Dearborn-January 9–About 600 people filled the Byblos banquet hall this past Friday night as Islam Universal held a fundraiser and remembrance of Ashura, which is perhaps the most important period in the Shi’a year’s religious calendar.

Shaykh Jehad, mentioned in last week’s Southeast Michigan column, appeared, along with many other local imams, including Imam Abdul Latif Berry of the Islamic Institute of Knowledge.

The imams present spoke mainly in Arabic, but Shaykh Jehad (an immigrant to Australia) spoke in English, mainly about the importance of Ashura and the importance of ahlul bait and the teachings of the family of the Holy Prophet (s).

At the end there was a symbolic procession of mourning by about 15 women all dressed in black and completely covered, who performed a rehearsed play in which they proceeded through the tables of the banquet hall, screaming and crying, and at the end of which one of the girls read a speech by the women of ahlul bait to Yazid. 

The speech was a beautiful invocation of faith and sadness mixed together, a clear statement that although in the present of that time the people of ahlul bait and those who love the family of the Prophet (s) were dismayed by the atrocity of Yazid, yet they promised that in the afterlife his immense transgressions against them would not be forgiven by them. 

“Your sins have blinded you” to what you are doing, they said.

At least 600 people were present for the approximate 2 hour presentation, at the end of which several pieces of art were auctioned off in order to support the work of Islam Universal–One was a picture of a desert, another of a woman and child very reminiscent of Mariam (as) and her son Isa (as), another of calligraphy “Allah.”

After the speakers had spoken and the prayers had been said for the martyrs of Karbala, there was a very nice dinner of traditional Middle Eastern food.

11-4

Houston Women Shelter & Other Humanitarian Assistance Programs Coming Soon: Saad Ansari – ICNA Relief

“We have two well-established Shelters running in New York: One for Women and another for Men. This is an endeavor to assist Homeless Muslims and Non-Muslims in the society and bring them on their feet to become positive members of the communities in which they live. Based on our NY experience, we have in plans to soon start in Year 2009 a similar program in Houston; we have already seen a location and are finalizing the contract. Other future facilities to be brought with the Blessings of God include Food Pantries in partnership with the Houston Food Bank; Utility Bills Payment Assistance; Job Bank & Career Development Center; Case Management for FEMA Assistance Programs and much more”: These were the words of Ayub Badat, Director of ICNA Relief USA Programs, as he informed to hundreds of guests at the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Houston Chapter Annual Dinner and Fundraiser for ICNA Relief. 

Sheikh Munzar Talib (Dallas) and Sheikh Omar Suleiman (Baton Rouge) especially came to fundraise for ICNA Relief and more than $80,000 were raised. Mustafa White was the Moderator for the evening. Program started with recitation and translation of Quran by Hafiz Tauqeer Shah, which was followed by the welcome address of Haseeb Abdali, President of ICNA Houston Chapter. Program ended with Special Prayers done by Imam Wazir Ali.

In attendance at this event were Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) Ken Curtis (Galveston); Henry Neilson (Houston); Ms. Jennifer Hulik (Galveston); Ms. Marcella White (Texas); Executive Director of “Gleanings From The Harvest” Galveston / Houston Food Bank Mark Davis and Members of Jessie Tree Galveston Catholic Church including Joe Compian; President of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) Dr. Aziz Ahmad Siddiqi; Vice-President of ISGH Hashim Badat; Imam Wazir Ali of Mercy Center Masjid AL-Quran; Vice President of the Pakistani-American Association of Greater Houston (PAGH); Commercial Attaché of Consulate of Pakistan Dr. Zia Ahmad; Tariq Khan and Jameel Siddiqui of Pakistan Chronicle & Pakistan Journal and several board members of ISGH.

For more information, one can visit www.icnahouston.com / www.icnarelief.org or call (281) 282-7010.

Helping Hand Has Established Gaza Relief Fund

Helping Hand For Relief And Development; a 501(c)3 Tax-Exempt Organization (Tax Exempt ID — USA: 31-1628040); has established a “Gaza Humanitarian Fund” to send humanitarian assistance to the innocent victims of Gaza. For this, one can go to: http://www.helpinghandonline.org/

Tax Deductible Donation Checks can be sent in the name of “Helping Hand” to: P. O. Box 571492 – Houston – Texas 77257 (in memo, please write Gaza Humanitarian Fund).

For more information, one can call ILyas Hasan Choudry at 832-275-0786.

NOTE: Reported by BBC on the website, a doctor at the Shifa hospital in Gaza City described a desperate scene, with essential medical supplies, fuel and water all running out. Dr. Khamis EL Essi told the BBC that many people had been admitted with multiple injuries, such as head and back wounds. Some patients had had limbs amputated. Humanitarian Needs are Immediate.

11-4

Inmates Seek Safety in Numbers

Courtesy Richard Ford, Home Correspondent, Times UK Online

Prison staff in top security jails in Britain are confronting a growing gang culture with groups of Muslim inmates seeking to assert their authority on the wings.

A prisons watchdog report published today provides fresh evidence of the extent of gang activity among inmates jailed for the most serious crimes and of the growing proportion of Muslim inmates held in high-security conditions.

