Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Muslim terrorist convicted
Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London, was found guilty of training men in secret camps in the Lake District and New Forest to prepare them to fight abroad.
Among those to have passed through Hamid's camps were the four failed suicide bombers of 21 July 2005.
All four of the men responsible for the failed bombings were friends of Hamid.
The conviction marks a major success for counter-terrorism policing with Hamid regarded as a key figure in extremist networks.
Police say Hamid played a crucial role in grooming young men for terrorism and possible training overseas.
Not pictured:
Hamid's training came in the form of camping trips around the UK and late night talks in the living room of his home.
Prosecutors said he sought to groom impressionable young men, a process that had only intensified after the July 2005 suicide bombings.
Hamid, 50, was found guilty of three counts of soliciting to murder and three counts of providing terrorism training. The jury at Woolwich Crown Court found him not guilty of providing weapons training at camps.
The jury cleared him of two further counts of soliciting to murder, relating to speeches, and a further charge of possessing terrorist articles.
Seven other men have been convicted in connection with his camps in a series of linked trials that have been under a partial reporting black-out.
Hamid and Ahmet will be sentenced at a later date.
Another man, Mousa Brown, was cleared of providing or receiving training.
During the trial, the jury heard that Hamid had close links to the leader of the 21/7 bombings, Muktar Ibrahim.
The lead bomber and four of his conspirators had joined one of Hamid's camps in the Lake District in the spring of 2004, the trial heard.
He and Hamid had also worked the same preaching stall in central London in 2004, leading to their arrest after a row with a police officer. Hamid told the arresting officer he was "Osama bin London" and armed with a bomb.
On the evening after the 7/7 suicide attacks Hamid had texted one of the men who would two weeks later try to blow himself up.
The trial heard that Hamid had been preaching for up to 12 years around London, including at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park, his east London home and in his Islamic bookshop.
An undercover police officer codenamed Dawood later infiltrated Hamid's gatherings and recorded him and Ahmet encouraging young Muslims to fight.
Hamid had denied radicalising young men and claims he was running a "drop-in club" for al-Qaeda. He said that while hundreds of young men had come into contact with him over the years, he was trying to offer them support because Muslims were vulnerable in the wake of 9/11.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke of the Metropolitan Police praised the jury for seeing through Hamid's jokey personality.
"If you want to judge how serious Hamid, Ahmet and the others were, you just have to look at the group," he said.
"The group included the people responsible for the attacks in London on 21 July 2005. You have to look at the fact that they celebrated the deaths that occurred on 7 July.
"And in fact what they were doing accelerated and intensified to try to mount attacks both here and overseas.
"You can only possibly conclude that these were serious determined terrorists."
Monday, 25 February 2008
The Power of Amrit
Bhai Jaita Ji replied, "There were hundreds and thousands."
Guru Ji then asked, "How many Sikhs of Guru Nanak were standing in the crowds?"
Bhai Jaita Ji with tears in his eyes replied, "O Guru Ji, I couldn't recognise who was a Sikh or who was not a Sikh, there were thousands of people but I couldn't see any Sikhs distinct from the crowd."
The Tenth Guru, replied, "Don't worry! I will soon give the Sikhs, such a beautiful distinct image that my Sikhs will be recognised in crowds of thousands and throughout the world."
Amrit derives from two words, 'Am' and 'Mrit'.
'Am' means water. 'Mrit' is making a dead person alive.
Amrit', the water or nectar, which makes a dead person alive.
In 1739, Nadir Shah came from Afghanistan to invade, plunder and loot the land of India.
As the army entered through Panjab, the Sikhs would attack the armies at night time.
The Sikhs would raid their looted wealth and riches.
The Sikhs would free the innocent Hindu sisters and mothers and return them to their respective homes.
Nadir Shah asked Zakriya Khan (hostile person towards sikhs), the Governor of Panjab, about the Sikhs. "Who are these people who dare to attack my soldiers and plunder me?", he asked.
Zakriya Khan replied, 'These are the followers of a man called, 'Guru Nanak'. Their homes are their saddles and they visit their holy shrine in the middle of the night only to disappear before the first light of day.'
Nadir Shah asked, "What gives them the strength to dare to challenge me and my large armies?"
Zakriya Khan replied, "Their Guru has given them Amrit, 'the nectar of immortality'. Drinking this they become fearless of death."
