Muslim Voice May 2011

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Islam is spreading among Latinos in Arizona Muslim Voice

Since 9/11 interest in Islam has spurred. Many became interested in what is Islam and what it stands for.

Some learned about the foundations of Islam and made a choice to make it their way of life. Americans from all walks of life visited local Mosques, met with local Muslims and attended classes on the basics of Islam.

Poll: Do you believe born Muslims take their faith for granted?

Yes

We met with three Latina Muslim women who accepted Islam at different stages in their lives and had a chance to ask them a few questions.

No

Last month’s results: Do you fear backlash from the Congressional hearing raising fear of radicalization among American Muslims?

Yes 37.5% • No 62.5%

Vote on www.azmuslimvoice.com Jasser needs to respect the American Constitution

3

Chandria Sprague, “I have been Muslim for seven years. I became Muslim when she had a Muslim coworker who was fasting Ramadan. I read the Quran and I decided to accept Islam. My family reacted quite well and very supportive. They were hesitant at the beginning because of what they hear on the news. In the last seven years it has been a learning experience. The first six years were very hard to change my behavior from how I grew up. In the last year it has been easier.

Meeting other converts and finding a masjid open to converts made it easier.

At the beginning I didn’t

Among those who accepted Islam are Hispanics or Latinos whom mostly either came from Mexico or born to at least one Latino parent. Latino is a term given to those who come from Latin America, central and south America.

This segment of Latino Muslims is growing in our Muslim community and becoming more visible.

Tariq Ramadan Speaks at the UA

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5

have the greatest mentor and it was a rough life. I plan to learn Arabic to be able to read the Quran.

This year with the politics I learned to speak out more.

The Quran played a role in learning the basics of Islam. I was self motivated to learn about mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and to help the needy.

Since I became a Muslim I did retain my Americanism and patriotism while a Muslim. A Muslim should retain parts of their culture but draw the line between culture and Islam.

I think born Muslims take for granted the beauty converts find in Islam and they get lost in culture, family and tradition.”

Lorena Porter works for an IT company. “I have been a Muslim for two and half years. I learned Continued on page 2

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Polygamy in Islam: The Forgotten Sunnah

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TERMS USED IN THIS PAPER Alhamdulilah: Praise God Allah: Arabic word for God Fatwa: Islamic decision based on Shari’a Hadith: Sayings of the Prophet Mohammad Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca Halal: Allowed in Islam Halaqa: Group study Haram: Prohibited in Islam Hijab: Head cover for women Hijra: Migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Madina Imam: Islamic scholar Iman: Faith Inshallah: God willing Madina: City near Mecca in Saudia Arabia Masjid: Place were Muslims gather for prayer and studies Mecca: City in Saudi Arabia where Prophet Mohammad was born Pbuh: Peace be upon him Quran: Islam’s Holy book Shahadah: Is saying “I accept Allah as the one God and Mohammad as his messenger” when someone accepts Islam.

Sharia’: Islamic law Shura: A council of Muslim scholars (SWT) Subhanahu Watala: Praise be to Allah Taqwa: God consciousness

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Continued from page 1

Islam is spreading among Latinos in Arizona

about Islam from friends. When I learned the ICC in Tempe have classes I decided to join the classes to learn about Islam. I was self motivated to learn the religion. I found a circle of friends to learn from. I was raised as a Catholic but it was the values in Islam I could relate to. My family always knew that I like to learn about new things so when I told them that I converted to Islam it was not very shocking to them. My experience as a Muslim was different. At the beginning, I felt under pressure but it got easier over the years. Since then, it has been a positive experience. The Mosque played a good role with different activities to learn the religion. My advice to someone who is interested in Islam is not be afraid to seek knowledge. If it is right for you then you will feel it is right for you. I’m looking for continuing my knowledge and making a it a natural part of my day. I spend a lot of time

with convert Muslims and we get together on a weekly basis to learn and develop our relationships.”

Jessica Pena, works as an operational manager. “I’ve been a Muslim for couple of months. I learned about Islam when I started reading on Islam about seven months ago. I was looking for something different. I was born Catholic. I was reading a book but kept stopping every time I read parts of it. I knew a change was coming but the more I learned the more I want to know. My family was supportive for the most part when I was learning about Islam. When I converted my mother was not very happy but the more I explained to her the more she accepted it. My conversion did have some affects in my personal life but people around me knew who I was.

Only one friendship ended when my friend saw me wearing the Hijab. The support group around me was very welcoming and very supportive. This support group consists of women

from different Mosques who come together. My oldest daughter had a tough time when I accepted Islam but my younger one she took it better.

Later, when she learned more about Islam she became more receptive.

My younger daughter is already a Muslim.”

According to Imam Ahmad Shqeirat of the Islamic Community Center in Tempe Latino converts make more than half of the total number of converts that come to his Mosque lately. Some of them come prepared to accept Islam and some need more help to learn more before they accept it. Imam Shqeirat says that they have a class called “Fundamentals of Islam” for converts in general once a week which consist of a number of lessons over a four month period to teach and prepare new Muslims.

When asked whether Latino converts are immigrants or native he said that they mostly are born and raised in the US.

EDITOR IN CHIEF MARWAN AHMAD editor@azmuslimvoice.com COMMUNITY EDITOR JANAN ATIYEH CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sumbal Akhter • Mohamud Shalab • Fathiyyah Bashshar • Ahmad Daniels • Dana Saleh • Yousef Ahmad • Hasan Mostofo

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Jasser needs to respect the American Constitution Marwan Ahmad Muslim Voice The debate that was organized and orchestrated by Scottsdale Community College on the 19th of last month between Imam Ahmad Shqeirat and Dr. Zuhdi Jasser in the Turquoise room received a lot of attention from Muslims and non-Muslims alike. While Jasser wanted to make a point of his views on Islam, Imam Shqeirat was invited to replace Anas Helayhel, Chairman of CAIR-AZ who withdrew their participation at the debate one week before it was scheduled.

The debate was titled “Does Islam need reform, if so, how?” Imam Shqeirat told the two hundred plus attendees that the answer is yes and not depending on whom, how and what and it needs reform under certain conditions while Jasser wants to have an American style reform.

Jasser wants to forgo with the concept of “Ummah” which means nation in Islam. He thinks that Muslims in America should not organize under Islam; they are “Americans who happen to be Muslims”. Jasser wants Muslims to forgo of one of the fundamental American values that is guaranteed and protected by the Constitution which is the right to worship and assemble. The first Amendment to the Constitution says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” It gives the right to practice religion and groups have a right to assemble. It gave this right to all without exclusion.

Jasser also believes if Prophet Muhammad was alive today he would not be an “Islamist” and he would ask Muslims to adhere first and foremost to the American Values and not engage Islam into politics.

Jasser forgot that other religious groups, Christian, Jews, and Hindus are engaged in the American politics, yet he doesn’t want

Muslims to do the same. This is also taking away a fundamental right to Muslims that is guaranteed by the constitution.

This doesn’t mean forcing others to accept religious values but a right to act as a group that has similar values while respecting others’ beliefs and values.

Jasser wants Imams to have PhDs in social sciences, philosophy and other subjects as Western principles before they study Islam. While I agree that learning and knowledge is essential to broadening ones understanding of the world, it is the Imams choice like everyone else what knowledge to seek.

organizational structures which in his words mean they are Islamists. Mr. Jasser wants to deny Muslims another right under the constitution which is the right to peacefully assemble. He doesn’t criticize groups that have Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindus or others for naming their organizations as such but he wants to

The forefathers of this great country came up with our Constitution that guarantees all the rights we enjoy today based on their life and conditions present at that time.

They didn’t have to study Asian, African or Latin philosophy to write the constitution.

It was derived from their own knowledge and experiences.

When America was fighting to abolish slavery less than two hundred years ago, Islam did fourteen hundred years ago.

When we the West were trying to give women equal rights, Islam gave women rights to inheritance, work, education, ownership, divorce and more than fourteen hundred years ago. If Jasser would argue that Muslims are not practicing Islam accurately based on its original text I would have agreed with him. However, Jasser is attacking principals of Islam and wants Muslims to adapt Western values blindly when the West itself is still working on issues of equality, immigrant’s rights and economic development of its own people.

Jasser mentioned in his speech that democracy is not the rule of the 50 plus one which would mean the rule of the mob or “monopoly” like he called it. This is yet again another violation of our constitution that gives the power to the majority to rule while protecting the rights of others. Mr. Jasser can’t be using American values at his own discretion when it appeases him.

Jasser doesn’t want Muslims to use the words Islam or Muslims in their

From left: Imam Shqeirat, Zuhdi Jassere deny Muslims such equivocal right.

He even gave himself the right to say that the majority of Muslims came to this country to get away from groups that have Islam or Muslim in their name. How does Jasser know this “fact”? Where is the study or research that supports this claim? He is neither logical nor scientific in his findings.

Mr. Jasser thinks that the government should not mandate morality and he gave an example of alcohol consumption. He thinks if its prohibited people would want it more. Let’s apply the same principle on prostitution, pornography, drugs, child abuse, child molestation, lying in court, killing, incest, and the list goes on and on. If America lives according to Jasser’s principles then we will be living in the dark ages again in a land of no morality.

If government doesn’t apply morality to society so who is going to enforce morality and by who’s standards? If we let morality be applied only by religion and enforced

by Church, Mosque or Synagogue then we will have many standards which will lead to conflicts.

At the end he defended his position on Governor Napolitano’s visit to Eid “Celebration” in 2004. He said that he did not blame the Governor but he blames the opportunist Islamists for exploiting the Governor. In February 2nd, 2004 Jasser wrote an op-ed and said “Just because the political opportunity presents itself, does that make it mutually appropriate?” In that same article he calls the Governor “Well intended” as if the Governor is a naive politician who was dragged into attending this gathering. Jasser seems to always find a way to attack Muslims and Islam, but he doesn’t have the audacity to criticize non-Muslims who he might view as superiors to him.

Jasser has a clear and direct agenda which is to find what he claims to be faults in Islam and Muslims that don’t comply with Western values. Yet, he failed to defend Muslims or Islam in any occasion.

He wants to put American-Muslims and America at a conflict and confrontation.

He wants to create fear of Muslims in this country. Even though, Muslims have fought and defended this country for many decades, yet he doesn’t think there are better American-Muslims than him.

Mr. Jasser you are not the only one who loves this country for what it gave us. You are not the only Muslim who served in its Navy. You are not more sincere than other Muslims. If you claim to be an American first then a Muslim then you need to adhere to American values and its constitution.

You can’t take away our rights as American-Muslims and give yourself and others the same rights. You are not more American than other Americans. You are one American who can enjoy the freedom and equality and practice of religion that the forefathers of this country allowed us to enjoy. Don’t preach American values and violate them at the same time. This country was built by the diverse communities to live side by side respecting one another and enjoying the constitutional rights given to us as equal citizens.

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Arizona Welcomes Official Tea Party Flag Colorlines, News Report

As Arizona’s legislative season wraps up and folks survey this year’s damage, it wasn’t all relief and the return of common sense.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law a bill that welcomed the Gadsden flag, the unofficial tea partiers’ flag with the angry coiled snake sitting atop the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me,” among other flags that homeowners associations may not restrict the display of in residential areas. With this new law, the Gadsden flag will join the same protections that the American and Arizona state flags, the flags of any branch of the military and the flags of any Indian nation currently have.

“Many people in this state live under the rule of homeowners’ associations,” Alessandra Soler Meetze, executive director of the ACLU of Arizona

Arizona to Allow Guns on Campus

told Fox News last year, after Arizona resident Andy McDonel was told to take his Gadsden flag down off his house. “But HOAs don’t have the power to hijack Arizonans’ free speech rights. The Arizona Legislature recognized the importance of protecting the right to free expression, which is why they passed the law allowing individuals to fly American flags and those of the armed forces.”

The ACLU defended McDonel’s right to fly his Gadsden flag. And McDonel insisted that the flag is simply an expression of his American patriotism.

“This falls under a military service flag,” McDonel told Fox. “I think they’re associating it with a political movement going on right now. The history and the significance of the flag far supersedes any political movement that’s going on.”

This week, he won the right to fly his Gadsden flag freely.

