan of "Developing with Islam" promoted by its Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
"Barisan Nasional has carried out the agenda of developing with Islam much earlier," he added.

tunku : malaysia will be bankrupt and anwar will bring in all his contacts(imf,world bank,jews) from abroad to "invade" malaysia. we will again be invaded and might be for many many generations to come. so people, please THINK.

Proposal To Open Running Of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia To Public To Go To Cabinet

2011-10-14T00:08:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry will propose to the Cabinet, to open the running of Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) to the public.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the proposal was to provide an opportunity to the public, including sundry-shop operators, to run these shops themselves without the involvement of Mydin as the management.
"The committee has so far agreed with the idea but we will discuss the matter at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow for approval," he said after officially opening the fifth KR1M in Wangsa Maju, here, Thursday.
Ismail Sabri said members of the public who wished to operate the KR1M had the option of selling KR1M products and using their name or run the KR1M as normal.
He said his ministry was studying the terms and conditions to ensure the KR1M policy would not be affected.
"The operators must adhere to the stipulated conditions and I am discussing this with Mydin," he said, adding that public participation in the KR1M would also negate accusations by certain quarters that this business was being monopolised by Mydin.
He said Mydin had earlier been entrusted to manage the KR1M and it opened 20 new branches this year and would open 60 more next year, including in Sabah and Sarawak.

tunku : this kedai rakyat is the best concept so far.we hope the government can do the same concept for farming, poultry etc so that the people can get the goods at the lowest price possible. so what if mydin monopolised as long as the price is cheap.

PR Strategy Not To Dissolve State Assemblies In Four States?

2011-10-13T00:00:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) - The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) may not dissolve the legislative assemblies in the states under its rule simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament in conjunction with the 13th general election, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said this could be one of the strategies of the opposition pact to focus its attention and strength to the states under Barisan Nasional (BN) rule.
"The election at the state assembly level will depend on the respective state governments whether to dissolve the assembly or otherwise. If all the state legislative assemblies in the four states under the PR are not dissolved, we will see the election being confined only to the states under BN rule.
"As such, they (PR) already have four states under their rule. They will concentrate on the other states to expand their domination.
"However, if the general election is held too close to the expiry of the five-year mandate, they (PR) will have no choice (but to dissolve the state assemblies)," he told reporters after meeting with the organisers of the Sahara Run at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here.
Suwaibah Mohd Nasir, a former Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) personnel, will start the 1,112 kilometre solo run across the Sahara Desert from Aswan to Port Said for 35 days beginning Feb 1, next year.
Dr Mahathir said the BN government did not have to be hasty in holding the general election because the current mandate only expired in March 2013.

tunku : i agree that BN should not held the election now as it still has about 20 months more before the term expires.why do it now? BN should concentrate to implement all the transformation programmes that it has planned.let the opposition be exhausted waiting for the election.if BN dissolve the parliament now and if the opposition does not do that in the states they ruled, it will be a disadvantage to BN.

No Police Report Needed For Lost Of Birth Certificate, Passport, Driving Licence

2011-10-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The public no longer need to make a police report for loss or damage of birth, marriage, academic and vehicle registration certificates, a Malaysian passport, a driving licence and a land grant.
This is stipulated under General Circular No. 3 of 2011 issued by the Prime Minister's Department on Sept 29.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said the decision to abolish the requirement was made at the Public Complaints Standing Committee's meeting on April 6 as police reports were actually a non-administrative practice not provided under any law.
He said in 2010, the police received over 2.8 million reports, of which 1.1 million or 40 per cent were referred to other agencies.
"This shows that most of the reports lodged did not merit police actions. The requirement not only inconvenient the public but also does not reflect the image of an effective and consumer-friendly public service.
"On the other hand, the practice adds to police workload in handling police reports. This requirement also resulted in rising cost in police operations and does not add value to the police service delivery," he added.
Following the abolishment, Mohd Sidek asked all government agencies to identify matters that need the public to submit a police report to government agencies as stipulated under the law.
However, he said this circular did not prevent the public from making police reports and government agencies cannot deter the public from doing so.

tunku : very good decision by the government. it is giving unnecessary work load to the police and wasting time of the police and the complainant. report should be made at the specific department which is related to it so that the department can take immediate action or investigation base on the report made.

JAIS Acted Rightly, Says Selangor Sultan

2011-10-11T00:00:00.001+08:00

SHAH ALAM, Oct 10 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor said he was satisfied to find that the State Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) had acted rightly and within its jurisdiction when carrying out investigation at the Dream Centre in Petaling Jaya on Aug 3.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he had studied the JAIS report on the investigation conducted during a thanksgiving dinner at the church premises and after obtaining advice from religious and legal experts, he agreed that no legal action be taken against any quarters.
The Sultan said JAIS' jurisdiction was provided under the Selangor Syariah Criminal Procedure Enactment 2003, Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment 1995 and Selangor Non-Islamic Religion (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988.
"In reference to the JAIS investigation, there were evidence of attempts to proselytise Muslims. But the evidence obtained were insufficient to institute legal action," the ruler said in a statement issued by the Office of the Selangor Sultan, here, Monday.
Sultan Sharafuddin also instructed JAIS to provide counselling to the Muslims who attended the dinner function so as to restore their faith and belief in Islam.
He also asked JAIS to carry out Islamic propagation activities for Muslims with more frequency and systematically to ensure their faith in Islam would prevail and deepen.
Sultan Sharafuddin said as head of religion in Selangor, he was concerned and hurt by the efforts of certain quarters to weaken the faith of Muslims in Islam.
"I want the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and JAIS to monitor the situation closely and not hesitate to take appropriate action as provided by law.
"I really hope that after this, any current activity to preach other religions to Muslims in Selangor will stop immediately, and there be no such activity in future.
"I also hope the people of Selangor, regardless of race and religion, will not wrongly assume and dispute JAIS' action without clearly knowing the facts of the matter," the Sultan said.
Sultan Sharafuddin said Islam as practised in Selangor was tolerant and Muslims were always encouraged to respect other religions.
"However, no quarters should take advantage of the situation to preach other religions to Muslims. This is in line with Clause (1) and (4), Article 11 of the Federal Constitution and Selangor Non-Muslim Religion (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) Enactment 1988, which forbid preaching of other religions to Muslims."
The Sultan also noted that Article XLVII of the Selangor State Constitution 1959, Clause (1) of Article 3 and Clause (1) of Article 11 in the Federal Constitution provide the freedom for people of other faiths to practise their religion in peace.
"That religious freedom has been practised in Selangor in a harmonious atmosphere and I hope this long-standing harmony will remain.
"The people of other faiths should take care of their own religion and should never try to deviate the understanding and faith of Muslims in Islam," the Sultan said.

tunku : so it is confirmed that Dream Centre in PJ tried to deviate the faith of those Muslims.all the states religion department should monitor these type of centers.they had crossed the line.

Commotion At Kuala Selangor PKR Branch AGM

2011-10-10T00:01:00.003+08:00

KUALA SELANGOR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Selangor PKR branch annual general meeting (AGM) held at the Bestari Jaya community hall today turned chaotic after several members questioned the signatures on the branch's statement of accounts.
The commotion happened as soon as branch chief Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who is Selangor Menteri Besar, finished delivering his speech.
The branch's internal auditor Norazhar Jamil claimed that the accounts were audited by individuals who were not appointed as members at the last AGM.
Speaking to reporters here, he said his name and that of another appointed member, Mohd Sharif Ismail, should have appeared as internal auditors in the minutes of the last AGM and not the two individuals.
Norazhar said previously he had been approached by someone who wanted him to sign the statement of accounts, but he refused because it was not issued with proof.
He said he also found that the individuals who signed the statement held positions in the party but according to the party's constitution, the internal auditors cannot hold any position.
Meanwhile, Abdul Khalid said the statement of accounts would be audited before being presented again at the next meeting.

tunku : looks like commotion at pkr branch AGM is a annual affair. the best part it is the branch of khalid ibrahim.khalid ibrahim can't even handle his branch, what how can he handle the state's affair.

PM: Budget 2012 is realistic and can be implemented

2011-10-08T21:13:00.001+08:00

KLANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has refuted claims that Budget 2012 'is not realistic.'
Saying that the budget, which he announced on Friday, 'is feasible and can be implemented,' Najib said such claims showed that the opposition had run out of topics to criticise the Barisan Nasional government.
"We came up with the budget after much study by experts. The budget can definitely help the people and bring the country to greater heights," he told residents of Ladang Tuan Mee, Ijok, during his visit to Kuala Selangor on Saturday.

tunku : the opposition just finding ways to disgrace whatever the government is doing good for the people. if the government stop development or expenditure and giving "goodies" to the people then they will say that the government is sleeping and nothing is being done. when the government with all means doing extra ordinary hard work to stimulate the economy and at the same time easing the burden of the people then they are saying it is unrealistic budget and government is spending unnecessarily.the opposition should know that the world's economy is in bad shape and should join hand with the government to make sure malaysia sustain its economy growth but they don't care, even if malaysia economy collapse they don't bother as long as they can come to power.

Dap's way of getting out

2011-10-08T12:08:00.002+08:00

DAP's Manoharan now gets severe reprimand over flag issue

PETALING JAYA: The DAP has set aside its six-month suspension on Kota Alam Shah representative M. Manoharan over his negative remarks of the Jalur Gemilang on his Facebook page.
In a press release Saturday, the party said the suspension would be replaced by a severe reprimand as Manoharan has apologised and taken down the Facebook comment immediately after it was posted.

tunku : this is the way for dap not to punish lim guan eng on his remarks recently on johor. if they punish manoharan with 6 months then they have to punish lim guan eng too but to avoid punishing lim guan eng, they replaced it with light punishment only.this is the dap way of justice.beware of this bloody party.

Salient points of Budget 2012

2011-10-07T17:30:00.018+08:00

RM13.6bil has been allocated for the social sector, including education and training, welfare, housing and community development

RM29.8bn has been allocated for investment in infrastructure, industrial and rural development.

Total revenue for 2012 is forecast to increase 1.9% to RM186.9bil and the deficit to decrease to 4.7% of GDP from 5.4% in 2011

- Full exemption of import duty and excise duty on hybrid cars and electric cars will continue to be given until 2013

- To promote tourism, the Langkawi Five Year Tourism Development Master Plan will be launched with an allocation of RM420mil

- A RM100mil SME Revitalisation Fund offering loans up to a maximum of RM1mil for entrepreneurs will be available from Jan 2012

RPGT: 10% for sale within 2 years, remains at 5% for sale between 2 to 5 years.

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council will be privatised to promote and develop Malaysia as a healthcare dest

We will abolish payments for primary and secondary education, making these free for the first time in our history

RM50.2bn will be allocated to the education sector so that it can continue to develop talented, creative and innovative people.

Private schools registered with the Ministry of Education will be given incentives including an Investment Tax Allowance.

The Govt will expedite tax exemption approvals for educational institutions and all places of worship

- RM5bil will be given to develop rural infrastructure, including RM1.8bil to the Rural Road Programme & Village-Link Road Project

600,000 Government pensioners will benefit from an additional annual pension increment of 2%.

Civil service retirement age increased from 58 to 60.

Civil servants will be offered tuition fee assistance for part-time studies, including 5,000 masters & 500 doctoral scholarships

- Civil servants get pay rise between RM80 to RM320

RM3,000 will be given to ex-members of the special constable and auxiliary police as well as widows and widowers.

The National Agro-Food Policy 2011-2020 will be launched and RM1.1bil allocated for the development of the agriculture sector

RM2.3 billion per year in food subsidy

total subsidy to the people RM33billion per year

500,000 will benefit from KAR1SMA, which provides assistance to poor senior citizens and children and disabled people

My First Home Scheme will be expanded to increase the limit of house prices from a maximum of RM220,000 to RM400,000

Govt will identify areas in the vicinity of MRT, LRT and other public transport to be developed by PR1MA

Govt will continue to implement the Program Perumahan Rakyat by building 75,000 units of affordable houses

Govt will establish the Special Housing Fund for Fishermen to build and refurbish houses(rm 300m)

- HKL to be upgraded with RM50m for new outpatient wing, RM250m general upgrades.

Healthcare will be allocated RM15bil operating expenditure and RM1.8bil development expenditure

Hospitals will be upgraded and constructed as well 81 rural health clinics upgraded and 50 new 1Malaysia clinics launched

Skim Amanah Rakyat (SARA) 1Malaysia will benefit 100,000 households with income below RM3,000 per month

To assist taxi owners facing increased operating costs, measures will be introduced including tax exemptions on taxi purchases

To assist the homeless the Government established a social assistance centre known as Anjung Singgah.

The National Legal Aid Foundation will ensure that every individual who is charged in court will be given free legal aid

A training allocation of RM10mil will be provided for women to develop leadership and managerial skills

to prevent cervical cancer, the Government will provide free Human Papilloma Virus immunisation nationwide.

MyCreative Venture Capital with an initial fund of RM200mil to be established

RM15mil will be allocated to build 150 futsal courts to achieve the “One Court for One Mukim” target

RM200mil to train youth

A Flood Mitigation Plan will be implemented in Perlis, Perak and Johor to help 4 million rakyat residing in flood-prone areas.

One-off assistance of RM500 to households with a monthly income of RM3,000 and below will be provided.

- Senior citizens aged 60 years & above will be exempted from outpatient registration fees in Govt hospitals & health clinics

Book voucher worth RM200 will be given to Malaysian students in all private and public institutions of higher learning.

Civil servants will be given an additional bonus of half-month salary and pensioners RM500

Even After Surgery, Anwar's Body Movements Limited, Says German Surgeon

2011-10-07T00:31:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Thomas Hoogland told the High Court today that the spine surgery he performed on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had improved Anwar's walking but his body movements were limited.
The expert from Germany said that prior to the surgery, Anwar could hardly walk.
During examination-in-chief by Anwar's co-counsel S.N. Nair, Dr Hoogland said that though the surgery initially helped Anwar's movements, his examination on Anwar on Sept 8 this year revealed that there was limitation to Anwar's internal rotation of both the hip joints.
"There was back pain while extending the back off five degrees with limited extension up to 10 degrees. There was clear weakness of the left foot and big toe, and there was numbness and distal sensory loss to the left knee joint," said Dr Hoogland in referring to his medical report at the Munich Hospital, Germany, dated Sept 8 this year.
He was testifying at the trial of Anwar, 64, who is charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 26.
Anwar pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court on Aug 7, 2008, to committing carnal intercourse against the order of nature at the Desa Damansara Condominium in Bukit Damansara between 3.10 pm and 4.30 pm on June 26, 2008.
Asked further by Nair, based on Anwar's medical condition especially complication in his spine, whether he can kneel, for instance, to perform his prayers, Dr Hoogland said limited flexion was possible and kneeling, which results in movement of 90 degrees, was not advisable.
"I warned him of the pain involved in such movements and advised him to do it (prayers) slowly. I said to him to do it very carefully and slowly, not to go very fast," said the seventh defence witness.
He said this was very important because if Anwar were to do his prayer movements fast, it could cause him severe pain and injury.
Dr Hoogland said Anwar also suffered from arthritis of the facet joints.
To another question, to compare his examination of Anwar in 2008 and a recent (Sept 8, 2011) medical report, Dr Hoogland said the nerve roots had gotten worse and one of the back muscles had also deteriorated due to the injuries suffered by Anwar during a police assault in 1998.
Anwar was assaulted by then Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor while in police custody in Bukit Aman.
Today's proceedings, towards the end, saw further testimony of Dr Hoogland heard in camera.
The trial, before Judge Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, continues tomorrow.
In a related development, Anwar's counsel Karpal Singh told reporters he would file an appeal against the judge's ruling allowing the applications by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor to set aside the subpoenas compelling them to be Anwar's defence witnesses.

tunku : with limited movement he can still have sex with a china doll......what a "god gifted" person he is.

Government To Discuss Development Of Kampong Baru With Four GLC

2011-10-06T10:18:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The government has started discussions with four government-linked corporations (GLC) as the first step to developing Kampong Baru following the approval of the Kampong Baru Development Corporation 2011 Bill Wednesday.
Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said he would meet Lembaga Tabung Haji, Permodalan Nasional Berhad, Putrajaya Holding and Permodalan Hartanah Berhad soonest possible.
"We have commenced discussions with them before and after this, we will proceed to talk about development," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
Raja Nong Chik said the infrastructure development project in the area at a cost of RM8.9 million had already started.
On the status of land owners and inheritors of Kampong Baru, he said the Valuation and Property Services Department under the Ministry of Finance would be carrying out valuation on the land value.
According to him, when the Kampong Baru Development Corporation was set up, the status of land in the area would be changed to City Centre Commercial (CCC) status which would be equivalent to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) area.
"Even though the status will upgraded for development, the interest of owners and inheritors of land will continue to be protected and preserved with affordable prices to maintain the interest of the original residents," he said.

tunku : lets develop kampung baru as an international business and retail centre for the bumis only. no one should question this as there are petaling street which is known as china town and in brickfields known as little india. lets have kampung baru for the bumis. hope there will be no "ali baba" business there in the future.

