ICLI News April 2004

I.C.L.I. News

CONTACT US

Islamic Center of Long Island 835 Brush Hollow Road Westbury, NY 11590 Tel: 516-333-3495 Fax: 516-333-7321 Email: icli.icli@verizon.net

Inside this issue:

ICLI News: President’s Message (Communities support ICLI) ICLI students meet for dialogue Ghazi Khankan responds to Congressman King Act of Healing for Iraq and for ourselves

Domestic Harmony Committee Health Watch: Skin Cancer Educational Section: PTO News Schedule for Jummah Khutbahs

Youth Section: Editorial, Quiz and more!! Community Round-up: ICLI Services

Communities Come Out to Support ICLI Against Congressman King

Asalamu Alaikum, “Of the people of Moses, there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth”. The Holy Qur’an – 7:159

In my message of March 2004/Muharram 1425, I had outlined some of the vitriolic, baseless charges Congressman Peter King had made regarding American Muslims in general and ICLI in particular. I had described his attacks as WMD – words of mass distortion.

I have been delighted to see the outpouring of support from members of other faiths, particularly Christian and Jewish colleagues. I am reproducing a few representative samples from the very large number of letters and e-mails which I received.

Evelyn Eichmeyer-Quinoses’ Letter to Congressman King 2/15/04 (Baldwin, NY)

I am so tired of your preaching separation among Long Islanders. Congressman, we are a community of many different ethnic groups, and to nitpick the intricacies of each group would probably make each and every one of us look bad.

Tuula Friedman, Newsday, March 9, 2004 (Glen Cove)

In the three years since Representative King has become my representative, I have been appalled by the arrogance, lack of respect and dismissive ness that King and some of his staff have shown to people who do not agree with the hard right turn of the House of Representatives.

Al Jordan, Associate Dean, SUNY at Stony Brook

I heard Congressman King’s comments and dismissed them as ignorance. I will share the information you sent with friends.

Ellen Israelson, Executive Director, American Jewish Committee, Long Island.

I was shocked to read Congressman King’s

comments. I did not expect that from King. Steve Kamholz, Chairman of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, I am appalled by the implication that you and your faithful are extremists. You have been a shining light for tolerance, brotherhood and an ecumenical, interfaith approach to today’s problems. Know that I fully support you and respect all the wonderful things that you stand for!

Linnea Smith, M.D. from a Clinic in Amazon, Peru

I hope it will come as a relief to you to hear that I never heard about Congressman King’s remarks (living in Peru does have its advantages). However, even though I am a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Wisconsin girl, I seriously doubt that a majority of Muslims in the U.S. (or probably even in the world) are extremists. Hang in. The world is full of crazies, and some of them are in our own government. We have a chance to change things this fall.

A Publication of The Islamic Center of Long Island, Westbury.

In the Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful

April 2004 / Safar - Rabi Al-Awwal

Left -> Right - Ahmed El Hattab (Director ISNA Development Foundation, Sayyid m. Sayeed (Sec/Gen ISNA), Msgn Tom Hartman and Dr. Faroque Khan at the opening day of ISNA Grant Writing Workshop—Long Island, March 19th 2004.

(Continued from page 1)

Marion Bergman, Board Member of American Jewish Committee, Long Island

In light of the positive contributions you have made towards the furthering of Muslim-Jewish dialog and understanding on Long Island, I would like to offer my support and encouragement to you in the continued pursuit of all your good work. What we need in the USA is for more people to follow your example, not illinformed public criticism by politicians. Perhaps you should also send Mr. King a copy of the recent Newsday article that appeared after Rabbi David Rosen’s appearance at the Islamic Center.

Tom Goodhues, Executive Director L.I. Council of Churches. Note to Ch. 21’s Face Off Show , Appreciate your giving Faroque Khan a chance to respond to the bizarre charges Congressman King leveled against him this month. Dr. Khan was far more gracious than I probably would have been if I were in his shoes…Keep up the good work.

Douglas MacKaye Harrington, Editor, Hamptonian Magazine

I will try and give this issue some print for you. Sometimes King makes me ashamed to be Irish.

Rev. Mark Bigelow (Huntington, LI)

I am deeply saddened to learn of these anti-Muslim comments by Congressman King. I applaud your efforts to show the truth and build deeper relationships between people of all faiths.

Frederick A. Smith, M.D., Attending Staff, North Shore University Hospital

Yet Republican politicians cannot seem to give up their penchant for gutter politics and smear tactics when these appear to promise easy votes. Hopefully, Congressman King’s inclination to tar-brush whole groups of people will help the Democratic party – which remains the party of tolerance, inclusiveness and equal opportunity – to reclaim the White House and the Congress in 2004, and reorder this country’s priorities with respect to the fight on terror, taxes, fiscal responsibility, health care, the environment, and the civil rights of minority groups.

Rev. Mark J. Lukens, President, The Interfaith Alliance of Nassau County

Congressman King’s attack on Faroque Khan and the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, a center of interfaith dialogue and outreach and as patriotic a congregation as one could find anywhere in America, is shockingly

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out of character and beneath the leader that Mr. King has otherwise shown himself to be. Our fellow Americans deserve better than this from an elected representative. Mr. King owes an apology to Dr. Khan, ICLI, especially Muslim Americans.

Rabbi Jerome K. Davidson, Senior Rabbi, Temple Beth El of Great Neck

Representative King, unfortunately, chose to base his view regarding “extremist” leaders of mosques on an erroneous article. The ICLI and Temple Beth El represent the best hope of understanding between American Muslims and Jews. Congressman King’s comments are indeed a disappointment to those who care about strengthening such important bonds in this country.

