I do like birds, I like them all. The way they interact with each other, the way they sing, the way they look, the way they fly – bobbing, maybe soaring, maybe gliding, maybe flapping maybe not even flying. They are a wonder to see and to hear and as much as is possible I do try to feed and help them. However, there are people who think them a pest, and thats fair enough, I think cats are a pest. But, what I do not do is to go out of my may to destroy the life of random cats. That would be grotesque and wrong, but, some people think nothing of ending the lives of birds. On Wednesday, January 11th, hundreds of birds fell from the sky to the ground, some injured, but most were dead. Some farmer had left a lot of grain soaked in a poison called “Sleepy Crow” around Carlow Town. Some farmer, for only farmers have access to the poison, went out of his way and left circa two hundred birds dead.

For a farmer, yes, some birds can be a nuisance, thats why a variety of ways of gettting birds away from Crops have been created, including the high-tech method of owning a dog. But, to go out of your way in an attempt to kill off all the birds of the area is barabaric and sickening. Whoever did this should be punished, and I encourage all readers to contact Cllr Mary White (marywhite[at]oceanfree.net) to make sure that this criminal is punished via the full rigours of the law.

That, really, is not the worst of it. For that was a once off, and providing we are vigilant, that criminal will be punished. In Cyprus hundreds of thousands of birds are illegally trapped each spring and autumn while on migration through Cyprus. Some and killed as waste, some rare birds are a delicacy and eaten, and some are trapped as pets. Thanks to groups, such as the RSPB, the annual cull has been reduced by around about 80% but, we need to tell the Cypriots that enough is enough. There needs to be more done to end this cruel practice. Rare birds that may soon be extinct should not be on the dinner table. The RSPB has a campaign, encouraging us all to write to Mr Andreas Cristou, Minister of Interior, Interior Ministry, Dem. Severis Avenue, 1453 Nicosia, Cyprus. Please note that an airmail letter to Cyprus will cost 64Cent in Ireland and 42p in the UK. Free airmail stickers are available from all Post Office branches.

It doesn’t take much, but for the sake of creatures who are rare and decreasing in numbers, we can make a difference. Also, Muslims, remember that we are to be judged on how we treat all living creatures, not just Humans. The Prophet Muhammad () said “If someone kills a sparrow for sport, the sparrow will cry out on the day of judgement, ‘O Lord! Ask this person why he killed me in vain and did not kill me for any useful purpose’, The listeners asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is a just cause?” He replied, “That he will kill it to eat, not simply to … throw it away.”

Oh, and I almost forgot. While on the subject of birds, you lucky folks in the UK can take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2006. This is a fairly large event where you just watch the birds in your garden, park, field or area for about an hour or so. For full details you can click here!

Right then, I’ve been missing a while, and a fair bit has happened. We’ve have an Eid, and another one is due soon. There have been riots by Muslims in France, and Riots against Muslims in Sydney. There has been freaky weather, earthquakes and death.

The earthquake in Pakistan could not have come at a worse time. They have however, brought the Muslim community together to realise that they are strong enough together to be help those out there in need. It is still not nough, much more is needed. The reponse by the Governments of the world, in particular France and Saudi Arabia was pathetic. People are going to die in the beautiful landscape of Kashmir for want of Blankets and Tents, and that is just wrong.

Meanwhile, back in Dublin, this is one of my first Eids. This is the second and final Eid of the Islamic calender. It is called Eid ul-Adha and falls on the tenth day of the Islamic Month “Dhu al-Hijjah” ( ذو الحجة ). It is celebrated when the Hajj, which is performed in Saudi Arabia, ends. Altough not part of the Hajj, there are things Muslims will do outside of the holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah too. Qurbani, for example, will be paid, like a donation, to help feeding hungry families around the world. Qurbani.com decribes Qurbani as “Qurbani is an Islamic prescription for the affluent to share their good fortune with the needy in the community.” This is Charity, or Zakat, and wheter you are Muslim are not, you can use this charity and help feed the needy. Islamic Aid (http://www.islamicaid.org.uk/islamicinfo6.html), Muslim Hands (http://www.muslimhands.org/Site/Pages/Appeals/Qurbani2006) and many others are accpting online donations. For as little as £45, you can feed many hungry people. Think of the blessings Allah will bestow, or just think of the happiness you will bring to some desperate people.

A Couple of interesting Websites I’ve been watching of late, Islamophobia watch (http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/) documents the abuse levelled at Muslims nowadays. Idleworm (http://www.idleworm.com/) is a sarky left-wing take of the worlds events, and Maniac Muslim (http://www.maniacmuslim.com/) has some hilarious articles! All well worth a read!

oh yeah, one other thing, I know you’ve all been waiting for the results of the 2005 islamophobia awards! Well, you can check them all out here – At the islamic Human Rights Commission Website.