The Muslim Link - December 14 2012 by The Muslim Link

JESUS

Community Spotlight:

Muslims Say: Bring Jesus Into Your Life ! PG 28

IMAAM: The Indonesian Muslim Association of America PG 6 Like & Follow us

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

Area Ethiopian Muslims Encouraged by Commission Releases Statement of Concern On Symbolic Victory US Religious Freedom for Ethiopian Muslims By Hena Zuberi

In a major development in the struggle of the Ethiopian Muslims, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a statement that it "is deeply concerned about the increasing deterioration of religious freedoms for Muslims in Ethiopia."

>> victory Pg 1

The Dar-us-Salaam community is gearing up for the first major fundraising event on December 22 for a new

Coverage of the Young Muslim Conference In Baltimore | pg 5

Coalition Presses US to Continue Travel Ban on Modi | pg 9 Somali Diaspora Youth Convene In Virginia | pg 9 Ethiopian American Muslims protest in Washington DC this past summer against the Ethiopian government's crack down against the religious freedom of its Muslim population. Many Ethiopian Muslim activists say US taxpayer dollars being paid to Ethiopia in return for its participation in the 'war on terror' are being used to repress Ethiopian Muslims. Photo courtesy of First Hjra.

Dar-us-Salaam Gears Up for First Major Event for New Campus By Muslim Link Staff

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

ICM Youth Make Fundraising Mobile-Friendly | pg 8

Muslim Link Staff

UCSRIF makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress of the United

The Muslim Link

education and community campus in Howard County, Maryland. The 66-acre property in the rural western portion

of Howard County is a former Catholic school campus. Dar-us-Salaam hopes to move its kindergarten through 12th grade Al-Huda School and masjid to the

new campus next year. A contract signed in early

>> event Pg 22

Think Tank Seeks a Chair at the Policy making Table | pg 10 HoCo Muslims Help Students With Tuition Hurdles | pg 11 FAMILY: Severe Weather Reminds Us To Prepare | pg 25 ISLAM: Reflections at the Onset of The New Hijri Year | pg 28 The Muslim Link

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

4 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Community News Richmond Father Murdered In His Store By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Rain pelleted down on the cold November day that Muhammad Tayyab was laid to rest to await his return to Allah. His funeral prayer was held at the Islamic Center of Virginia after Dhuhr salah. On November 24th, 2012, Br. Muhammad Tayyab was shot in broad daylight at his Food Mart on Erich Road in Northern Richmond in a robbery. He had run the store for 17 years and it was his main source of income. Mourning his loss are his wife and 5 children, ranging in ages from 11 to 24 years, as well as the whole Muslim community in Richmond. The night before he passed away, Br. Tayyab sat down with his son and talked about his life and journey from Pakistan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was like my best friend," said Sheroz Khan to a local newspaper,

choking back on tears. Relatives said Tayyab was the victim of attempted robbery and assault before, and they say it was his passion for people that kept him in business for 17 years. The family of 59-year-old Mohammad Tayyab issued a desperate plea for anyone with information surrounding his murder to come forward. "Crime has made us fear going out into the world," said Muhammad Tayyab's daughter, Zain Tayyab told Channel 9 news. "Someone came and took his life and he fought and provided for us until the day he died." "It is really comforting to know that I wasn't the only one who loved my father," said Zain. "The community loved him very much. He didn't deserve to die that way. So if you know anything please come forward and help us."

>> store Pg 20

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The late Muhammad Tayyab, above, was a regular at his local masjid. Muslims from the DC region took time off to participate in his janaza and burial (below). Photos courtesy of Richmond community members.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS

Young Muslim Conference Packs Crowd, Inspiration In Baltimore By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Extremely popular speakers, Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan and Shaykh Omar Suleiman, drew crowds from as far away as Richmond, Norfolk, and Salisbury. Many times in gatherings and conferences, the young are discussed in the context of problems, an issue with the ummah. It was refreshing to see the organizers and speakers at Young Muslims Youth Conference exemplifying what is right with the youth. The Young Muslims Youth Conference was held on December 1, 2012 in Baltimore, Often puncuated by humor, the lectures of Noman Ali Khan (left) resonate with many teenagers, say youth who atMaryland at the Islamic Society of Bal- tended the December 1, 2012 Young Muslims Conference at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. Photos by Muslim Link. timore. Fresh faces lined up from10:00 am as life examples of using positive peer ers. "He was a rich 'mama's boy' but he Looking at the crowd that attended the many vendors were setting up at the pressure to bring friends who were not changed. He didn't wait for his friends and he went to learn about Islam on his conference, one can easily make the entrance. Since the masjid is sepa- attending, to the conference. own. 8000 people came to Islam based argument that Muslim youth today are rate from the main hall, both men and smarter, more connected and more in- women sections had equal access to the Dr. Altaf threw out this question to the on his message of humility," volved in their communities than their speakers at this venue. Stalls selling crowd, "What makes a person cool?" parents' generation. They are social me- Young Muslim gear were manned by 13 Answers from the audience included: "We don't need you to be foolish; we and 14 year olds. The theme of the con- knowledge, basketball, be a good ex- don't need you to go to prison. We need dia savvy, and hungry for knowledge. ference was 'From Darkness to Light'. ample, clothes, energetic, hair, strength strong Muslims," Dr. Altaf addressed and personality. the audience. Young Muslims (YM) is a national Conversations are changing too. For youth organization started in the early several years youth conferences would Using the example of Musab ibn Umair, "If we travel and speak a lot and change 90's. Camaraderie, bonding, and learn- focus on what is wrong in Muslim com- he gave life to the notions of Activism does not happen then there is no use of ing were all part of this one day confer- munities, now we are moving to more and Engagement of Youth. "His shoes these conferences. These conferences ence. Many chapters of YM drove up to strategic leadership from our speakers were imported, as was his cologne and have to be the starting points of letting the conference, for example, the group and scholars. For example, Nouman Ali perfume. He was good looking, smelt go, letting go of habits that displease of young brothers from Piscataway, NJ. Khan spoke about setting higher stan- good, women would line up to watch Allah, habits that your parents don't dards for the youth who are already in- him, If they had Facebook then, these know you have, habits your friends The 2nd Annual Northeast Youth Con- volved in Islamic work. He gave them 3 girls would be updating their status: don't know you have, but you know," ference, was co-sponsored by the Is- concrete goals to work on for the rest of You don't know who I just saw, MUS- Dr. Altaf pontificated. AB!" Dr. Hussain used a vernacular that lamic Circle of North America (ICNA). the year to improve their lives. resonated with the crowd. All the speakers spoke within the peGeared towards the whole family, but rimeters of youth development, at a run, managed, advertised by the youth Dr. Altaf Husain, of Howard University in Washington D.C., a prominent The transition in this sahaba's life had from all over the northeast. speaker and social worker, gave real meaningful takeaways for the listen>> inspiration Pg 19

A Conference that Resonated with the Youth "Pretty organized, it was fun." – Haris Rashid, 15, Baltimore, MD I loved the program because it had my favorite Islamic Speaker, Nouman Ali Khan and it reaches out to people and people with experience share their stories. It was also kind of funny. --Neha Malik, 11, Laurel, MD I loved all the fun and joking and I got to see my friends i hadn't seen

in months. The speakers were really understandable as well. – Saleema Ibrahim, 11, Owen Mills, MD I love the program! Second year coming and subhanAllah, all the topics are relatable, I felt like they are talking directly to you. – Sumaiyah Khan, 15, Beltsville, MD It made me feel like, hey there is a chance for everyone – Tayyibah, 13,

Baltimore, MD I loved the program. i liked meeting the speakers and my best friends. I liked how the speakers were joking around and talking. I hope I can come next year! – Sumaya Ahmed, 11, Baltimore, MD Organized, interesting local event. It's partly about youth empowerment and youth inspiration. A large turnout … where are the rest of the youth??? --Azhar, 17, Silver Springs, MD

Noman Ali Khan talked about setting of the priorities and gave us the assignment of three things. 1. Worship 2. Knowledge 3. Community Service (volunteer). --Yasar Indorewala, 16, Woodbridge, VA The speakers and what they talked about was inspiring and inspired me to set goals and become someone who can- no- will make a difference in this world, for Muslim communities. To use my knowledge and be someone. -Zaynub Siddiqui, 12, College Park, MD

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

6 | COMMUNITY NEWS Community Profile:

The Indonesian Muslim Association of America in Rockville, MD There are many ethnic communities scattered around the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region that gather at community centers and cater to the cultural and religious needs of their Muslim congregation, teaching languages and promoting ties to the land where their ancestors migrated from. One of these active communities is the Indonesian Muslims Association of America, or IMAAM. Under the banner of Da'wah, Education, Prosperity, and Community Development, IMAAM services the Indonesian Muslim community of the Washington DC area. The Muslim Link interviewed Bagus Adi- Some of the many Indonesian-American Muslim children served by IMAAM's yanto , the secretary of IMAAM. Sunday School program. Photo courtesy of IMAAM. TML: Please give us a brief history of IMAAM. IMAAM is a faith-based organization in which the majority of its members are Muslims from Indonesia. Founded in 1993, IMAAM is a religious, charitable, and non-profit 501(c)3 organi-

zation based in Rockville, Maryland largely serving Indonesian-speaking immigrants in the Greater Washington, D.C. IMAAM is governed by a 9-member democratically elected board of trustees comprising of men and women.

IMAAM engages in regular social services, community services, including interfaith activities to support harmonious relationships among different faiths. TML: What services are provided?

We have a Sunday school program. Sixteen years ago, H.E. DR Arifin Siregar, Indonesian Ambassador for the US, along with IMAAM President and Director of Education Shahir Kadir, signed and inaugurated the "Indonesian Madrasah" (Muslim School) at the Bethesda Elementary School. Classes are held for beginners, intermediate, teenage/ young adults, and adults. The beginner and advanced classes are taught in English and Indonesian languages. The curriculum consists of Introduction to Islam, Qur'anic Studies, Sirah of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu'alyhi wa sallam, Acts of Worship, and other courses. IMAAM uses various methods of instruction including regular classes, field trips, audio-visual, games, and discussions. We also hold Friday Prayer, offer and collect zakat and charity, help with funeral services, and we have a marriage >> IMAAM Pg 20

Interfaith Trip Helps Us Discover Our Own Faith By Sadaf Qureishi

hope of reaching out to our Christian sisters and brothers, of growing in mutual understanding of each other’s religions through conversation, and of building bridges between our communities by working together to restore St. Mark’s Church.

Muslim Link Contributing Writer [Sadaf Qureishsi is a student at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Sadaf is a resident of Washington, D.C. where she spent the last four years as an undergraduate at Georgetown. She took this journey with Imam Yahya Hendi and the Georgetown Muslim Chaplaincy for interfaith relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy. These are her reflections. --- TML] Years ago, in the South, “pounding of the preacher” was a common custom used to welcome newly hired priests to the town and to the congregation. Members of the church would each bring a pound of food to the home of the incoming priest to help stock up his pantry—a pound of sugar, a pound of flour, a pound of butter. It was small-town living and Southern hospitality at its finest. One might expect no less. But the tradition also had a greater significance. At the time, priests were relocated every few years. It was unlikely that these itinerant priests would receive a fixed salary and, often, the church would provide

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Participants like Khalid Kabbara (left) and AbuNasir Sut (right) who took part in the interfaith trip to Tennessee say they not only learned about other faiths, but they also found a greater appreciation for their own. Photo courtesy of the author. him his home. This tradition served as a humbling reminder to the priest that his livelihood depended upon his relationship with the people of the community that he served. Upon arriving in Chattanooga, Tennessee

with a group of 8 graduate Muslim students from Georgetown, and our Imam, I experienced something not unlike this old tradition. Though the circumstances were entirely different, the spirit was much the same. We set out for Chattanooga on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with the

At three in the morning on Thanksgiving day, when our van finally pulled up to the Church after over ten hours on the road, members of the community were there waiting for us. They greeted us not only with smiling faces and warm words of welcome, but with a kitchen counter lined with food, a full fridge, sleeping bags, and rooms that they had prepared for us in the Church. Like the priest who arrives at a new congregation, we depended upon the people of the Church as much as they depended upon us to serve them and their community. As keenly as I felt the hospitality that early morning of our arrival, I also felt the responsibility and expectations that it implied. >> interfaith Pg 19

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

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8 | COMMUNITY NEWS

ICM Youth Make Fundraising Mobile-Friendly By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff On days when we constantly hear why people have stopped coming to the masjid and how various masajid are getting it all wrong, it is refreshing to hear how some masajid are doing things right. Zubair Khan was a 9th grader in Richard Montgomery High School's IB Magnet Program when he heard National Public Radio (NPR) announce SMS donations during its fundraising drive. " I asked myself, why does not Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) have it?" ICM is his local Islamic Center where Zubair, from Rockville, MD, volunteers. He searched online and told Br. Abu Wahid Khan and another ICM trustee about his idea. He followed this up with a written proposal with relevant information regarding the setup process, vendors, etc. and they listened. "The process is not difficult; anyone can go online and find out how, and there are

a few requirements. However, it took some time for the idea to gain traction. But once there was an active interest, progress quickened. I originally pitched

