#top 10 quran

[islamicquoteslearn]

Daily Quran Ayat | Daily Ayat Quran | Quran Quotes | Free Copywrite Islamic Images and lyric

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.It is Surah No. 2 & Ayat no. 9.Read Qur'anic Ayat daily with Urdu, English

یُخٰدِعُوۡنَ اللّٰہَ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡاۚ وَ مَا یَخۡدَعُوۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡفُسَہُمۡ وَ مَا یَشۡعُرُوۡنَ ؕ﴿۹﴾

They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.

وہ اللہ اور ایمان والوں کو دھوکہ دیتے ہیں، لیکن وہ اپنے آپ کو دھوکہ نہیں دیتے اور اس کا شعور نہیں رکھتے۔

[eretzyisrael]

Read “THE LIES OF PALESTINE” (below), by Jay Gadi…a MOST excellent piece.

• Arabs were in the land first: Their 1,500-year-old mosque is built on top of the 3,000-year-old Jewish temple, which is proof that Israel was there long before Arabs. The Israelites are mentioned 43 times in the Quran and the Hadith, but there is no mention of Palestine, not even once. The Qur'an specifies that the “Land of Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people, that God Himself gave that land to them as heritage and ordered them to live therein.”

• All the land belongs to the Palestinians: Israel became a state in May of 1948. There exists an international doctrine called “Uti Possidetis Juris.” This doctrine provides that emerging states presumptively inherit their pre-independence administrative boundaries. Applied to the case of Israel, “uti possidetis juris” would dictate that Israel inherit the boundaries of the British Mandate of Palestine as they existed in May 1948. In the 1967 conflict, Israel absorbed additional territory from Egypt and Syria.

• Israel expelled thousands of Arabs: In May of 1948, Israel sent a letter to the Arabs living in the newly formed Israeli territory inviting them to stay and participate, with equal rights, in the future of the country. The Arabs of six countries refused to accept Israel as a nation and planned to destroy it and all of its population. They advised Arabs in the area to leave so as not to be caught up in the fighting. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs left their homes, voluntarily, on the advice of the attacking nations. Arabs that attacked Jews within Israel were expelled.

• Israel carried out ethnic cleansing in the Nakba: On the eve of May 14, 1948, the Arabs launched an air attack on Tel Aviv, which the Israelis resisted. This action was followed by the invasion of the former Palestinian Mandate (Israel) by Arab armies from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. After 10 months, Israel won the war in which many Arabs were killed and many others became refugees. Arabs called this the Nakba (catastrophe), blaming Israel for the death and displacement of the Arabs when, in fact, they were just defending their newly formed country. The original reason for the term Nakba, was the embarrassing loss of all those Arab countries against tiny Israel. They adjusted the term to make themselves the victims.

• Israel has been attacking Arabs for 76 years: Every conflict Israel has had with the Arabs has been started by Arab aggression including the Nakba, when six Arab countries tried to wipe out Israel. The only time Israel ever fired first was at the beginning of the Six-Day War, in anticipation of the attack being planned by Gaza, Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel’s preemptive strike is why this conflict lasted only six days.

• Children in Gaza are starving: Israel has allowed more than 40,000 trucks carrying more than 500,000 pounds of food, water, medical supplies and other aid into Gaza. No other country does that for their enemy. (As of July 31, 2024)

• Israel is committing genocide: Hamas and hundreds of supporters, including nine UNRWA members, invaded Israel on Oct. 7th and INTENTIONALLY killed over 1,200 innocent civilians. When it is done intentionally, it is GENOCIDE. Israel has no intention of, or benefit from, the targeting innocent civilians.

• Israel targets women and children: Israel is the only military in the world that drops leaflets, sends text messages, uses “knock bombs,” announces their plan to attack by drones so that civilians can escape. The civilians who try to leave are often shot by Hamas and are included in their count of dead or injured civilians.

• Israel is holding Palestinian hostages: They are not hostages; they are prisoners being held in Israeli jails. They have committed crimes, from throwing rocks at the IDF to killing Israelis. They are not innocent civilians, like the Israelis taken on Oct. 7th.

• Gaza just wants peace: Arabs in Gaza get monthly cash rewards from the Palestinian Authority (PA) if they are injured, captured or killed while carrying out attacks on Jews. Hamas and their hundreds of supporters, including the nine UNRWA workers who carried out the attack in Israel on Oct. 7, are getting monthly rewards for their terror attack. The budget for these rewards is $300 million dollars a year. The Arabs are rewarded for genocide.

• Gaza is an open-air prison: In 2005, Israel removed every Jew, dead and alive, from Gaza hoping to bring peace to the area. The Arabs burned everything left behind by the Jews. Shortly after, rockets, suicide bombers, Molotov cocktails, explosives and knife attacks came from Gaza, so Israel was obliged to implement import controls to reduce rocket attacks and border checkpoints to prevent the other types of attacks on Israel. The Arabs turned their freedom into an “open-air prison.” They are posting pictures now of Gaza before and after Oct. 7 and it looked pretty good before.

[agentnico]

Top 10 Best Movies of 2024

Happy New Year everyone! Thank you to the two or three of my blog readers or the random Tumblr users who come across one of my reviews - always appreciate you spending your time reading my gibberish. 2024 - what a disappointing year for cinema. Naturally a primary cause for this was the SAG-AFTRA artist strike in 2023 that has had a ripple effect, however another reason would be that Hollywood is more-than-ever running out of ideas. It’s not that there were particularly bad movies, but more so okay films that left one underwhelmed. From big budget fare such as Gladiator 2, Moana 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Argylle, The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim offering limited but forgettable entertainment, and even the indie market struggling, as I found myself hardly captivated by the likes of Longlegs, Drive-Away Dolls, The Vourdalak, MaXXXine and The Return, to name a few. It’s been a very so-so year. Nevertheless there’s always some movies that manage to offer that element of escapism we all seek from the theatrical journey, so here are my picks for my favourite films of 2024 (in my humblest of opinions of course)…

[DISCLAIMER: I have not yet seen A Complete Unknown and The Brutalist, so those will not be considered on this list, though I am very much looking forward to seeing both, especially The Brutalist]

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Juror #2; The Last Stop in Yuma County; Challengers; The Beast; A Quiet Place: Day One; Late Night with the Devil

10 - WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL - “He’s back! Again!” So I have been absolutely sleeping on these Wallace & Gromit joints. Me and my wife were in stitches after watching this new Aardman stop motion with its irreverent humour and wacky hijinks. Wallace is a self-absorbed prick, Feathers McGraw is one of the best silent villains in cinematic history and Gromit is bae. After seeing it we have since been on an endless binge of all the Wallace & Gromit shorts and films on BBC and have fallen in love with this cheese-loving mongrel of an inventor and his loyal friendly doggo. Yet Vengeance Most Fowl I still believe is maybe their best outing yet, as it takes everything that is great about this franchise and delivers it in one entertaining hilarious package. Also I can only imagine how much time it takes up for Aardman to do all the stop motion animation, with it taking weeks to make maybe only 30 seconds of footage. It’s impressive, and the result is one of the most heartwarming comedic gold features of 2024. Oh, and those Peter Kay one-liners are on point!

9 - FLOW - The Robot Dreams of 2024. A wonderful, beautiful and immersive experience- a true vibe of a movie. Still questioning how these animals know how to drive a boat, but I’m happy to suspend my sense of disbelief and assume these creatures went to boat school in favour of admitting that this is my favourite animated feature of this year. Great for cat lovers too!

8 - WICKED - Look, I’m as stumped as anyone about the fact that Wicked is on my Top 10 list. I’m trying to let that sink in…. Wicked in my Top 10… Wicked in my Top 10… Ugghh it grinds my gears it does!! Nevertheless, it’s a perfect adaptation of the musical stage production with catchy songs and superstar turns from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. My wife has also been non-stop singing “woooooo” from Defying Gravity ever since, so she evidently approves too. Now leave me be, I simply must be loathing… unadulterated loathing… For your face, your voice, your clothing… Let's just say, I loathe it all!!

7 - HERETIC - I shall never listen to “All the Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies the same again. Hugh Grant delivers the most entertaining and uneasy religious studies lecture in history, by comparing the Bible and Quran to Monopoly - baller ass move, and a most entertaining little thriller.

6 - CONCLAVE - In my eyes Conclave is a stunning piece of work. It manages to take what one would assume as such a simple premise, yet manages to entangle it with so many threads of twists and turns, as such turning a political and religious drama into a true mystery thriller, with Fiennes character acting as a detective, unravelling the dirty secrets of all the Pope candidates. Partner that with the great acting, sublime cinematography and a slow but engaging pace with a script filled with wit and realism, and we have ourselves one hell of a motion picture! Oh, and less one forget about the most diabolical vape hit ever!

5 - THE SUBSTANCE - Conclave may feature the most diabolical vape hit of the year, however The Substance takes the win for the most obnoxious chewing of shrimp ever put to screen! The Substance is the type of movie that is made to shock and unsettle an audience. There’s a lot of disturbing imagery, with blood and gore and body horror, very reminiscent of horror films of David Cronenberg like The Fly and Naked Lunch. The final 30 minutes especially are so fun to watch with a crowd of people in a packed theatre, as it’s the kind of visceral and grotesque experience that is at the same time disgusting, horrible yet funny. Let’s not even sugarcoat it - the final 30 minutes are so f-ed up and it was a thrill to experience that with an audience, hearing the gasps and squirms from fellow moviegoers. Definitely up there as one of my favourite cinema trips.

