ISLAM, GOD & NUCLEAR WEAPONS

'As an undergraduate, Usama thought of joining
Pakistan's nuclear programme. However, he is now very glad he didn't!'

I am posting this from LINE and would recommend that muslims and non-muslims support their excellent work to develop both practical green projects and to improve green education.

As you know if you are another-green-world blog regular, I am enthusiastic about the sufi strains of Islam, critical of salifists and islamaphobes....back in 1993 when I published Green History, I include something from Nasr on ecology and Islam.

There is also a Christian Ecology group who do good work. At the Green Party conference back in the 1990s we had a very interesting women Rabbi talking about the environment.

Well there are strong arguments for secularism but the most dangerous religion on the planet and the one which is more kitsch than the cult of Madonna is conventional economics.

Zen is an excellent antidote to economics, hopefully see some of you at the South London dojo 6 Park Street, London Bridge, Mondays from 7PM!

The International Zen Association are having a fundraising drive to build a permanent dojo in the UK, please support them

That's enough of me over to LINE



Salaams

Below is advanced notice of our Sept LINE meeting. Also, as part of LINE's support of the upcoming national climate change demonstration in central London on Sat Nov 4th (which is synchronised with numerous others throughout the world) we will have publicity flyers available at the LINE meeting for people to take away. See notices 2) to 4) below.

Pls note, this month we'll be on the 2nd floor at the Muslim World League.

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1)
The London Islamic Network for the Environment (LINE) invites you to:

THE LORD OF FISSION - ISLAM, GOD & NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Date: Sunday 10th Sept 2006
Time: 2.15 pm to 4.45pm
Venue: 2nd Floor, Muslim World League, 46 Goodge Street, London, W1T 4LU (entrance on the corner of Charlotte Street); Nearest Tube: Goodge Street (Northern Line)

With Guest Speaker:

Dr Usama Hasan (Middlesex University & Al-Tawhid Mosque)

Falaq means to split or cleave asunder, hence the Qur'anic term, "falaq" in the surah of the same name refers to daybreak, the splitting apart of the seed and fruit-stone, etc. Applying the principles of tafsir (Quran-commentary) to current scientific knowledge would suggest that "falaq" covers nuclear fission also. Therefore, Allah as Rabb al-Falaq (Q. 113:1) is the Lord of Fission. Reflecting on the very next ayah (Q. 113:2), we have the insight that nuclear fission can potentially be used for great evil.

Drawing on classical Islamic texts in the light of the contemporary world, this talk will explore two pressing issues of our time: Firstly, the issue of nuclear power in an age of climate change. Whilst Shariah does not prohibit nuclear power in principle, how might it be applied when we consider the potential benefit side by side with the potential for harm, and in the light of alternatives? And secondly, is the issue of nuclear weapons, capable of massive destruction to life and the environment. Can they, for instance, be justified even as a deterrent in order to "keep the peace"? This months talk and forum will discuss the above matters - come along to listen and/or have your say. There will also be an opportunity to find out about environmental activities LINE is involved with.

About the speaker:

Dr. Usama Hasan was trained in Theoretical Physics at Cambridge, and in the traditional Islamic sciences at home in London. He is currently Senior Lecturer in Computing Science at Middlesex University and a voluntary, part-time imam at Tawhid Mosque in East London. As an undergraduate, Usama thought of joining
Pakistan's nuclear programme. However, he is now very glad he didn't!

For more information:
Contact: tazmtaz@hotmail.co.uk;
LINE website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LINEnotices


2) Campaign against Climate Change
National Day of Climate Action, Saturday September 16th

To raise awareness and build for the National Climate March on November 4th

There will be climate-change focussed events taking place around the country. Check http://www.campaigncc.org/local.shtml to find your local contact to check out what's happening in your area. Or phone us at 020 7833 9311 – or even start something yourself !
RACE AGAINST CLIMATE DOOM
Join the race against climate doom. We don’t have much time left to prevent climate catastrophe, we need action now. The world needs a treaty to bring down global emissions yesterday and we can't afford any rogue nation to stand in the way…..put on your racing/jogging gear, join the race and spread the message round the streets of London……
Gather 12.30 pm to take the starting blocks at 1.00pm outside the ExxonMobil London offices, St Katherine's House, on the corner of Kingsway and Aldwych (Holborn and Temple tubes).
Then race (or amble, stroll - whatever pace you feel like) through central London helping us spread the climate message ( or more specifically fliers for November 4th) - as you go….to finish at the US embassy, Grosvenor square for a PARTY
This will be a great opportunity to distribute fliers, and generally start getting the message out, for November 4th – in a fun kind of way……

Web: Campaign against Climate Change www.campaigncc.org


Advance notice! 2 National Climate events on Sat 4th Nov, culminating on Trafalgar Square...

3) NATIONAL MARCH FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE JUSTICE:
Organised by 'Campaign Against Climate Change'

Date: Sat Nov 4th 2006

Part of a Day of International Climate Protest on the Saturday before International Climate Talks, with demonstrations demanding urgent action on climate all round the world. See www.globalclimatecampaign.org

10am Protest Bike Ride assembles Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Goes via ExxonMobil offices, Australian Embassy & Downing Street to US embassy, Grosvenor Square.

12 noon Climate Rally at the US Embassy, Grosvenor Square (Bond St tube).

Speakers will include George Monbiot, Michael Meacher MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Norman Baker MP.

1.00 pm March for Global Climate Justice: From the US embassy, via Berkley Square & Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar square

1.45 - 2.00pm March joins I-Count Mass Gathering in Trafalgar Square

2.00 - 3.00 pm I-Count Mass Gathering (building up from 1.00pm)

This will be the biggest ever climate demonstration in the UK and part of the biggest ever ‘global’ climate demonstration. Make sure you’re a part of it. Join the swelling tide of people all round the world demanding urgent action on climate. More info as it becomes available : http://www.campaigncc.org
4) I COUNT NATIONAL CLIMATE RALLY

Organised by the 'Stop Climate Chaos' Coalition

Date: Sat 4th Nov, Trafalgar Square

We want you to join us, to come and be counted, at what will be the biggest event of the year to stop climate chaos. What can you expect to find in Trafalgar Square?

1-2pm

This first hour will be all about people coming together; celebrating the arrivals of those who have travelled by low carbon means, and filling the Square, where there'll be street bands and entertainers.

Thousands will be coming from meetings, earlier events and the Campaign Against Climate Change march, to converge on the Square and join the many more from points all across the city and the rest of the UK.

2-3pm

The focus will shift from the street level to the stage where there'll be a mix of speakers, film and performers. This will build up to a dramatic mass moment when we will send out our message loud and clear to the Government to act now to stop climate chaos.

This event is for everyone who’s concerned about climate change - whether you care about how it will affect the environment, global poverty, wildlife or just you and your family. To join the campaign, find out event information and get travel details, visit: www.icount.org.uk

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