Muslim Community Lobby Ireland is an independent organization established 1st May 2007. Its motto is TO USE THE VOTE RIGHTLY AND TO RAISE THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AWARNESS WITH THEIR RIGHTS AND TO PROMOTE TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF OTHER EXISTING GROUPS. لترشيد استعمال الصوت الانتخابي ولتوعية وتعريف المسلمين بحقوقهم في ايرلندا وان يعيشوا بتفهم للواقع وللجماعات الاخرى الموجودة على الساحة

Monday, March 30, 2009

UN votes to curb criticism of religion

Geneva 27th March 2009. A proposal by Muslim Nations to introduce a law protecting religion from criticism was forwarded to the United Nation's top rights body.The result of the vote was: 23 countries in favour of the resolution,11 Western nations opposed the resolution,13 countries abstained.This motion was proposed by Pakistan. The reason for Pakistan raising this issue may be because of the effect of the Danish cartoons which ridiculed the Prophet Muhammad. The motion requests that freedom of speech should not include the right to blaspheme against any religion or religious figurehead.This law most probably will not be executed like the law regarding the holocaust, but it is there to be used as evidence to stop the criticism of all religions.
Freedom of expression does not lie in allowing sarcasm of religion or their figureheads, far from that, it should lie in discussing these issues intellectually and give reasoned solutions to help humanity move forward, like it says in the Quran 16:125 “Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.”

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Labour Party Conference 2009 مؤتمر حزب العمال

هاك ما توصل اليه مؤتمر العمال المنعقد في ملنقار وتستطيع ان تصوت على المقترحات الان
Here is the live stream from the the 2009 Labour Party Conference being held in Mullingar. Click here to view the full schedule and motions. You can even take part in an online vote on each motion.

Conference Schedule
For Sunday 29 March 2009
<<<<>
Session 5
10:00

معاهدة لزبن والشؤون الاوروبية
European & International AffairsLisbon Treaty : Motions
36,
قضية فلسطين
Palestine and Israel : Motions 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,
10:45
المواصلاة

Transport : Motions 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,
11:30

العدل والمساواة
Justice, Equality & Law ReformGun Crime : Motions
69,
شؤون السجون
Prisons : Motions 70,
استراتيجبة الادوية
Drugs Strategy : Motions 71,
الحركة ضد العنصرية والمجتمع
Anti-social Behaviour : Motions 72,
قانون الرخص
Licensing laws : Motions 73,
قانون البنوك
Banking Legislation : Motions 74,
مقترحات الحكومة
Government : Motions 75,
تصليح الدستور
Constitutional Amendment : Motions 76,
المساواة
Equality : Motions 77,
الحقوق الانسانية
Human Rights : Motions 78,
وكالاة المساواة وحقوق الانسان
Equality and Human Rights Agencies : Motions 79,
مساواة العمال
Labour Equality : Motions 80,
12:30
البيئة والحكومات المحلية

Environment & Local GovernmentClimate Change : Motions 90,
الديمقراطية المحلية
Local Democracy : Motions 91, 110,
الاسكان
Housing : Motions 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103,
هوملس
Homelessness : Motions 102,
النفاياة المنزلية
Domestic Waste : Motions 104, 105,
الشركات والادارة
Management companies : Motions 106,
جهاز الانتخابات
Electoral System : Motions 107,
الاطفاء وحماية المدنيين
Fire and Civil Protection - Emergency Services : Motions 108,
جهاز التخطيط
Planning Process : Motions 109,
الحكومة المحلية
Local Government : Motions 111,
13:30
خلاصة المؤتمر

Conference Concludes


Friday, March 27, 2009

UN votes to curb criticism of religion الامم المتحدة تحد من انتقاد الاديان

A proposal by Muslim nations to introduce a law protecting religion from criticism was forwarded to the United natiation's top rights body.
The result of the vote was:
23 countries in faour of the resolution.
11 Western nations opposed the resolution,
13 countries obstained

The motion was proposed by Pakistan. This could be the effect of the bad cartoons that gave the wrong impression of Prophet Muhammad. The motion shows that free of speech doesn't include blaspheming the religious head figures.



