The Muslim Link ~ May 9, 2008

MAY 18, 2008 For more info go to pg 16

Muharram . Safar . Rabi’ al-awwal . Rabi’ al-thani . 4 JUMADA AL-AWWAL . Jumada al-thani . Rajab . Sha’aban . Ramadan . Shawwal . Dhu al-Qi’dah . Dhu al-Hijjah . 1429 A.H.

FRIDAY, MAY 09, 2008

A MD, VA, and DC. Metropolitan Area Bi-Weekly Newspaper

WHERE ARE THE REAL MEN ?

Going West in Search of Peace

The Muslim Link Looks at the Muslim Community in Hagerstown, Maryland

By Muslim Link Staff

Tariq Nelson, pg 28

Last winter I took two friends to visit a brother in Pennsylvania.

We met in the pre-dawn hours in Rockville, and headed out along the same western route that all DC area urbanites take when traveling to anyplace “out west” -- Cincinnati, Chicago, Detroit, or even Kansas.

OUR EARLY HISTORY IN AMERICA >> PG 04

The 115 year old stone house served as the Masjid for Hagerstown’s Muslims for two years. The current masjid is visible behind it. On the left, the community continues to gather each Friday night as they have for almost the last 20 years. Imam Kasim Brumi leads the Friday night tafseer. (Photos

by Muslim Link staff)

As we headed out, some birds were already singing their morning praises, and salatul fajr was on our minds.

“Where are we going to pray ... shouldn’t we just wait an hour, pray, and then leave?,” asked one of my friends. “Don’t worry, I know a place,” I replied.

>> Peace Pg 6

Muslim Youth Killed at Fight Scene

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied Again for Chandia Judge Rules Same Sentence for MD Youth, Ignores Appeals Court Directions

By Zahirah Eppard

offenses that his client had been convicted of were not violent acts and that, standing alone, they do not support the additional time provided by the terrorism enhancement guidelines.

Muslim Link Staff Writer

By Zaynab Aden Muslim Link Contributing Writer

On April 27, 2008 in the early hours of Sunday morning two groups clashed in the Baileys Crossroads area of Fairfax, VA. By the time police arrived at the 3700 block of Powell Lane in Falls Church, two bodies lay in the street with life threatening injuries. Both were rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital. One young man, whose name the authorities cannot disclose, was in critical condition, the other young man, Muslim youth Harbi Burhan Adam, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Adam, 18, was a senior at

J.E.B. Stuart High school just weeks shy of his graduation.

Upon hearing the news Monday morning, neighbors and especially the Stuart community were stunned into silence. For such a tight knit community the loss was unbelievable, his empty seat in his classes served as a stinging reminder that the tragedy was all too real.

Harbi, affectionately known as “Big Smiles”, was friends with everyone. No one could guess that as a transfer student to J.E.B. Stuart, he has been a student at Stuart for only half of his high school career.

Time and again his disarming smile, quiet charm, and shy yet confident nature came up as people shared their

Internet Photo memories of him.

Crowds of people surrounded the funeral home where Harbi lay with dozens more inside, classmates, friends, family and school administrators all under one roof to honor the memory of their, son, student, brother and friend.

The funeral prayer of Harbi Adam’s reflected the diversity

Ali Asad Chandia appeared before Judge Claude Hilton on Friday, April 25 with the hope that he would have his 15-year sentence reduced nearly in half. His case had been remanded back to the district court judge by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals following an appeal of the application of the terrorism enhancement to his original sentence. While the appeals court instructions were quite explicit, it was obvious that Judge Hilton disagreed with its conclusions and forged ahead on his own terms.

Defense Arguments >> Killed Pg 05

Ali Asad’s attorney Marvin

Ali Chandia with his son Abdur-Rahman in an undated file photo.

Miller began his articulation of the defense position by noting that the terrorism enhancement statue places the burden of proof on the prosecution to proceed with the uncontested facts in the case. Then he laid out those, emphasizing that the

Miller was well prepared to back up his arguments with recent cases which utilized the terrorism enhancement guidelines.

In each instance where the enhancement was applied, the case clearly established personal involvement in violent activity in order to satisfy the intent criteria; in each instance where the courts found the terrorism enhancement was not appropriate, the defendant

>> Justice Pg 14

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The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

INDEX

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

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INSIDE

3

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COMMUNITY NEWS

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The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Community News Creating links through mutual understanding and cooperation

Digging Up Forgotten Roots Historian takes Baltimore on walk through America’s Islamic Past

By Muslim Link Staff

image of the newspaper clipping. “No one can say Muslims don’t belong here.”

A small, wide-eyed crowd in Baltimore, Maryland gathered around a clipping from a Georgia newspaper. In the paper appears

The attendee – who did not want his name printed -- was one of about 60 area Muslims who spent a few hours in the afternoon on

An Advertisement in a Georgia Paper August 16, 1774 “Run away from the subscriber ’s plantation on Augusta’s Creek near 3 years ago. A short well made Negroe fellow, called Mahomet, hard flavored ... whoever apprehends the said Negros, and delivers him at the Work House in Savannah, shall receive a reward of ten pounds sterling ...” --- John Graham

The museum style traveling exhibit is made up of scores of large photographs, scans, and reproductions of documents and artifacts which provide clear evidence that many of the early slaves – dating as early as the 1700’s – were Muslims, and many of them Arabic speaking. an advertisement for a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of a runaway black man.

Saturday, April 26th at a one of a kind exhibit called “Forgotten Roots: Muslims in Early America”.

The crowd of onlookers wasn’t interested in the reward money, nor was the advertisement sensational. It was plain text, without pictures, on newsprint.

The museum style traveling exhibit is made up of scores of large photographs, scans, and reproductions of documents and artifacts which provide clear evidence that many of the early slaves – dating as early as the 1700’s – were Muslims, and many of them Arabic speaking.

What the onlookers at the Islamic Society of Baltimore were intrigued by was that the runaway was a slave, the paper was from August 16, 1774, and the slave was Muslim – just like them.

“Muslims were apart of America before America came into existence, and that’s evidence,” remarked on attendee who saw an

Photos of Arabic letters found in slave residences, Qur’ans, grave stones with Arabic writing, and documents like hand written census reports and court documents showing slaves with names like Muhammad and Abdullah represent only a few types of

GRAPHIC – Chess checkmate

The exhibit had dozens of plaques like this with photographic and other evidence of Muslims in pre-Independence America. evidence on view at the exhibit, developed and managed by a non-profit (501-C(3)) organization called Collections & Stories of American Muslims, Inc (CSAM).

CSAM President Amir Muhammad, who also sets-up and leads crowds through the exhibit plaque by plaque, commenting and highlighting points of note on each, says that his exhibit is unique and that it is “preserving our legacy and insuring our future”.

“This is our story. If we don’t tell it, who

The Collections & Stories of American Muslims exhibit was full of facts and revelations that surprised all attendees.

One such trivia item presented at the exhibit was that chess is a game invented

by Muslims. “Checkmate” comes from the Arabic ‘Sheikh Mat” which means ‘King Dead’.

will?” he often says.

CSAM setup another, smaller exhibit alongside the “Forgotten Roots” series - “The Untold Story: Muslims of the 20th Century” which highlighted Muslim scientists

>> Forgotten Pg 12

All Work and No Play from MCC Volunteers for New Playground

By Salman Sheikh Muslim Link Contributing Writer This wasn’t just an ordinary picnic.

CSAM’s Amir Muhammad points out interesting facts about early Muslims in America. (Photos by Muslim Link staff)

On Sunday, May 3rd, the MCC hosted its annual spring Funfest to celebrate the spring and inaugurate the new playground on the property. The Funfest also had the dual purpose of providing fun and funds.

The fun was in the form of pony rides, a barbeque, arts & crafts booths and of course, the playground! The fundraising was about collecting about $25,000 for the playground and other projects for the youth through the

occasion of the Funfest. I was very happy to see the playground as the previous one next to the MCC clinic had become dilapidated and every time my daughter wanted to play on it, I was uneasy about her playing on it and the possibility of getting hurt playing on it.

The effort for the playground started with a Sunday school PTA meeting. The new PTA president, Dr. Mansour Mohammed asked the parents about issues that they wanted to address. One sister, Umm Muhummad brought

>> Playground Pg 12

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

COMMUNITY NEWS

5

Muslims Caucus, Make History at DC Democratic Convention

By Talib I. Karim Muslim Link Contributing Writer While some political observers spent last weekend analyzing developments in the race between Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, Muslim leaders and activists in the nation’s capitol huddled for some analyzing of their own---their goal, to elect Muslims to public office in the District of Columbia and to increase the Muslim community’s influence in DC, the seat of the federal government.

On Saturday, May 3rd, DC’s top Muslim political strategists and organizers convened at the University of the District of Columbia.

The backdrop of this gathering was

In the District of Columbia, an overwhelming number of the elected offices are held by Democrats and District voters have chosen Democrats over Republicans in all of the Presidential elections going as far back as 1972.

Agenda-setting for District Democrats is open and transparent according to John Capozzi, platform committee chairman of the DC Democratic Convention. Often, proposals for the party’s agenda or “platform” are developed by various constituency groups.

Youth, Women, and Latinos have long had a voice as a recognized and identifiable “constituency caucuses” of DC’s Democratic Party.

This year, for the first time, the District’s

This year, for the first time, the District’s Muslim community organized themselves as a Democratic Party Constituency Caucus. “I am elated at the Muslim community’s participation in its first ever Caucus” said DC Democratic State Committee Chairperson Anita Bonds. the District of Columbia’s Democratic Convention. Convened every four years, the DC Democratic Convention enables the city’s Democrats to set their political agenda and to finalize the selection of delegates to their party’s national convention.

Muslim community organized themselves as a Democratic Party Constituency Caucus.

“I am elated at the Muslim community’s participation in its first ever Caucus” said DC Democratic State Committee Chairperson Anita Bonds.

continued >> Killed from pg 01

held awaiting transfer to Fairfax County.

of the Northern VA area, and subsequently the student body at J.E.B. Stuart High School named the most diverse school in the country.

The Dar Al Hijrah mosque located off of Leesburg Pike was filled with students and mourners of all ethnicities and religions, together to pay final respects to Harbi.

Fairfax County immediately launched an investigation and as of Monday, May 5 following an exhaustive search, the United States Marshals Service arrested Joshua S. Puryear 21, of Manassas. Puryear was arrested in Washington DC, where he is being

continued >> Students from pg 24

performance, which included songs from old and new albums. The crowd sang along to “MUSLIM” as curious Mason students peered into the Bistro’s glass doors and heard their voices from the open doors. One Mason student and member of the MSA,

Despite the arrest, barely two weeks have gone by and a community is still reeling, and a family is fractured forever with the loss of their young son. Survived by his mother, father, two brothers and his sister, his family will forever mourn their soon to be graduate.

This past Monday a memorial was held at J.E.B. Stuart High School where his family, friends and teachers gathered to watch a heart wrenching video his fellow production class members put together in his honor.

Mr. Holcombe, a popular history teacher at Stuart, taught Harbi and was one of his favorite teachers.

Shafia Alam, said that “it shows non-Muslims around us how we are capable of having a lot of fun and enjoy entertainment, but of course with limitations. Also the entertainment was all Islam based which always sends a message”.

This event was the last of a series of events held by the current MSA’s board during this school year. When asked what he thought the event has done for the MSA, Farooq Yousuf

“The Muslim Caucus at the DC Democratic Convention gives Muslims, like myself, with political aspirations hope that we can organize our community to bring forth viable candidates that we can trust,” says In fact, Bonds played an instrumental role in this history-making gathering. Last month, two Muslim political activists in the District campaigned for election---one sought to become a superdelegate to the Democratic Party’s National Convention and another sought to serve as a Committeewoman on the District’s Democratic committee.

While neither the Muslims managed to win enough votes in last month’s election, they did manage to win over hearts and minds of those in the Democratic Party, according to Chan Tei DuRant.

Our candidacy sent the message to District Democratic leaders that “We [Muslims] are here and we are going to be here” said Zarinah Shakir, who in April competed amongst other women in the District for an open seat on the District’s elite Democratic State Committee.

By running, even though we didn’t secure

Sitting in Harbi’s history class the first thing Mr. Holcolmbe points to is an 8x11 poster with Harbi’s name emblazoned in the middle surrounded by written condolences from his classmates. He points to where it is, displayed prominently on the bulletin board because “Harbi holds a prominent place in our hearts” He looked wistful as he recalled Harbi always sat in the back of the classroom, was very quiet and very relaxed. “Lowkey” was the word that continued to come up to describe Harbi. One of the endearing memories Mr. Holcolmbe shared of Harbi is his charm, when confronted with a question and he was unsure of the answer, he would ask the other students if they had any questions.

responded “Alhamdullilah, this event has attracted a new crowd to the MSA and now people are more excited and/or comfortable to be a part of MSA and attend the events” Other MSA events this past year included lectures by various speakers including, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Imam Mohammad Majid, Dr. Merve Kavakci and more. They also included a range of brother’s and sister’s activities including ice skating, game nights, dinners

enough votes to win the election, we advanced our cause, thinks Shakir. “They can see [now] that we have a concern and our interest demonstrates that we want to be a part of the process.”

After the election, Democratic Party leaders encouraged the Muslim activists to stay involved; and that they did. Within days of the election, Bonds accepted an invitation to speak a lunch organized by one of the Muslim activists. At the lunch, Bonds challenged Muslims to organize themselves into a constituency caucus.

Seizing upon Bonds’ challenge, the idea for the inaugural meeting of the Muslim Democratic Caucus was hatched. After a couple weeks of

>> Caucus Pg 28

Mr. Holcombe and Harbi developed a relationship and Harbi would often be found walking with his history teacher in the halls or hanging out in his classroom. Many are finding it hard to cope and this is a very difficult time, but Mr. Holcolmbe has his own way of coping. “People live on through other people’s memory; it’s as simple as that.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS/8477, e-mail at www. fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES/274637 or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

and more. “This was a nice way to change it up a bit” said Hannah Karimi, a Northern Virginia Community College Student, who regularly attends Mason’s MSA events. “I can’t wait to see what they have planned for next year!”

