The

Friday Bulletin
Parents now go to court
over hijab
The Weekly Muslim News Update

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 05 2010

Issue No. 392

DA'WA ON WHEELS

Northern Kenya Development Minister Muhammad Ibrahim Elmi (Right) shares

a word with Muslim scholar Sheikh Ahmad Msallam after he ofciated at the
opening of a two-day workshop on the merits of the companions of the Prophet.
Looking on is Sheikh Muhammad Swalihu, the Imam of Jamia Mosque.
STORY on Page 2

Put in place structures to benet from

county government
Residents of Coast and North Eastern regions should take a cue from other regions
and start laying strategies to be able to reap the benets of the new federal structure of government which is expected to come into force after the 2012 elections.
A commissioner with the Independent Boundaries Review Commission Murshid
Muhammad said for the counties to enjoy the benets of the new devolved structure
of government, they should have the capacity in place to meet the demands of the
proposed county government.
He said the functions that would be devolved by the national government to the
counties will depend on the ability of the counties to undertake those functions.
The counties which lack the capacity to undertake their stipulated functions, will
not take off in 2012 or they will take off with limited functions and therefore with
limited funding, he said.
The constitution permits an asymmetrical devolution of powers and functions will be
devolved promptly to those counties that have the capacity to perform, he added.
Murshid said though the new devolved structure of government has been seen as
a vehicle to reduce marginalization and underdevelopment, to achieve this, it is
imperative that efcient governing structures are put place ahead of time to enable
Story continued On Page 7

This Week

Editorial
Da'wa

Women Issues

Hijab a reection on our weakness

P2

Virtues of the ten days of Dhul Hijjah

P3
Why British women are turning to Islam P4

he refusal by some schools to allow students

to wear the hijab, the Islamic female dress,
has forced parents to take legal action to ensure that the constitutional rights of their daughters
are upheld.
In a landmark case, Dr. Anisa Bashir and eleven
other parents have taken Kenya High School to
court over its relentless refusal to allow Muslim students to practice aspects of their faith.
In the case certied as urgent, the parents say the
rights of their daughters have been violated and
they have been forced to study in an environment
where they feel uncomfortable and not accepted
due to their religious beliefs.
The case is being heard by Justice David Maraga.
The head teacher and the school Board of Governors are named as respondents.
In their submissions, the parents asserted that even
after the Ministry of Education issued directives to
schools to respect the rights of the girls to wear the
hijab, Kenya High School has continued to defy the
order. The parents are appealing to the court to nullify the school policy which they termed as unfair,
and compel the institution to allow the students to
exercise their right to wear the attire which is mandatory by the Islamic faith.
Justice Magara, however, refused to issue temporary orders to the school to allow the girls to observe the hijab. He noted that he had to hear from
both sides before reaching a decision.
In July last year, the former education Permanent
Secretary Karega Mutahi criticized schools which
denied Muslim girls their right to wear the hijab
and directed such institutions to rescind the policy.
It has come to my attention that some heads of
schools have refused to permit Muslim girls dressed
in the hijab to attend school. I wish to remind you
that no child should be denied the right to education
on the basis of religion, read the circular which was
addressed to all Provincial Directors of Education,
District Education Ofcers and Municipal Education
Ofcers as well as school head teachers.
He went on to direct that students who were expelled from school for wearing the hijab to be readmitted immediately.
Even after this directive, many schools continue
to deny the Muslim girls to wear the hijab, a right
which has further been afrmed by the new constitution. Some of these schools include Kenya High
School, Pangani Girls, Loreto Convent and Buru
Buru Secondary School among others.

Youth and Children

Feature

www.islamkenya.com

Gender intereactions at Uni P6

Cycling to Hajj

This Newsletter contains some of Allahs names. Please do not throw in the trash. Either keep, circulate or shred

P7

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 05 2010

The Friday Bulletin

EDITORIAL

Hijab case, a reection on our weakness

After several complaints which in most cases had no headway,
parents have taken it upon themselves to take legal action against
the unfair practice of denying their daughters the right to hijab in
schools. This is an unprecedented move which for the rst time has
made the issue of the Muslim dress to go to the court room.
For many years, the issue of hijab has been a painful experience in
the hearts of Muslims after many schools, many of them Christian
based but also including public schools have gone out of their way
and banned the wearing of the Islamic dress, the hijab in schools.
Even after the ministry of education ofcially claried that wearing
the hijab is a constitutional right of the pupils and head teachers
had no right to send away those practicing their religious obligations, several schools have continued to out the directive.
Several Muslim students have been forced out of schools and others have had to succumb to the unfair discriminatory laws after
their rights were violated. Some of the schools have even gone a
mile further by forcing Muslim students to attend religious observations of other faiths while denying them the right to practice their
religion.
On this matter, the constitution is clear on the rights of citizens to
observe their religion without any hindrance. In article 32 of the Bill
of Rights, the constitution states, Every person has the right, either individually or in community with others, in public or in private,
to manifest any religion or belief through worship, practice, teaching or observance, including observance of a day of worship.
The supreme law of the land further states, A person may not
be denied access to any institution, employment or facility or the
enjoyment of any right, because of the persons belief or religion.
The Bill of Rights adds that a person shall not be compelled to
act, or engage in any act, that is contrary to the persons, belief or
religion.
While Muslim leaders during the agitation for the new constitution,
cited the provision of protection of religious freedom in institutions
as among the positive development which will benet the community, it appears that little was done to effect this important aspect

