The Muslim Link, March 31, 2017 by The Muslim Link

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

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SOMALIA IS CLOSE TO ANOTHER FAMINE

Mercy-USA is working to prevent it with emergency food and water. We met these four best friends on the road as we arrived to deliver drinking water to their camp in Somalia. Mohamad Noor, 8-years-old, told us, “Before the rains stopped our families had plenty of food and milk. Now our goats are dying and there is nothing to eat. We hang around the road hoping someone will stop and give us water.” Mercy-USA’s water tanker brought fresh water to their community. We need your help to continue this life-saving relief!

The rainy season in Somalia has failed three years in a row and people are suffering. The rivers have dried up, the wells are dangerously low and the water that can be found is often dangerous to drink. With grazing lands barren, families are losing their livestock resulting in starvation for their children.

We’re not waiting for a famine to be declared before we do something to help. As an emergency response, we are delivering food aid and trucking water to the worst hit areas, bringing relief to an already struggling population. You can prevent famine!

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

March 31st - April 27th 2017

Community News

COMMUNITY NEWS

IRHSCA Celebrates Community, Serving the Underprivileged Albany, New York.

By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

“We are very weak and we make mistakes but the best among those who repent.” Quoting the Quran, he said that no one who came to IRHSCA has left unchanged. “We try to give you your deen,” he said. “It is not time for Blacks to wait for Arabia to build for you,” he urged the mostly African American audience.

On March 15, 2017, a celebration of community, struggle and homage to founders, some who have passed on to their Lord, took place for the men, women and children who attend services at the Islamic Research and Humanitarian Service Center of America (IRHSCA), a masjid and community center on the Washington DC border in Capitol Heights, Maryland. A slideshow highlighted the achievements and commitment IRHSCA has made toward its neighborhood and people. Photos of Eid prayers, bazaars, and many youth activities flooded the screen during the “Our Vision, Our Rights & Responsibility” presentation. The gathering of about one hundred supporters was held at the Diyanet Center in Lanham, Maryland. Imam Abdul Ali of Rashidun DC, the non

profit that provides a mobile food pantry at its Feed the Hood events in Washington DC, was presented with the annual Umm Kheer Humanitarian award by the Executive Director Imam Talib Abdus Samad. Ummil Kheer was a founder of IRHSCA and an inspiration for her service to the community. Also awarded for his service was Luqman Abdus-Saboor for his dedication. He was shot in the leg by

a stray bullet last month, while cleaning out the service unit on 37th street where Muslim youth meet for a weekly halaqa. Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Yaki , the original imam of the center, came to the US from Ghana in 1998 as a graduate student. He served at Prince George’s Muslim Association, help found IRHSCA and now is the imam of the largest masjid in

With a goal to guide the young men and women involved in vices, the shaykh said the center provides counseling for the community. Protect your gaze, recommended Shaykh Yaki. “Strong individuals make strong families, which make strong communities. “If the community is safe, then the country is safe,” he added. The shaykh shared that the community serve youth and underprivileged and need funds from the broader community

>> IRHSCA Pg 16

New Masjid Opens in Baltimore County Juma' Prayer Is Already Full at Islamic Center of Owings Mills By Minhaj Hasan

Muslim Link Staff Reporter To understand the pace at which Islam is growing in America, one need not look further than Baltimore County, Maryland. The Islamic Society of Baltimore (ISB), the largest masjid community in the region, holds two juma' prayers and three eid prayers; community members fill the prayer hall and overflow into the gymnasium. Even as smaller, independent masajid are started elsewhere in the Baltimore suburbs – like in Reisterstown and Hunt Valley – the community at ISB continues to grow.

On March 17, 2017, newly formed Islamic Center of Owings Mills (ICOM) held its first juma' prayer in a remodeled >> ICOM Pg 15

On right, guests at the first official fundraiser for the new masjid in Owings Mills. On left, the logo for the new center. On page 15, ICOM President Javed Patel welcomes "old and new faces" at the fundraiser. Photos by TML.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

March 31st - April 27th 2017

State of the Art Muslim “Funeral Chapel” Planned for Annandale VA By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter A $2.5 million funeral facility that will service Muslims in the North Virginian cities of Alexandria, Annandale, Springfield, Woodbridge and Fairfax, is planned by the Mustafa Center, the masjid built by the Afghan community in Annandale — a place where families can wash, shroud and grieve for their loved ones in an Islamic manner. Sitting on a acre, across the street from the Mustafa Center (MC), the 5400 sq ft facility called Mustafa Funeral Chapel will have separate ghusl rooms for men and women, comfortable visitation lounges, offices, a waiting hall, conference room, prayer hall, a spacious parking lot and other facilities. “More than 300,000 Muslims live in the Northern VA/DC area. However, a wellequipped chapel that is fully compliant with Islamic traditions does not exist to serve all the personal and spiritual needs of grieving Muslim families faced with the passing of a loved one,” stated Zohra Sirat. She serves on the Outreach Committee at Mustafa Center.

Land was purchased in 2012 for $600,000 by MC and since then the center has jumped through several county hoops to get the necessary permits to build the facility. Since it was located on a residential parcel, MC needed to get special exception approval through several public hearings. Hundred attended the hearings and expressed the need for a funeral home of this calibre. In January 2015, they received the permission for a funeral facility on the parcel. The state of the art project is called a “funeral chapel” instead of “funeral home” because the latter requires a certified director on the site for cremation. Since Muslims do not need cremation services they do not need the services of a funeral director, explained Sirat. The plan is to hire counselors to help with the grieving process. The chapel will provide assistance in obtaining death certificates and other pertinent services such as obituaries, funeral prayer, memorial services. Depending on client's’ wishes, the chapel will coordinate with cemeteries for gravesite arrangements which is priced separately. Modern cooling facilities which can accommodate ten janazahs at a time. Janazah services

will take place three times a day. The chapel is a non profit and not a business —meaning no high fees. “We lost my cousin and it cost $25,000 burial process; for the time they took him from the limo to the hospital and kept the body for two days,” Sirat said. The funeral chapel plans to host fundraisers for those who cannot afford a burial. Imagine waiting for a loved one to arrive, or a place to make quiet prayers and recite Quran. “Make Space, Dar Ul Huda, and Al Madina will also be serviced through the center,” says Sirat. To date, Mustafa Center raised $750,000 with the help of the community which was used to purchase the land and pay for technical design, site development and Fairfax County fees. They are working with VDot. “They brought gold and jewelry,” shared Sirat, linking this to the great need for this project. “We will start construction as soon as we have funds available.” Sirat says their neighbor, the Immanuel Bible Church supported them from the beginning, with a caveat that the site plan is similar to the church. Contractors in the Muslim community are urged to shared

their expertise, said Sohila Shakil, who is an engineer and project manager for the Mustafa Center, The funeral chapel will have links to Begh e Firdaus, the Afghan Academy cemetery, and Stafford Cemetery. Mustafa Funeral Chapel plans to hire morticians and volunteers will be needed to help with ghusl and janazah services. The big fundraiser for the funeral chapel is slated for April 23, 2017 at Dunya Restaurant. This is the first fundraiser MC is having outside the masjid. “We are trying to bring community together and they are part of the Mustafa Center community,” shared Sirat. “As we all wish to live a dignified life in this world, let’s prepare for a dignified death in our final journey toward our Lord, Allah The Almighty,” reads a statement on the Mustafa Funeral Chapel website. For more information please visit https://www.mustafa.center/ The funeral chapel will be located across from the Mustafa Center at 6839 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA. All donations are tax-deductible.

MD Basketball Player Benched for Hijab By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Sixteen-year-old Je’Nan Hayes has a new love: basketball. She practices everyday. Her cousins and uncles are players and she is the first in her family. As a varsity player in her Montgomery County high school basketball team, she played the first 24 games of the season without a problem. Her mom would remind her to tuck her hijab with a few looks now and then. Then on March 3, 2017, the motivated rookie never got off the bench at the semi-finals of the Regional High School Championship game in Oxon Hills, Md.

