Letters to NABA 2006

hd	Letters to NABA
	Updated 04 June 2010
	Index - What is Arabs? (In response to the news letter on the trial census in the UK). - Action alert: Thank Times correspondent James Hider! Arab Media Watch 30 June 2007 - Friends of Lebanon in the UK July 2007 - An appeal form an Iraqi academic in exile, June 2007 - Addressing the challenges of childhood cataract in Africa - Dr Paul Courtright June 2007 - Racial discrimination against Arab in the UK - what to do, 23 June 2007 - The British Campaign for Medical Boycott of Israel Spring 2007 - Project on Arab American and British Arab community activism - Caroline Nagel and Lynn Staeheli - Treatment of children from Iraq. - My book, Zionism, The Real Enemey of the Jews Alan Hart - Ban Burkha - Rashida Murji - The Atfaluna On-line Crafts boutique - Ghada Abushahla - Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children, Gaza - Why isn't your Council urging the presecution of such preachers? - Sophia Mohamed - The BBC never listens to our complaints 15 August 2006, John Noble - What about the execution of a girl aged 16 in Iran? July 2006 Fatima Aga - The Human Rights of the AIDS Victims and Their Families must be raised and emphasized John Lincoln - Islam Needs to be Modernised - Salma Janmohamed - Spokesman for the MCB - Fatima Gulmohamed - Please be aware of the irrational & the biased attitudes - John A Lincoln, Lecturer
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	Who are Arabs Letter from Afaf following the email shot on introducing Arab as an ethnic group in the 2011 census (NABA achievement) To Afaf Thank you Afaf for raising this question. The definition of Arabs will depend on the aspect we are looking for /whether it is approached from the historical, racial, ethnic point etc. Historically, we learn at school that Herodotus description of the Semitic races were one which settled in what is now known as the Arab World as Arabs, and that Arabs were from either Adnanites (adnaniyoon) or Qahtanites (Qahtaniyoon). This recognises the anthropological fact that migrating races and groups when settling among any larger community, integrate and assimilate into that group. Ideologists in the last century spoke about Arabism as an identity rather than as a racial and genetic issue. The Arab League describes Arabs as, those who live or come from the countries in the Arab League. The identity concept applies to many other races and nations. If we look at our region, you find that many of those who identify themselves as Kurds, Turks, Pakistanis, Indians, etc have originated from Arab tribes which settled in these regions, and vice versa; many of races that migrated to the Arab world throughout the millennia and settled in Arabia are not Semitic, but they gradually assimilated and became known as Arabs. Our history books recognise the Arab Al-Aariba and al-Arab Al-Musta’riba? In the west, Englishness is very diverse racially. English are not only Anglo-Saxon but originally Celtic (Irish or Scottish), Anglo-Saxon, Norman, Germanic etc. Arab is an amalgam of people that shares a common identity. In this day and age, I consider Arabism to be something akin to Europeanism. Many Britons identify themselves as British or English and secondly as European and the same applies to Arabs. On the other hand, you find some who are ethnically Arab prefer to identify themselves as Muslims, that is on religious basis rather than ethnic basis. The concept of multiple identities is well recognised in our modern age. We can be British, Iraqis, Arabs, Europeans, Londoners, humanists, liberals etc. We can be members of an Arab society, secular group and at the same time religious group, etc without losing any of the other identities. One of the excellent books on the subject is: Identity and Conflict, by Amitra Singh. It is among Arabs more than any other that the question of our ethnic identity (ie whether we are Arab or what) is more diverse. This may well be because Arabs tend to be more intellectual together with a very varied history. From the census point, the identity has important applications and should not be looked at from the ideological aspect. We share many common denominators that need to be addressed within the British democratic system including our civil rights, our position and influence in the British establishment, health, representations etc. In an ideal world, ethnic identity is not important at all as everyone is equal and accepted in the system automatically. Unfortunately, we are not in an ideal system and thus we have to fight for our civil rights like other groups who have settled in the UK and had to fight to be accepted in the system. A more romanticized definition of Arabs can be found on the following link. Various articles on Arabs can be found on the following link: http://ebabylone.net/encyclopedia/en/a/r/a/Talk~Arab_523e.html Kind regards and thank you again for raising this question which is very vital when 2011 comes. Ismail Jalili
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	Action alert from Arab Media Watch Action Alert Thank Times correspondent James Hider! Please take a minute to thank Times correspondent James Hider for an article on 28 June 2007 entitled "Checkpoints could be first target for peacemaker Blair," which highlights arguably the most pervasive yet least reported aspect of Israel's occupation. This is particularly noteworthy in a newspaper that is editorially pro-Israel. The article is available at: Write to letters@thetimes.co.uk, james.hider@thetimes.co.uk and / or post your comment in the feedback section at the end of the article. Please be concise and polite, and BCC letters to info@arabmediawatch.com If you want your letter to be published in the newspaper, indicate this in the subject line of your email (do not copy and paste the subject or contents of this Action Alert) and provide your full name, address and contact details. Letter-writing tips can be found at. This Action Alert is archived at.
