Katy Perry 'Dark Horse' video ‘controversy’ edited over successful Muslims' online protests

NEW YORK: The controversy created after accusation and demonstration of Muslims around the World claiming as ‘blasphemy’ over Katy Perry’s newly released video ‘Dark Horse’ has been edited as the pendant has now been removed digitally.

The music video, which has grabbed more than 37 million views since its release on YouTube on February 20, has not been removed completely from the international video website but the pendant with name of ‘Allah’ has now digitally ‘vanished’ from the scene.

SEE ALSO: Katy Perry music video enrages Muslims over ‘Allah’ pendant

The famous US singer Katy Perry’s Dark Horse has recently came up online which sparked large-scale controversy as it shows burning of man wearing pendant with name of ‘Allah’; moreover, faced online petition demanding it be pulled from YouTube.

Before and After

It should be mentioned that most of the signatures in the petition made from Britain as well as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan.

World Hijab Day - 1st February by Mufti Ismail Menk

With some countries having banned the hijab and others considering the same, World Hijab Day creates the much needed awareness in democratic societies of this basic right and educates the masses about the origins and reasons for the hijab.

A large number of non-Muslims show great support for our sisters and get a first hand feel of the hijab by donning it for a day.

SEE ALSO: One in every 10 babies in England is Muslim: Census

Amongst other benefits from last years experience was that many non-Muslims have since actively supported the hijab and show greater appreciation and respect for hijabis.

The idea is also to support those of us shying away due to the incorrect perceptions of the hijab to take the steps we’ve been longing to take.

When the world understands what hijab is, where it comes from and why it is donned, it will appreciate that banning it would do more harm than good.

World Hijab Day is simply to create awareness and educate the world and because reminding is beneficial to all, World Hijab Day is held annually.

One in every 10 babies in England is Muslim: Census

London: Almost one in every 10 babies and toddlers in England and Wales is Muslim, according to new analysis of census figures published, illustrating the growth of the minority community.

Some 317,952 children aged under five, or 9.1 percent, were registered as being Muslim in the 2011 census, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show.

SEE ALSO: American singer Jennifer Grout embraced Islam

As a measure of how the religious demographics of England and Wales are changing, the figure is nearly double the 4.8 percent of the whole population who are Muslim, while fewer than one in 200 people aged over 85 are Muslim.

It is also an 80 percent increase on the 176,264 Muslim under-fives recorded in the 2001 census.

“It certainly is a startling figure,” David Coleman, professor of demography at Oxford University, told The Times newspaper on Friday.

“Continuing immigration from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India has been added to by new immigration from African countries and from the Middle East.

“Birth rates of Muslims of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin remain quite high, although falling. There seem to be very low levels of falling away from religion among Muslims.”

Muslims have the youngest age profile of the main religious groups. Nearly half of Muslims (48 percent) were aged under 25 (1.3 million).

The figures showed that Christianity remains by far the most common religion registered for babies in England and Wales, at more than 1.5 million, or 43.7 percent.

Nearly as many parents listed their children under five as having no religion — the answer given for nearly 1.2 million (34.1 percent).

The next most common religions registered for British toddlers after Christianity and Islam were Hinduism at 55,869 (1.6 percent), Sikhism at 28,380 (0.8 percent), Judaism at 18,221 (0.5 percent) and Buddhism at 9,026 (0.3 percent).

Ibrahim Mogra, assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain umbrella group, said the number of Muslim babies reflected the confidence of the community.

“It’s not about Britain becoming a Muslim country but about Britain enabling the practice of Islam, which gives confidence to the vast majority of Muslims,” he told The Times.

Thirteen children aged under five were being raised in witchcraft, while 121 had heavy metal as their stated religion. Some 4,700 were listed as “Jedi knight”, the statistics showed.

ONS figures showed that Mohammed was the most popular name for newborn baby boys in England and Wales in 2009, though 12 different spellings of that name meant that Oliver officially topped the chart. 

American singer Jennifer Grout embraced Islam

American singer Jennifer Grout, who fascinated the Arab world after reaching the final three of the talent competition “Arabs Got Talent” has reportedly reverted to Islam during her stay in Morocco to study Arabic language, Morocco World News reports.