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“I would have looked at the rules and expected the waiver does not make sense to you,” It is a note or letter to the state saying that a student is a Muslim that requires her to wear a hijab. There is no standard form. Reginald Spears, the athletic director, In the 9 years referees and he has never done a waiver for the school students. “My coach had pulled me aside, and she had said that she was sorry that I couldn’t play. [T]here was a state rule saying that I have to have a letter to play with my hijab on,” said Hayes. Her coach Donita Adams, visibly disturbed at a press conference held by CAIR, said that they had never been informed of this rule and

she needed clarification on that. Her team was really supportive- they think of me as a regular team mate and they were shocked and surprised. Her high Watkins Mills High School lost the championship.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) made the rule and is enforced at the state level, >> BASKETBALL Pg 15

March 31st - April 27th 2017

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COMMUNITY NEWS

March 31st - April 27th 2017

Young American Jews Protest AIPAC at Lobby's DC Conference By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Masked members of the Jewish Defense League attempted to burn torn pages of a Qur'an torn as they counter-protested about one thousand young American Jews peacefully protesting the extreme Zionist American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) 2017 conference, in Washington D.C on Sunday, March 26, 2017. It was the largest anti AIPAC protest in history. With 100,000 members, AIPAC is a pro Israel organization which “demands unquestioning allegiance to the state of Israel” according to Rob Bryan, who attended the conference last year. “AIPAC is far more of a political organization than a religious one, but its politics are based on a deliberate misreading of history that erases the Palestinian people and whitewashes Israeli crimes,” he writes. Protesters were called Nazis and other slurs by pro-Israel JDL members for standing against thousands of new settlement homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and for the rights of the people around the world. The Israeli right wing has hailed his election. The Trump administration closely aligned itself with Israel and supported the settlements with a ‘carte blanche’. AIPAC recently gave a $60,000 gift to the Center for Security Policy, the think-tank that has played a key role in designing the Trump administration's attempts to ban Muslim immigrants and refugees. The protesters said that the older generation that runs AIPAC and organizations such as AIPAC do not represent them. With megaphones, tambourines and songs they asked for a re-imagining of what Judaism means in today’s world. Members of If Not Now, a Jewish movement lobbying to end the American Jewish community’s support for the occupation, chained themselves to blockade the entrances of the Washington Convention Center. The group states that, “AIPAC has used fear to silence moral voices and falsehoods to justify the occupation,” for many years. IfNotNow

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Protesters were called Nazis and other slurs by proIsrael JDL members for standing against thousands of new settlement homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and for the rights of the people around the world.

chapters from Boston, New York, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and D.C. came to “publicly reject AIPAC and their “pro-Israel at all costs” politics that continues to enable and fuel the Occupation—now entering its 50th year—while making concessions to the anti-semitism and Islamophobia of the far right”, according to a statement. The movement formed after the last operation on GAza and had three demands: Stop the War on Gaza, End the Occupation, and Freedom and Dignity for All. Many of them were arrested by the police. This year's conference was opened by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, with remarks from US Vice President Mike Pence, as well as a speech by the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. “I’ve never seen the sort of anti-semitism we’re seeing today, but despite bomb

threats and desecrated cemeteries, AIPAC has chosen to remain silent,” Sara Sandmel, an If Not Now member from Boston, said in a statement. “This proves without a doubt that AIPAC will be pro-Israel at any cost, prioritizing the occupation over the safety of the Jewish community and other marginalized people in America.” Jewish protesters were joined by activists from Code Pink, Answer Coalition and Dr Cornel West, swelling the original crowd. In Maryland, Senators Bobby Zirkin and Delegate Kramer have introduced an Anti-Boycott Bill (House Bill 949, Senate Bill 739) that the ACLU-MD says would allow the state to assume the role of censor in matters of political controversy and is against the First Amendment. The bills prohibits the government from doing business with those companies who boycott Israel; they could be denied state

contracts and pension fund investments under this legislation. The global movement for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel until it complies with international law and upholds Palestinian rights was initiated by Palestinian civil society in 2005. It is coordinated by the Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), established in 2007. BDS is a strategy that allows people of conscience to play an effective role in the Palestinian struggle for justice. BDS targets Israel is for the Occupation and rights of the twenty-percent of non-Jews (Palestinians) inside of Israel. Palestinian Civil Society deems that once freedom, equality and justice is obtained, BDS will cease.

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10 | COMMUNITY NEWS

March 31st - April 27th 2017

Why I Asked the Maryland Senate to Help Improve Security at Our Islamic School By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter An urgent message from my children’s school principal, Br Haroon Baqai, flashed on my phone. I left the main hall in the Under Armour building where I was accompanying Dr Zainab Chaudry as she spoke on a women’s panel, to take the call. “Sister Hena, would you be able to testify on a bill in Maryland State Senate?” he asked. I have testified before at our city council and at the House hearing for the Maryland Trust Act. This was the first time I would testify at our state senate. The bill was SB 1191, a state grant for

schools and child care centers. This would allow private schools to apply for funding for security upgrades for facilities at risk of hate crimes or attacks. State funds may be used only for funding additional security training needs, security cameras, securityrelated technology, door hardening, improved lighting, or other securityrelated facility upgrades. Delegate Pena-Melnyk (D) was going to put it through the House of Delegates (HB 1661). My children walk to school every day. After the duas are read and we renew our intentions on relying on Allah, I am grateful that the school takes security seriously. Penguin Dictionary of Psychology defines hate as a "deep,

The senator from Baltimore County, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, immediately, asked to be added as a cosponsor to the bill. Her district has a large Muslim population. She said threats have increased in her area.

The bill was SB 1191, a state grant for schools and child care centers. This would allow private schools to apply for funding for security upgrades for facilities at risk of hate crimes or attacks.

enduring, intense emotion expressing animosity, anger, and hostility towards a person, group, or object. There is a lot of hate expressed these days. Muslims in America live in the twilight zone of hate: Our imams and leaders are targeted by ISIS and by people who hate our religion. Our masajid are vandalized and now increasingly so are our homes. Security is not cheap. Many of the security systems cost thousands of dollars as does the hiring staff. In February 2017, the Governor of New York announced a $25 million grant program to boost safety and security in New York’s schools and daycare centers at risk because of their ideology, beliefs, or missions. I met with former House delegate Justin

Ross, who was lobbying for the passage of this bill. We were escorted to Senator Manno’s office in the deceptively plain Miller Senate Building. And from there to the Education, Health and Environment committee hearing. Testifying is not as complicated as many may think. It is a form of citizen engagement. Lawmakers want to hear from the people who are affected by the laws made. They respect that you took the time to come and testify. On the panel was a teacher from Jewish Day School, the head of security of the Greater Jewish community in Baltimore

>> SECURITY Pg 14

Maryland Debates Stance on Cooperating with Federal Immigration Enforcement By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter The only bill being debated in Annapolis that makes sure a Muslim registry is not formed in the state of Maryland is what is known as the Maryland Trust Act. Officially known as the Maryland Law Enforcement and Trust Act, the bill was sponsored by Del. Marice I. Morales (D-Montgomery) and the Senator Victor Ramirez (D) from District 47 in Prince George’s County.

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The bill prohibits local police from randomly asking people on the street about their immigration status. If a person in picked up by the police and booked for a crime, then as soon as their fingerprints are entered into a national database their immigration status is automatically known. "My biggest fear is that my children will come home from school and I won't be there,” shared CASA leader Lucy at an immigration and anti Muslim ban rally in Baltimore as she addressed a crowd of supporters, while Irish immigrants

The bill prohibits local police from randomly asking people on the street about their immigration status.

and their descendants celebrated their culture in an annual parade behind her.

>> IMMIGRATION Pg 13

March 31st - April 27th 2017

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

Muslim Family's Virginia Home Vandalized, Quran Torn Up

A Muslim couple in Northern Virginia say they returned home to find "F--- Muslims" scrawled on a wall and their Quran destroyed. By Julie Carey and Andrea Swalec News4, March 28, 2017

A family returned home from a weekend away and found their apartment ransacked, their Quran torn to pieces and the words "F--- Muslims" scrawled on a wall, they told police. The residents of an apartment in the Huntington section of Fairfax County, Virginia, told News4 their home was burglarized and vandalized over the weekend. The apartment still was in shambles Tuesday afternoon.

Police believe the burglar or burglars entered through a patio door. The door lock was broken inside the frame. Mahrukh said her first thought when she saw the damage was of their two young children. "We did not want our kids to find out or

"I was crying. It was bad. It was bad," one of the victims, Mahrukh, said. She and her husband, Shoaib, asked that News4 use only their first names, for their safety.

Police are investigating the crime as a burglary and a bias incident. Photos show the hateful graffiti and tornup Quran pages alongside children's toys. The parents, who were born in Pakistan, got a call about 9:30 a.m. Monday from the apartment complex's management. A worker who entered the apartment to do maintenance discovered the damage.

"Never in a million years would I imagine something like this would happen in the area. It's such a safe place and everyone we've ever met has been so nice," he said. "Apparently, bad

Elected officials and faith leaders met in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday amid a rash of threats and hate crimes.

Their ornate Quran was torn up, and artwork with religious calligraphy was bent and thrown to the ground.

The family members' green cards were taken, along with more than $25,000 worth of gold they received as wedding gifts, as is common among many Muslim families.

Shoaib said the crime stunned him. He had felt safe in the neighborhood, where his family moved just last month from Dubai.

released. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights organization, is calling for a hate crime investigation. "What may have begun as a break-in clearly ended as a possible hate crime," CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said in a statement. "The message of hate left at the scene and the damage done to religious texts indicate the need to investigate a bias-motive for this crime." Elected officials and faith leaders met in Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, on Friday amid a rash of threats and hate crimes. "We're going to use every resource we can to bring those people who are causing these crimes to justice," Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin said. The number of bias incidents reported in Fairfax County increased from 60 in 2015 to 83 in 2016, Patch reported.

look at this mess," she said.

people, they can be found anywhere."

