Defend others before the Father, Pope Francis urges

VATICAN: In his daily homily Pope Francis warned that those who judge others are far from God, stating that in order to be close we must defend others rather than hastily accuse them.

“If we want to follow the way of Jesus, more than accusers, we have to be defenders of others before the Father,” the Pope said in his June 23 daily Mass.

“I see a bad thing in someone – do I go defend him? No! But keep quiet! Go pray and defend him before the Father as Jesus does.”

Pope Francis centered his reflections on the day’s Gospel, taken from Matthew, in which Jesus warns his disciples against pointing to the splinter in another’s eye while ignoring the beam in their own. He affirmed to those present in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse that God is our “sole judge.”

“The person who judges is wrong, is mistaken and is defeated because he assumes God’s place, He who is the one and only judge.”

Jesus’ use of the word “hypocrite” in the scripture passage is directed toward all who pass a hasty judgment on others, the pope said, while instead God “takes his time” when passing judgment.

Referring to Jesus' analogy of the splinter and the beam, Pope Francis reiterated that those who judge others make the mistake of wanting to remove the splinter from their brother’s eye without even noticing the wooden beam in their own.

“He who does this is so obsessed with the person he wants to judge – that person – so, so obsessed! That the splinter will not let him sleep!” the pontiff said.

The man who judges others before himself “confuses reality," Pope Francis said. "He’s fantasizing. And he who judges becomes defeated, ends badly, because the same measure will be used to judge him.”

Pointing to Jesus as an example, the Pope explained that only God and those who he chooses have the authority to judge others, observing how “Jesus, before the Father, never accuses!”

“It’s the opposite: he defends!” he said. “He’s the first Paraclete. Then, he sends the second, who is the (Holy) Spirit. He is the defender: he comes before the Father to defend us against the charges.”

The Roman Pontiff observed that it is Satan who is described as “the accuser” in scripture, adding that he who judges “is an imitator of the prince of this world who’s always behind people to accuse them before the Father.”

Encouraging those present to “imitate Jesus” as “intercessor, advocate, lawyer,” Pope Francis explained that we must not only do this for ourselves, but also for others.

But “do not imitate others,” he cautioned, because following suit with others rather than God “in the end will destroy us.”

The Holy Father concluded by reminding the audience that he who judges will be judged.

“Pray for him, but do not judge! Because if you do, when you do something bad, you will be judged.”

“Let us remember this well” he said, because “it will do us good in everyday life when we get the urge to judge others, to speak ill of others, which is a form of judging.”--CNA

What the 3 dissenting judges said about ‘Allah’ appeal

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court yesterday dismissed the Catholic Church's leave application to appeal the "Allah" ban in the Herald. Four of the seven-member bench ruled that the Court of Appeal was right in banning the word. Three judges, however, ruled in the Church's favour. The Malaysian Insider captured the essence of these dissenting voices. Report by V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum

There was a serious issue to be decided when the home minister banned the word "Allah" in the Herald.

While the Court of Appeal had ruled that it was the home minister's discretion to ban the word, Malanjum said this was an issue which only the Federal Court could decide.

He also pointed out that the Herald had been in circulation for 14 years before the ban was enforced by the home minister.

"There was also no evidence of prejudice to public order during that period and that the use of the word was also not prohibited in other publications like the Alkitab and the Sikh holy book.

"As such, the church has satisfied the requirements under Section 96 (a) and (b) of the Courts of Judicature Act to be granted leave to appeal.

"It deserves to be reemphasised that another factor that needs to be given serious consideration is the degree of public importance of legal issues raised by the applicant (the church).”

He said although the case only involved the Bahasa Malaysia section of the Herald, yet the Court of Appeal ruling seemed to sanction a sweeping, general prohibition against the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims in all forms, on all occasions.

"Most of the groups affected, such as the Sikh community, were not parties in this case."

Federal Court judge Datuk Zainun Ali

Zainun, who took the position that the Catholic Church ought to be given leave to appeal over the Allah row, criticised three lower court judges for exceeding their authority.

She said the Court of Appeal judges should have confined themselves strictly to legal issues since the correctness, or otherwise, of religious practices was beyond the competence of judges of fact and law.

"The answers which were met with rebuttal in the Court of Appeal are clearly non-justiciable because they are neither questions of law or facts capable of proof in a court of law by admissible evidence," she said.

Zainun said the judicial method was equipped to deal with only hard facts.

