Scroll down for report on "Louisiana Judge Rules Against
Mahmoud Khalil" by Sr. Aisha
and
"a Prophet's Hadith on Shawwal Fasting" by Sr. Yasmin
and
"an obituary of a fighter against Zionism" by Dr. Mahboob A Khawaja
Turkey Arrests Leading Erdogan Opponent—Or Is He Really that?
By New Trend Staff
On March 19, Turkey arrested Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
On March 24, he was formally charged with corruption (BBC,
March 24). The popular view is that he is one of Erdogan's
foremost political opponents. His party, the Republican
Peoples Party (CHP), was expected to nominate him as their
2028 presidential candidate on March 29, and some say that
is the reason he was arrested.
Hundreds of others, including journalists and students, were
arrested when they protested Imamoglu's detention. Water
cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray were used against the
crowd. Rallies protesting the arrest took place in 55
Turkish provinces. (BBC, March 24, 2025)
Imamoglu is a native of Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. He
was elected mayor in 2019, but after his arrest, he was
removed from that position. His degree was revoked by
Istanbul University, due to alleged irregularities. (BBC,
March 24, 2025) In Turkey, a candidate cannot run for high
office without a college degree.
His arrest, though regrettable, seems to be an operation
conducted with kid gloves. Reports are that the mayor was
allowed to shower, finish his breakfast, and post a video
online, while "dozens of police" waited outside his
residence for 90 minutes to arrest him. He was taken to
Silivri Prison, where he is ostensibly being held in
solitary confinement. Since then, he has been able to send
dozens of tweets from his X account, and publish an op-ed in
the New York Times.
Position of Palestine
While quietly professing support for the Palestinian cause,
Imamoglu notably does not use the word "genocide" adapted by
the International Criminal Court to describe the events in
Gaza. In past tweets on X, he expressed a desire to help the
Gaza reconstruction effort in his official capacity as
mayor. Any such actions, if taken, are not evident.
European Support Base
It is instructive to note Imamoglu's supporters. Among the
most prominent are Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. A staunch
Zionist, she initiated a statement calling for Imamoglu's
release, endorsed by 80 European mayors, including the
mayors of Florence, Stockholm, Oslo, Munich, Milan, and
Ghent, Helsinki, Budapest, and Cologne. The Council of
Europe Congress sent a statement calling for his release.
The President of the Party of European Socialists, Stephan
Lofven; Vice President of the European Parliament Katarina
Barley; and European Parliament members Dario Nardella and
Evin Incir visited Istanbul, rallying unhindered outside the
prison where Imamoglu is held. Such an outpouring of support
for a prisoner by European politicians is in stark contrast
to their silence on Palestinian political prisoners being
brutally tortured by the Israeli government.
The Trump administration's response to the arrest has been
muted. The administration stated that it was "Turkey's
domestic issue" and not of concern to the US. (Middle East
Eye, March 24, 2025)
The Turkish Ministry of Justice insists it acted
independently in arresting Imamoglu (and not at the behest
of Erdogan). In any case, Erdogan is not eligible for the
office in 2028, due to term limits stipulated by the Turkish
constitution.
Editorial comment: The Istanbul electorate seems to have
voted Imamoglu into the mayoral position (thereby weakening
Erdogan's AK Party) because they were supported by secular
elements. Imamoglu is decidedly secular.
The bottom line is that the West cannot tolerate a strong
Islamic leader in the Middle East or Asia. Erdogan has the
potential to emerge as such a leader. So, it appears he is
being blackballed by Western powers (minus the Trump
administration) and corporate media. It is not unlike the
case of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan or
Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi.
Khan, a highly popular leader who had gravitated to Islam
after coming into office, was arrested and jailed on
corruption charges in 2023, and continues to be held in
prison near Lahore.
Morsi, who had control of a powerful Egyptian military,
could have changed the balance of power in the Middle East,
but he was jailed in 2015, and died in prison while on
trial, removing his influence from the political stage.
Western powers might temporarily alter the course of history
of Turkey and other Muslim countries. But ultimately, Allah
is the Best of Planners.
Solicitation of reader response: If you are Turkish, or have
visited, lived in, or worked in Turkey, you are welcome to
respond to this piece. If you do not want your response
published, please indicate that.
