Al-Zilzal The Quran.

Holy Quran

The Treasure of Faith 

 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

 When the earth is severely quaked.

 And the earth ejects its loads.

 The human will wonder: “What is happening?” On that day, it will tell its news.

 That your Lord has commanded it.

 On that day, the people will issue from every direction, to be shown their works.

 Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.

 And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it

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Spirituality and the Soul

Date – Saturday 7th February 2009

Time – 2:30pm – 5:30pm

Venue – New Libraray Lecture Theatre, Leicster University, University Road

For more information contact: 07528 084809

Also A free one to one consultation for those in business or considering starting up a business.

A talk on spirituality by Shaykh Habeeb Ali from Yemen.

This event was a real eye opener for all the people who attended.

       Desimag caught up with mohmoona and Zara both who attended the Hibib Ali event at New theatre in leicester      

Today, 7^th February 2009,  lets have a look at what they had to say…

Desimag- What did you think of Habib Ali’s Speech?

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 Mehmoona – Well the speech was really good, he was very smiley throughout, he just continued to amaze us.

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 Zara- He had a lot of Noor on his face.

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 Desimag- Great Stuff! Did you learn anything from him? Anything you can take away from his speech tonight?

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 Mehmoona – One particular thing I liked about him was the fact that he said, about “Insaan is very forgetful” the real meaning for it is, ‘forgetful in the heart, the heart is always turning’ both of those things I found really amazing and just made me realize a lot of stuff. A lot of what he mentioned was more of a reminder, because I have read Mohammed Salleallah ho Wallaileh Wa’sallams books and they were more in tune with what he said and he acknowledged it at the end.

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 Desimag- SubhanAllah, that’s great he has really reached out to the younger audience.

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 Desimag- What are your views on the topic Habib Ali focused on, Spirituality and soul?

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 Mehmoona-It was very much focused on the soul and spirituality, nothing real life; he was trying to get you to think about reflecting on yourself.

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 Zara- Reflect on god and how to become closer to god and how that will have an impact in the world around you.

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 Mehmoona – Agreeing saying… yeah and he linked that to the problems in Gaza and he said if you become a good person the world around you will change and become a beautiful world.

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 Desimag – Couldn’t have put that more beautifully.. MashAllah that’s such a strong message to portray, May Allah reward Habib Ali’s for his efforts.

 Thank you & big shout out to sisters Mehmoona and Zara from Leicester.

Also a big thank you to Nuur Media in Leicester. 

About Nuur Media:
Nuur Media Productions is a video production company based in Leicester, U.K, which aims to provide high quality productions for Minority groups in the field of Video and Audio Production. At the same time we are not exclusive to the above mentioned community groups. We record edit videos as well as audio productions such as Lectures, workshops, conferences and educational programmes. We wright scripts and storyboards for those who would like to make short films.
We are different from main stream video production companies in the sense that we provide high quality results for those who have a low budget. We also train and develop the skills of those who have got no/little opportunity in the field of video-audio production, journalism and working in radios.
Therefore, we are in partnership with educational institutes as well as other large media companies such as South Leicestershire College, ICE Media UK, EAVA FM and now, all based in Belgrave at the following address.

Contact us for further details at:
Nuur Media
Media Centre of Excellence in Television & Film
111 Ross Walk
LE4 5HH
Leicester
Tel:0116 268 0798
Mob: 079 5115 7983
www.nuurmedia.com
Nuurmedia@googlemail.co.uk

First wide-scale celebrations of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday took place.

Several thousands young people throughout the UK celebrated the Prophets birthday.

Suras and ayats from Quran and prayers dedicated to Prophet Muhammad were read in all mosques around the uk while many families celebrated at home.

This day unites us, the day that makes us check if our thoughts, actions and plans meet the Koran’s requirements and Prophet Muhammad’s teaching,” Hussain Rafiq (London)

In Cornwall there were several gatherings on Sunday March 8th, where traditional Muslims as well as new converts gathered to celebrate this occasion known as Mawlid or Milaad-an Nabi. 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spent time with 40 Muslim school students on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-ud-Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammed, at his residence in India.

Yesterday in Slough the March and the local mosque was filled with mehfils and happiness and peace surrounded the area.

In Peterborough, the houseS were decorated with lights and Khatam’s took place in homes with food freshly made, family gatherings and peaceful atmospheres.

This occasion is used by Muslims to remind themselves and others of the significance of the life of the Prophet (p. b. u. h.), his teachings, and his life example.

