[chottala.com] Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa - Al Jazeera

First Published 2008-09-13 Saudi cleric Saleh al-Luhaidan Shocking comments!

Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa

Luhaidan said it is permissible to kill those who broadcast 'immoral' TV output A Saudi scholar has issued a religious decree saying it is permissible to kill the owners of television networks broadcasting "depravation and debauchery". "It is lawful to kill ... the apostles of depravation ... if their evil cannot be easily removed through simple sanctions," Saleh al-Luhaidan, chief justice of the supreme judicial council, was quoted by the Saudi-owned al-Arabiya news channel as saying. "The situation is serious ... the degradation of morals is a form of perversion on Earth," al-Luhaidan said. The 79-year-old scholar, who holds the highest judicial authority in the kingdom, made the comments during a recent radio show in which he was asked by a caller for his opinions on immoral programmes being broadcast on Arab televisions during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The shows depict lifestyles and values deemed offensive by many Saudi religious leaders and judges. Many of the most popular Arab satellite networks are owned by Saudi princes and well-connected Saudi businessmen. 'Subversive shows'  Azzam Tamimi, the director of the Islamic Institute of Political Thought, told Al Jazeera: "You cannot just license the killing of people in this way. "If I were in his place, I would criticise the people who licensed the channels in the first place and these are the rulers of his own country." He said: "The problem is that there is a deliberate attempt to impose an imported culture on Arab societies. "Saudi royalty owns many of these channels, they provide funding for them and I think they are responsible for this campaign." Earlier this year, sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, the kindgom's grand mufti, issued a fatwa (religious edict) against channels that broadcast Noor, a Turkish-produced soap opera centred on the lives of a husband and wife seeking to reconcile the conflicting pressures of traditional and modern worlds. The grand mufti, the head of Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority, branded the popular show "subversive" and "anti-Islamic" and said anyone who broadcast it was "an enemy of God and his Prophet". Al-Luhaidan has sparked controversy in the past by issuing a decree that Saudis can join those fighting against US troops in Iraq

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2008/09/2008913181844832341.html

Also read:

Middle East Online - 4:03pm

Saleh al-Luhaidan says 'it is lawful to kill' network owners 'if their evil' ... Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia's highest ...
www.middle-east-online.com/ENGLISH/?id=27868 - 15k

 