For more information on GMU MSA events, visit www.gmu.edu/org/msa or email GMUMSA@googlegroups.com

6

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Growth of Muslim community in Hagerstown spurred by need for crime free living continued >> Peace from pg 01

We headed out, and I took the first shift as driver. We chatted, munched, and sipped some coffee, and the brothers started getting edgy.

We were on I-70, passing through highways that looked like they were carved right out of the mountain. “There is no place to pray, what are we going to do, just pull over? But that’s dangerous,” said the same brother as 18-wheelers roared by. “Don’t worry, I know a place,” I repeated.

Off Road We were now almost an hour away from DC. We could sense fajr’s white thread about to crack in the night sky. Taking the exit for Route 40, we turned right on a sharply winding road. There, cast in a light, we saw a small, sand colored minaret – a masjid !

Arriving just as the first cars were pulling up to the Islamic Society of Western Maryland, we opened the doors and heard the athan.

Allah got us here just in time, a blessed way to start a long journey. My friend said that praying fajr in jama’ and finding that masjid right off of Interstate 70 was the best and most memorable part of the trip. About 15 brothers prayed along with us and – recognizing we

Dr. Abdul Waheed, center, at a recent Friday night potluck dinner at the Islamic Society of Western Maryland. The potlucks are a tradition dating back to the 1980s and have helped keep the community spirit growing. (Photo by Muslim Link).

“We Found the Right Place” The Muslim community in Hagerstown is a super minority. Most of the Muslims are immigrants, and Hagerstown is 87% white (yes, there are still pockets of the country where this exists). So what would

No doubt, its a small city – compare a population of 39,000 to Baltimore’s 641,000 and a density of 314 people per square mile versus Fairfax’s density of 3,406 people per square mile – so its easy to miss. were not from the community – more than one invited us to their home for breakfast.

We apologized on account of our trying to make good time, but the gesture told us we have comforting friends in this far off western corner of Maryland.

Who Would Come Here?

Most urbanites in the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area have never been to or heard of Hagerstown. Situated in the north western sliver of Maryland, closer to West Virginia and Pennsylvania than the DCBaltimore region, local Muslims likely pass it on their long drives out west, on their way to a convention or a camp ground. No doubt, its a small city – compare a population of 39,000 to Baltimore’s 641,000 and a density of 314 people per square mile versus Fairfax’s density of 3,406 people per square mile – so its easy to miss.

Unless, of course, you’re looking for it.

draw Muslims here to establish a masjid community?

The answer is not what, but who.

In 1982, doctor Abdul Waheed was a young doctor ready to start his own practice. He found the right practice in Hagerstown and made the move with his family.

“My fear was that my children who were young at the time would not hear the athan or [experience] a masjid congregation,” he recalled in a recent interview. “There were no Muslims in Hagerstown at the time. I felt lonely, so I invited my friends,” he said with a smile.

But it wasn’t a passive invitation. Doctor Abdul Waheed called other doctors, telling them about the area, the opportunities for medical professionals, and mostly, about the peace and safety away from the ills of urbanization. Asked if he feels Muslims are missing something living away from

the urban Muslim centers in Northern Virginia, Baltimore, and DC, he responded instinctively. “Yes. Crime”.

“A Painful Example” Living in a safer area is still a major motivator for Muslims moving to Hagerstown. Doctor Zia Uddin, a Neonatologist who moved from Kentucky 2-years ago, said he moved here for “the huge community”. Perplexed, I asked how Hagerstown could be considered ‘huge’.

“There were about 8 families in the city I came from, so this is huge.”

“Making the Choice” Doctor Tanweer Pasha is among the first doctors who moved to Hagerstown, leaving New York’s drab grays and browns for the lush greenery of western Maryland’s Washington County, and the wailing police sirens for the quiet of mountain breezes.

“We wanted to go to a peaceful area after three years in the Bronx ... it was not a family oriented place. I wanted to live with fresh air, mountains, and a Muslim community.”

I asked Dr. Zia why he did not moved to a “mega community” like in Northern Virginia, where the juma’ prayers have several thousand attendees.

But Dr. Pasha’s first choice was not Hagerstown. He took a 2-week vacation to find the best place to settle, starting from upstate New York and ending in Florida.

“Omair, come here. I want you to meet my son,” he told me. Omair, a freshmen at the University of Maryland at College Park,

“I did stop in Hagerstown and met the [few doctors] here, but I had a strong feeling to go to either South Carolina or Florida. When

“We wanted to go to a peaceful area after three years in the Bronx ... it was not a family oriented place. I wanted to live with fresh air, mountains, and a Muslim community.” smiled wide. I thought he was being friendly, but actually he was showing the mesh of wires in his mouth holding his jawbones together.

Omair lives on campus at UMCP. A few weeks ago he was assaulted by a group of drunk students on US Route 1. His jaws bones were broken in three places, and he received other head and facial injuries when he was kicked on the ground.

“This is why I didn’t move to a bigger city,” said Dr. Zia.

I got back to New York, [one of the doctors from Hagerstown] called me and really told me to move to Hagerstown. The affection [in that call] made me feel that I was wanted here,” Dr. Pasha recalled. “My only question to [the Hagerstown doctors] was how we will make the congregational and Friday prayers with no masjid. They told me ‘come and we’ll

>> Peace II Pg 7

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008 continued >> Peace II from pg 06

insha’Allah build a masjid’.”

He made the move. It was 1987.

“And Then There Were Six” Over a potluck dinner – a Hagerstown tradition that serves not only food but community – Dr. Pasha told me how anxious he became the first Friday in his new town.

“Although there were a few families here already, there was no juma. My first Friday here I was getting ready to make the drive to [the Islamic Society of Baltimore] to pray juma, and I called Dr. Waheed to see if he wanted to come along,” recalled Dr. Pasha.

But Dr. Waheed and the few other Muslims in Hagerstown – all doctors – had heavy patient loads and couldn’t make the hour long trek down south to ISB. Dr. Waheed suggested they make juma’ together, and called then ISB Imam Sheikh Muhammad Adam El-Sheikh for a religious ruling. Imam Adam told them it was possible, but the congregation should be at least 4 or 5 people. Calling another Muslim doctor, and Dr. Waheed’s father, they made the first juma’ prayer in Hagerstown in Dr. Waheed’s medical office as patients sat in the waiting room.

The next Friday, and for the next four years, they held juma’ prayer in Dr. Pasha’s office.

After all, he had more room because he didn’t schedule patients on juma’, and it could accommodate the growing juma’ “crowd”.

By the fourth year, the number had more than doubled from 4 to about 10.

The next Ramdhan, the small group of no more than six doctors started taraweeh prayer.

COMMUNITY NEWS on a table like this,” he said gesturing to our potluck dinner table where we were sitting, “and we said, ‘why not have our own place’?

We ripped 7 pieces of paper, and got 7 pens, and gave a [set] to each doctor there so they could make a pledge. Dr. Mehrullah Khan counted the papers. In 5 minutes we collected $90,000. At that point, we had hope it could be done.”

In 1991, the six doctors purchased a commercial zoned 4-acre plot from one of Dr. Waheed’s colleagues for $150,000. On it sat a 100-year old stone house. That house would serve as the masjid for the next two years, and in 1993 the small community – now 12 families, most still medical professionals -- completed building the current masjid.

Dr. Pasha reminisced about what happened next.

“The community center knew we had a weekly Friday night gathering, but sometimes they would schedule other things there and we would not have a place. We were sitting

“When I moved, I had one 1-month old. I thought of myself and not 20 years down the road for [my son] ... but [now] I realize,” said Dr. Pasha.

With growth in mind, the founders hope the Sunday school which has over 70 children enrolled – will soon blossom into a full-time Islamic school.

“Hagerstown Today”

3 doctors who performed juma’ prayer in an office, today juma’ has over 150 attendees.

“Now, we are feeling the need to expand the masjid,” said Dr. Waheed. In fact, the architectural plan is framed, sitting in the lobby of the masjis. Once complete, the new building would be 75% larger than the current masjid.

“Fulfill the Promise” At a recent Friday night tafseer, Imam

“We’ve prayed the five prayers here every single day since we purchased the property,” said Dr. Waheed. He spoke as if it was a major accomplishment. For a handful of families to raise a house of Allah in a small town in the hills of western Maryland, filling the crisp air with the call to prayer, it is.

“We Are Missing Something Else” Despite enjoying not having to lock their car doors at night, Hagerstown’s Muslim are missing something that the bigger, urban Muslim centers are enjoying.

Both Doctor Waheed and Doctor Pasha say they feel the loss in the area of Islamic education. Early on after the masjid was built, the small community sought out Islamic educators for themselves and their children.

“Our first Imam was Uncle Sarwar, the father of a doctor from New Jersey who moved here.

He was an alim and taught Qur’an here for 3 years as a volunteer. They moved overseas in 1994,” recalled Dr. Waheed.

Over the years, the community recruited the involvement of a few different Islamic

In 1991, the six doctors purchased a commercial zoned 4acre plot from one of Dr. Waheed’s colleagues for $150,000.

On it sat a 100-year old stone house. That house would serve as the masjid for the next two years, and in 1993 the small community – now 12 families, most still medical professionals -- completed building the current masjid.

They also started a tafseer circle which rotated among their houses, using books borrowed from the ISB. When the number of families reached seven, and it became a bit too difficult for one single home to accommodate the tafseer gathering – which included the traditional potluck dinner – the group decided to rent a community hall on Friday nights. It cost them all of $90 per week.

schools.

7

lecturers and teachers from the larger communities in Maryland. First among them was Brother Safi Khan, who at the time was the Islamic chaplain for the state prison in Hagerstown. He served as a part-time Imam for about 2 years,. Other Imams included Talib Addullah, Omar Husni, and Omar Balouch. Imam Kasim Burmi has served the Hagerstown community for the last five years, and lives in the old stone house with his family. His son Sohail Burmi – a hafiz like himself -- and Osman Qadri, another young hafiz from the Hagerstown community, lead the congregation in taraweeh in Ramadhan.

Asked what the Hagerstown community is missing, Dr. Pasha said it was Muslim

Imam Kasim Burmi prepares for his friday tafsir.

Hagerstown’s population has increased about by 5,000 between 1980 and 2006, from 34,000 to about 39,000, an increase of about 15%. In the same period, the town’s Muslim community increased from 6 families to about 100 families, an increase of over 1500%. But the tremendous growth didn’t come from doctors calling their friends in a telemarketing marathon.

Like the first few who came, crime pushed ever more families to Hagerstown. The larger the crimes, the larger the push.

During the mid-1990s, the Bosnia war raged, displacing hundreds of thousands of Bosnian Muslims who were suffering from the war crimes and atrocities of the Serbian government. Soon after in the same restive region, Kosovo erupted in war. Both conflicts sent tens of thousands of Muslims into Maryland. Similar unrest sent Georgian Muslims to Maryland. Churches handling the influx of immigrants contacted the Hagerstown masjid to see if they could host some refugee families, and the small community stepped up to the challenge.

Over a period of a year, about 60 refugee families settled in Hagerstown.

“We helped them pay rent for 6 months to a year, helped them learn to drive, speak English, and find housing. Of course, we also taught them Islam,” recalled Dr. Waheed.

The refugees quickly turned the small, predominantly Indo-Pakistani community into a multi-ethnic masjid where the weekly classes could only be taught in the common language – English. Far from the days of the

Kasim Burmi talked about how Allah told the Children of Israel to fullfill their promise to Him, and He would fulfill His promise to them.

Calling the young by name in the circle of about 30 attendees, young and old, the people responded with a freeness and ease not seen in uptight, gaze conscience DC area residents.

The Imam was calling on people randomly to relate what they learned in the last 20 minutes, and no one seemed shy. It was odd to me, a good oddness.

“Allah is telling the Bani Israel to remember My blessings on you, and fulfill your promise,” said Imam Qasim.

I looked around the masjid. People were gathered in a house of Allah. I thought of Dr. Waheed here alone in Hagerstown, and I thought of the promise made to Dr. Pasha which prompted him to move.

The interviews I had tonight with some of the founders were all about their recalling the blessings of Allah. And the assembly of Muslims here, the brotherhood, the prayers, the community – all of that was the fulfillment of a promise.

May Allah keep this community united, growing, and always cognizant of Allah’s blessings on them! If your planning on traveling out west this summer, make sure to stop by. If you travel by night, make it a Friday night and stop by for dinner. Everyone is always invited.

For more information on the Islamic Society of Western Maryland, visit www.iswmd.org.

COMMUNITY NEWS

8

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Community Comes Forward in Support of El-Iman Learning Center

By Arif Kabir Muslim Link Contributing Writer On April 12, 2008, El-Iman Learning Center held their annual fundraising event titled, “Muslim Schools: Leading the way in Education” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Old Town Alexandria. The event began promptly at 5:00 with a speech competition. This year, the competitors were asked to talk about the

After the speech competition finished, Dr. Anwar Haddam, one of the board directors of El-Iman Learning Center, welcomed everyone to the fundraising dinner and gave a brief background about the school.

He mentioned that El-Iman Learning Center is a unique schooling system in the sense that the teachers as well as many parents are very much involved with the school. As a result,

One parent commented, “I’m pleased with this event because it’s so family-oriented. It’s not only a fundraising event, but it’s also a family night. This event had programs for all ages.” importance of having an Islamic Education and how they felt about their Muslim schools.

Giving unique insights on the issue, students talked about their own personal experiences of being in Islamic schools, and how it helped them to become better Muslims as well as better citizens.

Asma Hanif, Chairperson of the Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations (CCMO), was one of the judges for the essay competition and was highly pleased with the speech presentations. “Judging the competition was extremely hard because when they (the competitors) were doing their speech, I was so impressed by their knowledge and ability. In the past, I had judged many essay competitions, but I must say that I was extremely impressed. The fact that children were pleading for us to save their schools as well as their souls… That really touched my heart”.

the school does not have problems with salary expenses since the expenses roughly equal the revenue from student tuition. However, the main problem comes from the $96,000 rent.