In 2012, 50% of the top non-profits in the U.S. used some form of mobile giving. According to the Dallas Morn-

In 2012, 50% of the top non-profits in the U.S. used some form of mobile giving. According to the Dallas Morning News, "the trend toward high-tech giving is unmistakable. ... It's not only inevitable but right that churches adapt to how people are handling money." this idea in conjunction with a few others in April 2011, so... it did take some time," says Zubair Khan. The board eventually listened to a youth in their community who had a brilliant idea, whereas many may have turned him away.

ing News, "the trend toward high-tech giving is unmistakable. ... It's not only inevitable but right that churches adapt to how people are handling money." According to the American Express Charitable Gift Survey, "64% of people who donate today prefer the convenience of

using technology-enabled processes." Zuhair says that it is his personal belief that any organization that is fundraising should open every possible donation mechanism for its donors and make it easier to give. This leads to more people donating. "When a potential donor receives an emotional impulse to support a cause and make a contribution, the less thinking and time necessary to donate, the more likely it is the potential donor becomes an actual donor. It is crucial to remove any hesitance because it is difficult enough to fashion a convincing appeal. This situation plays out in every fundraising pitch. An example would be the Salvation Army; their bell-ringing volunteers send a simple appeal to donate in conveniently placed stations, when you walk near you feel a small impulse to which you respond by giving spare change. If you don't donate then, it is unlikely that you will pur-

>> fundraising Pg 18

ISB Golden Age Committee Hopes for More Community Involvement By Urooj Zulfiqar

Muslim Link Contributing Writer Baltimore, MD--The Golden Age Committee of Islamic Society of Baltimore held its monthly meeting/dinner program on December 12, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. The main goal of the meeting was to bring its members up-to-date on the proposal for the senior residential facility, led by Dr. Khokhar and Brother Tufail. The Golden Age Committee started this project three years ago and then took a break for a year due to insufficient commitments. They started up again this year when the community at Baltimore realized the importance of this project. “For the last eight months more and more seniors from the community are stepping forward and attending our meetings,” Mr. Zulfiqar Baig, a regular committee member, voiced his appreciation. “We are so happy that people are

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starting to realize the importance of this issue and are willing to come forward to help, however, we still have a long way to go, and with the ISB community to help us, we can make this dream a reality.” “The Islamic Society of Baltimore has been very generous to offer two residential houses behind the Al-Rahmah School to start our project,” Dr. Khokhar expressed his gratitude. “But we are looking for more than just that; our plan is greater than just 2 home units and we can’t make it possible without your help,” he pointed out while speaking to the audience. The meeting usually features recitation of the Quran by Brother Hossam, followed by two presentations, one reflecting Islamic knowledge and the other reflecting health issues faced by the senior citizens. Then the meeting usually opens the floor to the community members for questions and answers and further discussion on the senior activities.

This meeting featured a presentation on Hajj by Brother Hossam and Brother Tufail and a presentation on High Blood Pressure by Dr. Kulwant Singh Modi, a special guest attendee. After a short Q&A, a survey prepared by the Muslim Community Center and Montgomery County Muslim Foundation was passed out to the audience to get a better under-

standing of the needs of senior citizens. A dinner program followed the presentation on Muslim senior residential facility. Donations were collected at the end of the meeting. The monthly meetings will resume starting next year and the committee is hoping to get more commitment from its community at ISB.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS

Coalition Presses State Dept to Continue Travel Ban on Indian Government Official By Colin C. Christopher Muslim Link Contributing Writer

A s Congressional leaders and the White House continue to spar over revenue and tax policy measures aimed at avoiding the "fiscal cliff," a Tuesday, December 4, 2012 afternoon press conference on Capitol Hill provided a rare moment of bi-partisan solidarity. Organized by the Coalition Against Genocide and supported by both Democratic and Republican members of the United States House of Representatives, family members of victims from the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, India voiced their strong support of a Congressional letter asking U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton to continue to deny Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi's U.S. visa privileges. "It is heartening ... that Congress persons on both sides of the aisle have come together to issue a strong statement that is not only an expression of solidarity with the victims, but also a reaffirmation of our common shared values of justice, human rights, and freedom of religion. Denying a visa to Mr.

Modi will prevent a culture of impunity from taking hold among Human rights abusers no matter where they are," said Dr. Hyder Khan, member of the Coalition Against Genocide. Mr. Modi, who continues to serve as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, is accused by the Indian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as being complicit in the Gujarat Riots of 2002, killing over 1,000 people, most of them Muslims. A 75page Human Rights Watch report from 2002 concluded that the attacks were "planned in advance and organized with extensive participation of the police and state government officials." House Representative Joe R. Pitts (RPA), one of twenty-five members of Congress to sign the letter addressed to Secretary Clinton, traveled to the state of Gujarat in the immediate aftermath of the riots in 2002. "The officials in Gujarat Province, we asked them, 'why didn't the police respond to what was occurring,' and the police said that we [they] had no order to respond," Pitts recalled. Also at Tuesday's press conference,

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) addresses the press conference organized by the Coalition Against Genocide. Other members of Congress who participated included Representatives Joe Pitts (D-PA), Frank Rudolph Wolf (RVA), Trent Franks (R-AZ). Photo by Colin Christopher. Nishrin Hussain, daughter of slain Indian Parliamentarian Ahsan Jafri, recounted Mr. Modi's response to her father's panicked plea for help over a phone call to him during the middle of the riots. Hussain told the press that Mr. Modi replied, "Jafri, save yourself if you can." Supporting her conviction for Mr. Modi's complicity in her father's murder, Hussain noted, "...there was nobody. The biggest hospital in Asia is about a mile away. Not even a single

ambulance came." Despite a wealth of evidence against Mr. Modi's involvement in allowing the killings to take place, he has been acquitted of all prosecutions and remains as one of the most popular leaders in all of India.

>> coalition Pg 24

Somali Diaspora Youth Convene In Virginia By Zaynab Aden

beneficial knowledge; embracing our religion and the good in our culture; committing to the reform process; leading by example; working and sacrificing for peace and justice.â&#x20AC;?

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

The 4th annual Somali Diaspora Youth Conference was held the weekend of November 23, 2012 at the Marriot hotel in Alexandria, VA, and attended by students and professionals from across the country -- and even from across the pond -- who are interested in the future of Somalia and the role of those abroad. The first annual Somali Diaspora Youth was held in 2009 to create a forum where youth can network and work together for their own personal development, as well as community advancement. Their group seeks to â&#x20AC;&#x153;promote

Members of the planning committee represent major Somali communities such as Minnesota, Ohio, the DC/MD/ VA area and as far as London. Through e-mail and conference calls, themes, speakers, and topics are carefully chosen and advertisement begins utilizing various social networks. Despite time differences and workloads, the conference organizers were able to harness Although the conference is called the Somali Diaspora Youth Conference, the weekend event also attracted many adults and non-Somalis. Photo by Mohammad Hoque.

>> diaspora Pg 16

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

10 |COMMUNITY NEWS

Think Tank Seeks to Give Muslims a Chair at the Policy making Table By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Ever drive by Capitol Hill and wonder who represents me? Who gives recommendations to politicians making laws that affect us? Which leads to the question, who are we? A meaningful policy dialogue cannot take place about or even with American Muslims without knowing who they are and what they think. Think tanks develop and promote policies to politicians that shape the lives of ordinary Americans: unemployment, public health issue, regulation of everything from banks to the Internet. They provide experts to testify at congressional hearings, write articles for the oped pages of newspapers, and comment on television. There is just one Muslim think tank in the U.S. Think tanks are normally funded by large businesses and leading foundations. The Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) is unique; it focuses on research, not advocacy. It is a grassroots organization, funded by 800 individual donors as well some institutes. Recently they offered a grant for coalition building against anti-Muslim bigotry, ISPU has produced agenda-setting papers and briefs on topics such a

bullying of America's Muslim children to the legality of drone attacks in Pakistan. Newly released and future reports include a 3 year study of American Muslim physicians and a look the aging American Muslim population, Islam in Prison, Shariah and Diversity, African American Religiosity, & countering radicalization in Pakistan. ISPU hosted its first annual D.C. fundraising banquet at the Cherry Blossom Banquet hall in Sterling, VA, a year after celebrating its tenth anniversary, on November 18, 2012. "It no longer is 'nice' to include diverse voices in policy conversation, it is a necessity. It is essential [for] effective policy making to be talking to organizations that can give them the correct information," Shireen Zaman, the Executive Director at ISPU addressed the audience. "We can continue to trust think tanks of the last generation or we can invest in institutes like ISPU." ISPU hosts 70 scholars offering research in 40 disciplines from Anthropology to Political science. Academics from Professor John Esposito, Dr. Altaf Husain to Professor Sherman Jackson, many of whom were in attendance at the dinner. The only local board member, Hena Khan welcomed the packed hall of supporters. The audience was an eclectic mix of

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Institute of Social Policy and Understanding Fellow Haroon Moghul addresses the group's first DC area fundraising banquet . Photo by Muslim Link. young professionals, old supporters, government employees, activists and staff. Reza Zarafshan owns an IT company in Mclean, VA; he booked an entire table to show his support. "I heard about ISPU through its email list and at ISNA. The work is worthwhile. They have figured out how to find a place at the table, exactly what this phase of the Muslim American story needs," he said. It is the role of think tanks such as the ISPU to relay academic research to politicians in short, non-jargonized briefings so solid policy can be formed."We give them exact nuance on the Muslim community," said Fareed Senzai, "through policy analysis and recommendations." "We do not sugar- coat or defend the Muslim community; we study it," said

Fareed Senzai, who flew in from California, is the Director of Research at ISPU, "people in Washington see us as a credible source of information." "What think tanks do well is present ideas or synthesized research relevant to current policy in attractive, accessible ways that are non-technical and timely. What they do best however is network, in particular with key people in government and use the media effectively," writes Judy Sebba, a Professor of Education and Director of Research in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex. Haroon Moghul is a Fellow at ISPU and a Fellow at the New America Foundation, was the keynote speakers. He is also the Associate Editor at Religion >> chair Pg 24

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS | 11

Race to College Event Seeks To Help Students Overcome Tuition Hurdles By Hena Zuberi Muslim Link Staff

The Islamic Leadership Institute of America held Race 2 College 2012 at Centennial Park on October 27th, 2012, in Howard County, Maryland. The goal of the race was to raise $20,000 to fund scholarships for third and fourth year college students in the Spring semester. The race brought close to $5000 in pledges and donations. The event was the first Race 2 College annual race and was sponsored by over a dozen organizations and programs including Halal Yeah!, Youth Center, Mafiq Foundation, The Muslim Link, MCC Senior Group, Royal Sedan, Home of the Heart, Maryum Islamic Center, Dar at Taqwa, I Can Lead, and Price Co. Floor and Carpets. Sponsors ranged from multi-million dollar national corporations such as Enterprise Community Investment to small youth groups; the race also brought non-Muslim houses of worship to support the cause under the organization of ILIA. Howard County’s Executive Ken Ulman issued a proclamation recognizing October 27,2012, as Race 2 College Day. This recognized the efforts and outreach of the Muslim community in the Greater Baltimore-Washington region. Under the leadership of Br. Abdelqadir Sennaar, Race 2 College transformed from an idea to a real event with impact.

According to organizers, the race brought runners from as far north as Towson and from as far south as Southern Prince George's County. Participants were not required to run the entire approximately two mile course; many jogged or walked the course. Applications are now open until December 31, 2012 for undergraduate scholarships. "The scholarship is open for all students in the 48 states, junior or seniors who meet the requirement. They will need to submit two essays. One essay is on why is this scholarship important to the community and the Ummah and the second will address higher education in developing local communities. We encourage everyone to apply, we have a very experienced committee," says Br. Ayman Nassar, ILIA's founder. >> college Pg 15

TUITION BY THE NUMBERS • 30% of college students drop out by their third year of college

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Many youth finish college with a debt of more than $100K in student loans impacting their ability to work and start a career

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Data published by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics shows that only 36.4 percent of students who started college in 2002 graduated by

2006 compared with 33.7 percent who started in 1996 and got a diploma by 2000

•

The “Pathways to Prosperity” study by the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2011 shows that just 56 percent of college students complete four-year degrees within six years. Only 29 percent of those who start two-year degrees finish them within three years

•

A Pew Research Center survey that

found two-thirds of young Americans said they stopped their education in order to support a family, while 48 percent said they could not afford the expense

•

20% in Alaska to less than 70% in Massachusetts

that suffer the most from limited college funding, and most students who drop out of college are unable to pay for tuition in their third and final years.

According to Salli Mae, middle income families (who made between $35,000 and $100,000 a year) paid $20,065 for a year of school in 20112012, up about $3,000 from 2007-2008

• College graduation rates range from • Minority groups are usually the ones • In the 2011-12 academic year, the average net cost for a full-time student at an in-state public university was about $15,000 for tuition, fees, room, board, books and incidental expenses, according to the College Board

-----------------Source: RACE2College website

....