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Feedback Number of comments : 29   T.Foster Great Britain (UK) 14/09/2008 Fatwa So,Luhaidan has issued a Fatwa against the TV station,has he?He somehow "knows" that this broadcast is offensive to god and the prophet.Really? In that case,let god,who is invincible and almighty,take care of it it has nothing to do with this old fraud. He should keep his bigotry to himself.The world is changing,it always has and will continue to do so.If he cannot accept this fact then he should shoot himself.We do not need fatwas to preserve our morality. ron Canada 14/09/2008 tv fatwah it's funny that people like that "scholar" will decree a fatwah against people who don't have the same stupd beliefs as him. it's hilarious. k. Afghanistan 14/09/2008 There is a kill button on every remote control to kill a TV program, without blood. Celia Jordan 14/09/2008 Saudi Scholar issues TV Death Fatwa This is ridiculious. Since when has watching a silly old soap opera or two deprived anyone from exercising their islamic beliefs? Indeed Al-Luhaidan has outdone himself this time around by imposing such extremism, yet again shining an ignorant light on what should be considered a moderate and compassionate religion. This has got to stop. I begin to wonder how such high authorities are able to come about with such ridiculous notions when there are other actual substantial aspects to consider. Mudarris Greece 14/09/2008 Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa I am not a Muslim, but I’m with Saleh al-Luhaidan on this one. Time and again I’ve longed for someone to slay those responsible for the wretched, wrong-headed TV programmes and repetitive advertisements which are systematically hypnotising and corrupting hundreds of millions of people. In certain totalitarian states in the 20th century, the mass media were used very effectively to brainwash entire populations and provoke horrifying wars and persecution. Now all we hear is that there should be Paul C United States 14/09/2008 fatwa "remove (evil) through simple sanctions" or "kill ... the apostles of depravation". Why doesn't Saleh seek out a position where he's able to wield a simple sanction? According to his world view, skip over prince and judge to put the fear of god into author and actor. Insipid. seph Philippines 14/09/2008 Fear not I think you're misunderstanding the fatwa. The fatwa is only applicable in Saudi because their laws is the most closest to an ideal Islamic law. I think it's justified to issues fatwas like this. Because the tv shows like that threatens the security and disrespect the conservativeness of the Muslims. For them, they greatly detest shows like that because it's against their rulings. The west have to think that Islamic world is different from that of the west and they must respect their differences D.M. United States 15/09/2008 "Noor"............ Assalamu Alikum.... Sheikh Al-Luhaidan needs to review the channels owned by prince Walid Ibn Talal then make his comments!....The lack of true Islamic ethics and family values, to say the least, are most evident in the behavior of his very own people!.....Or is this life style full of contradictions, hypocrisy, ....prevelant in Saudi Arabia is not going to ever stop!.......... Elias Algeria 15/09/2008 Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa What's the problem of switching channels instead of issuing such extreme decrees. What is the world coming too. Alexandria United States 15/09/2008 Dear God Let's just hope no one takes him up on the offer. So this "scholar" now gets to decide who lives and who dies? Sounds like he's trying to play God. I'm pretty sure that would be punishable by death as well. Ayub Afghanistan 15/09/2008 Fatwa and tV shows. There are pros and cons to this story:In the US FCC and congress have passed laws not to show certain programs during the day so the kids don,t watch it,it's only shown at night after 8 or 9pm(primetime).If the Saudi Soap is as racy as the US shows it certainly shouldn't be broadcast for general viewing and certainly not in the holy month of Ramadan.I agree times are changing but we don't need to westernise our kids and corrupt their innocent minds like they do in the US.Thankyou. Muussaa Japan 15/09/2008 TV Fatwa TV is not good it had destroyed my family and the fabric of modern family life. It is a brain washing machine used by Infidels. It can be a propaganda tool too. I watched tTV when I was small I was wrong may Allah have mercy on me. I do not have knowledge about these things, however I do not agree with killing ,I am a Muslim although Iraqi and Afghaniston and all of us should defend our Humma from US terrorism and immorality sanctions are the best tool just throw the TV out of the window. El Muktar Saudi Arabia 15/09/2008 TV FATWA Al-Luhaidan only wants to be heard. It's unfortunate that a Big Time Islamic Scholar, he claims to be, could reason in this stupid way. This is completely un-Islamic. He is among the old, mischievius, selfish, & wasted brains, who turned the Holy Quoran upside down. The Muslim Youths are completely tired of his type. Please Mr Scholar, ENOUGH OF THIS RELIGIOUS CONFUSIONS FROM YOU AND YOUR COLLABORATORS. We need PEACE in this Islamic Region. Daniel Afghanistan 15/09/2008 Modern Islam Another example of the tolerance, peacefulness , grace and intellect of somebody who claims to be a good Muslim. Actions speak louder then words. Shaqeel Australia 