The Muslim Link, September 4, 2015 by The Muslim Link

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IN THUL-HIJJAH | PG 32

20 THUL-QEDAH - 18 THUL-HIJJAH 1436 A.H.

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

With Another Youth Lost to a Motorcycle Crash, Riders Talk of Balancing Thrill, Safety By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

Ask any biker and they will tell you that there is no comparison between pressing the gas pedal on a car and

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Too Close to the Edge

No grief counseling, no discussion forums and no fatwas or khutbahs— young men in the community are dying on speed bikes and the Muslim community is burying them in silence. Despite at least four deaths in motorcycles accidents in the Muslim community of young men in the past three years, the community has little to offer except platitudes. This source of passion for motor bike riders can be a source of great angst for families.

>>PG 30

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

NoVA Cemetery Seeks Name for “Muslim Section” | pg 5 East Turkistan Government-InExile Hosts VA Conference | pg 6 Seerah Competition Helps Youth Know the Prophet | pg 7 Muslims Help Low Income Kids With School Supplies| pg 8

rolling on the throttle of a well engineered bike. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than

passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

entrance of the grocery store, where he had fallen off his motorcycle. Omar Sharieff was walking in with his wife

An older gentleman was lying on the sidewalk near the

>> MOTORCYCLE Pg 22

Building Community With Masjid Al-Haq Remodeling Underway, Leaders Develop Wider Vision By Muslim Link Staff Masjid Al-Haq is located on 514 Islamic Way. It is the largest Masjid in Baltimore City. Out of state Muslim visitors are often pleasantly surprised at the

masjid's fitting street address. But for the masjid's leadership, one street is not enough.

>> ALHAQ Pg 10

Islam Haters Spoil First Day for TX Arabic School | pg 19 Buying Testimony? FBI Pays Terror Informant $41,000 | pg 28 Advice for the Best 10 Days of the Year - Thul Hijjah | pg 32 Running for the Hiils: Hearth of the Home | pg 26 BOOK REVIEW: The Anatomy of Usury by Samir Shaikh | pg 34

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

INDEX

Mujtaba Yahya, DDS

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS

Community News Baltimore Youth Murders His Father By Hena Zuberi

him as a relative. Also a cab driver, Idrees is still in mourning. “He is still in my memories. Every week or so, I used to talk to him,” he says.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter A Catonsville neighborhood and the community of Masjid Fatima is reeling from the shock of a murder in their community. Not just a murder but a murder of a father by his own 18-yearold son. On August 18, 2015, Shakeel Ahmed Abbasi, 50, was found dead at his home. His son, Muhammad Abbasi, aka Muhammad Hasnet Shakeelabbasi, was on the run. [Father and son pictured on the right]

On the way to Pennsylvania, the teen texted a relative in New Jersey, asking him to check on his father. The initial police investigation into the incident has indicated that the victim’s wife, Aasia Khatoon, received a call from New Jersey asking her about her husband, according to police. She called 911 when

Shakeelabbasi, in statement to police, has admitted to the murder and to running away from the family home, say Idrees. He was arrested in Pennsylvania , where he was standing next to his father's gray Honda van, which he stole after killing him, police said. she found him bloody and immobile in his room. There was reportedly evidence of stab wounds and bludgeoning at the scene. According to the local news channels, investigators say Mrs. Abbasi was home at the time of the murder, but it’s unclear what she may have seen or heard that morning.

As of publication, Shakeelabassi has been returned to Maryland. After a bail review hearing on Thursday, August 27, 2015, the teen was ordered to be held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, court records show. Mohammad Idrees of Baltimore, is a close friend and neighbor for the past fourteen years. News channels identified

A cab driver, Abbassi had migrated from the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, but was originally from the lush mountains of Murree. He made a home in a neighborhood halfway between Masjid Rahmah and Masjid Fatima in Catonsville. Mufti Hamid, Imam

>> MURDER Pg 18

NoVA Cemetery Seeks Name for “Muslim Section” By Hena Zuberi

the Islamic Center of Washington. That original lot has no raised graves, The area set aside for ‘those who proclaim the Islamic faith’ was extended and this area has raised graves called ledgers, with upright, granite tombstones. This section is almost full.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter It is hauntingly beautiful—Babyland— where very young children are buried in a heart shaped section of the 200 acre National Memorial Park. Right next to this is where ground is set aside for the new Muslim section at the cemetery. From catering for funerals to slick pamphlets selling grand mausoleums, the National Funeral Home is in the business of death and takes it very seriously. The cemetery prides itself on serving with dignity and professionalismcorporate style. It is owned by a major corporation traded on the New York Stock Exchange called Services Corporation International—North America’s largest single provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services. And now it is asking

Islamic scholars say if there is a Muslim only graveyard fully owned and managed by the Muslim community available, like Al-Firdaus Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD, then Muslims should be buried there. Internet photo. the Muslim community to help name the new section of the graveyard in Falls Church, Virginia.

The Islamic Garden was purchased in 1957 by the Saudi King, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to develop one of the first cemeteries for Muslims, for

After four years of planning, which include many consultations with area imams Imam Johari Abdul Malik of Dar al Hijrah and Maulana Wali. ”We wanted it to be honorable and appropriate for the Muslim community,” says Kiran Yasin, the funeral home's Muslim liaison. “We did not want it near a statue.” The new section will have all of its thousand graves facing the qiblah. The grave sites can be pre sold but are not dug nor are the

>> CEMETERY Pg 13

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COMMUNITY NEWS

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

East Turkistan Government-In-Exile Hosts NoVA Conference By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter A room of supporters gathered at the Chantilly Regional Library main hall to commemorate the 2015 Annual East Turkistan Awareness Day Conference on July 25, 2015. A blue flag with the crescent and star draped an entire wall of the hall, setting the stage for the variety of speakers who addressed the topic of the Chinese occupation from a variety of angles. The event was arranged by the East Turkistan Government in Exile, led by Prime Minister Anwar Turani. “We people around the world stand up to end the Chinese occupation of our homeland,” stated Prime Minister Turani as he updated the audience on the current situation. Currently, thousands of innocent Uyghur Muslims who stand up to protect their basic human rights are being killed, arrested, harassed, imprisoned, and tortured everyday throughout East Turkistan using the pretext of terrorists, extremists, and separatists by communist China.

Bilal Ibrahim Turkistani, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the East Turkistan Government-In-Exile, who also leads Taraweeh at the Islamic Center of North Virginia, recited from the Qur'an to begin the conference. The day started with a opening marks by Aydin Anwar, a young Uyghur activist. “Thirty-five million people [are] brutally trapped under the atheist Chinese regime,” said Anwar. She said that there was a systematic plan in the past seven decades to eliminate the main ethnic group of the region - the Muslim Uighurs. Millions of Uighurs have been executed, she said, stripped of basic human rights: practice of religion is prohibited, men are not allowed to grow a beard, women are not allowed to wear hijab or niqab and government employees and students are strictly banned from completing any of the obligatory rituals of Islam. She said the media is silent in the region and anyone who speaks up is subject to persecution and imprisonment.

>> CONFERENCE Pg 16

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

COMMUNITY NEWS

Seerah Competition Helps Youth Know the Prophet By Muslim Link Staff

Short videos on the benefits of using the miswak to original graphics on hadith to share on social media about hadith were created by contributors.

Little girls in colorful hijabs took over the ADAMS stage with their cute as a button storytelling skills at the Annual Youth Competition held on August 15th at the ADAMS Center.

Young Amna Bandalkar and Ismael Handoo retold the story of the Prophet Yousuf in a super creative way. Joshua Salaam, the Youth Director at ADAMS, led the audience is a round of nasheed. In a round, everyone sings the same melody and lyrics but some people start at different times.

This year’s competition was a joint venture of the MWQRC (Metro Washington Qur'an Recitation Competition), MUNA LETS READ (Lets Emulate the Seerah-Reflect, Educate, Apply, and Disseminate), and ICNA DMV chapter. The theme was 'Know the Message and the Messenger', an apt sequel to the 2015 ICNA convention’s theme on the Beloved Prophet Muhammad. A positive experience for children in the area, it is an initiative to learn the seerah through competition. According to organizer Farid Ahmed, more than 150 participants of all ages ranging from kindergarteners to adults, from over 30 different area masajids, Islamic Centers/ schools have attended the event. They

participated in 29 different competitions on Quran recitation, Art, Hadeeth Expo, Storytelling from Seerah, Talent show, Meet the Media, and Quiz. A new competition, introduced this year named RASOOL (Revive a Sunnah, Organize Our Lives), inspired high school students to utilize their social networking and

multimedia design skills, to spread the message of the Prophet online. The RASOOL competition was a favorite amongst participants “because it can potentially help the kids make the best use of their internet time.” according to one participant.

When asked what was the best part of the event, here are a few sample responses: " Aw a r d s f o r e v e r y o n e " , " D o i n g competitions", "People of all types and ages were allowed to participate and we were able to meet many new people." , "Storytelling event, because this gives the kids a platform to develop their oratory skills", "Enthusiasm of kids and

>> SEERAH Pg 14

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

Giving Back Precedes Back to School Area Muslims Take Part In Providing School Supplies to Low Income Children By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter As school start opening up around the country, many parents and guardians spend hundreds on dollars on school supplies. Glue sticks, pencils, crayons, book bags, paper, binders, the list keeps getting longer every year. Often for those in underprivileged neighborhoods and in situations of poverty in the suburbs, this is added expense that many can just not afford. A quality backpack filled with new supplies can help a young student make the best of harsh circumstances, give them the tools and the confidence they need to survive a school year. Several Muslim organizations and Muslim owned business as well as individual fundraising efforts took place in the month

of August and are planned for the month of September around the DC Metro. 10th Annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway was held in the green oasis in the middle of West Baltimore neighborhood at Warwick Park. Hundreds of people gathered at the park to enjoy a family

picnic with food, bouncers, free haircuts and free backpacks and supplies. There was a booth set up for voters registration. Marilyn Mosby and Nick Mosby , Maryland State Attorney and her husband Councilman Nick Mosby attended the vent. Nick Mosby has recently announced

that he is considering running for the mayor of Baltimore. Bilal Ali is the community liaison for the state attorney, Marilyn Mosby office in >> BAGS Pg 35

MoCo Muslims Begin Senior Program ICM Receives $75K FEMA Grant By Muslim Link Staff There is good news for Muslim seniors in the Gaithersburg-Germantown area. The Montgomery County Muslim Foundation started a weekly Senior Program on August 25, 2015. All programs are scheduled on Wednesdays, from 11 a.m to 1:00 pm. In this series, the speakers from within local seniors who will share exciting stories, and important information on a variety of life's issues. According to the foundation, guest speakers will also be invited to contribute to sessions.

In other senior news, the County Executive Isieh Leggett Senior Summit for Montgomery County will be held on December, 3rd, 2015. It is a county wide conference on aging held once every three years. It brings together aging experts, community leaders, the business and research community, policy makers, and civic groups. Participants will explore how to make Montgomery County an attractive place offering myriad of opportunities, resources, and options for it's residents. “A place for a lifetime.”

“Our Senior Program is a family affair. We invite one and all to join us, get into the conversation, start new friendships, relax and have some fun. Enjoy our fresh fruit and refreshments,” says Mona Negm, formerly of the Muslim Community Center Seniors Program.

“To ensure community representation, community forums with 20 participants age 50 and over, will be conducted throughout the county. They are designed to gather information and recommendations from members of the community to help shape and plan the summit,” shares Negm who is avialable to conduct these sessions at MoCo masajid.

From Comedy Night to astronomy, seniors will share their areas of interest.

>> SENIOR Pg 18

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Assalamu'alykum. Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to inform you that based on a proposal submitted by the Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected ICM to receive a $75,000 award under the FY2015 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) for upgrading/ improving site lighting. Insha Allah, this award will help us continue implementing our Master Plan by providing a much needed parking and perimeter lighting

particularly on and around the newly built parking lot areas. This will directly result in improved onsite security and safety for all our members, visitors, and guests. Please note that ICM received a similar grant in 2010 to improve its physical security, which enabled us to install a commercial grade security fence around the eastern, and parts of the northern and southern boundary lines. [Source: ICM Administration Email, August 10, 2015]

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

stop genocide of Muslims In Burma Before

After

Out of the 5 million Muslims in Burma only 3 million are left. They cannot hold a job, enter the masjid, go to school, marry, or have children although Rohingyas are indigenous people living in their ancestral lands in Burma. This is the reason 7 Nobel Laureates have declared it a genocide!