after the promulgation of the new law.

Even after the clarication from the education ministry, the matter was not pushed with the desired momentum by the concerned
Muslim organisations to protect the inalienable rights of Muslim
students in educational facilities.
While the move by parents is laudable, it is also a demonstration
of the weakness of Muslim organizations to vigorously pursue this
matter. It was perhaps due to the inaction of the Muslim organisations that the parents found it prudent to take it upon themselves
to ght for the rights of their pupils, a matter which would otherwise
deserve to be handled by Muslim organisations.
With the new constitutional framework which fervently protects
civil liberties, Muslim organisations should take another step to
see to it that this ugly and unwarranted phenomenon comes to an
end. While angry voices have been heard in the past protesting
against this unfair attitude, it is high time that these rhetoric are
translated into action and measures explored to protect the rights
of Muslims.
While the Akorino faithful had the courage to resort to the courts
and successfully petitioned the courts to rescind an expulsion
against their children who had been sent away from a school in
Ukambani after they refused to remove their religious head gear,
sadly such a precedented move has not been seen in our community.
The matter of hijab is a sensitive issue which concerns all Muslims
in the country. With the case now in court, it is rather important for
Muslim organisations to also enjoin themselves in the suit to give it
the added strength as the outcome will have signicant impact on
the community in the coming years.
The new constitution has provided valuable avenues to correct
past injustices, a new strategy should be devised where instead of
whining and complaining, constructive engagements with the concerned authorities should be explored and in the event of failing to
achieve the desired results, legal redress should always remain as
the alternative.

Do more to increase religious

awareness, scholars told

Protests over plan to demolish

Bungoma mosque

Imams and scholars have been told to take extra measures

and increase awareness of Islamic knowledge among the population.
Northern Kenyan Development Minister Muhammad Ibrahin
Elmi said there is need for more dawa efforts focused on imparting Islamic knowledge to the masses for a better understanding of the teachings of Islam.
He noted that many Muslims were not adhering to the tenets of
Islam with some having a wrong notion that Islam is only conned to praying and fasting. Many people are praying but are
not adhering to Islamic ethics related to honesty, truthfulness,
good relations as well as failing to implement Islam in their daily
lives, the minister said while ofciating at the opening of a twoday workshop on the merits of the blessed companions of the
Prophet (peace be upon him) at Jamia Mosque on Tuesday.
The minister told Scholars and Imams to come up with regular programme to inculcate the correct methodology of Islam
among Muslims noting that many people especially the youth
were susceptible to being misled by corrupt teachings.
On his part, the chairman of Jamia Mosque Committee Muhammad Osman Warfa reminded the scholars and Imams of
their role in the Ummah saying that they should take up the
mantle to educate and nurture Muslims into better citizens to
serve not only the community but the nation as a whole.

Muslims in a far ung township in Bungoma have taken issue with the
decision of local authorities to demolish the local mosque.
Residents of Ndalu, 60 kilometers from Bungoma are reading mischief
in the directive from the County council saying it is was misconstrued
and aimed at denying them a place of worship.
They asserted that proper procedures were followed in acquiring the
piece of land and there was no reason to warrant the destruction of the
mosque.
In a letter dated October 26, the Bungoma County Council ordered that
the mosque be pulled down failure to which it will go ahead and carry
out the demolition exercise.
The council contends that the construction was not in order as the land
on which it stands was not sanctioned for the mosque.
The mosque chairman Ibrahim Baraka Ranogwa, however, contends
that the council directive was done in bad faith adding that the more
than 250 Muslims of the area should not be denied a place of worship.
We followed the proper channels and we have letters from the County
Council and the Ministry of Lands and Settlement raising no objection
to the mosque, he told The Friday Bulletin.
He turned his attention to Muslims and appealed to the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) and other Muslim organisation to intervene and ensure that the area residents are not denied their rights
to freedom of worship.