4 - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - Some stories a worth retelling. The sets are great and really invoke the post-Napoleon era of France; the costumes are gorgeous; the music score is grandiose and epic, really engrossing you in this decade spanning saga of revenge; the classic Alexandre Dumas story is reinterpreted so well with the themes and the emotion, and the acting across the board is superb.  Truly grandiose in scale, and Pierre Niney is effortlessly cool as the titular count, playing him off as a, dare I say, French Batman. So cool, so awesome, so very French.

3 - HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS - Hundreds of Beavers is one of the most creative, inventive and entertaining comedies of the last decade, and I had a smile on my face from start to finish. From the punchy editing, funny music cues, well-timed cutaway gags, goofy costumes or the endlessly creative deaths, this thing has so much unhinged energy it’s unreal. This slapstick comedy offers the perfect rebuttal to “they don’t make them like they used to.” 

2 - FURIOSA - It was upon my second viewing, with an avid pairing of a glass or two of gin mind you, that I really accepted how spectacular this movie is. It’s a fricking sin that Chris Hemsworth is not getting any awards recognition for his turn as the diabolical Dementus - he bloody OWNS this role! Anya Taylor-Joy comes late in the game but does rule as a revenge stricken Furiosa, but I’d actually say that Alyla Browne deserves more praise as the young Furiosa, giving one of the most raw and bare bones child-actor performances of the last decade! The scene where her mother gets crucified…. this kid felt it and WE felt it! CGI is tacky at times; but to counteract that there are some ace action scenes…. dudes parachuting off motorbikes whilst blazing in fire is so METAL! I usually hate prequels as I don’t see the point in them, but this is that one rare exception where it truly allows one to unravel more of The Wasteland through the lense of a fantastical and engaging narrative. Sad to think this may be the last Mad Max flick due to the box office failure. Shame -I’d happily dig another! 

1 - DUNE: PART TWO - To use The Lord of the Rings terminology, and boy am I happy to refer to the dear-to-my-heart Middle Earth whenever I have the chance, then Dune: Part Two holds the scale of The Two Towers. I may not agree with all of it, and there are still some moments I believe drag, though The Two Towers is also guilty of that - I’m looking at you Treebeard! But overall this is one hell of a cinematic experience and achievement. I heavily disliked the first movie, so going into this one I was prepped on hating it too. However Dune: Part Two is a masterclass of science fiction storytelling. No other movie in 2024 has provided me with such a visceral and invigorating feeling of cinematic experience. I was completely lost in the deserts of Arrakis, enamoured in the rise of the Lisan al Gaib. Oh, and that Hans Zimmer’s music score - electrifying!!

In conclusion, 2024 excelled in the horror genre, while the two best films are both set in the desert. Take that as you will. Anyway, onwards with 2025! If you liked this, please follow me on Letterboxd for my immediate reactions: https://boxd.it/9wQGT

[itstokkii]

I've been considering making this post for a while but hesitated since I don't wanna beat a dead horse.

I'd like you to look at this post looking back at the Andijan massacre. What started as people protesting issues like distribution of gas, electricity, and other human needs and rights ended in a bloodbath. A cousin of mine told me schools taught it as "the national guard protecting civilians from Islamist terrorists."

I'd also like you to look at this paper by the Human Rights Watch on the torture and persecution of Uzbek Muslims like me during Islam Karimov's 20 years of dictatorial rule. Even Uzbek Muslims outside of Uzbekistan weren't safe. Multiple family friends of mine were randomly tackled to the ground and arrested by Korean Police on accounts of "domestic terrorism" in Uzbekistan, and some were only released about 5 years ago.

You weren't allowed to wear hijabs(even in Islamic universities), openly pray, read the Quran, or do anything religious. Someone would always be there watching to report you.

I wasn't allowed to go outside by myself around my neighborhood due to Uzbek government agents kidnapping the children of Uzbek diaspora abroad. I wasn't allowed to wear a hijab until after we went to Uzbekistan 2 years after Karimov's regime ended, and we made sure it was safe there and back. I wasn't even allowed to visit the country to see my relatives for almost a decade because of the crackdown on Uzbek Muslims.

When Uzbekistan was colonized by Russia as the Uzbek SSR and even before then as Turkestan, Russia made sure to stamp out religion entirely. They killed off scholars and poets like Cholpon, who wrote about Uzbek self-determination and praised religious texts. Uzbekistan's first leadership since its independence carried on with this policy, with Russian colonial values ingrained into them.

As for Korea, our partition was opposed by the whole peninsula. When Jejuans protested the US-UN backed elections, it ended in 10% of Jeju's population being killed by joint US-Korean forces. Though the South Korean Government apologized for the first time recently, the US stays silent. What a surprise. The bodies of these Jejuans were buried in mass pits and had the Jeju Airport built on top of it.

The US still fails to apologize for the No Gun Ri Massacre, in which the US Army murdered about 300 Korean villagers despite knowing they were civilians and therefore not targets. The US also indiscriminately bombed North Korea with more bombs than they had in the Pacific Theater in World War 2, martyring almost 2 million Koreans.

After the Korean War followed almost 30 years of dictatorship by Syngman Rhee, then a military junta, then Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo Hwan. During this time, university students protesting the dictatorial rule established by the US were arrested as "anti communists," and be tortured repeatedly, sometimes even until death.

Though the Seodaemun Prison is known for being Japan's colonial prison where they arrested independence activists, the Korean dictatorships used it to arrest people in favor of democracy.

The Namyeong-Dong Anti-Communist Investigation Office was a similar prison, in which one of the floors had extremely thin, narrow windows to avoid prisoners from escaping. Park Jong Cheol, a Seoul National University student who was protesting against Korea's military dictatorship at the time, was incarcerated here and routinely tortured. He eventually died due to water torture.

The Gwangju Massacre was a protest held by many activists against Chun Doo Hwan's dictatorial rule, which came about as he staged a coup and successfully overthrew the previous government. As they called for democracy, Chun Doo Hwan brought the national army, who fired upon, killed, and raped the protesters. Chun Doo Hwan was never held responsible for his crimes before he died, and his grandson recently apologized to the victims and their loved ones. It was found that the US approved Chun Doo Hwan's plans to use armed forces on the protesters in Gwangju.

Though the Gwangju Massacre is taught about in Korea, much of the US involvement and responsibility of the horrors of the dictatorship is left out.

The US does not allow Korea to produce its own nuclear arsenal, allowing Korea to rely entirely on the US for nuclear support. Additionally, the existing presence of the USFK in Korea and their joint training sessions with the ROK army further provokes North Korea and therefore gives the US a "justification" to maintain its military presence in Korea.

Growing up I was taught where to look for nearby nuclear shelters. We visited the War Memorial of Korea multiple times, and air raid sirens are rare but are happening more often recently.

This, along with the added danger of living as Uzbek diaspora outside of Uzbekistan as Muslims.

So when I say "please respectfully depict Russia and the US when it comes to the Cold War in a way that does not center them entirely" and "please keep the gravity of their actions in mind as you write them; Hetalia does not exist in an apolitical vacuum,"

and I am met with "mature adults" telling me that "they're just characters," or

"i'm the one ruining the fandom," or

"block and move on," or

"i love russia and america cold war!!!" or

"you're crazy" or

"moralf*g" or

"someone's sensitive"

and especially from russian artists who call me an "American SJW." russians calling me an uzbek overly sensitive for asking that they portray their country a little more respectfully to the victims of their colonialism. yeah that's completely normal

you are normalizing centering discussions about the Cold War to the imperial core, and then having nothing of substance to say about and being absolutely insensitive towards someone who's life has been and still are dictated by these imperial forces, and even harrassing them.

where's the "block and move on" mentality you prided yourselves for?

this fandom hasn't changed since the 2010s. it's just more quiet in the way it marginalizes victims of colonialism.

oh, and that person who told me to "block and move on, sister!!!" when it comes to me explaining myself as an uzbek-korean muslim?

you're not one to talk. 네가 뭘아는데 ㅅㅂ새끼야

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Al-Baseer— The All-Seeing, The All-Perceiving, The All-Comprehending — on 42 occasions in the Quran. He is the One whose perfect sight encompasses the whole creation. Al-Baseer has insight into all things and Who perceives every detail, every state of existence, and every circumstance!

The All-and-Ever-Seeing, The Comprehending

Baseer comes from the root baa-saad-raa, which points to four main meanings. The first main meaning is to see or notice, and the second to understand. The third main meaning is to have insight or to perceive, and the fourth is to be precisely aware.

This root appears 148 times in the Quran in 10 derived forms. Examples of these forms are al-absaaru (the eyes), al-basaru (the vision), mubsiratan (visible) and absara (sees).

Linguistically, baseer is on the structure of intensification. Al-Baseer refers to the perfection and the totality of Allah’s seeing, which cannot be compared with the seeing of any other created being.

Al-Baseer Himself says: Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Quran, 17:1] . . . There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing [Quran, 42:11] . . . And Allah judges with truth, while those they invoke besides Him judge not with anything. Indeed, Allah— He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Quran, 40:20]

Supervision in worship and worldly affairs

An employee will most likely work harder when his manager is watching him; how much stronger is the effect when we know we are being watched by our creator? When we engage in our worldly affairs, like our job or our interactions with others, we should be aware that there is much more at stake than just the supervision of our boss or even our parents. Al-Baseer loves for the believer to do the best in every work we do, and He will recompense us in the Hereafter far beyond whatever worldly profit we might earn.

This is why the Prophet told us about the formula to live by: Allah loves that when you engage in some work, you do so with proficiency. [al-Bayhaqee] This inspires us to engage in our work with honesty and integrity and this is the best quality assurance for everything a believer does in this world.

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Watch your deeds!

How many times have you watched your deeds when certain people were around? As a Muslim one of your tasks is to mind the acts of your limbs and your heart anytime, anywhere, and in any company. A practical tip is to imagine yourself being watched by a camera which follows you 24/7, whether you are with people or all alone. The sight of Al-Baseer cannot be topped by a hundred million cameras.

