Tag: Islam

  • Senate Interior Committee passes bill to decriminalise suicide in Pakistan

    Senate Interior Committee passes bill to decriminalise suicide in Pakistan

    The Senate Interior Committee has passed the bill for decriminalising suicide in Pakistan and demanded amendments in section 325 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The bill was first introduced by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member, Senator Shahadat Awan, in the Senate.

    It stated, “Whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.”

    Awan said that the families do not take suicide victims to hospitals in fear of police and other legal obstacles.

    The committee also recommended that the government should initiate psychological treatments for victims who take extreme action of attempting to end their lives.

    During the meeting, a senator from Balochistan Awami Party, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, said that suicide is forbidden in Islam but what should be done about those who survive during the suicide attempt.

    In response, Azam Nazeer Tarar from Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) said that there are other actions which are forbidden in Islam that are not accountable by law. He added that here we are talking about humanity.

  • Non-Muslims can now have a civil marriage in the UAE

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued its first civil marriage license for a Canadian couple in the capital, Abu Dhabi. This license was given under a new law on the personal status of non-muslims in the country, which was announced last month.

    Foreigners make up 90 percent of the approximately 10 million population in the Gulf state. Recently, UAE has been introducing new laws for promoting progressiveness in the region.

    According to WAM news agency, this decision “contributes to the consolidation of Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading destination for skills and expertise from around the world.”

    Civil marriage was not allowed in the Middle East as it is the birthplace of three monotheistic religions that includes Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Usually, marriages are conducted under the religious authority of any of the three faiths.

    Civil marriages are only allowed in Algeria and Tunisia.

    Recently, the country has seen a lot of developments, which include lifting a ban on unmarried couples living together and loosening restrictions on alcohol.

    Earlier this month, the UAE also announced that it will move to a Western-style Saturday-Sunday weekend. This will make Emirates the only Gulf country not to observe weekends on a Friday, and Saturday. The government also exempted the censorship policy from cinema and introduced ratings for mature content.

  • ‘Murders happen when young people get emotional’: Pervez Khattak says govt shouldn’t be blamed for Sialkot lynching

    ‘Murders happen when young people get emotional’: Pervez Khattak says govt shouldn’t be blamed for Sialkot lynching

    Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, while talking to the media in Peshawar, said that the horrific lynching of a Sri Lankan man at the hands of a mob in Sialkot should not be linked to the government, adding even “murders take place” when young people get emotional.

    A reporter questioned Khattak that the Sialkot killing had taken place after the government lifted the ban on the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and asked Khattak whether the government was considering an “effective crackdown” against such groups.

    “You know the reasons [behind this incident] too. When children … grow up, they become spirited and do things out of emotions. This does not mean ‘this was the result of that action’,” responded Khattak, adding that in Sialkot some young men had gathered and accused Priyantha Kumara [Sri Lankan factory manager] of disrespecting Islam.

    Khattak said he too could do something wrong in a state of heightened emotions and added that such incidents did not mean “Pakistan is going towards destruction”.

    A reporter asked the minister whether he was attributing the murders of nine policemen by TLP protesters as well as that of Kumara to “emotions”.

    Reiterating his argument, Khattak said boys entering adulthood are “ready to do anything” and learn with age how to control their emotions. “So this happens among kids, fights take place and even murders. [Does] this mean it is the government’s fault?”

    “Why don’t you change this mindset? Your anchors should come on TV and make the children understand their religion. You only take advertisements and earn money,” added Khattak.

    Twitterati reacted to Khattak’s comments.

    Journalist Nasim Zehra tweeted, “Either he should apologise & withdraw this statement or he should resign from his post … it’s minds like his that mislead, that poison the young and the innocent..watch his disservice to both Islam and to Pak.”

    Journalist Saadia Afzal tweeted, “We are where we are because of such sorry state of affairs. This is our defence minister shamelessly justifying the incident. He should be sacked immediately.”

    Another person tweeted, “Oversimplify, justify and dehumanise!”

    https://twitter.com/zehrakamal/status/1467639479108190209
  • Former ‘party’ girl reveals how Islam ‘saved’ her, ‘men don’t bother me now’

    Former ‘party’ girl reveals how Islam ‘saved’ her, ‘men don’t bother me now’

    Persephone Rizvi, from England’s Huddersfield town has revealed to BBC how Islam “saved” her life. Rizvi started by explaining that she used to party a lot. “The party wouldn’t stop until four or five AM in the club.”

    She went on to add that she was struggling to see a purpose in her life and she wanted to do better for herself. “I was using alcohol as my coping mechanism and going through emotionally-draining experiences that I couldn’t really make sense of. I was struggling to see a purpose in my life and I wanted to do better for myself. I didn’t know what I was doing,” said Rizvi adding, “So I became a Muslim.”

