How The Ottomans Helped Ireland During the Famine

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Ireland was ridden with famine and disease between 1845 and 1849. Also known as the Great Hunger, this famine had lasting effects: at least one million people died due to famine-related diseases and more than one million Irish fled, mainly to the United States, England, Canada, and Australia.

The Islamic State (Ottoman) ruler at that time Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid declared his intention to send £10,000 sterling to Irish farmers but Queen Victoria requested that the Sultan send only £1,000 sterling, because she had sent only £2,000 sterling herself. The Sultan sent the £1,000 sterling but also secretly sent 3 ships full of food. The British administration tried to block the ships, but the food arrived secretly at Drogheda harbour.

This generous charity from a Muslim ruler to a Christian nation is also important, particularly in our time when Muslims are often unfairly accused of human rights violations. Likewise, the appreciative plaque and overall reaction of the Irish society in return for this charity deserves to be applauded. We hope that the Turkish-Irish friendship sets a model for peace among different nations.

16-25

Speaking to the Mossad Itself

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By Geoffrey Cook, TMO

San Francisco–Your writer will go to any lengths for peace and to, hopefully, to save lives.   So, I went into a Synagogue in this City to hear the (former) Director, Danny Yalom, of the infamous Israeli external spy-agency, the Mossad. 

The agency’s reputation for immoral malevolence is one of the reasons why Israel itself has gained the reputation for being a “pariah” State within many countries of the world.  If Tel Aviv was not “protected” by the United States, and, let us say, this man came from one of the more notorious African countries, he might very well have been investigated for violating various international statutes for Crimes against Humanity.  That is not to imply guilt, but is to suggest the over-zealousness in protecting the interest of Israel rampant within that republic’s commonwealth.  As one of the young Jewish-American members in attendance uttered, “How can he sleep at night?”

I have chosen to approach this narration as opinion (therefore, it will be in the first person) rather than reportage due to the (recent) Director’s thick Hebrew accent which I had to clarify with what other’s heard in attendance in comparison with my notes.  I am, also employing a secondary source, an interview with the Major General (retired) by a Brandon Fastman in the February 20th issue of the Santa Barbara Independent of this year.

The purpose of this piece is to show how certain members of the Israeli elite’s attitude towards the peace process differs from those who currently hold the fasces (the Likud), and should be advantageous for our own positions of negotiation, and might even open up the door towards reconciliation.

I am alluding to segments of the upper-ranking class of the military, intelligence community, some Foreign Service professionals and, of course, a significant swath of civil society.  That is way Mr. Yalom is a particularly good individual to whom to talk and listen to his comments here in Northern California because he has the most invested in the success of the Zionist Movement as foreseen by its creators.  Because he is so extreme in his dedication (whatever one may think of that dedication), his core position is pithy to the resistance and the possibility for a change within Israel, which will lead to a change for the better for the aggrieved party, the Palestinian Arabs who are largely Muslims, but contain a significant percentage of Christians.

Yalom has had several different capacities in the civil, military and intelligence sectors of his government.  Most, of those, who have done their careers in the military and intelligence communities, gravitate to the (Israeli) Labour Party in retirement, as he, and often serve in the civilian administrations (i.e., from the Santa Barbara interview – “…most of the…very high-rank[ing]…career officers [in the IDF — Israeli Defense Forces]…if they entered politics…went to the Labour Party.”  That Party, in the Jewish State, is considered Left-of-Center, while the dominant member in the current coalition is the Likud, which is described as Center Right — although your author considers them to be fairly far Right and extreme by European and American standards, but have the votes to form a government.  The core of their support lies within the (Jewish) Settlers on the Occupied West Bank who are the largest impedimenta to a negotiated peace at the moment.  In the judgment of your correspondent, there would be a better chance for a peace settlement with a modicum of justice for the Palestinians with a Labour Party in Tel Aviv and the Obama Administration as the third party negotiator, but the time for a bi-State solution is quickly shifting through our hand.  

He feels the Israelis and Palestinians are near to striking a peace deal.  “According to the [Israeli] polls,” (and) he senses there are two basic concessions that each side has to make, and they are the Palestinians have to concede the Right of Return.  (In a dual-State settlement, which is now highly unlikely in Real Politik, the Right of Return, is viable at least within the Palestinian State itself.) 
Secondarily, our spy-master concedes that Israel should agree to the Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem becoming the Palestinian capitol.  Succinctly, he is advocating a bi-State solution which most of Labour and the parties to its Left largely favor, and, also, “…the majority of Israelis will support it.”  The military and intelligence elite in that contentious country seem to be opposed to the Likud, and were to take the proposed Obama solution which the Kerry Initiative outlined out as a fitting basis for negotiation.

(This writer has questions about whether that solution is still viable due to the Settlements and the recent Prime Minister Netanyahu’s rejection of (U.S.) Secretary of State Kerry’s Initiative, which should prompt an American harder line towards its non-NATO “ally.”  The Hamas-Fatah reconciliation within Palestine herself should strengthen those Arab national unity vis-à-vis its neighbor.  With these events becoming evident, a Plan B for both sides should be formulated.)

There are many reasons for this:  The 1967 borders are defensible, and are required since there has been a long-standing piece with its Nation-State neighbors – besides the largest security risk for that national political entity is terrorism, and the initial defense against that threat are secure, non-porous borders that at the moment the Zionist State does not have.

Danny Yalom sees a peace settlement would be a mutual independent sharing between two countries over our mutual Holy Land of the spiritual descendants of the Patriarch Abraham (PBUH).  He feels the antagonisms are ancient between Arab and Jews (which is not true – they are sixty-six years old –since the birth of Israel which has upset the primordial balances within the Middle East and any peace agreement has to address reforming that equilibrium.  This means Israel must renounce its stratagem of a Jewish hegemony over the Fertile Crescent into one of integration with it neighbors within its Middle Eastern environment.)

He emphasized the miniscule territory, which is agreed upon by the overwhelming majority of the world to be its borders, is, also, dependent on the irrational good-will of the United States.  Therefore, both Arab and Jewish-Americans — who can — should become politically active and to declare the interests of their antecedents from their natal nations, and talk together within the States as representing their “relative’s” interests as civil society.  It is not in the Board Rooms of diplomacy that this horrendous situation will be solved, but within Civil Society itself – especially in America because it is the third faction and the enabler of the crisis.

Although his tour of North America was sponsored by J-Street, whom this critic considers to be offering the most “negotiable” real politik positions from any segment of Jewish-American society, Mr. Yalom rejected the 1967 frontier as indefensible; and, therefore, would not accept them to be the basis of the future boundaries of Tel Aviv’ State.  Also, the largest city on the West Bank, Hebron, which is over overwhelmingly Palestinian, would have to be annexed by Israel in any swap of territories in the final draft of any agreement.  This is totally unacceptable for Ramallah, and would guarantee the derailment of any future peace process, and exposes the current Israeli attitude to any such exercise.  Also, those sites that have historical significance to Judaic religious sensibilities should be assimilated into the Jewish State, and, by the way, stand dramatic contrast to the Jewish-American civil society group, J-Street, who sponsored his engagement in this West Coast City.  Their position is based on the ’67 boundaries with discussions on (land) swaps if required, and form a tolerable starting point for discussion.

In my reading of the Old Testament, the narrative is not so much centered on the Godhead, but on sacred-space which the Monotheistic entity (God, Allah, Jehovah, Theos, Deos et al. – “I am called by many Names but I am One and the Same”) has granted certain semitic-speaking tribes, who came out of their ancient Egyptian captivity, to annex the lands of the primordial Canaanites there c. 1,000 B.C. (or one thousand years before the Common Era or c. 1600 years before the Hijra) as their Numen had granted them to do — as the fundamental or Zionist Jews (and certain fundamentalist Christians also affirm) today, and still is the rational for their current robbery of real estate. 

I must assert this is a minority view within Jewry of the Diaspora and even Israel itself.  For Most Jews and, certainly, by Christian theology, this part of the Old Testament are symbolic — or at least meaningful towards — the inner truth.  In those Suras Koranic suras, I believe, the first Covenant (i.e., the Hebrew Bible) – and please correct me if I am wrong – show a portion of Allah (a.k.a. God’s) revelation to man and places Mohammed (s) within that context of the historical. 