2. Trust in Al-Baseer at all times.

He sees every obstacle and sorrow you face and everything others do to you, He is the Only One Who only gives you what is good for you at all times. Therefore submit and put all your trust in Him only. Al-Baseer says: And put your trust in the Mighty, the Merciful, who sees you when you stand up (to pray) and your bowing in prostration with those who bow down. [Quran 26: 217-219]

3. Strive for quality.

Knowing that Allah sees everything you do encourages you to be more devoted in your worship, more righteous in your deeds, and kinder to others. This is why Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Excellence in faith is to worship your Lord as if you see Him, and though You do not see Him, know that He sees you. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] Strive for ehsaan (excellence) in every act you do.

4. Persevere.

Al-Baseer reassured the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and says: So wait patiently for your Lord’s decree, for surely you are in Our sight. [Quran, 52: 48] Isn’t it the most comfortable and reassuring feeling for your heart knowing as a believer Your Lord is so close to you and sees and hears everything you go through? When others do injustice to you and no one seems to notice, take strength from the fact that Al-Baseer is seeing them and will recompense them.

5. Believe in the decree of Al-Baseer.

Whenever Allah creates something, grants something, gives life, causes death, guides someone, or allows someone to stray, it is in accordance with His wisdom, His perfect knowledge, and His complete vision that nothing can escape.

Jihaad is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. [Quran, 2:216] Al-Baseer observes how you respond to His ayaat. Believe that everything Al-Baseer does is a complete tailor-made test for you and only for your own good, even though you might not like it.

6. Seek refuge in Al-Baseer.

Knowing that Allah is the All-Seeing protects the believer from committing sins. Since Allah ‘azza wa jall is taking account of everything we do, there is no escape from Him except to seek refuge with Him. Use the isti’aadhah (saying: a’oodhu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem) a lot in your daily life, in times of anger, fear, and despair.

7. Ask Al-Baseer to bless your sight.

Allah Al-Baseer loves those who use the abilities He gave them for His sake. Did Allah give you eyes to look at forbidden things or to work in unpermitted business? Did He give you the blessing of understanding and having insight, like when you study, for you to be lazy and not care? Ask Him to help you to use your sight and insight only for things pleasing to Him.

8. Make dua to Al-Baseer abundantly.

Al-Baseer sees every hardship you face, so invoke Him and supplicate to Him. Remember at all times; the fact that you are able to make sujood and even say Yaa Allah is a blessing that surpasses all others.

O Allah, Al-Baseer, we know You see every move we make. Aid us to watch our deeds and use our sight and insight for Your sake only, and make us grateful for the blessings of our senses. Protect us from bad deeds, and support us in doing everything we do, in worship and worldly affairs, with excellence, ameen!

And Allah knows best.

[bostonwalks]

Meet Ella Waweya, the IDF's top Muslim woman, speaking out to the Arab world - exclusive ‘Captain Ella’ tells the ‘Magazine’ about her work as IDF spokesperson to the Arab world. https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-809892

The walls of the office of Maj. Ella Waweya, 34, at the IDF spokesperson headquarters in northern Tel Aviv, are dotted with diplomas, certificates of merit, and family pictures, as well as beautiful Arabic calligraphy of the Quran, alongside a Druze flag, a cross, a small copy of the Zohar (Jewish mysticism book), and flags of participating Abraham Accords countries. 

“I don’t leave anyone behind,” she says, smiling.

Waweya has served in the army for 10 years. She hails from the Arab Israeli town of Kalansuwa, where all the citizens are Muslim Arabs. Her formal title is deputy spokesperson for the Arab world and head of the Arab communications department, working under IDF Arabic spokesperson Col. Avichai Adraee. 

“In my area at that time there were no soldiers in the IDF – certainly not female soldiers; though some did enlist in the police,” she says. She enlisted at the relatively late age of 24, after first securing a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in government studies.

What led you to enlist?

It all started with a dilemma I felt regarding my identity. I was 12 during the Second Intifada, and the only channel we used to watch was Al Jazeera. Interestingly, Shireen Abu Akleh had just started her position, and we would see her and her aggressiveness while reporting.

I looked at her and said to myself: ‘I want to be a journalist, but not like her.’ My message would be different, coming not from a blindly Palestinian point of view but as part of my identity dilemma. People always wanted to define me, whether as an ‘Arab of ’48’ or an Israeli Arab. Everyone defined me differently – except for myself.

I had actually wanted to be a doctor, but by then I already wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to show ‘my side,’ even though at that time I didn’t know what it was exactly.

At age 16, I got my ID as is customary in Israel. It was blue. I realized that I am Israeli and thought to myself that if I am Israeli, I must do something about it. The state brought me this identity, and I was looking for ways to associate myself with being Israeli. There was no awareness back then, and the Internet was not very developed, so I couldn’t learn online. I had to wait with these feelings bubbling inside me.

Time passed, but the thoughts did not stop. When I started my bachelor’s degree, I decided to take part in National Service at the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba. During my time there, I remember playing chess with one of the security guards, a Bedouin, during a sleepy night shift. He suddenly asked me, ‘Why didn’t you go to the army?’ And I said. ‘I wanted to, but they wouldn’t want me because I’m an Arab woman.’ He connected me with Col. Yossi Haddad, who was the head of the Bedouin tracker unit, to whom I give credit for my enlistment.

When I finished my degree in 2012, I took part in a press conference in Eilat. There was a panel regarding recruitment of the haredim [ultra-Orthodox] headed by then-IDF spokesperson Polly Mordechai and esteemed journalist Roni Daniel. One ultra-Orthodox person stood up and started explaining why he and his society shouldn’t enlist in the army. 

I was 21 and asked to speak. I told that person: ‘Shame on you! As a Muslim Arab, I wish I could join the army!’ Suddenly everyone started clapping. I didn’t understand why, but at the end of the panel both Mordechai and Daniel turned to me, commending me for what I had said. Mordechai asked his secretary to take my details to help me enlist. From there, everything started to unfold.

Suddenly, phone calls began to come, and I was offered a post at the IDF Spokespersons Unit, at first as a non-officer commander. I was mainly happy to know that I would be a commander. In fact, I had no idea that there were so many functions in the IDF. I thought that there were only combatants and thought I’d enlist in Caracal [an all-female or mixed combat unit in the IDF].

This week, you celebrated 10 years in the IDF. How do you feel about it? 

It was the best decision I ever made. Enlisting was a personal decision; I didn’t consult anyone. The environment was not one that encouraged enlisting; I just decided one day to get up and get on that bus.

When someone asks me for advice about enlisting and lying about it to their parents, I stress that my story should not be understood as an encouragement to lie. But I do stress that they must know how to make these personal decisions and do what is right for them. 

In 2015, you received a mark of honor from the president. 

I was featured in the newspaper with a pixelated picture, reading something like ‘Cadet Ella from Kalansuwa, a trailblazer, serves in the IDF. Only her mother knows and she took it hard, but she is proud to serve...’ etc. This was false because nobody knew it back then. But then my parents saw the article and recognized the blurry photo. The fact that I was the only Ella from Kalansuwa also gave it away. Both my family and I began getting some unpleasant messages from people around us.

But we didn’t look back, we looked toward the future. I used to cry when I talked about it, but today I actually laugh because of all the changes we went through. Look at the difference between that picture and this one (she points at the newspaper clip and then at a photo on the other side of the room showing her mother, wearing a hijab, awarding Waweya her army ranks).

If you ask me to describe my mother with one word, I would say she’s a hero. She also went through a lot and suffered due to my decision to join the IDF. Today, my mother is ill with cancer, and when I get to the hospital, the doctors are always waiting to meet me because she tells them about me, and it makes me understand how proud she is of me. During the war, she told me to come to her chemotherapy appointment wearing my uniform. 

The same goes for my siblings, who are very proud of me and trust me, even with the smallest things. They think the fact that I’m a soldier means that I’m an expert in everything security related, so they ask me for tips about getting through the airport, for instance. They also ask me to lift heavy things when they need help, also because I’m a soldier. This means that the army has a good name, that people believe it is powerful.

In this time of war, what does your job entail?

I manage communications through the Middle East and Arabic department. I’m responsible for everything that happens in digital media and for interviews with the Arab media. We work a lot with Arab media outlets, and we strive to present the truth about Israel and the IDF. Our job is to speak for the IDF. If we don’t talk about what happened on Oct. 7, for instance, the Arab world will just not know anything about it. Arab media has a lot of influence on Arab public opinion, and they often see only one side. We work to present a different side and try to influence what happens at home. This is true even for my mother. When she watches Al-Hadath or al-Arabiya [Saudi channels], she also wants to see a person in uniform telling her our narrative. This makes the image more balanced.

How do you find working with the Arab media?

There are channels that serve as outright mouthpieces of Hamas, spewing the same lies of Hamas. Take Al Jazeera, for example. Just a few months ago, they outrageously lied about IDF soldiers allegedly raping Gazan women. We also work on monitoring, analyzing, and understanding what is being said in the media, and thus make our messages more precise and on topic. When Al Jazeera put forward such a lie, we responded forcefully, and even the former director of Al Jazeera had to tweet that Al Jazeera’s lie went too far. That’s our influence. 

I sometimes use irony and sarcasm while being interviewed. I was interviewed by a Russian Arabic-language outlet, Russia Al-Yawm. The presenter quoted a survey about how Gazans think that Hamas won, and I answered: ‘Of course they have won – in destroying the future of Gazans, the schools, the mosques, the hospitals. If this is victory, then Ahlan wa Sahlan. So you want to tell me that they have won? It will take them years to rebuild the infrastructure in Gaza. Here, things are re-blooming. Yes, they murdered and destroyed, but we can look back, learn our lessons, embrace each other, and move forward.’

