From their associates at the Associated Press:

Pakistani Army officials collect evidence at the site of a suicide bombing in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007.

Bomb 1/4-mile from Musharraf’s HQ kills 7

By ANJUM NAVEED, Associated Press Writer

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan – A suicide attacker set off a bomb at a checkpoint a quarter-mile from the military headquarters where President Gen. Pervez Musharraf was staying Tuesday, killing seven people, police said.

The blast will likely feed fears for the country’s stability just as it prepares for crucial parliamentary elections and faces a growing threat from Islamic militants.

The man walked up to the checkpoint in the city of Rawalpindi a quarter-mile from Army House. Musharraf was safely inside at the time, his spokesman Rashid Qureshi said.

Police said three of their officers and four civilians were killed along with the lone assailant. Fourteen policemen and four civilians were wounded, he said.

“When police officers asked him to halt, the attacker got panicked. And as the police tried to capture him, he blew himself up,” city police chief Saud Aziz told The Associated Press. “Our officers died to protect the citizens of Pakistan.”

The attack left the area around the checkpoint, which guards a road leading to Army House and the residences of several top generals, strewn with flesh and torn clothing.

An Associated Press photographer saw emergency workers remove the body of an elderly man killed as he was riding by on a bicycle.

Police said women and children aboard a passing minibus were also among the dead and wounded. Television footage showed schoolbags abandoned on the seats of the vehicle, whose windows were blown out.

Investigators cordoned off the area to retrieve evidence. A policeman climbed an overhanging tree to dislodge part of the bomber’s severed head…

Another heroic martyr to the religion of peace.

By the way, this is how the “paper of record,” the New York Times reported the incident:

Young Bomber Strikes Within a Mile of Musharraf

By SALMAN MASOOD and GRAHAM BOWLEY
Published: October 31, 2007

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Oct. 30 — A young man blew himself up about one mile from the offices of Pakistan’s president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, in this garrison town near Islamabad, the capital, today, killing seven people including himself and wounding 14 others, according to police officials and the Interior Ministry…

The young scamp.

We certainly wouldn’t want to call him a terrorist, would we?

That’s not polite.

From the Associated Press:

Iraqi policemen and other residents stand near body bags containing the remains of policemen who were killed in a suicide bomb attack in Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, October 29, 2007.

Iraqi official: Kidnapped sheiks freed

By BUSHRA JUHI, Associated Press Writer

A suicide bomber on a bicycle blew himself up Monday in a crowd of police recruits, killing at least 29 people, police and hospital officials said. Separately, a group of kidnapped Sunni and Shiite sheiks were freed, a government spokesman said.

Police and relatives have identified the tribal leaders abducted in Baghdad as seven Shiites and three Sunnis aligned against al-Qaida who were on their way home to Diyala province — the same region where Monday’s bombing took place — after attending a meeting with the Shiite-dominated government’s adviser for tribal affairs to discuss coordinating efforts against the terror group.

Police said one of the Sunnis in the group — seized from their cars in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood — was shot to death, but Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari said the rest were freed on Monday. He declined to specify how many or give more details.

The U.S. military, citing intelligence sources, said Monday that a rogue Shiite militia leader was responsible for the abduction, identifying him as Arkan Hasnawi, a former brigade commander in the Mahdi Army militia, which is nominally loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr…

The police recruits in Baqouba were waiting to be allowed inside the camp for the day’s training when the suicide bomber blew himself up in their midst, according to a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

A 22-year-old Sunni man from Baqouba’s central Tahrir area said he was among a group of some 60 recruits when the blast struck.

Akram Salman said it must have been an inside job because the suicide bomber apparently penetrated heavy security surrounding the police camp without being searched.

He said police failed to stop the bomber when he changed course suddenly from the main road toward the recruits.

“The police are infiltrated. Many people join the police but they have affiliations with al-Qaida. These infiltrators made it easy for the bomber to attack us,” he said. “There are two main checkpoints on the main road leading to the camp, it would be impossible for a man on a bicycle to pass without being properly searched.”

