The New Nation - Internet Edition

Islami insurance awareness

Dr Mahbubul Alam

It is misfortune for us that people have negative attitude towards insurance. There are some reasons behind. First and foremost lack of Insurance knowledge/ awareness, religious issue coupled with social practices has made insurance a debatable subject to many. Here Insurance is mandatory by law like to open a Letter of Credit (L/C) need Marine Insurance, to mortgage a property Bank asked for Insurance, to ply vehicle in a public place need at least Motor third party insurance.

Due to lack of insurance awareness people always try to avoid Insurance. Although at first paying business insurance premiums might seem like a burden, the real question is can you afford not to have adequate coverage? You personally cannot control or eliminate every potential risk that threatens your livelihood. But only insurance can provide the protection against these riskst if you carry the right kinds of business insurance for business.

When took an insurance coverage, they don't think about the risk, so to minimized premium insured with minimum risk, because they feel insurance is just only a paper to go through a business process. But when a loss occurred they suffer a lot and realize the necessitate of insurance, but it is too late to think? And as result both parties' insured and insurer are in trouble. In one hand insured feel that they have taken an insurance so Insurer should compensate their loss on the other hand Insurer find that the risk is not covered under the policy condition. When Insured lodged a claim to the insurance company for the loss and as because they do not take the sufficient coverage, the insurer repudiated the claim. The biggest problem with claims that Policyholders who fail to read and abide by the conditions in their policy documents have only themselves to blame when insurance companies reject their claims. Many of the people who unsuccessfully complained to insured - have not read the policy document, they will only discover when they claim what they should have been doing. The insurer has every right to reject any claim if the insured do not comply with the conditions. So my suggestion to people who want to purchase a Insurance Policy please find the following answer:

v Are you insuring to the right amount?

v Is this proper coverage?

v Are you OK with the coverage that you're buying?

v What are your deductibles?

v From which company you are buying the policy?

v What is the Credit Rating of Insurance Company?

v Previous and present insurance Claim paying experience?

Due to lack of knowledge they think insurance company deprive them and publicly advertise the insurance company does not give the claim. Like these type of advertisement Insurance suffer a lot of hassle and the negative attitude towards insurance increase.

Unfortunately nowadays there is a series report published by a vested quarter, which is tarnishing the images of insurance industries. The Company, which is actually liable for the misconduct or breach of code of conduct of Insurance business, obviously may impose the embargo of doing business but very causerie it should be stabilized that there is no hassle for the company who maintain their business properly.

So what I feel to avoid the problems it is the prime needs to make the insurance awareness to the mass people. And this is not only the part of Insurance Company only. Nationally we may think for it. Awareness should be start from school level, that what is Insurance, why should we need insurance etc. It is a positive progress that the present Government is conscious regarding this matter and meanwhile the cabinet already approved IRA & IRO.

We don't know actually what laws & regulations are included in the new Ordinance but one think we just seek revolution in the industry. As per the ordinances, the Authority will have a five-member team led by Chairman. In this selection of members are important otherwise what will happen "Old wine in a new Bottle".

Dual platform on religious dialogue

Dr Saeed Shehabi

It was a cultural Binali, or in the words of one participants "the awakening of conscience". The conference that took place over two days in London (July 1 & 2) was not merely a gathering of pro-Islamic unity enthusiasts, nor was it an event to exchange superficial good wishes and sweet words while brushing aside "serious" differences amongst adherents of various schools of thought and jurisprudence within the realm of Islam.

Those who took part in the convention had deep convictions that it would be foolish to continue on the path of disunity, fragmentation and mistrust. It may have been a small gathering compared with the lavish conferences often draped in officialdom and lavishly conducted, but the spirit that surrounded the discussions and debates was far superior to many other similar congregations.

The Islamic Unity Forum (IUF) which convened the conference at the Quality Hotel, next to the grand stadium at Wembley, Middlesex, had been formed by activists from various Muslim countries over the past twelve months, with the declared aim of creating "meaningful dialogue, cooperation and practical integration".

The idea arose after the decline in the bond between the adherents of the various schools of thought in the Muslim world, and particularly the Shi'a and Sunni Muslims. The events in Iraq had been derailed to target the peaceful coexistence and mutual recognition amongst them and strong voices, with grassroots following, were thus needed to contain the religious, cultural and ethical mayhem.

