{NEWS RELEASE} New Film Reveals Masterpieces of Islamic Art

New Film Reveals Masterpieces of Islamic Art

Documentary to Air on PBS July 6^th

Narrated by Susan Sarandon

 

SILVER SPRING, MD – June 11, 2012 – Perceptions and ideas around Muslim identity and culture vary widely and too few are aware of the significant works of art and architecture that make up a large part of Islamic civilization's legacy. Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, is a new documentary from award-winning Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) that brings to life this legacy and will be broadcast nationally on PBS July 6^th at 9:00 p.m. EST. 

Narrated by actor, Susan Sarandon, this 90-minute film takes audiences on a global journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years ofhistory to present the stories behind the masterworks of Islamic art and architecture.

 Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World is the ninth film by Executive Producers Michael Wolfe and Alex Kronemer and UPF (Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet, Cities of Light: The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain, Prince Among Slaves). The film was produced to nurture a greater appreciation for the exquisite works of art that Islamic culture has contributed to humanity. "I believe all viewers, Muslim and non-Muslims alike, will bepleasantly surprised with what our film uncovers," states Alex Kronemer. "As a window into an often misunderstood culture, this film has the ability to be a real catalyst for understanding and perhaps offer a new perspective on Islam's values, culture and lasting legacy," continues Kronemer. 

The film will air on PBS as part of the new PBS Arts Summer Festival, a multi-part weekly series that will take viewers across the country and around the world. 

Viewers of Islamic Art are presented with a kaleidoscope of exquisite works of art – from the opulent Taj Mahal of Agra, India, to the written word in the form of Arabic calligraphy with master calligraphers such as MohamedZakariya. A common theme linking each of the showcased works is the way each piece of art is so different from the next – exemplifying not only the beauty, but the diversity within Islamic cultures. Each masterpiece is a contribution to the larger narrative of just how much Muslims have contributed and still contribute to society. 

Michael Wolfe says, "Never before have viewers had the opportunity to explore such richness of Islamic art and history with commentary from some of the world's most renowned experts who have the ability to explain just why these works are so important."  "We hope watching the film will result in Muslims feeling a source of pride, aswell as celebration in their heritage," continues Kronemer. 

After its national television debut July 6^th, Islamic Art will be available on DVD for $19.95 through www.upf.tv.  

Islamic Art has already caught the attention of thought leaders who are calling the film an important contribution to documentary filmmaking about Islamic cultures.

 

"UPF's Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World is a stunning achievement in documentary filmmaking. Itopens a window onto a sight of Islam so often neglected in the west. The aesthetic, beauty, and culture offer an opening for us all to start a dialogue on the values that we share and hold in common."  - Karen Armstrong, Award-Winning author of religion

 

"This film will open the eyes and the imagination of American Muslims, reminding us all of our rich artistic heritage. I highly recommend that all American Muslims watch this documentary and share it with their neighbors!" - Imam Mohamed Magid, President, Islamic Society of North America  

 

Join us on Twitter at @islamicartfilm the evening of the premiere, July 6^th, for a tweet chat using the hashtag #IslamicArt.

  

About Unity Productions Foundation

The mission of Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) is to create peace through the media. A nonprofit organization founded in 1999, UPF produces documentary films for both television broadcast, online viewing, and theatrical release, and implements long-term educational campaigns aimed at increasing understanding between people of different faiths and cultures, especially between Muslims and other faiths. For more information, visit www.upf.tv.

 Media Contact:  Lisa Mabe, Hewar Social Communications, 202.505.2890, lisa@hewarcommunications.com

 

 

 

Sins & Tawbah

 

 

 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

 

Question: Some Muslims who are not practicing say, "I am not on my Deen (Religion) right now because I want to give Islam all of me, and right now I can't do that." So they leave everything that Allaah made incumbent upon them due to this claim. (Meaning) they say: "I don't want to practice just half way (one foot in and one foot out), I want to practice all the way. However because of the sins I'm committing right now, I don't want to mix this with Islam."

 

So what is your advice regarding this?

 

Shaykh: You mean that he is Muslim, but he is a sinner?

 

Questioner: Yes.

 

Answer: We say to him that there is nothing wrong that you remain upon your sins and you continue upon them up until Allaah blesses you to make a sincere tawbah - however with a condition, and it is that you are guaranteed that you will not die except after you make tawbah! Also that you are guaranteed that you will live until a time that these sins will not affect you and your heart.