    She then opened about her journey of becoming a Muslim. “One of my friends there, Haleemah, was Muslim. I did the Ramadan fast with her, and that was my first exposure to Islam. I wasn’t thinking about joining a religion at that point – it was more of a personal challenge. My ego was saying, ‘It’s 30 days of fasting, I can do that.’”

    “When I first fasted I was still partying and drinking, but my attitude started to change. I started having these moments of, ‘I am better than this, I’m worth more.’ That month of abstinence made me feel a sense of selflessness and gratitude, and gave me the self-care package I needed so desperately. That was my calling card to Islam.”

    “My dad is Black British and went to (a Christian) church, and my mum wanted us to have a knowledge of faith, but they didn’t force it on us. There aren’t any practicing Muslims in my family,” she said while talking about her family. “My parents are super supportive – they’ve actually fasted with me a few times,” she said.

    She continued by saying that when she became a Muslim, she did not tell anyone until one day she went into her house with her headscarf on and said, “I’m Muslim now!”

    Her parents were shocked to see her in a headscarf but they were not unhappy.

    Rizvi then continued by talking how wearing a headscarf changed her life. “I feel more comfortable. I can get from A to B without anyone stopping me – the way I used to dress, I used to get stopped loads. On a ten-minute walk to uni, I got stopped about five times. Men now don’t bother me at all.”

    “That’s why I say Islam saved me, because now I know the best way for me to handle those dark times. I wouldn’t have coped this way, by praying and taking care of my mental health as well as physical, if it wasn’t for Islam,” said Rizvi while talking about how Islam saved her.

  • ‘The emotions of Indian Muslim were with Pak team’: Twitter reacts to Sheikh Rasheed’s comments about T20 match

    ‘The emotions of Indian Muslim were with Pak team’: Twitter reacts to Sheikh Rasheed’s comments about T20 match

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed in a video message congratulated the Men in Green for winning a historic match against India in the T20 World Cup match.

    Sheikh started by congratulating the team and said, “I salute the Pakistani team for playing with such bravery and valour against the Indian team.”

    “Pakistan has proved itself in the Islamic world. The Muslims all over the world including the Indian Muslims had their emotions with the Pakistan team,” said Rasheed.

    Raseed’s video received a lot of criticism as he declared ‘the victory of the Pakistani team as a victory of Islam’. Twitter slammed Sheikh Rasheed for bringing religion into sports.

    Journalist Amber Shamsi tweeted, “By giving a religious colour in such a way, it is an insult to the minority community living in Pakistan and has put Muslim players in the Indian team in more danger, like Mohammad Shami.”

    Lawyer Reema Omer tweeted, “What a dangerous, divisive statement by the Interior Minister, esp. when the one Muslim player in the Indian team is being subjected to vicious abuse, his loyalty to India being questioned because of his religion.”

    Indian author, Rahul Easwar tweeted, “It’s unfortunate of a senior leader like you to say Non-Facts like emotions of Indian Muslims were with Pakistan. Pls understand the damage that can create to 99.99% of Indian Muslims who were cheering our motherland”

    A Twitter user wrote, “As a Pakistani citizen, I strongly condemn the statement of Home Minister @ShkhRasheed to winning the cricket match as the winner of the Islamic world and his statement is to spread religious hatred and push the country towards anarchy.”

    Another person tweeted, “Absurd statement by a person who unfortunately is holding such an important office; this wasn’t the success of Muslim Ummah, it’s only related to Pakistan. Pak has millions of non-muslims including some great sportsmen who have been part of many victories in past.”

  • Forced conversion issue in only three districts of Sindh: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri

    Forced conversion issue in only three districts of Sindh: Noor-ul-Haq Qadri

    A parliamentary committee on Wednesday rejected the anti-forced conversion bill. The bill was opposed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The bill was aimed at protecting minorities from forced religious conversion.

    Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri while speaking about the issue in Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, said that the issue of forced conversion of religion was only in three districts of Sindh, whereas such cases in KP, Punjab, and Balochistan were rare. He said that the issue could be resolved through administrative discipline.

    However, journalist Benazir Shah while quoting a study has said in a tweet that, “Between 2013-2020, the highest incidence of alleged forced conversions was reported in Punjab, finds the Centre for Social Justice.”

    He continued by adding, “We opposed the forced conversion of religion because according to Islamic teachings, no one could be forced to change religion.”

    The minister also said that there should be no restrictions on anyone under the age of 18 changing their religion, as this would be considered interfering in someone’s personal life.

    The proposed bill which is rejected also included punishment between five to 10 years and a fine from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 to any person who uses criminal force to convert a person to another religion.

