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By Hani Yousuf - The UpTownerImam Shamsi Ali sits with his group of threestudents in the main prayer hall of the mosqueat 96th Street and Third Avenue, officially theIslamic Cultural Center of New York. Recentconverts to Islam, the students attend the imam’sSaturday lectures on subjects ranging from prayerrituals to looking beyond the Quranic text to itsessential meaning. The class is informal: studentsget to ask questions during and after it, and Alismiles a lot. He makes references to Paris Hiltonand Britney Spears.

“What happened?” he calls across the hall whena student hurriedly walks out just after comingin. He has accidentally brought shoes into theprayer hall, not allowed in a mosque. Allah al-

ways forgives mistakes, Ali says with a smile.

Imam Shamsi Ali wears a suit and has no beard.He doesn’t conform to the stereotype of a Mus-lim cleric and doesn’t feel he needs to dress thepart. Robes and a long beard are not necessarycriteria for being a good Muslim, he says. He hasa slight build and calm voice, speaking clearlyand articulately despite the accent and grammarof one who is not a native English speaker.

Named one of the city’s “influentials” by NewYork Magazine in May 2006, he is best knownfor his efforts towards interfaith harmony. “He’ssoft spoken but projects this moral force,” saysWalter Ruby, Muslim-—Jewish program officer

Unconventional Imam

By Shahed Amanullah - www.altmuslim.comThe best possible antidote to extremist thoughtonline is to propagate a compelling MuslimAmerican narrative that instills pride and pur-pose among susceptible minds, and then con-nect them to mainstream efforts to address U.S.policy in Muslim countries.

The recent arrests of five American Muslimyouth in Pakistan on suspicion of attempting tojoin militant groups there has provoked deepconcern about the existence of homegrown ex-tremism among Muslim American youth. Untilrecently, it was believed that this was a problemconfined to other Western countries such as theUK. The fact that several Muslim Americanshave recently surfaced in Somalia and Pakistanamong militant groups demands immediate ac-tion by the Muslim American community.

The good news is that those Muslims who es-pouse militant ideologies no longer find a physi-cal home in mainstream Muslim America. For

example, Anwar al-Awlaki, an American-bornimam who cheered on the Fort Hood shootings,became ever more radical in his ideology andteaching after leaving the United States andcolluding with Yemeni extremists. Similarly, theNew York-based al-Qaeda supporting extremistduo that calls itself "Revolution Muslim" hasbeen reduced to heckling mosque-goers from thesidewalk.

The bad news is that after being chased out ofthe Muslim mainstream, those Muslims leaningtowards extremism have found sanctuary on theInternet. There, militants have been able to ex-ploit visitors' religious illiteracy and social alien-ation better than their moderate brethren andrecruit people to join their cause.

Those Muslims who have found themselvesimmersed in radicalism have two primary traitsin common: a strong aversion to U.S. policy in

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During Ramadan, Andalusia School students inYonkers, NY raised more than $16,000 to spon-sor orphans for Islamic Relief. In a drive fueledby the message and purpose of the BlessedMonth, the school’s 300 students were able tosponsor 30 orphans across the world in just eightdays. Islamic Relief’s Northeast DevelopmentCoordinator, Waleed Gabr, paid two visits toAndalusia during Ramadan to motivate the stu-dents. He told poignant stories of personal ac-counts of meetings with orphans and witnessingthe pain, hardships and loneliness these childrenendure – not just dur-ing the fasting hours,but 24 hours a dayseven days a week365 days a year. Heencouraged studentsto do everything intheir power to helptheir less fortunateBrothers and Sistersacross the world. Hereminded them of theHadeeth of theProphet Muhammad,sal Allaahu alayhe wa salam, who said: "I andthe guardian of an orphan will be in the Gardenlike these two." (His two fingers) - Bukhari.

Andalusia School students were deeply affectedby Brother Waleed’s stories and powerpointpresentation; and the impact of fasting helpedbring alive thoughts of unbearable starvation andhardship, as students struggled to attend schooland do homework without food or water andcompromised sleep. Every day during morningassembly, following the opening Duaa’, theybrought in their own saving, allowance or lunchmoney and donated it to the cause.

Students brought home stories of the plight oforphans to their parents and asked for money.One class, Sister Bibi Baksh’s 2nd Grade, raisednearly $5,000. Hayria Lajqi in 2nd Grade spon-sored an orphan from Kosovo and an orphanfrom Albania. “My Mom wrote the check,” shesaid, “because terrible things happened that madea lot of orphans. She doesn’t tell me all of thethings that happened, but she wants to help withmoney.” Hamza Giljic, another 2nd Grader, also

Andalusia School Partners WithIslamic Relief To Raise $16,000

sponsored an orphan from that region. He said,“I know how much they suffer over there so Iasked my Mom for money and she thought aboutit and said yes.” Islam Abdullah sponsored anorphan from Palestine. “I know they are suffer-ing there and they don’t have a Mom or Dad toprotect them.” Also, they admitted they weremotivated by Islamic Relief’s promise to bringCAMALI to Andalusia School as a reward themfor their intentions and efforts.

As a show of appreciation to Andalusia Schoolstudents for raising$16,000, Islamic Re-lief arranged forCAMALI to visit theschool on December18th, for a day of Is-lamic character the-atre, rides, games, en-tertainment, prizes,cotton candy andpopcorn.

Brother Waleed of Is-lamic Relief thanked

Andalusia School for all of its efforts to helpsponsor orphans two years in a row. Growingup and attending Public schools my whole lifewas a struggle, especially as a Muslim. TheMuslims children don't realize how good theygot it and InshAllah it will get better. I am jeal-ous of the work that Andalusia's students haveachieved year after year. I was never taught aboutcharity in my schooling up until I reached col-lege and also never given such a blessed oppor-tunity like these students to help vulnerable chil-dren and families so they can live a better life.With that, I learned so much about the beauty ofIslam and the immense rewards that are involvedas I grew older. I wanted someone to have some-thing that they can benefit from like food, waterand the other basics of life, so when I leave thisworld I can feel some type of contentment withthe seeds that I planted and anything good thatcomes from it, would be the Provider Himself,Allah (swt). That is my whole mission/purposein life: Sadaqa Jarriyah.” Brother AzeemMasihuddin of CAMALI, which donated itsservices to the cause, said.

By Susan SmithSubhan Allaah. A group of us from Al-MuyassarTours, led by Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef ofAlMaghrib Institute, almost didn’t complete ourHajj, as the Prophet sal Allaahu alayhe wa salamsaid, "The Hajj is (staying in) ‘Arafah." On the8th of Dhul Hijjah, a day before ‘Arafah as weboarded buses to travel to Mina, the wind pickedup and drops of rain started to fall. In the middleof the desert terrain, we wondered if this was aSign. Did it mean that Allaah subhanahu wata'ala would wash our hearts during Hajj, forgiveus and grant us Jannat Al Firdaus?

Bulbous grey clouds gathered above and burstforth as we --- and more than two million Hajjis--- drove, rode or walked to Mina. When wearrived at the tent city, the Sisters in my groupran to our tent #3-032 on Street 53A of District6, amidst torrents of rain. As we nestled in wetand giddy, we noticed that water was funnelinginto the corner of our tent creating a puddle.Alhamdulilaah, most of it drained out as it fun-neled in.

What we did not know or realize was that whilewe were happy and dry, tens of thousands of"illegal" or unregistered Hajjis were campingunder bridges and overpasses, on the sides ofmountains, in the streets and in the valleys. Wereceived news that thousands were flooded outand more than one hundred had drowned. Someof the Sisters in my tent shed tears at the fate ofour "less fortunate" neighbors, but our shockturned to stoic understanding that those whodied during Hajj would be granted, in sha Allaah,the riches of Jannat Al Firdaus. (Later, we learnedthat the deaths did not occur in Mina, but inJeddah, inna lilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.)

The next morning, on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, weprepared to leave after Fajr to take the bus to‘Arafah. The plan was that we would arrive inthe morning, settle in, combine Dhuhr and ‘Asr,listen to the special ‘Arafah Khutbah, and then,when the Khutbah ended, the clock would startticking. From that moment until Maghrib, wewould have approximately four and a half hoursto pour our hearts out to Allaah subhanahu wata'ala in sincere Duaa'. All of us in our group hadprepared pages and pages of Duaa' and this wasthe moment of Hajj we were waiting for.

As Rasool Allaah, sal Allaahu alayhe wa salamsaid, "The best Duaa' one can make is Duaa' onthe Day of ‘Arafah." Ayesha, radi alay anha,narrated that the Messenger, sal Allaahu alayhewa salam said, "There is no day in which Allaahsets free more servants from the fire of Hell thanon the Day of ‘Arafah. Narrated Talha, RasoolAllaah, sal Allaahu alayhe wa salam said, "Apartfrom the day of the Battle of Badr, there is noday on which the Shaytan is more humiliated,rejected and infuriated than on the Day of‘Arafah...because of Allaah's descending mercy(on that day) and His forgiveness of the greatsins of His servants." On that Day, He, Al Jal

“I Almost Didn’t Complete Hajj”wa Al 'Alaa, descends to the lowest Heaven andexclaims to His angels, "Look at my dusty anddisheveled slaves," and the angels tell Him allthe slaves Duaa’ big and small.

