The Muslim Link ~ February 10, 2012 by The Muslim Link

The Story Which Binds: The Seerah And Your KIDS PG 20

MUSLIMS FEEL BETRAYED BY FBI PG 13

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

By Wafa Unus

Interfaith Coalition Opposes VA Foreign Law Bill | pg 4

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

Chances are you’re reading this article on the Internet and not in its “antiquated” paper form. Chances are even greater that you didn’t type in a URL to get to the digital version but rather clicked on a link from a Twitter feed or a Facebook post. If you want to share this with someone, and you know you do, chances are that even if you are reading

this on hard copy, you’re going to send the digital version via a social media platform or e-mail.

Quickly fading are the days of newspaper clippings and passing the paper across the breakfast table.

As social media becomes more common, businesses, organizations and even religious congregations have begun adopting the virtual tools not only to further their causes but to create a new type of boundless virtual community that risks no fire code violations and requires no million dollar blueprint plans. Islamic Relief USA (IR) is >> CLICK Pg 12

Area Syrians Watch Events With Worry, Anger

CIVIL: NYPD Targeting Masajid For Intel Gathering | pg 14 WPRESS: Report Shows Drones Target Civilians | pg 16

ISLAM: Winter - The Best Season for Worshipers | pg 18

By Wafa Unus Muslim Link Staff Reporter

With death tolls in Syria reported between six and seven thousand in the past 11 months, some American Syrians are faced with continued concern for the safety of their loved ones back home.

Op-Ed: Europe Setting Up Clash of Civilizations? | pg 21 LETTERS: Your Reactions To Last Issue’s Stories | pg 25

The region, riddled with political upheaval and protest against Syrian President Basher Al-Assad’s dynastic rule has seen an unprec-

>> syria Pg 10

Dar Al-Hijrah Food Bank Helps Falls Church Needy | pg 5

The Muslim Link Some local Syrian Americans are active in Washington DC protests against the Syrian regime’s brutal crackdown against protesters there, while others are avoiding speaking out for fear their families in Syria will be punished. Photo courtesy of Hussain Abdul-Hussain.

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INDEX

inside This Issue 04 Community News 13 National News 14 Civil Rights 16 World Press 18 Islam 20 Health & Family

Opinion

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

4 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Community News VA Bill Might Infringe On Religious Freedom, Business Community A Bill recently introduced into the House of Delegates (VA HB 825 - “Application of foreign laws”) has raised some concerns in the religious and business community. The introduction of the bill appears to be part of a national state-by-state campaign against citing “foreign laws” in U.S. courts – which has been recognized as a veiled attack on Religious Freedom in general, and which can also have ominous unintended consequences for American companies doing business internationally. We all respect the United States and the Virginia constitutions and we also want to protect Religious Freedom and Business Community Interests. The House Committee for Courts of Justice Subcommittee #2 Civil has passed that bill, introduced by the Honorable Delegate Robert Marshall. Although at the Subcommittee hearing, Delegate

Marshall averred that the Bill would protect all citizens of Virginia, the Members apparently did not consider how these proposed bills could negatively impact international business and trade and Religious Freedom. The hearing for HB825 took place last Friday Feb 3rd 2012 in House Courts of Justice Committee in Richmond Virginia. Unfortunately, even after heavy oppositions from the Bar association, Commerce, Interfaith, and Members of our community the bill passed the Courts committee with 10-6 vote and was forwarded to Virginia House of delegates. This bill will be discussed on Wed Feb 8 and Voted on Thu Feb 9th If this bill passes the House floor , it will be forwarded to Virginia Senate committee around Feb 14th for discussion and voting. The Interfaith community will continue to raise our concerns about

this Bill. There will be an Interfaith Action Alert for contacting the State Senate next week. The American Jewish Committee(AJC) has already sent a letter to the members of the Committee, noting the following: “(T)he bill before you asserts that only Virginia law may govern such transactions.....even though ...Virginia may have only the most tenuous of connections to the interests of other nations. Applying substantive Virginia law to such matters, without regard to the interests of other nations, will intrude on the sovereignty of other nations who will find that transactions or torts committed within their boundaries are adjudicated under a law completely alien to it. (There is) no justification for such an aggressive intrusion into the affairs of other nations.” There is no doubt that our international competitors will use this to the damage

....

the business reputation and reliability of all American companies, and could open the door for legal challenges even by companies with no ties to Virginia. My 30+ years experience in international business, in the private sector and as a senior U.S. Commercial Service Diplomat, tells me this Bill can and will cause substantial problems for American companies globally. The AJC goes on to address its concerns about religious freedom, noting, “We are confirmed that this Bill has nothing to do with religious liberty by the Subcommittee’s refusal to adopt language... allowing religious tribunals to decide disputes under law.....Ensuring these rights is especially important to the Jewish community which regularly utilizes ...religious tribunals in the domestic reBILL Pg 6

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS

Even In Affluent Falls Church, Dar Al-Hijrah Finds Hungry Families In Need By Wafa Unus

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Even in one of the country’s most affluent cities, the need is still great. According to US Census data, Falls Church was ranked the city with the lowest poverty level in 2010 with only three percent of its inhabitants living under the poverty line. Still, a local masjid has found that despite what statistics may show and what may appear contrary to the neighboring mini mansions and down the street from designer shopping malls there remains a community in desperate need of the most basic necessities. The Dar Al-Hijrah masjid in Falls Church hosts a food bank at its center every Thursday morning distributing over 1200 pounds of food weekly. With a median household income of just over $100,000 it’s difficult for many in the area to relate but for those working with the food bank, it has been an eye opening experience into a reality that is often swept under the rug.

Tahani Jabarin, a social worker at Dar Al-Hijrah and regular volunteer with the Food Bank who has worked with the operation since its beginnings has been personally impacted by many of the individuals who have entered the masjid’s doors early Thursday mornings. “I felt like I wanted to cry,” she said as she recalled one woman who shyly stood near the front doors of the masjid, hesitant to go into the lecture hall which is converted into a waiting room for those in need. The woman took several buses to reach the masjid but feared that maybe someone who knew her would recognize her. Her husband was out of work and the food bank was the only place she felt she could get the food she needed for her family. “It really shows you that people are desperately in need,” said Jabarin. “It does touch you.” The Dar Al-Hijrah Food Bank which beneed Pg 8

Top, Dar Al-Hijrah food bank volunteers prepare packages for needy families living in the Falls Church area. Bottom, for many families living paycheck to paycheck, even one bag of groceries makes a difference. Photos courtesy of Dar Al-Hijrah.

MD Media Manager Selected As “Working Mother of the Year” By Wafa Unus

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Alia Kemet, a local professional, was selected as one of twenty recipients of the Advertising Working Mothers of the Year, a national award presented by Working Mother magazine and Advertising Women of New York (AWNY). The annual award is presented to women in the field of advertising, media and communications who not only exemplify a commitment to balancing work and family but who are also positive role models in the workplace and in their respective communities.

With seven kids, four biological and 3 step children ranging from 15 months to 20 years old, the IKEA North America US Media Manager, has a full house and a demanding career. “I got a call about a month and a half ago from Working Mothers magazine that I had been nominated and that I had won,” said Kemet. Along with 19 other working mothers in the field, Kemet was selected out of a pool of hundreds of nominees. Her employer of nine years, IKEA North America nominated her for the award. Kemet began working at IKEA after taking time off to be a stay at home

mom after the birth of her first child. However, the lifestyle left her yearning to return to work. “I found myself doing all these projects, pro bono work, figuring out how to do marketing for somebody,” she said. Around the same time, IKEA’s College Park, Maryland store was preparing to open and hosted a job fare to fill vacant positions. Upon the advice of her father, she tagged along with her sister who was interested in applying for a job. “To this day I give my father credit [for career success],” Kemet said. When Kemet arrived at the job fair she

didn’t anticipate the turn it would take. “I just wanted to be a cashier because I wanted to get a discount on the furniture. I didn’t even take a resume,” she said with a laugh. Kemet ended up staying at the job fair for three hours, being passed from person to person until she was introduced to the manager. Having learned her background in marketing and communications the IKEA team realized her potential beyond the register and were eager to fill a marketing position prior to the store’s grand opening.

mother Pg 8

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

NoVa Muslim Appointed Dean of VA Business School By Muslim Link Staff Dr. Miles Davis, a local Muslim and Board of Trustee member of Amana Mutual Funds Trust, has been appointed Dean of the Shenandoah University Harry F. Byrd Business School in Winchester, Virginia. Davis will replace Dean W. Randy Boxx on July 1st 2012. Davis has a long history with the University not only as an associate professor of management but as the founding director of Shenandoah University’s Institute for Entrepreneurship. Over his fifteen years of teaching experience and robust business experience, Davis said his faith played an integral role in how he views the industry. Although, he noted, the Muslim community often overlooks the connection between Islam and business.

bill

>> continued from pg 4

lations context and other conflicts.” As another national organization reported, ”(T)his bill is likely…to cause problems...(with) enforcement of divorce/ custody agreements that rely on religious law; validity of foreign marriages, divorces, and adoptions; validity of wills that rely on religious laws regarding dispersal of assets or disposition of remains. Additionally, the bill might prevent courts from enforcing resolutions to internal church disputes that are reached according to religious doctrines, such as canon law. “ We are also concerned that this bill is too closely related to efforts by the antiIslam and anti-minority group Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), which has proposed making “adherence to Islam” a crime punishable by 20 years in prison, called for the immediate deportation of all non-citizen Muslims, and urged Congress to declare war on the “Muslim Nation” (which SANE defined as “all Muslims”). This is clearly a group with a strong private

....

“We spend a lot of time within the Islamic community, we often talk about manners and characteristics but we often don’t discuss day to day business which is ironic because the Prophet’s first wife, Khadijah, was a merchant and trader,” said Davis. “We have a rich history of how to deal with business.”

suspend service or pile on interest, Davis argued that it would actually be of more benefit to the lender to first investigate why the payment could not be made. If the reason was understandable and repayment was likely at a slightly later date, something far more valuable would be gained than money.

Business and trade, he said, helped move Islam across the world.

“What you have purchased with that is loyalty because you stood by them when times were difficult,” he said. “Think about the type of world that we would have if we didn’t take advantage of each other.”

“So what’s the key to being a successful businessman? You need not look much further than the first line of the Holy Qur’an,” noted Davis. “Almost every chapter of the Qur’an begins with ‘Bismillah hir Rahman nir Raheem’,” said Davis. “We often forget compassion and mercy.” In the true nature of an academic, Davis laid out a case scenario of a person who was overdue on repaying a loan. While the lender has the right to demand payment, agenda. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) itself has noted SANE’s founder’s as having a “record of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-black bigotry” and the New York Jewish Week newspaper reported that he “condemns democracy in the USA and, in comments that evoke classical anti-Semitic stereotypes.’” (See ADL information on the Bill and Anti-Muslim efforts on page 16 of this issue of the Muslim Link) The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said “The proposed language is similar to bills filed in other states and is a part of national trend that is nothing more than an unnecessary response to unfounded fears. The United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia Constitutions already prohibit courts from using or applying religious law in anyway that would result in government advance, endorsement, or entanglement with religion. In addition, different groups in the United States regularly use religiousbased arbitrators to resolve all kinds of disputes. This proposed legislation would jeopardize those decisions and restrict the use of this process for many Americans. It is a potential infringement on religious freedom of all Virginians and could very well violate the constitu-

That, said Davis, was simply a matter of being just and fair, a basic tenant of Islamic justice.

Though Davis doesn’t feel the need to explain his position or practices as a Muslim, he does believe that the values and principles that Islam provides can help introduce new ways of conducting business. He pointed to Muhammad Younus’ introduction of micro-financing as a primary example of how compassion and mercy can translate into positive financial and business gain. In his capacity as Dean, Davis hopes to put Shenandoah University on the map and emphasize its existing programs. “Part of my job is to extend the brand and let people know what we are doing at our university and we are doing great things,” he said.

“Part of having faith isn’t just to do things when its easy and people are going to go along with it but part of our faith is doing things when people don’t even know we are doing them,” he said.

Davis also offered business students his advice.

tional rights of those in many Religious communities.”

Law of the Land, whether the U.S. Constitution or State Laws like the Virginia Constitution. Islamic teachings in fact require Muslims to respect the laws of the land where they live. In fact, it is a key tenet of Islam that no one should impose their faith or beliefs on another person, and all Muslims are enjoined to believe that there is no compulsion in Faith. Islamic Law key objectives are Protection of Human Life, Freedom of Religion, Protection of Intellect, Protection of Children, and Protection of Property. We reaffirm Islam’s absolute condemnation of terrorism , religious extremism, and the use of violence against innocent lives. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit recently upheld a lower court’s decision to block an Oklahoma state constitutional amendment designed to accomplish the same apparent goal of this Virginia bill.