Faced with a different cultural atmosphere and often-differing value system in their host countries, immigrant Muslims who live in non-Muslim countries find it particularly important to use this occasion for introducing Prophet Muhammad (p. b. u. h.) as an ideal role model to the younger generation.

A typical Mawlid celebration starts by the recitation of a few verses of the Quran, followed by talks and poetry readings in honour of the Prophet (p. b. u. h.). A free dinner is then served, followed by more talks and poetry readings. Mawlid is also an occasion to send blessings collectively on the soul of the Prophet (p. b. u. h.) and God asks believers to do the same. By sending blessings on his soul, believers are obeying God and thereby pleasing Him so that they get blessings on themselves in return.

This is another reason, and for some the most important reason, why such a celebration should take place. The whole atmosphere is happy and festive, yet reverential, and attendants usually leave with a renewed sense of love and reverence for the Prophet (p. b. u. h.), and a desire to emulate him in their lives.

The 75th Annual National Convention of the Women’s Fellowship of the Apostolic Church – Ghana has ended in Koforidua over the weekend.

The 75th Annual National Convention of the Women’s Fellowship of the Apostolic Church – Ghana has ended in Koforidua over the weekend.

The convention, which brought together more than 10,000 women of the church drawn from the southern sector of the country, was the largest number ever recoded in the history of the women’s fellowship gatherings.

Addressing the convention at a thanksgiving service the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Baba Jamal, commended the church for its contribution to the socio-economic development of the country.

He appealed to the women to resist the temptation of focusing attention on purely outward ceremonial observance and merry-making but rather to improve upon their knowledge and skills in wherever they find themselves so as to become responsible future leaders of the church in particular and the nation in general.

He said in the past parents sent their children to church to be taught the knowledge and fear of the Lord and also collaborated with teachers in the training and disciplining their children.

But of late that co-operation was lacking resulting in parents assaulting teachers who tried to discipline children thus leading to breakdown of morality and discipline.

He urged the church to ensure that the ethical values of the country were promoted and should be fair in its criticisms of government.

Mr Jamal said the church should be bold to point out the infractions of all governments and not to do selective criticism so as not to loose its respect and credibility.

He appealed to the church to pray ceaselessly for God to intervene in curbing all acts of immorality that was creping into the moral fabric of the society.

“We are all witnesses in recent times of the spate of lawlessness, drug trafficking, corruption, armed robbery, ritual murders, cyber fraud popularly known as “Sakawa” and occultism,” he said.

The National Secretary of the fellowship, Mrs Mary Nana Tagoe, told the GNA that the fellowship had contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.

She said it had set up vocational schools and other training centres to give skills training to girls and elderly women. 
 

 
Source: GNA

It is celebrated on December 25,Today! But this date is not known to be Jesus’ actual birthday, and may have initially been chosen to correspond with either the day exactly nine months after some early Christians believed Jesus had been conceived, a historical Roman festival, or the date of the northern hemisphere’s winter solstice. Christmas is central to the Christmas and holiday season, and in Christianity marks the beginning of the larger season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days.

Although traditionally a Christian holiday, Christmas is also widely celebrated by many non-Christians and some of its popular celebratory customs have pre-Christian or secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs of the holiday include gift-giving, music, an exchange of greeting cards, church celebrations, a special meal, and the display of various decorations; including Christmas trees, lights, garlands, mistletoe, nativity scenes, and holly. In addition, Father Christmas (known as Santa Claus in some areas, including North America, Australia and Ireland) is a popular mythological figure in many countries, associated with the bringing of gifts for children.

Because gift-giving and many other aspects of the Christmas festival involve heightened economic activity among both Christians and non-Christians, the holiday has become a significant event and a key sales period for retailers and businesses. The economic impact of Christmas is a factor that has grown steadily over the past few centuries in many regions of the world.

MERRY CHRITSMAS FROM DESIMAG.CO.UK!

Hundreds of Sikhs shouted separatist slogans in the Indian state of Punjab Saturday as they marked the 25th anniversary of an assault on the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine.

Sikhs gathered in the northern city of Amritsar to commemorate the 1984 raid, called Operation Blue Star, which was ordered by then-prime minister Indira Gandhi, to flush out militants who were holed up in the temple demanding an independent Sikh homeland.

While most mainstream Sikhs do not support the idea of a separate nation, hardliners continue to demand an independent “buffer state” between India and Pakistan called “Khalistan.”