So we waited to take the bus to ‘Arafah, whichwas four miles away. 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 11o'clock, 12 o'clock. No bus came. Most of ourgroup had departed by bus earlier, but our tentremained. Shortly after 12 o'clock, we turned onthe transistor radio and listened to the GrandMufti of Makkah deliver the ‘Arafah Khutbahto the Hajjaj. Meanwhile, we were still in Mina!!!What should we do???

Shaykh Muhammad gathered us together. Theword on the street was that transportation wasbacked up due to the flooding. Parts of Minawere under 12-14 inches of water contaminatedwith sewage. Some frustrated Hajjis were tryingto board buses that didn't belong to them. It wasa dangerous situation. Some of the Brothers hadalready left on foot. The rest were preparing towalk to Mina, but the elderly and pregnant wouldhave to remain behind.

We returned to our tent devastated. So close,but so far. Could it be that Allaah subhanahu wata'ala would not accept our Hajj after all of this.Some of us started to sob, particularly those tooold or pregnant to walk. All of us made sincereDuaa' to Allaah subhanahu wa ta'ala that Hewould invite us to come and stand in prayer andsupplication before him on ‘Arafah and that ourbus would arrive. All of us determined to acceptHis Qadr no matter what.

Those of us fit to walk gathered bottles of waterand prepared to go, leaving our sleeping bagsand belongings behind, which we would needthat night in Muzdalifah. We proceeded downStreet 53A. Then the bus arrived, waALHAMDULILAAH!!!!!!!!!

In ‘Arafah, the Hajjaj had started their Duaa', soon the bus our Shaykh instructed us to do thesame. We arrived at 1:50 PM, combined Dhuhrand 'Asr, and then proceeded to make Duaa' for3 1/2 straight hours determined to make up forlost time. Our hearts softened by this ordeal felttotally vulnerable and humbled before Allaahusubhanahu wa ta'ala. We felt purified by theeradication of our Nafs (at least during thosehours), since we thought that Allaah subhanhuwa ta'ala had rejected us and then invited us afterall. We glorified and praised Him, exalting HisBeautiful Names, so grateful to Him for this mostwonderful of invitations which requires totalsubmission.

That day, I made sincere Duaa' for all theMuslimeen. I prayed that Allaah subhanhu wata'ala would increase us all in Eman, would grantus goodness in this life and in the Hereafter. Iprayed that He would protect us from theHellfire and grant us Jannat Al Firdaus. I alsoasked our Rabb to invite us to perform Hajj soon.

(Plainfield, IN – January 4, 2010) The IslamicSociety of North America (ISNA) commendsthe landmark ruling by a Malaysian Court onDecember 31, 2009, that affirms the religiousfreedom of Malaysian Christians. The rulingasserts that Christians have the right to use theword “Allah” to translate “God” into BahasaMelayu, the Malaysian language. It strikes downa government ban that was placed in 2007 on theuse of the term in Christian literature.

The opponents of the use of the word Allah inreference to God have argued that the term “God”is usually translated by Malaysians who followfaiths other than Islam as “Tuhan” in BahasaMelayu, not “Allah.” They insist that “Allah”should only be used to refer to God in Islam.This argument is contrary to both Islamic un-derstanding and practice.

The Qur’an is quite explicit that Muslims wor-ship the same God recognized by Christians.The Qur’an commands Muslims to declare thatthe God they worship and the one worshipedby the followers of revealed books, including

ISNA Commends Malaysian CourtRuling that Affirms ReligiousFreedom of Christians

Christians, is one: “… and say: We believe inthat which has been revealed to us and revealedto you, and our God and your God is One, andto Him do we submit.” (Qur’an 29:46)

With regards to actual and historical practices,Christian Arabs have been using the word “Al-lah” to refer to God in their religious sourcessince the inception of Islam, and have never beenchallenged by private Muslims or Muslim gov-ernments on this ground. Islamic law is clearthat followers of the Christian faith have theright to practice their religion according to theirown religious teachings.

Malaysia has long been a good example of Is-lamic tolerance and we call on the Malaysiangovernment to maintain the tradition of toler-ance and uphold the religious freedom of Chris-tians and to let the court ruling stand. We alsourge Muslim NGOs to respect Islamic teachingsand long-held Islamic traditions, and to with-draw their opposition to the use of the word“Allah” by their Christian compatriots.


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NY MuslimsFeatured inTimes Square AdA prominent national Muslim civil rights andadvocacy organization announced today that itsnew public service announcement (PSA), called“I am Muslim, I am American,” began airing thismorning on the CBS Super Screen in New YorkCity’s Times Square.

The Washington-based Council on American-Is-lamic Relations (CAIR) said its New York chap-ter (CAIR-NY) produced the 15-second PSA,which will air every hour for 18 hours each daythrough January 16, 2010, on the 26-foot by 20-foot full-motion screen. More than one millionpeople pass through Times Square each day.

CAIR-NY’s PSA features an American MuslimNYPD sergeant, as well as a Muslim Little Leagueall-star, a human rights activist, a doctoral candi-date, and an attorney. It begins with the state-ment, “Building Community, Serving Country.”Viewers are encouraged to visit CAIR’s web site.

To view the PSA, go to:http://www.cair.com/ny

"This public service advertisement features or-dinary American Muslims whose everyday livesare dedicated to building community and servingcountry,” said CAIR-NY Community AffairsDirector Faiza N. Ali. “This initiative is part ofour ongoing effort to ensure that a fair and accu-rate portrayal of Islam and Muslims is presentedto the American public.”

Ali added that the PSA will air during the NewYear’s Eve celebration in Times Square, whenup to one million people turn out to watch theball drop at midnight.

“We hope that the millions of people fromaround the nation and the world who view thispublic service announcement will return homewith enhanced understanding of Islam and theAmerican Muslim community,” said CAIR Na-tional Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Our PSAshows that American Muslims are a vital part ofour nation’s social and religious fabric.”

Awad noted that a 2007 study by the Pew Re-search Center described American Muslims as“middle class” and “mainstream.” The first-evernationwide study said American Muslims are“largely assimilated, happy with their lives, andmoderate with respect to many of the issuesthat have divided Muslims and Westernersaround the world.”


at the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, whohas worked with Ali on interfaith relations.

For two years, since his predecessor retired, Alihas led this mosque, overseeing everything fromcleaning to settling religious issues. He has mod-ernized the mosque’s commu-nications by encouraging emailuse and has placed stricter rulesaround distributing zakat, acharity all Muslims are requiredto contribute to. He was alsoinstrumental in planning an Is-lamic school, Manhattan’s first,scheduled to begin next fall.

Ali is an unconventional Mus-lim cleric. Unlike many otherimams, he doesn’t consider mu-sic unIslamic. He doesn’t be-lieve women need to cover theirfaces and thinks they shouldhave roles equal to men, in reli-gion and otherwise.

Ali believes that AmericanMuslims should have an iden-tity of their own rather than try-ing to adopt their parents’.

“I personally am in the view that we must createour own identity as a community,” says Ali. “So, I want to see in the future American Mus-lims that identify themselves as Muslims andAmericans; in other words they are not forcedinto certain identity as Pakistanis or Bangladeshisor Africans or Arabs.” He adds that he wants theMuslim community in New York to be very“advanced” socially, culturally, educationally andpolitically.

Born in Indonesia, Ali went to an Islamic board-ing school there. It was unlike madrassahs else-where in the Muslim world, he emphasized; hisschool required biology and history along withIslam, he says. After graduating, he attended theInternational Islamic University in Islamabad,Pakistan, then located at Shah Faisal Mosque,considered the country’s most beautiful. He re-ceived bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Islamiceducation, then went to Saudi Arabia to teach. In1996, he came to the US with the permanentmission to Indonesia for the UN and led a smallmosque for Indonesian Muslims in Astoria,Queens.

“September 11 then gave me even more oppor-tunities to reach out,” says Ali, speaking in hisspartan office in the mosque. “I represented theMuslim community at the Yankee Stadium’sPrayer for America weeks after September 11.”One of two Muslims who received PresidentGeorge W. Bush at Ground Zero, Ali told thepresident the terrorists did not represent theMuslim faith, but their own “ego.”

And after that he was everywhere, Ali says, lec-turing at universities, speaking to the FBI andpolice officials, appearing in synagogues andchurches. He believes such efforts landed himthe job of assistant imam at the Islamic CulturalCenter of New York, where he has organizedmany seminars and talks with rabbis and priests.

Last year, Rabbi Michael Weisser invited Ali tobe the guest speaker at the Free Synagogue ofFlushing on Holocaust Memorial Day, whichtakes place each year after Passover. Since then,Weisser says, he has spoken at the mosque afterFriday prayers and the two have participated inprayer together at both the mosque and the syna-gogue. “He’s a shining light on the world,” saysWeisser. “He sees the truth and then speaks thetruth.”

Weisser calls Ali an inspiration not only to Mus-lims, but to Jews and Christians as well. “I in-

troduce him to people as my rabbi,” says Weisserlaughing and adds that Ali introduces him as hisimam.

Ruby, from the Foundation of Ethnic Under-standing, says Ali is a “very impressive guy.”

While many Muslims havedenounced terrorism, saysRuby, Ali is especiallyoutspoken — despite thecriticism he’s encounteredfrom within the Muslimcommunity.

