'If you have a problem, the Taliban solves it. In the government offices there is only corruption and bribery'

AFGHANISTAN:

Losing the battle for Afghan hearts and minds. By Julius Cavendish in Kabul

THEY FLED in the dead of night, taking what belongings they could, and telling no-one twhey were leaving for fear of ambush. Dr Ehssabullah Hakimi, a young man with an aquiline nose, thin beard and gentle manner, locked up the house of his ancestors and led 22 members of his family to Kabul. He had been receiving death threats from the Taliban for practising medicine at a local clinic. "Because I had a good job, they thought I was a spy," he said.
Hakimi and his family did not quit the badlands of the south, though, nor the hostile reaches of eastern Afghanistan. They came from Wardak province, less than an hour's drive from the capital.
But just 30 miles from Kabul, it is Taliban country. Over the past year, the militants have established a stronghold in Wardak, which borders the capital to the south and west. Nine months ago, one of the province's two hospitals, a German-run clinic, shut down after staff there also received death threats.
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The UN evacuated its humanitarian staff from all but one of Wardak's eight districts in September, citing security concerns. Roshanak Wardak, a member of parliament for the province, has said there are areas she is "100% sure no government worker can go to".
Not without reason. The head of the attorney-general's office in one Wardak district was kidnapped and killed by the Taliban three months ago. Days later, Afghan army, police and coalition forces said they had killed or wounded around 60 insurgents in a two-day battle that raged close to the Afghan capital. The number of attacks by Taliban-linked militants in Wardak has increased by 58% since 2007, according to security analyst Sami Kovanen in Kabul.
As it reasserts control over large swathes of countryside, the Taliban has been installing a shadow government to answer civilian needs. In the absence of effective local governance, the militants have been arresting criminals, providing courts, dispensing justice, running prisons and organising public executions - all within an hour's drive of Kabul.
Hakimi's fears were borne out just weeks after his family's escape, when his cousin Naim was hanged by the Taliban for joining the Afghan National Army (ANA). His body swung from a tree for two days with a sign on his chest warning that whoever cut him down would suffer the same fate.
"My cousin was hanging three kilometres from the police district building," said Hakimi. "But they were not able to retrieve his body." Eventually, aid workers from the Afghan Red Crescent Society defied the ban and brought the body in.
A series of interviews with people from Wardak told a similar story.
"The police control their own buildings and maybe the 10 metres surrounding them," said 40-year-old Habibullah Noori, who runs a minibus service between Wardak and Kabul. "There may be police checkpoints but there are also lots of Taliban checkpoints."
News agency AP reported several days ago that checkpoint police in Wardak sometimes wear traditional robes so they can pass themselves off as civilians at the first sign of trouble. And whereas the government often turns a blind eye to crime - one interviewee said that "the other name for police is robbers" - the Taliban not only fails to tolerate it, but offers swift justice. Hakimi explained that the Taliban likes open and shut cases so its members can concentrate on fighting. "Every village has a Taliban representative and if anything happens, people go to him to say, We have this problem '. He doesn't want to spend much time on it - so decisions are quick." They can take a little as 24 hours.
But Noori, the minibus driver, said the Taliban's system is better than the government's. "If you have a problem the Taliban solves it," he said. "In the government offices there is only corruption and bribery.
"Last year, the Taliban did not have 80, 90 or 100% control," he added. "It was a mess. There were robbers, killers, everything. Now, you could walk around with 10kg of gold on your head and no-one would touch you. You can walk around at night without fear."
As an example of the rough justice meted out, he cited a robbery in late summer when eight trucks of wheat disappeared. The Taliban investigated, found the trucks and returned them to their owners. Militants shot the leader of the robbers in the head, and let the others go with severe beatings and after extracting promises that there would be no repeat offence. Other Taliban punishments include parading criminals with their faces daubed black or amputating the hands of robbers. But cases aren't limited to theft and murder. Far more frequently, aggrieved parties will seek arbitration of a property dispute - the most common cause of friction between Afghans, according to interviewees.
The procedure, should you have trouble of some sort, is to go to the nearest mosque and find the local Taliban representative. "He will say, Come back tomorrow at 10 o'clock and we will have the man who has done something' - and he will be there," Noori told me. "If the problem is small, a mullah will solve it. If it's bigger, it will be a judge trained more extensively in Sharia law."
Meanwhile, an uneasy detente is said to exist between the Taliban in Wardak and the local police, with both sides realising that full-scale confrontation is to neither's advantage.
"If they create problems for us, we can create problems for them," said 22-year-old Taliban foot soldier Spin Ghel. The failure of the police to drive 3km to retrieve Naim's hanging corpse would appear to bear out his point. But Ghel, who wore a leather jacket over his salwar kameez and seemed to have joined the Taliban more out of boredom or frustration than for any ideological reason, claimed the relationship went deeper than that.
"They exchanged powerful commanders for that Italian journalist who was kidnapped," he said, referring to the abduction in 2007 of Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was released in exchange for Taliban prisoners. Whatever the extent of the alleged collusion, with a salary of just $65 a month it is hard to see why any police trooper would risk his life to take on the Taliban's protection racket.
A key part of the Taliban's success in Wardak is its network of informants. Gulbuddin, another young Taliban fighter, said there were around 70 spies in Kabul on the Taliban's payroll, providing information about convoy movements, individuals visiting the province, and their families. At roadblocks, which can vary from a handful of militants waving down traffic to as many as 40, the insurgents have the registration numbers of approaching vehicles and descriptions of the passengers they carry.
"When my cousin was arrested, making a visit home, there were 40 men who came to get him," said Hakimi. "All private taxis to Wardak leave from one specific location. That's why it's simple for them to know who is coming. They monitor everyone coming and going. If you're wearing beautiful, nice, expensive clothing they are suspicious. They think you must be working for the government or UN. If you're wearing dirty clothes, have a beard, long hair, turban, they think that's fine."
How far the Taliban's services reach is unclear, but they are far from comprehensive. "The Taliban are very poor," said Noori. "They can't afford to provide healthcare - most of the time they are asking people to feed them." Although in some places the Taliban is reported to extort a 10% tax from Afghans at the barrel of a gun, shadow governance of this sort has yet to reach.
--http://www.sundayherald.com/international/shinternational/display.var.2479045.0.if_you_have_a_problem_the_taliban_solves_it_in_the_government_offices_there_is_only_corruption_and_bribery.php

