Religion

A Challenging Time for Muslims Targeted in Europe

Published

9 years ago

February 4, 2015

In this, Jan. 12 file photo, demonstrators bear flags of several European countries during a rally of the group Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West, or PEGIDA, in Dresden, Germany. Firebombs and pigs’ heads are being tossed at mosques and women in veils have been insulted in a surge of anti-Muslim acts since the assault on the newsroom of a satirical Paris paper, according to a Muslim who tracks such incidents in France. France’s Muslim population risks becoming collateral damage in the aftermath of the attacks by three men who killed 17 people. Muslims in other European countries also won’t be spared, some Muslim leaders and experts say.

Surveillance increases, threats and anger against Muslims intensifies, as Charlie Hebdo republishes offensive depictions of Prophet Muhammad

Special to the NNPA from The Final Call

(FinalCall.com) – When Lutz Bachmann, leader of Germany’s intensifying anti-Islam movement posted a picture of himself on Facebook styled as Adolph Hitler, it was met with scorn and derision. The public relations gaffe resulted in him being forced to resign from his position as leader of PEGIDA (Patriotische Europäer Gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes, or Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West), an organization he co-founded in October 2014.

Organizer Lutz Bachmann, left, and co-organizer Kathrin Oertel attend a news conference of the group ‘Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West’ (PEGIDA) in Dresden, Germany, Jan. 19. The German group protesting what it calls “the Islamization of the West” is vowing that it won’t be silenced after its weekly rally was canceled because of a terrorist threat against one of its organizers. The planned demonstration in Dresden was scrapped and local police banned all rallies Monday after being informed of a call for attackers to kill Lutz Bachmann, PEGIDA’s best-known figure.

Up until then, Mr. Backmann had been successful at gaining widespread support amongst ordinary Germans by deliberately avoiding open associations or language that can be branded as Nazism—a definite no-no in Germany given the nations sordid history.

Despite being what writers from Der Spiegel classified as “a collection of right-wing rogues,” the group rapidly expanded their presence holding weekly marches protesting what they declared to be “the Islamization of the West,” by appealing to working middle class German citizens fearful of the influx of Muslims and other immigrants. PEGIDA’s largest march reportedly drew nearly 25,000 to Dresden, a metropolitan area serving as a cultural and political center with a population of 2.4 million.

For her part, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has shown support for Germany’s Muslim community during events and a large rally to promote tolerance. She has publicly rebuked the xenophobic sentiments expressed by the likes of PEGIDA.

In France, Marine Le Pen is the right-wing’s most visible and influential figure. The National Front (NF), which she leads, currently holds 24 of 74 seats in France’s European Parliament. She and her supporters claim to have been shunned by President François Hollande from the massive Paris national unity march held January 11. As a result, Le Pen held her own rally and recently wrote an OpEd appearing in the New York Times making it clear that in her view, the problem is Islam and “massive waves of immigration, both legal and clandestine.”

“Let us call things by their rightful names, since the French government seems reluctant to do so. France, land of human rights and freedoms, was attacked on its own soil by a totalitarian ideology: Islamic fundamentalism. It is only by refusing to be in denial, by looking the enemy in the eye, that one can avoid conflating issues,” Ms. Le Pen wrote.

The Charlie Hebdo incident—while throwing France into a state of fear and instability—may have in fact boosted Le Pen’s chances of becoming president when French elections are held in 2017. Pres. Hollande’s approval ratings, have jumped from historic lows in the mid to upper teens at the end of 2014, to 40 percent as of January 19, presumably as the nation came together in a show of solidarity in the aftermath of recent terror attacks. French polling data late last year actually had NF leader Le Pen beating him 54-46 percent.

Global Muslim response to provocation

Everyday life has been disrupted for many Muslims in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and other European Nations such as Belgium as anti-terrorism tactical officers round up activists. Mosques and many gathering places frequented by followers of Islam have been threatened and attacked.

The terror warning level in Belgium is now set at 3, the second highest level, following anti-terror raids in which two suspects were killed and a third wounded amid fears they allegedly planned attacks on police.

The decision by Charlie Hebdo to publish what is being called the “Survivor’s Edition” and reprinting offensive depictions of Prophet Muhammad simultaneously set off calls for restraint and another wave of anger in Muslim lands.

The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella organization with over 500 affiliated national, regional and local organizations, mosques, charities and schools. Fifty-four imams from across the country signed an open letter encouraging Muslims to respond to attacks “with dignified nobility” as anger and threats grew.

French far-right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen listens during a meeting at their headquarters in Nanterre, west of Paris. The anti-EU, anti-immigration National Front looks to gain more support as anti-Muslim sentiment grows in France after the attacks on weekly periodical Charlie Hebdo.