12 |COMMUNITY NEWS

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

ADAMS Annual Fundraiser Organized By Youth

On Saturday, December 1, 2012 the All Dulles Area Muslims (ADAMS) center arranged a fundraiser at the St. Joseph's parish hall, in which people of all walks of life participated. Organizers estimate 500 people attended. The fundraiser was wholly arranged by the youth wing of ADAMS center. It was a very well organized event. Almost $160,000 was raised. An interesting aspect of this fundraiser was that many who donated funds were from other religions.

By Haroon Khan

Muslim Link Contributing Photographer

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Omar Regan (left) from Los Angeles, and the YouTube funny guy and now brand name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baba Aliâ&#x20AC;?.

The program started with recitation of Holy Quran and introduction by Br Ibrahim Moiz (top left). This was followed with an address by the president of ADAMS center, Mr Farooq Syed (top right). Br. Awais Sheikh presented the strategic vision (bottom left) and Imam Magid focused on the plans of expansion for the ADAMS center over the next 5 years (bottom right). He also gave a brief history of ADAMS and how it's taking care of the community. Imam Magid also laid out the objectives of the center where he emphasized that ADAMS is not only a Masjid but a center of activities for all.

....

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS | 13

Muslim Students Look To Shed Light On Religion, Culture In First Muslim Monologues Event By Laura Blasey

Diamondback, December 10, 2012

Standing on the stage in Hoff Theater, Hannibal Kokayi recounted a train ride in which a vagrant-looking man interrupted him while he was reading the Quran. He’d been focusing on the book and avoiding eye contact with the stranger, but once the man stopped him to ask about the Quran’s teachings, Kokayi found himself regretting his own arrogance. Through his enlightening conversation with the man, he realized he still had much to learn from others, Kokayi said, reading from his poem and revealing a side of himself he normally keeps hidden. “That’s the good thing about performing — you’re vulnerable,” said Kokayi, a University of Maryland University College student. “They get a greater understanding of who you are.” Kokayi joined eight other Muslim students in Stamp Student Union on Friday afternoon to share their religious expe-

riences through poetry and narratives in the Muslim Students Association’s first Muslim Monologues. Between decades of conflicts brewing in the Middle East and cultural stereotypes, it’s not easy being Muslim in the United States, students explained. The culmination of an initiative led by the MSA, the event allowed students to address different aspects of their Muslim identities. They expressed sentiments of love and heartbreak, of identity conflicts, of stereotypes and of accepting the teachings of their religion — all with the hope of showing they weren’t as different as society often portrays them to be. To jump-start the event, the MSA set up a Tumblr page about a month ago entitled “The Muslim Monologues,” encouraging students to anonymously submit their confessions about and experiences with being Muslim. “It’s this need to identify ourselves and others that has put me in conflict with those around me,” said Tolga Keskinoglu, a sophomore business major who

Hannibal Kokayi performing his piece, "The Train of Thought". Photo by Omari Sefu. discussed what it was like to be TurkishAmerican. “I found myself constantly defending my other identity, defending Muslims as not all violent and United States-hating in the United States, but the exact opposite in Turkey — not every American is from Texas and wants to dominate.”

Each performer had a different story, a different background. Some grew up in devout Muslim families ,while others, like senior communication major Zane Adoum, had parents who practiced different religions. Zahin Hasan, who attended George Washington University, >> monologue Pg 24

ICM Trustee Juggles IT Firm, Community Service, and MD State Board of Education Work By Urooj Zulfiqar

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Rockville, MD—Sayed Naved, President, Chief Executive Officer, and founder of Banyan Technology Solutions, was appointed to the Maryland State Board of Education in the year 2010 by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. According to its website, the Maryland State Board of Education “is the voice of the public in its role as a policy maker for Maryland’s public schools, public libraries, and vocational rehabilitation services.”

Prior to forming his own company, Naved worked in leadership roles for Fortune 500 corporations delivering Information Technology solutions to the U.S. Federal Government. In 2006, he served as a Vice-President to Yash Government Solutions, and was a capital planning and investment controls (CPIC) consultant for Suh’dutsing Technologies, LLC. He is a current member and former chair

at the Board of Trustees for the Islamic Center of Maryland and is the treasurer for the Aligarh Alumni Association. He also served as a Principal of the Islamic Center of Maryland Sunday School. His biography on the Maryland State Board of Education website reads: “Mr. Naved is a community activist and is actively involved in programs to enhance the education of disadvantaged children. He is a member of the Steering Committee of a non-profit organization that provides subsistence, scholarship and financial aid to over 450 school age children and college students in India. He serves on the Board of many Maryland based non-profit organizations and

he is committed to bringing industry best practices to the non-profit sector. “ Since his appointment, two years ago, Naved has worked on improving the Maryland State school system. He, along with his colleagues assigned to the Board, has been involved in publishing several school reports highlighting changes and issues facing the Maryland State school systems. In October 2011, Naved was part of producing a manual for the “Maryland Nonpublic Student Textbook Program,” >> juggles Pg 16

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

14 |COMMUNITY NEWS

Anne Arundel Muslims Show Support for Republican County Executive Candidate By Urooj Zulfiqar

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Davidsonville, MD—On Saturday, December 8,2012, the Anne Arundel County Muslim Council hosted a fundraiser dinner for the Republican Delegate, Steven R. Schuh, from District 31, for his County Executive office

campaign. The dinner was hosted at Brother Sajid Chaudhry’s residence in Davidsonville. The Anne Arundel County Muslim community came together to show their support for Steven Schuh and to learn more about the work he plans to do if elected as the County Executive for

Anne Arundel County. “I am thankful to the Muslim Community of Anne Arundel for showing their support and help in making this county better,” Delegate Schuh told

>> republican Pg 22

College Park Student Inducted Into Honor Society Rabia Ahmed, of College Park, Maryland was honored in a ceremony held at the Prince George's Community College. She was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society on Dec 7th, 2012. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. If your student has earned similar honors please send us an email at announcements@muslimlinkpaper.com.

PGMA Hosts Disaster Preparedness Workshop Prince George's Muslim Association hosted a disaster preparedness workshop on December 8, 2012. In preparation for winter storm season, individuals and organizations need to be prepared, said organizers. The workshop was taught by two brothers who are trained in emergency assistance. The next session is on December 15, 2012. "Many times masajid have to host displaced victims, we should have a plan," said Br. Safeer Shameem of PGMA. PGMA will also host a Sisters' Day Out Ice Skating event on December 29, 2012, at the Ice Rink on 5211 Paint Branch Parkway College Park, MD 20740. Transportation will be provided. The group will depart after Dhuhr from PGMA. The first 15 sisters who RSVP will attend for free, after that the cost is $5/person.

....

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

Annual Essay Competition Focuses On Ummah, Unity By Muslim Link Staff The annual Essay Panel Competition (EPC) is scheduled for January 26, 2013. This year the contest will be held at Prince George's County Muslim Association (PGMA). Contestants are asked to submit all essays by January 7, 2013. Strong local participation has always been a cornerstone of this essay competition. Past winners have included youth leaders, local Islamic and public schools students from around the DMV area. Every year winning essays are published in a book; past years' collections are available for sale on Amazon. "Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people," said Jim Rohn, the famed motivational speaker. These skills are vital for the development of the next generation of Muslim leaders. The contest provides Muslim youth with an occasion to showcase writing skills and individual knowledge and college

>> continued from pg 11

Nassar described the event as "invigorating and inspiring”. ' “At a time when Muslims are stereotyped in the media and many of our youth feel intimated at school, we find various organizations and partners from the Muslim and non-Muslim community jumping on the bandwagon and pitching in, supporting a cause led, managed and organized by Muslims. It illustrates that many in our country value our contributions and view us as partners in the development of this great nation,” he told the Muslim Link. "Alhamdulillah, it was a good experience, it was more than a race; it was an opportunity for fathers to bond with

perspectives on their understanding of the religion. It aims to be a skill enhancement platform that gives them the opportunity to develop their writing, speaking and leadership skills. Contestants can also submit multi-media submissions, websites, PowerPoint presentations, movies as well as posters. All entries must comply with specified contest rules. Pre-registration is required. To help youth prepare for the competition, the organizers host writing workshops. The last EPC workshop will be held on December 15, 2013 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at PGMA . This year theme is “Building a Community: Prospering through Unity”. Elementary school students' essays will focus on: Why are Muslims considered one Brotherhood/Sisterhood? Middle School students will attempt to answer the following question: The Muslim Ummah is one entity in the sight of Allah. Explain the significance of this for modern day Muslims.

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>> essay Pg 17

children, adults to exercise and think about changing our lifestyles. As a community, we tend to be inactive, it is not very popular to workout. There were several secondary objectives for this event: outreach, dawah opportunities, family time." ILIA expects to host this event every year in October in Howard County, and in spring in Baltimore City. Next year's planning includes involving public and private schools in the race. "What was most striking was during the race we would come across our yard signs and find non-Muslims looking at them, asking what is this? It was great outreach; it shows people that Muslims in this region play an active role in the betterment of people's lives. It is hard for a student to get an education. They come out with enormous debt. At ILIA we counsel many who cannot get a good job after graduating with loans

or could not continue college and had to drop out of school. Muslims are not immune to this problem. The quality of graduates coming out has deteriorated especially in STEM (science-technology-engineering-mathematics), its a national problem and we as Muslims are required to be part of this solution. This is something that all Muslims should be participating in. Looking out for the next generation looking at the root cause at the problems in our communities," says Nasser. Participants started gathering at the race registration table around 7:30 am. The race concluded at 9:30 am. Runners ranged in age from 10 year old Maryum – who won 10th place -- to brothers in their forties. First place was won by a Br. Al from Towson. Br. Wail from Olney took second place and in third place was Br. Jamal from Elkridge. Br. Jamal

also represented Aqaba Karate, one of the Race 2 College sponsors and a project of Dar us Salaam. The race was a little over 2.5 miles along the edge of scenic Centennial Lake in Howard County, Maryland, home of ILIA's head offices and training facility. "We were expecting more than 60 runners, we ended up with 20 runners. A lot of work went into planning the race, working with the police department, Park & recreation department, the college. The original plan was to run from the ILIA office to the college, but we came across a major highway, so we changed the route," says Nasser, giving us a behind the scene look at planning the event. To apply for unto a $1000 scholarship per semester visit http://www.race2college.org/apply-for-scholarship/

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

16 |COMMUNITY NEWS diaspora

>> continued from pg 9

their outreach and networks into the most successful conference yet. As Awowe Hamza, a guest and panelist from Europe remarked, “I had been following the SDY conferences during the previous years and really felt that it was something to be continued. I wanted to get involved in any way I could and Alhamdulilah, the opportunity to actually participate presented itself. I felt that if I could engage with the youth at the US conference, we’d be one step closer to creating that network of inter-connectedness that we have been lacking.” He noted that while the issues facing the Diaspora are large in scope, things are slowly changing. Boys and girls are continuing to achieve higher educationally, have better career prospects, use their talents to give back to their community and work on becoming better individuals. The idea of “collective individualism” was a key point in his presentation. “Collective individualism-the idea that if we aim to improve ourselves and achieve our potential, that we are automatically adding to the value of our community and the prospects of our Nation. It then becomes much easier to help the rest of the community because you come from a place of stability in your life, where you are a role model to the next generation as well as a foundation for our children to develop from,” he said. He touched

juggles

>> continued from pg 13

which highlighted the program requirements and procedures for ordering textbooks, hardware, software, and other electronic learning materials to help support Nonpublic schools Maryland. This year, Naved contributed to a February 2012 report focusing on Maryland state school’s safety, healthy, and orderly environment. The report highlighted school system guidelines to understand the relationship between school disci-

....