Pakatan presents RM220bil 'shadow budget' : what a crap.

2011-10-05T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat has presented its 'shadow Budget', which aims to, among others, reduce the national deficit to 4.4% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Announcing the 'Shadow Budget' of RM220bil here, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would include a RM1,000 bonus for senior citizens with annual income of less than RM18,000 as well as for qualified housewives.
Pakatan also proposed that the minimum wage be set at RM1,100, an annual allowance of RM1,000 to be given to mothers to encourage them to enter the workforce, and re-imposing various taxes on luxury items like handbags and branded clothes.
"We aim to reduce the deficit to a reasonable level so that public services are not disrupted," he said in Parliament Tuesday.
The Pakatan budget, said Anwar, would also propose cutting the Prime Minister's Department's expenditure by RM10bil and re-distributing it to the other ministries.

tunku : it's easy to just make a budget when you don't have the responsibilities to fulfill it. it is just like a copy paste budget, cut here, paste there, give here and give there without having a burden to fulfill it. they did not tell in detail from where they will get the income. anyone can make a budget like this.have they(pakatan) done that in the states they are ruling? big question mark there.

Johol assemblyman passes away

2011-10-04T10:51:00.002+08:00

SEREMBAN:Johol assemblyman from Negri Sembilan Datuk Roslan Md Yusof died at 4am on Tuesday following an illness.
The two-term Barisan Nasional assemblyman, who underwent a surgery for spinal injuries two years ago, had been confined to a wheelchair after a fall at his home here in August.
He will be buried in Johol after Zohor prayers later Tuesday.
His death will not result in a by-election as the current 12th Parliament had served its three-year mandate as at April 28 this year.

AL FATIHAH . May Allah bless his soul and rest in peace.

KL Needs To Be More Green To Be Among Top 20 Liveable Cities In The World - Chor

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA, 3 Oct (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur (KL) City needs to significantly increase its green space to be among the top 20 liveable cities in the world, said Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Wira Chor Chee Heung.
Chor said greening the city would not only improve liveability by creating more a comfortable living environment and providing space for healthy recreational activities, but also create a sustainable environment by reducing inner city temperature and greenhouse gases.
"This will not only give rise to the impression of a green city but also directly contribute to gross national income through commercial activities," he said when launching World Habitat Day Celebration 2011, here, Monday.
He said three key initiatives neede taken to realise the goal; the first to adopt a green-focused development policy for both government and private redevelopments where the open space requirement of 30 per cent of total area would be prioritised for green spaces.
Second, to employ creative landscaping methods including dense foliage tree planting, rooftop greening and vertical landscaping and third; to integrate parks and promote outdoor events.
"An integrated park system will be created to include parks of all sizes, landscaped boulevards and paths and public open spaces, where different open spaces in the city are connected through green trails," he added.

tunku : do not cut any more green areas in kl city in the name of development.we had enough development in kl. the developments can move outside the city centre.right now we can still see a bit of jungle in kl especially at the mahameru side, we hope it will remain as it is now.kl will be like a naked city without these green lungs.please preserves them.

Karpal: DAP never agreed to hudud in T'gganu, Kelantan

2011-10-03T00:04:00.000+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: DAP chairman Karpal Singh said he is surprised over the statement by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that the party had agreed in principle to the hudud legislation which was passed in Kelantan and Terengganu in 1999 and 2003 respectively.
"We never agreed in principle to the legislation," he said at a press conference at his office here Sunday.
"We have nothing against PAS. On larger issues, we are on one mind.
"But we find that PAS' stand on hudud is inconsistent with the Federal Constitution," he said.
Karpal said DAP leaders had made it clear during a meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders on Wednesday that the hudud law was not in line with the Federal Constitution.
Asked about his absence at the 60th PAS anniversary celebration in Kepala Batas, Karpal Singh said he did not attend as he was unwell.
"I informed DAP headquarters that I could not attend the function.

tunku : the pas supporters are saying that dap agreed to hudud in kelantan and terengganu but here we are hearing it from dap's chairman that they had never agreed on it. obviously pas supporters are trying to fool others in the same time fooling themselves.

Hadi: PAS will continue to champion hudud

2011-10-02T00:59:00.002+08:00

KEPALA BATAS: PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang has reiterated the party's stand in continuing to champion hudud laws in the country.
He said there was anxiety over hudud because there had been no initiative to explain the law fully to non-Muslims.
He said while PAS would not force Islam on anyone, the party would also not make hudud laws compulsory on non-Muslims.
Hadi was speaking at the party's 60th anniversary celebrations here on Saturday.
The statement comes days after Pakatan Rakyat leaders failed to reach a consensus on hudud.

tunku : again pas is playing with the hudud issue. first we talk about hadi, when he became the MB for terengganu, he said terengganu will not implement hudud as hudud is just 0.00001% of Islam. now he's trying to fool the people again. i wonder how after the pakatan meeting few days ago where the joint statement was pakatan will not implement hudud and now pas is talking about it again. that shows how united they are in pakatan.either dap or pas is talking crap here.

Guan Eng the liar apologises to Johor Sultan

2011-09-30T14:15:00.002+08:00

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has apologised to the Sultan of Johor for his alleged remarks on Johor's deteriorating crime rate.
He made the apology at a press conference in Komtar at 1.10pm Friday.
Lim, however, did not admit making the statement and said he was still trying to locate the recording of what he said in Singapore.
“The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, had said he was offended by the statement made by me against Johor.
“Out of respect to the Johor Sultan, I wish to fully apologised to the Johor Sultan and his subjects, the people of Johor. I have no intention whatsoever to discredit Johor or any other state,” he said.
Lim was alleged to have made the remarks at a Correspondents Club of Singapore luncheon last month.
It was reported that an alleged transcript of Lim's speech, released on the Internet, quoted him as saying: “You don't have to worry about your safety when you come to Penang. In Johor, if you are a Singaporean, you are likely to get kidnapped.”
Lim had said Thursday he was unsure if the remarks were made in a private capacity but denied saying so in his prepared speech text at the function.

tunku : the liar at last apologized. he should be shameful as he denied earlier that he had said those thing. what about if there was no recording of his speech? if there is none,he will just deny it till now and put all the blames to bernama or umno. this twisted tongue guy should not be trusted at all.full of craps.

Pakatan Will Not Implement Hudud Laws, Says Anwar

2011-09-29T13:54:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Pakatan opposition will not implement hudud laws as called for by PAS because it is not in line with the common policies of the coalition, the Federal Consitution and their Orange Book agenda, said Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the Pakatan leadership respected PAS stand on the issue but at the same time accepted the views of the DAP, which opposed hudud laws.
"We cannot deny the right of any party to voice out what it wants, but we are bound by a common framework and the Federal consititution," he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of Pakatan's leadership council at PAS' headquarters here Wednesday night.
Also present were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, DAP chairman Karpal Singh, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The meeting was called following PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's controversial remarks that the party would implement hudud laws if it came into power.

tunku : so it's confirmed that pakatan will not implement hudud which means nik aziz only talk craps.it is just to fish for votes. pas had failed and is the biggest losers in pakatan.

Dap like a small child afraid of ghost: Nik Aziz

2011-09-27T01:00:00.004+08:00

KOTA BARU: Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat has likened the DAP's response to the hudud issue as "a small child who is scared of ghosts."
The PAS spiritual leader contended that hudud, which was to be implemented in Kelantan, was fairer and "did not involve the non-Muslim community." As such, DAP had no reason to oppose it, he said.
"Why does the DAP want to leave (the opposition pact)? Hudud is for the Muslims.
"So, what is DAP's connection with the Muslims? Some people are scared of hudud like they're scared of ghosts," he told reporters at the Mentri Besar's residence.
Nik Aziz had said the hudud law would be implemented in Kelantan's syariah courts despite opposition from DAP.
DAP leaders had reportedly said that they would resign en bloc if hudud implementation was incorporated into the common policy framework of the opposition grouping.

tunku: pakatan has issued a gag order for the hudud issue but this old man still being stubborn and keep hitting at Dap. Looks like the ordet does not applied on him coz like karpal said the old man is seeking for attention. May be he is hitting at hadi awang.

Guan Eng: DAP top leadership will quit if hudud law included in Pakatan policy

2011-09-26T00:04:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP's top leadership will resign en masse if hudud law or the formation of an Islamic state are ever incorporated in Pakatan Rakyat's common policy framework or "Buku Jingga".
"If there is any mention that we want to implement hudud law in our common policy framework and Buku Jingga, the party's entire central committee will resign," party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng told reporters after officiating DAP's Federal Territories convention here Sunday.
He said the pact between DAP, PAS and PKR had been agreed upon in "black and white" and was aimed at collaboration on common issues such as justice, the fight against corruption and upholding ruman rights.
"Hudud law was never included in Pakatan's common policy framework and if it is not included, it should not be part of the agenda," he said.
DAP and PAS are at loggerheads over the implementation of hudud law and formation of an Islamic state, after PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat recently called for their implementation in Kelantan.
PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shocked his Pakatan allies when he openly supported PAS' plan to implement hudud law in Kelantan.
However, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said his party had never accepted hudud or the idea of setting up an Islamic state and neither had Pakatan made an official stand supporting it.

tunku : so we know that nik aziz is alone on this issue, even pas president and his deputy had not back him up.so i guess what karpal said is right, the old man(nik aziz) is seeking for attention when he brought up the issue.

DAP Wants Emergency Meeting To Discuss Hudud Laws

2011-09-25T00:14:00.000+08:00

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- The DAP has called on the Pakatan Rakyat to hold an emergency meeting to discuss and resolve PAS' controversial plans to implement Hudud laws.
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said the party would always oppose the establishment of an Islamic state and that the Pakatan secretariat should arrange for an urgent meeting.
He said, any delay to address the contentious matter would severely erode public confidence, especially among non-Muslims, on Pakatan.
"An emergency meeting must be held immediately to publicly clarify Pakatan's stand on the issue and the controversy must end, once and for all," he told reporters here Saturday.
It was reported early this week that Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat had said that PAS would not back down from plans to institute an Islamic state and Hudud agenda, and that the DAP could leave the loose coalition of opposition parties, if it was against it.
However, Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor member of parliament, said an Islamic state could never be implemented in any part of the Federation of Malaysia because the Federal Constitution simply did not allow it.
The Pakatan coalition comprises the DAP, PKR and PAS.

tunku : dont worry dap, nik aziz is just trying to divert mat sabu's issue with this hudud. they have said it clearly at their "muktamar" that they won't proceed with hudud or islamic agenda. dap should just accept nik aziz's remark and support hudud.

Dr M - PAS' Hudud is sheer propaganda.

2011-09-24T00:18:00.002+08:00

mole.my

KUALA LUMPUR : PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s sudden revived interest in wanting to implement Hudud and pursue the setting up of an Islamic state is a political propaganda to win back dwindling Muslim support.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told The Mole that PAS was actually in a dilemma following the party’s decision to drop their quest to set up an Islamic state and implement Hudud.
“This is the problem with PAS, they are never very consistent. When they see that dropping (the struggle for an) Islamic state and Hudud makes them very unpopular now they want to come back and say that they want to implement (Islamic state and Hudud).
“But they know very well that they cannot implement simply because they are afraid they will not get the support of Karpal Singh and the DAP. … So what they are saying now is just propaganda to win back Muslim votes.
“PAS is in a dilemma. On one hand they want the non-Muslim support on the other hand they are afraid they would lose the Muslim support,” the former Prime Minister and Umno president said when met at the National Mosque on Friday.
Nik Aziz who is also Kelantan Mentri Besar rekindled PAS’ aspiration to implement the party’s version of Hudud a few days ago and insisted that the party has never dropped its struggle for an Islamic state.
During PAS’ 57th muktamar in early June, the party dropped their long-standing quest for an Islamic state and adopted the welfare state concept.
Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang made the ‘Welfare State’ announcement at the end of the muktamar, much to the chagrin of PAS’ own members and supporters.
But Nik Aziz revived the Hudud issue again when he recently accused Dr Mahathir of single handedly preventing PAS from implementing Hudud in Kelantan when the latter was Prime Minister.
Nik Aziz said the high number of HIV/AIDS cases in Kelantan could have been prevented had PAS been allowed to implement the Hudud laws.
Dr Mahathir responded by challenging Nik Aziz to implement the Hudud now since he is no longer the Prime Minister.
Yesterday Nik Aziz firmly said “We don't care what DAP leaders have to say about Hudud. There is no need for any further discussion with DAP on PAS's stance to implement Hudud in Kelantan because it is our right to do so. DAP can leave (Pakatan) if they want to”.
Asked if he had any advice for PAS supporters and members who appeared confused over the party’s version of Hudud, Islamic state and welfare state, Dr Mahathir said “ Pas members, in particular, must know what is important in Islam. The most important thing in Islam is not how you punish (or) how the trial is carried out. The most important thing in Islam is justice.
“If in carrying out any procedure or sentence and they cause injustice then it is not Islamic. So, I suggest they go back and read the Quran on the issue of justice in Islam.”
Dr Mahathir also urged Nik Aziz to make public a letter that the PAS’ leader claimed was the main stumbling block for Hudud in Kelantan.
“Ask him (Nik Aziz) to produce the letter,” Dr Mahathir quipped.

this is the letter:

PERDANA MENTERI MALAYSIA

YAB Tuan Haji Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat
Menteri Besar Kelantan

Y.A.B. Tuan Haji,

PENGUATKUASAAN KANUN JENAYAH SYARIAH II 1993 DI NEGERI KELANTAN

Rujukan : MB(KN)(S)16/6/(26)
Bertarikh 8 Jun 1994

Pihak kerajaan pusat sentiasa berpandukan kepada kebijaksanaan (al-Hikmah) yang telah ditunjukkan oleh baginda Rasulullah SAW. dan juga para sahabat baginda khususnya al-khulafa ar-Rasyidun dalam melaksanakan ajaran Islam lebih-lebih lagi yang berkaitan dengan hukum-hukum jenayah.

1. Jalan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan Pusat ini adalah juga berpandukan kepada kaedah yang terdapat dalam sistem pemerintahan Islam iaitu “tindakan pemerintahan adalah sentiasa bergantung kapada kepentingan ramai (muslihat umum).” Penguatkuasaan kanun jenayah yang digubal oleh Kerajaan PAS di Kelantan, menurut kajian sehingga setakat ini tidak menampakkan dan tidak menyakinkan pakar-pakar perundangan Islam yang tidak mempunyai sebarang kepentingan politik bahawa ia selari dengan ajaran dan kehendak Islam sebagaimana yang telah diuruskan dengan bijaksana oleh Rasulullah SAW. dan para sahabat.

2. Sepertimana yang Amat Berhormat sendiri sedia ketahui, KEADILAN adalah ASAS yang paling utama ditekankan oleh agama Islam apabila melaksanakan sesuatu perkara. Penekanan mengenai dengan keadilan adalah sangat terserlah dalam ajaran Islam lebih daripada penekanan yang terdapat dalam ajaran-ajaran yang lain dalam sejarah agama. Baginda Rasulullah SAW sewaktu mengembangkan agama Islam ialah usaha menghapuskan ketidakadilan yang menjadi sebahagian daripada budaya di zaman itu.

3. Tidak perlu bagi saya menyatakan disini betapa banyaknya terdapat ayat-ayat Al-Quran yang menegaskan tentang pentingnya keadilan dan lebih banyak bagi ayat-ayat yang mencela sebarang jenis kezaliman. Disamping itu al-Quran juga sentiasa menggesa supaya dielak daripada terjadinya huru-hara dan Allah sendiri sangat tidak gemarkan kapada mereka yang menyebabkan huru-hara berlaku. Kita hanya bertindak balas terhadap sikap permusuhan dan serangan yang dilakukan terhadap kita. Di Malaysia, orang bukan Islam bukan sahaja tidak memusuhi kita tetapi mereka memberi kerjasama bahkan membantu kita dalam urusan-urusan yang bersangkutan dengan kegiatan dan amalan ajaran Islam.