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	Friends of Lebanon in the UK - July 2007 It has been nearly a year since the formation of Friends of Lebanon. In order to stay in touch better with our many friends, we are introducing a monthly newsletter. We would first like to thank you for your support. We are pleased to say that you are part of a worldwide community—growing larger by the day—working toward a better and more peaceful Lebanon. If you would like to become more involved in the day to day work of Friends of Lebanon, please send us an email. If you have suggestions or comments, again, just let us know. In the coming months, we will let you know our plans for the next year. Meanwhile, please note we have posted the July calendar on the website. As always, if you know of an activity/event that you don’t see listed, do drop us a line so we can include it. You will also note that we are inviting guest news editorials for publication on the website. Submissions should be in English, between 500—3000 words in length. (Shorter opinion-pieces are welcome for our “Have Your Say” section.) Articles should be directly concerned with Lebanon. While all points of view are welcome, please note that we will not publish any article deemed racist or inflammatory. Our goal is to provoke examination of ideas: why is a situation what it is? How and why did a situation develop? What are its ramifications? What can we learn from a situation? Is it being justly represented in the media? Assertions should be documented where appropriate, using primary sources when possible. When submitting, please note whether you would like your name published with the article, or whether you prefer it remain anonymous. Many people have asked me over the last year: Why do you do this Friends of Lebanon thing? Do you really think it will do any good? So here’s my answer, just in case you too were wondering. There are some stories you never forget. One day some thirty years ago, my teacher told the class a story of a woman who was attacked near her apartment. Her screams were heard by neighbours. At least 38 of them later admitted they had seen and/or heard her 35-minute struggle. Yet no one came to the woman’s aid. The one and only call to the police was too late: the woman, repeatedly stabbed, had bled to death. (The murder of Kitty Genovese http://www.newsday.com/community/guide/lihistory/ny-history-hs818a,0,7944135.story) That she might have been saved had someone cared enough to speak up was a haunting notion. “If only. . .” is a hard idea to live with. Perhaps this notion is what motivated hundreds of thousands of people to take to the streets in protest during the summer 2006. The rampage against the Lebanese people was simply wrong. Many people who had never before been active in politics felt compelled to stand up for those who were being attacked. Those who screamed were heard. Though too late for many, the bombings finally stopped. A year later, unfortunately, tensions are still high. Let the memory of last summer inspire us to keep listening for screams. Brenda Abou Khalil Friends of Lebanon, 12 Berry Lane, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 7HQ, United Kingdom Phone: (44) 1923 772494 / Fax: (44) 1923 772494 Email: mail@friendsoflebanon.org web: http://www.friendsoflebanon.org
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	Appeal from an Iraqi academic in exile - June 2007 We are now in badly need for earnest request of aid and support, or alike. My situation now in UAE getting worst than the past year when I left my country, due to the lag of opportunity of finding a job to live in dignity and I don’t know what to do when my earned money will finished. On may, 2006 I have received a threat of assassination if not leaving the country, few days later my son escaped from assassination attempt, he survived the accident with two bullets in his hand and leg. Because of this setback I found my self obliged to leave the country with my family. I left my son with his wife and two children and my daughter with her husband and here child in Syria, my self I have tried to find a job in UAE to support them, but unfortunately the people her did not give my situation the proper respect and understanding that it truly deserved. I have tried to find opportunity in my university with no chance, I think that was due to my age, I am now in my 62 years old, and it is very difficult to start from scratch. I think the only way to find a self shelter in UK, which I dreamed of, is by having a political asylum or humanitarian asylum or lecturing in the university if some support were given in this respect. Thanks a lot. Dr H Alrubaie A permission to publish the letter and name but omitting the children's names for their safety. Dear Thank you very much for your quick reply to my e-mail, you were very precise in defining the situation as predicament. I would like to draw your attention that I am carrying a Ph.D degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leeds. I don’t mind publishing this letter in any media you think it will help in shading the light on the miserable situation facing the highly qualified peoples in Iraq. And I don’t mind sending this letter to any person who, you think, may be able to help by any possible means. This case, as I believe, will help the others by providing them with temporary safe shelter a way from assassinations. Dr H Alroubaie