مقترح الحد من السخرية من الاديان من قبل باكستان . وقد صوت عليه من قبل الامم المتحدة الادارة العليا. وكانت نتيجة التصويت هي :
موافقة على القرار 23
11 دولة غربية ضد القرار
و13 دولة امتنعت عن التصويت
وبهذا يمنع التهجم على الاديان بما فيها الاسلام والنبي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Open Letter to President Obama رسالة مفتوحة للرئيس اوباما

Dear Reader: الى القارئ العزيز

I wanted to update you on the OPEN LETTER to President Obama, urging him to make support of democracy and human rights in the Middle East and the Muslim World, one of the top priorities of his new administration.
اريد ان ابعث برسالة الى الرئيس اوباما بان يؤازر الديمقراطية وحقوق الانسان في الشرق الاوسط وفي العالم الاسلامي وان يكون ذلك احد اهم اعمال ادارته
So far, we have received over 311 signatures from leading American and Muslim scholars, experts, and activists from all over the world, and we are hoping to reach at least 500 by next week.
الى الان حصلنا على 311 توقيع من نشطاء ونريد ان نصل الى 500 توقيعة في الاسبوع المقبل
The Letter was released to the media during a PRESS CONFERENCE on March 10, at the National Press Club, and has been covered by CNN and the Washington Post, among others. Our goal is to make it clear that Arabs and Muslims want democracy and deserve our support, and that a bi-partisan group of American scholars and experts believe that supporting human rights and democracy in the Middle East is in the best interest of the region and of the United States. The campaign was launched on March 10, but will continue for the next month or two as we schedule meetings with high level officials in the Obama administration and in Congress.Please read the letter below carefully, and consider adding your signature. If you have already signed it, thank you very much, and please forward it to other American and/or Muslim scholars, leaders, and experts who might be interested in adding their names and supporting this effort.

To add your name,
please click here
SIGN OPEN LETTER

Thanks very much for your support,Radwan A. Masmoudi
President
Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID)
http://islam-democracy.org/

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Fund raising in one night 150,000.00 euro في عشاء اقيم من اجل التبرع لمبنى المسجد

The 150,000.00 euros has been promised but not yet collected.

Sheikh Yahya of the IFI, South circular Mosque was so happy praising the Lord, when the speaker in the fund raising dinner at the Hilton hotel, announced the figure 150,000.00 euros raised for the extension of the Mosque. Sheikh Yahya also put up for auction a part Garment from the Crucible suit a meter by half meter was given to him in an Islamic conference in Mekkah, which was out for bidding and the bid was 3500.00 euros. The night charged with faithful people who wanted to see the mosque extension finished quickly. The Malaysian ambassador and the Iranian ambassador were present and other Islamic embassaies and contributing as well. There was a women section, who donated generously. Among those present were the elite of the Muslim community of Ireland including politicians, heads of ethnic and Muslim communities as well as business entrepreneur.



















Thursday, March 12, 2009

Brian Cown Taoiseach answers citizen's questions رئيس الوزراء براين كاون يبعث باجابات للمتسائلين

اني ادعوكم للوقوف معي من اجل مستقبل افضل لايرلندا
Dear friend,
منذ اسابيع وكثير من المواطنين يبعثون باسالتهم لي وقد اجبت على بعض منها على الموقع الذي عنوانه بالاسفل . نرجو الاطلاع على بعض الاجوبة
Over the last two weeks, people from all over the country have been submitting their questions for me through the new Fianna Fáil website. I received over a thousand questions on a vast number of topics. Given the overwhelming number you submitted, I've only been able to answer a selection of the most popular questions. I'd like to thank each of you for putting these questions to me.
أسالة عن حالة الركود الاقتصادية العالمية
Most questions concerned the global economic crisis that faces Ireland. I want to share my answers with you so you can best understand how I and my Government intend to lead Ireland out of these difficult times.
Watch my answers here:
http://www.fiannafail.ie/page/m2/1363c0e/33741a9e/244de821/585bccf3/926403370/VEsE/
واجبت عن اسالة عن البنوك الايرلندية
I answered questions about our banking system and the limits that the Government is going to place on bankers' pay and bonuses. I listened and responded to your legitimate concerns about the pension levy we've been forced to impose for the good of the country's finances. I hear the call for the country to pull together in difficult times and ask our political opponents to contribute their best ideas for the good of Ireland and its people. We have to work tirelessly - together.
Take a few minutes to watch my answers to your questions:
http://www.fiannafail.ie/page/m2/1363c0e/33741a9e/244de821/585bccf3/926403370/VEsF/
اني اريد ان اخرج ايرلندا من الركود الاقتصادي الى اقتصاد مرن وذكي ومتنوع
I want to lead Ireland out of this recession into a new type of economy - smarter, flexible and more diverse. I've got a plan for the next five years that will create new knowledge-based jobs and industries, intensify research and development and make our country the best possible place to start a new business.
اني اشعر بالامل في المستقبل . واعتقد ان الشعب الايرلندي عنده القدرة على العمل من اجل نهضة اقتصادية واعدة ولكن الاحوال سوف تاخذ بعض الوقت قبل ان تتحسن
I'm optimistic about Ireland's future. I believe in the ability of the Irish people to work hard and to show our inherent ingenuity to bring us out of this economic crisis. Things will not get better straight away, but over the coming months and years, they will. We need to prepare for and work towards recovery.
I ask you to join me in standing up for Ireland's future.
اني ادعوكم للوقوف معي من اجل مستقبل افضل لايرلندا
Brian CowenTaoiseach
This email was sent to: themuslimlobby@yahoo.ie