Therefore, many in the Likud and their further Right partners in the current coalition government desire to see Palestine deserted to plant a “greater” Israel, but many who are responsible for the defending and preservation of that State are against that vision alone.  “…the only way to stabilize Israel…is to strike a deal with the Palestinians…,” but here is the “killer” (reason), “… we need to have a vast majority [to preserve the State as Jewish] of [the] Jewish people in the area under our sovereignty.

Those who support a bi-lateral solution to the conflict on the Israeli side do so to preserve the Jewish exclusivity to the Zionist State of the (former) Mandate of Palestine.  

16-25

Obamacare Kicks In, ER Visits to Increase

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By Laura Fawaz, Contributing Reporter

Hospital emergency rooms may see an increase in visits this year, just as Obama Care’s health benefits kick it.

According to a survey published by The American College of Emergency Physicians, more than 1,800 ER doctors were polled last month.  Of that, forty-six percent reported increases in patients coming through their doors since January 1st; the day that coverage took effect for millions under Obamacare.  Over the next three years, eighty-six percent of these doctors believe that visits to the ER will continue to increase.  Though the survey’s findings uncovered another concern with this new health coverage. 

A federal law from 1986 makes it illegal for hospitals to turn patients away from ERs, regardless of their ability to pay.  This then attracts people who cannot afford medical care anywhere else.  Therefore, having healthcare for all uncovers the need to also have better access to primary care physicians.  This would assist in changing the habits of some patients who use the ER as a one-stop-shop for medical care.  A family doctor in a doctor’s office could more efficiently deliver the costly ER visits.  “Coverage does not equal access,” said Rebecca Parker, an emergency room doctor in Chicago who is on the board of directors at the Irving, Texas-based American College of Emergency Physicians.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, there will be the need for almost 30,000 primary care physicians in the United States, in order to meet patient demand by 2015.  This gap is predicted to widen as more people gain health care coverage, and the population ages.  Patients with and without health insurance seek care from hospital emergency departments for a variety of reasons, including knowledge that hospitals offer a wider array of services than a doctor’s office.  Emergency departments attract patients who don’t have access to a nearby doctor, or when physician offices are closed at night and on weekends.  As well as the fact that most patients do not have the medical expertise to tell whether symptoms like chest pains mean they’re having a heart attack or indigestion.

Most of the patients who visit the ER actually should be there, Parker said, and added an observation that she found in the increase in ER visits.  Newly covered patients have had specific health concerns that may not have been life threatening, but required only the medical attention of the ER.  Thus, they chose not to seek such medical care while they uninsured, as they would not have been able to afford the high costs bills afterwards.

While a survey of emergency department physicians is not hard data about patient behavior, it does however prove to be conclusive.  The results are consistent with studies about the effects of, for example, the Massachusetts’ 2007 health care reform law.  Massachusetts passed comprehensive health care reform in 2006, providing a model for the Affordable Care Act.  In the four years after the law took effect in Massachusetts, deaths from all causes dropped nearly three percent compared with similar counties in states without health reform, the study found.

16-25

Stranger

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A poem by Amreen Patel

Amreen Patel is a second year premed student at Drew University.  She read this poem at a college students gathering Friday June 6th in New York City.

On the bus, I drink my tea
And sit in my seclusion
A woman glares at me,
I can see her confusion.
 
Only a girl, she doesn’t know,
How much more there is to show.
She can have opportunities
If only she knew of her abilities.
 
So she thought.
 
And as she gives me looks
of utter disapproval
What am I to do?
But look at her and wonder.
Would she like me better if I didn’t cover?
 
This stranger is blinded,
By this mystery.
It is a world she cannot see.
 
Why would she?
She knows not of beauty
What it truly means;
To be in control of who really sees.
 
Please, stare as much as you like
I don’t need your sympathy.
 
You think I don’t have an opinion?
Or a voice?
Did you know hijab is my choice?
 
I feel free, and respected
But you, you are unprotected.
You taunt and tease
But really, who are you trying to please?
 
My hijab, it speaks for me.
I am recognized by my intellect,
Not by what they can see.
 
When they ask me why,
Like they always do.
I tell them God;
He wanted me to.

16-25

Another Tsarnaev Friend Ensnared: Todashev Relative Offers Home

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By Karin Friedemann, TMO

On June 4, TMO attended a bail hearing in front of Judge Marianne Bowler for Khairullozhan Matanov, 23. The young man, clad in orange, looked exhausted. He put his hands over his face, leaning on the table briefly before the hearing began. No friends or family were there.

“He was shaking and looked like he had just finished crying,” described court observer, Jill, who attended his first hearing.

Matanov, a friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspects Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is facing decades in prison for allegedly lying to the FBI and deleting files off his computer.

Matanov’s “lies” to the FBI were completely unrelated to the bombing. They included things like whether or not he drove the brothers to a restaurant or if they walked in, whether or not he ever watched movies on his computer, and if he had seen the photos of the brothers on TV or heard the the news on the radio, before he personally went to the police to identify them.

The FBI already knew who the brothers were. They had Tamerlan’s house under surveillance. The photos were intended to ensnare friends of the Tsarnaevs into becoming informants. Matanov believed his friends were innocent and had nothing of interest to tell the FBI beyond that he liked to play soccer with them.

As a result, the government is now accusing Matanov of the absurd, including: “hiking up a New Hampshire mountain in order to train like, and praise the mujahideen.”
Matanov’s computer deletions were easily recovered by the authorities after he gave them permission to search his computer – “saving them the time of having to get a search warrant,” Attorney Hayden quipped.

Yet prosecutors say Matanov “obstructed the FBI’s investigation of the bombings and the suspected bombers, and have caused the FBI to expend considerable additional resources during its investigation of the bombings and the suspected bombers.”

The files Matanov deleted were all public information that provided no additional clues whatsoever into the bombing. The FBI has been wasting ungodly amounts of money over the past year to spy on him. A large unmanned aircraft was spotted circling around his home. Several FBI agents were employed full time to follow him around in cars and to keep him in sight at all times around the clock, even following him into a dental office. Matanov’s needless incarceration continues at taxpayer expense.

Former prosecutor Matt Connolly writes in the Milford Daily News: “Matanov was exercising his right not to incriminate himself… All he did was try to distance himself from the Tsarnaevs thinking that his close connection with them would get him into trouble. If you know nothing about the crime being investigated you can’t obstruct it.”

Actually, the government indictment, which claims that Matanov hid his close relationship with the Tsarnaevs from the FBI seriously conflicts with the actual transcripts of police and FBI interviews with the defendant. Matanov’s lawyer made extensive use of these transcripts during the cross-examination of FBI Agent Timothy McElroy to demonstrate that Matanov immediately told the FBI everything he knew.

“I can’t imagine that they did it but I am willing to help,” the transcript reads.

According to his first FBI interview report dated 4/20, Matanov said that he saw and called Tamerlan often. Tamerlan drove Matanov to get his drivers license. Matanov told the FBI he often invited the brothers to Manasawa Restaurant, went to Tamerlan’s house, met his parents and skyped with Tamerlan when he went to Dagestan.

The indictment claims that Matanov told police detective Heslam he didn’t know whether Tamerlan lived with his wife and daughter. However, Heslam never asked about this.
According to the actual transcript, Matanov told the FBI he saw no one in Tamerlan’s apartment other than his wife and daughter.

The indictment accuses him of changing stories regarding whether or not he visited Tamerlan the Wednesday after the bombing. He admitted going to Tamerlan’s house during his first FBI interview. He didn’t withhold any information. The government allegation is referring to comments Matanov made to his roommate as well as a passenger in his taxicab, telling them he had not visited Tamerlan “in a while” and downplaying the relationship. He was not talking to the FBI. The FBI later talked to his roommate.

A Boston Globe editorial states, “Matanov charges look like a vindictive overreach.”

The hearing mainly focused on wire transfers Matanov made overseas. He appears to have been working very hard as a taxi driver to send money to his family. He sent money to 15 people in 6 different countries, sometimes using an alias. He also asked a friend to dispose of some cell phones. His lawyer, Edward Hayden, argued that Matanov was operating an illegal business sending stolen cell phones overseas. Neither the phones nor the wire transfers had anything to do with terrorism.