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	Addressing the challenges of childhood cataract in Africa: Strategies for implementing services for children for the WHO-recommended 10 million paediatric eye care catchment area Course description October 1-5, 2007 Rationale Congenital and development cataract is the leading cause of childhood blindness in Africa and there is considerable evidence that children with cataract are not receiving surgical services in a timely fashion, that follow up after surgery remains poor, and that few children receive necessary spectacles and low vision devices. In the past few years, strategies have been developed and tested; these address the problems associated with both delay in presentation as well as poor follow up. The recent “Childhood Cataract Experts Meeting” has led to the documentation of practical solutions. There is now a need to train personnel working in comprehensive eye care programmes on potential strategies to address childhood cataract, in particular, to identify, refer, manage, follow up, monitor, and provide low vision services. Target audience The target audience for the workshop would be ophthalmologists and/or programme managers involved in childhood blindness programmes. The ideal candidates would be individuals who are working in a paediatric ophthalmology unit (covering a WHO recommended 10 million catchment area) and responsible for coordinating service delivery. Tertiary hospitals and university eye departments interested in improving their service delivery are encouraged to apply. Teaching objectives Course participants will learn: 1. The magnitude of the problem of childhood cataract (global perspective & local perspective) 2. The current evidence on management of childhood cataract: age at which surgery can be done, implantation of IOLs in young children, costs of surgical treatment, anesthetic needs, etc. 3. The reasons for delay in presentation for surgery and strategies to address delay (including use of key informants, training of relevant health staff in identification and referral). 4. Best practices for referral of children for surgery 5. The need for follow up of children who have had cataract surgery (including who can provide follow up, recommended approaches to follow up, protocols) 6. How to set up a child tracking system to ensure that children do not “fall through the cracks” after surgery 7. The role of counseling at different levels 8. Post-operative spectacles for children with cataract (costs, infrastructure needed, type of spectacles best suited for children) 9. Post operative low vision assessment and approaches to foster better integration of children into their communities. Training venue and instructors The training will be conducted at the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology in Moshi, Tanzania. The faculty for the training includes instructors from KCCO and the KCMC Eye Department as well as external faculty from within Africa. Budget The training has financial support from Dark & Light Blind Care. Participants would need to cover their transport to Kilimanjaro (JRO). The fee for the course is $200, which covers all expenses (including airport pick up, accommodation, meals, training materials, instructional fees) from the time of arrival. Applicants should complete the application form (www.kcco.net/courses) and send it to Mr. Genes Mnyganya (genes@kcco.net) Paul Courtright, DrPH Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology Tumaini University/KCMC PO Box 2254 Moshi, Tanzania Email: pcourtright@kcco.net Web: www.kcco.net
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	Racial discrimination against Arab in the uk To NABA. Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 3:39 PM Can you kindly inform me of a place where I can get legal advice for a case concerning racial discrminination and assault. Many thanks. Dear Sa...... Thank you for your email and our apologies for the delay in getting back to you. In relation to your request for legal advice it really depends whether you faced racial discrimination and assault: a. Where you work; b. By a member of the public; Also, whether the incident has been reported to the police and whether any action is being taken. If you can let me know I will be in a better position to advise. M Jalili Secretary
