Eagles of brasstacks [Cyber force]: 02/02/11

The man who has been on American payroll for almost a decade through the forum of IAEA and tried his level best to impose nuclear disarmament on Muslim nations, the man who laid the foundation for the annihilation of Iraq, and now an Egyptian opposition figure, Mr. Mohamed ElBaradei has described President Hosni Mubarak's recent speech as deceptive, urging Mubarak to step down immediately. This a sad moment in Muslim history when yet another revolution is about to be hijacked by a certified Israhelli Snake. The awfully simple and innocent Egyptian people have not been able to see through the filthy game of duopoly orchestrated by their blood suckers, America and Israhell, as per their classic and trademark duopoly deception history.

Israhelli Snake Elbaradei

In an interview with CNN, ElBaradei said on Tuesday Mubarak's vow to quit after the September election is "a trick" to remain in power. However Mr. Elbaradei didn't speak about his own tricks that his puppet masters have taught him for this revolution. "This is clearly an act of deception. This is a person who doesn't want to let go. You have seen what the city looks like, what the people want. And they continuously try to play tricks", the Nobel Peace Prize winner Israhelli dracula added. "He is unfortunately going to extend the agony here. He continues to polarize the country. He continues to get people to be even more angry. Whoever gave him that advice gave him absolutely the wrong advice", he went on with his sugar coated venom.

Nearly 8 million of Egyptian protesters rallied against the embattled Mubarak across the country on Tuesday, calling for an immediate end to his 30-year rule, without realizing that they are about to replace one Mubarak with another Mubarak. The only difference this time is going to be that his name is going to be Elbaradei.

USZ state-sponsored spy network exposed in Pakistan

Even after the Raymond Davis episode exposed the presence of the USZ spy network actively operating in the terror-hit country, the United States of Zionism on Tuesday categorically said they would not pull out any security contractor from Pakistan. “We have no plans to withdraw anybody. We are not withdrawing anybody”, said Courtney Beale, spokesperson at the USZ Embassy in Islamabad while talking to the media. When asked whether the Pakistani government had contacted them to pull out private security contractors, she said they had not heard from the government on the issue. To another question, she said the USZ Embassy officials were seriously considering defending Raymond Davis, facing multiple criminal charges, in a local court in Lahore. “Yes, we are looking into how best to represent him in the court”, Courtney added.

After losing all hopes and asserting pressure on the Pakistani political leaders for the release of Davis, the USZ has been left with no other option but to face the court to defend its national. On the other hand, fearing the volcanic eruption of immense anger that has been boiling in the Pakistani grass root level against the pro-American stooge government, the federal government is now trying to save itself by preparing to push the United States of Zionism to wrap up its spy network and withdraw hundreds of undercover agents, operating across the country as private security contractors to guard the USZ installations and interests.

The paranoid Interior and Foreign ministries are working together to find out ways to kick out the undercover agents from the country after properly scrutinizing their visas and passports by defining their legal status. The United Sates of Zionism had hired hundreds of professionals like Davis from the USZ-based private security companies and they were later on deployed in the major cities including Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The government sources say these undercover USZ nationals are on visit visas in Pakistan. According to the USZ corporate media propaganda masters, the double murder accused Raymond Davis runs Hyperion Protective Consultants, LLC, a company that provides “loss and risk management professionals”.

Argentina introduces hijab-friendly law

Argentina has introduced new legislation giving more freedom to its Muslim population to practice their faith without the fear of persecution. The administration of Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez pushed for the legislation, which allows Muslim women to wear hijab in public places. According to the new law, Argentinean Muslim women can use photographs wearing headscarves for their national ID cards.

A mosque in Buenos Aires

It is said that the law can help promote freedom of religion and expression in the Latin American country and will help the Muslim community to better integrate into the Argentinean society. Fernandez said, “Our message to everybody, and all the countries of the world, is that we can resolve our differences for better causes.” She added, “Different views — particularly about religion — should never be forced onto others.”