He encouraged everyone to donate generously and also to try attaining the goal of Education for Life, El-Iman’s parent organization, which is to make sure to have as many children as possible in Islamic schools because current statistics show that only about five to ten percent of the Muslim population in the DC Metropolitan Area goes to Islamic schools.

Soon after, dinner was served and a Quran competition was held for the children. More than thirty children waited in line, chattering nervously as they awaited their turn. One parent commented, “I’m pleased with this event because it’s so family-oriented. It’s not only a fundraising event, but it’s also a family night. This event had programs for all ages.”

After dinner and the Quran competition, Imam Siraj Wahaj, the keynote speaker for the night, came to the stage and gave an inspiring speech on Islamic education from an educator’s point of view. He mentioned that on almost every block in New York, there was a public school that was open to all. However, he would drive an hour and a half to an Islamic school everyday to make sure his children got an Islamic education and to this day, all his seven children have been to Islamic schools.

He encouraged everyone to donate generously because sadly, El-Iman Learning Center had to close down their middle school due to financial costs. He remarked, “I am disgusted when I hear that an Islamic school had to close down some of their operations and hold back because they didn’t receive any money; the only direction that Islamic schools should move is forward.” He began the fundraising

They also thanked the organizers of the Quran competition that was held a few days ago in Northern Virginia, because they had allowed the organizers to use their Quran testing sheets for El-Iman’s Quran competition. They then proceeded to give the winners their framed certificates and students, coming from various Islamic schools, proudly came to the stage and received their certificates from Siraj Wahaj.

At the end of the program, everyone left happy and exhilarated. The attendees loved the program because of all the various activities and entertainment. The organizers also felt satisfied when the event came to a close. One of the board members commented, “The turnout was surprisingly well. We had a packed room with more than 250 people and Al-Hamdulillah, we raised over $60,000, which came within reach of our

“I am disgusted when I hear that an Islamic school had to close down some of their operations and hold back because they didn’t receive any money; the only direction that Islamic schools should move is forward.” and quickly over $60,000 was donated.

Native Deen and Aman Ali, the entertainment for the night, then came to the stage and pumped the crowd up and kept everyone well entertained for more than an hour. The night with the award ceremony for the competitions.

Before starting, they first thanked the sponsors and especially Dar Al-Hijrah, which had worked closely with the El-Iman Learning Center students in a food drive program.

goal, which was about $80,000. We encourage people to still donate because as the theme mentions, Muslim schools are leading the way in education… and we plan on continuing that.”

To learn more about El-Iman Learning Center or to donate, visit www.eliman.org.

Muslim Doctors Abundant, But Muslim Hospitals Non-Existent Area health professionals offer reasons why

By Talib I. Karim Muslim Link Contributing Writer Its 4am, your child has just fallen out of bed and injured his head and arm. An ambulance arrives and rushes you and your son to a hospital. The ambulance doors open, and you are greeted by a team of medical professionals wearing beards and hijab. Your son is wheeled into the emergency room and instead of screams, you are soothed by the sound of Quranic recitation and the fragrance of frankincense and myrrh.

You’ve not entered the twilight zone, instead you have entered a Muslim American hospital--a medical center that combines cutting edge modern “western-medicine” with alternative medical approaches of the East, including Attib annebuwia, ancient techniques used by the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).

Such a medical facility does not exist, at least

not for now. However, there are significant numbers of Muslim physicians. Available data suggests that the number of Muslim physicians may be even over-proportionate to our community’s total population in the U.S.

In addition, a 2006 Association of American Medical Colleges study entitled “Diversity in the Physician Workforce” indicates that Indians and Pakistanis account for the largest population of Asian physicians. And while many Indian physicians may be Hindus, the

An analysis of all the above data suggests that more than 10% of American physicians are Muslim, while Muslims make up less than 3% of the total U.S. population.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), as of 2006, there were 921,904 U.S. physicians. The AMA does not report on the religion of its members.

However, it is known, that 113,585 or 12% of US physicians in 2006 were Asian and 32,452 or 3.5% of physicians were African American.

Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America boasts a membership of 7,000 current and retired physicians.

Looking at the African American population, the US Census bureau reports that there are an estimated 40.2 million African Americans.

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee testimony

given on October 14, 2003 suggests that as many as 2.4 million Muslims are African Americans, 5.9% of the total African American population. Based upon this figure, one can extrapolate that there are approximately 2000 Muslim physicians who are African American.

An analysis of all the above data suggests that more than 10% of American physicians are Muslim, while Muslims make up less than 3% of the total U.S. population. “Thus, its safe to say there is number of Muslim physicians is above average,” says Dr. Salim Aziz, a prominent heart surgeon with offices in Maryland and the District.

And why no Muslim hospitals?

“The question of building hospitals bring you to the issue of finances as well as the issue of

>> Hospitals Pg 11

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

COMMUNITY NEWS

9

Uninsured Muslim Woman Gives Birth at Home

By Farkhunda Ali Muslim Link Staff Writer

in Allah and visited Hanif during Amena’s first trimester.

Muslimat Al-Nisaa, which opens its doors to

She was in her early twenties. It was the first time she experienced nausea. She had no health insurance. She was afraid to speak to anyone about her medical problems fearing others will become aware of her “illegal” immigration status.

When Amena Ejazi discovered these symptoms several months ago, she went to governmental agencies to get health insurance. She was denied health insurance for not having a valid social security number. When Amena went to the local medical clinics, she was denied a health examination for not having health insurance or Medicaid.

When community members told her about Muslimat Al-Nisaa Health, Education, Social & Shelter Services Organization in Baltimore, she visited the clinic the next day.

Hanif said her first encounter with the family was difficult due to a language barrier. Amena spoke no English and her husband spoke very little English. After running some tests, Hanif announced the pregnancy to the family. the homeless and the un-insured at any time of the day, welcomed the Ejazis. The family was given priority and accommodation regardless of the language barrier.

According to Asma Hanif, director of the

Muslimat Al-Nisaa, Amena first came to the clinic because she was constantly feeling morning sickness.

With little to offer them in the American healthcare system, the Ejazis put their trust

Hanif said her first encounter with the family was difficult due to a language barrier. Amena

A War of Words: CAIR Pushes for Removal of Islamic Terms in Anti-Terror Rhetoric The Council on American-Islamic Relations hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. As the title suggests, Separating Religion from Terror: Implications for US Policy, the goal of the discussion was to distinguish the slew of violent attacks

professor, Parvez Ahmed, claimed, “That by declaring a war, you are conferring warrior status to people who are essentially criminals.” Frank Cilluffo, of the Homeland Security Policy Institute, said, “Some of our own terms don’t help. War on terrorism, to me, is the wrong metaphor. It’s not a war. It’s quite obvious we’re elevating the adversary to a status they don’t deserve.”

Ahmed, implicitly declaring a war on words

“Some of our own terms don’t help. War on terrorism, to me, is the wrong metaphor. It’s not a war. It’s quite obvious we’re elevating the adversary to a status they don’t deserve.” sweeping across the geo-political field, and the radical ideologies that inspire them, from the tenets and foundations of the Islamic faith.

Two of the principle arguments touted were critical of the rhetoric used by the US administration on a semantic level. Opposed to the declaration of a war on terror, CAIR chairman and North Florida University

“I had to explain to Amena that it was okay for her to feel like this,” said Hanif.

Hanif used different types of communication with the family. Sometimes she drew pictures, used sign language, or spoke simple English

“When I met the Ejazis, I just bonded with them and realized that Muslims don’t need to speak one language to be able to help each other,” said Hanif.

Before visiting Al-Nisaa, the Ejazis went to the state and local government agencies to get health insurance immediately after Amena experienced unusual symptoms, not knowing they were signs of early pregnancy. Due to her family admitting into the U.S. illegally, they were not qualified for healthcare benefits.

By Daniel Hayes Muslim Link Contributing Writer

spoke no English and her husband spoke very little English. After running some tests, Hanif announced the pregnancy to the family.

found commonplace in American, and subsequently international, media that meld intrinsically Islam and terrorism, made clear his disdain for the association made between unwarranted violence and fundamentalism.

“Extremism is a better descriptor [than

>> Rhetoric Pg 13

words to get her point across.

Hanif gave Amena herbs and natural therapeutic remedies to deal with her pregnancy’s discomforts. Hanif also instructed the family to eat healthy and visit her clinic regularly to

ensure the well-being of the baby.

“I wanted to make sure she was being treated well,” said Hanif.

On the morning of August 23rd, Khalid Ejazi, called Hanif and explained his wife was feeling unbearable pain. Hanif questioned the husband and asked some basic questions to determine whether the pain sounded like labor.

To assess the situation, Hanif canceled all of her clinic’s appointments and immediately went to the Ejazis’ home.

Upon arrival, Hanif assessed Amena’s condition and told the family she was in labor.

With no anesthesia, no pain medication, or a baby monitor, Hanif sat beside Amena through each moment during the 12-hour birth process.

Hanif said she was often repeating herself when trying to explain to Amena what to do to ease her pain. Hanif constantly rubbed Amena’s back, walked around with her, and practiced deep breathing.

“I felt Allah’s presence in the home,” said Hanif.

>> Uninsured Pg 11

10

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

FAITH Responds to Tough Economic Times Masjid in Heart of Downtown with Budgeting Classes Baltimore Herndon organization shows community how to build wealth a little at a time Nusaybah Ritchie Muslim Link Contributing Writer’ Best friends Sr. Amina and Sr. Selma, with kids in tow, were enjoying their weekly visit together. But their usual lively discussions about kids, cooking and crafts had given way to talk about rising prices.

as other countries around the world, but many of us do feel the effects on our household budgets.

In tough economic times like these, it is critical to take charge of one’s finances.

FAITH Social Services in Herndon is offering free budgeting classes to teach the community about budgeting and wealth building.

In tough economic times like these, it is critical to take charge of one’s finances. FAITH Social Services in Herndon is offering free budgeting classes to teach the community about budgeting and wealth building.

“Every time the needle on my gas gauge goes down even a bit, I fill the car back up with gas.

Because if I wait a single day, I know the price of gas will go up.”

“I know what you mean. Eggs, milk, diapers for the baby; everything is so expensive now. The prices go up every week. SubhanAllah.”

Soaring gas prices. Grocery bills that have doubled. People have taken notice.

Alhamdulillah we have not been hit as hard

On May 4th, FAITH held its second budgeting class entitled “Wealth Building Through Budgeting.” An encore presentation of the budgeting class is scheduled for June 15th.

The budgeting class instructor is Dr. Yaqub Mirza, president and CEO of Sterling Management Group. He sits on the boards of several business entities. Dr. Mirza is a former trustee of Amana Mutual Funds Trust and advises it and other entities in investment

matters.

In class, Dr. Mirza covered the principles of saving and investing in Islam. He said, “Saving and investing are ways to delay gratification and consumption so that it will be more rewarding in the future.”

A major obstacle to wealth creation is the accumulation of debt. The Prophet (peace be on him) disliked the Muslim’s being in debt and frequently asked Allah’s protection from indebtedness. Dr. Mirza reminded us that, “If a Muslim is not to resort to the kind of borrowing which is halal (that is, without interest) without a compelling need, what can we say concerning his borrowing money on interest?” Dr. Mirza offered valuable advice on taking control of debt.

Behind on his car payments, Br. Salman realized he had to face the situation head-on.

He planned to look into trading down his vehicle and using some of his savings to pay off more of his car loan. This would help with lowering his monthly car payment. If he traded down to a smaller car this would help with gas costs too. He was motivated to get

>> FAITH Pg 23

Gaining Ground

By Zakia Amin Muslim Link Contributing Writer On Sunday, May 4, 2008, a group of 100 Muslims gathered at the Ivy Family Support Center in Baltimore to support Masjid Us Salaam at its first fundraiser dinner. Masjid Us Salaam is located in downtown Baltimore, one block away from world famous Lexington Market. It provides a place to make salah for hundreds of storeowners, tourists, office workers, patients from the University of Maryland Hospital, and students of the the University of Maryland Graduate and Medical Schools.

The evening began with a recitation of a portion of Surah of Ahl Imran by Brother Muhammad. Imam Hassan Amin of Masjid Us Salaam then spoke of the masjid’s accomplishments and future plans. The masjid has received a citation from the city of Baltimore in recognition of its efforts in feeding the homeless. It also works in conjunction with the Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Disaster Relief Emergency Management Department.

>> Ground Pg 12

Tyson’s Mall: Shop Till You Have to Drop (In Sujood) Assalamu’alykum. I wanted to pass on some important information to our community.

As we all share the common concerns with performing our daily prayers while away from home, it is very important that we have musallas in different areas for us to be able to offer our prayers while nearby.

I have contacted the Tysons Corner management and spoke to the general manager Corie who has been very nice in offering us a place to pray in Tysons mall. I strongly recommend that we make great use of this opportunity so that the management understands and hopefully will upgrade us to a better location within the mall.

I have originally asked the mall management to allot us a designated room, however currently they don’t see it fit as the demand is not really there. I have conveyed to them that thousands of Muslims that visit the mall leave the mall at prayer times just to perform their prayer which takes 5-10 minutes. This actually is loss of revenue for the Mall as we cut short our shopping lists and delay our purchases.

Corie has been a great help in providing us this place so that we can make use of it. I strongly recommend that we heavily utilize this opportunity while visiting the Tysons Mall, and hopefully this will be the starting point to copy this arrangement to other mall locations.

Please pass this email to whoever you deem necessary and think will benefit from it.

PRAYER AREA IN TYSONS’ MALL: As you enter the mall area coming out from Nordstrom on the main level there is an alley to your right hand side that has signs for “Security, Elevators and Restrooms”. Go into that alley and down all the way till you see the Elevators on your right hand side.

(You’ll pass the Restrooms on your right and security office on your left.) Directly across from the Elevators is an area underneath the stairs behind the glass wall where there is ample room to pray even with a small congregation. Currently there you will see some extra furniture and other small items laying around, please ignore that. You will probably need the prayer rug or something to put there for prostration. Currently there is marble flooring and no carpet in this area.

