28 Safar 1446 AH - September 1 2024 Issue # 9, Newsletter #2047
Scroll down for report on "Too Much Corporate Power Equals
High Prices" by
Sr. Aisha ,
"Criteria for Who is Going to
Heaven" by
Sr. Yasmin ,
and a Remembrance of Ahmaud Arberry by
Nadrat Siddique
Editorial Corner with Dr. Kaukab Siddique
Bangladesh after Hasina and Modi
On August 29, 2024, Bangladesh's female dictator Sheikh
Hasina fled to India by army helicopter. She barely escaped,
as a large crowd of protestors headed toward her palace,
ultimately storming it. Her situation is precarious because
the opposition is calling for her extradition. The people of
Bangladesh want to try Hasina for the three fake elections
she carried out while she was in power. And, Muhammad Yunus,
the new president who is a Nobel Laureate, has cancelled her
diplomatic visa.
Hasina has overseen serious crimes against the people of
Bangladesh. An estimated 400 young people were killed by
members of the Awami League (AL), a party formed by
Hasina.
In addition to the people whose killings she oversaw, more
than 600 government opponents disappeared on her watch. And-
she put her top opponents, including women in prison. Among
these was Khaleda Zia, the chief Muslim woman opposition
leader. In 2018, Zia was sentenced to 17 years on supposed
corruption charges.
Actions by the new Bangladeshi Government
As we go to press, the new government is releasing Khaleda
Zia. They are also releasing other political prisoners held
in Hasina's prisons. The government has also removed the ban
against Jamaat-e-Islami, the leading Islamic party in
Bangladesh.
India's Pernicious Role
With its opening of the Dunbar Dam, India has attacked and
undermined Bangladesh's survival. India opened the dam
without warning, adding to the existing floods.
Modi had talks with Biden about events in Bangladesh.
Evidently both Islamophobes are worried about Muslim power
in South Asia. Business men who had come from India hoping
to profit from cheap labor and lax labor laws in Hasina's
Bangladesh are rushing back to India.
The removal of Hasina has been a great defeat for the
supporters of India, and a victory for the Muslims of
Bangladesh.
Afghanistan: Why Did the Taliban Win?
It was a clearcut victory for the Taliban in Afghanistan.
After 20 years of war, the Americans and their supporters
withdrew unconditionally. Afghan contractors and their
families, as well as others taken in by the cultural
imperialism spread by the U.S., appeared desperate to leave
with their masters, as they had become accustomed to a
Western lifestyle, very different from that of the average
Afghan.
The Afghan puppet army, as well as the contractors, who
fought for the U.S. were heavily armed and well trained.
However, they were soundly defeated by the Taliban, and
suffered heavy casualties because they did not want to
fight.
On the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan,
these Afghan army puppets and contractors gathered at Kabul
airport. The idea had spread that they might be allowed to
come to the U.S.
Biden did the U.S. a favor by withdrawing from Afghanistan.
It was not a fight which the U.S. could win. The war had
dragged on for over a decade, until it was clear that there
was no chance the invaders would win.
The casualties among the puppet Afghan army numbered in the
thousands after the first few battles. Afghan army troops,
when faced by Taliban, would run. And when they ran, they
still were killed.
Afghan Women's Role
The impression one gets is that because Afghan women do not
dance and sing, and don't do the things American women do,
they are weak, lacking, or oppressed. But that is not true.
No jihad can be carried out in any country without the
support of the women.
The women of Afghanistan played a major role in fighting the
Americans. It was not a combat role, but a vital role
nonetheless. They gave support to their men in a variety of
ways.
In many cases, the incredibly shy Afghan women allowed
mujahideen safe haven by opening their homes to the
fighters, even when they were alone, something otherwise
unheard of in ultra-conservative Afghan society.
And Afghan men, in turn, respect their women to the utmost.
One example of this comes from Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the
ambassador to Pakistan for the Taliban during their first
reign, who was imprisoned by the U.S. and held in
Guantanamo. He wrote in his book that he went all the way
from the south of Afghanistan, where he was at the time, to
the north to fight. Why? He wanted to be near his mother,
who was elderly and sick.
