Assalaamu Alaikumm,

Well, No I didn't run away..

I was focusing on Ramadan and preparing for my trip.

I am now in Qatar, a tiny country to the east of Saudi, home to Al-Jazeera, 15% of the worlds gas supply and loads of $$$

I got a scholarship to study Arabic here and didn't tell anyone because I usually don't advertise my travel plans online for obvious reasons.

It's a great country, little to no crime (hopeless drivers on the road though), too many round abouts (I blame the British, they love their roundabouts) and the people are perhaps the most lovely I've met. The most hospitable.

So yeah, I appreciate Abu Rashid's patience with me while I've been away from the forums as he's been left alone having to deal with some of the rubbish that some people have been putting up when they know they shouldn't be doing it.

I will remind you all that it's important to adhere to the guidelines of this Islamic Forum within Ozpolitic and if you are not willing to then please don't post on the forum, it's not acceptable to keep doing it.

I see Sprint is back, that's good to see, if you can adhere to the forum rules Sprint we're happy to have fruitful dialog with you.

Anywho, does anyone have any questions?


Massalaama,

Adonis

welcome back malik.

fancy you being in the home of terrorists !!
yes, i am back after your legal threat against me and others here.

i rarely post in the islam forum, due to propaganda here.

why did you not tell us of plans to the terrorist capital??

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 1:08am:

welcome back malik. fancy you being in the home of terrorists !! yes, i am back after your legal threat against me and others here. i rarely post in the islam forum, due to propaganda here. why did you not tell us of plans to the terrorist capital??

Sprint..

This "Home of the terrorists" is home to US Military Central Command in the Middle East, allowed its nation to be a staging post for the 2003 war in Iraq, has won numerous awards due to it's work in diplomacy and promoting peace in the Middle East from most Western Countries and doesn't accept terrorism and extremism. It also gave the largest donation of foreign aid and charity that any other country did to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. But it's only typical that an ignorant fool like yourself would make such a comment, people like you are the reason why the West has few allies in this region, simply because you would paint everyone with the same brush as your a bigot.

I didn't tell anyone of my plans because it's really not anyones business where I am at any one point. Plus only a fool would advertise specific travel plan details online. I do so at my own luxury and don't have to update you with anything.

Now you can consider this post as a warning for you Sprint as it seems you have NOT changed from your old bigoted ways. But either way, do not start making such accusations on this Islamic forum and you better start adhering to the guidelines of it or you simply wont be welcome on it and will have to post elsewhere.

OK?

You can't help plugging your foot firmly into your mouth can you sprint?


Quote:

why did you not tell us of plans to the terrorist capital??

Qatar is the capital of US operations in the Middle east, so yeh if you agree America are terrorists, then you're right, it is the terrorist capital.

Quote:

Anywho, does anyone have any questions?

Can you stay in Qatar indefinitely?

thanks for the early threat maliik.


Hope you had a good trip there and are well

Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet..

But nah, I'll come back. I'm the only thing that makes life interesting for Sprint as he has nothing better to do than to harass Muslims, if I didn't he'd probably jump off of a building and kill himself ::)  :-?

And yes an early threat Sprint, don't worry.. I wont leave you not knowing where you stand on the forums.. Keep it clean and don't break the guidelines and we'll have great dialog..

My trip was 18 hrs and not that great.. it was kinda funny coming from  7degree temperature in Melbourne to 45 degrees with 67% humidity, but actually I love the heat here..

Anywho, time for me to sleep..

Night everyone

Quote:

Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet.

Are you sure Malik?? Doesn't sound right.. Some forummers here told me all Muslim countries are backwards 3rd. world hellholes, how can this be??

Siesta time is a VERY good idea !!
Good on Qatar for not accepting extremism. No country should.

Most monarchises govern well and do well for their people.
I assume Qatar get thier money from oil ??