“Al-Qaida has threatened us before and prevented us from joining the police,” he said. “They slaughtered many policemen, burned their houses, killed their families and blew up their headquarters. Now, when the people have defeated al-Qaida and cooperated with the government, al-Qaida staged this operation to show their presence and to give a message that they are still in control.”

Mohammed al-Kirrawi, a doctor at the Baqouba general hospital, said most of the victims were struck by iron balls packed with the explosives to achieve maximum casualties. He said the hospital lacked the necessary equipment to save many of the wounded…

And yet the recruits still sign up. They won’t let the terrorists win.

Unlike the heroic Democrats in our country.

From those fans of nuclear proliferation at the Associated Press:

Egypt announces nuclear plant projects

By MAAMOUN YOUSSEF, Associated Press Writer

Egypt said Monday that it would build several nuclear power plants, moving into the front of a group of nations raising fears of Middle Eastern proliferation with new pushes to develop nuclear energy.

President Hosni Mubarak announced live on national television that Egypt was building the power stations to diversify Egypt’s energy resources and preserve the country’s oil and gas for future generations.

“Energy security is a major part of building the future for this country and an integral part of Egypt’s national security system,” Mubarak said at a ceremony inaugurating the second phase of construction of an electrical power plant north of Cairo.

Jordan, Turkey and several Gulf Arab countries also have announced that they are interested in developing nuclear power programs, and Yemen’s government in September signed an agreement with Houston-based Powered Corporation to build civilian nuclear plants over the next 10 years.

Despite the declarations of peaceful intentions, there are worries that the countries could be taking the first steps toward a dangerous proliferation of nuclear technology in response to Iran’s nuclear program, which the U.S. calls cover for weapons development…

Mubarak said he would re-establish the Supreme Council for the Peaceful Purposes of Nuclear Power, which would be in charge of the nuclear program. He also said Egypt would seek the help of its “international partners” and the IAEA in building the plants…

At the time, Hassan Yunis, the minister of electricity and energy, said Egypt could have an operational nuclear power plant within 10 years…

Surely, this will guarantee yet another Nobel Peace Prize for the UN’s great guardian against nuclear proliferation, Mohamed ElBaradei.

Being a fellow Egyptian, you just know he is going to keep a very close eye on developments this time around. (Unlike, say Pakistan, North Korea, Iran and Syria.)

But just to be on the safe side, the Israelis should keep their planes gassed up.

Of course that’s hard to believe, but it’s true.

Indeed, a Google search of mentions of Mrs. Bill Clinton on the DNC/Hillary/Soro website known as Media Matters results in 12,900 highly positive returns:

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Whereas a Google search for mentions of Rudy Giuliani on Media Matters returns 10,800 darkly negative results:

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See for yourself. Click on any of the search results to see the nature of these articles on each of these candidates.

Every Media Matters article about Hillary defends or promotes her. Every article on their site about Mr. Giuliani attacks or denigrates him.

So what, you may say. After all, Media Matters proudly admits to being a “progressive” organization.

But alas, they also solicit donations on the basis of being a 501c3 taxpayer supported “charity.”

From the Media Matters website:

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And, as such, they are strictly restricted from “intervening” in political campaigns according to the IRS guidelines:

Political Campaign Activity

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

So how are they getting away with it?

The IRS encourages people to report such egregious violations:

Where Do You Report Suspected Tax Fraud Activity?

If you suspect or know of an individual or company that is not complying with the tax laws, you may report this activity by completing Form 3949-A. You may fill out Form 3949-A online, print it and mail it to:

Internal Revenue Service
Fresno, CA 93888

If you do not wish to use Form 3949-A, you may send a letter to the address above. Please include the following information, if available:

* Name and address of the person you are reporting
* The taxpayer identification number (social security number for an individual or employer identification number for a business)
* A brief description of the alleged violation, including how you became aware of or obtained the information
* The years involved
* The estimated dollar amount of any unreported income
* Your name, address and daytime telephone number

Although you are not required to identify yourself, it is helpful to do so. Your identity can be kept confidential. You may also be entitled to a reward.