John Rennback, Newsday, March 3, 2004, A46 (Massapequa)

Who does King think he is? He is a public servant. His salary is paid by taxpayers. He is answerable to those taxpayers…If a constituent has something to say to his or her representative, that representative had better sit down and listen – that’s their job.

Patricia Goldsmith, Newsday March 6, 2004, A 49 (Island Park)

King has been my congressman for 12 years----King consistently votes for tax cuts for the super rich, for drilling in the Artic ,for an energy bill written by the oil industry, and for a Medicare drug benefit bill written by the pharmaceutical industry .This November ,I intend to vote for A.B.K—Anybody But King—in order to help take the House of Representatives away from the radicals who have so cynically hijacked it.

Steve Keyser, Newsday March 17,2004, A 44 (Lindenhurst)

As a constituent of Rep. Peter King, I am troubled by his speeches and letters about the Islamic community. While attending Hofstra University I had the pleasure of attending a service at the mosque.

As a Jew, I had serious reservations. But from the first moment we arrived those reservations went away because Khan made us all feel welcome.

King is on the House International Committee .It seems odd to me that someone on this panel could have so much trouble getting along with his Islamic constituents. The above messages are just a small sample from the large collection I have. I wanted to share these with you to assure you that there are people of good will who can clearly differentiate facts from fiction. Our job is to

Managing Editor: Mohammed Sohail Nabi email: m.nabi@verizon.net Education/PTO: Margaret Iamunno email: margaretaiamunno@msn.com

Youth Section: Emraan Khan email: ekhan17@hotmail.com

Printed By: Five Star Printing (Flushing) (718)-353 4711

(Continued from page 2) reach out and interact with as many fellow Americans as we can – individually, collectively, through institutions such as media, TV, universities, hospitals, colleges, etc.

Congressman King keeps alleging that leadership of ICLI did not adequately condemn the terror attack of 9/11. Elsewhere in this newsletter we are reproducing the official statement ICLI’s Board issued in October 2001, and this was aired on the Telecare Channel, several times during Nov/Dec 2001.

Personally, I am most appreciative of the opportunity to live in the USA, a country I chose to live in by choice. My family and I have immensely benefited living in a free multicultural, multiethnic community .We cherish the freedom and the opportunity this great country provides all of us. Our elected leaders need to understand and welcome the critique we provide out of our sense of patriotism and citizenship. Individuals and leaders who have taken the time to visit and meet with us have had no hesitation in stating their very positive views regarding ICLI and the brief sample reproduced in this message is a testimony to that fact.

With my best wishes, Faroque A. Khan Email: faroquekhan@yahoo.com

ICLI Students Meet for Dialogue

On Tuesday, February 25, 2004, the youths from Islamic Center of Long Island and Temple Beth-El met for a Muslim/Jewish dialogue. The program started with a Pizza dinner and dessert and Introduction to the program by Rabbi Davidson. ICLI youths learned about Judaism fromtheyouths at Temple Beth EL.

The Jewish students learnedabout Islam 101 fromDr. Faroque Khan.

ICLI student took a tour of the Sanctuary of the synagogue. The best part of the evening was when youthsgathered together in small groups for student dialogue and discussion. They sharedfeelings andanswered questions like:

What is the best part about being a teenager today?

What is the hardest part about being a teenager today? Describe what it is like to be aJewish teenager or a Muslim teenager in Public school?

Have you experienced any acts of Prejudice?

If so what Happened and how did you respond?

Are you proud to be Jewish or Muslim Today?

The evening ended withfeeling of understanding, tolerance andrespect to each other andtheir faith.

Ghazi Khankan Responds to Congressman King’s Accusations in the Media

March 15, 2004/ Muharram 23, 1425 Letters To The Editor, Newsday.

Peter King’s “WMD” Words of Mass Distortion

Dear Editor:

Congressman Peter King accused me in Newsday, March 8, 2004, Section, Opinion, page A39 – of the following: “…Ghazi Khankan, the interfaith director of the Islamic Center, made outrageous and indefensible statements such as: -that Mohammed Atta and other alleged hijackers were alive, -that Atta’s passport had been stolen. -that the 9/11 attacks were not caused by Muslims and Arabs, -and that the media should investigate the “world Zionist network.”

My reply to these accusations are found in a letter to The Editor, I sent to the New York Times, dated September 28, 2001 (not published/attached) 17 days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. By comparing Mr. King’s accusations with my statement in the New York Times letter, you will realize that “WMD: words of mass distortion” apply to Mr. King’s words. By repeating the same accusations in different forms on other media, “WMD” became words of mass deception!

As for my “outrageous and indefensible statements”, here is what others have said about the same issue:

1. CNN reported on September 21, 2001: “FBI Director Robert Mueller has acknowledged that some of those behind last week’s terror attack may have stolen the identification of other people, and, according to at least one security expert, it may have been “relatively easy” based on their level of sophistication.” Source, please see: “Hijackers likely skilled with fake ID.” CNN, September 21, 2001.

Google users enter: CNN Mueller identity theft. Is FBI Director’s statement “outrageous and indefensible”? Also, Is the FBI controlled by 85% extremist leaders?

2. The WASHINGTON POST, under the headline “Some Hijacker Identities Remain Uncertain” reported: “FBI officials said yesterday that some of the 19 terrorists who carried out last week’s assault on New York and Washington may have stolen the identities of other people, and their real names may remain unknown. Saudi government officials also said yesterday that they have determined that at lest two (2) of the terrorists used the names of living, law-abiding Saudi citizens. Other hijackers may have faked their identities as well, they said.”…. “…This operation had tremendous security, and using false names would have been part of it,” said John Martin, retired chief of the Justice Department’s internal security section. “The hijackers themselves may not have known the others’ true names.”