Twenty five per cent of the 430 population of Long Lartin top security jail in Worcestershire are now Muslim, according to an inspection report by Dame Anne Owers, the chief inspector of prisons.

Prisoners told Dame Anne during her inspection that offenders at the jail are converting to Islam because they want the protection of belonging to a big Muslim group. One inmate quoted in the report said:”Yes, there is a gang culture here which is becoming an issue. A lot of people are becoming Muslim just because it a bigger group.”

Another inmate warned that all violence in the jail was gang related and that Long Lartin was in danger of turning into an American-style prison. He said: “If you are not in a gang, you’re in trouble. People are converting to Islam for protection.”

The comments reflect similar concerns at other top security jails such as Belmarsh in southeast London and Whitemoor in Cambridgeshire.

The number of Muslim prisoners in jails doubled in the eleven years to 2007 to reach 8,864 – 11 per cent of the total prison population. Muslim prisoners make up one third of the population of Whitemoor, 15 per cent of Full Sutton top security prison in Yorkshire and 20 per cent of Belmarsh jail.

In today’s report, Dame Anne said the jail’s security department was monitoriting the difficulties of gang activity, potential extremism and radicalisation of inmates in a balanced way. She said staff had been left to balance as best they could the need to engage with and ensure proper treatment for Muslim prisoners and the need to monitor and prevent radicalisation.

“There needs to be a national strategy to equip staff better to engage and support Muslim prisoners,” she said.

There is no multi-faith room at the jail and this has resulted in Friday prayers being held in three separate locations.

A survey found that the proportion of prisoners who believed their faith was respected had fallen significantly and only 48 per cent of Muslim respondents said they were respected by staff, compared with a 67 per cent response from non Muslims.

“Given the sensitivities surrounding Muslim prisoners, including the perceived risk of radicalisation, staff required training and advice on how to engage Muslim prisoners better,” the inspection report said.

Phil Wheatley, director general of the National Offender Management Service, said the Governor and senior management are committed to ensuring that all prisoners at the jail feel safe. “A new programme to improve engagement, led by the Muslim chaplain, will develop support specifically for Muslim prisoners,” he said.

11-4

By Bappa Majumdar

NEW DELHI (Reuters) – India’s army chief said on Wednesday Pakistan had deployed extra troops along their common border since the Mumbai attacks but India had not responded in kind.

General Deepak Kapoor said some Pakistani troops had come east. “They have come to the eastern border of Pakistan with India,” he told reporters.

Pakistan’s military has denied any build-up of forces on the Indian border and said it moved a “limited number” of soldiers off its western border with Afghanistan “for defensive measures” as tension rose with India after the attacks in Mumbai.

A near-daily exchange of tough words since the attacks on India’s commercial capital has added to the tension as India, frustrated with what it sees as Pakistan’s failure to take action, has tried to pile international pressure on Pakistan.

A senior Indian official also spoke on Wednesday of “some” troop movement on the Pakistan side, adding that New Delhi had been careful not to respond in a similar fashion.

Kapoor said India did not want to whip up war hysteria but noted its armed forces were in a state of full preparedness.

“Let me assure you the Indian army has factored this part in its planning, if at any time, any operations have to be undertaken,” he said.

“That is not something which is a cause of concern for us. “(That) we in India are keeping all our options open must be clearly understood. It is not to raise any kind of hysteria for any kind of war, fight or anything.”

India has blamed Pakistan militants backed by some official Pakistani agencies for the November attacks, which killed 179 people.

“Most Unfortunate”

Pakistan denies any role, saying “non-state actors” were responsible and has offered to cooperate in an investigation.

Islamabad said the latest Indian statement was “most unfortunate.”

“Pakistan continues to make every effort to defuse tensions in South Asia and has repeatedly stated that it is prepared to extend its cooperation to the Indian government concerning the Mumbai incident,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

“Instead of responding to the constructive proposals made by the government of Pakistan … India continues to ratchet up tensions,” the ministry said in a statement.

India has provided Pakistan data from satellite phones used by the attackers and what it describes as the confession of a surviving gunman, part of a dossier of evidence.

Pakistan has said the dossier did not amount to evidence and that the “information” needed to be carefully examined.

Some of India’s Western allies, including Britain, have hinted there may not be enough evidence to implicate the Pakistani state.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Wednesday Pakistan’s judiciary should be given a chance to try those behind the attacks.

“I think that given that we all have worked so hard for an independent, sovereign judicial system in Pakistan, we should let it take its course,” Miliband told NDTV.

“And since there is no extradition treaty between India and Pakistan at the moment, then let’s ensure that the Pakistani judicial system takes its course.”

(Editing by Krittivas Mukherjee and Philippa Fletcher)

11-4

Are the US and Israel Planning a Broader Middle East War?

Courtesy Michel Chossudovsky, Global Research

A very large delivery of  US weaponry to Israel consisting of 3,000 tons of “ammunition” is scheduled to sail to Israel. The size and nature of the shipments are described as “unusual”:

“Shipping 3,000-odd tons of ammunition in one go is a lot,” one broker said, on condition of anonymity.  “This (kind of request) is pretty rare and we haven’t seen much of it quoted in the market over the years,” he added.