 

This is because sins place a covering on the heart which can hinder one from making tawbah, may Allaah not decree this.

 

So a Muslim does not have a guarantee for himself that he won't die right now while still upon sins. So what excuse does a person make? They say, "but Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Yes, but He is also Severe in punishment. So it is incumbent that the Muslim does not feel safe from the plotting of Allaah. And it is incumbent that he does (righteous) actions and repents to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. So I'm mentioning these things in the beginning of this answer - as it is said - to sort of relate to the questioner according to the level of his intellect.

 

However if you are a Muslim who really comprehends what you are saying here, then listen to the following points:

 

The first point: who said to you that Islam wants from you that you be a Muslim who does not commit any sin at all? The Prophet - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - said: "All of the children of Adam makes many mistakes and the best of those who make mistakes are those who repent." [Authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (no.3428).]

 

So he - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - clarified that the children of Adam (i.e. people) fall into mistakes and errors, excluding the Prophets and Messengers, and the best of these people are those who often repent. He didn't say those who are persistent upon sins, then they make tawbah at the end. So this is the first thing.

 

Secondly: The Prophet - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - said to his companions: "If it wasn't that you all commit sins, Allaah would have brought a people who commit sins, and He would forgive them," or close to this meaning said by the Prophet, 'alayhis salaam.

 

So who said to you it is requested that you be a Muslim one hundred per cent never falling into error. No doubt that this affair is good but who can guarantee this? This is a high level. If we made it a condition for all of the Muslims, no one would ever repent.

 

The third matter: come with me and ponder over the statement of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic:

 

كَلَّا بَلْ رَانَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

 

Nay, but Rân has been placed over their hearts because of what they used to earn."

(Al-Mutaffifin 83:14)

 

(The word in the beginning of the ayah) Kalla, is a statement of rebukement. And as for Rân, it means that He placed a seal over the hearts of these people. As for His statement, "because of what they used to earn," meaning the acts they used to commit. So what is the (general) meaning of the ayah? It means, due to their sins, a seal was placed over their hearts, so they could not make repentance nor can they ask for forgiveness.

 

That which supports this is the narration of the Prophet - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - and this is the fourth matter: "If a person commits a sin, a black spot is placed over his heart. And if he repents and refrains, it will be wiped away. However if he sins and persists upon the sins, the spots will return up until the heart becomes totally black resembling an upside down mug. It will not recognize any good nor will it rebuke any evil." [Declared 'hasan,' by al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jami' al-Saghir (1666)]

 

This is because of sins and not making tawbah and not returning to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. Also, shaytaan hopes that he can win over a person by this statement [in question]. Outwardly, this statement seems good but the reality is that it is evil. This is because this means, it is as if you deem Allah too great that you sin and repent, and you deem Allah too great to fall into opposition to His command, so (based on your understanding) you (will just) remain persistent upon your sins until you're ready to repent (for good). However in reality this is an evil (thought). Also look at the advice of the Prophet - salla Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam - to Mu'adh, may Allaah be pleased with him - when he said: "O Mu'adh, fear Allaah wherever you may be." Allaah is with you [by His knowledge] wherever you may be, He sees you, and He knows your condition and He's with you with His Knowledge, the Mighty and Majestic.

 

… وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ …

 

"…And He is with you wherever you may be…"

(Hadeed: 57: 4)

 

"O Mu'adh fear Allaah wherever you may be and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, and it will erase it."

 

These are priceless words of advice. If you fall into a sin, all of the children of Adam fall into many sins, repent to Allaah, seek Allaah's forgiveness, pray two Rak'ahs for repentance to Allaah, give sadaqah, glorify Allaah, read the Qur`aan, do righteous deeds. Why all of this? So sins won't cause a seal to be placed upon your heart.

 

And your statement "I don't want to repent because I want to be a believer 100 per cent." Does not the statement of the Prophet - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - refute this? "And follow up a bad deed with a good deed." Look: are you better or the Prophet – salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam? Who is more knowledgeable concerning Allaah? The Messenger of Allaah - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - is the most knowledgeable concerning Allaah, and he is the one who pointed us to that which earns the pleasure of Allaah and he pointed us to follow up a bad deed with a good deed. He didn't say, sin, sin, sin, and then repent.