These bills are therefore a solution without a problem. The separation of church and state embodied in U.S. and state constitutions already prohibits our courts from applying or considering religious law in any way that would constitute government advancement of or entanglement with religious law. In addition, there is simply no evidence that any faith groups do not respect the Law of the Land, either the U.S. Constitution or State Laws like the Virginia Constitution, or that Virginia courts have ever been (or will ever be) “influenced by foreign law”. This Bill can also potentially impair the free religious practices of Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Orthodox, Sikhs, Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Bahais, Zoroastrians, and People of all other Faiths, as guaranteed by the US and the Virginia Constitutions, by making it harder for Virginians of all faith traditions to settle personal and civil legal matters. There is also no evidence that any of these or other faiths do not respect the

“Learn how to learn and learn to think critically because the world is changing.”

We hope we can count on your support to ensure Virginia remains a worldwide beacon of religious tolerance, and that any legislation dampening that legacy is never part of our Virginia legal system. --Source: Adapted from Virginia Muslim Civic Coalition Press Release

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS

Charlottesville, Va., City Council Passes Resolution Opposing War on Iran By David Swanson

Priorities

WarIsACrime.com, January 17, 2012

The City Council of Charlottesville, Virginia, home of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and the University of Virginia, passed on Tuesday evening, January 17, 2012, a resolution believed to be a first in the country, opposing the launching of a war on Iran, as well as calling for an end to current ground and drone wars engaged in by the United States and urging Congress and the President of the United States to significantly reduce military spending. Below is the text of the resolution, followed by an account of how it came to be. As other towns and cities have been inquiring about how they can do the same, this may prove helpful. RESOLUTION Calling on Congress and the President to Redirect Military Spending to Domestic

WHEREAS, the severity of the ongoing economic crisis has created budget shortfalls at all levels of government and requires us to re-examine our national spending priorities; and WHEREAS, every dollar spent on the military produces fewer jobs than spending the same dollar on education, healthcare, clean energy, or even tax cuts for household consumption; and WHEREAS, U.S. military spending has approximately doubled in the past decade, in real dollars and as a percentage of federal discretionary spending, and well over half of federal discretionary spending is now spent on the military, and we are spending more money on the military now than during the Cold War, the Vietnam War, or the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform proposed major reductions in military spending in both its Co-Chairs’ proposal in November 2010 and its final report in December 2010; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, with the support of Charlottesville’s then Mayor Dave Norris, passed a resolution in June 2011 calling on Congress to redirect spending to domestic priorities; and WHEREAS, the people of the United States, in numerous opinion polls, favor redirecting spending to domestic priorities and withdrawing the U.S. military from Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, the United States has armed forces stationed at approximately 1,000 foreign bases in approximately 150 foreign countries; and WHEREAS, the United States is the wealthiest nation on earth but trails many other nations in life expectancy, infant mortality, education level, housing, and environmental sustainability, as well as non-military aid to foreign nations; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Charlottesville, Virginia, calls on the U.S. Congress and the U.S. President to end foreign ground and drone wars, refrain from entering new military ventures in Iran, and reduce base military spending in order to meet vital human needs, promote job creation, retrain and re-employ those losing jobs in

resolution Pg 10

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8 | COMMUNITY NEWS mother

>> continued from pg 5

After meeting with the manager and discussing her past work experience with large companies like Nike and Whole Foods, Kemet was offered a marketing position at the College Park IKEA. Within nine years, she was promoted three times, eventually landing her a premier position at IKEA North America’s Pennsylvania headquarters as US Media Manager where she oversees the planning and execution of all paid media.

quire her to make sacrifices she says are necessary for all mothers who choose to have careers as well. “If [you have a] career and you want to grow and advance in that career then you’re going to have make personal sacrifices and what I would say is that those sacrifices don’t affect your children and that they are sacrifices for yourself,” said Kemet.

some things better than other things,” said Kemet. While she places great importance on the time her and her husband spend with their children, she also utilizes the resources available to her. “You have to have a strong support system...I always praise Allah for having the best people [around me],” she said.

anywhere,” said Kemet. While she doesn’t believe that religion should be a major influence in her work, she noted that the basic moral values she has grown up with as a Muslim have helped her succeed in the work force, in some ways because she finds herself, a covering Muslim woman, a representation of Islam for many coworkers who have not met other Muslims.

In some cases, Kemet believes surrounding her kids with people other than herself and her husband benefits their personal growth.

“I know for me, especially because I’m Muslim, its a reminder for me because you are representing. I don’t want to be viewed as dishonest or inauthentic,” said Kemet.

“They may be more receptive to certain things from other people. You have to surround [them] with other good people,” she said

As a career mother on a demanding schedule both at home and at work Kemet makes sure she also keeps things in perspective.

Kemet credits IKEA North America for being supportive not only for her as a mother but also for her as a Muslim.

“I focus on the things that are important,” she said. “We work hard but we play hard too.”

‘Sometimes you really are balancing and other times you’re choosing to do

“IKEA really respected my values and that is really important when you’re a Muslim woman and you’re working

The 2012 Advertising Working Mothers of the Year Award will be presented on February 16, 2012 in New York City.

asking] ‘What is it you believe in?’ It’s like dawah what we do, other than them only benefiting from the food.”

ship with the Capital Area Food Bank.

>> continued from pg 5

“We also do awareness sessions and we do have applications on site [for food stamps],” said Jabarin.

gan about 12 years ago serves over 170 families a week, increasing its distribution from approximately 50 families in its early years.

Those who receive food from the food bank must fill out applications providing proof of residency and income as well as information regarding their family size.

Strict regulations are followed by organizers of the food bank to ensure that the food is evenly distributed to those who are truly in need of the service.

“We try to make it easy as a process as possible,” she said.

Upon arriving to the Food Bank, individuals are given numbers and are required to wait until their number is called. Once their number is called they are provided their bag or box filled with a variety of fresh foods, non perishables, and meat.

With an office based in Pennsylvania and a family settled in Maryland, Kemet finds herself in a delicate balancing act. “My secret is that I don’t try to do it all,” she said. While she is able to work from home a few days a week and travel to the office in Pennsylvania the other days, the demands of her job and her home life re-

need

Every Wednesday, ten to fifteen volunteers spend two to three hours sorting and packaging food for distribution. Though distribution does not start until nine AM, people arrive as early as Fajr to take a number and get in line. Because of the number of people in need, Dar Al-Hijrah has had to come up with an organized system that not only ensures those in need are provided the basics but that they are also aware of other services for which they may be eligible, like food stamps.

....

In her household she carefully chooses what she feels is important to invest her personal time in and what she feels can be done with the help of her nearby friends and family. “Food is really important in our house,” she said noting that making healthy meals from scratch is something she makes time for regardless of her work schedule. “Academics are also really important.” Other things, she said, she simply does “just good enough.”

While the Food Bank is located at the masjid, Jabarin said that it is open to everyone regardless of religious background. “Our mission is to help whoever is in need,” she said. The “open doors” policy at the Food Bank has resulted in open discussion from those who aren’t Muslim. “Many ask about Islam. They sit in the waiting room for two to three hours and they get curious,” said Jabarin. “By opening our doors to other backgrounds they come with curiosity, [sometime

For those who cannot physically come to the masjid for distribution, the Dar Ul Hijrah Food Bank provides a delivery service. However, this service is only provided for individuals who are unable to pick up their own food due to special circumstances such as health issues and proof of such circumstances is required by the coordinators. While the community hasn’t played as large of a role in donations as organizers would like, regularly meat and bread suppliers, and a variety of local partnerships have made the process financially feasible for the masjid. The masjid recently secured a partner-

“I called Capital Area Food Bank and said [we have] a regular [food bank],” said Jabarin. “They came and approved the site.” The partnership means that the Dar AlHijrah Food Bank will save $2000 a month it spent on fresh foods which will now be supplied to them by the Capital Area Food Bank free of charge. Along with the Capital Area Food Bank, Dar Al-Hijrah has also secured a yearround donation system through a local Safeway. In October of 2011, Dar AlHijrah was allowed to put a box with the masjid logo in Safeway where individuals could donate food or prepared bags of food sold by the grocery store and place them in the designated boxes. When the agreed upon term ended and Jabarin called Safeway to ask when the boxes would need to be removed she was happily surprised by the manager’s response. need II Pg 9

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS

RJ Cafe Partners With Local School Law Office of Khalid Mahmood (Beltsville, Maryland) – Popular restaurant RJ Cafe has opened the doors of its kitchen to aspiring culinary arts students from the High Road Upper School, just a short distance away from the popular halal dinner destination. Owners Abdul-Hameed and Abdul-Basit Khan say they are happy to support the student’s “transition goals”, according to a news report in the Beltsville News local paper. need II

>> continued from pg 8 “When we spoke to Safeway, we asked if we should remove [the boxes] and the manager said to keep them there, that people liked the idea to giving,” she said. What started as a three month long venture to help secure food donations at the local grocer became a some-what permanent fixture.

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The Dar Al-Hijrah Food Bank isn’t only reaching out to local businesses for support, but to others in the religious community whose congregations face the same economic and social challenges. On February 28th, the Food Bank will donate 100 meals of rice, chicken and vegetables to a nearby church that regularly serves the community free hot meals. “It doesn’t matter if its a Church, Islamic center or [Synagogue] it’s all for the same purpose and we all want to come out and serve,” said Jabarin. Because she feels more support is required to meet the needs of those in need, Jabarin, as well as others involved with the Food Bank have made awareness a primary goal.

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For some, there is a simple lack of awareness that so many are in need of basic necessities.

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“People have come up to me and said, ‘Really there are people here struggling here who need food?’”, she said.

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“You’d be surprised,” said Jabarin. “That bag of vegetables with the bread and the chicken makes a difference.”

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

10 | COMMUNITY NEWS syria

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edented amount of violence. Protests in Syria are being paralleled with protests by American Syrians on U.S. soil as a movement of solidarity. These U.S. based movements have a significance of their own said Louay Safi, Syrian American activist and Common Word Fellow at the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. “Syrian Americans play a crucial role in the supporting the demands for freedom and democracy in Syria. They were instrumental in creating the Syrian National Council that galvanized opposition against the Assad regime. They formed support groups to help mobilize Syrians in the US and Canada and educate fellow Americans about the situation in Syria. They are also lobbying to generate public support against the authoritarian regime of Syria,” said Safi. For some, the situation in Syria hits home here in America. “The situation in Syria impacted my family very badly in the initial stage of the revolution. My dad, three of my brothers, two of my nephews, and two of my cousins were arrested and some tortured very badly. Not all the arrests happened at the same time. I heard about

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the process of conversion to non-military industries, rebuild our infrastructure, aid municipal and state governments, and develop a new economy based upon renewable, sustainable energy. The story behind this resolution begins with a conference held in September, 2011, in Charlottesville at which experts from around the country presented their views on the growth of the Military Industrial Complex. The proceedings of that conference were published as a book on Martin Luther King Day, the day prior to passage of the resolution. They can be found at http://MIC50.org The resolution was passed on the 51st

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some of them from my sister in Saudi or sometime I learn about them from my contacts on Facebook,” said Maryland resident Khattab Alhabashi. Alhabashi came to America in September of 1994. Most of his family remains in Syria, a reality that has brought him, his wife and children great concern in recent months. With increased and unrelenting violence in Syria, Alhabashi fears the worst if he were to ever go back to see his family. “I feel extremely disturbed and full of anger. I would love to go back and be with my family at these difficult times. But unfortunately, I can’t because my name is listed on the borders and I am sure I will be arrested once I get to the Syrian airport. It was surprised to hear that the Syrian government asked about me multiple time during the interrogation of my brothers and some of my cousins. They warned me not to go to Syria at this time,” he said. Though he may not be able to visit his family, he tries to stay on top of the situation in Syria and the well-being of his relatives. Alhabashi spends countless hours keeping up with the uprising through all means possible. “I get my news from everywhere possible. Mostly from my family, Facebook, friends, Al-Jazeera news, [and] Youtube,” he said.

anniversary of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s warning of the dangers of the Military Industrial Complex. Two city council members in September attended the conference, Dave Norris and Kristin Szakos. A candidate for city council who was elected in November also attended, Dede Smith. Those three members were well informed, understood the issues, understood the public’s position, and had enough backbone to face controversy. Norris had already been an early supporter of a resolution on military spending passed in 2011 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The resolution that came out of the conference and which is included in the book is almost identical to what is above. It does not, however, include mention of

The recent uprising in the Middle East has seemingly created a domino effect for dictatorial regimes. As the movement continue questions remain as to what role Syria’s situation will play in the political instability of the region as a whole. “The freedom movement in Syria was inspired by the success of similar movements in Tunisia, Egypt, and other Arab countries. It has in turn inspired efforts to establish democratic system in other Arab countries. The courage and steadfastness with which free Syrians have shown in the face of very brutal regime have set a great example for others to follow in their struggle for freedom and dignity,” said Safi. Discussions regarding the nature of the movement in Syria have spawned many comparisons to the uprisings in Libya. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently addressed those comparisons stating that Syria is an entirely unique situation. Safi agreed. “Syria is very diverse culturally and ethnically, and consists of many religious and ethnic community, while Libya is a more homogeneous society. The geopolitics of Syria also sets it apart from Libya. Syria is surrounded by Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Iraq. Its close relationship with Iran and Hezbollah of Lebanon, two Shiite powers, bring a sectarian dimension into the picture, and the threat of regional sectarian war involving Turkey and Saudi Arabia,” he

said. Syria’s relationship with Russia also creates barriers when it comes to the international aid. “Syrian has a long standing relationship with Russia, and the latter is a major supplier of weapons and trade partner. As a result, while it was easy to bring about a Security Council resolution to intervene in the Libyan conflict in the first month, it is still difficult to talk about military intervention to protect the civilians after 11 months of the conflict there, and despite over 7000 deaths.” said Safi. While the U.S. grapples to understand the uniqueness of the Syrian plight, American Syrians continue to face their own tribulations, unsure of when they may be able to visit their now violenceridden home land. “[We talk about it] on the daily basis. My wife and children are very mad because they were planning to go for a visit last year to see our families there,” said Alhabashi. The situation in Syria continues to escalate resulting in an U.S. Embassy closure and evacuation of its staff. President Obama continues to shy away from discussion of military intervention and insists his commitment to a diplomatic solution.