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	The British Campaign for Medical Boycott of Israel 21 April 2007 A letter calling on medical ethical grounds for a boycott of the Israeli Medical Association was published in the Guardian newspaper today Sat 21^st. See below for the text and link to the letter (at guardian.co.uk). The letter carried 130 signatories (UK doctors), as you will see. I'm also attaching the submitted letter (the Guardian shortened it a little, as they do) and current list of signatories- which has grown by 5 (total now 135) since yesterday. We hope the letter will raise the profile of the issues that so concern and outrage us, and conscientize them. Pronouncements by doctors collectively have a claim to moral authority, and we must make the most of opportunities to make the letter resonate- it will certainly be noted and responded to in Israel, and by a recently formed group of UK Jewish doctors set up as anti-boycott. So much the better. Please circulate or otherwise draw peoples' attention to the letter, and please continue to seek further signatories- whether UK doctors (which this particular push required) or not, here and abroad. We have a much enlarged circulation list, with supporters worldwide, as a result of the campaign for signatories. Dr Derek Summerfield A letter from the Group tp one responder: Lisa "You suggest that, in voting to boycott Israel, the NUJ has strayed too far from its legitimate business. We do not think such arguments apply to our grave concerns as doctors about the health-related impact of Israeli policy on Palestinian society. Persistent violations of medical ethics have accompanied Israel's occupation. The Israeli Defence Force has systematically flouted the fourth Geneva convention guaranteeing a civilian population unfettered access to medical services and immunity for medical staff. Ambulances are fired on (hundreds of cases) and their personnel killed. Desperately ill people, and newborn babies, die at checkpoints because soldiers bar the way to hospital. The public-health infrastructure, including water and electricity supplies, is willfully bombed, and the passage of essential medicines like anti-cancer drugs and kidney dialysis fluids blocked. In the West Bank, the apartheid wall has destroyed any coherence in the primary health system. UN rapporteurs have described Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe, with 25% of children clinically malnourished. The Israeli Medical Association has a duty to protest about war crimes of this kind, but has refused to do so. Appeals to the World Medical Association and the British Medical Association have also been rebuffed. Eighteen leading Palestinian health organisations have appealled to fellow professionals abroad to recognise how the IMA has forfeited its right to membership of the international medical community. We are calling for a boycott of the Israeli Medical Association and its expulsion from the WMA. There is a precedent for this: the expulsion of the Medical Association of South Africa during the apartheid era. A boycott is an ethical and moral imperative when conventional channels do not function, for otherwise we are merely turning away. Dr Derek Summerfield, Professor Colin Green, Dr Ghada Karmi, Dr David Halpin, Dr Pauline Cutting And 125 other doctors"
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	Project on Arab American and British Arab community activism Dear NABA I'd like to draw your attention to a new website that summarizes the results of a 3-year project on Arab American and British Arab community activism. This project was jointly funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (UK) and the National Science Foundation (US), and involved interviews with over one hundred community activists in Britain and the United States. We hope you find this report interesting reading. We will be very grateful if you can circulate this link to others who might be interested and/or if you can post the link on your websites. We, of course, welcome your feedback on the report. The website address is: www.arab-communities.org Sincerely, Caroline Nagel Department of Geography Loughborough University, UK Lynn Staeheli Institute of Geography University of Edinburgh, UK and Institute of Behavioral Science University of Colorado, USA http://www.arab-communities.org/about-the-project.html#1Abo http://www.arab-communities.org/about-the-project.html#1ut the project
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	My book, Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews - Alan Hart Monday, March 05, 2007 3:16 PM Dear N ABA, A patron, (an old fashioned Anglo-Irish gentleman with no axe of any kind to grind), has made it possible for me and Ilan Pappe, the Gentile and the Jew, to make a joint presentation and take questions at SOAS's refurbished Brunei Gallery on the evening of Wednesday 11 April. (There'll be refreshments of all kinds). It's in part to promote Volume Two of my book, ZIONISM: THE REAL ENEMY OF THE JEWS, which, updated to the end of 2006 and projected forward, is now published and in the retail sector; but Ilan and I will be doing much more. We'll be talking about why it is wrong, even absurd, and highly dangerous to conflate anti-Zionism (anti Zionism's colonial enterprise) with anti-Semitism; and we'll be giving our answers to the question Is Peace Possible? Formal invitations will be sent out by the patron. On 12 March, for the second time in a month, I'm off to India for a few days of public speaking and debating, so I've only got limited time to come up with names for the best possible and most appropriate guest list. Question: would some of your associates like an invitation? Regards, Alan Hart P.S. Ilan has described my book as "extraordinary" and I've given his endorsement pride of place on page one of Volume Two.