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 05 2010

The Friday Bulletin

DA'WA

The virtues of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

This season of worship brings many benets, such as the opportunity to correct one's faults and make up for any shortcomings or
anything that one might have missed. Each of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which people may
draw closer to Allah, and some kind of blessing through which Allah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He, Almighty,
Wills.
A Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship
of Allah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death.
Allah Almighty says "And worship your Lord until there comes to
you the certainty (death)." [Quran 15: 99] The commentators said:
"'The certainty means death."
Among the special seasons of worship are the rst ten days of
Dhul-Hijjah, which Allah has preferred over all the other days of the
year. Ibn 'Abbaas reported that the Prophet peace be upon him
said: "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people (the Companions )
asked: "O Messenger of Allah, not even Jihad in the path of Allah?"
He said: "Not even Jihad in the path of Allah, except in the case
of a man who went out to ght giving himself and his wealth up for
the cause, and came back with nothing (lost both his property and
life)." [Al-Bukhari]
These ten days include the Day of 'Arafah, on which Allah perfected His Religion. Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two
years. These days also include the Day of Sacrice, the greatest
day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines
acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.

Allah to His servants, which is appreciated properly by the actively

righteous. It is the duty of Muslim to appreciate this blessing and
make the most of the opportunity, by devoting these ten days to
paying more attention to striving hard in worship.
Among His blessings, Allah has given us many ways in which to
perform righteous deeds and worship Him, so that a Muslim may be
constantly active and consistent in his worship of his Lord.
Among the righteous deeds which someone should strive to perform during the rst ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are:
The performance of Hajj and Umrah, which are the best of deeds
that may be done. And what indicates their superiority are a number
of narrations, one of which is the saying of the Prophet peace be
upon him: "Performance of 'Umrah is an expiation of the sins committed between it and the previous 'Umrah, and the reward of the
Hajj which is accepted by Allah, Most High, is nothing but Paradise."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Fasting: It is recommended to fast on the nine days and especially on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah. There is no doubt that the act
of fasting is one of the best deeds, and it is from what Allah, Most
High, has chosen for himself, as in the Sacred Hadeeth: "Fasting
is for Me (Allah), and it is I who give reward for it. Verily, someone
gives up his sexual passion, his food and his drink for my sake..."
[Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmithi, An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Maajah]
The Prophet peace be upon him said: "Fasting the Day of Arafah
will be credited with Allaah by forgiving one's sins of the previous
year and the following year." [Muslim]
Uttering the mention of Allah: It is recommended to utter Takbeer
("Allahu akbar"), Tahmeed ("Al-hamdu Lillaah"), Tahleel ("La ilaaha
illallaah") and Tasbeeh ("Subhaanallah") during the rst ten days of
Dhul-Hijjah in the Mosque, at home, on the street and every place
where it is permitted to mention Allah and mention His name out
loud, as an act of worship and as a proclamation of the greatness
of Allah, Most High. He The Most High, Says: "...And mention the
name of Allah on known [i.e., specic] days..." [Quran 22: 28]
Performing more good deeds in general, because good deeds
are beloved by Allah and will bring a great reward from Him. Whoever is not able to go to Hajj should occupy himself at this blessed
time by worshipping Allah, praying, reading Quran, supplicating,
giving charity, honoring his parents, upholding the ties of kinship,
enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good
deeds and acts of worship.
Offering sacrice. One of the good deeds that will bring a person closer to Allah during these ten days is offering a sacrice, by
choosing a high-quality animal. It is the Sunnah of our father Ibraahim - from when Allah The Most High, redeemed his son by the
great sacrice (of an animal in his place). Ibrahim, on whom be
peace slaughtered (sacriced) two horned rams. [Al-Bukhari and
Muslim]
Sincerely repenting. One of the most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allah and to give up all
kinds of disobedience and sin.
Repentance means coming back to Allah and foregoing all the
deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes, out of regret for what has
passed, giving it up immediately and being determined never to return to it, and to adhere rmly to the Truth by doing what Allah loves.
The Prophet peace be upon him said: "Verily Allah has a sense
of 'Ghyrah' (honor, prestige and anger over violation), and Allah's

Shall you offer a sacrice?

