NAIF

VII ANNUAL IMAMS CONFERENCE Saturday to Monday, February 6-8, 2010 Holiday Inn JFK, New York

Teamwork: Together We Are Better

NORTH AMERICAN IMAMS FEDERATION (NAIF)

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Duncan Black McDonald Center at

Hartford Seminary and The Fairfax Institute at The International Institute of Islamic Thought

Offer To Imams, deputy Imams, counselors, religious leaders and those aspiring Inner to beTitle so,AD a unique opportunity for higher education and? credentialing through

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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN IMAM EDUCATION Open for admission applications NOW!!

For more information and personal consultation, please contact: DR. IQBAL UNUS during this conference Available at:

571-263-3668 iunus@fairfaxi.net www.fairfaxi.net www.iiit.org

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Table Of Contents

Conference Organizing Committees

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Editorial: Yes! Imam Can Change It!

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Message from NAIF Chairman, Board of Trustees

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Message from NAIF President, Executive Committee

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Message from the Chairman of the Conference

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NAIF: An Introduction in Arabic

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NAIF: An Introduction

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In Search of My Imam

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The Listening Imams

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NAIF Conference Program

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VII ANNUAL IMAMS CONFERENCE Saturday to Monday; Feb. 6-8, 2010 Holiday Inn JFK, New York

Conference Organizing Committees CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Dr. Hamud Al Silwi, Chairman Syed Sajid Hussain Ahmed Jameel Abu Azad Haque Khalid Lamada Moulana Abdul Qadir Hafiz Zafeer Ali Khwaja Mizan Hasan Hafiz Zulqif Chaudhury Moulana Muhibbur Rahman Mufti Jamaluddin Qari Mutiur Rahman Imam Abdul Azim khan Abdel Hafid Dgemil Hafiz Aslamuddin Azhari Hafiz Faikuddin Assi Saber Kilani

Abdul Qadir Khan, Chairman Imam Saber Al Kilani Hafiz Zafeer Ali

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Khwaja Mizan Hasan, Chairman Br. Naseruddin Imam Abdul Azim Khan Moulana Abdul Mukit Tajammul Ali Mufti Abdul Malik

SECURITY COMMITTEE

FOOD COMMITTEE

Imam Ayub Abdul Baqi, Chairman Charles Belal Jafar Ahmad

SOUVENIR COMMITTEE

RECEPTION COMMITTEE

Shaukat Malik Moulana Zakaria Mahmud Zaheer Uddin, Chairman A.G.M. Mohiuddin Abu Azad Haque Abdullah Al Arif

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PUBLICITY & MEDIA COMMITTEE

Sakib Rahman, Chairman Hafiz Zulqifl Chaudhury Imam Saber Kilani Shariful Islam

Editorial

Yes! An Imam Can Change It!

Muslims in America have a long heritage and history. They are not just part of the American mosaic but they prosper here and contribute to America. According to one study (CAMRI 1998), there are over 8 million Muslims in the United States and from almost all parts of the globe. There are over 500,000 small and large Muslim businesses, about 400 Muslim schools, over two dozens Hifzul Qur’an Madaris, one dozen higher learning Islamic Institutions and over 3,000 Masajid and major Muslim organizations.

The darkened shadow of 9/11 has negatively impacted on the progress of Muslims in the U.S. The community seems confused and directionless. For example, huge numbers of Muslim American children lack access to formal Islamic education. Muslims feel proud of their growing numbers and achievements, and yet the community cannot meet even the minimal educational needs of its children who are the future of Islam in this land of opportunity. It will take decades to fulfill the needs of elementary and higher learning of Islam if the current pace of establishment of full time Islamic schools and higher learning institutions continues as is. The danger of losing our best assets, the Muslim children, to the melting pot is real. This is a wake-up call for Muslims.

The Muslim community in North America is at the crossroads; and faces many challenges, both from the outside and within. Particularly, how the young generation of Muslims see their future as Americans or Canadians and as Muslims in the 21st century and beyond. However, the Imams can play a major role and lead the community toward a better future.

An Imam is not just a prayer leader he also responsible to lead the community in character building and education; looking after the congregation’s social and spiritual needs. The Imam, instead of being a passive follower, must serve as a representative of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): teacher, community activist, consultant, counselor and confidant.

On the other hand, the Muslim community particularly the Masjid/Islamic centers’ administration should give the freedom and provide the tools to Imams to make this change possible. An Imam should be respected, and his worldly needs should be fulfilled without asking. The community and administration should cooperate with the Imam and must have good relations on all levels. One should understand that backbiting, slander, character assassination, and unIslamic behavior from any side only hurt everyone in the community.

This is what we expect from our Imams and the Muslim community. This is the mission and the purpose of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF). We all are responsible to fulfill this noble cause and devote more time and efforts to strengthen NAIF. Strong institutions and dynamic leaders will take the Muslim community to a next level, Insha Allah.

The future of Islam is very bright in America provided that we do our part as Imams, scholars, leaders of Islamic Center and as a Muslim, individually, and collectively as community.

May Allah help us all. Aameen.

Zaheer Uddin Chairman Souvenir Committee 7th Annual Imams Conference February 6-8, 2010, New York

Zaheer Uddin

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Message from NAIF, Chairman Board of Trustees As-Salaamu Alaikum, Dear Respected Imams!

Dr. Omar Shahin

Together we are better. What a beautiful theme to explain the NAIF story.

Like any other Imam, I had a big dream which was to see all Imams of North America united, sitting together under one roof and thinking together how to empower the Muslim Ummah, and considering how to work together, how to open more channels and build more bridges with Muslims as well as the non-Muslim community.

Yes, Alhamdulillah, our dream is coming true. Yes, surely we have long way to go, but we are very proud of what we have accomplished so far and we all should remember the saying “A one thousand mile trip starts with one step”.

Dear respected Imams! We need your help to bring this dream to realty. We believe that we have many shortcomings and for this is why we need your wisdom and your help. All of us should remember the saying: "A one thousand mile trip starts with one step".

Seven years ago, North American Imams Federation [NAIF] was founded. Seven years ago, the Muslim community took a step forward in the betterment of the Ummah here in the United States- and the world at large.

Although some people may belittle and underestimate our accomplishments, let us take a moment and consider the progress we’ve made.

With Allah’s blessings, we took the first step for uniting the Ummah through its leaders. We have created a network of communication and progression for the Muslim community at the local, national and international levels; and most importantly, we contributed to the blueprint of Islam’s global future. Through this communication network that we call NAIF, Insha Allah, we hope to allow the Ummah to be empowered by the unity of the respected Imams - the Ummah’s leaders and caregivers, because together we are stronger, together we are better and together we can make it as Allah commanded us to work together when He says (‫ﻭﺗﻌﺎﻭﻧﻮﺍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺒﺮ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻘﻮﻯ‬ ‫)ﻭﻻ ﺗﻌﺎﻭﻧﻮﺍ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻻﺛﻢ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﺪﻭﺍﻥ‬.

We have come a long way and the progress we’ll make will only prove to be successful if we continue to nourish our togetherness.

May Allah accept our efforts His pleasure. Aameen.

Sincerely, Dr. Omar Shahin Chairman, Board of Trustees North American Imams Federation

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Message from the NAIF President Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah Dear honorable A’immah and scholars!

Imam Ashrafuz Zaman Khan

I warmly welcome you to this 7th annual conference of North American Imams Federation -- the only National Organization of Imams of this land.

As we know that we inherit the responsibility of the Prophets. A prophet’s job is our job, a prophet’s responsibility is our responsibility. We have to ponder upon, how much we are fulfilling our responsibility. We know we have to serve Allah (SWT) first, and then we have to our Beloved Prophet (SAS), and serve mankind. We must have the ‘Obedience’ and the ‘Taqwa’ to serve Allah (SWT).

As Imams it is our responsibility to guide the people towards the right direction. No doubt this is the best job, a job of a prophet. When Allah (SWT) says: Call the people to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching and argue with them in a better way. As an Imam and as a Da’ee, we have to see that to what extent we are fulfilling this Allah given responsibility? At the end of the day, at the end of the month or at the end of the year we have to review our performance. We have to consider how much we have done; how much we could not do; and what is the strategy to complete the job in the near future.

Respected Imams!

There is no doubt that the Imams are in the best position to invite the people to be united, to have ‘Taqwa’, and to be vigilant to their task of serving Allah and His Prophet (SAS). An Imam must be the best guide, the best friend to the youth, to the family and to society at large.

Dear Ulama!

We are here in this conference with a theme of ‘Teamwork’. We are examining how ‘Teamwork’ can be done at its best. Please put forward your suggestions and at the same time please listen to the suggestions of others.

Let us be together, let us be united and let’s move forward.

“Wa jahedoo fillahi haqqa jihadih Huwajtabakum wama ja’la alaikum fiddeene min haraj”

“And make Jihad for the cause of Allah with all of your efforts. He has chosen you to convey His message and did not laid down any hardship to you in your Deen” Imam Ashrafuz Zaman Khan President

North American Imams Federation

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Aljaned Islamic Center 984 Intervale Ave.

Between Westchester Ave. & E. 165 street

Bronx, NY 10459 Tel : (718) 328 – 4511, Cell: (718) 825 – 1222

Masjid Activities 1 - Five daily prayers 2 - Friday prayer and the two Eids 3 - Islamic ceremonies 4 - Lectures for brothers, sisters, and new Muslims 5 - Islamic marriage contracts 6 - Solve community disputes and reconciliation among the Muslim community.

