Scholars slam Western meddling in Muslim affairs

ABU DHABI

Scholars taking part in a one-day symposium that focused on Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad's policies roundly criticized the West for meddling in affairs of Muslim countries. The speakers at the seminar in Abu Dhabi warned against the hostile campaign aimed at imposing Western culture on the Islamic world and attempts to undermine Islamic unity. The seminar organized by the Abu Dhabi-based Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up on Wednesday discussed the contribution ofMalaysia in developing Islamic economies. It recalledMalaysia's successful tackling of the 1997 economic crisis and highlighted the measures that were adopted to regain economic health.

Taken From: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/content.asp?y=2003&dt=0517&pub=Utusan_Express&sec=Front_Page&pg=fp_04.htm

Muslims meet to spread understanding of their faith

in U.S

This week begins a busy time for Columbia-area and S.C. Muslims. Two area groups - one new, the other more established - are hoping to increase awareness of Muslim beliefs, culture and concerns. The first official S.C. chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations will hold seminars and a banquet Saturday to build support for the organization. CAIR is the nation's largest Islamic civil liberties group, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 16 regional offices nationwide and in Canada. Fromnoon to3 p.m., CAIR will hold seminars atSeven Oaks Elementary School, 2800 Ashland Road. The seminars, focusing on CAIR's objectives and how to encourage Muslims to participate in the political process, will be open to Muslims from the Midlands.A banquet will be at 5 p.m., featuring speakers Nihad Awad, CAIR's national executive director, and Khalid Iqbal, director of operations. Local lawyer Larry Needles will speak on immigration laws.

Taken From: http://www.thestate.com/mld/state/5870030.htm

A fine specimen of Iranian calligraphy on show

DOHA

 “Calligraphy is a vital art form that has been part of the heritage of all major cultural groups throughout the Arab and Islamic history. In the Islamic cultural ethos, it a spiritual pattern created by worldly tools,” said the artist Karam Ali Shirazi at the opening of his unique calligraphy exhibition at Bissan Gallery on Wednesday. Under the patronage of Sheikh Hasan bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Thani and in co-operation with the Tehran-based Shamseh Islamic Art Center, Shirazi’s exhibition displays 40 magnificent pieces of calligraphy. Crafted by the skilled Iranian artist, most of the pieces on show are 24 carat gold plated and coloured with guaranteed material. Shirazi is known to be a master of the Jali calligraphic style with an astonishing fusion style, typical of the Khani School. The paintings show a combination of elements, mixing beauty and skill generated by the artist’s magical strokes. Created with a reed pen and suet ink, the composition of the patterns creates music for the eyes.

Taken From: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=May2003&file=Local_News2003051715435.xml

Bulgaria: Muslim community active

Sofia

Bulgaria’s population of around eight million includes three million (30 percent) Muslims, made up of three ethnic segments, the Turks, the Bumak (supporters), and the Gajars. One of the Islamic organizations that are active in the country is the Tiba Society, whose director is Dr. Sameer Al-Omran.

He said his organization is mainly involved in the educational development of the Muslims, and those students who perform well are sent for further studies toSaudi Arabia or Jordan, to follow their disciplines at institutions of higher learning in those countries. He said his organization also has a long-term plan for preparing local cadres of Da’awa activists, so that when they complete their courses they would be able to spread the Message of Islam far and wide into the country.

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