90,000 flee Somalia clashes: UN

SHAFAQNA - At least 20 people were killed, 120 wounded and over 90,000 forced to flee days of rival militia battles in central Somalia, although the situation has now calmed, the UN said Tuesday. Fighting broke out in the town of Galkayo…

Seattle teen beaten to death in hate crime

SHAFAQNA - Police are investigating the death of Hamza Warsame, 16. He is believed to have died from injuries sustained in a fall from the roof of a Capitol Hill building, but some fellow students claim he had been beaten in a hate crime. The…

Human Rights Day

SHAFAQNA - It’s International Human Rights Day today – so here’s everything you need to know. What is Human Rights Day? Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10, the day on which, in 1948, the UN adopted the Universal…

The Humanitarian Crisis in the Middle East: Solutions and Consequences

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SHAFAQNA - “Dialogando” (in dialogue) was back again this year in the beautiful city of Stintino, a coastal commune in the Province of Sassari in the Italian Island Sardinia. The municipality of the Italian city opened on December 4, 2015…

Shia Muslims march for Arbaeen in London

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SHAFAQNA - Arbaeen, is a Shia Muslim religious observance that occurs forty days after the Day of Ashura. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUT), which falls on the 20th day of the month of…

Why did mainstream media ignored Muslims' stand against radicalism in London?

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SHAFAQNA - Organisers of an anti-ISIL march in London have spoken of their frustration after mainstream media outlets failed to cover the demonstration. Thousands of people took part in the annual UK Arbaeen Procession, coordinated by the…

Asceticism according to the holy Quran

SHAFAQNA - Asceticism (Zohd in Arabic) can be in two levels or in two kinds: Avoiding whatever is declared as Haram in the world by God; or avoiding whatever is declared Halal by God. The holy Quran describes asceticism in Ayah 23 of Surah Al-Hadeed:…

Photos: Prophet Muhammad(pbh)'s tomb from inside

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Shafaqna –  Prophet Muhammad(pbh)’s tomb-: photos from inside. First ever real photos of the shrine and tomb of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the house and Mihrab of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA). إن الله وملائكته يصلون…

What did Imam Ali (AS) say about the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)?

SHAFAQNA - It is narrated from Imam Ali (AS) who said: The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the most generous of all the people; he is the most courageous, the most honest and truthful person, and the most loyal, with best of behaviour and morality…

Why Imam Hassan (AS) chose peace with Moawiyeh?

SHAFAQNA - By reviewing the situation of the time and the two groups of pious and impious, we can see that the love of the world and the weakening of religious values in people caused Imam Hassan (AS) to accept the peace. That is why Imam Hassan…

Unified Global Halal Food Standards to Benefit Suppliers, Consumers

SHAFAQNA- Selling halal food under unified global halal standards would help halal food suppliers and consumers, experts say.  Nisham Mohideen, sales director at UAE-based packaged food producer Al Islami Foods, said that unified halal standards…

Quran Manuscript Attributed to Imam Hassan (AS) Attracts Pilgrims in Mashhad

SHAFAQNA- A Quran manuscript attributed to Imam Hassan (AS) has attracted many visitors in the last few days to the museum of Imam Reza’s (AS) holy shrine in Mashhad, northeast of Iran. On the occasion of the anniversary of the Holy Prophet’s…

Imam Ali’s (AS) Holy Shrine to Host Millions of Pilgrims

SHAFAQNA- The Official Council of the Astan (custodianship) of Imam Ali’s (AS) holy shrine held a meeting to investigate necessary measures for hosting millions of pilgrims during the last days of the lunar month of Safar. According to Al-Alam…

Spiced Milk Tea : Masala Chai

SHAFAQNA- Ingredients: Servings: 4 2 cups liquid milk 2 cups water 6 teaspoons sugar 3 teaspoons dried tea leaves (Assam is recommended) 1/2 teaspoon masala, spice MASALA MIX 1/2 cup ground ginger 1/8 cup clove 1/3 cup whole black…

Easy Chai Masala

SHAFAQNA- Ingredients: 2 cups powdered milk or 2 cups non-dairy coffee creamer 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon…

The prophet (PBUH) and Imams (AS) are the rightful teachers and protectors of one and only Islam

SHAFAQNA - Without a doubt, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) is the role model for all infallible Imams in every aspect of their life and behaviour. It can be said with absolute certainty that there is only one true original Islamic teaching, both…

The price Muslims pay in America - the color of hate

SHAFAQNA - A Muslim store owner in Queens reported that he was attacked over the weekend by a man who said that he wanted to “kill Muslims.” Fatima Food Mart owner Sarker Haque told WPIX that the man came into his store on Saturday and…

What kind of divine blessings exist in the heaven?

