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Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer , worshipper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a thousand times Come, yet again, come, come.

Dr. Yusuf al - Qaradawi Secularism may be accepted in a Christian society but it can never enjoy a general acceptance in an Islamic society. Christianity is devoid of a shari' ah or a comprehensive system of life to which its adherents should be committed. The New Testament itself divides life into two parts: one for God, or religion, the other for Caesar, or the state: "Render unto Caesar things which belong to Caesar, and render unto God things which belong to God" (Matthew 22:21). As such, a Christian could accept secularism without any qualms of conscience. Furthermore, Westerners, especially Christians, have good reasons to prefer a secular regime to a religious one. Their experience with "religious regimes" - as they knew them - meant the rule of the clergy, the despotic authority of the Church, and the resulting decrees of excommunication and the deeds of forgiveness, i.e. letters of indulgence. For Muslim societies, the acceptance of secularism means so

Zafar Khan Homosexuality is not allowed in Islam. There are various verses in Quran where Allah clearly says about Homosexuality. We also (sent) Lut : he said to his people: "Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? "For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds." - Holy Quran 7:80-81 "Of all the creatures in the world will ye approach males". "And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!" - Holy Quran 26:165-166 The end result for not giving up homosexuality was the destruction of entire cities When Our decree issued We turned (the cities) upside down and rained down on them brim stones hard as baked clay spread layer on layer Marked as from thy Lord: nor are they ever far from those who do wrong! - Holy Quran 11:82-83 The Quran forbids any sexual relationship other than in a

They call my people blood thirsty terrorists blowing up buildings and planes with dynamite tied to their chests killing civilians by the hundreds -but am I a terrorist? True, some of my people of names similar to mine do act violently in despair when their human rights are stolen when their suffering and plights are ignored in the refugee camps of Sabra and Chatala . - but am I a terrorist? They are not living their faith just acting on emotions and hate full with the revenge for the oppressor with little regard for innocent lives they are just Muslim in name -but am I a terrorist? Islam, the religion of peace teaches Muslims to respect life "If anyone had killed one man except in lieu of murder and mischief it is as if he killed the whole mankind" Same verse in Torah and Quran too by the same God -how could I be a terrorist? Prophet Mohammad, Peace be upon him was a mercy to mankind he cared for the poor, elderly and

What a year was 570 AD A person was born, a prophet to be Muhammad (saws) that was his name People were misguided and that's when he came He would go on to leave all the idols behind He is an example to all of mankind Rabbi al Awwal the 12 th , that was the day He came to this world to show us the way He was born in Mecca, the holiest place A life full of challenges he was to face Abdullah ( RA ) his father,had by then passed away Leaving Amina ( RA )his mother,in her arms he lay Haalima Sadia ,took over his care Until he was six,our prophet was there His mother then died,he was left all alone Abdul Muttalib his grand-dad then made him his own When our prophet was nine, his grandfather died Abu Talib , his uncle, became his new guide In his 20's,a merchant Muhammad (SAWS) became by trade Al- Amin ,(the trustworthy) became his grade Hazrat Khadija ( RA )aged 40, became his bride He was 25, with her by his side To the poor,she gave away all her wealth A dedicated wife i

Often I am minded, inform the days of my childhood, How once I went out with my father on a festival; In fun I grew preoccupied with all the folk about, Losing touch with my father in the popular confusion; In terror and bewilderment I raised up a cry, Then suddenly my father boxed my ears: "You bold-eyed child, how many times, now, Have I told you not to lose hold of my skirt?" A tiny child cannot walk out alone, For it is difficult to take a way not seen; You too, poor friend, are but a child upon endeavour's way: Go, seize the skirts of those who knows the way!

1. Oh, the boundless Ya, Allah! Unbound by Religious shell, you are! Epitome of unbridled freedom, you are!! Your light And your shade, For my happiness, I seek!!! So too for my restful sleep. You raze the boundaries of Cities and of households. Yet, I encapsulate you In the depth of my heart. Is it human heart alone A world without barrier? Oh, the core of boundless infinity, I worship thee. 2. Ya, Mohammad Ya Mohammad , May the lord shower his grace upon him! You are the golden dawn That illuminates the dark Arabian nights. The last prophet Who fight for fidelity and truth. We hear about the luminosity Of that face Even after the long Fourteen centuries. We are unfortunate Who came late, We bemoan our fate. Oh, the master Esteemed by more than Forty generations We prepare for you, The banquets of love. You came like the raindrops, On the desert, unexpectedly; The rain has long gone, Yet, as a golden memory, it remains, In each tiny speck of sand. 3. A forlorn woman You are not alone

What is love, but an emotion, So strong and so pure, That nurtured and shared with another All tests it will endure? What is love, but a force To bring the mighty low, With the strength to shame the mountains And halt time’s ceaseless flow? What is love, but a triumph, A glorious goal attained, The union of two souls, two hearts A bond the angels have ordained? What is love, but a champion, To cast the tyrant from his throne, And raise the flag of truth and peace, And fear of death o’ erthrow ? What is love, but a beacon, To guide the wayward heart, A blazing light upon the shoals That dash cherished dreams apart? And what is love, but forever, Eternal and sincere, A flame that through wax and wane Will outlive life’s brief years? So I’ll tell it on the mountaintops, In all places high and low, That love for you is my reason to be, And will never break or bow. - Matt Dubois – I thought love was just a mirage of the mind, it's an illusion, it's fake, impossible to find. But the

A Special World A special world for you and me A special bond one cannot see It wraps us up in its cocoon And holds us fiercely in its womb. Its fingers spread like fine spun gold Gently nestling us to the fold Like silken thread it holds us fast Bonds like this are meant to last. And though at times a thread may break A new one forms in its wake To bind us closer and keep us strong In a special world, where we belong. - Sheelagh Lennon – A stranger you were once. Then, with a gentle look you took my hand. As our lives engaged, you lit my life and I held both your hands. Now that decades have passed, ours souls have indeed become one. How fortunate we are that we have found the love so true that everyone dreams about. - Laura Veronica Merodio -