The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrice
must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from
his skin, from the beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrice, because the Prophet Prophet peace be upon
him said: "When you see the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah, if any one
of you wants to offer a sacrice, then he should stop cutting his hair
and nails until he has offered his sacrice." According to another report he said: "He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from
his hair or skin." [Muslim]
The Prophet's instruction here makes one thing obligatory and his
prohibition makes another Haraam (prohibited), according to the
soundest opinion, because these commands and prohibitions are
unconditional and unavoidable.
However, if a person does any of these things deliberately, he must
seek Allah's forgiveness but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrice in expiation; his sacrice will be acceptable. Whoever needs
to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is harming him, such as
having a broken nail or a wound in a site where there is hair, can do
so, and there is nothing wrong with that.
The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who wants to offer a
sacrice from cutting his hair etc, is so that he may resemble those
in Ihraam in some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he
may draw closer to Allah by offering the sacrice. He leaves his hair
and nails alone until the time when he has offered his sacrice, in
the hope that Allah will save him in his entirety from the Fire. And
Allah knows best.
If a person has cut his hair or nails during the rst ten days of DhulHijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrice, then he
decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrice, then he must
refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes
this decision.
This prohibition appears to apply only to the one who is offering the
sacrice, not to his wife and children, unless any of them is offering
a sacrice in his or her own right.

Story continued On Page 6

Saturday Lecture
The rites of Hajj
Sheikh Abdullatif Abdulkarim
Sat. 6th November 2010 2.00 pm-4.00 pm
Jamia Multi Purpose Hall

The virtues of the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah

Types of worship and deeds to be performed during the ten days:
One must understand that these days are a great blessing from

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 28 2010

The Friday Bulletin

WOMEN ISSUES

Why ARE so many modern British career women converting to Islam?

Tony Blairs sister-in-law announced her conversion to Islam last
weekend. Journalist Lauren Booth embraced the faith joining a
growing number of modern British career women to do so. Here,
writer EVE AHMED, who was raised as a Muslim before rejecting
the faith, explores the reasons why.
Much of my childhood was spent trying to escape Islam. Born in
London to an English mother and a Pakistani Muslim father, I was
brought up to follow my fathers faith without question. But, privately, I hated it. The minute I left home for university at the age of
18, I abandoned it altogether.
As far as I was concerned, being a Muslim meant hearing the word
No over and over again. Girls from my background were barred
from so many of the things my English friends took for granted.
Indeed, it seemed to me that almost anything fun was haram, or
forbidden, to girls like me.
There were so many random, petty rules. No whistling. No chewing
of gum. No riding bikes. No watching Top Of The Pops. No wearing
make-up or clothes which revealed the shape of the body.
No eating in the street or putting my hands in my pockets. No cutting my hair. No asking questions or answering back.
These ground rules were imposed by my father and I, therefore,
assumed they must be an integral part of being a good Muslim.
Small wonder, then, that as soon as I was old enough to exert my
independence, I rejected the whole package and turned my back on
Islam. After all, what modern, liberated British woman would choose
to live such a life?
Well, quite a lot, it turns out, including Islams latest surprise convert, Tony Blairs sister-in-law Lauren Booth. And after my own
break with my past, Ive followed with fascination the growing trend
of Western women choosing to convert to Islam.
Broadcaster and journalist Booth, 43, who is Cherie Blair's half sister says she now wears a hijab head covering whenever she leaves
home, prays ve times a day and visits her local mosque when I
can.
Before her awakening, she had been sympathetic to Islam and
has spent considerable time working in Palestine. I was always impressed with the strength and comfort it gave, she says.
How, I wondered, could women be drawn to a religion which I felt
had kept me in such a lowly, submissive place? How could their
experiences of Islam be so very different to mine?
According to Kevin Brice from Swansea University, who has specialised in studying white conversion to Islam, these women are part
of an intriguing trend. He explains: They seek spirituality, a higher
meaning, and tend to be deep thinkers. The other type of women
who turn to Islam are what I call converts of convenience. Theyll
assume the trappings of the religion to please their Muslim husband
and his family, but wont necessarily attend mosque, pray or fast.
I spoke to a diverse selection of white Western converts in a bid to
re-examine the faith I had rejected.
Women like Kristiane Backer, 43, a London-based former MTV
presenter who had led the kind of liberal Western-style life that I
yearned for as a teenager, yet who turned her back on it and embraced Islam instead. Her reason? The anything goes permissive
society that I coveted had proved to be a supercial void.
The turning point for Kristiane came when she met the former Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan in 1992 during the height of her career. He took her to Pakistan where she says she was immediately
touched by spirituality and the warmth of the people.
Kristiane says: Though our relationship didnt last, I began to study
the Muslim faith and eventually converted. Because of the nature
of my job, Id been out interviewing rock stars, travelling all over
the world and following every trend, yet Id felt empty inside. Now,
at last, I had contentment because Islam had given me a purpose
in life.

