Bismillah
Assalamu Alaikum,


Do you like tea or coffee? Or maybe a nice smoothie or fruit juice does the trick. Whatever is your preference, there is nothing like a refreshing drink to help you relax. What is even better is having great company and sharing a good coffee or lovely tea with biscuits of course!

Well, here is an opportunity for you to:
a. Get your favourite sisters around (or brothers if brothers are reading this)
b. Enjoy your favourite beverage
c. And gain some reward and help out a brother who unfortunately cannot have a simple get together with his brothers and family.

I really want you to read this email placing yourself in this brother’s shoes. Imagine if it was your brother, your son, or your husband who has been locked up for over 5 years. You can’t share special times with him or even things we take for granted such as eating dinner together. I know this brother’s sister personally and the sabr that this family has had since this brother’s tests began is extraordinary. What is even more amazing is that they are so active in the community trying to help others even though the community is actually supposed to be helping them. May Allah (Swt) reward them with firdous al ala. Ameen.
Many of you have probably heard of Babar Ahmad. Over 5 years ago, he was arrested by the police who ruthlessly beat him up after which he sustained 73 injuries!

He was then released and rearrested again over claims that he was a supporter of terrorism. An allegation that he strongly denies. Since then the US wants him to be extradited to the US to face charges. But for what???! He is the longest detained-without-charge British detainee held as part of the global ‘war on terror’.

Babar’s father, Ashfaq Ahmad posted on his Facebook:
“Please uk friends,help us on this one and share it out to your facebook friends. We need to urge the British Government to put my son Babar on Trial in UK where he stands a better chance of any fairness. Aafia Siddiqui got 86 years in USA, Allah only know how much US will give Babar, God forbid if he has to go to America”

Awareness needs to be raised for this case. Please keep this hadith in mind as you continue to read this email:

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said,
“Whoever among you sees an evil action, then let him change it with his hand [by taking action]; if he cannot, then with his tongue [by speaking out]; and if he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.”
[Sahih Muslim]

So this is how you can help by changing the evil that has been inflicted by this brother literally with your hand!:
This is what you need:
* Tea, coffee, milk, sugar, polystyrene cups, kitchen towels, biscuits/cakes
* Copies of the following lobby pack which can be downloaded at www.freebabarahmad.com. Go to ‘support’ and then to ‘how to help’ and click on download. Unfortunately, the following URL is not working.

http://www.freebabarahmad.com/downloads/MP%20Lobbying%20Instructions%2020%20Sept%202010%20final.pdf
* White board or chalk board with key points the letters must include which can be extracted from the sample letter found in the lobby pack. This is so your friends and family can make sure they include relevant points.
* A list of local Mp’s but also internet access to look up any Mp’s if sisters aren’t sure of who their MP is or their address
* Envelopes and 2nd class stamps
* Printer paper and pens
* A pot to collect about 50 pence per letter towards the cost of stamps and envelopes (optional donation)

What to do:
Set everything up as per the list above.
Invite your friends over. Ask your husbands to do the same with brothers. Serve delicious cake and maybe homemade biscuits and of course the all-important beverages!
And everyone writes to their MP. (All details are in the lobby pack link above)

I really really urge everyone who reads this email to do this with a few sisters from their local area. It could really help this brother’s case. The fact that Aafia Siddiqui got 86 years really makes one wonder how many years Babar Ahmad would get were he to be extradited to the US. He needs to be tried here in the UK.

As always, we’ll think it is a great idea and then Shaytaan will make us forget about it and then we’ve lost out on the reward.
So before closing this email, grab a piece of paper and write down a date that you want to organise to do this and stick it up somewhere so that you won’t forget to start planning for it. Or even better yet, start ringing your friends and family straight away inviting them to this in a few days time.

Please please please forward this email on to your contacts.
May Allah reward you all.
Wasalamu alaikum
Umm Raiyaan