Source, see “Some Hijacker Identities Uncertain,” by Dan Eggen, George Lardner, Jr. and Susan Schmidt. WASHINGTON POST, September 20, 2001. Is the WASHINGTON POST also controlled by 85% extremist leaders?

Concerning Mr. King’s accusation “that the 9/11 attacks were not caused by Muslims and Arabs”, my exact words in the headline of my New York Times letter (attached) were: “True Muslims” could not be the culprits, because “True Muslims” cannot disobey God’s/Allaah’s commandments in Al-Qur'an: “Do not kill the life that Allah made sacred,” because “True Muslims” believe that “suicide and killing innocent people are sinful acts…”

Mr. Peter King is, unfortunately, misinformed and misguided. I urge him to face his mistake, courageously and apologize for defaming the

Muslim American community in America, Long Island, New York, the Islamic Center of Long Island, Dr. Faroque Khan and myself.

Sincerely, Ghazi Y. Khankan, Islamic Center of Long Island

September 28, 2001 /Rajab 10, 1422 Letter to the Editor, The New York Times.

Dear Editor:

In the Sunday, September 23, 2001 edition of The New York Times, page B5 entitled “The Investigation so Far – The Trail: Dead Suspects, Many Links”, you have printed pictures and names of the suspected hijackers. Two of the 19 suspects: Abdulaziz Alomari and Saeed Alghamdi could not have been on the hijacked planes because they are still alive and are working in Saudi Arabia.

Asharq Al-Awsat, one of the leading Arabic international newspapers in Saudi Arabia, featured on page one of its Monday, 17 September, 2001, the picture of Abdulaziz Alomori under the headline “A Saudi, whose name appeared in the list of the hijackers speaks out: “It is my name and my birthday, but I am not the one who blew up the world Trade Center.”! He explained that in 1993, he studied electrical engineering at the University of Colorado in Denver and that in 1995 his apartment was ransacked and his Saudi passport was stolen among other things. He reported this theft to the police precinct of downtown Denver, CO on December 31, 1995. The Saudi Government in Riyadh issued for him another passport, NO. 1784958. He then returned to the U.S. on January 11, 1996 with his new passport, to continue his studies. In April, 2000 he graduated and received a B.S in Electrical Engineering and returned to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is NOW working with Saudi Communications Corporation. Please log on http://www.asharqalawsat.com for further details.

The name and picture of the second suspected “hijacker”, Saeed Alghamdi, listed in the New York Times, also appeared in the Saudi Arabian English language daily: ARAB NEWS (e-mail: arabnews@arabnews.com), in which he said that he studied in Florida from 1998 to 1999 and then returned home and worked for Saudi Arabian Airlines. In August 2000, he returned to the U.S. for further training and NOW he is a pilot with Tunis Air, in Tunisia. Mr. Alghamdi suspects that his picture could have been taken from his file in the aviation school in Florida!

Last week the father of Mohamed Atta, whose name and picture also appeared in your paper – was interviewed on the Egyptian Satellite Arabic Channel and said that his son, Mohamed Atta, was well and alive working now in the Untied Arab Emirates!

We and the 484 members of the congregation who signed this letter today, would like to know, if three of the 19 suspected “hijackers” are still alive, who were the other 16? The important questions are: Who is impersonating these three Muslim Arabs? Why are Muslim Arabs been implicated in this terrorism? And, who could “benefit” from this horrific tragedy? Definitely Muslims could NOT be the culprits, because the Islamic teachings state: “Do not kill the life that God made sacred.” Suicide and killing innocent people are sinful acts punishable on the Day of Judgment, nay even before that, in the grave.

Sincerely,

Al-Haaj Ghazi Y. Khankan, Director of Interfaith and Communication Islamic Center of Long Island

True Muslims Cannot Commit Suicide Nor Kill Without Due Process That Is Why True Muslims Are Not Part Of The WTC Tragedy

An Act of Healing for Iraq and for Ourselves

A Report by James Rupert (Deputy Foreign Editor of Newsday and a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Huntington)

HOW DO YOU HEAL A WAR? Every week, we see the upsetting pictures of the war in Iraq. American troops face an enormous task. They have been sent to bring calm to a country they do not know and whose language they cannot speak, in the face of a guerrilla war against them. As is usual in modern warfare, most of the casualties are civilians.

And for every civilian wounded or killed, of course, many more are wounded in spirit over the loss or suffering of their loved ones. These casualties (physical and spiritual), combined with Iraq’s bitter past experience with a Western occupying army (the British army, following World War I) has made it easy for many Iraqis to mistrust Americans, and to feel that they are alone and uncared for in their suffering.

In an effort to heal some of these wounds of the spirit -and to offer our Iraqi sisters and brothers some practical help -- members of ICLI and the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Huntington joined together on March 1 to prepare a small aid project. We assembled and packed about 230 “baby care kits” -- with blankets, soap, washcloths and hair brushes -- to be distributed to Iraqi families with newborn babies. (The kits, each one packed in a one-gallon plastic food storage bag, are being sent to Iraqi hospitals and clinics to be distributed to families who lack the basic supplies to care for their newborns).

and want to see their lives improved. BUT THIS PROJECT did not aim only to bridge a divide between Americans and Iraqis. It reached across the sad divisions that have arisen within our own country. Despite our American ideals of tolerance and equality, we have seen fear and suspicion arise among Americans of various religious faiths. Usually, such fear and suspicion is rooted in ignorance on the part of one group about another.