In the West, we are stressed for supercial reasons, like what

clothes to wear. In Islam, everyone looks to a higher goal. Everything is done to please God. It was a completely different value
system.
'Despite my lifestyle, I felt empty inside and realised how liberating it was to be a Muslim. To follow only one God makes life purer.
You are not chasing every fad. I grew up in Germany in a not very
religious Protestant family. I drank and I partied, but I realised that
we need to behave well now so we have a good after-life. We are
responsible for our own actions.
Lynne Ali, 31, from Dagenham in Essex, freely admits to having
been a typical white hard-partying teenager. She says: I would
go out and get drunk with friends, wear tight and revealing clothing
and date boys.
I also worked part-time as a DJ, so I was really into the club scene.
I used to pray a bit as a Christian, but I used God as a sort of doctor,
to x things in my life. If anyone asked, I wouldve said that, generally, I was happy living life in the fast lane.
But when she met, Zahid, at university, something dramatic happened. She says: His sister started talking to me about Islam, and
it was as if everything in my life tted into place. I think, underneath
it all, I must have been searching for something, and I wasnt feeling
fullled by my hard-drinking party lifestyle.
Lynne converted aged 19. From that day, I started wearing the
hijab, she explains, and I now never show my hair in public. At
home, Ill dress in normal Western clothes in front of my husband,
but never out of the house.
With a recent YouGov survey concluding that more than half the
British public believe Islam to be a negative inuence that encourages extremism, the repression of women and inequality, one might
ask why any of them would choose such a direction for themselves.
Yet statistics suggest Islamic conversion is not a mere ash in the
pan but a signicant development. Islam is, after all, the worlds
fastest growing religion, and white adopters are an important part
of that story. Evidence suggests that the ratio of Western women
converts to male could be as high as 2:1, says Kevin Brice.
Moreover, he says, often these female converts are eager to disStory Continues To Page 5

The Friday Bulletin Kitchen

Homemade Pizza
Ingredients
2 cups warm water
4 cups flour
1 Tbsp. instant yeast or fast acting pizza toppings (pizza sauce,
cheese, veggies, meat)
2 Tbsp. sugar
salt to taste

Method
In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, yeast with the warm water.
Mix for about 5 minutest.
Cover with a little oil and cover with plastic wrap; put in a warm place
for an hour.
Roll dough out onto a floured surface.
Top with pizza sauce, cheese, and other ingredients.
Grease a baking sheet with oil and bake at 350 F for 15 - 20 minutes
or until golden brown.
NOTE- To get a very thick pizza, separate the dough into 2 pieces. Fit into
a 10 inch cake pan.
Share your favourite recipes with our readers. Send them to P. O. Box 10078600100 or email:fridaybulletin@islamkenya.com or fridaybulletin@gmail.com

The Friday Bulletin

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 05 2010

Sheikh Muhammad Salim Badamana, a member of the Sharia

advisory council of Jamia Mosque
and lecturer at the University of
nairobi with the Turkish Minister
of Social Services Omer Dincer.
Standing In the middle is Toursim
minister Najib Balala.
The Turkish minister last week
paid a courtesy call to members
of Jamia Mosque Committee after
attending Jumua prayers at Jamia
Mosque

From Page 4

Why British career women converting to Islam?

and I knew I could never go back to that. I am so grateful I found my
escape route. This is the real me I am happy to pray ve times
a day and take classes at the mosque. I am no longer a slave to a
broken society and its expectations.
Kristiane Backer, who has written a book on her own spiritual journey, called From MTV To Mecca, believes the new breed of modern, independent Muslims can band together to show the world that
Islam is not the faith I grew up in one that stamps on the rights
of women. She says: I know women born Muslims who became
disillusioned and rebelled against it. When you dig deeper, its not
the faith they turned against, but the culture.
Many young Muslims have abandoned the re and brimstone
version they were born into have re-discovered a more spiritual and
intellectual approach, thats free from the cultural dogmas of the
older generation. Thats how I intend to spend my life, showing the
world the beauty of the true Islam.
While I dont agree with their sentiments, I admire and respect the
women I interviewed for this piece. They were all bright and educated, and have thought long and hard before choosing to convert
to Islam and now feel passionately about their adopted religion.
Good luck to them. And good luck to Lauren Booth. But its that word
that sums up the difference between their experience and mine
choice.
Perhaps if I had felt in control rather than controlled, if I had felt empowered rather than stied, I would still be practicing the religion I
was born into, and would not carry the burden of guilt that I do about
rejecting my fathers faith. (Daily Mail)

play the visible signs of their faith in particular the hijab.

