The Shield NewsLetter

“The knots of Islam will be broken one by one until every one of them is undone. The first to be undone will be the knot of ruling and the last will be the knot of Salah” (Musnad of Imam Ahmed)

The first knot of Islam was broken on March 3, 1924 when the Islamic State was destroyed by the British agent and traitor, Mustafah Kemal of Turkey. The mechanism through which we live under the deen of Islam is the Khilafah ruling system. This is the same Khilafah ruling system that the Khulafa Rashideen implemented, and the same one which existed right up until it was destroyed. Since that time, Islam has been reduced merely to a state “religion” and Secularism has been hailed as the state’s Ideology. Thus, the Kuffar succeeded in divorcing our system, the Khilafah, from our lives.

Lord Curzon, the British Foreign Minister, in front of the House of Commons after the Lausanne Treaty of July 24th 1924 stated:

“The situation now is that Turkey is dead and will never rise againt   , because we have destroyed it’s moral strength, the Khilafah and Islam.”

The British Foreign Minister addressing the British Prime Minister shortly before World War II said: “We must put an end to anything which brings about any Islamic unity between the sons of the Muslims. As we have already succeeded in finishing off the Khilafah, so we must ensure that there will never arise again unity for the Muslims, whether it be intellectual or cultural unity.”

Is it any wonder, then, that Muslims today are strangers to their true ruling system? That they’ve never even heard the word Khilafah uttered in any discussion related to their revival? The British and the Americans have succeeded in “educating” us to such an extent that we run towards their system and rush to abandon our Deen. So what is this Khilafah? Why is it so vital for Islam?

Evidences for the Obligation of establishing Khilafah

“There is no Islam without a community, and there is no community without a leadership, and there is no authority without hearing and obeying.”

Umar ibn al-Khattab Being Muslim places certain obligations on us, and not learning what those obligations are is no excuse for not performing them. It is the duty of every Muslim to learn their Deen regardless of their particular situation, whether here in America or elsewhere. Being ruled only by Islam is an obligation found in many verses throughout the Qur’an, and it does not take a scholarly person to understand them.

“But no, by your Lord, they will not have Iman until they make you (O Prophet) rule between them in that which they dispute, and they find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction”  TMQ 4:65

“Indeed, we have revealed to you the book with the truth so that you may rule between mankind by that which Allah has shown you” TMQ 4:105 Read the rest

America’s Policies Against Muslims!

The following are excerpts from an incredible sentencing statement by Tarek Mehanna who was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison, revealing America’s unjust judicial system, as read to Judge O’Toole during his sentencing, April 12, 2012.

In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful

Exactly four years ago this month I was finishing my work shift at a local hospital. As I was walking to my car I was approached by two federal agents. They said that I had a choice to make: I could do things the easy way, or I could do them the hard way. The “easy “ way, as they explained, was that I would become an informant for the government, and if I did so I would never see the inside of a courtroom or a prison cell.

As for the hard way, this is it. Here I am, having spent the majority of the four years since then in a solitary cell the size of a small closet, in which I am locked down for 23 hours each day. The FBI and these prosecutors worked very hard—and the government spent millions of tax dollars – to put me in that cell, keep me there, put me on trial, and finally to have me stand here before you today to be sentenced to even more time in a cell.

In the weeks leading up to this moment, many people have offered suggestions as to what I should say to you. Some said I should plead for mercy in hopes of a light sentence, while others suggested I would be hit hard either way. But what I want to do is just talk about myself for a few minutes.

When I refused to become an informant, the government responded by charging me with the “crime” of supporting the mujahideen fighting the occupation of Muslim countries around the world. Or as they like to call them, “terrorists.” I wasn’t born in a Muslim country, though. I was born and raised right here in America and this angers many people: how is it that I can be an American and believe the things I believe, take the positions I take? Everything a man is exposed to in his environment becomes an ingredient that shapes his outlook, and I’m no different. So, in more ways than one, it’s because of America that I am who I am.

When I was six, I began putting together a massive collection of comic books. Batman implanted a concept in my mind, introduced me to a paradigm as to how the world is set up: that there are oppressors, there are the oppressed, and there are those who step up to defend the oppressed. This resonated with me so much that throughout the rest of my childhood, I gravitated towards any book that reflected that paradigm, and despite the pressures of the last few years, I stand here before you, and everyone else in this courtroom, as a very proud Muslim.