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Open Letter to President Obama رسالة مفتوحة للرئيس اوباما

Open Letter to President Obama to be released today to the media at:
Press Conference

Tuesday, March 10, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
National Press Club, Lisagor Room
529 14th Street NW, Washington,
DC 20045
Several of the co-signers will be available to answer questions from the media about the open letter, including Saad Eddin Ibrahim, Radwan Masmoudi, Michele Dunne, Larry Diamond, Geneive Abdo, and others.

Open Letter March 10, 2009

EMBARGOED - not for distribution before March 10 -
President Barack Hussein Obama
The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:First of all, congratulations on your victory in November. Like so many others throughout the world, we find ourselves both hopeful and inspired. Your election is proof of America's continued promise as a land of opportunity, equality, and freedom. Your presidency presents a historic opportunity to chart a new course in foreign affairs, and particularly in the troubled relationship between the United States and the Muslim world.We are heartened by your promise to listen to and understand the hopes and aspirations of Arabs and Muslims. By shutting down Guantanamo Bay and forbidding torture, your administration will inspire greater confidence between the United States and the Muslim world. Last month, in your first major interview, millions of Arabs heard your call for mutual respect on one of the Middle East's most watched television channels. They were encouraged to find that you hold a resolution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict as an urgent priority, as evidenced by the appointment of Senator George Mitchell as your envoy. Reaching out to the people of the region so early on in your presidency is a step of no small significance. But it is a step that must be followed by concrete policy changes.Improving relations between the United States and Middle Eastern nations is not simply a matter of changing some policies here and there. For too long, U.S. policy toward the Middle East has been fundamentally misguided. The United States, for half a century, has frequently supported repressive regimes that routinely violate human rights, and that torture and imprison those who dare criticize them and prevent their citizens from participation in peaceful civic and political activities. U.S. support for Arab autocrats was supposed to serve U.S. national interests and regional stability. In reality, it produced a region increasingly tormented by rampant corruption, extremism, and instability.In his second inaugural address, President Bush pledged that the United States would no longer support tyrants and would stand with those activists and reformers fighting for democratic change. The Bush administration, however, quickly turned its back on Middle East democracy after Islamist parties performed well in elections throughout the region. This not only hurt the credibility of the United States, dismayed democrats and emboldened extremists in the region, but also sent a powerful message to autocrats that they could reassert their power and crush the opposition with impunity.In order to rebuild relations of mutual respect, it is critical that the United States be on the right side of history regarding the human, civil, and political rights of the peoples of the Middle East. There is no doubt that the people of the Middle East long for greater freedom and democracy; they have proven themselves willing to fight for it. What they need from your administration is a commitment to encourage political reform not through wars, threats, or imposition, but through peaceful policies that reward governments that take active and measurable steps towards genuine democratic reforms. Moreover, the US should not hesitate to speak out in condemnation when opposition activists are unjustly imprisoned in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, or elsewhere. When necessary, the United States should use its considerable economic and diplomatic leverage to put pressure on its allies in the region when they fail to meet basic standards of human rights.We recognize that taking these steps will present both difficulties and dilemmas. Accordingly, bold action is needed today more than ever. For too long, American policy in the Middle East has been paralyzed by fear of Islamist parties coming to power. Some of these fears are both legitimate and understandable; many Islamists advocate illiberal policies. They need to do more to demonstrate their commitment to the rights of women and religious minorities, and their willingness to tolerate dissent. However, most mainstream Islamist groups in the region are nonviolent and respect the democratic process. In many countries, including Turkey, Indonesia, and Morocco, the right to participate in reasonably credible and open elections has moderated Islamist parties and enhanced their commitment to democratic norms. We may not agree with what they have to say, but if we wish to both preach and practice democracy, it is simply impossible to exclude the largest opposition groups in the region from the democratic process. At the same time, to reduce the future of the region to a contest between Islamists and authoritarian regimes would be a mistake. Promoting democratic openings in the region will give liberal and secular parties a chance to establish themselves and communicate their ideas to the populace after decades of repression which left them weak and marginalized. More competition