The Bad Guys Wear Shemaghs

Is Zulu-1 an innocuous war game, or a cheap attempt by its creators to capitalise on the current (and profitable) Islamaphobic climate?

Teams playing the Zulu-1 Tactical Airsoft Simulations war game are attired as soldiers and Arabs

Upon hearing of the launch of a war game based in Lincolnshire (N.England) where the enemy is distinguishable by shemaghs (Palestinian scarves), my initial reaction was that of mild amusement. A game where ’soldiers’ chase shemagh-wearing ‘Arabs’ — how clichéd. The tabloids seized upon the opportunity to promote the game and the game’s producers attempted to justify their controversial choice of apparel: “We simply use the shemaghs to differentiate between teams. Just because some terrorists decide to wear them doesn’t make it racist.” So said the game’s producer Peter Jenkins in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Does Mr Jenkins has a point? After all, the shemagh is a contemporary fashion item, with celebrities such as David Beckham and Sting wearing them. Our local market is full of them — shemaghs that is, not celebrities. On a more serious note, when a shemagh is used to identify the ‘enemy’ in a simulated war setting, surely this is an irresponsible move given the current climate.

The Muslim Association of Britain’s (MAB) executive member Mokhtar Badri reasoned: “Any sort of game that associates guns and violence with a particular culture is clearly wrong. They could use any other type of colour or dress to tell between teams which would not cause offence. Using Arab dress, especially in the current climate, is short-sighted and foolish.” The tabloids predicably pounced upon this statement to air the popular notion that once again, Muslims are ‘whining’ about being victimised.

Are we making too much of a big deal out of a ‘harmless game’? Whilst writing this article, I paused to take another look at the pictures from the Zulu-1 website. At that moment, my son entered the room. Peering at the image on the screen, he was clearly perturbed. “Why are those men shooting at a Muslim?” he asked. If a young child who has no knowledge of the Zulu-1 game can immediately comprehend that shemagh=Arab=Muslim, how could the producers who are Gulf War veterans not?

One wonders how the inhabitants of Lincolnshire would react, should a group of Asian or Arab men sign up for this game. Would the sight of brown-skinned men wearing shemaghs and sporting Airsoft guns be dismissed as harmless fun? And does it make a difference that the organisers are Gulf war veterans, and not a group of Muslims without a military background? If the later scenario were the case, would the game have taken on more sinister connotations — as was the case of the recent ‘terrorist training plot’ involving another combat sport: paintballing?

Is Zulu-1 an innocuous war game, or a cheap attempt by its creators to capitalise on the current (and profitable) Islamaphobic climate? In an interview with the Lincolnshire Echo, producer Peter Jenkins contradicts his earlier statement to the Daily Mail that the choice of a shemagh is not racist: “We use the shemaghs to differentiate between the teams with the other in army uniforms. Any self-respecting terrorist would wear one.“ [Peter Jenkins, 'Terrorists' Prepare To Fight 'Soldiers' In New War Game — Lincolnshire Echo]

There you have it then — straight from the horse’s mouth. The bad guys wear shemaghs.

Source:  al-istiqamah.com

Letter from a Captive to his Wife

In the Name of Allah, ar-Rahmaan, ar-Raheem.

As-Salaamu Alaikum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuh,

Firstly, I pray that this letter reaches you, and if it does, I pray that it reaches you in the best of Imaan and Tawheed.

I’m finding it extremely difficult to write this letter, simply because I just don’t know where to start. There’s so much to say in such little time and difficult circumstances, so forgive me if the content of this letter seems all over the place.

I want to start by saying marrying you was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made in this dunya. And I have enjoyed every day, month and year with you.

A lot has happened in the past year or so, and after I was arrested much of our plans were shattered by the Kuffaar (may Allah curse them). But Allah says, “they plot and plan, but Allah is the best of planners.” Perhaps my arrest was for the best of both of us, and our children – to strengthen our Imaan, return to our Lord in worship (exclusively) and remind us of how insignificant this dunya is.

I am now in a position where I do not know when I will see you next. In fact, there’s a possibility that I may never see you again, if the Kuffaar trump up more charges against me. But do not be disheartened. We accept whatever Allah has decreed and destined for us – the good and the bad of al-Qadr.

What if I were to pass away today, what would you do? You would have to continue with your life. And what about before we were married, weren’t you able to cope with life? You do not need or rely on me. It is Allah we need and rely upon. So whether I’m with you or not, Allah will continue to provide for us and look after our affairs. Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.

On the Day of Judgement you will flee from me and your children, as every person on that Day will have enough to worry about for themselves. You need to focus and prepare for this Day more than anything else, because that Day could be tomorrow, next week or in a few months.