4. Khusus mengenai undang-undang jenayah PAS di Kelantan, kajian awal menunjukkan dengan jelas bahawa undang-undang itu yang disediakan menerusi perjuangan sebuah parti politik ternyata bukan sahaja menyebabkan ketidakadilan aakan berlaku tetapi, sebaliknya ia akan membawa kezaliman. Kebenaran kenyataan ini adalah berdasarkan kapada keterangan berikut:

(i) Dakwaan bahawa undang-undang ini akan dikuatkuasakan hanya di kalangan orang Islam sahaja dan tidak digunapakai untuk orang bukan Islam akan menyebabkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman yang ketara berlaku. Memang benar di zaman Nabi Muhammad SAW., orang Yahudi biasa dihukum di bawah undang-undang yang berada di dalam kitab Taurat mereka tetapi kitab Taurat mempunyai hukuman yang tidak berbedza dengan hukum-hukum dalam al Quran. Mereka yang berzina umpamanya, akan dihukum rejam sama seperti hukuman terhadap jenayah yang sama bagi orang Islam. Justru itu tidak ada perbedzaan sama ada penjenayah dihukum di bawah undang-undang Islam atau Undang-undang Yahudi di zaman Nabi Muhammad SAW. Tetapi terdapat perbedzaan yang amat ketara di antara hukuman di bawah undang-undang yang ada sekarang dengan hukuman di bawah undang-undang jenayah yang dicadangkan oleh kerajaan PAS di Kelantan.

Menghukum orang Islam dengan lebih berat tetapi orang bukan Islam dengan amat ringan untuk jenayah yang sama atau jenayah dilakukan bersama amatlah tidak adil dan merupakan satu kezaliman, sedangkan undang-undang PAS akan menyebabkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman berlaku, maka undang-undang PAS tidak boleh diterima sebagai undang-undang Islam atau secucuk dengan undang-undang Islam ataupun selaras dengan ajaran Islam. Ia sebenarnya tertentangan dengan agama Islam.

(ii) Masaalah kesalahan merogol wanita, berdasarkan kapada undang-undang PAS, jika seseorang wanita yang belum kahwin melahirkan anak maka ini adalah bukti ia telah berzina dan akan dihukum mengikut undang-undang PAS, sedangkan apa yang sebenarnya berlaku ialah wanita itu adalah mangsa rogol. Mengikut undang-undang PAS jika ia menuduh perogolnya, tuduhan hanya boleh diterima sah jika terdapat empat orang saksi (yang terdiri daripada orang-orang yang baik, yang tidak melakukan dosa besar) yang menyatakan bahawa telah melihat dengan terang dan jelas bahawa yang dituduh telah merogol wanita berkenaan.

Seperti kita ketahui, melainkan dalam keadaan perang seperti di Bosnia diwaktu mana orang Serb merogol beramai-ramai wanita Bosnia, tidak mungkin jenayah merogol dilakukan di hadapan saksi-saksi yang terdiri daripada orang-orang yang baik. Jika saksi ini melihat dan mereka tidak menolong wanita berkenaan, mereka boleh dianggap sebagai bersubahat seperti penjenayah-penjenayah Serb bersubahat dengan perogol daripada kaum mereka. Jika ada pun saksi, dan mereka tidak membuat apa-apa untuk menolong mereka tidak boleh dianggap sebagai terdiri daripada orang yang baik, tetapi disebaliknya dianggap sudah bersubahat. Dengan itu tuduhan mangsa rogol akan ditolak dan perogol akan terlepas.

Keadaan di mana mangsa rogol dihukum salah kerana melahirkan anak di luar nikah dan perogol dilepaskan sebagai tidak bersalah kerana tidak ada saksi adalah sama sekali tidak boleh diterima oleh sesiapa pun sebagai sesuatu yang adil, bahkan aia adalah satu kezaliman yang dahsyat.

5. Hukum Hudud Islam bertujuan untuk memberi keadilan kapada semua pihak. Ia bukanlah bertujuan untuk melakukan kezaliman. Undang-undang PAS jelas menunjukkan ketidakadilan dan kezaliman yang ketara akan berlaku. Justeru itu undang-undang yang disediakan oleh PAS bukanlah undang-undang yang menepati ajaran Islam. Ia hanyalah undang-undang ciptaan PAS yang bertentangan dengan penekanan oleh agama Islam yang menuntut supaya menghukum secara adil dan menolok sebarang kezaliman. Kerajaan Pusat akan sentiasa berpandu dan menerima ajaran-ajaran dan amalan Islam dari semua aspek tanpa diheret oleh kehendak organasasi politik yang mempunyai kepentingan yang lain daripada Islam dan kepentingannya.

6. Jika undang-undang PAS yang jelas mengandungi unsur-unsur ketidakadilan dikuatkuasakan dinegara ini, dan jika ia dikatakan itulah Hukum Hudud Islam maka umat Islam dan juga anggota masyarakat bukan Islam akan hilang kepercayaan Islam membawa keadilan untuk penganutnya. Ia juga memberi gambaran yang buruk terhadap agama yang suci ini dan menjejaskan imej orang-orang Islam di kalangan penganut agama-agama yang lain. Ia tetap akan menyebabkan penganut agama lain menjauhkan diri daripada agama Islam dan menyebabkan orang yang berminat memeluk Islam menolaknya.

7. Kerajaan Pusat tidak berhajat untuk bersubahat dengan PAS bagi melaksanakan ketidakadilan semata-mata untuk kepentingan politik dan sokongan oleh orang yang telah diabui matanya. Kerajaan Malaysia yang sentiasa dan terus mempertahankan ajaran dan nilai-nilai Islam tidak dapat membenarkan Kerajaan Pas menjalankan sesuatu yang bercangah dengan prinsip keadilan dalam Islam, maka Kerajaan Pusat akan mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya terhadapKerajaan PAS demi menjaga maruah dan ketinggian martabat Islam dan penganut-penganutnya.

DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
15 Julai 1994

tunku : it is just an election gimmick by pas.they know that they are losing the Malays support and nik aziz is using this issue to gain back those supports. in their annual GA , pas had declared(pass a resolution) that they will not pursue with its Islamic nation agenda as the country is not ready for it but suddenly the senile old man using this issue to fool the people.do not falls into the evil old man's trap.

MCA can withdraw from BN now.

2011-09-23T16:31:00.003+08:00

Dr Chua: Pakatan's fickleness over hudud law shows leadership friction

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat's fickleness and indecisive stand on the hudud law has once again revealed friction in the pact's leadership, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Friday.
He said Opposition leader adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's show of open support Thursday for hudud law to be implemented in Kelantan showed that the Opposition coalition could not agree on even a basic issue.
He also reiterated MCA's strong objection against the hudud law, saying the party would withdraw from Barisan Nasional if its ally Umno were to ever consider implementing an Islamic state.
"We can forget about driving the nation into a high-income economy status if hudud law is implemented (as it affects) investors' confidence," Dr Chua told reporters after the opening ceremony of the Making A High Income Nation A Reality national conference here Friday.
Meawhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was not time for hudud to be implemented yet, and that Dr Chua's statement that MCA would retract from Barisan should hudud be implemented was merely based his own assumption.
Speaking after prayers with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia students in Bangi, Muhyiddin said Umno's stand was not the same as PAS.

tunku : MCA can leave BN even now if they want, don't have to wait if Umno agrees or not with hudud implementation. we do not need a party that like to threat or blackmail. Umno is considering of implementing it and only waiting for the right time and the time is not now.so when chua said that if Umno ever consider to implement it they will withdraw, so please ,GO.don't worry chua, you won't be punished with 100 strokes of cane for your act in your porn video because first,you are not a muslim and second video evidence is not used by syariah laws.

DAP Can Leave Pakatan, I Am Firm About Implementing Hudud Laws, Says Nik Aziz

2011-09-23T00:23:00.002+08:00

KOTA BAHARU, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat said today it did not matter to him if the DAP wanted to quit the Pakatan coalition if PAS were to go ahead with its plans to implement hudud laws and turn Malaysia into a fully Islamic state, should it come into power.
"I am firm about this, implementing hudud laws has been talked about for some 50 years and is not something new. There has been endless dialogues on it.
"DAP had previously pulled out from the opposition pact Angakatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) because of this (implementing hudud laws). If now they want to do the same (pull out from the Pakatan coalition because of hudud laws, that is their problem," he told reporters after attending a civic function at Pusat Tarbiyah Islamiah Kelantan (Putik) here Thursday.
Nik Aziz was commenting on the statement by DAP chairman Karpal Singh yesterday that the DAP rejected hudud laws and turning Malaysia into a fully Islamic state because this was against the Federal constitution.
The Pakatan coalition is made up of the DAP, PKR and PAS.
Under hudud laws, thieves hands are chopped off, adulterers will be stoned to death and murderers executed.

tunku : don't be surprised if dap supports hudud as pakatan knows that they have enough non malays vote and now they want to pull the supports from the malays.pas is playing this issue again as they know election is near and i'm sure the lim dynasty will support it except for karpal.now that nik aziz had challenged dap, let see what dap has to say about this matter.

SELAMAT MENYAMBUT HARI KEMERDEKAAN KE-54

2011-08-31T08:00:00.000+08:00

EID MUBARAK 2011 / 1432 - SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI

2011-08-29T20:00:00.000+08:00

EID MUBARAK / SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI TO ALL .
MINAL AIDIN WAL FAIDZIN
Wish you all a happy and peaceful Eid-Ul-Fitr and may ALLAH bless and reward all of you with the blessings of Heaven.
from home to home, and heart to heart,
from one place to another
the warmth and joy of EID,
brings us closer to each other.

Please keep up all the good deeds which you have done during Ramadhan.

MAAF ZAHIR BATIN KEPADA SEMUA UMAT ISLAM.

The Meaning of Eid

2011-08-29T00:00:00.000+08:00

Eid means recurring happiness or festivity. There are two such Eid in Islam. The first is called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Fast Breaking).
It falls on the first day of Shawwaal, the tenth month of the Muslim year, following the month of Ramadhaan in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed and which is the month of fasting.
The second is called Eid al-Adhaa (the Festival of sacrifice). It falls on the tenth day of Zulhijjah, the final month of the Muslim year. The Islamic Eid are unique in every way. To them there can be nothing similar in any other religion or any other sociopolitical system. Besides their highly spiritual and moral characteristics, they have matchless qualities.
Each Eid is a wholesome celebration of a remarkable achievement of the individual Muslim in the service of Allah SWT. The first Eid comes after an entire month of 'absolute' fasting during the days of the month. The second Eid marks the completion of Hajj to Mecca, a course in which the Muslim handsomely demonstrates his renouncement of the mundane concerns and hearkens only to the eternal voice of Allah SWT.
Each Eid is a thanksgiving day where Muslims assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere to offer their gratitude to Allah SWT for helping them to fulfill their spiritual obligations prior to the Eid. This form of thanksgiving is not confined to spiritual devotion and verbal expressions. It goes far beyond that to manifest itself in a handsome shape of social and humanitarian spirit. The Muslims who have completed the fasting of Ramadhaan express their thanks to Allah SWT by means of distributing alms among the poor and needy on the first Eid before the prayer.
Eid also is a day of remembrance. Even in their most joyful times the Muslims make a flesh stall of the day by a plural session of worship to Allah SWT. They pray to Him and glorify His name to demonstrate their remembrance of His favors. Along with that course, they remember the deceased by praying for their souls, the needy by extending a hand of help, the grieved by showing them sympathy and consolation, the sick by cheerful visits and utterances of good wishes, the absentees by cordial greetings and sincere considerateness. Thus, the meaning of remembrance on the day transcends all limits and expands over far-reaching dimensions of human life.
Most of the imaam when delivering the Eid khutbah will mention that Eid is a day of victory. The individual who succeeds in securing his spiritual rights and growth receives the Eid with a victorious spirit. The individual who faithfully observes the duties, which are associated with the Eid, is a triumphant one. He proves that he holds a strong command over his desires, exercises a sound self-control and enjoys the taste of disciplinary life.
Once a person acquires these qualities, he has achieved his greatest victory because the person who knows how to control himself and discipline his desires is free from sin and wrong, from fear and cowardice, from vice and indecency, from jealousy and greed, from humiliation and all other causes of enslavement. Therefore, when he receives the Eid, which marks the achievement of this freedom, he is in fact celebrating his victory, and the Eid thus becomes a day of victory.
This is the proper meaning of an Islamic Eid. It is a day of thanksgiving, a day of festive remembrance and a day of moral victory. An Islamic Eid is all this and is much more because it is a day of Islam, a day of Allah SWT. Celebrate this coming Eid with the true imaan and taqwa. InshaaAllah, besides having enjoyment, we will be blessed by Allah SWT.

Zakaah al-Fitr

2011-08-28T00:00:00.000+08:00

1. MEANING

Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadaan.

2. CLASSIFICATION

Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.
The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one Saa` of barely. [collected by Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]
The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allaah's Messenger's (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155]

3. SIGNIFICANCE

The significant role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus, Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.
4. PURPOSE

The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.
Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]
Hence, the goal of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But, since Islaam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal of Zakaah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members of society.

5. CONDITIONS

Zakaah al-Fitr is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed.
Naafi reported that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two before the `Eed. [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol. 2, p.339, no. 579]
Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakaah al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (al-'Eed).
And Ibn `Abbaas reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever gives it before the Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it will only be considered as) ordinary charity." Therefore, one who forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.
6. RATE

The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa` of dried dates or a Saa` of barley.
The Sahaabee, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

I'TIKAF

2011-08-27T00:00:00.000+08:00

1. I'TIKAF in the first ten and in the mid ten days of Ramadan:

Abu Sai'id Al-Khudri Radiyallahu Anh narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) observed I'tikaf in the first ten days of Ramadan; he then observed I'tikaf in the middle ten days in a Turkish tent with a mat hanging at its door. The Prophet (PBUH) took hold of that mat and place it in the nook of the tent. He then put his head out, and talked with people who came nera him, and he said: I observed I'tikaf in the first ten nights and days in order to seek that night (Night of Decree). I then observed I'tikaf in the middle ten days. Then an angel was sent to me, and I was told that this night is among the last ten nights. He who among you like to observe I'tikaf may do so," and people observed it along with him, and he again said: "That Night of Decree was shown to me in an odd night and I saw in the dream that I was prostrating in the morning in mud and water." So in the morning of the twenty-first night when the Prophet (PBUH) got up for dawn prayer, there was rainfall and the mosque dripped, and I saw mud and water. When he came out after he finished the morning prayer, he saw that his forehead and the tip of his nose had traces of mud and water, and that was the twenty-first night of the last ten nights of Ramadan. (Bukhari 2018). (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 632)

2. I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan
'Aishah Radiyallahu Anha narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) was regular in observing I'tikaf in the last ten (days) of Ramadan until Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, collected him. His wives also used to observe I'tikaf with him. (Bukhari 2026). (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 633)

2.1. Striving hard in the last ten (of Ramadan)
'Aishah Radiyallahu Anha narrated that when the last ten nights of Ramadan began the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) kept awake at nights (for prayer and worship), awoke his family, strove hard and fastened his lower garment. (Bukhari 2024) (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 634)

3. Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) and seeking it in the last ten (nights) of Ramadan
Ibn 'Umar Radiyallahu Anhuma narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the last ten (nights). If one of you shows slackness in the earlier part of Ramadan, let it not be weak to observe the last seven." (Bukhari 2015) (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 635)

4. Lailat-ul-Qadr was the twenty-third night of Ramadan
'Abdullah bin Unais Radiyallahu Anh narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "I was shown Lailat-ul-Qadr; then I was made to forget it. I saw that I was prostrating in water and mud in the morning of that night." The narrator said: There was a downpour on the twenty-third night and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) led us in prayer, and as he went back, there was a trace of water and mud on his forehead and on his nose. The narrator added: "Abdullah bin Unais used to say that it was the twenty-third night. (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 636)

5. Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the ninth and seventh and the fifth (in the last ten nights of Ramadan):
Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri Radiyallahu Anh narrated: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) observed I'tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan to seek Lailat-ul-Qadr, before it was shown to him. When these nights were over, he ordered a tent to be pitched. Then it was shown to him that (Lailat-ul-Qadr) was in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Then he ordered to pitch the tent again. He then came to people and said: "O people, Lailat-ul-Qadr was shown to me and I came out to tell you about it, but two man were quarrelling with each other, and there was a devil along with them, and I forgot it. So seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Seek it on the ninth, on the seventh and on the fifth." One of the narrators said: "Abu Sa'id, you know more than about numbers." He said: "Yes, indeed we know better than you." I said: "What is this ninth, seventh, and fifth?" He said: "When twenty-one nights are over and the twenty-second begins, it is the ninth; and when twenty-three nights are over, that which follows is the seventh; and when twenty-five nights are over, what follows is the fifth." (Bukhari2016) (Source: Summarized Sahih Muslim, Volume 1, Hadith 637)