I also explain that the real victory is that the war has managed to unite all of the citizens of Israel. You see how Christians, Bedouins, Muslims, and Jews all chip in, prepare food for soldiers, and help each other. Everyone here experiences the same pain. 

Another strategy that my team and I apply is the juxtaposition of Hamas leaders on the one hand, and the people of Gaza on the other. 

Only this week, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said to an Al-Arabiya presenter: ‘Have you ever heard anyone from Gaza complain about what is happening?’ And I say, ‘Wa hayat rabbak [“Oh, come on”] – just take a look at Gaza networks.’ We published Meshaal’s interview with authentic videos of Gazans who complain about the situation and Hamas. He doesn’t grasp what his people are going through because he is simply not there.

We try to reach the hearts of the masses by coming up with catchy messages. We came up with a rhyming slogan that says ‘The leaders are in bliss, but the people are in hell.’ We brand Hamas leaders as leading a ‘jihad of hotels.’

I saw a short clip of a law student from Gaza who said, ‘My dream is lost,’ and it truly touched me, precisely because I am a woman, an Arab, and an Israeli, who has learned the morality and values of the IDF. The first thing that we study in basic training is the IDF Code of Ethics document. 

So yes, I say that they are poor to have such bad leaders. The hadith [Islam’s oral traditions regarding the prophet Mohammad] says: ‘All of you are guardians, and all of you are responsible for your subjects.’ Hamas leadership is the exact opposite.

As a Muslim, do you use the Quran and Islamic traditions often in your content?

If I see fit to use a hadith, I will use it in our media and in interviews. One of the edicts of Muhammad before a war was not to kill a man, a woman, or an animal. When you see the videos of investigations of Hamas militants, and you see the father and son who admit that they both raped the same woman, is this what Islam says? Is this what the prophet says? Not at all. And shame on them. Such people are a shame to Islam. We call them najis [“impure”] in Arabic.

Regardless, I usually prefer to use my colloquial dialect of Arabic rather than speak in Modern Standard Arabic. I try to speak to the common people. Those Hamas terrorists are also common people, they understand my language. If needed, I can speak the Lebanese dialect or any other dialect. I want to talk to their hearts.

Avichai [Adraee] speaks as an official speaking to officials and enemies, he speaks to the mind. I try to speak more to the heart and more down to earth. I’m a simple person. I may be senior in rank, but that doesn’t mean much in this game.

I try to speak to people at their level. I feel them, and this is not just an empty slogan. I want to make them aware of what is happening, since they may be in a bubble and don’t see the whole picture. Let them come to my office and look at all these certificates. I want the girls in Gaza to be like me. May their life be full of certificates, excellence, success, education. I don’t want any person to have their dreams taken away from them as Hamas has done to this generation.

I have several videos where I appeal to Gazan women specifically. Mothers, sisters, daughters. I also sometimes direct my messages directly to the terrorists. I ask them: ‘What kind of man are you?’ Arab men have this image of ‘family honor.’ I tell them, ‘You kill, rape, and burn – and leave your mother and sister without a home. Where is your honor?’ When they try to harm us, they also inflict harm on their own homes and people.

Some would ask: Hamas does claim to speak in the name of Islam. Their name is short for the “Islamic Resistance Movement” in Arabic, after all.

When we said ‘Hamas is ISIS,’ that is exactly what we meant. ISIS is not Islam. By the way, it should be emphasized that Hamas is even worse than ISIS. Just look at what they are doing to their own people – they kill them, steal their food, take away their aid. If the residents only knew how much money went into Gaza and where it ended up. This is not Islam, this is simply pure political corruption.

If only Hamas cared about their people, Gaza would have become a paradise. They have beaches, hotels, villas – but all of this goes to Hamas, not to the common people. What came out of Oct. 7 in the end? Has [Hamas leader] Yahya Sinwar really thought ahead? If he really guessed that all this destruction would ensue and still kept on with his plan – his people should wake up and do something about it.

Islam will never tell you to kill and do what they did on Oct. 7. They hurt innocent people on Simchat Torah. The horror movie compiled by the IDF Spokespersons Unit shows two little children who ran to a bomb shelter with their father, who is killed by Hamas militants right in front of their eyes. The children return to the house, crying. One of them says ‘I can’t see anything!’ but the Hamas terrorist simply takes a Coca-Cola bottle from the fridge, sits down, and drinks it calmly. 

Another recording from the film shows a young terrorist calling his parents excitedly: ‘Yaba [“Daddy”], I killed 10 Jews with my bare hands!’ and his father answers him: ‘May Allah bless you!’ There are no words to describe this. This is certainly not the teaching of Islam.

How can you know that your messages come across to the other side?

The relocation of populations from war zones is the best example of proving that our messages are getting through. The army used all kinds of ways to motivate the population. At first, they [the Gazans] didn’t budge, but after we tweeted in Arabic showing maps of designated safe zones, people started moving. That’s how you know it works. On TikTok, we can also see that Gazans watch our content. That’s not to say that they support us, but they certainly know that Hamas is lying to them.

Sometimes there are follow-ups after we’re interviewed by the media. Even when our contents face harsh criticism, it still means that people were affected and that it got to them. I also don’t view criticism as negative but as something that teaches us along the way. We ask for feedback from people from all kinds of countries, those that have peace [agreements] with Israel and those that don’t. When I read about the discourse in the media and social networks, I understand how to address the target audience.

As I mentioned earlier, I complement Avichai; therefore, I must understand what interests young crowds. Do they want to hear me threaten Hamas leaders, or see me in the middle of an exercise with the Caracal unit? Or would they prefer to see me running with a battalion or see a female fighter arresting a Hamas terrorist? We build our strategy from these questions.

When the message is authentic, it works better. When it’s too edited or has too many cuts, it won’t work. We try to learn from our mistakes. We are now trying to build a brand of colors for my social media accounts, and I don’t know if the branding will work. But this is exactly what trial and error is all about.

What are the main characteristics of the media in this part of the world?

Take Al Jazeera. There are always delays in interviews with Israeli guests; that’s how they can control what is being said. This is done on purpose so that people don’t hear everything they have to say. Israelis are only brought on to claim that the TV channel are ‘neutral,’ but in fact it is clear that there is a bias.

In other places, there are some anchors who interrupt you constantly. I believe in conversation. If you have decided to host somebody, let them speak! Are you an anchor or a commentator? If you decide to interview someone who asks questions, ask what the audience wants to ask, not what’s in your gut and you want to get out.

In another context, frequently in Arab media, when viewers see a person in a uniform with medals, it automatically gives their words more authority. We are also a trusted source for many. We sometimes receive inquiries from journalists about issues not directly related to the army, but they contact us because they know we are trustworthy.

Take the story of the Al-Mamadani hospital. Hamas came out minutes later and lied that Israel killed 500 people. It took us about three hours to delve into the details and respond. This proves that we do not say anything before the incident is thoroughly investigated. There is pressure, the audience wants to understand more about what happened, but we can’t issue a statement without properly investigating. This is why they trust us in much of the Arab media and want to see us on their screens.

There are journalists from the Arab media whom I respect who come up with questions that the audience truly wants to ask. A hard question is not necessarily a hostile one. My mother at home also wants answers to difficult questions, and our place is to answer the difficult questions as well. 

When we’re asked about the casualties in the Gaza Strip – of course, there are unfortunate casualties when Hamas uses people to conceal themselves, hide weapons, and launch rockets. Give me one hospital in the US that has weapons hidden in there. In Gaza there is, and that’s the difference. So are schools, which have tunnels for terrorist purposes dug under them. Even in mosques. Since when are mosques a place for murder? Give me one Quranic verse or hadith that permits that. 

Do people recognize you in the streets?

It happens to me a lot that I just walk around, and people stop me and say that they know me. In Paris, a man from Algeria started an unpleasant conversation with me, but we ended it with a handshake and a selfie. I believe in conversation, not in shouting. I could have taken a flag out of my bag, turned on a camera to take pictures of myself, and shout. But that is not a conversation.

In September, I went to a Lebanese restaurant in New York (what can you do? – there is no real food to eat in the US), and in every Arab restaurant I went to, people recognized me. Even here on the street some people recognize me. It’s fun, but it also depends on when. Asking for a selfie while I’m in the middle of biting into my hamburger can be irritating at times [she laughs].

I also get contacted on social media, especially people from Gaza. They ask me, ‘I am in Khan Yunis; can I leave and go somewhere else?’ I never have enough time to answer everyone, but it’s important to answer whomever I can because at the end of the day, this is what social media is all about, and our goal is to have a conversation.

I happened to meet with Gazans in person, too, at the Erez crossing. Some came to receive medical treatment in Israel. At the end, they thanked us for the medical treatment. Some of them also spoke to me against Hamas. 

What would your message to our readers be?

I am a woman, an Arab, a Muslim, an Israeli, and an officer in the IDF. This truly shows the democracy of our country, of our culture here, that we can all be here together. The truth is never only one-sided. I say to everyone out there: ‘Come and visit Israel, no matter your language or religion. Come to our beautiful country for a few days and understand what is going on in Lebanon; understand why our war is just.’ 

Let them go and walk around in Judea and Samaria and see what happens if you say that you’re Jewish, and they’ll understand straight away how much we must fight to keep the Jewish people in the State of Israel safe.

I say this as a Muslim: We know how to live together, and that’s how it should be. We need to help each other and remain together. It’s especially fun to walk around Israel and hear all the languages and see the diversity. Israel is not only about a conflict between Arabs and Jews. Israel is fun. And even when there are frictions it’s because we are one family, as we saw in this war which reunited us.