"A secular court such as ours is ill-equipped to determine the veracity, accuracy or even sincerity of subjective religious beliefs about doctrine and practices.

"Such disputes were certainly outside the recognised perimeters of judicial competence.

"More so, when the alleged historical 'facts' were based on affidavit evidence and the Internet which were unverified and, therefore, inadmissible.

"Plausibility should not be mistaken for veracity," she added.

Zainun said this was a fit and proper case for leave to be granted for public advantage and to put things in the proper perspective.

"The voice of reason should prevail and all parties must exercise restraint and uphold the tenets of their respective religious beliefs and exercise tolerance.

"It is imperative that the precious goodwill that all races and religious denominations possess be brought to the negotiating table and the matter resolved amicably.”

Federal Court judge Tan Sri Jeffrey Tan Kok Hwa

"This was a clear application where leave could not be refused as all the requirements had been met.

"There should not be a rush to judge the issues and their merits which in the instant case have yet to be canvassed and argued," Tan said.

Tan said the constitutional questions should be answered by the Federal Court.

"They are too grave to be answered by any other," he added.

Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria, who led the seven-man bench, said the President of Court of Appeal Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin and Federal Court judge Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar agreed that the leave should not be granted to the Catholic Church.

They dismissed the church's application for appeal, citing that the Court of Appeal was right in its decision to ban the word in the Catholic weekly, Herald.--The Malaysian Insider

Pakatan Rakyat's Sarawak Move: Of MAIS & Sarawak State Election.

Now it seems that the opposition in Malaysia are moving towards the Sarawak State Election that will probably be held next year. We can see that they are trying to woo the Sarawak voters by utilizing DAP's and PKR's status as a nationalist party.

That is why issues regarding Christians and Muslims relation in Selangor is being played. All that we can say is that regardless of any religious affiliation, Pakatan Rakyat is playing the Rakyat like a fiddle.

And PERKASA (former ally of BN) is a tool for Pakatan Rakyat to incite hatred. Hatred towards BN and the Federal Government. The issues regarding BM Bibles and conversion of non-Muslim is being sewn in the hearts of many Sarawakian. The Pakatan Rakyat is trying to spin the issue to ensure that all the blame is put in the hands of BN and UMNO. If we look at it closely JAIS & MAIS is a Selangor state based institutions. Dont tell us that BN has control of these two most powerful Islamic institution in Selangor. If they do, we should not vote for PR in the next election as they are weak and cant even control their own departments.

Christians should not blame BN for any of the religious issues happening in Selangor or Penang. Islamic religious matters are at the hands of the State government. Not the federal government. And most importantly, none of this ever happened during BN's reign in both states.

The rakyat should keep an open mind. Look into the real situation and think for a minute before putting any judgement in any issues. The PR is trying to destroy us by telling everyone that BN is a monster. The truth is, PR is playing a dangerous game by mixing religion and politics. Stirring up public anger in the process.

All these religious play is to ensure Sarawak will fall to PR in the next state election. While there are a lot of projects being done in Sarawak by DAP now, wait till they won. Sarawak would be the 2nd Penang where it will be invaded by foreigners and the locals will become servants and maids. Similar to what is happening to the Malays in Penang.

Difference Between Catholic And Protestant

Question: "What is the difference between Catholics and Protestants?"

Answer:There are several important differences between Catholics and Protestants. While there have been some attempts over the last several years to find common ground between the two groups, the fact is that the differences remain, and they are just as important today as they were at the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The following is brief summary of some of the more important differences:

Taking It To The Federal Court.

We believe that our Prime Minister is at his wits end. The only reasonable solution for the "Hadhanah" @Child Custody hearing is to take it to the Federal Court.

The child custody hearing between two parent who's father converted into Islam and forced his children to convert with him is getting to the very nerve of the Malaysian society.

Its not about religion or race, we truly believe that you have the rights to choose which Supreme Being you submit yourself to. However, it is crucial for us to understand that we live in a Multicultural Islamic country. Of course the Muslim's will get a better hand if things were to be taken into the Syriah Court. And the non-Muslim would have a better chance in the Civil Court. It's just the way it is.

Conversion to another religion cannot be taken lightly. Especially if it is attached to a particular law of the land. It's not a question about right or wrong, it is a question of morality and justice.

Yes, you may convert yourself to another religion, no one should force you to stay in a particular religion that you dislike. However, when you decide to convert please bear in mind that you are submitting your family into turmoil if you do not tread lightly.