“There would be nothing wrong in giving an independent area to the Sikh community,” said Ram Singh, who turned out to mark the anniversary.

“At least Sikhs would not feel suffocated and incidents like Operation Blue Star would never occur.”

The assault left scores dead, hundreds wounded and resulted in substantial damage to the shrine complex.

In October that year Gandhi was shot dead by her two Sikh bodyguards — triggering anti-Sikh riots in which thousands of people were killed, most of them in the streets of the Indian capital New Delhi.

Roving gangs wielding iron rods and sticks invaded homes, dragging out Sikh families and killing men and boys as police turned a blind eye, witnesses said.

Two decades later, in 2004, Manmohan Singh made history when he took office as the country’s first Sikh prime minister, but the anniversary of the Golden Temple raid is still observed with bitterness.

“The wounds of Operation Blue Star at the Golden Temple are still unhealed,” said Simranjit Singh Mann, local president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, a Sikh political party. (AFP)

The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are two very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother.

1. Sharad Navaratri – This is the most important of the Navratris, and is simply called Navratri or occasionally, Maha Navratri (the Great Navratri). It is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, Sept-Oct). It celebrates the slaying of Mahishasura by the goddess Durga. The festival is observed in most parts of India, particularly in Northern India, Eastern India, and Western India.

2. Vasant Navaratri – This is celebrated during Vasanta Ritu (spring season) (March- April). This Navaratri is celebrated in North India. Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu observes Navaratri during this period.

3. Ashada Navaratri – This Navaratri is particularly important for all Upasakas of Varahi- Celebrated in July-August. This is called Guhya Navaratri in Himachal Pradesh. Varahi is one of the seven Matrikas of Devi Mahatmya.

Sharad Navaratri

Commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of the lunar month Aswayuja/Asvina.

‘The Navaratri festival has to be celebrated during the bright fortnight of the month of Asvina, in the order of pratipada, etc, until the navami ends,’ says the Dhaumya-vacana.

Vasantha Navaratri

This is celebrated during Vasantha Ruthu (beginning of summer) (March- April). This is also known as Chaitra navaratri as it falls during the lunar month of Chithra. Forms of Shakti.

9 forms of Durga
First three days
The goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our impurities.

Second three days
The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.

Final three days
The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the goddess of wisdom, Sarasvati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.

In South India, Sarasvati pooja is performed on the 7th day. Eight day is traditionally Durgashtami which is big in Bengal. The 9th day is Ayudha Pooja when everyone gives their tools of the trade — pens, machinery, books, automobiles, school work, etc. a rest and ritually worships them. They start a fresh from the next day, the 10th day which is considered as ‘Vijaya Dashami’. Many teachers/Schools in south India start teaching Kindergarten children from that day onwards. Students also pay homage to their respective teachers as they are considered the third god (Maathaa, Pitha, Guru, Daivam – Mother, Father, Teacher & God). On this tenth day of Navratri in October – the holiday of Dussehra or Dasara, an effigy of Ravana is burnt to celebrate the victory of good (Rama) over evil.

During Navratri, some devotees of Durga observe a fast and prayers are offered for the protection of health and prosperity. A period of introspection and purification, Navratri is traditionally an auspicious and religious time for starting new ventures.

During this vowed religious observance, a pot is installed (ghatasthapana) at a sanctified place at home. A lamp is kept lit in the pot for nine days. The pot symbolizes the universe. The uninterrupted lit lamp is the medium through which we worship the effulgent Adishakti, i.e. Sree Durgadevi. During Navratri, the principle of Sree Durgadevi is more active in the atmosphere.

Navratri is celebrated in a large number of Indian communities. The mother goddess is said to appear in 9 forms, and each one is worshipped for a day. These nine forms signify various traits that the goddess influences us with. The Devi Mahatmya and other texts invoking the Goddess who vanquished demons are cited.

During the eight or ninth day, Kanya Poojan, where virgin girls who have not attained puberty are worshipped, occurs.

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Pilgrim Homes, a Christian charity that has been caring for older Christians for more than 200 years has lost thousands of pounds of funding because of its religious beliefs on homosexuality.

Brighton & Hove City Council wanted the home in Brighton to ask its elderly Christian residents about their sexual orientation every three months. The council also wanted the home to use images of homosexuals in its promotional literature and show a Stonewall presentation on ‘gay rights’ to staff.

