My darling abaya!

Bourget Conf. Unites French Muslims



Boubakeur (R) and Breze
agreed to let bygones be bygones
at Le Bourget conference.

Additional Reporting By Hadi Hahmid,
IOL Correspondent

PARIS, March27 , 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – With a call to reconsider the hijab ban and grant Muslims official holidays on their religious feasts, French Muslim leaders agreed Saturday, March 26 , that it was high time they acted in concert and forget about their differences ahead of the re-election of the French Council for Muslim Faith (CFCM) in June.

Brought together by the22 nd conference of the Union of French Islamic Organizations (UOIF), Paris-le-Bourget, the leaders of the sizable Muslim minority moved to let bygones be bygones and proved that they can speak with one voice.

Mending fences, Dalil Boubakeur, the rector of Paris Grand Mosque, Thami Breze, UOIF president, and Abdullah Al-Safari, the head of the National Confederation, stood shoulder to shoulder to deliver the message of unity.

It is the first time since 1993 that the chairman of Paris Grand Mosque attends the Bourget conference.

Boubakeur has been known for his sting criticism of the UOIF, accusing its leaders of taking a “fundamentalist” line.

His critical remarks peaked when he threatened last year to boycott the CFCM June election, fearing that the UOIF would dominate the grouping.

New Leaf

But the “welfare of the generations to come” was enough to convince Boubakeur of turning a new leaf.

In a speech that heavily quoted Qur`anic verses on the importance of unity, Boubakeur said that the CFCM should remain united irrespective of backgrounds and ideologies.

He further underlined that Islam was no obstacle to France`s secularism “which guarantees for all to live in peace.”

The French Muslim leader also warned of rising Islamophobia in France, citing the racist swastika and arson attacks on mosques.

“One shouldn`t forget the key role played by French Muslims in releasing the two French reporters [Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot] last year in Iraq and their call to set free French female journalist Florence Aubenas,” held hostage in Iraq since January5 , Boubakeur stressed.

Safari relayed the same message of unity, saying that French Muslims are resolved to act in concert in the days ahead.

He, however, highlighted the daunting challenges facing the CFCM, chiefly the qualification of imams and the future plans of the Foundation for Islamic Works, which was established earlier in the month by prominent Muslim leaders and Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin.

The foundation is aimed at financing the construction of mosques and development of other Islamic activities in the European country.

Breze, for his part, used his speech to counter media accusations to Muslims of being disunited and isolated.

“French Muslims are striking the right balance between their Islamic values and the values of the French republic,” he said.

Hijab

The controversial issue of hijab was also high on the agenda of the second day of the four-day conference.

UOIF Secretary-General Fouad Alaoui said the calm atmosphere now, following the hijab ban in March2004 , allowed a new look at what he said was the compromised state of religious freedom in France, reported Reuters.

“It is compromised because today, in our country, they expel young girls from schools for making the mistake of refusing to show their ears,” he told the gathering.

“I don`t think we can teach a real culture of respect for others if we demand that our minorities amputate themselves of their differences,” he said.

France, whose 6 million Muslims make up 8 percent of the population, banned “conspicuous religious signs” in state schools last year.

After the law came into fruition at the beginning of the new school year in September, some 48 hijab-donned students were kicked out of state schools.

Islamic Feasts

Alaoui further called for official recognition of main Islamic feast days so Muslims did not feel “that their religion does not have the same status as the majority Catholic religion.”

He first spoke of two main holidays, referring to Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha feasts following the holy fasting month of Ramadan and hajj.

The Muslim leader later added the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Seven of France`s 13 legal holidays are Christian holidays.

The Stasi commission, formed last year by French President Jacques Chirac to recommend on secularism and religion in the European country, suggested adding Islamic holidays, but the National Assembly ignored this and just passed the hijab ban the panel also proposed.

“It would be perfectly normal to end the obligation to work or attend school (on Islamic holy days),” Alaoui said.

ntsyed,

...... honest question : do you let your wife and daughter drive ?

echo,

..... please just post the url and we will read your stuff if we want to ....... let`s cut down on the clutter ......... thanks

ntsyed sahib, please add to the questions:

do you see tv?

what kind of music do you listen to?

what do you think of credit cards and getting stuff financed?

jazak allah

ntsyed sahib, please add to the questions:

do you see tv?

what kind of music do you listen to?

what do you think of credit cards and getting stuff financed?

jazak allah

Re: # 31

I found your handling of these myopic secular jahils very commendable :)

Re: # 49

Just because one`s afraid of increasing flab on their waistlines is enough a reason for them to strip off their clothes altogether? Made me laugh.
But your advice,though ridiculous, seems justifiable since the author seems to have an equally ridiculous reason for wearing the garb on the first place! No reason other than hiding her slothiness of not even going through the trouble of putting on clean pressed clothes!
And even if she is doing it for it is demanded of Muslim women well then it amazes me when people following islamic codes take on such pathetically apologetic attitudes for doing so.

#125:

saulat ji,

there`s not high horse, and bite your tongue on ``son of god``.... astaghfirullah.

you`re missing the point here. Just because I`ve experienced hell, doesn`t mean I shouldn`t try to protect and prevent my children and others to experience it too, in order to learn.

my duty is to warn others, whom i used to be like, of the pending dangers ahead before it`s too late.