Give 10 Minutes a Day To Stop Genocide

The satellite images above by Human Rights Watch show the destruction of homes and property in the Rohingya Muslim area of Kyauk Pyu. There are many towns like that. The Impact of our United Efforts and Phone Calls 1) The US Congress passed H.Res. 418 supporting Rohingyas. 2) At least 3 attacks on Muslims in Burma have been stopped. 3) The US has re-imposed some of the restrictions on aid to Burma this January. 4) Media is no longer dismissing it as a conflict between the two communities. A whole lot of work must be done to stop this genocide. Burmese Muslims have asked us to put pressure on their government to protect them. We are counting on your generosity to do this work professionally.

Justice for All

Muslim MUNA

Muslim Ummah

Peace Coalition USA North America

Atlanta shura

ISNA • CAIR • IONA • MANA • MUNA • Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) • Justice For All • Muslim Peace Coalition USA • Majlis Shura of Atlanta • ICNA Canada • DawaNet Majlis Ash-Shura of Metropolitan New York • Michigan Muslim Community Council (MMCC) • Burmese Rohingya Association of North America • Free Rohingya Campaign

www.BurmaTaskForce.org

Muslim Link btf advt Aug 27, 2015.indd 1

....

8/27/15 4:39 PM

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

10 | ALHAQ

>> continued from pg 1

Still in the planning phases, the Masjid Al-Haq community is poised to purchase and renovate dozens of abandoned and foreclosed row houses within walking distance of the masjid, carving out a Muslim community in West Baltimore just blocks from the epicenter of this year's riots in the city. That is, if they can raise the funds. On October 3, 2015, Masjid Al-Haq is pulling out all the stops, bringing in arguably the best Muslim fundraiser in the nation in Imam Siraj Wahaj who will push to raise $350,000 at a fundraiser themed “Let's Build a Community.” About $225,000 of that goal will be used to complete on-going remodeling of the masjid and the on-site Qur'an and Arabic Institute of Maryland. New wudu areas and bathrooms, a cafeteria and carry-out community restaurant to generate income, a ghusl area to wash and prepare bodies for burial, security system and lighting, and other renovations began in earnest last year. The rest of the goal is slotted for jump starting the housing development plan to realize a masjid-centered Muslim family demographic for Baltimore City. According to Abdul-Hakeem Lucky, the amir of the shura which leads Masjid AlHaq, the time is ripe to build a tangible Muslim community in the city. “We can't [not have] a nucleus, a center where we can manifest Islam [in Baltimore City]. It's long overdue, and we saw during these [Freddie Gray] riots that the youth --- including our own Muslim youth – have no direction. We can't neglect our responsibility to the larger community. [Muslims] need to be the best example

HEARTH

>> continued from pg 26

a piece of cake. Insha Allah. But you can't take a stove for granted, no matter what kind it is. There was many a day when the wives of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) kindled no fire in their homes and all they had to eat was dates and

....

and we need to establish Islam in our environment. The Jews, the Italians, the Asians … they [establish communities], but we're not doing it,” Lucky told the Muslim Link. Realizing education is at the core of developing the Muslim community, Lucky said he recently returned from Egypt where he made contacts to set-up a “mentor-scholarship” program for Masjid Al-Haq youth who would be sponsored by the masjid to study under Islamic scholars in Egypt and then return to teach Islam and Arabic in the community. With all the new Muslims entering the community, there is an urgent need for well grounded teachers who can fulfill the community's religious education needs. The overwhelmingly African-American community sees one or two people per week entering Islam, the average age being 12-20 years old, said Lucky. A similar phenomenon is occurring in South East Washington DC where the very young – middle and high school age youth – are entering into Islam. Masjid Al-Haq leaders have already opened discussions with city officials about buying area row houses, and a short list of addresses is ready. The homes would become a “waqf” or trust for the masjid, the rental income helping fund masjid operations. Some Muslims say plans to build physical communities around masajid amounts to building a “Muslim ghetto.” Lucky laughed. “Islam does not create ghettos. Islam elevates people. With the proper tarbiyyah [Islamic upbringing], we can make a generation.” The fundraising dinner is on October 3, 2015 at 4pm at Masjid Al-Haq. For event details and drawings of the renovation plans, see pages 20-21.

water. Just getting this monster into the house and piped properly will make you appreciate its position in the home, both figuratively and literally. It took 4 stout friends, a flatbed trailer, a 10ft plank and a come-a-long winch to get it up the front steps and into our cabin. Our woodstove is a Majestic brand, early 1920s I suspect, though it's difficult to confirm because the Majestic Company made over 2 million stoves

"We can't neglect our responsibility to the larger community. [Muslims] need to be the best example and we need to establish Islam in our environment. The Jews, the Italians, the Asians … they [establish communities], but we're not doing it.” -- Abdulhakeem Lucky, Amir of Masjid Al-Haq in Baltimore City

between 1880 and 1940, and many models looked alike. Ours looked like heck before we had it sandblasted and painted with high-heat stove paint. Once we get her out of the middle of the cabin and secured over the 13” log girder that runs under the length of the house, hooked up to the stove pipe and fired up, she'll be just fine. Why would we put all this effort into

an appliance that most folks stopped using in the 1930s? Because one day the fuel that most folks use to cook their food may not be available, or affordable anymore. We've got trees on 40 acres. By carefully selecting and managing them we should have enough wood for our stove to last until we're both long gone. And no monthly fuel bill.

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

12 | WORLD PRESS

From Maryland, Feeding Young Gazan Minds By Hena Zuberi Muslim Link Staff Reporter

“Wow, this is really rare,” Laila ElHaddad, the author of Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between, and a resident of Columbia, MD says about the California based Rebuilding Alliance’s Backpacks 4 Gaza project for its neediest children. She became their Maryland project lead and spent most of the month of May collecting new and gently used books to send to Gaza in a container organized by the non-profit. El-Haddad often sees container of goods collected for Syria, Afghanistan and other destinations, but says she almost never hears about containers going into Gaza due to the near hermetic closures through the blockade and the siege, which controls all the access and freeways into Gaza. Many items are banned including books. “Basically everything has to be approved, as aid is restricted to eight organizations,” she says. Rebuilding Alliance, in partnership with many Palestinian organizations, has managed to get approval. “This is a good way for people here to contribute something material to counter the siege,” says ElHaddad. She disagrees with the stereotypical portrayal of Palestinian children as always in need in food. “Yes, there are many people who need food [assistance] but there are also many aid agencies providing food. “This is also a siege on their education and their freedom to seek higher education,” says ElHaddad, ”there is a dearth of good quality books in Arabic or English - imagine an area that is completely cut off.” On her visits to Gaza, youth ask her to bring them books. “People view language as an opportunity — a ticket forward. University students ask for classics, newly released books by Palestinian authors or just any new literature,” says El-Haddad. “This is amazing being able to nourish young people’s minds,” she says. The

....

Volunteers for Backpacks 4 Gaza gathered in New York to box almost 4,000 backpacks for shipping to school children in Gaza. Photos courtesy of Backpacks 4 Gaza.

Palestinian ministry of education and the minister of education, Dr Khalsa Shakhsheer, approved a book list for this project. Cindy and Craig Corrie are founding board members of the Rebuilding Alliance (RA). 23-year-old Rachel Corrie arrived in the Gaza Strip in 2003 as part of the International Solidarity

parents.” says Baranski-Walker, who also serves as the Executive Director. Nasrallah came on a speaking tour of seven states and RA was able to buy new land for his home. The team hoped that the Nasrallah home would be the first in their effort to rebuild the neighborhood for all 2200 families who lost their homes at that time.

“Yes, there are many people who need food [assistance] but there are also many aid agencies providing food. This is also a siege on their education and their freedom to seek higher education,” says ElHaddad. Movement (ISM), which aims to use nonviolent methods to resist Israeli military actions, such as attempting to interrupt the construction of the West Bank barrier and block army vehicles. Khaled Nasrallah, a pharmacist, lived in the home that Corrie died defending. Donna Baranski-Walker, founder of Rebuilding Alliance, went to Palestine to meet with Nasrallah family. “After Rachel Corrie was killed, I met her

After the blockade they had a hard time getting the cement shipments into Gaza. “Last time we could take cement in easily was before Operation Cast Lead,” says Baranski-Walker. The Rebuilding Alliance sent materials in the Freedom Flotilla in 2010, as part of their More Than Chocolates for Gaza campaign. The ship, MV Rachel Corrie, was impounded. “Certainly the blockade of Gaza deeply impacted our

ability to purchase building materials in Gaza. We tried every route to no avail with test shipments via Egypt, by meeting with Israeli Peace groups in Sderot to ask their help in purchasing and sending building supplies, and by sending supplies aboard the M.V. Rachel Corrie... in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. We actively sought diplomatic assistance too and we did our best to engage creative know-how at a conference in Doha Qatar focused on building without cement or steel,” she wrote to donors after announcing the decision to shift the focus of the organization from building homes to providing activities for young people. RA now builds soccer fields and runs the Annual Rachel Corrie Ramadan Soccer Tournament. Amongst other projects that they are proud of is that they have helped the villagers design, finance and build the first three Rebuilding to Remain homes for families returning home to the village of Al Aqaba in the West Bank and built the Al Aqaba Kindergarten in 2004. In the midst of last summer’s bombings, Donna shares that Nasrallah, who now works as a social worker, told them >> GAZA Pg 13

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

CONTINUED| 13

CEMETERY

>> continued from pg 5

concrete vaults installed until needed. The cemetery does not require caskets. Catering to the privileged, a grave site and burial at National Memorial Park will cost you a minimum of $5000 and can go up to $7000-10,000, depending on the location of the site to the kind of engraving on the gravestone. A source of concern for many Muslims is that the cemetery is open to people of the Baha'i faith. When asked about this, Yasin says that if people who identify as Muslim ask to be buried there, their company’s policy cannot refuse them. There are a handful of Baha'i graves in the Islamic Garden, but she says most chose to be buried in the main section of the graveyard. The new section will also be open to people of the Baha'i faith, as Yasin says some Baha’is call themselves Islamic.

GAZA

>> continued from pg 12

that the plumbing system has failed at the schools, which are serving as the emergency shelters. “If you can get them soap and shampoo,” suggested Nasrallah, noting that it would make a difference in the lives of the refugees. “Rebuilding Alliance partnered with the Rachel Corrie Foundation and ADCOC to distribute hygiene kits to provide relief to families sheltering in UNRWAGaza schools,” shares El Haddad. These reached families in Khan Younis, Rafah and Jabalia. Cleaning supplies were collected on credit from local Gazan stores. With the help of groups of all faiths such as the Jewish Voice of Peace, Yaseen Foundation and some Catholic high schools, Rebuilding Alliance successfully sent a container with clothes, shoes and bedding to families hit hard by winter storms in 2014. The container was eventually delayed at the border. After that experience, Kelly Leilani Main, the Gaza Campaign coordinator, says that

The new section will also be open to people of the Baha'i faith, as Yasin says some Baha’is call themselves Islamic. “We need to have a separate place for Muslims,” says Muneer Baig, President of Manassas Muslim Association. With the great increase of Muslims in the DC Metro, many imams stress the need for Muslim-owned cemeteries. Imam Muhammad Abdullahi of the Muslim Community Center says that “under normal circumstances, it is impermissible to bury Muslims alongside non-Muslims. It would not be permissible to bury Muslims in a graveyard or a land where people of the other faiths are buried. Similarly, it is impermissible to bury

non-Muslims in a land where Muslims are buried. It should be an obligation on the Muslim community to secure a cemetery for Muslims only. In the circumstance that Muslims are not able to obtain a cemetery due to financial reasons or numbers, then it is permissible but should take everyone's effort to secure a portion of a non Muslim cemetery for Muslims only, based on the saying of Salman al-Farisi below, Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Land does not sanctify anybody, but a person’s own deeds

Rebuilding Alliance learned to maneuver the complex system of Israeli customs. The Backpack 4 Gaza container will travel through Ashdod Israel, and is precleared for shipment to Gaza.

flourishing village so close to Jerusalem; after the wall was built right through Bir Nabala, it divided it into two— leaving my family’s land behind the wall with no access to Jerusalem,” says Adam.

