January's almost over. The most depressing Monday of the year has gone, apparently, perhaps taking the New Year's resolutions with it. As we look to the rest of the year, how do we create workplace happiness?
Most people will have started the year with a new set of objectives, sales levels returning to zero, and a reminder of the goals and focus of the organisation. It can be overwhelming just thinking about it and the pressure to perform at a higher level can be too much for some. As almost 80% of us fail to achieve our New Year's resolutions, according to the Mental Health Foundation, some of us could be finishing January feeling like the year's written off already, with the failure of yet another diet, that life-enriching hobby not yet started. But it's not over yet. Setting realistic goals throughout the year gives us not only something to work to, but a sense of progression, accomplishment, and confidence and belief in our abilities.
Action for Happiness says that one of one of the keys to a happier life is connecting with people. Being in an environment where you feel able to talk openly and freely and make positive social connections really matters. For many working in HR, the new year starts with planning the next employee engagement survey, and can bring a sense of positive anticipation. "This year's survey is going to go really well – we'll ask the right questions, get a great response rate, share results and most importantly take action better than last year…". One of the most difficult aspects is the post-survey action planning part, especially when the majority of effort has been used to launch and communicate the survey itself. The danger is that we can be left feeling blue when our initial good intentions and efforts don't result in that positive change through action, and employees question how much the organisation values what they have to say.
Whether it's personal fitness or workplace objectives, having a plan of action, a schedule to work to and dates to track progress are key to getting the most out of what you're doing. Our recent HR Reflections showed that organisations with the greatest confidence in how effective their annual surveys are at driving improvements are the ones that supplement these with regular pulse surveys to check progress and measure change. We found that 81% of organisations that use annual surveys along with regular pulse surveys are confident they see improvements, compared to 65% that only survey annually.
Action for Happiness shows that levels of trust vary widely between countries. Only 30% of people in the UK and US say that most people can be trusted, which is a dramatic fall from the 60% this stood at 40 years ago. We could blame the internet for a rise in scepticism with a rise in information, but in Scandinavia the level is still over 60%, and it's one of the happiest places to be.
You can't build trust without authenticity. Leaders must show that they have a genuine belief in the organisation's goals, leading by example and role modelling values. If they are inconsistent, then so will their team, and this consistency needs to be held up throughout all levels of the organisation. Trust breaks down when the senior management says one thing and line managers act in a contradictory way.
Many of the leaders we interviewed as part of our research mentioned humility alongside authenticity. Leaders are often assumed and expected to have all the answers and to be the experts, but having the humility to confess their limitations and encourage others to contribute their skills makes leaders more real and accessible.
Health and fitness features somewhere in most people's New Year resolutions but spending the majority of our time at work can make achieving those goals tricky. In our HR Reflections survey we found that 46% of UK organisations expect their emphasis on health and wellbeing to increase over the coming 1-2 years. We also found that organisations in Europe offer more health and wellbeing benefits compared to UK organisations, most notably 26% of European organisations said they provide stress management support to employees compared to 41% in Europe. Half of European organisations ergonomically design their office environment to enhance employees' mental and physical health compared to a quarter of UK organisations.


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RWS : ID Classic, UNI Classic, DK, KS, H Mantel, T Mantel, Evo.
Hornady. - Custom y Superformance.
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JMO Modular has 20′ and 40′ Storage Containers for lease.
We currently have leases to construction companies who need a safe place to store tools and equipment on a job site, retail stores who need storage space during a store remodel or a busy holiday season and individuals who just need a little more space at home.
We also lease 20′ and 40′ container offices. These are units that have been converted to have an office in part of the container which allows the occupant to have a ground level office with storage as well.
Call Mark at 800-747-5467 for more information.
Click here for container pictures.
How much clearance space do I need for delivery?
A 20-foot storage container usually requires about 75 feet of straight clearance. A 40-foot storage container will need about 100 feet of straight clearance. For most containers, you need a minimum of 12 feet of width clearance and 20 feet of overhead clearance.
Is there a concrete pad, paved road or sturdy surface to place the shipping container on?
JMO Modular will deliver shipping containers on any of the following surfaces: asphalt, gravel, grass, earth, or concrete. If the ground is soft or unstable, you may want to consider supporting the shipping container with a concrete footing, railroad ties, asphalt or a bed of gravel so that the weight is evenly distributed to prevent movement.
There are situations when it is helpful to provide the driver with specific instructions about your property and storage container placement to ensure a smooth delivery. For example, if you have a single entry unit and you want the entrance/doors to face a certain direction on the property, it is helpful to let the driver know that ahead of time so they can load the portable storage unit appropriately.


text:
James M. Connolly
No More IT Islands
IT professionals no longer fit into the buckets of specialization that marketers and HR staffers love.
What can the modern IT professional learn from the words of a 17th century poet like John Donne? At least a little bit. Donne wrote, "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main…"
His was a global view: The loss of one person was a loss for everyone, we rely upon and learn from everyone we encounter. There's no such thing as isolation.
In my 30-plus years of covering the IT sector, I've learned that one of the biggest mistakes we can make is to look at technologies, job functions, and components of an application, business process, or network in isolation. I get it; it's human nature to plug people and concepts into neat buckets. We have "IT" and we have "users," "hardware," "software," "operations," "developers," and "security."
Yes, those specialized buckets are great for tech marketers in their targeting and perfect for human resources staffers who insist on labels for everyone in their org charts. Then there are the IT pros themselves, who might on occasion deflect a request with a not-my-job response by saying, "Sorry, I'm in software, that's networking."
In reality, IT always has been an amalgam of overlapping specialties ever since the early days when Admiral Grace Hopper reportedly coined the term "bug," bridging the realms of developers and operations people. More than ever before, every IT specialist -- even the so-called users in the business units -- requires a technology skillset extending far beyond what their job title might indicate.
I had some fun the other day, going through -- probably for the 200th time -- the agenda crafted by my associates at InformationWeek and Interop, as we prepare for Interop ITX, April 30 to May 4.
True, that agenda is arranged in seven buckets or tracks. But I was able to see just how some of today's core technology concepts overlap, and it made me think how a team of IT specialists at Interop might want to be in several places, attending a range of sessions at the same time. Or, if you're an individual attending alone, you can get exposure to a range of concepts by exploring the agenda items that fall outside your core area of interest.
Confused yet? Take a look at just one of the tracks, DevOps, and see how it might appeal to someone carrying a non-DevOps title, and consider how the DevOps pro might venture into related tracks.
Take the example of a session presented by Rosalind Radcliffe of IBM, returning after delivering one of the more popular talks of Interop ITX 2017. DevOps Today: What Does It Mean to You? reaches into areas such as Leadership and Data Analytics. After all, a key reason to implement DevOps is to enable digital transformation -- perhaps the hottest buzzword in leadership circles -- and relies on the same type of metrics that data scientists are building out daily.
Rob Whitely of NGINX will present The Role of DevOps in Application Security, a natural fit for those focused on the Security track.
LinkedIn's Michael Kehoe offers The Next Wave of Reliability Engineering, which touches on the same interests being served up in the Infrastructure track.
Then, Mandy and Patrick Hubbard will present The Impassable Last Mile of Continuous Delivery. That last mile is about putting DevOps to work for the organization. The themes of the Cloud track and Infrastructure track are integral to that effort, which advances the digital transformation goals of the Leadership team.
When you go to Interop ITX -- it's not too late to register -- we've given you the freedom to choose. You're welcome to stick with one specific track or meander through the seven different tracks as you need. Finally, if you want additional guidance, you can select a Conference Journey, designed for your main area of interest when scheduling your days on the agenda pages. Have a fun and informative trip.
Jim Connolly is a versatile and experienced technology journalist who has reported on IT trends for more than two decades. As editorial director of InformationWeek and Network Computing, he oversees the day-to-day planning and editing on the site. Most recently he was editor ... View Full Bio

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Thinking globally, acting locally
The University of Queensland Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship office took on The Sudsy Challenge in 2021, becoming one of the top fundraising teams with over $5000 donated to Orange Sky.
Dubbing themselves UQ Global Warriors, the team was committed to raising as much as possible by keeping its collective kit on for three days.
"The Global Strategy and Partnerships team continues to build a strong leadership cohort of mindsets and the team likes to give back to the community each year," Senior Manager Zhan Patterson said.
"This year, we were proud to take part in The Sudsy Challenge and raise awareness about homelessness issues here in Australia."
The UQ Global Warriors were inspired to participate in The Sudsy Challenge by a shared desire to improve the quality of life for people experiencing homelessness, particularly women and survivors of domestic abuse.
"Most of the team members are mums, with some who are single mothers," she explained.
"The statistics on young adults and women experiencing domestic violence who are homeless and doing it tough really resonated with us.
"We wanted to make a small difference in others' lives and there is no better way to support that goal than by contributing to a hot shower, clean laundry and genuine caring."