Especially since September 11, 2001, of course, we have seen many Americans attacking the Islamic faith, or our Muslim brothers and sisters, out of just this kind of ignorance. In our congregation, the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, we realized that we needed to find some concrete act, even a small one, of reaching out to our Muslim friends. The Islamic Center of Long Island and its leadership are well known for their openness to people of other faiths, and so it was easy to make contact and organize our baby kit project together.

While we made the kits, children of the two congregations gathered to produce beautiful “picture messages” illustrating our desire for peace in Iraq and for its people. The pictures, too, are being sent to Iraq to help deliver the message that many Americans care deeply about the Iraqis

Sheikh Mohammad Sadiqi, Dr. Safdar Chadda, James Rupert and Richard Kopp

Volunteers from ICLI and Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Huntington

Volunteers help make the kits for Iraqi families

The Unitarian-Universalists, in case you haven’t met us, are a relatively small religious group with a very long name! (The U-U movement began within Christianity but now embraces people of many religious descriptions -- in-

ized the Iraq baby kit project was a varied rainbow! From the Islamic Center, Dr. Faroque Khan and Dr. Safdar Chadda coordinated the project with me, and we had ICLI’s Br. Sajjid Shah order supplies for the kits. One of Br. Shah’s colleagues at his pharmacy in Brooklyn -- a woman from the Dominican Republic named Dolores Del Toro -- made dozens of phone calls to get the supplies delivered in time.

On March 1, we had Muslims, and UnitarianUniversalists from many backgrounds (Christian, Jewish and other) packing up the kits.

The kits were sent to the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization that is shipping and distributing them through hospitals in Iraq. (And in the Quaker offices in Philadelphia, the woman running this project, Tahija Vikalo, is a Muslim from Sarajevo!)

cluding Jews, Christians, Buddhists and a relatively few Muslims).

AL-HAMDULILLAH, GOOD PEOPLE, motivated by God’s calls for justice and kindness among us, can be found in every religious faith, and the group that organ-

So, with Muslims, Catholics, Quakers, Jews and Unitarian-Universalists all working together, we hope to help as many as 230 Iraqi families in a small but important way, and to let them see that many Americans do care about their problems. We also hope to reinforce the message to ourselves and to our fellow Americans that, whenever we feel ourselves fearful about another group, our best response to that situation is to meet, to offer the hand of friendship and to ask ourselves what we might do together to improve this world we share.

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Children of the two congregations gathered to produce beautiful “picture messages”

ICLI’s Domestic Harmony Committee (DHC)

Muslim Family Values

The Family is the cornerstone of Muslim society. Islam bases the family atmosphere on sacrifice, love, loyalty, and obedience. Qur’an 30:21 defines the husband-wife relationship as follows: “He created for you spouses from yourselves that you might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and Mercy.” Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also stressed these meanings: “The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” He also said: “Only the evil one abuses them (women), and the honored one is he who honors them.”

Domestic Violence is a statement of total failure within a family, a community, a society, religious institutions, and ultimately humanity.

Before asking children to be good and loyal to their parents, The Qur’an requires parents to raise them with great care and to do their duty before asking for their rights.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is an abusive behavior—emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual- that one person in an intimate relationship uses in order to control the other. It takes many different forms and includes behaviors such as threats, name-calling, preventing contact with family or friends, withholding money, actual or threatened physical harm and sexual assault. Most domestic violence is committed against women by their male partners or ex-partners. In small number of cases, female partners abuse men, but because of 91 to 95 percent of all adult domestic violence assaults are perpetrated by men against their female partners.

Why does domestic violence happen?

Domestic violence is the extreme expression of the belief in male dominance over women. Men who choose to abuse their partners do so because they have learned that violence "works" to maintain power and control in their relationships.

Domestic violence continues because our silence as a community and as a society legitimizes the abuser's behavior. Men need to know that abuse of any kind will not be tolerated by anyone, and that there will be severe consequences for their actions.

Domestic violence is part of a continuum of oppression in which women are violated in various ways, including rape and sexual assault, incest, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowry, etc.

What are the effects of abuse on the children?

All children suffer from witnessing their father abuse their mother. In addition to the psychological effects, children can, in fact, be direct targets of abuse. Studies indicate that it is better for children to live without their perpetrating father than in a two-parent household that is abusive. Also, boys who witness abuse are at greater risk to become perpetrators of violence in adulthood.

If you know a woman who is abused, what can you do?

Assure her of confidentiality. Validate the woman's experience. Let her know that she is not alone and that abuse is not her fault. Listen to her and support her without blame or judgment. Provide her with resources, including information on domestic violence organizations like the Domestic Harmony Committee. Offer to be a contact person in an emergency. Respect her right to self-determination and choose her own path.

DOMESTIC HARMONY HOTLINE; 516 942 2081

DHC outreach

The Committee on Domestic Harmony at ICLI was invited to present issues related to young Muslim girls at a conference “Gender Equity in Education” held by Long Island Fund for Women and Girls in collaboration with Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action at State University of New York, Stony Brook on March 24, 2004.

Life in post 9-11 America has become complex and uncertain for Muslims in general and our youth in particular. Women’s status in Islam has been a focus lately in some circles and there has been increased discourse and awareness with regards to traditional cultural practices vs. what is prescribed in Islam. However, not much attention has been paid to identify the struggles of our youth and how the political and social environment in these times, have impacted on their psychological make-up. Specifically, Muslim girls often feel pressures from both within the community and the outside social milieu. They have to defend their faith, beliefs and practices, and affirm that Islam affords equitable treatment to women. To identify these

Call for Pro Bono Lawyers

DHC is actively recruiting private lawyers who specialize in family and immigration law. We are in need of practitioners to take on referrals on a pro bono basis.