So, the Western narrative about Afghan women being totally
hapless and hopeless (because they are not dancing and
singing!) is a very one-sided one. Yes, there may be some
Afghan women, who are influenced by the American invaders,
who feel left out because they can't mimic their American
counterparts. But the majority are very deeply Islamic.
One major complaint by Western-influenced Afghan women and
their sympathizers is that they are not getting an
education. But many Afghan women and girls are in Islamic
schools (madrassas) which still exist. Afghans simply do not
want them to become like American women.
Some Afghan women are shy and perhaps they need to be more
vocal and get the rights which Islam gives them. Are Afghan
women being crushed under the Taliban government as is
claimed? We don't fully know and perhaps this needs to be
investigated. A neutral authority is needed for such an
investigation, not a body which seeks to force Western
values on a Muslim country. Many of the investigating bodies
are from the west, and arrive in Afghanistan with a
Eurocentric agenda and preconceived notions about what
women's liberation should look like in a Muslim country.
Pakistan
Pakistan is making a big mistake in its campaigns in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa. They are not willing to negotiate with the
Pakistani Taliban (TTP). The Pakistani army actually claims
that those it's trying to crush are not Muslims, and will go
to hell because they are fighting a Muslim Army, i.e., the
Pakistan Army! The reports about the fighting come from the
Pakistan Army's media wing, and are very one sided. Pakistan
is focused on crushing the TTP. And for the first time,
Pakistan has started deporting Afghans. This is a very
shameful thing, and contrary to the spirit of Islam.
Pakistanis should realize their first duty is to liberate
Kashmir from Indian occupation, and not to fight Muslims who
are standing for Sharia. Pakistan was made for Sharia.
West Bank, Occupied Palestine
The Israelis, with their tanks, aircraft, and artillery,
have brought death and destruction to three middle class
Palestinian towns. These are Palestinians who have been
living average, middle class lives. They were not fighters.
They were not Hamas. In fact, one might say they were
"living the life," even while surrounded by Zionists who
hate them and wanted to kill them.
The Israelis had zero regard for their rights. For three
days, the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) has been
brutalizing these goody-two-shoes Palestinians, who don't
support Hamas. It is tragic that the West Bank Palestinians
did not seem to realize their fate would be the same as the
Gazan refugees, who are being bombed out of existence by the
criminal Zionist entity.
The Israeli aim seems to be to create a hostile and
dangerous climate in the West Bank for Palestinians, in an
effort to force them out.
Editorial comment: It is New Trend's hope that someone in
the Muslim world will rise to the aid of the helpless,
unarmed West Bank Palestinians. Otherwise, the Zionists will
kill them, too, and take their land. It is the right and the
duty (under both International Law and Islamic Law) of the
people in the West Bank to resist occupation and oppression.
It is a mistake to think that because you do not confront a
vicious occupier, that the occupier will not confront
you.
News within the United States
Activists Remember Black Runner Murdered in Atlanta
By Nadrat Siddique
Over the weekend, I did the "Run for Maud 5k," an event held
both in person (in Atlanta, GA), and virtually. Being in
Maryland, I selected the virtual version. I'd just finished
a grueling 10-hour work shift, plus four hours of
responsibilities as a caregiver, and was on four hours of
sleep. I wanted nothing better than to go home and crash.
But, I just had to run for Maud.
We remember Ahmaud Arberry (May 8, 1994 - February 23, 2020).
Every murder of an innocent should shake us to the core.
But, as a runner, this one particularly grips my soul. Why?
It was the murder of a young man in the prime of his life.
(Ahmaud was just 25 when he was killed.)
He was engaged in my favorite activity in the whole world,
running. Like me, running was his passion. In addition to
running, he'd made his mark on the sports arena: He was a
star football player at his high school.
On the day that Ahmaud was killed, he wasn't hurting anyone.
He was just out for a jog, and made the "mistake" of
stopping by a home which was under construction, likely to
admire it.
The home, it seemed, was "on the wrong side of the railroad
tracks."
White racists- three of them- chased him down in their
gun-laden pickup trucks. One of them struck him with his
truck before death. Another of them briefly fought the
cornered young man, who tried at first to cross to the other
side of the street to get away from the attackers, then
realized he had no choice but to fight for his life.
