06.05.08 - Mayyit of: Ismail Davids - VENUE: 13 Alexander Str Florida - TIME: 10:45 - QABRASTAAN: Westpark - CAUSE OF DEATH: Natural

Saringapattam, the capital of Mysore, was surrounded on all sides by the formidable invading forces, comprising the British, the Marhattas and the Nizam. This triple alliance strengthened by the subversive activities of the state traitors had compelled the "Lion of Mysore", as he was called, to make a strategic retreat and fall back to defend his capital. The Sultan was taking his lunch, when he was informed of the treachery of his trusted officers and the entry of the alien forces. Leaving his meals aside and with sword in hand, he rushed forth towards the danger spot. He gallantly fought a hand to hand fight. In the heat of the battle, he was advised to accept the British offer of subsidiary alliance. But the reply which the lion-hearted Tipu gave will go down as the most chivalrous recorded in history. He said: `One day's life of a lion is preferable to hundred years' existence of a jackal'. With these words he fought heroically to the last drop of his blood and became a martyr to the cause of national freedom.

Tipu Sultan, one of the most talented, valiant and enlightened monarchs that India has produced, was destined to struggle against heavy odds at a time when the British power had, to a great extent, established its supremacy over the major pat of the subcontinent and had successfully conspired with the Marhattas and the Nizam to overcome the only formidable hurdle in the south--- the Muslim state of Mysore. Tipu Sultan put up a gallant fight against much superior forces. But, for the treachery of his own men, the history of the subcontinent would have been different from what it has been during the last 150 years.

His primary aim was the expulsion of the British from India and for this purpose he sought assistance wherever he could. But the two other important powers of southern India, namely, the Mahrattas and the Nizam, had shut their eyes to the impending danger of foreign domination and the British used them as tools to achieve their objects. The British were not happy with the treaty of Mangalore concluded with Tipu Sultan. Ever since then, they were planning against him.

Tipu Sultan was an outstanding administrator and a great reformer, endowed with great vision and calibre. Despite his troubled life, he introduced great reforms in almost all departments of the state administration which brought unprecedented peace and prosperity to his people. He highly developed agriculture and industry in his dominion and initiated progressive agricultural reforms beneficial to the peasantry. Mill, the celebrated English historian, considers his territories to be `the best and its population the most flourishing in India ' and Tipu Sultan a ruler who `sustains an advantageous comparison with the greatest princes of the east.' He kept a watch over his people and received reports to make annual tours of their districts for this purpose.

The Sultan took effective steps towards the promotion of trade and industry in his country. He established several factories and built an Armada to protect his marine commerce from pirates. This led to the development of international trade with several countries, especially of the east. He set up trading agencies in several coastal towns and established large factories for manufacturing watches, ammunition, cutlery and paper. Cottage industries also thrived. His state was surplus in food grains, sugar, glassware, paper, silk and cotton cloth. Buchanan who visited his state acknowledges that `Tipu was born with a commercial mind'.

Being himself a very learned man, well versed in Persian, Arabic and Urdu, he immensely promoted learning. During his short troubled reign, he popularized education. The Imperial Library of Saringapattam was the finest of its kind in the east. He was also a writer of repute. He wrote "Fath ul Mujahidin", an army manual and "Muwaa`iz ul Mujahidin", the collection of his Friday Sermons. The real greatness of Tipu Sultan, therefore, lies in his struggle against heavy odds and in ultimately laying down his life for a noble cause. This has earned for him an immortal place among the great men of the world.

NEW MUSALLAH FACILITY - MIDRAND
Jamaat Khana and Islamic Society in Midrand

Situated in the Noordwyk area and the daily 5 times Salaah is performed. We have just registered the organization and are still in the process of getting the NGO & PBO registration completed. Please note that this is a NON Profit Organization and is solely intended for the purpose of uplifting the Muslim community in the Midrand area.

We have made an offer to purchase the property that we are leasing at the moment. Alhamdulillah the owner of the property is muslim. There have been numerous offers on the place but he has agreed to give it to us on a 10 month payment term in which we have to pay off the property completely.

We humbly request for each person receiving this mail to please forward it to all their muslim contacts. We have a web site dedicated to the Jamaat Khana and we ask each of you to visit it. The address is www.micbs.co.za - In the website you will find all the members contact details and our banking details if you would like to donate towards to Jamaat Khana.

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Cyclone Nargis which hit Myanmar on Saturday has claimed the lives of 10 000 people. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the death toll is at 15 000 and still rising.

The UN food agency supplying food to Gazan refugees were on the verge of suspending their supplies. This comes as Israel continues its punishing blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Motorists traveling from Roshnee and Lenasia are being warned to be vigilant when driving during the early evenings and later. There have been reports that rocks are being placed on the road.

Economist Colen Garrow says consumers face more obstacles as price pressures increase. His statement is in response to the latest fuel price hike which kicks in at midnight tonight.

Advocate Willem Heath describes government's decision to disband the Scorpions, as a huge blow the country’s efforts to fight crime. The full report of the Khampepe Commission of Enquiry into the future of the Scorpions was officially gazetted and released to the public yesterday.

JANNAH, A WONDERFUL PLACE
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This wonderful place has been built with alternate layers of Gold and Silver Bricks. The Mortar used therein is pure Muskh (Musk). The Pebbles will be of rubies and pearls and the Soil will be of Saffron. Comfort, pleasure and happiness will be for whom is allowed here. Grief and sorrow will be unknown. Youth will remain forever and death will be of the past.

Strolling along in this beautiful place, one will visualize gardens and rivers, the likes of which cannot ever be imagined let alone seen in this world. Here, the Vessels and Furniture are made of Gold and silver. This is no small place.
There are one hundred stages one above the other, the distance between each equal to the distance between the earth and the sky. The highest stage is the best one. Four Canals will flow in this place: Milk, Honey, Sacred Wine and Water. How wonderful? Each stage is so vast that the entire population of the whole world can be accommodated in it.

Moving along, one will see trees, the trunks of which will be of gold and silver. There will be plenty to eat and drink! Life here will be for eternity!

RULES, NOT FOR ALWAYS
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Paul was not the brightest guy around. Every day, when he walked home from work, he would get stopped by three nasty men and they would beat him up and steal his money.

Finally, Paul decided that it would serve his best interest to walk a different route, but also take some self-defense classes so this wouldn't happen again. He joined a karate class and soon was doing very well with it.

So, one day, on the way home from work, Paul confidently decided to take his old route home and, sure enough, there they were. He walked up to them and the battle ensued.

The next afternoon, Paul went to his karate class with a black eye, a broken nose and a busted lip. His instructor was shocked and asked for an explanation. "Well," explained Paul, "I took my old way home last night so I could beat those guys up who used to steal my money." His instructor said, "What happened?"

Paul replied, "They jumped me before I could get my socks and shoes off!"