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struggles is challenging as no systematic attempt has been made so far to highlight these issues in our community. It is with this awareness that the Committee on Domestic Harmony is taking steps to bring up these issues and address them within our community and also present this information to people who are directly connected with educating our children, i.e. parents and teachers.

The Committee on Domestic Harmony at ICLI was invited to present issues related to young Muslim girls at a conference “Gender Equity in Education” held by Long Island Fund for Women and Girls in collaboration with Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching and Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action at State University of New York, Stony Brook on March 24, 2004. For this purpose we employed a qualitative study design and conducted two focus groups in which middle and high school girls from our center participated and highlighted their struggles and challenges. Our preliminary results have suggested that indeed the challenges are profound and our girls have to not only preserve their religious and cultural identity but also negotiate the pressures from home and school. Sometimes, it leads to living a “double life”, as often these demands are contradictory. They often felt that these issues could not be discussed with their parents or teachers. Most girls agreed that we should have a forum for young Muslim girls within our community where they could bring up these issues and that the examples of adult female “role models” who have negotiated these challenges should be provided for our Muslim girls. These results suggest the need for continued efforts by the Muslim community to understand and address these challenges. Our goal is not only to dispel myths and misperceptions about women’s status in Islam but also engage in continuous collaborative work with mainstream organizations so that these misconceptions could be corrected. In addition, our hope is that it will create a safe space within our community to address these issues and provide support to both parents and children with reference to their struggles.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to girls who participated in this study and the parents who gave consent for their participation.

DHC Events

“Soul Food” support group is every woman’s motivation to learn, teach, explore, support, and be supported. Group will be using Discussions, Creative Art, Visualization, and Relaxation.

The group goals:

Improving personal and social functioning

Increase personal autonomy and motivation Confidence building, self validation, and realization of one's own potential Express feelings, emotions, and conflicts

Insight, self-awareness, and reflection.

Relaxation

At the same time a Children's Peer Group will be on going. A relaxed, recreational environment to promote discussion of relevant topics such as issues at school, family & friends, stress, time, and/or anger management Group decides topics. Activities may include arts & crafts projects, card or board games, or outdoor activities (weather permitting). Homework help will probably be provided. The support group meets every Thursday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 5 Jamie drive, Westbury. The group is open to the ICLI community and community of Westbury and neighboring towns.

For further information please contact Amal Wahab and Shireen Khan at DHC’s office Book Club meeting Friday April 2nd at 7-8:30 PM.

THE NAMESAKE By Jhumpa Lahiri. Jhumpa Lahiri's quietly dazzling new novel, ''The Namesake'', is that rare thing: an intimate, closely observed family portrait that effortlessly and discreetly unfolds to disclose a capacious social vision. It is a novel about two generations of the Ganguli family, and at the same time it is a novel about exile and its discontents, a novel that is as affecting in its Chekhovian exploration of fathers and sons, parents and children, as it is resonant in its exploration of what is acquired and lost by immigrants and their children in pursuit of the American Dream. For information: Please see Dr. Kushalata Ahmed at DHC at 5 Jamie Drive.

April 23 7-- 8:30 PM-- A Lecture with Nazi Badruddin—MS in Nutrition Sciences, and Spa Café With Skin CARE and Nutrition lectures – Muneeza Ismail at DHC office. Space is limited, RSVP with Homaira Mamoor at MairaPlus@aol.com.

Mother’s support group - meet every other Friday 78:30 PM To suggest a topic Contact Sr. Laura Maksood at DHC office. Computer

Skin Cancer

By Dr. Isma Chaudhry MD

Carcinoma. It occurs not only on the skin but also on the lips or linings of the mouth, face and ears. This form of cancer generally occurs as a result of exposure to the sun, pipe smoking, pan betel or tobacco chewing, and poor oral hygiene. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is Malignant Melanoma. It may appear as a change in an existing mole, small, dark, multicolored spot with irregular borders, either elevated or flat, that may bleed and form a scab. A cluster of shiny, firm, dark bumps. If a mole or birth mark begins to darken in color, itch, bleed, or enlarge, it may be a melanoma. This form of cancer can be completely cured if treated quickly. However, if not diagnosed early, it may spread throughout the body and can lead to death.

What can be done to prevent skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a common form of cancer in the United States. Approximately 1.3 million people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year.

Malignant melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that may begin as a common birth mark or as a mole. Skin cancers involve abnormal cell changes in the outer layer of skin called the epidermis.

Skin cancer can be found on any part of the body, and about 80 percent appear on the face, head or neck. It is mainly caused by too much exposure to the sun, chemicals and radiation.

Who can get Skin cancer?

Anyone can get Skin Cancer. People who are fair, have light colored eyes and hair, have large sized or large quantity of moles, are at a greater risk. Dark-skinned people are rarely affected, and then only on light areas of the body such as the soles of the feet or under fingernails or toenails.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of skin Cancer?

If someone has a sore that bleeds or does not heal. If there is change in the size or color of a lump or mole, or if there is a new growth on the skin, it should be reported to the doctor immediately. People with family history of skin cancer should be careful and do self examinations.

What are different kinds of Skin Cancers?

The most common and the least dangerous skin cancer is Basal cell Carcinoma. It most often appear as shiny or red lumps. There may be a sore or lump present that seems not to heal. If the cancer is not treated it can grow deeper in the skin and damage surrounding structures such as ears, lips, nose, and eyelids.

