KSA to host 1.4m Hajis from abroad
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR ARABNEWS.COM Published — Tuesday 30 September 2014 More than 1.4 million foreign pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year, said Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar. “About […]
Author Archives
Rafiq A. Tschannen
Rafiq A. Tschannen is a Swiss national. He converted to Islam and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the age of 16 after reading the German translation of the Holy Qur'an. He worked in 15 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, first as Finance Director in the private industry and later as Chief Executive Officer of NGOs and International Governmental Organizations. He is now devoting his time to The Muslim Times as Editor for Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Switzerland and as Associate Chief Editor.
The myth of religious violence – by Karen Armstrong
The popular belief that religion is the cause of the world’s bloodiest conflicts is central to our modern conviction that faith and politics should never mix. But the messy history […]
Pilgrims urged to pray for world peace
JEDDAH: P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR ARAB NEWS A prominent Indian Muslim leader has called upon pilgrims who have come for Haj this year to pray for global peace and stability during the annual event, the largest gathering witnessed by humanity. “We have to pray to God, the creator […]
It’s perfectly reasonable to negotiate with villains like Isis, so why don’t we do it and save some lives? – Nobody criticises the Israeli government when it swaps prisoners with Hezbollah
by Robert Fisk, The Independent He’s offered to do a deal with Isis. No, not David Cameron. Not Obama, of course. I’m talking about Walid Jumblatt, the Lebanese Druze leader. He’s demanding that the Lebanese government swap Islamist prisoners for 21 soldiers and policemen held by Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra. […]
KSA has allocated SR252bn in foreign aid since 1990 (67.2 billion US$)m but actually delivered so far only 10.9 billion US$
Saudi Arabia allocated SR252 billion ($67.2 billion) in aid to foreign countries between 1990 and 2014, according to a financial report.Saudis gave SR85 billion ($22.7 billion) in aid to nine Arab countries, namely Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Palestine, Morocco, Sudan, and Djibouti, between 2011-2014, said the report. According to […]
Syrian refugees' reactions mixed to airstrikes against 'Islamic State'.
Syrian refugees’ reactions mixed to airstrikes against Islamic State [9/27/2014 3:17:19 PM] AMMONNEWS – Ask Syrian refugees sheltering in neighbouring Jordan about the advent of U.S.-led strikes against Islamic State militants in their homeland, and the reactions will be mixed. Some welcome the surprise military intervention, saying it could lead […]
Did 120 Muslim Scholars just re-confirm Ahmadis as Muslims?
Source: Rabwah Times Over 120 Islamic scholars from around the world, many of them leading Muslim voices in countries like Egypt & Saudia Arabia have issued an open letter denouncing […]
David Sheen – Russell Tribunal 2014 – 24/09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDNFdjwolaI&app=desktop A ‘must-view’ for any one trying to understand Israel. (after viewing this film you will understand the reason for Israeli Apartheid).
Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas's full speach at the United Nations General Assembly
Mr. President, At the outset, I wish to extend our sincere congratulations upon your election as President of the United Nations General Assembly this session and to express our gratitude […]
Iraq’s Christians start taking security into own hands
AFP | Sep 27, 2014 | 23:18 Updated: Sep 27, 2014 | JORDAN TIMES AL QOSH, Iraq — When jihadists raided their ancient heartland last month, Iraq’s Christian Assyrians were left defenceless and fled, but now some have decided it is time to put up a fight. In Sharafiya, a […]
Western Muslims, troubled, rally against extremism
AP | Sep 27, 2014 | 22:39 Muslims attend a gathering in front of the Paris Mosque after Friday prayers to pay tribute to Herve Gourdel, a French mountain guide […]
As the UK prepares for another war in Iraq, is its strategy any more coherent than in 2003?
Patrick Cockburn, who led the world in warning of the rise of Isis, wonders if David Cameron has really thought through his plans Britain is set to join the air campaign against Isis in Iraq, but, going by David Cameron’s speech to the UN General Assembly, the Government has no […]
Spiritual, physical and financial preparations of a Haj pilgrim
Shawana A. Aziz ARABNEWS.COM In this life people are usually aware of two kinds of journeys; those made to earn a livelihood and those undertaken for pleasure and sightseeing. The Haj however is unique from these journeys, since it is made solely for the purpose of pleasing Allah, the Exalted. […]
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has advised pilgrims to avoid politicizing the Haj.
Grand Mufti: Avoid politics at Haj . GETTING READY FOR HAJ: With five days to go for the trek to the nearby tent city of Mina at the start of the annual pilgrimage, hundreds of thousands of faithful throng the Grand Mosque in Makkah for prayers on Friday. (AN […]
Abbas demands end to Israeli occupation 'now'
Summary Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas demanded on Friday an end to Israeli occupation, telling the United Nations that “the hour of independence for Palestine has arrived”. Abbas, however, did not […]
Palestinians need support
Summary This latest deal appears to have been catalyzed by the latest Israeli war on Gaza, which killed thousands of civilians. The previously warring Palestinian sides recognize that their working together is in the best interests of the Palestinian people, that it is harder for the world to wash their […]
Qur'an lesson for today: 247. Commandment regarding suppressing anger and pardon men
247. Commandment regarding suppressing anger and pardon men [3:135] Those who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good; [3:160] And it is by the great mercy of Allah that thou art kind towards them, and if thou […]
Watch three Mideastern developments very carefully
Rami G. Khouri| The Daily Star The upheaval of ideological forces and reconfiguration of geostrategic conditions across the Middle East took a dramatic turn on Sunday and Monday, with in three principal developments in and around the Arab world: the combined American-Arab Gulf states airstrikes in Syria; the control of […]
With China Set to Open Stock Trading, Investors Lay Groundwork
O’Connor, the $5.6 billion hedge fund owned by UBS, has been expanding its presence in Asia. It has hired traders from UBS’s proprietary trading desk to work in its Hong Kong and Singapore offices. In August, it hired John Yu, a former analyst at SAC Capital Advisors It is not […]
Qur'an lesson for today: 245. Commandment to amend and act righteously
245. Commandment to amend and act righteously [4:130] And you cannot keep perfect balance between wives, however much you may desire it. But incline not wholly to one so that you leave the other like a thing suspended. And if you amend and act righteously, surely Allah is Most Forgiving, […]