When the Night Equals a Thousand

2011-08-26T00:00:00.000+08:00

It was narrated that in the days that Musa (Alahi salaam) wandered with Bani Israel in the desert an intense drought befell them. Together, they raised their hands towards the heavens praying for the blessed rain to come. Then, to the astonishment of Musa (Alahi salaam) and all those watching, the few scattered clouds that were in the sky vanished, the heat poured down, and the drought intensified.
It was revealed to Musa that there was a sinner amongst the tribe of Bani Israel whom had disobeyed Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for more than forty years of his life. 'Let him separate himself from the congregation,' Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) told Musa (Alahi salaam). 'Only then shall I shower you all with rain.'
Musa (Alahi salaam) then called out to the throngs of humanity, 'There is a person amongst us who has disobeyed Allah for forty years. Let him separate himself from the congregation and only then shall we be rescued from the drought.' That man, waited, looking left and right, hoping that someone else would step forward, but no one did. Sweat poured forth from his brow and he knew that he was the one.
The man knew that if he stayed amongst the congregation all would die of thirst and that if he stepped forward he would be humiliated for all eternity.
He raised his hands with a sincerity he had never known before, with a humility he had never tasted, and as tears poured down on both cheeks he said: 'O Allah, have mercy on me! O Allah, hide my sins! O Allah, forgive me!'
As Musa (Alahi salaam) and the people of Bani Israel awaited for the sinner to step forward, the clouds hugged the sky and the rain poured. Musa (Alahi salaam) asked Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), 'O Allah, you blessed us with rain even though the sinner did not come forward.' And Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, 'O Musa, it is for the repentance of that very person that I blessed all of Bani Israel with water.'
Musa (Alahi salaam), wanting to know who this blessed man was, asked, 'Show him to me O Allah!' Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) replied, 'O Musa, I hid his sins for forty years, do you think that after his repentance I shall expose him?'
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed the Qur'an in the most blessed month; the month of Ramadan, the month in which the Qur'an was sent down.
On the most blessed night, the Grand night: Laylatul Qadr; 'Verily, we revealed the Qur'an on the night of Qadr.'
Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months.
And so Allah revealed the Surah: 'Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr? until the verse 'The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months' That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it, and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months? good deeds, prayers and fasting. (Narrated by Ibn Jareer)
It is reported from Abu Hurairah that he said: 'When the month of Ramadan came, the Messenger of Allah said: 'The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.?' (Narrated by Imam Ahmad and An-Nasaa'i).
It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.' (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) for past sins, knowing that the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet's (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) advice in different sayings wherein he used words like 'seek', 'pursue', 'search' and 'look hard' for Laylatul Qadr.
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mu'min should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience.
For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah we find the following:

Praying Qiyaam (night prayer):

It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth, such as 'Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition 'and it is facilitated for him' is recorded by Ahmad from the report of 'Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications:

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. 'A'ishah reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) 'O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?' And he instructed her to say:
'Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.' [An authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.]
Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship: It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr is likely to fall. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala).
'A'ishah reported: 'When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family.' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And she said: 'Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights.' [Muslim]
Have we estimated Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) correctly?
The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming in the next few days. Life is about people that take advantage of their opportunities to win the love of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), and this is indeed one of those chances.
Abu Dah Daah was one of those who found an opportunity and won that which is greater than the heavens and the earth. An adult companion of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. The orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was on his property and thus belonged to him. The companion rejected the claim and off to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) went the orphan boy to complain. With his justness, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belong to the companion. The orphan erupted crying. Seeing this, the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) offered the companion, 'would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Jannah?' However, the companion in his disbelief that an orphan would complain to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) missed the opportunity and went away angry.
But someone else saw the opportunity, Abu Dah Daah - radi Allahu 'anhu. He went to the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and asked, 'Ya Rasul Allah, if I buy the tree from him and give it to the orphan shall I have that tree in Jannah?' The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, 'Yes.'
Abu Dah Daah chased after the companion and asked, 'Would you sell that tree to me for my entire garden?' The companion answered, 'Take it for there is no good in a tree that I was complained to the Prophet about.'
Immediately, Abu Dah Daah went home and found his wife and children playing in the garden. 'Leave the garden!' shouted Abu Dah Daah, 'we've sold it to Allah! We've sold it to Allah!' Some of his children had dates in their hand and he snached the dates from them and threw them back into the garden. 'We've sold it to Allah!'
When Abu Dah Daah was later martyred in the battle of Uhud, Rasul Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stood over his slain body and remarked, 'How many shady palm trees does Abu Dah Daah now have in paradise?'
What did Abu Dah Daah lose? Dates? Bushes? Dirt? What did he gain? He gained a Jannah whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.
Abu Dah Daah did not miss his opportunity, and I pray to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) that we do not miss our opportunity of standing to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) on Laylatul Qadr.
Dear brothers and sisters, we do not obey, worship and revere Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) in a way befitting of His Majesty.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) revealed: 'No just estimate have they made of Allah, such as is due to Him. On the Day of Resurrection the whole of the earth will be but His handful, and the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand: Glory to Him! High is He above the partners they attribute to Him' (Surat al-An'aam, Ayat 91).
Everything that we have belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). When someone dies we say, Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji'oon, Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. This is not a supplication just for when a soul is lost. It is a supplication for every calamity that befalls a believer, even if his sandal were to tear. Why? Because everything belongs to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) and everything shall come back to him. Sit and try to count the blessings Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) has bestowed upon you. Have you ever tried to count stars?
'And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favors of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude' (Surat Ibrahim, Ayat 34).
We have not understood the weight of this Qur'an that we rest on our high shelves, this Noble book that was sent to give life to the dead. For even if our hearts were as solid as rock they would have crumbled to the ground in fear and hope of Allah's (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) punishment and Mercy. Could it be that our hearts are harder than that mountain?
'Had We sent down this Qur'an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and split asunder in fear of Allah (Surat al-Hashr, Ayat 21).
Dear brothers and sisters, as you fill the Masajid for Qiyamul Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadan, remember what Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala) wants you to know:
'Know ye that Allah is strict in punishment and that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.'
There shall be a night, some night in your life that you shall awaken in Jannah or Hell fire. Anas ibn Malik, on his deathbed, prayed to Allah, (Subhanahu wa ta'ala), 'O Allah, protect from a night whose morning brings a journey to hell fire.' Think about that morning.
Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn. It may be that you shall leave the Masjid after Fajr one day soon forgiven by Allah, Glorious and Most High.

The concept of Charity in Islam

2011-08-25T00:56:00.001+08:00

Charity, preached by every religion of the world, is a way of bringing justice to society. And justice is the essence of religion, Islam has therefore made charity that is Zakah, obligatory and binding upon all those who embrace the faith; it has been made into an institution in order to give in permanence and regularity.

A society can flourish only when its members do not spend all their wealth to fulfil their own desires but reserve a portion of it for parents, relatives, neighbors, the poor and the debilitated. As the saying goes: Charity begins at home. A true believer is thus always prepared, after meeting the needs of his family, to assist other people in need of his help.

Thus the spirit of kindness and well wishing is the essence of charity. The giver is not to expect any reward from the beneficiary as there awaits for him an abundant reward from God - material, moral and spiritual - what God deems it best to confer on His servant.

Charity should be lawfully earned or acquired by the giver. It should include such things as are of use and value to others.

"Charity is for those in need." This is general principle which enjoins us to help people in need, be they good or bad, on the right path or not, Muslims or non-Muslims. No one should judge in these matters. The foremost ends in charity should be God's pleasure and our own spiritual good. The concept of charity in Islam is thus linked with justice. It is not limited to the redressal of grievances. It implies apart from the removal of handicaps, the recognition of the right that every human being has to attain the fullness of life.

The spirit of helping others to earn God's pleasure is best reflected in Muslim society in the field of education. The greatest charity for a Muslim is to learn something and then teach it to other Muslims in large numbers. Thus Muslims have devoted themselves to other's education generation after generation. Knowledge is the most wonderful thing in the whole universe. That is why there is nothing greater then knowledge being imparted by one human being to another. Muslims on a large scale have engaged themselves in receiving education and imparting it to others, individually as well as by establishing maktabs and madrasas, that is, primary schools and Colleges. These educational institutions established in the house of the teachers or in separate buildings, generally made no charges for instruction. During the medieval period, these madrasas flourished in tens of thousands throughout the Muslim world. The wealthy people helped in running these madrasas, not only though Zakah, but also by making endowments (wakf), of their properties as these madrasas. The income from these properties met the needs of these schools. The orphans and poor people were given stipends over and above free board and lodging.

There are two forms of charity in Islam - obligatory and voluntary, called Zakah and Sadaqah respectively.

The concept of charity appears in most of the world's religions. The Islamic tradition has rigid laws associated with it. It is said that those Muslims who do not abide by them are surely noticed by their God, Allah (SWT). Charity in Islam is seen as an amplification of the ideal of community within the religion. When a Muslim person raises funds he is not gathering money for a stranger, rather he is acting on behalf of his own family. Everyone in the Islamic community is seen to reside in the house of Allah, as one people. Thus the definition of charity in Islamic tradition differs somewhat from its interpretation in other contexts.

The Qur'an states: 'And be steadfast in your prayer and pay charity; whatever good you send forth for your future, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah is well aware of what you do' (2:110). Charity is central to a Muslim's life.

The best charity is to satisfy a hungry person, said Prophet Muhammad (SAS). He also said "No wealth (of a servant of Allah) is decreased because of charity." (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2247).

This writer believes in the axiom "WE KNOW HOW TO MAKE MONEY BUT WE DO NOT KNOW WHO TO SPEND MONEY". We spend the first 20 to 30 years of our lives in acquiring skilled and marketable talents to earn money, but we are not taught how to spend money. We are not given guidance concerning financial transactions.

Spending in the way of Allah 'fee Sabil Allah" e.g. in Hajj, in Jihad, the poor, on widows and orphans or on relatives and friends to help them out. The Qur'an encourages the Muslim to donate their funds: 'the likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain that sprouts seven spikes. In every spike there are 100 grains, and Allah multiplies for whom He will' (2:261). Giving charity is thereby not seen as detracting from income, but rather as a multiplication in terms of spiritual observance. It is like one who sows a good grain of wheat in the field from which grows a plant on which sprout seven ears and each ear yields hundred grains. As a result, one grain was worth a total yield of 700 grains. When one spends in the way of Allah, he or she receives in return (reward in the Hereafter) on the scale of one to seven hundred.

Sayyidna Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) said: The rewards of spending one dirham in Jihad and Hajj is equal to 700 dirhams.

How to get 700 grains out of one grain? This is possible only when the grain is good. The farmer is an expert in the art of farming. The soil for the grain should be good; we need to add fertilizer, water, and sunshine to the plant. One needs to prevent disease to the plant and also prevent the plant to be eaten by cattle, etc. Similarly that which is spent in the way of Allah should be clean, pure and Halal (lawful)- BECAUSE ALLAH ALMIGHTY ACCEPTS NOTHING EXCEPT WHAT IS CLEAN, PURE AND HALAL.

Spender should be good in intentions and righteous in deeds. The one to whom Sadaqah (charity) is given should also be deserving of it. It should not be wasted by spending on the non-deserving.

Masnoon (according to Sunnah)

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying that Allah, the Most Blessed and High, said: O son of Adam, I will spend on you. The right hand of Allah is full and overflowing and nothing would diminish it, by overspending day and night. (Sahih Muslim; Kitab al-Zakat; p. 477)

The following five words are the most frequently used words to describe charity in the Noble Qur'an:

1. Infaq fi Sabil Allah (spending in the path of Allah). Infaq Meaning spending benevolently

2. Ihsan Meaning the doing of good or (kindness and consideration

3. Zakah Meaning growth or purification

4. Sadaqah Derived from the root sidq and meaning truth, and comes to signify charitable deed

5. Khayrat Meaning good deeds

THE LOVE OF ALLAH

2011-08-24T00:00:00.005+08:00

Ten causes that result in Allah's love for His slave and the slave's love for his Lord.

These ten are:
First, reciting the Qur'an while pondering over its meanings and what is meant by it.

Second, getting closer to Allah by performing voluntary deeds after completing obligatory deeds. This is as is stated in a Hadith Qudsi: "My slave continues getting closer to Me by performing voluntary deeds until I love him." (al-Bukhari)

Third, continual remembrance of Allah under all circumstances, with one’s tongue, heart and actions. The extent of one’s love of Allah is determined by this.

Fourth, giving precedence to what He loves over what you love when you are overtaken by your desires.

Fifth, the heart being avid of Allah's Names, and Attributes and the heart roaming in that garden of knowledge

Sixth, observing Allah's kindness, goodness and bounties, both hidden and open.

Seventh, and this is the most wonderful, the heart being soft, subdued and meek before Allah.

Eighth, being alone with Allah during the time when the Lord descends during the last portion of the night while reading His Book and ending that by asking for forgiveness and repenting.

Ninth, sitting with the beloved and sincere, benefitting from the most fruitful of their speech. And not to speak unless speaking is more beneficial and you know that it will improve your state and be beneficial to others.

Tenth, remaining away from every cause that comes between the heart and Allah.

These ten causes take the lovers to the station of true love and bring them to their Beloved.

How to Seek Laylat-ul-Qadr

2011-08-23T00:27:00.000+08:00

Laylat ul-Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

Praying Qiyaam

It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many hadeeths, such as the following:
Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates:
"We fasted with Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) left. Then he stood with us (that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed. So we said, 'Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?' He replied:
'Whoever stands in prayer with the imaam until he (the imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi. Their isnad is authentic.]
[Point of benefit: Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man to pray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with the people.' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam) with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until he concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

Making Supplications

It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. `A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:
"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me." [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani]

Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship
It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for worshipping Allah.
`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported:
"When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And she said:
"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights." [Muslim]

Maximize the last 10 days of Ramadan

2011-08-22T00:25:00.000+08:00

Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Quran as, "better than a thousand months" (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr.
Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). Allah's peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).
The Prophet said: "Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim recorded from Abu Huraira).
Here are some tips of things we can do on the Night of Power and the time before and after it.

1. Take a vacation for Allah.

We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.
If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate doing Itikaf.

2. Do I'tikaf.

It was a practice of the Prophet to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the masjid for I'tikaf.
Those in I'tikaf stay in the masjid all this time, performing various forms of zikr (the remembrance of Allah), like doing extra Salat, recitation and study of the Quran. They do not go outside the masjid except in case of emergencies, therefore, they sleep in the masjid. Their families or the masjid administration takes care of their food needs. I'tikaf of a shorter period of time, like one night, a day or a couple of days is encouraged as well.

3. Make this special Dua.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).
The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee"

4. Recite the Quran.

Perhaps you can choose Surahs or passages from the Quran, which you have heard in Tarawih this past Ramadan to recite.
If you attend a class where the recitation of the Quran is taught, this is a great time to put your knowledge into practice.

5. Reflect on the meaning of the Quran.

Choose the latest Surah or Surahs you've heard in Tarawih and read their translation and Tafseer. Then think deeply about their meaning and how it affects you on a personal level.

6. Get your sins wiped out.

Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim).
Don't just pray using the shorter Surahs that you know. Try to make your prayers longer, deeper and meaningful. If you are familiar with longer Surahs, read the translation and explanation and then pray reciting these Surahs, carefully reflecting on the meaning while you pray.
Even if you are only familiar with the shorter Surahs, read the translation and explanation beforehand, and then pray reflecting on the message of the Surahs.
This is a good way to develop the habit of concentration, even in regular prayers, where many of us tend to be fidgety and/or easily distracted.

7. Make a personal Dua list.

Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready, you can do three things:
* Ask Allah to give you those things
* Think about what actions you have taken to get those things
* Develop a work plan to get those things in future.

8. Evaluate yourself.

Ask yourself those questions that need to be asked. Do an evaluation of where you are and where you are going. Let this evaluation lead you to feel happiness for the good you have done and remorse for the bad you have done. This latter feeling should make it easier to seek Allah's sincere forgiveness when making the Dua mentioned in tip number one above.

9. Make long, sincere and deep Duas

One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.
Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Bukhari, Muslim).
That means for instance, waking up one hour before Suhoor time to ask Allah for anything and everything you want that is Halal. This can be done using the Duas of the Sunnah, but also Dua in your own language, with sincerity and conviction.

