Well well well.  After an eventful week showing the actions of the Israeli state upon the flotilla of aid to Gaza, what can I say that has not already been said?

So I thought, instead of pointing out the facts again, and re-iterate to the world that the the actions of the Israeli government were reprehensible, immoral, disgraceful and unlawful, I will try to write about the human qualities that people who commit these sorts of atrocities are devoid of.

You see human beings are amazing.  We are amazing because Allah has given us the ability to be compassionate, merciful, tolerant and forgiving.  These fundamental abilities help us get on with others around us, understanding our differences, respecting points of view and therefore, in general, lead a harmonious life on this Earth.

Now I try not to get too political on this blog (!!) but correct me if I’m wrong, isn’t there a devastating humanitarian situation right now in Gaza?  And correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that humanitarian nightmare the creation of the Israeli government by imposing a blockade which breaches UN Resolution after Resolution?

So all those human qualities I mentioned earlier, it would seem that Israel do not seem to possess those human qualities – I wonder what that makes them….?

And before I am criticised for being anti-semitic, I would also say the same for those madmen who killed the 94 people in the mosque in Lahore, and also the brainwashed hooligans of the English Defence League who are currently on a summer-long campaign across England, spouting their venom and are undeniably inciting racial and religious hatred.

We have to show these people that this sort of behaviour will no longer be tolerated.  I mean, violence is bad enough, but when it comes down to the slaying of innocent peace activists or civilians who have committed no crime except being there, we as an international community have to draw the line and make clear our condemnation and make clear our disgust at such actions.

And what is more, if such actions are in breach of the rule of law, then steps must be taken that those guilty of breaking it are brought to justice, no matter who they are and what political connections they may have.

And to give an amazing example of what we can achieve when we work together for the greater good of humanity, all you have to do is take a look at the ‘Hope not Hate’ campaign that was ran in East London before this year’s elections to counter the evil of the BNP.

People from different backgrounds and different faiths all worked hand in hand, tirelessly until the last second to make sure that the BNP did not gain a foothold.  And they were duly rewarded with the BNP being trounced  and losing all their seats in the Council and the message loud and clear to the BNP to get out and stay out!!!

This is what we can do when we work together as to force of good to counter evil.

So yes, this is what I wanted to say in this post – that we are humans, not some sort of sub-species and because of our humanity we Hope, not Hate.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Here’s another video regarding Palestine.  This one’s about the second Viva Palestina convoy that went to Gaza to deliver much needed humanitarian aid and supplies to the suffering Palestinian people who are suffering as a result of the illegal blockade imposed by Israel.

The incident in the video takes place on the border with Egypt and those are Egyptian police in no less than full riot gear.

May Allah reward all those who took out some of their valuable time and delivered this much needed aid and ease the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza:

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

This week, we have a hard hitting, and thought provoking video relating to the illegal blockade that Israel has put up in Palestine.

And it shows an incident which has happened hundreds of times already in the West Bank – a humanitarian issue which makes us realise how lucky we are to be granted the right to such a basic thing as healthcare.  And it makes us realise that the actions of the Israeli government are still killing innocent civilians on a daily basis.

I apologise in advance for the swearing and to be honest, I refrained from putting up this video for a long time for that very reason, however, the message it contains is of paramount importance and therefore, I thought, the main reason for why this video should be put up on Hidayahblog.

And one more thing, the issue of Palestine is one which has not gone away, and nor will it go away until we do as much as we can to be a means of ending the illegal occupation and blockade of Palestine.  So please, watch this video and take part in as many activities as you can like lobbying your MP, e-mailing the Home Office to accept the findings of the recent Goldstone report and generally learning as much about the issue of Palestine as possible.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift Film Competition Winner: No Way Through from Ctrl.Alt.Shift on Vimeo.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Assalaamu-Alaykum – Peace be Upon you

Well life goes on as they say.  After major events in our lives, we start falling back into our routines, get caught up in the little troubles and worries that life throws at us and eventually start losing focus on the bigger picture – at least that happens to me!

And so I need reminding every now and again that the world doesn’t revolve around me and that there are hardships greater that any I’ve ever endured and injustices and oppression still ongoing.

So please hit the link below and read Jeremy Bowen’s article about the latest situation in Gaza and remind yourself – just in case you forgot…..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7991341.stm

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Assalaamu-Alaykum – Peace be Upon you

Just thought I’d update you guys on the Gaza feedback event happening tomorrow in Batley.

The event will showcase pictures and videos taken by the guys who went on the recently returned Viva Palestina convoy bringing aid to the Palestinian people.

Here are the full details:

Event: ‘A True Message from the Heroes of Gaza’

Venue: ICWA, Henry Street, Batley

Time & Date: Sunday 29 March 2009 after Zuhr prayer (1:30 pm)

Please try and go and pass the message on, and continue our support and action for the people of Palestine.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

So with over 100 vehicles now and £1 million worth of aid, the Viva Palestina convoy is really picking up some momentum now!

The whole convoy will set off from Westminster on Saturday morning, but I know that from the Dewsbury/Batley area there are 5 vans and 1 HGV truck going to Gaza loaded with all sorts of aid and material to help the plight of our brothers and sisters.

Alhumdulillah (all Praise belongs to Allah) I have been extremely fortunate to have been personally involved in helping get the van ready from Savile Town, Dewsbury.  In our van we’ve loaded essentials such as generators and wind up torches (without batteries!) for the Palestinian people who are struggling for consistent electricity throughout Gaza.