FBI Agent McElroy testified that he has no knowledge of anything on phones having to do with terrorism.

US prosecutor Scott Garland argued against granting Matanov bail, saying he was a “huge flight risk.” He speaks seven languages and has ties in six different countries. He has no reason to stay in the US – no family, no job, no property. He faces 20 years for obstruction of justice and eight years for each lie. He is likely to be deported after time served. “His only assurance would be his promise,” and the US alleges that he “repeatedly deceived authorities.”

Defense attorney Hayden then requested “voluntary incarceration” of his client, saying “there is no place for him to go.” Judge Bowler said if this changes, they could “revisit the issue.” She then asked if Matanov was ready to be arraigned.

As he stood to hear the charges read against him, Matanov gripped the table. He whimpered, “Not guilty” very quietly and was told to speak up. He repeated “Not guilty” to all the charges against him in a louder voice. The judge than warned Hayden to “be cautious regarding public statements,” alluding to a previous press conference. Matanov’s next hearing is scheduled for July 15 at 2pm. Matanov looked emotionally broken as US Marshalls shackled and handcuffed him.

Upon hearing the news of this “voluntary incarceration,” Elena Teyer, mother-in-law of Ibrahim Todashev, the friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev who was murdered in his home in Florida by Aaron McFarlane, an FBI agent from Boston, was deeply moved. She immediately called Matanov’s attorney to offer her home in Georgia. Teyer has never met Matanov nor the Tsnarnaevs but she told TMO, “We are all family now.” Another supporter in Massachusetts also offered Matanov a home. Attorney Hayden said he would try to find out what the amount of bail would be.

16-25

Bridgeview Muslim Community Ships Food Aid to Syria in Time for Ramadan

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Zakat Foundation Press Release

syria-relief-containers-060414-015

The Mosque Foundation and Zakat Foundation of America (ZF) have partnered to send two shipping containers full of food aid to Syrian civilians in preparation for Ramadan.

The containers full of non-perishable food were shipped on Wednesday, June 4, first to the port city of Mersin, Turkey, and from there to a ZF warehouse in Idlib, Syria. The food will be sorted into packages and distributed to families in time for the fasting month of Ramadan, which begins June 28.

“I was seeing footage of children eating stale bread, eating garbage off the floor,” said Mosque Foundation Board of Directors member, Fahim Aref. “Our whole community here feels so helpless when we see what is happening in Syria; we are all eager to do something to help.”

The Mosque Foundation food drive raised more than $100,000 in monetary and food donations.

The Bridgeview-based Mosque Foundation was established in 1954 and serves a congregation of more than 50,000 Muslims. Also in Bridgeview, ZF facilitates the mandatory charitable giving required of Muslims. The non-profit distributed more than $9 million in humanitarian aid around the world in 2013.

“During Ramadan, food security becomes especially important,” ZF Executive Director Khalil Demir said. “After fasting all day, you need to sit down to dinner and replenish your body. As Muslims in the U.S. our hearts really break thinking about Syrian families going hungry at all, but particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.”

The Syrian conflict, now in its fourth year, has displaced millions of civilians, cutting them off from reliable sources of income and food. Reports of starvation that surfaced in March provoked international outcry.

As part of ZF seasonal programming, food packages are distributed and community dinners are held in 30 countries to feed the poor during Ramadan. Throughout the year ZF delivers humanitarian aid to victims of natural and man-made disasters around the world, operates educational and development programs in low-income communities in the U.S. and abroad, and cares for orphans in 10 of the world’s poorest countries.

16-25

Waiting for Another Ayyubi?

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Only time will tell what destiny has in store for the Palestinians and Middle East. But free-spirited people do not wait for time to shape their destiny. They fight back as the Palestinians have been doing for the past several decades. It is this struggle that is profiled by Dr Mahdi Abdul Hadi in his extraordinary tome, 100 Years of Palestinian History

By Aijaz Zaka Syed

jerusalem
A spectacular view of the holy city of Jerusalem that has been at the heart of the Palestinian struggle for freedom

Palestine. That is the word that comes to mind to describe the eventful life and times of Dr Mahdi Abdul Hadi. Born in 1944 in Nablus at the height of the Palestinian displacement or Nakba (catastrophe) as they call it, like many of his generation, Dr Abdul Hadi’s life has run parallel to and epitomizes his people’s relentless struggle for freedom and identity.
His own quest for self-expression, fulfilment and career choices have closely been interwoven with the struggle of the Palestinian people to find their own voice and dignity. A Ph D from the UK’s Bradford University and a fellow of the prestigious Harvard University, Dr Abdul Hadi has devoted his entire life to the cause of Palestine and promoting a clear, historical perspective and understanding of the complex issue around the world.
He has spoken and written extensively on the Palestinian sense of loss and homelessness and on finding lasting solution to the long festering Middle East conflict.  He has served in key positions in Palestinian territories and Jordan where he co-founded Al-Fajr newspaper in the 1970s and wrote his first book, The Question of Palestine and Peaceful Solutions.
In 1977, he founded the Arab Thought Forum, devoted to offering intellectual leadership to Palestinian institutions and people. In 1987, he founded the Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs (PASSIA) in Jerusalem where he’s currently based.
100 Years of Palestinian History: A 20th Century Chronology is a labor of love. Beginning in 1900, the seminal tome profiles the most important century in the Middle East’s history—and that of the world.
The most critical and path-breaking contribution of the PASSIA as well as that of Dr Abdul Hadi so far has been the seminal tome, 100 Years of Palestinian History: A 20th Century Chronology. Beginning in 1900, the book profiles the most important century in the Middle East’s history—and that of the world – to capture its turning points, highs and lows and watershed episodes like the decision of world powers to carve out a Jewish state out of Palestine, the displacement of the Palestinians and all the tragedies and developments in the nation’s history in all their complexity and poignancy.
The outcome of years of research and hard work, the book chronicles the evolution of Palestine and the Palestinian journey through the 20th century.  Drawing on a vast array of memoirs, archives and rare, historical photographs, the book is a must-have for everyone keen to understand the world’s most complex region and conflict and what makes it so.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Abdul Hadi when he visited Dubai some time ago for a lecture where he talked about the Palestinian question, the future of his people and of course the labor of his love, One Hundred Years of Palestinian History.  “This is not a historical book in an ordinary sense. Hundred Years of Palestinian History is a chronicle of events that have not just influenced the Palestinians but have impacted the region and world history,” he told me.
Palestine and the Palestinian-Israel conflict are often presented within the timeframe of other histories, the ‘Arab awakening,’ or the Ottoman or British empires. Hence, the Palestinian recorded history is frequently forced into distorted patterns, drawing guidance and significance from often misleading sources.
Another weakness of such histories is individualism of the narrative. Historical memoirs and correspondences, fascinating as they are, they offer only the smallest and most subjective of windows on the enormity of a people’s history. This illustrated chronicle, however, attempts to make a worthwhile contribution to the preservation of Palestinian history and identity by recounting the decades of struggle for freedom and justice through people’s accounts.
Talking about the present, Dr Hadi isn’t very excited about the current lot of Palestinian leadership. “The present crisis of leadership has deepened in the post-Arafat era with the rise of “representatives” and not leaders. They represent factions, rather than the people and their cause. This has resulted in the second Nakba for the Palestinian people, dividing them geographically—Gaza Strip, West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Diaspora — ideologically—secular versus religious—and politically—negotiation or resistance—and thus shaking everyone’s identity,” he argues.
Dr Hadi identifies the process of Palestinian dispossession at four levels:
•         The international community’s complicity in transferring the Jewish question from Europe to Palestine, its continuing support for Israel, and its failure to enforce international law to protect Palestinian rights.
•          Israel’s relentless colonization of Palestinian land, endless atrocities against the Palestinians, constant violations of international law and human rights, and its failure to implement the UN Resolution 194 on the return of refugees as well as its violation of all agreements with the Palestinian leadership since Oslo Accords of 1993.
•         The Arab leaders’ political hypocrisy, their cynical use of the Palestinian tragedy as a manipulative tool in local, regional and global politics, and the tangled web of inter-Arab alliances and rivalries that prevents it from meeting their responsibilities towards their Palestinian brothers.
•         Palestinian society’s own internal conflicts, wavering loyalties according to events and priorities, infiltration and influence by their Arab brothers and foreign actors including Israel, and leadership crisis characterized by a lack of strategy, bitter factional rivalry, and a priority on political survival; and most painfully for Palestinian society, the fragmentation of the proud, deep-rooted Palestinian identity.
Understandably, the Palestinian ideologue isn’t very excited about the so-called peace process and its future. “The US Administration raised high expectations for a peace settlement, especially after President Obama’s Cairo speech on America’s relationship with the Muslim world. George Mitchell’s subsequent mission could not meet those expectations because of the Israeli refusal to end its settlement enterprise in Palestinian territories, leading the proximity talks to nowhere. Nevertheless the Palestinian leadership, under intense US pressure, had to accommodate Obama’s request for direct talks.”
He believes that the new US strategy takes into account the lessons of the July 2000 Camp David talks and does not aspire to reach a “historic deal” to end the conflict, but to establish a process under the banner of “negotiations” towards normalization of Palestinian-Israeli relations as well as Arab-Israel ties. This promotes a ‘regional security scheme’, which embraces Israel and the Arabs while isolating Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas. The result is a strong exclusive American presence in the Middle East with an agenda comprising three ‘baskets’: politics, security and economy. Other players including the EU and the other Quartet members are becoming an extension to this agenda, if not followers.
Dr Hadi voices the pain and frustration of is people when he says: “Ordinary Palestinians are exhausted and tired of empty slogans and rhetoric with no national agenda and consensus. We need a new generation of representatives with a new agenda for the people and their cause.”
He cautions against looking at the Palestine question through a religious or only Arab-Islamic prism. “It is dangerous to see the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a religious conflict. It has been and should continue to be tackled as political national struggle for self-determination, freedom and independence for the Palestinian people on their own soil. For more than 100 years, Palestinian identity did not “melt” in any regional or international pot but has succeeded in maintaining and cultivating its roots, culture, history, monuments, and symbols on the Palestinian soil.”
So given the long history of crippling dispossession, occupation, persecution and Palestinian helplessness in the face of tyranny, does he see light at the end of the tunnel?
“It’s true that the peace process or the so-called two-state solution isn’t going anywhere. The Gaza Strip is increasingly becoming an “Egyptian problem” cut off as it has become from the rest of Palestine. Jerusalem is turning into a closed city under exclusive Jewish control, totally changing its face and historical character, and over 60 per cent of the West Bank is controlled by the settlers assisted by the Israeli government. All this leaves the Palestinians locked in an Apartheid system, very much similar to that of South Africa. But we cannot afford to give up hope.  We will continue to struggle for our rights and what justly and rightly belongs to us.”
Holding his three fingers and in characteristic Arab fashion, he jabs the air: There are three ways this conflict could unravel:
Evolution of the current Apartheid Israel into a bi-national state with continuing Israeli military ghettoes and Palestinian subjugation and bleeding with no one to heal their wounds;
Algerian model where a leader based in Paris ended hundred years of French colonization by triggering a national revolt with one million lives being sacrificed;
Arrival of a leader like Salahuddin Ayyubi (Saladin the Great) to end hundred years of crusades and liberation of Palestine and Palestinians.
Only time will tell what destiny has in store for the Palestinians and Middle East. But free-spirited people do not wait for time to shape their destiny.  They fight back, as the Palestinians have been doing for the past several decades, to take charge of their destiny and create their own future.
The book, 100 Years of Palestinian History: A 20th Century Chronology can be ordered online by visiting www.passia.org
Caravan

