BUILDING STRONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS DESPITE THE CULTURE GAP – ART OF CONNECTION WITH BELAL KHAN

Source: muslimmatters.org

By: Belal Khan

To understanding culture properly, see it as a combination of what we deem important coupled with how we implement it.

For example, respect to parents is something that’s seen as important in both cultures. But, the way that respect is applied is different.

In American society, you’re develop bonds of friendship with respect. However, overseas respect comes with treating them with authority, almost like a formal relationship. But, that won’t necessarily breed respect in an American setting.

So, how do we bridge the cultural gap between parents and kids, especially when they grew up in two different worlds?

Looking back at my childhood, I’m greatful for the fact that I have a close relationship with my parents. I believe the age difference between my parents and I had something to do with it, considering that most of my friends’ parents were much older.

A lot of my friends also lacked the experience of being told stories about their childhood, their families, and their siblings.

Islam will continue to shine despite the “Clash of the two Savageries”

By: Abdullah Hakim Quick

Despite the ongoing Huge Savagery of drone strikes, Abu Ghuraib torture, Guantanamo Bay prisons, insults against Almighty Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (pbuh), vicious tyrants ruling Muslim countries and daily injustice and intimidation, on one side; and the Smaller Savagery being carried out by reactionary, out of control extremists (French killings, murder of school children in Peshawar, Pakistan) on the other side; Muslims have to “hold the line” of balance and justice.

The public execution of the French Police officer Ahmed Merabet and the lack of immediate recognition by the media is just another example of what causes the pain that we are feeling. But the Qur’an was revealed for all times. Allah has informed us:
“You shall certainly be tried in your wealth and in your persons and you shall certainly hear from those who have been given the Book before you and the Polytheists, much wrong and annoying talk; but if you persevere and guard against evil with piety, that will be the most resolute of actions.” ( 3: 186)

They will never put out the true light of Allah, no matter how they try! Its like a fool trying to blow out the sun. Look at how the Abdul Aziz Mosque meets the sunrise every day in Shah Alam, Malaysia and reflect.

Coca-Cola’s investment in Gaza

Source: middleeastmonitor.com

By: Yvonne Ridley

Coca-Cola is building a factory in Gaza, but before you applaud such an investment in an area where the economy is shattered and unemployment ranks among the highest in the world, let’s examine the deal more closely. Who will actually benefit from this? It’s a rhetorical question really, because the Palestinians living there will be the long-term losers while the neighbouring State of Israel will count the shekels rolling in.

The first of the materials to build the factory came via Israel with a convoy of 10 trucks carrying assembly line machines through the Yitzhak Rabin border terminal; from there the lorries were processed by the Israeli military into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing last week. This, in itself, is amazing, since only 130,000 tons of construction materials have been allowed into Gaza since the latest Israeli blitz; five million tons are needed to try to rebuild the factories bombed to destruction by Israel in its last two wars against the civilians of Gaza.

Thousands of families are still without homes in the depths of a Gaza winter and some of the dead are still buried under the tons of rubble where tower blocks stood before the Israeli military destroyed them. Despite international promises of humanitarian aid and a massive rebuilding programme nothing of any substance has happened because of the ongoing siege of the territory led by Israel and Egypt.

Israeli airstrikes kill 38 despite Palestinian ceasefire offer

Source: http://www.maannews.net

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — At least 38 Palestinians died on Thursday as Israeli planes bombarded Gaza for the second day in a row after a temporary ceasefire fell apart after weeks of fighting, as the Palestinian negotiations delegation accused Israel of failing to respond to an offer for peace.