Then, one or more of the White racist/terrorists opened fire
on Ahmaud. He was hit three times, including in two
different parts of the chest. He was still alive when the
police arrived. They were very friendly with Ahmaud's
assailants. In a pattern typical of the old boys' club,
which protects White males regardless of what infractions
they commit against Black or Brown people, two of the three
attackers had a law enforcement background.
Not surprisingly, the DA's office refused to issue any
arrest warrants for two months, and only did so in response
to massive protests, including by the New Black Panther
Party, NAACP, and others.
This is terrorism directed at America's black population. It
reminds me of the White Supremacist/Zionist terror directed
against young Palestinian men in Gaza. They, too, can't walk
or run down the streets in their own neighborhood without
fear of assault, jailing, kidnapping, or death, by people
who think they are more entitled to be there than anyone
else.
The Run with Maud 5k is held every August to mark Ahmaud's
birthday. It is organized by the Ahmaud Arberry Foundation,
with proceeds going to create safe places for black boys to
run. You can walk, run, or donate:
The Ahmaud Arberry Foundation was set up by Wanda
Cooper-Jones, Ahmaud's extremely courageous mother, who made
it her aim to create safe spaces for Black boys to learn, to
grow, and to run. May the Creator give her solace and
strength as she celebrates her son's birthday knowing he
will never return from another run.
#BlackLivesMatter #PalestinianLivesMatter
#RunForMaud #FreePalestine
Latest War News
Khan Yunus, Palestine
Ancient Mosque Blown Up by Israeli Occupation Forces
Al-Jazeera reported August 23 that Israeli occupation forces
detonated the ancient Greater Mosque in Khan Yunis. Another
video from an Israeli soldier's GoPro captured the raiding
of a mosque and the burning of all Quran copies inside.
YouTu.be/eYom9AkoANs?si=uyGC_G7BXryQUUGU
Comment by Nadrat Siddique:
On top of murdering innocent women and babies, the Israeli
Occupation Forces are in the business of destroying Islamic
historical sites. So where are all the Western talking heads
who were screaming when the Taliban blew up the Bamiyan
Buddha statues?
Iraq
In a US and Iraqi regime joint military airborne operation,
15 Islamic State fighters were killed, and 7 US troops were
injured. More than 900 US troops are in the area. Islamic
State fighters are seen as a threat to the regime and US
military dominance. The Shia regime in Baghdad, and Western
powers continue to help each other.
Too Much Corporate Power Equals High Price
By Sis. 'Aisha Jamaat al-Muslimeen New York City
Although the interest rates are lower, inflated prices are
still here. Why?
According to Robert Reich, a staunch Democrat and former
U.S. Secretary of Labor, a monopoly is the reason for high
gas, food, and rental prices.
In a previous article, I wrote about RealPage's alleged
rental price fixing. They handle over sixteen million
apartments nationwide! It's reported that the corporations
working with RealPage have collectively amassed over $300
million dollars in profits so far while spending a third of
their earnings, making shareholders wealthy by buying back
their shares.
In 2022, the top five oil companies (Chevron, Shell, BP,
Exxon, & TotalEnergies) made $200 billion dollars in profits
from inflated gas prices. They spent $100 billion on stock
buybacks and dividends, which made their shareholders
wealthier.
The Federal Trade Commission alleges that a big oil
executive colluded with OPEC (an Arab-owned oil
conglomerate) to limit OPEC's oil supply, which would
increase gas prices. According to capitalism, low supply
drives up prices. Allegedly, this backroom deal has been in
effect for the last few years. This has cost American
vehicle owners an average of $2000 a year.
Meat producers have allegedly colluded to drive up meat
prices. Only four companies handle meat processing in
America: Cargill, Tyson, Marfrig, and JBS. These companies
allegedly use a pricing tool from Agri Stats to share data
and set food prices.
Reich says neither government spending, the 2020 lockdown,
nor modest wage increases are to blame for these high
prices. He blames too much corporate power. Monopolies.
The Justice Department is investigating RealPages's alleged
rental price fixing and has launched a "massive lawsuit"
against Agri Stats. The Federal Trade Commission is also
suing to block the mega-merger of Kroger and Albertsons, two
major grocery corporations, which would surely drive up food
prices even more. House Democrats are investigating the oil
conglomerates for price fixing based on the FTC's report.
Reich is adamant that everyone play a role in monitoring
corporations and stopping them from profiting at our
detriment.
