Naked body scanners in UK airports

The UK Government plan to introduce near naked body scanners in UK airports as part of security.

These body scanners are likely to be highly intrusive showing the outline of people’s genitals. It is an unreasonable restriction and a violation of basic human rights!

The Department for Transport currently have a consultation taking place in regards to these body scanners; it has poorly been advertised so we need your help to convey this message to your contacts.

It calls upon "stakeholders", which in real terms means any UK resident, to write to the Department if they have an issue with the body scanners to convey their opinions as well as any suggestions for change.

We have another opportunity available and that is to have the option to "pat down" as is being done in the US. It is very important that every UK resident reading this email speaks up and makes their views known our silence will be presented as tacit approval.

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has adviced us:

"Whoever amongst you sees anything objectionable, let him change it with his hand, if he is not able, then with his tongue, and if he is not even able to do so, then with his heart, and the latter is the weakest form of faith." (Muslim)

Imposing naked scanning on the UK population is objectionable and we - each and every one of us - has a duty to attempt to change it.

Action - Deadline June 21

(1) Please email Mike Alcock of the Department for Transport today:

copconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk

Or post a letter to:

Mike Alcock
Department for Transport
Zone 5/12
Southside
Victoria Street
London SW1E 6DT

Letter template provided below.

Please take the time to personalise your email as this carries greater impact. You can do this by adding an extra paragraph expressing your disapproval of the scanners as it goes against your moral and religious beliefs and suggest that, at the very least, a pat-down should be offered in place of a scan. Also, please ensure that you mention you are a private individual and not as part of an organisation.

(2) Forward this message to your contacts

As a society, when we decide that those in authority have the right to demand that private citizens unwillingly expose themselves - a barrier of shame and decency is breached. Once this becomes the norm, there is no knowing how low society will stoop?

Jazakumallahu khair

May Allah protect us from the fitan of this life and the hereafter, Ameen.

Asalaamualaykum warahmatullah

---

Dear Mr Alcock,

Hi, my name is ____________________.

I am writing to you to express my concern over the nude body airport scanners. I disapprove of, and oppose, such scanners on the grounds of violation of privacy and human dignity. After considering the numerous reports which explain the functionality of these scanners, they are a clear demonstration of immorality and infringe upon the personal rights of passengers.

Britain has always been a country which has protected human rights, and I value my right not to be physically exposed to others, whether in front of a male security officer or a female one. How can the trivialization and legal enforcement of nudity, along with the infringement of people's rights, be justified by the unsubstantiated pretext that it will make us all be safer? It goes against any semblance of a civilised society to force nudity on citizens.

I fully support necessary measures which enhance the safety and protection of all passengers. I am, however, concerned about the use of the intrusive body scanners for this purpose. The citizens of this country, as educated and cultured people, should not be put in a position where we have to choose between our security and our dignity. It is totally unnecessary, especially given that other technologies exist which are proven to detect the presence of questionable materials without infringing upon the modesty of passengers and humiliating them.

I would appreciate the option of a pat-down search (when needed) for those passengers whose modesty and dignity prevents them from being subjected to a naked body scan. This alternative has already been implemented in the United States.

Thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

MUSLIMS IN THE WEST

Muslims have been in the United Kingdom since its formation in 1707. Though Islam was not legalized until the Trinitarian Act in 1812, Muslims were present prior to this according to ‘Wikipedia’. Today Islam is the second largest religion in all four countries of the UK with recent estimates suggesting a total Muslim population as high as 2.4 million, mostly due to considerable immigration from former colonies from the 1950s.

According to the 2001 UK census, Christianity remains the major religion, followed by Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism in terms of number of adherents.

The growing numbers of Muslims has resulted in the establishment of more than 1500 Masjids.

TO BE CONTINUED....

FACEBOOK MENACE - MESSAGE FROM MUFTI EBRAHIM DESAI

Assalamu Alaykum,
This mesage has instructions from world-leading scholars (Mufti Taqi Uthmani of Pakistan, Muft Ebrahim Desai of South Africa, Mufti Zubair of UK). The advice is to delete ones account permanently (not just deactivate it). Remember, this is all for our Prophet sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, so do not think you are losing out on anything. Anyway, I have pasted the article below. Do take a read.

Wassalam

I will divide this post into two sections:

1) Facebook
2) Alternatives to Facebook

Please try and take out time to read this as, after all, it is about our beloved Prophet .

Facebook - permanently delete

We all know what has happened recently on Facebook regarding the cartoons, so there is nothing much to say here. Many of us may have deactivated our Facebook account for a day, maybe a week, but the scholars of Islam have advised us to go one step further and completely rid our Facebook account.