Rebuilding Alliance also organizes the Stay Human Conference Calls to bring members of Congress and constituents together to hear from Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers first-hand and find ways to help. At this critical time, few are listening to the peacemaker, says Main who recently spent 5 weeks in Palestine. Stay Human Conference Calls amplify their voice, build coalitions in each US congressional district, and press elected officials into action to keep children and families safe. “Together, we share insight, information, and next steps. This is about heart, connection, and learning from Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers.”

“I am working closely with Rebuilding Alliance with this project. The campaign “Backpacks for Gaza” aims to send 10,000 backpacks with new school supplies to Gaza’s neediest children to help them return to and succeed in school. For only $20 dollars, you can send a backpack kit with new school supplies essential for a student’s success and ability to attend school. The backpack kits also have much needed drawing supplies like crayons and markers to help recover from the trauma of prolonged attacks and loss of family and friends,” says Ramadan.

Adam Ramadan is a Palestinian-American advocate from New Jersey. He is working closely with ElHaddad. His father was born in Palestinian town called Bir Nabala and migrated to America when he was 17 years old. His mother, Basima, also from Bir Nabala was raised in Brazil and migrated to America when she was 5 years old. “Bir Nabala was once a

Every donation is matched by GlobalGiving.org and qualifies for Microsoft for projects that support youth. The customized backpack kits are assembled in Oklahoma and have been approved by Israeli authorities. Anyone who wants to contribute to more containers in the future can run campaigns in their localities.

sanctify him.” ( Mentioned by Malik in alMuwatta' (no. 2232) with the word “man” instead of “person”.) It should be clear to everyone's understanding that having a cemetery purely for Muslims is a fard kifayah meaning it should be obligated on everyone until the action is completed by someone. Our fuqaha were very clear about this issue.” “There seems to be some misconception in the Muslim community that we only cater to Shia or Aga Khani families, We have some prominent Muslims buried here,” says Ansari. Shaykh Hanooti, the mufti of Northern Virginia passed away last month. His janaza and burial took place at the National Memorial Park, atop a hill in Falls Church, VA. “Some very special people, such as Abdul Mateen of HalalCo, are also buried here,” says Yasin. Ansari’s father is also buried in the cemetery; she makes sure that she stops by his grave every morning and recites duas next to it before she leaves for home in

>> CEMETERY II Pg 14

“This is accessible project that everyone can support, and we want to bring out the sense of humanity we hope it will grow minds— this is not just about backpacks.” Rebuilding Alliance has advocacy strategies in place if they have any trouble. To learn more: Website: http://www.RebuildingAlliance. org/backpacks-for-gaza Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ backpacks4gaza Laila's Book Drive: https://www. facebook.com/events/829914500377619/ Rebuilding Alliance Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ RebuildingAlliance To donate new and gently used books (story books, activity books, science and math workbooks) contact Laila ElHaddad at laila.elhaddad@gmail.com

“We are really excited,” says Kelly,

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14 | COMMUNITY NEWS

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

CEMETERY II

>> continued from pg 13

the evening. She started her work at the funeral home after she experienced the aftermath of her father’s death. “I would not ever want anyone to go through that process alone,” she says. She handholds grieving families through the burial process, offers pre planning of gravesites and conducts the ritual washing of many of the Muslim women who are buried in the graveyard. She follows the guidelines on ghusl and burial as taught by Imam Abdullah Khouj of the Islamic Center of Washington. She wants the communities help in naming the new Muslim section in an effort to increase engagement with the community. The Muslim section of Mount Comfort, also owned by the same corporation, on 6600 South Kings Highway in Alexandria, Va is called Bagh-e-Firdaus. The committee of imams which will filter through the names and choose from them has decided that aside from Jannat al Baqi, Jannat ul Mawla and Bagh-e-Firdaus, all other names suggested by the community will be entertained. You can send in your suggestions for names to Kiran Yasin at kiran.yasin@ dignitymemorial.com

THE PRICE OF QURBANI THIS EID AL-ADHA STARTS AT $55. BUT THE VALUE IS PRICELESS. Our Qurbani is

Give your Qurbani today. Never underestimate the value of your Qurbani. It may not solve world hunger, but it will provide families with an opportunity to celebrate Eid al-Adha with those they love. And that’s priceless.

Visit umrelief.org/Qurbani2015 and help bring joy to another family this Eid.

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Qurbani2015 (202) 370-6963

SEERAH

>> continued from pg 7

young volunteers”, "It was for our young generation, “huge". In a survey run by the organizers, when attendees were asked, “Regardless of whether I or my family member wins or not, this event helped me know the Message and Messenger better”, 50 percent strongly agreed, and another 38 percent agreed. Almost all who

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participated in the survey said they would recommend this program to others. One of the unique features of this competition was everyone who participated got a prize. The Award ceremony was on Sunday August 23, 2015 at the ADAMS Main Center. “Let’s look forward to a even better event next year,” says Farid Ahmed. For more info, www.letsread-quran.org.

@umrelief unitedmuslimrelief @umrelief

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16 | MP - ADVERTISEMENTS

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

SECURITY

>> continued from pg 6

ICCL ACADEMY “We want people to leave with the understanding that there is another Syria, another Palestine, another Kashmir, another Burma, yearning for your help,” she said in her plea to the international community. During her Powerpoint presentation on the history and culture of the Uighur people, she showed the audience the various way the people of East Turkistan are being psychologically oppressed. She shared the Chinese government banners that hang all over the region that say: ‘You can pray 5 times a day but Allah does not provide you with dumplings’ and those that forbid women, children, civil servant and students from entering the masjid. Oghuz Anwar of Cornell University moderated the event. The revolutionary brother and sister duo represent the younger generation of East Turkistani activists who are using new platforms to raise awareness about their people. Within the last few weeks hundreds of Uighur refugees were forcibly sent back to China from Thailand. “These families will disappear and we will never hear from them again,” said Aydin Anwar. Many aspects of the life of Muslim Uighurs including the history, culture, and current political situation were addressed by Anwar Yusuf Turani, the Prime Minister of East Turkistan Government-In-Exile.

PRINCIPAL

ICCL ACADEMY is an innovative Islamic school in an established Muslim community of Prince Georges, Howard and Montgomery counties in Maryland. It is located in the premises of Islamic Community Center of Laurel (ICCL) in Laurel, Maryland. The School was established in fall, 2006 and currently enrolls for full time Pre K-1, Pre K-2, KG, Grade 1, and Grade 2 students.  Responsibilities: We need a Principal who has a vision and a roadmap for this school that will not only bring it into compliance with local laws but will position it to contribute to the growth of the community's children into responsible, knowledgeable and functional Muslim adults who can both lead our community and integrate it into the larger community around us. The applicant should also be able to lead teachers, staff and students in pursuit of School’s Mission and Goals while maintaining the Islamic identity of School. The applicant will be responsible to enhance school curriculum and manage day-to-day activities. Qualifications/Skill Requirements:  US Bachelors or higher degree in the field of Education  Must have strong communication skills, good computer skills, and Administrative abilities  3- 5 years of US Teaching experience required preferably in the primary education field  Administrative and/or School leadership experience strongly preferred from US based Schools.  Applicant must be legally eligible to work in US Salary:  Competitive with other schools and based on qualifications, experience and proven results  The selected candidate will be employed under an annual and renewable contract

Renowned American Muslim leaders such as Dr. Anwar Hajjaj, Professor and Founder of American Open University, shared his insights on Islam and the To apply: prevalence of misery throughout the Submit cover letter and resume to: Icclacademyresumes@gmail.com. Muslim World. He called for a returning to the basics of belief to change our state. Imam Taalib Abdul-Samad, the Director Qur'an to speak on the the need to stand University, performed spoken word on of Humanity.” of Islamic Research and Humanitarian up for justice in the face of oppression. the oppression suffered by the Uighur. Service- Center of America (IRHSCA), Dr. Souheil Ghannouchi spoke about the “The soul hungers for the hunger pangs” The conference raised some important spoke about the responsibility of the important difference between Jihad and she said, emphasizing the yearning of the questions about the Chinese narrative of Uighur who were forbidden from fasting fighting “Uighur extremism.” Speakers Ummah to get educated about the history Terrorism. during the month of Ramadan and force said Chinese oppression is rooted in a and plight of the Muslims in what is known Imam Ali Siddiqui from Corona, CA— fed if they chose to fast. “The home is no fight for resources as this area produces 60 as the Xinjiang province. percent of China’s cotton, is mineral rich, the founder of the Islamic Peoples longer here.” and holds 1/3 of China’s oil and natural Dr. Esam Omeish, the former President Movement— gave suggestions to improve of Muslim American Society, spoke of the conditions of the Uighur Muslims of Dr. Jeannette Hablullah also gave an gas reserves. What is the Muslim ummah’s inspiring speech at the day long conference role in this crisis? the role that U.S. foreign policy plays East Turkistan. on how people can heal from the wounds of in this political crisis. Popular local khateeb Azzaz Abdelkarim used the Anwar Omeish, an activist from Harvard oppression titled “Healing the Fracturing

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

18 | MURDER

>> continued from pg 5

of the Abbasi's local masjid, says his community is in mourning.”They are concerned but also fearful,” he says. “‘How come this happened in our community’, is what everyone is wondering,” says Idrees. “Last two weeks, our imam gave a gave a speech about parent-child, husbandwife and family matters,” he says, in SENIOR

>> continued from pg 8 In preparation for the County Executive Senior Summit for Montgomery County, on September 16, 2015, MCMF will hold the County Executive Senior Summit Community Forum. The Islamic Society of the Washington Area (ISWA) Senior Connection will be also be holding a Senior Summit preparation session. Persons 50 years and over are encouraged to participate. This is a great opportunity to influence future Montgomery County

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reaction to this news. There are lots of teenagers in our community, and some parents are fearful of what is going on with our kids, says Idrees. Idrees says that there were no obvious signs of domestic violence or abuse or any complaints from the parents about their son’s behavior. He also shrugged off suggestions of mental illness. “He was a cool guy,” says a perplexed Idrees. Shakeelabasi was good in school, according to his father’s friend

and had just graduated from Lansdowne High School, where he ran track and cross-country at the county level. He prayed at the masjid, he was good in Islamic Studies. Idrees says that even on the day of the murder, Idrees Shakeelabbasi prayed Fajr and recited his daily tilawah.

are taking care of the food for the family, but wonder how will the widow survive after this terrible tragedy. “We are still wondering what happened. We are still in shock,” says Idrees. Until the case go to court, they can only speculate on what occurred behind the doors of this close-knit home.

Abbasi's wife is still in trauma. Left to fend for herself and her ten year old son, she has been unavailable for comments. The community has comforted the family and send their condolences. They

Innalilahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. Keep the Abbasi family in your duas and ay assistance for the family can be directed to Masjid Fatima.

Aging policy and funding. The meeting will be held at ISWA on September, 13, 2015 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd, Silver Spring, 20905 and will be led by Imam Faizul Khan and Barbara Khadar. To join the MDMF Senior Program activities, please contact Brother Adulhai Sheik at abdulhaisheikh@yahoo.com or visit MCMF at 811 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878 301- 7607447 | mcmfmd@gmail.com

To Advertise in the Muslim Link Call

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| 19

Anti-Muslim Protests Spoil The First Day Of School For Kindergartners In Houston BY ESTHER YU-HSI LEE ThinkProgress.org, August 24, 2015 A group of adult protesters likely spoiled the first day of class for 132 knee-high pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Texas’ Houston Independent School District (HISD) who were on their way to a new Arabic immersion program at their school. On Monday morning, about 30 adult protesters spread out around the school fence holding signs and waving American and Israeli flags, the Houston Chronicle reported. “Everything I needed to know about Islam I learned from Muslims on 9-11-2001,” one sign read. “Qatar out of our school,” another sign stated. Protesters told the Houston Chronicle that they don’t have problems with “other immersion schools or with independent Arabic language classes, but said the school was antiAmerican, and that immigrants should be ‘assimilated.'” The population at the Arabic school is about 30 percent Hispanic, 30 percent white, and 30 percent African American, according to the HISD news blog. This is the first semester at HISD’s Arabic Immersion Magnet School (or AIMS), a program that offers students the opportunity to spend half their day in classes taught in Arabic and half taught in English. The program welcomes children from 40 different Houston-area zipcodes, HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said. Behind Spanish, Arabic is the second most common foreign language spoken at home among people living in the Houston Independent School District.