16/09/2008 So whats wrong with this Fatwa? This Fatwa was passed within Saudi Arabia... so why are Americans worried about it? Dont the others respect silly laws that the US passes against humanity? I cant understand why there are so many comments from Americans, who arent even Saudis... hamza muhumed Somalia 16/09/2008 fatwah Thanks scholars, I dont watch this programme, neither do my family. the scholar is not afraid of his self, becuase he has got education and mind, but what he is worried for is those people who are ill- minded. thanks scholar, it is our job to prevent these stuff from spreading in our population shoaib Pakistan 16/09/2008 all west must be he is 100% right . this is our decission. west dont need to poke their nose in that. I dont understand why US is so much intrested in Muslims issue . he didnt issue fatwa against west. Who the hell are you to pass comment on this . Its Saudis & muslims Issues so stay out of it or else ......... Moses Bahamas 14/09/2008 see a wrong stop it with your hand if not with your mouth if not with your heart - but this this is the weakest form MikeM United States 14/09/2008 Example And you wonder why the West views Islam with suspicion. We can both agree that there is a lot of crap on TV, but to advocate and approve murder seems a bit harsh eh? You have the power to change the channel, or dare I say NOT WATCH TV. Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout United States 14/09/2008 Scholars Issues TV Death Fatwa Many fatwas in issues more critical have been ignored. When it come to the TV shows we need to give more respect to the month of Ramadan and at least to minimize the shows that can hurt the Muslim feelings around the world. When it comes to the Turkish shows brought before Ramadan. I think we should encourage more exposures seeking closer relations between the Arab and Turkish People. Sofian Abdelaziz Zakkout American Muslim Association of North America. www.al-amana.org Basil United States 14/09/2008 tv Death Fatwa So, Mr. Luhaidan has issued a Fatwa against the TV station, as he believes this show somehow offensive to god and the prophet. Yet, I did not see any outrage in the west when the US president told the world the war in Iraq and Afghanistan were God instructions/wishes. Who is the nut now? Mohamed Zarook Sri Lanka 14/09/2008 TV Fatwa This Judge should be removed forthwith. He has forgotten the time of our beloved Prophet and the time in which he is living. Even during the time of our Prophet these profanities were there. But he never order any one to go and simply kill people. Who are the people who running these immoral TV programmes - The Prince - The Royalty. It is very easy to block these programmes coming from outside. If Al-Jazeera can be blocked why not these. James Lookretis,saterist United States 14/09/2008 Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa What does on old scholar who is 79 know of today? Has he honored his mother and father? Has he decreed equality among men and women, son and daughter,,,,easy to kill a plant ,years to groom a tree......He's closer to the grave than his grand daughters...,May allah show him mercies.... J. Morris United States 15/09/2008 Saudi Scholar This article proves you can be educated and still be an idiot. This type of person should not be allowed to teach. Ashfak Kamar baig India 15/09/2008 Saudi scholar issues TV death fatwa Alhamdulillah a very good news and especially Saudi Government should ban TV in Makkah Mukarrama and Madina Sharief. Once during my hajj pilgrim accidentlily I saw in Madin Hotel a TV showing a lady playing tennis in short skirt. Muslim United States 15/09/2008 reply to "its funny that people like that "scholar" will decree a fatwah against people who dont have the same stupd beliefs as him. its hilarious. " *In an islamic state*(being saudi arabia in this case) the rule is God's rule, no one elses. And he says, if all practical means of attempting to stop the producer fails, then kill them. Why? Because a muslim state is to be clean, ie. without advertisements of life against the way of God. A non muslim in a muslim state can live by his way, but within the bounds of God's rule. He is not asked to do anything that is against his beliefs unless it affects the muslims in a bad way. God first. AWAT Afghanistan 15/09/2008 free to kill I cannot believe that a religious man whom devoted his all life to god could issue a fatwa against those who want to give some inside about other couture. I leave in the UK I know so many Arab and Saudis most of them are very moderate, I’m sure most of those people whom watching this drama are very good Muslim, and I know for fact everyone of those are very grateful for broadcasting the drama. Stop ruling people’s life old mola.!! Musalmuna United Arab Emirates 16/09/2008 Tv Fatwa I agree that tv is very much responsible to pervert innocent minds.But first we should try other steps to stop it like making the owners of those tv channels accountable in the court and banning the channels.We have to be very careful in issuing death penalty atonce.And these orders should be issued only keeping in mind the Quran and Hadeeth.Nothing is above them.Because they're the ultimate source of guidance in all fields.Its us to be blamed for not following them as nothing bad would happpen jihad Trinidad and Tobago 16/09/2008 Why is the royal family allowing these tv programs in the holy land? To please the US and to eliminate islam.