The Global Engagement and Entrepreneurship office keeps UQ globally connected by identifying and developing partnerships, programs and projects that align with UQ's strategic vision.
For The Sudsy Challenge, UQ Global Warriors focussed on local concerns, leveraging the University's extensive academic network to maximise the impact of its efforts.
"Our main goal was to get more people on board with homelessness issues, particularly through the pandemic where many families have been affected," Ms Patterson said.
"We started with the UQ community here through conversations with staff, students and friends."
Though UQ Global Warriors are hot contenders to win the inaugural Sudsy Corporate Cup for top fundraiser, Ms Patterson believes the real winners are Orange Sky and the people it helps.
For more Sudsy stories, check our our blog!


Synchronista's ClickAmericana.com site has more than 3500 features and articles — including news stories from throughout history and hundreds of vintage ads showing the fashions, trends, celebrities, entertainment, foods and cars decade by decade.
Everything on the ClickAmericana.com site has been thoughtfully culled from throughout American history, and sourced from massive collections of newspaper and magazine pages, along with memorabilia from a private stash of thousands of vintage postcards, photos and other mementos.
In addition to presenting major news features — such as the Titanic sinking, the moon landing, the assassinations of both Lincoln and Kennedy — Click Americana also includes everything you'd expect to find on a general-interest website of today: innovations and inventions, home and money, fashion and beauty, sports and beyond. The site also has a wealth of heirloom recipes: antique cooking how-tos for dishes long forgotten, and those fondly remembered.
Additional article collections provide more nostalgic food for thought: the earliest reports of major milestones and events as they happened, musings on how our ancestors imagined the future, and their take on what was already history.


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ALBANY - Members of the India Chapter of the New York State Bar Association's International Section, as well as more than 200 representatives of India's legal profession and business communities, will come together from Thursday, March 25 through Saturday, March 27, 2010 in Mumbai, India at the Taj Lands End Hotel for an informative conference that focuses on India's emerging presence in the global economy.
• Energy Issues: How Hungry is India?
Several guest speakers at the conference will be available to speak to the news media, including New York State Bar Association President-Elect Stephen P. Younger (Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP of New York City), India Chapter Chair Kaviraj Singh (Trustman & Co. of New Delhi), and past chair of the International Section James P. Duffy, III of New York City.
For more information about the conference, please visit www.nysba.org/IndiaProgram.
The International Section of the New York State Bar Association is dedicated to the promotion of the international practice of law on all planes of international life - whether commercially or for the public good - and to the support of the rule of law throughout the world. The section, which was founded in 1987, has about 2,200 members. While the majority of the section's members are admitted to the Bar of the State of New York, many members are licensed attorneys in other states of the United States or other countries. All licensed attorneys who are resident or non-resident members of the New York State Bar Association are invited to join the section.


Students completing Level 1 papers are introduced to an entirely new system. Most dauntingly they are introduced to a national, external and internal, examination system.
Teachers must be aware of the added stresses the introduction of this new system places on students. Students are still living lives outside of school and while important, exams do not determine life or death. Teachers need to put NCEA exams in perspective and while emphasising their importance, they must also emphasise a balanced study/recreation approach is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.


text:
SCOTT HARRELL
Let's try and keep this classy, shall we?
My So-Called Job: Best and Worst Interview Subjects
I mostly write about music. It's a vicious cycle—music writing makes up most of my resume, so music writing is what I land most often as a gig, so music writing continues to make up most of my resume. (By the way, the phrase "music journalist" is only a thing when you're trying to get into or out of situations you're not supposed to be in—speeding tickets, green rooms, guest lists, etc. Settle down, Woodward. We write about bands, not genocide. It's not important.) I like just as much to write about the slow erosion of American culture or musculoskeletal conditions, and I love it when people send me free shit to play with then make fun of, but it just doesn't happen as often. My lot, I guess, and it could definitely be worse.
Anyway, sometimes when people find out what I do for a living, they get sort of excited, like it's a crazy fun way to make money. It's not. I mean, it's pretty cool sometimes, it's probably better than taking alligator stool samples and inspecting them for parasites and I get into a lot of shows for free, but it's a job, you know? Ask my buddy Asher; I got him started with an opportunity to interview a band he really likes, and before he knew it there were scheduling issues and all-nighters looking for the perfect phrase and having to talk to bands he would rather shave his nethers with a cheese grater than listen to, and just like that, it's another job.
It is sort of interesting, though, so we'll do a new category here at lawbi about some of the more singular aspects of freelance writing in general and music writing in particular. Just another opportunity to poke the hornets' nest, right? Let's begin with a list of interview subjects who killed it, and a few who, well, you know.
John Vanderslice: Just a really personable guy who was totally willing to let an interview evolve into a rambling friendly conversation. It's always cool to ring up somebody whose work blows your mind, and find out he's somebody you'd probably want to have a beer with to boot. Bonus points for recognizing me when we ran into each other at festivals for YEARS after the fact.
Aimee Mann: I was afraid to talk to her because she's all smart and strong and clever and thoughtful and the mere thought of it made me feel like an anonymous dolt with a tape recorder, but she was cool, talked about an artist's right to independence and the Til Tuesday days with equal openness.
Mike Dirnt: Witty, upbeat and just a good conversationalist. I've done two phoners with him, and he was fun both times. What do they say about work not seeming like work when the people you're working with are great? It was like that, a couple of effortless talks.
David Byrne: I'm not a huge Talking Heads fan, but you can't consider yourself a knowledgeable music buff without being intimidated by the idea of talking to David Byrne. Also, I'd heard he was a prick. I found him gracious, considerate and funny.
Jenny Lewis: Yeah, she's as charming as she is talented and hot. Your blushing, stammer-y love is well justified.
Jonah Matranga: Another thoughtful, friendly guy who didn't care about stock talking points. We used an hour and a half of tape. I was a bit bummed a few years later when he ranted at the crowd at a State Theatre show about talking during his performance, because it made him seem kind of [makes distasteful face in an attempt to express something like pretension], and he's not really like that.
K.K. Downing: Yeah, that's right, I got to talk to K.K. Motherfucking Downing last year, and it was priceless. It was like bumping into Jesus in line at the DMV and joking a bit about the wait, then he asks if you want to blow that shit off and go ride around in his GTO getting high and listening to Hendrix demos.
Trever Keith: We did a great interview that's still high on Face to Face search-engine results, then I compromised my credibility by getting drunk at the Orlando House of Blues and demanding that he let me audition to become the band's new guitarist by playing the show with 'em the next night in Ft. Lauderdale.
Ben Nichols: He was locked out of his new home, walking around it in circles waiting for his girlfriend to show up with a key.
Alanis Morissette: No, seriously, whatever, she was great, smart and down with the kind of comedy that I love. This one was special because, honestly, I wasn't all that interested going in but she was very, very cool. Did you see that "My Humps" video?
And some interviews that blew:
Greg Graffin: Totally my fault. I was unprepared and feeling intellectually outgunned and I blew it. You can't go into a phoner with Greg Graffin just winging it because you love Bad Religion; that's like trying to hit on a brain surgeon by offering to analyze her psyche through the power of phrenology.
Odetta: Not to speak ill of this late folk and civil rights icon, but she was a total diva. "Music journalists" don't enjoy being berated by their subjects. I didn't get the memo on her stringent guidelines for interview protocol, and I didn't think my time was so much less valuable than hers, as was so tangibly implied.
Buzz Osborne: Yeah, I know he's "difficult" and "challenging" and all, but don't do press if you're just gonna act like it's a huge imposition to do press. I got the distinct impression he scheduled the phoner so he'd be eating dinner and I'd have to listen to him answer questions around wet, meaty mouthfuls of food. (For the record, his publicist, Monica Seide, is the shit. She's awesome.)
Jello Biafra: When the Kennedys came around sans Jello–insert joke here about there not being room–I was told by Biafra's publicist that he wasn't available for interviews, and I told her that I'd be talking to East Bay Ray about the conflicts anyway. Biafra called me directly within an hour, and the conversation had a distinctly political tone. Not as in current events, but as in spin. I still don't know exactly what happened between Biafra and the rest of the Kennedys (and, of course, who the hell wants to see the Dead Kennedys without Jello Biafra?), but the whole thing had a vibe that reminded me of local-office mud-slinging, and really tainted my perspective of the older punk bands I'd thought so beyond such mechanizations.
The Kid That Played Bass In Silverchair: I asked him if he was going to continue his schooling in the wake of the band's "Frogstomp" explosion, and he laughed at the idea and generally gave me the impression he thought he was a star and the sky was the limit. Oh dumb Australian kid, where art thou?
This entry was posted in Work For Hire and tagged aimee mann, alanis morissette, bad religion, david byrne, dead kennedys, featured, green day, jenny lewis, john vanderslice, jonah matranga, judas priest, lucero, melvins, silverchair on April 4, 2010 by scott.