(Source: YouTube - Robert Reich: "Here's Why Prices Are
Still High")
Guidance From Sr. Yasmin
Levels of People in the 'Akhirah' (Hereafter)
The Highest Level is that of the Messengers...
[may Allah extol and grant them perfect peace and
security]
and they are of three [3] levels...
the highest of them being...
#1) 'Those firmest in resolve' [Ulul-'Azm]
Prophet's Nooh, Ibraheem, Moosa, 'Eesa and Muhammad,
[may Allah extol and grant them peace & security]
then...
#2) Those besides them from the Messengers ['Rusul']
then...
#3) The Prophets [al-Anbiyaa] those who were not sent
as Messengers their nations, and then...
#4) The Truest and Sincerest followers of the
Messengers~
[as-Siddeqoon]-
the inheritors of the Messengers, those who established
what the Messengers had been sent with, in their knowledge,
actions and in calling to Allah, & then...
#5) The just Imams and Rulers, & then...
#6) Those who strove and fought 'Jihad' in Allah's
cause,
with their wealth and their persons, & then...
#7) Those who preferred others over themselves...!
treated the people with goodness and performed
charitable acts... & then...
#8 ) Those for whom Allah opened
a door to the performance of
good which was restricted to themselves such as
Prayer, Charity, Fasting, Hajj and so on, then...
#9) The Level of the people of salvation,
and they were those who carried out Allah's obligations
and avoided that which He prohibited, &then...
#10) The level of a people who wronged themselves and
committed major sins forbidden by Allah... !
however Allah granted them sincere repentance before
death.
So they died upon sincere repentance,
so Allah accepted their repentance, and then...
#11) The level of a people who combined righteous deeds
and evil deeds, meeting Allah whilst persisting
upon their sins and not repentant.
However their good deeds outweighed their evil deeds:
the balance of the good they did being heavier.
So they are also saved and successful, and then...
#12) A people whose good and evil deeds were equal,
and they are the companions of the Heights [al-A'raaf ]
which is a place between the Paradise and the
Hell fire; and they will eventually enter Paradise, &
then...
#13) The level of those who were afflicted and put to
'Tahdeeth' [Trial]~
(We ask Allah for well being and security...Aameen.)
and they were Muslims whose scales were light:
[their evil deeds outweighed their good deeds.]
There are 'Ahaadeeth' concerning them showing that they
will enter the Fire and will be in it in accordance with
their deeds; and then they will come out of it through the
intercession of those who intercede and the Mercy
of the Most Merciful who shows mercy, & then...
#14) A people who had no acts of obedience or disobedience,
nor Unbelief, nor true Faith ['Eemaan'], and they are of
different types; from them are those who the true call
did
not reach; and from them is the insane person who did not
possess intellect; and from them is the deaf person who
never heard anything; and from them are the children of
the 'Mushriks' who died before being able to correctly
discern anything. So the scholars differ concerning
them,
having eight positions.
The most correct of these is that they will be tested on the
Day of Resurrection, and a Messenger will be sent to them
there: whoever obeys him will enter Paradise and whoever
disobeys him will enter Hellfire. Because Allah does not
punish anyone until Proof is established upon him and he
then turns away from it and obstinately refuses it,
ALLAH , the Most High said...
"And We do not punish until We send a Messenger."
[Source: 'Qur`an' Surat al-Isra 17: A #15]
#15) The level of the Hypocrites ['al-Munafiqoon'] who
outwardly displayed Islam but inwardly concealed Unbelief
['Kufr'], and they are in the lowest depth of
the Fire, then...
#16) The heads of Unbelief ['Kufr'],
its leaders and its callers, & then...
#17) The level of those Unbelievers who were
blind-followers
and ignorant ones, and the 'Ummah' are agreed that
they are Unbelievers, and lastly...
#18) The level of Jinn, and they were bound with duties-
liable to reward of punishment in accordance
with their deeds.
ALLAH, the Most High, said---
"And for all there will be degrees in accordance with what
they did, so that He may fully recompense them for their
deeds, and they will not be wronged."
[Source: Qur`an ~ Surah-Ahqaf~ 46~ A # 19]
'Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Your presence
and dispose of our affairs for us in the right
way'...'Aameen'~