For some converts, Islam represents a celebration of old-fashioned
family values. Some are drawn to the sense of belonging and of
community values which have eroded in the West, says Haifaa
Jawad, a senior lecturer at the University of Birmingham, who has
studied the white conversion phenomenon.
Many people, from all walks of life, mourn the loss in todays society of traditional respect for the elderly and for women, for example.
These are values which are enshrined in the Quran, which Muslims
have to live by, adds Brice.
It is values like these which drew Camilla Leyland, 32, a yoga
teacher who lives in Cornwall, to Islam. A single mother to daughter, Inaya, two, she converted in her mid-20s for intellectual and
feminist reasons. She explains: I know people will be surprised to
hear the words feminism and Islam in the same breath, but in
fact, the teachings of the Quran give equality to women, and at the
time the religion was born, the teachings went against the grain of
a misogynistic society.
The big mistake people make is by confusing culture with religion.
Yes, there are Muslim cultures which do not allow women individual
freedom, yet when I was growing up, I felt more oppressed by Western society. She talks of the pressure on women to act like men by
drinking and having casual sex. There was no real meaning to
it all. In Islam, if you begin a relationship, that is a commitment of
intent.
Growing up in Southampton her father was the director of Southampton Institute of Education and her mother a home economics
teacher Camillas interest in Islam began at school. She went to
university and later took a Masters degree in Middle East Studies.
But it was while living and working in Syria that she had a spiritual
epiphany. Reecting on what shed read in the Quran, she realised
she wanted to convert.
Her decision was met with bemusement by friends and family.
People found it so hard to believe that an educated, middle-class
white woman would choose to become Muslim, she says.
Several of the women I spoke to said strict Islamic dress was something they found empowering and liberating. Lynne Ali remembers
the night this hit home for her. I went to an old friends 21st birthday,
she reveals. I walked in, wearing my hijab and modest clothing, and
saw how everyone else had so much esh on display. They were
drunk, slurring their words and dancing provocatively.
For the rst time, I could see my former life with an outsiders eyes,

The virtues of Dhul-Hijjah

From Page 3

sense of Ghayrah is provoked when a person does that which Allah

has made prohibited." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
It is incumbent for a Muslim (who is not making Hajj) to make
every effort to perform the Eed Prayer wherever it is performed,
and to be present for the Khutbah (sermon) and benet.
There is much to be gained, so make the most of the opportunity
afforded by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to
do good deeds, before death strikes, before one regrets his negligence and failure to act, before one is asked to return to life but
only when prayers will never be answered, before death intervenes
between the hopeful one and the things he hopes for, before one is
trapped with his deeds in the grave.

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 28 2010

The Friday Bulletin

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Suhaib Webb

Gender Interaction on Campus

TThe question of gender interaction on campus is one of great

importance. Unfortunately, at least in many cases, it has been
handled from one or two extremes. I remember visiting a Muslim
Student Association meeting and nding the entire MSA shut down
because, at the rst meeting a brother stood up and pointed at the
sisters and said, Why are they here? It is not allowable for you to
be here! On the other side of the coin I have heard of MSAs that
conduct their meetings at coffee houses. While enjoying the latest
cappuccino, Fatma and Zaid are sitting together with no respect for
our sacred texts and principles.
The Scope of Inter-Gender Relations
In Sura Al-Qasas we nd a very interesting example of inter-gender relations found in the story of Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon
him).
By taking a quick glance at these verses we can garner a number
of lessons related to Islamic work, the personality of the Islamic
caller and rules and adab for inter-gender relations:
1. The great mercy and compassion of the Prophets. Prophet Musa
on him be peace felt compassion for the two women and went to
assist them. It is important for the Islamic worker to have mercy and
concern for those around him.
2. The importance of obeying and serving ones parents: Prophet
Shuaybs daughters not only served him in his old age, but obeyed
him by carrying themselves with great delity and morality in his absence. The same can be said for the campus. Many of us live away
from our parents on campus and it is important to respect them in
their absence by being pious and righteous children. It is sad to
see many university students drooling at the opportunity to escape
to the campus environment just to disobey their parents. However,
the truly righteous slaves of Allah obey their parents even in their
absence. Of course, this obedience is in the good and not the evil.
3. It is well known that both of these women were eligible for marriage with Prophet Musa. In fact, we know that later he married
one of them. Thus, these verses are used to prove that interaction
between non-marhams is permitted as long as they observe certain
adab which will be explained shortly, inshaAllah.
4. Inter-gender interaction is an exception, not the rule. Meaning
that such interaction should take place only under situations which
are clear necessities.
Thus, it can be said, that the call to Islam and its propagation fall
under such a necessity. Such work, however, must be done observing the following adab;
(i) Remember that any encounter involves the eyes, tongue and
limbs. However, the most important component for this encounter
is the heart. Thus, before any gathering check your heart and make
sure that it is with Allah Most High, full of love for Him and in submission to the Sunna of the Prophet (may peace and blessings
be upon him). A great dua to say before such a gathering is the
following supplication of the Prophet (may peace and blessings be
upon him): Allahumma muqallibul Qulub thabit qalbi ala deenek.
O turner of the hearts! Establish my heart upon Your religion.
(ii) Lowering the gaze as everything has an entrance and one of
the entrances to the heart is the glance.
(iii) Avoid speech or actions which could be taken as irting. I
was told by one of my Sheikhs that laughing and joking should be
avoided between non-mahrams. For that reason Allah described
the daughter of Shuayb, when she approached Musa, Then there
came to him one of the two women, walking shyly.
(iv) Avoid being alone as Shaytan will be the third amongst you. Try
your best to meet as a group. Private meetings amongst a brother
and sister who are non-mahram are strictly prohibited. In addition,
during group meetings there should be a good amount of distance
between brothers and sisters.
(v) Observe the correct Islamic dress code and remember to ask
yourself an important question. Am I making dawa to myself, or
to Allah and the call of His beloved (may peace and blessings be