The director of the Islamic Center of Argentina, Samir Salech, has welcomed the news, saying that the law enables Muslim women to have ID cards without having to remove their hijab, which undercuts their belief in Islam. The government says it will enforce the law to the best of its ability and in collaboration with police forces, the judiciary, and the business community.

Download Full Report by Conflict Monitoring Center [PDF Format]

{EOP}Argentina introduces hijab-friendly law

Argentina has introduced new legislation giving more freedom to its Muslim population to practice their faith without the fear of persecution. The administration of Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez pushed for the legislation, which allows Muslim women to wear hijab in public places, the Press TV correspondent in Buenos Aires reported on Tuesday. According to the new law, Argentinean Muslim women can use photographs wearing headscarves for their national ID cards.

A mosque in Buenos Aires

According to a 2009 Pew Research Center report, the Muslim community makes up about two percent of the Argentinean population. The Shia community of the country is mainly located in Buenos Aires, Tucuman, Rosario, and Mar del Plata.Despite being far away from Islamic countries, Argentina's Muslims follow their traditions and are united with the Islamic world in their rituals. On Tuesday, Arbaeen, the fortieth day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH), was commemorated at Buenos Aires' Tohid Mosque.

{EOP}Afghan war winnable without Pakistan help on border: US

Soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) drive on a road near Tagab in Kapisa Province. PHOTO: AFP

“That’s not a mission stopper in my mind,” General David Rodriguez, deputy US commander in Afghanistan, told a Pentagon news conference.

US officials have long pressed Islamabad to crack down on the Haqqani network and other militants based in North Waziristan, saying the insurgents exploit the area as a sanctuary to stage attacks on coalition forces in neighboring Afghanistan.

But Rodriguez said the war effort would not be derailed even if Pakistan never fulfils promises to take action in North Waziristan, saying Islamabad has launched effective operations elsewhere along the northwest border.

“We need them to do more. We’re going to encourage them to do more because that makes it easier on what we’re doing. But I think it’s still doable, without them decreasing what they’ve been doing, which is significant,” he said.

His comments contrasted with more pessimistic assessments from US intelligence agencies and some lawmakers, who have warned that Pakistan’s reluctance to combat the Haqqani network in North Waziristan could undermine the war effort.

Pakistan has maintained ties to some militant groups as a hedge against historic rival India and to ensure Islamabad’s influence in Afghanistan, diplomats say.

Rodriguez said he expected violence in Afghanistan to increase as usual in the spring as the insurgency launches its annual “seasonal” offensive.

But he predicted the Taliban would change its approach, targeting Afghan officials for assassination while moving away from confrontations with the heavily-armed coalition force.

With President Barack Obama planning to start a withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in July, Rodriguez said it was too early to say how many forces might be pulled out.

Rodriguez leads the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, serving under the overall commander in Afghanistan, US General David Petraeus.

Source: Tribune.com.pk

{EOP}Pak Forces Most Careful Indians Most Careless in Civilian Casualties: Study Report

Download Full Report by Conflict Monitoring Center [PDF Format]

ISLAMABAD – A study conducted by the Conflict Monitoring Center –an Islamabad based independent research center- shows that militant activities against Pakistani security forces have become least effective. Majority of the victims of militant activities are now civilians. The study also shows that Pakistani security forces are most careful regarding civilian casualties in their counter-insurgency operations while the Indian security forces are least careful in this regard. Conflict Monitoring Center collected, processed, and analyzed statistics of anti-state and anti-government violence in three major states of South Asia i.e. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. According to the report, everyday 13 incidents of anti-state violence are reported in these three countries. Almost half of these violent incidents occur in Afghanistan while India sees more anti-stat violent incidents per day than Pakistan. The study is based on data of last quarter of the year 2010 (October-December 2010). The data is collected from mainstream national and international media. It shows that during the study period at least 1139 incidents of anti-state violence were reported in these three countries killing at least 3648 and injuring 2429 peoples. Out of these 1139 incidents, 522 were reported in Afghanistan, 335 in India and 282 in Pakistan. More than one thousand (1025) of those killed were civilians which constitutes 28 percent of total deaths. Most of the civilians (396) were killed in Afghanistan while 388 civilians were killed in Pakistan and 241 were killed in India.