“We organized a two-dayseminar on what the holybook says about the oth-ers,” says Ali. “The Quranis very critical of the Jewsand Christians and howshould Muslims under-stand those verses thattalk about the Jews andChristians? And in themeantime, we must main-tain our relationship withthe Jewish community andthe Christian community.”

Bishop Ebony Kirkland of the Church of theLiving God Worldwide in Queens Village, Queens,has been involved with Ali, since he spoke at aninterfaith dialogue at the church. During a debateabout which religion was right, she was struckby the imam’s statement that, “ There is reallyno absolute, the only absolute is God.”

“He has a peace that passes all understanding,”she says, referring to his calm manner. “Heteaches in such a spirited way,” Kirkland adds.“There is such an ease of learning from him.”

Ali has also recently received the Prince Naifaward, given by a Saudi official for intereligiousharmony.

To help Muslim immigrants in the U.S. betterassimilate, Ali organizes Thanksgiving celebra-tions every year and has been very involved withthe Muslim Day Parade, which he sees as anopportunity for integration. “Get from the cityand give back to the city,” says Ali. The parade,which usually takes place in early fall, proceedsdown Madison Avenue, from 42nd Street to 24th,followed by bazaars and cultural shows.

Though orthodox Muslims consider music un-lawful, Ali has brought children from the Indo-nesian community school in Astoria, Queens toperform Islamic songs at the post-parade cel-ebrations.

“Some imams talked,” says Ali. “But they didn’ttalk directly to me. Probably they know thatwhen they talk to me, I will make them under-stand.”

His own colleague at the 96th Street mosque,Assistant Imam Abdul Rehman, thinks music isunacceptable

Ali leading prayer at the 96th Street mosque.(Photo by Hani Yousuf)

“For me music is a neutral thing,” Ali responds.“Depends on what kind of music you’re talkingabout. And for which purpose you are using it.And so, if music is used for Islamic song whereyou are reminded of God and Islam, then what iswrong to use the music?”

He adds, smiling, that he has watched disap-proving imams’ faces during the singing and theyseem to be enjoying it.

By DOUGLAS B. BRILL, The Express-TimesFour men carried a coffin Sunday through a crowdin a mosque at the Al Ahad Islamic Center whilehundreds of Muslim men chanted and reachedfor the holy, black turban atop it.

The Muslim community on Sunday commemo-rated Ashoura, a holiday to mourn the murder ofImam Hussein and to denounce the religious cor-ruption he's said to have opposed.

Inside a prayer room at Al Ahad on RidgeviewRoad, a chant of "Hussein! Hussein!" reachedan emotional crescendo as easily 150 AmericanMuslim men repeatedly strucktheir chests in a show of sorrowfor Hussein's murder.

A song-like reading of Udhru po-etry followed and some men cov-ered their eyes and cried as thecoffin, a replica of Hussein's, wascarried away.

"For us, it's just as traumatic aswhen Jesus was taken to thecross," said Ali Jafri, 29, who vis-ited from Manhattan. "Thesethings aren't always easy to communicate. InWestern culture, you always have a happy end-ing. Here, it's 'Wait, where's the happy ending?'"

Ashoura, said Mohammed Khaku, past presi-dent of Al Ahad, is a time for self-reflection. Theholiday, he said, is "a poetic reminder of boththe depths to which humanity can sink and theheights to which it can raise itself."

Hussein, the grandson of the ProphetMuhammad, opposed Islamic leaders who afterthe prophet's death wanted to create a violentmilitary dynasty. The ruling group's army slaugh-tered Hussein and 72 supporters in 680 AD dur-ing the Battle of Kerbala in present-day Iraq.

Lehigh Valley MuslimsCommemorate Ashoura

Muslim countries (which, it must be stressed, isin and of itself not extremist) combined with aprofound "identity complex" with respect towhat it means to be a Muslim American. Thecombination of the two creates susceptibility toextremist interpretations that both provide bothan identity and a means (albeit violent) to pushback.

The best possible antidote then, to Muslims fall-ing prey to extremist thought is to craft andpropagate a compelling Muslim American nar-rative that instills pride and purpose among sus-ceptible minds, and to connect them to main-stream efforts to address U.S. policy in Muslimcountries.

Those Muslims exploring violent tactics need tobe convinced that it is more effective, moral, andIslamic to defend Muslims overseas through law-ful means, and this education needs to happenwhere they spend the most time searching foranswers - namely, the Internet. While MuslimAmericans should be commended for movingtowards a zero-tolerance policy towards extrem-ist rhetoric in their mosques, they have unfortu-nately not fought these ideologues on Internetforums where anti-radicalization efforts are mostneeded.

It is understandable why mainstream Muslimshaven't engaged extremists on the Web. For one,it is distasteful and difficult work, and it is easyto fall prey to the notion of "out of sight, out ofmind." Second, there remains widespread fearthat ordinary Muslims who participate in dia-logue on extremist websites may themselves be

targeted by authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities. I have discussed this dilemmawith the highest levels at the Department ofHomeland Security, and while there is consen-sus that this perception is a problem, little hasbeen done to date to address it.

However, there are also other ways to confrontaggressive ideologies online. First, we can culti-vate an online Muslim presence that is far moresophisticated and engaging to those Muslimswho are exploring their identities. Second, wemust create online venues where those Muslimstroubled by U.S. policies in the Muslim worldcan join together and engage constructively withlawmakers to help bring about the changes theyseek. Third, we must shake any fear of beingsomehow "less Islamic" than extremists and turnthe tables on them through sound scholarshipand articulation of principles that speak to theheart of Muslim youth.

It does seem unfair at times that mainstreamMuslims are called upon to lead the fight againstextremism in our midst. After all, similar injunc-tions are not made on African-American or Latinocommunities regarding criminal elements thatoperate from within their communities. But thoseof us who believe that Islamic tradition is a noble,life-affirming one need to exhibit the same (orgreater) energy as those who see it as a constantvehicle for confrontation, and take the struggleto the Internet where they now find sanctuary.

Shahed Amanullah is Editor-in-Chief ofaltmuslim.com

Ashoura is a day of mourning because it com-memorates a day evil defeated purity.

"It's an expression of grief. The martyrdom ofHussein is the epitome of submission to God,"said Mohamed Rajmohamed, an adjunct profes-sor of religious studies at Cedar Crest College,who attended the ceremony.

On a day American Muslims mourned the deathof a man who fought corruption in Islam, oneparallel was difficult to ignore. Hadn't Husseinfought the same religious distortion that has sincespawned violent terror attacks across the world?

Over lentil soup, rice, carrots, peppers and bread,a meal deliberately simple for a solemn occa-sion, G.S. Ahmed, of Allentown, didn't wait un-til the question was fully asked.

"It is the distortion from the prophet's time thatended up in (violent) movements," he said."That's what happened on 9/11. Today is a sadday because it's a commemoration of all thethings done against the word of God."

Reporter Douglas B. Brill can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at [email protected]

We Can Do Better... from page 1

There’s more, read it atwww.TriStateMuslims.com

Unconventional Imam... from page 1


By Richard Wike, Pew Global Attitudes Project,Greg Smith, Pew Forum on Religion & PublicLife

Recent events such as the Fort Hood shootingsand the arrest of five Muslim American studentsin Pakistan have raised questions about thethreat of homegrown terrorism in the UnitedStates. However, the Pew Research Center'scomprehensive portrait of the Muslim Ameri-can population suggests it is less likely to be afertile breeding ground for terrorism than Mus-lim minority communities in other countries.Violent jihad is discordant with the values, out-look and attitudes of the vast majority of Mus-lim Americans, most of whom reject extremism.

A Middle Class, Mainstream Minority GroupAs the title of Pew Research's 2007 study sug-gests, Muslim Americans are "middle class andmostly mainstream." Compared with their co-religionists in other Western societies, they arerelatively well integrated into mainstream soci-ety. Unlike Western Europe's Muslim popula-tions, Muslims in the U.S. are generally as well-educated and financially well-off as the generalpopulation. Most (72%) say their communitiesare good or excellent places to live, and mostbelieve in the American dream -- 71% say that inthe U.S., most people who want to get aheadcan make it if they are willing to work hard.

When asked whether they think of themselvesfirst as an American or as a Muslim, 47% ofMuslims in the U.S. think of themselves first interms of their religion, while 28% identify them-selves first as Americans and 18% volunteer thatthey identify as both. At 46%, French Muslimsare about equally as likely as those in the U.S. tothink of themselves first as Muslim. However,Muslim Americans are less likely to identifyprimarily with their religion than are Muslimsliving in Britain, Germany, and Spain.

Primary identification with religious affiliationis not unique to Muslims. Religious identity isalmost equally as high among American Chris-tians, 42% of whom say they think of them-selves first as Christian. About half (48%) ofChristians in the U.S. identify first as Ameri-cans, while 7% volunteer that they identify bothwith their nationality and their religion.1

Roughly six-in-ten Muslim Americans (62%) saythat the quality of life for Muslim women in theU.S. is better than the quality of life for womenin most Muslim countries, while 7% say it isworse, and 23% believe it is about the same.French Muslims are equally likely to think thatlife is better for Muslim women in their coun-try, while in Britain, Germany and Spain, Mus-lims are somewhat less likely to hold this view.