on an issue facing many organizations, that of a few dedicated individuals doing a bulk of the work. “Twenty percent of people are continuing to do 80% of the work-whereas the other 80% of the people seem content with carrying 20% of the weight. If we are able even balance that by a little more, and spread the load, we’d have both a more effective/ efficient way of working, yielding more successful results, and we’d have lessened the burden on the individual. Hodan Eyow, another presenter was inspired by the conference, “I had only one goal coming to the conference: to learn from my fellow Somalis within the diaspora. We all have our unique experiences and expertise. Tapping into that pool of knowledge would create the momentum I need to make some new actionable plans for the future. I was incredibly inspired upon leaving the conference. The most important lesson I took away was the necessity to set a timeline for my return to Somalia. Making an actionable plan in order to go back within the next 6 months inshaAllah came into clear vision upon leaving the conference.” Ahmed Aden, an IT professional, shared his presentation on the role of technology in education reform. “Developing as a Diaspora is very critical to improving the lives and circumstances of people in Somalia. Technology can help to develop Somali institutions with the help of the Diaspora.” The sessions covered a wide range of

pline policies and student achievement and the achievement gap. The report addressed the issues concerning the school systems but it also concluded that the Board will continue to look into the topic and has intentions of “monitoring the data in the upcoming years to spotlight continuing problems.” “This is where we belong,” says Naved, who moved to Maryland in 22 years ago. “This is our country. We see a lot more Muslim values in America than in most of the world — honesty, integrity, people taking care of neighbors, charity, freedom to practice religion.” He

topics including Sustainable Healthcare, Ethical Leadership, Role of Muslim Women in Community Building and a Youth Leadership Training led by Dr. Altaf Husain, a specialist in social worker at Howard University who has conducted research on the Somali diaspora. On the topic of community leadership, Altaf said, "There is strong evidence that the focus on the development of Somali girls has yielded positive results in terms of higher selfesteem, better academic achievement and connection with Islam. A similar, perhaps more intense focus is called for on the development of Somali boys and insha'Allah this effort will also yield positive results." He has hope that Somali youth will tap into their rich legacy and cultural traditions, Islamic identity, and American experiences to cope with cultural tensions and achieve greater results for themselves and their community. In addition to the networking opportunities, the exchange of information and successful models was this conference’s biggest success. Initially, email was the main forum for discussion around the conference and now, participants are working together to identify and fill gaps in existing efforts before embarking on new ones. They are taking the lessons they learned from the conference back to work in their respective communities. Sadia Aden, the founder and one of the main organizers of the conference shared this at the close, “The Soma-

believes that “we as a community needs to define ourselves… who the Muslims are and what represent and not someone somewhere else with radical ideas define us.” He urges people to reach out and get involved in the civic activities, in the county, in the state, and the federal level as well. He gives message to the world that we need to show who we are, “peace-loving people and we do not want some few extremists to redefine what our beliefs are.” Naved completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University, India in

lia Diaspora, by and large, is the byproduct of a negative experience of the civil war. Over the years, due to a natural progression, the Diaspora has gone through a maturation process. It is in our collective best interest to create a sustainable connection between the Diaspora and our homeland. Not just in economic help, but in institution and peace-building. We think our youth, whether in US, UK, Canada or any other part of the world can bring positive energy and a broad vision to rebuild our sense of nationhood. However, we in the Somali Diaspora Youth (SDY) are mindful that successful nations have all their citizens -- regardless of their age -- carry a portion of the weight or responsibility.” One mother told the Muslim Link she feels the weekend conference really impacted her children. “My children were really impressed [by the event] and they kept on referencing the 'wise advice' they received from their elders. The next day my 15 year old and I went for our morning walk, and this time he did the talking and I was all ears, mashaAllah. He was very happy. He felt like he could relate to a lot of the young speakers and was super motivated,” said Sister Hiba. Plans are underway for the 5th annual Somali Diaspora Youth Conference. For more information log on to www. somalidiasporayouth.org .

1987 and moved to Maryland at the age of 26 to complete his Masters from College Park. He is married with two sons, one in college and one in high school and resides in Montgomery County. Although he has his own company to run, Naved continues to strive to better his community and hopes to make a difference in Maryland by providing his expertise to the Board during the two years he has left to serve.

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

COMMUNITY NEWS | 17

MCC Hopes to Break Ground On Expansion In January By Muslim Link Staff The Board of Directors at the Muslim Community Center is still waiting for the completion of the Montgomery County Permitting process to start the new building project. Ten out of eleven agencies have approved and the last remaining agency review is expected to be completed

within a week. They are ready to request bids from the builders and start the construction as soon as possible." We are hoping to have a groundbreaking event in January, in sha Allah'" said Tamseel Butt, MCC's President. MCC is raising money to build a bigger prayer area for sisters, wudu facilities, accessible bathrooms compliant with standards set by the Americans With Disabilities Act, and additional class-

rooms for Sunday school and Quran classes. The estimated cost for the expansion is $1million of which about $650,000 has already been raised. In other news from MCC, the Main Hall has been repainted and the damaged area at the entrance to the main hall has been re-paved in long lasting stone. Sturdy access handrails have also been installed at the entrance.

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MCC's storm water drainage system was inspected by the County and the administration was asked to de-silt the Pond. To comply with County requirements, the Pond was dug out and relined and is now up to county standards. MCC's Funeral committee met with the managers of various cemeteries in the area to review cost of burial lots and services. As a result, Fort Lincoln cemetery in Brentwood, MD has agreed to reduce cost of burial services from $2,615 to $2,050. Reduced prices are effective until August 2013, and can be prepaid. Click here for the letter required to accompany the request to take advantage of reduced pricing. The domestic violence awareness program, run under the grant by the MCC clinic, was introduced to the community on December 7, 2012. MCC is also excited to announce that they have started exercise programs for brothers and sisters, on Sundays. Please go to http://www.mccmd.org for more details.

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High School and older students are assigned: And hold fast to the rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves... (Surah 3:103) What is the meaning of this ayah? Describe how Muslims today can join together to create a stronger Ummah. Top contestants in the written essay will proceed to the speech competition. The contest is organized by the Mafiq Foundation. Sponsors include ADAMS Center, Al-Huda School, Al-Fatih Acadamy, Dar al Hijrah, Dar Al-Noor, ElIman Learning Center, ICCL, ICM, ICNA-MD, ISB, Islamicbookstore.com, ISWA, Dar-al-Taqwa, MCC, PGMA, Pizza Roma, Sterling Management, Route 1 Shell, Suburban Heart Institute, and other local area businesses and institutions. For more information and entry rules, visit http://epc.mafiq.org.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

18 | CONTINUED fundraising

>> continued from pg 8

posefully walk back to the station just to donate later," says Zubair. He finds another example in KONY 2012. This was a short video and online campaign that ran to promote the charity's "Stop Kony" movement to make Ugandan cult and militia leader, and indicted war criminal Joseph Kony globally known in order to have him arrested by the end of 2012. "Their effective appeal sent everyone in a frenzy to immediately donate after seeing the video and its conveniently placed messages to donate. A few months later, no one pays attention. The human psyche allows for intense fervor, but it does not last long. When we see or hear something, we generally think about how we can do something immediately," suggests Zubair," as time goes on, sometimes after a few minutes, it wears off, and that enthusiasm is gone. We forget or no longer care and the likelihood of a donation evaporates. The convenience to donate is key."

to do is, simply press/click on a box. This link can be accessed from any Internet-connected device and standard carrier data rates apply.

starting slowly to be embraced. I currently do not have any metrics pertaining to this new donation feature yet," says Zuhair.

ICM is hoping to launch the full mobile donation through SMS that only requires texting a short code with a keyword to donate in 2013, in sha Allah. Right now, the team is working with the application service provider and is in the initial stages of setting up a cell phone user base to support that feature.

Zubair had Br. Abu Wahid Khan, a member of ICM's Executive Team and a software engineer at the Securities Exchange Commission, and ICM's webmaster, Br. Nadeem Amin (webmaster@icomd.org), helped integrate it to ICM's current infrastructure as team mates. This is the inspiring part of the story that the masjid administration valued their youth enough to use and

"It is a new channel of donating, so it is

This is not an application, so donors do not have to install anything. Donors go to a link (http://icm.myw2m.com/) and contribute. Donors also have the option of remaining anonymous. All one has

....

ICM is planning to build a large new community center, with sports capabilities, is expected to help the Muslim youth become more connected to their masjid community. ICM has emphasized many times that this project is for the youth. To donate the link is : http://icm.myw2m.com/donate/.

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With that in mind, Zubair realized that many organizations allow one to text in a donation. Text a keyword to a five digit short code and it will donate $5 or $10 dollars by adding that to the donor's monthly carrier bill. "Initially, I saw this mostly with emergency relief agencies, but when I saw ISNA advertising the same feature, I decided that ICM should have it and went to work finding out how. Apart from ISNA, I do not know of any other Muslim nonprofits that accept SMS donations. In any case, I thought it would be perfect if during an excellent moving speech, people could immediately donate on their phone," says Zubair. According to Zubair, the platform is a mobile-friendly page on which a donor can make a one-time or a recurring donation. It does require one to use a credit card. The service also does allows a certain amount of outgoing SMS messages.

implement his proposal for the benefit of the center and the community.

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Master’s degree in education or related field, PhD candidate or qualified preferred  from an  accredited U.S. institution  Teaching and administration experience of at least five years in U.S., preferably in an Islamic  school setting but experience from other private school is also welcomed  Demonstrated strong leadership and strong communication skills  Strong supervisory and administrative qualities in a culturally diverse environment  Experience in curriculum development and instruction  Highly preferred experience in professional development and teacher training  Experience in public relations, marketing, and information technology will be strongly considered  Must have legal authorization to work in the U.S.

About Al‐Rahmah School:  Al‐Rahmah School (www.alrahmah.org) is a state certified and accredited KG through 12th  grade full  time Islamic school established in 1987. We are the major Islamic School in the Baltimore Metropolitan  area. Our classes are co‐ed through primary school then divided by gender in middle school. Our high  school is currently for girls only. With great teachers and approximately 300 students, Al‐Rahmah  School is known for its reputation of excellence in academic achievements.  The campus includes an  excellent nursery and childcare center with Masjid Al‐Rahmah at the heart of the community.     A competitive package based on experience and education is available for the right candidate.  Applications will be accepted and evaluated until the position is filled.     Interested candidates should complete the job application form online at www.alrahmah.org/principal  or you can mail the completed application form with a cover letter and resume to:  Board of Education  Al‐Rahmah School  6631 Johnnycake Road  Baltimore, Maryland 21244    For additional questions regarding this application, please email jobs@alrahmah.org.

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013 inspiration

>> continued from pg 5

level that they could comprehend and utilize effectively. Equally effective was seeing past leaders of YM, Dr. Arif Husain, former national coordinator and Br. Qasim Mazhar, of New Jersey, addressing the crowd. Shaykh Omar Suleiman said we have had enough of the 'give you a spiritual

high' lecture; this group needs a Hazrat Umar (radhi ta ala unhu) kind of serious introspection. It was not just 'make you feel good fluff', and the results showed in the youth's reactions (see sidebar). The lectures are available on the YM Youtube channel. "How many time do you see boys go to the bathroom in 'groups'?," comedian Baba Ali joked, entertaining the crowd with standup comedy on the difference in boys and girls; followed with stories on how he met his wife.

CONTINUED| 19

Omar Regan, a L.A. based comedian on the Helping Hands tour with Baba Ali, also entertained the jam packed hall. Mira Ariefiani tweeted "@babaali & @ omarregan, great performance tonight in Baltimore. May Allah make everything easy for your da'wah & reward you both with Jannah." Shahab Khan, a father of four, of Sterling, VA was attending with his family and had the following feedback. "It is getting crowded, more people coming. The lectures are great and we benefit all

benefit from it. Now if we could just get the young of their gadgets." Maybe YM need to have breakout sessions with the individual speakers; smaller, more close up, so the youth continue to grow and benefit. The community is looking forward to next year's conference. interfaith

>> continued from pg 5

Over the course of the next few days, this symbiotic relationship grew and strengthened, nourished by ongoing conversations and collaboration. We shared nearly ever meal with members of the Church who graciously cooked and served us the famed comfort food of the South. We conversed on everything from the mundane to the magnificent, learning, along the way, about each other’s backgrounds and histories and beliefs. We bonded over a shared goal as we re-painted rooms together, cleared weeds and trees and brush, and laid down mulch in the Church playground, side by side. We attended each other’s religious services, and even attended a Jewish Shabbat service together. As we worked and ate together, we grappled with common misconceptions on both ends of the table, highlighting the many overlapping areas of our philosophies without forgetting the important distinctions. Barriers melted, as we got to know one another on a personal and human level, distilling, little by little, fear of the foreign. But it wasn’t only the foreign that I, and the others, were engaged with. It was the familiar that we re-examined as well. Raised as a Muslim from a young age, there is so much of our faith, and so many of our practices, that I had taken for granted, that I had forgotten to stop and marvel at. When the Imam explained our five daily prayers to our Christian friends, I was humbled to discover that some of what was mentioned was new to me, or had been lost in the hidden alcoves of my mind. It took this simple trip to Tennessee for me to recognize that the true object of travel is not to set eyes on foreign land, but to gain the insight necessary to set eyes upon one’s own land, and one’s own self, as if they were foreign to you. Like the itinerant priest who is forced to keep redefining his home, I was reminded of the need not to become so comfortable with my own territory as to disregard its many mysteries, its many unexamined crevices.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

20 | CONTINUED Imaam

>> continued from pg 6

service. IMAAM also has several social activities that our youth are currently involved in including summer camp, thanksgiving gathering, food basket, and the DC central kitchen. TML: What facilities do you currently have?

classes and khutbah. TML: How has the community grown over the past decade? IMAAM has 300 registered families and we serve about 2500 community members scattered throughout the Greater D.C area. Most our our members live in Maryland, Virginia and DC. TML: How would you describe the character of your community?

We are an inclusive and open community even though the majority of its members have Indonesian background, we also serve Muslim from different backgrounds as part of the Ummah. TML: What are the plans of growth and expansion? We are currently renting a facility from Montgomery County for Sunday school and Friday prayer. We plan to find a permanent place that provides us room for growth of our community

and for worship, education and social activities. IMAAM is currently led by Br. Firdaus Kadir, Board of Trustee Chairman; Br. Oscar Zaky, President; Sr. Nadia Syahmalina, Vice President; Sr. Farhana Setiadji, Treasurer; Br. Bagus Adiyanto, Secretary; and Br. Misno Syuardi, Madrasah Principal. For more information please visit the IMAAM website www.imaam.org.