SHAFAQNA - The all knowing, powerful God has described the heaven and its blessings in the holy Quran by mentioning words such as garden, flowing river, fruit trees and similar phrases. But this does not mean that whatever exists in the paradise…

American Muslims raise more than $100,000 for families of San Bernardino shooting victims

SHAFAQNA - Faisal Qazi had no idea the shooters who massacred 14 people in San Bernardino last week were Muslims, like himself. The Pomona-based neurologist only knew that the victims and their families were his Inland Empire neighbors, and…

Futile worship and praying

SHAFAQNA - It is narrated from the prophet of Islam (PBUH) who said: Worship and praying without thought and reflection has no use [1]. [1] La'aaliul Akhbaar, Vol. 3, page 392.

Knowledge of Names / Commentary of the Quran (Chapter 2:30; Part-4) By: Mohammad Sobhanie

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Shafaqna (Internationl Shia News Agency) Commentary of the Quran (Chapter 2:30; Part-4) By: Mohammad Sobhanie   Knowledge of Names [علم الاسماءَ] View of Allamah Tabatabai (may Allah be pleased with him), the author…

Muslims march in London to call for unity and peace

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SHAFAQNA - Hundreds of Muslims marched through central London at the weekend to call for peace and unity. Yet the organisers of the annual procession said not one single mainstream media outlet covered it because it was not "juicy" enough. Men,…

Firmness of religion and the world

SHAFAQNA - Imam Ali (AS) told Jaber ibn Abdullah Ansari: O' Jaber, firmness of religion and the world depend on four things: A scholar who acts on his knowledge; an illiterate person who does not refuse to learn; a generous person who is not…

Women health needs neglected after natural disasters, conflicts

SHAFAQNA - The health needs of women are too often neglected in humanitarian response to natural disasters and conflicts around the world, said United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Iran, Dr. Maha El-Adawy, on Tuesday. Dr. …

Asiatic cheetah extinction trend reversed

SHAFAQNA - UN resident coordinator in Iran has said cooperation between Department of Environment and the Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project has reversed the extinction trend among Asiatic cheetahs. Gary Lewis who was addressing the…

Veterans For Peace oppose militarization of politics and faith

SHAFAQNA - Veterans For Peace is the only veterans organization that brings the veteran voice to so many issues surrounding peace and social justice. For more information about our current projects, check out our work at www.veteransforpea…

Veterans For Peace protests war in Syria

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SHAFAQNA - British war veterans have thrown away their medals outside Downing Street in protest against the Government's decision to bomb Syria and to bust the “mythology” of heroism connected to the military. Ex SAS soldier Ben Griffin,…

Who are the Kharijites and what do they have to do with IS?

SHAFAQNA - Members of the Islamic State (IS) have often been described as modern-age Kharijites, in reference to the Muslims who rebelled against the ruling powers in early Islamic history. The Kharijite rebellions began in the 7th century,…

Who is Hussain's campaign in Washington - opening minds through an open heart

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SHAFAQNA - Spreading the message of Hussain ibn Ali on the Day of the Arbaeen Procession throughout Washington DC, USA 2015-1437 . Arba'een (Arabic: الأربعين‎, "forty"), Chehelom (Persian: چهلم‎‎, the fortieth [day]")…

Muslim Women Hand out Roses as a Thank-You for Toronto’s Support

SHAFAQNA- A group of Muslim women in Toronto handed out a thousand roses in Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday as a thank you for the support Torontonians have shown since the Paris attacks, each bearing a note saying: “From a Muslim who loves…