Continue studying the Deen, focusing on your Salaat and prayers, distinguishing yourself from the Kuffaar (even by your dress), carrying da’wah, working to establish Allah’s Deen and memorising from the Book of Allah. Always be around good company (practising sisters who are obedient to Allah and to their husbands) and be with the Jamaa’ah that is following the manhaj of the Messenger (SAW) and his Companions. Remember that Shaytaan is with the individual.

One of the best investments we have in this dunya is our children. Teach them to read the Qur’aan, and teach them what is halaal and haraam. You and I (inshallah) will both get the reward for every good deed they do, even after we pass away! And make sure they always eat halaal. Check every label and product. A child that grows up eating haraam will be disobedient and rebellious to Allah, and even to you!

My dear wife, to me you are the most beautiful woman of this dunya today – not just by your looks but also by your character. I have every bit of faith in you. And you have been the best friend, companion, wife and partner. You are a precious jewel that is simply irreplaceable. You are, inshallah, as the Aayah states:

“…Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband’s absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband’s property, etc.)…” (4:34)

You are upright, honourable, dignified, beautiful and charismatic. You have always been obedient to me, fulfilled my rights and guarded your chastity and my property. And every time I look to your face it brings happiness to my heart. The Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said:

“The best woman is one who pleases you when you look at her, obeys you when you order her, and guards herself (her chastity) and your wealth in your absence.” (Tabaraani)

I have enjoyed every moment with you – whether by sitting by your side, having a cup of tea, dinner with the family, eating at our favourite restaurants, discussing the da’wah, singing nasheeds, reading Qur’aan, going to talks, or taking the kids to the park. I even used to enjoy winding you up sometimes! I miss everything about you – your smile, character, beauty, friendship, cooking, taste in fashion, and attention to detail.

Please forgive me for every time I have hurt you or been discourteous towards you. There have been many times when you have been under much stress, particularly when the bills have pilled up over many weeks. It really breaks me when I see you distressed, and sometimes I even feel incompetent, because it is my responsibility to pay the bills, do the shopping and make sure you feel safe, secure and tranquil. I sometimes feel I have failed you as your husband, but I’m sure you are aware that the life I lead as a daa’ie is not an ordinary one. You know my priorities are to Allah and His Deen, particularly in this time of crisis, in which the Shariah is not being implemented, we have no Ameer ul-Mu’mineen and Muslim land is under occupation. But I believe because you have been so patient and helped me with my responsibilities, Allah has always helped us find a way out of our difficulties. And whenever I became busy with the dunya and neglected my duty of commanding good and forbidding evil, those were the times when we would argue and face hardship.

The Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said: “Any woman who dies and her husband is pleased with her will enter Paradise.” (Ahmad)

I want you to know that I am very pleased with you, and I pray that Allah enters you into Jannat ul-Firdaws, inshallah. Not many women are able to attain their husband’s pleasure, but you have done it. You have the golden opportunity to reach the highest level in Jannah. You are married to a man who was imprisoned by the Kuffaar for his Deen, and if you remain steadfast and patient you will earn a great reward in the Akhirah, inshallah.

I have the opportunity to attain shahaadah (if I die behind bars), and I want you to enjoy with me the privileges of the Shaheed, if Allah accepts me. We will have, in Jannah, the house we have always dreamed of. Which prince, king or celebrity today has a palace 60 miles high and wide, that is made of gold bricks and pearls? Which king today has 80,000 servants? Can you imagine that? Never having to cook and clean or do the ironing again. After such a prospect, how could any woman contemplate on abandoning her husband while he is in prison or in jihad? Such a woman can only be described as foolish, to say the least!

The Messenger Muhammad (SAW) said that there is no barrier between Allah and the oppressed person who supplicates to Him.

May Allah unite us in Jannah and keep us firm to the haq, and make us die as Muslims. Remember me in your du’aa and look after the amaanah I have entrusted you with.

O Allah destroy all of those who have separated me from my wife and children! O Allah put them in chains of fire and make them walk on their faces on the Day of Resurrection! O Allah divide their families, ruin their lives and give them a slow and painful death!

O Allah destroy the filthy Taaghout who thought he had the right to judge me and steal Your attributes! O Allah make him choke on his own saliva and burn him in Hell.

O Allah, make us submissive to You and obey You in hardship and ease.

“Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqoon.” (25:74)

“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manaasik (all the rituals), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.” [2:128]

Source: Captive Support

The Story of Ghazi Ilm Din

“As Iqbal placed the body of Ilm Din into the grave, he tearfully declared: “This uneducated young man has surpassed us, the educated ones.”

In the 1920’s a young man was hanged in India for killing the publisher of an inflammatory book defaming Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The following account is based upon an Urdu article by Abu Rizwan Javaid al-Multaani

Read the full story here

A reader, may Allah reward them,  has kindly translated our article on Ghazi ilm Din into French.
It can be viewed here:
Le récit de Ghazî `ilm Dîn