Nadir Shah with curiosity said, "How do you know this?"
Zakhriya Khan replied, "Those people who used to walk pass me, with their head down and would say "Salam"… Those same people after taking Amrit, still walk passed me, but now they don't hold their head down, nor do they say "Salam". Instead they walk past, looking into my eyes. You are one King, but they are all Kings."
Such is the power of Amrit!
If an old man takes Amrit he becomes fearless of death, like Baba Deep Singh Ji who at the age of 75 died fighting with his head on his hand.
If a young child takes Amrit, he becomes fearless of death, like Sahibzada Baba Zorawar Singh, who at the age of 8, didn't lower his turban to Wazir Khan and instead was bricked alive with his younger brother aged 5, Sahibzada Baba Fateh Singh Ji.
If a woman takes Amrit, she becomes fearless of death, like Mata Bhag Kaur Ji who led 40 Sikhs into victory in battle against an army of thousands.
Would you stay Nir-gura (without a Guru) till you die?
Or would you like to take the spiritual life-giving gift of Khande-ki-pahul, Amrit of the double-edged sword, and become the Sikh of the Guru, declaring allegiance for solely Sri Granth Sahib Ji and the Guru Khalsa Panth?
Have you felt the 'Power'?
How to meet waheguru
It is written in the Sikh history that Guru Sahib gave them the following lessons to attain unity with Vaheguru:
2) Get up at amritvela and assemble at the Dharamshaala.
3) Do Naam abhyaas during amritvela.
4) After Naam abhyaas recite Gurbani.
5) Then spend some time to discuss and interpret the meanings of Gurbani.
6) Perform ardaas at the end of the diwaan.
7) During the day earn your living through honest means.
8) Never subscribe to dishonesty and fraud.
9) During the evening time assemble at the Dharamshaala.
10) Recite Rehraas Sahib and do kirtan.
11) After ardaas return to your homes and sleep after doing Sohila.
12) Help out poor people who need help.
13) Celebrate Gurpurabs.
14) Keep your mind humble and kill your ego.
The Power of Gurbani
All of Gurbani is a magic potion sent directly from God to us mortals through the light of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Gurbani touches the soul and purifies our whole being taking us from the darkness to the light. Each shabad touches our soul and emotions in different ways. That is why most of Gurbani is in Raags to emphasise on the feelings created by the shabad. Gurbani is a healer of the soul and is the only medication that will get us out of darkness.The real purpose of Gurbani is to get you in union with God but each bani has a set focus and mood:
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Shaheed Bhai Ajit Singh Ji
TAKING AMRIT
After reading these books, Bhai Ajit Singh jee totally changed and expressed his desire to become a Sikh of Guru Nanak Dev jee. He wanted to meet Bhai Sahib Randhir Singh jee. He met Bhai Sahib and in the mid 1950s he took amrit at an amrit sinchaar organized by the Akhand Kirtani Jatha. After taking amrit, he used to get up at 1:30 am and his nitnem ended at around 7am. All day long too he kept reciting baani or Naam.
UNCOMPROMISING ON GURMAT
He never compromised on the principles of Gurmat. One of the most striking fact is that he did his military service in Air Force without tying his beard. It is totally unheard of but Bhai Sahib kept his rehit. In those days there was a Muslim senior officer whose name was HT Latif. Latif gave Muslims a special permission to maintained trimmed beard. Bhai Ajit Singh jee took a copy of the order of Latif that a religious Muslim is allowed to keep short beard. This letter greatly helped him in his service in Air Force.
Once there was a medal ceremony where Bhai Sahib showed up in his flowing beard. The Hindu officer who was distributing the medals, took a note of Bhai Sahib’s beard and asked him to tie it. Bhai Sahib refused and explained to him that it is his religion to maintain flowing beard. The officer took offense and threatened to take action if he did not obey orders. At this Bhai Sahib showed him a copy of the order of Latif, where he had allowed religious Muslims to maintained beards. Bhai Sahib said that he too was a “Maulwi” of Sikhs and wanted to keep a flowing beard. As much as the officer did not like this but he had no choice but to let him off because Latif was a much senior officer at that time. Guru Sahib kept Bhai Sahib’s honour.
