Iraq conflict: Crisis of an orphaned generation

By Caroline HawleyBBC News, Baghdad  Brothers Mustafa and Mortada lost their mother and father during the war

A recent survey in Iraq found that between 800,000 to a million Iraqi children have lost one or both of their parents.

According to aid workers this figure is a conservative estimate of the many thousands growing up in the shadow of violence.

Twelve-year-old Saif lost both his parents in a bomb attack - in which he was also injured - in the province of Diyala in 2005.

"I don't remember what happened," he says, quietly. "I was small. A man came and took me away and afterwards told me what had happened to my mother and father. There is no life when you've lost your mother and father."

Saif is now being brought up in a private orphanage where, despite the trauma he has been through, he enjoys playing computer games and singing, and dreams of becoming an actor.

No-one knows the exact number of Iraqi children who, like Saif, have been orphaned by Iraq's unrelenting violence.

Social crisis

But with bombs and assassinations still a daily occurrence, the number of orphans is continually growing.

Children in this private orphanage have better facilities than those in the state-run institution which the BBC visited

Beyond the individual tragedies, the sheer number of Iraqi orphans has created a social crisis in a country that has less than 200 social workers and psychiatrists put together, for a population of 30 million people. It has no child protection laws.

Officials say that desperately needed welfare legislation has been held hostage to sectarian squabbling in parliament.

The orphanage in central Baghdad where Saif lives was set up by Hisham Hassan and funded by private donations.

He told the BBC he could not stand by and watch the suffering of a generation of young Iraqis.

"The government has not grasped the size of the problem," he says.

Among the 32 boys he looks after are brothers Mustafa and Mortada, aged 10 and 11.

Their mother was killed in a shoot-out and their father disappeared during the height of Iraq's sectarian war.

They remember and miss a "good mother" and a father who used to play football with them.

Hisham Hassan and his small staff have done their best to create a homely atmosphere at the orphanage.

There is one room for the boys to create art, and a computer room where games are allowed once homework is done. And they are taught to sew and even cut hair.

After the harrowing experiences of their past, they are being encouraged to prepare for a better future.

"If they're not properly looked after, when they grow up they will be exploited by terrorists and they will be like bombs - a threat to the security and future of the country," says Mr Hassan.

'Caged bird'

On the other side of the city, in a state-run orphanage for 12- to 18-year-olds, a desperate 17-year-old Mustafa is terrified about his own future.

"I need someone to give me psychological care. Maybe we'll be involved in crimes because there is nothing good in our future," he says.

Many of the play facilities at Baghdad's Dar al-Waziriya orphanage need updating

Mustafa was brought to Dar al-Waziriya orphanage after he lost both his parents in a bomb attack when he was 12 years old.

"I feel like a bird in a cage here," he says. "I wish there was someone to listen to us."

The orphanage, home to 52 boys, is a dilapidated and disconsolate place - the playground has fallen into disuse, there is no light in the downstairs toilet, and no sink in the bathroom upstairs.

The steps to the boys' dormitories are crumbling and a broken door has not been fixed.

"I would like this to be a nice place to live," an eight-year-old boy tells me, shyly.

Iraq's Deputy Minister for Social Affairs, Dara Yara, told the BBC that he and his staff are doing their best, in difficult political circumstances.

"We're are working day and night to improve the services we provide to orphans. But the money I'm allocated for this is very limited. And the whole social security system in this country needs reform.

"This is a humanitarian issue and it's not being prioritised by parliament. We need laws and we need money from the ministry of finance to deal with the problem."

And he, too, worries about the security consequences if Iraq's orphans are not given the long-term care that they need.

"They are," he says, "very easy targets for recruitment by terrorists."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20461110

Pakistan grilled by European Parliament for it's Kill and Dump policy in Baluchistan

The Human rights activists in Baluchistan have informed the International human rights community several times about the abduction of members of Baluch National Movement by Pakistani intelligence and how their body were found dumped near their houses but no stringent action has been taken against the concerned authorities despite of tons of evidence collected against the Pakistan authority. Alexander Alvaro, Member of European Parliament and member of South Asia Peace Forum (SAPF) slammed Pakistan for numerous reports of Human rights violations in Baluchistan. He particularly showed concern that Baluchistan despite being an international issue; few steps have been taken by the international Community to make Pakistan`s intelligence and security agencies answerable for continuing human rights violations in Baluchistan. He specifically asked Vice-President of the Commission that "Does the European Union envisage the appointment of a special rapporteur for Baluchistan to conduct, with the assistance of the international human rights organisation."? The European Union replied to which that both sides has agreed to reinforce this commitment for respecting human rights and other security issues, although Pakistan is widely being criticized for their Kill and dump occupation in Baluchistan, as much of valid facts are available in hands of many Human rights organizations.