upon him)?
(vi) There is no better solution than asking. Thus, it is important to
refer any specic questions or issues to local scholars as they are
your life source for survival in the campus jungle.

The Hajj
Hajj is the fth pillar of Islam and it was enjoined by
Allah on Muslims to be performed once during one's
lifetime. This pillar is observed during the month of
Dhul-Hijjah.
Building and Purifying the Ka`bah
Allah told His Prophet Ibrahim, to build the Ka`bah. The
Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismail built it in order to
be a safe and secure place to worship Allah.
After the Ka`bah was completely built, Allah told Prophet Ibrahim to proclaim Hajj to all mankind and call them
to visit the Sacred House. Prophet Ibrahim complied
with Allah's command and called people to perform Hajj.
Allah says: "And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean
camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide)
mountain highway (to perform Hajj)." [Quran 22:27]
Allah inspired the believers to respond to the call of
Prophet Ibrahim saying "Labbayk Allahuma Labbayk" (In
response to Your call, O Allah here I come). The believers from around the world went to the Sacred House of
Allah on foot and some riding their animals. Until today,
people still travel to Makkah to perform Hajj using various means of transportation.
Allah enjoined Hajj only the Muslims who are nancially
and physically able to perform Hajj.
During the time of Hajj, Muslims from all over the world
gather at the same time and place to perform Hajj
rituals, supplicate Allah, and ask Him for forgiveness.
At the same time they come to know each other and
the differences between them, such as economic conditions, gender, color, and language, are all disregarded.
Hajj that is properly performed has a great reward.
The Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Properly
performed Hajj will receive no reward other than Paradise". (Ahmad)
The Benets of Hajj
In Hajj, there are many benets for Muslims both in
this world and the Hereafter.
As for religious benets, when Muslims perform the
Hajj rituals in the best way it is a way of showing obedience and love for Allah. Hajj also puries the pilgrims
from their sins. As for worldly benets, Hajj season is
an annual gathering for Muslims from all over the world
where they meet to consult each other and cooperate in
all that is benecial.
6

Dhul Qa'da 28 1431/November 05 2010

The Friday Bulletin

FEATURE

Two South Africans pedal their way to Haj

Two young South Africans
know that we have underhave pedaled their way to
taken this arduous journey
Saudi Arabia to perform this
to fulll our Haj dream,
years Haj. Nathim CairnCairncross said. We came
cross, 28, and Imtiyaz Ahwith a very small budget
mad Haron, 25, both from
and we found to our delight
Cape Town, said on arrival
there were people readily
in Saudi Arabia that they
prepared to offer us the local
felt happy they were fulllcash and meet our needs.
ing their dream of performing
Both did not encounter any
Haj. Pedaling our way to the
serious problem on their way
Kingdom from Cape Town
through nine countries in the
was a grueling experience.
course of their nine-month
We wanted to travel this
journey. All we did was to
way so that we are prepared
change tires and tubes, and
to experience the rigors of
x the pedal chain from time
performing the pilgrimage,
to time.
Cairncross, a town planAsked why they chose to
ner by profession, told Arab
ride bicycles, Cairncross
News.
said: This gives us a lot of
Both set out on their journey
opportunity to meet and
Nathim Cairncross (Right) and Imtiyaz Haron at The Friday Bulletin
for the annual pilgrimage on
interact with different people
February 7 on their bicycles. ofces while on their journey through Kenya
in different countries. AddiThey pedaled through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Ma- tionally, we continued with our Dawa work wherever we stopped for
lawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Turkey, Syria and Jordan before reaching our overnight stays.
the Saudi border. This is our rst Haj. We could have come for Haj Both Cairncross and Haron are students of Islamic law and have
by plane, but it was our cherished desire to travel differently, so we studied Shariah. I joined a university and completed a course in
chose to use our bicycles, as cycling is what we both love the most, town planning and am working in the eld of construction, CairnCairncross said.
cross said.
Both pedaled 80 to 100 km daily and took rest in mosques or tents Both of them are single and love sports. While Cairncross is interafter dusk and set out again after dawn. People have been very ested in wind surng along beaches and seas, Haron, an economcooperative and courteous. At every place that we passed through, ics graduate, excels in kickboxing and mountain climbing.
they welcomed us and were happy to know that we were going for
Haj. Food was never a problem as people took delight in offering
us the choicest dishes. Of course, it was tiresome to pedal throughout the journey, especially when negotiating mountainous regions,
Cairncross added.
From Kenya, the duo had planned to travel to Ethiopia, Sudan and
Egypt before entering Saudi Arabia but were denied Ethiopian visas at the Moyale Boder post with the authorities insisting that they
should have obtained the visas in their home country. The alternative route to Somalia was abandoned due to security reasons. They
chose to y to Turkey where they restarted their epic journey to
Makkah.
Language was a big problem for both of them. Once we entered
the Arab countries, we decided to pick up Arabic, especially while
traveling through Syria and Jordan. This suited us well when we
reached the Saudi border where the security ofcials were very
friendly and welcomed and greeted us. They were also happy to

