Lebanese all-women aid ship to head to Gaza

[Abu Talib]

TRIPOLI, Lebanon — Organisers of a Lebanese women-only aid ship which plans to break the Gaza blockade announced on Thursday they will sail to Cyprus on the first leg of their journey this weekend.

"The ship Mariam will leave for Cyprus on Sunday at 10 pm (1900 GMT) from the port of Tripoli" in north Lebanon, organiser Samar al-Hajj told reporters outside the port.

The Mariam, a Bolivian-flagged cargo ship originally named the Junia Star, plans to carry aid to Gaza in an bid to break the four-year siege of Gaza with 50 Lebanese and foreign women activists on board, including a local pop star.

Israel came under international censure over its May 31 seizure of a six-ship aid fleet bound for the Palestinian territory when nine Turkish activists were shot dead by Israeli commandos in clashes on the lead boat.

The Mariam, renamed in honour of the Virgin Mary, would need Cypriot authorisation to depart for Gaza from its shores but officials in Cyprus have said the island was keeping in place a ban on ships departing for Gaza.

"The Cypriot ambassador to Lebanon tried to convince us not to go and reiterated that his country would not grant us authorisation to sail to Gaza," Hajj told AFP.

"But we are adamant," she added. "We have no arms and we will go to Gaza."

Israeli officials have warned the Jewish state would intercept any boats attempting to approach the coast of Gaza, which is run by the Islamist Hamas movement.

The United Nations has said that groups seeking to deliver aid to Gaza should send it by land.

The "Naji al-Ali," another Lebanese boat organised by journalists and originally named Julia, has also announced it would sail to Gaza via Cyprus but has not yet received clearance from Lebanese authorities.

Lebanon and Israel remain technically at war and have no diplomatic ties or maritime links.

AFP

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

:salam2:

I am trying to restrain myself from posting my views on these flotilla trips to Gaza.. I hope they utilize other ways of sending the aid & use the month of Ramadan to beg Allah azz zawajal that he gives victory to us over the non- believing transgressors.

Wasalaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi

 

[Abu Talib]

Nice catch I am wondering too how can they do it as its Ramadaan and on top of that all woman ship.

 

[arzafar]

is there a better form of worship then jihad in ramadan?

these women are Christians i think. But i must salute their bravery for it puts us and millions of other muslim 'men' to shame.

 

[Abu Talib]

is there a better form of worship then jihad in ramadan?

these women are Christians i think. But i must salute their bravery for it puts us and millions of other muslim 'men' to shame.

lol it was men who started it.

How can that be Jihad!!

 

[arzafar]

lol it was men who started it.

How can that be Jihad!!

if anyone tries to break the siege, they will have to confront idf.
even just breaking the siege is as jihad, because one of the purpose for jihad is to free the oppressed from tyranny.

 

[Aapa]

Assalaam walaikum,


The point to celebrate and make dus for is the fact that we have not given up. One boat at a time...may Allah grant these sisters safe passage.

 

[Abu Talib]

if anyone tries to break the siege, they will have to confront idf.
even just breaking the siege is as jihad, because one of the purpose for jihad is to free the oppressed from tyranny.

I think it applies to ppl who live in Gaza

 

[arzafar]

I think it applies to ppl who live in Gaza

i think jihad is obligatory upon all muslims right now not just those in gaza. however, the way the nation states are run and how the world economic system works, it's a very difficult to do anything. Muslims rely on kuffar from a bullet to F-16s. Any individual attempts will almost always backfire and people end up playing in the hands of kuffar. Moreover, muslims in general are not at the required level of faith, unity and discipline to draw battle lines. In some ways the situation is worse than it was 40 years ago (if it came down to fighting rite now i dont think we'll last even 6 days this time round). so the only thing we can do is supplicate and spread awareness.

however, all that doesn't change the fact that it is obligatory upon all muslims to defend fellow muslims and free them from oppression.

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

i think jihad is obligatory upon all muslims right now

:salam2:

I wouldn't make a statement like that akhi. Jihad has many preconditions and set rules that have to be in place, before someone can say it is obligatory now for a group of people to go fight against oppression.

This role should be left to our pious scholars (May Allah preserve them) and our state heads/rulers. Laymen such as us can err in our over zealousness and lack of understanding of the pre conditions. This matter has already caused us so much destruction. We need to be cautious of the approach of devious people and see to it that we don't follow the same road that has lead to so much spilling of innocent blood.

It is upon each individual however to bring 'La Illaha Illa Allah' in their own hearts & lives and in their families and societies. We have people in our land committing shirk in the name of Islam and it is upon us to rebuke their deviant practices. We should first establish the call of 'tawheed' as per our capacity and with our resources.

And with Allah lies the source of all strength and success.

Wasalaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi

 

[Abu Talib]

i think jihad is obligatory upon all muslims right now not just those in gaza. however, the way the nation states are run and how the world economic system works, it's a very difficult to do anything. Muslims rely on kuffar from a bullet to F-16s. Any individual attempts will almost always backfire and people end up playing in the hands of kuffar. Moreover, muslims in general are not at the required level of faith, unity and discipline to draw battle lines. In some ways the situation is worse than it was 40 years ago (if it came down to fighting rite now i dont think we'll last even 6 days this time round). so the only thing we can do is supplicate and spread awareness.

however, all that doesn't change the fact that it is obligatory upon all muslims to defend fellow muslims and free them from oppression.

What trying to describe is Qitaal there are different kinds of Jihad as BrotherInIslam7 has written what I was also trying to say.

 

[sister herb]

Cyprus blocks Gaza aid ship ‘Mariam’ from passing through its ports
[ 22/08/2010 - 10:02 AM ]

BEIRUT, (PIC)-- The organizers of the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship, Mariam, have discovered the possibility of changing its course towards Greece after Cypriot authorities announced they will not allow the ship to sail to Gaza from its ports.

The organizers said in a press statement on Saturday that contacts are being made with the Greek government while Cyprus insists on its decision to prohibit the ship’s passage.

Samar Hajj, an activist on board, told Reuters on Saturday: “I do not reel off ... action is underway to find somewhere else (another port for sailing) … there are difficulties … we will not give up easily.”

“The trip was not cancelled … the Mariam voyage will be suspended because we are in a situation that requires suspending the journey,” said the ship's spokeswoman Rima Farah.

She added that there is not enough time between now and 10:00 pm Sunday night (Greenwich time) - which is the scheduled time for the Mariam to set sail - to find another port to sail from.

Lebanese public works minister Gazi al-Aridi said yesterday that Mariam will not set sail to Cyprus after Cypriot authorities declined to welcome it.

Aridi noted that Mariam’s organizers requested permission to set sail to Cyprus and the ministry approved, but Cyprus authorities later rebuffed after increased complications.

Mariam, which carries women activists from Lebanon and the world over who will transport humanitarian aid, was set to sail Sunday from Tripoli, Lebanon to Cyprus, ahead of landing at its final destination in the besieged Gaza Strip, and will be followed by a second women-operated aid vessel from Tripoli called Naji al-Ali, which will be launched this Wednesday to Cyprus and then to Gaza.

http://www.palestine-info.co.uk/en/...zwXYdywNd+EXzWXB+0AVJC0N9HMzc4+11K6vq/ya3npc=

 

[Aapa]

Assalaam walaikum,

Our leaders have not done anything for the fifty years I have been alive. I read on this site today that a group of our leaders visit Europe to look at the scenes of the holocaust.

They need to be visiting Gaza to rid the genocide that is taking place and we have brothers arguing about jihad during Ramadan.

Folks...lets be real simple here; Women and children are being brutally murdered before our eyes daily. The governments of the world are too busy licking the behinds of the Israelis to assist the peoples of the concentration camps.

We have a group of women who are saying enough of this stupidity. We will help and you guys are agruging about the merits of it.

There are no options. The Israeli's are starving, raping, killing, maiming, do I need to go on..you name it and they are doing it. Because the rest of the world is nothing but cowards. Cowards so arrogant they do not fear Allah..they fear the mighty Israeli.

These women are not going to kill anyone; they are about supporting life.

 

[queenislam]

Spare some shoulder or thought to cry on~On this blessed Month of The Holy Ramadhan

bismillah:
:salam2:

Many had suffered!
Nobody come close as to the brutality of the Zionist regime of Israel as of the attacked that Israel launched recently on Lebanon that claimed many of live lost!
These Lebanon woman came from many corner of life majority muslim that had lost husband,children,parent and loved ones


Palestinian children killed in Gaza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGB4TTw3kHQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asL_ouHnYWs
Qana(Lebanon) Massacre by Israel in 1996 & 2006


~Frankly speaking i will definately ending up doing the same if i were in the same situasion as these woman!
Only woman understand woman problem but they are not there to kill the Jews because they are un arm but with daily supplier consumtion for the Muslim Palestinian that fasting in this blessed Month of Ramadhan!
As every body break fast in comfort and eat delicious food at our lovely home some has spare some thought on our unfortunate family in Islam in Palestine!

Spare some shoulder or thought to cry on~
On
this
blessed
Month
of The Holy Ramadhan.


Thank you for posting this brother
~May Allah swt reward you~Amin!

:May Allah protect and help our brothers and sisters in Palestine

And

:May Allah swt guide and help us all~Amin!

~Salam Ramadhan Kariim Al Mubarak to all!

Thank you,
Take Care!


