Over the last two days there has been a story of sheer injustice going through my news feed by the hour- the brutal massacre of our brothers and sisters in Syria under a tyrannical and unjust regime. Like many of you, I, at first, was just reading and watching as friends updated the situation and death toll rise in their numbers, I felt helpless yet compelled to do something for Allāh said in the Qurʾān:

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allāh, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is Acquainted with what you do.” [Qurʾān 5:8]

Today He is calling us to stand up in prayer to seek justice and His Help for the oppressed in Syria.

My mind couldn't comprehend the grief and unimaginable horror the brothers and sisters are facing until I listened to the khuṭbah appeal of Sh Muhammad Al-Arifi here and as he shared the humiliating and nefarious attacks on our brothers and sisters in Syria my heart cried for the trial the Ummah is undergoing.

Yet the Prophet has told us that this Ummah is like a strong support structure and like one body, if one part aches then the whole Ummah should ache in agony of the Muslims who are being slaughtered and killed for nothing but their faith. Just before I began to write this article, a Syrian friend of mine shared what was an extremely difficult video to watch of a Syrian brother before his burial yesterday whilst his family cried over him.

My plea to you brothers and sisters is to take action and stand up for justice in Syria. Here's how we can take action:

1. Raise Awareness

The first step we can all take is to raise awareness about the situation in Syria. You can do this by sharing the most up to date and accurate news so people are informed about the situation and can take action. Secondly you can share the video reminders and stories to help the Ummah recognize the obligation on each of us to help those who are being oppressed. (you can post latest links in comments on this newspost and MuslimMatters will use them to update the post).

2. Write to Your Government

As Muslims who are concerned for the security and safety of those in Syria we should call on our MPs, Congressmen, governments and international organizations to put the tyrannical regime to an end because no human being should want for innocent civilians to die. Unfortunately, the UN has failed to remove this unjust regime and therefore by writing, calling and speaking to our MPs in a collective voice can we inshā'Allāh expect to be heard as we should speak out against injustice wherever we see it. If you are attending a demonstration or protest in you country remember you are representatives of Islam through your actions so please refrain from any violent behavior or aggressive actions. Let's remember that the attitude of a Muslim in times of hardship is that of patiently awaiting Allāh's Help.

3. Stand Up in Prayer  

Where possible join the congregation to pray and seek Allāh's Help for Victory. Pray 2 rakʿah nafl prayer seeking His Help and remember the brothers and sisters in your prayers in the day and night; be certain that Allāh will respond for He Hears the du'ā's of the oppressed and surely if there is no justice in this world, we will certainly see it in the Hereafter. As the Qur'anic verse warns us:

“And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allāh and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, 'Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?'” [Qurʾān 4:75]

4. Give in Charity

Another way in which you can take action is to support the charitable organizations providing aid and assistance in Syria, giving money and time or efforts to help these organizations is invaluable at these times. To donate you can visit Islamic Relief's Syria Appeal campaign here or any other transparent registered charity who are working in Syria.

5. Raise Your Hands in Du'ā'

Finally, the least of faith is in making du'ā' and truly, our brothers and sisters request that we raise our hands and seek Allāh to protect and grant victory to those who are suffering immensely today in these massacres. At every prayer, in times of rain and in your prostration please do not forget them for Allāh has promised to answer the  du'ā' of the oppressed (Bukhari).  You can find du'ā's for the oppressed here to read and share.

Islamic phrases include:
• 'alayhis salam –
• rahimaha Allāh –
• rahimahu Allāh –
• rahimahum Allāh –
• radiallahu 'anha –
• radiallahu 'anhu –
• radiallahu 'anhum –
• sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam –
• subḥānahu wa ta'āla –

Both black and white versions of each graphic are provided.
Romanized text and the English translation can also be inserted to assist readers who do not know Arabic, as shown below:

Click here to download the plugin for free – please don't forget to rate it. :)

Updates:
• 1st Feb 2012: version 1.1.0 – Options page added under Dashboard > Settings > Islamic Graphics. Now you can choose to display images with or without accompanying text, set the default image height, and default colour.
• 23rd Jan 2012: version 1.0.7 – Alt and title text added. Hover your mouse over an Islamic graphic to see the transliterated version of the phrase, as well as the meaning in English.
• 14th Jan 2012: version 1.0.6 – New images added! Rahimahullah, rahimaha Allāh, rahimahum Allāh.
• 13th Jan 2012: version 1.0.5 – Changes made to improve image quality. JazakAllah khair Saqib for the recommendations.