In Pakistan 378 out of 288 civilians were killed by militants. Only four civilian deaths were reported in Pakistani security forces actions against militants. The statistics show that the ability of militants to target Pakistani security forces has fallen considerably. During the study period, the militants carried out 183 attacks and killed 573 people. They could kill only 77 security personals during these attacks while they lost 118 militants in retaliation by security forces. 378 of the 573 people killed in militant attacks were civilians. Previously suicide attacks were an effective weapon of militants against security forces but now the suicide attacks too are taking mostly civilian lives. The data shows that 96 percent of those killed in suicide attacks in Pakistan were civilians.

Suicide attacks were more lethal in Pakistan than in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan 23 suicide, attacks were reported during the last three months of 2010 killing 43. During the same period, militants carried out 12 suicide attacks in Pakistan killing as many as 265 people. It shows that in Afghanistan every suicide attack killed only two persons while in Pakistan every suicide attack killed 22 persons.

In India, more than 52 percent of reported deaths were civilians. This is the highest ratio of civilian fatalities in anti-state armed conflicts in the region. The ratio of civilian casualties in security forces operations is also highest in India. There were 249 people killed and more than two hundred others injured in 179 different militant activities in India during the last quarter of the year 2010. Two third (66.27 %) of the victims of these activities were civilians (165). The killings of security forces personnel (57) constitute about one fourth (22.89 %) of the total casualties in militancy. Approximately two third (63.13 %) of the militant activities (113) and (63.05 %) of consequent casualties were reported in the Eastern Region of the country. Slightly more than two third (70.06 %) of the victims of such activities in the region were civilians (110).

In about 156 different security forces actions, at least 213 persons were killed and more than three hundred others wounded in India during the reported period. Almost one half (52.58 %) of the victims of these actions were the militants (112). More than one third (35.68 %) of the victims of security forces actions in India are the civilians. As such, the ratio of killings of innocent people in the hands of forces is highest in India in the region. Approximately three fourth (72.44%) of the security forces actions (113) and about three fifth (59.15 %) of the deaths (126) in such actions have been reported in Kashmir. Hundreds of those wounded in security forces actions have also been reported in the area. The deaths of civilians constitute more than one half (53.97 %) of the total casualties in security forces actions in Indian held Kashmir. Indian forces time and again used brute force against the peaceful demonstrators killing several of them and inflicting injuries to hundreds others. They also killed three persons under their custody.

The myth that more people are killed in Pakistan than in Afghanistan in militancy proved untrue during the study. The study proves Afghanistan is the worst victim of anti-state violence in the region. 522 out of 1139 reported incidents of violence took place in Afghanistan. 55 percent of the combined deaths in three countries were reported in Afghanistan. Everyday about 22 (21.74) persons are killed and tens of others left wounded in war-torn Afghanistan. Everyday about six (5.67) incidents of armed conflicts are reported and each incident takes lives of four (3.83) persons in the country. There were at least 2000 people killed and more than eight hundred others left wounded in Afghanistan during the last quarter of the year 2010.