“Everything I needed to know about Islam I learned from Muslims on 9-11-2001,” one sign read. “Qatar out of our school,” another sign stated. HISD opened a Mandarin immersion program in 2012 without any issues and has a Spanish dual language program that expanded from 31 to 52 campuses this year. The school district is also in talks to open a Hindi immersion program and a French immersion program. Studies suggest that giving bilingual education to children can provide long-lasting benefits, like delaying dementia; teaching better self-

regulation skills needed for focus and self-control; increasing children’s awareness of new sounds like the ones they hear in the second language; and boosting creativity. Though Houston’s Arabic-speaking population hovers around 23,000, not all Arabic-speaking individuals are Muslims. In fact, only 20 percent of Muslims worldwide speak the language. Even so, anti-Muslim activity is on

the rise in Houston and around the country. In February, an accelerant was used to burn down an Islamic community and education center, a suspected arson that came just days after a gunman shot to death three Muslims in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. There have been at least five anti-mosque incidents in Texas between 2006 and 2010, the American Civil Liberties Union found.

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22 | CONTINUED

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MOTORCYCLE

pushing the limit, which worried Sharieff. “I started noticing another element on this crew who were much more reckless,” he says.

>> continued from pg 1

and sons. Sharieff stopped to check in on him; he didn't know anything about him except that he was a biker. “I held his hand until the paramedics came, I told him that I was a fellow motor biker and I was there for him,” says Sharieff. Unlike in a car, where you are often on autopilot, wondering how did I get home, Sharieff says you cannot do that on a motorcycle. A rider has to be aware as the situation can change in an instant. “You are engaged with the machine and you have to fight that urge. He says that riding is incredibly blissful. “Going 105 miles per hours on I-95 is mesmerizing, you can feel yourself at the edge, but you know that if you give a little more throttle you can lose control.” Fraternity and brotherhood are big in biker circles. Sharieff rode a 2008 Buell Lightning for eight years, an American made motorcycle. “It was the first bike I ever bought. I was 30; I had some disposable income and I went and I did it,” says Sharieff. It was his dream to learn how to ride a motorbike. “There are different kinds of motorcycles, some are meant to go fast, they are meant to be ridden on the race track. My bike was made for the street.” Buell no longer makes motorcycles. There is a subculture that has evolved around motorcycles and motorcycle clubs. From the weekend warriors to serious riders who know that ‘the wind hitting them square in the chest does a lot to reduce the aerodynamics of a motorcycle ride.’

“That wheelie is not worth risking our life,” says Khan, “when the admins do see someone posting about taking risks they try to talk to the guy and tell them to be more smart - risking his life it's not worth it at the end of the day,” says Khan. A young man, 19-year-old Karim Morsi, died in 2012 riding his white, Suzuki motorcycle north of Exit 33/York Road on I-83 North. He was trying to pass two cars that were in different lanes by riding in between them, the press release states.

“That wheelie is not worth risking our life,” says Khan. “When the admins do see someone posting about taking risks they try to talk to the guy and tell them to be more smart." so riders don’t bang into each other. Hand signals from those ahead alert those behind if there is debris or potholes on the road. “You learn this from other experienced riders,” says Sharieff. “We try to keep a pace that everyone is happy with so no one is left behind,” says Khan.

Jawad Khan, 25, Baltimore, lives and grew up near the Islamic Society of Baltimore. He rides a 2011 Yamaha R-6. He was a former admin of the DMV Muslim Riders, which he joined in 2012. His close friend, Faiz Safdar, started the 145-member unofficial club in 2010. Al-Maghrib Institute instructor Saad Tasleem, a Maryland native, was also involved in setting up the dedicated Facebook page for the DMV Muslim Riders.

The DMV Muslim Rider Facebook group consists of mostly middle-class Muslim guys, some students, professionals, who already own a motorbike. Some are mechanics, other work as motorcycle dealerships. There is a definite social aspect to the club, says Sharieff as members arrange bike rides to Philadelphia and New York City or to Shenandoah Valley. They will stop at a halal spot to grab some food and then ride off. They collaborate on charity rides and offer suggestions on how to winterize bikes.

In a motorcycle club there is certain etiquette that has to be followed. A staggered pattern while riding is followed

“We [the DMV Muslim Riders] are becoming more serious, planning our goals.” Now that they have a few

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sponsors, they plan on doing more charity rides for Syria and Palestine, as well as local causes. Safdar no longer rides and two other admins have taken over. Khan is close to one of the admin. “He and I are one of the few riders from the Baltimore area- we have been trying to change the perception of motorcycle riders. “Not every biker is some sort of party animal and has bad habits. Our purpose is to ride safe and not every rider is reckless. We want to ride safely and we want people to properly learn how to ride.” “There a lot of desi guys in the group, some Arabs and some converts. Most of us are just showing off our bikes. There were some really good people who would come out to help you if needed. The guys whom I found myself around took safety seriously. They are very conscientious,” says Sharieff. Yet there were some young men who joined the group who were

In 2014, a bike ride was organized on the DMV Muslim Riders page during Ramadan. The plan was to meet at Mandarin Restaurant in Virginia for iftar. That 27th night on August 4, 2013, the Muslim community lost another bright young man. 22-year-old Ahsan Asif of Catonsville was an engineering student in his last semester of university. He had a job offer set upon graduation. On August 23, 2015, two motorcyclists identified by authorities as Hubert Harrison Jr., 63, of Bowie, and a Muslim young adult, Fahad Iqbal, 23, of Laurel died in a collision. His Janazah was held at the Prince George’s Muslim Association. Investigators say Iqbal was headed north on Laurel-Bowie Road, also known as Maryland Route 197, when he crossed the centerline around a curve and struck Harrison head-on. “[Fahad] missed his neighborhood so he decided to make a U-turn and there was no one there so he made it then the [fireman] came out of nowhere and it happened. Need I remind you it was 3 am, he couldn't see,” relative Mohammad Iqbal notes in a Facebook post. Even if riders survive an accident, the most severe trauma accidents are motorcycle accidents, says Imran Siddiqui, a former rep of a major orthopedic implant company, who has seen thousands of trauma cases. “They go through multiple surgeries and the average cost of rehabilitation is close to half a million dollars that many times the taxpayers are covering. Injuries are

>> MOTORCYCLE II Pg 25

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CONTINUED | 25 Quran class together at ISB. He was with him and his brother on that night in Ramadan.

MOTORCYCLE II

>> continued from pg 22

Ahsan’s close family friends deny any rumors that he was intoxicated, “He was fasting!” The brothers started out the journey making dua.

usually to the head and spine but most often we see lower extremities and foot injuries,” says Siddiqui. “You can be a professional motorcycle driver and be really good, you can be the best motorcyclist in the world, but it's a game of physics— a motorbike weight 500-600 pounds, an SUV weighs a 5000 pounds. Who wins in a collision? Plus, there are lots of bad drivers out there. Losing your limb is not worth it,” advises Siddiqui, “I would not let any family member of mine ride a motorcycle, if I can help it.” “DMV traffic is really crazy, as a motorcyclist it can be stressful,” says Sharieff. Even in Columbia, where he is from, he recalls a number of close calls that he witnessed. Cool thing is that you can get out of a jam in traffic on a motorbike, he says, but if you are not mature, it can be devastating. “I went to some of these janazah; I have three boys and a wife and I do think about [death]. I have never thought I was immune, but do try to manage the risk.” “I can understand doing things that are wild, exciting, and even risky. But no one has the right to endanger the safety of others just for the sake of having a good time,” writes a long time rider. Mufti Hamid Kasmi of Masjid Fatimah says that performing these stunts are unIslamic and sinful. It is breaking the contract that a Muslim has made with the Motor Vehicle Authority when they give him a license to drive the motorcycle, which is a sin. Putting your life in reckless danger and harming the lives of others is strictly prohibited in Islam,” he said. Perusing rider forums you can see that most experienced riders think that anyone who is doing stunts on public streets and highways is an anathema to the sport. Sharieff says he sees people on the roads doing stunts all the time. A part of him wants to learn, but he doesn’t want to risk his life or others. There is a group of men who meet up in Columbia, MD. They have modified stunt bikes and they teach tricks and practice in a close parking lot, he says. “My main goal is to

“I still don't know what really happened,” says Khan as he was leading the group ride. A few new riders were with them as well as a few experienced ones. “Ahsan was geared up. He had his helmet on and a jacket,” clarifies Khan.

Even though the concern about safety was not uniform in the DMV Muslim Riders group, Sharieff says he never saw an invite to join a speed rider gang. be a experienced rider than a stuntman. That’s where your skills are tested. You get to know yourself as rider on the track,” says Sharieff. Even though the concern about safety was not uniform in the DMV Muslim Riders group, however, Sharieff says he never saw an invite to join a speed rider gang. “[This is] the first time I am hearing about this speed bike group. I am very confident if the admins of the DMV Muslim Riders were to see something, they would admonish these kids,” says Sharieff, who sold his bike last year due to some personal matters. He plans on buying one in a few years. He still loves to ride. “It is extremely enjoyable. Waking up on a Sunday morning and taking in the scenic route and smell the trees. It is such a visceral experience and I miss that. There is a flip side— don't get on the bike when you are mad.”

There are no official group of stunt riders or speed riders says Khan, but he does know of small groups of friends who do get together from Baltimore and Silver Spring and do reckless stunts. “They happen to be brown and happen to be Muslim, then [all of us] come into ‘the picture’,” says Khan. As Muslims they are stereotyped and as bikers they are also stereotyped. Ahsan’s friend says that a small, very select group of young Pakistani men, who are very strongly culturally influenced in the ISB community do take over the top risks. Haris Qudsi, a seminary student at the Al Rahmah seminary says, “There is a sense of entitlement in some Pakistani/ Indian kids whose parents can afford the expensive bikes.” Ahsan Asif ’s death prompted many rumors in the community that he was doing stunts which resulted in his death. Khan knew him from when they attended

“No one was doing a stunt. There were another group of [non Muslim] bikers that rode in who were riding fast. There was traffic; 2-3 of us rode ahead and 4-5 of our group got left behind. We were in a construction zone so the traffic was a lot slower,” says Khan. Another rider collaborates his story: “No one in the group was riding recklessly, the accident happened traveling at speeds between 55-65mph. The riders were in group formation when it happened. The confusion is coming from other motorcyclist /groups who were traveling at unreasonable speeds through the traffic on I-95.” “They kept in group formation, and weren't booking it. Apparently there were at least 2 other groups of bikers that rolled through on I-95. Not saying our group was goodie two shoes over here, but I don't think they were doing 120 plus through cars like some of the people were saying,” Coolkhas on a forum announcing his death on DCsportsbike.net wrote: ”the accident happened 10 minutes onto I- 95 south coming from 695. The riders were indeed coming from Baltimore.” When a car swooped in front of the bikers and the driver tapped her brake light, Ahsan hit the brakes. His brakes jammed and he fell off the bike. Friends say that he called out for his brother, Ali, as he lost control. “His fall wasn't bad, he slid on the pavement. The reason his injuries were [so] extreme was because there were two bikes behind him which also lost control and went his direction,” wrote a commenter on the DCSportsbike. net forum. No one exactly knows what happened, but three bikers went down. Khan pulled >> MOTORCYCLE III Pg 27

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26 | HEALTH & FAMILY

Running for the Hills

“Hearth of the Home” Since the time Allah subhana wa ta'ala created Adam (alahi-salaam) and taught him how to kindle fire, mankind has loved to sit around a crackling fire, enjoying the warmth and spacing out while gazing into the flames. Once man learned to control this fire to some extent, he set about devising ways to contain it, harness it and keep it in his home. He went from simple fire pits in the ground, to stone fire enclosures built into walls, to all manner of free-standing structures to hold fire and give off heat. The most iconic heat-holding structure for homesteaders is a woodstove. It evokes images of fresh baked breads, big cast iron pots of steaming stews, strong brewed coffee and Saturday night baths. It's the first thing to be fired up in the morning, ready to hold its place as the dispenser of heat and hot water, the maker or breaker of your reputation as a country cook, the center of your homestead hideaway. So, you say, if they're so crucial to life as we know it, why doesn't everybody have a woodstove? Why aren't there woodstoves in apartment buildings and townhouses, for crying out loud? Wellll... first of all they're heavy as all get-out, and you'd need to reinforce the kitchen floors which wouldn't sit well with the neighbors under you, who already have a problem with the thud of your knees as you hit the ground in sajdah at 5-something every morning. Then you'd have to find a way to route all those pipes through all those walls and ceilings without creating a piping nightmare. And of course, there's the problem of everybody's wood piles out in the hallways tripping people up, attracting spiders, and leaving bark and twigs strewn all over the place. Needless to say, woodstoves are best suited to stand-alone homes where the homeowner alone is the only one who has to stand his messy wood pile.