“Do you know how to say Shahada in Islam?” the man asked Jennifer in a video posted on YouTube on Sunday, January 5.

SEE ALSO: British model Carley Watts starts preaching Islamic Teachings

Jennifer replied by reciting the shahada, or declaration of faith, saying, “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet.”

According to OnIslam.net, in the video, which could not be verified from other sources, Jennifer appeared with a young man, allegedly her fiancé, and another man in an atmosphere of friendliness and tolerance.

“In Islam, we pray. Do you know how to pray,” the man asked her.

The young man accompanying Jennifer intervened to say that Jennifer knows many facts about Islam.

“She knows what you are talking about,” he told the man.

The man went on to ask her if she memorized some Qur’anic verses and Jennifer said yes.

She then began to recite Al Fatiha Surah in a beautiful voice.

It appears that Jinnifer has no difficulty whatsoever understanding the Amazigh man who posed the questions in Tamazight.

Grout, a 23-year-old a singer originally from Boston, has come to Morocco to learn both the Amazigh language and Moroccan Arabic. 

UK plans to silence Muslim speakers with new “anti-terror” ASBOs

The British government has revealed its new plans to silence what they regard as Muslim “hate clerics” with “anti-terror” ASBOs.

Anti-social behaviour orders known as “TEBOs” may be imposed on around 25 Muslim speakers that are thought to be causing unrest in the UK without breaking any specific laws.

SEE ALSO: Egypt courts hear appeals of jailed female protesters

The new initiative which could be implemented by April 2014 would restrict the activities of speakers and scholars. They will be prohibited from speaking at university ISOC events, Islamic study centres, mosques and other public areas.

The draconian proposals follow the government’s Extremism Task Force report to parliament which also called for Muslim charities suspected of being “fronts for extremist groups” to be shut down and internet filters to block out “extremist” websites.

David Cameron’s Extremism Task Force

Prime Minister David Cameron speaking as he revealed the plans said: “This summer we saw events that shocked the nation with the horrific killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich and murder of Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham. These tragedies were a wake-up call for government and wider society to take action to confront extremism in all its forms, whether in our communities, schools, jails, Islamic centres or universities.

“I have been absolutely clear that this is not something we should be afraid to address for fear of cultural sensitivities. We have already put in place some of the toughest terrorism prevention controls in the democraticworld, but we must work harder to defeat the radical views which lead some people to embrace violence.

“The task force I set up has proposed a broad range of measures to counter the extremist narrative. When you look at this report, you can see a very clear analysis, a very clear definition of the extremism we’re talking about … now everyone can see what it is that we need to tackle.”

He added: “There are just too many people who have been radicalised at Islamic centres, who have been incontact with extremist preachers, who have come across material on the internet who haven’t been sufficiently challenged. Some institutions have wanted to get rid of radicalisers but haven’t had the means to do so.”

The task force includes Home Secretary Theresa May, Deputy PM Nick Clegg, Minister for Faith Baroness Warsi, and advisors from the police and intelligence services.

Anjem Choudary and Haitham al Haddad

Following the murder of British soldier, Lee Rigby in Woolwich in May, it was revealed that his killers had been influenced by Anjem Choudary.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were found guilty of killing the fusilier at the Old Bailey and after the verdict was announced, Choudary was reported as saying he was “very proud” of Adebolajo, refusing to condemn the murders when invited to do so on Radio 4′s Today programme.

Ironically, Choudary is not thought to be included in the list because as a former solicitor he takes care not to break the law, but the 25 possible victims are thought to include Palestinian scholar, Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad.

Haddad is one of the most prominent Muslim scholars in the UK and has been invited to speak at many British universities. Last year he was banned from speaking at the London School of Economics after Jewish students requested his event be cancelled for allegedly preaching hatred against Jews – a charge Haddad denies.

Egypt courts hear appeals of jailed female protesters

Egyptian judges began hearing appeals on Saturday of 21 women and girls handed heavy jail terms over an Islamist protest, in a case that sparked an outcry.

The 14 adult women were handed 11-year jail terms and the seven minors sentenced to juvenile detention last month, shocking even supporters of the military-installed government.

SEE ALSO: Malaysia ruling party tightens embrace of Islam to gain support

In the adult court, the 14 women were ushered into the defendants’ cage dressed in prison issue white and holding red roses.