Download Full Report by Conflict Monitoring Center [PDF Format]

{EOP}Islamic Law Of Blasphemy And World Scriptures

Dr Haroon Iqbal

The brutal and shocking murder of Governor Salman Taseer , has reminded once again that an ideological gulf exists between the minority ruling elite and the majority common Muslims who took their right to govern their own country from the British colonialism but soon the right was snatched by the minority elite who owe their ideological dogmatism to their all time British masters, borrowing a mindset finely crafted over centuries by their imperial “deities”. That conflict of ideology , where a secular minority has several times proved that they are More loyal than the king, has once again rose its ugly head when the shock wave of growing extreme right sentiment from Europe took its shape of secular extremism in Pakistan .Question arises , based on Islam , Pakistan broke away from so called Hindu India, in the name of secularism? Off course more than 3 million Muslims of India did not gave away their lives for a secular Pakistan. The remnants of a the brotherhood of British slaves found studded in unionist party , “Muslim communists” , Qadianis , Parvazis , and so called “Muslim” atheists , all found Pakistan a safe sanctuary to safeguard their material interests , in the form of real estate , businesses and other material assets . Governor Salman Taseer’s murder is only one chapter of a long story.

Unfortunately , one way or the other , Salman Taseer has committed a suicide by violating law , undertaking contempt of court , and infringing constitution on the other , because blasphemy law is part of the constitution under article 295-C , which declares death sentence for the perpetrator of contempt against the prophet Muhammad ( SAW).Now Mr. Salman took oath under the Pakistani constitution and he was violating it by criticizing a matter which was decided by a court of law, awarding Asia bibi , the convict , with death sentence by hanging , after a long trial which lasted for 1-1/2 years. This law is a continuation of the article 1 which declares Pakistan as an Islamic state and article 33 which states that no law will be constituted against the spirit of Quraan and Sunnah.interestingly, the majority of the “victims” blasphemy law were Muslims ( more than 400 in number , since its inception) and only less than 300 non Muslims .So , first of all the law is not discriminatory , and secondly it guarantees safety of the minorities against form loss of life because it implies that such a perpetrators of contempt will be tried in courts and if found innocent would be acquitted. But if the law is repealed, then every individual will be free to be driven by his/her own emotions which will be inspired by respective zeal and everyday killings would be a routine matter. So under the blasphemy law, the zeal and the emotions of the people have been disciplined under a fixed code of law as narrated by the constitution. Moreover , the law has been unanimously condoned by the parliament and should be read in continuation of the article of the constitution whereby Qadianis have been declared non Muslims and which affirms belief in Prophet Muhammad SAW as the last prophet of Allah as a secret asset of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Remember , this constitution of 1973 was unanimously formulated by the government of Pakistan Peoples Party and not by the “conservative” mullahs. And the constitution of 1973 extracts its spirit from the principles of the objectives resolution through legislative assembly formulated under the guiding principles of Quaide Azam , Nawabzada Liaqat Ali khan and reflected the aspirations of the Muslims of Pakistan and echoed the heartfelt ambitions of millions of Muslims of India translated through the golden words of 1940 ‘s Pakistan resolution at Lahore.

The so called pleaders of the moderate Islam and those who oppose blasphemy law , might be unaware that blasphemy laws do exist in the constitution of united states of America , the UK and India , to name a few. And in these countries an act of contempt against Jesus (PBUH) is punishable under law. So in this regard many of the world constitutions uphold the sanctity and reverence of the prophets and they are meant to keep society from falling victim of chaos and anarchy , when basic ideological sentiments of the masses are hurt. These laws are destined to provide the constitutional grip over the potential ideological chaos. Same is true for the Holocaust , and denial of holocaust is liable with 7-10 years of imprisonment and 52000- 100000$ worth of fine in almost all western countries and America. Wearing Hijab is almost a crime in the western culture and women wearing hijab have to choose between employment and their dress code. Similarly , In France women wearing hijab have been denied access to medical care , education and basic civic rights .So much so that an Egyptian lady Marwah Alsharbini was brutally murdered inside a courtroom in Dresden , Germany just because she was wearing Hijab.So every country and every society have their own legal norms consistent with their traditions , culture , religion , folklore, and way of life.Paksiatn is no exception , where people can remain without food , shelter , water, medicine and other essential commodities and can live exposed to all sorts of governmental atrocities , but they are ready to die in the name of sanctity of the prophet Muhammad SAW.But this remains the duty of the religious leaders and Ulema to educate people about the provisions of rules laid own in the constitution , regarding blasphemy and in my view , the people might have played with the sentiment of the common Muslims in this regard but no one can use misuse law, because law provides the convict with the chance to defend him/herself. How can one plays with a law harbouring acquittal potential for the convict?