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Grays is a large Victorian villa, built in 1876 and located on the southern slopes of Bath, in the Oldfield Park area, with stunning views across the city. We are just a 12-15 minute stroll from the heart of the City, just a 10 minute brisk walk from the train and bus stations and for guests coming by car, we offer complimentary on-site parking. Our location gives you an ideal base to explore Bath, one of the World's most beautiful cities with an amazing history, stunning architecture and great shopping and restaurants, as well as the beautiful surrounding countryside. Whether you want to see the famous Georgian buildings of the Circus and Royal Crescent, visit the unique Roman Baths, relax in the Thermae Bath Spa, discover the avenues and streets walked by Jane Austen or make the most of Bath's shops and restaurants, everything is within walking distance of Grays. With just 12 bedrooms, you can be assured of a warm welcome and friendly, knowledgeable personal service throughout your stay with us. Each of our beautiful bedrooms are individually decorated and designed with an eclectic mix of furniture and lighting and decorated with cool, calm colour schemes. We have a range of rooms spread over the 3 floors of the building, from classic Doubles, to quirky Loft rooms to our Deluxe Four Poster room, all with high-specification en-suite facilities and featuring a flat-screen LED Freeview TV, Wi-Fi, generous hospitality tray, a powerful hairdryer and REN toiletries and some with a host of extra touches. We offer freshly-prepared traditional English and/or Continental breakfast, as well as seasonal fresh berries, fruit, cereals and yoghurt using locally-sourced foods wherever possible, served in our welcoming, light and spacious breakfast room. We offer plenty of choice and variety for breakfast to set you up for the day!
Congratulations and good luck to our guests graduating from Bath Spa University! We hope you enjoy your day!
Best wishes and congratulations to all those who have been staying with us for their graduations from @UniofBath in the last few days!
The sun is out, and there is LOADS to do in Bath this month. Check out @Bathfestivals for great music events running until the 26th of May!
Thank you to everyone who stayed with us and supported us in 2014. It has been a special and memorable year! Happy new year to you all from the Grays team, all the best for 2015!
We have recently reopened after our short #Christmas break and are very excited for new years eve!
We have just re-opened after a lovely Christmas break and we hope everyone is as excited for new years eve as we are! We hope you all had an excellent Christmas!
Merry Christmas from all at Grays! We hope you had a fantastic day!
Grays is 1 year old today - where did that year go? A huge thank you to our lovely guests who have made the 1st year so rewarding and fun!
Looks like summer might finally be around the corner with temperatures set to rise next week! #Bath is beautiful in the sun, why not visit?


Classic metal hair clips with a Sanrio twist! These four Hello Sanrio clips feature Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kero Kero Keroppi, and Chococat. Share with your friends, or wear all four!
Hello Sanrio Character Hair Clip Set is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 6.
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News On Iran & Its NeighboursIraqShelling near Iranian border is forcing Iraqi Kurds to...
News On Iran & Its NeighboursIraq
Shelling near Iranian border is forcing Iraqi Kurds to flee
Washington Post: They have made camp below the mountainsides that smolder and smoke in the thin alpine air. They live in caves now, or old tents, or under goat-hair tarps, and sleep on woven rugs over a bed of stones. Their villages are empty of all but ducks and chickens, because the villagers will not hike back until they can no longer hear the sounds.
By Joshua Partlow
Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, September 13, 2007; A01
RANIYAH, Iraq — They have made camp below the mountainsides that smolder and smoke in the thin alpine air. They live in caves now, or old tents, or under goat-hair tarps, and sleep on woven rugs over a bed of stones. Their villages are empty of all but ducks and chickens, because the villagers will not hike back until they can no longer hear the sounds.
"Do you hear that?" asked Taban Koha Rasheed, over a deep, distant rumbling, as she knelt under her tarp in a creek bed sheltered by the walls of a steep ravine. "It's started again."
For four weeks now, Kurdish villagers in this far northeastern corner of Iraq have endured a punishing barrage of rockets and artillery shells from what they say are Iranian troops across the border. The seemingly indiscriminate shelling has burned acres of orchards and grassland, damaged homes, killed livestock and driven about 2,500 people to abandon about two dozen villages.
The attacks are an ominous reminder that the emergence of an increasingly self-sufficient Kurdish region in northern Iraq could provoke reprisals or even invasions by Iran and Turkey.
"This is the worst bombing that this area has ever seen," said Ibrahim Muhammed Amin Muhammed Sor, a 37-year-old Kurdish chicken farmer.
For a few days in August, Sor endured the barrage. These rugged mountain dwellers are accustomed to violence: The area was shelled repeatedly during the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s.
In more recent years, neighbors Iran and Turkey have staged sporadic attacks in an attempt to drive out Kurdish separatist guerrillas who reside in the hills. The attacks grew more intense beginning Aug. 16, and one night, leaflets floated down onto Sor's farm.
"The Islamic state of Iran sends its greetings," began the letter, written in a Kurdish dialect called Sorani. It accused the United States of using "hired agents and spies" in the area to "destabilize security in our country, through your borders."
"And we would like you to be aware that our land and air operations will go on through the coming days to chase away those elements," it read. "We are making you aware so that none of you get hurt."
Villagers and Iraqi officials in the area say their territory is now caught up in a growing regional war made worse by deteriorating relations between Iran and the United States. Some accuse Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has close ties with Iran, of failing to protect the Kurds.
"I don't like Saddam Hussein, but he considered this Iraqi territory and he defended it," said Aziz Khuder Hussein, 75, a shepherd and fruit tree farmer who fled his village when the shelling began. "Maliki is an ally of Iran and he would not damage his alliance for us."
In diplomatic meetings in Tehran and Baghdad, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd, has demanded that Iran cease its attacks in Iraq.
"We want this shelling to be halted, because it's causing damage to the border population and is disproportionate to the level of threat that some of the armed groups or terrorist groups are causing to the interests of the Islamic Republic" of Iran, he said at a news conference Sunday in Baghdad.
An official at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad said that within the past three months, Kurdish rebels have staged suicide attacks and committed other violence that killed at least 10 members of the Iranian security forces. "This is why Iran wants to solve this security matter on the borders," he said.
But the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted that the accounts of shelling were "rumors and not true" and that "everything that we have done is inside the Iranian territory, not inside Iraq."
"No Kurds have been wounded or affected by that," he said.
Iraqi and U.S. soldiers do not regularly patrol the steep slopes and narrow rocky paths that make much of the border region nearly impassable. The de facto authorities here are the Kurdish guerrilla groups — considered terrorist organizations by the Turkish and Iranian governments — whose grenade-strapped fighters stand lonely sentry on the mountain switchbacks.
The young men and women who hail from the Kurdish diaspora in Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria fight for greater Kurdish influence in those countries. The most prominent among the guerrilla groups is the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which focuses its efforts against Turkey. Its affiliate organization of Iranian Kurds is called the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, or PJAK.
"They are targeting the area under the pretext that the PKK and PJAK are there, but they're not hitting the positions," said one PKK official on condition of anonymity. "Iran's actual goals, which they will not announce, is to strike the U.S. and destabilize Iraq."
At a safe house on a desolate slope in the Qandil range, the head of the PKK, Murat Karayilan, said he believed the recent campaign arose because Iran, Turkey and Syria have aligned against what he calls the "Kurdish freedom movement." Karayilan, a stout, mustachioed man in olive-drab fatigues and a thick leather belt, has taken control of the rebel group in Iraq while its highest leader, Abdullah Ocalan, languishes in an island prison in Turkey.
While Karayilan now is pushing for more rights for Kurds across the Middle East, he suggested that his organization's long-term goal is to establish semiautonomous regional entities in those countries similar to the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. Many politicians in Iraqi Kurdish territory, however, say they are hostile toward the PKK and would like to drive out the rebel group but cannot spare the soldiers.
This year, Turkey sent tens of thousands of troops to the Iraqi border, raising fears of a major invasion, in what Turkish officials said was a response to PKK attacks in southern Turkey. The shelling by Iranian troops, Karayilan said, serves as a vote of solidarity with Turkey in the campaign against the rebels and the larger Kurdish community. But the timing, he indicated, also reflects an attempt to delay an important Iraqi referendum, scheduled for later this year, on whether to include the oil-rich city of Kirkuk as part of the Kurdish region.
"The third aim of these attacks is to try to give a message to the United States of America and the other international forces," he said. "The Iranians are against the Kurds but at the same time they are very much against the Americans as well."
Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab affairs, Mohammad R. Baqiri, told reporters in Baghdad on Sunday that an Iranian committee had been formed to look into the border response. But he also accused the U.S. military of supporting Iranian Kurdish rebels in Iraq and said that "if a terrorist group wants to launch attacks from the territories of the other country . . . we should discipline those people who conduct those operations."
A U.S. Defense Department spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington, said in an e-mail: "I am not aware of any support being provided to the PJAK."