(You may also ask the information desk as to the location of the prayer area and/or security office and they’ll provide you directions to it) Please be considerate and not leave any trash and any other items behind which cause any problems for the cleaning crew of the mall.

Qibla Direction:

If you are behind the glass wall area and facing the Elevators. Turn to your right about 30 degrees and that is the location of the Qibla. www.qiblalocator.com

WUDU INSTRUCTIONS (prohibited acts): There are restrooms close by the prayer area. It is very important that we DO NOT WASH OUR FEET in the sinks there.

We must make Masah. Regardless of the weather (winter/summer), we must abstain from putting our feet in the sink as this is a public mall restroom and federal health regulations prohibits this act of placing feet in the sinks for any reason. We don’t want to lose this place due to our non-conformance with Federal and Mall regulations.

face and hands with the paper-towels, please use it to clean/wipe the area around the sink.

It is better to grab a few paper towels ahead of time and keep them with you while making wudu, because once you leave the sink to go get paper-towel, someone else might take your place and have a very bad impression of you.

This is a courteous act in which others looking at the Muslims making wudu will have respect for our action. Please repeat this action after each person makes wudu, even if you have someone behind you who will be using the sink for the same purpose. So, the cleanest sink in that restroom should be the one you have just made wudu in because you have just wiped it down. Cleanliness is half of Iman, and all this should become second nature to us. I would also go the extra mile of wiping down someone else’s place of wudu next to us in case they forgot or didn’t pay attention to it.

Some people may not understand these restrictions, in which case it becomes incumbent upon us to remind them politely if we see them violating these rules in the restroom area. It is our duty to remind the person that due to his/her actions in violating this rule, all local Muslims may suffer at his/her hands by losing the place of prayer in Tysons Mall.

This is the best form of dawa that we can have where we do it quietly demonstrating our best manners. It will only make people think twice with what they hear on the media and maybe open up a Quran just because they saw you making proper clean wudu and offering prayer in humbleness.

It is natural to have some water spill on the sink counter while washing our arms, hence it is very important that once you wipe your

May Allah bless the Muslims wherever they may be. Thanks. -- Nabil Ahmed (Source: ADAMS Community Email List)

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008 continued >> Hospitals from pg 08

whether we have the will and focus to build institutions in general,” says Dr. Aziz, a 30year veteran of the medical profession.

Dr. Aziz states “If you look at the Jewish community for example, they got started by investing in academia. By giving money to non-Jewish colleges and universities, they [the Jewish community] paved the road for themselves to gain a foot-hold in teaching hospitals. This [involvement] gave them the experience to [eventually] launch their own hospitals. As a community, we have not invested in academic institution-building.”

To address this problem, our leaders must become more sophisticated and begin developing long-range plans for our masjid communities, opines Dr. Aziz. Next, Dr. Aziz asserts that Muslims must look beyond

COMMUNITY NEWS our ethnicities and work together as a single community. With the planning and collaboration, our community should be in a better position to grow our resources and then begin wisely investing these resources by building colleges, hospitals and other institutions, advises Dr. Aziz.

One such effort at cross-ethnic Muslim institution-building is evident in the Association of Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP). In 2004, this group started as a listserv merely to connect Muslim health professionals and students from various disciplines across North America. According to AMHP’s website, the purpose of the listserv was to serve as a forum for discussion on healthcare issues as well as a networking tool. The listserv allowed Muslims in the health care fields to unite and put an end to the fragmentation that had previously existed in the community, AMHP historical documents suggest.

The group’s first organizational meeting

11

was held in conjunction with the 2004 Annual ISNA Convention in Rosemont, IL. Today, we have 1200 members says AMHP spokesperson Janice French, a Muslimah based in Maryland who works in the social work field. “At this point, we’re focused on research and assisting Muslim communities in forming “free” clinics.” These clinics are designed to serve both Muslim and nonMuslim patients alike who have no or little health coverage, states French.

According to French, there are less than a half dozen Muslim “free” clinics including one associated with the Muslim Community Center, a masjid community located in Silver Spring, MD. The MCC Clinic has been open for nearly five years now and was founded with a particular focus on serving patients who were here in the country on visitor visas states Iman Romodan, MCC Clinic General Manager. Since the clinic is also open to Muslims and non-Muslims, it employs Muslim and non-Muslim doctors, 18 in total, notes Romodan. In addition to treating

patients themselves, Romodan states “the MCC Clinic also refers patients to a network of radiologists and other healthcare providers whose fees are reasonably priced, since many patients are quite frequently without medical insurance.”

AMHP’s French believes that Muslim clinics like the MCC “free” clinic can provide our community with the experience needed for us to eventually build Muslim hospitals.

“At this point, there are no Muslim hospitals, just many Muslims in Hospitals,” French acknowledges. However, as we start to work together more and overcome issues that separate us, we’ll begin to see Muslim owned hospitals and other institutions, states French.

Through greater Muslim unity, Muslim hospitals may be over the horizon and just in time to treat that Muslim child who injures himself by falling out of bed.

If you would like the Muslim Link to be available at your establishment give us a call.

301.982.1020 continued >> Uninsured from pg 09 While Hanif remained seated close to Amena’s bed, Khalid cooked food, provided tea, and water to the women in the room. Along with Hanif, Amena’s non-English speaking mother-in-law was also aiding in the delivery by making constant dua’s.

The room was filled with positive energy.

Everyone had one mission in mind. They all wanted a healthy baby without casing any harm to the mother.

At 9PM, after half day of extraneous pain, the Ejazi’s witnessed the first sight of their baby girl.

“Allahu Akbar,” said Khalid as he read the Adaan in the newborn’s ears and put a fresh date close to the baby’s mouth.

The father of the newborn had some concerns regarding the cleanliness and the safety of the childbirth at home. When he saw that Hanif came prepared with her traveling mid-wife kit, he was relieved.

“Alhamdulillah, it was comfortable having the baby at home. My wife did everything naturally,” said Khalid.

Khalid said Hanif went out of her way to help his family. She provided counseling, natural herbs and supplements, regular weekly prenatal visits, and the delivery services without asking for any compensation.

Khalid considers Hanif an honorable sister who assisted his family at their most vulnerable

time while respecting their privacy.

“When I met the Ejazis, I just bonded with them and realized that Muslims don’t need to speak one language to be able to help each other,” said Hanif.

From this child delivery, Hanif learned every positive human experience is the result of compassion, prayer, and patience.

“The process of childbirth transcends man’s knowledge and all language barriers.

Everything went smooth in accordance to the order established by Allah,” said Hanif. “Out of the hundred of births I’ve done in twenty years, this birth was the second best next to my grandchild.”

Hanif hopes this experience will remind other Muslims that medical technology does not guarantee better medical care than homeopathic treatment. She said she wants Muslim women to know that Allah is in control of all births that are taking place in homes and in the hospitals.

Hanif said, “Whatever Allah wishes to make happen will happen in the home or in the hospital.”

Hanif is a registered nurse, mid-wife, nurse practitioner, and a homeopathy doctor. She uses herbal medicine and teaches women how to seek natural remedies to health problems rather than using conventional medicine.

For more info on Muslimat Al-Nisaa, call (410) 466-8686.

----------------------------------------------------Writer’s Note: The name of the immigrant family was changed at their request.

12 continued >> Forgotten from pg 04 and inventors who made major contributions to the United States from the 1900’s through the present. Among them were listed Hassan Kael Al-Sabbah who worked for General Electric Corporation in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Al-Sabbah held 52 patents, including ground breaking patents in solar energy and television tubes. Numerous other Muslims are noted, including Dr. Fazlur Rahman, the architect who designed Chicago’s famed Sears Tower.

A total of 7 exhibits are a part of the CSAM program; only 2 of those were on display at ISB.

continued >> Ground from pg 10 Future plans include building renovation, a restaurant, and a weekly Islamic radio program.

The attendees were treated to a presentation by the students of the Islamic Community School in Baltimore, who sang a song and gave an explanation of their school pledge. In a change from the usual fundraising dinner schedule, the food was served first, with a delicious buffet meal.

Imam Darryl Wainwright conducted the

COMMUNITY NEWS Besides the influx of early Muslims slaves – the CSAM exhibit shows newspaper clippings and government proclamations honoring some of them who fought in the Revolutionary War against the British – immigration also occurred much earlier than most American Muslims realize. One plaque showed an article from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Gazette newspaper, dated January 1936, showing two white young boys – probably early Arab American immigrants – aged 12 and 7, who had “mastered reading the Qur’an at the 9th Street Mosque.” The same plaque exhibit shows Imams from Muslim lands came here to lead communities as early as the 1920s. Khalil Al-Rawaf, from the Najd area of Saudi Arabia, led the masjid in Cedar Rapids, Iowa around 1929, well before oil transformed Arabia.

fundraising portion of the program. He emphasized that we should have many masjids, “one on each corner of the city”, and all masjids should support each other.

Donations were received from Masjid AsSaffat and Masjid An-Nur. Imam Amin said that the donations and pledges collected ranged from $10 to $3,500. He also stated that “We Muslims are our own financial stimulus package. We cannot be afraid to give for fear of loss, because the gain is greater than any loss.”

All donations to Masjid Us Salaam can be mailed to Masjid Us Salaam/240 N. Howard St/Baltimore, MD 21201.

Attendee Job Rushdan spent a considerable amount of time at one plaque in particular, reading the captions and studying the maps of the Maryland coastal area. “It seems Annapolis was one of the main ports [to bring in slaves] ... if [the slaves] stayed here, it means Maryland had a lot of Muslims,” he commented.

Organizer Aijaz Hasan said he wished more community members would have come out to see the exhibit, but that those who did come seemed to be engaged. “Just by the way a lot the people interacted with Brother Amir Muhammad [during his guided tour through the exhibit] shows that people were benefiting .... the goal was to bring people out to the masjid and promote diversity, which Insha’Allah we accomplished. This is part of ISB’s strategy to build a community learning

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008 center and promote programs of learning.” he said.

“We are encouraged to study the lives of the early generations of Muslims [from the Companions may Allah be pleased with them all], but we also need to study the history of the early Muslims in America ... its part of our legacy and we are every bit a part of the American fabric as our next door neighbor” added Brother Aijaz.

CSAM’s goal is to build “America’s Islamic Heritage Museum” in Washington DC. They have located a building in DC a half block from the DC Convention Center. The building costs $4.47 million. To learn more about CSAM, visit muslimsinamerica.org or call 202-678-6906.

Culmore Cleanup About Caring for the Community

By Zaynab Aden Muslim Link Contributing Writer On a sun-drenched Saturday morning when many could have slept in, clusters of men, women, and children came together for the 5th Annual Culmore Community Cleanup.

The cleanup is a collaborative effort between Alternative House, Bailey’s Beautification Alliance, Dar Al-Hijrah, Fairfax County Health Department, Hidden Oaks Nature

Center, the Office of Supervisor Penny Gross and the Woodrow Wilson Library which served as the central location. The event drew over 100 environmentally conscience community members.

As with any organized movement, the cleanup

>> Clean up Pg 13

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

COMMUNITY NEWS

continued >> Rhetoric from pg 09

need to see more Islamic scholars. We’ve seen some positive programs overseas play a role in demonstrably showing how the extremists are taking the narrative out of context.”

fundamentalism] of this militant piety because it denotes the deviation from the normative teachings of the faith,” said Ahmed.

Cilluffo identified the importance of having counter-narratives to contend with the radical ones of extremist organizations that use religious scriptures out of context in order to promote their own political agenda. “Once you expose the narrative itself, it will fall upon its own weight of inconsistency,” said Cilluffo. His words echoed those of Johnson who said, “The best antidote for bad theology is good theology.”

All of the members of the panel agreed that Islam is the solution to terrorism and not the problem. Douglas Johnston, of the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, described a successful hostage negotiation he had with Taliban leaders that was mediated by a parliament style group of respected religious leaders in Afghanistan.

“They sat down with open Qurans and within the first hour said, ‘when are you going to release the women,’ because it was against their religious principles.”

Cilluffo asserts that long term sustained solutions have to come from within. “We

continued >> Clean up from pg 12 started with the efforts of a few concerned residents. Priscilla Weck and Peg Corl saw the condition of their neighborhood, and decided to do something about it themselves, a clear example of action couple with good intentions.

The day was one of civic engagement as well as learning. Representatives from the Fairfax county Division of Environmental Health were present to create awareness of

Although the panel was hopeful for reconciliation, they recognized the challenges ahead. Loose knit extremist organizations without a central leader, the American lack of understanding of how Muslims view freedom and religion, and the skewed media that we are presented with has made the job rodents, mosquitoes and bed bugs giving deeper insight into the old adage “sleep tight don’t let the bed bug’s bite.” Hidden Oaks Nature Center was there to dispel some of the myth surrounding local wildlife and -- in this technology age -- encourage children as well as parents to rekindle their bond with the outdoors. The Fire Department was also present.

Andrea Torrico, 15, worked enthusiastically alongside her friend Jessica Mitchum 16, both of J.E.B. Suart High School’s Interact club.

Jessica was happy she came, though she does have a message for her neighbors, “People

of those who seek peace and understanding among all people that much more difficult.

“The media has focused disproportionately on the negative which has fostered a sense of paranoia and fear,” said Ahmed.

Muslim youth with access to the internet were identified as the most susceptible to being seduced by the inflammatory messages of radicals. Chat rooms in which beliefs are influenced and affirmed, that also offer a sense of connection for marginalized youth, were deemed more effective than web pages.

A poignant suggestion, drawn from the success of the stabilization and restructuring of Northern Ireland, was to include extremists in the political process. The world saw in 2007 the election of Protestant unionist hardliner, Ian Paisley as first minister, with Catholic Sinn Fein leader, Martin McGuiness, former Irish Republican Army member, as second minister. Prior to the inclusion of right and need to clean up after themselves.” Jessica echoes her sentiment noting that trash will be strewn around a garbage can making it even more perplexing to clean up, “why couldn’t they have just walked the extra step to throw it away?”

