SHAFAQNA

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — The incident at the site of the proposed Al-Nur Islamic Center near Ontario is being investigated as a hate crime and vandalism of a place of worship, said Detective Joseph Parker of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "We believe the pig parts were thrown out to intimidate members so they don't build a mosque on the site," he said.

The Islamic center was founded in 2000 and usually meets at a temporary location in a Montclair office park. But during the holy month of Ramadan – when the alleged hate crime occurred – they were worshipping on some nights at the house that sits on the future site of a permanent mosque.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors earlier this year approved the proposal for a 7,000-square-foot mosque on the property. Opponents of the mosque have filed a lawsuit seeking to block it. They say their suit is based on land use and other issues, not the religion of the worshippers, but mosque members say their Islamic faith is driving some of the opposition.

Rashid Ahmed, the mosque's chairman, said about 20 members of the congregation were gathered for a late-evening prayer when the carcass pieces were tossed onto the property. A security guard witnessed the incident, he said.

Ahmed said attendance at the mosque dropped by about 50 percent after that. "It created lots of fear and unnecessary headaches for people," he said. "There were a lot of people during Ramadan who did not show up for worship at the mosque."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations urged the U.S. Department of Justice to launch its own hate-crime investigation. Fatima Dadabhoy, a civil-rights attorney with the council, said the Ontario incident was part of a national trend of harassment against mosques.— www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Abna

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — The grand Ayatollah pointed to Iranian achievements in the different arena after the victory of Islamic Revolution of Iran and said,” regarding Iran progress in different realms, we will no longer depend on foreign countries.”

The grand Ayatollah urged Iranian youths to study so hard updating their knowledge and getting familiar with the new technologies.

The senior cleric called on Iranian people and especially young generation to abide by the Islamic rules and teachings.

The Qom seminary instructor underscored that people should use science in the right way otherwise not only it will not be useful for human being, but also it will have negative effect in the society.—www.shafaqna.com/English

Source: Taghribnews

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) — As all eyes are turning to London to watch the Olympic Games on Friday, July 27, many Olympians are citing religion as the driving force for their success in the world tournament.

"I think God has a big role to play in sporting activities especially sometimes when you're injured or things aren't going as well as expected,” Jehue Gordon, a Trinidadian track and field athlete, told BBC Sport.

“I think he's the one that can keep you on the righteous path," said Gordon, who aspires to win the gold medal in the 400m hurdle race at London Olympics.

Hijab to Make History in London Olympics

Sports in ISLAM (Special Pages)

Gordon won the gold medal of CARIFTA Games in 2009.

He also set a world-age best and senior national record of 48.66 seconds in the heats at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.

US gymnast Shawn Johnson also opines that religion is the driving force for success in the sport field.

"My religion and faith play a huge part, if not the biggest part, in my career,” says the retired gymnast.

“It gives me the strength and stability to believe in what I'm doing and see my dreams and goals through.

“It gives me meaning which is more than a medal or score could ever do for me. I pray before every meet and sometimes before every routine."

The Olympic Games are set to open in London on Friday, July 27, and run through August 12.

Success

For Jonathan Edwards, Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump, religion is the key to success.

"My faith was pivotal to my success,” Jonathan Edwards, a former British Olympian, told BBC Sport.

“Believing in something beyond the self can have a hugely beneficial psychological impact, even if the belief is fallacious.”

A devout Christian, Edwards held the world record in triple jumping since 1995.

Due to his strong Christian beliefs, he initially refused to compete on Sundays, but eventually decided to do so in 1993.

This decision proved timely, since the qualifying round at that year's World Championships took place on a Sunday.

“It (religion) provided a profound sense of reassurance because I took the view that the result was in God's hands and that God was on my side,” he said.

“It enabled me to block out doubt before I was due to jump."—www.shafaqna.com/english

Source: On Islam