They had scrawled the word "freedom" in black marker on their palms. 

The appeal hearing for the minors was being held in an adjacent courtroom.

They were convicted of taking part in a violent protest demanding Islamist president Mohamed Mursi’s reinstatement following his overthrow by the army in July.

There was a heavy police presence outside the court complex in the coastal city of Alexandria, where Mursi’s Islamist supporters have clashed repeatedly with opponents and security forces.

The women’s lawyer, Ahmed al-Hamrawy, told AFP he expected the courts to either acquit them or release them on bail ahead of a final ruling. Read More ...

Malaysia ruling party tightens embrace of Islam to gain support

Malaysia's ruling party, stung by an election setback in May, is burnishing its Islamic credentials, aiming to gain ground among majority ethnic Malay voters in a move that could heighten concern over growing religious intolerance in the multi-racial Southeast Asian country.

The coalition led by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) suffered its worst election result, hurt by the desertion of ethnic Chinese voters and many urban dwellers, including Muslim Malays, its traditional bedrock of support.

SEE ALSO: Sunnis close Iraqi capital mosques in protest

Ahead of the party's annual general assembly this week, Prime Minister Najib Razak shored up his support by making concessions to the party's conservative wing, rolling back his previous liberal social reforms, boosting steps to favor ethnic Malays economically and stressing UMNO's role as a protector of the Islamic faith.

That has enabled him to push forward with unpopular economic steps to tackle the country’s chronic fiscal deficit, most recently the announcement of a 15 percent rise in electricity tariffs from January.

“UMNO has been upholding Islam over tens of years, setting up Islamic universities and institutions of higher learning and establishing Islamic finance in this country,” Najib told delegates in his keynote opening address on Thursday.

“This is where the greatness of Islam is upheld.”

At the assembly, senior UMNO leaders called on the government to change the country’s constitution to specify Malaysia's official religion as Sunni Islam, reflecting growing hostility to the spread of the Shia sect of Islam. The party also invited a popular Islamic preacher to join its decision-making Supreme Council, an offer he rejected. Continue Reading ...

124 year old woman refused to take off her Scarf

The world’s oldest woman of 124-years belongs to Palestine and has refused to remove her scarf in front of Guinness World Records Team. She was a real Muslim woman, who had lived 124 years and become the world’s oldest woman. Her son and grandson were also supporting her in refusal to remove scarf in front of none-Muslims.

Maryam Hamdan Ammash had performed Hajj (Pilgrimage) and Umrah five and ten times respectively. The Guinness Book of World Records’ team was of the view to remove the scarf, while she denied to take off her scarf, as she was not interested to put her name at Guinness Book after removing her scarf, as she was a real Muslim Woman.

SEE ALSO: First woman to lead Friday prayers in UK

Jeanne Louise Calment from France was the world’s oldest person according to the Guinness Book of World Records, who lived 122 years and 164 days. But Maryam Hamdan had set another world’s record by breaking the previous, but Guinness Team did not put her name up, as she was not removing her scarf. 

Maryam Hamdan was born in Turkey, and she was showing her Turkish Birth Certificate and Identity Card, which was clearly showing that she was of 124-years age. She was bron in 1888 and died few weeks ago, therefore she could be consider for the world’s oldest person or lady. But Guinness World Records team did not accept her record breaking age, as she was a Muslim women and not taking off her scarf.

First woman to lead Friday prayers in UK

A Canadian author will become the first Muslim-born woman to lead a mixed-gender British congregation through Friday prayers tomorrow in a highly controversial move that will attempt to spark a debate about the role of female leadership within Islam.

Raheel Raza, a rights activist and Toronto-based author, has been asked to lead prayers and deliver the khutbah at a small prayer session in Oxford.

SEE ALSO: British model Carley Watts starts preaching Islamic Teachings

She has been invited by Dr Taj Hargey, a self-described imam who preaches an ultra-liberal interpretation of Islam which includes, among other things, that men and women should be allowed to pray together and that female imams should lead mixed congregations in prayer.

Three of the four mainstream schools of Sunni Islam allow women to lead exclusively female congregations for prayer, but the overwhelming majority of Muslim jurists are opposed to the notion of their presiding over mixed congregations outside the home.

Raza, 60, is part of a small but growing group of Muslim feminists who have tried to challenge the mindset that has traditionally excluded women from leadership roles within the mosque. They argue that nowhere in the Koran are female imams expressly forbidden. Instead scholars rely on the hadiths (the words and sayings of the Prophet Mohamed) to exclude women – although Muslim feminists and some progressive scholars argue that even these are not clear enough to say with confidence that women are altogether banned.

Ms Raza received death threats after leading a mixed-gender prayer congregation in Toronto five years ago.

"It was a very profound experience," Ms Raza said yesterday in a telephone conversation from her home in Toronto. "It's not about taking the job of an imam. It's about reminding the Muslim community that 50 per cent of its adherents are women who are equal to men. Women are equally observant, practising Muslims who deserve to be heard." Ream More ...

US soldier and Muslim wife advert causes stir

A billboard placed on a high-traffic section of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles is drawing sharp social media remarks from the public.

A billboard placed on a high-traffic section of Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles is drawing sharp social media remarks from the public.

The ad, featuring an American soldier and a Muslim woman in loving embrace, is part of a larger marketing campaign for the product SnoreStop, a throat spray product which claims to reduce snoring.

SEE ALSO: British model Carley Watts starts preaching Islamic Teachings

“As a snoring solution company, we’re in the business of keeping people together,” says Melody Devemark, spokesperson and member of the family-owned Camarillo company. “So we found the most polarized couple and thought: ‘If we can keep them together, we can keep anybody together’.”

The idea was inspired from a real couple. Veteran Jamie Sutton and his Muslim wife, Aleah, are the real couple behind the billboard portrait. “We realize that it’s likely to be controversial,” Devemark says. “But our family thinks it’s a beautiful story and we feel honored to be able to share it with others.”

The billboard is already going viral. Here are some selected comments and feedback on social media:

“I’m not racist, but I feel like they’re trying to shove this ‘political correctness’ thing down our throats.”

“For some people it’s just too soon. The tragedy of 9/11 is still so fresh in people’s minds and now we’re being told we have to accept the enemy being a part of our lives and culture.”

“I wonder if she needed a green card.”

“I guess she’s supposed to be one of them peace-loving ones?”

But the majority of comments were more accepting:

“It’s a wonderful message. It’s time we stopped labeling people because of their nationality. As for stopping snoring, I’m all for that too.”

“Would it make me try their product? I would try it on the basis that it stops my husband’s snoring! But the ad is nice.”

“All’s fair in love and war, right?”

“I hope it wakes people up, sorry, I’m not talking about the snoring, to the plight of the people in the Middle Eastand that the majority of them don’t want to see violence and destruction.”

Muslim students pray in the rain after Queen Mary University denies them access to facilities

Hundreds of students at Queen Mary University in London, braved the rain today to pray outside, in protest against what they claim is inadequate resources for Muslims on their Mile End campus.

It was their second 'prayer protest' in two weeks, with the student union counting 350 demonstrators last Friday.

Muslims account for 20 per cent of the student body, according to Islamic Society representatives. 

SEE ALSO: "Islamic" Sex Shop raises questions on social media of Muslim territories

Previously, the college's 20-year-old Islamic Society had been able able to book several large communal spaces for congregational Friday prayers. But from the start of this academic year, students have been told the rooms are unavailable.

Principal Professor Simon Gaskell suggested students attend local mosques for the mass prayer, and denied any change in policy.

"We say we're here to accommodate private acts of worship... like most universities we are very pressed for resources," said the Principal, adding that the facilities are unavailable due to demand.

However, Isoc dismisses this claim, saying that they carried out spot checks on the Great Hall and Octagon, rooms they were told were unavailable for booking, only to find them empty.

They also say that local mosques are oversubscribed. Continue Reading ...

"Islamic" Sex Shop raises questions on social media of Muslim territories

CAIRO: Several questions have been raised by Muslims on the launch of first ever ‘halal’ sex shop. This issue is a controversial one in Muslim territories. The Muslims believe that it is another seeds of evil being sown by the Capitalist society of the West.

Hamza Yusuf, an American Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, told Foreign Policy by phone “Muslim countries have all of these but they don’t advertise them.It all goes back to the monetization of religion”.

SEE ALSO: Rihanna the ‘rude girl?’ Fans angry after star’s mosque photo shoot

Turkey became the first country to introduce a so-called “Islamic” online sex shop to sell ‘halal’ sex products.

This is one of its kind shop to be introduced in a Muslim society which was only to spark controversy. Haluk Murat Demirel, the founder of website, who wanted to launch a website for the purpose seeking advice on sex but content available on other websites is too much explicit.

Allah is aware of needs of humans including the need to fulfil sexual pleasure and thus created a bond of love known as Nikah. The sexual desire in humans is same as need for shelter and hunger. The purpose of Islam is to satisfaction of needs of humans in a proper way in the light of its noble teachings.

The rules of Islam regarding sexual relations are only granted to the married couples. Those outside wedlock are not allowed to undergo same experience. The Quran and Hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) also clearly states that sex within the confines of marriage is not purely for procreation, as it is in some Christian denominations.

“The maximum limit a husband is allowed to be away from his wife is four months, or six months according to the view of the Hanbali scholars. This is the maximum period a woman can endure separation from her husband,” Dr. Su`aad Salih, professor of Fiqh at Al-Azhar Univ., states in a fatwa to OnIslam.net.

“It’s not a prudish culture … but decorum is still very important,” said Yusuf.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister of Turkey said that the name “Islamic Sex Shop must be renamed to “love shops” as Turkey won’t allow so-called “erotic shops” in its streets.

Saudi king calls for unity in the Muslim world

Al Arabiya: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz said on Wednesday that Muslims should put their differences aside and open a dialogue between the difference sects of Islam.

“Our goals are for the interests of Muslims and because of the fear of division among Muslims. Dialogue between Islamic sects is the best way to unite and understand each other. Our differences should not affect the unity of the Islamic Ummah,” read a statement from King Abdullah, which was read out by Crown Prince Salman at the annual reception held in Mina to welcome the heads of international hajj missions.

SEE ALSO: Live Makkah: Watch live Stream

In the statement, the Saudi king also said that Muslims must put aside all the differences and rivalries by establishing a center of dialogue between Islamic sects in the holy city of Madina, a plan which was adopted by the Conference of Islamic Solidarity in Makkah during the month of Ramadan earlier this year.

He also said in his address that the kingdom will not allow any offence or interference in its internal or foreign affairs.

“From the land of the Prophet’s message, we are telling the world that we are a nation that will never compromise its religious and moral values and we will never allow anyone to offend the sovereignty of our nation or interfere in its internal or foreign affairs,” the king’s statement read. Continue Reading ...

Saudi barbers take a turn at pilgrims’ hair

Saudi Gazette, Mina: New barber shops have sprung up near the “Jamarat” walls in Mina, where pilgrims shave off or trim their hairs after throwing pebbles at walls symbolizing Satan.

Most barber shops are owned and run by young Saudis who have been trained in shaving.

The prices range between 30 Saudi Riyals ($8) for the complete shaving off of the hair and 15 Saudi Riyals ($4) for shortening it. The young Saudi barbers expressed happiness to be serving the pilgrims, enabling them to complete their hajj rites of which shaving is an integral part.

SEE ALSO: Hajj from Makkah: Watch live Stream

The barbers use sterilized razor blades and plastic towels which are used only once before they are disposed of. The pilgrims queue for the shaving operation in a highly organized style. Each shop has a number of chairs and each chair will be hosting hundreds of the pilgrims. Continue Reading ...

Walk of life: Pakistani man travels 6,387 km on foot to perform hajj

Al Arabiya - Mustapha Ajbaili: While most Muslims fly, drive or sail from across the world to perform the hajj in Makkah, a Pakistani man made the trip in a far more traditional manner; travelling on foot from Pakistan to Islam’s holiest city in Saudi Arabia.

Kharlzada Kasrat Rai, 37, began his trip from Karachi on June 7, travelling 6,387 kilometers (3,968 miles) through Iran, Iraq and Jordan on foot. (Photo courtesy: Facebook)

He arrived in Makkah on Oct. 1 to a hero’s welcome.

Kasrat Rai was received by Saudi government officials and a representative of the holy Ka’aba’s imam in addition to members of Makkah’s Pakistani community and supporters from various Muslim countries.