Washington, DC
In the Nation's Capital, Black Lives Don't Matter
By Nadrat Siddique
March 10, 2025 - Black Lives Matter Plaza, constructed after
the murder of Black Minnesotan George Floyd, who was
murdered by police in 2020—is being dismantled (BBC,
March 11, 2025). Republican Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA)
and his cohorts threatened to cut federal transportation
funding to DC if the plaza remained. Both the huge yellow
lettering saying "Black Lives Matter" and the street signs
bearing the name "Black Lives Matter Plaza" are to be
removed to satisfy Republican demands.
In 2020, in what many view as a political move, DC Mayor
Muriel Bowser named two blocks of DC's Sixteenth
Street—a block away from the White House—Black
Lives Matter Plaza. She commissioned DC's Department of
Public Works to paint 35-foot letters, which could be read
from hundreds of feet above, to say "Black Lives Matter."
But Black Lives Matter DC, an organization which is
independent from the national Black Lives Matter, and
regularly stands up for DC residents facing oppression, said
the move was "performative," devoid of any meaningful change
for Black DC residents, who continued to be the target of
gentrification, budget cuts, police brutality and
harassment, and disproportionate incarceration.
At the time, Black activists rapidly painted their own
unauthorized addition to the mayor's mural. It read "Defund
the Police." Not surprisingly, the city removed the
addition, reinforcing the feeling of disenfranchisement by
many Black Washingtonians.
Side note: Following the George Floyd murder, Jamaat
al-Muslimeen DC activists, including this writer,
participated in many of the actions in and around DC's
downtown, including in Black Lives Matter Plaza. The "Defund
the Police" segment of the mural was particularly
captivating, and the Plaza itself was vibrant with youth,
dancing, drumming, skating, chanting, and networking. Then,
the feeling that organizing might lead to some semblance of
justice abounded.
Bowser is Black, but, according to prominent Black activists
in the city, she is no friend of Black people. And clearly
her racism is not limited to Black folk. She is an overt
Zionist, regularly speaking at the annual AIPAC summit held
in DC, a critical starting point for lobbying the US
Congress to continue funneling vast amounts of US tax
dollars to Israel to kill innocent Palestinians and occupy
Palestinian land.
As Nee Nee Taylor, a founding member of BLM DC, said upon
learning that Bowser had conceded to the demands of the 2025
Republican Congress to remove the Plaza, "You never cared
about Black Lives Mattering. You painting those words were
performative." Obituary
Late Professor Francis Boyle
By Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja
It is sad news which I learned yesterday that Professor
Francis Boyle - an eminent scholar of law and justice, and a
man of deep commitment to further the cause of human rights
for all and an honorable supporter of the freedom of
Palestine - passed away on January 30,2025 in the US. He
left a legacy of humanitarian struggle for a just order of
international law and equality of law and justice for all on
this planet.
Francis Boyle, a professor of International Law at the
University of Illinois in the US, was a steadfast champion
of the oppressed and marginalised. He spoke up consistently
for the victims of genocide, wherever they were. He is
remembered for his unflinching support for the Palestinians.
During the current war on Gaza and other parts of Palestine,
we were in constant communication and I used to ask him for
peaceful ways and means to help the besieged masses of Gaza
and West Bank. He concluded long before the ICC-ICJ verdict
that it was an Israeli "genocide" against the people of
Palestine. After the 2003 American war against Iraq, he took
initiatives to organize an International Commission (Kuala
Lumpur) to prosecute George W. Bush and Tony and others for
the war crimes in Iraq. He framed the legal entity of an
Independent State of Palestine. After the Oslo agreement,
once he disclosed (being advisor to Yasser Arafat) like late
Professor Edward W. Said that he advised Mr. Arafat (PLO)
not to sign the Oslo agreement because Israeli leaders would
never honor their commitments to peace and Two States
solution.
In one of my books in 2019 (One Humanity and the Remaking of
Peace, Security and Conflict Resolution), I listed and
honored Professor Boyle in the chapter: "People of Peace,
People of Honor and People of Humanity."
He will be remembered for his sincerity and commitment to
pursue humanitarian causes as a lifelong struggle for the
good of humanity.