"Although there were improvements in a few human rights areas, serious problems remained and new ones emerged. The following human rights problems were reported:


• restriction of right of citizens to peacefully change their government
• civil liberties: restricted freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association
• limited freedom of religion
• government revocation of citizenship
• government corruption and lack of transparency
• legal discrimination against women
• trafficking in persons
• severely restricted worker rights "

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61697.htm


Apart from lack of freedom, given they have siestas and do not accept terrorism, sounds good to me.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 10:13am:

Siesta time is a VERY good idea !! Good on Qatar for not accepting extremism. No country should. Most monarchises govern well and do well for their people. I assume Qatar get thier money from oil ?? "Although there were improvements in a few human rights areas, serious problems remained and new ones emerged. The following human rights problems were reported: • restriction of right of citizens to peacefully change their government • civil liberties: restricted freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association • limited freedom of religion • government revocation of citizenship • government corruption and lack of transparency • legal discrimination against women • trafficking in persons • severely restricted worker rights " http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61697.htm Apart from lack of freedom, given they have siestas and do not accept terrorism, sounds good to me.

I could apply points 2,3,5 and 8 to Australia as well. Not to mention Australia being condemned by the UN and other countries for human rights abuses, and the suffering of Australia's indigenous population who live in 3rd world conditions.

You can dredge up bad stuff on a lot of countries- doesn't mean they're the  devil incarnate.

oh and sprint- I don't see how you could expect Malik's attitude towards you to have changed, seeing as you are determined to be combative.

If someone came up to you and insulted everything you hold dear would you be saying "oh let's be friends! shall we have tea and scones and plait each others hair?" or would you be defensive and impatient towards them.

if you give people every reason not to trust you or tolerate you- then obviously they're not  going to do it.

simple logic my friend

Quote:

Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet..

Do yourself, and the rest of us, a favour and stay there then.

Unless you enjoy being the "victim" all the time.

Or unless there are other motives for you to be here.

jordan484 wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 11:28am:

Quote: Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet.. Do yourself, and the rest of us, a favour and stay there then. Unless you enjoy being the "victim" all the time. Or unless there are other motives for you to be here.

you do realise that via the magic of the internet he'll still be posting on the forums right  ;D

at least you admit muslims are victimised in australia  :P

Hi Malik, I assume you are there to advance your Islamic studies, as we have been told that one needs to speak Arabic to truly understand the Koran.

As I hold all religions in pretty much equal disdain, I say to you, as I would to christians, be aware of the inconsistencies that fill your texts, and never subjugate your ability to critically analyse for yourself, rather than accepting at face value, that which goes against your reason.

I hope your studies lead you to a position where you feel free to examine the point that a religion is more than it's texts, it is a reflection of the behaviour of it's followers, I hope your experiences in that regard are very positive for you, and will help you to proffer that example to others.

Quote:

you do realise that via the magic of the internet he'll still be posting on the forums right  ;D

Yes, but one less here is a start.  :P


Quote:

at least you admit muslims are victimised in australia  :P

The important thing to understand was the " before and after the word victim.

Malik Shakur wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 8:38am:

Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet.. ...

To be home to US Military Central Command in the Middle East has great advantages then.

jordan484 wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 11:46am:

Quote: you do realise that via the magic of the internet he'll still be posting on the forums right  ;D Yes, but one less here is a start.  :P [quote]at least you admit muslims are victimised in australia  :P

The important thing to understand was the " before and after the word victim.

[/quote]

ahhh come on jordan- you don't mean that! people are people= embrace the common humanity!!

lol- I know, I was just messing with you  ;)

mozza,


Quote:

it is a reflection of the behaviour of it's followers

Just curious does this hold for atheism as well? I mean is the behaviour of atheists during Stalin's purges and gulags, Mao's cultural revolution, Pol Pot's killing fields etc. are these all reflective of atheism? Or is it just to be applied to religion only? Thanks in advance :)

tallowood wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 11:54am:

To be home to US Military Central Command in the Middle East has great advantages then.

Not really no, it's because of people like the American expats that there are problems in this country in the first place, they have no respect for the people here nor the culture or religion. In addition to that having US Central Command here makes us vulnerable to Iranian missile attacks should the US be so stupid to attack Iran.