There are also pencils, crayons and other stationery for the children of Gaza, who will insha-Allah remember that there is a life for them other than sifting through the rubble – a life of play, a life of enjoyment, just like that of all the children in the world.  And due to reports of the cold season right now, we have packed in warm wear such as hats, socks and other thermal gear for both men and women.

Anyway, just as they were making their last minute preparations, I got a chance to grab a few words with Imran Mamooniat, who is the driver of our van, and asked him a few questions from us here at Hidayahblog:

HB: So how did you find out about this and decide to drive for Viva Palestina?

IM: I just got an e-mail about the convoy, and so I went on to their website and saw that they needed HGV drivers.  As that is what I do by trade, I decide to apply and do my bit to help out – luckily for me I got the gig!

HB: And how do you feel about doing this?

IM: I feel great!  I feel honoured and as though I have been selected by Allah to be a means of providing aid to these people and spread the message of peace throughout the world.  But to be honest, I’m starting to dread it a little because I know what’s coming – I think it’s finally dawned on me now!

HB: Why are you doing this?

IM: Why? So that I can say that I have done something of note in my life.  So my children and grandchildren can look back and see what we must forever do to help human beings in need.  I know that as a Muslim this is the right thing to do, to help people, and I think that even though I am doing only a tiny part, this tiny part is something bigger to those who are being oppressed by Israel – I think I was born to do this.

HB: What difference do you think this will make to the people of Palestine?

IM: Obviously the aid will make a huge difference, but I think that this will make them feel that they are not alone – that the people of the world have not forgotten them and that we feel their suffering, that we care about them and wanna do as much as we can to help them.  And that we are united with them and are against the injustices caused by Israel.

HB: What problems do you think you will encounter on your journey?

IM: Keeping the convoy together, keeping our spirits up and making sure the whole convoy is united.  And then there’s the issue of what’s going to happen on the Raffah crossing in Egypt.  I just hope that when the patrols see the convoy and its size and unity, they will just be over-awed and let us through without any problems.

HB: What about your family?

IM: They are very happy and proud of me and have given me the strength and back up I have needed to prepare for this trip.  It’s actually been my wife that’s been pushing me!!

HB: What message are you hoping to send out?

IM: I think the whole world needs to wake up to the plight of these people – we need to wake up and step up.  I hope that when people see this convoy on the road, it will give hope to the hearts and give us the impetus we need to do something positive.

HB: So what can those of us who are not going on the convoy do at home?

IM: There’s plenty.  We can donate, write to our local MPs, Councillors and also the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.  Everyone can also pray – it doesn’t matter which religion you are, and also boycott as many Israeli products as you can – remember that every penny we can save from the Israeli companies, means less ammunition they can make which means another life saved.

So there you have it.  The convoys are ready and so are the drivers.  For those of you who can make it, the official launch is on Friday 13 February 2009 at 2pm outside the Dewsbury Town Hall. We hope to see our local MPs for Batley and Dewsbury, Mike Wood and Shahid Malik there and you as well.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Assalaamu-Alaykum – Peace be Upon you

As many of us will have seen the tragic scenes on our news with regards to the bush fires in Australia, many lives have been lost, so many lives have been destroyed.

We here in England probably thinking “hot!? Its freezing here with the snow an’ all!” but that so easily could be us in the summer.  With so many scientists all pointing to the fact that this maybe due to global warming, we have to take a step back and think to ourselves and reflect about this beautiful world which Allah has given us – what have we done to it? Have we respected it? Have we looked after it? What have we really done?

The same way someone gives you something valuable to look after, you do your utmost to make sure it is safe and well looked after.  But why is it when it comes to the Earth we have done nothing. As Muslims we believe that Allah has created everything from human beings to the fish in the sea to the birds in the sky. Many of us have been told by our learned Scholars that even the trees and the birds sing the Praises of Allah, but yet we don’t look after them, but they look after us.

Take the tree for example, simple, but what an amazing creation of Allah, it takes the carbon dioxide from the earth and makes it into oxygen for us, but do we really appreciate it – what would we do without trees?

So the same way we saw so many lives being lost in Gaza and the hurt we felt in our hearts, we must feel this at this time.  Killing of innocent people is wrong, and so is sitting down and not doing anything as our Earth, the Earth that Allah created for us is getting destroyed.

So our prayers go out to the people of Australia in their time of need and may Allah make it easy for you, and our prayers continue for the shattered lives in Palestine – may Allah give you strength in your hearts and the political and humanitarian freedom which is rightfully yours.

Remember, the Qur’an teaches us that God created us from different places and from different tribes and cultures so that we may recognise each other.  So at the end of the day, we humans are all from Adam, regardless of colour, race or creed, and so we MUST do what we can to help each other in our times of need and we MUST pull together to protect and preserve this beautiful place Allah has created for our enjoyment.  This is a way of acknowledging the favours of God, a practical way of giving thanks.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

So the days pass by, the events keep on happening, the money keeps on piling up and insha-Allah (with the Will of God) it’ll get to Palestine and help those who need it the most.

So it is with great pleasure that Hidayahblog presents to you the most inspiring fundraiser run done by the Savile Youth Juniors Football Club.

Done by the children of Savile Town, Dewsbury for the children of Gaza, Palestine.  A fundraiser run to raise money for Palestine and guess what?  They raised a whopping £7,000.00 masha-Allah (whatever Allah Wills).

So here’s the video, please take a step back, and reflect on what is STILL happening in Palestine and keep doing your bit.  Whether it’s a fuindraiser, or a boycott of Israeli products or a letter to the Prime Minister – keep doing the actions that will make a difference and keep making the Duas (supplications) that will make a difference so that we can be a means of the Palestinian people recovering the peace and freedom they once enjoyed.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace