Here is a long and interesting article in today's Guardian detailing how the current American administration is dismantling democracy at home while publicly wanting to spread it abroad.
***
From Hitler to Pinochet and beyond, history shows there are certain steps that any would-be dictator must take to destroy constitutional freedoms. And, argues Naomi Wolf, George Bush and his administration seem to be taking them all ...
[Link]
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Expensive day out
I took my family out to Kensington Gardens this past Easter Sunday and enjoyed a really nice and relaxed day out. The weather in London has been great all week, and there were lots of people in the park - especially from amongst the affluent English and Arab communities that live round that way. I'd really like to get together with some families and organise a picnic or something like that. Its an easy day out to organise that husbands and wives, and also children will all enjoy. It also might help bring about some more community spirit which i think tends to be lacking in some practising communities.
I think particularly for sisters it would be a good thing. My wife told me that there is a tendency for practising sisters who are married to feel depressed. Because they've internalised the belief that its better for them to stay at home all day long, what with looking after screaming young children and not having the husband home till the evening when he gets his tired butt back from work, it doesn't make for a fun time. You see, with non-practising women they still tend to get together and go out shopping, socialise, go to the cinema, etc. but practising sisters can't or won't do that.
Anyhow, our great day out was brought to an abrupt end when i went back to the place where i'd parked my car and discovered it had been towed away. Yes, i shouldn't have parked in a resident permit-holders only bay, but c'mon, having your car towed away on Easter Sunday? Don't these vultures (parking inspectors) ever take a break? It cost me £200 to get the car released!
Before i close, let me just plug the counselling agency that i'm going to be working with, insha'Allah:
**************
FREE WEEKLY WALK-IN COUNSELLING AND MEDIATION SERVICES
Date: Every Saturdays
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Venue: Froud Centre, 1 Toronto Avenue, off Romford Road, Manor Park,
London, E12 5JF
This service has been organised due to the increasing number of social problems within the Muslim community and the pitiful lack of support from mosques and Muslim organisations in addressing such issues. The sessions will be run by experienced and practicing Muslim counsellors, and both brothers and sisters will be available. We hope to offer a confidential and professional service to all Muslims with concerns ranging from personal, social, family or academic worries to longer term, often more complex, psychological problems. Attendees will benefit from a one-to-one service.
We will also be joined by the Muslim Mediation Service* who will be offering one-to-one drop in sessions with a Muslim Mediator, where you can discuss any matters arising from any conflicts you are experiencing within the home or the community free of charge.
*The Muslim Mediation Service has been resolving family and community conflicts since 2003. Their trained and experienced Mediators have been supporting individuals, parents and children and couples facing disputes by working with them to resolve their issues through listening, understanding and communicating effectively.
Please note that the initial session will be free and if the person requires further help then they would need to contact alternative services or the individual counsellors themselves. All are welcome.
For more information please contact:
Brothers: 07894 915 183 / 07864 980 890
Sisters: 07909 941 179 / 0770 6187 058
Mediation: 079410 22 371
E-mail: counselling@islamiccircles.org / mediation@islamiccircles.org
I think particularly for sisters it would be a good thing. My wife told me that there is a tendency for practising sisters who are married to feel depressed. Because they've internalised the belief that its better for them to stay at home all day long, what with looking after screaming young children and not having the husband home till the evening when he gets his tired butt back from work, it doesn't make for a fun time. You see, with non-practising women they still tend to get together and go out shopping, socialise, go to the cinema, etc. but practising sisters can't or won't do that.
Anyhow, our great day out was brought to an abrupt end when i went back to the place where i'd parked my car and discovered it had been towed away. Yes, i shouldn't have parked in a resident permit-holders only bay, but c'mon, having your car towed away on Easter Sunday? Don't these vultures (parking inspectors) ever take a break? It cost me £200 to get the car released!
Before i close, let me just plug the counselling agency that i'm going to be working with, insha'Allah:
**************
FREE WEEKLY WALK-IN COUNSELLING AND MEDIATION SERVICES
Date: Every Saturdays
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Venue: Froud Centre, 1 Toronto Avenue, off Romford Road, Manor Park,
London, E12 5JF
This service has been organised due to the increasing number of social problems within the Muslim community and the pitiful lack of support from mosques and Muslim organisations in addressing such issues. The sessions will be run by experienced and practicing Muslim counsellors, and both brothers and sisters will be available. We hope to offer a confidential and professional service to all Muslims with concerns ranging from personal, social, family or academic worries to longer term, often more complex, psychological problems. Attendees will benefit from a one-to-one service.
We will also be joined by the Muslim Mediation Service* who will be offering one-to-one drop in sessions with a Muslim Mediator, where you can discuss any matters arising from any conflicts you are experiencing within the home or the community free of charge.
*The Muslim Mediation Service has been resolving family and community conflicts since 2003. Their trained and experienced Mediators have been supporting individuals, parents and children and couples facing disputes by working with them to resolve their issues through listening, understanding and communicating effectively.
Please note that the initial session will be free and if the person requires further help then they would need to contact alternative services or the individual counsellors themselves. All are welcome.
For more information please contact:
Brothers: 07894 915 183 / 07864 980 890
Sisters: 07909 941 179 / 0770 6187 058
Mediation: 079410 22 371
E-mail: counselling@islamiccircles.org / mediation@islamiccircles.org
Friday, April 06, 2007
24 and a toothless Arsenal
I've been watching the smash-hit TV series 24 over the past couple of months and boy is it addictive. I've watched 5 complete seasons and i'm part of the way through season 6 now (which is also currently on TV).
Its quite a good series, but at times the acting can be a bit wooden. The most recent series which focusses on Muslim terrorists has some problems with it. Half the Arab terrorists look Indian, and the guy who plays the head of the "Islamic-American Alliance", a black British actor, speaks in an accent which is mostly Indian though sometimes he pronounces his "t's" with a Londoner's characteristic glottal stop.
Does anyone know why Arab terrorists on TV always pronounce Ahmed as "Ackhhh-med"? Sheesh - I prefer the way the American's pronounce it, "Aamed".
I know that some Muslims were critical of the storyline to season 6 because of the characterisation of Muslims as terrorists, but to be fair to the producers of 24, in the previous 5 seasons they've had terrorists of all ethnic backgrounds trying to launch deadly strikes against the US, and usually the terrorists have had Western backers. The other thing is that using Muslims as terrorists simply reflects what most people in the world today believe: that terrorism in the main is carried out by Muslims. I can't imagine a gripping storyline in which the main enemy to the United States are Bolivians, or Ugandans, or Hindus or Sikhs. And finally, if they have Muslim terrorists in the story, they also tend to have some "good Muslims" who are against the terrorists somewhere in the story.
But this is not to excuse some of the appalling stereotypes used, e.g. the US commander who says "these people (the Muslim terrorists) want to live in the stone age, i say lets put them there." What do Muslim "terrorists" usually want to do? Establish an Islamic State. And so this conveys the message that living under Islamic law equates to living in the Stone Age.
On another note, as we approach the end of the English football season, i have to make a comment on our recent form. Its unfortunate that Henry and Van Persie have missed large chunks of the season, but what has made it worse is our crap attack. Julio Baptista needs 100 chances before he'll tuck the ball in the net. Hleb can dribble all the way to the opposition's penalty box and then seems uncertain of what to do next (how about shooting?) and Aliadiere is just not fit for purpose. Hleb and Rosicky have contributed less goals to the Premiership campaign than our defender William Gallas! Ya Rubb, if only Pires hadn't left last season. His sale was a definite mistake!
Its quite a good series, but at times the acting can be a bit wooden. The most recent series which focusses on Muslim terrorists has some problems with it. Half the Arab terrorists look Indian, and the guy who plays the head of the "Islamic-American Alliance", a black British actor, speaks in an accent which is mostly Indian though sometimes he pronounces his "t's" with a Londoner's characteristic glottal stop.
Does anyone know why Arab terrorists on TV always pronounce Ahmed as "Ackhhh-med"? Sheesh - I prefer the way the American's pronounce it, "Aamed".
I know that some Muslims were critical of the storyline to season 6 because of the characterisation of Muslims as terrorists, but to be fair to the producers of 24, in the previous 5 seasons they've had terrorists of all ethnic backgrounds trying to launch deadly strikes against the US, and usually the terrorists have had Western backers. The other thing is that using Muslims as terrorists simply reflects what most people in the world today believe: that terrorism in the main is carried out by Muslims. I can't imagine a gripping storyline in which the main enemy to the United States are Bolivians, or Ugandans, or Hindus or Sikhs. And finally, if they have Muslim terrorists in the story, they also tend to have some "good Muslims" who are against the terrorists somewhere in the story.
But this is not to excuse some of the appalling stereotypes used, e.g. the US commander who says "these people (the Muslim terrorists) want to live in the stone age, i say lets put them there." What do Muslim "terrorists" usually want to do? Establish an Islamic State. And so this conveys the message that living under Islamic law equates to living in the Stone Age.
On another note, as we approach the end of the English football season, i have to make a comment on our recent form. Its unfortunate that Henry and Van Persie have missed large chunks of the season, but what has made it worse is our crap attack. Julio Baptista needs 100 chances before he'll tuck the ball in the net. Hleb can dribble all the way to the opposition's penalty box and then seems uncertain of what to do next (how about shooting?) and Aliadiere is just not fit for purpose. Hleb and Rosicky have contributed less goals to the Premiership campaign than our defender William Gallas! Ya Rubb, if only Pires hadn't left last season. His sale was a definite mistake!
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