The Kurdish refugees from the shelling say they are the victims of the Iranian strategy. Ahmed Shilhan, 89, said his son lost an eye when he was struck by shrapnel. Several of Baiz Aziz Khuder's sheep died in the shelling. His father, Aziz Khuder Hussein, recalled watching his apple orchards burning, then piling his family into his Nissan Patrol to escape. A shell burst nearby, spraying shrapnel into his vehicle, he said.
"My daughter-in-law is pregnant and I am afraid she will miscarry," he said, huddled with 30 relatives and neighbors under a tree where they are living. "It feels like we have lost everything."
When the shelling started, Taban Koha Rasheed, 28, was sitting at her breakfast table with a bowl of goat's milk yogurt. The first shells fell high on the mountain above Upper Arcae village, then dozens more swept down into the valley. Her dishes crashed down off the shelves. The windows in her stone house shattered. A shell slammed into the outhouse. "It was like an earthquake hitting the house and everything fell down," she recalled.
Rasheed, a nurse, led several relatives and children into a nearby cave, but a shell burst next to the entrance, spraying them with rocks and dirt, so they rushed farther down the mountain. "The kids kept crying and we couldn't keep them silent," she said. "During the bombing it felt like they wanted to eliminate us."
After walking for several hours, Rasheed and her neighbors camped along a creek, with little more than a few blankets and the food they could carry. The Iraqi Red Crescent and officials in the Kurdish region have contributed additional supplies.
Residents from different villages have staked out territory in these ravines. As the days passed, they brought their goats, sheep and cattle down to the river, and arguments have sprung up over animals crossing into other villages' campsites.
Rasheed now passes her days treating scorpion bites, fevers and stomach sickness from drinking creek water. Other villagers milk goats, cook rice and tea over wood fires, and watch over the children.
One morning last week, after a few days of respite from the shelling, the sound of thunder filled the ravine, but there were no clouds in the sky. Mir Hamza Farha, an elderly woman with bright red hair under her black and white head scarf, knelt by the shallow creek. She closed her eyes, raised her face and open palms to the sun, and prayed she would be spared.
"The bombs are coming," she shouted across the water. "You must leave now!"
Smoke from the shelling began to rise from the tan hills above their campsite. Farha herself had no place left to go.
Special correspondents Saad al-Izzi and Dlovan Brwari contributed to this report.
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Cisco's North Coyote Valley Campus Faces Hearing This Week
SAN JOSE, CA-Software giant Cisco Systems' controversial 688-acre campus proposal goes before the planning commission tomorrow for a public hearing.
By Allison Landa | September 26, 2000 at 01:01 AM
SAN JOSE, CA-Software company Cisco Systems' much-vaunted, much-debated new campus on the south edge of town goes before the city's planning commission Wednesday evening for a public hearing. Another is scheduled for Oct. 5.
The commission is expected to give a thumbs-up to the 20,000-employee, 688-acre campus for the city's largest employer. Opponents say the campus will negatively affect traffic, housing affordability and air quality in the area. Cisco claims its campus will be environmentally sensitive and provides a reverse commute for its workers.
Cisco could be setting a trend. City planners say the high-tech firm Xilinx Inc. is also considering development of a 700,000-sf office building in the region.


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Spanish Land Grant
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The 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León's arrival on Florida's east coast presents wonderful opportunities to classroom teachers to enrich the teaching of Florida's history. Commemorative events will take place in all 67 counties which will make the history of Florida come alive.
Florida Arts on Tour
The purpose of the State Touring Program is to bring live performance by the finest of Florida's performing and visual artists to every corner of the state. Any non-profit organization may request fee support to present one or more artists featured in the current roster. The application deadline is every May 1st. Presenters must work directly with the artist to arrange booking and contract details before applying for fee support. Organizations in underpopulated counties are given priority.
Next Generation Sunshine State Standards
Florida Memory supports the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards Florida History strand. Resource types include exhibits, photo exhibits, collections, and individual documents. Benchmarks are arranged by grade level.
Teaching Florida
"TeachingFlorida.org" is a program of the Florida Humanities Council designed to bring the study of Florida into the classrooms of our state. "In recognition of the upcoming 500th anniversary of Florida's founding in 1513, TeachingFlorida.org is launching with a debut unit on Florida's Spanish Colonial past. The unit features articles on colonial St. Augustine, Florida's original Native American inhabitants, black society in colonial Florida, and much more."
Florida Memory Project
The Florida Memory Project website presents a selection of digitized historical records that illustrate significant moments in Florida history, education resources for students of all ages and archival collections for historical research.
History of the United States Colored Troops: a Florida history 4th grade lesson plan
This lesson plan was developed to introduce students to the formation, experiences, and contributions of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) during the Civil War as well as their influence on the outcome of the conflict. Special emphasis has been placed on the 2nd Infantry Regiment that was based in Key West, Florida and involved in numerous actions around the state. Materials are designed to meet requirements set forth in Title XLVIII, Chapter 1003, sections f. and h. of the Florida Education Code. Corresponding Sunshine State Standards are identified in this document.
The Florida Humanities Council shares essential resources for Florida history teachers - Learn more history here!
Florida Quick Facts
View a list of geographical, historical, and current facts about the State of Florida!


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2:00 pm EDT, October 13, 2019
'Arrow' star Katie Cassidy-Rodgers hopes Laurel follows through on her promise to be a hero
Katie Cassidy teases Arrow season 8 and Laurel's journey.
By Jay Ruymann | 2:00 pm EDT, October 13, 2019
When we last left Laurel Lance (the Earth-2 version), she had just promised to be worthy of wearing Earth-1 Laurel's Black Canary suit as she worked to become a hero worthy of her late doppelganger.
When Arrow season 8 begins, Laurel Lance is working to become the hero she promised she would be, finding the line between right and wrong, and working to move past her old Black Siren ways. As previously teased by Katie Cassidy-Rodgers, she has a new partner on her mission to save the city.
However, that doesn't prevent her from working with Oliver and Diggle on the former's mission from the Monitor (as teased in our Arrow season 8, episode 1 spoiler-free preview). As the series comes to an end, I'm hopeful to see Laurel Lance become the hero her counterpart was and a crucial part of Team Arrow's lives.
We've seen her rejected for her past over the last seasons, but Felicity embraced her and worked to change the others' opinions of Laurel, so to see that come to full fruition is incredibly important, as the team behind-the-scenes works to set up the Arrow spin-off.
As a fan of Laurel Lance, I'm excited to see where her journey leads her. The premiere does a great job of beginning the exploration of what being a hero looks like to her, and how she handles the responsibility of it.
'Arrow' final season will bring back Colin Donnell and Josh Segarra
by Lelanie Seyffer
We had a chance to speak with Arrow star Katie Cassidy-Rodgers about Laurel Lance's journey this season: how she's coming along on her promise to become the Black Canary, and how this new dynamic between Laurel, Oliver, and John will work. Read on!
Hypable: How did it feel to return to the Arrow set, knowing you only had 10 episodes left? How does it feel now that you're winding down to the end?
Katie Cassidy-Rodgers: I mean, it feels surreal. Truthfully, every moment has been unforgettable, with us as a cast, with us and our crew, and everything. We obviously have been very, very fortunate and it's been an incredible, well, almost complete eight seasons. But I think just really being present when we're there. And especially for me this year, just taking it all in and just connecting with everybody who I've worked with over the years and really making each moment, just taking it in, and there's been a lot of love and a lot of appreciation, and it's just been very heartfelt.
And we're sad that it's coming to an end, but not all things can stay forever. It's just been a really incredible chapter in everyone's lives in regards to our cast and crew and everybody. I think even fans, they've shown so much love and appreciation and it's just been really, it's just been so monumental, the whole thing, and it's a bittersweet feeling for sure.
I think cherishing it, and every moment while we're there, especially this season, has been something that has been important to me, and I'm spending as much time with people who I've worked with for the past eight years because I can. Because they really have become part of my family or extended family.
Can you confirm that you'll be appearing as Black Siren this season?
I mean, again: Laurel Lance, Black Siren, Canary, the different roles that I have portrayed, you will see glimpses of them throughout the season. And I think this season really focuses on the entire show as a whole. And if I think it'll be really fun because we'll see familiar locations, potential familiar faces, and … I think they'll really appreciate all of it. And if I can say anything to the fans before our season premiere, which is Tuesday the 15th, they should re-watch the pilot, and then even the whole series if they can to really get to appreciate the show entirely and end this season entirely. Because it's really been incredible and I'm just, yeah, I'm excited for everyone to see it. It's awesome.
You have a new costume this season! Which one has been your favorite and did you have any input on this newest one?
My favorite costume is definitely by far this new costume. It really truly feels like the Black Canary. It feels like Laurel Lance. It feels almost truer to the comic book than we've seen, and I think that's really cool. It's been really, yeah, it's been really incredible. I wish I had it sooner. So this costume is definitely by far my favorite, and I think it'll be the fan favorite as well. And I actually did not have input on this one, but it's still really empowering and badass to wear, and I can certainly appreciate all of the time that went into it in terms of designing it and putting it together. It's incredible.