7 - Provide after school programs/tutoring for the following subjects: Math, English, Science, and Social Studies, in addition to Quran, Arabic and Islamic 8 - Provide Dinner every day in the month of Ramadan.

9 - Provide monthly dinners (last Friday of every month) for the Muslim community.

10-Provide weekly lectures (every Friday) for youth boys over thirteen years of age.

11-Will soon create weekly lectures (every Friday) for youth girls over thirteen years of age.

12-Provide a short talk every Friday, after Isha prayer regarding the life of the companions of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), by Dr. Hamud Al-Silwi.

13-Provide a short talk every Sunday, after Isha prayer by Br. Khidr Nassam.

Donations We encourage every sincere Muslim to support the House of Allah in order to convey the message of Islam. We accept your Zakaht, Sadakat, charity and general donations. Your donation is tax deductible. The tax ID is 30050929.

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Welcome Message from the Chairman of the Conference Dr. Hamud Al-Silwi

Praise be to Allah, lord of the universe and may the peace and blessings be upon our prophet Muhamed (S.A.W.) his family, companions and those who follow them until the Day of Judgment. Aameen.

I would like to welcome you all to the 7th annual conference of the North American Imams Federation in New York City. This city has more than two hundred Masajid serving some 700,000 Muslims. We thank Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala who gave us the opportunity to organize this conference. There are many Imams that have come from all over the United States for this convention. As Imams and Muslim leaders, we have to take this opportunity to benefit from this conference as much as we can.

Dear brothers, it is a great bounty from Allah (SWT) that we are a part of this organization (NAIF) which applies the ayah (‫( )ﻭﺍﻋﺘﺼﻤﻮﺍ ﺑﺤﺒﻞ ﺍﷲ ﺟﻤﻴﻌﺎ ﹰ ﻭ ﻻ ﺗﻔﺮﻗﻮﺍ‬And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves). Let us learn from the old man, who on his deathbed called his sons, and gave each of them a stick and ordered them to break their sticks. They were able to break the individual sticks easily. Then he gathered the same sticks as a bunch and gave it to his first son to break them, but he couldn’t. Then he gave it to the rest of his sons and they in turn could not break the stack of sticks. Later on he told his children that if they stick together no one will be able to defeat them and if they separate they will easily defeated: (‫ﺗﺄﺑﻰ ﺍﻟﺮﻣﺎﺡ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﺟﺘﻤﻌﻦ‬ ‫)ﺗﻜﺴﺮﺍ ﹰ ﻭ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﻓﺘﺮﻗﻦ ﺗﻜﺴﺮﺕ ﺁﺣﺎﺩﺍ‬.

I hope that you will enjoy this conference and benefit from it greatly. Unity is the power and separation is failure and disastrous. Let us fulfill the conference slogan “Teamwork: Together We Are Better”, and Insha Allah, by working together, we will gain greatly, both in this world and the Hereafter. Let us as leaders, Du’aat and Imams benefit from these scholars that have come here to share their great knowledge and experiences with us.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other and to support each other as well as exchange knowledge and experience. Finally, I would like to thank all of you for attending this conference as well as every member that helped to make this conference a success.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran. We ask Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala to reward all of you. Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

Dr. Hamud Al-Silwi Chairman 7th Annual Imams Conference North American Imams Federation 9

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‫إﲢﺎد اﻷﺋﻤﺔ واﻟﻬﺪف اﳌﻨﺸﻮد‬ ‫‪By Dr. Mohamad M.Algalaieni‬‬