10. Memorize a different Dua every night

They don't have to be long. They can be just one line. And be sure to know what they mean generally at least, even if you don't know the exact translation in English.
You can put them on index cards (or and keep them with you during the day, glancing at them during work, while driving, waiting in line, etc.) Then practice them at night in prayer.

11. Have Iftar with the family

If you've spent Iftar time on weekdays in your cubicle at work alone with a couple of dates, now is the last few days you'll have this Ramadan to spend with your family. Use it wisely.

12. Take the family to Tarawih

Have your spouse and kids missed Tarawih most of Ramadan because you weren't there to drive them to the Masjid, which is too far away to walk to? If so, do all of yourselves a favour and bring everyone for Tarawih in these last ten nights.

13. Attend the Dua after the completion of Quran recitation

Almost all Masjids where the Imam aims to finish an entire reading of the Quran in Tarawih prayers in Ramadan will be completing their recitation in these last ten nights. They may try to end on one of the odd nights and read the Dua at the end of a reading of the Quran. Attend this particular night's Tarawih prayer with your family. See if you can attend different Masjids' Tarawih prayers the night they finish reading the Quran.

14. Finish reading a book on the Prophet

Read about the Prophet's life, which can increase your love for him and Islam by seeing how much he struggled for Allah's sake. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these last ten nights. This community is built on sacrifice.

15. Plan for the next year

Once you've done a self-evaluation, you can plan on where you want to go, at least in the next 12 months. Laylatul Qadr is a great night to be thinking about this (without taking away from your worship), since you'll Insha Allah, be in a more contemplative state. You may choose to dedicate one night of power for evaluation and one night for planning for the next year.

16. To do list for the Night of Power

Make a to do checklist for each Night of Power. This should define how you would like your night, the one better than a thousand months, to be used. Pick things from this list and define the sequence you would like to do things in. This will help you avoid wasting your time in unproductive chats which common in the festive atmosphere of Masjids at the Night of Power.

Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

2011-08-21T10:48:00.000+08:00

Let's analyze the significance of Laylat al-Qadr with commentary, (tafseer) on chapter 97 of Al-Qur'an, Al-Qadr (the Night of Power).
Al-Qadr
This chapter (surah) was revealed in Makkah, and its basic theme is honoring the revelation of this blessed book, the Holy Qur`an. The Night of Power or honor is a special gift only to the community (Ummah) of Islam. The night is one which even the angels in the heavens see as worthy of witnessing. The night is so rich with holiness, as the night when good deeds are returned, and is equal to a thousand months in the sight of Allah.
Occasion Of Revelation
In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger (saas) mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites who devoted his life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of devotion. So Allah (SWT) revealed this surah to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is equal to a thousand months.
"We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Qur`an) in the Night of Power." (Al-Qur`an 97:1)
There are several points pertaining to the meaning of this verse:
The meaning and the use of the pronoun "We" is a style in Al-Qur`an that when the Creator (SWT) is mentioned as a pronoun, He is referred to by "We" or "I," as is evidenced in this surah. Elsewhere He said, "Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: `I will create a vicegerent..." (Al-Qur`an, 2:30). There is no problem when Allah uses the pronoun "I" to refer to His Exalted Self, but when he uses "We" the explanation becomes warranted because it cannot be perceived to indicate plural. There is unanimity among the scholars that "We" indicates respect and exaltation for the Creator and Cherisher of all the worlds, whose greatness is incomprehensibly vast and beyond our imagination.
Or, it is referring to Allah (SWT) and the angels who carry out his words to one all, in every level of His dominion. It cannot mean plural, or more than One Allah, for that would necessitate dropping in ranks, the absoluteness, and the powers of each competing deity. If each is capable of being absolute, each would have been independent from the other and the idea that each deity can be independent from the other, is evidence that none is absolute. This is inconceivable of Allah (SWT) therefore, "We" cannot mean anything but respect and exaltation of the One and Only.
"...Have Indeed Revealed It In the Night of Power" (Al-Qur`an 97:1)
There is again unanimity among the commentators that "it" refers to Al-Qur'an, meaning "We revealed" Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power. He (SWT) did not mention Al-Qur'an explicitly because to refer to Al-Qur'an by the pronoun implies a certain divine uniqueness of this book, as well as greatness and honor that may not be attained if the word Al-Qur'an was used instead. First, it ascribed the revelation of Al-Qur'an to Himself, and not to anyone else. Second, referring to Al-Qur'an by pronoun is an indication that the revelation of this book was not a secret that no one knew about. Its revelation was an event widely known to all during the time of Muhammad (saas) and after, guarding against anyone who may like to challenge it or claim any honor of teaching Muhammad (saas) Al-Qur'an. Third, the statement also meant to honor and memorialize the time period in which Al-Qur'an was revealed.
By revealing Al-Qur'an in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) inaugurated or started its revelation for the beginning of the prophethood ('Bi'ethah), and the Prophet's mission of Al-Islam began in the month of Ramadan on that Night. Al-Qur'an was not revealed in one night; it was revealed over the course of 23 years. Ibn Abbas (raa) said: The whole Qur'an was revealed to the lower heavens from the protective slate (Lawhul Mahfuz) on the Night of Power, then from there to the earth in the course of 23 years.
The word power, Al-Qadr, has several implications and meaning, but we cover only those implications which are relevant to the issues here.
Qadr implies having power over something, as in the case of the Creator over the creation. Allah's (SWT) excellence is Al-Qadr, capable, omnipotent, almighty, all powerful. It also implies excellence and high esteem, and as for this Night of Power, it is highly esteemed and regarded. For this night is equal to over 80 years in the sight of Allah (SWT).
It also implies to maintain, appoint, assign or decree an order. Thus, in the Night of Power, Allah (SWT) proclaims to the angels His commands and orders in regards to the affairs of the universe. From this meaning is derived the concept of Al-Qada Wa Qadar, the fifth article of faith, that Allah has decreed or preordained or, in other words, has full knowledge of all that the human being will do with his free will. A man's decision to act freely in good conscience or bad conscience is all known to Allah (SWT), past, present and future.
Qadr also implies measurement, that is all the events of the year will occur in accordance to the exact measurement of what is in the knowledge of Allah, Who states: "Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure." (Al-Qur`an, 54:49)
Why the name, the Night of Power?
As mentioned above, it is the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in which Allah (SWT) announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events, etc., for the coming calendar year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power. Allah (SWT) states:
"We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom." (Al-Qur`an, 44:3-4)
It should be known that most scholars believe Allah's commands and rules are not made on that night. It has already been decreed in the eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to anyone, including the angels, until He announces it to the angels on that night so that they will record it on the protective slate.
This is also the night of honor and prestige which may be awarded to the servant who devotes himself to special deeds, or to the deeds themselves for the higher value they contain on that night.
The Night Is Concealed
Allah (SWT) in His mercy, has concealed the Night of Power from us for the following reasons: The problems pertaining to an exact night on which the honors are attained are not unique with this Night. It seems that Allah conceals many things. He conceals his pleasure from us in all our good deeds so that we will strive in all of them. He conceals His wrath from us in all of the sins we commit so that we will avoid them. He conceals His most beloved servants ('awliya) so that we will respect all the believers. He has concealed the time of His acceptance of our supplications so that we will strive in all our supplications. He concealed his greatest name, so that we mention all His names. He has concealed the time of death so that we will be conscious of Him and our deeds all the time.
He has concealed the exact date of the Night of Power so that we would double our the efforts in the whole month of Ramadan, or at least the last ten days. He has concealed it also to test the serious and the non-serious. The seriously interested person will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship.
Where Is The Night?
The majority of the scholars who agreed that the night occurs in the month of Ramadan, disagreed on the exact night. Some said it comes on the first day of Ramadan. Others said it is on the seventh; while others say its on the 19th night. All these opinions are not built on sound proof. There is evidence that the night comes on the last ten days of Ramadan, specifically on the odd numbered nights. In a report by Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "Seek it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
In a hadith by Ibn Umar (raa), some men among the companions saw the night in a dream occurring in the last seven nights. Responding to this, the Messenger of Allah (saas) told them, "I see your dreams coincide on the last seven, whoever wants to seek it should do so in the last seven." (Agreed upon)
In Muslim's report, the Prophet (saas) said, "Seek the night in the last ten days, and if any of you is weak, or can't observe it, he should not miss the remaining seven days." In Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka'ab (raa), he said: "By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the night of the 27th." (Ahmed/Tirmidhi)
Analyzing all these citations indicates still no one knows for sure which night is the Night of Power, at least in a given year. It seems that the night shifts and rotates to different nights from one year to another. It may occur on the 27th in one year, while the next year it will be on the 25th, while on the following year it will be occurring on the 29th, etc. There is an indication to this in hadith by Bukhari, when the Messenger of Allah (saas) states: "Seek it on the twenty-ninth; it may be on the twenty-seventh, or on the twenty-fifth." Imam Ibn Hajr, in his book, "Fathul Bari", in the commentary of the Book of Bukhari, said: ``I accept the ruling that the night occurs on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, namely the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh and or twenty-ninth.''
Seeking The Night
It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion, including night Sunnah prayers (Tahajjud), recitation of Al-Qur'an and supplications. In a hadith related by Abu Hurairah (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "He who spends the night in prayer on the Night of Power, as a sign of His faith, and seeking rewards from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari/Muslim) This citation indicates that regardless of whether a person knows the night or not, Allah will grant him forgiveness for previous shortcomings.
" And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?; The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (Al-Qur`an 97:2-3)
Allah (SWT) is emphasizing by putting the second verse in question form. The answer being no one knows, or comprehends, the awesomeness and the depth of honor of the night. As if to say whatever merits Allah informs you about the night is just nothing compared to the things you have no idea about. Nonetheless, He mentions three honors in the credit of the night: 1."The Night is better than a thousand months. 2. "Therein, come down the angels..." and 3. "Peace!"
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. This indicates that acts of worship such as prayer, charity, and recitation done on this night are better in reward than the same act done on other nights. The rewards (thawaab) are being multiplied several-fold.
Imam Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (saas) was shown the long life span of people of previous nations, so the Prophet bemoaned the shortness of the life span of the Ummah, fearing that they might not be able to save many good deeds for the Hereafter. Therefore, Allah gave him the Night of Power to compensate for their lack of longevity. Hence, the devoted believer has as chance of adding 80 something years of worship to his life on the Night of Power. You see, for instance, if you worship Allah on this night every year for 65 years, by multiplying 65 by 80, you would have lived for 5,200 years, or achieved the reward of a person who lived that long.
You can see why the devotions were highly encouraged by the Prophet. Indeed, you can achieve the honor of the Night of Power if you so wish by spending the odd nights of the last ten days in acts of worship.
"Therein, come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand." (Al-Qur`an 97:4)
This is far from the earlier cry of the angels who, when Allah told them, "...I will create a vicegerent on earth," they said, "Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?..." (Al-Qur`an, 2:30)
You see, when the angels first looked at our spirit with its traits of mischief, vanity and desires, and the rages of anger, they, the embodiment of all that is good, did not like us at all. That explains their response in the above verse. So is the case with parents, when they first conceptualize the shape of the offspring, semen and congealed blood; they do not like it. They will even wash their hands, clothes and everything that this substance touches, a gruesome thing. They may even think about aborting the baby in the beginning.
But after the baby is being fashioned in the most beautiful shape and they feel the movement of life, they change from dislike to caring love.
That is seemingly what happened to the angels. When they saw in us this beautiful spirit of knowing the Creator, and worshipping Allah alone, they changed from dislike to complete love, and cannot wait for another Night of Power to come down so they can pray for us. Allah states: "...And they implore forgiveness for those who believe..." (Al-Qur`an, 40:7)
He used the form (tanazzal) "They come", to indicate that the angels descend on the Night of Power, group after group; some coming down to earth while others ascend into the heaven. This heavenly, angelic organized traffic of good will continues until the break of dawn.
As for the reasons why they come, there are several explanations including: (1) they descend to witness how we worship and obey Allah, and (2) to show their deep love for the believers. This is why they seek permission from Allah to come and meet us. This is a once-a-year opportunity they do not like to miss. (3) Allah promised the believers that in the hereafter, angels will approach on them with greetings: "...And the angels shall enter into them from every gate (with the salutation): Peace be unto you for that you persevered in patience..." (Al-Qur`an, 13:23-24)
Now, if you preoccupy yourself with worship of Allah, the angels will descend on you with salutations. (4) Allah (SWT) singles out this night with honors on the earth so the angels can come down and increase their rewards, and as a means to encourage the human race to worship. (5) Realization that the angels are around is encouragement for the servants to devote more time to good deeds as a man will work harder when a foreman is present.
"...And the Spirit..." (Al-Qur`an 97:4)
There are several explanations for the meaning of the Spirit: (1) The Spirit is comprised of groups of special angels who are seen only on the Night of Power; (2) it is referring to Al-Qur`an, as Allah (SWT) stated: "And thus have We, by Our command sent inspiration (spirit) to thee..." (Al-Qur`an 42:52), (3) This is a reference to Angel Jibreel, as this is a special honor to Jibreel who has been mentioned twice Surah 42 first with another angel, and separately as the spirit of Allah (SWT) as the Qur`an says: "Verily this is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds. With it came down the spirit of faith and truth." (Al-Qur`an, 26:192-193) Thus the correct explanation of the spirit, Ruuh, is Jibreel in this verse to indicate the angels on one side and Jibreel on the other, while they were descending.
"...By Allah`s permission..."
This indicates the angels extend a request to come to meet the believers; and to underscore the fact that angels are infallible; that they do not make a move without explicit permission from their Lord. Allah (SWT) states: "They speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His command." (Al-Qur`an, 21:27) "(The angels say) We descend not but by command of thy Lord..." (Al-Qur`an 19:64)
"(Their) Lord." It indicates honor for the angels. It is as if Allah (SWT) is saying ``They are for Me and I am for them''. Similarly, Allah (SWT) said regarding us: "Verily your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days..." (Al-Qur`an, 10:3) And regarding Prophet Muhammad (saas) Allah said: "Behold, your Lord said to the angels..." (Al-Qur'an, 2:30)
It has been reported that when Prophet David was terminally ill, he asked Allah to be for his son Solomon, as He was for him. Allah (SWT) replied, saying: "Tell Solomon to be for Me as you are for Me. (Al-Qur`an 2:30)
"...On every errand..."
This indicates the angels and the Spirit descend for different purposes: some come down for prostration, some for bowing, and others for supplications for the believers and salutations. Or they come down carrying with them the proclamations of the coming year.
"Peace!..." (Al-Qur`an 97:5)
There are several explanations to this verse: (1) The whole Night of Power, from sunset to the break of dawn, will be spent by the angeles in salutation. (2) The purpose is to describe the night with peace because of the salutation from the angels. That is very important, because when seven angels visited Prophet Ibrahim (saas) and saluted him, he was very happy, and when Nimrod threw him in the fire, it turned ice-cold when the angels saluted him. (3) This is a wish of safety and peace from all evil and harmful things, or the angels will only bring on this night, good things!
"...Until the rise of morn." (Al-Qur`an 97:5)
All the honor, blessings and peace of the Night of Power will continue in every second of the night until Fajr. Allah (SWT) is the Best Knower.

Don't Use Mosque As Political Arena, Says Selangor Sultan

2011-08-21T00:19:00.002+08:00

SHAH ALAM, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor reminded Muslims not to use mosques in the state as a political arena.
"Such use of mosques can cause disunity that is detrimental to the community and can also destroy the progress that Selangor has achieved," Sultan Sharafuddin Idris said when opening the Desa Subang Permai Mosque here Saturday.
He hoped the mosque committee could organise programmes to benefit all Muslims in the area regardless of age or status.
The mosque on 1.04 hectares was built at the end of 1997 at a cost of RM2 million.
The Sultan also urged corporations not to neglect their social responsibility of helping to raise the standard of living of the people.

tunku : only "satan" uses mosque for personal agenda or for their political views.latest in the list is ali setan. election is coming so he used this opportunity to get political party to engage him for their ceramahs. it's all about money.

Muslims Worship Kaaba :: Misconception about Islam

2011-08-20T00:31:00.001+08:00

This is especially for the non Muslim as they had the misconseption that Muslim worship Kaabah.

Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah. It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah: “We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction.”

1. Islam believes in fostering unity [Al-Qur'an 2:144] For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaf around Kaaba for indicating one God When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you”.