How would you describe the dynamic between Laurel, Oliver, and Diggle this season?
I think that Laurel's arc this season is really about fulfilling her promise to become a hero and discovering exactly what it means to be a hero. The good and the bad. I think that in terms of Oliver, and Diggle, and Laurel, it's almost like they're on the same playing field in a way. And I really think we get a chance to really see that. And I feel like she really is playing her part in being a member of this team. And again, going out there and feeling like she's an equal. And I think it's pretty incredible and it's really fun. It's been awesome.
Would you say Laurel's fully redeemed when we see her this season or is she still struggling with the battle of right and wrong as she tries to be a hero?
I think she's still discovering again, what it means to be a hero. And I think there's still lessons to be had and she's fulfilling her promise. But yes, there's good, there's bad, there's hardship at times, and she's seeing all sides of it.
Congratulations on your directorial debut! How did it feel to direct an episode?
Katie Cassidy-Rodgers: Oh my gosh. Thank you, first of all. And it was incredible. It was everything that I had, and have wanted, and something I've really been working towards. And I had a blast. It just felt like second nature to me. It felt like I'm supposed to be doing that as well. I don't know. It's just something that it just sort of came to me and I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work, but it's so fulfilling. And I was so grateful to be given that opportunity. I cannot thank our producers, showrunners, everyone enough for believing in me and allowing me to step into this position, because I do think that directing is something that I really want to do more of. And I hope to be able to.
So yeah, it was incredible. It was, it's telling a story, right? As a director, you're telling a story. And as an actor, that's what we do. We portray the story, or the character, trying to tell that story and get it across. And so I feel like they go hand in hand. And I was so fortunate to get to direct that episode and to work with these such incredible actors who are all very talented. And it was really nice, because they all showed up for me and they all were so tremendously supportive, and it was just seeing the other side of things and it was a blessing. I love it. It was incredible.
What episode, of the entire show, would you say is your favorite?
Aside from the one that I directed? Because I just had such a blast doing it. Also, I loved — I think it's [season 3 episode 13] — the Canary episode, with Laurel and Sara, her sister. And vertigo is involved and seeing… I don't know, I just remember really appreciating that episode as an actor. I loved it. And then watching it, I thought it was really well directed. So that would definitely be one of my favorites.
Will Laurel develop a closer bond with anyone in particular this season?
I think we'll get a chance to see her develop a closer bond with several people this season than you maybe wouldn't necessarily have thought.
Is there specific Arrow-verse character that you haven't had a scene with yet that you'd want to before the show ends?
Oh, there's many. That's all I can say about that.
Where do you hope to see Laurel when the series ends?
Katie Cassidy-Rodgers: I hope to see her fulfill her promise as she is doing throughout the season and sort of to be in a position where she could do this — be a hero — given all of the things that she's learned. I think that makes her strong enough to maybe be in a position where, whether it be her, whether it'd be her and the team, but she's ready to be there and that's where she belongs.
Congratulations on the potential spin-off!
Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I'm very excited.
You said a few months ago that you pitched an idea for a 'Birds of Prey' TV show. Were any of your ideas included in this potential spin-off?
Well, the fact that I'm a part of it, and as we know the other individuals who are a part of it, I would hope to think that's sort of the direction they're going, more that 'Birds of Prey' type that I had suggested. And I think now, more than ever, is definitely a time for women. And it certainly seems that way in regards to what the spin-off is and what it looks like. But yeah, I'm really excited, and I think that they will in one way or another, in a clever way, incorporate that.
So, Laurel and Dinah will both be part of the spinoff. During Arrow season 8, will we continue to see their relationship grow?
Yeah, I think there's definitely more depth there, for sure.
Since we had a chance to watch the Arrow season 8 premiere early, we also were able to ask Katie Cassidy-Rodgers a few questions about the episode, which will go up in our Arrow season 8, episode 1 review after the it airs!
Arrow's final season premieres on Tuesday, October 15 at 9 p.m. ET on The CW!
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076 - Ustaz Rasul Dahri Bercerita Tentang Fahaman al-Ahbashy (al-Habashy)
Berikut adalah rakaman kuliah bersama Ustaz Abu Farouq Rasul Dahri berkenaan fahaman al-Ahbash pada 19 October 2008 lalu di Akademi al-Faqeh.
http://www.4shared.com/file/67766870/a44ee8c7/Rasul_Dahri_-__19-10-2008__-_Kelompok_Ahbash_Kelompok_Sesat.html (Sila klik untuk muat turun rakaman dalam format Audio MP3)
Sebelumnya, rujuk juga artikel,
1 - Al-Ahbash: Their History and Their Beliefs
2 - The Habashies Weighted On The Scales the Sharee'ah
Labels: Golongan Al-Ahbash
075 - The Habashies Weighted On The Scales the Sharee'ah
The Habashies Weighted On The Scales the Sharee'ah
A new group has recently emerged with ambitious thoughts, and a variety of rulings. They are called Ahbash or Habashies (Ethiopians, or Abyssinians), not because they come from that land, but because their leader Abdullah AlHabashy hales from Harare in Somalia.
The Ahbash present their leader to the public as: " the new scholar, a role model for the researchers, and a representative of the scrutineers, the cream of the working scholars, the Imam who narrates traditions, the pious to extreme, the better worshipper, owner of majestic gifts, the elder Abu AbdelRahman Abdullah ben Muhammad ben Yousef ben Abdullah ben Jame' Alharary AlShiby, Al'Abdary the chief jurisprudent of Somalia, born in the city of Harare c 1339 ah / 1920 ad" (note1). However, those who do not follow the Ahbash say that he is Abdullah AlHabashy, comes from a country the inhabitants of which hate him to an extent that they began referring to him as the father of lies and divisiveness, as per the declaration of one of those related to him, his brother in law, Yousef ben AbdulRahman AlHarary who now resides in the Madina Almunawarra, in Saudi Arabia. He refers to him thus because of his big part in the rebellion of "Kulub" in Harare with support from Adis Ababa where he helped the enemies of the Muslims, in particular the governor of "Endragy" the brother in law of Hilasilasy, against the Muslim organisations working to the Holy Qur'an in Harare in 1367 ah / 1940 ad. (note 2)
The political analyst Walid Abdul-Baset says: "The Ahbash movement represents a man of religion who arrived in Beirut in 1950 whose name is Abdullah AlHarary, referred to as AlHabashy. AlHabashy was a jurisprudent in his country until he was banished by the Emperor Hilasilasy. He then came to Beirut and took residence in one of the areas in Musayteba. Initially AlHabashy would approach groups of children playing in the streets, he would play with them like a child, and during their periods of rest, he would converse with them on religion." (note 3)
The Ahbash have great loyalty for their leader AlHabashy, do not dispute with what he says, and they act on his rulings even where these differ with all the Islamic scholars. They argue profusely and infringe upon the scholars, they regularly engage Kalam (the blasphemy of discussing various attributes of God and trying to relate or explain these with reference to human experiences), describing this as the science of monotheism. The Ahbash first appeared in Beirut, Lebanon, then submerging into the various extremities of the community until they began to gradually multiply. They have many members outside of Lebanon, in places such as Syria, Denmark, America, France, Australia, Canada, and the Ukraine.
Since they first appeared the Ahbash have entered into many confrontations and disputes, and numerous debates with many of the scholars, students, and people in general. They continued in this fashion until their nefarious scheme was discovered, and their intentions became clear to every sane person, or anyone who hears or bears witness to their blasphemies.
In this treatise, we will put forward the thought of this group, their religious opinions, their creed, their statements in relations to the beautiful names and attributes of Allah, and their delving into Kalam. Then we will present their current political views, and their opinion concerning those who do not govern according to what Allah - the Exalted - has decreed (We have been particularly careful to use references from their own books, cassettes and the speeches of their elders, including page numbers and book names).
We will then follow up their words with a response from the book of Allah and the way of life of His messenger (peace and blessings upon him), and what the scholars who serve Allah have said concerning this, may Allah reward them on behalf of the rest of the Muslims with the best reward. These have stood as a strong dam against the torrents of passers by who have strayed from the true pass.
The Ahbash claim that they are the upholders of Ahlussunna and Jama'a (the way of life of the prophet (peace and blessings upon him)), and that they adhere to the Shafii school, and that the rulings of their leader do not depart from the schools accepted by the adherents of the Sunnah, and Jama'a. They have stated this in an interview with the AlMajalla magazine issue no 679 where they stated: "We make up an Islamic calling, upholding the way of the people of Sunnah and Jama'a, and in particular the school of Imam Shafii may Allah be pleased with him. From this outlook we represent a traditional calling as Imam Shafii was a pillar of the righteous Imams of past times." (note 4)
The Ahbash and the Qur'an
AlHabashy had divided the word of Allah into two categories: First, word which is not sound or letter. Second, which is the pronounced and written word, which says the word of Allah, but it is in reality composed by Gabrael. (Izharool Akidat AlSunnyah, pp58-59).