This is the title of the State of Israel – a family. So, it’s no wonder that people call each other ‘brother’ in the streets.

Related Tags

[mariacallous]

The surprise winner of last Wednesday’s election in the Netherlands is the longest-serving member of the Dutch House of Representatives: Geert Wilders. The far-right politician—known primarily for his anti-Islam radicalism, his pro-Putin views, and his hairdo—was first elected in 1998, but for years, he was shut out from the governing coalitions. Now, however, he holds the whip hand. His Party for Freedom (PVV) won 37 seats out of 150, up from 17 two years ago, dramatically outperforming the polls and placing well ahead of its closest competitor, the joint list of the Greens and the Labor Party (GL-PvdA).

But the path from there to becoming prime minister is a long and uncertain one.

In fact, the PVV had been subject to a cordon sanitaire ever since the fall of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s first government in 2012, which it had supported (and which for that reason was colloquially referred to as Brown I, after the fascist brownshirts, instead of Rutte I). The PVV’s platform calls for bans on the Quran, on mosques, and on Islamic schools; a retraction of the Dutch king’s apology for slavery and the restoration of blackface at St. Nicholas celebrations; as well as an abolition of asylum and of free movement of workers within the European Union. Even by the standards of contemporary national conservatives, the platform is made up of a poisonous mix of heinous impulses.

Wilders maintained his presence in parliament, but his appeal and influence were limited while his caucus calcified, as it has now: Eight of the 10 longest-serving members in the new Dutch House are PVV members. But Wilders is the only member of the party as a legal entity, and its absolute ruler as a result, unbound by leadership elections or other concerns. The party does not organize conferences and such, and many of its incoming representatives do not know each other or their new colleagues. Combine that with the lack of outside options, thanks to the party’s reputation, for Wilders’s elected officials, and you end up with a predictable caucus of goons and misfits.

The explicit agreement among mainstream parties to exclude Wilders from governing coalitions came to an end this summer. Rutte brought down his own government over a minor disagreement with one of his coalition partners, the Christian Union, over family reunification rules for asylum recipients. Rutte’s successor as VVD party leader, Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz, then opened the door to cooperation with the PVV to rally voters who favor a right-wing government around her.

Wilders jumped at the opportunity and claimed that his priorities had shifted toward health care and economic anxiety. The Dutch media ecosystem complied and started referring to him as “Geert Milders.” As he started rising in the polls, especially after the conflict in Gaza broke out, Yesilgoz tried to walk back her earlier words.

Too little, too late: Voters preferred the original over the copy. In that sense, Wilders’s rise fits American political scientist Larry Bartels’s thesis—that democracy erodes from the top—almost perfectly.

While that is the immediate explanation for Wilders’s success, alarms bells about discontent among a large group of voters��and an openness to wild options—had been ringing for some time. Earlier this year, the agrarian-populist Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) became the largest party in the Dutch Senate after winning the provincial elections on its first try. In 2019, the radical-right conspiracy theorists of Forum for Democracy had similarly made their Senate debut as the largest party.

This impulse predates Wilders’s founding of the PVV in 2006: The right-populist Pim Fortuyn List broke through with 26 seats in 2002 after its eponymous founder was murdered by an animal rights activist. It also extends beyond voters open to Wilders’s message. On Wednesday, in addition to Wilders’s large gains, a new party (the New Social Contract) led by former Christian-Democrat Pieter Omtzigt, the second-most veteran member of the Dutch House, secured 20 seats mere months after its founding.

It is not obvious what the Dutch political class can or will plausibly do to address this discontent. It is not merely a thermostatic response to left-wing policy: Eternal prime minister Mark Rutte has mostly led fairly bland center-right governments since he entered office in 2010, while his predecessor was a Christian-Democrat.

In fact, there is a bloc of voters whose expressed wishes are so far out of line with majority opinion and with the domestic and international legal frameworks that the Netherlands has spent decades developing and promoting that they will not be satisfied by any realistic policy changes. These voters include the 50 percent of Wilders’s supporters who have been loyal to him for the past decade, and those who have stuck with the Forum for Democracy as even its own elected officials fled the party’s mix of antisemitism, anti-vaccine lunacy, racism, and love of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Like comparable voters in other countries, they are heavily male, lower-income, less likely to hold a college degree, and detached from social networks.

Disaffected voters outside of Wilders’ core supporters harbor a mix of concerns that include some where policy and governance could and should be improved—though that’s easier said than done. The nitrogen emission crisis that catapulted the BBB to its Senate victory requires difficult choices over land use—between agricultural activity, housing, infrastructure, and nature preservation—that simply need to be made instead of paralyzing the country for years.

Relatedly, housing policy in the Netherlands, as in the United States and elsewhere in the West, has been a disaster for decades. Limited construction in the face of ongoing urbanization, population growth, and ever decreasing household size has placed home ownership and even the ability to rent out of reach for far too many. Too many Dutch politicians, including mainstream ones, try to place the blame for these problems, which are of their own making, on migrants.

The Dutch system of capital income taxation is in flux after elements of it were struck down by the courts. Natural gas extraction in the northeast, suspended last month, caused earthquakes and significant damage: Many affected homeowners still await compensation. The child care benefit scandal that ended Rutte’s third government and made Omtzigt’s career ruined the lives of thousands of families, many of whom still await compensation as well.

But are these areas where a Wilders government would dramatically improve matters? Take the child care benefit scandal, the biggest political scandal in the Netherlands in recent years. The Dutch tax agency concluded it had targeted victimized families on the basis of national origin, donations to mosques, and “not looking Dutch.” It’s like putting U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez in charge of monitoring the Egyptian government’s human rights record.

On the international front, there are ways to reduce immigration at the margin: by forcing Dutch universities to offer more instruction in Dutch or by raising taxes on high-skilled immigrants. Such changes would be costly to institutions of higher learning, the Dutch knowledge economy, and industrial champions such as ASML, and I’m sure some of these same voters would complain about that in turn. The Netherlands could scale down its climate agenda somewhat, though significant aspects of it are managed at the EU level. And the country could return to its traditional position of budgetary hawkishness within the European Union after a brief excursion to Club Med—though Wilders’s platform, which calls for a lower pension age, reduced VAT, and more public health care spending, goes in the opposite direction.

But whether it’s immigration, EU membership, religious freedom, or Dutch support for Ukraine, there simply is no path forward for the dramatic policy shifts envisioned by Wilders and his ilk. There is no pro-Putin majority among Dutch MPs (or voters). The Netherlands is not going to leave the EU and reintroduce the guilder or convince NATO to expel Turkey. It is not going to abolish its representation in Ramallah because “it already has an embassy in Amman,” as the PVV stated in its election manifesto.

In fact, let’s not get ahead of ourselves: It is not at all obvious that there is a majority in the Dutch House that supports a government led by Wilders or one that his party participates in. The two indispensable parties for any majority are Omtzigt’s New Social Contract and, as has been the case for years now, the VVD.

During the campaign, Omtzigt suggested that he would not govern with Wilders; he predictably changed his tune this week. It would be somewhat ironic if partnerships with Wilders became the unifying thread of the political career of Omtzigt, a man who has long claimed to care deeply about religious freedom. Those who recall how American warriors for religious freedom responded to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Muslim ban will not be shocked.

The VVD has adopted a trickier position. Despite triggering the election and opening the door to Wilders, it has now announced that it’s tuning out. It is unwilling to join any coalition—though it would be willing to support a minority right-wing government, presumably formed by PVV, the New Social Contract, and BBB. Such a government would effectively be Rutte I in reverse, with the VVD and the PVV swapping places and the New Social Contract and BBB taking the place of the Christian-Democratic party that Omtzigt was then a part of.

Variations will surely be considered, and I imagine that Yesilgoz would happily join a coalition if she gets to be prime minister. Wilders is responsible for selecting a so-called “scout” to explore the possibilities. His first choice was forced to resign when news broke that Utrecht University, the scout’s former employer, had filed charges of fraud and bribery against him. The new beacon of hope for concerned citizens is Ronald Plasterk, a former education and home affairs minister for the Labor Party who has drifted to the right in recent years.

The alternative to a right-wing coalition—off the table while Wilders has the initiative—would be a broad centrist coalition in which the VVD and New Social Contract are joined by the GL-PvdA and either the liberal Democrats 66 party or the BBB. But even consideration of that option is unlikely to happen before 2024.

This route would not be a very satisfying outcome to many New Social Contract and VVD voters. At the same time, it would avoid not just Wilders, but also a coalition featuring two entirely new parties, including many inexperienced and unvetted PVV MPs. For the outgoing prime minister, who has set his sights on a leadership role at NATO or the European Commission, it would surely constitute a more attractive legacy. And at a time of geopolitical upheaval, it might be the responsible choice.

Though the size of Wilders’ win came as a major surprise, these two coalition options were basically already on the table based on preelection polling. Ironically, a shift to the right may well be less likely now than if Wilders had won fewer seats. As the leader of the largest party, he would traditionally become prime minister. To his potential coalition partners, that may be a bridge too far in a way that a less dominant role might not have been.

But regardless of the eventual outcome and whatever else may motivate his voters, Wilders’s victory is first and foremost a message of intense hatred toward the Netherlands’ ethnic and religious minorities as well as its immigrant population. The legitimation of Wilders’s open bigotry and the willingness of millions of Dutch voters to tell their neighbors and co-workers that they find their mere existence odious are, well, not great.

[writerfarzanatutul]

Islamic Short 5

Ten-year-old Zaem bounced into the living room, his curiosity burning bright. He found his father engrossed in the newspaper, sunlight dappling his face. "Dad," Zaem blurted, "what's the secret to success? I want to be successful just like you!"