‫ﺃﺣﻤﺪﻙ ﺍﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﺣﻖ ﺣﻤﺪﻙ‪ ,‬ﻭﺃﺻﻠﻲ ﻭﺃﺳﻠﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻴﺮﺗﻚ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻠﻘﻚ‬ ‫ﻧﺒﻴﻨﺎ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﻭﻋﻠﻰ ﺁﻟﻪ ﻭﺻﺤﺒﻪ ﻭﻣﻦ ﺗﺒﻌﻬﻢ ﺑﺈﺣﺴﺎﻥ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻧﻠﺘﻘﻲ ﺍﻟﻴﻮﻡ ﺑﻜﻢ ﻣﺠﺪﺩﺍ‪ -‬ﺇﺧﻮﺍﻧﻨﺎ ﺍﻷﺋﻤﺔ ‪ -‬ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﻌﻴﺪ ﺇﲢﺎﺩﻧﺎ‬ ‫ﻭﺍﳊﻤﺪ ﷲ ﻟﻠﻌﺎﻡ ﺍﻟﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺘﻮﺍﻟﻲ ﻟﻨﺠﺪﺩ ﺍﻟﻌﻬﺪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﳌﻀﻲ‬ ‫ﻗﺪﻣﺎ ﻓﻲ ﺗﻜﺎﺗﻔﻨﺎ ﻭﺗﻌﺎﻭﻧﻨﺎ ﻟﻨﻨﻬﺾ ﺳﻮﻳﺎ ﺑﻬﺬﺍ ﺍﻹﲢﺎﺩ ﺍﻟﺬﻱ ﻧﺄﻣﻞ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﺧﻼﻟﻪ – ﺑﻌﻮﻥ ﺍﷲ ﻭﺗﻮﻓﻴﻘﻪ ‪ -‬ﺃﻥ ﻳﺠﻤﻊ ﺷﺘﺎﺗﻨﺎ‪ ,‬ﻭﻳﻮﺣﺪ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﻨﺎ ‪,‬‬ ‫ﻭﻳﻘﻮﻱ ﺻﻔﻨﺎ‪ ,‬ﻭﻳﺸﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺰﳝﺘﻨﺎ ﲟﺎ ﳝﻜﻨﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﺎﻡ ﲟﺴﺆﻭﻟﻴﺎﺗﻨﺎ‬ ‫ﺍﳉﺴﺎﻡ ﺍﳌﻨﺎﻃﺔ ﺑﻨﺎ ﻣﺴﺘﺬﻛﺮﻳﻦ ﻗﻮﻝ ﺑﺎﺭﺋﻨﺎ ﻋﺰ ﻭﺟﻞ‪:‬‬ ‫)ﻭﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻥ ﺍﳌﺆﻣﻨﻮﻥ ﻟﻴﻨﻔﺮﻭﺍ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ ﻓﻠﻮﻻ ﻧﻔﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻛﻞ ﻓﺮﻗﺔ ﻣﻨﻬﻢ‬ ‫ﻃﺎﺋﻔﺔ ﻟﻴﺘﻔﻘﻬﻮﺍ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺪﻳﻦ ﻭﻟﻴﻨﺬﺭﻭﺍ ﻗﻮﻣﻬﻢ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺭﺟﻌﻮﺍ ﺇﻟﻴﻬﻢ‬ ‫ﻟﻌﻠﻬﻢ ﻳﺤﺬﺭﻭﻥ‪ ) (.‬ﺍﻟﺘﻮﺑﺔ ‪(122‬‬ ‫ﻟﻘﺪ ﺣﻘﻘﻨﺎ – ﺑﻔﻀﻞ ﷲ ‪ -‬ﺑﻌﺾ ﺍﻷﻫﺪﺍﻑ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺃﻧﺸﺄ ﺍﻹﲢﺎﺩ ﻣﻦ ﺃﺟﻠﻬﺎ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻭﻟﻜﻨﻨﺎ ﻻ ﻧﺰﺍﻝ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺪﺍﻳﺔ ﺍﻟﻄﺮﻳﻖ‪ .‬ﺇﺫ ﺍﳌﺼﺎﻋﺐ ﺟﻤﺔ‪ ,‬ﻭﺍﻟﺘﺤﺪﻳﺎﺕ ﻛﺜﻴﺮﺓ‬ ‫ﻭﻛﺒﻴﺮﺓ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻟﻘﺪ ﺃﺭﺩﰎ ﺃﻥ ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﻫﺬﺍ ﺍﻹﲢﺎﺩ ﺍﻟﺪﻭﺣﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻠﺘﻘﻮﻥ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﻟﺘﺼﻘﻞ‬ ‫ﺧﺒﺮﺍﺗﻜﻢ‪ ,‬ﻭﺗﻄﻮﺭ ﻋﻄﺎﺀﻛﻢ‪ ,‬ﻭﺗﺨﻔﻒ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﺎﻧﺎﺗﻜﻢ‪ ,‬ﻭﲢﻞ ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﻣﺸﻜﻼﺗﻜﻢ‪ ,‬ﻭﺗﺰﻳﺪ ﻣﻦ ﺗﻌﺎﻭﻧﻜﻢ ﻓﻴﻤﺎ ﺑﻴﻨﻜﻢ‪ .‬ﻓﻬﻞ ﻳﺎﺗﺮﻯ ﺣﻘﻘﻨﺎ ﻫﺬﻩ‬ ‫ﺍﻷﻏﺮﺍﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻄﻠﻌﺎﺕ ﺃﻭ ﻗﺪﺭﺍ ﺟﻴﺪﺍ ﻣﻨﻬﺎ ؟‬ ‫ﺇﻧﻨﺎ‪ -‬ﻣﻌﺸﺮ ﺍﻷﺋﻤﺔ ‪ -‬ﺑﺤﺎﺟﺔ ﺍﻟﻴﻮﻡ ﺇﻟﻰ ﻣﺮﺍﺟﻌﺔ ﺻﺎﺩﻗﺔ ﻷﻧﻔﺴﻨﺎ ﻟﻨﺮﻯ‬ ‫ﻫﻞ ﻧﺤﻦ ﳕﺎﺭﺱ ﻣﺴﺆﻭﻟﻴﺎﺗﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻨﻄﻠﻖ ﺣﻤﻞ ﺍﻷﻣﺎﻧﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺃﻧﺎﻃﻬﺎ ﺍﷲ‬ ‫ﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﻪ ﺑﺄﻭﻟﻲ ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻢ ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻗﺎﻝ‪:‬‬ ‫) ﻗﻞ ﻫﻞ ﻳﺴﺘﻮﻱ ﺍﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﻳﻌﻠﻤﻮﻥ ﻭﺍﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﻻ ﻳﻌﻠﻤﻮﻥ ﺇﳕﺎ ﻳﺘﺬﻛﺮ‬ ‫ﺃﻭﻟﻮ ﺍﻷﻟﺒﺎﺏ‪(.‬‬ ‫ﺃﻡ ﺃﻧﻨﺎ ﻧﺴﻴﺮ ﻣﻊ ﺑﻘﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﺮﻛﺐ ﻣﺆﺛﺮﻳﻦ ﺍﻟﺴﻼﻣﺔ ﻭﺭﺍﺣﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﻝ ﻧﺮﺩﺩ ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ﺩﺧﻴﻠﺔ ﺃﻧﻔﺴﻨﺎ‪ :‬ﻟﻴﺲ ﺑﺎﻹﻣﻜﺎﻥ ﺃﺑﺪﻉ ﳑﺎ ﻛﺎﻥ‪ .‬ﻟﻘﺪ ﺳﺄﻝ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ‪:‬‬ ‫) ﻣﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﺍﳌﺮﺍﻏﻲ ( ﺭﺣﻤﻪ ﺍﷲ ﺃﺣﺪ ﺍﻟﻄﻼﺏ ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻥ ﳝﺘﺤﻨﻪ‬ ‫ﺷﻔﻮﻳﺎ ﲟﺎﺩﺓ ﺍﻷﺩﺏ ﺍﻟﻌﺮﺑﻲ ﻋﻦ ﺃﺣﺴﻦ ﺑﻴﺖ ﺃﻋﺠﺒﻪ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﻠﻘﺔ‪:‬‬ ‫)ﻃﺮﻓﺔ ﺑﻦ ﺍﻟﻌﺒﺪ( ﻓﻘﺎﻝ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻔﻮﺭ‪:‬‬ ‫ﺃﻋﺠﺒﻨﻲ ﻗﻮﻟﻪ‪:‬‬ ‫ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻡ ﻗﺎﻟﻮﺍ ﻣﻦ ﻓﺘﻰ ﺧﻠﺖ ﺃﻧﻨﻲ ﻋﻨﻴﺖ ﻓﻠﻢ ﺃﻛﺴﻞ ﻭﻟﻢ ﺃﺗﺒﻠﺪ‬ ‫ﻓﻠﻢ ﻳﺘﻤﺎﻟﻚ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ ﻧﻔﺴﻪ ﻣﻦ ﺍﻹﻋﺠﺎﺏ ﺑﺎﻟﻄﺎﻟﺐ ﺇﺫ ﻭﺿﻊ ﻋﻤﺎﻣﺘﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ‬ ‫ﺍﳌﻨﻀﺪﺓ ﻭﻗﺎﻝ ﺑﺤﻤﺎﺳﺔ‪ :‬ﻭﺍﷲ ﻟﻴﻜﻮﻧﻦ ﻟﻬﺬﺍ ﺍﻟﻔﺘﻰ ﺷﺄﻥ‪.‬‬ ‫ﻛﻢ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﳝﻠﻚ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺗﻠﻚ ﺍﻟﺮﻭﺡ ﺍﳌﻘﺪﺍﻣﺔ؟ ﺃﻥ ﻳﺘﻘﺪﻡ ﺍﻟﺮﻛﺐ ﻧﺎﺻﺤﺎ‬ ‫ﻭﻣﻨﺒﻬﺎ ﻭﻣﺴﺪﺩﺍ ﻭﻟﻮ ﺗﻘﺎﻋﺲ ﺍﻵﺧﺮﻭﻥ؟ ﺃﻟﻢ ﻳﺤﻦ ﺍﻟﻮﻗﺖ ﻟﻨﺄﺧﺬ ﺯﻣﺎﻡ ﺍﳌﺒﺎﺩﺭﺓ‬ ‫ﻟﺘﻘﺪﱘ ﻋﻤﻞ ﻧﺎﻓﻊ ﻳﻠﺘﻒ ﺣﻮﻟﻪ ﺃﺑﻨﺎﺀ ﺍﳉﺎﻟﻴﺔ ﺑﺪﻝ ﺃﻥ ﻳﺴﺘﻬﻠﻜﻮﺍ ﺃﻋﻤﺎﺭﻫﻢ‬ ‫ﻓﻲ ﺧﻼﻓﺎﺕ ﺟﺰﺋﻴﺔ‪ ,‬ﺃﻭ ﺇﻫﺘﻤﺎﻣﺎﺕ ﺩﻭﻧﻴﺔ‪ .‬ﺃﻟﻢ ﻳﺌﻦ ﺍﻷﻭﺍﻥ ﺃﻥ ﻧﻀﻊ ﺧﻮﻑ ﺍﷲ‬ ‫ﻧﺼﺐ ﺃﻋﻴﻨﻨﺎ ﻗﺒﻞ ﺍﳋﻮﻑ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﳌﻨﺼﺐ ﺃﻭ ﺍﻹﺳﺘﻘﺮﺍﺭ ﺃﻭ ﻧﻌﻮﻣﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﺶ؟‬ ‫‪11‬‬