The two-time holder of the World Record for Peace Walks told Al Arabiya News that the aim behind his almost three-month journey was to deliver a “message of peace” to the world and to “condemn terrorism at all levels.

“I want peace in the world, equality, and a union of the Muslim Ummah like the European Union,” he said. In 2007, he walked 1,999 kilometers (1,242 miles) between Khyber and Karachi in Pakistan, a journey he completed in 85 days.

In 2009, he walked 327 kilometers (203 miles) from Lahore to Islamabad in 14 days and another 222 kilometers (138 miles) from Islamabad to the Pakistani village of Chakuthi in nine days.

SEE ALSO: British model Carley Watts starts preaching Islamic Teachings

In 2011, he repeated the trip between Khyber and Karachi but walked a further distance. He broke his previous record by walking 2,287 kilometers (1,421 miles) in 72 days.

Kasrat Rai told Al Arabiya News that although he faced unexpected “problems” during his latest journey to Makkah, which he described as “risky,” he still felt secure and was able to arrive in the city safe and sound. He said that the people he encountered along the way were “friendly” and gave him support., adding that in Makkah he was provided with accommodation.

Kasrat Rai explained that he was preparing to begin the journey to Mina, roughly eight kilometers (five miles) away from Makkah, as per the rituals of hajj, which officially starts on Sunday. Saudi Arabia announced that more than 1.3 million people will be performing this year’s hajj, with more than half of them coming from outside Saudi Arabia.

For Muslims, hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It takes place in the month of Dhul Hijjah which is the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The pilgrimage is obligatory for all Muslims once in their lifetime. However, it is only compulsory for those who have the physical and financial means to perform the pilgrimage.

During the religious event, those Muslims who make the journey are required to spend five days in the desert surrounding the city of Makkah in modern-day Saudi Arabia. They travel between specified points to perform rites laid down in Islam’s holy book, the Quran.

These rites commemorate the life of Prophet Ibrahim, or Abraham who built Islam’s most revered structure, the Ka’aba, with his son Ismail.

Just Like a Prayer? Madonna reveals she is studying the Quran

Al Arabiya: Madonna revealed this week she has been studying the Holy Quran, a practice which has come alongside her efforts to build girls’ schools in Islamic countries.

“I am building schools for girls in Islamic countries and studying the Holy Quran. I think it is important to study all the holy books,” the U.S. pop icon said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar published on Friday.

Madonna added that she agrees with what one of her friends tell her; that a good Muslim is a good Jew, a good Jew is a good Christian, and so forth.

The “Material Girl” recently got her fans talking after posting a picture on Facebook from a photo shoot in which she wore what looked like a chainmail niqab.

The picture was accompanied by the words: “The Revolution of Love is on…Inshallah [Arabic for 'God willing'].”

Speculations over the “Like a Prayer” singer’s interest in Islam have sparked in recent years after the star began dating Brahim Zaibat, a Muslim of Algerian descent.

Last year, Madonna was pictured in Turkey with Zaibat as she wore a headscarf to visit a mosque in Turkey, according to news reports.

In this week’s interview, the 55-year-old star also disclosed revelations from her younger years. She recalled being held up at gunpoint, raped and having her seedy apartment burgled three times, saying she was scared at times before she started making it as a singer and dancer.

“New York wasn’t everything I thought it would be. It did not welcome me with open arms,” she said.

“The first year, I was held up at gunpoint. Raped on the roof of a building I was dragged up to with a knife in my back, and had my apartment broken into three times. I don’t know why; I had nothing of value after they took my radio the first time.”

About 800,000 Muslims arrive in Saudi Arabia for hajj

Hani Sufayan, Al Arabiya: About 800,000 pilgrims had arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform the Muslim duty of hajj, Abdullah Nahhas, the general director of customs at Prince Mohamed bin Abdelaziz airport in Medina, said on Tuesday.

“Ninety percent of them arrived via the international airports of Prince Mohamed bin Abdelaziz and King Abdelaziz where the number of flights, from various destinations, reaches more than 60 flights per day,” Nahhas said, adding that the Customs Department is receiving pilgrims at more than 10 land border crossings and two naval and aerial border crossings as well.