Court Upholds Injunction on Parts of AZ Immigration Law Al Día, News Report The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a lower court’s decision to block implementation of key provisions of Arizona’s anti-immigration law SB 1070. The court turned down an appeal filed by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, who had asked the court to lift an injunction imposed by a federal judge.

The Root, News Report

it will allow students to protect themselves.

A proposal to let people have guns while driving or walking through state universities and community college campuses cleared its final hurdle in the Arizona Legislature on Thursday, The Root reports. The House passed the bill on a 33-24 vote, which will send it to Gov. Jan Brewer.

If guns aren’t allowed in campus buildings, how will students, faculty and administrators protect themselves inside of the buildings which is where most campus shootings happen? Sounds like flawed logic to The Root. “If the assassination attempt on Gabrielle Giffords and the murder of six others by a young person isn’t enough of an indicator of what might happen, then we don’t know what is,” Nsenga Burton writes.

“Perhaps if legislators were privy to the many psychological problems and medications that students are on today, then they might sing a different tune. Sadly, we think they’ll find out just how bad of an idea this measure is -- and sooner rather than later.”

The Senate previously approved the measure, after watering it down to no longer allow guns inside campus buildings. But the bill still sparked sharp debate before Thursday’s vote in the House. Some legislators think it’s a bad idea because of the extreme “highs and lows” that students experience due to college life i.e. grades, relationships, while others believe that

Arizona’s SB 1070, which went into effect in July without several of its key provisions, would require police to check people’s immigration status when enforcing other laws. The U.S Justice Department is suing to block the law, arguing that it is unconstitutional because immigration enforcement is a federal matter.

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Tariq Ramadan Speaks at the UA

By Amer Taleb Muslim Voice Tariq Ramadan, a professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University whose ban from entering the United States was lifted a little over a year ago, spoke at the South Ballroom in the Student Union Wednesday night.

It’s a story the band of hardworking volunteers has heard before.

The Arizona Republic reports that 1,000 people without insurance have been screened for cancer with mammograms and prostate exams thanks to the foundation.

“Something is happening”, Ramadan said of the region, “and it will never be the same.”

Ramadan, 48, distanced himself from coming across as someone carrying the solutions to the still unraveling and violent scenarios. “I don’t have all the answers… but I am raising questions, which I still have a lot of.”

Ramadan continued by talking about the role of social media in the region’s revolutions, the complex political agendas at play and how the “U.S. is misleading the world” about Political Islam’s role in the anarchy and called it “Propaganda to keep power in the hands of the dictators.”

He ended his lecture by advising the audience to be “optimistic but cautious” about the “unfinished and unachieved revolutions” and to be persistent in questioning “Your government to the consistency of its polices when it comes to its values.” He warned

that continued support of Arab dictators by American politicians could be disastrous and “In the long run you might lose everything.

Everything!”

The lecture, which started at 6:45 and ended at 7:45, was followed by a 50-minute Q&A session, Ramadan being presented with a certificate as a “Distinguished Speaker” and a book signing.

Ramadan, who holds an MA in Philosophy and French literature as well as a PhD in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Geneva, is considered to be a polarizing figure and has engaged in highly acclaimed debates with Christopher Hitchens, the late Sir Bernard Crick and the current President of France, Nicholas Sarkozy among many others.

Amer Taleb is a freshman majoring in journalism at the University of Arizona. He can be reached at findamer@hotmail.com.

Thank you.

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His lecture, which was sponsored by the Middle East and North Africa Graduate Student Association, focused on the different elements at play in the Middle East’s recent uprisings that he says will determine the eventual and unpredictable outcome of the area.

Speaking in a dimly lit room without an unused seat in sight, Ramadan focused his lecture on three points that he says are being kept out of the global discussion. The region’s economic dimensions, the mass movement’s lack of anti-West slogans and the rebels inability to name their list of demands and establish leadership.

MAY 2011

The group raises money through donations, grants and fundraisers.

The foundation also works with physicians and health agencies to provide follow-up care, and it’s soon expanding to provide screening for skin cancer. Five out of 25 men at one prostate screening went on to get biopsies.

The foundation has no paid staff and no office. So with no overhead, the funds directly help patients.

There is only the cost of a cell phone that volunteers answer. ``It sounds disorganized, but we accomplish amazing things,’’ said Paula Wirth, a former board president who survived a bout with a rare, aggressive cancer. ``We know the struggles,’’ Wirth said. ``Some of us are cancer survivors and we know the disease itself, but add on to that, these folks don’t have insurance and ... it would be overwhelming. When I was going through mine, I can’t imagine having to pay for things in

addition to getting well.’’

Since the economy soured, fundraising has been difficult, and the need is greater since so many people have lost jobs and health insurance.

Still, the foundation raises $50,000 a year, ``and we pretty much spend it,’’ Wirth said.

The group also has an endowment of more than $100,000. The organization began on a shoestring 14 years ago, crafted by four women in a service organization, Soroptimist International of the San Tans.

The founding president was Carole Weishaar of Mesa, who had survived late-stage ovarian cancer.

She led the group for five years and is still active. ``What I need to do is make my life count,’’ Weishaar said. ``I need to do something to give back for the life I got back.’’

The first physician to sign on to help the foundation was Edgar Hernandez, who is still the group’s chief medical adviser.

Hernandez, who several years ago was chief of staff, chief of surgery and a board member at Chandler Regional Medical Center, praises the foundation volunteers. ``You should see the energy these women have,’’ he said. ``They’re so limited in how much they can do, but to look at them work so hard for people that have nothing, I could never say no to them.’’

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Despite Latest Ruling, Immigrants Still Besieged in Arizona New America Media, News Report, Valeria Fernandez

PHOENIX, Ariz.—The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday upheld a federal judge’s decision to temporarily suspend key parts of Arizona’s SB1070, the law that making it a state crime to be an undocumented immigrant. The ruling is being celebrated by pro-immigration groups, but it offers little relief to immigrants.

intended.

Lydia Guzmán, president of Respect/Respeto, an organization that documents human and civil rights violations, described the decision as “a victory in court, but not a victory on the streets.”

“Police officers are still stopping people and taking them to immigration, and they are still being deported,” she said.

Cordero, a member of the PUENTE Movement, an organization that has funded over 30 neighborhood

“Everything remains the same,” said Raúl Cordero, an immigrant from Mexico and member of a Neighborhood Defense Committee in Phoenix. “There are still police officers out there that are implementing this law at their discretion,” he added.

Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, signed SB 1070 into law on April 23, 2010. The U.S. Department of Justice subsequently filed a lawsuit arguing that SB 1070 was pre-empted by federal law. And on July 28 of last year, four provisions of the legislation were prohibited from taking effect by Federal Judge Susan Bolton. Gov. Brewer appealed Bolton’s decision, only to lose by twoto-one in the Ninth Circuit Court.

One of the law’s suspended provisions, now upheld on appeal, would require police officers to determine the immigration status of a person they come into contact with based solely on the officer’s suspicion that the person is in the United States illegally. Another provision would make it a crime for people not to carry immigration documents to prove their legal status.

The other suspended provisions would allow police to arrest a person they suspect of being in the country illegally, and would criminalize undocumented immigrants who apply for a job or are employed.

“The question before us is not, as Arizona has portrayed, whether state and local law enforcement officials can apply the statute in a constitutional way,” says the appeals court decision ruling. “There can be no constitutional application of a statute that, on its face, conflicts with congressional intent and therefore is preempted by the Supremacy Clause.”

That is, the court found that Arizona lawmakers couldn’t reinterpret federal laws beyond what Congress

review of the decision by the three-panel judge by the full Ninth Circuit Court. Most rulings are rendered by three-judge panels, but in some cases contested decisions are adjudicated by all 29 judges on the Ninth Circuit.

“I remain steadfast in my belief that Arizona and other states have a sovereign right and obligation to protect their citizens and enforce immigration law in accordance with federal statutes,” said Brewer, in an official statement. “Monday’s decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Judge Bolton’s suspension of key provisions of SB 1070 does harm to the safety and well-being of Arizonans who suffer the negative effects of illegal immigration.”

SB 1070 has prompted lawmakers in Georgia, Florida and Alabama to consider enacting similar legislation.

“The decision should serve as a warning sign to other states that are considering whether or not to replicate Arizona’s SB 1070,” said Chris Newman, legal counsel for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

organizing groups in Phoenix, receives daily phone calls from family members of people who were pulled over for no reason or for minor traffic infractions.

“Since this law was signed, it was like they stabbed the immigrant community with a 10-inch knife,” said Cordero. The Bolton ruling pulled the knife out five inches, but we are still wounded.”

The Ninth Circuit Court’s decision, however, goes “beyond the arguments made by the Department of Justice,” said Dan Pochoda, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Arizona, one of the parties with pending litigation against SB 1070.

Pochoda explained, “(The appeals court) stated strongly that there’s no inherent authority for local law enforcement to enforce a federal, civil immigration law.” Reactionary anti-immigrant groups, he said, have argued that the state didn’t need SB 1070 to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.

Gov. Brewer said she is considering appealing Tuesday’s decision to the U.S. Supreme Court or asking for full

Luis Avila, president of the pro-immigrant Coalition Somos America, warned that SB 1070 does not represent the beginning and end of anti-immigrant law. Despite the recent defeat of five anti-immigrant laws in the State Senate, dozens of others are still under consideration in Arizona.

“There are huge implications for the passage of SB 1070. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been lost in the state due to passage of this law,” Avila said. Some studies estimate Arizona has lost close to $140 million in revenues connected to industries that thrive from tourism and state conventions, because of the impact of an SB 1070-inspired economic boycott of Arizona.

Avila said that the appeals court ruling is “a sign that our judicial system is defending the constitutionality of laws,” but that it doesn’t offer relief for those already affected.

In addition to the local and domestic organizations officially opposed to SB 1070, a number of foreign governments filed opinions with the court to express their disapproval of SB 1070. Among them are the governments of México, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru.

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France’s New Draconian Law Muslim Voice

schools every morning ordering Muslim girls to take off their head scarf or else.

By Mohammed Alzaidi, Esq. On April 11th France banned the wearing of full veils in public places, becoming the first country in Europe to impose restrictions on a form of attire that some Muslims consider a religious obligation. The new law makes it a misdemeanor to wear the veils in public, punishable by a $210 fine and / or a civic training to teach the criminal the need to show her face.

The French president , Mr. Sarkozy , stated that Muslim women who wear the veils are not welcome in France.The new draconian law which stigmatize and single out one gender of one religion is a continuation of the French government - enforced bigotry against French Muslims that have been taken place for the past three decades. Many Muslim girls had been banned and expelled from public schools through out France for wearing the head scarf . France passed a law back in 2004 banning the wearing of head scarf in public school, making the head teachers of French schools the head scarf police, where they stand at the gates of their

The rationale the French Prime Minster gave for the veil law is that women who hide their faces wear a badge of inferiority that is “ incompatible with the principles of liberty , equality and human dignity, affirmed by the French Republic “. The Prime Minster seems to think that by forcing a woman to show her face will make her more equal . And, the French government who brags about the liberty and equality of the French republic has forgotten that a free society does not tell its citizens what to wear.

In the debate leading to the implementation of the new law, the Council of State, France’s top administrative authority warned that such ban on the veil have no “incontestable judicial basis “ and could be thrown out by courts. Senior legal authority in France warned Sarkozy that the law my be unconstitutional. But despite all the warnings Mr. Sarkozy went ahead and introduced the law. He will not let the constitution stands in his way to criminalize Muslim women for what they wear and his cynical attack on Islam that will surely encourage Muslim- bashing through out Europe.

Muslims count for about six million , a tenth of the French population, but only very few wear the veil.

7

According to the government there are fewer than 2000 women in France who wear the veil, and many of them are French women who converted to Islam.

The french government claims that women are forced to wear the veil. But a study conducted by the Open Society Foundation, a nongovernmental organization found out that non of the 32 women from across France which they interviewed was forced to wear the veil, and 10 said that they started wearing the veil as a response to the new law. Eight out of the 32 were French women who converted to Islam. The study indicated that contrary to the stereotype of Muslim women who wear the veil, the majority of them are like any French woman with active social lives, working attending classes, seeing friends, eating out and actively engaging in local activities. The study reveals that since the debate on the veil law began back in 2010 a large number of the women have experienced verbal and sometimes physical abuse.

