Humanity without Clarity In the aftermath of the attack on America the US administration has made a concerted effort in explaining to the world that Americas quarrel is not with Islam. In a press conference President Bush quoted the Quranic verse “... whoever kills a human being it is be as if he has killed all humanity.” This verse became one of the most quoted verses from the Quran by politicians, Islamic experts and Muslims in general who were appalled at the thought of such a horrendous act, allegedly committed in the name of Islam. The essence of this verse (5:32) is that the survival of human life is dependant on every member of the human race respecting the sanctity of life and contributing actively to the survival and protection of innocent. The verse does not apply a threshold of 500 lives or 5000 lives, but says that the killing of “a” single innocent life is a crime against humanity. After the Sep. 11 attack, Muslims from all over the world forcefully condemned the attack on innocent citizens of the US. But since the bombing of Afghanistan started and mounting news of collateral civilian casualties, there is only sheepish mention of sorrow at the loss of innocent life and frustration with US policy of bombing one of the poorest countries in the world. The Pentagon has expressed regret that a couple of its smart bombs became temporarily insane. And of course the US military is taking painstaking measures to avoid collateral civilian casualties but the fact remains that, women, children and innocent who are not even remotely connected to the Sep. 11th crime are bearing the brunt of the punishment. Even back in January 2001, Amnesty International reported... At least another 70,000 people were fleeing intensified fighting and drought in Afghanistan, their situation not helped by Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan closing their borders. According to UNHCR, in addition to 1.5 million Afghan refugees, before the US bombing, Pakistan could be flooded with up to another 300,000 refugees fleeing U.S. air strikes. Very few people are speaking for the Afghan mothers who have been lamenting the pain and loss of their children. The voice of the few humanitarian organizations is drowned in the sound of explosions. The popular talk of strategy is, as if on a board of chess, what would happen if the bombing continues during Ramadan? And how can the King be restored on the mine-checkered land of Afghanistan? For Muslims in the US, the wounds from the loss of fellow innocent citizens on Sep. 11 have still not healed, infliction of emotional scars from the backlash still continue and now US Muslims are being asked will you support collateral Muslim casualties during Ramadan? And people may ask, what about the “Evil” Taliban? The vast majority of the Muslim world has not subscribed to the religious interpretations of the Taliban. Before being Taliban these people are simple Afghans, fiercely independent, deeply cultural, intensely loyal to their tribe and lastly... fundamental Muslims. Among these, the older Taliban fought the last battle for the West against the “Evil” communist empire. The crime of the Taliban, we are told is they failed to unconditionally yield to the command, turn over Bin Laden ... Dead or Alive! Any suggestion or involvement of a neutral country will not be considered. We are also told that bombing will continue until we destroy those training centers and shooting ranges of “wicked” Al-Qaeda that has instantly emerged on the world scene like rapidly reproducing vampire bats. There is no disagreement among all the UN member countries that terrorism needs to be eliminated and the criminals responsible for killing innocent civilians in the Sep. 11 attack should be brought to justice. But this should not be done at the expense of more innocent lives. Surely the collective resources of the intelligence agencies of the world can track down these criminals more effectively. War or Justice? Islamic way of life (submission to the Divine Natural order) requires Muslims to strive for justice for all. The founding principals of America, One Nation under God, require justice for all. Yet, instead of pursuing justice we are barreling down a path of war. After the dust has settled, will history reflect on this as a war between arrogance and ignorance? Books you would like to read:- 1.The Voice Of Human Justice (Sawt-ul-Adalatil-Insaniyah) SKU: 03212-2767 (Books - 508 Pages - George Jordac - English, P003) Price: $18.00 Detail Description: This hard bound book of five hundred pages portrays the noble character of Ali (ra) in the context of Adl (Justice) and Insaniyah (Humanity). This is an English translation of the Arabic work Sawt-ul-Adalatil-Insaniyah (Voice of Human Justice). Authored by a Lebanese Christian, George Jordac and translated in English by Fazal Haq. 2.Peak of Eloquence - Nahjul Balagha - Hard Bound SKU: 03212-2759 (Books - 680 pages (Hard Bound) - Translation of Sayed Ali Reza - English, V321 ) Price: $29.95 Detail Description: This book is a translation of the Sermons, Letters, Orders and some of the Sayings of Imam Ali (ra),compiled by Syed Razi and named Nahjul Balagha. These sermons and preaching of Imam Ali are venerated in the Islamic world since they were uttered for the first time. They are not only the best lectures for character building but a powerful source of inspiration. These pearls of wisdom are persuasive sermons leading the reader to piety and it guides Muslims to establish truth and justice. The profound sayings of Imam Ali would touch the depths of the heart of readers. A reference; "Contentment is a wealth that does not exhaust" 3.Human Rights in Islam SKU: 03001-2391 (Books - 40 pgs. - Abul A'la Mawdudi - , C131) Price: $3.95 Detail Description: HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM is an English translation of a talk given by Mawlana Mawdudi at the invitation of Civic Rights and Liberties Forum, Lahore, Pakistan. To put the discussio in perspective, an earlier talk of Mawlana Mawdudi on the political system of Islam has also been included. The two talks taken together should enable the reader to have a clear idea of the Islamic political freamework and the nature and concept of human rights in Islam. 4.Religion On The Rise - Islam in the 3rd Millenium SKU: 03006-3607 (Books - - Murad Hofmann - English, ST44) Price: $14.95 Detail Description: An informative and provocative book! Whereto is the highly civilized world heading? Are Christianity and Islam prepared to take on the challenges of a new era in human history? What are the intrinsic values and moral virtues of a humane society that can help humankind survive peacefully, guided by reason - and in harmony with divine revelation? Contents: Destination: West Destination: East Many long and wretched years Targeting the media Blond, blue-eyed and human rights Democracy or Shuracracy Similar or Identical? Why Muhammad (pbuh) Jesus dividing - Jesus uniting Colorblind What are they here for? In for a change Petitioners or Partners? Islam in America What if they come 248 pages of good information. 5.Islam and Universal Peace SKU: 03007-1830 (Books - 81 pages - Sayyid Qutb - English, A452) Price: $5.95 Detail Description: Explains the Islamic concept of peace and its universal nature, and how Islam brings peace and harmony to the lives of individuals and to society. Courtesy of Islamicity of America. With the very best of good wishes, Musa Amadu Pembo Glasgow, Scotland UK. [log in to unmask] May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,guide us all to His Sirat Al-Mustaqim (Righteous Path).May He protect us from the evils of this life and the hereafter.May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,grant us entrance to paradise .. Ameen