All the benefits that this country and it's people enjoy are due to it's own policies and quite frankly the US is a danger to it.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 1:30pm:

mozza, Quote: it is a reflection of the behaviour of it's followers Just curious does this hold for atheism as well? I mean is the behaviour of atheists during Stalin's purges and gulags, Mao's cultural revolution, Pol Pot's killing fields etc. are these all reflective of atheism? Or is it just to be applied to religion only? Thanks in advance :)

Yes, (Not speaking for mozza) We judge people by their actions. And if they proclaim that a certain ideology propells their actions, we have to take that into account if trey are to be deemed responsible for their actions or words.
The mad and children are exempt, obviously.

Wow you muslims are touchy.
Iwas merely stating the obvious, if you choose to take it as an attack, well we may just have to put that down to your martyr complex.

The point you missed(what a surprise ::) ) was that Malik may get the opportunity to experience a far more fraternal and accepting version of Islam, which he can then emulate in his community back here, rather than needing to ostracise himself from those who don't interpret the texts in the same way he does, a more benign version of Islam, if you like.

As for dictators who happen to be atheists doing terrible things?
If they did so to justify or promote atheism then I would condemn it, but it is hard to see how a lack of belief in a humanly devised theist 's image, could be inspiration for such behaviour, we all know that all holy texts prove that god is the immoral one.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 1:08am:

fancy you being in the home of terrorists !!

I dont believe he has been to Tel-Aviv Sprint.

Malik Shakur wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 12:29am:

Assalaamu Alaikumm, Well, No I didn't run away.. I was focusing on Ramadan and preparing for my trip. I am now in Qatar, a tiny country to the east of Saudi, home to Al-Jazeera, 15% of the worlds gas supply and loads of $$$ I got a scholarship to study Arabic here and didn't tell anyone because I usually don't advertise my travel plans online for obvious reasons. It's a great country, little to no crime (hopeless drivers on the road though), too many round abouts (I blame the British, they love their roundabouts) and the people are perhaps the most lovely I've met. The most hospitable. So yeah, I appreciate Abu Rashid's patience with me while I've been away from the forums as he's been left alone having to deal with some of the rubbish that some people have been putting up when they know they shouldn't be doing it. I will remind you all that it's important to adhere to the guidelines of this Islamic Forum within Ozpolitic and if you are not willing to then please don't post on the forum, it's not acceptable to keep doing it. I see Sprint is back, that's good to see, if you can adhere to the forum rules Sprint we're happy to have fruitful dialog with you. Anywho, does anyone have any questions? Massalaama, Adonis

You couldn't by any chance stay and live in the Middle-East could you, Malik?

Quote:

You couldn't by any chance stay and live in the Middle-East could you, Malik?

Nah I think he's just gone to learn Arabic language and culture, so he can then come back and propagate it here :)

mozzaok - hhhmmmm
Quote:

Malik may get the opportunity to experience a far more fraternal and accepting version of Islam, which he can then emulate in his community back here, rather than needing to ostracise himself from those who don't interpret the texts in the same way he does, a more benign version of Islam, if you like.

That'ld be nice.
Given he has already threatened me being being banned, it seems not to be that way.
Or is that the true way of islam ?

Based on experiences with muslims, that is the true way of Islam. Their way or none. That's why there is always conflict because religions rarely bend for one another (or those who are not religious) and Islam is the worst offender.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Oct 13^th, 2008 at 8:01am:

mozzaok - hhhmmmm Quote: Malik may get the opportunity to experience a far more fraternal and accepting version of Islam, which he can then emulate in his community back here, rather than needing to ostracise himself from those who don't interpret the texts in the same way he does, a more benign version of Islam, if you like. That'ld be nice. Given he has already threatened me being being banned, it seems not to be that way. Or is that the true way of islam ?

I think you guys need to get over the whole 'you threatened to ban me', 'you modded my post' ridiculousness

boohoo. it's an internet forum. get over it.

I think the "boo hoo, it's an internet forum, get over it" comment has been directed to the wrong people, gaybriel, the ones that need that advice are the overbearing, censor-mad moderators and those who threaten legal action.

jordan484 wrote on Oct 13^th, 2008 at 11:51am:

I think the "boo hoo, it's an internet forum, get over it" comment has been directed to the wrong people, gaybriel, the ones that need that advice are the overbearing, censor-mad moderators and those who threaten legal action.

mmm nope- cause it's their forum and they make the rules

Precisely.

jordan484 wrote on Oct 13^th, 2008 at 12:01pm:

Precisely.

lol- I'm glad we agree. wait.... :P

Gaybriel,

You'll get used to the two or three posters we have here who like to complain about how they've been unfairly moderated and censored all the time. You can usually pick their posts as being those devoid of any actual argument or sincere question.