This is a strategy proposed by an American Muslim for American Muslims. It is a strategy that American Muslims should employ, if it is the case that we wish to combat negative stereotypes and perceptions about Islam. If you do not think this is important (even though it is), then this is not for you. But if you have genuine concern about the image of Islam in America and have the foresight to picture what life could be like for us if there is another terrorist attack against America, then this is your handbook. The Crescent Directive explains how we can revamp some of the negative perceptions of American Muslims. It's the story of how PTA meetings, Thanksgiving dinner, and Little League baseball, with the help of Allāh, can save the image of Islam in America.

It has several parts. First, we start with how the question about Islam has evolved over the last 10 years. After we narrow in on what the question is now, we discuss what our answers have been, and why they are not effective long-term solutions. Following that, we establish assumptions and outline the strategy of The Crescent Directive. The strategy will include a variety of specific, minor, and at times, seemingly facetious recommendations on changes we American Muslims can make in our everyday lives. The last section is an explanation of how these recommendations will change the image of Islam and closes with a few concerns and caveats.

To download the entire version of The Crescent Directive (for free), click here: you must have Kindle software. If you do not have a Kindle device you can download Kindle for Mac , Kindle for PC , or the Kindle app for your smartphone all free of charge for Muslimmatters readers til 3:00 a.m. EST  TONITE.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting the moon completely in shadow. The eclipse will start at around 7:45 a.m. EST (4:45 a.m. PST, 1245 GMT), when the shadow of the moon inches across the lunar disk.

The celestial show will be visible from parts of North America, with those in the western portions of Canada and the United States particularly well placed for the event. People in Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and central and eastern Asia should also be able to catch sight of the reddened moon. (Space.com)

Those who are able to see the eclipse should perform the special Sunnah prayer, known as ṣalāh-al-Kusuf.

ṣalāh-al-kusuf-the-prayer-of-the-eclipse-tuesday-morning/">Please read this previous MM article to remind yourself of the significance of this celestial event, and what the prayer entails.

This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a prayer that is possible only a few times in your life. So depending on which side of the globe you are on take the time out for this prayer.

For more info:

NORTH AMERICA: Look Up! Lunar Eclipse Will Turn Moon Red Today (Space.com)

INDIA: Watch total lunar eclipse today (Zeenews.india.com)

PAKISTAN: Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011 (Chowrangi.com)

UK/EUROPE: Skywatchers await lunar eclipse (bbc.co.uk)

MALAYSIA/INDONESIA: Malaysians can observe total lunar eclipse today(theborneopost.com)

MIDDLE EAST: Celestial show today (kaleejtimes.com)

Māshā'Allāh, we are growing every day, and we are in need of your assistance! Each month we will be posting new MM positions available. Please follow directions specified in each posting to apply inshā'Allāh.

Current Events Writers

Passionate about news from your part of the world, have an opinion join our news team!

Description:

Applicants must be ready to respond quickly to current events affecting their communities. We are looking for diversity.

This position would be suited to someone who is passionate about news and about issues that affects Muslims and who already spends a significant time online, on social media.

The duties will include:

• Blogging on current issues from around the Muslim world
• Updating our breaking news post ie London Riots with news links, videos, pictures

Copy-Editors

Responsible for critically editing and transliterating feature articles that are published on our website.

The duties will include:
Will be responsible for editing one article a week. Corresponding with our specialists and writers about the reviews. Opportunity to become Editor of the day.

Transcribers

Love taking notes and listening to scholars- join our team which transcribes our scholars' lectures into articles.

The duties will include:

• Listen to audio or videos of lectures
• An article transcribed bi-weekly or as needed

Translators:

Love MM articles? We are looking for translators who can translate our popular feature and Islamic posts into various languages. We are looking for translators who are fluent in Spanish, French, Arabic, Malay or Bahasa.

The duties will include:

• An article translated bi-weekly

Social Media Director

The Social Media Director must have hands on experience in blogging, community, forums combining this with a passion for Muslim issues. The ideal candidate has already launched social initiatives either themselves or on behalf of an organization or client. The SMD must also be comfortable leading and managing a team of passionate individuals with deep knowledge of community dynamics/social media. The main purpose of Social Media is to increase readership and reach of MuslimMatters.

