The Lone Star Crescent

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Exploring Muslim contributions to Science BY KENA SOSA Have you ever noticed the abundance of Arabic-origin words in English? As you study algebra and learn about algorithms, the influence is clear. These two terms are traced back to Astronomer, al-Khwarizmi, whose work in al-jabr was the basis for algebra today. Words brandishing their Arabic roots in al-, like almanac, alcohol, albatross, are sprinkled throughout the English language. Yet so few people are cognizant of the plentiful inventions, discoveries, and advancements that Islamic scientists and mathematicians gave in order for us to live in a modern world today. It was time someone decided

to change this. Brought about by efforts from the Medieval Studies Department of Southern Methodist University, and the Muslim Institute and most importantly the Institute of Medieval and Post-Medieval Studies, the contest, first of its kind for promoter Muhsin Shaheed and his co-planner, was so well-received that they are working to conduct their contest again with students from both Dallas and Fort Worth. On Sunday March 4th at 4pm, Southern Methodist University will host an awards ceremony in Dallas Hall for winners of a contest that urged high school students to learn more about Islamic contributions to science throughout history. CONTINUES ON >>>16

IMMIGRATION INITIATIVES HINDERED BY BUREAUCRACY migration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) clarified their positions last fall on prosecutorial (WASHINGTON, DC) Federal imdiscretion. The agencies pledged migration officials have not evenly to review more than 300,000 cases applied ‘prosecutorial discretion’ to deportation cases, and in some areas, currently in deportation proceedings to identify low-priority individuals have not implemented the Obama whose cases could be closed because Administration’s plan to suspend they had strong ties to the United deportation proceedings for lawStates and they posed no threat to abiding immigrants with strong ties society. to their communities. But this month in testimony During a national telephonic before Congress, ICE Director John news conference today, members of the Fair Immigration Reform Move- Morton said that as of March 5th, ICE had reviewed 142,000 nonment (FIRM) stated that there have been numerous cases where prosecu- detained cases and 23,000 detained torial discretion has not been applied cases, and that only 11,000 cases were determined to fall under ‘prossince the Obama Administration ecutorial discretion.’ Only 1,583 announced its plan last summer. cases have been closed. The Department of HomeCONTINUES ON >>> 04 land Security (DHS) and the ImBY DONNA DE LA CRUZ

AHMAD ADAM

Entrepreneur behind halal chicken in the U.S.

The right and the wrong of it OPINION BY ATTORNEY YUSUF ABDULLAH

BY YVONNE MAFFEI MYHALALKITCHEN.COM Chances are, if you live somewhere in the U.S. and you seek out halal food then you’re already aware of Crescent Foods. If not, allow me to introduce you. Crescent Foods is a Chicago-based poultry company that is involved in the entire farm to fork process of their cage-free, antibioticfree and beautifully-packaged halal chicken products. For those who are just entering the halal consumer market, you might not consider this to be extraordinary, but I can remember even less than ten short years ago, if I wanted a quality halal chicken (raised and fed properly, handled in the correct Islamic manner and thus truly tayyib, or pure, and halal) there were few options to choose from. For example, I used to go to a live poultry house and see the chicken before it met its demise, then watch it get plucked of all feathers, cut up then handed to me in a plastic bag while the meat was still warm. Hardly appetizing, but still

met basic halal standards. A few years ago when shopping at local Mediterranean markets, I began noticing Crescent chicken products in nicely-wrapped containers. Believe me, it’s not that I needed to buy meat all packaged up with a pretty label- it was more important to me that the product was clean, respectfully presented to the consumer and to know the company whose mission is clear, that stands behind their products and cares about what their producing. In effect, I felt they were listening to me, the consumer, loud and clear, even if I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted. Soon afterwards, I met Mr. Adam, the President and Founder of Crescent Foods, and his ener-

getic and loyal team of sales people, marketing and operations staff. I had recently started the My Halal Kitchen blog and was interested in knowing as much as I could about this halal product that I could use to create recipes that were previously more challenging to cook because of the sheer lack of product as well as lack of appeal. They were instantly warm and generous and all very dedicated to bringing quality halal chicken to consumers. In fact, I’ve never seen people so dedicated to a mission to bring a much-needed product to market, as well as be excited about poultry- and not just any chicken, but great chicken. CONTINUES ON >>> 09

The Trayvon Martin shooting and killing has garnered the attention of the nation. The airwaves and social media are constantly debating the issues of the case. News ratings are soaring on the ongoing developments of the case. The Stand Your Ground Laws of the states are in question. What is a stand your ground law? Simply, it means that you do not have to retreat if you reasonably believe that your life is in danger, and that you have the right to defend yourself and meet force with force, including deadly force. It is the stand your ground law in Florida that is in question in the Trayvon Martin case. The stand your ground law allows a potential defendant to be immune from CONTINUES ON >> 14


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