The Guardian Council confirms Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory

by Samira Anvar
June 29th, 2009

On Monday the Iranian Pess TV, a state backed news agency, announced Gaurdian Council’s decision that confirmed Ahmadinejad’s victory, which comes after weeks of protests by Ahmadinejad’s opponents against what they claim was a rigged election.

A member of the Guardian council told Press TV that a partial recount of 10 percent of the ballots carried on Monday showed no irregularities in the vote.

Ahmadinejad’s main opponent, Mir Hossein Mousavai, is not content with a partial recount and wants the whole election to be held again. In addition, to the claims of Mousavi, Mehdi Karoubi, one of the three defeated candidates, called for a re-election and insisted that it was the only way to regain Iranian people’s trust.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton expressed her doubts regarding the recount. She said: “They [the Iranian government] have a huge credibility gap with their own people as to the election process.

“And I don’t think …

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Islamic Banking: is it compliant with the Sharia law?

by Samira Anvar
June 28th, 2009

The principles of Islamic finance were laid down by the divine revelation, Qur’an, 1400 years ago. Qur’an banned usury and vowed severe punishment for those who are involved in it; these revelations shaped the basics of Islamic banking.

However, the world’s first modern Islamic bank didn’t start until 1970s. And the sector did not attract attention until few years ago when petrodollars were pouring in due to a surge in oil prices and economic strengthening of Islamic countries in Middle East.

According to Sharia law Islamic banks are prohibited from investing in certain products, including, but not limited to, alcohol, tobacco, pork, and pornography. The Qur’an has banned all forms of usury; so Islamic financial transactions are structured to rely on income in the form of rent (ujra) or profits (murabaha) from the loan, technically not interest. Following are some of the popular Islamic financial instruments:

Sukuk: “This essentially amounts to commercial paper …

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No iPhone for you!

by Diana Ameen
June 26th, 2009

Since the release of the new iPhone, 3G S, Apple has sold more than a million devices in its first weekend in United States itself. iPhone 3G S was released on 19th of June in U.S and major European countries. One million sales was not a surprise to most of Apple fans and admirers, including myself.

However, what surprised me was the fact that the new iPhone, 3G S, was not released in any major Islamic country, including Dubai, UAE. Dubai is one of the most technologically developed cities in the world, no to mention its growing IT sector. The only version of iPhone available in Islamic countries is the iPhone 3G. It is available in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates, Qatar is still waiting for iPhone 3G. To see the list of countries that iPhone 3G/3G S is offered please click here.

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HAROON AR-RASHID

by Ahmad Bukhari
June 25th, 2009

Haroon ar-Rashid, the celebrated Abbasside Caliph of Baghdad, is universally recognized as one of the greatest Muslim rulers of the world, whose reign ushered in the most brilliant period of Saracenic rule in Asia. “The stories of Arabian Nights”, says Ameer Ali, “have lent a fascination to the name of the remarkable Caliph who was wont to roam the streets of Baghdad by night to remedy injustice and to relieve the oppressed and the destitute. Faithful in the observation of this religious duties, abstemious in his life, unostentatiously pious and charitable and yet fond of surrounding himself with the pomp and insignia of grandeur, he impressed his personality of popular imagination and exercised a great influence by his character on society”.

Haroon ar-Rashid, son of the Abbasside Caliph Mahdi, was born at Rayy in February 763 A.C. He was given a thorough education by the talented Barmakide Yahya bin Khalid and …

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Where is Iran heading?

by Admin
June 24th, 2009

Are we witnessing another revolution? Is history repeating itself? Is clerical rule has come to a circle? These and many other questions being asked by many. The protesters themselves are not sure of their near future.  They don’t know were they are going or what they are going for, but they seem to be sure that they don’t want the current regime.

Do these protests speak on behalf of the majority of Iranian population or is it just the western propaganda that is amplifying the crisis? On one side the western media is accusing Iran for its oppression of peaceful protesters, while on the other side Iran’s supreme leader khamenei is accusing the United State, Briton, and Israel of fueling riots in Iran.

On a separate note the Iranian interior minister has accused Washington, London, and Tel Aviv of direct and indirectly supporting different terrorist groups to …

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JABIR IBN HAYYAN

by Admin
June 23rd, 2009

Jabir ibn Hayyan-al-azdi, known as Geber in the west flourished in Kufa about 776 A.C. and is reputed as the father of modern chemistry. Along with Zakariya Razi, he stands as the greatest name in the annals of medieval chemical science. His father was a druggist in Kufa who died a “martyr” to the Shiite propaganda. Jabir received his education from the Umayyad prince Khalid ibn Yazid ibn Muawiya and from the celebrated Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. In the beginning he practiced as a physician and was closely attached to the house of Bermakides, whose members occupied the high posts of viziers during the reigh of Haroon ar-Rashid. Jabir, too, had to share the misfortune of Bermkides at the time of their downfall in A.C. 803 and died in exile in Kufa. His famous laboratory was found in ruins about two centuries later.

Jabir is credited to have composed more than 100 …

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A Historic Win for Egypt

by Admin
June 23rd, 2009

Egypt team celebrating

A well deserved win for the Egyptian side. Egypt has increased its chances of qualifying for Confederations Cup semi-finals.

Mohammad Homos scored the only goal from well-delivered corner.

Despite not creating many chances Egypt managed to push the ball across the line. On the other side Vincenzo Iaquinta struck the bar late on for Italy. The Egyptian goalkeeper, Essam El Hadari, made some good saves to keep Egypt ahead of the world champions.

Egypt’s victory leaves group B wide-open going into the final round of fixtures on Sunday.

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Sarkozy: Burka is not welcome in France

by Admin
June 22nd, 2009

Addressing the parliament today, president Sarkozy said that the Islamic burka is not welcome in France, while tens of parliamentarians expressed their concern regarding the spread of burka amongst the French women.

The French president described the Islamic dress as enslavement of women and described it against a woman’s dignity and that it is not a symbol of religion.

And he also added in his speech that “We cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting, cut off from all social life, deprived of identity,”.

Please let us know what you think about the French president’s speach.

To read more please click here

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Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khwarizmi

by Admin
June 21st, 2009

Of all the great thinkers who have enriched the divers branches of knowledge during the era of early Islam, Muhammad bin Musa Khwarizmi occupies an outstanding place. Being one of the greatest scientists of all times and the greatest of his age, Khwarizmi was a versatile genius, who made lasting contributions to the field of Mathematics, Astronomy, Geography, and History. “Khwarizmi was the principal figure in the early history of Arabic Mathematics”, writes Philip K. Hitti in his well-known work, The History of the Arabs. “One of the greatest minds of Islam, he influenced mathematical thought to a greater extent than any other medieval writer.”

Muhammad bin Musa al-Khwarizmi (780-847 A.C.) was born in Khwarizm (Modern Khiva) situated on the lower course of Amu Darya. His forefathers had migrated from their native place and settled in Qutrubulli, a district west of Baghdad. Little is known about his early life. According to …

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