Iran. The resolution presented to the new City Council at its first public meeting on January 3, 2012, is posted on the website of the longstanding peace organization in Charlottesville, the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice: http://www. charlottesvillepeace.org/node/2630

expressed weak support, while the fifth, Kathy Galvin remained silent.

At that meeting, Norris proposed adding in the words about Iran. A report on the meeting and video are posted here: http:// www.charlottesvillepeace.org/node/2657

The council was scheduled to vote at its January 17th meeting, and on the morning of the 17th made public a proposal from Galvin to radically revise the resolution, omiting any reference to war on Iran or to the existence of both ground and drone wars, claiming the military is protecting our rights despite the erosion of our rights facilitated by war, inaccurately describing the powers the Constitution gives the President, expressing support

As you’ll see at the link, we had several members of the public speak in support of the resolution and we presented a petition with hundreds of additional signatures. At that time, our three reliable council members publicly expressed support, but one of them suggested changes should be made. A fourth, Satyendra Huja, also

By January 12th, the City Council had made public its amended version, the only significant change being the addition of the language on Iran.

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COMMUNITY NEWS | 11

military spending might endanger the safety of troops.

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for the office of the President less than a month after the power to imprison people without trial was made a part of that office, asking the President and Congress to â&#x20AC;&#x153;continueâ&#x20AC;? working to redirect military spending to domestic priorities which falsely implied that such work was already underway, eliminating a paragraph pointing to the tradeoffs our wealthy nation makes in comparison with other countries by funding the military so heavily, and claiming that reducing

We immediately privately and publicly urged our three most reliable city council members to recognize this as unacceptable and to stand strong for the previous version of the resolution. See these statements: http://www. charlottesvillepeace.org/node/2672 and http://www.charlottesvillepeace.org/ node/2673 The three original supporters, Norris, Smith, and Szakos told us they agreed.

Come time for the meeting, we packed the room. We also had enough people arrive early and sign up to speak that we dominated the public speaking period at the start of the meeting. And the people who spoke really outdid themselves. We also presented the council with a peace lily. The video will soon be posted here: http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2 We had so packed the room that some people had to stand. To accommodate us, the council changed the agenda and addressed the resolution first. Galvin made her proposals. Norris spoke for the

strong resolution. Smith did the same. And when Szakos did the same we had won. With three voting in favor of the stronger resolution, Huja joined them and Galvin abstained, while everyone else applauded. --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes

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12 |COMMUNITY NEWS click

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one of the many organizations worldwide that made social media a focus in recent years. “In 2011 is when we really started to focus on it as a main resource and to see what we could to do with social media to complement our current programs and then to [make it] stand on its own,” said Reem El-Khatib, IR’s Communications Specialist. What she found was that social media not only helped the organization interact with new people, but it furthered the transparencies of the organization as well. “[Open communication] helps us build our credibility with the people who are very important to our community and to our success,” she said. Trust and transparency, El-Khatib feels, are particularly important to IRs financial supporters. For those who can’t support the organization financially, social medial provides a way to contribute to the cause simply by spreading information about IR to their friends and family via their social media groups, she said. But how much social media is too much?

“We certainly want to keep people engaged and we don’t want to overwhelm them,” she said. “We treat it just like we’re on the other side.” Local youth, Sana Rauf, 17, of Reston, Virginia said that though there are many benefits of organizations and masajid using social media, there is a risk of overuse as well. “It is also important that masajid do not overuse the connection they have with the youth through social mediums. As easy as it is to open a text, it’s also just as simple to ignore it,” said Rauf.

cause,” El-Khatib said. Social media not only helps organizations like IR connect with contributors, supporters and volunteers but it also helps to connect them with other organizations like them. That aspect of social media is something that El-Khatib feels is often overlooked and under utilized. “One of the things that people don’t really think of [is that] you get to also connect with other companies or organizations that are working within your industry on a level that’s more friendly and more personal,” she said.

While IR uses social media largely to keep its friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter updated on relief work as its unfolding, it has also begun offering donation options through text messaging services. Simply by text messaging a number provided, individuals can donate to IR and have the donation amount added to their phone bill.

While IR is still learning how to best use the various social media platforms available, El-Khatib said she has learned a lot in the process.

Though they still advocate for donations online and over the phone, because of the donation amount limitations, usually set at $10 a text, IR pushes text message donations at live events where most individuals have their phones readily available.

“Before you start using social media, ask yourself why,” she said. “Don’t just start a social media page because you feel you have to,” she said.

“It gives them a sense of fulfillment just by sitting there and picking up their phone they can contribute to a great

For masjids or other organizations she suggests careful consideration before jumping on the social media bandwagon.

Some masajid have found creative ways to reach out to their respective communities. Obaidah Fareed, 18, of Herndon, Virginia values the measures that the local mosque has taken to help its congregation.

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“ADAMS Center uses a texting service to wake Muslims up for Fajr, which had taken into effect as of last Ramadan. Alhumdulillah, a lot of Muslim youth had benefited from this method,” said Fareed. And if a masjid or organization is to start using social media platforms ElKhatib warns that its simply existing isn’t going to make the cut. “Make sure that if [your community] posts something in response [to what you posted] that you respond to them,” she said. “I think a lot of people on social media who like a page or follow a certain twitter account are still surprised when that [organization] is responsive...[As a result] they look at us not just as a large organization but as individuals. That’s something that I’ve found and I’ve held very dearly with me,” said El-Khatib. Such attention to establishing a relationship, said Rauf, can have a longterm impact on the organization or masjids future leaders as well. “The youth are just a click away from becoming strong Muslims at a masjid. If the social media mediums are used to inform the youth of events, field trips, and opportunities, they will become more regular participants in the masjid,” she said.

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

National News

NATIONAL NEWS | 13

FBI Betrayed Us: Iowa Muslims OnIslam.Net and Agencies

but baffling. “I find that to send an impostor into our community which is so small where not only we know each other but (where) the law enforcement agents can perhaps pick each one of us by name and by family, I don’t think that the incident [on] 9/11 could warrant such action in a small community like ours.”

February 4, 2012

IOWA – The Muslim community in Iowa is frustrated and angry over FBI’s sending informants into mosques to spy on worshippers, seething with a sense of betrayal that has undermined trust between American Muslims and security agencies. “That was really surprising, very sad that somebody would come or the FBI or Homeland Security would send somebody here to pretend to be Muslim and try to find out what goes on here,” Dr. Hamed Baig, president of the Islamic Center of Des Moines, told CNN on Friday, February 3.

Since 9/11, Muslims, estimated between six to seven million, have become sensitized to an erosion of their civil rights, with a prevailing belief that America was stigmatizing their faith.

Arvinder Singh, who had been attending Des Moines mosques over the past seven years, was revealed to be an FBI informant. Photo from OnIslam.net.

“I feel there is no need for that.” In Des Moines, Iowa, a small yet diverse Muslim community is divided into four mosques from Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, among other nations. Frustration among members of the Muslim community began after 42 year-old Arvinder Singh, who has been attending their mosques over the past seven years, was revealed to be an FBI informant. Charged with “selling or transferring precursor substances for an unlawful purpose” in March of 2002, Singh said he was approached by FBI officers who told him, “’You look Middle Eastern, and we need your help for the war against terror.’” Singh, currently in Hardin County Jail in Iowa, where he’s been awaiting deportation, said the FBI came to him with a simple tradeoff: We’ll help you get your citizenship if you help us get some terrorists. Having no information about Islam, In-

dian-born Singh was surprised to be approached by FBI agents. “I was surprised. I said, ‘Me? I have no idea about this’ And they said ‘We’ll train you. You’ll get used to it. We’ll make you go and do some work for us.’” Later on, he assumed a Muslim identity, Rafik Alvi, and went into the mosques pretending to be interested in converting. He says sometimes the FBI gave him pictures of persons of interest and he would confirm that they were at the mosque. On a few occasions, Singh says he taped his conversations with congregants. “They wanted me to go investigate some people in the area,” Singh told CNN in a jailhouse interview. “See what they’re doing, who they’re meeting. Who’s their family member, who’s attending them, what they are talking about. That kind of work.”

Anger The mosque infiltration has angered Iowa Muslim community, saying that the FBI just took a step backwards in building trust with the Muslims in his community. “To know that somebody made an intrusive entry into the masjid for purpose other than prayer, or other than socializing or taking care of anybody who is in need makes me very much nervous and embarrassed, too, that I belong to a community where we have a member who has come for some other purpose,” Anis Rehman, executive board treasurer of the Islamic Center of Des Moines and a college professor, told CNN. “But later when we saw that he was not actually a member but a pretender then it made me more angry,” Rehman said. Rehman says the idea of a FBI informant in their tiny mosque is not only offensive

FBI tactic of sending informants into mosques have deteriorated relations with the US Muslim community over the past few years. In 2009, Muslim groups threatened to suspend all contacts with the FBI over sending informants into mosques. US Muslims are particularly wary of the FBI’s history of targeting members of their community. Basim Bakri, another Iowa Muslim, noted that if Singh’s claims are true, the FBI has just destroyed any chances of building trust with the Muslims in his community. “I think the FBI owe[s] us an apology because they did violate our civil rights,” Bakri said. “It wasn’t right at all, it wasn’t right from the beginning and they have no right to do that.” --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes

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14 | CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil Rights

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

NYPD Document: Gather Intel Info At Shiite Mosques By Matt Apuzzo, Adam Goldman, Eileen Sullivan and Chris Hawley Associated Press, 2/2/2012

NEW YORK — The New York Police Department recommended increasing surveillance of thousands of Shiite Muslims and their mosques, based solely on their religion, as a way to sweep the Northeast for signs of Iranian terrorists, according to interviews and a newly obtained secret police document. The document offers a rare glimpse into the thinking of NYPD intelligence officers and how, when looking for potential threats, they focused their spying efforts on mosques and Muslims. Police analysts listed a dozen mosques from central Connecticut to the Philadelphia suburbs. None has been linked to terrorism, either in the document or publicly by federal agencies. The Associated Press has reported for months that the NYPD infiltrated mosques, eavesdropped in cafes and monitored Muslim neighborhoods with plainclothes officers. Its spying operations were begun after the 2001 terror attacks with help from the CIA in a highly unusual partnership. The May 2006 NYPD intelligence report, entitled “US-Iran Conflict: The Threat to New York City,” made a series of recommendations, including: “Expand and focus intelligence collections at Shi’a mosques.” The NYPD is prohibited under its own guidelines and city law from basing its investigations on religion. Under FBI guidelines, which the NYPD says it follows, many of the recommendations in the police document would be prohibited. T h e r e p o r t , d r a w n l a rg e l y f r o m information available in newspapers or sites like Wikipedia, was prepared for

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Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. It was written at a time of great tension between the U.S. and Iran. That tension over Iran’s nuclear ambition has increased again recently. Police estimated the New York area Shiite population to be about 35,000,

Kelly has faced calls for his resignation recently from some Muslim activists for participating in a video that says Muslims want to “infiltrate and dominate” the United States. The NYPD showed the video to nearly 1,500 officers during training.