IMAAM currently has 2 houses located on Veirs Mill Road in Rockville. The facilities are currently used as the main office for executive committee meeting and social activities. TML: What language is are the classes and khutbahs? English is the primary language used in

store

>> continued from pg 4

The police has released surveillance video from back of the store. The images were taken around the time of the murder. Taib's cousin says the cameras were installed a couple years ago following multiple robberies and a shooting that left his leg seriously injured. "He was almost paralyzed from that," said Khan. "He could not walk properly for a year and a half."

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No matter what he endured over the years, family says Tayyab was a dedicated business owner who put his family and friends before himself. According to the Islamic Society of Greater Richmond, many attended the funeral even though it was a week day. The janazah was followed by burial at the new Islamic cemetery in Colonial Heights. "Brother Tayyab is the first Muslim to be buried at this new cemetery," reads a statement by the Islamic Center of Virginia. We make dua for him and his family, and encourage the community to come forward to show support to brother Tayyab's family.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013 victory

>> continued from pg 1

States. The statement recognizes that since July 2011, the Ethiopian government sought to impose the al-Ahbash sect on the country’s Muslim community. Stipulating that the government manipulated the election of the new leaders of the Ethiopia Islamic Affairs Supreme Council (EIASC), a former independent body, the USCIRF now views it as a government-controlled institution. "The arrests, terrorism charges and takeover of EIASC signify a troubling escalation in the government’s attempts to control Ethiopia’s Muslim community and provide further evidence of a decline in religious freedom in Ethiopia," states USCRIF. Najib Mohammed, 59, a community leader at the First Hijrah Masjid in Washington D.C, said that after the late August death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, "the new prime minister is proving his leadership worthy by getting tough on Muslims." In order to prove to the U.S. his dedication to weed out extremism in the Horn of Africa, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has been cracking down on Muslims protesting the crackdown on their religious freedom, said Mohammed. On October 29, 2012 the Ethiopian government charged 29 protestors with terrorism and attempting to establish an Islamic state. “These charges are only the latest and most concerning attempt by the Ethiopian government to crush opposition to its efforts to control the practice of religion by imposing on Ethiopian Muslims a specific interpretation of Islam,” said USCIRF Commissioner Azizah alHibri. "The UCSIRF statement is a positive step. The last court hearing was filled with Western journalists; now the western media will extol them," says Mohammed. This August, Ethiopian Muslims protested in Washington, D.C. in front of the Department of State. Sheikh Imam Khaled Omar of Washington’s First Hi-

jrah Foundation called on the US government to put pressure on Ethiopian authorities to address the three key issues raised by Ethiopian Muslims. "We have demanded that U.S. government stop supporting the regime, and not be misled by the guise of the war on terror and pressure the Ethiopian government to grant freedom of religion ac-

CONTINUED| 21 arrested during peaceful protests. To combat what the authorities say are the affects of the ideology of the Shabab in neighboring Somalia, the government has imported al-Ahbash leaders from Lebanon to train Ethiopian imams and Islamic school educators on that sect’s beliefs.

"We have demanded that the U.S. government stop supporting the regime, and not be misled by the guise of the war on terror ... [the US should] pressure the Ethiopian government to grant freedom of religion [per] the Ethiopian constitution." cording to Ethiopian constitution ," says Mohammed. Father Philippos of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (in exile from Ethiopia) attended the rally representing Ethiopian Christians. He supported the issues raised by the Mus-

Anyone who refused to be trained or teach al-Ahbash has been dismissed from their positions and their schools and mosques closed. This is a great concern to the Muslims globally, as the Ahbash are not viewed as mainstream Islam by Islamic scholars from a variety of theological leanings. Historically, it

UCSRIF submitted in its findings that since July 2011, the Ethiopian government has sought to force a change in the sect of Islam practiced nationwide and has punished clergy and laity who have resisted. lims and said that the beatings and imprisonment to which they have been subjected to must be condemned, according to a report filed by the Amharic Voice of America. UCSRIF submitted in its findings that since July 2011, the Ethiopian government has sought to force a change in the sect of Islam practiced nationwide and has punished clergy and laity who have resisted. Muslims throughout Ethiopia have been

is not a religion practiced in Ethiopia. The Al-Ahbash are also known as the Association of Islamic Charitable Projects in Lebanon which was founded by Abdullah ibn Muhammad al Hirari, nicknamed 'al Habashi', after his Ethiopian roots. Even though Al-Ahbash claim on their website that they reject "the takfir ideologies that denounce Muslims as infidels”, what is happening in masajid in Ethiopia is quite the opposite, say

Ethiopian Muslims in America who still have relatives and friends there. " They [Al-Ahbash] do not consider anyone else Muslims, they are making everyone retake their shahadah in the masajid," stressed Imam Mohammed. "Many Imams, leaders, youth have vanished. We don't know where they are," says Mohammed," the dawah to Islam has ceased completely." The UCSRIF recommends that the Ethiopian government cease interfering in the internal affairs of its Muslim community and immediately and unconditionally release those wrongfully imprisoned. “The U.S. government should raise with the new leadership in Addis Ababa the importance of abiding by Ethiopia’s own constitution and international standards on freedom of religion of belief. USCIRF has found that repressing religious communities in the name of countering extremism leads to more extremism, greater instability, and possibly violence,” said USCIRF Chair Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett. Beginning in December 2011, tens of thousands have protested following every Jumuah, nationwide. The heart of campaign has been the Awalia Mosque and the Islamic school in Addis Ababa. To negotiate with the government an Arbitration committee of 17 religious leaders was formed. Among their demands were the ending government imposition of al-Ahbash on Ethiopian Muslims and re-opening of schools and mosques. By July 2012, the negotiations had failed and the protests increased in both size and frequency. The Ethiopian government surrounded the demonstrators with armed guards. According to Human Rights Watch, several witnesses saw scores of men and women being loaded into separate trucks. Many appeared to have broken bones and other serious injuries, apparently inflicted by the police, the witnesses said. "Hijabi women are harassed on the streets, beaten and taken away. Anyone with hijab can be picked up; it is >> victory II Pg 23

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

22 | CONTINUED event

>> continued from pg 1 August 2012 allows Dar-us-Salaam nine months to obtain zoning approvals. Feasibility studies for environmental and traffic impacts began early this fall, and masjid board members say architectural and engineering work on a proposed site plan are underway. The plans must be approved by Howard County. Organizers hope all 1200 seats will be filled at the December 22 event. This year the dinner is being held at th North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center because the usual Marriott College Park location is being renovated. Usually the ticket price for the annual dinner is $30, but this year the price is $60 which organizers say is needed given the $10 million goal. The speakers this year include Dr. Altaf Husain and Imams Safi Khan, Siraj Wahhaj, and Karim Abu Zaid. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.HomeOfTheHeart.org/anrepublican

>> continued from pg 14

guests gathered in the basement of Br. Chaudhry's home. “We want to continue to do more work for you to make this community better. We want to improve our cities, roads, school facilities, and private businesses. We want to work for you to help you make a better living in this county and in this state. Our Muslim community is a large part of our county and their help and efforts in this county can’t be appreciated enough.” The Anne Arundel Muslim County Muslim Council’s President, Brother Rudwan Abu-Ruman, thanked the house host, Brother Chaudhry, for holding the dinner at his place and presented him with a gift to show his gratitude. He thanked fellow board members and the Muslim community for coming out to show their support. The President also recognized the fellow County councilmen, Dick Ladd from District 5 and John Grasso from District 2, both Republicans, at the dinner. The AACMC members and the Muslim community mingled with each other and thanked the councilmen for making the Anne Arundel County a better place.

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nual-dinner or www.duscommunity.org Although the dinner will be the first large scale, formal event for raising funds for the new campus, the fundraising campaign – called “Home of the Heart” – started soon after the contract was signed. “We've had smaller information sessions at the homes of some of our generous supporters, and alhumudlillah the funds have been coming in,” said campaign manager Fadlullah Firman. Dar-us-Salaam's funding development

office set-up an online system to empower community members to help raise funds. The system makes it very easy for supporters to set-up their own personal, customizable fundraising webpages which they can use to reach out to their friends and supporters worldwide. “We are confident that if everyone of our supporters uses this [online] system to ask all their contacts for funds, all that money from all over will really make an impact, In Shaa Allah,” said Firman. To start your own campaign page in support of the Home of the Heart, visit www.HomeOfTheHeart.org/start-your-campaign.

Dar-us-Salaam's fundraising strategy involves all levels of funding, from large charitable institutions, to wealthy overseas donors, all the way down to coin jars and car washes. “We want to open up the opportunity for everyone to get involved in this noble project and to share in the immense reward,” added Firman. To learn more about the campaign for the new campus, visit www.HomeOfTheHeart.org.

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013 victory II

>> continued from pg 21

becoming a liability to look like a Muslim," states Imam Mohammed," they go house to house and round up people so many of the youth have fled."

CONTINUED | 23

Protestors now hold up yellow or white placards to signal that they are peacefully condemning the arrests and charges.

Independent news agencies report that the government arrested all 17 members of the Arbitration Committee and at least 70 protestors. (This number is disputed by the demonstrators, who place it in the hundreds).

According to the UCSRIF report: "While the demonstrations largely have been peaceful, there have been a few violent incidents: On October 21, 2011 four Muslims were killed as they stormed a jail attempting to free protestors and in April 2012 five people were killed protesting the dismissal of an imam who refused to propagate alAhbash."

The arrested protestors were not charged until October 29, 2012. The individuals charged were first detained and held in Maikelwai federal police detention center, which frequently houses political prisoners and is according to Human Rights Watch 'notorious' for abusing prisoners, including torturing them during interrogations.

This Washington Post July headline "Muslim protests raise fears of radical Islam" is a narrative that contributes to the complexity of the issue. American Ethiopian Muslims say that this use of war on terror is a gross misrepresentation of what is happening on the ground in Ethiopia. According to the UCSRIF, "the individuals detained also were

charged under the nation’s anti-terror law which has been used to target dissent, rather than to stop terrorism." At a recent State Department press briefing a question was raised about religious freedom in Ethiopia. U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated," I hadn’t seen that particular statement, but you know that we’ve been extremely straightforward about our ongoing humanitarian – sorry, human rights questions with regard to the way Ethiopia develops. When the Secretary was there, she raised these issues, and we have been clear from this podium. So in the context of new leadership, we are renewing our hope that Ethiopia will continue to improve human rights standards for all inside the country." American Ethiopian Muslims wait and pray. Ethiopia’s constitution bans government meddling in religious practices.

Ethiopian Muslims refute their status as a 'minority', and quote their numbers as 50-60% of the population. They say the government intentionally misrepresents their numbers in order to keep the balance of power in its favor. Two members of al-Ahbash were also mentioned in connection to the UN investigation into the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF's principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

24 | CONTINUED coalition

>> continued from pg 9

Eyeing a chance to become India's next Prime Minister, Mr. Modi has hired top public relations firms to clear his name, and continues to meet with international leaders and business investors eager to capitalize on Gujarat's booming economy, which broke 10% growth last quarter. In October of this year, British officials cleared the way for Mr. Modi to visit the U.K. after a decade-long travel ban on all Gujarati Government officials. Top British officials have courted Mr. Modi, citing Gujarat's strong cultural influence and economic ties to Britain as reasoning for the policy shift. International human rights advocates

chair

>> continued from pg 10

Dispatches and Senior Editor at Islamic Monthly. "ISPU creates opportunities for scholars like me to appear in major media outlets and have our voices heard. They arranged for me to appear on CNN Newsroom to talk about these issues and try to present some nuanced analysis. I was grateful for the platform and proud to represent ISPU," says Mo-

and many governments were outraged by Britain's move, and worried that the United States might follow suit. However, widespread Congressional support of previous administrations’ efforts to block Modi in 2005 and 2008, and sustained support for such measures currently within Congress, suggest the ban will continue under Mrs. Clinton. (In 2005 and 2008, the State Department cited provisions from the International Religious Freedom Act, which makes any foreign government official who "was responsible for or directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for a visa.) Tuesday's press conference on Capitol Hill was seen by many as a direct response to Britain's shift, and an effort to strengthen the firewall behind the ban on Mr. Modi's U.S. travel privileges.

ghul.

should be waiting in the wings," he said.

Using wit and common sense, Moghul engaged the audience, asking them to be themselves and get out there. "We need you to teach the Islamic history class," he told the university student who relayed her story of her misinformed professor.

Muslim communities and organizations need this research as well as planning made on assumptions is poor planning. " Our work is informed and made stronger by the work that ISPU does. I see the deficit of information in government and in civil society about American Muslims, which is filled by the work of ISPU, leading to stronger advocacy by us and stronger justice," said Haris Tarin of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.