Many Muslim Americans share the concerns ofthe broader population about Islamic extrem-ism. Roughly three-quarters (76%) are very orsomewhat concerned about the rise of Islamicextremism around the world, compared with81% of the U.S. general population.2 About six-in-ten Muslim Americans (61%) are also wor-ried about the potential rise of Islamic extrem-ism in the U.S., although this is lower than thelevel of concern among the general public(78%).3

Few Endorse ExtremismVery few Muslim Americans hold a positiveopinion of al Qaeda -- only 5% give the terroristorganization a favorable rating, while 68% ex-

Little Support for Terrorism Among Muslim Americans

press an unfavorable view, including 58% whodescribe their view as very unfavorable. Aboutone-quarter (27%) decline to offer an opinion.

Support for suicide terrorism among MuslimAmericans is similarly rare: 78% believe thatsuicide bombing and other forms of violenceagainst civilian targets to defend Islam from itsenemies can never be justified, and another 5%say these types of attacks are rarely justified.Fewer than one-in-ten American Muslims saythat suicide bombing is sometimes (7%) or often(1%) justified.

Over the course of the decade, the Pew GlobalAttitudes Project has asked this same questionof Muslim populations around the world, andresults show that Muslims in the U.S. are amongthe most likely to reject suicide bombing. Amongthe populations surveyed recently, oppositionto suicide bombing is highest in Pakistan (87%say it is never justified) -- a nation currentlyplagued by suicide bombings and violence byextremist groups. As recently as 2004, only 35%of Pakistani Muslims held this view. As PewGlobal Attitudes surveys have documented, thegrowing rejection of extremism in Pakistan ispart of a broader pattern in the Muslim world.

Most European Muslims surveyed agree thatsuicide attacks can never be justified. This viewis especially prevalent in Germany, where 83%of the country's largely Turkish Muslim com-munity say that suicide attacks are not justifi-able. Most Muslims in Turkey, Indonesia, Jor-dan, Israel and Egypt agree, while fewer thanhalf take this position in Lebanon and Nigeria.Palestinians are the clear outlier on this issue --only 17% think violence against civilian targetscan never be justified.

But Small Pockets of Support and DoubtsAbout Sept. 11Of course, although American Muslims largelyreject extremist ideologies, results from the 2007

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survey do reveal small pockets of support forextremism. And the survey found that youngerMuslims in the U.S. are slightly more acceptingof Islamic extremism than are older Muslims.Those under age 30 are more than twice as likelyas those age 30 and older to believe that suicidebombings in the defense of Islam can often orsometimes be justified (15% vs. 6%). This pat-tern is consistent with findings from Europe --Muslims under age 30 in Britain, France, Ger-many and Spain are slightly more likely thanthose in older age groups to endorse suicide at-tacks.

The survey also finds that native-born African-American Muslims are less likely than other U.S.Muslims to condemn al Qaeda completely. Only9% express a favorable view of the organization,but at the same time, just 36% give it a veryunfavorable rating.

And fewer than half of Muslim Americans --just four-in-10 -- accept the fact that groups of

Arabs carried out the Sept. 11 attacks. Roughlya third (32%) express no opinion as to who wasbehind the attacks, while 28% flatly disbelievethat Arabs conducted the attacks. Fewer highlyreligious Muslim Americans believe that groupsof Arabs carried out the attacks than do lessreligious Muslims. The survey also finds thatthose who say suicide bombings in defense ofIslam can often or sometimes be justified aremore disbelieving than others that Arabs carriedout the Sept. 11 attacks.

1. Data for U.S. Christians from 2006 Pew Glo-bal Attitudes survey.2. U.S. general public data from April 2007 sur-vey by the Pew Research Center for the People& the Press.3. U.S. general public data from April 2007 sur-vey by the Pew Research Center for the People& the Press.

New York-In 1992, the Bosnian War brokeout. Naida Zukic was 16.“For years, Muslims, Catholics, Jews and Serbshad lived in harmony in my town,” she recalls.“Then our world exploded.” Zukic and her fam-ily, who lived in Prijedor in northwest Bosnia,fled the country in 1995 and ultimately settledin the U.S.—but not before the Srebrenica mas-sacre took the lives of 8,000 Muslim men andboys. It remains the most horrific instance ofgenocide in Europe since the Second World War.Recently, Zukic, a Borough of Manhattan Com-munity College (BMCC) assistant professor inthe Department of Speech, Communications andTheater Arts, traveled to London, where her digi-tal performance piece, “Weight of Meaningless-ness,” was selected for screening at ACT ARTFestival. The piece commemorates theSrebrenica victims, but Zukic is quick to notethat its purpose “is to highlight the massacrenot as a demonstration of powerlessness, but asa condition for possibility and agency.”

Communicating across linesZukic’s chief interest, she says, has been “inexploring questions of power and agency, andhow oppressed groups have historically negoti-ated those spaces and subverted power.”

“Weight of Meaninglessness,” a five-minute filmthat transcends language, “is borne out of myfrustration with the medium of language as ameans of expression,” Zukic says. “Over theyears I’ve written essays and articles about hu-man rights abuses and violations that have takenplace throughout the world, and especially inBosnia, but could never overcome the limita-

The Weight of MeaninglessnessNaida Zukic on Her Digital Performance

tions of language. So I turned to the medium ofdigital performance as an alternative means ofexpressing things I couldn’t necessarily con-vey verbally.”

Reawakened memoriesWhile memories of the Bosnian conflict haveflared anew in recent years with the trials ofSlobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic,“few Americans are aware of the Srebrenicagenocide,” Zukic says. “But it is never pos-sible to escape the reality of war, suffering andhuman rights violations, as we see today inIraq and Afghanistan.” Some survivors of masstrauma “externalize the experience by trying toforget, or by living in a perpetually woundedstate,” she says. “Others must continually re-live the experience in order to transcend and beempowered by it—by teaching or writing aboutit, or otherwise helping to create awareness ofhuman suffering and humans rights violations.In that sense, the need both to forget and relivethe trauma is paradoxical.”

In Zukic’s case, an aesthetic, rather than lan-guage-based approach has helped her workthrough the trauma she lived through as a younggirl. “As a Bosnian refugee, the last thing I wantto be seen as is a victim,” she says. “But thefact is that people who have survived trau-matic events are traditionally seen in this way.‘Weight of Meaninglessness’ is my responseto that point of view.”

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Paris - At a time when many have despaired ofhope for Jewish-Muslim understanding, due tothe ongoing impasse in the Israeli-Palestinianconflict, nearly 200 Muslims and Jews gatheredin Paris to say: “Now is the time to build ties offriendship and understanding between our faithsfor the sake of our children and children’s chil-dren.” A mixed audience of rabbis, imams and Muslimand Jewish activists from around Europe andthe United States, gathered on the evening ofDecember 8 at the glittering City Hall of the16th Arondissement to hear this inspiring mes-sage of hope at the first annual dinner gala of theJewish-Muslim Friendship Society of France(AJMF). The keynote speaker at the event,Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding(FFEU), which is working to create a worldwidemovement of Muslims and Jews committed tocommunication, reconciliation and cooperation,praised the pioneering work of Rabbi MichelSerfaty of the AJMF, which last month broughttogether 30 mosques and 30 synagogues in Franceto take part in the FFEU-sponsored 2nd AnnualWeekend of Twinningsm of Mosques and Syna-gogues Across North America and Europe. Theprogram, which began November 13-15, 2009and continues through the end of December, in-volves 120 one-on-one ‘twinning’ events betweenmosques and synagogues in the U.S., Canada,and 8 European countries. Speaking about the efforts of Rabbi Serfaty andAJMF, which for the past five years has sent acoterie of activists on a ‘Tour de France bus tripto communities across France and nearby coun-tries where Muslims and Jews live in uneasyproximity and where many bias attacks against

Jews have taken place, in order to open lines ofcommunication and combat fear, Rabbi Schneiersaid, “At a time when the conventional wisdomsays that our two peoples must live in perpetualconflict, Rabbi Serfaty and the AJMF are show-ing that there is another, much better way. Weare gratified that this is happening not only inFrance, where conflict between Muslims andJews has been especially intense, but across NorthAmerica and Europe as well. In the spirit ofChanukah, let us keep aglow the light of caringand understanding and allow that light to guidethe reconciliation and cooperation of Muslimsand Jews worldwide, including the Middle East.”

The gala, which took place at the City Hall ofthe 16th Arondissement of Paris, was co-spon-sored by the CRIF (the umbrella body of FrenchJewry), the Great Mosque of Paris and theConsistoire (Rabbinate) of Greater Paris. Attend-ing the December 8th gathering were top leadersof the European Jewish Congress and Europeanimams and rabbis from France, the UK, Italy,Switzerland, Germany, Holland and Belgiumwho previously held successful Weekend ofTwinningsm events in their respective countries.The event was both a celebration of what FFEUand its European partners have accomplishedtogether during the past year and an opportu-nity to chart future FFEU work with Jewishand Muslim leaders in the years ahead.