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	Friday, February 23, 2007 10:53 PM AN BURKHA The 21-July-1995 London bomb suspect Yassin Omar disguised in a burkha fled London dressed as a muslim woman after failing to blow up an Underground train. I have never seen a beautiful woman wearing a burkha. The Burkha must be banned because only people with nefarious purpose like criminals including suicide-bombers and ugly women wear it. Rashad Murji
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	The Atfaluna Crafts On-Line- Boutique Dear Sir/ Madam, Please allow us to introduce you to Atfaluna Crafts – Palestinian embroidery and handicrafts at their best – an exciting collection of quality home décor items, hand-crafted pottery, women’s wear and accessories, and much more. All Atfaluna Crafts products embody their own special taste of Palestine … its culture, its people, its rich history, and its beauty. Using only quality materials, hand-woven fabrics, and traditional designs in innovative color combinations, deaf artists and craftspersons come together to provide products that are both modern and traditional. Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children is a Palestinian NGO which has been working in the field of deaf education and allied services since 1992. Atfaluna Crafts is an income generation program of the Society, established to provide jobs and vocational training to the deaf and marginalized of the Gaza Strip. By purchasing Atfaluna Crafts products, you will help to provide jobs and job training for more than 250 deaf and marginalized persons in the Gaza Strip where years of conflict have had a devastating effect on the economy and have resulted in 70% unemployment. Income derived from making handicrafts buys food, medicines, and other essential needs for some of the neediest-of-the needy in the Gaza Strip. Please take a look at our on-line catalogue for a large selection of high-quality and unique handicrafts. We think that you will like what you see. The following link will guide to our online shop where you can browse through a wide range of products. http://www.atfaluna.net/crafts/ Our premium products are great for gifts, party favors, special events and home decorations. We offer a 20% discount to customers who buy products in the value of $500 or more. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, and Bank Transfer for payment. If for any reason you have questions or comments, we are delighted to hear from you. You can expect us to respond to your e-mail within 24 working hours. Our working hours are 8 am - 3 pm Jerusalem time Sunday through Thursday Please contact us: Email: info@atfaluna.net - Telefaxes: (+972-8) 2828495 or 2865468 We very much look forward to hearing from you. Ghada Abushahla Marketing Officer Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children 72 Philisteen Street - P. O. Box 1296 The Gaza Strip, The Palestinian Authority Telefaxes: + (972-8) 2828495 or 2865468 Web site: www.atfaluna.net
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	Wednesday, January 17, 2007 7:38 PM Why isn't your Council urging the prosecution of such preachers? I have correctly urged you to take active interest in whether Arabs are considered good people. If you have watched the Channel 4 programme you should know that Saudi money is financing these preachers and mosques. The programme also showed that those preachers who had been educated in Saudi Arabia were the worst ones. This seems to indicate that Arabs are giving such evil education and financing them. It would be helpful if you took steps to stop this Saudi education and financial help. Sophia Mohamed
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	Treatment of Children from Iraq From Liza To: naba Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:05 AM Subject: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Dear Maureen This is an email to re-iterate that tonight there were will be the monthly Chain of Hope medical Board meeting to review the prospective children for surgery through the charity. We are going to present the medical file of MWJ. However the medical files for O.K and K.D and S...(no surname given) did not have conclusive data. Is it possible to update our records of these children for the near future? Many thanks I understand that my colleague Nicky sent you an email with the requirements of the charity for the medical and social acceptance criteria. As she explained, In order for Chain of Hope to proceed, we need to have a firm link with a paediatric cardiologist in Iraq. Dr. I.O and Dr Z.N. were recommended to us by Dr. O. Q who has since left Iraq for Jordan. This situation makes the Chain of Hope's work very difficult at this time. I remember that you mentioned that there was a way to make contact with the above named doctors. I hope there may be a way for us to follow up this link and are very grateful for your assistance in any way with this endeavour. Thank you for your feedback once again, With Kind Regards, Lisa Yacoub Programme Co-ordinator Chain of Hope South Parade Chelsea London SW3 6NP Tel 0044 207 351 1978 Fax 0044 207 352 1198 www.chainofhope.org From NABA To: Y Razaq Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 11:29 AM Subject: Fw: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Dear Yousaf I have received the email below from the Chain of Hope. Would you like to reply to them directly and send me a copy. Regards From: Y Razaq Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 