We think that all the Islamic authorities should ask the future converts to Islam to have a long discussion with their families. This is to avoid any confusion among their family members if anything happens.

We've heard a lot of issues arising from conversion to Islam. We know the fault does not lie with the religion itself. But the problem is with the Islamic authorities and those newly converts. Do you have to discard your family relations if you choose Islam as your faith? I don't think so.

This particular problem can be solved without any conflicts if the parties involved would just sit down and talk. Be sincere to your family members. It will avoid any future problems and your family will respect you and your new found religion more.

Chris Darson
The Scribe.

Giant water droplet? Nope, it's something much more mouth-watering

This article is contributed by the Stomp Team.

Bite into this unusual-looking dessert and you will be in for a sweet surprise.

Believe it or not, these photos circulating online recently show a rice cake dessert from Japan, also known as shingen mochi, that is made from water.

Some have compared the dish to "eating a delicate water balloon that can pop any second".

Made from water that comes from the Japanese Alps, this water drop dessert is refreshing and tasty.

To add on to its mystery, the dessert apparently disintegrates after 30 minutes.

Mahkamah keluar waran tangkap terhadap penulis blog seks -

Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur mengeluarkan waran tangkap kepada penulis blog seks, Alvin Tan kerana gagal memulangkan pasport kepada mahkamah. Gambar fail The Malaysian Insider.

Mahkamah Sesyen Kuala Lumpur hari ini mengeluarkan waran tangkap terhadap penulis blog seks Alvin Tan selepas tertuduh gagal menyerahkan semula pasportnya kepada mahkamah yang sebelum ini diberikan untuk tujuan penggambaraan di Singapura, lapor Utusan Malaysia.

Alvin dan bekas kekasihnya, Vivian Lee menghadapi pertuduhan mengikut Seksyen 298A (1)(a) Kanun Keseksaan iaitu memuat naik di laman Facebook Alvin and Vivian- Alvivi di pautan https://www.facebook.com/alvivi.swingers, satu kandungan gambar dan komen di CAF-Syed Restaurant Jalan Dang Wangi pada jam 10.48 malam antara 11 Julai dan 12 Julai 2013.

Bagi pertuduhan pertama, Tan dan Lee didakwa bersama-sama menerbitkan satu penerbitan menghasut di laman Facebook Alvin and Vivian- Alvivi di pautan https://www.facebook.com/alvivi.swingers iaitu satu kandungan gambar dan komen yang sama yang mengandungi logo halal dan ayat yang mempunyai kecenderungan menghasut.

Chong Joo Tian, peguam yang mewakili Tan berkata, beliau gagal untuk menghubungi anak guamnya dan percubaan keluarga menghubunginya juga gagal.

Bagaimanapun, Lee mengikut arahan mahkamah dan memulangkan passportnya pada 3 Jun.

Chong kemudian memberitahu The Malaysian Insider, beliau diberitahu oleh Lee produksi di Singapura tidak diteruskan.

"Jadi kami tidak tahu di mana beliau berada, tiada halangan baginya untuk ke mana saja dengan pasportnya.

"Kami tidak tahu sama ada beliau di Singapura," katanya.

Mahkamah menetapkan 18 Julai untuk sebutan semula kes itu.

Pada 21 April lalu, Mahkamah Rayuan menggugurkan pertuduhan mempersenda umat Islam pada bulan Ramadan terhadap Tan dan Lee kerana ia tidak terpakai kepada bukan Islam.

Dalam keputusan sebulat suara, panel tiga hakim diketuai Datuk Mohtarudin Baki juga memutuskan pertuduhan mengikut Seksyen 298A (1)(a) Kanun Keseksaan tidak dapat dikuatkuasakan terhadap pasangan itu.

Tan atau nama penuhnya Tan Jye Yee, 26, dan Lee atau Lee May Ling, 25, sebelum itu memfailkan rayuan terhadap keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi yang menolak permohonan untuk membatalkan pertuduhan ke atas mereka.

Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi, ketika menolak permohonan pasangan itu pada 21 November tahun lalu, memutuskan Seksyen 298A (1)(a) terpakai bagi semua kaum dan sah serta boleh dikuatkuasakan secara universal tanpa mengira kaum, etnik atau agama seseorang dan bahawa seksyen itu terpakai pada kedua-dua perayu dalam kes ini.