“Shipping brokers in London who have specialized in moving arms for the British and U.S. military in the past said such ship charters to Israel were rare. (Reuters, Jan 10, 2009) The Pentagon has entrusted a Greek merchant shipping company to deliver the weapons to Israel: 

“The U.S. is seeking to hire a merchant ship to deliver hundreds of tons of arms to Israel from Greece later this month, tender documents seen by Reuters show. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) said the ship was to carry 325 standard 20-foot containers of what is listed as “ammunition” on two separate journeys from the Greek port of Astakos to the Israeli port of Ashdod in mid-to-late January.

A “hazardous material” designation on the manifest mentions explosive substances and detonators, but no other details were given.(Ibid) It is worth noting that a similar unusually large20shipment of  US ordinance to Israel was scheduled in early December: 

“Tender documents indicate that the German ship hired by the US in early December also carried a massive cargo of weapons that weighed over 2.6 million kg [2600 tons] and filled up to 989 standard 20-foot containers to Ashdod from North Carolina.” (Press TV, 10 Jan 2009)

Are These Large Shipments of Ordinance Connected to the Invasion of Gaza? The request by the Pentagon to transport ordinance in a commercial vessel, according to Reuters, was made on December 31, 4 days after the commencement of the aerial bombings of Gaza by F16 Fighter jets.

Analysts have hastily concluded, without evidence, that the 2 shipments of “ammunition” were intended to supply Israel’s armed forces in support of its military invasion of Gaza.

“A senior military analyst in London who declined to be named said that, because of the timing, the shipments could be “irregular” and linked to the Gaza offensive.” (Reuters, January 10, 2009)

These reports are mistaken. Delivery of ordinance always precedes the onslaught of a military operation. The ordinance required under “Operation Cast Lead” was decided upon in June 2008. Further to Tel Aviv’s request under the US military aid program to Israel, the U.S. Congress approved in September 2008 the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster high precision GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39).

The GBU 39 smart bombs produced by Boeing were delivered to Israel in November. They were used in the initial air raids on Gaza:

“…The Israel Air Force has used the new lightweight GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb acquired from the USA, in the recent attacks in Gaza. The [Jerusalem] Post mentioned the new weapons ordered last September having arrived last month [November], and already put to action with the IAF fighters. These weapons could have been deployed by the Boeing/IAF F-15Is, since so far SDB is cleared for use only with this type of aircraft.

It is highly unlikely that the bulk of the weaponry included in these two large shipments, scheduled to arrive in Israel in late January, is intended to be used in Israel’s military operation in Gaza. The GBU-39 is lightweight (130 kg). The entire shipment of GBU 39s (1000 units) would be of the order of a modest 130 tons. In other words, the specifications of the GBU 39 do not match the description of the “unusually large” and  “heavy” shipment of ordinance.

Escalation Scenario

The shipment ordered on December 31 is of the order of 3000 tons, an unusually large and heavy cargo of “ammunition” pointing to the transfer of heavy weaponry to Israel.

According to US military statements, the ordinance is for stockpiling, to be used “at short notice” in the eventuality of a conflict: “This previously scheduled shipment is routine and not in support of the current situation in Gaza. …The U.S. military pre-positions stockpiles in some countries in case it needs supplies at short notice.” (Reuters, 10 Jan 2009)

Whatever the  nature of these large weapons shipments, they are intended for use in a future military operation in the Middle East.  Since the launching of the Theater Iran Near Term Operation Operation (TIRANNT) in May 2003, an escalation scenario involving military action directed against Iran and Syria has been envisaged. TIRANNT was followed by a series of military plans pertaining to Iran. Numerous official statements and US military documents have pointed to an expanded Middle East war.

What these shipments suggest is that the “escalation scenario” not only prevails, but has reached a more active stage in the process of US-Israeli military planning.  Whether these weapons will be used or not is not known. The central question, in this regard, is whether the Gaza invasion is part of a broader military adventure directed against Lebanon, Syria and Iran, in which heavier weaponry including US made bunker buster bombs will be used.

History of US Weapons Shipments to Israel

The stockpiling of US made bunker buster bombs by Israel has been ongoing since 2005:  “The United States will sell Israel nearly 5,000 smart bombs in one of the largest weapons deals between the allies in years.

Among the bombs the [Israeli] air force will get are 500 one-ton bunker busters that can penetrate two-meter-thick cement walls; 2,500 regular one-ton bombs; 1,000 half-ton bombs; and 500 quarter-ton bombs. The bombs Israel is acquiring include airborne versions, guidance units, training bombs and detonators. They are guided by an existing Israeli satellite used by the military.

The sale will augment existing Israeli supplies of smart bombs. The Pentagon told Congress that the bombs are meant to maintain Israel’s qualitative advantage [against Iran], and advance U.S. strategic and tactical interests.” (Jewish Virtual Library: September 21-22, 2004, Haaretz / Jerusalem Post.)