The Ahbash believe that Allah - the Exalted speaks in everlasting words which have no beginning or end, and are not composed of continuing letters or annunciations which are separated or combined. They believe it to be a self discussion in which God talked within Himself, because in their opinion the words of God are not a language, a letter, or a sound.
Whilst this argument is incoherent, and the Holy Qur'an from the moment of its revelation, had been composed of letters and parts, as also espoused in the words of our holy prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him): "Allah has divided the Qur'an into three parts" (note 5). AlHabashy has thus regarded the Qur'an as created, and it is called the word of God, whilst this was not really the case. As such, to them it "represents the word of God", meaning that it speaks of the word of God, whilst not being actually the word of God. (note 5)
He also said: "The self speech of God which is not a letter or a language is the true speech of God. However the Qur'an which is composed of letters and words, is created, but may be described as the word of God." (note 6)
These words differ from the beliefs of the people of Sunnah and Jama'a, and are not supported by them. This however, agrees with the words of the Jahmia and mu'tazila (cultists) who said that the Qur'an which is the word of God is created.
We Ask? and we have a right to question: Who amongst our righteous predecessors spoke in these terms, what has Shafii, Ahmad, Abu Hanifa, or Malek said??
In fact, the truth, evident as the sun at high noon is that the righteous predecessors differ with the Ahbash, Abdullah Ben Ahmad Ben Hanbal tells us that his father the Imam of the people of Sunnah - may Allah bless him - said: "Whoever narrates the traditions, or speaks of kalam, and refuses to deny that the Qur'an is created, is a Jahmy (cultist)." (note 7)
Imam Ahmad Al-Ghumran said that the righteous predecessors all say that the Qur'an is the word of God and is not created. The torture of Imam Ahmad - may Allah bless him - at the hand of AlMu'tamed for over ten years was purely for his insistence that the Qur'an is the word of God and is not created.
Abdullah Ben Ahmad Ben Hanbal has relayed many of the words of the righteous predecessors on this issue in his book on Sunnah , of whom are: AlNahfy, Sa'id Ben AlMusayyab, Muhammad Ben Ishaq AlSan'any, AlA'mash, Abdullah Ben AlMubarak, Waki' Ben AlJarrah, AlZahry, etc. (note 7)
This dangerous talk was innovated by a group of non Arabic origin scoundrels as narrated by Ibn AlJawzi: "A group of non Arabic origin seeking to spread mischief came to Bagdad, so they elevated themselves to the positions of preachers and teachers, and would say in their lessons that God did not have any words on this earth, and is the Qur'an but paper? They then said: "Which set of rules claim that the Qur'an is composed of letters and truth? It is only the word of Gabriel." (note8)
The position of Al-Jilany to the Word of Allah
Imam AbdulQader AlJilany - may Allah have mercy on him - said: "We believe that the Qur'an is composed of intelligible letters, and audible sounds, as through it the mute can see and speak, and whoever denies this only increases in ignominy, and blinds his vision. (note9)
Even the Ash'arys and the Mannarids, believed that the Qur'an is the word of Allah - the Exalted - , and the Imam Abul Makhas through the Imam AlTahhawy speaking with respect to the word of Allah said: "From him it started without a 'how'", and rebutting those who say that the speech of Allah has a single meaning which can not be heard, said: "I has been supported by the Ma'thury, that Allah - the Exalted - will speak if He wishes until He wishes, and how He wishes, and that the type of speech is old." (note 10)
Thus we see that the Ahbash have gone against the people of Sunna and Jama'a, and the righteous predecessors in saying that the Qur'an is not the word of Allah - the Exalted.
The Ahbash and Islamic Jurisprudence:
The Ahbash have departed from the consensus of the Scholars, and in particular the Shafii school in many of their religious rulings. Some of these rulings are illustrated below.
The permissibility of taking interest from the rejecters of faith in "state of war":
Abdullah AlHabashy has permitted the taking of interest from the rejecters of faith in a state of war, and said that Lebanon is a land of war, and that it was permissible to take interest there from non Muslims. He added that there are no people in a state of peace with Muslims today.
He also permitted Muslims to deposit their money in a bank which deals in interest on condition that the founders be non Muslims, and said "deposit it there and take interest on it, that is if you wish to take a benefit, if you are certain that you will benefit, then it becomes permissible." (note 11)
Rebuttal:
This has been taken out of context from words attributed to Imam Abu Hanifa which are not based on any authoritative tradition. The words attributed to Imam Abu Hanifa were: "There is no interest between a Muslim and a rejecter of faith in a state of war." This has been rebutted by Awza'i and others.
Imam Shafii may Allah bless him stated: "Abu Yousef said: "Abu Hanifa said this as some elders informed us on authority of Makhoul that the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: "No interest between people in a state of war (I think he said) and the Muslims." Imam Shafii said this statement is not verified, and can not be used for any authority." (note 12)
Abu Yousef correctly differed from Abu Hanifa may Allah bless them, and agreed with Awza'i saying: "what is correct is what Awza'i said, this (interest) is not permissible." (note 13)
We are not remiss of the words of Allah the Exalted: "Allah will obliterate interest and increase charity", and His words: "Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest," and the statement of the messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) to the effect that: "Interest is 72 sins the least of which is equivalent to a man raping his own mother." (note 14)
The permissibility of robbing non Muslims:
AlHabashy has permitted his followers to steal from non Muslims. He was once asked concerning people who owned a farm, and their neighbours were non Muslims, if it was permissible to steal the non Muslims' cattle and produce? He permitted the enquirer to steal these on the condition that this does not lead to inequity . (note 15)
The undesirability of using the hand when douching with water:
Al-Habashy detests for a man to use his hand after answering the call of nature, and he sees this as a despicable act which he does not like. He feels similarly with respect to using water after toilet paper for cleanliness saying: "What some people do to clean their private parts when visiting the toilet by taking water with their left hand, and wiping clean the orifice is disgusting." (note 16)
He also claims that if some urine from an infant touches the hand of his mother when she is putting on his nappy amounts to a major sin on the part of the mother." (note 17) This led some of his disciples to wear gloves when changing the dirty nappies.
Their ruling concerning Zakat:
(obligatory charity, which is a right to the poor from the wealth of the rich, and purifies their wealth)
The Ahbash view paper currency such as what is used today as not requiring Zakat as this is not covered in the following words of Allah - Who is Exalted far above what they infer: "Those who hoard gold and silver". (note 16)
Abdullah AlHabashy said: "There is no zakat in wealth other than gold and silver." (note 16)
The ruling of wearing the crucifix purely for fear:
AlHabashy has made an unprecedented ruling in this respect, in that he has permitted those who visit the land of the rejecters of faith to wear a crucifix if they fear transgression from the disbelievers. (note 18)
The license to wear the cross is effective simply at the first suspicion of possible impending harm, and not when he is forced to wear it. Thus, he did not distinguish between compulsion to wear it and the mere suspicion of harm.
The Ahbash, Women and free mixing:
In an interview between the AlMajalla magazine and a number of Ahbash leaders - namely Nazar AlHalaby, Khaled AlZo'aby, and Usama AlSayyed - they were asked concerning their particular views towards womem, Their answer was: "We consider the woman to be one of the limbs of society, and the time has come for the woman to come out of her shell and face society on her own, and that it is not up to man to always look after her interest."
We would like to know what this shell (that houses the woman) is? Is it the Words of Allah: "And remain in your houses and do not wonder about as in the days of the first ignorance.", or His words: "So if you ask anything of them, ask it from behind a barrier." Or does he refer to the words of the prophet (peace and blessings upon him): "The prayer of a woman in her home is better than her prayer at the mosque."
Wearing of tight clothes by women:
The Ahbash have permitted the wearing of trousers by women even where these contour to and hug her figure, and falsely attributed this to the Hanafi school. One of them - Usama AlSayyed stated in their magazine 'Manar AlHuda': "The wearing of tight trousers by women is discouraged by the elder Abdullah AlHabashy, and some of Hanafis say that it is forbidden.
Their elder Nazar AlHalaby said in his speech to the Majall Magazine (issue 679): "We receive in our centres women who are not adherents. They say that our daughters wear Jeans, and we see no shame in this as we have reconciled fashion with covering the body." (note14)
An objective look at this ruling clearly shows that it is at odds with the words of Allah the Exalted: "O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters and the believing women to put on and extend their Jalbab..." (Ch 33:v 59)
In this verse Allah orders all believing women to lengthen their Jalbab, the Jalbab is known for its length, loose fit, and thickness so that it does not betray the shape and curvature of the body, and that it is not transparent so that the covered parts can not be seen, and not short so as not to reveal any part of the body or legs.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) differed with the Ahbash, in clarifying that there was nothing shameful or embarrassing about it, saying: "He who drags behind his clothing in arrogance and pride, Allah will not look towards him on the day of Judgement, Um Salama asked what women should do?, He replied: they should leave an extra hand span. She said that their feet would then be exposed, he then said that they should leave an extra yard and not go beyond that." narrated by Tirmizy.
