czarina

Omid,

I still have not heard back from them on the email. Ishteaq did get to talk to someone today and here is the jest of the conversation. He was on hold for almost 30 mins before he talked to some man.

Unknown man said your case is almost complete and just needs some more offical work left to do.

Ishteaq: Can you tell me how long it will take?

Unknown man said I cant say any thing to you about how long or what is left.

Ishteaq: Can you tell us anything?

Man no and goodbye.

At least he talked to a live person. Have you heard any more on your case? I was going to ask and then post when I heard from the embassy. If I ever get reply from them I will post it too.

Everyone hang in there. And Laura thanks for the thoughts your sending my way.

Mary

Hang in there Mary....Inshallah you will hear some good news soon, and Inshallah the surgery will go well too. Our prayers are with you

congrats sister cindi and everyone who just got their visas...for those who are waiting....dont wory we are all here waiting for your loved one with you!!!

my update: just had a baby girl 2 weeks ago........

congrats joel!!!!!!!! your daughter is adorable....very very cute Mashallah. I'm so happy for you. hope both the baby and mom r doing fine....congrats again

does anyone know how much they are estimating in NYC? we were supposed to go down this weekend but cancelled our plans, so now it better snow!!

Congrats Cindi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quran:

"There is no compulsion in religion..." (002.256)

We cannot make one believe what we believe, nor are we supposed to force or shove it upon anyone. So for me, this issue to a certain extent is not about depicting the picture of the Prophet by a non-Muslim, but it is an issue of respect. There is a very fine line between free speech and hate speech, and I believe all this cartoon does is create hate, and show utter disrespect for a religious figure.

Even if that picture wasnt supposed to depict the Prophet, it would STILL be offensive to me, because its perpetuating a stereotype, and stereotypes perpetuate hate. But unfortunately,as Junaid pointed out, some lunatics in our religion live out that stereotype....so for me, blame lays on both parties

I fall under the Reunited category

i can't believe sawyer was conning Kate too though. I thought he had genuine feelings for her, and yeah what's the big deal about the guns? I'm assuming it's just a power trip with Jack

CAIR CONDEMNS IRANIAN HOLOCAUST CARTOON CONTEST

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/8/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations today condemned a plan by an Iranian newspaper to solicit cartoons denying the Nazi Holocaust.

Iran's Hamshahri newspaper says the contest is in reaction to the publication in Europe of cartoons mocking Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The controversy over those cartoon sparked worldwide protests.

In a statement, CAIR said:

"Now is the time for responsible people of all faiths to avoid inflammatory actions that are clearly designed to incite hatred. We call on Hamshahri newspaper to drop its plans to denigrate the immense suffering caused by the Nazi Holocaust and urge the Iranian government to repudiate such an insensitive proposal.

"The Quran, Islam's revealed text, states: 'Goodness and evil cannot be equal.

Repel (evil) with something that is better. Then you will see that he with whom you had enmity will become your close friend. And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint.' (41:34-35)

"The Holocaust, like all other acts of genocide, represents one of the lowest moments in human history and should not be the subject of derogatory cartoons. One cannot demand responsible behavior from others while at the same time acting irresponsibly."

Previously, CAIR and other American Muslim groups rejected the use of violence in response to the defamatory caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in European newspapers.

In reaction to the cartoon controversy, CAIR officials met with the Norwegian and Danish ambassadors to express the Muslim community's concerns about the caricatures and urged American Muslims to educate others about the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

We went to the Bahamas on a cruise. It was nice to explore the ship and the islands, and our cabin on the ship was comfy too.

I am also totally disgusted with the violence because of the cartoon. However, these acts of violence and riots are un-Islamic and totally something our Prophet Muhammed would not do. He NEVER opted to violence and the killings of civilians. I would like to share with you a forward I received of a sermon given by an Islamic cleric (imam) from UK.

"...We would do well to reflect upon the Prophet's supplication in Taif.

This is the dua he recited with shoes full of blood, wounds all over his body and after having been insulted and abused by the people of Taif. What's more this all occurs after three years of suffering a boycott at the hands of the Quraysh as a result of which Muslims were reduced to eating grass and leaves off of trees.

The Prophet (s) as he walks out of Taif:

"O Allah! I complain to You of my weakness, my scarcity of resources and my humiliation before the people. O Most Merciful of those who are merciful. O Lord of the weak and my Lord too. To whom have you entrusted me? To a distant person who receives me with hostility? Or to an enemy to whom you have granted authority over my affair? So long as You are not angry with me, I do not care. Your favour is of more abundance to me. I seek refuge in the light of Your Face by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Your anger or your displeasure descend upon me. I desire your pleasure and satisfaction until you are pleased. There is no power and no might except by You."

If those who claim to love the Prophet(s) so much that they are willing to infringe upon prophetic conduct with their blind rage and fury would reflect upon this prayer, it would be a guiding light for them and a clear instruction as to how a Muslim should respond to our current situation.

It is also the only salve by which troubled hearts and souls will find peace...

Are we to revert to pre-Islamic tribal norms of vengeance and retribution rather than see this as an opportunity to turn hearts by sharing the example of our beloved Prophet's centredness and compassion in the face of hate and enmity with those whose hearts are open.

Are we to fall into the major sin of dispair-fuelled violence rather than maintain hope as the Prophet (s) did when the angel of the mountains met him outside Ta'if following his supplication and offered to cause the mountains surrounding Taif to explode over the town and obliterate it to which the Prophet (s) replied 'No, I hope that these people will one day come to worship only Allah and Him alone'?

Unless we have the centredness and the Allah-consciousness of the Prophet (s) by which every event whether favorable or unfavorable (in material terms) offers us the opportunity of strengthening our relationship with Allah, we will continue to be the victim of every ruse and ploy. Rather than reacting with violence and rage we should intensify our work to share the beautiful and merciful message of the Deen!..."

This is just ONE example of an islamic cleric speaking out against the violence. Again, there are MANY imams and religious leaders who DO speak out against the violent insanity, but unfortunately their talks and sermons are not circulated or picked up by the media....I just want people to know that we Muslims are also outraged at this violence, that our Prophet would also have been appalled by and would greatly condemn what is happening and just because not everyone is hearing us speaking out against it, it does not it is not happening.