The second most common skin cancer is Squamous Cell

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, especially between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. When outside in the sun , wear sun glasses and protective clothing such as hat, and long sleeves. Sun screen with an SPF ( sun protection factor ) of at least 15, and an SPF of at least 30 if swimming or chances of heavy perspiration. Examination of skin regularly is very important.

How is it Diagnosed and Treated?

Educational Section

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) News

Iraqi Health Kit Project

Al Hamdu-lilah, as noted in Jim Rupert’s article in this issue, our community joined with the Unitarian Universalists of Huntington at ICLI on 2/29 to assemble health kits for families in Iraq suffering as a result of recent events. Youth from ICLI and the UU sat shoulder to shoulder assembling kits, writing messages of peace, praying and simply enjoying each other’s company. It was a warm and festive gathering.

The gathering was a wonderful punctuation to a weeks worth of effort and dedication by ICLI parents and students who collected donations to purchase the health items. As promised, the class who collected the most donations will receive an ice cream party from the PTO. FYI, Class B won the honors!!! Good going Class B and all who participated!.

Women of Islam ~ Writing Contest

We received some wonderful entries from our youth celebrating Women’s History Month ~ specifically Muslim women’s attributes, rights, responsibilities and accomplishments.

This issue we feature some entries from Class B. In the next issue we will feature other entries, Insha Allah.

Sister Badriya By Haleema M. Gondal

Sister Badriya first went to the Masjiid when she was four years old. Her Ameen made her think of working in Islam. She decided to be a Qur'an teacher because she loves the children, and the Qur'an very much. What she likes best of her job is to see how well the children read in the Qur'an. When she first started the Qur'an for the very first time she was four. When she finished the Qur'an she was seven. The best thing about being a Qur'an teacher is that she loves the Qur'an but the most important thing about being a Qur'an teacher is that it makes her close to Allah (swt)..And, she is very nice to be a Qur'an teacher.

My Mom By Ahamad Khanzada

I love my mom. She’s the nicest person I know. When I look at her I feel proud I’m her son. Her eyes are as brown as a beaches sand and I lover her more than a dog

loves his bone. Her hair is as black as a night sky. Her smile is as big as the sun. Her skin is as smooth as a desk top. Even when she doesn’t wear makeup she’s still beautiful. I love my mom. My mom cleans the house , takes care of my two brothers, one sister, me, herself and my dad. She does a lot of work that’s why I chose her to write about.

Mother of Islam By Ursa Alam

My beautiful mother

Oh my sweet mother The love she gives to me Her feeling toward Everyone and is very very Religious.

Of all the nice things she does For me

I love my mother Sweet Like a rose And the Mother she is TO ME!!!

PTO Meetings

PTO meetings are a great forum for parents to provide support to their children and community. It is in this meeting that we decide upon and coordinate social, cultural and spiritual activities for the students. As well, concerns and suggestions regarding curriculum can be provided here for submission to our Education Committee. Please, join us and have your voice heard. Some of the projects we are working on are: ICLI Spring Fair (5/2) – Crafts and games, and PTO fundraising tables ~ bake sale, plant sale, Islamic materials, etc.

School wide Charitable Project. Field Trips.

Student art and writing contests. Graduation Ceremony and festivities. PTO Fund raising to pay for student, social, cultural and spiritual activities.

Student Council and Youth Group Support. Development of Eid packets for secular schools (similar to Kwanzaa, Hanukah and Christmas packets our students learn from now).

PTO Meeting Schedule: 4/11,4/25,5/16

Sunday School Media Project

The Sunday School is asking for donations of new or used Islamic Videos and DVDs that can be used by the teachers to supplement their lesson plans. If you have material, please drop it off at the Education Office or contact Sr. Isma Chaudhry at kair4211@aol.com for further information.

ICLI Girl Scouts

“Thanks!!” to all who supported the ICLI Girl Scout Cookie sale.

Girl Scout Meetings will be held on Friday evenings from 7-8:30 on the following dates: 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, 5/21, 6/4, and 6/18. Girls learn to be leaders while having fun and adhering to their faith framework. We participate in many Nassau County Girl Scout Trips and offerings. If your daughter is interested in joining, please contact Sr. Peggy Iamunno at margaretaiamunno@msn.com or Sr. Seema Rahman @ seemarahman@aol.com

Muslim Faith Perspective added to Girl Scout Sunday Celebration. Girl Scout Sunday was on March 7th. It is a celebration of faith for girls, families and community. Suffolk County Girl Scout Service Unit 12 of South Huntington hosted a celebration at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Huntington whose theme was “Girls as Peacemakers“. Faith leaders from many different paths were invited to share how peace can be achieved in our daily round, community and the world. They shared their perspectives, inspiration and prayers for peace from within their faith framework and in a youth oriented way. Afterwards, there were Girl Scout songs and poems.

Presenters included Rabbi Jeff Clopper of Temple Bethel, Pastor Britton of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church , Ms. Monica Moyers a member of the Buddhist lay organization SGI-USA , and our very own Sr. Nazli Chaudhry active Domestic Harmony Committee Member from ICLI. Sr. Nazli did a terrific job of presenting the message of peace in Islam to the youth and families gathered for the celebration. She made a positive impact that will certainly increase good will in the community.

ICLI PTO Members to Instruct Teachers about Islam for the Herricks School District

Throughout the month of April and May Sr. Isma Chaudhry, Sr. Rosanna Perotti and Sr. Peggy Iamunno will be presenting Islam in a Comparative Religious Studies Course being offered to teachers of the Herricks School District. The Herricks Religious Council is coordinating this initiative, which includes instruction in the areas of Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Jain, Sikh and Buddhist Religions as well as Christianity.