The French new draconian law banning the wearing of veil in public is nothing more than a government- enforced bigotry against Muslim women. It is a violation of human rights and more specifically women rights that should outrage women all over the world. The French need to remember that punishing a few women who want to hide their faces in public when their conduct poses no danger to the public violates the basic tenet of life in a free society.

A Tale of Wise Men, an Elephant and Jasser and Shqeirat Muslim Voice

By Ahmad Daniels Once upon a time, there were six wise men that lived in a small town. The six wise men were blind.

One day, an elephant was brought to the town. The six men wanted to see the elephant but how could they?

“I know,” said the first man. “We will feel him!”

“Good idea,” said the others. “Then we will know what an elephant looks like.”

So the six men went to see the elephant.

The first one touched the elephant’s big flat ear. He felt it move slowly back and forth. “The elephant is like a fan,” the first man cried.

The second man felt the elephant’s legs.

“He’s like a tree.” He cried.

“You’re both wrong, said the third man.

“The elephant is like a rope.” This man was feeling the elephant’s tail.

Just then the fourth man pricked his hand on the elephant’s sharp tusk. “The elephant is like a spear,” he cried.

“No, no,” cried the fifth man. “He is like a high wall.” As he spoke he felt the elephant’s side.

“You’re wrong!”

you did not see the debate. Both men were adamant that they and they alone had a monopoly on the truth. It was as if their egos were some how intertwined with what they were saying and to budge an inch from ones’ position would constitute an ignominious defeat. The six blind men could use their inability to see as an excuse for their errors in judging the physical appearance of an elephant. To what can the “blindness” of both Zuhdi and Ahmad be attributed?

“I’m right!”

Others in history

The six blind men shouted at each other for an hour. And they never found out what an elephant was like.

History is replete with intelligent men who believed it was “their way or no way.” Dr. Booker T. Washington and Dr. William E.B. DuBois were two brilliant African Americans whose contributions began to be realized during the early 20th century. Yet, because of their contrasting views on how Blacks should address issues of racism/white supremacy, opportunities were missed to have these great giants sit down at the table together and collectively address the issues of the day.

The sixth man was holding the elephant’s trunk. “You are all wrong,” he said. “The elephant is like a snake.”

“No, no, like a rope.”

“Snake!”

“Wall!”

On April 19, 2011, Dr Zuhdi Jasser and Imam Ahmad Shqeirat squared off to debate “Does Islam Need Reform, and if So, How?” And while it was not their first time going head-to-head, it was a clear example of how these two “wise men” both continue to rant and rave about how they see this or that aspect of their faith in a way that is greatly reminiscent of the six wise men story above.

Look but do not see “But the wise men were blind,” you retort, “and Zuhdi and Ahmad can see.”

If this is your position than it is obvious

Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. and Minister Malcolm X is yet another example of enormous talents failing to put their personal agenda aside for the benefit of those whom they both professed to speak for. King believed integration

would bring freedom for Blacks and Malcolm for some time espoused the idea of separation. Yet it was Malcolm X who maintained the necessity of not confusing objectives (take the hill) with goals (win the war). Both Malcolm X and Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. wanted selfdetermination for Blacks and yet had different ways of achieving it based on how their own life experiences and perception of reality. Such can be said for Dr. William E. B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington and most indubitably for Dr. Jasser and Imam Shqeirat.

Both men, irrespective of how they are presently seen and critiqued, have a great deal to offer the Muslim community in particular and humanity in general. The life journey of both men have equipped them with a unique skill set that can be of benefit to those for whom they profess to speak. The question is whether they both want to be right or do they want results? Only time will tell if they are indeed a modern version…a 4.0 if you will…of the six blind men who missed a grand opportunity to bring together their individual experiences in a nonblaming, non-finger pointing, non-name calling manner and begin the job the community and indeed the world is waiting for them to perform.

To your journey!

How the Democratic Movement can benefit Somalia By: Mohamud Shalab There are many different forms of governments from dictatorship to democracy. So far, there hasn’t been one perfect system yet; however democracy has been proven to work a lot better than other forms of governments. That is one of the many reasons why democracy would be much more appropriate for other nations as well.

Most Middle Eastern countries are ruled under a Monarchy. Although the monarchy system in most countries is constitutional, Saudi Arabia for example is still governed under an absolute monarchy. The difference between a constitutional and an absolute monarchy is that the king or queen in an absolute monarchy have complete power over the state as well as the government, while in a constitutional monarchy the king or queen has limited authority since there is a parliament that they govern alongside with. An absolute monarchy in many ways can be considered a form of dictatorship the only difference would be that monarch leaders

were born into the position whereas dictators sometimes come into power forcefully.

Dictatorship has proven itself to be one of the most disastrous forms of governments yet. Cuba, Libya, North Korea and Egypt are just some of the countries that have been and still are victims to dictators. Egypt’s leader Hosni Mubarak just recently stepped down from leadership as of February 11th 2011. The protests which led to the removal of their dictator showed other countries a non violent way of dealing with the issue. The people of Libya soon followed suit and are now in the midst of a civil war between pro Qadaffi forces and those that want to remove him from leadership.

Unfortunately Libya is still struggling to this day. It took Egypt a long time to come to a point where they could protest against their leader and it worked in their favor. Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt for almost 30 years. He was elected president on October 14th, 1981. Egypt experienced three decades of tyranny while under the control of President Mubarak. He has ordered many innocent civilians to torture and death.

The demonstrations lasted 18 days before Hosni Mubarak resigned. It

was through social networks such as twitter and facebook that thousands of people supported the Egyptian revolution. It was truly inspiring to see what could be accomplished when the nation stands as one. It was a lesson and a wake-up call for similar regimes.

In 1969 Muammar Al-Qaddafi overthrew the monarchy and has been the ruler of Libya since then. What he and Mubarak have in common is that they both had an uncontested rise to power. Libya’s opposition to their government rose when they saw the success the protests had in the neighboring countries such as Egypt and Tunisia. On February 17th, a country wide protest began opposing Qaddafi’s rule. In an act to gain back control over the protest Qaddafi, began to use force against protesters. This only provoked more people to join the opposing force. Shortly after February 17th cities were getting taken over by protesters completely cutting off Qaddafi’s rule. Soon large numbers of military members and government officials renounced their loyalty to Qaddafi and joined the opposition. The protest still continues to this day and since then thousands of people have been killed.

It has been said that Qaddafi has hired

African Mercenaries to protect the cities that he had control over. Among these mercenaries are members of the Somali rebel movement. Qaddafi never failed to show his support to countries that opposed Somalia. In 1977, Libya was one of the few African countries that supported Ethiopia during the war against Somalia. The Libyan Embassy was closed in Mogadishu for over a decade until it was re-opened in 1985.

Qaddafi aided every Somali rebel groups that sought the destruction of Somalia’s government. Somalia has been in civil war since then so unfortunately his plan has become a reality.

Since 1991 Somalia has been in the middle of a civil war. The war began originally because of tribal reasons, but since 2000, militant islamist rebels have taken over the country.

For almost twenty years Somalia didn’t have a stable government with rebel groups controlling and making their own rules for the people. The democratic movement in Egypt and Libya is something the Somali people can learn from. Somalis need to stand together to transition their own country through non violent tactics. If and when the Somali people realize that they can change the way their country is governed the possibilities will be endless.

8

NATIONAL

MAY 2011

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Iranian-American Icon Bijan Passes Away

New America Media, News Analysis, Shirin Sadeghi Editor’s Note: Bijan Pakzad, or Bijan, as his brand was simply called, passed away today in Los Angeles at the age of 67, following a stroke. He was a fashion designer to presidents and stars, having dressed former presidents, including Reagan and Bush, and current President Obama, as well as the Queen of England, the Sultan of Brunei and Hollywood’s A-list, amongst others.

His best-selling perfumes and colognes include the Michael Jordan fragrance line. He has long-been an icon of the Iranian-American community as well as the Iranian diaspora worldwide.

pride in Iran.

Unlike many of his fellow Tehrangeles residents, he hadn’t changed his name to Bob or Bill. He was and would always be Bijan, the exasperatingly beautiful original Iranian name from the Book of Kings (Shahnameh), the masterpiece epic poem written by Ferdowsi, the poet many Iranians credit with embalming the Persian language into a land and people where it is still spoken today even as many of Iran’s neighbors lost their ancient tongues to invaders and

in advertisement, he meant so much to us young Iranians—we still didn’t know we were Iranian-American, since we hadn’t been here long enough to realize our famlies weren’t going back.

And, oh, the moment those Michael Jordan cologne ads came out.

We gushed with such childish pride.

Michael Jordan, the coolest dude in the world, the champion, the man lighter than air but more powerful than any other basketball player in living memory—Jordan had chosen Bijan. He

As members of the first generation of Iranian immigrant families to make a mass exodus to America, my family found itself in a country that was reeling from a hostage crisis, images of horrifically unfriendly clerical faces, and footage of a bloody war dotted with the huddled figures of black-clad Iranian women.

In the shadows of this complex existence, it was, bizarrely, one man who shone a light to life in America for a young Iranian-American: Bijan Pakzad.

We knew of no other Iranian-American who had succeeded in this country— succeeded in being loved by so many Americans while still retaining his

His boutique on Rodeo Drive was appointment-only and was called the most expensive store in the world. He first opened it in 1976, when he was 32 years old, just three years after he landed in the United States. It went on to be the base of a multi-million dollar enterprise, complete with massive sales of award-winning perfumes and suits that famously were said to make customers enter the boutique as ordinary people and leave looking like Cary Grant.

He came from an extremely well-off Tehrani entrepreneurial family (he himself once said they were so rich that they were made of gold and jewels ran through their veins), but with wealth did not come superiority. In the IranianAmerican community, he was cherished for his benevolence to those in need and to the causes of his community. In Los Angeles and Beverly Hills where many other very wealthy Iranian-Americans were quick to forget their heritage, Bijan and his name embraced it.

When I look at the young IranianAmericans today, living in a society that has reached the point where it knows where Iran is, how talented Iranians are, and how proud they are, I think back to my childhood in this country when none of that was known.

If the Americans in the neighborhood or at school knew anything of Iran, it was that Iran was a scary place with strange people. If they knew nothing, they just associated us with carpets and cats.

in our homeland.

Always seeming to be happy, he was once asked how he retains such youth and energy. “I learn something new everyday,” he replied.

settlers.

had chosen us.

Bijan! With a wholehearted smile that scrunched up his kind-looking face, we saw him on billboards, in print ads, and later, in television ads hanging out with superstars—always beaming, always Iranian.

Bijan dressed President Obama, the Queen of England, Ronald Reagan, the Sultan of Brunei, Prince Charles, Bill Gates and any number of others of the powerful and wealthy of this world.

But more than anything he dressed the soul of so many of us young Iranians in America who felt unwelcome and unsure of where we fit in within this massive country that had had so much to do with happened and was happening

“The reason for my success is because I’m Iranian,” he said once. We never doubted it, or forgot his words.

He has bequeathed his business to his three children, Daniela from his first marriage and young Nicolas Bijan and Alexandra from his second marriage to Irish-Japanese model and interior designer Tracy Murdock: The “D”, “N,” “A” in his award-winning triple-helix bottled perfume, DNA. Extravagant though his life and his legacy are, the most valuable thing about Bijan Pakzad was his affection for his people—his family in all senses of the word. It is said that he requested that his grave be marked with an-all black stone with “Bijan Pakzad, Son of Mohsen Pakzad” engraved on it. Only in Persian.

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Arab Rappers in Solidarity With Uprisings in Middle East & North Africa New America Media, News Report, Aisha Fukushima Many prominent Arab hip-hop artists inspired by uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have released music in solidarity with protesters in the region. Though the messages of these new songs are not necessarily new to Arab hip-hop, the urgency and relevance of this new music has gained these artists increasing international attention.

was among the first in the Arab hip-hop scene to gain international attention for his raps related to the most recent waves of political unrest in the North Africa. He released two songs “Rais Le Bled” (President Your People Are Dying) and “Tounes Bladna” (Tunisia, Our Country) which were both included on the Mish B3eed mixtape put out by ‘Enough,’ a Libyan movement voicing dissent against the Gadhafi regime.