Adam Sbita, 19, began his community involvement as a freshman at Stuart High School with the Interact Club and now continues post graduation with Dar Al Hijrah Youth. He also shares Andrea’s outlook that people can do more to respect the land around them but also noted the hustle and bustle around him, “The number of people wanting

13 left wing factions, moderates who drafted treaties without broad base support of the people would consistently be outflanked, making little to no political and social gains.

The end of Britain’s 38 year occupation of Northern Ireland in 2005 helped ease tensions as well.

Ahmed urged that we not shun political organizations that legitimately win elections in their countries, like Hamas which was identified by the American government as a terrorist group, or Hezbollah which is part of the political process in Lebanon, but to make them part of the civic process.

“To bring extremists and people who are espousing political violence as a way of conflict resolution into a civic process, we have to encourage democratic and electoral processes,” said Ahmed. He added that they need to be part of the solution.

to do good outweigh the bad, if we all come together we can make a difference.”

That is what brought Susan Lydick, Fairfax Partnership for Youth,” I’m here because I care about the Culmore community so much, especially the youth.”

Efforts such as these should be supported and encouraged at every turn. With the environment facing the grim predictions of global warming, water shortage, and the current food shortage, the time to take action is now.

14

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied Again for Chandia continued >> Justice from pg 1 lacked direct involvement in violent activity.

Miller also reiterated the 4th Circuit’s own contention that in Ali Asad’s case the acts that warranted conviction on the conspiracy charges – providing Mohammad Ajmal Khan with a ride to the airport, providing him access to a computer, and providing him with assistance to ship packages of paintballs – do not, in and of themselves, meet the statutory element to show that Ali Asad had a specific “intent and had calculated his conduct to influence, affect, or retaliate against the conduct of a government by intimidation or coercion.”

and the equivalent of one year in college, that he knew about Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), that after he moved to the U.S. he returned to Pakistan, and that witnesses in the trial had placed him in an LET office while he was there. Gibbs noted that Ali Asad’s association with Mohammad Ajmal Khan, “a known LET operative.” About Ali Asad, he continued, “He knew about LET. He knew about Khan’s activity with LET. He knew about his activity in the U.S. to help make LET a more lethal violent organization.”

Miller got a chance to rebut the tainted picture that was cast, again emphasizing that Ali Asad had not been involved in any violent act toward any person or country

Ali Asad Speaks for Himself

He began by speaking about the story of Mary (alaihi salaam) in the Bible and in the Qur’an when she was falsely accused of wrongdoing and “God cleared her of the false accusations.”

Miller also noted the Ali Asad was a wellrespected member of the community who, until the indictment in 2003, had never been charged with even a petty crime. He further detailed that his client had been extremely cooperative throughout the period that he was on house arrest awaiting trial and was consistently noted to be a peaceful person even after his imprisonment. He added that the judge had been provided with a large number of letters from local community

Dressed in prison-issued orange pants and a faded blue t-shirt, Ali Asad rose to address the court. He began by speaking about the story of Mary (alaihi salaam) in the Bible and in the Qur’an when she was falsely accused of wrongdoing and “God cleared her of the false accusations.” He reiterated his claim of innocence and the fact that he had never advocated violence or been viewed as a security threat. He quoted from the appeals court judge who asked the government at

He asked the judge, “if I didn’t retaliate then when the most important people to me were being harmed, why would I retaliate against the country that my father still regularly visits?”

members who spoke to these facts, as well as letters from members of the Pakistan judiciary who “had known him all his life and wanted to publicly record their knowledge of his nature.”

Prosecutor’s Response and Position

the appeal hearing in Richmond, “What government was supposed to be intimidated by my actions?” Ali Asad then asked the judge, “Do you think the government of India will feel intimidated by a few boxes of paintballs?”

daughter. He noted that in Islam, “women are our honor.” He asked the judge, “if I didn’t retaliate then when the most important people to me were being harmed, why would I retaliate against the country that my father still regularly visits?”

Judge Responds Though he listened to Miller’s argument and to Ali Asad’s personal remarks, Judge Hilton’s sentencing statements were a trite reiteration of prosecutor’s claims in favor of the application of the terrorism enhancement. In the judge’s opinion, the standard of evidence was satisfied at either the preponderance or clear and convincing evidence levels. He went on to sentence Ali Asad Chandia to exactly the same sentence he had handed down 18 months prior, even suggesting that he had been lenient by imposing a lesser sentence than the government had requested because there was no violent act.

Community members who had come in large numbers to pack the courtroom in support of Ali Asad left the courtroom stunned. The Ali Asad Support Committee gathered outside of the courthouse to put the latest activity in perspective and to announce that they will continue to work hard to overturn the actions of the court.

Defense Attorney Marvin Miller was also determined to challenge the decision. He stated that the “very long prison sentence is much longer than would be applied in most countries of the world, including those considered to be dictatorships. The U.S. stands head and shoulders far and above the rest of the world in the percentage of its people that it puts in prison and in the length of time they are expected to serve. These extremely long sentences for which the U.S. is unique do not make the people safe and do not stop crime.”

Miller was hopeful that the court of appeals “will apply its original decision [which was] that the facts of what he [Ali Asad Chandia did] do not support the enhancement the court imposed.”

Next Steps

Representing the government was Assistant United States Attorney John Gibbs who worked hard to counter the defense arguments.

He contended that the government provided a great deal of evidence to support the use of the terrorism enhancement and that, rather than relying on past cases to suggest similarities, that “each case has to stand on its own facts.”

He went on to describe how his life and the life of his family had been changed by the incarceration, speaking of the effects on his 7-year-old daughter who asks people to “pray for my father” and of his 3 year-old son whose only memories are of his father in prison.

He spoke of his parents, his childhood, his interactions with his brother and sister, and the consistent support of his wife who has stood by his side throughout the entire ordeal.

The notice of appeal was filed in Ali Asad’s case the following week. The appeal will go back to the 4th Circuit Court to determine if Judge Hilton complied with its directives. If they find in Ali Asad’s favor again, the appeals court would send the case back to Judge Hilton and instruct him to proceed without the application of the terrorism enhancement.

Once this matter is settled, the defense is able to go back to appeal the merits of the conviction itself.

Gibbs went on to draw attention to the fact that Ali Asad was born in Pakistan, that he grew up there attending both high school

He recounted the government’s search of his mother’s home and how the agents were disrespectful of his sister, wife, and

All this legal activity will mean that Ali Asad will have to be patient for justice to be served, at least by the U.S. judicial system. A press

release distributed by his support committee summed up the situation this way: “Preemptive prosecutions have been the primary tool used to incarcerate large numbers of Muslims, including Brother Ali Asad, not for committing any crimes against America or Americans but because of the potential for them to do so. This strategy has tipped the scales of the U.S. justice system on its head and rendered ineffective the Constitutional guarantee that a defendant appears in court declared and treated as if he is innocent until proven guilty of committing a crime.

Brother Ali Asad has been caught in this political quagmire and both his associations and his actions have, as such, been wrongly interpreted. . . . With this continued miscarriage of justice we are frustrated but we have not lost sight of the fact that everything that happens – both good and bad – happens by the will of Allah, the Creator.”

-----------------------------------------------------

What can you do?

There is no doubt that the challenges that are before Ali Asad and his family are tests for the community as well.

We will all be held accountable for our actions in the face of injustice. Ask yourself two questions: How well have I done already? And how much more can I do?

Here are a few suggestions: 1. Support Ali Asad’s efforts to appeal the decision by donating to his legal defense fund. Checks should be made out and sent to: Ali Asad Legal Defense Fund P.O. Box 1227 College Park, MD 20741 2. Continue to make du’a for Brother Ali Asad and his family. Surely, everything, as it has always been, is in Allah’s hands.

The opportunity to revisit the matter of sentencing, even in its disappointments, was part of a larger plan by our Creator and Sustainer. Along those lines, we should continue to be both patient amidst these tests and grateful to Allah subhana wa ta’la for our blessings.

3. Keep up with the latest developments on Ali Asad’s case at www.aliasad.org.

Jazakallahu Khairan for your continued support and your du’as Wasalaam.

Ali Asad Support Committee

08

15

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

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19

WIA Open House Attracts New Parents By: Farkhunda Ali Muslim Link Staff Writer Approximately 300 DC Metropolitan Muslims attended the Dar Al-Hijrah affilated Washington Islamic Academy (WIA) International Day and Open House on Saturday, April 26th in Alexandria, Virginia.

All day event began at 10:30AM with an inauguration and tour of the new WIA building purchased last in the beginning of the school year. Several Muslim families from the tri-state area visited the classrooms, teachers, new principal and the administration.

WIA administration said enrollment is the Pre-K and the KG classes are full with a long waitlist. They said this is due to many families bringing their children to their school due to the shutdown of the lower grade classes at the Islamic Saudi Academy (ISA).

Currently, WIA has 105 students enrolled in grades Pre-K to 7th. Next year, they plan to start 8th grade and additional Pre-K and KG classes. The additional classrooms will open enrollment for an additional 100 students, according to WIA’s administrative assistant, Haleema Abdi.

WIA will be interviewing individuals for teaching positions for the next school year staring this summer. Abdi said all of their teachers wither have teaching experience, have a Masters in education, or have teaching certificates.

“We want to develop a professional academic environment for our students,” said Abdi.

The international bazaar featured a display of the various countries whose cultures and

identities are represented by their diverse student body. The colorful and vibrant exhibit of various cultures displayed factual information on different Muslim nations, presented a popular dish, and put on display their traditional clothing and artifacts.

The attendees visited each booth and mingled with the representatives of the country while tasting their food. There was information available on Japan, France, East Turkistan, Afghanistan, Finland, Ethiopia, Palestine, Eritrea, Egypt, Pakistan, Mexico, India, Lebanon, Libya, France, England, Algeria, Syria, Tunisia, America, China, Sudan, and Bangladesh.

New parents and parents of existing WIA students talked about their likes and dislikes about the school. They shared their thoughts on financial and traveling difficulties in bringing their children to the school.

“We wanted parents to mingle and get to know each other’s cultures,” said Abdi Some of WIA students live more than ten miles away from the school. Most parents agreed they were content with the education their child is receiving in a multi-cultural Islamic academic environment.

Abdi said WIA is working on getting an additional computer lab, a science laboratory, and a library added for the next school year.

The sales from international foods helped WIA to collect approximately $1,100 to start their library project, and book collecting has started.

WIA has a 42,000 sqft multi-faceted building located minutes away from the interstate beltway on Edsall Road in Alexandria. The

Muslim children.

Dr. Sultan, 67, was selected as WIA’s new principal in April 2008 due to some administrative changes in the end of the school year.

WIA Principal Dr .Talat Sultan brings 40 years of expert experience in education to the Northern Virginia fulltime Islamic school. He is kind hearted, and is adamant about Muslim families providing a well-structured Islamic academic environment for

In the next few years, Dr. Sultan hopes to add higher grades and get the school accredited by the State of Virginia.

Currently, WIA has grades K-G to 7th.

Their plan is to add more classes based on the number of applications received each year.

Dr. Sultan said he took the new position with a new vision. He wants to develop WIA like the Islamic middle and high schools in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr. Sultan wants to change two things

continued >> Playground from pg 04

up the issue of the playground and said we needed to either renovate the existing one or install a new one. So, she was asked to present a proposal to the PTA. Umm Muhammad then set out to do so and do some research. There were many vendors of playground equipment

The WIA International Day featured many tables displays like the one above.

Photo courtesy of Nora Abdullah. administration at Dar Al-Hijrah bought the facility last summer for $5.8 million.

They signed a 14-month lease to purchase in August 2007. Since then, they have been paying rent for the entire building, while subleasing part of the building as commercial office spaces.

After the completion of a 14-month lease in fall, Dar Al Hijrah intends to purchase the facility and shift the full ownership in their name.

Samir Abo-Issa, resource and development director at Dar Al-Hijrah said thus far they have raised $500,000 toward their down payment. They are still requesting community

at WIA. He said Muslim children need to think “big,” and “I’m here to help them envision a prosperous future for them which is conducive to Islamic principles.”

Furthermore, Dr. Sultan moved from the West Coast to the East Coast to build a unique Islamic foundation at WIA, which will generate Allahfearing Muslim professionals.

In the early 60’s, he received his Masters in Islamic history and culture from Karachi University in Karachi, Pakistan. Dr .Sultan is among the large influx of immigrants to the US in the mid 60’s.

Before receiving his PhD in education

so Umm Muhammad did some research and found that Little Tykes playground was the best. She came to that conclusion after reading in a trade newspaper that, in the aftermath of the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, one of the few things to survive with no damage was the Little Tikes playgrounds. So, she got an estimate of $26,000.

The MCC said that they would give about half that amount and the PTA would need

members for donations and Islamically compatible loans to raise an additional $700,000.

“We hope to put $1.2 million dollars as our initial payment to purchase the property in August 2008,” added Abo-Issa.

Dar Al Hijrah community will depend on the DC-Metro Muslims to help them generate funds for the monthly mortgage after the property settlement. One part of the building’s mortgage will be covered through fundraising.

The other part of the mortgage funds will be generated by the monthly occupancy rent collected from the commercial offices.

To donate or learn more, visit www. washingtonislamicacademy.org .

from UCLA in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Sultan taught education at a private college in North Carolina.

Dr. Sultan is a guru of Islamic education.

He first joined the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) in the 80’s and helped the non-profit organization develop its Islamic education program for the Muslim youth. He served as their director of education from 1982-1988.

Also, the veteran educator served as the Islamic education researcher at the Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. During his stay in Saudi Arabia from 1988-1999, he wrote two books.

“Education can either make you or brake you,” said Dr. Sultan. “Society

to raise the rest. So, they set out collection donations, making appeals at Jummah, holding bake sales and offering lunches on Fridays and Sundays. People gave generously with individuals giving amounts of $2000 here, $1500 there, $500 elsewhere and even with just the purchase of some brownies. I would see Umm Muhammad and Umm Faraz set out by the sisters entrance on Jummah selling brownies and thought it would take a long time to raise the thousands the project requires.

depends on the type of education we provide to our children.”