A philosophical answer

We have heard that a member of the C.I.D once approached a senior worker of the Tablighi Jamaat and enquired:

-' What is the name of your Jamaat?

'' Muhammad Jamaat,(PBUH) ' replied the senior.

C.I.D :-' Does your Jamaat follow a set of principles or a code of law? '

Senior:- ' Yes of course! That is the Holy Quran.

'C.I.D:- ' Do you have a head-quarters (a Markaz) ?

'Senior:- ' Yes, there is a city in Saudi Arabia namely Makkah Muazzamah wherein stands the House of Allah. That is our head-quarters.

'C.I.D:- ' How many branches does this head-quarter command and in which countries are they?

'Senior:- ' All the Mosques of the world are the branches of this head-quarters.

'C.I.D:- Who is the leader of this group?

'Senior:- ' Our leader passed away more than thirteen centuries away. His name is Muhammad peace be upon him.

'C.I.D:- What is the total roll of your members and where are they stationed in the world?

'Senior:- ' All those who recite the Shahadah- Laa Ilaha Illallah- are members of this Jamaat.

'C.I.D:- Do you have funds? If so, where are the funds?

'Senior:- The money in the pockets of those who profess the shahadah of Laa Ilaha Illallah makes up our funds.

'Note: This is not a temporary solution, but in fact our mission should be moulded eternally onto these lines and effort is made on this by coming out in Jamaat.

This is an all-encompassing movement which was explained by Maulana Ilyas Saheb thus:-' The aim of our Jamaat is to disseminate amongst the Muslims the Deen bought to us by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. This is our cardinal aim. '

Taken from http://engagersindawah.blogspot.com/2008/07/philosophical-answer.html

The Smile

THE SMILE

COMPUTER WONDER:

Ever wondered why one must click on 'start' to turn 'off' the computer?

Message from the Ameer of the Jamiatul Ulama

It is important to always have an exemplary, before us, from whose life we can take examples and be constantly guided to the straight path. There are many pious people in the world today to whom we can align ourselves to in order to preserve our imaan and take good counsel from. Such people are living examples and an inspiration to all; their mere presence in our lives makes it such that it becomes difficult for us to deviate from the straight path. By associating with such people we will be identified with those who are pious and Allah-fearing on the day of judgment.

Win-Win

Abu Yahya Suhaib b. Sinan said that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam said:

"Wondrous are the believer's affairs. For him there is good in all his affairs, and this is so only for the believer. When something pleasing happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him; and when something displeasing happens to him, he is enduring (sabar), and that is good for him." (Muslim)

Children

It is the responsibility of the whole society to protect children

What society do we think we are going to have if they are the future?

“It takes a village to bring up a child.”

A society which cannot protect her children has no future

THE SMILE: THREE KICK RULE

The Judge President went duck hunting in rural Limpopo Province. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence.

As the judge climbed over the fence, an elderly Afrikaans farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing...

The Judge responded, 'I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it..'

The old farmer replied, 'This is my property, and you are not coming over here.'

The indignant judge said, 'I am one of the most important judges in South Africa and, if you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own.'