SEE ALSO: Cameron expresses support for Muslim veil ban in UK schools

He added that next Monday will be the last date on which the kingdom will receive pilgrims via land border crossings while next Wednesday will be the last day to receive them via aerial checkpoints.

According to Nahhas, the Customs Department had devised several plans to facilitate the entry of pilgrims into Saudi Arabia. Nahhas also noted that Prince Mohamed bin Abdelaziz Airport is using modern equipment to check bags and packages, adding that an extra transit hall has been added this year to facilitate the entry of pilgrims.

Prince Mohamed bin Abdelaziz Airport received its first batch of 220 pilgrims, who arrived from Delhi, last Thursday.

No, We do not believe Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean Converted to Islam

Israeli Website Claim: Rowan Atkinson Converted To Islam post has quickly become perhaps the most “popular” Israellycool post ever.

Traffic has gone through the roof. Tens of Muslims have ‘liked’ their  Facebook page.

And despite the title and content of the post – in which they clearly point out why the claim is ridiculous – thousands of Muslims around the world have shared, retweeted and linked to the post, as evidence that Rowan Atkinson has converted to Islam! (here is one example) they guess their viewers of sites will believe what they want to believe.

Here is the News about Rowan Atkinson aka Mr Bean Converted to Islam

Meanwhile, no word from Atkinson himself because – as they already made clear – the claim is almost certainly false. The question is, why did the anti-Israel site start the rumor?

They think they missed this due to the poor auto-translation, but this next video seems to make it clearer: there seems to have be a photo of Atkinson holding his finger up, which is apparently something called the shahada finger.

It just looks to them like Atkinson telling someone off, or any number of other things.

Mr Bean embraces ISLAM

According to an anti-Israel site ‘pls48′, Islam can count among its newest converts Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr Bean.

SEE ALSO: Mr. Bean Ability

Arab and international The king of silent comedy” Mr Bean” announced his conversion to Islam News networks picked up on the social networking site, and other websites morning news announcement Global Islam comedian Rowan Atkinson’s famous “Mr Bean”.

And surprised the comedian famous “Mr Bean” middle and artistic world by announcing entry in the Islamic religion. Read Full Story here ...

Norwegian family converted to Islam after being influenced by listening to Quran

Atheist from the Norwegian town of Mugla, Marmaris is a family vacation, the mosque became a Muslim influenced by listening to the Qur'an. Family members, in tears listening to the Qur'an, he said.

Linda lives in Fredrikstad Wastrup

Nyman (34) and Frode Sigvartsen (31), a pair of children, Tuva (9), Mathies (9) and Frida (6) and came to Marmaris for the holidays. City tour of throwing into the courtyard of the Central Mosque in the family, read the Qur'an in the mosque was inspired by. Durdu'yu Hamd family in tears listening to the muezzin for 20 minutes, and then asked them to tell me Islam.

At that time decided to become a Muslim Wastrup Linda Nyman said,"It was so nice reading that we found ourselves in the mosque. Sitting in a family of 20 minutes just listened and tears began to flow through our eyes. listened, I felt off of a weight off of me. Adeta relieved, and found peace. I really felt free. Islam, I am very happy that I chose."he said.

SEE ALSO: British model Carley Watts starts preaching Islamic Teachings

Family to him crying in the mosque to learn Islam say they want to transfer the muezzin stopped,"I read the Qur'an at the time the family had heard a witness. Tears were in his hands, I saw the opening prayer. Maybe you did not know that what you pray. Ağladıklarına hugged his wife witnessed. Then they came to us that they are atheists. reading Setup 'An inspired by the Koran have said they prefer the religion of Islam." he said.

Norway at the request of the family went about the Marmaris Mugla Province Office of Mufti Hussain Assistant Mufti Small Town, "The family on holiday in Marmaris, Central Mosque visit the sedasından the meantime, inspired by the Qur'an to accept the Islamic religion and have expressed their desire to be a Muslim. Müftülüğümüze chose to come to the religion of Islam, saying that Islam adopted by bringing the word of martyrdom." he said.

CONVERSION Wastrup Linda Nyman ceremony, followed by "Bu" Frode Andre SIGVARTSEN "Ali", Mathies "Ayhan", Tuva ' "Esma", while Frida "Alif" took their names. Norwegian family, the young deputy Mufti was a gift by the Mushaf