Dr. Sultan said to TML when Muslim children are provided secular education, they innately make life decisions without thinking about their permissibility in Islam. He added Muslim children who receive Islamic education inherently select choices that are compatible with the Islamic way of life.

“I believe we need to instill Islamic values in our children with the hope of salvaging humanity, whether with Muslims or non-Muslims,” he said.

The new WIA principal is the father of two young adults and grandfather of one.

But Alhamdulillah, they were able to raise over $15,000 in just 3 months time. Umm Muhammad noted that the project brought people together not just for the playground but for the sake of community of Muslims. Folks who used to drop their kids for Sunday school, are now staying around and participating in the activities of the MCC. Her next project is to put put up a soccer goal and nets for volleyball courts.

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Al-Huda Students Make Their Mark in Local Politics

2ND Muslim in Congress Wins in Indiana Dem. Primary, Faces Republican Challenger in November

By Talib Karim Muslim Link Contributing Writer

Fourth grader Hannan Hijazi sits on the City Council seat and delivers her essay “If I was Mayor”. Photo from Internet sources.

On Tuesday, April 22, a 4th grade student at Al-Huda School was honored with the opportunity to address the Mayor and City Council of College Park, Maryland.

reference to Islam’s social values, she said the city should use its powers to protect the rights of the weak, elderly, children, and homeless.

The speaking slot came as a result of Hannan Hijazi’s placing first in an essay contest called “If I Were Mayor”.

Hanna’s classmate at Al-Huda School, Camilla Obasiolu, also in 4th grade, won at the state level representing Prince George’s County’s 9th District. The winners from all districts will be recognized by Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown, receive an award plaque, and a $ 250 savings bond at a special recognition ceremony at the Legislative Services Building. Also, an Annapolis Harbor boat tour has been arranged for the winners, their families and teachers after the ceremony.

The contest, sponsored by the Maryland Municipal League, is annual and statewide.

Similar contests are held across the nation to promote civic education.

“Alhamdullilah she was able to represent Islam and Alhuda in a very positive way,” said Umm Hannan.

Hannan addressed a regular meeting of the City Council, reading her essay from the lectern at the front of the room. Making

Congratulations to Hannan, Camilla, their parents and their teachers!

“If I Were Mayor” The text of a speech delivered by Al-Huda School 4th grader Hannan Hijazi to the City of College Park Mayor and Council, April 22, 2008 If I were to be a mayor, I would make sure everyone’s rights are protected. If I were really mayor, I intend to be the leader who carries out her duties properly and put the needs of the community before hers. I would put all of my effort on the city’s needs and other people’s needs.

The most important concern for me as a mayor is education and schools because the first word in my religion, Islam, and my holy book, the Quran, is ‘Read’. Reading is important because it helps you improve your spelling and grammar. It also helps you get more knowledge, and it brings light to your thinking and imagination. Reading brings excellent talking of the English language and increases your vocabulary. Last but not least reading makes people accept other cultures and respect others, especially since this country has many races. Schools are very important to make the students think about the world around us. Therefore, I will spend money on improving the schools and provide better programs for math and reading.

Children are not the only group that is important; the elderly are important too. One thing I would do to help the elderly is build

nursing homes. I would build for the nursing homes, a swimming pool and a library. There would also be a cafeteria and a hospital. In addition, I would make sure there are gift shops, other kinds of stores, a movie theater, and places to play in. The elderly people in this country are left in homes by their children.

Therefore, the nursing homes must be a good place where they can be taken care of.

Jobs are also important. By taking care of schools and the elderly people and making nursing homes, we can make more jobs. Some other jobs are taking good care of the land, air and water. Another concern is reducing, reusing and recycling. One last job is making sure the environment is pollution-free by saving and planting more trees.

Going back to the idea I stated with, being a successful leader means taking care of every one’s needs at the expense of my own. I would stay up at night, making sure there are no homeless or poor people. I would be very fair.

I would distribute the money from taxes, to all who need. Whatever money is left would be spent on improving the city.

Being a mayor or a leader means taking care of people’s needs as the main responsibility.

I think this essay is a great thing because it allows all 4th grade students to put all their imagination and love towards their city and the people who live in it.

21

U.S. Rep. Andre Carson won the Democratic nomination in Indiana’s 7th Congressional District. Carson just two months ago made history by becoming the second Muslim in Congress after winning a special election to serve out the remaining term of his late grandmother, Congresswoman Julia Carson, who passed away in December. Carson faced multiple candidates with well known names and large war chests. Yet, the 33 Carson managed to forge relationships with a

coalition of allies in his district to propell him to victory in the Democratic primary on the same day that large numbers of voters in the 7th District turned out to support Sen. Barack Obama, who loss by a slim margin to Sen. Hilary Clinton. Carson, a superdelegate, has endorsed Sen. Obama.

Carson now faces Republican challenger Jon Elrod in the November general elections. This is the second contest between the two. In the March special election, Carson defeated Elrod by 9,000 votes.

If you would like the Muslim Link to be available at your establishment give us a call.

301.982.1020

22

ADVERTISEMENT

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Upcoming Events In Your Area PGMA Annual Community Yard Sale and Community Picnic Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sellers should plan to arrive for set up between 7:00 - 8:00am. Lot open to Buyers @ 8:30am. ...

Planting Day at ISB Saturday, May 10, 2008

Please bring a friend and join us in helping to beautify the grounds at the Islamic Society of Baltimore. Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. [Muslim, Tirmidhi] ...

EL-IMAN LEARNING CENTER – OPEN HOUSE Saturday, May 17, 2008

El-Iman Learning Center, Baileys Crossroads, VA 22041, a unique school offering Muslim Montessori Program currently enrolling students for 2008-2009 in Pre-school to 6th Grade. All prospective new students are invited to come to see our school and enjoy a barbecue. For further information visit our website www.eliman.org, or email: admin@eliman.org orcall 703-820-6688.>> ...

ICCL Open House Saturday, May 17, 2008

Open House at ICCL from 11AM to 2PM. Invite your non-muslim neighbors, friends, co-workers to visit the masjid and learn about Islam. ...

301-317-4584 ps@icclmd.org

Muslim Funfest 2008 Carnival Sunday, May 18

All day starting from 12 noon. FREE admission. Tons of rides including a 70-ft Ferris Wheel, Dixie Twister, and much more. Free and ample parking.

Located at High Point Farm in Clarksburg, Maryland. For directions and other information, visit www.muslimfunfest.com or call 301-982-2061.

Al-Madina - Trials of the Messengers

Al-Madina Institute is pleased to announce “Trials of the Messengers.”

Friday, May 23, 2008

This will be an overview of the various trials that our noble prophets and messengers faced for us.The seminar will be taught by Shaykh Muhammad Bin Yahya Ninowy, Imam Mohamed Magid and Imam Zaid Shakir.Don’t miss the opportunity to be in the first ever class taught on “The Trials of the Messengers” in this region. Space is limited! ... info@almadinainstitute.org

ISNA East Zone Conference Saturday, May 24, 2008

Civis Responsibility and Our Faith at Sheraton City Center Hotel, 101 Fayette St. Baltimore, MD. Registration deadline is May 15th. Call 317-838-8129 for more information

Makkah Learning Center Fundraiser Dinner Saturday, May 31, 2008

at 814 Brandy Farms Ln Gambrills, MD Please come and join us for a special evening to raise money for Allah’s House. We will have Moon Bounces, Basketball, and BBQ Food for all. We will also be having a guest speaker. So please come out for a fun night for a good cause. Tickets:Single-$15Family-$40 ...

Al-Rahmah School Fundraising Dinner Saturday, May 31, 2008

Al-Rahmah School, 6631 Johnnycake Rd, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 (ISB). Tickets are $20.00/pp or $50.00 per family of five. Guest speakers are Br Safi Khan and Imam Salmuddeen Harun. Free babysitting and Moonbounce will be available. ...

For more information please call Sr Donna @ 410-719-0921.

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008 continued >> FAITH from pg 010 out of debt and not engage in interest based loans any more.

It is essential when setting up a preliminary budget to realistically assess one’s income and expenses. No matter how much one is making, the expense side must be properly handled or one is liable to fall into debt, wasteful spending, lack of savings for important major expenses (such as college or retirement), or to simply miss out on the opportunity of spending more in the way of Allah.

Budgeting class participants received a budgeting formula and were given the opportunity to take part in a half-hour, oneon-one budgeting session.

Sr. Mariam could feel a knot in her stomach.

Even though she made a good salary alhamdulillah, she was afraid to write down all her expenses in case of what she might find. At first, her feeling was justified. She saw that she was spending as much as she was making. If a major car repair or other large expense were to come up, she would have to spend more than she was making – how could she do that?

She was more nervous than ever. However, working through her itemized list of expenses line by line and consulting the budgeting formula she had received in class, Mariam became more confident. She could see exactly where her spending habits had gotten her into trouble. She started crossing off unnecessary expenses and made a concrete plan to reduce her spending.

The basic message of the budgeting class emphasized saving. Dr. Mirza offered tips on how to reduce spending on rent, food, gas, as

well as many other living expenses. Even the “little expenses” are not so little when added up throughout the year.

For all meritorious expenditures – spending in the cause of Allah - striving and saving are prerequisites. You cannot spend what you do not have. In addition, having the savings mindset is good for the environment because it curbs our waste of natural resources and it can be very spiritually rewarding too.

Meanwhile, accumulation just to accumulate – hoarding or non-investment of wealth – is not recommended in Islam. Dr. Mirza teaches how, “Islam calls for using one’s wealth to fulfill personal, family, and societal needs in kindness and moderation, without resorting to waste (israf), stinginess (bukhl) or squandering (tabdhir).” “(Believers are) those who when they spend are not extravagant and not stingy but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes).”

(Quran 25:67).

Dr. Muhammad took his family to the budgeting class. He wanted to encourage his son to think about saving and investing early on. Dr. Muhammad found himself thinking a lot about the spiritual benefits of financial planning and felt it was a kind of ibadah to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala to be more conscious and responsible regarding the resources that Allah provides. It really hit home that he would be questioned about how he earned his money and how he spent it. This motivated him to control his urge to spend and made him more savings-conscious.

So what do you do with your newfound savings? Invest it, of course! As Dr. Mirza explains, “A penny saved is really a penny and a half earned.” Dr. Mirza showed

Attend the next class on budgeting !

FAITH is offering an encore presentation of this budgeting class on Sunday, June 15th from 4pm – 6pm at 500 Grove Street , 2nd floor, Herndon , VA 20170 . Come learn how to budget your way to wealth the Islamic way. This class is for everyone in the community. Whatever your economic level or financial goals, you can learn to budget and save like a pro.

To register, please email faith_appeal@yahoo.com. The class is free and light refreshments will be served (a $5 donation is suggested to help cover costs). You are asked to make your own child care arrangements so that you can benefit most from the class.

If you wish to sponsor the seminars or support FAITH in serving the poor and needy in the community, please write your check payable to “FAITH” and mail to FAITH, 500 Grove Street, Suite 210, Herndon, VA, 20170. Your donations are tax-deductible. May Allah Ta’ala accept your spending in His way.

If you would like the Muslim Link to be available at your establishment give us a call.

301.982.1020

how, with patience and a spirit of delayed gratification, you can become a millionaire by just getting into the habit of investing your savings on a regular basis. You should not wait to accumulate the money in large chunks before investing it. You should be investing it – Islamically – as you save it.

Of course, being a millionaire is an arbitrary goal. But it symbolizes being financially independent and able to provide for the expenses of oneself, one’s family, and contribute to one’s community. These are all commendable goals in Islam. One can achieve this goal through inherited wealth, but most of the time it requires making a commitment to save and invest the money in some way.

According to Islamic principles, wealth should be earned and invested lawfully. Islam calls for a strong work ethic and encourages economic enterprise. It urges the fulfillment of financial responsibilities toward self and family. Social welfare through the institution of zakat and voluntary expenditures for the public good (sadaqa) are highly beneficial.

These expenditures benefit recipients, raise living standards, create jobs, increase public trust, and so forth. At the same time, the giver enjoys what Dr. Mirza called “the multiplier effect” in terms of rewards.

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of corn] which grows seven ears; in each ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs and All-Knowing” (Quran, 2:261)

23 Br. Hamza and his wife, newly married, realized that they had a choice to make. They had definite goals: They would like to own their own home without resorting to interest.

They would like to own a reliable car. They would like to have children, insha’Allah, and be able to afford college for them. They would like to retire without being in poverty. They would like to donate generously to their masjid and the build up their local Islamic school. To fulfill these goals, Br. Hamza and his wife had a choice: They could just go along year to year, spending whatever they felt like. They could worry about college 20 years from now.

They could worry about retirement 40 years from now. Or they could make the intention to plan for their goals and work towards them.

They would put their trust in Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala while making their intention and making their best effort. Br. Hamza and his wife decided to be a team working together to reach their financial goals.

Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “You can only have envy for two things: for a man to whom Allah has given the Qur’an and he gets up and recites it throughout the night, and for a man to whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it [in Allah’s Cause] throughout the night and the day.” [Agreed upon] Let us make the intention to be among those with wealth who spend it for the pleasure of Allah Ta’aalaa.

The writer works with FAITH.

24

COMMUNITY NEWS

continued >> Nothing from pg 26

and has gone through a lot. He does not long to go back to the streets. All he cares about is to die as a Muslim.

I met another Muslim who later became my cellmate for a period of about 8 months and was later transferred to another prison. He had already served 8 years in prison and had 8 more years to go. After his arrest, his wife could not take the pressure and after about 3 years of his incarceration she left him without saying anything. He had no way to contact her and his kids. The experience had only made him stronger in his faith.

Recently some Muslim brothers got divorced because their ex-wives were unable to cope with the pressure faced by the single Muslim women in the society. The brothers were heart broken but remained steadfast [throughout this difficult time/ hardship].

Undoubtedly, the tragedies such as losing ones freedom, death of one’s loved ones, losing contact with the wife and kids living in the society, and wives seeking divorces from their incarcerated husbands are all tragedies. But a greater tragedy is to lose this opportunity to get closer to Allah in such a way that one does not regret losing anything.