Rabbi Schneier sees Europe as a vital region inthe global initiative by Muslims and Jews dedi-cated to communication, reconciliation and co-operation: “We have begun a process that defiessome common stereotypes yet represents a ris-ing tide of grass roots sentiments in both theMuslim and Jewish communities worldwide.”Noting that FFEU’s outreach have helped to trig-

Promising Initiative in Muslim-Jewish Relationsger a significant warming of Jewish-Muslim re-lations in France, which had deteriorated to adangerous degree in the wake of the Gaza War inearly 2009, Rabbi Schneier said, “We hope to beable to achieve similar results in other importantEuropean countries like Britain, Germany andItaly, in 2010”. The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding(FFEU) is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit orga-nization and under the leadership of Rabbi MarcSchneier, President, and Russell Simmons, Chair-man is dedicated to promoting racial harmonyand strengthening intergroup and interreligiousrelations. FFEU is committed to the belief thatdirect, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders ofethnic and religious communities is the most ef-fective path toward the reduction of intolerance

and the promotion of reconciliation and under-standing. The Foundation, founded in 1989, isbased in New York City. www.ffeu.org

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By Jim Shelton, New Haven RegisterTariq Mahmoud says he has no problem being a“Muslim ambassador” to the wider community,but it’s also nice just being a busy college stu-dent once in a while.

Yale University’s Muslim Student Associationlets him do both.

On the one hand, the MSA is a tight-knit socialgroup representing about 200 Muslim under-graduate and graduate students. They host par-ties, organize dinners and share regularly inprayers and religious events on campus.

On the other hand, the MSA is an energetic forceat Yale, frequently stepping forward to discussimportant topics relating to Islam and world af-fairs. They bring in guest speakers, put on paneldiscussions and take on everything fromIslamophobia to the Danish cartoon controversy.Next month, the group will expand its annualIslamic Awareness week into an entire month oflectures, films and other events.

“It’s something I feel a responsibility to do,”explained Mahmoud, a junior at Yale and presi-dent of the student group. “We have to rise tothe challenge, the prophetic example, of repel-ling evil with good.”

Omer Bajwa, coordinator of Muslim life at Yale,described the students he works with as “thor-oughly” American.

“You find them taking this mission to heart - tobe engaged in American society,” Bajwa said.“They’re American Muslims, and they want tosee the betterment of American society.”

Islam In New Haven - Part IIIShowing off commonalities between AmericanMuslims and their non-Muslim compatriots, aUS documentary is exploring into the Muslim-Christian friendship in America.

"We hope the documentary provides positivenarratives for relationships between Baptists andMuslims, narratives that begin to challenge thenegative narratives that dominate American cul-ture," Robert Parham, head of the Baptist Cen-ter for Ethics, told the Tennessean Saturday, Janu-ary 2.

The hour-long documentary, "Different Books,Common Word", features five friendships be-tween Muslims and Baptists across the US.

It showcases how Muslims come to the help ofnon-Muslims in crises, providing aid and shel-ters for hurricane victims.

The movie also highlights how Christians rushto help and show solidarity with Muslim neigh-bors after their mosque were burned by Whitesupremacists in 2008.

The documentary further features AmericanMuslims as compatriot people who also have asense of humor.

"We’re working together to try to get people tosee we have more commonalities than differ-ences,” said Orhan Osman, executive director ofInstitute of Interfaith Dialogue in Oklahoma City.

"We want to help people to understand bothfaiths and make new friendships.”

The documentary, produced byEthicsDaily.com, an affiliate to Baptist Center

for Ethics, is part of a series of movies meant toreconcile spiritual and political conflict.

The film will be aired by the ABC affiliate TVstations this month and in February.

Peaceful FaithThe movie aims to show that all religions areagainst violence.

"We have extremists in both our faiths,” saidBruce Prescott, executive director of MainstreamOklahoma Baptists.

Timothy McVeigh, a US Army veteran and se-curity guard, was convicted of bombing the AlfredP. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City in 1995,killing 168 people.

A 23-year-old Nigerian was arrested last weekafter trying to blow up a trans-Atlantic planeover Detroit.

"We need to do all we can to convey that indi-vidual extremists are just that — individual ex-tremists,” said Prescott.

He voiced hope that the documentary will helpshed light on the problems that result whenpeople stereotype others because of their faith.

"We’re just trying to find some common groundto promote peace.”

American Muslims, estimated at between six toseven million, have been in the eye of stormsince the 9/11 attacks. They have become sensi-tized to an erosion of their civil rights and tookthe brunt of the Patriotic Act and other anti-terror laws.

Muslim-Baptist Friendship MovieYet the blunt edge of current events often in-trudes on that mission, both for Bajwa, whoworks out of the Yale Chaplain’s office, and thestudents. The recent shootings at Fort Hood,for example, involving a Muslim-American Armypsychiatrist, provoked a wave of anger through-out the country.

“It struck a raw nerve,” Bajwa said. “It was atragedy with horrific implications, and it affectsso many people. I’ve been asked by a number ofgroups to talk about this.”

For Mahmoud’s part, he said that only whenthe wider American society interacts with Mus-lims in a variety of social and professional set-tings will there be a realistic balance to the fright-ening images of Muslim extremists in the news.

“We need to engage America in all aspects oflife,” Mahmoud said. “Muslim doctors, Mus-lim entertainers and everything else. That’s some-thing this generation is stepping up to do andnot just engaging in response politics.”

Jim Shelton can be reached at (203) 789-5664or jshelton@nhregister .com.


By Syed B. Soharwardy - www.iscc.caWhen I received the news that in Switzerland57.5 percent of voters and 22 cantons (prov-inces) out of 26 cantons have voted to ban build-ing of minarets on mosques, I was at a mosque inCalgary, Alberta, Canada. I am the Lead Imam atthe Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Centre. It isalso called Al Madinah Masjid (Mosque). I hadjust finished the prayer and a member of ourcongregation gave me the Swiss news. I smiledand asked the brother to come outside. Whenwe came out of the mosque, I took him aroundthe mosque and asked, do you see any minaretson this mosque? He said, “no”. I said, “thisplace does not even look like a mosque fromoutside”. He smiled. He knew what this mina-ret-less mosque has achieved within five yearsof its existence that many mosques with mina-rets could not achieve.

Al Madinah Calgary Islamic Centre was estab-lished in 2005. It is located in a shopping mall.We purchased two shops and converted theminto a mosque. If the sign outside the mosque isremoved, no one would even know that this is aplace of worship for Muslims. In less than fiveyears our congregation grew from 27 people toalmost 2000 people. We have more than 200girls and boys learning Qur’an and Islamic teach-ings. In less than five years 23 non-MuslimCalgarians embraced Islam at the Al MadinahIslamic Centre. Every year hundreds ofCalgarians; Christians, Jews, Atheists, Hindu,Sikh, Buddhist and others visit the Al MadinahCentre and take part in the Interfaith Dialogues.99% of those who attend the interfaith activitiesat the Al Madinah Centre change their attitudeabout Islam and Muslims. Their misconcep-tions and misunderstandings about Islam are re-moved. They appreciate that someone has helpedthem in removing those fears and distrust ofMuslims that the media tries to build everyday.In Ramadan, every year for one month, morethan 200 Muslims and non-Muslims eat togetherat the sunset time at the Al Madinah Mosque.

The Interfaith activities at the Al MadinahCalgary Islamic Centre motivated me to walkacross Canada, from Halifax to Victoria (6500KM) as the lead walker of Multifaith WalkAgainst Violence. During this seven month longwalk I met hundreds of non-Muslim Canadiansand changed their opinions against Muslims andIslam. Did we need a mosque with minarets forthis work? I don’t think so. We did it with aminaret-less mosque and Insha Allah (God will-ing) we will continue on the path of buildingbridges between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Minaret-Less Mosque –Ban OR the Beginning of a Renaissance

Insha Allah (God willing), in future, we haveplans to establish a Food Bank, Women’s Shel-ter, Temporary Residences for New Immigrantsand a School in Calgary. We have already pur-chased 5 acres of land for these projects.

The issue of banning the minarets in Switzer-land is not religious. It is a political issue. Itshould be handled politically. In politics, publicopinions do count. It was the public opinion of57.5% of Swiss voters that brought this ban.Public opinions do change and I am sure it willchange. I am very thankful that neither the SwissMuslims nor the worldwide Muslims reacted tothis ban the way we reacted to the Danish Car-toons. Instead of taking the path of violence,which is against Islam we must choose the pathof education, which is the way of ProphetMuhammad (peace be upon him).

The most important thing for Swiss Muslims isthat the 42.5% Swiss voters were against thisban. They need to work on the 15% or lessvoters and help them to see the minaret issue theway 42.5% Swiss voters saw it. The SwissConstitution guarantees freedom of religion, butthe rightist Swiss People’s Party, or S.V.P., and asmall religious party created Islamophobia inSwitzerland. This can be changed provided thatthe Swiss Muslims remain loyal to Islam andSwitzerland. The loyalty and sincerity with thecountry will change the hearts of those Swisspeople who were supporting the ban yesterday.

Of 150 mosques or prayer rooms in Switzer-land, only 4 have minarets, and only 2 moreminarets were planned. There are about 400,000Muslims in a population of some 7.5 millionpeople. Switzerland's Muslim population isamong the most moderate, and least foreign, inEurope. Of the country's 400,000 Muslims,representing less than 5 per cent of the popula-tion, the largest group are of European back-ground, with ancestors from the historicallyMuslim Balkan countries of southeast Europe –in other words, they are as culturally and his-torically European as any Christian Swiss citi-zen.

The issue of minarets started in 2005 when theTurkish cultural association applied for a con-struction permit to erect a 6-metre-high minareton the roof of its Islamic community centre in asmall municipality which was opposed by thelocal community. After appeals and court casesthe 6m minaret was constructed in July 2009.This has snowballed in to a controversy andbecame a political issue with the right-wing par-ties projecting the minarets as symbols of Is-lamic militancy.