Dalam permohonan itu, Tan dan Lee memohon daripada Mahkamah Tinggi bagi perintah untuk mengisytiharkan Seksyen 298A tidak konsisten dan bercanggah dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan tidak dapat dikuatkuasakan ke atas mereka, dan sekalipun tuduhan itu sah di sisi undang-undang, ia hanya terpakai bagi orang Islam. – 13 Jun, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/mahkamah-keluar-waran-tangkap-terhadap-penulis-blog-seks#sthash.YWlL2Mov.dpuf

Anwar’s policies, red tape cause of Malays lagging in business, says Daim

The Honorable Tun Daim Zainuddin 

Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said the lack of talented Malay entrepreneurs is due to the policies of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when the latter was the finance minister.

"I do not want to blame Anwar, but when he took over as the finance minister in 1991, he changed the landscape.

"He took the easy option by giving out company shares and all of those who were close to him became rich," he told Berita Harian in an exclusive interview today.

Daim (pic) said Anwar's policies caused the Malays to think that it was easy to become rich and that there was no need to go into business.

"The mentality became support Anwar, support the finance minister, get shares. After selling the shares, they would become rich."

Anwar, the former deputy prime minister, was the finance minister from 1991 to 1998, when he was sacked by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad over allegations of moral misconduct.

"I do not know what else should be done to help the Malays become rich. Various affirmative action plans have been introduced to assist the Malays," said Daim, adding that agencies responsible for helping the Malays and Bumiputeras "are too bureaucratic".

"One has to fill up numerous application forms, there are simply too many agencies involved in the economic empowerment of Bumiputeras."

He referred to the Malay ownership of commercial land in the urban city centres.

"The majority of Malays cannot afford to purchase properties in the urban city centre. When land was given to UDA Holding Bhd, they sold it to the Chinese.

"When MRCB was given land in KL Sentral to develop, it turns out that almost no Malays bought any properties there," Daim said.

he said Malaysia was slowly evolving into another Singapore, citing the Iskandar Malaysia economic hub and Penang as examples.

"Do not talk about the Chinese, eventually all Malaysians will be priced out because the prices are in millions of ringgit."

He said even with the 1Malaysia Housing Programme Corporation (PR1MA) scheme, those earning RM4,500 a month could not afford it.

"What is the point of building such houses if the rakyat cannot afford to buy such properties?" he asked.

He said the abolition of the real property gains tax (RPGT) by former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had worsened the situation.

"This encouraged speculators to re-enter the property market. RPGT was never an instrument to increase taxes, it was to prevent speculating." – June 13, 2014.

Exocism: Televised Exorcism Rituals.

 

Jason Lo and the religion on our I.C. fiasco.

Its been a while since the fourth floor boys made any comments about whats going on in Malaysia. But then again, when they speak about something, we should verify whether the statement were made for the benefit of all Malaysians or they are just rambling things that even they do not understand.

If the government ever remove the word Islam, Christian, Buddha, Hindu in Malaysian's identity card, will it ever make any major significance?
Yes its true that nowadays, even non-Muslims (with Islamic family relations) are suffering at the hands of these so called RELIGIOUS DEPT. But then again most of these departments are lead by Pakatan Rakyat. PR is supposed to be the beacon of hope. What is going on here?

Well we do pity Zarina Abdul Majid (the Hindu Bride), Nyonya Tahir (the elderly Buddhist) and Lina Joy for being prosecuted by all these RELIGIOUS DEPT. JAIS, JAWI, JAIPP, JAIK etc..... However, we should not look at the fact that Muslims were prosecuted by their own religion long before others.

Can you choose your religion? I believe yes. Others cannot compelled you to believe in something that you do not understand or agree. Hence the concept of faith is coined up by our belief system which was derived from our ancestors who knew about the supernatural aspect of God by a messenger.


Regardless if you believe in Jesus Christ and the holy trinity, Allah and Muhammad, or any God or Goddes that emerged in any religion, others cannot compel you what to do.

Faith is not something enforced, it can be nurtured but at the end of the day, you believe what you want to believe. Not it is fallen upon us that the JAIS is giving it all to ensure that all Muslims stays Muslim. Even if they were tricked by their own father who had just abandoned them after converting to Islam.

I mean, if you want to convert, you should accept the fact that you need to tell your family about the conversion. Even though Zarina Abdul Majid is named as a Muslim, but she does not believe in Allah or Muhammad. She believe;'s the god and goddess of Hinduism.