Responsibilities:
Assemble externally or internally a 2-3 person team dedicated to all social media activities.
Coordinate with Marketing lead, Partnerships Coordinator, Public Relations Lead and Editor in Chief to architect and direct the execution of all social media initiatives.

• Draft participation guidelines for the MM brand's engagement in social networks.

Specific Goals:
Develop strategies for Facebook, twitter and other social media tools to help

• Increase fans/followers
• Increase interaction
• Increase reach
• Develop interaction activities with the social media followers. Coordinate direct and lead the daily production of content like a hadith a day, quote of the day, wisdom of the day, etc.
• Help in optimum integration with website to increase readership
• Lead any partnerships with paid services for social media consultants.

Marketing Lead

• engage with advertisement lead to consider cross-promotion oops
• maintain ad poster and flier at all times
• initiate and maintain online advertisements with google adwords, banners, etc
• create KPIs (performance metrics) for ad spending
• propose budget and report quarterly on ROI and other KPIs
• create marketing strategy and milestones for hits, time spent on site, bounce rates, etc
• work with content manager to fine-tune titles, other means of increasing search engine hits
• work with tech team to evaluate google pagerank, other search parameters to improve success
• create video contest to increase mm visibility
• evaluate opp to advertise at major Islamic conferences
• guide/recruit an intern to assist and learn

If you are interested in working in a challenging, friendly environment, please contact our Human Resources department at hr@muslimmatters.org with the subject of the team/position and listing your relevant experience, and contact information for one reference. News Team applicants please submit a sample post on a current issue in your community.

Some team members, such as translators, will be asked to work on a post before the interview. Interviews with selected applicants will be held on Skype during November, inshā'Allāh.

Deadline to Apply: November 18th, 2011

Last year we won Best Blog and Best Group Blog.

Jazzakum Allahu khairan to all of our readers for nominating us.

This year, we are in the Best Group Blog category.

We have won this category for the last 3 years (2008-10), and finished runners-up in 2007.

IF you truly believe in us, AND think we deserve it, help us make it 4 in a row.

http://www.brasscrescent.org/

The floods that hit Pakistan in 2010 were the worst in the history of the country, submerging nearly a fifth of the country under water, affecting 20 million people, rendering over 400,000 homeless, killing around 2000 people, and ruining over 1.6 million acres of crops!

Relief agencies and private individuals in Pakistan and all over the world scrambled to provide aid to the affected. Newspapers were filled with photographs of the flood and its hapless victims, prompting people to do more.

Snap back one year later to the present, as the citizens had yet to return to some sense of normalcy, putting behind the haunting memories of the past year, the skies opened up again and the province of Sindh, specifically the central part of it (in the areas of Thatta, Badin, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar and Benazirabad) started being deluged once again. As rains continue the area being affected has widened.

Map of the flood affected area courtesy United Nations

Table of contents

The 'Īd that got washed away

Springing into action

Some Facts

On ground videos

Pictures

Medical Teams

How may I help?

Related Articles

The 'Īd that got washed away

As Muslims world over celebrated the end of Ramadan with a 'Īd-around-the-world-in-pictures/" target="_blank">festive 'Īd celebration and buffets of food, the citizens of these areas left their homes and watched their belongings drown as the skies continued to pour torrents on them. Unfortunately, for them though, the world took time to wake up to their plight.

The ineffective and red-tape ridden government, as usual, was slow to respond and like the year before the responsibility for welfare and support of the affected was left to relief efforts by private agencies and individuals as had been the case the year before.

Springing into action

In the second half of Ramadan, I was contacted by fellow Bloggers Dr Awab Alvi and Faisal Kapadia asking for me to join in the fund raising efforts to support the people of Badin and surrounding areas where the rains had already started to cause damage. Members of PkRelief (a joint effort of Offroad Pakistan and SA Relief) had once again sprung into action and were gearing up for relief efforts. The initial plan was to adopt 3 camps in Badin with the support of Nishat Welfare Organization, an NGO already working in the area, to feed and house 1000 IDPs (internally displaced persons) and to eventually rehabilitate them once they move back after the rains. While the initial response to fund requests was great, as the scope of this disaster grows, the requirement for funds has grown huge. As the scale of this calamity grows, the response from the world and the news organization is slowly increasing.

