Month Of Ramadan | SilverScorpio.Com

Zazi cohort pleads guilty to hatching New York subway bombing plot

April 24, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New York, Apr 24(ANI): A former New York taxi driver, Zarein Ahmedzay, has pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn Federal Court of conspiring with admitted terrorist Najibullah Zazi in a foiled Al-Qaeda plot to target the New York City subway system in September 2009.

Ahmedzay, an immigrant from Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use a weapon of mass of destruction, conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country and providing material support to Al Qaeda. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced on July 30.

The 25-year-old told the court that he had received orders for the attack from Al-Qaida leaders two years ago, while he was in Pakistan with a friend.

“I personally believed that conducting an operation in the United States would be the best way to end the wars [in Iraq and Afghanistan]. … They decided we would be more useful in New York,” The New York Post quoted Ahmedzay, as saying.

“I was familiar with the city as I was a New York City taxi driver. I knew the city very well. The most important thing was it hit well known critical structures to maximize the damage and casualties,” he added.

Ahmedzay further said he, Zazi and a third man, previously identified by the as Adis Medunjanin, met with the leaders in Pakistan, where they offered to join the Taliban and fight U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

“During the summer of 2008 we went to Afghanistan to wage jihad against American occupiers and the corrupt Karzai Government to establish the perfect justice of Allah,” Ahmedzay said.

“We were prepared to kill the occupying forces, including United States military. … [al-Somali and Rauf] spoke English very well. We told these individuals that we wanted to wage jihad in Afghanistan.”

“The three of us decided to continue with the suicide bombing during the month of Ramadan,” he added.

Zazi was arrested in September 2009, and on February 22 he pled guilty to conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction, conspiring to commit murder in a foreign country, and providing material support to a terrorist organization.

He faces a possible life sentence without possibility of parole for the first two counts, and an additional sentence of 15 years for the third count. (ANI)

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NATO troops to launch offensive in Kandahar in June

March 30, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar.30 (ANI): The NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan will launch a long-planned offensive in the southern city of Kandahar in June, military officials have said.

The Telegraph quoted a US military source as saying the goal was to rid the city of Taliban forces before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in August.

US troops are already leading a massive operation in Marjah, in the neighbouring province of Helmand.

Extra troops ordered by US President Barack Obama have begun arriving.

Some 6,000 of the 30,000 additional forces assigned to Afghanistan in December have already arrived, with the rest expected in the coming months.

The officials – who spoke on condition of anonymity – said some 10,000 troops would be involved in the main thrust of the operation.

They said US troops were already working on securing transit routes and persuading leaders of districts surrounding Kandahar to co-operate with coalition forces. (ANI)

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Muslims in Lucknow offer ‘Alvida Namaz’ before Eid

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lucknow, Sep 18(ANI): Muslims gathered in huge numbers at several mosques of Lucknow on Friday to offer the ‘Alvida Namaz’ marking the last Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan.

“We prayed to the Lord to raise the financial status of Muslims and also eradicate all their problems. In India, Hindu and Muslims have been living together for several centuries and we want them to be like this in future,” said Moulvi Faizul Rehman, an Islamic cleric at a mosque in Lucknow.

Highlighting the significance of the ‘Alvida Namaz’, Mohammad Sayeed, a Namazi said that it is the reason why thousands of Muslim from across the city gather to offer prayers.

“During Ramadan if we participate in the ‘Alvida Namaz’ and offer our prayers, then we get a reward for it and it will usher prosperity to us,” Sayeed said.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran, Islam’s holy book, and has traditionally been a time of religious fervour, settling old disputes and behaving charitably towards neighbours.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Considered auspicious for prayers, Muslims observe the month-long fasting named ‘Roza’.

They believe this secures them a place in heaven and also brings them face to face with Allah, the Almighty, on the day of ‘Kayamat’.

The end of Ramadan heralds the festival of Eid-ul-fitr. (ANI)

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Country’s largest Ramadan congregation held in Kerala

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Malappuram (Kerala), Sep 17(ANI): Around six people from across the country attended the country’s largest Ramadan prayers congregation at Swalatha Nagar in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Thursday morning.

The Lailat Al Qadr (the Night of Power), which is held at the Ma’din campus on the 27th night of the holy month of Ramadan, is thought to be largest congregation outside Mecca and Medina.

This annual conclave has attracted attention from believers across the country and from abroad as well and the discipline with which people arrange themselves for prayers is another amazing aspect of the event.

The prayers, which started on Wednesday evening, lasted till 3 am on Thursday and many Muslim dignitaries gave special speech to the gathered congregation.

“Most of our sayings believe that on the 27th Lord Almighty gives blessings. So, we congregate here to take the blessings on this date. When you have one prayer it has only one value. When you pray in a congregation, then it is accumulated, it is accumulative and it is proponent and in large you get pure bonding. The whole night we pray and this is why we congregate here,” said Hajee K.M Mustafa Kamal, Programme convenor of Swalatha prayer conference.