The actual shipments of US made bunker buster bombs started in 2005. The US approved in April 2005, the delivery of:  some 5,000  “smart air launched weapons” including some 500 BLU 109 ‘bunker-buster bombs.  The (uranium coated) munitions are said to be more than ‘adequate to address the full range of Iranian targets, with the possible exception of the buried facility at Natanz, which may require the [more powerful] BLU-113 bunker buster [a variant of the GBU 28]’” (See Michel Chossudovsky, Planned US-Israeli Nuclear Attack on Iran, Global Research, May 1, 2005)

The BLU-109 is smaller than the GBU 28. “It  is a 2,000lbs warhead that can be used in combination with a GPS guidance kit […], and can penetrate up to 15 feet of fortified concrete.” (See F16.net) In 2006 at the height of the Lebanon War in August 2006, a major shipment of the 2.2 ton GBU 28 bombs, according to the New York Times, was dispatched to Israel.

The GBU 28 is produced by Raytheon. It was used against Iraq in the 1991 Gulf War, has the capability of penetrating some 20 feet of reinforced concrete. (Haaretz, 9 Nov 2008)  In contrast to the GBU 39 smart bombs (13020kg) used against Gaza, each GBU-28 weighs a hefty 2.2 tons. 

“The Guided Bomb Unit-28 (GBU-28) is a special weapon developed for penetrating hardened Iraqi command centers located deep underground. The GBU-28 is a 5,000-pound laser-guided conventional munition that uses a 4,400-pound penetrating warhead.” Federation of American Scientists, (For a visual depiction see  “Bob Sherman, How the GBU-28 works”, USA Today on-line.).

The recent unusually large shipments of weaponry to Israel are part of the 2004 agreement between Washington and Tel Aviv, financed by US military aid to Israel.
As mentioned above, there is a history of delivery of bunker buster bombs (including the GBU 28), going back to 2005. While the nature and composition of these recent weapons shipments to Israel are not known, one suspects that they include the heavier version of the bunker buster bombs including the GBU-28.

In this regard, it is worth noting that last Summer, Israel requested the Pentagon to deliver GBU-28 bunker buster bombs. The stated purpose was to use them in the eventuality of a military operation directed against Iran.

In September 2008, according to US and Israeli press reports quoting Pentagon officials, Tel Aviv’s request was turned down. According to the reports, Washington categorically refused to deliver the shipment of GBU 28 bunker buster bombs, to be used to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. “Instead” Washington accepted to deliver the lightweight GBU-39 for use against Gaza.

The U.S. had “rejected an Israeli request for military equipment and support that would improve Israel’s ability to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.” The Americans viewed [Israel’s] request, which was transmitted (and rejected) at the highest level, as a sign that Israel is in the advanced stages of preparations to attack Iran. They therefore warned Israel against attacking, saying such a strike would undermine American interests. They also demanded that Israel give them prior notice if it nevertheless decided to strike Iran. In early September, Haaretz reported that the request had included GBU-28 “bunker-buster” bombs.

In mid-September, the U.S. agreed instead to sell Israel 1000 GBU-39 “bunker buster” bombs which Israeli military experts said “could provide a powerful new weapon” in Gaza, AP reported.

So: when Israel requested weapons that the U.S. expected would be used for bombing Iran, the U.S. said no, and added explicitly that it did not want to see an Israeli attack on Iran. And there was no Israeli attack on Iran. (Defense Update.com, December 2008)

Media Disinformation

The official statements and press reports are bogus. Israel and the US have always acted in close coordination. Washington does not “demand that Israel give them prior notice” of a military operation: The report in Haaretz suggests that the Bush Administration was adamant and did not want the Israelis to attack Iran. In fact, the reports suggested that the US would shoot down Israeli planes, if they tried to attack Iran:

Air-space authorization: An attack on Iran would apparently require passage through Iraqi air space. For this to occur, an air corridor would be needed that Israeli fighter jets could cross without being targeted by American planes or anti-aircraft missiles. The Americans also turned down this request. According to one account, to avoid the issue, the Americans told the Israelis to ask Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for permission, along the lines of “If you want, coordinate with him.” (Haaretz Nov 9, 2008)

This Israeli report is misleading. Israel is America’s ally. Military operations are closely coordinated. Israel does not act without Washington’s approval and the US does not shoot down the planes of its closest ally.  

The Nature and Composition of the Recent US Weapons Shipments to Israel

These unusually large shipments of ordinance would normally require Congressional approval.  To our knowledge, there is no public record of approval of the unusually large shipments of heavy “ammunition” to Israel.

The nature and composition of the shipments are not known. Was Israel’s request for the delivery of the 2.2 ton GBU 28 accepted by Washington, bypassing the US Congress? Are GBU 28 bombs, each of which weighs 2.2 tons part of the 3000 ton shipments to Israel. Are tactical bunker buster mini-nuclear bombs included in Israel’s arsenal? These are questions to be raised in the US Congress. 

The two shipments of “ammunition” are slated to arrive in Israel, respectively no later than the  25th and 31st of January. Secretary Robert Gates who remains at the helm of the Department of Defense ensures continuity in the military agenda. 