The conference was attended by religious scholars from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Malaysia, Lebanon, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and some European countries. According to the organisers, many other scholars were not able to attend mainly due to difficulties in obtaining visas, or prior engagements with other activities. Over the span of two days, more than fifty scholars and intellectuals were engaged in relentless discourse on various issues relating to Muslims and the obstacles to unified attitudes and stands. Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah from Lebanon, in a special message to the conference, called for the revision of Islamic history with the aim of removing such obstacles. While Munir Shafiq, the renowned Palestinian thinker and the Chairman of the Nationalist-Islamic Congress, called for the revival of the spirit promoted by contemporary thinkers such as Jamal Al Din Al Afghani and Muhammad Abdo. Director of the Islamic Centre of England, and Special Representative of Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Shaykh Ali Mo'ezzi, outlined the efforts of the late Imam al Khumayni in urging Muslims to unite in the face of the political and cultural onslaught of Westernisation, colonisation and cultural invasion. On the other hand, Chairman of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), Sheikh Abdul Hadi Awang, presented fresh ideas on searching for commonalities amongst Muslims and re-iterated the famous saying of Shaykh Muhammad Rashid Ridha (19th Century Islamic thinker and a pioneer of modern Islamic political thinking): "Let us cooperate in matters of agreement, and let us excuse each other in matters of contention." Dr Mohammad Al Baltagi, a Member of the Egyptian Parliament representing the Muslim Brotherhood block, emphasised the need for wisdom, seriousness and a truthful approach in matters of extreme importance such as the relations between Muslims. Dr Abdul Majeed Al Manasra, a Member of the Algerian Parliament, called for a Pan-Islamic code of conduct that prohibits the exchange of accusations of blasphemy when opinions differ.

To complement the intellectual debate, the participants were invited to attend receptions by several mosques and Islamic centres. For four consecutive evenings, leaders of these bodies added to the calls for unity. At the inaugural reception at Abrar Centre on Edgware Road, Dr Kemal Helbawi and I (co-Directors of IUF) outlined the mission of the Forum and presented a press release to the media about the project. We were joined by Sheikh Abdul Hadi Awang, Munir Shafiq and Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir Al Nasseri from Iraq. At the Islamic Centre of England, London, the message was clear from Ayatullah Mo'ezzi, who repeated his earlier call for rational approaches to the concept of unity, dialogue and cooperation among Muslims.

The Khatib and Imam of the East London Mosque, Maulana Abdul Qayyum, presented the pivotal role of mosques, citing the example of the East London Mosque in forging solid relations among Muslims. He was joined by Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Dr Mohammad Abdul Bari, to present a similar picture of the practical benefits of collective action by Muslims. He cited the cooperation within the MCB between Muslims (Sunni, Shi'a and others) as a practical manifestation of unity. Ayatullah Sayyid Fadhel Al Milani welcomed the guests to Al Khoei Foundation's reception and informed them of its efforts in promoting unity and discourse among Muslims, starting with the Amman conference in 1998.

To complement the Unity Conference, the IUF organised a one-day conference on July 3 to discuss Muslim-Christian relations. During the three sessions of the day, speakers presented new dimensions to the debate. Revd Canon Peter Challen and Dr Rodney Shakespeare called for Muslim Christian joint efforts to challenge the worldwide interest-based banking system which, they said, was responsible for the ongoing global financial crisis. The Islamic concept of Riba (interest) on loans lies at the heart of financial illnesses of the world. Father

Toma Dawood representing the Assyrian Christian community in Iraq, delivered a moving speech about the brotherly relations in Iraq between the two communities and called for stopping the preachers of hate in all communities. Sayyid Kamel Al Hashimi, a religious intellectual from Bahrain, called for a "culture of communication" among the adherents and followers of the faith. Revd Frank Gelli presented the debate on spirit or soul and whether it is terminally attached to the body or a separate entity, as one example of the mystical dimensions of cooperation between Muslims and Christians.

The two conferences were, in reality, more than platforms for the exchange of good ideas; they were launching pads for what the organisers had always promoted: "the creation of meaningful dialogue among the adherents of faiths."

(Source: Muslim News)

Equality bill to outlaw religious discrimination

Aziza Al-Yassin

Almost forty years after the introduction of the Equal Pay Act, Government plans to create a single equality bill signifies a milestone in the fight against the discrimination that persists in the UK today. The Bill, which combines nine major pieces of legislation and around 100 other laws, would eliminate discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, belief, disability and sexual orientation.

Equalities Minister, Harriet Harman, brought forward her plans on June 26 to close the gender pay gap and ensure fairness of opportunity for ethnic minorities and disabled people. It would outlaw discrimination against older people in the provision of goods and services such as the denial of insurance. Public bodies will be required to use their £160bn purchasing power to employ companies with better equality records, and publish information showing the gender pay gap. Companies will also be allowed to favour women from ethnic minorities in job interviews over equally qualified White men in order to increase the representation of ethnic minorities in the police as well as the proportion of women in higher positions.

In a Commons statement, Harman said the proposed bill - due later this year - would "address the serious inequalities that still exist" in the UK.

"A society which is equal and fair is one which is more at ease with itself." she added

Clauses which ban staff comparing wages will be banned, allowing underpaid women to challenge their employers at employment tribunals. These tribunals will then be allowed to make recommendations to the workforce rather than solely the complainant who brought forward the case.

Despite this, the bill, which does not extend to the private sector, will not affect 70% of companies.

Arguing in its defence, co-owner of an equality research and consultancy company, Faithwise, says the large proportion of private sector companies working with the public sector will still have to abide by the public company contracts. He believes the bill is a positive step forward that the Government "should be applauded for", and criticises the Liberal Democrats for arguing against the inclusion of religion. This is because of the perception that religion is not a belief for everyone, and merely represents a culture to some, thus incorporating the protection of religion in the bill would eliminate discrimination based on one's name or appearance which may be identified by others as belonging to a certain religious group, which the individual himself does not identify with.