Fresh Terror Attack Near Karachi Airport

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Caravan Daily

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KARACHI – Heavily-armed gunmen mounted a brazen attack near the Karachi international airport, within a day of a terror siege there ending in a toll of 30, media reported.
The Airport Security Force (ASF) Academy came under heavy attack by terrorists Tuesday and Geo News reported a raging gun battle.

The media report said the militants entered the airport vicinity and ambushed the ASF Academy.

Firing took place from two different locations.

The ASF Academy is adjacent to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

This attack took place within a day of an audacious strike Sunday night at the Karachi airport, killing 20 people and 10 militants.

Attackers managed to flee as a heavy contingent of security forces reached Airport Security Force (ASF) camp number 2, which came under a fresh attack on Tuesday, DawnNews reported. Flight operations resumed after being temporarily suspended.

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the second attack near the Karachi airport. A security sweep and search operation is underway at the ASF academy, which is located in Bhitai Abad, Pehlwan Goth.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson Asim Bajwa posted on Twitter that the “chase is still on”. “Three to four terrorists fired near ASF camp, ran away. No breach of fence, no entry.Chase is on, situation under control,” he posted, soon after the attack.

Deputy Director General ASK, Colonel Tahir Ali said there were no casualties in the new attack. He also said the the airport is secure at that operations have resumed. He said that two attackers opened fire near the ladies hostel near D gate, which is located behind the ASF camp. “The ASF checkpost is about 100 metres from the scene. We were informed of the incident by our sentry posted there,” he said.–Agencies

Prayer for Peace in the Middle East:

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At the Occasion of Palestinian and Israeli Peace Gathering at the Initiative of Pope Francis

By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

Delegation

Muslim Delegation comprised of: Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Shakeel Syed, Maria Khani, Mohammed Abdul Aleem and Imam Jihad Turk.

May 6, 2014: In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. All praise is for God, the Lord of the worlds and peace and blessings be upon all the Prophets and Messengers.

On behalf of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, its Member Mosques and organizations and the Muslims of Southern California, I want to extend our sincere thanks to the Holy Father of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on his initiative for peace in the Holy Land. We pray for the success of peaceful dialogue and prayers at the Vatican this Sunday, June 8, 2014.

The common name of God in Judaism, Christianity and Islam is Al-Salam, Peace. Peace is holy, war is not holy. It is God’s command that we all should live in peace and bestow justice to all people. All people deserve to live free from any occupation and all oppression.

We pray for peace among us, among Jews, Christians and Muslims living in the United States, in the Middle East and in every land. We pray for world peace, peace for all people. We pray to God to help us live with each other with compassion and kindness.  We pray to God to help us to follow the Golden Rule of our diverse faith traditions: ‘love for others what you love for yourselves.’

God says in the Qur’an:

“O people, We have created you all from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other.  Indeed the best of you in the sight of God are those who are the most pious among you. Indeed God knows all and He is well aware.”(49:13)

We pray to God to help us to know each other and not to discriminate against each other because of the differences of our races or religions.

•    God says in the Qur’an:

“You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly – if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do.” (4:135)

“You who believe, be steadfast in your devotion to God and bear witness impartially: do not let hatred of others lead you away from justice, but adhere to justice, for that is closer to piety. Be mindful of God: God is well aware of all that you do. God has promised forgiveness and a rich reward to those who have faith and do good works.” (5:8-9)

God, we pray to you to forgive our negligence, our shortcomings and our sins of omission and commission. We pray to You, our Lord, to guide us and help us to treat each other with respect and honor. Protect us from harming any one, from doing injustice to any one, from exploiting any one.  God help us to remove the suffering of the people who are oppressed and to whom injustice is done in different parts of the world.

God says in the Qur’an:

“There is no compulsion in religion.  The truth stands out clear from falsehood….” (2:256)

We pray to God to help us live with religious freedom and protect the religious freedom of all people. Help us to speak to each other with respect, recognize the common things that we share with each other and help us to promote goodness and morality in our neighborhoods and around the world.

Lord! We pray to You to grant us peace. Grant peace and harmony to the people of the Middle East, Jews, Christians and Muslims. Lord! Help them to live in peace and harmony with each other. Grant them safety, security and prosperity. Help them resolve their disputes and differences in the ways that are most pleasing to You.

Lord! You are Peace and from You is peace. Glory be to You, Our Lord. You are the Most Exalted, the Lord of Majesty and Grace. There is no god, except One God without any partner. To Him belong the kingdoms and for Him is the praise. He has power over all things.

Lord! We pray to you to bless those who work for peace and grant to success to their efforts. We seek Your mercy and we seek Your Guidance. Ameen.