His father chuckled, lowering the newspaper. Years etched on his face seemed to soften as he met his son's eager gaze. A gentle hand ruffled Zaem's hair. "Success," he began thoughtfully, "is a journey, not a destination. But there is something that can guide you along the way..."

Anticipation crackled in the air as Zaem leaned closer. His father's voice, warm and reassuring, filled the room. "And remember Allah often so you may be successful." he recited, a verse from the Quran echoing in their small living space. (Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 10)

A spark ignited in Zaem's eyes. This was the secret - remembering Allah. Not just a fleeting thought, but a constant presence in his heart and actions. His father placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "This, my son, will bring you success, not just in this world, but in the Hereafter as well."

Decades rolled by, and the young boy with inquisitive eyes had become a man of purpose. Mr. Zaem stood before a sea of cameras, his name etched in the annals of success. A seasoned reporter thrust a microphone forward. "Mr. Zaem," he inquired, "you've earned a place among the world's top 100 entrepreneurs. What's the secret to your remarkable achievements?"

A smile, both humble and knowing, spread across Mr. Zaem's lips. "There's no single formula," he began, his voice carrying the weight of experience. "But one thing has always been my compass: remembering Allah, seeking His guidance in every step I take."

[thistle-and-thorn]

Also top three met gala looks. Go

Okay I didn’t hate this year as much as I have hated other years. The lukewarm/boring theme kind of made the lack of effort feel less obvious to me?

I really like Dua Lipa, Kristen Stewart, Jessica Chastain, Lil Nas X, Jeremy Pope, and Ke Huy Quran’s looks were all in my top 10.

I think everyone missed the mark though (and maybe wouldn’t have been allowed by Anna Wintour) to use the clothes to criticize Lagerfeld. The only one who came close was Lizzie by…just…existing in a fat woman’s body and wearing Chanel at the same time. Anyway.

anyway. My top 3:

Im actually going to start with my honorable mention: Jared Leto: I mean. Sure. Like is this man likely running a cult on an island somewhere? Like, yes. Is a literal furry costume a very funny choice to me? Also, yes. Imagine the expense of this. Imagine your cult leader having to leave to go dress as a furry version of a dead Nazi sympathizer’s cat so he can hang out with the Kardashians. Iconic.

1. Jordan Roth looked great. I love the homage to Lagerfeld’s use of fans? While still being a really beautiful look.

2. There were several tributes to Lagerfeld’s personal style and I thought Cardi B was actually my favorite?

3. Alton Mason: this to me is a very good balance between something beautiful and on theme and also something that you wouldn’t wear anywhere else. I also think that…I love bridal looks and I think we should see more of them on the red carpet. Is this controversial or make any sense. I just think veils are great. I don’t know. And like. Here’s the thing. Do I have issues with the shoes. Yes. BUT I think overall this works.

[labbaik-ya-hussain-as]

The Grand Mosque of Mecca tops the list of the most expensive buildings on Earth built at a cost of $ 100 Billion.

Size: One million (1,000,000) square meters Capacity:

🕋Can accommodate two (2) million people

🕋Receives twenty (20) million visitors annually

🕋Open twenty -four (24) hours.It has never been completely closed in over 1400 years

🕋Has 1800 cleanersHas 40 electric sanitary cleaning cars

🕋Has 60 electric sanitary machines to clean open courtyards

🕋Has 2000 Sanitary barrels spread throughout the premises

🕋Floor covered with 40000 carpets (longer than the distance between Jeddah and Makkah (79km))

🕋13000 toilets, cleaned four (4) times/6 hours daily

🕋25000 water dispensers (one of the largest water dispensing systems in the world)

🕋100 random samples of drinking water are inspected daily

🕋Excess water from Zamzam Well is stored in storage tanks with a capacity of 1,700,000 (1.7 million), water bottles (capacity 10 liters)

🕋HARAMAIN recitation service: broadcast recitation of the Quran;

[riwaqsblog]

Qaida for Kids in the USA: Building a Strong Foundation for Quranic Learning

For Muslim families living in the United States, ensuring that children grow up with a strong understanding of their faith is a top priority. One of the most important steps in a child’s Islamic education is learning how to read the Qur’an correctly. This journey begins with the Qaida—a simple yet powerful book that introduces children to Arabic letters, sounds, and pronunciation. Today, the demand for high-quality Qaida for Kids in the USA is growing as parents seek effective and accessible ways to provide their children with a proper Islamic foundation.

What is a Qaida?

A Qaida (also known as Qaida Nooraniyah) is a beginner’s book used to teach Arabic reading, especially for Qur’anic recitation. It focuses on:

Recognizing Arabic letters and their correct pronunciation

Understanding how letters connect to form words

Learning basic Tajweed (rules of pronunciation)

Preparing children to read the Qur’an fluently and correctly

For kids living in non-Arabic-speaking countries like the USA, a Qaida is the perfect first step in their Qur’anic learning journey.

Why Qaida for Kids in the USA is So Important

Living in a Western society can make it more challenging for children to learn the Arabic language and Qur’an recitation. That’s why Qaida for Kids in the USA is specially designed to:

🌱 Provide Early Exposure to Arabic: Introduce Arabic letters and sounds in a fun, age-appropriate way

📖 Build a Strong Foundation: Help kids read the Qur’an with proper Tajweed from an early age

🏠 Support Faith at Home: Enable parents to participate in and reinforce their child’s learning journey

🌍 Bridge Cultural Gaps: Keep children connected to their Islamic roots and heritage, even in a non-Muslim environment

Features of a Good Qaida for Kids in the USA

When choosing the right Qaida for Kids in the USA, look for:

✅ Clear Arabic Script

Large, bold letters make it easier for young learners to recognize and follow along.

✅ English Instructions

Explanations in English help parents or teachers who may not be fluent in Arabic to guide their children.

✅ Color-Coded Tajweed Rules

Many modern Qaida books highlight different Tajweed rules with colors, helping children learn visually.

✅ Interactive Design

Books with illustrations, practice pages, and exercises keep kids engaged.

✅ Digital Versions and Audio Support

Access to apps, PDFs, or accompanying audio files can enhance at-home practice.

Where to Find Qaida for Kids in the USA

Thanks to growing demand, parents in the USA now have several ways to access high-quality Qaida resources:

🛒 Islamic Bookstores

Local or online Islamic bookstores like Dar-us-Salam, Islamic Bookstore, and Noorart offer a range of Qaida books.

💻 Online Platforms

Websites and apps like TarteeleQuran, Mishkah Academy, and Learn Quran USA offer live or recorded Qaida classes taught by certified teachers.

🕌 Local Masjids and Islamic Centers

Many mosques in the U.S. run weekend schools or evening programs where children can learn Qaida in a group setting.

👨‍🏫 Private Tutors

One-on-one online or in-person tutors can offer personalized Qaida lessons, often with flexible schedules for busy families.

Best Qaida Options for Kids in the USA

Here are some popular and highly recommended choices:

Noorani Qaida with Tajweed (Color-Coded Edition) Widely used around the world, this book is ideal for children starting to read Arabic and learn Tajweed.

Ahsanul Qawaid A colorful and interactive Qaida with clear visuals and easy-to-understand instructions.

Digital Qaida Apps Apps like "Learn Noorani Qaida" and "Quran IQ" offer audio pronunciation and gamified learning for kids.

Tips for Parents Teaching Qaida at Home

📅 Be Consistent: Aim for short daily lessons (10–15 minutes) rather than long weekly sessions.

🎧 Use Audio Support: Let your child listen to correct pronunciation to reinforce their learning.

🧸 Make It Fun: Use praise, stickers, and small rewards to encourage progress.

📘 Be Patient: Every child learns at their own pace—consistency and positivity go a long way.

Final Thoughts

The Qaida for Kids in the USA is more than just a learning tool—it’s the first chapter in a child’s lifelong relationship with the Qur’an. By starting early, providing the right resources, and offering consistent support, parents can ensure their children learn to read the Qur’an fluently, confidently, and with love.

Whether through local classes, online lessons, or at-home teaching, every step taken toward learning the Qur’an is a step closer to Allah. Start your child’s journey with a strong foundation—start with the Qaida.

[myatfal]

Best Quran Tafseer for Kids: Making the Qur’an Easy, Fun, and Meaningful

Introducing children to the meanings of the Qur’an is one of the most powerful ways to help them build a lifelong connection with Islam. While reading and memorizing the Qur’an are important, understanding its message is what brings its teachings to life. That’s why many parents and educators seek the best Quran Tafseer for kids—resources that make the Qur’an simple, engaging, and age-appropriate.

What Is Quran Tafseer?

Tafseer means “interpretation” or “explanation” of the Qur’an. It helps explain the meanings of verses, the reasons they were revealed, and how they apply to our daily lives. The best Quran Tafseer for kids presents these concepts in language and formats that young minds can understand, often using stories, illustrations, and practical examples.

Why Quran Tafseer Is Important for Children

🌱 Builds a Deep Connection with Allah’s Words Understanding the meaning behind verses helps children relate to and love the Qur’an more.

💬 Encourages Practical Living Tafseer helps kids apply Islamic teachings in their daily behavior—kindness, honesty, gratitude, and more.

🧠 Promotes Critical Thinking and Curiosity Children ask questions naturally. Tafseer guides them toward thoughtful and faith-based answers.

🕌 Supports Islamic Identity When children understand their faith from a young age, they grow up confident in their beliefs.

Features of the Best Quran Tafseer for Kids

When searching for the best Quran Tafseer for kids, look for these qualities:

✅ Age-appropriate Language Simple words and short explanations without complex theological terms.

✅ Colorful Illustrations and Visual Aids Engaging visuals help young learners stay interested and absorb information easily.