The wisdom in the women going out of the house with scents and perfumes.
Al-Habashy said: "Know that a woman going out with perfume whilst decently attired is discouraged for purity, but is not forbidden, but would be a sin if the woman intends through this to entice men into disobedience. However, if she goes out perfumed or conspicuously attired whilst covering what she is required to cover of her body, without the indecent intention, then there would be no blame in that except the blemish for purity, that is, she is not disobeying." (note 16)
Their elder Nazar AlHalaby unashamedly declares this saying in the Muslimun newspaper issue no. 407 of 1992: Yes our girls wear perfume and wear jeans as we have combined body covering with fashion.".
We however, say:
Islam has permitted woman to leave her house to perform chores which no one else can do for her. It has also permitted her to go out in search of knowledge with her husbands permission, if she is unable to acquire this at home. Perhaps her prayer at the mosque may be the best thing that she can go out for, although her prayer at home is better than praying in the mosque. Still prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) has forbidden the women going to the mosque from wearing perfume saying: "If one of you goes to the mosque she should not touch any perfume." He also said: "Any woman who has taken a scent should not attend to the last prayer with us." (narrated by Muslim)
Ibn Daqiq Al'Eid said: " and in this is the impermissibility of perfume to the woman who intends to go to the mosque, due to what it does in stirring the lust of men." (note 19) Ibn Hajr AlHaytamy regards the going out of a woman who is wearing perfume to be of the grave sins, saying in his book 'Alzawajer 'an Iftiraq AlKaba'er' as the grave sin no. 279: "the going out of a woman with perfume and beautiful attire even if she has her husbands permission." (note 20)
Al-Ahbash and judging with other than what Allah has ordained
The Ahbash have taken a fearful and dangerous stance in their adversarial policy against the Muslim scholars who deal with Islamic politics. So they went attacking the scholars without fear of Allah - the Exalted. So they anathematised the Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyeh - may Allah bless him, and they cast false accusations and aspersions against him, and attributed words to him which he never spoke, and quoted references which have no basis.
We repeat some of the words of their elder concerning some of the righteous scholars:
Imam Zahaby: AlHabashy has said things concerning Imam Zahaby that would be rejected as false by all Muslims: "If Zahaby is described as conniving, then it is an accurate description." (note 21)
Then he complains concerning the Hafiz Ibn Hajr: "It is a wonder how the Hafiz has accepted Zahaby to be a man of Justice and piety."
AlAlbany: AlHabashy does not believe that AlAlbany will die as a Muslim, saying: "Him! if he dies a Muslim", because of a difference of opinion and AlHabashy's inability to present a valid argument on the issue of Sunnah. (note 22)
Sayed Sabeq: Al-Habashy has also opposed Imam Sayed Sabeq the author of Fiqhul Sunnah, describing him as "a Magian even if he claims to belong to the Umma of Muhammad." (note 23)
He has also misquoted Sayed Sabiq in his book "Baghiyatul Taleb". (He wrote a sort of parody to Fiqhul Sunnah)
Many other scholars have not been safe from his anathematising, just ponder why the Jurisprudent Hasan Khaled asked the prime minister of Lebanon not to permit Abdullah Al-Habashy entry into Lebanon when he was in that position.
The Ahbash are not embarrassed with judging with other than what Allah has ordained, and they do not see leaving this to other than the Qur'an as rejection of faith or ignominy. Their representative Adnan Trabulsy clearly stated in a speech in the state sportsground in Beirut: "Fundamentalist does not describe the Arab leaders as rejecters of faith because they leave the Qur'an to judge with something else, without believing that that law is better than the Qur'an."
We wonder why a ruler would use a particular law when he believes that another law is better, and more just??
What right does a Muslim have to judge by a man made law, and cast aside the law of the Lord of mankind, who knows best the situation of mankind, as he created them?
Allah has decreed the lack of faith of those who turn to other than the book of God and the Sunnah: "No by your Lord they do not have faith until they give you to judge concerning what happens amongst them, and then find in your decision no doubt or hesitation, and accept it a good acceptance." (Ch6 ;v 65 )
The Exalted also said: "those who do not judge with what Allah has sent down, they are the rejecters of faith." (Ch 5 ;v 44 )
Shareh Al'Aqida AlTahawiye said: "From here there is an issue that we must take heed of, and it is, judging with other than what Allah has sent down is rejection of faith which would spread amongst the people, and that would depend on the situation with the ruler, if he believed that judging with what Allah has sent down is not necessary, and that he has a choice in the matter, or he was negligent concerning it despite his faith that it is the law of Allah, then it is great apostasy." (note 24)
The Hafiz Ibn Katheer says in his commentary to the words of the Exalted at: "Do they intend to have the law of the days of Ignorance? And who is better with judging other than Allah for a people who believe." (Ch Maida; v50)
"The Exalted rejects for people to leave behind his wise and just law which is a mercy and blessing for mankind while it forbids and safeguards them from all that is evil, and rises above opinions, whims, and laws which have been placed by men without any support from the law of Allah. This is what people in the days of ignorance did, with misguided laws and ignorance which they invented according to their whims and fancies. As did the Tartars judge with what was taken from their king Ghenghis Khan, who placed AlYaseq for them, which is a book he composed from laws he learnt from various faiths such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and others, and many other laws he placed based on his whims and fancies. This book became a law to be followed which they prefer to the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the messenger (peace and blessings upon him), whoever of them does this is a rejecter of faith, and must be fought until he returns to the law of Allah and His messenger, and agrees not judge with anything else in little or large matters." (Note 25)
The political danger of Ahbash
The Ahbash continue to struggle with all their efforts to reach the position of jurisprudence in Lebanon, this is their dream today, we have a right to question who will benefit from the murder of the chief jurisprudent in Lebanon, Imam Hasan Khaled, then the removal of the Jurisprudent for North Lebanon Imam Taha AlSabounjy?
Sa'duddin Khaled the Son of the Jurisprudent Hasan Khaled said: "The ground was laid easy for the like of these, and these events are not far removed from the Zionist plans, nor is it far removed from the conditions of war ..." He adds: "In this I have some doubt as to the origin of their allegiance, how else can they spread with such speed and force??
Rebutting this the Ahbash talking to the Majalla magazine issue no 679 say: "Our women have donated to us 28 Kilograms of gold ...".
We say that 28 kg of gold are valued at $280,000 if we say that each gram is worth $10.00, does this $280,000 suffice to build three schools for education, and a club for training to fight, and various centres in many parts of the world, where they welcome women who wear makeup and do not observe the Islamic code of dress. The welcome these women in the name of organised mixing, taking for excuse not to buy decent body covering or work in segregated areas, the oppressive inflation which is taking over Lebanon.
Not to mention their role in publications and their distribution, their magazine Manaar "AlHuda", and their radio station Nida` "AlEiman", and their "religious" musical group which is composed of hundreds of singers and instrument players..
Please note that the following references are quoted in the Arabic transliteration.
Note 1: "Izharool Aquidatisunniyah", first edition, p9, Abdullah AlHabashy. s
Note 2: "Al Habashi Shoothoothooho wa Akhtaooho, p7. s
Note 3: "An Nahar" newspaper, Wed 9, December, 1992 page2. s
Note 4: Magazine : "AlMajala", issue no. 679. s
Note 5: Narrated in Sahih Muslim. s
Note 6: "AnNahjool Salim", p 26. s
Note 7: "Assunnah", Imam Abdullah Bin Ahmad Bin Hanbal, p29. s
Note 8: "Saydul Khatir" p181, Imam AlJawzi. s
Note 9: AlGhounyah li Talibi Al Haq, p59. s
Note 10: Nathand Fawa'id, pp11-13. s
Note 11: Quoted from tape recorded from the Habashi, tape no. 3. s
Note 12: "Nusburayah" - Azzaylaih, Vol4, p44. s
Note 13: "Al Umm" Imam Shafii, Vol8, pp358-359. s
Note 14: "Al Awsat" Tabarani Hasan (good Hadith). s
Note 15: Tape3, (109) side B. s
Note 16: Boghyat Attalib, Alhabashi, p68, pp207-209 s
Note 17: Tape of Khalid Kena'n, 424, side A. s
Note 18: "AlNahgul Kawiim" p155, Al Habashi. s
Note 19: "Ihkam AlAhkam Bi Hashiat AlSan'any", vol2, pg179. s
Note 20: Azzawajiroo An Iktirafi Al Kaba'ir", vol7, pg 71. s
Note 21: Tape no 149, side A, voice of AlHabashi. s
Note 22: "Atta'aqob Al Hatheeth' p89. s
Note 23: Tape no 1, side A. s
Note 24: "Sharhol Aquidatih Attahawiya", pp663-664. s
Note 25: Tafsir Al-Qur'an Al Atheem", Ibn Kathir, Vol2, p77.
