Religion – Adnan's Den

Obama's Cairo University Speech

The whole Muslim world was eagerly waited for Obama’s speech in Cairo University. Because he is not dumb like Bush rather he is smart. We are always hoping to shorten the gap between the USA and the muslim world. Obama’s speech in Cairo University more or less showed a tiny ray of hope on that way.

Obama delivering speech at Cairo University

The entire text version of Obama’s speech at Cairo University can be found in Andrew Sullivan’s Blog. Here is some excerpts from that speech.

…So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end…

… I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear…

…There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today…

Michael Kraskin reports on Politics Daily about the World’s reaction of Obama’s speech. Video of that speech below from YouTube:

A Short Story

Ever thought – why should we read Quran even if we can’t understand a single Arabic word? This story illustrate that concept beautifully. And thanx Ashfaq for mailing me such a nice topic which I am sharing with my readers.

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early Sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quran. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Quran just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, “See Grandpa, it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

If you feel this post is worth reading, please share the topic/link with your contacts/friends. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh & his family) says: “The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally“.

Siratul Mustaqim: A New Islamic Site in Bangla

A new Islamic website is making its’ way in the web world. Title of this site is SIRATUL MUSTAQIM which means “The Straight Path”. This site is intended to inform people about the life style in the light of Quran and Sunnah. The whole site is in Bangla. So that may be a problem for those who don’t know Bangla.

One of the developer of this site is my senior in IUT and my present colleague Minhaz Akram. Minhaz bhai worked hard for last couple of months to develop this site. This site has some attractive features like Daily Time Table of Saalat, Electronic Quran, Electronic Hadith etc. This site is still under construction. Many more feature are hoped to add within this month. There is option for the users to ask any islamic question and that question will be answered as soon as possible.

Visit the site and give your feed back there. To visit the site click here. Your constructive comments will help the site to be more resourceful.

99 Names of Allah

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, The Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, The Wise.” (Quran 59:24)

The 99 Names of Allah, also known as The 99 Attributes of Allah (Arabic: أسماء الله الحسنى transliteration: Asma’ Allah al-Ḥusná), are the names of Allah which we (the Muslims) believe are revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah. It is quite impossible to translate the names and attributes of Allah perfectly from their original Arabic into English. Because Arabic is one of the nicest language which can express a lot using less words. However here are some fairly close explanations of those names. Continue reading 99 Names of Allah

Ijtema cut short for biting-chilly weather

In an unprecedented incident, the three-day Biswa Ijtema, ostensibly the second largest yearly congregation of the Muslims, on the bank of Turag River at Tongi was cut short on its inaugural day yesterday due to an inclement weather that had caused deaths of at least three pilgrims. The akheri munajat or the concluding prayers of this year’s ijtema started at 7:55pm ending at 8:15pm yesterday instead of its schedule tomorrow. [The Daily Star; Saturday, January 26, 2008]

For the last two days life in Dhaka as well as else where in Bangladesh is disrupting with chilly wind and drizzles. This includes a foggy and cloudy weather through out the country. Due to this cold spell and inclement weather, the lowest temperature in Dhaka was 15.3 degrees. The difference of minimum and maximum temperature in Dhaka was only 2.4 degrees Celsius.

And yesterday was the beginning of the IJTEMA, second largest religious congregation of the Muslims after hajj, begins today on the bank of the river Turag. This year due to the political stability of Bangladesh, at least three million people from about 58 countries were expected to join. Ijtema plays a significant role in rapid dissemination of Islamic ideals and lessons of the Quran and Sunnah across the globe. Usually Ijtema holds for three days. The last day is known as AAKHERI MUNAZAT’s DAY. In the last day all the Muslims regardless scholars and ordinary people, pray to Allah (the Almighty) for establishing universal peace and strengthening unity, solidarity and fraternity in the Muslim world.

Devotees at the Biswa Ijtema ground use plastic sheets to take cover from the drizzle. The poor conditions led to the congregation’s abrupt end last night. Photo: Anisur Rahman

But the inclement weather wrapped up the whole congregation. The canopies and mats used in Ijtema grounds were damaged in the rain. The devotees collected polythene as an alternative since they were cost-effective. Many of the elderly devotees had to take shelter at various mosques and other places adjacent to the Ijtema ground. But yesterday, after evening the drizzles were turned into rain which made the authorities taking the decision of winding up Ijtema on its inaugural day, considering the sufferings of several lakh pilgrims in a bitter cold weather.

Regarding this, my opinion is that government should take necessary steps to build permanent buildings there on Ijtema ground with the help of the other Muslim countries. As it is obvious that Ijtema will be held in Bangladesh in the upcoming years like the former years, government should provide the devotees with facilities of brick-built cabins instead of canopies. It is a great issue as many Muslims scholars from around the worlds come Bangladesh only for joining Ijtema. So, I think other Muslim countries will come forward to help Bangladesh in this regard.

A Father-n'-Son Eid

Today we celebrated Eid in Bangladesh. Unlike the other year’s Eid, this Eid is special to me. It has been years since my father celebrated Eid with us. The reason of his unavailability was his job for which he has to be stay aboard. And he used to not getting his vacation during Eid. This year all four members of our family enjoyed the Eid. Thanks to Almighty Allah for this great oppertunity.

To day me and my father went to Dhanmondi Eidgah at morning to participate in Eid-ul-Adha saalat. After that whole day we were busy to process the sacrificed animals and distributed the meat among the relatives and the poor people. Our home was packed with our relatives after the noon. And who were not able to come, conveyed their greetings by phone. Two of my cousins were with us from just after the Eid Saalat. But above all, it was a special father n’ son Eid to me. I can’t express the feelings of having my father among us in this Eid. It’s just GREAT!! Thanks to the Almighty again.

Though after half a day work I am tired now, I have managed some gap to write a post in my blog. Hope all Muslims will enjoy this Eid pleasantly. Eid Mubarak!!

Eid Mubarak!!

Eid-ul-Adha will be on December 21, 2007.

According to the lunar calendar, this year Eid-ul-Adha in Bangladesh will be celebrated on December 21 (Friday). After their meeting, in a press briefing, Islamic Foundation Bangladesh has announced the date officially, this evening. So the government holidays will be Decemebr 20, 21 and 22 (Thusrday, Friday and Saturday accordingly).

Happy Eid-ul-Adha to all in advanced 🙂 .