“This started in a very small way and this itself shows that Allah has given so much of success to this. When every other movement has failed over the years but every year this congregation grows and today this year this has become the largest Muslim congregation after Mecca and Medina,” Mustafa Kamal added.

Apart from the main venue, people were accommodated in 10 other grounds, which were spread across 10 km on either sides of the NH-213. Of these, 5 were specially designed and prepared for women. (ANI)

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Fish sales shoot up during Ramadan in Kashmir

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sept 16 (ANI): Sale of trout fish in Kashmir has been witnessing an upward trend, as Muslims prefer nutritious alterative to meat varieties during the holy month of Ramadan.

Normally people eat trout fish during whole year at different occasions. But in the month of Ramadan demand for trout fish automatically increases because of its health benefits.

Long queues of customers were seen outside the sales counter in Srinagar to take home their share.

“During Ramzan, people like to eat good food. Before Ramzan, the shop is open once a week but during Ramzan it opens twice a week. It has become preferred food,” said Kaiser Ahmad, a customer.

“I think trout fish is the best food available of all the food options available to us and that is why so many are buying it. There are no scales also. It has protein and vitamins,” said Mohammed Ashraf, another customer.

The state fisheries department is providing two kilograms per head at the rate of 150 rupees per kg.

“We have to order fish again later in the day as stock lasts only few hours. We try to supply fresh fish to our customers,” said Mohammed Hussain Wani, fisheries marketing officer.

Trout is a delicious and a very energetic food. It has a number of vitamins and doctors also advise people to use trout fish in large quantities in place of meat. By Afzal Butt(ANI)

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Hurriyat leader Geelani placed under house arrest

September 12, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep.11 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday placed leader of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) under house arrest as a preventive measure.

The arrest was ordered to prevent protests against Indian rule during Friday prayers.

Geelani’s close aide Aiyaz Akbar told reporters here that the former had been told not to break through his security cordon.

The ailing Geelani, 79, was earlier set free by police on Wednesday after serving a three-month jail sentence for organising protests against the Shopian double rape and murder case.

The latest detention came hours after he led scores of Kashmiris in an anti-India demonstration in Srinagar.

Police and federal paramilitaries were monitoring Friday prayers during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

He had addressed a press conference at his residence Thursday afternoon and later led scores of his supporters who shouted anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. (ANI)

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Ramadan sale cheers up Kashmir traders

September 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Sep 10 (ANI): The sale of Islamic items such as rosaries, holy books, frankincense, kohl, skull cap and calligraphy has seen a sharp increase during the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan in Srinagar.

Shopkeepers are cashing in on the increased demand. Their sale has almost doubled as compared with normal days. They expect the business to rise even further by the end of the month.

“Calligraphy paintings are sold here throughout the year but the demand for them increases sharply during Ramadan. Skull caps, rosary, frankincense are also in big demand. The sale during Ramadan increases by 50 per cent as compared with normal days. If we normally sell things for Rupees 1,000 then during Ramadan the sale goes up to 15,000. The sale will be brisk towards the end of the month,” says Reyaz Ahmad, a seller.

“During the month of Ramadan our attention is diverted to such things, for example, you can see a cap on my head. The demand for caps, ‘miswak’ sticks (to clean teeth), kohl, frankincense, rosary and Islamic books goes high,” says Niyaz Allahi, a customer.

During Ramadan, Muslims try to abstain from carnal pleasures and addictions.

Muslims get up before dawn to eat Sahur (an early meal), and then stop eating and drinking known as Roza (fasting) until called for the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib, at sunset time. (ANI)

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Sale of miniature Quran books up in Varanasi during Ramadan

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Varanasi, Sep. 6 (ANI): The copies of a one-inch miniature Quran are selling like hot cakes in Varanasi during the holy month of Ramadan.

The miniature of the Quran, available in different colour covers, are being curiously lapped up by the customers.

They are in big demand not only in India but also overseas.

“The Holy Quran sells in a big way at our shop during Ramadan. This time one inch-Quran is in big demand. This is the Quran… It is exported to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. People wear it around their necks like lockets,” says Ramjan Ali, a shopkeeper.

People say these miniature copies have the same virtue and value of the Quran. Apart from its unique size, people say the miniature copies can be handy while traveling and have the same healing power and spiritual power of the Quran.

“If we are travelling and we don’t have the Quran then we can take the small one with us. If we get scared of any thing then the Quran protects us,” said Taqir Hussain, a buyer.

The scriptures written on the miniature book are hardly legible, but the book does make a nice souvenir to present and for the ‘faithful’ it acts a protective cover during a crisis. (ANI)

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‘Foreigners only’ French restaurant draws flak in Islamabad

September 6, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Sep.5 (ANI): A French restaurant in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad has drawn severe flak after it put up a notice saying ‘foreigners only’.

Islamabad police said it has also received complaints regarding such notice being put at the front window of the Cordon Rouge restaurant, which is situated close to embassies and government buildings in the city’s heavily guarded diplomatic enclave.

However, the owner of the food joint, Jean-Luc Hue brushed aside the accusations, saying the notice has been ‘misunderstood’.

Hue admitted that he fumbled with the selection of words for the notice.