One of the Swiss parliamentarians said,

“We don’t have anything against Muslims, Butwe don’t want minarets. The minaret is a sym-bol of a political and aggressive Islam; it’s a sym-bol of Islamic law. The minute you have mina-rets in Europe it means Islam will have takenover.”

This Swiss Parliamentarian saw life in minarets.For me minarets are just concrete and steel. Thehonour of a mosque is not in its minarets but itis in the hearts and minds of the people whopray inside the mosques. We do not need tobuild high towers on our mosques. We need tobuild our current and future generations to bethe true representatives of Islam.

If only 25% of 400,000 Swiss Muslims estab-lish dialogue with their neighbours, classmates,colleagues and other Swiss people and removemisunderstandings and the hate that someIslamophobe politicians have created in theirminds, I am sure within a year the proponentsof religious tolerance in Switzerland will winthe next referendum. This will help in restoringthe good image of Switzerland that has beentarnished due to few Swiss Islamophobes.

Moreover, about 7%, or 14.5 billion Swiss francs($14.4 billion), of Swiss exports go to Muslimcountries. Swiss economy needs markets inMuslim countries.

If the Swiss conservatives want to question thegrowth of Islam, they should establish dialoguewith Swiss Muslims. I am sure they will findblessings in the growth of Islam. Christianityand Islam do not fear each other. It is the mis-guided Christians and Muslims that create fearof each other.

Although, the tragedy of 9/11, the terrorismaround the world, the Danish cartoons, theIslamophobe movies, the ban on hijab in Franceand the ban on mosque minarets in Switzerlandhave helped in increasing Islamophobia and hatetowards Muslims but these tragedies have alsoincreased curiosity about Islam in the minds ofmillions of non-Muslims. And when a curiousnon-Muslim meets with the true follower ofProphet Muhammad (peace be upon him) andlearns Islam, this non-Muslim embraces Islamwithout any hesitation. I strongly believe thecurrent persecution of Islam will lead towardsthe renaissance of Islam. Muslims have to gothrough the current sufferings and chaos. Therenaissance of Islam is just around the corner.That’s the way I see this. May Allah bring peacefor everyone on earth. Amen.


QUESTION:CAN I GO TO MY CATHOLIC NEIGHBORS’ FUNERAL?

Answered by Najam A. Najmi, JD, Principal - Arbitrator, Mediators.He can be contact at [email protected].

By Mohammed KhakuThe Christmas holiday is coming upon us, withcolorful lights, joyful carols and people going tochurches to celebrate the birth of Jesus (ProphetIsa). It is well known, particularly in this holi-day season, that Christians follow the teachingof Jesus. What is less well understood is thatMuslims also love and revere Jesus as one ofGod's greatest messengers to mankind.

The personality of Jesus plays a central role inIslam. Muslims believe that God delivered theGospel — Injeel to Jesus, just as he did Ta'wratwith Moses and the Old Testament (Zabur) toDavid and the Koran to Prophet Muhammad. Itis critical for Muslims and non-Muslims to un-derstand that a person is not considered a Mus-lim unless he or she believes in Jesus, and Islamis the only religion that testifies to Christianity.

Islam also assigns a very high degree of respectto the mother of Jesus, Mary (Mariam). There isan exclusive chapter in the Koran on the motherof Jesus by the name of ''Sura-e-mariam.'' Thelife of Jesus Christ is a momentous event forChristians and non-Christians alike. JesusChrist's birthday is a signpost, and of all thegreat people born through the ages, imagine thatJesus is so important that his life divides timebetween B.C. and A.D.

Both Muslims and Christians can learn a lot fromChristmas. This annual celebration is the victoryof paganism over the religion of Jesus and no onedisputes that many of its symbols came fromthe pagan religions rather than the birth or teach-ing of Jesus Christ. The incorporation of thesepagan rituals with Christianity has taken a tollby corrupting the original Christian principles ofspirituality, simplicity, humbleness, kindness andgenerosity.

Christmas is an awesome time of year, but theirony is that Prophet Jesus and his teaching arebecoming more and more absent from the cel-ebrations. However, there is a positive side ofChristmas becoming increasingly secular. I thinkit's awesome that Christmas brings some of thegreatest truths of the gospel to light. If it werenot for the Christmas or Thanksgiving holidays,family relationships would be worse than theyare. In fact, these are the only times that manyfamilies make an attempt to mend broken rela-tionships.

In the fight to separate religion from schools andgovernment, I think the Christmas celebration is

Both Muslims and Christians CanLearn a lot From Christmas

a great victory to bring back spirituality to one'slife. I take pleasure in seeing the Gospel of Jesusdisplayed in public places. It is a shame to seethat ''Merry Christmas'' has given way to ''HappyHolidays'' or ''Seasons Greetings.'' The blamelies with commercialism, rather than with mili-tant Islam or Judaism. Denying the Christianityin Christmas celebrations helps no one. Actu-ally, we Muslims welcome having more of aChristian content, because at present it is moreof a shopping festival. Muslims do celebrateChristmas in our own way, by celebrating ourlove to this blessed baby and Messiah.

As the forces of hate in this country try to pullMuslims and Christians apart, we are in desper-ate need of a unifying force. That force could bethe message of love, peace and forgiveness taughtby Jesus and accepted by followers of both faiths.I think of a quotation: ''Jesus, Son of Mary, said:'The World is a bridge, pass over it, but build nohouses upon it. He, who hopes for a day, mayhope for eternity: but the World endures but anhour. Spend it in prayers, for the rest is unseen.'

This Persian calligraphy is arched and enscriptedat the entrance of the greatest piece of Muslimarchitecture, the mosque built by Emperor Akbar,at Fatepur Sikri, a few miles to the west of Agra,in northern India. Why is this Christian quota-tion given a center stage in a Muslim monument,and why would a Muslim emperor want to placesuch a phrase over the entrance to the mainMosques in his capital city?

This saying was circulated around the Muslimworld, from Spain to China. The Koran callsChristians the ''nearest in Love'' and instructsMuslims to ''dispute not with the people of thebook that is, the Jews and Christians.'' The rela-tionships between Islam and Christainity arecomplex and intricately woven. There were neverany conversions by swords, a myth much propa-gated in anti-Islamic literature. The AmericanMuslim community stands ready to honor thelegacy of building bridges of interfaith under-standing and challenging those who would di-vide our nation along religious or ethnic lines.

As Christmas approaches, I have to ask, why isJesus Christ's birth celebrated around the world,particularly in America, and yet his message ofpeace on earth and communal love is so silentlyignored?. Will the persecutions, greed, exploita-tion, oppression and injustice carry us into an-other year with a most un-Christ like persis-tence?

ANSWERWaAlaikum AsSalam:My sister, I thank you for your question - itshows your ardent desire to practice your Deencorrectly. May Allah The Almighty accept yourefforts. Answering your question, I take thisopportunity to respond in detail and share someof the orders of Allah and the Sunnah of theProphet (peace be upon him) that we ignore inour dealings with followers of other faiths, es-pecially our neighbors.

Islam is the religion of fairness, sympathy, kind-ness and mercy towards all. Our fair and kindbehavior towards people of all faith propagateswhat we genuinely believe in. When we reachout to convey the message of Qura’n and theSunnah of the Prophet (peace to be upon him)to others, we are ordered to use wisdom, per-sonal practice, and beautiful preaching with sin-cerity.

The glorious Qura’n in numerous ayat and thetraditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him)set the guidelines of character and behavior to-wards our neighbors regardless of their faith.Following are few references of such:In Surah At-Taubah (9:6), Allah The Almightysays; “And if any non-Muslim seek your pro-tection, then grant him (her) protection so thathe (she) may hear the Word of Allah (throughthe behavior of kindness of a Muslim) and thenescort him to where he (she) can be secure.”

In Surah An-Nisa (4:36), Allah The Almightysays; “Worship Allah and join none with Himin worship; and do good to parents, kinsfolk,orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near ofkin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the friendsby your side, the travelers you meet, and yourservants whom your right hands possess. Verily,Allah does not like such as are proud and boast-ful (who does not do these acts).”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim reportedthat Sayeda Ayesha (RA) and Sayedina AbdullahIbn Omar (RA) that the Prophet (peace be uponhim) said; “Jibrail (AS) kept reminding treat-ing neighbors with kindness until I thoughthe would assign (by orders of Allah) a share ofinheritance.”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim reportedthat Sayedina Abu Hurairah (RA) said that; theProphet (PBUH) said, “By Allah, he is not abeliever! By Allah, he is not a believer! By Al-lah, he is not a believer!” It was asked, “Who isthat, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet(peace be upon him) said; “One whose neigh-bor does not feel safe from his evil.”Saheeh Muslim narrated that the Prophet (peacebe upon him) said that; “He will not enter theparadise whose neighbor is not secure from hiswrongful conduct.”

Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim reportedfrom Sayedina Abu Hurairah (RA) and SayedinaAbu Shuraih Al-Khuzai’ (RA) that the Prophet(peace be upon him) said; “He who believes inAllah and the Last Day let him not harm hisneighbor; and he who believes in Allah andthe Last Day let him show hospitality to hisguest; and he who believes in Allah and the

Last Day let him speak good words or remainsilent.”