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[chottala.com] Poetic Justice - "Basket Case"

I still recall the words from my childhood, "Bottomless Basket". Henry Kissinger, xSecretary of State, USA in the early 70s had infamously coined the term 'Bottomless Basket', referring to Bangladesh. This 2 letter words had devastating effect on BDs image globally for decades, even today!!

Roll forward 3+ decade, today in some ways the USA is literally becoming the 'Bottomless Basket', let's be politically correct and say "Basket Case". Here's an article from Houston Chronicle below......

(From US point of view, one could argue that the US's misguided foreign policy of the time was a catalyst in the violent birth of BD. Imagine if US would have supported Pakistan in restoring democracy by having Mujib's AL come to power, then would there be a "Bottomless Basket"? What a political spin on shifting the blame on BD, that had stemmed from a failed policy !!)

Happy Reading
Rana

ps: I strongly believe that the people of the US are the most resilent and resourceful in the world, and things will get better once we kick the incompetent rascals out of Washington..... And all this time I thought Hasina & Khaleda were incompetent!

=====================================================
Welcome, USA, to the Third World — now enjoy!




It was a quick trip from superpower to basket case

DEAR United States, Welcome to the Third World! It's not every day that a superpower makes a bid to transform itself into a Third World nation, and we here at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund want to be among the first to welcome
you to the community of states in desperate need of international
economic assistance. As you spiral into a catastrophic financial
meltdown, we are delighted to respond to your Treasury Department's
request that we undertake a joint stability assessment of your
financial sector. In these turbulent times, we can provide services
ranging from subsidized loans to expert advisers willing to perform an
emergency overhaul of your entire government.

As you know, some outside intervention in your economy is overdue. Last
week — even before Wall Street's latest collapse — 13 former finance
ministers convened at the University of Virginia and agreed that you
must fix your "broken financial system." Australia's Peter Costello
noted that lately you've been "exporting instability" in world
markets, and Yashwant Sinha, former finance minister of India,
concluded, "The time has come. The U.S. should accept some monitoring
by the IMF."

We hope you won't feel embarrassed as we assess the stability of your
economy and suggest needed changes. Remember, many other countries have
been in your shoes. We've bailed out the economies of Argentina,
Brazil, Indonesia and South Korea. But whether our work is in Sudan,
Bangladesh or now the United States, our experts are committed to
intervening in national economies with care and sensitivity.

We thus want to acknowledge the progress you have made in your
evolution from economic superpower to economic basket case. Normally,
such a process might take 100 years or more. With your oscillation
between free-market extremism and nationalization of private companies,
however, you have achieved, in a few short years, many of the key
hallmarks of Third World economies.

Your policies of irresponsible government deregulation in critical
sectors allowed you to develop an energy crisis, a housing crisis, a
credit crisis and a financial market crisis, all at once, and
accompanied (and partly caused) by impressive levels of corruption and
speculation. Meanwhile, those of your political leaders charged with
oversight were either napping or in bed with corporate lobbyists. Take John McCain, your Republican presidential nominee,
whose senior staff includes half a dozen prominent former lobbyists. As
he recently put it, "I was chairman of the (Senate) Commerce Committee
that oversights every part of the economy." No question about it: Your
leaders' failure to notice the damage done by irresponsible
deregulation was indeed an oversight of epic proportions.

Now you are facing the consequences. Income
inequality has increased, as the rich have gotten windfalls while the
middle class has seen incomes stagnate. Fewer and fewer of your
citizens have access to affordable housing, health care or security in
retirement. Even life expectancy has dropped. And when your economic
woes went from chronic to acute, you responded — like so many Third World
states have — with an extensive program of nationalizing private
companies and assets. Your mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
are now state owned and controlled, and this week your reinsurance
giant AIG was effectively nationalized, with the Federal Reserve Board
seizing an 80 percent equity stake in the flailing company.

Some might deride this as socialism. But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Admittedly, your transition to Third World
status is far from over, and it won't be painless. At first, for
instance, you might find it hard to get used to the shantytowns that
will replace the exurban sprawl of McMansions that helped fuel the real
estate speculation bubble. But in time, such shantytowns will become
part of the landscape. Similarly, as unemployment rates continue to
rise, you initially will struggle to find a use for the expanding pool
of angry, jobless young men. But you gradually will realize that you
can recruit them to fight in a ceaseless round of armed conflicts, a
solution that has been used by many other Third World states before you. Indeed, with your wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you are off to an excellent start.

Perhaps this letter comes as a surprise to you, and you feel you're not fully ready to join the Third World.
Don't let this feeling concern you. Although you might not have
realized it, you've been preparing for this moment for years. Brooks is
a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center. E-mail her at
rbrooks@latimescolumnists.com.

 

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[chottala.com] FW: PROPHET (SAW) SERMON ON RAMADHAN

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From: mna5@rogers.com
To: siraj519@hotmail.com
Subject: PROPHET (SAW) SERMON ON RAMADHAN
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 21:20:31 +0200

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Assalamu Alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
Allahumma Salleh Ala Syeedena Mohammad Wa Aala Aali Syeedena Mohammad Wabarik Wasallim Alaih.