Dr. Mahboob A. Khawaja specializes in international
affairs-global security, peace and conflict resolution and
has spent several academic years across the
Russian-Ukrainian and Central Asian regions. He is the
author of several publications, including One Humanity and
the Remaking of Global Peace, Security and Conflict
Resolution 2019
Judge Rules Against Mahmoud Khalil
By Sis. 'Aisha
Jamaat al-Muslimeen New York City
On April 11, 2025, in Jena, Louisiana, Immigration Judge
Jamee E. Comans ruled that the U.S. could deport Columbia
grad student Mahmoud Khalil. The Trump Administration is
accusing Mahmoud Khalil of being a supporter of Hamas, the
Palestinian guerillas fighting against Israel's genocidal
occupation.
Mahmoud Khalil was a negotiator and spokesperson for the
students who set up encampments on Columbia University's
campus. Khalil was not accused of participating in the
pro-Palestine demonstrations or arrested. His actions were
enough to draw the ire of the enemies of Islam.
At the hearing, attorney Marc Van Der Hout told the
immigration judge that the federal government's submissions
to the court proved that this deportation case had nothing
to do with foreign policy. Khalil's supporters are accusing
the Trump Administration of carrying out a Zionist vendetta
against those critical of Israel.
This latest ruling is a mere setback. Khalil's lawyer, Marc
Van Der Hout, has vowed to continue fighting for his client.
Federal judges in New York and New Jersey have already ruled
that the U.S. government not deport Mahmoud Khalil while his
case is heard in multiple courts.
This ruling to deport Khalil without any due process made it
quite clear why he was sent, over a thousand miles away, to
Louisiana. His attorney will appeal this ruling with the
Immigration Board of Appeals.
Prophet (SAW): "It is as if He Fasted for a Lifetime"; A
Good Deed Which has the Reward of Ten Good Deeds
Fasting in Shawwal
[Compiled by Imran Ayub]
1. What is the reward of fasting one [1] day,
for the sake of Allah...?
It was narrated from Aboo Sa'eed Al-Kudri ~(may Allaah be
pleased with him)...
that PROPHET [Peace be upon him] said...
"Whoever fasts one [1] day in the cause of Allah,
Allah will keep the fire away from his face the distance of
seventy [70] autumns (years) for that day."[1]
2.~ What are the virtues of fasting the Six [6] days... ?
It was narrated from Thawbaan (may Allah be pleased with
him),
the freed slave of PROPHET (Peace be upon him)
That the PROPHET ﷺ~said...
"Whoever fasts six [6] days after 'Eid Ul Fitr'
will have completed the year...{!}
for whoever does a good deed will have the reward
of ten [10] like it."[2]
So it follows that 29/30 days will be multiplied by
10...
and adding the 6 days
(which are also multiplied by 10)...
will be equivalent to one year (350/360 days) {!}
It was narrated from Abu Ayub (Allah be pleased with
him)
that the Messenger Allah (peace be upon him) said...
"Whoever fasts 'Ramadan' then follows it with six [6]
days of 'Shawaal'...it is as if he fasted for a life
time."[3]
Another important benefit of fasting six [6] days of
'Shawwal' is that it makes up for any shortfall in a
person's obligatory 'Ramadan' fasts,
because no one is free of shortcomings
or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting.
On the Day of Resurrection, some of his 'Nafl' deeds
will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his
obligatory deeds...{!}
The PROPHET~ (Peace be upon him) said...
"The first thing among their deeds for which the
people will be brought to account
on the Day of Resurrection will be Prayer {!}
Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best,
'Look at My slave's Prayer, is it complete or lacking?'
If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete,
but if it is lacking...
He will say, 'Look and see whether my slave did
any voluntary ('Nafl') prayers.'
If he had done voluntary prayers, He will say...
'Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave
from his voluntary prayers.'
Then the rest of his deeds will be examined
in a similar manner."[5]
3. How should they be done and is it obligatory ?
Imam ash Shawkaani (may Allaah be pleased with him)
said...
"It is apparent from the 'Hadith' that it is sufficient
to fast for six [6] days in Shawwal,
regardless of whether it is at...
~ the beginning...
~in the middle...
~or at the end !
nor is it a condition that the days be consecutive,
with no gaps between them.
[except for the day of 'Eid al~ Fitr.']