"We were in complete shock. It's a dream. We're just going to open our eyes and it's all going to go away," Mahrukh continued. "Especially when we saw that written on the wall and the Quran torn to pieces on the floor, and my painting just torn apart and on the floor, that was just shocking."

Mahrukh and Shoaib said they believe who ever damaged their home meant to burglarize it and then vandalized it once they realized they were in a Muslim home. Shoaib addressed why he chose to speak publicly about the crime.

A Jewish day school in Fairfax was evacuated last month due to a bomb threat. A mosque in Falls Church received an envelope that said "Kill all Muslims" earlier this month. And officials from across the D.C. region say they are addressing a spike in hate crimes.

The drawers and cupboards had been emptied, the beds were stripped, and the mattresses were overturned. But the discovery of the torn-up Quran was the most painful discovery, the family said.

"We wanted to get the word out there that this cannot be normalized. This cannot become a normal thing," he said.

Friends of Mahrukh and Shoaib's family started a GoFundMe page to help them rebuild.

Fairfax County police are investigating. No information on a suspect was

"You matter to this community and to this country," one donor wrote.

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IMMIGRATION

>> continued from pg 10

The fact is that there is a large and growing Latino Muslim population. People like Diana Barahona-Ali are doubly impacted by policies that target minorities and is concerned for her neighbors. Her grandmother came here in the 1980s from Ecuador and worked as a seamstress. She supports the Maryland Trust Act to protect human beings from profiling, discrimination, separation of families, tearing the lives of good decent people who have contributed to their communities. “We know they come here illegally, but you have to ask yourselves why does a person do that. What kind of life are they trying to leave behind and what have they achieved since they've been here. It reminds me in Islam the law is you cut the hand of the thief, however some scholars go further and say you must find out why they stole. Was it poverty or hunger driven? [If so] then their leaders should be blamed,” said Barahona-Ali. “If I as a first generation American can do or say something... then it's my duty,” she adds. This is also not just a Latino issue as there are undocumented immigrants from Ireland, Russia, India, Philippines, and China in the country. Maryland is a welcoming state that allows undocumented immigrants to apply for driver's licenses to obtain a driver's license if they have filed a Maryland tax return or were claimed as a dependent of someone who filed a Maryland tax return for the past two years. The bill passed the House of Delegates last week (83-55) and is awaiting further hearings in Senate. After the vote Del. Clarence Lam (D-Baltimore County/ Howard County) stated that “this is a needed bill that will ensure that state and local law enforcement will focus on enforcing state and local laws, ultimately make our communities safer, and prevent racial profiling.” Some politician such as Del. Herb McMillan (R-Anne Arundel) of Annapolis worry that this bill will make the state a sanctuary for criminals. “This is where our opposition to the Trust Act

is rooted, and on this point we refuse to yield,” he wrote in a an oped for the Capital Gazette as Governor Hogan plans to veto the bill. Crossing party lines requires a closer look at the bill; nothing in the bill blocks local officials from sharing information with federal authorities about an undocumented immigrant’s criminal record or responding to subpoenas. “The words “sanctuary city” (or county)

have no legal or clear-cut definition; they are political darts thrown for the purpose of suggesting a locality is soft on illegal immigration,” says an editorial in the Washington Post. “In fact, hundreds of cities and counties around the country have detailed and nuanced rules that determine the circumstances under which they do or don’t share with [federal authorities] certain information regarding undocumented immigrants.” Tahira Mussarat Hussain is on the Governor’s Committee on South Asian

Affairs and the former Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Howard County. She believes that the Maryland Trust Act will protect all immigrants, not just the Muslim community. “We are stronger together,” says Hussain. The subject is controversial for some documented immigrants who say that undocumented immigrants should get in a line and come in through the >> IMMIGRATION II Pg 14

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14 | CONTINUED SECURITY

>> continued from pg 10

and Yehuda Neuberger of The Baltimore Jewish Council. I read my testimony with my voice shaking at times as I thought of the faces of the children come to learn at Al Huda School. (see my testimony below) Neuberger asked the state to do whatever it can do to battle the hate. “It is an important part of our American culture to show our religious identity,” he added. A point he noted was that bills like these have a multiplier effect because while applying for grants school have to assess their security systems. Major Keith Tiedemann read an email that the Jewish Community Centers received that was so dehumanizing, it left me shuddering, with tears streaming down my face. The senator from Baltimore County, Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, immediately,

IMMIGRATION II

>> continued from pg 13

legal route. This argument is moot say immigrant rights activists as there is no line for immigrants from several countries. Many of the people who cross the border should be treated like refugees as they as trying to escape harsh realities in the countries of their origin. T h e M a r y l a n d Tr u s t A c t m a k e s our state stronger by creating a welcoming environment for all and by enhancing trust in government and local police, posted Del. Aruna Miller (D-Montgomery) on social media. Miller is an Indian-American immigrant. At the Interfaith Night in Annapolis, United Muslim Council and all of the Muslim councils in the other counties expressed support of the Maryland Trust Act.

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asked to be added as a cosponsor to the bill. Her district has a large Muslim population. She said threats have increased in her area.

March 22, 2017 at the Maryland Senate.

The support from the Senate committee make some believe that the bill will pass. Advocacy and activism is dire to health of our communities. I encourage all to get involved in their local, county and state issues. They directly affect the way we live our everyday lives. Civic engagement cannot come once every four years.

On behalf of the faculty, parents and student body of the Al-Huda School in College Park, Maryland, please accept our full support of Senator Manno’s legislation.

After coming back from the charming cobbled Annapolis, its statues of Thurgood Marshall and its bloody sacred shores where slaves ships loaded with Muslim ancestors landed, I reflected on the ayahs of Surah al Anaam. They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice – those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided.(6:82). We really need to address injustices in our communities, in our homes, and purge our belief of injustice. Only then can we find peace and security in our hearts, homes, places of worship and education. Here is my testimony, delivered on

“We have your back and you are the government, your state and your country,” said state Senator Roger Manno, speaking to a full hall at the Miller Senate building. District 16, State Senator Susan Lee, Chair of the Maryland Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus. “That is act that represents Maryland. We live in the state because we can be who we are,” she added. “This is our country and we will take it to even greater heights,” she said as she urged Senators to vote to pass the act. Del. Hasan Jalisi (D-Baltimore City) and two other delegates have not voted on the bill. Two votes are needed in the House to make this bill veto-proof. Rizwan Siddiqi, President of UMMC, hopes that the delegates change their minds about this important bill. The immigrant community and the Muslim community is looking at these delegates and their state senators to show their support for bill.

Dear Chairwoman Conway and Vice Chair Pinsky:

As a mother of four children who attend the Al Huda School, a fulltime accredited Islamic school for kindergarten through high school, having the support of the Maryland General Assembly and knowing you are working on this important legislation is very comforting to my community at this time. The number of hate groups specifically targeting Muslims in the US has nearly tripled in the past year with Islamophobic hate crime soaring, according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In the past, the Al Huda school was targeted for hate crimes like when a three-foot-high wooden cross was set afire on its front lawn. We have received online threats and just recently a man

dressed up as a fake police officer came to the campus and threatened staff. The latest FBI statistics show that hate crimes against Muslims grew by 67 percent in 2015. In Silver Spring, just last month, someone sent a note to two mosques offering to donate money to charity “for every Muslim slaughtered” and drew a stick figure depiction of someone being killed. Many of our school children and their families attend these places of worship. A particularly poignant moment for me was when children from our community wrote letters of support to the children who attend the Jewish Community Center, which had received bomb threats. One of the letter read, “we are with you because we understand what you are going through.” Hate crimes affect children in lasting ways. Any and all assistance in security upgrades at this time of increasing threats is deeply appreciated. Again, thank you Committee members and Senator Manno for introducing this important legislation, it has our full support.

There are some voices which should be muffled. But not yours. The Muslim Link is your voice. Support your voice.

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

COMMUNITY NEWS | 15 cannot establish anything … the Prophet's (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) masjid was a very humble space, but it connected the hearts.”