He urged the audience not to worry about anti-Muslim bigotry as bigots are usually bigoted against other minorities too, usually anti-Semitic, anti-black and misogynistic and they will fall. "We drug addiction and alcohol abuse, swept under the rug by the beliefs of Islam — a hypocrisy she found disturbing.

had to accept and embrace the religion on his own, without much direction from his family — a story he told through a poem written in the rhyming style of Dr. Seuss.

“It’s when we create these dichotomies — it’s you, not me — that we create barriers to the issues addressing us,” said Imani, a senior anthropology major. “We exile people to the battlefield, and in some screwed-up way, we still expect them to come back victorious.”

“Writing this was like pulling teeth,” Hasan said. Some came from sheltered backgrounds, and others carried with them harsher experiences. Anisah Imani described growing up in an urban Muslim community in Baltimore. She discussed gang issues and recalled how fellow Muslims fell prey to

....

In addition to preventing Mr. Modi from entering the U.S., members of the Coalition Against Genocide and their allies hope their message influences Indian public opinion as well. "The violation of human rights and religious freedom under Mr. Modi's watch did not end after the pogrom of 2002. They continue in the form of extradition killings, economic discrimination, lack of due process in the enforcement of law, as well denial of reparation for

>> continued from pg 13

monologue

Mr. Modi, has welcomed the British invitation and used the opportunity to shore up further financial and political support for his likely bid to run for Prime Minister. Although his popularity remains strong within India, Mr. Modi faces formidable competition for the top position from within the ranks of his own party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The monologues addressed restrictions on premarital sex and reconciling one’s actions with religious teachings. “It made me feel pathetic,” said Naeem Baig, a senior at Al-Huda School in College Park who read a poem about the hypocrisy he saw in himself. “A lot of people like to point out other’s flaws, and

when I was writing this, I had to spend time pointing the finger at myself.” The chance to share experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges brought tears to both performers and audience members in a painful but cathartic experience. “That’s what the shared experience is: You’re bringing in someone to share your pain, and you can heal together,” said performer Muneer Zuhurudeen, a senior mechanical engineering major, in a discussion session following the performance. “Realizing that was what I needed more of made me say yes [to speaking].” Muslim members of the audience joined performers on the stage prior to start of

the victims of Gujarat 2002." Mr. Khan said. "During the last 10 years, Mr. Modi's administration has enacted or engaged in systematic persecution of religious minorities." Mr. Modi's 2003 law, the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, prevents Gujaratis from converting or adopting a new religion by imposing difficult pre-conditions, such as "obtaining a permission or approval of a city magistrate," and is targeted at affecting religious minorities such as Christians and Muslims. House Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), a strong advocate of interfaith cooperation and human rights in the House of Representatives, said, "We all have the right to tell each other, 'stand up for what's right no matter what.'"

"We need to plan, we can not advance as a community if we do not know what our strengths are or what our weaknesses are, our economic trends and political trends; we need to know who we are. No Muslim organization can survive unless we know what is going on in the Muslim community. Instead of influencing events we just react to events, that is the value of ISPU so we can plan." To learn more about the work of ISPU, please visit www.ispu.org.

the event and performed sunset prayers, creating an intimate atmosphere to the event. The monologues extended beyond the Muslim community in the area and on the campus— curious students, such as Samantha Krahling, said they were moved by the performances and came away with a new understanding of the Muslim culture. “It was a good way to get a cross-cultural perspective,” said Krahling, a freshman enrolled in letters and sciences. “I knew basic things, but I didn’t know about the cultural practices, like prayer and some of the issues with their identity and being ashamed or nervous to associate themselves with the religion, [maybe because of] racism they face.”

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

HEALTH & FAMILY | 25

Severe Weather Events Sending A Message: Be Prepared By Christiana Tobais-Nahi

Muslim Link Contributing Writer As a trained responder in first aid and CPR and also holding more specialized training in psychological first aid care and shelter operations, I am lucky that I have not had to put my skills to use in the Northern Virginia area. However, whether you subscribe to the belief in climate change or not, there is evidence that larger scale weather events (snow storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flash floods etc) are occurring on a more frequent basis, including here at home. It's prudent to familiarize yourself with Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) planning and mitigation to be prepared in the event of a severe emergency. Sit down with all members of your family and discuss safety scenarios, or with the younger children use pictures and map routes to help them understand the plan. Already you should have a fire plan escape route â&#x20AC;&#x201C; how to get out of the house and where all parties meet up. However if, the emergency is such that you need to hunker up at home or evacuate, here is some basic advice to keep in mind: 1. Have on hand a battery operated radio (and extra batteries) and always listen to the emergency notifications from local and state responders. If children need to be picked up from school, know in advance who is in charge of getting who. 2. Make sure your home always has a supply of non-perishable foods and canned food and a can opener along with bottled water and flashlights with batteries. As a precaution, it is also wise to have a small stash of these same items in your vehicle. Should you have special populations at home make sure you have what you need: diapers and formula for infants, special medications

to control diabetes or other conditions for the elderly or sick, and pet food for your furry friends. 3. Charge your cellular phone if you have one in case power is lost and your land lines go down. Similarly, if your fire / carbon monoxide detecting alarm system is linked with your land line it is advisable to have a backup battery operated one which can be easily installed in a central place. Flammable candles can be very dangerous, and the fumes from small heaters or generators can also be fatal so make sure all equipment is set up properly and well ventilated. Finally, be sure to check in on your neighbors and lend a hand when possible. 4. In the event you may actually need to evacuate your home at some point,

make sure there is ample gasoline in your vehicle because there can be severe shortages (when supplies are diverted to generators for example) as was seen prominently after Hurricane Sandy. Moreover, you may need to charge your phone in your car. 5. Do not be afraid to use the hospitality of local shelters if you do not have nearby friends or family that can take you in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they are set up to assist you and the workers should be trained in cultural sensitivity and dealing with the Muslim community in terms of sleeping arrangements and dietary restrictions. Some local mosques and community centers are also set up to receive you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so know your options. Note that if schools are out for an extended time, you may need to have back up child care in place if you need to get back to

work or are helping with the response efforts. There is always a need for more assistance (especially from those speaking other languages) so if you are interested in being involved, I highly encourage you to take courses offered by the Red Cross and others. We will always pray to Allah to protect us from such disasters, but we must also be ready to come to the aid of our family and the larger community if needed. Christiana Tobais-Nahi lives in Northern Virginia.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

ISLAM

Islam

Muslims Accept Jesus Into Their Life Peace Be Upon Him

By Shaykh Yahya Ibrahim

Source: Muslimmatters.org From a distance, you notice his aura, piercing, brilliant and engaging. The choicest Praise and Mercy of Allah be upon him. The Anointed one - Al-Maseeh, Jesus, son of Mary was flesh and blood. Human. The Proclaimed Word of God. I can picture him, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - Praise and Mercy of Allah be sent to him, from the detailed descriptions provided about him in our sacred texts. He, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is of average height. Not too tall that he stands out in a crowd, nor too short that you notice a disparity between him and others. Gentleness and modesty define his character. When he spoke, the disciples paid heed. The words he chose, of course, where divinely inspired and concurrent to all that they knew. A flowing head of hair that settle upon his shoulder-blades distinguishing him from others. From a distance, you would

mistakenly suppose that his hair was wet and that drops of water were beading off it. They are in fact pearls dropping from his hair whenever he bows his head slightly to acknowledge those who recognize him.

With unwavering devotion and certainty of faith, she asked in the Name of the Most Merciful the man to do her no harm. He explained that he was an emissary sent from High Above to bid her good tidings.

Before receiving the Gospel, at a young prepubescent age Jesus would teach the Torah to the Rabbis he encountered. From a young age, really young age, something about him was different to all other male children born into this world - he never cried. Rather, he spoke with intelligent fluency and cognitive wisdom from the moment he entered life. As his mother, the Pure Virgin, Maryum Alihas-Salaam Peace of Allah be upon her, stood in prayer in an inner sanctum of the Jerusalem temple, the angel Jibreel came to her in the form of a man.

Mary or Maryum was protected from birth by Allah, in honor of her mother\'s supplication and intention to place her unborn child in the service of the AlMighty. Mary grew up to become the Chosen Woman. She would converse with the angels who would pray to the Al-Mighty along with her and bring her gifts from High Above. Mary, you will carry a child. A child destined to become a manifest Sign unto

humanity. How? When? Why? I have been with no man. How can this be? The likeness of the immaculate virginal conception of Jesus by his mother Mary is similar to the initial creation of humanity through Adam. In fact, the creation of Adam is more astounding. Adam, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - Praise and Mercy of Allah be upon him, was brought into life from clay. Be. The Word of Allah. Be and it is. Mary, you are now heavy with the weight of a pure, male child, The WORD of Allah. Jesus always taught the Word of Allah. Before receiving the Gospel, at a young prepubescent age, Jesus would teach the Torah to the Rabbis he encountered. Jesus sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is a >> jesus Pg 29

Reflections at the Onset of The New Hijri Year By Shaykh Abu Esa Naimatullah [Editor's note: November 15, 2012 was the start of the new Hijri year, Muharram 1, 1434] With the advent of the New Year, I always find it beneficial to reflect on ones actions and achievements in the previous year and make some plans for the coming year, alongside that all-important firm resolve to set realistic resolutions to carry out insha’Allah, and hopefully turn it in to a year of ‘ibadah and happiness. Let us first remind ourselves of the history of what exactly the “Hijri Year” is:

....

“Account yourselves now before you are accounted.” This means identify your weak points and failures now and rectify them quickly before the key audit comes. The Hijri year is based upon the first year that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made the migration from Makkah to Madīnat’l-Munawwarah. It is narrated in al-‘Uqūd’l-Duriyyah of ibn ‘Ābidīn (2/335) that the reason for the starting of the Hijri calendar was that

Sayyidina ‘Umar b. al-Khattāb (radhy Allāhu ‘anhu) was presented with a contract that was printed with “valid only until Sha‘bān”. ‘Umar asked, “Is that the Sha‘bān just gone or the coming Sha‘bān?” Because of that, he ordered for the date to be included and the Com-

panions of that time agreed to start the date from when the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made Hijrah, and they chose the first month to be Muharram. This calendar was started in 17h as confirmed by Imām al-Nawawi. It is also narrated from Ibn ‘Asākir on the authority of Sha‘bi (al-Shamārīkh fī ‘Ilm’l-Tārīkh, Imām al-Suyūti, p. 23) that the Companions realised that a calendar was required but they differed on when to start it from. Some suggested the advent of the Prophethood whereas others suggested the death of the Proph>> hijri Pg 30

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013 jesus

>> continued from pg 28

blessing wherever he is. Food that was sufficient for 10 would, through Allah's blessing provided in honor of Jesus, amplify to feed hundreds, if not thousands. Jesus, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - Praise and Mercy of Allah be sent to him, with the power given to him by Allah, would mold the shape of a bird out of clay and breathe on it and it would come alive! Word quickly began to spread that a new teacher had arrived. The Children of Israel were accustomed to Prophets and Messengers. Allah would send a multiplicity of prophets “peace be upon all of them“ to Bani Israel. Zakariya and Yahya “ my namesake, more commonly known as John the Baptist along with Jesus and others, all were Prophet's of the Al Mighty. All the Prophets and Messengers are brothers through bloodlines that lead back to Abraham and beyond to Noah (peace be upon them all). They all called their respective communities to the same message “ unadulterated monotheism. Only the One God is worthy of devotion and worship. And in their footsteps We sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the Law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light, and confirmation of the Law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) those who rebel. --Qur'an Surah 5, al-Maaida Ayat 46-47 Mary alihas Salaam, hid the news and concealed her pregnancy by moving away for the duration of her 9 months. Alone and without guidance from others, the pangs of labor came upon her. Exhausted and without aid, she lamented her condition and wished to have rather never been born. She could sense the enormity of the mission that lay ahead of her. Soon, she would return to her family and people with a child who was without father. Accusations would certainly manifest and callous tongues

would wag. To whom does this child belong? How could you shame your family? Were you not the chaste pupil of the Prophet Zakariya? Jesus sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam Praise and Mercy of Allah be sent to him, would debate the establishment. He would enjoin the good upon them and forbid the evil. All the while, he would preach submission to the Creator. Come to the Maker and seek His Favour. He would recite to them the Torah and correct the alterations and corruption that had entered into it. He would speak and live out the Gospel. The establishment could not tolerate his message or more accurately, they despised the Messenger. They would receive stories,daily, of Jesus sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - Praise and Mercy of Allah be sent to him, curing the blind through his invocation of the Merciful

CONTINUED | 29 (Remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection). "O Jesus, son of Maryam (Mary)! Remember My Favour to you and to your mother when I supported you with Ruh ul Qudus [Jibrael (Gabriel)] so that you spoke to the people in the cradle and in maturity; and when I taught you writing, Al Hikmah (the power of understanding), the Torah and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you made out of the clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My Permission, and you breathed into it, and it became a bird by My Permission, and you healed those born blind, and the lepers by My Permission, and when you brought forth the dead by My Permission; and when I restrained the Children of Israel from you (when they resolved to kill you) since you came unto them with clear proofs, and the disbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.' " ---Qur'an, 5: 110

All the Prophets and Messengers are brothers through bloodlines that lead back to Abraham and beyond to Noah (peace be upon them all). One. They witnessed the dead being brought back to life by the Will of Allah through Jesus. Nevertheless, their disbelief increased to a palpable level that Jesus could sense. "'(I, Jesus, have come to you Children of Israel), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God, and obey me." "'It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a way that is straight.'" When Jesus found disbelief on their part He said: "Who will be My helpers to (the work of) God?" Said the disciples: "We are God's helpers: We believe in God, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims (those who Submit to God). "Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger (Jesus); then write us down among those who bear witness." – Qur'an, 3: 49-53

Jesus sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam Praise and Mercy of Allah be sent to him, is Wajeeh worthy of esteem in this world and the next, mubarak "blessed and a source of benefit for others." These two descriptions establish a man who is sound in his relationship with the Creator and the creation. His mother preceded him in gracious conduct and was honored with his guardianship. Maryum alihas-Salaam, endured the pain of labor and delivered Jesus singularly, but not independently. Allah sent the angels to quench her thirst by establishing a spring of water near her and commanding her to shake a date palm so as to nourish herself and gain strength to face the adversity that was sure follow. As expected, all who encountered her requested an explanation. She pointed to Jesus and said nothing. At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms).