between parties of diverse ideological backgrounds would be healthy for political development in the region. In short, we have an unprecedented opportunity to send a clear message to the Arab and Muslim world: the United States will support all those who strive for freedom, democracy, and human rights. You, Mr. President, have recently relayed such a message in your inaugural address when you said: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."We are fully aware that, with a worsening global economic crisis, and continuing challenges in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, political reform and progress toward democratic reform in the Middle East will need to compete with a whole host of other priorities on your agenda. Policy is often about making difficult choices. However, as you work on other Middle East priorities, we urge you to elevate democratic reform and respect for human rights as key considerations in your engagement with both Arab regimes and Arab publics.In conclusion, we are writing this letter to raise our profound belief that supporting democrats and democracy in the Middle East is not only in the region's interests, but in the United States' as well. Perhaps more importantly, what we choose to do with this critical issue will reveal a great deal about the strength of American democratic ideals in this new era - and whether or not we will decide to respect and apply them in the Middle East.Signatures: 144 (97 from the US, 47 from overseas)
Coordination Committee:Radwan A. MasmoudiCenter for the Study of Islam & DemocracyShadi HamidProject on Middle East DemocracyGeneive AbdoThe Century FoundationLarry DiamondCtr. on Democracy, Dev. & Rule of Law, Stanford UniversityMichele DunneCarnegie Endowment for Int. PeaceJennifer WindsorFreedom HouseAmerican Scholars, Experts & Organizations:Tamara Cofman WittesSaban Center, Brookings InstitutionFrancis FukuyamaThe Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International StudiesMatt YglesiasCenter for American ProgressMona YacoubianU.S. Institute of PeaceJohn L. EspositoGeorgetown UniversityReza AslanUC RiversideMorton H. HalperinFormerly Office of Policy Planning, Department of StateWill Marshall Progressive Policy Institute Randa SlimRockefeller Brothers FundNeil HicksHuman Rights FirstJoe StorkHuman Rights WatchRobert R. LaGammaCouncil for a Community of DemocraciesJack DuVallInt. Center on Nonviolent ConflictRobert A. PastorCenter for Democracy and Election Management, American UniversityJean Bethke ElshtainUniversity of ChicagoPeter BeinartCouncil on Foreign RelationsBob EdgarCommon CauseRachel KleinfeldTruman National Security ProjectRobert KaganCarnegie Endowment for Int. PeaceDokhi FassihianDemocracy Coalition ProjectDina GuirguisVoices for a Democratic Egypt Andrew AlbertsonProject on Middle East DemocracyNathan J. BrownGeorge Washington UniversityMarc GopinCtr for World Religions, Diplomacy, & Conflict Resolution, GMUGraham E. FullerSimon Fraser University, Vancouver BC.Rabbi Michael LernerNetwork of Spiritual ProgressivesFarid SenzaiInstitute for Social Policy and UnderstandingFrank KaufmannInter Religious Federation for World PeaceAmmar AbdulhamidTharwa FoundationArsalan IftikharIslamica MagazineRichard BullietColumbia UniversitySeth GreenAmericans for Informed DemocracyJoseph MontvilleToward the Abrahamic Family ReunionJoseph K. GrieboskiInstitute on Religion and Public PolicyJim ArkedisProgressive Policy InstituteAsma AfsaruddinUniversity of Notre DameAnisa MehdiArab-American JournalistMohammed AyoobMichigan State UniversityPeter Mandaville Center for Global Studies, GMUOmid SafiUniversity of North CarolinaSulayman S. NyangHoward UniversityNaiem A. SherbinyIbn Khaldun Ctr. for DevelopmentLouay SafiISNA Leadership Development Ctr.Najib GhadbianUniversity of ArkansasAly R. AbuzaakoukLibya Human and Political Dev. ForumRobert D. CraneThe Abraham FederationSally PainterGlobal Fairness InitiativeSteven BrookeIndependent AcademicSheila MusajiThe American MuslimHashim El-TinayInternational Peace Quest Inst.Antony T. SullivanNear East Support Services Clement Moore HenryDept. of Government, U of Texas at AustinAhmed Subhy MansourThe International Quranic CenterYvonne Haddad Georgetown UniversityShahed Amanullahaltmuslim.comHakan YavuzThe University of UtahIbrahim KalinGeorgetown UniversityMumtaz Ahmad Hampton University Charles ButterworthUniversity of MarylandJohn P. EntelisFordham UniversityNahyan FancyDePauw UniversityJeffrey T. KenneyDePauw UniversityImad-ad-Dean AhmadMinaret of Freedom InstituteJamal BarzinjiInternational Institute of Islamic ThoughtH. Ali YurtseverRumi ForumAbubaker al ShingietiAmerican Muslims for Constructive EngagementNayereh TohidiCalifornia State University, NorthridgeNancy GallagherUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraSafei HamedAlliance of Egyptian AmericansAli Akbar MahdiOhio Wesleyan UniversityNader HashemiUniversity of DenverNader HashemiUniversity of DenverTimothy Samuel ShahCouncil on Foreign RelationsSondra HaleIslamic Studies, UCLALester KurtzGeorge Mason UniversityMehrdad MashayekhiGeorgetown UniversityFatemeh HaghighatjooUniversity of Massachusetts, BostonSalah AzizAmerican Society for KurdsAli BanuaziziBoston CollegeMehrangiz KarHarvard University Human Rights ProgramTamara SonnCollege of William & MarySalam Al-MarayatiMuslim Public Affairs CouncilStephen ZunesUniversity of San FranciscoMike GhouseWorld Muslim CongressDavid A. SmithUniversity of California, IrvineZiad K. AbdelnourUS Committee for a Free LebanonSamer LibdehCenter for Liberty in the Middle East.




Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Muslim American

Muslim American prosperity is tinged with alienation, survey finds
They have a higher employment rate than the national norm but carry a sense of cultural alienation, a yearlong Gallup Poll reports. The young say they are particularly dissatisfied.
By Sarah Gantz March 3, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- A study of Muslim Americans released Monday presents a portrait of an often misunderstood community -- one that is integrated socio-economically but culturally alienated; that succeeds in the workforce but struggles to find contentment.The numbers suggest economic and career success among Muslim Americans -- they have a higher employment rate than the national average and are among the nation's most educated religious groups. Yet only 41% described themselves as "thriving."


A diverse faith
And though the report by the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies states that Muslim Americans are more likely than the general public to hold a professional job, they expressed less satisfaction with their standard of living and community.The disparity is a sign of the alienation some Muslim Americans may feel, experts say. Ahmed Younis, a senior analyst for the center, said some Muslim Americans feel a sense of "otherness" created by outside perceptions of their religion and a lack of involvement in their larger community.Three-quarters of Muslim Americans polled said they were satisfied with their community, as opposed to nearly 90% among respondents from other religions. They also were less optimistic about the future of their communities. Muslim Americans ranked highest among American religious groups who believed their communities were getting worse.
The data reflect the responses of 941 Americans who identified themselves as Muslim in a survey of more than 300,000 Americans over the course of 2008. The nonpartisan research center is affiliated with the Gallup polling organization."There's no doubt that there is a certain sense of isolation and alienation -- there's no doubt," said U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim elected to Congress.One reason for this may be because Muslim communities revolve around the mosque, Ellison said in an interview after the report's release. The key to a better-integrated Muslim American community, he said, is to make the mosque more welcoming for non-Muslims.Muslim Americans ages 18 to 29 in particular reported discontent with their jobs and communities.On average, those youths were unhappier, angrier and less optimistic than their peers in other religions, according to the report.Only 78% of young Muslims reported having smiled or laughed the day before, while nearly 90% of Protestants, Catholics and Jews of the same age said they had.A great deal of the emotional turbulence among young Muslims is due to the stereotypes and suspicion of Islam since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, experts say."I can only imagine a 10- or 12-year-old getting the type of questions I get" about Islam, said Suhail Khan, a board member of the American Conservative Union and former public outreach aide in George W. Bush's administration. "I grew up in the '70s and '80s, and it wasn't an issue. It just wasn't."Khan described Muslim Americans' integration into American society as a long, slow process tainted with discrimination and stereotypes, but one that other minorities have overcome."There is no doubt in my mind that we will not only see an end to the discrimination and the fear-mongering," Khan said, "we'll soon look back and wonder why some of this even went this far."The entire report is available at http://www.muslimwestfacts.com/.sgantz@tribune.com