16-25

Fasting Regenerates Immune System

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Fasting triggers stem cell regeneration of damaged, old immune system. Protection from chemotherapy immunosuppression indicates effect could be conserved in humans

By Suzanne Wu

correspondingauthor
 

In the first evidence of a natural intervention triggering stem cell-based regeneration of an organ or system, a study in the June 5 issue of the Cell Stem Cell shows that cycles of prolonged fasting not only protect against immune system damage — a major side effect of chemotherapy — but also induce immune system regeneration, shifting stem cells from a dormant state to a state of self-renewal.

In both mice and a Phase 1 human clinical trial, long periods of not eating significantly lowered white blood cell counts. In mice, fasting cycles then “flipped a regenerative switch,” changing the signaling pathways for hematopoietic stem cells, which are responsible for the generation of blood and immune systems, the research showed.

The study has major implications for healthier aging, in which immune system decline contributes to increased susceptibility to disease as people age. By outlining how prolonged fasting cycles — periods of no food for two to four days at a time over the course of six months — kill older and damaged immune cells and generate new ones, the research also has implications for chemotherapy tolerance and for those with a wide range of immune system deficiencies, including autoimmunity disorders.

“We could not predict that prolonged fasting would have such a remarkable effect in promoting stem cell-based regeneration of the hematopoietic system,” said corresponding author Valter Longo, Edna M. Jones Professor of Gerontology and the Biological Sciences at the USC Davis School of Gerontology and director of the USC Longevity Institute. Longo has a joint appointment at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

“When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged,” Longo said. “What we started noticing in both our human work and animal work is that the white blood cell count goes down with prolonged fasting. Then when you re-feed, the blood cells come back. So we started thinking, well, where does it come from?”

Fasting cycles

meal-ramadan

Prolonged fasting forces the body to use stores of glucose, fat and ketones, but it also breaks down a significant portion of white blood cells. Longo likens the effect to lightening a plane of excess cargo.

During each cycle of fasting, this depletion of white blood cells induces changes that trigger stem cell-based regeneration of new immune system cells. In particular, prolonged fasting reduced the enzyme PKA, an effect previously discovered by the Longo team to extend longevity in simple organisms and which has been linked in other research to the regulation of stem cell self-renewal and pluripotency — that is, the potential for one cell to develop into many different cell types. Prolonged fasting also lowered levels of IGF-1, a growth-factor hormone that Longo and others have linked to aging, tumor progression and cancer risk.

“PKA is the key gene that needs to shut down in order for these stem cells to switch into regenerative mode. It gives the OK for stem cells to go ahead and begin proliferating and rebuild the entire system,” explained Longo, noting the potential of clinical applications that mimic the effects of prolonged fasting to rejuvenate the immune system. “And the good news is that the body got rid of the parts of the system that might be damaged or old, the inefficient parts, during the fasting. Now, if you start with a system heavily damaged by chemotherapy or aging, fasting cycles can generate, literally, a new immune system.”

Prolonged fasting also protected against toxicity in a pilot clinical trial in which a small group of patients fasted for a 72-hour period prior to chemotherapy, extending Longo’s influential past research.
“While chemotherapy saves lives, it causes significant collateral damage to the immune system. The results of this study suggest that fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy,” said co-author Tanya Dorff, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital. “More clinical studies are needed, and any such dietary intervention should be undertaken only under the guidance of a physician.”

“We are investigating the possibility that these effects are applicable to many different systems and organs, not just the immune system,” said Longo, whose lab is in the process of conducting further research on controlled dietary interventions and stem cell regeneration in both animal and clinical studies.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Aging of the National Institutes of Health (grant numbers AG20642, AG025135, P01AG34906). The clinical trial was supported by the V Foundation and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (P30CA014089).

Chia Wei-Cheng of USC Davis was first author of the study. Gregor Adams, Xiaoying Zhou and Ben Lam of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at USC; Laura Perin and Stefano Da Sacco of the Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles; Min Wei of USC Davis; Mario Mirisola of the University of Palermo; Dorff and David Quinn of the Keck School of Medicine of USC; and John Kopchick of Ohio University were co-authors of the study.

16-25

Sajdah Abdul-Karim inducted into National Junior Honors Society

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tumblr_inline_n4b58hUgLK1sa43ngSajdah Abdul-Karim, a student at the Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School in Hamden was inducted into the National Junior Honors Society for her high academic achievement.

She recounted her accomplishment in the New Haven Register: “Along with scholarship, community service is another responsibility of being part of the honor society. Some of the community service work I’ve done while maintaining an A average include: volunteering during the summer at a monthly mobile food pantry sponsored by the Connecticut Food Bank, and as a member of the junior league of the International League of Muslim women, we visit the elderly and raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life walk.”

16-25

Best Ever Muslim Political Rally

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By Adil James, TMO

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Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI-9th) speaks to the Pakistan American Caucus.

This Sunday witnessed what was likely the best ever Muslim political rally in Michigan history.

The Pakistan American Caucus, Michigan Democratic Party, hosted numerous Democratic candidates at a boisterous, well organized, and well-attended forum at the Troy Community Center from 3PM to 7PM.  Present was an audience of about 400, and candidates and elected officials who numbered about 40.

The Pakistani American Caucus is headed by directors Abid Jamil and Abid Khan.  The prominent radio personality Faiz Khan is a member of its Executive Committee and served in a prominent role at the function Sunday.

The Pakistan American Caucus’s theme for the event was “Come and Help Democrats Win in November 2014” and in response the Democratic political candidates thronged for support in votes, money, volunteers and a chance to practice their stump speeches in preparation for the November contest.

Many of those who spoke gave excellent and interesting speeches, but the tenor of the event was an upbeat and partisan Democratic campaign rally, attempting to gather support and momentum in the face of a relatively ominous election cycle. 

2014 is expected to show marked gains for Republicans, especially in Federal congressional races.  The landscape for Democrats in Michigan is fairly bleak, with Republicans holding both legislatures and the governor’s mansion, and also other prominent posts including attorney general and secretary of state positions.  No real shift is expected in this status quo this election season, although the fortunes of individual candidates may be better than the overall Democratic ticket.

Lon Johnson, the Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, explained what changes the MDP has made and is making in order to win more seats in elections–and the focus of this change is on building turnout during off-year elections such as this 2014 cycle.  He also emphasized that the Democratic party is more embracing and open and less exclusive by comparison with the Republicans.

Two prominent people in attendance, even by comparison with the other august people, were Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Professor Mark Totten.

Michigan State University professor and Yale Law alum Mark Totten is vying for the Michigan attorney general position, although he is polling nine points behind incumbent Republican Bill Schuette–in speaking he emphasized his impressive school and work record, and in the current race he emphasized what he called Schuette’s extremism  in relation to immigration and healthcare.

Michigan’s violent term-limits are forcing churning in congress–this will result in the loss of Rashida Tlaib from the Michigan House of Representatives–Tlaib is forced to run against an entrenched incumbent Democrat for entry into the Michigan Senate.

The Democrats who spoke mostly echoed old populist themes of fighting for the middle class against a Republican party which has become the mouthpiece of those with money who wish to use their money and power to buy the ability to obtain more money and power through control of the political process.

A few of the candidates gave tailor-made speeches which visibly struck the hearts of those listening.  There were many “Salaam aleikums” from the politicians, and even one “Bismillahir Rahman ir Rahim” from Anil Kumar.

Dr. Anil Kumar caught the hearts of those in attendance by saying “I speak your language, I eat your food, I wear your clothes–I am you!”

Another message universally proclaimed by all those who spoke was–”Get involved.”  Whoever you support, make sure your voice is heard.

The candidate who likely made the biggest splash was Harvey Santana–“Be relevant in this process,” he said.  “If you don’t vote, you don’t matter.  If you don’t get out there and do something, you don’t matter.”  “I don’t want to come all the way here from Lansing next time to tell you the same thing.”