We all know that Muhammad the Prophet was a good person, even during the enforcement of Hudud, he did not force anyone to accept the punishment. There was one time when a pregnant women said to Him that she was pregnant out of wedlock. Muhammad did not punish her, instead He asked the women to go back and have the baby first. He did not send any men to go and guard the woman, the woman could have walked free. But because of her fear of Allah, she came back to Muhammad and ask to be punished according to the rules of Hudud. Once again the Muslim Prophet Muhammad ask her to go back and nurture her child. After the child was of two years old, the woman came back to Muhammad and ask again to be punish.

JAIS and all the other J's should learn from their own prophet. Muhammad never compelled anyone to believe him. He never enforced someone to follow His rules. He even have mercy on those who had wronged him. Why can't Muslims in this day and age look up to him and follow his footsteps?

Jesus Christ our lord and savior did the same. He did not punish people, He educates them, He takes care of them, and most important of all He loves them.

In each and every religion, God has made the rules and regulation clear for us to follow. The problem here is not the religion itself, but the followers of the religion.

Should we abolish Islam/Christian/Hindu/Buddhist in the I.C.?I think not, because it is the proclamation of our faith. Too bad, instead of teaching the people about Islam, they ransacked people's weddings, conduct raids (Khalwat), catching Muslims drinking beer in pubs and best of all they think that they are doing God's work.

For us in CU4M, we pity our Muslims brother and sister, that was brought upon us by Corrupted Government Officials.

P.S: I don't know why TS Khalid Ibrhaim did not mentioned anyting at all. He is the Islamic Religious Exco for God sake. Too buzy pointing their fngers at UMNO members they forgot to take care of their own back yard.

Zarinah Abdul Majid: 'Saya amalkan kepercayaan Hindu'

PETALING JAYA, (MLP) - Zarinah Abdul Majid berulang-alik ke Mahkamah Syariah dan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) untuk membuang perkataan “Islam” di kad pengenalannya kerana dia tidak mengamalkan kepercayaan agama itu.

Menurut The Malaysian Insider, Zarinah telah berbuat demikian selama tujuh tahun, namun tiada hasil. 

Pekerja kilang 32 tahun ini akhirnya membuat keputusan tegas untuk berkahwin dengan lelaki dicintainya, seorang penganut Hindu di sebuah kuil.

Pada hari Ahad lepas, Zarinah diikat “thali” di leher oleh kekasihnya selama tujuh tahun dalam satu upacara perkahwinan Hindu di Petaling Jaya.

Beliau menjemput 400 tetamu dan membelanjakan lebih RM30,000 untuk majlis tersebut.

Tetapi majlis perkahwinan itu tidak berjalan lancar apabila penguatkuasa Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais) yang ditemani oleh pegawai polis menahannya untuk menyoal tentang status agamanya.

Persatuan Hindu Sangam Malaysia, Majlis Peguam dan Badan Bertindak Hak Asasi Hindu (Hindraf) dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) menyelar Jais dan polis kerana “menceroboh” kuil dan mengganggu majlis perkahwinan itu.

Sungguhpun Zarinah ditahan dan hanya dibebaskan pada pukul 2 petang, dia berkata tidak akan mengalah. Dia turut berkata bahawa dia mengamalkan kepercayaan Hindu dan mengikut adat serta budayanya. 

Ibu bapa Zarinah beragama Hindu ketika berkahwin pada 1980. Ayahnya bernama S Mahendran dan ibunya S Vasandamma.

Ayah Zarinah memasuki agama Islam dengan bantuan saudaranya, namun ibunya kekal beragama Hindu.

Oleh sebab itu, Zarinah dan tiga adik beradiknya mempunyai status agama Islam dalam surat beranak dan kad pengenalan.

Zarinah berkata, selepas kelahiran adik lelakinya pada 1990, ayahnya meninggalkan rumah dan tidak pernah kembali.

Ibunya yang buta huruf tidak tahu yang anak-anaknya semua beragama Islam. 

Zarinah berkata, sejak 20 tahun lalu keluarganya berjumpa dengan ramai peguam untuk mencari jalan penyelesaian tetapi semuanya gagal.

Perbelanjaan kira-kira RM20,000 untuk yuran guaman telah digunakan untuk menukar status agamanya, tetapi masih tidak berhasil sehingga hari ini.