Saheeh AL-Bukhari reported that Sayeda Ayesha(RA) said; “I asked O’ Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him), I have two neighbors, towhich of them should I send a present?” Hereplied; to the one whose door is nearer to you.”Saheeh Al-Bukhari reported from Sayedina Anas(RA) that; “There was a Jewish boy who usedto serve the Prophet (peace be upon him). Theboy became sick, and the Prophet (peace be uponhim) visited him and sat by his head and askedhim to become a Muslim. The boy looked at hisfather, and the father said to him, “Obey AbuAl-Qasim (peace be upon him).” So the boybecame a Muslim.”

At-Tirmidhi reported by Sayedina Abdullah IbnOmar (RA) that the Prophet (peace be uponhim) said; “The best of companions with Allahis the one who is best to his companions, andthe best of neighbors to Allah is the one who isthe best to his neighbors.”

It is not permissible under any circumstanceswhatsoever, for a Muslim to mistreat a non-Muslim who is not hostile to him/her or his Deen.A Muslim is forbidden to commit aggressionagainst anyone, frighten, terrorize, cheat, stealor embezzle, deprive anyone’s rights, or deny atrust, etc.

A true Muslim honors promises, commitmentsand agreements made with everybody regard-less of faith. If a Muslim is given entry into anon-Muslim country; he/she must abide by thelaws of that country, must not commit any mis-chief nor betray, steal, kill or involve in any de-structive acts that could hurt or cause inconve-nience to innocent people, etc.

Regardless of the faith, the above references showsome of the rights our neighbors have over us.Hurting, troubling or not showing mercy to aneighbor is a serious offence that invites Allah’swrath.

My sister, Muslims are ordered to be kind toeveryone. Hence there is nothing for you to of-fer condolences to your neighbor for their loss,visit their house, send food, help them any whichway you can.

You need not to take part in their religious ritu-als of the viewing, signing, procession, praying,utter phrases, etc. However, you can go to yourneighbors’ funeral at their Church, and show yourgenuine kindness, sorrow, mercy and compas-sion, and offer condolences. Your care and con-cern will show your Muslim character and man-ner practiced by the Prophet (peace be uponhim).

I seek Almighty Allah’s forgiveness, mercy andprotection from all of my sins, misunderstand-ings and mistakes.

I leave you and your loved ones in the mercy,guidance and protection of Allah The Almighty.Thank you and WaSalamu Alaikum,Najam

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For Muslim Americans, New Years is often atime to give up harmful habits, second only toRamadan. We all have such habits of mind or ofbehavior. Improving the world starts with im-proving the self. And what to start with? Howabout our health? Without health it is hard toimprove other matters in our life. Whether im-proving our diet, nutrition, stress or exercise level,we can light a fire of willpower to get us throughthese dark days of winter into a healthier 2010.This week, a non-random survey of 408 Mus-lim New Yorkers, authored by Dr Sarah Sayeedand conducted as part of the Nafis Salam, Breathof Peace project, found that Turkish and Arabcommunity members reported highest rates ofsmoking, the lowest rates of attempts to quit inthe past year, and the greatest exposure to sec-ondary smoke from friends and family memberscombined. Arab–Muslim Americans represented21.3% in the sample. The study is being re-leased this week and will be found onwww.nafisslaam.org/survey.html

Despite outreach in mosque and religious events,almost 21 percent of Arab New Yorkers stillsmoked, and 56.9 percent said they had a familymember that smokes and 68.9 percent indicatedthey spent time with friends that smoke. Takentogether, this indicates a health emergency forsecond hand smoke exposure, possibly in partbecause of post 9/11 stress levels.

Adem Carroll of Muslim Consultative Network,noted that, “Second hand smoke is no laughingmatter. Experts report that young children whoare exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higherrisk of developing asthma, ear infections, andinfants are at a higher risk of SIDS (Sudden In-fant Death Syndrome). Instead of smoking, par-ents can designate homes and cars as Smoke FreeZones. As role models, parents should also behonest about the difficulties of quitting and ad-diction. Know your children’s friends. Teachthem not to be easily influenced by the tricks ofadvertising.”

2010: Healthy Community

Campaign Kick Off:Arab New Yorkers’ Health a Major Concern

Arab Americans and younger Muslims showedhigher rates of smoking shisha: 61% of thosequestioned in the survey thought it somewhator definitely encouraged cigarette smoking as a“gateway drug.” More attention needs to be paidto this disturbing trend and its dangers known.Using the opportunity of New Years, Nafis Sa-laam is currently promoting several differentQuitting methods: Some people quit smoking allat once the “Cold Turkey” method. You will feelit the first few days but it passes and you willfeel better than ever inshAllah. Some use nico-tine patches. Others set a quit date and thendecrease the number of cigarettes each day. Thiscan be difficult. You may want to cut back byone every three days.

As American Founding Father Benjamin Franklinsaid, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”Set goals and jot down the tools you will use tohelp quit smoking. Note important facts thatwill help you get past nicotine cravings. Start ajournal listing motivators, your reasons for quit-ting, positive affirmations and quotes, picturesof loved ones Prayer and Dikhr, exercise, juic-ing, sports and breathing techniques are greatways to help you stop smoking.

Resources – There are support groups out therebut if you cannot find one, start one! Your friends,your family, your mosque might all be great re-sources. Feel free to contact the American Can-cer Society Quitline 800-ACS-2345. You mayalso visit http://www.becomeanex.org/ or http://www.legacyforhealth.org.

Some current campaigns for parents are at http://www.parentsquitforgood.com/ and in addition,http://winningquitter.blogspot.com/ is an onlinesupport network for New Years quitters. NafisSalaam has collected existing Arabic language vid-eos atwww.muslimsagainstsmoking.wordpress.com

Apply for a Fellowship with the Muslim Public Service Network! MPSN inspires, educates, andtrains exceptional American Muslims in public service and civic engagement in order to contributemeaningfully to their community and their country.

Intern with the think-tank, NGO, or non-profit of your choice. Through the MPSN SummerFellowship Program, the current generation of American Muslims is emerging into the publicservice and public policy arenas. The Summer Internship Program is designed to bring AmericanMuslim students from diverse backgrounds to Washington, D.C. to live, study and work togetherwhile creating a cohesive network of talented American Muslims pursuing careers in publicservice and public policy. MPSN’s internship component is combined with a comprehensiveacademic curriculum, professional guest speakers, mentoring, community building and network-ing.

Gain valuable professional and personal experience. Live with fellow Muslims from around thenation. Spend your summer with like-minded individuals and help create the next chapter inAmerica’s History!

“Today, as we face an ongoing global recession, rising unemployment and foreclosure rates athome, and two wars overseas, I believe it is more important than ever that all Americans becomeinvolved in our democratic process. Through the Muslim Public Service Network, extremelytalented and motivated Muslim-Americans are stepping up to the challenge and using their deeprooted faith to make a difference in their communities, both in the United States and around theworld. I consider myself a proud friend of MPSN, not just because of their advocacy for Muslimsabroad, but for their advocacy on behalf OUR issues at home—domestic concerns like skyrock-eting health care costs, our degrading environment and growing poverty and homelessness. I lookforward to working with MPSN members to continue pushing these critical issues forward in the111th Congress.” -Congressman Andre Carson (D) Indiana’s 7th Congressional District

Apply Today! http://www.muslimpublicservice.org/apply2010.pdfVisit: http://www.muslimpublicservice.org/ for more information.View an MPSN slide show and check us out on Facebook!

Come find your place in theAmerican Muslim Narrative!

By Dina Rabie, IOL Staff"On my honor I will try to serve God and mycountry, to help people at all times and to liveby the girl's scout law," Mena recited the scoutpromise while raising three fingers of her righthand, the world-renowned scouting sign.

The 15-year-old Muslim girl from northern Vir-ginia has loved the experience ever since shejoined her Islamic center troops three years ago.

"You get to meet so many different people, youget so many opportunities you would not getotherwise," the hijab-clad girl toldIslamOnline.net with a bright smile as she stoodamong her fellow troops in the Cadette and Se-nior Girl Scouts in All Dulles Area Muslim Soci-ety (ADAMS).

"Like on my first year of scouting when I met[then] President Bush," she recalls, "there was asoft ball game at the White House and we werejoining the flag ceremony there."

Razia Sohail, the troop leader, says scouting isfinding an increasing interest as an activity forMuslim kids.

"It is becoming very popular, so many familiesask for their children to join the troops," shetold IOL.

Almost all big Islamic centers or mosques orga-nize scouting troops for their local communi-ties.

In ADAMS alone, there are more than 200 boysand girls scouts.

According to the Boy Scouts of America, Mus-lim scout troops have been increasing over thepast two years.

It says about 2,000 scoutsare enrolled in some 112troops through Islamicschools and mosques.

For Muslim girls scouts,their exact number is un-known especially thatmany of them join pre-dominantly non-Muslimtroops.

Compatible"I think Islamic principles can be very well in-corporated into scouting," Khan believes.

Many Muslim parents prefer scouting becausethe activity is very compatible with Islamicteachings.

"I think Islamic principles can be very well in-corporated into scouting," says Navid Khan, afather of three.

"The concept of scouting is a clean and whole-some activity. It teaches them to help others, dothe right thing, and be clean and courageous andhonest. I think this is what Islam is about."

Khan has his two daughters in the Junior ScoutTroops, and is waiting for his son, Adam, toturn 5 to join the Daizy Troops.

