Archive for July, 2009

I’m not asking for much…

All I’m asking is for world leaders, local leaders, and even leaders of households to reflect on some of the great leaders of the Muslim past.

First, the inaugural address of Abu Bakr (the first Khaleefah after the death of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him):

O People! I have been put in authority over you and I am not the best of you. So if I do the right thing then help me and if I do wrong then put me straight. Truthfulness is a sacred trust and lying is a betrayal. The weak amongst you is strong in my sight. I will surely try to remove his pain and suffering. And the strong amongst you is weak to me I will – Allah willing – realize the right from him fully. When obscene things spread among any nation, calamities generally continued to descend upon them. As long as I obey Allah and His messenger, you should obey me, and if I do not obey Allah and His messenger, then obedience to me is not incumbent upon you. (Now prepare for prayer). (Source of translation: Anwar Al-Awlaki audio series)

Second, a quick story about Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (the second Khaleefah after the death of the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him). I cannot verify the authenticity of the story, but there’s a lesson in it nonetheless… It is said that when asked why he slept very little Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) responded that he spends his days serving the people and his nights in worship and that if even a goat tripped on an obstacle in the road at the farthest reaches of the khaleefah’s domain, he (Umar) fears that he will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment.

Reflect on these two stories for a moment… Where are these types of leaders these days?

Well, it starts at home. How are you with your family? Your neighbor? Your workplace? Your own self? I’m not complaining that these leaders don’t exist right now… I’m imploring you (& me) to become these leaders in our own domains.

Now, hey… Most of you know that I’m no fan of the far right or the far left for that matter… (I’m like morally on the right, culturally & foreign policy on the left, and probably financially radical… so no party represents how I feel or think… but I digress)

Chicago protesters voiced concerns over bailouts and how the financial situation is being addressed. It was completely ignored by mainstream media.

Anyway, although I am no fan of the far right, that a protest of this magnitude in downtown Chicago was ignored by the media is an injustice. There were some other parts of the political spectrum in there as well (since most people were never told why bailouts are viewed as necessary… most of us oppose them)

Here’s the link: Chicago Protests

Instead of ignoring the protest, engage it… address it… answer peoples’ concerns. It’s impossible to please all of the people all of the time, but at least listen to and honestly consider their concerns. If you still think your stance is correct, well, at least you reflected on it.

Ignoring the concerns either depresses or radicalizes people. It certainly doesn’t win their trust.

Here’s the link: Chicago Protests

Let me just say this… Obama inherited a horrible situation. I wouldn’t want his job, because I’d never sleep at night (I’d probably be awake vomiting between prayers… the responsibility is immense… I hope he feels it. And I wish he would read and reflect on the inaugural address of Abu Bakr (the first khaleefah after the death of the Prophet, alayhis-salaam)… I’ll find the translation & post it in a day or two, insha’Allah.

** Footnote: BTW – Just so you don’t think I’m some whacko that will take matters into his own hands… I said “financially radical” because I think interest is included in the usury of the Old Testament and riba mentioned in Qur’an. Interest-based economies are what I take issue with.

Pay special note to the comment about the difference between the corporate media response to the pirates in Somalia, the recent British-Iranian run-in, & this incident… very, very different responses.

A humanitarian aid ship which set sail for the Gaza strip has been seized by occupying Israeli forces today. The Israeli military abducted 21 human rights workers from 11 countries including former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Noble laureate Mairead Maguire. The passengers and crew, though traveling in international waters, were forcibly dragged toward Israel.

Update: Cynthia McKinney has since been released… I wonder how much she’ll be allowed to say…

You might want to see this (click the image)…

Amendments to the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which has already been passed by the House, would empower the Attorney General Eric Holder to define gun owners, anti-abortion activists and tax protesters as domestic terrorists in light of recent federal reports that classify millions of Americans as “extremists”.

Former impeached Florida judge and now Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings has introduced amendments to H.R. 2647: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which would give Holder dictator powers to demonize legitimate protest groups as being affiliated with violent race hate organizations.

(from PrisonPlanet.com)