4:19 PM Subject: Re: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Dear Lisa, Nicky & Maureen, The data for OKD and S..should be provided within the next 4 weeks as my colleagues are in Iraq as i write this. I have provided them with all the information you requested in your previous e-mail and am hoping that they will bring this with them upon their return to the UK - if not then more than likely the correspondents will get in touch directly with chain of hope! I will keep you informed as soon as i hear anything; however, once again thank you very much for opening this bridge to help these unfortunate children. Regards and all the best Yousaf Razaq Project Co-ordinator Human Relief Foundation 01274 392727 From: Y Razaq To: naba Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 5:08 PM Subject: Re: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Yes my co-ordinators in Iraq will make links with these cardiologists in Iraq - if NOT these 2 then they will definitelty get in touch with another 2 x paediatric cardiologists - watch this space... Yousaf From: naba To: Y Razaq Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 5:02 PM Subject: Re: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Dear Yousaf Are your colleagues in Iraq also going to be making contact with the two paediatric cardiologists that Chain of Hope need to complete their assessments? Maureen From: naba To: Lisa Yacoub Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2006 7:14 PM Subject: Fw: Chain of Hope continuing in Iraq. Dear Lisa My reply regarding contacting your two cardiologists from Human Relief. Maureen To: naba Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 8:55 PM Subject: M... W... Dear Maureen and Yousef The feedback of the medical board was to ask for the echo pictures (and angio film if possible) to be forwarded to the Chain of Hope office. The child's condition is however a complicated one, and the board did not want to get the family's hopes up,the child may not be accepted, but more data may shed more light on the condition Thank you for your feedback and support Lisa Yacoub Programme Co-ordinator Chain of Hope South Parade Chelsea London SW3 6NP Tel 0044 207 351 1978 Fax 0044 207 352 1198 www.chainofhope.org
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	The BBC Never Listens to Our Complaints John Noble 15 August 2006 The BBC never listens to our complaints, pays huge sums of our money to presenters who are even difficult to understand like cockney Jonathan and Kirsty Wark. The BBC also always brings Muslims on the programmes as it did on last Thursday who give excuses of British foreign policy for the alleged attempt on UK. We do not like policies of many Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan but we do not attack any citizens of those countries. Pakistan has helped by only in small measure this time to divert India's accusation of Pakistan's hand on the bomb attacks ON THE TRAINS in INDIA which killed over 200 people. This fools British and US governments.
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	To NABA What about the execution of a girl aged 16 in Iran July 2006 I hope you saw today's BBC 2 programme about the execution of a girl aged 16 in Iran for adultery when in fact she was not even married and was raped. You are in an ideal position to change the lot of Muslim women under Islam but instead you encourage Islamic terrorism. Fatima Aga Reply Dear Fatima Aga Thank you for your email and please accept my apologies for the delay in replying. The programme you write about did indeed show a very unfortunate aspect of treatment of this young women in Iran. However, we as a secular Arab organisation have very little influence in domestic Iranian policy. I would also like to explain to that are an organisation, made up of volunteers, who work on several fronts to combat the problems of negative media stereotyping of British Arabs together with their recognition as a vibrant ethnic community within the UK. We also seek to point out where we believe there are injustices in the Arab world, as indeed do many British newspapers. We do not condone, and certainly do not encourage in any way terrorist attacks either in the UK or in the wider world. As a secular organisation we work under a serious handicap as far as this government is concerned. We have been told repeatedly by organisations such as the Commission for Racial Equality and the Home Office that they will deal with us only under a 'faith category' and that category they believe to be as Muslims. We have not accepted this because, as you will be aware, Arabs are not only made up of Muslims but there are Christian Arabs, secular Arabs and those from other sects. Unfortunately this is current government policy. I think that you have a very valid argument regarding the treatment of Muslim women as revealed in this programme but I think that these matters need to be addressed to Muslim groups and, as I am sure you are also aware, there are a variety of beliefs and practices in the various muslim groups and countries. Ismail Jalili Chairman