Nawab Nazar’s mother has appealed the Int’l Human Rights Groups to play their role for recovery of his son

Occupied Balochistan,TURBAT: The mother of martyr Ilyas Nazar has demanded in a press release, that claimants of Islam and humanism should raise their voice for the safe recovery of his son Nawab Nazar. He is the only breadwinner of house. Nawab Nazar’s mother has also urged the Chief Justice, to take immediate action for safe recovery of Nawab Nazar, and provide us justice. She further said that, Nawab Nazar was never involved in politics or any other activities, and I even don’t know why they have abducted my son and punishing him. She has also appealed the abductors, to tell the fault of Nawab Nazar. She added, ‘’Previously my younger son Ilyas Nazar was martyred after abduction. Till today no one hasn’t said us about the fault of Ilyas Nazar, that why he was killed? She also urged the International Human Rights Groups, like Amnesty Int’l, Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Int’l Justice Bodies to play their role for safe recovery of his son Nawab Nazar.

Burka-promoting Pakistani preacher Farhat Hashmi barred from entering Canada?

by Tarek Fatah on Thursday, 29 November 2012 at 18:41

There are more women than men in this world ... Who will take care of these women? It is better for a man to do things legally by taking a second wife, rather than having an affair. ... Women that should understand the limits set by Islam."

-  18-year old Canadian student, Sadaf Mahmood

"I was a feminist...But after taking her classes, I don't think that way."

-  18-year old Canadian student, Madiha Khokar

October 29, 2005

Islamic School for Women:

Faithful or Fundamental?

By Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

The Globe and Mail, Toronto

In a modest industrial park near Lester B. Person International Airport in Mississauga, 150 women varying white head scarves and long, black Saudi style coats called abayas sit in a medium-sized classroom listening attentively to their teacher.

This morning's lecture includes a perspective on the recent earthquake in Pakistan. "We must understand why such calamities take place," says Dr. Farhat Hashmi, addressing the room in Urdu. "The people in the are where the earthquake hit were involved in immoral activities, and God has said that he will punish those who do not follow his path." He students nod and murmur in agreement.

The classroom walls are pinned with interpretations of passages from the Quran, giving instruction on how Muslims should live their lives-guidance on when to smile, cry, tell the truth, when to be angry. Outside the front door, a sign reads, "no men allowed without prior permission."

Since April, 2005, women from across Toronto and as far way as Australia have come here to the Al Huda Islamic Centre of Canada to take a 20-month course called Taleem-ul-Quran; the "education of the Quran." Its teacher, and the school's founder, Dr. Hashmi, says she has come from Pakistan to enlighten young Muslim women about their religion.

Her critics in the city's South Asian community say she is encouraging women to cover up, stay at home and accept outdated gender roles.

The school is the latest extension of Al-Huda International which Dr. Hashmi founded in Pakistan in 1994 after graduating with a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Glasgow. Through her teachings, she has since become a well-known Islamic scholar, specially among middle and upper-middle-class women in Pakistan.

The school now counts more than 10,000 graduates and she has offered lectures to women in Dubai and London.

She has moved to Toronto with her husband and family, she says, in response to demand for young women in the city to gain a deeper understanding of Islam. For a nominal fee of $60 a month, students attend classes four days a week for five hours a day.

During a typical class, students p=recite prayers from the Quran, then follow up with a long session reading the Urdu translation of the Holy Book with Dr. Hashmi.

In order the non-certified diploma, students are expected to learn how to translate the 30 books of the Quran. Her lessons are also available on CD.

"My Canadian friends invited me here because they feel that there is an need to educate young Muslim girls in this society," explains Dr. Hashmi in an interview conducted in Urdu. "They come to me for answers," she says. "I teach them the Quran, and they leave with a sense of peace."

The young women who have come to the Al-Huda Islamic Centre seem to agree. They say there experience learning with Dr. Hashmi has transformed them.

Sada Mohsin, 17, says she wore jeans and t-shirts and often stayed out partying with friends in her senior year of high school in New York. "I was like an average high school student," she says. "I would go with the flow, listen to music, have both guy and girl friends."

When her father suggested that she move to Canada to go to the Al-Huda Islamic Centre, she initially resisted. "I knew that my parents were angry at me for pushing them away. They felt that I was becoming too American in my ways," she says.

But over the past few months, Ms. Mohsin has enjoyed the classes so much that he has stayed out of choice. "I'm giving up my old American friends and making new ones here in class. My whole life is changing," she says. "I've started wearing the abaya, and its this new environment and these new friends that have helped me do that."