Among the residents at the Brighton home are a number of elderly Christians aged over 80, including former missionaries and a retired church minister. Managers at the care home explained that to comply with the demands would unduly distress the elderly residents and undermine the home’s Christian ethos. They pointed out that people of this age consider sexual matters to be a private issue and regard questioning of this kind as hostile and intrusive. But council officials accused the home of “institutionalised homophobia” and pulled £13,000 of funding which was being used to provide warden services in sheltered housing.

The Pilgrim Homes charity, which runs the home and others like it, has spent months seeking to resolve the matter with the local authority. But having reached an impasse it has told the council of its intention to take legal action for religious discrimination.

The case is being backed financially by The Christian Institute’s Legal Defence Fund.

Phil Wainwright, director of human resources for Pilgrim Homes, said he was told by the council that the home must ask residents if they were lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual or ‘unsure’, even if they objected. Mr Wainwright said: “There was a strong feeling among people in the home that the questions were inappropriate and intrusive. They felt they had come to Pilgrim Homes because of its Christian ethos and were upset they were not protected from such intrusions.”

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “Brighton Council is displaying a very prejudiced and discriminatory attitude to the religious beliefs held by the elderly residents of the home run by Pilgrim Homes. After a lifetime of Christian service, these elderly men and women deserve to live in a restful environment which supports and nurtures their Christian faith. This case is the latest in a series of troubling incidents where the rights of Christians are seemingly being ignored in favour of ‘gay rights’.”

A five-year-old girl from Devon was left in tears after her teacher reprimanded her for talking about Jesus in class – and her mummy could be facing the sack.

The girl’s mother, who works part-time at the school, is being investigated by governors because she emailed friends at church asking them to pray about her daughter’s situation.

Mrs Jennie Cain is being supported by The Christian Institute’s legal defence fund.

The head teacher at the school, Mr Gary Read, learnt about the prayer request after he got hold of a private email sent by Mrs Cain from home using her personal email account. He would not tell the 38-year-old mother of two how he got a copy of her personal email, but he told her she was being investigated for misconduct.

The bizarre chain of events started on 22 January when Mrs Cain went to pick up her children from the 275-strong Landscore Primary School in Crediton, Devon. Mrs Cain’s five-year-old daughter, Jasmine, burst into tears telling her mother that she had been told off by her teacher for talking about God and Heaven and had been warned not to talk about Jesus again.

The following weekend Mrs Cain sent an email to ten close church friends, asking them to pray about the situation. The email somehow ended up in the head teacher’s hands, and he has launched an investigation against Mrs Cain. She has been told the investigation could result in disciplinary action, including dismissal.

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “I thought I had heard it all when I learned a nurse had been suspended for offering to pray for a patient. But now a five-year-old girl and her mother have been slammed for nothing more than expressing their Christian faith. I am particularly concerned about the way in which Mrs Cain’s private email to her church friends ended up in the hands of the head teacher. This is the latest in a series of cases where Christians are being persecuted for their religious beliefs. It is really getting to a point where it has to stop.”

Various pictures of Jennie Cain may be downloaded at: http://www.christian.org.uk/cainimages.htm

More background at http://www.christian.org.uk

The annual festival commemorates the ties between brothers and sisters.

Its marked with a simple ceremony in which a girl and women ties a Rakhi which may be colourful thread, a simple bracelet or decorative string around the wrist for the brothers!

The word Raksha signifies protection, and a Bandhaan signifies an enduringsort of bond; so when a women ties a rakhiaroundt he wristof her brother, she signifies her loving attachment to him!

Today, tying a rakhi around the wristof someonenot related to you is not uncommon. It is done to show your friendship with another!

In the UK this idea has caught on in the form of friendship bracelets!

Rakhi’s can be any colour but Red and Gold are the most popular ones!

Raksha Badhaan represents one of the most sentimental festivals of India!
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“I am greatly influenced by Deedat and Naik, my mentors, and have been conducting Dawa work in the United States with great success,” Ahmed told Arab News in an interview on Wednesday. He is the director of GainPeace an outreach project of Islamic Circle of North America, which has chapters in major US and Canadian cities.

Currently here to perform Umrah, Ahmed, a radiologist, said the efforts of GainPeace had been paying dividends, as it was able to dispel misconceptions about Islam at various meetings and conferences. “Today, there are highway billboards and buses displaying Islamic messages in different parts of America under the GainPeace program, including Washington, New York and Chicago.”