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	Islamic Needs To Be Modernised - received 24 March 2006 The case of Shabina Begum makes Islam look barbaric and non-Muslims hate Muslims. They would of course also resent it wasted at least £100,000 in legal costs to taxpayers. Your organisation should have tried to stop her from taking this silly step but you did not. It implies that you were in favour of her action. Whereas Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia does not allow the building of any religious institution like a church or temple to be built there, Muslims in western and non-Islamic countries always demand mosques and separate state-funded Muslim schools to be built there. Is it fair? In the Koran there are many verses where Muslims are urged to kill non-Muslims. These passages should be removed from it, otherwise Islam will be regarded as a barbaric religion and even I would agree with that view. Salma Janmohamed NABA Reply Thank you for your email which raised some very fair points for discussion. We have not become involved in this case because we are primarily a secular organisation that works with governmental and non-governmental agencies for civil rights, discrimination and for the recognition of Arabs in the UK. This may sound contradictory after we issued a statement on the case of the Danish cartoons; however that statement reflected what we felt was a case of double standards in the European media, which we understand from our discussions with European writers, are in some cases being fuelled by their media and in other cases by xenophobia. The same cartoons were not reproduced by the British media. In addition we did condemn the behaviour and attitude of the demonstrators who marched in London and stated that their messages were unacceptable. As I have said previously, it is a very fair point that you have raised and I would be happy to put it to our Council members for further discussion if you wish as religious issues do not fall within our remit.

	Re: The Human Rights of the AIDS Victims and Their Families must be raised and emphasized John A Lincoln, Lecturer 21 June 2006 Dear Dr Jalili I have been listening and following the crisis of the Libyan children victims of AIDS and their families. It is really a tragedy for the poor Libyans to have such a power-hungry mean regime for more than forty long years. This illegal regime screwed up the poor Libyans' limited human resources, economic resources and natural resources. In addition, this regime distorted, abused and neglected the poor Libyans basic human rights, dignity and health. Analysing the various evidences, observations, interviews and applying my own inferences, experiences and expertise, I came up with the conclusion that the main responsibility for this crime which involves absolute human rights violations is your current irresponsible regime. This regime must be held responsible for this crime and many other crimes directly and indirectly. Objectively, this crisis can be highlighted due to the follwing factors: 1. The chaos, corruption and negligence of the regimes' human resources and system of management in the recruitement and the health relevant organizations. 2. The lack of good quality well trained independent human resources in the Libyan health system due to its politicization by the Libyan regime. The recruitement from overseas is based on politics, friendships, influence and biases not on professionalism, merit, quality and reputation 3. The lack of adequate high quality health equipment, facilities, medications and hygenic system in the various Libyan Health organizations. 4. The lack of well trained high quality Professional, Private and Independent employment and recruitement Organizations. The recruitement and employment of health professionals is based mainly on political agendas and influence. The recruitement is not based on merit such as quality, expertise, experiences and reputation. 5. Inadequate resources, motivation and environment conducive to attracting good quality professionals from overseas 6. The lack of modern clear professional contracts, laws and regulations that effectively manage the professionals' obligations, duties and rights. To sum up, I strongly believe for the above mentioned reasons that the main culpt in this crime is the negligence and the politicization of the regime for this tragedy. The system, the resources and the nurses are also partly to blame for not executing their duties professionally, honestly and responsibly. Further, the Libyans have to understand that it is natural the other external environments involved are using this issue for their own political bargains to achieve their own national interests. Certainly, not many of them care too much about the Libyan children victims and their families, because this is not their responsibility, it is the responsibility of the Libyan government and the system of management of the time. The current regime and system are weak and sick all the regime's worries are their continuity in power regardless of the consequences. It is obvious that this regime cann't defend the rights of its citizens, on the contrary it is violating and facilitating the abuse of the rights of its poor citizens. This regime is a coward lawless regime, it doesn't care about its own poeple and its past history is a clear evidence for its own people's negligence and victimization. I wonder where are the Libyans independent courts, judges, lawyers, professionals, justice system, Libyans and oppositions. Libya is clearly becoming a lawless and frightening country under this regme. To help objectively highlight this tragedy, the Libyans and the opposition, particularly the lawyers must unite and convince the world, especially the Arab world, our western societies, leaders and The United States to stand behinde the Libyans' Children Victims and their families to be justly and fairly treated to have their Human Rights acknowledged and highlighted, instead of using this issue as a political game for national gains. This tragedy is a human rights, national and international laws issue. The Libyans should continuously highlight this tragedy by using all modern means to convince the International community to stand with them behind resolving this matter justly and fairly with out politicizing this crime. They must look closely and re-examin all the evidence and the circumstances surrounding this matter before a dicision can be taken. Kind regards John A Lincoln, Lecturer June 21, 2006