‫)ﻗﺪ ﺭﺷﺤﻮﻙ ﻷﻣﺮ ﻟﻮ ﻓﻄﻨﺖ ﻟﻪ ﻓﺎﺭﺑﺄ ﺑﻨﻔﺴﻚ ﺃﻥ ﺗﺮﻋﻰ ﻣﻊ ﺍﻟﻬﻤﻞ(‬ ‫ﺇﻥ ﺃﻣﺘﻨﺎ ﺗﻮﺍﺟﻪ ﺍﻟﻴﻮﻡ ﺃﺧﻄﺎﺭﺍ ﺟﺴﺎﻣﺎ‪ ,‬ﻭﲢﺪﻳﺎﺕ ﺷﺮﺳﺔ‪ .‬ﻭﺇﻥ ﺟﺎﻟﻴﻨﺎ‬ ‫ﺍﳌﺴﻠﻤﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺩﻳﺎﺭ ﺍﻟﻐﺮﺑﺔ ﺃﻗﻠﻴﺔ ﺣﺎﺋﺮﺓ ﻛﻤﺮﻛﺐ ﺻﻐﻴﺮ ﻳﻀﻄﺮﺏ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺤﺮ‬ ‫ﻣﺘﻼﻃﻢ ﺍﻷﻣﻮﺍﺝ‪ .‬ﺇﻧﻬﺎ ﻋﻈﺎﺋﻢ ﺍﻷﻣﻮﺭ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﻻ ﻳﻘﻮﻡ ﻟﻬﺎ ﻭﺍﷲ ﺇﻻ ﺍﻟﻌﻈﻤﺎﺀ‬ ‫ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﺮﺟﺎﻝ ﺍﳌﺆﻣﻨﲔ ﺍﻟﺼﺎﺩﻗﲔ‪ .‬ﻓﻬﻞ ﻳﺎ ﺗﺮﻯ ﺳﻨﻜﻮﻥ ﺿﻤﻦ ﺍﻟﻘﻠﺔ ﺍﻟﺮﺍﺋﺪﺓ‬ ‫– ﻭﺍﻟﺮﺍﺋﺪ ﻻ ﻳﻜﺬﺏ ﺃﻫﻠﻪ‪ -‬ﳑﻦ ﻋﻨﺎﻫﻢ ﺭﺑﻨﺎ ﺗﺒﺎﺭﻙ ﻭﺗﻌﺎﻟﻰ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻪ‪:‬‬ ‫) ﻣﻦ ﺍﳌﺆﻣﻨﲔ ﺭﺟﺎﻝ ﺻﺪﻗﻮﺍ ﻣﺎ ﻋﺎﻫﺪﻭﺍ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻓﻤﻨﻬﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻗﻀﻰ‬ ‫ﻧﺤﺒﻪ ﻭﻣﻨﻬﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻳﻨﺘﻈﺮ ﻭﻣﺎ ﺑﺪﻟﻮﺍ ﺗﺒﺪﻳﻼ‪(.‬‬ ‫ﺃﻡ ﻧﺴﻴﺮ ﻣﻊ ﺭﻛﺐ ﺍﳊﺎﳌﲔ ﺍﳌﻨﺘﻈﺮﻳﻦ ﳌﺎ ﺳﺘﺆﻭﻝ ﺇﻟﻴﻪ ﺍﻷﻣﻮﺭ؟‬ ‫ﺇﻥ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﻛﻠﻪ ﺍﻵﻥ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺨﺎﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﺆﺍﻝ ﺍﳌﻠﺢ‪ :‬ﻣﺎﺫﺍ ﺳﻴﻨﺠﺐ؟ ﻫﻨﺎﻙ‬ ‫ﺍﳌﺘﻔﺎﺋﻠﻮﻥ ﻭﻫﻨﺎﻙ ﺍﳌﺘﺸﺎﺋﻤﻮﻥ‪ .‬ﻭﻟﻜﻨﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻦ ﺍﻟﺪﻋﺎﺓ ﻻ ﻧﻜﺘﻔﻲ ﺑﺎﻹﻧﺤﻴﺎﺯ‬ ‫ﻟﻬﺬﺍ ﺍﻟﺮﺃﻱ ﺃﻭ ﺫﺍﻙ‪ ,‬ﻭﺇﳕﺎ ﻋﻠﻴﻨﺎ ﺃﻥ ﻧﻜﻮﻥ ﻣﻦ ﺟﻤﻠﺔ ﻣﻦ ﻳﺼﻨﻌﻮﻥ ﺍﳊﺪﺙ‬ ‫ﺑﻘﺪﺭ ﻣﻦ ﺍﷲ ﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﻪ ﻻ ﺿﻤﻦ ﺍﻟﻜﺜﺮﺓ ﺍﻟﻜﺎﺛﺮﺓ ﳑﻦ ﻳﺮﻗﺒﻮﻥ ﺍﻷﺣﺪﺍﺙ‪ .‬ﺃﻟﻢ‬ ‫ﻳﻘﻞ ﺣﺒﻴﺒﻨﺎ ﺍﳌﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﺍﻟﺼﻼﺓ ﻭﺍﻟﺴﻼﻡ ﻣﻦ ﺭﻭﺍﻳﺔ ﻋﺒﺪ ﺍﷲ ﺑﻦ ﻋﻤﺮ‬ ‫ﺭﺿﻲ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻨﻬﻤﺎ‪:‬‬ ‫) ﺍﻟﻨﺎﺱ ﻛﺈﺑﻞ ﻣﺎﺋﺔ ﻻ ﲡﺪ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ ﺭﺍﺣﻠﺔ( ) ﻣﺘﻔﻖ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ(‬ ‫ﻋﻠﻴﻨﺎ ﺃﻥ ﻧﺨﺎﻃﺐ ﺃﻧﻔﺴﻨﺎ ‪ :‬ﻫﻞ ﺳﻨﻜﻮﻥ ﺿﻤﻦ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﻣﻠﲔ ﻟﺘﺤﻘﻴﻖ‬ ‫ﺍﻟﺒﺸﺮﻯ ﻷﻣﺘﻨﺎ ﺃﻡ ﻧﻜﻮﻥ ﺿﻤﻦ ﺍﳌﺘﻔﺮﺟﲔ ﺍﻟﻘﺎﻧﻄﲔ ﻣﻦ ﺃﻱ ﺗﻘﺪﻡ‬ ‫ﻭﳒﺎﺡ؟‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻔﺠﺮ ﻳﻮﻣﺾ ﻣﺸﺮﻗﺎ ﺑﺸﺮﻳﻌﺔ ﺍﳌﺴﺘﻘﺒﻞ ﺑﺸﺮﻳﻌﺔ ﺍﻹﺳﻼﻡ ﻣﻨﻬﺎﺝ‬ ‫ﺍﳊﻴﺎﺓ ﺍﻷﻓﻀﻞ‬ ‫ﺇﻥ ﻛﻠﻤﺎﺕ ﺃﺳﺘﺎﺫﻱ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ‪ ) :‬ﻣﺤﻤﻮﺩ ﺍﻟﺮﻧﻜﻮﺳﻲ ( ﺭﺣﻤﻪ ﺍﷲ‬ ‫ﻻﺯﺍﻟﺖ ﺗﺮﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺃﺫﻧﻲ ﻋﻨﺪﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻥ ﻳﺸﺤﺬ ﻫﻤﻤﻨﺎ – ﻭﻛﻨﺎ ﺁﻧﺬﺍﻙ ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ﺍﳌﺮﺣﻠﺔ ﺍﻹﻋﺪﺍﺩﻳﺔ‪ -‬ﻣﺬﻛﺮﺍ ﺇﻳﺎﻧﺎ ﲟﻬﻤﺘﻨﺎ ﺍﻟﻘﺎﺩﻣﺔ ﻗﺎﺋﻼ‪:‬‬ ‫ﻳﺎﻋﻠﻤﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺪﻳﻦ ﻳﺎﻣﻠﺢ ﺍﻟﺒﻠﺪ ﻣﺎ ﻳﺼﻠﺢ ﺍﳌﻠﺢ ﺇﺫﺍ ﺍﳌﻠﺢ ﻓﺴﺪ‬ ‫ﺇﺧﻮﺍﻧﻲ ﺍﻷﺋﻤﺔ‪:‬‬ ‫ﺩﻋﻮﻧﻲ ﺃﺧﺘﻢ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﻲ ﺇﻟﻴﻜﻢ ﺑﺒﺸﺎﺭﺓ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺒﻴﻨﺎ ﺍﳌﺼﻄﻔﻰ ﺻﻠﻮﺍﺕ ﺭﺑﻲ‬ ‫ﻭﺳﻼﻣﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻷﻥ ﻛﻼﻣﻲ ﺍﻵﻧﻒ ﺫﻭ ﺷﺠﻮﻥ ‪ -‬ﻭﺍﳉﺮﺍﺡ ﺗﻨﻜﺄ ﺍﳉﺮﺍﺡ‪ -‬ﻭﻻ ﺃﺭﻳﺪ‬ ‫ﺃﻥ ﺃﺧﺘﻢ ﺑﺪﻭﻥ ﻷﻡ ﻟﺒﻌﺾ ﻫﺬﻩ ﺍﳉﺮﺍﺡ ﻓﻘﺪ ﺑﺸﺮﻧﺎ ﺑﻘﻮﻟﻪ ﻓﻴﻤﺎ ﺭﻭﺍﻩ ﺛﻮﺑﺎﻥ‬ ‫ﺭﺿﻲ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻨﻪ ﻗﺎﻝ‪ :‬ﻗﺎﻝ ﺭﺳﻮﻝ ﺍﷲ ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ‪:‬‬ ‫)ﻻ ﺗﺰﺍﻝ ﻃﺎﺋﻔﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺃﻣﺘﻲ ﻇﺎﻫﺮﻳﻦ ﻋﻠﻴﺎﳊﻖ ﻻ ﻳﻀﺮﻫﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺧﺬﻟﻬﻢ‬ ‫ﺣﺘﻰ ﻳﺄﺗﻲ ﺃﻣﺮ ﺍﷲ ﻭﻫﻢ ﻛﺬﻟﻚ‪) ( .‬ﺃﺧﺮﺟﻪ ﻣﺴﻠﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺑﺎﺏ ﺍﻹﻣﺎﺭﺓ (‬ ‫ﺍﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﺍﺟﻌﻠﻨﺎ ﻣﻨﻬﻢ ﲟﻨﻚ ﻭﻛﺮﻣﻚ‪ ,‬ﻭﺁﻟﻒ ﺑﲔ ﻗﻠﻮﺑﻨﺎ ﻭﻭﺣﺪ ﻛﻠﻤﺘﻨﺎ‬ ‫ﻭﺍﺟﻌﻠﻨﺎ ﻫﺪﺍﺓ ﻣﻬﺘﺪﻳﻦ‪ .‬ﻭﺍﺟﻌﻠﻨﺎ ﻣﻔﺎﺗﻴﺢ ﻟﻠﺨﻴﺮ ﻣﻐﺎﻟﻴﻖ ﻟﻠﺸﺮ ﻭﺁﺧﺮ‬ ‫ﺩﻋﻮﺍﻧﺎ ﺃﻥ ﺍﳊﻤﺪ ﷲ ﺭﺏ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﳌﲔ‪.‬‬ ‫ﺃﺧﻮﻛﻢ‪ :‬ﻣﻮﻓﻖ ﺍﻟﻐﻼﻳﻴﻨﻲ‬