A closer look at the proposals regarding religious discrimination outline the areas covered in the bill ranging from violation of dignity, to refusal of services and facilities on the ground of religion or belief. These include accommodation, insurance and banking, entertainment and recreation, transport and travel, professional and trade services, and educational establishments. The bill is not intended to be used as a reactive tool, but rather a platform for the planning of issues such as dietary requirements in hospitals, designing school uniforms and other such issues which affect religious minorities.

Sadiq Khan, Labour MP for Tooting, who also played a key role in the publication of this piece of legislation, says, "I am very proud to have played a key role in the publication of this piece of legislation." He had ensured that the bill should include "certain provisions which I believe are important to the Muslim community."

He added that this bill "is the most robust and ambitious legislation planned anywhere in the Western World" and that "every single British Muslim will benefit from this Act." He believes the bill which builds on laws such as the Racial & Religious Hatred Act 2006, will eliminate the loopholes that employers previously exploited to escape prosecution against inequality.

Khalid Sofi from the legal affairs committee of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) also welcomed the proposal. He told The Muslim News that this "positive step" taken by the Government "should be acknowledged". He clarified that the MCB also recommended that the bill be extended into the private sector, as well as the public sector.

Museum of Islamic Art

Dr Mozammel Haque

The Museum of Islamic Art, which will be opening on November 22, in Doha, Qatar, under the patronage of Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, had its reception at the Enlightenment Gallery of the British Museum on May 27. It will be a new international centre for learning and creativity. While welcoming the guests, Lord Jacob Rothschild, Trustee of the Museum of Islamic Art, said, "Beyond the Museum it is also the place of learning and the platform of dialogue. [The] museum will develop a fruitful relationship with world class institution like the British Museum."

The Museum is the flagship project of the Qatar Museums Authority, which under the leadership of its Chairperson, Sheikha Al-Mayassa, is transforming Qatar into a global capital of culture. The Museum of Islamic Art is dedicated to reflecting the full vitality, complexity and diversity of the arts of the Islamic world. The Museum is a world class collection institution that will preserve, study, and exhibit masterpieces spanning three continents and 13 centuries.

While announcing Professor Dr Oliver Watson, the new Director of the Museum of Islamic Art, Engineer Abdulla Al-Najjar, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Museums Authority and President of the Museum of Islamic Art, said, "The vision and mission of the Museum of the Islamic Art is to assemble world class collection of items within our collection representing the full scope of Islamic Art. The collection includes manuscripts, ceramics metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood and precious stones and also to create a national and an international resource for research, learning and creativity."

Dr Al-Najjar also added, "The Museum will be the centre for students, scholars and visitors from around the world to share in the history and culture of the Islamic Art and also to reach world audience to interactive engagement. We endeavour to engage people from around the world through the activities and events taking place in the Museum and also to establish the state of Qatar as an international centre of expertise in the field of Islamic Art through employing world class experts at the Museum."

Mentioning the establishment of an already exceptional relationship with the world's best museums, Al-Najjar expressed his hope to "continue to put emphasis on building and strengthening this relationship in the future."

The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by one of the most admired and honoured architects of our time, Pritzker Prize-winning architect, Ieoh Ming Pei, whose quest to understand the diversity of Islamic architecture led him on a world tour to explore the Grand Mosque in Cordova, Spain; Fatehpur Sikri, a Mughal capital in India; the Umayyad Great Mosque in Damascus, Syria; and the ribat fortresses at Monastir and Sousse in Tunisia.

Objects in the collection come from cultures on three continents, a huge geographical area reaching as far west as Cordova and as far east as Samarqand, including works from Spain, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Iran, India and Central Asia.

Among the highlights of the collection are a 9th century white earthenware bowl from Iraq (probably Basra), featuring an ornamental Kubic inscription in cobalt blue lettering; a 10th century cast bronze fountain head in the form of a hind (or doe), likely a feature of an Andalusian palace courtyard fountain; A cast brass planispheric astrolabe (984-986 CE, made in Iran or Iraq), which served as a calculation instrument to compute astronomical, astrological and topographic functions. Unparalleled pieces in the Museum collection include a silk carpet, known as the Timurid Chessboard Garden Carpet, made for the Samarqand ruler Timur and dating from the 14th to16th centuries; a 16th century Ottoman imperial decree, bearing the tughra (or signature) of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent bestowing the gift of a palace to his granddaughter; and an impressively large and deep translucent green emerald amulet (c. 1696 CE) known as the "Mugal I Mughal", from the Mughal court in India.

President of the Museum of Islamic Art, Abdullah al-Najjar told in an exclusive interview told The Muslim News, "This project would not have come to light except with the direct support of His Highness Sheikh Hamed al Khalifa Al Thani the Emir of the State of Qatar. Islamic Art is not limited to a country or to a region; I think it is beyond boundaries. We want to make sure that the Islamic Art Museum, Qatar, will bring a dialogue of civilisations into effect and that it's a place that attracts many people from around the globe."

(Muslim News. Additional reporting by Ahmed J Versi)