ICOM

>> continued from pg 5

The first call to chip away at the $80,000 target was for $5,000. Two hands went up at the same time. Over the next forty-five minutes, ICOM collected over $100,000 in cash and pledges. Patel said the money will be used to pay back a 'qard hasan' loan of $20,000, to pay contractors around $35,000 for remodeling the office space, and to pay the monthly lease and operating expenses for the coming year, estimated at around $40,000.

flex office space; there was hardly any open space on the pristine, freshly laid green carpet. On opening day, ICOM was operating at near maximum capacity. Javed Patel, a 39-year old entrepreneur who runs a construction business, is the president of ICOM and one of its founding members. He estimated fifty to seventyfive Muslim families live in the Owings Mills area of Baltimore County, but now that estimate is being revised. “Every single day since we opened the center, we are finding new brothers [coming to the masjid],” Patel told the Muslim Link. “This is long overdue. Over the last ten to fifteen years a lot of Muslim families moved out [to Owings Mills] for jobs,” said Patel, adding that the area is more attractive to families and young professionals than areas closer to Baltimore City like Catonsville and Woodlawn. The excitement generated by the new masjid was evident at ICOM's first fundraiser, held on Saturday, March 25,

BASKETBALL

>> continued from pg 6

causing confusion. “I want to know why I need a waiver stating that I am an observer of a certain religion,” Hayes said. “Doesn’t my hijab do that?” The extra attention from media made Hayes want to extend her advocacy beyond her own case to students from Jewish, Sikh and other faiths. “Religion should not be a barrier to sports,” says Hayes. The case is reminiscent of basketball player Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a Commerce High School graduate, who set a new record for the state of Massachusetts, finishing with 3,070 career points in five varsity seasons. “She made history by becoming the first NCAA Division-I athlete to play in a basketball game while wearing hijab — covering her arms and legs with

2017. The masjid was full with around one-hundred-fifty Muslims eager to contribute towards the $80,000 goal. Most of the guests seemed to be active members of the much larger and well endowed ISB community. “Most of us including the families who established ICOM have strong ties to the ISB community,” said Patel, whose father-in-law is Maqbool Patel, one of the most recognizable leaders at ISB. After Sulaiman Mian opened the program with a recitation of the last three ayaat of Surah Al-Munafiqoon, ISB resident scholar Shaykh Yaseen Shaikh explained

long sleeves, with a headscarf to cover her hair,” shares Muslim sports writer, Amaar Abdul-Nasir, on the Ummah Sports. He explains that at college level hijab is allowed because “in 2004, University of South Florida forward Andrea Armstrong won the right to wear hijab after challenging a team rule prohibiting it, but she left the team before appearing in a game.” “I’ve been dreaming to play pro my whole life, and little did I know that my hijab, the same thing that made me accomplish things that I’ve accomplished so far...was the same hijab that was going to prevent me from reaching my dream,” said AbdulQaadir at the ICNA convention in 2015. Her attire didn’t present an issue when she was in high school or college but started to once she began pursuing a pro career. FIBA, basketball's global governing body, states that "players shall not wear equipment (objects) that may cause injury to other players” —this includes hijab. Like many other Muslim women athletes, Hayes and Abdul Qadir wear a close-

the opportunity in front of the assembled guests. “We often speak about the 'pioneers' in glowing terms … and there is a [special distinction] for those first Muslims who congregated at the home of Al-Arqam … and Allah gives special mention of the 'forerunners' … the 'sabiqoon'. We have an opportunity here that when the history of Islam in Baltimore is written, we can be fully included. This is not just another fundraiser, this is history, it is a first step in the unity of Muslims in this area,” explained Shaykh Yaseen. “If our hearts and minds are not together we

fitting hijab and cover while playing. Hayes is not demotivated by this incident but says that she has a hunger to succeed and take her game far. She also wants to make sure that the rule is changed nationally. “We want the assurance this will not happen again,” stated Chaudry. “The governing bodies who make these rules just have to keep in mind they cannot discriminate against players because of their religious beliefs,” Chaudry said. A Google search for sports hijabs reveals a list of companies selling headgear for Muslim women. Active Muslim women and athletes use brands such as Sukoon and Liawear Action, custom fitness apparel for modest women, to use during workouts and games. Recently, sports brands giant Nike launched a sports hijab line, which garnered applause but also generated concerns about the labor ethics in the Muslim community. “Lots of Muslim sisters around the world sell high quality athletic wear....see if you can find something you like in our community

Asked if he sees a more permanent community center for ICOM in the near future, Patel said “one-hundred percent that is the vision.” He hopes to secure a 7-10 acre property as a permanent spiritual and social home for Owings Mills Muslims “definitely within five years.” Currently, the new ICOM site holds the five daily prayers, usually led by one of Patel's two sons, ages 13 and 14, who are graduates of the ISB's hifz program. To learn more about ICOM or to donate, visit their website at icommd.org .

before you spend with Nike,” comments Malikah Karim. Hayes and her mom have been shopping for sport hijab. She won't be buying Nike by fabric that is wearable. Not the floating head some coverage in the front and back. Back in Maryland, a statement released by Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association read that “unfortunately, the officials made a strict interpretation of the National Federation of State High Schools playing rules for basketball instead of the spirit of the rule designed to ensure safety and competitive fairness.” The association agreed that Haynes should not be stopped from playing and are working with the family to make sure it does not happen again. The teen athlete's mother, Carlitta FosterHayes says that the family is working with advocacy organizations to add addendums for uniformed hijab for sports. Petitions by the Maryland Civic Coalition and Color of Change were delivered to NFHS to advocate for national change with support from Maryland state senators and representatives.

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16 | COMMUNITY NEWS IRHSCA

>> continued from pg 5

to survive. The center, which s location in an economically disadvantaged area, needed to pay back taxes and other urgent financial obligations.

A shahadah took place in at the event. The new Muslim brother was gifted books and a thobe and invited to learn more at the free classes held at IRHSCA, while food catered by Sweet Tooth was served.

March 31st - April 27th 2017

Urgent DroUght relief text to donate

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Omar Kareem of Banneker Ventures and Ustadha Iesha Prime gave passionate, iman boosting speeches. Ustadha Prime conducted the fundraising and the first donation of $15,000 came within the first minute.

(763)515-9645

The goal was for $60,000 and the target was achieved with about half that amount collected on the spot.

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In a conversation with the Muslim Link, the Chairman of the Shura, Rashidah Abdul-Haqq, addressed the recent lawsuit with the current owner of the property in Capitol Heights. On Friday, before the event, IRHSCA won a court victory, in which the Confession of Judgment by the original owners’ heirs, was dismissed. “They deceived us,” stated Imam Talib. IRHSCA was assessed taxes as the property is located on several small lots. New paperwork has been filed and the centers’ non-profit status is back in order. Imam Talib, who works full time as a chef at Sweet Tooth, admits that rookie mistakes were made in the past but the hiring of a lawyer and an accountant is helping the center run its operations in a much smoother manner. An IT person is still needed. “We have big needs,” said Abdul-Haqq. A Senior Nutritional Lunch Program and Social for community members age sixty and older takes place on the third Wednesday of each month. Other programs continuously serve those in need in the community. Attending since the masjid she attended in Southeast DC burnt down in 2000, Malikah Yousuf says the community is

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steadily growing. “They do a lot to help people,” said Yousuf. "The Imam and the center do [so] much for the brothers and sisters... he does counseling, they help with financial problems in addition to the religious stuff...even my children's mother took her shahadah just based on the relationship she saw that I had with the Imam. It feels like a family, nobody's looking down on you on where you come from - we're all just striving and trying to do better than what we've been doing,”

shared community member, Abbas. Speaker Jameel Aalim-Johnson highlighted different forms of power: he started with the Islamic belief that power belongs to Allah, and then explained that no piece of paper, such as the constitution, can guarantee rights. “The will and organization of the people determines those rights,” he advised. Aalim-Johnson referred to the Muslim ban and discussed the court ordered stay on this new version as well. “What is

the benefit when you do not implement those rights?” he asked the crowd at the fundraiser. “I love coming to my home away from home. It is family and helps me become a better person,” shared Khadeejah Everhart, who comes to the center for free Sunday classes for six years, after she took her shahadah at the Benning Road masjid.

March 31st - April 27th 2017

HEALTH & FAMILY | 17

Labor of Love: Midwife Delivers Comfort, Care to New Mothers possible. As a result of her interactions with me, my husband and I both wanted her to be present at the birth of our child.” Fleming works at Special Beginnings in Arnold, Maryland which is a Birth and Women's center. “We provide pre-natal care. Lactation services, and everything from menses to menopause,” says Fleming. The number of births that take place outside of a hospital setting spiked by 60 percent between 2004 and 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter There is a need for certified midwives in the Muslim community as many Muslim women want the option of giving birth with the aid of a midwife. The Muslim Link features a Muslim midwife Melissa Fleming on her journey to Islam and midwivery. Melissa Fleming didn’t intend on becoming a midwife, she is a trained event planner. Midwifing is a lifestyle. It is also a philosophy — the mothers are asked to trust their body’s ability to give birth. A midwife catches the baby as it is born, by the will of Allah, neither she nor the mother ‘delivers’ the baby. The birth of her nephew in 1996 gave her a sweet taste of the birthing process. She says, “the work of the midwives sparked in her a drive to play a role in helping families to grow and for women to feel safe and positive in their birthing experiences.” After marriage and a baby made traveling for conferences tough for a nursing mom, she left that career. Fleming became a doula and a Childbirth Educator. She and her husband started teaching childbirth preparation classes to couples seeking focus on the Muslim perspective of family and birth. Wanting to work to help support her growing family, she started teaching at her children's Islamic school. The native New Yorker came to Maryland when she was 10. She became interested in the religion in High School in her women's studies class. She would see pictures of women dressed in black in the desert and was taught that they were the most oppressed women in the world. “I thought they must really believe what they believe to wear that,” she says. She attended Towson University where she accepted Islam at the age of 23. As a sophomore in college, she interned at Walt Disney World. First time away from