One more misconception which has been propagated by the so called secularists , with great relish is that ,Prophet Muhammad ( SAW) was deemed very kindhearted and used to forgive anybody who misbehaved with him .Off course this is true, but by contemplating Islamic penal code , quoting 3 examples would be sufficient , to prove that it has something to do with evolution of Islamic jurisprudence and penal code which was not yet implemented in the prophet’s stay in Makkah , when a women named Hind used to throw trash on him .remember she was non Muslim and was not an apostate and in the absence of a penal code and as part of policy of appeasement she was not punished. Second , when prophet ,during his Madinah era decided the case in favour of a Jew against a Muslim while undertaking a trial, and the Muslim challenged the case in the court of great apostle Umer who beheaded the Muslim because he insulted the decorum of the office of a prophet. Similarly , around 7-8 people including Ka’ab bin Ashraf , Reeba and 5 more were sentenced to death when Makkah was captured by the PROPHET Muhammad SAW because they perpetrated act of insult and contempt of prophet hood in the past.( Muhsine Insaniyat By Naeem Siddiqui).Allah says in Qura’an,

“Those that make war against Allah and his messenger and spread disorder in the land shall be put to DEATH.(Al-Ma’aida 5:33).
And there are several hadith( statement of prophet Muhammad SAW) regarding killing those who commit contempt against the reverence of the prophet.

“According to Hazrat Ali a man throttled a women to death who used to abuse the prophet (SAW) and the Prophet said the blood of this women went in vain”( Abu Daud).

Blasphemy is punishable with death in other scriptures also.

And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: [Book of Leviticus 24:16]

“If a man born of a lower class intentionally bothers a priest, the king should punish him physically with various forms of corporal and capital punishment that make men shudder.” [Manusmriti 9:248]

{EOP}33 USZ, 4 German soldiers killed - 3 tanks destroyed - 4 Logistical vehicles siezed in Afghanistan - Death toll hits 290 in Jan

According to reports coming from officials of Maiwand district, at least 12 USZ invaders entered a booby trapped house (Shahghasi Kala) yesterday afternoon which was rigged with IED's in Garmawok area. As soon as they stepped foot inside that house, a powerful explosion took place in which the house was completely destroyed, killing all the American invaders inside and burying them under the collapsed building. The limbs of the invaders are still scattered around the blast scene.

Allied tank burning in Afghanistan

On the other hand, according to the reports arriving from Nad Ali district, Taliban Mujahideen have been battling USZ soldiers in Si Waik Gharbi area since yesterday when the invaders tried to carry out a search and shoot operation. Officials add that a USZ terrorist tank was obliterated by an IED during the fighting at 07:00 pm yesterday, killing all 4 terrorist soldiers inside it. Additionally, 9 cowardly American terrorists received their tickets to hell in the fighting which started at 05:00 pm yesterday and was still going on till today morning. A Mujahid was injured and another martyred (may Allah grant him Janah) in the battle.

USZ soldiers carrying their wounded

Earlier yesterday, some 4 German soldiers received their tickets to hell when a bomb struck their military vehicle in northern Afghanistan. It happened when a tank carrying German soldiers was hit by the blast in Kunduz province on Saturday. A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying four German troops were killed.

Later on yesterday, Taliban Mujahideen attacked a military and logistical convoy of American terrorists in Shah Wali Kot district’s Soznyano area while it was on its way to Uruzgan province. In the attack, 2 USZ tanks were destroyed and all 8 USZ soldiers inside these two tanks were killed on the spot. Another 4logistical vehicles were seized by the Mujahideen. Locals from the area say that the wreckage of the tanks are still lying at the battle scene.