With that, my attention turned to what was happening to other Muslims in different parts of the world. And everywhere I looked, I saw the powers that be trying to destroy what I loved. I learned what the Soviets had done to the Muslims of Afghanistan. I learned what the Serbs had done to the Muslims of Bosnia. I learned what the Russians were doing to the Muslims of Chechnya. I learned what Israel had done in Lebanon – and what it continues to do in Palestine – with the full backing of the United States. And I learned what America itself was doing to Muslims. Read the rest

Governed by Divine Rule

Everyone in the world who is somewhat aware of his surroundings would acknowledge that there are many problems in today’s societies. All such problems stem from impure, limited and corrupted ideas, concepts or ideologies. Thought or concepts dictate our actions or behavior. Consequently, in order to solve the problems of the world, we would need to bring a correct ideology that would include the correct laws, systems, institutions and policies.

What we do know, is that Islam is the correct ideology for humanity and the world. Islam can only be put into practice by the Khilafah (Islamic State) which unifies the Ummah under one Khalifah (Ruler). Under such a system, humanity is free from the tyranny of men when brought under the governance of Allah’s laws and prohibitions.

The Problems and Their Solution

Since Islam is pure and perfect, what is holding back the Muslim Ummah? Why are we being terrorized, murdered, raped and imprisoned? Why are we so divided? Why do we face so many problems on a daily basis? Why is not our impact greater in society? Allah says:

“I created the jinn and mankind only that they might worship Me.”  TMQ 51:56

Many Muslims carry these Islamic concepts about life with them on individual bases, but the larger societies they live in, which are Kufr (unIslamic) ones, suffer as a result of not being clear about these questions. Thus, we see the Kuffar (non-Muslims) committing suicide, using drugs and alcohol in an attempt to escape the challenges of life. We see them in constant conflict with one another, and generally in a state of loss and chaos. Allah says:

“Verily Man is in loss except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” TMQ 103:2-3

The Khilafah is the structure that implements the Islamic creed. It would give the world an alternative to secular democracies that allow the human being to lose him or herself in a life of nothingness or chaos. Many converts to Islam testify to this on an individual basis. Imagine what effect Islam would have on a mass level when it is implemented in the Khilafah . It will serve as a ray of light in the darkness of today’s world order that only seek material ends, whereas the Khilafah seeks to elevate man’s thinking to the highest level and save him when he returns to his Creator. Read the rest

An American Lackey

As expected, the US is now all set to change her agent in Pakistan. The writing is on the wall; it began with the start of the negotiation phase of the Af-Pak campaign. The PPP-led government can see it loud and clear. The army vs government tussle is ever increasing. The clash on the so-called “Memogate” scandal has become too obvious. The scandal started from a “memo” which was conveyed to Admiral Mullen through back-channels and was purportedly conceived and initiated by President Asif Ali Zardari. In the memo, the Zardari government requested America to stop a possible coup in Pakistan  after Osama Bin Laden”s “assassination” in exchange for “huge concessions” in the War on Terror, the nuclear issue and normalization with India, amongst others.
This is not for the first time that America has changed its old, trusted agent with a new one. Whenever she deems that an agent has outlived his or her usefulness, or the public opinion has become hostile to a point that there is a danger of real change, she brings a face-change to stop a system level, radical change. In 1999, the civilian stooge, Nawaz Sharif, being replaced by a military stooge, Musharraf.

During 2008-2009, after the Pakistani population grew tired of military dictatorship, the US forced Musharraf to accept a power-sharing deal with Benazir Bhutto. It finally replaced him with a “democratic”, corrupt ruler, Asif Ali Zardari. Similarly now, as Zardari has reached his date-of-expiration and the operational phase in Af-Pak strategy is that of negotiations and not war, the US wants to get rid of Zardari to bring a new agent who is more suitable for negotiations. To achieve this, the US is again banking on its agents in the armed forces. Kayani and Pasha are spearheading this campaign. Currently the “Memogate” scandal and the NRO cases are being used to exert pressure on the Zardari regime. The so-called independent judiciary, which also has been exposed as a veritable arm of the Army, is the ace-card for achieving US objectives. This “hostile” role also suits Kayani, as he can pose as someone who is working against the US interests by flogging a dead horse – Zardari. This helps Kayani build himself within the rank and file, who hate him for conniving with the US in the Abottabad raid, as well as the Salalah NATO attack, which left more than 28 Pakistani soldiers dead and many wounded. It also helps Kayani portray himself as an independent and anti-US General who could wow TTP and the Afghan Taliban on the negotiating table, so that the political process could provide permanence to US military gains in Afghanistan and FATA. Read the rest

“Verily, the Muslims, men and women, the believers men and women, and the men and women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are patient, the men and women who are humble, the men and women who give Sadaqat, and the fasting men and women, and the men and women who guard their chastity, and the men and women who remember Allah much. Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward” TMQ 33:35

Islam came with the Shari’ah commandments (Takaleef Shari’ah), which it obliged on the man and the woman. Islam granted the woman rights (Huquq) and enjoined on her certain obligations and granted the man rights and enjoined on him certain obligations. Hence, equality between men and women is not an issue for discussion, nor is it an issue which forms a subject in the social system.