~Wassalam

 

[samiha]

:salam2:

I don't want to stick my nose in this, especially in the month of Ramadaan, and because I believe Allaah knows best.

But are we running here by the theory that the ends justifys the means? In the sense that the women interviewed seem to be Muslim women. What of the restriction for a woman to travel without a Mahram?

If we don't support Robin Hood as in stealing from the rich to give to the poor - committing haraam for something good, then what can be said of this? I just question it. Because as I've seen, all legitimate scholars have emphasized that for travels such as this a woman should be accompanied, are we to loosen the Shari'ah for the acceptance and promotion of this?

Allaah knows best, I will withhold my opinions for now. May Allaah guide all of us and help us in our affairs to doing that which is best and most pleasing to Him. Ameen

wasalaam

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

Removed...

 

[Abu Talib]

:salam2:

I don't want to stick my nose in this, especially in the month of Ramadaan, and because I believe Allaah knows best.

But are we running here by the theory that the ends justifys the means? In the sense that the women interviewed seem to be Muslim women. What of the restriction for a woman to travel without a Mahram?

If we don't support Robin Hood as in stealing from the rich to give to the poor - committing haraam for something good, then what can be said of this? I just question it. Because as I've seen, all legitimate scholars have emphasized that for travels such as this a woman should be accompanied, are we to loosen the Shari'ah for the acceptance and promotion of this?

Allaah knows best, I will withhold my opinions for now. May Allaah guide all of us and help us in our affairs to doing that which is best and most pleasing to Him. Ameen

wasalaam

:salam2:

Masha Allah I felt happy reading your reply truly based on Hudud of Islam

 

[BrotherInIslam7]

:salam2:

I don't want to stick my nose in this, especially in the month of Ramadaan, and because I believe Allaah knows best.

But are we running here by the theory that the ends justifys the means? In the sense that the women interviewed seem to be Muslim women. What of the restriction for a woman to travel without a Mahram?

If we don't support Robin Hood as in stealing from the rich to give to the poor - committing haraam for something good, then what can be said of this? I just question it. Because as I've seen, all legitimate scholars have emphasized that for travels such as this a woman should be accompanied, are we to loosen the Shari'ah for the acceptance and promotion of this?

Allaah knows best, I will withhold my opinions for now. May Allaah guide all of us and help us in our affairs to doing that which is best and most pleasing to Him. Ameen

wasalaam

:salam2:

Sister, I intended to write this exact same thing at the beginning of the thread but refrained. The last time I expressed my views on a similar thread, I was looked upon as the one was 'critical' and unappreciative of the efforts of muslim sisters.

Alhamdulillah it is good to read this from a sister's post that we should first see if our solution/efforts are Islamically permissible.

As you rightly mentioned it is Ramadan and we should channel our efforts and time in ibadah.

Jazaki Allahu Khayran for your post.. Wasalaamalaykum waa rahmatullahi

 

[Aapa]

Assalaam walaikum,

Where are the Muslim men then. If the men will not accompany the women...you cannot complain. Contemplating what Muslim women can and can not do. If you do not wish for the women to do it..you do it.
They are not all Muslim women. Many are nuns.
What if the women are past child bearing age.
What if the captain of the ship will watch them.
There are solutions to the specifics.
My heart is with these women who are working to please Allah. They are the real soilders.


It saddens me that we have people who are critical of these women. We should be making dua for them. They are taking the enemy by the horns.

The Robin Hood logic is wrong. It makes no sense. That is a bias which is very narrow in scope and a poor analogy.

Do not get too narrow in the scope. If you get too narrow in one direction you get too narrow in another.

 

[Al-Kashmiri]

As-salaamu `alaykum

The Messenger (sall Allaahu `alayhi wasallam) said that the humiliation on this Ummah will not be removed until we turn back to our religion. Not to go against it. Allaah says that if we want His help, we first need to help Him. The scholars have said that this means to enact his orders and avoid his prohibitions. With respect to the travelling, then from what I know, only the shaafi`ees say that women can travel without mahrams, so long as they're in a long congregation and are travelling to hajj. This isn't hajj, rather this is a duty that is not theirs, it's a duty of their husbands, sons and fathers etc.

In summary our humiliation would be lifted and Allaah's help received had we just stuck to the the Book and Sunnah and gave it it's due. Yet I can somewhat understand why these sisters (for the Muslims amongst them) have decided to embark this voyage. But I fail to see how their desperation justifies acting in opposition to the laws of Allaah? It defeats the point in being patient at times of hardship...

Not to mention, that while it may not be the case in Lebanon, there are already plenty of brothers going on regular enough trips to Palestine. Alhamdulillaah there's at least a handful of people in my area I can think of, some of who should be there right now, one who was on the floatilla.

I'm not saying that this aid is sufficient, but its enough to not have to go against clear texts with respect to this issue.

Allaah knows best.