Nigerian Shiite Leader Says "Boko Haram Not Responsible for Pilgrimage Attack"

Boko Haram was not behind a suicide bombing that killed at least 21 people near Nigeria’s second city of Kano during a Shiite Muslim procession, according to a prominent Nigerian Shiite leader, the Premium Times reported.

On November 27, a male suicide bomber detonated his device during the procession from Kano to Zaria, a site of pilgrimage for Nigerian Shiite Muslims. The Nigerian militant group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened near the village of Dakasoye, south of Kano. In a statement released on November 28, the group warned that such attacks would continue “against Shia polytheists...until we cleanse the earth of their filth.”

But on Tuesday, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the Shiite group that organized the procession, said the fundamentalist group was not responsible for the attack, despite its claims. “We know the names of...those contracted to commit the massacre, their identity is not hidden from us,” said Zakzaky in a statement. “We cannot be cowed by an imaginary Boko Haram tale. Let them tell it to the fools and the ignorant.”

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria also said that a second attacker was arrested before he could detonate his bomb. Zakzaky said the assailants in the procession attack belonged to the same group as those who have committed previous attacks on the Shiite movement, including an incident at a pro-Palestinian march in Zaria in July 2014, when 34 people were killed reportedly by military personnel. Three of Zakzaky’s sons were among the dead.

At the time, the Nigerian army’s public relations director said it was investigating the incident, but insisted the military was acting in self-defence after protesters shot at the soldiers.

Boko Haram espouses a fundamentalist interpretation of Sunni Islam and regards Shiite Muslims as heretics. The group has been blamed for attacks on Shiites in the past, including a suicide bombing in November 2014 at the Shiite festival of Ashura in Potiskum in Yobe state, northern Nigeria, that killed 20 people.

As well as Nigeria, Boko Haram has carried out frequent attacks in Cameroon, Niger and Chad in recent months. However, the militants suffered a blow in November when the Cameroonian army claims it killed around 100 Boko Haram fighters and liberated some 900 hostages in an operation on the Cameroonian-Nigerian border.

Credit to Conor Gaffey

Nigeria's Boko Haram pledges allegiance to Islamic State

Nigeria, March 7 (UPI) -- Boko Haram, which has since 2009 waged war seeking an Islamic government in Nigeria, officially pledged allegiance to the Islamic State on Saturday, making it the latest terrorist organization to align itself with the group.
The audio statement was made by Boko Haram's leader and posted to Twitter but has not been verified.
Earlier this month a video posted to Boko Haram's Twitter account depicted the beheading of two accused spies, leading experts to speculate the groups might be working together. Since last summer IS has infamously used video of beheadings as a terror tactic.
The pledge is the latest in a series of declarations made by extremists worldwide since IS captured large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria last year, leading IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to declare a caliphate in June.
In July 2014 the leader of Filipino terrorist group Abu Sayyaf pledged allegiance to IS in a video posted to Facebook.
In Sept. 2014 Algeria's Jund al-Khilafah, or "Soldiers of the Caliphate in Algeria," split from al-Qaida's North Africa branch and declared allegiance to IS.
In Oct. 2014 prominent leaders of the Pakistani Taliban, otherwise known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, gave oaths of allegiance to IS, with TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid saying, "From today, I accept Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as my caliph and will accept every directive of his and will fight for him whatsoever the situation."
Click for The BokoHaram Video
In January Afghan army commanders confirmed IS was operating in their country, and a group calling itself IS in Khorasan claimed control of territories in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Libya's Majlis Shura Shabab al-Islam, or "The Islamic Youth Shura Council," which had formed in April 2014, declared allegiance to IS and seized the city of Derna on Libya's northeastern Mediterranean coast in November, saying it was now a part of the IS caliphate. The affiliate last month posted a video of militants beheading Coptic Christians from neighboring Egypt.
On Nov. 10, Egyptian Islamist group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, based in the Sinai Peninsula, pledged loyalty to al-Baghdadi in an audio message on Twitter.
"We give you good news by announcing the expansion of the Islamic State to new lands ... the lands of Al Haramayn [Saudi Arabia], Yemen, Egypt, Libya and Algeria," al-Baghdadi announced at the time.
On Nov. 21 Omar al-Chechen, leader of a Chechen militant group known as Jaish al-Muhajireen wa Ansar, or "Army of the Emigrants and Helpers," declared allegiance to al-Baghdadi in an online statement.
"ISIS is a brand name," Samer Shehata, an associate professor of Middle Eastern politics at the University of Oklahoma, told NPR in November, using an alternate acronym for the Islamic State. "It has widespread recognition, and in the eyes of many adherents, it's successful."
While IS used to be an affiliate of al-Qaida, the two groups have grown into adversaries. In Dec. 2014 Harith bin Ghazi al-Nadhari, a senior sharia official with al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, released a video rebuking al-Baghdadi's claim that the IS caliphate extended to Yemen, where AQAP is based.
Al-Qaida also disputes al-Baghdadi's claim to be the caliph, a position for which the extremist group -- including al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri -- recognizes Taliban leader Mullah Omar. Al-Qaida's Syrian affiliate, the Nusra Front, has since engaged IS forces in battle.
Credit to  Fred Lambert