✅ Stories and Real-life Examples Connecting verses with stories from the Prophets or everyday situations makes learning more relatable.

✅ Interactive Activities Questions, quizzes, coloring pages, and discussion prompts can enhance understanding and retention.

✅ Authentic and Accurate Tafseer must be based on authentic Islamic sources and reviewed by qualified scholars.

Top Recommendations: Best Quran Tafseer for Kids

Here are some highly recommended resources and platforms offering the best Quran Tafseer for kids:

1. My First Quran with Pictures – By Shereen Sharief

A beautifully illustrated book that explains selected Surahs in an easy-to-understand way. It's perfect for visual learners and early readers.

Age Group: 4–9 years

Key Features: Colorful illustrations, simple language, emotional connections to each verse

2. Tafseer for Kids by Darussalam Publishers

A child-friendly series that offers clear explanations of selected short Surahs from the Qur’an.

Age Group: 6–12 years

Key Features: Step-by-step verse explanations, exercises, and moral lessons

3. Learning Roots: The Meaning of the Qur’an for Kids

These resources focus on both Arabic and English meanings, with engaging activities to help children reflect on what they read.

Age Group: 5–10 years

Key Features: Dual language, reflection-based questions, colorful and engaging layout

4. Bayyinah Kids (by Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan)

An online platform that offers bite-sized video Tafseer lessons for kids in an animated, fun format.

Age Group: 7+

Key Features: High-quality video content, explained by one of the most popular teachers of Qur’anic Arabic

5. Online Islamic Schools and Programs

Many online academies now offer dedicated Quran Tafseer for kids as part of their curriculum, with live teachers and interactive sessions.

Recommended Platforms: Alhuda International, Ilm Tree, Studio Arabiya, and Tarteel Academy

Tips for Teaching Quran Tafseer to Kids at Home

📚 Read one short Surah or a few verses each week and discuss the meaning together.

🖍️ Use Tafseer books with coloring or activity pages to reinforce key lessons.

🧕 Join online classes with certified teachers who specialize in teaching kids.

🗣️ Encourage questions and turn them into teaching moments.

🎨 Incorporate crafts, storytelling, or role-playing to make it interactive.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best Quran Tafseer for kids is a beautiful way to nurture faith, strengthen understanding, and shape character from a young age. With so many excellent resources now available in print, digital, and video formats, every child can have access to the wisdom of the Qur’an in a way they understand and love.

Start early, stay consistent, and make learning the Qur’an a joyful journey for your child. The seeds you plant today will grow into strong roots of iman for a lifetime.

[achilyon]

Whole Day Delhi Sightseeing Tour – Explore the Heart of India

Discover Delhi – A City of Heritage, Culture, and Modernity

Delhi, the capital of India, is a fascinating blend of ancient heritage and contemporary dynamism. A whole day sightseeing tour of Delhi allows you to explore its historic landmarks, bustling markets, spiritual sites, and vibrant streets, making it a journey through time and culture.

Tour Overview & Itinerary

🚗 Tour Type: Private/Group Tour 🕒 Duration: Full-day (8-10 hours) ✈️ Best Mode of Travel: Car, Auto, Metro, Rickshaw (for local charm)

Morning: Historical landmarks Afternoon: Cultural experiences & shopping Evening: Iconic attractions & street food delights

Top Attractions to Visit

📍 India Gate – The Symbol of Valor

Start your day at the India Gate, a war memorial honoring soldiers of the Indian Army.

✨ Why Visit?

A perfect morning spot to soak in history and architecture.

Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lush green lawns.

📍 Red Fort – A Mughal Marvel

This UNESCO World Heritage Site stands as a testament to Delhi’s glorious past.

✨ Top Highlights:

Marvel at the intricate Mughal architecture.

Witness the grandeur of Diwan-i-Aam & Diwan-i-Khas.

Light & Sound Show (evening option).

📍 Jama Masjid – The Largest Mosque in India

A short rickshaw ride from Red Fort brings you to Jama Masjid, one of India’s grandest mosques.

✨ Why Visit?

Climb the minarets for a panoramic view of Old Delhi.

Experience the spiritual aura of Mughal-era Delhi.

📍 Chandni Chowk – The Foodie’s Paradise

No Delhi tour is complete without experiencing Chandni Chowk.

🥘 Must-Try Foods:

Parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali

Jalebis at Old Famous Jalebi Wala

Mughlai Kebabs & Biryani at Karim’s

🚴 Pro Tip: Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling lanes!

📍 Raj Ghat – Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi

This serene memorial is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.

✨ Why Visit?

Pay homage in a peaceful setting.

Walk through beautifully maintained gardens.

📍 Humayun’s Tomb – The Inspiration Behind Taj Mahal

An architectural masterpiece, this tomb is a UNESCO-listed site and a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

✨ Why Visit?

Witness Persian-influenced Mughal architecture.

Stroll through lush Mughal-style gardens.

📍 Qutub Minar – India’s Tallest Brick Minaret

A magnificent relic from the Delhi Sultanate, the Qutub Minar stands 73 meters high.

✨ Why Visit?

Explore the intricate Quranic inscriptions on the minaret.

See the mysterious Iron Pillar, which hasn’t rusted in centuries.

📍 Lotus Temple – The Temple of Peace

A symbol of unity and tranquility, the Lotus Temple welcomes people from all faiths.

✨ Why Visit?

Experience peaceful meditation in its serene hall.

Admire its unique lotus-inspired architecture.

Evening Delights – Shopping & Street Food

🌟 Dilli Haat – Handicrafts & Cultural Fair

A perfect place to buy ethnic jewelry, textiles, and artifacts from across India.

🍛 Connaught Place – Trendy Cafes & Street Food

Try Butter Chicken at Kake Da Hotel.

Sip on iconic Delhi-style Chai at Cha Bar.

Taste Golgappas at Bengali Market.

Tips for a Hassle-Free Delhi Tour

✅ Wear comfortable shoes – You’ll be walking a lot. ✅ Stay hydrated – Carry a bottle of water, especially in summers. ✅ Use Metro for quick travel – Avoid traffic by hopping on the Delhi Metro. ✅ Respect local customs – Cover shoulders when visiting religious sites. ✅ Be cautious with street food – Stick to hygienic stalls.

Why Choose United Tours India?

United Tours India (UTI) offers curated tours for a seamless Delhi experience with:

✔ Expert local guides for in-depth historical insights. ✔ Customizable tour plans based on your preferences. ✔ Comfortable transport options for a hassle-free trip.

📞 Contact United Tours India: 📍 Shop no. 131, Yashwant Place, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021 📧 Email: info@unitedtoursindia.com 🌍 Website: United Tours India

Conclusion

A Whole Day Delhi Sightseeing Tour offers a journey through time, capturing the soul of India. From Mughal marvels to spiritual sanctuaries, from bustling bazaars to modern delights, Delhi has something for every traveler.

🌟 Book your personalized Delhi tour today with United Tours India and explore the heart of India like never before! 🌟

[trophiesuae]

Top Occasions Where You Need a Medal Supplier in UAE

In the UAE, medals are a symbol of recognition, achievement, and appreciation. Whether for sporting events, corporate awards, or academic excellence, medals hold immense value. Choosing the right medal supplier in UAE ensures high-quality, customized awards that make every occasion memorable.

If you're wondering when you might need a medal supplier in UAE, here are the top occasions where medals play a crucial role.

1. Sports Events and Competitions

The UAE is home to numerous sports events, from marathons and football leagues to martial arts tournaments. Organizers rely on a trusted medal supplier in UAE to provide custom medals that celebrate athletic excellence. Whether it's a gold medal for first place or participation medals for all athletes, high-quality awards are essential.

2. Corporate Recognition and Employee Awards

Recognizing employees for their hard work and dedication is a powerful way to boost morale and productivity. Companies in the UAE frequently award medals for:

Employee of the Month programs

Long-service recognition

Leadership and innovation awards

A reliable medal supplier in UAE can create custom-engraved corporate medals that reflect the prestige of your organization.

3. School and University Achievements

Education institutions often award medals to students for their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. Some common occasions include:

Graduation ceremonies

Academic excellence awards

Sports day competitions

Debate and quiz contests

A high-quality medal supplier in UAE can provide personalized medals for schools and universities, making these milestones even more special.

4. Government and Military Honors

The UAE regularly recognizes the contributions of government officials, military personnel, and law enforcement officers. These prestigious awards require expert craftsmanship, which only a professional medal supplier in UAE can deliver. Medals for bravery, service excellence, and national contributions hold great significance in the country.

5. Charity Runs and Marathons

Charity events and marathons are popular across the UAE, with thousands of participants joining for a good cause. Organizers often reward participants with medals as a token of appreciation and motivation. Custom-designed medals with event branding can add a special touch to these occasions.

6. Esports and Gaming Tournaments

The gaming industry in the UAE is booming, with esports tournaments gaining immense popularity. Just like traditional sports, esports competitions award custom medals to top players and teams. A medal supplier in UAE can create unique, futuristic designs that appeal to gamers.

7. Cultural and Heritage Festivals

The UAE takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, celebrating traditions through various festivals and competitions. Medals are often awarded in:

Poetry and storytelling contests

Traditional sports competitions

Art and craft exhibitions

A skilled medal supplier in UAE can craft culturally inspired medals that honor these traditions.

8. Religious and Spiritual Events

Religious and spiritual organizations often award medals to recognize devotion and service. From honoring volunteers to rewarding participants in Quran recitation contests, medals serve as meaningful tokens of appreciation.

9. National and International Conferences

Business conferences, trade expos, and industry summits frequently present medals to keynote speakers, VIP guests, and outstanding contributors. These medals serve as a mark of prestige and excellence in professional fields.