‫ﻋﻀﻮ ﻣﺠﻠﺲ ﺃﻣﻨﺎﺀ ﺇﲢﺎﺩ ﺍﻷﺋﻤﺔ ﺑﺄﻣﺮﻳﻜﺎ ﺍﻟﺸﻤﺎﻟﻴﺔ‬

F�Business Tax F�Sales Tax F�Partnership Ad F�Accounting ?

F�Pay Roll? Services F�Financial Statement F�New Corporation

Ainul Haque BS,MBA ACCOUNTANT & FINANCIAL ADVISOR 27-10 Hoyt Ave., South Astoria, NY 11102

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Tel. : 718-777-5563 Fax : 718-278-7108

NAIF : AN INTRODUCTION NAIF, North American Imams Federation is a notfor-profit Islamic organization whose membership is exclusive to Imams (“Muslim Clergymen”) from the mainstream Muslim groups that properly follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alyhi wa sallam). NAIF’s membership is neither based on nationality, race, language, or country of origin. The only condition for membership is that applicants and their organizations accept the Qur’an and the Sunnah as their primary sources of jurisprudence.

administered solely by Imams. The interests, goals, visions and aspirations of the organization will be derived from and formulated by Imams.

The services and support provided by the organization will be available to all Imams.

NAIF strives to coordinate efforts among Imams and help them cooperate in activities that serve the best interests of Muslim communities across North America: Imams are the liaisons of their constituents. They are the legitimate representatives of their own communities. They live within them NAIF is specialized in general Imams’ services and serve in handling their problems, guarding such as cooperation, collaboration, coordination, their privacy, lifting their morale and working for and networking. It aims at helping to meet both their ambitions and needs. the material and spiritual needs of Imams. It also aims at improving the relationship of Imams with The goals of NAIF are to: administrators of the Masjid on the one hand, and - Serve as network and provide a common with their constituents (congregants) on the other. platform for mutual consultation through activities such as invitations to deliver khutba and speech NAIF is committed to, and focuses at, supporting at each other’s localities to enable them to share Imams in their sacred mission: “calling experiences. Such interactions help develop the people to the ways of Allah and encouraging spirit of brotherly love and loyalty among them. them to observe the Islamic acts of worship”.

At the same time, the exchange of experiences will help them resolve differences, and reduce the NAIF, founded on the 21st of October, 2002 chances of Imams becoming staunch about their (The 27th of Sha’ban 1424), was formally own opinions or opinions they follow. registered on the 28th of February, 2004 as a not-for-profit organization (Reg. #13-4276058).

- Become the link that bonds Imams to the constituents on one hand, and to their administrators The establishment of NAIF is in response to of Masajid on the other. the lack of such organizations, bodies that are particularly concerned with the personal and - Become a job placement service for Imams. spiritual development of Imams and their wellbeing and of their families. The founders of most - Become a trusted hiring agency for communities Islamic organizations were neither Imams by looking for Imams. profession, nor had the welfare and improvement of Imams as one of their priorities. This situation - Provide a specialized screening committee to dictated the need for an organization that was 13

verify applicant’s employability before forwarding applications to communities looking for an Imam.

- In cases of disagreement, offer reconciliation between Imams and their administrators, and/or their communities.

- Improve the qualifications of Imams through training workshops and conferences in all areas essential for handling their duties.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Omar Shahin, Chairman

- Certify Imams who successfully complete benchmark training programs to ensure continuous development of their academic qualifications.

Dr. Bassam Obeid, Treasurer

- Provide statistics about salary averages of employees holding compatible qualifications and similar positions to Islamic center administrators to enable the latter to improve Imams’ salaries.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

- Help in the establishment of employee benefits to include health insurance and retirement. And help those who retire or incapacitated, and support families of deceased Imams.

- Become the representative agency of Imams at city, county, state and federal levels.

Dr. Waleed Idris Dr. Mwafak Algalaieni Dr. El-Tayeb Abuelyaman Imam Johari Abdul Malik

n EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Imam Ashrafuz zaman Khan, President Shaikh Moustafa Mahmoud, Vice President Imam Ahmad Shqeirat, General Secretary Imam Muhammad Adli, Treasurer Shaykh Abdur Rahman Al Harbi, Da’wah

NAIF strives to accomplish its mission through conferences, training programs, and publications.

NAIF has four regional offices that coordinate with communities toward achieving its goals.

NAIF membership is open to all Imams who follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Membership applications will be accepted only if members agree to abide with NAIF’s constitution. Applicants will be notified about the acceptance of their membership in a timely manner. Members must pay their annual fee to maintain them in good standing with the association.

14

Dr. Mohamad A. El sheikh, Training Dr. Ali Suleiman Ali, Training Imam Luqman Ahmad, Publicity & Publications

In the Name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful

Islamic Foundation of New York WELCOMES

The 7th Annual Conference of

North American Imams Federation

We wish you all the success.

The North Eastern regional office of NAIF is located at

Islamic Foundation of New York

80-41 237th Street, Bellerose, NY 11427

The Islamic Foundation of New York has an outstanding loan of $550,000.

Insha-Allah we are going to make extension of our Mosque at the Islamic Foundation which will require additional $250,000.

We request the generous persons and organizations to come forward to help us in this noble cuse.

May Allah accept our sacrifice and efforts for His Deen. Aameen.

Imam Ashraf-uz Zaman Khan Chairman, Board of Trustees Tel.: 917-238-9744

Prof. Abu Azad Haque President, Islamic Foundation of NY Tel.: 646-472-6052 15

What would you do…?

In America, Muslims are routinely approached by federal law enforcement agents. If you assert your right to not speak with them, they may threaten you or try to intimidate you into speaking. If you assert your right to have an attorney present, they may try to convince you that having an attorney present is a bad idea.

Actual FBI agents approaching a home for questioning.

DON’T LISTEN TO THEM! DON’T TALK! GET AN ATTORNEY! Talking to the FBI without legal representation can be hazardous to your freedom. They can legally lie to you, but they can throw you in jail if you lie to them — even if you didn’t mean to lie or simply left out some details while answering their questions. It’s called perjury, and it’s a serious crime.

Too many of our fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, wives and husbands are being locked away simply because they fell into one of these perjury traps.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please, don’t let your community members be caught off guard. Call the Muslim Legal Fund of America and invite a representative to speak to your community about their civil and legal rights as well as the help that MLFA provides.

It could mean the difference between enjoying freedom and losing freedom.

Call today. 866-MLFA-USA

MLFA 16

Muslim Legal Fund of America MuslimLegalFund.org

In Search of My Imam!

By Zaheer Uddin

One Friday, I went for Fajr prayer at my local Masjid.

The Iqamah (call for congregation) was supposed to be at 6 a.m. But it was already 6:05 and the resident Imam was nowhere in sight. Finally he came at 6:10 and led the prayer, reciting Surah Falaq and Surah Naas. That was it.

Later, that day, I went for the Friday prayer at a Masjid near my office. All three floors of the Masjid were full; there were about one thousand Muslims. In his Khutbah, the Imam was discussing issues that were not relevant to the present situation of the Ummah (Muslim community) in the United States. Moreover, he went over 15 minutes of his allotted time and then recited very short Surahs in the prayers.

When I was returning home, I went to a Masjid near a subway station for Maghrib prayer. (I had prayed ‘Asr in my office). This Imam recited the Qur’an in a beautiful voice and with Tajweed. After the prayer, I saw there was a crew from an American TV channel and they wanted to interview him regarding the current situation of Muslims in America. Unfortunately, he was unable to answer those questions appropriately in English. Thus, a good opportunity to present the Muslim viewpoint was lost.

After ‘Isha prayer, I observed that the administration meeting of the Islamic Center was in the progress.

However, the Imam was missing. He was not absent. He had not been invited.

Where is my Imam? I am looking for him.

This is not a unique situation of any town or city. Many of our Islamic Institutions are facing such situations. The leadership of many of these institutions is untrained and unqualified. Many of them carry a lot of baggage; on the other hand the locally trained carrying the American baggage has their own drawbacks.

The Houses of Allah are being established and named on the ethnic and nationalistic bases, which is contradictory to Islamic teachings. Many Muslims are living in their cocoons and don’t know what is going on around them and in society. They are busy making money. They don’t devote nor donate what is most precious to Islamic institutions and that is: the time.

Of course, there are some very moving examples from individuals and communities. Children under 10 years old are becoming Hafiz. Young Muslims – under 30 - are becoming Shaikhs (from Madina and other universities) or physicians, entrepreneurs, IT experts, and holding public offices. All this is good but is it enough?

The Imam is a leader of the Muslim community.

Leadership in Islam is considered an Amanah (a trust) and a responsibility. A leader is required to meet his obligations to Allah as well as to discharge his duties toward the people (Makhluq) or his congregants to the best of his abilities.

Leadership is a great quality. A Masjid, an organization, a family, a company, or a country needs able and good leaders. On the global scene there is a need for good leaders too as today the world is mired by international conflicts, wars and mutual suspicions which if not corrected can destroy the whole world. The Islamic leadership model and the principles associated with it offer a leadership alternative which can open the door of excellence and achievement. The principles are based on the Qur’an, the Hadith (the practice and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (s), the character and deeds of the Caliphs and other great Muslim leaders who with meager means and facing enormous hurdles reached the zenith of excellence. Understanding, acquiring, and applying these mega principles can open the doors to success and progress in every human endeavor.

I am in search of my Imam – an imam who has the following qualities: 1)

Knowledge and Wisdom

My Imam is an ocean of knowledge. He is well versed in the Qur’an and the Sunnah. He can relate any contemporary situation with the Qur’an and the Sunnah and come up with an Islamic solution. He is what Prophet (s) said who should be an Imam: Abu Mas’ud (r) has reported that the Prophet as saying: “The Imam of the Muslims should be such a one who possesses the deepest knowledge and understanding of the Qur’an. If all are equal in this, the Imam should be the one who has the deepest knowledge of the Sunnah and Shari’ah. If all are equal in this, he should be the one who migrated first. And if all are equal in this too, then the one who is most senior in age.” (Muslim) Moreover, my Imam has got the wisdom (Hikmah).

Anyone can acquire knowledge through study and hard work but Hikmah comes only through an inner enlightenment and by seeking sincere guidance from Allah. Hikmah is the ability to apply knowledge to a particular situation to bring about the most desirable outcome. That’s how my Imam uses wisdom in all the 17

matters and amicably resolves different issues in families and the community.

My Imam uses his knowledge and wisdom to train and educate our next generation to be leaders and dynamic Muslims. Through his Qur’anic methodology many nonMuslims accepted Islam as their way of life and continue to learn Islam through him.

My Imam can discuss the differences between the Islamic political system and democracy; conventional mortgage and Riba (interest) free financing; assimilation in the society and keeping the Islamic identity. Moreover, he knows how the mainstream media works; how to face Islamophobia; how to protect and fight for our rights; and how to conduct interfaith dialogues.

