The German interior ministry is appealing against a decision by the Berlin authorities to allow an Islamist to name his son Jihad, the Arabic word used for holy war.
Reda Seyam fought for 18 months for permission to give his sixth child the name after the registry in the Berlin district of Charlottenburg initially rejected his application, saying the name was inappropriate because of its association with terrorism, and "may endanger the child".
This week a court overturned the ruling, on the grounds that Jihad was "a recognised male forename in the Arab world and loved by Muslims".
Mr Seyam, 47, a self-declared Islamist, was shown on television this week presenting his son. Grinning into the camera, Jihad on his knee, he said: "You had barely come into the world and you were in court. Your fight has already begun."
In the same programme he defended the terror attacks on the United States on September 11 2001, and on Bali in 2002.
Germany has strict rules governing the naming of children. Parents have to choose from a list of court-approved names, to prevent a child from becoming a victim of ridicule or confusion. The names Hitler and Stalin are banned, and in 2002 a Turkish couple living in Germany were denied permission to name their child Osama bin Laden.
Berlin's interior minister, Erhart Körting, said a court that allowed "a father who has welcomed al-Qaida attacks to name his child in this way has underestimated in an appallingly naive manner the meaning of this name".
So it seems to name your child after cartoon characters, George Bush or Tony Blair is ok. But to name them based on Islamic terms like " Jihad" or even Usamah Bin Laden is not allowed. Even names like Adolph Hitlet and Stalin are also banned.
Hard to believe that all this is happening in Europe in 2007 which is supposed to be a place of freedom and the right to act and do as u please, but obviously not for certain sections of its citizens.
We have had western politicians dictating to Muslim women what they can and cannot wear and now we have them telling us what we can and cannot call our children. Names like Hitler and Stalin have been banned, yet western politicians are behaving exactly like those two despots did.
I disagree with glorifying 9/11 and Bali attacks, but surely people are entitled to free thought and opinions based on their ideological inclinations?
Or is this the beginning of thought control in Europe?
Quite funny that Europeans ask Muslims to have a reformation which they went through in the middle ages when they divided church from state because it was dictating to people what they could and could not think about and yet they are doing the same thing , this time in the name of Secularism.
Kate Connolly in Berlin
Thursday March 1, 2007
The Guardian
The German interior ministry is appealing against a decision by the Berlin authorities to allow an Islamist to name his son Jihad, the Arabic word used for holy war.
Reda Seyam fought for 18 months for permission to give his sixth child the name after the registry in the Berlin district of Charlottenburg initially rejected his application, saying the name was inappropriate because of its association with terrorism, and "may endanger the child".
This week a court overturned the ruling, on the grounds that Jihad was "a recognised male forename in the Arab world and loved by Muslims".
Mr Seyam, 47, a self-declared Islamist, was shown on television this week presenting his son. Grinning into the camera, Jihad on his knee, he said: "You had barely come into the world and you were in court. Your fight has already begun."
In the same programme he defended the terror attacks on the United States on September 11 2001, and on Bali in 2002.
Germany has strict rules governing the naming of children. Parents have to choose from a list of court-approved names, to prevent a child from becoming a victim of ridicule or confusion. The names Hitler and Stalin are banned, and in 2002 a Turkish couple living in Germany were denied permission to name their child Osama bin Laden.
Berlin's interior minister, Erhart Körting, said a court that allowed "a father who has welcomed al-Qaida attacks to name his child in this way has underestimated in an appallingly naive manner the meaning of this name".
How many times have I heard that Jihad does not mean holy war?
Why on comments on this?
Well someone just did.
And I disagree with glorifying Bosnian ethnic cleansing.
Jihad means struggle and it comes from the word Jaahada, to strive ones utmost.
Qur'an Surah Luqman: 31:15
Yusuf Ali: "But if they striveto make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did."
Transliteration:Wa-in jahadaka AAala antushrika bee ma laysa laka bihi AAilmun fala tutiAAhumawasahibhuma fee addunya maAAroofanwattabiAA sabeela man anaba ilayya thumma ilayyamarjiAAukum faonabbi-okum bima kuntum taAAmaloon
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
i like Jahaada better cause calling him Jihad in a western country at this moment is not very wise or safe for the baby in question and his future, i was named after the last Prophet pbuh and i allready get eyeballed for that. Think about what this little brother will go through when he grows up
Yeah i know what you mean. I thought about what my Cuz will go through in the future? In school and so on, But its his name so he should be proud. If you think about it, its a great name to have JIHAD=Strive.
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
Respectfully brother Ahmed_Gurey, if you are named after the Holy Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) you should never feel ashamed of this, no matter how much you are harrassed by the disbelievers. In fact, you should take pleasure in suffering for the sake of your Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) and for the sake of your religion.
Respectfully brother Ahmed_Gurey, if you are named after the Holy Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) you should never feel ashamed of this, no matter how much you are harrassed by the disbelievers. In fact, you should take pleasure in suffering for the sake of your Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) and for the sake of your religion.
Ameen bro....nice name by the way
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
On the one side, people should be able to name their kids whatever they want. But then on the other hand, you have to think of the kids. With names like that they will be picked on constantly growing up. As adults they could be looked down at for names like that.
Employer- Hello are you hear for the interview
Jihad- yes
Employer- what is your name?
Jihad- My name.....Jihad
Employer- What....JIHAD
....I think you know what happens next
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
Respectfully brother Ahmed_Gurey, if you are named after the Holy Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) you should never feel ashamed of this, no matter how much you are harrassed by the disbelievers. In fact, you should take pleasure in suffering for the sake of your Prophet (salallahu alaihi wa salam) and for the sake of your religion.
Don't get me wrong brother i love my name and in reality don't really care about the negative vibes projected at me but i was thinking about the difference in Jaahada and Jihad and the consequences for this child living in a Western country
after reading my post i do understand why you thought i was somehow implying i'm ashamed but that wasn't my intention since this isn't the case.
What ever the case all it takes is a bit of research and find out what the name means. I mean if it was something like War being his name than one thing. But its not its Jihad
Our preperation continued, with our efforts and the efforts of our brothers, for years and years. Through out that time we gathered, observed and waited until the moment to move arrived.
I may have over looked something. But, in reading the first sentence, it is not the parents appealing.
The German interior ministry is appealing against a decision by theBerlin authorities to allow an Islamist to name his son Jihad, the Arabic word used for holy war.
Berlin had already approved the parents naming the boy Jihad. It is the German Interior ministry that is appealing that decision.
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