5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

Important Lessons from Ramadhan

2011-08-19T01:28:00.001+08:00

Allah -The Most High - said: "The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur’aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterion between right and wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that month." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185].
Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Islam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the House, and lasting in Ramadhan." [1]
He (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"There has come to you Ramadhan, a blessed month, in which Allah has made it obligatory to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it is a night (Laylatul-Qadr) which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has truly been deprived."[2]
From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:
[1]: GAINING TAQWAA
Fasting has been legislated in order that we may gain taqwaa as Allah - the Most High - said: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183].
Talq ibn Habeeb (d.100H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with taqwaa." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: "Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan, faith) from Allah, hoping in the Mercy of Allah. And taqwaa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the fear of Allah."[3]
"This is one of the best definitions of taqwaa. For every action must have both a stating point and a goal. And an action will not be considered as an act of obedience, or newness to Allah unless it sluts from pure eemaan (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure eemaan - and not habits, desires, nor seeking praise or fame, nor its flee - that should be what initiates an action. And the preparation showed, to earn the reward of Allah and to seek His good pleasure."[4] So Fasting is a means of attaining taqwaa, since it helps prevent a person from many sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant protects himself from the Fire."[5] So we should ask ourselves, after each day of fasting: Has this lasting made us more fearful and obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins and disobedience?

[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TO ALLAH
The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him. My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that I shall love him."[6]
The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him."[7]
So drawing closer to Allah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month, can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and also reciting the Qur’aan and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing in kindness and in giving charity, in making du‘aa (supplication) to Allah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving in those actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its lard and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed month should be greater than our striving to worship Allah in any other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allah has placed in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearness to Allah in this month is making I‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to worship Allah) - for whoever is able.
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Allah also prescribed i’tikaaf for them, the objective being that the heart becomes fully preoccupied with Allah - the Most High - concentrated upon Him alone, and cut-off from being preoccupied with the creation. Rather, the heart is only engrossed with Allah - the Most Perfect - such that loving Him, remembering Him, and turning to Him takes the place of all the heart's anxieties and worries, so that he is able to overcome them. Thus all his concerns are for Allah, and his thoughts are all directed towards remembering Him and thinking of how to attain His Pleasure and what will cause nearness to him which leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of people. This, in turn prepares him for being at peace with Allah alone, on the day of loneliness in the grave, when there will be no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace, except Him. So this is the greater goal of I‘tikaaf." [8]

[3]: ACQUIRING PATIENCE
Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Allah has mentioned sabr (patience) in over ninety places in His Book." [9]
The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The month of Patience, and the three days of every month, are times for fasting." [10]
Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr (d.464H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"What is meant by the month of Patience is the month of Ramadhan ... So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from eating, drinking, conjugal relations and sexual desires." [11]
He (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"O youths! Whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so; for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. But whoever is unable, then let him fast, because it will be a shield for him." [12]
So fasting is a means of learning self-restraint and patience. With patience we are able to strengthen our resolve to worship Allah alone, with sincerity, and also cope with life's ups and downs. So - for example - with patience we are able to perform our Prayers calmly and correctly, without being hasty, and without merely pecking the ground several times! With patience we are able to restrain our souls from greed and stinginess and thus give part of our surplus wealth in Zakaah (obligatory charity). With patience we are able to subdue the soul's ill temperament, and thus endure the ordeal and hardships of Hajj, without losing tempers and behaving badly. Likewise, with patience we are able to stand firm and fight Jihaad against the disbelievers, hypocrites and heretics - withstanding their constant onslaught, without wavering and buckling, without despairing or being complacent and without becoming hasty and impatient at the first signs of hardship. Allah - the Most High - said:
"O Prophet, urge the Believers to fight ... So if there are one hundred who are patient, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be one thousand, they shall overcome two thousand, by the permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient ones." [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:65-66].
Thus, without knowledge and patience, nothing remains, except zeal and uncontrolled emotions, shouts and hollow slogans, speech that does not strengthen, but rather weakens, and actions that do not build, but rather destroy! So in this month, we should strive to develop a firm resolve for doing acts of obedience, and to adorn ourselves with patience - having certainty in the saying of our Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): "And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and case with hardship." [13]

[4]: CULTIVATING GOOD MANNERS
The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whosoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink." [14]
He (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting." [15]
These narrations point towards the importance of truthfulness and good manners. Thus, this blessed month teaches us not only to abstain from food and drink, but to also abstain from such statements and actions that may be the cause of harming people and violating their rights - since the Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said whilst describing the true Believer: "A Muslim is one from whom other Muslims are safe from his tongue and his hand." [16] Thus it is upon us as individuals, to examine the shortcomings in our character, and to then seek to improve them - modeling ourselves upon the character of the last of the Prophets and Messengers, and their leader, Muhammad (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) - aspiring also for the excellence which he mentioned in his saying: "I am a guarantor for a house on the outskirts of Paradise (or whosoever leaves off arguing, even if he is in the right; and a house in the centre of Paradise (or whosoever abandons falsehood, even when joking; and a house in the upper-most part of Paradise for whosoever makes his character good."[17] So by shunning oppression, shamelessness, harbouring hatred towards Muslims, back-biting, slandering, tale-carrying, and other types of falsehood, we can be saved from nullifying the rewards of our fasting - as Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "It may be that a fasting person, receives nothing from his fast, except hunger and thirst." [18]

[5]: SENSING MUSLIM UNITY
The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Fast when they fast, and break your fast when they break their fast, and sacrifice the day they sacrifice." [19]
Imaam at-Tirmidthee (d.275H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Some of the People of Knowledge explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to fast and break the fast along with the Jamaa’ah and the majority of people." [10]
Thus, in this blessed month we can sense an increased feeling of unity and of being a single Ummah due to our fasting and breaking our fast collectively. We also feel an increased awareness about the state of affairs of the Muslims and of the hardships that they endure, because: "During the fast a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel, who are forced to go without food and drink for many days - as occurs today to many of the Muslims in Africa." [21] Indeed, the unity of the Muslims - and their aiding and assisting one another - is one of the great fundamentals upon which the Religion of Islaam is built, as Allah - the Most High -said: "And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allah and do not be divided." [Soorah Aal-‘Imraan 3:103]. Allah - the Most High - also said: "The Believers - men and women - and friends and protectors to one another." [Soorah at-Tawbah 9:44].
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The welfare of people will not be complete - neither in this world, nor in the Hereafter - except with ijtimaa‘ (collectiveness), ta‘aawun (mutual cooperation), and tanaasur (mutual help); mutual cooperation in order to secure benefits, and mutual help in order to ward off harm. It is for this reason that man is said to be social and civil by nature." [22]
Thus we see that Islaam lays great importance in bringing hearts together and encouraging ijtimaa‘ (collectiveness). This is not only reflected in the month of Ramadhan, but also in the other acts of worship as well. So, for example, we have been ordered by the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to pray the five daily Prayers in congregation, and that it has been made twenty-seven times more rewarding than praying it individually. [23] Likewise, this similar collective spirit is demonstrated in the act of Hajj (Pilgrimage). Even in learning knowledge and studying it, blessings have been placed in collectiveness, as Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "No people gather together in a house from the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it amongst themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy envelops them, the angels surround them, and Allah mentions them to those that are with Him." [24] Likewise, even in our everyday actions such as eating, Islam teaches us collectiveness. Thus, when some of the Companions of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said to him: O Messenger of Allah, we eat but do not become satisfied. He replied: "Perhaps you eat individually?" They replied, Yes! So he said: "Eat collectively and mention the name of Allah. There will then be blessings for you in it." [25] Indeed, even in the etiquette’s of sitting the spirit of collectiveness ' is demonstrated. So, one day the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) came across the Companions who were sitting in separate circles, so he said to them: "Why do I see you sitting separately!" [26] Similarly, Aboo Tha‘labah al-Khushanee (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: Whenever the people used to encamp, they used to split-up into the mountain passes and valleys. So Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Indeed your being split-up in these mountain passes and valleys is from Shaytaan." Thereafter, whenever they used to encamp, they used to keep very close together, to such an extent that it was said: If a cloth were to be spread over them, it would cover them all. [27]
Thus, Ramadhan is a time to increase our sense of unity and brotherhood, and our commitment to Allah and His Religion. And there is no doubt that this sense of unity necessitates that: "We all work together as required by Islam as sincere brothers - not due to hizbiyyah (bigoted party spirit), nor sectarianism - in order to realize that which is of benefit to the Islaamic Ummah and to establish the Islamic society that every Muslim aspires for so that the Sharee‘ah (Prescribed Law) of Allah is applied upon His earth" [28] So we must examine ourselves during the month of Ramadhan and ask: What is my role? - and each of us has a role - in helping this precious Ummah to regain its honour, and return to the Ummah its comprehensive unity and strength, and victory that has been promised to it? Likewise, we should reflect upon our own character and actions and ask: Are they aiding the process of unity and brotherhood, or are they a harm and a hindrance to it?
So we ask Allah to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.

What Would You Do if You Knew This Was Your Last Ramadan? A Reminder for Us!!

2011-08-17T00:20:00.001+08:00

We have 30 days of Ramadan each year. Some of us look forward it because of its bountiful benefits to our spiritual self. It makes us stronger inwardly and this helps us face another new year.
But sometimes, even though we know of its many benefits, we still feel weary and tired of fasting and keeping up with our many spiritual obligations from praying to reading and studying the Quran daily, and even watching how we speak and interact with people. No one ever said that fasting would be easy - it is not simply abstaining from food and water from daybreak to sunset. It is a whole lot more. Most of us know this.
And yet, being human, we start consciously or unconsciously slacking off, be it from duties such as praying or reading the Quran. Instead, we spend our day sleeping, might eating and talking instead of prayer and relection. If we feel guilty, then we tell ourselves that we will fast "properly" the next day. In some cases, when a bad cycle begins, it can be difficult to break it. And before we know it, Ramadan has ended. We celebrate Eid and another year begins. Well, maybe next year, we'll do it "properly".
But what if we do not get another chance to fast "properly" so that God forgives all of our sins? We may be healthy and fit right now, but what is the guarantee that we will remain healthy and fit tomorrow? If you knew that this was your last Ramadan, that something might prevent you from ever experiencing Ramadan again, would you not want to observe it the right way today, the best you can? So that you can reap of its benefits while you are still able to?
One of our writers' relative suffered a small stroke while fasting recently. The stroke was not fatal, nor will it be permanently damaging. But it was serious enough that she is not expected to be able to fast the rest of the month. Perhaps since she is of advanced age, she might not be able to fast any more for the rest of her life.
But that should give us all pause. We do not know what the future holds. We may be young and healthy, and have all of bodily and mental functions intact. But that can change in an instant. It is only when we think of our own mortality that we know how limiting we as human beings actually are. And how precious time is.
Do not waste your time. Use it well. And make this Ramadan count because we do not know what the future holds, if we are lucky enough to observe another one.
"Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair."
When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, "This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!" But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty.
When We bestow favours on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!"
(Quran, 41:49-51)
If we were to step back a moment and realize that this is the last Ramadan we will see in our lifetime, how would we spend it? Death we know can come to us at any time, yet we still remain so ignorant of the time now given to us to be utilized by Allah the Almighty.
I pray Allah gives, first of all me, and all Muslims the ability to utilize the month of Ramadan..May this Ramadan be our best so far, for we know not if we will witness the next, Aameen..
Jazaak Allah Khairan for reading.

Ramadhan: the Month of Qur'an

2011-08-16T00:00:00.000+08:00

By Br. Abu Dharr, Based on Ibn Rajab's "Lata'if al-Ma'arif"

Ramadan has a special relationship with the Qur'an, of course:
"The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (cf. Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
The word 'so' (fa) in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning:
"Fast this month because it is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down."
Ibn 'Abbas narrates that "the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Eng. trans. 6/486)
This hadith contains recommendation of the following:
* Studying the Qur'an in Ramadan;
* Coming together for this purpose;
* Checking (one's memory/knowledge of) the Qur'an with someone who has preserved it better;
* Increasing recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan;
* That the night time is the best time to recite, when other preoccupations decrease and it is easier to concentrate, as in Surah al-Muzzammil 73:6.
Further, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated from her father (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who told her that Jibril would rehearse the Qur'an with him (in Ramadan) once every year, and he did so twice in the year of his death. (Bukhari 6/485)
After mentioning the above aspects of the Sunnah, Ibn Rajab talks about the situation of the Salaf (the early Muslims) during Ramadan:
"... Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Qur'an during the night prayer of Ramadan every 3 days, others every 7 days e.g. Qataadah, others in 10 days e.g. Abu Rajaa' al-Atardi. The Salaf would recite Qur'an in Ramadan in Prayer as well as outside it. Al-Aswad would finish the Qur'an every 2 nights in Ramadan; Ibrahim an-Nakh would do likewise in the last 10 nights specifically, & every 3 nights during the rest of the month. Qataadah would regularly finish the Qur'an in 7 days, but in 3 days during Ramadan, when he would study the Qur'an especially, and every night during its last 10 days. Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadan began, 'It is recitation of the Qur'an and feeding of people.'

When Ramadan began, Imam Malik would cease narrating Hadith and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick to reciting the Qur'an from its pages, while Sufyan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Qur'an. 'Aishah would recite from the pages of the Qur'an at the beginning of the day in Ramadan (i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, she would sleep. Zayd al-Yaami would bring copies of the Qur'an when Ramadan began and gather his companions around him. ..."
Ibn Rajab later continues,
"The forbiddance of completing recitation of the Qur'an in less than 3 days applies to this being made a regular practice, but as for favoured times such as Ramadan, esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or favoured places such as Makkah for the visitor, it is recommended to increase reciting the Qur'an to avail the time and place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq and other Imams, and the practice of others indicates this too."
The purpose here is not to discuss whether or not the latter view is correct or not, since that is purely academic for most of us, as we do not get anywhere near reciting the whole Qur'an in three days! However, the practice of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), his Companions, and those who followed their path, should be clear enough. As a further example, Bukhari (3/79) quotes from the noble Companion Zaid bin Thabit who answered the question, "How much time was there between the pre-dawn meal and the Dawn Prayer?" by saying, "Enough time to recite fifty ayat." Since the practice of the Arabs was to measure time in terms of everyday actions, this shows that the Sahabah were preoccupied with the Qur'an, especially in Ramadan.
Compare all this with our sad state, when we talk so much about establishing Islam, implementing the Qur'an, etc. and yet have such little contact with it, maybe not completing its recitation ever at all since childhood, or perhaps never! Hence we become unbalanced in our understanding of Islam, because there are ayat which we rarely or never hear or think about; we repeat only certain selected ayat over and over again; we lost the context of the verses, the overall flow, argument and balance of the Qur'an, all of which is beautiful & miraculous. Because of this ignorance we go astray from the Straight Path, split up into sects, lose the blessings of Allah...
"We took a covenant from those who said: we are Christians, but they forgot part of the message with which they had been reminded, so we ingrained amongst them enmity and hatred until the Day of Judgment..." (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:14)
In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Recite the Qur'an as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)." Studying the Qur'an should bring people together!
In Surah al-Mu'minoon (23:53), there is mention of the people before us (in whose footsteps we would follow), who broke up their Deen into sects (zuburan), each party rejoicing in what it had. One understanding of this, from the word zuburan meaning literally 'books', is that each sect left the Book of Allah and concentrated solely on the books of its own sect, so "they split their deen up into books"!
The most twisted, ridiculous, shallow ideas, innovations and superstitions are propagated amongst Muslims when they are away from the Qur'an, because any little knowledge of the Qur'an would be enough to dispel them.
Hence, O servant of Allah, leave aside secondary books and concentrate on studying the blessed Book of Allah in this blessed month (use a good translation/commentary if needed), for it is the source of all knowledge in other books, and keep away from wasting time, especially in futile discussions and arguments which lead nowhere, for that is a sure sign of being misguided, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Whenever a people went astray after they had been on guidance, they were given to argumentation (jadl)." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah - Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir, no. 5633)
Finally, remember that the Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) will complain to Allah on the Day of Judgment that his people neglected the Qur'an (Surah al-Furqan 25:30). Neglect of the Qur'an is of different levels, as Ibn al-Qayyim writes:
Not reciting or listening to it;
Not studying and understanding it;
Not conveying its message;
Not judging by it in personal and communal matters, at all levels of society;
Not believing in it.
All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Same Sex Marriage Shows Liberal Thinking Spreading, Says Jamil Khir

2011-08-15T06:00:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- The plan by Malaysian gay Pastor Ou Yang Wen Feng to marry his same sex 'lover' in this country indicates that liberal thinking upheld by a few quarters is spreading in Malaysia, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom.
He said that although the action was attributed to basic rights, it was nevertheless an extreme freedom and could lead to worse social symptoms in the future.
"In our civil law, same sex marriage is not allowed. Because in the laws of our country, a male must marry a female. Male and male, female and female is not allowed," he told reporters after performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Al-Hijrah surau in Lembah Pantai here Sunday.
He also said the National Fatwa Council had decreed that such views were contrary and prohibited in the context of the Islamic religion.
Commenting on the issue of the Penang Fatwa Committee which banned the reading of the Quran using the loud speaker during Subuh (dawn) prayers, Jamil Khir said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) would hold a discussion with the Penang Islamic Council to find a settlement.
Also present were Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and Kuala Lumpur Religious Department director, Datuk Che Mat Che Ali.

tunku : there is no such thing as basic right for same sex people to get married. it is against our religion and all the religion in this world. do not let this thing spreads, kill the virus before it spreads.i don't understand a pastor can be a gay.......the world is coming to the end.strip the gay pastor citizenship.he can stay with his partner in new york but not here.