Once a senior officer started smoking in the presence of Bhai Ajit Singh jee. Bhai Sahib requested him to stop smoking. He got offended as he did not expect a junior officer to tell him what to do. Bhai Sahib again requested him but the officer did not care and spoke rudely at him. He went as far as breathing smoke towards Bhai Sahib. This was too much for Bhai Sahib to sustain. He held his hand and forcefully stopped him from smoking.
Bhai Sahib was very close to Shaheed Bhai Fauja Singh jee. Bhai Sahib used to stay at his house all the time and vice-versa. Bhai Sahib had great spirit for the chardi kala of Khalsa.
POST 1984 LIFE
After the rise of the militant movement of the Sikhs, Bhai Sahib’s house became a main stay for the militant Singhs. They used to stay at his house all the time. Being a Khalsa, he could not refuse anyone from staying in his house. He served them with his mind body and spirit. Famous Singhs who used to stay with him were Shaheed Harjinder Singh Jinda, Shaheed Manbir Singh Chaheru, Shaheed Balbir Singh, Bhai Mahal Singh, Shaheed Labh Singh and many others.Everyone knew that the consequences of letting the militants stay at your house meant total destruction. Despite knowing this, Bhai Sahib never cared for the consequences. He did not care that his 3 sons and a daughter too could be victimized for this. He was worried about a higher cause. He wanted to serve the Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh jee and he was willing to sacrifice himself for this.
On July 1986 arrived when Bhai Sahib was arrested by CBI for helping the militants. He was taken to the infamous Tihar Jail of
Bhai Sahib was given electric shocks that greatly effected him. Electric shocks were given to his head and even to his private parts. He was severely tortured. They also used to give him injections and after those injections, he felt that his hands and feet used to start shaking. By the time he came out of jail, he had developed some fatal disease as a result of this torture. Because of this shaking of his hands and feet, he fell down a flight of stairs one day and fell into a coma. He stayed in this coma for about 6 years untill June 5, 2003. He breathed his last on that day.
What is a sehaj Pahtt
Sword of the Sikhs
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Guru of the Sikhs, was born with the spiritual wisdom. This sword was used to destroy false rituals and beliefs which would never lead to union with waheguru. With this sword he denounced religious thugs and condemned ruthless kings and ministers as they were never condemned before.
Sword that smiteth in a flash
That scatters the armies of the wicked
In the great battlefield
Thou are the symbol of the brave
Thine arm is irresistible thy brightness shine forth
The blaze of thou splendour dazzling like the sun
Sword, thou are the protector of the saints
Thou are the scourge of the wicked
Scatterer of the sinners, I take refuge in thee.
Victory to thee, sword: the savoir and sustainer
Victory to thee, Sword, supreme sword.
Bachitter Natak, Dasam Granth.
Protection Sakhi
This Sakhi if from Ang 1194 Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
Prahlaad was sent to school.
He took many of his friends along with him.
He asked his teacher, ""Why do you teach me about worldly affairs?
Write the Name of the Dear Lord on my tablet.""||1||
O Baba, I will not forsake the Name of the Lord.
I will not bother with any other lessons. ||1||Pause||
Sanda and Marka went to the king to complain.
He sent for Prahlaad to come at once.
He said to him, ""Stop uttering the Lord's Name.
I shall release you at once, if you obey my words.""||2||
Prahlaad answered, ""Why do you annoy me, over and over again?
God created the water, land, hills and mountains.
I shall not forsake the One Lord; if I did, I would be going against my Guru.
You might as well throw me into the fire and kill me.""||3||
The king became angry and drew his weapon.
"Show me your protector now!"
So God emerged out of the pillar, and assumed a mighty form.
He killed Harnaakhash, tearing him apart with his nails. ||4||
The Supreme Lord God, the Divinity of the divine,
for the sake of His devotee, assumed the form of the man-lion.
Says Kabeer, no one can know the Lord's limits.