The total allied death toll has climbed to 290 (253 + 33 + 4) in January 2011 alone with this bloody weekend for the allied forces in Afghanistan. Taliban continue to warn the invader terrorists to leave Afghanistan but it seems that the imperial powers are hastily running towards their graves in the Graveyard.

{EOP}Baba Iqbal's igniting message to the youth

Iqbal was deeply concerned with the students. His message is particularly addressed to the younger generation of the Muslims. He always taught the Muslim youth 'to make their nest within their own ego (Khudi) although they had education to western lines'.

Iqbal r.a repeatedly urged the Muslims to recognize and explore their own self rather than becoming a blind follower of the other nations. He pleads:

"O Muslim! Remember, you can not construct your life by imitating others. Under the law of nature Man can really progress only through his own research and ideas. (What Allama Iqbal means is when a nation imitates another nation, it is bound to be subjugated by the other). A living nation is capable of creating new worlds through its own thought and deeds. Therefore, if you have the determination of a REAL Muslim, then look into yourself and delve deep in the Quran. You will discover that its verses hide hundreds of new worlds and its moments conceal thousands of new eras. In order to solve the current problems only the application of a single point of the Quran is sufficient. But you can comprehend this point only if your breast contains an understanding heart. A Muslim is one the signs of Allah and hence has the vitality to survive and progress in every age. When one world becomes outworn, he can construct another through the teachings of the Holy Quran.

He wanted them to cultivate the love of Allah and tread steadfastly on the path which Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) has carved out for the Muslims. The development of an atheistic trend among the Muslim youth disturbed Iqbal profoundly, for he always kept before his mind's eye, an important observation of Jamaluddin Afghani which is recorded in his work entitled 'Radd-e-Naturia' (Refutation of the Naturists).

Afghani observes that in the West even if no were to become an atheist, one remains at least a nationalist or a patriot and eventually succeeds in exploring a new method for the welfare of his people through the novelty of his thought and actions. But in the world of Islam, drifting towards atheism always implies renunciation of one's own cultural traditions and begging for the thoughts and ideas of others.

How ashamed Iqbal was of the development of an atheistic trend among the Muslim youth, can be judged from the poem entitled: "Haali's dialogue with Saadi of Shiraz in Paradise", Saadi asks Haali about the condition of the Muslims youth and in reply Haali says:

"When one is equipped with religion, one's ideas achieve loftiness. But as it is not so, the nature of the youth is earth bound. If the foundation of the garden's wall is shaking, it is manifest that the beginning of the end of the garden has commenced. Since it didn't get water from the sacred well of the Community, the younger generation of Muslims has succumbed to the atheistic trend. But do not mention this in the presence of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), lest the Muslims of India consider me a tell-tale."

In Javid-nama, Iqbal has revealed the secret and significance of the faith of Islam of the Muslim youth. In Zarb-e-Kalim he pleads:

"If you were to look at the world through your own eyes, the heavens would illumine by the light of your vision. But this begging of thoughts and ideas from others- have you no access even to your own self?!"

Iqbal believed that the economic paradise of Muslims was concealed in the historical continuity of their religious and cultural traditions. If the youth were to carry out research, keeping this fundamental fact in view, they could certainly bring a new society into bring through creative thought and action.

"Your eye must not be impressed by a borrowed heaven because your paradise lies hidden in your own blood. Therefore, strive constantly O being of Clay, and behold the reward of your endeavour!"

In the poem, Fountain of Zarb-e-Kalim, he says:

"The flow of the stream in the lap of the dust is a sight which displeases my eye. Do not look at that, dear Youngman! But look at this - the fountain has risen by its inner force (Khudi)."

Hence Iqbal consistently impresses upon the students that Islam carries a revolutionary message, and that if they determine to construct their nation in the light of Qur'anic teachings, they can realise the social ideal of Islam!