Some of the prominent people in attendance were:

Elected Officials:

US Congressman Sandy Levin
Lon Johnson, MDP Chair
Council General of Pakistan, Faisal Tirmizi
County Commissioner Kalamazoo Nasim Ansari
Brenda Lawrence, Mayor Southfield, MI
State Senator Steve Bieda
State senator Coleman Young II
State Rep Rudy Hobbs
State Rep Henry Yanez
State Rep Sam Singh
State Rep Rashida Tlaib
State Rep Dian Slavens
State Rep Harvey Santana

Candidates:

For Attorney General, Mark Totten
For US Congress Pam Byrnes
For US Congress, BobbY McKenzie
For US Congress, Rudy Hobbs
For US Congress, Anil Kumar
For US congress, Nancy Skinners
For US congress , Henson Clark
For State Senate, Dian Slavens
For state senate, Rashida Tlaib
For state senate, Vicky Barnett
For State Rep, Natalie Mosher
For State Rep, Kristy Paigan
For State Rep, Stephanie Chang
For state rep, Tony Trupiano
For state rep, Nicole Brown
For State rep, Mary Kerwin
For State Rep, Michael Saari
Other Guests:
Ramesh Verma, Treasurer, MDP
Tej B. Jhamb, Chair Indo American Caucus
Mahendra Kenkre, Chair, Troy Democratic Club
Iqbal Faiz, Chair, Bangladeshi American Caucus
Kevin Hrit, Campaign manager, Gary Peters
Other MDP Officials

Pakistani American Caucus Board of Directors:

Faiz M. Khan, Chair
Shariq S. Sajjad
Syed Akhlaq Hussain
Muhammad Zahid
Abid Khan
Haroon Siddiqui
Nizamuddin Mohammad
Sarwat Iqbal

16-25

Misconduct Again For Veterans

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By Laura Fawaz, Contributing Reporter

Washington–After three weeks of silence, Present Barack Obama spoke publically on the recent allegations of misconduct in veteran affairs since the scandal first began.

“If these allegations prove to be true, it is dishonorable, it is disgraceful, and I will not tolerate it, period,” said President Obama in this appearance.

The President vented his anger Wednesday over the allegations of misconduct at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals as he vowed to “root out anyone responsible,” though he stopped short of announcing VA Secretary Eric Shinseki’s resignation over the ordeal.  Eric Shinseki is a retired United States Army general that was nominated by the President in December 2008 to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  The details of the VA scandal involve alleged deception about the wait time for treatment at veterans hospitals.  These falsifications along with veteran patients listed as seeing doctors who are not even practicing physicians, leads to more unanswered questions.  The main concern though is that throughout this process, veterans have not been receiving the care that they deserve.  After fighting for their country, they are entitled to, and promised, the best health care. 

“If these allegations prove to be true, it is dishonorable, it is disgraceful and I will not tolerate it. Period,” Obama said during a hastily called press conference at the White House.

“I will not stand for it.  Not as commander-in-chief, but also not as an American,” he added.

The president’s remarks come a day after the VA inspector general indicated his office is investigating possible misconduct at 26 VA facilities around the country, including a Phoenix hospital where 40 veterans allegedly died while waiting for care.  VA staff members were then told to rig the records to cover up the long wait times, therefore allegedly falsifying the cause of deaths.  According to a CNN six-month investigation, the secret list was part of an elaborate scheme designed by Veterans Affairs managers in Phoenix who were trying to hide that 1,400 to 1,600 sick veterans were forced to wait months to see a doctor.  President Obama insisted that anyone found to have manipulated or falsified records at a VA facility “will be punished,” but he urged patience as the administration carries out its probe.

Veterans had mixed opinions about this alleged scandal, though had high hopes due to President Obama’s promises when he was candidate Obama.  As he was running for presidency in 2007, one of his promises was “When I am president, building a 21st century VA to serve out veterans will have an equal priority to building a 21st century military to fight our wars.”  But now, most veterans are unhappy with the President as it took him so long to give any public statement on this situation.  To most vets, it was too little, too late.

“Nobody cares about our veterans more than Rick Shinseki,” Obama said. “He has been a great public servant and a great warrior on behalf of the United States of America. We’re going to work with him to solve the problem.”

16-23

The Respiratory System!

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ibn tufail 71The respiratory system (or ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for the process of respiration in an organism. The respiratory system is involved in the intake and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and the environment.

In air-breathing vertebrates like human beings, respiration takes place in the respiratory organs called lungs. The passage of air into the lungs to supply the body with oxygen is known as inhalation, and the passage of air out of the lungs to expel carbon dioxide is known as exhalation; this process is collectively called breathing or ventilation. In humans and other mammals, the anatomical features of the respiratory system include trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lungs, and diaphragm. Molecules of oxygen and carbon dioxide are passively exchanged, by diffusion, between the gaseous external environment and the blood. This exchange process occurs in the alveoli air sacs in the lungs.

In fish and many invertebrates, respiration takes place through the gills. Other animals, such as insects, have respiratory systems with very simple anatomical features, and in amphibians even the skin plays a vital role in gas exchange. Plants also have respiratory systems but the directionality of gas exchange can be opposite to that in animals. The respiratory system in plants also includes anatomical features such as holes on the undersides of leaves known as stomata.

Ventilation occurs under the control of the autonomic nervous system from parts of the brain stem, the medulla oblongata and the pons. This area of the brain forms the respiration regulatory center, a series of interconnected brain cells within the lower and middle brain stem which coordinate respiratory movements. The sections are the pneumotaxic center, the apneustic center, and the dorsal and ventral respiratory groups.

This section is especially sensitive during infancy, and the neurons can be destroyed if the infant is dropped and/or shaken violently. The result can be death due to “shaken baby syndrome”.[9]
The breathing rate increases with the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, which is detected by peripheral chemoreceptors in the aorta and carotid artery and central chemoreceptors in the medulla. Exercise also increases respiratory rate, due to the action of proprioceptors, the increase in body temperature, the release of epinephrine, and motor impulses originating from the brain.[10] In addition, it can increase due to increased inflation in the lungs, which is detected by stretch receptors.

Inhalation

Inhalation is initiated by the diaphragm and supported by the external intercostal muscles. Normal resting respirations are 10 to 18 breaths per minute, with a time period of 2 seconds. During vigorous inhalation (at rates exceeding 35 breaths per minute), or in approaching respiratory failure, accessory muscles of respiration are recruited for support. These consist of sternocleidomastoid, platysma, and the scalene muscles of the neck. Pectoral muscles and latissimus dorsi are also accessory muscles.

Under normal conditions, the diaphragm is the primary driver of inhalation. When the diaphragm contracts, the ribcage expands and the contents of the abdomen are moved downward. This results in a larger thoracic volume and negative pressure (with respect to atmospheric pressure) inside the thorax. As the pressure in the chest falls, air moves into the conducting zone. Here, the air is filtered, warmed, and humidified as it flows to the lungs.

During forced inhalation, as when taking a deep breath, the external intercostal muscles and accessory muscles aid in further expanding the thoracic cavity. During inhalation the diaphragm contracts.
Exhalation is generally a passive process; however, active or forced exhalation is achieved by the abdominal and the internal intercostal muscles. During this process air is forced or exhaled out.

The lungs have a natural elasticity: as they recoil from the stretch of inhalation, air flows back out until the pressures in the chest and the atmosphere reach equilibrium.

During forced exhalation, as when blowing out a candle, expiratory muscles including the abdominal muscles and internal intercostal muscles, generate abdominal and thoracic pressure, which forces air out of the lungs.

The major function of the respiratory system is gas exchange between the external environment and an organism’s circulatory system. In humans and other mammals, this exchange facilitates oxygenation of the blood with a concomitant removal of carbon dioxide and other gaseous metabolic wastes from the circulation.[12] As gas exchange occurs, the acid-base balance of the body is maintained as part of homeostasis. If proper ventilation is not maintained, two opposing conditions could occur: respiratory acidosis, a life-threatening condition, and respiratory alkalosis.

Upon inhalation, gas exchange occurs at the alveoli, the tiny sacs which are the basic functional component of the lungs. The alveolar walls are extremely thin (approx. 0.2 micrometres). These walls are composed of a single layer of epithelial cells (type I and type II epithelial cells) close to the pulmonary capillaries which are composed of a single layer of endothelial cells. The close proximity of these two cell types allows permeability to gases and, hence, gas exchange. This whole mechanism of gas exchange is carried by the simple phenomenon of pressure difference. When the air pressure is high inside the lungs, the air from lungs flow out. When the air pressure is low inside, then air flows into the lungs.