“Muslims do believe in freedom of speech. And they do respect the right for people to say what they believe to be correct. However, freedom of speech should not be translated into a duty to offend. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that absolute freedom of speech does not exist. There are laws to protect the dignity and properties of people,” read the MCB’s statement. “Our aim is to not, inadvertently, give the cartoons more prominence through our attention. Muslims must remain calm and peaceful in their speech and actions.”

Mohammed Shafiq of the UK-based Ramadhan Foundation strongly condemned the Jan. 7 attacks on Charlie Hebdo and at that time, predicted violence aimed at followers of Islam. He was also critical of Charlie Hebdo’s decision to republish copies of the cartoons in their most recent edition.

“Freedom of speech allows these cartoons to be published and we equally have the right to challenge the publications through peaceful methods,” said Mr. Shafiq.

The Iranian government called the continued publication of offensive caricatures “provocative.” Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi also issued a statement of condemnation, warning that, “offensive words might lead to further bloodshed.”

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, called the republication of cartoons “a big provocation to the feelings of more than one and a half billion Muslims in the world, all of them believers in heaven’s messages and keen for dialogue and common values. Such actions directly contribute to supporting terrorism, extremism and extremists,” according to the New York Times.

Protesters demonstrated in front of the French Embassy in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, as well as in the Pakistani city of Karachi. In Egypt, the Islamist Noor Party used their Facebook page to denounce Charlie Hebdo.

In Gaza City, the capital of the Gaza Strip, graffiti praising Prophet Muhammad was painted on the walls of the French Cultural Center there. They wrote: “To hell, to a miserable destiny, French journalists.”

According to the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life, there are over 4.1 million Muslims in Germany outnumbered in Europe only by France, with 4.7 million. It is estimated that by 2030, Germany will have over 5.5 billion Muslims and France, over 6.8 million. The United Kingdom has 2.8 million Muslims, projected to grow to over 5.5 billion by 2030.

In a swift public relations move, French authorities honored and granted French citizenship to 24-year-old Mali-born Muslim employee Lassana Bathily January 20. Mr. Bathily was given credit for saving lives during a hostage situation at kosher market January 9 said to be related to the Charlie Hebdo shootings. According to the Associated Press, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve praised Mr. Bathily saying his “act of humanity has become a symbol of an Islam of peace and tolerance.”

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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COMMENTARY: Prayer is Your Power

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2023

Oakland Post

Prayer is about faith. It is believing that God hears us.

Faithful Utterances

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew | Texas Metro News

This week, a friend informed me that she was following the ambulance to the hospital with her husband. Her husband was going through a major health crisis. She wasn’t the only one who reached out—a friend’s mother had unexplained pain and another friend contacted me about her friend’s son who was hospitalized with pneumonia. Each of them asked that I pray for them.

I consider it an honor to pray for others. Prayer is powerful and I love that I have a group of friends who I can turn to that I call the “prayer warriors” that when I send a text to lift up the concerns and issues of others before God, they go into battle mode.

Prayer is a weapon and I think many of us don’t understand its power until we need it. For many of us, it’s a routine, something that’s more about religion than it is about relationship. We have gotten prayer twisted as some exchange solely for stuff. God is not a celestial Santa Claus dropping off gifts. Prayer is an opportunity to go before to God sincerely in relationship. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.

Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5–8)

Prayer is about faith. It is believing that God hears us. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) I realize that my prayers are even more powerful when I am in relationship with others seeking God: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). It’s dangerous when we see prayer as a way to manipulate God into doing what we want. There is nothing wrong with bringing your requests before God but it’s important to check our motivation and intention. It’s also important to know that just because God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way that we want does not mean that God doesn’t love us.

It doesn’t mean that God does not hear us. It does not negate the omnipotence or goodness of God, either. We must believe that God is able. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) It’s easy to blame God when things don’t go the way we want them to—”the rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

Terrible things happen to good people often. We live in an unjust world with people making decisions that are informed more by profit than people. We cannot take those principles into our relationship with God. We must believe that “… all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) …. God is concerned with our hearts, with people and cares for us even when things don’t go the way we’d like. I can report that all of the individuals we prayed for had excellent results.

God is good! Yet, I realize that this isn’t always the case. Prayer is powerful. God wants us to have this daily form of communication. 1 John 5:14, tells us: “And this is the boldness we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Don’t use prayer just when you need something. Just as all relationships require consistent communication for growth and results, the same is even more important in our relationship with God. Prayer is a powerful partnership with God that can move mountains when we believe!

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the host of the Tapestry Podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the Vice President of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas. To learn more, visit drfroswa.com.