The United Nations has launched an appeal to raise USD 357 million to provide food, water, sanitation services, healthcare and emergency shelter to the worst-hit families for six months.

Some facts

• 8,920,631 people have been affected due to the rains and floods (that's the population of New York City or the population of Chicago, Los Angeles, & Houston combined!)
• 1,524,841 homes have been devastated
• 37,498 villages affected
• 6,791,067 acres (10,611 sq miles) of land has been damaged (that's an area bigger than the states of Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island combined)
• 2,166,623 acres (3,385 sq miles) of crops has been wiped out
• 550,186 people have been provided space make-shift camps – the remaining remain in the open without a roof
• 450 people have lost their lives, 756 people have been injured

(Source: National Disaster Management Authority, 10 October 2011)

A food hamper (distributed by PkRelief) costs USD 15

and feeds a family of 04 for 08 days. It consists of:

• 10 kg wheat flour
• 10 kg rice
• 2 kg dal (lentils)
• 1 litre cooking oil
• 1 kg dates

A Relief pack distributed by Indus Foundation Trust costs USD 23:

• 10kg Flour
• 5kg Rice
• 2.5kg Ghee
• 1kg Sugar
• 1kg Channa Dal
• 1Kg Moong Dal
• 0.5Kg Milk Powder
• 1 Packet Matchbox
• 1 Packet Candles
• 1 Packet Tea
• 1 Packet Salt
• Mix Masala
• 2 soaps

On Ground Videos

The following documentary made by the team of PkRelief during their post-'Īd trip to the affected area shows the devastation, the situation on the ground, and the efforts of the PkRelief team.

Click here to view the embedded video.

While the documentary is in English, the testimonials are in Sindhi and Urdu. The first man in the line is being asked how many times a day they are fed. He responds twice a day but no medicines. He says there is no government presence. The second man in the village of Khoski says his 'Īd ṣalāh was performed in the rain. He works in the sugar mill on a salary of Rs 6000 (less than USD 70) per month. In addition, his family had crops on 5 acres of land which was completely wiped out. People who come from other areas are sitting on the sides of the road, their houses destroyed. There is no presence of any government, or the local landlords nor is there much presence of big name NGOs. Says most of them distribute in Badin and leave and never reach Khoski. He praises the Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (the welfare arm of the militant Lashkar-e-Tayyiba) which is the only organization actively working in Khoski at the moment ( incidentally FIF or Jamat-ud-Dawa as it was known earlier was prominent in the rescue efforts during the Earthquake in 2005, the Swat IDP crisis and last year's floods).

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pictures

The pictures have been provided by Faisal Kapadia and Fursid Photography.

More Pictures

The Atlantic

Sanghar Medical And Relief Camp

SA Relief

Young Doctors Association Relief Camp

Young Doctors Association Relief Camp 2

SA Relief Mission to Moro

Medical Teams

I spoke to Dr Faraz Chaudhary, who is General Secretary of the Young Doctors Association of Rahim Yar Khan, and currently working as part of the Relief team from Young Doctors Association of Rahim Yar Khan. Their base is Kot Ghulam Muhammad about 40km from Mirpurkhas with 03 teams of 06 doctors each in different localities trying to provide medical relief.  Faraz told me

“I worked in the Bhong region last year and my team managed 07 camps and treated about 41000 patients but conditions here are 100 times worse.”

Based on last year's experience Faraz gave a list of necssary medicines that would be required to carry out the relief efforts.

1. Ciprofloxacin
2. Levofloxacin
3. Eye drops for conjunctivitis which will soon become epidemic
4. Loads of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS)
5. Flagyl
6. Ranitidine
7. Pain killers
8. Anti malarial medicines
9. Polyfax skin ointment
10. Pyodene and bandages
11. Surgical blades and gloves
12. Septran (not the first choice but is cheap and very effective)
13. Anti histamines
14. Oral hypoglycemics
15. Augmentin
16. Inhalors
17. Ventolin

It is recommended for donors outside Pakistan to send cash rather than kind while those in Pakistan may donate medicines in kind (depending on the relief agency they are donating to)

How may I help?

• Donate your money: See the information below for the organizations working below and help them by donating generously.
• Donate your time: start fund raising efforts among your friends and co-workers. Send it to one of the organizations listed below.
• Share this article: Press Like on Facebook, Tweet it out, post it on Google, e -mail it to your friends.

