[RadcliffXX]

10 yrs ago Americans had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash. Today Americans have no Jobs, no Hope and no Cash. [clip]
http://drabutamim.blogspot.com/2011/...e-america.html

[RadcliffXX]

Poverty rose everywhere in the United States in 2010, but the region to see the biggest increase was the South.

Already tagged with the highest poverty rate in the nation, the South was the only region last year to record statistically significant increases in both the number of poor people (from 17.6 million in 2009 to 19.1 million people in 2010) and poverty rates (15.7 percent to 16.9 percent), according to data released Tuesday by the US Census Bureau. The US poverty rate was 15.1 percent, up from 14.3 percent in 2009.

That means that the gap between its poverty rate and the national average now stands at its highest level since 2001. This marks a sharp reversal for the South after four decades of progress in closing the poverty gap with the rest of the US.

The 1.8 percentage-point gap between the South’s and the nation’s poverty rates is certainly much better than in 1959, when the gap yawned a wide 13 percentage points. Since then, the South had made great strides in reducing its disadvantage, reaching a record low of 1.1 percent in 2008, just as the recession was taking hold. For two years now, the gap has been expanding again.

One factor behind the increase is demographic.

“Black poverty went up; the Hispanic poverty went up; and the South has been much more of a draw for those people,” says William Frey, a demographer and senior fellow with the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

Another factor is economic. “It’s a fast-growing part of the country, but it’s one that has been growing in many places in industries that took big hits” during the recession, Mr. Frey adds. Among the hard-hit economic sectors: the construction industry and service jobs.

RELATED: Top five cities for job growth

Nationally, 2010 represent the third year in a row that the poverty rate has gone up. 46.2 million people were living below the poverty line last year – approximately one out of every 6.5 Americans, and the largest number since 1959, when the Census Bureau first started tracking poverty statistics.

Poverty rates went up for all races and origins except for Asians, who experienced a 0.4 percent drop. An estimated 9.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites were living in poverty in 2010; 27.4 percent of blacks; 12.1 percent of Asians; and 26.6 percent of Hispanics.

Some 46.2 million people were living below the poverty line last year – approximately one out of every 6.5 Americans, and the largest number since 1959, the year that the Census Bureau first started tracking poverty statistics.

In 2010, the poverty threshold for family of four was an annual income of $22,314. The number of families in poverty was up to 9.2 million in 2010

In one of the most alarming stats, the number of children under 18 living in poverty increased from 15.5 million in 2009 to 16.4 million in 2010 – an uptick from 20.7 percent to 22 percent of children under 18.

[RadcliffXX]

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Sunday urged China to keep buying US debt as she wrapped up her first overseas trip, during which she agreed to work closely with Beijing on the financial crisis.
Clinton made the plea shortly before leaving China, the final stop on a four-nation Asian tour that also took her to Japan, Indonesia and South Korea, where she worked the crowds to try to restore America's standing abroad.

In Beijing, she called on authorities in Beijing to continue buying US Treasuries, saying it would help jumpstart the flagging US economy and stimulate imports of Chinese goods.

"By continuing to support American Treasury instruments the Chinese are recognising our interconnection. We are truly going to rise or fall together," Clinton said at the US embassy here.

Clinton had sought to focus on economic and environmental issues in Beijing, saying Washington's concerns about the human rights situation in China should not be a distraction from those vital matters.

Beijing's human rights record emerged nonetheless as an issue, as Chinese activists on Saturday reported being harassed or intimidated by Chinese authorities in a bid to stop them speaking out or meeting Clinton while she was here.

"Plainclothes police blocked me from leaving my home. They were afraid I would try to meet with Hillary Clinton or others in her delegation," democracy campaigner Jiang Qisheng told AFP by phone on Sunday.

Clinton and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi largely agreed to disagree on human rights as they pledged future joint action on the economy and climate change.

The goodwill, also on display in her talks with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, could raise hope for a new era of cooperation between the two largest greenhouse gas emitters and two of the world's top three economies.

"Now it is more important than any time in the past to deepen and develop China-US relations amid the spreading financial crisis and increasing global challenges," Hu told Clinton, according to state media.