The Associated Press has reported for months that the NYPD infiltrated mosques, eavesdropped in cafes and monitored Muslim neighborhoods with plainclothes officers. with Iranians making up about 8,500. The document also calls for canvassing the Palestinian community because there might be terrorists there. “The Palestinian community, although not Shi’a, should also be assessed due to presence of Hamas members and sympathizers and the group’s relationship with the Iranian government,” analysts wrote. The secret document stands in contrast to

Documents previously obtained by the AP show widespread NYPD infiltration of mosques. It’s not clear, however, whether the May 2006 report prompted police to infiltrate the mosques on the list. One former police official who has seen the report said that, generally, the recommendations were followed but he could not say for sure whether these mosques were infiltrated. A current law enforcement official, also familiar with the report, said that

Documents previously obtained by the AP show widespread NYPD infiltration of mosques. statements by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said the NYPD never considers religion in its policing. Kelly has said police go only where investigative leads take them, but the document described no leads to justify expanded surveillance at Shiite mosques. The document also renews debate over how the NYPD privately views Muslims.

since it was issued the NYPD learned that Hezbollah was more political than religious and concluded that it’s not effective to monitor Shiites.

document as a “contingency plan,” though that is not mentioned in the document and there is nothing indicating what would trigger such a contingency. “This was a 2006 document that talked about what we would do if there were hostilities involving Iran,” he said. “It seems to me that it would be prudent for us to have plans in that regard.” Neither David Cohen, the NYPD’s top intelligence officer, nor department spokesman Paul Browne responded to emails or phone calls from The Associated Press this week. Iran is an overwhelmingly Shiite country, but Shiites are a small percentage of the U.S. Muslim population. By contrast, alQaida is a Sunni organization and many U.S. leaders consider Shiite clerics as allies in the fight against homegrown extremism. Shiites are often oppressed overseas and many have sought asylum in the West. The document is dated just weeks after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Congress that, “We may face no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran.” Even now, the U.S. remains particularly concerned with Iran, not only because of its nuclear research but also because intelligence officials don’t believe they know how Iranian sympathizers inside the United States would respond if the two countries went to war. By far, the largest group of Iranians in the U.S. lives in or around Los Angeles. Yet the NYPD, with a smaller Iranian population that police estimated at about 8,500 in New York City, shared the concerns about reactions to an open military conflict.

Both insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the program.

Asad Sadiq, president of the Bait-ul-Qaim mosque in the Philadelphia suburb of

On Thursday, Kelly described the

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CIVIL RIGHTS

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David Yerushalmi: A Driving Force Behind Anti-Sharia Efforts in the U.S. Anti-Defamation League (ADL) January 13, 2012

One of the driving forces behind Shari’arelated conspiracy theories and growing efforts to ban or restrict the use of Shari’a law in American courts is David Yerushalmi, an Arizona attorney with a record of anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-black bigotry. In recent years, Yerushalmi has created a

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Delran, N.J., said the NYPD was being unfairly broad. “If you attack Cuba, are all the Catholics going to attack here? This is called guilt by association,” Sadiq, a dentist, said after seeing his mosque in the NYPD document. “Just because we are the same religion doesn’t mean we’re going to stand up and harm the United States. It’s really absurd.” The AP showed the document to several veteran counterterrorism analysts. None said they had seen anything like it. “It’s really problematic if you make a jump from a possible international conflict to saying therefore we need to monitor Shiite mosques writ large,” said Brian Fishman, the former research director at West Point’s Combatting Terrorism Center. “It doesn’t follow.” For instance, the NYPD analysts focused much of the report on the Alavi Foundation, a New York nonprofit group that the federal government has since accused of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government. Analysts then looked at a mosque where Alavi members prayed and that police say may have been linked to an effort to buy information about rocket technology for Iran. There is no explanation, however, for how those suspicions warranted expanding surveillance to other Shiite

characterization of Shari’a law (i.e., Islamic law) that declares there are “hundreds of millions” of Muslims who are either “fully committed mujahideen” or “still dangerous but lesser committed jihad sympathizers” who, because of Shari’a law, would be willing to murder

all non-believers unwilling to convert, in order to “impose a worldwide political hegemony.” Meanwhile, Yerushalmi asserts, the U.S. government itself has consciously chosen to turn a blind eye to this threat.

mosques, including those far outside the department’s jurisdiction in Connecticut and New Jersey.

similar issues in Iranian neighborhoods, one former NYPD official recalled.

“Any time that you begin to isolate certain communities from a policing perspective because you think there’s risk, you have the potential that somebody overreaches,” said Robert Riegle, a former Department of Homeland Security analyst who oversaw efforts to work with state and local agencies. At the Al-Mahdi Foundation mosque in Brooklyn, worshipers intoned their prayers Wednesday while touching their foreheads to disks of clay on the floor, a Shiite tradition. “After 1,400 years, the Shias are being targeted in Iraq, in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, everywhere,” Imam Malik Sakhawat Hussain said after being told that his mosque was in the NYPD document. “If U.S. authorities become suspicious of the Shias, I would say we are a very oppressed community of the world.” At the Masjid Al-Rahman, a prayer hall in the basement of a Brooklyn apartment building, manager Abo Maher was surprised to see his mosque on the NYPD’s list of Shiite locations.

To combat this alleged threat, Yerushalmi has vigorously opposed all perceived “inroads” of Shari’a law in the United States, even entirely innocuous measures such as American financial institutions

Muslims make up only a fraction of New York’s Iranian community so squad members returned from their rounds in Iranian neighborhoods and reported finding Jews and Christians, the former official said. Sadiq, the New Jersey mosque president, said about 250 families – mostly Pakistanis and Indians and few Iraqis – attend his mosque. Every few years, he said, an FBI agent stops by, introduces himself and asks whether there’s been any radical rhetoric in his mosque and whether he knows anyone with connections to Iran. The most recent meeting was just Wednesday, he said, and the NYPD would be welcome if it came openly. The intelligence unit operates in secrecy with little outside oversight. The City Council is not told about secret intelligence programs. And though the unit operates under the auspices of a federal anti-drug task force and receives federal money, it is not overseen by Congress. The Obama administration, including the Justice Department, has repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether it endorses the NYPD’s tactics.

“This isn’t even Shia,” he said. “Their information is wrong.”

“They think that they can do whatever they want and get away with it,” Sadiq said.

The police department’s Demographics Unit, the secretive squad of plainclothes officers used to monitor restaurants, social clubs and other gathering spots, found

The document also suggests a broader international intelligence mission than the department has previously acknowledged. The NYPD has officers stationed in 11

creating financing packages designed to be compatible with Islamic restrictions against loaning money at interest. “American Laws for American Courts” Yerushalmi’s latest weapon is model antiShari’a legislation he has titled “American Laws for American Courts,” developed

sharia Pg 17

foreign cities such as London, Paris, Madrid, and Tel Aviv, where they work with local police and act as the NYPD’s eyes and ears overseas. In their recommendations for the foreign liaison unit, analysts wrote that officers should: “Focus international intelligence collection on the Iranian threat, to include the activities of the IIS, Hezbollah, Hamas etc. throughout Europe and the Middle East.” NYPD officers abroad are not supposed to be spies and do not answer to the U.S. director of national intelligence or the CIA station chiefs who coordinate America’s efforts to gather intelligence on Iran. In fact, the NYPD’s international officers aren’t even paid by the department. Rather, the program is paid for through a nonprofit foundation that raises money from corporate donors. It has not previously been known that the NYPD would consider gathering overseas intelligence on Iranian intelligence services. The police department does not disclose details about the inner workings of the international program to the City Council, to Congress or to U.S. intelligence agencies. --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes

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16 | WORLD PRESS

World Press

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

U.S. Drones Targeting Rescuers and Mourners By Glenn Greenwald

well-documented by the Bureau’s new report:

On December 30 of last year, ABC News reported on a 16-year-old Pakistani boy, Tariq Khan, who was killed with his 12-year-old cousin when a car in which he was riding was hit with a missile fired by a U.S. drone. As I noted at the time, the report contained this extraordinary passage buried in the middle:

Other tactics are also raising concerns. On June 23 2009 the CIA killed Khwaz Wali Mehsud, a mid-ranking Pakistan Taliban commander. They planned to use his body as bait to hook a larger fish – Baitullah Mehsud, then the notorious leader of the Pakistan Taliban.

Salon.com, 2/5/2012

Asked for documentation of Tariq and Waheed’s deaths, Akbar did not provide pictures of the missile strike scene. Virtually none exist, since drones often target people who show up at the scene of an attack. What made that sentence so amazing was that it basically amounts to a report that the U.S. first kills people with drones, then fires on the rescuers and others who arrive at the scene where the new corpses and injured victims lie.

The CIA’s drone campaign in Pakistan has killed dozens of civilians who had gone to help rescue victims or were attending funerals, an investigation by the Bureau for the Sunday Times has revealed.

In a just-released, richly documented report, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, on behalf of the Sunday Times, documents that this is exactly what the U.S. is doing — and worse:

tactics have been condemned by leading legal experts.

The CIA’s drone campaign in Pakistan has killed dozens of civilians who had gone to help rescue victims or were attending funerals, an investigation by the Bureau for the Sunday Times has revealed. The findings are published just days after President Obama claimed that the drone campaign in Pakistan was a “targeted, focused effort” that “has not caused a huge number of civilian casualties”. . . . A three month investigation including eye witness reports has found evidence that at least 50 civilians were killed in follow-up strikes when they had gone to help victims. More than 20 civilians have also been attacked in deliberate strikes on funerals and mourners. The

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Although the drone attacks were started under the Bush administration in 2004, they have been stepped up enormously under Obama.

As I indicated, there have been scattered, mostly buried indications in the American media that drones have been targeting and killing rescuers. As the Bureau put it: “Between May 2009 and June 2011, at least fifteen attacks on rescuers were reported by credible news

It seems highly likely that Barack Obama is the first Nobel Peace laureate who, after receiving his award, presided over the deliberate targeting of rescuers and funeral mourners of his victims. There have been 260 attacks by unmanned Predators or Reapers in Pakistan by Obama’s administration – averaging one every four days.

media, including the New York Times, CNN,Associated Press, ABC News and Al Jazeera.” Killing civilians attending the funerals of drone victims is also

“A plan was quickly hatched to strike Baitullah Mehsud when he attended the man’s funeral,” according to Washington Post national security correspondent Joby Warrick, in his recent book The Triple Agent. “True, the commander… happened to be very much alive as the plan took shape. But he would not be for long.” The CIA duly killed Khwaz Wali Mehsud in a drone strike that killed at least five others. . . . Up to 5,000 people attended Khwaz Wali Mehsud’s funeral that afternoon, including not only Taliban fighters but many civilians. US drones struck again, killing up to 83 people. As many as 45 were civilians, among them reportedly ten children and four tribal leaders. The Bureau quotes several experts stating the obvious: that targeting rescuers and funeral attendees is patently illegal and almost certainly constitutes war crimes: Clive Stafford-Smith, the lawyer who heads the Anglo-US legal charity Reprieve, believes that such strikes “are like attacking the Red Cross on the battlefield. It’s not legitimate to attack anyone who is not a combatant.” Christof Heyns, a South African law professor who is United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extra- judicial Ex-

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ecutions, agrees. “Allegations of repeat strikes coming back after half an hour when medical personnel are on the ground are very worrying”, he said. ‘To target civilians would be crimes of war.” Heyns is calling for an investigation into the Bureau’s findings. What makes this even more striking is how conservative — almost to the point of inaccuracy — is the Bureau’s methodology and reporting. Its last news-making report, issued last July, was designed to prove (and unquestionably did prove) that top Obama counter-Terrorism adviser John Brennan lied when he said this about drone strikes in Pakistan: “in the last year, ‘there hasn’t been a single collateral death because of the exceptional proficiency, precision of the capabilities that we’ve been able to develop.” The Bureau’s July, 2011 report concluded that Brennan’s claim was patently false: “a detailed examination by the Bureau of 116 CIA ‘secret’ drone strikes in Pakistan since August 2010 has uncovered at least 10 individual attacks in which 45 or more civilians

sharia

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for a group called the American Public Policy Alliance (APPA). The group claims that “one of the greatest threats to American values and liberties today” comes from “foreign laws and foreign legal doctrines,” including “Islamic Shari’ah law,” that have been “infiltrating our court system.” Yerushalmi’s proposed legislation, which claims to “protect American citizens’ constitutional rights against the infiltration and incursion of foreign laws and foreign legal doctrines, especially Islamic Shari’ah Law,” has been the basis for anti-Shari’a measures introduced by state lawmakers in several states in recent years. On its Web site, the APPA cites 17 cases where it claims that Shari’a has been introduced in state courts; this is its evidence of “creeping” Shari’a law within

appear to have died.” As I noted at the time — and again when I interviewed Chris Woods of the Bureau — their methodology virtually guarantees significant under-counting of civilian deaths (and, indeed, their July, 2011, count was much lower than other credible reports) because they only count someone as a “civilian” when they can absolutely prove beyond any doubt that the person who died by a drone strike was one. The difficulty of reporting and obtaining verifiable information in Waziristan ensures that some civilian deaths will not be susceptible to that high level of documentary proof, and thus will go un-counted by the Bureau’s methodology. The point is that the Bureau is extremely scrupulous, perhaps to a fault, in the claims it makes about civilian drone fatalities. Its findings here about deliberate targeting of rescuers and funeral attendees are supported by ample verified witness testimony, field research and public reports, all of which the Bureau has documented in full. As Woods said by email: “We have been working for months with field researchers in Waziristan to independently verify the original reports. In 12 cases we are able to confirm that rescuers and

the United States. A bill introduced by Sen. Alan Hays and Rep. Larry Metz in Florida to outlaw Shari’a (and other non-secular or foreign laws) in March 2011 is strikingly similar to Yerushalmi’s model legislation. Tennessee, Louisiana and Oklahoma actually passed variations of Yerushalmi’s legislation in 2010. Although the bill in Oklahoma received support from 70% of voters, a January 2012 Federal Court ruling deemed the law unconstitutional. In response to the ruling, Yerushalmi co-founded the American Freedom Law Center (AFLC), an organization dedicated to “aggressively fight those who seek to undermine and destroy our Nation’s founding [Judeo-Christian] principles.” Among the supporters backing Yerushalmi’s new organization is Pamela Geller, a leading anti-Muslim activist and executive director of Stop Islamization of America (SIOA).