Citizens can also voice their concerns to the members of the Senate Finance Committee, who oversee the Internal Revenue Service:

Chairman Max Baucus (L) and ranking member Chuck Grassley (R)

Committee On Finance

219 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6200

Majority Phone: (202) 224-4515
Minority Phone: (202) 224-5315

Democrat Members Max Baucus, MT John D. Rockefeller IV, WV Kent Conrad, ND Jeff Bingaman, NM John F. Kerry, MA Blanche L. Lincoln, AR Ron Wyden, OR Charles E. Schumer, NY Debbie Stabenow, MI Maria Cantwell, WA Ken Salazar, CO

Republican Members Charles Grassley, IA Orrin G. Hatch, UT Trent Lott, MS Olympia J. Snowe, ME Jon Kyl, AZ Craig Thomas, WY Gordon Smith, OR Jim Bunning, KY Mike Crapo, ID Pat Roberts, KS

Don’t let Media Matters get away with it.

We don’t usually post about polls, but given the time of year this one is hard to resist.

From the Associated Press:

Poll: Hillary Clinton’s Face Still the Spookiest as Top-Selling Candidate Halloween Mask

Monday, October 29, 2007

Once again, Hillary Rodham Clinton leads in a poll. This time, she was top choice when people were asked which major 2008 presidential candidate would make the scariest Halloween costume.

Asked about costume choices, 37 percent in an Associated Press-Ipsos survey this month chose New York Sen. Clinton, the front-runner among Democratic presidential contenders. Fourteen percent selected former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who leads Republicans in national polls.

No other candidate exceeded 6 percent.

Clinton was the choice of four in 10 men and one-third of women. While a predictable two-thirds of Republicans picked her, she also was the choice of 18 percent of Democrats. Among members of her own party, that made her second only to Giuliani as the scariest costume.

About one-third of independents, nearly half of whites and just over half of conservatives selected her…

But there is hope.

From Investors Business Daily:

Fotofix.com improves Hillary Clinton’s image – literally!

Fotofix.com Improves Hillary Clinton’s Image — Literally

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct 27, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Call it Cleavage-gate. When photos of Hillary Clinton’s cleavage peeking out of a revealing V-neck made the news, there’s no doubt she would have liked a do-over…

Hillary’s birthday is this weekend, and what woman entering her sixties wouldn’t want to appear a bit more youthful, a little more rested?

Fotofix.com, a new online photo enhancement service, gave a little help to Hillary, and is now bringing professionally styled photos to the people, so that anyone can visually correct unsightly scars, deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone or red eye.

The process has about a 24-hour turnaround-with customers posting photos directly to the site or sending them via email or a cell phone. The photos are then altered at low or no cost to the consumer.

Harnessing the talents of a team of professional photographers and artists, Fotofix.com can glamorize an online profile image, improve a dating picture or even remove an old girlfriend from the frame-something the other Clinton could have certainly employed during his presidency…

Truth to tell, Mrs. Bill Clinton is not that bad looking per se.

It’s just that sometimes her soul shows through.

From an elated Associated Press:

First lady making history in Argentina

By NIKO PRICE, Associated Press Writer Mon Oct 29

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – President Nestor Kirchner and first lady Cristina Fernandez are poised to switch jobs in December, with partial results indicating Argentines elected a female president for the first time and launched their country’s most powerful political dynasty since Juan and Evita Peron.

Fernandez is a lawyer and senator who followed her husband as he rose from an obscure governorship to the presidency, drawing comparisons to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. She would bring a feistier and more glamorous style to the Pink House, Argentina’s presidential palace, in which she has already spent the last four years.

But it is unclear how much change she will bring. Analysts say a strong win gives Fernandez an opportunity to right the problems of her husband’s administration, including high inflation, an energy crisis and a shrinking budget surplus. Some warned her not to see it as an endorsement of all of Kirchner’s policies.

In her victory speech Sunday night, Fernandez, 54, pledged not to let that happen.

“We have won amply,” she said. “But this, far from putting us in a position of privilege, puts us instead in a position of greater responsibilities and obligations.”