Clinton began her day Sunday by attending a Protestant church service in western Beijing at which an AFP journalist saw plainclothes police taking away some visitors who attempted to enter the church.

Their identities could not be confirmed.

Later, Clinton met Chinese women's rights advocates at the US embassy but continued to steer clear of speaking on contentious human rights issues.

Instead, while taping an interview on a Chinese talk show, she focused on the need for China to help finance the massive 787-billion-dollar US economic stimulus plan by continuing to buy US Treasuries.

"Because our economies are so intertwined the Chinese know that in order to start exporting again to its biggest market, the United States had to take some very drastic measures with this stimulus package," Clinton said.

"We have to incur more debt. It would not be in China's interest if we were unable to get our economy moving again."

Clinton added: "The US needs the investment in Treasury bonds to shore up its economy to continue to buy Chinese products."

The US secretary of state had said on Saturday after meetings with China's leaders that Beijing was still confident in US Treasury bonds and expressed Washington's appreciation for the investments.

China is the top holder of US Treasury bills, with 696.2 billion dollars worth of the securities in December followed by Japan with 578.3 billion dollars, according to the latest official data from Washington.

China's economic growth is at its slowest rate in about two decades as foreign demand for its exports, including in the recession-hit United States, have dried up.

Yang indicated Saturday that China would not deviate drastically from its US Treasury policies, but gave no overt promises either way.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...574e79a3d5.831

[!!!maryann!!!]

Will you also give dua against India where you are living right now? (it's a rhetorical question). Why can't you give dua for hidayat?

[RadcliffXX]

Will you also give dua against India where you are living right now? (it's a rhetorical question). Why can't you give dua for hidayat?

I offer you the Islamic greeting:
Please make dua' for my hidayat, ya Shaykh.
It is from buzurgan_e_deen like you that we learn to love our enemies.
Shaykh,

[Domovoy]

I offer you the Islamic greeting:
Please make dua' for my hidayat, ya Shaykh.
It is from buzurgan_e_deen like you that we learn to love our enemies.
Shaykh,

What's the difference between India and America?

Both in some measure wage war against Muslims and both in some measure host huge communities of Muslims.

So either you make du'a' for guidance for both, or you make du'a' for destruction of both..

[feeshyLew]

10 yrs ago Americans had Steve Jobs, Bob Hope and Johnny Cash. Today Americans have no Jobs, no Hope and no Cash. May Allah destroy them further.
http://drabutamim.blogspot.com/2011/...e-america.html

You are not doing the wisest thing by making this dua, you should come to American before speaking. Most Americans hate the evil things done by this country, but we cant singlehandedly change it. The Muslim population is growing exponentially here, so you just made dua against a land that is filling with your own brothers and sisters, I'm sure there are consequences for that. At least here women are allow to practice their faith, go to mosques, and we don't add 100 million extra rakkats to every fard prayer, and habitually mix superstition with Islam.

[Angry White American]

You are sick for making this dua, you should come to American before speaking. Most Americans hate the evil things done by this country, but we cant singlehandedly change it. The Muslim population is growing exponentially here, so you just made dua against a land that is filling with your own brothers and sisters, I'm sure there are consequences for that. At least here women are allow to practice their faith, go to mosques, and we don't add 100 million extra rakkats to every fard prayer, and habitually mix superstition with Islam.

Sister, I think there are political, monetary, business leaders and other evil which we would like to be destroyed adn which comes from your country.
I live in Europe and I must agree with you in the point that for us is much more easy not mix old customes with true islam. We but also have lot of to do not mix liberal ideas with islam. So pleaes be careful.
I dont see any advantage to pray in mosque actually, if I have comfort to make my prayers at home. I hope the women are not forbidden to pray in mosque occasionally...

[feeshyLew]

Sister, I think there are political, monetary, business leaders and other evil which we would like to be destroyed. You in Amerika live on costst of other nations - oil prices are good example.
I live in Europe and I must agree with you in the point that for us is much more easy not mix old customes with true islam. We but also have lot of to do not mix liberal ideas with islam. So pleaes be careful.
I dont see any advantage to pray in mosque actually, if I have comfort to make my prayers at home. I hope the women are not forbidden to pray in mosque occasionally...