WORLD PRESS | 17 mourners were indeed attacked.” As the report notes, it’s particularly remarkable that these findings come on the heels of President Obama’s recent boasting about the efficacy of drones and his specific claim that the policy has “not caused a huge number of civilian casualties”, adding that it was “important for everybody to understand that this thing is kept on a very tight leash.” Compare that claim to the Bureau’s almost certainly under-stated conclusion that it has “found that since Obama took office three years ago, between 282 and 535 civilians have been credibly reported as killed including more than 60 children.” And targeting rescuers and funeral attendees of your victims is quite the opposite of keeping the drone program on a “very tight leash.” As Samiullah Khan, one of the Bureau’s field researchers put it: In a war situation no one is allowed to attack the Red Cross. Rescuers are like that. You are not allowed to attack rescuers. You know, the number of Taliban is increasing in Waziristan day by day, because innocents and rescuers are being killed day by day. Strictly speaking, the legality of at-

Yerushalmi has even testified in support of the anti-Shari’a legislative efforts based on his proposal. For example, in a hearing before the Alaska House State Affairs Committee in March 2011, Yerushalmi claimed that “today, we are far more likely than ever before to have foreign laws in American courts…There are plenty of occasions in which foreign law informs what Alaskan law could be.” Demonizing Islam Yerushalmi has not only actively promoted his conspiratorial vision of Shari’a law, but has also sought to portray all Muslims as a threat. In one March 2006 article, for example, Yerushalmi even went so far as to claim that “Muslim civilization is at war with Judeo-Christian civilization… The Muslim peoples, those committed to Islam as we know it today, are our enemies.” That same year, Yerushalmi founded the Society of Americans for National Existence (SANE), a “think tank” that has

tacking rescuers may be ambiguous because, as the Bureau put it: “It is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions to attack rescuers wearing emblems of the Red Cross or Red Crescent. But what if rescuers wear no emblems, or if civilians are mixed in with militants, as the Bureau’s investigation into drone attacks in Waziristan has repeatedly found?” But there’s nothing ambiguous about the morality of that, or of attacking funerals (recall the worst part of the Baghdad attack video released by WikiLeaks: that the Apache helicopter first fired on the group containing Reuters journalists, then fired again on the people who arrived to help wounded). Whatever else is true, it seems highly likely that Barack Obama is the first Nobel Peace laureate who, after receiving his award, presided over the deliberate targeting of rescuers and funeral mourners of his victims. --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

published anti-Muslim, anti-immigration and anti-black materials, as well as New World Order-style conspiracy theories. In 2007, SANE, declaring itself “dedicated to the rejection of democracy and party rule and a return to a constitutional republic [of the original founders of the US],” launched a campaign fueled by suspicion of all Muslims. That campaign, “Mapping Shari’a in America: Knowing the Enemy,” sought to determine exactly what type of Shari’a every single mosque and Muslim religious institution in the U.S. was advocating. A June 2007 press release announcing the campaign indicated that SANE would work to “test the proposition that Shari’a amounts to a criminal conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government” by investigating and ranking the adherence to Islamic law of mosques and their associated day-schools throughout the U.S. The statement also promised to sharia II Pg 22

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18 | ISLAM

Islam

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

Winter: The Best Season for Worshipers By Abu Sabaya It is said that winter is a time when people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as ‘the Winter Blues’ or winter depression. However, it is interesting to see how the early Muslims welcomed winter, as it is clear that they saw it in a totally different light. Here are four ways that they would benefit from winter: 1 & 2 – Fasting and praying It was reported by al-Haythami in ‘Majma’ az-Zawa’id’ (3/203) with a hasan chain that the Prophet (Salallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam) said: “Winter is the best season for the believer. Its nights are long for him to pray in, and its days are short for him to fast in.” And Ahmad reported in ‘az-Zuhd’ (p. 118) with an authentic chain that ‘Umar bin al-Khattab said: “Winter is the prize of the worshipers.” Ibn Rajab al-Hambali said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 276): “Winter is the best season for the believer because…Allah strengthens his practice in it by making worship easy for him. This is because in winter, the believer can fast during the day with ease without suffering from hunger and thirst. The days are short and cold, and he therefore doesn’t feel the hardship of fasting… As for praying at night in the winter due to its long nights, one can have his share of sleep and then get up to pray afterward and recite all that he usually recites of the Qur’an while he has had enough sleep. So, he can combine between the sleep that he needs and the usual amount of recitation of the Qur’an that he completes in a day. So, he fulfills the interests of both his religion and the comfort of his body… And it was narrated that Ibn Mas’ud said: “Welcome to winter! Blessings descend

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in it, its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” It is also narrated from him and al-Hasan: “Winter is a wonderful time for the believer. Its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” When it was winter time, ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr would say: “O people of the Qur’an! Your nights are now long for you to recite in. So, recite! Your days are now short for you to fast in. So, fast! Night prayer in the winter equals fasting during the day in the summer.” This is why Mu’adh wept on his deathbed and said: “I weep because I will miss the thirst I felt when I fasted, praying at night during the winter, and sitting knee to knee with the scholars during the gatherings of knowledge.”” It was reported by Ahmad (4/335) with a chain authenticated by al-Albani in ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (1922) that the Prophet said: “Fasting in the winter is the easy prize.” Ibn Rajab commented on this in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 276):

only happen to a Muslim; The people have put on their coats * And it is as if I am in Makkah only wearing ihram… So, Mis’ar took off his coat and put it on the man. It was related to one of the righteous leaders that there was a woman with four orphaned children who were naked and hungry. So, he had a man go to them and bring them clothes and food. He then took off his outer clothing and said: “I will not wear these or be warmed by them until you return and tell me that they are clothed and fed.” So, the man went and came back and confirmed to the leader while he was shivering in the cold that they had taken the clothes and had eaten. He then put his outer clothes back on, and at-Tirmidhi reported from Abu Sa’id al-Khudri that the Prophet Salallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam said: “Whoever feeds

a hungry believer will be fed by Allah on the Day of Judgement from the fruits of Paradise, and whoever quenches his thirst will have his thirst quenched from the Sealed Nectar, and whoever clothes him will be clothed from the green silk of Paradise.” And Ibn Abi ad-Dunya reported with his chain that Ibn Mas’ud said: “The people will be gathered on the Day of Ressurection as naked, hungry, and thirsty as they ever were. So, whoever clothed someone will be clothed by Allah, whoever fed someone will be fed by Allah, and whoever quenched someone’s thirst will have his thirst quenched by Allah, and whoever relieved others will be given Relief by Allah.”” 4 – Remembering the realities of Hell

worshipers Pg 19

Your Sustenance Is Guaranteed

“And the meaning of it being an easy prize is that it is a prize obtained without any battle or effort or hardship. So, the owner of this prize has been given it as a favor without any effort on his part.” 3 – Caring for the poor Ibn Rajab said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 281): “Taking care of the poor in the winter and protecting them from the cold is a great deed. Safwan bin Salim went out on a cold night in Madinah near the mosque, and he saw a man with little clothing on. So, he took off his coat and covered him up with it. So, someone living in Sham saw in a dream that Safwan bin Salim had entered Paradise with a shirt he had made. So, he went to Madinah and said: “Show me where Safwan is.” When he found him, he told him of the dream. Also, Mis’ar saw a bedouin standing in the Sun saying: Winter has come, and I have no money * And such a thing can

Know that your provision was written for you before you were even born: Allaah had sent an angel to write down your provision for you when you were just a few days old in your mothers womb, and you will get it, no matter what. “(The angel) says, ‘O Lord, male or female? Doomed or blessed? What is his provision? What is his lifespan?’ And that is written in his mother’s womb.” (Hadith from Bukhaari) There is nothing that can take your provision away. And you will not die until you have had your full provision.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: “The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be tempted to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by obeying Him.” (Saheeh al-Jaami, 2085) Source: theislamicemailcircle.com

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

ISLAM | 19

Salaah times for February 10th - February 23rd, 2012 If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it fi ve times a day, do you think he would have any fi lth left on him?” The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “That is like the fi ve daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.” ---Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim

Prayer times generated from www.islamicfinder.com for the WASHINGTON, DC area.

It is reported in ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ worshipers

>> continued from pg 18

(1457) that the Prophet said: “Hell complained to its Lord, saying: “Parts of me have consumed the other parts.” So, He allowed it two breaths of exhalation: one in winter and one in summer. As for its breath in winter, that is the bitter cold, and its breath in the summer is the extreme heat.” Ibn Rajab said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 282): “And from the virtues of winter is that it reminds one of the extreme cold of Hell and pushes one to seek refuge from it…

Day

Date

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18/3 19/3 20/3 21/3

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12:23 12:23 12:23 12:23

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6:55 6:56 6:57 6:58

Tue

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22/3 23/3 24/3 25/3 26/3 27/3 28/3 29/3 30/3 1/4

5:47 5:46 5:44 5:43 5:42 5:41 5:40 5:38 5:37 5:36

7:01 6:59 6:58 6:57 6:56 6:54 6:53 6:52 6:51 6:49

12:23 12:23 12:23 12:23 12:23 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22

3:20 3:21 3:22 3:22 3:23 3:24 3:25 3:26 3:26 3:27

5:44 5:45 5:47 5:48 5:49 5:50 5:51 5:52 5:53 5:54

6:59 7:00 7:01 7:02 7:03 7:04 7:05 7:06 7:07 7:08

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Zubayd al-Yami woke up one night to pray. So, he walked towards the bowl of water that he would wash up from and put his hand it to find the water so cold that it was almost frozen. This reminded him of the extreme cold in Hell, and he did not remove his hand from the bowl until he later awoke and his servant came to find him like this. His servant said: “What are you doing, sir? Why didn’t you pray at night as you usually do? Why are you sitting here like this?” He replied: “I put my hand in this bowl and touched the cold water, and was reminded of the extreme cold of Hell. By Allah, I did not feel the severity of its coolness until you came just now. So, go and don’t tell anyone about this until I die.” And nobody knew of this incident until he had died, may Allah have Mercy on him, and it is mentioned in the

authentic hadith: “Hell complained to its Lord, saying: “Parts of me have consumed the other parts.” So, He allowed it two breaths of exhalation: one in winter and one in summer. As for its breath in winter, that is the bitter cold, and its breath in the summer is the extreme heat.”

You who seeks what is temporary, till when * Will your heart be busy with what is temporary?

…How often does winter come then summer * And spring goes and autumn comes;

So, these examples show that winter time is a special time that we should mark not by being down and inactive, but rather by reviving our energy in worship and servitude to Allah.

And we go from hot to cold * And the sword of destruction is raised over your head;

Strange is the one who humiliates himself for this world * While a piece of bread would suffice him for each day…”

Source: http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/

O you who is insignificant in this world * Till when will procrastination deceive you?