Preparing for a Confrontation with Iran: Beefing Up Israel’s Missile Defense System

In early January, the Pentagon dispatched some 100 military personnel to Israel from US European Command (EUCOM) to assist Israel in setting up a new sophisticated X-band early warning radar system. This project is part of the military aid package to Israel approved by the Pentagon in September 2008:

“The Israeli government requested the system to help defend against a potential missile attack from Iran. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed off on the deployment order in mid-September. ….  Once fully operational, the system will be capable of tracking and identifying small objects at long distance and at very high altitude, including space, according to U.S. Missile Defense Agency officials. It also will integrate Israel’s missile defenses with the U.S. global missile detection network.

“This will enable the Israelis to track medium- and long-range ballistic missiles multiple times better than their current radar allows them to,” Morrell said. “It will … more than double the range of Israel’s missile defense radars and increase its available engagement time.”

This, he said, will greatly enhance Israel’s defensive capabilities. “There is a growing ballistic missile threat in the region, particularly from Iran,” Morrell said. “And no one in the region should feel more nervous about that threat than the Israelis. And they clearly do, and they have asked for our assistance.” (Defense Talk.com, January 6, 2009, emphasis added.)

The new X-band radar system ‘permits an intercept soon after launch over enemy instead of friendly territory” (Sen. Joseph Azzolina, Protecting Israel from Iran’s missiles, Bayshore News, December 26, 2008).

The X-band radar would “integrate Israel’s missile defenses with the U.S. global missile detection network, which includes satellites, Aegis ships on the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Red Sea, and land-based Patriot radars and interceptors.” (Ibid)

What this means is that Washington calls the shots. The US rather than Israel would control the Air Defense system:  ‘’This is and will remain a U.S. radar system,’ Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. ‘So this is not something we are giving or selling to the Israelis and it is something that will likely require U.S. personnel on-site to operate.’” (Quoted in Israel National News, January 9, 2009, emphasis added).

In other words, the US military controls Israel’s Air Defense system, which is integrated into the US global missile defense system. Under these circumstances, Israel cannot launch a war against Iran without the consent of the US High Command.

The large shipments of US ordinance, slated to arrive in Israel after the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States and Commander in Chief are part of the broader program of US-Israeli military cooperation in relation to Iran.

The reinforcement of Israel’s missile defenses combined with the large shipments of US weapons are part of an escalation scenario, which could lead the World under an Obama Administration into a broader Middle East war.

New Cold War?

There has been a military build on both sides. Iran has responded to the Israeli-US initiative, by beefing up it own missile defense system with the support of Russia. According to reports (December 21), Moscow and Tehran have been holding talks on the supply by Russia of “medium-range air defense systems – specifically, S-300 surface-to-air missile systems” (Asian Times, January 9, 2009)

11-4

CHICAGO, IL–The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) has announced the appointment of Dr. Syed Farhatulla Quadri as its Director of Community Services.  Dr. Quadri is well known to Chicago community for his involvement in MCC activities since 1975, primarily in week end schools in various roles as a teacher, principal and administrator of weekend school council. He was involved in many other community services including Central Eid Committee of Greater Chicago as its secretary and treasurer for a long time.

Dr. Farhat Quadri received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from Kansas State University, KS. He has worked in four Chicago area large hospitals as director of Endocrinology Laboratory services for the past 33 years. “In his new position at IFANCA, Dr. Quadri will be responsible for various services IFANCA has planned in order to make communities aware of the products and ingredients in our daily consumption, as well as oversee the functions of Sabeel Pantry. He will be our liaison to all the Islamic centers and civic organizations of Greater Chicago, Midwestern states and then USA. I FANCA would appreciate the member organizations of CIOGC to contact Br. Farhat for their concerns, questions and suggestions regarding food related issues.  You will Insha’Allah find him very knowledgeable and helpful, “ a press release from the organization read.  

Br. Farhat Quadri could be reached by email at s.quadri@ifanca.org  and by phone at 773-283-3708 or 847-756-0282.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks with journalists after a farewell ceremony for Iraq’s PM Nuri al-Maliki at the International Mehrabad Airport in Tehran 1/4/09.

REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl

Courtesy PressTV

Iran’s Air Force is on alert after the country’s president envisaged major regional developments in the wake of the Israeli raids on Gaza.

The chief Iranian Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hassan Shah-Safi said on Wednesday that the ongoing critical situation in the Middle East has prompted the Iranian military to take necessary measures to ensure readiness in the event of the country becoming the target of an offensive.

“Iran’s Air Force has of late carried out 120 successful sorties along with long-range flights of 2,000 kilometers, and has also conducted unprecedented aerial missions,” Brig. Gen. Shah-Safi said.

The Air Force commander added that the enemy has been closely monitoring Iranian military planes. He went on to say that “unless Iran’s military remains constantly vigilant the enemy will deliver a blow, even a minor one, to our forces”.

The remarks come as Israeli strikes on Gaza entered a fifth day, without an end in sight to the largest assault on the beleaguered strip in decades.