PkRelief / SA Relief

For further information please email Dr Awab Alvi, Faisal Kapadia, Abdulrahman Rafiq, or Sabahat Ashraf at pkfloods@sarelief.com.

Funds are being collected by Paksef (Pakistan Science and Engineering Foundation) which is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible non-profit Corporation in California. SA Relief operates under Paksef.

Local Pakistan residents can donate via our local Bank:

Bank: Bank Al Habib

Account Title: Abdul Rahim

Account#: 1078-0081-001670-01-4

Branch Code: 1078

Contact Person: Email Faisal Kapadia at pkfloods@sarelief.com

Karachi Relief Trust

Donation through cheques can be made in favor of Karachi Relief Trust

You can also deposit donations directly to our account:

Title: Karachi Relief Trust

AC#: 0786-79007283-03

Bank: Habib Bank Ltd.

Address: Corporate Center, 2 HBL Plaza, I I Chundrigar Road, Karachi.

For those making payments from abroad:

Swift: HABBPKKA

Rotary Club of Karachi

Rotary Club of Karachi Charitable Trust

Standard Chartered Bank NY USA

ABA No 026002561, SWIFT Code SCBLUS – 33XXX  for credit to

Bank Al Habib Ltd Account No: 3582035242001 for further credit to

BAHLPKKAKHI for ultimate credit to

Rotary Club of Karachi Charitable Trust

Account No: 1001-0081-168218-01-7

Note: Please send an email to rotarykhi@gmail.com with the donation details so we may check with the bank and send you a receipt / accounts / pictures for your record. We can also provide you a Certificate for Income Tax exemption for use in Pakistan.

Indus Foundation Trust

Please send your cheques to THE INDUS FOUNDATION TRUST, or if you have goods to deliver, please bring them to the collection point at 49 Old Clifton, Karachi. Phones 00 92 21 35834663/4   Fax: 00 92 21 35837201.

For those sending remittances from abroad please send to

FCY Acct Tameer Bank in HBM 20310-333-400598 for onward credit to

Acc no: 151006003997001 Habib Metropolitan Bank
Main Branch Swift Code MPBLPKKA001
USD Correspondent Habib American Bank
Swift Code HANYUS33

Related articles

Below is a Khutba I would like to share in hope that it will bring benefit to each and everyone of you.

Here is an outline to help you follow through:

Reflections on the departure of Ramadan:

1. Everyone should acknowledge their shortcomings
2. Why are we happy on the Day of 'Īd?
3. What's your personal victory at the end of the month?

Challenges facing the Muslim community:

1. Getting over our differences
2. Everyone is obsessed with their opinion
3. Turning enemies into friends
4. Getting over the culture of retaliation

Click here to view the embedded video.

*****************************************

Giving in to enormous pressure from the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of the East bay, the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) in Oakland cancelled an exhibit of Palestinian children's art called “A Child's View From Gaza.” The art exhibit including nearly 50 pieces by Palestinian children ages 8-14 'that reflect their realities and their dreams for the future' was scheduled to take place at the Museum of Children's Art. This exhibit, arranged by the Middle East Children's Association was supposed to also highlight the Maia murals, part of the 'Water Writes' global mural project: http://www.mecaforpeace.org/news/us-artists-gaza-over-water-crisis.

In a press release, Barbara Lubin, the Executive Director of MECA, expressed her dismay that the museum decided to censor this exhibit in contradiction of its mission “to ensure that the arts are a fundamental part of the lives of all children.”

“We understand all too well the enormous pressure that the museum came under. But who wins? The museum doesn't win. MECA doesn't win. The people of the Bay Area don't win. Our basic constitutional freedom of speech loses. The children in Gaza lose,” she said.

“The only winners here are those who spend millions of dollars censoring any criticism of Israel and silencing the voices of children who live every day under military siege and occupation.”

The art exhibition was scheduled to take place on September 24th, 2011, but was cancelled. Click here to let MOCHA know what you think about their censorship of Palestinian children's voices by sending them a letter.

mocha | museum of children's art
538 Ninth Street, Suite 210
Oakland, CA

To view the rest of the images, visit MECA's Facebook page.

To view the rest of the images, visit MECA's Facebook page.