home, she bought a Quran. “I read Surah Fatiha... and I was sold,” she says. Her family was stunned, afraid for her; they thought she was going to be ‘one of those oppressed women’. They thought it was a phase, but now have come to terms to her Islam. “I am a better daughter as a Muslim,” says Fleming. Her mother appreciates her moral compass and was ecstatic when Fleming decided to attend nursing school. Due to widespread stereotypes about Islam and women’s education, they were apprehensive of that she was going to waste the mind that her parents had cultivated for so many years. Fleming is a nurse midwife. ‘My mother is really proud of me. I didn't want to become a nurse I went to nursing school to become a midwife.’ A short stint as a doula introduced her to the heady experience of witnessing childbirth. ‘ Maryland law states that you have to be a registered nurse to be a midwife. My mother is proud of the way I am raising my children and proud of the way I am using my mind as a health care provider.’ Most pregnancies are healthy. It is a normal process of life. First time moms need guidance and supervision. “There is something special about trusting the process and knowing that everything will be okay,” says Fleming. Midwifery care is a great option for Muslim women because they are more likely to have a women for their OBGYN care. “We will

empower you and will not make you feel guilty or bad. More inclined with our spiritual beliefs [and] we are trained to be culturally competent,” she advises. “Musim women need this option,” says Eva Imran, a mother of young children. Imran thinks doctors have made C-sections routine. “A midwife doesn’t treat pregnancy as an illness or an impend ing medical disaster. A Muslim midwife intuitively can care for a Muslimas’ needs because of her emphasis on the natural process of birth as related to our religi on,” she says. Imran belives that aMuslim midwife understands, intuitively, the need for priv acy, modesty and gentle encouragement rather than intense ultimatums. “Many Muslim friends expressed great frus tration in finding an obstetrician who could provide them with the birth vision they desired, instead of subjecting them to mandatory fetal tests, ultrasounds and undesired delivery methods,” stresses Imran. A midwife will help an expecting mother learn how to reduce chances of needing a cesarean birth, avoid an episiotomy, and gain control over labor. Unlike a doctor's office, she provides half an hour long appointments. Melissa Carry, a patient of Fleming, states that “From the moment I met with her, her warmth, positivity and professionalism made a strong impact on me and my husband. She helped me to feel prepared, confident and optimistic about my birth choices as I wanted to do everything as natural and safely as

Fleming says that a big misconception about hospital birth is that the nurses and doctors are there to comfort you. “It’s great if the team you get is supportive and friendly, but many times they are not,” she says. “We seek to make people comfortable,” says Fleming. Home births to water births- midwives see it all. “We will hold you, massage you, and comfort you,” says Fleming, who is also an American College of Nurse-Midwives Public Relations Officer for Maryland. There is also intense fear around the birthing process, which makes process so much harder. Zoe Black, a recent college graduate felt very ‘in the dark’ about her reproductive and gynecological health. Fleming helped her with her many questions and reassured Black whenever she found her confused or nervous. “In her exam room I always feel respected, cared for, and important. She has been one of the best [healthcare providers] I've ever had the pleasure of receiving treatment from and I hope to continue to be seen by her for years to come,” adds Black. People don't have good understanding of being a midwife. They think of “the back country lady stereotype with stuff in a bag.” They often confuse them for doulas. Midwives are women's health care providers with advanced degrees and graduate training. “We have to pass a 5 hour board exam,” says Fleming. >> LOVE Pg 25

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

National News

MarchNATIONAL 3rd - MarchNEWS 30th, 2017 | 19

Muslims at the Crossroads: Think Tank Releases Report On Attitudes, Opinions of American Muslims By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Muslims in America are young, diverse, faithful, targets of discrimination, concerned about civil rights, care about the Black Lives Movement and twice as likely to be poor than the general public. The Newseum hosted the launch of the second American Muslim Poll: Muslims at Crossroads by think tank Institute of Social Policy and Understanding, better known as ISPU. The survey was based on the interviews with 2,400 American Christians, Jews and about 800 Muslims. It was conducted in January for a span of two weeks around inauguration time. The poll results were presented by ISPU Director of Research Dalia Mogahed. Al Jazeera host, British journalist Mehdi Hasan, moderated the panel following the presentation. It was no surprise that American Muslims are the most likely faith group in the US to condemn violence against civilians. Sixty-percent of Muslim reported being targeted for discrimination. Muslim women are discriminated against and are anxious about being targeted for their religious beliefs. According to Mogahed, nearly 1 in 2 American Muslim women fear for their safety. This has spurred many women to take martial arts classes. "Who would've expected Trump election to lead roughly 300,000 Muslims to sign up for martial arts classes?" quipped Hasan on the results. One finding that took people by surprise was that American Muslims do not have a dominant race. Imam Johari Abdul Malik channeling Dr Martin Luther King, said that Friday at noon was the most diverse hour in America. . The poll reflected the work of Muslim anti-racism organizations, as Muslims

showed the most support for the Black Lives Matter movement, with 66 percent reporting support compared to 58 percent of Jewish Americans and less than 39 percent of Catholics and Protestants. More work is needed on highlighting the anti-racist teachings of the religion, as Black Muslims were equally likely to experience racism from other Muslims, as Black Christians are from non Black Christians. Not only did Muslim children face the most religious-based bullying in schools, twenty four percent were bullied by the very teachers and administrators entrusted with their care. Dr. Zainab Chaudry, Maryland Outreach Manager for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, speaking on the panel informed the audience of a case in Maryland where a elementary school child was told by his classroom teacher that he was responsible for 9/11. American Muslims have moved on from the ‘voting is haram’ rhetoric but are still the least likely faith group to vote, mainly due to lack of quality candidates. Dalia Mogahed, director of research at ISPU, said to the Muslim Link that Muslim communities need to continue to push for voter registration drives. Political leaning matched last year’s numbers as more Muslims leaned Democrat, with Sen Bernie Sanders as first pick. The 2017 poll revealed that 15 percent Muslims voted for Donald Trump. Muslims in the United States are young — many of us are 30 years or younger. Young Muslims are not as alienated from their faith as members of other groups but are not connected to their local masajid. They attend religious services

>> MUSLIMS II Pg 25

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

World Press

WORLD PRESS | 21

Panic Spreads in Iraq, Syria as Record Numbers of Civilians are Reported Killed in U.S. Strikes States has flouted rules requiring it to protect civilians. In both countries, local politicians and activists say the high numbers of deaths are spreading alarm among civilians and sewing distrust of the U.S.-backed campaign advancing toward their homes.

By Loveday Morris and Liz Sly

The Washington Post, March 28, 2017

MOSUL, Iraq — A sharp rise in the number of civilians reported killed in U.S.-led airstrikes in Iraq and Syria is spreading panic, deepening mistrust and triggering accusations that the United States and its partners may be acting with an unprecedented disregard for lives of noncombatants.

“People used to feel safe when the American planes were in the sky, because they knew they didn’t hit civilians,” said Hussam Essa, a founder of Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, which monitors violence in Raqqa province. “They were only afraid of the Russian and regime planes. But now they are very afraid of the American airstrikes.”

The escalation comes as local ground forces backed by air support from a U.S.-led coalition close in on the Islamic State’s two main urban bastions — Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq. In front-line neighborhoods in western Mosul, families described cowering in basements for weeks as bombs rained down around them and the Islamic State battled from their rooftops. Across the border in Raqqa, residents desperately trying to flee before an offensive begins are being blocked by the militants, who frequently use civilians as human shields. Throughout his election campaign, President Trump pledged to target Islamic State militants more aggressively, criticizing the U.S. air campaign for being too “gentle” and asking for a reassessment

A m e r i c a n p l a n e s a r e “ t a rg e t i n g everywhere,” he said. of battlefield rules. The United States has denied there has been any shift and defended the conduct of its campaign. But figures compiled by monitoring organizations and interviews with residents paint an increasingly bloody picture, with the number of casualties in March already surpassing records for a single month.