There's a certain mystique, a certain “je ne sais quoi”, also known as a learning curve, that comes with a woodstove. You don't just turn on a knob, wait for the familiar clickclickclickclick and up pops a soft blue flame to heat up your latest ramen noodle masterpiece. Before you can bake beans or sauté spinach there's work to be done! Grab the matches and crumpled newspaper. Make sure you've got your kindling close at hand. Keep that can of salt over the stove filled because it's the next best thing to a fire extinguisher when you get a little too happy with the firewood. You build your woodstove fire pretty much like you'd build a fire when you go camping. Start by putting the kindling, the little twigs and such, in the firebox, till the fire catches, then build up with thicker sticks till you have a few good solid flames. Add one or two split logs at a time until you have the fire going nice and strong. Close the firebox door and open the damper a bit so there's air for the fire to breathe. You'll notice that there are six burner plates on the stove and where you position your pots and pans determines the heat you get. There are no knobs to turn up or down, the further you move your pot over from the firebox the less heat you get. So if you want to boil something quickly, leave it on the burner plate right over the firebox. If you only want to simmer, them move it all the way to the right on the burner plate furthest from the firebox. Obviously, the burner plates in the middle get you the medium heat. See? Simple. This is all in theory mind you, as our stove has yet to be fully installed, and I've more experience with the clickclickclickclick-thing. But having cooked over an open campfire, and watched friends cook over their woodstoves though, I think it should be

>> HEARTH Pg 10

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015 MOTORCYCLE III

>> continued from pg 25

over the side of 1-95 and ran back to the bikers who were now on the road. Police reports say that Ahsan died of a head injury. One brother has a broken wrist and another one had a minor concussion. Ahsan's bike was pretty messed up and others were totaled, according to Khan. A family friend, who has known Ahsan since he was 7, received this mass text on his phone. ”Brother in community passed away in a bike accident.” “I went to his house, it is a small neighborhood and many family and friends were in shock and disbelief. Asif had an older brother who was also riding with him,” he said, choosing to stay anonymous. The family is still trying to recover from the loss of a brilliant young man. They attended his graduation at UMBC, where a moment of silence was held for Ahsan. Anas, a close friend of Ahsan who was also riding with him that night, says that that the trauma of seeing a friend die was so severe that none of the guys who were riding that night wanted to talk about it. None of the young men on that ride received any spiritual or mental health therapy. He does feel that the DMV Muslim Riders should have done something after Ahsan’s death. “They should have issued a statement, that would have curbed the rumors.”

INFORMANT

>> continued from pg 28

day several Twin Cities Muslim leaders delivered a new critique of Countering Violent Extremism, (CVE), a federal pilot program designed to counter terrorist recruiting of young Muslim Americans. Speaking outside a Minneapolis mosque, they said it is alienating Somalis and Muslims, as well as stalling efforts from within the community to combat terror recruiting. Jaylani

CONTINUED | 27 Close friends say that it was absolutely untrue that Ahsan was doing stunts on his last ride. “I haven’t heard him doing any stunts on the bike; the group that he was with would get together to eat like any MSA or youth group.” Ahsan's friend continues, “I will say I am very against motorcycles. I know a lot of our friends still do it. It is somewhat of an addiction and I do believe that some left biking after seeing their friend die in front of them— but others have gone back.” Khan says he has never heard about a super man stunt, the stunt that Ahsan was supposedly attempting. I looked it up on Google. There were several images of very young men around the globe, precariously lying flat on their bikes with their legs straight out behind them. Some of them are dirt bikers on tracks and others are on public roads. “The superman stunt involves a rider taking both feet off the pedals when airborne. The successful completion of the stunt is when a rider is able to kick their feet out behind them without letting go of the handle bars and flattening their bodies as much as possible so that they look like Superman as he flies.” “I would be terrified of doing that,” says Khan when I describe the stunt to him. “How is even possible to do that with one hand, what’s on the throttle?” he asks perplexed. “Look, Mama. Look at that guy popping a wheelie,” said my 8-year-old son, pointing to a motorcyclist on the highway, who was now roaring past cars after performing this common trick. This is usually how little men are introduced to

Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, said the program could subvert their privacy and religious freedom. He also said Somali leaders have held their own productive summits on safeguarding their youths, and that funding for community programs should come from state and local grants and foundations, not the counterterrorism budget. As they spoke, the local leaders were flanked by relatives of some of the

the world of motorbikes.

reputation,” he says.

“[It is] a very romanticized thing, especially for desi Muslim kids” says Sharieff. “Bikers hold a certain image that boys want to emulate,” says Haris Qudsi, a youth leader from Baltimore. “It’s a matter of fitting in and standing out at the same time,” say Qudsi, who works with several youth initiatives.

Anas offers up some advice to young men so they don't become squids—riders who exhibit that deadly combination of both inexperience and overconfidence. “Get a small bike, practice on it and don’t be a fool, if the cops catch you its a $1000 fine,” he says.

They all agree that young men, ages 14-18, have been ignored by our communities. When I suggested a forum where young men can discuss motorbike safety in a safe masjid environment, one of them said that that the adults would never agree to such a taboo topic. These deaths have not prompted the community elders to tackle this topic head on. They wave it off as kids being kids, that because he was on a motorbike he was asking for it,” says Ahsan's friend. “High school is most difficult time [for young men] - a lot of it goes against Islamic values. The community looks down any kid riding motorcycles— they are labeled rebels. Adults need to realize that this is happening obviously and needs to be addressed,” he adds. For Khan biking is about camaraderie and enjoying a sport safely. “I wanted to go to different masajid and talk to younger kids and explain to them, what we do when we go on rides. Tell them about the risks and the good things that come along with riding a motorcycle. This way we can find guys that are new at riding motorbikes and teach them. “How fast they go and the stunts —it concerns me and also makes me angry as it comes back to us. Everyone of us bikers gets a bad

defendants, including the mother of Guled Omar and the parents of brothers Adnan and Mohamed Farah. The mothers were present, they said, because they believe their sons’ arrest resulted from government entrapment because of failed CVE efforts. Other Somali-American leaders, however, praised the CVE effort. Abdimalik Mohamed, chair of the 15-member Somali American Task Force, said the program opened doors with foundations and corporations that never before invested in the community and resulted in expanded tutoring,

Sharieff is also interested in talking to young people and mentoring them. He comes from a perspective of naseeha and advice, as a fellow biker, seeing young men move without protective gear, with what he calls a crazy false bravado. “I see a young brother at Dar at Taqwa bobbing and weaving in and out of traffic. Young men need to understand that it is like guns- you have to understand safety and responsibility,” he says. A rigorous safety course at the local Harley Davidson dealership taught Sharieff about the ‘Ladder of Risk’ how each rung increases your risk, i.e. speeding, doing unsafe things. Sharieff will often leave a dua on the DMV Muslim Riders group’s page on Facebook “Ride safe, take care of yourself out there.” “My parents weren't OK with it before but they have seen what it means to me and the passion that I have for this sport. My mom reads duas over me before I head out, ‘be careful, ride safely’,” shares Khan.

sports activities and mentorship. The Task Force signed an agreement with U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger that the program would not violate civil liberties or take part in surveillance or intelligence gathering. “We really looked closely at the concerns of civil rights and civil liberties, and it’s important to protect that,” Mohamed said. “But at the same time there is recruitment happening in our community, so we have to find a solution for that.”

....

28 | CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil Rights

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

Informant in terror case paid $41,000 by FBI Defense attorneys say payments undermine the informant’s credibility By Paul Mcenroe and Abby Simons

is decided based on that task.”

The FBI paid more than $41,000 to an informant who provided information implicating former friends in a terrorism conspiracy case against seven Twin Cities men, according to court documents that came to light Thursday.

In the course of his testimony, Samit appeared to imply that there is more than one informant involved in the investigation. When asked how he became familiar with the case, Samit said his role included “conducting interviews of witnesses, operating confidential human sources and debriefing them.”

Star Tribune Staff Writers August 06, 2015

The payments were disclosed in a motion filed Thursday by the defendants’ attorneys, who allege they undermine the informant’s credibility. The informant, code-named “Rover,” by FBI agents, was paid based on performance, they said. “Most importantly of all, the informant has been paid in the most valuable currency of all — his freedom,” wrote attorney Andrew Birrell. “Despite lying under oath multiple times and having participated in the same conduct charged in the indictment, the informant has remained free.” Birrell is asking a judge to order the government to identify the informant and make him available for questioning by defense lawyers. Birrell, who represents defendant Hanad Musse, wrote the motion on behalf of all the defendants, who have been accused in a conspiracy to leave the United States and fight alongside terrorists as members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Defense attorneys say they want to interview the informant to determine if they have grounds for accusing the government of entrapment and inducing the defendants to break the law. The informant, who began working for the FBI in February, had previously

....

Informant helped Testimony shows that the informant helped several defendants connect with a contact in San Diego who would provide them fake passports, allegedly so they could cross into Mexico and fly from there to the Middle East. The contact was actually an undercover FBI agent, according to charging documents.

Clockwise, Hanad Mustafe Musse, 19, Guled Omar, 20, Zacharia Yusuf Adurahman, 19, and Adnan Abdihamid Farah, 19. They are four of six Minnesota men of Somali descent that have been charged in a criminal At least one of the defendants had complaint with traveling or attempting to travel to Syria to join ISIL. previously been in contact with a Courtesy Sherburne County Sheriff's Office Minneapolis man who fled to Syria to fight with ISIL in May, 2014, according to the FBI. From Syria, Abdi Nur had told the suspects that he had a contact lied to agents and to a federal grand in California. The informant was among in Mexico who could provide fake jury about his activities in the alleged a group who traveled to San Diego, travel documents, but he was not able to conspiracy, according to the FBI. allegedly en route overseas, and was follow through, prosecutors say. whisked away following their arrest. His tape-recorded conversations provide The motions also shed new light on the key evidence concerning various Weeks later, FBI Agent Harry Samit inner workings of the investigation, alleged plots by the defendants to leave testified at a hearing that by then the including confirmation that the FBI the United States. All the men, between informant had been paid $12,725 gathered evidence on Musse by placing the ages of 19 and 21, are currently in for providing information about the tracking devices on five vehicles and Twin Cities area county jails as they defendants’ plans. Payment was based gleaned information from his cellphone await trial. Defense attorneys will argue on whether “the confidential human and Facebook account. for their pretrial release in a September source makes the meetings that he hearing. Up to 20 motions in the case is requested to go to by subjects, if Muslim leaders speak may be filed by the end of the week. he utilizes the recording equipment correctly, if he reports accurately, if he The document was filed on the same The 10-month investigation ended in reports in a timely fashion,” he said. April when six of the men were arrested “He is exposing himself to a certain — four in the Twin Cities and two more degree of danger as a — so the amount >> INFORMANT Pg 27

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

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30 | WORLD PRESS

World Press

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

Islamic Leaders Take on Climate Change, Criticizing "Relentless Pursuit of Economic Growth" Source: Democracy Now,

Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley made headlines by suggesting that the rise of the so-called Islamic State came about in part because of the effects of climate change. He was speaking on Bloomberg TV. Let’s go to a clip.