County government structures

From Page 1

able the counties to effectively discharge their duties and fulll the
expectations of the people.
The commissioner regretted that while other regions of the country are forging ahead with county government structures, Muslim
regions were concentrating on trivialities like who will be the Governor or Senator.
The constitution requires parliament to establish the criteria which
a county government must meet so as to get the authority to discharge its functions.
He implored the people of Lamu to take advantage of the opportunities to be generated with the proposed sea port saying that local
people should strive to reap its massive benets.
Kenya's devolved units are now 47 with the Coast having 6 counties namely - Kwale, Mombasa, Kili, Taita Taveta, Tana River and
Lamu. For North Eastern and Upper Eastern regions, the counties
are Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit.and Isiolo.

VACANCY
POSITION OF LIBRARIAN
JAMIA MOSQUE COMMITTEE invites applica
ons for the the posi
on of Librarin
to based at the Shah Abdullah Memorial Library
Qualica
ons
Minimum degree in Library and Informa
on Science
At least 3 years working experience
Good communica
on skills
Ability to work independently and have
strong ini
a
ve.
Please send your curriculum vitae, copies
of academic qualica
ons and copies of
professional cer
cates to

The Secretary General

Jamia Mosque Commiee
Administra
on Oces
1st Floor Jamia Mosque Complex
P. O. Box 100786-00101
Not later than 12th November 2010

Health care plan for the

future
Kenyas, and indeed Africas healthcare development is appalling. Recent statistics reveal that while countries like Saudi Arabia,
Cuba, U.S.A, Canada, Lithuania, U.K., and
Turkey enjoy as much as 100% access to
sanitation, only 38% of Kenyans have access to sanitation. The World Health Organisation estimates that a country should
at least have 5 hospital beds per 1,000
people. Kenya has 1.7 per 1,000. According to Nation Master Statistics as well as
the World Health Organisation (WHO), only
35% of the births in rural areas are attended
by skilled health personnel in Kenya. Only
17% of births in the poorest regions like the
North Eastern and Northern Counties are
attended by skilled personnel.
These statistics should exert pressure on all
authorities concerned to develop the personnel, the infrastructure and the facilities
needed to alleviate health problems in the
country. Of course, we are all aware that
many of the regions affected by underdevelopment are inhabited by Muslims. What do

we do about it then?
The answer lies with implementing a collective effort that will involve all Muslims to
raise the funds needed to change the status
quo. This has already started. It is known
as the One Shilling Foundation. It has taken
the responsibility of planning and developing the establishment of institutions such
as hospitals, universities, colleges, and
schools for the Ummah. While the news
of starting this foundation is welcome to
all, the onus lies with you to full your part
of the obligation. You only need to donate
at least a shilling per day to this collective
fund. You can also earn more Thawabs by
donating more than a shilling per day, or
by introducing other Muslims to the One
Shilling Foundation. Own the One Shilling
Foundation by taking part in its growth. By
participating in the activities of the One Shilling Foundation you are actually participating in the growth of the Ummah of your best
friend- the Ummah of Rasulullah salallahu
alayhi wa sallam
Contact us today, through the following address:
Contact us on the following address:
One Shilling Foundation
Village Plaza,
Ngara Road
P.O. Box 58717-00200, Nairobi
Tel: 0717 613 333/ 0732 613333
Email: info@oneshllingfoundation.org
www.oneshillingfoundation.org



 


 


  
 
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The Friday Bulletin is a Publication of Jamia Masjid Committee, P. O. Box 100786-00101 Nairobi, Tel: 2243504/5 Fax: 342147 E-mail: fridaybulletin@gmail.com.
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