The fact that American government does such horrible things does not justify carelessly making dua against a whole Nation. When the prophet had the opportunity to make dua against a nation what did he do?? Seriously to many Muslims today think they can use their so-called "Better judgement" to pass judgement on others without caring to look into the Prophet SAW's example. Also, we should be very careful with making dua against others, because if it is made unjustly, it will be sent back to the person who made it.
I agree with you that this country, and yours does some horrible things, but this is not about what you see or I see as not an advantage. For women, it is generally better for us to pray at home becuase the Prophet SAW said so, but I say that because the Prophet SAW also said DO NOT PREVENT WOMEN FROM GOING To THE MASJID, and thats exactly what they do, women are FORBIDDEN to go to the masjid in India for the most part. If a women wishes to pray in the masjid, who has a right to discourage her??

[Angry White American]

Agreed, but this is not about what you see as not an advantage. For women, our advantage is praying at home, but I say that because the Prophet SAW said DO NOT PREVENT WOMEN FROM GOING To THE MASJID, and thats exactly what they do, women are FORBIDDEN to go to the masjid in India for the most part.

Exactly, they should not be prevented. But what is the reason that some men forbid women to go to mosque? Is it lack of knowledge, or they are afraid women will not keep praying or what?

[kertUtire]

This is the grave issue of reading hadiths and then laymen/women forming an opinion on it. Do you know the action of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar and Abdullah Ibn Masud regarding women and the musjid? Do you know the rulings of the fuqaha mutaqaddimeen and muta-akkhireen regarding the prohibition of women from attending the musjid?

It is for this reason I try my utmost never to comment on hadith until the rulings of the fuqaha and the practices of the sahaabah are known as they are the ones who are the best at knowing what a certain hadith meant.

[feeshyLew]

Exactly, they should not be prevented. But what is the reason that some men forbid women to go to mosque? Is it lack of knowledge, or they are afraid women will not keep praying or what?

I think the reasons are not valid, the prophet said do not forbid them. Islam gave women rights when historically in places all over the world they didnt have those rights, including in India, where seen as women were next to worthless in many ways. What ever reason these men have for doing that is invalid. maybe the person who started this thread could answer that. Brother Zakir naik spoke about the issue in India, he is very knowledgeable mashallah, and he spoke out against the prohibition of women goin to the mosques in India

[inve.tment]

So pray nawafil is supersition. Mashallah. It is narrated nearness to Allah SAW is only through nawafil ibada after fard. Then again we modern muslim are more pious then people of the past where darusalam existed.
I don't agree wishiing ill but do notice the american muslim alomost being relegious in their worship of thier natation. A nation built on slavery of African, Sweat of the Chinese and Blood of red indian. There isn't much to be proud about!

This is amazing someone quoting hadith without realising what the hadith entails or even the condition. Perhaps according to our pious sister Umar (RAD) was a deviant because both Ayesha Ummul Mominim and Omar didn't support women attending masjed.
Anyway here is a balanced response Women and masjed
http://www.daruliftaa.com/question?t...nID=q-21225280



As for Zakir Naik, this person has little scholastic credential. Perhaps his evengelical approach impresses people who have little depth. He accuses others of missquote and does the same when he cities islamic text. this is a sign of someone who is dissinjenious. Then again a there are many in various guise 'Ruyibida'. He is not the arbetrators of haq from batil. Just because he sounds impressive.
Allahualam

[Angry White American]

I think the reasons are not valid, the prophet said do not forbid them, period. Islam gave women rights when historically in places all over the world they didnt have those rights, including in India, where seen as women were next to worthless in many ways. What ever reason these men have for doing that is invalid. maybe the person who started this thread could answer that. Brother Zakir naik spoke about the issue in India, he is very knowledgeable mashallah, and he spoke out against the prohibition of women goin to the mosques in India

Yes, what our Prophet PBUH made and said is utmost important and binding.
anyway, we must keep thinking- all happens under certain circumstances, this is why sometimes analyzing reasons are important - it can cansequetnly help us to resolve and improve. Like for example at time of war - it is understoodable if women are prevented to go outside home - did Prophet PBUH allow to women to go outside home alone at time of danger?
w alikum assalam

[Enfonebew]

The ordinary citizens of America are victims of oppression by their government and the banks, just like others around the world.