The Family in Ramadan

2011-08-14T00:54:00.001+08:00

Praise be to Allah.
It is one of the blessings of Allah to the Muslim that He enables him to fast in Ramadaan and to spend its nights in prayer. It is a month in which good deeds are multiplied and people are raised in status, when Allah frees some people from the Fire. So the Muslim should strive to make the most of this month and the goodness it brings; he should hasten to spend his life in worship. How many people have been deprived of this month because of sickness, death or misguidance.
The Muslim must make the most of his time during this month; he has an unavoidable duty towards his children, to raise them well and bring them up properly, to urge them to do all kinds of goodness and make them get used to that – because the child will grow up in the manner to which his parents makes him get accustomed.
During these blessed days, the father and mother have a role to play in making the most of this time, and we can offer parents the following advice:

1 – Checking on the children’s fasting and encouraging those who fall short in this regard.

2 – Reminding them about the real nature of fasting, and that it is not just giving up food and drink, but it is a means of attaining taqwa (piety), and that it is an opportunity for sins to be forgiven and expiated.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascended the minbar and said: “Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.” It was said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you do that?” He said, “Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’”
Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 1888; al-Tirmidhi, 3545; Ahmad, 7444; Ibn Hibbaan, 908. See Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3501.

3 – Teaching them the etiquette and rulings on eating, such as eating with the right hand from what is directly in front of them; reminding them that extravagance is haraam and is harmful to the body.

4 – Not letting them spend too long on eating iftaar so that they miss praying Maghrib in congregation.

5 – Reminding them about the situation of the poor and destitute who cannot find even a mouthful of food to quench the fires of hunger; reminding them of the situation of those who have migrated or are fighting in jihad for the sake of Allah in all places.

6 – These gatherings offer an opportunity to bring relatives together and uphold the ties of kinship. This custom still exists in some countries, and it is an opportunity to reconcile and mend broken ties between relatives.

7 – Helping the mother to prepare the food, and to clean up and keep the food fit for eating.

8 – Reminding them to pray qiyaam (taraweeh) and to prepare for it by not eating too much and to get ready in time to perform the prayer in the mosque.

9 – With regard to suhoor, the parents should remind the family of the barakah (blessing) of suhoor and that it gives a person the strength to fast.

10 – Allowing enough time before Fajr prayer so that those who have not prayed Witr may do so, and so that those who have delayed their prayer until the end of the night may pray, and so that each person may make du’aa’ to his Lord as he wishes.

11 – Paying attention to praying Fajr on time in congregation in the mosque, for those who are required to do so. We have seen many people who wake up at the end of the night to eat, then they go back to bed and neglect Fajr prayer.

12 – It was the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the last ten days of Ramadaan to stay up at night and wake his family. This indicates that the family should pay attention to making the most of this blessed time in doing things that are pleasing to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. So the husband should wake his wife and children to do that which will bring them closer to their Lord.

13 – There may be small children in the house who need to be encouraged to fast, so the father should urge them to get up for suhoor, and encourage them to fast by praising them and giving a reward to the one who fasts the whole month or half of it, and so on.
It was narrated that al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh said: On the morning of ‘Ashoora’ the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent word to the villages of the Ansaar saying, “Whoever started out not fasting, let him not eat for the rest of the day, and whoever started the day fasting, let him fast.” She said: We used to fast and make our children fast, [and take them to the mosques] and make toys for them out of wool, then if one of them cried for food we would give him that toy until iftaar.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1859; Muslim, 1136 – the words in square brackets were narrated by Muslim.
Al-Nawawi said:
This hadeeth shows that we should train children to do acts of worship and get them used to that, but they are not accountable. Al-Qaadi said: It was narrated from ‘Urwah that when they are able to fast it becomes obligatory upon them. This is a mistake which is disproven by the saheeh hadeeth, “The Pen is lifted from three: from the child until he reaches adolescence…” And Allah knows best.
Sharh Muslim, 8/14

14 – If possible, the father and mother should take the family for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan, and that is something that will benefit them in the Hereafter, themselves and their family, for ‘Umrah during Ramadaan has the same reward as Hajj. It is better to go at the beginning of Ramadaan so as to avoid the crowds.

15 – The husband should not overburden his wife with more than she can bear of having to prepare food and sweets. Many people take this month to prepare fancy foods and drinks, and they go extremes in that. This detracts from the sweetness of this month and goes against the reason for fasting, which is to attain piety.

16 – The month of Ramadaan is the month of the Qur’aan, so we suggest that each family gets together to read Qur’aan. The father should teach his family to recite Qur’aan and help them to understand the meanings of the verses. In the same gathering they may also read a book about the rulings and etiquette of fasting. Allah has enabled many scholars and seekers of knowledge to write books which can be used for preaching and teaching during Ramadaan; the books are divided into thirty parts, so one topic can be read each day, and this will benefit everyone.

17 – They should be encouraged to spend and check on their neighbours and the needy.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during Ramadaan when Jibreel met him. He would meet him each night and revise the Qur’aan with him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was more generous than the blowing wind.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.

18 – The parents should prevent their families and children from staying up late at night and wasting their time in things that are of no benefit, let alone things that are haraam. For the devils among mankind are more active in this month in promoting evil things and acts of immorality to those who are fasting, during the nights of Ramadaan and during the days.

19 – They should remember the family’s meeting in Allah’s Paradise in the Hereafter, and the great joy of meeting there under the shade of His throne. These blessed gatherings in this world and coming together to obey Allah by seeking knowledge, fasting and praying are only the means that lead to attaining that happiness.

URGENT ATTENTION - PLEASE DONATE

2011-08-12T04:26:00.000+08:00

Global Peace Malaysia perlu RM1 juta bantu rakyat Somalia

KUALA LUMPUR 10 Ogos - Global Peace Malaysia (GPM), sebuah badan bukan kerajaan yang memberi bantuan merentas sempadan, memerlukan bantuan kewangan sekurang-kurangnya RM1 juta bagi membantu masalah kebuluran rakyat Somalia, terutama yang beragama Islam, yang semakin serius.
Presidennya Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim berkata, pada masa ini masyarakat Somalia amat memerlukan bantuan makanan, bekalan air bersih, rawatan kesihatan dan tempat tinggal.
Mohamad Raimi berkata, bantuan pertama untuk rakyat Somalia yang beragama Islam akan disalurkan dalam minggu ketiga Ramadan. - Bernama

Please support the Somalia Famine campaign carried out by Global Peace Malaysia.The UN says that tens of thousands have already died and hundreds of thousands are at risk of starvation.Donate to this account number Global Peace Malaysia- Bank Islam account number 14-023-01-002922-4 or Maybank account number 5642-2161-1602.You can also visit Global Peace Malaysia website (click here) for other donation channel methods.

Report To Jais Any Deviant Teachings Or Movements - Selangor Sultan

2011-08-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has reminded the mosque committee members in Selangor to be aware of any deviant teachings and movements in the state.
He said the mosque committee members should immediately report the matter to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) fur further action, if they spotted anything suspicious.
"I do not want the elements of this heresy to occur and grow in this state," he said when opening the Seri Melati Mosque at Taman Seri Melati, Gombak here Thursday.
He also reminded the mosque committees not to allow mosques in the state to be used for any political purpose.
At the event, he also presented Hari Raya contributions to 400 people, comprising the poor, orphans and new converts, before breaking fast with the locals.

tunku : we can see that now Islam in under threat in Malaysia because of some quarters willing to compromise their religion for political gain.the Muslims must stop this threat at all cost.do not compromise when it comes to our religion for any reason.we hope Jais will not be pressured by the state government in carrying out their duty and obligation.

14 Gifts to Those Who Fast

2011-08-11T06:30:00.000+08:00

by Shaykh `Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarnee

At this stage I cannot find a better gift or greater masterpiece than to present to those who fast gifts from the Prophet of guidance sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. They are those practical hadiths that have been mentioned in connection with rewards and blessings. Behold! They are the hadiths that lead to the doors of happiness and the paths of goodness in this world and the Hereafter.
O you who fast! Record these hadiths and implement them:

1. The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever says at daybreak: 'There is no God save Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the dominion and the praise and He has power over all things;'... ten good deeds will be written for him, ten misdeeds will be erased, and he will be elevated ten levels. He will be protected from Satan until evening, and if he says it in the evening, he would have the same rewards until morning." (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah - sahih).

2. The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam also said: "Whoever says in the morning or in the evening: 'O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no God beside You. You created me and I am Your slave and I have taken a covenant to You and promised You what I am able to do. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done, I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me because none forgives sins except You.' If a servant died during the day or night after having said this prayer, he will enter Paradise." (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Nisa'e, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih; Al Bukhari transmits another version of this hadith).

3. Again the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever says at morning or evening: 'Glory and praise be Allah the Great' one hundred times, no one will come forward on the Day of Judgement with better than he; except if someone said the same as him and added to it." (Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Tirmidhi).

4. "Whoever said: 'Glory and praise be to Allah the Great', a date tree will be planted for him in the Paradise." (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).

5. "Whoever says: "Glory and praise be to Allah" one hundred times in a single day his sins would be erased even if they were like the waves of the sea." (Bukhari and Muslim).

6. "Whoever implements ten verses of the Quran will not be included among the negligent. Whoever implements one hundred verses will be considered among the obedient. And, whoever implements one thousand verses will be among he extremely rich." (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban - sahih).

7. "Whoever says in the evening: 'In the name of Allah with whose name there can be no harm in the earth or in the heavens and He is the Hearer the Knower,' three times, he will not be afflicted with a sudden calamity before morning. And whoever says it in the morning three times will not be afflicted with a sudden calamity before evening." (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).

8. "Whoever says: 'I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allah from the evil that He created' three times in the evening will not be harmed by the bite of a serpent during that night." (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).

9. "Whoever says upon leaving his house: 'In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no movement and no power except with Allah', it would be said to him: 'You have been contented and you took precaution,' and Satan will turn away from him." (Al Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Ibn al Sunni - sahih).

10. "Whoever says when he hears the caller to prayer: 'And I bear witness that there is no God save Allah, He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. I am pleased with Allah as Lord, Muhammad as Prophet and Islam as religion,' all his sins will be forgiven." (Muslim and the other five).

11. "Whoever recites the Surah al Ikhlas ten times, Allah will build for him a house in the Paradise." (Ahmad - sahih).

12. "Whoever recites the Surah al Kahf on a Friday, a light will be created for him until the next Friday." (Al Hakim and Al Bayhaqi - sahih).

13. "Whoever recites Aayat al-Kursi (the Verse of the Throne) after every compulsory prayer will not be forbidden entrance to Paradise." (Ibn Hibban and Al Nisa'e - sahih).

14. "Whoever recites Surah al Ikhlas it is as if he read one-third of the Quran." (Ahmad, Al Nisa'e, Al Tirmidhi - sahih).

This bouquet from Muhammad sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam we grant to all those who fast.
O Allah! Help us to remember You, thank You and worship You in the best way. Ameen.

What is the virtue of Taraaweeh prayers?

2011-08-10T14:44:00.001+08:00

Praise be to Allah.

Firstly:
Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah mustahabbah (i.e., recommended) according to scholarly consensus, and comes under the heading of qiyaam al-layl (night prayers). It is supported by the evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah which encourages qiyaam al-layl and describes its virtues.

Secondly:
Praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is one of the greatest acts of worship by means of which a person can draw closer to his Lord in this month. Al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab said: Note that in the month of Ramadaan the believer engages in jihad al-nafs on two fronts: during the day by fasting and during the night by praying qiyaam. Whoever combines these two types of jihad will be given reward without limit.
There are some ahaadeeth which speak specifically about praying qiyaam in Ramadaan and describe the virtue of so doing. For example:
Al-Bukhaari (37) and Muslim (759) narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
“Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan” means spends its nights in prayer.
“Out of faith” means, believing in Allah’s promise of reward.
"And in the hope of reward” means, seeking the reward and with no other intention such as showing off etc.
“Will be forgiven his previous sins”:
Ibn al-Mundhir was certain that this includes both minor and major sins, but al-Nawawi said: What is known among the fuqaha’ is that this applies only to forgiveness of minor sins, not major sins. Some of them said: It may mean that the burden of major sins is reduced, so long as so long as there are no minor sins.
From Fath al-Baari.

Thirdly:
The believer should be keen to strive in worship in the last ten nights of Ramadaan more than at other times, because in these ten nights is Laylat al-Qadr, of which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months”
[al-Qadr 97:3]
Concerning the reward of qiyaam on this night, it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1768; Muslim, 1268.
Hence the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard in worship in the last ten nights as he did not do at other times.
Narrated by Muslim, 1175.
Al-Bukhaari (2024) and Muslim (1174) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “When the last ten days began, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would tie his lower garment (izaar) tight and stay up at night, and wake his family.”
“The last ten days” means the last ten days of Ramadaan.
“tie his lower garment (izaar) tight” - it was said that this is a metaphor for striving hard in worship, or for keeping away from his wives, and it may be that it includes both meanings.
“stay up at night” means staying up and praying and doing other acts of worship.
“and wake his family” means, he would wake them up to pray at night.
Al-Nawawi said:
This hadeeth indicates that it is mustahabb to do more acts of worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan, and to stay up at night to worship.

Fourthly:
We should be keen to pray qiyaam al-layl in Ramadaan in congregation, and to stay with the imam until he finishes praying. In this way the worshipper will attain the reward for praying the whole night, even if he only spends a short part of the night in prayer. And Allah is the Owner of great bounty.
Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The scholars are agreed that it is mustahabb to pray Taraaweeh, but they differed as to whether it is better for a person to pray on his own at home or in congregation in the mosque. Al-Shaafa’i and most of his companions, Abu Haneefah, Ahmad and some of the Maalikis and others said that it is better to pray it in congregation, as ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab and the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) did and as the Muslims continued to do.
Al-Tirmidhi (806) narrated that Abu Dharr said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and b blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, will be recorded as having spent the whole night in prayer.”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.
And Allah knows best.