But if they fasted thus, it is better; although all forms
are correct,
it is more correct to fast them with no gaps in between
them...
and the month of 'Ramadan' except for the day of
'Eid, the fasting of which is not permissible.
But as for the idea that those who do not fast in this
manner will not receive the reward of it, that is
incorrect.
This is because whoever fasted six [6] days at the
end of Shawwal has-without doubt-followed the
fasting of Ramadan with six [6] days of Shawwal,
and that is what is required."[6]
Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said...
"Our companions said: it is 'Mustahabb' (recommended)
to fast six [6] days of 'Shawwal'.
Because of this 'Hadith' they said...
'It is 'Mustahabb' to fast these days consecutively
at the beginning of 'Shawwal', but if one separates
them or delays them until after 'Shawwal',
this is permissible, because he will still be
following the general guidelines of the Hadith.
we have no dispute regarding this matter,
and this was also the view of Ahmad and Dawood."[7]
Muhammad ibn Ismaa'eel as-San'aanee said...
"It should be noted that the reward for fasting
[the six days] will be given to whoever fasts
them, whether separately or continually,
immediately after 'Eid' or during the month.
In Sunan at-Tirmithee [it is reported] from
Ibn al-Mubaarak (may Allah be pleased with him)
that he preferred
[the fast to be] six days from the beginning of the
month of Shawwal.
It was also narrated from Ibn al-Mubaarak (r) that he
said...
"Whoever fasts six [6]days from Shawwal separately
is permissible."
4. When should we begin?
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed (may Allah be pleased with
him)...
that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
forbade fasting on the Day of Fitr
and the Day of Adha.[9]
Thus, one is not permitted to fast on the 'Eid' day
itself,
but can start the next day.
5. What if we have fasts to make up ?
5.1a/- First view: Missed obligatory fasts must be made
up BEFORE completing voluntary fasts of 'Shawwal'.
With regard to fasting the six[6] days of 'Shawwal',
they are connected to Ramadan and can only done
after making up missed Ramadan fasts.
If he fasts them before making up missed Ramadan
fasts he will not attain that reward !
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said...
"Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of
Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a Lifetime."
It is well known that whoever still owes days from
'Ramadan' is not regarded as having fasted
'Ramadan' until he makes up the days he missed."[10]
6. What if, for someone following the first view,
there are too many days to make up... ?
Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips explains that if there are men
and women, who may have many days to make up, wish to attain
the reward of fasting in 'Shawwal', they should make the
intention to do the fasting in Shawwal, but they should not
fast them, until after completing her missed days of
Ramadan, due to the narration~
"He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed
it with six [6] fasts of Shawwal...".
And he pointed out that by fasting the 6 days of 'Shawwal'
before complete the missed days of Ramadan, would be giving
preference of voluntary fast over obligatory and this is
wrong. he explained that if it happens that they cannot do
the fasts
(due to there not being enough days for them to complete
the missed fasts and fast the 6 days of 'Shawwal'),
they will be rewarded for their intentions at least, In
Shaa'Allah,
as everyone will be rewarded for what they intended.
Narrated Ameerul-Mu'mineen, 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab
(may Allaah be pleased with him)...
I heard Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) saying...
"The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions
and every person will get the reward according to
what he has intended.
So whoever emigrates for worldly benefits or for a woman
to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated
for."[11]
Thus, they should make the intentions to do them,
even if they cannot.[12]
Second view: Missed obligatory fasts can be combined
with the voluntary fasts of 'Shawwal',
provided the correct intention is made...
Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari said...
"As for combining two intentions, i.e. making-up missed
Ramadhan Fasts ('Qadha') and the six [6] fasts of
'Shawwal',
one should principally make an intention of 'Qadha'.
Thereafter, as a 'secondary' intention, one may also keep in
mind that it is the month of 'Shawwal'. By doing so, it is
hoped [from the mercy of Allah]
that along with the missed fasts being made-up, one will
receive the reward of fasting in 'Shawwal'. But, it is
important that the main and predominant
intention is of making-up the missed fasts.
However, it is better that one makes up for the missed fasts
separately from fasting
make-up ('Qadha') fasts..."[13]
~And It is Only ALLAH {Azza Wa Jall} Who grants
success.~