While Arab hip-hop started to gain its recognition in the ‘90s, tracing back the history can be difficult in light of the fact that it stems from such a complex fusion of diasporic communities, people, art and culture. In North America, for instance, artists such as Fredwreck and The Narcicyst are cited as pioneers of Arab hip-hop, while groups such as DAM are credited with jump-starting the movement in Palestine.

In a conversation with Excentrik, an East Bay music producer, “actionist” (action activist and oud player), he explained, “Yeah, there’s an Arab hip-hop scene, but it’s a global scene, it’s not like a localized scene. Unfortunately, there’s not enough cats doing quality shit that have like a [single] place to go in any of these cities... It’s an esoteric scene, it’s random because it’s so big and so spread apart.”

While there are certainly active indigenous Arab hip-hop scenes throughout much of North Africa and the Middle East, the majority of the most celebrated emcees in the global scene are based in North America and Europe, where hip-hop has had a longer history and faces less challenges in terms of censorship.

That said, artists still find opportunities to collaborate and work together across both national and international lines. “Most of us Arab rappers are very well connected,” said Rush of Cairo’s premier rap group, Arabian Knightz.

Collaborations between rappers can be recorded from different studios and files can be shared with the click of a mouse. “The combination of hip-hop and the Internet, and the ability to record it and put it up online immediately and bypass all these typical media outlets and typical industry outlets is what makes it so powerful,” explained Syrian-American rapper Omar Offendum in a phone interview from Los Angeles.

In North America, Iraqi-Canadian rapper, The Narcicyst and Omar Offendum are two of the most highly acclaimed emcees in the global Arab hip-hop scene. Omar Offendum often evokes the work of Arab poets through his lyrics, emphasizing the links between poetry and hip-hop. The Narcicyst, who recently released a book entitled “Fear of an Arab Planet: The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe,” touches on themes ranging from Orientalism to homeland security in his music. One of his most popular songs, ‘P.H.A.T.W.A.’ released in 2009, is set in an airport. “We went from, supported to subordinate, can’t afford it, ordered / My motherland smothered and mortared, morbid, at borders / I’m sorted out from beardless cats that boarded the plane as I was boarding,” The Narcicyst raps.

The UK also boasts some of the world’s most recognized Arab rap artists such as Lowkey, who is of British and Iraqi heritage, and Palestinian rapper, Shadia Mansour, also known as “The First Lady of Arabic Hip-Hop.” Both are known for linking artistry and activism, rapping about topics such as Palestinian resistance, occupation and terrorism. “They calling me a terrorist / Like they don’t know who the terror is / When they put it on me, I tell them this / I’m all about peace and love / They calling me a terrorist / Like they don’t know who the terror is / Insulting my intelligence / Oh how these people judge,” raps Lowkey in the song “Terrorist.” Together, they have toured extensively and collaborated on titles such as “Long Live Palestine” which incorporates Mansour’s distinctive Arabic flow and emotive singing voice.

Rapping in the Middle East In Tunisia, a young emcee by the name of El Général

According to The UK’s Observer newspaper, “Rais Le Bled,” released in November 2010 “lit up the bleak and fearful horizon like an incendiary bomb,” reaching audiences around the world through new media platforms such as YouTube. “My president, your country is dead / People eat garbage / Look at what is happening / Misery everywhere / Nowhere to sleep / I’m speaking for the people who suffer,” he raps in Arabic. The song was quickly banned in Tunisia, but Al Jazeera Television and Tunivision were still able to pick up on the El Général story followed by other notable media outlets such as TIME magazine. Shortly thereafter, the release of “Tounes Bladna” (Tunisia, Our Country) resulted in the 21-yearold rapper’s arrest from his family’s flat in the town of Sfax in Tunisia. El Général was released after three days of interrogation thanks to an outpouring of public protest in his favor.

The January 25 uprisings in Egypt sparked a second wave of protest music from the global Arab hip-hop scene, fueling an outpour from prominent artists such as The Narcicyst, Shadia Mansour, Lowkey and Omar Offendum. This time, the songs would be multinational collaborations, incorporating news clips from Al Jazeera and photos from demonstrations in the music videos.

On February 4, just weeks after the January 25 demonstrations, Egyptian rap group Arabian Knightz posted the song “Not Your Prisoner” featuring Shadia Mansour, and Palestinian-American producer, Fredwreck on YouTube. Lyrics alternate between English and Arabic, opening the dialogue to a larger international audience.

“Destructive destruction, running my district / Antichrist running it, spittin’ evil wisdom!” raps Rush (one of three members in the group). The song became an instant YouTube success, accruing thousands of views within 24 hours of being posted.

When asked in a Skype interview about the role of their music in bringing about social change, Rush replied, “The people who started the revolution are teenagers. I doubt that the motive of the revolution, the music they were listening to while planning all these things, was ‘habibi’ music. I am sure it was hip-hop.” The ‘habibi’ music Rush refers to can be described as sentimental, easy-listening pop that is widespread in Arabic media channels. That music, according to many Arab hip-hop artists, fails to address the real concerns of youth on the front lines of protest throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Although the original music video for “Can’t Take Our Freedom” was removed from YouTube for reasons that are not entirely clear, several fans have reposted the song using their own personal online accounts. In addition to gaining popularity online, the song attracted the attention of media outlets such as ABC World News and CNN that profiled the story of the young rapper.

The Solidarity Rap Each of these new protest songs in their own way illustrates a collective consciousness around growing political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa among artists in the Arab hip-hop scene. Solidarity with protesters is the central theme that runs throughout much of this new music. This solidarity is also reflected in the collaborative nature of many of these pieces featuring hip-hop artists who are spread across different cities and continents. Even on a local front, Bay Area hiphop pioneer Davey D released a “Beats for Revolution Mixtape” that features “Not Your Prisoner” and “#Jan25,” alongside the sounds of Dead Prez, Public Enemy and Immortal Technique.

As political unrest continues to unfold throughout much of the Middle East and North Africa, many Arab hip-hop artists are optimistic, but cautious. “One thing governments cannot take away from the people is the will to live,” wrote Lebanese-Armenian Bay Area rap artist Tru Bloo in an e-mail. “I think we, in the U.S., have a lot to learn from these movements,” she added.

“There is a hopefulness and a sobering feeling,” said Oakland-based Lebanese American soul singer, Naima Shalhoub, of the ongoing events.

A few days later, North American artists The Narcicyst, Omar Offendum, Freeway, Ayah, Amir Sulaiman and producer, Sami Matar contributed to the dialogue with a collaboration entitled “#Jan25.” The song, posted on YouTube, has drawn nearly 200,000 views, and even caught the attention of Al Jazeera, which interviewed

Realizing the power that their music has to speak to youth in the face of adversity, Arab hip-hop artists do not take their work lightly. “Music plays a big role in influencing people,” said The Narcicyst, “and I almost think for our generation... music speaks to us louder than politics does.”

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“It was never my intention to be a political rapper, or write political songs,” said M. Khaled in an interview with Arab Detroit News. Even so, this most recent release has become one of his most popular tracks to date. This song also seems to tie back to the legacy of his father, Mohamed Ahmed, who was reportedly held as a political prisoner in Libya for five years after leading student protests against the Gadhafi regime. “Like, could we be this close? Nah, couldn’t be / But if the people in Egypt and Tunis could do this, decide their fate...then why wouldn’t we?” raps M. Khaled.

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“I heard ‘em say / The revolution wont be televised / Al Jazeera proved ‘em wrong / Twitter has ‘em paralyzed / 80 million strong / And ain’t no longer gonna be terrorized / Organized - Mobilized - Vocalized / On the side of TRUTH,” raps Omar Offendum in the opening verse of the song. The use of graphic Al Jazeera news clips and gorilla photography throughout much of the music video is illustrates the grassroots nature of the Arab hip-hop scene, using a combination of audio and visual media to communicate their message to a growing audience of listeners.

Still, artists involved in the Arab hip-hop scene remain inspired by the significance that music has in motivating and empowering youth. “The way kids listen to music is a really powerful thing,” said London-based rapper Logic after his concert at the University of California, Berkeley with Shadia Mansour and Lowkey last month.

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Omar Offendum shortly after the song was released.

In the meantime, mounting tensions in Libya inspired 26-year-old Chicago rapper M. Khaled to release a music video entitled “Can’t Take Our Freedom,” featuring UK rapper, Lowkey. The first lines of the chorus, “You can’t take our freedom, or take our soul / Take our freedom or take our soul / You are not the one that’s in control / You are not the one that’s in control,” sum up the overall message of the song speaking to the Gadhafi regime.

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NATIONAL

MAY 2011

Learn Exactly How Israel Misuses U.S. Weapons Josh Ruebner National Advocacy Director US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation Yesterday I had the privilege of participating in a press briefing, organized by our friends at the Institute for Middle East Understanding, with two courageous and inspiring young adults who have been deeply affected by U.S. weapons transfers to Israel.

Amer Shurrab’s two brothers—Ibrahim and Kassab—were shot in Gaza by Israeli soldiers during “Operation Cast Lead,” denied medical care and left to bleed to death. Emily Henochowicz, a U.S. citizen, lost an eye after an Israeli soldier fired a high-velocity tear gas canister at her during a protest against Israel’s deadly assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

Amer and Emily’s heartrending stories remind us why it is so important to redouble our efforts to end U.S. military aid to Israel. After all, it is our weapons, paid for with our tax dollars, which are responsible for these tragedies and thousands more.

With Tax Day at hand, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation launches today a major, new resource to educate people about the weapons we provide Israel and the deadly impact they have on Palestinian civilians forced to live under Israel’s brutal, 43-year military occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip.

Our new website www.weaponstoisrael. org documents in detail more than 670 million weapons, valued at nearly $19 billion, given to Israel by the United States in the last decade. We also document the weapons Israel misused during that period to kill at least 2,969 unarmed Palestinians who took no part in hostilities.

When we compiled this data, which we’ve posted in a variety of slideshows and spreadsheets, we were shocked by the sheer magnitude of these weapons transfers and the degree of our complicity in Israel’s human rights abuses of Palestinians.

For example, our research reveals that

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Debt Collectors Profit Off Homeowners’ Fears of Foreclosure New America Media Ngoc Nguyen This story was produced as a companion to the feature report, Hard-Pressed Homeowners Facing Another Threat.

Marjorie Murray, with the Oaklandbased Center for California Homeowner Law, says homeowners often describe their ordeal in settling their debt with collection agencies as a “nightmare,” in which collection fees are heaped on top of their existing debt as their case drags on, while the threat of foreclosure is held over their heads.

they fixed the error, her homeowners association had put a lien on her fourbedroom apartment.

Two years ago, Heidi Varilla’s financial troubles were mounting. She fell behind on mortgage payments for her fourbedroom home in Hayward, California.

She couldn’t make the payments to her homeowners association either. Ms. Varilla worked out a deal with her bank to modify the terms of her home loan, but working with her homeowners

“Their home is being held hostage and the debt collector knows it,” Murray said.

On average, she says, the handful of collection agencies that specialize in association foreclosures make as much as “$3,500 on every account” they take on.

the United States gave Israel more than 47 million pieces of ammunition in just the last three years. That’s more than enough bullets to kill every Palestinian in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip ten times over! What a chilling statistic.

With more than 500 different types of weapons given to Israel over the past decade, our website shows that the United States is deeply, intricately, and comprehensively implicated in almost everything Israel does to maintain its illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.

Last year, San Lorenzo, California resident Arnetta Lawler paid $3,000 to a debt collector to settle a case that had dragged on for 18 months. About half of the amount she paid went to cover collection costs.

“It was definitely hard to come up with the money,” said 44-year-old Lawler. “I had to rob Peter to pay Paul, just to stop the excessive fees that were added on.

The more I fought, the more they added costs… Everything was a cost.”

The single mother of three children said she lost her job in sales and got behind on seven months worth of assessments to her homeowners association. Her neighborhood group sent her case to a collection agency, which sent notices to the wrong address, she said. By the time

association proved more difficult.