Aside from placing Dawa booths at public places and undertaking a house-to-house campaign, GainPeace has been using the Internet, radio, television and the print media to spread the message of Islam. “Such efforts have led to at least 600 Americans embracing Islam in 2009,” said Ahmed who hails from the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. He did his schooling and pursued university studies in the United States. He is professionally a radiologist, which he practiced in Chicago for some years after completing his study in radiology — first two years on the Caribbean islands and the next two years in a US university. His wife is a pediatrician.

“Islam is often a misunderstood religion and so the display of simple messages provide an opportunity for the general public to take a fresh and positive look at Islam,” he said, adding that GainPeace has taken upon the responsibility of educating the American public about the teachings of Islam and dispel whatever misconceptions they have in their minds. “We have also been building bridges among the native and immigrant Americans through Islam as the religion of peace, tolerance and coexistence.”

Ahmed says thousands of calls are being received by GainPeace, which also has its dedicated website, requesting for copies of the Qur’an, interactions with Muslims to learn about the religion and its five pillars, and visit mosques to see how prayers are offered.

After a person accepts Islam, GainPeace follows-up by providing them a “welcome to Islam” package consisting of an English translation of Qur’an, a DVD on how to pray, a book on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and other books on Islam. Secondly, a knowledgeable Muslim is appointed as a mentor to assist the new Muslim in the process of learning and practicing the religion. Thirdly, classes for new Muslims are conducted in various American cities. Internet classes are also being organized to assist new Muslims from around America and Canada.

“Our aim is to establish our own radio and TV stations, and peace centers in America and convey the message of Islam to all of 300 million Americans,” Ahmed said.

Also see
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Hindu women take part in a traditional dance at Pashupati Nath Temple during celebrations of the “Teej” festival in Kathmandu August 23, 2009. Married Hindu women wearing red bridal dresses to celebrate the “Teej’” festival for to pray for a long life and the well-being of their husbands.

The festival celebrated the birthday of the Hindu god Ganesh, one of the most distinctive symbols of Hinduism thanks to his elephant’s head and huge pot-belly.

It is thought as many as 18,000 people attended from across Essex, Kent, Middlesex, London, the Midlands and even India.
A huge food tent in the field behind the beach served traditional Indian delicacies, while the main marquee, which contained statues of Ganesh and other gods, was filled with people praying, dancing and chanting to joyous live music.

At the end of the day Ganesh and the other statues were taken out to sea and immersed in the water, while worshippers chanted and showered them in flower petals.

One of the organisers, Jyoti Patel, from Hawkwell, said: “The belief is he is among us during the prayers and then he is released and free to return to his parents through the water.

“This is the fifth year we’ve held the Ganesh Visarjan festival.

“It gets bigger and bigger. It started off very small and maybe just over 2,000 people came.

“Now, people come in coaches from all over the country. Everyone really looks forward to it and we have a lot of fun.

“I would like to thank Southend Council for all its help with the organising, which seems to take me most of the year.

“This is a very religious day, as we are celebrating Lord Ganesh’s birthday.”

Ganesh is the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.

The annual event in Shoebury is the biggest Ganesh Visarjan festival outside of India.

Suresh Varma, 58, from St Mary’s Close, Shoebury, was delighted to see so many Hindus worshipping together in Southend.

He said: “This is the main event for the whole year for the local Hindu community. It is both a colourful and enjoyable day and an important religious festival.”

Asat Chadha, from Northolt, Middlesex, said: “I’ve come here today with my sister who is visiting from India. This festival in Shoebury is very well known all over, even in Mumbai and other parts of India.”   (southend Standard)

The blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during the month are also a source of great Divine favour.

The revelation of the Quran commenced during this month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read the book and try to understand its meaning, thereby gaining insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein.

It brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul. Ramadan is the month of fasting, intensive prayers, sacrifice and Divine worship.

Throughout this month, a devout Muslim fasts during the day in the true sense of the word, that is, he not only merely denies himself food and water, but as explained by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), also exercises strict control over his tongue, eyes, ears, thoughts and deeds, and does everything possible to seek the acceptance of Allah.
Once a Muslim understands Islam and believes it, he enters a relationship with Allah that relies on five pillars:

1) The testimony of faith: Faith in the oneness of Allah and the finality of the prophethood of Mohammad (PBUH).

2) Prayer: Muslims perform five prayers a day.

3) Giving Zakat (support of the needy): Giving zakat means giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.