They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing that you have brought! "O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!" But she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?" He said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet; And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live; (He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable; So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)! Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute. --- Qur'an, Surah 19 (Maryam), Ayat 2735 From that day onwards, Jesus was a marked man. Those who Loved the Al Mighty, loved him and cared for him and absorbed his blessing and teachings. Those who preferred the worldly life and its status opposed Jesus, openly and privately. Assassination and murder were on the hearts and minds of many. However, Jesus was destined for a greater purpose that was beyond the times he lived in. He would prophesy to his companions of the one who will come as a comfort to the worlds. Some scholars point to: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.", John 1416, 14-17 As Muslims, we refer to Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - Praise and Mercy of Allah be upon him, as Rahmaatan lill ˜aalamin “ The Mercy/Comfort to all that Exists. Jesus, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was saved by Allah from the hate of those plotting his death. >> jesus II Pg 32

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

30 | ISLAM hijri

>> continued from pg 28

et (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) but ‘Umar said, “No, rather we’ll start from his migration for it was that which distinguished between the truth and falsehood.” And thus it was so established. So that’s the history of the Hijri Year. Now what to do when it comes upon us. At such an occasion when we open a new chapter in time, it is a good opportunity for everyone to reflect – on time itself. Normally when it comes to the Gregorian New Year such as [2013] in modern day non-Islamic civilisations, it is from their Sunnah to do a few things: they review everything that happened in the previous year, good and bad; they look to the future and try to re-affirm their plans in the long-term; and finally, they pledge to make key changes in their lives for the better. The Muslim Ummah should recognise that it has a greater obligation with respect to these reflections. In fact, such reflections should be occurring on a daily basis, and not just on the 1st of January. In any case, at least for those who aren’t in this excellent habit of self-audit and accounting ones internal state and performance of good deeds regularly, then the beginning of Muharram provides a nice opportunity to actually think about what we’re doing with ourselves. This accounting of course was the natural action of the Prophetic Generation, and we know that ‘Umar (radhy Allāhu ‘anhu) said: “Account yourselves now before you are accounted.” This means identify your weak points and failures now and rectify them quickly before the key audit comes. And it won’t be KPMG or Accenture doing that auditing, and it won’t be an audit where you can fiddle the sums, tick the boxes yourself and blag your way out, but rather this will be the Day of Standing, the Day that the real hisāb will be done. We all know this as Muslims but we conveniently forget it, or worse ignore it. Surely then, now that the mind is fresh at the beginning of this new dawn, we should recognise that this is our life we’re talking about, our Deen and our

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future? The one thing that we’ll all regret later is not using our time wisely – not using the limited hours we’ve been given in this temporal world to increase our good deeds to provide evidence for us and using these few hours to seek forgiveness for our bad deeds in order to not stack up the evidences against us. We don’t want to be those who:

He thought he would never revert (to Allah). No! Indeed his Lord was watchful over him. (al-Inshiqāq, 10-15)

As for the one whose book will be given to him from behind his back, he will pray for death, and will enter the blazing fire. He had been joyful among his people.

And: And the book (of deeds) will be placed (before them), then you will see the guilty people scared of its contents and saying, “Woe to us! What kind of

And: As for him who will be given his book in his left hand, he will say, 'Oh, would that I had not been given my book, and I had never known what my account is!' (al-Hāqqah, 25-26)

book is this?! It has missed nothing, minor or major, but has taken it into account.” Thus they will find whatever they did present before them, and your Lord will not wrong anyone. (al-Kahf, 49) None of us want to be in a situation like that, and we all know that we have to do more good and refrain from the bad, so what’s holding us back? The answer is a

>> hijri II Pg 35

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

ISLAM

Salaah times for December 14th - January 17th, 2013

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

jesus II

>> continued from pg 29 (They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;That they rejected Faith; that they uttered

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Day

Date

Hijri

Fajr

Sunrise

Dhuhr

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

Fri

Dec14

1/2

6:00

7:19

12:04

2:29

4:47

6:07

Sat

2/2

6:01

7:19

12:04

2:30

4:48

6:07

Sun

3/2

6:01

7:20

12:05

2:30

4:48

6:08

Mon

4/2

6:02

7:21

12:05

2:31

4:48

6:08

Tue

5/2

6:03

7:21

12:06

2:31

4:49

6:08

Wed

6/2

6:03

7:22

12:06

2:31

4:49

6:09

Thu

7/2

6:04

7:22

12:06

2:32

4:50

6:09

Fri

8/2

6:04

7:23

12:07

2:32

4:50

6:10

Sat

9/2

6:05

7:23

12:07

2:33

4:51

6:10

Sun

10/2

6:05

7:24

12:08

2:34

4:51

6:11

Mon

11/2

6:05

7:24

12:08

2:34

4:52

6:12

Tue

12/2

6:05

7:24

12:08

2:34

4:52

6:12

Wed

13/2

6:06

7:25

12:09

2:35

4:52

6:12

Thu

14/2

6:07

7:25

12:10

2:36

4:54

6:13

Fri

15/2

6:07

7:26

12:10

2:37

4:54

6:14

Sat

16/2

6:07

7:26

12:11

2:37

4:55

6:15

Sun

17/2

6:07

7:26

12:11

2:38

4:56

6:15

Mon

18/2

6:08

7:26

12:12

2:39

4:57

6:16

Tue

Jan 1

19/2

6:08

7:26

12:12

2:40

4:58

6:17

Wed

20/2

6:08

7:26

12:13

2:40

4:58

6:18

Thu

21/2

6:08

7:27

12:13

2:41

4:59

6:19

Fri

22/2

6:08

7:27

12:14

2:42

5:00

6:19

Sat

23/2

6:08

7:27

12:14

2:43

5:01

6:20

Sun

24/2

6:08

7:27

12:15

2:44

5:02

6:21

Mon

25/2

6:08

7:26

12:15

2:45

5:03

6:22

Tue

26/2

6:08

7:26

12:15

2:45

5:04

6:23

Wed

27/2

6:08

7:26

12:15

2:45

5:04

6:23

Thu

28/2

6:08

7:26

12:16

2:47

5:06

6:24

Fri

29/2

6:08

7:26

12:17

2:48

5:07

6:25

Sat

30/2

6:08

7:26

12:17

2:49

5:08

6:26

Sun

1/3

6:08

7:25

12:17

2:50

5:09

6:27

Mon

2/3

6:07

7:25

12:18

2:51

5:10

6:28

Tue

3/3

6:07

7:25

12:18

2:52

5:11

6:29

Wed

4/3

6:07

7:24

12:19

2:53

5:12

6:30

Thu

5/3

6:07

7:24

12:19

2:54

5:13

6:31

against Mary a grave false charge; That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah";- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise;And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment he

will be a witness against them; ---Qur'an, Sura 4 (An-Nisa) ayat 155-159 So in heaven, awaiting instruction from Allah to return as the heralded Messiah, Jesus, the Son of Mary resides. His mother, conception, birth, speaking in infancy, teaching the Torah in pubescence, receiving the Divine answer to his supplications in the assistance of curing the blind, deaf and leper, his raising the dead, his ascension to heaven and escape from death and his eventual return as the Messiah are all Signs of the Al Mighty's Power and unchallenged and indivisible Authority.

Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute. – Qur'an, Surah 3 (Al-i-Imran) Ayah 55

How can anyone not accept Jesus in their life?

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

Request For Dua’s

{ To A llah We B e l o n g , an d t o Hi m is Ou r R e tu r n } “Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya:35)”

11-15-12 Zakirya Abbas, the son of Imran Abbas and Rumana Rashid, returned to Allah (swt) during the 8th month of pregnancy. The janaza was on November 15, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. (Source: A. Saqib) 11-17-12 Sr. Nuriya Mohammed, a close family member of Sr. Helen (AlHuda Preschool), has passed away. Her Janaazah was on November 17, 2012 in Silver Spring, Maryland. We ask Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) to enter Sr Nuriya into the highest levels of Jannah and to give the family patience in these difficult times. (Source: Dar-us-Salaam) 12-4-12 Father of Br. Rafi Uddin Ahmed, Riaz Uddin Ahmed has passed away. The janazah prayer for Br. Riaz was on December 5, 2012 in Manassas, Virginia. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannah, accept him in His Mercy & Love and grant Sabr to his family and friends. (Source: M. Baig) 12-8-12 It is with deep regret and profound sadness we inform you that mother of Br. Shabbir Shah has returned to Allah (SWT). May Allah (SWT) accept her good deeds, grant her place in Al-Firdaws and give patience to the family to deal with this irreplacable loss, Aameen. Salatul Janazah was on December 9, 2012 in Silver Spring, Maryland. (Sourcel MCC) 12-9-12 Dar Al-Hijrah staff members and the staff of Dar Al-Hijrah and the Muslim communityt in Northern Virginia extends our deepest condolences to our brother Walid Abusharask for the death of his father. May Allah grant him with jennah and give his family patience. (Source: Dar Al-Hijrah)

OBITS & EVENTS | 33

Upcoming Events In Your Area Islamic Society of Germantown Fundraising Saturday, December 15 2012, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Dear Brothers and Sisters: Please join us as the Germantown Masjid project is coming to a turning point, your attendance is not only for the Financial support only, but also if you are concern about the progress of the ISG project you should come and see where is the project so far and what tasks that are a head of us. What is the estimated cost of this project and how much do we have? The money we have collected so far to which phase will it allow us to reach? What can you do to help? Your presence is important in order to help us complete the project on time. Location: Roberto Clemente Middle School,18808 Waring Station Road, Germantown, MD 20874 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NCPCF Sponsored Event with Dr Tariq Ramadan Sunday, December 16 2012, 5:00pm - 8:00pm The Muslim Legal Fund of America Introduces The National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms. Come hear an internationally renowned speaker and scholar of Islam, Dr. Tariq Ramadan, while supporting the cause of justice in America. Free and Open to the Public. Limited Seating. Arrive Early. Location: Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, 3159 Row St. , Falls Church, VA 22044 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar-us-Salaam Annual Dinner: Home of the Heart Saturday, December 22, 2012, 4:30pm - 9:00pm Dar-us-Salaam and Al-Huda School invites you to an exciting evening with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Dr. Altaf Husain, Imam Karim Abu Zaid and Br. Safi Khan. Be part of this historic event in support of Dar-us-Salaam and Al-Huda School's "Home of the Heart Campaign", a $10,000,000 project to purchase a 66 acre property.Tickets are $60. Childcare is available for kids 2-8 for $5 and Youthcare for girls and boys ages 9-13 for $15. Purchase your tickets at www. homeoftheheart.org or duscommunity.org. Location: NEW VENUE: North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center located at 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Announcements from the Muslim Link New Addition to the Ummah ? The Muslim Link is now welcoming new souls from Jannah. If your family, by the Mercy of Allah, has recently been blessed with a baby, share the good news with the community. Please send the baby's name, the father's first and last name, the mother's first and last name, time of birth, weight, height, the city of birth, date of birth (both Hijri/Gregorian) , and baby's gender. You can also add who else in the family is welcoming the baby (grandparents, siblings, etc), the name of the people who did the tahneek and read the adhan. Photos of the baby are appreciated. BarakAllah Feekum and may your homes stay blessed. Announcements should be emailed to announcements@muslimlinkpaper.com. Just Married? Have you recently been married? Share the news with your Muslim brothers and sisters through the Muslim Link. Please send the first and last name of the bride, city of origin, first and last name of the groom, city of origin, parents' names, avenue, city where the nikaah was performed, name of the person who officiated the nikaah and the avenue, city of the valima. May Allah bless you and your spouse and may He unite both of you in goodness.~The Muslim Link Announcements should be emailed to announcements@muslimlinkpaper.com. Paying Our Respects The Muslim Link will be tweeting out janazah/funeral information from all area mosques and community centers, In Shaa Allah. Many people miss funerals because they find out too late, so our new service will help inform our readers in real time. We will use these hashtags: #JanazahDC #JanazahVA and #JanazahMD. Please share janazah information and we will retweet it. Follow us @TheMuslimLink