2) Personal Piety The core attribute of an Imam or any religious leader is piety (Taqwah) and my Imam has it. This was not merely a self-serving statement rather observed behavior, speech and action 24 hours a day. For an Imam, it is very important because the power and the authority that he acquires can easily make him arrogant. While Taqwah is much more than being humble. It is among the many meanings of the term. Humility is especially important for a leader since he is entrusted with the affairs of the community.

We see from the Seerah of the Prophet (s) that his exemplary honesty and integrity earned him the title of Al-Amin (The Trust worthy) and Al-Sadiq (The Truthful) in Makkah even before being appointed by Allah to Prophethood. My Imam is a Muttaqi with a solid integrity. Integrity which is the alignment of outward actions and inner values. A person of integrity is the same on the outside as on the inside. This is why my Imam can be trusted because he never veers from his inner values, even when it might be expeditious to do so. An Imam must have the trust of followers and therefore must display integrity.

My Imam is not just honest, trustworthy and keeps his promises but he is always there to help you with a smile on his face. He is really a friend in need. He does all this not for money or fame but rather for the pleasure of Allah.

3) Sacrifice and Sabr My Imam is a best example of self-sacrifice and steadfastness because he knows that if a leader is seen to be making personal sacrifices, then the followers will 18

make even greater sacrifices. An Imam will soon lose all support if he asks others to do what he himself holds back. Similarly, he must have no personal interests.

My Imam is steadfast and a Sabir. He follows the great Muslim leaders who have faced tremendous challenges and enormous difficulties but with patience and endurance they persevere and achieve the noble goals and missions of their lives. In the face of immense persecution and opposition in Makkah, the Prophet (s) not only showed patience and endurance but also counseled his companions and followers to be patient and never give up. At the same time, he encouraged them to be dynamic and optimistic about achieving their goals. My Imam always keeps in mind the highest degree of patience and endurance that was shown by the Prophet Muhammad (s) during his mission to the city of Taif.

My Imam takes his responsibility not as a 40 hours job rather he is always there to serve his community, day in and day out. If a non-Muslim visits his Masjid, he makes sure that the visitor leaves with great respect and understanding of Islam.

4) Communications and Inspiration My Imam is extremely good in communications with the community, the young and old, male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim. He is always ready and available to communicate with others, so as to put his messages across, elicit response, transmit his ideas, get information and relate to it. He knows how to use the different tools of communication and understands how to master the art of excellent communication skills and manage the affairs of the Masjid. He doesn’t mind to answer phone calls from Muslims and non-Muslims or to call them back.

My Imam inspires Muslims how to live together; how to go along without splintering into groups; how not to get involved in backbiting and slander. If the time comes, he is there to resolve the family conflicts with love and wisdom. My Imam talks less and listens more; even his Khutbas are short and the Tilawah is long. He translates vision into action; turns people’s indifference into interest, pessimism into optimism and motivates them to action for the realization of the goals.

The youth are always around my Imam. They feel comfortable being with him. They share their problems with him and follow his recommendations. He plays basketball with them and does Qiyamul Lail with them too.

5) Organized and Result Oriented

7) A Role Model

He is the most organized and result oriented person in the community. My Imam doesn’t have a MBA degree from an Ivy League school but he manages his family life and public affairs in a balanced and organized manner. Time is very precious for him and doesn’t waste in unnecessary activities. He always warns: If there is no plan then plan to fail. However, whatever he plans he implements it in his individual and collective life and produce results. He is a real professional and a dynamic leader. He attends and participates in all the Masjid related meetings with preparation and energy.

Due to him, the meetings start on time and with an agenda and review of the previous performance and conclude with an action plan. There is no bickering, no loose talk and no gossiping and divisions in the meetings or the Masjid administration.

My Imam is a role model. He has openness, which means that he is able to listen to new ideas, even if they do not conform to the usual way of thinking. Good leaders are able to suspend judgment while listening to others’ ideas, as well as accept new ways of doing things that someone else thought of. Openness builds mutual respect and trust between the Imam and the community, and keeps the team well supplied with new ideas that can further its vision.

My Imam is a follower of Islam which is a dynamic and practical way of life and so are its tenets towards leadership. One of the most important tenets of leadership is the concept of lifelong endeavor for the good of humanity and good causes. The Qur’an therefore tells all believers “And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline)” Quran 22:78. A true leader thus does not sit idle on his laurels but continuously strives towards better conditions and nobler goals. My Imam has the passion and zeal for the cause of Islam and common good. He does everything in the best manner and in an excellent way.

6) Gratitude and Du’aa My Imam knows well that all these qualities are the blessings from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la. If we think and see around there are a lot of good things which Allah has provided us which must be acknowledged and one must be grateful for them. Health, inner peace, family, our beliefs and faiths and thousands of other things which we take for granted are the gifts of Allah for which we must be grateful at all times.

My Imam recognizes and acknowledges all these bounties and always praises and thanks Allah and makes Du’aa for Istiqamah (steadfastness) and acceptance of all good deeds. This gives him contentment in his heart and energy to serve the cause of Islam more and more.

My Imam has creativity, which means the ability to think differently and to get outside of the box that constrains solutions. Creativity gives the Imam, the ability to see things that others have not seen and thus leads followers in new directions.

My Imam does fairness in all matters with all peoples, which means dealing with others consistently and justly. An Imam must check all the facts and hear everyone out before passing judgment. He must avoid leaping to conclusions based on incomplete evidence.

When people feel they that are being treated fairly, they reward an Imam with loyalty and dedication.

My Imam has assertiveness, which is not the same as aggressiveness. Rather, it is the ability to clearly state what one expects so that there will be no misunderstandings. An Imam must be assertive to get the desired results. Along with assertiveness comes the responsibility to clearly understand what followers expect from their Imams.

My Imam is not alone in his noble efforts. His family his wife and children -- are there in forefront. His wife and children actively participate in all the activities and try to join in the joy and sorrow of the community.

Moreover, my Imam is not a “dry” person rather he has a sense of humor, which is vital to relieve tension and boredom, as well as to defuse hostility. Effective Imams know how to use humor to energize followers.

Humor is a form of power that provides some control over the work environment. And simply put, humor fosters good camaraderie.

In brief, my Imam is a role model in all aspect of life.

I am searching for him.

The writer is president of Internet Islamic University and he is in the process to launch first Muslim multi-lingual TV channel, Salam TV, in North America.

19

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The Listening Imams

By Abdul Malik Mujahid

Listening is the best way to serve and a great way to learn. Listening Imams and Khateebs grow in knowledge and respect.

All Imams and Ameers are bound by Shura as Allah has ordered in ...wa Amruhuma Shura bainahum... And Shura is all about listening.

Our capacity to motivate Muslims, resolve conflicts and develop a team, all depend on how well we listen.

The more effectively we listen, the more we learn.

We might think we already know how to listen. But unfortunately most of us pay little attention to the quality of our listening. We usually hear words without paying attention to them.

Marshall Goldsmith writes that, “80% of our success in learning from other people is based upon how well we listen.” (BusinessWeek. com, 1/8/07) When you are an Imam or a Khateeb, you talk. People ask a question, you talk. You perform marriages, you talk. You conduct funerals, you talk. Talking seems to be the main thing we end up doing. However, it is good listening which will enrich our talk and deliver us the most help we need to carry out our responsibilities.

Here are some suggestions for better listening:

Listen to yourself One of my teachers, rahimullah alaih, would always ask himself before any speech: what are my motives?

This is where the Prophet’s teaching of innamal a’malu bin niyyaat comes in handy. We must always think of our motives before opening our mouths. This will bring in focus our sincerity which will reach our audience.

In his bestselling book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey’s first three habits essentially deal with listening to yourself.

We know ourselves better than anyone else after Allah. We should develop a habit of listening to our Nafs al-Lawwama. Taking it seriously will allow us to be a mirror to ourselves in privacy.

Haasaiboo qabla an tuhaasaboo, do your own accounting before you are asked on the Day of Judgment, is a winning strategy.

Action Items: •

If your Nafs al-Lawwama is not speaking to you nowadays, take a few minutes between your Sunnah and Fard salah to think about your day.

•

Just before you go to bed, think about your day. Say Alhamdu lillah for everything you found in good deeds and say Astaghfirullah for every wrong deed committed.

Do your eyes listen?

Always look into the eyes of the person you are listening to. Your eyes along with your ears should be focused on the person you are talking to. He will note this and will, insha Allah, remember that you are taking a genuine interest in what is being said.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is known for listening to a person as though he is the most important individual in the room.

When I first met him at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, I was surprised to see how true it was. Although he did not know me, he was attentive and focused towards me, looking straight at me while there were dozens of people around us.

Action item: •

• •

Just before you retire at the end of your long day, think about the faces of the people you met in the last 24 hours. Do you remember their names? What did they say to you? Was there anything you can take a note of? Was there anything new and useful that you learned?

Take notes each time you are asked questions at the end of a class or lecture. The person asking will feel you are giving him or her importance.

If questions are being asked in writing, collect all of the question slips and take them with you. Later on, read them and think about how you would have answered those inquiries.

Take note of these answers and file them in a folder called “Question and Answer Sessions”. Refer back to these notes before making a presentation, since it’s common to come across the same types of issues in other settings.

Become a Why Imam Nothing will connect you with Muslim youth more than attentive and respectful listening. The more you listen to them, the more they will listen to you. Listening is a process of empowerment.

Engaging youth in conversation, however, is not easy. One way to do this is to ask them questions in response to their question.