With 86 percent of polling places reporting, Fernandez had about 44 percent of the vote, compared with 23 percent for former lawmaker Elisa Carrio and 17 percent for former Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna…

Carrio spokesman Matias Mendez said seven parties had filed a complaint alleging missing or stolen ballots. One representative of the ruling party was arrested on suspicion of trying to vote twice, and a judge extended voting by an hour in the capital because many polling stations opened late…

Fernandez ran an unorthodox campaign, refusing to debate and spending much of the time abroad in photo-ops with world leaders. Her chic European dresses and designer bags drew comparisons with Evita Peron, another fashion-conscious and politically influential Argentine first lady.

She would be Argentina’s second female president; Isabel Peron — who married Juan Peron after Evita’s death — was his vice president when he died in 1974, and served for 20 chaotic months before a military coup ousted her.

As for Kirchner, he has said he’ll be happy as “first gentleman” after he hands his wife the presidential sash and scepter on Dec. 10. But few expect him to fade too far into the background — and some even suspect the couple is plotting to reverse roles again in 2011…

Boy, is the media loving this story. They can’t wait for “history” to repeat itself here.

But hopefully there are yet some differences between the electorate of our country and that of one with only a very limited history of being a democracy.

Still, it’s hard to argue that with every day that passes our fellow citizens yearn more and more for a benevolent dictatorship.

A constitutional republic just seems to be too much bother.

From the Associated Press:

Giuliani blasts Clinton over remarks

By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer Mon Oct 29

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. – Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani on Sunday blasted Hillary Rodham Clinton for talking about what she would do on the diplomatic front between her possible election and inauguration.

Clinton has told crowds she would send “distinguished Americans of both political parties to travel around the world on my behalf with a very simple message to the governments and the people alike: The era of cowboy diplomacy is over.” …

“I think that it’s important that we conduct this debate in a way that we don’t interfere with the ability of the country to function in a proper way, between the now and (the election),” Giuliani said at the start of a town hall-style meeting in Peterborough…

“The president of the United States is president of the United States. He’s going to be president of the United States from now until the time a new president takes over. Until then, he’s the only one conducting foreign policy of this country,” Giuliani said. “We can have our political debate in this country. … But nobody should be creating the specter that we’re sending emissaries out around the world before someone is actually sworn in as president of the United States.

“I think it would be good for the country if Mrs. Clinton, Senator Clinton would correct that statement now,” Giuliani said.

A spokeswoman for Clinton said Giuliani missed the New York senator’s point.

“Senator Clinton and Mr. Giuliani have a fundamental disagreement. She will end the war in Iraq, reverse the Bush era cowboy diplomacy and restore America’s standing around the world,” said Kathleen Strand…

“Well, Hillary is not president-elect, last time I checked. We’re going to have something to say about that,” Giuliani said to laughter. “Hillary’s not even the nominee of her party. It’s very, very premature to be talking about sending ambassadors all around the world even before she becomes president to interfere with the foreign policy of the United States.”

Giuliani said there are too many dangers in the world to let Clinton’s comments go unchecked.

“The country is at war. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like a war, because it’s far away. … We have the possibility of attack on America. We know that. It happened before,” said Giuliani…

I was beginning to think we were the only ones who noticed madam’s preposterous and dangerous remarks. (More than a month ago.)

Thank goodness somebody is finally calling her out about them.

We all know the media never will.

From The Australian:

Blair wilted under Bush on war

FORMER US secretary of state Colin Powell was surprised by Tony Blair’s strong support for George W.Bush over the Iraq war, a new book says.

Mr Powell said he and Britain’s former foreign secretary Jack Straw would “get (Mr Blair) all pumped up” to talk to Mr Bush about certain issues in the run-up to the 2003 conflict, but Mr Blair would “lose his steam” when he saw Mr Bush.

The comments are quoted in Blair Unbound by Anthony Seldon, a political commentator and biographer of the former British prime minister.

Mr Powell, formerly the top officer in the US military, is quoted as saying that in mid-2002, he “realised that the planning for war was racing ahead and I wasn’t sure we’d thought it through enough”.

“I thought to myself, ‘Jeez, what are we getting ourselves into?”‘

He added that he and Mr Straw “were worried that our two leaders might not have a strong enough sense of the consequences of removing Saddam militarily”.