The association sent her delinquent account to a collection agency, and the initial amount she owed in overdue assessments - about $1,900 -- ballooned to nearly $4,700 in debt and fees. To save her house, Ms. Varilla says she had to go deeper into debt to pay the collection agency.

“We had to dig into the last of whatever money we had,” she said. “They [debt collectors] are penalizing the people who are already in hardship at this time and taking advantage of people who are having problems already.”

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MAY 2011

11

Budget Deal a Relief and a Headache BlackAmericaWeb.com, News Report, Frederick Cosby Hundreds of thousands of federal workers and millions of other Americans breathed a sigh of relief over the weekend as congressional lawmakers and President Barack Obama barely beat the clock Friday to avoid a government shutdown that would have halted key services, shuttered national parks and stopped paychecks to military service members.

After a week of intense wrangling over money and social policy, Congress and the White House agreed to continue funding the federal government through this week and tentatively signed off on a deal to fund the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2011 - a deal that includes more than $38 billion in spending cuts.

imposes a continued school-voucher program in the District,” Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray said Friday night after word of what was in the compromise deal spread. “The District of Columbia’s right to govern itself has, once again, been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency.”

The compromise deal avoided a potential world of hurt for the District’s 599,657 residents, nearly 55 percent of whom are black and tens of thousands of whom work in some capacity for the federal government.

Had a shutdown occurred, D.C. would have been impacted like no other U.S. city because of its unique status and linkage to the federal government. Trash

The local government of majority-black Washington, D.C., was outraged that congressional Democrats and the White House caved into GOP demands and allowed two key provisions - or riders - to remain part of the deal: One that prohibits the District government from using local tax revenues to fund abortions and another that provides funds for a controversial private school voucher program.

Though Washington, D.C. has a mayor and city council, Congress holds some of the purse strings of the federal city, which gives it the ability to insert itself in its affairs. Washingtonians have traditionally chafed under their meddlesome congressional overseers. They howled when they read the fine print of the shutdown-avoiding deal.

“One limits our ability to fund, using our own money, reproductive services for low-income women; another

Gray said there’s only one way to remove the District as a bargaining chip: Make it a full-fledged state. The House of Representatives passed a bill to give the District voting representation in Congress, but the measure has languished as Republicans inserted a provision that would weaken Washington, D.C.’s gun laws - a price that D.C. government officials said was too high to pay.

Obama and former Democratic President Bill Clinton expressed support for D.C. statehood. But the Democratic political powers have done little recently to turn their words of support into concrete action.

“I am please that the president and the leadership of the House and the Senate have finally be able to avert a shutdown of the federal government,” Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) said moments after the deal was announced late Friday night. “I am glad that hundreds of thousands of federal workers can rest easier tonight and that millions of people, especially military families, will receive their government checks on time.”

But while Obama administration officials and congressional leaders were patting themselves on the back and accusing the other guy of blinking in the shutdown showdown, others were complaining about getting the shaft in the deal.

women, as it reinstates a ban that denies Washington, D.C.’s local leaders the option of using locally raised funds to provide abortion care to low-income women,” said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “Once again, the so-called ‘small-government’ politicians are interfering in D.C.’s local affairs, as well as women’s personal, private medical decisions.”

“The United States Congress ought to do what is morally right and grant residents of the District of Columbia who pay more than $5 billion in taxes annually - the right of full citizenship and budget autonomy,” Gray said. “D.C. residents from all wards of the city should express their outrage, as I have, over the colonial status of the District of Columbia.”

collection and other critical services short of police and firefighting would have been halted. The District stood to lose between $1.5 million to $5 million a week in a shutdown.

Still, Gray believes that the District was merely an afterthought and pawn in the shutdown negotiations.

“While I am relieved that Congress reached an agreement so that our employees can work and services to our residents can continue, I am also angry and terribly disappointed that the District of Columbia suffered collateral damage amidst partisan bickering.”

Women’s rights groups also felt for the District, even though Planned Parenthood, a women’s health care and reproductive services provider, survived GOP efforts to have its $300 million in grants cut as part of the shutdown aversion deal.

“Unfortunately, this agreement is not a victory for all

Democrats and their allies weren’t the only ones carping about the shutdown deal. Some congressional Republicans and their absolutist Tea Party supporters blasted House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for not holding firm and seeking $61 billion in spending cuts and abandoning the effort to federally de-fund Planned Parenthood.

“We really wanted more advancement on the life issue than was in the final package,” Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) told reporters. “I think there’s a significant number of ‘no’ votes.”

Tea Party Patriots had a post on its Web site with the headline “Hollow Victory.” Judson Phillips, founder of Tea Party Nation, wrote that liberals “have thoroughly defeated John Boehner on the budget.”

“We wanted major budget cuts. We wanted Planned Parenthood defunded. We wanted NPR defunded. We wanted the EPA riders so that agency would quit killing jobs,” Phillips wrote. “What did we get?”

Phillips has called for a Republican challenger to run against Boehner in Ohio’s 2012 GOP congressional primary.

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12

NATIONAL

MAY 2011

House Vote Re-launches DistrictSchool Vouchers Program

The Washington Informer, News Report, Staff A bill to reinstate school vouchers in the District recently passed in the House of Representatives.

In House floor action on March 30 that was led by Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who helped craft the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) seven years ago to provide better educational choices for the nation’s students, a vote of 225 to 195 was cast largely along party lines.

schools, said in emotion-packed comments that the District’s program would serve as a model for the rest of the country.

“Thousands of families have taken advantage of [D.C.’s] scholarship program and there’s strong evidence that it’s both effective and costeffective,” Boehner said.

“And unfortunately the education establishment in this country sees this program as a threat.”

for our young people,” Brown, 40, said in promoting its passage. “The data suggests that students participating in the program are benefiting from the experience -- academically and otherwise.”

Southeast resident Martha Jacobs, 49, agrees.

“You’ve got some low-income parents whose kids need a better education than the one they’re getting in D.C. public schools,” Jacobs said.

The thrust toward school vouchers has become a national movement, with reports stating that currently more than 70 percent of students across the country attend privatelyrun but publicly-funded schools. who

attended

Catholic

Norton believes the bill weakens the public education system.

She noted during a three-hour debate against it, that the legislation would deprive District residents of the liberty every other district has in deciding education issues. Norton also voiced opposition over targeting resources to help a small number of individuals attend private schools rather than creating access to great public schools for all students.

The National Education Association has also vehemently opposed the vouchers, adding that research has found no differences in the academic achievement of voucher students compared to public school students.

The House’s nod for the program, has also given D.C. the distinction of being the only such program to receive federal money.

School vouchers are certificates issued by the government to parents who can apply them towards their children’s tuition. Re-launching of the program after it was phased out two years ago, will provide a subsidy of $12,000 for each participating student and cost the government $300 million over five years.

opposition, it has yet to threaten a veto.

“Rigorous evaluation over several years demonstrates that the D.C. program has not yielded improved student achievement by its scholarship recipients compared to other students in D.C.,” Norton said in a statement.

As a result, the local initiative tagged the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program -- in accordance with President Barack Obama’s 2012 budget - is now earmarked to receive $20 million in federal funding that will enable low-income and other needy students in the city to attend private and charter schools.

Boehner,

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NEA President Dennis Van Roekel could not be reached for immediate comment, but has said that vouchers will never provide every child with access to a great school.

But Boehner said that in reality, the program provides an opportunity to raise the bar, because competition makes everybody better.

While Mayor Vincent Gray opposes vouchers, City Council Chairman Kwame Brown supports them, saying in testimony before the House in February that low-income parents benefit from more school choices. “[The] bill is a step in the right direction as it authorizes $60 million to create better educational outcomes

“I have a grandson whose mother was able to get him into a better school with the help of vouchers.

His grades are much better and now he’s talking about getting a college degree, having realized that education can pay off.”

Nevertheless, many local officials -including District Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton - still regard the House’s approval as an intrusion into local affairs. Also, while the Obama administration has voiced

“They do not improve the achievement of students who take them, and they do nothing to improve public schools,” Van Roekel said in a statement posted on the organization’s web site.

“Instead, vouchers leave most children behind, especially those with special needs, and they create a need for additional bureaucracy to administer and monitor such programs.”

The bill is now headed to the Senate for additional discussion

Speculators Drive Pain at the Gas Pump New America Media, News Report, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, In February, the news headlines blared, “Gasoline pump prices hit a 28-month high.” The February high has been exceeded in the past two months.

Congress and the Obama administration worry that the surge will drive down consumer spending, dampen business investment and hiring, further weaken housing sales, plunge the dollar, and pummel stocks that have been roaring for the past few months.

The bulk of oil futures are bought and sold on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in the United States and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) in Europe. The exchange was set up in 2000 by a consortium of oil companies and financial institutions solely to trade European oil futures. The Commodities Futures Trading Corporation, which regulates commodities trades, gave a

regular reports that tell how lucrative oil future derivatives have been and continue to be in their estimates and projections of trades. Goldman flatly stated in a research note in March 2011 that every million barrels of oil held by speculators contributed an 8- to 10-cent rise in the oil price.

As unrest spread in North Africa and the Middle East, Goldman further noted

The standard reasons for the relentless oil price leap is war in Libya, unrest in Bahrain and potentially Saudi Arabia, political instability in Nigeria and Venezuela, and the perennial jitter that global oil supplies are fast running out.

Oil and gas prices jumped during most of the 30-month period when there was no turmoil in Egypt, war in Libya, or political instability in other oil-producing countries, while proven world oil reserves grew, and demand for oil and gas products remained weak.

Speculators buy and sell oil future contracts, better known as derivatives.

The value of the oil futures derivative is based on nothing more than the value of the barrel of oil bought. The buyer essentially bets that the oil will hit the purchase price at a future point in time.

By pouring billions into such futures, speculators are in a powerful position to manipulate the upward price of oil.

In June 2008, then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama slammed oil speculation and pledged to close the loopholes that allow oil futures to be traded in unregulated markets.

About one-third of all U.S. oil futures trading is unregulated. Obama also called for legislation to give CFTC, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Justice full power to investigate price manipulation in the oil market, and to boost the regulatory power of the CFTC over oil futures trading.

That hasn’t happened.

They’re all wrong.

The real reason is that speculators drove the prices up, reaped phenomenal profits, gamed the public on the real reason for the price rise, and stymied efforts to toughen regulations to rein in their activities.

60 percent of the price of oil. In other words, a barrel of oil that sells for $100 should sell for only $40. The difference in the actual production price and sell price is due purely to speculative profit.

major gift to U.S. oil futures traders when it allowed them to buy futures derivatives on the exchange. The commission has no regulatory jurisdiction over exchange oil future trades. NYMEX and the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) are the virtually unchallenged pricesetting mechanisms for oil. OPEC (the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) references NYMEX when it sets its price targets.

The impact of oil speculation is hardly a secret in the political and investment world. Goldman Sachs, which has pushed the oil futures envelope the hardest during the past decade, issues

that investors increased their purchases and positions in oil futures to the tune of almost 100 million barrels of oil between mid-February and late March 2011. This is in addition to their already hefty oil futures holdings.

Goldman’s estimates and data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) put the financial bottom line for the total speculative premium in U.S. crude oil at over $25 dollars a barrel, or about one-fifth of the overall price of oil. But even this estimate may be too low. Global Research, an international energy and environmental organization, puts the cost of oil speculation at nearly

The Dodd-Frank Bill passed in July 2010 does give the Securities and Exchange Commission and the CTFC more power to regulate hedge funds, municipal advisers and over-thecounter derivatives trading. But other than proposing and debating a handful of proposals on information gathering, and setting a uniform set of rules on energy commodities trading, the commission has done little to rein in speculation. Commission officials say they’re hampered by staff and budget freezes, as well as outmoded technology.

But even if the CTFC launched a fullblown investigation into the futures contract price rigging and had total power to end it, it would not happen.

Oil speculators would simply increase trades on the Intercontinental Exchange, which the commission has no authority to regulate. Meanwhile, the profits from oil speculation continue to soar and the prospect is that motorists will pay the price for oil speculation riches with more pain at the pump.