August 20, 2015

A group of leading Islamic scholars have issued a declaration calling on the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to do their part to eliminate dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and turn toward renewable energy sources. The declaration urges world leaders meeting in Paris later this year to commit to a 100 percent zero-emissions strategy and to invest in decentralized renewable energy in order to reduce poverty and the catastrophic impacts of climate change. The declaration comes on the heels of the publication of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment earlier this year, which also calls for sweeping action on climate change. Like the encyclical, this declaration, endorsed by more than 60 leading Islamic scholars, links climate change to the economic system, stating: "We recognize the corruption that humans have caused on the Earth due to our relentless pursuit of economic growth and consumption." We speak to Bangladeshi climate scientist Saleemul Huq, one of the contributors and signatories to the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change. NERMEEN SHAIKH: We turn now to a sweeping climate change declaration issued by the world’s leading Islamic scholars, calling on the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to do their part to eliminate dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and turn towards renewable energy sources. The declaration urges world leaders meeting in Paris later this year to commit to a 100 percent zero-emissions strategy and to invest in decentralized renewable energy in order to reduce poverty and the catastrophic impacts of climate change. The declaration comes on the heels of the publication of Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment earlier this year, which also calls for sweeping

....

action on climate change. Like the encyclical, this declaration, endorsed by more than 60 leading Islamic scholars, links climate change to the economic system, stating, quote, "We recognize the corruption that humans have caused on the Earth due to our relentless pursuit of economic growth and consumption." It places special emphasis on richer countries and communities, noting that the risks of climate change are, quote, "unevenly distributed, and are generally greater for the poor and disadvantaged communities of every country, at all levels of development." AMY GOODMAN: To talk more about the significance of this declaration, we go to London to speak with Saleemul Huq, one of the contributors and signatories to the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, a climate scientist at the International Institute for Environment and Development in London, and director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh. Saleemul Huq, welcome back to Democracy Now! Talk about what prompted the declaration, who wrote it, and who were the major signatories on it. SALEEMUL HUQ: I think the origin of this came some—a few months ago, when the Climate Action Network, a group of

climate activists, got together with the Islamic Relief Worldwide, a humanitarian Islamic organization that does quite a lot of work with vulnerable communities around the world. And they agreed that this was something that they should take up, and got in touch with Islamic scholars and leading clergy around the world, and started drafting a potential declaration of this kind. And then they held a two-day symposium in Istanbul, which ended just a day or so ago, where they brought about 60 international scholars, Muslim scholars, leading clergy from different countries, and we—and then invited me as a climate scientist to join them, also a Muslim, as well. And we honed the final declaration, which came out and has been released. And it’s aimed very much at the 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, bringing to their attention the verses of the Holy Qur’an, which enjoin Muslims everywhere to preserve the environment as stewards of the environment, and at the same time not cause harm to other people by their own pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and so, at a personal level, to reduce our emissions, and, at a global level, to join efforts by all faiths and all countries to bring down the fossil fuel use to zero as soon as possible. NERMEEN SHAIKH: Well, last month,

MARTIN O’MALLEY: One of the things that preceded the failure of the nation-state of Syria and the rise of ISIS was the effect of climate change and the mega-drought that affected that region, wiped out farmers, drove people to cities, created a humanitarian crisis. It created the symptoms, or, rather, the conditions, of extreme poverty that has led now to the rise of ISIL and this extreme violence. NERMEEN SHAIKH: Dr. Saleemul Huq, your response? I mean, to what extent do you think the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, etc., Yemen, are exacerbated by climate change? Can the creation of ISIS really be attributed to the effects of a changing climate? SALEEMUL HUQ: I think that—I don’t think there’s a direct attribution of the rise of ISIS as an organization to climate change, but there is no denying the underlying logic of the statement that we just heard, which is that there was a continuing drought for quite a few years in Syria that predates the conflict, the civil war, and the rise of ISIS, and caused migration and refugees going from the rural areas to urban areas. And that’s the kind of thing that climate change is likely to cause in future, and almost certainly will cause future conflicts. NERMEEN SHAIKH: And, Dr. Huq, what does the declaration call on some of the Muslim-majority oil-producing countries to do? They’re the ones with among the least incentives to cut down >> CLIMATE Pg 33

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

CONTINUED| 31

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32 |

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

ISLAM

Advice for the Best 10 Days of the Year Thul Hijjah Starts September 14, 2015 Depending on Moon Sighting Praise be to Allaah. Among the great seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allaah has favoured over other days. It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2/457 It was also narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no deed that is better before Allaah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of al-Adha.” It was said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allaah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” Narrated by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwa’, 3/398. These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all other days of the year, with no exception, even the last ten days of Ramadaan. But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better than the first ten nights of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because they include Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412. So the Muslim should start these days with sincere repentance to Allaah, then he should do a lot of righteous deeds in general, then he should pay attention to doing the following deeds: 1 – Fasting It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the

....

Abi Dawood, 2/462.

It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and fasting is one of the best of deeds,

first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged us to do righteous deeds in the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and fasting is one of the best of deeds, which Allaah has chosen for Himself as it says in the hadeeth qudsi: “Allaah says: ‘All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1805. The Prophet (peace and blessings of

Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. It was narrated from Hunaydah ibn Khaalid from his wife, that one of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhu’l-Hijjah and the day of ‘Ashoora’, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays. Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 4/205 and by Abu Dawood; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh

This takbeer has become a forsaken Sunnah nowadays, especially at the beginning of these ten days. You can hardly hear it except from a few. It should be recited out loud, so as to revive the Sunnah and remind the heedless.

2 – Reciting tahmeed, tahleel and takbeer a great deal It is Sunnah to recite takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar (Allaah is most great)), tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillah (praise be to Allaah)), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (There is no god but Allaah)) and tasbeeh (saying Subhaan-Allaah (Glory be to Allaah)), during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, saying these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets and every place in which it is permissible to remember Allaah, to perform this act of worship openly and proclaim the greatness of Allaah. Men should recite out loud and women should recite quietly. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade), and mention the Name of Allaah on appointed days, over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice)” [al-Hajj 22:28] The majority are of the view that the “appointed days” are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because it was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the appointed days are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. It was narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days that are greater before Allaah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” Narrated by Ahmad, 7/224; >> ADVICE Pg 39

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

CONTINUED | 33

Salaah times for September 4th - October 1st, 2015

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.

CLIMATE

>> continued from pg 30

on fossil fuels, since they’re dependent on them for their economy. SALEEMUL HUQ: Well, first of all, it enjoins all the Muslims in those countries, as individuals, to do what they can to reduce their own carbon footprints and also to help their fellow Muslims, who very often are amongst the most vulnerable people to the impacts of climate change, people like Muslims living in Pakistan, in Bangladesh, my country, and in parts of Africa. Many of these are Muslims who are suffering the consequences, and therefore those of us who are better off have a duty to help them, protect them and to stop causing the pollution that is causing the impacts

Day

Date

Hijri

Fajr

Sunrise

Dhuhr

Fri

20/11

5:25

6:39

1:08

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

4:46

7:35

8:50

Sat

21/11

5:26

6:40

1:07

4:45

7:33

8:49

Sun

22/11

5:27

6:41

1:07

4:44

7:32

8:47

Mon

23/11

5:28

6:42

1:07

4:43

7:30

8:45

Tue

24/11

5:29

6:43

1:06

4:42

7:28

8:43

Wed

25/11

5:30

6:43

1:06

4:41

7:27

8:42

Thu

26/11

5:31

6:44

1:06

4:40

7:25

8:40

Fri

27/11

5:32

6:45

1:05

4:39

7:24

8:38

Sat

28/11

5:33

6:46

1:05

4:38

7:22

8:36

Sun

29/11

5:34

6:47

1:05

4:37

7:20

8:35

Mon

1/12

5:35

6:48

1:04

4:36

7:19

8:33

Tue

2/12

5:36

6:49

1:04

4:35

7:17

8:31

Wed

3/12

5:37

6:50

1:03

4:34

7:16

8:30

Thu

4/12

5:38

6:51

1:03

4:33

7:14

8:28

Fri

5/12

5:39

6:51

1:03

4:32

7:12

8:26

Sat

6/12

5:40

6:52

1:02

4:31

7:11

8:24

Sun

7/12

5:41

6:53

1:02

4:30

7:09

8:23

Mon

8/12

5:42

6:54

1:02

4:29

7:08

8:21

Tue

9/12

5:43

6:55

1:01

4:28

7:06

8:19

Wed

10/12

5:44

6:56

1:01

4:26

7:04

8:18

Thu

11/12

5:45

6:57

1:01

4:25

7:03

8:16

Fri

12/12

5:46

6:58

1:00

4:24

7:01

8:14

Sat

13/12

5:47

6:59

1:00

4:23

7:00

8:13

Sun

14/12

5:48

7:00

1:00

4:22

6:58

8:11

Mon

15/12

5:49

7:01

12:59

4:21

6:56

8:09

Tue

16/12

5:50

7:01

12:59

4:20

6:55

8:08

Wed

17/12

5:51

7:02

12:59

4:19

6:53

8:06

Thu

18/12

5:52

7:03

12:58

4:18

6:52

8:04

on them, and at the same time hope to influence the leaders of these countries that it’s in their own best interest to move away from fossil fuels in the long run. And indeed, this is beginning to happen. If you look at the leaders of Abu Dhabi, for example, they are investing heavily in solar energy and in renewable energy, because they know that their oil is not going to last forever.

To Advertise in the Muslim Link Call

301-982-1020 or Email us at

office@muslimlinkpaper.com

AMY GOODMAN: Saleemul Huq, we want to thank you for being with us, one of the contributors and signatories to the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, climate scientist at the International Institute for Environment and Development in London, director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh.

....

September 4th - October 1st, 2015 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

34 | ADVERTISEMENT

Arts & Entertainment Book Review

“The Anatomy of Usury” --------- by Samir Abid Shaikh ---------

Review by Jann McClary

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Reading “The Anatomy of Usury: a Critique of the Interest-Based Economic System” by Samir Abid Shaikh is a lot like the tough-love strategy children endure from some parents. They don't necessarily enjoy going through it, but it turns out to be very beneficial nonetheless. The title is an apt one because the author literally dissects all aspects of usury/riba in its historical, literary, cultural, religious, legal and economical manifestations. He slices it down to the bone, and with each layer exposes why riba is predatory, divisive, deceptive and ultimately unjust. Most of us have a very cursory and elementary understanding of usury, which we know by the term riba. We think it means taking money, or lending money, over and above the main amount borrowed or lent. But riba is not just skin deep, and goes beyond that surface definition. It is invasive, insidious, and Abid Shaikh shows how it effects all aspects of life

from rampant consumerism, inflation, debt-traps, unemployment, erosion of a middle class, and expansion of the rich-poor gap, to the establishment of a permanent lower class. It is, however, this lack of understanding of the nuances of riba that allows us to be so unaware of it and ultimately swept up into it. The absence of knowledge of a sin is no excuse for becoming involved in it. Anas Ibn Malik said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.” (At-Tirmidhi). Alhamdulillah, we have a deen which is so complete that there's no separation between religious and non-religious aspects of life. Each aspect hinges on and supports the other so that the whole life is strengthened and balanced. Riba does just the opposite: It weakens the financial life and encourages disparity among society. Abid Shaikh first helps us understand how riba was viewed and practiced in past cultures and societies by briefly examining riba/usury in Indian, Greek, and Roman history. In all three societies it

Given that usury has been demonstrated as reprehensible in the world's three major religions, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, it is surprising that people still engage in it. ....

was at the very least denounced and condemned, and at its best detested and criminalized. In Europe, the practice of riba was made popular due to the prowess and expertise of the Jews in the fields of trade and commerce, and of their monopoly of the ears of rulers when it came to matters of finance. It was made commonplace by the dispersal of Jews into Spain, France and Italy, and with the emperor Charlemagne's invitation to them to come settle in Germany in the 9th century, and in the 11th century with the invitation of William I to them to settle in Britain.

story lines: as a crime on the same level as sodomy; as a masterly critique and warning against usury; as a poem contending usury as the stealer of personal freedom and the cause of the destruction of western civilization. But among the arts no depiction of riba is more well-known than William Shakespeare's famous play “The Merchant of Venice.” In the story the lender Shylock asks not for monetary interest on his loan to a young, rich Italian, but for a pound of his flesh if the loan is not paid by its deadline. How much more abhorrent can an example be before we see how great a sin it is?