Each faith will present information on rights of passage, sources books and fundamental scriptures to understand the faith, holidays & their basic meanings and other important practices. The lecture series will culminate with a joint panel discussion where each faith will begin the session by reading passages from their scriptures which reflect “who is God” and also a passage that speaks about tolerance. The panel will also address:

What prejudices people of faith experience in the community because of their beliefs Issues that affect families

What is “truth” to each of us – is that absolute, exclusive and/ or shared.

More than simply being on a panel together, we want to demonstrate sharing respect for all the religions represented here; discuss how we can work in unity; what we have in common.

It is our hope that by providing information on the basic tenets of our faith and the Muslim American experience that teachers will be better equipped to understand and accept the diversity of faiths that exist on Long Island.

Jummah Khutbahs

Khutbahs on the dates below will be performed by the following brothers

Apr 2nd Dr. Mamoun Najjar

Apr 9th Br. Syed Zafruddin Syeed

Apr 16th Dr. Sameen Mohammed

Apr 23rd Br. Nouman Ali Khan

Apr 30th Dr. Faroque Khan

Qur’an Education Classes

Classes are offered from beginners to Hifz level and are held weekdays (Monday to Friday) from 4pm till 8pm.

For more information, please contact Dr. Samina Qureshi (516) 364 9082

LETTER

Y Y outh outh Section Section

APeriodicalNewsletterBytheYouthof,TheIslamicCenterofLongIsland

FROM

THE EDITOR Many Faces of Islam

For this edition of the youth newsletter we at the youth newsletter headquarters have decided to make this a very special and poignant issue.

How, you ask?

Well if you were to look at the third page of this issue you would find two very informative, intelligent and emotionally charged political commentaries by two of our staff writers—Mohsen Malik and Inur Mamoor—juxtaposed for purposes of comparison. Each writer chose one candidate for president they would like to vote for and why they felt that man should be the next leader of the free world. The articles included things like policy issues, candidate backgrounds and personal characters, and I would like to take this time now to applaud each of these students for writing such intuitive articles.

Now for the more important question… why did we do this?

To answer that question we must first make one thing clear; we did not do what we did in order to advocate any political stance or promote and specific part affiliation.

If you have been reading these editorials thus far (and I sure hope you have) you would have already come to the understanding that whatever we kids do in this section of our newsletter we do for a well thought out reason. We have the “Many faces of Islam” section in order to provide role models and our future leaders. We write the Monthly Hadith section so that we each keep in mind, with all that is going on in the world today, that there is still that immutable and ever pertinent source of wisdom in the Qur’an and Hadith. And we even have the poem section to establish the importance of the humanities and self expression. But most of all we include personal articles written by students, not so that the people necessary agree with their point of view, but so that kids (and adults) realize the importance of expressing your opinions—popular or not.

So you see, the two articles on page three are not just articles about Kerry and Kucinich. They are articles about a Muslim youth finally coming to the realization that to make a difference you must yell.. and yell… and yell… until, tired and sore, you made your point loud and clear.

Emraan S. Khan

Managing Editor of Youth Section

Ziauddin Sardar: As an information scientist, he worked at the Hajj Research Centre of King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, where he developed a simulation model for the performance of the pilgrimage to Makkah and studied the metamorphosis of the Hajj environment. Ziauddin Sardar is a writer, broadcaster and cultural critic. He is considered a pioneering writer on Islamic science and the future of Islam. A Visiting Professor of Postcolonial Studies, Department of Arts Policy and Management, the City University, he has published over 40 books on various aspects of Islam, science policy, culture studies and related subjects. Known for his erudite, progressive thoughts on Islam, Sardar is the leading thinker to watch.

Mansoor Ijaz serves on the College Foundation Board of Trustees at the University of Virginia and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He appears regularly on a variety of financial and political news programs for CNN, CNNI, Fox News, BBC, Germany’s ARD TV, Japan’s NHK, ABC and NBC. He serves as Foreign Affairs and Terrorism Analyst for Fox News Network.

As a private American citizen, Ijaz negotiated Sudan's counterterrorism offer to the Clinton administration in April 1997 and proposed the framework for a ceasefire of hostilities between Indian security forces and Kashmiri separatists in the disputed Kashmir region in August 2000

A culture shock by Mohsen Malik

adith of the Month H

A

reflection by Anbia Gul Awan

In his Traditions, Rasulullah (pbuh) has placed great emphasis on exchanging gifts with one another. Giving presents to each other promotes love and affection. It is also helpful towards the growth of friendly relations.

A gift is given as a token of goodwill and its purpose is to make the other

Hadith of the Month

Give presents to one another. Presents remove hatred from the hearts, and a lady neighbor should not even regard the gift of a part of a goat’s hoof from her lady neighbor as one of no value.

happy and also to seek the pleasure of Allah (swt). If a present is given to a person younger in age, it would be a gesture of affection; if to a friend, it would be a means to strengthening the bond of brotherhood; if to a needy person, it would be a source of comfort; and if to an elder, it is a mark of regard and respect.

Constitution

On CNN, they tell their viewers about our religion

But the important and true beliefs are never mentioned

They forget to mention the universal brotherhood that exists

They forget to mention our believe that reflect peacefulness

But in reality, we prefer to talk our disagreements over; they prefer the use of fists

Yet every night on any News Channel, we are portrayed as the violent extremists

And we'll be under government custody if we use our freedom of speech, protected by our "Constitution"

ISLAMIC GAMES

F F ALLEN ALLEN P P HRASE HRASE

Each letter appears in the same column, but below where it should be. The solver must put the letters back in the grid and rebuild the phrase.