4) Fasting during Ramadan: Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

5) The pilgrimage to Makkah: The annual pilgrimage to Makkah is a once in a lifetime obligation for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Special nightly prayers called Taraweeh are held. The entire Quran is recited during these prayers in mosques all around the world.

”Yes, my art is very intense and shows a lot of angst. It tells a story and delivers a message about what is going on inside me”. Salman Khan

”Each one of my exhibits will have a different theme. This one has a theme and it is somewhat religious. I have a philosophy that God is one – there are many prophets and each religion has its own prophet. Each religion teaches you the same thing with five per cent differences between each one. Through my art, I try to bring out the equality of all religions and try to capitalise on the common thread between them all”. Salman.

Yes, my art is very intense and shows a lot of angst. It tells a story and delivers a message about what is going on inside me. Salman

”Death is a reality and birth is an accident. Death is a powerful entity – it strips you of everything you came to the world with. Look at Alexander the Great – he conquered the world and when he died, he died alone taking nothing with him. I think about that a lot”. Salman Khan

Yaum-e-Ashoorah, the tenth day of Muharram was observed in the City on Monday.Enthusiast and passionate Shia Muslims took part in the matami (mourning) sessions commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain in the Battle of Karbala, Iraq in 680 CE.

The procession of Yaum-e-Ashurah, comprising Shia Muslims in thousands, was taken out in most parts of the world.

 The adjoining Arab Line locality, populated mainly by Shia Muslims, was abuzz with chants of “Ya Hussain”. Participants, chanting to the tunes of the beating drums, relived the struggle and hardship underwent by Hazrat Hussain.

Kashmiri, Iranian and Arab Shia Muslims gave a distinct touch to the mourning session. According to Shia leader Maulana Imtiaz Haider, Kashmiris mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussain in their own style.

They conducted the proceedings in Kashmiri language and showcased their local matami traditions. While a group of Iranian students displayed their distinct matami customs, Lebanese, Iraqi and Omani Shias living in Bangalore were not behind either.
Mourning processions from Yeshwanthpur, Bhoopasandra and Neelasandra converged into the main march on Richmond Road and proceeded towards the Aramgah Qabrastan (cemetery).

A horse depicting Zuljanah (the stallion used by Hazrat Hussain in the Battle of Karbala) apart from the flag he used, was the centre of attraction in the procession.
Later, the Shaam-e-Ghariban (a ceremonial assembly) was held. Sunni Muslims and Hindus also took part in the procession. 

Noor Group

Shabraat Mubarak to all our Muslim Desimag.co.uk readers!

(LISTEN)

Night Of Power

(Night of Forgiveness) The sins of countless people are pardoned. Many people Light Candles and set off Fire Works

Today Allah descends his special blessings during the last third of the night, on the night of Barãt the special rain of mercy and forgiveness from Allah Ta’ãla begins to shower down right up till dawn.
 

On the day immediately following the Night of Bara’ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha’ban, it is mustahab (advisable) to keep a fast.

Things to do on this special night.

 
On these nights, in many Masjids or at home:

1. Congregational Yãseen Khatams are held;

2. Congregational Zikr sessions;

3. Congregational recitation of Salãt wa Salãm are held;

4. One person recites the 40 Durood Sharif etc. whilst others listen;

5. Individual Qur’ãn recitations take place.

Although the girl’s social workers had appeared to have given a green light for her baptism, officials in the fostering department said her carer had failed in her duty to preserve the girl’s religion and should have used her influence to prevent the baptism from going ahead.

They said the girl should stay away from church for six months, and later struck the carer off the fostering register. The carer, who has over ten years experience looking after more than 80 children, is now challenging the local authority’s decision.

Her case is being backed by The Christian Institute’s legal defence fund. Neither the carer nor the girl can be named for legal reasons.

The carer is an Anglican who attends a local evangelical church. She said: “I did initially try to discourage her. I offered her alternatives. I offered to find places for her to practise her own religion. I offered to take her to friends or family. But she said to me from the word go, ‘I am interested [in church] and I want to come.’ She sort of burst in.”

The foster carer is devastated at being de-registered. She said: “This is my life. It is not just a job for me. It is a vocation. I love what I do. It is also my entire income. I am a single carer, so that is all I have to live on.”

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “All people should be free to change or modify their religious beliefs. That surely must be a core human right in any free society. I cannot imagine that an atheist foster carer would be struck off if a Christian child in her care stopped believing in God. This is the sort of double standard which Christians are facing in modern Britain.”