The old farmer smiled and said, 'Apparently, you don't know how we settle disputes in Limpopo Province. We settle small disagreements like this with the 'Three Kick Rule.'

The Judge asked, 'What is the 'Three Kick Rule'?'

The Farmer replied, 'Well, because the dispute occurs on my land, I get to go first. I kick you three times and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up.'

The Judge quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He also liked the idea, so he agreed to abide by the local custom.

The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the Judge. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy steel toed work boot into the judge's groin and dropped him to his knees!

His second kick to the midriff sent the judge's last meal gushing from his mouth. The judge was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end, sent him face-first into a fresh cow pat.

Summoning every bit of his will and remaining strength the judge very slowly managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his jacket, he said, 'Okay, you old man. Now it's my turn.'

The old farmer smiled and said, 'Nah, I give up. You can have the duck.'

Impressions of Love

Jamaal (Beauty), Kamaal (Perfection) and Ihsaan (Favour) are three impressions which stir up the bounty of love within hearts.

Looking at the creation of Allah Ta’ala : the skies, the oceans, the flora and fauna, we see reflections of beauty and splendour. If Allah Ta’ala has granted a mere atom of beauty to His creation, then what of His beauty ?

Ponder over the most perfect Sifats (Attributes) of Allah Ta’ala: He is Khaliq, the One who creates from absolutely nothing. He is Baari, creating His creation with excellence in compatibility, conformity and unity. He is Musawwir; giving His creation uniqueness and beauty in form and shape.

Just look at the creation of the universe : the perfect harmony of the day and night; of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Reflect over the creation of Man : the different stages man has to pass through…infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. Consider the various organs of the body; their position, purpose and function.

Thus, we recognise the Greatness and Power of Allah Ta’ala in looking at the perfection in His Creation and in His system.

Then again, we cannot help but love that person who is generous, kind and who showers us with his favours and gifts. What then of the infinite generosity and benevolence of Allah Ta’ala ? He is Wah-haab, The Giver of All and Everything; Muqeet, The Giver of our sustenance; Kareem, The Most Generous One and Naafi’, The One who bestows gifts.
Consider the kindness and favour of Allah Ta’ala in creating us Ashraful Makhlukaat (The best of Creation), without us having even asked for such honour.

Allah Ta’ala says in Surah Teen :
“Verily, We created man of the best stature.”
[Surah Teen 95 : 4]

Added to this, without us deserving, He has blessed us with Imaan, Islam, and thereafter so many gifts; of sight, hearing, speech, intelligence, health, wealth, beauty, etc.

Allah Ta’ala states in the Qur`aan Sharief :
“…And if you count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to enumerate them…”
[Surah Ibraheem 14 : 34]

Thus, we find that these attributes of Jamaal, Kamaal and Ihsaan are perfect in Allah.

Therefore O Saalik…

Change the Qiblah of your heartFrom ‘Laila’ to Maula.
-

That heart, whose Qiblah is towards the ‘Lailas’ of the world, is easily changed in keeping the company of those who have not only established the Qiblah of their hearts towards their Maula, but whose hearts have already made Sajda to their ‘Maula’ (Master).

The cures, the antidotes and the treatments for the poison of sensual, illicit love are also obtained from these Ahlullah (Friends of Allah Ta’ala). Their company is akin to a dispensary and clinic, providing the curatives to the ailments of the spiritual heart.

Nevertheless and aside from this, the Aashiq of Allah Ta’ala remains happy and content in whichever condition his Beloved Allah keeps him.

His concern, however, is that Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) must be pleased with him and that he must not, in any way, incur their displeasure. …And the Love of Allah cannot be complete until the person loves Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) .

Aashiq-e-Sawdiq - Vol 1
A Discourse by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb [Daamat Barakaatuhum] [Musjid-e-Noor]

Knowledge

Imam ash-Shafi'i(ra) said,

"Knowledge is not what is memorised. Knowledge is what benefits."

Weapon of Rape

- Taken from TheHindu dated 15th June 08.

Mass rape is not just a byproduct of war but also sometimes a deliberate weapon.

Commanders has used it as a strategy of war.

Zahra AbdelKarim - what was her fault?

Eastern Congo - three-quarters of women raped.

Rapes conducted with pointed sticks that leave the victims incontinent from internal injuries.

What Allah has said - Allah Ta��la says in the Noble Qur��n, ���You are the best of nations sent to man. You command good and forbid evil and you believe in Allah���. (Aali Imraan). Allah Ta��la states that one reason for this Ummah being titled as the best of Ummah, is the practice of commanding good and preventing evil.

Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu ��nhu) states that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ��layhi Wasallam) said, ���Command good and prohibit evil or else Allah will send such a punishment that will destroy everyone���.

If people do not prohibit evil and sin in the society, the entire society - innocent and evil - will equally suffer.