He saves His devotees like Prahlaad over and over again. ||5||4||
The 5ks
The following five K's are the mark of Sikhi. These five can never be parted from the body. Kara, Kirpan, Kashera, Kangha, recognize these as four of them. The fifth is Kesh, without which the other four are useless. There are also four H's which must be avoided. Understand this without any doubt, no lies have been told. Hukka, taking tobacco (including any other type of intoxicants). Hajamat, removing of hair. Halalo, eating meat. Haram, adultery (sexual relationships outside of marriage). These are the four H's. Dyeing of beards (including any other body hair), and the wearing of mehndi (including other types of make up) are strictly forbidden. - Dasam Granth-Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Friday, 22 February 2008
Katha by damdami taksal about Sant Ji
Listen to katha by Giani Thakur Singh Ji called Sant Da Jeevan. Giani Ji discusses the last moments before Sant Ji went onto the battlefield with around 40 Singhz.
http://www.gurmatveechar.org/audio/katha/0...t.Da.Jeevan.mp3
At 20:06 Giani Ji starts talking about Sant Jarnail Singh Ji.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
What Is Amrit Ceremony ?
Khande di Pahul (Amrit ceremony) was initiated in the times of Guru Gobind Rai Ji when Khalsa was inaugurated at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the day of Baisakhi in 1699. Guru Gobind Rai Ji asked a gathering of Sikhs, who was prepared to die for God? At first, the people hesitated, and then one man by the name of Daya Ram stepped forward, who was taken on to the stage and beheaded. After some time, Guru Gobind Rai Ji came forward, with blood dripping from his Kirpan. He asked the same question again, this time a man called Dharam Das came forward. Guru Ji did the same with this man as he did with the 1st. Guru Ji did this another 3 times, each time someone out the sangat came forward, respectively they were: Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand and Sahib Chand. 
Guru Ji then mixed the heads of these men and put them back on different bodies, dressed them all like himself and with the Kirpa of Akhal Purkh, these men were brought back to life. Guru Ji presented them on the stage as the sangat watched in amazement; these five men came to be known as Panj Pyare or the Beloved Five. These five were initiated into the Khalsa by receiving Amrit that Guru Ji himself had made from water, sugar puffs (added by mata sahib kaur), a iron Bata (bowl) and iron Khanda (double edged sword that represents death) and most importantly the 5 Bani’s (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tavprasad Saviyas, Chopai Sahib and Anand Sahib (40 verses). These five now became Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mukham Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh.
Khande Di Pahul not only embodies the primary objects of Sikh faith and the promises connected therewith, but also is itself a promise to lead a pure and pious life to unite with Almighty Lord. It is about inward cleansing of the conscience and seeking unity with Supreme Lord through His Grace.
Code of conduct after taking Amrit:
1) Keep uncut hair on all your body.
2) Not to take intoxicants i.e tobacco or alcohol.
3) Not to eat meat, eggs or fish or anything that comes from them i.e. animal gelatin.
4) Not to give into the 5 thieves: Kaam, Karodh, Lobh, Moh, Hankaar (Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Ego).
5) Recite the morning Nitnem (Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Tavprasad Saviyas, Chopai Sahib, Anand Sahib and Ardas) after a full body wash in the early hours of the day.
6) Recite the evening Nitnem (Rehras Sahib and Ardas) after washing the hands, face and feet in the later part of the day (around 6pm).
7) Recite Kirtan Sohila before going to sleep.
8) Perform Seva (any form) and Simran (meditation) in the day when you have free time.
On the day of the Amrit Sanchar, you will need:
1) Your washed hair tied up in a juraa (bun on top of head) with a Kanga in them.
2) A Turban to cover your hair.
3) A Kirpan strapped across your body.
4) A Iron Kara (bangle) on your wrist.
5) A Kashera (special underware)
6) A Bana (optional)
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
US goverment go on Jail frenzy!
Last week, the Center for Constitutional Rights went to court to fight the Bush administration'
In actions reminiscent of the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans after the attack on
Held on the pretext of minor immigration violations, these men were kept in super-maximum security confinement and abused for months as their deportation was delayed so that the FBI could investigate them.
The men weren't detained because there was evidence connecting them to terrorism they were swept up and detained because of their race, religion, and ethnicity. Because they were Arab and Muslim men of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent, they were presumed guilty of terrorism until proven innocent.
In 2002, we filed Turkmen v. Ashcroft, a class action suit on behalf of the men held in New York and New Jersey, against the United States and 31 government officials and employees, including then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller, and former INS Commissioner James Ziglar.
More than five years after the case was filed, and long after all the men have been deported to their home countries; CCR continues to demand accountability for the racial profiling and indiscriminate detentions that followed in the wake of 9/11.
Vincent Warren
CCR Executive Director