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	Spokesman for the MCB - March 24 Inayat Bunglawala, spokesman for the Muslim Council of Great Britain, has openly priased Osama Bin Laden in the past. He has called one of the men jailed in connection with the first attack on the Twin Towers, Sheikh Omar Abdu Rahman, "courageous" and he regularly abuses high profile jews. Fatima Gulmohamed NABA reply Thank you for your email and the points you raise. We are essentially a secular organisation and have no links to the Muslim Council of Britain. Our work is with governmental and non-governmental organisations and is aimed at civil rights, discrimination and the recognition of Arabs and their role in the UK, although this has not been helped by the stance taken by the CRE of recognising only religious groups and marginalising others. We believe that the issue you raise, which is very valid, should be addressed by the Muslim organisations such as the Muslim Association of Britain or the European Federation of Muslim Organisations (President is Dr Ahmed Al Rawi). However, we would agree that in the current politico-religious climate, both in the UK and worldwide, there is a desperate need for bridge building between all communities to repair the enormous damage done in the name of religion on all sides.
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	Please be aware of the irrational & the biased attitudes towards our Arab Allies, Partners & Friends. John A Lincoln, Lecturer March 21, 2006 I hope things are going well for you and for your family. Let us do something positive to minimize the man-made negatives between the Arab World and our Western World. This certainly will promote cordial dialogue, positive communication, understanding and untimately more exchanges, economic growth, employment and prosperity in both worlds. It is evident that every nation has its own challenges, including the Arabs. Therefore, it is extremely unwise & counter productive on the long run to antagonize and to mistreat our Arab allies, partners and friends. Our western media, leaders and societies should work hard and smart to minimize the damage that some irrational, biased and anti-Arab attitudes & sentiments may cause on the long run. It is inconsistent & unreasonable to promote Democracy, free market economy and the rule of law in The Arab World on one hand and allowing anti-Arab biases, bigotry and mistreatment on the other hand. I wonder who is going to trust, listen and believe in what we are trying to accomplish under these unhealthy circumstances. In order to convince others to trust and to believe in us, we should be honest with ourselves and with others by practicing what we preach. The Arab World and The United States are close allies for generations. Both have strong and enduring long lasting mutual Business dealings and cultural exchanges that can stand and endure all kinds of biases, racism, subversion and perversion. In our western free market Democratic societies, individuals, reporters and writers are allowed to put their views regarding any subject they like as long as their views follow certain acceptable norms. And the people are left to determine the motives behind the biases and the bigotry against the Arabs in general. Unfortunately, these days some of our reporters and writers in our western societies are motived by self-interests, certain biased media and political biases. Some of this biased & irrational media is damaging our interests, exchanges and bilateral interests with the Libyans in particular and with the rest of the Arab World in general on the long run. Some of these biased media and narrow minded individuals who are working against our western interests and exchanges with the Arab world may make up and fabricate false execuses to justify their bigotry, biases and anti-Arab attitudes & sentiments. Therefore, our mature and broad minded western leaders and societies should respond firmly against the biases, the bigotry and the anti-Arab attitudes in some of our western societies before it is too late. To sum up, we have to understand that the Arab World has different cultures and a long history compatible & complimentary with ours in the western world. On the long run, it is certainly not in our interests to promote biases, bigotry and anti-Arab attitudes & sentiments in our western Democratic societies. On the contrary, we should promote postive attitudes & sentiments towards welcoming, exchanging with, doing business with and treating the Arabs diligently, fairly & legally. Meanwhile, we should promote understanding, communication and dialogue between our western world and the Arab world to minimize the man-made sinister created by irrational & biased cross-cultures, multi-nationals' bi-lateral interests and greed. I leave you in peace, safety and wisdom guidance Kind regards John A Lincoln
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