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Black History

AFRICAN-ISH: The First Christmas Story

Both Joseph and Mary were of the lineage of David, Joseph descended from David’s son Solomon (and Bathsheba), and Mary extended from another son Nathan. Therefore, they were required to go to the little town of Bethlehem, in Judea and there, in a cattle shed Jesus was born. (Bethlehem is 70 miles south of Nazareth and 5 miles southwest of Jerusalem).

Published

1 year ago

December 26, 2022

Oakland Post

The four Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronicled the full theme of Christ as the universal Savior.

By Simon Burris

The narrative of Jesus’ birth and proof of his Hamitic (Black) African bloodline* began in the Old Testament in the book of Genesis chapter 10, in the Land of Ham, located in southwest Asia and Africa. Three most prominent Hamitic personalities: Abraham, Isaiah and David.

People and places of Hamitic origins are underlined.

(1) Abraham the patriarch was Babylonian (Ethnic Ethiopian). Gen. 11:31; (2) Isaiah a prophet lived 750 years before Christ, predicted the virgin birth was a nephew of Amaziah a Judahite (Canaanite) king; and (3) David the great king of Israel was a descendant of Abraham, also of Tamar and Rahab (Canaanites).

The (Hamitic) Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-34

The Birth of Jesus: (about 6-4 BC)

Mary the virgin mother of Jesus and her husband Joseph the “foster” father of Jesus, a carpenter, lived in Nazareth, a town in northern Palestine.

At this time Emperor Augustus of the Roman Empire decreed that a census would be taken. Everyone in his domain had to go to his or her hometown to register. He probably ordered Cyrenius ( Quirinius ) the Afro Roman governor of Syria / Judeadistrict to take charge and supervise the mandate.

A short time later shepherds from the countryside as well as Wise Men (Magi) from neighboring countries Arabia, Babylonia,and Persia traveled to the nativity site, paid homage and worshiped the infant-Savior.

Now Joseph was warned by the Lord in a dream that Herod the Edomite king of Judea was plotting the murder of the child, fled with his family to Egypt, returning to Nazareth after the death of Herod.

Jesus had siblings, brothers Joseph, Simon, Epistle writers James, Jude, and several sisters. The last mention of Joseph occurs in the Gospel of Luke when he and Mary take the 12-year-old Jesus to Jerusalem. Mary played a vital role all through Jesus’ life, from the day He was born till the time of the crucifixion.

Conclusion: The four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John chronicled the full theme of Christ as the universal Savior. *Descendants of Ham’s sons Cush (Ethiopia), Mizraim (Egypt), Put (Libya) and Canaan (Ancient Palestine/Israel). Genesis 10: 6-20

Footnotes: Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25?

The ancient Romans celebrated the winter solstice on December 25 as the birthday of the SUN; the Babylonians and Persians -SON of the SUN. Some 300 plus years after Jesus’ earthly demise, Roman Emperor Constantine in 336 legalized this date as the birthday of the SON of GOD – JESUS the CHRIST! Originally: Christ’s Mass.

Eurocentric racism: Pope Julius II in 1508 commissioned Michelangelo, Raphael and other Renaissance artists and church scholars to portray and depict almost all major biblical characters as Europeans (Caucasians), save servants and slaves.

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Activism

SDA Churches Join Outreach Efforts to Find Solutions to Upsurge of Violence

the Northern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) held their annual Convocation at Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakland. Seven hundred people came together in celebration and worship. The theme was “Embracing Change.”

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2022

Oakland Post

From left to right: Pastor Raymond Lankford, Elder Busayo Alabi, Pastor Damon Washington, Sister Rose Robinson, Pastor Garrett Anderson, Pastor Edwin Brown, Pastor Willie Johnson, Pastor Virgil Childs.

By Post Staff

On Oct. 8, the Northern California Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (SDA) held their annual Convocation at Grand Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Oakland. Seven hundred people came together in celebration and worship. The theme was “Embracing Change.” The guest speaker was Dr. Myron Edmonds, who pastors in Cleveland, Ohio. He spoke about how Christ wasn’t a traditionalist, and the work isn’t being done because some in the church don’t wish to change and they tend to demonize new ideas.

Throughout the day, the Mobile Medical Health Van operated by Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church out of Oakland sat in front of the church and provided health screenings and community resource information to the general public. The Medical Van, which was gifted to the church by Pastor Raymond Lankford of Healthy Communities, has provided free health care services throughout Alameda County for the last few years. The prayer of Pastor Damon Washington of Immanuel Temple Church, who was ordained during the afternoon program, is for their health ministry to partner with the other providers like OPIC and Oakland Workforce Agencies and to combat the ongoing health disparities and violence within the city and beyond.

They have pledged to work with the Chaplains, the OPIC and the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back, who want to make amends for the damages they have done to harm Oakland.