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that the fierce Israeli air assault on Gaza, which “aims to root out Hamas and the Palestinians”, would only lead to the “disintegration of the Israeli regime”.

Facing growing international pressure, Israel’s top leaders have so far rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire.

Israel is also massing its gunboats near the Gaza port and its ground forces along the border with Gaza in preparation for a possible ground offensive.

Earlier on Monday, a senior Iranian commander floated the idea that the time has come for Muslims to militarily stop Israeli crimes in Gaza.

“Only the military option can save Gaza,” said Brigadier General Mir-Faisal Baqerzadeh, Head of the Foundation for the Remembrance of the Holy Defense.

CS/HGH

By Sumayyah Meehan, MMNS

Jordan’s King Hussein and his wife give blood for the Palestinians in Gaza. Reuters

The scenes coming out of Gaza, shot over TV screens across the world, are enough to torment the human heart in agony. The sense of helplessness and distress can be felt from the U.S. to France and in places like Korea and South Africa. So far, the majority of governments in the world have not lifted so much as a finger to rein in, or even scold, Israel’s unforgiving war on Gaza. As the death toll in Gaza rises by the minute, the Israeli devastation goes on unabashedly with even nations in the Middle East turning a blind eye and a deaf ear.

However, the tie of humanity that binds all humans regardless of race or nationality has a tendency to rise in times of crisis. And that is exactly what is happening in many Gulf States as civilians stand up to lend a helping hand to the denizens of Gaza.

In Jordan, a Gaza charity drive organized by the Action Committee was held shortly after the siege on Gaza began. What started out as a small campaign meant to generate as much donated goods like canned foods, blankets and clothes in 48 hours, turned into an unprecedented showing of Jordanian support for a fellow Arab neighbor. Cars lined up one right after the other, in the pouring rain, with citizens donating as much as their cars could carry. When all was said and done more than 40 tons of items were donated in two days and sorted over a four-day period with the help of volunteers.

In the Jordanian capital of Amman, a different sort of charity drive recently took place. Citizens of the Kingdom lined up in droves to donate blood, which is a much needed commodity for medical services in Gaza. Even King Abdullah and Queen Rania, who is also Palestinian, participated by sitting in a chair and strapping on a needle.

In an article published in a locally daily, Queen Rania said, “To be limited to expressing sympathies with the people of Gaza is shameful because they don’t need to be felt sorry for, they need us to act and help, and I know that we can do more.”

King Abdullah also instructed his army’s medical services department to build a field hospital in Gaza to assist with wounded Palestinians. In the meantime, the Hashemite Charity Organization of Jordan is also organizing a massive effort to fill 10 trucks with much needed aid including food, medicine, supplies and the collected units of blood. The Jordanian initiative is to deliver the 10 truckloads of goods every day for an unlimited period. Bowing to international outrage, Israel has agreed to open a ‘humanitarian corridor’ so that relief aid can replenish Gaza’s depleted resources.

As of press time, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel’s war on Gaza according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Israeli forces have expanded their ground assault to cover the entire Gaza Strip.

The death toll in Gaza is set to rise as Israel’s relentless bombardment goes on and scores of Palestinian dead remain uncounted as their graves lie under mountains of rubble.

11-3

By Bob Wood, MMNS

Pedestrians walk through an office building in Tokyo January 8, 2009. Deepening economic problems are forcing the government to prioritize spending to support the economy rather than steps to restore its tattered finances. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao

It’s that time of year again when the financial media, the big brokers – at least what’s left of them — and others with a vested interest in selling stocks and mutual funds prophesy what’s ahead for the markets. Based on what they offered last year, don’t expect much that will prove useful for investors.

Last year in this column, I accomplished this exercise, in part, with help from Barrons magazine, which offers its own annual ‘’outlook’’ articles featuring opinions by some very well known market participants. In last year’s edition, seers predicted that the S&P 500 would end 2008 between 1,525 and 1,750.

The fact that 2008 is over with the index having fallen to the 900 level doesn’t seem to have deterred either Barrons or its contributors from issuing yet another set of predictions. And wouldn’t you know, in the aggregate, they foresee higher stock prices by this year’s end!

We can assume that those who make their living selling financial vehicles like stocks and mutual funds will, most likely, offer hopeful forecasts. At what point these salespeople will be held accountable for costing investors money, no one knows.

And that, precisely, is my point. No one knows with any certainty what the coming year will bring. But I’m sure that no one would have dared predict what actually unfolded in our economy and the domestic stock markets in 2008, though the demise of some of the biggest financial institutions was foretold to some extent by a very few analysts. But even those who saw it coming expressed surprise at how fast the collapse happened and how many seemingly invincible firms went bust.

Yet did anyone predicted that the equity indexes like the Dow, S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 100 would see their worst years since the 1930s – or, in the case of the latter, its worst year ever? Even while I was writing bearish columns for this space, I admit that I didn’t see the markets falling apart like at no other time in my lifetime.