Whether one wishes to heed or not it is his/her personal choice and remains in control of Allah, alone. I know what limits Allah has set for me and do not expect anything in return from mortal in return, even if they`re my children.

Jazak-Allah-khair

#124:
Hamid Bhai,

jazak-Allah for the advice on party with echoboom!

You did spot the lot, but again, it`s not about the people who deliver the message. They`re prone to mistakes just as any human today. Look into the message they`re to deliver, even if in distrubing manner, before you shoot it down.

just as we studied the depth of our academic disciplines to become professionals and experts, we should study ou roots to determine our identity to avoid constant updating to assimilate and be the goat #55 in the herd.

Another simple analogy could be that if you were given a choice to win a Yugo and an unnamed car with all the modern technology, would disregard the latter just due to its anonymity?

Try it. You`ve nothing to lose anyway.

ma`as-salaam

#126:

malikjahanzeb, we all grow in different ways. Just as an MBBS strives to become an MD, these folks are also trying to improve themselves, however naive they may seem.

To allow one to grow in the space he/she wants is the true spirit of democracy. The only thing we can do is to TRY to help them thru sincere advice we deem more productive.

jazak-Allah-khair

#126:

malikjahanzeb, we all grow in different ways. Just as an MBBS strives to become an MD, these folks are also trying to improve themselves, however naive they may seem.

To allow one to grow in the space he/she wants is the true spirit of democracy. The only thing we can do is to TRY to help them thru sincere advice we deem more productive.

jazak-Allah-khair

#128:

Raw_dust, jazak-Allah-khair to you too!

Though I sincerely hope you would educate me about the post-puerile explication of the matters on which you disagree with me. I only know what I`ve read and understand accordingly, in which I may be wrong and wish to be corrected. However, please substanstiate your arguments to help me swallow and digest.

Sir Syed notions of disbelief in jinn and malaika have already been disproven via paranormal existance of such beings. Contrary to common misconception, Islam encompasses every aspect of the universe, of which science is a subset, not the other way around.... if only one cares to study the Quran and Sunnah instead of accepting /rejecting it due to limited knowledge of a maulvi. Allah has consistently said in the Quran that enlightment is for one who thinks and ponder about what he/she sees, hear, and feels through his/her these input mediums.

jazak-Allah-khair

#130:

hamidm, is it a trick question?

Of course i do... well, not my daughter since she`s ineligible for license yet. I have a feeling I know where you`re trying to go with this, but please don`t since I`m not familiar with Saudi reason for such a ban. But just as one has to obey and observe the laws of the USA if he/she lives there, and not all Americans agree with all her laws, same courtesy should be afforded to every country and culture regardless of how distasteful they may seem to him/her as an outsider. Or else, don`t live there if you can help it. Otherwise, many countries will be justified to induce a regime change in DC ;-)~

jazak-Allah for reminding me, I have to get my wife`s licese renewed :-)~

Ma`as-salaam

Re: # 134

jazak-Allah-khairan

ma`as-salaam

#132:

I do watch TV, mostly Iqra - when they have the programs close-captioned in English as my arabic is not too fluent yet; news channels, and shows on religion, politics, and history.

I used to listen to the likes of Pink Floyd, Sting, Loiuse Armstrong, etc

I think credit cards and personal financing is the root cause for economic turmoil for majority of the global population.

From the Quranic perspective, judging from Allah`s stern forbiddance of taking usury and (as scholars say) considers it an open challenge to Him, Allah does not like it but doesn`t forbid paying interest and taking loans, for one may be in a dire need for it to survive. Of course, if there were no takers, then no one would have to pay it either.

From my personal experience, whilst working an odd job in a high-priced merchandise business, motto of the USA`s rich is that ``interest is to be taken, not paid``

After considerable study I can only summarize this curse as the most effective way to obtain a slave sans the shackles and chains tied to pegs or huge iron balls.

It offers exaggerated buying power while gradually robbing spiritually bankrupt and materialistically hungry beast called `human` of his actual buying power. The beast often doesn`t recognize this trap until its too late, and so the cycle continues.

Think about how many individuals in the industrialized nations actually own their property, vis a vis middle east, etc.

While you`re at it, think about why they always say that people are not taking enough loans when there`s a slump in the economy.

Why the banks and institutions only offer these loan/credits to the employed, when in reality the person in need of loan/credit to survive is the one without an income .... not for extra comfort

And think about why the US has not been able to recover from economic recession since 9/11, as opposed to even pakistan and GCC where people could only pay cash for the goodies they wanted. The stuff they need to survive are not that over priced. People still retain their buying power. Only now the defunct interest based system is allowed into these nations through the election of economists and financial gurus as heads of states and imposing armies in the region.

There`re a lot more questions and observations, but I`m sure you get the picture

Ma`as-salaam

ntsyed:
a`ssalaam-al`aikum

The slience of the lambs (Ba Ba Blacksheep) is deafening.

Your sparring skills have yet to be surpassed by anyone here. No one but but one on CHOWK, since the day it was created, has been so deft , so cool, and so much in control...[Romair is next]

I have learnt a lot from you. I will continue to learn more from you.

Please visit often & write some articles as well.

The slience of the lambs (Ba Ba Blacksheep) is deafening.