"I am planning to be a troop leader myself then."

Karima Shamma, a mother of two, says scoutinggives her kids the perfect environment and posi-tive examples to look up to.

"It gives them a sense of responsibility and getthem involved in community service. These are

all things that help them go through."

Karima disagrees with some who fear that scout-ing may interfere with their kids' Islamic up-bringing, especially fir girls.

"I was a girl scout myself while growing up, andI was even in a non-Muslim troop," recallsKarima, who has Egyptian origin but was bornand raised in the US.

She says that even if her daughter happened tosee an activity that does not relate to Islam dur-ing interaction with non-Muslim troops, it wouldbe a good educational chance for her.

"It would be a chance for her to have exposure tothat and ask why they do this, and it would bethen an opportunity for dialogue with her andtell her that this is how others believe and livetheir lives," reasons the Muslim mother.

"We live in the wider community anyway. Weare not a closed society, and our kids will haveexposure to this one way or another."

Although there are no official estimates, theUnited States is estimated to be home to 7-8million Muslims.

Inclusive"We are in America; this is our home and ourcountry," Ullah told IOL.

Saira, who has been ascout since kindergarten,likes interacting withother people, like whenher troop meets withnon-Muslim troops fromthe nearby Falls Churchcity at different events.

She also enjoys wearingher scout badge every-where she goes.

"It is always nice to tellpeople I am a scout," the 16-year-old who is in11th grade now told IOL.

Rahima Ullah, leader for Brownie Troops forsecond and third graders, says that activities likethe sleep-overs with non-Muslim troops offerchildren a chance to mingle with the bigger soci-ety.

"Scouting is about being inclusive and feelingthat everyone is welcome and included."

Ullah, who has been a scout leader for 4 years,believes scouting gives the kids an opportunityto celebrate being American Muslims.

She says mosques and Islamic centers probablyembrace scouting because it is one of the bestrecourses to emphasize this message.

"We are maintaining our Islamic traditions andtaking the best out of what we have here inAmerica," says Ullah.

"We are in America; this is our home and ourcountry. Why create something new when it isalready there?"

"It is always nice to tell people I am a scout,"Saira told IOL.

America's YoungMuslim Scouts


See many more events at www.TriStateMuslims.comSend or post your events! It’s FREE!

Eating EthnicEating EthnicEating EthnicEating EthnicEating EthnicIndian SweetIndian SweetIndian SweetIndian SweetIndian Sweet

LadooLadooLadooLadooLadoo1 cup Besan1 pinch Kesari1 pinch Cardamom powder1 tbsp Rice flour1 pinch Baking Powder1 tbsp Melon seeds1 tbsp Broken Cashew nut2 cups Oil Sugar1 cup Water

How to make boondi laddu:- Mix the flour, rice flour, baking powder and colour.- Make a smooth thick batter. Heat the oil. Take the batterand pour it over a sieve with round holes.- Tap it gently with a spoon so that small balls of dough fallinto the oil. Make the balls and keep aside. Heat the sugarand water till reaches 1/2 thread consistency.- Mix in the kesari melon seed and cardamom powder andfried boondies. When the mixture is still warm make intoballs. Bondi Ladoo are ready to be served- If the mixture cools balls cannot be made as the sugarcrystallizes.

Sisters In Islam MatrimonialPresents Singles Social

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Stretching is the act in which the body or anyparticular part of the body is extended to its fulllength with the intention of flexing the musclesand making the body flexible. Stretching is a partof our daily routine and we stretch a lot duringthe day while performing a number of activities.Our body should be flexible enough to stretchwhile performing our daily chores like bendingand picking up a book or standing on tiptoe toreach out for something which is kept on the topof the shelf.

Stretching is an easy exercise to perform since itinvolves the straightening of the structure of thelimbs. As we grow older, our muscles tightenand as a result our movements are not as easyand free as they are at a younger age. As a result,with the advancement of age our ability to bendand stretch is hindered and so is our ability tomove our joints to the fullest extent possible.Therefore, it is extremely essential to stretch ona regular basis, especially since it is so easy thatit can be incorporated as a part of our daily rou-tine. The act of stretching is used as a prepara-tion by athletes for performing more compli-cated and strenuous exercises and thereforeshould not be carried out for more than ten min-utes at the beginning of the practice session.

There are many health benefits of stretching andthey are listed as follows:

* Stretching is the best way to overcome mus-cular pains and problems as it greatly reducesthe muscle tension which arises due to the con-traction of muscle. If the muscles are not movedand are allowed to remain stationary for a longperiod of time they start decaying and thereforeresist movement. However, if they are subjectedto stretching exercises on a daily basis they re-main flexible and therefore active and healthy.

* One of the main health benefits of stretch-ing is that it contributes to the physical fitnessof the individual by causing the limbs and jointsto move in all the possible directions. Sincestretching involves extending the muscles to theirmaximum possible limit, daily performance ofthe stretching exercises results in an increase inthe length of the muscles and subsequentlybroadening of the range of movement.

* Daily stretching not only energizes the bodybut also makes the individual mentally alert andconfident of his ability to perform many differ-ent types of tasks. This in turn results in in-creased awareness about one’s body in terms ofits functions and capabilities.

* Among the various health benefits of stretch-ing the most important benefit is the healthyand active life style which an individual leadsdue to an enhancement in the range of movementand muscular coordination. This enables one tomove freely when required like running to catcha train, playing a sport or improving on the onewhich one plays on a regular basis.

* The health benefits of stretching exerciseslike yoga result in the reduction of the choles-terol levels within the body and when combinedwith a healthy diet it could greatly reduce theprobability of heart diseases and coronary block-ages. * Stretching helps the muscles and tendons toremain in good working order as a result of whichthey remain flexible and are capable

* of performing more exhaustive and rigorousmovements without sustaining any injuries.Regular stretching exercises also ensure that ifthe muscles do get injured, their excellent physi-cal condition makes them resilient due to whichtheir recovery is faster and with relatively lesseramount of pain.

* Stretching results in increased circulation ofblood to various parts of the body thus improv-ing the over all health of an individual.

It is a time less belief that if you are kind to yourmuscles, then your muscles will also be kind toyou. Therefore exercising our muscles in a waywhich comes naturally to all of us evidently im-parts an excellent feeling of being alive. This isthe reason why stretching should be incorpo-rated as a part of our daily routines so that wecan enjoy the fruits of an active life-style evenduring our old age.

Health Benefits of Stretching

WHERE?WHAT?

“The number of months in the sight of Allah istwelve (in a year)-so ordained by Him the dayHe created the heavens and the earth; of themfour are sacred: that is the upright religion. Sowrong not yourselves therein...” (Holy Qur’an9:36)

Alhamdulillah. We thank Allah, Who has grantedus yet another year of life, and pray to Him fora year of even firmer faith and resolve. The newJulian calendar year has occurred within themonth of our Islamic Hijri Calendar. By the timeyou read this it will be a new year of opportu-nity for all peoples.

Hopefully, many of us fasted on Ashura - the10th day of Muharram. Several days of that firstsacred month of our calendar still remain. Allahhas ordained Muharram as well as the months ofDhul-Qi’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Rajab as sacredmonths and commanded us “...so wrong notyourselves therein”.

Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him)taught us that the sacred months were singledout by Allah, The Sublime, so much so that sinis more serious in them and good deeds are mul-tiplied. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be uponhim) declared Muharram to be the best monthfor fasting after Ramadan. These are months forthe building of spiritual power.

Throughout the globe, Muslims are engaged,along with the rest of humanity, in a struggle fora better quality of life. Our struggle for freedom,justice, and equality is further framed within ourordained mission as witnesses unto mankind,even as the Prophet (peace be upon him) wasordained as a witness for us (Qur’an 22:78).

Actualization of this divinely inspired witness

will take tremendous faith - the quality of whichcan only be refined through prayer, fasting, andupright living. We must strengthen our resolveto right ourselves and our practice of Allah’sdeen by increasing our Islamic knowledge, andintensifying our efforts at Tazkiyyatun-Nafs(purification of the soul); that our struggle mightbe more blessed and effective during this age offitna (turmoil, struggle and strife). Let us obeyThe Master of the Day of Judgement (Glory beto Him), by striving sincerely not to wrong our-selves nor each other in word or deed as mem-bers of the Ummahof Muhammad(peace be uponhim); especiallyduring the sacredmonths.

We ask Allah tocontinue to mouldMANA into a ve-hicle for the real-ization of the estab-lishment of Hisdeen on thegrassroots level -for the sake of boththe present and future generations. We beg TheCreator of the heavens and the earth for humil-ity, firm resolve, wisdom, patient perseverance,and the strength and courage to be loving andcompassionate towards each other, and power-ful against His enemies and those of His Mes-senger; even as we rely upon the infinite mercyand forgiveness of our Rabb, amin.Let us stand strong as we forge ahead, united infaith!Imam El Hajj Talib ‘Abdur-RashidMANA, Deputy Amir

Islamic Games 2010 Crossroad South & NorthSchools, So. Brunswick,

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May 29-31‘10So. Brunswick, NJ

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YMCA Wellness Ctr395 Main St

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Muttaqeen Presents Skiing atShawnee Mountain

Skiing @ ShawneeMountain

Contact: 267-290-7827 [email protected]

Jan 30 ‘10

New Year’s Reslove for 1431 A.H.

january 5 2010

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