 

I end this answer with a (another) great hadeeth and it is a glad tidings for me and you and every sinner. The Prophet - salla Allaahu alayhi wa sallam - informed of this glad tiding. He said: "If a slave commits a sin, then seeks forgiveness, Allaah will say to the angels: My slave committed a sin and then he sought my forgiveness and I forgave him. Then he committed another sin, and Allaah will say: My slave committed a sin and sought my forgiveness and I forgave him. Then the slave will commit another sin (and repented). So Allaah will say: My slave committed a sin and sought my forgiveness, and I forgave him. I testify you O My angels that I have forgiven him."

 

So look, (that one) makes tawbah, and then falls into a sin and then makes tawbah, and then falls into a sin. This is not from playing games and this is not from making mockery of Allaah or falling short. Rather this is the war between [us and] shaytaan who said:

 

قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

 

[Iblîs (Satan)] said: "By Your Might (Oh my Lord) I will lead all of them astray"

(Sad: 38: 82)

 

And also it shows that the door of tawbah is always open, concerning which Allaah has said: "And by My Might I will indeed forgive them so long as they seek forgiveness from me."

 

So this is the war and struggle between us and shaytaan, so beware, beware of this statement. Repent to Allaah, and seek His forgiveness every time you fall into a sin, and do not despair from the mercy of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic. And Allaah said:

 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا

 

"Oh you who believe: turn in repentance to Allaah with a sincere repentance..."

(At-Tahrim 66:8)

 

'Umar and other than him from the companions and the Salaf said: Sincere repentance is that after you fall into a sin, then repent from it and never return to it up until death. Yes, this is a very high level and - if you can do it - this is something good. However that you remain upon sins and you say, 'I want to just make one tawbah for everything.' ...Just as I said to you in the beginning, who can guarantee for you that you will live to a time you can make tawbah, and who is it that can guarantee that you will have a heart that will incline to making tawbah after it was sealed due to constant sinning? So - by Allaah - be steadfast in turning (in repentance) to Allaah.

 

 

LIBYA: UN ENVOY CALLS ON AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF RECENT CONFLICTS

LIBYA: UN ENVOY CALLS ON AUTHORITIES TO ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF RECENT CONFLICTS
New York, Jun 17 2012  3:10PM
The top United Nations envoy in Libya has voiced his concern at renewed fighting in several localities that has led to a number of deaths, injuries and displacement, and called on the authorities to address the causes of the conflicts and protect civilians.

"It is of the utmost importance that the Government acts swiftly to de-escalate these conflicts and to ensure the protection and well-being of civilians," the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ian Martin, said in a statement.

"The wounded need to be able to urgently access medical care, and basic humanitarian support and services must be restored to the people affected by the fighting in accordance with international humanitarian law," he added.

Mr. Martin welcomed the steps taken so far by the Government, and urged the Libyan authorities and all side
s to end the fighting, particularly in Kufra and in the Zintan-Shaqiqa area.

He also reminded all concerned of their obligation to ensure the protection of civilians and avoid the targeting of civilian areas. Sustained efforts are needed, he added, to address the causes and consequences of local conflicts.

Mr. Martin told the Security Council in May that armed clashes in recent months between various groups have tested the reach and authority of the Government's security apparatus and ability to impose the rule of law. A key issue related to public security, he added, is the integration or demobilization of the revolutionary fighters and the control of weapons.

Human rights, transitional justice, and national reconciliation are among the other issues that need to be addressed during the ongoing democratic transition in Libya, where Muammar al-Qadhafi ruled for more than 40 years until a pro-democracy uprising last year led to civil war and the deposing of his regime.

!! تخيل نفسك في الجنة

http://samotalis.blogspot.com/

SECURITY COUNCIL URGED TO TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE ARREST OF SUDANESE LEADERS FOR WAR CRIMES

SECURITY COUNCIL URGED TO TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE ARREST OF SUDANESE LEADERS FOR WAR CRIMES
New York, Jun  5 2012  2:10PM
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo today called on the Security Council to adopt measures to ensure the arrest of Sudanese leaders indicted for war crimes, stressing that the Government's refusal to arrest President Omar Al-Bashir constitutes "a direct challenge to the Council's authority."

"Those who bear the greatest responsibility have been indicted. The current challenge is their arrest," Mr. Moreno-Ocampo <"http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/exeres/FE682E4C-8650-48AA-A5F0-F5A30D182D1F.htm">told a meeting of the Security Council in New York. "It is for the Council to determine the measures to be adopted to ensure the compliance of the Government of the Sudan."