Airway epithelial cells can secrete a variety of molecules that aid in the defense of lungs. Secretory immunoglobulins (IgA), collectins (including Surfactant A and D), defensins and other peptides and proteases, reactive oxygen species, and reactive nitrogen species are all generated by airway epithelial cells. These secretions can act directly as antimicrobials to help keep the airway free of infection. Airway epithelial cells also secrete a variety of chemokines and cytokines that recruit the traditional immune cells and others to site of infections.

Most of the respiratory system is lined with mucous membranes that contain mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue, which produces white blood cells such as lymphocytes.

In addition to their functions in gas exchange, the lungs have a number of metabolic functions. They manufacture surfactant for local use, as noted above. They also contain a fibrinolytic system that lyses clots in the pulmonary vessels. They release a variety of substances that enter the systemic arterial blood and they remove other substances from the systemic venous blood that reach them via the pulmonary artery. Prostaglandins are removed from the circulation, but they are also synthesized in the lungs and released into the blood when lung tissue is stretched. The lungs also activate one hormone; the physiologically inactive decapeptide angiotensin I is converted to the pressor, aldosterone-stimulating octapeptide angiotensin II in the pulmonary circulation. The reaction occurs in other tissues as well, but it is particularly prominent in the lungs. Large amounts of the angiotensin-converting enzyme responsible for this activation are located on the surface of the endothelial cells of the pulmonary capillaries. The converting enzyme also inactivates bradykinin. Circulation time through the pulmonary capillaries is less than one second, yet 70% of the angiotensin I reaching the lungs is converted to angiotensin II in a single trip through the capillaries. Four other peptidases have been identified on the surface of the pulmonary endothelial cells.

16-24

The Rusty Steel

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The rusty steel
Serves as reminder
Of the tears cried here
In this jail
Where I kneel
Locked away
In darkness
No light but One
When trust has gone
None remain
One keeps me strong
Even through this pain
I have failed much
Yet the garden lies here
Where the pains are so much
He is so near
Someday the skin will be new
Where it now hurts to touch
Success lies in the
Pain we feel
Someday all of this
We think is real
Will fade away
Become nothing someday
When we leave this jail
We hoped could not stay
Someday our hearts will
Feel peace from this hurt
Be content
With the trials we face
For if you are loved
You are tested
Never forget the trials
Of those who came before you
Of those who faced them
And have not rested
Keep your paradise
Within your heart
Whatever trial may be
And the greatest reward
Will come to each
It is Allah’s guarantee……….

A Poem by Ayesha Khadija

Dulhania Bazaar Expo Brings Back Bollywood Style Wedding and Event Planning to Arizona

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By Nidah Chatriwala, TMO

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On June 1, Dulhania Bazaar (DB) organized its annual bridal expo at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale with over 900 attendees and 100 vendors.

This annual expo is dedicated to connecting businesses with customers who are looking to plan one unforgettable wedding or event. Vendors ranged from wedding photographers to cake providers, jewelers, flower shops, stage decorators, clothing boutiques and so on.

Shy Khan, founder of DB, started her career with event planning, and then a little while into it, she realized the brilliant idea of creating a one stop shop for wedding and event planning in the form of DB Expo. Today, her venture is known to be the largest South Asian bridal expo in the U.S. This year DB Expo celebrates its fifth year and the event was no less than a party itself.
The Phoenician Resort was overflowing with families, couples and even singles enjoying the exciting atmosphere of wedding and event planning all in one place.
The event unfolded in multiple segments. Guests signed in and collected their DB red shopping bags, and then entered the big hall to browse what the vendors had to offer. The DJ made sure to play hit numbers to blow the roof off the party. At 2 p.m., bride and groom fashion attracted everyone to the center of the room.

This was no ordinary fashion show. Classical Indian dancers performed gracefully to popular Bollywood songs while models walked the ramp in beautiful traditional and contemporary dresses.
The showstopper was not one of the models from the fashion show; Malinder Tooray burned the stage with her unstoppable dhol playing skills. Her beat encouraged the audience to join her up on the stage for a dance.

The party wasn’t over yet. Famous Pakistani singer, Jawad Ahmad, made a humble entrance and sang his legendary tracks making the event memorable. After a short meet greet with the artist, the fifth DB Expo came to a close.

To learn more about Dulhania Bazaar Expos, visit dbexpos.com

16-24

Abrogation Of Article 370 (Kashmir) Not Possible

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By Justice Rajindar Sachar

BJP president Rajnath Singh has called for a debate on why Article 370 of the Constitution should not be abrogated. One wishes he had sought this enlightenment before including the provocative item of abrogation of Article 370 in the BJP election manifesto.

Apart from the legal angle, Togadia’s hate speech against Muslims and a politically dishonest attempt by BJP and RSS leaders to paper it over should be a justification enough for the retention of Article 370 for the Muslim majority state of J & K.

On August 15, 1947, when India became independent, J&K was not a part of its territory. It was only by the Instrument of Accession, dated 27.10.47, signed by the Maharaja of J&K that the state acceded to the Dominion of India. By clause 3 the Maharaja accepted that the matters specified in the schedule are the matters with respect to which the dominion legislature may make laws for the state of J & K. The instrument further provided that the terms of instrument shall not be varied by an amendment to the Act or the Indian Independence Act, unless such amendment was accepted by the Maharaja. The instrument also clearly laid down that nothing in the instrument shall be deemed to commit the state in any way to the acceptance of any future Constitution of India.

This instrument accepted only a limited number of matters — Defence, External Affairs, Communications — with respect to which the Indian legislature could make laws for J&K. This special relationship of J&K found its reflection in Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which laid down that notwithstanding anything in the Constitution, the powers of Parliament to make laws for the state shall be limited to those matters in the Union List and the Concurrent List, which, in consultation with the government of the state, are declared by the President to correspond to matters specified in the Instrument of Accession, and such other matters in the said lists with the concurrence of the state the President may by order specify.

Thus by virtue of Article 370 Parliament can legislate for J&K on matters other than those mentioned in the instrument but only after obtaining the concurrence of the state of J&K (emphasis supplied). Thus J&K has special status, unlike the other states in India where Parliament can legislate on its own on subjects mentioned in the Union and concurrent lists.

It is no doubt true that Article 370(3) provides that the President may by notification declare that this article shall cease to be operative, but the proviso clearly lays down a limitation that the recommendation of the Constituent Assembly of the state shall be necessary before the President issues such a notification. It is not disputed that the Constituent Assembly of J&K has never given any such recommendation. In that view Article 370 cannot be withdrawn by Parliament purporting to exercise the power of amendment given by Article 368. That the power to amend the Constitution is not totally unfettered admits of no disputes vide the famous case of Keshvanand Bharthi, (1973) in which the Supreme Court held that a “Constitution like ours contains certain features which are so essential that they cannot be changed or destroyed”.

There is also nothing very special in laying this limitation in Article 370. Even Article 368 limits the power of Parliament to make any amendment to the Constitution which would result in a change in any of the lists in the Seventh Schedule; such amendment shall also require to be ratified by the legislatures of not less than half of the states.

Under our Constitution the Governors are only formal heads of state and have no powers at all in the administration of the state which is vested in the Cabinet. But yet by the Constitution Amendment Act 1956, Article 371 provides for a special responsibility of the Governor for the establishment of separate development boards for Saurashtra and Kutch (in Gujarat) and Vidharba in Maharashtra for an equitable allocation of funds for the development of the area. No objection by the BJP has been raised which curtails the power of Gujarat Chief Minister Modi, while there is not such limitation on the chief ministers in other states.

Article 371G, introduced by the 55th Constitution Amendment Act 1986, provides that no Act of Parliament in respect of the ownership and transfer of land shall apply to the state of Mizoram unless the legislative assembly of Mizoram by a resolution so decides. This provision is identical to Article 370 of the Constitution regarding J & K. The BJP was a party to the above amendment. Why does the BJP apply double standards in the case of the Muslim majority state of J & K?.

Even in the USA such is the width of state autonomy that an advocate getting his law degree from Washington University cannot as a matter of right practice in the state of New York. No one has suggested that this is endangering the unity of the USA.