This was something the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, regularly did in his interaction with others. In one incident, a young man came to the Prophet asking him permission to commit Zina. Instead of becoming angry and scolding him, the Prophet responded with a series of questions. He asked the youth, “Would you want someone else to commit adultery with your mother?” The youth responded with a no. The Prophet then repeated this question in relation to the young man’s sisters, aunts and other female relatives. The answer was always the same. At

23

the end of this, he prayed for the young Muslim, who was now convinced of the ugliness of illicit sex.­­­­

Sometimes, it’s good to give young people a short answer before responding to their question. That way, you can inquire about their views. This shows respect and a genuine interest in the person.

Muslim youth are under tremendous pressure. According to a Gallup survey, young Muslims are the angriest of all youth groups in America. They are also the least happy as compared to Christian and Jewish youth. About 28% of Muslim students in New York report being stopped by police as a result of racial profiling; 29% of Muslim students sometimes use a non-Muslim sounding name to avoid pressure. Some of our youth are either leaving Islam, connecting with extremist groups or joining gangs.

It is very important for an Imam, therefore, to engage youth. The more he asks for their opinions, the more comfortable they will feel offering their views. And please don’t interrupt when your question is being answered!

Action items: • • • •

Avoid routine questions like “how was school?” Youth are asked that question countless times. It means nothing to them.

Start a conversation by asking about something meaningful.

Here is a great article written by an 18-year-old which explains how younger people feel about the way adults talk to them. http://students2oh.org/2008/04/04/18yrlife/ Read a book on youth development Always make a Muslim youth in charge of a youth group instead of an uncle or auntie figure.

•

•

Most Imams are not trained to be professional counselors. However, we often end up offering this service. Sometimes the cases involve domestic violence as well.

Action items: •

I am not encouraging you to spy on them or to indulge in Haram.

Rather, I am emphasizing the need to understand their culture and gain a good grasp of the kind of media they are influenced by daily.

•

Action Items: • Join a Muslim youth listserv in your area to keep yourself informed. (but please remain silent on the list. Some examples

include www.maniacmuslim.com and www.islamicaweb.com One great place where general youth conversation takes place is www.takingitglobal.org.

Read a great book by two young American Muslims: The War Within Our Hearts by Habeeb Quadri & Sa'ad Quadri.

Also read Losing My Religion by Jeffrey Lang an American Muslim convert and father of four.

I would also recommend a book by Nick Barham, Disconnected: Why Our Kids are Turning Their Backs on Everything We Thought We Knew.

Listening to the Muslim family The Muslim family is in trouble. As chairperson of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC), I once called a thinking retreat of Chicago area Imams and Khateebs. We all talked about important issues facing the community and ultimately, decided to vote to choose the most important challenge. By a wide margin, the number one issue was the crisis in Muslim marriages and family conflict. The three worst divorce rates in the Muslim world is Qatr 10%, Albania and Tunisa 8%. However, the divorce rate in the North American Muslim community is triple that, at 30% according to a research study by the Islamic Society of North America’s founding president Ilyas Ba-Yunus. This is higher than the divorce rates of many Christian denominations in the US like Mainline Protestants which is 25%.

Learn about what’s new and what’s hot in youth culture Do you know what kind of music youth are listening to? What television shows they are watching? What websites they are visiting? What kind of messages they are texting to each other on their cell phones? Do you know what they are talking about among themselves?

There are youth blogs and discussion boards that can provide you some insight into the mind of young people today. By listening to these youth-oriented media outlets, you can become aware of their values, goals, and interests. This will allow you to find common ground and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with them.

Remember you can learn from younger people as well.

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•

•

• •

Attend a training workshop on conflict resolution, family counseling and domestic violence. The Islamic Social Services Association of the United States and Canada (www.issa-usa. com) offers such programs specifically for Imams.

Please read An Imam's Guide to deal with domestic violence h t t p : / / w w w. s o u n d v i s i o n . c o m / I n f o / s o c i a l s e r v i c e / violenceimamwest.asp Have your Masjid hire a trained professional to deal with family conflict situations on a full- or part-time basis.

Make sure that your Khutbas and collective Duas include discussion and mention of these topics.

Engage your own family with the community so that not only are you listening, but your spouse is listening as well.

Can sisters knock on your door?

I was once in Michigan sitting in the Imam’s office after delivering the Friday Khutba as a guest Khateeb, when there was a knock at the door. When I went to answer it, nobody was there. I heard a knock again and noticed another door on the left. When I opened it, Sr. Rasheeda Taleeb walked in. At that time she was running to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. I learned that there are two doors to that strategically located Imam’s office,

one each opening to prayer areas for men and women, providing equal access to the Imam. Sisters are 50% of the Ummah. If we are not listening to them, we are denying ourselves crucial knowledge to serve them better. Absence of access to an imam amounts to stopping them from coming to masjid. And the Prophet has said: “Do not prevent Allah’s female servants from going to the masjid.”

(Sahih Muslim)

maintain a positive opinion of Islam and Muslims.

While writing this article, I received a message from a Masjid leader asking me to respond to an email based on an anti-Muslim book. It was the mayor of that Masjid’s town who brought this to the mosque’s attention. He told the Muslim leader the hateful email was being sent around the community and it needed to be responded to urgently.

Action Items:

This shows that if we build a relationship with our neighbors and interfaith leaders, they will provide us opportunities to respond to this ongoing bigotry. On another occasion, a neighbor in this town actually responded to the email herself. Then, she sent a copy to a Muslim neighbor to show what type of false information is being spread.

• •

•

•

If a new masjid is being built, make sure that Imam’s office and other facilities are equally accessible.

Can sisters see and hear the Imam? Imams should take it upon themselves to improve their sound quality and visibility so Muslim women can be full participants in the community.

Rasoolullah, peace and blessings be upon him, would even go to where women were seated in the Masjid to deliver his Khutba if he felt his voice was not reaching them.

Ask men to keep some of their children with them in the Masjid and not leave all of the kids with their wives. This will help reduce the noise level in the women’s section, helping sisters better hear your Khutba and other announcements.

Can sisters in the Masjid see the notice board? If not, install one in their section and make one sister responsible for making sure it is updated with the latest events and notices.

Listening to your neighbors “Neighbors” is my choice word for non-Muslims. Listening to neighbors and praying for them is going to open doors. Our Masjids are mostly in neighborhoods. Although Muslims come to Masjids, our neighbors live around us. Therefore, a listening Imam must look for opportunities to regularly visit neighbors and invite them so they feel comfortable talking to you.

Television and anti-Muslim propaganda are shaping our neighbors’ worldview. Unfortunately, since 9/11, most bestselling books on Islam in America have been written by anti-Muslim Islamophobes.

It is not just films like Obsession: Radical Islam‘s War Against the West that is spreading fear and hatred of Islam (although they did a pretty good job by delivering them to 28 million Americans during the 2008 presidential election campaign). There are millions of copies of anti-Islamic books which have been sent free to all churches in the United States.

Anti-Islamic material is well-financed and methodological. It is, therefore, important for you to read what is being thrown at us.

Develop a reading list to go through this anti-Muslim propaganda.

This is what our neighbors are subjected to on a regular basis. This Islamophobia affects our children and families. According to one Yale University survey, 50% of Arab-Americans have clinical signs of depression. One of the reasons for it might be this daily Islamophobic bombardment from the media.

Most Americans have a negative opinion of Islam and Muslims.

However, those who know a Muslim or have spoken to a Muslim

Action items: • • • • •

Read at least two books and watch a documentary against Islam if you have not done so already.

Subscribe to the magazine Christianity Today to learn about how Christian evangelicals are organized.

Join or start an interfaith network if you are not already part of one.

Develop a formal relationship with other civic leaders as well as peace and justice groups in your neighborhood or city.

Develop committees to work with the above groups.

Listening to New Muslims Did you know that 50 to 60% of new Muslims leave Islam within about five years? It may not come as a shock to you, but this is what Dr. Ilyas Ba Yunus’s research showed in the states of Illinois and New York. I invited him to Chicago where he spoke with local Imams about the possible causes of this reversal. He emphasized that the absence of support for new converts in the Muslim community is the main problem.

Action items: • • • •

Read Dr. Jeffery Lang’s books Struggling to Surrender and Even Angels Ask to understand the difficulties new Muslims face.

Develop a support network amongst the new Muslims in your Masjid.

Start an Islam 101 or Arabic 101 class for new Muslims.

Connect a new Muslim with another Muslim so their brotherhood/sisterhood remains strong at difficult times.

Listening for America Please keep your eyes and ears open to what is happening in your Masjid. Is someone speaking the language of extremism? Look out for the extremists, the vulnerable, and yes, the agent provocateur.

We are living in a very difficult time for Muslims in America.

Saving our lives and the lives of our neighbors is a sacred duty.

We are proud of the parents of the Virginia five, the Minneapolis

25

eight and the Nigerian father who reported their sons’ descent into extremism to authorities in 2008 and 2009. If the person spouting extremist ideas in your Masjid is not dangerous, you need to immediately counsel him for moderation. But please adopt a zero tolerance policy for any type of extremism in your Islamic center or organization.

Almost all Muslims are concerned about wars and would like to see peace, but no one should allow his or her anger to take the law into their own hands. So listening well within our communities is crucial for all Imams and Muslim leaders.

Remember that many Imams have been deported, arrested, and even murdered in the United States since 9/11. Using an agent provocateur is a well-established but controversial law enforcement technique. A zero tolerance policy will allow you to protect yourself and your Masjid from the extremists, the vulnerable as well as the agent provocateur.