The Security Council asked the ICC, which is based in The Hague in the Netherlands, to investigate war crimes in Darfur in 2005 after a UN inquiry found serious violations of international human rights law.

On March 2009, ICC judges issued arrest warrants against Sudan's President Al-Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, where an estimated 300,000 people have died since 2003 due to fighting between Government forces and allied Arab militiamen, known as the Janjaweed.

The ICC also issued summonses to appear for rebel leaders Abdallah Banda, Saleh Jerbo and Abu Garda in relation to war crimes. Other officials indicted include government minister Ahmed Harun, militia leader Ali Kushayb and the defence minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein.

"President Al-Bashir is taking advantage of his position of power to continue with his strategy and to ensure his own impunity and the impunity of those who follow his instructions," Mr. Ocampo told the Council. "There is no information to believe that such crimes against humanity and genocide have stopped."

Although Sudan is not a State Party to the Rome Statute which established the ICC, it is obliged to cooperate with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the prosecutor in accordance with a Security Council resolution adopted in 2005. However, the ICC Prosecutor cited other options for moving forward.

"The execution of the arrest warrants on the Sudanese territory is the primary responsibility of the Government of Sudan, and UNAMID [the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur] should not be authorized to carry out or assist to secure arrests," Mr. Moreno-Ocampo said. "The Council can, in due course, evaluate other possibilities including asking UN Member States or regional organizations to execute arrest operations in furtherance of the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court."

"The victims will receive a clear message: they are not ignored. And the perpetrators will receive a clear message: there will be no impunity. Time is running out," he added.
Jun  5 2012  2:10PM


--
Ahmed Hassan Arwo

Ayat of the Quran

Ayat of the Quran

Verse No: 42

يَوْمَ يُكْشَفُ عَنْ سَاقٍ وَيُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى السُّجُودِ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ

On the day when it befalleth in earnest, and they are ordered to prostrate themselves but are not able, 
Al-Qalam (The Pen) »
English Quran »

Daily Remembrance

ذُوالْجَلاَلِ وَ الإكْرَامِ
Dhul Jalali wal Ikram: The Possessor of Majesty and Honour
Meaning: The Lord of Majesty and Bounty, The One who deserves to be Exalted and not denied.

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY DISCUSSES SITUATION IN SYRIA WITH KING OF JORDAN

UN-ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY DISCUSSES SITUATION IN SYRIA WITH KING OF JORDAN

The Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League for the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, today met with King Adbullah II Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, for talks on developments in neighbouring Syria.

"They discussed the complexity of the crisis in Syria and its potential impact on the region," Mr. Annan's spokesperson said in statement. "The Joint Special Envoy briefed him on his recent visit to Damascus and on his efforts to push for full implementation of the six-point plan. They agreed on the importance of ending the violence and finding a political solution."

Earlier this week, the Joint Special Envoy had been in Damascus where he met President Bashar al-Assad. He then travelled to Jordan where he met, yesterday, its Prime Minister Fayez al-Tarawneh and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, with whom he also discussed the situation in Syria.

The UN estimates that more than 9,
000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Syria and tens of thousands displaced since the uprising against President al-Assad began some 15 months ago. Jordan has received Syrian refugees who have fled the violence in their country.

The six-point plan -- put forward by Mr. Annan in March this year -- calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

May 31 2012 10:10AM
________________


--
Ahmed Hassan Arwo

It will be your fault if civil war breaks out in Syria, Hillary Clinton tells Russia

It will be your fault if civil war breaks out in Syria, Hillary Clinton tells Russia


DAVID USBORNE  , LOVEDAY MORRIS


Clang. Another budget u-turn drops. All charity donations will now be exempt from the clampdown on t...




Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, told Russia yesterday it will be responsible for unleashing a full-blown civil war in Syria unless it changes course and sides with Washington and other Western powers in pushing for President Bashar al-Assad to step down and facilitate a political transition.


The comments from Mrs Clinton, made in Copenhagen at the start of a Scandinavian tour, reflect a deepening conviction among top US policymakers that persuading President Vladimir Putin to cut Assad loose is about the only palatable option available in trying to tackle the Syrian crisis.

Finding some way forward is politically urgent for President Barack Obama, who, just five months from the US election, is being accused by Republicans of sitting on his hands. On a visit to Malaysia yesterday, Senator John McCain said it was "embarrassing that the United States of America refuses to show leadership and come to the aid of the Syrian people" and advocated arming the Syrian opposition.