For many westerners the idea that “Islam oppresses women” is a well established fact. The rights of women in Islam, especially those living under an Islamic system, are hotly debated topic where much misunderstanding exists.

Bush’s recent speech on the Khilafah, cited examples from the Taliban to paint a picture of the Khilafah as “a land where women were imprisoned in their homes…girls could not go to school…women were publicly whipped.”

Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of the Taliban’s rule, how will the soon to be established Khilafah deal with women?

It’s important to understand that the attack on Islam’s treatment of women comes not from Muslim women themselves but mainly from non-Muslims who have an outsider’s view on the issue. This need many feel to “liberate” Muslim women from the shackles of their family prison or from the hijab are not shared by the majority of Muslim women.

In a poll conducted by The Gallup Organization, and reported in the New York Times article – Muslim Women Don’t See Themselves as Oppressed, Survey Finds – showed clearly the aspirations and concerns of Muslim women. Their main concerns were the lack of unity among Muslim nations, violent extremism, and political and economic corruption. All concerns that only the Khilafah will address.

“The hijab, or head scarf, and burqa, the garment covering face and body, seen by some Westerners as tools of oppression, were never mentioned in the women’s answers to the open-ended questions, the poll analysts said.” Read the rest

Pentagon Increasing Its Spy Presence Overseas

The Pentagon is beefing up its spy service to send several hundred undercover intelligence officers to overseas hot spots to steal secrets on national security threats after a decade of focusing chiefly on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The move comes amid concerns that the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon’s spy service, needs to expand operations beyond the war zones and to work more closely with the CIA, according to a senior Defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the classified program.
The new Defense Clandestine Service will comprise about 15% of the DIA’s workforce. They will focus on gathering intelligence on terrorist networks, nuclear proliferators and other highly sensitive threats around the world, rather than just gleaning tactical information to assist military commanders on the battlefield, the official said. “You have to do global coverage,” the official said.
Some of the new spies thus are likely to be assigned to targets that now are intelligence priorities, including parts of Africa and the Middle East where Al Qaeda and its affiliates are active, also there are nuclear and missile programs in such places as North Korea and Iran, and increase its intelligence on China’s expanding military.

NATO Plans Apology for Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan Air Strike

NATO airstrikes killed Afghan civilians in two provinces, local officials reported Monday, and the U.S.-led coalition said it plans an apology in one of the incidents. An airstrike Friday, May 4, 2012 killed six members of a family in the Sangin area of southern Helmand province, according to the provincial spokesman. The strike was called in after insurgents attacked foreign and Afghan forces in the area, he said in a statement. Helmand’s governor called the incident a mistake. “At this point in the investigation, we are able to confirm the incident and will be formally apologizing in the next couple of days to the family,” said Lt. Col. Stewart Upton, a spokesman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Read the rest

Same Sex Marriage support by Obama, Big Money rolls in

Same-sex marriage was thrust into the political spotlight earlier this week after North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage in the state, and President Barack announced his support for same sex marriage. It’s been a bonanza money week for the Obama campaign. A Democratic source tells the campaign raised $2 million dollars in donations in the 24 hours following the President’s announcement he personally support’s same-sex marriage. On the Friday after the announcement, the president left on a campaign swing to Seattle and Los Angeles to pick up even more donations. The president dropped into Seattle where he collected roughly $3 million at two events. But the big haul came at the star-studded George Clooney blockbuster, where a Democratic official tells CNN, the reelection effort brought in $15 million.

40 World’s Richest Worth $1.1 Trillion

According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the combined wealth of 40 of the worlds richest comes to more than $1.1 trillion, with a gain of $88.2 billion so far this year Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim, 72 remains the richest person in the world, with a fortune of $68.8. Second is Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates, 56, with $62.7 billion, followed by Warren Buffett who is worth $44.6 billion. Buffett who is Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway inc said in an April 17 letter to investors that he has been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer that is not life threatening. Read the rest