Record number of British women converting to Islam

RECORD numbers of British women are converting to Islam, The Sun reported on Tuesday. There are up to 100,000 converts in the UK - up from around 60,000 in 2001 - with white women leading the trend, according to research for the Faith Matters organisation. A study by Swansea University, on behalf of Faith Matters, found 5,200 people converted to Islam in the UK last year. And a survey of 122 converts last year showed56 per cent were white British, with women making up 62 per cent of respondents.

Emma Taylor, 30, from Reading, Berks, loved partying but converted to Islam. She says: “I was raised a Catholic but after-school partying and living a wannabe WAG lifestyle became my religion. I loved buying awful clothes and indulging in immoral activities. As a filing clerk in an office I only earn £16,000 but until last year I managed to make it stretch by living in a shared house so I could spend my cash on looking and feeling good. However in January last year, with my 30th birthday looming, I began to think that waking up with a hangover most mornings, having no long-term bloke in my life and no real ambition meant something was missing. I’d also just come through a bad break-up and one night my Muslim mate invited me around for dinner. Susan was more stable and content than my friends and I always turned to her for advice even though, at 28, she was two years younger than me. She converted to Islam three years ago. While I was at Susan’s she broke away to pray. I watched and she seemed so at peace with her life. That’s when I asked her about her religion.

She didn’t ear bash me but she suggested websites and that I should go to a mosque. She said everyone was welcome, if respectful of others. On March 2 I went to mosque with her. She’d told me what I should wear and supplied me with a headscarf. The day changed my life. Sitting with the other women I felt a weird sense of relief and acceptance come over me. For an hour my problems disappeared. I liked the boundaries, with the men separated from the women, and the sense of reverence, of kindness. For the first time ever I felt spiritually alive. With my friend’s help, I co any role in my life and I was a stereotypical teenager. I rebelled and got a tattoo and a lip ring. I had boyfriends and would go out drinking with my friends. At uni there was a big drinking culture and I did part-time bar work as well. I didn’t have any Muslim friends and had very stereotypical ideas of what Islam was about - a male- dominated culture where women were oppressed. But all that changed when, aged 25, I went on holiday to Egypt. There I met Muslim locals and found myself absorbed by their culture. Hearing the call to prayer every day awoke something in me and I started to feel a strong spiritual connection to Islam. I was astonished at how respectful the men seemed - not like the letches at home.

Once home I decided to find out more and I got in touch with a friend who had converted to Islam. He invited me to a talk and when I walked in, the room was full of women wearing Niqabs. I thought they would judge me but they were so welcoming. As I explored Islam more, it hit home that I felt a connection because it was what I believed anyway. I realised it made sense not to drink because it’s bad for you and I found covering up was more liberating than being a slave to fashion. Soon afterwards I made my declaration of faith and converted to Islam. It felt like the right thing to do but it took a few weeks for me to tell my family and I was nervous about their reaction. At the time there were lots of terrorism arrests taking place in the UK. My family were worried at first but I made a real effort to show them that I hadn’t changed. I wear a headscarf but I chose not to wear the hijab and my family could see I was still the same person. Now they are very supportive.

Enticing Fury

{EOP}Brasstacks- Zaid Hamid on 11th Hour - 1st February 2011

{EOP}Syed Zaid Hamid on crisis in Egypt

01-02-2011 : Defense Analyst and Islamic Scholar, Syed Zaid Hamid explains the current crisis in Egypt and the Arab world on Star Asia.......

Record number of British women converting to Islam

RECORD numbers of British women are converting to Islam, The Sun reported on Tuesday. There are up to 100,000 converts in the UK - up from around 60,000 in 2001 - with white women leading the trend, according to research for the Faith Matters organisation. A study by Swansea University, on behalf of Faith Matters, found 5,200 people converted to Islam in the UK last year. And a survey of 122 converts last year showed 56 per cent were white British, with women making up 62 per cent of respondents.