Dressed in a denim jacket, white pants and a head scarf, Ayesha Awan, 20, makes her way to class every morning. She has cut her studies at York University to part-time to attend Al-Huda's 20-month course. "I wasn't religious when I started her class. I didn't cover my head before, but now I do," she says.

Her perspective on the role of women has also changed. "I agree with Dr. Hashmi that women should stay at home and look after their families," she says.

Ms. Awan was so impressed with Dr. Hashmi's sermons that she convinced 10 friends to enrol in the course. She believes that people who don't agree with Dr. Hashmi's message change their mind after they attend her classes.

"It takes time to get used to everything, because we are not used to segregation and covering up," Ms. Awan explains. "But there are a lot of people in Canada who practise it, so it is possible to do so."

But Tarek Fatah, the communications director of the Muslim Canadian Congress is highly critical of Dr. Hashmi's teachings. "Her concept is a grave threat not only to Canadian values, but also to Canadian Muslims. She is segregating society and encouraging the ghettoization of the South Asian Muslim community and making it very difficult for them to integrate into mainstream society," Mr. Fatah argues. "She is completely brainwashing these educated, middle-class women top stay at home."

His concerns are echoed by Ms. Kausar Khan, 37. "It has taken (Muslim women) so long to come out of our homes," the Brampton business owner says. "We have had to fight for an education and the right to work and Dr. Hashmi's message is negating all that."

"She is encouraging our women to stay home and be submissive to their husbands, and that settle well with the rest of us."

The reason that Dr. Hashmi's students are embracing her interpretation of the Quran, Ms. Khan argues is that most of them are not well versed in Islam and cannot question her authority. "These young women are naive," she says.

Dr. Hashmi, who considers herself an Islamic feminist, disagrees. "I don't force anyone to do anything. They don't have to listen to me if they don't want to."

Furthermore, she says that she is only helping her students better understand Islam. "People accuse me of preaching my views, they are confused," Dr. Hashmi says. "I refrain from using my personal opinion in my lesson. I just translate the word of God. So people don't have a problem with me, because my message is from the Quran, they have a problem with God."

She applies this explanation in response to the interpretation some put on her teachings that she preaches polygamy-a common accusation her critics direct at her. Dr. Hashmi denies the claim, but notes, "Islam gives women rights, so that a man cannot take advantage of her. If a man has relations with a woman outside of marriage, the Quran orders him to marry her."

Her student Sadaf Mahmood, 18, agrees with this logic, arguing that Western society accords less respect to women, allowing men to have affairs without taking any responsibility. "There are more women than men in this world," Ms. Mahmood adds. "Who will take care of these women? It is better for a man to do things legally by taking a second wife, rather than having an affair."

On the issue of women working, she again point to the Quran, asserting that women must recognise their own abilities and circumstances when entering the work force. "Women that should understand the limits set by Islam," she says. "Whichever field fulfills both the requirement of the individual and Islam, that would be the appropriate career."

But Canadian Muslims point to the Prophet Muhammad, the messenger of Islam from God, whose own wife was a business woman and renowned for her skills.

Muslim Canadians such as Kausar Khan are most alarmed at the possibility that the next generation of South Asian girls are embarking Dr. Hashmi's teachings. "We live in a secular society, where there is separation of religion and state. Then why is this woman being allowed to bring her extremist views to our country? She poses a danger to us and our Canadian way of life."

Dr. Hashmi insists her message will not confuse these young girls who are a product of western world; "Islam is for all times. Why does the environment here have to change the young girls, why can't they change the environment?"

Students such as 18-year old Madiha Khokar see the change. "I was a feminist...But after taking her classes, I don't think that way. I think that women have a place in society, and their rights are accorded to them by God in the Quran."

Baloch kid , No school ,,No play ground,,,,,,,,
Is at Life ??????????

The state sponsored terror organization, Mussaleh Defa e Tanzeem has gone rampage through the city of Kharan killing the innocent people of Kharan City who have sympathy with Baloch Freedom movement

Archen Baloch  29/11/2012

At the first week of this month of November the news media reported the arrival of MDT thugs in Kharan and reported a heavy handed crackdown on sympathizers of freedom movement and this organization's group photos were also appeared on facebook. The responsible members of the society cautioned all pro freedom political workers through general media for safety measures, and several families abandoned their homes behind and sought refuge in safe.places as they were already threatened for grave consequences.

These armed terrorists are fully backed by government, Therefore, they can carry out any kind of attack against innocent member of Kharan's hitherto peaceful society whenever they want to without any obstacle.