The worst alleged attack was in Mosul, where rescue teams are still digging out bodies after what residents describe as a hellish onslaught in the Mosul al-Jadida neighborhood during the battle to retake it two weeks ago. Iraqi officials and residents say as many as 200 died in U.S. -led strikes, with more than 100 bodies recovered from a single building. The U.S.-led coalition says it is investigating the reports but has acknowledged carrying out a strike against militants in the area. The wooden carts that residents use to carry vegetables and other wares in the once busy market area instead ferried out cadavers recovered from the rubble last week. Amnesty International on Tuesday said the coalition was not taking sufficient precautions to prevent civilian deaths in Mosul, in a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law. It was just one of numerous incidents across Iraq and Syria in recent weeks that have raised concerns that the United

According to the U.K.-based organization Airwars, which tracks allegations of civilian deaths in airstrikes, out of 1,257 claims of deaths in U.S.-led coalition airstrikes this month, a record 337 have been assessed as being “fair,” meaning that there is a reasonable level of public reporting of the alleged incident from two or more generally credible sources and that strikes have been confirmed in the vicinity on the day in question. “The scale of the destruction is huge, and we are reeling from the number of alleged cases, not just in Mosul but in Raqqa, too,” said Chris Woods, the director of Airwars. “Casualty numbers from western Mosul are absolutely shocking. In Syria it’s a car here, a family there. It happens every day.” The group has stopped monitoring Russian strikes in Syria, in order to focus on accusations linked to the U.S.led coalition, saying its organization is overwhelmed. In the first two months of the year, U.S. strikes were responsible for more civilian casualties than Russian strikes for the first time since Russia

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March 31st - April 27th 2017

22 | CONTINUED intervened in 2015, according to Airwars figures. Russian strikes are now climbing again as a partial cease-fire collapses. “In Raqqa they haven’t yet completed the encircling, and yet there’s been a huge jump in reported casualties from coalition strikes since Trump,” Woods said. “That is an indication that the U.S. is taking less care.” Woods said the intensification began during the Obama administration but escalated under Trump. In December, the U.S.-led coalition delegated approval to battlefield commanders in Mosul, speeding up the responsiveness of strikes after a tough battle for the eastern part of the city. The coalition says strikes are subject to the same scrutiny. “The death of innocent civilians in war is a terrible tragedy that weighs heavily on all of us,” said Col. Joseph Scrocca, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Baghdad, adding that the United States works within the laws of armed conflict. “We set the highest standards for protecting civilians and our dedication, diligence and discipline in prosecuting our combat operations, while protecting civilians, is without precedence in the history of warfare.” The escalation of U.S. strikes around the city of Raqqa ramped up in February as the United States intensified efforts to train and equip a Syrian force in preparation for an offensive against the city, expected to begin in the coming months. In March, the tempo increased further, with more sites being targeted that have no obvious military value, according to a Syrian living in Turkey who is from Raqqa and is in regular contact with his family and friends who are still there. “They are hitting everything that isn’t a small house,” he said, including the barges that ferry passengers across the river dividing the city now that the bridges have been disabled. Among the bigger incidents was a strike last week on a school sheltering displaced people in the town of Mansoura outside Raqqa that killed at least 30 people, according to monitoring groups. An attack on a mosque in western Aleppo that the U.S. military said was aimed at known al-Qaeda operatives also appears

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In Iraq and Syria, residents and activists say there has also been a discernible shift in the kinds of targets being hit — with infrastructure such as hospitals and schools coming under fire.

to have killed dozens of people attending prayers, according to witness accounts and monitoring groups. A wave of continued attacks in the past week in the small town of Tabqa has added to a record toll of 101 civilians killed by U.S. strikes from the beginning of the month to March 21, Essa said. He provided the names of 41 people alleged

Tabqa is a crucial step on the path to Raqqa, and it is the current focus of the battle. Reports that the Tabqa dam have also been hit by airstrikes during the fighting have further contributed to the sense of panic after the Islamic State issued a warning on Sunday that the dam could burst.

“We were terrified every time we’d hear the sound of an airplane that they’d bomb us all,” she said as she fled the city last week.

to have been killed in a three-day period last week in strikes that hit a bakery, a carwash, a slaughterhouse and other targets. In Iraq and Syria, residents and activists say there has also been a discernible shift in the kinds of targets being hit — with infrastructure such as hospitals and schools coming under fire. The U.S.-led coalition contends that militants are increasingly using such protected buildings as bases for attack, knowing that there are restrictions on bombing them under U.S. rules of engagement.

Downstream from the dam, residents are terrified by the intensified bombing and of the risk of a dam breach, the Syrian said. His family is desperate to escape, but the Islamic State has erected checkpoints to prevent people from fleeing. “People don’t know what to do,” he said. In Iraq, too, civilians are trapped as Iraqi forces push into the most densely packed areas of Mosul, including the Old City, where an estimated 400,000 people are trapped in old structures on narrow streets.

The United Nations said that at least 307 civilians have been killed and 273 wounded in western Mosul since Feb. 17, warning Iraqi security forces and the coalition to avoid falling into the Islamic State’s “trap” as the group deliberately puts civilians in danger. With a large amount of artillery and ordnance being fired into the city, though, it is also hard to ascertain which deaths the coalition is responsible for, Woods said. Iraqi commanders, who call in airstrikes from the U.S.-led coalition, say its difficult for them to know whether civilians are in houses when many are stuck inside for weeks at a time and it is not possible to see them through drone surveillance. Lt. Gen. Abdul Ghani al-Asadi, commander of Iraq’s counterterrorism units, said the troops are instead relying on tips from those fleeing as to which houses have civilians inside. Still, Mosul Eye, a monitoring group in the city, said it had warned Iraqi forces that civilians were trapped in homes in Mosul al-Jadida days before the U.S. strike there and sent coordinates. Amnesty International said that because the government has told residents to stay in their homes, the U.S.-led coalition should have known that strikes would be likely to result in significant numbers of civilian casualties. For civilians, many of whom are trapped and unable to leave, the situation is dire. Nour Mohammed’s family of 23 people hid in a basement in western Mosul for nearly two weeks as explosions rang out around them, crammed into an area of just 12 square meters. Islamic State militants forced the family to keep the front door open so that they could move in and out of the building freely and fend off the advancing Iraqi forces from the roof. “We were terrified every time we’d hear the sound of an airplane that they’d bomb us all,” she said as she fled the city last week. Sly reported from Beirut. Mustafa Salim in Mosul contributed to this report.

March 31st - April 27th 2017

ISLAM | 23

How Can We Prepare For The Arrival Of Ramadan? [Ramadan will start around May 26, 2017, in shaa Allah. The practice of the pious generations which preceded us was to prepare their hearts, minds, and bodies for Ramadan in the two months before Ramadan. We are in those two months. – TML] Praise be to Allah. Firstly:

gates of Hell are closed. It is the month of the Qur’aan and of decisive battles in the history of our religion.

You have done well to ask this question, because you have asked how to prepare for the month of Ramadan. Many people misunderstand the true nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadan, lest they miss out on some food or prices go up. They prepare by buying food, preparing drinks and looking at the satellite TV guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore. They are truly unaware of the real nature of fasting in Ramadan; they take worship and piety out of the month and make it just for their bellies and their eyes. Secondly: Others are aware of the real nature of fasting in the month of Ramadan, so they start to prepare from Sha’baan, and some of them even start before that. Among the best ways of preparing for the month of Ramadan are: 1 – Sincere repentance This is obligatory at all times, but because of the approach of a great and blessed month, it is even more important to hasten to repent from sins between you and your Lord, and between you and other people by giving them their rights, so that when the blessed month begins you may busy yourself with acts of worship with a clean heart and peace of mind. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): {And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful} [al-Noor 24:31] It was narrated from al-Agharr ibn Yasaar (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “O people, repent to Allah

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Qur’aan); — therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass} [Yoonus 10:58] 4 – Discharging the duty of any outstanding obligatory fasts It was narrated that Abu Salamah said: I heard ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) say: I would owe fasts from the previous Ramadan and I would not be able to make them up except in Sha’baan. [Reported by: Bukhari 1849 & Muslim 1146]

The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’baan is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.

for I repent to Him one hundred times each day.”[Reported by: Muslim] (2702). 2 – Du’aa’ (supplication) It was narrated from some of the salaf that they used to pray to Allah for six months that they would live until Ramadan, then they would pray for five months afterwards that He would accept it from them. The Muslim should ask his Lord to let him

live until Ramadan with a strong religious commitment and good physical health, and he should ask Him to help him obey Him during the month, and ask Him to accept his good deeds from Him. 3 – Rejoicing at the approach of the blessed month The arrival of Ramadan is one of the great blessings that Allah bestows upon His Muslim slave, because Ramadan is one of the occasions of good in which the gates of Paradise are opened and the

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said: From her keenness to do that in Sha’baan it may be understood that it is not permissible to delay making them up until another Ramadan begins. Fath al-Baari (4/191). 5 – Seeking knowledge in order to be able to follow the rulings on fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadan. 6 – Hastening to complete any tasks that may distract the Muslim from doing acts of worship. 7 – Sitting with one’s family members – wife and children – to tell them of the rulings on fasting and encourage the young ones to fast. 8 – Preparing some books which can be read at home or given to the imam of the mosque to read to the people during Ramadan.

>> RAMADAN Pg 25

....

24 |

March 31st - April 27th 2017

ISLAM

Salaah times for March 31st - April 27th, 2017

If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth 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.