“This is just a misunderstanding. I only put the sign up for the month of Ramadan,” The BBC quoted Hue, as saying.

“Since it was not worth it for them to come after the fast breaks (at sunset), I decided to put up the sign, but some people didn’t appreciate it,” he added.

Hue also rejected allegations that his restaurant had something of an ‘anti-Pakistani’ entrance policy even before Ramadan.

“Yes, we were very selective with the people entering our place, but you have to be selective in the restaurant business,” he clarified.

He insisted that his policy has nothing to do with race or nationality, his main consideration is the way customers behave.

“We have respectable diplomats who come here and they have to be comfortable. Twice I had to ask some Pakistani young people to leave because they were trying to get a little bit too friendly with the female clientele,” he said.

“I’m a restaurant owner, and I want to have a business.Pakistanis are more than welcome. Why would I refuse Pakistanis when I need them for my business?” Hue stressed. (ANI)

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Sales of dates pick up during Ramadan in Aurangabad

September 4, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Aurangabad, Sep 4 (ANI): Sales of dates picks up in Aurangabad during the holy month of Ramadan, as Muslims break their ‘Roza’, with this fruit.

Markets are flooded with different varieties of dates, imported from countries like Muscat, Oman, Iran, Iraq.

The prices of dates range from rupees 40 to 1,600 but that does not prevent the people from purchasing the fruit.

“Dates are imported from Iraq, Iran, Oman, Muscat, Dubai and are sold in the market for prices ranging from rupees 40 to 1,600. Dates are very beneficial. They help in increasing the hemoglobin level in the body. During Ramadan, people break Roza by eating dates,” said Rupali Dosi, a Shopkeeper.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims must abstain from all eatables including water from dawn to dusk — a discipline believed to better their souls. (ANI)

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Egyptian traders turn Obama into a date!

August 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Aug 22 (ANI): Egyptian grocers have named the finest variety of dates for the month of Ramadan after US President Barack Obama because of his popularity since his visit to the predominately Muslim nation last June.

Egyptian traders have the tradition of naming dates after politicians and celebrities to woo customers during Ramadan when the demand for dried fruits usually surges.

Muslims in the country usually break their dawn-to-dusk fasting with either dried dates or dates soaked in milk, reports The Scotsman.

Egyptians consume an estimated 500,000 tonnes of dates during Ramadan, but traders expect higher consumption this year. (ANI)

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Former Malaysian model wants to be whipped in public

August 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kuala Lumpur, Aug.21 (ANI): Former Malaysian model Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarnor has expressed a wish to be whipped in public if possible.

Last week, a court had ordered that Shukarnor be whipped six times for consuming alcohol in a bar in defiance of Islamic rules, the Harian Metro reported.

She was quoted as saying that she wanted the punishment to be carried out in public to serve as a lesson to others who consume alcohol.

The 32-year-old said she also wanted her family to be allowed to see the whipping.

“I hope the media will be allowed to cover it as well. I’ve brought shame to my family despite having received religious teachings from my parents since young. I hope the punishment will bring me back to the right path,” she said.

She said she did not regret her decision not to appeal despite her husband’s persuasion, preferring to treat the entire episode as a challenge from God.

She was also quoted as saying she was mentally and physically prepared for the punishment.

However, her husband Muhammad Afandin Amir, 38, is worried for his wife’s health as the punishment would possibly be carried out during the month of Ramadan.

“However, I respect the court’s decision,” he said. (ANI)

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Haj pilgrims make a beeline for passports in Kashmir

March 18, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Srinagar, Mar 18 (ANI): After this year’s directive of the Saudi Arabia Government allowing only those to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina who have valid international passports, scores of pilgrimage aspirants queue outside the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Srinagar to submit application forms for passports for past few days.

Until now special pilgrimage passes used to be issued for the annual pilgrimage and Haj Committees used to invite applications from Muslim devotees and make the final selection through draw of lots.

But after the Saudi Arabian government’s announcement, the pilgrims will be able to use their passports for Haj pilgrimage and other trips abroad.

“Earlier it was pilgrim pass. It was valid only for Saudi Arabia for a period of three months. Now what they require is a regular international passport. Once you obtain this passport you can go on Haj pilgrimage also and you can use this passport for other purposes also. There will be no difference at all between Haj pilgrimage pass and regular international passport,” said B. S Manavalan, Passport Officer, Kashmir.

People from far flung and remote areas are visiting the office with their applications to get their passports made and are quite happy that the cost of the special Haj pass and the international passport is the same at rupees 1,000.

“They charge 1,000 rupees which has to be deposited later. Here they are verifying the nationality of the applicants whether they belong to Kashmir or not,” said Mohammad Subhan, a Haj pilgrimage aspirant.

The registrations for the passports are on till March 31 and a lottery would decide the names of the people who would be eligible for the passports.

The Holy Quran directs the faithful to undertake Haj at least once in a lifetime.

The Haj involves weeklong celebrations and takes place nearly seventy days after the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Over two million pilgrims undertake Haj each year from all over the world. By Pervez Butt (ANI)

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