  • ‘Research should be conducted on whether our divorces have increased and its impact,’ says PM Khan

    ‘Research should be conducted on whether our divorces have increased and its impact,’ says PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the Ashra-e-Rehmat-ul-Lil-Aalamin (PBUH) conference, announced the formation of the Rehmatul-lil-Aalameen Authority.

    According to Dawn, the scholars in the authority would be responsible for researching how best to disseminate lessons from the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the masses.

    PM said Islam was a religion of peace and humanity and the West did not understand it so the authority would also be tasked with explaining Islam to the world. “When they educate the world about the Prophet’s (PBUH) life, people will understand that Islam is a religion of humanity,” the premier said.

    During PM Khan’s address, he announced that the authority will monitor the media [print and electronic], and be in charge of monitoring the schools’ curriculum and how the course on the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) biography was being taught.

    Furthermore, he said that the scholars would be responsible for carrying out and promoting research in universities.

    “Research should be conducted on topics such as whether our divorces have increased and what is the impact of this,” he added.

    However, the members of the authority haven’t been revealed yet. PM Khan said, “I will be the patron myself but we have started searching for a person who has written books of tafsir, has great command [over religion] and is a scholar for the chairman. There will be an international advisory board above him on which we will bring the Muslim world’s top scholars — we have looked at many names and are approaching them as well.”

  • Video: Naseeruddin Shah bashes Indian Muslims for celebrating ‘the return of Taliban’

    Video: Naseeruddin Shah bashes Indian Muslims for celebrating ‘the return of Taliban’

    Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah has criticised “sections of Indian Muslims celebrating the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan”, and called it rather dangerous.

    In a recent video, the Mohra actor drew distinctions between ‘Hindustani Islam’ and what is practised in other parts of the world.

    “Even as the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan is a cause for concern for the whole world, celebrations of the barbarians by some sections of Indian Muslims is no less dangerous,” Shah said in a video shared on social media.

    A Wednesday actor went on to say that those who are celebrating the revival of Taliban, should question themselves, “if they want a reformed, modern Islam (jiddat pasandi modernity), or live with the old barbarism (vaishipan) of the past few centuries.”

    Shah also differentiated between what he called “Hindustani Islam” and what is actually practised in other parts of the world.

    He added, “May God not bring a time when it changes so much that we cannot even recognise it. He mentioned his own personal relationship with God, and that he doesn’t need political religion. “I am an Indian Muslim and as Mirza Ghalib said years ago, my relationship with God is informal. I don’t need political religion,” he said.

    Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan on August 15 after seizing control from government forces across the country.

  • Shahid Afridi advises girls to live life according to the teachings of Islam

    Shahid Afridi advises girls to live life according to the teachings of Islam

    Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has advised girls to live their lives according to the principles of Islam.

    According to a local news agency, this was said by the all-rounder as he visited the Bakhtawar Girls Cadet College in Nawabshah on Wednesday. Afridi was invited to visit the college by its principal Brigadier (Retd) Dr Muhammad Amin, reported Geo News.

    Afridi was accompanied by members of the Tableeghi Jamaat as well during his trip to the college.

    During his visit to the college, Afridi lectured the female cadets on women’s rights in Islam and urged them to adopt Islamic principles in life. He spoke at length about his life as a cricketer and then how he turned towards preaching religion.

    He urged female cadets to study hard but also partake in sports at the same time.

    “Focus on your studies, social media and mobile phones are time wasting tools,” he said.

    Speaking about his life as a cricketer, Afridi said at one point during his career, he thought about leaving the sport as certain captains wanted to end his career.

    “However, I got a lot of help from Islam and Tableegh,” he said.

    While sharing his thoughts on the appointment of the new Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Afridi said he expected Ramiz Raja to lead Pakistan cricket in a positive direction.

    Earlier, Geo News reported that Raja has accepted the post of Chairman PCB.

    PCB will elect its 36th chairman on September 13 in Lahore.

  • Music to be banned in public in Afghanistan: Taliban

    Music to be banned in public in Afghanistan: Taliban

    In an interview with The New York Times, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed that music in public will once again be banned in Afghanistan following the group’s rapid takeover of the country in recent weeks.

    He also addressed the issue of music in public, which was banned during the Taliban’s previous stint in power between 1996 and 2001, suggesting it will soon be prohibited.

    “Music is forbidden in Islam,” Mujahid said.

    “But we’re hoping that we can persuade people not to do such things, instead of pressuring them,” he said.

    Cassette tapes were destroyed and strung up on trees, according to The Associated Press.

    An exception was made for some vocal religious pieces, however. Afghan radio and TV stations have been playing only Islamic songs amid the Taliban takeover of the country.