Across world literature, writers such as Thomas Lodge, Dante, Ezra Pound and others have included riba in their

>> RIBA Pg 37

September 4th - October 1st, 2015 BAGS

>> continued from pg 8

Baltimore. He has been organizing annual backpack giveaway for 10 years. He was excited to see his “Islamic” family here, in a place where he grew up in. He no longer lives here but was raised in “There are families here who have been left behind socially and economically and there was a need to make sure that these kids have school supplies,” Housing is an issue. Several years ago , Ali says, Warwick Park was neglected and overgrown, essentially a vacant lot. He and several community partner convinced the then mayor to turn it into a park with basketball court. The kids didn't have a spot to play, now families have a spot to walk around and play and he says this has changed the character of the neighborhood. “This convinced people that they is their community and we cannot wait around for the politician to fix anything, They are not our solution, some of them the problem. He said he was here representing the

CONTINUED | 35 Islamic community so people understand that we are all in this together. “Mad respect for Brother Bilal Ali who is always giving back to the community in a real way. Today in Southwest Baltimore the press was not present to write about the dozen of kids, families, community leaders, and elected officials from across Baltimore who came out to Warwick Park to participate in a Back to School celebration that included hundreds of free back bags, free haircuts, and free food. Our community continues the tradition celebrating, aiding, and encouraging the academic success of our children in anyway we can,” shared Kinji Scott. Zakat Foundation of America volunteers were there with supplies and 150 sturdy backpacks for students. Sisters from Masjid Baitullah came to receive some supplies for their children. Similar giveaways are planned in two locations in DC and at the MSSA Resources for A Better Tommorrow on September 12, 2015 outside Masjid al Haqq.

Tammy Goldstone grew up in the community “All young people deserve a chance. No on asked to born or put into poverty,” she told the Muslim Link. She thought that different organizations joining together to help out make this a successful event. Dawan is headed to high school. He received a new haircut courtesy of the organizers. He wants to go to college and thinks that more people should be helping out in the school. He thinks if teachers weren’t so strict and harsh then more kids would want to stay in school. Sonya is a nursing student in Baltimore. She has three children and between rent and groceries, buying supplies and back to school clothes and shoes for three kids was a tough proposition. Her kids want to grow up to be doctors and engineers. Darlene D Wright was with bike community in Columbia, MD she was here with her motorcycle club giving back

to the communities that surround her city “That's what it about— doing or others like you want for yourself,” she said.. They had brought backpacks loaded with supplies for the children. Zainab Chaudry of CAIR-MD was also at the Warwick Park event. She had previously raised $3,000 in an online campaign to buy back-to-school supplies for children in the Sandtown/Winchester neighborhood of Freddie Gray, the man whose death in police custody and sparked the Baltimore riots. “Children can only work with what they have, and too often that's not much. I met and spoke to many who came out,” she says. ICNA held a similar giveaway at the ICNA masjid in Alexandria, VA and in collaboration with the Muslim American Society at the MAS Center in the same city. Have a great school year.

Teach It. The Best of You are Those Who Learn the Qur’an and

Dar-us-Salaam is looking for Qur'an teachers for its Rockville and College Park, Maryland branches. Please send resume to: quran@darussalaam.org . Please indicate which branch you are applying for. Applicants must have legal working status in the USA.

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36 | CONTINUED

Request For Duaa To Allah We Belong, and to Him is Our Return

0806-2015 M. Arafatul Islam & Sowara Zaman's son Skyden Arafat Zaman passed away. He was a full term infant baby. Janazah was on August 6, 2015 in Ellicott City, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant him the highest ranks in paradise, and give his family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: DAT) 08-06-2015 We are grieved to announce the passing of our dear brother, Dr. Zafar Ahmad Vaince, beloved father of Dr. Uzma Vaince, Naila and Bushra. Janaza prayer for Dr. Vaince was on August 7, 2015 in Silver Spring, Maryland. We ask Allah to shower His Mercy on Dr. Vaince and his family, to forgive him and open the gates of Jannah to him and send peace to the Vaince family in their time of loss. (Source: MCC) 08-10-2015 It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Sister Aisha Osman Abutaleb. Sister Aisha was one of the original members of the Muslim community in the Washington DC metro area. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Salaat al-Janazah was on August 10, 2015 in Silver Spring, Maryland. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her shortcomings and allow her to enter into Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: MCC) 08-10-2015 It is with great sadness we announce that Sr. Najmus Saher Javeed, wife of Br. Humayun Javeed returned to Allah. Janazah prayer was on August 11, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah forgive all her sins, widen her grave, shower HIS mercy upon her, open the doors of Jannah and grant her the highest place in Jennah. May Allah give them sabr in this difficult time, protect us all and only call us back when He is most pleased with us. Aameen. (Source: E. Baig) 08-10-2015 It is with great sadness we announce that Br. Misbahuddin Farooqi, father of Habib Farooqi returned to Allah. Janazah prayer was August 12, 2015 in Falls Church, Virginia. May Allah forgive all his sins, widen his grave, shower HIS mercy upon him, open the doors of Jannah and grant him the highest place in Jennah. May Allah give them sabr in this difficult time, protect us all and only call us back when He is most pleased with us. Aameen. (Source: E. Baig) 08-10-2015 It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Brother Kais Ahmed Al-Azzawi who passed away. Salaat al-Janazah for Brother Al-Azzawi was on August 12, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-13-2015 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing away of Sr. Shakila Begum. She is the mother of Sr. Rubina Amin and mother in law of Br. Nadeem Amin (ICM Webmaster). She was a loving mother, grandmother and wife. Her Salaat ul Janazah was on August 13, 2015. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her shortcomings and enter her into Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: ICM) 08-13-2015 Salaat al-Janazah for Brother Yusif Barrie was on August 14, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-15-2015 Salaat al-Janazah for Sister Ardo was on August 15, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-15-2015 One of our community`s members, Ayse Ferah, wife of Nizamettin Ferah, has passed away. Salatul Mayyit was on August 15, 2015. May Allah forgive the deceased and induce her family with patience. (Source: Diyanet Center of America) 08-15-2015 Salaat al-Janazah for Baby Ahmed M. Jalloh was on August 16, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah grant his family patience and ease. Ameen. (Source: PGMA)

“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)” sweetest smells of Jannah, May Allah bless him with the highest level in Jannah, May Allah grant him a place near the Prophet Sallahu Alayhi wa sallam in Jannah, May all his help be a means of Sadaqah Jariyah and continue to reward him. May Allah give them sabr in this difficult time, protect us all and only call us back when He is most pleased with us. Aameen. (Source: E. Baig) 08-23-2015 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Brother Fahad Iqbal, son of Mohammad Iqbal. Janaaza prayer was on Monday, August 24, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah forgive his sins, have mercy on him, and grant him Jannah. May He also grant the family patience during this time. Ameen. (Source: ICCL) 08-26-2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sohail Ahmed Yazdanim, the husband of Raheela Yazdan. The Salat ul Janaza was on August 26, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Allah (SWT) 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) 08-26-2015 Javed Iqbal Malik (Owner of Tabeer Restaurant), son of the late Muhammad Sakhi Malik, has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on August 27, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) 08-27-2015 Abdul-Karim Rasool, the father of Weiss and Ahmad Rasool, has passed away. Janaza was on August 27, 2015 in Falls Church, Virgina. (Source: M. Dajani) 08-28-2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Br. Abdul Aziz, the uncle of Raza Sadiq and father of Raza Arshad. The Salat ul Janaza was on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Allah (SWT) 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) 08-28-2015 PGMA sends condolences to the family of Sister Fatou Thomas Charm who recently passed away. Salaat al-Janazah for Sister Fatou Thomas Charm was on August 29, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) forgive her shortcomings and grant her Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-28-2015 PGMA sends condolences to the family of Brother Ali Dualeh Ali who recently passed away. Salaat al-Janazah for Brother Ali Dualeh Ali was on August 29, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-29-2015 PGMA sends condolences to the family of Brother Mohamed Fadl who recently passed away. Salaat al-Janazah for Brother Mohamed Fadl was on August 30, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA) 08-30-2015 Brother Shamsun Nabi has passed away. Janazah prayer for Br Nabi was on August 30, 2015 in Manassas, Virginia. (Source: Dar Alnoor) 08-30-2015 Sister Maryam Chaudhry, daughter of Khalid Chaudhry, has passed away. Janazah prayer for Sister Maryam was on August 31, 2015 in Manassas, Virginia. May Allah (swt) bestows mercy on her soul. May Allah forgive all of her sins, grant her jannah-tul-firdous and give sabr to her family and friends. (Source: Dar Alnoor) 08-31-2015 It is with great sadness we announce that Br. Abdalla Abdelkader Ghazzawi, husband of Sr. Nafisa Abdelrahim and a father of Br. Sharif, Mohammad, Ahmad, Alhasan and Alhusain, has passed away. Janazah prayer was on August 31, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. (Source: E. Baig)

08-16-2016 It is with great sadness we announce that Br. Nazir Ahmed Khan, husband of Sr. Sadia Nazir and a father of Br. Asim Khan has returned to Allah. He leaves behind his wife, three sons, five daughters and several grandchildren. Janazah prayer was August 16, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah forgive all his sins, widen his grave, shower HIS mercy upon him, open the doors of Jannah and grant him the highest place in Jennah. May Allah give them sabr in this difficult time, protect us all and only call us back when He is most pleased with us. Aameen. (Source: E. Baig)

08-31-2015 It is with great sadness we announce that Sr. Sayeeda Ahmed, mother of Br. Neyaz Ahmed, has passed away. Janazah prayer was on August 31, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. (Source: E. Baig)

08-19-2015 It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our brother Shakeel Abbasi. Salat-ul-Janaza was on August 20, 2015 in Catonsville, Maryland. We Ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant him the highest rank in paradise, and give his family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: Masjid Fatima)

09-01-2015 Brother Billo Diaby's Salaat al-Janazah was on September 2, 2015 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannat ul Firdaus, Ameen. (Source: PGMA)

08-20-2015 The Dar-us-Salaam community extends its condolences to the family of our Dear Brother Nihad Awad whose Mother passed away. Brother Nihad Awad is the President of CAIR and a tireless servant of the Muslim Community in America. May Allah forgive her and grant her Jannat al-Firdaus. May Allah grant strength and patience to her family at this time. (Source: Dar-us-Salaam) 08-22-2015 It is with great sadness we announce that our beloved Brother Saleem Shaikh has passed away. Janazah prayer was August 22, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah grant him to smell the

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

09-01-2015 Sr. Amtal Malik, mother of Amjad Malik and Aamir Malik, has passed away. Janazah prayer was on September 1, 2015 in Sterling, Virginia. (Source: E. Baig)

09-01-2015 13-year old Arif Muhammad Ali's Salat-ul-Janaza was on September 1, 2015 in Catonsville, Maryland. We Ask Allah to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant him the highest rank in paradise, and give his family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: Masjid Fatima)

September 4th - October 1st, 2015 RIBA

>> continued from pg 34

Given that usury has been demonstrated as reprehensible in the world's three major religions, Islam, Judaism and Christianity, it is surprising that people still engage in it. Narrated An-Numan bin Bashir: I heard Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) saying, “Both legal and illegal things are evident but in between them there are doubtful (suspicious) things and most of the people have no knowledge about them. So whoever saves himself from these suspicious things saves his religion and his honor. And whoever indulges in these suspicious things is like a shepherd who grazes (his animals) near the hima (private pasture) of someone else and at any moment he is liable to get in it. (O people!) Beware! Every king has a hima and the hima of Allah on the earth is His illegal (forbidden) things. Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good, but if it gets spoiled the whole body gets spoiled and that is the heart.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) In order to understand riba, Abid Shaikh outlines the physiology of the western banking system, beginning with the barter system, the gift economy, commodity money, tally sticks, gold coins, on up to bank notes and bonds. Then he starts the lesson on Western capitalism with the backgrounds of Adam Smith, called the 'father of capitalism', and his economic successors, Silvio Giselle, John Maynard Haynes, Maurice F.C. Allais and others. Each of these Western economists had some problem with usury, but still tried to proffer ways to work within the existing monetary system in a more equitable, just way whether it was capping interest rates; removal of legal obstacles and special inherited privileges; tolerating interest as a necessary evil that required state intervention; or confining money creation to governments only. Although these alternative economic strategies hoped to lessen the negative impacts of riba through monetary reform, ultimately they would not be successful because the cancer of riba has spread world-wide into every part of the global body. In the heart of the book the author details the chains of usury starting with the big two, the debt trap and the real estate sector, two main links that keep us tied to the sin of riba. One encourages you

CONTINUED | 37 to buy without paying (at least not right away), and the other to sell what you do not own, two major prohibitions in Islamic monetary transactions. You buy a suit with your credit card, with every intent to pay it off in full before the bill's due date. Then some crucial expense

infrastructures. The principal on these debts might have been paid off in full when interest rates were low, but when these rates soared to double digits and compound interest was figured in, debtor countries became enslaved to a debt they could never repay. When the debtor

In order to understand riba, Abid Shaikh outlines the physiology of the western banking system, beginning with the barter system, the gift economy, commodity money, tally sticks, gold coins, on up to bank notes and bonds. comes in, for which you have no cash to pay, so you charge that, too, and now interest is accruing on both charges because you couldn't pay for them at the time pf purchase. Maybe you buy a house or car with a loan from the bank. After a while it becomes more than you can handle so you want to sell it. Islamically, you can't sell it because you don't own it. The bank does. Any interest payments you made on it and any profit you might

country has no choice but to refinance its loans, it is often required by the creditor country's bank to institute “austerity measures” like selling its public sector companies to the bank, or reducing social services to its citizens, or opening local markets to foreign investors. The debtor country continues to try to operate under a load that can only foster political, civic and economic instability.