Recently in the election fever even the Congress seems to have got entrapped when it gave an election promise to separate Ladakh from the territory of J&K and even give it a separate legislative assembly. This is the most provocative suggestion, which can only inflame the sentiments of people of J&K against India, apart from the fact that it is not legally possible because the J&K legislature will never give its consent, as provided by Article 370.

It needs to be appreciated that the retention of Article 370 is a matter of self-respect and honour and an assertion of their distinct identity for the people of J&K. Can’t the BJP leaders, even when most of the parties in J&K are desirous of finding a lasting solution, be statesmen enough to give up their opposition to Article 370, which no Kashmiri can possibly agree to abrogate because it is a matter of preserving his special identity?

Faced with this reality, politicians must realise that all talk of abrogation of Article 370 is moonshine and a non-issue. It is also a very sensitive matter touching the credibility of our secular professions and the justifiable fears of the minorities. With all this, when it is also patent that the abrogation of Article 370 is not legally and constitutionally possible, is there any moral, political or logical justification to keep up this empty noise? I submit there is none.

Justice Rajindar Sachar is a former Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. He was a member of United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. He chaired the Sachar Committee, constituted by the Government of India, which submitted a much debated report on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in India

16-24

Texas Prepares for 2014 Hurricane Season

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2014_Hurricane_Forecast_GraphicAfter an unusually long and harsh winter and recent flood episodes that caused not only loss of property, but also loss of lives, the last thing Texans want to hear about is the threat of another possible natural disaster. But, Sunday, June 1st, 2014 marked the official opening of hurricane season and that’s not something Texans take lightly.

Residents of the Lone Star State are hoping this year will be a repeat of the 2013 season. Last year’s Atlantic hurricane season was among the quietest in history. Predictions were that there would be 13-20 tropical storms to develop in the Atlantic, seven to 11 of which would become hurricanes and three to six of which were expected to reach major storm classification. When the season ended, there had been only two minor hurricanes.

However, as most emergency personnel will tell you, it only takes ONE of the big ones to cause death and destruction. Just ask residents of the Northeast about Super Storm Sandy in 2012. That area is still picking up the pieces from the storm – which combined a hurricane and a winter storm – that caused more than $50 billion in damages. For that reason, Texas emergency management officials are warning the state’s residents who might be affected both along the coastline and inland not to get complacent after last year’s ho-hum hurricane season.

“One of the best defenses against the destructive – and potentially deadly – power of a hurricane or tropical storm is early and adequate preparation,” said Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw (pictured). “Although residents living along the Texas coast are the most vulnerable, storms can disrupt and endanger the lives of residents throughout the state.”

This year, only eight to 13 tropical storms are being projected, with three to six possibly becoming hurricanes. No more than two of those are expected to be major storms.

That might be described as a “below average” season. Since 1981, an average season has produced a dozen named storms. Of those, six became hurricanes and three were described as major storms, with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher.

When a hurricane does develop and makes landfall, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Director Kathryn Sullivan reminds that damages can be attributed to more than wind and rain. “Sandy reminded us that loss of life and property during a storm doesn’t necessarily come about from wind and rain. It comes from storm surge.”

DPS Director McCraw reminds Texans that all Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are possible landfall sites for hurricanes or tropical storms. And in some cases, a storm can create devastating conditions over land even if landfall does not occur, because the strongest winds in a storm are not necessarily in the center of the storm.

McCraw notes that in many cases, catastrophic damage can occur not just on the coastline, but also several hundred miles inland, with winds in excess of 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms also can create tornadoes and flooding.

DPS urges Texans to be ready for hurricane season by following a few safety tips, including creating an emergency kit with important documents, supplies and provisions; having an evacuation plan in place; keeping informed of changing weather conditions in the area; and considering special needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities.

A duo of meteorologists from Colorado State University who issue their forecast for the hurricane season each spring have also predicted a season with fewer than usual tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic, in spite of the fact that 12 of the last 20 seasons have been above average.

But, Texans are reminded again – it only takes ONE.

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Community News 16-24

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Mohammed Ahmed named Big 10 Track Athlete of the Year

University of Wisconsin at Madison’s Mohammed Ahmed was named the the BIG 10 conference’s track athlete of the year. He is  the 2014 Big Ten outdoor champion in the 5000 meters and the runner-up in the 10,000 meters.

A 2012 Olympian, Ahmed played a critical part in the helping the Badgers win their 19th track title in 14 years by scoring 18 points for the Cardinal and White at last weekend’s Big Ten meet. Ahmed helped the Badgers sweep the podium in both the 5000 and 10,000 as UW earned 49 of its 121 team points in the two events.

Ahmed also ran the conference’s best time in the 5000 meters earlier this year with a time of 13:28.02 at the Payton Jordan Cardinal Invitational, becoming the fourth UW runner in program history to break the 13:30 mark in the 5000. The senior also holds the league’s second-best time in the 10,000 meters this spring.

It marks the first time Ahmed has been honored as the conference’s track athlete of the year.

Faaris Khan, a semi-finalist at Scripps National Spelling Bee

COLUMBIA,MO–Faaris Khan, an eighth grader from Columbia, Missouri, reached the semi-final stage of the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee. He misspelled “siriasis,” which is sunstroke. After asking the pronunciation and the origin of the word, he spelled it “psoriasis.” That is the spelling of a skin disease. All semifinalists were to receive a $500 gift card. He had won the regional bee in 2013 and 2011.

San Diego Muslims call for Halal school lunches

Muslim leaders in San Diego are calling for the introduction of halal school lunches so that students don’t go hungry during the day. The Food Justice Momentum Team which is leading the initiative has already met with the San Diego Unified School District about a pilot program in the City Heights area where there is a larger concentration of Muslim students.
A community leader told Channel 10 News, “”[The food will] make those kids perform well in school and be happy… if you feed a kid without no good food and then they end up getting sick, it’s going to cost later.”

Canadian Muslims plant 300 trees

Around 100 Canadian Muslims came together to plan 300 trees in the municipality of peel.

“We wanted to teach kids the notion of ‘sadaqa-e-jariya’,” said Abdul Wahab, head imam of Muslim Welfare Centre, to the Brampton Guardian. ‘Sadaqa-e-jariya’ (continuous charity) is a kind of donation, which is highly encouraged in Islam. Under this category, the donor is believed to keep getting rewarded as people, as well as all other living creatures, are benefiting from the charity, even after the death of the donor.”

“We also wanted to preserve the conservation area along Mississauga and Brampton,” said Wahab.

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Muslim Personal Law Board not Against Women Praying in Mosques

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India Daily

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Malegaon: In a welcome change from its earlier stand, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Saturday said it was not opposed if the doors of mosques were thrown open to women for prayers.

“The board is not against if mosques are opened for Muslim women for offering prayers. But, it is the duty of the trustees of the respective mosques to make appropriate and suitable provision for them”, Abdur Raheem Qureshi, Asst Gen Secretary and spokesperson of the Muslim panel, said while speaking to ummid.com ahead of the board’s national convention in Jalgaon.
This is the first time the Muslim panel is meeting in this North Maharashtra city.

Qureshi was replying to a question why Muslim women in India are denied permission to pray in mosques when almost at all places in the world they have privilege to offer prayers inside mosques like their male counterparts.

In many Muslim and non-Muslim countries and the entire Arab world, there are provisions for women and they are allowed entry and prayers inside the mosques. However, except for the few mosques belonging to Shias, Ahl-e-Hadees and Shafees, India which has predominantly Deobandi and Barelvi Muslims has still not opened doors of mosques for women.
Regional divide is also clearly visible vis-a-vis entry of women into the mosques. A quick look in India reveals that in South one can find a good number of mosques with provision for women whereas in North and Western Indian there are very few such mosques.

Women activists and progressive thinkers, including some forward-looking clerics are of the view that, like other parts of country, and as also was the case during the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life, Indian mosques should also be thrown open for women.

They also observed that throwing open the mosques for women will not only create a sense of equality among the women but the mosques could also be used for educating and creating awareness among them on social and other issues.

“Islam has given a perfect model for gender equality. But, very unfortunately, due to obstinate attitude of some, we do not see that in practice at least in India. The network of mosques spread across the country if are accessible for women could very effectively be used for educating them”, Zehra Shakeb, a woman activist, said.

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