That the markets endured such a terrible year suggests that investors, lured in by the encouragement of these same badly-flawed seers in the financial media, will make the same mistakes again. They often do, expecting that, over time, the markets will always move higher, albeit with periodic setbacks such as the one experienced in 2008, and, more importantly, since the summer of 1997.

You can build a chart for viewing S&P 500 performance from back then to see what I mean. That index has made exactly no progress in almost 12 years! Yet how many investors will look at a bad year like 2008 and expect a rebound, since that is what should happen after market crashes? How many will see how little progress stocks have made in more than 10 years and still expect that a meaningful rally is inevitable? Too many, I fear.

During this ‘’lost decade’’ for stocks, many analysts, Jeremy Siegel for one, were assuring us the ‘’stocks for the long-run’’ argument was still valid. Siegel often pointed out that we had never before experienced a negative 10-year run for stocks.

That thesis is now officially dead, as investors in Japan could have told Siegel years ago. And who would have imagined that 2008 could be the worst year ever for that country’s stock market, as, indeed, happened? Who would have imagined that a market suffering from perhaps the worst long-term bear market of the past 100 years would endure its worst year of the cycle?

Unfortunately, that point will be lost on too many investors in the domestic stock markets in 2009. Many will blindly assume success or be overtaken by hope and ignore the other side of the risk spectrum. While market promoters will continue to predict upside price targets for the major indices or whatever stock they need to sell, we will hear little mention of the downside potential.

Wouldn’t it have been helpful if someone credible had offered that full perspective a year ago, while the upside potential for the S&P 500 was as high as 1,750, the downside potential was somewhere under 1,000? With that broad view, investors might have allocated their capital differently, according to the spread and range of possibilities.

Watch this year to see how many offer predictions that include a meaningful downside target for the S&P or the Dow. Some realists, commonly referred to as “Bears,” do suggest that the S&P 500 could fall to a low of 400 in 2009, with the Dow perhaps diving as low as 4,000!

Would that type of balanced information change your outlook and where you might invest? Of course, those are scary numbers, but look closely at the rationale for both sides of the argument and determine which seems sturdier to you. Remember, those bearish types were proven right again in 2008!

Those offering optimistic price targets for the major averages will point to positives like the economic stimulus packages coming from our leaders in Washington and lower energy prices. In the past, they say, recessions lasted little more than a year before recovery took place.

How sturdy do those factors look to you? Are they based more on faith and hope than on any tangible considerations? How much did stimulus plans and tax cuts help in 2008? And who can be sure that this recession will not deepen and linger much longer than the experts suggest? Those same experts are still expressing astonishment at what happened in 2008.

On the realistic side, the S&P 500 is still priced for near perfection, selling at about 20 times reported trailing earnings. Stronger corporate earnings could help bring that multiple down a lot. But where will robust economic activity come from?

And then consider another crucial component, investor sentiment, which has been as important as anything else in boosting stock prices in the past. But today’s investors are feeling the pain caused by too many scandals and too many losses — for too long.

Until the housing and jobs markets perk up, I wouldn’t expect much in terms of an improving economic picture or rising earnings. And since history supports that enduring bull markets do not begin anywhere near today’s lofty valuations, the downside risk is still very real.

So what’s the potential for the latter? Well, secular bull markets do tend to start when stocks sell at lower valuations, somewhere around 10 times earnings, on average. That would obviously require cutting the S&P 500 and the Dow in half from today’s levels. Should earnings continue to fall in response to a weak spending climate, all bets could be off.

More than anything, I worry about the many investors who will buy the faulty notion that just because 2008 was the worst year since the 1930s, 2009 will definitely be better. These people need to do a little basic math before allocating their capital.

The S&P 500 fell by over 38% in 2008, from 1,468 to 903, a 565 point drop. A loss of another 350 points would match that terrible performance in 2009. Given the record volatility in today’s markets, that type of loss seems entirely possible.

Before accepting your advisor’s recommendation for allocating your accounts for the new year or making decisions yourself, consider the flaw in the theory that over time, the markets will always head higher, and even more so after very bad years. No iron-clad law deems that maxim worthy of risking your capital.

Anything is possible, but we never know in advance what will happen. As seen in Japan’s market during the past year, our financial markets could get worse than anyone imagines.

Carefully consider the upside potential to determine how much exposure you are willing to risk. Then think about the downside potential and how much exposure you can afford with that possibility. When looking at a wide range of potential outcomes, when any is just as possible as the other, you can possibly afford yourself a more realistic asset allocation.

Have a great week,
Bob

Bob Wood ChFC, CLU Yusuf Kadiwala. Registered Investment Advisors, KMA, Inc., invest@muslimobserver.com.

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North Carolina students protest Gaza violence

RALEIGH, NC–A group of students protesting violence in Gaza gathered in Raleigh this week, the NBC 14 news channel reported.

The peaceful protest, organized by the Muslim American Society and students from all over North Carolina, took place from 2 to 6 p.m. near the Bell Tower at North Carolina State University.

“We will not be silent while the inhumanities continue to occur to the people of Gaza,” the students said in a press release. “Over 400, if not over 500 deaths have been reported. If the people in Gaza are not dying because of Israel’s year-long blockade which denies even the UN to enter with necessary food and medical supplies, then they are dying because of their unjust air-strikes against them.