Mr Powell went on to express surprise at the strength of the “special relationship” between Mr Blair and Mr Bush over the issue.

“In the end, Blair would always support the President,” he said. “I found this very surprising. I never really understood why Blair seemed to be in such harmony with Bush. I thought, ‘Well, the Brits haven’t been attacked on 9/11. How did he reach the point that he sees Saddam as such a threat?’

“Jack and I would get him all pumped up about an issue. And he’d be ready to say, ‘Look here, George.’ But as soon as he saw the President, he would lose his steam.” …

In case there is still any question as to whose side Mr. Powell was on in all of this.

Oh, and thanks again for Richard Armitage.

From the all-knowing Islamic scholars at Islaam.com:

On Halloween

A. Idris Palmer

Halloween is a Western celebration originated by Celtic pagans and traditionally applied to the evening of October 31. It is completely based on rituals involving dead spirits and devil worship. Moreover, it symbolizes the beginning of the ancient Druid new year, who hold that the dead revisit their homes at that time, thus in essence, Halloween represents the devil worshipper’s New Year’s celebration. Mexico, which has a similar celebration at the same time, calls the day, “El Dيa De Los Defuntos” (The Day of the Dead). Therefore Muslim commemoration of such a day is absolutely haram; as it involves the worst elements of shirk and kufr. Indeed, participation in it is similar to one commemorating Christmas or Easter, or congratulating the Christians upon their prostration to the crucifix. In fact, it is worse than congratulating them for drinking wine, fornication and so on. Muslim parents therefore should advise their children accordingly and not allow them to participate in these celebrations…

How therefore is the Muslim to understand this matter in the light of the shari‘ah? Firstly, the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said in an authentic narration: “Whosoever resembles a people is from them.” This is a general statement prohibiting the Muslims from imitation of the kuffar. Any Muslim, who thereby, participates with the non-Muslims in their celebrations, particularly those which involve clear shirk and kufr— is asking for the wrath of Allah and misguidance to descend upon him like it has descended upon them. Allah ta‘ala says: “And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.” [Al-Furqan, 25:72]…

At-Tabari explains this aspect, when he says: “It is not allowed for Muslims to attend their [the disbelievers’] holidays and festivals because they are a type of evil and falsehood. If the people of good mix with the people of evil without putting an end to what they are doing, then they become like those who are pleased and influenced by the evil. And we fear falling into Allah’s anger because of their gathering.” The resemblance referred to here includes all the aforementioned ways. At-Tabari further explains the above mentioned verse, (And those who do not witness falsehood), “They do not assist the people of idolatry in their idolatry, nor do they associate with them.”

It was the sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam to differ from the non-Muslims, particularly in those matters which were specific to non-Muslims. In Sunnan Abi Dawud, Anas ibn Malik says that when the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam came to Medinah, there used to be two festivals in which the people engaged in playing sports. So the Prophet asked, “What are these two days?,” they replied, “We used to play sports during these in the jahiliyah (time period before Islam).” The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam then said, “Verily Allah has given you two better days, the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr.”

This not only shows that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam did not acknowledge these days, but also shows that Allah has dignified the Muslims with days which are pleasing to Him and superior in merit…

I pray that this brief response clarifies this issue about the origin of Halloween and the Islamic position on it. And Allah knows best, and to Him is our return. Ameen.

There, that’s settled.

If you want any excitement you will just have to wait a couple of months for the Eid al-Adha festivities.

When you can slit some poor dumb animal’s throat and watch it bleed to death before your very eyes.

It’s good clean fun for the whole family.

From an overjoyed Associated Press:

Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders, along with US military officials (not seen), take part in a roundtable meeting in Baghdad, 2006.

Ten Sheiks Allied Against Al Qaeda Kidnapped in Iraq

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Ten Sunni and Shiite tribal leaders who had joined forces against Al-Qaeda in Iraq were abducted by gunmen as they were traveling home to Diyala province after a meeting with a government official in Baghdad, police and a relative said.

The gunmen ambushed the two cars carrying the 10 men in Baghdad’s predominantly Shiite neighborhood of Shaab at about 3:30 p.m., police officials said.