10. Custom Awards for Special Occasions

There are countless other occasions where medals can be used, including:

Wedding anniversaries and milestone celebrations

Club and community competitions

Exclusive VIP recognitions

A leading medal supplier in UAE can help create fully customized medals to suit any occasion.

Choosing the Right Medal Supplier in UAE

When selecting a medal supplier in UAE, consider the following factors: ✅ Customization Options – Ensure they offer engraving, color plating, and custom designs. ✅ Material Quality – Choose suppliers who provide durable and high-quality metals. ✅ Bulk Ordering & Delivery – If you need large quantities, check their production and delivery time. ✅ Reputation & Experience – Work with trusted suppliers known for excellence.

Final Thoughts

No matter the occasion, medals are a timeless way to honor achievements and recognize excellence. Whether you're organizing a sports event, corporate function, or academic awards ceremony, partnering with a professional medal supplier in UAE ensures that your medals leave a lasting impression.

Looking for the best Trophy and awards supplier in UAE? Choose a supplier that understands your needs and delivers top-quality, customized medals for any event!

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself Al-Baseer— The All-Seeing, The All-Perceiving, The All-Comprehending — on 42 occasions in the Quran. He is the One whose perfect sight encompasses the whole creation. Al-Baseer has insight into all things and Who perceives every detail, every state of existence, and every circumstance!

The All-and-Ever-Seeing, The Comprehending

Baseer comes from the root baa-saad-raa, which points to four main meanings. The first main meaning is to see or notice, and the second to understand. The third main meaning is to have insight or to perceive, and the fourth is to be precisely aware.

This root appears 148 times in the Quran in 10 derived forms. Examples of these forms are al-absaaru (the eyes), al-basaru (the vision), mubsiratan (visible) and absara (sees).

Linguistically, baseer is on the structure of intensification. Al-Baseer refers to the perfection and the totality of Allah’s seeing, which cannot be compared with the seeing of any other created being.

Al-Baseer Himself says: Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Quran, 17:1] . . . There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing [Quran, 42:11] . . . And Allah judges with truth, while those they invoke besides Him judge not with anything. Indeed, Allah— He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [Quran, 40:20]

Supervision in worship and worldly affairs

An employee will most likely work harder when his manager is watching him; how much stronger is the effect when we know we are being watched by our creator? When we engage in our worldly affairs, like our job or our interactions with others, we should be aware that there is much more at stake than just the supervision of our boss or even our parents. Al-Baseer loves for the believer to do the best in every work we do, and He will recompense us in the Hereafter far beyond whatever worldly profit we might earn.

This is why the Prophet told us about the formula to live by: Allah loves that when you engage in some work, you do so with proficiency. [al-Bayhaqee] This inspires us to engage in our work with honesty and integrity and this is the best quality assurance for everything a believer does in this world.

How Can You Live by This Name?

1. Watch your deeds!
How many times have you watched your deeds when certain people were around? As a Muslim one of your tasks is to mind the acts of your limbs and your heart anytime, anywhere, and in any company. A practical tip is to imagine yourself being watched by a camera which follows you 24/7, whether you are with people or all alone. The sight of Al-Baseer cannot be topped by a hundred million cameras.

2. Trust in Al-Baseer at all times.
He sees every obstacle and sorrow you face and everything others do to you, He is the Only One Who only gives you what is good for you at all times. Therefore submit and put all your trust in Him only. Al-Baseer says: And put your trust in the Mighty, the Merciful, who sees you when you stand up (to pray) and your bowing in prostration with those who bow down. [Quran 26: 217-219]

3. Strive for quality.
Knowing that Allah sees everything you do encourages you to be more devoted in your worship, more righteous in your deeds, and kinder to others. This is why Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: Excellence in faith is to worship your Lord as if you see Him, and though You do not see Him, know that He sees you. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] Strive for ehsaan (excellence) in every act you do.

4. Persevere.
Al-Baseer reassured the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and says: So wait patiently for your Lord’s decree, for surely you are in Our sight. [Quran, 52: 48] Isn’t it the most comfortable and reassuring feeling for your heart knowing as a believer Your Lord is so close to you and sees and hears everything you go through? When others do injustice to you and no one seems to notice, take strength from the fact that Al-Baseer is seeing them and will recompense them.

5. Believe in the decree of Al-Baseer.
Whenever Allah creates something, grants something, gives life, causes death, guides someone, or allows someone to stray, it is in accordance with His wisdom, His perfect knowledge, and His complete vision that nothing can escape.
Jihaad is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. [Quran, 2:216] Al-Baseer observes how you respond to His ayaat. Believe that everything Al-Baseer does is a complete tailor-made test for you and only for your own good, even though you might not like it.

6. Seek refuge in Al-Baseer.
Knowing that Allah is the All-Seeing protects the believer from committing sins. Since Allah ‘azza wa jall is taking account of everything we do, there is no escape from Him except to seek refuge with Him. Use the isti’aadhah (saying: a’oodhu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem) a lot in your daily life, in times of anger, fear, and despair.

7. Ask Al-Baseer to bless your sight.
Allah Al-Baseer loves those who use the abilities He gave them for His sake. Did Allah give you eyes to look at forbidden things or to work in unpermitted business? Did He give you the blessing of understanding and having insight, like when you study, for you to be lazy and not care? Ask Him to help you to use your sight and insight only for things pleasing to Him.

8. Make dua to Al-Baseer abundantly.
Al-Baseer sees every hardship you face, so invoke Him and supplicate to Him. Remember at all times; the fact that you are able to make sujood and even say Yaa Allah is a blessing that surpasses all others.

O Allah, Al-Baseer, we know You see every move we make. Aid us to watch our deeds and use our sight and insight for Your sake only, and make us grateful for the blessings of our senses. Protect us from bad deeds, and support us in doing everything we do, in worship and worldly affairs, with excellence, ameen!

[ritchiepage2001newaccount]

What is desperately need for Israel and Palestine, is a change at the top. Both mean are playing the same game for the same reason. When the conflict is over, they will be removed from power.

Actually, before 7 Oct 2023, hundreds of thousands were in the streets (including half the army), demonstrating against the Israeli government, and in the wake of the attack, majority (56%) opposed annexation of Gaza, with only 33% in support.

Also, there have been street fights between soldiers, and right-wing Ultra-Orthodox men, because they were exempted from national service, despite being the main political force behind most conflicts.

And half opposed Invasion.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-poll-finds-49-support-holding-off-gaza-invasion-2023-10-27/

You're helping Hamas create an imaginary Israel, because their surrogates in social media told you to…

Also, the Gazan government (Hamas) gaslighting of their own populace is even more severe, than our own.

It's worth noting that American GI's committed war crimes in Europe during WWII, but they were a vanishing minority.

However TransOcean radio would've told you that they were representative.

Just like Nazis are a tiny minority of Ukrainian fighters, as they are a tiny minority of the Ukrainian populace (they don't even have enough support to gain a single seat in the parliament).

Yet RT (Russia Today), Sputnik and The Gray Zone (and others), would have you believe they are representative.

“He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion." -John Stuart Mills

"Facts are stubborn things, so fuck your feelings." -John Adams

There was never a nation-state called Palestine.

Before 1948, the last time the Israel had a nation-state was the kingdom of Solomon.

And Palestine never had one.

The closest they got was a Roman province called Syria-Palestinia, which included the split kingdoms of Israel and Judea.

After WWI, most of the arable land was owned by absentee Ottoman landlords, who sold the land to Jews.

The fate of Palestinian tenant farmers was a bit of a mixed bag, as some were driven off said agricultural projects, while others remained and worked for the Jews, while still others refused to do so.

When the Jewish refugees started arriving in the British colony of Palestine after WWII, most thought they could coexist with the Arabs, but there were dark forces that could never allow that to happen.

During the war, most Arab leaders had sided with the Nazis.

In fact, when Syria invaded Iraq, they did so with an able-assist from the Luftwaffe.

After the war, the main escape for Nazi war criminals on the lam, was through Damascus and Beirut, to Cairo, to Algiers, and onto Latin America.

To make matters still worse, the British promised the same land to the Israelis AND Palestinians.

So, the region has always been chock full o'fascists, and I would no more side with Israeli fascists (Likkud), or Palestinian fascists (Hamas), than I would between Lebanese Falangists and Syrian Ba'athists.

To err is human, but to really screw things up, you need the British Crown.

There is no Palestine in the Quran. There was no Palestine in the area under Ottoman occupation.

There is no call for a state of Palestine or two State solution or peace in the Hamas charter. That is never mentioned. Peace is explicitly rejected.

The decades prior to 1948 were intermittent serious massacres of Jews living in Jewish cities, plus the constant threat of violent attacks by Arabs on Jewish refugees who were pretty much defenseless until they purchased weapons and formed militias.

It's possible to look up exactly how much Jewish families paid for land they PURCHASED from Arab Christians and from Arab Muslims. The mayors of several major cities in family clan leaders were quite positive about living with Jews, sharing improved wealth, sharing improved health, sharing the eradication of malaria and opening up new lands. What's the problem?

The hostile Muslims who dominate the news slaughtered the friendly Muslims for being too nice to Jews. They eliminated the political opposition that wanted a peaceful 2-state solution in the 1930s. That's not much different from how Muslims do politics in other countries, murdering the opposition.

Look at the succession of brilliant and competent Iraqi leaders before Saddam Hussein. Each current leader was killed off by the new leader. Look at what Iran did to leftists who helped the Iranian clergy seize power.

Egyptian leaders need to firmly suppress the risk of a coup, by radical islamists.

”You can’t continue to kill everyone and bomb everything after a three week ceasefire” is “a major hurdle” according to NYT.