Allah Ta’ala tests the believers with various trials and tribulations, so that they get closer to Allah and do not attach their hearts to

this world. The true believers upon losing something or someone dear to their hearts fulfill the command of Allah by saying, “unto Allah we belong and unto Him we return.”

Allah Tala’ala does not tell us not to grieve for our hurt but rather tells us to remember that our main objective in this life is to seek Allah’s pleasure alone. This attitude was demonstrated by the Messenger (peace be upon him) when his infant son died.

tells us that when afflicted with tragedies we must only complain unto Allah alone. When Prophet Jacob Alahi salaam was afflicted with the tragedy of losing his beloved son Joseph, he grieved his loss. Those around him criticized him for that but Prophet Jacob responded,

Indeed, the eyes shed tears, the heart grieves, but we say nothing except what pleases our Lord. We are sad of your death, O Ibrahim. ( al-Bukhari) How many trials did the Messenger of Allah sallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam go through [in his life?] His father passed away prior to this birth. His mother passed away in his early age.

He loved his grandfather, but he also did not live too long to see his grandson grow older.

His wife Khadijah whom he loved dearly also passed away. His uncle, Abu Talib, who defended him against the disbelievers of Makkah also died. All of his sons passed away.

He saw many of his companions getting killed in the battlefield. Allah made him go through such hardships so that his heart was attached to Allah alone and was not diverted by this world. He grieved the losses and shed tears, but never said or did anything to displease his Lord.

So brothers and sisters, next time you are afflicted with a tragedy complain unto Allah alone.

Secondly, incarceration of the loved ones is never easy to bear. The situation can even become more difficult if the one incarcerated is only thrown behind bars because he believes in Allah as his Lord and Muhammed SallaAllahu Allaihi wa sallam as His Messenger. If you happened to be a spouse whose beloved husband was unjustly snatched away for being a Muslim, be honored to be his wife. Know that Allah ta’ala has granted you a special honor and degree that he did not give others. Allah granted you this honor because your husband followed the path of the Prophets of Allah. The Messenger of Allah had given his wives the option to either live with him and to remain patient upon the difficulties faced by them or the messenger of Allah would set them free in a nice manner.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says,

How should one survive these tragedies? The Qu’ran and the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger are full of guidance. We should always refer to the Qur’an and the Sunnah in order to assure that correctness of our attitudes. The Qur’an

O Prophet (Muhammad SallaAllahu Allaihi Wasallam)! Say to your wives: “If you desire the life of this world, and its glitter, then come! I will make provisions for you and set you free in a handsome manner (divorce).

GMU MSA Gives Students a Break from Exam Cram

By Sufia Alnoor Muslim Link Contributing Writer With the end of the school semester approaching and students cramming for finals, there was a dire need for a chance to relax and leave work behind. For Muslims, chances to enjoy Halal entertaining events are few, but thanks to organizations such as Muslim Student Associations they are available. The MSA at George Mason University provided an excellent opportunity to do just that. The GMU MSA hosted their first “Entertainment Night” on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.

The event was thought to be a success by members of the audience which included both college and high school students. GMU MSA’s President, Farooq Yousuf, stated that he thought “the event went well…good turnout; Native Deen and the others all did a great job. It was a good event to end the year with, Alhamdullilah!”

The event was held in Mason’s Bistro, which gave it an urban café feel, and added to the overall mood of the event. The lineup included the internationally acclaimed Muslim group Native Deen, Gandaghee’s Aatif Sharieff and Ibrahim Zuberi, and other local talents including Mason’s own senior student Shafi Khan.

The Bistro filled slowly until the evening started with the remembrance of Allah in Maghrib Salah. Around 150 students lined up in a spacious but busy hall outside of the Bistro. Passers by stayed silent in respect to those in prayer. Students studying outside of Jazzman’s Café also lowered their voices and watched the scene with curiosity.

Once the students re-entered the Bistro and took their seats, they were amused by the comedy of Shafi Khan; Uncles and intercultural marriage…what better to start off with for a group of Muslim college students?

Next they were delighted with the voice of Yunos Amireh singing Nasheeds. Adam Sbita kept the crowd alive with his humorous banter.

After local talent had the crowd hyped they were ready to take on Aatif Sharieff, who also acted as emcee for the night, and Ibrahim Zuberi of Gandaghee. Their renditions of pop culture songs, such as “We’re Bringing Sunnah Back” and “Witr Without You”, had the crowd in express amusement.

The crowd was taken aback by Native Deen’s

>> Students up Pg 05

I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah (the Qur ’an 12:86)

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008 But if you desire Allah and his Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, then verily, Allah has prepared for Al-Muhsinat ( gooddoers) amongst you an enormous reward. ( 33:28-29) Allah’s Messenger Sallah Allahu’Allahihi was sallam gave this option to all of his wives and they all chose Allah and His Messenger.

As for my brothers, if Allah has tested your faith by your lengthy incarceration then give your wives an option to either be with you or to leave you. If they decide to remain with you in hard times their reward is with Allah. If they decide to leave you they are not blameworthy.

Allah will grant both of you goodness. Allah Ta’ala says, But if they separate (by divorce), Allah will provide abundance for everyone of them from His bounty. And Allah is Ever All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Wise. (4:130).

Your eyes may shed tears, your hearts may grieve but you must never say or do something that displease your Lord. For surely with every difficulty comes ease, with every difficulty comes ease.

Your Brother, Abu Qatada Ali Asad Chandia Registration no: 46811-083

Sooq Al-Huda Destroyed in Fire Muslim Link Staff Writers A heavily advertised and promoted annual sister’s event in College Park, Maryland had to be canceled just hours before starting because of a fire on the premises.

The annual “Sister’s Brunch and Beauty Day”, an event of the Darus-Salaam community featuring scores of vendors and activities for Muslim women scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, was called off at about 9 AM after a fire destroyed the “Sooq Al-Huda” kitchen, located in the Dar-us-Salaam building.

Fire inspectors said the fire was likely caused by a malfunction of the oven. About 10 fire trucks responded.

“The effort to put out the fire caused more damage than the fire itself,” said Yasser Nada, who manages the Sooq Al-Huda, a project of the Dar-us-Salaam community that serves lunch to Al-Huda students and deli and hot food items to masjid members. The Sooq also sell halal meat and grocery items to masjid goers.

Sooq Al-Huda remains closed until

further notice, and the cleanup operation continued the week after the fire. The masjid carpet had to be cleaned because ash and soot from the fire spread through ceiling ducts.

Al-Huda School informed all parents to make sure to provide lunches for the children until further notice.

ARTS & FILM

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

25

Arts & Film Spreading Creative Works of Value to the Muslim Community. involved when Monem is explaining Islam to public groups. And non-Muslim viewers will come away with a sense of how even a practicing Muslim family – beards, hijabs, daily prayers and all – is really not that different from them.

New Film Review:

“This is not just a story about a MuslimAmerican as he learns to fly,” said Alex Kronemer, Co-Executive Producer with UPF. “It is also about a young family and their everyday struggles with money, work-life balance, family, community and beyond.”

“I know what you see when you look at me,” says Iman Salam.

Terrorist. Raghead. Suicide bomber. Camel jockey. Taunts from an American Muslim childhood, resonating into adult life.

Through this quirky, open-hearted look at ordinary American Muslims, viewers also get to know what makes them unique as individuals. Monem is a financial advisor who travels to inform Muslim communities about Islamic investment opportunities. But he is also environmentally conscious – choosing to commute by motorcycle to reduce his impact on the Earth – and he is also missing one ear.

And Iman is as earnest in describing how she wants to raise her children to be good Muslims as she is lighthearted while cracking jokes

to be on the outside.

Moving between scenes of Monem’s uncertain journey toward piloting and slices of Salam household life or history, “On a Wing and a

Moving between scenes of Monem’s uncertain journey toward piloting and slices of Salam household life or history, “On a Wing and a Prayer” paints an endearing portrait of this young family while opening a window onto the difficulties they face – and surmount – as a result of simply being Muslims in these times.

“Look at me, and not at what is covering me,” Iman proclaims, and the words of her poem become an anthem for American Muslims struggling to be seen beyond stereotypes.

Iman’s poem, “Free to be,” gives voice to the theme of the new film that features it. “On a Wing and a Prayer: An American Muslim Learns to Fly,” tells the story of Iman’s husband, Monem Salam, and his journey as he follows his lifelong passion of becoming a pilot.

Produced by Unity Productions Foundation (“Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet,” “Prince Among Slaves”) in conjunction with Hand Crank Films of Bellingham, Washington, “On a Wing and a Prayer” also takes viewers deep into the everyday lives of the Salam family, allowing their story to show them as they really are, instead of what they might appear

Prayer” paints an endearing portrait of this young family while opening a window onto the difficulties they face – and surmount – as a result of simply being Muslims in these times.

“In the aftermath of 9/11, the flying lessons are not so easy to arrange and once underway, it’s a bumpy ride filled with technical glitches and confusion,” said Michael Wolfe, CoExecutive Producer with UPF. Monem takes some time to learn the ropes, but along the way he helps tell a much bigger story. Muslim viewers will connect with the anecdotes of Monem’s wife, Iman, on growing up Muslim in the American public schooling system, or the cautious interactions

>> Review up Pg 27

with her husband in planning their ten-year anniversary – “Oh my God, dude, you’re being so cheap!” she tells him.

The film begins with Iman and her young children watching Monem as he takes off on his first solo flight, then cuts back to three months earlier. At that time, Monem hits his first snag when he approaches a professional flight school in Bellingham and draws the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Monem gets a better reception at the city’s other flight school, Bellingham Aero, which supports him despite the FBI’s questions.

“Society’s perceptions of Muslims made his journey a very difficult one,” said producer/ director Max Kaiser with Hand Crank Films.

“Yet it did not deter Monem from following his heart.”

Iman’s story gives depth to this achievement, particularly when she describes how she hated being targeted by prejudice and ignorance in high school. But she has moved beyond the experience, grown up, embraced her domestic side and blossomed at the heart of

26

Islam

ISLAM

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

The way of life given to us by our Creator and practiced by our Messenger Sallallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam

But We Say Nothing Except What Pleases Our Lord

By Ali Asad Chandia Alhamdolillah As-Salatu Wassalamu ‘Ala Rasoolillahi Salla Allahu Allahihi wasallam, A common question on the streets maybe “what time is it?” The question is not very common in the prison system. Nobody cares to know what time it is.

A common question in the prison system is, “How much time you got? “ Meaning, how many years have you been sentenced to. Of course, the responses vary. Five years, ten year, fifteen years, thirty years, life sentences, double life sentences and so forth.

Another common question in the prison system is, “How long have you been down?

The answers, once again vary. Five years, ten years, fifteen years, twenty years, thirty years

During one’s incarceration one often hears of some tragedies that happen outside the prison system and often such situations are beyond one’s control and require extreme patience.

TIPS FOR FAJR

In this guide you will find a few easy solutions on how to wake up for Fajr…the easy way Fajr is the early morning or dawn Prayer.

The Prophet (sallallaahu-alaihi-wasallam) said: “Shaytaan ties three knots on the crown of any one of you in your sleep. He says upon each knot that he ties: “You have a long night before you, therefore sleep”. But if you wake up and mention Allah, Most exalted in remembrance one knot will be untied. If you then make ablution another knot will be undone. If you then proceed to pray - the last knot will be disentangled. Thus, you will feel in the morning energetic and in good spirits.

Otherwise you will feel in a despicable state, lazy”.

[Narrated by Maalik, Bukhaaree, Muslim and

and I have personally met one man who has been locked up for about forty years and hopes to be released later this year (2008).

During one’s incarceration one often hears of some tragedies that happen outside the prison system and often such situations are beyond one’s control and require extreme patience.

A few months ago I came across one of the Muslims on the compound who seemed extremely distressed. I could not resist but to inquire about the problem. The brother told me that his spouse was cheating on him with one of his best friends. The brother was heartbroken. I tried to calm him down and told him that Allah ta’ala knows that as a Muslim he deserved a pious Muslim wife whom he could trust . The brother’s grief turned into a smile and he paid heed to my words.

A few days later, another brother told us that this wife and three daughters went shopping in Chicago. They had a car accident in which all of his daughters died and his wife who survived remains in a comma. He still has two more sons, one of whom is crippled from birth and requires fulltime care. The brother seemed helpless, but his faith in Allah kept him strong.

I have gotten to know another Muslim brother named Muhammad who hardly talks to anyone but me. He told me that he was at

Abu Dagwood] Allah says, “Worship at fixed hours hath been enjoined on the believers.”

(An- Nisa’: 103) Tips for you to begin the day in the best of ways: Tip Number 1: Go to bed earlyThis is not only healthy but you will also get more reward because you do not laze about or watch TV. Tip Number 2: Avoid eating too much junk food- Junk food only makes you lazy; overloading your belly will only tie you down to your bed.

Tip Number 3: Get a nice new alarm clockThis not only is a way to wake you up but it looks nice on a desk, shelf or drawer. If your alarm clock is too near to you put it across the room so you have to get up to switch it off.

DID YOU KNOW?

Recently some Muslim brothers got divorced because their ex-wives were unable to cope with the pressure faced by the single Muslim women in the society. The brothers were heart broken but remained steadfast [throughout this difficult time/ hardship].

USP Big Sandy [a federal prison in Kentucky -- TML] with Brother Seifullah Chapman, a co-conspirator in my case. Muhammad has been locked up for almost 30 years and has a life sentence. He is 40 years old but still works out all day. He was initially sentenced to only 5 years. He caught a murder charge in the prison and ended up with a life sentence. His parents passed away when he was young and he has a sister who he talks to twice a month. He told me that in the last 30 years he has seen a lot

>> Nothing Pg 26

• that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world?

• that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the US? • that the fastest growing segment of the US Muslim population is women?

• that the largest Muslim nation is Indonesia?

• that Muslims worship only One God - the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Mary, and Jesus?

• that Muslims believe that all people are born pure, without sin?