Ramadan - An opportunity to know your inner self

2011-08-09T13:16:00.000+08:00

by Irshaad Hussain
Fasting (Sawm) carries a two-fold meaning - two seemingly opposing definitions combined into a single word. And sawm, as described in the Qur'an and the hadith, simultaneously fulfills both of these definitions. The primary meaning is to hold back, to refrain from, to abstain - the further meaning is to rise beyond, to move past former limits.
The month of Ramadan is a time in which we hold our bodily compulsions and instincts under strict control, together with our thoughts and our mental states, our moods and desires. We submit ourselves (our nafs) and our accustomed patterns of life to a higher template, one that fosters a regimen of self-restraint within the body and mind and correspondingly seeks an intensification of the life of the spirit. The body is ordered to fast from what it needs, from what is normally allowed to it, from what it desires, from what it craves, from what it may seek on a whim, and from what it habitually seeks - from all that leads to an intensification of the activities of the nafs.
During the interval of daylight, halal (the allowed) transforms into haram (the forbidden) and whatever nourishes the physical body becomes haram. As for the nafs, it undertakes a psychic fast from anger, backbiting, gossip, harshness towards others, from reaching in any manner through any of the senses towards that which is disallowed. All those inclinations which strengthen the nafs, which allow it to inject itself with vigor and attachment into the flux of worldly life are proscribed and denied expression.
The nafs continuously asserts itself through it's ties with the body and according to a complex and ever-shifting world of attraction and desire, knowledge and ignorance that endlessly churns within it. Through its movements and motions, it seeks what it needs and wants and can become, depending on circumstances, complacent or cavalier, disdainful or self-assured, arrogant or fearful, callous or ambitious, lethargic or craving - endlessly acting and reacting within the confines of its limited knowledge. What it does not know it is ignorant of, and what it does not know is infinitely more vast in extent than what it knows. So it's knowledge is forever outweighed by it's ignorance and it's pursuits and actions are indicators of which of these (knowledge or ignorance) it acts upon.
The nafs is in continuous restless motion, but it is a motion that circumambulates around a center of manifold physical and chemical interactions that give rise to need, wants, pleasures, habits, moods, impulsions, compulsions, and desires. The complex system of body and mind are in an incessant state of movement (that ceases only with death), switching continually from one mode to the other, pouring forth a torrent of thoughts and internal impulses that turn the mind's focus endlessly from one locus to another. There is perpetual movement and motion but within tightly constrained boundaries - pivoting around the locus of the nafs and what it seeks.
And so the qur'anic command is issued - "...fast until the night...." (Qur'an 2:187) Fast from what the nafs needs and desires. Let the nafs know that there is a truer aspect of yourself, a center capable of overseeing and stabilizing all the intersecting mental systems of the mind and all the material/chemical/habitual/hormonal systems of the body. Proclaim to it that there is a guardian and owner and ruler over the nafs and over the physical form with which it is integrally co-mingled. Let it know that the form and the stirrings of need and desire within the nafs have to submit to this guardian in seeking their satisfaction. The wants, needs, and desires that spring from the material form must submit to the governance and tutelage of a higher form - to the spiritual form indicated by the hadith that states: "God created Adam in His own form...." (hadith)
This is not the material form driven by chemical interactions but the spiritual substance which is the subtle, essential form of a human being - one that is masked by the ceaseless activity of an unconstrained nafs (nafs al-amarra).
The material form and its impulses (manifested through the nafs) are reigned in during fasting. All the things which give strength, vigor, and life to the body and nafs are terminated - the attachment is reduced, denuded, weakened. We cease to consume and are no longer able to enjoy what feeds our physical form and with that cessation we begin to unhook the clamps which bind us to the most basic goods of this world. We undo the shackles which tie us through our physicality to the world. By penetrating to the very root of our attachment, to the most fundamental layer, to the very seat of our creaturely connection to the world - food, water, sex (the three cardinal symbols of life) we overturn their dominion and arrive at a position where we, for a time, subdue them.
We deny creaturely externals, we let the creaturely demands and impulses remain unanswered - over the course of the days of fasting we let them subside and wane. We let them grow silent so we have a chance to hear what we otherwise would not hear, to perceive what we otherwise could not perceive. We subdue our physical form and when its clamoring grows silent we perhaps become aware of a spiritual form that resides subtly within us.
The vigil of denial and regulation of the physical form and the nafs is maintained until the spirit and mind's ascendancy becomes clear. "Fast until the night...." (Qur'an 2:187) The night approaches and the day's fast ends with the former hierarchy reversed - what was first (physically and psychically generated needs, wants, and desires) comes last and what was last comes first, and with this new ordering of spirit and body in place, the fast is completed. Over the course of the month of Ramadan, as the days merge into the nights, this drama of reversal is repeated and intensified till the person fasting (the person who undertakes the fast with complete sincerity and profound intensity) approaches a state of spiritual readiness.
Until in the watch (the vigil) of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, there arrives the possibility of a profound inner remaking, an unfolding of the potential to witness the laylatul qadr. "And what can convey to you what laylatul qadr is? That night is better than a thousand months...." (Qur'an 97:2-3) During the day we break ourselves down, we fast from what sustains our existence - we submit our clay form to be unmade, to be kneaded and worked over - we remove ourselves from our material subsistence and turn to prayer and spiritual subsistence from God - we prepare ourselves to be reshaped. The onset of the darkness of night is representative of pure potential waiting to emerge into existence - waiting for the command and decree which will give it form. "The angels and the spirit (ruh) descend in it, by the command of their Lord with every decree...." (Qur'an 97:4) We turn ourselves into malleable clay awating the shaping command of that night - anticipating the profound and weighty descents that accompany laylatul qadr. "(That night is) Peace till the breaking of the dawn." (Qur'an 97:5)
So sawm (fasting) fulfills its meanings - to hold back from, to abstain, pertains to the restraint engendered through the fast - to rise beyond pertains to the results that God bestows upon those who seek the fast with sincerity and knowledge. So the fast is at once a holding back and a lifting up. The body and it's appetites are held back and through this holding back an elusive and subtle but profound awakening begins. We are provided the means by which to alter our reality, to shape what we ourselves are. By holding back the nafs from its activity and its sustenance, moments of stillness, of silence, are obtained - moments in which self-perception sharpens and deepens and spirit awakens and the (spiritual) form with which God created man begins to unfold itself. "And in yourselves - what do you not see?" (Qur'an 51:21)

Substances and actions that nullify the fasting

2011-08-08T03:02:00.001+08:00

Thanks be to God, Lord of all being, and God's peace and blessings be upon the seal of the prophets and messengers, Muhammad, and upon his family and all of his companions.

In its specialised seminars and conferences, the Islamic Organjsation for Medical Sciences (IOMS) has always taken the initiative to put forward for debate new contemporary medical issues with the view of formulating a proper legal Islamic view and understanding of their significance and impact. These seminars and conferences are always well-attended, bringing together distinguished Muslim jurists and Shari'ah experts, medical practitioners, pharmacologists, and specialists in other human sciences.
Through this process, the IOMS has sought to form a consensus of informed opinion, based on accurate medical knowledge, as a foundation for sound Islamic rulings to be drawn up by competent jurists. It has also sought the involvement of other recognised and well-established scientific, cultural and health bodies such as the Islamic Fiqh Academy of Jeddah, al-Azhar University, the World Health Organisation Regional Office at Alexandria, Egypt, and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO).
With the grace and blessings of God, the 9th Fiqh-Medical Seminar was successfully convened at Casablanca, Morocco, during 8-11 Safar 1418, corresponding to 14-17 June 1997, under the eminent auspices of the Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty King Hassan II. The theme of the seminar was "An Islamic View of Certain Contemporary Medical Issues", and it was held jointly with the Hassan II Institute for Scientific and Medical Research on Ramadhan, the ISESCO, the Islamic Fiqh Academy, and the World Health Organisation Regional Office.

Substances and actions that nullify the fasting

According to the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the prophet (pbuh) three actions nullify fasting: eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Therefore, the passing of any solid or liquid substance that can be described as food or drink, in any quantity through the gullet would nullify fasting. Accord ingly, the participants agreed unanimously that the following do not nullify fasting.

1. Eye and ear drops, and ear wash.
2. Nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue for the treatment of angina.
3. Insertion into the vagina of pessaries, medical ovules, vaginal washes, vaginal speculum, and doctor's or midwife's fingers during pelvic examination.
4. Insertion of the urethroscope into man or woman radio-opaque media for X-ray diagnosis or bladder irrigation.
5. Tooth drilling, extraction, cleaning or the use of -miswak and toothbrush, provided nothing is swallowed into the stomach, do not nullify fasting.
6. Injections through the skin or muscle or joints or veins, with the exception of intravenous feeding.
7 .Blood donation or receiving blood transfusion.
8. Oxygen and anaesthetic gases.
9. All substances absorbed into the body through the skin, such as creams, ointments, and medicated plaster.
10 .Drawing blood samples for laboratory testing.
11 .Catheter and media for arteriography of heart or other organs.
12 .Endoscopy for diagnostic or intervention purposes.
13. Mouth wash, gargle or oral spray, provided nothing is swallowed into the stomach.
14 .Hysteroscopy or insertion of an intrauterine device.
15. Biopsy of the liver or other organs.

A majority of participants added the following:

1. Nose drops, nose sprays, and inhalers.
2. Anal injections, anoscopes, or digital rectal examination.
3. Surgery involving general anaesthetic, if the patient decided to fast.
4. Machine or intraperitoneal renal dialysis.
5. Use of gastroscope, provided it does not entail the introduction of liquids or other substances into the stomach.

HOW TO SPEND RAMADHAAN

2011-08-07T00:00:00.000+08:00

The month of Ramadhaan is the season of Divine Blessings. It is the month of purification and meant for annual renovation of the inner spiritual qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to strengthen his Imaan, purify his heart and soul and remove the evil effects of the sins committed. This month invites a Muslim to minimise his mundane involvements and maximise the acts of worship. One should plan his schedule for this month beforehand, so as to spare maximum time for ‘ibaadah.

Below is a brief list of the acts which should be carried out in Ramadhaan with due care:

1. To offer every prayer with congregation in the Musjid.
2. To rise up a little earlier than the exact time of suhoor and to offer the Salaah of Tahajjud. There is no prescribed number of the Tahajjud prayer, yet, it is better to pray 8 rak’ats.
3. To offer the nafl (optional) prayers of Ishraaq (two rak’ats after sunrise), Dhuhaa (Four rak’ats which may be performed at anytime after Ishraaq before noon) and Awwaabeen (six rak’ats after Maghrib).
4. The recitation of the glorious Qur’aan. No specific limit is prescribed, but one should recite as much of it as he can.
5. To remember Allah frequently through different prophetic recitations, such as the following: Subhaana Allaah wa bihamdihi subhaana Allaahu al-Adheem, Laa hawla walaa quwwata illaa bi-llaahi al-aliyy al-adheem, subhaana Allaahu wa alhamdulillaah wa laa ilaaha illa Allaahu wa Allaahu Akbar, Astaghfiru-llaah lladhee laa ilaaha illaa huwa al-hayy al-qayyoom wa atoobu ilayhi, Allaahumma salli alaa muhammadin al-nabiyy al-ummiy wa-alaa aalihi wa-sallim tasleeman. Apart from reciting these phrases, one hundred times each, at a particular time, they may also be continued frequently throughout the day, even if one is engaged in some light work, when walking and when in bed.
6. Prayers and supplications (du’aa): No particular prayer is prescribed. One can pray for everything he needs both in this world and in the Hereafter. However, the supplications of the noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam are so comprehensive that they encompass all that a Muslim can need in his life and after his death. It is therefore, much advisable to pray to Allah Almighty in words used by our noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. There are several books wherein these prophetic supplications have been compiled. Below are the names of two books which should be kept by every Muslim in his home and be used for praying daily: Al-Hisnul Haseen by Allaamah Al-Jazri and Munaajaat-e-Maqbool by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi
7. Giving Sadaqah (charity): Apart from paying Zakaat, which is obligatory, one should also spend optionally in Ramadhaan to the best of his ability. It is reported in authentic Ahaadeeth that the noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam used to pay special attention in Ramadhaan to look after the poor and help them financially. Therefore, a Muslim should give as much money in Sadaqah as he can afford.

Goals of Fasting

2011-08-06T00:00:00.000+08:00

During this Ramadhan do not let the sweetness of our deeds vansh into the night, leaving only emptiness. When one contemplates the texts on fasting, its wisdom and goals in Shariah, and looks at the reality of the Muslim communities, one realizes a wide gap between the reality and our obligations. Remember that Ramadhan is a bounty that Allah blessed His servants with, to strengthen their faith, and increase their piety (Taqwa). Allah said: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious." (Al-Baqarah 2:183). This article is an attempt to present the essential causes of this gap, and to some remedies. primary reason for the gap is ignorance about the goals of fasting and the wisdom behind it. Many Muslims ignore the purpose and wisdom of fasting. Fasting is done merely to conform to the social environmet without contemplation. If one is not aware of the divine wisdom of Shariah and its fruits in this world and in the hereafter, one will not apply it in the right way.

Goals of Fasting

Achieving Taqwa: is one of the most important wisdom of fasting. Fasting brings on Taqwa as it lessens the desire of the stomach and mutes the sexual appetite. Whoever fasts frequently would overcome these two desires more easily. This deter against committing abominations and sins and assist in controlling life leading to Taqwa.
Strengthening willpower and acquiring patience: The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam called Ramadhan the month of patience as it increases one's will power to control his desire and the selfishness of his soul. This training allows him to be strong in following Allah's commands. The most important being to carry the Message and propel it forward. The person trains himself to be patient in obeying Allah by stopping at the limits set by Allah both by way of action and abstention. Allah said: "These are the limits set by Allah, so approach them not." (Al-Baqarah 2:187)
Fasting is pure worship: The fact that he is abstaining from food and drink both in public and in secret shows his honest faith and strong love of Allah, and his knowledge and feeling that Allah is all-knowing of everything. For this reason Allah has made the reward for fasting greater than for any other type of worship. Allah said in the hadith Qudsi: "Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied [in rewards], the good deed by ten of its like, up to seven hundreds, up to whatever Allah wills, except fasting, it is for Me and I will reward it. He abandons his desire and his food for My sake.." (Related by Muslim) lbn al-Qayyim said: "...And people may see that a person is not eating in front of them, but the fact that he is really abandoning his food and his desire for the sake of God is a thing that nobody can find out about, and that is the essence of fasting." (Zaad al-Ma'ad 2/29).
Relieving Muslims from life's distractions: Eating, drinking, and socializing all distract a person and weaken ties with Allah. It is by the Mercy of Allah that Muslims are ordered to fast so as not to be bothered by the intrusion of these activities. Nor by the thought about them nor the anticipation for them when devoting themselves to the all types of worship Either reading the Qur'an, offering additional prayer or making I'tikaf. For this reason the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Fasting is a shield, and a secure fortress against Hell fire" (Related by Ahmad).
Discovering Allah's Blessings: A person experiences the hardship of the poor. He should then be thankful to Allah Who has blessed him with His bounty while others are deprived. This should make him more sympathetic and willing to share this bounty. The poor rediscovers that fasting helps a person be more devoted to worship. More able to concentrate and meditate. He should then be able of this devotion all year long, a blessing he should thank Allah for.
Acquiring strength and endurance:It has been discovered that depriving the body of food for a period of time helps its defense and endurance mechanism. This in turn this protects the body from certain diseases.
Remember that fasting is not only dependent on abstentions: Many believe that fasting consist only of certain abstentions, forgetting that Allah established certain acts of worship with fasting. Among which are:
Qiyamul-layl: The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Whoever performed the night prayer during Ramadhan out of belief and anticipating God's rewards, will be forgiven his previous sins."(Related by Muslim).Performing Umrah: The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "An Umrah during Ramadhan is like a Hajj with me." (Related by al-Hakim).
Offering Iftar (meal) to those who fasted. The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Whoever feeds a fasting person has the same reward as him, except that the reward of the fasting person will not be diminished." (Related by Ahmad).
Reading and completing the Qur'an: The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Fasting and [reading] Qur'an will intercede for the person: fasting will say: O Lord I forbade him eating and drinking so let me intercede for him, and the Qur'an will say: I deprived him from his night sleep so let me intercede for him," he then said: "So they will intercede." (Related by Ahmad). The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam used to recite the whole Qur'an to Angel Jibreel each Ramadhan.
Giving in charity: Ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhu said: "The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam was the most generous among people, and he was more generous during the month of Ramadhan." (Related by Muslim).
I`tikaaf: which is to confine oneself in the masjid for prayer and invocation leaving the worldly activities. Ibn Abbas radhiallahu anhu said: "The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam used to perforrn I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Related by Muslim). It is surprising that many people have abandoned I'tikaf though the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam never abandoned it from the time he arrived to Madinah until he died.
Supplication: In the verses dealing with fasting, Allah said: "And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then answer them, I am indeed near to them. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me." (Al-Baqarah 2: 186). This is an encouragement for the fasting person to increase his invocation. The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Three invocations will be answered: The invocation of the fasting person, the invocation of the oppressed, and the invocation of the traveler." (Related by Muslim).
Repentance: Ramadhan is the time of repentance and return to Allah, for it is a time when the devils are chained, and when many people are saved from hell fire every night by the grace of Allah.
Applying oneself in all good deeds in the last ten days of Ramadhan: Aysha radhiallabu anha said: "When the last ten days come, he sallallahu alayhe wa sallam would pray most of the night and wake his family, and apply himself, and tighten up his loincloth.", and she also said: "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhe wa sallam used to strive in the last days of Ramadhan more than he did during the other days." (Related by Muslim).
Abstaining from vain talk: Sins decrease the reward of fasting although they do not annul it. The Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said: "Fasting is not [only] abstaining from eating and drinking, but abstaining from vain and obscene talk, so if someone insulted you or wronged you say: I am fasting." (Related by al-Hakim) and he also said: 'Whoever does not abandon lying, then Allah does not need him to abandon his food and drink." (Related by al-Bukhari).