INTERNATIONAL

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

Illegal theft of olive trees must be stopped

by Crescentandcross The immoral wealthy have a new and tasteless toy: ancient olive trees adorning the gardens of their villas.

According to an investigative report by journalist Maya Zinshtein published in the Haaretz Hebrew edition on Monday, for around a decade now, illegal trade in ancient olive trees – including uprooting, stealing and smuggling them from the West Bank into Israel – has been flourishing.

It is a market worth millions of shekels a year, in which a single tree can command tens of thousands of shekels. The Haaretz report uncovered suspicions of criminal activities in this regard, along with an ugly greediness for pet trees that has nothing to do with the love of the land and its arboreal species.

Olive trees, one of the most beautiful and symbolic hallmarks of the land of Israel, have also become a status symbol for the upper thousandth percentile of the population. As a result, they are being uprooted from their natural surroundings, where they should have remained planted forever, ruining the landscape on both sides of the Green Line.

It is illegal to uproot and transport ancient trees without authorization.

Many trees have been stolen from their owners in the territories, and in

MAY 2011

13

Southern African Christians call for BDS

other cases, heavy pressure is brought to bear on Palestinian farmers to sell their trees, taking advantage of their powerlessness and making huge profits at their expense.

The government department in charge of enforcing the law pertaining to flora and fauna is partially paralyzed; a senior member of its staff owns a nursery, has a criminal record, and is suspected of taking bribes and of illegal trade in trees.

The state comptroller intends to soon publish a report on this department.

But beyond the criminal nature of this commerce, the environmental and public aspects of this scandal cannot be ignored.

Uprooting ancient olive trees, which have been planted for centuries in public areas and have been an inseparable part of the scenery of the Galilee and the West Bank, and moving them to the private gardens of wealthy homeowners, rides roughshod over the landscape and heritage of this country.

Uprooting trees that farmers have tended for centuries and moving them to homes whose owners have no relationship to the land or to agriculture, is infuriating and improper. It is incumbent on the Agriculture Ministry and the Civil Administration to take immediate action to stop the theft of trees and the destruction of the landscape.

SHAHNAWAZ CURRIM

The Palestine Kairos Document was launched in South Africa on Monday evening 4 April 2011, at a meeting of Kairos Southern Africa in Bredell near Johannesburg. The document is called: A moment of truth – A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of the Palestinian suffering.

The notion of a Palestine Kairos Document was inspired by the South African Kairos Document as a Christian testimony of faith during the dark and last days of apartheid.

Palestinian lay people, theologians and church leaders came together to express a testimony of faith in relation to their experience under the occupation of Palestine

by Israel.

In response to the message of the Palestine Kairos Document, Christians from South Africa and countries in Southern Africa gathering at the conference decided to state the following: We fully honour this faith commitment and courageous witness as expressed by Christian brothers and sisters in Palestine.

This testimony of faith, hope and love is a profound expression of Christian faith under circumstances of gross injustice.

We feel seriously challenged by the Palestinian witness of faith in general as well as by their Kairos document and consequently we: • Affirm with the Palestinians that the core of the “conflict” between Israel and Palestine is the occupation of Palestine by Israel.

We affirm with them that the occupation of Palestine is a fundamental evil to be resisted as an obligation of faith. Moreover, we also consider the Christian theological justification of this occupation based on Zionism as a heresy. We have to deal with our own complicity towards putting the credibility and integrity of the Christian gospel at stake in the Holy Lands. We will have to challenge our own reading of the Bible in lending support to the death and

destruction in Palestine today.

• Consider the Zionist ideology as racist.

Furthermore we consider the State of Israel to be an apartheid state. For South Africans, the similarities between the situation faced

by Palestinians and the situation faced by us under apartheid are clear, striking and extremely painful.

• Accept our complicity to the injustices suffered by Palestinians albeit through widespread ignorance, silence and apathy in our society.

• Will challenge our society, government, political parties, businesses community, civil society, and indeed the churches and the Christian community in general about their complicity regarding this.

• Stand in solidarity with Palestinians in their commitment towards non-violent resistance against the occupation. We support the call towards boycotts, divestments and sanctions (BDS) against the Israeli government.

• Promote an ethical code of conduct about pilgrimages and other tours to the Holy lands. We are concerned that, as things stand now, such tours obscure the presentday realities in Palestine under the Israeli occupation.

Just as the white community in general and supporters of South African apartheid locally and abroad were challenged to change, we also challenge the conscience of all who support the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

This change is possible.

Whilst we reject the racially exclusive solution of Zionism to the holy land, we pray for an inclusive and just peace where the dignity and equality of all the inhabitants are upheld.

On behalf of Kairos Southern Africa Rev. Moss Ntlha Chairperson

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INTERNATIONAL

MAY 2011

Jordan protester who set himself ablaze dies

By JAMAL HALABY

third degree wounds to his face and much of his body.

Associated Press AMMAN, Jordan (AP) _ A Jordanian forensics official says a protester who set himself on fire outside the prime minister’s office last week has died of his wounds.

Mohammad Abdul-Karim’s case was the first self-immolation since political unrest hit Jordan in January.

The forensics official says the 45-year-old man died in a hospital of first, second and

Similar acts of self-immolation have occurred in other Muslim countries _ some of them fatal _ to protest repressive governments.

In Jordan, the protests calling for political reform have generally been smaller and more peaceful, although there were incidents of violent clashes.

The official spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to talk to the media.

Gunmen attack home in north Iraq, kill 3 women

By YAHYA BARZANJI Associated Press SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq (AP) _ Gunmen stormed a house in a northern, ethnically mixed city in Iraq, killing three women who lived there, police said Tuesday.

Police Col. Sherzad Mofaly said it’s not clear why the women were targeted in the attack late Monday in the city of Kirkuk.

The women were Shiites from southern Iraq who recently moved to the city located 180 miles (290 kilometers) north of Baghdad.

Two of them were sisters _ a teacher and a a lawyer, Mofaly said. The third woman was a relative.

Ethnic tensions have long simmered among Arabs, both Shiites and Sunnis, and Kurds in Kirkuk.

Separately, a senior Education Ministry official was killed Tuesday by a bomb that was hidden on his car in Baghdad, according to police and hospital officials.

Abdul-Amir Hussein was headed to work from his home in the mixed neighborhood of Dora in southern Baghdad when he died in the latest assassination extremists have launched against Iraqi government officials.

Also in Baghdad, three policemen and two bystanders were wounded by a roadside bomb in Baghdad on Tuesday. The bomb was planed near a security checkpoint outside Iraq’s Finance Ministry.

In other developments, local lawmakers in Basra _ Iraq’s second-largest city located 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad _ elected on Tuesday a new governor for a job that had been vacant for nearly two months.

Dr. Khalaf Abdul Samad, a member of the Dawa Shiite political party that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki leads, replaces former Gov. Sheltagh Aboud al-Mayahi, who resigned Feb. 25 after protesters accused him of rampant government corruption in Basra.

Al-Mayahi also was a Dawa party member.

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Emirati official says activist arrests legal

By ADAM SCHRECK Associated Press ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) _ The United Arab Emirates’ recent detentions of activists in the Gulf federation were carried out according to the law, said the country’s foreign minister Wednesday, without specifying any charges.

The comments by Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan are the first from a senior federal official in the oil-rich country, a key regional ally of the United States, about reports that four prominent activists had been arrested.

Although the country has been spared the pro-democracy uprisings that have swept the rest of the region, activists have complained of increased harassment and monitoring of blogs and social media in the past year.

Sheik Abdullah, a member of the ruling family, told reporters in the capital Abu Dhabi that prosecutors issued subpoenas ``to a number of persons’’ in the seven-state federation. He didn’t say how many. ``This procedure is fully in line with the rules and the laws of the United Arab Emirates,’’ he said. ``We made sure that these laws and rules of the UAE are fully implemented. These are transparent rules.’’

He discussed the arrests in response to a question at a rare press conference following talks between the Gulf states and the European Union.

Rights advocates say at least four people have been arrested in the Emirates in recent weeks. None have been charged publicly.

The foreign minister didn’t say how many subpoenas had been issued or disclose the charges, referring questions to state prosecutors, who themselves have yet to comment on the arrests. Officials at the UAE’s Ministry of Justice couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

Sheik Abdullah described his nation’s justice system as ``trustworthy.’’ ``We have full trust in the judiciary in the United Arab Emirates. And I do not believe any person should be above the law,’’ he said.

Rights advocates say those detained include one of the country’s most outspoken academics, Nasser bin Ghaith, and Ahmed Mansour, a blogger and human rights activist who signed a petition in favor of a more democratically elected parliament.

The UAE is a federation of seven semiautonomous states, each ruled by a hereditary sheik. The largest and richest sheikdom of Abu Dhabi, controlled by the Al Nahyan dynasty, wields considerable power over the smaller emirates, including the regional commercial hub of Dubai.

The federal parliament serves as an advisory body. Its members are either directly appointed by the ruling sheiks or chosen by group of voters representing only a fraction of the country’s citizens.

Eye on Arab Media: Facebook Loses Face After Intifada Page Is Pulled New America Media, News Analysis, Jalal Ghazi A few weeks ago Al-Ahram, one of the most popular Egyptian newspapers, reported that an Egyptian man named his daughter Facebook to show his gratitude toward the social networking site.

And a couple of weeks ago, millions of Egyptians and Arabs seemed very appreciative of the role of Facebook in making grassroots demonstrations successful.

However, Arab confidence in Facebook has suffered a significant setback after the site shut down “The Third Palestinian Intifada” page—which had amassed 350,000 supporters—evidently under strong pressure from Israel. After first rejecting requests to remove the page, Facebook did an aboutface and deleted it when told that some postings incited violence against Israel, a charge the page’s developers deny.

As a result of the abrupt deletion, others throughout the Arab world have launched their own “Third Palestinian Intifada” pages, copied from the original and adding new content.

A simple search on Facebook using the words “Third Palestinian Intifada” in English or Arabic leads to an endless list of copycat pages all over the globe. At least one includes a video clip calling for the use of suicide bombing against Israeli citizens. It is not clear whether this clip was included in the original page.

What is clear, though, is that the founder of the first “Third Palestinian Intifada” launched the page to call for peaceful demonstrations around the world

after Friday prayers on May 15, 2011.

Building on the momentum of the Arab Spring that started in Tunisia and Egypt, the Intifada organizers, who are working anonymously, say they intended to rally Arabs in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria to march to specific areas along the Israeli border to conduct their Friday prayers. Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza are being called to do the same near Israeli checkpoints there.

May 15, 1948, is the date Israel celebrates as its official independence day—but it is also the date Palestinians mark as the Naqba, or catastrophe, when more than 750,000 of them were dispossessed of their homes and land.

Facebook’s About-Face Initially, Facebook refused to shut down the page. The company released a statement saying, “While some kinds of comments and content may be upsetting for someone— criticism of a certain culture, country, religion, lifestyle or political ideology, for example— that alone is not a reason to remove the discussion.”

The statement added, “We strongly believe that Facebook users have the ability to express their opinions, and we don’t typically take down content, groups or pages that speak out against countries, religions, political entities or ideas.”

Then, Facebook made a U-turn by removing the “Third Palestinian Intifada” page, accusing the page’s developers and monitors of participating in calls for violence.

A Facebook spokesperson told the Jerusalem Post, “The page, entitled ‘The Third Palestinian Intifada,’

began as a call for peaceful protest, even though it used a term that has been associated with violence in the past,” that is, the term Intifada.

The company representative added, “In addition, the administrators initially removed comments that promoted violence. However, after the publicity of the page, more comments deteriorated to direct calls for violence. Eventually, the page’s creators also participated in these calls. After administrators of the page received repeated warnings about posts that violated our policies, we removed the page.”

Although Facebook’s reversal pleased the Israeli government, it outraged Arab web activists and made them even more defiant.

According to Al Jazeera, hours after the original “Third Palestinian Intifada” was closed, web activists, led by Tunisians, Egyptians and Algerians, rushed to establish copycat pages, and thousands of Arabs quickly sign up for them.

One page, titled “Together in Support of the Palestinian Intifada,” declared, “We will not accept the closure of the ‘Third Palestinian Intifada’ page” and called for boycotting Facebook.