A poem of Inspiration by Mohsen Malik

It is difficult finding a candidate who upholds all the qualities we would like to see in a leader, but that doesn’t mean we should take an apathetic view on politics and pass up on our right to vote and voice our opinions. Voting can give our community a voice; it can lead to much greater things, such as candidates concerning themselves about issues that effect Muslims. And voting is our duty as an American citizen

Personally, I feel the best candidate to go up against President Bush would be Massachusetts Senator John Kerry. Sen. Kerry received his bachelors from Yale University, and his Law degree from Boston College. He served in the U.S. Navy and is a Vietnam Veteran. Senator Kerry shows strong results in the primaries thus far, winning every state except for South Caroline, where he came in second, and Oklahoma, where he came in third.

When it comes down to the issues that matter the most, Sen. Kerry seems to fit the bill. With civil rights he supports affirmative action. Concerning the much debated topic of gay marriages, Senator Kerry is against same sex marriages. This is a topic which affects us Muslims because same sex unions are prohibited in Islam. Yet Sen. Kerry believes that same sex couples have rights. I agree with him on this topic, because we are all humans in the end, and we all deserve our God given rights. Social issues, such as gun control and education, Sen. Kerry has a more liberal view, which I believe is good. He opposes the death penalty, which I strongly oppose and he wants regulation of guns. I do disagree with Sen. Kerry on the topic of abortion. He believes in the women’s right to choose, so do I but I believe her choice is not to have an abortion, but to have sex. So as a Muslim who believes in the value of life, I am against abortions, while Sen. Kerry supports them.

Senator Kerry is a harsh critic of the Bush administration. He supported the forces being sent to Iraq but later said Bush misled the nation. Sen. Kerry also criticized the Bush administration for not working more closely with other allies in Iraq and stated that the administration lacks a coherent plan on winning the peace. He is also known to have made comparisons with the war on Iraq to the Vietnam War.

-Inur Mamoor

If I could vote, I would vote for Dennis J. Kucinich. He reminds me, and many others, of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Kucinich wants to, like Roosevelt said, “make sure that government serves the people, not the corporations.” Nowadays, the big corporate CEO’s are making money, while others with smaller wallets struggle on a day to day basis searching for jobs. Kucinich is one of the few people running for the President position that actually seems as if he cares about the people of the United States.

Most of the candidates are constantly talking about the war on terror and America’s security. Sure this is important. However, our fate doesn’t lie in our hands. Hence, we should be taking steps in our own country to help us prosper as a whole, instead of fighting wars overseas and presenting ourselves as aggressive people.

Not only is Kucinich an indirect supporter of the Muslim community, but he’s offering us, Muslims, what we need; job opportunities in America and peace in the Middle East. Kucinich has also pledged to repeal the Patriot Act, an anti-terror legislation passed after the September 11, 2001. Like many Muslims, he agrees that this act suppresses basic liberties granted to American citizens.

Kucinich wants to end the GOP-backed missile defense program and has proposed the creation of a Cabinet-level Department of Peace to promote nonviolence both at home and abroad. Kucinich has said himself he wants to explore international politics and make friends, not enemies. He wants America to become the most admired, not hated, nation in the world. Another very important issue that Kucinich’s campaign touches is the equality of education for all throughout the country. Education should not be based on a child’s parent’s financial income, social status, or where they come from. Kucinich is eager to cut down military budgets, since under his administration; we would never be at war. But as of this moment, our military budget almost equals the military spending of all other countries combined!

Kucinich is also an environmental type of guy. Under his administration, he would take steps to reduce contamination of our air, water, and food from factory farms.

-Mohsen Malik

These comments are strictly of the youth writers. ICLI does not presently endorse any candidate.

Community Round-up

Ask The Imam?

If you have any religious questions or would like to clarify any issues please email the imam at imam.icli@usa.com

Q: I am memorizing some of the Qur'an, and I hope to memorize all of it, then move on, by the help of Allah, to memorizing the Hadith of the Messenger (PBUH) which are recorded in alSaheehayn. Is this method good, or should I work on memorizing both at the same time, memorizing some of the Qur'an and some of the Hadith?

A: Praise be to Allah.Both methods are sound, so choose the one which is easier for you and which best meets your needs and the needs of the people around you. We ask Allah to give us and you strength and right guidance.

Services Offered By ICLI (516)-333 3495

Marriage/Nikah - Performance of Marriage/Nikah ceremony and Matrimonial Service

Funeral Arrangements for Islamic Burial

Hall Rental - For family and community functions

Qur’anic Discussion - Sundays Interfaith Meeting and Seminars - To promote better understanding of Islam as a complete way of life

Distribution of literature on Islam and Muslims

Public Lectures on Contemporary Topics Every Sunday 10AM - 1PM. September to June

Visits to ICLI - First hand introduction to Islam and Muslims offered to groups or individuals

Media Consultation - On Issues relating to Al-Islam and Muslims

Letter Writing Campaign - Every Friday during Salaat-ul-Jummah and Sunday 12 noon on human rights or other issues of concern to Muslims, (MAKING OUR VOICE HEARD).

Library - Has a large selection of books

Prison Support Group for Muslim Inmates

Youth Programs - Organized by Muslim youth of ICLI throughout the year

Planning for College Seminar - An Annual event for High School students and their parents in November

Al – Zakat - Collection and Distribution

Community Iftar - Every Saturday evening during Ramadhan

Domestic Harmony Committee (DHC) Hotline (516) 942 2081 Free and strictly confidential counseling

% of the fees will be donated to Islamic Centre of Long Island (ICLI) Westbury, NY.