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

20 | HEALTH & FAMILY

The Seerah and Your Kids By Yahya Whitmer

MuslimFathers.com A few months ago I thought it would be a good idea to read the Seerah of the Prophet, alayhis-salam, to my 6 year old boy. I purchased a few books and began to read from them to my son. The endeavor soon went very, very stale.

Together, my son and I have experienced all the most dramatic moments from the greatest and truest adventure ever lived.

The author had chosen to omit the more dramatic incidents of the Seerah, such as Bilal’s torture, the conversion of Hamzah, and any level of detail regarding the famous and pivotal battles of Islam. I presume the author felt that such intense and sometimes violent content was inappropriate for children and while I respect his decision and efforts, I do not agree with him. The Seerah is about Life, or to be more precise, how Life Should Be Lived. And according to the Quran, The Sunnah, and the experience of every human being in history, Life is full of struggle, defeat, pain, victory, joy, death, birth, and rebirth. Are we doing our children a favor by sheltering them from these realities at such a young age? Is it not better to gently introduce them to these truths through the Seerah of the Prophet, alayhis-salam, as told to them by their own Father, in the comfort of their own home and bed? That is the conclusion that I reached and I did not believe that any of the Seerah books for children currently available would meet that goal (feel free to let me know if I am wrong and that you have found a great resource), so I proceeded to deliver my own narration of the Seerah to my son. As a reference, I used one of my favorite Arabic books, “The Prophetic Seerah in the Light of its Original Sources”, by Mahdi Rizq-Ullah, and to put it simply, the experience has been absolutely awesome. Together, my son and I have experienced

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We visited the Prophet’s infancy and the loneliness of his childhood after the death of his parents, then his growing prestige as a trusted merchant of Quraish, alayhissalam. We witnessed the awesome terror and power of the first revelation and the comfort given to him by his noble wife, alayhis-salam and radhy Allahu ‘anha.

all the most dramatic moments from the greatest and truest adventure ever lived, toned down (and sometimes exaggerated for comedic effect) to a level that I felt was appropriate. We visited the Prophet’s infancy and the loneliness of his childhood after the death of his parents, then his growing prestige as a trusted merchant of Quraish, alayhissalam. We witnessed the awesome terror and power of the first revelation and the comfort given to him by his noble wife, alayhis-salam and radhy Allahu ‘anha. The ups and downs, the joys and defeats, the sacrifices and the struggles of the greatest generation this world has ever seen became a part of our nighttime routine and I swear that at times I was so moved that I could barely continue ... in fact, out of all the ways that I have experienced the seerah of Muhammad, alayhis-salatu was-salam, through reading, listening to tapes, and even attending a seerah class as a student of Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Uthaymeen, rahimahullah, I feel that this has been the most rewarding... may Allah forgive my inadequacy at finding the right words, but all I can say is that it is one thing to learn the Seerah for yourself and an entirely other thing to learn it and teach it for the sake of your children. My experience in re-delivering the Story of Muhammad, alayhis-salam, and his Companions has been one of the most positive endeavors that I have undertaken as a father. It provided me with an unique opportunity to teach my son lessons about perseverance, mercy, faith, bravery, and a long list of other virtues rarely talked about in today’s society. I’ve shared this with you in the hope that there is something useful to be learned from it for yourself and your family. And Allah knows best. ------------------------------------------Source: muslimfathers.com, January 8, 2010

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

OPINION | 21

Opinion

Is Europe Setting Up Clash Between Muslims And The West? By Mohammed Ayoob CNN, February 3, 2012

Europe and the Muslim world seem to be on a collision course that could have major political, economic and ideological ramifications. January 23, 2012, may well come to be remembered as the crucial date when Samuel Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” thesis, which many of us believed discredited beyond repair, was reaffirmed. Political scientist Huntington wrote in 1993 that cultural divisions preclude a defining global civilization, and the West and the Muslim world would never share the same values. Last month, Europe took two different actions that nonetheless sent the same message to the Muslim world: You are not our equals and are doomed to be judged by standards different from those by which we judge ourselves. Future historians might call January 23 the day

Tehran insists is for civilian use only. This is the latest in a series of increasingly stringent sanctions that Western powers have unilaterally imposed on Iran. These sanctions go well beyond those required by the U.N. Security Council. The EU sanctions attempt to hit the Iranian economy where it hurts most: Europe imports about a fifth of Iranian oil. When combined with a ban on transactions with Iran’s Central Bank, this action is aimed at paralyzing the Iranian economy. At the same time, the French Senate passed a law making it a crime to deny genocides that are officially recognized by France. The two genocides in this category are the Holocaust and the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in Anatolia during the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Because the denial of the Holocaust is already a crime under French law, the obvious objective of the bill is to criminalize the denial of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

For many in the Muslim world, double standards explain why France singled out Turkey, and didn’t criminalize the denial of other nations’ crimes against humanity. when Europe irreversibly alienated not one, but both, pivotal powers -- Iran and Turkey -- that in all probability will dominate the political landscape of the Middle East for several decades. One action was the European Union’s decision to ban oil purchases from Iran, including imports of crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemical products, to force Tehran to negotiate away its uranium enrichment program, which

The issue of Armenian genocide touches a very raw nerve in Turkey, which denies the scale of the killings -- Turkey maintains that roughly 500,000 Armenians were killed -- as well as the claim that it was planned. According to Turkey, the killings happened in the midst of the disarray accompanying World War I and the disintegration of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey says a nearly equivalent number of Turks and Kurds were also killed in

Most Western discussions of the Iranian bomb do not make even passing reference to the well-documented Israeli nuclear capability inter-ethnic strife with the Armenians, who were allied with the Ottoman’s Russian adversaries. It’s not the accuracy of the opposing claims that is at issue; it’s Muslim perceptions. Iran may well be trying to develop nuclear weapons, and what amounts to an Armenian genocide may well have taken place. What roils Muslim opinion worldwide is the perception that the West uses blatant double standards to pass judgment. Harsh sanctions on Iran are seen as an attempt to prevent a Muslim country from developing deterrents to attacks from Israel and the United States, both nuclear powers hostile to the Islamic Republic. Most Western discussions of the Iranian bomb do not make even passing reference to the well-documented Israeli nuclear capability, even as Israel threatens to militarily strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. This omission is seen as hypocritical, dishonest and self-serving. For many in the Muslim world, double standards explain why France singled out Turkey, and didn’t criminalize the denial of other nations’ crimes against humanity. Although denying Germany’s crimes is a crime, the Holocaust is universally accepted as genocide, while Turkey’s is not. Many ask why disputing European massacres of non-European people is not criminalized -- such as the French

actions in Algeria, as Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has said. These would include the near-total extermination of native populations by European settlers in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. They would include the killings of millions of people by the Belgian administration of the Congo Free State, whose population was halved during the early decades of Belgian rule. Most pertinent of all, Muslims ask, why not criminalize the denial of the genocidal Spanish Inquisition that led to the extermination, expulsion or conversion of the entire Muslim and Jewish populations of the Iberian peninsula? Many Muslims perceive these moves as the West targeting Iran and Turkey in an attempt to prevent important Muslim countries from achieving the military capacity -- Iran -- and the political stature -- Turkey -- they deserve. Many see behind these moves the not-so-hidden hand of an ideology based on Huntington’s theory of the clash of civilizations. Although these perceptions may not fully conform with reality, it is well established that perceptions count much more than reality in the conduct of international relations. --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

22 | CONTINUED editor

>> continued from pg 25

is unfortunate because it injects an element that interferes with bonds of pure friendship of brotherhood and sisterhood. Anonymous Online Reader ------------------------------------

Will Men Listen?

sharia II

>> continued from pg 17

“advocate for the criminalization of Shari’a” if it felt its targeted investigation into mosques and Islamic day schools proved such a measure necessary. SANE also proposed legislation that furthering or supporting adherence to Shari’a “shall be a felony punishable by 20 years in prison.” It called on Congress to declare war on the “Muslim nation,” which it defined as “Shari’a-adherent Muslims,” and further asked Congress to define Muslim illegal immigrants as alien enemies “subject to immediate deportation.” Yerushalmi’s Allies and Associates Since founding SANE, Yerushalmi, who received his law degree from Arizona State University College of Law, has been involved with several notable antiMuslim groups and campaigns, often providing legal services for them: Yerushalmi works closely with Pamela Geller, head of the anti-Muslim Stop Islamization of America (SIOA). For example, in September 2010 Yerushalmi represented Geller and Florida attorney John Stemberger when Omar Tarazi, a Columbus, Ohio, attorney sued them for allegedly saying he had contacts with terrorists. Tarazi had represented the parents of Rifqa Bary, a Christian teenager who fled to Florida, saying she feared harm from her Muslim mother and father. In his lawsuit, Tarazi said Geller wrongly linked him to Hamas. Yerushalmi reportedly incorporated the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), the non-profit organization through which

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What you say in this article is true (“Muslim Men Have to Man Up”, January 27, 2012 issue of the Muslim Link). Sometimes I wonder if men are so busy with their work, that they fail to notice that they have barely spent anytime even beginning to understand that children are under in terms of peer pressure, marketing pressure, school demands etc and them still trying to make time to just be able to play a bit. Do our men even know our children’s friends or what the kids do in their free time? Quite a few lose track of how old their own kids are! Geller and Robert Spencer publish their blogs. He also defended AFDI ads on New York City buses opposing a planned mosque near Ground Zero that juxtaposed an image of an airplane headed toward the burning World Trade Center with another building labeled “WTC Mega Mosque” and the words “Why There?” Yerushalmi and Geller were also involved in a bus ad campaign in Miami that read: “Fatwa on your head? Is your community or family threatening you?” Yerushalmi was the attorney for the Stop the Madrassa Community Coalition in New York City, which lobbied for the Bloomberg administration to shut down the Khalil Gibran International Academy, an Islamic school, and requested the firing of its founding principal, Debbie Almontaser. In December 2008, the Thomas More Law Center filed suit against the federal government, claiming the government’s loan to American International Group (AIG) was illegal because the insurance company had financial products that the group claimed promote Islam and are antiChristian. Yerushalmi handled the case for the Center. In an article written around the same time, Yerushalmi even went so far as to suggest that U.S. companies that offer Shari’a-compliant finance measures might violate the Sedition Act. Yerushalmi is General Counsel to the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Security Policy, founded by Frank J. Gaffney. Gaffney has been active in opposing mosque construction and has made several statements about Islam that raise concerns. For example, in a 2009 article in the Washington Times, Gaffney claimed that “there is mounting evidence that the president not only identifies with

This article is quite apt, especially for our Ummah as many in our Ummah stick to their cultural mindset that kids are the women’s responsibility and not the Islamic concept that a man has a moral responsibility to be good (involved, caring) to his family. But how will you make the men listen? Possibly if the article is armed with additional facts from organizations that have correlated lack of parenting (where men equally participate) in upbringing Muslims, but actually may still be one himself.” In 2010, the Center for Security Policy published the book Shari’ah: The Threat To America, An Exercise in Competitive Analysis, Report of Team ‘B’ II, co-authored by Yerushalmi. The book repeated Yerushalmi’s theories about a vast Shari’a threat to America. Yerushalmi has for many years been associated with the Institute for Advanced Strategic & Political Studies (IASPS), a right-wing think tank based in Israel and the United States, even serving as its chairman for five years, as well as writing a number of articles for it. IASPS now primarily supports the projects of SANE. Other Hostile Views Yerushalmi’s main instrument, SANE, is also openly hostile to undocumented migrants in the United States. It advocates somehow sealing all American borders and building “special criminal camps” to house undocumented migrants, where they would serve a three-year detention sentence, then be deported. SANE also argues that the “immigration debate” should take into account that America was “founded and made strong by immigrants from western European countries with Judeo-Christian roots.” Yerushalmi has also claimed, as he wrote in a 2006 article, that the United States is in trouble because it “rejected its Christian roots, the Constitution and federalism,” and because it “embraced democracy” and multi-culturalism. This has rendered it “incapable” of “overcoming the World State ideology of the Liberal Elites.” These beliefs have caused Yerushalmi to defend people accused of anti-Semitism such as Mel Gibson and Pat Buchanan because they “have the potential to

with how children have resorted to crime or drugs or have been ‘lost in life’ (and I believe facts are out there), it might help men accept this message of the article. Someone should talk about this at Jummah prayers as well. RS Washington DC

save the West from itself and from Islam.” Liberal Jews, on the other hand, according to Yerushalmi are “the leading proponents of all forms of antiWestern, anti-American, anti-Christian movements, campaigns, and ideologies,” and to argue otherwise one would have to be “literally divorced from reality.” Liberal Jews, according to Yerushalmi, have also destroyed “their host nations like a fatal parasite.” Nor has Yerushalmi neglected the subject of race. Articles Yerushalmi has written for the SANE Web site argue that the “most of the fundamental differences between the races is genetic.” In a 2006 essay for SANE entitled, “On Race: A Tentative Discussion,” Yerushalmi claimed that “some races perform better in sports, some better in mathematical problem solving, some better in language, some better in Western societies and some better in tribal ones.” He also contended that African-Americans are a “relatively murderous race killing itself.” For Yerushalmi it was obvious: “If evolution and the biologists who espouse the theory are correct, then the idea that racial differences included innate differences in character and intelligence would[,] it seem[,] be more likely than not.” The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. For more information, visit adl.org. --------------------------------------------In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