A posting on another page stated, “Do you remember the millions that went to the streets in Egypt … God welling they will come back on May 15 to show their solidarity to the Palestinian people.”

A third copycat page declared, “Do not bother Facebook, we will have an Intifada on May 15th despite you and Israel.”

Al Jazeera quoted a founder of the original “Third Palestinian Intifada” page as saying that Facebook also closed a copycat, after it had generated more than 63,000

supporters in a few days. He added, “I will not be weakened, I will continue to establish a new account and a new ‘Third Palestinian Intifada’ page.”

A Hard Economic Decision Closing popular pages is not an easy decision for Facebook from a business perspective. Its business model is based on increasing the number of users by giving a voice to the masses.

But it has increasingly faced pressure to close down pages that might be viewed as anti-Israel, thus risking the possibility of losing the trust of millions of Arabs and Muslims.

Facebook previously closed another page that some considered antiIsrael. In June 2010, Facebook shut down the page of the largest Egyptian group campaigning against the controversial “Iron Wall” being constructed between Gaza and Egypt.

Before Facebook eliminated the “Third Palestinian Intifada” page, Israel’s Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Minister Yuli Edelstein contacted the company’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, to explain the Israeli view.

In a March letter to Zuckerberg, Edelstein said, “During these past few days a Facebook page entitled ‘Third Palestinian Intifada’ has been garnering attention on the web by calling for a third intifada against the State of Israel to begin on May 15th, 2011. On this Facebook page there are posted many remarks and movie clips which call for the killing of Israelis and Jews and the ‘liberating’ of Jerusalem and of Palestine through acts of violence.”

A Question of Semantics?

However, the founders of the “Third Palestinian Intifada” page deny these accusations. Part of the problem is a misunderstanding, because terminology used on the website means different things to Israelis and Arabs. From the Israeli perspective, for example, the terms “Third Intifada” and “Tahrir Falestine,” which translates to “liberation of Palestine,” sound like incitements to violence.

During the First Intifada (19871993), Palestinians protest Israeli policies mainly through nonviolent methods, such as general strikes, or unarmed reactions (such as throwing stones). But during the Second Intifada, starting in 2000, protesters used suicide bombing and other violent tactics. So although the word intifada, which translates to uprising, does not necessarily mean armed uprising, the Israeli government perceives it as such.

Similarly, the Israeli government understood the term “liberation” as incitement to use armed operations to liberate historical Palestine and replace Israel with an Arab state.

In Arabic, however, the term is not necessarily used to mean armed operations.

The question is, did Facebook consider the Israeli government’s view as adequate for justifying the closure of a page with up to 350,000 supporters?

The founders of the original “Third Palestinian Intifada” page seem to think so. Meanwhile, they are calling on copycat page creators to go around Facebook to a particular web page for instructions on how to carry out The Third Intifada. In the Arab world, at least, Facebook has lost face.

INTERNATIONAL

www.AZMuslimVoice.com

MAY 2011

15

Libyan preachers attack Gadhafi from pulpit

By BEN HUBBARD

who say they’ll monitor preachers for extremism.

Associated Press BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) _ Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi’s secret police once haunted the country’s mosques, locking up, torturing and killing Muslim preachers whose talk they considered a threat.

Now that rebels in the country’s east have shaken off the regime’s control, those same clerics are using the newfound freedom of speech here to attack Gadhafi from the pulpit while defining the society they’d like to see if he falls.

Contrary to efforts by Gadhafi’s regime to depict the uprising as led by al-Qaida seeking to impose an Islamic state, many of the newly liberated clerics are telling their flocks that the country needs a civil democratic government. ``We demand our rights, for this is just.

We demand to know where our country’s wealth is, for this is just. And we demand our dignity!’’ preacher Mohammed Taeb roared to a crowd of 500 at his Benghazi mosque in a recent Friday sermon. ``We demand a civil and civilized state ... We want what all free people want!’’

Taeb, who was jailed for seven years by the regime, urged his congregation to work for a civil state with strong institutions and freedoms of speech and association. He also clearly enjoyed lashing out at Gadhafi, calling him a ``one-of-a-kind lout, a bizarre weirdo.’’

The call, made in many mosques in the east, mirrors the stance of the political leadership of the two-month old rebel movement based in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city, which says it seeks a civilian democracy in which religion will have a limited role in government.

It has taken over the local religious affairs office _ once an agent of Gadhafi’s control _ and staffed it with clerics

Religious feeling is strong among Libyans _ Quranic phrases dot conversations and ubiquitous mosques overflow during Friday’s prayers, the spiritual focus of the Muslim week. Now imams in the east are enjoying their freedom to actually express their religious after the long, troubled relationship with Gadhafi’s regime, said Ghaith al-Fakhri, a local Islamic law professor who recently told a crowd of thousands that Gadhafi had violated his ``social contract’’ with the people and must be overthrown.

Gadhafi couldn’t destroy the mosques like he did other social institutions, so he tightly controlled them. Preachers were required to boost Gadhafi’s jumble of socialist, anti-colonialist thought. To ensure obedience, secret police monitored sermons, sometimes delivering texts to be read word for word, lauding Libya’s ``achievements’’ or insulting the U.S. or other countries, said al-Fakhri. ``All religious talk was directed to serve the politics and ideas of Gadhafi,’’ he said.

Otherwise, they stuck to issues like patience and cleanliness or stories from Islamic history _ topics unlikely to alarm government monitors, al-Fakhri said.

Any deviation or sign of independence could lead to arrest.

These rules still reign in parts of Libya that Gadhafi controls. Since the uprising started, residents of the capital Tripoli have reported heavy police presence near mosques on Fridays, with gunmen ready should the devout decide to protest.

The tensions between religious leaders and the regime escalated in the 1990s with the rise of the militant Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, which carried out attacks on Gadhafi’s regime and aimed to establish an Islamic state. The regime responded by arresting thousands

of suspected Islamists, sweeping up many men who say they had no links to the group but merely wore long beards or the short pants favored by some conservative Muslims.

The crackdown struck a heavy blow to the group, with many of its leaders dying in prison. Other members fled to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2007, alQaida announced the group had formally linked with it, though most of its Libyanbased membership at the time denied any alliance.

The group’s leadership inside Libya renounced violence in 2009 and negotiated the release of hundreds of its prisoners, according to Human Rights Watch.

During the crackdown, Muslim preachers were especially suspect.

Taeb said the regime accused him of Islamist ties when he was arrested in 1999. He said he belonged to no group, and that the real reason for his arrest was that he used to indirectly criticize the regime by discussing social inequality and asking why a country with so much oil had such bad roads and health care. ``If you gave any sermon that had the slight odor of politics, they’d summon you right away,’’ said Khalid bin Rashid, a cleric who said he was jailed in 1995 for giving money to the poor. His captors told him doing so violated Libya’s socialism, he said.

Bin Rashid said he was held for months in a filthy bathroom with 15 other men before being transferred to a prison, where his captors beat him with thick wires for reciting the Quran. Others with him died under torture, he said.

He was freed a year and a half later, and then _ in a reflection of Libya’s chaotic bureaucracy _ he was appointed a state imam with a modest government salary.

Four days after his appointment, he was arrested again and jailed until 2002.

While the east’s religious leaders didn’t help organize the anti-Gadhafi uprising that started Feb. 15, many quickly joined in, preaching at funerals for ``martyrs’’ killed by security forces and calling for further protests. Also, many protests began in mosques.

Not long after Gadhafi’s forces fled Benghazi in mid-February, bin Rashid delivered a sermon for the first time in years with a fiery call for Libyans to stand together to oust Gadhafi. ``It was an amazing feeling that I’ll never forget,’’ he said. ``We could never talk like that before.’’

Bin Rashid said Islam will always be important for Libyans, but that he wants a civil-based democracy.

Zahi Mogherbi, a political science professor and adviser to the rebels’ National Transitional Council, said the body has yet to draft a constitution, but that he expects Islamic rules to guide personal status law governing marriage and inheritance, as it does in almost all Arab nations. ``For everything else, the state will be civil and religion will not interfere,’’ he said, adding that the basis will be ``a civil, democratic framework.’’

He said women won’t be forced to veil and that alcohol might be permitted, as it was before Gadhafi.

Rita Katz, head of the U.S. based SITE Intelligence Group, said al-Qaida views the Libyan upheaval as a ``valuable opportunity’’ to establish a regional foothold and that other groups are encouraging jihadists to go there.

Mogherbi acknowledged such fears, saying only establishing a stable, democratic Libya would prevent this. ``Once we have a democratic system and they can express themselves in political life, there will be no need for radical behavior,’’ he said.

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MAY 2011

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The Question of Interest Received by Islamonline.com

remedial measures be introduced in the banking system.

The word “interest” refers to the fixed increase demanded over and above a sum of loan. At first sight, there does not seem to be any difference between it and rent. However, a deep deliberation reveals the stark difference between the two: rented out items can be used while keeping them intact; however, money cannot be used in this way; it is in fact used up and after expending it, it is needed to be produced again.

Therefore, if something in addition is demanded over it, this in fact becomes an oppression. Since this difference between interest and rent is subtle, and human intellect can falter in understanding this difference, the Almighty has delineated the truth in this matter: In the sharī‘ah he has given mankind through his prophets, He has informed them that demanding a fixed increase over the lent amount is unjust and hence not allowed. It is for this very reason that interest has remained prohibited at all times and in all the sharī‘ahs revealed by the Almighty. The Qur’ān has explicitly forbidden it. There is no difference of opinion in this matter.

Firstly, if a commercial venture financed by a bank loan runs into losses or needs to be discontinued for some reason, the demand for profit by the bank should cease that very day. It should only demand the principal amount.

However, the religious legality of the system of banking which prevails in our societies has recently come under discussion. It is contended that since the bank only receives a portion from the profit of a commercial venture it had financed on the basis of a loan hence the very reason for which interest was regarded as prohibited does not exist in the banking system. This view has been put forth by some scholars of Egypt and Syria. Mawlānā Wahīd alDīn Khān (b. 1926 AD), a celebrated scholar and preacher from India too, has corroborated it to some extent in his book Fikr Islāmī. In my opinion, this view of the scholars can be considered intellectually convincing; however, it is essential for this that the following

Secondly, if things are being sold on installments, then until these installments are complete, the bank should remain a partner in the

pay it on such loans. It is generally thought that paying interest too is prohibited in the same manner as consuming interest is. Our scholars also hold this view. In reality, there is no basis of this opinion in the Qur’ān and Hadīth.

Not at one place has the Qur’ān condemned people who pay interest; it has, in fact, regarded them to be the oppressed; it has also urged the lenders to give respite to such borrowers if they are facing some financial constraint.

Muslims Celebrate the Royal Wedding The Muslim Council of Britain conveys its warmest congratulations to HRH Prince William on his forthcoming marriage to Catherine Middleton and sincerely wishes them a happy, successful and prosperous life together.

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ownership of the sold item, fulfill the rights of ownership and receive rent on it.

Thirdly, in a loan given for noncommercial purposes except for inflationary adjustments, no interest should be demanded on it.

An important issue relates to paying interest on loans acquired for personal and commercial needs. In other words, there are people who do not devour interest but are forced to

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No doubt, in a narrative, those who make others devour interest are also regarded to be equal criminals;1 however, people have failed to understand the real meaning of this narrative. It refers to people who are the agents of professional lenders and in this capacity hunt for potential customers for their masters. As such, they are guilty of co-operating with them in this sin. In other words, this narrative does not relate to people who borrow on interest.

At the same time, the MCB denounces the latest antics of the group calling itself ‘Muslims Against Crusades (MAC)’ in their bid to protest during this auspicious day. We believe their action on this national occasion of celebration is completely at odds with the ethos of Islam. We remind them of Prophet Muhammad’s blessed words, that “marriage is indeed half of faith”. They have chosen a day when the whole nation will be watching in celebration and cause offence and stir friction amongst the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. We as a community need to stand united against such extremist groups and convey to the nation that this is not Islam.

We hope that the British public recognizes this as an act that yearns for publicity with the sole objective of claiming media attention for silly antics. We also hope that the media will not indulge such cynical behaviors through disproportionate coverage.