One of the leading scholars today, Mufti Taqi Usthmani db spoke about it, the talk is in Urdu and can be found at this link. A short summary in English is below:

In today's Friday khutbah at the Baitul Mukarram mosque in Karachi, Mufti Taqi Usmani, one of the senior most scholars in the world, said to a audience of several thousand individuals to completely boycott Facebook. He lashed out on those who perpetrate such crimes and declared that they are no different than the kuffar of Makkah who used to mock the Prophet . He said none of their insults, at the time of the Prophet or today, make a speck of difference to the high status of the Prophet and that he is not in need of our praise.

He went on to say that this (Facebook contest) is a challenge to the Muslims of today from the West and he basically said a befitting reply needs to be given effecting their financial interests, i.e., their most worshiped idol. (Note: This is what the Deobandis advocate, they do not advocate pacifism in times such as these). By that he meant that if the entire Muslim populace boycotts such sites, they will naturally lose money and that this would a response which would hurt them the most.

Mufti Taqi Usmani said that it is good that Facebook was banned by the authorities in Pakistan but it will probably eventually be unbanned and when that happens, it is upon us to boycott this site. He specifically urged the youngsters to boycott Facebook. He related the Hadith where it mentions that the Prophet should be more dearer to the believer than his own children, parents and even himself. He said a believer should be ready to give his life for the Prophet but in this case, we're not asking you to give your life, the only thing which is being asked from you is to refrain from accessing Facebook on the internet from among the many other activities you do on the internet for entertainment purposes.


Another leading scholar, Mufti Ebrahim Desai db, has also invited us towards the same message:

FACEBOOK MENACE - MESSAGE FROM MUFTI EBRAHIM DESAI

In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalāmu ῾alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi Wabarakātuh

The issue of Facebook and their latest antics against our Beloved Muhammad sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam has angered and frustrated the Muslim Ummah. The reaction of the Muslim Ummah in the face of such blasphemy is appreciated. This malevolence is not foreign to Islam and the Muslims. During the time of our beloved Muhammad sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam, individuals like Ka’ab Bin Ashraf , Abu Lahab, his wife and others were also guilty of defaming our Prophet sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam. Their fate is known to all.

Our responsibility as Muslims and lovers of our beloved Muhammad sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam is as follows:

1. To delete Facebook accounts and any other media that deems it acceptable to disrespect our beloved Rasoolullah sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam and never to reactivate them again.

2. To inform others of the above as well.

3. Deleting facebook is one form of expressing our love for Rasoolullah sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam . However, objective love of Rasoolullah sallallāhu ῾alayhi wasallam is to inculcate his teachings in our life.

4. Make dua for guidance of the involved individuals.

لو كان حبك صادقا لأطعته
إن المحب لمن يحب مطيع
Had your love been true, then you would have surely obeyed him
For indeed, a lover is most obedient to his beloved

Let’s prove our obedience!!!

Wassalāmu ῾alaykum
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dārul Iftā, Madrasah In῾āmiyyah

Lastly, Mufti Zubair of Bradford, has spoken of the same message. The talk is in English and can be listened to here.

Facebook may be attractive, it may be that all our friends may be there, Farmville may be a very addictive game, but what is all this in comparison to the honour of Rasulullah ? The thought of Rasulullah standing in prayer at night until his feet were swollen surely is enough to understand and realise the sacrifice he made for us? Permanently deleting a facebook account cannot even come close to that level. But we can all try and show our love. Instead of just deactivating, why not permanently delete it as advised by our scholars?

How to delete? Visit http://www.wikihow.com/Permanently-Dele ... ok-Account


Alternatives to Facebook

It might be time to notice our other hobbies and talents and focus on them. There are many things one can do to occupy ones time, for example, sports, learning to make something, reading the Seerah of the beloved Messenger .

If it has to be based around the internet, then why not join an Islamic forum instead? There are many out there, with a few according to true Islamic principles, so utilise your typing and reading status skills by using a halal alternative.

Or for example, this website offers free radio usage. If you are good at speaking, why not book a slot to talk at an Islamic show? Or if you have expertise in a field, for example, health and fitness, talk about that to educate the Muslim listeners. If you are a Hafiz e Qur'an or Alim, you can recite the Qur'an or do a short talk.

Alternatively, you can use your internet time to gather good quality material about Islam that can be spread to those who have misconceptions about it. Or you could use that time to educate yourself or connect with others online and educate yourself about Islam. Facebook is just a distraction from all these important things. Take time out to read the virtues of seeking knowledge, then act upon them. one will never regret deleting their Facebook account.

He stood up for me in the depth of the night
It's time for me to return the favour
Facebook is fun, but my Nabi's honour is more
His Sunnah, his way, his beliefs I adore

I pray it is easy for all our Facebook addicts to let go of it.

For reading.


Source: Ad-Deen forum http://the-deen.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=112&t=4105&p=17132#p17132