The sheiks — seven Sunnis and three Shiites — were on their way back to Diyala province after attending a conference with the Shiite-dominated government’s adviser for tribal affairs to discuss coordinating efforts against Al-Qaeda in Iraq.

They were representing a so-called Awakening Council, as the anti-Al-Qaeda groups often are known, in the Salam area, due east of Baqouba, a former Al-Qaeda stronghold…

Ah, the left’s noble “freedom fighters” strike again.

May a hundred thousand rise up to replace each one of these brave men.

From the UK’s Sunday Times:

Iranians work on a new construction site at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, in southern Iran.

Iranians study nuclear physics in Britain

Jack Grimston
October 28, 2007

THE Foreign Office has cleared dozens of Iranians to enter British universities to study advanced nuclear physics and other subjects with the potential to be applied to weapons of mass destruction.

In the past nine months about 60 Iranians have been admitted to study postgraduate courses deemed “proliferation-sensitive” by the security services. The disciplines range from nuclear physics to some areas of electrical and chemical engineering and microbiology.

Additionally, figures obtained by David Willetts, the shadow secretary for innovation, universities and skills, show that in 2005-06, 30 Iranians were doing postgraduate degrees in subjects covering nuclear physics and nuclear engineering…

Willetts said: “Given that we need to have tougher sanctions against Iran, it does seem extraordinary that the government is not yet stopping Iranians coming here to study nuclear physics. There is legitimate concern about what some students have been studying.” …

Currently, vetting is done only when a university voluntarily informs the government that a candidate from outside the EU has been offered a place to study a sensitive subject…

Hey, why not?

I hear they make great medical students, too.

From Turkey’s Aksam newspaper, via Memri:

Orphaned Muslim girls.

Shocking Messages About Child Adoption In Book Published By Turkish Diyanet

Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), a government office, recently published a book on family and youth that shocked adoptive parents who regard their adopted children as their very own. Rather than encouraging child adoption, the book says the following:

- When couples are unable to have children by natural means or artificial insemination, they can choose to adopt children. But to register those children under their names, making them beneficiaries of their inheritance is against religion (Islam).

- When the adopted children reach puberty – and as they are of no blood relation to the parents – marrying with them becomes lawful according to Islam. Therefore, according to Islam it is not permissible for the mother to be alone with a male adopted child, and for the father to be alone with the female adopted child in any place, at any time.

- Infertility may be the result of some disorder and to seek medical remedy and cure is the couple’s duty. When this does not help, in vitro fertilization becomes permissible – but only when the sperm and the egg of the couple is used. Using donor sperm or egg is forbidden in Islam. If they cannot succeed in fertilization with their own (sperm and egg) the couple must accept the divine providence and live without children, in obedience to their faith.

What a noble and generous doctrine.

And in case anyone doubts the authority of this fatwa, the Diyanet is the highest Islamic authority in Turkey.

From Wikipedia:

Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı

The Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı (en: Presidency of Religious Affairs) is an institution of the Turkish government and represents the highest, Islamic religious authority in the country. It was established in 1924 after the abolition of the caliphate, as a successor to Shaikh al-Islam. It is normally known simply as the Diyanet.

The duty of the Diyanet is “to execute the works concerning the beliefs, worship, and ethics of Islam, enlighten the public about their religion, and administer the sacred worshipping places” The Diyanet had an allocated budget of 1,308,187,000 YTL or USD $0.9 Billion for the year 2006.

Of course this should not really be any news, since it has been standard Islamic doctrine all along.

From About.com:

Islamic legal rulings about foster parenting and adoption

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said that a person who cares for an orphaned child will be in Paradise with him, and motioned to show that they would be as close as two fingers of a single hand. An orphan himself, Muhammad paid special attention to the care of children. He himself adopted a former slave and raised him with the same care as if he were his own son.