• that only 12 percent of Muslims live in the Middle East?

• that Moses is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Qur’an?

• that Muslims accept Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ, the Word of God, and that his mother was pure and righteous?

• that Muslims believe that Jesus will return at the End of Time to defeat an Anti-Christ?

• that Muslims do not worship Jesus or any prophet, but instead pray to the same God that the prophets prayed to?

• that during war Islam forbids the killing of women, children, elderly, men who aren’t fighting, animals, and even crops and fruitbearing trees?

• that by the year 2020 Islam is projected to be the largest religionin the world? *** For further info/questions on Islam please call 301-982-9463 or email info@learnaboutislam.com

Better still, put on a few alarms and position them in various places in the house - make it your job to go and switch them all off! Surely, running around the house switching off alarms will soon wake you up!

you- this way you wake up in no time at all!

Tip Number 8: Drink water before going to bed. Not only is it extremely healthy to drink lots of water, but come morning hours you’ll need to get up for more than just Fajr salah!

Tip Number 4: Make it your job to wake everyone up- If you go and wake everyone up you not only get rewarded for this but it gets you up as well.

Tip Number 9: Exercise- As soon as your alarm clock rings jump out of bed

Tip Number 5: Make getting up attached to a privilege- So if you don’t pray Fajr the next day you take a fun thing out of your day e.g. going out, eating something special and so on.

Tip Number 6: Receive calls or texts- If one of your good friends could call or text you then you are more likely to wake up as we are all good at following our friends… right?

Tip Number 7: Make a family member water you! Ask a family member to throw water on

Tip Number 10: Buy a ‘coffee maid’ - This is a machine that has a timer and automatically makes you a cup of coffee on a sleep timerwake up to the smell of coffee.

Tip Number 11: Lights- Put your light on a timer and make it turn on for Fajr time.

Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who, observes, Al-Bardan (i.e., Fajr and `Asr prayers) will enter Jannah.’’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

By Syra K. – Age: 13 years, Oxford

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

ISLAM

27

Your Mother, Your Mother, Your Mother Apart from her role as a wife, the Muslim woman has a very important role as mother.

The status and value attached to parents in the Muslim world is very high. The Qur’an says:

“We have enjoined man to respect his parents; his mother bears him with fainting after fainting, while his weaning takes two years.

Thank Me as well as your parents; towards Me lies the goal” (The Qur’an 31:14)

“Your Lord has decreed that you should worship nothing except Him, and (show) kindness to your parents, whether one or both of them attain old age (while they are) still with you, never say to them a word of contempt nor scold them. Address them in a generous fashion. And out of kindness, stay before them with humility and say: ‘My Lord, show them mercy, just as they cared for me in my childhood’ “ (17:23-24).

Again Allah says:

It is reported that a man came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked: “Messenger of Allah, who is the most deserving of good care from me?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Your mother (which he repeated three times) then your father, then your nearest relatives in order”.

The Muslim mother has consequently a great feeling of security about the type of care and

consideration she can expect from her children when she reaches old age. As the verse of the Qur’an quoted above indicates, thankfulness to parents is linked with thankfulness to Allah, and a failure in either of these respects is indeed a major failure in one’s religious duties.

The principles of Islam made explicit in the Qur’an and hadith are belief and good conduct, and good conduct begins at home with one’s closest relatives. A Westerner who has had close contact with a Muslim society cannot fail to be struck by the love and respect given to parents and the honour shown to old people in general, both men and women, as a direct application of these principles of Islam.

continued >> Review from pg 25 her home. In fact, Monem’s story as told in this film symbolizes the struggle and success of Iman and every other American Muslim who pursues the American dream in the face of odds.

When Iman reads her poem, she is moved to tears herself by the emotion behind the words she has written: “I am Muslim and this is who I choose to be… This is my home, and I am free to be.”

Iman’s message can resonate with Muslim viewers, but it also reaches out to all viewers with the heart of this story, as Kaiser puts it: “As American citizens each and every one of us, no matter our religious affiliations, has the freedom to follow our passions.”

“On a Wing and a Prayer” airs on PBS stations nationwide this summer, starting in May. It airs in the Washington DC area on May 24th at 9pm on WHUT and on WETA – HD on Friday May 30th at 8:00PM EST. For additional info and to check local listings, please visit: www.WingandaPrayer.tv

PERIOD ISLAMICBOOKSTORE.COM 2048 LORD BALTIMORE DR. BALTIMORE MD 21244 TEL 410-265-0020

28

OPINION & EDITORIALS

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Boys Will Be Boys, But...

When Will They Become Men?

By Tariq Nelson Over the past few years, I have been concerned about the growing achievement gap between young Muslim males and females.

Masha Allah, our young sisters are excelling at all levels: in the community, colleges and universities, as well as in the neighborhood participation. The young sisters are dominating the activities at the MSAs, scholastic tournaments as well as activities in the masjids. Don’t get me wrong—the sisters’ participation is welcome and should continue to get stronger, but the point is that the young men seem to be far behind the sisters.

This problem has snowballed to the point that

I think the time has come that we had a frank dialogue about the direction of our community.

the moral crises facing our society. Our youth can potentially lead us into a new golden age of sorts.

This is not something that we should casually set aside because I feel that the solutions we are providing for our young men are dwarfed by the problems. The question for us is: if that is a fact, then what are we going to do about it? Turning things around means taking an active interest in what is happening. We have a moral obligation to work towards a meaningful change in direction. However, this will require us sending a message to our young men that they must make the right choices right now. The decisions they make today can affect them for the rest of their lives. This requires the older men to be there

However, getting there will require us to start treating our young men like young

This imbalance is so profound that there is even an effort to start a Muslim school for young Muslim men, being spearheaded by sisters themselves. these outstanding sisters are having problems finding a suitable match for marriage. This imbalance is so profound that there is even an effort to start a Muslim school for young Muslim men, being spearheaded by sisters themselves. This is a striking indictment on the men of our community and the activists that are involved in the community are finding themselves overwhelmed. We need more people – particularly men – to be involved.

The lack of male involvement with the boys and young adults has manifested itself in many ways. One example is that some masjids can not get their scout programs off the ground because they can’t find enough fathers to volunteer as mentors.

After the heart wrenching tragedy last week involving some local Muslim young men,

continued >> Caucus from pg 05 discussions with District Democratic leaders, the green light was given for the establishment of this new group to represent the veiewpoints of the Muslim community.

Participants of the inaugural meeting included Jameel Johnson, President, PG County Muslim Council & Former Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman; Valencia Mohammed, a former member of the DC School Board, and the highest-office holder amongst Muslims in the District to date; Rahim Jenkins, a Muslim activist and former Candidate for Ward 8

to mentor these young men that are facing exceptional challenges in today’s society.

These young men are facing a relentless onslaught of bad cultural signals in the mass media that are on television, on the radio and encourage the destruction of sound and responsible behavior.

But the news is not all dire. With the help of some strong willed workers, I feel that we also have a really unique opportunity to positively shape our environment. Many of the leaders in different fields inform us that one of the great drivers of the next twenty-five years will be science and technology. There will be great advances in medicine and engineering, and Muslims can be amongst the leaders during that period, insha Allah. The Muslims can lead this era not only in these technological advances, but also lead the way in solving

City Council; and Benjamin Abdul Haqq, an assistant Imam at Masjid Muhammad.

Clarence Cherry, a Muslim candidate for an At-Large seat on the District of Columbia City Council was amongst the attendees who packed into the classroom for the Muslim Democratic Caucus meeting. “I believe this is a great opportunity for individuals like myself to come under the umbrella of a Muslim caucus to run for elected office,” said Cherry.

“The Caucus represents a new beginning of dialog between different disciplines in the Muslim community,” Cherry said.

Craig Thomas, a Muslim who also intends to vie for a seat on the DC Democratic State

I think of people of quiet resilience, warm smiles, compassion, and an immense belief in the ability to help others (by pleasing Allah) against many odds on a shoestring budget. Part of my point here is that these individuals are becoming overwhelmed with

The “boys will be boys” system of raising young men is a dismal failure.

MEN and not like old children. We as older adults must send a signal to the young men that we love them, but also we want them to be responsible and become actively engaged in their community. The “boys will be boys” system of raising young men is a dismal failure. We have engineered this middle zone (known as adolescence), where young men are trapped in a boring neither-land, and end up hanging out, playing video games, watching junk television, and even end up doing drugs and having illicit sex. This will require us to step up – as older adults - and become engaged. With the right changes in our outlook, our young men can have more exciting and more rewarding lives.

While we can learn much from past mistakes, we are faced with the decisions of the present and the possibilities of the future. I write this in the hope that many of you will upon reading this go to your local community and ask what you can do to help in making those future possibilities a reality. The theme is that our community should be one in which in which every person learns to work, learns to be responsible and is in turn also responsible for teaching those that are younger than they are.

all the challenges and need the help of more people. The bottom line is that more men must invest time in this important project or we will continue to lose our young men.

I know that many of us are busy with other responsibilities, but this is also an important part of our responsibility. If we are going to right this ship, then we must re-write our schedules. We need to plot of new course and open an honest dialog. The time for excuses is over. Solutions won’t come by throwing money at it. This is a crisis of a failure of responsibility, accountability, honesty and a determination to protect our young adults from the spoiled culture that is crippling their lives. Let’s stop (only) complaining about the lack of action of others and point the fingers at ourselves. If we are going to complain about something, then let us do so while we are taking action. If we are going to complain about what the masjid isn’t doing, then let’s have that discussion after a conversation about projects that we can work on together.

There is no shortcut. It is a long and hard road. So, let us face these problems together and mobilize our resources for working on solutions.

None of this is to say that there are no older adults working to mentor young men. To the contrary, there are many dedicated volunteers out there. When I think of them,

Tariq Nelson lives in Northern Virginia and blogs at tariqnelson.com.

Committee this year was also in attendance.

“I run a mentoring and tutoring program in the District of Columbia public school system.

Involvement [such as the Muslim Caucus] is important because we live here and have to be a part of the solution,” particularly when it comes to education stated Thomas.

their sexual choices, surely Muslims deserve the same, if not more, opined Mohmmed.

In addition to attracting would-be Muslim office holders, the Caucus allowed Muslims to weigh in on the Democratic party’s platform. An amendment was developed by Caucus additional protection to Muslims and Muslim institutions against attacks on the basis of our religious beliefs reported Valencia Mohammed. If Democrats can provide additional protection to people on the basis of

As a next step, Muslim Democratic Caucus attendees discussed convening a convention of Muslim leaders and activists to develop a national Muslim political agenda. Using their own agenda, the Muslim community would be poised to shape the agendas of both the Democratic and Republican parties alike.

For more information about the Muslim Democratic Caucus, contact Talib I. Karim, Esq. at talib.karim@gmail.com.

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

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OPINION & EDITORIALS

EDITORS DESK Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan

Letters to the Editor

Office Manager : Jann McClary

Crosswords Are Changing Mindsets!

Muslimat Al-Nisaa Deserves Our Support

News Desk: Umm ‘Abdullah (Events)

As Salaamu Alaikum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatahu, Muslim Link;

This is an important topic in some sectors of our community (“Domestic Violence in the Muslim Community – Where Does the Real Problem Lie?”, in Muslim Link’s April 25, 2008 issue) . Years ago I attended a Friday prayer in Atlanta in which the khateeb, an exMarine, nearly came to tears while bringing up the subject and stated that any man who beats a woman is a coward. Our community must address this issue and support this organization.

Distribution: Elwaleed Elshowya Layout & Design: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Lensay Abadula Amina Ali Farkhunda Ali Fasiha Khan Farha Marfani Rashad Mulla Maryam bint DawudMussallihullah Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published every other Friday on a Bi-Weekly Schedule 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 ads@muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2008

The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

Coming from Brother Sari here at R.C.C. . We here was blessed to come across Muslim Link March 29, 2008 paper and I find the crossword puzzle in it very educational and fun. I have introduced it to the Muslim community here.

It has become a challenge to the brothers Muslims and non-Muslims here at R.C.C. .

I f I may I would like to ask if I can get the answer for February 1, 2008 puzzle so I can check the answers. And if anyway I would like to get more of your Monthly Challenge.

Through your puzzle it has been changing the mind set of some of the males here all praise be to Allah. May Allah bless you in your effort and striving. Wa’alaykum assalam wa’rahmatullahi wa’barakatahu.

Sincerely, Mr. Kevin Sari Mars #325307 R.C.C./Snow-2, 27268 Hwy-21, Angie, LA 70426 April 21, 2008

Mansour Ansari Maryland

Good Job Mr. And Mrs. Cheema!

As a Muslim American, I am proud that we have leaders like Drs. Arshad and Yasmin Cheema who are actively infiltrating the political scene here in the U.S. (“Dr. Yasmin Cheema and Dr. Arshad Cheema elected

Democratic Delegates in Virginia”, April 25, 2008). Sitting back, watching, and listening to various comments made by political leaders is no longer an option for Muslims in America.

Not until there is an active involvement, will we be able to have an influence on long standing policies. It is time to act now, and not be an armchair politician. It is our duty as Americans Muslims to protect our interests around the world.

--An Online Reader

Write to us! Stop venting at dinner parties and in masjid parking lots. Cool down, get your points together, and send us a letter to the editor or post a comment online. editor@muslimlinkpaper.com http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com

STAFF WRITERS WANTED

The Muslim Link newspaper is looking for full and part-time candidates to fill upcoming staff writer positions.

The ideal candidates are committed Muslims who have a penchant for good writing, are involved in community work, have a strong work ethic, and believe in establishing Muslim media.

To join our team and start on a job which offers ground breaking opportunities and excitement, send your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to the editor at editor@muslimlinkpaper.com.

Attention Inmates:

While we read and appreciate all of your letters, we do not have the staff to to conduct investigations into your situations or to respond to those letters. For yearly subscriptions, please send a money order for $50 payable to the Muslim Link to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Road, College Park, MD 20740. Inmates are responsible to notify us of a change in their mailing address. May Allah keep all of you firm and ease your situations. -- TML

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The Muslim Link, MAY 09, 2008

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