OBITS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Request For Dua’s { To A llah We B e l o n g , an d t o Hi m i s Ou r R e tu r n }

“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya:35)” 1-24-12 Salate Janaza for our Sister Mumtaz Begum, mother-in-law of Br. Riaz Chaudhry, was on January 25, 2012 in Manassas, Virginia. May Allah (SWT) accept her in His infinite Mercy & Love and grant Sabr to the family and the community. (Source: Dar Al-Noor) 1-24-12 It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of the uncle of brothers Salim and Ayoub Hira. We ask Allah (SWT) to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant him the highest ranks in paradise, and give his family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: DAT) 1-27-12 Sr. Khadija Akter, mother of Br. Tanvir Hossain, has passed away. Her salatul janaza was on January 28, 2012 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah in His infinite mercy forgive her shortcomings and enter her into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) 1-28-12 The Board of Directors, Imam, Executive Director, and staff of Dar Al-Hijrah and the muslim community in Northern Virginia extends its deepest condolences to our brother Muhammad Abu-Ghannam for the death of his father. May Allah grant him with Jannah, and give family patience. (Source: Dar Al-Hijrah) 1-28-12 It is with great saddness that we inform you of the passing of our beloved Hajj Fawzi Tarabolsi. May Allah grant him Jannah and give his family patience and peace at this difficult time. Ameen. The janazah prayer was on January 28, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. (Source: Y. Tagouri/Zak) 2-2-12 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a long-time member and supporter of the ISB family, Sister Surraya Nafees Khan, wife of Brother Shakir Ali Khan. May Allah SWT forgive her sins, give her family patience and enter her into Jannat-ul-Firdaus. The Salat-ul-Janaza was on February 3, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Source: ISB)

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| 23

Upcoming Events In Your Area Qur’an for Family: Surah al-Rahman with Nouman Ali Khan Saturday, February 11 2012, 10:00am - 3:30pm Coming close to Allah’s Word (the Qur’an) doesn’t just start with one person- it starts with the entire family! The Qur’an for Family Series is the newest initiative at Bayyinah. What’s even better is that this seminar will be taught by none other than Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan, who’s known for giving very insightful, easy-to-understand, and comical seminars. Br. Nouman is the founder and CEO of Bayyinah, as well as the lead instructor for a number of Bayyinah courses including the Fundamentals of Classical Arabic and Divine Speech. Currently he has dedicated himself to a seven-year-long project, of conducting a linguistic & literary focus Qur’anic Tafseer series in English. $35 per individual. Sign up at www.bayyinah.com/studentcenter. Halal Gyro Cart from Baltimore will be available for lunch inshallah. Day care will be provided at a nominal fee. No pre-requisites. Bring the entire family. Non Muslim friends and family are also welcome. We encourage all to attend. Join us! Location: Islamic Society of Baltimore, 6631 Johnnycake Rd, Baltimore, MD 21244 Contact: Questions? Contact Hasan.Hammad@ISB.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Annual Al-Alwani Lecture Monday, February 13 2012, 4:00pm - 6:00pm The Washington Theological Consortium presents Good Work and Good Works lectures by Dr. Waleed El-Ansary Professor of Religious Studies, Xavier University and Dr. Richard J. Jones, AlAlwani Chair in Muslim-Christian Studies, Washington Theological Consortium. All are welcome. Location: El Hibri Charitable Foundation, 1420 16th Street NW, Washington, DC Contact: For more information, contact the Consortium office at 202-832-2675, wtc@ washtheocon.org or www.washtheocon.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Finance Event at UMCP Sunday, March 11 2012 The University of Maryland Muslim Students’ Association and the UMD Global Business Society Present: Islamic Finance Conference, East Coast. Islamic Finance is a growing 500 billion dollar financial industry. At the same time it still remains a mystery to many of us living within this country. At this full day conference style event we intend to discuss the modern issues of Islamic Finance and Banking. Time: 9am, Registration will open at 8am. You can find us on Facebook and on Twitter @IslamFinanceEC. Location: University of Maryland, College Park, Stamp Student Union, Colony Ballroom Contact: For more info, prices, and online registration, go to http://www.if-ec.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Central Virginia Qur’an Competition Saturday, March 17 2012, 9:00am - 2:00pm Seventh Annual Central Virginia Quran Competition. We are introducing a new feature to this year’s event. We would like to introduce to the community The First Quran Reading Contest! This is an exciting new opportunity for greater participation for the community. Guest Speaker: Haroon Baqai, principal of Al-Huda School and Hifzh Program. Valuable prizes. Halal Zabiha Meal will be served. Testing: March 17th, 2012. Registration Closes March 8th, 2012. To register, go to www. cvqc.org. Location: Islamic Center of Virginia 1241 Buford Road, Richmond, Virginia Contact: For questions, comments, and donations: contact 804-638-9446 or centralvaqcc@gmail. com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

or Email us at office@muslimlinkpaper.com

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MASJID LISTING

24 |

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

Do you have additions, changes, or corrections to the event listings in the Muslim Link? Email us at events@muslimlinkpaper.com, or call us at 301-982-1020. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

NORTHERN VIRGINIA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------All Muslim Brothers Association 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 Tel: 703-647-0515 Jumma Prayer Only - 1:15 P.m --------------------------------------------------------------------------Icna VA Center: 2913 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria, VA 22306. Tel: 703-660-1255 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Idara Dawat-o-irshad: 4803 VAlley St, Alexandria, VA 22312 Tel: 703-256-8622 ww.irshad.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Mustafa Center: 6844 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003 Tel: 703-658-7134 www.mustafacenter.org E-mail: Mustafacenter@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Islamic Academy: Galesbury Lane, Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 571-969-2123 www.ziacademy.org E-mail: Contact@ziacademy.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Badr Community Center Of Dumfries: 17794 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Tel: 703-585-1689/703-554-7983 www.bccd.org E-mail: Info@bccd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Ul-ghuraba (Masjid Ur Rahmah): 155 Baker St., Emporia, VA 23487 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al Hijrah: 3159 Rowe St., Falls Church, VA 22044, Tel: 703-536-1030 www.hijrah.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Northern VA Trust (Icnvt): 4420 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030 Tel: 703-591-0999 www.icnvt.org E-mail: Info@icnvt.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al-noor (Muslim Assoc. Of VA): 5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112, Tel: 703-580-0808 Fax: 703-221-8513 www.daralnoor.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Manassas Mosque: 12950 Center Entrance Ct, Manassas, VA Tel: 703-257-5537 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Virginia: 1241 Buford Rd.,

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Richmond, VA 23235 Tel: 804-320-7333 www.icVA1.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond (Isgr): 6324 Rigsby Road, Richamond, VA 23226 Tel: 804-673-4177 www.isgr.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al Rahman: 1305 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 Tel: 804-232-7640 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjidullah Of Richmond: 211 North Ave., Richmond, VA 23222 Tel: 804-321-8864/804-647-4297 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar-ul Huda: 6666 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150, Tel: 703-922-0111 www.darulhuda.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Foundation of America: 6606 Electronic Drive, Springfield, VA 22151 Tel: 703-914-4982 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Noor: 8608 Pohick Rd, Springfield, VA 22153 Tel: 703-451-7615 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Adams Center: 46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling,VA 20164, Tel: 703-433-1325 www.adamscenter.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Heritage Center (Ihc): 262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON D.C.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim Comm. Center: 4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20011 www.firsthijrah.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Ivy City Masjid: 2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202-529-3100 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-islam: 4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20019 E-mail: Imammusa@hotmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832 | www. masjidmuhammad.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.c. (MswDC): Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Islamic Center: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343 www.theislamiccenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARYLAND

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Annapolis (Isa): 2635 Riva Rd. Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.isamd.org Email: Info@islamannapolis.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc 1935 Frederick Ave Baltimore, MD 21223 Imam’s cell: 571-721-9938 email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Dawah Center, Inc: 1910 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 410-945-1515 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar ul Uloom: 6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, Tel: 410-493-0785 Email: Darululoommd@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ul-haq: 514 Islamic Way (Wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-728-1363 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-mumineen: 2642 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218 Tel: 410-467-8798 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Jamaat Al-Muslimeen: 4624 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212 Tel: 443-622-2962 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-rahmah/isb: 6631 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244 Tel: 410-747-4869 | www.isb.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid As Saffat: 1335 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-669-0655 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Easton 126 Port Street Unit # 1 Easton, MD 21601 Tel: 410-829 7924 islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Irhsca (Islamic Research And Hum. Services Center Of America): 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 www.irhsca.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County (Isspgc): P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240 603 4618

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Zamzam 1510 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 Tel: 410-284-2840 www.masjidzamzam.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar al-Taqwa: 10740 Rte. 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042, Tel: 410-997-5711 www.taqwa.net --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Hikmah: 11064 Livingston Road Unit L (101) Ft. Washington, MD 20744, Tel: 301 292-9009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Frederick (Isf): 1250 Key Parkway, Frederick,md 21702 Tel: 301-682-6090 www.isfmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Maryland (Icm): 19411 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg,md 20879 Tel:301-840-9440 www.icomd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Makkah Learning Center (Mlc): 814 Brandy Farms Ln., Gambrills, MD 21054 Tel: 410-721-5880 www.isamd.org Email: Info@mlcmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Germantown (Isg): 19900 Brandermill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876 Tel: (240)-277-7758 www.isgtown.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah: 8000 Mlk Highway, Glenarden MD Tel: 301-461-9325 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society of Western Maryland: 2036 Day Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Tel: 301-797-0922 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Southern Maryland Islamic Center (Smic): 1046 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown, MD, 20639 Tel: 410-535-0000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Avondale Islamic Center: 4637 Eastern Ave., Hyattsville, MD, 20782 Tel: 301-779-9292 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Prince Georges Muslim Assoc.(Pgma): 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD, 20706, Tel: 301-459-4942

www.pgmamd.org Imam’s Office: 301-459-1441 E-mail: Imam@pgmamd.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------Turkish American Community Center 9704 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706 Tel: 301-459-9589 www.taccenter.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------La Plata Masjid: 111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Com. Center Of Laurel (ICCL): 7306 Contee Rd., Laurel, MD 20707 Tel: 301-317-4584 www.icclmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Ghurabaa: 8220 Washington St., South Laurel, MD 20724. Tel: 301-604-3295 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Lexington Park 22583 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20619 Tel: 240-538-7839 or 561-414-0994 www.iclpmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Medina Center: 11600 Falls Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.medinacenter.net E-mail: Admin@medinacenter.net --------------------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 9019 Marcella Ave. Randallstown, MD 21133 Tel: 410-971-4018 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (Iswa): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 www.iswamd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Community Center (MCC): 15200 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905 Tel: 301-384-3454 www.mccmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Imaam: (Jumuah Only) Jumuah: 12:50pm 3201 Randolph Rd, Wheaton, MD 20906 www.imaam.org Email: Fridayprayer@imaam.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid An-nur: 5418 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162 Tel: 410-663-9637 Fax: 410-663-9817 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan Office Manager: Stephanie Benmoha Layout & Design: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Fatimah Waseem Wafa Unus Rashad Mulla Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Imam Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published every other week on Fridays and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas. TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam. The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-usSalaam and TML are not responsible for the accuracy of information presented by advertisers, or for the religious compliance of events, products, or services published in TML. This publication contains the names of ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others The Muslim Link 5301 Edgewood Road College Park, MD 20740 Phone : (301) 982-1020 Fax: (240) 209-0702 editor@muslimlinkpaper. com Advertising: 301-982-1020 or email us at office@ muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2012