Action items: • •

• •

• •

Ask your board to adopt a written formal zero tolerance policy towards extremist talk in the Masjid.

Give Khutbas to encourage the civic participation of our community members. We can oppose wars by joining peace and justice groups that focus on changing the policies of our nation. This encouragement can channel legitimate anger at injustice into positive action, instead of frustrated community members lashing out in extremism and violence.

Google the term “agent provocateur” to understand it fully or ask your lawyer about it.

If someone is talking in an extremist manner, he must be firmly warned in front of witnesses to not talk that way in the Masjid. This is the time to get his full contact information and references.

If he does not stop, consult an attorney to bring restraining orders against him.

If you suspect he may become violent, report him to police immediately.

Listening even to those who don’t listen to you

Just like other human beings, Muslims are not all the same. As an Imam, you often encounter people who are disrespectful, loud and critical. Some might even interrupt a Khutba. However, the way the most respected Muslims handled this offers the best solution.

Listening to them respectfully is the way to win them over.

Remember the famous example of Khalifa Umar, when he was giving the Jumuah khutba, and an ordinary person rose and interrupted by saying, O Amir al-Mu’mineen: I will not listen to your sermon until you explain how you obtained your long dress.

He was not shut out for disturbing the Khutba. Umar’s son had to explain that the clothing his father was wearing was not part of the Bait-ul-Mal. Rather, it was a gift from Ibn Umar to his father. After

26

this explanation, which satisfied the questioner, Umar was able to resume his sermon. May Allah be pleased with them.

Action Items: • • •

Provide a thoughtful explanation to any objection.

Thank the person who is showing you the mirror.

Make Dua for those who don’t listen to you.

Listening to your voice mail messages One of the most common complaints Muslims and non-Muslims have about our Masjids is that they don’t respond to their voice messages. Once, I received a critical message on Sound Vision’s voice mail. The person was saying that he was Jewish and while he did not want anything from Muslims, all he asked was that someone return his call to tell him how to become a Muslim. He gave the names of several Masjids where he had left messages but no one had called him back.

Action Items: • • • •

Take personal charge of writing down all messages received by voice mail.

Put a message book next to the phone. Buy one with carbon paper that makes a copy of the message you write on it.

Hand over the message to the addressee.

Once a week audit the phone book to check if all messages have been taken care of or not.

And finally please listen to your own Khutbas Listening to ourselves, no matter how experienced we are, is the best way to learn from and improve our own Khutbas. There is no institution like the Friday Khutba. It offers the largest educational program Muslims have. This has to be taken very seriously. I have been giving Khutbas and speeches for more than 35 years, but I learn a great deal when I listen to my own Khutbas.

Action items: • • • •

•

Buy a small digital recorder with a mike and a headphone.

Take notes while listening to your own Khutbas.

Buy an audio CD book to help you improve your English pronunciation.

Avoid watching television but listen to some talk radio shows that represent both the progressive and conservative political perspectives. They will give you some insight into two types of American ideology and will also help you develop your language skills.

Always have some action items at the end of the Khutba.

Insha Allah, if we keep listening, we will be blessed to become better servants of Allah who are connected to Him in worship and connected with the community in service.

The writer is president Sound Vision Foundation, a Chicago based multimedia not for profit organization.

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VII ANNUAL IMAMS CONFERENCE PROGRAM Saturday, February 6, 2010

6:00 - 6:15 am Fajr Prayer 6:15 - 6:30 am Short Talk: Shaikh Mohamed Rafeek 6:30 - 7:30 am Breakfast 8:00 - 12:00 am Registration 12:00 - 2.00 pm Zuhr & ‘Asr prayers and Lunch Opening session: 2:00 - 2:30 Recitation of Al-Quran: Hafiz Ramadan El_Sabbagh Welcome Addresses: Dr. Hamood Al Silwi, Chairman Conference Committee Dr. Omar Shahin, Chairman Board of Trustees, NAIF Imam Ashrafuz Zaman Khan, President EC, NAIF Afternoon session: 2.30 – 5.10 pm Arbitration Legal and Fiqh dimension 2:30 - 3.30 Subject: Islamic perspective of arbitration: Dr. Salah Al Sawi Dr. Muwaffaq Al-Galaieni 3:30 – 3.40 Sponsor Presentation: Amanah 3:40 - 4:10 Break 4:10 – 5:10 Subject: Perspective of Arbitration: Attorney Omar T. Mohammedi Attorney Mujahid Idlibi 5:10 – 5:20 Sponsor Presentation- Life for Relief Evening Session: 5.20 – 9.00 pm 5:20 – 6:45 Maghrib and ‘Isha Prayers and Dinner 6:45 – 7.40 Subject: New Jersey experiences in Arbitration: Dr. Mohammad Qatanani Dr. Bassam Obeid 7.40 – 7.45 Sponsor Presentation – University Islamic Financial 7:45 – 9:00 Open Session for Panelist

Sunday February 7, 2010

Team work: Together We Are Better Morning session: 6.00 am – 12.15 pm 6:00 - 6:15 Fajr Prayer 6:15 - 6:30 Short Talk: Dr. Walid Idris 6:30 - 7:30 Breakfast 28

7:30 - 8:30 Conflict in Masajid: Reasons and Solutions

Dr. Ahmed Shqeirat 8:30 - 9:30 Open Discussion for all Imams 9:30 - 10:00 Break 10:00 - 12:00: Subject: Imam as a Team Leader Dr. Jamal Badawi

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Dr. Iqbal Unus 12:00 - 12:15 Sponsor Presentation: Islamic Relief Afternoon Session: 12.15 – 5.30.pm 12:15 - 2:00 Zuhr & Asr prayers and Lunch 2:00 - 2:10 Sponsor Presentation: ICNA 2:10 - 2:20 Peace Presentation 2:20 - 3:10 Imams Council - New York & New Jersey Experiences:

Imam Abdul Latif Al-Amin Imam Muhammad Musa 3:10 - 4:00 Open Discussion 4:00 - 4:30 White House Representatives: Mr. Max Finberg Mr. Paul Monterio 4:30 - 5:30 Subject: Imam Council - South Carolina Experience: Shaikh Muhammad Adly Subject: The Listening Imams Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid Evening Session: 5.30 – 9.00 pm 5:30 - 6:00 Maghrib & Isha Prayers 6:00 - 9:00 Banquet Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sulayman Nyang

Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Monday, February 8, 2010

Teamwork: together we are better 6:00 - 6:15 Fajr Prayer 6:15 - 6:30 Short Talk: Imam Bayanoun 6:30 - 7:30 Breakfast 7:30 - 10:00 Place and theme of next conference; Recommendations, comments and suggestions Thanks by the Chairman and the President Conclusion & Du’aa 29

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u��Serving Halaal Food 166-25B Hillside Ave., u��Catering and Sweets Specialist Jamaica, NY 11432 u��Haji’s Biryani is NOW at Sagar Tel: 718-298-5696

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VISIT YOUR ONLY NEIGHBORHOOD DRUGSTORE IN BALDWIN LONG ISLAND

AIM PHARMACY & SURGICAL CORP. FREE

R E V I L DE

Y

A SUCCESSFUL SEMINAR

We Beat Any Chain Store Prices! Prompt Service!

Fax Service u��Notary Public u��7c Copies Health & Beauty Aids u��Surgical Supplies 99c Cards u��Inkjet/Laserjet Toner Cartridges Kosher Natural Remedies Accept Medicare u��Medicaid u��Union Plans Toys

l���Jewelry l���Electronics l���TV

Designer Watches Men's & Women's Clothing

1655 Grand Ave. Baldwin (516) 867- 8200 Fax (516) 868 2800 Corner of Stanton/Diagonally from Dunkin Donuts, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Sunday Closed

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NEXT TO GRAND MEDICAL EXIT 705 FROM SOUTHERN STATE PXX? or Visit www.AIMpharmacy.com

Dhaka Sweets & Restaurant Tel: (718) 262-9774

KABAB HOUSE

ets &: Re e w

st

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CATERING FOR ALL OCCASIONS MARRIOT - SHERATON - HYATT

a nt

Dhaka

aur

Ha

lal Fo o d

Ph: (718) 262-9774, Cell: 917-355-6799 168-32 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11431

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Best wishes from

MALAK DESIGNS

for the

VII Annual Imams Conference

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Our no-load mutual funds follow a value investment style, diversify across industries, and choose equities in accordance with Islamic principles. Isn’t it nice to know there’s a Sharia compliant mutual fund with a low minimum investment of $250? (It’s even lower for IRAs, Health Savings Accounts or Education Savings Accounts.)

Open an account today and start investing in your future.

Amana Income Fund seeks current income by investing primarily in dividend-paying stocks. The Fund seeks capital preservation as a secondary objective. Established: 1986

The Amana Funds limit the stocks they purchase to those consistent with Islamic principles, which limits opportunities and may increase risk. Please consider an investment’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a free prospectus that contains this and other important information about the Amana Funds, please call 1-888-73-AMANA or visit www.amanafunds.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Saturna Brokerage Services, member NASD/ SIPC. SBS is a wholly-owned 36subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation, adviser to the Amana Mutual Funds Trust. April 2008.

Designed & Printed by www.MalakDesigns.com 718 . 915 .7368

Amana Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in companies expected to grow earnings and stock prices faster than the economy. Established: 1994