Dear bothers and sister Ramadhan Karim. Here comes an article that contains the sermon of our beloved Prophet SAW, on welcoming the holy month of Ramadhan. The article is sent by one of our beloved brothers Adil Al-Busaidi. Allah Rabbu Alamin blesses our dear brother for his wonderful contribution. I am sure we shall be benefitted by reading the blessed sayings of our beloved Prophet SAW on the month of Ramadhan, Wassalam. ____________________________________________________    Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) Sermon on welcoming the month of Ramadhan

 

People! The month of Allah (Ramadhan) has approached you with His mercy and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours.

This is a month in which he has invited you. You have been, in this month, selected as the recipients of the honors of Allah, the Merciful. In this holy month, when you breathe, it has the Sawab/thawab (heavenly reward) of 'Tasbeeh' (the praise of Allah on rosary beads), and your sleep has the thawab of worship.

Your good deeds are accepted in this month. So are your invocations. Therefore, you must invoke your Lord, in right earnest, with hearts that are free from sins and evils, that Allah may bless you, observe fast, in this month, and recite the Holy Quran.

Verily! The person who may not receive the mercy and benevolence of Allah in this month must be very unfortunate having an end as bad (in the Hereafter). While fasting, remember the hunger and thirst of tomorrow in Qiyamat. Give alms to the poor and the needy. Pay respects to your elders.

Have pity on those younger than you and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongues against unworthy words, and your eyes from such scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from such sounds that should not be heard by you.

Be kind to orphans so that when your children become orphans they also may be treated with kindness. Do invoke that Allah may forgive your sins. Do raise your hands at the time of Salat (Prayers), as it is the best time for asking His mercy. When we invoke at such times, we are answered by Him, when we call Him, He responds, and when we ask for anything, it is accepted by Him.

O People! You have made your conscience the slave of your desires; make it free by invoking Him for Istighfar (repentance/forgiveness). Your back is breaking under the heavy load of your sins, so prostrate before Him for long intervals and make it lighter.

Do understand fully well that Allah has promised in the name of His Majesty and Honor that He will not take to task such people who fast and offer Salat in this month and perform 'sajda' (prostration), and will guard their bodies against the Fire of Hell on the Day of Judgment.

O People! If anybody amongst you arranges for the Iftar (food for the ending of the fast) of any believer, then Allah will give him a reward as if he has set free a slave. He will forgive his minor sins.

Then the companions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "But everybody amongst us does not have the means to do so?"

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) told them: - Keep yourself away from the Fire of Hell, by inviting for 'Iftar', though it may consist of only half a date or simply with water if you have nothing else. O People! Anybody who may cultivate good manners in this month will walk over the 'Siraat' (Bridge) in 'Qiyamat', though his feet may be shaking.

Anybody who in this month may take light work from his servants (male or female), Allah will make easy his accounting on the Day of Judgment.

Anybody who does not tease others in this month, Allah will keep him safe from His wrath in Qiyamat. Anybody, who respects and treats an orphan with kindness in this month, Allah shall look at him with dignity in Qiyamat. Anybody who treats well his kinsmen, in this month, Allah will bestow His mercy on him in Qiyamat, while anybody who maltreats his kinsmen in this month, Allah will keep him away from His mercy, in Qiyamat.

Whoever offers 'Sunnat' (Recommended) prayers in this month, Allah will give him a certificate of freedom from Hell. Whosoever offers one 'Wajib' Salat in this month, for him the Angels will write the rewards of 70 such prayers, which were offered by him in any other months.

Whosoever recites repeatedly 'Salat and salam (Salawat)' on me, Allah will keep the scales of his deeds heavy, when in Qiyamat the scales of others will be tending towards lightness.

Whosoever recites in this month only one 'Ayat' (verse of the Holy Quran), he will be rewarded in a manner as if he had recited the full Holy Quran in the other months.

O People! The Gates of Paradise remain opened in this month. Do invoke that the gates may not be closed on you, while the Gates of Hell are closed. Do invoke that these gates may never be opened. During this month Shaytan (Saten) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.

Dr. Mohammed Nurul Alam
Al-Khadim
Mission Al-Noor

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