EDITOR’S DESK | 25

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR What Is An Imam Worth? Nothing ! Assalamu’alykum ! This refers to Wafa Unus’ article about a survey regarding an Imam’s compensation (“What Is An Imam Worth”, January 27, 2012 issue of the Muslim Link) . Before embarking on writing about the Imam position, she should look around and research into some reality. Ever since the advent of the new millennium, and even before, the writing has been on the wall for all to see except this ostrich who has it’s head buried in the sand. The Imam’s position is now irrelevant and redundant. Westoxification (gharbzedgi) has made the Imam a disappearing species. There are masajid in the Baltimore-Washington metro area where rabidly secular leaders hip s ys tematically erodes this position to a point where masjid constitutions gets amended to eliminate the position of an Imam and instead create ad-hoc “religious” positions. The unimportant functions of leading the daily and Friday prayers have been delegated to volunteers and guests as if leading a masjid is as trivial as driving a school bus or a operating a pharmacy where substitute drivers and floating pharmacists are used in the absence of regular staff. Often one particular person has the masjid firmly in his grip, nothing moving without their nod. Only one aim trumps all aims: fundraising. The masjid

has been run as a corporation diversifying into real-estate, immigration, catering and other ventures including social services and the interfaith bandwagon. Paid membership has been steadily whittled: fewer the paid members, easier it is to manipulate the “elections”! The governing body is in the pocket of local and state politicians. The masjid posts on it’s property large signs endorsing particular candidates and offers sumptuous breakfasts to voters on election mornings after which the voters are “bussed” to to the voting venue out of courtesy! This same chain of events is being replicated mutatis mutandi in other masajids, near and far. So the sad and harrowing truth is now open. What is an Imam worth? Nothing. Salim Khatib Maryland -----------------------------------Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, This is a fantastic article. The masjid that I attend most regularly in Baltimore does not have an Imam. It is essential that we define, as a community, the role that an Imam is to play in the larger context of the American Muslim community. I hope, insha’Allah, that this issue continues to resurface. Jazakum Allahu khayran. Justin Maryland

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Homosexuality: An Issue Which Can’t Be Ignored As a Muslim educator of youth and adults for over thirty years I have had occasion to counsel Muslims on the issue of samesex attraction. (In reference to “Provocative Discussion on Homosexuality and Islam Draws Hundreds” in the January 27, 2012 issue of the Muslim Link) It is an issue that cannot be ignored, particularly since most of the young Muslims growing up today attend public schools that teach and promote homosexuality. In addition, many Muslims who have reverted to Islam have family members or friends they grew up with who are openly homosexual. We D O N O T c o n d o n e homosexuality as Muslims, but we do believe that people can change. I personally know a number of Muslims who practiced homosexuality at one time and stopped, Alhamdulillah. May Allah forgive us all for our sins and errors, and guide those who are struggling with their sexual orientation to the right guidance from the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

I’ve noticed that over the years there’s been a change in the culture where now feelings are much more sexualized. In the past, people would have strong feelings for members of their own gender, but they were not sexualized except in very rare cases. You might have crushy feelings but it was understood as natural admiration, closeness, brotherhood/sisterhood, or the excitement of close friendship. Now, people are being socialized to immediately label those feelings as being sexual. If someone has any emotions for another person of the same gender, they start to wonder “am I gay?” and it leads to questioning, curiosity, exploration, and self-labeling. Thirty years ago you could see young women walking around the streets holding hands and you would never assume they were gay. It wouldn’t cross your mind. Now, it is the first thing you think. If you read letters from by-gone eras you will see extremely romantic and flowery language used between people of the same gender, and these were non-sexual friendships. It was a convention of that time and very normal to feel and express very strong emotional bonds to members of one’s own sex. Now, however, there is a sexual component ready to disrupt previously non-

Zakia Amin Baltimore, Maryland ------------------------------------

sexual interactions. This really

Same Sex Friendships Being Redefined

editor Pg 22

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We sell E-Qur’an Device with E-Pen Pointer for easy listening and learning, Hajj and Umrah Dua’s E-Device for easy memorisation, Islamic Clothing (men’s, women’s and children’s), Ihram’s for Hajj, Long shirts and skirts for women, Sleeves, Pashmina Shawls, Elegant African Lace Materials, Bakhoor/Incense/Churai, 21 karat Gold jewelry, Guaranteed Gold plated jewelry, Silver Jewelry and ankle rings, Men’s silver rings with real Stones, and Much MORE. You will be pleased with our Very Unique Quality Products. Come in and enjoy our Signature Hospitality, Insha’Allah, you will return. location: Islamic Society of Washington Area (ISWA) 2701 Briggs Chaney Road Silver Spring, MD 20905

Hours Mondays: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesdays: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Fridays: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

inquiries? contact raHma GHanim Direct line: (240) 305-6354 | Store: (301) 879-3598 or (301) 879-3596 Fax: (301) 879-3597 | Email: rahmainternationalstore@gmail.com Join our Facebook page and group: Rahma International Store

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 33

Rendezvous Travel and Tours We provide affordable fares to Africa, Middle East, and Europe • 5 Star Quality Hajj and Umrah Packages with Religious Guides • Experienced Hajj and Umrah Providers for the past 15 years • ARC and IATA Accredited Agency and Approved with the Embassy of Saudi Arabia • Experienced Multilingual Staff and 5 Star Travel Agency • Special Rates to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, India as well as other international destinations • Airline and Hotel - Reservations and Ticketing • Wholesale Travel Agency

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MP - ADVERTISEMENTS | 35

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

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MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 37

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38 | MP - Advertisement

February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

Honey Heals Skin Disease and Hair Loss Every Muslim has read

that the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam told his ummah about the wonderful nature of honey. In the Qur’an in Surah An-Nahl, Allah described honey as a “drink of varying color wherein is healing for men”. Its no wonder that scientists are spending more and more resources examining, testing, and developing honey-based medical treatments. As early as December 26, 2007, the Associated Press ran a story titled “Honey makes medical comeback”. One company that has believed in the restorative power of honey for a long time is HoneyDerm, Inc., a Lansing, Michigan based company that spent years bringing the healing power of honey to people suffering from hair loss, dandruff, and skin disease. Their most famous product line is Hairback Lotion and Hairtonix Shampoo, that “helps stimulate new hair growth and thicken existing hair”. Honeyderm, Inc also claims the products solve dandruff and scalp psoriasis. The Muslim Link requested access to some of Honeyderm’s customers, and Brother Mahmoud from Honeyderm gladly offered us some phone numbers. Brother Hasan, in his late 30’s is from Maryland and suffers from the common skin disease eczema. “I’ve had eczema

since high school, and it got worse as the years went on. I went to a dermatologist and he recommended a cortisone-type prescription cream. It did stop the itch, but my skin was still dry and tight. I’ve tried lotions and shampoos from Aveeno, Lubiderm, Vaseline, and others. Alhumdulillah, I found Honeyderm’s Dermatonic-P, and it is really, really a blessing for people with Eczema or other skin illnesses. I no longer wake up sweating at night! AllahuAkbar!.” We called Abdurihman Khalil from Chicago. He did not know we were going to call. Abdurihman started losing his hair when he was about 28. He discovered the Hairback product line at a convention and decided to test its claims. “The hair loss stopped completely,” said Abdurihman. “It’s excellent, and I’ve been using it now for 6 years.” We also called Brother Mustafa Al-Omary in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He decided to do something about his thinning hair at age 40 and tried the Hairback treatment. Asked how long it took for him to see results, he told us “Oh gosh, less than a month. My thin spots filled in within 3 months,.” He said he would “absolutely” recommend the product to anyone. “It’s not a fly-by-night product, its awesome,” said Mustafa. We

also called Najeebudheen Appat, a 30-year old living in Los Angeles, CA. He’s had a severe dandruff

“Alhumdulillah, I found Honeyderm’s

Dermatonic-P, and it is really, really a blessing for people with Eczema or other skin illnesses. I no longer wake up sweating at night! Allahu-Akbar!.” -- Br.Hasan, Maryland problem for a long-time, and had been searching for a solution. “I tried so many different products like tonics and shampoos, I can’t even remember them all, until I found this product around 2002. My problem was solved completely, the entire thing is taken care of. I even called [Honeyderm] with the great feedback,” recalled Najeebudheen. He told us that Allah creates shifa in many things, and Honeyderm’s products are a part of that. “For dandruff problems, this is the total solution,” he told us from his mobile phone.

BEFORE

AFTER

On Honeyderm’s website, there are many more testimonials from Muslims and non-Muslims from around the nation and the world. There is also a gallery of “before and after” pictures of both hair loss treatments as well as skin treatments. And best of all, for those of us who’ve “tried it all”, there is a full money back guarantee. Allah said honey heals. The Prophet Sallallahu’alyhi wa sallam said honey heals. The people we called said honey heals. With a money back guarantee, there is absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain – your hair and skin!

BEFORE

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Honey-Based Healing for:

Hair Loss, Hair growth, Itching, dandruff, and Scalp Psoriasis. Acne, Wrinkles, Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis, and Rosacea. Plus Supplements for Diabetics, Immunity, and Liver Health. Order Risk Free Today by calling (800) 424 - 7710 or buy online at www.honeyderm.com 2522 East Michigan Ave Lansing, Michigan 48912 MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

HoneyDerm is very confident that its products will definitely help you. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the product, we offer you a full money back guarantee with the return of any remaining portion of the product in their original containers. See our website for time restrictions. All products are 100% drug free and are not intended to change any of the body physiological functions or treat any disease or possess any drug claim.

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February 10th 2012 - February 23rd 2012

MP - CLASSIFIED ADS | 39

Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020. Office@muslimlinkpaper.com We invite you to place a classified on the web FREE of charge at www.muslimlinkpaper.com. Classifieds in the print edition of the Muslim Link newspaper are only $1 for every 3 words. All classifieds run for 3 issues in the Marketplace section. Get started by emailing your exact text to office@muslimlinkpaper.com and then call in your credit card payment to 301-982-1020 or send a check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Rd, College Park MD 20740.

matrimonial MOROCCAN SISTER FOR MARRIAGE 36 yr old Sister in Morocco looking for Good Muslim man living in USA, homemaker, never married, will aid in translations if necessary, contact her Wali at mahdikm1@yahoo.com or 410-988-0705. -----------------------------------------------PIOUS MUSLIMA SEEKING A HUSBAND A religious Muslima of Arab origin. 39 years old, olive-skinned, 5 ft, 128 lbs. Never married, decent looking with a minor limp in lt leg wa-alhamdulillah. Good character, educated, and hard working. Located in DC area. Seeking an unmarried religious Brother with a good character, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready and capable to lead a family. Please direct serious inquires to supervised email: sakinah.seeker at yahoo dot com. -----------------------------------------------MOROCCAN BROTHER FOR MARRIAGE Good Moroccan Muslim brother in

Morocco seeking good American Muslima for marriage, please contact Sister Fatima for more info 410-988-0705 or fatima1984@live.com -----------------------------------------------SEEKING DEVOTED MUSLIMAH

Incarcerated Sunni Muslim seeks devoted Muslimah with both real and outward beauty and the qualities stated in AlAhzab: 32-35 for marriage. Race and financial status not important. Send all inquires to: David Ginwright 228332 N.B.C.I. 14100 McMullen Hwy SW, Cumberland, MD 21502. 02-03-12 -----------------------------------------------SEEKING GOOD AMERICAN MUSLIM Good Moroccan Muslimah 34 years old looking for good American Muslim for marriage. Please contact 703-203-1639.

MISCELLANEOUS LONELY IN AMERICA Sunni Muslim Male, incarcerated, age 43, funny and easy-going. Home town Karachi, Pakistan. Seeks pen friend. Nadeem Khan #1113005, P.O. Box 1900,

Pound, VA 24279.

Rentals SEEKING ROOMMATE Sister to share a room in townhouse in Gaithersburg. $450. 301-213-3730. -----------------------------------------------3 APARTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR RENT Efficiency $450/month, 1 BR $650/ month, 2 BR $650/month. In a farm area close to Germantown, Maryland. No bus service nearby. Good for retired person. Please call 301-253-0648 or cell 301-9102240.

Services HOME SERVICES Licensed contractor. Home Improvement work, interior/exterior painting, drywall install/repair, brick/concrete repair. License #30385946 Estimates done. Contact Br. Allen Scott at 410-467-1259 or 443-538-7643(cell) -----------------------------------------------LICENSED PLUMBER Reduce Major Plumbing Bills. Give Twirl-

A-Drain a call at 410-963-5807 for sewer and water pipe replacement underground. Free estimates given, Michael D. Shahid. -----------------------------------------------NEW COMMUNITY MULTIPURPOSE CENTER Our first venture was The Community Thrift Store started 7 years ago with the purpose to help females with employment by opening a venue and also offering affordable sewing classes. However, a new project and goals has been incorporated to help the community. The new organization Green Housing and Development Group Inc gives thanks to all who donated items, time and funding. Our new project will be a multipurpose center located at 3538 Old York Road Baltimore, Md. 21218. This facility is for employment networking, counseling, job placement and referral services. The organization prays for continual support and fundraising is mandatory for this effort to be successful. We welcome any suggestion for fundraising projects. Contact people: Yusef Shahid 443 769 0319, Maxie Franklin 443 839 5467, Allen Scott 443 538 7643.

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