The debt trap ensnares countries in the same way, enticing or requiring them to borrow, at compound interest, huge sums to shore up their economies and infrastructures.

reap from its sale put you in a bad place with your Lord. Prophet Muhammad said: “O people! Fear Allah and seek your livelihood honorably. A man will not die until his destined livelihood is provided even if it is slow in coming. Therefore, fear Allah, and ask honorably, take what is allowed and leave what is forbidden.” (Ibn Majah and Al Hakim) The debt trap ensnares countries in the same way, enticing or requiring them to borrow, at compound interest, huge sums to shore up their economies and

Abid Shaikh shows these examples as clear riba, but what about the riba that's not obvious? Suppose you can't tell what else is lurking within the financial system disguised as convenience?: No money down, leveraged sale, deferred payment, pay-day loans. These debt traps are almost always presented to those in society who are least able to afford the debt. They become bogged down in debt, victims of those people and institutions who stand in line for their pound of flesh. “The Anatomy of Usury” not only

clearly details how debt functions on an individual and global scale, but also traces the pathways to usury including the monopoly of wealth, the lop-sided redistribution of it which leads inevitably to more and more disparity between the rich and poor, and inflation and rampant consumerism. Even individuals who are keen to avoid riba transactions will still be touched by its dust. It is, in this current age, unavoidable. Narrated Imam Ahmad: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said “A time will come upon people when they will consume usury.” They said to him, “Is that all of the people?” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) replied, “Whoever does not take from it will be affected by its dust.” (Al-Fath alRabany) If you've ever even so much as cashed or deposited a check in a bank or credit union, a speck of usury has blown your way because when that bank holds your money, even for a short time, it gains interest on it, and your account enables it to lend money out, at interest. Abid Shaikh shows how the dust turned to mud and stuck to almost everybody with first, the 2000 collapse of technology stocks, called the “dot com bubble”, then in 2008 smeared most of the world with the banking/mortgage fiasco. This riba mudslide has now taken us into the U.S. debt crisis. There is a clock in Times Square in New York city that, since its installation in 1989, has tracked the national debt and every American taxpayer's share in it. The debt, according to usdebtclock.org, is currently slightly more than $18 trillion, with a “t”. That debt rises approximately $30,000 per second, and accumulates interest at $16,000 per second. And your share? $154,000 is your speck of dust. What is not right about this? Everything. This system of usury violates every precept of fairness and right action in Islam. It is not balanced, it is disproportionate. It is not moderate, it encourages excess. It is not fair, nor will it ever be just. So what else do we have to work with? “Anatomy of Usury” doesn't just critique and then leave the reader to his/her own monetary devices. It gives the example of the Medici Banking system, prevalent in Italy in the 14th century, which operated according to Christian teachings against usury, was backed by the gold currency >> RIBA II Pg 39

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MASJID LISTING

38 |

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Masjid 26243 Gum Spring Road, Chantilly, VA 20152, USA

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 5613 Lessaburg Pike,#1 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond 6324 Rigsby Road,

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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 Road Spotsylvania VA 22553 --------------------------------------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.C.: Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARYLAND

--------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Annapolis (ISA): 2635 Riva Rd. Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.isamd.org Email: Info@islamannapolis.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc 200 S. Calhoun Street Baltimore, MD 21223 Imam’s cell: 571-721-9938 email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Dawah Center, Inc: 1910 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 410-945-1515 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar ul Uloom: 6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, Tel: 410-493-0785 Email: Darululoommd@aol.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ul-haq: 514 Islamic Way (Wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-728-1363 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-mumineen: 2642 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218 Tel: 410-467-8798 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Jamaat Al-Muslimeen: 4624 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212 Tel: 443-438-7986 --------------------------------------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Fatima 1928 Powers Lane Catonsville MD, 21228 Phone: 410 800 4880 Email: info@masjidfatima.com Website: www.masjidfatima.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------IRHSCA (Islamic Research And Hum. Services Center Of America): 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 www.irhsca.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240 603 4618 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------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) 3280 Pine Orchard Lane, Suite A Ellicott City, MD 21042 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: 240-277-7758 | 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.(PGMA): 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD, 20706, Tel: 301-459-4942 www.pgmamd.org Imam’s Office: 301-459-1441 E-mail: Imam@pgmamd.org. --------------------------------------------------------------------------Turkish American Community Center 9704 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706 Tel: 301-459-9589 | www.taccenter.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------La Plata Masjid: 111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Com. Center Of Laurel (ICCL): 7306 Contee Rd., Laurel, MD 20707 Tel: 301-317-4584 | www.icclmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Ghurabaa: 8220 Washington St., South Laurel, MD 20724. Tel: 301-604-3295 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Lexington Park 22583 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20619 Tel: 240-538-7839 or 561-414-0994 www.iclpmd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Community Center of Potomac 10601River Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.iccpmd.com | 301-983-0383 E-mail: info@iccpmd.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 9019 Marcella Ave. Randallstown, MD 21133 Tel: 410-971-4018 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (ISWA): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 | www.iswamd.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------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 Fax: 410-663-9817 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977

September 4th - October 1st, 2015

CONTINUED | 39 RIBA II

Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan Office Manager: Stephanie Benmoha Layout: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Urooj Fatima Yaman Shalabi Fatimah Waseem Hena Zuberi Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Imam Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published once a month on Fridays and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas. TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam. The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-us-Salaam and TML are not responsible for the accuracy of information presented by advertisers, or for the religious compliance of events, products, or services published in TML. This publication contains the names of ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others The Muslim Link PO Box 596 College Park, MD 20741 Phone : (301) 982-1020 Fax: (240) 209-0702 editor@muslimlinkpaper.com Advertising: 301-982-1020 or email us at office@muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2015

>> continued from pg 37

called “florin”, applied double entry accounting, and hired bank mangers who contributed to the capital and profit of the bank branch, thereby increasing their desire to make that branch successful. Silvio Giselle's “Natural Economic System” sought to level the playing field between money and commodities and services owners by penalizing with fees anyone who hoarded money without spending it in the community. The WIR system established in Switzerland in the 1930s functioned through a bartering system in which members, instead of cash, paid for items through an accounting system that used no interest. As wellintentioned as these systems all were, they were by-and-large local, and therefore not globally adopted. The obvious

ADVICE

>> continued from pg 32

its isnaad was classed as saheeh by Ahmad Shaakir. The takbeer is as follows: 1Allaah akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, there is no god but Allaah; Allaah is Most Great and to Allaah be praise). And there are other versions. This takbeer has become a forsaken Sunnah nowadays, especially at the beginning of these ten days. You can hardly hear it except from a few. It should be recited out loud, so as to revive the Sunnah and remind the heedless. It was proven that Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with them both) used to go out to the marketplace during

best alternative is an Islamic banking system built solely on Shari'ah, and in the early 1970s the Islamic Conference Organization sought to do just that. The ICO's main goal was to “disseminate and establish banking principles according to the Shari'ah teachings within the eight member countries, and later to all Islamic countries.” In the decade to follow more than a dozen Islamic banking and investment companies formed and operated successfully in the Persian Gulf region.

that can operate successfully outside of usury, but you'll have to get the book to find out what they are. And you should definitely include a copy of this book in your Islamic book collection whether you are an economics student, a wife intent on guarding her husband's property, a real estate agent or a banking professional. Riba is something that causes injustice, fraud, and imbalance, and “The Anatomy of Usury” helps you understand it, recognize it and avoid it. This book is essential in your struggle against this sin.

Abid Shaikh is himself a former economic adviser at both the Center of Islamic Economics Research in Jeddah, and the Bank of Bilad in Riyadh, as well as the former Secretary General of the International Association of Islamic Banks. SPOILER ALERT: He uses his experience to offer two valid systems

For more information: Samir Abid Shaikh, The Anatomy of Usury: a Critique of the Interest Based Economic System, (North Charleston, South Carolina: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013) pp. 312. Available from www.amazon.com.

the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting the takbeer our loud, and the people would recite takbeer when they heard them, i.e., the people would remember the talkbeer and each one would recite it by himself; it does not mean that they recited in unison – that is not prescribed in sharee’ah.

House of Allaah. Whoever Allaah helps to go on Hajj to His House and do the rituals in the required manner will – in sha Allaah – be included in the words of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “An accepted Hajj brings no less a reward than Paradise.”

Reviving Sunnahs that have been forgotten brings a great deal of reward, as is indicated by the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever revives one of my Sunnahs that has died out after I am gone, will have a reward like that of everyone who does it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this hadeeth is hasan because of corroborating reports.

4 – Udhiyah (sacrifice)

3 – Doing Hajj and ‘Umrah

One of the righteous deeds that bring a person closer to Allaah in these ten days is to slaughter the sacrifice and to look for a good, fat animal and to spend money on it for the sake of Allaah. Let us hasten to make the most of these great days, before the negligent regrets what he did, and before he asks to go back and receives no response. [Source: islam-qa.com]

One of the greatest deeds that can be done during these ten days is Hajj to the sacred

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020. Office@muslimlinkpaper.com We invite you to place a personal classified on the web FREE of charge at www.muslimlinkpaper.com. Classifieds in the print edition of the Muslim Link newspaper are only $1 for every 3 words. All classifieds run for a single monthly issue in the Marketplace section. Get started by emailing your exact text to office@muslimlinkpaper.com and then call in your credit card payment to 301-982-1020 or send a check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, PO Box 596, College Park MD 20741.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCED DRIVER AVAILABLE Experienced Driver (with Class B commercial driver license) available for your driving needs. local and long distance, your vehicle or mine. Safe, reliable. Tu-

toring and notary services available. Please call (410)591-7930 or e-mail pharmsk2008@yahoo.com -------------------------------------------------OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Open position for part time / full time Office administrator for local Real Estate Development/Investment Company in Greenbelt, MD. Must have excellent com-

munication and organizational skills, and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word and Excel. Salary based on experience/capabilities, starting at $11-$15/Hr. Email resumes to adam@adcmc.com

FOR SALE

HOME FOR SALE 4 bedroom and 2.5 bath, 2 minutes from Adams Center. http://m.movoto.com/ herndon-va/1332-shallow-ford-rd-herndon-va-20170-310_fx8683507/ Close to shopping mall, metro silver line, school, library, etc. rusdianto.mahmud@gmail. com

At the Muslim Link, we get hundreds of these requests every year. We can’t respond to them.

But you can.

Sending a 12 issue subscription to an inmate costs $60. Help a Muslim inmate feel connected to the Muslim community by sending in a tax deductible donation today to: The Muslim Link, PO Box 596, College Park MD 20741. Make sure to write “inmate mail” in the memo. Or, donate online at www.muslimlinkpaper.com.

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September 4th - October 1st, 2015

MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 71

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