Sebelum ditahan ke balai polis Shah Alam, suaminya sempat mengikat ‘thali’ sebagai tanda sudah berkahwin.

Menurut Zarinah, semua tetamunya terkejut. Rakan-rakan Islamnya turut berasa pegawai Jais seharusnya membuat siasatan selepas upacara perkahwinan tersebut dijalankan.

Tetamu-tetamunya tidak sempat menjamah selera, tetapi meninggalkan kuil tersebut selepas Zarinah ditahan.

Walaupun dia tahu siapa yang telah membuat laporan, dia melihat kejadian ini sebagai 'rahmat; dari Tuhan.

Sementara itu, Jais menafikan menyerbu atau mengganggu majlis perkahwinan Zarinah.

Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Jais, Ahmad Zaki Arshad, berkata pihaknya datang ke kuil hanya untuk menjalankan siasatan dengan mengambil keterangan pengantin perempuan untuk mengesahkan taraf agamanya.

Beliau berkata, tindakan Jais itu mengikut prosedur selepas menerima aduan daripada orang ramai.

Ahmad Zaki berkata yang Jais tidak buat serbuan atau operasi. Dia memberitahu The Malaysian Insider bahawa mereka hanya datang buat pemeriksaan biasa sahaja tanya pemilik kad pengenalan betulkah dia beragama Islam.

Zarinah berkata, Jais menyuruhnya menukar nama dan agama untuk mengelakkan dituduh murtad.

Namun begitu, Zarinah telahpun cuba berbuat demikian selama tujuh tahun dan terasa buntu apabila tiada apa-apa yang dapat mengubahkan status agamanya tersebut.

Selepas kejadian ini, Zarinah turut berkata bahawa dia mungkin akan didakwa menghina Islam jika masalah ini tidak diselesaikan dengan segera.

Untuk Babi atau Untuk Tidak Babi? Itulah persoalannya.

Isu berkenaan adanya DNA babi di dalam coklat Cadbury sememangnya telah menggemparkan penduduk Islam di Malaysia. Babi di dalam agama Kristian juga dikategorikan sebagai binatang kotor, “unclean animal” yang disebutkan di dalam old testament. Babi diharamkan kepada orang Yahudi atas beberapa dasar yang ditetapkan oleh Tuhan.

                Namun begitu, penggunaan babi di dalam di dalam produk digunakan dengan sangat meluas. Dari produk kesihatan hinggalah ke produk makanan, babi dan produk berasaskan babi digunakan oleh pelbagai pengeluar untuk tujuan tertentu. Malah, babi juga telah dijadikan vaksin untuk penyakit-penyakit. Vaksin ini disuntik kedalam badan manusia untuk dijadikan pelali bagi penyakit yang berbahaya.

Beautiful Hymn: Orthodox Monk

Sudan husband's hope for wife's death sentence appeal

WASHINGTON D.C: The husband of a woman facing the death penalty in Sudan for abandoning her religious faith has told the BBC he is hopeful an appeal against the sentence for apostasy will be successful.

Daniel Wani said Meriam Ibrahim was well when he saw her on Wednesday a day after she gave birth in prison.

According to Islamic law, she can nurse her baby daughter for two years before the sentence is carried out.

Born to a Muslim father, she married Mr Wani, a Christian, in 2011.

Sudan has a majority Muslim population. Islamic law has been in force there since the 1980s.

Even though Meriam Yehya Ibrahim Ishag, 27, was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, the authorities consider her to be a Muslim.

At her trial earlier in May in the capital, Khartoum, the judge also sentenced her to 100 lashes for adultery because her marriage to a Christian man was not valid under Islamic law.

'Love story'
Mr Wani, who is a US citizen, said he was delighted to see his new daughter - and mother and baby were both doing well.

"It's very incredible. I'm so happy," he told the BBC's Newsday programme.

But he said he was most concerned about his 20-month-old son who has been living with his mother in prison since February.

The judge ruled that Mr Wani was not allowed custody of the boy as the marriage was not valid.

"His attitude has changed a lot," Mr Wani said of his son.

"He used to be a happy boy. When I went there, he just looked at me. No smile," he said.

"Sometimes really he is in a bad mood. Every time when I went there, he just wants to come home with me."

Born in South Sudan before it became independent from Sudan, Mr Wani went to the US in 1998 at the height of the civil war,

He met Ms Ibrahim in 2011 on a visit to Sudan and they were married at the main church in Khartoum.