Source: Islamicfinder.org

Date

Day

Fajr

Sunrise

Dhuhr

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

March 31

Fri

05:40 AM

06:31 AM

12:38 PM

04:06 PM

07:31 PM

08:46 PM

April 1

Sat

05:39 AM

06:53 AM

01:13 PM

04:47 PM

07:32 PM

08:47 PM

Sun

05:37 AM

06:52 AM

01:12 PM

04:47 PM

07:33 PM

08:48 PM

Mon

05:35 AM

06:50 AM

01:12 PM

04:48 PM

07:33 PM

08:49 PM

Tue

05:34 AM

06:49 AM

01:12 PM

04:48 PM

07:34 PM

08:50 PM

Wed

05:32 AM

06:47 AM

01:12 PM

04:48 PM

07:35 PM

08:51 PM

Thu

05:30 AM

06:46 AM

01:11 PM

04:49 PM

07:36 PM

08:52 PM

Fri

05:28 AM

06:44 AM

01:11 PM

04:49 PM

07:37 PM

08:53 PM

Sat

05:27 AM

06:43 AM

01:11 PM

04:49 PM

07:38 PM

08:55 PM

Sun

05:25 AM

06:41 AM

01:10 PM

04:49 PM

07:39 PM

08:56 PM

Mon

05:23 AM

06:40 AM

01:10 PM

04:50 PM

07:40 PM

08:57 PM

Tue

05:22 AM

06:38 AM

01:10 PM

04:50 PM

07:41 PM

08:58 PM

Wed

05:20 AM

06:37 AM

01:10 PM

04:50 PM

07:42 PM

08:59 PM

Thu

05:18 AM

06:35 AM

01:09 PM

04:51 PM

07:43 PM

09:00 PM

Fri

05:16 AM

06:34 AM

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04:51 PM

07:44 PM

09:02 PM

Sat

05:15 AM

06:32 AM

01:09 PM

04:51 PM

07:45 PM

09:03 PM

Sun

05:13 AM

06:31 AM

01:09 PM

04:51 PM

07:46 PM

09:04 PM

Mon

05:11 AM

06:29 AM

01:08 PM

04:52 PM

07:47 PM

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Tue

05:10 AM

06:28 AM

01:08 PM

04:52 PM

07:48 PM

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Wed

05:08 AM

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Thu

05:06 AM

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09:09 PM

Fri

05:05 AM

06:24 AM

01:07 PM

04:53 PM

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09:10 PM

Sat

05:03 AM

06:22 AM

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04:53 PM

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09:11 PM

Sun

05:01 AM

06:21 AM

01:07 PM

04:53 PM

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09:13 PM

Mon

05:00 AM

06:20 AM

01:07 PM

04:53 PM

07:54 PM

09:14 PM

Tue

04:58 AM

06:18 AM

01:07 PM

04:53 PM

07:55 PM

09:15 PM

Wed

04:57 AM

06:17 AM

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Thu

04:55 AM

06:16 AM

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07:57 PM

09:18 PM

OUR FUTURE

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER

HASSAN SHIBLY

Chief Executive Director of CAIR Florida ....

March 31st - April 27th 2017 MUSLIMS

>> continued from pg 19

less frequently than do older Muslims. “It may also reflect that young people often have less flexible jobs, making attending noon-time Friday congregational prayer more difficult,”said Mogahed. Another reason for this could be access to regular religious services is limited compared to the number of options for other faith groups. The poll also took a look at secondary screening at borders. Muslims were stopped twice as much as the general public; seven out of ten of those Muslims were easily identifiable as Muslims when they were stopped. Everyone

LOVE

CONTINUED | 25 and their uncle shares anecdotes about “flying while Muslim” but this poll gives statistical proof of profiling. Despite high levels of discrimination, a vast majority of men and women did not change their appearance to look “less Muslims” after the election, according to the poll. The pool is a vital tool for those who handle resources for masajid and Muslim community centers. Men and women attend religious services at the same rate so Mogahed urges Muslim masajid boards to allocate the same amount of space and resources. Muslim religious leaders and masjid boards also need to focus on the 18-29 age group which stops coming to Jummah statistic and dedicate resources to facilitate access to services.

Eighteen percent of Muslims made plans to leave the country after the election,“if it becomes necessary” —roughly onefifth of Muslims under 30. More Muslim women were the ones making the plans for leaving for their families, than Muslim men. “This is a measure of fear for one's safety and anxiety about the threats to one's community. It is not a measure of how "American" people feel. Nor did anyone say they'd go to the Middle East. There's a reason Canada's immigration page crashed the night of the election,” reported Mogahed. According to the report, “Domestic violence occurs in the Muslim community as often as it does in Christian and non affiliated communities, but Muslim victims are more likely to involve faith

While she loves loves dealing with the beauty of birth, Fleming is well aware of the risk that come with it. “We deal with normal births. If we perceive that there is something abnormal in pregnancy, delivery, or the mother is not coping well. Then we are partnered with doctors and refer the moms to an obstetrician. I love the doctors that I work with and I need them. I am humble enough to say to a patient “you need to see a doctor,” she adds.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a bill in March 2015 that licensed directentry midwives and made it legal for them to attend to home births. The legislation sets stricter education requirements than past bills that failed, said Del. Ariana Kelly, the Montgomery County Democrat who is sponsored the bill in the House. The legislation also lists procedures for midwives to follow if what looks like a low-risk birth takes a bad turn. There are 243 nurse-midwives in the state but only six to eight do home births, according to a testimony by Shirley Devaris of Maryland's Board of Nursing at a state senate hearing last year.

“Being supported by a midwife during my pregnancy and birth was such a pleasant experience. I'd never do it another way,” says Megan Morgan, a mom who gave birth under Fleming’s care. “Although she was not on call at the time that I was preparing to deliver when she found out I was approaching active labor she went out of her way to come out and deliver our baby. I felt so relieved and grateful that she was there. She helped me to feel empowered when I started to doubt myself and helped me to have an amazing birth experience,” shares Carry.

RAMADAN

in any month than in Sha’baan. [Reported by: Bukhari 1868 & Muslim 1156]

is like Sunnah prayers offered beforehand in relation to the obligatory prayer; they prepare the soul for performing the obligatory action, and the same may be said of fasting Sha’baan before Ramadan.

>> continued from pg 17

>> continued from pg 23

9 – Fasting some of the month of Sha’baan in preparation for fasting Ramadan. It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we said: He will not break his fast, and he used not to fast until we said: He will not fast. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) complete a month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more

It was narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any month as you fast in Sha’baan? He said: “That is a month that people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan, but it is a month in which people’s deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds and I would like my deeds to be taken up when I am fasting.” [Authenticated as Isnadhu Hasan by: Albani] This hadeeth explains the wisdom behind fasting in Sha’baan, which is that it is a month in which deeds are taken up (to Allah). Some of the scholars mentioned another reason, which is that this fasting

leaders.” This requires training for imams and more emphatic training on domestic violence. “More people are reporting these issues to their imams,” said Mogahed. Families and vIctims also need more awareness on how to respond. Shattering popular misconceptions of ‘very rich Muslim friends’, and a deviation from the 2007 Pew research poll on American Muslims, in 2017 Muslims in America are most likely of the faith groups to report low income, with 37 percent of Muslims of Arab descent reporting. Muslims are donating to local domestic relief at roughly the same rate as they are to overseas relief efforts. The full report is available for download at http://www.ispu.org/public-policy/ american-muslim-poll/ .

than just a patient. She was very patient and helpful delivering my baby. she was the only midwife that I was never introduced to prior to me going into labor. But when I went into labor, I was introduced to her and it was like we already met before. She was calm and understanding. I went through 24 hours of labor, ...I thank God for Melissa,” says new mom Jasmine Thompson. To reach Melissa Fleming for your special beginning visit www.specialbeginnings. com

“Her care made me feel like I was more

10 – Reading Qur’aan Salamah ibn Kuhayl said: It was said that Sha’baan was the month of the Qur’aan readers. When Sha’baan began, ‘Amr ibn Qays would close his shop and free his time for reading Qur’aan. Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said: The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Sha’baan is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the

month of harvesting the crops. He also said: The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Sha’baan is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Sha’baan, how can he reap in Ramadan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Sha’baan if you are seeking Ramadan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do? And Allah is the Source of strength. Source: Islam Q&A

....

26 | 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Madani Masjid 43083 John Mosby Hwy., Chantilly, VA 20152 Tel: 571-969-2123|www.ziacademy.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Masjid 26243 Gum Spring Road, Chantilly, VA 20152 Tel: 571-969-2123|www.ziacademy.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Badr Community Center Of Dumfries: 17794 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Tel: 703-554-7983 www.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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Moroccan American community Organization Center 5697 Columbia pike , #200 Falls Church , VA 22041 Info@macous.org | www.macous.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., Richmond, VA 23235 Tel: 804-320-7333 www.icva1.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

....