EDIT: Zakir Naik is not knowledgable in sacred knowledge. He does not even know Arabic, nor has he studied any of the sciences of deen. He is a charlatan who should either stick to his subject of "comparative religion" (and by the way, not everyone is impressed by his argumentative style and demeanor. I find it embarrassing and off-putting), or he should be removed from the public stage. He is misguiding millions of people by giving erroneous fatawa. I do not say this out of personal malice against him, but only because people follow him like sheep these days, unfortunately.

[w4HPpbSW]

May Allah destroy them further.

I think others have addressed this portion of your post pretty well so far, so I'll keep it brief as well.

Just like others said, no difference between India or USA from that perspective, so you either ask Allah to guide both (and all) nations to the right path (which is the right thing to do), or make dua for them to be destroyed (not the right thing to do in my opinion).

Also, what is so cool about Muslim countries these days? The Muslims in Pakistan, for example, are possibly more oppressed under Zardari and other politicians than they could be in any non-Muslim nation. There is just as much fitnah in Pakistan these days as there is in the USA or any "western" country, if not more. Sadly, one probably has more 'freedom' to practice their religion (at least legally) in the USA than they do in some of the Muslim countries including Pakistan.

If one goes out on the streets in Pakistan and says "I am ____ (insert name of confused minority, such as shia)", they would probably be harassed to a great extent and even killed. One can go and say that all they want in the USA. At most people will laugh at them, and if anyone tried to do anything to them, they (the people trying to harass them) would probably be arrested and possibly even thrown in prison.

Yes, the West is the hub of the devil, but so is just about every other place these days.

I don't know anything so may Allah forgive me for all that I have said wrong, only Allah knows best.

May Allah guide us all towards and always keep us on the straight path, keep us under His protection and grant us refuge from all the fitnah & harm that is around us. Ameen.

[art_fan_12]

This is the grave issue of reading hadiths and then laymen/women forming an opinion on it. Do you know the action of Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar and Abdullah Ibn Masud regarding women and the musjid? Do you know the rulings of the fuqaha mutaqaddimeen and muta-akkhireen regarding the prohibition of women from attending the musjid?

It is for this reason I try my utmost never to comment on hadith until the rulings of the fuqaha and the practices of the sahaabah are known as they are the ones who are the best at knowing what a certain hadith meant.

Slm,

Ok from a Hanafee perspective. Most Shafee ulema in my country would disagree with this stance (and have daleel for permisibillity of woman (if accompanied by a mahram) attending masjied as do some pseudo Salafist factions. Be careful of blanket fatwas from a specific madhaab. (FYI I'm not a Shafee.)

[fruttomma]

Slm,

Ok from a Hanafee perspective. Most Shafee ulema in my country would disagree with this stance (and have daleel for permisibillity of woman (if accompanied by a mahram) attending masjied as do some pseudo Salafist factions. Be careful of blanket fatwas from a specific madhaab. (FYI I'm not a Shafee.)

Brother.

I m shafi'i and the Shafi'i ulema in my area doesn't allow women in Masjid. There is hikmah for such fatwas. Its to avoid Fitnah.

As already mentioned, us laymen quoting a single hadith out of context and trying to derive laws is dangerous.

[art_fan_12]

Slm,

Yes there is hikmah for this (I am not disagreeing.) All I am saying is we need to take different situations into account (the poster's madhaab, background (born/convert) area (views held by majority ulema in that location) etc. before giving fatwas.)

[!!!maryann!!!]

Assalamu alaikum, its good to see I wasn't mistaken in my view. My problem with ( abu tamin's post was that he was happy at the miserable condition of poor and ordinary Americans who have nothing to do with nor know of American imperialism and involvement in the world. Most of them don't care and if they did they would oppiose it.

Also sister Hannah, you completely misunderstood the issue of women attending masjid. There are narrations from Umar and Aisha radiAllahu anhuma supporting contrary to your view. Fiqh is just not reading a hadith and giving conclusion. There are many things to consider including environment. I can't give detailed example as I am typing from phone - maybe later inshaAllah