Jamila Nasheed Criticizes US Response on Gaza

ST. LOUIS, MO–State Rep. Jamilah Nasheed, one of a handful of Muslim state legislators in the U.S., has issued a statement condemning America’s reaction to the Israel’s recent missile attacks on Gaza.

“The recent Israeli aggression is both unwarranted and completely disproportionate,” Nasheed said last week. “The United States’ wholehearted support for the massacre of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip is unconscionable and undermines our reputation abroad. So long as America continues to act as an inherently biased player, we will never provide the just leadership that is needed to bring peace to Palestine and the rest of the world.”

Nasheed, elected to her second term in November, is one of two Muslim lawmakers in Jefferson City.

Canadian Muslim Charity Delivers Halal Meat

TORONTO, CANADA–For the fifth year MuslimServ Inc  delivered halal meat to the hungry in Canada. This year they sacrificed 30 cows, which is 5 more than last years delivery. Scarifies were conducted by Muslims in a government inspected meat plant. Meat was processed into mince and cubed beef. “This year we changed format from bone-in to boneless meat. Therefore the weight is about the same as last year, even when the number of cows had increased. In order to have excellence in every thing we do, the meat was tested for e coli before delivery. Meat was packaged in kilogram size in our bags with inscription “A Gift From Muslim Canadians”

“It is unfortunate that hunger lurks in rich and prosperous Canada. Many fall though the cracks. It is our duty to look after the vulnerable” said Aftab Ahmed Khan, Director MuslimServ Inc.

We are especially gratified to have increase the level of donations even after difficulties in Canadian economy. We are grateful to CBC Radio and TV, Omni TV and others who help spread the word and brought in new donors.

Lutheran HealthCare Welcomes New Arab Community Liaison

BROOKLYN, NY– Lutheran HealthCare has announced the appointment of Mohammed Talbi as its community liaison for the Arabic-speaking community.

As a community liaison, Talbi will act as a conduit between patients, care givers and members of the community, and will assist patients in accessing Lutheran HealthCare services and aid in patients’ navigation through those services. He was previously the director of MAS Youth Center in Brooklyn, where he had extensive interaction with families in the local community.

Lutheran provides several services in response to the fast growing Arabic population of southwest Brooklyn including an onsite mosque with Friday prayer service, Ramadan meal schedules adjusted for cultural needs, Imam on call service, an Arabic speaking patient representative, a variety of religious services including Muslim or Christian, Arabic web site and Halal meals. The medical center has even introduced new modesty gowns that are available upon request.

Brooklyn is one of the most culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities in the world. Lutheran HealthCare acknowledges this diversity by integrating cultural competency with superior health care. Facilities have directional signage written in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic and Russian.

Chinese nursing units, offering appropriate décor, cuisine and language accommodations, are available at the medical center as well as multilingual patient representatives. In addition, staff has access to state-of-the-art interpretation services in nearly 150 languages and dialects. Appropriate menu options are also offered to Latino, Chinese, Muslim and Jewish patients.

NYC Muslims find it safest in schools

NEW YORK, NY–Muslim students are more likely to get attacked for their religion on the street, in stores and in restaurants than in the public schools, a new study shows.

Although more than one in three Muslim students said they had been hit with ethnic slurs in the past year, only one in six said it happened in school.

“Sometimes I’ll hear something, like, ‘Your people are terrorists,’” said Priscilla Mensah, a 16-year-old junior at Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene. “Most people are more informed, and I try not to take it personally.”

More than 600 students from 90 public schools participated in the three-year study conducted by Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Most of the Muslim students said that although they still face bias, it has gotten better since the first few years following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Still, 36% of the students said they a faced at least one “discriminatory verbal incident” in the past year.

The study found 28% of Muslim students said they or a relative have been stopped by police as a result of “racial profiling,” 12% reported they or a relative had been turned down for a job based on discrimination, 11% had property destroyed and 7% said they or a family member had been physically assaulted.

The study found that the vast majority – 85% – feel safe in the city’s public schools.

“Just because you feel more picked on doesn’t mean you feel threatened,” said Omar Ahmad, who’s in 11th grade at Stuyvesant High School. “You hear the suicide bomber jokes, but I try to educate as opposed to retorting disrespectfully.”

The study’s authors estimate that about 1 in 10 students, or 100,000, is a Muslim. The Education Department does not keep enrollment by religious affiliation.

“School provides an environment where being different – in this case Muslim – is part of being American,” said the study’s author, Prof. Louis Cristillo.

“Creating and ensuring a positive school climate and culture is a priority of the Department of Education,” agency spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said.

Nonetheless, the impact of 9/11 is still significant, the study found.

Almost a third of the students said the aftermath made them feel uncomfortable about their identity as Muslims, and a similar number said they used a non-Muslim-sounding nickname in school.

Many students said that the more diverse the student body, the more comfortable they felt.

“Everywhere I go, there are conflicting ideologies,” said Omar, 16. “If ever there was a place with people just like me, it would be very, very boring.”

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