March 31st - April 27th 2017

MASJID LISTING Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond 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 Ummah of Fredericksburg Masjid Ar Raja 10127 Piney Branch Rd, Spotsylvania, VA 22553 sheikh.ummah@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Heritage Center (IHC): 262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Falah 14918 Jefferson Davis Hwy Woodbridge, VA 22191 Tel: 703-490-2220|masjidal-falah.com WASHINGTON D.C. Ivy City Masjid: 2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202-904-9668 E-mail: masjidivycity@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832 www.masjidmuhammad.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------The Islamic Center: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343 www.theislamiccenter.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim Comm. Center: 4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20011 www.firsthijrah.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-islam: 4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20019 E-mail: Imammusa@hotmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------New Africa Islamic Community Center of Washington. DC. 1628 Good Hope Road, SE Washington, DC. 20020 202.678-1881 | www.naiccdc.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Darr ul Tawheed 3765 First St SE Washington DC 20032 202-248-4628 Islamicheritage123@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.C.:

Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 MARYLAND

Islamic Society Of Annapolis: 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 200 S. Calhoun Street Baltimore, MD 21223 email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Dawah Center, Inc: 1910 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 410-945-1515 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Ibn Rabah Hall 4903 Liberty Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21207 www.islamicleadership.org/bilal --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar ul Uloom: 6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, Tel: 410-493-0785 Email: Darululoommd@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Gwynn Oak Islamic Community (Masjid Al Ihsan) 3723 Gwynn Oak Ave Baltimore, Maryland 21207 www.gicoak.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------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: 443-804-5620 --------------------------------------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Nigeria Muslim Council A project of Brentwood Islamic Center

4411 41st Street, Brentwood, MD 20722 Tel: 301-887-0901 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Fatima 1928 Powers Lane Catonsville MD, 21228 Tel: 410 800 4880 Email: info@masjidfatima.com www.masjidfatima.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------IRHSCA: 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 | www.irhsca.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Easton 126 Port Street Unit # 1 Easton, MD 21601 Tel: 410-829 7924 islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Maryum Islamic Center (MIC) 9150 Rumsey Rd., Suite A-4 Columbia MD 21045 Tel: 443-574-5188 www.maryumcenter.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------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): 19825 Blunt Rd., Germantown, MD 20874 Tel: 301-540-4748 | www.isgtown.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah: 8000 Mlk Highway, Glenarden MD Tel: 301-322-8105 --------------------------------------------------------------------------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.: 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD, 20706, Tel: 301-459-4942 www.pgmamd.org E-mail: Imam@pgmamd.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turkish American Community Center

Diyanet Center of America 9704 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706 www.diyanetamerica.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------La Plata Masjid: 111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769 --------------------------------------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center of Owings Mills 11436 Cronhill Drive, Unit 4A Owings Mills, MD 21117 icommd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County

P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 | Tel: 240 603 4618 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Community Center of Potomac 10601River Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.iccpmd.com | 301-983-0383 E-mail: info@iccpmd.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (ISWA): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 | www.iswamd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Education Society of Maryland 11504 Veirs Mills Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Tel: 301- 933-3838 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Community Center (MCC): 15200 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905 Tel: 301-384-3454 | www.mccmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------IMAAM Center (Indonesian Muslim Association of America): 9100 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 20910 Tel: 301-588-0693 | www.imaam.org Email: infoimaam@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid An-nur: 5418 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162 Tel: 410-663-9637 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 3117 Rices Lane Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 443-845-3504 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. Listing is organized by name of city.

March 31st - April 27th 2017

Upcoming Events In Your Area Almaghrib Class: Collector's Education Sahih al-Bukhari Friday, March 31, 2017 07:00pm - 10:00pm Shaykh Yasir Qadhi will be teaching Sahih Bukhari weekend of March 31st to April 2nd 2017. Location : Dar Al-Taqwa, 10740 Route 108, Ellicott City, Maryland, 21042 Contact: www.nurayn.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Diyanet Community Appreciation Luncheon Saturday, April 01, 2017 02:00pm - 05:00pm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Diyanet Center of America cordially invites you to the First Annual Community Appreciation Fundraising Luncheon celebrating the DCA’s One Year Anniversary. info@diyanetamerica.org / media@diyanetamerica.org Location : Diyanet Center of America, 9704 Good Luck Road, Lanham Maryland 20706 Contact : info@diyanetamerica.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ICNA Relief Benefit Dinner Saturday, April 01, 2017 06:00pm - 09:00pm ICNA Relief presents Ordinary People, Creating Extraordinary Communities. A Benefit Dinner for ICNA Relief Women's Transitional Homes, Health Clinics, Refugee Services, Food Pantries, and other programs. Imam Khalid Latif, Dr Mohsin Ansari, Sh Yaseen Shaikh. Location : Masjid Dar Al Taqwa, 10740 Route 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042 Contact : RSVP: Haris Qudsi 410-417-8397, Arif Mannan 443-538-8522, Hayder Mir 240535-5068 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Al-Rahmah School Annual Benefit Dinner Sunday, April 02, 2017 05:30pm - 08:30pm Al-Rahmah School Presents Annual Benefit Dinner. Dr Jonathan Brown, Georgetown University; Shaykh Yaseen Shaikh, Al-Rahmah Seminary; Ustadh Moutasem Atiya, Al-Madina Institute. Complimentary Children's Program, Ages 4-12. Location : 6631 Johnnnycake Road, Baltimore, MD 21244 Contact : info@alrahmah.org, www.alrahmah.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Maryum Center Fundraiser Saturday, April 08, 2017 02:00pm Growing Together and Establishing Our Identity Through Education. Guest speaker Sh. Amr Elsamny. Location : Wild Lake Interfaith Center, 10431 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia MD 21044 Contact : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryum-islamic-center-fundraising-dinnertickets-32795711857 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Link Annual Dinner Saturday, April 08, 2017 05:00pm The Muslim Link invites all readers and supporters to join special guest Hassan Shibly, Executive Director of CAIR Florida, and other community leaders and activists at its annual fundraising dinner. We need your support to keep the only Muslim media outlet dedicated to the DMV Muslim community surviving and thriving ! Register today, www.muslimlinkpaper. com Location : Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD 20901 Contact : office@muslimlinkpaper.com or call 301-982-1020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42nd Annual ICNA-MAS Convention Friday, April 14, 2017 08:00am - 10:00pm Inshaa Allah, the 42nd Annual ICNA-MAS Convention will be held on April 14-16, 2017, in Baltimore, MD. With renowned speakers, amazing sessions and an incredible bazaar. Location : The Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201 Contact : http://www.icnaconvention.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mustafa Center Funeral Chapel Fundraising Dinner Sunday, April 23, 2017 06:00pm - 09:00pm You are cordially invited to the Mustafa Center Funeral Chapel Fundraising Dinner. Keynote speaker: Altaf Husain. Guest speakers: Dr Anwar Hajjaj, Ustad Jamal Kakar, Imam Zia, Qari Sayed Abdul Wali. To Purchase a Table: Please contact us at: contact@mustafacenter.org or 703.658.7134 Location : Dunya Banquet Hall, 5951 Stevenson Ave, Alexandria VA, 22304

CONTINUED | 27

Request For Duaa

To Allah We Belong, and to Him is Our Return “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)” 03-06-2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Zubair Hasan Burney, son of late Khurshid Hasan Burney. The Salat ul Janaza was on March 6, 2017. We ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, grant him the highest ranks in paradise and give his family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB) 03-10-2017 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Nargis Khan, wife of Sarfraz Khan, and mother of Kashif, Faisal, Javaid and Asif Khan. The Janazah prayer was on March 11, 2017 in Laurel, Maryland. May Allah forgive her sins and grant her Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. (Source: ICCL) 03-12-2017 The Prince George's Muslim Association extends sincere condolences to the family of Brother Syed Sohaib Azam. Brother Sohaib was the beloved son of Brother Syed Sikander Azam and Sister Zakia Azam. The Janazah salat was on March 13, 2017 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah SWT admit him to Jannatul Firdaus, and may HE grant his family patience and ease, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 03-13-2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tony (Mustafa) William. The Salat ul Janaza was on March 13, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, grant him the highest ranks in paradise and give his family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB) 03-16-2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sr. Iqbal Begum, mother of Zulfiqar Shah, Iftikhar Shah and Ejaz Shah, and grandmother of Mithu Shah, Jaffer Syed, Baqir Syed and Mujahid Syed. The Salat ul Janaza was on March 17, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower her with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, grant her the highest ranks in paradise and give her family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB) 03-18-2017 Brother Qader Zahory older brother has passed away. Brother Zahory is a longtime member of our community. Janazah was on March 19, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia. May Allah have mercy on his older brother and may all of his sins be forgiven and he be granted a highest place in Jannah. (Source: Dar Alnoor) 03-24-2017 It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Sister Cherry Ejaz wife of Brother Ansar Ejaz. Janazah was on March 24 2017 in Ellicott City, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower her with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant her the highest ranks in paradise, and give her family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: Dar Al Taqwa) 03-26-2017 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mohammad Ayub Khan, father of Anjum Khan and father-in-law of Asghar Khan. The Salat ul Janaza was on March 27, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, grant him the highest ranks in paradise and give his family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB) 03-27-2017 Zahieh Majed Muaket has passed away. She leaves behind sons Muhammad, Waheeb and Waleed Muaket. Salaat ul Janazah was on March 28, 2017 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her shortcomings and enter her in Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM)

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