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Polygamy in Islam: The Forgotten Sunnah Muslim Voice

By Fathiyyah Bashshar It is reported that the Prophet, (PBUH) said “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward. (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443). There are many aspects of the Sunnah that aren’t being practiced. Why? Allah knows best. One of the major misconceptions that are discussed pertains to the permissibility of plural marriages. Some Muslims have gone as far to say that polygamy is permissible but grossly incommodious.

Some even state that polygamy is only acknowledged if there is some direct favor for the other wife/wives. Several women have even stated that their husbands cannot marry unless the woman is a widow, or if she is barren. At being most profuse some believe their understanding to be that polygamy is allowed but in no way acclaimed by Islamic law.

The development of these beliefs exposes the existence of the intellect demonstrated by some Muslims who refuse to acknowledge the practice of the Messenger of Allah. (PBUH). The Quran states “And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one, or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]. [Quran, chapter 4, verse 3] So this is clear that the conditions are set in regards to taking another wife, as stated in the Quran.

Although polygamy is illegal in the U.S. and most mosques try to discourage plural marriages, some Muslim men in America have quietly married multiple wives.

Abed Awad, a family law attorney in New Jersey, says for many Muslim men, multiple wives means many children — which is considered a blessing in Islam.

And since Islam allows for sexual relations only in marriage, polygamy legitimizes the relationship in Allah`s eyes.

No one knows how many Muslims in the U.S. live in polygamous families. But according to academics researching the issue, estimates range from 50,000 to 100,000 people.

Islam does teach that there are conditions to marrying more than one woman. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) has stated that marriage may be for four reasons ““for her property, her status, her beauty, and her religion; so try to get one who is religious, may you be blessed.”( Quran 4:3) Polygamy in the U.S. is not limited to remote enclaves in the West or breakaway sects once affiliated with the Mormon Church. Several scholars say it’s growing among black Muslims in the inner city — and particularly in Philadelphia, which is known for its large orthodox Black Muslim community. I interviewed a young sister here in the valley by the name of Hamida (a mother of 6) who migrated to Arizona from New York 5 years ago. She stated that polygamy is openly practiced back east, but it appeared to be frowned upon here in the valley. She has been in a polygamous marriage for four years. Her co-wife lives in California and her husband travels back and forth continuously. She stated that there have been problems, but her justification is, what marriage doesn’t have problems?”

On the hand Brother Abdur-Rahiym from Tempe, states that” polygamy here in America can be difficult. Although he is an advocate of plural marriage, one of the main issues is not being able to marry both wives according to the laws of the land.

In regards to inheritance, he feels that the laws of the land won’t support inheritance to the other wife if he passes away. He also stated that” it is difficult enough to take care of one family and taking care of two is more difficult. He knows

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that polygamy can work simply because Allah has made it permissible”. To echo his sentiments, recently the Washington Post; reported that the United Nations has given allowance to employees dividing their benefits among their multiple wives, as long as they originated from a country where this (polygamy) is a practice. This is a step in the recognition of the culture.

Polygamy, and laws concerning polygamy, differ greatly throughout the Islamic world and form a very complex and diverse background from nation to nation.

Whereas in some Muslim countries it may be fairly common, in most others it is often rare or non-existent. To many, polygamy is an exception rather than the rule, and is traditionally restricted to men who can manage things, and in some countries it is illegal for a man to marry multiple wives if he is unable to afford to take care of each of them properly.(The Weekly Standard) Several religious scriptures have supported polygamy. In the Bible; which is the Holy Book for Christians and a portion the Holy Book called the Torah for the Jewish faith; states in this verse” Exodus 21:10, that multiple marriages are not to diminish the status of the first wife (specifically, her right to food, clothing and conjugal relations). Mormon polygamy began with Joseph Smith, Jr. claiming to have received a revelation on July 17, 1831 that some Mormon men who were specifically commanded to do so would practice “plural marriage.”

Polygamy is a sacred law absolutely requiring men to treat their wives equitably. Equitable treatment includes but is not limited to: a) Financial support and maintenance b) Housing c) Companionship d) Fair division households.

of

time

between

Hence, Islam does allow polygamy but under restrictions or regulations.

When polygamy is practiced in Islam, the rights of these women (wives) are

17

established. The relationship is recognized as a marriage in every sense of the word.

Polygamy is less of a departure from the traditional marriage as we know it.

Polygamy involves procreation. In our society there seem to be some ‘narrow’ or rather ‘lapped-sided’ thinking on this issue. We give allowance to any number of partners, as long as it is done one at a time.

It is evident that the association of “polygamy” with Islam is not only unfair or biased, but based on a serious misunderstanding.

Polygamy was practiced, often without limitations or regulations, in almost all cultures. It was sanctioned by various religions, and practiced, both before the advent of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and for many centuries thereafter. The Mormons presently practice it. Christian missionaries, in Africa and other areas, where polygamy is a social necessity, also allow it.

The Misunderstandings of Society Student Sami Zatari stated! “It is in our best interest to correct the social ills in our society. It is disheartening how our legal system would ban polygamy but permit prostitution or relinquish any chance for a woman to be given a right to honor. Is the law designed to reward deception and punish honesty? The person who wants to be honorable in their practice of polygamy is shunned” Final Thoughts We cannot deny the existence of polygamy; whether in Islam or another faith. In America we accept that it is an illegal act but do we believe that the general norm in Islam is monogamy and not polygamy. Is the position of Islam towards polygamy that it is neither mandatory nor encouraged, but merely permitted?

Whatever your thoughts are, we must not forget that the greatest of generations and our Beloved Prophet (PBUH) is the best of examples and had many practices that we follow today. The question is, will polygamy be one of them?

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Food Recipes Tiramisu with dates

Shrimp Makboos

By Chef Osama Ingredients 1 kilo shrimps peeled 2 cloves garlic chopped 2 Table spoon lemon juice 1 Table spoon olive oil Salt and pepper 2 ½ cup onion, chopped 2 Table spoon vegetable oil 3 tea spoon mixed spice (coriander, cumin, cardamom, dry lemon) 1 Table spoon oil 3 cup basmati rice 2 whole dry lemons 2 cinnamon stick 10 black pepper seeds

By Chef Osama Ingredients 1 1/2 Cup Flour 1 1/2 Cup Butter 1 1/2 Cup sugar 8 Eggs 1/4 tsp vanilla

- Flip the cake on a wire rack, cool.

- Whisk butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.

For the cream:

Saffron

- Whisk cheese and sugar with a hand mixer; fold in the whipped cream until combined.

1 Table spoon rose water

- Add eggs one at the time, vanilla while continuously whisking until all ingredients are well combined.

For filling

- Fold in flour gradually, stir slowly until just combined.

1 Cup Espresso, or strong coffee

For the filling:

3 Cups dates cut into half

- Put coffee in a saucepan over medium heat, add the dates, and let mixture boil for 5 minutes.

2 Cups mascarpone cheese 2 Cups cream, whipped 1/2 Cup sugar Cocoa powder and cinnamon for decoration Method For the Cake: - Preheat the oven to 180°.

¼ tea spoon turmeric

- Grease and lightly flour a (26 cm) cake pan.

- Drain the dates while keeping aside the boiled coffee.

- In the prepared cake pan, arrange the dates; pour the cake mixture on it.

- Bake the cake for 20 minutes or until done.

For the tiramisu: - Flip the cake upside down so the dates will be on the top.

- Cut the cake horizontally into two equal layers.

- Put the lower layer of the cake in the serving plate; make some holes in the cake (using a wood chopstick), moister with coffee.

- Top with mascarpone cream, spreading evenly.

- Place the other cake layer, cover with cream; sprinkle with cocoa powder and cinnamon.

5 cup water

4 egg boiled Fresh coriander chopped Method - Season shrimps with garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, set aside.

- Put onion in a pan over medium heat, stir then sprinkle with small amount of water, till soft.

- Add oil then spices powder, stir for 10 minutes.

- Add shrimps, fry from all sides.

- Add rice, dry lemon, cinnamon sticks, black pepper seeds, turmeric and water, stir and season with salt and pepper.

- Cover and reduce heat, leave till fully cooked for 20 minutes.

- Dissolve saffron in rose water, Spread over Makboos, whish slightly.

- Decorate with boiled eggs slices and chopped coriander before serving.

CALENDAR / ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Phoenix Prayer Times

MAY 2011

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Tucson Prayer Times

May 2011 • Jumada Al-Awwal / Jumada Al-Akirah 1432 H

May 2011 • Jumada Al-Awwal / Jumada Al-Akirah 1432 H

DIRECTIONS TO THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER CEMETERY

ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOLS Islamic Community Center of Phoenix:

Sunday at 9:45 am-1:20 pm.

Islamic Cultural Center:

Sunday at 10:00 am

Muslim Community Mosque:

Sunday at 10:00 am until 2:30 pm.

Masjid Omar

Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

ICNEV Weekend Islamic School

Tel: (480) 346-2081Classes held on Sunday

FROM THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER (ICC):

Check our website for up to date information www.tempemasjid.com

1) Go South on Forest to University Drive. Turn right.

2) Go West on University to the I-10 highway.

Take I-10 East.

3) Proceed on I-10 East (~12 Miles). Exit at Queen Creek Rd. (EXIT #164).

4) Turn right on route 347 South. Proceed for about 14 miles.

5) Turn right on route 238 West. Proceed for about 8.7 miles.

6) Turn right on unnamed/unpaved street after you see the street sign which reads “36 miles” and proceed to the cemetery.

K thru’ grade 12 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

ACA Weekend School

Sunday 10:00 am-1:15 pm. www.azacademy.org/weekend

Sultan Education in Chandler

Saturdays & Sundays - children/adults 480-593-7066

Greenway Islamic Academy

Tajweed, Islamic Studies, & Arabic Language 602-565-0500

IN CASE OF DEATH • Call Sandy at Angel’s Burial, at 480-962-6435 • Total cost is $1,800.00

COLORING CONTEST April Winner Salem Saad Send your coloring to the Muslim Voice to enter the drawing for the best picture.

Hint: If the paper is too thin to color, make a Xerox copy then color it.

Ages 3-12, please send a picture of yourself.

COLORING CONTEST FOR KIDS

ISLAMIC CENTERS IN ARIZONA

PHOENIX Arizona Cultural Academy 7810 S. 42nd Pl. • Phoenix 602-454-1222 Islamic Center of Arizona 9032 N. 9th St. • Phoenix

Islamic Center of N. Phoenix 13246 N. 23rd Ave. 85029 602-371-3440 Islamic Comnty Ctr of Phx 7516 N. Black Canyon Hwy. Phoenix • 602-249-0496 Muslim Community Mosque 1818 N. 32nd St. • Phoenix 602-306-4959 Masjid Al-Rahmah 2645 E. McDowell Rd. • Phoenix 602-275-5493 Masjid Muhammad Ibn Abdullah

5648 N. 15th ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85015 602-413-5279

Name:

Age:

Phone: #

May 2011

Al Rasoul Mosque 5302 N. 35th Ave. • Phoenix 602-864-1817

CHANDLER Masjid AsSalam 1071 N. Alma School Rd.• Chandler 480-250-7522

PEORIA Greenway Islamic Center 6724 West Greenway • Peoria, Islamic Center of East Valley AZ www.greenwaymasjid.com 425 N. Alma School Dr. • Chandler TEMPE 602-388-9900 Islamic Comnty Ctr of Tempe 131 E. 6th Street • Tempe LAVEEN 480-894-6070 Islamic Center of Laveen P.O. Box 1107 • Laveen Masjid Al Mahdi 602-361-4401 1016 S. River Dr. • Tempe 480-557-9699 MARICOPA Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah Masjid Omar Bin Al-Khattab 44370 W. Arizona Ave. 6225 S.McClintock • Tempe Maricopa Arizona 85138 480-775-6627 contact# (602)312-7913 MESA Masjid-el-Noor 55 N. Matlock • Mesa 480-644-0074 SCOTTSDALE Islamic Center of N.E. Valley 12125 E. Via Linda • Scottsdale 480-612-4044

CASA GRANDE Masjid Sajda is located c/o: The Legacy Suites 540 North Cacheris Court Casa Grande`, Arizona 85122 480.332.8618

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