Some diplomats hope that if progress with Russia cannot be made during visits by Mr Putin to Berlin and Paris today, it can be at a G20 summit later this month in Mexico. So far, however, Moscow, which has twice vetoed UN resolutions on Syria, seems intent on maintaining its opposition to outside intervention.

"We have to bring the Russians on board because the dangers we face are terrible," Mrs Clinton told a group of Danish students. In a clear message to Moscow, she said the Russians "are telling me they don't want to see a civil war. I have been telling them their policy is going to help contribute to a civil war."

The international stalemate came as a split in the command of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was exposed when its supposed leader in Turkey dismissed a statement by a colonel on the ground who said the rebels would resume attacks if regime troops do not abide by a UN ceasefire by noon today.

FSA fighters inside Syria reacted furiously after Colonel Riad al-Asaad, who fled Syria for Turkey after his defection from the airforce in July last year and set up FSA with other senior defectors, contradicted Colonel Qassim Saadeddine's declaration of a deadline.

"The true leaders of the Free Syrian Army are inside Syria, not in five-star hotels in Turkey," an FSA spokesman told The Independent. "There are 10 regional military councils across Syria and the one they recognise as their leader is Colonel Qassim Saadeddine."

The friction between the two senior officers illustrates the growing tension in the FSA, with many of the more senior defectors taking up positions of command away from the battlefield in neighbouring Turkey. Col Saadeddine's video statement purported to speak for "the joint command of the Free Army inside Syria which includes all military councils with brigades and units in different governorates" and gave President Bashar al Assad's forces 48-hours to "end all forms of violence".

Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut, said the FSA lacked "meaningful command structures" as many groups use the label but said he expects a "new generation" of opposition leaders to emerge on the ground between now and the autumn, both military and non-military.

The fragmented nature of the opposition to the Assad regime, has been one of the main reasons – alongside the lack of a UN mandate – that those calling for the Syrian president to be deposed have been reluctant to give military aid to the opposition.

"For those who are advocating arming the opposition they should consider the consequences of that approach and also to ask frankly, who are they arming?" noted Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the UN Security Council. "It is not a united opposition, it is fragmented." At a meeting in Geneva today, the UN Human Rights Council is expected set up a formal probe into last week's Houla massacre.

Dennis Ross, the respected former special adviser to President Obama, suggested yesterday that the US should be planning to create a "safe haven" for civilians in northern Syria, a step that would necessarily mean deploying troops to defend it. "We need to start planning for it," he said.

The most persistent critic of Mr Obama so far has been his challenger, Mitt Romney. "The world looks to America to lead and we've been sitting in the back burner hoping things would become arranged in a way that was attractive to the world," he said. "What's happening in Syria is unacceptable."

Houla massacre carried out by 'armed gangs'

The Syrian government yesterday claimed that the massacre in Houla was perpetrated by "armed gangs" as part of a plan to bring about civil war and foreign intervention.

Brigadier General Qassem Jamal Suleiman, the head of a committee investigating the killings, said the victims were opposed to armed opposition groups in the area and included the relatives of a member of parliament. "The massacre... is part of the plan for a civil war with international intervention," he said.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman, Jihad Makdissi, insisted that security forces never entered the area. "The victims' bodies did not show any traces of bombing," he said. Mr Makdissi's statement is contradicted by videos from Houla before the massacre on Friday.

Loveday Morris

The boy, 11, who played dead as his family were murdered in their home

When the gunmen began to slaughter his family, 11-year-old Ali el-Sayed says he fell to the floor of his home, soaking his clothes with his brother's blood to fool the killers into thinking he was already dead.

The Syrian boy tried to stop himself from trembling, even as the gunmen, with long beards and shaved heads, killed his parents and all four of his siblings, one by one.

The youngest to die was Ali's brother, 6-year-old Nader. His small body bore two bullet holes, one in his head, another in his back.

"I put my brother's blood all over me and acted like I was dead," Ali told the AP news agency over Skype, his raspy voice steady and matter-of-fact, five days after the killing spree that left him both an orphan and an only child.

Ali is one of the few survivors of a weekend massacre in Houla, a collection of poor farming villages and olive groves in Syria's central Homs province. More than 100 people were killed, many of them women and children who were shot or stabbed in their houses. AP

--
Ahmed Hassan Arwo