According to detailed report the state killers ambushed Alla Rahim along with his friend, Aslam Dagarzai at Kalan road of Kharan city when they were returning home at 7pm after buying necessary things for his wedding, as he was.about to marry after two days

It is noteworthy here that the nephew of Saleem Dagarzai, Nasir Dagarzai was also arrested twice by Pakistan.security forces and subsequently his tortured to death and his mutilated body was found in a desolate area

According to locals the killers, before opening fire on the Rahim and Saleem, called upon them to disarm themselves.and throw their weapons on ground and surrender

It is normal in Baloch society to carry gun, but only only when the rule of law and civility is absent, under that code of.self protection and defense both Rahim and Saleem were armed for self defense when ambushed

As per Baloch code of honor and the fear of being killed at the hands of ISI without resistance, both resisted the killers and embraced the martyrdom. During the resistance, one of the killers, Haji Mansoor got killed at the spot and three other injured, they were later on taken to CM military hospital in Quetta early moring by army helicopters.

When the people in the neighborhood tried to know what happened and approached the martyrs dead bodies, they were prevented by armed thugs with intense firing and warnings. According to further reports this carnage has been.carried out by the members of Besima wing of the DMT

Occupied Balochistan: Pakistani occupying have started a heavy millitry operation on the Baloch civilians in Kohlo and Mustung`s Areas.At-least 12 Balochs have been abducted by Pakistani occupying forcs during military operation in Kohalo.

Why I as a Muslim Woman Don't Wear a Headscarf

Does the Koran really demand that women wear headscarves? Or is it mainly older men who claim they can decide how women should dress – with no theological foundation whatsoever? For the Islam scholar Lamya Kaddor, there is no question about it: the headscarf is obsolete.


German Islam scholar Lamya Kaddor: "If God had required a special head covering, would He not have said so explicitly?"If I as a Muslim woman living in Germany ask myself whether I should wear a headscarf or not, that gives rise to the question of whether the additional head-covering called for in the Koran (33:59) still fulfils its original purpose of protecting women from male desire. My answer is: no. In contemporary Germany such covering-up no longer serves that purpose. 

It is even more likely to bring about the opposite of what God intended by exposing wearers of headscarves to discrimination. Today the intended protection against 'annoyances' is provided by a well-functioning legal system rather than by adherence to social rules from the past. A free state based on the rule of law protects a woman, for example by punishing attacks on her person.

This protection may be primarily concerned with bodily integrity, but people in a modern state are more than ever responsible for themselves with regard to the freedoms accorded – including in the realm of moral integrity. Covering my head cannot relieve me of that responsibility. I cannot hide myself behind a little piece of cloth. A free and democratic state grants rights and also imposes responsibilities. In such circumstances I can behave honourably with and without a veil or head-scarf – or not, as the case may be. 

A 'fashion accessory' from Koranic times?

If this argument is accepted, one can also abandon the Koranic demand for additional covering, directed towards women in Early Arabic tribal society. What would still initially remain is the khimâr, the head covering that was part of women's clothing at that time. The Koran neither speaks against nor in any way emphasises that form of covering. God uses the word only once in the Koran (24:31). That occurs in passing in connection with a call for moral behaviour. So there is no Koranic emphasis on such head covering.

However, if God had required a special head covering, would He not have said so explicitly? Thekhimâr thus merely constitutes a 'fashion accessory' according to the spirit of that age. Viewed rationally, functions consciously or unconsciously associated with head coverings across the course of history – such as protection against sand or evil influences – are all superannuated today and have lost their validity. People's powers of imagination have changed.


"Sura 24:30-31 calls on both men and women to behave chastely, but exegesis of the Koran up to the present day only puts the emphasis on chaste behaviour for women," Kaddor writesIn the Germany of the twenty-first century – at the very latest – women's hairstyles are no longer per se an erotic stimulus. The sight of head-hair no longer provokes sexual fantasies and thus immoral behaviour – except perhaps among fetishists. When you walk along a city's pedestrian precincts no one turns to look at you because of your hair. Only if you dress provocatively or in a particularly original way, and behave accordingly, do you attract some attention. 

In addition, this isn't a male world that still thinks as it did a thousand or more years ago. Thanks to the achievements of a free and democratic state, and thanks to the prevalent understanding of relations between the sexes, you no longer necessarily need a head covering in order to live morally. The headscarf has become obsolete.
More you can read this link:
http://en.qantara.de/Why-I-as-a-Muslim-Woman-Dont-Wear-a-Headscarf/15855c15997i1p/index.html