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MASJID LISTING

34 |

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

Do you have additions, changes, or corrections to the event listings in the Muslim Link? Email us at events@muslimlinkpaper.com, or call us at 301-982-1020. --------------------------------------------------------------------------NORTHERN VIRGINIA ---------------------------------------------------------------All Muslim Brothers Association 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 Tel: 703-647-0515 Jumma Prayer Only - 1:15 P.m ---------------------------------------------------------------Icna VA Center: 2913 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria, VA 22306. Tel: 703-660-1255 ---------------------------------------------------------------Idara Dawat-o-irshad: 4803 VAlley St, Alexandria, VA 22312 Tel: 703-256-8622 ww.irshad.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Mustafa Center: 6844 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003 Tel: 703-658-7134 www.mustafacenter.org E-mail: Mustafacenter@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550 ---------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Islamic Academy: Galesbury Lane, Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 571-969-2123 www.ziacademy.org E-mail: Contact@ziacademy.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Badr Community Center Of Dumfries: 17794 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Tel: 703-585-1689/703-554-7983 www.bccd.org E-mail: Info@bccd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Ul-ghuraba (Masjid Ur Rahmah): 155 Baker St., Emporia, VA 23487 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al Hijrah: 3159 Rowe St., Falls Church, VA 22044, Tel: 703-536-1030 www.hijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Northern VA Trust (Icnvt): 4420 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030 Tel: 703-591-0999 www.icnvt.org E-mail: Info@icnvt.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al-noor (Muslim Assoc. Of VA): 5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112, Tel: 703-580-0808 Fax: 703-221-8513 www.daralnoor.org ----------------------------------------------------------------Manassas Mosque: 12950 Center Entrance Ct, Manassas, VA Tel: 703-257-5537 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Virginia: 1241 Buford Rd., Richmond, VA 23235 Tel: 804-320-7333

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www.icVA1.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond (Isgr): 6324 Rigsby Road, Richamond, VA 23226 Tel: 804-673-4177 www.isgr.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al Rahman: 1305 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 Tel: 804-232-7640 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjidullah Of Richmond: 211 North Ave., Richmond, VA 23222 Tel: 804-321-8864/804-647-4297 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar-ul Huda: 6666 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150, Tel: 703-922-0111 www.darulhuda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Foundation of America: 6606 Electronic Drive, Springfield, VA 22151 Tel: 703-914-4982 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Noor: 8608 Pohick Rd, Springfield, VA 22153 Tel: 703-451-7615 ----------------------------------------------------------------Adams Center: 46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling,VA 20164, Tel: 703-433-1325 www.adamscenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Heritage Center (Ihc): 262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056 ---------------------------------------------------------------WASHINGTON D.C. ---------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim Comm. Center: 4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20011 www.firsthijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Ivy City Masjid: 2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202-904-9668 E-mail: masjidivycity@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-islam: 4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20019 E-mail: Imammusa@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832 | www. masjidmuhammad.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.c. (MswDC): Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 ---------------------------------------------------------------The Islamic Center: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343

www.theislamiccenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------MARYLAND ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Annapolis (Isa): 2635 Riva Rd. Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.isamd.org Email: Info@islamannapolis.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc 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: 443-622-2962 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-rahmah/isb: 6631 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244 Tel: 410-747-4869 | www.isb.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid As Saffat: 1335 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-669-0655 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Easton 126 Port Street Unit # 1 Easton, MD 21601 Tel: 410-829 7924 islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Irhsca (Islamic Research And Hum. Services Center Of America): 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 www.irhsca.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County (Isspgc): P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240 603 4618 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org ----------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Zamzam 1510 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 Tel: 410-284-2840 www.masjidzamzam.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar al-Taqwa: 10740 Rte. 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042, Tel: 410-997-5711 www.taqwa.net ---------------------------------------------------------------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): 19900 Brandermill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------Medina Center: 11600 Falls Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.medinacenter.net E-mail: Admin@medinacenter.net ---------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 9019 Marcella Ave. Randallstown, MD 21133 Tel: 410-971-4018 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (Iswa): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 www.iswamd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------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: (Jumuah Only) Jumuah: 12:50pm 3201 Randolph Rd, Wheaton, MD 20906 www.imaam.org Email: Fridayprayer@imaam.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid An-nur: 5418 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162 Tel: 410-663-9637 Fax: 410-663-9817 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013 hijri II Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan

>> continued from pg 30

Office Manager: Stephanie Benmoha

lack of concern and lack of respect for time itself.

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

As for being concerned my friends, then be concerned. Be very concerned. Hellfire. No Paradise. No Brainer. As for time, then here we are at the top of the New Year and we should look to our lifestyles, our priorities and change our lives around what Allah wants from us and not what we want. We’re in the winter now, and it is at this time that although we get the cold and miserable weather especially here in the North, we shouldn’t miss the blessings either! Have you noticed the short days and the long nights? Sayyidina ‘Eesa (‘alayhis-salām) used to say: “The day and night are two treasure troves so look to what you put in them.” Imām Hasan al-Basri said: “Every single day of this worldly life calls out: O people! I am a new day, and I am witness to all that which is performed in me, and once the sun has set, I will not return back to you until Yawm’l-Qiyāmah!” These are the days to fast folks! For those who are obsessed with food then you couldn’t get it easier with such an early sunset, certainly from a hunger point of view. As for controlling your tongue, your eyes and your heart, then there won’t be a shorter period to struggle for than in these winter months.

CONTINUED | 35 As for the nights, then no, it’s not just to sleep longer in hibernation for the killer days and nights of the British summer – we’re not bears, we’re humans! – rather it’s an opportunity to start some small habits of the night that we’re not used to like studying extra at night-time, getting up to pray a little tahajjud and feel the real value of what prayer should be, or waking in the morning and taking advantage of the later Fajr times to read some Qur’ān before that because: And establish the recital at dawn. Surely, the recital at dawn is well attended. (alIsrā’, 78) Also, with the start of the new month Muharram, know that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The best of fasts after Ramadhān is the month of Allah Muharram, and the best of prayers after the obligatory ones are the night prayers.” (Muslim) Clearly then with Muharram upon us, we should respond to this narration with increased fasting and night prayers, especially when it has been made easier for us from His blessings and also because the 9th and 10th of Muharram are to be fasted for the reward of an entire year’s sins being wiped out. Now that’s pretty good business by anyone’s standards. Of course, we are not trying to emulate the non-Muslims in how they choose certain times to be good or bad or blessed according to them, but rather we should certainly recognise and believe that Allah jalla wa ‘alā closes the lunar Hijri year with the great month of Hajj and

‘ibādah and then He opens the New Year with fasting, praying and ‘ibādah, so the year begins with good and ends with good. And know that Imām al-Tabarāni narrates a Hadīth Qudsi which is considered slightly weak by some scholars that the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah says, “O Son of Adam! Remember me at the beginning of the Day for an hour and at the end of the day for an hour and I will forgive you for the (minor sins) between that.” (al-Hilyah, 8/213) ‘Abdullāh Ibn al-Mubarak in explanation said: “Whoever completes the day in dhikr of Allah, the entire day is written for him as if he was in dhikr.” Perhaps then that we should also seize this moment at the beginning of this new “day” and start it in dhikr and good deeds in the hope that we may end this New Year [1434] in dhikr and good deeds and hopefully be from those that might get the whole year written as if in good deeds! May Allah jalla wa ‘alā bless this New Year for us and make it one where we get closer to Him and increase in our worship, and make that worship a benefit for our hearts in this life and our abode in the Hereafter, amīn. (based upon Latā’if al-Ma‘ārif of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali) More articles from Abu Esa Naimatullah are available at Alternativeentertainment.wordpress.comt .

Subscribe to the Muslim Link! To get the Muslim Link print edition in the mail, send $5 for shipping and handling per issue using check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Road, College Park MD 20740. To make payments over the phone using a credit card, call the Muslim Link office at 301-982-1020. Subscribe to the online version of the newspaper so you get it in your email inbox FREE each issue. To subscribe for free, go to muslimlinkpaper.com.

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December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

54 | Classifieds

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

Employment OPENING FOR OFFICE COORDINATOR Open position for full time Office Coordinator for local Project Management Company in Greenbelt, MD. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word and Excel. Salary based on experience/capabilities, starting at $9$12/Hr. Email resumes to cmclp@mail. com ----------------------------------------------QUR'AN AND ARABIC TEACHERS NEEDED Teacher needed for Qur'an and Arabic Language for the Moroccan American Community Organization Center. If interested, please email macopresident@gmail.com or call 703386-6775 ----------------------------------------------HIRING QUALIFIED TEACHERS FOR WEEKEND ISLAMIC SCHOOL This is a paid position but candidate must be proficient in teaching Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies. If interested, please call 703-660-1255 or e-mail resume to Icna.Islamic.School@gmail.com.

Matrimonial SEEKING GOOD-NATURED HUSBAND Sunni Muslim Urdu-speaking Indian parents from religious family seek alliance for their daughter Pharm.D from USA,5'3'', 35 years, pious (performs hajj/umrah), never married , goodnatured ,beautiful, seeking educated professional from similar background. Pediatric Pharmacist in a prestigious hospital in Maryland. Contact: 917498625965 OR 443-858-2605(MD) ----------------------------------------------SEEKING MARRIAGE MINDED MUSLIMA Sunni Muslim, incarcerated, 42, 6'1", 210 lbs from Guyana seeks marriage minded Muslima age 35-50. Kurt Miller

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98A6702, Eastern Corr. Fac., P.O. Box 338 Napanoch, NY 12458. For more info, contact my face book at Sammie Cole 93 At yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------SEEKING SOUL MATE AND WIFE As Salaam Alaikum, This ad is from a 6'1", 200 lbs African American, 54 year old in shape, strong muslim of the Sunnah. I'm childless, sincere, without vices. Compassionate and monogamous. In search of a friend, companion, soul mate, and wife. Shabazz Mohammad 14064-053, F.C.I. Atlanta, P.O. Box 150160, Atlanta, GA 30315. ----------------------------------------------SEEKING WIFE Pakistani, Sunni Muslim Male, Age 43. Funny, understanding, and easy-going. Seeks wife. Nadeem Khan, Box 1900, Pound, VA 24279. ----------------------------------------------SEEKING HUSBAND She is a children's doctor, 28 years, very political, beautiful and nice. She`s born and graduated in USA. Originally from Egypt. She's looking for good Muslim husband same her born and graduate from USA. Prefer doctor close to her age. If interested, please call 410-2824201 or email fatmakhalil12@yahoo. com. ----------------------------------------------SEEKING RELIGIOUS WIFE My friend who is American citizen living in Virginia,widower,welleducated (Ph.D),retired Technical Director,religious Sunni Muslim of Pakistani-origin is interested for marriage to religious Muslimah from Pakistan,India or Bangladesh background. If you are interested or if you know who may be interested, please call me in strict confidence at 540-6642654. JAK.

Miscellaneous SUNNI MUSLIM MALE SEEKING PENPAL Sunni Muslim male, age 24, seeking penpal. Fun, attentive, easy going, smart. Currently incarcerated. Brandon Duke #154638, P.O. Box 2017, Buena Vista, CO 81211. -----------------------------------------------

SEEKING FRIENDSHIP Pakistani Mujahid male, age 38, incarcerated. Calling all Ummah's, Muslims & Muslimah's to extend to me your friendship, for we are allies & protector's to each other. Contact me @ Jason Sanders (B-38349) P.O. Box 1000 Menard, Illinois 62259 A.K.A. "AlAmir Osama" Jazzak Allah Khair

Services TEACHER AVAILABLE FOR ARABIC AND ISLAMIC STUDIES Teach Arabic and lessons in Islam. Bachelor Degree in studies Islamic. Location: my location or yours. Time: 9am -1pm. For women: Monday to Thursday. For students: Saturday. 2 hours per session [small fee]. Contact Touria Elfakir 410 467 1259 -----------------------------------------------

NEED A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT? Professional sedan transportation service specializing in Airport and Corporate Accounts. Serving Maryland/ Washington DC/Virginia. Muslim owned for 8 years. 24 hour availability. Call 443-588-5508 or visit our website: www.RoyalSedan.com. ----------------------------------------------HOME SERVICES Licensed contractor. Home improvement work, interior/exterior painting, drywall install/repair, brick/concrete repair. License # 30385946 Estimates done. Contact Br Allen Scott at 443-538-7643 (cell). ----------------------------------------------GET NOTICED Place an ad in the Muslim Link Today. Ads cost as cheap as $30! Call The Muslim Link today at 301-982-1020 or email office@muslimlinkpaper.com -----------------------------------------------

December 14th 2012 - January 17th 2013

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