eMormons offer place to pray to Muslims

CHINO HILLS — when a fire severely damaged the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino last Saturday, the hundreds of Muslim worshippers had no idea how many friends they had in the Chino Valley. But they soon found out.

In addition to the gifts of flowers and letters and phone calls of encouragement, they needed a place to hold their Friday Jum'ah worship service. When Kenn Rasmussen, a community liaison with the Chino stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, learned that his friend, Anwer Khan, general secretary of the mosque, was in need, he immediately offered to help out. Rasmussen and stake President Scott Knecht agreed to open the gym at the stake center on Eucalyptus Avenue in Chino Hills until they find a rental facility to use while the 10,000-square-foot mosque is being repaired.

Taken From: http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~1353163,00.html

Finland: Muslim population exceeds 20,000

Helsinki,)Dr. Jos Nurtiva, the chairman of the Management Board of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, has said that the Muslim population in Finland is now 21,000-strong, out of a total population of five million.

He said the Muslims have their own organization that was founded in 1968, and is based in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, with its own publication called ALNUR, adding that there are now 35 mosques in the country.

Dr. Nurtiva was recently on a visit to Egypt, during which he also called on the Sheikh of Azhar. As a result of this visit, it was agreed that 30 students fromFinland be accepted for study at the Azhar University, Egypt, at the expense of that institution.

Finland has one Islamic school that is situated in Helsinki, he said, and a Shari’a Court is to be set up some time this year, and would be attached to the Islamic Center, with jurisdiction over Muslims in matters relating to marriage, divorce, inheritance and the like.

Taken From: http://www.islamicnews.org/english/index.html

Religious Teachers Attend Islamic Course

Bandar Seri Begawan - A course to enhance understanding in Islamic teachings for school administrators and principals ended with certificate presentation yesterday. The Seri Begawan Religious Teaching College organized the course. The course was the college's program in exposing administrators and principals toward strengthening their religious faith. Throughout the course, participants were briefed on various religious issues as well as relevant issues on education. Acting Director of Civil Service Institute Dr Awang Azaharaini presented the certificates. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

Taken From: http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Apr03/290403/nite13.htm

First Islamic, USD75m Sukuk issue

The Securities House of Kuwait is to act as lead investor in the issuance of a USD75m Islamic sukuk for the First Islamic Investment Bank and invest USD30m. A statement said the sukuk would allow Bahrain's First Islamic to expand inEurope and strengthen its balance sheet. The issue will close on April 30 and the bank expects a significant oversubscription.

Taken From: http://www.ameinfo.com/cgi-bin/fndaily/listnews.cgi?#42903083111