"There is a love story between them," their lawyer Elshareef Ali told the BBC.

Mr Wani, who is in a wheelchair, said he was angry about his wife's imprisonment.

She had to give birth with heavy chains on her legs, although when he saw her in the office of the prison, her shackles were removed, he said.

Ms Ibrahim was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother's religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood.

Mr Wani said it was his wife's right to choose her own religion.

"She grew up... with her mother, went to the church and I don't think that means that she converted from Islam to Christianity."

According to their lawyer, Mr Wani and his wife were first arrested in September 2013 for adultery - and were allowed out on bail.

The court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when Ms Ibrahim said she was a Christian. She was then taken into custody.

There has been international condemnation of the death sentence.

Correspondents say they are rarely carried out in Sudan.

The sentence of 100 lashes for adultery will reportedly be carried out when she has recovered from giving birth.--bbc.com

How do we determine the real prophets?

The Prophet Jeremiah

By Sr Louise Zdunich, NDC
Q: Group Bible study (Isaiah) led me to wonder the following: What is a prophet? Do we have prophets among us today? Who are they and what is their message? How can we separate the wheat from the chaff? 

A: There were many types of prophecy in ancient cultures. But the Hebrew prophets about whom we read in the Old Testament are our model. 

The word ‘prophet’ comes from the word ‘mouth,’ literally one who speaks for another and especially one who communicates the divine will. 

Prophets are God’s mouthpiece. They are chosen by God and speak God’s word, especially when humanity is going in the wrong direction. Prophets didn’t choose their role as it’s a painful task. Some such as Jeremiah complain; others like Elijah are depressed; others such as Ezekiel are “filled with bitterness and anger” (Ezekiel in 3.14f); others are like Jonah who tried to escape God. 

Besides, they had no assurance that their word would have any effect on the people or nation. There is no earthly reward but there is an earthly need for prophets to set people on the right track. 

Prophets are people of action rising to the needs of the community. Prophets, like miracles, are signs of the supernatural. Prophets are like a lifeline to God. St. Paul ranks prophecy first among spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12.31; 14.1) because it builds up the community, the Church. 

Prophets felt compelled to speak God’s word: “Thus says the Lord . . .”. They revealed God’s displeasure when the Israelites were unfaithful. When Israel repented, God relented and did not punish. 

Fear Of Truth Prophets were not socially approved. When one proclaims hard truths, tells people what they do not want to know, people react against the truth-teller. If a prophet is praised, he is likely a false prophet. Jesus said: “Woe to you, when all speak well of you for so they did to the false prophets” (Luke 6.26). 

While the prophetic office had a distinctive role to play in Israel, it was different from that of priest or king. Israel, on its own could make a king or a priest, but it could not create a prophet; a prophet is a pure gift from God. 

Prophets Today 
Are there prophets today? There are people who proclaim to tell your fortune but they are not prophets. But I believe there have always been and still are authentic prophets. 

Who are they? Individuals or groups who point out when and how humanity is headed toward disaster unless it changes its ways. Today the focus may be more on the damage done to God’s creation, the earth and human beings than on abandoning God directly. 

Some prophets may deal with economics and the continued poverty of many amidst the riches of the few. Others, that are occurring more frequently, are in the areas of technology such as pornography which is inflicting untold harm, especially on children. There is the whole area of human trafficking and enslavement of peoples. 

How can one tell who is an authentic prophet? The same way Hebrews’ authentic prophets were recognized. Their lives demonstrated what their mouths were speaking. 

Such was the vivid example of Hosea’s marriage (Hosea 1-3) where he was told to take an unfaithful wife symbolizing the infidelity of Israel toward God. From his own experience, Hosea knew what it was like for God to be faithful while Israel was so unfaithful. 

Walking The Talk 
Ask yourself if the lives of today’s prophets demonstrate the truth of their words. How do they contribute while speaking the words of helping the poor? Do these prophets understand the root causes lurking beneath the demeaning treatment of women and children, leading to evils against these vulnerable groups? 

Do the lives of these prophets manifest the living and holy God? Would they be recognized as Jesus incarnated in them? 

A story is told of a Christian couple who lived quietly and peacefully in a foreign country among non-Christians. When missionaries arrived to preach Jesus, the non-Christians responded, “Oh! We know about this Jesus. They lived in that house on the hill.” This couple had lived such exemplary holy and compassionate lives that they were identified with Jesus.