Source: http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/habashi_beliefe.htm & http://islamicweb.com/beliefs/cults/habashi_beliefe.htm
Posted by Nawawi Bin Subandi at 1:08 AM No comments:
074 - Al-Ahbash: Their History and Their Beliefs
Al-Ahbash: Their History and Their Beliefs
By Z. Alzamil
Note: All information got from Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Demashqiyyah's book about this bad group.
All praise belongs to Allah, and the Salat and Salam upon the Messanger of Allah Mohammad bin Abdillah.
Habashi's History:
This group called Ahbash relating to their first leader Abdullah Al-Harawi Al-Habashi. He came to Lebanon from Ethiopia (Habashah), that why they called him Al-habashi. He left Addis Ababa after he made a Fitnah there its called Kolob Fitnah. The Addis Ababa's people know him as Sheikh Al-Fitnah according to evidence from some of his relative. What he did there, he work with the ruler of Endraji -the son in law for the Ethiopia's president Helaselasi - against Islamic Associations there, and he helped him to close all the Islamic National Association's schools for memorizing the Holy Quran in Hrar city in 1940 ( 1367 Hejrah), and they issued their judge on the schools' manager - Ibrahim Hassan- to jail him twenty three years, also he helped the that ruler to internment the scholars there. He did that for those people, because they are Wahabi. For that reason, the people called him after that is the Sheikh Al-Fitnah.
When he came to Lebanon, his followers there forgot his history, and he still does there - in Lebanon - as what he did before in Ethiopia, if you disagree with him in any problem you will be Kafir automatically, he said Al-Albaani and Ibn Baaz are Kufars, Ibn Taymiyah is Kafir and Murtad and Zendeq and he asked his followers to lit Ibn Taymiyyah's books, Imam Al-Dhahabi is wicked, Sayed Sabig is Majusi (The people who worship the fire) and in the other side he praised Jamal AbdulNasir because he killed Syed Qutb. He asked his followers to hit or kill anyone who has beliefs different than their beliefs, to make sure ask the Lebanon's Mosques Imams, ask Adnan Yasen, how many times they tried to kill him, ask Hassan Katuji, what he did for them to let them following him to hit an hurt him, ask Jamal Al-Thahabi and Abdul-Hamed Shanuha and others why they leave Lebanon. Try to listen to their Radio, and see what they described Sheikh Mohammed Al-Juzo, they describe him as lewd man.
In front of all these things, we could not find him or his followers did something toward the Batiniyah, but what he did in one of his lectures, he encouraged the people to appeal the aid from AL-Albeit, and there is no problem to say O' Ali or O' Hussein ( Ya Ali , Ya Hussein).
He also, gave some strange fatwas for his followers, he allow Al-riba (the interest) Some people said he is Jew man, however there is no clear evidence for that, but at least he has a lot of the Jew's characteristics.
Habashi's Beliefs :
Al-Ahbash claimed that they follow Al-Shafi'e. To make sure about that let us see their beliefs to know if they follow Imaam As-Shafi's Beliefs or not.
1- They change the meaning of Allah's attributes based on the desire. But Al-Shafi as all Ahlu-sunnah beliefs Allah's attributes as what Allah (S.W.T) mentions them in His book and in the Sunnah of His Messengers without any meaning's changing, exchanging, or misconstruction. Look what Al-Habashi and his followers said about ' Al-Istiwa' " Al-rahman ala al'arsh istawa" translation " The most Beneficent (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the mighty Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty) -Taha verse 5- ,
what they - Ahbash- said about the meaning of this word 'Istawa' they said it means take possession of the Throne, that means there was a god before Allah , then Allah possessed the throne from that first god, which no Muslim will believe or accept that , Ta-a'la-Allah Oluwan Kabera. The meaning of Istawa every Muslim knows the meaning by the Fitrah, it means He (S.W.T) rose over, that set no more details such as how, because Allah (S.W.T) tells us in the Quran about his attributes something fit with human's mind, we believe them as is, according Imaam Maalik, when someone ask him about Al-Istiwa he - may Allah have mercy on him- Al-Istiwa's meaning is known, how is unknown, believe it is obligation, and to ask about is Bid'ah, then he asked this man to go because he is Mubtad'a.
2- Their Sheikh said that, The Quran's word was established by Gabriel (Alih Asslam), and Quran is not Allah's speech -look Izhar Al-Iqedah Al-Sunnyah P. 59-. Of course this idea is not new idea he came up with it, he just follows Al-Thalal's Imams. This idea is not something simple we can forget it. Just think about that, if we said Al-Quran is not Allah's speech that means it somebody's else speech, that means it could have some mistake. If we look at the history, where this idea come from, and why they came up with this idea, we will notice that, they want to reject the Quran, but they could not find any way to prove that, It is deficient or incomplete, then they came up with this idea. When the Muslims believe that, it is not Allah's speech then it could be incomplete or it is not perfect. Then we can change some of it while it is not perfect.
3- He - Al-Habashi - came up with some strange things, he said Allah is has ability on most of things - look Izhar Al-Iqedah Al-Sunnyah P. 59 -. Also, he asked the people this question, Is Allah able on him self or not?. Do you think Imam Al-Shafi believes these things or did he - may Allah have mercy on him- ask such question like what Al-Habashi did.
4- He -Al-Habashi- encourage people to go to the graves and appeal for aid from dead, also he allows to seek the protection from other than Allah (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.173, Bwghyat Al-Talib P.8, Sareeh Al-Bayan P.57-62). Also, he said Al-Awleya come from their graves to do people's needs, then they go back to their graves ! (look Khalid Kanan's tape /b/70). Also, he ask people to have Tabaruk by stone (look Sareh Al-Byan P. 58, Ithhar Al-Aqedah Al-Sunnyah P.244). Do you think Al-Shafi does or believe these garbage.
5- He is Jabri, he said Allah help the Kuffars on their Kufer, if Allah did not help them they will not be Kuffar (look Al-Nahj Al-Saleem P. 67).
6- He is Murji, he said Iman is saying only without deeds, i.e. , Iman is belief only , when you believe it is enough for you to enter Al-Jannah you do have to do any practice, he make Abu Baker and Abu Jahel is same, because both believe Allah. Anyone believe Allah is Mu'min either he pray or not, he does Islam's Pillars or not. (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.7, Beghyat Al-Taleb P.51).
7- He does not care about the Judgment by Islam or other which is against Islam, and he describe the people who judge by human's law (against Islam) and do not like to judge by Islam, he describe them as Muslim and Mu'min, also he allows helping them (look tape No. 318/1 side A). Also, he said any one who said at least one time in his life La Elah Ela Allah (No God but Allah) he is Muslim and Mu'min even if he does not judge the Allah's Sharee'ah in his life, does not do any of Allah's commands, and does not leave Allah's prohibited. (look Al-Daleel Al-Qaweem P.9-10, Beghyat Al-Taleb P. 51).
8- He tries to get Shi'ah's agree by talking a lot about the Fitans which happened between companions, and he insult Mua'wiyah (R.A.A) a lot and he - Al-Habashi - made him -Mua'wiyah - of Fire's people, also he mention a lot of Shia'h's stories about Mua'wiyah (R.A.A).
9- He - Al-Habashi - believe that, Allah created the universe and sent the Messengers without any wisdom, because if you said that, that means you put some reasons for that, and if you put some reasons that means you put some partner with Allah ! - Strange !! -
10- He -Al-Habashi- allows Al-Riba (the interest).
11- He allows to pray with dirty - Najasah - ( look Beghyat Al-Taleb P. 99-100).
12- He allows to play gambling with Kuffar, and allows to steal your neighbors if they are non Muslim. (look Sareeh Al-Bayan P. 133)
13- He insult the scholars beginning with the companions especially Mua'wiyah (R.A.A) ( look Ethhar Al-Aqeedah AlSunnyah P. 182). look to some of his tape like (tape No. 13/A/94) to see what he said about Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, also, look at (Al-Magalat Al-Sunnyah P. 15, 24, 26, 57, 62, 75). Look what he said about Imam Al-Thahabi, he said he is wicked, Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab murderer and Kafir (look at their Manar Al-Huda Magazine Issue 3 P.34). Sheikh Syed Sabiq is Majosi Kafir (tape No. 1/A/181).
In front of that, we find Al-Habashi is defending the bad people like Ibn Arabi which all his book is witness on his Kufr because he said something no one said it toward Allah even Jews and Christians.
Source: http://www.allaahuakbar.net/habashis/their_history_and_their_beliefs.htm
Posted by Nawawi Bin Subandi at 12:58 AM No comments:
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