Nigeria: Legality of Modern Education in Islam

It is a common phenomenon in Islam that education is the first pillar or structure upon which all actions are built, be it ibadaat (rituals) or Mu'amalat (transactions) . It is in line with this argument that the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad reads: " Proclaim (or Read) In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created. Created man out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful. He who taught (the use of) the pen. Taught man that which he knew not." (Q96:1-5)

Islam, however, buttresses the point that serving Allah should encompass all spheres of human endeavours, be it private or public, Ibadaat or Mu'amalat. Says the Most High: "Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the worlds. No partner hath He: This an I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will." (Q6:162-163)

As a Muslim is, however, encouraged to have a sound faith in Allah, to practice Islam to the best of his ability, and to interact with human beings, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, with justice and fairness, so that he will get the good and best reward in the life hereafter, with Jannat al-Firdausi as his final abode.

"Say, O' You Muhammad come I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Do not ascribe any partner with Him in worship and be kind to your parents: do not kill your children because of poverty, we provide sustenance for you and for them; do not approach illicit activities openly or secretly; and do not kill anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law). These are His commandments so that you understand." Q6:151.

And do not approach orphan's property except for improvement on it until (he or she) attains the age of full strengths; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We do not impose on any person except what he can bear. And be just in your making comments even if a near relative is concerned, and fulfill the covenant of Allah. These are His commandments so that you remember." Q6:152

A brief introduction of the sect "Boko Haram"

The term "Boko Haram", in my own view, and the views of many Muslims in Nigeria, was coined by the enemies of Islam so that it will become very easy for them to fight Islam and Muslims alike, especially through discouraging the latter from active participation in search of knowledge, science and technology to be precise.

The foundations of modern science and technology could be traced to activities of Islamic jurists and scientists of the early centuries such as Ibn Rushud (Averreos) (1128-1198) who excelled in Philosophy, Law, Medicine, Astronomy and Theology, Al Farabi (Al-Pharabius) (870-950 C.E) who excelled in Sociology, Logic, Philosophy, Political Science and Music; Ibn Sina the father of modern Medicine, Al-Razi etc.

Excerpted from the book: Karanta Boko Halal Ne Da Sunan Allah (Legality of Modern Education In Islam) by Ash-Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir.

Credit to Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim

Critics on Islam: Time to Face Facts, Mr. President

President Barack Obama insisted Thursday that Islamist terrorist groups committing atrocities from the Middle East to Africa to Europe do not represent Islam, calling the idea that the West is at war with Islam "an ugly lie."

The president addressed delegates from more than 60 countries at the closing session of a summit on "Countering Violent Extremism," hosted by the U.S. State Department in Washington.

Obama said the nations gathered "must remain unwavering in our fight against terrorist organizations."

In one part of the address, the president appeared to be responding to administration critics, who have pointed out that the White House refuses to use the term "Islamic" when referring to terrorist groups such as al Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram, who are committing atrocities against Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims.

"Obviously, there is a complicated history between the Middle East and the West, and none of us, I think, should be immune from criticism in terms of specific policies. But the notion that the West is at war with Islam is an ugly lie -- and all of us, regardless of our faith, have a responsibility to reject it," he cautioned.

On Wednesday, the president explained he doesn't want to mention Islam when talking about terrorism because it would give Islamic radicals a tool they can use to recruit new fighters.

 Video: Obama Not at War with Islam Declaration Mocked 

"We must acknowledge that groups like al Qaeda and (ISIS) are deliberately targeting their propaganda to Muslim communities, particularly Muslim youth," he said.

But even the president refused to admit any connection between the Islamic State terrorists and Islam, he said we need to "tackle" the issue head on.

"We can't shy away from these discussions. And too often folks are understandably sensitive about addressing some of these root issues, but we have to talk about them, honestly and clearly," Obama said.

But critics are mocking the president and his administration for not using phrases like "Islamic terrorism."

Thursday's New York Post shows a picture of the president blindfolded with the caption "Islamic Terror? I Just Don't See It."

Cliff May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, says the president and his administration need to acknowledge that radical Islam is behind terrorism and groups like ISIS.

"We're kind of avoiding making decisions now and we're saying things that really nobody that's informed about these matters can actually believe," Cliff May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told CBN News.

"He thinks he's doing it because he wants to avoid the impression that this is in any way a religious war – it was 21 Coptic Christians who had their heads taken off by the Islamic State," May said.

This week's White House summit came after the State Department recently, and quietly, hosted a meeting with members of the Muslim Brotherhood -- much to the outrage of the governments of Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Israelis were also surprised.

"We just don't understand because we know the history of the Muslim Brothers. We know exactly who they are," Zvi Mazel, former Israeli ambassador to Egypt, said.

"So how come, the United States, the administration, in that case the president himself and the State Department, receive delegation of the Muslim Brothers?" he asked.

Credit to John Waage and Charlene Aaron