Not much point in trying to persuade them to just get on with things, because if they didn't have something to complain about, they wouldn't be here.

Neither would you.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 13^th, 2008 at 6:49am:

Quote: You couldn't by any chance stay and live in the Middle-East could you, Malik? Nah I think he's just gone to learn Arabic language and culture, so he can then come back and propagate it here :)

As per the plan.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 13^th, 2008 at 6:49am:

Quote: You couldn't by any chance stay and live in the Middle-East could you, Malik? Nah I think he's just gone to learn Arabic language and culture, so he can then come back and propagate it here :)

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

abu_rashid wrote on Oct 10^th, 2008 at 8:42am:

Quote: Hmmm no tax, free education, dental and medical, fuel that's about US$.15/lt. Less crime than Japan (which is way less than Australia) No racist bogans telling me to go back to my own country because I'm a Muslim even though I was born there. Siesta time during the day. Really great people. Fridays off to pray. Sounds pretty sweet. Are you sure Malik?? Doesn't sound right.. Some forummers here told me all Muslim countries are backwards 3rd. world hellholes, how can this be??

In the shadows of splendour
•      October 13, 2008
Behind the opulence and dizzying skyscrapers of Dubai, is an exploited army of migrant workers living in squalor.
Ghaith Abdul-Ahad reports.
…
How is life? I ask.
"What life? We have no life here. We are prisoners. We wake up at five, arrive to work at seven and are back at the camp at nine in the evening, day in and day out."

…
"They lied to us," a worker with a long beard says. "They told us lies to bring us here. Some of us sold their land; others took big loans to come and work here."
Once they arrive in the United Arab Emirates, migrant workers are treated little better than cattle, with no access to health care and many other basic rights. The company that sponsors them holds on to their passports - and often a month or two of their wages to make sure that they keep working. And for this some will earn just 400 dirhams a month.
…
One experienced worker with spectacles and a prayer cap tells me that things are much better than they used to be. Five years ago, when he first came, the company gave him nothing. There was no air-conditioning in the room and sometimes no electricity. "Now, they give AC to each room and a mattress for each worker."
…
A couple of miles away, the slave market becomes more ugly. Outside a glitzy hotel, with a marble and glass facade, dozens of prostitutes congregate according to their ethnic groups: Asians to the right, next to them Africans, and, on the left, blondes from the former Soviet Union. There are some Arab women. Iranians, I am told, are in great demand. They charge much higher prices and are found only in luxury hotels.
Like the rest of the Gulf region, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are being built by expat workers. They are strictly segregated, and a hierarchy worthy of previous centuries prevails.
…

Many times I am told that while the immigrant workers are living in appalling conditions, they would be even worse off back home.

"We need slaves," my friend Ali, an Iraqi engineer, says. "We need slaves to build monuments. Look who built the pyramids - they were slaves."

Sharla Musabih, a human rights campaigner who runs the City of Hope shelter for abused women, is familiar with such sentiments. "Once you get rich on the back of the poor," she says, "it's not easy to let go of that lifestyle.

"They are devaluing human beings. The workers might eat once a day back home, but they have their family around them, they have respect. They are not asking for a room in a hotel - all they are asking for is respect for their humanity."
…
Sharla Musabih says that economically, Dubai has progressed a lot, "but socially it has stayed behind".



http://www.watoday.com.au/world/in-the-shadows-of-splendour-20081012-4z1i.html?page=-1

hehe...you do realise that Qatar is not Dubai...don't you.

Actually a completely different country. hehe, once again Soren making himself look foolish by cutting and pasting whatever he could find without actually reading it.

Doesn't matter Lestat!! They'll all the same.

Soren, that's a good point, and I agree it's a despicable situation. Most gulf countries have appalling conditions for non-citizens, and this has to change, it's got nothing to do with Islam though. Under Islam, all people are citizens within the state and all are entitled to health care.