However, the Qur’an gives specific rules about the legal relationship between a child and his/her adoptive family. The child’s biological family is never hidden; their ties to the child are never severed. The Qur’an specifically reminds adoptive parents that they are not the child’s biological parents:

“…Nor has He made your adopted sons your (biological) sons. Such is (only) your (manner of) speech by your mouths. But Allah tells (you) the Truth, and He shows the (right) Way. Call them by (the names of) their fathers; that is juster in the sight of Allah. But if you know not their father’s (names, call them) your brothers in faith, or your trustees. But there is no blame on you if you make a mistake therein. (What counts is) the intention of your hearts. And Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.”

(Qur’an 33:4-5)

The guardian/child relationship has specific rules under Islamic law, which render the relationship a bit different than what is common adoption practice today. The Islamic term for what is commonly called adoption is kafala, which comes from a word that means “to feed.”  In essence, it describes more of a foster-parent relationship. Some of the rules in Islam surrounding this relationship: 

- An adopted child retains his or her own biological family name (surname) and does not change his or her name to match that of the adoptive family.
- An adopted child inherits from his or her biological parents, not automatically from the adoptive parents.
- When the child is grown, members of the adoptive family are not considered blood relatives, and are therefore not muhrim to him or her. “Muhrim” refers to a specific legal relationship that regulates marriage and other aspects of life. Essentially, members of the adoptive family would be permissible as possible marriage partners, and rules of modesty exist between the grown child and adoptive family members of the opposite sex.
- If the child is provided with property/wealth from the biological family, adoptive parents are commanded to take care and not intermingle that property/wealth with their own. They serve merely as trustees.

These Islamic rules emphasize to the adoptive family that they are not taking the place of the biological family — they are trustees and caretakers of someone else’s child. Their role is very clearly defined, but nevertheless very valued and important.

It is also important to note that in Islam, the extended family network is vast and very strong. It is rare for a child to be completely orphaned, without a single family member to care for him or her. Islam places a great emphasis on the ties of kinship — a completely abandoned child is practically unheard of. Islamic law would place an emphasis on locating a relative to care for the child, before allowing someone outside of the family, much less the community or country, to adopt and remove the child from his or her familial, cultural, and religious roots. This is especially important during times of war, famine, or economic crisis — when families may be temporarily uprooted or divided.

“Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?  And He found you wandering, and He gave you guidance. And He found you in need, and made you independent. Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness, nor drive away a petitioner (unheard). But the bounty of the Lord – rehearse and proclaim!”

(Qur’an 93:6-11)

In effect, all adoption is forbidden under Islam. All that is really allowed is a weird kind of “foster care.”

But that’s okay, since we are assured on all sides that Muslim orphans are practically unheard of anywhere in the world.

But should one ever turn up, Allah forbid that they should be adopted by infidels.

From a site calling itself Mere Islam:

Muslim Children Given to Christians for Adoption

Below is a link to an incredibly heart wrenching story, especially for Muslim parents. It’s rather scary that in a country where most, if not all, states have laws that require respect for the culture and religious beliefs of a child’s family when adoption is necessary that such a grave injustice could take place—but it seems that justice, dignity and common sense often go out the window when it comes to dealing with Muslims in the so-called “Land of the Free”.

On top of the general feeling of disgust that I felt while reading this article, one detail that really annoyed me was the use of the term “birth father”, when really what they’re saying is “father” since children only have one father. Oddly enough, this isn’t just an Islamic position and value, since the Bible’s Ten Commandments say to “Honor thy father and thy mother”. By “father” and “mother”, it’s safe to say that “biological father” (another oxymoron) is primarily intended.

It should come as no surprise that these antinomian Protestants wouldn’t let a legal injunction like the Ten Commandments get in the way of their cowardly drive to take advantage of some innocent children, since in order to become Pentecostal Christians in the first place that had to turn a blind eye (and heart) to the “First and Greatest Commandment” of the Bible as well! Now they’ve gone and turned three formerly Muslim children into idolatrous Jesus-worshippers in stark contradiction to the way of Abraham and all of God’s prophets—may He bless them all.

We can seek solace in the knowledge that Almighty God will give the people responsible for this grave injustice what they deserve. Please try to remember both these unfortunate parents and their more unfortunate children in your du’a—and Almighty God guides whom He will…

Yes, Islam is the perfect guide to life.

How can anyone doubt it?